𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒. ( 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘺 )

the countdown

Steve breaks the kiss, a wide grin on his face. He'd never get tired of kissing Ponyboy. He loved the feeling of his lips against his. The kisses were always so gentle and sweet, never lasting too long. And he was perfectly fine with that.

Just being able to do it was exciting enough.

"We should probably head back in there," the older male murmurs. "They'll start to come looking if they notice that we're both gone."

Ponyboy pouts but he nods his head slightly, resting against his boyfriend more. He really couldn't wait to love on him for as long as he wanted to. It would be a great feeling. Just a little longer.

The brunette kisses his cheek before pulling away and grabbing a Pepsi from the fridge, cracking it open. And then he guided the way back to the couch, plopping down and the redhead falling into place next to him.

The two go back to snuggling up the best that they could without being noticed.

And before they knew it, they were only ten seconds away from the ball dropping. Everyone was perked up now, grinning widely and starting to count down. They all seemed much more excited than last year.

"Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! One!" Everyone chants.

And then when the ball dropped, there was a loud chorus of 'Happy New Year' from around the living room.

Steve looks at his boyfriend with a grin, nearly laughing when Ponyboy was already looking at him expectedly. The brunette cups his cheek and presses their lips together. It was one of the more passionate kisses of theirs, both eager and excited to go into the new year together.

"Holy shit! They're kissing!" Two-Bit cries.

The couple pulls away from one another's lips, pressing their foreheads together. It just seemed to be their thing, not that either of them minded. It was just comforting for them to be so close and look one another in the eyes with such a gentle gaze.

Soda's jaw drops as he stares at his best friend and baby brother.

"This was the boy!?" The blonde yells, tone sounding more excited than anything else. "Oh my God, Steve!"

After the older male came out to him, Soda let it slip from his mind that he had even been talking about having a crush on someone. The memories came back in full force now. It had been Ponyboy this whole time.

Steve turns his head and he gives a shy smile toward Soda who was already on his feet, trying not to jump around excitedly. That would be too much and he knew it, so he resisted. Seeing that the blonde wasn't angry with him was the biggest relief he's ever felt in his life. He wouldn't have known what to do if Soda resented him for liking Ponyboy.

"You're not mad?" The brunette asks.

"No! My best friend is dating my brother! It's two of my favorite people finally getting along!"

Steve couldn't help but laugh. That was one way to look at it. He was happy that the blonde had been so positive about the reveal. He was the one person that had the most highly-valued opinion. Whatever Soda thought about something, Steve usually internalized that because he cared about his opinion.

Ponyboy turns his head to face Darry, looking at his oldest brother.

"And you?" the redhead asks.

"I had a feeling," Darry responds. "When we were making Thanksgiving dinner and having that little moment of yours, I had a suspicion. But just as long as he treats you right, I don't care."

The younger male grins widely. He was worried about how Darry would have felt. But knowing that he was okay with it made his whole body relax. It was nice.

"I knew it!" Two-Bit cheers. "As soon as Steve was willing to go as far as rock, paper, scissors, I knew it! He would never do that if he didn't like you!"

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

Steve and Ponyboy turn their attention to Johnny and Dallas on the couch. Johnny had a knowing smile on his face. Although Dallas looked a bit baffled. The ravenette must have not gotten around to telling him.

That made Ponyboy grin even wider.

Johnny was his greatest secret keeper.

"Was I the only one who didn't know?" Dallas asks, chuckling a bit. "I just thought you guys were fucking around with one another... Like jokes. Not actually."

"Yeah, you were," Johnny answers gently, giggling a bit. "I couldn't say anything to you. It breaks the best friend code."

Dallas rolls his eyes playfully. He wasn't mad. He didn't think that he could ever be mad at Johnny.

Ponyboy rests his head against Steve's shoulder.

Everything was falling into place.