Nice To Meet You
Saying hello is always the hardest part.
Christmas parties almost always sucked.
Steve had borne witness to so many terrible gatherings in December that he had started hiding after age six. If they were at home, he would squirrel away peanut butter and sleeves of crackers at least two weeks in advance, worried they would somehow disappear- as if his mother would bother to set foot in his room. He had found coat checks and the vacant corridors of most banquet halls were exceptionally good for passing the time, even if he would have to brave a gathering for something to eat.
He sometimes wished he read or had talent with Crayons, but the time passed at every party, slow and steady as it always did.
The party of eighty-three had been an exception, and even that evening had consisted of Ted Wheeler rambling on about whatever upset him in modern America while Nancy had pretended she was still in love with him. Karen had been nice enough, happy to entertain company while the evening spiralled around them.
Eighty-seven had almost been nice.
Finish it on ao3!