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Eddie isn't quite used to seeing all the objects at one. It's not often they all get together like that, and not that he minds. He doesn't have the social battery for gatherings this big except for this time of year.
While time is a weird concept for the objects, they still celebrate the start of the new year together. It works roughly the same every year. Luke is in charge of the fireworks, all of the musically talented folks (plus Johnny) gather together for their own tunes. Everyone has their own personal routine for the New Years by now, and Eddie quickly grew fond of his.
Firstly, he sleeps in. With the Breaker Box closed for the day, Volt forced Eddie to actually sleep a reasonable amount of time. Let his body wake up naturally for one and feel as rested as someone with chronic fatigue can be. While reluctant at first, it quickly grew into Volt having to beg Eddie to stay in bed for five more minutes to Eddie telling Volt not to get up just yet. After a suitable amount of time in bed, Eddie and Volt get up and mentally prepare themselves for their role in the celebration. Drinks. While Eddie would prefer to make his drinks at his own bar, he’s also very aware that the celebration cannot take place inside the Breaker Box and he’s incredibly glad for that. He could hardly keep the place together without everyone trying to cram themselves inside. Thankfully, he's not alone in making drinks for everyone. He obviously has Volt by his side but Bev as well. It isn't often the third of them talk, different floors and all, but New Years is the time they all have a good chat while preparing everything the rest of the objects want for their drinks.
The celebration starts around 10pm. Everyone starts to gather downstairs and socialise while the trio of bartenders rope out drinks as quickly as they can to person after person as they flood in. The first half an hour is always the busiest, and Eddie tends to be less talkative and simply focused on slamming out as many drinks as he can. Once the initial rush is over, the trio treat themselves to a drink of their own, making seconds, thirds and so forths for the heavier drinkers of the lot. They do a final call at 11:30, shutting down by 11:45 which is when everyone gathers outside. (Yes there is a radius of the house they can exist in).
As always, Eddie has himself situated in his usual spot on one of the raised parts of the roof, behind him is where a large 2026 sign sits. In his hand is the drink he made himself right before Volt urged him out the door and onto the roof. He’s half focused on that and the conversation Volt is sharing with Tina and Harper, Volt not so subtly joking about the so-called ‘couples swap’ while gesturing over to where Dirk and Tony sit at the edge talking to each other. Everyone’s dolled up for the New Year and dressed for the cold. For the most part. To him, Harper and Tina seemed to lean far more into the ‘dolled up' sides of things than that ‘winter weather’. Both of the women in skirts and Tina in short sleeves. Eddie doesn't have a clue how they aren't freezing.
Speaking of which, Eddie doesn't realise he’s cold until a chill runs through him like a burst of current after a power outage. It makes him shiver, hunching in on himself in a futile attempt to preserve his already depleted body heating. Volt, with the eyes he apparently has in the back of his head, sees it too as he whips his head around at almost concerning speeds. Before Eddie can express concern for his partner’s neck, Volt is already passing his glass to Tina, with a playful comment about not drinking the contents for herself. The coat he always wears, which is actually properly on for once, is quickly shrugged off, and placed on Eddie’s shoulders.
“I told you to wear an extra level, my spark.” Volt’s words are soft but also reprimanding. Eddie simply chuckles and shakes his head. He takes another sip of his drink as Volt receives his own back from Tina. Eddie finds himself shuffling into Volt’s side as a ten second countdown begins and slowly builds amongst the objects. Eddie doesn't join in himself, he simply admires the expression on Volt’s face as his other half cheers to a new year with the others. He raises his glass to Tina’s with an inaudible clink, drowned out by the boom of fireworks and the hollers of the others.
After Volt has finished taking a generous mouthful of his drink, almost draining the glass, Eddie raises his hand to the back of Volt’s neck, loving the way his hair sparks against his skin as he turns Volt towards him and down for a kiss. Eddie never cared for the tradition. It's a human thing and Eddie isn't one for public displays, but once a year he’ll give Volt the pleasure of loving him for everyone to see. It takes Volt a second to respond, but once he does, his free hand is cradling Eddie’s face with such a tender (and surprisingly warm) touch as he holds the kiss. Not deepening it. Simply favouring it as Eddie started it.
When they part, Volt’s eyes show his mix of amusement and how purely enamoured he is by Eddie. Volt chuckles, pressing his forehead against Eddie’s.
“How do I forget you do this every year?” Eddie merely shrugs, tilting his head ever so slightly to brush his nose against Volt’s, both shivering slightly as sparks fly between them.
“Beats me. You won't shut up about it for a week afterwards.” Eddie finds his eyes wandering down Volt’s chest. That suit really does look fantastic on him. Volt simply hums, simply content enough not to move from the position they're in. Even as the noises start to die down, as the people who never stay up this late are already slinking their way back inside to go to sleep, neither Eddie nor Volt seem to move. They simply bask in the simple yet so intimate contact they have, Eddie’s hand still on the back of Volt’s neck while the hand that cradled his face rests on his lap. They share a final, brief brush of their lips.
“Happy New Year, Volt.”
“To another wonderful year with you, My Spark.”