Work Text:
CS Winter Bingo
Mixed Up Gifts
“Killian Jones, get your bony ass into my kitchen.”
Killian had barely walked into Granny's to collect the lunch order, all be it for the seventh time in as many days. He should have realized that this would have drawn the suspicion of the wise older woman whose kitchen he was now standing in. As he tried not to shrink under her glare - one that would have rivalled his own back in the days of piracy - she began to talk.
“The folks who these scarves are for are very lucky people. The wool you found is gorgeous. It was great to knit with. Where did you find it?” Granny asked the younger man.
Killian let out the breath he was holding. “Agrabah. Emma and I took a trip there just after Thanksgiving to see Ali and Yasmin. As soon as I saw them in the markets there I knew they were the ones to get.”
“Well you've got good taste. I've got two scarves and matching hats fully finished, and I'll be done with the last couple of gifts in the next few days. You can stop checking up on me. I would like to see your wife again, and I'm sure she'd like to have the trip out to collect lunch tomorrow.” Granny raised her eyebrows in acknowledgement of what he'd been doing for the last week.
“That obvious, huh?” Killian chuckled.
“Yes, now get out of here before the gossip wheel starts up. I'll only keep them at bay for so long.” Granny ushered him out of her kitchen back towards the restaurant.
Killian guffawed as he left the kitchen, collected the lunch bags and headed back to the station to see Emma.
>>><<
It only took Granny a couple more days to finish the gifts that Killian had commissioned her to make. He'd proven time and time again that he was no longer the pirate that had been feared by many back in the Enchanted Forest. These Christmas gifts only went to show just how much.
When the Joneses entered her eating establishment she greeted them in her usual manner. “Your usuals?”
They nodded their ascent and she pointed out that she'd kept the back booth reserved for them. After they took their seats whilst the food and drinks were being prepared, she presented Killian with the bag of the completed Christmas presents.
“Thank you, Granny. I really appreciate what you've done for me.”
“The pleasure was all mine, Jones.” She walked away to finish cooking the lunch orders before he'd had a chance to respond.
“I need to get her a gift to show her how much I appreciate everything she does for us all.”
Emma took hold of his hand. “That sounds lovely, Killian. What did you have in mind?”
Killian thought for a moment before whispering, “Can you enchant a new quiver for her to use with her crossbow?”
“I can certainly manage to do that,” Emma whispered back, a conspiratorial smile on her face.
>>><<<
Over the days that followed, Killian attempted to wrap the gifts. However, he failed miserably, much to his frustration. He chucked the badly wrapped present as far as he could throw it, and then looked up with a start when a surprised squeal came from the doorway.
“Would you like some help there, mate?” David asked once his heart rate had returned to a more normal level.
“I think I need it,” Killian admitted. “I’d forgotten how hard it was to wrap presents with one hand.”
“Well now we have three. I can't promise they'll be show stopping, but I can promise to get you out of this funk. Now let's start with a Christmas drink and then we'll get started.” David patted his friend on the back.
A few drinks later they merrily made their way back to the station where the gifts waited to be wrapped.
The men had a jolly time wrapping up the well thought out handmade gifts. However when they finished wrapping the last one they turned to look at each other and their smiles soon left.
“Shit!” they said simultaneously.
The small pile of gifts was half decently wrapped, but being half cut on rum, Killian and his father-in-law had forgotten to label them.
“I'm just going to have to guess, aren't I?” Killian pondered.
David agreed and handed Killian the labels.
>>><<<
On Christmas Eve the town met at Granny's for a Yuletide drink.
Killian made his way towards the Christmas tree, which was situated at the back of the diner. There he placed his gifts, then went back to the main restaurant where he joined the rest of his family.
When the rest of the town had arrived and everyone had a drink and finished enjoying the canopies, it was time for people to get their gifts. And, as had become a tradition over the years, the younger members of Storybrooke would hand them to the older residents. They in turn sipped their Christmas cocktails and waited their turn to receive a present.
All of a sudden a gruff shout came from a corner of the diner. “What the hell? Are you having a laugh, Jones?”
Meanwhile, from elsewhere, another disgruntled voice sounded. “Really, Hook?”
A wide eyed Killian looked at Emma in panic. “What do I do? I wanted to do a good thing but I messed it up when your father and I had too much to drink. We forgot who the gifts were for so we guessed.”
“Ok, but you know who should have had what, right?”
“Aye, love.” He told her which scarf belonged to which giftee.
Emma first took the present back from Regina, explaining briefly the situation. She then handed this scarf and hat set across to Leroy.
Once he realised what had happened, and what Hook had done for him, Grumpy went to find Hook. “I suppose I should say thank you. It actually means a lot that you did this.”
“Speak nothing of it. Think of it as a thank you for all those times you've helped us out over the years.”
“I really appreciate it, thank you.”
Regina too was pleased to receive a Christmas present from her former adversary, even if he managed to screw it up.
The one gift of his that made it to the correct recipient was the one that had been commissioned for Granny herself.
Killian took the quiver from Emma and made his way to the counter where Granny herself was making drinks for everyone. He took her to one side and tapped a glass to get the attention of everyone gathered there. “Granny, you've always been so good to us all. Now, I know my gifting this evening hasn't gone as smoothly as I had planned.” He noticed David turning red as Emma glared at him. “However, this one here is definitely for you. It's not only a celebratory gift for the season, but also our way of saying thank you to you. You've knitted all our childrens’ baby blankets, looked after us all over the years, and kept us fed. Happy Christmas, Granny.” He kissed her cheek and handed her the enchanted quiver.
The people of Storybrooke gave them both a rapturous round of applause.
Killian made his way back to Emma. “Happy Christmas, my love.” He greeted her with a kiss, now feeling more relaxed.
“Happy Christmas, Killian.”