𝐯.

Faith had just finished her write up for the previous night's game when her phone buzzed a few times from its spot on the nightstand. She was tired, as it was nearing two o'clock in the morning, so her first instinct was to let the texts go unanswered until after she'd gotten some sleep. But when she checked and saw it was Chris, Faith immediately swiped right to reply—if for nothing else but to satiate the curiosity of why he was up this late. And found her of all people interesting enough to talk to in the wee hours of a brand new day.

Chris 🤩

1:54am

Hey, you up?

Faith 💜

1:54am

Hi yeah I am for a little bit lol

You good?

The moment Chris had sent it, he wished that iMessage texts had an unsend feature like Instagram. Every rational bone in his body was screaming at him to not bother Faith. They were starting a friendship, sure, but she also had a life and career of her own. And no matter how big a fan she was it didn't give him the right to hit her up in the middle of the night.

But then, just like that, her reply effectively put his over anxious brain on pause for the time being. And warmed his heart a little, too, with her follow up question.

Chris 🤩

1:56am

I'm okay I guess. Just can't sleep :(

Faith took a moment to think of what she was going to reply with. It was public knowledge that Chris dealt with a social anxiety disorder, and often times it manifested in people in different ways. She wanted to convey to him that while she didn't exactly know what that felt like, if he wanted to talk then she was willing to listen.

Faith 💜

1:58am

What's distressing you rn?

Even if it doesn't make any sense?

Chris felt an unusual wave of calm sweep over him the minute he finished reading her words. Everyone that knew him personally dealt with his anxiety disorder mostly in ways that helped, but often times they made the situation worse. He could count on his hand how many times anyone's response to his mind scrambling every rationality he possessed made him feel better. And not just from an emotional standpoint, but a logical one as well.

And the thing was, he hadn't even mentioned to Faith that he was feeling that way. She'd somehow known. Sure, he hadn't exactly been quiet about it in public. And maybe he was reading too much into a few words in a gray bubble on his iPhone. But Faith knew. No, more than that—she understood.

Chris 🤩

1:59am

The future. Or lack thereof. I feel like I'm at a crossroads in my career right now and between what I've been doing and what I want to do, I feel lost.

2:00am

Playing Steve has been this huge part of me, and when Avengers 4 (don't even ask for the title 🤪) releases I feel like I won't have a purpose anymore despite everything in my stupid brain knowing that I can be more.

She lightly smiled at the title joke, although if there was anyone one could bank on to reveal spoilers for one of the most anticipated films next year, it would be Tom Holland. Her focus quickly shifted back to his confession, though. It broke her heart a little bit that he had such little confidence in himself and his abilities to move beyond the role everyone knew and loved him for, would always love him for.

Faith 💜

2:02am

First of all—your brain's not stupid, sir

No self deprecation in this household 😤

Chris 🤩

2:04am

😂

Faith 💜

2:05am

Secondly, you need to know that while yes people will always associate you with Steve, it doesn't mean you aren't fully capable of going beyond that

You always have and always will have a purpose, Chris. You don't have to figure out what it is rn, but you've touched so many lives just with your dorky smile.

2:06am

You will do great things because of who you are, not what you can do. Got it?

No attempt was made to keep himself from smiling. With each day that passed, it was becoming abundantly clear that he was lucky to know this woman. So, so lucky.

Chris 🤩

2:07am

Yes ma'am 💙

Btw I'm sorry if I messed up your sleep schedule or anything like that lol. But it's nice to have someone to talk to :)

Faith chuckled. He was too sweet for his own good. And, surprisingly enough, texting Chris had all but caused her sleepiness to disappear. Funny how that worked out...

Faith 💜

2:08am

It's all good :) I was up anyway polishing up another article. Then starting Saturday I'm hitting the road

Chris 🤩

2:09am

Oh man, Cs are on a five game road trip right?

Faith 💜

2:09am

Yeah, I'm not really looking forward to it tho lmao

I like traveling but when it's for work, there's not a ton of time to explore the cities we're in

Chris 🤩

2:10am

I totally understand. Press junkets are kind of the same way. A lot of the time me and someone else in the cast is my buddy for the press tour and we fly in one day for a thing and then fly out that night for the next

Faith 💜

2:11am

Sounds exhausting  😩

Chris 🤩

2:13am

It can be but when you love what you do that helps 😊

2:15am

This may be a random ask and you don't have to say yes but you know that diner on Kneeland St? I could go for a patty melt and onion rings if you'd care to join me :)

It took everything in her not to scream at the top of her lungs. Didn't want to wake the neighbors, after all.

Faith 💜

2:16am

Bold of you to assume that my answer would be anything other than yes 😇

• • • •

South St. Diner was one of the most popular spots in downtown Boston, if for nothing else than it being open 24/7 and having some of the best milkshakes in town. Chris had spent countless nights after a long shoot day hanging out, sometimes to grab a shake or burger. And sometimes he'd just drop by to talk with some of the familiar faces he'd gotten to know over the years. They'd even reserved a booth for him each time he came in.

Though it was notable that Faith was the first woman he'd had sit across from him in recent memory. Chris wasn't sure how or even when, but he had the feeling that would come to mean something sooner or later.

"You've been here before, right?" He asked as she slid into the booth seat across from him. She wore her locs in a ponytail, clad in a slightly oversized Patriots hoodie and black sweatpants. Even in something as casual as that, Faith was beautiful.

"A couple times for takeout, but I've never been inside," She replied, pausing a second or two to take in her surroundings. The interior design was that of your typical diner, but there were unique touches here and there, including a wall of famous celebrities from the tri-state area featuring autographed photos of their visits to the place. Classic tunes from the golden era played in the speakers overhead, the unmistakable crooning of Sinatra. "It's really nice. I guess I didn't realize how hungry I was until we walked in."

"Tell me about it," He picked up a menu and glanced over it, although he'd come in knowing what he wanted. "If you need any suggestions, let me know. I'm pretty sure I've tried everything at least once."

"What's your favorite?"

"I always do the patty melt, but their breakfast menu is to die for, too. You like pancakes?"

"If I ever stop liking them, shake some sense into me."

Chris laughed. "Okay then, pancakes with chocolate chips and blueberries, scrambled eggs with cheddar, and turkey sausage. Can't go wrong."

"Alright, I'm trusting you. Better not let me down."

He tilted his head to the side, a light grin touching his lips. "Never."

Faith blushed, and he pretended not to notice.

They ordered their food, which the waitress said would take about twenty or so minutes. There weren't many others in the diner at this time of the morning, which Chris was thankful for. While he didn't mind being recognized from time to time, paparazzi were ruthless and if at all possible he preferred to lay low. Especially when in the company of someone who had very little inkling as to what life in the spotlight was like.

"So, you hyped for the Oscars?" He asked after a comfortable silence had settled between them.

Faith's face lit up immediately. "Of course, are you kidding? I mean, no offense, but even if I wasn't your plus-one it's such a cool opportunity to go to one of the biggest events in Hollywood."

His hand flew to his chest, feigning hurt. "Ouch."

She laughed at his response, reaching across the table to lightly shove his shoulder. "Hey, I said no offense! That had to mean something!"

He promptly ignored the goosebumps that pricked his arm once she withdrew her hand. "Listen, I'm just saying that if you plan on using me to meet your favorite celebs, just let me know now. Get it over with."

"You play too much. Obviously me being your date is the most important factor here," She took a generous sip of coffee, then set the mug back down. "You've heard me say this, but I definitely didn't think I'd even get close to winning."

"I've heard it once or twice. But you should've, pardon the expression, had a little more faith in yourself."

In that moment, her expression shifted a touch; Chris might not have noticed it if he wasn't practically hanging on her every word. "Easier said than done..."

He could tell by the way she averted her gaze that statement held a lot more weight than surface level. "Any reason why?"

She shrugged, letting out a sigh before making eye contact with him again. "I grew up internalizing a lot of self-doubt. My older sister was always the overachiever. Honor roll, straight As, your stereotypical social butterfly. And I just...wasn't any of those things," She exhaled a humorless laugh. "Even when I got the letter that I was accepted into Yale, which is extremely hard, I thought it was some sort of joke."

Chris didn't respond, just gently inclined his head as if to say, keep going.

"Since I'm older I've gotten over some of it. And there's a lot more that can't be covered over a few cups of coffee. Long story short, I just have a hard time believing in my capabilities." Faith ran a hand over her face, suddenly looking flustered. "God, I can't believe I just said all that. You're probably–"

"Now don't you dare assume anything about what I'm gonna say, hon," Chris cut her off before she could finish. "Get it out of your head right now that I'm silently judging you. You gave me some encouragement a couple hours ago, and now it's my turn to do the same for you. Buckle up."

Her laugh was quiet, and she leaned forward on her elbows with an intent expression. "Hit me."

Chris outstretched his hands, palms facing upward. She glanced down at them, then back at his face, eyes questioning. "Go ahead. Grab on."

She looked nervous, but within seconds their hands were connected, skin to skin, her fingers gripping his lightly. If Scott could see them now, he'd be screaming at the top of his lungs. "Repeat after me: my worth is not determined by what I can or cannot do."

Her words from earlier, just echoed back in a different way. "My worth is not determined by what I can or cannot do."

"You got that, babe? Say it to yourself every single day if you need to. Self-doubt is normal, but whether or not you succeed or fail isn't going to determine what you can do. Or who you are. Which from where I'm sitting is an amazing, hard-working woman that's going to be the prettiest plus-one at the Oscars in a couple months."

Her eyes welled up, and she extracted one of her hands to brush the tears away before they could fall. "That means a lot, especially from you."

Chris squeezed her hand, only letting go when their orders arrived. He wasn't sure of just what was building between them, but he prayed to whatever deity listening that it wouldn't stop anytime soon.

• • • •

THEY'RE THE MOST PRECIOUS BABES EVER I HOPE YOU ENJOYED <3