Next song: "It Will Rain" by Bruno Mars. This was just a heartbreaking song and we need some sadness in every relationship right? (lol I'd prefer if we didn't) Enjoy!

It Will Rain

If you ever leave me, baby

Leave some morphine at my door

Cause it'll take a whole lot of medication

To realize what we used to have, we don't

Have it anymore

"Haymitch, I can't do it anymore," Effie's voice was firm and hard. She felt a lump in her throat as she looked into his sad eyes. For years, they had been trying to hide their affairs, but now that Katniss and Peeta were having difficulty with their relationship, everyone was turning to the mentor and escort for support. They couldn't get away from the attention, and one night at a party, Haymitch had accidently gone a little too far. All in plain sight of the most famous Capitol gossip writers. Now, it was only a matter of time before the president himself found out.

"Do what, sweetheart?" Haymitch was trying to pretend like he didn't care, but both of them knew that was the opposite of the truth. He didn't want her to leave. He had finally found a reason to quit drinking as much. He had someone to protect at night, someone to share his bed with when the nightmares were too much for him.

"I can't do…us," Effie sounded exasperated and she was breathing heavily. "Because of that one night at that party, half the Capitol and most of the Districts realize that Katniss and Peeta aren't the only ones in love—"

"I never said I loved you," Haymitch said, a little too forcefully. He regretted the words as soon as he saw the damage he had done. Effie had stepped back, eyes shining with tears.

"That's beside the point," Effie tried to compose herself and find a retort, however, Haymitch's words had just cut through her like a knife. "If we continue our little act, Haymitch, who knows what they will do to get through to you. Or me for that matter. I couldn't live with myself if I lost the only person I've cared for because I was selfish enough to keep them for pleasure." Effie referred to "they" as being President Snow and his Peacekeepers.

"Is that what I am to you?" Haymitch spat. "Something for pleasure?" He had no idea where these random remarks were coming from. Effie was crying and looked uncomfortable, and all he cared about was getting the last word in. All he knew was that half of the things he was saying didn't make sense. There was a long pause before Effie stepped inches away from Haymitch, leaning in. He did everything in his power not to grab her and kiss her and never let go. He wanted to take back the hurtful things he had just said. He wanted a clean slate.

"You and I both know that once Katniss is done with her little show the first person they're going after is the person who sent her into the arena in the first place. If I'm lucky, I can start a new life in the Capitol, forget that all of this ever happened, and have my old friends and family back," Effie whispered. She was looking at the ground, but she could tell that Haymitch had all eyes on her. Suddenly he lost control. He rushed in to get one last kiss, only to be halted by a hand on his chest. He looked into Effie's teary, bloodshot eyes.

"Goodbye, Haymitch," she said one final time and walked out the door.

From then on, Haymitch did nothing but drink. He tried to drink to forget her, but every time he was hopelessly drunk, something in his mind brought back the memories of Effie taking care of him; stripping him, cleaning him, and making sure that he had a safe, warm place to sleep off the alcohol. But every day was the same. He would drink in the afternoon until night, pass out in the living room, and wake up with a massive hangover. He repeated that routine for so long that he went into withdrawals when he was an hour late for his afternoon whiskey.

But nothing helped. No amount of alcohol in the world would make Effie march through his front door.

There's no religion that can save me

No matter how much my knees are on the floor

So keep in mind all the sacrifices I'm makin'

To keep you by my side, to keep you from

Walking out the door

Haymitch didn't know how long he had spent in the hospital. He had been in the pearly white room, watching over Effie, ever since Plutarch gave him the call that they found her. She had been in District 12 when the bombings started to occur, scouring the old Justice Building for who knows what. Luckily, she was one of the few who survived. Unluckily, she had escaped with bruises, burns, and cuts. According to Plutarch, Effie was found unconscious near the outskirts of the District.

"Sweetheart," Haymitch breathed. He was on the floor, kneeling next to the bed. Effie was being pumped with oxygen and water through an IV tube, barely sustaining her own life. His rough hand was gripping her smooth, frail one. Haymitch had tears dripping down his cheeks, making the white sheets wet. This was one of the few times in his life he had cried. "I don't want to lose you."

Haymitch felt guilty, like her injuries were his fault. The last time Effie had seen Haymitch was before Katniss and Peeta had entered the arena during the Quarter Quell. He had been drunk, not to Effie's surprise, and she had been in hysterics. She had told him that she needed to go back to the Capitol for some business. Something to get her mind off the Games. She was crying and begging Haymitch to help the kids as much as he could, but Haymitch had had enough of her nagging. He had exploded, right in the middle of the apartment, scaring Effie away. The last words he remembered her saying were "I hate you."

Those three words rang in Haymitch's ears. They echoed throughout his head when Plutarch said Effie might not live. He couldn't shake them off. Effie had claimed she hated him many times before, but at the end of the day, she was laying next to him in bed saying "I love you." However, those final words she gave him unearthed a sick feeling in his stomach. He felt as if she meant them, and would never forgive him. Now, it was too late.

"I'm sorry, Effie," Haymitch started, a fresh wave of tears developing. "I'm so, so sorry for screaming and yelling at you like that. I was drunk and I- I just didn't want you to leave." He heard slight beeps and checked the heart rate monitor. Effie's heart rate was speeding up a bit. Perhaps she could hear him, and was trying to communicate.

"I don't want you to go. I've done so much to help everybody. I've done my job as a mentor. I've been Katniss and Peeta's friend. I just want you to realize that." Haymitch took a deep breath, his hands shaking violently as he continued to hold Effie's. The monitor still showed her heart rate spiking.

"I love you, Effie," Haymitch confessed. Then at that moment, her heart fell into a steady beat.

Just like the clouds my eyes will do the same

If you walk away

Everyday it'll rain, rain, rain

Haymitch's mind had been clouded with fog. He couldn't think straight and he was pretty sure he was going blind and deaf. He was so upset that he had even lost the appetite for alcohol. Effie had left two days ago to head back to the Capitol. She claimed it was only for a couple weeks, but the way she had rushed out of the house told him otherwise. She didn't even bother to say goodbye to Katniss and Peeta.

Having moped around most of the morning, Haymitch decided he had nothing better to do than to actually get out of the house and walk around the District. Nobody paid him any attention, and those that did greeted him with scornful looks. He wasn't particularly favored among the residents, especially after that time he was so drunk he ran around the streets naked and screamed curses at President Snow.

Haymitch made his way to the center of 12 to try and find Ripper. Even though he didn't think he could stomach whiskey, his best bet was to force himself to swallow it.

"Haymitch," Ripper's coarse voice was followed by a polite nod. Haymitch solemnly returned the greeting. He found himself uncomfortable around the one-armed woman, but she supplied him with the strongest liquor in Panem. She was good for something. Haymitch made a gesture with his fingers that suggested that he wanted three bottles of her famous brew. "Something eating you up, boy?" She asked. He just shook his head, desperate to leave the alcohol stand. "Hmm," Ripper scoffed, "It's not like you to get so much of my stuff. Two bottles perhaps, but never more." Haymitch just waved her off.

Thunder shook the Hob and Haymitch looked to the sky. Grey clouds covered the sky, and rain was just starting to pour down. He gave a small wave to Ripper. "Thanks, uh, for the liquor," he said half-heartedly and started to walk out. Lightning was flashing and the rain was coming down in sheets. His hair was clinging to his face and his clothes were getting soiled, but he didn't care. There was no one at home to nag him about how clean or hygienic he was.

Water was dripping down his hands when he finally saw the Victors' Village come into view. A faint light was coming from Katniss and Peeta's shared house, no doubt a fire burning. Haymitch grumbled in jealousy of how easily they managed to find love. However, as he spotted his own house, he saw a small shadow in the distance. Walking quicker, a familiar bright pink wig came into view. Of course the person who adorned said wig had an umbrella to cover it from getting wet. Haymitch got close enough to the figure to confirm his suspicions.

"Effie?" He called out. The strange froze and gave a little jump. It was indeed Effie who turned around to face him. She was carrying a small suitcase in one hand. It looked like the same suitcase she left with. Effie didn't smile. In fact, she looked sad. Her eyes were puffy, as if she had been crying. She didn't respond, but she only let go of the luggage and stepped forward to Haymitch.

"I'm sorry," was all she could manage to say. Nonetheless, her voice cracked. "I should never have left you. I didn't know what went through my head—I thought I needed a break from all of this." She shook her head in disbelief.

"Why did you come back?" That was the only question Haymitch wanted to answer.

"Because no matter how short the time is, I can't stand being apart from you."

That was Haymitch's cue. He rushed forward, grabbing Effie by the waist and pushing his mouth against hers. The sudden shock caused Effie to drop her umbrella. She placed her hands on Haymitch's chest, sinking into the kiss as he moved his hands up and down on her back. Rain was pouring around them, but in truth, Haymitch couldn't ask for a better opportunity to kiss her. When they finally pulled away, Effie's wig and dress were sopping wet.

"Ugh," Effie groaned, "now we're both wet." Haymitch grabbed her hand.

"I guess that means we both have to take a shower, then," Haymitch winked, dragging her inside the house.