Chapter Text
Kyungsoo awakes to the sound of soft but excited murmurs from the glowing television screen, and still in a daze, he blinked blankly at the smiling faces of celebrities and TV personalities posed before a giant countdown clock. A continuous string of cheers and the latest pop song played quietly from the speakers as noises of general merriment filled up the cozy apartment. There is still the lingering smell of homemade meals in the air, comforting aromas of savories and sweets. Taking another good two seconds to stare at the festive scene on the TV screen, Kyungsoo finally reorients himself.
It's New Year's Eve and he had accidentally drifted off on the couch. He hopes he hasn't missed midnight yet or else he'll have to face a certain someone's disappointed puppy eyes. Stifling a quick yawn, he squints at the time displayed on the countdown clock and breathes a silent sigh of relief. It's only 11:58:45. He's still safe.
"I thought you would've have slept through and I'd have to celebrate the new year on my own."
A familiar deep voice whispers from beside him and Kyungsoo turns around. Chanyeol is grinning brightly at him like an excited child and the taller man reaches out a hand to caress his cheek, still rosy from his accidental nap.
"What are you talking about, you're not alone, there's also Se-," Kyungsoo croaks sleepily in reply but is immediately shushed by his husband to be quieter. Instinctively, Kyungsoo covers his mouth with his fingers and he sends a questioned look. Chanyeol smiles wider and nods to the five-year-old sprawled out in his laps. With his body facing upward and his head hanging off his dad's thigh, Sehun is fast asleep with his mouth slightly agape.
At the sight of their son's peaceful, drooling face, a fond smile also appears on Kyungsoo's face. "Is he comfortable in that position?" He asks in whispers and cocks an amused brow.
Chanyeol tilts his head to better observe his son before shrugging his shoulders and letting out a chuckle: "He hasn't woken up yet so let's just leave him."
Kyungsoo chuckles as well and shakes his head. Scooting closer to his husband until the side of their warm bodies is pressed against each other, he gently lifts Sehun's head onto his thigh. Disturbed by his strange but comfortable position, a small frown appears in between the boy's sharp brows and he mumbles something incoherent. Both Chanyeol and Kyungsoo freezes in their movement and looks each other in the eyes, anticipates for their son's grumpy awakening. Thankfully, Sehun does not wake and after smacking his lips together a couple of times, the five-year-old falls back into a deep slumber.
Gradually, the two adults relax as well and they melt back into the couch as well as each other's warmth. For a moment, there are only the soft sounds from the TV in the room as Kyungsoo and Chanyeol watched their sleeping son. Excited voices have begun their countdown to the new year and the crowd is getting rowdier.
40, 39, 38...
Pulling his gaze away from Sehun, Kyungsoo raises his head and finds Chanyeol smiling at him again with mirthful eyes. "What," he whispers as he subconsciously mirrors his husband's expression.
"I just made a new year's wish," Chanyeol whispers in reply and winks, the corners of his eyes crinkling together as a mischievous spark ignites in his eyes.
"That's not a thing," Kyungsoo snorts quietly and delivers a playful, judgmental look.
"Yes, it is," Chanyeol rebuts and tries to sound more serious but his broad, silly smile betray him.
Finding his partner way too cute, Kyungsoo breaks out in a silent giggle and decides to play along. "Fine, let's say it is," he says, "what did you wish for?"
In the dimness of the room, Chanyeol's eyes sparkled like burning amber from the colorful reflections of the TV screen and he coyly appealed his boyish charms. "Well," he begins slowly and carefully, "I wished that in the new year you would ignore my texts less," his smile softens as his eyes shine brighter, "and that we can talk more."
30! 29! 28!
Caught off guard by his husband's wish, Kyungsoo blinks wide-eyed at the man-child grinning sheepishly at him. He can't deny that in the past year he had been very busy with work and sometimes he has neglected to reply to Chanyeol's many messages. However, Kyungsoo would never ignore his husband no matter what. Yet, unknowingly, he has hurt the one he loves the most when all he ever wanted to do is to protect Chanyeol and love him with everything he's got.
As Kyungsoo gawks at Chanyeol in mild shock, his heart aches with apologies and guilt. This tender, smiling man sitting beside him, this loyal fool whom he knows loves him more than anyone else in the world and would stay by him even if the world comes to an end, Kyungsoo loves him so dearly. But sometimes, he forgets how lucky he is to have Chanyeol in his life, to be loved by such an amazing person, and he takes too much for granted. In retrospect, he could have been more responsive, more considerate and more expressive of his affections, just like how Chanyeol has been with him. But he had failed to do so, to reciprocate those meaningful acts that not only strengthens their relationship but also gives his partner a peace of mind.
20! 19! 18!
"I know you've been very busy," Chanyeol continues in a gentle low voice and glides his finger over the outline of Kyungsoo's ear, "and I know you're not really ignoring my texts. But even if I do send one too many texts, or that these texts are meaningless and just mumble jumbles, I still want to hear something from you. I miss you when you're away and I just want to know that you miss me too... Really, it's silly, these insecurities, but I can't help it... I-"
"It's not silly," Kyungsoo interrupts quietly but adamantly and he grabs on to the large hand by his ear. Firmly, he presses it against his chest, over his beating heart, "It's normal that you have these insecurities and it's because lately, I have not been the best partner you deserve, Chanyeol... I am sorry, " Kyungsoo sighs, "You know that I read all of your messages and when I am away from you, I miss you so much as well. But... I am also not always the greatest at expressing these feelings... especially out loud..."
"No, you're not," Chanyeol chuckles and he receives an embarrassed grunt from his blushing husband.
"But truly, I love you," Kyungsoo declares as his cheeks become even rosier and he grips the hand over his chest tighter, "so much more than I had ever dared to, more than I could ever imagine."
"I know," Chanyeol whispers and presses their forehead together, "I love you too..."
"And I promise, I will always respond to your messages from now on."
"Always?"
"Always."
10! 9! 8!
"So you're granting my wish then?" the boyish smile returns on Chanyeol's face as his breath brushes against Kyungsoo's lips, causing the later to break out in a doting smile as well.
"Yes, I will grant your wish."
5! 4! 3!
On the TV, excitement and the festivities are reaching a climax and the crowd is chanting cheerfully in unison to welcome the new year. Chanyeol and Kyungsoo huddle together as they savor each other's presence and the love they share. With one of their hands holding tightly onto each other and their other hands placed protectively over their sleeping son, they quietly join in the count.
"2... 1!"
Then as the last second of the old year gives away to the new, Kyungsoo locks his lips with Chanyeol. Happiness and contentment washes over him and the guilt he has felt dissipates from his heart only to be filled with the promise has made with Chanyeol. He will become a better man in the new year, for the love of his life and for his family.
After they pull apart, breathless and absolutely content, both Kyungsoo and Chanyeol bends down and tries to hugs Sehun without waking up the five-year-old who has a waking temper. Eventually, after some awkward and very slow maneuvering, they managed to cradle the sleeping boy into Chanyeol's arms and they carefully make their way to their son's bedroom.
"Do you think he'll be mad tomorrow when he realizes he fell asleep before midnight?" Kyungsoo wonders out loud as he tucks Sehun into his bed, "he so wanted to stay up and celebrate the new year countdown."
"Well, too late for that," Chanyeol mumbles and tucks Sehun's favorite toy beside his son as well, "and anyway, he'll have many more years to celebrate in the future so I'm sure he won't mind missing this one."
Kyungsoo hums absentmindedly in reply. He's almost certain that his husband is wrong and he can already see the whining tantrum Sehun will be throwing tomorrow morning. But as he continues to imagine the events to come, he cannot hold back the smile growing on his face. Lovingly, from steps away, he watches Chanyeol give Sehun a long kiss on his forehead and he feels his heart swells up with light, with warmth and an endless amount of love for his family.
When they close Sehun's door behind them, Kyungsoo turns to his husband and says sincerely: "I have a new year wish too."
"Oh?" Chanyeol asks and stops in the hallway, "what is your wish?"
"I wish," Kyungsoo whispers as if he is afraid if he speaks too loudly his wish would not come true, "that we would always be this happy."
Tenderly, Chanyeol picks up the pair of smaller hands and wraps them inside his larger ones. He holds them in front of his chest for a moment like he is in prayer then he kisses the fingertips, and answers in earnest and confidence: "Your wish shall be granted, I promise."
They both smile and kiss again.
"Happy New Year, Kyungsoo-yah."
"Happy New Year, Chanyeollie..."
FIN