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As common as it may sound, not everybody in the world celebrates the coming of the new year. Different cultures, different meanings behind customs and celebrations. The 31st of December frenzy doesn’t happen in Islamic countries since it is considered as haram (forbidden.) Some may buy sweet baked goods and enjoy beverages, and as far as Nomad remembers, she ate some chocolate cakes with her family back at home. Other than that, it’s just another ordinary day to sleep through and wake up on.
Maverick also understands where she comes from, since he spent a significant amount of time in Kabul, Afghanistan. The locals were very kind to share a big pot of lamb pilaf, hoping that would help him with homesickness back at home. They cared for him as he felt the same. They were willing to drink and party at underground clubs, but it was pretty much an event that could happen any other day.
This leads to our dear couple and how their schedule is at the end of December. Wake up together in the same bed, share some kisses and get ready for the day. Some toasts with eggs, olive oil and jam, and accompanying teas. They set off to continue with their daily lives; works yet to be finished, gyms to hit, colleagues to catch up and groceries to buy and load. Maverick makes video calls with his family back in Boston to bid good wishes, and Nomad also joins in for a catch up chat. They make dinner, enjoy the tranquil evening and head back to bed. The following morning, they may find the workplace to be noisy with excitable crowds screaming ‘happy new year,’ or some awfully quiet due to a hangover. Regardless, it’s pretty much just another day.
One slight difference would be an instance where Rainbow holds an evening potluck party. Maverick loves to cook and so does Nomad. They don’t have to attend and stay for the countdown, but it’s a great event to share the love through fine cuisines and niceties in life. If arranged right, they can also trade portions for a variety of different foods. This is when Maverick gets up early in the morning to wrap a copious amount of lobster rolls while Nomad joins a little later after her morning prayer. She had her chicken thighs marinated with onions and spices, which had rested in the fridge since yesterday. Now they only have to be cooked in tagine, a special earthenware pot, along with lemon rinds and olives.
Containers are full and packed. They drive over to the cafeteria and meet up with those who agreed to trade. Oryx has his grape leaf rolls ready, and one can wonder how such a big guy can delicately stuff rice and shredded lambs in thin pieces of leaves. But here he is, a living proof of someone with strength and finesse. Thunderbird whips out three whole trays of butter tarts. Nomad, Maverick and the chef herself eat at least a couple before they decide to restrain themselves and trade dinners. Frost joins them a little late, apologising while explaining she made a last minute decision to make spinach and emmental quiche instead of frying the eggs in a pan with vegetables. From a distance, Thermite rushes over as he bids farewell to the other loudmouths. He carries aluminium foils of barbecue ribs, and with a pride akin to what dads would say, he claims that the sauce is family secret. It’s friendly for all, and Kaid strolls by while carving the bone clean under his magnificent facial hairs.
Other people have begun to put more dishes on the table. Nomad and Maverick find a spot to display theirs as well, then they venture around to taste what they feel like. Friendly conversations and moderate amounts of alcohol. Maverick takes a stool to share stories that people love to hear, while Nomad sticks with Ash and Zofia for chit-chats that cross the lines between personal lives, families back at their home, brief discussions on where Rainbow will be heading as an organisation in the future and idle gossips.
Skies have grown darker and Nomad rubs her dry eyes. She is more than welcome to leave whenever suits her, and the foods are already stored in chiller boxes back at their car. It’s quite easy to find Maverick playing a game of pool with the others, so she waves at him and asks when he’d like to be picked up. Maverick replies that Blackbeard will drop him off after the countdown. Two blows of kiss from both ends, and people howl a whoop. Laughter and good wishes for a healthy couple who have been through thick and thin, so Nomad chuckles along as she takes a lighthearted stroll towards the exit.
Their home isn’t too far away so the drive was only a few minutes long. The traded hauls are stacked in the fridge and she quickly showers before another prayer for the night. She then turns on the podcast of her recent favourite - Crime Junkie. Tragedies, unforgivable scumbags and the justices served accordingly or not. Last night she fell asleep on episodes that dealt with Ernesto Miranda, who was the direct cause of making Miranda rights after his chaotic trials.
It was her intention to stay awake past midnight, but exhaustion washes over. She swears her eyes closed only for a few minutes, but when Maverick stumbles into their bed, apparently it’s well past one in the morning. Her partner still smelled like beer, but he definitely cleaned off the sweat and savoury food. Placing her hand over his damp blond hair, Nomad bids him a good night with a lazy grin. He returns the sentiment with a kiss, and murmurs about the laundry to be done tomorrow. She reminds him of hand-washing woollen sweaters they wore for weeks, and he promises to work on that as well before drifting off to sleep.
That is the end of their day, their year. Morning shall come as any other, along with the precious and peaceful life they lead while being off-duty.