#hereforthebrews

"I do, that's why it's sparkling apple juice. I've never been one for binge drinking on eve's day." They pause. "Night."

"I see. Thank you." The both of you take a sip. Sweet and tangy juice coats your tongue, not quite giving the bite you expect from a celebratory drink.

Perception- They've added cinnamon oil to provide more of a burning sensation.

Conceptualization- Fresh crisp apple baked with spices to build warmth in your insides, melting you heart-first. The beverage is most reminiscent of a sparkling apple cider, but it gives the impression of liquid pastry.

Conceptualization- It's not champagne. It's better.

"Fuck. You are good at your job." You smack your lips for effect. "I like this."

A laugh bubbles out of their throat and they ease it down with another sip. "Thank you. I try to be."

You sigh and swirl it around. They sigh in return. "I am grateful for it."

"What a year, huh ?"

It has been a year of whats.

Volition- A year of what you had become.

Reaction Speed- A year of what you did not expect.

Physical Instrument- A year of what you could change.

Pain Threshold- A year of what you thought you had lost forever.

Shivers- Face the wind.

A cool breeze coasts between the complex and the duplexes littering the streets. Your eyes dart over to Malachy and you notice their thin jacket. Its collar sports stitched dotted lines that lead up to their pursed lips.

The city lights glitter in their eyes like the popping firecrackers below your feet. Children squeal with delight and fear in equal measure, their parents spluttering at them to be careful while not moving from their post at the make-shift bar that was once a table decorated with ash trays and loose magazines.

Covers of celebrities are used to light the coals and their grins flicker, covered quickly by grease as a patty is slapped onto the grill.

Shivers- NOTHING IS FOREVER.

You let the shudder wrack through you before you slide closer to your companion. "Yeah, it's been a year alright."

"Mhm." He covers with the railing with his black cotton-swaddled arms, resting his head on top of them, glass dangling precariously. "Are you going to miss it ?"

Are you ? With everything that's happened, what is there to miss ?

Logic- Your job security.

Espirit de Corps- Your precinct.

Empathy- Your partner.

Electrochemistry- The access to the party pipeline.

Interfacing- Your Coupris.

Inland Empire- The part of you in traces of the world.

"I would be lying if I said no."

Drama- That is not entirely certain, sire. You do not miss the stress your lifestyle had caused you.

Pain Threshold- What it is *still* causing you.

"But, I am happy where I am. And I am glad you will be here to make me even happier." Your laugh is rough and the sandpaper of it makes goosebumps break out on Malachy's skin. "I never knew how miserable I was until I forget what caused it and faced myself from an outsider's view. You've seen the worst parts of me and still, you held onto the bright pieces that shone through.

"I don't think anyone had done that and not painted right over it. I'll always be seen as a fuck-up and a mess. All my good overshadowed by my mistakes.

"You can't blame me for thinking this will fail, too, right ? It wouldn't be the first time."

"It very well could." You flinch, but they place their hand on top of yours and squeeze. "I told you that this was a fucking stupid decision for me and it would not surprise me if it ended in a blaze. Still, I'm hoping for the best. I believe in you, Harry. You have to believe in yourself. Acknowledge your past, yes, but don't let it keep you from growing."

"I am the pinnacle of evolution."

"I will throw you off this balcony, don't test your luck."

"I will land on my feet like a leopard."

"You are *not* putting that thing back on. Absolutely not."

"New Year, New Me."

"That shite is old." You smolder. They grunt, "Harrier Du Bois, if you keep this up I will chuck it right into the bin."

"Yeesh. Okay."

You both jump as a rocket whizzes by and explodes into technicolor sparks. Adults shout and their offspring offer unintelligible apologies as more shoot into the air. A distant chime is overpowered by a shower of fireworks.

Shivers- A new age beckons.

Malachy chuckles and knocks out a cigarette from the nearly empty packet. Wordlessly, they hold it out towards you and you decline. "The second-hand is enough."

"Understood." They strike the match on the side of it and take a drag. "Happy New Year, Harry."

"Happy New Year, Malachy."

Sounds of disgust roll around in your ears and you look down at the feasting adults on the porch.

Electrochemistry- Look at that succulent meat. So tender and soft. It falls right off the bone and into their maws. You should get in on that macking action.

Your monochrome companion gives you a smile and tendrils of grey slip through their parted lips. "Well ? Come on, big boy."

Electrochemistry- Fuck. Yes.

Electrochemistry [Easy: Failure]

Your breath catches in your throat and you find your body frozen in the barrage of light and sound. You don't even notice the hand threading into the hair on your neck before you are pulled forward and onto their open mouth. Sweet nicotine coats your tongue and is cleansed by the sweep of their own.

Inland Empire- Water. Waves of it like the ocean. They whisper to you that everything will be okay now.

Waves of Emotion- This is feeling you deserve.

Half-Light- You've seen before.

Tears threaten to spill but you blink them away and blearily gaze back at your new partner. They grin.

"Welcome back, Harry."