The Lady of the Lake: Behind the Scenes

So here we are with Drabble number 3!

This is a happier one to last time, no dying in this one, only two prickly people deciding that yeah...actually...they kind of like one another. Sorry if you don't like Haycia/Haccia (Can't decide which), this chapter is alllll that pairing.

Prompt: Haymitch and Deccia at the Feast/Wedding.

The Feast interactions had been pretty set out, drinking until passing out and then hungover snowball the next day. But the wedding...that was open...apart from the insult dancing.

This chapter features Haymitch and Deccia getting a bit romantic in the wake of the wedding. This is set during the events of Chapter 31

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Enjoy!

Sand Between Your Toes

It was her baby brother's wedding day.

It had been a beautiful ceremony, even she could admit that, and Cato looked genuinely happy standing up there, holding his bride's hand and reciting his vows. She was happy for him, despite what he might think, and she did want him to be happy generally, despite what others might think.

The thing was, Cato was almost ten years younger than her. He'd only just been beginning his Tribute training when she was standing for her chance to be a Tribute. She remembered him as an intense, frowning little baby. It was hard to reconcile the memory of her bratty little brother, and the man standing there being married.

And then she had to remind herself that yes, he was young, but he'd seen and done things that aged him, matured him, beyond his years. In some ways the Games had even been good for him. Although she was sure that that was in large part down to the young woman standing beside him.

With the Hunger Games hanging over everyone, people tended to marry young, reminded of their mortality by watching other people your age, and younger, being slaughtered in droves every year. The comfort of another living being was something craved, and she could understand that.

The problem was that most men found a woman like her…well, they didn't exactly look at her and think, 'that's the mother of my heirs'. And most of the time she was fucking thankful they didn't! She was never going to be a good housewife, or someone who tended to domestic things.

District 2 valued strength, but men liked to feel protective and dominant, especially District 2 men, especially District 2 men that trained as Tributes. Cato was an excellent example of that. And his affection for Sky…well…no one was ever going to say Deccia was like Sky. Sky was…unusual.

Anyway basically it boiled down to the fact most guys were scared as fuck of her.

Whatever, bunch of pussies really. All 'I'm a man hooah' and waving their swords around like feather dusters. Show them someone with a pair of breasts however, and who can kick their ass, and they run off…their little dicks all shrivelled up with fright.

Pathetic.

"Fuck I'm feeling all hormonal and shit," she griped to Enobaria sitting beside her, and the other woman smirked faintly, "Weddings are evil."

"Feeling your age?" Enobaria teased arching one dark brow at her friend. "How do you think I feel? Cato's a puppy, and I'm even older than you for god's sake."

"Three years," Deccia reminded her chuckling softly, "Just three years."

"Whatever, I'm on the other side of thirty to you. And I have these," she tapped her sharpened, dagger like teeth. They did give her a bit of a feral look, Deccia had to admit, "Most guys piss themselves if I smile at them."

"Maybe they think you'll eat them if they shag you," Deccia pointed out, "All black widow style."

"Tempting…" Enobaria drawled, but was interrupted from continuing by Haymitch Abernathy flopping down into the seat beside Deccia.

"You mean men aren't drawn to your sparkling personality Enobaria?" he gave her an insincere smile, "I'm stunned. Floored." He then looked at Deccia and nodded, "2."

"Beanstalk," Deccia greeted back, and Enobaria rolled her eyes.

"And on that note…before you two decide to drink the entire party dry. I'm getting a bottle of wine."

The two of them watched her go, Haymitch a little more mournfully than Deccia, as he sipped the drink in his hand. A drink that looked suspiciously like water…

"Peeta's banned me from drinking," he muttered, at her questioning look "The kid's a menace. Has me running, jumping, leaping and lunging like I'm supposed to be a kid again. Katniss too. Although I don't think she's feeling the booze ban like I am."

That was surprising; she'd always thought the bread boy was a bit of a pushover. Nice to hear there was a bit of spunk somewhere under those big, blue eyes.

She could respect him getting his fellow Victors in shape. Especially with the Quell looming.

"I'm sure you'll thank him if that Trinkett woman calls you up to dance on Reaping day."

"If my name is called, the kid will volunteer." Haymitch pulled an unhappy face, "He's determined to protect her…"

No need to say just who 'her' was.

Deccia wrinkled her nose; she didn't like Katniss, even if Sky seemed to have forgiven her. The girl would always be Catpiss, or Cato's nickname, Bitch on Fire, to her. Either one was fine.

"And what if his name is called?" She asked, glancing at Haymitch, "You going to return the favour Beanstalk?"

"Reckon so." He shrugged, "He has good points for wanting her safe. But she has good points too, about protecting him. Helping him win."

More surprises!

"She wants him to win?" Deccia whistled, "Seriously? She doesn't even know it's not a real Games yet."

"Katniss is the master of self delusion." Haymitch snorted, "She thinks she doesn't care for the kid. But everything she does…"

"Fuck sometimes she reminds me of Cato." Deccia muttered, rolling her eyes, "Sans psychopathic temper."

Haymitch snorted again and Deccia reached down into her bag, drawing out a small flask.

"Here," She slipped it into his hand, "It's a party."

"I love the way you think."

"Yeah, yeah. Shut the fuck up, drink and pass it over. Don't even think of guzzling it all for yourself."

Together they sat there, sipping occassionally from the flask and enjoyed the companionable silence.

It was the end of the night, everyone was making their way home, and Deccia along with Haymitch were heading to Finnick's house, trudging along the sandy road towards the Victors Village.

"How do they live like this?" Haymitch groaned, kicking a spray of sand into the air, "It gets everywhere!"

Deccia chuckled dryly, "It makes their feet all soft you barbarian. It's worth it for the baby feet."

"Shut up," he laughed, a raspy chuckle that made her grin, "If the mud in 12 hasn't made my feet perfect by now then I'm just destined to have manly feet."

"I'm surprised you don't have the ladies of 12 swooning at your door," She mocked, nudging him slightly, "Soft, baby feet are such a turn on."

"Fuck I hope not…" he barked another raspy laugh, "None of the women in 12 really do it for me."

That made her arch an eyebrow, and whistle at him.

"Fuck are you picky? You, you greasy beanstalk?"

"I'm a catch," he waggled a finger at her; "Don't you go thinking I haven't had offers sweetheart. Ladies swoon when they see me coming. I'm the Finnick Odair of District 12."

"They pass out even before they smell your breath?" Deccia retorted and laughed as Haymitch swiped at her playfully, "So offers huh? Why didn't you accept?"

"Life's tough in 12," Haymitch shrugged, "They saw me as an easy way out of the poverty. After that…my drinking would probably be a cakewalk in comparison."

"Tch," Deccia snorted, "Nothing like the scent of desperation."

"One of your perfumes my dear?"

"Fuck you." Deccia growled, bristling despite herself. Sure she'd been a little maudlin earlier, but it was allowed dammit, "I can kick any man's ass to District 12 and back. And that includes you."

"Just means you need a real man to handle you." Haymitch chuckled dryly, "Not arrogant pups like you breed in 2."

"Oh and you could handle me?"

Fuck…were they flirting?

Haymitch smirked and stopped walking, turning back to face her before slowly sauntering forward, backing her up against the rough wooden fence behind her. Automatically her fists came up, and he laughed, a throaty laugh, before he put his hands on hers, gently pushing them down.

"Fists down sweetheart, you can use your talons later."

"Fuck you," she breathed, before his lips met hers.

It was unlike any kiss she'd ever had, and sure she'd had a few, even if no one had stuck around after the fun ended. She'd had hesitant kisses, dry kisses, over enthusiastic kisses, and one kiss that had reminded her of a washing machine.

You know…transfer all the spit from his mouth to yours and then swirl the tongue around and around until your lips and chin were slobbery? Yeah she'd had that. And it was fucking unpleasant.

Haymitch's kiss was like him. A little acerbic, and on the slightly rougher side, which she kind of liked. He tasted like the sweet fruits they'd eaten, the tang of the illicit alcohol she'd given him, and the warm taste of the seafood. He was tall too, so they were level, and he was unapologetic.

He wanted. She wanted.

"Have I mentioned," he muttered against her mouth, "That I like not having to bend in half to talk or kiss you, you harpy?"

"Right back at you, you muckraking miscreant."

"Feisty." He grinned against her mouth.

"Want to see how feisty?" She asked daringly, tilting her head proudly, "I'm a wildcat."

"How can I resist a challenge like that?" he kissed her again, and the two of them started stumbling towards the Village again, "I know just the bed to pet you sweetheart."

It made her laugh, a husky, but honest laugh and he dragged her over under a willow tree beside the road.

They eventually made it back to Finnick's house, and Haymitch's bed.

But not for many hours yet.

NEXT TIME: Katniss' POV on Sky, set in the Arena

pinchupandi - Here's the next one!

Sarah'1595 - It was very Mags and Finnick wasn't it, he's such a damn drama queen. And sure thing Deccia's POV will be in a few chapters.

Frostivy - How do you think I felt writing it! So much blubbering. But it was fun writing from Darrien's POV. His thoughts were rather peaceful, until you know...the death. Huggings!

brunetteAnnabeth - I know hey? Poor Darrien! Poor Marvel! I love them so much.

Reviewer08 - Me too! Definitely me too!