Prompt : Elizabeth's performance on SNL inspired this prompt: Effie is hosting a little Capitol TV show and is overly excited while Haymitch is totally annoyed. But then he watches the show secretly and has to admit that she did a great job. :D Thaanks!

You get a chapter today! Because it's Easter and also because I forgot to say next week is Haymitch week so I won't be updating HADS every day. I will probably update on the days I haven't a story planned but otherwise you can't check the "Haymitch week" tag on tumblr and I will probably start a new collection titled very originally "Haymitch week" XD

The Host

"Seriously?" Haymitch scoffed as Peeta spread an assortment of fruit juices and snacks on his recently uncluttered coffee table. He glanced at the girl but, from the armchair she had sunk in as soon as she had arrived, Katniss tossed him a fatalist shrug.

"I don't want to have to get up during the show." the boy explained. "I don't want to miss anything."

"It's just a show." Haymitch replied, rolling his eyes. "You're as bad as she is, acting as if that's the most important thing she's ever done…"

"It's her first TV apparition since the war." Peeta argued in a tone that let him know that he should have known better. "It's pretty important."

"Don't see why she had to go back to that." he grumbled, bringing his glass to his lips.

Effie had been happy enough in Twelve until Plutarch's phone call and the Secretary of Communication slash media tycoon's offer. After that, it had been a week on dawdling on her part and walking on eggshells around him until he had snapped and told her to do it if she truly wanted to. The show had an original concept, a cast of regulars but the host changed every week. There were acting and singing and no interviews which meant she would be safe from topics she didn't want to discuss… On the paper, it was all fun. It had been too tempting for her, she had accepted.

There were contracts to sign, promo to shoot and rehearsals… All in all she had been in the Capitol for almost three weeks already and he was gradually becoming afraid it wouldn't stop at that show. Someone would offer her a job on TV, he was certain of it. And she would never come back. Or not for long enough. He had grown used to having her full time now.

"She won't leave us." Katniss said as if reading his mind.

"Yeah?" he snorted. "How do you know?"

Effie was greedy for fame. It had always been her weakness. And now it was within her reach again…

"'Cause she's not like Mom." the girl shrugged.

"Of course, she won't leave." Peeta added as if he was being absolutely stupid. "We're her family."

And that seemed to settle that as far as the kids were concerned.

He wished he could dismiss his own fears so easily.

He settled down and watched the live show, having to admit she was doing a good job.

"Never knew she could sing." Katniss commented.

Effie wasn't a professional singer but she had a decent voice and she clearly was having a lot of fun on that stage. Time passed quicker than Haymitch had anticipated, it wasn't as horrid to watch as he had feared and, soon enough, the show was over.

Only ten minutes passed before the phone started ringing in the kitchen. The kids were still putting away the leftover food and drinks.

"Did you watch?" she asked, foregoing any hellos.

"Thought it was rude to answer the phone that way." he mocked.

"I am not answering, I am calling." she countered. "So? Did you watch? Did you like it? Because I have to tell you Plutarch loved it. He says I have a career right in front of me, here."

Just what he had been afraid of.

"Good for you." he said, managing to sound neutral. "You were great."

"Really?"

He could hear the happy grin in her voice and he smirked, his voice softening yet mindful of the kids laughing and chatting behind him. "Yeah." He looked down at this socked clad feet. "You're not coming home then?"

The activity completely stopped behind him and he was acutely aware of the two stares driving holes in his nape. He didn't turn around, not ready to face the kids and break their hearts yet.

"Of course I am coming home… What are you talking about?" she frowned. "Don't you… Don't you want me to come back?"

He chuckled in relief at that. "Sure I want you back but you said…"

"Oh, I am not taking Plutarch up on his offer. No, thank you very much, I am done being meat to the vultures." she laughed. "But it was nice to hear."

A relieved smirk played on his lips. "When are you coming back?"

"I expect you at the station at six pm sharp tomorrow. Don't be late." she commanded.

"Bossy." he teased.

"Well, if you truly think so… It is a shame. Here I was… Planning on letting you take me right against the front door…" She let her voice trail off but he didn't need more. He had a pretty clear picture in mind already and some parts of him twitched with interest.

He licked his lips, his mouth suddenly parched. "The kids are just behind me, sweetheart."

Her laughter was clear and amused. "And now you are thinking about me naked and trying to hide your boner from them… Poor thing. I bought lingerie. See-through. Red. Don't think about how it would look on me… Oh, did I mention? Some pieces are eatable. They taste like strawberry. Can you imagine that? Can you imagine the taste of strawberries mixed with mine?"

"Effie." he growled in warning, grateful his back was turned to Peeta and Katniss who had started talking again, clearly reassured she wasn't staying in the Capitol after all.

"Yes, dear?" she teased.

"You are evil." he declared.

"And now I have the red devil outfit to go with it." she mocked. "Alright, enough before the children truly notice you are getting aroused. I have to go, there is a post-show party. I miss you."

"Yeah." he said softly, knowing she would read the me too in what he wasn't saying. "Tomorrow."

"Yes." she confirmed. "Give my love to the children."

"Sure." he nodded. "Be careful, yeah?"

He didn't like the idea of her alone so far away from them, from him.

"I always am. Don't you worry." she hummed. "I love you."

He rolled his eyes, his smirk softening. "Well, I don't hate you…"

He was rewarded with her laugh again. "Goodnight, Haymitch."

He waited until the click told him she had hung up and placed the phone back on his cradle. The kids were looking at him, expectant.

"She's coming back at six tomorrow." he told them dutifully.

A beaming smile lighted up Peeta's face and Katniss suddenly sported a small content grin.

"See?" the girl challenged. "Told you."

"Yeah, yeah…" He waved that away.

In truth, he was wondering when they had become so dependent on her. Without her there, their little family wasn't complete.

There was an Effie Trinket shaped hole in their life.

And it sucked.