Naruto Uzumaki stood outside on Times Square, freezing cold, and brimming with excitement. It was the first time he'd ever seen the New Year's Eve Ball drop in real life. Before, he'd only seen the event on television, but now, he was eighteen and intent on living his life to the fullest.
Beside him, strangers of all sorts huddled up close, trying to use body heat for warmth. Everyone was jumping around excitedly. There was only one minute to go until the Ball dropped, and no one could wait.
The Ball shimmered and shone above their heads as it slowly descended, traveling at its own leisurely pace as everyone shouted. Suddenly, a man with a microphone stood in front of them and raised his free, gloved hand into the air.
"Don't forget to kiss your significant other when the ball drops! Grab a friend, grab a fiancé, or grab a stranger, and give 'em a big smooch for good luck!" he shouted into the microphone. The crowd roared, momentarily deafening Naruto, but he didn't care. His smile grew as he turned around, looking for someone to kiss.
Everyone seemed to be there with someone else; almost everyone had a partner. Naruto's smile dissipated slightly as he heard the beginning of the final countdown. 'Oh well,' he thought, turning back to look at the Ball, which was nearing the end.
"Eight, seven, six - "
Naruto clapped his gloved hands and tightened the scarf around his neck as his blue eyes twinkled, watching the Ball.
"Five, four, three - "
Naruto yelled, jumping up and down with his hands in the air, laughing as people knocked into him, screaming in his ear.
"Two…ONE!"
Confetti fell from the tallest buildings, showering the people as music played in the background, blaring its melody. A strong arm wrapped itself around Naruto's waist, and he whipped around to see a blur of pale, porcelain skin and midnight-black hair, before a pair of lips descended upon his own, wiping out all other thoughts and feelings.
The stranger tightened his hold on the blond, enveloping him with the warmth of his lean body. Naruto kissed back with great fervor and passion, not caring that he didn't know who this man was. All that mattered was the pair of lips on his own, and the tingle of pleasure that shivered down his spine when they broke apart.
Naruto laid eyes on the most beautiful man he had ever seen. Pale skin, black hair, matching black eyes, and a smirk that said "yes, I know I'm sexy." Naruto lost his breath.
"I'm Sasuke," said the stranger, looking into Naruto's bright blue eyes. Snowflakes beaded the inky black locks, giving an almost mystical appearance to the taller man.
"I-I'm Naruto," the blond panted slightly, still a bit breathless from the kiss.
"Happy New Year," Sasuke whispered into Naruto's ear, smiling when the blond's hand wrapped around his own.
"Yeah," Naruto breathed, "Happy New Year."
Their lips met again, and each man found that he had no desire to let go. So they didn't, and let the crowd cheer, the snow fall, and the night grow old as they hugged, kissed, and danced to the music. Naruto grinned into the crook of Sasuke's neck, deciding that it was the perfect beginning to a new year. It really was.
