It was definitely starting to get colder, Haymitch thought as he and Katniss parted ways on entering the Victors Village. The pair had gone up to the woods a few hours earlier to hunt. Haymitch had hunted a little when he was younger, before he went into the Hunger Games, but since then he had spent most of his days drinking himself into a stupor so he really hadn't the time or inclination to go out. Besides, he was one of the richest people in District 12 at that time, so any meat he needed he could just buy.
It was Katniss who suggested he came out hunting with her one day. He had once told her that he used to hunt a little, and being a keen hunter herself she had naturally kept that fact in mind. He had gone with her, and as he stalked quietly through the woods, he felt younger than he had done in a long time. It was a regular occurrence now. The woods seemed to revitalise him, and it gave him a sense of purpose; he liked being able to return home with food for the table.
He pushed open the door to the house, taking off his fleece lined coat that had protected him from the cold air outside.
As he hung it up, he caught a sweet smell in the air and sniffed. He followed the scent along to the kitchen, where Effie stood at the counter. She turned as she heard him enter the room.
"Is that hot chocolate?" he asked, spotting the mug she held.
"Yes." She smiled, then frowned. "Haymitch Abernathy, what have I told you about wearing your muddy boots in the house?"
He glanced down, then gave Effie a sheepish smile.
"Take them off." She said firmly.
"But…" He started, looking longingly at the hot chocolate.
"Not until you've taken those boots off."
He stared at her for a moment, trying to wear her down. But this was Effie, and if there was one person who could be more stubborn than him it was her.
"Fine." He relented, turning and walking back to the porch.
"And you can clean the floor later!" Effie called after him.
He shook his head, but he was smiling as he did so.
