Chapter Text
"You want to take me ice skating? But isn't it Christmas Eve?" It felt as though Oliver were going through a bout of deja vu, as though in some form or fashion, like he had a conversation with Arthur like this before. Just sitting in his computer chair, phone resting on his desk next to him with his cat curled up comfortably on his lap. Gentle snowfall fluttered down outside of his bedroom window as it had for the past few days, leaving nothing more than a sea of white as far as the eye could see. Snow covering the ground, rooftops, everything.
It was peaceful, this was one thing that Oliver always looked forward to come the winter if they didn't only get rain and sleet. It was the snow, especially as it looked now. It looked like the entirety of the outside was covered with soft clouds, even though he wasn't particularly fond of the cold, he and Liam had already made it outside a few times just to throw snowballs at each other. At least he had enough snow to also able to make a small snowman on the hood of his Mum's car. But ice skating? He could barely walk sometimes without tripping over his own feet, let alone trying to balance on ice skates.
"Yes, ice skating. If you are concerned about the roads, I know they have all already been salted and I just thought it would be nice to take you to the outdoor rink at Somerset House. They have a large Christmas tree in the middle of it and it is in my opinion one of the nicest rinks in London, you don't have to worry about your ticket, I will cover you for it. On top of that, if you wish to go, I have already secured us a ride there."
Arthur didn't even fully understand himself why he thought to ask Oliver if he wanted to do something like this with him, he supposed it was because it was more of a Christmas tradition of his own. Every year on Christmas Eve since he was a boy, he would go to Somerset House to skate, usually with his family and Alfred's family. This year however was different, since the Jones' family had gone back to the States to spend time with their extended family and with his own elder brothers coming home for the holidays, they didn't really want to go. At the very least, Alex did agree to take them and drop them off if Oliver said yes in exchange for some of the cookies that Arthur had been given right before they went on holiday break.
"I-It isn't as though I am really concerned about the roads or getting there or anything, it's just that I don't have any skates--"
"They provide rentals there, I can cover that too."
"I-- I can't really skate all that well though..."
"And that's alright, if you need to hold onto the wall, that's okay. Or if you want to stay with me, I can help you keep your balance." Arthur by this time was already hoping that he would actually say yes, it was the perfect night to actually go. The cool, crisp air with no wind, the snow falling outside, he knew for a fact that the tree would be lit in it's entirety to lead to a beautiful glow around the ice. The Brit had a feeling that Oliver would fully enjoy it once he actually got there, he wouldn't let him fall if he could actually help it.
"You wouldn't let me fall?"
"Of course not, why would you think that I would let you fall? After all, I am the one inviting you out so why wouldn't I make sure that you are as comfortable as possible? This is a tradition at least that I want to keep, every year my and Alfred's families would go there on Christmas Eve and we would just skate until they kicked us out. But you know that the Jones' are out at the States and no one from my family wants to go this year, so I thought I would ask you about it." Scooting to where he was sitting on the side of his bed, batting in the direction of the soft meow that followed with his shifting movements. Turning his attention toward his own cat now curled up next to him, slowly scratching at his ears in turn.
"..." Oliver fell silent for a second, pondering over the offer that Arthur had made to him. He had to admit... It did sound nice. The festivities for his family had for the most part ended with the making of the Christmas sugar cookies and fudge, one batch just for him and another for the rest of the family. He was pretty sure that Owen and Liam were by now arguing over how to decorate the gingerbread house while Christmas movies were playing in the background. Scott was likely just watching the arguing happen over a beer while his Mum and Step-Father were up in their bedroom wrapping the gifts for the family.
"Ollie? You there?"
"Oh-- Yes, sorry I'm here! Um... Sure, I will go with you. That sounds nice, besides that, I have already done my baking for the night and Liam and Owen are fighting over the gingerbread house and I am pretty sure Scott is just laughing at them." Replying with a faint smile of his own, wringing at the bottom hem of his sweater.
"Really? They are fighting over something that petty?" Arthur asked with a blink, continuing with his gentle scratching behind Biscuit's ears, earning him the low purrs that he so sought after.
"Oh you have no idea, this happens every year. Mainly since they both have a very specific vision for the gingerbread house, so every year they fight about it while Scott just laughs at them.
Though now I am curious, what's going on at your house right now?" Asking with a giggle of his own, beginning to pet at Cupcake's back all the while hearing the exasperated groan coming from the other end of the receiver.
"Oh, you know. Fighting over stupid things such as what Christmas movie is the best, who ate the last of the chex mix, or who is going to get stuck with kitchen duty after dinner tomorrow. Or who is going to get thrown out into the snow if they don't shut up in ten seconds, the normal things that you usually hear around this house every year. Alex has already said that he's gonna take us tonight so Drystan and Connor get stuck with helping with present wrapping tonight." Arthur was snickering by this point, at least he wasn't asked to stay back and do the normal grunt work that the night before the actual day usually called for. He was glad that he was being granted the tradition that loved so much, and now he was able to share it with someone else.
"What time to do I need to be ready by?" Oliver asked while he slowly began to roll in his chair, continuing with the absent-minded pets and scratching at his cat's head. Now he just had to remember to fully bundle up before Arthur and his brother planned to get there, as well as remember where he set down his ear muffs and his gloves.
"Uh... Be ready in thirty minutes? I can text you once we get there, I have to get fully bundled up myself and this will give you time to do so as well."
"I should ask, but I will let my brothers know that I am going and I can ask for forgiveness later."
"Yeah, but I think they would be more glad and relieved that you are not being as much of a shut in as you told me that you had been in the past." Arthur was of course teasing, but there was at least a kernel of truth in what he was saying. Of course it was all from what Oliver had told him as well, especially around the holidays. He wanted him to actually have a nice, memorable Christmas Eve.
"Yes, well it wasn't as though it was something that I could really help you know." Replying with a roll of his eyes and shooing Cupcake off of his lap before getting up and out of his chair to begin to rummage through his closet for his heavy coat, ear muffs, scarf, and gloves. He even began to wonder if he needed to put on a heavier sweater, or if what he was wearing was more than adequate. "Should I put on a heavy sweater?"
"I would if I were you, it is quite cold out there this evening." Arthur had gotten up off of the bed himself, phone placed on his nightstand as he began to get dressed himself to block out the cold that he knew was coming.
"Alright, I will finish getting ready and I will see you in about half and hour then?"
"Perfect, I will text you when we get there. I will see you soon, and I hope you will be prepared for a few hours of being out on the rink. I will at least get you some hot chocolate while we are there if you get too chilled."
"That sounds wonderful... See you soon." Oliver smiled as he walked over toward his phone, pressing the button to end the call. As much as he was nervous about this new ordeal, he was genuinely excited at the exact same time. While he and Arthur did do things outside of school by themselves, something about this one seemed to be different. Far more... Special.