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The streets of the Valley were quieter than usual, as New Year's Day gave the world a chance to recover from the previous night's chaos. Robby Keene stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jacket, walking beside Tory Nichols as they navigated their way to the park.
"You didn’t have to meet me so early," Tory said, her voice teasing but warm. She was wearing her signature leather jacket, her breath visible in the crisp January air.
"Early?" Robby shot her a smirk. "It's almost noon. Besides, you’re the one who wanted to see the fireworks tonight. We’ve got all day."
Tory rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched upward. "Fine. But you're buying the snacks."
The park was nearly empty when they arrived, save for a few families walking their dogs and a couple of kids playing on the swings. They found a bench near the lake, where the water shimmered under the pale winter sun.
Robby pulled out a thermos from his bag and handed it to her. "Hot chocolate. Thought you might need it."
Tory took it, her expression softening. "Thanks," she murmured, her voice quieter than usual.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, sipping hot chocolate and watching the ducks glide across the water. The serenity of the moment was a stark contrast to the chaos that often defined their lives.
"Do you ever think about how crazy last year was?" Robby asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
Tory laughed, a short, genuine sound. "Crazy doesn't even cover it. Feels like we lived through five years in one."
"Yeah," Robby agreed, his gaze distant for a moment. "But I guess it wasn't all bad."
Tory raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? And what part of last year wasn’t bad?"
Robby turned to her, a small smile playing on his lips. "This part," he said, gesturing between them.
Tory's cheeks flushed, and she quickly looked away, pretending to focus on the lake. "You're such a sap, Keene," she muttered, though her smile betrayed her words.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the park began to fill with more people, couples, families, groups of friends, all gathering to watch the fireworks. Robby and Tory moved to a grassy hill, spreading out a blanket they’d brought along.
By the time the first firework lit up the night sky, the park was packed, but it felt like they were the only two people there.
"Whoa," Tory whispered as a cascade of golden sparks rained down, illuminating the dark.
Robby glanced at her, more interested in the way her face lit up than the fireworks. He leaned a little closer, his voice soft. "Tory..."
She turned to him, her eyes catching his in the faint light. "Yeah?"
For a moment, he hesitated, his usual confidence wavering. But then, spurred on by the magic of the moment, he leaned in, capturing her lips with his.
The kiss was tentative at first, but when Tory kissed him back, it deepened, warmth spreading through them despite the cold night.
When they finally pulled apart, the fireworks were still bursting overhead, their colors reflected in Tory's wide, surprised eyes.
"Happy New Year," Robby said, his voice barely audible over the crowd's cheers.
Tory smiled, a rare, genuine smile that softened her sharp edges. "Happy New Year," she echoed, threading her fingers through his.
And for the first time in a long time, they both felt like the year ahead might not be so bad after all.