Chapter 7: Will You Look For Me One Day?

Haymitch slowly closes his eyes as he gets over the initial shock and surprise. He wraps his arms around Effie's waist, drawing her closer to him.

Somewhere, deep inside him, he knows the whole thing is wrong. He can't kiss her. He can't allow himself to fall in love with her. He just can't. But as he feels Effie's lips moving against his, as he tastes her, a sweet rose flavour, something even more powerful than happiness grows inside him, and he can't let her go.

He wonders how something so wrong can feel so right.

She's the one who pulls away first. Breathing heavily, Haymitch blinks several times, trying to calm his beating heart, trying to gather his thoughts. Effie's eyes dart around the room as if she's scared someone saw them, but they never meet his. He waits for her to speak first.

"I'm sorry." she whispers, lowering her head. He can almost see her blush under her make-up. Well, she's probably not that sorry, thinks Haymitch, or she would have run away, wouldn't she? He doesn't know what to answer. Well, he knows, actually, but his words would be too painful for her to hear, and for him to say.

As he doesn't reply, she shyly looks up at him. Fear is reflecting in her eyes. She's scared of his answer. Her behaviour eventually forces Haymitch make up his mind. "It's okay," he says. "I know you needed comfort after the girl's death."

His stomach drops as she winces, pain evident on her face. He holds out a hand to take hers, but she jerks away from him.

"Effie..."

"Don't." she shakes her head. Her voice isn't cold, or even angry. It's broken, which is ten times worse. "I understand. I-I understand if you don't have any feelings for me."

He can see from the look on her face that she didn't mean to say this. She bites her lip, looking away, missing the small grin that spreads across Haymitch's face as a warm wave of happiness surrounds him. Does that mean she loves me?

"Effie, hey Effie, of course I have feelings for you." he says gently, taking her hands in his. She doesn't fight him this time. "I do like you."

"You don't have to lie to me. I know how mean I've been with you sometimes. I..."

He silents her by putting a finger on her lips. She looks at him, surprised, but doesn't fight back. He locks eyes with her, trying to make her understand why he can't allow himself to love her.

Not because he doesn't have feelings for her. God knows how he feels about her. How she's the one who pushes him to keep on fighting when he doesn't want to do anything but give up. How she makes him smile about trivial things. How her kiss was one of the most amazing things that ever happened to him.

But because it would be too dangerous for her. The Capitol already killed every single person he loved: he doesn't want Effie to be in danger because of him.

Because being in a relationship with her would be too painful. They hardly see each other; what, one week a year? Two, maybe? He doesn't want to spend his time missing her even though he's not sure he won't anyway.

Because loving her would mean a fight for her, which would also mean becoming a better man. He doesn't want her to despise him. He would have to stop drinking, and he isn't brave enough to do it. He doesn't want to disappoint her. Maybe, in a better world, he could try and do it. But not now. Not here.

A single teardrop rolls on Effie's powdered cheek, and he can see in her eyes that she understands. Slowly she takes a deep, shaking breath and nods. He forces a smile, a sad smile, as he draws her to him once again, slowly stroking her hair, brushing his lips with hers once again. One last time.

She leans deeper on him, kissing him almost violently, digging her nails into his skin. When he pulls away, breathless, she brushes her lips with his ear and whispers three words to him. Three words he forces himself not to hear, knowing they'll only make their goodbyes even more difficult to him.

Day 13.

He buys her a bag of rose sweets when she agrees to come to the station with him. She laughs, first refuses it, but them sucks one or two sweets while they wait for his train. The train which will take him back to District 12.

He shoots her regular glances, loving the way she looks today. Her skin is paler than usual, less powdered; he can see the true colour of her eyes, and even her wig is of a soft gold that almost looks like a natural hair colour. He wonders if she's decided to look more human in order to please him.

"You look good today, princess." he says with a smile.

She looks at him and smiles back. "Why thank you."

She gives him the rest of her sweets as the train comes into the station, and he walks into it. He doesn't complain, really: the sweets's taste reminds him of hers. Every time he sucks one, he just has to close his eyes and he can feel her lips brushing his.

"See you next year, Miss Trinket." he says, leaning against the open window of his compartment.

She rolls her eyes. "What if I get promoted to a better district, huh?"

"You wont." he says almost playfully.

"We never know."

"Well, then I hope you'll find a better mentor than me." He smiles at her as a strident whistle announces the train's departure. "I have a feeling we'll have survivors next year. Don't give up on me, princess."

She mouths a "Never" to him and waves him goodbye as the train slowly starts to move forward. She watches until it totally disappears, readjusts her wig and walks away.

This is last chapter guys, I hope you liked it. :) Yes, it's short, more like an epilogue than a chapter actually. I know it's sad and you are likely to hate me, but I didn't want to do an happy-ever-after + I wrote this chapter whilst listening to "Let Love Down" by Lady Gaga, which is a sad song. You really should listen to it on YouTube, it's amazing.

Anyway, I might (I said might) write a sequel once my exams are over. It would focus on Effie/Haymitch's romance during the 74th Hunger Games. But I can't promise you I'll write it. Just PM me to tell me what you'd like to see happen in it, and also if you have any idea for the plot.

A big thank you to my readers/reviewers for your support and love. This story would have been worse than it is if it wasn't for you. XD

Extra thanks to my amazing beta SmurfsTasteGoodOnToast. You helped me a lot and helped me to improve the story, so thanks again.

Bye everyone ! :)

Love, Sarah.