24 days of Christmas: Glühwein or glögg?
Couleur/Pixabay
A warm and velvety smell wafted, nestling in the curve of her smile. The first sip pushed her down a gradual descent, warmth filling her stomach.
“Glögg is… nice.” The concession was hard, she could see it in the tight corners of his eyes, glinting golden in the flickering light.
“I like the variety on offer,” she said between small sips, letting her own beverage cool. Spiralling vapour filled the air between them, rendering the surroundings blurry and ethereal. “Last year’s choice of tangerine wasn’t the best, I hate to admit. But this years cardamom is pleasant enough.”
“I like the notes of coffee. How can they do this with just wine?”
“It involves different spices and probably some port or sherry. And potatoes.” She sighed at his scandalised look. “Don’t ask.”
“But it’s always made with wine! Not, not- not some tuber!”
“You are talking about glühwein.” Nami lifted her own mug demonstratively. “You,” she nodded towards his cup, “are drinking glögg. Different things.”
“They are both warm, alcoholic drinks you enjoy during the holidays.” Law glowered at the offending receptacle, gloved hands clenched tightly around it.
“And one is made of heated, fortified wine. The other from mostly whatever you had lying around.”
Nami closed her eyes as she took another sip, relishing in the spicy notes of the glühwein tingling across her tongue. Unsurprisingly, Law was still glowering at his mug when she opened them again.
Silly man. Nami smiled as she wrapped an arm around his midriff, leaning into his warmth. The chill had intensified and soon it would be time to return to the submarine. But for now, she could enjoy a moment of piece and a warm drink.
A strong arm wrapped around her as Law pulled her against him.
“It is nice. I was just surprised. I thought ‘glögg’ was just what you called glühwein,” he said.
“So did I. And then I learned. Isn’t it nice to learn new things?”
“Yes,” Law admitted with a note of amusement in his tone. “And you teach me new things every day.”
“Happy to do so,” Nami said and burrowed further into his warmth, ignoring the cold in favour of a warm body and delightful soul.
She sighed in contentment as she took another sip.
AO3
ff.net
