Work Text:
Don't read the last page
But I stay when you're lost
and I'm scared
and you're turning away
There are no holiday breaks for police officers, most especially today when people are gathering in public places. It is their job to ensure the safety of the crowd.
It's the first time Daisuke will be spending the New Year patrolling. And honestly? He prefers it this way. He prefers to stand in the howling wind with his trench coat, a pair of thick leather gloves to warm his hands, and a soft green scarf made of cashmere wound around his neck.
It's quite ironic how being outside in the cold of winter's night is much warmer than sitting in front of the fireplace in mismatched pajamas.
Because he couldn't be bothered to dress up. Couldn't be in the festive mood because it would just be another year of hollowness and unanswered questions.
"Goddamn," his partner spits out between jittering teeth. "It's so cold tonight!"
Daisuke regards Haru with a quirked brow. The inspector is, suffice to say, not suited for the night. Or at least enough for Daisuke's standards. Aside from the salmon pink scarf the millionaire gifted for him last Christmas and the grey ear muffler, he's dressed in his usual atrocious brown jacket.
He really should've bought Haru a new, much better jacket with heating mechanisms instead of a replica of the one destroyed on the ship.
(What he won't admit to anyone is that the jacket has become a part of Haru's charm, and Daisuke has come to like it.
But no one has to know that.
He makes a mental note to destroy the jacket accidentally, so he could gift another one with heating mechanisms.)
"Didn't you bring any gloves or at least a heating pack?" Daisuke asks when Haru brings both palms to his mouth and tries futilely to blow air to warm them up.
"Couldn't find my gloves," he answers in betweem puffs of air. "Didn't have time t-to buy."
And not enough time to swing by the convenience store. The crowd starts to scream and holler as the LED screens in Shibuya crossing starts to count down starting at 30. Phones go up in the air to record the welcoming of the new year.
To immortalize the brief second, the brief momentous second as they leave the past behind.
Hurriedly and without thought, Daisuke peels the glove from his left hand.
25 seconds.
Am I ready to leave everything behind?
"Kambe, what are you--"
"Just wear it." He thrusts the item to Haru.
20 seconds.
I've never celebrated New Year with a positive disposition. All I've ever known was another year of nothingness.
15 seconds.
Haru wears the glove in its respective hand. Daisuke can hear the sigh he lets out in relief.
He moves to take the other glove off.
The crowd starts to count down as the second reaches 10.
I want to leave everything behind. But I'm scared.
"9!"
But Haru holds on to Daisuke's wrist, effectively stopping him from removing his glove.
"8!"
Will you guide me?
"7!"
Haru smiles, and Daisuke feels warmth tingle all over his body. The crinkles on the inspector's eyes soften.
"6!"
Will you step into the New Year with me?
"5!"
He feels Haru's cold and freezing hand snake into his.
"4!"
Will you take my hand as we leave the past year behind?
"3!"
As if hearing Daisuke's thoughts, Haru laces their fingers together and places their joined hands inside the pocket of his jacket.
"2!"
Daisuke squeezes his hand.
Will you stay with me? Keep my New Years warm?
"1!"
Haru squeezes back.
The crowd erupts in cheers, greeting each and one another a happy new year. Not too long after, white confetti starts to cover the crossing like snow, fleeting and fragile.
Fleeting like time and fragile like moments.
"Happy New Year," Haru greets in a soft voice, his eyes growing warmer like embers Daisuke used to stare at in his fireplace. Alone.
But he isn't alone anymore.
It may be foolish if he thinks this will last forever. But for as much as he can, as much as he is able to, Daisuke wants to create more moments with Haru.
Moments that will be enough to keep him going.
He wants to hold on to this strained, fleeting time for as long as his strength can make him.
And he hopes Haru will want the same, too.
Daisuke squeezes his hand again.
"Happy New Year, Haru."
I want your midnights
But I'll be cleaning up bottles with you
On New Year's Day