InsaneJournal

Who: Effie and Haymitch
Where: Starting outside of Always
When July
What Effie’s drunk and suffering from post-dream-stress
Status: Complete
Rating: Low/PG



Effie was drunk. She got a message on her phone that Haymitch was coming to get her, and headed out of the bar. Staggered, more like. She’d had more than her share. At least she hadn’t thrown up or anything disgusting like that. So far she was just mumbly, awkward, teetering and trying her best not to cry.

“They were just children,” she said, softly, leaning against a lamp post in the parking lot. She lifted a hand to wipe her cheek, though she wasn’t actually crying.

Haymitch actually didn’t mind being on taxi duty for Effie, in fact he’d rather that than leave it to her to find a way home. Especially since she was distraught as well as drunk. The two were never a good combination and he should know.

Pulling up in the parking lot he spotted her and made his way over, “Hey sweetheart, how you doing?” he asked softly as he reached her.

Haymitch looked different when he wasn’t wearing the District Twelve clothes nearly covered in coal dust. Then again, he was often clean when he was in the Capitol. She couldn’t help but see him, the Haymitch that she knew from the Dreams, when he came wandering over. The use of the word ‘sweetheart’ sealed the deal.

She felt like she might vomit. “...hi, Haymitch,” she said, and then pulled herself up from where she was leaning against the pole.

“Careful now” he said immediately stepping forward to wrap an arm around her waist to support her. “No throwing up on me now okay?” he said with a small wry smile. “Gonna tell me what this is all about?”

“Okay.” Effie was now bound and determined not to throw up. She leaned heavily against him and let him lead her back to the car. “...the Dreams I had. They’re… not good.”

He moved slowly and tried not to jostle her too much as he practically carried her, “How so? What happens that has got you this upset? They’re just dreams right?”

“They feel like more than dreams. They feel real.” Effie said, and felt her bottom lip quiver. She took a deep breath, determined not to throw up, and now not to burst into tears, too. “...the government makes children fight to the death. And I have to escort them.”

"Jeez Eff" Haymitch breathed, unconsciously holding her closer to him, "That's not the kind of dream someone as sweet as you should be having. No wonder you're upset" his hand rubbed up and down her arm in comfort.

“No one should be having that kind of dream.” She swallowed, pushing back thoughts of the poor kids she had to watch die over and over, and how she felt about the whole thing. That was the worst part. It was a big game to her. A big show. She never got close enough to the kids to really care. They were just pieces in a game to her. It was cold and empty. “Can you take me… I don’t care. Anywhere.”

It was true, nobody deserved that kind of dream. Though Haymitch had a feeling it would be coming his way soon since she’d mentioned him being in her dreams before. Great. Just what he needed. “Of course. You want me to take you home? I’m not sure you’re in a good state to be going anywhere else”

“I don’t want to go home. I’ll just fall asleep at home. The Old Man’s sleeping, and I don’t want to be alone.” Effie said, clinging to him to stay upright.

“Okay, okay” Haymitch placated her, pulling her closer since he was practically carrying her anyway. “How about my place then? We can sit up and talk or whatever. Do something”

“Yes, please.” Effie said. She tried to stand up straighter, but it was no good. She nearly collapsed against him as her shoe twisted and her ankle buckled. “...damnit.”

“Come here” Haymitch said, his arm sliding down her back as he slipped his other one under her knees and swept her off her feet, “Car is only over here” he told her being careful not to jostle her too much in the few steps it took to get to the parked car.

It had been a while since Effie had been wrapped up in someone's arms. She'd forgotten how easy it was. And she was impressed with Haymitch's strength. Her head came to rest against his shoulder. "Thank you."

“You’re welcome” he told her fondly, enjoying the way she felt in his arms more than he really should do. She was a friend and a married one at that. Reaching the car he carefully placed her back on the ground but kept his arm around her as he opened the car door and helped her into the vehicle.

Effie climbed inside, pulled on her seatbelt, and closed her eyes. They popped open a second later. Must not fall asleep. Once he was in the driver's seat, she swallowed and spoke. "Talk to me, Haymitch. Keep me awake."

“What do you want me to say?” he asked her, he wasn’t exactly the most talkative guy you’d ever meet and being told to just talk was a foreign concept to him.

"Tell me about... your place," she said. That's where they were going, right? The car started moving, but Effie kept her eyes on him.

“Well okay” there really wasn’t much to say but he’d give it a go, “Uh well it’s a house. Three bedrooms. One room I’ve turned into an office, so I guess it’s a two bedroom now. I’m not really one for being bothered about decorating so I bought the place furnished and haven’t changed anything” he was grateful that the traffic lights seemed to be in his favour that evening. “I have a nice garden, been considering getting a dog lately actually but I don’t think I’m home enough”

“What’s in the garden?” Effie asked. Her eyes kept drooping closed and then popping back open again. Hopefully it would be a short trip.

“A ridiculous amount of plants and flowers” Haymitch told her, “Lilies, roses, jasmine, lavender and I have a herb garden too. Been meaning to start on a vegetable patch but I’ve not had time yet” Luckily it was a short ride and he was soon pulling into his drive. “Here we are”

“You don’t seem like the kind who would have a green thumb,” Effie said, and then unbuckled and pulled herself up out of the car. She was feeling less like she was about to vomit and more like she just wanted to sleep. But then she had to remind herself not to sleep. She walked her hands along the hood of the car as she made her way around to him.

"No? What kind of hobby were you expecting?" He asked her with a smile, tutting as she left the car instead of waiting for him. Meeting her half way he wrapped an arm around her once more before guiding her towards the house.

"I don't know. Knitting?" She teased, then wrapped her arm around him and let him lead her into the house. Her head came to rest gently against his shoulder.

He chuckled as he supported her into the house, “I prefer crochet” he told her amusedly. He led her into the living room and sat down with her on the sofa. “Now I should get you some water, it might help you feel a little better tomorrow morning” he told her.

"No, don't go," Effie said, taking hold of his hand to keep him there with her. She was afraid she might fall asleep without him, but more so, she wanted his company. His strong hands, his kind smile, his warm eyes... oh no. She really shouldn't be thinking of him that way. But she was drunk, and he was so nice...

Haymitch sat back down when she took hold of his hand, “It’s okay” he told her settling next to her, wrapping his arm around her. “I’ll stay, don’t worry” he reassured her rubbing her arm where his hand rested.

Her head came to rest against his shoulder again. "You were there. In my dreams."

“You said. So what was I doing?” he asked softly, hand stroking through her hair.

"You won the hunger games," her eyes fell closed. The hand in her hair felt good. She cuddled closer. "Twenty three years ago. Now you mentor the tributes who go in every year." Her face turned to press into his neck. He smelled good.

“I won huh? Well I’m sure those are going to be some great dreams to have at some point” there was resignation in his tone but he continued to hold Effie close. “Am I any good at it?” he asked carefully.

Her eyes started to burn behind her lids. Tears were threatening. She swallowed. Hard. "Neither of us are." Her shoulders started trembling. She couldn't control it.

“Hey, hey” he said pulling her tightly against him, not realising she was practically in his lap. “It’s okay now, come on. We’re okay” he said, lips against her hair.

The tears started to spill from her eyes. Her lips met his neck. She kissed his skin, trying to hold back sobs. Both of her arms wrapped up and around him, and she climbed even closer, into his lap.

Haymitch held her close to him, his own arms wrapping around her slim frame and couldn’t deny it felt good even as he cursed himself for thinking it. He rubbed her back and made soothing noises, hoping he was helping somehow.

He was helping. Effie had just gone into autopilot. Kissing someone who wasn’t the Old Man felt amazing. It made her feel alive. She lifted her hand to cup the side of his face, drew him sideways and in, lifted her head from his shoulder and kissed his lips. She wanted to feel something other than guilt and pain, and he was so good. He felt so good.

For a minute Haymitch kissed her back, arms tightening as he let himself enjoy the feel of her. She felt good to him too and he had to admit he’d wanted to do this for a while. But then his conscience caught up with him and he pulled back, “Effie” he said gently, “Sweetheart, you’re drunk and upset right now. And as much as I would love to continue this we really can’t”

Effie whimpered when he pulled back. She wanted more. Now that she’d let herself kiss him once, it occurred to her that she’d wanted to do this for a while. Her eyes opened and took a moment to focus on him. “...Oh, my God.” She whispered, as the realization of what they were doing hit her. “...I’m sorry, Haymitch.”

He stroked her hair and shook his head, “It’s okay. Don’t you worry about it, I’m quite flattered actually” he told her with a smile, trying to lighten the mood so she wouldn’t feel too bad. “Now how about we watch a movie and then if you fall asleep you know I’ll be here?” he suggested.

"All right." Effie felt embarrassed. But she settled back against the sofa and closed her eyes. She was asleep before the movie started.