Sat by the fire!
Porthos stoked up the fire in Athos' living room as the older man went to finish off the drinks. Aramis had gone upstairs when they arrived back, and Porthos took the moment to help Athos warm the house up. Despite the layers on layers the younger man wore, he still felt the cold deep in his bones. Right into December now, the temperature was decreasing at a rapid speed, and as much as Aramis tried to hide it, his friends all noticed his discomfort. Just as much as he noticed their efforts to make every room he entered warm.
Rubbing his hand before the fire, rather cold himself, Porthos smiled gratefully to Athos when he was offered a drink. Wrapping his hands around the mug, he inhaled the steam rising, content to sit in silence as he got warmer. Fortunately, Athos was just the right man to sit in silence with.
The arrangement was cosy, and Porthos sank into his chair comfortably. Unlike his friends, he loved winter, because it was the only time he felt really cosy. Summer was nice, but there was either too little sunshine or too much. He couldn't stand the heat, unless he had been freezing outside. That way he was able to appreciate it so much more.
"Got any marshmallows?" he asked, convincing himself he saw Athos jump as he broke the silence. Athos never jumped. But he knew what he saw.
"Hm?"
"For roastin'," he elaborated, nodding his head towards the fire.
"Oh," Athos thought a moment. "I'll check."
"You're in luck," Athos slid back into his seat, handing Porthos the full bag of marshmallows he found in the cupboard, along with a long stick. "Aramis," he answered Porthos' unasked question.
"Ah," Porthos nodded, grinning. "You not gonna 'ave one?"
Athos flicked up an eyebrow, refusing to answer such a ridiculous question.
"Suit yourself," the bigger man shrugged, content to partake in the activity alone. Aramis would be down soon enough anyway, and there was no doubt he would join in.
"Oh," the younger man took a seat across from Athos, "pass me one?"
Porthos grinned, throwing the bag of marshmallows carefully to his friend, followed by a stick. Athos glanced at the pair, but they ignored his expression of derision.
"If you had waited," Aramis sighed, focusing on sticking his marshmallow through his stick, "I could have set up my chocolate fountain."
"Forgot you 'ad that," Porthos admitted.
"You bought it for me!" Grinning, Aramis rolled his eyes fondly. "Although I know you can't resist roasting marshmallows, who was I to expect you to wait?"
"Why are you so fond of it?" Athos piped up, curiosity getting the better of him.
"Who doesn't like roasting marshmallows?" Aramis responded, "apart from scrooges?"
"My mother used to do it with me," Porthos smiled sadly, removing his melting marshmallow from the flames. "We didn't get to do a lot of things together because she was working most of the time, trying to just pay rent. But every winter, she would treat me, and we would roast marshmallows together."
"I see," Athos shuffled in his seat, unprepared for the deep meaning behind the activity. "It is nice that you can carry it on, now."
"Yeah," Porthos nodded, smile widening a little. "It's the one time that really reminds me of her. That's why I love winter."