Hundred Reasons Why I Love You - 2nd - Cupcakes and Pineapples

Haymitch grumbled under his nose all the way from the house to the grocery store, the bakery then back to the house. He was freezing his ass off with the snow. It was the middle of the winter in District Twelve. They had the coldest days of the year. No one was on the street. No one but him. Everyone was at home, enjoying the warmth of their houses…except him. And why? Because he had to go to the grocery store and to Peeta's bakery. And why? Because the missus wished for cupcakes and pineapple! Because the fridge stuffed with goodness wasn't enough for her. She craved for cupcakes and pineapples and she simply just couldn't think about anything else. It was a sudden change after not being able to eat anything or, at least, keep anything down for more than a few hours. So of course Haymitch had to go out in the snow and get her what she had wanted. Because he wouldn't let her to go to the store alone in this weather, would he? Sure as hell he wouldn't, but having her as a company would have been nice.

He swept the snow off his boots and coat. Normally, he would never bother with it, but the last thing he wished for was a mad Effie. He still grumbled while he cleaned and sliced the pineapple, and put the pieces in a bowl. Then, he took the cupcakes out of the box and arranged them nicely on a plate. Then he filled a glass with ice and whiskey for himself. He placed the bowl, the plate and the glass on a tray and with it in his hands, he headed upstairs. He silently entered their bedroom, but to his utter terror, Effie wasn't there, even though she was supposed to be in bed, resting. She was tired and exhausted most of the time. It was her first winter in Twelve, she wasn't used to cold, hard winters and blizzards. The weather worn her out. Deep down, Haymitch was glad she had cravings for different kind of foods, it meant she was healing.

"Ef-…"

"Bathroom!" she shouted from behind the closed door. "I'm coming in a minute!"

Haymitch placed the tray on her bedside table and sat down on the bed. Effie did appear after a minute or so. She was wearing Haymitch's flannel PJs and they were far too big for her. She straddled him and kissed his forehead.

"I see you are better." Haymitch wrapped his arms around her waist and tucked his head under her chin.

"I am."

"Then it seems it was pointless to go to bakery and the grocery store for you. You could have done it for yourself and I wouldn't have frozen to death." He mocked. His hand was stroking her back.

"Awww poor baby, it was too cold outside? I thought for a strong, brave man, a little blizzard was nothing." She kissed the top of his head "I thought you would go through fire for me. You did go through fire for me. But not through a blizzard?"

"Don't test me." He growled "Eat your cupcakes before they go completely cold."

"Then let me go." Haymitch sighed and unwrapped his arms. Effie slide down on the bed and covered herself with the blanket right away. She took a cupcake and picked off a little piece of topping. Haymitch leaned in to kiss her temple.

"Do I get a tea...?" Effie asked as innocently as she could.

"As soon as you get your pretty ass down to the kitchen and make it for yourself."

"Haymitch!"

"Okay, okay." He rolled his eyes "I'm going and making your tea, princess." He got up, took a cupcake and left the bedroom. He came back in ten minutes with a big mug of steaming tea. He put it down on the tray and sat back on the bed "Happy now?"

"Thank you." Effie said softly "And thank you for taking care of me. I appreciate it. Just a few years ago I would have never thought you would do this for me."

"I would do more for you, princess." He looked at her.

"I know." Effie cupped Haymitch's face and stroked his cheek with her thumb. "And now I love you even more." If it's possible, she thought.

"Why...?"

"You went out in this weather just to get me cupcakes and pineapple. You could have said no, but you didn't. You went and got what I asked for." She kissed his lips. "I love you for always being there and taking care of me."