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Stan never liked celebrating the new year. It was just another excuse to get blackout drunk, or if he found enough energy to pull himself off the kitchen floor, to swindle some drunk fools at a bar. It was the opposite of the supposed cheery mood, and with no one to celebrate it with, he might as well stay home and mope, at least it's cheaper.
The concept of new year celebration hasn't been in Ford's mind for 30 odd years now. It's not something that he kept track of, especially when it fluctuated with every new planet or dimension his adventures brought him to.
But for their first year aboard the Stan O War II, Stan decided to do something special. Since Ford had long forgotten about the traditions of the celebration, Stan felt that it's only appropriate for them to spend his first new year in 30 years with something special, to remind him of it again.
They docked near a small yet lively pier so Ford could enjoy the occasion, without the possibility for the experience to be soured by the intensity and overcrowding. It was supposed to be a nice and quaint occasion for them, well, mainly for Ford.
The festivities brought out their whimsical sides, reminding them of their childhood, a simpler time. Fairs by the pier of Glass Shard Beach that they would visit after working on Stan O War, catching a moment of tranquility as they watched the sun set before the reality faded back in. Browsing through the endless fair games that they never had enough money for, not that it mattered, they were with each other, and that was enough.
But as the midnight approaches, Stan dragged Ford out to a quieter part of the pier, away from the crowd, from eyes that might catch the two brothers getting just a bit too intimate. And Ford let himself to be dragged along, while he enjoyed the fair, even after 30 years, he wanted a quiet moment with Stan too.
Enjoying each other's company, they huddled together, Stan's head leaning against Ford shoulder, five-fingered hand on top of the six-fingered one, as they listened to the faint countdown from the crowd. And as it reaches midnight, fireworks blooming in the night sky, Stan watched the firework show from Ford's soft eyes, his eyes twinkling so beautifully.
For a moment, it was just the two of them, the world around melting away. Ford leaned in, only to find Stan doing the same, it just felt like the right thing to do.
New year finally meant something for them, it marked another year together with the love of their lives, in each other's arms, instead of just another day to wallow in sorrow. And they look forward to spending the rest of their new years together.
“Happy new year, Six.”
“Happy new year to you too, Lee.”