Chapter Text
A week after the holiday festivities….
“ Hurry everyone, it’s almost time!!” Belle called down the stairwell to the headquarters they’d been trapped in, ushering everyone up to the roof. On the roof Cosmo, Flint, and Brian had set up a large clock to countdown to midnight and a series of probably very illegal fireworks.
As everyone shuffled onto the roof the last few minutes on the clock ticked away. Brian and Cosmo were busy making sure everything was going to run smoothly while Flint was just doing his best trying to stay calm enough to light one firework at a time and not set all of the highly dangerous sky explosives off all at once, Not that he was nervous to do so or anything, he was just REALLY excited.
Graham had been tasked to rush through the building to make sure everyone was on the roof for the big finale, or at least everyone that was okay being around fireworks was up there. Misty and Chip were both stationed at the corner furthest from the roof, both wearing headphones to cancel the noise once the fireworks started going off, Misty didn’t want to accidentally cause a small storm if she was frightened and Chip didn’t want all of the loud noises and large number of people to trigger and override. Kilo had joined the two of them not too long ago with headphones of his own, he just really didn’t like the noise and appreciated the more calm energy the other two cogs gave off.
Belle had somehow gotten Tawny and Cathal to help her with handing out party poppers, glow sticks, and some party hats she’d found. Belle did occasionally stop to take pictures of everyone and of the clock to send to her colleagues later.
Even their less than cannon coworkers had joined them, after a very extensive clean up that they had to do after their own party that they’d just finished only a week later. Most of them had pulled up seats along the outskirts of the larger part of the group all talking amongst themselves and discussing their plans for the next year with their schedules being more free than their cannon colleagues.
As Graham returned and gave Belle the go ahead she turned and, with Cosmo’s help, ran up to the clock to make a quick announcement before the time hit midnight. “ Thank you all so much for coming tonight!!” She cheered, being met with a much louder and equally enthusiastic chorus of cheers from all of the cogs that had gathered together. “This year has been wonderful, and though we’re still trapped in the headquarters I’ve enjoyed every single day that I was able to spend with all of you!!”
Belle raised a glass to the rest of the group as she looked around at the happy faces of everyone around her. The people who’d made her holidays wonderful in spite of their rather dire situation, the people that made her work life bearable, and the people that she could call her friends. Even if this was her first New Years celebration without her core family, she didn’t feel lonely at all. In some way, with everyone around her, it felt like she was home anyway, still celebrating the holidays with her family.
“ Here’s to a wonderful new year!!” Belle cheered before she drank what was left of her sparkling cider, which the cogs around her did too before they erupted into more cheers. Belle quickly handed the microphone to Cosmo with a big smile as the clock struck only ten seconds remaining.
10!!
Belle looked at all of their faces one more time, her smile only growing stronger.
9!!!
She wished her kids could see this, but she was sure they were having so much fun back in suitopia all on their own.
8!!!!
Memories of her past year were still fresh in her mind as she looked at all of them, fond memories of things they’d done together, battles they’d won, and battles that they’d lost.
7!!!!!
This was Flint’s cue to get his fire ready, Belle could see him crouched next to the nearest firework, ready to set it off, Graham was right next to him, practically hanging off of his shoulder as he waited for his New Years kiss.
6!!!!!!
Close to them Tawny was already asleep, slumped over in a chair unbothered by the noise around them. Cathal was on the other end of the table, playing what looked like a DS, he’d told Belle he was doing something called ‘ Shiny hunting’ she wasn’t sure what that meant but she was happy to see him enjoying something.
5!!!!!!
Cosmo had been lifted up by his boys, they held him high into the air as he continued to lead the countdown, while he seemed uncomfortable being that far off of the ground he didn’t seem to let it deter his enthusiasm.
4!!!!!!!
Brian seemed happier than usual as well, he even moved away from the large digital counter that he built and had been watching like a hawk all night. He managed to squeeze into the crowd and join in on the count down.
3!!!!!!!!!
Belle could just barely see Misty, Chip, and Kilo through everyone else, the three looked as excited as the others but still kept their distance for their own comfort. Something Belle fully understood, and she made a mental note to bring them some cake and sit with the three later.
2!!!!!!!!!!
The fuse for the fight firework had been lit, Belle turned to watch as the sparks quickly traveled along, one by one setting the other fuses off as well so the fireworks would fire off one by one all on their own, a clever bit of planning that Brian and Hydra had spent nearly all day working on.
1!!!!!!!!!!
Belle looked to the sky with what was left of her drink still in her hands, when she felt someone pull her closer. In the single moment she had to process what was going on she saw that one of the Satellite investors had pulled her in before a sudden photo was taken of them. Apparently at the last second Cosmo had decided she deserved to be in the photo he took with the people who were closest to him annually.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!
The fireworks went off one by one and lit up the skies of Toontown in a brilliant display of color, and just like that it was the start of a brand new year. And even though she had no clue what was awaiting for her in the next twelve months deep down, Belle knew that as long as she was with the people who were already with her now, nothing could go wrong.
“ This year is going to be amazing…”