iwillcatchup | New Years' Around the World ((prose))

Peter was standing among a small crowd on Tonga, a spectacular island country in the Pacific Ocean. The festive vigor and the spirit exudes from every nook and cranny of the wonderful island. And excitement was in the air.

The countdown was on.... 10... 9... 8... Peter took a quick selfie of himself waiting for the New Year to be celebrated. 7... 6... 5.... He grabbed some exotic island treats and placed them in a basket. 4... 3... 2... 1... He watched with a smile as people celebrated together. Hugged each other. Some couples kissing each other.

In a flash, he was in New Zealand, where he was able to tour around the country for an hour, before they too started the count-down towards New Years. Again he took another selfie of himself. And grabbed some local cuisine. And watched people celebrate, hug, and kiss.

Next, he was in Australia, and watched the major fireworks display at Sydney Harbour with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge providing a spectacular backdrop. Another selfie. Another sampling of local cuisine for his gift basket.

And then he was in Hong Kong, where he watched fireworks illuminate the stunning Victoria Harbour. And he took a moment to gather with the crowds at the Star Ferry Pier for some theater, dance and circus performances. He took another selfie, more local cuisine for his gift basket, and watched people celebrate, hug and kiss.

Next, he was in Bangkok, taking a selfie at the CentralWorld Plaza during the celebrations. And from there he was in Napal, getting a great selfie on top of the mountains.

When he reached Dubai, he ran up the Burj Khalifa, one of the most attention-grabbing skyscrapers, to watch the festivities from above the crowds. And for another amazing selfie.

His next destination was Moscow, where he celebrated New Years' at the Historic Red Square, enjoying a very cold, but visually appealing settings for a New Years' Eve fireworks display. From Moscow, he zipped down to Greece, and from there to Cape Town in Africa, and then up to Paris and then London. Every stop he took another selfie, more exotic food and cuisine for his gift basket. And every stop he watched as people celebrated together, hugged, and kissed.

He crossed the ocean to celebrate New Years' at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. Then of course he had to go back to American soil to watch the New Year's ball drop in Time Square at New York city. (And got a really nice and close selfie with the ball itself, before being spotted by anyone).

He headed north to watch Niagara Falls get lighted for the annual New Years' ceremonies. Then he headed across country to catch New Year's from a top the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas. Placed a few bets. Grabbed more selfies.

Next, he headed up to Alaska, and then down to celebrate New Years' in Hawaii. And then he ended the really full day by celebrating the last New Year's countdown in American Samoa.

Settled for the night, Peter sent some of his best selfies to his closest friends. As he watched the last countdown 10... 9... 8... 7... He watched as people hugged again. Kissed again. 6... 5... 4... And sent the now full gift basket of exotic treats to Steve Rogers. 3... 2... 1...

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Steve is on standby on New Year's Eve. It's a great time for a terrorist attack, pretty much anywhere in his world. Natasha and Sam and even Wanda are alert, keeping an eye on things, and they've worked hard in the previous weeks to cut off any trouble before it starts He dares to hope there won't be any kind of disaster that needs his attention tonight, but it would be wrong not to stay up, stay alert, wait out the night.

So he's in the Clubhouse, coffee on, with a radio on that's tuned to a station on his own world. His PINpoint is in front of him, volume high, in case someone texts or calls, and he's got his sketchbook open, pencils set out next to him. There's a loose gesture sketch of a man running on the page, but he's not happy with it and no further inspiration is forthcoming, so he's just sitting, listening, spinning a pencil between his fingers when there's a familiar POP of displaced air and a basket lands on the counter beside him.

...what the hell? He's on his feet in a second, looking around to see if anyone's there before he reaches out to take the handle of it, tugging it closer to see what's in it.

Gifts. Edible gifts. Steve is super-confused right about now, but pleasantly so.

A few more minutes of watching others enjoying the company of those who were beside them... and Peter made a decision.

He grabbed a bottle of champagne and two glasses. And found a private place to activate his PINpoint.

Another POP of displaced air would announce his arrival. Peter smiles, holding out the bottle as a offering.

"Happy New Year..."

Oh. That's why the sketch wasn't working out right, it wasn't a dynamic enough pose. He should have drawn it from a tilted perspective, with the runner mid-leap and possibly holding a bottle of champagne--

Steve stares at Peter for a moment, nothing less than quizzical bemusement registering on his face. This is. A surprise. A good surprise, though. And isn't it just like the guy to pop right into the room with a gift. Half-cocky, half-romantic.

...god. When was the last time anyone did anything romantic for Steve Rogers? Not since Peggy walked into the bar in a red dress in 1942, he thinks. He's somehow captured the platonic affections and loyalty of men and women his equals and betters. He's had dates and kisses and gifts, but this...is something else.

He comes around the counter, a smile blossoming slowly on his face, and he takes the champagne bottle, then both glasses, and sets them on the counter. He'll open them in a minute, but it's already midnight and they better both kiss someone for good luck.

He could have been all alone right about now, with no better prospect for the next six or seven hours, and then nothing more exciting than trying to catch up on sleep. He cradles Peter's face in both hands and presses their lips together, gentle but firm, for a long moment.

"Thanks," he murmurs, then, eyes closed. "Same t'you."

There is a moment when Peter wonders if time has stopped as Steve just stares at him for a moment.

And then that smile blossoms on the other man's face, warming Steve's heart. Peter returns a large smile when Steve takes the champagne bottle and glasses.

Peter's heart beats faster when Steve cradles his face. And then... that kiss...

Time seems to stop for him again. He rests his hands on Steve's hips, returning the kiss. A New Years' Eve kiss. The best kind.

"Wow..." He swears his heart is loud enough to be heard.

"Yeah, that's what I was gonna say," Steve chuckles softly, resting his forehead against Peter's. "You're a goddamn romantic, did you know that?"

He lingers close for a long moment, gives him another light kiss on the lips, and then steps back and heads for the jukebox he's got in a far corner. "I gotta be up all night to keep an eye on messages in case all Hell breaks loose back home, but if you're gonna be here and drink champagne with me, I'll put some music on."

There's a spring in his step, one Peter probably hasn't seen before, and an almost boyish smile on his lips.

"Hope that is a good thing." Because he enjoys being romantic with Steve. Just like he really enjoys that light kiss. Which is returned, with a stolen kiss before Steve can step back and towards the jukebox.

"Are you inviting me to spend the night with you Steve?" Peter smiles. It is nice to see how happy Steve is right now. That spring in the other man's step. That boyish smile.

"Will I be able to have a New Years' dance?"

"I am inviting you to spend the night with me," he says with a sheepish laugh. "I have to keep an eye on things, so...uh, too much distraction isn't a good idea, but--"

Now he's blushing, and he puts the Jukebox on something slow, but upbeat. He's not great at dancing, although he's had a few lessons since coming out of the ice. It always feels a little weird, since he promised Peggy that dance as he was going down in the Valkyrie. Like it was their thing, and he shouldn't share it with just anyone.

But Peggy wouldn't want him to feel that way. Actually, she'd give him hell for it. And if there's one thing that experience taught him it's that when you get an opportunity to dance? You should take it.

"As long as you don't mind me being bad at it," he tells Peter softly. "Sure. Let's dance."

"Hey... I know how important it is, to be there for normal citizens when they need you." Peter gets it. He is an X-Men now.

"That is the nice thing about a slow dance." Peter places one hand on Steve's waist, the other on Steve's back. And steps in nice and close to the other man.

"Not a lot you can be bad at."

The touch makes him want to just melt into the younger man. It's ridiculous; catch Steve on a holiday and apparently you get the full force of his sentimental side. He gives a little sigh of contentment and mirrors the contact, leaning in to kiss Peter's cheek before they start to sway.

"So are you gonna lead, then?" he murmurs. "Hard to know who leads when you're dancing with the same gender, I guess."

Pause. "Not that that should matter, honestly. I guess whoever knows what they're doing better should lead, but then you'd have to give out your resume before every dance."

"We can each take turns with the lead." And Peter does mean more than the dance. This dance is a perfect way to ring in the New Year, in his mind. Just holding Steve close. Being held close in return.

"I think right now... you would be the only one I would want to give my resume to."

New Years' Around the World ((prose))

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