We told ourselves we’d be good because we were staying at family for the holidays, but something about Christmas does this to us—too much cozy lighting, too many blankets, the way we can’t stop brushing hands in the kitchen like we’re teenagers again. After everyone finally went to bed, we tiptoed back to our room trying not to laugh, and it hit me how ridiculously loud silence can feel when you’re trying to be quiet. We didn’t even do anything wild—we just got close, whispered dumb jokes, and dared each other to behave… which obviously made it worse. I fell asleep with their fingers laced in mine, heart racing like we’d robbed a bank, and I woke up genuinely grateful that the person I’m “not supposed to” want this much is the one I get to keep.