A/N: I hope you all like this (as much as possible) because I'm damn well only gonna write this kinda thing once. I just broke my own heart. My Tumblr followers are all crying. I'm sorry, my darlings! Enjoy.

-Ellie.

They're gathered in Haymitch and Effie's bedroom, waiting. The doctor said it would be any time soon, and he's been unwell for months. Effie's clutching his hand tightly, fighting the tears threatening to escape down her cheeks at any moment. A stray tear falls, and he reaches up with his weak hand to gently wipe it away.

"Don't cry, Princess. I'm alright, really." He tries to smile at her, but his face contorts in pain when he moves. They said the years of alcohol abuse have finally caught up with him, but it was only a matter of time. They all knew. She feels his pain as she watches him attempt to hide it. She squeezes his hand comfortingly, just in a way that says, "I'm here."

"You said you wouldn't leave me, Haymitch."

"I know. I won't, I promise. Not properly."

"You said you wouldn't go without me. Do you remember our pact?" She whispers, only for him to hear, thinking back to the days in District 13's hospital. She had promised not to go without him, and he'd sworn the same to her.

"I remember."

"I'm coming with you."

He smiles sadly, knowing there's nothing he can do to change his wife's mind.

"Okay, Princess."

She smiles at him, squeezing his hand once more before standing and approaching Katniss.

"Darling, I need to talk to you alone for a second." She guides the young woman out of the room, closing the door behind her.

"What's up, Effie?"

"I need you to do a very large favor for me, and I'm asking you because we trust you and I know that you know what must be done, must be done. I know you'll understand why we want this."

"Okay. What are you talking about?"

"We made a pact, Katniss, in District 13. He wouldn't go without me, and I wouldn't go without him. Well, he's in pain and I will be forever grateful to you if you would…" she hesitates, taking a deep breath, taking Katniss' hand and staring straight into her eyes, showing strength and resolve. "Katniss, will you fetch us some Nightlock? Please?"

"What? Effie, no! I can't do that!"

"Katniss. Please. I am begging you, my sweet girl. I cannot be without him, and he's in pain. I can't stand this. Are you telling me that if Peeta were in there on his deathbed, you would just let him be? You'd go on without him? I don't think you would, darling. Please do this for me, Katniss. For us."

Katniss sighs, understanding completely, but wishing things could be different. They haven't had enough time to be happy together. They deserve at least this, don't they? To be able to go at the same time, together. She knows she has to take care of the people that took care of her.

"Okay. I'll do it. I'll go." As soon as the words leave her mouth, Effie pulls her into a tight hug.

"Thank you, my sweet girl." She pulls back to kiss her ex-tribute on the cheek lovingly. "Remember, bring us a good handful - enough for 2. Don't tell anyone else. I'll take care of it. They cannot know."

Katniss just nods, returning her Escort's hug before pulling away and moving towards the stairs.

"I'll be back soon, Effie." She assures the grey haired woman, sending her a weak smile before descending the stairs and heading to the forest.

Effie returns to the room where her 3 now-grown children and Peeta stand watching her husband.

"Darlings, I need you to all say your goodbyes to your father. I wish to be alone with him for a short while. You have until Katniss returns."

"Mom? Why do we need to say goodbye? What's going on?" Her eldest son questions her. She smiles at him reassuringly.

"Just incase, darling. I would hate for him to pass without you saying your goodbyes."

She watches as their children step up in turn to hug Haymitch, murmuring words to him before leaving the room. Peeta follows suit, and she follows him out.

"You all know that I love you very much, and you must all stick together. Promise me that no matter how you feel about this, you will be there for each other."

"Of course." "Okay, mom." "I promise."

"Peeta, you know you're like a son to us. We love you very much, as if you were our own. We always have." She moves around the small crowd, giving each member of her family a tight hug. As she reaches her daughter, Katniss returns. Effie smiles at Katniss as she slips a small pouch into her hand. She doesn't hesitate to pull her into a loving embrace.

"Thank you, my sweet girl." She feels Katniss nod before she pulls away.

Effie walks back into the bedroom, hesitating before she closes the door.

"We love you all very, very much." She smiles softly, closing the door and clicking the lock behind her. She turns to smile at her husband, who returns the smile lovingly. "Just a moment, dear."

Effie moves to the vanity, picking up a pen and taking a piece of paper from the notebook. She writes a note to her small family outside, making sure to explain the situation gently, and reminding them just how much she loves them.

My wonderful children,

You must know that we love all 5 of you very dearly. Your father and I made a pact, a long time ago. We agreed that we would not leave this earth without each other. I intend to keep that promise. I hope you understand. I want you to forgive me, and promise me that above all else, you will find happiness in your lives. You are fortunate to not live in dark times. Be thankful for what you have, and enjoy the life you are able to lead. We love you so, so much, my precious darlings. We will see you again one day soon, but we know that you're all grown up now, and you will be just fine without us. We will miss you, and I'm sure you will miss us, but you're all wonderful people. I'm so incredibly proud of you all. I love you all more than words can say, and so does your father.

Goodbye, my sweet darlings.

Lots of love,

Mom and Dad.

When she's done, she moves to sit by her husband's side once more, taking his hand in hers.

"Are you sure about this, Princess?" He asks softly.

"I am. I cannot go on without you. I won't." She replies firmly, a tear escaping down her cheek. Once again, he reaches up in his usual way to gently wipe it away. He smiles at her lovingly.

"You're still as beautiful as the day I met you."

"You called me a clown, the day you met me." She laughs softly at the memory, and he joins her. It seems like a silly memory now, but it's such an important one for them.

"That's true, I did, but you were a beautiful clown." He grins at her when she blushes slightly. He's the only person to have ever seen the shy side of Effie Trinket. He sighs, caressing her cheek gently. "Are you ready?"

She opens up the pouch and peers inside. Katniss has been true to her word. Inside the pouch is a small amount of the deadly berries – just enough for the two of them. She nods at her husband, sending him a small smile.

"Just a moment." She stands and retrieves the note from the vanity, moving to the door and gently sliding it underneath. She knows they don't have much time now, so she rushes back to her husband's side and empties some of the berries into his waiting hand. She repeats the action for herself, taking a small handful.

She leans in to kiss her husband's lips – gentle, yet passionate at the same time. How does one convey over 30 years of love through one kiss? They know it's impossible.

"I love you so much, Haymitch." She whispers against his lips. He kisses her once more before replying.

"I love you too, Effie. Always did." They smile at each other lovingly, before Effie climbs onto the bed to lie beside him.

"Together." They both agree at the same time.

"One." Haymitch murmurs, pulling Effie down to cuddle with him.

"Two." She responds, settling herself in their usual cuddling position, his other arm -the one without the berries - pulling her close. They both lift their hands to their lips.

"Three." They whisper together, emptying the berries into their mouths.

They both swallow and settle into each others arms, their now empty hands grasping the other's tightly.

"I love you." They murmur at the same time, gently kissing each others lips.

Effie feels a strange calmness wash over her, and memories flash behind both of their eyes. She remembers the day they met; the first time they ever made love; Haymitch pulling her from her cell; waking up to find him watching over her; their wedding day; their children's births and birthdays and Christmas and all the happiness they've had together. She doesn't know Haymitch is remembering exactly the same moments.

"Goodnight, darling." She whispers when she feels the effect of the berries pulling her under.

"G'night, Princess." He replies softly.

They both take their last breath at the same time, each pulling the other closer during their very last moments.