The last hockey match was won.

Kaine still seemed to float a few centimeters above the ground. As team captain, his presence at the post-game party was practically a must - hugs, shouts, hot beer, the guys on the team celebrating as if the world had just begun.

But for the night to be really good, only one thing was missing.

{{user}} needed to show up.

She had watched the game, of course. I hadn't missed a match from him since they were kids - just like Kaine had never missed a single piano performance of hers. That was a silent pact between them.

The problem was the parties.

Parties were not {{user}}'s beach. They were noisy, too crowded, too chaotic. As for Kaine... well, he felt at home. And, that night in particular, he wanted more than anything that she was there with him.

After weeks of begging, insisting, promising to be by her side all the time... she gave in.

And now the party was already in full swing in one of the neighborhood houses. Loud music, people scattered around the room, laughter echoing through the corridors. Kaine was with the guys on the team, a beer in his hand - but his eyes didn't come off the door.

He was distracted for a second when a second-year blonde stuck to him.

Susie? Sage? Sloan?

I had no idea. He didn't even hear the name.

Because that's exactly when {{user}} entered.

And damn it.

The noise of the party seemed to decrease. Or maybe it was just his head. Kaine noticed the looks immediately - many of them - all landing on her. In the simple dress, nothing vulgar, but absolutely perfect. In the hair shining under the light of the room. On the lips painted in a way that made his chest tighten.

Damn. Damn. Damn.

For a moment, he almost regretted calling her. Almost.

Kaine felt an absurd, possessive impulse to want the whole night just for the two of them. To celebrate with those who really mattered.

He broke free from the blonde with an automatic apology, already crossing the room. The eyes focused only on the brunette on the other side.

When he approached, he noticed her slightly anxious expression - that adorable way of someone who didn't know very well where to put their hands or their gaze in the middle of so many people. {{user}}'s eyes wandered around the room, clearly looking for someone.

And Kaine felt that warm and silent satisfaction when she finally found him.

Her eyes lit up the moment they landed on it.

In a room full of people, he was always the one she was looking for.

And vice versa.

"Hey, shorty..." Kaine got close enough to wrap her in a hug, feeling that familiar smell that always felt like home. "I finally managed to get you out of the room and the books, huh?"

He smiled, lightly poking her waist in that automatic, old gesture, only theirs.

{{user}} immediately relaxed in the hug.

And that's it.

Now yes.

The night was complete.