Thank you for reading my version of Haymitch's story, it really means a lot to me. Thank you for all the reviews that I've had so far, they've been incredible.

I do not own the Hunger Games nor its characters.

Chapter Twelve

I have to stand on the train platform for half an hour or so whilst the various reporters fire questions at Titam and myself. I tell them how happy I am to be home and they capture the moment when me, Tilly, my mother and Layle are all reunited perfectly on camera. We hug and kiss but I know it doesn't really mean anything; we'll say what we have to say to each other when we get home, right now we are just acting for the cameras.

I kiss Tilly on the cheek, not wanting the whole of the country to see too much of our relationship, but she only smiles in response. Maybe I should just pull her close and kiss her passionately but that seems inappropriate.

As I hug my mother I whisper, "Is Tilly okay?"

"She'll be fine," she replies before she pulls away, wiping the tears from her face.

It's clear that all of the reporters love Layle; he answers all of their questions with shy, one word replies and refuses to leave my side the entire time. I think it's taking all of his might not to wrap his arms around me and never let me go.

We're then ushered in to a car that will drive us to Victor's Village and our new home. Tilly goes back to her house in the Seam and says she'll come over later, despite the reporters' pleas for her to come with us. She manages to flash them one of her gorgeous smiles and jokes that she wants me all to herself later on, which causes them all to snort with laughter. I have a feeling that Tilly is going to be the nation's new sweetheart.

The cameras follow us the entire way to Victors' Village and we're all forced to grin for the whole journey whilst the photographers try to take pictures. My mother gives my hand a reassuring squeeze as we finally drive through the gates.

There are twelve enormous mansions in this part of 12 but only one has an occupant, the rest just stand there with a foreboding presence. They all look beautiful and extravagant but they are a constant reminder that whoever they belong to has literally killed for the right to be there.

We pull up outside one of the houses on the right hand side and the driver opens the door of the car for us to get out. Layle jumps out of the car and runs up the long driveway towards the house with a huge grin on his face whilst my mother and I slowly walk towards the door.

We stand and smile for a few more photographs before a peacekeeper opens the door for us but, even then, we have to endure the press for another hour whilst they film our reactions to our new house.

There is no doubting its grandeur; each room is ten times bigger than our house in the Seam and there are a countless number of them for us to use. The kitchen is pristine and already well stocked with food and when Layle screams in delight at the sight of it all the reporters can't help but laugh patronisingly. He's just another poor starving child who doesn't know how to present himself properly.

Once the reporters finally leave the three of us fall on to the sofa and hold each other close in complete silence. This is the most comfortable I have felt for weeks.

"Mum," I say, finally pulling away, "Do you remember what you said to me before I left? About whatever happened-"

"I stand by that, Haymitch," she says with a supportive smile. "You did what you had to do to come home, none of it was your fault. I know you're not a killer."

"Good. Come on Layle, let's start devouring the sickening amount of food we have."

He flashes me a cheeky grin before looking to my mother for approval but she only pushes him in to the kitchen, telling him it's about time her sons started to look after her. I couldn't agree more.

The fridge is filled with vegetables and meat so I decide to make a stew for dinner whilst Layle stands in awe of the vast amount of ice cream flavours we have in the freezer. As I'm peeling and chopping I hear a high pitched 'ding dong' sound that I assume is our doorbell so I open the front door to find Tilly standing before me looking tired and vulnerable in equal measure.

"Hi, Haymitch," she says, timidly.

"Hey, are you coming in?" She doesn't answer but instead shuffles in the house and stands in the hall. "Are you okay?"

"No," she sobs before bursting in to floods of tears. I instantly pull her close and kiss the top of her head, I never thought I would get to do this again and it feels amazing, I just wish she wasn't so upset.

"What's wrong?" I ask, "Don't tell me you're peeved that I actually came back." This manages to get a giggle out of her as she stands back from me.

"Don't be stupid, I'm over the moon. It's just…what I saw…"

"I know but I promise you it wasn't me. I had to do whatever I could to get back, Tilly. I didn't enjoy killing innocent children."

"Not that," she says. "Maysilee."

Is that what's been bothering her the most? The idea that I may have wanted to cheat on her?!

"Oh, Tilly." I pull her close once again and hold her a little tighter as if to prove how much she means to me. "I love you. Maysilee was my ally, if it wasn't for her I would have died against those Careers. You do know that, right?"

"I guess. It's just…you got on so well and…you didn't really speak about me much."

"Because it hurt too much, Till. I didn't think for one second that I would be coming home to you and I didn't want to make you feel guilty by telling the entire nation how much I love you."

"Really?"

I finally place my lips on hers and kiss her the way I have been desperate to for weeks. She responds with equal passion and I just hope that this means I've alleviated her worries. If not, I'll keep trying until I do, I'm not losing her, again.

We're given three days to settle in to our new home before the celebrations of my victory resume in 12, however, the cameras are still hanging around to film me every time I leave the house. Every time Tilly comes to visit I can hear the crowd of reporters chasing after her but rather than hide she graciously answers their questions before entering the house.

I cannot begin to describe how incredible it is to see her every day and just talk to her for hours on end. She's a lot happier now and I'm doing everything I can to show her that I can't live without her.

"How do I look?" She asks, floating in to my room in a floor length red gown that is nothing short of magnificent on her. Tonight we're attending a banquet at the Justice Building with lots of Capitol officials and the Mayor's staff from 12.

"I don't think it would be appropriate for me to answer that truthfully," I say with a smirk, causing Tilly's cheeks to turn red.

"Come on, the car will be here soon," she says, leading me out of my room and in to the hallway where my mother and Layle wait for us.

Walking in to the Justice Building brings a cold sensation over my body; the last time I was here I was certain that I was being sent to my death. The whole building just reignites those feelings of terror and sadness and all I can see are the faces of Clo, Dinium and Maysilee. I keep saying that I'll visit their families but I still can't bring myself to do it just yet.

"It's okay," says Tilly, holding my hand. "You're safe now. I'm never letting you go."

"Good," I reply with a kiss.

The banquet itself is a fairly boring affair with everyone congratulating me on my win and regaling me with tales from the Capitol. Apparently my quick thinking and dry wit has gained me quite a few fans in the city but I really couldn't care less. The meal is delicious with chefs being brought in directly from the Capitol to ensure that our bellies are full. I think the best part of the evening was seeing the looks on my family's faces as they dined on the succulent roast beef; a delicacy none of them have ever tried.

After the meal a band begins to play an upbeat melody that we are all obliged to dance to, despite my hate of dancing. However, Tilly grabs my hand and drags me towards the dance floor and then starts moving my arms around as if I'm a robot. I try to tell her that I have absolutely no rhythm but she refuses to listen and continues to wiggle around me, trying to get me to do the same. To be honest, I'm just happy to see her smiling and laughing, again, as it has been far too long.

Out of the corner of my eye I can see Titam offering his hand to my mother and she, shyly, accepts. They seem very relaxed in each other's company, which makes me happy. I don't think my mother has been relaxed for years.

The next day is the first parcel day so this means that hundreds of television cameras are filming me as I leave my house with my family and head towards the train station. I hold Tilly's hand all of the way, for some reason, since the Games I worry that if we're separated for just one moment I'll never see her again. I suppose I still worry that there's a chance she could be Reaped, I was convinced that I would be safe and I couldn't have been more wrong.

We reach the station and pose for pictures; most of the reporters are shouting at me to give Tilly a kiss but all I do is give her a peck on the cheek. This drives them crazy.

"How are you finding life as a victor?" One of them shouts at me as we wait for the train.

"Not bad," I reply, which makes them chuckle like the play things that they are.

When the train does arrive they take a picture of me handing over one of the giant boxes of food to one of the poorest families from the Seam. They smile gratefully, I just hope it's a genuine smile and not one filled with disdain for me.

Within minutes the whole of 12 are lining up to collect a parcel and the excitement on their faces is hard to hide, no matter how much they try. For once, I am pleased that I won the Games.

At lunch time and on in to the evening there is a huge celebration for the whole district, not just those government officials who were invited to the banquet last night. There are numerous bands and dancers from the Capitol as well as plenty of food and games for the district to enjoy. As the celebrations go on I get so many people telling me how grateful they are that I can no longer keep track of who they all are. I'm just glad that they haven't all rejected me, despite three of their children not making it home.

Tilly and I manage to sneak home early, despite the celebrations being at their height, because, quite frankly, we're shattered.

"I'll be glad when things go back to normal," Tilly says as we collapse on to my bed.

"Tilly, things will never be normal. You're going out with a handsome victor, you know, there's certain duties you have to perform now."

Rather than reply with something witty she prefers to hit me hard in the arm, although she's still smirking at me.

"Promise me you'll never leave again," she says.

"I promise."

"I love you."

"I love you more."