Okay, this fic has 2 parts: the main plot and some random hayffie moments.

Haymitch's POV

I got up this morning with a massive hangover. Effie was right; maybe I should lay off the alcohol... Nah, I can manage, I have so for the past years and I can still tolerate the hangovers for years to come.

I walked towards my cupboard to grab a bottle of gin. A took a swig of it then I slumped on the couch. This is just another boring nothing out of the ordinary day and the geese can survive on their own, so I really don't have a reason to get up. I placed the bottle on the coffee table, and allowed myself to drift off to a nice and peaceful sleep. Ahhhh, this is the life...

I suddenly heard a loud ringing. What the hell was that! ? I got up the couch-startled of the noise. I glance around the room, only to find out that that was just the phone. I forced myself to get up then I dragged my feet to the little noisemaker and grabbed the phone from the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Hi Haymitch, this is Peeta. I was just wondering if you can help me set up the bakeshop for it's reopening tomorrow." Oh great... more work... just what I need...NOT!

"No thanks!"

"Please, Katniss and Effie have already agreed to help me but we need more hands around here, else we'll never finish in time." No wonder he's not getting any work done. Effie is more of a....liability than an asset in these things.

"Then reopen next week or something..." He can always do that right? Just place a signage on the door or something. Sure, a lot of people who expected the opening to be tomorrow will be disappointed but tough luck for them.

"Changing the schedule isn't as easy as it sounds you know?" he stated.

'Yes it is."

"Please Haymitch, I really want to stick to the original schedule..." he begged.

"Fine, I'll help..." Well, I sorta pity the boy...sort of. This can't possibly take all day, right?

"Thanks a lot Haymitch!"

"Okay, I'll be there soon..." I banged the phone on the receiver. I gulped the rest of my booze before walking back to the cupboard for a new bottle. I grabbed a small bottle of vodka before heading out. It took me about 20 minutes to get there. Peeta was repainting the sign while Katniss was polishing the display case.

"Oh, there you are Haymitch. Thanks for helping." Peeta smiled.

"So what should I do?"

"Effie's out in the back. She needs a little help..." says Katniss. She placed an emphasis on the last line. I think "a little help" is really more than a little help.

I walked inside the store. I took a swig of alcohol before placing the bottle on top of the counter then I headed out to the back door. I heard Effie struggling from the other side. I placed my ear against the door, to listen more closely. She's really funny. I suddenly heard a banging sound. I panicked and rushed out the door.

"Effie? Are you okay?" I looked around the place then I saw Effie lying down on the ground with a broken sack of flour covering her face and upper body. I knelt down in front of her then I helped her remove the sack from her body. She was completely covered in flour; her whole face is white. It was hilarious-that is if she isn't hurt.

"I'm okay... Don't worry..." Oh she's fine, so it's funny then.

She stood up, then she brushed some of the flour off. I tried to stifle my laughter; she looks like a big piece of newly floured dough.

"What? What's so funny?" She glared at me.

"You are, covered in flour like that. Oh I wish I had a camera!" I stopped stifling and allowed my laughter to come out. She knows now anyways.

"Hahaha, very funny Haymitch..."

"Aww, cheer up princess. I was just joking. Here let me help you." I grabbed my clean handkerchief. I used one hand to steady her while the other gently wipes her face. A few minutes later I saw that her make up got wiped off along with the flour. Without all of that Capitol gunk on her face she really is beautiful. I then took her floured wig off, then I handed it to her. Her blonde hair looks way better than those colored wigs that she loves so much. I felt warmth in my cheeks; it felt weird. I let go of her then I walked towards the remaining sacks of flour.

"You know, you look better without the wig and make up." I said.

"Really? Or are you just joking?"

"I'm serious... I'll continue stacking the flour. You just clean up the broken sack and the spills okay?" I said as I hoisted a sac over my shoulder.

"Okay... and Haymitch-"

"What?"

"Thank you very much..." Why is she thanking me? What did I do?

"For what?"

"For-for everything..." I placed the sack down into the designated area then I glanced at her. Our eyes met instantly then I felt weird again... I'm sort of getting used to this feeling even though I don't know what it is. Maybe I'm just not used to getting along with her so much. Sure, we used to see each other every year during the games but we're not particularly close. We argued a lot.

"You're welcome sweetheart..." I smiled at her. She smiled back then walked off to get a broom.

After a couple of hours of back-breaking work... Okay, it wasn't really that hard, just exhausting. We walked back inside the bake shop and was met by a very shocking scene. It was like watching the games all over again... Katniss making out with Peeta for the sponsors...

"I see that the two of you are still quite busy..." I smirked at them. Effie raised an eyebrow while the two lovestruck teenagers looked at us in shock.

"Oh, I see that you're done with the flour..." Peeta said. The embarrassment can be easily sensed in his tone.

"Oh, it was no trouble at all, since Effie and I got to see the sequel of you're star-crossed lovers act." I smirked at them. I call this revenge for not helping us, despite having finished their jobs early.

"It was a great show actually. Please continue." Effie said jokingly. Hmm, it's not like Effie to joke around. I guess District 12 is sort of changing her. That's good I guess, she needs to relax a little.

"Oh my... I feel like a teenage girl caught by her parents making love with her boyfriend." stated Katniss. She scratched the back of her noggin with embarrassment. I just love making fun of these two.

"That's a bad idea Katniss. Haymitch and Effie would make terrible parents." He smiled at us jokingly.

"Wipe that smug of you're face young man and you better watch it. We might just adopt you." I said. I made sure that my tone had a hint of authority and was fatherly. Peeta looked at us with his mouth agape.

"Sorry, mom. Sorry dad."

"That's okay Peeta. We forgive you." Effie smirked.

"It's like I'm watching one of those sitcoms from the pre-Panem period." Katniss giggled. Peeta glared at her.

"Anyways, thanks for the help you guys." he tried to change the topic.

"It was no trouble at all. I'll see you tomorrow Peeta." Katniss gave him a peck on the cheek then she headed for the door.

"Okay, bye cupcake!" he waved goodbye to Katniss right before she left.

"Well, we better get going too. It's getting late you know." I said.

"Okay then, bye guys!"

I offered Effie to take her home. I looked at her and noticed that she wasn't carrying her wig nor did she reapply any of her makeup. Well, this is a first...

"Where's your wig?" I asked.

"Maybe you're right Haymitch. Maybe I do look better without it and as for the makeup- I'll keep it at a minimal I guess." Wow, this is a new side of Effie Trinket that I never saw. I guess I sort of underestimated her a little.

"Well, you do... What about your clothes?" I asked.

"I still want to stay in style you know." Yeah, in CAPITOL style. But I guess it's good that she's toning it down now.

"Well, here we are. I'll see you around Princess."

"Okay, bye..." She walked towards her front door.

'Bye!" I waved at her just before she closed the door shut. Well, I got to joke around with Katniss, Peeta and Effie so I guess my afternoon wasn't a total waste... Oh yeah, I left my booze on Peeta's counter. Darn it!

Okay, according to the number of words... this is my longest chapter so far...No wonder it took a while. Your reviews are much appreciated ^-^