You felt the box starting to slip from your hands and silently started to curse to yourself. "Please don't. Not now," you whispered, as if begging the box would stop it from falling to the floor. But then, as if from some divine intervention, a voice spoke up. "Let me help you with that." The box was suddenly taken from your arms and you looked up at your rescuer gratefully. He flashed you a brilliant smile that you couldn't help but return.

There was no denying he was a very handsome man. He had blond hair that didn't want to sit flat on his head and sparkling blue eyes that seemed to hold all the secrets of the world. A firm jaw relaxed underneath that lovely smile of his. Not to mention the fact that the man was built like an ox. He had a very broad chest and shoulders and he held the heavy box in his arms as if it weighed nothing.

"Thanks," you told him, "Carrying that upstairs was no easy task." He laughed and followed you into your new apartment where he could set the box down. Once it was on the floor, he reached out a hand. "I'm Steve. My, uh girlfriend Sharon and I live in the apartment just down the hall." You fought to keep your smile as you introduced yourself. Of course he had a girlfriend. Oh well, maybe he had a friend or two he could introduce you to. "So, got any more boxes you need help with?" You nodded.

Steve spent the rest of his afternoon helping you move in. You felt a bit bad since you were sure he had other things to do besides helping you. But Steve didn't seem to mind. In fact, the two of you hit it off right away. Steve had a great sense of humor that meshed with your own and you loved the old-fashioned way he spoke sometimes. An instant friendship was formed that day. Apparently, much to Sharon's dismay.

You had left your apartment door open after moving in the last of the boxes, just to keep it a little cooler when you heard a voice. "Steve?" In a flash, Steve was up off the couch and walking to the door. "Hey. This is Y/N. Our new neighbor. Y/N this is my girlfriend Sharon." You smiled at her and offered a hand. She took it, but regarded you with a suspicious gaze. You let it roll off your shoulders. You would have probably done the same if you came home to find your boyfriend in a strange woman's apartment. You didn't realize that Sharon would never warm up to you.

*time skip*

"I don't understand it. She's never been this way before," Steve told you. It had been about six months since you moved in and about two months since the last time Steve was in your apartment. He had been spending less and less time with you as the months had gone on and soon, it was just a quick "hello" in the hallway. It kind of hurt. The bond you had formed with Steve from the very beginning was over before it even began.

You shrugged. "Steve, she's probably just stressed. Long hours at the hospital and whatnot. Sit down and talk to her. Work it out." Steve took a sip of his beer, not that it was doing much for him. "I guess you're right. I don't have a lot experience with this kind of thing." You squeezed his shoulder gently. "It'll work out, Steve. I know it will. You two have been together for a while now. Too long to let whatever it is tear you apart."

Steve smiled and thanked you. "I gotta get going, but I'll see you around, Y/N. I promise to come around more often than I have been." You shook your head fondly. "No problem, Steve. Just go work it out with your girlfriend and let me know how it goes." Steve nodded before opening the door of your apartment. "And thanks again, Y/N." You waved him off with a chuckle.

That night, as you lay in bed, you fought the urge to roll your eyes. You didn't think Sharon could be so loud. She was practically yelling at Steve and you could hear nearly every word between them. You dug into your bedside table for your headphones. You quickly started your music, trying to drown out the sound of your friend fighting with his girlfriend.

In the apartment next door, the fight continued on. "Sharon, you're being unreasonable. Y/N is great and, despite what you think, she has never once tried anything. Doll, please," Steve begged. He was struggling to keep his cool. Sharon huffed. "Steve, how do think I feel every day knowing that, not only do you work with people like Natasha and Wanda, but then you come home and you spend your time with another gorgeous woman?"

"That's not fair, Sharon. Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me? Ever? You know I'm not that kind of guy. Are you saying that I'm not allowed to have female friends who just happen to be attractive?" Steve was getting angry. He was feeling bullied and backed into a corner again and he didn't like it one bit. Sharon didn't answer for a second, but the venom in her gaze was enough.

"You think she's attractive?" Steve groaned. Clearly there was no talking to Sharon about this. Not now. "You know what, I can't do this right now. You've had a long day and I'm sure you're tired. We talk tomorrow after we've both had some sleep." Not wanting to leave on an angry note, Steve sighed, walked over and kissed Sharon's temple. "I'm going to stay with Sam tonight. Goodnight." With that, Steve quickly packed a bag and left the apartment.

Things weren't any better the next day. In fact, the fighting grew worse and louder. So loud, in fact, that you actually left your apartment to check on the two of them before the super could come up and complain about the noise. Sharon answered the door, her face red and her eyes flashing angrily. "Everything okay, Sharon?" Her gaze narrowed. "Can't you leave us alone? Please mind your own business."

You frowned. As much as Sharon didn't seem to like you, she had never been outwardly rude to you before. "I was just making sure everything was okay. The two of you are being awfully loud. I didn't want the other neighbors to get upset. But obviously you're fine. I'll go now." You only made it a few steps when Steve called out to you. You stopped and looked back at him.

Steve practically marched over to you. In a low voice, he said, "I think I'm going to have to sleep elsewhere tonight again. But I was hoping to spend some time with you first." You gave a slight smile. "Are you sure that's a good idea? It's pretty obvious how Sharon feels about me. Pretty sure the whole building knows now." Steve shrugged. "I don't care. As much as I want things to work out between us, I can't let Sharon tell me who I can or can't be friends with."

"Steve, fix it. I know you can. I'll order a pizza just in case and maybe I'll see you later. But Sharon needs your attention now." You didn't wait for him to respond as you turned on your heel and went back to your apartment. When the yelling didn't pick up again, you assumed Steve and Sharon had finally stopped fighting and started talking. You were wrong. Steve appeared at your door less than an hour later.

You opened the door, thinking it was the pizza, but were surprised to see your friend instead. His eyes were red-rimmed and his cheeks were stained with tears. "S-Steve? What happened?" He sniffled and, before you could say anything, his muscular arms engulfed you in a hug. "It's over, Y/N," he whispered. You shushed him quietly and pulled him inside. "It's okay," you cooed. You held Steve until he finished crying.

When was done, Steve pulled back. "I'm sorry." You smiled and gave his arm a pat. "Nothing to apologize for. Now what happened?" Steve proceeded to tell you exactly what the two had talked about after you'd left. Sharon had basically said that she didn't trust Steve around you. That she could tell there was something more than friendship between you. Steve, in no uncertain terms, had told her that she wasn't going to control who his friends were and that if he wanted to spend time with you or anyone while Sharon was at work, then he would. The next thing he knew, he was calling it quits with her.

"Oh, Steve. I'm so sorry. I swear I never meant for this to happen." Steve shook his head. "It's not your fault. You tried to get me to work it out. You've been a great friend." The bell rang. "Go sit down while I grab the pizza." Steve quietly moved to do what you said. His shoulders were slumped in defeat and you felt for the man. The day had really taken its toll on him.

After you got the pizza, you set the box on Steve's lap and sat next to him. "Steve, are you gonna be okay?" He nodded. "Yeah. I think so. I just need time to process." You let out a sigh. "You can stay here tonight if you need to. I'll put fresh sheets on the bed for you. I'll take the couch." Steve shook his head. "I can't take your bed, Y/N." You held up your hand, silencing his argument. You reached over and cupped his cheek. "Steve, it's really fine. It's not like you can fit comfortably on my couch."

Steve stared into your eyes for a moment. He looked deep in thought. As you were about to ask him what he was thinking about, he drew closer to you. "Maybe Sharon was right to be worried," he whispered before he let his lips press to yours. The pizza sat forgotten in his lap for a brief moment until you pulled away.

"Steve, we can't. You just ended things with Sharon. You're vulnerable and not thinking straight." It nearly killed you to say the words, but you didn't want Steve to act rashly about this. And you certainly didn't want to prove Sharon right. "You need time, Steve." He let out a loud groan and ran his hand through his short locks. "I know!" You jumped at his suddenly sharp tone.

He seemed to sense that he'd upset you. "I'm sorry, Y/N. Sharon was right. I guess, deep down, I could picture something between us. But you're right too. I don't want to rush into anything. It could just be my emotions going crazy after everything that's happened over the past couple of days." You smiled at him. "It's alright. Let's just eat some pizza, drink a little, and enjoy some time together. As friends."

"And things won't change between us?" You shook your head firmly. "Not at all. And if, after a little time, you still want to give us a try, I'll be more than happy to try with you." Steve smiled through the tears in his eyes."I think I can agree to that." You squeezed his hand lightly. "Good. Now stop hogging the pizza." Steve grinned, picked up the box with one hand and held it just out of your reach. "What? This pizza?" You glare playfully at him and tried to grab it. "Too slow, Y/N." Your giggles filled the apartment before Steve brought the pizza back down and opened the box. You had to admit, it was the greatest night you'd spent with your best friend so far. And maybe one day, it would turn into something more.