Chapter Forty-Four; A Dam Broken at Last

(Stephanie's POV)

Before she had begun recounting to Haymitch everything, she had never realised how much she was actually keeping from him, how much she was trying to deal with on her own. But as she spoke, she felt her heart grow lighter. If only because she was sharing the burden that had without her realising it, been weighing down on her.

At first when she began telling Haymitch, starting with the dinner date that Seneca had interrupted, she had halted and stalled in her recounting. However as she continued the words began to tumble effortlessly from her lips; what she had said to Seneca at the dinner about Lark and his father, how Seneca had reacted.

She was most keen to explain to Haymitch about that night and her behaviour towards him. How terrified she had been that Seneca would retaliate and how foolish she felt she had been to say those things.

She told him then what happened at the boutique; of the disastrous interview that had ended with the necklace that she was now sure Seneca had sent. She recalled how humiliated she had felt and then the stark fear and worry that had been plaguing her that she had given him away.

She apologised again for their argument that night, unable to put into words how she felt she was drowning in the Capitol, unable to control anything with Seneca always just being there to remind her how powerless she really was. She just wanted some even ground with Ficen. She had never meant to hurt him.

She spoke of the absolute panic she had felt on finding the penthouse filled with guards. How truly sick she had felt that they had taken him, how terrified she had been that something may have been happening to her family – how she was still terrified for her family.

She told him of the current day's events; how Cen was dead and she didn't know why. How frightened she had been and how Seneca had been there. In a quiet voice, unable to look at him, she recounted how sorely tempted she had been to accept Seneca's gift.

She had finished telling him all that he didn't know, and all that she had been keeping from him but she continued, unable to stop. It was as though the dam had been broken and everything came flooding out.

In hushed whispers with her head lowered, she spoke raggedly of the guilt she felt over Frenkin. How she had grown to love the boy like a brother and she didn't think she could bear to lose him. She spoke of her fear of a painful death in the arena whether by another tribute's hands or Seneca's games. With clenched fists she voiced her frustration on not being able to figure out Seneca. Seneca had wanted to kill her from the start. What was the Gamemaker playing at now with the necklace? She cried brokenly into Haymitch's chest over how much she simply missed her family and how she just wanted to go home.

And shining through everything she recounted was how much she had needed him, and how much she still did.

Her voice finally trailed off into silence, now almost hoarse with crying and speaking.

…

(Haymitch's POV)

The whole way through her tale Haymitch had held her tightly, pressing kisses to her head and brushing away the tears that fell in fast succession.

"Damn it Stephanie! Why didn't you tell me any of this?!" His voice was thick with emotion.

Stephanie looked up at him with watery eyes. He smoothed the hair back from her face, kissing her gently. "I should have been there…today, at the boutique, with Ficen…"

Stephanie pressed her fingers to his lips to silence him as she shook her head softly.

"You're here now," she said. Haymitch didn't waste a heartbeat as he kissed her fiercely.

When they broke apart he whispered, "I'm sorry," against her lips.

She just wrapped her arms tighter around him, whispering reassurances as she sighed deeply; relieved at last.

"I love you," he said the words quietly, his face buried in the cascade of her hair, but she heard him.

"I know. I love you too."

…

(Haymitch's POV)

After sitting contentedly in one another's arms for a while, Haymitch finally coaxed Stephanie to get back into bed when she began to nod off once more.

As he laid her down though he could see it in her eyes; fear.

Haymitch felt anger and hatred well up in him again at the Capitol…at Seneca. He would protect her against anything that tried to harm her and he was going to make sure she won but…he couldn't stop the nightmares that were inevitable.

He would do his best to chase away the demons that haunted her but that took time and it was a lot harder. Hell, didn't he know that better than anyone.

But he was determined to see that she would once more sleep soundly without waking up screaming. He kissed her softly.

"Try to get some sleep. I'll come wake you for supper," he said quietly, his gaze drifting over her face.

Stephanie nodded hesitantly and he made to get up, but her arm suddenly shot out and her hand grasped his shirt desperately.

He turned to look at her; her golden eyes were wide and almost frantic.

"Stay with me." Her voice was hoarse and pleading.

He pried her hand off his arm gently. Her eyes widened slightly in alarm before he slipped into the bed beside her.

She immediately pressed herself against him, nuzzling her face into his neck as he held her securely in his arms.

"Always," he replied.

…

(POV)

"You missed another meeting today son."

He fixed his napkin irritably, barely registering his father's words until his father had cleared his throat pointedly to gain his attention.

"Apologies father. Was it important?"

"All meetings are important." The voice was calm, cold and emotionless.

However once more the son's thoughts had wandered elsewhere as he picked at the food on his plate distractedly.

He watched his son warily, calculating.

What had caused the sudden change in his son's demeanour?

LilyFox; Thanks so much, Hayphanie - coined by Philippa :P I'm glad you enjoy it - thanks for letting me know and I hope you continue to enjoy!

HungerGamesQueen100; Thank you so much for the really thoughtful review and the favourite/follow - and I hope you continue to enjoy :)

Philippa; Thanks as always for your review - Yes, yes Haymitch is back :D Your questions: Cen died because Ficen gave him up to the Capitol on a false charge (smuggling weapons to tributes) - so he was essentially executed, but he bribed guards to try and get to his sister Ficen at the photo shoot thinking she would save him, but Cen didn't know that Ficen was the one who had given him up. When Ficen refused to see him, Cen tried to escape and the guards killed him. (Chapter 40; guard & Seneca conversation) Ficen wanted Cen dead because she was afraid that if Seneca found out that she knew about the necklace and did nothing to stop it being handed to her brother rather than her, Seneca would be angry with her/kill her (Chapter 37)

Ficen is mean because Stephanie is getting more attention from Seneca - who Ficen is in love with - than Ficen is, other than that it's just her nature. I haven't really showed Ficen with others separately from Stephanie but she wouldn't be as mean with them - she has just developed a strong hate for Stephanie now. With others Ficen would just be considered stern/serious/harsh at times. I hope that clears things up? :)