Christmas has come and gone, leaving them now on New Year's Eve. 2022 was about to be over and 2023 was going to be new and fresh. At least it's what Ponyboy hoped for. With the new year, he always liked to set new goals and look forward to plenty of experiences.

Going into the new year with Steve as his boyfriend was exciting. He was hoping that the two of them made it far together. He'd been waiting so long for a chance to be with him. And he finally got it. It was like the world's greatest present that he could ever get.

Everyone was spread around Darry's living room, watching the TV. So far it was just news anchors saying how much time they had left before introducing a famous singer to perform for them. The redhead was having a good time.

Steve and Ponyboy were squished together on the couch, the redhead practically in his lap, Johnny and Dallas taking up the rest of the couch. Dallas insisted on getting to stretch his legs a little, so it prevented a fifth person from taking up the couch. Not that anyone else would sit there.

Darry was in his recliner with Two-Bit sitting in front of him, head leaned back against the armrest as he watched whoever was performing. Soda was sat in front of the couch, happily keeping himself entertained with the TV, volume loud and all of the colorful lights.

It was half past eleven 'o'clock, only a half hour away from the ball dropping. There were snacks spread out on the coffee table, Darry insisting that with so many people, one of them was bound to be hungry. He enjoyed taking care of people, finding it much easier with everyone so grown up.

Steve turns his head slightly, smiling at his boyfriend. He was so lucky to have him, even if they hadn't been dating for very long. The brunette felt like good things were coming their way. It was exciting to think about.

"You gonna kiss me when the ball drops?" Ponyboy whispers into his ear, a fond smile on his lips.

"Of course I am," the brunette whispers in response, pressing a feather-light kiss right below his ear. "Wouldn't dream of kissing anyone else."

Ponyboy giggles gently, resting his head against the older male's. Everyone was too caught up in the TV to even notice that they were being affectionate with one another. There was alcohol as well, a small number already having been drunk. Two-Bit drank, but it was much more laid back than from when they were young. It was more of a special occasion now than anything.

Darry even had a beer on the stand next to his recliner, already opened. Although only a sip had been taken out of it. He wasn't much of a drinker, never really has been. Dallas had a beer as well in his empty hand, but Ponyboy knew well enough that Johnny was keeping him limited since he never liked drinking.

No one else had touched a drop, sticking to water or another drink from the kitchen.

The redhead eventually shifts, getting up from the couch. He stretches before heading into the kitchen. He wanted a Pepsi. The male still loved them, even after so long. They were his favorite. He practically only drank that and water in college. He leans against the counter, cracking the can open and taking a sip.

It wasn't long until Steve joined him, pressing a kiss to his cheek and wrapping an arm around him. They could take advantage of his moment and have some time together. Ponyboy leans into his boyfriend, smiling contently. It felt good to be in his arms, even if it was only a side hug of sorts.

"Getting a drink?" The redhead asks playfully.

"Probably," Steve answers. "But I just wanted to accompany you."

The redhead giggles, leaning down a little to press their lips together gently. The older male kisses back, enjoying their own little moment alone. It was definitely hard with a house full of people. But they'd reveal themselves soon enough and would get to be affectionate whenever they wanted.

Steve breaks the kiss, a wide grin on his face. He'd never get tired of kissing Ponyboy. He loved the feeling of his lips against his. The kisses were always so gentle and sweet, never lasting too long. And he was perfectly fine with that.

Just being able to do it was exciting enough.

"We should probably head back in there," the older male murmurs. "They'll start to come looking if they notice that we're both gone."

Ponyboy pouts but he nods his head slightly, resting against his boyfriend more. He really couldn't wait to love on him for as long as he wanted to. It would be a great feeling. Just a little longer.

The brunette kisses his cheek before pulling away and grabbing a Pepsi from the fridge, cracking it open. And then he guided the way back to the couch, plopping down and the redhead falling into place next to him.

The two go back to snuggling up the best that they could without being noticed.

And before they knew it, they were only ten seconds away from the ball dropping. Everyone was perked up now, grinning widely and starting to count down. They all seemed much more excited than last year.

"Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! One!" Everyone chants.

And then when the ball dropped, there was a loud chorus of 'Happy New Year' from around the living room.

Steve looks at his boyfriend with a grin, nearly laughing when Ponyboy was already looking at him expectedly. The brunette cups his cheek and presses their lips together. It was one of the more passionate kisses of theirs, both eager and excited to go into the new year together.

"Holy shit! They're kissing!" Two-Bit cries.

The couple pulls away from one another's lips, pressing their foreheads together. It just seemed to be their thing, not that either of them minded. It was just comforting for them to be so close and look one another in the eyes with such a gentle gaze.

Soda's jaw drops as he stares at his best friend and baby brother.

"This was the boy!?" The blonde yells, tone sounding more excited than anything else. "Oh my God, Steve!"

After the older male came out to him, Soda let it slip from his mind that he had even been talking about having a crush on someone. The memories came back in full force now. It had been Ponyboy this whole time.

Steve turns his head and he gives a shy smile toward Soda who was already on his feet, trying not to jump around excitedly. That would be too much and he knew it, so he resisted. Seeing that the blonde wasn't angry with him was the biggest relief he's ever felt in his life. He wouldn't have known what to do if Soda resented him for liking Ponyboy.

"You're not mad?" The brunette asks.

"No! My best friend is dating my brother! It's two of my favorite people finally getting along!"

Steve couldn't help but laugh. That was one way to look at it. He was happy that the blonde had been so positive about the reveal. He was the one person that had the most highly-valued opinion. Whatever Soda thought about something, Steve usually internalized that because he cared about his opinion.

Ponyboy turns his head to face Darry, looking at his oldest brother.

"And you?" the redhead asks.

"I had a feeling," Darry responds. "When we were making Thanksgiving dinner and having that little moment of yours, I had a suspicion. But just as long as he treats you right, I don't care."

The younger male grins widely. He was worried about how Darry would have felt. But knowing that he was okay with it made his whole body relax. It was nice.

"I knew it!" Two-Bit cheers. "As soon as Steve was willing to go as far as rock, paper, scissors, I knew it! He would never do that if he didn't like you!"

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

Steve and Ponyboy turn their attention to Johnny and Dallas on the couch. Johnny had a knowing smile on his face. Although Dallas looked a bit baffled. The ravenette must have not gotten around to telling him.

That made Ponyboy grin even wider.

Johnny was his greatest secret keeper.

"Was I the only one who didn't know?" Dallas asks, chuckling a bit. "I just thought you guys were fucking around with one another... Like jokes. Not actually."

"Yeah, you were," Johnny answers gently, giggling a bit. "I couldn't say anything to you. It breaks the best friend code."

Dallas rolls his eyes playfully. He wasn't mad. He didn't think that he could ever be mad at Johnny.

Ponyboy rests his head against Steve's shoulder.

Everything was falling into place.