#whywouldyousaythat

“What are you doing?” Tony asked in surprise.

“Peter said it’s customary to clink these glasses together at midnight and wish each other a good year,” Gamora said. She held seven glasses in her hands, each one half-full of wine. Her eyes narrowed. “He said that the more glasses you clink, the better your luck will be. Was he lying?”

Tony swallowed a laugh, relying on years of experience to keep a straight face. Normally he would’ve told Gamora the truth, but he wanted to be able to kiss his boyfriend at midnight. And it was pretty hard to kiss someone who was nursing a fat lip.

“I think your luck will be better than anyone’s,” he settled for saying. “Where is Peter anyway?”

“He’s out on the balcony trying to stop Rocket from shooting at the blasts of colored light.”

Good god. Tony hastily walked to the balcony, relieved that he reached the door just as Peter was firmly guiding Rocket inside with one hand, Rocket’s favorite gun held in the other. Rocket was plainly sulking, but considering that Tony really did not want to start the new year off with a complaint from the police department, that was too bad.

“There you are,” Peter said brightly, eyes lighting up.

“I was just talking to Gamora,” Tony said.

Peter grinned. “I told Nebula the same thing. Five credits says they get into a fight over who can hold more glasses before midnight.”

“You’re awful,” Tony said, but he was smiling.

“Hey, Gamora’s pulled a bunch of shit on me over the years. Turnabout is fair play.” Peter set Rocket’s gun down and reached for Tony, pulling him out onto the balcony. Tony went willingly, jumping a little at the renewed crack of fireworks. They were much louder outside.

“Too much?” Peter asked.

“No. It’s okay.” Tony’s eyes tracked the fireworks. He’d always liked them.

“My mom liked them too,” Peter said, following his gaze. He stepped behind Tony and hugged him from behind, setting his chin on Tony’s head. “I remember when I was a kid, she always promised she’d take me to see the ball drop.”

“There it goes,” Tony said softly. They watched the ball drop. When it hit, even more fireworks went off, lighting up the clear sky. Peter kissed Tony’s cheek.