Through the Ice ― Nico di Angelo & Will Solace

―x. tofu lo mein vs. mac & cheese

THE MORNING BROUGHT A BLIZZARD. Despite clear skies the night before, sheets of snow raced past the windows in Will's living room when Isaac woke, blinding as they reflected the morning sunlight.

It took a few moments for Isaac to gather his bearings, and when he realized where he was, he sat up sharply. Will, whose shoulder Isaac had been using as a pillow for gods knew how long, stirred at the sudden movement. A glance to his right told Isaac Nico had been the first awake, and he'd already risen for the day.

"Morning."

Isaac jumped at Nico's sudden appearance, whipping his head toward the doorway that led into the kitchen. The son of Hades was sipping from a steaming mug of what smelled like coffee, leaning against the doorframe in a way that made Isaac wonder how long he'd been standing there.

Embarrassed at having been caught sleeping with his head on Nico's boyfriend's shoulder, Isaac cleared his throat and tried to will his cheeks to cool. "Morning."

"What time is it?" Will asked around a yawn.

"Little after ten," Nico answered. He pointed to the window. "It's snowing."

Will pouted-like, actually pouted, his bottom lip jutting out unhappily. Isaac was going to lose his mind. "Aw, I was gonna show Isaac my local skatepark before we went after the flower."

"It's not like you can never bring him back to Texas," Nico said.

"Wait, you're right!" Will, suddenly far too awake, turned wide, imploring eyes on Isaac. "What are you doing for spring break? We can all come back and stay with my mom! She should be back from Europe by April!"

Isaac blinked, startled. "Wha-?"

"Let's worry about the plans later," Nico suggested. "We should probably get on with-whatever's going on out there." He waved an explanatory hand toward the window.

Will frowned. "It was nice last night," he said. "Why do y'all think it started snowing all of a sudden?"

"Maybe the storms get bigger the longer the flowers are planted?" Nico suggested. "No clue. All I know is we should probably get to plucking the stupid thing."

Will let out a heavy sigh. "You're probably right. But-breakfast and coffee first."

❆

As it turned out, toaster strudels and black coffee were perfect fuel to take down a rowdy snow monster-though, that didn't mean they weren't exhausted by the end of it.

"Is it just me or was this one faster?" Isaac panted as he tried to catch his breath, leaning heavily on his gladius.

"Definitely faster," Will said. "And louder. My ears are still ringing."

"Storm's dying fast," Nico pointed out, kicking up a spot of slush that had been powdery snow mere moments ago. "That makes six flowers-only two more left."

"Louisiana and Florida," Will recalled. "Anyone else kind of nervous that the last flower's in Florida of all places?"

"Maybe the final boss will be Florida Man instead of a snow monster," Isaac suggested half-hopefully.

Will shuddered dramatically. "I think that would actually be worse." He slung his bow over his shoulder and shook melting snow out of his hair. "Anyone that can keep an alligator as a pet is not someone to be underestimated."

"Fair enough," Isaac conceded. He shook out his left foot, watching the sole of his boot flap in the breeze. "Shit. Think we have time to make a pitstop at the mall? Pretty sure it's ill-advised to fight monsters with broken shoes."