prompt:(hayffie living together in twelve) effie talks about how capitols are very adventurous in sex and experianced and and that made haymitch feel very insecure, because of than the next time they're about to have sex he over thinks it and gets frustrated and akward or something and effie talks to him

Hands & Books

Effie was taking too long in the bathroom and Haymitch was bored. It was the only reason he reached out for the book she had abandoned on her nightstand. The cover immediately had him smirking. Not that he was quite surprised to find a woman with a corset and an overflowing bosom.

"How come every time you pick up a book it's some trashy smutty novel, sweetheart?" he teased, flipping through the novel. He skimmed a few pages, only to confirm there were more love declarations, sexy descriptions and exaggerated exclamations than plot.

Effie appeared on the bathroom threshold, still smearing cream all over her face – not quite a sexy sight and he might have spared an amused thought for the times she refused to simply take off her wig in front of him – the pout on her lips was obvious. "Are you implying I never read anything serious?"

"Ain't implying it." He chuckled and tossed her novel back on her nightstand before rolling back on his side of the bed. "The only thing I've ever seen you read are magazines and romance paperbacks."

She placed a hand on her hip in a gesture of irritation that only made her look more appealing to him. The pink nightgown with the lavender lace at the neckline she had on was one of his favorites. He relaxed back against his pillow to better enjoy the view, openly ogling her. That was one of the advantages of living with a woman, he had found out, he was expected – and even encouraged – to look at her that way. It pleased her. And it pleased him to please her. Particularly if she was going to act on it.

"Patently untrue." she huffed. "I did read that book on the ruins they have discovered near District Six, you will remember."

His lips twitched but he fought the indulgent smile because he knew there would be hell to pay for it and it wasn't worth it. She had barely skimmedthrough that book. "Sure."

He couldn't have sound too convincing because she pursed her lips, tilted her head to the side and tossed him a look that clearly told him he could forget any ideas about getting lucky that night. With a long suffering sight, he slid down the bed and arranged the blankets while she switched off the main lights and closed the curtains halfway – only halfway even after all this time, neither of them dealt so well with complete darkness.

The lamp on her nightstand glowed golden, it wasn't strong enough to read by as he had told her so many times but she still made a show of settling against her pillows and opening her paperback. He knew she wasn't reading though. Her pink glasses were still on the bedside table. She might dislike them but without them – and particularly at this time of night – she would strain her eyes trying to decipher any text.

Haymitch snuggled close to her side, ignoring her annoyed huffs and tuttering. He propped his chin on her shoulder and wrapped his arm around her waist under the blankets.

"Get off your high horse…" He snorted and softened that by pressing a kiss to her shoulder.

"I am not the one on a high horse." she retorted. "Not everyone can be a great reader, you know. I was not encouraged to read books as a child and I never developed a taste for it, that is all. I prefer movies."

That was lazy reasoning in his opinion but he wasn't really in the mood for a fight. They had had a nice enough day and there was little point starting an argument right before sleep. All they would manage to do was key each other up and ensure they didn't get a wink of sleep that night.

"I just don't get what you like about this stuff." He shrugged. "It's ninety percent ridiculous sex scenes. Must be boring after a while."

"They are not ridiculous." she grumbled. "And I am certainly not bored."

She pointedly turned the page to make her point.

"Sweetheart, half of the positions are impossible." he mocked.

"They are not." she protested. She marked a pause and then wrinkled her nose. "They might not be comfortable though."

"You think?" he taunted, nuzzling her neck. "No wonder those books are all by Capitol authors…"

"What is that supposed to mean now?" she huffed, closing her book and letting it drop on her lap. She didn't tilt her head and gave him no encouragement so he stopped his nuzzling and dropped his head on the pillow over her shoulder.

"Means Capitol authors always make sex a complicated scene." he replied. "Read a book by any Capitol… Thriller, romance, mystery… Doesn't matter. If there's a sex scene, it's always gonna be something complicated…"

"And your point is?" She frowned, distractedly inspecting her manicure. Her nails were a pale teal blue that week. He kind of liked the color but he hadn't told her.

"Point is most people who have sex together for the first time ain't gonna go straight for acrobatics." he explained. "It ain't realistic."

"Perhaps District people would not." she argued. "I have had sex with plenty of people who liked to spice things up, first time together or not. We are simply more adventurous. I do not know how that can be boring to you. If anything should be boring, it is the go-to missionary you District people always settle for."

She cut herself off abruptly but not quickly enough for Haymitch not to scowl. He propped himself on his elbow and searched her face even though she wouldn't meet his eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." she answered quickly. Too quickly. She cleared her throat and put the book back on the nightstand. "I am rather tired. Aren't you? I think we should sleep now. Goodnight, darling."

She switched the lamp off and turned on her side, tugging a little on the arm around her waist so he would spoon her.

He shrugged her hand off and switched the lamp back on. "What that's supposed to mean, Effie?"

She sighed and winced and then rolled on her back, pursing her lips a little. "Nothing personal."

"Seems awfully personal to me." he sneered. "I know we haven't exactly been up against the wall lately but…"

"Haymitch." she cut him off, reaching for his cheek. He shut up because her tone was soft, not coaxing or mollifying but soft. "If we are not as wild as we used to be in our youth, it is not because of you."

They certainly were not brutal anymore. They had always enjoyed rough sex… Before. Before the war and her months in prison and the numerous triggers she had gathered there. They were not reckless either. They didn't have sex in public places simply for the thrill anymore. They didn't test the limits of her flexibility because her body… Her shoulder still pained her sometimes, particularly when the weather was cold and it had had an impact.

So, yeah. Since the war, since she had moved in, missionary had mostly been their go-to position.

And, yeah, he was taking it personally. Because maybe they weren't rough or acrobatic or delirious with lust but he had thought they had reached a new level of intimacy and that the meaningful connection that came with it was worth it.

"You're bored." he accused.

The shame he felt made him angry. He hadn't realized… He had thought… The idea that she might have been faking all this time…

"Of course not. Do not be daft." she retorted, lifting herself up on her elbow too so their heads were at the same level. "I love our life, Haymitch. You know I do. All aspects of our life." She pressed a kiss on his mouth but he didn't respond to it, not even when she tried to coax him into deepening it by nipping at his bottom lip. "Please… It was not what I meant…"

"What did you mean, then?" he scoffed. "'Cause…"

He let his sentence trail off.

She met his eyes, her expression deadly serious. "You do know I am so very grateful you are not as shallow as a Capitol man, right? I am fairly certain… Any of my former boyfriends… If our sex life became tame, it is entirely because of me…"

He rolled his eyes. "Wouldn't say it's tame. We did get a little naughty in the woods the other day… And it ain't like my knee hasn't been giving me troubles… Ain't like it's just you…"

"We are growing old." she admitted with a small smile. "But the point remains… I used to love adventurous sex and now… I must be more measured. I am never bored with you, Haymitch, and I am so happy and grateful you are content with so little…"

The only reason he didn't get even more angry was because he thought he knew where she was getting at. "Careful what words you use, Princess… A guy's ego bruises easily."

She chuckled and, this time, when she kissed him, he responded.

"I do enjoy reading those smutty novels." she confessed. "It reminds me of who I used to be. Even if I am happy with who I am now."

He watched for a moment and then shrugged. "Alright."

"Yes?" She grinned.

"Yeah." He smirked, kissed her again and reached over her to switch the lamp off again. "Night, Princess."

They shifted around for a while until they both found a comfortable position. He ended up spooning her in the end, like often. He tried to relax and drift off but, after a minute or two, she let out a mocking snort.

"Now I am the one who is vexed." she whispered. "All this talk about sex and you do not even try anything?"

He hid his smirk against her nape, breathing in the familiar lavender smell of her shampoo. "Wouldn't want to bore you with my District ways…"

"Oh…" she huffed, clearly annoyed now. "How many times…"

Her sentence ended in a squeal when he sneaked a hand under her nightgown.

Yeah. So many years of this… So many claims that the Capitols were better at it… And yet his hand was always enough to shut her up…