A/N: Thank you for reading and reviewing! Sorry that I didn't post a one-shot yesterday but I've posted all my pre-written chapters and have only just had the chance to finish this. Can't guarantee if I will update everyday from now as I'm busy and don't have much time to write but I'll try. This one is Connie/Rita, sorry it's so short. X
~Mini Peacelet~
Wintry Advent
14. Hot Chocolate
Rita sleepily shuffled into the kitchen whilst rubbing her eyes and scuffing her fluffy slippers against the polished wood floor, following the rich scent of chocolate and propping herself against the kitchen counter lazily, focusing her attention on her partner who was making a mug of hot chocolate. "What are you doing?"
The brunette jumped with a start, pirouetting sharply on her toes to perceive the nurse who had mutedly appeared in the kitchen alongside her, "Making hot chocolate." She stated sincerely, "I thought you were asleep?" She inquired as she diverted her concentration back to her mug, stirring the piled teaspoons of cocoa powder into the boiled water.
"I was." She clarified with a petite nod, "But I got woken up by the smell of chocolate. Because you know just how much I love chocolate, whatever the form." A microscopic smirk graced her lips as she stuffed her hands into the pocket of her oversized hoodie after raking them through her tousled hair.
The clinical lead rolled her dark orbs dramatically, "Yes, we all know how much you love chocolate. You even named your - our - poor cat Chocolate." She still disapproved and loathed the name for the tabby feline they had adopted some months ago, considering it not to be a proper name nor all that practical.
"Chocolate Caramel, actually." The blonde corrected conceitedly, reminiscing how she had originally named the kitten Chocolate and then added Caramel to the name because of her streaks of mid-tone and lighter browns that swirled through her coat that purely reminded her of melting chocolate and caramel together in a pan over the stove.
"Whatever," Connie muttered as she pursed her lips together momentarily, her eyelids slowing opening and closing, "Do you want a hot chocolate?"
The aspiring nurse nodded, an adequate response, and watched observantly before her dazzling blue eyes expanded in abhorrence, eyebrows almost vanishing into her hair as they shot upwards promptly, "What are you doing?!" She exclaimed in repulsion, "That is not how you make hot chocolate. Not properly. No. No. And no."
A perplexed frown refined the former heart surgeon's features, "What do you mean?" She endeavoured; demanding to know exactly what she was doing incorrectly - she had added three heaped teaspoons of their finest cocoa powders into a mug, added boiling water and was mixing it together.
"That is not the right way to make hot chocolate." She repeated and drifted past Connie, "This is the correct way to make hot chocolate, watch and learn." She instructed whilst opening the cupboard that contained the pots and pans, then positioning a small saucepan on the hob and turned on the heat. She poured an adequate amount of semi-skimmed milk into the pan and stirred a spoon around as the white liquid heated gently. When she was satisfied that the milk was nearly warm enough she added some Cadbury's hot chocolate and whisked it into the milk.
With precision, she used a soup ladle to pour the chocolatey beverage into two mugs, swatting her lover's hand away when she attempted to pinch a mug, "It's not ready yet!" She acquired the bottle of squirty cream from the fridge and began whipping it around the top of the drinks, then dropping a generous quantity of jumbo marshmallows on top and sprinkled chocolate flakes, "That is how you make a hot chocolate."
The brunette observed the hot drink, "My method is so much quicker, and simpler." She argued as she lifted the mug into her hands, inhaling the rich and sweet aroma.
"You can put the milk in a mug and put it in the microwave to heat the milk instead, that's quicker." Rita smiled smugly as she ingested a sip, the tip of her nose becoming coated with a blob of cream which caused the leading consultant to giggle helplessly, wiping the smudge of whipped cream from her nose.
"It's good, I guess." She was trying not to sound too enthusiastic at her girlfriend's creation, loathing to admit that Rita's hot chocolate was tasty than her own, capturing that rustic, chocolatey flavour better.
"Just good?!" The blonde's orbs widened in horror again, mirrored in her tone, "Come on, it's better than good." She scoffed, almost offended by the compliment.
"Very good." Connie corrected herself bluntly and deposited the mug on the counter, poking at the cream with a spoon as the hot liquid gradually melted it.
"Just admit it, it's better than yours. It's a proper hot chocolate."
Reluctantly, through gritted teeth, Connie confessed and agreed with a nod, "Fine. Yes, it is." She huffed and stubbornly folded her arms across her chest.
Rita beamed a massive grin, "Yes! I knew it!"