#steven's main purpose initally was to be her friend and he thought it would stay like that until... well ... more things happened!

[aqqleshiqqing-archive]

i don't think i ever established this in memoryshipping lore yet but - during the phase where stevaide are in the platonic stage - jaide falls first due to his gentlemanly upbringing (which heavily contrasts his younger self's behavior) and feeds her with generosity and kind gestures like "after you" "watch your step" or any way to show consideration. jaide grew up learning to be independent so she wasn't used to being treated delicately

and since steven willingly allowed himself to be a friend and "tour guide" around hoenn - naturally he'd put himself first in danger or any interference to make sure she feels comfortable in this foreign region and this is already something she wasn't used to - but was slowly growing into it :]

during her pining stages - she'd try to decline his generosity out of embarassment and this would leave mixed signals on steven's end ("did I do something wrong?") and usually this plays off comedically where jaide has no idea how to manage herself next to him. she's supposed to be the character with a strong mental fortitude but after being shown some sweetness - she's crumbling from it... hehe