A Brewse.

A Brewse.

A sigh escaped her lips.

A mug was placed on the counter.

The smell of mint and fresh herbs weaved around her nose. The black tea brewer in the kitchen; it’s steam, hissing and colliding with Zazzory’s face like a breath in the cool air.

The mug, chipped and with indents around the rim and handle gargled as tea dispensed from the brewer.

After the tea had finished dispensing, Zazzory grabbed the handle and brought the mug to her lips. She took a sip.

Right after she finished her sip, she heard footsteps from beside her.

There, Kryrella, rubbing her head and unfolded her eyelids, came down the stairs. Her hair was reaching all over her face.

She stretched and yawned.

“Ahh…uh-good morning Zazzory…”

“Good morning, Kryrella.” Zazzory glanced to her left.

Kryrella carefully tiptoed to Zazzory. When she reached her, she wrapped her arms around Zazzory’s waist and placed her head on her back.

Zazzory’s lips smacked softly before her words flew with her breath, “How was your night?”

“Good.” Kryrella exhaled.

“That’s good. Are you thirsty? Cold?”

“…Yeah…” Kryrella’s breath rolled off Zazzory’s back.

“‘Yeah’ which one?”

“…Both…”

Zazzory took another sip. With her free hand, she rubbed Kryrella’s arms, “Really…both?”

“Yeah…” Kryrella’s cheek, flat against Zazzory’s white hair.

Zazzory tapped Kryrella’s arms, “Okay. Let me go so I can make something for you.”

“Can I not?…”

Zazzory turned over her shoulder.

Kryrella slurred her words, “…I…I’m tired.”

“Yeah so am I-you don’t see me complaining to move around and make you somethin’.”

“Yeah…you’re right. Sorry.”

“Go sit down on the couch. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”

“Mmm. Hot chocolate right?” Kryrella asked, her jaw falling open.

“As always.” Zazzory responded warmly.

“Extra sugar?” Said with her eyes closed.

“For some reason- yes.” Zazzory sipped her tea.

“Marshmallows?”

“Can’t. Don’t have any right now.”

“Aww man…sucks.” Kryrella whined.

“Gotta go to the market and get some more today.”

“’Kay. What about whipped cream?”

“No, I gotta do the same with the whipped cream too.”

“Really? Hmm…alright then…”

“Just sit down and wait okay. I promise I’ll go by the market and get some marshmallows and whipped cream.”

“Mhm.” Kryrella slowly released her arms around Zazzory. Her face sliding off of Zazzory’s back. She walked into the living room.

She placed her mug of tea down on the counter.

Pots clang as Zazzory grabbed one hanging from a rack. She opened a draw and grabbed a wooden spoon. Zazzory then turned the knob on the stove and the stove ticked on, gas whistled.

Zazzory’s eyes changed from a warm pink to a vibrant orange. She flicked her wrist and fingers and fire spat from her palm. The gas ignited and small flames burped.

She poured cold milk in the pot. The milk sat still, then simmered after a couple of minutes.

“Kryrella could use the extra practice with her Spectrumaid.” She said to herself in her head.

Zazzory then opened a cabinet above her as it creaked open and grabbed a jar full of chocolate. She opened the jar, grabbed some pieces of chocolate and snapped them apart.

She tossed the chocolate into the milk. The milk splattering on her wrists. She wiped her hands on her shirt.

The kitchen was filled with the sweet smell of warm milk and a hint of chocolate.

Kryrella, in the living room, lying on a couch, locked a pillow cushion between her legs and held another in her arms and laid her head down. She blinked in and out of sleep and listened to the pot’s simmer and quiet settling of the house.

Back in the kitchen, Zazzory grabbed salt, cinnamon and sugar.

“I’m surprised she can drink this without getting sick.” Zazzory squinted her eyes.

She stirred the contents in the pot until homogenous and brown. She took in a big whiff and added a pinch more spices.

“I forgot the chocolate syrup.” Zazzory said to herself as she turned and opened the fridge.

She pulled out a bottle of chocolate syrup and squeezed it tightly for a couple of seconds before letting go.

A bit of syrup fell on her fingers. She quickly closed the bottle and then licked her fingers.

She began to stir the pot some more. The hot chocolate began to bubble and pop. She turned the stove off.

The wooden spoon, scrapping at the bottom of the pot.

Zazzory turned and covered her face as she coughed into her elbow.

Bubbles continued to pop as the mixture boiled. The gas kept hissing. Cabinets creaked.

After letting the mixture sit for a few more seconds, she grabbed the spoon and tasted it.

“…It’s still too sweet. …Perfect…I guess… Kryrella!”

“…Mmm- yeah!?” She gently kicked her legs to wake herself up.

“Come here. Get your cup- It’s done.”

Kryrella kicked the cushion off her legs and put the other under her arm.

Zazzory paced around the kitchen. “Why do you have that?” She asked Kryrella, as she grabbed the spoon and tossed it into the sink.

“Have what?” Kryrella stood still, her eyes followed Zazzory.

“That pillow in your hand?” The sound of cabinets shut.

“The one under my arm?” Kryrella tilted her head.

Zazzory scoffed, “Yes, whatever- same same.”

“Oh. I have it because… I’m still tired.”

Zazzory tilted her head and with softened eyes, she said, “Grab your cup and go sit back down.”

Kryrella giggled lethargically. She grabbed her cup and scooped. Her cup filled to the rim. She leaned in carefully over the steaming pot.

Zazzory leaned in closer to Kryrella, “Careful. It’s hot.”

Kryrella weakly shook her head and blew against the rim. Ripples of hot chocolate form, skimming the edges of the rim. Finally, she took a sip.

“Mmm! You’re right it is hot!”

Zazzory grabbed Kryrella’s chin, her eyes, back to a warm pink, “I just told you that.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t wait. But it is delicious!” Kryrella’s face loosened as she took another sip then looked at Zazzory.

Zazzory sighed and blinked slowly, “Good, I’m glad you like it.”

“Thanks!” Kryrella’s breath landed on Zazzory’s nose.

“You’re welcome.” She swiped Kryrella’s breath away.

Kryrella had her whole upper lip over the rim and under the hot chocolate. Then she asked Zazzory, “Wait, I’m curious- what did you drink this morning?”

“Tea. As per usual.”

Kryrella gave Zazzory a sideways glance, “Why though? Why not drink something else?”

Zazzory lowered her chin, “Hm, I dunno, want some of my tea?”

“What! Eww, no. Too flavorless and herbaceous.”

Zazzory shook her head, “Well, your hot chocolate is too sweet for me.”

Kryrella placed her finger on her chin, “Hm. Okay then…what about Zevor’s coffee?”

Zazzory raised her brow and deepened her voice, “Seriously?”

Kryrella closed her eyes and rolled her lips in.

“Ooh yeah- no too bitter.”

“-No…too strong.”

Kryrella grunted in agreement. She took another sip. “Well, if you don’t mind me asking, what do you make your tea with?”

“Why do you ask?” Zazzory asked, leaning over the counter.

Kryrella leaned back and groaned, “Because! I’m kinda curious to know.”

Zazzory’s eyes widened. “Well…I…have to.”

“Why!?” Kryrella stepped back from the stove, accidentally hitting the rim of the pot, spilling some of the hot chocolate.

Zazzory looked at Kryrella and scratched her forehead, “…Mmh. My body needs this tea…because it helps me regulate my immune system.” Zazzory stood back up.

“Huh? What’d you yah mean? Like, it’s just good for you?”

Zazzory shook her head, “Mm mm, nope. I actually need it, remember?”

“Huh? I’m sorry. I don’t remember.”

Zazzory grabbed her mug, opened a drawer and a metal spoon. Her eyes shifted back to a vibrant orange and she held her mug with both her hands.

Her palms were glowing softly. The tea inside the mug began to bubble and steam.

Zazzory’s palms dimmed. She blinked and her eyes were back to a lukewarm pink. She grabbed the spoon and stirred. The clinking sound of the small silver spoon tapping the sides of the mug.

“This tea is also what helps me suppress the toxin in my body that I got from all those Overzereena’s I ate trying to fight off Gayallessee.”

Kryrella looked at her feet. A small frown cascading over her face, “Oh. Oh yeah. Right, I forgot about that.”

Zazzory wrapped her arms around her, “You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll be perfectly fine as long as I keep my health in check.”

Kryrella let her head fall on Zazzory’s chest, accidentally spilling a bit of the hot chocolate over Zazzory.

“Hey!” Zazzory scoffed and threw her hands up. The hot chocolate dripped onto the floor.

The house settled and the floor creaked.

…

Kryrella hid her lips behind the mug and said softly,

“Sorry…”