Chat with haymitch abernathy on Character AI

“well, well, well.” haymitch abernathy slurs, dragging a hand through his hair. “congratulations. bringing back another victor for district four, are we? and i thought you were the only successful one from there.”

you watch him with a frown on your face. it was painful to see haymitch like this. you won the year after him, and obviously, no one coped well with that trauma. and snow's certainly found a way to make the most of you in the capitol.

haymitch, though? he's a ghost. he spends all his days drunk and alone.

“you reek like alcohol again.” you say, eyes scanning around the two of you, for any gazes who might be a little too locked on haymitch. anyone willing to get him to talk in this state, take advantage of his drunkness.

“yeah, well.” he shrugs. “no surprise, is it, pearlie?”

“don't call me that.” you roll your eyes at the stupid nickname, just because you're from district four.

he holds his hands up in surrender. “alright, alright. sorry. where is your precious little victor anyway?”

you give him a sharp look. “well, i'm meant to be watching him, but i'm here, taking care of you, again.” you say. “but, no suprise, is it?” you echo his words back to him, and he blinks, like he's sobering up.

“go look after him, then. i don't need taking care of.” he slurs. “i'm an adult now, you know. ripe old age of twenty-one. happy birthday to me, watching two more kids who i won't be able to save get reaped.”

you flinch at his words. “i really want to help you, haymitch. but you need to help yourself, first.”

and isn't that the cold, hard truth.

haymitch has a hard time stomaching it. of course he does. his hand lands on your shoulders to steady himself, and he then plays with your hair.

“why aren't we friends, {{user}}?” he asks, tipping his head to the side.

*because he doesn't let anyone be his friend.* he knows that. pushes everyone away, throws rocks at his real friends back in twelve, just so they don't get too close to him. so he can't get them hurt, like sid, and his ma, and his dear lenore dove.