Midnight Manor Private Residence, Saturday Afternoon

[hasaknightjob]

After Steven and Llewellyn's usual trip over to the mainland they came home for an easy Saturday afternoon. Llewellyn went to the library to practice his piano. Steven, for his part, set up dinner in the slow cooker.

Once that was done and the house began to be filled with delicious smells, Steven set himself up in the living room. He curled up on the couch with a book, happily losing track of the time. Raphael kept him company by sitting on the back of the couch and watching the fish swimming in their tank.

On the whole, Steven had no complaints. Other than the lack of his beau, of course, but that could be fixed later when Llewellyn was free.

[for the beau when he is free]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

Steven nuzzled Llewellyn's cheek. "You're wonderful about it. Never been happier than when I'm with you."

[pocketpretzels]

"Good," Watts said firmly. "I'm glad. And you would tell me- were there something I could be doing better."

[hasaknightjob]

"Of course," Steven said. "There's nothing at the moment, I can tell you that. Doing wonderfully far as I'm concerned."

[pocketpretzels]

"Good." One final (for now) quick kiss and then: "Let's see about that salad?"

[hasaknightjob]

"Right," Steven said. He looked at the slow cooker. "That might be done soon enough as well. Do you mind taking care of the salad and I'll cut us some bread?"

[pocketpretzels]

Amazing how time passed like that!

Watts nodded, moving to take care of dressing the salad. Once that was done, he headed to the wine rack, a thoughtful look on his face. He reached for one bottle, and then drew his hand back, shaking his head before making another selection.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven set about cutting up one of Llewellyn's more crusty loaves, figuring that it would be good for soaking up the liquid in the stew. He paused when Llewellyn selected the wine, though, watching Llewellyn with obvious affection.

[pocketpretzels]

"Based on the aroma," Watts offered, holding the bottle up so Steven can see. "I'm making a guess."

[hasaknightjob]

"I love how much thought you put into it," Steven said. "Even for a regular dinner. You don't simply pick something at random."

[pocketpretzels]

"It is important to me that it complements the flavours of the meal," Watts explained. "I know that does not necessarily matter to everyone."

[hasaknightjob]

"Not just you though," Steven pointed out. "Me as well. And what was it someone said? I'm allowed to think that's sweet?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Oh. Well," Watts replied, a slight flush colouring his cheeks. "It means a lot that you appreciate it."

[hasaknightjob]

"It means a great deal that you do it," Steven said.

The slow cooker beeped so Steven went to check the results. He tasted a spoonful, nodded, then turned to Llewellyn. "Here. Give it a try. They say you can add some spice after if you like. Let me know if you care for some."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts leaned forward to taste what was on the spoon. "Mmm," he hummed. "I quite like it as it is," he admitted.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven snuck a quick kiss on the cheek since Llewellyn was so close. "Then it's ready to be served. Where would you like to eat?"

[pocketpretzels]

"I did hear you mention something about stopping to eat making cuddling close more difficult," Watts mused. "But perhaps if we ate in the living room we could save a bit of time following our meal."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven smiled at him. "Could sit closer together than if we were at the table as well."

[pocketpretzels]

"Then let us do so," Watts decided, already dishing salad out in to two bowls. He'd noticed the fact that the mix was overall heavy on his own favourites, yet he still ensured Steven got a good amount of what he liked in his bowl.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven meanwhile set up bowls of stew with a similar distribution. He looked at all they needed to carry and frowned thoughtfully. "Use a tray, do you think? Like when we have breakfast upstairs? Or do multiple trips?"

[pocketpretzels]

"A tray," Watts said. "It shall expedite cleanup," he added, with a playful look in his eye.

[hasaknightjob]

"Hmm, any particular reason you'd care to?" Steven asked, giving him a grin of his own.

[pocketpretzels]

"Perhaps I simply do not care for a mess," Watts said primly.

This was a blatant lie, of course, which Watts figured was all right since Steven would know he was teasing.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven bumped their shoulders together, still grinning. "Is that the only reason then? Tidiness?"

[pocketpretzels]

"There might be another," Watts admitted, as if Steven was drawing some great secret out from him.

[hasaknightjob]

"You enjoy balancing things on trays?" Steven said, his grin showing he was joking as he pretended to guess.