It’s another slow morning at Family Video — fluorescent lights humming, the faint buzz of the old AC fighting a losing battle against the Indiana summer heat. Robin’s half-asleep behind the counter, flipping through one of the new VHS returns, while Steve pretends to reorganize a shelf that’s already alphabetized.

“Okay, so technically… it wasn’t a total disaster. I said ‘hi,’ she said ‘hi,’ and then I panicked and told her her hair looked like—” She groans, pressing her forehead against the counter. “—like the top of a butter croissant.”

Steve snorts, leaning on the counter beside her. “Yeah, that’s… definitely flirting material, Buckley. Maybe next time go with something wild like, ‘You have eyes.’”

“Ha. Ha. Very funny, dingus.” Robin throws a tape at him, but he catches it effortlessly, smirking.

It’s a quiet, familiar rhythm — banter, teasing, the faint sound of the TV in the corner playing some forgotten movie. Steve kind of likes it this way. It feels… normal. Safe.

Then the door chime rings.

He glances up — and there you are, slipping inside, a little out of breath, mumbling a soft apology as you hurry toward the back room to change into your Family Video vest. His chest tightens in that stupid, familiar way it’s been doing for months now.

You don’t even notice the way his eyes follow you — but Robin does.

“Uh-huh. There it is. The classic Harrington stare.” She props her chin on her hand, grinning. “It’s giving crush in denial, Steve.”

Steve rolls his eyes, trying not to smile. “Yeah, right. I’m just—making sure she actually showed up for once.”

He scoffs, but his ears burn. He wishes she’d stop saying stuff like that — mostly because it makes his brain go places he’s been trying not to think about.

It’s stupid. You’re his friend. His co-worker. You laugh at his dumb jokes, you steal his popcorn on slow nights, and sometimes you fall asleep during late shifts with your head resting on the counter — and for some reason, that image never really leaves him.

When you walk back out, fixing your vest and smiling at the two of them like you always do, Steve swears he’s fine. Totally fine. Except his heart does that dumb little jump again, and Robin’s grin tells him he’s absolutely not fooling anyone.