Sunshine

"Hey Effie."

She's sprawled out on his old tartan blanket in a most unladylike fashion with books strewn all around her. Shoes and socks have been kicked off and her bare legs and poor mangled feet are soaking up the late afternoon sun. It's rare to see her so relaxed and he takes a moment to appreciate it.

She raises her head from her arms - her hair is natural today and the strawberry gold hue is beautiful in the sunlight.

"Hello Haymitch."

He shifts awkwardly - not sure if he should ruin her moment of peace. He drops and sits beside her, picking at loose threads on the blanket.

"So the kids have set a date for the wedding." He opens stiltedly. He feels suddenly stupid; she knows that already. She's been drafted in as wedding planner and there are about a dozen bridal magazines right next to her.

She stretches lithely and rolls onto her side to face him.

"So yeah... you knew that." He takes a deep breath, and throws caution to the wind. "So... d'ya wanna go with me?"

She's silent a long while, watching, as if waiting for the punchline.

Finally, slowly, she asks; "Are you asking me to be your date?"

"'Spose I am." Haymitch grumbles.

"Yes. I would like that."

She flashes him one of her lopsided smiles and rolls back onto her stomach. Her face is flushed and he knows it is from more than just the heat. He tries really hard not to look at her ass.

Haymitch lets out a breath and he knows he is grinning like an idiot. He clasps her hand in his before getting up to leave; it's small and warm and feels right.

"Haymitch," she calls after him, "Make sure that you wear something nice."