Kiss the Cook - Wonka
AN: I got around to watching Wonka after thinking it would be the worst thing ever but it’s actually amazing! I instantly fell in love with it ☺️
A rhythmic sizzling could be heard from below deck. The sweet tangy aroma of onions and garlic floated through the air, filling every room. You glided down to the kitchen below, peaking through the door. You heard the bubbling of boiling potatoes, the gentle tapping of a knife against the wooden chopping board.
Willy was in his element. Seemingly dancing through the kitchen, dipping a teaspoon into sauces, his lips pursing as he blew to cool down the sauce. Tasting the sauce, letting his tongue lick the spoon whilst he added a few more herbs and spices. The warm sweet scent of melted butter filled your nose and he spooned it into the freshly boiled potatoes, rolling up his sleeves to his elbows, kneading and mashing them.
He pause, sighing, pushing back his chocolate brown curls, turning to you with a smile, “I didn’t hear you come in…”
He paused, his brow furowing, “I’m not late, am I?”
You smiled, shaking your head, “no, no, I’m early” you expressed, stepping into the kitchen. After picking up Willy seven years ago he quickly became the ship’s cook. Of course, no one ever had any complaints. He had to have been the best cook you’ve met. Anything he made turned out delicious, no matter the ingredients he was given.
“Thank goodness” he breathed out a sigh of relief, a small smile making its way back upon his features, “I’d hate to have been late again. I got distracted trying out new chocolate flavours”
“Do you really think you’ll make it to the Galeries Gormet?” You asked, pushing yourself up onto a nearby counter.
“I hope so. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do” He nodded with a sad smile, moving his hand into his pocket, pulling out small drawstring bag. He opened it, pulling out a dark brown square and dropping it into the sauce on the stove top.
“What’s that?” You asked, nodding towards the bag.
“What this? It’s chocolate” he claimed.
“Chocolate?” You gasped, your eyes widening.
“Of course. Chocolate makes everything taste better” he nodded, grabbing the wooden spoon and stirring it in. Willy turned, picking up the tea spoon again and dipping it int the sauce, blowing on it before pushing the spoon between the lips, humming to himself and nodding. He dipped the spoon in again and held it up to you.
“Go on, try it” he encouraged, feeding you the sauce. It was warm and creamy, you could taste the sweet caramelised onion. It was little tangy and salty from meat juices but they were balanced out by the bitter dark chocolate.
“It’s good right?” He asked with a small grin, moving to plate everything, the buttery mashed potatoes, sausages from the last port and veggies seasoned in thyme and garlic, all of which complimented the sauce nicely.
“Mhm, really good” you nodded with a smile. He sighed whistfully, crossing his arms over his chest.
“When we get to there, I’ll finally be able to share my chocolate creations with the world” He expressed. You smiled softly, moving to help with the plates.
“I don’t know what we’ll do without you, Willy, we’ll starve to death” you told him with a small smile. He chuckled, shaking his head.
“I’m sure you’ll be fine, anyone can cook” he said.
“No one can cook as good as you” you told him, watching as he drizzled the sauce over the food.
“It’s nothing special just… trial and error, like chocolate. Once you know what flavours do what it’s easy to mix and match” Willy explained to you, brushing off what he does as something that anyone can do. He really couldn’t see how amazing what he did was.
“Come on, it’ll get cold” Willy expressed, gesturing towards the food, “It’ll taste better warm”
You smiled, nodding, picking up a knife and fork, cutting into the meat, coating it in the sauce, letting the warm liquid coating your tongue, chewing it slowly. You let out a hum of approval, nodding.
“This really is good” you said to him, going in for another forkful. Willy leaned against the table, chin in his hand, watching you eat with sparkling eyes. As if your enjoyment was his, seeing you eat what he cooked and enjoying it was enough for him.
“I’m happy you like it” he expressed with a smile, sitting up straight and wiping his hands on a nearby towel, “I thought you’d like it, it’s similar to the food you said you’d eat back home, I tried my best to make something similar”
Your fork scraped against the china plate, glancing up at him as he cleaned up pots and pans, “really? You remembered that?”
“Of course I did. It was important to you,” Willy explained, wiping his hands on the towel again and stepping closer to you, “I wanted you to have the taste of home away from home”
It was a small thing but that mean everything to you. Cusine at home was different to what you had gotten used to on the boat, a lot of sea food and on the occasion meats from local markets by ports. The moment Willy saw the meat and potatoes he knew it would be his chance to try and replicate something you described enjoying back at home.
“It’s probably not exactly the same but at least it came out good” Willy explained.
“It’s perfect, Willy, thank you” you said, glancing at him with a soft smile, standing up and pulling him into a hug, “it taste’s better than home, Willy, because you made it”
His arms wrapped around your waist with a smile, holding you in warm the embrace, “I’m glad you think so…” he muttered, feeling you press a kiss against his cheek as you pulled away.
Chairs creaked as they were pulled closer to the table, knives and forks scraping against the plates as you both sat down to enjoy the meal together. Everything Willy made always tasted better because he poured his whole heart and soul into making people happy. Seeing people’s enjoyment whilst eating something he worked so hard to make was all he ever wanted. To share his creations with those he held dear.
