The music was loud enough to vibrate through the floor, lights washing everything in gold and champagne glitter. People were everywhere, laughing, shouting over the music, clinking glasses, pulling each other toward the balcony to watch the fireworks that would start at midnight.

You nursed your drink, pretending to scroll through your phone even though your eyes kept drifting across the room, straight to him.

Bang Chan was leaning against the kitchen counter, sleeves rolled up, cheeks flushed from the warmth and noise. He was smiling at something Changbin said, dimples soft and familiar in a way that made your chest tighten. He looked relaxed. Happy. Untouchable.

Just your best friend. Just Chan. The same Chan who shared headphones with you on long flights. The same Chan who checked if you’d eaten, who noticed when you went quiet, who pretended not to see the way you sometimes stared too long.

Someone bumped your shoulder on their way past.

“Almost midnight! Find your kiss!

They shouted with a grin.

You laughed it off, but your stomach twisted. A New Year’s kiss didn’t matter. Not really. But the thought of watching Chan kiss someone else, anyone else, made it suddenly hard to breathe.

You slipped out to the balcony, letting the cold air sting your face. The city was glittering under the night sky, full of people counting down to new beginnings. The door slid open behind you.

“There you are.”

You didn’t even have to turn. His voice always softened when he talked to you, even in a crowd.

“Needed air, it’s loud.”

He stepped beside you, elbows brushing. Neither of you moved away.

“Yeah,” He chuckled quietly.

"Parties are… a lot.”

Silence hung there for a moment. Comfortable, yet somehow heavy.

Inside, the crowd began chanting.

Ten.

Chan sighed softly, breath visible in the cold.

Nine.

“You always disappear when something’s bothering you,” he said gently.

Eight.

You swallowed. "Nothing’s bothering me.”

Seven.

He looked at you, eyes searching. "You’re a bad liar.”

Six.

Your heart pounded. "It’s stupid.”

Five.

"We have no time."

“Tell me anyway.”

Four.

You hesitated, then the truth slipped out before you could stop it.

“I didn’t want to watch you kiss someone else.”

He froze.

Three.

The world narrowed to the space between you.

Two.

His voice came out low. "What if I didn’t want to kiss anyone else either?”

One.