"So, Dustin. Are you making any resolutions this year?" Adam asked, watching as their friends paired off in anticipation of midnight.

"I don't know, dude." Dustin looked around as if searching for a possible resolution among the crowd of former and current rangers surrounding them. Meeting Adam's gaze with a grin he asked, "Maybe I could expand my vocabulary. One of my students pointed out that I use dude, like, to excess."

Adam smiled fondly at the younger man. "I don't know. I like dude; it suits you." Dustin looked pleased with this observation. "And you don't use it as much as some cyber-people I've met," he added with a significant look across the room to where Cyber Cam was chatting up Rose, who looked disturbed and slightly panicked.

Dustin laughed brightly, the sound sending a warm wave of affection through Adam's chest. Dustin had a nice laugh, easy and carefree. It danced across the room, and Adam saw some of the people standing closest to them turning toward the sound, grinning happily at the contagious joy on Dustin's face.

"Seriously, dude. You're smart. What could I use instead of dude?" Dustin asked, serious through his smile.

Adam flushed at the compliment. "Let's see. Dude could also be fellow, chap, stud, buck…" he trailed off when Dustin started laughing again.

"Dude! No way am I going around calling people 'stud.' Unless it's you," he added shyly.

5…

Adam froze, dimly aware of the crowd around them counting down the seconds to midnight as Dustin turned the color of the shirt Conner was brazenly sporting behind him.

4…

"Um, on second thought, dude, my resolution is to be less impulsive." Dustin muttered, shuffling his feet awkwardly.

3…

"No, impulsiveness is good," Adam tried to sound firm, but he couldn't completely keep the tremor from his voice. "In fact, my resolution is to be more impulsive."

2…

Later, Adam would be both impressed and pleased with the bravery he showed in the next moment. Battling monsters was infinitely less terrifying than the risk he was about to take.

1…

Adam grabbed Dustin gently by the arm and pulled. He briefly registered surprise on the wind ninja's face, and then his eyes fell closed as arms wrapped around his back and he pressed his lips briefly, sweetly to Dustin's.

Happy New Year!

Dustin was beaming when he pulled back, careful to stay inside the circle of Adam's arms. "Best resolution ever, stud."