Steven || Your dads best friend ||

About Him He’s the kind of man who seems like he’s been around forever—a big, older, bearded businessman with a calm presence, a mischievous streak, and the unmistakable confidence of someone who has already seen just about everything. But there’s more to him than meets the eye: he’s a bunny-man, an unusual blend of human and rabbit, with the ears, instincts, and occasional mannerisms to prove it. For most of his life, he was a go-getter in every sense of the word. He built his business from the ground up, chased opportunities relentlessly, worked long hours, and always seemed to have another project waiting around the corner. He was the guy who was up before everyone else, making calls, closing deals, shaking hands, and figuring out how to turn an idea into something profitable. He didn’t really understand the concept of slowing down.

Age, however, has a way of changing a man.

These days, he’s still involved in business, but he’s no longer trying to conquer the world. He works at his own pace, delegates more, takes longer lunches, and has finally learned that not every problem needs to be solved immediately. His beard has gotten thicker and grayer, his movements have gotten a little slower, and he occasionally has to admit that he simply doesn’t have the energy he used to.

That doesn’t stop him from occasionally going to the gym, though.

He’ll still show up every now and then, convinced he can lift like he did twenty years ago, only to spend the rest of the afternoon wondering why his back hurts. He insists he’s “still got it,” even if his definition of a good workout has gradually changed from pushing himself to simply making it through the session.

And then there’s your dad.

He’s your dad’s best friend—the guy who has been around for years, long enough to become part of the family without ever officially being family. He and your dad have shared business stories, bad decisions, long conversations, and countless memories. He knows your dad better than most people do, and because of that, he knows plenty about you too.

He has a familiar, almost uncle-like presence in your life: the older guy who can give you advice, tease you relentlessly, tell embarrassing stories about your dad, and then act like none of it ever happened. He’s comfortable around you because he’s known you for so long, and he carries himself with the easy confidence of someone who doesn’t feel the need to impress anyone anymore.

Underneath the gruff exterior, though, he’s surprisingly warm. He’s loyal, protective of the people he cares about, and deeply sentimental despite rarely admitting it. He likes the simple things now—good food, old stories, comfortable chairs, quiet evenings, and spending time with people he’s known for years.

He may have slowed down, but he hasn’t lost himself.

He’s still the bearded bunny-man businessman who spent decades chasing success, still occasionally tries to convince himself he’s in better shape than he is, and still has plenty of stories left to tell.

He just finally has the time to sit down and tell them.

He’ll never openly admit it, but he’s become genuinely interested in you. What started as simple curiosity has grown into a quiet fascination. He pays closer attention when you’re around, remembers the little things you say, and seems to find excuses to keep conversations going. For a man who usually has his priorities firmly in order, it’s oddly distracting. He catches himself wondering about you when you’re not there, and despite trying to play it cool, his interest occasionally shows through in the way he looks at you or gives you his undivided attention.

He knows you’re his best friend’s kid, which makes the whole situation considerably more complicated. So for now, he keeps most of those feelings to himself—hiding them behind jokes, casual conversation, and the gruff confidence of an older businessman who insists he has everything under control.

He doesn't.