#new year's eve fic

[skyler10fic]

New Year’s Revelations: Ch. 1 - No Matter How Far Away You Roam

Summary:

Over Christmas and New Year's, Carol is moving back home to the LA area after years away in Houston. But she has a secret: she's been in love with her best friend and old college roommate, Daisy, for years. But Daisy has a secret of her own. :) From friends to getting snowed in with only one bed!

Read on Ao3

“Carol Danvers is coming home for Christmas this year,” Melinda casually remarked to her husband Phil, in strategic earshot of their grown daughter, Daisy, who was supposed to be on Christmas vacation but was still working on her laptop from her parents’ living room.

Daisy’s posture straightened, but she didn’t give any response. Her parents continued wrapping presents nearby.

“Yeah,” Phil confirmed, “I heard from her aunt that she’s got a job lined up back here—in Pasadena, actually. So she’ll be near Daisy.”

They paused. Daisy hadn’t typed a single keystroke since Carol’s name was mentioned, but she was still pretending not to hear.

“That will be nice for her family,” Melinda remarked, “and for her friends to have her closer. Daisy, you should get together with her while you’re off work.”

“Remember?” Phil hinted, “We all took off work to spend time together for the holidays?”

Daisy shut her laptop and called them out on their suspiciously flawed logic. “If you want to spend time together, wouldn’t me hanging out with Carol kinda defeat the purpose?”

Melinda kept wrapping. “She could come over here, then.”

“Ugh, Moooom,” Daisy whined like a teenager, “Carol hasn’t texted me in months. If she wanted to hang out, don’t you think she would have told me herself? She probably wants to make her own life with her super-cool rocket scientisty people, not hang out with us dorks.”

“That’s not what I’ve heard.” Melinda scoffed. “Her aunt Wendy said your name comes up a lot.” But the accompanying pointed expression told Daisy that’s all the information her mother was willing to reveal.

Phil glanced up to catch Daisy’s face turning pink in a tell-tale blush. Daisy’s crush on Carol Danvers was still in full force. From casual friends in high school to best friends and eventual housemates in college, Daisy had been very bad at hiding her feelings for Carol from her parents. But between Daisy’s flings with boys who could never measure up and Carol’s humility to the point of missing what was clear as day to everyone else, Carol had somehow remained oblivious. She had gone far away to grad school and worked for a big space program, while Daisy had gotten a high-pressure cybersecurity job that took her to conferences around the world. They had gone years with only texts, occasional video calls, and quick dinners when they happened to be in the same place at the same time, and recently, those had all dwindled as they grew apart.

Daisy secretly wondered if any of the girls in Carol’s social media photos were dating her. If Carol had found someone who deserved her. If Daisy would have to sit through Carol’s wedding to someone else, nothing more than an “old college buddy” at a table in the back of a reception hall, just someone she used to know. The prospect of finding out this information face to face made Daisy ill just thinking about it. But then, not knowing was tearing her up inside too.

“You know she’d love that new pub with the karaoke and pinball and the old plane memorabilia,” Phil suggested, a knowledgable collector himself. He had always liked Carol from the moment she took an interest in his rare antique spy gear and airplane curios.

He was right. And Daisy knew Carol would probably text with a vague offer to get together anyway once she was bored of her family.

“Okay, I’ll see when she’s getting back and what her schedule looks like,” Daisy relented. “She’ll probably be busy, but at least I tried.”

Phil and Melinda remained unconvinced by Daisy’s pessimism. Even if Carol didn’t return Daisy’s specific feelings, they could tell from Carol’s aunt’s phrasing that Daisy being in the city was a significant factor in Carol’s decision to accept this new job. Third-hand is a tricky business for interpreting subtext, but what was clear was that Carol missed Daisy. Best to let poor Daisy hear it for herself, though, and not let her misunderstand or get her hopes up if the time-enduring crush wasn’t mutual.

“I’m sure she’ll be excited to hear from you,” Melinda ended the conversation as she finished her last gift wrapping. She neatly stacked her gifts under the tree, and Phil followed not long after, leaving Daisy to her choice: to continue working away at problems someone else in the office should be handling while she was home for the holidays … or sign off and text Carol.

She opted for the latter but went for the safest option of a group chat with their college friends who had also stayed in the L.A. area.

Daisy: My parents just told me the news!! Carol, are you really moving back?

Daisy paced the living room as she waited. Then the texts started to come in, making her heart skip a beat at the notification and then sink as she saw it was just their friends replying with their excitement and questions. Maybe a group chat wasn’t the best choice after all.

Eventually, Carol did reply with a big yes, that she’d only just officially accepted the offer yesterday, and answers to whens and wheres and whys and hows and what she’d be doing at her new job, only a few blocks away from Daisy’s company. Then someone came up with an idea: to welcome Carol back with a New Year’s ski trip to the mountains. The meteorologists said that while no white Christmas was on the horizon, a long look at the rest of the year might see fresh snow at the mountain resorts soon after, making for ideal skiing and snowboarding conditions. Fitz used his wealthy stepdad’s connections to book a big luxury cabin at a steep discount, and suddenly the conversation was on the New Year’s reunion trip and tales of ski incidents past.

Daisy texted Carol individually: I’m glad you’re coming home.

Carol responded simply: Me too :)

Daisy told her about the aviation-themed pub and they set a night for just the two of them to catch up the soonest they could get away from family: Dec. 26.

Daisy wondered if she was the only one in the world adding an extra day to all the countdowns. Her anticipation wasn’t for Santa Claus but for a visit from someone else far more special.

—------

Christmas with the Danvers/Lawson extended family was over, and no one had left the table in anger or shouted at each other this year. Carol should be feeling relieved. As she tied back her honey-blonde ponytail, she chastised herself for not being more grateful. The job offer was a dream realized, with a salary that would help her pay off her student loans in a few years. She’d be working in a city she knew, just half an hour (with no traffic, that is) from the suburbs she’d grown up in. She already had a few prospective apartments to check out, and now her friends from college all knew she’d be coming back.

Taking a moment to think about it as she applied her mascara, the stomachache wasn’t heaviness from disappointment that the surprise had been ruined, nor was she frustrated with her aunt for telling the whole town within a few hours. This familiar feeling was the pure anxiety that heightened every time Daisy crossed her mind.

She grabbed her keys and set all her stubbornness on driving to this themed pub for a very normal and casual dinner with Daisy. Just two old friends meeting up. Something they had done a thousand times with just the two of them, hanging out and catching up on each other’s lives. Still, Carol tried to focus on the road instead of her nerves at seeing Daisy again.

Carol had fallen for Daisy slowly but with equal parts grief and longing. There was one problem: Daisy was straight. At least, as far as Carol knew. Daisy had only ever dated guys. Well, one in high school and a few dates in college. Though Daisy hadn’t ever said explicitly that she was straight, Carol would know, of all people… surely? They weren’t as close anymore, but in all their time together, Daisy had never talked about crushes on girls or gone on a date with one. So Carol figured it was safe to assume her feelings were eternally unrequited, though Daisy had always been a vocal, proud, exceptional ally. Again, Carol should be grateful.

Her worst fear was accidentally crossing the line from best friends to flirting and pushing Daisy away. Her nightmares consisted of Daisy’s repulsed and pitying face if she found out the truth about the feelings Carol had been hiding all these years. Despite all of life’s griefs and heartaches, Daisy had been so open and trusting, so physically affectionate and quick to smile. Daisy made her feel like the only person in the room, the most special girl in the world. Carol had spent years trying to reciprocate without getting too attached or letting her heart run away with her. It wasn’t fair to Daisy, or to herself, to ruin that with her terrible secret.

Some days, Carol hated that she couldn’t just turn off her feelings by distance or time. So she drifted away. It would have been easy to blame on Daisy’s all-consuming career or Carol’s all-consuming graduate studies and work, but the cold, hard truth was that having to mourn what could never be while playing the supportive, chill, unattached best friend was harder and harder to do as their peers and friends got married, bought houses together, and started families. Carol knew one day it could be Daisy falling for Mr. Right, getting engaged, bragging about her hunky husband, celebrating a pregnancy announcement… And Carol would have to be thrilled. Which was easier to pretend to do through text. Though no Prince Charming had shown up on Daisy’s social media posts, it was only a matter of time before she became a walking Hallmark Christmas movie plot with a handsome love interest to lure her away from the intensity of the high-tech corporate rat race.

Carol had rehearsed this so often, she practically had the script written. She couldn’t play the Best Friend role, but she also couldn’t hurt Daisy, so it had been best to fade to a background character in Daisy’s life.

She took a deep breath and headed into the pub, leather jacket and scarf wrapped tightly around her to protect from the cold and any harsh realities that might be waiting for her inside.

—--------------

The pub was decorated for the holidays—all of the wintery ones, from Hanukkah to Christmas to Kwanzaa to Yule. There were kitschy knick-knacks and banners and table centerpieces from the world’s cultures among various movie references, Santa Mickey Mouses, and a giant inflatable Frosty the Snowman. The visual busyness stood out particularly on this quiet night for the pub. It was too early for the nightlife crowd, and most of the regulars were at home with family or on vacations away.

So Daisy sat in a booth anxiously waiting for Carol, heart leaping every time the door opened. Eventually, Carol appeared and waved, and Daisy couldn’t help but light up like a Christmas tree. The room felt warmer as Carol approached, and as Carol took in the sight of her, Carol seemed to glow too.

“Hi,” Daisy finally said when Carol was close enough.

“Hi.” Carol exhaled and sat down. The silence between them was broken by the waitress coming to take their drink order. Enticed by the special holiday cider on tap, they took a chance on something new and different.

“It’s been a while,” Daisy hinted, masking a bittersweet tone with a light smile. “Tell me about your life. What have you been up to?”

But Carol could still see right through Daisy’s facade, just like old times.

“I know, I’m sorry,” Carol sighed. “And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you myself. I…”

“Things get busy!” Daisy interrupted. “It’s okay.”

“No, no,” Carol rushed out and then paused. She couldn’t tell Daisy the real reason, but lying to her felt so wrong. “I was just jealous, I guess. You have an amazing life, and I don’t want to get in the way of that or mess anything up by coming back…”

Daisy snorted. “What are you talking about? You are the one with the impressive degree and stories about all these new places and people. I thought you just didn’t think we were cool enough for you—”

“Oh c’mon,” Carol interrupted back. “You know I’m still a total nerd and you’re…” Carol stopped herself and gestured to Daisy’s whole body with a wave of her hand. “You know.”

Daisy brushed off the implied compliment and leaned in, relaxing into the conversation. “No, you’re not getting in the way, ever. It’s not hearing from you that is the hard part.”

“I’m sorry.” Carol’s puppy dog eyes were all that Daisy needed to melt fully into forgiveness, at least for the moment. She couldn’t be mad when Carol was so sincere. Daisy’s hand found Carol’s on the table and squeezed, but then pulled away as the waitress returned with their hard ciders. She took their food orders (shepherd’s pie for both of them) and disappeared into the kitchen once more.

Carol sipped on her cider in its tall glass etched with a snowflake and the brand name. “Mmm, that’s really good.”

Daisy almost forgot to drink her own, fully wrapped up in witnessing Carol’s reaction. Shaking herself out of her trance, Daisy took a sip of her own and agreed. Carol filled Daisy in on the details of the job and the plan for the move, and Daisy reciprocated with details about her own daily life here since they’d last talked. Their shepherd’s pies came, and they settled into their old familiar banter and gossip and teasing.

“You know what?” Carol said between final bites of her meal. “I’ve been to five weddings this year, but only one required heels. I was a bridesmaid for my cousin and she was NOT open to negotiation on that. Super formal.”

“Okay, I definitely have to see pictures of that.” Daisy laughed. “So many people getting married! You know Jemma and Fitz finally set a date for next fall.”

“Yeah, but she put a hard no on Halloween weekend?”

“Yes!” Daisy laughed. “Fitz’s friends would definitely have used that to prank them somehow. Anyway. How about you? Any special ladies in your life?”

The lighthearted tone between them faded, but they both pretended it hadn’t. Carol set down her fork and looked away, missing the glimmer of hope and fear in Daisy’s eyes.

“Nah, way too busy, you know how it goes.” Carol shrugged casually and met Daisy’s glance. “I mean, if I can’t even text you back, I definitely don’t have time for a girlfriend, and I knew I was moving away from there anyway after graduation…” Carol trailed off just as it started to sound like a list of excuses.

“Yeah, me too,” Daisy agreed. “With the job, way too crazy.”

Things fell silent again as the waitress came back for their dishes and offered another round of cider, but they refused. She left them with their check instead.

“I’ve got it,” Daisy offered, taking the check before Carol had a chance. “Consider it a Christmas gift. Or a welcome home present. Whichever you want.”

“Thanks. I should probably get going,” Carol said, but her voice and expression said the opposite.

“Tomorrow is family game night. Want to come and be my partner, make it an even four?”

“Yeah, okay.” Carol nodded and added, “Just like old times.”

Daisy’s phone buzzed. As she glanced down at it, Carol’s gaze followed. Daisy rolled her eyes at the name and number on the screen before she dismissed the call. “Work. Sorry, I should call them back. But tomorrow at 6. There will be chili!” Daisy grinned, knowing how much Carol loved Phil’s famous chili.

Carol sat processing the evening after Daisy left, but one final detail in particular. Daisy’s phone background was, unmistakably, a Christmas tree in bi Pride flag colors with the same indigo blue, purple, and pink in snowflakes around it and rainbow-flag-wrapped gifts under the tree.

It could be a coincidence. Perhaps Daisy just liked the colors. But Carol had taken her to plenty of Pride events in college and knew she knew enough to get the symbolism of those particular colors. Why hadn’t Daisy told her?

Unless. Oh. Of course. Daisy didn’t want Carol to think that by coming out, it meant that Daisy felt that way about her. Carol resolved to pretend she hadn’t seen it. If Daisy felt comfortable coming out to her, she would. And if it was all a big misunderstanding, just a festive graphic, no harm done in avoiding assumptions.

Still, that night in bed, a part of her, the part that dealt in dreams where her rational mind was helpless to stop it, dared to send her into a sleepworld where Daisy had run into her arms at the pub and kissed her like in the movies. In the dream, there was no waitress or staff or food, just the two of them and the tables at an unrealistically convenient height.

When she woke up in the morning, the harsh winter light was all the colder for the loss of the fantasy that clearly wasn’t meant to be.

—--------------------

“You’ve got…” Daisy reached up reflexively and wiped away a bit of hot cocoa and whipped cream from just above Carol’s upper lip. Phil and Melinda watched on in amusement but said nothing.

Carol blushed. “Your turn.”

It took Daisy a second to get her head back in the game.

Chili had been delicious but that was hours ago, and now they had moved on from Pictionary to charades to late-night hot cocoa and a final game involving strategic moves and countermoves: the epic battlefield of Scrabble.

It felt like every word Daisy could think of was entirely inappropriate or could be twisted to be dirty. She was far too distracted by Carol’s presence: her laugh, her genuine interest in Phil and Melinda’s lives, the way she fit right in here at family game night. Needless to say, Daisy’s score was significantly less competitive than normal. Phil won, with Carol in a close second. They all agreed to a rematch now that Carol was back.

“Where she belongs,” Daisy finished. She hadn’t meant to say it out loud, but there it was.

“Aww,” Phil smiled warmly at Carol.

“Thanks,” Carol replied in happiness. “I swear this with just the four of us feels more like family sometimes than my loud, big family with all my cousins and nephews and everyone.” She rolled her eyes, recounting the dysfunctional chaos of the past week.

“You always have a place here,” Melinda affirmed with a simple nod.

“Getting late,” Phil hinted to Melinda, “Why don’t we clean up here and let the girls say goodnight.”

With that, Daisy walked Carol to the door. They both lingered, wanting what they were convinced the other didn’t.

“Will I see you tomorrow?” Carol asked finally.

“Oh, were we supposed to…?”

“No, no,” Carol rushed out. “I guess that was my way of asking if you wanted to hang out again tomorrow. Or another time. Whenever.”

Daisy tucked a strand of dark brown hair behind her ear. “I would, but we’re going to see my grandparents tomorrow. I’ll text you, though. If you promise to text back.” She teased Carol with the last bit, her tongue peaking out of her smile.

“Yes, touché,” Carol laughed. “I promise. I’m never gonna leave you hanging like that again.”

“Good.” Daisy opened the door, as if she’d been waiting for those magic words to allow Carol to go.

“Goodnight.” Carol had to pull herself away like taffy, literally attracted to Daisy here in the low lighting of the entryway as if drawn in by a goodnight-kiss magnet.

Little did she know, Daisy felt it too, but responded in the opposite way: she drew Carol in for a hug.

“I’m really glad you’re back. Not just for Christmas, but for real.” Daisy let go and Carol backed away, out onto the stoop.

“Me too.” Carol smiled and turned to walk away. She noted when she reached her old truck that Daisy was still watching from the open front door, letting in the chill but refusing to take her eyes off Carol until Carol had waved and driven away into the night.

“I love you,” Daisy whispered to the fading taillights of Carol’s truck.

Inside the truck, Carol skipped Joni Mitchell’s “River” and turned up “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” too loud in an attempt to drown out her aching heart.

---------------

Read chapter two on Ao3

[justagalwhowrites]

Happy New Year's Eve, Joel is proposing to Beautiful later ❤️

New in Town - Ch. 9: Second New Year

Ringing in the New Year after you and Joel's first year together. The last chapter of New in Town, found in its entirety on Tumblr here.

Pairing: Best Friend's Dad!Joel Miller x Female Reader

CW: Smut :D. No use of Y/N. Age gap (reader is 35 Joel is 47, not a focus of the fic). Minors DNI, 18+ only

Length: 6.3k

AO3 | First Chapter | Previous Chapter

“Sarah, if you don’t stop fucking with that it’s never going to stay,” you said, glaring at her in the mirror as you drew on eyeliner. 

“It’s driving me insane,” she groaned, leaning so close to the hotel bathroom mirror that she was fogging it with her breath, adjusting the false eyelashes for what had to be the millionth time. 

“Yeah, because you keep fucking with them,” you said. “You have to give yourself time to adjust to them. Or just take them off because I’m not spending half the night fixing them for you, drawing the line in the sand now.” 

“You are absolutely no fun,” she said but she smiled all the same. “It’s New Year’s Eve, I want to look extra good. Plus Nick thinks the long lashes are hot and I am ready for hotel room sex.” 

“I didn’t hear that,” Maria called from the bedroom where she was putting on her dress. 

“Hotel room sex, hotel room sex, hotel room sex!” Sarah called back. 

You laughed, picking up your mascara. 

“I don’t think it works like Beetlejuice where you say it enough times it just shows up.”

Sarah laughed back. 

“Fuck I hope not,” she said. “Really don’t want to manifest hotel room sex in front of my aunt and my mom.” 

She said the last word with a drawn out teasing edge and you had to pull the mascara wand away from your face so you didn’t end up with makeup in your eye from laughing so hard. 

“Swear to God if you don’t stop calling me that I will marry your dad just to spite you,” you said once you calmed down again. 

“You’re basically already married anyway,” Sarah said. “For the record, I would be fine with it.” 

You paused for a second, putting more mascara on the wand and looking at her in the mirror. 

“Yeah?” You asked. 

“Yeah,” she smiled at you in her reflection. “But don’t expect Mother’s Day gifts from me if it ever happens.” 

You snorted, returning to your makeup. 

“Better get a bouquet, box of chocolates, the whole nine for holding your hair when you get drunk.” 

You couldn’t believe it was already New Year’s Eve again. The last year had gone by so fast it didn’t seem like it could have contained quite as much as it did. But you’d spent almost the entire time so blissfully happy that it made sense that the time felt so damn short. 

Things with Joel had been going so well before Sarah found out that it was hard to believe it could really get better, but it did. Not feeling like you were hiding from the most important person in both your lives was like losing a weight you didn’t even know you were carrying. Neither of you were dancing around talking about how you were spending your time now, not being careful about what pictures you sent her and not having to just pretend like a huge part of your life didn’t exist when talking with her. 

When she went back to Seattle after Thanksgiving, the three of you started having weekly FaceTime calls, you and Joel sometimes on your couch or at his kitchen table or even in a hotel room in New Orleans once when you decided to get away for your first trip together as a couple. 

That Christmas had been the best you’d ever had. Not that there was much competition but Joel and Sarah both had completely brought you into all their holiday traditions. The driving around to look at Christmas lights with a thermos of hot cocoa, the annual trip to Mi Tierra in San Antonio so you could properly appreciate the Christmas lights that apparently were up year round. When Sarah came back to town a few days before Christmas, she dragged you and Joel to the mall and made the three of you take a picture with Santa. You got some funny looks in line - three full blown adults with nary a kid in sight - but Sarah whispered something to woman getting ready to take the picture and she smiled and nodded, helping the three of you get arranged for the photo. You sat lightly on one of Santa’s knees, Sarah on the other, Joel leaning against the side of the large chair. Joel insisted on getting the actual printed photo and, when you picked it up, they also handed you a candy cane and a small Santa figurine. You frowned at it for a second.

“First Santa visits should be commemorated,” the woman behind the counter smiled. “Merry Christmas!” 

You looked at Sarah for a second, worried you might cry and she smiled. 

“You have a Christmas decoration now,” she said. “But if you really don’t want it at your place, we can add it to the Christmas village at Dad’s!” 

You just hugged her and she laughed, hugging you back. 

That Christmas, the figurine and the picture sat on the book shelf in your living room, right where you could see them from your couch. The perfect image of the kind of life you’d always wanted to have, one that was filled with people who loved you. 

This year, the figurine and picture were at Joel’s because you were, too. 

Your lease was up in the fall and, by that point, the two of you were having a hard time remembering the last time you’d slept apart. You were wondering how to broach the subject with Joel - did you just ask if you could move into his house? Was not quite a year of knowing each other too soon? Did you just find a new apartment and never mention it? - when he brought it up one night over dinner. 

“Your lease is comin’ up soon, right?” He asked and you froze for a second, a bite of enchilada on your fork half way to your mouth. 

“Yeah,” you said when you remembered how to move and respond again. “Six weeks I think? They want me to decide whether or not I’m staying within the next two…” 

“Have you thought about if you might want to move in with me?” He asked, his jaw tense but his eyes soft. “Only if… you know… you thought you were ready for that. Just figure I’m at yours or you’re at mine most nights anyway and…” 

“Joel,” you smiled, setting your fork down and leaning on the table with your arms crossed in front of you. “Are you asking me to move in with you?” 

“Only if you wanted,” he said quickly. “Not tryin’ to… I dunno… put pressure on you or something. Never tried to do this before so…” 

You pressed your lips together, trying not to laugh. More at yourself than at Joel. Because of course he was thinking what you were thinking. Of course you were in the same place on this. Of course you were both nervous about bringing it up to each other. 

“I’d love to move in with you,” you said once you were sure you had yourself together. “As long as you’re offering because that’s what you really want and not because you think you should.” 

“Oh I want it,” he was smiling now and leaning toward you across the table. “Was considering just taking stuff from your place and moving it to mine, get you in the door before you even knew it was happening.” 

“That what happened to my sexy underwear?” You teased. 

“Nah,” he waved you off. “I stole those to jerk off with when you’re not there because you don’t live with me yet. Can have ‘em back when we unpack the moving truck.” 

You moved in a few weeks later. Joel cleared out most of his closet, his jeans and button downs taking up only a small corner of it to begin with, and built you shelving for your purses and shoes. He made space for your things throughout his home, for your favorite pots and pans in the kitchen, for your decorations in the living room. Setting aside the bits and pieces of his life to make sure it could hold yours, too. If he’d asked you to marry him in that moment, you’d have said yes in a heartbeat. 

“Oh shit,” you sighed, rifling through your makeup bag. “I think I left my fucking lipstick in my room…” 

You went to get your room key from your clutch but Sarah plopped a tube of lipstick in front of you first. 

“Use mine,” she said. “I’m almost ready and I don’t want to waste time with you up down three floors and all the way over to your room before we go to the party. I want cocktails, I want music and I want to flirt with my hot boyfriend while I wear a slutty dress.” 

“Maria is still getting dressed, I’ve got five minutes…” 

“No you don’t!” She called from the bedroom before coming to the bathroom door and turning around. “Zip me?” 

You laughed and obeyed, Maria adjusting the dress a bit before turning back around. 

“Hey sexy mama!” You whooped at her. “That looks like it was made for you.” 

“Right?” She flung her long braids over her shoulder before admiring herself in the full length mirror on the bathroom door. “My pregnancy boobs have shown up but the bump is still in hiding. It’s the perfect dress moment, had to take advantage of it.” 

“Hear that little one?” Sarah said, looking toward Maria’s lower stomach. “You’re making your mom look hot!” 

“Hotter,” you corrected. “They’re making their mom look hotter.” 

You settled for Sarah’s lipstick and the three of you headed for the elevator to go meet up with the guys. 

Your first New Year’s Eve with Joel had been far more low key. Sarah was in town and Joel invited Tommy and Maria over to watch the ball drop. You’d ordered pizza and gotten drunk and played charades with your boyfriend’s family and, at midnight, kissed Joel so deeply that you could taste the champagne on his tongue. 

This year, you had plenty to celebrate. It was Maria and Tommy’s last one before they became parents - you highly doubted they’d be up until midnight next year. Sarah had gotten promoted and you’d gotten her a job at the Austin branch in August. She had moved back to town just a few months before you moved in with Joel and the three of you had found a comfortable - if unusual - dynamic as a family. And it felt like you had finally found everything you’d ever truly wanted. 

Instead of staying home this New Year’s Eve, you all decided to go to a party at one of the nice hotels in Houston. You’d all gotten hotel rooms so no one had to drive and the boys had all gone on ahead to the rooftop bar to hold a table while the three of you got ready to go. 

“Crap, one sec,” Sarah said, frowning at her phone as the three of you went for the elevator. “Left something in the room, wait for me, OK? I don’t want to try to find them on my own!” 

You and Maria watched her run back to her room - where the three of you had been getting ready - and you frowned as she tottered on her high heels. 

“Is she acting weird?” You asked as Maria leaned against the wall. 

“Sarah?” Maria laughed. “She’s always weird.” 

She came back a few minutes later, tugging her dress down as she went and a little breathless when she got there. 

“OK,” she smiled and took a deep breath. “Now we’re good!” 

You were almost giddy as you rode the elevator up to the party, feeling the thud of music through the elevator doors before they opened. 

It was hard to say why you were just so excited. It wasn’t like you’d never been to a party before - you and Sarah had rung in the New Year at a party a lot like this one that your office had handled the advertising for in Seattle one year - but it felt like something new. Like you were stepping into the first year of your life where everything had finally fallen into place. 

“Hey!” Tommy yelled, standing and waving his arm over his head as he saw the three of you leave the elevator. You could barely hear him over the thud of the bass. “Over here!” 

“How many beers do you think he’s had?” Maria asked conspiratorially and you laughed. 

“Probably the same number mine has,” you replied, smiling at Joel as he craned his neck to get a better look at you. 

“Holy hell woman,” he said, getting out of the round booth as you got to the table. He pressed a kiss to your cheek and dropped his voice low. “Not sure I’m gonna take that dress off you later, might need to leave it on.” 

You smiled as he gave you a squeeze and you sat down, Joel sliding in beside you, one hand of his going below the table to the inside of your thigh. 

One thing that hadn’t changed in the last year was just how insatiable the two of you were for each other. You kept waiting for it to calm down a bit, to stop looking at him and immediately start thinking of how to get him alone and naked as quickly as possible. But Joel was still the single sexiest man you’d ever seen and was still far and away the best in bed. You couldn’t help but want to fuck him all day every day. You were just thankful he seemed to feel the same way about you. 

One of your favorite things about living with Joel was your after work routine. When you managed to make it so you left the office around the same time Joel left his job site, you’d join him in the shower, your hair in a knot on top of your head to keep from getting too soaked, Joel still a little sweaty and dirty from a hard day’s work. Sometimes, you just enjoyed each other. You loved the quiet intimacy of it, of being in such a private space together in just your skin, helping him wash the day from his body before he pulled you against him under the water. Other times, Joel pressed you against the cool tile and fucked into you, hard and fast and eager, making your back arch as your leg wrapped around him, the heat of his mouth and the steam filling you when you kissed him. 

The new routines had just given you more reasons and opportunities to fuck, it seemed, instead of sex getting lost in the monotony of daily life. Sometimes it was in the middle of late night TV when you were both getting tired on the couch. Sometimes it was when you were putting away laundry. Sometimes it was when you were making dinner. 

It was just that, sometimes, it required… additional boundaries. 

Sarah had a key to Joel’s place, of course, but she quickly learned that she needed to announce herself before just coming in the door when she wasn’t expected, her walking in the house without warning when he was deep inside of you while you were draped over the kitchen counter was a little too close for comfort for all three of you. 

“I have literally never wanted to know less about your sex life,” she shuddered a few hours later when you were sitting in Joel’s back yard, fully clothed with a beer in your hand. 

You laughed. 

“Never wanted you to know less about it so that works just fine for me.” 

You, Joel and Sarah all had dinner together at least once a week, another routine you’d come to love, and you got Sarah all to yourself most days over lunch, happy for the chance to laugh with your best friend.

You weren’t sure life could get much better. 

“Oh sweet!” Sarah said as the waitress came by the table, tray of drinks in hand, passing a cosmopolitan to Sarah. “Who knew this was just what I wanted?” 

“Happy to take credit for that,” Nick smiled, kissing her cheek and you smiled at him. He was a relatively new addition to Sarah’s life but he seemed promising. You’d never seen her quite so giddy over a guy before and you were trying not to mention it so you wouldn’t jinx it. 

When she finally owned up to being hung up on the man, though, you were going to start teasing her as relentlessly as she’d been teasing you. You were getting double wedding jokes lined up and ready, waiting for the perfect moment to hit her with it. 

But it was a holiday. You’d take it easy on her for a little while longer. Assuming she stopped calling you Mom. 

Joel had been paying attention too, it seemed, and the server handed you a mojito. Appropriate, since you’d just been lamenting the fact that you didn’t have fresh mint at home just two nights before. 

“How often are you really gonna muddle mint for a drink?” Joel asked, barely contained smile on his face. 

“At least once in a while!” You laughed. “Come on, we could do a whole herb garden in the yard…” 

“You are not gonna keep a garden alive.” 

“Yes I will!” You protested. He raised his eyebrows at you, incredulous. “If I have the motivation of cocktails I will.” 

“Fine,” he sighed but still smiled, kissing your forehead. “In spring I’ll build you a garden and you can kill as many herbs as you want, Beautiful.”

“Is this supposed to bribe me into you not making me a garden?” You teased, taking a sip of the drink. 

“Baby, I will make you whatever makes you smile,” he kissed your exposed shoulder. “But if I’m saving the lives of some poor, innocent plants by ordering you a cocktail…” 

You laughed and kissed him, the scratch of his facial hair on your skin comforting and familiar. 

The party really picked up not long after you got there and you, Sarah and Maria went to dance while the guys hung back to talk for a bit. 

“You don’t think they’re being too hard on him do you?” Sarah asked, watching the table. 

“Oh I’m sure they’re being super nice,” you said. “Joel and Tommy have never been protective of you, not once.” 

“Oh God,” she groaned but she smiled. 

“Wouldn’t worry too much,” you laughed. “It looks like he’s weathering it well.” 

“Hold on,” Maria smiled and shook her head. “We can get him some help…” 

She started waving to Tommy, who clapped Nick on the shoulder and got out of the booth to join his wife on the dance floor. You looked at Joel, eyebrows raised, until he met your gaze and you saw him sigh and smile before heading your way. 

You put your arms around his neck and kissed him, pressing tightly to him and feeling every line of him through your clothes. His hands went to your waist, pulling you closer. 

“You tryin’ to distract me?” He asked when you pulled away. 

“Trying to get you to play nice,” you teased. 

“Always play nice,” he said as you turned around in his hold, your ass going back against his hardening length. He lowered his lips to your ear, his breath hot on your skin. “Except when you ask me not to.” 

You resisted the urge to drag him back to your hotel room right that second. Instead, you pressed yourself harder against him, moving your body in time to the pulsing, thrumming rhythm. His hands slid to your hips and you couldn’t help but think of how they felt on your bare skin. 

But you managed to keep it together for a few songs, dancing until you were breathless and you really couldn’t take it anymore. You draped yourself around Joel again, pressing your lips to his ear. 

“Order me a water and another mojito,” you said, your hand sliding into his pocket, brushing his half hard cock through his jeans, as you grabbed your phone. “And check your texts.” 

You didn’t give him a chance to respond, just meeting his wide eyes for a moment before slipping into the crowd. You went around to the pool area of the rooftop, far quieter than the bar and the dance floor, the lounge chairs all stacked up next to a storage space that looked like it would provide the perfect cover from the dance floor. You took a selfie with just a glimpse of the thudding party in the background and texted it to him. 

“Come find me.” 

It didn’t take him long, coming around the corner while glancing back over his shoulder, looking nervous. You grabbed a fistful of his shirt and pulled him into you, your back against the storage room. 

“You are up to no good,” he said, pressing you back against the wall, his mouth covering yours, his body warm against the cool night air. “Tryin’ to get us kicked out of the damn hotel?” 

His hand went to your breast, anyway.

“We can keep our clothes on,” you panted against him. “Be very well behaved. Like that time in the bathroom.” 

“Fuck, Beautiful,” he groaned, putting his thigh between your legs, your skirt covering part of his jeans. He rocked his hips against you, his hands going to your waist, the outline of his hard cock against your stomach. “Wanna make me come in my pants like a fucking teenager?” 

“Don’t think we’re making it to midnight any other way,” you were needy, aching as you ground your pussy down on the straining muscle of his leg. 

“Still gonna let me fuck you later?” He kissed down your neck, rutting harder against you, your hands on his shoulders, grip tightening. 

“You think I’m starting a new year without you inside me as soon as possible you’re insane.” 

He laughed a little and nipped at your collarbone before pulling you tighter against his leg, making you moan. You started working yourself harder and faster against him, pulling him tighter to you, your wetness soaking your panties. 

“You’re close, aren’t you, Baby?” He asked, voice dark. Your motions stuttered but you nodded frantically against him. “Gonna come all over my fucking leg aren’t you? Come from just riding my fucking thigh?” 

You were close enough that you’d lost the ability to speak. You just nodded again and he kissed you, hard and messy and deep and you pressed yourself firmly against his leg as you fell apart, the tight coil inside yourself snapping as your clit throbbed against him. 

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” He gasped as he pressed his cock hard against you and you felt him throbbing there, spilling into his jeans before slumping against you. His nose brushed yours for a moment and you smiled, kissing him lightly. 

“You’re going to kill me,” he laughed a little breathlessly. “More than a year into this and you still want me to fuck you so bad you’re dragging me away from a party?” 

“That’s nothing,” you teased. “Wait until we’re really old and we’re finding ways to sneak around the nursing home.” 

He laughed and kissed you again. 

“Love you so fuckin’ much.” 

It was easier to focus on the party after that. Tommy gave Joel a look when you made it back to the table and Joel told him to mind his own business and you laughed and drank your mojito. 

By the time midnight rolled around, you’d been pleasantly tipsy for more than an hour, draping yourself over Joel at every opportunity when you weren’t dancing with Sarah and Maria. As the countdown started, the six of you crowded onto the dance floor with everyone else, champagne in hand, Joel’s arm around you as he held you to his side. 

“Three, two, one!” 

Joel turned you to him and kissed you before you’d even had a chance to yell happy New Year and you sank into him, almost forgetting about the drink in your hand until some of it dribbled down your wrist, making you laugh against his lips. 

“Couldn’t let a second of the year go by before I kissed you for the first time,” he said, his lips still close to yours. The knot of heat and wanting that had eased after your antics earlier was back with full force. 

“Good,” you said quietly, drinking in the hungry look in his eyes. 

“It’s supposed to be a toast, you insatiable weirdos,” Sarah laughed and you laughed back, separating from Joel far enough to raise your glasses and toast with your new found family. 

It wasn’t long before all of you made your way to the elevators, piling into one with a handful of strangers, you happy for the excuse to stay pressed tightly against Joel. 

“Good luck!” Tommy said, a teasing edge to his voice when the doors dinged open on your floor. 

You frowned at him, confused, as the doors closed and you laughed a little as Joel led you back to the room. 

“Why do you need luck? Is Tommy under the impression that you have to work to get sex out of me?” You teased. “Because it’s sweet that you’d protect my honor that way but we both know that’s a damn lie.” 

“Tommy’s just a dumbass,” Joel replied. “Ignore him, that’s what I do.” 

You laughed, the tail end of your buzz waning. 

“Thinking we should take full advantage of that jacuzzi tub,” you said as Joel unlocked the hotel room door. “And use it to research the investment of a hot tub in the back yard…” 

“You’re insatiable,” he teased, opening the door for you. 

You laughed and were so busy looking at him - his thick, dark hair that was flecked with gray; his plush lips; his soft eyes - that it took you a second to realize there were roses and petals all over the room, a bottle of wine chilled in a bucket on the small table. 

“Joel?” You looked back at him and he just shrugged, smiling. 

You went further into the room and realized that it wasn’t just flowers and wine. There were framed pictures of you and Joel from the last year of your lives together. One of the two of you on Bourbon Street, another from when you decided to actually take those wine tasting classes you’d talked about, one from your second Longhorn’s game. There were at least a dozen, each one making it look so, so obvious that you made each other happy. That you gave each other the lives you wanted. 

You picked up the picture by the bedside, the first selfie you’d ever taken together. You were hiking and you’d held your arm out far enough to try to capture some of the view behind you. You were smiling hugely at the camera, hair grimy with sweat, Joel’s arm around your shoulders. But he wasn’t looking at the camera. Instead, he was looking at you. Looking at you like you were the only thing worth looking at. Looking at you like you made him happier than just about anything else on Earth. 

“What…” You trailed off, looking up from the picture to see Joel, on one knee with a box in his hands at the foot of the bed. 

You gasped and jumped, your hands covering your mouth on instinct, eyes wide. Your feet moved before you really realized what was happening and it seemed sudden that you were right in front of him.

“Joel,” you breathed, trembling hands slowly leaving your face. 

“For a very long time,” he said, his voice assured. “It felt like I’d gotten the only good thing I was going to get out of life. I had Sarah and seemed wrong to ask for more than that so I wasn’t lookin’ for it. Wasn’t lookin’ for you. But then I found you - or you found me, anyway - and I realized just how good life could be as long as I got to live it next to you. 

“You are the single best person I’ve ever met. You’re so smart and funny and creative and kind and the most fun I’ve ever had and I can’t imagine anything better than getting to live the rest of my life with you. Will you make me the happiest man on Earth and marry me?” 

***

Joel wasn’t sure his heart had ever beat this fast. Maybe when Sarah was first born and there were the torturous few seconds of silence before she started crying, not sure how anything about pregnancy or babies worked. Definitely never since. 

But the silence between you seemed to drag on for an eternity even though he knew it could have only been a second or two. That didn’t stop his heart from racing. 

“Yes,” you nodded, your voice thick, tears in your eyes. “Yes, yes, yes, yes yes!” 

You damn near tackled him and he laughed, catching you and holding onto you as he lowered the two of you to the ground on a bed of rose petals. 

Joel, Tommy and Nick had been in here getting everything set up while Sarah and Maria kept you busy in Sarah’s room. There was a brief moment of panic when Sarah texted that the three of you were headed to the party and Joel had to ask her to buy at least two minutes because they were walking to the elevator themselves. 

“I’m so happy for you, man,” Tommy said, clapping Joel on the shoulder as they headed up to the party. “You deserve this, you really fuckin’ do.” 

“She ain’t said yes yet,” Joel said, feeling the nerves all sudden and hot under his skin. “Don’t jinx it.” 

“She’ll say yes,” Tommy said, sounding so confident. “Don’t ask me WHY but that woman adores you. She’s gonna love it.” 

He hoped you did. He hoped you loved the idea at all, that you loved the proposal, that you loved the ring. Sarah had helped pick that part out so he was more confident of that, finding a piece that was elegant without looking dated, something that he hoped you’d like wearing for the rest of your life. 

Because that’s what he wanted. He wanted you, wanted to make you happy, for the rest of your life. 

He slid the ring onto your finger, the diamond catching the light as he did. 

“Are you serious?” You asked, looking from the ring to him. 

“Serious about spending the rest of my life with you?” He asked. “Can’t think of anything better.” 

You threw your arms around his neck and kissed him, hard and needy. He leaned into it for a moment before he pulled back from you. 

“Should move to the bed,” he breathed. “Gotta treat my fiancee right.” 

You just nodded quickly and Joel got up before helping you to your feet. 

He tugged your dress up and over your head - as much as he wanted to fuck you in the sexy little thing you’d been tempting him with all night, the need to feel your skin was too great - and eased you down onto the bed. 

You moved to the middle of it and Joel got undressed, his eyes watching you hungrily, the glint of his ring on your finger making him somehow even harder. You removed your bra and cast it aside before you slipped your panties down your legs and tossed them to the side, leaving you exposed and bare. You were everything it seemed like he’d ever wanted and you were his, the proof of it right there on your hand. He fisted his cock, pumping himself once, twice, as he climbed between your legs. 

He wanted to make this last. He wanted to go down on you and swallow your pleasure until you were screaming with it. He wanted to kiss every inch of your skin. He wanted to tease you with his fingers until you were begging for his cock. But he wasn’t sure he could, not that moment. He had a feeling you wouldn’t be leaving the bed for a few days after this.

“Joel,” you panted, watching him, pupils blown and back arched. He smiled. For some reason, you wanted him like he wanted you. 

“Yes, Mrs. Miller?” He breathed, settling between your open legs, the apex of your thighs hot against his skin. You moaned and rocked your hips up against him, your needy little clit pressing into his skin. 

“Fuck,” you moaned, closing your eyes, fingers gripping his bicep tightly. “Love the sound of that…” 

“You have no idea, Beautiful,” he said, kissing you, grinding his cock against your dripping slit. You moaned, the movement of your hips stuttering for a moment before you adjusted the angle so the tip of him was catching on your entrance with ever pass, just enough for the most sensitive part of him to be enveloped in your tight, wet heat. 

“Need you,” you were almost gasping with it, desperate and wanting. “Please, please, need to feel you, I need…” 

“Always going to give you what you need, Baby,” he said, his cock dipping further into you this time before he pulled back and pushed himself against your clit again. “Always gonna take care of you, always.” 

He pushed into you then, firm but not to fast, your breath catching on your throat as he did. Joel kissed you, trying not to think about how damn good you felt, how it seemed like he belonged right there, deep inside you. 

“Fuck,” your nails dug into him but he held on. “Fuck, you feel so fucking good how do you feel this fucking good?” 

He could only moan in response, fucking into you, feeling you open up to him, your walls gripping him tight. He stayed still inside you for a moment, savoring it, the feeling of you around him while he was over you, the way you held onto him. 

But he couldn’t last that way for long. You - his fiancee. His fiancee, no one else’s, you belonged to no one but him - felt too damn good for him to last too long inside of you and he had to move, he had to. 

So he did, starting a little slower but still firm, pressing his hips into you so your hot little clit was against his skin. 

He could feel you starting to tighten around him, like your body was trying to pull him deeper somehow, your lips messy and desperate when they found his, trialing little kisses over his body when they don’t. 

“That’s it, Beautiful,” he panted into you. “Come for me, can feel how close you are, just let go for me, let me feel you. Need to feel you…” 

You gasped his name and pressed your whole body tight against him as you came around him, your pussy fluttering around him, working his cock, all warm and soft trying to pull him as deep as you could take him. He fucked you through it, hardly able to hold off his own orgasm, the aftershocks of yours still rippling through your tight channel when he emptied himself into you until he didn’t even have the strength to hold himself up anymore, collapsing on you, his head over your shoulder so he could smell your skin and your hair. Fuck, he loved that smell. Fuck, he loved you. 

After a minute, he adjusted the two of you so you were draped over his chest, your arms all soft and pliant, close enough that he could feel your heartbeat on his skin, feel your soft, little breaths on him. You held up your left hand, turning the ring back and forth in the light. 

“You’re sure about this?” You asked, glancing up at him as you fidgeted with the ring. 

“More sure than I’ve ever been about anything,” he said. “Would make you Mrs. Miller tomorrow if you’d let me.” 

You laughed a little at that, putting your hand down on his chest and taking a deep breath. 

“Doesn’t seem fair,” you said softly. 

“What doesn’t?” 

“You’ve given me so much,” you said. “You’ve given me everything I’ve ever wanted - everything. Feels like I’m not holding up my end.” 

“You kiddin’ me?” He scoffed. “You’re so perfect I have to remind myself that you’re real sometimes, that I’m not just imagining you. You make me the luckiest man on Earth every damn day by just breathing in the same room as me. If anything’s not fair, it’s that I got too greedy asking you to marry me. Should know to quit when I’m this far ahead.” 

You laughed and pressed your lips into his chest, looking at the ring again, twisting it this way and that with your thumb. 

“Make you a deal,” you said, adjusting your head so you were looking at him. 

“What’s your proposal?” He asked, teasing. 

“You take care of me,” you said. “Make sure I’m not getting too overwhelmed or overdoing it at work or just getting too in my own head. I’ll take care of you, make sure you take time for yourself, make sure you relax, make sure you know how great you are. Deal?” 

He smiled a little. 

“Deal, Mrs. Miller.” 

You smiled bigger. 

“Excellent, Mr. Miller.” 

He kissed your forehead. 

“Don’t have to change your last name, you know,” he said, giving you a squeeze. “I can always just call you that for my own damn enjoyment without making it official.” 

You laughed a little. 

“No, I want to change it,” you said. “Sarah was right all along. I think I’m going to make a great Miller.” 

A/N: Ahhh! I hope you all loved reading the story of Joel and Sarah's best friend as much as I loved sharing it! These two are so fun and so sweet, I'm so glad I got to give them the happy ending they deserved.

Thank you so so much for being here, for following along with this little story that started as a one shot based on a request that came in after I wrote another one shot as a request. I so appreciate that you're here, that you've spent your time with this fic and these characters and all of your support. This corner of the internet means everything to me and it's because you're a part of it <3 Love you!

Taglist: @fanficismydrug

[jenosbliss]

🍇🎀ᝢ grapes under the table?

pairing. fem!reader x bsf!jeno | genre. fluff, friends to lovers | wc. 1k | warnings. none

a/n:: happy new year! btw did anyone tried the 12 grapes under the table thing?

“Why do you even want to try this?” Jeno asked, his tone caught somewhere between amusement and disbelief as he crouched under the small dorm table with you,  holding a bowl of grapes like it was the most absurd task he’d ever been asked to do.

You rolled your eyes, pushing the bowl of grapes into his hands. “It’s not like I’m throwing salt over my shoulder or reading tea leaves. It’s harmless. And who knows? Maybe it’ll work!”

“You don’t even believe in this stuff,” he shot back, holding up a grape and inspecting it like it was an artifact.

“I also don’t believe in horoscopes, but I still check mine every morning,” you countered, leaning back against the table leg. “But after twenty-something years of being single, desperate times call for desperate measures.”

Jeno’s chest tightened at your words. He’d heard this complaint a million times before—your usual dramatic groaning about how unfair the dating scene was, about how no one ever liked you. But tonight, sitting under the table with you, something about it hit differently.

He remembered the evening he’d seen you at that café with some guy from your class. He’d never thought of himself as the jealous type, but watching you lean in with that laugh—the one you reserved for people you really liked—had made his stomach churn. But when the date didn’t turn into anything more, he buried the realization deep. You were his best friend, and losing you wasn’t worth the risk.

And now? The thought of this little superstition actually working, of you finding someone who wasn’t him? That made him want to throw the grapes out the window.

“You stayed back for this?” Jeno asked, his voice dipping into that teasing tone he always used to cover up his feelings. “You never skip parties, and it’s New Year’s Eve.”

“You’ve been skipping a lot of them lately, too,” you pointed out, raising an eyebrow at him. His heart stuttered. Yeah, because of you. “I just didn’t feel like going this time,” he lied.

You studied him for a moment before sighing, your gaze dropping to the bowl of grapes in his lap. “I don’t get why everyone makes such a big deal about New Year’s,” you said as if stating the obvious, your tone softer now. “It’s just a change of date. Not like Christmas or Thanksgiving, where there’s something to celebrate.”

Jeno watched you as you spoke, your expression pensive, your voice tinged with that familiar mix of frustration and longing. He’d heard this all before—how you hated being the only one without a date, how everyone seemed to find someone except you. He used to laugh at your complaints, teasing you until you smiled again.

But now? The thought of someone else being that person for you, the one who turned your complaints into laughter and made your eyes light up—it terrified him.

“Fine,” he said eventually, picking up a grape. “Let’s eat these grapes and see if your superstition works. But if you get a boyfriend this year, I’m blaming the table.”

You laughed, handing him a grape. “Deal. Now, eat.”

The two of you began eating, one grape for each month of the year. With every bite, Jeno’s heart beat louder, his thoughts spiralling. What if it actually worked? What if this silly little tradition actually brought someone into your life? What if someone else swept you off your feet and he had to watch from the sidelines?

As you popped the last grape into your mouth, you grinned triumphantly. “Done! If this works, I’m buying grapes by the crate every year.”

Jeno hesitated, his grip tightening on the bowl. His chest felt heavy, like the words he’d been holding in were threatening to spill over. “What if I don’t want it to work?”

You blinked, confused. “What do you mean?”

He set the bowl aside, his gaze locking onto yours with an intensity that made your breath catch. “What if I don’t want you to find someone else? What if… I want to be your boyfriend?”

The words hung in the air, the weight of them pressing against your chest. “Jeno…” You stared at him, your lips parted in shock.

“I mean it,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “I stayed back tonight because I didn’t want to be anywhere else. I don’t want to watch you love someone else. I want it to be me.”

Your heart raced as the truth in his voice sank in. The boy who’d always been your anchor, your constant, was now baring his heart to you. “You’ve always been my best friend,” you said softly. “I never thought you—”

“That’s the problem,” he interrupted, his tone urgent. “You never thought. But I did. I’ve been thinking about it since the day I saw you on that stupid café date, and it scared the hell out of me. I’ve loved you longer than I even realized, and I’m done pretending I don’t.”

You stared at him, the room suddenly too small, too warm, too charged with everything you hadn’t let yourself feel until this moment. “Jeno,” you whispered, your voice trembling. “Ask me again.”

His brows furrowed, confusion flickering across his face. “Ask me again,” you repeated, your voice steadier this time.He swallowed hard, his hand reaching for yours. “Can I be your boyfriend?”

A smile broke across your face as you nodded. “Yes. You can.” Relief flooded his expression, and before either of you could second-guess it, he leaned forward, his hand cradling your cheek as his lips met yours.

The kiss was soft, tentative at first, but quickly deepened as you melted into him. His touch was warm and steady, his thumb brushing against your skin as if to reassure you this was real.

When you finally pulled back, breathless and grinning, Jeno rested his forehead against yours. “Guess I owe the grapes an apology.” 

You laughed, the sound light and free. “You do.”

For the first time, New Year’s felt like more than just a change of date. It felt like the beginning of something real—something that had been waiting for the right moment all along.

As Jeno held you close under that tiny dorm table, you couldn’t help but think: this was the best start to a year yet. And just like that, New Year’s Eve didn’t feel so pointless anymore.

navigation.

masterlist. nct dream | nct 127 | wayv

[archivequinn]

Summary: When it's twelve o'clock at midnight and it's the new year, Eddie feels good enough to sweep you off your feet.

Warnings: it's SMUT. +18 minors go away.

Words: 1,209

ao3 link

In your small apartment, the final night of the year flowed by in quiet serenity. Outside, the sounds of people’s joyful laughter and the distant crackle of fireworks echoed through the streets, but inside, it was a completely different world—one that belonged only to the two of you. The Christmas movie playing on the TV had long since faded into background noise, forgotten. You no longer noticed the lines or followed the scenes. The bluish light from the screen flickered softly, filling the room with dancing shadows, illuminating Eddie’s face briefly before it melted back into the dimness.

Pizza boxes and beer bottles lay scattered on the coffee table in casual disarray, but neither of you cared. Eddie’s strong arms wrapped around you tightly, forming a warm cocoon. Your skin buzzed with the rhythm of his deep, steady breaths; your lips, pressed together, burned with a heat that defied the cold winter night. Everything moved slowly, deliberately, as if time had decided to stretch itself just for you. Your kisses felt both timeless and infinite, as though you feared losing each other if even a single moment passed.

Eddie's hands roamed over your body, his fingers tracing the curves of your waist before dipping lower to cup your ass. His mouth never leaving its prize as he devoured you with an intensity that left you breathless. The world outside receded into nothingness; all that existed was this moment – you, lost in your own little bubble of desire.

You felt his hardness pressing against your thigh, a reminder that this wasn't just about foreplay – it was about surrendering to your desires. As Eddie's mouth moved from one breast to the other, you felt yourself melting into his touch, your body responding with an urgency that left you powerless. His hands exploring every inch of your skin. It was as if time had stopped; there were no clocks ticking away in the background, no partygoers cheering outside. All that mattered was this moment.

Eddie's mouth was a vortex of pleasure, drawing you in with every gentle tug and soft suckle. He bit down softly on your nipple, the slight sting sending shivers through your body as he pulled it slowly between his teeth. You felt yourself arching into him, begging for more as he lavished attention on each breast. You gasped as he sucked harder, his mouth creating a vacuum. His fingers wrapped around one breast, squeezing gently as he kneaded the flesh with his palm.

Meanwhile, his other hand crept lower down your body, pausing at the juncture of your thighs before delving deeper into the folds of your pussy. His fingers found your clit, stroking it with a slow, deliberate rhythm that left you squirming against him.

You felt his mouth leave your breast for a moment, only to return with renewed intensity. This time, he bit down harder on the nipple, sending shockwaves of pleasure through your body as he tugged and pulled at the sensitive flesh. You cried out softly into his ear as he continued to feast on you, his mouth and hands moving in tandem like they were choreographed by some unseen force.

Eddie's hand never stopped moving against your pussy; instead, it seemed to gain momentum, his fingers stroking and teasing you with a precision that left you gasping for air. You felt yourself building towards some unknown precipice, your body responding to the stimulation with an urgency that left you powerless against its demands. His fingers continued to tease your pussy, stroking and circling. He slowed his pace, letting the anticipation build as he teased the entrance of you. You felt yourself tensing up, anticipating what was to come.

Suddenly, he plunged two fingers deep inside you, his palm pressing against your pubic bone as he began to fuck you slow and deliberate. The sensation was intense; it felt like he was awakening every nerve ending in your body. Your hips bucked against him involuntarily as he moved his fingers deeper inside you.

As you adjusted to the invasion of his fingers, Eddie picked up speed, pumping in and out of you with a rhythmic intensity. His thumb rubbed circles around your clit as his other hand grasped your hip, pulling you closer to him.

His fingers continued to fuck you with reckless abandon, his movements becoming more frenzied as he sensed your approaching climax. You felt yourself tensing up once more, anticipating the moment when everything would come crashing down around you. Just as it seemed like Eddie was about to push you over the edge, he suddenly stopped moving altogether. He pulled out his fingers and unbuckled his belt with a swift motion before yanking down his pants and underwear in one smooth motion.

You gasped as he sprang free from his confinement, his cock standing thick and hard as he stroked it with a slow, deliberate rhythm. Eddie's eyes locked onto yours, his gaze was burning. Without another moment's hesitation, he pushed himself deep inside you, the sensation of his cock filling you sending shivers down your spine. You felt yourself wrapping around him like a vice as he began to move in slow rhythms, each stroke building upon the last until you were nothing but a quivering mass of pleasure and desire.

As he plunged deeper into your pussy, his cock seemed to grow thicker and harder, filling you with an intense sense of pleasure and desire. His strokes were slow and deliberate at first, but as he gained momentum, they became faster and more frenzied.  His fingers dug deep into your hips as he pulled you closer to him, his mouth pressed against yours in a fierce kiss that left no doubt about how much he wanted this moment.

Just as the clock struck twelve midnight, shouts of joy and the sound of fireworks exploding outside filled the room. Amidst the chaos, Eddie's movements became more frenzied, more aggressive. His strokes growing deeper and harder with every passing moment.

He pounded into you with reckless abandon, his cock slamming against your cervix with a force. The sensation was intense; it felt like he was unleashing all his pent-up energy onto you like a tidal wave crashing against the shore. You felt yourself getting lost in the rhythm of his thrusts, your body responding to every stroke like it was its own personal drumbeat. Your hips bucked against him involuntarily as he fucked you.

You felt yourself on the brink of orgasm, your body tensing up as Eddie ravaged you one last time before pushing deep inside and holding still for what felt like an eternity. It felt like he had unleashed every ounce of passion and desire within himself onto you.

As the fireworks continued to explode outside, Eddie pulled out of you and spun you around, he wrapped his arms around your waist and pulled you close, his mouth crashing down on yours as he kissed you with a ferocity that left no doubt about how much he wanted this moment.

Eddie's voice whispered against your ear, "Happy New Year, Sweetheart."

You felt a flutter in your chest as you replied, "Happy New Year," before his mouth crashed down on yours in a passionate, long kiss.

credit for dividers: @/strangergraphics

taglist: @multyfangirl @nicholaschavezslut69 @t-folklore13

[kirislovelygf]

drunk new year’s eve w/sevika !!

contents: just a lil blurb i thought of since it’s new years and i’m bored

*˚⁺‧͙ 𖦹

it’s new year’s eve in zaun, an unnecessary but convenient reason to get black out drunk with your friends and loved ones.

your friends all went out together but you wanted to spend the evening with sevika. you both made dinner together before drinking.

it was nearing midnight and you both waited in your living room. after the first couple shots, it was hard to keep track of how many followed.

sevika couldn’t handle her alcohol for a good while before even getting tipsy but you were a different story.

just a couple shots in and you were slurring compliments and sweet praises while sitting pretty in sevika’s lap.

“i think you look good all the time.” you said to her.

“really?”

“yeah!”

“i feel old.” she said to you, a bit tipsy herself.

“whaat? that’s crazy, you could run a marathon.” you chuckled.

what sevika loved most about you being drunk is how you flirted with her as if you haven’t been dating two years now.

“you’re sweet.” she said to you.

“so is this drink. i’m getting another one.” you said, swinging your legs over her one thigh to stumble into the kitchen.

“you know what? hell yeah.” sevika muttered following you.

you picked up one of the plenty bottles on the countertop and spilled a bit pouring some into your glass.

sevika came up behind you and gently took the bottle.

“here.. if i let you do it, you’re gonna spill the whole thing .” sevika chuckled lowly. you smiled at her before jumping up to sit on the counter.

you watched her arm move for what felt like hours. you could watch her muscles in motion forever if given the choice.

“here you go.” sevika handed you your glass, brining you out of your trance.

“such a sweetheart.” you smiled. sevika chuckled under her breath before the two of you go back to the couch.

sevika sat in the middle with her flesh arm over your shoulder.

“you’re so pretty.. i’m so lucky..” you mumbled, slurring your words together.

“so are you.” sevika hummed. she loved seeing your rosy cheeks whenever you were drunk. but just for a while before she took you to bed.

not sexually. she would just tuck you in and put your teddy bear next to you under the covers.

“i like you a lot. did ya know that?” you said, leaning your head on her broad shoulder and looking up at her face.

“aw, do you? how much do you like me?”

“i like youu.. umm, like how i like alcohol.” you said as you reached for your drink that sat on the coffee table.

sevika let out a deep laughs as you took a good long sip. you grunted at the fiery spice at the back of your throat.

“take it easy.. you should be conscious enough to welcome the new year.” she chuckled.

“i don’t care bout that.. just wanna hang out with you.” you hummed.

you gripped her chin with your hand to bring her face down to your level before you left kisses all over her cheek.

your tinted lipstick left marks all over her scarred face.

sevika just let you run your course before you placed a kiss on her lips. she kissed you back and let out a quiet laugh as you gripped her shirt collar and almost brought her down on top of you.

suddenly, you both heard the crowds of zaun on the ground from outside counting down from 12.

you gasped looking over at the balcony,

you jumped up and almost fell as you ran over to the open balcony of your apartment.

“look, vika! it’s almost midnight.” you screamed excitedly.

sevika laughs lightly before going to join you.

she watched you in your pure childish joy as you counted down to midnight and then jumped and cheered when fireworks went off in the distance.

you wrapped your arms around her body and she put and arm over your shoulder.

“happy new year, vika.” you smiled up at her.

she leaned down to kiss you briefly. “happy new year, my love.” she then kissed the top of your head before you both looked up to watch the colorful fireworks.

after the firework show, you talked sevika’s ear off for another hour before falling asleep on top of her.

sevika, as she always did, put you to bed in your pajamas and a teddy bear in hand.

*˚⁺‧͙ 𖦹

[mochie85]

When The Ball Drops

Summary: A continuation of "Have Mercy." Loki tries so hard to get you to kiss him again but you resist him. Until he comes up with a plan on New Year's Eve. Pairing: Loki x Female Reader Word Count: Over 3.5k Warnings: Fluff, kissing, cameos from multiple Avengers, the use of Y/N

It had been weeks since you saved Loki’s life and brought him back from his near-death experience. Or as Loki fondly likes to call it, “the time you asked him out on a date.” He was relentless with his flirtations towards you. He would seek you out at all hours, multiple times a day, just to wear you down.

One time he caught you by the kitchen pouring yourself a cup of coffee. “There you are, my angel.” He slid on the side of the counter, pulling up right next to you. “I have a headache. Do you think you could kiss it and make it all better?” he crooned so sweetly.

“No,” you answered him flatly and walked away, sipping your coffee.

Or, that time you were kickboxing with Sam. While Loki and Thor just happened to be training on the mat across from you. Thor had knocked him down with a single blow. Loki immediately cried to you from the floor. “Darling! My brother doesn’t seem to know the difference between practice and actual combat. Could you spare me a kiss so that I can continue and teach him a lesson?” He lay on the floor with his hair falling from the loose bun he kept it in. His arms spread apart, looking up at you through thick, long lashes.

“No, Loki!” You were so irritated that you took your fighting gloves off and threw them on the floor. Missing his head by an inch. Loki didn’t even flinch as he watched you storm off in anger. “Go to med-bay if you’re injured!”

“My angel,” Loki purred this morning after a team meeting. “I seem to have a paper cut on my finger. Can you-”

“No! Loki I will not kiss you!” you asserted, gathering your materials to get out of there quickly.

“I was going to suggest you lick it. But if that’s what you prefer, I’ll take it as a consolation prize,” he smiled and puckered his lips towards you. Your palms had never itched more, wanting to slap the kiss right off his mouth. You growled in frustration as you turned on your heel and walked out.

Loki heard light chuckles coming from the end of the large meeting table. Wilson and Barnes were shaking their heads, having watched the whole scene play out. “Is there something that you two find amusing?”

“Ya, man. You!” Wilson answered.

“I’m glad my shortcomings amuse you,” Loki answered with a slight upturn of his lip.

“Let me give you some advice,” Sam said walking over to him.

“Not warranted. Nor requested.”

“I’ma give it to you anyway.” Sam clapped a hand on Loki’s shoulder and looked him straight in the eye. “You need to chill.”

“I beg your pardon?” Loki said astounded.

“The more you push, the harder she resists,” Barnes interjected.

“Stop harassing her,” Sam continued.

“You, constantly being around her, reminding her of that kiss, is not gonna go well for you,” Barnes added.

“Are you saying that she regretted healing me?” Loki questioned.

“No,” they both answer in unison.

“Anyone can see that she was smitten with you from day one!” Sam declared.

“And she wouldn’t just kiss anybody. She offered to heal my arm once, though,” Barnes said to Wilson. “I wonder if she would’ve kissed me then?” He said introspectively, biting his lip in thought. Loki sneered at the notion.

“But she thinks that you’re just teasing her. That you’re not sincere with your feelings and you’re just looking for a way to provoke or annoy her.”

“I honestly don’t know how I can make it any clearer for her that I’m interested other than to ask her flat-out naked!”

“NO!” they both screamed again.

“Well, it would've worked on Asgard.” Loki pouted, crossing his arms as he sat on the ledge of the conference table.

“I’m sure it would’ve,” Sam nodded sarcastically. “Look, do you really like her?” Loki gave him a sardonic look, appalled that Wilson would even ask such a question.

“Then prove to her that you’re worthy of her affections. Wait for her to ask you. That way you’ll know she wants you too and not just because she’s trying to save your life.” At this last drop of wisdom, Barnes and Wilson left Loki in the conference room, pondering ways to prove his sincerity towards you.

You hurried towards your room, scenes from the last moments with Loki replaying in your mind. How could everything have gone tits up in just a couple of weeks?! You left the meeting today exhausted more than ever. You weren’t sure if it was misplaced gratitude for saving his life or if he genuinely is attracted to you but you didn’t think you could resist Loki anymore.

You know he’s just mocking you about what happened. He doesn’t have any real feelings towards you. It’s in his nature to be playful. But every time he comes anywhere near you and he puckers those lips of his, your knees buckle and you almost give in.

Screw it! If he wants to tease you so badly, maybe you could call his bluff and kiss him back. Perhaps then he’ll realize that his joke had gone way too far and he’d stop. Yes! The next time he teases you, you’ll kiss him right back.

But he never did. After weeks of trying to get under your skin, he finally relented. Morning coffee breaks were innocuous and pleasant. Sometimes, he would have a cup waiting for you, just the way you like it. No quips. No lewd gestures about kissing. Just a handsome smile and a friendly, helping hand.

There were times you would see him walk out of the training rooms with Thor, holding on to his side in pain. You were ready for him to make a quick jab about needing your kiss to heal the ache. But none ever came. Only a quick, “Hello, darling,” in passing as he limped off in the direction of med-bay. You’ve missed your chance.

Days later, holiday lights still glittered around the buildings of New York. Remnants of Christmas still decorated Fifth Avenue. The frigid air nipped at your cheeks making you hold on to your faux mink tighter.

Tony’s New Year’s Eve party was different this year. No celebrities. No politicians. Just the Avengers, along with the friends and family that loved them. He had rented the whole rooftop of the Marriott Marquis, overlooking Times Square. Soft velvet settees were strewn across the space under a luxurious pergola and a fantastic view of the ball waiting to be dropped.  

Lounging next to one of the many heat lamps, you wrapped your coat tighter around your shoulders. “So, who are you kissing when the clock strikes midnight?” Nat asked you, pouring you a glass of Bollinger. Her red lipstick was as bright as her hair. With one side of her fur falling down her shoulder, she looked like the classic Hollywood vixen, ready for her next close-up. Fitting for tonight’s Vintage Hollywood theme.

“I don’t know,” you lied, taking the stem from her hand. You knew exactly who you wanted to kiss tonight. “I haven’t really thought about it.”

“Liar.” She said so cooly. You smirked, chastising yourself for trying to lie to one of the world’s best interrogators. “I bet I could guess who!” She sang as you rolled your eyes.

“Even if I did want one of them to kiss me, that doesn’t mean that they will.”

“Come on. I’m sure one of them would love to snog you at midnight,” she chuckled. “An extra blessing of good health and fortune for the coming year…” She wagged her eyebrows and elbowed you.

“Oh, please.”

“Ok, there’s Steve.”

“Your ex?!”

“Ya!”

“No!” you exclaimed.

“He’s a great kisser.”

“Then why don’t you kiss him at midnight”

“We’re trying to get YOU kissed. Not me, remember? OK, what about Thing 1 and Thing 2?” She said pointing to Sam and Bucky.

“No,” you said laughing.

“Why not?”

“No. I just don’t see them that way. It’ll make for an awkward kiss.”

“How ‘bout Bruce?”

“Bruce isn’t even here.” You said looking around the party.

“Ok then, what about Thor?”

“He’s with Jane.”

“Why not try your luck with tall, dark, and stabby then?” she said pointing to Loki with her champagne flute. You snorted at her nickname for Loki nearly spilling champagne as you took a calculated sip. “Oh my god!”

“Nat! Please. Keep your voice down!”

“No one can hear me! It’s a loud party.”

“Yes, a party with superhuman beings who have superhuman hearing!”

“Good! Maybe he’ll make a move!” She said slightly louder, hoping to grab his attention.

“Shh! Shh! Keep it down!” you laughed as you tried to calm her. “He’s been making moves. But I think…I dropped the ball on this one.” You looked over to where Loki was standing, trying to see if he had caught anything that Nat was saying. He was standing proud, having a conversation with Steve. His long black coat fit him snugly while the fur lining of his collar accented his sharp jaw. His gloved hand squeezed tightly around the cane he was holding, making you wonder if he did hear Nat. God, to have that gloved hand wrapped around my neck.

“He’s staring at you.” You heard Nat whisper to your ear.

“What?!” you turned to Nat and then back to Loki quickly, meeting his stare. You were so caught up in imagining his hands that you missed his eyes on you.

You see Loki and Steve staring at both of you, saying things under hushed tones. “They’re probably looking at you,” you explained. “What’s the deal between you and Steve, anyway?” You changed the subject.  “How long has it been since you guys talked?”

“A while.”

“How long is a whi-”

“Listen, since I don’t have anyone to kiss either, why don’t we just kiss each other at midnight? Deal?”

You paused at her ability to change the subject. You gave her a knowing look but allowed her to escape your scrutiny. “Deal!” you sighed, giggling as you clinked your glasses again and took sips readying for round two.

Loki smirked as he listened to your entire conversation. Up until now, he’s been patiently waiting for you to come to him. Giving you compliments. Finding small but lingering ways to touch you. He didn’t know if his tactics were working until he overheard your conversation with Agent Romanoff. He was confident you returned his affections.

Nerves shot through his entire body. Excitement and anxiety all rolled into one giant emotion he could not define. Who knew that Barnes and Wilson’s advice would work? “Tell me, Rogers, what is this tradition you guys have about kissing each other at midnight?” Loki asked as he watched you and Romanoff.

Steve followed Loki’s stare and saw you and Natasha lounging and laughing over a bottle of champagne. He remembered how he and Nat kissed at midnight last year, promising each other to try. But ultimately failing after six months.

“It’s a stupid superstition that doesn’t mean anything,” Steve said bitterly. Loki gave him a look to continue. “It’s said that whoever you kiss at midnight, will be your sweetheart for the rest of the year. Or if you’re already in a relationship, make it stronger.”

“I see,” Loki said contemplatively.

“It’s just superstition, Loki, don’t buy into it.”

“If you’ll excuse me, I have to find my brother.” Loki excused himself, already putting together details of a plan in his head.

“Thor! Thor…” he said pulling him aside. “Did you know about this Midgardian tradition of kissing at midnight?”

“Yes! Jane and I planned on it when the hour strikes. Who will be your intended, dear brother?” Thor asked happily. Loki looked at him pointedly. “Oh! You got the priestess to agree to kiss you?! That’s wonderful news!”

“Not quite. I need your help.”

“Get Help?”

“NO! For Father’s sake, if you throw me across the room, I will END YOU!”

 “Alright, alright. I jest Loki. What can I do to help?”

“I’d like to kiss her at midnight, but too many people are vying for her attention. Too many variables. Too many options.”

“Don’t worry little brother, I’ve got this!”

Ten minutes before midnight, you can feel the buzz in the air as everyone scrambles to ring in the new year. You and Nat had graduated to the bar. Both of you nursing new flutes of prosecco.

Behind you, Thor rushes through the crowd looking for Steve. “Rogers, who are you kissing at midnight? Nat or Wanda?”

“Nat or Wanda? What do you mean?”

“Well, you have to kiss someone. Isn’t that your Midgardian tradition? And I figured you wouldn’t want to kiss Nat, I mean with your history and all…”

“Well, ya…” Steve rubbed the back of his neck, thinking about Thor’s proposition. “But what about Y/N?”

“Oh, Lady Y/N is kissing my brother.”

“Loki?! But, I…”

“Oh, I apologize. Did you want to kiss my brother instead?” Thor asked quickly. “I can look for him and change his mind. I didn’t know you had…”

“NO! No, I don’t. But, um…”

“Wonderful! So, Nat or Wanda?”

“I guess Wanda,” Steve shrugged. “Nat and I do have a history.”

“Perfect! I’ll let Wanda know.”

“Now hold on just a second…” Steve’s voice trailed away as Thor sprinted into the crowd. His eyes searched for the Scarlet Witch among the revelers and found her amidst a harem of men all rivaling for her attention.

“Wanda!” Thor shouted, frightening some of the men in the group. “Come. Steve says he wanted to kiss you at midnight!”

“I knew it! He couldn’t hide behind that shy act for long!” she said standing up and smoothing out her dress.

“Perfect! You should go to him right now, and make sure no one else claims him before you do.” Thor said. Wanda nodded with determination and marched her way over to Steve.

“Oh, come on Thor!” Wilson said behind him. “I was just about to ask her!” Thor turned to see Sam and Bucky amongst Wanda’s many admirers.

“Uh…you’re in luck, my dear friends. I know someone anxious to kiss you both.” Thor gleamed.

“Us both?” Bucky questioned. Thor pointed to where you and Natasha sat.

“Ooh, nice choice. But I doubt that Steve would actually like that.” Sam said.

“And I believe Y/N is already spoken for,” Bucky added, pointing to Loki walking in your direction.

“It is for Steve we do this!” Thor wrapped his bulging arms around each of their necks. “We all know how miserable both he and Natasha are right now. Make him a little jealous. Perhaps he’ll rise to the occasion and get back his true love.”

“His true love?” Sam questioned.

“For true love!” Thor repeated, squeezing their necks tighter.

“The things we do for our friends,” Bucky grumbled under his breath.

Meanwhile, Loki made his way to the bar where you and Nat were laughing. “Ladies,” he said in that low baritone of his. “I’m sorry to disrupt your merriment, but may I speak to you privately, Agent Romanoff?”

You and Nat exchanged glances as she raised her eyebrow. A smirk fell upon her red lips and that’s when you felt it. A sharp pang of jealousy that twisted a knife in your gut. You hoped that your smile was still plastered on your face. Lord knows Nat could spot a tell from a mile away and you weren’t as good at hiding it as she was.

Loki offered his hand and Nat took it, hopping off the barstool, hand in hand with the man you’ve been pining for. You waited till both their backs were to you when you turned back around to the bar and let your smile die.

“Can I get a shot of tequila!” you yelled to the bartender, holding up your hand. You watched as Loki led Nat to the middle of the room, his arm wrapped around her delicate waste. “Make it a double!” you said with a huff. The sight in front of you was too much to witness. You had accepted that you might not get to kiss Loki at all tonight, but to watch him kiss someone else would be devastating to you.

With nothing, and no one else, keeping you at the party you decided to leave. You ran from the party as quickly as possible with your head turned down, holding back tears and feelings of betrayal.

“Loki, I hope you’re not gonna ask me for a kiss at midnight. That’s a hard pass.” Nat started before he took her very far.

“No, my dear. I overheard your conversation earlier with our dear healer. I was hoping to alleviate your promise of kissing her at midnight by offering you an alternative.”

“What alternative?”

“Two, alternatives actually.” At this, Loki gently grabbed Natasha’s shoulder and spun her around to see Bucky and Sam by the DJ booth. Sam held his drink up to her in greeting, while Bucky just grinned.

“Two! Steve wouldn’t like this.”

“Roger’s is kissing the Witch tonight.” He pointed to where Steve and Wanda were talking. Jealousy burned inside Natasha. A quiet resolve cemented in her and she was set on making him pay for it. “But what about Y/N?”

“As I said, I plan to take charge of her kiss from midnight, and all her kisses thereafter,” Loki winked at her.

“Don’t play with her heart, Loki.”

“I should warn you of the same with your soldier, agent.” He bowed slightly as Nat sauntered her way over to the two soldiers waiting for her.

When Loki turned back towards the bar, his face had fallen realizing that you were no longer there. Panicked, he looked around and found a trail of your coat just as it disappeared inside the hotel. Loki looked at his watch- three minutes left. The crowd below started getting restless and the giant numbers on the large screen on top of the prismatic ball had started ticking down towards midnight.

“Darling, where are you going? The clock is about to strike.” Loki caught up to you at the elevators. You gulped at the sight of him coming towards you. Inside the lobby, the heat was almost suffocating, and Loki unbuttoned his coat to be less stifling. You watched as he removed his gloves, finger by finger, and stuffed them into his coat pocket. The action mesmerized you until you were face to face with him.

“Loki! Shouldn’t you be with Natasha right now?” You said as you looked up at the elevator numbers ticking by so slowly. You pushed the call button praying for the lift to come faster.

“She’s currently entertaining Thing 1 and Thing 2. If my memory of your conversation serves me correctly.” You stared at him in disbelief. You might have had too much to drink. But not enough to miss the implication of what that meant.

He knows. He overheard your conversation and he knows!

He placed his hands on your waist and pulled you towards him, leading you away from the elevators. Away from the notion of running.

His fingers were soft and warm as he cupped your cheek. “Since you’ve saved my life, I have plotted and asked several times for you to kiss me again, my angel. I will not ask again.” His lips were grazing your skin. The heat in his breath intoxicated you. You closed your eyes at the overwhelming sensation of being held by him.  “I told myself that the next time we kiss, it would be because you asked me to. Not out of any obligation. But because you want me. As much as I want you.”

Outside you could hear the deafening roar of people counting down from ten. It melded with the electric buzz going through your body being held so close by Loki. “But I truly can't resist you any longer. I have thought of nothing else since you kissed me that day on the field.”

“Loki…”

“Please ask me.” Three.

“What?” Two.

“Ask me to kiss you.” One.

“Kiss me Loki-” you barely said his name when his lips found yours and held on tight.  A slight whimper fell from your lips, and he reacted by holding you tighter against his body.

Your fingers were entwined in his hair, holding him close to you. You pulled away to catch your breath, and his lips followed yours—unsatisfied from the short amount of contact they had received.  

This kiss was different than the last. There wasn’t a threat of losing his life hanging over you. Instead, the urge was from longing and desire. There was fire and vigor in his lips. And you consumed him easily like a starved woman.

“Happy New Year, my dear,” Loki exhaled between kisses.

“Happy New Year,” you giggled holding him tight.

⬅️ Have Mercy (prequel)

🏷️ Tags in the comments

[pandapetals]

New Year's Eve

You and Logan broke up. Now you are alone at a New Year's Eve party with Jean and Scott until Logan shows up.

logan howlett x fem!reader - exes, past relationship but you broke up, no reader description, no y/n used, confessions, angst, kissing, inspired by when harry met sally because i live, breath and sleep that movie, jean and scott are married

a/n: sorry i haven't posted in like a week. wanted to take a little break. here's a cute, short one for new years. been working on stuff for professor logan but also some smutty ones...so happy new year!

divider credit: @enchanthings

Jean and Scott had insisted—practically dragged you out the door—that the New Year’s Eve party would be just what you needed. They’d promised laughter, music, and a fresh start, but now, standing in the corner of the crowded loft, you wondered if you’d ever believe them again. The room buzzed with chatter and bursts of laughter, but all you could hear was the soft clink of champagne glasses and the distant tick of the clock, marking time painfully cruelly.

You tugged at the hem of your dress, suddenly self-conscious. It had taken an hour to pick it out, another to do your makeup, and for what? To feel invisible in a room full of people paired off like they’d been scripted in some perfect rom-com? You sipped your champagne, warm now from sitting untouched in your hand too long, and scanned the crowd. Couples danced, heads close together, their smiles private and unshakable. Others huddled in cozy corners, sharing secrets you couldn’t hear over the music.

And then there was you. Alone.

It was suffocating, the kind of loneliness that didn’t just ache—it hollowed you out. You pushed through the sea of glitter and laughter, muttering apologies as you brushed against sequined shoulders until you reached the doorway. The air outside had to be better than this.

But before you could make your escape, Jean caught sight of you. Her hand wrapped around your arm, her brows pulling together in concern. “Hey, where are you going? It’s almost midnight.”

You hesitated, your shoulders sinking as the weight of it all threatened to crush you. “This is too much,” you admitted, your voice barely audible over the noise behind you. “Everyone’s here with someone, and I’m… alone. On New Year’s. Again.” You tried to laugh it off, but the crack in your voice betrayed you. “It’s pathetic.”

Scott appeared behind Jean, his usual serious scowl replaced with something softer. “Come on, it’s not that bad,” he said. “If it makes you feel better, I’ll kiss you at midnight. Jean won’t mind.”

Jean rolled her eyes, smacking his arm lightly. “What Scott means is, you don’t need to kiss anyone. It’s just a silly tradition.”

“Says the happily married couple,” you shot back, trying to keep your tone light but failing miserably. The words felt sharp, even as they left your lips. You looked away, blinking back the sting in your eyes. You didn’t want them to see you like this—not here, not tonight.

You turned toward the door again, ready to leave the whole glittering mess of a party behind. But then, over the sound of the countdown starting from somewhere deep in the room—Ten! Nine! Eight!—you heard it. Your name.

You froze, heart pounding, sure you must have imagined it. But then it became louder this time, cutting through the crowd like a lifeline.

“Hey! Wait—wait, stop! I need to—”

You turned, and there he was. Logan. Standing in the middle of the room, slightly out of breath, his dark hair sticking up in every possible direction, like he’d run all the way here. He wasn’t dressed for the occasion—far from it. His sweatpants were rumpled, his hoodie looked like it had seen better days, and his sneakers were splattered with mud. A sharp contrast to the sharp suits and sequins around him. But none of it mattered. Not when his eyes locked onto yours like you were the only person in the room.

Your breath hitched, and for a second, you thought your heart might stop.

“Logan, what are you—?” The words stumbled out, but he was already walking toward you, weaving through the crowd like nothing else existed but you.

“I just… I had to see you,” Logan said as he came closer, his voice rough.

The countdown blared louder now—Three! Two!—but Logan’s eyes never left yours. He shoved his hands into his hoodie pocket as if trying to steady himself, but his voice was unwavering. “I know I screwed up. I know I hurt you. But when I thought about starting a new year, all I could think was… I don’t want to start it without you. I don’t want to spend any year without you.”

One! The crowd erupted into cheers and noisemakers, the room exploding with confetti and champagne, but everything else blurred. Logan took a step closer, his voice soft, but urgent.

“You’re it for me. And I’ll spend every day proving it if you’ll let me.”

Your breath hitched, your chest rising and falling in uneven waves as his words settled over you. For a moment, you could only stare at him, a thousand emotions colliding in your chest—anger, hurt, longing, and something softer, warmer, breaking through the cracks. You shook your head slowly, your lips parting as you struggled to find the right words.

“That’s just like you, Logan,” you said finally, your voice unsteady, laced with equal parts frustration and disbelief. “To say things like that… and make it impossible for me to hate you.”

His lips curved upward just slightly, a flicker of hope in the storm of his expression. “You don’t hate me—”

“No,” you cut in, your voice trembling. “I don’t. But I tried to. God, Logan, I tried. Do you have any idea how hard I tried to move on?” Your eyes burned as the tears you’d held back all night finally broke free, streaking hot down your cheeks. “But I couldn’t. Because no matter how hard I tried to tell myself it was over, no matter how many times I told myself I deserved better, all I could think about was you.”

Logan’s jaw tightened, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. He stepped closer, his movements careful, as if afraid you might shatter if he came too close too quickly. His eyes searched yours, wide and unguarded, every ounce of his usual bravado stripped away.

“Sweetheart,” he murmured, his voice low and pleading. “Please. I came here tonight because—” He hesitated, running a hand through his already wild hair, the words catching in his throat. But then he looked at you again, and his expression shifted—steady now, sure, like a man who had decided to bare his heart no matter the cost.

“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone,” he said, each word landing like a weight between you, “you want the rest of your life to start now.”

The room seemed to tilt, the noise of the party fading into nothing but a distant hum. You could still hear the laughter, the music, the faint clinking of glasses, but it all felt so far away. All you could focus on was Logan—his face open and earnest, his hands balled into fists at his sides like he was holding himself together by sheer willpower.

“You broke my heart,” you whispered, your voice trembling. “Do you know how hard it is to put yourself back together after something like that?”

Logan nodded, his gaze unwavering. “I know,” he said softly. “And I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you if you’ll let me. I swear to God, I’ll never hurt you like that again. I’ll never give you a reason to doubt me again.”

Your chest ached the weight of everything unsaid pressing against your ribs. You wanted to believe him. You did believe him. But the fear was still there, clinging to you like a shadow. “How do I know this isn’t just another promise you can’t keep?”

Logan took another step closer, close enough now that you could see the faint stubble on his jaw, the dark circles under his eyes, the way his hands trembled ever so slightly as he reached for yours. He didn’t take them, not yet, but he held them just inches from yours, his fingers hovering like he was waiting for permission.

“Because this isn’t a promise,” he said, his voice steady now, resolute. “This is me telling you the truth. You’re it for me. You’ve always been it for me. And I’m not going to let you go again, not without a fight. I’ll fight for you every damn day if I have to.”

The tears spilled faster now, your shoulders shaking as the last of your resolve crumbled. You didn’t want to fight him anymore—not when every part of you ached to close the distance between you, to let yourself believe in the possibility of something new, something real. Slowly, tentatively, you reached for his hands, your fingers brushing his.

“I don’t know if I can just forget everything that happened,” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper.

Logan shook his head, a small, bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “I’m not asking you to forget,” he said. “I’m asking you to let me try to make it right. I want to show you that I can be the man you deserve. And if it takes me the rest of my life to prove that to you, then so be it.”

You let out a shaky laugh, your lips trembling as you looked up at him. “You’re such an idiot,” you said, the words soft, fond, and full of emotion.

He grinned then, his first real smile of the night, and it lit up his entire face. “Yeah, well, I’m your idiot.”

You took the last step, closing the space between you as you wrapped your arms around him, burying your face in his chest.

Logan let out a breath, his arms coming around you like he never wanted to let go. “Does this mean we’re starting the year together?” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion.

You pulled back just enough to look up at him, your tears mixing with a soft, tremulous smile. “Yeah,” you said, your voice breaking but full of certainty. “It does.”

Gently you pulled him down for a kiss as the sound of the countdown faded into the background, and the cheers of the crowd blurred into nothing. “Happy New Year, sweetheart,” Logan whispered against your lips. 

[jovialobservationanchor]

The gentle blue light of the illusions reminded Harry of Patronuses in an aching way. He liked the soft glow of them on Draco’s face. Draco, for all his theatrics in Hagrid’s Magical Creatures class and his more understated shyness of Luna’s animals, regarded them with an unguarded awe. He liked clever magic. How had Harry never noticed what a boffin he was?

They were standing in front of a jackalope when Draco turned to meet Harry’s stare. His eyebrows lifted in inquiry.

Harry felt his face heat, but he was still tipsy from the beer and was, after all, an alumnus of Gryffindor. He leaned in to kiss Draco.

Title: Wont

(A holiday-flavored sequel to Knead, my coffeeshop AU set in Oregon!)

By: laughingd0g

Length: 37k

Summary: This is what happens after.

Tags: Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter EWE, AU, coffee shops and cafes, farm/ranch, slice of life, Portland Oregon, Ex-Auror Harry Potter, Baker Draco Malfoy, Muggle life, established relationship, banter, friendship, drinking, wine, food pr0n, fluff, stress baking, kitchen sex, miscommunication, minor Luna Lovegood/Ginny Weasley, past Harry Potter/Ginny Weasley, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving dinner, vegetarians and vegans, food fight, Christmas Eve, Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve

Read on AO3

I was going to wait till I’d released the short epilogue to make this Tumblr post, but I can’t wait any longer to share this beautiful artwork by my dear @rama-thorn. Merry Christmas, friends.

(The epilogue is coming, though! 🥰 )

[wikiangela]

I want your midnights (I'll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year's Day)

written for @bucktommywinterfest

prompt: December 29-January 4: midnight kiss/resolutions and/or early mornings/late nights

rating: G

words: 1.9k

my last fic of the year so: Happy New Year everyone ❤️🥂

[read on Ao3]

It’s five minutes until midnight and Buck can’t find Tommy. It shouldn’t be hard, Tommy’s house isn’t that big, but there’s so many people – it was an open invitation, so there’s lots of coworkers and friends and friends of friends. There are some faces he’s not recognizing, as he’s frantically running around, music loud, lights dim, everyone too drunk to care.  He made sure to be by Tommy’s side, or at least not let him out of his eyesight the whole evening. They were mingling, drinking, and dancing together. But then at some point he turned around to talk to Hen and Karen, who were taking a break from dancing and getting a drink in the kitchen – and when he looked back in Tommy’s direction, he was gone. And it’s four minutes until midnight. 

[read on Ao3]

[masterofiodine]

capvers doodles yay

[marauder-misprint]

For the new years prompts- sirius and the friend kissing one except maybe throw some good old jealousy angst in there? Like maybe reader comes to the party either with someone or with the hopes of convincing a specific someone to be their new years kiss- only for that plan to backfire and maybe that person either isn't interested or they're with a date or something- so sirius swoops in and is like you know what you really wanted this so let's just do it for fun (but in reality he's head over heels for reader and is screaming in joy on the inside)

Hehehehe I did some cute lil fluff with a hint of jealousy angst. Thank you for the request ❤︎ ❤︎

prompts

A midnight kiss

Sirius Black x Fem!!reader

1.4k words

cw: fluff, two (2) swears, smoking

The Marauders’ New Year’s Eve party is already in full swing by the time you arrive. You know you’re late, and not in the fashionable sense. From outside, you can hear the music pulsing. It only gets louder as you open the door, entering a living room that’s packed with familiar faces. You immediately see your friends and head over to them.

“You made it!” Lily exclaims loudly to be heard over the music. 

She pulls you into a tight hug.

“Is… he here?” you say into her ear. 

You would’ve whispered it but decided against it, given the volume of the room and the smell of alcohol on her breath. She pulls back, nodding eagerly. She spins you around, leaning on your for support, and spots across the room. 

Amos Diggory is attempting to talk to a girl you recognized but didn’t know the name of. You don’t like how she keeps leaning in closer to him. Out of nowhere, his arm is around her shoulders as he leans in closer to her face. You turn away before you can see too much.

“Did they come together?” you ask Lily.

“No. He came in with a few other guys.”

You nod and scan the rest of the room. You decide you need a little bit of liquid courage if you’re going to try to pull Amos away from the girl as it got closer to midnight. You give Lily a smile and squeeze her shoulder before going to find the drink table.

You don’t notice Marlene disappear from Lily’s side as you walk away. Marlene made her way to the back patio, where Sirius was smoking his way through a pack of cigarettes. 

“She was just late, you git,” she says, leaning her head out the door. 

Sirius turns his head briefly. He had jumped through several hoops to absolutely ensure that you would be at their party. You were friends with Lily, Marlene and the rest of the girls, but you had other friends. Sirius had talked to James and Remus, who in turn carefully asked the girls about your plans, if you had any. With a little bit of finessing, the boys convinced the girls to get you to the party. So when you hadn’t shown up, Sirius’ heart sank.

“She’s here? Like now?” 

His hand rests near his leg. He’d drop his cigarette the moment Marlene confirmed your presence. 

“Yeah,” Marlene says with an annoyed breath. “That’s what I said, innit?” 

The cigarette falls from his hand and he squashes it under his boot. He immediately goes for the door, but Marlene is still standing in his way.

“You should know, ah, don’t shoot the messenger, but she’s hoping to kiss Diggory at midnight.”

The hopeful smile that had been on his face moments earlier is gone. He had gone through all that work to get you here and you had your eyes on a different guest? He shakes his head in disbelief. 

“What could she possibly see in that bastard?” 

Marlene shrugs as she moves out of the way to let Sirius back into the house. He feels that he needs to find you. He needs to get you under his arm for the countdown to midnight. He weaves through all the people in James’ house. He finds Lily first, but she lost sight of you when you went to get a drink and now she’s looking for James. You’re not at the drink table when Sirius gets there. He regrets not asking Marlene what you were wearing, at least that would’ve made it semi-easier to spot you. 

You aren’t trying to avoid Sirius. You don’t even know that he’s looking for you. Clutching your drink tight to your chest in between sips, you mill around the party. You never stand in one spot for too long. You know you know people at the party, but there’s no one to dance with and without Lily, Marlene or even Mary in sight, you have no one to talk to. So you keep walking and nursing your drink. You don’t even realize you finished it until you go to take a sip and come away with nothing. You circle back to the drink table and you’re suddenly not thirsty any more.

Amos is busy shoving his tongue down the girl’s throat just a few steps away. 

“Get a fucking room,” you mumble to yourself as you turn away.

You feel your face burning, but you don’t care. No one’s watching you. You push through the crowd. There’s nothing you want more right now than a little bit of space and maybe some quiet. You end up in the kitchen, taking deep breaths and leaning over the island with your head in your hands.

“Hey, you okay?” 

You’d know that voice anywhere. Sirius. 

“Yeah. Fine. Just need a breather.” 

He doesn’t believe you. He had finally spotted you when you returned for your drink, and then he saw what you saw. He would be lying if he said there was a part of him that was happy Amos was already kissing someone else. Sirius leans over the island from the other side, hoping you’ll look up at him.

“I’d have to be daft to believe that you’re fine. What’s wrong, pretty girl?” 

You do look up at Sirius. It’s more for the pet name than his concern. You don’t think you’re close enough with him to warrant being called ‘pretty girl.’ You sigh. The look of concern on his face feels genuine and what would it hurt?

You wave toward the kitchen door that separated you two from the rest of the party.

“Just saw the guy I was hoping would be my midnight kiss necking with someone. No biggie.”

“You’re with a bloke and he’s snogging someone else?” Sirius asks with a raised eyebrow, feigning ignorance. He knew you weren’t dating Amos. 

You chuckle at the question. 

“No, Black. We’re not, me and the guy, we’re not together. I’m just a hopeful. … Thought it’d be fun or something… I don’t know.”

“Nothing wrong with being hopeful,” Sirius says. 

If there was, he’d be in deep trouble, he thinks.

“Do you want someone to kiss? At midnight?” Sirius asks.

“Would it be bad if I did?” you say with a laugh as you bite the inside of your lip. “Always thought it’d be romantic or something. Ring in the new year right…”

“I know I’m not whoever you were hoping for, but I don’t have anyone to kiss. So if you want, we could. For fun, or something, you know?” 

You take his expression in. There’s a smirk on his face in the most classic Sirius fashion. Frankly, you’re surprised that he didn’t have anyone lined up, although you suppose he might be the kind to usually just grab whoever is nearest. You nod slowly.

“Yeah. That’d be… nice. Thanks, Sirius.”

The smirk shifts into a wide smile. 

“Don’t go far then.”

You and Sirius both turn to leave the kitchen when the count down chant begins. For a reason you can’t explain, you stay in the kitchen, not trying to join the rest of the party. Sirius wraps his arm around your waist and you stare up into his grey eyes. The numbers seem to echo distantly. They still register in your brain though. 

When the voices from outside yell ‘Happy New Year!,’ Sirius crashes his lips to yours. You know full well that a New Year’s kiss is usually only a moment. A singular second of lips pressed together to celebrate the beginning of a year. But as soon as you felt his lips on yours, you wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him closer to you. You don’t pull back. You let your lips move against his. His grip on your waist tightens as he realizes that you’re not pulling back. You think you could’ve stayed like that for a while

But the sound of cheering and yelling from the party roars back to life and the music is playing louder than before. When Sirius pulls away, his eyes search your face for some kind of reaction. While he is more than pleased with how this turned out, he needs to know what you thought.

His features relax when he sees your smile. 

“I think that’s the best way to ring in the new year, yeah?” you breathe. 

“I’d have to agree.”

You gently run a hand down the side of his face. Maybe you’d find yourself next to Sirius more often this year.

[starlost-mochi-x]

𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨' 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 ⊹ 𝙮𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙜

pairing: bang chan x reader

summary: you go out on new year's eve with chan and the rest of skz

genre: literally just fluff, it's cold ig

a/n: happy new years, everyone! i wanted to do a little special fic to mark the start of a new chapter (ha ha not literally) and even though it doesn't snow here, i wrote colder weather into the fic anyway for that extra vibe 🌨️

skz masterlist

Your breath puffs out in front of you in sharp, frosty clouds as you and Chan weave your way through the busy streets. The air is tangy and cold with the promise of more snow to come, though in the morning, most of it will begin to melt.

Everywhere you look, there are people; weaving through the busy sidewalks, holding hands with their loved ones, streaming out of shops or stores.

Next to you, Chan grins, his cheeks feeling stiff and iced with the cold weather, but slowly thawing with the warmth of his smile. He was in his element; he'd told you a while ago that he had made it a tradition with the kids to go out on the very first day of the new year, spending hours into the night laughing, eating, and exploring.

So, this year, he decided to bring you along too. It's chaos, but for once, Chan doesn't make an immediate move towards Seungmin and Jeongin, who are tossing back and forth creative insults a little way ahead of you on the sidewalk, or to Hyunjin, who's busy scooping up handfuls of snow to put down Felix's shirt.

Minho hovers nearby, his phone camera at the ready, and the neck of his shirt tucked in tightly, secure and cheeky-dongsaeng-proof. The rest of the boys are scattered up ahead, and though Chan hangs back, holding your hand and letting the other members supervise for once, you can tell he's checking in every few minutes anyway. Just in case.

You squeeze his hand a little tighter.

Normally, for you, the new year brings about a sense of loneliness and gloom; you were a storm, overcast with the grey feeling of another year passing by without feeling like you'd achieved anything. And for some reason, it seemed to weigh down on the times when you were supposed to be happiest. Like now.

Of course Chan noticed; yet again, his gentle, perceiving nature had reached out a hand to you, though it was shaking a little with the cold. So you had taken it, and now you found yourself seated next to him at a cosy, steamy restaurant on a street corner, all the other members crammed around the table, packed in tight but their spirits and feeling flying free.

You rub your nose, feeling the inside thaw a little as you inhale steam floating from the kitchen. Everything is soaked in rosy, warm light; your hands, Chan's face, the table in front of you all, and all the other guests chattering away and eating at their own tables.

Chan nudges you. You look up at his face; kind, dark eyes, a flush high on his cheekbones, staining the skin pink. He's a little paler than usual because of the cold, and his hands look the same way, but the radiance of his usual self shines brighter no less.

"You okay?" He whispers.

You nod back and you notice that his teeth are chattering slightly.

"Yeah, just recovering from the cold outside. It's much warmer in here."

Chan nods, puffing out a laugh. "I thought the boys were gonna freeze out there too, alongside us."

You steal a glance at the seven members, who are busy bickering and chattering and being their usual selves. They all erupt into laughter just as Felix pulls out a chunk of snow from the hem of his jacket and shoves it down Hyunjin's shirt instead.

You chuckle. "They move too fast for the frost to catch them."

Chan sighs wearily in agreement and you laugh, feeling the grey, stormy cloud hanging over your head lift a little.

Two hours, a lot of food, and nine full bellies later, you're all walking back down the street to a famous lookout point. It's not midnight yet and it won't be for a while, so Changbin suggested killing time by looking over the city of Seoul before heading back to watch the fireworks.

You all reach the steps to head to the lookout tower and the boys scramble up, skipping stairs. Joking threats of pushing each other down the steps and playful bickering disturbs several other people and Chan bows hurriedly before moving to follow the rest of his band. His hand is still glued to yours, however, and he jolts in his tracks as he moves and you stay rooted to the bottom of the steps.

"Channie," you say quietly. "Wait."

He steps back to your level, looking into your eyes with curiosity. "What is it? Are you okay?"

Though it's cold, you feel your palms sweating a little as you reach into your pocket, closing your hand around something as you keep eye contact with the man in front of you.

"I wanted to give you something," you whisper. "Because you always do so much for me, and I wanted you to know that I love you."

Chan smiles warmly. "I love you too."

You pull out the flat box from your pocket. It's dark blue and about the size of your palm, and you hand it to him with shaking fingers, soothed by the brush of Chan's own fingers brushing yours as he takes it gently.

He opens the box. Inside is a silver bracelet; a chain, just like the ones he loves to wear. There's a pendant at the bottom; a silver love knot threaded with tiny black diamonds, and two smaller pendants either side of that one, each depicting little bold letters spelling out yours and Chan's names.

Chan takes it out of the box with shaking hands and you help him clip it to his wrist. He turns it over and over, his eyes almost glowing with soft, adoring affection.

"I love it," he whispers. "Thank you."

You smile and pull back your own jacket sleeve, where an identical bracelet rests. Where the diamonds on Chan's pendant are black, yours are a silvery white, the colours opposing but still working so well together. Chan's eyes widen at the sight of it. Black and white.

Yin and yang.

You're still holding back your sleeve as Chan stares with unfiltered adoration at the identical chain circling your wrist. Earlier, the cold stung and whipped icicles against the softness of your skin, seeping into your bones and biting with icy teeth.

Now, you don't even feel it. It's like a bubble of warmth has begun to radiate from your shared presence at the bottom of the steps, the snow beginning to fall lightly around you both. You can almost feel waves of it rolling off of Chan's body and you sink into his inviting, cosy warmth, wrapping your arms around Chan's shoulders as his arms circle tightly around your waist.

The cold does nothing to hurt you now, not while Chan is here. The last remnants of stormy cloud dissipate and you feel a warm, pleasant feeling settling in the pit of your stomach. With Chan, it is warm, and safe, and the love between you is known.

You hope it stays that way.

a/n: first fic of 2025 hehe

[climbthemountain2020]

Okay, this was my big, big contribution to @acotargiftexchange

For the first time ever, I tried my hand at animating, and HOO BUDDY it is HARD. Lol. But I was determined.

@itsybitsybluesy I hope you love this little video that goes with the end of Ch. 4 of What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? You have A+ holiday song choices! <3

[thesassypadawan]

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve (Clay x Wife!Reader)

Summary: It was a sweet, simple question.  One that you really didn’t take seriously at the time.  Considering it came for the lips of your charming, loving husband.  However after the twins had been put down, along with their newborn (2-week-old) sister, and the champagne began to flow freely.  The wholesome, quiet night in you had planned on…quickly transformed into…

Warnings: 18+ (mdni), because there’s sooo much of the smut.  Oral (fem receiving), premature postpartum oral (implied penetrative) smex, hint of a breeding kink, manipulative/possessive Clay, and…  his skilled tongue/thick, long dick.

Notes:  Happy Holidays, lovelies!  Welcome to track nine of my special holiday mix, What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve! ❤️💚

(Merry Christmas and Happy Belated Birthday, @fuckmyskywalker! 🎅)

- “What are you doing New Year’s Eve?”  Words muttered against the soft, crimson streaked skin of your soft tummy.  Gravelly voice rumbling through your tired, bloated body.  Sending sparks of apprehensive excitement to your neglected sore core.  “Mmmh…I can think a few things, angel.”  

- Hands massage and knead your ample, plush love handles greedily.  “Clay…”  Lips trailing, placing reverent kisses along the intricate web of stretch marks.  “It’s t-too soon…”   Descending lower, drawing ever closer to that quivering, pudgy mound.  “I can’t…we can’t…”

- Tongue glides across the delicate, see-through fabric.  Wetting, saturating.  Making it stick to your freshly shaven skin, together with your tacky arousal.  “Don’t be ridiculous…”  While his teeth graze over, canines nip lightly.  Gather up, grab hold of that band of frilly lace.  Pulling and tugging.  Tearing the scanty pair he had ‘lovingly’ gifted you for Christmas.  “Of course we can…”

- Hovering mere inches above.  His hot breath fans and washes over your swollen, soaked silt.  “Tonight is for celebrating…”  A hungry look flickering behind those cool, blue orbs.  As he gazes fiercely up at you from his place nestled between your thick thighs.  “And that’s exactly what we’re going to do…”

- Burying his face, he licks and laps…prods and teases.  Pushing past your velvety folds to wrap around, envelope your sensitive bud with his warm tongue.  Sucking lightly, groaning in contentment…unknowingly vibrating, stimulating that little bundle of nerves.  In a way that has your…

- Small hands fumble, lace through his golden curls.  Back arches slightly, hips rock shyly against his face.  “More, m-more…”  Weakly you mewl, eyes sliding shut.  Quickly losing yourself in how he rubs you deliciously, rolls your cute clit perfectly.  “P-please, more…”  So sloppy, so messy; oh, so wonderful.  “P-please, p-pretty please…”

- “Hmmh…since you asked nicely.”  Answering your desperate pleas; mouth suctions, seals over your tiny hole.  Tongue delves deeply, reaches those place that your stubby ones could never manage.  Coaxing the sweetest, filthiest moans from your parted lips.

- Cheeks go flushed.  That familiar heat rises up inside of you, begins to grow overwhelming.  “I…I…”  Arms and thighs start to tremble, shake.  Pace stutters and falters, becomes uneven.  “Ooooh, I…I…”  Gummy walls flutter and clench.  Breaths come out in feeble, shallow pants.  “Hub-Hubby…”

- Palms migrate, cup your full cheeks.  Squeezing them harshly, firmly.  Anchoring you to him, keeping you securely in place.  All the while guiding, moving you faster.  His tongue circling, plunging fervently.  Growling low…into your creamy center…

- Yanking on his locks, pathetic cry escapes…  Legs lock tightly, squishing and smothering Clay’s head with your pillowy flesh….  Gushing, convulsing…  Completely coming unraveled, undone…

- Spent, exhausted…you lay shaking, spread out on the lavish rug.  The heat from the crackling fire seeping into aching muscles.  Casting an orange glow on your sweat covered body.  Milky chest heaving slowly up and down.  “Th-that was amazing, but I don’t think-”

- “What are you doing New Year’s Eve,” he chuckles, muses.  Running his fingers through your puffy lips.  Gathering your sticky slick.  Covering and coating his painfully hard, leaking length in it.  His eyes locking, never leaving yours the whole time.  “Simple.  I’ll be doing the same as last year and the year after that…and after that.”

- Easily hooking your legs over his broad shoulders.  “Pumping you full, making sure you give me another kid.”  He bullies, forces his fat tip in.  “Don’t care what the doctor says”  And all you can do is take it, because…  “It’s how we ring in the New Year, our little tradition…”

Tag List: @espinathena-17, @myheartwillgoon2022, @laylaplease, @princessswifie, @kenobiskywalker16, @loverforoldermen, @anakinstwinklebunny, @beresfordsgirl, @kenmaiica, @sythethecarrot, @xx-ttamaraa, @everydaydreamer, @rafeswifeyy2, @laoif, @xhunnybeeex, @jediavengers, @anisangeldust, @fredswrite, @reaperr-of-souls, @erosmutt, @r0ttenz0mb1e, @anisdolly, @milliesrealgf, @ala2ilas-s

@hearts4sammonroe, @pitas-star, @sythethecarrot, @naberriess, @steven-grants-world, @valyna27, @elcaballerodragon, @yayyy5678, @anakinsrilgirlfriend, @padme-urlove,  @brattyyybbg, @mrschr1stensen, @rosie-chan92, @beresfordsgirl, @darthdaddi, @icosmiclou, @whoisgiinaa, @kentaviax, @arcj, @harley-kalani

[filthystarboy]

GO READ THE CALENDAR by @some-dull-scissors , rIGHT N O OW , sketch below for funsies. Happy new years eve

That little morph plush is @liquorwrist lil morp.

Put a bit of my heart n' soul (messy) into it bc I too, don't like the sudden loud booms. Fun fact too, morph is wearing fluffy cat paw socks cuz it's MY comfort and they deserve em

[spacebabesuki]

Midnight Love — Hellcheer New Year's Eve

Eddie Munson was officially on the verge of a meltdown. He was leaning against the corner of Steve Harrington’s living room, gripping a red plastic cup filled with drink as the chaos of the New Year's Eve party swirled around him.

The loud music, the laughter, and the chatter filled the air, along with the sparkle of flashing lights, confetti on the floor, and balloons hanging from gold and silver curtains that seemed to float.

But for Eddie, all of that was just a blur. Because, right there, on the other side of the room, was Chrissy Cunningham.

She was wearing a short light pink dress that seemed to glow with its own magic under the twinkling lights. Her blonde-red hair fell in soft waves, ending in perfectly defined curls that resembled honey springs. Her eyes sparkled with a shimmering gleam, and her flushed cheeks seemed almost to match her lips, pink and inviting, glistening with a shine that left him breathless.

Eddie felt that every time he looked at her, Chrissy became even more beautiful, and the effect was almost suffocating.

"You’re pale." Robin’s familiar voice snapped him out of his trance. She appeared at his side, grinning conspiratorially. "Like, really pale. I can see the drool dripping, Munson. If I were her, I would’ve already filed for a restraining order."

"You scared the hell out of me!" he clutched his chest, terrified of being caught in the act. "What are you talking about?" Eddie tried to cover up, looking away, but his hands were shaking so badly that he almost spilled the beer in his red cup.

Robin gave him a knowing, sarcastic look, as if to say "seriously?"

He sighed, defeated. "Is it that obvious?"

"As clear as day. And embarrassing as hell, too, Munson." Robin laughed, rolling her eyes before nudging him with her elbow.

"Damn it." Eddie scratched his face, feeling the weight of embarrassment.

He didn’t even know why he had come to this party. He was invited because, over the last year, he had gotten closer to everyone thanks to the "kid" — aka Dustin — and because Robin was his coworker at the video store. But, above all, it was because he knew Chrissy would be here. He’d gotten that information out of Robin, of course, but she wasn’t stupid — not as stupid as him, at least.

"Every time she shows up at the video store, you act like the Tasmanian Devil from Looney Tunes. I can practically picture you spinning around like a complete idiot. It’s embarrassing, but…" Robin paused dramatically.

"Fuck it. I don’t know what I’m doing here. I don’t know what I was thinking."

Nervously, Eddie dropped the red cup aimlessly, trying to turn and leave, desperate, embarrassed, terrified Chrissy had already noticed and thought he was an idiot, just like Robin probably thought. After all, Robin knew girls like no one else... oh, how well she knew them.

"I’m outta here."

Just coming here and looking at her was enough... at least he’d have something to dream about tonight.

"Hey, dumbass, get back here!" Robin yanked him back by the arm, laughing. "I was just about to say that it’s actually kinda cute."

Eddie stopped dead in his tracks, completely thrown off. He’d never imagined anyone could think that about him—especially in the context of Chrissy Cunningham. Him, Eddie Munson, the most unlikely guy in town, thinking he had a shot with Chrissy? He had even gone so far as to steal a black shirt from Uncle Wayne and try to fix his hair. He’d left half of his rings at home just to look more presentable. But who was he fooling? Nothing would ever be enough for him to be good enough for Chrissy.

"Oh, shit. Fuck it. So what? It’s Chrissy Cunningham. As if... ah, fuck it."

He gestured nervously, disturbed, while Robin laughed at his state. It was stupid, but cute. She’d known since the first day she met him that there were only two things running through Eddie Munson’s dumb mind: Metallica and Chrissy Cunningham.

"Why are men so dumb?" Robin commented, her voice raspy from the alcohol, but still carrying a smile. "Eddie, I always knew you were stupid, but damn, you’re even dumber than I thought."

"Am I?" He frowned.

"Dude, she broke up with Jason Carver because of you. Nine months ago, when you helped her in that forest. After that, she goes to the video store four times a week. Know who else does that? No one." Robin crossed her arms, exasperated. "I thought she kept coming back because you're an idiot who doesn't even blink around her, giving her all the tapes for free and ending up broke at the end of the month. But last year? She only went there once. Now, suddenly, she's a loyal customer? And what else does she do there, besides giving you those little smiles for the dumb shit you say? I think she doesn't even have any more movies to rent, but she keeps coming back.

Eddie blinked, even more confused. Robin continued.

"She invited you to a basketball game, and you didn’t go, but you were staring through the window like a freak. And you really think she doesn’t like you? Are you really that stupid? Are you really that much of an idiot? I was confused too at first, wondering what kind of shit this girl has in her brain to be interested in a dumbass like you, but apparently..."

Eddie blinked, Robin's words slowly starting to sink in.

"That doesn’t mean anything. It’s... it’s Chrissy Cunningham, for fuck's sake!" He took the cup to his lips and downed the rest of the drink in one gulp. "She literally dated Jason Carver, the guy who gets everything in life. And I’m..." He gestured to himself, as if that would explain everything.

“You’re Eddie Munson, and that’s why she likes you. Why? I have no idea, honestly. But now you’re going to go talk to her before I push you over there.” Robin crossed her arms, challenging him.

Eddie started shaking his head, the nervous tremor growing.

“No, are you crazy? I’m not going over there. No way.” He looked around, searching for an escape route.

“You need to rip off the Band-Aid already,” Robin insisted, pointing to Chrissy on the other side of the room.

“This isn’t ripping off a Band-Aid, Robin!” Eddie exclaimed, gesturing frantically. “It’s like sticking a damn stake in me! Impaling me in public! No, I’m not going. If I do... she’ll never look at me again.”

“Or maybe she’ll look at you every single day... or kiss that stupid face of yours every single day. Ever thought about that?” Robin raised an eyebrow, teasing him.

For a brief moment, Eddie lost himself in the idea, but quickly shook his head, as if trying to shake the thought out of his mind.

“No, no way. She’s like... Aphrodite, and I’m... I don’t know, the Hunchback of Notre-Dame. I’m not going over there. I’m not falling for your delusional girl talk. I know what’s up. You just want to humiliate me so you can laugh at me later, don’t you?”

Robin rolled her eyes dramatically, trying to hold onto her patience.

“Fine, idiot. Stay here, don’t listen to me, and let that asshole Brian Slagel steal her from you just because you’re too much of a coward to do anything.”

Robin pointed with her chin toward Brian, who was clearly eyeing Chrissy and making suggestive gestures as his friends laughed.

Eddie froze. His chest tightened, the same feeling he'd had for years, ever since the middle school talent show, when he’d wanted to die every time he saw Chrissy in the halls with Jason Carver. And then she broke up with Jason, and Eddie was sure that was the happiest day of his life... but now... shit, another rich, asshole jock was already eyeing her.

Of course, someone like Brian Slagel would be eyeing Chrissy too. Everyone would. Why wouldn’t they? She was perfect, untouchable. Eddie knew that. Of course, there was a line of guys waiting for her, and he was at the very end of that line—if he was even on the list at all. Maybe, in an apocalyptic scenario, or if they were the last two survivors on a deserted island, she might pick him. That was the kind of thought he let slip in his more fantastical daydreams.

"This girl is crazy about you, Eddie. Really crazy. Want to bet? Twenty bucks that, if you go talk to her now, she'll be giving you all those little smiles." Robin stared at him seriously. "Go, now. Take the chance while she's alone. She's out of place, don’t you notice? She doesn’t know anyone here except us. And you’re just standing here, letting her be alone."

"She came because you invited her!" Eddie shot back defensively, as if that was an argument that could win him any points.

"I invited her to help you, you idiot!" Robin threw her hands up in exasperation. "I couldn’t stand her coming to the video store every day, hanging around for an hour just listening to your nonsense and pretending to be interested in your crappy recommendations, waiting for you to grow the balls to ask her out. Eddie, she’s the most popular girl in Hawkins. She could be at any New Year’s party, one of those fancy ones we’d only get into if we threatened someone. But she’s here. She came here, even though she doesn’t know almost anyone, just because she knew you’d be here. She came because of you, you’re an idiot, don’t you get it? And now, you’re just going to leave her there, all alone, and not even talk to her?"

Eddie felt the weight of Robin's words. Maybe she was right. Maybe Chrissy really had come because of him. And maybe... just maybe... he wasn’t as unlikely as he thought.

Eddie stared at the space between him and Chrissy as if it were an impossible chasm to cross. She was there, alone, and for a moment, it felt like the entire world had stopped. But before he could make a decision—or come up with an excuse to run—Robin shoved him hard, pulling him out of his stupor.

"Go! Go over there and say your nonsense to her and make her smile!" Robin said, her patience already running thin. "She's been looking at you all night, you idiot!"

Robin knew girls. He didn’t. Still, he was too insecure to believe he stood a chance.

"What do I do? What do I say, fuck?" Eddie whispered to himself, panic rising and mixing with the heat of the room.

He tried to turn back, but Robin shoved him again, this time with more force, drawing the attention of the entire party. Including Chrissy’s.

"Ah, fuck." Eddie froze. Chrissy was looking directly at him. And, to his total disbelief, she smiled. "What do I say?" he yelled at Robin, desperate.

It wasn’t a smile that said she was laughing at his ridiculousness—it was a shy, almost sweet smile.

She waved at him, a shy, embarrassed wave, as if saying, "Hey, come talk to me, please." And for a moment, Eddie forgot how to breathe. He almost dropped his cup.

"HA, I told you! Go, you idiot, go now, it’s the perfect chance. No girl likes being alone on New Year’s, go. Just tell her she looks pretty and it’ll work, just go, trust me," Robin said with one last shove.

Trust her? Fuck, he was going to die.

When Eddie finally got close to her, he stopped, as breathless as if he had run a marathon.

"Hi, Eddie," Chrissy said, with a smile that seemed to light up the room. Her voice was soft, almost musical, and he felt even more dizzy. She was so close now, and her sweet scent seemed to envelop him, making him lightheaded.

Up close, everything about her was even more mesmerizing. The shimmer of her makeup highlighted her eyes, and her rosy lips gleamed under the colorful lights of the party. He had never seen her look so beautiful, and for a moment, he thought he might just pass out right there. Or maybe lie down on the floor and serve as a carpet for her to walk on, because honestly, he didn’t think he deserved much more than that.

He tried to say something, but the fingers holding his cup were trembling so much that he had to switch hands to keep from spilling everything.

Eddie opened his mouth, but no words came out. He was lost in her smile, the tiny freckles almost invisible in the soft light, the way her hair shone like it was made of gold. And for a moment, he forgot all his fear, because at that moment, only Chrissy Cunningham existed.

Looking like an absolute idiot, paralyzed, she noticed, seeing him pale and unblinking.

Chrissy tilted her head, still smiling, and asked gently:

"Are you okay?"

Okay, just tell her she’s pretty, tell her she’s pretty. Eddie sighed, thinking to himself, panicking.

"H-Hey," he scratched the back of his neck, nervous, before blurting out: "You... you look... really pretty today... I mean, not just today, like, every... every day, and..."

Chrissy blushed and gave him those little smiles she always gave when she was near him, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.

"Thank you," she bit her lip, a little shy. "You look... nice too... yeah, handsome."

She smiled, turning red, and he realized that she seemed nervous too, and fuck, that almost killed him.

"The shirt... I like it." She pointed at his black shirt, all shy, awkward.

He looked at his own shirt, which seemed too simple compared to the shine of her dress, but the comment was enough to make him stumble over his words. Not believing it. Not believing that she was actually nervous around him.

She was like a goddess. He couldn't imagine touching her, touching that dress. His hands weren’t worthy.

"Ah, thanks! It’s... new. I mean, from my uncle... and..." He nervously laughed, scratching his face again, feeling like he was about to explode. He didn’t know what the hell to say.

Chrissy laughed, the sweet sound calming some of his nerves.

Robin laughed, shaking her head, watching the two of them in the corner of the party, alone and awkward.

“What are you looking at?” Nancy appeared.

“Look, Chrissy and Eddie” Robin pointed. “It’s so cute. Only they don’t realize how in love they are, it’s almost nauseating.

Eddie cleared his throat, trying to shake off the lump in his throat. He had never been so aware of every move, every word. But something about the way Chrissy smiled at him—shy and a little nervous—gave him a strange courage he didn’t know where it was coming from.

"So…" He gestured with the cup in his hand, almost spilling the drink in the process. "S-So, did you like the last movies you picked up from the video store? I mean, I know most of them were a bunch of my recommendations, and I… um, I kind of have a peculiar taste, you know. But, yeah, you… did you like them?"

Chrissy tilted her head, smiling so sweetly that he almost melted right there.

"I did!" she replied, her eyes sparkling. "Actually, I'd already seen E.T., but it was so good to watch it again. And that other one, the horror movie… Night of the Living Dead, right? It was… scary, but… fun? You were right, I think I'm starting to like these weird movies." She laughed, biting her lip as if apologizing. "I think it’s your fault."

Eddie opened his mouth, surprised, but quickly composed himself, trying to hide the idiot grin that threatened to take over his face.

"Oh, me? My fault?" He placed a hand on his chest, feigning indignation. "Look, I won’t accept complaints about good taste in movies, okay? If you’re liking them, it’s because, obviously, you’ve got a great mentor."

Chrissy laughed again, a sound so light and contagious that he felt his chest warm up. She looked away for a moment, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her dress as if needing something to occupy her fingers.

"Well, I think you’ve got a point…" She looked back at him, kind of from below, still a little shy, but with something different in her eyes—a subtle confidence he’d never noticed before. "But… it’s not just that. It’s fun listening to you talk about the things you like, you know? You always seem so… passionate about everything. I think that's really cool."

Eddie blinked, his throat closing up again. Passionate? She thinks I’m passionate? Fuck, she has no idea…

"Uh, well…" He scratched the back of his neck again, nervous, but this time a laugh slipped out. "I talk too much, huh? Sometimes I think I’m gonna get banned from the video store because people are gonna start running away from me."

Chrissy shook her head quickly, her golden curls bouncing along with the movement.

"No, I like it. It's one of the best parts of my day," she said it so softly it almost felt like a secret, and her face turned even redder.

Eddie felt his legs weaken, as if she had just delivered a critical blow to him. He forced himself to say something before he truly passed out from the intensity of it all.

"Well, it's… good that you like it, because I'm definitely not stopping talking about my nerdy stuff anytime soon. Like, if you want, I can even make a list of recommendations for you. I think I’ve got, like, twenty ideas right now."

Chrissy laughed again, this time putting her hand over her mouth, as if trying to contain the sound. Her gaze was bright, her blue eyes fixed on his, and she leaned her body a little closer.

"Twenty? All that?" she teased, her lips curving into a genuine smile. "I guess I'll have to go to the video store more often then."

"More than you already do?" Eddie replied before he thought, then turned bright red when he realized what he'd said. "I mean… not that I'm keeping count or anything! Just… just saying you're already, like, number one customer, right? And, well… that's cool. Or, or I could start watching with you and… save you some money and…"

Jesus, he didn’t even know what he was saying anymore. He just wanted to die from embarrassment.

Chrissy looked at him with that soft, affectionate smile and gently shook her head.

"It’s cool, yeah. And I… I’d love to," she said quietly, almost killing him. After a moment of nervous silence, she tilted her head again, a curious look in her eyes. "And you? Are you enjoying the party?"

Eddie opened his mouth to answer, but stopped, feeling his heart race. He knew the answer, but saying it out loud was another thing. He took a deep breath and risked it.

"Now?" He looked directly at her, feeling the nervousness recede for just a moment. "Now it's perfect."

Chrissy blushed even more, her shy smile returning, and the two of them stood there, in the corner of the party, just smiling at each other, as if the rest of the world had disappeared.

"I think I owe you a million bucks," she laughed. "For all the movies you gave me for free. Does your boss… does he not complain about it?"

Eddie never let her pay. Even when she tried to sneak money into his hand and run out, afraid he'd get into trouble, he'd just slip the money into the bag and not let her pay. And she’d smile when she got home.

Sometimes, he’d write on the receipt: "Just a gift, Cunningham, accept it."

And yeah, sure, he got in trouble with the boss and lost half his paycheck, but he didn’t care. He’d do anything just to get those little smiles from her.

Eddie scratched the back of his neck, his gaze fixed on Chrissy as she gently swayed, still shy. The silence between them was heavy, but at the same time soft, as if something was about to happen. They were both blushing, looking away and then back at each other, caught in that strange but sweet tension.

He broke the silence, wanting more time with her.

"You... um, do you want something to drink? What are you drinking?" he finally managed to say, his eyes drifting to the cup she was holding with delicate fingers, adorned with a golden heart bracelet that sparkled under the lights. Her nails were perfect, painted with shiny polish, and he couldn't help but notice.

Chrissy looked at her almost empty cup, smiling shyly. "Oh, it's punch..."

"Do you want... do you want me to get you more?" Eddie asked quickly, pointing to the cup.

She nodded, her shy smile growing, and handed the cup to him. When he took it, their fingers almost touched, hers lightly brushing against his for a moment.

Eddie felt a shiver run up his arm, like a little electric shock.

"Thanks, Eddie," she said softly, swaying slightly as she smiled in that way that seemed to light up everything around her.

Eddie stumbled as he walked away, moving backward and almost spilling his own drink. He glanced at her quickly before turning forward, his heart racing. Why was the touch of her finger enough to make him feel this way? He took a deep breath and went to the table, filling her cup with punch, but his mind was still stuck on that sweet little laugh she let out when he tripped.

From a distance, he could see her laughing softly, her shoulders rising and falling as she watched him. That laugh made him want to throw himself on the floor just to hear her laugh like that all the time.

Eddie came back with the cup, his hands still shaking from nerves. Chrissy was still there, swaying side to side, her eyes downcast, and her cheeks flushed with a red that made him feel like his heart might stop at any second. He still couldn’t believe she hadn’t run off while he was gone.

"Here," he said, handing her the cup carefully, but a little punch spilled out and stained her hand. "Ah, damn, sorry! My bad, really sorry!"

Chrissy laughed softly, shaking her head. "It’s okay, Eddie, seriously."

But he couldn't let it go. "No, wait!" He ran back to the table, grabbing some napkins and returning to clean her hand. "Just... just a second, I’ll clean it!" He began to wipe her hand, his fingers lightly brushing hers in a way that felt almost reverent, like she was made of glass. The care he took, the attention to every movement, made her blush even more.

"All done," he finally said, lifting his gaze to her with a nervous smile, his ears red. "I couldn’t let you stain your pretty dress, so..." he said, his gaze never leaving her, as if trying to convey more than just the words.

"Thanks," Chrissy replied quietly, her eyes sparkling. She was holding the cup, but she seemed more focused on him than the drink.

For a moment, the two of them stood there, side by side, the silence between them filled only by the distant sound of music and the lively voices of the party. He leaned in slightly, trying to appear more casual than he felt.

"Are you enjoying the party?" he asked, trying to break the ice, though his heart was still pounding.

"Yeah..." Chrissy replied, swaying lightly, her pretty dress shimmering under the lights of the room. "But... not that much."

"Why?"

Eddie furrowed his brow, curious, with the fear that he might be the reason the party wasn’t going well for her.

Chrissy hesitated, biting her lower lip nervously. But something in his gaze – the look that seemed to truly see her, that made her feel special in a way no one else ever had – encouraged her to continue.

"It’s just... I don’t know almost anyone here," she started, laughing quietly, embarrassed. "And also..." She blushed even more, lowering her eyes before finishing, "It's the first time I don’t have anyone to kiss at midnight, so..."

The words came out as a nervous whisper, but Eddie heard them clearly. Kiss? He felt his stomach churn. For a moment, his mind flew to Brian Slagel, wondering if he was the guy Chrissy wanted to kiss at midnight.

But then, she looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with something different—shyness mixed with anticipation.

"I… I can keep you company, if you want," he stammered, his voice shaky, the words slipping out before he had time to think. He completely ignored the kiss part, because, seriously, what were the chances she was hitting on him?

But then she smiled. A smile so big, so beautiful, that it seemed to light up her whole face. He thought he might just collapse right there.

"I’d love that," Chrissy replied, her voice so sweet it could’ve been honey.

Before Eddie could say anything else, the energy of the party shifted. People began rushing toward the door, animated conversations echoing as everyone prepared for the countdown.

23:56. Four minutes to midnight. Couples gathered, eagerly awaiting the New Year’s kiss.

"Do you… do you want to go outside?" Chrissy asked, her voice soft, almost hesitant. She bit her lip, anxious, her fingers gripping her cup tightly as she waited for his response.

Eddie just nodded, unable to form any words. He followed her outside, still trying to believe that this was really happening.

As they walked toward the door, Chrissy looked at Eddie in a way he had never noticed before, but that had always been there. Her eyes glimmered with something more than the light reflected from the New Year’s decorations. It was a warm, passionate glow that made her gaze feel like he was the only person in the world.

She smiled to herself, gently biting her lip to hide her nervousness, but it was impossible to disguise how happy she was to be with him. Her eyes danced over his details: the messy hair, the nervous smile, the awkward way he still held the empty cup. She knew he was nervous, and that only made him more perfect.

He’s so handsome, and he’s even more so tonight. She had never seen him in a shirt like this before, and the way it fit him—his strong shoulders seemed even more defined, the sleeves rolled up, the tattoos peeking out, the belt, the white sneakers, the rings—all of it was still there. And then there was his smile, the most beautiful smile. But the truth was, she had been in love with him since that day in the woods, the way he made her laugh, and that feeling—just being near him—made her breathless no matter what.

Every little thing about him felt like it was part of the reason her heart raced. It wasn’t just the way he looked or dressed, but the way he made her feel. The way he was so real, so imperfectly perfect. The way he was nervous, how he couldn’t seem to keep his hands still, but that was what made him so genuine.

She could feel her pulse quicken just being around him, as if every glance and every word exchanged was another step closer to something she had been wanting for so long.

Chrissy walked close, so close that her arm brushed against his with each step, the fabric of her shiny dress lightly touching the sleeve of the shirt he had borrowed from Uncle Wayne.

She let the contact happen slowly, almost as if she wanted him to notice, to finally understand what she felt.

For nine months, she had waited, going to the video store every week, listening to him talk about movies and bands, hoping for some sign that he knew the effect he had on her. But Eddie seemed oblivious, lost in his own insecurities.

Her heart was racing, her cheeks flushed, and she felt like she could float just by being near him. Every move he made, no matter how small, seemed perfect, and it made her chest ache with tenderness. He wasn’t trying to be something he wasn’t. He was just Eddie, the guy who made her laugh and feel at ease, the guy who had made her heart skip a beat from the moment they met, and oh my god, she...she loves him, she loves him, loves him.

The realization hit her like a wave, crashing over her with such force that it took her breath away. She had been falling for him without even realizing it, and now, in this moment, it was so clear.

Chrissy took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Inside, she was a mess, completely in love, daydreaming about him since the day their worlds collided in that forest. She remembered how funny and kind he was, how he made jokes just to get a smile from her. She remembered how he always seemed surprised when she laughed at his silly comments, as if he couldn’t believe someone like her would find him funny.

And now, with him by her side, walking so close that she could feel the warmth of his body, all she could think about was how badly she wanted him to know. How she wanted him to understand that all those nine months of visiting the video store, the smiles and glances, had been for him. That she didn’t need tapes or movies; she needed him.

She bit her lip again, anxious, as her arm brushed against his once more. This time, she didn’t pull away. She let the touch linger, waiting, hoping that he would finally realize what she was trying to say without words.

As they stepped outside, the cold air was interrupted by the loud, annoying voice of Brian Slagel. He appeared with a cup in his hand and a smug grin, stumbling a little in his own overconfidence.

"Chrissy! You’re alone, babe?" he asked, completely ignoring Eddie beside her. "It’s New Year’s, you know? You can’t be without a kiss at midnight."

Eddie stopped, his heart sinking, thinking maybe this was what she wanted. Maybe she wanted Brian. He took a step back, his shoulders slumping, trying to look indifferent, but his eyes never left her face.

Chrissy, however, immediately pulled away, yanking her arm out of Brian’s grip.

"No, I don’t want that, Brian. Let go of me!"

Brian laughed as if she were joking, moving closer.

"Come on, babe. Jason Carver was an idiot for losing you. I’m not."

Eddie saw her expression change. The sweetness in her face turned to something more tense, uncomfortable, and she tried to push Brian away again.

That was enough. Eddie, who had been paralyzed by doubt until then, felt his blood boil. He moved before he could think, pushing Brian away from her.

"Hey, she said no, are you deaf? Don’t touch her, you jerk!" Eddie growled, his tone fiercer than he had ever expected, the urge to knock the guy out surging through him.

He had always been the nerd, too weak for fights, but for her… it was like a protective instinct had surged, one that made him feel like he could crush this guy with his bare hands.

Brian looked at him as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"And who the hell do you think you are, weirdo? Why don't you go back to your hole, huh?"

Before Brian could make another move, Eddie shoved him hard, sending him stumbling backward and crashing to the ground. The chaos was instant, with people shouting and forming a circle around the two of them. Brian quickly got up and shoved Eddie back, knocking him down to the ground.

The impact made Eddie hit the floor, the collective gasp from the crowd echoing in his ears. He felt the pain shoot through his back and, worse, the weight of humiliation. He stared up at the sky, thinking he might have just made the worst choice ever.

Great, Munson, he thought, now you look like an idiot. You should’ve stayed quiet. Now you’ve embarrassed yourself in front of her.

But before he could even get up, Chrissy was there, kneeling beside him.

“Eddie! Oh my God, are you okay?” Her voice was full of concern, and he felt her delicate fingers gently hold his face, turning it upward.

For a moment, Eddie was completely lost, staring at her. Chrissy’s hair framed her face perfectly, her dress shimmering under the glow sticks began to light up, reflecting in her blue eyes as if he had died and gone to heaven.

“Did I hit my head too hard, or are you an angel?” He asked, his voice weak but honest.

Chrissy laughed, that sweet sound he loved, and her smile lit up everything around them.

“You goofball.” She shook her head, her eyes still worried, as she helped him to his feet. “Are you okay?”

Eddie didn’t answer right away. He was standing, but his focus was entirely on her, still holding his arm to steady him, looking at him as if he were the most important thing in that moment.

“I think so,” he finally murmured, his heart still pounding in his chest.

Chrissy smiled, a little more relieved, and only then did she let go of him, allowing him to stand on his own.

The countdown began, but for Eddie, everything felt like it was moving in slow motion. She was still there, by his side, her eyes sparkling as if nothing else mattered.

“Ten! Nine!”

Eddie felt his breath quicken, as if the air around him was too heavy. He could still feel Chrissy’s fingers holding his face moments ago, the soft touch that left him on the edge of an internal combustion.

He looked at her, still so close, face to face with him, her face illuminated by the lights of the fireworks starting to explode in the distance.

“Eight! Seven!”

Chrissy tilted her head slightly, her eyes shining with something he couldn’t quite decipher, but it made him want to freeze this moment forever.

“Are you nervous?” she asked, her voice as sweet as a whisper, a half-smile tugging at her lips, part daring, part shy.

He laughed, his throat dry.

“Is it that obvious?”

“A little.” Chrissy laughed along, the sound warming his chest in a way he hadn’t known he needed.

“Six! Five!”

She took a subtle step closer, her fingers brushing his arm, her gaze never leaving his.

“You’re... getting pretty close,” he murmured, feeling his heart hammering.

“Is that a problem?” she asked, her lips curling into a smile that seemed both mischievous and innocent at the same time.

“Four! Three!”

“No. Definitely not. Hell, no,” he trembled, still in disbelief that this was really happening.

Chrissy stood on her toes, her eyes so close that Eddie could barely think of anything else.

“Two! One!”

“Happy New Year!” the crowd shouted.

And then Chrissy smiled again, her face so close that Eddie barely had time to react. She stood on her toes, and her lips met his in a soft, sweet kiss at first, but it quickly grew into one full of increasing intensity.

Eddie stood still for a second, his mind blank, before finally giving in to the moment. He placed one hand on her waist, the other gently moving up her back, pulling her closer, finally feeling the fabric of her shimmering dress and the taste of her gloss, making a mess on both their chins.

She sighed, trembling against his lips, and he did too. The sounds of the fireworks in the sky, the glowing sticks around them, and the cheers of the crowd faded away, leaving only the sound of their racing hearts.

The kiss was better than in his dreams – sweet, but with a quiet urgency that made him want to hold her forever.

Chrissy pulled back slightly, her face still close to his, her lips curling into a shy smile, her cheeks flushed.

“Happy New Year, Eddie,” she murmured, so softly he almost didn’t hear it.

He lifted his hand to hold her cheek, his fingers grazing her soft skin, incredulous.

And then he lowered his hand, finding hers. The two of them stood there, hand in hand, looking at each other with hearteyes, surrounded by all the shimmering lights.

“Happy New Year, angel.” The words escaped in a low whisper, but full of a feeling he couldn’t name. “Can I kiss you again? Or just in a year?”

“Idiot,” she laughed, that sweet smile that only he got. “How about all year long?” She stood on her toes again, tilting her face, and this time, it was him who kissed her and took the lead.

Before they could savor the moment any longer, a shout pierced the air:

“I KNEW IT! YOU OWE ME 20 BUCKS, YOU JERK! I TOLD YOU, I TOLD YOU IT'S NOT NORMAL SOMEONE RENT 20 MOVIES A WEEK, HA!” Robin, clearly drunk, shouted from a distance, laughing.

Eddie began to laugh, while Chrissy, visibly embarrassed, hid her face against his chest, laughing softly. He wrapped his arms around her, shielding her from the world outside.

"Ignore her," he said, smiling. "I do it all the time."

Chrissy lifted her eyes to him, still blushing, and laughed, a light sound full of happiness. Eddie looked at her, realizing that for the first time in months, there were no more nerves, no more doubts. He was exactly where he wanted to be—no, where he was meant to be.

And she, with a smile, closed her eyes, feeling happy as she held onto his back, making a wish when the fireworks exploded in the sky at midnight. She felt his chest against her cheek, wishing for the night to never end, hoping he would never become a stranger—one whose laugh she could recognize anywhere.

There’s glitter on the floor after the party Girls carrying their shoes down in the lobby Candle wax and Polaroids on the hardwood floor You and me forevermore.

She wants all his midnights.