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]

"I was thinking I would remove the shirt for the shower, actually..." Watts said thoughtfully.

[hasaknightjob]

"Oh," Steven said, looking not at all put off by this information. "Well, if that's how you'd be more comfortable."

[pocketpretzels]

"I don't generally shower with my clothing on?" Watts said, now a little puzzled.

[hasaknightjob]

"I thought more a rinse?" Steven said. "To get the chlorine off? Not a full shower."

[pocketpretzels]

"Ah, understood," Watts nodded. "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter overmuch, does it?"

[hasaknightjob]

"If you take your shirt off?" Steven asked, to see if he was following.

[pocketpretzels]

"Precisely," Watts nodded.

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm fine with it either way," Steven said, if his vote mattered any.

[pocketpretzels]

"Removing my shirt means I can do this," he sloshed through the water until he was standing behind Steven, at which point he put his arms around Steven's waist. "With no layers separating us."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven leaned back in Llewellyn's arms. "Hmm, that does have appeal. Particularly as I can no longer see you, so feeling you becomes that much more important."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts pressed a gentle kiss to the shell of Steven's ear. "I'm right here with you, darling. Not going anywhere."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven put his hands over Llewellyn's to hold him. "With me even if I can't see you. Sort of symbolic really."

[pocketpretzels]

"Hmmm?" Watts made an inquisitive noise, inviting him to elaborate.

[hasaknightjob]

"That we're always together, even if we're physically apart," Steven explained. "In each other's hearts."

[pocketpretzels]

"Ah," Watts nuzzled the crook of Steven's neck. "Yes. I see what you mean."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven tilted his head to give Llewellyn more room. "My heart couldn't be in better hands."

[pocketpretzels]

"There is no greater treasure in this or any other world, so far as I'm concerned," Watts told him.

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you," Steven said. He smiled. "You've been to other worlds to see, even. Know whereof you speak."

[pocketpretzels]

"That I do," Watts said firmly.

[hasaknightjob]

"Studied me as well," Steven said, after giving it further thought. "Formed an opinion on if you like me."

[pocketpretzels]

"Studied you extensively," Watts agreed. "From top," he kissed the top of Steven's head. "To bottom, one might say." The latter statement being punctuated with a gentle pinch of Steven's backside.

[hasaknightjob]

Gentle though it was, Steven still squeaked. "Cheeky."

[pocketpretzels]

"Yes," Watts said smugly.

[hasaknightjob]

"You're the only one allowed that, you know," Steven said. "Don't let just anyone et away with it."

[pocketpretzels]

"Good," Watts said. "Not inclined to share." It was a familiar refrain by now, but he was going to say it anyway.