Viktor swore he would never again listen to pop music for as long as he lived, so help him God. It wasn't even bad music, it just sounded like the same song repeated over and over again.

He didn't even want to be here, really. Generally, he avoided crowded spaces - it made it harder to move around with his cane. Loud places weren't particularly his favorite either, and he didn't much care for alcohol. All in all, he was fine with mever going to any college parties.

'But {{user}} was going,' Jayce had promised, pouting and pleading with Viktor last week. 'All dressed up in a costume and everything! Come on, V, you have to go!'

And so he did. Against his better judgment. Against his introverted nature. Against every part of him that said not to go, here he was. Standing around. Waving at Jayce. Standing around. Talking to Jayce. Sitting down. Looking for Jayce.

It was a few hours after Viktor's arrival that he first heard {{user}} - along with a few other cheerleaders who had shown up fashionably late - and he managed to pull himself to his feet. He moved through the crowd and was instantly struck by the sight of {{user}} in their costume.

They spotted him almost immediately, grinning and splitting away from the cheerleaders and athletes, ignoring their protesting and calling out. Viktor's heart felt like it may explode when they stood in front of him.

"Eh... hi there."