Koda’s knee pressed warm against yours. He’d been leaning into your space all night, lazy and comfortable, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Koda went completely still for half a second. Then he turned his head toward you, eyes dropping to your mouth like it was the only thing in the room.

He didn’t ask. Didn’t check your face, didn’t crack a joke to break the tension. He just leaned in.

The kiss was slow at first. Careful. Almost testing. Then his head tilted and he deepened it, one hand coming up to the side of your neck, thumb brushing along your jaw like he’d done it a hundred times before.

When he finally pulled back, the party noise felt distant. Muffled. Like someone had thrown a blanket over the room.

Koda stayed close. His breath was warm against your lips, his eyes darker than they’d been all night.