That next morning, Effie had left a coffee and a note in her impeccable handwriting on his nightstand with "Gone to work, I will be home in a few hours. I took Bear on a walk." on it.
Haymitch stood and stretched, went to check on Bear who was curled up in a way that made him look like a chunky little void, one of Effie's satin gloves he no doubt pulled out of her suitcase in his mouth.
"Good dog." He whispered with a smirk, finishing his coffee before heading in the shower. He knew he'd probably get in trouble with Effie, who could tell even a slight imbalance in her hair products, but he used the bottles anyways. Damn things smelled too good.
He stepped out of the shower and toweled off, got dressed in some slacks and a coat since Effie would soon be lugging him around like a pet monkey in town. He picked some fresh flowers like the lovesick fool he was and placed them where Effie could marvel at them.
Bear had gotten up at that point and brought Effie's glove to him with a whine.
"She'll be back soon, Bear. Unless, of course, you're whinin' about her being here. She does talk a lot."
He whined again and Haymitch picked him up, nuzzled his little head.
"Effie's gonna be home soon, bud. Let's get you to your bed so you have enough energy to bother her when she's here." He said, crossing the room and setting the puppy in his bed.
While Haymitch was busy making beef stew, he heard the door open with a high pitched hello.
"In the kitchen, girl."
"It smells wonderful." She called, he heard her take her heels off, her coat on his rack. Bear sprung up and ran over to his new best friend.
"Well, hello there my sweet little boy! I was thinking of you all day long so, naturally, I had to get you a few things in town."
She called the puppy into the living room and opened a bag full of little toys for him. Cute ones, too, stuff that only Effie could pick out. Bear was so excited his whole body wiggled, he tried playing with every toy at once.
"And I will take that, little one." She said, snatching her glove and placing it on a shelf where he couldn't reach.
He placed some rice and stew in a bowl for her and put it in front of her seat on the table as she unwrapped the silk scarf that was loosely tied around her long, golden hair.
"Hey, girl." He knelt and kissed her.
She sighed, "Today was exhausting, I just wanted to come home all day long."
"It's because you have a stud waiting for you, isn't it?" He joked, sitting across from her.
She shook her head with a radiant smile, "Maybe a little."
"Mhm. That's what I thought."
She ate some of the stew, "Haymitch, this is wonderful."
"My own recipe." He lied. It was his Sae's, except he replaced the wild dog with beef and any other questionable ingredient with vegetables.
She looked at him skeptically, "Tastes like the one from the mess hall we got years ago."
"First of all, Eff, it's called the Hob, not the damn mess hall. We've been over that three hundred times. Second of all, you're right on the nose with that one, princess. Sae's recipe."
"Still very good, I must say. Although, you shouldn't be taking credit for it. Naughty, naughty." She said, clucking her tongue.
He reached over and smoothed back some of her hair, "Well, I'm sorry today was exhausting, honey."
She gave him a little smile, "It's okay. I'm just happy to be here with you and the little troublemaker."
"He's happy you're back, too, I think. Look at that little shit."
She turned and he was fighting with one of the toys, growling and bearing his tiny puppy teeth and bowing to it. She laughed, "Looks like he's forgot all about me."
"You still up for going into town, Effie? I had to build myself up all day knowing you'd make me go."
"Of course, I had completely forgotten, but thank you for reminding me." She said cheekily.
His eyebrows furrowed, "Damn my luck."
They finished their stew and did the dishes. She tried drying and putting the dishes up, but the shelf with the bowls was too tall for her. They had to switch.
"You sure look pretty doing my dishes." He commented, stealing a kiss from her.
"Shush." She said, finishing the last of the silverware and handing them to him to finish the drying and storing.
She washed her hands and wiped down the table. What would Haymitch do now that he knew what it was to not be alone in his own home?
He looked at her, now knelt in front of his puppy, playing with him.
"Oh, you are just a tiny wolf, aren't you, my sweet? Your daddy's going to have a lot on his hands when you are older." She laid on her back and let the puppy jump on her excitedly, kissed him. The puppy yapped excitedly.
"What are you talking about, dear boy?"
"Probably talking about how he thinks you're his mama with all that stuff you got him."
"And? Is there such a problem with that? I'll be your mother, dear heart, since your daddy is so very grumpy." She said, still on her back, holding the puppy up in the air as he wagged his excited little tail.
"Look at how excited he is at the prospect, Haymitch." She said, craning her neck back to look at him.
"Probably knows you're gonna spoil him half to death as his mama, Eff."
She laughed, cuddled the little excited puppy, "Of course I will! I have no one else to spoil, and your daddy is a lost cause."
Haymitch shook his head, "Woman, you are something else."
She distracted the puppy with a toy and took that opportunity to stand, to which the puppy abandoned all thoughts of the toy.
Effie picked him up, "Oh goodness. You sure are a needy little boy. Yes you are."
She kissed him one last time before letting him go.
"Let's get going, daddy." She called, a mischievous glint in her big eyes. Haymitch stood with a grunt and they made their way to the Seam, arm-in-arm. Well, more like her arm looped in his.
A group of tiny girls came up to them with a squeal, "Are you from the Capitol?"
"Oh, fuck me," Muttered Haymitch, a death glare from Effie. "Couple of troublemakers here."
"We aren't trouble, Haymitch!" They exclaimed with a laugh, looking at one another.
Effie beamed, kneeling down to their heights and taking their hands, "Yes I am from the Capitol. My name is Effie, what are you girls' names?"
"My friend is from the Capitol, she said it is ginormous! Is that true?"
"Amma, you are such a liar! You don't know anyone from the Capitol!" Protested another little girl.
"I do! She said it's so big and full of people with pink skin and green hair."
"She doesn't have pink skin or green hair!" Piped another one of the girls, signaling to Effie.
"But she has blonde hair and blue eyes. My mama says that's common in the Capitol."
"Haymitch has blonde hair!" Exclaimed one of them.
"Is it true?" Interrupted another. "Is it big?"
"The Capitol is huge!" Exclaimed Effie. "With buildings that touch the clouds. But it is much more beautiful here."
They swooned at the thought, "I didn't know buildings could be so big!"
"It isn't beautiful here! I wish I could see the Capitol!" Exclaimed another. Children were now growing up without the Hunger Games, with more privileges, no corrupt peacekeepers on them, tension was dwindling between the districts and the Capitol as far as the younger generations were concerned.
"Oh, yes it is. We don't have beautiful hills or wildflowers or wonderful little girls like you lot."
They laughed bashfully, "Are you Haymitch's girlfriend? My mom told me Haymitch has it bad for some pretty, rich lady he used to work with from the Capitol."
"Iris!"
"You girls sure are nosey. Your mothers, too. Isn't it enough you get the run of my garden?" Asked Haymitch.
They giggled, "Miss. Effie, will you play tea with us? Haymitch won't ever!"
"Of course I will."
They hugged her waist and stalked off, "I can't believe she's real!"
"Amma, of course she's real. My mother is always right."
Effie watched the girls vanish into a small home, sighed dreamily, "Cute little girls."
"Yeah. Now that they know you're at my house, they probably won't leave us alone."
Effie beamed, bumped into him with her shoulder, "Oh, you grouch."
He kissed her before anyone could see and guided her into the new book shop. It was a quaint little room in an old warehouse run by a quiet woman from District 4. He gave her a curt nod as Effie squealed over some hardcover fashion book.
Haymitch picked up a few books himself, he'd be back soon enough considering he'd plow through them quick. Effie was now flipping through some gruesome horror, her favorite genre.
"You're weird, Eff." He said, taking the book from her and adding it to the stack so he could buy it.
"Oh, you don't have to."
He waved her away, "You ready or you still looking?"
She got up on her tiptoes and kissed him, "Done."
He checked out and carried the heavy bag of books back to the village. Of course, the little girls were playing tea with their new set.
They shrieked, "Miss. Effie, these are beautiful! Come play!"
Haymitch went inside while poor Effie was dragged to the tea table. Although, knowing how childlike Effie could be, she'd love it. He started on dinner while watching her speak to the little girls expressively, making them all laugh and laugh. Bear whined to be let out with the girls.
"You, too, boy? We need some men around here. And Peeta doesn't count." He said with a shake of his head, wiping his hands on a dish towel and opening the door for the puppy. One of the little girls picked him up and put a tea cup to his mouth.
Eventually, the girls left, giving Effie gigantic hugs and one even planting a kiss on her cheek. Effie came inside with Bear in her arms, a flower behind her ear and a small smile on her face. All he could think in that moment was "What the hell am I gonna do without you?"
"Hey, sweetheart." He said, pulling her into him and kissing her. That sweet honeysuckle lingering on her.
She looked into his eyes and he felt warmth spread through his entire body.
"Hi." She whispered, her hand playing with the back of his hair.
"You sure look short today." He said, amusement in his eyes.
"I am not short, Haymitch!" She said, genuinely pissed. He should've remembered that was one of her top insecurities
"Without all those wigs and heels adding 3 feet to you, you are... just a little bit," He said, taking her hips in his hands. "Nothin' wrong with it. Remind me of those little muffins Peeta makes. Short and round in all the right places."
"Oh hush!" She exclaimed with a laugh.
He hoisted her onto the cabinet and kissed her forehead a few times, her nose.
"I like your little nose, too." He whispered, his hand exploring her side. She was starting to breathe heavily.
"Really?"
"Reminds me of Rudolph. Too damn cute."
She tsked, "All of these backhanded compliments. You'd fit right in at the Capitol."
"Yeah, yeah. The only thing I want to fit right in from the Capitol is-"
She hit him, "You are dirty!"
He kissed her, a smile on his handsome face, her arms wrapped around his neck as she relaxed against him. He pulled her underwear down and she unbuttoned his slacks hungrily, her hands quickly and swiftly moving. He entered her and she rested her head against his shoulder, moaning from release.
"God, woman, you're gonna be the death of me," he moaned against her ear. "The absolute death of me."
"I'm going to... cum." She said breathily, digging her nails into him as her release sent shock waves through her body and eventually led to his own. Afterward, he placed her plate in front of her, sat beside her with his own.
"The idea of my death must really turn you on, girl. I'll start listing ways I might die to get you off: liver cancer, heart disease, pancreatitis."
"Oh, be quiet, Haymitch! You aren't going to die on my watch." She yelled, visibly upset.
"Hey, you're the one who got off from it, not me."
"I… did that because I'm attracted to you, not because of what you said."
He looked at her, unconvinced, "It was definitely what I said."
She shook her head, "You are incredibly irritating. Think what you want."
He kissed her hand.
"I'm tired." She whispered eventually.
They hopped in the shower and made love softly, one last time. He washed her hair for her, massaging that soap in, a smile on her face from relaxation. She looked beautiful dripping wet, her hair hung in dark blonde waves against her gold skin, her light eyes glittering.
They finished showering and laid in bed naked a bit, cracking jokes and dozing off. Her arms and leg draped over him and her chin resting on his chest, a loose smile on her face.
"You wanna go on a picnic tomorrow?" He asked. She looked surprised.
"Really?"
"Hey, I can be romantic."
"I know you can, it just surprises me everytime you do." She said.
"Ha, ha."
"Yes, of course!" She exclaimed excitedly, curling into him, kissing his cheek. She got up and got dressed in one of his shirts and some underwear. She looked sexy as she walked out to the living room.
"Might have to buy a few more of those if you keep looking that good in 'em, Effie." He called, getting up and also dressing.
She brought Bear inside the room, "This little boy was asleep on the cold floor! He will sleep with us tonight."
Haymitch shook his head, "He's gonna get too used to it."
"Look at his tiny face, Haymitch! He's sleeping up here and that's final." She laid down with the sleeping puppy on her chest. Lucky little bastard.
He laid next to them and ran his fingers through her pretty hair. She hummed softly for the tiny puppy, her eyes closed blissfully.
"Stay another week. We have a lake house near 6. You, me, and Bear can go down there then come visit with the kids." He whispered, running his fingers along her ear. Her eyes flew open.
"I can't, Haymitch! I have my own life, too, you know."
"Come on, Effie."
"I can't. I have my job and my home and- and-"
"Your little boy toy?"
"Yes, no, Leander. Leander, I have him. And if I end it, I should do it in person."
"Effie, just stay here. The idea of you leaving isn't… I can't..."
"You knew I couldn't stay." She whispered, her voice dripping with pity.
"Effie, you're rich as piss. You don't need to work with how much you earned during the games. And whatever else they're paying you monthly as compensation. And I have way too much money and, frankly, I don't want to be here without you, sweetheart."
"It's not about money, Haymitch."
"Then what?"
"It's my life. I wouldn't know how to live here permanently. I have been there for years."
He looked at her, stayed silent a moment too long, then nodded.
"Okay, honey."
"Haymitch-"
"What?"
"Just used to us fighting."
"Well, it's not worth it this time, Effie. I know the Capitol is your home."
She stuck her bottom lip out, deep in thought, "I don't want to go, if it's any consolation."
"You still are, though."
She sighed, sat up, "You're frustrating. Why can't you be understanding?!"
"I am being understanding!"
"You're being short. You're upset! Get over it, Haymitch." She exclaimed, her voice raising.
"Of course I'm upset, Effie! But you're right, I'll get over it. Real quick."
"What's that supposed to mean?" She asked furiously.
He shrugged, muttered, "Lots of options for people associated with the games, especially victors. You should know that as many men as you've run through."
She stood, yelling, "You don't know the first thing about my dating life! You don't know anything. Might I remind you, you are the one who has fucked the whole Capitol and multiple girls from every district, Haymitch! In fact, I am so certain you have some illegitimate little Haymitches running around that I could bet on it! You better be sorry."
Everytime Effie cussed it took him by surprise.
"I'm going to the guest room." She said, rubbing her eyes.
"Eff…"
She stormed out and, naturally, Bear followed her and didn't return. He sighed. He didn't know why he still had that tendency to let his tongue go loose.
"Damn dog, never takes my side."
He couldn't sleep at all that night. He got up at around 2 AM and didn't care anymore, worst case scenario she'd kick him out of the room. He walked up the stairs and opened the door, found her fast asleep in the fetal position, Bear beside her.
"Get out, Haymitch." She mumbled when he sat on the bed.
"I'm sorry, girl."
She turned on her back, eyed him, "You're not."
"I am."
She sighed, frustrated.
"Scoot over." He said. She hesitated, eventually moved a little and he spooned her.
"I love you, sweetheart. I'm sorry." He finally said.
"I love you, too." She whispered, "Even though you might as well have called me a whore."
"You know I don't think that. I've been trying to get you to date me since the day I first saw you."
"Really."
"Well, a few years after the day I first saw you." He said, nuzzling her neck.
She rolled her eyes, let him pull her in closer.
"You remember that time you told me if you and I were the last people on earth and you had to choose between having sex with me or being burned alive four times over and thrown into a pit of starving snakes, you would choose the latter? I think that's when I started wanting you. That mean, sharp tongue of yours. I still remember that insult because you were so damn specific with it." He said, poking her playfully, she laughed at the memory.
"Back when I had an inkling of sense."
He kissed her head a few times, "Glad you lost that."
"You're not all that bad." She whispered with a tiny sliver of a smile, making his arms wrap tighter around her core.
"Well, I'm not great."
"Are you questioning my judgment?" She asked, craning her neck to look at him.
He kissed her, "I'd much sooner eat shit than question your judgment, honey."
"You are vile!"
"Keep yelling at me, girl, might need to punish you." He mumbled against her.
"And how would you do that exactly?" She asked, egging him on out of pure curiosity. He moved his hand lower, lower.
"I'd tease you until you're begging me," he explained in that soft accent, his rough hand exploring. "And I'd finally play with you until you feel like you're about to finish, and then… I'd stop."
"That does sound like punishment." She mumbled, guiding his hand lower and lower.
"Something you'd deserve right about now." He said, teasing her again.
"I don't agree at all, but I wouldn't mind it." She said, letting him tease her, biting her pretty little lip, her eyes closing as she practically broke his hand trying to get him to touch her.
"Uh-uh-uh, girl. You gotta be patient."
"But I want it."
"You will like it. It'll feel better when I finally do touch you."
She moaned again, her lips turning down, "Please, Haymitch."
"Say it again." He mumbled, getting uncomfortably hard.
"Please." She whimpered, barely audible.
She tried to get his fingers on her and he finally gave in, building her up just to let her go. She let out a pained cry when he did it again and again, her long nails grasping his arm.
He entered inside of her, wanting to feel her orgasm on him.
"I hate you! I hate you, Haymitch."
"I know, sweetheart. But I'm not letting you finish until I get there. I want to together."
And he did just that. The waiting was worth it because she exploded on him, digging her nails into his arms. It drove Haymitch wild.
"Don't ever do that again." She said afterward, breathless, turning to him sharply.
"You didn't like it?" He asked, eyeing her skeptically.
"No!"
"You sure?" He asked, she cracked a pretty little smile. He caressed her cheek.
"I'm going to sleep." She said, lying on her side and pulling his arm over her. He held her tighter.