Haymitch had heard through the rumour mill that Seneca Crane was dead, it wasn't until he had confirmed with the other victors that he knew he had to tell Effie, he couldn't let her find out on her own, he ran up to the penthouse "Princess, I have to talk to you." He said and she looked back at him. "What is it Haymitch? I was just about to go to bed." She said sounding happy enough, she was already in her nightdress and had removed her makeup and wig. "Come sit down sweetheart." He said gesturing beside him she obliged and came to sit, getting comfy in his arms.
"Effie, Seneca Crane was found dead today." He said slowly and he could see the light fade from her eyes "No, it can't be true." She said and he took her hand "Effie he was found and they said it was suicide, but he was most likely killed on snows orders." She was still shaking her head but tears were forming in her eyes "No, he… his games were the most successful in years… he had just made it." She cried "He let two victors win, they couldn't let him live."
She cried into his shoulder over and over repeating no. "I loved him Haymitch, he was my best friend." She said and he nodded "I know princess, I know." He said. She looked so vulnerable "He was the first boy I kissed, he was my first time." She admitted to him. "Really? Seneca Crane was the first man you slept with." He didn't believe her, "Yes, I was 15 and we had snuck out, a night away from our overbearing parents and it just happened… on the top of a roof no less, it was reckless, anyone could have seen us but we didn't care." She smiled at the memory "He proposed to me on that same roof when I was 18." She said and the memory made her heart ache "Why'd you say no?" He asked "I thought about it, but I knew he liked men more then women, and only wanted to marry me because I was his best friend, and we'd finally be free from all of our parents nagging… but I wanted someone who loved me as their partner and not as their friend… and I wanted a career."
"I love you Effie." He said, it was the truth, but he hadn't wanted to say it until now, but she was so vulnerable and he wanted her to know she was with a man who loved her, "I love you too." She replied leaning her head on his shoulder, he kissed her cheek and wrapped his arms around her "I'm truly sorry about Seneca sweetheart, and if there's anything I can do to ease the pain." He desperately wanted to help her.
"Stay with me tonight." She said softly, it was a rare occasion one of them staying in the other's bed but tonight was an exception "Of course." He said helping her up and into her room, then laying on the bed beside her, that night he held her close to him, like she was the most precious thing in the world and she knew she'd found the man she wanted to be with always.