"Right," Steven says, still a touch awkward. "No, no, I get it. I didn't mean to make it a big thing or anything. I just. I don't know. I thought it was nice when he did it, that's all. Even if it was about my future self and not this me. It was— just nice to know that some people do that. I guess. Fuck, I'm saying this all wrong."

After a moment he adds, "And it doesn't mean I liked my future self's best friend more than I like you. Because I don't. He was a cool guy, but you're my person and he wasn't yet." He frowns. "That sounded weirdly possessive, didn't it."