Danny and Steve stood next to each other in the darkness of the lanai, the illumination from the fireworks casting the occasional eerie glow across their otherwise-shadowed faces. Although they didn't speak, by some instinctive understanding they reached out and clasped hands, holding tightly and squeezing, their bond across the departure of one year and the arrival of the next.
In the soft air and gentle breeze, with the flickering light continuing from the distance, their joining spoke of tumultuous times, and tender moments stolen, and underscoring it all was the promise of things to come. A new year had begun, pristine and as yet untouched by the realities of the world.
Together they turned and re-entered the dim apartment, to consummate the midnight hour with all the strength of their love, and to revel in the joy of the new day together.
Never Pau...