Not the story I wanted to have out by this point, but I not only do I have two chapters I want to flesh out for the larger story, but I also realized I had a plot hole in a later chapter that I need to patch up. For now, I came up with a one-shot that I've been mulling over for a while as a way to say thank you for everyone's patience. Happy New Year and enjoy~

***

Goth languidly stretched across the couch with a yawn as the host of the New Year's Eve bash greeted the latest singer that had just performed for the crowd a few minutes ago. He honestly wasn't sure why he bothered staying up; Palette was away helping Dream with a relief situation in another AU this year and had already texted back around two that afternoon that he probably wouldn't be home in time, so following the yearly tradition of watching the ball drop without his roommate and boyfriend just felt lonely. 

He momentarily regretted not inviting his parents and siblings to join him, but his parents probably wouldn't have been able to stay awake until midnight, Raven already had plans, and the others never really liked this kind of thing.

His phone lit up on the table in front of him as the program went to a commercial, letting out a small ping to notify him of a new message. He grunted as he lazily reached across the table, using his finger to inch it close enough to grab before reclining back into the couch, and unlocked the device. Speak of the devil; Palette had impeccable timing to text him at that exact moment. 

Tapping on the notification, he leaned back into the couch cushions, letting the voice of the peppy model advertising a product she knew nothing about fade into the background as he focused on the text conversation.

Glancing back at the television, the program had resumed and the clock's timer flicked from two minutes down to the last sixty seconds; Goth sighed, letting his phone rest on his chest rather than putting it back on the table. A white line of lights began snaking around the colored glass ball on the screen as it slowly began to lower toward the ground. The announcer chattered away as the timer ticked down, marking each interval as it came.

"Make sure to grab someone you love for that New Year's kiss," the man commented jovially, causing Goth's mood to deflate just a little further; for the past two years, that was the part of this tradition he looked forward to the most, but it wouldn't be happening this year. Sure, Palette showered him with plenty of affection throughout the year, but kisses that weren't little pecks on the skull or cheek were usually saved for special occasions like this.

The noise from the crowd on the television grew as the host announced twenty seconds left; he could already hear fireworks popping off somewhere outside. Goth belatedly realized he hadn't figured out any New Year's resolutions; he spent plenty of time with Palette and the rest of his family every week, didn't have any travel aspirations, and never really had any worry for his weight or appearance, so what else was there...

Actually, there was a new Hibachi restaurant that had opened up nearby; maybe trying it out with Palette would be a good enough resolution.

As the timer neared ten seconds, he repositioned himself to sit upright on the couch in preparation to text Palette a happy new year once the countdown finished. Typing out the message so he would have it ready at exactly midnight, he watched the ball crawl the last few feet as the crowd chanted alongside the host.

10...

9...

8...

7...

6...

5...

4...

3...

2...

1...

An arm draped around his left shoulder and a kiss was planted on his right cheek as the crowd on the television roared. Goth jumped, spinning around to see none other than Palette leaning over the back of the couch smiling at him.

"Palette?" Goth squeaked, wholly unprepared for the sudden interaction, "When did you get back?"

"Just now; it looks like I managed to surprise you," the taller skeleton triumphantly chuckled.

Goth snorted at how please Palette looked with himself, "But I thought you were helping Dream? What about the AU?"

"We finished up the hard part a couple of hours ago and mom said he could handle the rest of the cleanup if I wanted to duck out early... I think he could tell I was distracted," Palette chuckled nervously, fidgeting with something behind his back, "I was a little worried the last stop would make me late, but I'm glad I made it in time for the end of the countdown, at least." Pulling out his arm from behind him, he presented a bouquet of roses and beamed, "For you."

"Wow, you got me flowers?" Goth accepted the gift, taking in the pleasant floral scent the arrangement gave off. Usually, they just had a small dinner with Sparkling Cocktail Juice in lieu of wine as they watch the 'Rockin' New Year' special. He had half a mind to ask what the special occasion was, but that felt like a silly question given the celebration happening on the television behind him and outside their apartment.

"Yeah...," Palette rubbed his skull, "I wanted to make up for not being here over the last few days and missing most of our usual celebration."

A small smile crept onto Goth's face as he set the flowers on the table and stood on the couch so he was on an even level with Palette. Only giving his boyfriend a moment of confusion for the action, he leaned over the back of the couch to wrap his arms around their neck and gave them a kiss. Pulling back to observe the flush on their face at the sudden affection, his grin widened, "The flowers are nice, but I like this gift much better."

Something sparked in Palette's eye light, and the taller skeleton wrapped their arms around him with a laugh, "Me too." Reciprocating with another quick kiss, they separated enough for him to murmur, "Happy New Year, Goth."

Goth pressed his forehead against theirs and replied with a warm smile, "Happy New Year to you as well, and many more."

***

Word Count: 1,024