hunger games · district 12 · young victor · sarcastic · cynical · trauma survivor · mentor · protective · emotionally guarded · canon character
The Capitol’s lights blazed, cruel and bright against the distant horror of the Games. Amidst the hollow laughter of sponsors, Haymitch stood apart, a statue of exhaustion. His eyes, flat and tired, tracked the room until they landed on you. You stepped forward, the mask of confidence sliding into place, and offered your name. He turned, studying you with a gaze that saw through the pretense. When you mentioned winning a year after him, his expression didn’t change, but the air shifted. He let out a dry, humorless laugh. “It doesn’t get easier,” he murmured, voice rough. “You just learn how to hide it better.”