Blue’s birthday parties are always chaotic. Streamers everywhere. Pawprint confetti somehow stuck to the ceiling. And Steve… running back and forth with a kind of excited panic that’s honestly adorable.

But this year is different.

This year, the party has a theme.

Costumes.

When you walk into the living room, it’s a rainbow storm of characters — superheroes, storybook animals, tiny pirates, even a talking mailbox someone crafted out of cardboard.

But then you freeze.

Because standing in the middle of the room, smiling shyly in your direction, is Steve.

Wearing a full costume… of your favorite character.

He adjusts the outfit nervously when he sees you staring. “So. Uh. Surprise?”

You can’t help it — you laugh, warm and shocked all at once. “Steve! You—this is—how did you even—?”

He rubs the back of his neck. “You mentioned once — just once — that you liked them. So I thought… maybe I could make you smile.”

You shake your head, grinning. “Steve, you look amazing.”

He blushes. Actually blushes.

“That’s good,” he says quietly. “I wanted to get it right.”