Adventures of the Chestnut Clan

Chapter 12: Love Like Steamy Hot Chocolate

The chilly wind howled as it raced through the streets of Satan City, accelerating easily to men toppling speed in the narrow spaces between skyscrapers. Carrying frozen water crystals, it plastered sheets atop of sheets of ice onto anything upon contact, painting the cityscape a shade of pure, albeit insufferably cold white.

Such harsh natural elements didn't seemed table to exert any influence on a group of six customers dinning at well-established yet down-to-Earth restaurant; however, for they feasted and drank to their hearts content, insulated from the freezing weather not only by the fireplace present, but also the merry atmosphere. In fact, one could even argue given how animated they were chattering lively amongst themselves, the sextet was outshining even the decorative lights and melting the snow outside.

"Wow...I hafta say this has got to be the most delicious meal I've had in a really long time!" A shoulder-lengthen, raven-haired male said in between gulping down roasted pork, his mouth stained with flavor rich gravy which he quickly swept cleanly off using his tongue before any of the liquid dripped onto the floor.

"See, I told you it's good right bro?" Another man sporting shorter jet-black hair chimed in, those round, rich brown orbs reflecting his listener's pleased expression.

The one addressed as bro nodded, his hands holding onto bulging stomach, back slumping against wooden chair. "Ya...oh excuse me...ya know what heh Krillin? I couldn't agree with you more." He had to pause in the middle of sentence as a burp had surfaced from his throat.

All these comraderies elicited more smiles and words of acknowledgement, but none more passionate than from a blonde woman, whose sapphire-like eyes were irresistibly attracted to those oval, chocolate-colored pools. Clearly trying to send her loving message across, she sneaked her dainty hand underneath the table and gave Krillin's thigh a warm squeeze that nearly made him jump. "Of course Kril is right baby bro. And to think you were doubting his taste." She gave her sibling the evil stare.

"Hey relax sister dearest, I just want to make sure this place is suitable to host our families. It's my job as the responsible brother after all." He replied nonchalantly, hands still rubbing his tummy.

His corn silk-haired counterpart nearly snorted but opted instead to continue her semi-icy glare treatment. Not backing down, he responded by sticking out his tongue playfully.

"Now now you two, while I don't mind the adorable sibling banter, let's save it for another time shall we? It's not like our families get to have days off during Christmas together all the time." A fourth voice interrupted, causing the eye-dueling pair to blush despite themselves, both uttering an embarrassed "A-adorable?"

"Yes you heard that correctly Seventeen darling, adorable is what I said. You might be the top ranger with all your super human abilities but to me, you are just my adorable, cuddly hubby." The redhead stated not holding back and did what no other colleagues dared to do, that being taking her index finger to the male cyborg's cheeks and picked off a meat scrap, giving the smooth skin a teasing poke in the process.

"I...Carly, not in front of the kids!" Seventeen leaned closer to his wife and whispered in a barely audible volume, his inquisitive eyes searching for hints of understanding in those emerald pools, only to be drawn into their beauty.

By Sixteen in high heavens...what lovely...

Wait, now's that the time for that...I have a reputation to keep...

The fiery-haired woman merely gave him a playful wink before asking aloud intentionally for all to hear. "Oh common silly, Fille and Marron are both used to seeing us like this, isn't that right girls?"

"That's right mommy! Daddy's always so cute with you." Red-haired blue-eyed Fille set the half-eaten stake down on her plate and replied innocently.

"Yeah, Uncle Seventeen and Auntie Carly are really cute together, just like my mama and papa!" Marron chirped as she gazed at her parents proudly.

Hearing her daughter's remark caused the older blonde's heart to flutter, not to mention her blush intensified.

M-Marron's always been like a mirror in me and my Kril's relationship...letting us know when we were bickering or...in this case...

She didn't have time to finish her thoughts though, as the off-duty officer's hand had travelled over to her legs underneath the table cloth and began a gentle massage. Under normal circumstances, she would've gladly remained the recipient of such loving gesture, yet with the words "adorable" and "cute" plaguing her mind, this only served to deepen those tomato-colored blushes.

A sort of self-defense mechanism came online and the cyborg wife tried desperately at halting this ill-timed caress. Her deadpan look, frostier than the unabated snowstorm outside returned in full swing.

It did her little good and the near absolute-zero glare found itself submerged in pools of emotion rich and steamy brown. Like ice cubes thawing in boiling water, the pale shade soon transformed into tropical ocean blue while her face took on ever more vibrant colors.

"Marron's right you know sweetie? You might not be cuddly like Seventeen, but you are definitely my Sweeteen!" Krillin, perhaps influenced by the carefree confessions, laid down his thoughts earnestly.

"S-sh...shut up Kril!" Try sounding harsh as she might, the one known as Sweeteen could manage out a stammer at best.

Luckily for the embarrassed duo, a waitress soon came along, collecting all the dirtydishes before recommending the extended family of six their most highly rated desserts. With their minds still floaty from the flush-inducing compliments, the cyborg twins pretended to be paying extra attention when truth was no other words entered those brains.

"I'll have a trifle please." Krillin began, the husband-and-wife hand link never broken.

"One affogato for me please." Carly ordered next then shifted her focus onto Seventeen's rather blank yet pinkish complexion.

"Can I have a cassata? The fruits look so yummy!" Marron pointed excitedly at a picture of green jelly topped with apple and orange slices.

"And me and me, I want a mousse!" Fille, who was sharing a menu with her cousin, reached over and put her entire small hand on the image of a foamy white cream topped with enticing strawberry.

All eyes now rested on the artificially altered brother and sister, whose enhanced reasoning ability appeared to have malfunctioned under a flood of emotions. For Seventeen, all he could do was observing the sparkling green orbs of the redhead, entranced like it was his first time seeing them. Eighteen wasn't doing any better, her conscious seemingly sunken under the chocolate brown wormholes.

"Mocha flavored hot chocolate, please." The raven-haired cyborg regained enough sanity and ordered simply at last.

"Plain hot chocolate for me." The blonde twin muttered in catatonic state, drawing confused gasps from their beloveds.

W-what's the matter with my darling? Why waste the opportunity on an everyday drink?

With all these mouthwatering sweets available, why would sweetie go for something so plain?

The waitress was about to take her leave when Krillin called out to her, asking for a few more minutes before turning to his spouse and in-law.

"Swee...no I mean Eighteen, you sure you don't want anything fancier? How about a mixed fruit parfait? Or strawberry Sunday?" The cultured former monk raised the menu in front of her, showing slight traces of alarm.

"Y-yeah Seventeen darling, they do have meat based dessert. Why go for hot chocolate when you can have say...a meat pie?" Carly interjected too, even waving her hands worried before his blank stare.

"I-It's okay guys." Both responded in unison, their monotone garnering further concern from respective partners seeing Carly scooted closer to Seventeen whilst Krillin rubbed his thumb around Eighteen's palm.

Their pure human spouses blinked in bewilderment then said simultaneously as if coming to the best conclusion together. "We'd like four more hot chocolates please. Also, give us two empty plates. We'll probably share our desserts."

Although minor, this gesture earned the two grateful smiles along with pinker flushes.

The celebrative atmosphere returned with the serving of food, even if the cyborgs adopted much quieter demeanors. They sipped their hot chocolates while stealing glances at their partners' eyes that matched the drinks, not forgetting to occasionally sample treats offered to them. Casual chitchats ensued, with both trying to keep their families accompanied, inquiring about how the desserts tasted while obviously sidetracked.

A mini-blizzard was still descending upon the cityscape by the time they left the warm confines of the restaurant. Not missing a beat, Seventeen and Eighteen erected a near invisible force field around their families, the green and pink artificial energy merging to form a protective cover, shielding their families all the way to a rugged jeep. There, the twins occupied the front seats while their spouses took to the back with kids wrapped in warm embraces.

"So, eh, that was some great Christmas dinner wouldn't you all agree? Now what's your favorite dishes?" Krillin took it upon himself to break the silence, his emotional brown orbs travelling from Marron snuggling against his chest to Fille resting on Carly's laps before finally searching for answers from his beloved wife and brother-in-law.

His little princess's ears twitched and began, albeit drowsily. "I liked the seafood papa, especially the shrimps," she paused, briefly in deep thoughts before continuing, "I just wish they didn't have those shells."

Everyone, including her cyborg mother and uncle erupted in merry laughter.

"Marron you little imp, mama's glad you are honest but you shouldn't complain simply because it's troublesome." Eighteen turned around from her shotgun seat and gave her daughter a gentle yet stern glance.

"Sorry mama, then," The younger blonde stopped once more, her arms crossed across her chest and brows furrowing before finishing, "then I guess it's good experience."

"That's my girl." Krillin patted Marron's head, running his fingers across her blonde curls.

Marron's just like her mama...from her hair to those blue eyes...she's even inherited sweetie's determination too...

"Yup, but if you eat only pork and beef, you don't have to worry about those shells." Fille chimed in speaking her mind, her small body hiding underneath her mother's fur coat like a small chick hiding beneath mother hen.

Gasps erupted, along with Seventeen winking at his daughter through the rearview mirror.

"Fille!" Carly chided, her lips arching downward in an intentional display of contempt.

"But it's true mommy. I don't like seafood anyways so I don't have to worry about exoskeletons." The younger redhead reasoned.

"What's an exoskeleton?" Marron leaned over and asked her younger cousin curiously.

Fille wanted to answer but her mother beats her to it. "It's another term for the shell you were saying Marron. Fille knows cause she's been on tours with us."

"Oh?" Was the young blonde's initial reaction. "Well, exoskeleton or not, I like seafood better. Pork and beef can be too greasy." She declared proudly, arms on her waist and crystal clear eyes sparkling in the dark interior.

"What, no they don't." Fille retorted, her lips pouted and orbs narrower yet equally ocean blue glued onto Marron's.

"Sure they do."

"Nope, definitely not."

A small bickering ensued to which the grownups listened like music in their ears, having to occasionally hide their chuckles at the adorable girls' lively debate.

"I have to say though, that sweeteen and bro sure know how to pick their drinks." Krillin finally interrupted, stroking his chin in reminiscence of the flavor rich beverage.

Carly could only nod in agreement. "I know, it's such a simple but delicious drink. Our darlings really know their stuff."

At that moment, Eighteen silently thanked Dende high up on kami's lookout her face was facing the snowy scene ahead, that and the dim lighting hid their flushed cheeks without trying.

"I know you'd agree with my taste Car." Seventeen meanwhile stuck a thumb at himself, his chest puff, clearly pleased.

"Yeah/Yup, it's the best hot chocolate." Spawns of the cyborg twins chimed in before gazing at each other dumbfounded, unable to believe they had uttered the exact same words.

"Yeah, definitely the best without question." Krillin repeated the unanimously agreed fact merrily, his mind hazy, slowly drifting asleep due to all his energies went into digestion as did the other pure humans.

Unbeknownst to the families, Seventeen and Eighteen shared a curious look up front. The proud homemaker and Earth's special defense volunteer especially found her heart beating louder, not merely from the praises of their choice, but at how it was declared the best.

I...I wonder how might they like my hot chocolate and coffee...I mean I make those on my Kril and little imp's demand, which can be daily...

No...don't be so childish Eighteen...this isn't a competition...your family enjoyed it and that's all it matters...

Seemingly reading her thoughts or perhaps it was the twin thing at work, her younger brother chuckled slightly and laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Common sister dearest. What's with the troubled look. Don't tell me you are jealous?" He teased.

Aww sis...how cute...you just have to be their number one wife and mother don't you?

"Shut up you brat!" His blonde counterpart snapped without knowing her pouted lips had betrayed her thoughts.

"Yeah yeah, whatever you say sis." A mischievous smirk had spread across Seventeen's face. Soon, a carefree whistle rang throughout the car's interior, calming his twin.

Don't worry sister dearest, you'll soon have the chance to win back Kril and Marron's heart...

While he mused about what's to come, the cyborg couldn't help but wondered how well the mocha green fitted his favorite colleague's emerald eyes.

The sextet hurriedly settled back inside the Chestnut household's living room decorated with blinking Christmas lights. There, on the newly cleaned carpet floor, they lied down in a circle, all covered in thick blankets and awaiting the heater to take effect.

Only that wasn't fast enough, seeing Marron and Fille snuggling closer to their parents, hands shivering and grasping tightly onto the adults' limbs.

Krillin frowned at the needless suffering and, deciding his loved ones deserved immediate protection, released his life energy in the form of white, fluttering aura, engulfing all six in an impenetrable barrier of warmth. This intangible yet roaring force field was something the little gang knew all too well, but the familiarity still didn't prevent gasps of wonder.

A certain silent cyborg wife appeared the most touched of all, as she kept stealing her crush of a husband admiring looks even whilst her head perched against his broad shoulder, already doing everything to shrink their distance.

"So, who wants some hot drinks? Cause I'm sure they go along great with Krillin's ki blanket." The other cyborg suggested abruptly, his playful glance lingering briefly on his sibling's bewildered expression before collecting the eager nods across the room.

"Sounds good to me bro, here, let me warm up some...," Krillin offered without hesitation.

"No it's okay Kril, why don't you stay here and keep everyone comfortable? I'll...be back soon." Eighteen interrupted then, fighting back the irresistible urge to rest against him for eternity, departed after a peck her loved ones' near identical and adorable cheeks.

Seventeen grinned widely at his sister's display of affection and followed suit, but not forgetting to print his lips against a certain alluring redhead's.

"So I take it you want to make your trademark hot chocolate?" The brother pried once inside the kitchen, out of range from their families' accidental eavesdropping.

The sister nodded, arms crossed around her chest, body shaking slightly.

Her raven-haired counterpart could only shook his head in resignation. "By Sixteen sis, you're barely out of his reach but about to breakdown already?"

She huffed and trained those defiant eyes on him. "Said the guy crawling with goosebumps. Guess you really missed your Carly."

Seventeen's cheeks flushed as he peered down his exposed skin, fully aware of just how bone piercing cold it felt.

Wow, guess we both couldn't function properly without our human kins huh?

Seeing she had managed to get under that cocky demeanor, Eighteen flashed her bro a sly smirk reminiscing of her old self. "Common brother, let's prepare our hot chocolate and get back to them what do you say?" Her tone softened as did the sharp glare, adopting a tropical seawater shade that contrasted sharply with the numbing temperature.

"Sure thing sister dearest, let's impress them." Seventeen replied, eyes sparkling in near juvenile excitement and began rummaging through the cabins. "By the way, you do have mocha powder here right?"

"Sure do brother dearest. I'll even help you blend it into your drink so you'll have more emerald green to stare at." She affirmed to which the younger sibling took a disbelieving inhale.

"B-but how did you noti-"

"I'm your elder twin sister remember? There's nothing about you that I can't read." She cut him off in a matter-of-factly voice.

With his cool, cheeky façade nowhere to be found, all Seventeen could do was make a face before shifting his mind to more urgent tasks, the seriousness in him on full display much like his twin.

Noises of appliances soon resonated throughout the kitchen as they went to work. Using only healthy ingredients of the highest quality, the cybernetic-altered brother and sister began creating the hot drink befitting their families' demanding taste buds. There wasn't a corner of their artificial network the two didn't search for clues, as both drew upon their vast database and real-life experience.

While the rational parts of their minds worked overtime, the other side, one shaped by all the care and love showered on them, was exerting its influence on the cyborg twins' otherwise semi-rigid movements, bestowing them a touch of humanity.

This for you my Carly and little Fille, and of course Krillin and Marron...

For Artificial Human Number Seventeen, his mind was clouded by a certain lady, whose eyes could only be characterized by dazzling green gems and hair blazing flame. Recalling how they had met when he first set foot on Monster Island to how she had congratulated him upon acceptance as full-time ranger then eventually to the many adventures they've shared as inseparable couple, the formerly lonesome being, whose only backup was his sister dearest, almost knocked down a jar of milk, which he nimbly gathered.

I'd better not mess this up...she deserve the best from me...they all do...

Artificial Human Number Eighteen didn't chuckle nor make any audible noise at her brother's clumsy behavior, for her own limbs, however dexterous, wasn't mistake proof in their emotion fueled state and nearly toppled cups of cocoa powder.

It wouldn't be right making fun of brother dearest's memory of his family...oh if only she is here to see...

If only Kril is here to see...

The woman without a past and barely any clues of her identity prior to the forceful conversion recalled how, upon awakened by her kidnapper one day, was soon greeted by those whirl pools of chocolate brown. They were, as she coined it, the constant factor since her rebirth. Regardless of the situation, those kind, determined eyes never faltered. No, not when she teasingly planted that kiss after disposing of his hotheaded friends, not when the man-devouring insect cornered her and having only him to rely on, and especially not when she woke up on the lookout in full panic mode, only to be reassured by the same round, emotional orbs.

Eighteen sweetie, Eighteen babe, Eighteen honey...

Her cheeks flushed yet again.

Thanks Kril, for making my number of a name sound so...beautiful and sacred...

Back inside cozy living room, their pure human partners cuddled tightly with their fruits of love, periodically glimpsing at the crystal blue eyes both children inherited from their cyborg spouses.

Their eyes aren't artificial, Gero didn't ruin it...they were born with this color!

Marron and Fille meanwhile hadn't spoken a single word during all this time, a rather uncharacteristic behavior Krillin and Carly might add and could only surmise it had something to do with their cyborg parent. Little did they know the two girls had their ears trained for the slightest audio cues until finally, hearing the halting of all mechanical sounds, they tried breaking free of the warm embraces.

"Fille darling?" Carly asked, observing her struggling daughter.

"Marron little firefly?" Krillin was just as puzzled at the small blonde tugging at his arms.

"I want to go check on daddy!" The offspring sporting each of her parents' trademark color cried.

"And I want to go to mama. Is it okay papa?" The youngest Chestnut, whose facial features matched her father's while carrying her mother's mesmerizing hair and eye color, implored.

All the adults could do was lightly chuckle before letting go.

They arrived at the kitchen hand-in-hand and was greeted by a chaotic sight of utensils lying everywhere, not to mention traces of ingredients dripping over tabletops.

"Mama? What happened?" Marron lifted herself onto the counter for a closer look and exclaimed. It was all too unorderly for the meticulous older blonde, not to mention there were traces of brown powder on her silky golden hair.

Eighteen gave her daughter a gentle pat on her hair. "Sorry firefly, mama and uncle got too...carried away." She admitted sheepishly.

"No kidding sis, but the result should be well worth it right?" An equally disheveled Seventeen added cheekily, not forgetting to land a playful elbow on his sibling's waist.

"Ohhh!" The two girls managed out in awe, speculating the two groups of three brown and green with all their childlike curiosity, going as far as tapping the ceramic cups and enjoying the smallest ripples. They then shared a look, followed by synchronized nods.

"Mama, Uncle Seventeen, we'll help you carry the hot chocolates over." Marron announced, delivered proudly, demonstrating all her mother's stubbornness all the while flashing her father's toothy smile.

Fille on the other hand sported a very Seventeen grin, or rather a Seventeen in long curly red wig.

Obliging the spirited kids was their only option the cyborgs realized, and so they watched as the two labors of love each carried a tray with three cups back, both sharing the exact worry.

I...I sure hope they'll like what we've prepared...

In spite of great trepidation, Seventeen and Eighteen returned in haste seeing neither could bear the prospect of missing their family's initial reaction. Luckily, the girls had just done handing out steamy beverages and now sat beside an obvious empty seat reserved for the two.

"Hey what's the holdup Seventeen? It's just a drink right?" Carly teased good-naturedly, purposefully omitting her husband's messy attire.

"Eighteen sweetie, what...happened to you?" Krillin couldn't simply ignore the wary sight and asked.

"I-It's nothing Kril, j-just drink it okay?" Eighteen muttered out, her voice shaken by fiercely pounding heart.

"Yeah we are just having fun there. You guys should drink up before it gets cold though." Seventeen chimed in rather nonchalantly.

"Exactly, we are...our clothing were too dirty to join you guys."

"Yup, sister's correct. Don't want to mess up the carpet."

P-please...just drink and tell us how it tasted...

All they received were four shaking heads, that and uncompromising escorts.

"Well it's too late darling, cause now I'm just as dirty as you are." Carly pressed her head against the male cyborg's neck, letting brown and white powder staining her fiery hair while Fille hugged her father's legs.

"Besides, we can always take a bath tog...to wash off the stains." Krillin warped his arm around the female cyborg, having to hide a certain word from Marron, who was grasping her mother's chocolate colored hand.

"Well, it's good we can all gather here today. Cheers for the new year!" The former monk took the lead and announced, urging all to raise their steamy cups that touched in a ringing clink.

They all drank, seemingly in unison even if Seventeen and Eighteen merely pretended to savor their hot chocolate, their faces covered by the cup whilst eyes observing for signs of distress. For agonizing minutes, no one made so much as a noise, no throat clearing, no sneezing, no nothing. Rather, filling the soundscape were merely sipping and passage of hot chocolate down their throats. It was positively nerve wrecking as they suffered under the stifling silence.

W-well...at least they haven't put the cups down, that's good...right?

O-or maybe they are just humoring us...

The drink mixers began paying closer attention to the kids, knowing full well if any criticism was to emerge, it would undoubtedly come from their adorable yet sometimes blunt offspring.

Except nothing of that sort came from Marron and Fille's relaxed, if not tranquil expressions, not even when all lowered their cups, showing vibrant brown stained lips that would've induced giggles had it not been the uncertainty.

"Well?" Eighteen inquired, her eyes wavering.

"Well, that certainly was different." Carly responded in a faraway tone, her eyelids closed and mouth letting out a sigh.

D-different? H-how different?

The usual fearless brother and sister duo hungered for answer but couldn't muster the courage.

"Yeah, so different and unique compared to anything I've ever tasted." Krillin added as he sat there cross-legged, hands resting on his knees and emotional brown orbs half opened akin to having just woken from deep meditation.

"It tastes...it tastes so soothing...so rich...like chestnuts...just like my last name...like papa!" The younger blonde exclaimed, beaming with love.

"R-really?" Eighteen's mouth stood agape, her pale complexion regaining its rosy shade.

"Mine has a slightly sour but delicious taste daddy. How did you make this?" Baby redhead put down her two cents.

"W-well Fille darling, daddy has a special recipe that's all." Seventeen could barely hold down his excitement.

So blissful in the affirming revelation were the duo, neither noticed their spouses had appeared right beside them.

"Common Sweeteen, don't tell me you haven't savor any yourself." Krillin, whose lips were still suffused with creamy brown asked in disbelief, his emotional eyes reflecting off that steamy chocolate, enriching its visual appeal.

"Yeah Seventeen, why don't you try it and tell me how it tastes?" Carly pressed, holding the still-full cup closer to her husband's still clean lips.

A sip was all it took for the cybernetic duo to bask their consciousness in a sea of intense emotion. They consumed nonstop much like the others, feeling the immersion taking ever stronger root until as soon as they've started, there were no liquids in their cups. Yet the attack on senses didn't stop there, for the siblings without a history, only ever-changing future relived their long and arduous journey, accompanied by those present in that room. When at last those crystal blue eyes opened, they were sparkling in moisture.

"Kril?"

"Carly?"

"It's love Eighteen, enough for me to lose myself!" Krillin confessed earnestly before abruptly pressed his lips against his wife's cheek and she yelped at the transfer of not only heat but chocolate residue.

"Me too me too!"

Now overwhelmed by warm bodies of loved ones, not to mention smothered by wet lips, the twins found their face covered by delicious lip imprints.

"And that, is how we felt darlings! Nearly suffocated by your human emotions." Carly proudly declared.

However itching those loving prints were, neither considered washing them off, not until the sextet had fallen asleep cuddled together, swarmed by even more precious, life-altering beings.

A/N: This is my prompt for Day 3 of K18mas: Hot Chocolate. Here, I decided to write something less adventurous and more sensual. Do let me know how this read.

Last but not least happy reading and writing! Always a pleasure sharing with you all!