Family Time

Days turned to weeks and weeks to months. Between homework and keeping up with training Skylar has kept herself busy. Will and Isaac were becoming very close friends as time passed. Now they were practically inseparable. Just how she and Will used to be. The thought left a sad smile on her face. Neither of them realized it even happened until just recently. They pulled an all nighter to finish all their assigned homework for the holidays.

The twins gathered in Skylar's room to work so they didn't disturb Isaac. In between subjects they took short breaks to refill their mugs and make light conversation. Their system worked for a while until it came down to the much harder questions. Needless to say it took much longer than expected but they finished. Breathing a sigh of relief Will leans his head on his sister's shoulder.

Soft humming escaped Skylar's lips as she combs through his sandy hair. "When's the last time you and I hung out? Just the two of us?" She questions closing her blue eyes tiredly.

Will shuts his eyes thinking for a moment. "At camp, after you told me you were dating Neeks. Wow. It's really been that long..." He mutters with a slight frown.

"I guess we've just been busy." His sister shrugs nonchalantly but her tone says otherwise. She missed being around her brother. All their rooftop talks. Early morning coffee and sharing their thoughts and dreams. No interruptions.

"We should spend a day together like we used to do. Maybe go down to the lake or horseback riding. Just you and me." He smiles, his blue eyes tired but glimmering.

"I don't want to impose on your guy time with Isaac. You two seem to be getting pretty close." She smirked nudging his ribs.

Will chuckles a rosy blush dusting his cheeks. "That's entirely different. I only have one twin and that's you. Isaac will understand."

"Alright then. Pick a day and I'll be there." Skylar mumbles falling asleep on his shoulder. They woke up the next morning to Isaac and Naomi taking pictures of them. As embarrassing as it was Skylar still requested copies of each picture to put in her photo album.

Now, two days before Christmas her brother decided they should hang out. Their mother left to retrieve a mystery guest from the airport. Which she wouldn't tell who it was no matter how much they begged. Isaac stated he'd be in the attic all day painting. Skylar had to admit the guy had some talent. He's the art club's prized member at school.

"Sky let's go!" Will calls from outside her window bringing her back to the present. Two pails filled with the necessary supplies to bathe horses were in each of his hands. Leaning slightly out the window frame she informs him to head there first while she finishes another letter to Nico. Scratching a few more words onto the paper she rolls it up and ties it to Reaper's collar.

"Have a safe trip boy." Patting his head gently she waits until he vanishes into the shadows. Her and Nico exchanged notes as much as they could. Sometimes they were merely a sentence while other times as long as two pages. However the last letter she sent a few weeks ago didn't receive a reply. So she just finished another inviting Nico to the Solace household for the holidays. It would be full of cheer and lots of food for sure.

Grabbing her Lyre Skylar heads downstairs to the kitchen and grabs a pre made picnic basket. Checking the inside she makes sure everything is there and makes her way outside to help her brother. Upon entering the barn Skylar is hit with the nostalgic scent of the stables back at Camp Half-blood. It wasn't the most pleasing aroma but it reminded her of a safe place. Will stood beside a chestnut horse with a auburn mane and white speckles decorating it's muzzle. His full name was Peter Pan but most of the time he was addressed by Peter. The twins had just watched the movie before Will was given the horse hence the name. Given the red tone to the horse's mane the name stuck.

Skylar briefly greets the horse giving him a soothing rub to his neck. The horse releases a neigh nipping lightly at her hair in greeting. Laughing softly she moves to the stall beside Peter's where her beloved old friend resided. Freckles was her name and even though it's been over a year since she last saw her she was as beautiful as ever. Her coat was a rich chocolate greatly contrasting with the golden freckles adorning her hide and muzzle. Ortus was a magnificent pegasus with his sturdy build and white coat. Freckles on the other hand was a slender build yet strong in her own way. I wonder how Ortus is doing. Maybe I can call Chiron and check sometime.

"Hey old girl, I missed you." Skylar greets opening the gate and stepping inside. The horse looks at her uncertainly before slowly walking forward. Sniffing the girl's blonde hair she lets out an overjoyed neigh. Her muzzle rubs against Skylar's cheek so hard she almost topples over. Keeping her feet planted she gives the horse a few pats before leading her over to where Will was washing Peter. Quietly humming she sets to work scrubbing away all the grit and grime.

Once each horse was washed and dry the twins saddled them up leading them outside by the reins. Skylar hooks the picnic basket to one side of Freckles saddle tightening the strap on her shoulder connected to her quiver of arrows. Hopping on she grips the reins in both hands waiting for her brother. Will slung his bow over his shoulder along with his quiver mounting the back of his horse. They planned to practice down at the lake, have a picnic and enjoy the nice weather. Maybe even do a little exploring in the woods while they were at it.

Clicking her tongue Skylar nudges Freckles in her side easing her into a light run. Will follows after on Peter steadying his pace to run alongside his sister's horse. The wind whips through her hair as she urges her horse to go faster. They race all the way to the lake stopping just short of the water's edge. Jumping down from Freckle's back Skylar lets out a cheer.

"Whoo! Freckles and I still got it!" She grins sticking her tongue out at Will. The son of Apollo huffs climbing off of his horse.

"Big whoop you just have more practice since you rode around on Ortus for half the summer." He messes up her hair walking to a fallen stump a good distance away. Tacking on a target he returns to his sister's side as she summons Spitfire into her hand.

"Go easy on me Sky. Not all of us can shoot hanging upside down from a tree." Will states notching an arrow. Skylar goes to do the same but stops to watch her brother's stance instead. At first glance it wouldn't be noticeable but his form was off. His fingers pulling back the string wavered slightly and it wasn't because of the wind. Taking a deep breath he aims at the target releasing the breath along with the arrow. It cuts through the air hitting the log but missing the paper target. Shaking his head Will readies another arrow.

"Wait Will." Skylar shoulders her bow stepping over to assist her brother. She lifts his elbow up slightly and gestures to his fingers. "You're holding the string so tight your hand's shaking. Relax." He does as instructed loosening his grip and repositioning his footing. Letting the arrow fly it make a satisfied clunk imbedding itself into the target right by the bullseye. Sky blue eyes look from the target to Skylar in surprise.

His sister lets out an impressed whistle. "Well look who's been improving!" She praises getting into position. "Keep it up and you'll be able to beat Kayla's skills." Will chuckles and shakes his head at his sister. She'd never admit it to him but he wasn't the best with a bow. He was a healer not a fighter. Recently he's been wanting to change that. To do more for those around him.

They take turns firing at the target and take a break to eat lunch. Skylar lays down a yellow and white checkered blanket as Will unpacks the basket. A small plate of sandwiches, various pieces of fruit, two bottles of juice and chocolate chip cookies. Picking up two apples Skylar chucks them into the air where their horses relaxed under a shade tree. They land in the grass rolling to a stop in front of the animals that eat them gratefully.

"What made you want a twin day all of a sudden? Don't get me wrong it's great I'm just wondering is all."

"Can't I just say I missed hanging out with you and be done with it?" Skylar shoots him a look.

"No? Alright fine." Sighing Will goes into an explanation. "When we spoke that night at the beginning of winter break I realized just how much we've drifted apart since starting school. I've been hanging out with Isaac a lot and balancing basketball practice. Which basically left you own your own."

It's true she did feel like a third wheel around the boys sometimes basically confining herself to her room when not at school or attending archery practice. She chose not to say anything and learned to just deal with it over time. "I've been fine Will. We're not kids anymore I can handle being alone." She mutters taking a drink from her bottle.

"That's not my point. I just don't want you to feel I've abandoned you seeing we've basically been inseparable for as long as I can remember." Will frowns. Skylar sets her empty plate down letting out a sigh.

"Let me just say you are very sweet for being concerned. Honestly I'm happy you and Isaac have become so close. So don't worry about me. A little alone time never hurt anybody." She smiles packing up the leftover food. "It's not like we're so far away we can never see each other. That's the time when you should start worrying." Nodding at her, the son of Apollo finishes eating tossing the dirty dish back into the basket. When finished they stand beside the water taking in the scenery.

Only a few trees still had leaves. A soft rustling noise fills the area as the wind blows through the branches. Not too far away from their position is a small circle of flowers that never wilted. Isaac claimed it was from his mother Aphrodite visiting all those months ago. It was their favorite place to escape to growing up. Closing her eyes in contentment Skylar doesn't notice her brother sneaking behind her. For a split second she's airborne before plunging into the ice cold water of the glistening lake.

Gasping in surprise water fills her mouth as she struggled to gather her bearings. Kicking her legs she struggles to the surface. That's one thing she needed to work on. Swimming. Breaking through the water's surface Skylar coughs up any water in her mouth. Will knelt beside the water's edge. His expression teetering from amused to unsettled. Reaching his hand out he offers to pull his sister from the water. Grabbing onto his arm with both hands she yanks him in laughing at the sound of surprise he makes. Will resurfaces almost instantly slicking his bangs back with his hand.

"Gotcha punk!" Skylar grins.

"I should've seen that coming." The sandy blond chuckles playfully splashing her. She sends a small wave of water back at him in retaliation. This ultimately lead to the Solace twins having a full blown water battle under the afternoon sun. By the end they called a truce growing tired from all the exertion. Climbing out of the water they huddle under the picnic blanket as the cool air seeps through their clothes.

"P-probably not the best idea to take a swim in w-winter." Skylar's teeth were beginning to chatter. Will wraps an arm around his sister's shoulder sharing his body heat. "Wanna head home and make some hot chocolate?"

"Nah, I'd much rather stay out here and catch a cold." Will says sarcastically. Ruffling his sister's hair he lets her keep the blanket as they retrieve all their items. Mounting their respective horses they head home for a surprise.