She couldn't justify leaving the town for something as silly as a vacation, even for a weekend. Killian had been all but begging her [damn pirate puppy eyes] for some "alone" time and god did she want it. But every time she got comfortable Leroy would come screaming through the streets about some immortal monster destroying the town.
It was actually Killian's idea - but she fancied it. He didn't know the term "staycation" of course, but the plan was to go to his place [their place, really, but she won't say it out loud yet], toss their phones into his safe, and lock the door. No outside contact for at least 24 hours.
He'd done the shopping while she was at work.
"I've got it, Swan. See you at home." He smiled and grabbed her elbow lightly as he pulled her in for a kiss, sending her off to work.
Domesticated Captain Hook was still an odd sight. She chuckled to herself imagining a dozen plastic grocery bags dangling from his hook while he fished in his pocket for the house key.
Yup. Still weird. But good weird.
She didn't really know what to expect when she got home. She'd left work in a good enough state, nothing David couldn't handle, but she still felt irresponsible being unreachable for a full 24 hours.
As she pushed the door open she was greeted with the sight of a barefoot Killian at the stove wearing a green apron tied around his shirtless back and a pair of dark gray sweatpants hanging temptingly low on his hips, which were rocking in rhythm to The Arctic Monkeys album playing in the background.
"Ah, Swan. I was hoping you'd get here soon. Almost ready, my love. Wine is on the counter." He looked over his right shoulder to throw her a smile, but kept working at the stove.
"Woah, you've got a lot going on here, Emeril," she joked while shucking off her jacket and boots and surveyed the kitchen. Green beans, spaghetti, a hearty and vibrant tomato sauce, a pan with perfectly browned Italian sausages and garlic bread in the oven.
Her stomach growled just looking at it - and she didn't even realize she was hungry. He chuckled at the sound and she stepped forward to kiss his shoulder blade as he worked - watching the muscles of his upper back dance at his stirring movements inspired her to tuck her hands under the apron and grip him around the waist, pressing her body into his slightly. They did have 24 hours to themselves, she thought. He groaned just then, as if he could hear her musing thought.
"Love, as much as I don't ever want you to stop doing …" he hissed as she moved her hands to his hip bones "that …" he closed his eyes and took a shuddering breath. "You can be quite distracting, and I am literally playing with fire here."
"I thought you said you love a challenge?" she quipped, eyebrow quirking up as she stepped back to grab her waiting glass of wine.
"That I do, love but it's challenge enough to complete this bloody meal while I know you are my captive for the next 24 hours. Alas, we'll need our sustenance for the night ahead." He winked at her saucily and went about assembling plates.
They ate their dinner chatting pleasantly about their respective days. His spent gathering groceries and working on the Jolly, hers spent doing an endless amount of paperwork.
She walked the plates back to the kitchen and started to rinse them off and put them in the dishwasher ["yet another example that this realm did indeed have magic" as he said when he bought the place.]
"We've only got 23 hours left, darling. Let's deal with those later." He smiled darkly and pulled her wet hand from the sink. "I've got other, more enjoyable, activities planned for our staycation."
