Prompt : What about one of your fantastic one-shots where Chaff or maybe Mags advice Haymitch to stay away from Effie because all they see in her is the Capitol? But Haymitch won't listen, naturally.

Wolf In Sheep's Clothing

The party was taking place in a mansion in the hills and it was unbearably hot inside. It wasn't long before Haymitch wandered to the balcony, leaning against the iron railing and watching the people mingling in the gardens below, taking a sip from his glass from time to time. There was a string quartet playing softly near the fountain and that was the kind of music Haymitch didn't mind so much, it was the kind of music he could have let himself be convinced to dance to if his escort had insisted enough. His escort wasn't interested in dancing right now though.

She was down there, flirting with sponsors in a hopeless chase for money. She was impossible to miss with her long red lacy partly see-through dress that covered most of her body but hinted at enough skin that only the very important areas were completely hidden from view. There was a large diagonal slip that left the lower part of the dress open and showed off her endless legs. She was decent through sheer miracle only and heads turned in her wake.

That dress was positively sinful.

He already knew he wouldn't last the car trip back to the penthouse. Good thing there was at least a half an hour drive. He wanted those ruby red heels to press against the back of his thighs or the small of his back.

He shifted a little, leaning further against the railing and taking a sip to cool himself down. He had been pacing his drinking exactly for that purpose. The second he had glimpsed the dress he had only been thinking about bunching it around her waist.

She laughed. The sound didn't carry to him, it was covered by the music and the buzz of a hundred people's conversations but he knew because she tossed her head back, baring her throat, and placed a hand on the sponsor's arm. He also knew it was her fake laugh. He could tell even from afar, he was too familiar with her body language. She was in full seduction mode right now but it was an act, a lure to get that man at her feet so he would open his wallet.

He heard the footsteps but he didn't move. Eleven's victor rested his back against the railing, studying him. "What are you doing?"

"Fresh air." he shrugged. "You?"

Chaff didn't answer at once. Instead, he waved his glass this way and that, making the whiskey twirl. "Trying to understand."

"Vast plan." Haymitch snorted. "Understand what?"

"If you're playing her or if she's playing you." Chaff said. "Or if you're both stupid enough to make that mistake."

He frowned, taking his eyes off Effie to face his friend. "What are you on about now?"

Eleven's victor rolled his eyes. "Can we drop the act already? You're fucking her. Deny all you want I know you, buddy. You look at her like you want to eat her whole. It's been going on for a while now. We're not blind, you know."

"Who's we?" he growled, defensive. He didn't like people talking about what he did with his escort. There were always rumors, that was alright, there were rumors about everyone but the second someone in the Games business confirmed them it would get more difficult to brush them aside or mock them.

"Mags, Seeder, the boy…" Chaff shrugged. "Take your pick. You two aren't subtle what's with the long looks and the sexual tension." He waved his stump. "She gets your blood hot, I get it. I knew from the start you would give in to this one, she's got fire and you're a sucker for women with a temper. She's got you all hot and bothered, I get it. What I don't get is why you thought it was a good idea to let it go further than a nice fuck against the wall."

Haymitch took a long mouthful of whiskey, trying to rail in his temper. "Even if I was fucking her, what's it to you? None of your business, is it?"

"You're not just fucking her, Haymitch." his friend argued. "This isn't your typical fuck the escort to fuck the Capitol. You're involved."

He scoffed. "Really not."

"You care about her." Chaff insisted. "And I'm being nice when I say care 'cause I think you're head over heels for her and that's as stupid as it gets."

"I'm not stupid. I know how to play the game." he scowled. "I'm not sixteen anymore, you don't need to mentor me."

"Don't I?" Eleven's victor challenged. "Then tell me this is just about sex, tell me you weren't stupid enough to fall in love with her."

"Just told you, didn't I?" he sneered.

"Yeah, and I still don't believe you." Chaff shrugged, a displeased sulk tugging at his lips. "She's bad news, Haymitch."

"She's not a bad person." he retorted, always defensive when she was concerned. She was good at holding her own so he didn't mind the other victors teasing her a little too much but he was always quick to draw a line.

The displeased sulk only deepened.

"She's Capitol." his friend spat. "And if that's not bad enough, she's an escort. She gets her paycheck from Snow, ever thought about that? She's paid to pick up kids, prep them and…"

"Shut up." he growled.

"Don't like the truth?" Chaff sneered. "You've been sleeping with the enemy."

"So have you. Countless times." he snarled. "You're going to lecture me about screwing Capitols?"

"I screw them, Haymitch." Eleven's victor hissed. "One fuck. Two if they're really good, and then I'm done, I'm out of there. That's the first rule : fuck them but don't let them fuck you. I taught you that."

"She's not out to fuck me over." he snapped, turning his gaze back to the garden. He couldn't see her anywhere. The lacy red dress was nowhere in sight.

"Is that the truth or is that what she wants you to think?" Chaff downed his glass in one go. "She made you her bitch. You follow her lead like a good puppy who wants his belly scratched. She picks out your clothes, she writes your speeches, she dictates your behavior…"

"That's what escorts do." he cut him off.

"Never listened to them before, did you?" his friend shot back. "How many escorts did you go through? Never listened to any of them before. What's so special about this one?"

"Nothing." he shrugged. "She's just more tolerable than any escort I ever had. She doesn't insult the kids, she tries to help, she's a good ally to have."

"Ally." Eleven's victor scoffed. "She's not your ally. She's the wolf in sheep's clothing."

"Pretty sure she wouldn't wear sheep's clothing even it was in fashion." he deadpanned.

"Don't you think it's time you send her on her merry way?" Chaff insisted. "She's been whining for a promotion for a while now. Tell Crane you don't want her anymore. He will give her a nice District and you can get a new one."

"Is that what it's about?" he chuckled bitterly. "You want my escort? Or maybe it's Four who wants her. I'm sorry yours are rubbish but I'm keeping mine."

"You're not listening." his friend growled.

"No. You're not listening." Haymitch snapped. "Back off."

Chaff opened his mouth again and then closed it when something caught his attention behind Haymitch. He sneered. "Mark my words, she's bad news."

He strode away and back to the party.

Haymitch didn't bother turning around. He grabbed the railing with his free hand, hard enough that the metal dug in his palm and his knuckles turned white. "How long have you been here?"

"Long enough." Effie answered quietly.

He finished his glass. "We're leaving."

"Alright." she agreed meekly.

He pushed himself away from the railing and slowed down long enough when he passed next to her to growl. "I'm going to fuck you in the car."

She bristled in outrage and pursed her lips, eyes darting around to make sure nobody had heard but he saw the spark of lust immediately flaring in her gaze all the same. He didn't leave her much room for argument. He headed straight for the exit, his hands deep in his pockets, and tapped his foot all the time it took for the limo to slow down in front of the mansion's entrance. He climbed in and didn't bother holding the door for her.

"It is customary to let the lady go first, you know." she rebuked him, trying to get in gracefully despite the high heels and the long dress.

"Come here." he demanded, as soon as the car left the lane.

Effie shot a glance over her shoulder at the Avox driver and pointedly pressed the button to bring the tainted parting glass up. Once certain that whatever they would say or do would remain private, she glared at him and folded her arms over her chest.

"Mind your tone." she hissed. "I am sorry if your friend upset you but I am not responsible for it."

"Come here." he repeated, in the same serious voice.

She licked her lips and crossed her legs, squirming a little on her seat. "No. Who do you think I am? I am not a tramp you can order around. I am a lady and you will treat me as such."

That was all talk and he almost laughed at her. He had never treated her like a lady before. She didn't want to be treated like a lady. She had her Capitol boyfriends for that.

"Come here." he ordered a third time.

"If you want me, come and get me." she challenged.

It was a battle of will. Who would yield first? Any other time, he might have given in.

"I won't ask again." he warned.

"You are not asking you are demanding and I don't like it." she pouted.

"Fine, then." he chuckled. "Go on wriggling on your seat, good luck getting off that way. I'm not fucking you until you come over here."

"Do you have to be so crass?" she hissed. She pursed her lips tight and then rolled her eyes, moving from the opposite bench seat to the one next to him.

"On my lap." he clarified. "And get that dress up to your waist."

"Am I expected to do all the work?" she snorted, lifting an eyebrow, but did as he had requested. "And now, Princess?" she mocked. "What should I do?"

"Don't call me Princess for a start." he snorted, brushing the synthetic hair of her dark wig off her shoulder. He let his hand trail to her chest and cupped her breast.

"You do not like your own monikers, do you?" she challenged breathlessly, already working on his belt. She must have been waiting for this just as much as he had been because when he slid his hand between her legs, she was more than ready.

It was a quick affair. He guided her hips with his hands, imposing her the rhythm he wanted.

"It's just sex, Trinket." he panted against her throat. "Nothing but sex." She didn't answer but, to be fair, she was a little too busy biting on her bottom lip not to shout. She came with a whine and it didn't take much more to trigger his own release. "Just sex." he mumbled, as she rocked her hips, bringing him through his climax. "Nothing else."

His head dropped on her chest. He could feel the heat of her skin through the thin lace, her heart was beating fast and steady, she smelled of something fruity but slightly musky. It was driving him mad with desire.

"He's wrong." he insisted.

"I know." she whispered, coiling a hand around his nape and petting his hair with her other one. "I know."

He had the feeling she was humoring him but, then again, he also had the feeling he could fuck her in a detached way all he wanted, it wouldn't make it any less intimate and personal either.