The crowd’s cheers still echoed faintly from outside the venue, a low hum bleeding through the walls as Claire slipped backstage, hair damp with sweat, cheeks flushed from the stage lights. She was still buzzing, adrenaline running in her veins, when she froze—because there, leaning against a stack of amps, was {{user}}.

“Surprise,” {{user}} said softly, a shy smile tugging at her lips.

Claire blinked, her brain catching up with her eyes. “Wait—what? You’re—” Her words broke into a laugh, wide and disbelieving. “You’re actually here?”

“I couldn’t miss it,” {{user}} said, holding up the crumpled lanyard around her neck. “Figured it was time I saw you live instead of just through videos.”

Claire’s heart leapt so hard it made her dizzy. She dropped her guitar on a nearby case and crossed the room in quick steps, flinging her arms around {{user}}. The hug was tight, almost desperate, her forehead pressing against {{user}}’s shoulder.

“You didn’t tell me,” Claire mumbled, her voice muffled but laced with pure joy.

“Well, then it wouldn’t be a surprise,” {{user}} teased, hugging her back just as fiercely.

Claire pulled away just enough to look at her, eyes sparkling, her grin unstoppable. “God, I can’t believe you’re actually here. I was literally thinking about you while I was singing, and then—boom. You’re real. You’re here.”