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Haymitch sat on his floor, which was shockingly clean since Hazelle had started cleaning his house for pay. He can't remember the last time he sat on the floor voluntarily, and not in a drunken stupor.
Nevertheless, he was here. Watching two baby geese waddle around his living room. He shifted forward to lay on his stomach. Slowly, of course. His body wasn't exactly what it used to be.
He didn't find much pleasant nowadays. Of course hanging out with Katniss and Peeta's kids. He couldn't really count drinking as pleasant, he guessed. And then the geese. He took such great pleasure in watching the geese, like a kid with a puppy dog. It was silly. But there fluffy downy little feathers when they were babies, then growing into the graceful full grown geese.
He adored them. He'd given them each names and everything. Their eggs turned a good profit too, which was his excuse for keeping them. Not that that wasn't one of his reasons for keeping them. But they were also just delightful little creatures. And he had so little in his life to be happy for, he liked having this thing for himself.
The little geese tripped over their clumsy feet, flapping their teeny tiny wings. And Haymitch giggled. He fucking giggled. He wasn't sure a sound like that had ever exited his mouth.
Behind him, there was a quiet subtle shift of sound. He leaped up, whirling around. He fumbled for his knife frantically, the flight or fight kicking in.
"Woah, woah, woah! Haymitch, Haymitch, it's just me."
The panic receded slightly, and his vision cleared. Cinna. He let out a breath, putting his knife back.
"What?" He snapped, crossing his arms.
He knew Cinna came to visit pretty often, to see Katniss and Peeta and their children. To bring nice gifts of clothes he designed. In that time he'd started dropping by Haymitch's house too. They'd pretty much just sit quietly, haymitch drinking white liquor and Cinna drinking tea. Sometimes Cinna would bring him clothes.
Haymitch enjoyed it. Not having to talk to much. Cinna was comfortable, easy. He never put pressure on him or judged his drinking. He'd never introduced Cinna to his geese though. It was a bit of an embarrassing topic for him, one that he usually tried to avoid. He brushed off the geese owning to a money factory.
"I was just stopping by." Cinna said gently, setting down his bag on Haymitch's table. He kept his hands visible, and didn't move too fast, like he was afraid of spooking a deer. He actually really appreciated that. He trusted Cinna, but it helped to be able watch him from the corner of his eye. Maybe he was a bit like a deer, easily spooked even to this day.
A teeny squak came from the floor, and he was reminded of his geese. He turned back and crouched down, picking up the two chicks. He cupped them in his hands and held them close to his chest.
"Pretty geese."Cinna smiled at them. "May I pet them?" Haymitch nodded, holding them out slightly. Cinna approached, hand out. He stroked the soft feathers of their chests, his hands so gentle.
"You're smiling." Cinna observed. Haymitch didn't realise it, but he did have a small fond smile on his face. He liked it when people were nice to his geese. He rolled his eyes and pulled the geese back to his chest.
"What's their names?" Cinna asked, sitting down on the couch. Haymitch sat on the other end, the chicks in his lap.
"Daff and Clyde!" He answered, a little to brightly. He stroked the feathers of the geese, staring down down at his lap. This is so stupid. Stupid Haymitch fawning over some birds. He could feel Cinna watching him.
"Those are sweet names." Cinna answered. He opened up his book and started drawing, seemingly turning his attention away. It made him feel a bit better, not having the focus be on him. He cooed softly to the chicks under his breath, as they curled up against his legs, slipping into sleep.
They settled into the usual comfortable silence, Cinna drawin and Haymitch petting his birds.
"Haymitch?" Cinna said, about 30-ish minutes later.
"What?"
"Do you want to see my drawing?"
He shrugged. "Sure." He did like seeing Cinna's designs. Cinna scooted over, and handed him the book. Flipped on to the most recently drawn page.
It was a drawing of Haymitch and his geese.
He didn't know what to say.
But this time he did know he was smiling. Like a dope. He didn't care.
"It's just a sketch, but I'll go back in an add more detail in a bit." Cinna said quietly.
"I… It's…" Haymitch ran his fingers over the paper.
"Sorry, I know you don't like all the attention and stuff being on you, but I had inspiration to draw when I saw you there with those baby geese." Cinna smiled at the chicks, who were asleep now.
Haymitch awkwardly put his arms around Cinna, unsure of what else to say or do. His heart was so full, like how it was when he was a teenager hanging out with Lenore.
Cinna hugged him back, arms steady and gentle, a match to Cinna's general vibe.
"Thank you, Cinna." He muttered, before leaning back, embarrassed.
"Anytime, Haymitch." Cinna said, hand dropping to run a finger over Daff. "Anytime."