As midnight strikes, and the drunken fools in the overcrowded bar cheer loudly, ringing in the new year, a hand cups the smaller's cheek, tilting his head up so honey meets emerald. Its been rough couple of years for them, but nothing could beat the fact that they're starting the new year, together, once more. A small affectionate gaze flits across his features before leaning down to gingerly press a kiss to Vani's lip. "Happy new year, baby." he murmurs underneath the roar.
within all the time they’d spent apart, it never once crossed his mind that he’d be spending his new year’s celebration with axel again. of course, he’ll thank whatever lucky star endowed him with the humility needed to apologize and axel with the grace to accept it— if he believed in such things. tonight is about spending the last day of a long, grueling year together where they settle their gripes in the midst of the old, weathered barstools they’d sat upon far too many times than they can count. it’s somewhat of a comfort knowing that they can always fall back on the habits that they built together, especially when it earns him the company of the one person he’d end the world for. he’s been hurt more than he could ever possibly know, and yet he’s always hopeful and accepting of the road that lies before him ( especially, it seemed, when it came to burying the hatchet with him ). it’s the hand on his cheek, drawing his attention away from the hopeless fools spilling their drinks and cheering loudly when the ball in times square finally drops, that grounds his thoughts and makes him focus on the present more than anything else ever could. it’s the thumb that gently sweeps over his bottom lip that irreversibly ruins him for any other person that might stumble into his life.
held deeply in the depths of axel’s gaze is unfiltered adoration, and it’s shown in the way he kisses him like he’s some priceless gem— as though he’s afraid he’d shatter into a thousand shards never to be pieced together the same way again. it’s sweet, he thinks, but it’s also something he wished more from, and so he takes it for himself, returning his kiss with one that he hopes will seep into his memory as the one he gets to begin the new year with. when he pulls away, only the most stunning, uncharacteristic, yet genuine grin spreads from ear to ear. he can still taste the whiskey on axel’s tongue.
❝ happy new year, babe. i love you. ❞
