The spacious ballroom was adorned with glistening chandeliers, cascading from the raised, gold trimmed ceilings. The walls were embellished with intricate layers of gold that framed the glass paneling. Yet this did not leave him spellbound. The splendor surrounding him was the farthest thing from his mind. He might've appreciated the topnotch architectural design if his nerves weren't on edge. All he could think about was her. She stood afar, dressed in a black, figure flattering gown, and with her dark hair fashioned into a bun.

It was now or never! Merlin had the courage to be recklessly bold in ways that few could match, but when it came to Mithian he fell flat. It shouldn't be this hard! They'd been friends throughout college and recently reconnected through one of Arthur's business ventures. During the course of working together, their friendship deepened and blossomed into something more. At least Merlin thought it had.

He couldn't say when he'd started feeling differently about her. She`d walked into the office one morning, dressed in her usual business attire, and suddenly the realization dawned. He loved her!

Now he stood in a crowded room on New Year's Eve, waiting for what would be his last chance. The Pendragon company project had been a huge success, and she would be returning to oversee her father's company once more. Gwen would kill him if he blew it! His scheming childhood friend convinced Arthur to throw a lavish New Year's Eve party with the hope that romance would ensue.

Speaking of Gwen, he could feel her gaze from across the chandelier lit ballroom. His

feigned interest in the champagne didn't fool her. He turned and met her disapproving gaze, watching as she nodded in the direction he'd been avoiding. So what if Mithian was surrounded by wealthy, successful men? He knew such things never mattered to her. His humble upbringing never stopped them from becoming friends.

With new found courage, he broke through the inner circle, ignoring comments from bypassers. She greeted him with a breathtaking smile, extending her hand and leaning close to whisper in his ear.

"You're my hero," she teased goodnaturedly. "I thought I would die from boredom."

"What are friends for?" he replied, inwardly wincing at his choice of words. He was trying to break out of the friendzone.

He noticed she hadn't let go of his hand after he'd led her away from the surrounding partygoers. The small gesture gave him hope. His growing hope quickly diminished when Gwaine approached them. There was no telling what the man would say. His roommate didn't have a filter even when he was sober.

"It's about time," he quipped, giving his friend a hearty slap on the back. "I knew she had the hots for you!"

"Excuse me?" she exclaimed, raising a brow.

"Will you shut up!" Merlin demanded, succumbing to the heated rush of embarrassment.

"Just tell her how bad you want..."

"Shut up,Gwaine!"

The roguish brunet raised his hands in surrender and sauntered over to the nearest table, helping himself to the champagne.

"That's the last thing he needs," Mithian joked with a laugh.

"He's out of his mind," he replied, shaking his head. "I hope you didn't take him seriously."

"No," she answered, smiling. "Although there was a small kernel of truth at the start."

"Truth?" he sputtered, struggling to calm his breathing.

The young woman snickered, raising their joined hands. "I like you," she confessed.

She laughed at his comical display of relief. He was so adorable!

"I like you too...a lot," he admitted.

Time passed, and friends gathered together to witness the highlight of the evening. The explosive array of colors lighting the darkness was more than a celebratory tradition. It was the herald of hope and new beginnings. Life could only get better.