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It was simple. The recipe had only 3 ingredients and just as many steps. Riddle had laid out the cacao butter and powder along with the salt. He had the spatula and the mold; silicone had been recommended by the recipe. And after some researching what size exactly a “medium saucepan” was had obtained both that and a stainless-steel bowl for his double boiler.
Simple.
Or at least it was supposed to be. But how many inches of water was “a few”? Looking that up didn't help much. The definition seeming vague at best and flexible at worst. The water wasn't supposed to touch the bottom of the bowl but that was the only specification he had.
“Up past curfew?” Riddle’s head snapped up, but it was only Trey in the doorway looking amused. “Floyd must be a bad influence.”
Riddle wrinkled his nose, looking back at his work sanctioned spot on the counter of the dorm kitchen and decidedly not at the clock. “Definitely.” But the word had no bite to it.
Trey stepped further into the room, looking over Riddle’s assortment of tools and ingredients. “Would you like some help?”
“I'm supposed to do it myself.” Riddle asserted, frowning pointedly at the water in the bottom of the pan. “The rules indicate that the chocolates should be handmade by the gifter.”
“Doesn't sound like there's anything against me giving some advice then.” And with that the taller boy slipped into a chair on the other side of the counter. “Based on the size of your bowl that much water should be fine.”
And just that assurance had Riddle’s shoulders slumping a little in relief. So, he let Trey guide him through the, frustratingly vague, directions for his simple dark chocolate.
He was so concentrated on the task, following his vice housewarden’s guide through the motions of the chocolate making that he didn’t even think to be embarrassed until he'd tucked the tray with the mold for the little heart shaped chocolates into the fridge to set.
“No point in getting worked up about it now.” Trey chuckled, which only had Riddle’s cheeks heating more.
Instead of addressing his current state he simply muttered, “If Ace eats even one of them it'll be off with his head for good.”
“Of course.”
Riddle puffed his cheeks out, at Trey's fond amusement. “Now, it is well past time for the both of us to be asleep. Goodnight, Trey.”
“Goodnight, Riddle.” Trey made no move to rise from his chair and Riddle gave him a bit of a look but decided he could let it be for tonight. After all, maybe Trey had his own late-night chocolates to make. He couldn't very well scold him for that after being up so late himself.
~~~
Riddle cleared his throat. Floyd looked over his shoulder, straightening up just a touch, a smile carving its way onto his face. Jade hid his own smile poorly behind his hand, his knowing look already making Riddle want to turn tail and retreat from this endeavor, but he held firm. “Might I borrow Floyd for a moment?”
“Of course.” Jade purred. “Don't be too late for your shift, Floyd.”
Floyd waved Jade off with a nonchalant hand, turning to properly face Riddle. “Wassup, Goldfishie?”
“May we speak somewhere more, private?” Riddle was aware of the state he must look in, surely red in the face if Floyd’s expression said anything, and poorly concealing a baggie behind his back like some small child.
“Sure thing, Goldfishie. Come on.” And without waiting Floyd sauntered off in a direction as though he already had somewhere in mind.
Riddle supposed he must have, or perhaps more likely it was simply one of his whims behind the wheel as usual, when he confidently took them off to some emptier corner of campus as if he knew the exact route by heart. All that meant really though was that all too soon, Riddle’s request had been granted and thus he had to pluck up the courage to actually hand over the bag.
Floyd plopped himself down onto the low stone wall nearby their spot and patted the space next to him. Riddle joined him, decidedly ignoring the impish grin on the merman's face.
“I um-” Riddle cleared his throat, checking to make sure that his posture wasn't stooped, and then he repeated himself, this time speaking more clearly. “I made you something. I don't know if they're any good. But, well- here.” He stumbled, his manners failing him in the end as he thrust his full hand out.
The weight of the bag lifted, and Riddle could hear it crinkle as Floyd surely dug into it. “For me?” The interested uptick in Floyd’s voice was anything but unexpected and yet it had Riddle peeking over to warlock as the taller boy stuck one of the little chocolate hearts into his mouth and chewed. “Bitter.” The next word came just a moment later.
Riddle flushed; he knew this was a bad idea. Even with Trey directing him he'd made a mess of his gift and-
Suddenly Riddle was encased in a tight hold, pressed to Floyd’s chest. “Don't pout, Goldfishie! You made it right? So, it's the best chocolate!” Floyd was rubbing his chin over the top of Riddle’s hair, more like a cat or something than the eel he was. But before Riddle could properly swat him away or reprimand him, he felt himself be pulled from his seat.
“Floyd!” He yelped as they toppled from their seats. Riddle landed on top of Floyd but worry had him scrambling to sit up. “Floyd, are you okay? You didn't hit your head, or anything did you?” Between his hands though, Floyd only grinned up at him in that stupid way that made Riddle’s stomach flutter. He stood and brushed himself off.
“Goldfish. Here.” Riddle found his wrist caught and something pressed into his palm. “Made you one too. Happy Valentines.”
Riddle looked down, accepting the box and opening it to find a slightly worse for wear confection. “Happy Valentine's Day.” He murmured back. He broke a piece off of the single large pink chocolate, ignoring his brain commenting on the unknown ingredients and therefore nutritional information, and he slipped it into his own mouth. “White chocolate?” Riddle said after the bite of creamy sweetness was all the way down.
Floyd just gave an affirmative nod.
“Thank you, Floyd.”
Floyd sat up on the ground. “You can thank me with a kiss.”
Riddle shook his head. “Sevens.” But with a roll of his eyes, he leaned in and gave Floyd a little peck to his lips.
“Love you too.” Floyd hummed, looking pleased as a peach at today's events. “So, red.”
“Shut up.” Riddle grumbled, holding out a hand to help haul Floyd to his feet, despite the fact that he knew from experience that really, he wasn't doing much of anything to help. Still the little tug of Floyd’s hand in his was nice.