Dare did not stop holding her hand until they reached his dorm.
The corridor was quiet.
The campus outside still glowed with distant music and lights, but inside, everything felt still.
The moment the door closed behind them, Tiana turned away.
"I do not want to be the girl people pity."
"You are not."
"I do not want to be the poor girl your parents hate."
Dare crossed the room slowly.
"My parents do not know you."
"They do not have to."
He stopped in front of her.
"They are wrong."
Tiana looked down.
"Then why does it feel like maybe they are not?"
He touched her face gently, making her look at him.
"Because you have spent so long letting other people decide what you deserve."
Her eyes filled immediately.
"And what if one day you decide they are right too?"
"I won't."
The answer came too quickly.
Too honestly.
Tiana stared at him.
Then he leaned forward and kissed her.
Softly at first.
Like he was afraid she might disappear.
She kissed him back before she could stop herself.
Every hurt feeling. Every missed conversation. Every terrible, lonely day between them seemed to melt into that moment.
He kissed her again.
And again.
Until she was laughing breathlessly against his mouth because somehow, even now, he still knew how to make her smile.
"Tiana," he whispered.
She looked at him.
"I am sorry."
Then he kissed her one more time.
This time deeper.
More certain.
He pulled her closer, and she wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her the few steps toward the edge of the bed.
The room was dim.
Quiet.
The world outside no longer mattered.
Only him.
Only the way he looked at her, like she was something precious.
Something worth fighting for.
He brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"Stay," he said softly.
And she did.