Prompt : My favourite ones are the ones with Portia and Cinna. I like the idea of them noticing little things about haymitch and Effie's relationship at an event like a party or dinner, then finding Effie and haymitch have snuck off to a room on their own or something?

Secret Meetings

"What are you plotting?" Cinna asked, low enough not to be overheard, as he slid effortlessly behind Portia. The Victory Party was raging on around them, it was getting late and most of the people still present were drunk or on their way to do so, people were dancing, celebrating… Cinna wouldn't have minded doing a little celebrating of his own even if he couldn't help but worry about Katniss' idea to pull out the berries. After her emotional goodbyes to Rue, it was… a bit too much on the rebellious side for the Capitol.

"I am not plotting." Portia denied, playfully whacking away the hands he had placed on her waist.

"You have your plotting look." he retorted. "Now, tell me what you're planning to do so we can go home sooner."

She glanced at him in amusement but still pointed out to a group in the crowd with her fan. The object of her attention wasn't hard to spot. Not too far from them stood Haymitch and Effie, obviously busy arguing with each other, surrounded by the Victors from Four, Seven and Eleven who were openly laughing at them. "Tell me." Portia smiled. "What do you see?"

"I see a fight of epic proportion that will probably lead Effie to throw her glass on the suit I spent hours designing especially for Haymitch." He liked that suit. It was both stylish and practical, it made Haymitch look dignified which, given his public image, was a feat.

"That's all?" She sounded disappointed.

"What do you see?" he asked, resigned to the fact they weren't leaving anytime soon.

"I see the way they look at each other." She sighed.

"Like they want to commit murder?" he snorted. "Yes, I can see that too."

"Kill, fuck…" She waved his argument away with her fan. "There's not much difference."

"If Effie could hear you talk like that she would have a stroke." Cinna smiled, well used to her crude language when they were alone.

"Effie wouldn't notice me right now if I were ballet dancing in front of her." Portia leaned a little against his side. "They're so in love I'm jealous."

Cinna frowned. "Now, I am jealous."

She rolled her eyes. "Don't be silly."

She let him wrap his arms around her waist and leaned back against him, swaying a little to the music and watching Haymitch and Effie make their round around the room. They kept arguing but Haymitch always guided her gently with a hand on the small of her back, she held his glass without him having to ask, they kept touching each other, small touch on the arm or the shoulder while they were talking… They didn't even seem aware they were doing it. And of course, there were the affectionate smiles Effie sent his way when he wasn't looking and the longing in Haymitch's eyes when she was looking away. They didn't seem to have a clue about how they felt for one another.

"Alright." he said, at last. "As usual, you are right."

"You would think after all those years I would be used to you saying that but… It's still music to my ears." Portia joked.

"How are we proceeding?" Because Cinna was sure she had a plan. She always had one.

"Well, I was thinking matching outfits for the crowning ceremony." she mused. "And a little nudging here and there. Maybe you should go dance with Effie, be really charming."

Just at that moment, a Capitol man approached Effie, probably to ask for a dance. She seemed to refuse politely but Haymitch's scowl was a sight to behold.

"I don't fancy getting beaten up by Haymitch, thank you very much." Cinna winced. "Why don't you go and dance with him."

"Because I had my nails done with Effie this afternoon and I know how sharp her manicure is." she replied. "Maybe we should be blunt. Now is the time." Effie was quickly disappearing into the crowd. "I will follow her, you take Haymitch."

She was gone before he could say anything and he found himself with empty arms. He shook his head a little and chased after Haymitch who was forcing his way through the crowd in the opposite direction Effie had taken. The victor exited the room and Cinna followed at a distance, curious to know where he was going, all thought of playing matchmaker far from his mind. Had Haymitch succeeded in making contact with rebels?

Haymitch went into one of the private viewing room and closed the door behind him. Cinna frowned and was about to go behind him when he spied Effie coming from another corridor and he deftly hid in another room. He peered out of his hiding place to find Portia staring at the door Haymitch just went in.

"This is the most ridiculous thing you have ever made me do." Cinna said, but Portia didn't seem fazed.

"What are they doing in there ? Why secret meetings?" Portia frowned. "Do you think?"

"Do you really want to know?" Cinna placed a hand on the door handle.

Portia's eyes widen. "Don't…"

But too late. He had opened the door. "Oh, sorry." he apologized, not at all that convincingly when Effie and Haymitch shot apart from their embrace. He didn't give them time to react before he closed the door again. "I don't think our matchmaking skills are needed. Can we go home now?"

She gripped his arm and steered him away. They managed to get three corridors away before they dissolved into giggles like two unruly children.