He smiled in relief. "Good. Like I said - I know I'm not the most fun guy on the block. And yeah, I know, it's my birthday tomorrow - but I don't want you to be bored to tears, either." Bucky used to complain - good-naturedly - that Steve could be a real wet blanket. To which he'd retort that he didn't feel like watching Buck get arrested, and having to scrounge up bail on his birthday, either.

With a start, Steve realized this would be the first birthday since he was three, that he hadn't shared with his best friend. It was like missing a limb; he could forget about it for a while, until something brought it to mind, and then he'd have a phantom pain, wanting to glance around, wondering how he could continue with his life, feeling as if a vital part of him was missing.

Steve pulled the arm she was holding onto towards him, pulling her along until she was close enough he could bend his head and press a kiss to her forehead. Breathing softly for a second, he asked in a near-whisper, "Is it too early to tell you I love you?"