Let the Hunger Games Begin! (An RP for Konmnire)
 

Certain days, it was a miracle that Haymitch found himself out of bed, without throwing up, and walking around his house before three in the afternoon. On others... he didn't even get out of bed, not without the help of his two fellow Victors.

Peeta had been unexpected. After the 74th Annual Hunger Games, it was a surprise that a gentle soul like the baker's son managed to make it out alive. But he had, and he had managed to be a good mentor during the last three years of Hunger Games (this year was the 78th), even though nobody else from the twelfth district won. Which didn't surprise Haymitch in the slightest.

Katniss, on the other hand... she was a fighter. A strong fighter, and a hothead too, much like Haymitch himself. He wasn't so shocked that she won, or shocked that she was as good as a mentor as Peeta. (Which was great, since he could become as drunk as he wanted at the 'celebrations' now without having to worry about the tributes.)

Still, though, even with both of them being Victors in their own right, Haymitch knew they - mainly Katniss - needed someone to guide them (her) on a better path, one where they would not get harmed by the Capital or anyone else. He wouldn't admit it, but he needed them, after all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Annie had nightmares. Terrible, terrible nightmares that plagued her at least once a week, if not more.

She remembered her fellow district tribute having his head cut off, how loud her scream had been to her own ears at the sight of his blood... She remembered how her feet had hurt from all of the running, and how she barely managed to survive when the whole arena flooded. It had been a miracle that she had lived.

It was a miracle she was still alive.

She knew Finnick should take all of the credit on that. He loved her, and he protected her, even though she sometimes forgot to finish her sentences, or laughed when it wasn't appropriate, or she shook whenever someone mentioned something that reminded her of her games. But he still protected her, holding her close when she shook and waking her from her nightmares, and she loved him back for it.

Right now, though, it was very, very late at night, and she couldn't urge herself to sleep. Instead, she found herself on her back porch, putting her feet in the water of the small pond by the edge of the steps. Finnick had bought the colorful fish who lived in the pond, just for her, and they nibbled at her toes. She could probably get sick from keeping her feet in such cold water, especially this late at night... but at least it meant she didn't have to sleep.

Katniss Everdeen really was a fighter. She had survived -- twice. And because she was a fighter was exactly why she couldn't ever show her depressing emotions. After everything that happened, she felt hollow. Peeta OR Gale weren't even able to help her. Not that she'd let them know she was suffering.

She wasn't sure what could make her stop hurting. She didn't want to drink like Haymitch. She couldn't paint like Peeta... Hunting wasn't even fun.

She wasn't sure what could help.

She wasn't sure what would take the pain away...

And she wasn't sure why she was knocking on Haymitch`s door at eleven at night.

--

Finnick always wanted to know how he could help Annie. He hated seeing her hurt.

When it was in the night, and he didn't feel her warmth next to him anymore, he got up and looked for her. When he found her, he frowned and walked over to her.

"You're gonna get sick out here, Annie."

Groaning as he heard the knocking against the door (because the noise was loud, from all the drink he'd had all day), he grumbled a bit to himself before he opened the door. He had expected anyone, of course, other than Katniss. Hell, he'd expected Peeta more than her.

They stared at each other for a moment, before he stepped away from the door so she could come in if she wanted. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice not far from surly. He sounded tired. He was tired.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Annie looked up a few seconds after he finished speaking. Her reactions were sometimes a bit delayed, something she was glad that Finnick understood.

"Sorry," she murmured softly, tugging on her ear softly before looking away and back at the little colorful fish. She and Finnick shared one of the houses in the Victor's Plaza, ever since they became engaged last year. Finnick had tearfully admitted to her what he'd been doing in the Capital to keep her and Mag safe for the past few years, and she had proposed, because Mag told her that it would make people leave Finnick alone (and because she loved Finnick). And it worked.

"Did I wake you?" she asked, hoping she didn't.

Katniss started at him in silence even after he essentially invited her in. She slowly shook her head, feeling like her head was swimming
"I don't know." She whispered, eyes widened slightly. She really didn't know why she was even here, she just felt like going was a good idea.

--

"No, sweetheart," he said, kneeling down beside her. He draped a toned and tanned arm around her shoulder. "Are you alright? Another nightmare?"

Haymitch nodded after a moment, then took a long swig (straight from the bottle) of the vodka he had saved up. To offer her any didn't register in his mind for several moments, but when it did, he decided againgt it. It was his alcohol, after all.

------------

Annie nodded after a moment, covering her face in her hands and whimpering. She despised her nightmares, and she wanted them to go away forever. But she doubted that would happen, even with Finnick's help.

She was silent and still for a few moments before gesturing to the bottle, hardly thinking. "Can I have some?"


--

Finnick turned and pulled her into a real hug. "Shhh," he whispered, petting her back. "It'll get better... I.. I promise."

Haymitch chuckled darkly, then passed it over. "Feel free, little girl," he said, handing the half-empty drink to her and pulling out a new one for himself.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Annie shook her head, clutching onto Finnick. They both knew her nightmares did not get better, but his words were soothing, as was his cuddle.

"Don't go," she murmured softly, her voice scared.

Katniss took the bottle and swished it around, then putting it up to her nose and sniffing it before taking a sip. It was stronger than she imagined and she crinkled her nose.

"Ugh," she grunted. "This is... Strong..." Then she took a bigger drink.

--

Finnicks voice was resolute as he spoke. "I will NEVER leave you. I swear," he said, holding her a bit tighter. "I love you, Annie."

Haymitch laughed loudly. It was almost obnoxious. "I don't drink anything that won't knock me out, sweetheart," he answered, still chuckling.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"I love you too..." she murmured in reply, before she shivered. "C-Cold..."

Then she realized her feet were still in the water, but she made no movement to take them out.

She licked her lips after a moment.

"Does it make you feel better?" Her voice seemed hollow. Distant. "Or does it make it worse."

-

Finnick gently picked Annie up, standing up with her in his arms. "let's go back inside, Annie." He took her back inside their house to their bedroom, sitting down with her in his lap, cradling her.