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drones-of-innocence · 1 year

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One Step Closer

O~o~O

“Well, I won’t keep ya any longer. The countdown is about to start. Let me just say, Mr. Mario, it was a real pleasure to meet you!”

Mario grinned and shook his head. “Please, Felix. Just Mario.” he couldn’t help the nervous laugh that bubbled up. Tension from the whole night trying to fizz up inside him like the spritz in everyone’s champagne flutes. “The pleasure is mine. I would love to get to know you better.”

Felix’s bright eyes shone with wonder under the sweeping, colorful lights. Such a look of pure admiration. Mario was admittedly alarmed by the amount of people who looked at him in such a way that night. Seizing his shoulder, Felix shook his head. “You’re not 'just' anything, Mario. Believe me. You’re one spectacular fella.” he beamed. Then, seeing Mario’s eyes flicker over his shoulder to glance at Sergeant Calhoun laughing over her drink with Princess Peach, he leaned a little closer with a conspiratorial look. “You know, I can see the way you look at her.”

The music began to die down in preparation for the countdown. Mario swallowed hard and blinked at Felix. “Look at who like what?” he choked, heat rising in his face.

With a kind smile, Felix shrugged with one shoulder. The answer was obvious. “She gives ya the honeyglow, don’t she?” he patted Mario’s arm in a brotherly way. Offering his solidarity as he tilted his head in the direction of Sergeant Calhoun. “I felt it myself for my dynamite gal. Still do. It sets you alight, huh?” he asked warmly.

Mario’s throat went dry. Was it really so easy to see right through him? Felix had just met him! The icy grip of panic shot through his veins. Could the Princess see right through him? Oh no. He didn’t have the nerve to try to deny it. With all the dresses and suits floating by, chatting over their drinks, all the eyes stacked up on his back like the precariously balanced hors d’oeuvres carried around on silver platters. “Some—something like that.” he agreed, forcing a big smile when the Princess caught his gaze and waved at him. He managed to wave back, and Felix chuckled.

“You’re a legend, Mario. Wherever you go, the spotlight follows. It’s a real privilege to know someone like you.” Felix’s more earnest look reminded him to take a deep breath. “I’ll let you be. Happy New Year, my friend.”

His hand left Mario’s shoulder, and he winked before he went to return to his lady. Sergeant Tamora Calhoun, the terrifyingly stylish war hero, who welcomed the embrace of her beloved with a pleased smile. Mario blinked. The pair somehow fit together like two pieces of a completely different puzzle that formed a new and more perfect image together. He let out a sigh. “Happy New Year, Felix.” he said to himself. More couples began to come together throughout the grand hall, headed toward the central attraction.

“Look at you, Superstar!” he jolted at the sudden weight on his arm, and turned to blink up at Princess Peach with wide eyes. “Both of them are just so lovely, aren’t they? He wants your autograph. I think everyone in this room does. How are you handling the spotlight?”

Faced with her sweet smile, Mario couldn’t maintain his own. A small group nearby pointed and squealed at him. “Ahi,” he let out, almost going to rub the back of his head before he remembered the painstaking time he’d put into styling his hair. “It’s…Different,” he admitted.

It never felt any less surprising. He had a reputation. Notoriety. People paid attention to his name. When he’d received the invitation to the New Year’s ball that year alongside Princess Peach, it was determined by a short session of the main Mushroom Kingdom council that it would be best for the pair to attend together, as dates. Much to his surprise. In that case, he and the Princess were to match. The royal tailor drew up several potential options for what he might wear. Luckily, they offered him some agency. They actually quite appreciated his suggestion for a salmon-colored suit, with maroon accents that the Princess could easily correspond with additional accessories to. The sparkles were a little showy, but it suited the occasion well. In the end, the process was fun, and Mario did sincerely enjoy escorting the Princess around the room and meeting so many new people. Her strapless dress really stole the show, even if she insisted that he was the one under the limelight.

She had said he looked “dashing.” That lingering thought hadn’t left his mind, making his chest feel warmer and more tingly than a sip of his martini.

But this wasn’t a proper date, not exactly. This was all a stage, a political display, and nothing more. While that thought injected a cold sting into the occasion, Mario wouldn’t let it waste the night. It was such a privilege to be seen with her, to match, to laugh and make new inside jokes together. And the way she clung to his arm, hardly leaving his side at all despite both of them being pulled away by old friends or fans, made his heart skip a beat.

“Big breath. Raise your glass and act like you’re giving a toast to that group.” she murmured, prompting him gently as she had done all night. She knew how to handle fame and attention. He did as she said, taking in a deep breath and bringing up his glass just as another group waved at them. “Good. Now, imagine I’ve said something mildly amusing to your delicate sensibilities. Like how that man over there looks rather like a grumpy Cheep Cheep.”

Mario had to stop himself from spitting out his drink. “What?” he asked, blinking up at her with wide eyes and trying frantically to hide his grin behind his glass.

Peach beamed. “There’s your winning smile,” she teased, reaching up to touch his face for just a moment. “Now, let’s go or we’ll miss the countdown!”

Oh, right. The object of the occasion. Mario collected himself, still trying not to laugh. And frantically trying to ignore the new heat in his face where she had touched him. He offered his arm to her. Giggling in her sweet manner, Peach accepted his lead. He might as well have been on fire.

She really did set him alight. Mario searched the growing crowd, but he couldn’t find Felix.

All the glowing colors, the buzz of the room grew with anticipation until it was nearly electric. Still, Mario couldn’t really focus on much besides the Princess who held his arm with such relaxed familiarity. He couldn’t see the countdown; everyone else seemed to tower over him. But it must be getting close. He could hear excited murmurs, secretive whispers, hushed questions. Eyes flickering toward him.

The lights went dark. The crowd was fixed on the center of the room, and then the next moment they were all fixed on himself and the Princess. Mario blinked at everyone’s smiles suddenly facing them. His empty glass was taken by a waiter who disappeared just as fast. Peach pressed in closer, sensing the pressure. “Oh,” she hummed, surprised.

20…

Mario swallowed hard. He could hear pieces of their conversations. “...Kiss? Do you think they will? Isn’t it exciting? I wonder if they’ll kiss?” his eyes widened.

He looked up at Peach. She looked down at him, equal alarm in her eyes.

15…

The murmured numbers gained volume as more people began to chant the countdown. Mario gulped and went stiff when he realized he could hear the word “kiss!” being softly suggested along with the numbers.

Everyone was staring at them. Everyone was expecting them to bring in the new year with a kiss. Didn’t they know that he was just her guard? He wasn’t really her date, not like that! Surely, everyone knew. He had thought it was obvious; a plumber like him clearly didn’t belong next to someone like the Princess. Something stuck in his throat. This must be so humiliating for her. He didn’t want to dare to look back up. The heat crawled up his face, the attention coming down on him like blistering sunlight. A bead of sweat formed on his temple.

Peach stood closer still, reaching for his other arm so that they stood together under the attention. Mario didn’t even realize he’d rested his hands on her waist until she got his attention with a gentle squeeze to his shoulder.

10…

He whipped his head up to look into her eyes, ready to jump away from her. However, the Princess had a strangely placid, mysterious regard for him.

It wasn’t distaste, or disgust like he feared. He couldn’t read her at all.

9…

“It’s been a long year, hasn’t it?” she asked him.

Mario blinked. “...What?” he answered, intelligently. “Ehm. Yes.”

8…

She gave a soft smile, but it was the smile that hurt his heart because it somehow looked slightly sad.

7…

“I’m very grateful for you. I want you to know that you’re always the highlight of my day.” Peach smiled and averted her eyes.

6…

Mario’s eyes widened.

5…!

He could have sworn he saw her cheeks flush. “You’re so special to me, and to the Kingdom.”

4…!

Her eyes seemed to shimmer under the low lights, bringing him under her trance. “I couldn’t ask for a better guard to have at my side.”

3…!

“So I guess what I’m trying to say is…” Her hands came up to touch his face.

2…!

She leaned down. “Happy New Year, Mario.” she whispered.

1…!

Fireworks. Peach pressed her lips to his. A soft, lingering kiss. The hall erupted with color and life. Deafening cheers. Mario couldn’t hear them. He couldn’t hear anything. Her floral perfume washed over his senses. All he saw were fireworks behind his eyes, like bright flaming bursts in the sky. His heart pounding like explosions.

He could have sworn he felt her smile into him.

She pulled away, and he had to blink himself out of the night show in his head. Flashing lights. Cameras. Thrilled cheers. Clinking glasses and couples kissing all around. Mario’s face must have been as red as his suit. Peach’s cheeks were about as pink as her dress.

They stared at one another. Mario couldn’t look away. Colored lights washed over her, the smooth curve of her shoulders and the elegant stretch of her neck. Banners drew up as confetti fell. The music returned, lively and energetic, as the room around began to dance. And they stood so still in the middle of the chaos, as if they were the eye of the storm.

Though, Mario felt like anything but. She kissed him. She kissed him! And it wasn’t like the friendly peck on the cheek she’d usually offer after rescuing her. No, there was intent behind this kiss. He realized he hadn’t let go of her waist.

Her hands were still on his face. Her thumb traced his cheek. Her piercing blue eyes fell away from his. “I’m sorry if I overstepped.” she spoke in a low voice, only for him to hear.

He had to will himself out of his stiffened state. “N—no. It’s okay.”

There was no way he would be able to explain that he’d never had a New Year’s kiss before. Or that he was so deeply in love with her that her kiss had ignited a wildfire inside of him that he wasn’t sure could ever be quelled. He wasn’t sure if it was pleasant, or if it hurt.

The attention still fell on them. Both of them had forced, plastered smiles.

Of course. It was for the crowd. That was all.

They were there to entertain, and nothing more. “Would you like to dance?” he asked, hoping he didn’t sound like he was in pain.

Peach nodded. “I would love to,” she agreed quickly.

He drew up her arm to rest on his shoulder, and adjusted his hand that rested delicately on her waist. They interlaced their fingers with the same shy grasp. He held her close and they swayed in time with the sprightly music. He didn’t want to look into her eyes; he was afraid of what he might find if he stared too long. They had practiced the steps so many times that he didn’t even have to think about it. He missed those sessions. Her laughter and smile were never strained.

They moved so naturally together. He wondered if she could feel it, too, or if she was ruminating in her head.

Through the buzz of the crowd, the attention having finally shed off their backs, he spotted Felix and Calhoun again. Lost in one another. A private conversation. Felix was pressing Calhoun’s hand against his cheek, and he turned his face to kiss her palm.

His eyes flickered up and caught Mario’s. He grinned, and made a motion with an invisible glass for a toast. Calhoun shot him a knowing grin.

A blazing impulse welled up within him. Perhaps it was the liquid courage, or just his own intrepid venture. Mario thoughtfully turned Peach’s dainty hand over in his own, observing the way they fit together. His gloved hand was so much larger than hers. The way she clasped him felt intrinsic. He wondered if one day, they could be like that reformed puzzle that Felix and Calhoun were. Two mismatched pieces finding a home in one another. He ran his thumb over her knuckles, before bringing her hand close to his face.

He glanced up at her, daring to look into her eyes. “Happy New Year, my Princess.” he murmured, and pressed her knuckles to his lips. A tiny kiss.

Peach parted her lips and took a sharp breath in, staring with wide eyes. Her cheeks flushed a lovely rosy shade. And she smiled, more radiant than any fireworks or flashing lights. When he pulled away, she was the one to renew her grip on his hand.

They shifted one step closer. She didn’t let go of him for the rest of the night.

O~o~O

The Mario household lay in a quiet stillness at 3:27am, only briefly interrupted by some clattering before all fell silent again.

Clean dishes stacked in the kitchen. A blanket thrown haphazardly over the couch. Luigi came out of his room, rubbing his eyes, and discovered a glittery suit jacket across the arms of a chair, and, upon further inspection, his brother laying on the floor.

Bowtie loosened. Dress shirt untucked. A hand running through his already disheveled hair. An anxious habit of his.

Wordlessly, Luigi came to sit beside his fallen brother, hugging his robe around himself.

Mario shook his head, muttering to himself without opening his eyes. He let out a long, heavy sigh. While this was typical behavior for his buzzed brother, who’d probably had his share of martinis as his drink of choice, Luigi raised his eyebrows when he noticed a distinctive swatch of pink across his brother’s lips.

He bit back a smile. “Un bacio?” he asked. A kiss?

Mario groaned and dragged his palms down his face. “I don’t know.” he mumbled, muffled into his hands.

Ah. Luigi nodded sympathetically, seeing the crease Mario’s brow. He patted Mario’s chest. “A heart that hurts is a heart that beats,” he reminded him softly. Something their mother used to say.

Watching the Princess and his brother dance around their feelings could be painful. But if Mario was really overthinking a direct kiss like that, he imagined it would be okay, eventually. But in the meantime, his brother would be hurting. No matter what he did, in his goofy head, he would never be good enough for Peach. But Luigi saw the way she looked at him, too. If only their feelings weren’t such a mystery to each other.

At least it seemed they were one step closer to knowing.

O~o~O

Inspired by @elitadream's gorgeous New Year's post! I also had One Step Closer by U2 playing on repeat while I wrote this 😆

Here's to the new year 🥂 Whether this is a moment of resolved change for you, a step toward growth or greater happiness, or even just another evening, I wish you all the best! 💖✨

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parasiticart · 4 months

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Happy late New Year!

#johnny cage #takahashi kenshi #mortal kombat #johnny x kenshi #johnshi #kencage #new year's kiss #Raiden third wheeling

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merp0515 · 4 months

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Happy New Year!

Last 2023 photo for the new year! 😄 Had to do this in honor of New Years! Winter clothing credits to Xenathen!

#smg3 #smg4 #smg4 fanart #smg3 fanart #smg34 #New Year's kiss

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tohjwcc · 4 months

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kiss on the stroke of twelve -

At least they got their new year's kiss ❤️

#sammy gutierrez #yasmina fadoula #camp cretaceous #yasammy #new year's eve #new year #new year's kiss

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agrlsname · 4 months

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Happy New Year!

My traditional New Year's fic is up:

Every Year Johnlock, rated T, 1k, part 7 of New Year's Kiss

John and Sherlock have a fight on New Year's Eve. Will they miss their traditional midnight kiss?

Enjoy, and check out the 6 previous parts (13k in total) to get in the mood for New Year's Eve!

#johnlock #johnlock fic #sherlock #agirlsname on ao3 #agirlsname #new year's eve #new year's kiss

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prosperdemeter2 · 3 months

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“I just want someone to kiss at midnight!” He explained for what had to be the twentieth time. May hadn’t been keeping count. Buck had (it was actually closer to 46 times, but Buck hadn’t been listening to him talk all night, so he was sure he missed a few). “Is that so crazy ?”

“Oh my god,” May huffed in his direction. “Go talk about it to someone who cares, Eddie.”

It was funny just how close the two of them had managed to get in the short amount of time they had worked at dispatch together. “Kiss Jee-Yun.” Buck said dryly. “She’s the cutest girl here.”

“Hey!" May huffed, affronted, and then sobered. “Well, okay. But it’s only because I’m not two.”

“I’m not kissing your niece .” Eddie screwed up his face in disgust.

Buck screwed up his face in disgust right back at him, “I meant on the cheek, asshole.”

“If I wanted to kiss someone on the cheek, I’d kiss my own kid.”

“Good luck with that,” Buck snorted. “Chris would punch you.”

“And who’s fault is that?” Buck didn’t know what he was implying. He wasn’t the one who joined a fight club.

“Yours."

#yes hi #hello #have this stupid little one shot that has nothing in it and means nothing at all #i wrote this instead of working on any of the other things i should have been working on #911 fic #buddie #evan buckley #eddie diaz #new year's kiss

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jedipoodoo · 1 year

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i want your midnights (Tech x Reader)

I've had these in my drafts for a year and I'm just now getting to them with three hours until midnight. Happy New Year and happy season two, everyone!

Notes: No warnings, just fluff. New Year's Kiss! this one draws inspiration from Chinese New Year traditions.

You grumbled at the mess that covered the floor of the Marauder. You had just gotten the whole place cleaned, but the Bad Batch didn't seem to know any other way to party aside from explosions of confetti and food everywhere. At least Omega was enjoying herself. With how scarce food and free time were for the lot of you, how could you keep them from enjoying themselves?

Tech's helmet had been replaced with a party hat, and several streamers from Wrecker's homemade confetti cannons were draped across his shoulders.

"Here," You plucked some pieces of scrap paper from his hairline with a chuckle.

"Thank you, darling," he wrapped his arm around your shoulders, "Are you tired yet?"

"Grumpy, mostly," You admitted.

"A common symptom of fatigue," He nodded, "I can make them be quiet if you would prefer to get some rest?"

You shook your head, wrapping your arms around his chest, "they're all having so much fun." Omega was picking up stray pieces of confetti from the floor, trying to convince Wrecker that there was enough to make another cannon. Hunter was counting down the seconds until midnight, and Echo was guarding the scanty snack station.

Tech bent down to whisper in your ear, "Would you like me to help you clean up after the festivities?"

As touching as it was, you shook your head, "You're not supposed to clean up for the first week after the new year begins, it gets rid of all the good luck the new year brings."

"Well, we could certainly use that," Tech agreed. He squinted at the navicomputer and Hunter's comm.

"Do you think you could keep them occupied for a moment for me?"

You raised one eyebrow at him. What was he thinking?

"Uh....Who wants to play truth or dare?" You asked.

"I DO!" Omega cried.

"I'm in!" Echo's chair spun towards you.

As you organized yourselves into a circle, Tech somehow wound up with his datapad in hand. He winked at you, and you asked Wrecker when he had last done the laundry.

Hunter was dared to do one of his knife tricks with Wrecker's vibroblade, and Echo was asked about his most embarrassing moment in training.

"Okay, truth or dare?" Omega asked you.

"Uh, dare."

Omega grinned, "I dare you to kiss Tech at midnight!"

Wrecker groaned, "That's not a real dare!"

You had no complaints, "Done. Who's next?"

Tech nudged you gently, "I apologize for interrupting, but it would appear that the time for you to complete your dare is imminent." He nodded to the navicomputer, which displayed the time of 23:59:30.

"Wow, that went by quick!" Hunter jumped to his feet.

"Wrecker! The cannons!" Omega climbed over you to get to the last two confetti cannons.

"Make this one count, kid!" Wrecker grinned.

You sighed to yourself, but let Tech pull you to your feet.

"You ready?" you asked.

"For you? I'm never ready," Tech sighed happily, cradling your cheek in his hand.

Together, you counted down to the new year with the others. Omega and Wrecker sprayed you and Tech with the confetti as you kissed. You laughed against his lips, and Tech dipped you into the kiss.

"Well, Happy new year," you said to the others.

"Happy New Year!" Wrecker whooped.

Echo grinned, "Happy New Year."

"Okay Omega, we had a deal. Time for bed now," Hunter said.

"Okay," She sighed, trudging through the trails of confetti.

Wrecker yawned and stretched before excusing himself to the bunks to rest. Echo agreed, and finished off his bottle of cider before joining the others.

"I should turn in too," you stretched your aching limbs, but Tech was doing something with his datapad. The navicomputer screen glitched, then displayed a new time. 23:32:03.

"What?" You blinked.

Tech grinned and set aside his datapad, "I knew they wouldn't go to bed unless it were after midnight, so I just had to make it look that way. Now we have time to clean before the new year."

You threw your arms around your boyfriend, covering his face in kisses. Before he could respond, you had already grabbed the trash bag and begun picking up the trash. Tech laughed to himself, then carefully stored the food and snacks away for safekeeping.

All signs of New Year's Celebrating had been cleaned away with minutes to spare. The Marauder was clean once more, and you could finally relax, sinking into the chair at the navicomputer.

"Feeling better?" Tech asked, coming to stand by the chair.

You wrapped your arms around his waist, "Much better. Thank you so much."

The navicomputer chimed again, displaying digital fireworks as you officially reached midnight. There were no raucous cheers, no confetti cannons this time, just you and your lover.

"You know, you still have to complete the dare that Omega gave you," Tech said, pulling you to your feet.

"I suppose I do," You giggled.

Tech's lips met yours in a gentle and chaste kiss. His arms wrapped around your waist, and yours wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer.

"Thank you, Tech," You murmured again. He smiled softly at you.

"Happy New Year, darling."

"Happy New Year, Tech."

#lizart writes #the bad batch x reader #the bad batch #tbb x reader #tech #tbb tech x reader #the bad batch tech #tbb tech #tech x reader #the bad batch tech x reader #new year's kiss

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blackmonitor · 1 year

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The prompts from @hakones was the following: New Year's kiss - Thryce or Thranto.

I made my decision.

And Eli isn't happy about that.

Discord / Patreon / Redbubble

#Thrawn #Eli Vanto #Grand Admiral Thrawn #mitth'raw'nuruodo #Pryce #Govenor Pryce #patron request poll #chiss #govenor Pryce #blackmonitor #procreate #new year's kiss #a bit late #🤭

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yahoo201027 · 4 months

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Day in Fandom History: December 31 (New Year’s Eve)…

Mordecai got a date for the New Year’s Ball and the perfect opportunity to make a move come Midnight, but a message for Rigby from his future self convinces him to stop him from getting his New Year’s kiss. “New Year’s Kiss” premiered on this day, 10 Years Ago.

#Day in Fandom History #10 Years Ago #Regular Show #Season 5 #Episode 14 #New Year's Kiss #Cartoon #Animation

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rindecisions · 4 months

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New Year's '86 You Know Where to Find Me: Part 16

#New Year's Kiss #Steddie #steddie fanfiction #eddie munson #steve harrington #fanfic #fanfiction #unrequited love #friends w/ benfits #top steve harrington #Bottom Eddie Munson #New Year's #New Year's Eve

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draqo-pctter · 1 year

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new year’s eve a dramione drabble/ words: 327 tags: new year’s kiss, fluff, draco in love prompt taken from dramione prompts on twitter

11:50 pm. Draco stood against the wall, watching the party rage on. People were becoming acutely aware that the new year was approaching; Hermione was dancing with some wizard he’d never seen before. he was too boyish, Draco decided. Not good enough for her.

11:52 pm. Hermione spun her way off the dance floor, her curls a wild mess of orange scented shampoo. she beamed brightly at him from a few feet away, stumbling to find her balance. he reached her in four quick steps, steadying her as if he was truly strong enough to hold her up.

11:55 pm. Draco, with his hand still on Hermione’s arm, had moved her out of the throng of intoxicated witches and wizards. she was breathless, laughing, telling him that he looked handsome that evening. she was spilling her champagne all over his shirt but he didn’t care.

11:57 pm. Hermione asked if he would be her new year’s kiss, her eyes sparkling in the light cast off by the chandelier in harry potter’s living room. he would probably never tell her that he’d waited nearly twenty-five years to hear her say those words. “Kiss me.”

11:58 pm. Draco asked if Hermione was absolutely sure. she was, nodding enthusiastically and setting down her glass of champagne on the couch, where it fell over. he made a mental note to offer harry money to replace the upholstery.

11:59 pm. Hermione wrapped her arms around Draco’s neck, her lips dangerously close to his own. she was smiling, and laughing, and looking up at him through those intoxicatingly long eyelashes of hers. she was the perfect picture of everything he’d ever wanted in life: happy, carefree, and knowing what she wanted.

12:00 am. Draco kissed her as if he needed to feel his lips on hers to keep himself alive. and, in a sense, he did. he needed her more than he needed air to breathe.

follow me on twitter where i post other dramione ramblings & updates on my wips on archive of our own

#posting to tumblr a day late because i had a 17 hour drive home from my mom's house #draco just makes me so soft #dhr #dramione #drabble #dramione drabble #dramione drabbles #hermione granger #draco malfoy #dramione microfic #draco x hermione #hermione x draco #ohthedrarry ao3 #dramione fluff #fluff #new year's fluff #new year's kiss

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silverslipstream · 10 months

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Flash Fiction Friday!

So yeah, I decided to enter @flashfictionfridayofficial this week! I decided to write something completely off the top of my head - I've been reading David Levithan's Boy Meets Boy recently and was inspired to write a little smidge of queer romance. It ended up being a lot longer than I envisaged, but it's still under 1,000 words, so... Result!

Without further ado, here's the story of two best friends ringing in the New Year together in an unexpected way. Enjoy! (Note: Owen and Elliott are named after the poets Wilfred Owen and T.S Eliot. Just an interesting little detail!)

Prompt: Can We Kiss?

Lighthouse

Owen isn’t quite sure when he started feeling like he’d been cast adrift from his own body, but surely this house party is responsible. Shawn Mendes’s new hit is blaring from some nebulous middle-distance: he can’t tell whether it’s inside this house or inside his head. He takes another sip from the glass of cranberry vodka in his hand. The alcohol is sharp and sour: it rolls like a fist down his throat, and it’s all he can do not to gag.

Suddenly, like a lighthouse after weeks at sea, Elliott appears at the end of the hall. Owen lurches forward toward his best friend, ignoring the chorus of indignant complaints from the partygoers around him. Elliott sees him and snorts.

“You’re drunk.” It’s not a question. Owen can’t remember ever thinking about it, but suddenly drunk seems like the perfect word.

“As a glass of water,” he answers confidently, and a ripple of laughter shudders outward like a shockwave across the room.

Elliott shakes his head and claps him on the shoulder.

“C’mon, O. You stumble around all night, you’re gonna miss the countdown, and it’s not long now. In fact,” he says, checking his watch, “we’ve got thirteen minutes. You can’t come to a New Year’s Eve party and not celebrate the countdown. What would be the point?”

“Wait—since when was it New Year’s?”

Elliott side-eyes him with a lopsided grin, as if holding in a laugh, and Owen can’t tear his eyes away from those lips. For some reason, he doesn’t care if Elliott notices. He doesn’t care if everyone notices.

“Fucking hell, you’re properly wasted, aren’t you?”

Sometime later, Owen’s sitting on an armchair in the living room. How long has it been? He can’t remember exactly how he got here, but it can’t have happened too long ago, because nobody’s counting down yet. Countdown. That’s important!

The living room is traditional suburban British fare: family photos on the mantelpiece, a hideous red and white patterned rug, a flat screen TV nestled between two DVD shelves. It’s much too small for the amount of people in here. Try as he might, he can’t remember whose house this is supposed to be.

As if by magic, Elliott appears next to him, perching on the arm of the chair. His thick black hair is mussed at the back, and he’s wearing an oddly exposed expression. Something that got caught between satisfaction and confusion and doesn’t know which one to hide behind.

“Gemma Atkins decided she couldn’t wait for the stroke of midnight,” he says wryly, an embarrassed flush colouring his cheeks.

“You gonna go find her again for a second round? Y’know, at the countdown?”

“Nah. She’s probably saving the countdown kiss for Josh.”

Owen snorts derisively. “Yeah, her and every other girl within five miles.”

All the weight in Owen’s skull seems to have moved to the back of his head. Suddenly, he’s looking at the pockmarked pattern on the roof, watching the strobe lights play over the bumps and ridges, leaning back into the comfiest headrest he’s ever known. The fingers of his left hand find someone’s knuckles, and without thinking, he slips his thumb under the other hand’s palm, tracing little circles into the warm and slightly sweaty flesh.

Elliott looks at their joined hands with a quirked eyebrow, like it’s a toddler asking a particularly foolish question.

“Well, that’s a bit gay, isn’t it?”

It’s probably meant to sound sarcastic, maybe even mocking, but Owen can’t detect any malice in Elliott’s tone. Instead, it sounds drily observational, like an affirmation.

“Yeah.”

His head feels like it’s full of pins-and needles; there’s a strange sensation of being pushed into the armchair. Elliott’s hand is still warm in his, and for some reason, his best friend isn’t pulling away. Some joker starts counting down from thirty, and gradually people join in.

“Aren’t you gonna… y’know, find someone to ring in the New Year with, Elliott? I’m good here. This chair’s super comfy.”

Elliott looks at him and chuckles. It’s a light, soft sound, like windchimes, and Owen feels like he could dance to it, pirouette through a ballroom forever if only Elliott would keep laughing.

“No.”

The countdown reaches fifteen: now every kid in the room is chanting. Owen leans in.

“Well, if you’re not gonna go find some girl to kiss, can we? Kiss, I mean?”

“Well… yeah, go on then,” Elliott says. “Only because you’re drunk, and because you couldn’t kiss a girl if your A-levels depended on it.”

“Wow, do you tell that to all the boys you kiss?”

“Only you, O.”

“C’mere, then.”

He slides one hand around the back of Elliott’s neck, and the other snakes around the small of his back, turning Elliott to face him. His best friend leans in, and Owen can’t help but catch a whiff of cologne. This is the closest they’ve ever been. He wonders briefly if Elliott can hear the blood thumping in his ears.

“FOUR! THREE! TWO! ONE…” screams the room.

And suddenly Elliott’s closed the gap between them, and the kiss is simultaneously gentle and electrifying, and Owen feels like he’s floating through the roof. Elliott tastes of Kopparberg and rum, and for some stupid, intoxicating reason, it’s the best kiss he’s ever had.

It’s over before it’s really begun; Elliott breaks the kiss and almost headbutts him by whipping his head around. Owen lays a hand on Elliott’s. The other boy stares back, questions flaring in his eyes.

“It’s all right, mate. Nobody’s watching,” he says, and relief washes over Elliott’s face.

“Yeah, well… don’t get used to it, alright?”

“Yeah, yeah. We both know you’ve been dying to snog me all night.”

They laugh again, and Owen could swear they’re sitting in another dimension now. Someplace he can’t name.

“Whatever, O. Happy New Year.”

“Happy New Year, Elliott.”

#flash fiction #flash fic friday #new year's kiss #writeblr #writers community #queer romance #just a spur of the moment bit of gay fluff idk why I wrote this but it exists now

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