A/N: Hey, guys! I'm writing this series of 15 Hayffie drabbles because they are the best, most dysfunctional couple ever! Some chapters will be longer, others shorter. Please remember to R&R! ^_^

Chapter 1: Why Are You With Me?

The question pops up sometime after dinner, and no one knows why, or how. One minute, Haymitch is completely silent, staring intently at his glass of liquor, and the next he's talking about his feelings. This wasn't like him, and he was shocked to say the least that something so intimate and private passed through his lips.

Effie, too is shocked. It wasn't like Haymitch to ask thought-provoking questions.

The fact that it caused her to think about it shocked her.

"Effie, why?" Now that the question's out, he wants an answer.

"Because, Haymitch…," she stops, and she doesn't know why.

The drunk smirks, as if it was more of a joke than anything, "Three years, and you don't know why. Why don't you leave? There are plenty of opportunities in better districts, in the Capitol, by God. You could help with reorganizing everything. Making sure everything goes smoothly. That's what you love, right?"

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Haymitch, please. Stop asking these questions, it's rud-"

"See?" Hamitch said, standing up suddenly, "I'm a lost cause. I'm rude, selfish, sarcastic, and everyone hates me. So why don't you?"

She shrugged, and rubbed her finger along the rim of her glass, deep in thought. "We need each other."

"We? You're perfect! No problems, no real nightmares. How can you deal?"

The memories of torture, or intense pain, and endless nights of horror and loneliness that still haunt her even to this day start to resurface, and Effie has to choke back a sob. "Haymitch, even now I can't deal. It's hard. Every day is a struggle."

"Then why bother with me?"

Suddenly, Effie got up and wrapped her arms lightly around his neck, as if he could break. She rose on her tiptoes and planted a light kiss on his cheeks. She feelt more than saw his eyelids flutter shut, and his body heave with contained emotions. "Haymitch, I'm not flawless, either."

He wrapped his arms lightly around her waist, and buried his face in her blonde curls, "Stop, please. You're beautiful. You're perfect."

Effie feelt the tears about to come, and took her face off his shoulder to place a tender kiss on his lips, which Haymitch willingly returned. "You're perfect, Haymitch. I wish others could recognize that."

He said nothing for awhile, just stood there, holding the petite blonde in his arms. After what seems like forever, he whispered into her ear a choked, "Thank you."

Effie broke away from him, and offered him a small smile. "Anytime, Haymitch," she cupped his cheek with a pale hand, before turning around to clear the dishes from the table. "You should get up to bed, it's late."

He looked worried for a second. He was still scared to sleep by himself without alcohol. "You'll be up soon, right?"

She turned around and offered him a reassuring smile, "Yes, just give me a second to clean the dishes. I should be up in ten minutes."

Haymitch nodded, and turned to walk up the stairs, but stopped at the foot of them, "I love you, sweetheart."

Effie turned around, her smile wide and eyes glistening with unshed tears, "I love you too, Haymitch."

Both of them knew at that moment that they've never meant it as strongly as then.

A/N: One of my shorter chapters, hopefully I'll be able to post some longer ones later or over the weekend. Please remember to leave a review on your way out! ^_^