The whole game is designed to be this, with nothing truly terrible ever happening and a dedication to making sure people of any race, gender, sexuality, culture, etc. can accurately portray themselves in the game.
As long as the relationship isn’t Indifferent, then Cove will be totally comfortable showing up at the MC’s house unannounced, hanging out in their room, and joining the family for meals. It speaks volumes as to how close he is with them.
Step 1
If the MC gives Lizzie the last juice box in Barbecue, then she will openly declare that she loves them.
If you participate in the race in Fireflies and your relationship with Cove is set to crush, Cove will announce that he thinks MC won. It's later possible to get him to reveal in Boating that he was lying, as it's actually Shiloh who always wins the race.
Step 2
If the MC is freaked out or overstimulated by the horror movie in Escapade, Cove will get up and guide them out of the theater without a second thought. Alternatively, if the MC is scared but doesn't want to leave Cove will offer them his hand.
During Birthday, Cove will defend the MC if Jeremy insults them. Similarly, the MC will defend Cove if Jeremy makes fun of his scar.
If the MC tells Cove about the $20 during Dinner, there’s a scene of Cliff, Kyra, and Cove talking about their familial problems and swearing to do better.
Elizabeth and the MC’s talk in Family, showing that despite her current teenage attitude, she still loves and cares for her younger sibling.
Step 3
When sick or anxious on the boat during Boating, Cove (or Liz if played on Indifferent) will take the MC to a room and help them calm down.
In the moment Talks, even if Cove and the MC are indifferent toward one another, Cove will visit MC's place with the objective of happily coming-out to their Moms, admitting that they are the ones who helped him to feel more comfortable and supported in terms of his own sexuality.
Derek's Story
The MC is able to acknowledge Cliff as being like a father to them, being able to make a card for him in Step 2 and invite him to a Father’s Day party in Step 4. They can even call him Dad at the party.
In a surprising turn of events, Elizabeth and Jorge do some unexpected bonding together during the Step 2 moment, Boardwalk. This friendship carries on even all the way up until adulthood, as we are shown in Derek's Step 4 Epilogue.
Baxter's Story
When taking Baxter sightseeing in step 3, the MC can tell him they enjoy volunteering for an ocean conservation organization. He will reel back in what the MC describes as a miniature swoon before blushing that he's "in more trouble than [he] already thought". Even more heartwarming? Step 4 reveals that he was so inspired by the MC that he took up volunteer work himself.
During the trip to the mountains, Baxter is dismayed that he inadvertently packed nothing but a khaki shirt for hiking- definitely not his style. He's surprised, and truly touched, if the MC assures him that he still looks good in it.
When the MC clutches the shirt during the steamy scene at the Lodge, Baxter can tease that he'll have to keep the eyesore now, since such pleasant memories are associated with it.
And in step 4, he confirms that he did keep it.
When Baxter first sees the MC in step 4, he immediately -and rather dramatically- recognizes them even if they don't recognize him. Sure he may try to downplay it right after, but those endless moments where the world fades away make crystal clear how much of an impact the MC had on him.
In Step 4, the MC's friends, as well as Jude and Scott, express concern over them if they're upset over how things ended with Baxter in Step 3.
Miranda: "Have you been okay working like this, with him?"
