TUSETHA (Edited)

Chapter 5 ~ Ridiculous Questions

"Pregnant..." Haymitch repeats back to me...for the 6th time.

"Stop saying that word so loudly." I gently grab his wrist and guide him back towards my home.

"You...are pregnant..." He steps inside and leans against the wall with his eyes wide as saucers. "And it's...your boyfriend's, right?"

"Wrong, Abernathy, you're not my boyfriend. And I could even have you arrested for such things that happened to make this small being now living inside of me." I gently place a hand on my stomach. Good Lord...I shouldn't have told him...

He raises a brow. "Why? I didn't do anything wrong, Sweetheart."

"Drunken intercourse is theoretically rape, I did not give you my full conscious consent to do such things with me. Therefore, you may kindly leave me be while I figure out what to do...." I nervously bite my bottom lip harshly, drawing blood by accident.

"Well why not get married...? Everyone would love it, the mentor and escort of 12 reunited only to fall in love and decide to have a child together." He smiles at his not-so-bright idea.

I roll my eyes, making sure to have heavy sarcasm as I speak. "What a lovely idea that is, Haymitch. Considering people of the Districts and the Capitol having relations of any kind is very taboo, I can see why this would be an absolutely wonderful idea!" I smile cheerily in a very sarcastic way.

"Alright, Princess, that was a stupid idea, you're right. But I still think we need to do something. I know you'd never have a child out of wedlock but everyone will honestly think it's adorable...as long as it doesn't happen in the Capitol. Our relationship stays strictly business but we do a little marriage ritual in 12."

He goes on explaining but I have a little trouble hearing him over the fact that his eyes are gorgeous...and his hair falls perfectly messy on his head, some of it hanging in his face. Why can't I be with him? Well...Mommy and Daddy would throw a hissy fit and have him beheaded or something ridiculous.

But if they weren't a problem, what would honestly be stopping me from being with him? I've obviously dropped my promise, it's dead and gone just like my dreams to have a high paying job that I've achieved on my own. A child would ruin that almost instantaneously. And I most certainly wouldn't keep my job as an escort...my child wouldn't be allowed near anything involving the Games.

My child. I laugh at myself quietly, hoping dearly it wasn't out loud because that would be exceptionally-

Haymitch places his hand on my shoulder. "So what do you say?" Haymitch asked, a very small smile on his face.

Panic. Goddamnit, Effie, I should have been paying attention. Where are your manners? Say something, idiot! Don't just stare at him. "Yes... Sounds wonderful." I force a smile.

He smiles. "Really?" He wraps his arms around me. My face contorts to one of definite confusion.

"Really." I assure him.

"Well I guess I should do this officially then." He steps back and clears his throat, taking my hands delicately in his. He gets down on one knee and asks possibly the most ridiculous question I've heard in my life. "Will you marry me?"

I sigh internally. Y'know, it would have been wonderful to listen about 30 seconds ago, would have been useful but no, I had to stare at his perfectly chiseled features. Stupid male genetics. They're so damn attractive. I can't leave him waiting and I can't say no.

"Yes, Haymitch." I smile falsely again.

My breath is taken away as he quickly stands up and backs me against the wall, his hands possessively grabbing my hips and thighs, kissing me passionately. I swiftly move my hands up between our faces and push his away.

"Haymitch, that is unacceptable! I would enjoy to take this slowly!" I shriek. "I do not want my lips to be mauled by yours, thank you very much!"

He stares at me with a raised brow. "Sweetheart, we've already slept together."

"I don't remember! And it resulted in two things that I desperately did not want at this point in my life! I swear to god, Haymitch Abernathy if anything like this ever happens again I will gladly abort this baby myself and turn you in for rape!" I gasp quietly at my own words and clamp my mouth shut with my hands.

"Okay...okay, I'm sorry. I really am, I just- I guess I got ahead of myself. I'll... I'll go for now..." He gently grabs one of my hands and kisses my knuckles. "I'll call you..." He leaves my home without another word.

"Shit...." I whisper quietly to myself. I ease myself onto the floor and place my head in my hands, staring down at my flat stomach. "I didn't mean that..." I sniffle, tears welling in my eyes. "What are we gonna do?"

(A/N: Comment! Vote! And as always, keep on reading my little Hayffie shippers! I'd love suggestions for the next chapter!)