#damagedflames

"i'm starting to think i'm too old for this shit," haymitch had long confided in annie, seeing her as someone who truly understood the lost... somewhat absent feeling in his mind. he's been learning each day to choose his moments better, be a little more coherent in moments that are now calling for that but damn did it get harder the longer the stress of losing people laid on his shoulders. "it's been so long since i've had to put myself in this-." the stresses of mentoring completely by himself for years had taken a toll on him, tributes scoring low or unbelievably high as of late throwing wrenches in what he had previously planned, and the kids, it was just... heavy. "- and now it's not just random people, is it? they just had to drag me back in." leaning forward on his elbows, he finally catches a glance of annie's expression, "how are you feeling about it?" maybe he needs to hear something other than his own circular thoughts.

it was rare julian got much of a break during the day. but he'd been on shift for longer than anyone had anticipated, stood outside a door with familiar faces passing by him and shoved much further inside than he'd ever be allowed. he can't help but be curious about what happened, but he would keep his mouth shut for his own good. twenty years here wouldn't be too bad if he could keep it together. "hey!" he's not exactly sure if yelling to people here was good etiquette or not, but he'd already called out before that crossed his mind. spotting caius felt like destiny, a lull in his mind just what he needed right now. "do you want to get a drink with me? i haven't slept."