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It was New Years Eve in Fair City, closing in on 11:30 pm. While most people were already home enjoying the time with their families, or at parties conversing with friends, a pair of mischief makers were just now arriving back home, calming their nerves and brushing the rain off their clothes. Invisi-Bill, still fidgeting with his sleeves, took a deep breath once the two of them got their door to the apartment open and stepped inside. He kicked off his shoes, glad they hadn't been out long enough for the rain to get in his socks as well. Big Left Hand Guy had already done the same, now gone to sit down on the couch in a frustrated huff.
Invisi-Bill's stature softened at the sight. He walked to the back of their couch, leaning over to look at his roommate in hopes of lightening the mood.
"It's awfully lucky there was a taxi driver still working on New Years Eve, huh?"
Big Left Hand Guy's move didn't lift, asking in frustration
"Why do we keep inviting The Whammer to these things? This is the second time he's led the cops to a work party."
The two had originally planned to spend the night at the villains annual New Years party, but Whammer had shown up with a recently stolen party favor, and it wasn't long after that a very disgruntled Wordgirl had shown up to make arrests. Invisi-Bill had managed to sneak away unnoticed and Big Left Hand Guy had provided a quick get away as always.
Invisi-Bill frowned, quick to point out
"Hey! Whammer is a good friend! He didn't mean any harm.. he just has a hard time remembering his actions have consequences."
Big Left Hand Guy sighed, but as he looked to Invisi-Bill his discontent tone subsided. As upset as he was with The Whammer, he couldn't make Invisi-Bill upset on New Year's Eve.
"..Gosh Bill, don't look at me like that.. Let's just drop it and enjoy the night here."
Invisi-Bill's expression quickly changed. He hopped over the back of the couch and into the cushions, ecstatically pulling his roommate into a tight hug.
"Yay! That's the spirit Big Left!"
He pulled away, practically beaming. It was enough to make Big Left Hand Guy untense, a light smirk coming to his face. Invisi-Bill stood back on his feet, proudly announcing
"Invisi-Bill bought some sparkling juice last night! The good kind, not from the dollar store. Invisi-Bill was going to open it tomorrow, but now seems like a good time."
He disappeared momentarily, popping back up in the kitchen section of their one-room apartment. He returned shortly, having poured the drinks in mugs. Big Left Hand Guy raised an eyebrow, taking it gingerly.
"So I'm guessing these were the only clean cups?'
Invisi-Bill shrugged, making himself comfortable at Big Left Hand Guy's side.
"There's going to be plenty of time to do the dishes next year."
He leaned across the coffee table, pressing the "on" button of the larger of their two remotes so they could watch the bigger TV.
The TV turned on, the Fair City New Year's clock coming into view. Twenty-five minutes to midnight. A reporter stood next to it, babbling about sponsors or something or another that was quickly tuned out.
"Invisi-Bill thinks he forgot to make a New Years resolution this year."
Invisi-Bill mentioned lightly, taking a sip from his mug.
"Maybe your resolution could be getting the dishes done."
Big Left Hand Guy responded. Invisi-Bill playfully nudged his shoulder.
"Alright, alright-"
Big Left Hand Guy chuckled.
"How about we share a resolution? This year… we'll both successfully commit two crimes."
Invisi-Bill tilted his head in thought.
"Well… Alright! That works for Invisi-Bill. It isn't his favorite tradition anyways."
He took another sip of his drink, smiling contently. It made Big Left Hand Guy smile as well. He couldn't really describe it.. He knew he liked Invisi-Bill, but whenever he saw him like this it made him feel.. feel like his heart was being grabbed, but in a good way. There was probably a better word to describe that, but considering Wordgirl was last seen storming off of the scene of several arrests, he doubted he'd find the word he was looking for before the night was over.
"Oh yeah? Well, which is your favorite?"
Big Left Hand Guy asked. Invisi-Bill's face tinted red at the question. He placed his drink down on the table in front of him, glancing away from Big Left Hand Guy.
"Ah, well.. Invisi-Bill shouldn't say anything. It's silly."
Big Left Hand Guy raised an eyebrow at this.
"Aren't all traditions kinda silly? Come on Bill, you know I won't judge you for it."
Invisi-Bill nervously fidgeted with the cuffs of his button-up. He'd usually be too embarrassed to mention it at all, though when he thought about it he knew Big Left Hand Guy was right.. Besides, how many New Year's traditions were there, really? He was bound to find out. He took a silent breath, admitting
"Invisi-Bill's favorite tradition is the New Years kiss."
Oh . Well Big Left Hand Guy hadn't expected that. Invisi-Bill chased his confession down with another sip of juice. When Invisi-Bill's roommate still hadn't responded, he began to pout.
"See, Invisi-Bill told you it was silly."
Big Left Hand Guy snapped out of his momentary shock, realizing his face was a bit warmer than it was before.
"No, no, don't worry about it- it's, uh.. a good tradition."
He said a bit quicker than he wouldn't have liked. Looking away from Invisi-Bill sheepishly, he asked in a more measured tone.
"So uh.. why's that your favorite one?"
He glanced back, relieved to see Invisi-Bill's expression shift back to a smile.
"Invisi-Bill just feels like there's something special about it.. It's hard to explain, but in all the movies Invisi-Bill has seen, it's been like a promise!"
His voice picked up, more excited as he went on.
"A promise where you start out the year sharing something really special with someone you really like.. and then you won't be lonely all year. Because that person promised."
Invisi-Bill stared off, a dreamy smile on his face. Big Left Hand Guy looked at him in awe.
"Wow Bill.. With the way you describe it, I can see why it's your favorite. Sounds like a heck of an experience to start out the year."
Big Left Hand Guy chuckled lightly, face tinged slightly pink at the thought. Invisi-Bill leaned on the arm rest, still looking off.
"Yeah… Invisi-Bill hopes he gets to participate one year."
The statement caught Big Left Hand Guy off guard. Before he could think about what he was saying, he asked.
"Hold on, you've never done your favorite tradition before?"
Big Left Hand Guy almost immediately regretted what he said. Invisi-Bill's face subtly dropped as he shook his head no.
"Invisi-Bill doesn't think he'd ever had a chance to.. But it would be really fun! Maybe… someday… you know?"
Invisi-Bill didn't wait for a response, standing up suddenly.
"Invisi-Bill thinks there's some confetti poppers he didn't bring to the party! I'll be back, tell Invisi-Bill if anything fun happens on the television!"
He disappeared shortly, reappearing across the room, starting to shift through the contents of their densely packed storage closet. Big Left Hand Guy faced the screen, but paid more no attention to it than he had before.
Big Left Hand Guy wasn't oblivious to how lonely his roommate could get. He wished there was a way to help him.. Now that he thought about it, why hasn't Invisi-Bill gotten a New Year's kiss before anyways? He was the sweetest, most cheerful guy Big Left Hand Guy had ever met. He's friendly to everyone. Not to mention he was pretty handsome, well dressed with brown hair and dimples. Anyone would be lucky to kiss Invisi-Bill.
His thoughts were cut short by an announcement across the room.
"Invisi-Bill found it! Yay Invisi-Bill!"
Invisi-Bill went invisible before Big Left Hand Guy could even turn to see him. After a moment, he re-appeared by his side with a hand full of confetti.
"They went off in the closet but we can still use the confetti!"
He plopped down on the couch, leaning on Big Left Hand Guy's shoulder when his eyes fixed back on the TV.
"So, what'd Invisi-Bill miss?"
Big Left Hand Guy struggled slightly to keep his composure, glancing away once more.
"Eh, nothing much.. lots of people talking."
He took a sip from his mug. As he got the courage to look back to his roommate, his previous thoughts expanded.
Anyone would be lucky to kiss Invisi-Bill.. Well, Big Left Hand Guy was somebody, and he was right here.
He nearly choked on his drink. He'd already accepted that his feelings for his roommate were.. a little more than what friends feel, but he couldn't consider kissing him now off all times! If he asked and Invisi-Bill didn't feel the same, it could ruin their friendship!.. Though, on the other hand, if he didn't let himself consider it, this would just be another New Year where Invisi-Bill missed out on his favorite tradition. If anyone deserved a New Years kiss, it was Invisi-Bill.
His eyes were still transfixed on Invisi-Bill, who was watching the screen. Despite the minor shock to his system, Big Left Hand Guy still smirked when Invisi-Bill snorted at a pun in an ad. Invisi-Bill made it easy to smile.
An announcement blasted out from the television, the newscasters chipper voice telling the audience
"Alright, for those just tuning in, we're about to start the midnight countdown! Grab your drinks, break out those party poppers, and stay by that special someone for the first kiss of the new year! Stay tuned!"
Invisi-Bill's eyes lost a bit of their shine. Big Left Hand Guy internally cursed the newscaster for bringing that up, and himself for not knowing what to do now. In a quick effort, he raised up his mug.
"Hey Invisi-Bill.. To another year of villainy?"
He awkwardly chuckled, not too sure about what he was doing. Invisi-Bill's face lit back up, as he raised his mug to match Big Left Hand Guy's.
"Yay! To villainy!.. And my best friend!"
Invisi-Bill's smile turned soft at the last statement. Silently, Big Left Hand Guy wondered.. Was it easy for Bill to smile around him too?
He didn't have much time to dwell on it as the, frankly draining, voice of the news anchor captured their attention one final time.
"Alright, get ready all at home, our countdown is about to begin!"
Invisi-Bill bounced in his seat, briefly popping in and out of visibility.
"Yay, countdown!"
Meanwhile, Big Left Hand Guy swore he could feel a spike in his blood pressure. He had to decide what he was going to do now?! Apparently so, as midnight wasn't even a minute away. He felt a lump in his throat, looking between Invisi-Bill and the screen in indecision. They both watched the numbers begin to go down.
"10.."
Big Left Hand Guy was screwed.
"9.."
He looked right to Invisi-Bill.
"8.."
"Hey- uh… Bill…"
"7.."
Invisi-Bill looked at him, a giddy expression on his face.
"Yeah, Big Left Hand Guy?"
"6.."
Big Left Hand Guy swallowed a lump in his throat.
"5.."
"Do you really want that New Year's kiss?"
"4.."
Invisi-Bill raised an eyebrow, his expression not dropping.
"3.."
"Uh- yeah! Invisi-Bill would like that-"
"2.."
"-more than anything!"
Big Left Hand Guy held his breath and closed his eyes, letting his instincts make the last decision for him.
"1..!"
He grabbed Invisi-Bill by the lapel of his suit. He didn't even see Invisi-Bill's brief look of shock before he went for it. The crowd cheering on screen, screaming for the new year weren't registered by either of them. Invisi-Bill's fluffy hair pressed against Big Left Hand Guy's forehead, his hand coming to rest on the other man's shoulders. Big Left Hand Guy didn't know how long it'd been, probably no more than several seconds, before he came back to his senses. He felt his heart in a split second, quickly pulling away and internally questioning what he'd just done.
What was he supposed to say now?! He couldn't bring himself to look at Invisi-Bill now, biting the inside of his cheek hard enough to taste iron. After a silence he felt lasted too long, he tried to apologize.
"I- uhm. Bill, look, I didn't mean to-"
He was cut short when he was knocked back onto the couch by Invisi-Bill's tackle- like hug. It took Big Left Hand Guy by surprise, and Invisibill's joyful laugh confused him even more.
"Left.. You did have to do that for Invisi-Bill, but thank you so much!"
He pulled Big Left Hand Guy into another hug, not catching on that Big Left Hand Guy was still so flustered he'd not been able to keep up. Still, he tried to reply
"It- heh- it wasn't any problem Bill, I just figured.. y'know, you deserved a New Year's kiss this year. I'm sorry if you, y'know, wanted it to be with somebody you were more.. infatuated with."
"Are you kidding?! You're Invisi-Bill's favorite person! This is the best New Years ever!"
Big Left Hand Guy wondered if Invisi-Bill got what he was trying to imply by infatuated, but that question was quickly forgotten as Invisi-Bill sat back up, Big Left Hand Guy soon to follow. Bill took a handful of the confetti he'd found, throwing it into the air with excitement.
"Yay! Happy New Year!"
Big Left Hand Guy sighed, a comforting warmth settling into his chest.
"Happy New Year Invisi-Bill.."
He clicked off the TV; a clean, comfortable silence followed. It had been a while since either had felt so.. relaxed.. which was odd considering how eventful the last thirty minutes were. Invisi-Bill yawned, lifting his glasses to rub his eyes. Big Left Hand Guy leaned on the armrest of their couch.
"It's been a busy night. What'd you say we head to bed?"
Invisi-Bill nodded sleepily, standing from his seat. He collected his usual nightgown from the compact dresser and retreated into the bathroom to change. Big Left Hand Guy tossed his suspenders by the couch, making a mental note to clean up in the morning before changing into more comfortable pants, then flopping down on their bed. Invisi-Bill wasn't long to join him, turning the lights off on the way there.
Big Left Hand Guy's head was still buzzing from the mental rollercoaster he'd just ridden on. Invisi-Bill played by his side, all too quick to wrap his arm around Big Left Hand Guy, his head on his shoulder. He appeared to have fallen asleep within minutes, much lighter than when he'd walked in the house. Big Left Hand Guy smiled, taking the glasses off of Bill's face as gently as he could, placing them on the nightstand.. Big Left Hand Guy was on the brink of sleep himself, though just before he drifted off, he could of sworn he'd heard a voice muffled into his own shirt.
"Invisi-Bill hopes you do that again this year.."