10. Hot Choco

It had become cold quickly and now, the forest was wrapped into a white blanket of snow. Snorre was glad to be finally back to full health, but he was also a bit sad that his journey to Aerius's south was off the table. Of course he was going to keep this sadness to himself, knowing that Momme and Frauke were overjoyed to spent the winter together with him for once.

He stepped away from the window and the wintery scenery it presented, and as he opened the door to the central staircase of the tower, he sensed a peculiar smell. It was sweet and slightly chocolaty. Curiously, he followed his nose down to the kitchen.

"Good evening!", Momme greeted him with an excited voice. His usually white face had turned pale pink, and he didn't move towards his boyfriend to hug him, but immediately turned his attention back to the stove, stirring a pot. 

"Sit down, we're having something special", he announced and Snorre did as he was told, curious about what was going on. There were three mugs on the table, a bowl of whipped cream, another containing marshmallows, and a third one with cocoa powder.

Frauke entered the kitchen, her face equally pink as Momme's. 

"Good evening ", she greeted Snorre, hugging him from behind. Her skin felt sightly cold.

"You've been busy", Snorre remarked. Frauke flopped down on the chair opposite of him.

"We've freed the roof from snow", she said.

"Has it snowed that much already?"

"A few centimeters, but I don't want to take any chances", Momme replied, taking the pot from the stove and turning towards the mugs. He poured the sweet and thick brown liquid into all three of them, and Frauke quickly added in marshmallows, a thick layer of whipped cream, and some sprinkled on cocoa on top of everything, while Momme put down the pot next to the stove and sat down next to Snorre, letting out a happy sigh.

"Nothing beats a cup of hot choco after a day of work", he announced happily.

Snorre took his mug. It was warm against his hands and the drink was some of the sweetest tastes he had ever experienced. It was also surprisingly sating.

"It's one of the best parts of winter - hot choco after dealing with the first snow", Frauke hummed.

"So that's why you were so eager to free the roof", Snorre smiled.

"It's a tradition!" Momme said, but the deepening pink on his face betrayed him.