Ten
The countdown to midnight catches her by surprise, she had no idea it was so close. While she hadn't thought too much about what would happen at midnight, her earlier, much more sober self had considered making sure they weren't together to avoid any awkward kiss expectations.
Nine
The crowd of revellers around them begin to pair up, until it feels like they're the only two people not seconds away from locking lips and all she can think is goddamn Louis and his stupid New Year's Eve party.
They'd both been roped into attending, Harvey because he owed Louis a favour and he called it in in the form of his attendance at this party, and Donna because Harvey had quite literally begged her to accompany him. The night hasn't been that horrible, mainly because they sequestered themselves in the corner with a bottle of scotch. But now they're suddenly faced with the elephant in the room, to kiss or not.
Eight
Harvey tilts his head at her as the countdown continues, giving her a smirk and god it's only been four months since they spent the night wrapped up in each other, sticky from whipped cream and high on endorphins.
Surely she can't kiss him tonight.
Seven
He takes a step towards her and even though she doesn't give them permission her own feet move forward as well until there's barely an inch of space between them. There's anticipation and eagerness in his eyes, and just maybe a flicker of trepidation. She knows then he's planning on kissing her.
Six
She feels her heart begin to race and reminds herself that this doesn't mean anything, it's just tradition. This is just two people playing out a societal expectation. They aren't crossing a line or breaking the rules. This is just a loophole she's never considered looking for, but is now suddenly grabbing hold of.
Five
She can see him looking at her lips and his tongue briefly darts out to wet his own. Flame blazes across her skin and that's the moment she knows she's in trouble.
Four
He closes the final tiny gap between them until her body presses against his and she swallows down a sigh. Four months since the last time she felt him like this and it feels like a lifetime. His hand brushes lightly over her cheek and slides into her hair and she thinks she might actually be holding her breath, afraid to break the spell.
Three
Harvey leans down towards her, his face just inches from hers and he whispers the final numbers of the countdown against her lips.
Two
One
Cheers and shouts burst through the room as the clock strikes midnight. Balloons suddenly tumble from the ceiling and confetti explodes from somewhere, raining silver sparkles down on to them.
And then his lips are on hers, soft and warm and she groans, actually groans, because it feels incredible. He pulls back a little, readjusting his lips on hers, sucking on her bottom one. Her hands come around his neck as the kiss deepens, quickly moving well beyond the customary midnight kiss and into more dangerous territory. His tongue slides along hers and he tilts her head further, melding himself to her and god she feels like she's never been kissed like this before.
There's hunger in her veins as she wraps herself tighter around his body and the kiss turns messy, all open mouthed and devouring and she pours herself into it.
Another sudden explosion of confetti right next to them makes them jolt apart and as they both gasp for air she thinks something had to stop them because she certainly hadn't been capable of it.
Harvey watches her, that insufferable smirk once more in place. But his lips are smudged with her lip gloss and his eyes are dark and she's not sure he's ever looked so goddamn sexy.
"Happy New Year Donna," he says, a smile kicking up at the corners of his mouth.
"Happy New Year Harvey," she responds, still a little breathless and unable to contain a grin of her own.
Louis suddenly embraces them in an overenthusiastic hug and by the time she manages to pry him off them it feels like the kiss has already been tucked away into that box of secrets they don't talk about.
He pours her a fresh drink and she brushes confetti out of her hair and they ring in the new year by getting well and truly drunk.
Years later when she thinks back on this New Year's Eve, Donna will realise she learnt two things this night. One, that she could never really put it out of her mind and two, that was the moment when she truly fell in love with him.