sam looks everywhere to find the vinyl customizer that'll do what he wants, and he burns a whole list of the tracks that steve clearly needs to listen to on it. he hands it to steve a few days before his birthday because he's admittedly a little eager. that and a crucifix, one of many owned by his father, that hangs on a silver chain. not gaudy, but valuable. the vinyl box and the sleek jewelry box are placed in a red gift bag, which he hands to steve with a smile. "hope you like it, cap."
it i possibly the most extravagant gift steve has ever received. he’s a little skeptical of the jewelry box when he sees it in the bag, wondering what sam could have possibly bought him. but when he opens it, his heart swells. it is not faith which has him smiling into the open box but memory of his mother. she used to wear a similar crucifix around her neck — one which she had brought with her from overseas. steve wonders, if he had mentioned this to sam or if sam just somehow knew.
steve is willing to bet on the latter.
he picks up the vinyl next. despite having music on his phone, he still prefers to listen to his music on records. this was something he & sam had agreed on early on in their friendship. ❝ — i love it, ❞ he smiles a crooked, boyish grin as he turns the record over, ❝ — how about we put this on now ? ❞