Solangelo One Shots

Winter with a Sprinkle of Romance

I'm really sorry for not updating last night, I accidentally fell asleep, but here it is!

Will's POV

The freezing wind at our backs pushed us into the ski lodge and I let out a sigh of relief as I felt the warmth flood into my bones. Kayla was winding her scarf off of her neck and Austin was shimmying out of his thick jacket, shaking flakes of snow off of his shoulders. I sat in the couch by the fire place, shutting my eyes as my body sank into the soft material. Already I could feel the peace of February break melting over me, the stress of life outside of the lodge melting away. Maybe I wasn't much for skiing, maybe I would stay inside for a week while the rest of my family flew down a mountain, but that was how I liked my February break.

"I'm going to put my bag down in mine and your father's room," my mother said, crossing the room to hover over my face. "You're fine with sharing a room with Kayla and Austin as usual?" I nodded, smiling at the countless memories of the twins arguing over the top bunk while I unpacked on the other top bunk, the perks of being just over a year older. "You might want to get there soon," she said. "They're old enough to realize that you don't get special privileges because you're older." I laughed. 

"Yeah, I know," I said. "I don't mind having the bottom bunk. I'm just going to stay here for a few minutes."

"You're sure?" she laughed. "You can't complain to me when you're stuck on the bottom?" I shook my head and she gave a small laugh and soon I could hear her footsteps receding down the hallway. Soon the noise of my family was replaced by the noise of another one and I glanced up to see the Jacksons stepping in, Sally and Paul laughing together and Percy talking to a boy I didn't recognize, his black hair swept across his forehead and his fingers fidgeting at his sides. I frowned, propping myself up on my elbows to get a better look. Our family came to the lodge once a year, the same time every year. It was a tradition for us, as it was for most families so there was hardly ever an unfamiliar face walking the halls. So who was this mysterious boy who had just walked in, covered in black with questions in his eyes?

"Hey, Will!" Percy waved, his familiar grin on his face. It had been a year since I had last seen that grin, and I had missed it. "Come meet Nico. He's my friend from New York." I pushed myself up from the couch, walking over and shoving my hands in my pockets as I smiled at Nico. He smiled back but it was more reserved, as if he was showing me an inch of a personality that went on for miles. 

"Hi," he said, his voice quiet."

"Hey," I said. "You ski?"

"Not really," he said. "Percy dragged me along because he said I needed to get out more. He said it would be good for you to meet new people."

"It will be," Percy said. "You can hang out with Will while we're skiing, since you've said so many times how much you don't want to ski."

"You don't like skiing either?" Nico turned to me and I could see something flash in his eyes, something almost like hope. I shook my head.

"I'm awful," I said. "I like it better here. It's nice and warm and peaceful. I'll be here every day, if you ever want to hang out." I saw a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, showing just a tiny bit more of his personality than I had seen before.

"Thanks." 

"Come on, Nico," Percy said, tugging on his sleeve. "I have to show you our room. See you, Will!" 

"See you," I said with a small wave. I watched until they disappeared into their room, just across the hall from my usual one, until I turned back to the couch.

That night, through the sounds of snoring of my siblings on the top bunks I heard footsteps. I frowned, rolling over to see the clock reading one thirty in big, bold red letters. I swung my legs to the floor, careful not to let the old boards creek underneath my feet. I cracked the door open just in time to see Nico slipping down the hallway, his pajamas hanging off of his thin frame and black socks running up his feet. I watched him heave a sigh, sitting down on the same couch I sat down one every day here. I watched as he smiled when he realized how comfortable the material was. I grinned at his obvious happiness until he glanced over in the direction of my room and I ducked inside, shutting the door.