The usual weekend update is here! Two updates in a week, wow.
Chapter Thirty
He should have known something like this would happen. He should have anticipated it but he hadn't and now Elias had got one over him. That sneaky bastard.
Haymitch was fuming. He wondered to himself as he closed the door after Paylor left how Elias even knew about those interviews. He doubted that man bothered to concern himself with the affairs of the districts unless it had anything to do with his business which in the case of the interviews, did not.
Effie, he came to the conclusion because, really, who else could it be.
Effie would never think that there was anything wrong with sharing that kind of information with her cousin. After all, what he was doing was hardly a secret. Except, that son of a bitch had twisted everything and tried to throw him into the frying pan.
Grabbing the phone off its hook, he dialled Felix's number, a number he had surprisingly memorized.
"Your brother," he hissed before Felix could even say hello, "filed a complaint to the Council about me. To the fucking Council! Do you even understand what that would do to me?!"
"Well…I did warn you he'd go after you especially after what you did to him. And to answer your question, I'm assuming jail time?"
Haymitch growled in frustration. If there was one thing he did not like, it was 'I told you so'.
"Listen, Felix, get that damn man off my case."
"There's only one way to get him off your back, Haymitch. You and I both know that you're never going to agree to it."
His rested his forehead on the wall, breathing deeply to calm himself.
"I cannot give her to Adler!" he said through gritted teeth, mindful not to raise his voice in case Effie was nearby and overhead the conversation. "Effie's not a thing, Felix. She's not a chattel. She's my wife. If and when the law's over, and Effie decides to go off with that man, then there is nothing I can do. I can't stop her but it's up to her. It's her choice. I can't make her do things! I cannot force her to accept him. Is your brother insane? I'd rather go to jail then hand her over like some goods. And what the fuck is he thinking? I thought he wanted me to end the damn law!"
Felix's voice was calm and composed when he spoke next. Haymitch had spiralled into an angry rant, although Felix always thought him to have a better control over his emotions but seeing as how his life along with his wife's future was in question, Felix let it slide. It was up to him to keep a level head. "My brother is very cunning. If you stop feeling angry and start thinking logically, you can see what he is trying to do. Come now, you handsome devil, you're smarter than this."
"Don't call me that," Haymitch snapped. He pushed himself off the wall and started pacing, pulling the telephone cord as he went along. It didn't take him long to fully comprehend and understand Elias' motivation. "Fuck."
"You, sir, are a particularly vulgar man!" Felix commented, his Capitol accent so thick with disapproval. "I don't think for a second Effie would allow such language in the house."
"Felix! Would you just shut up!" he bellowed. Haymitch pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why? Even if I'm out of his way, even if I'm in prison, Effie would still be married to me. He can't just cart her off to Adler. As if she would agree in the first place."
"I'm not quite sure if it would work precisely but I think the spouse is allowed to file for a divorce if the other is convicted of a crime. I think that was what he was aiming for. Oh, that's an idea, Haymitch," Felix began to chuckle finding amusement where Haymitch did not. "If you find being married so bothersome, you could land yourself in jail and Effie could file a divorce. But don't go doing it. Think of the children and we wouldn't want you to set an example for the rest of Panem now, would we? The prison will be fully occupied!"
"This isn't the time to joke," Haymitch snarled.
Felix sighed over the phone. "He wants to get you out of the picture. It'll be easier for Adler if you're not around. You know, to charm Effie? I think Elias was hoping that with her husband in prison and her being pregnant, she would be emotionally vulnerable to Adler's charm. But, I know Adler and I don't think he would do that at all."
"Don't underestimate a man," Haymitch muttered. "Especially if he is desperate enough."
Haymitch could hear Felix breathing over the phone, thinking of what to say. "You did confront Elias just before you and Effie left District Four. I already told you he won't let that go. This is just him being … well, him."
"Keep an eye out on your brother for me," he growled. "I know what to do."
"You are aware that I do not even live anywhere near my – "
"Dammit, Felix, you have one job. Keep him away from me and my family."
XxX
In the study, unbeknownst to Haymitch, the phone extension clicked as Effie hung up a few seconds after he slammed the phone in the living room.
Effie exhaled loudly. It had become almost a habit by now for her to rest her hand protectively over her belly whenever something distressing occurred. Her mind was spinning and Effie lowered herself gingerly over the chair Haymitch always occupied.
What does it all mean?
XxX
Haymitch was on the phone again the next day. He was on the phone a lot for someone who hated talking on that contraption. He raised his eyes to meet Effie as she walked in from the kitchen with a bowl of fruit for her midday snack. Once she had settled down on the sofa comfortably with the television on, Haymitch pulled the cord and leaned against the wall of the entryway, away from Effie.
She pretended not to mind, to act normal.
"We have a problem," Haymitch began. His dark tone snapped Plutarch's attention almost immediately.
"Do we?" Plutarch enquired.
"Paylor dropped in unannounced yesterday. If you have an inkling of this and you didn't tell me, I swear Plutarch I will skin you. I could use with some advance warning."
"Was that threat really necessary?" Plutarch chuckled. "I was not aware. What makes you think that I do? I'm not her personal assistant. I wouldn't know her schedule. What did she want?"
Haymitch snorted and when he was finally convinced that Plutarch really did not know, he recounted the events, every single detail including Elias' involvement. Plutarch was in on this with him and without him, Haymitch could never have gone against the Council in the first place. He thought it was unfair to keep such information from him.
Except you thought otherwise when it came to Effie, a little voice nagged at him. You didn't tell her everything.
"That's that, I supposed. It worked then," Plutarch said, sounding far too cheerful for Haymitch's liking. "Effie's idea – it worked. We were never going to broadcast the footage of those interviews, anyway. We meant to threaten her with it and since she felt threatened now, that is all that matters. I suggest we focus on the appeal. What do you say?"
"Yeah, forget the interviews. We don't need any more clips than the ones we already have. In the event that we need them for any reason, we'll just use what we got."
"Very well," Plutarch agreed. "And did you say Elias Lewis?"
"Yes."
"Isn't that man your cousin-in-law? He's Effie's cousin after all."
"I'm aware of his relationship to Effie," he snapped. "I'm clearly not his favourite person."
"If Lewis is onto you, you must have done something to cross him. What did you do?"
"What makes you think I did anything?"
Plutarch sighed.
"Fine, keep your secret but don't let it jeopardized what we have to do."
"Effie's cousin is a minor problem – he is nothing. We shouldn't waste our time worrying about him," he said. But there was someone Haymitch was worried about and it was eating him inside. "Listen, Plutarch, what do you know of Klaus Adler?"
"Klaus?" Plutarch asked in surprised, clearly not expecting that question.
"Oh, so you're on a first name basis with Adler but not my wife's cousin. Interesting," he drawled. "Who is this man?"
"Where ever did you heard of him?" Plutarch questioned. Haymitch growled in frustration. He really hated it when someone answered his question with another question. "Alright, alright, calm down. He owns several businesses. The Rebellion has been good for him – I heard he expanded his business to the districts. He just took over a construction company."
"How influential is he?"
"Not as influential as I am," Plutarch boasted.
"You sure? Your influence has not managed to overturn this law," Haymitch pointed out. "I heard this man has enough influence to make sure the law can be stopped."
"Not influence," Plutarch corrected, "he has enough finances to back you up. Why though? Are you considering bringing him on board?"
"No," Haymitch answered. "If we need finances, we can work it out. I can talk to Effie about it. I'm not that desperate to ask for his help. Does… to your knowledge…. is he and Effie… are they friends?"
Plutarch started laughing on the phone. "That's a question you should ask your wife, Haymitch, not me."
"If I could ask her, I would have and I wouldn't be wasting my breath asking you," Haymitch retorted, hanging the phone up in frustration.
XxX
If he had done one thing right in their marriage, Haymitch would like to think that the twin's nursery was it.
Effie had been giddy with excitement when the furniture was delivered. Haymitch was not pleased at all because he found out that he had to assemble the furniture himself. The delivery men had already left their premises when he found stacks of items wrapped in cardboard lying around the nursery. When he had questioned Effie, she claimed that the fee to have someone assemble the furniture for them was exorbitant and she was not willing to part with the money.
"When have you ever been this frugal?" he demanded, recalling those times when she spent freely at the town centre on items they clearly did not need.
"Well, we're going to have two babies," she said tightly. "I don't know if you've noticed that fact and I'm only thinking ahead. Education is not cheap, Haymitch."
It was not something Haymitch wanted to relive ever again and from that day on, he swore that the next time Effie chose any furniture in the house, he would play an active part in it if only to prevent her from not including assembly as part of the package.
The entire process had not gone smoothly. Nothing in their lives ever did. Their tempers flared, barbed words were exchanged and accusations were made.
"You are unbearable!" he shouted, throwing his hand up in the air in annoyance.
"I'm unbearable? If only you'd listen! I told you that screw is for their crib and not the chest drawer. It says right here, Haymitch Abernathy!" she said, shoving the manual under his nose and jabbing her finger furiously on a picture of a crib. "Look at all this mess, Haymitch. You need to be more organized! That plank is for the wardrobe, am I right? It shouldn't be mixed with those for the crib."
"Oh, for heaven's sake, you can't even read a damn map properly. Don't tell me how to fix the crib. I know what to do! Get out," he ordered.
"You've been trying to fix that for 45 minutes. Clearly you don't know what you're doing," she countered.
"No," he shook his head, rounding up on the irate woman. "I know exactly what I'm doing but I can't do it properly when you're reshuffling everything that I've set out. I've put that wood over there because that's for the wardrobe but you've moved it here," he gestured, "and you're making things fucking difficult for me. And need I remind you, that this wouldn't be a problem if you had only paid them to assemble all of these for us!"
"Oh what even is the point of bringing that up?" she muttered. "It's done. I didn't pay for it and now we have to do it. And watch your language!"
"I'll do it. You get out."
"I will not!" she stomped her foot stubbornly.
Effie lowered herself on the wicker chair that Haymitch had temporarily placed in the nursery from the front porch in case Effie grew tired. She gave him a stony glare, not that he noticed since he had his back turned towards her and was trying to figure out where to fix the bearings for the door.
Haymitch ignored her for the most part and it was only after he had gotten the door for the wardrobe to function like a door should when he noticed the silence. He turned around - a pencil stuck in his mouth from where he had made a mark on the wall for a frame - and saw a sight that made his lips quirked upwards in amusement. Effie sat slumped on the chair, her head lolling to the sides with her mouth opened slightly. He walked towards her and gently pried the manual out of her hand, tucking a wisp of her hair behind her ear.
"Hey, peanuts," he spoke quietly. "One day she'd tell you how she and I fixed your nursery but don't let her fool you. Your mother is nothing but a nuisance but that doesn't mean she don't mean well."
Realising what he was doing and feeling exceedingly foolish, Haymitch snapped his mouth shut and turned around, perusing the manual in his hands. He worked much faster on his own, fixing things where it should be fixed without Effie bossing and telling him what to do. She was aggravating.
His back was aching when he was finally done. He stood and arched his back, relieving the taut muscles, pleased with the work that he had accomplished.
"Effs," he called out quietly, stretching his hand to trail a finger down the back of her neck where he knew she was ticklish. Effie jerked and opened her eyes in alarm before slapping the offending hand away.
"There are nicer ways to wake – Oh!" she exclaimed, holding on to his biceps as leverage to pull herself up to her feet. "You've completed everything! You've even arranged them just the way I envisioned it. It's perfect. It's beautiful."
"You've only repeated it ten times where everything should be," he muttered. Slightly loudly, he said, "I completed everything while you embraced your inner sloth and slept the time away."
Effie threw him a dirty look but she was too distracted by the completed nursery to really give him grieve over what he said.
Haymitch kept his tools quietly, thinking of the bottle of vodka waiting for him down in the cellar. Effie would be too preoccupied with the room to mind him, he was sure.
"You didn't want my help in the first place," she replied.
She walked around, inspecting everything with a smile on her face. Her hand trailed languidly over the cribs. He was nearly out the door when Effie pointed to the blue picture frame with white big, bold lettering – 'Chin up, Buttercup' – she had purchased and had asked him to hang.
"It's not perfect. It's tilted slightly to the left. Can't you see it?"
He was lucky that he had his back facing her because his face scrunched up in displeasure. With a roll of his eyes, he took a deep breath and marched towards the picture frame which he had not wanted to have up in their nursery in the first place. Buttercup, he snorted. If she's having sons, they will not be buttercups.
"Stand there, don't move," he instructed, reaching up to adjust the frame. "Is it okay now?"
"No, Haymitch, you've made it worse!"
"Now?"
"Haymitch! No. Are you making it worse on purpose?"
"Tell me if I should move it more to the right or the left, you daft woman! Stop complaining and give me some valuable feedback for once."
Her hands flew to her hips as she frowned.
"To the right," she instructed. "More. Push it upwards. No, Haymitch, too much!"
He growled loudly, not even bothering to hide how frustrated he was. Effie must be annoyed too because he found her suddenly wedged in between him and the wall, stretching as far as she could to adjust the frame. Standing on tiptoes and using her fingertips, she pushed the frame inch by inch, standing back every few second to check on her own progress. His heart had pounded in his chest seeing her standing precariously on her toes given how heavily pregnant she was that he had moved closer to her instinctively, resting both his hands on her waist to steady her and provide her with some sort of support. His eyes were fixed on the frame as he watched her work, the annoyance still clear on his features.
When she was satisfied, she turned around in his arms. "Oh, wipe that scowl off your face, Haymitch," she laughed, pecking him on his lips.
The fingers on her waist curled in response, digging softly into her skin. Effie broke off the kiss but he was having none of that. He had nearly broken his back fixing and arranging the furniture. He deserved so much more than a mere chaste kiss.
Eagerly, he leaned down and captured her lips with his, backing her slowly against the wall. She gripped the collar of his shirt and he could feel her smiling against his lips. Haymitch pressed himself closer and stopped when he felt her belly against his. He wondered if the twins would kick him if they only knew what he was doing to their mother.
Haymitch broke the kiss and peppered a trail of kisses on her neck. Her hand came up to tangle itself in his hair, her face flushed and lips bruised. When his hand travelled up from her waist to palm one of her breast, he felt her fingertips skimming the skin under his shirt.
"Bedroom," she whispered. "We shouldn't… not here. They're going to sleep here."
XxX
His body thrummed with excitement when he lowered her on the edge of the bed, telling her to stay where she was as he hoisted her legs over his shoulder. Effie lifted her head up in puzzlement, trying to see what he was about to do but she could hardly see over the swell of her belly.
Haymitch kneeled on the floor. He had never done this with her before but given her circumstances, he had to get creative. Rather impatiently, he pushed her dress up to her hips, kissing her inner thigh as he did so.
"Haymitch," she whimpered. She buried her fingers on his hair, tugging him forward while trying to show him exactly where she would like to be kissed.
He kissed her through the wet, silky material separating him from his goal before pulling it down and flinging it carelessly on their bedroom floor. The moment his tongue darted out to taste her for the first time, Effie inhaled sharply.
"No," she moaned.
"No?" he smirked. "Do I stop?"
"N – No… Don't stop… Please… Oh, god what are you –"
Effie broke off abruptly, hands flying to her side to grip the bed sheet, panting loudly. Haymitch pressed his hands on her knees, gently and without much force, to keep them apart. The pregnancy had made her so sensitive that it didn't take long for Haymitch to work her to the edge and when he knew she was close he sucked her clit, long and hard, and watched her unravelled before his eyes with a smirk stretched across his face.
"That was..." she breathed. "Well, I never …"
Haymitch laughed and climbed into bed, pulling her up to him.
"You're lost for words," he observed. "I must have done something right."
Effie smiled and rested her head on his shoulder, tired and worn out. "Maybe… maybe we can do that again sometime?" she asked meekly.
A/N: I've been asked for fluff and smut, so I hope that was satisfactory and that this chapter is not as depressing/angsty as the previous ones? I hope there's not too many things going on in this chapter. Because I realised that in previous chapter, I tend to throw a lot of things together in a single chapter and I'm trying to change that, take things slow.
Oh, don't forget that bit about Effie on the phone extension because it will have a role in future chapters. Anyway, reviews?
To Fossil, you were on guest so I couldn't reply you. But thank you so very much for that extremely long review. I've never gotten a review that long so it was a very very nice surprise. Thanks for taking your time to send me a nice message telling me how much you're enjoying the story. It means a lot and welcome to the Hayffie fandom :)