"I know you do. And I think that's why I knew I loved you even before I said it. You, like me, feel more than people realize. Than should even be possible, really. It's a gift and a curse, both at the same time, depending how you look at it." To feel so deeply in such a complicated, depressing world and to come out in one piece was a difficult thing for anyone, but they were both managing. And especially for Steve, who had to hide in many aspects how deeply he loved, simply because of who he loved, well, she had such a respect for him and his struggles that he would never truly understand. Many saw him as the smaller of his friends. Maybe even weaker, but he was the furthest thing from it. To her, he was the absolute strongest. But she was well aware of her own bias on the matter. "I know whatever finding happiness looks like outside involves you, Stephen Cornfoot. I hope you realize that." Giving him a small, sweet smile she looked down at their hands, a slight blush then gracing her features.
"Just think... when it all ends, we'll be able to conquer anything. All of us. Because there's nothing that is harder and more challenging to survive than what we've been through. Disease, murder, racism, ...racial cleansing," even saying it out loud, a dark, pained look crossed her face. But that's exactly what the wolves were, and anyone who thought differently had no idea of how history truly informed their present. "Terror, loss, trauma." She sighed, shaking her head as though she was simply shaking off the words as she said them. "We all make an impact, love, every day we refuse to let them win, right?"
Slipping her arms around his waist then, she pressed her face into his chest, slowly nodding with his words. He was right, and even if he wasn't, he at least made her feel better. That meant the world. "Okay, we can do that," she said softly, liking the idea of safety, even if it was a challenging concept. But not even for herself right then, but maybe the idea that she could help others. "I think Cleo is going to be sad when I leave, so give her extra love for me, promise?"