So now the boys are racing against the clock, hoping to get out of the club before they're molested by a bunch of strange men. Ok, that's an extreme exaggeration. They both know it, but at the same time after everything, they just want to run away.

"How about those stairs over there?"

"Fine! Let's just get the fuck out of here!"

Holden wants to leave just as badly, but does Banky have to be so fucking pissed off?

As they leave they notice TVs being turned on all around them, showing the ball about to drop. Holden looks back at Banky only to receive an angry glare.

They wind up making it outside to an alley, with just a couple of minutes before the new year.

"Thank Christ! God, why the fuck do I let you talk me into these things! I didn't even want to be here!"

"OK, Banky! OK! I get it! Kissing a guy is just about the worst thing that could ever happen to you! I'm sorry I scarred you for life, alright! You're a hundred percent hetero! And just the thought of anything otherwise puts you in a disgusted rage! I GET IT! SO PLEASE, I'M BEGGING YOU, JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP ABOUT IT!"

For Banky, Holden's little speech seems to have come out of nowhere. For Holden, he's surprised he hasn't said these words, and more, sooner. He and Banky just stand there staring at each other. Not able to keep it together any longer, Holden averts his gaze down to his feet and furiously wipes at his eyes in an effort to get the tears to stop. Scared, embarrassed, and just so fucking tired of it all, he turns the other way and puts some distance between him and Banky.

It's very obvious that Holden's upset. Hurt and upset and it's breaking Banky's heart to see it. Just like Holden never meant to hurt him all those months ago, he never meant to hurt Holden now. He was just trying to protect the friendship. Everything he did was an act to keep the friendship alive, but now he realizes how impossible that is.

Things are different now, whether they deal with it or not. But, can Banky really deal with this? Deal with Holden feeling….something…after all?

'Do I feel...something...for him?' As soon as he asks himself this, he realizes it's an asinine question. Of course he does. He loves...No. He's in love with Holden.

'I'm in love with Holden!'

Banky had always thought that admitting this would surely be the end of Holden and him, the end of the world, the end of everything! Yet, the universe still exists, the Earth is still turning, and Banky and Holden are still standing in this alleyway.

Banky starts to realize that accepting this truth doesn't have to be an ending, but instead can be a beginning to something good. It could be something really amazing. Thinking this puts a ghost of a smile on Banky's face. The smile is short lived though as he realizes that it's not going to be the start of anything unless he actually does something. However, a lifetime of denial is difficult to overcome, so Banky begins to talk himself into action.

'Do something Banky! Holden's walking away from you and possibly walking out of your life...so fucking do something already! Stop being a fucking coward and do something!

Panic is starting to build inside of Banky as he watches Holden get further and further away and he's still unable to move.

'Banky Edwards do something! Do something! DO SOMETHING! FUCKING DO SOMETHING!'

"You didn't…scar me."

This makes Holden stop and slowly turn around.

"Banky?"

All around them is the sound of the city counting down the seconds until the New Year. For Holden, it was the countdown to the most important moment of his life. Will Banky admit there's something between them? Or will this just be the mother of all let downs?

The hopeful look on Holden's tear stained face is enough to finally spring Banky into action. He marches towards Holden, takes one last swig of his beer, and lets the bottle drop to the ground. The city screams "TWO! ONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Banky pulls Holden's face to his and, at last, the two kiss.

A real kiss with lips opening for more, bodies pressed together, hands grasping for dear life, and the need for each other stronger than the need for air.

The next morning Banky is lying naked in bed, with an equally naked Holden next to him fast asleep. Banky reaches over to run his fingers through Holden's hair, smiles to himself, and wonders, 'Why the fuck didn't we do this sooner?!'

THE END