Honestly, it’s so sweet how much Haymitch is willing to take Katniss’ anger. After her first outburst when she realizes Peeta is gone—when she’s scratching his face and he’s just holding her back—he lets her release all that pain without fighting her and beyond that moment, when he’s sober and fully himself, he doesn’t hide from her. He steps up for her, standing up to the rebels to stop them from using her as a tool. Then he sits in front of her and lets her speak, lets her vent her anger, because he’s still going to stay close.
After a month of hell and forced sobriety, he faces her and asks her to be honest with him, even knowing it might hurt. He offers the most vulnerable part of himself so she can be angry and find safety and trust again because he’s been there. He understands what it’s like to lose everything and feel used for the greater good, only to be discarded afterward, he knows that all that anger takes root in grief. What he wants most is for her to feel safe again, to feel him there.
When Katniss finally says, “I can’t believe you didn’t rescue Peeta,” he only replies, “I know.” He doesn’t excuse himself or ask for forgiveness. He simply acknowledges her pain and offers her the same honesty in return, so they can reach an understanding and rebuild the bond of love and trust they’ve always had.
Only when Katniss has said her part and her anger dimes out to defeat, Haymitch offers the comfort she's been waiting for, he truly embraces his role as a mentor, someone who can guide her and help her. It’s no longer just “Stay alive.” This time, he means it when he promises to do everything in his power to bring Peeta home alive, this time he can help. And that promise doesn’t end once Peeta is rescued. Haymitch stays with him through every step of his recovery, following his progress closely. He even tells Katniss, “It’s something,” to give her hope too.
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