Preston Tucci leaned on the low guard wall and regarded the view. The weather was cold, but not unbearable. Between his turtleneck sweater and wool overcoat, he was surprisingly comfortable. Below him the world spread out, river to the east, city to the south. Train station below, Interstate 87 to the west. He could see down to the city heart and Monument Park from his vantage point. In the far south, the lights of NYC shone against the black ribbon that was the Hudson. "I've never been up here before," he observed quietly.

Antoine rummaged through his canvas rucksack. "I figured as much," he replied, the smile evident in his voice. He set out two boxes, one slightly larger than the other, both cushioned in a towel. He deftly unwrapped both, his back deliberately blocking Preston's view. "I mean, let's face it Prep, wandering around on the roof of a nuclear plant was more Dimas' thing than yours. But it's your plant now, so, yeah."

Preston glanced down at Antoine. "Do you have to mention him?"

Antoine shrugged, not turning around. "Many years ago, we got in late from a flight down to Maryland. I was putting the chopper away and he said he didn't feel like going home yet. Dimas takes me up here. I remember his words like it was yesterday." Antoine stood up and sidled over to Preston, gesturing grandly. "'Look at that view, Radson! That's a million dollar view right there. Won't get a better one in this entire city!'"

Antoine fell quiet and let his arm drape around Preston's shoulders. "He was right, you know. Best damn view in all of Plateau, earthbound, that is." He chuckled and gave Preston a squeeze before turning his attention back to his rucksack.

Preston pivoted to watch him, and pressed his backside against the railing. "What are you doing, Antoine?"

The blue-haired man winked. "Well, it is New Year's Eve, right? And you did say something about wanting to see the fireworks, as I recall."

"We can see them from up here?"

Antoine gave Preston a look of mock annoyance.

Preston blushed. "Right. Never mind, stupid question. I'd thought we'd be going downtown."

"That place'll be a zoo, Preppy, and you know it." Antoine stood up, a bottle covered with a towel. He placed his hand over the cork and slowly began working it free.

"You brought champagne!" Preston noted with surprise.

Antoine smirked. "Of course. It's nothing fancy," he added, catching the cork gently in the towel and setting the bottle on the ground by his rucksack. "But I hope you like it."

Preston folded his hands over his stomach, watching Antoine, feeling a warmth spread through his body despite the cold. Just looking at Antoine could make him happy. Antoine's face, his body, even his blue hair, the way he moved with a surprising grace despite his 'festively plump' frame… Preston realized he was staring, and turned back to the view of their city. He heard the clink of glasses, the sound of champagne being poured. A glass flute was slid into his hand.

"Happy New Year, Preppy," Antoine murmured, leaning his shoulder against Preston. "Cheers."

"Cheers, Antoine."

The glasses clinked.

Preston took a sip of the champagne. It was good, not overly sweet, but with a nice fruity note to it. Considering how easy it was to pick a bad champagne, he was impressed. "What is this?"

Antoine raised his eyebrows. "Do you know about champagne?"

"No, not really," Preston admitted, shaking his head.

"Then the name doesn't matter," Antoine replied. He pressed his body closer to Preston, perhaps to stave off the damp chill. Unlike Preston, Antoine wore a simple maroon coat over a white long-sleeved shirt. The cold never did seem to bother him the same as it did Preston. "Look," Antoine said, gesturing with his wineglass. "The fireworks are about to start."

Down below, a large section of Monument Park had been blocked off. Every year the display took place downtown, explosions timed to music that played on the local radio station, and on speakers hung around the central plaza. Preston had expressed his desire to watch the show; Antoine hemmed and hawed, and said he didn't feel like being surrounded by that many strangers on New Year's Eve. I want to spend it with you, he confessed.

Preston had tried not to let his disappointment show. Not that he was sad to spend the holiday with Antoine, but he'd hoped for more than merely sitting at home watching some ball drop on the television. When Antoine had suddenly stood up around 10:30 that night and announced they were going out, Preston thought he meant downtown.

When Antoine drove them to the nuclear plant, Preston's confusion only deepened. It wasn't until they were making their way up several flights of stairs in a utility stairwell did it really sink in. Preston had never been to the roof of the administration complex. Never even considered it, actually. Unlike his predecessor, Preston tended to stay only in the areas that his job required him to frequent; or occasionally when he had to inspect some of the vital areas.

Roving about the nuclear plant without a specific, work-related purpose wasn't something that crossed his mind.

He took a sip of his champagne and waged a private war about whether or not to put his arm about Antoine. It wasn't that they hadn't stood like that before, or even held hands on occasion, but things had been different between them lately. Not bad, but a bit more distant than they had when he'd first moved in. He'd taken to sleeping in Antoine's room again though, most nights at least. This time it hadn't been his idea. Antoine had asked him to. I miss having someone to put my arms around, Prep. I don't sleep so good without you. It seemed odd to think of Antoine having trouble sleeping. He seemed like a man who could sleep well anywhere. Apparently, that was not so.

Antoine was staring out over the ledge, looking down at his watch, expression unreadable. "You know," Antoine observed, raising his glass but not looking up. "They say if you kiss someone at midnight on New Year's, you'll be with that person all next year."

Preston smiled tiredly, an upturn of his mouth, but his eyes remained unchanged. "Antoine, please. We both know you're not gay."

Antoine was counting down on his fingers. "That might be," he confessed. "But I never said I didn't love you, and I never said I wouldn't kiss you." He raised his head. "So, how 'bout it? Another year together for us?"

Preston was so focused on Antoine's face that he didn't even know the display and new year had started till a wash of red-gold light poured over their quiet perch. A glittering fiery chrysanthemum, orange against the night sky. Antoine slid a hand around Preston's neck and pulled his face down. Preston didn't resist. Antoine's course palm against his skin, he let his free hand trail over Antoine's cheek as their lips met.

Preston was intimately aware of the texture of Antoine's beard, pleasantly rough against his own smooth skin. He paused, debating whether to step back, but it seemed that would not be the case. The two men kissed again, then Antoine pulled back, grinning and chuckling slightly. He licked his lips, looked uncertain of what to do next, eyes never leaving Preston's.

Preston decided right there that Antoine looked adorable when he was caught awkward and off-guard. He reached out a hand and ran his fingers over Antoine's arm. "Hey," he began, "thanks. That was sweet of you. Not just the champagne," he added. "All of this."

Antoine smiled, eyes and lips crinkling at the edges, the familiar crease of smile lines. He looked at Preston's hand, and blushed. "It wasn't anything, really, I just thought you might like it." He rested his head on Preston's shoulder and gave a purring sort of sigh. Preston trailed a finger through Antoine's silky mane, smiling. "Maybe I'm just gay for you," Antoine muttered into Preston's arm, almost inaudible.

Coming from anyone else, it would've been an odd statement, perhaps even rather insulting! But from Antoine? It was probably one of the most heartfelt things Preston had ever heard. He didn't know how to respond. He merely pulled Antoine close, felt Antoine's strong arm around his waist. Champagne in one hand, his best friend in the other, Preston stood tall and watched the world explode beautifully around them.