Effie had been Haymitch's escort for a long time, she had got to know him over the years, so when her birthday approached she wasn't expecting anything special from him, she wasn't even expecting a happy birthday, he didn't care that much, or so she thought. She was turning 26 it was hardly a birthday of significance so when she woke up to the smell of breakfast being made she was confused, she walked to the kitchen, still in her nightdress, her blonde curls flowing free as she attempted to rub the tiredness from her eyes. "What are you doing Haymitch?" She asked with a small smile "I'm making food, I know you don't normally eat breakfast but I thought…" he began to Drabble and she cut him off "I think that was really sweet Haymitch." He was right she didn't typically eat breakfast but she would just this once, because he had made an effort he handed her a plate with pancakes, in fairness they did look delicious and he came to sit beside her.
The pancakes were lovely and she was pleasantly surprised at the fact he could cook, she finished her plate a while after him and took his so she could wash them "I can get the dishes sweetheart." He offered but she just shook her head "You made a lovely breakfast I can do the dishes." She insisted until he walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, she turned her head slightly so she could capture his mouth in a slow kiss. "I'll get the dishes princess, go get dressed." He said and time she obliged "Thank you." She replied and went to get dressed, there were no parties to go to today, no duties the had to carry out, their tributes were safe, for now, so she planned on having a somewhat relaxing birthday. She put on a simple, short, pink dress and shorter heels than usual, she did natural makeup (well natural for the capitol) she still wore pink eyeshadow and she decided to forego her wig.
She came back out to find him also dressed, for once and sober. "I… um… have a present for you…" he said awkwardly, Finnick had asked him what he was getting her and had hassled him when he said nothing, they weren't like that, they weren't a couple but he had to admit that hearing he was being inconsiderate made him realise he should do something for her birthday, even if they weren't really a couple. She waited to see what he would give her, he pulled out a box and sat it down in front of her, she opened it to find a beautiful necklace, a silver chain with a fairly big pink diamond, it was beautiful and it looked expensive, she can't believe he bought her a present like that "Haymitch… I love it, it's beautiful." She said as she lifted it up and handed it to him to put it on her "Yeah well so are you." He played it off and she smiled, turning around to kiss him "I just figured I could get you a necklace you could wear everyday instead of just once." He explained and she clutched the necklace "Trust me, I will wear it everyday."
"We were thinking about having a drink here tonight, the victors, for your birthday." He said and she smiled "I didn't know you cared." She smiled "I don't, just thought I'd butter you up a bit." He teased and she hit him playfully, by the time the "party" rolled around Effie was already a little tipsy and having a really good time, they were all getting along, for once. There wasn't enough room for all of them to sit comfortably so a drunk Effie had insisted she could sit on Haymitch's lap, but nothing was going on between them.
It was a great atmosphere, they were all incredibly drunk, until Finnick suggested they play poker, most denied saying they were bad or broke and didn't want to lose money so Johanna suggested they play strip poker, everyone agreed so they moved to the table, Effie wasn't very good at poker so ended up in just her pink lacy lingerie, everyone else was still fairly decent, Haymitch had lost his shirt, Finnick his trousers and Jo was still fully clothed, Haymitch in his drunk state couldn't stop staring at Effie and everyone else was egging him on "Come on Haymitch, how about a kiss for the birthday girl." They said and whistled when he got up and kissed her, with tongue for several minutes before they broke apart, noticing everyone grinning "I think we should leave the love birds alone." Jo said staring at Haymitch's obvious boner, so they all left wishing Effie a happy birthday.
"Ready for me to take you to bed princess?" He asked as he backed her towards the bedroom, they fell onto the bed, but they were both drunk, awkwardly and sloppily kissing, he tried to remove her bra but fumbled and she laughed it became inevitable they were too drunk to attempt sex and she rolled over into his arms giggling, they didn't bother to get ready for bed, they just pulled the covers up, he kissed her head and held her close "Happy birthday princess." He slurred into her hair "Oh it was a happy birthday indeed." The best one in a long time.