Fruitcake

"What is this, Swan? It's amazing."

"It's fruitcake. I didn't know anyone actually ever ate it. I thought people just made jokes about it." Emma looked at him like he was crazy.

The Charming family and Killian were over at Regina's for a Christmas party. Regina had really been doing her best to mend fences with the townspeople, and thought having a gathering would be a nice way to get people together, and get to know people a little better.

Emma and Killian had wanted to keep their engagement private, not intending to make a big deal out of it, but living in a small town was not exactly conducive to privacy. As soon as one person heard, word spread through the party and the two fielded congratulations all night.

Emma went in to the kitchen to get a refill for the ice bucket, and found Regina in there standing alone.

"Regina, I'm glad I got a minute with you alone. I want to apologize. Killian and I didn't mean to have people find out, and I feel bad that everyone is treating this like it's an engagement party. We really didn't intend for it to be that way."

"Please don't apologize. It's given everyone something to talk about other than, 'how weird is it that we're over at the Evil Queen's house for a party?' Now they're at least talking about the pirate and the savior. I hear there's a bet on. Some are taking bets that it won't last. Some are betting on how long until you actually get married."

Emma was furious. "Seriously, I do everything for this town and this is how they repay me?

Just then Killian walked into the kitchen carrying the tray that formerly held the fruitcake. "Regina, I think you're out of the fruitcake. People really seemed to like it. Is there any more?"

"Killian, did you eat that whole thing by yourself?"

He had not noticed Emma standing in the kitchen, and wouldn't have even tried to pull this trick if he had known she was standing there. He noticed the look of rage on her face, and couldn't understand why she was so upset over a cake.

"Emma, love. It's just some cake. You said no one really ate it so I doubt I'm depriving the rest of the party of the treat. Frankly, the townspeople are idiots if they don't think this is delicious."

"Oh, the townspeople are idiots alright, but not because of fruitcake. Did you know they were placing bets on us as a couple?"

"Oh, that. Aye," Killian said with a sparkle in his eye. "I heard. If you and I play this just right we can make a lot of money."

"KILLIAN! We are not betting on our relationship."

Realizing she was serious, and didn't see any of this as a joke, he pulled a straight face. "Alright, alright. I'll go out there and yell at the lot of them. Brandish the hook a little. But honestly, I'd already seen some nice furniture for the living room. I was sure I could make enough to pay for it."

Killian was joking completely, but who would he be if he didn't occasionally get Emma riled up.

Walking out of the kitchen in to the living room, Killian started addressing the guests. "Listen up, everyone." Killian was using his best Captain voice, as though her were commanding a whole ship's crew. "There will be no betting on my relationship with the Sheriff. No money will change hands. If you have problems with this, you can take it up with me directly. I suggest you bet on, oh, I don't know, weeks until the next curse."

"Or who the next villain will be?" added Grumpy.

"Exactly, mate. At least the next time we're threatened with something, someone gets to profit off of it. I'll put a doubloon on Voldemort," Killian added, winking at Henry.

Emma had walked out into the room and stood by Killian's side. She reached up and pecked him on the cheek and said, "Thank you."

"No problem, Swan. But I think as a reward you should take me to the store so we can get more of that cake."