A/N: Welcome to my little Christmas AU! I found this picture online of King and Diane and just had to write something for it. I looked up Christmas/winter prompts and stumbled across the one that gave me the fuel to write this tale. PLUS Dec. 24th is Diane's birthday! She needed a little something special for it! ;) Without further ado, here's "Snow What?". Enjoy!

Snow What?

Chapter 1

She hated skiing.

She hated skiing with a passion.

Diane Taylor groaned as she realized that she was, yet again, separated from her parents.

She fidgeted with the zipper of her orange coat in her irritation as she waited for the gondola to take her up the mountain. A lock of her chocolate brown hair fell from her gray stocking cap. She shoved it back in place, not even caring how ridiculous it may look. Her amethyst eyes glanced up the cable used to transport skiers, as if expecting to see her missing parents in one of the windows.

Diane shouldn't be surprised. Her parents disappearance happened every year since she turned seventeen. It was the reason she hated skiing so much. It wasn't the skiing itself she knew. Diane liked skiing just fine. It was more or less the constant vanishing act of her parents on what was suppose to be a family vacation. Sure, it wasn't so bad that her parents wanted to spend a little time alone. No, she was perfectly okay with that. Hell, if they wanted to use her Christmas break to take a couple of days to themselves, more power to them.

She just wished they wouldn't do it on December 24th.

A.k.a. Christmas Eve.

Also a.k.a. Her birthday.

Year after year they came to this same spot at this same resort and did the same thing.

The Taylor family would arrive on the 23rd, followed up by a quick gift opening the morning of the 24th for her birthday before hitting the slopes. Her parents would stick around for a few runs and then Diane would eventually 'lose' them. If she wasn't an only child, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Then she'd at least have a sibling to keep her company.

In those first few years, the burnette would spend most of the day skiing and trying to find them. Now she knew better. She'd do two runs, just incase she ran into them, and then she'd return to the hotel. When her parents returned, they'd ask how long she'd been there and she'd lie, saying only a half hour or so.

Her parents loved her, she knew they did. Diane just wished they'd take a vacation without her if they really wanted the alone time instead of wasting her time.

"Ma'm?" The attendant called. "Are you getting in? There's plenty of room."

"Oh," Diane briskly hurried towards the gondola. "Yes, sorry."

She stepped in, quickly realizing she wasn't alone like she'd thought she would be. A man, probably in his mid to early twenties, sat on one side. He wore navy snow pants and a coat in blocks of light blue and gold. A warm looking navy plaid trapper hat rested on his head.

She took the the other side quietly. The door shut behind her. The gondolas at this resort were fairly snug, fitting about four people max.

The box lurched forward. It was quiet. Diane chanced another look at the silent man. His gold eyes stared out the window. His chin resting in his glove covered palm. From what she could see around the flaps of his hat, he had a small round nose and a light flush to his cheeks, probably from the cold. His lips were set in a thin line.

He seemed upset.

"Are you here alone?" She broached the topic cautiously.

She didn't know this man. Who was to say he'd even answer? Diane hated to admit it but she was rather desperate for conversation. This would likely be her last chance to talk to someone before heading back to the suite alone. Even if he didn't answer her, she assured herself it would be fine. At least she'd tried.

The man turned to her, a curious tilt of his head.

She bite the inside of her lip as she realized his eyes weren't gold like she'd originally thought. They were a striking amber. A shade she'd never seen before and found completely mesmerizing. Now that he was looking at her, she noticed he was extremely attractive as well. She blinked, heat rising to her cheeks as she realized she had been staring for awhile. And that he had been staring right back.

"No." He sighed after a few seconds. He pulled off his hat revealing a head of messy ginger hair. He ran a hand through it. "Just got sick of watching my little sister make out with her boyfriend everytime we got in one of these."

A disbelieving laugh slipped past her lips. "You're kidding!?"

The ginger made a face and she half worried she offended him. "Wish I was. I'm here with another couple too and well, let's just say playing fifth wheel has been a bitch." He spat sourly.

She stared at him wide eyed. Surprised by the sharpness to his words.

He looked up at her stunned expression and shifted in his seat, gaze heading back out the window. "Ah sorry. I uh…"

"Oh no. No worries." She assured him with a small smile as she moved more to the center of the car, eager to share that she wasn't having the best time either. He instantly relaxed and faced her. Their knees almost brushing. "I've kinda been feeling like an extra wheel, too. I'm here with my parents and they ditched me."

"Ouch." He grimaced in sympathy. "That may be worse. Mine was at least voluntarily." He smiled softly.

Her heart started beating faster at the sight of it.

"Ah well," she nibbled her lip as she observed the passing scenery. It was late afternoon, nearing sunset. "It's not so bad. My parents don't get to see each other that much since they have jobs that make them travel often."

"But still…" he sounded reluctant to let her excuse their disappearance away, "it's Christmas Eve..."

"And my birthday," she mumbled, not sure why she was saying so much to this man. This stranger. Why would he care that it was her birthday?

Despite her soft tone, her statement echoed in the compact car.

"What?" His expression appeared dispirited at her statement.

Which, in turn, made Diane feel even worse about saying it. The guy obviously wasn't having a great time himself thus far and sharing her gloomy story didn't help. Was she that desperate for someone to wallow in self pity with? She readied an explanation.

The car lurched to a stop and Diane fell forwards.

Her hands landed high on his thighs, face inches from his own. Her cheeks heated. From this distance, she could see the tiny freckles across the bridge of his nose. The flecks of brown mixed in with gold in his eyes that gave him that striking amber shade.

"What the hell was that?" The ginger complained as his hands rested on her shoulders to help steady her. She quickly dropped her gaze as he turned to look at her. "Uh… you alright?"

She peeked up to see his skin flushed as well. "I'm so sorry!" The brunette stood up, folding her hands behind her back. Even with the layers between their skin, she felt like they were on fire from the contact. "I didn't expect it to stop like that."

He frowned, thoughtfully as he glanced past her up the mountain. "It shouldn't have. We're only about halfway up."

Diane followed his gaze, spinning on her heel so she could see.

The gondola lurched again. Without her hands for balance, Diane found herself once more falling on the stranger's side of the car. Only this time, she landed in his lap. Her hands went to his shoulders in an attempt to steady herself.

They stared at each other.

"You hurt at all?" His brows knitted together. Amber eyes danced across her face as if searching for any sign she that she was injured.

She shook her head, unable to form words. The car lurched. His arm wrapped around her waist, keeping her firmly in place this time. Diane felt as if she was going to burst. She bit her lip, staring at the swirling amber. His adam's apple bobbed as his hand tightened on her hip.

A voice came over the speaker breaking the spell. "Apologizes folks. We seem to be having some technical difficulties. Standby."

"No shit." Diane mumbled as she scowled up at the box.

"Uh… you wanna… get off?"

Her face light up in a fierce blush. "Oh god." She scrambled back into her seat. Not as far away as she had been, their knees still brushing. "I'm sorry! It's the damn gondola, I swear!"

"I know, it's fine." He told her sincerely. She couldn't bare to check his face and see if he meant it.

A silence settled over them.

"How long do you think it'll be?" Diane attempted to break the quiet after a few minutes.

He frowned thoughtfully. "Hopefully not long."

She felt upset. He didn't like her. Not that surprising. She hadn't exactly made a good first impression by bringing up a touchy subject and fishing for sympathy. But still… Why did the idea bother her so much?

"I wouldn't want you to have to spend your birthday with me." The ginger added with a sheepish smile when she didn't respond.

Diane pursed her lips. "What's wrong with you?"

"One, I'm a stranger. Two, I'm a bitter stranger." He listed off his reasons for being a bad companion. "This vacation was initially a getaway for couples." He wrung his hands together before sighing heavily. "My girlfriend and I broke up over two months ago. Hence the reason for the bitter part."

"And you still came?" Her heart suddenly ached for him.

"My friends and little sister forced me too." He scowled as he crossed his arms over his chest and slumped back against his seat. "Why I have no fucking clue. All they've done the whole time is be sappy. If I really wanted to watch that shit I coulda stayed home and watched stupid sentimental Christmas movies or something."

No wonder he was so resentful about being the fifth wheel. He didn't want to be here at all. Seeing the others happy together probably hurt him more then he'd admit. Especially since he was suppose to be here with someone.

"I'm sorry." She placed a hand on his knee in sympathy. "That really sucks."

His lips quirked as he glanced down at her hand. "Thanks, I appreciate that but it's really not any worse than getting ditched on your birthday."

She flushed. She'd forgotten she told him that. "I'm use to it. They do this every year." The burnette shrugged, playing for nonchalance.

"That makes it worse, not better." He frowned as he studied her. As much as she enjoyed the shade of that amber, it was a bit unnerving having him look at her for so long. Like he could see all her secrets. "So what do you do when they leave you?"

"... I do a few runs and then head back to the room. Once I get there I watch cheesy christmas movies for a couple of hours until they come back. Usually it's not until late."

"Sorry for the delay folks." The same voice from earlier crackled over the speaker. "It will be about twenty minutes before we can get someone here to fix the problem. Then probably another ten for them to get it done. We apologize for the inconvenience."

Diane pushed her sleeve up to glance at her watch. It had already been a half hour. Meaning by the time it was all said and done she'd have spent an hour total stuck in a gondola with a stranger...

"Sounds like we'll be here for awhile yet." He spoke up as he stared at the speaker.

"Yeah." She wasn't nearly as disappointed with the news as she probably should have been. Diane liked talking to the ginger haired man. Even if he was a little pissy about being at the resort. "Sounds like it.

"So…" He glanced around the car. "Seeing as that's the case, um… what's your name?"

She blinked. "Oh. We haven't done that yet, have we?" She pulled off her glove and held out her hand with a bright smile. "I'm Diane."

"Harlequin." He removed his own glove and wrapped his hand around hers. His grip warm and firm against her cold one. A smile rested on his lips. "But my friends call me King, if you wanna do the same."

"King?" She tilted her head at the curious nickname. "How'd you get that?"

He shrugged easily. "King is in my last name. It started off as a joke but somehow has managed to stick over the years."

Diane hummed as she studied him. He did kind of carry himself regally. She smiled. "It fits you, I think."

"Thanks," his cheeks flushed slightly as he looked out the window. King cleared his throat and shifted in his seat, his knee brushing against hers. "Do you always just come out here with your parents?"

"Yeah. It's suppose to be a family vacation." She rolled her amethyst eyes. "I end up spending most of today alone and some of tomorrow usually."

"One hell of a family vacation." He muttered barely masking the bite to his tone. "This is our first time out here." King swiftly changed the subject before she could say anything about his comment.

Diane found she was glad for it. Not having to defend her parents to someone was a nice change of pace. Even if King still technically counted as stranger, she didn't want him to think any less of her.

"I didn't think that I'd seen you around here before." She took the easy opening to study his face once more.

"Do you usually run into people you know?" The ginger quirked a brow at her as he leaned forward.

"Not all the time, but most days I do." She nodded as she tried to move closer to him without it being noticeable. "A lot of the families come back here every year just like mine does."

"No one worth your time?"

She made a face at his question.

King quickly backtracked. "I mean that you still spend most of your time alone. You haven't found anyone you like enough to hang out with?"

"Not really." She sighed. "Most are just stuck up rich kids who can't be bothered by anyone that won't 'better' the family by talking to."

"Well... you don't seem to fall into that category." He gave her a once over, clearly wondering just where she may or may not fit.

This was a fancy resort after all. People either had the money to come here annually or saved up a lot of money to get a once and a lifetime stay here. She figured he was in that second category, maybe feeding into the reasons he was so regretful about being here. Her family came here every year. They had the money. And she was sure he could put those pieces together.

She smiled ruefully, daring him to say anything. "You caught me on a good day."

"Lucky me." King returned her smile with a chuckle. Not at all put off by her.

Diane liked his laugh.

"Wanna hear a bad joke?" She blurted out foolishly wanting to hear him laugh more.

He blinked, caught off guard by her question. "Uh… sure?"

"Why do seals swim in salt water?" She fought the flush on her cheeks as she listed the first joke that came to her mind.

His lips quirked as attempted to keep a straight face. "Why?"

"Because pepper water makes them sneeze!"

He stared at her before busting out laughing. "That's horrible!" He spoke through his chuckles.

"Let's hear one from you then." The burnette huffed as she crossed her arms and pretended to be upset. Despite being extremely pleased with his reaction.

"Corny jokes huh?" He rubbed his chin as he glanced at the ceiling.

"Have to be winter themed!" Diane insisted. No way he'd know very many.

"What kind of math do snowy owls like?"

She furrowed her brows as she thought it over. Unable to come up with something she asked, "what?"

His eyes light up. "Owlgerbra."

She bursted into a fit of giggles. "That's even worse than mine! A math joke? Really!?" Diane beamed at him, happy he was going with her silly idea of telling jokes. They both could use the laughs.

"I think they are equally horrible." He commented as he watched her with a smile. "Your turn."

"Oh, is this a game now?" She challenged him with a sly smile.

"Only if you're okay with losing." He shrugged.

She narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. Diane was competitive by nature. The ginger didn't know what he was asking for. "It is so on, King. What do you call a reindeer with no eyes?"

"Not one of Santa's hopefully."

She giggled at his response, shaking her head. "No, that's not it. 'I have no eye deer.' get it?"

"I wish I didn't." He made a face somewhere between laughter and disgust as shook his head. "Okay, how about this one. What did the seal say when it swam into a concrete wall?"

"What?"

"Dam!"

Horrible jokes continued back and forth. They only paused to watch the sunset for a few minutes. She'd caught King peeking at her more then once during that time, a curious look on his features. She wished she knew what it meant. What he had been thinking about while looking at her with such a soft expression?

The gondola started moving again. Diane hadn't been able to hide the disappointment on her face. She swore King scowled just as deeply.

When they got off the lift, ready to go their separate ways down the slope, she found herself reluctant. She didn't want to part ways. Not yet.

"Do you… wanna go down a slope together?" She stepped onto her skis anxiously. Maybe she was being too bold.

"As long as it's an easy one, sure."

Her gaze snapped up, hopeful. "Really?" She bite her lip in an attempt to contain her excitement.

The amusement in his amber gaze told her she failed.

"Yeah," King smiled softly. The expression quickly dropped as he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Just to warn you, though. I suck. Like really bad."

She giggled and his smile returned. "That's alright. I think I can manage an easy one for my last run of the night." She winked at him and he glanced away, a slight flush to his cheeks.

True to his word. King had sucked. Like really bad.

It took them twice the amount of time it should have to get down the slope. But Diane hadn't minded at all. The trip was filled with both her laughter and his own. By the time they reached the bottom, they were both breathless from their constant fits. The smiles on their faces just wouldn't quit.

She couldn't remember the last time she had so much fun skiing.

"Wow. I can't believe how long that took us!" Diane shook her head. "If my parents knew I even went down an easy one like that, they'd be pissed. Throw in that it took so long and they may disown me." She joked as she bumped her shoulder against his side as they made their way back to the lodge.

He had been taller than she thought when they were sitting down. Almost eight inches of difference between them if she had to guess. The more time they'd spent together the more attracted to him she had become. That smile of his showed up more and more the farther down the slope they got. His witty humor and snide remarks kept her on her toes and he'd stumped her her more than once with his quick wit.

It had been a few short hours with him and Diane could honestly say one thing for sure.

She liked him. A lot.

"Hey! I told you I was bad." King reiterated as he threw a hand in the air, the other carrying his skis. "This is only my second time skiing and even if it wasn't. You saw me." He gave her a flat stare. "I'm a fucking clutz."

She bubbled with laughter as she recalled the numerous times he'd fallen down.

"Ugh," he groaned as he rubbed his the back of his arm, "I'm going to be so sore tomorrow."

"Probably," she hummed. "You're not going to be doing any skiing I'm pretty sure."

"Perfectly fine with me." He assured her swiftly. "I'll sit in my room and avoid those guys for the whole day. Very happily I might add."

She shook her head. "You're such a shut in, King."

"Oh trust me, I know, Diane."

She liked it when he said her name.

They returned their equipment together and walked back to the hotel. The two paused in the lobby, glancing around the area unsurely. He seemed just as reluctant as her to say goodbye.

"Well, thanks for hanging out with me today." Diane played with a piece of her ice crusted hair. Why did she have to meet him when she looked so bad? "I… had a lot of fun."

"Me too." King nodded his head with a smile.

"Maybe I'll see you around sometime before we leave." She waved as she began to walk away.

A taste of complete dissatisfaction lingered in her mouth. She wished they could have talked more. That she'd given him her number at the very least. Why hadn't she given him her number? She liked him and now she might not see him ever again.

"Diane, wait!" He called after her before she got to far.

She bit her lip to keep from smiling. "Yeah?" She turned around.

"Uh, this may be really forward of me but um," he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, "if you don't have any plans tonight. You're more than welcome to hang out with me and my friends."

"So I can be your other wheel?" Diane teased with a wide grin. She rather liked the sound of that.

"No-no," he stuttered with a flush to his cheeks. "I didn't mean it like that. Not like your my-my date or anything like that I just…" He took a deep breath, probably to calm his nerves. "You shouldn't have to be alone on your birthday."

Her eyes widened in surprise. Now she was the one who was shy. She tugged at the edge of her jacket. "I'd love to hang out with you and your friends tonight." She beamed brightly at him, hoping the heat on her face wasn't noticeable.

"Really?" He perked up immediately.

"Yes!"

"Great! I mean," he fidgeted adorably with his zipper, trying to cover his enthusiasm. She found it incredibly enduring. "Uh how about you meet us at room 306... In an hr?"

"Okay. Hand me your phone."He did as instructed. She entered her name and number before handing it back. "There, now if something changes, you can let me know. Like," her smile dipped, "if you change your mind about me coming."

"That won't happen." King told her without an ounce of hesitation. "I want you there. And while my friends are a bit…" he made a face as he searched for the word, "eccentric. They'll welcome you right in. Don't worry."

"Okay. Should I bring something? A drink or food?" She nibbled her lip, anxious.

"No. You being there is more than enough."

She flushed, nodding her head as she began to walk up the steps.

"See ya in an hour, Diane." He waved staying firmly put as she made her exit.

"See ya, King."

Once she rounded the corner, she sprinted down the hall to get to her room. She only had an hour to get ready. Not nearly enough time to try and correct King's first impression of her appearance. Diane stepped into the room, unsurprised to find the suite empty. She beelined to the right, going for her own private quarters. A giddy excitement began to take over her as she started stripping off all her layers.

King wanted her there.

Her heart fluttered.

This birthday had already been the best one out of the past five years. Diane couldn't wait to see where the rest of the night took her.

A/N: That's it for the first chapter folks! Now, just a warning, I did write a good chunk of this in the span of... three days or so at this point. My goal is to get this all finished and out around Christmas to New years since that is when this story takes place. Not sure I'll be able to manage it the way I want, but just a heads up if you see more mistakes from me then normal. I am editing this by myself so please be kind ;) Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! The second one will hopefully be up tomorrow or Christmas Eve!

Thanks for reading!

Luv~