Haymitch hates sponsor parties but what he hates more is this way to colourful and bubbly 100-pound woman in front of him, constantly nagging he should dress more properly because otherwise he won't attract sponsors. As if someone is going to sponsor district twelve, especially this year. Both tributes are thirteen. They are doomed and he knows it. They know. Everyone knows it. Still, Effie has been snapping at him for a good half an hour that he should finally put on his suit.
"Really, you are behaving like a little child." She hisses, turning around and giving him some space to change. Not leaving the room though.
"How about you leave the room, sweetheart. Isn't it improper to be here while I am changing?" he barks right back, already starting to undress.
"It would be if we were strangers, which we certainly aren't." Effie says, looking at her clock and tapping her foot impatiently.
"Then why even bother turning around, sweetheart. Seems unnecessary, considering I banged you senseless last night." He remarks, knowing his vulgarity drives her crazy. He can practically see her eye's rolling even though her back is facing him.
Haymitch buttons up his shirt and puts on the pants, zipping them up and then focusing on the rest of the clothes Effie laid on the bed. A jacket, some matching shoes and a tie. But not any tie, no, a tie having the same colour as her ridiculous bright blue dress.
"Absolutely not. I am not putting that thing on." He says and Effie turns around, a hand on her hip.
"Haymitch I swear to god, if you don't dress this instance, I will make sure there is no bottle of liquor whatsoever in this penthouse." She snaps at him. "What is it with you and clothes! Just put the rest on, Haymitch! We don't have time for this."
"No way am I putting this thing on my neck." He barks, throwing the tie in her direction, while slipping in the shoes.
"You never had problems with ties, what is wrong with it?" Effie demanded.
"What my problem is? Look at that thing. Are you crazy? Did some of that hairspray get into your brain and kill the last sane braincells? That's a fucking neon blue tie with glitter and everything!" he says.
"Language!" Effie hisses, turning around and opening one of the drawers in his room. Haymitch rolls his eyes and then suddenly something slaps against his face. "There you have a 'better' one. We don't have time for this. Stop whining like a cry baby!" She sighs.
"I am not a cry baby!" Haymitch groans trying to tie the stupid thing but miserably failing.
He never ties his ties. Normally, Effie does but she just stands there looking at him and making no move to help him whatsoever. Haymitch knows exactly what she is doing. He annoyed her the whole day, doing what he isn't supposed to do, and this is how Effie punishes him. She is going to make him ask for her help. He tries again at the tie but finally gives in and asks. She helps him, but there is no smile on her face.
"Are you seriously sulking now? C'mon the blue tie looked hideous. Gotta be honest, princess." He says while she ties his tie.
"Maybe, but we would have matched." she says, not quite meeting his eyes. "I like it when our outfits do." She continuous.
Is that the reason why they match with the outfits more often than necessary? Sure, it was strange they did this, but didn't the other escorts and mentors match too? Maybe not, at least not that often. Haymitch and Effie probably match their outfits more often than the other teams combined, but he never thought it might be because his escort enjoys doing so. He believed she was just being over dramatic and that it would be only proper to do so.
Haymitch will hate himself for what he is about to do. Really, he is wrapped around her finger and there is nothing he can do about that. The sweet spot he has on his escort always annoyed him. He grabs her hands, stopping them from working on his tie. Effie only looks at him confused.
"Just get the other tie already." He sighs, already regretting it. Since when did he become so soft?
Effie squeals and turns around with a newfound energy, a new bounce in her walk. Haymitch tries to ignore how much he actually enjoys seeing her like that. Her eyes are shining in the light when she turns around and it is adorable how she can't keep herself from smiling while working the tie on his neck.
"Done." She beams, petting him on the chest and smoothing out his suit. "Honestly, it doesn't look that bad. Blue looks good on you. Quite handsome if you wouldn't make a grumpy face all the time."
"Oh, really? Miss Trinket thinks I am attractive." He whispers right in her ear with his husky voice, knowing exactly what it does to her body. Especially when he starts placing a little trail of kisses on her neck and under her jaw.
"We need to get going, Haymitch. We have plenty of time for this after." Effie says, a short moan escaping her lips after the first sentence.
"How about we just don't bother and skip it?" He says, moving on to her mouth.
At first, Effie melts into the kiss but then she pushes herself away before they get the chance to deepen it. Effie would never miss a sponsor party. She always has hope that this time it will be different and maybe if they work harder there will be a sponsor to help the kids. Deep down she probably knows that there is no hope for them or every other pair of tributes they will ever have. But accepting it? No. Effie won't give up. Maybe that's one of the things Haymitch likes about her. One of those things that make her different than the other escorts.
"We are already late, let's go." She says and he nods, grumbling all the way to the party. Who knows, maybe someday they will have a sponsor. A small chance to live more than a day.
Little did they know that in two years, a girl will volunteer to save her little sister and change everything.