Re: [Outside Vade: Atticus/Steve]
"Old enough to know people think differently about a lot of things. The key is finding people whose differences fit with ours. Could never date a Republican, for example." Was joking when he said that. Wasn't particularly loud when it came to his political opinions, but he certainly had opinions. Was listening now, however, not opining. "Think we have a different opinion about dating. Talking about dating isn't the same as dating, in my opinion. Kissing a few times doesn't make anything official either. Think dating is about actually dating and getting to know someone in order to become something more. Never got there with Janus. But I think Janus' opinion, for what it's worth, is more aligned with yours. It's why he cut things off with me to begin with. Wanted a commitment. Can't do that blind." Curiously: "Think him being young affected things for you?"
They were seated, then. Atticus smiled when Steve's foot bumped into his. "Nervous?" he asked. Atticus wasn't nervous. "Don't think you need to apologize to me for a little foot contact," he added, taking a sip of his drink after. "Not an expert about these things, Steve, but it wasn't working how it was. Would have liked it to work, yes, but wasn't happy when it was happening. Swallow down that beer and tell me about Peggy. Assume your relationship with her defines what you're looking for. I don't have a template. For me, this is all a first."