Prompt 2: I'm a head chef and you're a feared food critic coming to review my food AU
Characters: Jellal and Erza

I did it. I really did it. I successfully opened a restaurant as an ex-con, with an entire staff of ex-cons, and it has become a pillar of the community. The ultimate community service, a place that gives people a second chance to turn their lives around. Plus, some truly killer food. Maybe not killer, the whole ex-con thing still makes some people nervous. Probably shouldn't use the word killer or anything violent in the marketing. Thankfully I've got Meredy in charge of marketing, she's good at the people stuff. Me, I just want to make sure they get fed. On top of being a restaurant, Crime Sorciere does a lot of outreach projects to help folks going through hard times get a decent meal.

It really has come together, Crime Sorciere is a pretty amazing restaurant and I'm getting a chance to make up for my past and pursue new and growing passions for food and people. Together, with my team of equally passionate chefs and servers, we're ready to keep this place going through all our hurdles.
"Including her.

We'd received the notice a few days ago. A food critic was coming to Crime Sorciere, and not just any critic – the Titania. Queen of Fairy Tail's reviews section, she was the most famous critic in Fiore and could build or destroy a business with one of her reviews.

People weren't sure what she looked like exactly as tales varied.

"I heard she's a raving demon with flames for hair who destroys everything that offends her"

"I heard she's a bright angel who made the sun shine with her smile"

"I heard she's a giant bodybuilder who throws men around using only her pinky finger"

The lady certainly had a rep. The stories that followed her did mention such violence as plates smashed and tables flipped if she found the food lacking, and with standards as high as hers…

I gulped. I can't think so negatively. I must have faith in all my hard work and the work of my team.

The door to the kitchen burst open, Ultear's head poking through, her face so serious.

"She's here. Meredy is sitting her at table 3, get ready."

We gave Ultear a nod. It was go time.

We'd lucked out really, she had come on a slow day so we wouldn't have to worry about juggling too many tables. We'd gone through the menu with extra attention the last few days and made sure the specials were the ones closest to our hearts. The ones we'd put the most work into perfecting. They'd have to be good enough. No, they will be!

I peeked out the kitchen window towards table 3, wanting to catch a glimpse at the monster who could potentially destroy all I'd worked for since gaining my freedom. Looking for the woman who could potentially destroy everything.

My heart skipped a beat. Oh, I thought. I hadn't expected her to be so… pretty.

The woman sitting at table 3 didn't look like a monster at all. Just a beautiful woman, taller than average, with gorgeous scarlet hair. She was fidgeting with lining up her notebook and pen and looking out the window next to her, the sunlight falling gently over her soft-looking skin. Perhaps she was an angel after all.

I tore myself away from the kitchen door, I had to focus. Of course, she wasn't a monster, she was a critic. It was time to pull it together and wow her with some stunning food, highlighting the talents of my team and the menu we'd lovingly put together. We're going to earn a smile and an amazing review.

I put my energy back into prep work, chopping vegetables with precision and checking in with the others while we waited for her order to come in.

The Titania took her time perusing the menu but when she was ready to order, she sure put in an ORDER.

Ultear looked at us, her hand shaking as she lowered her notepad.

"She really is a monster, who eats that much?" Erik asked, shaking nervously at the sauce station.

I swallowed; we couldn't afford to freak out so soon. We still had to get food on her table. A lot of food. Most of our menu's worth.

"I've seen you put double that amount away back in your early days out" I teased, trying to rile the team back up. "Now, quit complaining and get to work! We've got customers to feed."

"Yes, Chef!" The team got to work right away, Ultear grabbing the bottle of wine Titania had ordered and bringing it out to the redhead.

"Challenge accepted" I murmured to myself taking another glance at the woman swirling her rosé before heading to my station.

We sent out the appetizers in a reasonable amount of time, she hadn't finished her first glass yet. Good.

I made sure the team was back to their stations for mains and then I lingered at the door to observe the first couple of bites. Watching as she very delicately and deliberately used her fork to pick up a piece of the dish, inspecting it with the cutest furrow of her brow, before she popped it into her mouth. I don't think I've ever seen someone chew so thoughtfully. The scary part was that her face remained rather neutral. True she wasn't flipping tables like rumours say she sometimes did, but she wasn't smiling. I really want to see her smile.

I frowned and jumped back into work, inspecting the work of the others. We had to be better.

What was I thinking, the team was doing amazing. We were perfectly in sync, the scents of cooking food mixing and harmonizing as we made our magic happen.

Right as Ultear came back with the empty appetizer dishes, we were ready with the mains for her to take out.

This time I allowed the others to gather with me as we watched to see what the Titania would think.

I focused on breathing as she slowly inspected her steak, perfectly pink and medium as requested, and slowly placed it on her tongue. I swallowed as I watched her eyes flash open, oh no she didn't like it, she's going to flip a table…

She moaned, her eyes fluttering closed. It was sinful and loud. The Titania really had no shame as she made the most primal noises over her steak. Thank goodness we were mostly empty; this was supposed to be a family-friendly restaurant. I chuckled at the thought and then it happened, she swallowed, and there on her beautiful face, was the most blissful smile. It really was like the sun shining.

That's when I remembered the rest of my team gawking around next to me.

"Well, what are you all standing around for, she's not the only customer."

"Yes, Chef!" they practically cheered as they went back to work, all of them visibly more relaxed. Although the new addition to the restaurant soundtrack was really something. I could get used to it though.

I tapped Angel on the shoulder, she looked up at me, her white eyebrows raised in question. "Yes, Chef?"

"I'll see to the Titania's dessert personally."

Angel let out a giggle before skipping off to another station, "You got it, Jellal."

I smiled as I focused on putting together the dessert. After ordering 5 appetizers and 3 mains it was curious that she had only ordered one dessert. I wanted to make sure she got the absolute best for last.

Ultear brought back the last of the dirty dishes as I finished painting the last ribbon of strawberry coulis on the plate. A perfect strawberry torte sat in the centre, topped with freshly whipped cream and a fresh strawberry from our window garden.

Ultear reached for it but I shook my head.

"I'll deliver this one personally," I told her as I lifted the dessert and strode out of the kitchen towards table 3 and the redhead who would determine my fate.

"Hello Miss. I'm Jellal Fernandes, the Head Chef here at Crime Sorciere. I wanted to personally make sure you've been enjoying your meal and to deliver your dessert" I said presenting the torte with a flourish. She was even prettier up close her brown eyes meeting mine, a red eyebrow raised.

"Do you personally check in with all your guests?" she challenged, her voice a smooth alto. She was really something.

"Only those who singlehandedly manage to eat half our menu" I smoothly answered. I couldn't help but smile as she looked down into her lap, an angry red blush fighting its way up her cheeks.

"I was hungry" she murmured.

I fought a chuckle, "I sure hope so. I just hope you enjoyed it."

Her eyes flashed up to meet mine, a light shining in them. "Oh yes! It was absolutely delicious, the way the steak melted in my mouth…"

I raised an eyebrow as she started raving about the food, practically drooling. A sense of pride washed over me; she loved it. We'd done it. If she was this willing to praise the food, then we were in for a great review. I pulled out the chair across from her and took a seat as she raved about her meal.

"And after all that, you've still got room for dessert?" I asked when she finally wound down.

"As long as it's good" she quipped before separating a piece of torte with her fork, she slowly raised it to her lips – her brown eyes staying on mine as she brought it to her mouth. I almost wanted to feed it to her myself, but I kept still holding her gaze as she took that first bite.

Her eyes fluttered closed and she moaned. I was really enjoying the noises she made, I just sat there fascinated as she chewed slowly, savouring the dessert, watching as she swallowed and her face once again settled into that blissful smile.

"Beautiful" "Delicious"

We both spoke at the same time, I don't think either of us meant to. Thankfully, she hadn't heard me. The Titania just kept eating her cake, a positively joyful expression on her face.

I smiled as I got up. "Thank you for eating with us, Miss Titania" I said as I started back towards the kitchen.

"Erza!"

I turned to look at her, quirking my head. She was looking down at her plate, scraping up some of the coulis, her scarlet hair forming a curtain between us. "My name is Erza" she said.

I felt my heart glow. She really was more than a critic, she was amazing.

"Thank you, Miss Erza," I corrected myself before heading back to the kitchen.

The sun really had come out to shine today. I couldn't stop smiling.

Why was I ever scared of a critic?

"Psst, Jellal!"

I turned to see Ultear and Meredy waving me over to the kitchen door. I rolled my eyes and approached.

"Yes?"

"The Titania wants your number!" Meredy giggled.

I swallowed, staring blankly at my two friends.

Ultear smirked, "Should we give it to her?"

I stammered as the two women fought not to outwardly laugh at me. My eyes slipped past them to the table where a steely-eyed redhead stared right at me challengingly.

She was terrifying.

"Y-yes"

Meredy squealed and ran off.

No running for me. Time to face the next hurdle in life after parole.

Dating.

Dating a woman who could ruin everything I have worked towards at any moment.

Terrifying.

Worth it.