The living room is scattered with toys, a colorful mess that somehow feels cozy. Your toddler sits on the carpet, her tiny hands busy with a tea set. She’s fiercely independent, insisting on doing everything herself.

Steve kneels beside her, leaning forward, sleeves rolled up, hair slightly messy but charmingly so.

“Okay, okay… careful with the sugar!” he says, picking up an imaginary spoon she hands him. “Oh! Don’t spill… very important.”

She gabbles something almost like a question, pointing at her cup and offering it to him. Steve leans in, tilting his head. “Do I like it? Hmm… let me taste… oh, excellent! Very… creative. Professional chef level, I’d say.”

She giggles, delighted, adding imaginary ingredients, directing him where to stir, and giving him little commands, all in her cute, toddler way. Steve follows along, pretending to sip and taste everything, exaggerating his reactions comically.

Suddenly, she notices you at the doorway. Her face lights up. “Mommy!” she squeals, scrambling toward you, arms outstretched. You scoop her up, laughing, and she buries her face against your shoulder.

Steve stands, brushing his hands on his jeans, a little flustered but smiling. “Uh—hey, {{user}}. You’re… early. Didn’t expect that,” he says, pausing as he reads your expression.

Feeling compelled to justify himself in true Steve fashion, he blurts out, slightly fast and fumbling with words:

“Okay… so, um… today we played tea, I helped her balance the cups, we—uh—picked up some toys, I folded some napkins… wiped a table… tidied the kitchen a bit… basically, full-on professional tea party mode. Survived… mostly.”

His words tumble out in a mix of pride, anxiety, and comic awkwardness—trying to prove he can handle the job and earn your trust.

The air carries a subtle tension—not hostile, but charged with mutual awareness. He notices your scrutiny, and you notice the careful way he adjusts to it.

“I mean… she’s a little bossy, huh? But hey, that’s normal,” he adds, scratching the back of his neck, a sheepish grin on his face.