The last minutes of the year ticked away quietly inside the mansion, the world beyond its walls hushed beneath winter’s hold. The clocks chimed softly in distant rooms, their sound echoing faintly through the halls. Gabriella stood close to Laith near the hearth, the fire casting a gentle glow across their features. She could feel the moment approaching not loud or celebratory, but intimate, shared only between them. As the final chime rang out, she looked up at Laith, her breath catching just slightly. A smile curved her lips, warm and genuine, her eyes shining with something hopeful. Without a word, she rose onto her toes and reached for them, one hand curling into the fabric at their chest as she leaned in. Her lips met theirs in a slow, tender kiss: unhurried, full of meaning. It wasn’t about fireworks or noise or the world beyond the mansion walls. It was about this: the quiet promise of another year together. When she pulled back, she rested her forehead against theirs for a moment, eyes closed, savoring the warmth and closeness. The fire crackled softly behind them, marking the passage of time far more gently than any countdown ever could. The witch smiled, thumb brushing lightly against Laith’s hand. “Happy New Year,” she whispered, her voice filled with affection, like a wish, a blessing, and a vow all wrapped into one.
Keeping track of the years going by was not a habit that they had picked up until recently; only letting the changing of seasons be any sort of guide that time was passing around them. But once they had gained the companionship of Gabriella, an old clock had resurfaced from the depths of their storage, placed upon the top of their mantle place - ticking away to show each day passing.
Said clock was something that they kept their gaze upon currently - watching as the seconds ticked by with purpose - inching closer and closer towards another year. Their fingers remained intertwined with their beloved, a small squeeze given as the final minute approached.
Their expression remained serene, and attention finally moved away from the ticking device and anything else - wanting to focus their last remaining moments of attention for the year on the person beside them.
In those mere seconds the clock did strike midnight - and they caught on immediately to the subtle change in Gabriella's expression as she turned to look at them, the smile on their lips growing ever so.
Meeting her just before halfway, then lean down to catch her lips, the hand holding hers squeezing once again, as if pressing their palms so close they could never separate. An unspoken wish, no promise, for the new year. A promise with hands exchanged for a promise with a kiss.
Golden eyes watch their beloved closely once the kiss ends, always happy to see her face so close, something they loved so dearly.
Using their free hand, then slowly reach up to cup her chin, leaning down once more to press a gentle kiss upon her cheek.
"Happy new year, and may there be many more to come."
