Midnight Manor Private Residence, Sunday afternoon

[hasaknightjob]

The plus side was that Steven wasn't having the usual trouble sleeping. No lost days. No waking up in places where he didn't know where he was - well, that still happened from time to time but typically very small things like being in one room when he could've sworn he was just in another. Nothing worth worrying about.

He was still having trouble sleeping though. Much as he tried to fight it, the time of year weighed his thoughts down. Holiday made him think of family made him think of -

Well, it was a lot. Which meant of late when night time came he was wide awake and staring at the ceiling of his and Llewellyn's bedroom. Ironic for that to be a problem considering how once the only thing he ever wanted was to not fall asleep.

Llewellyn of course was wonderful, which was why he'd offered to get Steven a coffee as a treat. Steven had sworn he would be all right while he was gone and pointed out he had Raphael to keep an eye on him.

Of course cats did have powers of their own. Which was why it did not take too long for sitting on the couch in the living room with Raphael to turn into lying down on the couch with Raphael curled up on his chest, to turn into Steven fast asleep as the kitty nap field took over.

At least he was getting some rest?

[for the beau]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

"Is that why the pumpkin carving bothers you?" Steven asked. "It's another example of something that seems to come easily to others?"

[pocketpretzels]

"You have said that I am good with my hands," Watts said. "And yet I find in daily life there are many ways in which I am not. My writing is atrocious. I have difficulties with knives. And to say nothing of drawing."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven gave it some consideration. "You're good with your hands when you're baking. Have to knead and manipulate dough and all. Maybe it's that some people are good at certain things and not others. I'm not as good at throwing a punch as Marc is, for example."

[pocketpretzels]

"Perhaps," Watts said. "I'd prefer my handwriting be legible, though."

[hasaknightjob]

"You know there's tutorials on that?" Steven asked. "Online. People showing how to properly use fountain pens and all."

[pocketpretzels]

"Do you truly think the Google could accomplish what years of schooling could not?" Watts asked, straightening out his posture without even thinking about it.

[hasaknightjob]

Conversely, Steven's shoulders slumped. "I don't know? I mean I like your handwriting. It's yours. It's just that you were unhappy about it so I offered a suggestion."

[pocketpretzels]

"There, you see. I've done it again. Said the wrong thing," Watts said with a frown as he watched Steven's shoulders slump.

[hasaknightjob]

"I thought I had," Steven admitted. "Offended you somehow."

[pocketpretzels]

“No, no,” Watts said. “You’re from this time,” give or take a few years, “You know so much more about the Google and how it works.”

[hasaknightjob]

"I see." Steven relaxed. "I mean - won't know unless you try? If you want to try. There's no need to on my account."

[pocketpretzels]

“It’s something to consider,” Watts said. “And I shall.”

[hasaknightjob]

"I love you regardless," Steven said. He turned so he could hug Llewellyn with one arm across his chest. "Doesn't matter what your handwriting or drawings look like."

[pocketpretzels]

“Or if I sometimes- say the wrong thing?”

[hasaknightjob]

"We cleared it up immediately," Steven pointed out. "No one is ever going to be perfect. The important thing is that we're honest with each other, I think. Not let confusion fester."

[pocketpretzels]

“That’s true,” Watts said. “Still- I don’t much care for the idea of your feelings being hurt by my words, even if it’s only briefly.”

[hasaknightjob]

"That's because you have a kind heart, and want to take care of me," Steven told him. "But that's not the sort of thing anyone can prevent. Marc and I say hurtful things to each other without meaning to and we can read each other's mind. It happens. The important thing is it's never on purpose, and we try to fix it."

[pocketpretzels]

"I didn't know that," Watts said. "I recall- you told me you said some things you regret to him back when you first found out about him, but I didn't realise- that it still happens."

[hasaknightjob]

"I mean not often," Steven said. "But we are still two separate people. We make mistakes. Thankfully not as bad as the things I said to him the first time though. At least that we've got behind us. But you see? Learning. That's the important bit."

[pocketpretzels]

"That it is," Watts said, with a small smile. "Thank you."

[hasaknightjob]

"I love you," Steven told him. "Nothing ever changes that. Not even misspeaking."