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By sheer force of will, Edwin and Scott had been the ones to make it to midnight, with the rest of the family tuckered out and snoring on the couch or on a pile of cushions on the floor when the ball dropped. Even Hoagie and Stubby were cuddled up close and fast asleep, little paws twitching as they dreamed. Fate and Morgan were nestled comfortably in Claude's arms, Mackie had fallen asleep on top of Clyde, and that left Scott and Edwin to quietly toast the new year together, both smiling warmly and trying not to giggle at the pile of tired demons and children.
"So much for the midnight kiss," Scott murmured.
"I'll kiss your cheek," Edwin offered, and did so. "Shame to break with tradition. Happy New Year, Scotty. We really made it, didn't we?"
"We really did. And hey! You're engaged! By the time the next new year rolls around you're gonna be married! How's that feel?"
"Like a dream come true," he admitted. "It still doesn't feel real. I keep waiting to wake up back in my old apartment with voices in my head."
"Hey. Hey, even if that does happen, swear I'm gonna come find you. You're a really cool guy and I'm really glad you're gonna be my father in law." Scott gave him a little punch in the shoulder. "I still feel like I'm gonna wake up and be back in my old apartment with no friends and tits all over again. So hey. You're not alone."
"You're a wonderful son in law," Edwin said, taking Scott's hand and giving it a squeeze. "I'm always going to count you amongst my family. But that also begs the question, are you planning on making an honest hellspawn of my son?"
"Pff, absolutely! I just want my degree first. But once I graduate, yeah. If he doesn't propose first. I know your spectacular little speech put stars in Clyde's eyes and the idea in his head."
Edwin couldn't help but chuckle. "I would hardly call that speech spectacular, but I'm glad you think so."
"It was! It so was! It was an incredible party and you totally nailed the proposal. You looked great. You sounded great. Claude cried." Scott glanced over at Claude, stifling a giggle. "Do you know how hard it is to do that without just busting out a copy of Homeward Bound or Old Yeller? He cried publicly and it's because he loves you and you totally nailed that speech."
"I think it was rather more that I proposed at all."
"I mean, yeah. But the speech was awesome. Quit selling yourself short." Scott poked at Edwin's arm. "You're a really, really cool guy, and everyone showed up for you because they wanted to see you happy. Even the witch lady, who never ever shows up places showed up for you."
Edwin smiled demurely at Scott's insistence. A great many had showed up for Claude, too. For all the demon claimed to be king bastard and that he had only a few friends, he really was well liked by a great many people, even with the prickly exterior.
A prickly exterior that was softening just a bit with the application of babies and therapy and a little socialization.
"It's a strange feeling, suddenly having friends after being alone for so long," he mused as he sipped his mocktail. "I never thought much of myself. But I suppose I'm likable enough as I am."
"I feel that. You just need the right crew of weirdos to appreciate you the way you are. Like, same hat, Mr. B. Same damn hat."
"You know, you can call me Edwin. I'd like to think we're on a first name basis after all that's happened."
Scotty shrugged, going a little pink. "It just feels weirdly disrespectful? Like, you just give off a vibe that commands respect."
"I do?"
"Oh, totally. Queer coded villain vibes but also super nice?"
Edwin nearly snorted his drink, making Scott clap him on the back. When he finally cleared his airway:
"You're pulling my leg!"
"No way! Ask literally anyone. It's kind of a running joke at this point that you're gonna wind up running hell just based on vibes alone."
"I somewhat doubt that the Khan would give up his throne based on a vibe," Edwin said, but he was laughing. "All the same, I appreciate the sentiment. Still, it's okay to call me Edwin. I promise I'm fine with it."
"Okay, Edwin. God, that feels weird to say."
"You'll get used to it," he said gently. "Though it's going to be weirder once you and Clyde settle down and have some children of your own. Then I'll be Grandpa Edwin. How will you ever wrap your brain around that one?"
"I won't," he said honestly. "I really have no goddamn clue how I would even start to process that. How are you gonna feel about that?"
"Accomplished."
"What?"
"Really. This is... Well. This is the dream. A family. A home. Children. Grandchildren. It's all I've ever wanted in life. Everything else is simply a bonus."
"Now I understand what Claude means when he says sentimentality makes his ass twitch. That was a whole gluteal seizure."
"It's funny, because he's the most sentimental man I've ever met."
"He really is, but like hell am I ever gonna say that to his face."
They went quiet for a while, watching the confetti and crowds in Times Square as they sipped their drinks and nibbled at leftover snacks.
"You ever wonder what Auld Lang Syne means?"
"'Times long past,'" Edwin said softly. "Essentially- we were here. And it never meant much to me until now."
"Sounds like it's worth celebrating to me," Scott agreed, just as quietly. "Happy new year. We were here. Someday we won't be, but that's not worth worrying about."
"Hear, hear. I hope we're remembered fondly by those we love."
They clinked their glasses together, drank, and settled in to join the others in sleep.