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The slightly tinny voice of the emcee blared from the TV.
“3… 2… 1… Happy new year!”
Fireworks exploded in the sky, streaking the velvety black with varied colours, drowning out the celebration on the TV and the bustling hum of the crowd in the streets below.
“Wow, it’s amazing!”
Connor leaned out of the window, eyes and mouth round with excitement.
“It's so much better than just seeing it in videos! Isn't it, Nines?”
He gripped his hand a little more firmly.
“Yes.”
Honestly, they just seemed like particularly bright and noisy lights, but to see him full of such exuberance…
The tenderness that his presence always sparked in the corners of his mouth unfurled into a faint smile.
He did like fireworks just as much as him.
“Humans really are fascinating.”
Connor's voice took on a thoughtful tone, the novelty of fireworks evidently giving way to his persistent interest in understanding the vagaries of human behaviour.
“They throw such grand celebrations for the smallest things. I'm not saying that it's bad, of course, it's a lot of fun. But a new year is just another full rotation around the sun, which is just the inevitable result of Earth's orbit. I suppose the scarcity of its occurrence makes it special? Humans do tend to enjoy the most minor of events, as long as they rarely occur.”
He nodded.
“I agree.”
Still, like the appeal of fireworks (and mediocre movies, and trinkets with no foreseeable value, and pouring cereal on the ground for a roomba), he thought he might understand it now.
“Perhaps it's also because it clearly marks something new. Like new chances, new experiences, new time to spend…”
The light warmth of Connor’s hand seeped into his palm, melding perfectly with his deliberately lowered internal temperature.
“Together.”
Connor turned to him, lips quirked in a smile.
“With me?”
“Yes. Who else?”
He laughed.
“I don't know. A dog?”
“We can get one if you want.”
He made a quick search for the nearest shelter’s location.
“There’s an animal shelter approximately 34 minutes away.”
“I'd love one, but I'm worried they'll get lonely or bored when we're at work, especially since this place isn't that spacious… Also, what if Sumo gets jealous? He might smell them on me, or be mad because I can't give him as much attention…”
… The last part was a point he hadn't considered. Sumo would most likely be as placid as ever, but he himself…
“Never mind, then. As long as you're happy with the way things are.”
He beamed.
“Of course! You know, even if it's a new year, I don't want anything to change.”
His smile lightened.
“Neither do I.”