Christmas/New Year's AU
A/N: Sorry it's so late, I wanted to post it early on New Year's Eve! Anyway, I hope you like it, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Thanks for reading~
Daine sighed and leaned back in her chair, sinking as far as she could into it and trying to be invisible. In an identical chair an end table away, her friend Miri was sitting happily on Evin's lap, talking in his ear. Daine looked around the room and saw similar couples everywhere, then scowled as she wished again that she hadn't come to the party. But it was New Year's Eve, and it was probably better than staying at home and drinking an entire bottle of champagne or wine on her own. Still, she wished she'd had the hindsight to bring someone along. It was New Year's Eve after all, and it wasn't like she'd forgotten the tradition of a kiss at midnight. The problem was, she wasn't dating anyone at the time, so she hadn't felt compelled to bring someone. If she'd known that practically everyone here would be part of a couple, then she would've called someone at least.
She looked over again at Evin and Miri, and found them kissing. Daine rolled her eyes, and didn't even bother to make an excuse as she got up. She tossed them (and her slight jealousy) aside, thinking she needed more wine anyway. She wove her way through the people; There weren't too many, but it was still just a living room. Luckily, Daine knew Alanna's house well, or else she might be afraid of never finding the kitchen on her own. She didn't get to make it that far though— there were just too many people apparently. Daine ran headfirst into another, slighter taller woman, blond hair curled stylishly to accent her v-neck dress, with a man on her arm. Any drinks that either of the two women held ended up getting spilled on Daine, somehow. She sighed, thinking, at least it can't get any worse.
"I am so sorry! Are you alright? I think your glass broke." The blond said immediately, looking like she meant it. Daine looked at her glass and realized she was right, it had broken, although the broken bits seemed to have fallen inside the glass at least. Great, she thought, thinking of Alanna's reaction.
"I'm alright, thanks," Daine replied, looking up and meeting her eyes. She realized that the woman was older than her, by anywhere from 10 to 20 years older (she couldn't tell). A friend of Alanna's then, no doubt. Miri had invited any of the people close to her and Daine's ages. Then Daine recognized the man, Numair. They'd talked a few times, but it was never more than in passing, and always with someone like Alanna being the reason they'd met at all.
"Oh gosh, I really am sorry! Are you sure you're okay?" The woman apologized again.
"I'm fine, really. I'll go clean up. You tell Alanna about the broken glass," Daine smiled sympathetically, thinking that with Alanna's temper, it certainly balanced the scales. The blond nodded sullenly, and Daine turned to begin making her way through the crowd again, ignoring the discomfort of red wine soaking her dress and skin.
"Umm," She looked back and saw Numair clear his throat. "I think I'll refill your glass for you."
"Wimp, leaving me to deal with Alanna all on my own." She accused, glaring half-heartedly. Daine almost pitied the woman, but was still confused as to how all the wine had gotten spilled on her and not the blond, so she shrugged it off and kept walking.
"Yeah, exactly," She glanced back and saw him smiled goofily, lifting her glass out of her hand nimbly and following Daine's path to the kitchen. Finally she reached the kitchen, and she immediately grabbed some paper towels to squeeze away the dripping drink, careful not to rub and make the stain worse. There was no way she was going to be able to wear the dress again though. It wasn't her favorite (thankfully), but it was still one of her nicer, fancier ones, and made of a blue silk that brought out her eyes. The red blotch on the top half was anything but nice. She was absorbed in mourning her dress, so a voice behind her nearly made her jump out of her skin.
"I know some ways to get that out, if you want," Numair offered.
"That's nice and all, but nothing can be done while I'm wearing it." Daine pointed out, wishing she could get the stain out. "Something to cover it up would probably be more helpful now." She mumbled the last part, not thinking he would respond.
"Here, I think my jacket might work," Daine looked up from her dress and saw him holding out his jacket to her. She looked at him, then at it skeptically. He was much taller than she was, so odds were the best thing the jacket would do is slip off her shoulders.
"I… Don't think it's going to fit me. But thanks anyway." Daine said, not entirely sure how to process this. Why was he being so nice? They barely knew each other. To be truthful, all she wanted to do was go home now. A whole bottle of champagne just for her didn't sound too terrible right now.
"At least try?" He asked, waving the jacket temptingly. "It's better than a wine stain, I guarantee."
"Thanks, really Numair. But I think I'm just going to go home." Daine admitted, tiredness rushing over her.
"Right now? Weren't you drinking?" He accused, crossing his arms.
"Don't you have a girlfriend to get back to?" Daine said instead of answering the question.
"She's a friend not a girlfriend. We come together, that doesn't mean I made her any promises." He said shortly, glaring. "I'm not letting you drive while drunk Daine, so quit avoiding the question!" She threw up her hands in exasperation, giving up.
"Fine! I'll go crash in the guest room. Whatever." Daine snapped. She turned and stalked out the second kitchen door, quickly making her way down the hall and to an empty bedroom. To her disappointment, he followed her. She whirled in the doorway, glaring, and angrily asked, "What now?"
"Keys." He held out his hand expectantly, and she couldn't help but roll her eyes. She dug in her purse until she found her car keys, then handed them over.
"Happy now? My dress is ruined, my mood is ruined, and I want to go home and can't. Are you satisfied?" Daine snapped, unable to stop herself, tears pricking her eyes. Maybe she had had a bit too much to drink, to make her act so rude, and to let how upset she was show. To her regret, he winced at her words.
"I'm only doing what's right. I'm sorry about your dress. I can help you get the stain out still." He said softly, apologetically.
"It's fine. I'll be fine. Sorry. And thanks." She replied, not meeting his eyes. She was furious at herself for having to blink away tears. Why was she so emotional? It was just a dress! Maybe it was that the whole night had been so awful. Yes, that had to be it.
"I'll give your keys to Alanna, so you can drive home in the morning." Numair said, and Daine's head snapped up.
"No, no. Please don't. She'll make me feel like a fool." Daine pleaded. "I won't drive home, really. Just leave the keys in here or something."
"Alright, how about this. It's pretty close to midnight, so I think this is fair. I keep your keys, and drive you home." He paused, and she narrowed her eyes, suspicious, waiting for the foot to drop. "But you come back out to the party, and we both stay until after midnight. Deal?"
"My dress looks horrible, I can't go back out there!" She protested. "And what, you haven't been drinking at all?"
"No, I haven't." He said, and she could tell he was being honest. "And I guess you'll have to wear my jacket. You get my jacket, I get your keys. Win-win!" He smiled, almost wickedly.
"Sounds more like you win everything," She mumbled, then glared. He offered his jacket to her again, and she realized it'd been draped over his arm the whole time. Finally Daine scowled and sighed, taking the jacket and buttoning it as much as it would go. It was too large, and she had to roll the sleeves up, but it did cover the stain. She looked up and saw Numair staring at her, smiling.
"What?" Daine asked. "It looks stupid, I know. Stop staring."
"I was thinking that you look great in my clo- jacket." He cleared his throat and looked away, and she could have sworn he was blushing.
"Come on then, you big stork. I believe this makes you my date for the rest of the night." Daine offered her arm and he took it with a smile, then led her back through the hall and kitchen and into the living room again. They mingled some, but mostly Numair paid attention to her, and they talked. She was comfortable with him, probably more comfortable than she'd been all night really. At one point Numair did leave her with Evin and Miri, and she saw him heading towards the blond from earlier. She almost smiled to see the woman's arm wrapped around some other guy, not Numair.
"Daine!" Miri finally brought her attention back to the conversation. It sounded like that wasn't the first time she'd called her name. "Are you paying attention at all?"
"Um, a little?" Daine said sheepishly. Miri laughed, shaking her head. "So you and Numair, huh?" She waggled her eyebrows and Daine stuck her tongue out at the other girl.
"It's not my fault he took my keys." Daine said, shrugging.
"Oh, please. You're glad he did, aren't you?" Miri accused, and Daine shrugged. "I knew it! Ugh, I'm so jealous. You're probably the luckiest person alive! You leave for 20 minutes and come back with the second hottest date in this place."
"I hope the first is me," Evin said, raising an eyebrow until she laughed and shoved him, saying "duh".
"I got wine spilled on me, and a glass broken! How is that good Miri?" She protested, self-consciously tugging the jacket tighter around her.
"You're kidding right? Did I not just say hottest date?" Miri asked, eyebrows shooting up. "Not to mention he gave you his jacket. And is all protective about you driving drunk."
"You guys would do the same about letting me drive!" She protested again, hoping it was true.
"Yeah, but now you've got a ride home too. A hot ride home." Miri answered.
"I am right here!" Evin said, glaring.
"Oh shut up, you know I love you. I can still appreciate when someone is good-looking." Miri replied. Before Daine could say anything more, Miri said, "Oh, shh! He's coming back."
"Hello again," He smiled brightly at them, eyes resting on Daine. "The ball's going to drop, do you want to watch?"
"Sure," Daine replied, jumping up and glad to get away from Miri's persistence. She glanced back and the other girl winked at her before turning her attention back to Evin.
"So how'd it go with Alanna?" Daine asked.
"Varice said she took it fine, actually. No explosion of temper or anything." Numair replied.
"Are you sure? That doesn't sound right…" Daine said, knowing it didn't take a lot for Alanna to go off.
"That's what I thought. George must've been there. And she must be drunk. At least a little, anyway." Numair reasoned, and she nodded. They reached the large television, which most of the people there were gathered around. It was turned to the celebration in New York. There was about a minute and a half before the New Year.
"Daine?" Numair asked, leaning down so she could hear.
"Hmm?" She replied, distracted by watching the crowds in New York.
"Can I kiss you? At midnight?" He asked. It took a moment for her brain to catch up and when it did, she turned to him, surprised.
"What?" Daine asked, not sure she heard right. The tv was loud…
"Can I kiss you?" He asked again, blushing slightly but not looking away. The noise got louder as everyone began counting down. 10…9…8…7… Daine was stunned, but warmth and happiness flooded through her and she smiled. 4…3…2… Daine reached up and grabbed his shirt to pull him down, and their lips met as the crowd cheered and the new year began. Much better than a night alone with a bottle of champagne, Daine decided, before losing herself in the kiss and joy. Happy New Year for sure.