Waiting

kisses absently left on the backs of hands, fingers entwined in silent comfort.

"It's going to be okay."

She blinked and came back to the present, turning her head in Haymitch's direction when he squeezed her fingers. Hospitals weren't her favorite place to be. She smoothed her skirt with her free hand and glanced at her watch, wondering how long it would be before they called her. She had an appointment but scanners and MRI appointments never happened on the dot.

"It is just a control check MRI." she answered calmly, more calmly than she felt. "I am only doing this because Mags insisted. Whatever they say I will still skate and we will still win."

Her knee wasn't swollen that day. Perhaps it would go well – or at least, not too bad.

"Nobody said anything about quitting, Effie." he sighed. "Just… There's nothing wrong with taking care of yourself. If you need meds or…"

"I don't need medication." she hissed. "I am fine."

She averted her eyes, her jaw clenched in irritation. Or maybe it was fear. Her surgery had been a difficult time for her, she refused to live through that again. She knew what the doctor would say when he would her MRI. He would say she needed to put her skates away if she didn't want to need a knee replacement when she would hit fifty.

"Sure you are." he snorted. "That's why you've been crying in the shower every night for the last week. 'Cause you're fine."

She didn't ask how he knew about that.

"I can work through the pain." she retorted.

"Yeah, you can. Doesn't mean you have to." he objected. "Look, I'm not saying quit. I'm not even saying take a break 'cause you'll want my balls on a plate if we fall behind but… For fuck's sake, Princess, if you need stronger painkillers, take them."

She pursed her lips, staring at the tile floor. Stronger pain medication made her drowsy, moody and would impact on their training. She couldn't afford it. They couldn't afford it.

"Nobody thought I could ever put skates back on." she said slowly. "Never mind doing anything worthwhile on them…"

"We're going to win and they're all going to shut their big mouths." he promised, entwining their fingers and lifting their clasped hands to his lips. "But we can do that and make sure you don't bust your knee again in the process, sweetheart."

She breathed out slowly, gradually getting her fear back under control.

When he said things like that, she believed him

I felt like publishing some trash today ;) I imagine this takes place before their first competition. Let me know what you think!