Baltimore Chef Shop, Baltimore, Sunday evening 1/14

[stykera]

Stark would have been more than content with just his party last night but apparently his official birthday deserved celebration as well.

That was how he found himself at a cooking class with Summer that evening. He had suggested doing something, just the two of them, and this was where they'd ended up. At a couples' cooking class (which made sure to note that it could be for any two people) where they could learn to make Maryland Favorites including a chicken dish that involved bacon and bananas.

This was new for him. So many things still were. But he was looking forward to it and he was excited to learn something new, especially with this particular person by his side.

"I feel like I ought to apologize to Stabby," he said very softly to Summer. "For the crab cakes."

[Ginger totally-not-a-girlfriend modded with permission. NFB due to distance, alas. But, you know, they have their phones if you wanna be like that.]

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[somethingwithturquoise]

Summer, who was not nearly as concerned with this turning out well, although she had no doubt that she'd do fine with it, was taking a few pictures for...erm...posterity.

Definitely not for potential blackmail or threats, ha ha, how would that even work?

"Oh, Stark," she said, tucking away her phone again to get back to her own food prep once more, "don't blame yourself, blame the state of Maryland. Like it said on the description, it's historic."

[stykera]

"I'm not sure the state is going to apologize to anyone," Stark pointed out. "Especially for you."

He set his knife down and wiped his hands on his apron. "Should I be worried about what other banana horrors you might have in store?"

[somethingwithturquoise]

"You shouldn't ask questions you already know the answer to, Stark," Summer informed him sweetly, as she went and brushed all the things she'd been cutting aside to make room for the next thing. "But, come on, now, do you really think it can get much worse than garnishing a chicken dish with them?"

Speaking of asking questions you already knew the answer to...

[stykera]

"Of course I do," Stark said simply. "I've met you. I know how gross you can be."

There was something a bit odd about calling someone else gross when your hands were currently covered in a crab mixture as you turned it into something resembling a cake.

"I 'm trying not to think of anything you might be planning on doing to bananas."

[somethingwithturquoise]

And since Summer's hand were not as covered in crab mixture as Stark's quite yet, she was just going to reach over for one of the bananas waiting until they got to that part of that recipe, toying with it a little between her hands as she grinned over at Stark.

"How's that working out for you?" she asked, no small amount of suggestion in the question or the quirk of her eyebrow.

Although the effect might have been spoiled just a bit by the instructor of the class pointing out, with a sigh, that the bananas would not be needed for later, and that everyone might want to pay attention to this next part, it was important, and Summer, looking somewhat sheepish (but probably not sheepish enough) dutifully put the banana back and turn her attention back toward the crab cakes.

[stykera]

Stark ducked his head, trying not to look at Summer right now or think too much about bananas or any plans for after dinner.

"Not working very well," he admitted after a moment. "All I can think of is...bananas."

[somethingwithturquoise]

That reaction dissipated any sheepishness or embarrassment Summer might have felt for their little whispering sparing the ire of the instructor, a crooked grin surfacing as she lifted her chin proudly now. Not that it was, like, difficult to get Stark's attention on...bananas, but she believed it was important to celebrate even the small victories, really.

And she was going to pay attention for a moment or two and do what she was supposed to do, before leaning over a little and venturing, "Think we should put banana in some of the crab cakes? Just, like....one. To see how it turns out."

[stykera]

"I think that bananas are best for dessert," Stark shot back, still trying to keep his eye on the food in front of him.

"But today they should be saved for," and he sighed a little, "the chicken."

The instructor cleared their throat, repeatedly, before pointing out that they should all be ready to set their seafood aside and move on to the next thing. Which did not include bananas as yet. That last was delivered rather pointedly.

[somethingwithturquoise]

Summer was going to bring up the fact that they were actually for the chicken, so Stark saying so, before she could even open her mouth, and with that sigh, just had her beaming as she went to reach for the non-banana ingredients they would be needing.

"Too bad," she whispered merrily, "bananas are so good with cupcakes, otherwise I might feel a little inspired for our own class. Maybe I could think of a good way to incorporate the peel?"

[stykera]

"Please don't put peels in cupcakes," Stark said, fighting back a smile and the urge to look at her. "And certainly keep the bananas away from any shrimp. I'm sure we can come up with better ways to...use a banana."

This might be a long class for other people. But maybe also for Stark and Summer. But it was his birthday.

"We should cut the chicken," he said. "So we can start on that. It needs to bake for a while..."

[somethingwithturquoise]

And they were keeping their voices down! Summer couldn't help it if the other....pairs in the class were stiff and boring and clearly needed way more than a cooking class to spice up their love lives.

"You know," Summer stated, as she reached for the chicken dutifully to take care of it, "that that is just begging me to make banana peel shrimp cupcakes this week now."

[stykera]

Maybe those other people should consider being a little gross sometimes.

"I would never beg you for that," Stark said. It was possible begging for other things might happen later. Or maybe had already happened this morning.

"I'll just get the things ready for dipping the chicken."

[somethingwithturquoise]

And Summer was tempted to echo the narrative and ask what Stark might beg for, but, with a flick of her eyes and and a sweet smile toward the instructor, she didn't say anything and was just the paragon of a good cooking student and continued to cut the chicken.

And then, almost as an aside, she murmured over to Stark, "Shredded chicken cupcakes?"

Were you regretting this yet, Stark? Because Summer sure was appreciating the level of inspiration this class was giving her right now.

[stykera]

Regret wasn't the right word.

"Please don't do that to the poor cupcakes," he said, finally managing to look at her with a grin.

"Here, we dip it in the flour first and then the egg and then the breadcrumbs." and pretend we didn't skip the marinating it in buttermilk step dododo

"Flour and eggs are fine for cupcakes though."

[somethingwithturquoise]

It was totally just marinating in buttermilk the whole time!

"Sounds like some pretty boring cupcakes, if you ask me," said Summer, dredging the chicken like a goddamn expert, thank you, and her head tilted a little thoughtfully. "I wonder how this would work with, like, pretzel crumbs, instead of breadcrumbs. Oooooh, or, like, chips and Doritos or Cheetos with a little....herbal enhancement."

[stykera]

"I would never want to bore you."

Stark considered that. "Pretzel would be good. The others... not with the banana. Please."

He might change his mind with the addition of the herbal enhancement.

"But pretzels in cupcakes could work?"

[somethingwithturquoise]

"With a peanut butter frosting," Summer said, grinning already at the idea coming together, "and a vanilla/chocolate marble cake. Or, alternately, just a vanilla cake, but you fill it with a jam."

[stykera]

"That sounds very good and not at all horrifying," Stark said, a little suspiciously.

"Pretzels in the peanut butter frosting, maybe?"

[somethingwithturquoise]

"I am capable of making good things, too, you know," said Summer, in defiance against that suspicion, as she set aside her breaded chicken that would have bananas in it.

"But I was thinking dusted on top, like sprinkles. With a chocolate-covered pretzel garnish in the center."

[stykera]

"I know you are," Stark said fondly. "Pretzels would be a very good idea. We should try that soon."

"I look forward to seeing what you come up with. I always do."

He reached for the chicken to put into the oven, glancing at the instructor for approval.

"When do we start the cookies?"