Original Prompt: Haymitch and Effie dance at Peeta and Katniss's wedding 3
Effie had been to a lot of weddings.
Family, friends, friends of friends. They were all held inside opulent Capitol halls and ballrooms cluttered with plumes of peacock feathers and ice sculptures of the happy couple. They were all beautiful, yes. But this was breath-taking.
The sun was just beginning to retreat on the horizon, the sky dappled with oranges, reds, and dusky purples, casting a warm glow across the meadow. A few stars were out, reminding her that it would soon be dark but that hardly mattered.
The candles that adorned each table and a few overhead branches flickered softly in the slight summer breeze, contained in old jars to stop them from extinguishing completely. Birds and crickets hummed along indolently to the music played by a small folk band, creating an ambiance all of its own.
Effie felt a sudden tap on her shoulder and turned around to see Haymitch stood behind her, hands stuffed into his trouser pockets.
"How're you holding up?" he nodded to the few used tissues that scattered the table.
"Oh, fine now. Thankyou."
He chuckled. "Thought you were gonna drown me doing all that crying."
She tapped his arm lightly. "Shush, you. I'm allowed to cry."
"Why? Because the kids are all grown up?" He smirked, sending a glance toward the newlyweds.
"Precisely."
Both now cast their eyes toward Katniss and Peeta as they made their way towards the makeshift dance floor, a few couples already swaying to the gentle music playing.
He half sighed when he noticed her staring, extending a hand. "Come on then,"
She smiled softly at the offer. "Oh, you don't have to. I know you don't like to dance."
He shrugged, not withdrawing his hand. "I think I can make an exception."
The corners of her mouth tugged at her to smile as she took his hand, allowing him to lead her across the meadow.
She held up the hem of her pale pink dress a little as they trod through the long grass and wildflowers towards a more trodden-down section where they took up the hold of the dance, his hand on the swell of her hip and hers on his shoulder.
They swayed for a moment in silence.
"It's so beautiful here. Who did all of this?"
"Peeta mainly, but I helped a little. He did the cake." Haymitch nodded to the still uncut cake on a small wooden table. It was unmistakably Peeta's handiwork, ivy leaves and gypsophilia blossoms iced to perfection.
"Well it's lovely."
"Not too simple?" He asked, smirking.
She smiled back. "No. I think it's very romantic. Intimate."
Haymitch exhaled, chuckling a little. "Steady on there, sweetheart. Don't go getting any ideas."
"Oh, I didn't mean it like that." She nudged him lightly.
There was another silence as both enjoyed the others quiet company.
At the other end of the dance floor the Mellark's observed their ex-mentor and escort swaying inattentively to the music, smiling and conversing with one another.
"Haymitch and Effie look like they're enjoying themselves." Peeta pointed out.
Katniss nodded in agreement, taking a short sip from her champagne glass. "They're close now aren't they?"
"Yes. Despite how much they used to argue and get on each other's nerves during the Games, I think they've always been close."
"Really? You think they were ever…together?"
Peeta shrugged. "Maybe. But I think they've always respected each other enough to hold it all together."
There was a short pause as they looked on.
"He's going to kiss her." Peeta thought aloud.
"What? How can you tell?" Katniss asked.
"Look at how he's looking at her. He's not listening to a word she's saying."
Katniss snorted, completely unconvinced. "Haymitch never listened to her. That was partly why they argued so much."
"No, it's different. Trust me - it's a man thing."
She rolled her eyes. "I still don't think he'll kiss her."
Smirking, Peeta shrugged and picked up a champagne glass from a nearby table.
He carried on watching the two after Katniss had turned away momentarily to speak to a guest. Fleeting glances were made, short laughs exchanged, hands allowed to wander that small amount further. Over the course of what couldn't have been more than a minute, theycontinued to get closer and closer until-
"Katniss," he spoke, trying to disguise the smile in his voice.
"What is i-?" She cut herself off automatically at the sight in front of her.
Surely enough, Haymitch had bowed his head to kiss Effie, one hand still on her hip and the other on her cheek. She was kissing him back too, having to stand on her tiptoes to reach.
A few people who had noticed stopped dancing for a moment and applauded them.
"How did you-"
Peeta leant over and kissed his bride, grinning at her mystified expression.
"Told you so."