It's ten minutes until 2014 and he still hasn't found her.
There are a lot of people here. Mostly NYADA and Broadway twenty something's, half of which are a friend of a friend. The others like him are from out of town, They're easy to find, all huddled on the couch, clutching glasses of champagne.
He got here late. After three extra hours in an airport and a cab driver who couldn't speak English. Of course he found out about the party yesterday, when Kurt let it slip on the phone. Apparently, they'd forgotten or just chose not to invite him. He came anyway, deciding it was better than sitting at home alone.
Everyone else is dressed up in ties and heels. He's pretty sure there's a pizza stain on his shirt and the jacket he's wearing is a bit too tight in the shoulders. So yeah, he looks a bit out of place.
Cutting through the groups of people he checks his watch. Five minutes until midnight.
The loft isn't that big, but the people keep moving, never staying still enough for him to survey the crowd.
Finally he catches sight of his brother, sitting on the counter, covered in silver sequins and giggling at whatever Blaine's just said.
"Hey Kurt!"
"Oh hey Finn! You made it! Grab a glass of whatever and join us. It's almost midnight!"
"Actually, where's Rachel?"
"I think she went to the roof. Something about the view."
"Ok, Thanks. And Happy New Year."
"You too big brother!"
He pushes his way past strangers making it to the door. Once he gets the it open and finds the stairs he looks to his watch.
One minute.
Running, he skips the stairs to at a time. He hopes she's alone.
As he reaches for the door handle leading to the roof, he considers what he's about to do.
It's about thirty seconds or so until midnight.
Decision time.
He opens the door and there she is. Standing next to the edge of the roof, pressed against the concrete, her shoes dangling from her left hand.
"So I figure we've got roughly fifteen seconds until that ball drops. Which gives me enough time to persuade you."
She turns then, and he swears there's a bit of elation in her eyes.
"Persuade me to what?"
"I got into NYU. Turns out they like small town kids. Gave me a pretty hefty scholarship. I'm going to be a teacher, music actually."
"Oh Finn, I'm so proud of you. But what does that have to do persuasion?"
"Well, see, I've only been here a couple of times and I don't really know my way around. And they want me here in two weeks and I could use a place to stay. You know until I find my own."
"Of course. Stay as long as you need. Or forever if you want."
"Are you sure? It's going to be hard. We've got a lot to rebuild and you'll have to talk to Kurt and Santana."
"Finn, I wouldn't want you anywhere else."
The sounds of the ten second countdown can be heard from the city. In the distance onlookers watch the ball drop, huddling close together.
"Happy New Year Rachel."
"Happy New Year Finn."
He kisses her then, because it's New Years and he wants to start it off right.
They've got years ahead of them. Some so magical and perfect you can't believe they're real. Other's will test limits, while somehow bringing them together at the same time.
But right now, they're standing on a roof in New York, listening to shouts of "Happy New Year" and watching colors burst in the sky.
He doesn't know if they're still in love. But he still loves her, so that counts for something right?