342 - Foodist, I am the City, MFU

[spikesgirl58.livejournal.com]

Title: I am the City
Rating:  mild R
Author:  Spikesgirl58
Pairing: Napoleon/Illya
Word Count: 3,400
Prompt:  342 - Foodist
Fandom:  Man from UNCLE
Genre: Slash
Beta (s):  Sparky955, Grey53
Disclaimer:  Don't own them, wish I did
Summary:  a critic is determined to take Chef down.  Napoleon is just as determined that he isn't.
Notes:  Link takes you to AO3

Illya stood in front of the stove and tried to ignore the nagging feeling in the back of his head.  It was stupid.  He knew his craft as well as any chef.  He knew what he could do and he knew to trust his instincts.  Illya also knew that he set the atmosphere for the kitchen.  If he was stressed out, it would upset the delicate balance of his employees.

“You okay, Cara?” Matt murmured as he carried a stock pot of court bouillon to the burner.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Illya tipped his sauté pan slightly and the alcohol he was heating flamed.    He shook the pan until the flame went out and touched the piece of lamb.  Perfect.  He grabbed tongs and placed the rack on a cutting board.  It would have to rest for a few minutes before he carve it.

“With that food guy coming, I thought you might be preoccupato.”  Matt reached for a towel to use as an improvised potholder.  He pulled a prosciutto-wrapped beef tenderloin from the oven and tested it in a manner similar to Illya’s.

n the meantime, Illya reached for his next order, caramelized coriander duck breast. “I need two orders of duck!” he shouted over the din of the kitchen.

“Yes, Chef!”

“Like say asking for two orders of duck when the order is for one?  That sort of preoccupato.”  Matt repressed a grin.