Prompt: Effie Getting terrible period cramps,and Haymitch cant stand seeing her in pain but him not knowing what do do , so he just goes of to the store and buys her like allot of random things he thinks will make her feel better

Haymitch, The Hot Bottle

The house was just as silent when Haymitch came home, his arms loaded with grocery bags, as it had been when he had left. Saved from the low buzzing noise of the TV in the living-room, it was quiet – something it hadn't been in a long time, something that reminded him of days long gone when he had still been living alone or of the early weeks of Effie moving in when she had still been trying to find her footing in that new Panem that kept on spitting her out.

He quickly put everything away, making a small pile of stuff that hadn't been on the list but that he had grabbed at random.

He gathered it all in his arms before making his way to the living-room, feeling a bit awkward but unwilling to let that stop him.

Effie was curled up on the couch under a heavy blanket, looking a bit pale. He was ready to bet the hot water bottle shaped like a cartoonish frog – that she had found cute on the market and had forced him to buy – was pressed against her stomach. She stretched her neck when she spotted him and gave him a small smile.

"I did not hear you come back." she hummed.

"Just did." he shrugged "You feel better? You took another pill?"

She shook her head and winced a little. "I need to wait for another hour. It is fine, Haymitch, simply cramps… I dare say I will survive."

He usually made a point of pretending not to know when she had her period. Not that he could actually not know. They were sharing a bathroom and there was usually only one reason why she would brush him off when he tried to seduce her. Not to mention the moodiness.

However, he couldn't ignore it when she was groaning in her pillow, unable to really get up without bending in two – nor did he want to ignore it. He hated it. He felt so helpless… He had fetched the pills she had requested earlier and he had put the hot bottle in the microwave and he had also made her tea… He had insisted on getting her a warmer blanket than the one they kept on the back of the couch because being warm helped… He had put a movie on for her since she wanted a distraction…

He wasn't sure but he thought he had been fussing so much that sending him grocery shopping had had more to do with getting him out of her hair than to avoid her having to get out to fill their cupboards with food.

"But you're in pain." he grumbled. "That's not right. They should invent some better pills."

A pill every six hours? What bullshit was that? It brought her relief for about an hour and then she was stuck with the cramps for five more.

"I feel better." she promised and he knew she was lying to make him feel better.

He was edgy about seeing her in pain ever since the war. He was overprotective on a good day but when she was in pain? He knew he was overreacting every time but he just… He really hated it.

"I bought you some stuff." he said, placing his bounty on the coffee table, showing her the items he had hunted down. "Chocolate with pieces of nuts…"

"My favorite." she grinned.

"Knew that." he preened, proud of himself for having gotten it right. "A few magazines… I've got you chicken soup, too… It's not like you have a cold but that's comfort food, yeah? I got you a few pastries from Peeta's… The sugary ones you like… And I got you more of your strawberry tea 'cause we were low. I bought regular one too. Oh, and they had a new fancy lemon and peach flavor so I grabbed it. Figured you might like it."

Her grin softened into a genuine smile. "Thank you."

He waved that away, feeling his cheeks reddening a little. "You want more tea?"

He nodded to the empty cup placed on the floor next to the couch.

"Later, perhaps." She shook her head and outstretched her hand. He took it without thinking twice about it, letting her tug him closer. "Right now, I really want you to watch a movie with me."

"Really?" He made a face but did sit down. "I don't mind if you want me to make you tea, sweetheart. I want you to feel better."

And he wasn't really one for movies.

"I will feel better if you let me use you as a hot bottle." she teased, tossing the frog on the floor. "This one is lukewarm at best."

She tugged and pushed until he was exactly like she wanted him to be, lying on his back with her curled her between his side and the back of the couch, her head on his shoulder, her knees propped against his hip, the blankets tucked over them. It would smother him before long but he was determined to bear it for her sake.

If she needed him to be her hot bottle, he would be her hot bottle.

That was his duty and his privilege.