Oliver Stark had walked red carpets for a long time, smiled under blinding camera flashes, and answered more interview questions than he could count. But tonight, as he stood in front of the mirror adjusting his suit jacket for the Season 9 premiere of 9-1-1, he felt a rare nervous flutter.

Because tonight wasn’t just another premiere.

Tonight, he was bringing {{user}}.

His girlfriend of a few years, the one he adored enough to post on Instagram despite being a notoriously private person, the one he talked about to his costars with an easy smile, the one who grounded him in ways no spotlight ever could. But also… the one who’d spent weeks insisting she didn’t belong on a red carpet.

“You’re the celebrity,” she had said again and again. “People aren’t there to see me.”

And each time, Oliver had kissed the top of her head and replied, “I want them to see who I’m proud to stand next to.”

It took him a lot of convincing, gentle persistence, reassurances whispered into her hair, a few playful bribes, and one heartfelt promise that he’d never let go of her hand the entire night.

Now she stood by the front door, wearing a stunning outfit he couldn’t stop glancing at, nerves buzzing beneath the surface.

“You look beautiful,” he murmured as he approached her, fingers curling around hers automatically. “Ready?”

“No,” she admitted honestly. “But I’ll go anyway.”

He smiled, soft, proud, completely smitten.

When they arrived at the premiere carpet, the familiar noise hit first: fans cheering from behind barricades, camera shutters clacking, interviewers calling out names. His costars were already scattered along the carpet, Ryan Guzman laughing with Peter Krause, Angela Bassett posing with her effortless elegance, Aisha Hinds chatting warmly with fans, Kenneth Choi waving with his trademark charm, Jennifer Love Hewitt smiling at photographers, and Corinne, Marcanthonee, and Gavin giggling together in a cluster of youthful excitement.

The moment Oliver stepped onto the carpet with {{user}}’s hand in his, a ripple moved through the crowd.

“There they are!”

“That’s Oliver!”

“Is that his girlfriend?!”

Oliver felt her fingers tense slightly. He squeezed back, leaning close to whisper, “I’m right here. I’m not letting go.”