𝗪𝗛𝗢. ❥ nomin.

22 ; who loves me?

Despite the nerves still coursing through Jeno, he felt more at ease now that he could throw an arm around Jaemin and kiss him freely without it being noted at something big.

"You know what I just realized?" Jaemin suddenly asked as he and Jeno swayed to the music playing.

"What?"

Jaemin pulled Jeno in closely, kissing his cheek with the corner of his mouth coming to Jeno's. "You're gonna be my New Year's kiss."

Jeno could feel his cheeks start to heat up. It was still kind of unbelievable he and Jaemin had gotten together so easily, shared a first kiss easily, and were now slow dancing together in Ten's basement as Johnny performed the greatest transition from NCT 127's Summer 127 to SHINee's View in his DJ set.

Jeno glanced around the room, wrapping a hand around Jaemin's waist. Doyoung, Taeyong, and Taeil were in a corner, talking to each other, and Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Yuta, and Haechan (and Renjun, who clearly wanted to leave) camped by the speaker. WayV had all lumped into the centre of the room, while Mark was standing right next to Johnny's table. Chenle and Jisung were camping by the punch table.

Finally, Jeno's eyes looked up to the clock. 11:58.

Johnny faded out of View, ending the set for the moment. "Guys, it's almost time!"

Everyone now clumped around Jeno and Jaemin, who were standing by the clock. Jeno's eyes, curious as ever, travelled around the group. Ten was already cupping Lucas' face, Johnny looked like he was about to kiss Mark a minute early, and Kunhang and Yangyang's fingers kept brushing against each other as if they weren't going to kiss at the same time as every other couple.

In note of the non-couples, Chenle and Jisung held up their cups of punch, ready to toast their 26th refill, and Taeil stood off to the side, body already angled away from anyone who might kiss. Yuta wrapped his arms around Sicheng, already about to squeeze him into a tighter hug.

"10!"

Jeno turned to face Jaemin again.

"9!"

Jaemin smiled.

"8!"

Jeno smiled back.

"7!"

"Are you ready?" Jaemin whispered.

"6!"

Jeno took a deep breath.

"5!"

Jeno pulled Jaemin the tiniest bit closer. "As ready as I'll ever be."

"4!"

"Good." Jaemin threw his arms around Jeno's shoulders.

"3!"

Jeno cupped Jaemin's face.

"2!"

He pressed their foreheads together.

"1!"

They leaned in.

"Happy New Year!"

It felt kind of weird to be kissing Jaemin in front of all their friends, but it was also New Year's. Jeno knew that his heart would never stop beating as hard as it had the first time Jaemin had kissed him.

Jeno didn't know how long he should've kissed Jaemin for, unsure if he was even suposed to kiss him or just peck, but he pulled back when the timing felt right.

"So," Jeno whispered after a moment, "is there any chance of your "new year, no Jeno" agenda?"

"No," Jaemin whispered back as the music faded back in. "Never think about it."