Ithro had rarely celebrated the new year, especially since leaving home to work. This time, this time was different. 18 years since Glanni had shook up the town, and 15 since he had moved in. But as they sat, Ithro on the edge of the seat on his couch, and Glanni wrapped around the coffee table, TV remote in hand, Ithro couldn't imagine it not being like this. He slid off the couch and onto the floor next to Glanni as the clock struck 11:59. After last year, the kids had decided they didn't want to spend New Years with the adults, and had set up for a slumber party with Goggi. Which, all to Glanni's fault, had left the two alone to watch the ball drop. He snaked his arm around Glanni as the cat-like man turned to face him. Even with the volume turned down low, they could both hear the roar of the crowd as the ball dropped. But the two, even as they were, would be damned if they didn't share a New Years kiss.
