I Love You Despite Myself

Dance with me darling...

The next morning, Effie woke up with her legs half on, half off her bed. The sheets were screwed up and her wig had been taken off, her real light pink hair was hanging loosely at her shoulders. She sat up with a jolt. What had happened last night? The last she remembered was crying, and then the deep abyss of sleep. And Haymitch, crookedly beautiful Haymitch with his knowing smirk and gold waistcoat. She looked at the holographic calendar on her wall, she didn't need to get properly dressed until this evening, she was going to a huge party in the Capitol to try and get sponsors for Katniss and Peeta, their beloved children. Effie sighed as she looked through her closet, there was only one section for casual clothing, people in the Capitol rarely dressed down, so she grabbed a pair of pink sweatpants and a bright green t-shirt made of soft cotton. After she had changed, she tied up her hair in a loose bun and went to the bathroom to wash away the broken make-up from last night's sobbing.

Whilst she waited for the cold water to bring her to life again, Effie realised that something monumental had been said last night. Haymitch loved her. A rush of energy struck her body and she ran as fast as she could into the next room, the look that Haymitch gave her made the smile on her face grow wider and truer than it had ever been.

(Before Effie had woken up):

Haymitch stood in the corner of the room, he was been pouring water into a glass, to stave off any kind of hangover, although in truth he was used to drinking so much now that he didn't get hangovers anymore. He sat down and ran through everything he had said last night, the revelation, the love, the understanding. Effie hadn't said that she loved him, but the look in her eyes had spoken all the words he could've imagined. She had fallen asleep in his arms, and she was so beautiful, so peaceful. Haymitch stood up, smoothly and gently so he didn't wake her, and carefully lifted her light frame into his arms, feeling as though he would fight the world to keep her there. He carried her through the suite they were sharing to her room, and laid her down on the bed, he then removed her huge wig; that thing couldn't be comfortable to sleep in, and as he saw her real hair tumble down her face, he thought that she was at her most exquisite when she had none of that Capitol garbage on her, nothing but her natural gorgeousness. He kissed the top of her head and blanket over her small body and left quietly, with a smile that had no smirk in it, only fondness; thank god she couldn't see it. When he got back to the sofa, he saw his pyjamas strewn across the floor and decided it was probably best to put them on for the night, but he didn't make it back to his bedroom, falling asleep on the sofa after he had changed.

(Back to when Effie has run into the living room):

Her smile was blinding. And it lit Haymitch's soul on fire. She sprinted across the room, and flew into him. She kissed him as hard as she could, she kissed him until she was sure there would never be any doubt in his mind about her feelings for him, whether she spoke it aloud or not. At first he was taken aback, but slowly his lips relaxed and melted into hers, he moved away from the water jug and pulled them both to the window, so the light hit their faces and illuminated them as though their love had suddenly sparked and the flames were slowly working their way up the two combined bodies. Eventually, they had to part, out of breath and flushed.

"Well that was...new." Haymitch smiled softly. "It was enjoyable, incredibly so. But unexpected, do you remember last night?"

"Yes." She breathed. "And I remember what you said, thank you by the way. I must've been hysterical, oh I'm so embarrassed!" She was shaking her head now, as memories of herself crying and falling down came flooding back to her. Effie put her head against Haymitch's chest, it warm and his shirt was soft, and she felt safe; like nothing could hurt her as long as he was there to protect her.

"Hey, hey. Don't worry, it's okay, we all get sad sometimes." He pulled her closer into him and let his lips brush her hair. "And I want you to know that what I said last night was true, but I don't think I said it outright, so here we go." She looked up at him now, he gazed straight into her eyes, oh those eyes, and exhaled...

"Effie, I love you. More than anyone else in the world, I sometimes feel like I'm drowning when you aren't near me, and although you are insane, with your mad outfits and too-cheerful grin, you keep me afloat. You exasperate me, but if you didn't, you wouldn't be the woman I love, and I am at my best when you are keeping me in line, and I wish for nothing more than for you to be mine, and I to be yours, I love you Effie Trinket."

There was a small moment of silence between the two, but it was not awkward; it was one of those peaceful, relaxed silences where the whole world seems to be dozing off to sleep, and the only thing that matters are the people next to you. After a while, the woman with pink hair and a pixie face that Haymitch loved so much, broke it.

"Oh Haymitch! You frustrating, wonderful, magnificent man. I...I love you so much that, sometimes I can hardly breath." And with that, they were kissing again. Softer this time, knowing that they had time, and there were no unspoken words that had to be voiced, only the sweet taste of acknowledged love. Haymitch kissed Effie's jawline slowly before he made his way to her eyes and forehead, then back to her mouth. He could almost hear her purring, and then suddenly, a beautiful idea came to him.

"Wait! Dance with me?"

"Seriously? You dance?" Effie let out a giggle at the thought of her rough Haymitch dancing a waltz.

"Yes, I do. And I would be the happiest man in the world if you would join me." He walked over to the music player on the other side of the room and pressed play, he already knew what was on pause, he had been listening to it last night whilst drinking. It was a slow-ish blues number, with just the right amount of romance and a light beat that he knew Effie loved.

"Ooh, this is one of my absolute favourites darling!"

"I'm 'darling' now, am I?" He jumped over the sofa and grabbed her waist, spinning her around as she laughed; her laugh sounded like bells, high and singing. As the fast-paced intro of the song slowed, he took her little hands in his own and pulled her into the centre of the room and began to move to the rhythm that was coming out of the speakers. She matched his pace and stepped closer towards him, soon they were swaying and spinning in perfect harmony, their feet in constant, paired motion. Effie smiled at him, this was the best she had felt in a long time, and even as they got more and more tired, they didn't stop, not wanting to break the music of each other. But eventually, the playlist came to an end; so Haymitch hugged her close and spoke velvet words to her.

"Stay with me, for all time."

"I will, and we will be perfect.."