Haymitch Abernathy (Hunger Games) (drunkstrategy) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2015-06-08 15:30:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, haymitch abernathy, katniss everdeen, portia |
Who: Haymitch/Katniss/Portia
What Catching up
Where: Portia’s place
When: June
Rating: Low/None
Status: Complete
Portia was just setting everything out for lunch when the doorbell rang. She’d invited Haymitch and Katniss over to catch up and see how everybody was doing. She’d kept an eye on Haymitch but since the alcohol had turned up there had been no further incidents for which she was very grateful. It was ironic in a way that those two had ended up supporting each other but it made sense too. Despite everything they understood and cared deeply about each other. Moving to the door she threw it open and smiled, “Come in come in”
Haymitch knew Portia had been worried about them, more him lately but things were good. After his almost-break he had pulled himself together more and forced himself to focus on things other than the dreams. He needed to be there for Katniss, the poor girl found the dreams harrowing and he couldn’t really blame her. She was more sensitive than anybody realised and worried about everybody. “Good to see you” he nodded at Portia as he and Katniss entered the lovely house.
Katniss smiled at Portia as she invited them in, following Haymitch into the house. “Hey,” she replied politely. It had been a while since she and Portia had properly caught up with one another, between Katniss working and getting to know Gale and Portia being busy with her career they hadn’t found the time. “Thanks for having us round, sorry it’s taken so long,” she cast her friend an apologetic smile.
“Oh that’s alright. Nobody expects you to be in contact twenty four seven, we all have things going on” Portia said easily, “I hope you’re hungry” she added smiling, “How have you both been?” she asked as she led them to the large kitchen/dining room.
“Yeah, some more than others. Not all of us jet off to Paris for work” Haymitch teased her before shrugging, “Same old same old I guess. Works getting busy again, I’m looking into taking on some more part time staff”
“I’ve been...ok actually,” Katniss told her, a hint of a smile on her face. “I had a bit of a run in with Peeta and uhh...may have freaked out. A lot. But I’ve also met up with Gale,” she grinned brightly. “You know Gale?” she asked Portia. “You know I met someone the other day who might be able to help if you’re looking to hire new people?” she suggested to Haymitch.
“Well I’m glad to hear you’re okay. Sorry about Peeta but it sounds like Gale made up for that. I know he’s around but I have yet to speak to him properly” she said, in the dreams they didn’t know each other that well.
“Yeah? Any help you can give me kiddo” Haymitch said, “Let me have the details and I’ll contact them”
"Ok, will do," Katniss smiled and gave a little nod to Haymitch. "He did, he really did," she smiled at Portia as she talked about Gale again, her new favourite subject. "He's like a childhood blanket you've found after a long time. Even though we've only just met, it's like we've always known each other," she explained. "We even went patrolling while all those vampires were here and we worked so well together!"
“Well I think that is wonderful” Portia said, “I’m so glad you’re getting along so well” she said gesturing to the kitchen table and chairs for them to sit while she checked on lunch. “It definitely helps to have someone you can rely on”
“Someone you can have a crush on” Haymitch mumbled with a little smirk as he looked over at Katniss but he found himself hit in the face with a tea towel before anything more could be said, “Hush you” Portia scolded him with a smile at Katniss.
Katniss ducked her head in embarrassment at Haymitch's comment. She didn't think Gale thought about that way, didn't think anyone did, she was after all too acerbic and didn't mix well with others. She felt comfortable around Gale and she enjoyed that feeling. "Can I help with anything Portia?" She asked, stepping towards the woman and away from Haymitch, avoiding the offer of sitting. She needed to be doing something right now.
“If you don’t mind you could get the juice from the fridge?” Portia asked her, “There are two kinds in jugs on the second shelf. Thank you Katniss” she added, squeezing the girls shoulder as she went by. She’d scold Haymitch later for teasing her.
Haymitch sat, watching the girls in the kitchen and only barely managing not to make some sexist remark which might get him slapped twice, even if he would have only been joking.
"Yeah, of course," Katniss nodded, moving to the fridge to do as instructed. "And I'm to pour them on Haymitch's head, is that right?" She deadpanned, looking across at Portia with a wicked smile on her face.
“Absolutely perfect” Portia told her sweetly, “How marvellous of you to read my mind so cleverly” she winked at Katniss before turning to remove the quiches she had made from the oven.
Haymitch rolled his eyes and mumbled about ‘bloody hormonal women’ honestly maybe he was beginning to think he shouldn’t have restrained from those comments.
Katniss laughed as she put the jugs on the table. "So what's all this about Paris then? Tell us some more about it," she encouraged, starting to look for some glasses.
“Oh it’s going to be lovely. It’s a week looking at fabrics and costume designs and everything. Basically making sure it’s all perfect before we ship them over, it’s a huge number you see. A big film” she explained, loading the quiches onto plates along with salad and bringing them to the table.
“No getting ideas about bringing back a french fella” Haymitch told her, “Or worse yet staying out there”
“Yeah, you’re definitely not allowed to stay,” Katniss warned her with a smile. “What’s the name of the film then? Or can’t you tell us?” she asked, pouring drinks out for them all.
“I promise, no men” she told Haymitch with an amused tilt of her lips, “And no staying there. The film is a historical drama, I can’t say it’s actual name but it sounds very good. The costumes are going to be beautiful”
“With you involved they couldn’t be anything else” he told her before digging into his food, one of the only people he’d ever eat salad for was Portia.
“I bet those actors don’t know what to say when they see your designs for the first time,” Katniss smiled. “Have you got anything planned for after this project then? Jetting off somewhere new?”
"You are both too kind" she said, "Well when I get back the film starts shooting so that's the next few months sorted"
"Workaholic this one" Haymitch said to Katniss, "Always something on the go"
Katniss smiled and nodded. It was good that at least one of them could manage to normal successful life despite the Dreams. She would normally include Haymitch in that category, however with bottles of drink randomly appearing she discounted him from having a ‘normal’ life. “Have you ever thought about dating?” she asked, starting to eat. After all, that was meant to be part of a normal life wasn’t it?
“Me?” Portia asked, getting a snort and grin from Haymitch who said ‘Well she didn’t mean me’ which earnt a sharp look from Portia, “I was involved in a relationship for a while a few years ago but it didn’t work out. I enjoy my work and I don’t feel like I’m missing anything by not having a partner”
“You certainly aren’t” Haymitch said with a kind smile as he ate too.
Katniss was thoughtful for a minute. She wasn’t sure what to make of it all. She saw people all around who were happy in relationships, yet she saw people who were equally as happy on their own. Her Dreams didn’t give her any direction either. She clung to Peeta like a lifeline in order to survive, but Gale was her other half who knew exactly what she was going to do before she did herself. While her relationship with Peeta here was strained to say the least, her relationship with Gale was similar, especially given their recent hunting and she couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps it could be more. If she could convince herself that Snow wasn’t about to walk into town that is. She didn’t have to be afraid. Easier said than done, she thought to herself, poking at her food.
Portia lay a hand over Katniss’ as she noticed the girl had gone quiet, “Are you alright Katniss?” she asked, “Don’t let things worry you. Things have a way of sorting themselves out”
Haymitch watched them both, “Yes, they usually do. Though sometimes it’s with help from friends too”
“I’m ok,” Katniss told them. “It’s just, with meeting people in the real world who I already share a history with in the Dream world, I feel conflicted,” she explained, poking at the salad on her plate. “It’s hard keeping it straight sometimes,” she shook her head.
“I know what you mean” she said, “But I think we need to get to know those people here too. And let our emotions guide us in this world. We can’t make assumptions”
Haymitch nodded, “Exactly, that. We aren’t our dream selves and we need to remember that for us and others”
Katniss gave a little smile at their advice. It was true, she wasn’t like the Katniss of her Dreams after all and she hoped she never had to find out if she could be.