Chapter Text
The metal bench swung slightly as Elliot dropped onto it, his skis clanking awkwardly. He adjusted his gloves, squinting up at the pale sun fighting through the cloud cover.
Just as the lift started to jolt upwards, someone else scrambled into the seat beside him — a boy, maybe a year younger, his blond hair poking out from under a navy beanie.
"Hi," the boy said, a little breathless, his accent clipped and careful.
Elliot nodded. "Hey."
Silence stretched out between them, filled only by the mechanical hum of the lift. Elliot glanced sideways. The boy was fumbling with his goggles, clearly annoyed with the mist gathering inside them.
"Foggy already?" Elliot asked, surprising himself.
The boy smiled, sheepish. "Ja—yes. Always happens to me."
Elliot grinned a little. "Maybe it's you. Bad luck charm."
The boy laughed — not a polite laugh, but a real one. Something about it warmed Elliot's chest against the cold air.
"I'm Noah," the boy said after a moment.
"Elliot. Manchester," Elliot offered, for some reason thinking nationalities were the thing to exchange.
"Aachen. Germany," Noah replied, like it was a game.
The lift climbed higher, swinging a little over a drop that made Elliot's stomach flutter — or maybe that was something else. He wasn't sure.
"You ski good?" Noah asked, his English a little broken but charming.
Elliot smirked. "Terrible. I'll probably crash halfway down. You?"
Noah shrugged, a twinkle in his eye. "We will crash together then."
Elliot laughed, real and full, for the first time in days.