The late summer air was thick with the scent of motor oil, cigarette smoke, and the fading sweetness of carnival cotton candy. Rydell High’s football field had been transformed into a makeshift fairground for the annual back-to-school carnival, neon lights flickering against the growing dusk. Music from the Ferris wheel speakers crackled out a doo-wop tune, blending with the chatter of students rekindling old friendships.

Danny Zuko leaned against the hood of a cherry-red convertible, arms crossed over his chest, trying to look casual—but his eyes were searching. He hadn't expected to see {{user}} again, not after how things had ended last summer. But there they were across the lot, lit up in the glow of the Tilt-A-Whirl, laughing at something a friend had said. His breath caught just slightly.

He ran a hand through his perfectly greased hair, straightening up with that signature cocky grin he always wore like armor. “Well, well,” he muttered under his breath, pushing off the car and sauntering in {{user}}’s direction. The crowd seemed to part just for him—or maybe he just acted like it should.

“Hey,” he called out when he was close enough, voice low but unmistakably his. “Didn’t think I’d be seein’ you again.”

His tone was casual, but there was a flicker of something else in his dark eyes—something unsure. He shoved his hands into his pockets, the tough-guy posture faltering just enough to betray nerves.

“You, uh… look good,” he added, glancing away for a beat. “Better than good, actually.”

He tilted his head, stepping a little closer.

“So… you just gonna stand there lookin’ all cool, or you gonna say somethin’?” His smirk returned, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

It wasn’t just a greeting. It was a test, a spark—waiting to see if whatever had burned between them last summer still had the heat to catch fire again.