(Sorry about what happened with this chapter. I uploaded one then wasn't happy with it, so I deleted it. As you might have seen, there's a little pattern with this fic: a flashback then something for the storyline. I forgot to do a flashback, so here's that! Again, very sorry. Thank you for all the reviews, you have no idea how much I love reading them!)

"I never understood this holiday." Haymitch said, brushing his sleeve and looking over at Effie. The escort wore what he could only describe as an abomination. It was a crimson velvet dress, whose skirt was so stiff that it didn't move when she walked, it stayed splaying outward. The short, sleeveless number was lined at the edges with ivory-coloured fur. "It's a Capitol tradition. I shouldn't even be here."

"Well, President Snow wanted a festive party with the victors, and you are a victor." Effie said, lips matching the velvet. She pursed them and looked at him. He was acting strangely, he was distant and difficult, like he had been before.

"Remind me again why you look so damn cute in velvet." Haymitch grumbled, still annoyed. He walked over and kissed her cheek, then helped her with the giant green bow around her waist. She giggled, and he continued with this rant. "Do you celebrate every year?"

"Yes. Every year. Always. Before the Dark Days, this was an ancient tradition. It's in my history, darling. I'm actually quite looking forward to a good party." She said, chewing on the inside of her cheek. She had to pretend she wanted to be there, or she ran a risk of Snow targeting her. Cassia was three now, Effie needed to start adjusting to a life without access to her daughter, and hiding the pain had been somewhat effective.

Shaking hands struggling to fix the black bowtie around his neck, Haymitch complained quietly to himself. Effie brought her hands up to the bow, pulling it and smiling at him. She took his hand and walked him outside, down the street toward the mansion. Snow's home was adorned with lights, decorations and pine trees in every direction. Not one person was dressed down, it was extravagant. The table was laid with turkey, vegetables of all kinds and an array of sauces. Effie turned to Haymitch and frowned. "Not quite like home?" She asked, realising he was uncomfortable. He shrugged her hand off of his arm roughly.

"I didn't want to leave her twice in one year. Makes me a bad father." He said, grabbing some food for himself.

"It's better than leaving her all her life." Effie hissed. How could he insult her this way? If he was a bad father, she didn't deserve the title of 'mother'. Then again, perhaps she didn't deserve to be called mother at all. Effie turned in her fluffy heels and marched to the dancefloor. She smiled politely as she touched a gamemaker on the back lightly. He turned and she asked him to dance. None of this bothered Haymitch, until the song turned slow.

Effie's head rested on the man's chest, listening to his heartbeat and ensuring that she didn't take in his scent. With her eyes closed, it was easy enough to pretend this was Haymitch. The escort was accustomed to pretending people were Haymitch. She let him guide her slowly, throughout the song. "That was quite wonderful, Haymitch." She mumbled, almost inaudibly. When she looked up, the man was smiling down at her, and she felt a sinking feeling when she remembered that she'd only been pretending. She turned her head quickly and realised Haymitch wasn't where she had left him.

Haymitch could only watch for a few seconds, before he had to leave. He walked through the large palace gates, snow covering the ground lightly. He left footprints, walking alone to an empty road. The Capitol was abandoned. Families were inside their warm homes together, people were having parties and dinners, and everyone else was stuck with Snow at his gathering. Haymitch smiled as he saw mothers with little girls when he walked past the lit windows. He'd never seen the Capitol so beautiful before now. On that empty sidewalk, beneath a streetlight, with Haymitch's footprints the only imperfection in that blanket of snow, he began to grin. He heard a song, coming from somewhere, a Capitol song he recognised. Something about love, as songs usually were. He sang along, quiet and out of tune, but smiling as he walked along. The second he stopped for a breath, his singing ceased. When he turned his head, behind him was a figure.

Effie's pale form glowed in the streetlights, her small footsteps having traced Haymitch here, she was glad she'd found him. There were tears in Effie's bright eyes as she looked at him. "I... I shouldn't have." She whispered, taking a few more steps toward him.

"Me either." Haymitch said, walking a little closer to her.

Almost falling in the snow, Effie took three quick steps to Haymitch and pulled him in close. They didn't need to talk about Haymitch's blunder or Effie's behaviour, they were both over it in that second. "You know, Haymitch. It's the last dance that's important. Of course I was going to save that for you." She whispered, smiling up at him. She fixed his bowtie one more time, then pecked his lips.

"How 'bout we have that here?" Haymitch said, taking her waist and kissing her head as she relaxed against him, dancing to the quiet music in the distance.