Little Gem Magnolia's prompt : Aww, they're so cute. :) I hate how it seems that Effie is always the one opening herself up, though. For once, I would like to see a fic where Haymitch is opening himself up to her and she's keeping her cool because she knows it's bad for them.

The Right Time

It was almost dawn by the time Effie went back to the penthouse, confident that Cinna and Portia had watched over the children as they had promised when her victors had escaped the President mansion a few hours earlier. The penthouse was eerily silent, she thought everyone was asleep and that was the reason why she startled when she saw Haymitch sprawled on her bed when she entered her room.

"Shoes off the bed." she hissed without even thinking about it.

He rolled his eyes but kicked off his shoes without bothering with the shoelaces. He didn't offer any explanation for his presence and Effie frowned, a bit confused. There was only one reason for him to come and seek her in her room but she was too exhausted for anything of that sort to happen at the moment. He didn't attempt anything though : no slurred comment about how she looked hot – or ridiculous depending on his mood – no grabby hands, no "shut up and kiss me, sweetheart"… It was disconcerting. She got rid of her own shoes and started the long process of unpinning her wig… The hairdresser had used so much hairspray, it felt glued to her head…

"I saw Cinna introducing you to Plutarch Heavensbee earlier." she ventured at some point when the silence started to become too much for her to bear. He wasn't even drinking… He was just laying there and looking at the ceiling. "Do you like our new Head Gamemaker?"

It seemed to get his attention. His grey eyes watched her attentively, staring at her as if she had just presented him a riddle he had to solve. The wig finally gave in and she tousled her crumpled blond hair before braiding it quickly and carelessly. She would deal with it when she'd wake up.

Her stockings were discarded with equal disinterest but the dress wouldn't come off. "The zipper is caught." she grumbled, walking closer to the bed and presenting him her back. "Could you undo it? Carefully, Haymitch."

For a second, she thought he would continue to ignore her. Then his hands were on her – unsteady, she couldn't help but notice – he wasn't quite as delicate as she would have liked but he seemed to at least try. He managed to pull down the zipper all the way then placed his hands on her waist. She shivered when the ghost of his breath rolled on the newly uncovered skin but instead of kissing it like she was expecting, he removed his hands and laid down again.

She slipped off the dress right then and there, hoping for a response of some kind because his lack of reaction was getting her worried. His eyes roamed down her body but there was no spark of desire in them, it was like his mind was miles away. She was quick in putting on her nightgown and cleaning her face off the make-up. When that was done, she climbed on the bed and sat facing him with her legs folded under her.

"What is wrong?" she finally asked, placing a hand on his chest, right above his heart. He coiled his fingers around her wrist, his thumb running up and down slowly.

"We weren't convincing enough." His voice sounded rough, tired beyond words.

Her mind immediately went into overdrive, coming up with half-cook plans to convince people Katniss and Peeta were in love but… "The engagement…" she said. Certainly, nothing could be more convincing than an official engagement? "We just need more time to…"

"We weren't convincing enough." Haymitch repeated more firmly. "That game is lost."

"But… But…" she stuttered, tears already forming in her eyes as worry and panic spread through her whole body. "Katniss and Peeta…"

"It's not just Katniss and Peeta, sweetheart." he chuckled bitterly. "It's all of us. The victors. We're becoming too problematic to handle." Her hand clutched his shirt in sudden fear but he kept stroking the inside of her wrist, looking in the distance. "I have a very bad feeling."

"Nonsense." she snapped. "Utter nonsense."

He turned his head to look at her. "You should keep your distance. From me, from the kids… Make it clear which side you're on."

"There is no side." she whispered furiously, her eyes darted around the room in fright. "Don't talk like that, Haymitch. It sounds like…"

"Treason?" he snorted but his amusement was short-lived. His hand traveled up her arm to her face. She leaned into it. "I've been selfish with you."

"You're drunk." she spat, hoping that if anyone was listening – and she had no doubt someone was listening – they would put his odd comments on too much alcohol.

"Yeah but not enough." he sighed, pulling himself up and pressing his lips against hers softly. It was uncharacteristic and it scared her more than any of his occasional outburst of verbal violence ever did. "It was supposed to be just sex…" It was barely a murmur, certainly not loud enough for a bug to pick it up. "I wasn't supposed to care about you…"

She kissed him deep and rough only to silence him. Her heart was racing with feelings and fear and so many other things she didn't think she would have been able to name them all. She was only certain of one truth : it wasn't the right time for love declarations. It was too dangerous, too…

"Effie…" he whispered against her lips, it was almost a plea. "I…"

"No." She left no room for arguments. "Trust me, you will thank me tomorrow for stopping you from saying that." His shoulder slumped in defeat or maybe resignation. "You should go back to your room."

He nodded, grabbed his shoes and left. She pretended not to notice the way he glanced back at the door and she lied to herself about falling asleep breathing in his smell on her pillow.

It wasn't the right time for love.