Birthday present for Jamarie! :D I didn't realize her birthday was this week, so it's just a short, fluffy little drabble… although there might be a sequel if you ask nicely. ;)

Frederic sighed and glanced around. How they had convinced him to come in the first place he had no idea; certainly there were more comfortable ways to spend the beginning of the new year. But yet here he was, surrounded by strangers in bright costumes and heavy make-up, feeling unnervingly like a fish out of water. He didn't even have the safety of the piano to hide behind.

He sighed again, shifting the glass of untouched wine over to his other hand. Perhaps that was his problem – he just needed a little more to drink. Jazz had put away almost a full bottle of the stuff and he certainly seemed to be having a wonderful time.

Women crowded together, chattering, looking over at the clock and back at their partners before dissolving into high pitched giggles, and Frederic pretended to be fascinated with the cufflink of his sleeve. He had no interest in being someone's midnight date, thank you very much… although there seemed to be ladies everywhere willing to change his mind if he happened to be so inclined.

"Thirty seconds to twelve," someone shouted. "Pair up!"

Frederic glanced over to see Jazz holding a pink-haired girl by the waist; Claves' replacement, apparently. On his other side Viola was threatening a gentleman in a green coat, and beyond her were Beat and the twins already beginning their countdown. He smiled. He wished he were somewhere else, of course, but he was glad everyone was enjoying themselves.

"Five… four… three… two… one! Happy New Year!"

People around him hugged and cheered, and Crescendo and Serenade made a show of their kiss. Frederic was so caught up in the sudden uproar of celebration that he didn't notice the young man approaching him; the only warning he had was a hand on his shoulder and then his lips were pressed against someone else's. An arm slipped around his waist, pulling him closer, and Frederic gasped in surprise. It wasn't a woman's body.

A tongue slipped into his mouth, tasting of red wine and chocolate cake, but before he could react it was gone again, replaced by soft lips that grinned against his.

"Happy new year," Allegretto murmured, one hand moving down to the pianist's hip. Frederic paled.

"Retto…?"

There was no answer, just another quick kiss and the boy was waltzing away, swallowed by the throng, and Frederic was left alone in the crowd with the foreign flavor still heavy in his mouth, wondering why he wished it would stay there forever.