Midnight Manor Private Residence, Wednesday Evening

[hasaknightjob]

The appearance of freshly made latkes had caused a bit of confusion. They'd checked in with Midnight to make sure it hadn't developed a new ability - handy though that ability would have been - and determined it to be one of those Fandom things.

On the plus side they were surprisingly fresh and tasty for all that they randomly appeared. So a changing of plans for some toppings and side dishes meant this could be supper while Steven and Llewellyn tried to watch a film.

"I know it's early but perhaps a holiday film?" Steven suggested, pointing to the summary of it on the screen.

[for the beau]

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

"Darling," Watts said gently. "Food is central to most holidays. It is not rude to offer it. But regardless of that, we are not forcing anyone to accept food from us, either. If they do not wish to eat, they do not have to." For this hypothetical gathering they hadn't even fully decided they were having yet.

[hasaknightjob]

"Right, right." Steven leaned even more against Llewellyn, drawing comfort and soothing himself with the solid feeling of his beau beside him. "Sorry. I'm borrowing trouble, aren't I?"

[pocketpretzels]

"You are," Watts acknowledged, putting an arm around Steven's shoulders and pressing a kiss to his temple. "And that's why I'm here. To remind you not to do so."

[hasaknightjob]

"Getting in my head a lot lately," Steven said, thinking back the past week or so. "You're putting up with a great deal from me."

[pocketpretzels]

"'Putting up with' makes it sound like a hardship to be endured, and I don't see it like that at all," Watts said gently.

[hasaknightjob]

"Even when I get in the way of us having it off?" Steven asked, uncertainly.

[pocketpretzels]

"We got there eventually, didn't we?" Watts reminded him. "And- had some good conversations besides."

[hasaknightjob]

"Still felt bad I kept buggering it," Steven said.

Which was perhaps an ironic choice of words, considering.

[pocketpretzels]

"I could've been clearer about my desires from the outset," Watts reminded him. "Don't you dare try and take it all on yourself. I won't have it."

[hasaknightjob]

A small smile started to peek out at Llewellyn's reassurance. "Thank you. Kind of you to be patient with me through all of it."

[pocketpretzels]

"More important to me than anything else at all is this right here," Watts said, poking a finger at Steven's chest, right over his heart.

[hasaknightjob]

"My shirt?" Steven said, but he smiled to show he was joking. "No, I know you meant my heart. You take excellent care of it. Being honest with me and helping me understand things."

[pocketpretzels]

"Neither of us can read minds," Watts said. "So plain and honest communication is the way to go."

[hasaknightjob]

"I like it better when we do," Steven admitted. "Or at least it feels like we do. Hate making mistakes that - that don't give you what you need."

[pocketpretzels]

"You know that practically any other time, you would've had the right of it?" Watts said. "So it wasn't as if you were making baseless assumptions."

[hasaknightjob]

"I would have?" Steven asked, looking hopeful.

[pocketpretzels]

"Yes," Watts said firmly. "There's no one else who knows me like you do, Steven Grant."

[hasaknightjob]

"I thought - worried - I'd lost my ability to judge that," Steven admitted.

[pocketpretzels]

"And I am terribly sorry for making you worry about that," Watts said. "I was- rather out of sorts, myself."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven turned enough so he could face Llewellyn better. "That's part of why it bothered me so. You needed something to feel better and I wasn't able to give it to you."

[pocketpretzels]

"You got me sorted in the end," Watts reminded him.

[hasaknightjob]

"I liked that part," Steven said. "That we were able to talk it over and figure it out. Keep going from there. That - I like that we're able to do that."

[pocketpretzels]

"I wholeheartedly agree," Watts said. "It's always a relief, when we manage to clear up whatever misunderstanding we've blundered into. Which," he added. "I may remind you, are rare overall."

[hasaknightjob]

"I was very glad you spoke up," Steven said. "Proud of you, actually."

[pocketpretzels]

"You were?" Watts asked.