Chapter Text
Multicolored lights flash as they spin around the dim room that is covered in shiny gold and silver streamers, ‘2018′ on display in every corner. Steven had only gotten back to LA two days prior from his trip to Singapore and Malaysia and not only was he tired as all hell, but he was also sad.
It hit him when he was at his grandma’s house in Malaysia, looking out the window at the beautiful view, and he wished Ying was there with him. He hadn’t seen her since September, and he misses her like crazy. Her hugs, holding her hand, kissing her. He misses kissing a lot.
He couldn’t go back home after his trip abroad, needing to be back at Buzzfeed for the new year, so Steven was here, at an unofficial staff New Years Eve party so he doesn’t spend the transition to the new year alone. Jen is standing next to him, nodding as Freddie, Chantal and Ashly make comments about the Mariah Carey performance being projected onto the wall.
He had already wished Ying a happy new year, her being four hours ahead of him, so he halfheartedly pays attention to the women as he casually looks around the room. Curly, Jazzmyne, and Julissa dance intensely on the dance floor as their surrounding coworkers cheer them on. Brittany and Kelsey are near the drinks, shooting back shots of something. Not too far from them Steven sees Andrew and Adam chatting with a few other coworkers, beer in hand.
He makes eye contact with Jen, pointing to Andrew and Adam. She nods, giving him a wave. “Excuse me ladies, I have some co-hosts to greet.” He directs to Freddie, Chantal, and Ashly. “See ya later, Steven.”
He hadn’t seen Andrew or Adam since their trip to New York to film some episodes for season four of Worth It. He had sent pictures of the delicious food he ate during his trip to Andrew to make him jealous, to which he would reply with various forms of the term ‘asshole.’ The memory made him smile.
Most people didn’t think he and Andrew would get along, Steven didn’t either, but Andrew, despite being a big old grump 70% of the time, is funny and smart and chill. Steven would dare to say he missed him, if it didn’t feel weird to admit that to even just himself. A shiver runs up his spine at the thought.
Steven slides up next to Andrew, so as to not startle him. He knows from experience that it puts him in a bad mood. “Heyyy, did ya miss me?”
He turns his head in time to seen Andrew and Adam give him an unimpressed look. Andrew rolls his eyes at him and then gives him a small smirk, “Hello Steven, did you have fun on your trip?”
Steven briefly flashes back to his sadness back in Malaysia, choosing to ignore it. “Yeah, you know, lots of new experiences. Lots of good food.”
“Yeah. I know you jerk.” Andrew elbows him, Steven blows a raspberry in response.
“Child.” Andrew teases, “I guess we’re going to lose the peace and quiet we were getting used to.”
“Aww,” Steven wraps an arm around Andrew’s shoulders, “I missed you too buddy.” He was teasing him, but butterflies began to stir in his stomach.
Andrew glares and him then glances down to the floor, trying to hide a small smile from Steven. Steven knew better than to tease him about it. So instead he gives his shoulder a light squeeze. He looks up at Steven, their faces close. Steven gives him a gentle, reassuring smile, to which Andrew returns with an almost bashful smile of his own. Steven’s heart felt warm, finding comfort in the gaze and Andrew’s warm body next to him. It’s the best he’s felt in weeks.
“Hey! Thirty seconds till midnight!” Someone yelled in the crowd.
Their group turn their heads toward the projection of the countdown happening at Grand Park, with the an ever changing light show and countdown being projected onto the Los Angeles City Hall building. Steven’s arm slips down to Andrew’s waist so that he can get a better view.
Ciara, the thousands of people in the park, and everyone at the party start counting down.
10
9
8
7
Steven feels Andrew’s eyes on him. He turns to look to him, raising an eyebrow. Andrew looks almost conflicted.
5
4
3
2
Andrew leans in close, face almost too close to his. “Andrew wha-”
“Shh.”
And then Andrew’s lips find his. Something settles in Steven’s chest. He feels warm and safe, pulling Andrew closer, missing the feeling of lips on his. He hears a buzzing from the cheers an excitement, but everything else is dulls out, too focused on kissing back. He feels the prickle of Andrew’s facial hair against his face, which throws him off slightly. It’s when they pull back that the buzzing intensifies and a rock collapses in Steven’s stomach.
Andrew looks full of bliss, “I’ve been wanting to do that for forever.” He says quietly, but loud enough for Steven to hear him over the celebration. Andrew’s eyes flicker open to see Steven’s eyebrows knitted, eyes wide. Steven feels like he’s going to vomit.
“Steven?” Andrew tries, but Steven backs away slowly, a stunned expression on his face as he stumbles into the crowd.
He cheated, he’s a cheater. And what’s worse?
He liked every second of it.