Work Text:
Today’s morning was horrible. It was absolute dog-shit, it was, it was— it was whatever other word for hatred that Haymitch couldn’t think of right now
No, Haymitch was not overreacting. First, he gave his breakfast to Sid and Ma, (not that he regrets feeding his family first, he was just hungry the rest of the school-day) because they were low on money because of the hard winter and lack of work and because Sid was a growing boy, nevermind that Haymitch himself was also growing.
Then Ms. Whoever-The-Fuck at the front office was on his case for being late; his classes were even more incomprehensible and boring than before and, as mentioned before, he didn’t have food for lunch because of money issues (Fuck being poor. He hated The Hunger games, really, he did, but he wouldn’t mind being a District 12 victor for the money and Parcel Day.) He didn’t ask Burdock for lunch at all because he knew the winter had been hard for both of them.
There was more to his shitty day, but he was too tired to get into it properly and he just didn’t want to. The moment he could walk out the school doors without consequences, he practically sprinted out of there.
Which all led to now.
He was still miserable because he was still hungry, but he was slightly less miserable because Burdock was sitting next to him on the forest floor. The forest was still barren of leaves and spring was still a long-whiles-away, so no mockingjays. He didn’t care much about birds, but mockingjays were some of Burdocks favorite animals. Speaking of Burdock, currently Haymitch was staring at Burdocks shirt, (he wanted to see Burdock without it again) not registering what topic they were on now. They’d gotten together just a few weeks ago and Haymitch wanted to marry him already. Burdock was kind, charming, funny, beautiful and— oh, shit, he was talking to him, huh?
“—mitch? Are you listening, Hay?” Burdock stared with a slight hint of worry in his eyes, “You usually save your zoning-out-and-admiring-me sessions for sleepovers, what’s goin’ on?”
Haymitch had a blush dusted on his cheeks after learning that he was that obvious, “O-Oh, sorry. It’s nothing, much, really.” Haymitch deflected, and then deflated right after from the look on Burdocks face; the look that meant “I don’t believe you at all, and I will start prying.” Haymitch sighed, “I haven’t eaten…at all today.”
Burdocks eyes widened so fast, Haymitch would’ve thought he said that he wanted to break up. (as if, the thought made him sick.) “What! Not at all? Not even breakfast? Are you trying to starve yourself?”
“Better me than my family.” Haymitch muttered, and then flinched from the glare Burdock aimed at him in response. Haymitch didn’t want to be on the other end of it again.
“I’ll unpack that later— why didn’t you eat?” Burdock stared into Haymitchs eyes with an eyebrow raised.
“Didn’t feel like it.” He said meekly, looking at the ground he was sitting on.
Burdock glared at him again, somehow with more malice behind it than before. “Stop lying to me, Haymitch!” Uh, oh— no nickname. “I’m just trying to make sure you’re not trying to— to starve yourself— because of your overwhelming desire to sacrifice yourself for your family! I love that about you— really,— but it gets to a certain extent, Haymitch!” Burdock finished with a scathing look on his face, practically daring him to even give him a white lie about anything. “Now, I’ll ask you again; why didn’t you eat all day?”
Haymitch gulped, and began his very short explanation. “Well, I gave my breakfast to Sid and Ma’ cuz we’re low on money. No money, no lunch as well, so…you can guess.” Haymitch finished, laying his head on his knees.
“You could’ve asked me—“
Haymitch interrupted, “And take what little food you have? I’m not greedy and—“
“You should be!” Burdock growled, “Haymitch, I’m not sure of how many times I should grind this in your memory, but I love you and I want you to be safe. If I have to sacrifice some of my comfort so you can live with just bit more meat on your bones than before, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Besides, I’m a hunter so even if I’m low on food, I can get more with a good arrow.”
That was…true. Very true. The hunting part, not the greedy part. He’d rather die than take more than what his family was getting. Haymitch was silent for a long while, probably a whole minute, and then he said, “I…Ok.”
“Ok, what?” Burdock prodded.
“Ok, I’ll take your advice and ask you for help once in awhile.”
“More than that.”
Haymitch huffed, “Every…2 months?”
Burdock untensed, “Every month, and I want updates if you’re doing horribly.”
Haymitch huffed againly but this time it was more playfully, “You’re a worry-wart, but fine, I guess..” Haymitch snuggled deeper into Burdocks chest. “Why’re you so warm..” He muttered softly.
“Well, I won’t be for long if you keep being a little warmth leech and sucking out all of the heat ‘outta me.” Burdock giggled, finally un-tensing completely. Burdock tried prying off Haymitch with major complaints from him (he just whined and clung on tighter) “C’mon, Hay, we gotta go. We spent most of our break time arguing, and now we gotta do work.”
Haymitch finally loosened his grip, but not without Burdock pinching at his arms and hands, “You’re so mean to me!” Haymitch pouted as Burdock pulled away from him and stood up. Haymitch stood up as well, grabbing at Burdocks hands. “You gonna hunt or do you have a job in town?” Haymitch questioned.
“I’d prefer to hunt since I’m best at it, but no. I have a job in town, something to do with fixing the stage.” The stage used to be stronger before Lenore Dove set the flag on fire. To reach the flag itself, the fire went across the stage and it caught fire as well, but it took longer to put out than the flag because the peacekeepers were more focused on the flag.
(Haymitch wouldn’t know why the flag was more important than the stage where the most important announcements were made, he won’t complain though. He just hoped one day the whole thing collapses in on itself and then no one will be reaped in District 12.) ((At least, until they rebuild it.)) As a result, the floor loves to become as stiff as a wet paper towel after winter, especially a colder winter such as this one. Oh, yeah, did he mention that they just didn’t replace any of the boards after the fire?
“So, are you gonna sleep over tonight?” Haymitch asked.
“Of course, I promised you that a few days ago.” Burdock confirmed.
Haymitch perked up a little at the confirmation, “Ok! Let’s go, then!” Haymitch pulled Burdock toward the fence.
Burdock rolled his eyes, “Wow, it’s like you want me to sweat my ass off.” He teased.
Haymitch huffed, “You’re hot when you sweat besides, and the quicker you finish your job, the quicker we can get back together and do stuff together.”
Burdock laughed as he tested the fence for electricity, “Clear. Let’s go, baby.” Burdock climbed under the fence first, then Haymitch.
Just before they went different paths for now, Burdock kissed Haymitch gently. Burdock’s lips were as soft as ever, and so was his tongue as it prodded his mouth as if it were there first. They broke apart with reluctance, “Love is a feeling…” Burdock started, waiting for Haymitch to continue.
Haymitch rolled his eyes, “But to continue is a choice.” Haymitch finished.
Burdock smiled, “I’d choose loving you everytime.”
After they’d finally parted, (it took forever, Burdock kept kissing him) Haymitch felt that even though the day started off horrible, it wouldn’t be so bad at the end.