Our Own "Happy ever after..."

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and no money has been made out of this.

Chapter 9

"Hello, Miranda! It's been so long since I've seen you! We must have lunch one of these days." Effie inspected her nails, making sure everything was perfect and in place.

It was time for the interviwes. People were running around, adding last minut details to the clothers, searching for one paper or another, trying to organize the tributes. Poor unfortunate souls. If they followed schedules this wouldn't happen.

Obviously, she, Effie Trinket, had everything perfectly set. In fact, she even had some spare time. While Haymitch chatter with his friends, she decided to sit down and admire the beauty of everything. The sparkling lights, the beautifull feathers and the perfect maniqured nails. Not to mention the wigs. Out of all the Escorts she was with no doubt the best.

Haymitch, on the other hand, was dressed quite simply. A grey suit and red tie. That was the style that suited him the best.

From time to time he would look in her direction, his lips curving. With his hair brushed and washed, a glass of wiskey on his hand and leaning against the wall, he gave of that bad boy vibe. Effie was proud of her work of art. And happy all that sex apeal was for her.

So now she was chatting with her sister.

"Uhm... Party? Whatever you mean? Oh... Ahaha, no, I didn't... To Haymitch you say? Let me call you back, yes? Thank you. Yes, see you soon. Love you too, yes. It was a lovelly chat, bye."

As it turns out, Haymitch had not in fact given her any invitation. Thanks to him, she was late to confirm her presence, made herself a fool in front of her sister, and would surelly hear from her mother later.

If she was going to go on a trip to hell, so was Haymitch. It wasn't like him to do this kind of thing, not on purpose. Probably he forgot, wich was worst, because she couldn't just tell her mother that.

However, now was not the time for that. The interviwes would be starting soon, they couldn't waste time with fibble quarrels.

The lights went down and the last ones standing made a quick job out of finding their places.

Her victor sat next to herself. He smeled good. To most people it would seem a weird statement, but she had a degree in anatomy (very helpful in her job), so she knew that if a person smell was atractive was due to their imune system being diferent. As a consequence the chances of reproduction would go up, and their children would have even stronger imune system.

She felt a blush climb its way up from her neck to her face. Why was she thinking about babies? About having babies with Haymitch?! And why did it sound so much worse saying 'having babies' rather than 'sex'?! WHY WAS SHE STILL THINKING ABOUT THIS?!

"You okay, sweet heart?" Haymitch leaned into her, placing a rough hand above hers.

"Of course. Now pay attention and listen to the interviwes."

"What in Panem made you think this would be a good idea Haymitch!?"

She was mad. No, not mad. She was furious, outraged! How dare he not tell her something as important as this. She felt for the poor girl! If it was bad to be the center of a public love declaration, Effie could not beggin to imagine how terrible Katniss felt in front of all Panem.

They were in his bedroom. After the girl broke the vase and almost killed Peeta, the couple had quietly made its way upstairs. And now Haymitch Abernathy would cease to exist.

"It's no big deal. The less people to know the better." he sat on the bed, shoulder slumped a smirk playing on his lips. He had already expressed how hot she was when mad.

"Yes, it is! We-" she gestured to the space between them. "-are a team. We work together. If you don't tell me things like this how am I supposed to do my job?" Effie felt tired, and not just due to the long day.

"That's 'cause my job is to handle a strategy. You are the public relationships." he gave her a sheepish smile.

"First of all, both of us should go after sponsors, not just me. Second, I want to be part of the strategy too."

"I know you do, but it's better if we focus at what we are better."

"You're just lazy."

"That too, sweetheart, that too." he push himself back on the bed and layed back on the pillows. Patting the spot next to his, he said, "C'mon, tell me what's wrong. I know there's something you ain't telling."

"I don't have to tell you everything, you know?" she layed against his chest, still fully dressed.

"I know. But we gotta trust someone, right?" that meant so much coming from him. Effie was not sure why, but Haymitch seemed much more determined in their relationship.

"Right." she sighted, closing her eyes. "I told Katniss about my first time."

"Why did you talk to the girl about having sex?"

"Not everything is about sex, Haymitch. I'm talking about my first... you know..." he's eyes widen up with realization.

"Why did you do that?"
"I thought it would help us bond."

"Did it."
"I think it did."
"Well than, I guess we're even. I didn't told you about the plan, you didn't tell me you told the girl about your killer ass."

"Language."

"Can't believe that's what you get mad about. Not that I called you a killer." Haymitch snorted, tugging her closer.

"Oh, but I am a killer. A very good one. In fact, you might be the next on my list if don't explain me why you didn't gave my sister's letter."

"Oh, didn't remember." he openned the drawer next to his bed and snatched it from inside. "Sorry, Princess."

"Sorry? Do you have any idea how embaressed I was when my sister called me today? And my mother too. I won't hear the end of this."

"You could use that as an excuse not to go."

Sitting up, Effie unfolded the letter, all the while giving him a dirty look that said that wouldn't be hapenning.

It was an invitation for an after Beginning of the Games Party. Formal dress code, a plus one. The usual. It would take place on her sister's mansion, wich was normal too. More of the same, she guessed. She would have to show up, no matter if it was only for some scarce minuts.

"So, what's that for?"

"An invitation to my sister's party."

"Good for you. I'll be drinking with Chaff and Finnick if you need me."

"I get to take a plus-one." his eyes shot open. Suporting his body on one arm, his voice was very alarmed.

"No way sweety. I'm not going anywhere near that party."

"Yes, you are."

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

"But it's gonna be full of Capitols."

"Haymitch, I AM a Capitol."

"No, you're Effie." her victor started pouting. "And your mother is gonna be there. Please don't make me go."

"Exacly. If I have to deal with my mother, so do you." she cupped his face gently, his unshaved beard tickling her skin. "I promess we will have some fun."

"Liar. Bessides, you were allways going to have to deal with your mother, even if I gave you the letter before. Why do I have to suffer too? I thought we were a team."

"If you had given it to me I would have time to prepare my self."

"Prepare? What do you mean with prepare? You got a thousand dresses in that closet of yours!"

"Psicologicly, Haymitch. I have to prepare my self psicologicly." Effie gave him a gentle peck on the lips. "If you go, you can protect me."

"Like hell, you need my protection. More like the other way around."

Effie climbed out of bed and went into the bathroom.

Firstly, she undid her make up. Then, her wig. Finally, she let her dress fall to the ground. As she went through her night ritual, she couldn't stop her mind from running wild.

Had it really been a good idea to tell Katniss about her true nature? Should she do the same with Peeta. He seemed to be doing better than Katniss, so maybe not.

What troubled her the most was the knowledge that Katniss was not a killer. Not like her. To be a killer one didn't need discipline, or practice, or knowledge. It's an instinct that burst through her all being when she needs the most. It's not someone one can become with practice, no. Killers are born killers. You can learn how to do it, the easiest spots, the stronger and sneakier ways, but that doesn't make a killer.

Loosing your fear of stabing someone, of seeing the blood spill doesn't make a killer. A killer doesn't kill for pleasure or because he wants to. It kills with a deaper meaning. It respects death, welcomes it as an old friend. That is the diference between a born killer and a trained assassin. The idea of fear becoming respect. The understanding of the power it helds.

Katniss didn't have it in her. None of the kids did. Maybe that fox girl, but without the proper guidance she wouldn't make it.

She didn't want to alarm her female tribute. It was never her intention, only to create a connection. Or at least to stop the hate.

Effie had donne it with the sister. Her grandfather was looking after her, or at leats expected something from her. The Games were harsh and cruel, but were their reality. And like all realities, they must be lived.

Why had she joined the Games' crew in first place? To stop feeling useless. So that she wouldn't simply stay at home and see it all happen. So that her subconcious was aware that those things were in fact hapenning. That those people were real, the blood was real, the deaths were real. To give the kids a better chance. To change the odds.

A nock sounded on the other side of the door, followed by Haymitch's voice anouncing he was coming in.

They had fallen in a lovely rotine. This was the first year it hapenned, the first time they were so open with each other. Might be because she would have to leave soon, and he knew it.

"What's taking you so long?" he was alreadyy dressed in his pajamas. Well, not dressed, he was wearing only boxers.

"Just thinking. You shouldn't do that, it might do some damage."

"Oh, shut up!"

She threw a towel at his head, wich he easily caught with a grin. Haymitch then sneaked an arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

Effie closed her eyes, and as their lips touched, she forgot all about the party, her fears, and the up coming deaths.

To be continued...

A.N.: Hey guys! I know this chapter is even shorter, but I find it easier to do it this way. Otherwise I would have to find fillers and it would either be too boring or too many things hapenning at the same time.

Also, I'm sure all of you recived a message informing that now I have an Instagram account. It will have fannarts from diferent fandoms, theories about series and more, fashion posts, random drawings... The name of the account is Nikas_13 with a pink icon. But you will probably see it just by writing nikas.

Adeus.