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The flashing lights illuminated the street, accompanied by a loud bang. Lethica stood, her eyes following the lights in the sky. Next to her, eyes also gazing towards the sky, was Marius.
Last year they had both spent this night inside, cuddling together with a hot drink. Lethica had rubbed her boyfriend's back reassuringly while he covered his ears and jumped at every bang coming from the outside. Lethica had missed the fireworks, but she could go without them if that meant helping those close to her.
This year, following Briggsy's invitation for a little get-together they came prepared. Marius was shielded from the noise not only with a pair of noise-canceling headphones but also a pair of earplugs hidden underneath them.
Lethica averted her gaze from the sky to look over at him. His eyes were glowing, watching the light show that Briggsy and Yorgrim had prepared. She had expected the former to be a firework enthusiast, however, Yorgrim matching his enthusiasm in the matter surprised her. The bulky man came prepared, his lighter being able to withstand the stronger winds sweeping through the streets.
A bit further away from the firework stood the last two members of their little group (or crew as Briggsy liked to call them), neither of them seemed inclined to get any closer to the fireworks.
Lethica and Marius had packed an extra pair of earplugs in case of an emergency. That emergency came in the form of a short woman, covering her ears and ranting about the trash and noise caused by people's New Year celebration to a confused-looking, rather lanky man in tattered clothes.
When Lethica arrived she had promptly given the extra pair to her. Farryn put them in the moment after she made Briggsy promise that they were going to pick up the entire mess they were making. Now Farryn stood, eyes narrowed as they followed the rocket Yorgrim had sent into the sky just a moment ago. Yet, as Lethica paid closer attention the small smile on the other woman's face was undeniable.
Next to Farryn stood Jericho and the moment Lethica saw him she made a mental note to bring a third pair of earplugs next year. The young man had his hands firmly pressed over his ears. Despite that (and the slight rocking back and forth which she had learned to associate with him being nervous or tense) Jericho's eyes were wide, amazement shining in them, a wide smile visible on his face.
Lethica's eyes shifted back just in time to see Briggsy set another rocket into the empty bottle he had placed on the asphalt of the nearly empty parking lot. As Yorgrim came over, handing his lighter to the shorter man Lethica felt a tug at one of her sleeves. Without looking she pulled her hand out of her pocket, welcoming the feeling of her boyfriend's hand entwining with hers.
As sparks enveloped the fuse of the rocket and Briggsy jumped back, seconds later, accompanied by a telltale whistling noise it flew upwards just to light up the sky as it exploded.
The minutes ticked by, accompanied by the flashing lights of the fireworks and Lethica couldn’t help but smile. It was hidden behind her mask, but she knew, these people were able to tell how she was feeling without her taking it off.
Her New Years resolution, she decided, would be to hold these people close and tend to the friendship she had with every single one of them.