HeroSteve

Chapter 4

So it had been more than seven days.

Hero didn't really mind though, he had actually been enjoying himself, and Steve was being so genuinely friendly and sweet that he couldn't bring himself to persuade the smaller miner into anything. They had actually been having a lot of fun. Sitting and talking, having meals together, going mining, and even going exploring and hunting together. Hero was significantly less lonely, but he still craved a relationship that was much deeper than the one they currently had. But it was alright.

He could be patient.

And he was being patient, it was actually a lot easier than he thought it would be. Steve would do adorable little things that would make Hero want to wait even more, simple little gestures like scolding him for doing semi-dangerous things, even though he was a god and he didn't get hurt nearly as easily as Steve assumed he did. He would sit and nod and promise not to do it again, then proceed to do it again anyways.

One such example was when he went to the edge of a ravine when they were exploring, and peeked over, much too close to the edge. Steve had grabbed the back of his shirt and yanked him back, eyes wide as he stared down at Hero, who had craned his head back to look up at Steve with a confused expression.

"Are you trying to fall in?!"

He demanded, hands on his hips as he stared down at him expectantly, Hero just looking up at him with that puzzled expression.

"Well?"

Hero just stared up at him, blinking a few times before answering.

"No, I'm not trying to fall in, and I wasn't going to fall in either."

He stated pointedly, frowning slightly.

"You totally would've if I hadn't pulled you back!"

"Steven do you not recall that I can float if I so please?"

He asked softly, Steve blinking a few times, growing quiet.

Hero just couldn't help but smile.

It was a genuine wide smile, making the corners of his eyes crinkle as he laughed. Steve just stood there, pouting now.

"You're a real jerk you know that?! Letting me worry like that!"

And Hero just kept on laughing and smiling and promised not to do it again, going back about ten minutes later and peeking over again. He liked things like that, Steve's genuine concern for him made him happy, genuinely happy, a warm feeling filling his chest at every occurrence. It was different than anything else he had experienced before, and he was thoroughly enjoying it.

Hero blinked a few times as he was snapped out of his stupor by Steve gently touching his shoulder and calling his name. He realized he had probably worried the other, deep in his thinking.

"Sorry, I was thinking."

He explained quietly, Steve seeming relieved. They were walking past that same ravine now, and he supposed that's what triggered his thinking to such an extent. Hero smiled a bit, having fallen into step beside Steve. They were exploring again, and they weren't too sure on where they were headed to this time. Hero was fine with it, as long as Steve didn't get injured. It was starting to get dark though, as they had errands to run before they had went off, having left quite a bit later than usual.

Hero realized this must've been their first mistake.

They continued along, Steve leading slightly. Hero didn't mind, as long as they were together and he was close. Hero paused, something feeling quite a bit off, but he couldn't put his finger on it, frowning a bit.