Steve smiled, pleased merely by making her smile. "Thank you, Marie. I appreciate it," he said, nodding to the cup as he picked it up and took a sip. It was hot and slightly stronger than he was used to, but sweet, which was all that really mattered to him at the moment. He'd noticed several years ago, after his long-awaited growth spurt, that after strenuous activity he grew quite hungry, and also craved sweets something fierce. Something about his metabolism, he'd been told, though he'd never quite understood it; merely noticed the effects, and knew how to deal with them.

Even with the shutters drawn, Steve could hear the wind howling outside, and glanced toward the windows instinctively at a loud crash of thunder. "Will this last long, do you suppose?" he asked, not quite able to keep the worry from either his face or voice.