Steve listened to her talk about the places she'd considered home, and how one of them had been taken from her. He didn't know what to say -- knew there was nothing to say, that could comfort her over that. She couldn't even recall the school without being reminded of what had happened after, and his heart ached for her. For all that he had a hard time going to once-familiar places and recalling long-lost days, at least they'd always been happy memories of that place, no matter what had come after. Saying 'I'm sorry' felt more than inadequate.

And then she came out with something like that, and Steve couldn't stop the fond smile spreading over his face, love, and more importantly affection, being evident in his gaze. "I hope so. It would be a much dimmer place without you."

He took a deep breath; no. No, no, none of this moping, and that meant for either of them. On any other day, he would let each of them go through whatever emotions they needed to. But today... Today, he wanted to be happy, to make new happy memories, and he wanted the same for Rogue. "So. I don't know about you, but I'm getting hungry. I'm pretty much always hungry, but still. I was told there would be a picnic with a gorgeous gal. I see the gal. All we need now is the basket." At this point, he wouldn't put it past her to pull out an honest-to-goodness wicker basket for their vintage outing.