Dean closed the gap between us, and I rested my head against his shoulder. He didn’t utter a word, but simply stood there, offering contact and warmth, the solid reassurance of his arms around me.
I grabbed the front of his jacket before I could stop myself, fear flooding back now that the adrenaline had started thinning out.
“What if—” The words died unfinished.
Dean slid his hand down my back, the touch grounding me before I could spiral any further.
“I know,” he murmured against my hair. “We’ll deal with it later, but not tonight.”
Across the room Mila cleared her throat, already heading toward the door.
“I’m giving you five minutes,” she announced. “After that I come back and start threatening anyone who gets too close to you. And especially anyone with a microphone.”
Despite everything, I let out a burst of laughter. “You’re terrifying.”
“And I’msoglad you’re on our side,” Dean added with a chuckle.
She grinned, then slipped out before either of us could say another word, and the door clicked shut behind her once more.
Dean leaned back enough to stare at me, his eyes still dazed, bright with leftover adrenaline and emotion and no doubt the impossible reality of what we’d done out there.
“You okay?” he repeated.
I almost lied from habit.
I thought about the crowd outside. The applause, the pride flags lifting above people’s heads near the barriers. The strangers cheering for us as if they truly understood how much it had cost to stand there openly for even thirty seconds.
And yet the world has kept on turning.
“I don’t know what happens next,” I admitted. “But I know I don’t regret it.”
Dean’s face was a picture of relief tangled with affection so open it sent a rush of warmth barreling through me. “Me neither.” He brushed his fingers against the edge of my silver medal, his knuckles grazing my throat beneath the ribbon while his gaze stayed fixed on mine. “You were incredible tonight.” His voice was a little raw. “Before all the chaos.”
I smiled despite myself, and his expression warmed instantly in response. “So were you.” I gazed into his eyes. “What you said to the reporters…”
His lips twitched. “What part, exactly?” But before I could repeat his statement, he smiled. “Ah. The bit about you being my partner?”
I nodded, swallowing again.
Dean pressed his lips to my forehead. “Well, you are—aren’t you?” He pulled back, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “Unless you’re already thinking of trading me in. I hear Ethan’s available right now. Is he more your type?”
I laughed, loving how he’d resorted to humor at exactly the right moment.
I slid my arms around him. “Definitely not. He’s too loud. I prefer someone quieter, more thoughtful.”
“Hmm, let me think if I know anyone like that.” Then he tilted his head. “Will I do?”
I gave him the only answer I could. I kissed him, taking my time, taking advantage of Mila’s brief absence.
We stood like that for a long time afterward, holding onto each other in a room where nobody was watching, while the adrenaline slowly drained from our bodies. I could hear Dean’s heartbeat beneath my ear when I rested my head against his chest, exhaustion creeping into my limbs all at once.
I let out a sigh. “I always thought that if I stopped holding myself together so tightly, everything would collapse.”
Dean’s arms tightened around me, and he pressed another gentle kiss into my hair. “Looks to me like you stayed on your feet.”
I let out a shaky laugh. Maybe I had.
The world outside that room had changed. Reporters were already writing stories. Federation officials were probably making phone calls. Somewhere, my parents had almost certainly seen the broadcast. Yet none of it felt real in this moment.
