Steve made a soft noise as he stirred, the sunlight hitting his face, having been creeping along the desk for a while now, just reaching his face now though, interrupting his sleep. He lifted his head and blinked a few times, trying to get his eyes to focus. Why was he sitting at his desk again? Oh yeah… He had been reading and… His blanket was on his shoulders? He hadn't grabbed it… How had it... He paused, slowly putting two and two together, sitting there for a minute as he mulled through the options. Either it was magically put there, or…

"Was he in my house…?"

He mumbled aloud to himself, sitting back and drawing the blanket closer to himself. No other being could get through a locked door, and there was no way anyone or anything would've broken the lock on his door to just cover him up. He also definitely would've heard the lock being broken, it would've woken him up. He sighed heavily, groaning as he leaned back in the chair, letting his head fall back dramatically.

"What in the Nether do you want from meeeee?"

He whined aloud, wondering if Hero could even hear him, but hey at least it was worth a try. He wasn't sure what else to really do, so at this point asking a murderous psychopathic god what they wanted with you wasn't really that much of a stretch. He wasn't surprised when there was no answer, grumbling as he sat forwards, glancing out of the window that he was facing, pausing. He swore he had just seen a glimpse of a person…

"Oh this is just lovely."

He muttered sarcastically, getting up, letting the blanket fall onto the chair. He was honestly done at this point. Sure he was scared, but he was fed up too. He was fed up with being nervous and stressed. He marched outside, after sliding his shoes on of course, standing in the pathway, arms crossed over his chest angrily. He glanced around, but he didn't see anything, he felt like he was being watched though, he had to be here.

"What do you want with me?"

Steve asked aloud, his tone a lot more nervous than he had meant it to be, maybe this really wasn't a good idea after all…

"Are you sure you want to know the answer to that Steven?"

He spun around, his heart racing now. No one was there, but he had definitely heard that same voice from his dream. He felt a hand on his shoulder and he nearly screamed, whipping around to be face to, well, chest, with Hero. He looked up, his eyes wide, only greeted with that sharp toothed smile. He swallowed thickly, unsure of what to do now.

This had definitely been a terrible idea.

"Ocelot got your tongue~?"

Hero purred, sending a shudder through Steve. What was with this guy?

"What's it matter to you?"

Steve countered shakily, barely able to answer. Hero simply grinned, leaning closer to him, stooping down slightly so their faces were closer.

"To answer your question, I simply want you. Interpret it however you please, but that is my intention, and gods always get what they want."

He whispered huskily, smirking slightly as he moved back, Steve entirely taken aback. His cheeks flushed, his face growing hot as he stared up at Hero for the brief moment that he stayed, gone in a flash. He blinked a few times, trying to gather everything that had just occurred. Hero wanted him? What in the Nether was that supposed to mean? Did he want him like a slave or did he want him dead like a trophy? Or was it…

Oh no…

He didn't even want to think about that option. It wasn't even because Hero was a guy, it was the fact that he was crazy. Also the fact that he killed people for fun and he was probably on that list, or he was about to be. Hero was hiding now, watching him with a wide grin. This was just golden, watching him stand there, trying desperately to gather his bearings, practically squirming. He hadn't lied though, he did want Steve, and not in any way that would harm him. Well… unless you counted that, but it was a bit soon to be considering that yet.

Besides, he would be gentle…

Sort of…

Steve finally made his way back inside, sitting at the table in the kitchen for a minute. He needed to think. Out of those three options, dying was obviously the worst, but being captured alive to be some sort of slave wasn't really any better… He was also probably overthinking it, Hero had been so vague, he could've meant anything. This was driving him crazy, he wanted, no, needed to know what he meant, then again he was sure he would find out soon enough what he had meant. He reluctantly got up, tending to his cow before feeding himself and grabbing his inventory bag, deciding he would go mine again, as it tended to clear his head.

He grabbed his pick and some torches, heading off down the path, grumbling to himself as he thought, trying desperately to piece everything together. He wished Hero would at least be straightforward. He figured that if Hero had really wanted him dead he would've killed him already, and if he really just wanted him as a trophy or whatever that he would've been captured already. It was only slightly comforting for him to realize it must be the third option.

But why did Hero want him of all people? Well… he was the only other person besides villagers but still… Well, that was actually a pretty convincing argument in itself. He was probably lonely all by himself all the time… Steve had heard from the villagers that Notch had been working on creating other players, but as of the moment, he was the only one. He supposed it made sense then, he got lonely sometimes too but…

He was nervous.

He was nervous Hero didn't want to just be friends or… whatever else he wanted. He was nervous that if he got close to Hero that he would betray him, and it was nerve-wracking.

"You do know I wouldn't do that to you right?"

Steve jumped, whipping around to see Hero standing behind him.

"Don't scare me like that!"

"Well I didn't want to watch you hurt yourself over ridiculous non-realistic situations that you were coming up with in your head."

Steve grumbled, turning and continuing down the path, Hero in tow.

"Why are you still following me?"

"Have you ever considered that I have nothing better to do with my time?"

"Aren't you the king of the Nether? Don't you have important stuff to do there? And if you have nothing better to do with your time how am I supposed to believe that you aren't just messing with me and my emotions?"

"Because I'm not petty."

Hero replied simply, chuckling softly. He followed Steve, both of them walking in silence now, even after they entered the cave, Steve mined and Hero just followed aimlessly. Steve sighed, finally sitting down to take a break, looking over to Hero dejectedly.

"Would you tell me what you really want? I mean, I get you already told me but could you be a bit more direct?"

Hero gave a little chuckle, looking down at him from his position propped up against the wall, his arms folded across his chest.

"I already explained to you, I want you. It's very simple, and I am being direct. If I wanted you dead I would've killed you already, and if I wanted to capture you I would've done that already as well. So think Steven, you had three options didn't you? Maybe I just want some company."

Steve sighed heavily, looking up at him with a pout.

"Fine, I guess that's okay…"

He paused briefly, studying his face quietly.

"Just don't scare me anymore okay? I don't think I've ever been this nervous in the entirety of my life than I have in these past few days."

Hero laughed, a nice sound, hearty and genuine. Steve found himself in awe that the god seemed so personable.

"I think that can be arranged, although I do enjoy watching people fret. Then again I wouldn't have stopped you from overthinking things if I wanted you to worry."

Steve couldn't help but smile, laughing as well.

"Well that's actually comforting, thanks."

"Anything to soothe your nerves."

Steve grunted softly as he pushed himself up off the ground, stretching carefully.

"Well let's get going then, I thought and now I'm not nearly as worried so there's no need for us to hang around here anymore, besides it'll be dark soon and I want to get home before then."

Hero gave a little nod, pushing himself off the wall as Steve started towards the exit, Hero unable to help himself from looking over the entirety of him. He supposed he would have to work his way to what he really wanted, and it would be a long and arduous process. That or he could just speed things up and take it at a pace he was more comfortable with. He finally decided that it would be best to compromise. It would take a week, no more and no less. Of course Hero would help him along by giving him gifts and persuading him gently.

"Hey Hero?"

Steve asked softly, drawing the god's attention.

"Yes Steven?"

"I'm glad you talked to me."

Hero was a bit taken aback. People didn't particularly like him or enjoy his company, so it was a bit of a first.

"Of course…"

They continued out, Hero following Steve back to his home, Steve turning around to face him once they reached the path that lead to his door.

"Thanks for explaining yourself, I'm not nearly as nervous now. And thanks for keeping me company all day."

He gave a little smile, chuckling. Hero couldn't help but smile back, charmed by the miner's mannerisms.

"It's nothing. Goodnight Steven, sleep well."

With that Hero was gone, leaving Steve there to wonder about different things now, but wonder nonetheless. He was left wondering until he finally drifted off to sleep, his mind finally at ease.