Hello and Happy Monday.

Okay so here's the thing. Writing a story a day is HARD. Even with two people doing it. And I'm currently working on Wednesday's story, and the whole time limit is freaking me out. So if the posts start to get later in the day, it's probably because a story isn't finished yet and we're still working. So, yeah, just wanted to let you know that.

Also, I didn't plan to have two Solangelo stories back to back, but that's what happened, so... enjoy! (And please review)

Written by Fae.

Disclaimer: We are not Rick.

Christmas Countdown: Today is December 14. Which means 11 days until Christmas! (We're getting close people!)

Nico was stalking around camp in the snow. As per usual, Chiron had let the snow into camp. A light snowfall was coming down, a few inches on the ground. It was below freezing, but he didn't feel the cold. His black hair was tied back in a ponytail. Winter was his favorite season. Everything was either dead, dying or close to it. It was dark and cold, just like his soul.

Will, on the other hand, hated winter. He preferred sunshine and warmth to the cold, bitter vibe of winter. He hated having to give in to the dreary season every year. But even in the coldest months, he still radiated summer. He was cozy in his sunshiny cabin, until he was called for from the infirmary. So he bundled up, and headed out into the snow.

Nico hadn't seen much that cold December morning, until he saw it. A black blob, with a tuft of yellow on top. It was too far away to tell what it was, so he blended into the shadows, creeping up cautiously. The closer he got, the more it was clear. It was that stupid son of Apollo, shivering in the cold. The blonde haired boy was muttering to himself, obviously censoring the curse words he desperately wanted to use. But his positive attitude wouldn't allow it. Nico rolled his eyes at him. What was he doing out here? For all Nico knew, Will hated the cold, so why was he outside? He slipped out of the shadows and headed towards the Apollo spawn.

Will sensed Nico before he saw him. He could feel the darkness and the cold presence of the son of Hades. He didn't want to let on that he sensed him, so he continued walking. That cold feeling got stronger and stronger. Will was about to turn around when he got a freezing cold shock. Snow had been shoved down the back of his shirt! He jumped in surprise, whirling around and doing a funny dance, trying to get the annoying stuff out. He came face to face with the evil Hades spawn, who was sporting a smirk.

"I got you." Nico had said, trying his best to refrain from laughing. He stared down a furious Will.

"That was rude." Will stated plainly. He already had enough reasons to hate winter. Snow down your shirt was an unnecessary addition. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have matters to attend to." Will said, turning briskly and walking away.

"Infirmary's that way." Nico jabbed his thumb in the other direction. Will didn't even miss a beat. He turned and walked towards the infirmary. Nico rolled his eyes.

Will suddenly stopped. He turned around. "How did you know that I'm going to the infirmary?"

"Why else would Will Solace be out in the snow?" Nico asked.

Will paused to consider. He tried to say something but nothing came out. "...Whatever." He turned around and left Nico. "I don't like you anymore!" He called over his shoulder.

"I never did anyways!" Nico retorted. But that comment wasn't completely true. Even though his soul was darker than dark, Will Solace made the very center glow in an unfamiliar way. And Nico didn't like it.

Will arrived at the infirmary, just short of frost bite. He swore to himself that he would never go outside in the snow again. He'd rather live in the infirmary-seeing as it was basically his second home-for the rest of the winter than make the trip back to his cabin. He took off his layers, warming up by the heater. He switched his snow soaked shirt for a medical shirt.

"Why did you call me here?" Will asked the demigod at the desk. "It's freezing out and I don't appreciate being called out into the snow."

The demigod winced. "Yeah, sorry about that. But we've got a patient in the back. Got caught in the snowstorm." He explained.

Will huffed, but pulled back the curtain. Only to find the stupid Hades spawn chilling on the cot. He wanted to throw some choice words in his face, but refrained from doing so. Instead he took a deep breath and stared the demigod in black down.

"What's going on?" Will asked, exasperated with Nico's games.

Nico stayed expressionless. "I don't know, ask the dude out front. I was told to come here after you left." He laid down on the cot, staring at the ceiling. "So what now?"

Will crossed his arms. "Well I'm not going back out there. I'd rather bunk down here than get another fistful of snow down my back." Will shoots Nico a look as withering as a son of Apollo could give. "Thanks for that, by the way."

"No problem. It was fun." Nico replied, still not showing any emotion. He didn't look up to face the sunshine boy. He focused his gaze on a dark dot on the ceiling. 'That's me.' He thought. One dark being surrounded by light.

Will stared at the boy. It felt like hours that they stayed like that. Will was silently examining Nico, noting how he was no longer that skinny child that had been depressed so many years ago. Nico had more muscle on his bones, more color to his skin. There was great darkness inside him, but it was controlled. Nico liked to carry that depression. Nico liked to carry the trauma with him, like a trophy. It was like he was saying 'This is my hurt, and I'm proud of it. It's what makes me, me.' Will admired that. Anybody who could carry such a burden, but could control it and still live life, kudos to them. 'Kudos to Nico.' Will thought.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Nico suddenly lifted his head, looking over at Will with confusion.

Will shook his head. "Nothing." He smiled to himself, knowing that that had definitely been something.

Nico let his face go blank again and lay back down. "Bunking down here sounds better than sleeping in my vampire coffin. I'll sleep over here." Nico stated.

Will stood there, taking in that new information. "Okay, I guess I'll be in the next room over." Will waited for a response. He didn't get one. "Okay, goodnight, I guess." Will left, trying not to linger.

Nico flipped to his side, and fell asleep almost instantly. He was vaguely aware of Will leaving slowly.

Will closed the curtain to Nico's cot. He sighed, and went into the curtained off section right next to Nico's. He laid down on the cot in that section.

Will tried to go to sleep, but he just couldn't stop thinking about that annoying son of Hades. The way his hair was just long enough to tie back. The way he had gotten taller, almost to Will's height. And his obsidian black eyes, they were so mysterious, such an accurate representation of Nico. Will admitted, Nico was good looking. But he was also a pain in the gluteus maximus. 'Like when he shoved snow down my shirt.' Will thought.

Will and Nico both fell asleep. Consciously or subconsciously, thinking about the other.