Yep, definitely like this chapter better. It was just so much fun to write!

Side note, I just recently reread the summary I wrote for this story and is it just me or does it really suck? lol xD
I know we haven't really started hitting the juicy parts of the story yet, but if anyone has any better ideas please lemme know. I'd really appreciate it!

Side side note, this one goes out to WMaldonado89 who called me out on my bullshit! The last chapter and this one were actually one long chapter, but it seemed to prattle on forever and I wasn't sure if the scenes transitioned well so I split it in two. You caught me! xP

A Hole in the Wall was a hole in the wall biker bar that you'd come to for years. You'd made friends with many of the patrons and the violent 'no shits given' atmosphere had never really bothered you. In fact, you'd never really noticed how loud, obnoxious, and just plain dangerous the place felt until you brought Steve. The two of you stood side by side along the bar watching as despite the near shoulder to shoulder crowd the only two bartenders on duty were occupied; one leaning halfway across the bar to flirt with a patron and the other getting into an almost physical fight with a drunk. It was nothing out of the ordinary and didn't faze you; no, what got your attention was Steve. You'd taken friends to places like here before, even ones around Steve's size, and the results had always been the same. They'd either get really nervous and leave or they'd get really nervous but stay, and 9 out of 10 times end up knocked out on the floor. The thing was Steve didn't look nervous. He didn't look intimidated or threatened. He stood at his full height, seeming somehow even taller than usual, and you'd seen him scan the room as you'd made your way through, but never had it come across as fear induced. He didn't seem alert or on edge, he just seemed… Ready.

"Where's the bathroom?" Blue eyes met yours and his voice somehow seemed to project through the noise without having to yell.

"Follow the back wall to a hallway and then it'll be on your right! But I can't guarantee that you'll want to use it!"

Steve gave an amused smile and a quick nod of thanks before effortlessly making his way through the crowd.

"Just when I think I've got you all figured out," you mumbled to yourself as you watched him leave.

Your eyes shifted over the crowd around you with a sigh. Steve was becoming quite the conundrum. Granted you hadn't meant to take him to a biker bar this soon in your friendship, you were honestly just so used to mixing with so many different types of people that you forgot that not all of them got along so well. But Steve had surprised you. Adorable, sweet, terrified of accidentally insulting a woman Steve had completely thrown you off by not immediately running in the opposite direction the moment the doors opened and one of the patrons was being 'escorted' out after breaking a pool cue on another patron's head. Hey, those things aren't free.

"Well, well, Y/N L/N. Imagine running into you here."

Oh God….

Despite the sudden rush of disgust that filled you, you turned around to meet caramel eyes with a feigned air of nonchalance.

"Trevor."

"Haven't seen you around in awhile."

"Been busy."

"Can imagine. Saw your new toy. Damn, you move on fast! Can't say I'm surprised…"

"He's not a toy, he's a friend. And what the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Just funny how quickly you can jump from warming one person's bed to another."

"It was two years ago. Get over it! I have."

"So, I've noticed. Thought you weren't into blondes… or does that not matter when they're inbetween your legs?"

Your face twisted in disgust as you turned away from him, "This conversation's over."

A hand grabbed your arm and pulled you back around and you fought the urge to snap it back, "Don't. Touch. Me."

Your voice came out in more of a hiss that would send most people away but Trevor just eyed you with that carefree smirk that drove you crazy. If you'd had a drink in hand you knew it'd be all over his face in that instant.

"Come on, Y/N, I know you."

"You don't know shit."

"I know you used to say you loved me."

If looks could kill this moron would be engulfed in flame, "Well, I was an idiot."

He leaned in closer, "Yeah, leaving me was a mistake, but we can still-"

"No, me ever being involved with you was a mistake. Leaving was one of the smartest things I've ever done."

There it was, that tiny spark of barely hidden rage lit in his eyes. Good, let him get angry! You were angry! His grip on your arm tightened but you were ready for a fight. Almost wanted it. Huh, maybe you weren't completely over your past with him…

"Let's stop this game-"

"I was never playing."

"-I know that guy you're with is just a rebound. But I don't care what you've done with him! I'm willing to forgive you and maybe even take you back."

Take me?! Forgive me?!

You felt yourself become so enraged that you couldn't even form a response. So many thoughts scrambled through your mind before one finally just burst from your mouth without preamble, "What is wrong with you?!"

"…What?"

"After everything, everything you put me through you seriously think that I'd ever want to be anywhere near you again?! And not only that but you've somehow convinced yourself that you were the victim?! How? How is it even possible for you to be so narcissistic, so horrifyingly self-centered and stupid to be able to look me in the eye, after everything you put me through, and tell me I was in the wrong?"

His grip on your arm tightened, "You need me…"

"I don't need anyone. And I don't want you."

He leaned back with a huff, licking his lips as he eyed you a moment in thought. God, you used to find that habit attractive on him, now it just reminded you of a snake…

"So, does your little boyfriend know? Does he know what happens when you're not hopped up on your happy pills?"

"Not that you ever cared, but funny you should mention that because I haven't had an incident since I left you."

"Give it time…"

When your only response to him was a cold glare, he gave you another insufferable smile, "You're broken, Y/N. We both know it. And whether or not you want to it admit it, we both know that I was the best thing to ever happen to you."

You sighed and moved to get up, this conversation clearly not going anywhere, but a stern grip kept you back.

"Let go, Trevor," you warned, perfectly ready to clock him one even with his hold on your primary arm.

"Why do you insist on making this difficult on both of us?"

"The lady said let go."

You both turned to see Steve standing beside you, eyes locked dangerously on Trevor. Trevor had the decency to look startled for a moment before the expression melted back into an easygoing grin.

"She's no lady, pal."

When Steve's glare didn't falter Trevor gave your arm an extra hard squeeze before releasing it, you felt a small burst of pride from not flinching.

"Relax, man, me and Y/N here are old friends," he said raising his hands.

"Really? That exchange didn't look very friendly to me."

"It wasn't. And you're not my friend, Trevor."

At that Trevor stood and made a move towards you, surprising you enough to make you take a step back, "What the fucks your problem?!"

Steve was inbetween the two of you in a second, his arm shielding you from any further moves Trevor might make.

"Hey, don't fuckin touch me, man," Trevor warned looking more and more on edge.

That's right, you'd forgotten about his strange inferiority complex when it came to other men. It made him jumpy, easily angered, and possessive.

"Back. Off."

Trevor licked his lips clearly considering whether or not to listen to Steve's warning and if he could take him on in a fight. Steve was a good bit taller than Trevor and looked stronger too, but you knew Trevor. He fought dirty and always carried a couple weapons on his person. A fight would not be a good idea, especially in A Hole in the Wall where the few people who did register the tense atmosphere would simply move to the side and let what happens happen.

Before you could voice your concerns and pull your new friend out of the fire that you'd accidentally started Trevor turned to leave, before stopping at the last moment and taking a swing. You'd seen your share of fights, you'd been in a few yourself, but you'd never seen someone actually catch their attackers punch; and yet that's exactly what Steve did. He almost looked exasperated as he shoved Trevor's fist back, knocking him down in the process.

"We don't have to do this. Just walk away."

Trevor was good at a few things, knowing when to walk away was not one of them. He went at Steve again and again, every attack easily being rebuffed. Until finally he did what part of you knew he inevitably would; Trevor pulled out a knife.

"Steve!"

You didn't know if your voice could be heard over the chaos of the bar. Some people yelling bets over the fight, others ignoring it, some currently in fights of their own, and you could swear some asshole had just turned up the music to drown it all out! Your insides felt like ice as you watched Trevor run at your new friend. Sweet Steve who'd helped you out when you'd needed him, adorable Steve who'd painted with you on the roof, awkward Steve who couldn't talk to women or work ATM machines. Steve, your friend, who was about to be stabbed in a bar because of a stupid tiff you had with an ex. Your nerves were electric, your body tensed and ready to spring inbetween the two of them. Not sure what you could do but unwilling to just watch, your feet moved of their own accord, and then…it was over.

In all of five seconds Steve had grabbed Trevor by the wrist, swung him around, and slammed him against a table twisting his arm behind him in what looked like a very painful hold. The knife dropped from Trevor's hand, his other arm thrashed trying desperately to reach for another weapon before Steve's voice stopped him, "Try it."

It was both a dare and a threat and said in a tone you never imagined Steve even being able to make, but it got Trevor to still.

"Let go, man! Fuck! My arm! You're breaking my fucking arm!"

"You still wanna fight?"

"No! You win! Fuck! Just let go!"

A few cheers and groans were heard around you as the betting patrons all swapped their cash and dispersed, but Steve's hold didn't give an inch. Blue eyes met your own softening only a fraction as he kept Trevor subdued, "You okay?"

Were you okay?! You didn't even know how to answer that! Sure, you were a little shaken. The adrenaline was still pumping through your body and you had a small tremor, but that's because Steve was just in a knife fight! Sweet, adorkable Steve who you hadn't imagined could hurt a fly. And now he was asking if you were okay. Attacker still in his hands and he was concerned about you! Your mind came up blank and you were just barely able to give him a shaky nod. It seemed to placate Steve enough that he returned his attention to a still cursing Trevor.

"Is she okay?! Fuck her, man! You're breaking my fuckin arm! That bitch can blow-OW!"

Steve's grip tightened as he twisted Trevor's arm back just a smidge, "What was that?"

"Nothing, man, nothing!"

"Good. Here's what's going to happen, I'm going to let you go and you're gonna walk out those doors and never look back. You're never going to touch her again or talk to her. If you ever see that she's in the same room as you, you're going to keep your head down and silently leave. Is that clear?"

Trevor thumped his head against the bar in a last small show of defiance before growling out his response, "Crystal."

With that Steve released him, standing by in case he tried anything else. But Trevor simply threw some crumpled bills on the bar to cover his tab, sent you the nastiest glare he could manage, and walked away holding his injured arm. You watched him leave in shock, this was not how you expected the evening to end. Trevor had been harassing you on and off since your break up and in less than half an hour Steve had gotten him to promise to leave you alone for life. Who knew if it would stick, but… wow.

"You sure you're okay?"

You looked up to see big blue eyes filled with nothing but concern and honestly had to take a moment to gather yourself.

"Am I?! Steve, that was incredible! How did you-! And when he-! That was so cool! I have to… thank you!"

Steve's cheeks tinged a slight pink seeming to transform him back into the Steve that you were used to, "It was no problem… He shouldn't have treated you that way."

"Well, I have to thank you!" Your eyes quickly scanned the room in desperation, "Let me buy you a drink!"

"No, really, you don't have to! Anyone would have-"

"Steve," you placed a hand on Steve's arm, looking into his eyes and allowing yourself to be sincere for a moment, "No one has ever stood up for me like that before. That was by far the coolest and sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. Let me thank you."

Steve's eyes held yours for a while before shyly dropping away and returning with a smile, "Okay."

With a grin you led him back to the bar, him stopping to give a polite but disinterested nod to the occasional pat on the shoulder and muttered 'good fight' along the way. When you reached the bar both bartenders continued to look busy doing anything but serving drinks.

"How are we supposed to get their attention?"

"It's easy, you just gotta know the magic words," you answered with a wink before leaning over the bar, "Hey, fat ass, is that a new haircut or did you lose a fight with a flame thrower?!"

Steve quickly pulled you back looking at you with a mix of confusion and disbelief as the large bartending man turned around with a scowl, "Who the f-"

His face transformed from anger, to shock, to pure amusement as his eyes fell on you, "Well, if it isn't, Y/N. Haven't seen you around in awhile, kid."

"Been keeping busy."

The large man let out a snort, "I'm sure."

"This is my friend, Steve. Steve, this is Rex."

"Pleasure," Steve said holding out his hand.

Rex gave Steve a once over, quickly assessing him before giving a small nod of approval and roughly shaking his hand, "Pleasures all mine. Watch out for this one, she's a little troublemaker."

"What?! No, I'm not!"

"So, I guess it wasn't you're ex and new friend I just saw smashing up my bar with their bodies."

You and Steve both shared an awkward look, "That… that could've happened to anyone…"

"And yet it's almost always you," you opened your mouth to protest but Rex quickly shut you down with a wave of his hand, "Go grab yourselves a seat and I'll send Jen over with your usual."

"First rounds on me!" You called as the two of you wandered through the crowd to find a table.

As you took a seat you couldn't stop the twitching of your lips as you watched Steve once again scan the crowd, "Ok, so I've gotta ask. Where'd you learn to fight like that?"

Steve looked at you for a minute before rubbing the back of his neck a little sheepishly, "A lot of places really… Got into a lot of fights when I was younger. Picked up a lot of tips from the other guys while they beat me up."

Steve's self-deprecating grin told you it was something he now laughed about but the idea of him being hurt didn't sit well with you, "That's awful."

"Well, I kind of started most of them," the mischievous glint in his eye aided with the very idea of Steve going around picking fights made you let out an amused snort. "I also learned a bit of stunt work from when I was in theatre."

"You were in theatre?"

"Yep, punched Hitler in the face over two-hundred times. Not many people can put that on their resume."

You tried and failed to hold back your snickers, not entirely sure how honest he was being, "No, not many can…"

"My best friend was also a boxer so he taught me some stuff and the rest I learned in the Army."

"I knew it!" You exclaimed snapping up and causing Steve to look at you in confused shock, "I knew you were ex-military!"

"…How?"

You waved off his question with a smile, "You all have this weird 'know my enemy' vibe. Hell, Rex over there is ex-Marine!"

Steve turned to look at him with interest, "Really?"

"Yep, quite a few of you guys frequent this little hole in the wall… Although, I guess I shouldn't clump you all into one group seeing as all the different branches I've met have been super competitive."

Steve turned back to the table to give you an innocent look, "I don't know what you mean."

You raised a skeptical brow, "Really? What's the best branch?"

Steve pretended to contemplate his answer before giving you an all-telling smile, "The Army."

"Yeah, that's what I thought."

You both shared an amused smile as Jen came by with your drinks. Setting them on the table while giving Steve a wink. You watched Steve give an awkward yet polite smile back, not seeming to really know what to do with the flirtatious attention. A devious smile pulled your lips as you prepared to make a teasing comment before freezing as concerned eyes met yours.

"How's your arm?"

You frowned looking down to notice for the first time that you'd been rubbing it, "Not too bad. Probably have a bruise tomorrow."

"Can I see?"

Taking a gulp of beer you gave a shrug before offering your arm over to the concerned blonde. It probably shouldn't have surprised you as much as it did but Steve handled you with a shocking amount of care, gently pulling up your sleeve before glaring at the skin below.

"Should've decked him one," he muttered, a slight accent you couldn't quite place ringing out.

"Whoa, easy tiger. It's just a bruise…" you trailed off upon noticing the red splotch slowly growing spots of green and purple. "Although… it does look a bit worse than I expected…"

You let out a small embarrassing squeal as Steve suddenly pressed his cold beer bottle against it, "How's that?"

"Not bad, soldier."

Steve gave an amused shake of his head as he kept the bottle pressed against your skin for a couple more minutes. You had to admit that it did feel pretty good, but you relinquished it back to him with a promise to ice it when you got home.

"Ya know, you seem pretty fresh off the boat," you announced mind wandering back to your previous topic.

"You could say that," Steve muttered while taking a pull from his beer.

"How long have you been back?"

Steve gave a small shrug, eyes seeming to look away at nothing, "About a month."

"A month?!" You stared at him in disbelief, but his eyes didn't seem to want to meet your own, "Well… welcome home."

You offered your beer bottle up to him for a toast a little confused by the startled look in his eyes. Had no one welcomed him back? You didn't like the idea of that possibility and let the thought trickle away at the soft grateful smile that lit up his face as he clinked his glass against yours, "Thanks."

You both fell into a comfortable silence before the warm look slowly faded from his face.

"You know, sometimes it doesn't really feel like home anymore. So many things changed and I missed them all. Everything's so different and most of the time I can't tell what's up from what's down…"

Holy shit, that's heavy…

You opened and closed your mouth a few times, eyes darting away as you didn't know what to say and Steve seemed to pick up on that, bashfully clearing his throat, "Sorry, I guess that was a little much…"

"No! No, I'm sorry," you said quickly reaching out to place your hand on his. "I just wish there was something I could say to make it all better…"

A silence fell between the two of you, the noise from the rest of the bar being drowned out as you both stayed swept up in your own thoughts.

"Steve, look, I know we don't know each other very well, but just know that I already think of you as a friend and if you ever need anything I'll be there."

You offered him a small smile that he hesitantly returned, "Thanks. I didn't mean to bring down the mood."

You let out a snort, "You? Your ex wasn't the one who showed up out of nowhere and tried to stab people."

Steve gave you a wry smile, "True, that did put a bit of a damper on things."

You laughed giving his hand a squeeze before letting it go, "Well, I did promise to get us plastered so let's liven things back up!"