Haymitch woke from another nightmare. Of course he was used to it by now, having 24 years of nightmares tends to become a routine. He reached over to his bedside table and grabbed the whiskey bottle. He took a big swig and swallowed painfully. Drowning his sorrows in alcohol, that's what he does, that's what he's always done. Perhaps sometime in the future, he won't need to do it, but for now, it's better than what would happen if he didn't.

His geese started to honk at him, and it was early in the morning. This was not, in any means, right. Sometimes he wished that he had never bought geese. But then he remembers why he did. It was Effie's suggestion. It was more of a snide comment than a suggestion, but he still remembered it.

"You couldn't even take care of a flock of geese let alone two teenagers!" Effie shouted during a fight they were having. He was too drunk to even think of a comeback quick enough.

Effie had always been the annoying selfish Capitol woman that she had first presented herself to be. He hadn't wanted to see past that at first. All her proper manners and her punctuality and her…. Capitolness. Naturally that's why he hated her at first, because she was from the capitol. But then as the years started to roll by, kids killed two at a time, he realized that she wasn't at all the woman he thought her to be. She actually had a heart, especially for the kids. She would break down after the kids would die. She told him everything she was feeling and he would pat her shoulder, too awkward to do anything else.

After a couple of years, Haymitch realized that Effie could be called a friend. Well, to be exact, his only friend. It was a sad truth that he accepted, or drank to. Haymitch didn't let anyone close to him for a reason. The capitol killed off everyone he cared about, and here was capitol herself, parading around in her high heels and ridiculous dress. He hated all that makeup she wore, and her wig. He had never seen her without it. He at one point hoped that she would be pretty underneath all of that. But then he realized that he didn't care. She was still a woman from the capitol, a friend, yes, but still a woman from the capitol. That fact simply could not be erased. Haymitch thought she would never change from the capitol propaganda woman she was, even if she wanted to. Effie could never be free of the background she carried with her.

Somehow, Haymitch still cared for her. Somehow, he wanted her out of the capitol, away from all the harm that it would cause her. He didn't want her to suffer. He thought that District 12 would be a lot safer than the possible fear and uprising and hate in the capitol that was bound to happen.

Haymitch knew that Effie could start a new life here in District 12. He knew she would be happy here. Well, he hoped she could be happy. Haymitch was surprised that he cared or even thought about Effie this much. It was making him anxious, waiting for Effie to arrive at District 12. Haymitch started cleaning his house, something that has never been done before. He had his phone fixed. He got a spare bedroom ready for her. It was very strange behavior indeed. But Haymitch was determined to make Effie a suitable home. Especially since she was from the capitol, he somehow wanted to impress her, show her that he's changed from the insufferable man he used to be.

He was going crazy, surely. He had never cleaned his house. He was too drunk to think about cleaning his house. His house was always in a state of disarray and it never smelt good. But it was home to Haymitch, as home as it got. His true home had been destroyed by the capitol. His home was with his family, and his friends. His home had been destroyed 26 years ago. He hadn't been home in 26 years. This time, he was determined to make it a home to both him and to Effie.

A/N Sorry it took so long to update. I've been busy. This chapter is a little shorter but the next chapter is going to be longer! Thank you so much for all the awesome feedback! I love you all!