My Sweet, Cocoa

A burst of cold air swirled through Gabby's apartment as the door burst open. She shivered underneath her blankets, despite the gas fireplace burning merrily in the corner.

"I'm back!" Nessa cried from the doorway, forcing it closed against the winter storm. She brushed snow from her hair and set down the bag of groceries she'd been holding. "It's beautiful out there!"

"Yeah, maybe if you don't feel cold." Gabby groused. Nessa shucked her coat and boots and moved to the couch for a kiss. Gabby made an undignified squeak as Nessa's lips made contact. "You're like a giant ice cube!"

Nessa grinned, showing off pointed fangs. "Can't help it. I'll try and warm up some before the next one. But, oh, you should have seen it!" she said, moving into the kitchen and clattering around the limited counterspace. "There's so many sparkly lights out there, and they back-lit the snow, and... ah! It was just so pretty."

"I would have thought you wouldn't be capable of enjoying Christmas decorations. I mean, the whole cross thing..."

"Yeah, well, nobody's ever been repelled by the power of colored LEDs and a plastic reindeer," said Nessa over the sound of boiling water. A moment later, she came in with a steaming mug of hot cocoa that smelled incredible.

"You're not having one?"

"Can't. But, you'll drink it, and then I'll d-drink you, and you'll be all delicious and warm and chocolatey." Nessa stumbled over her words, looking down at the mug and avoiding Gabby's gaze. She gently set down the cocoa in front of Gabby's blanket nest, then put her cocoa-warmed hand in Gabby's, hesitating before nuzzling her face into Gabby's neck.

"Oh, really? Is that how the night is going to go?" Gabby arched an eyebrow and smirked at Nessa, who gave her such a wounded, pleading look she couldn't help but laugh. She reached for the mug and took a cautious sip, and the two of them cuddled together, warmed by the fire as the blizzard stormed outside.