Hello, and happy first Monday of October!

The origin of this drabble installment is a little more complicated than usual. Back during the promotion of "Catching Fire," Capitol portraits were released, as almost everyone will remember. When we first saw Peeta's portrait in the white suit, I mistakenly thought the gold pocket square in his jacket looked like a flask. My lovely friend and beta madefrommemoriesff mentioned something about wanting to know how a flask would have made it into Peeta's pocket, and so this drabble was born.

Disclaimer: I do not claim any ownership over The Hunger Games whatsoever. I do not gain anything, profit or otherwise, from writing in this universe.


"I'm sick of this, Haymitch," Peeta spat out while pacing the length of his room in District 12's penthouse. Effie had just informed everyone of President Snow's "request" to have official portraits of Katniss and Peeta done for their upcoming farce of a wedding. "I'm tired of playing these games."

"You best keep your voice down, boy," Haymitch slurred as he collapsed onto the bed. "Remember, you're supposed to be happy about all of this."

Peeta stopped in his tracks and turned towards his mentor, a frown darkening his usually bright features. "I'm sorry, Haymitch," he drawled, sarcasm dripping in his tone, "sorry that I can't be sunshine and rainbows when Katniss is being manipulated into this…this sham of a relationship."

Narrowing his eyes, Haymitch could see that behind the fiery glint in Peeta's gaze that there was very real pain and suffering in the boy's soul. He already felt guilt for allowing Peeta to volunteer for him, but now this?

No. This time, the Capitol would lose.

It was time. Time to begin.

Haymitch eased himself into a sitting position and thrust his half-empty flask towards Peeta. "Drink this, boy."

"I'm not going to lose myself in white liquor like you, Haymitch."

"I'm not telling you to," he shot back. All he needed to do was dampen that spark for just a moment, to let those underlying emotions show. He wanted THAT in Peeta's portrait. "Just…something to get you through this hoopla with these pictures."

Peeta hesitated, glaring at Haymitch, before swiping the flask and taking a swig. When he tried to hand it back, Haymitch waved him off.

"Keep it," he said, rising to his feet and moving towards the door. "You'll need it more than I will."


Thanks for stopping by and reading! Hope you're all still enjoying these. Back next Monday with another installment!