Reaping Day

A/N: I should probably clear somethings up. 1. I have read A Ballad of Snakes and Songbirds. 2. In this, Haymitch is gay. So, deal.
If you want a heartwarming story, first why are you reading Hunger Games fanfiction and second, I'm sorry. This is an origin story to Haymitch and Haymitch life is hell so… yeah.

Haymitch
"Hey Archer." I say. Even though I can't see him I can hear him, stomping around on the twigs. At least the plants can't run away because everything else will.
"Aww." He says. "I thought you couldn't hear me."
"For some reason Arch" I say. "You move quieter when there's more stuff on the ground. It annoys and amazes me at the same time." I stand up and give him a kiss. "Anyway, do you want this?" I hold up a small cookie that I'd traded from the bakery. He stares open mouthed at it. "Yes please.". We held hands as we ate the cookie, trying not to think about the reaping.

"You look fantastic, Haymitch" Hemlock, my little brother says. I smile thinly. Even though I was against it, Hemlock had taken tesserae for me, mum and himself. His name was in there 4 times, too many as far as I was concerned but even that was pancakes compared to what I had in. "Come on Haymitch." My mom said. "Let's go." I think about my mom for a while if it weren't for her we would have died when dad did. I was completely out of it, locking myself into my room for hours at a time panicking and crying and choking on my own tears. Mom could have checked out too, but she stood strong, getting more jobs, working herself to exhaustion and trying so desperately to snap me out of my depression. If it weren't for her… Hemlock would be dead.

I held Hemlock's hand as we walk to the square. Don't freak, don't panic, your name isn't going to be called. I think desperately. Hem's fine too, 4 is small fry compared to a lot of other people, he has as much chance as a rich 15-year-old. It's fine I'll be fine, Archer will be fine, Hem will be fine. "And now" the mayor says. "We turn to Penelope Clearstream to read the tributes"
I feel myself beginning to panic.

Maylisee

I clutch onto Ida and Mayadeen, my twin sister. "Ladies first" Penelope Clearstream says. "Ashly Darkore." A small 12-year-old girl from the Seam walks onto the stage. "Anything to say Ashly" Penelope says, Ashly shakes her head. I'm not sure if she's saying no or just because her whole body is shaking, probably both.
"Next" Penelope says. "Is Maylisee Donner"

Everything slows down. People are looking at me, sounds are coming from everywhere, but they seem strangely muted, like I'm underwater. My legs start to move. I turn to Mayadeen. "Don't." I say. "Don't volunteer. If you care about me, don't." I walk to the stage and stand next to Ashly. I'm trying to hold back tears but it's like trying to stop an avalanche.

"Now" she says. "For the boys"

Haymitch

Penelope reaches her hand into the bowl. "William Darkore" a tall 18-year-old boy walks onto the stage, he's from the Seam and works in the mines. I've seen him before. Thank god. Not me and Archer. "And Haymitch Abernathy"
How causally she can tear my life apart, how casually she can deliver my death sentence. I feel panic start to well up in my chest. Don't panic, don't freak. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.
But I can't. I'm going to die. I'm going to die, I'm gonna die, I'll just be bloodbath fodder. A number on someone's kill list.
I walk to the stage, my eyes blank, my mind elsewhere. We shake hands and walk into the Justice Building. Now to say my final goodbyes.

Maylisee

Mayadeen walks in with my mother and father, crying. I give her a hug. "It's going to be okay Mayadeen" I say to soothe her. I'm going into the Hunger Games and I have to soothe her!
She smiles weakly. "You go and win and come home otherwise that canary is going to go"
I laugh. "You've given me a reason to live."
My mother and father hug me too. "You'll be fine." Mom says. Dad nods. "Here's a Mockingjay pin. It was in my family for a long time. Use it well" I smile. "Thanks."

After the time has passed, they walk out, my sister clutching her head in pain. We both get severe headaches when we're stressed, I hope that if I die, they won't get worse.
Ida comes in with her family and boyfriend, Willow Everdeen. She grabs my hands. "Win." She says simply. There's not much else to be said. They each hug me in turn and Willow gives me a bit of meat. He's a good person, I wish I knew him better.
They're all crying when they leave.

Haymitch

I'm panicking. I'm choking. I'm breathing to fast but not enough air is coming in. Mom and Hemlock walk in. They're both crying but mom is standing tall. When I die, Hemlock will be fine. "Try to win Haymitch. Please promise me that." Hemlock says. I nod. I can't speak, if I speak, I think I'm going to cry. Mom rubs my shoulder and gives me a bag of cookies. "I love you" she says. I smile and hug them both. They know what I mean. I mean that I love them. The peacekeeper ushers them out and in comes Archer, his sister, Laurel and his father.
His parents were 18 when they had them, and their mother was entered in the games. "You'll be fine Haymitch" Sycamore, their father says. "You're a smart and resourceful kid. You have a shot in this."
I smile. "Thanks." Laurel puts her arm around my shoulder. "Come back home otherwise Arch will be moping around everywhere." She pauses. "And I'll be sad too."
Archer didn't say anything. He just kissed me and slipped a bracelet onto my arm. It was made of dried flower stems and autumn leaves. I smiled faintly. "Thank you, Arch"
The peacekeepers took them out the room. I was alone. I wanted to scream. To cry. To tell the peacekeepers that I wouldn't be taking part in their stupid games. But I couldn't, I had no choice but to oblige.

A/N So there was a lot of Haymitch in that chapter but next chapter I'm going to add some more POVs and more Maylisee. Enjoy for now. Next chapter will be up tomorrow or Thursday.