Prompt : hiii3 , still take requests for one-shots, cuz i was wondering if you could do one where Effie gets like embarrassed because she kinda stained her clothes on her period and cramps and stuff infront of Haymitch , ( you get the idea ) love your writing

Of Stains And Cultural Differences

Effie was giving him a headache.

That wasn't so out of the ordinary – her voice was too high-pitched for the common of mortals – but the restless bustling around from one end of the room to the other, straightening paintings that didn't need straightening, talking loud and laughing louder to cover any trace of embarrassment, the humiliated strain in her voice… All that wasn't usual and it was grating on his nerves.

They still had fifteen minutes to waste in the penthouse before it would be time to go down to that stupid party and it wouldn't be enough for him to get so drunk her quirks wouldn't irritate him anymore.

"For fuck's sake, Trinket, sit down!" he snapped. "You're making me seasick!"

It was the shout rather than the words that stopped her unnecessary comings and goings, he thought. He rarely shouted when they weren't already in the middle of a screaming match and even then, his thing was more cutting remarks than raising his voice.

She slowly – but very obviously reluctantly – sat down in the armchair, her fingers immediately started to drum on the armrest as she crossed her legs at the ankles. Her gaze remained fixed on the coffee table.

"You're ever going to look at me in the eyes again?" he scoffed.

"I don't understand what you mean." she replied cheerfully. It sounded so fake that he rolled his eyes. Either she was losing her touch or he was getting better at reading her – the thought was scary either way.

"Look." he said, gritting his teeth. "It's fine, okay? I'm not going to make fun of you for…"

She stood up and started pacing again, her cheeks burning red even with the white powder covering her face. "I don't wish to talk about this."

"You're being even more ridiculous than usual." he snorted. "You had a stain. I told you. End of the story." And next time, he would probably let her wander around with a stain on her behind if that was the price to pay for being a good guy and telling her before they entered the mentors' lounge – she hadn't really talked or looked at him all day and if he had thought it was a nice change at first, it was quickly becoming unbearable. "Do I want to think about your… things? No. Am I aware you bleed every month? Yeah."

"Please, can we not talk about this?" she hissed. "It is humiliating!"

"Why?" he shrugged. "'Cause I know you're bleeding right now? Goes to show you're a woman in my opinion. Wasn't taking that for granted before…"

She glared at him. "Accidents happen. If I had realized…"

"Exactly." he triumphed, waving his arm to better make his point. "Accidents happen. You had a stain, it's not the end of the world."

She pursed her lips and folded her arms in front of her chest. "It is not done to let people know you are having your period. Never mind men. It is improper."

"You didn't let me know, I saw." he sighed.

"Which is worse." she retorted. "And humiliating."

He rubbed his face, the discussion quickly spiraling to places he had no wish to explore. "Again, why? You're a woman. You bleed. So what?"

Her eyebrows furrowed together and she finally stopped pacing to stare at him. "Why aren't you disgusted? Most men would be disgusted."

"I'd be disgusted if I had to have sex with you right now." he joked.

"I am not having sex with you, not now and not ever." she hissed back. "Don't behave like a ruffian, Haymitch."

He rolled his eyes. "Right. So… See? We're not having sex. Not my business what's going on in your knickers." He winced. "Actually, I'd like to stop thinking and talking about what's going on in your knickers, sweetheart."

"You are the one who brought it up." she retorted but her irritation faded and she sat back down. "People do not discuss periods here. As I said, it is not done to let anyone know it is your time of the month. It is not… desirable, not… perfect."

And everyone in the Capitol needed to be perfect and desirable at all times if they wanted to keep their social status. Another idiotic mark to add to the Capitols' way of life, he figured.

"Doesn't see any difference from every other day." he shrugged. "You still look ugly." She spared him a glare and he lifted his hands in a defensive gesture. "Fine. Next time, I won't tell you."

"To be honest, I don't know which would be worse." she winced. "You did spare me a public humiliation but I am not sure I am enjoying the private one."

"No need to be humiliated, Princess." he sighed. "Told you I wouldn't make fun of you about that. Nothing to be ashamed of."

Her lips twitched and she gave him the first real smile she had mustered all day. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." he said and he meant it.

They still weren't friends but they could have a truce on some points.