Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria, Friday Afternoon

[hasaknightjob]

Thursday had been spent enjoying themselves as much as possible, including the couples massage which had proven a great way to wind down after some sight seeing.

Friday... Friday was quieter.

Steven sat outside by their pool. He was dressed in his swimsuit but he was currently sitting cross legged by the edge of the pool looking into the water.

Looking at his reflection. Which was his reflection.

Which was fine. Good. What Steven was for, of course. Handling things that were too much or too painful for Marc to deal with.

Still. It wasn't as though Steven liked dealing with it either.

Steven sighed and kept looking down towards the water, not sure what to do.

[for the beau. warning for discussion of parent death and child abuse]

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

"That's life for you, my darling," Watts said with sympathy.

[hasaknightjob]

"That's just it though, isn't it?" Steven said. His voice was softer but not so soft Llewellyn wouldn't be able to hear him. "This - this is what gave me life. I wouldn't exist if not - if not for what Marc went through."

[pocketpretzels]

"That is true," Watts acknowledged. "Complicated and messy again. I'm glad you exist. That I get to know you and love you. Doesn't make me happy that Marc endured what he did."

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm glad I exist as well," Steven said. He put his glass down, not trusting himself to hold it at the moment. "Does your head in though, doesn't it? To think - I wasn't born like most people."

[pocketpretzels]

"A rarity," Watts agreed.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven bumped their shoulders together. A small smile touched his face. "You say it like that and it sounds like a good thing."

[pocketpretzels]

"You are my rare one," Watts reminded him.

[hasaknightjob]

"You make me believe that," Steven said.

He finally unfolded his legs and dangled his feet in the water. "It was so strange to me, finding out I wasn't the original. Strange doesn't even manage it, really. Can't think of a better word. I was made up. Marc made me up. And you still love me as I am."

[pocketpretzels]

"Very much so," Watts affirmed. "Marc created you, but you've learned and grown and made yourself a life, as real as anyone else I know."

[hasaknightjob]

"A life with you," Steven said. He managed to smile at Llewellyn, even if the expression didn't have the light behind it that it usually did. "That's all me. Marc cares for you, of course. But not like I do."

[pocketpretzels]

"He's very dear to me as well," Watts nodded. "But as you said, in a different sort of way."

[hasaknightjob]

"There's other things I like that are mine," Steven said, reminding himself as much as anything. "Writing. Dancing. Ice skating. Cooking. Cabining."

[pocketpretzels]

"Traveling?" Watts suggested. Marc traveled, yes, but only once so far in the time Watts had known him for anything resembling pleasure, and even then had only been a short portion of the overall trip.

[hasaknightjob]

"Traveling," Steven confirmed. He indicated the pool in front of them. "Swimming as well. Pool or a lake or the ocean."

[pocketpretzels]

"You've a cat to take care of," Watts pointed out with a smile. "Marc has a small furry roommate."

[hasaknightjob]

That got a soft chuckle out of Steven. "Who Marc likes even if he won't admit it."

[pocketpretzels]

"He doesn't let just anyone sleep on his shirts, that's for certain," Watts agreed solemnly.

[hasaknightjob]

"I certainly can't," Steven said, giggling again as he was proud of his joke.

[pocketpretzels]

Watts let out a bark of laughter at that mental image. "No, certainly not," he agreed.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven kept giggling. "Have to put them all over his bed for me to even fit. Then he'd be cross because I got them wrinkled."

[pocketpretzels]

"Would you curl yourself up like a human-sized croissant?" Watts had to ask.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven giggled more. "If Raphael taught me how, absolutely."

[pocketpretzels]

As much as Watts thought Steven needed to face what was troubling him head-on, he was also glad for a bit of mirth. "I think he would," Watts said. "Clever fellow that he is, he'd love the chance to share his knowledge with you."

[hasaknightjob]

"He's very patient," Steven said. He kissed Llewellyn on the cheek. "He'd be an excellent teacher. Like his dad."

[pocketpretzels]

"Thank you," Watts said, smiling in acknowledgment at the compliment. "It's an easy task when one has the right student."