Fierceness and sheer brutality would only take a tribute so far. The perfect example of that was Finnick Odair, the most sponsored tribute in the history of the Games simply because he had been so damn charming. The ball may have been a sham, a way for the richest Capitol citizens to get up close and personal to the play-things they would soon watch die, but being nice and going along with the charade was important too. Haymitch didn't know how else to stress that to Katniss, and this was the second year in a row that she failed to understand the concept of approachability, and why it was so important. With Peeta as mentor, Haymitch wouldn't be behind the scenes to handle any hiccups that could arise, he wouldn't be able to convince people to help her out of a bad situation and while Haymitch trusted the baker to a point, Peeta lacked that experience needed to extend a life.

Sometimes, Haymitch wished he would have taken his own advice, because what he had just done could have very well gotten him killed. He didn't want Katniss to think that this was a joke, or that he was just messing with her because he thought he could. As much as he didn't want these feelings for her to be real, they were and not taking a chance on them seemed like a waste of time when the Games were coming so quickly. Even though there was a plan, it wasn't fool proof and seven days was a long time to survive in an arena full of killers, but if it worked and if they made it out alive, Haymitch wanted a life with her. He wanted to be happy.

Time seemed to stand still in the moments after Haymitch had pulled away from Katniss's lips. At first, her expression was neutral, looking as if she was unsure of what happened, but her cheeks soon glowed a pinkish hue and he was soon being pulled down for another kiss. Now, it was his turn to not understand because this wasn't the reaction that he had first anticipated. Katniss was rough, and she had always looked so uncomfortable when she was kissing Peeta, but there was an unexpected desire and passion in her kiss, and Haymitch couldn't get enough. 

They had already wasted so much time, and now Haymitch had something else to feel guilty about. Although, he smirked as Katniss spoke, having to agree that it was one to way to keep the other quiet. “How long is a while?” he asked, curious about her admission. With one hand, he reached up to cup her face, his thumb stroking softly along her cheekbone. 

When Katniss had come back from her Victory Tour with Peeta, Prim had asked what everything had been like, how the other districts had looked, but Katniss hadn't mentioned anything beautiful. There was only poverty and struggle around Panem and it was hard to think about a world that had more to offer than murder disguised as entertainment and the violent oppression of citizens who already had so little. Of course, Gale was so positive that Prim started to think he could be right, and that after all was said and done, and they had emerged on the other side of the flames, the two of them could see the country together, and have a new life. Sometimes, she really didn't know how he managed to stay so optimistic when everything around them was falling apart. 

She watched as Gale got comfortable and turned toward her once more. At first, she didn't understand his meaning, not sure why he was glad to be in the games with her and not just Katniss. If anything, Gale should have been happy to have the older girl by his side, as Katniss had proven herself to be endlessly useful time and time again. After all, the two of them were hunting parents, people who had worked together every season for almost ten years, and Gale should have felt comfortable handling Katniss. 

Prim's face reflected her confusion as she laid next to Gale on the bed. “Since when are you afraid of my sister?” she asked, laughing softly because it just seemed so absurd. She shifted her position slightly and rested her head on her arm, but her free hand reached for his. “I get what you mean, though,” the blonde went on, nodding as she laced their fingers together, “about me and you being here. I think we make a good team.” They had done well together the year before and Prim always felt a little more confident with herself when Gale was around. He was good for her, a positive presence in her life and in her heart.