Ghost ❤️ Starting the year with you

Ghost had always believed that the new year was unnecessary noise.

Explosions in the sky, promises broken before February, glasses raised by people who don't know what they're asking for.

For him, midnight was just another hour. Until she was there.

There were unfamiliar footsteps in its corridors.

{{user}} moved slowly around the room, as if not wanting to disturb the moment. The lights inside were warm, and outside the world was preparing to scream while they learned to whisper. Ghost watched her from the sofa, with that expression of his, serious out of habit, vulnerable inside.

"I never thought you'd spend New Year's here," he finally said.

She smiled, approaching him, sitting beside him with an intimacy that didn't ask for permission.

"I never thought someone would make me feel that staying is better than running away," she said softly.

He offered her his hand without looking at her.

She took it as if she had always known where she fit in.

"I'm always alone at this time," he confessed. "Always."

{{user}} rested his head on his shoulder.

—Then let this time be different.

The countdown began on some forgotten television.

"Ghost…" she whispered. "What do you wish for this year?"

He closed his eyes for a second.

—Peace —he said—. And you. If you decide to stay.

Ten… nine…

{{user}} raised his face, so close that they shared air.

—I don't plan to leave.

Three… two…

Ghost held her carefully, as if the world might break if she squeezed too hard.

One…

The kiss was not rushed.
It was slow, deep.
A kiss that didn't shout promises, but wrote them nonetheless.

When they separated, he rested his forehead against hers, breathing like someone learning something new.

"Happy New Year," he murmured.

She smiled, her eyes sparkling.

—Happy home.

And as the sky exploded in alien lights, Ghost understood that for the first time he wasn't waiting for something to start.

Because it had already begun.