The night was only getting louder, the thrum of music vibrating through the walls, the lights flashing in time with the beat, and the crowd growing rowdier as the party carried on. Lance had never seen the usual group of guys act this wayâhe could tell they were all a little too drunk, too wild. But the moment his eyes fell on y/n again, sitting on the couch, quietly nursing her juice box, something inside him snapped.
The guys were lingering near her. He could see them whispering, snickering, looking at her as if she were just another conquest, another game to win. He clenched his fists, knowing that y/n had no idea what was going on. She was too innocent, too pure for this kind of thing, and it made his blood boil.
"Hey, whatâs up with this one?" one of the guys, a football player from another team, said loudly, clearly drunk. He looked at y/n with an expression that made Lanceâs skin crawl. "She still a virgin or what?"
The other guy laughed, leaning in closer. "Bet sheâs never even been kissed. Whatâs she waiting for, huh? She needs to learn how to loosen up."
Lance felt a familiar, sick feeling rise in his chest. He wasnât going to stand for this. Not tonight. Not with y/n.
Without thinking, he marched over to the group, his body tense with anger, his steps quick and determined. The guys didnât notice him until it was too late.
"Get the hell away from her," Lanceâs voice was low and dangerous. He stood between them and y/n, his back straight, every inch of him radiating a protective anger. "You have no idea who youâre messing with."
The guys chuckled drunkenly. "Whatâs the matter, Harbor?" one slurred. "You afraid sheâll finally learn how to have fun?" "yeah loosen up harbor"
Lanceâs eyes darkened. "You donât get to talk about her like that," he growled, the words slipping through gritted teeth. "Not now, not ever."
The guys laughed again, completely oblivious to the gravity of the situation. But Lance wasnât laughing. His fists clenched as the alcohol-fueled bravado of the guys continued to test his patience. One of them reached out to touch y/n's shoulder, a slow, deliberate movement that made Lanceâs blood run cold. That was the breaking point.
Before anyone could react, Lance swung at the guy, his fist connecting with the drunk foolâs jaw, sending him crashing to the floor. The crowd around them went silent for a moment, stunned by the sudden outburst.
"Stay the hell away from her," Lance spat, his voice hard and full of anger. "Sheâs not some prize for you to fight over. Sheâs not anyoneâs to take. Sheâs mine to protect, and thatâs all you need to know."
The other guys, now startled by Lanceâs fury, backed off quickly, their bravado evaporating in the face of his unwavering stance. Y/n had gone still, her wide eyes taking in the scene but not quite understanding what had just happened. She looked between Lance and the guys, confusion in her expression.
"Lanceâ¦" she whispered, her voice soft, but full of uncertainty. "Whatâs going on?"
Lance turned to her, his face softening immediately as the anger drained from his body. His protective instincts remained strong, but his love for her took center stage now. He crouched down beside her, his voice gentle as he cupped her face in his hands.
"Y/n, baby, Iâm sorry," he murmured, his tone sincere. "Iâm so sorry you had to see that. You donât deserve that kind of treatment."
Y/n, her heart still racing from the intensity of the situation, looked at him with a mix of surprise and concern. She hadnât seen him like this beforeâfighting, angry, protective. But she could see it now. She could see how much he cared for her, how deeply he felt for her. And it made her heart swell.
"You donât need to protect me, Lance," she said softly, her voice full of quiet strength. "Iâm fine. I donât need anyone to fight my battles."
Lanceâs eyes softened as he stood, reaching down to help her up from the couch. "Yes, you do," he said, his voice serious but tender. "Because youâre too important to me. And no one gets to treat you like that. Not while Iâm around."
Y/n smiled at him, a small, grateful smile that melted his heart. "Thank you," she whispered.
Before he could say anything else, Lance leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a kiss that was slow and deep, filled with all the emotions that had been building between them since the very first moment they met. It wasnât just a kiss of passion, but one of promisesâpromises to protect, to cherish, to love.
As they pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers, his hands still cupping her face. "Youâve changed me, y/n," he murmured softly, his voice full of affection. "Before I met you, I was just⦠I was lost. I thought I had it all figured out, but you showed me what it really means to love. What it means to care about someone more than anything else."
Y/nâs heart fluttered as she listened to his words, her emotions overwhelming her. She hadnât expected this kind of love, this depth of connection. And yet, here it was, in front of her.
"I never wanted the things they wanted, Lance," she said, her voice steady now, filled with certainty. "I just wanted to find someone who would see me. Really see me. And you do. You see me, for who I really am. And I love you for that."
Lance smiled, his heart swelling in his chest. "And I love you, y/n. More than you could ever know."
With that, Lance took her hand, leading her out of the chaos of the party and into the cool night air. The party, the noise, the distractionsânone of it mattered anymore. All that mattered was the girl by his side, the one who had changed him, who had made him realize that there was more to life than popularity or football games. There was something real, something pure, and that something was y/n.
As they walked toward his truck, Lance leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Youâre my angel, y/n. You always will be."
And in that moment, y/n knew that no matter what the world threw at them, she would always have Lance. And that was enough to make her heart feel fuller than she ever thought possible.