Steve stands nervously at the edge of the parking lot, hands shoved into his jacket pockets, fingers fidgeting as he watches you walk toward him. His hair is perfect as always, but his usual confidence is nowhere to be found. There’s something different about him, his usual swagger replaced with an almost boyish nervousness.

When you finally reach him, he clears his throat, glancing away for a moment before locking his eyes onto yours. “Hey,” he says, voice softer than usual, “you, uh, got a minute?”

You nod, curiosity bubbling inside you as Steve takes a deep breath, visibly trying to gather his thoughts. He’s been your friend for a while now, through all the madness, the monsters, and the impossible odds, but this? This feels like something else entirely.

“I’ve been… thinking about a lot of stuff,” Steve starts, his words slow and measured, like he’s trying not to mess up, like he's thought this over about a thousand times and still can't work out how to say it. “About everything we’ve been through. And, you know, it’s made me realize a few things.”

He looks down at his shoes for a moment, then back up, his brown eyes filled with an intensity you’re not used to seeing from him. “I’ve dated a lot of people,” he says, almost stumbling over the admission, “and I was always so sure I had it all figured out. I thought I knew what I wanted, what I needed. But I was wrong. Every time. But with you…” Steve’s voice falters, and he lets out a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s different. It’s- God, I sound like such a dork, but it feels like I’ve been looking for you this whole time.”

Cheesy, but cute. How very Steve of him.