Short Story: [Emberfate] Learning Experience

Hey everyone! 

I guess this month is apparently Nathan's month, because following Nathan's selfie CG preview, we have a short story focused on Nathan for this month (and a Nathan doodle + drabble for the $30 tier later too LOL) 

As usual, this is written by Nic W and edited by me. I hope you all enjoy this story!

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In hindsight, maybe the two of you should’ve known that you were in way over your heads.

The recipe you chose together is long and complicated, requiring two trips to the store after discovering that there were some additional components needed for the sauce and the sides. Honestly, who has ever heard of half of these spices? Certainly not Nathan, or you either.

Perhaps you two should have started with a simpler dish, maybe one a family member or friend could’ve coached you through… But Nathan had reassured you that it would be fine — and an adventure for sure! Besides, while you love going to the little Mexican restaurant down the block, how nice would it be to be able to whip up your favorite enchiladas from the comfort of your own home?

You agreed with enthusiasm, thinking that it sounds like a very cute little date night activity. And Nathan was right — billions of people cooked their meals every day, and the steps and ingredients were listed right there, neat as a pin. So how hard could it possibly be?

Very hard, as it turns out.

The last light of the day is quickly fading away as you, Nathan, and all the other people in your apartment building mill about on the streets, waiting for the all-clear from the fire department.

You can sense the gazes of more than a few neighbors around you, some with varying degrees of annoyance, though a handful are more forgiving of the cooking incident and regarding you with friendly amusement.

Apologizing once again to your neighbors before heading back inside the building as the firefighters begin to leave, you and Nathan dart straight for your apartment to escape from the shame and embarrassment.

“Well, that didn’t go according to plan,” Nathan announces dryly. You laugh at the understatement as you examine the messy but thankfully intact kitchen. Only the faint lingering smell of smoke in the air and the sullen blinking of the nearby smoke detector are left to tell the tale.

“You’re right,” you admit as you bring your gaze back to his. “Perhaps we tried something too complicated for our first big cooking attempt.”

Nathan nods, lips curling up into a rueful smile. “And this is why going out to restaurants is the better option if you want a fancy meal, I guess.”

“Honestly, you’re right. It’s expensive, but it’s probably worth it for the less culinarily inclined like us.” You make a small face at Nathan. “I have no idea how anyone cooks their own meals regularly, even with less fancy recipes. Like there were two of us, and there were still too many things to do and keep track of. How does someone manage it all by themselves?”

“A good question, to be sure.” Nathan flashes you a smile in response, but it fades away quickly as he sighs. “Well, at least we tried. Guess it just isn’t meant to be. It’s back to takeout for us again, I guess.”

You can’t help but frown slightly at how quickly he turns self-defeating and writes off one failure as being the end, especially since it was his idea. Letting out a sigh, you step forward to wrap your arms around him.

“I don’t know, Nathan,” you start slowly, pausing to look for the right words as you think. “I mean, we should stop for tonight, sure. I think we’ve both had enough, and it’s getting late, but…. I don’t want to give up on the whole learning to cook idea. I mean, how much money have we wasted on ordering takeout and convenience store frozen meals this year? I don’t think it’s sustainable.”

Nathan frowns, his gaze dropping to the ground. “I guess you’re right… I can maybe ask my sister or dad if they have any good beginner recipes to share with us. We can probably try to do two or three simple homecooked meals a week to save some money.”

“I’ll admit, it’s not just for the money — I thought tonight was fun. You and me cooking together, I mean.” Your lips quirk upwards slightly. “Well, at least until we set off the fire alarm anyway.”

“I’d like to have more cooking dates, because really, what could be better? Comfortable at home, time with you, and delicious food at the end? Sounds like heaven to me.” He blinks at you in surprise, and you hesitate, your tone taking a more uncertain turn. “Unless you didn’t enjoy it just now, then we can —”

“No, no, I was having fun too! I was just worried that I’d ruined it all, since I was the one who messed up and caused the fire alarm to go off…” He ducks his head in a sheepish gesture, giving a small laugh. “But you’re right. I shouldn’t give up immediately just because of one disaster. Most people aren’t master chefs overnight. I mean, culinary school exists for a reason.”

“Culinary school…” You repeat slowly. “Nathan, that’s it! You’re a genius!”

You pull away from his arms, fishing your phone out of your pocket to search on the Internet.

“I am?” He asks, sounding baffled, quickly followed by an attempt to straighten up and own it. “Right, of course, I am! Happy to be of service.” He pauses. “What exactly did I say that was so genius again?”

“Look!” You shove the phone in his face, and he squints as he reads the page on your screen. “We may not be able to afford culinary school, but the community center does have a summer cooking class on Thursday nights, so that might be a good place to start.”

“You’re right! This is perfect! We can at least learn the basics and get a feel for cooking together as a team.” His grin grows, tinged with playful teasing. “I bet they’re really used to students setting off smoke detectors, so they can’t get too mad at us for that.”

You can’t help but laugh. “Precisely. I’m getting excited already — this will be so much fun! We’re going to learn so much and get an extra date night to look forward to each week.”

“Not true. I look forward to every night I have with you,” he says sweetly, and a blush crosses your cheek as you smack him playfully on the shoulder. “I’ll make sure I know how to make all your favorite meals — maybe breakfast in bed too? Desserts for sure as well… Hmm, so many possibilities!”

You shake your head with a giggle, the warmth in your chest matching the warmth in your cheeks. “Nathan, maybe we should start with learning how to properly make something simple like… spaghetti. Then we can talk about anything else.”

“Right,” he agrees, but he looks no less determined. “A start, but not the end.”

“Not the end,” you agree.