The final buzzer blared — not that you could hear it, but the flashing red light behind the net told you everything you needed to know. The puck had gone in. He scored the overtime goal.

The crowd around you erupted, fans leaping to their feet, banging on the glass, shouting his name. You felt the vibration of their cheers in your chest, but your eyes were only on him.

Your heart swelled with pride as you watched his teammates launch toward him, their sticks and helmets tossed in celebration. He disappeared in the pile of bodies and flying arms, but a moment later, you saw him emerge, breathless and smiling.

And then… he looked for you.

You saw it in the way his head turned, eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on you. His expression shifted instantly — from wild triumph to something warmer, softer. Without hesitation, he took off toward the rink doors, ignoring the coaches and the team still celebrating.

Still in full gear, he skidded across the tile floor in his skates, barely managing to keep his balance. You rushed down the steps just in time to meet him at the barrier, and before you could even raise your hands to greet him, he pulled you into a hug.

Your arms wrapped tightly around him, the coolness of his jersey pressing against your cheek, his heartbeat thudding fast against your chest. He spun you in a quick, dizzying circle, both of you laughing, breathless with happiness.

When he finally set you down, he pulled back just enough to look at you. His hands moved quickly. “Did you see that?” he signed, excitement still radiating from every part of him.

You grinned, your heart full. “I saw everything,” you signed back, slowly and clearly so he could take in every word.

His smile softened. He reached up, brushing a stray piece of hair behind your ear, then leaned in to press a kiss to your forehead.

“Winning’s great,” he signed, his eyes locked on yours, “but this— you —is the best part.”

And right there, in the middle of a noisy, chaotic arena, where you couldn’t hear a thing, you realized you were exactly where you belonged — in his arms, in his world, in his heart.