Entry #1: Steve Burnside X Sherry Birkin

Kind of Pair: Romantic

Word Count: 1,129


"You really are made of steel, you know that?"

Sherry stared at him funny, rolling her eyes with a wry smile, "Right. Having lock-picking skills makes you a man of steel."


How his life went from trying to survive a real nightmare, to trying to survive a real problem, was out of Steve's reach. The real problem was similar to his old nightmare, and that was losing someone close to him, but he knew that woman can make it out alive. Nothing could stop her from fighting with justice.

Even with his diet. Sherry kept forcing him to eat his vegetables because they were healthier than jerky. Come on, he was basically living on a time bomb, he wanted to make the best out of his second chance.


In order to live a normal life, one had to live in a not-so normal life. Sherry had to work with the government with the incident rooting back from 1998. Honestly, she enjoyed the change. It made her stronger, better, and smarter. Though she couldn't say she would beat Claire in terms of combat, her dream mother may be working without much violence, she still had the skills to slay monsters without breaking a single sweat.

She glanced at her boyfriend, and she slightly frowned. Way back they met, Sherry wondered how in the world did Claire managed to stand Steve. He was annoying, stubborn and immature. Then she remembered she saw the good side behind the bad; he was a child at heart. At a young age, he had his normal life taken away from him. Similar to her, yes, but comparing who had it worse wouldn't make it better.


"Do we choose any color besides blue?" Steve observed the table napkin being unfolded for check up. It was colored navy blue, and the one they already owned was ocean blue. Couldn't they get orange, like his hair?

Sherry shrugged, her cheeks flushed from embarrassment. The manager awkwardly glanced between the copy, but she didn't utter a word. Steve rolled his eyes and tapped his foot, waiting for her decision. Sherry spotted another color of the same material, quickly reaching up to take it. She shoved it to the manager, her head lowered to hide the shame, "I'll take this one instead!"

It was colored pink. What even? Steve internally groaned from misery. She just chose the color that was always paired with blue.


Why bother going to the barber to get your hair styled? You only need a scissor, and a reference for your hair style! Steve was confident he would perform better than an average barber, and so he snipped his hair as he whistled a tune.

Hours later, he wished he'd never done that. Sherry remarked he looked silly trying to imitate Leonardo, and it didn't suit him well because he was already in his early thirties, it just didn't blend well with him.

In short, Steve screwed up. And Sherry had to fix it.


Usually, people kept pursuing their first love, and would do anything in their power to succeed. With the state he was in, why would he pursue the fully grown woman, who used to be young like him? It would be foolish, and forceful. Of course, he wouldn't get another girl just because he blew the chance away on the first female he tried to court.

And sometimes, mutual affection didn't always end up with two people falling in love. Jake still kept in touch with her, but he never pursued on asking her on a romantic date. An unknown barrier was preventing them, and she couldn't bring herself to initiate. She guessed it was better that way. She was contented, after all.


Few seconds before New Year hits. It was time to embrace the fact that he was alive and well, functioning like a normal human being. His appearance weren't any different, a little paler, yes, but still in normal range. His eyes a bit darker, but not enough to pose a threat. His hair still retained its bright reddish-orange hue, and it still felt like a normal hair.

Yes, it was time to let go and move on. Be free from the past, and journey through the future with his new partner. His best friend, his lover, his future wife: Sherry Birkin.


Always a morning person, Sherry went on a daily jogging routine on her backyard. After that, she went through a home-made challenges she built to stay fit, when out from the government. They were kind enough to let her live on her own home, just within their range so if something happened, they'll be quick to respond.

Unfortunately, Sherry had to cook breakfast before she wakes up Steve. That man was so lazy, she had to urge him to perform various activities with her. Fortunately, he obliged, but... His cockiness got the best of him, every time.


"He was paid for only fifty dollars, for all the shit you two had been through?"

Sherry smiled, "Yes. He may not look like it, but he's actually a pretty nice guy."

"Huh," Steve looked at her dryly, "Something must have moved him," Grinning, he leaned closer to her, "Did you do something to melt his heart?"

Sherry was about to say something, but she remembered how mutually close they were. He caught the change of demeanor, grinning widely to tease her more. She quickly glanced away, hiding the forming blush of her cheeks.

"It's not like that, Steve!"

"I know," He laughed, patting the poor woman on her back, "I'm just testing ya."

Sherry glared at him, but only took a deep breath, "You and your jokes sometimes."


What a great way to start his life without being a guinea pig: meet someone who had the same acronym as him. Well, he knew he was being experimented on by the surroundings. He woke up bare and cold, with steel and iron wrapping him. This woman, her name was Ace, was it? Anyway, this woman brought someone along, chattering about how they were a bit similar on being Claire's little partners. Hearing the name Claire surely knocked sense on his whole body.

Next thing he knew, everything was a blur. He did remember getting on the blond's nerve. Sherry Birkin. Strangely enough, they do had the same acronym, and both were under Claire's care. Well, he did saved her on occasion, but that's beside the point. What he didn't know, on that meeting, he would be bound by this woman who was lucky enough to live and fight against bio-terrorism.

Steve prefer it that way.