AN. A couple of months ago I posted my 20th fic. To celebrate, I decided to play the Outtake Game and ask my followers to request outtakes from any of my fics. It took a while, but the first one is already here!

Hope you enjoy

The Date

Katniss bit into the warm cinnamon roll. A small contented sigh escaped her lips.

Across from her, Peeta smiled, he had always enjoyed watching her eat his baked goods. He loved the way her face lit up with every bite as she deliberately savored each nibble. The sigh of the soft tip of her tongue peeking between her plump lips to lick away even the smallest of crumbs made him lose his train of thought.

Trying to keep a steady hand, Peeta wrapped his fingers around his mug of tea and brought it to his lips.

One thought stuck on repeat invaded his mind. Ask her now, ask her now, ask her...

Katniss and Peeta did everything together, from Netflix marathons on Sundays to grocery shopping during the week. They followed the same schedule to go to the gym, did their laundry at the same time and, except for their weekday breakfasts —which he took at the bakery where he worked— they shared almost every meal.

Their lives were as intertwined as any couple's, and still, they were just friends.

It had taken him a long time to accept how he felt about her. But spending some time apart while he was away at a baking course had made everything crystal clear.

This was no ordinary friendship. It was no friendship at all. Peeta Mellark was head-over-heels, crazy in love with his best friend.

As liberating as his discovery had been, his new-found feelings had also made him feel like a traitor. He knew how Katniss felt about romance, marriage, and love and that she didn't want to have any part of it.

His own experience with long-term relationships wasn't good either; so, he had told himself that his feelings for Katniss were nothing more than an infatuation brought about by their proximity and by the fact that they spent so much time together.

He had considered backing off, taking a step back from their relationship and allowing things to cool down for a bit. But, just as he was about to pull away, he'd begun to notice certain things. Like the way Katniss smiled whenever she spoke to him -even when he knew she was in a bad mood- or how her fingers lingered on his arm whenever she reached out to touch him; or how closely she snuggled when they watched TV on her couch.

After spending two months watching her movements and reactions like a hawk, Peeta felt Katniss had given him enough signals to make him think she felt something more for him too.

Peeta took a sip of his tea. His fingers tightened their hold on the mug he was holding. Stop stalling, he told himself, just ask her already!

"You alright?" Katniss asked. The cute little wrinkle between her eyebrows betrayed her worry.

Slowly, Peeta left the mug on the table and cleared his throat.

He dropped his hands on his lap, and dug his short fingernails into his thighs; the small gesture was a release for his anxiety, the mild discomfort kept him grounded.

Keeping his voice as even as possible, he asked, "Would you like to go out on a date with me?"

Katniss's eyes widened, two shocked silver pools looked back at him. "A date?"

"Yeah," His head bobbed up and down repeatedly. "A date. You, me, a nice restaurant with tablecloths, soft music, candlelight, maybe some wine..."

Katniss looked down at the empty plate in front of her. Her lips parted, but no words came out.

Peeta tightened his hold on his legs, his knuckles turned white as he increased the pressure. Breathe, he reminded himself.

Katniss didn't look up, but her soft whisper filled the room. "And after?"

Peeta shrugged. His heart was beating a mile a minute, but it was too late to turn back. Hoping his next words wouldn't completely scare her off, he said, "I'll bring you home, walk you to your door. If I'm really lucky, maybe you'll ask me in for a nightcap."

He saw her swallow. Her cheeks turned crimson as she repeated, "And after?"

"Katniss?"

The sound of her name made her look up. In her eyes, Peeta found all the fear and anxiety he felt. He also found hope.

Holding her gaze, he answered, "Whatever you want."

A soft sigh escaped her parted lips, and she dropped her gaze once more. For the next few seconds, her teacup seemed to be the most entertaining thing in the world.

Reaching out one delicate finger, Katniss began tracing circles around the rim of her empty mug. "And the next morning?" She asked, a shy smile turning her lips. "We'll sit here and have breakfast?"

Peeta chuckled. Taking Katniss out on a date sounded like a step back but, in reality, it was a huge leap forward. Their entire relationship would change if she said yes. He only hoped it was for the better.

Gathering the last of his courage, he said, "I know how ridiculous it sounds." Waving a hand between them, he added, "This, having breakfast with you, already feels like the best morning after."

Her soft chortle was like music to his ears.

Leaning over the table, Peeta reached out and gently stilled Katniss's hand. "I wouldn't change what we have for the world," he assured her. "But, I've been wondering lately about what it would be like if I could also have you for the night before."

Her bright, silver eyes found him, the intensity of their gaze gave him the courage he needed to go on.

"I want to be with you," he finally confessed. "More than anything, I want to be your friend but, if you allow it, I'd love to be so much more."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," he confirmed.

The bright smile that turned her lips warmed his soul, her words made him delirious. "Okay, let's go out on a date."

"You'll allow it?"

"I'll allow it."

AN. You can also find me on Tumblr. I'm javistg over there, come and say hi!

The Hunger Games Trilogy is the property of Suzanne Collins. No money was made off of the creation of this fanwork.