Chapter Fifty–Three; I Hate You

(Stephanie & Haymitch's POV)

Stephanie woke that morning feeling safer and more secure than she had in what felt like her entire lifetime.

She basked in the warmth of being wrapped in Haymitch's arms, feeling his breath stir the hair at the nape of her neck, sending shivers down her spine. For a few moments she could forget that she was a tribute for the Hunger Games, could imagine the sun streaming brightly in through the windows was back home in District 3 and not here in the Capitol.

But lying there silently enjoying it, she knew that she would have to move soon.

Today was the interview. And Isa with a whole other horde of people would soon be swarming about the place.

Groaning, Stephanie turned in Haymitch's arms managing to elbow him in the ribs as she did so.

He awoke groggily with a muttered curse, squinting open one eye to peer up at her.

Leaning on her elbow she hovered above him, staring down at him with an amused expression.

"Your bedside manner leaves much to be desired," he said dryly, shutting his eyes once more.

She nudged his shoulder forcibly. "What did you expect, true love's first kiss?" she replied.

His eyes remained shut but he smirked remembering their first meeting.

A contented silence fell between them. But in the quiet Stephanie's thoughts unwillingly went to the interview that would take place within hours.

She forced herself to breathe calmly, telling herself that hysteria was the last thing she needed.

Haymitch opened his eyes as he felt her body tense beside his. Her eyes were wide and nervous and she was chewing on her bottom lip.

He opened his mouth to say something but she cut across him before he got the chance, "I'm fine." Then she whipped back the covers and without another word, disappeared into the bathroom.

A few moments later the sound of rushing water could be heard.

…

Stephanie got out of the shower feeling significantly better but no less nervous. She felt like a taunt bow. Her nerves were just simmering beneath the surface and while she was holding them in control now, the slightest thing would cause her to explode.

Securing a towel around her, she walked into Haymitch's adjoining bedroom only to find it empty. Now where had he gone to?!

Checking the coast was clear Stephanie darted across the hallway to her own room and dressed swiftly in the first things that came to hand. It wouldn't matter anyway seeing as Ficen would style her for the interview.

At the table Frenkin was already sitting down eating breakfast. Stephanie took one look at the food and felt sick down to her stomach. But with a determined grimace she forced herself to eat at least a few spoonfuls of cereal.

Isa appeared halfway through, bounding into the room. She looked like she had been up since the crack of dawn in an outfit so bright canary yellow, it risked health and safety.

"Right my little pets, time to get ready!" Isa clapped her hands together giddily.

Stephanie met Frenkin's eyes for a moment. In them she could see the nerves that were causing her own hands to tremble and so she tried her best to summon up a reassuring smile, for Frenkin's sake at least.

"Haymitch pet, where are you?"

Stephanie snapped her head around, just in time to see Isa disappear in the direction of the bedrooms.

Stephanie swiftly got up feeling a sinking feeling in her stomach.

She met Isa as the escort came out of Haymitch's room.

"Oh Stephanie pet, where's Haymitch" Isa asked. "Stephanie? Stephanie! Oh pet, today is not a good day to faint!" Isa said as she had to rush to half-support Stephanie.

Stephanie had turned a sickly pale and a cold sweat had taken over.

"I thought he was with you," Stephanie admitted meekly.

Isa shook her head confused, the blonde wig tilting precariously to one side.

"No pet. He's meant to be here," Isa said, her wide green eyes sympathetic.

Stephanie's thoughts raced. Surely Haymitch, on this day when every camera in Panem would be watching them, hadn't sneaked off to do something that could get him killed?

"I'm going to kill him," Stephanie threatened in a low voice.

Something else to worry about was the last thing she needed today.

"Kill who?"

Stephanie had to stop herself just in time from flinging herself into Haymitch's arms as he appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

"It's alright Isa. I've got this one. Ficen and Alba have just arrived."

Isa gladly shifted Stephanie over to Haymitch, looking relieved that Stephanie no longer seemed on the verge of collapse.

"I'm alright Isa." Stephanie attempted to reassure the escort.

Isa seemed dubious, however with one more last sceptical look at Stephanie, who still seemed a little pale, Isa turned and went down the hall to greet the stylists.

A few moments later and delighted squeals could be heard as opinions were exchanged on outfits.

"Where the hell were you?" Stephanie demanded in a fierce whisper.

"Good morning to you too," Haymitch replied dryly.

Stephanie shrugged off Haymitch's supporting arm to stand by herself, folding her arms stubbornly.

"This isn't fair Haymitch. You keep disappearing without notice and you're up to something! I want to know and don't lie to me!"

"Are you finished?" Haymitch asked, folding his own arms.

"Don't make me sound like I am being unreasonable!" Stephanie answered angrily.

Haymitch inhaled deeply and before Stephanie could open her mouth to say something else Haymitch grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him so their faces were mere inches apart.

"Stephanie, anything I keep from you is to protect you – you know that," Haymitch said, as he met her eyes, willing her to understand.

"That's not fair. We're in this together," Stephanie argued, her eyes rimming fast with tears.

Haymitch sighed and pressed his forehead against hers as he slipped his arms about her waist.

It was a few moments but finally Stephanie relaxed and returned the embrace, a few tears spilling over. She sniffed them back, feeling suddenly very childish.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled into Haymitch's shoulder. "It's just today…I'm frightened if I mess up and…I'm frightened about what you're doing. I don't want anything to ever happen to you. You annoy the bloody hell out of me sometimes but I love you…so much that…that it would kill me if anything happened to you because you were being a damn idiot."

Haymitch chuckled before he held her out at arm's length so they could face one another.

She rubbed at her cheeks that were now red and puffy once more – thanks to Haymitch. She scowled at him and he smirked.

"What did I ever do to end up with you?" he asked.

Stephanie punched his shoulder lightly but she was smiling.

He kissed her then; soft, sweet and reassuring.

"I love you too, despite your violent tendencies and I'm going to do everything to make sure you…we get through this. So stop being so stubborn." He kissed the tip of her nose. "Ficen's waiting." And as if on cue Isa began calling for them.

Stephanie and Haymitch walked down the hall toward where the stylists and Isa were gathered in the main room.

"I really do hate you sometimes," Stephanie remarked, shoving his shoulder playfully.

Haymitch smirked and there was relief in his eyes. Stephanie was no longer the nervous wreck she was a few minutes ago. Her eyes were clear and sparkling with mischief. Haymitch smiled to see it. He had seen them filled with tears far too often recently.

"Yeah, well I hate you too," he replied and she laughed bright and untroubled in response.

Haymitch smirked. It still took him by surprise that somehow in one of the most unlikeliest places; the Capitol – a place of despair, betrayal and death – that he had found something bright and beautiful, something worth fighting and living for. It was why he was determined to do everything possible to protect her. Everything so that Stephanie would live; no matter the cost.