Midnight Manor Private Residence, Saturday Afternoon

[hasaknightjob]

After their usual trip to the mainland, Steven and Llewellyn came back home for their other usual Saturday activities. Which was Llewellyn taking over the kitchen to get some baking done before his piano practice, and Steven occupying himself with other things.

In today's case those other things had been cuddling Raphael (Steven still wanted to make it up to him for being away last weekend, even if Raphael had long since forgiven them) and picking something out of the library to read while Llewellyn was practicing.

While doing that, though, Steven also thought to catch up on radio. Which was when he heard the mention of the reunion and - twenty years??

Steven checked his mobile. Then he checked his pocketwatch. Then he checked them both again.

We didn't lose time, Steven, Marc assured him from one of the reflections.

Which was all well and good but that didn't rule out -

Steven ran back to the kitchen to check on Llewellyn.

[for the beau, NFB please]

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

"I always welcome your company," Watts said. The minor exception being a preference for solitude while practicing piano, but he'd gladly give that up any time Steven needed him.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven was slowly remembering these things as he was getting oriented again. "Oh - your practice. I'm interrupting that as well, aren't I?"

[pocketpretzels]

Watts pressed a kiss to Steven's forehead. "You're more important. I'll make up for it tomorrow." Or Monday, possibly.

[hasaknightjob]

"Or later today?" Steven suggested, looking uncertain. "I - I'd just like your company for now, if that's all right?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Or later today," Watts agreed. "And of course it's all right," he added, putting the kettle on.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven relaxed again now that he knew Llewellyn wasn't ruling out later as an option. "Thank you. I know I'm being silly. Island's having a laugh. We've been spared. Everything's fine. I just - it helps. Seeing you."

And holding on to Llewellyn, which Steven would be resuming as soon as circumstances allowed.

[pocketpretzels]

"Steven Grant, I am going to ban that word from your vocabulary," Watts said mock-sternly.

[hasaknightjob]

"Which - oh, right." Steven looked sheepish. "Sorry."

Steven wasn't hurt by Llewellyn's comment. If anything, he was comforted by the reminder his feelings weren't to be dismissed.

[pocketpretzels]

"Your feelings are not silly, they're yours, and you are entitled to them," Watts reminded him, even though it seemed as if Steven had gotten the message. He was just going to bring his point home with a quick, gentle kiss before he got to work plating some of the still-warm cookies.

[hasaknightjob]

Regardless of having the message, it still helped to hear it. "Thank you, love. I - you're good at getting me sorted. Even if I'd not been worried about you, I'd need you."

[pocketpretzels]

"I'm here and I am most assuredly not going anywhere at all," Watts said firmly as he prepared Steven's tea to his liking, followed by his own. "If you take the plate, I'll manage the tea?" he suggested.

[hasaknightjob]

"I can do that," Steven said. He pulled himself out of the distraction of watching Llewellyn fondly and picked up the plate along with some napkins. "Thank you, love. I needed this. You. But the biscuits and tea help as well."

[pocketpretzels]

"Of course," Watts said, sneaking in one more peck to the cheek before they left the kitchen. "That is what partners do for each other."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven followed closely behind him. "You're very good at it. And it's good that you're here. Imagine if you were running errands right now."

[pocketpretzels]

"You can always send me a text message, or a telephone call," Watts said. "I know it isn't the same as seeing me in person, but- if circumstances arose." He glanced at Steven, gesturing for him to pick either the library or the living room.

[hasaknightjob]

The living room was closer so Steven went there.

"True. And you'd come home quick as anything if I needed, yeah?"

Steven knew Llewellyn would, but again it was nice to hear it.

[pocketpretzels]

"In a heartbeat," Watts promised him.

[hasaknightjob]

"I would for you as well," Steven said.

He put the plate down on the coffee table, then sat on the middle seat of the couch, leaving room on either side for wherever Llewellyn wanted to sit.

[pocketpretzels]

"I know," Watts said, taking the seat to Steven's left and immediately pulling him in close.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven likewise immediately cuddled in. He took a deep breath, savoring how Llewellyn was near.

"I love you."

[pocketpretzels]

"Love you too," Watts said, rubbing gentle circles on Steven's back.

[hasaknightjob]

"That feels nice," Steven told him. He took another breath, this time deliberately focusing on the scent of Llewellyn and the biscuits on the table. "Smells nice too."

[pocketpretzels]

That breath felt deliberate, and so making a guess regarding what Steven was trying to do, Watts stretched his free hand out and managed to grab a cookie off the plate on the coffee table. "Tell me how that tastes?" he asked, holding it out to Steven.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven nodded to show Llewellyn had guessed right - at least if Steven in turn had guessed right about Llewellyn trying to help him in this matter.

He took a bite and chewed.

"'s nice," he said, mouth full. Then, after swallowing, "Raspberry? Chocolate? Sugar?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Correct on all counts," Watts told him, continuing to rub gently at his back. "I've got you, darling. You're right here with me."