Chapter Text
Stiles looked out as the snow tumbled gently from the cream clouds above the runway. Jackson had gone to check on their flights, but it looked as though they would be delayed, again. This wasn't unwelcome news exactly-the more time he spent in Jackson's company was good. It was Senior Year; the last they'd share together; he knew Jackson wanted to move away; Yale, Princeton, Georgetown. The East Coast. While he was staying local, well, San Fan, but that was where Scott and the rest of his friends had applied for. Jackson was different, always moving away, always wanting to be the lone wolf. The Omega with a pack.
"Here."
Stiles was jolted from his thoughts as Jackson returned, placing a steaming cup of hot chocolate in front of him. He looked up at the werewolf's handsome face, creased with an irritated frown. "Thanks." Stiles replied, wrapping his hands around the hot cup. "Are we still delayed?"
"Yeah, they're not sure if they can get the ice off the wings, or if they're going to cancel the flight." He scowled at the American Airlines counter and sat down beside Stiles. "I'm sorry."
"What for?"
"This." He shrugged, "If we had left sooner, like you said..."
"We still would be grounded here." Stiles took a sip and grinned at him. "Snow is pretty rare for California, but it'll get you in the East Coast mood!"
"Great." Jackson muttered, but he caught Stiles' expression and couldn't help but smile. "You've got a froth moustache!"
"Huh?"
"Here," Jackson lent over and kissed it off as Stiles stared at him. "Good."
"Uh..." Stiles was about to complain when the PA crackled overhead.
"Flight AA568 to Greenhurst, Colorado has been cancelled due to heavy snow-" The rest of the announcement was drowned out by the sudden rumble of discontent from the surrounding passengers-Jackson included. He stood up and Stiles joined him, pulling at his sleeve.
"Hey, Jackson? Come on, it's alright."
"No, it isn't Stiles." He grumbled, angrily. "This is ridiculous. I wanted to-"
"I know." He broke in, "I know, Jackson. But it's ok, we can just go home and have the Holiday there. I'll call my Dad, he can bring one of the Sheriff cruisers; they never get stuck in the snow."
Jackson didn't respond, just nodded gruffly. He chewed his bottom lip, feeling his carefully constructed plan for their Christmas falling away. Frowning as a sign caught his attention, Jackson wandered away from Stiles towards it.
"No, Dad, it's the weather; he's not backing out on me!" Stiles twirled around on his heel as he spoke to his father, gesturing wildly. "We're gonna be snowed in here if you don't-" He listened intently for a moment before shaking his head vigorously. "No! No, come on Dad! You don't want me to spend Christmas in a hotel room, do you?! Well, why not? Oh." He sighed, turning around again to see Jackson walking back towards him, grinning widely for some reason. "I'll call you back." Stiles hung up suddenly and frowned suspiciously at Jackson. "What?"
"So, Greenhurst might be a bust," Jackson started, one hand buried in his pocket, before bringing it out triumphantly. "But, then I had a better idea instead!"
Stiles stared at the car keys in his hand, the rental tags still on them. "What did you do, Jackson?"
"Ok, so you know that my parents have property all over Beacon County and beyond, right?"
"Right." Stiles let Jackson steer him away from the window and the snow-covered plane.
"They have this tiny little place up by Buffalo Creek in Sierra County, about three hours from here."
"And?" Stiles blinked as he realized why Jackson was grinning. "Oh, no, you, why, I,"
"C'mon Stiles! It'll be fun! Just the two of us, tucked away in the forest, no distractions, no werewolves, no crazy assassins trying to kill us all!"
"Well with such a convincing argument..." Stiles muttered. "I-"
"No, no, wait. This is the best part!" Jackson had managed to talk him all the way back through Security and towards Arrivals, grabbing their bags from the apologetic airline staff. He stopped outside the front door, "Ta Da!"
"What?"
"Over there."
"Where?"
"There!"
Stiles looked around aimlessly until Jackson grabbed his head and turned him towards the set down area. A shiny blue Jeep Wrangler was sitting outside. "You didn't..."
"Yup!" Jackson beamed at him, pressing the keys into his hand. "We're not going to fly and where we're going, you’ll need four wheel drive!" Stiles looked between him and the Jeep a few times before grinning back at him and throwing his arms around Jackson.
"Thanks! Can I...?"
"Yeah, I've already paid for everything, I, uh, actually just changed the booking."
"Wait, this was the rental you booked for Greenhurst?"
Jackson simply shrugged, enjoying the way Stiles was smiling at him.
"Awesome! Let's go then!"