Steve got another big laugh out of her at that, and it was perhaps the most she'd laughed in years. It felt so good to laugh like that, to be so relaxed with something that she could really enjoy herself. That was all him, and she was so very grateful to him for it.

"Fine, fine, I'll let you have a whole one all to yourself," she conceded, reaching over to pick up the container and remove the lid to show him the contents. A dozen cupcakes with three of each of four flavors: classic vanilla with chocolate buttercream, red velvet, mocha, and chocolate peanut butter. They were simple for the most part, but they had to start somewhere.

And on one of the center cupcakes was a single thin blue candle and a tiny plastic version of his shield, part of a party pack she'd seen at the store when she'd picked up the plates. Rogue reached into her purse and pulled out a lighter that she used to light the candle before holding the container out to him.

"Happy birthday, Steve," she told him with a fond smile. "Make a wish."