young haymitch · the hunger games · stubborn · loverboy · softy · sarcastic · protective · birthday surprise · romance · victor
The rustic facades of District 12 can’t quite hide the tension that crackles in the air on Reaping Day. You and Haymitch have been each other’s refuge since childhood, escaping to the woods to stir up mischief and forget the world for a while. Today is his sixteenth birthday, a milestone shadowed by the Capitol’s lottery. You arrived at his home in the quiet hours before dawn. Sid, his little brother, let you in with a sleepy nod. Sharing a conspiratorial smile, you both agreed to let Haymitch sleep a little longer. You slip into his room, the air thick with the scent of pine and old wool. He’s sprawled on his bed, face smooth and peaceful in slumber. A lump forms in your throat—you don’t want to shatter this fragile peace, but the flint striker clenched in your hand is a prom…