Summary: Chefs Emma Swan and Killian Jones both have their reasons to compete in the Culinary Championships for a large cash prize. But when they are paired as a team, they must learn to work together or it could all go up in flames. Part of the Captain Swan Little Bang 2018!
A/N: Here is mycontribution to the @captainswanbigbang ‘s little bang! Thank you so much to all the mods for organizing it and for all your hard work.I was able to combine two of my greatest loves in this story – Captain Swan and culinary competitions. I could not have done it without the incredible feedback of my beta reader, @aloha-4-ever , who offered suggestions, kept me on track, and helped me change my idea when the first one turned the wrong direction. And of course this story is all the better with the incredible artistic work of @cocohook38 who made the incredible illustration of Emma and Killian as chefs. She took my idea of them in this story and made it reality. If you like her work, check out these great shirts. One of the designs is hers!
There was always something magical about cooking to Emma Swan. From the first time she had thrown ingredients into a pan and watched them meld into something wonderful and tasty, she had been mesmerized by the transformation that to her was pure magic. So when she aged out of the foster care system at 18, she found herself working long shifts at a diner and taking a cooking classes at a local community college.
Yet after a long day where she crafted creamy risotto that made the Italian master chefs cry at its beauty, Emma found that she was a fan of the simpler things in life. That particular night she was standing over a single frying pan with a golden brown sandwich sizzling to that perfect melted state where the butter, cheese, and bread would meld into a sinfully good grilled cheese sandwich.
“You won’t win the Culinary Championships with a sandwich,” her roommate Ruby announced, dropping her bag on the farm table they had restored during a snowy weekend when the entire city had shut down. “What? No objections that competition cooking isn’t your style?”
Emma lifted the corner of the sandwich to inspect her work. “I think we’ve already had that argument. I did my time, earned the accolades. Why would the Championships want to invite me back?”
Running a hand blindly through her dark hair, Ruby sighed. “Why wouldn’t they? You’re unbeatable. You won every freaking competition.”
The remnants of the Jolly slammed against the rocks around him as he pulled himself from the raging sea, fingers and hook grasping for purchase. Rain poured down in sheets, the wind howling as raced along the cliff side.
Just a bit further, a whisper, barely audible above the cacophony, urged him.
He scrambled up the sodden hill, boots sinking and sliding in the mud. Wiping his dripping hair from his eyes, he looked up at the darkened lighthouse looming in from of him. Lightning cracked across the sky, reflecting off the windows in the tower, and for a second he thought he saw a woman standing there, blonde hair somehow unmoving in the gusting winds.
He shoved through the ancient door, stumbling over the broken threshold in his rush to gain shelter from the storm. The room was dark and cold but dry. As his eyes adjusted, he spied a sagging settee in the corner. Making his way towards it, he fought to keep himself upright, his limbs growing heavier with each step forward.
Finally collapsing on the dusty cushions, he briefly caught the distinct scent of cinnamon before the darkness sucked him under.
Beautiful
I really need a fic to go with this!
Fun fact: there was a little baby one! I have no idea why it was deleted off my manip. 😦
The remnants of the Jolly slammed against the rocks around him as he pulled himself from the raging sea, fingers and hook grasping for purchase. Rain poured down in sheets, the wind howling as it raced along the cliff side.
Just a bit further, a whisper, barely audible above the cacophony, urged him.
He scrambled up the sodden hill, boots sinking and sliding in the mud. Wiping his dripping hair from his eyes, he looked up at the darkened lighthouse looming in from of him. Lightning cracked across the sky, reflecting off the windows in the tower, and for a second he thought he saw a woman standing there, blonde hair somehow unmoving in the gusting winds.
He shoved through the ancient door, stumbling over the broken threshold in his rush to gain shelter from the storm. The room was dark and cold but dry. As his eyes adjusted, he spied a sagging settee in the corner. Making his way towards it, he fought to keep himself upright, his limbs growing heavier with each step forward.
Finally collapsing on the dusty cushions, he briefly caught the distinct scent of cinnamon before the darkness sucked him under.
They were in a kind of flowery bower with shady trees,
their branches swaying in the gentle breeze. As Killian and David made
their way to the main building, they heard the sound of someone humming a
melody. Killian and David glanced at each other, alert. They scrambled
to hide behind a tree, and peered through the foliage to see who it
was.
It was Emma. She was wearing a delightful fur cape, and
happily humming to herself as she plucked flowers and deposited them
into a charming little wicker basket swinging from her arm. There was a
sense of lightness and innocence in her demeanor. Killian’s heart
skipped a beat. She looked breathtaking, and just like an enchanted
princess!
It All Starts With a Dance 