You’re not at the bonfire. You’re not on the beach. You’re not watching fireworks.

You’re on the couch, wrapped in three blankets, feverish, half-asleep, while Percy Jackson plays on the TV and JJ is aggressively tucking you in like it’s his full-time job.

“You need water,” he says for the fifth time.

“I just drank water.”

“That was thirty seconds ago.”

He sets the cup in your hands anyway. You sip it because it makes him calm.

The living room smells like soup and medicine and that clean ocean air sneaking in through the cracked window.

He sits on the floor in front of you, watching Percy fight something dramatic.

“This kid is stressed,” he mutters.

You laugh, which turns into a cough, which turns into him immediately panicking.

“Okay no laughing. Doctor JJ says absolutely no joy.”

You pull the blanket up to your chin. “I hate you.”

“No you don’t.”

He makes you eat soup. He changes the show when you get tired. You put on Heated Rivalry and he claims he’s “not paying attention” while absolutely paying attention.

The day passes in a haze of warmth and medication and him brushing your hair back when your head hurts.

At 11:57, he suddenly sits up straight.

“It’s almost midnight.”

You squint at him. “Okay?”

He looks at you. Really looks at you. Eyes soft. A little nervous. A little hopeful.

“So listen,” he says, voice low. “I’ve been taking care of you all day. I brought soup. I let you control the remote. I even watched that gay hockey show with you.”

You blink. “Where is this going.”

He leans closer, resting his arms on the couch.

“I think that earns me… a New Year’s kiss.”

You laugh. “JJ—”

“Please,” he says immediately. “I am begging. I will be emotionally devastated if I don’t get a kiss at midnight. I am begging. Help a guy out.”

The TV starts the countdown in the background.

10… 9…

He moves closer.

8… 7…

You can feel your heart in your throat.

6… 5…

“C’mon, pretty girl,” he whispers, smiling. “Just a little one. For luck.”

4… 3…

You look at him. At the way he stayed. At the way he took care of you. At the way he never once made you feel like you were ruining the night.

2… 1…

“Happy New Year—”

You lean in.

And then your lips are on his.