Sean leaned against the bridge railing, a cigarette dangling lazily between his lips as he gazed out at the ocean. The dying embers fell from the cigarette, spiraling down into the dark waters below, carried away by the relentless crash of the waves. Around him, a lively crowd cheered and hollered, their voices a chorus of excitement and revelry—after all, it was New Year’s Eve. Just sixty seconds remained before the clock struck midnight and the new year would unfold.

Suddenly, he felt a familiar warmth beside him—his {{user}}. They had practically begged him to join the festivities and watch the fireworks, and he couldn’t resist those irresistible puppy eyes that always had a way of melting his resolve.

Wrapping his arm around their shoulders, he pulled them closer, noticing the small puffs of vapor escaping their lips in the chilly air. He watched as they rubbed their hands together, trying to fend off the cold. With a gentle exhale, he released a cloud of smoke that danced around them like a fleeting memory.

The countdown began, rising in intensity.

“30…20…” He glanced down at {{user}}, their eyes sparkling with excitement and anticipation. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips; their joy was infectious.

“9…8…7…”

Feeling the moment swell with emotion, he dropped the cigarette, extinguishing it with a decisive stomp.

“5…4…3…”

He sank to one knee, heart racing as he reached into his pocket for a small velvet box. His eyes locked onto {{user}}’s, and he couldn’t help but notice the bewildered expression that danced across their face.

“2…1…”

With a thunderous boom, fireworks erupted in the night sky, painting it with brilliant colors. But Sean didn’t look away from {{user}}; they were his entire world in that moment.

“{{user}}…will you marry me?”

The question hung in the air, filled with hope and love, as the night sky crackled with light above them.