Never Let Each Other Go

New year's special - PalmNueng/ChopperBen

(Palm)

Today was New Year's Eve. One more day to go, and it will be the new year. It's somehow terrifying, seeing how fast time passes. But every year, we enjoy the fireworks together. I appreciate every moment with Nueng. Every single one of them mean so much to me. I layed in bed, Nueng was still sleeping, facing me in his sleep. He looked so cute sleeping, like a little kitten which is very tired from yesterday's adventures. I gently ran my hand through his hair. Then I cupped his cheek and pressed a short kiss on his nose. With a pleased sound, he turned around.

Today, we wanted to celebrate with our family. Well, my dad, his mother, Chopper and - well, he wasn't really family - Ben. The two of them already arrived in the morning, helping me prepare the food for this evening.
-„Where's Nueng?"
Chopper asked, curiously looking around the apartment.
-„Oh, he's still sleeping. Please don't be too loud."
Chopper let out an almost inaudible chuckle.
-„Of course I won't wake up your dear boyfriend."
That made my face flush red. I chuckled to myself when I thought about Nueng's cute face while sleeping.

Later, when everyone was at their work in the kitchen, Palm walked back to the bedroom. How long could someone sleep? Normally, Nueng wakes up pretty early, but today he seemed very exhausted from his long work week. So I let him sleep. I walked back in the kitchen, having to witness Ben and Chopper making a mess out of it.
-„Chopper! Don't play around with the dough or the sauce. How many times do I have to tell you?"
Ben asked, gently slapping Chopper's back.
-„Ow! That hurt."
Ben just rolled his eyes to that.
-„How's it going?"
I asked Ben, sighing when I thought about having to clean up the mess later on. Nueng hated a dirty and messy kitchen.
-„It's going alright. He's playing around a bit, but we're still making progress."
Ben sighed, I nodded.
-„Please don't make too much of a mess here. It's good you're making progress, but spare me from getting scolded later."
Ben used his apron as a towel, then patted my head.
-„Is someone scared of his boyfriend's scolding?"
I showed him a tired smile.

At that moment, Nueng walked into the kitchen, still looking a bit drowsy.
-„What's going on here?"
He asked leaning against the kitchen counter with messy hair and looking at all of us.
-„They already came hours ago to help prepare for this evening."
I informed him, he yawned to that.
-„Okay. But don't make such a mess."
I hugged him.
-„I'll help you clean up later, okay?"
-„Mhm, yeah yeah."
I saw Nueng's face turning red, then I saw Ben and Chopper looking at us. But he still didn't bug out of my embrace.
-„I'm gonna get dressed and help, so let me go."
A little upset, I let him go.
-„Fine."

Ben nudged me later when I was on my way to the toilet. He was sitting on the couch in the living room.
-„You two are pretty cute together."
I smiled.
-„You both are too."
Ben didn't answer, he hid his face in the newspaper he was reading.
Together, we could finish our preparations later in the afternoon. I looked at the clock. It was 3 p.m.
-„Finally done."
Chopper stretched, pulling his apron off himself.
-„But it was worth it."
Nueng walked around the kitchen, already starting to clean up.
-„When will your parents be here?"
-„Around 6, Chopper. You're asking for like the 3rd time."
Chopper made a calming gesture.
-„Okay, sir. Sorry."

My father and Nueng's mother came exactly at 6. They were never not on time, and since I've quit being Nueng's bodyguard, they spend more time together as friends. They like hanging out for example after work or on weekends.
-„This smells really good!"
Dad told me when he entered.
-„We spent the whole day preparing this, Dad."
-„Wow, you're making me really hungry."
Nueng's mum looked around the apartment.
I changed into some more fancy clothes. They were a blazer, which wasn't too expensive and I bought it on the other day. Nueng also changed into something more fancy. He really wanted to buy me a really expensive suit, but I wasn't in need of something I only wear 3 times a year. Ben and Chopper wore matching suits, which I thought were really cute.

We ate dinner together, talking about the good old times and catching up on each other's lives. Then we drank some wine. We all had a good time, until I noticed Nueng was chugging down his drinks.
-„Slow down."
I told him, even though he wasn't lightweight.
-„I'm fine, Palm."
I nodded,
-„Fine, only one more."

That „one more" turned out to be three more glasses of wine. I stopped after two glasses, just to make sure Nueng wouldn't get too drunk. He was a little tipsy after his total of seven glasses. Okay, not just a little. Pretty tipsy. I dragged him outside, only to witness Chopper and Ben standing near the railing, kissing and cuddling by the fresh air. Something I wouldn't exactly want to see, so I looked for a quiet space from where we could see the fireworks better since it was close to 12 p.m.
-„Nueng, sit here."
He slowly sat himself down on a bench in the nearest park around the house.
-„It's quiet here. Where is everyone else?"
I chuckled when I saw him confused.
-„Everyone left to go outside. So I went outside with you, too."
He smiled, then sighed.

Suddenly, the firework sounds were getting louder. I pulled out my phone, checking the time. 11:59 p.m.
-„One more minute until new year."
Nueng scooted closer, leaning his head on my shoulder. I took his hand, intertwining our fingers. It was a little cold, since I was only sitting there in pants and my white blazer shirt, but Nueng's closeness warmed me up again instantly. It was rare seeing him being touchy, so I always enjoy these moment even more. Then, the first few fireworks lit up again. More. And more. They looked so pretty on the sky. Yellow, blue, green, red... almost every colour. We watched them for a while, before I looked at Nueng. He was concentrated, trailing after every firework with his eyes. When he noticed me staring, he turned his head to face me. We shared a long gaze before I leaned in for a kiss. I wanted to kiss him softly, showing all my love for him in that kiss.

So I put all of the years of our relationship, my trust and love for him in that kiss. Soon, he angled his head, deepening the kiss. His breath tickled against my nose. His nose was sightly brushing mine. The sounds of the fireworks exploding in the sky perfected the moment. We then slowly pulled apart, he leaned his head again against my shoulder. I put my arms around him, enjoying our closeness. I closed my eyes, letting every sound and movement of this moment flush through me. Sometimes, words don't have to be said. The look we exchanged later on said more than a thousand words.

Okay this was too cute... I improved so much in writing these scenes, I swear
happy new year everyone!! I wish everybody a happy, healthy new year 🎆 (sorry if I'm kinda late/early for some, it's currenty 09:07 p.m for me here in Europe when I wrote this)
Damn I wrote more than in some chaps of the real story😭
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