Gah! This chapter came out way longer than expected and I have SUPER mixed feelings about it. Lemme know what you think, thanks for all the love, and hope you guys enjoy!

P.S. One more chapter til drama, WHOO!

The plan was simple you were going to get Steve wasted! There was no doubt in your mind that he would be an amazing drunk. Either from being hilarious or adorable you weren't sure yet, but you were dead set on finding out. You'd challenged him to a drink off feeling rather confident in your skills and had let Rex know to keep the shots coming until one of you was on the ground. Rex had even made a deal with Steve that if he could outdrink you the tab would be on the house. It was the prefect plan!

"You can't beat me in a drinking contest."

Usually the pregame trash talk came off as arrogant or patronizing, Steve just seemed amused by the idea.

"Don't underestimate me, I've beaten nearly every regular here at the game!"

"Y/N, I promise you, you can't outdrink me. It's just not possible."

Jen set the first round on the table and you threw Steve a wink as you picked up your glass, "We'll see!"

Steve shook his head but there was no hiding the amused grin on his face, "I warned you…"

It was around the fifth round that you started feeling it. The warm tingles had successfully spread through your body and you just felt OH so relaxed. You tried hard to fight the lazy grin that kept trying spread across your face as you stared down at your opponent. Steve stared back simply looking amused and completely unfazed by the liquor. Half of you felt upset that he wasn't showing any affect from the booze, the other half just couldn't help but smile at that adorable twinkle he got in his eye when he looked so happy and entertained.

Round eight is when things started getting a little trickier…

"You feeling ok?"

You stared Steve down with the hardest glare you could muster; by the way he was fighting to keep from laughing you were starting to believe that it wasn't that intimidating.

"Oh, I'm just suuuuper!"

"You look a little unsteady there. Do you wanna stop?"

"In your dreams, blondie! I'm just getting started!"

Round eleven is when things started to get a little… spinny…

You almost fell out of your chair, you're not sure why but the room just seemed to decide to turn sideways for a few moments and you didn't adjust in time. You caught yourself just as Steve appeared by your side to help balance you.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, just a little tipsy," You mumble unable to hide your slurs.

Steve gave you a skeptical look, "Just tipsy?"

"Yeah, Steve! Falling out of chairs is part of being tipsy. See you tip, and then you go 'weeeeee'!"

Purposely tipping yourself over to prove your point probably wasn't the best idea, but luckily Steve was there to catch you.

Round fifteen is where you stopped.

"Really, Y/N?! First time I bet on you and you lose?!"

Rex's voice rang out through the now mostly empty bar, but you couldn't see him, all you could see was the weirdly shifting ceiling.

"Steve?"

"I'll cover both our tabs," you could hear Steve but you couldn't see him.

"Steve?"

"That's not the point!"

"Steve?"

"Yeah, Y/N?"

"…I'm drunk."

"I know, Y/N."

The sound of a woman snickering was heard before Jen's face popped into your view, "I've never seen her this trashed before."

"Jen?"

"Oh no, you don't! You've been calling out Steve's name for the last twenty minutes, you are notmoving onto me!"

"Jen?"

"No!"

"Jen?!"

"Forget it!"

"…Steve?"

"Yeah, Y/N?"

"The room won't stop spinning… I want off…"

Steve's amused face appeared in front of you a couple seconds later, "I'm gonna help you up, okay?"

On the count of three strong arms pulled you up and you wobbled as the world spun violently around you before coming to a shaky stop.

"Wow… I am drunk…."

Jen let out a laugh, "Yeah, we know, Y/N. You've told Steve here at least four times."

"No, I mean… I am seriously shitfaced… Rex, can I get a hug?"

The large man stared you down with a scowl, "After losing tonight? Hell no!"

"So mean," you mumbled, but didn't put up a fight as Steve helped keep you standing, "Jen?"

You held out your arms in a silent request for a hug while throwing her your best drunken puppy dog eyes, unfortunately this meant letting go of Steve and almost tipping over.

"Yeah, how bout we not until the next time I'm sure you won't accidentally barf on me," she replied, watching Steve catch and rebalance you before her lips curled into a wicked grin, "Why don't you give Steve a hug?"

Of course! It was so obvious! Steve was standing right there so you wouldn't even have to risk walking and if you were fast enough he wouldn't be able escape!

You heard Steve begin to say something before it was cut off by your arms quickly, and surprisingly strongly, wrapping around his waist with your head snuggling into his side. You could practically hear him blush as he awkwardly cleared his throat and the sound of Jen snickering filled the room.

"We should… I should probably get her home," Steve managed awkwardly trying to move towards the door with you securely wrapped around his waist.

"Alright, you two be careful out there. And hey," Rex caught Steve's arm in a vice grip before growling out in a tone that only forty odd years of smoking and bourbon could accomplish, "No funny business, right?"

You felt Steve stiffen before giving a nod, "Right."

Suffice to say Rex must have found something in Steve that he liked because after only a moments pause the two of you were once again moving towards the door. Jen yelled out a quick good-bye, which you returned with maybe just a little too much enthusiasm. As the door shut behind your duo and the cool air spread around you some part of Steve seemed to relax a bit. You felt more than heard the amused huff he let out and tilted your head up to see his amused smile.

"You plannin' on stayin' like that the whole walk?"

There was that hint of an accent again; you were going to have to ask about that at some point. Playing over his question in your head you felt that you really did want to stay like that. He was comfy, smelled nice, and his body heat helped stave off the slight chill in the air. But even your inebriated mind knew that this wasn't a very practical way to travel, so you slowly removed your arms.

"Nah, I feel like getting home sometime before Christmas."

Despite your comment having Steve half carry you down the sidewalk was still just about as slow as if you'd just hung onto him, this for some reason made you pout.

"This is taking forever!"

"We're almost there."

Almost wasn't close enough you turned to say before realizing just how much taller Steve was than you. And you were sure he was stronger. An idea popped into your head bringing your feet, and Steve's as well, to a stop.

"What's wrong?"

"Can I get a piggy back ride?"

Steve looked at you for a moment seeming to really think over your request before simply turning around and crouching low enough for you to get on. With an enthusiastic 'Yes!' you threw yourself on his back. Momentarily forgetting the laws of physics (again) all your weight landed straight on Steve who surprisingly didn't budge an inch. His arms linked under your knees as yours wrapped around his shoulders and you couldn't stop the small giggle that came out as he stood back up to his full height.

"I haven't had a piggy back ride since I was a kid!"

"Yeah? I've never given one."

"What?! But you're so good at it!"

The feel and sound of Steve's laughter made you immediately realize just how little sense that comment made.

"Shut up... you know what I meant," you mumbled, burying your face in the back of Steve's increasingly warm neck.

"No, I think you lost me on that one, doll."

"Doll… that's a cute pet name… I should start calling people by pet names more often…"

You continued to mumble incoherent thoughts into the back of Steve's neck as he carried you towards your apartment. Steve listened to whatever new random thought slipped out of your mouth, occasionally commenting and almost always laughing before you tired yourself out and silently enjoyed the ride. After awhile you recognized yourself as being only a few more blocks from your building when a thought occurred.

"Steve?"

"Yeah, Y/N?"

You were going to have to remember to thank Steve for his patience in the morning; this man was truly a saint.

"Did you cheat?"

"At what?"

"The drinking contest. We both drank a lot, but you're not even tipsy."

Steve sighed, "I warned you; I can't get drunk."

"But… how?"

Steve was quiet for a minute as he seemed to think over how to answer you, "I have a… really high metabolism."

"Oh… so never?"

"Never."

"…That sucks."

Steve let out a humorless chuckle, "Sometimes, yeah… a lot. But it comes in handy."

"How?"

"Helps me win drinking contests for one and if you ever need a designated driver I'm your guy."

You let out a chuckle, "I don't have a car!"

"Well, we can take my bike some time."

"You have a motorcycle?!"

"Yep."

"Could you… would you take me for a ride someday?"

You could hear the smile in Steve's voice, "Sure thing, doll."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

The two of you lulled back into a friendly silence for awhile before Steve's voice came back a little softer.

"It also helps keep me focused… not being able to get drunk means not being able to distract or numb yourself from the things that hurt or scare you. Without having something like that to use as a crutch forces you to face your problems instead of just hiding from them… least in my case."

You thought over Steve's words for a few moments before letting out a sigh and tightening yours arms around his shoulders.

"Steve, you're really strong."

He chuckled, "You're not that heavy."

You gave his shoulder a playful slap, "Tell that to my scale. But that's not what I meant."

He sighed, "I know."

"I get it, ya know?" You buried your face in his shoulder not sure if you were comforting him or yourself, "When things have gotten bad, and they've gotten really bad, all I feel like I can do is hide. But you… you're really strong."

You barely heard the soft 'Thanks, doll' as the conversation seemed to die off. The rest of the trip was in silence as Steve carried you into the building, up the stairs, and carefully planted you on your feet. Finding your keys was easy getting them in the lock was less so, but with Steve's help, yet again, you safely made it across the threshold.

"Thanks, schnookums!"

Steve raised an amused but inquisitive eyebrow, "What?"

"Hey, it's my first try at this whole cute pet names thing, don't judge! You make it seem so easy…"

"Right… Well, are you gonna be alright on your own from here?"

"Steve, I'm an adult. This is not my first time drunkenly stumbling around this apartment. You just be sure to be here tomorrow morning at… let's say eight. That way we can eat breakfast and have all day to spend at the Art Fest!"

Steve gave an exasperated but amused shake of his head before surrendering with a smile, "Yes, ma'am."

"Night, Steve!"

"Good-night, Y/N."

You shut the door without being able to wipe off the grin on your face. You felt light and carefree, tired but excited for what tomorrow would bring. You were ready to fall into bed and slip into that peaceful void of sleep that being plastered got you. And fall you did. With a loud thump that bounced off the walls of your apartment you suddenly found yourself face down on your carpet. You weren't even sure how it happened things just went black for a second and suddenly had the eyelevel of an ant.

'So much for being an adult…'

Your thoughts were interrupted by a sudden frantic knocking on your door.

"Y/N?! Y/N?!"

"…Steve?"

"Are you ok?"

"…yeah…"

"Can I come in?"

"'Course."

Steve opened the door and looked almost horrified to see you lying on the ground and was at your side in an instant, "Are you ok?"

"Yes, yeah, I'm fine. I just… thought I'd sleep here tonight…"

Steve's look of concern quickly melted into exasperated disbelief, "On the floor?"

"It's surprisingly comfy."

With a sigh and a quiet 'alright' that was directed more at himself than at you, Steve flipped you over onto your back before scooping you up in his arms. A surprised and embarrassing squeal burst from your mouth and you quickly turned to glower at the now smirking Steve.

"Not. One. Word."

"Didn't say nothin."

"Yeah, but you were thinkin it."

The smirk grew. Steve carried to your room, carefully placing you on your bed before removing your jacket and shoes.

"I could've done that myself."

"I know," something about his mannerisms made you doubt that, but then he was wrapping your blanket around you, tucking you in, and… did letting someone take care of you always feel this nice?

You watched Steve leave the room, your breathing already slow and steady and your body feeling like it was floating. By the time he returned keeping your eyes open was starting to burn.

"You're probably gonna want this in the morning," Steve said in not quite a whisper, but more a soft hum as he set down a cold glass of water at your bedside.

"Thanks."

"See you in the morning. 'Night, doll."

"'Night, snicker doodle."

You just barely caught Steve's amused face before he turned out the light and shut your bedroom door.

'He makes it seem so easy…'

Your eyes drifted across the room one last time before landing on the bottle of pills that sat on top of your dresser. You lifted your arm in a poor attempt to will the bottle to your hand before dropping it back on the bed. You tried to convince your body to stand but everything just felt too heavy. You were comfy and exhausted and… Steve had worked so hard tucking you into bed. With a small sigh you reasoned that you could miss one night. As darkness filled your vision you began to mentally list some new nickname ideas to try out on Steve; you got up to three.