(it's midnight somewhere) Happy Newt Year

[driftsintobuffetline]

[So, it's midnight and when the video comes on, Time Square is SCREAMING LOUD: the countdown has just hit ONE, the ball has dropped, there's kazoos and buzzers and poppers and fireworks and sparklers and Auld Lang Syne sung by a million drunk people who have drowned out the speakers pumping in the music.

And that's just the soundtrack.

But the focus of video, which is very clearly a slightly sloppy selfie by a possibly drunk Newton Geiszler, is the lip-lock he now has on his lab-mate, Hermann Gottlieb. His cheeks are rosy from the cold and Hermann is nearly overtaken by his parka hood, and they're being jostled by the crowd, but the kiss lasts a good long time before they finally break apart.

Before he shuts off the feed, Newt brings the phone closer and declares VERY LOUDLY and VERY SHRILLY so he's heard over the noise:]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Comments

[liverletdie]

Oh.

Right.

Well, let me know when Hermann wants the romance and I'll give you pointers.

[mathemagier]

Must you encourage him, Mr. Stark?

[driftsintobuffetline]

What, you don't want me to be encouraged to romance you? Geez, Hermann, you could at least make it sound like you're into this. Want me to stop, I'll stop.

[mathemagier]

I didn't- that's not- Newton. You know that isn't what I meant.

[driftsintobuffetline]

[ There's a bit of a shrug/headtilt as if to say 'yeah, I guess' ]

[mathemagier]

[He fidgets with his cane, casting about for the right words] Newton, I'm.. you're.. more than welcome to. I simply.. don't think you require any outside 'help' as it were.

[driftsintobuffetline]

Can I get that in writing? [He turns off the phone before giving Hermann a kiss this time, even though this one's just on the cheek.]

[mathemagier]

[Hermann fails to follow suit in the wake of the relief flooding through him. His smile is hesitant, but pleased]

If you'd like.

[driftsintobuffetline]

[ He grins, hooks his hands in the pocket of the parka and pulls himself in close to Hermann's body. ]

Come on, you. What do you want to do with your first few hours of 2016? Find a bar, dance on the table? Hit up a club? Steal a car and go on a joyride? [Go back to the hotel, fool around, and fall asleep? That's actually probably the best plan, and the one they'll choose, but he has to make wild suggestions. Newt is always pro- living it up]

[mathemagier]

[Yes, his mind certainly follows along that line of thought. He finally switches his phone off, far more interested in the man in front of him. For some reason his hand always seems to find its way into Newton's hair]

Well seeing as I'd rather not spend the first night of it in jail, perhaps something a bit more private would suit.

[liverletdie]

Hey, I'm just saying. You'll need to keep the magic alive somehow.

[mathemagier]

[Is his face turning red or is it just the lighting? The eternal question]

I'd prefer to believe we won't have much trouble with that.

[liverletdie]

Oh, out of the mouths of babes.

[ He clears his throat. ]

Regardless, when -- if -- it happens, remember there's an expert around.

[mathemagier]

..Yes, sir.

[Hermann has absolutely no intention whatsoever of ever approaching him]

[driftsintobuffetline]

[ In the background, Newt's face goes from a confused frown, to bewildered, to kind of an awkward (but not displeased) 'I can't believe he said that' smile ]