going nowhere very fast

 Steve was on it as soon as Simon said he needed some things at the grocery store. Of course, Steve might have known too much about nutrition, but he knew a deal too so he was by Simon's side helping him make all the right choices at the grocery store.

And now they were back at Simon's. Almost. That's when he noticed Alfie coming up the stairs with a load of stuff with some girl and she was opening her door across the hall from Simon's.

Steve looked at Alfie as if he should know better. Evidently, Simon was startled too who was already inside. He looked out in the hallway.

 "Alfie," Simon said with a smile. Within a minute he introduced himself to Poppy and invited them over even in the midst of unloading all the groceries on the kitchen table.

Honestly, Steve didn't think this Poppy was dressed for company. Maybe she was sick, he thought. Steve couldn't help but snarl his nose ever so slightly. Weren't those boy briefs she was wearing? A girl wasn't supposed to be wearing something like that in public even in a skimpy baby-doll top.

But here they were in Simon's livingroom. He brought them cold drinks from the fridge. For a moment Steve was certain Simon didn't even know he was there. In fact, Steve was certain Simon was smitten with this retro hippy chick.

Steve went to put away the groceries. After all, he felt like he might be the help. But then again, he wasn't letting Simon know he wanted to be more than friends. Naturally, he was a bit melancholy about it, thinking he'd already lost Simon before anything ever happened. And in an instant, he'd decided maybe that's the way it should be.

"What are you doing?" Simon called. "Your old roommate is moving in across the hall."

Steve's eyes lit. "What?" He almost dropped a can of black beans on his foot. He didn't know if he was happy or just furious with Alfie, but of course, he had to join the conversation.

"Well, it'll be closer to work," Alfie shrugged.

"Work?" Steve was slightly bitter as he looked at his friend with his new roomie on Simon's cozy couch while Steve stood there hugging himself.

"Yeah, I got on really quick at the drugstore," Alfie shrugged as he finished up the organic soda and looked over at Poppy.

"I have an empty room," Poppy shrugged. Her old roommate went back to South Africa.

"So," Simon smirked looking up at Steve, "When are you moving in?"

Steve remained even lipped. He liked the situation he was already in with Simon which was basically mute and not going anywhere very fast. He let out a breath. "Soon, I guess." It sounded like the perfect answer only he wasn't sure he was ready.