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New years Eve was, in Noah’s opinion, an interesting Holiday. The last day of the year in which everyone was merry. What Noah found interesting was what that joy was derived from. The joy in the fact that this year was over, and the hope that the next year would be better. Noah rarely met a person who said,’ this year was great. I hope next year is too!’ Almost always people would say. ‘Thank god this year is almost over. It’s been such a slog. At least the new year will provide a new slate.’
To him it seemed less a celebration of the previous year as many claimed and more a celebration that it was all over. Which Noah supposed wasn’t a problem. Ending the year on a high note was nice.
At least that was how he usually felt about the whole thing. This year was different though. This year was momentous for him. About three months ago he began dating a man named Alejandro Burromuerto. He was so perfect Noah occasionally wondered if he’d wake up one day to find he’d just dreamed him up. That said, they didn’t start off on the best note.
They met in college and ended up quickly forming a rivalry. Noah was used to being the top of the class. With no effort ever. So Alejandro coming in and being as smart as he was, threw him. Noah didn’t really care about that kind of thing normally. It wasn’t like he tried anyway. There was just something about Alejandro. Something about how perfect he was. About the way he effortlessly did everything, the way he held himself, how smug he seemed about it all. It made him want to show him up. To bring him down a peg.
The most infuriating thing was that Alejandro never strayed from his ‘character’. Even when Noah knew he had to be fuming inside, Alejandro always remained perfectly polite and gentlemanly. He could see from the smugness in his eyes that Alejandro knew it was infuriating to him, and was taking great joy in that.
It all came to a head when they got assigned to do a group project together. They met in the library and began to do research. Research was boring but nothing Noah wasn’t used to. The problem and thing that annoyed him was how often they were interrupted. It seemed like every five minutes a girl would come and do one of two things. Ask Alejandro for help, or flirt with him. Alejandro being the ‘gentleman’ he was would always help a girl when asked, and being as flirtatious as he was Alejandro pretty much always flirted back.
After about the tenth girl to do this Noah cleared his throat loudly. Both the girl and Alejandro ignored him, but it was only so long before the girl got fed up with him and stormed off. Alejandro turned back towards him. “Are you going to help with the group project or womanize the entire time?”
Alejandro smirked. “Are you jealous, amigo?”
Noah felt strangely defensive. He didn’t know why. Anyone would be annoyed that their project partner was more focused on girls than the project. Jealousy had nothing to do with it. “No, I just want you to focus.”
Alejandro’s smirk widened.”Whatever you say.”
After that every time they were working on their project Alejandro had this air to him. An air that said, I know you like me. Which was stupid. Noah didn’t care that Alejandro was flirting with girls, and he certainly didn’t care about some of the girl’s desperate attempts to get Alejandro’s attention. It didn’t, and every time he interrupted Alejandro would turn to him and give him his full attention. Which just grated on Noah’s nerves because of that smug smirk on his face. They still made good progress on their project.
They were nearly finished with their project the day the tension broke. Alejandro was staring into his eyes, giving him his full attention, with that smug smirk on his face. Noah decided to wipe it off. He just wasn’t expecting it to be by kissing him. Once he pulled away Noah relished in Alejandro’s shocked look.
They started dating after that, and now Noah was facing the beginning of a new year with him. It made the Holiday exciting to him for once. For once the year felt like the beginning of something new, rather than a continuation of the old.
He and Alejandro were sitting on the porch of their apartment looking out at the sky in anticipation of the fireworks display due to go off at midnight.They were both holding a glass of red wine. He was wearing a coat on top of all his usual layers and Alejandro was in his normal clothing. Noah glared at him lightly. He was freezing even with the layers and Alejandro looked like he was on a beach.
Alejandro smirked at him knowingly. “Would you like to share my warmth?”
Noah did, but he was also feeling contrary so he replied. “I’m fine.”
Alejandro chuckled and picked Noah up, placing the smaller male on his lap. Noah wanted to complain, but the heat radiating off of him was nice. Alejandro’s smirk widened. “Shut up.” Noah muttered.
“I haven’t said a word.” Alejandro replied.
The two of them continued to watch the night sky as they sipped their wine. Neither of them speak, just enjoying each other’s company. As Noah’s watch hit midnight the fireworks began to go off in the night sky, rich and bold in color. Noah usually enjoyed them to an extent but this year they seemed far more vivid and brilliant. It was a state of mind he supposed. He was looking forward to what the fireworks represented, and thus his enjoyment of them was increased. Or maybe it was because he was drunk. It was possible both of these things were true.
He turned to Alejandro and smiled. Alejandro smiled back and the two of them kissed as the fireworks continued. When they pulled apart they wordlessly returned to watching the display. Truly this year, more than any other, felt like the start of something wonderful.