Chapter 18
Trouble in paradise

And another year was coming to a close. The surrounding woods of District 12 stood covered in white. Merciless storms whined around the houses and shops and it snowed sometimes all day and all night.

The roads were a constant trouble but Sae's granddaughter Nella's family, the one who owned horses, put Blaze and Misty to good use so the people of Twelve could still go about their business. Katniss, Peeta and Posy built a colossal snow lantern in Haymitch's back garden and Buttercup refused to set so much as a paw outside.

Twelve's mentor always got surlier in winter. Just like the cat he spent most of his days cooped up in the house, a bottle of spirits in one hand and his knife in the other. Effie made him put it away in a kitchen drawer during her visits. Said she wasn't keen on getting stabbed in the middle of the night. But since she hadn't been around in almost two weeks now it had resumed its old purpose. He needed something to hold on to in the night.

With an array of bottles at arm's reach Haymitch stared sullenly at the phone, his head against one of Effie's fancy sofa cushions. Less fancy after he spilled on it. The house without Effie was like a garden without a gardener. Sooner or later it went back to its original state. He just couldn't find a good enough reason to clean up his mess when she wasn't around.

She tried to get some school trip to a district approved and the Board was giving her a hard time. That's why she had to cancel but would it kill her to give him a call now and again?

He lifted the bottle to his lips and grunted when he swallowed the last drops. Why was it, that no matter how many seals he snapped he was always sucking the dregs out of it? He grabbed another and let the empty one roll onto the floor where it clinked against the rest of them.

He turned and shifted on the couch. It was exactly 13 days since he saw her and he couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this uncomfortable. Even in just his pyjama pants the fabric strained against his business. Hell, you could camp under there.

He knew alcohol withdrawal. Was there anything such as sex withdrawal? Because he was horny pretty much all day long. Phone sex just wasn't the same and Effie hadn't had much time or peace for that lately either.

I won't call her, he thought. What little pride he had left he liked to keep.

That's what annoyed him most about all this. If anyone, Effie was the one supposed to be pining, not him! They'd been together for less than three months and already he'd grown dependent on her!

And it wasn't just the sex. He was better with her. The nights were never easy but he wondered if Effie knew how hard it was to go solo again after he got used to having her arms and legs wrapped around him. Her kisses distracted him and calmed him down faster than a bottle even.

"This is bullshit," he told the ceiling. Real good thinking. Getting hooked on someone who lived 24 hours away. "Bloody woman," he muttered and slipped his hand inside his pyjama pants. "All weird clothes and… s-silly accent." He groaned and screwed his eyes shut.

Lost in his own dirty imagination he never heard the door when it opened and closed.

"Haymitch? You awake? Oh! God, I didn't need to see that."

Peeta. Great. Exactly what he needed. Disgruntled, Haymitch pulled his hand out of his pants and saw the boy stand there with a loaf of bread and his hand over his eyes.

Meddlesome kids.

He tossed a threadbare, old blanket over his groin and sat up.

"Since when did you get so squeamish?" he muttered. "Wotcha expect when you walk into a man's house?"

Peeta peered through his fingers and when he saw his mentor was decent he handed over the loaf, wrapped in a towel. Haymitch muttered out thanks and poured himself a glass of wine. He carved off an uneven slice of the still warm bread that he offered the boy.

"No, thanks, I already ate," Peeta said and watched his old mentor dunk it in his wine. "You know, Haymitch," he said and walked over to the hearth to build up the fire. "If you miss her so much just take the train. Before you get completely chafed."

"Good one," Haymitch muttered. He looked at the boy with a pair of blood-shot eyes. "What day is today?"

"Saturday," Peeta replied. "December 1th. And I spoke with Annie", he added. "We'll go there on the 11th instead. Theresa works all through the holidays."

Haymitch nodded to show he heard. Ever since Tessa moved to the fishing district, her relationship with her daughter had shrunk to a call or two. Mostly just birthdays and Christmas. But she had reached out to the girl this year, or so he heard.

Too little, too late, he thought but kept to himself. He wasn't going to butt in. He left that to the boy. Besides, even if he could come up with something helpful, Peeta would say it anyways and say it a hundred times better.

"Sarah and Cassia will mind the bakery," Peeta went on. "And Annie said if you and Effie want to join, there's plenty of room."

A flame danced up from the coals and so Peeta left his mentor to his own devices. Now was his chance to lock the door and pick up where he left off. He considered it a moment but fuck it, he wasn't in the mood and soon it was going to be dark. Those damn winter nights that went on forever.

He drowned another piece of bread in his glass. He should just drink himself into a stupor and have this day be over and done with. Yeah, he liked the sound of that.

xXx

*ring ring*
Hello, this is Effie Trinket's answer phone. I can't pick up at the moment but do leave a message and I will call you back. Until then: have a very very nice day!
*peep*

*ring ring*
Hello, this is Effie Trinket's answer phone. I can't pick up at the moment but do leave a message and I…

Yes, hello? Effie Trinket.

Hey, Effs. Remember me?

Oh, hi Haymitch. How are you?

Bored. Bit hammered.

Well, of course. Did you eat at least?

When you comin' over, Eff? You never said.

…

Hello?

Yes, I'm here. But Haymitch, I'm afraid I won't make it to District 12 this week. Half the parents are already furious with me and the Board…

So to hell with it. We'll go to Four. Annie says…

It's not for me. It's for the girls. And this trip will happen, I'll make it happen!

You didn't come last week either.

I know.

I …*sighs* I can come over.

Haymitch.

What?

It's not a good idea. I really need to focus on this 100% and you are…

A big, fat distraction.

Exactly! No, I didn't mean it like that. It's just… I won't be home a lot and it would be no fun for you in the Capitol if…

*snorts* Yeah, cause I normally have a blast in the big C. But fine, whatever. Just forget it.

Oh, Haymitch. Don't be like that. I promise I will make it up to you.

*mutters and takes a mouthful of something*

I'll call you tomorrow night, OK?

*mutters continues*

Haymitch…

Alright. Alright. I'm not angry. Not even a little. *drinks another mouthful* I can do without you kickboxing me in bed anyways.

Goodnight, Haymitch. We'll talk tomorrow. And please don't drink too much.

Night, Eff.

*toot toot*

xXx

If Haymitch believed he couldn't be further from Effie's thoughts he was wrong. She missed him dearly.

I should tell him so properly, she thought as she poured herself a glass of water and made a mental note to call him again during her lunch hour.

It snowed in District 12 but here the lamp posts reflected themselves in rain puddles on her street. But the Captiol would let the first snow fall any day now and it might very well be the last time too.

There were serious talk about de-funding the weather control altogether and use the money where it was more needed. It stirred a heated debate in the media. To here the negative voices say it, it would be the final nail in the Capitol's coffin.

As for Effie she found the whole circus rather annoying, especially since she knew something else in much greater need of raised awareness.

With one last critically look in the mirror she reached for her purse on the bed. She knew what Haymitch would say about the bandana but showing up with her natural hair wouldn't win her any points with the school board.

She turned for the door.

And jumped back.

"Haymitch!" she gasped, hand over her heart. "W-what on Earth…?" Because leaned against the doorframe, face puffy and red, stood the man she hadn't laid eyes on in two weeks.

"Thought I'd surprise you," he said. "Believe it or not but I missed you, sweetheart."

He pushed himself off the frame and wrapped his arms around her.

Haymitch, you're hard! Did you drink?"

"Not a drop."

"You're not supposed to be here," she said, voice muffled by his lips. "I told you… I told you, now is not a good time. Haymitch!" she groaned in frustration when he nuzzled her neck. "I don't have time for this. My cab will be here at any moment."

"Five minutes," he mumbled and pecked and licked the tender skin just below her earlobe where he knew she liked to be kissed and Effie groaned again. A different kind of groan this time. "Come to bed, sweetheart."

"Haymitch," she sighed, torn between lust and aggravation. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "You are totally ruining my schedule."

They sunk down onto the bed. Effie's carefully painted lipstick smeared out on both their face, their kisses stressed and eager. She fumbled with his belt and Haymitch trembled in every limb when she pulled down his pants, his underpants. Their lips clashed together again and she grinded her thigh against him.

"No! Ohh!" Haymitch got out and before he could even try to rein himself back in he climaxed. All over Effie's skirt.

"Haymitch!" She pushed him off of her and stared at his mess. "I don't believe you!" she hissed and hurled herself out of bed. "This is exactly why I never should give in to you and your goddamn hands, Abernathy!" A car honked outside. "And there's my cab. Brilliant! Just brilliant!"

She locked herself in the bathroom and Haymitch sat on the bed, rather foolish and with lipstick all over his mouth. He heard the sound of water running and soon she returned, flushed and half dressed, hopping about on one leg to try and get out of her silk stockings. He grinned at how sexy and ridiculous she looked.

Big mistake.

"You think this is funny!?" Effie spat. "How would you feel if I shot my bodily fluids on you!?"

That only invited bad jokes but he knew he was one wrong word away from being thrown out so he just pulled up his pants and got out of bed.

"Sorry, Eff," he said and tried to pull her into one of his bear hugs. But he could just as well save his breath.

"Careful," she said and pushed him away. "Before you to blow all your fuses. I have to go."

And she closed herself in the walk-in closet and didn't come out again until dressed in an identical outfit as before, only turquoise this time. "I'll see you tonight," she said when she brushed by him.

He listened to the fading clatter of her high heels and the cab when it drove off a moment later.

This spur of a moment trip didn't go at all the way he pictured it.

He wiped the lipstick with the back of his hand. Last time he showed up unannounced they kissed on her doorstep and he got both her and coffee.

This was something else.

And to come on her leg like a teenager. Course, he wasn't famous for his stamina but he should really be past that point at least.

He sighed and stripped the mattress. Normally he never bothered to make the bed. Effie complained about it all the time. But he'd have a hard time getting back into her good graces as it was so couldn't hurt.

Not that he wasn't used to pissed Effie. He'd spent half his life fighting with that woman. Only reason they hadn't these past few months was because they were both breaking their balls to try and impress each other. Was only a matter of time, really, before they were back to their bickering, old selves. And in a way it was a relief. Familiar ground.

Half an hour later he poured himself a glass of orange juice that he brought with him into the living room.

It would be a long day. He should have brought a book or something. But they spent next to no time here so he never bothered to leave his own stuff around the place like she did in Twelve. Besides, with a butt naked Effs Trinket, who cared about reading?

The glass clattered against his teeth when he drank. He didn't lie when he told Effie he was sober. One positive thing about her job was that he could drink himself blind when she wasn't around and thereby stay sober enough once she was.

Chaff would laugh if he knew his old friend rationed his liquor for a woman but really it made life a hell of a lot easier.

Dawn broke into full morning. He wanted to get some shut-eye while he waited for her but between the shakes and the painful sunshine he wasn't getting much rest.

He rubbed his temples. It was the same each time. The tremors, the headaches. Nausea was next.

And those goddamn mirrors! How many did one person need? He struggled with the blinds, pulled the curtains together but the light was still too bright.

I'm not gonna drink. Not yet. Later. After we've made up and she's asleep.

But Haymitch Abernathy's perseverance had never been strong. Not when it came to alcohol. He soildered on, for an hour, two. But before long he stumbled through her apartment in search for his bag.

He looked in all the usual places. The hallway, her bedroom, the living room, even the wardrobes in case Effie found it and put it away. Cushions flew through the air as he searched the couch, he tore at the curtains despite the evil sun, checked all the window sills, twice.

Nothing.

And then he realized it and headache or no headache he slammed his palm against the wall.

He forgot the damn thing on the train! He'd been so occupied with thoughts of what he was going to do to Effie when he saw her he went and left it on the seat!

Spewing profanities over himself, he stalked off to Effie's drinking cabinet but his indignation just flared up all the hotter at the sight of the empty shelves. Since when had he given her a reason to hide her liquor? Not lately! And it wasn't like Effie had gone and boozed through her entire supply all of a sudden.

He wondered how she would like to see him go cold turkey. Katniss and Peeta could tell her how fun that was.

And all at once, his anger turned to despair. He sunk down onto the couch, his aching head in his hand. An ache for which there was only one cure.

xXx

Maybe I was too hard on him.

Effie climbed out of the cab, umbrella folded in hand. It was dark when she left home and it was dark now. Her breath stood like a cloud in the cold air.

He came all this way.

The apartment was also dark and she turned the lights on with a double clap. A soft clap just in case he was asleep, but she doubed it. He seldom slept this late in the day.

"Haymitch?"

When she didn't found him on the couch she went from room to room, even the gym and library.

Once back in the living room Effie's eyebrows were furrowed together. Did he go back to District 12? No, surely not.

The sofa cushions were all in the wrong places and distractedly she put them back where they belonged.

He must have gone out, she thought. Maybe to walk her home from the Academy and they missed each other. Or perhaps even get her something to make up for this morning.

Yes, he'd show up eventually and she'd already decided not to mention what had happened. She didn't want to spend their night fighting too.

She took a magazine from the rack just as the first few raindrops fell outside. Before long it poured in such relentless sheets you could hardly see across the road even and if Effie thought reading would take her mind off things she was sorely mistaken.

As the hours passed it was impossible not to think about Haymitch trapped out there in the wet and cold. All she could hope for was that he found refuge somewhere. Maybe a coffee house. Yes, Haymitch probably enjoyed a cup right at this moment. No reason to worry.

But Effie was a worrier and worry she did. She sat on the couch, magazine long forgotten and stared out the window.

What if he got lost? Or hurt? Yes, she could see it so clearly. How he crossed the street, soaked and freezing and just desperate to come home to her again. How stupid of me, he'd think, to leave Effie's nice and warm and well-furnished apartment when I could be in her arms right now. I should listen to her more.

But then a car came and Haymitch got hit, of course he got hit! He never looked both ways properly. And now he lay there on the road while the rain washed his blood down the street and the world floated away and the last thing Effie ever did while he lived was to snap and yell, all because of a little ejaculation.

The vivid images had Effie on her feet. Pacing the floor she wrung her hands in distress.

5 minutes, she thought. I'll give him 5 more minutes and…

That's when a pair of head lights sailed across the wall. Effie whipped around and even before the knock she was at the door.

"Evening, ma'am. This man says he lives here."

On her welcome mat stood two police officers. The rain splashed off their uniforms and propped up between them was Haymitch.

He barely noticed what was going on. His head hung low, hair in wet tangles over his face. You could smell the whiskey on him a mile away. Effie watched the man she shared beds with and knew she was an idiot. A complete idiot, even after all these years. Because she never learned, never truly accepted this was how Haymitch ended up. How he always ended up.

"Ma'am?" the officer repeated and snapped her back to reality.

"Yes," she said. "Yes, that's just about right."

They helped Haymitch inside and filled her in on what had happened. Apparently he'd gone to the pub on Heaven's Square. When the bartender finally told him he'd had enough, things got loud, he wouldn't leave and finally she had to call the police to come and get him.

"I'll manage it from here," Effie said when Haymitch leaned heavily on her, swaying from side to side. "Thanks for your help."

The two men nodded. When they walked back to their car, one of them turned to the other and said,

"That was Haymitch Abernathy, right?"

"Yes, I think so. He hasn't changed much, has he?"

And they both chuckled.

"Oh, Haymitch," Effie said as she half-led, half-carried him through the apartment. "I was so worried about you."

"Wanted to see you," he slurred and Effie grimaced at the smell of his breath. It could light a flame. "Better with you, Effie. Better. Oh, " he groaned. "I don't feel so good."

"OK, OK, come here," said Effie. She struggled to open the bathroom door, her hands full with Haymitch until she managed to get them both inside. Haymitch reached blindly for the toilet and for the next half hour Effie held his hair as he puked.

His shirt and trousers were damp from the rain and once she got him on to the bed she stripped him down to his undergarments. She went to get a blanket but changed her mind mid-way and headed for the broom closet first.

Which was good thinking because she had no sooner re-appeared with the bucket before Haymitch groaned again and she stuck it under his face just in the nick of time.

xXx

"Wha… what're…?"

The pounding that had woken him only grew worse as Haymitch slowly came to his senses.

"What're you doing?" he murmured.

"What does it look like?" Dressed in a fresh teacher's outfit, navy this time, Effie walked back and forth across the room, getting her last minute things. Each step of her high heels sent a jolt of pain through his skull.

Very slowly Haymitch pulled himself to sitting. He winced when she snapped her purse shut. A gunshot couldn't have made a greater sound. He rubbed his bare chest and watched her lift a water carafe off the vanity table.

"Oh, thanks, sweetheart," he croaked. His throat felt like someone had dragged it along the asphalt.

Effie eyed him coolly.

"This is for me," she said. "Unless you want to get me pregnant on top of everything else." She swallowed the pill. "Not that I am going to sex you up anytime soon."

Haymitch rubbed his eyes, wished nothing more than to go back to sleep. No, most of all he wanted a drink but he fought the nausea and forced himself to stand.

"What do you want?" she asked when she had his hands on her shoulders. "If you're thirsty, then…"

"Don't shout, sweetheart," Haymitch murmured. "'m sorry 'bout yesterday."

"Do you even remember yesterday?"

He tried to pull her into a hug but Effie resisted, squirmed like she sat on an anthill.

"I have to go."

"It's early."

"To you maybe. No." She pressed her palms against his chest and made him take the empty glass. "Drink water if you need it. Breakfast is on the table."

And he was alone again.

He felt his way to the bathroom like a boat in full storm and spent some quality time with his best friend the toilet.

This was his reality every time he had a withdrawal. Afterwards he always drank more than he could take. He soaked it up like a dry rag.

And later when he sat in one of Effie's armchairs, wrapped in a robe and his hands around a mug of coffee, he tried to piece together exactly what had happened yesterday.

He went out to get his bag. That much he remembered. But he never got that far because… he took the route through Heaven's Square. Yeah, to have a drink at the pub first. And one drink became two and two became three until he was an absolute wreck for Effie to take care of.

In other words, same old same old.

He slurped his coffee.

I should find some way to make it up to her.

xXx

*ring ring*
Hello, this is Effie Trinket's answer phone. I can't pick up at the moment but do leave a message and I will call you back. Until then: have a very very nice day!
*peep*

Haymitch, it's me. I'm running a little late because I bumped into Octavia. She's very upset because her boyfriend just broke up with her. She needs a friend right now so I promised I'd stay with her for a while. But I should be home by eight. You can make your own dinner, right?

"Great," Haymitch muttered. "Just great."

But then he had to caugh again and he whisked the smoke that billowed up from the roast pan.

He'd never win an award as "Chef of the year" (Neither would Effie for that matter) but he cooked when he was a kid! How out of practice could one person get?

He eyed the dish to try and assess the damage. It was supposed to be roast beef with potatoes and vegetables but it didn't look right. Not like the recipe. But maybe if he just cut away the burned parts and jumbled it up a little perhaps she wouldn't notice?

Man, why didn't he just order catering and pretend he made it? A romantic dinner. Fuck, what a bright idea.

The bottles of red wine had stood untouched in their paper bag all night but now he seized one of them. Just a glass. Just to shut his damn body up.

He found the corkscrew, his breaths more rapid at the mere prospect and he sighed with relief when the red liquid wet his tongue.

It was amazing how much easier everything got after that one drink. The tremors disappeared and so did most of his worries. It would still be great. It looked great, at least it would once on the table.

Ten to eight he spread the beige table cloth (champagne coloured, Effie would say) in the dining room that they hardly ever used. He set the table, dug out some candles and the fancy plates.

Last of all he dropped a handful of lemon slices into the water carafe and paused only to pour himself some more wine. He admired his work – the food, the folded napkins, the candle light in the pretty glasses rimmed with gold.

He saluted his reflection and drank.

xXx

By the time Effie pushed inside the apartment it was past midnight. Her head throbbed from having to console Octavia for the past hours and she couldn't stop a moan when she finally got out of her high heels.

All she wanted was to sleep but her hands shook from low blood sugar so she limped off to make herself a sandwich. She opened the kitchen door.

And stopped short. For a full minute she just stared at the scene before her, like she couldn't take it in. Unwashed coppers and pans balanced precariously on top of each other. Used plates, silverware and kitchen tools filled the sink. The counters and the floor were covered with carrot and potato peels, smushed tomatoes, withered lettuce and pools of vinegar. The butter was left to melt, the fridge door not even closed. And the smell of burnt meat she hadn't noticed through the door filled her nostrils.

It was the paper bag, the empty paper bag, that finally brought life back into her numb limbs.

"Haymitch!"

It wasn't hard to find him. She needed only follow his snores. She pushed inside the dining room and there he was. Face down on the table, surrounded by empties.

I should just leave him like this. Go to bed and leave him like this!

"Wake up," she said and shook him.

Haymitch mumbled something and his snores resumed.

"Wake up!" She shook him harder and just when she seriously considered Katniss's cold water method he cracked opened an eye.

"Where you been?" he slurred and slowly lifted his head from the table.

"With Octavia. I told you so over the phone. Haymitch, how could you!"

"There's dinner." He gestured towards the cold food and would have knocked over a candle hadn't she been there to straighten it up. "Made it so you wouldn't be pissed no more."

"Good thinking, Haymitch."

"Just have to heat it up." The chair slammed against the floor when he pulled himself up. "I'll heat it up for you. I'll do an'thing for you."

"Come here now." She tried to steer him away from the table. "Haymitch. Oh, don't bother with the food!" she said when he grabbed the roast pan. To heavy for him in his state it tilted and potatoes, beef and root vegetables bombed the parquet floor. He staggered back a step when she tried to take it from him and the salad bowl smashed to pieces when he bumped in to the table.

"Careful!"

She tugged at his arm and tried to pull him away but his foot slid forward on a piece of tomato and Haymitch slumped down on his ass. He grunted, confused and crawled on all fours as he tried to find his footing.

"Watch out for the broken glass, Haymitch. Come, I'll help you."

She put his arm around her shoulder, her own around his back and under his armpit. "Push with your feet," she said and made a gigantic heave. He was like a sack of potatoes and the smell of wine was so overwhelming it would have brought her dinner up if she had any.

She'd gotten him half way up when Haymitch suddenly gasped and then he vomited all over the floor. A vile, red mixture that splattered Effie's legs and skirt.

She didn't know how she managed to get him back to her bed. But just like the night before he collapsed face down and she stripped him out of his clothes. Vomit dripped down his chin and nose and she wiped him off, rather roughly.

"Do you need to throw up again?" she asked and reached for the bucket. "Haymitch, do you feel sick?"

But he looked at her cross-eyed like he didn't hear or understand.

She left him with the bucket nearby and went into the bathroom to get out of her soiled outfit. But she hadn't gotten even half-way before she had to steady herself against the wall. The lack of sleep combined with the fact she hadn't eaten finally took its toll on her and tiny, black spots swam before her eyes. With no chair closeby she let herself slide down the wall until she sat on the floor, waiting for the dizziness to subside.

Through the ringing in her ears she heard Haymitch's groan.

"Eff. Effs, I…"

And then there was only the splash of vomit when it hit the floor.

Effie closed her eyes.

xXx

*ring ring*

Pallas's Academy. This is Ruby.

I need to talk to Effie. Can you get her to the phone, please? Effie Trinket.

May I ask who's asking?

That's… no one.

She's got class.

Well, it's important. Will only take a minute.

She's got class.

Yeah, I heard you the first time. Tell her … tell her it's Haymitch.

Haymitch … That Haymitch? As in Haymitch Abernathy?

So can you get her to the phone now?

I'm not supposed to interrupt unless there's an emergency.

Well, it is.

It's an emergency?

It's an emergency. Now go get Effie.

Alright. Excuse me a moment Mr. Abernathy.

…

Haymitch? Are you alright?

Yeah, I'm fine. Look Effs, about last night …

Why do you tell Ruby there's an emergency if you're fine?

Only way I could talk to you.

Haymitch, you interrupted me in the middle of class!

I just wanted to say…

I'm not interested in anything you have to say right now! I've barely slept in days, you've ruined two outfits for me and my girls are waiting! Do you have any idea …

Oh, for God's sake woman! Just let me tell you why I called and I'll hang up!

No, I am hanging up! And don't you ever call me at work again unless, of course, you've drunken yourself back into the hospital! Goodbye!

*toot toot*

xXx

The flat audio tone rung in his ear. Haymitch sighed and hung up. He slumped down on the couch and rubbed his forehead.

When he woke today, finding her long gone, he hoped against hope that he could at least clean up his own mess and felt a fresh pang of guilt and regret at the sight of the spotless kitchen and dining room with the strong fumes of cleaning fluids that badly masked the familiar odor underneath.

Poor Effie.

How could he let everything reel so completely out of control? Must be some kind of a record.

Of course, it wasn't the first time she'd taken care of him drunk but she was still just his colleague back then and when he was too much to handle she always had help from the Capitol attendants. To have to clean up his mess as his woman… It was a difference.

And then it was this last, brilliant move of his. To call and apologize. He bent over backwards to fix things and only made it worse.

Maybe I should just go home.

He didn't want this trip to be just like when Annie, Finn and Johanna came over and he made a complete arse of himself. At least then he had some kind of a mitigating factor to his actions.

But he knew Effie. If he left she'd take that as an offence too.

He drew a deep sigh and with nothing better to do he grabbed her newspaper and opened it at a random page.

And as if fate had a hand in it, it happened to be a full spread add. Of a dance palace.

"Atlas Halls open for the Christmas season," he read. The picture showed a bunch of weird looking couples twirling around a winter scene with fake trees in the background.

Atlas Halls? Sounded familiar but he was pretty sure he'd never set foot in the place. No, Effie mentioned it at some point. Yeah, she'd spent New Year's there a couple of times.

Haymitch knew a few Capitol dances, believe it or not. He let Effie teach him years ago. Part of their whole charming sponsors away from their money act. Back when he still thought their district might have a shot in hell.

She'd be home in three hours. That gave him plenty of time.

Because if a night out dancing wouldn't brighten Effie's mood nothing could.

He shouldered out of his robe once inside the bathroom. He didn't exactly smell like roses and he liked Effie's shower. Felt like standing in a warm summer rain.

Of course the products weren't great. She had so many bottles and jars and tubes in here she could open her own beauty parlor. Half the stuff he didn't know what it was for and even the supposedly 'male' scents she bought especially for him smelled weird as fuck.

Finally he poured something blue on his head and as he massaged it into his hair he made a mental note to bring his own stuff next time. That was to say if there would be a next time.

Back home he did nothing to his hair after he showered, just left it to sundry. But if desperate times called for desperate measures. He punched a few buttons on the panel and stepped onto the math so the currents could turn his wet, tangled hair into something he knew he'd hate.

Baked and dried he went to have a look at himself and true enough. His hair had gone from familiar to Capitol. He hung a towel over the mirror so he didn't have to see it.

There was an electric razor on one of the shelves but he didn't touch it. Effie would have to live with his stubble. He looked enough like a Peeta blonde little boy as it was. Instead he went to have a look in his closet. She always sneak bought him stuff. One of the habits she was unable to kick and well, it was her money.

He dumped the garment bags on the bed. Damn, this would be an exhausting night. But he'd suffer through it, the looks and the whispers. He'd dance with Effie and afterward everything would be good again.

Which was why, an hour before Effie went off work, Haymitch sat on the couch dressed to the nines.

And as much as he hated to admit it he actually liked this outfit. The dark blue suit went well with the checkered waistcoat and the lilac dress shirt underneath. Even his pink and blue tie with the matching pocket square looked good. The collar was a little snug but he couldn't afford to be whiny.

He should've thought about this days ago.

But the hour went by and no Effie showed up. He tried to remember how far away her school was. Even if the Capitol was big (not like District 2 or Eleven but still) the public transportation was so advanced here, nothing lay far off. He could call a cab. Go and meet her. But with his luck Effie would be just around the corner the moment he left the house.

So he remained where he was.

The minutes passed at a snail's pace. He tugged at his collar to get some air in.

How many friends with boy trouble did she have? If she was running late again why didn't she call?

One hour became two and still no Effie to go. Sweat trickled down his back and he squirmed and pulled at his pants and underpants that kept worming their way in between his butt cheeks.

And when she'd been gone three hours, Haymitch tore off his tie. Effie was never late like this! It was just her way of getting back at him for how he treated her. He saw his reflection in the window, all those ridiculous curls and that decided things.

Screw this.

He grabbed the spray bottle, the one she used for her potted plants and he sprayed his hair until it lay flat and lifeless again. He had never changed for a woman before and he wasn't going to start now! This was a joke. He was a joke! Dressing up like some damn Capitolian.

She'd been away all day already and she expected him to, what? Lay jigsaw puzzles until she had time for him? Because obviously she didn't have time for him. She just spent it with everyone else.

His hair dripped on the newspaper when he scribbled down a note. He could just as well go restack his liquor supply for the journey home. He almost never got to drink those expensive brands. Effie refused to buy them for him. Said she wouldn't "enable him", like that made a difference what so ever.

By the time he reached the Heaven's Square it had started to rain again.

The shops and stores lit up the icy drizzle and the stall owners who packed up for the day.

And cramped in between a music store and a shop which sold naughty underwear, was the pub. Like a jewel with its bright colors and promises.

But Haymitch never got that far. Because now he saw her.

By the window inside the coffee house sat Effie across from Katniss's prep team. Haymitch's brow crinkled at the sight of their serious faces and Effie's waving hands in the air to emphasize her words. None of them had noticed him yet, standing out here in the rain.

But now she looked up, startled at the sight of him and excused herself from the table.

"Haymitch?" The cold wind rustled her skirt when she appeared at the door. "You… dressed up?"

Haymitch looked from her to Octavia, Flavius and Venia who practically misted the window in their effort to see what happened.

"Having fun?" he said. "Do carry on. I was just leaving."

"Haymitch, I … Haymitch?" But he had already stalked off. "Haymitch, wait!"

He knew it was childish but he didn't stop. He just couldn't. He felt vomit at the back of his throat and it was the look on the prep's faces. No doubt she had poured out all her heart's bitterness over him to those three, telling them what a good-for-nothing drunk he was.

He kicked off his shoes in the hallway.

Haymitch!" Effie called when she entered a moment later, flustered and with rain in her hair. "Why did you run off like that?"

"Sorry if I messed up the image, princess", he said and shouldered out of his jacket. "I know how much you care about your looks. Must be important when you have little else."

"Why are you like this?" Effie cried. "We just had a coffee!"

"Yeah, sure. What's another three hours when I've already waited all fucking day, Effie!"

"Well, I told you not to come this week, remember? I told you I was busy!"

"At work," he threw back at her. "Not out on the town. Bet you had a great trash-talk."

"We didn't talk about you! Not at all! But perhaps I didn't want to come home, ever thought of that? You haven't exactly been a lot of fun lately."

"What do you want from me? I was gonna take you out dancing."

"That doesn't make up for the horrible way you've acted!" Effie yelled. "Ever since you got here, Haymitch, I've been nothing but worried, disappointed and exhausted. Taking care of you drunk is not my job anymore! It never was!"

It got very quiet after Effie finished.

"Eff," Haymitch finally said, his face hard and closed off. "I know you shouldn't have had to deal with all that. But it's not like it was some big mystery to you that I drink. I'm tired of this argument, alright. This is who I am. If you can't deal with it then…"

"Well, maybe I can't!" Effie cried.

She never meant to say it but now the words were out.

The truth was out.

Haymitch stared at her in the silence that followed those words and all the things she implied. Effie's eyes were filled with tears now and when he didn't speak she only got out of her painful shoes and said,

"You can have the bedroom. I can't sleep with that smell anyway."

Author's note: Extra long chapter to make up for the long wait and it was an absolute pain to edit lol! I hope you liked it. Leave a review if you wanna make my day and I'll see you in the next chapter!