1.4K WORDS

                ─✧"You think they'll stop me if I pretend to get some food?" you said, scrolling through your phone while moving to lean on Shota.

He hums, eyes glued to his phone while he looked at highlights from the latest Lakers game. Your question wasn't as weird as it seemed due to the circumstance.

It's new years eve and you're at your parents' home to celebrate it with them, but since you felt out of place, why not invite your favorite person over to come bother you until the sun comes up. He was more than happy to be your headache for the new year, wailing through the phone about drinking all of the caprisuns in your fridge.

But, at the moment, he isn't living up to his occupation as your favorite person. A family member gives you a look as they walk by the couch, scrutinizing you both as they waltzed their way to the kitchen. She's definitely about to snitch...

For a moment, he laughs at his screen before he decides to give you a soft side hug. "I can go get it if you want me to" he says, referring to your complaints about being thirsty.

Knowing the rules in your home, the offer makes you lean back to look at him as if he just said the dumbest thing ever.

"If you saw how dry your lips were, you'd offer to do it too" he comments. Looking almost delighted with your stunned expression, he stands up and stretches. "I'll just pretend that you sent me in there on purpose"

"No don't, for real I can't be on punishment at the beginning of the year" you grab his hoodie sleeve, secretly preparing to stomp on his foot if he decides to go through with blaming you.

Although the puppy eyes seem to work, he nods and walks off. But once he reaches the middle of the hallway, in your peripheral vision, you can see him double over in silent chuckles before his blond hair whips his face as he turns towards you. Regardless of you frowning, he sends two thumbs up with a movie star smile.

"I'm going to kick his a-"

"What a handsome boy!"

Your mothers' voice trumps everyone else's chatter and laughs as she beamed about who you were assuming, was your best friend shota. "Oh my gosh..." you sank into the couch, imagining him absolutely bathing in the attention of the multiple women in there. You just know he's getting his cheeks pinched right now.

Of course, your mom has met Shota, years ago. But, she's always very cheerful when she's a bit intoxicated. She became the life of the party once she's had a tad bit too much wine, it was a rare thing for her to do in front of you, but Shota truly loved being babied by your family members.

"No wonder they always talk about you, they did mention that you were a favorite person of theirs" the blood from your face drains as you hear your sister's voice throughout the chatter.

Of course; if not your mother, your sister would be first to tell your business.

Why the hell isn't he out of there yet?

Already embarrassed, you groan and push yourself to make your way to the rowdy kitchen. The first thing you're greeted with is a chest straight to the head.

"Oh I'm sorry, didn't mean to smash your face in" the person chuckles before pushing past you. You considered tripping them but the sight of Shota taking selfies with your cousins takes your attention.

They're making kissy faces by each of his cheeks as Shota is in the middle, a cheeky smile spread on his face as he takes the picture on his phone. If you had to guess, he might not've been the one who came up with the cringe photo idea.

When finished, he gave them both gentle hugs before he makes his way towards you. You can smell the mixtures of perfume on him as he slides himself into a stool at the bar at the far end of your kitchen.

"Jealous?" he doesn't hesitate to poke your cheek. You feign a pout as you turn towards him, bored of his antics "Jealous of Shota being annoying?" he rolls his eyes, cheeks still lifted from the shower of compliments. "No way.." you finished, crossing your arms across your abdomen.

He looks at his shoes as he considered what to say next. He realized the ball in New York would be dropping soon & he wanted to offer something stupid but possibly fun. You're quiet as you hop on a stool next to him, puckering your lips as you picked at your nails. Your voice comes out gently but his overlaps. "--Uh have you seen my phone? I really wanna record us when the ball drops" he pats his pockets.

"mmm..." you legit considered that you'll just record on yours but you give him the benefit of the doubt and offered a hand. "No, but let's be quick. it's only one minute left" he nods and leaps off his stool dramatically.

He decides to start looking around the bar while you walk your way to the dining table that everyone stood at, drinks in hand. First, you review the table, then the floor, then the seats, and finally, the hallway. Rushing to get back, you shrug and call Shota's name. "I have no ide-"

"Hey, use your little hands real quick, it's stuck" his voice comes from behind the island. When you circle around to see what he was talking about, he's already pointing to the small slot underneath the wood. "10! 9!.."

You're agitated and sad that he was fucking around during the countdown. "Shotaaa.." his shoulders slouched at your tone as he began to smile. "Two, One, Happy New Year!"

"You're so-" the words are sucked back into your mouth with a sharp gasp as gentle and warm lips pressed against yours. Slowly but surely, your eyes flutter closed. His lips are moving gingerly in a chaste fashion as your hand comes up to cup his cheek. Mimicking your adjustment, by placing his on your waist.

You're almost trembling in excitement at the butterflies bursting in both your stomach and chest, feeling as if you're going to explode. At this moment, Shota is as joyous as you are.

If it wouldn't seem weird, he would break away and just scream in the victory of finally being able to kiss you after all the time he's spent sneaking in small hints such as: "Thank you for doing that, I could kiss you" and "You're so cute that I could just kiss your big forehead".

But now at last, he knows you've been wanting to kiss him too, taken the way your arm wrapped around his neck. Now lacking the composure to refrain from grinning, Shota breaks the kiss, his rosy cheeks lift in mischief.

The idea of crushing him in a bone-splintering hug passes through your mind, but you recall your family tradition of passing out loving hugs and you definitely didn't need your mom catching you googling at your best friend.

Speaking of... "Are we like.." you push yourself off your knees, offering him a hand. "Are we like, best friends?" he teased. You're unamused and wait for a real answer instead of entertaining him like always.

"My bad... I mean; we did..." he moves his hands in this circular motion, stirring up your irritation further. "Kiss" you spat. He hums and steps past you, making his way to the fridge to snatch a caprisun from the shelves.

You're following with crossed arms. "But it was done platonically though" he points at you while he emphasized the barrier.

"How about I platonically break your-"

"I'm kidding, you ticking time bomb. I love you more than a friend" he wraps an arm around your shoulder, his juice dangling.

He throws in a quiet, "I think" making you shift your leg so that you're about to step on his white shoes. "Ow- babe" he whines as you make your way back into the living room with mischief over your face. "You'd hop your way down here if you really loved me!" you announced. He groans but you can hear him hopping his way to you.

When he reaches you, a teasing tone is in your voice,

"Thanks babe, means a lot"