Prompt: Peeta takes Katniss on a date, which is a lovely picnic lunch at her favorite spot (maybe the meadow?). He has everything-good food, a soft blanket, and a confession of love he's been holding in for weeks. What he doesn't have is an umbrella, and there's a lot of rain in the forecast. (Canon divergent or AU)

A/N: Cupcake love is a sweet crush that can turn into love. Peeta's secret cupcake is Katniss but he's never had the courage to stare at her for more than seconds much less talk to her. Until one day fate steps in and now he has a date with Katniss. Will he be able to tell her how he feels, or will the odds be against him. Special thanks to norbertsmom for quickly beating this story.

Rated: T - for bullying

Word Count: 3,807

KPKPKP

"Aren't you so stoked that today is our last day and the reaping is only a few days away," Delly chirped into Peeta's ear.

He smiled and watched Katniss Everdeen across the room. On their last day of the school year, the Seniors were given a special luncheon where the staff presented the students with special awards and explained how the reaping for their job assignments in other districts would go.

Peeta sat awkwardly trying to stealthily stare at his cupcake. Peeta and Delly always used the code word cupcake when talking about their crushes.

Katniss was the type of girl legends were written about. He had the biggest crush on her since the age of six. Regretfully she was the one person he'd never been able to speak to.

Katniss Everdeen was the girl every guy in District 12 High School dreamed of. The thing about Katniss was that she wasn't a girly-girl like her friend Madge. She wasn't talkative like his best friend Delly. Katniss was a tomboy with a legendary scowl for a smile, and every red-blooded male wanted to date her, be her, or befriend her.

Peeta Mellark aspired to two of those things - he would love to befriend her and possibly one day ask her out. He sighed out loud. Time was running out. The day after tomorrow they would find their assignments. Who knew what district they would be placed in, to work.

"Why don't you walk up to her and tell her how you feel?"

"The same reason you never said anything to you know who," Peeta bit out. He regretted it immediately when Delly became pale.

"Really, Peeta look at me…" Delly said quietly. "How was I supposed to go up to my cupcake and say I like you when he didn't even know I was alive."

"I have frizzy dry hair; even my mom said it was like straw. I've got a pasty face because of the acne treatments, and I'm fat; they call me thunder thighs." Her smile did not match the sadness in her eyes. "Do you really think someone like me could go up to the one guy in school who was deemed the pleasure king and say, you know what, I like you and not because of your reputation with the female population of District Twelve? Please."

"Adeline Cartwright, you need to stop thinking of yourself as ugly. If I had a shot with Katniss, I would take it."

Delly raised an eyebrow and Peeta closed his eyes as he realized what his best friend did.

"Man girls are smarter," Peeta said.

"Don't let happen to your cupcake, what I let happen with mine. After he graduated two years ago, he was Reaped to work in the Capitol. He isn't going to return, and according to his family he's living his best life!"

Peeta watched Katniss at her lunch table with Madge. He feared the Reaping.

After the war, many districts needed people to work after the loss of so many by a weapon the Capitol invented. The weapon destroyed both those fighting on both sides. Depleted of people the Districts surrendered. As a punishment, the Capitol forced all 18-year-olds to work a full two years without pay, starting right after they graduate. They were provided housing and food by their host District. The Reaping would take place on July 4th.

Anything could happen during their time in another district. It was well known that romances started during this time. His older brother Barley met his wife while working in District Eleven. He decided to move to District Eleven and run a mill. Katniss's mother was sent to work in District Seven and came home with Mr. Everdeen. Peeta's own father met and married his mother in District one. True, their marriage was volatile, but people did usually find their significant other during this time.

Peeta's main fear was that Katniss would find the love of her life during her time away and he'd lose his chance with her forever.

He stood up from the table intent on talking to her. Gathering his courage he took a step in her direction, but then chickened out. He turned, intending to walk away but found Delly standing in his way. Grabbing hold of his hand Delly tugged him all the way to Katniss's table.

"Hi," Delly said brightly.

Katniss raised an eyebrow, her face devoid of any emotion. Madge stared at them.

Peeta felt heat blossom on his already ruddy face. He shifted his feet and turned to Delly for help.

Delly gave him a pointed look and gave him a nudge with her elbow.

"Hi Katniss," Peeta slipped his hands in his pockets. "I was wondering if you wanted to go on a picnic with me tomorrow."

Katniss's eyes grew as large as saucers.

"YES," Madge shouted. Her nose flared and she grimaced, staring at Katniss, before she said through thin lips, "She would love to."

Both girls continued to stare at each other, silently exchanging looks until Peeta saw Katniss duck her head and nod.

"As I said, Katniss would love to, what time?" Madge asked.

"Really?" He couldn't help sounding so happy and hopeful. Peeta gave her what Delly called his adorkable grin.

Her eyes lifted to his and his knees turned to jelly. Her eyes were stormy like the sky just after a rain shower, filled with conflicting emotions before they dulled back to their normal lustrous grey hue.

"What time?" Katniss whispered.

Her voice was husky and his heart did a little pitter-patter in his chest. He cleared his throat to keep him from sounding like a ten-year-old. "Is noon okay, in the meadow by the large red maple tree."

"She'll meet you there," Madge said brightly.

Peeta wanted to say something else but Delly was dragging him away. "Wait, Delly, I wanted to-"

Delly cut him off, "Nope you were going to say something that I'm sure would have been charming but you should always leave them wanting more!"

Peeta wasn't sure about that, but he took her advice and kept quiet.

That night, Delly came over and they began strategizing about the picnic. She helped him pick out a plaid shirt that if he dropped food on it, it wouldn't be obvious.

"What are you two up to?" Peeta's brother Ryan asked. He'd been selected to work in District Twelve in the mines, and he loathed the work.

"Nonya," Delly said.

"Why is it when I ask my brother a question you answer?

"Because you're annoying and I know you." Delly stood, arms akimbo, glaring at Ryan.

"Why do you think I'm going to do something wrong?"

"Because you're like mischief and chaos rolled up into one."

"Fighting words thunder-thighs," Ryan shot back, taking a step toward Delly. Delly wasn't tall but she could be a handful when angered.

"Enough guys." Peeta jumped up to stand between them. "Delly is helping me get ready for my picnic tomorrow with Katniss."

"You and Katniss Everdeen, you know you're not in her league," Ryan said laughing.

Delly pushed Ryan.

"WTF!" Ryan growled.

"Don't mess this up for him. You know how much he likes Katniss."

"They have nothing in common, she's a hunter, she's hot, and you're my lame little brother who can't win a wrestling championship against his big brother."

Delly stepped forward, but Peeta stopped her.

"Delly don't," Peeta said, cutting his best friend off before she said something to his brother she'd regret. "Look, we're all done here tonight."

Delly nodded and began to gather her things.

"Thunder-thighs," Ryan muttered under his breath.

Delly turned around and said, "You're nothing but a big bully, who the only way you're going to get out of District Twelve is by becoming a Peacekeeper."

Ryan narrowed his eyes.

Delly looked down. "Sorry, Ryan."

"It's the only insult you can throw at me since you're so damned ugly."

"You know I don't get why women fall all over themselves for you," Delly grumbled.

"That's because of these," Ryan said, kissing his biceps.

Peeta took Delly by the arm and pushed her toward the stairs.

"How are you guys related?" Delly asked before going down the stairs.

"Genetics." Peeta went downstairs with her. "Seriously, thank you for everything, pulling me across the cafeteria, helping me with the picnic, and helping me pick out the clothes."

"Just be yourself tomorrow; you've got this."

Peeta nodded. However, as soon as Delly left he heard his brother behind him.

"You need to learn how to stay in your lane, Peeta. Katniss is not in your lane. This is what we call a pity date."

Peeta sighed then looked at his older brother. He realized then and there the only person who was stopping him from achieving happiness was himself. "I am good enough for someone like Katniss, and I think Delly is right, you're a bully."

Peeta walked upstairs and he didn't bother looking back. He knew Ryan was red-faced. He had bigger things to do, like worry about tomorrow.

The next day he went around town purchasing several things he needed for the picnic. By the time he finished, he had to quickly pack the food in the basket. He went down the list he and Delly made yesterday. He packed the blanket plates, cups, forks, spoons, knives, napkins, a thermos with a cold beverage, and another with a hot beverage in his backpack. It looked cloudy so he packed an umbrella in his backpack as well, just to be safe. He raced upstairs to take a quick shower.

When he came back downstairs he noticed the basket was moved.

"I put some of those cheese-buns Katniss likes so much in your basket," his father said.

"Thanks, dad." Peeta took the basket and swung the backpack over his shoulder, then made his way to the meadow.

With each step, he took his heart thundered in his chest. He hoped not to sound like a fool. His hands became sweaty when he saw Katniss standing by the red maple tree in a light green dress. Her lustrous dark locks loosely fell around her shoulders. Her eyes lit up when she saw him approaching. She l was stunning. Katniss's beauty surpassed the earthly elegance that surrounded her.

"Hi." His voice sounded weird to his ears.

"Hi." She gripped her hands in front of her.

"I hope you're hungry." He lifted up the basket. "I brought lots of food."

He set the basket down.

"I can help you."

"Ah sure," he said as he took the blanket out of the backpack. Their hands brushed and it was like sticking his hand in the electrical outlet. Peeta forced his hands from shaking as they spread the blanket on the ground. The wind picked up. Peeta quickly unpacked the basket.

"Wow, you weren't kidding."

"Would you like me to serve you? Just tell me what you like."

"It all looks so good. I'll take one of everything."

Peeta made up a plate for her with a sample of the cheeses, slices of ham, roast beef, and hard salami. He made sure to add a handful of nuts, slices of fresh bread, a sliced apple, grapes, and pears. He poured her some lemonade.

Peeta made himself a plate before tucking into the food. They ate in silence, but in the back of his mind, he replayed what Delly said. He needed to be himself. He was worthy to be here with her.

"So are you ready for tomorrow?"

"To be honest I am not ready to leave home. Though my sister Primrose said she's ready to have the room to herself."

"Really? I would have thought you were ready for the adventure?"

"I'd miss my family."

Peeta thought about how different their families were. His mother looked down on anyone from District Twelve. She lamented moving here from District one. Even though she did it because she was pregnant at the time. His father was great but long-suffering. His two brothers were mean to him. As the baby of the family, he was picked on by his brothers. His parents turned a blind eye to his brother's behavior.

Katniss's family was a tight knitted unit. Her parents were still in love. When the mining accident happened her father got hurt trying to save people. During the time when he couldn't work, Katniss began hunting to help her family. Even though she was only eleven at the time, not one person in her family tried to stop her. Instead, her father was proud of Katniss and boasted about her hunting prowess. They supported each other, instead of tearing each other down. Katniss was a hero, just like her father.

"My family isn't as united as yours, they will only miss my ability to decorate cakes."

"Prim loves to look at the cakes through the window. We think they're amazing."

"Thanks."

"My father said to tell you to thank you for the bread after the incident."

He was stunned they still remembered the bread. It happened so long ago. He was eleven and he wanted to do something for them because it struck him that although everyone praised her father's actions, no one stopped to think he was out of a job until he was cleared by the company doctor.

"It was nothing. Your father saved a lot of people. I can't even imagine what my family would do if something happened to Ryan."

The wind picked up, causing Peeta to look up at the sky momentarily. He saw that darker clouds were moving briskly in the sky, but it was still nice outside and he didn't want his time with Katniss to end so he carried on. He still wanted to do the taste testing he and Delly came up with.

"I can ask my dad if anything can be done to help your brother."

"You'd do that for Ryan?"

"Yes."

He watched her grab a green grape and pop it into her mouth. He swallowed thickly out of nerves that could only come from an inexperienced 18-year-old when faced with his cupcake. Even in his anxious state, Peeta had the wherewithal to perceive this was the moment he'd been waiting for. "Ah try it with this," he held up a spoonful of goat cheese.

She took the spoon, added another grape, and ate. Her eyes opened up in surprise. "This is so good."

"We do a lot of experimenting with flavor profiles at the bakery. My dad made us all learn to discern different flavors by opening up our palates."

"How?"

"Well, I can show you." He took out the small box. "This box contains bite-size samples of foods that aren't common here and some that are. You have to use your sense of taste and smell to be able to tell what it is you are eating. In the bakery my father blindfolds us."

Katniss raised an eyebrow at the notion of being blindfolded.

"I didn't bring a blindfold, but we're going to go on the honor system and let you close your eyes and hope you don't cheat!"

"Alright." She sat on her knees and settled her hands on her lap before closing her eyes.

"Okay," Peeta said to himself more than to her. He picked up the box. He was starting with a strawberry. It was a fruit that she was familiar with and it was something simple to build her trust in him. "Tell me what you smell first then tell me what you taste. If you can guess what it is you win an extra cheese-bun."

She didn't say anything, only raised her eyebrow, but kept her eyes closed.

Peeta grinned and put the sliced strawberry in her hand. She frowned as she felt the strawberry slice with her fingers before bringing it up to her nose to sniff. Her lips quivered, "It smells sweet, and it's sticky and squishy,'' she said before popping it in her mouth. "Mmmm, it's tart and sweet, strawberry?" She opened her eyes, peering at him with hopefulness.

"Yes."

"It's weird tasting food without being able to see them."

"Well that's the thing, we taste stuff all the time and we can discern what is inside of it without seeing it in its natural form.

"What else?" Katniss closed her eyes.

Peeta took out a cube of cheese and put it in her hand. There were only a few things in the sample box. He enjoyed himself immensely and he learned she preferred savory things over sweet things.

Peeta grinned as he took out a piece of chocolate morsel and placed it in her open hand. Chocolate was expensive. The bakery only purchased it for special occasions such as the Reaping when the people of Capitol came in and looked for cakes and other treats made with chocolate. Peeta couldn't wait to see Katniss's reaction.

Katniss frowned as she tried to place the chocolate morsel by the feel. She brought it to her nose and sniffed it, but he knew there wasn't anything to compare chocolate to. Unlike with the strawberry, Katniss hesitated before putting it in her mouth. As soon as the chocolate began melting. Her eyes flew open.

"This is delicious; it's rich and velvety. What is it?"

"Chocolate." Peeta was going to elaborate when he heard the rumbling of thunder.

Katniss looked up as raindrops began falling. "Maybe we should pack up and go."

"It's okay, I packed an umbrella." Peeta began looking for the umbrella.

"Peeta, I think we should stop before it gets worse."

The trees were swaying. Peeta didn't want his time with Katniss to end. He wanted to walk her home, so he continued to look for the umbrella. He was puzzled because he swore he packed it. "Let me find the umbrella...I'll walk you home."

"Alright but you better hurry, it looks like it's going to pour," Katniss said.

"Okay," Peeta said. The sky opened up and rain poured from the heavens. Peeta gave up his search for the umbrella and stood up. He pulled the blanket to put around her shoulders, but she was standing on the edge and he sent her flying onto her back into a muddy puddle. The sample box with the strawberries, blueberries, and chocolate landed on her, further staining her light green dress.

Peeta helped her stand up. Katniss had mud streaming down her. The mud was caked in her hair, and on the stained dress.

"Madge's dress!" She stared down at herself, " I can't afford to pay for this." The green dress was ruined.

"Katniss, I'm so... I know I packed an...umbrella.."

She looked at him skeptically. "I'm going to go before my dad gets worried," she said before running off toward home in the rain.

His apology was swallowed up by the sound of heavy rain. Not being able to do anything. He looked at the mess around him.

Dejected, he cleaned up and made his way home. When he arrived, he went upstairs and his brother followed him.

Ryan leaned on the doorjamb grinning.

"Not now, Ryan."

"What's the matter, loser?"

"Ryan," Peeta said in a warning tone. All he wanted was to sulk.

"Let me guess; the date didn't go well?"

Peeta refused to speak.

"Who knew you were going to need this umbrella?"

Looking up he saw Ryan was casually twirling the umbrella he packed inside the basket.

He curled his fist. He recalled how Katniss looked in her soiled green dress. A helpless look that was his fault because he didn't have his umbrella, the umbrella that his brother now had in his hand. "You knew how important this was for me."

"You're a loser. It wouldn't have mattered if I took this out or not...you would have messed this up regardless."

Peeta's shoulders drooped when he realized that his brother was right. Even if he had had the umbrella he still would have found a way to mess up the date with Katniss. he didn't deserve someone like her. Tomorrow was the reaping and it looked like he would never get the opportunity to tell Katniss how he really felt about her.

"You may be right, I'm a loser. But I'm not a mean-spirited bully like you and the rest of this family. I talked to Katniss this afternoon about how much you dislike the mines. She said she would talk to her father about moving you from the mines to work in the office with him."

Ryan's eyes widened before they became filled with worry.

"Don't worry, I'm not you, Ryan. I would never ruin any opportunity you might have. I hope you're happy."

Ryan left his room.

That night Peeta went to bed with a heavy heart. In the morning as he stood amongst his graduating class he could only stare at the back of her head, wondering how he could make up for yesterday's disaster.

Peeta gripped the envelope that contained his new District and the job assignment. At noon all over Panem every eighteen-year-old would open up the envelope and discover where they were going to work for the next year of their life.

Effie Trinket took the stage as the hour approached. She was dressed in the colors of Panem high school, green and purple. Every year she picked a theme in honor of a District. Last year her dress was comprised of hammers in honor of District Two. The year before that it was hovercrafts and this year she was dressed as a tree with little dangling purple saws.

"And now the moment we have all been waiting for. Let us commence the countdown to the opening of the ceremonial envelopes. May the odds be ever in your favor."

The countdown began. Everybody counted backward and when the timer got down to zero, there was silence before a gasp as people began to tear open the envelopes and read where they were going.

Peeta opened his envelope and he couldn't believe that he was going to the Capitol as a camp counselor.