Chapter Fifty-Two; District & Capitol Lovers

(Stephanie's POV)

Stephanie relished the feel of the cool water on her burning cheeks. Tears had been a too common occurrence recently and she had practically rubbed her eyes raw the past few days.

"Stephanie!" She whipped around as she caught Haymitch's hushed whisper.

"Bathroom," she called. Haymitch appeared at the door. He took one look at her, frowned, and then sighing wrapped his arms around her, pressing a chaste kiss to her hair.

"Is there a way to salvage this?" she asked.

"Your interviewing tactics have got to change, that's for sure," Haymitch answered.

Stephanie groaned, burying her face deeper into Haymitch's shoulder.

Haymitch held her for a few moments before he gently pushed her back, holding her by the shoulders to face him.

He took a deep breath. Stephanie gulped. He looked like he was about to tell her something particularly ominous and Stephanie wasn't sure just how much more she could take after that video.

"It's up to you how you want to play this," he told her, giving her shoulders a tender squeeze.

Stephanie stared at him, confusion creasing her features before recognition flickered in her eyes.

He was asking her about the interview. Haymitch was giving her permission to tell Flickerman about him and her.

Stephanie felt her stomach twist nervously. To tell Flickerman would mean a Panem-wide announcement. Everyone would know.

Her family back home in District 3. They might not believe Capitol rumours about lovers here and there, but coming direct from her own lips… Is that how she wanted them to find out? But then what other chance would she get?

Then there were all the other Capitol people who would know. How would Isa react? Her stylists? Ficen might have had suspicions but this would be the confirmation and what would Ficen do about it?

Eventually her thoughts halted at one particular person.

Seneca Crane.

What would he do? Would this be the discouragement needed to keep him away? She doubted it. Could announcing it put Haymitch at risk?

Stephanie remained lost in her own thoughts, for a few moments forgetting that Haymitch was standing in front of her; until she felt Haymitch's hands gave her shoulders a slight shake, prompting her.

The glazed look left her eyes as Haymitch stared at her expectantly, waiting for her answer.

She shook her head slowly as she weighed the possible outcomes of the proposition.

"No. I won't let the Capitol take this and make it into some cheap, selling ploy," she replied remembering her first decision, She stepped closer to him, winding her arms around his neck.

She didn't want the other tributes to sneer at her, thinking it some way to get sponsors. She didn't want that to be how she was remembered, what Haymitch would be left with after…

Stephanie still remained doubtful of her winning prospects despite all, though she kept them hidden as best she could from Haymitch.

It was a bittersweet thing loving Haymitch; to see him look at her like that, feel his lips soft and warm against her own. It felt right. But then there were the thoughts she tried desperately to bury; of the hurt she would inevitably cause Haymitch were she to fall in the arena. It wouldn't matter about her. She wouldn't be around to feel anything. But Haymitch… Yet this was one selfish thing she couldn't deny herself.

Stephanie pressed her lips against Haymitch's for a moment, before tightening her hold around him. Her moan of contentment was smothered against Haymitch's lips as he wrapped his arms securely around her waist; safe and familiar.

"You're mine and mine alone…" she whispered in his ear breathlessly as she drew back, pressing herself against him suggestively.

Haymitch grinned. "That's awfully greedy of you sweetheart," he said, one of his hands slipping from around her waist, dipping lower.

Just as she gasped sharply he pulled away from her, smirking when it took her a moment to recover from her flustered shock.

"As tempting an offer sweetheart, we have work to do," he said and winked.

She scowled at him, though she couldn't help a weak smirk that tugged stubbornly at her lips.

…

Frenkin didn't have to work on his interview much more and any practice he needed Isa helped him with it.

The stylists including Ficen and Alba had gone to ensure everything was ready for tomorrow, complete with back-up outfits. And to get their own outfits ready, if the wisps of excited chatter that Stephanie overheard were anything to go by.

The biggest work to be done now was with Stephanie and her interview, as she had to prepare for some rather different questions.

Haymitch was helping her with her interview in the main room.

"Who is your District Lover?" Haymitch asked, cutting to the chase straight away.

Stephanie swallowed the lump in her throat, hoping that Flickerman wouldn't go straight for the jugular, so to speak.

"Erm…"Stephanie faltered and floundered for a few moments, opening and closing her mouth like a fish underwater while Haymitch looked on unimpressed.

"Who is your Capitol Lover then?" Haymitch hashed on.

Stephanie glowered at him.

"I have none," she replied stiffly.

"Who was the necklace from?" Haymitch pressed.

"I don't know," she answered.

"Where were you at the party?"

"The bathroom."

"By yourself?"

"Yea, funny enough I'm potty-trained."

Haymitch gave her a hard look.

Stephanie leaned back on the sofa forcibly, completely exasperated.

"I'm done for," Stephanie stated miserably.

She heard Haymitch take a deep breath and cracking open an eye she saw him swig generously from a bottle of vodka. Stephanie frowned. Where the hell did he keep pulling these bottles of drink from?

He turned to her again, having seemingly built up his nerve once more.

"Let's try again," he replied evenly. Stephanie wasn't entirely happy that he didn't correct her assessment of being proverbially screwed.

"We need to try and divert attention away from…this!" Stephanie waved her arms about to symbolise that she meant everything essentially.

Haymitch was thoughtful for a few moments as Stephanie watched him hopefully.

"Right," Haymitch turned to her with a determined light in his eyes.

"When Flickerman asks you if you have a District Lover, say yes."

Stephanie's eyes widened as protests began to form on her lips.

"You don't have to name him," Haymitch reassured.

Stephanie shifted uncomfortably, remembering how the crowd had hounded her at the boutique. She doubted simply saying yes would make things better.

"We know Flickerman like that reporter at the boutique, will remain convinced you have a District Lover and a Capitol Lover no matter what you say. And I'm not having you getting so worked up arguing the point, that you end up taking a swing for Flickerman on stage," Haymitch finished sarcastically.

Stephanie rolled her eyes. "I'm not that stupid," she muttered. "But how does admitting I have a District Lover help anything?"

"You haven't let me finish," Haymitch said, smirking ruefully. "Admit you have a District Lover. But don't name him – "

"Don't name you," Stephanie interrupted, blushing slightly as she frowned. "You know there's no one else, Haymitch" she said earnestly.

Haymitch grinned at her. "I know," he soothed, before continuing with his plan. "Now, the next thing is your Capitol Lover."

"Non-existent Capitol Lover," Stephanie revised sternly.

Haymitch shot her a deadpan look. "I know that sweetheart," he replied. "I didn't believe for a second you had a Capitol Lover," he added placating, and Stephanie was immediately, visibly pacified.

She snorted derisively. "I mean, it's ridiculous the idea of me having a Capitol Lover!" Stephanie added emphatically.

"I know," Haymitch agreed. "It took me long enough just to be able to teach you proper manners."

Stephanie frowned at him, but Haymitch was already continuing on with the plan, and so Stephanie focused intently.

"The thing is Stephanie you won't be able to control this interview. Flickerman will ask you about your 'two lovers'. We know that. So we prepare for it. There's no point in saying no. No one will believe you."

Stephanie scoffed irritably, and Haymitch shot her a stern look.

"I know," Stephanie mumbled moodily. "Two Lovers; then what?"

"When Flickerman asks you about your District Lover and you say yes; he'll immediately start trying to get every last detail out of you."

Stephanie grimaced. "How will that help Haymitch?"

"You cannot control this interview, but you can steer it. Bring the interview on immediately to your Capitol Lover – "

"What?!" Stephanie interrupted, eyes wide.

"Listen Stephanie, when Flickerman asks you if you have a Capitol Lover you say no."

"What about the necklace and the missing time at the party though?" Stephanie asked, chewing on her bottom lip anxiously.

"This is the crucial part Stephanie. Tell Flickerman you have no idea. Tell him you have a Capitol Admirer but that you have no clue who it is. In fact…," Haymitch leaned forward eager now, "Tell Flickerman that you would like to give a message to your admirer and spin off some speech about how you are flattered, but that you cannot return the sentiment. That way it will turn the attention away from you entirely. You won't have to mention anything about your District Lover or anything else probably. They will be too occupied by this mystery Capitol admirer," Haymitch explained.

Stephanie took a deep breath, still looking at Haymitch sceptically.

"What if they don't take the bait?" she asked doubtfully.

"You'll have to be persuasive enough," Haymitch replied.

Stephanie frowned worriedly. She knew she wasn't good under pressure and the last thing she needed was to faint …again.

Stephanie was silent for a few moments as she thought, before arriving at the only grim conclusion. What choice did she have really?

Swallowing determinedly Stephanie gave a curt nod in affirmation.

"Fine. I'll do it."

…

Lying in bed that night, Stephanie hadn't very much time to reconsider her decision for two very good reasons.

One; she was in Haymitch's bed. And two; Haymitch was being perfectly distracting.

With a comforting and familiar ease Stephanie's mouth opened up under Haymitch's, her legs opening to wrap around Haymitch's waist and press him closer to herself.

One of her hands was entwined with Haymitch's while Haymitch had her other arm pinned above her head. His body was moulded perfectly to every contour of hers; her hips and ribs no longer so prominent now she had been getting a good feed.

Haymitch released his hold on her and his hands drifted to her shirt where he began to fumble at the buttons.

Stephanie inhaled sharply, her eyes flying open wide.

"This isn't advisable," she warned in a whisper.

Haymitch paused. His nose was brushing hers, breath ghosting across her lips and his grey eyes were bright with an emotion that Stephanie knew was reflected in her own.

But Stephanie swallowed trying to hold her resolve, wishing she had some ice water to douse her fevered skin and to try and dampen the hot feeling that was slowly coiling tighter at the pit of her stomach. It didn't help either, that Haymitch knew how to just exactly rock his hips ever so teasingly against her.

Haymitch's hands stilled on the second button as he looked at her questioningly.

"What if someone catches us?" she asked, but even in her own ears her voice was weak.

"They won't. I've locked the door. Isa has gone to her own home for tonight and Frenkin is hardly coming to come in here, is he sweetheart?" Haymitch reasoned.

"What if he does?" she argued.

"Do you want me to stick a 'Do not Disturb' sign on the door?" he replied sarcastically.

Stephanie bit her lip thoughtfully, frowning up at him for a moment. He smirked back at her winningly and Stephanie's half-hearted protests immediately vanished.

Haymitch moved with deliberate slowness unbuttoning her shirt until it fell open. He hovered above her for a moment on his elbows to look at the revelation with a rakish grin of male appraisal while Stephanie blushed scarlet.

She grabbed him roughly by the collar yanking him down to her once more where she kissed him hungrily. He took her bottom lip in his mouth, pressing down gently with his teeth.

She couldn't help the moan that burst from her throat that seemed multiplied tenfold in the dark, quiet room.

She could have sworn she heard Haymitch chuckle but concentration had gone out the window a while ago.

She ran her hands over his shoulders and then frowned and began to tug at the stiff shirt.

"Not fair," she complained between kisses.

She felt his smile against her lips as he willingly complied, his hold around her disappearing for a moment as he stripped off the shirt.

It fell to the ground with a quiet rustle, only to be joined by Stephanie's a moment after.

Stephanie's breathing hitched up a few notches as she almost shyly ran her hands over the bare skin, feeling shifting muscles below her fingertips. Her hands dipped between them to run over Haymitch's stomach, kneading the muscle there.

She heard Haymitch's deep moan mingle with her own sharp gasps in the darkness as her fingers brushed the waistline of his trousers.

Stephanie had never felt so heady. She almost felt drunk. But this feeling wasn't like that one time she had gotten drunk at the party. Everything was clear; every teasing touch was like fire licking across her skin.

Stephanie allowed her hand to drift lower between their bodies where she could feel Haymitch's attraction pressing against her very pelvic bone.

Haymitch's lips stilled over hers for a moment as he strangled a sharp gasp in his throat.

Stephanie pressed a sweet, feather-touch kiss to his lips as he recovered.

"I can be persuasive when I want to be," Stephanie whispered coyly.

She heard Haymitch chuckle slightly breathless in response.

And that night Stephanie showed Haymitch just how persuasive she could be with Haymitch a more than willing participant.