There's no prompt for this one, it just came through my head and I had to write it down and then I didn't want to go to the trouble of publishing a new story on ff for 900 words so this is a Catching Fire AU where Haymitch volunteered for Peeta. They're on the train and you have to read to know what happens next ^^

Volunteer

"You volunteered."

Effie's voice was soft after Peeta's angry yells. Haymitch had almost forgotten she was there. He sighed and stopped looking at the door the kids had just disappeared through to look at her, getting ready for round two.

Her blue eyes were wide with fright, probably from when his argument with Peeta had gotten a bit physical, she was clutching the back of the couch with two hands, using the piece of furniture as a barricade between them. Or a shield, perhaps.

"You volunteered." she said again. The words were rushed quickly together, her Capitol accent getting stronger by the second. "You volunteered, Haymitch."

"Yeah, Princess, I think I know that." He rolled his eyes and went straight for the liquor cart but a cushion hit him behind the head before he could even reach it. He turned around and flung his arms wide. "Really? I can't even get a drink first?"

"You volunteered." she shrieked. "You…"

"Volunteered, yes." He cut her off. "Get a bloody grip, Effie, you're like a broken record over there."

"A broken…" she stuttered. "You volunteered, you stupid…" He didn't have time to step back before she was on him, barreling on his chest with her small fists. He had never seen her so angry. "You stupid man!" she yelled. "You stupid, stupid man!" It was cute the way she was trying to hurt him when the strongest of her blow wouldn't even leave a bruise. "You stupid…" She broke down in sobs and the smirk disappeared from his face. "Haymitch…" He wrapped his arms around her and she hugged back immediately. "You volunteered! How could you… How could you volunteer…"

"It's okay, sweetheart." he promised, pressing a kiss to her brow. "Everything is going to be just fine."

She slapped him. And that did hurt. "You're going to die." she hissed through her tears. "You're going to die in that arena so tell me, tell me, Haymitch, how exactly is it going to be just fine?" She moved to slap him again but he grabbed her wrist. She didn't even try to struggle free. "You're going to die. You're going to…"

"Would you stop saying that?!" he snapped.

"You. Volunteered." she retorted. The nails of her left hand were digging painfully in his shoulder. "Haymitch…"

She was in complete hysterics, he realized. She was panting for breath and her eyes kept darting left and right in panic. He should have slapped her but he didn't like raising a hand on a woman and there was another way to shock some sense into her. He locked a hand behind her neck and kissed her. As far as first kisses went, that one was catastrophic. She was irresponsive and she started to really weep and he didn't know what to say to make everything better.

He gripped her chin gently and forced her to meet his eyes.

"Sweetheart, did I ever do something without a good reason?" he asked. After a few seconds, she shook her head. "What do I always have? Don't say it. Just… Think about it." He didn't want to take the chance of someone listening to them. He was sure the train and their apartment in the Capitol was bugged.

He saw the moment she finally got it. There was a flash of relief as comprehension dawned on her face. What was the thing Haymitch always had? A plan. He always, always had a plan. And she knew that because she knew it.

"You're coming back to me." she whispered, closing her eyes.

It wasn't exactly how he would have put it but he shrugged anyway, unable to suppress a snort. "Such concern, Princess. Careful or one would think you cared." He wasn't entirely joking. It would probably be best if no one knew they were actually friends.

"Care?" She forced a smile on her lips and wiped the tears away. "Don't be preposterous. I just spent six years training you, I don't want to start all over again with someone else."

He put a mislaid strand of synthetic gold back into the tangle of hair that was her wig. "You're alright now?" She nodded but it was small and unconvinced. "Lie better than that." he requested, softly. "The kids can't see you like that. I'm a tribute now, it's Peeta's first year as a mentor and there won't be anyone to show him the ropes, everything will fall on your shoulders." They were standing so close he could almost count every of her fake eyelashes. "I'm sorry, Effie, you're on your own this year."

"I will manage." She smoothed the creases of his shirt absent-mindedly and leaned against him a little, her voice got lower which made him think that she was also aware of the possibility of bugs. "But only for this year, Haymitch. You're coming back to me, I don't care how or who you have to kill to get out, you're getting out. Promise me."

Did she know what she was asking? What about Katniss? What about those of their friends who had been reaped ? What if Finnick was in the midst of them? Or Chaff? Cecelia ?

"This year only." he promised anyway.

If everything went according to plan, there wouldn't be any Hunger Games the next year.