Apt #14, MHA, Saturday Afternoon

[hasaknightjob]

Another Saturday, another tryout of a Temple on the mainland to see if it felt like a good fit for Steven, Llewellyn, and perhaps even Marc when he felt more comfortable with it again.

This had involved waking up early on a Saturday morning (i.e. waking up at all in the morning on a Saturday) so between that and the chilly weather the plan for the afternoon was staying inside and snuggling.

Yes, the heating in the flat was perfectly fine. But shush.

Lunch was also on the agenda. Which was why, after they returned home, Steven and Llewellyn briefly separated into their separate flats to prepare. Steven had the pizza they'd picked up along the way (a heart shaped vegan pizza). He put that down on the coffee table as soon as he got in, then busied himself with changing into comfortable and warm sweats, putting a spare comforter on the couch, putting out Raphael's water dish and toys, and then getting the kettle on for warm drinks of some kind.

Then, on impulse, he put on a video of a crackling fireplace on the TV.

Now all he needed was the beau and his small companion.

[for the beau and his small companion]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

"Not rambling at all," Steven said. "It's a lot to take in, isn't it? No shame in needing to think about it."

[pocketpretzels]

“Felt a bit like rambling, my thoughts bouncing around every which way,” Watts confessed.

[hasaknightjob]

"Wasn't rambling to me," Steven said, for whatever that might be worth to Llewellyn. He lightly stroked Llewellyn's hair. "It's thinking out loud, isn't it? Thoughts go where they will."

[pocketpretzels]

“Mmm,” Watts hummed. “Still, nice of you to listen and help with that.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Happy to listen to you any time you need," Steven said. "I'm glad you find it helpful. Reminds me a bit of Crawley, that way. Me talking to him. Sometimes you just need to say things out loud to figure out what you feel."

[pocketpretzels]

"Liked having you talk me through it, as well," Watts shared. "It's as I said. You see me."

[hasaknightjob]

"Hear you as well," Steven said, giving him a grin. "It's nice. Being trusted with your thoughts. Especially when you're not sure of them. Means you know I'll take care of them. Which I will. Do my best, anyway."

[pocketpretzels]

"You've done very well with them so far," Watts said fondly. "There's no one else I trust more."

[hasaknightjob]

"Raphael comes out equal then?" Steven asked, still smiling. After all, the cat was a good listener.

[pocketpretzels]

"His advice at times is a little suspect," Watts said. "But then again, there are times when eating or sleeping has in fact been the solution."

[hasaknightjob]

"Also petting him," Steven agreed, as he did just that under Raphael's chin. "Few situations haven't been improved by giving him a cuddle."

[pocketpretzels]

"That's true, but I have to say you have a slight edge over him there." Watts told Steven.

[hasaknightjob]

"I do?" Steven tried to imagine how. "Because I have hands?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Indeed," Watts confirmed. "You may not purr, but you can cuddle back. And that's extremely important."

Sometimes a man just needed to be held.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven could take a hint. He wrapped both arms around Llewellyn's shoulders and hugged. Not tight, just hugged. "How's that?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Perfect," Watts murmured. "Just perfect."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven kissed the top of Llewellyn's head. "Like you?"

[pocketpretzels]

Watts huffed out a laugh. "I am far from it."

[hasaknightjob]

"You're perfect for me," Steven said. He curled close to Llewellyn, keeping his arms around him. "I'd change nothing about you."

[pocketpretzels]

"Not even to make my handwriting more legible?" Watts wondered.

[hasaknightjob]

"It's part of your charm," Steven replied.

[pocketpretzels]

"Only you would say so," Watts said fondly. "One of the many reasons, I think, you are perfect for me."

[hasaknightjob]

"I did just say so," Steven pointed out, grinning. He kissed Llewellyn's ear. "Could say it again if you need it."

[pocketpretzels]

"It is enough that you would," at least, in this moment.

[hasaknightjob]

"I find everything about you charming," Steven said, whispering it into Llewellyn's ear. Possibly purposefully using more warm air to do so than was strictly necessary.