The hug surprises Steve a little, but he reacts quickly enough and sets his beer down on the bar so he can wrap both of his arms around her. People have treated Maeve badly, and not just the assholes that she went to school with. People who were supposed to care for her let her down, and she's still dealing with all of that.

Steve's parents let him down too, but he knows that it doesn't compare. They were always and not at all that present in his life, but Steve never had to worry about having a roof over his head. That financial stability allowed Steve to overlook a lot of the other stuff. Maeve was let down by pretty much everyone, he's gathering, and the last thing he wants to do is be another one of those people.

"I'm glad that you're here with me," he says as he kisses her forehead, giving her another squeeze before pulling back. "I like you. I wouldn't want to be here at this stupid party with anyone else."

That's-- probably more than he should have said, but he's having a harder time trying to be so casual with this. He picks up his beer and takes her hand, leading her away so they can take better stock of the party. There's a giant Christmas tree in the middle of the space, maybe a bigger one than Steve has ever seen, and he lets out a surprised laugh. "Wow."