"Sakto mag-aalas dose na rin, putukan naa!"
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
The night sky over Manila was alive, splattered with colors as fireworks burst in dazzling displays. The countdown echoed across the neighborhood: "Ten... nine... eight..."
Inside the cozy villa they were staying, chaos brewed. Sunoo stood in the kitchen, trying to salvage the platter of kakanin while Jake and Jungwon argued over which playlist to blast on the speakers. "I said no ballads!" Jungwon barked, snatching Jake’s phone.
"Ballads are classy!" Jake countered, chasing him across the living room.
"Seven... six... "
Niki and Sunghoon burst through the balcony doors, breathless and covered in confetti. "Heeseung hyung is on the roof again!" Niki gasped, holding up a firecracker.
"You’re supposed to light it outside, not bring it in!" Sunoo scolded, snatching the firecracker from Niki.
"Five... four... three..."
Jay appeared at his side, arms crossed and smirking. "Told you they couldn’t handle firework duty."
"Jay, make yourself useful and stop Heeseung before he blows something up," Sunoo snapped, but his lips twitched, betraying his amusement.
"Two... one... HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
Heeseung’s triumphant shout rang from above as a particularly loud firework exploded in the sky. The whole group paused to cheer, their voices mixing with the roar of celebrations outside.
Then the lights went out.
"Brownout?!" Jungwon exclaimed, his voice full of disbelief.
"Classic Philippines," Jake muttered, pulling out his phone for the flashlight.
Sunoo sighed, carefully placing the kakanin on the table. "Okay, everyone calm down—"
Suddenly, a loud bang came from the balcony, followed by Niki’s yelp. "It wasn’t me this time!"
The group rushed outside to find Heeseung dangling halfway off the roof, laughing as Sunghoon tried to pull him up.
"Sunoo-yah, help!" Sunghoon called, struggling.
Sunoo rolled his eyes but went to assist, grabbing Heeseung’s hand and pulling him to safety. Once steady, Heeseung grinned and wrapped an arm around Sunoo’s shoulders. "You’re our lucky charm this year, Sunoo."
Sunoo raised a brow. "Lucky charm? For keeping you alive?"
"Exactly," Heeseung quipped, leaning in closer.
Jay cleared his throat loudly, shooting Heeseung a warning glare as he pulled Sunoo gently away. "He’s not your personal savior."
"Not just mine," Heeseung teased, smirking.
Sunoo groaned, massaging his temples. "It’s barely been twelve minutes into the new year, and you guys are already at it?"
"Can’t help it. It’s tradition," Jake said, appearing at his side with a grin.
Despite himself, Sunoo laughed, swatting Jake’s arm. "Well, tradition or not, let’s eat before the kakanin hardens."
As they headed back inside, the lights flickered back on, drawing cheers from the group. Niki and Jungwon fought over the best seats, Jake played another ballad to annoy Jungwon, and Heeseung made a toast that somehow turned into a love confession aimed directly at Sunoo.
It was chaotic, loud, and far from perfect—but as Sunoo glanced around at the beaming faces of his husbands, he couldn’t help but think that this was the best way to start the year.
