Prompt: haymitch says he loves effie for the first time(like maybe he had been working up the nerve for sometime and finally said it to her) and Effie's really surprises and excited because no one has said it to her before ( bc it's just not done in the capital) ?
Hearing Them Once
Effie was humming quietly to herself as she smeared cream all over her legs, it smelt strongly of chemical coconuts and she wasn't surprised when Haymitch eventually coiled his hand around her ankle with a smirk. He had a thing for her coconuts cream.
The cheap novel he had been reading laid forgotten on the edge of the mattress, propped open at the place he had stopped reading, completely abandoned now that he had found a new focus.
She waited for a second, certain that he was about to pounce on her – because even if they had been living together for a few years now they were still very active in the bedroom – but when he did little more than stroke her ankle with his thumb, she went back to making sure the cream penetrated the skin. She stole covert glances at him from time to time, a bit concerned when she realized he was staring at her leg with an unfocused gaze.
Eventually, he looked up at her, his face set into determination.
"I love you."
The words remained suspended in the air for a second. He looked like all the breath had been sucked out of his chest and she was too surprised to do more that gape at him. It wasn't that she hadn't known, of course she had known, but for him to say those words… She wasn't sure how long he had been coaching himself to say them – there was no question he had been struggling to let them out.
"Haymitch…" she whispered despite her best intentions. She knew she shouldn't bring attention to it, that it would be better if she just kissed him and acted natural because bringing attention to it would only make him want to run faster and further. She knew. But she couldn't just…
"Don't make a fuss." he grumbled, letting go of her ankle to grab his book. His eyes roamed on the page but she doubted he read a single word. "Just wanted to say it, so I did. There. You can quit harassing me about feelings now."
She had been doing no harassing, too respectful of the bad memories he associated with expressing his love, but she allowed him his pretences. She placed the tube of cream on the nightstand and snuggled close to his side, burying her face in his shoulder when he automatically wrapped an arm around her.
She had troubles holding back the tears that burned her eyes and no matter how many times she swallowed, the lump remained in her throat.
A lot of people had told her they loved her before but never the ones who mattered. I love yous had been tossed at her ever since she had become famous and they had always been meaningless. She had been yearning to hear those words spoken with intent forever. She had been desperate for someone to love her that way. She had been desperate for…
She knew he loved her, she had known for a while, but for years before the war he had denied it and refused to admit she meant anything and…
It had hurt so much.
Her breathing was too loud even if she muffled it in his shirt and his hand tangled in her hair, his fingers played with her wild curls…
"Are you crying?" he asked awkwardly. "If I'd known, sweetheart, I'd…"
"Shut up, Haymitch." she mumbled, clenching her jaw to keep herself collected.
"So vulgar, Princess…" he teased after a moment of hesitation.
"You are a terrible influence." she accused, resting her cheek against his shoulder. She bundled his shirt in her hand and took a deep breath, composing herself. When she spoke, her voice was steady but quiet. "Thank you."
He dropped the book on his lap, abandoning the idea of pretending to read. He covered her hand with his, distractedly playing with her fingers. "Not sure it's something you should thank me for."
She rolled her eyes at the self-deprecation in his voice and cupped his cheek, forcing him to look at her so she could steal a kiss that was nowhere near sweet or innocent. He answered in kind, letting go of her hand to sneak it under her nightgown.
"I love you." she murmured against his lips.
A possessive growl escaped him and he tugged on her thigh. She didn't even try to resist, straddling his hips in a practice move and using her position to deepen the kiss.
She didn't ask him to tell her again. She knew she might not hear the words for a while, that it would still be difficult for him, but it was alright with her.
Hearing them once…
It was enough to keep her going for years.