Chapter Thirty-One; Comfort

(Stephanie's POV)

Stephanie woke groggily, her bleary eyes trying to make sense of the darkness.

She moved her hand across the surface and immediately ascertained that she was on a bed. But where? And how? What time was it? The last thing she remembered was Ficen pushing her behind the screen and then darkness.

Stephanie's head hurt worse than ever and she tried to supress the whimper of pain. Her heart leapt into her throat as suddenly the door to the room she was in swung open and light flooded the room from the hall.

Stephanie gasped in relief as she recognised her room back at the District building, recognised her bed and most of all recognised Haymitch as he burst into her room with blazing, grey eyes.

Haymitch said nothing but immediately strode over to her before sitting on the edge of the bed and pulling her into his arms fiercely.

Stephanie let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding and with it came her hoarse cries. She buried her face in Haymitch's shoulder as he rubbed her back soothingly, his other hand entangled in her long hair.

Haymitch placed a few brief kisses to her temple before he suddenly pushed her back, staring at her intensely.

"What is it?" Stephanie croaked.

Haymitch lifted his hand and with gentle fingers prodded just above her temple. Stephanie hissed in response raising her own hands. She allowed her fingertips to brush over the slightly tender and raised gash.

Stephanie watched Haymitch's jaw tighten as his eyes darkened. Stephanie felt her heart almost chill at the sight. He looked so…deadly.

"What happened?" Haymitch's voice was too calm, too sober, too emotionless.

Stephanie shook her head slowly, raising her hands up to cover her face as the tears streamed down her pale cheeks in unchecked rivulets.

Haymitch pulled her hands away gently and took her face in his hands as he searched her eyes for a few moments.

Haymitch tilted her head slightly to place a soft kiss against the half-healed gash, before wiping away her tears with his thumbs.

Stephanie felt more sobs build up in her chest threatening to choke her and she threw herself into Haymitch's lap, clinging to his shoulders for dear life as he crushed her against him.

He began to soothe her again as she cried; rubbing her back, running his fingers through her hair and placing soft kisses wherever he could.

After a few moments Stephanie's sobs trailed off into odd hiccups and he gently adjusted her so she sat across his lap and he could see her face.

"How did I get here?" Stephanie asked after a moment.

"Frenkin and I were just finishing and heading back when we saw the commotion outside one of the stores. One of Frenkin's stylists went down to find out what had happened. When he came back he said that you had been hounded by a crowd and had fainted. Isa had already left with you in the car and I raced back here," Haymitch answered quietly as he brushed her tangled hair away from her sweat dampened forehead.

"What happened to your head sweetheart?" Haymitch asked, pressing a kiss to her hair.

Stephanie sniffed a few times. "I fell…I think," Stephanie answered.

Haymitch continued to gently run his fingers through her hair and Stephanie began to feel an overwhelming sense of weariness come over her.

"What happened with the crowd?" Haymitch pressed.

Stephanie frowned, thinking back and she gave an involuntary shudder. Seneca had been there. He had done this.

"I can't remember," Stephanie lied. She wouldn't let Haymitch get involved.

Stephanie recognised the sceptical glint in Haymitch's eyes but he refrained from asking her anything further.

Stephanie yawned, curling herself up more snugly on Haymitch's lap.

"You should get some sleep," he whispered against her ear.

Stephanie hummed in agreement, her eyes already shut.

She felt the pressure of Haymitch's lips on hers and she moved her lips against his, opening them slightly to deepen the kiss. The kiss was slow, caring, comforting, warm.

After a few moments she pulled away, her eyes fluttering open lazily. Haymitch's eyes were half-closed as he looked at her.

"I love you," he breathed the words against her lips; she felt them as much as she heard them.

Stephanie smiled softly, "I love you too," and let her tired eyes shut.

…

(Haymitch's POV)

Haymitch lifted her gently and placed her on the bed.

Stephanie buried her head deeper into the pillows as he secured the sheets around her shoulders.

Haymitch pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. Stephanie mumbled something incoherent.

Silently Haymitch left the room careful not to make any noise and wake her.

He shut the door tightly before leaning against it and running a hand over his face.

"Haymitch?" Frenkin's tentative voice called him.

Haymitch glanced over at Frenkin who looked with a worried expression between him and Stephanie's door.

"She's tired," Haymitch explained. Frenkin nodded though his wide blue eyes told Haymitch that he most clearly did not believe him.

Haymitch gave a sheepish smile. Frenkin nodded and with a small smile he disappeared once more down the hall.

Haymitch gave a deep sigh before sinking down to the ground, leaning back against the door.

He hated not knowing everything. He wanted to protect Stephanie but he didn't know what was happening so he could do so.

Haymitch ran a hand through his hair frustrated. She damn well thinks she can protect me if I don't know anything! Haymitch clenched his fists tightly.

Sighing he got up and stalked down the hallway through the main room and into the kitchen. He grabbed a bottle of vodka from the fridge, twisting off the lid easily before raising it to his lips.

Just as the bitter taste touched his lips Haymitch slammed the bottle back down on the countertop. He couldn't be drunk in case Stephanie woke up and needed him.

A smirk pulled at his lips. He had never thought he would see the day when he would pass up a drink for someone else.