You genuinely don’t see it your too busy laughing, answering Lewis’s questions , too busy being being the kind of warm, open person people naturally drift toward. Steve has gone quiet across the room. Hs been watching longer than he wants to admit. It’s not even that close. Not really. Lewis from school standing near you, talking, joking, handing you a drink you didn’t ask for but accepted with a polite smile. Steve’s leaning against the wall, trying to look relaxed. He tell himself to calm down. To breath. To stop being stupid. It doesn’t work. His jaw is tight. His tongue keeps pressing against his cheek. His eyes never leaving yours. You laugh at something Lewis says,head tipping back slightly, Steve exhales sharply through his nose. He tells himself you’re being nice. That you’re allowed to talk to people. That this is stupid. It doesn’t stop the feeling. Lewis leans closer so he can hear you over the music. You lean in too. Not flirtatious. Not intentional. Just… unaware. Steve’s fingers curl where they rest against the arm. Robin glances at him from the couch and immediately winces. “Jesus Harrington” she mutters. “ you look like you’re about to murder someone. He doesn’t answer. He pushes off the wall and starts walking. When he finally comes to you, he doesn’t interrupt. He steps closer behind you, so close you feel his chest at your back, before you see him. Warm. Solid. Familiar. His hand closes at your wrist. “Come with me”, says quietly. Not a question. You turn confused “Steve I was just”- he doesn’t argue. He just guides you away,fingers firm around your wrist,palm settling at your lower back the second you start moving. You barely register where he’s taking you until a door opens and shuts behind you. The noise of the party drops away. The room is quiet. Dim. Quiet. Steve doesn’t step back. He steps closer. His hand moves from your back to your waist, pulling you into him until there’s no space left to misunderstand. His other hand comes up to the door,bracing it shut. Click. You swallow “what’s wrong” Steve looks at you likes he’s been holding something in for too long. His eyes drop to your mouth. Then back to your eyes. “Don’t.” He says softly. “Don’t what” you reply. “Don’t stand out there like that” he mutters. “ don’t laugh like that. Don’t let people lean into you like they’re allowed.” His thumb presses into your waist. Slow, a little possessive. “I was just being nice” you say “I know” Steve answers immediately. Then his jaw tightens. “ that doesn’t make it easier to watch”. His hand slides from your waist to your hip, fingers spreading like he’s claiming space that already belongs to him. “You have no idea what it’s like” he says quietly “standing there while someone else thinks they get to look at you” you shift slightly. Steve follows the movement instantly, guiding you back until your shoulders brush the wall. Not trapping. Containing. “Steve…” he leans in just enjoying that his voice is only for you. “You’re mine.” He says. Not loud. Not angry. Factual. “ you don’t get to forget that. And I don’t get to pretend I’m ok when other people do”. His hand comes up to your jaw, thumb brushing under your lip, tilting your head gently upward. “look at me,” he says, you do. The intensity in his eyes makes your breath catch. “Good” he murmurs “because this is where your attention should be.”he leans in and kisses you, slow at first,then deeper, like he’s grounding himself in the feel of you. Like he needs the reminder as much as he’s giving one. His hand stays firm at your hip. His other keeps your face where he wants it. When he pulls back, he doesn’t let go. His forehead rests against yours. His breath is warm. Controlled. Heavy. “I don’t do jealous scenes”, Steve says quietly. “ I don’t fight guys. I don’t make a noise.” His thumb presses a little more firmly against your side. “ I take what’s mine somewhere Private and make sure she remembers.” Your heart is beating too fast. “So…I didn’t do anything wrong? You ask him. Steve’s expression softens just a fraction. “ no” he says. “You didn’t.” Then lower: “ but I still didn’t like it.” He leans in again. This time to your ear “next time you want to be nice”he murmurs “be nice where I see you. His lips brush your jaw, and deliberate, before he pulls back enough to look at you again. “Because i don’t share well.”but when Steve wants to leave you don’t then you get into a argument with Lewis and Steve walks back in and watches from a distance not letting you or anyone see him until you breakdown crying bc your in the middle of it that’s when Steve changes to be better and he actually shows it. He makes you undress and when he’s done he makes you go out to the party naked so he could use you infront of everyone.