Chapter Text
Neil was insistent that he and Todd go to the New Year’s Eve ball drop. Todd never cared for it too much, but he figured that if he was in New York City, he might as well. So, on cold New Year’s Eve at nine in the afternoon, Todd and Neil put on their coats and headed down to Times Square.
A couple hours in, Neil bought hot chocolate for himself and Todd to keep them warm on that chilly night. Neil almost immediately burnt his tongue on it, so Todd waited a few minutes before he began to drink his. During the wait, they walked around Times Square, talking and laughing with one another.
Once their hot chocolate had cooled down enough, they sipped it as they found a comfortable place to stand. People around them conversed excitedly. Kids ran and played. Adults clinked champagne glasses. Lovers exchanged their last kisses of 1959. Todd sipped his hot chocolate.
As the new year crept closer and closer, the volume of the audience crescendoed. Todd thought about what his family must be doing right now. He became paranoid that they might be watching the broadcast of the celebration on their television, that maybe they would spot him and figure out where he was. He craned his neck to see if there were any cameras around, but he couldn’t find any.
“What’re you doing?” Neil asked, licking hot chocolate off his upper lip.
“Nothing,” Todd replied.
Neil opened his mouth to make some sort of joke– Todd could tell from the goofy smile on his face– but closed it when he heard the countdown begin. “Shh, it’s starting!” he hissed as if Todd had been talking. Todd laughed and looked up at the ball.
Ten.
Nine.
Eight.
Seven.
Six.
Five.
Todd swirled the hot chocolate in his cup.
Four.
He licked his lips.
Three.
Everyone’s eyes were trained on that glittery ball in expectation.
Two.
Todd never took his eye off the ball.
One.
He let out a breath. The sign reading 1960 lit up the sky.
“Happy New Year!” The crowd cheered.
Then, Neil kissed him.