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]

"Precisely," Watts nodded. "As is proper."

[hasaknightjob]

"Shed all over us as well," Steven said. "Make it clear which cat we belong to."

[pocketpretzels]

"Curl up for a snooze in the basket of post-holiday clean laundry."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven grinned. "Him or us?"

[pocketpretzels]

"I don't think we'd fit in the basket," Watts pointed out.

[hasaknightjob]

"Spread it out over the bed then?" Steven suggested.

Granted Raphael would probably pounce on it before they could.

[pocketpretzels]

"I think I would prefer warm blankets and your arms instead," Watts laughed. "But if you'd care to, I shan't stop you."

[hasaknightjob]

"Arms I can give you," Steven said. "Warm blankets we'd have to go back inside."

[pocketpretzels]

"Well, while we are here I shall take arms and warm sunshine," Watts declared.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven wrapped his arms around Llewellyn's shoulders and held him close. "How's that?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Mmmm, very nice," Watts agreed. "Shall we do so out on one of the loungers, perhaps?" he asked.

[hasaknightjob]

"Yes," Steven said. "Let you get your sunlight in."

[pocketpretzels]

"We can mull over such important topics as what to order for dinner," Watts said playfully.

[hasaknightjob]

"And have a good cuddle?" Steven asked.

They'd have to be particularly snuggly to do so on the lounge chairs but Steven was willing to try it.

[pocketpretzels]

They could always push two loungers together if they had to!

"And have a good cuddle," Watts agreed.

[hasaknightjob]

"I know I'm being clingy," Steven said. "Thank you for putting up with me."

[pocketpretzels]

"I'm not 'putting up with' you," Watts countered. "I am precisely where I want to be. Doing precisely what I want to do. Which is give you my support when you need it."

[hasaknightjob]

"You'll tell me if you need space?" Steven asked, just to be sure.

[pocketpretzels]

"If such an occasion arises, I will tell you," Watts said solemnly. "I promise."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven kissed Llewellyn's cheek. "Thank you, love. It's one less thing for me to worry about."

[pocketpretzels]

"Good," Watts said. "I should like you to have as few worries as possible."

[hasaknightjob]

"I wish I wasn't adding to yours now," Steven said. He motioned towards the stairs out of the pool. "Shall we?"

[pocketpretzels]

"There's your kind heart again, to worry about me when you've got so much on your mind already," Watts said, starting to move towards the stairs.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven held on to Llewellyn's hand to keep contact between them.

"I feel guilty," Steven admitted. "You've lost your parents. Both of them. Here I am taking all the energy."

[pocketpretzels]

"It's not a competition, darling," Watts reminded him, giving Steven's hand a squeeze.