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]

"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."

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you," Steven replied in turn. He put cheese on a cracker so he could nibble them both. "It's hard finding a path through, you know. To acceptance."

[pocketpretzels]

"But- not impossible, I should hope?" Watts asked tentatively.

[hasaknightjob]

"Not impossible," Steven said. He rubbed Llewellyn's arm gently, making sure to avoid hurting scar tissue. "Only - feels like... I dunno. Betraying everything I knew? I cared about? Even the idea of me?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Howso?" Watts asked, wanting to hear Steven's thought process.

[hasaknightjob]

"Acceptance of what is means letting go of what was, doesn't it?" Steven asked. "Particularly in my case. Having to accept everything I knew was wrong."

[pocketpretzels]

"Ah," Watts nodded. "Yes. Having done that myself, to a degree, I can- empathize."

[hasaknightjob]

"Howso?" Steven asked, looking at him with interest. He took a piece of melon to nibble on while he listened.

[pocketpretzels]

"My memories of Clarissa," Watts said, picking up a grape and not eating it, just rolling it in his fingers. "I do not recall a lot of my childhood in detail, but I was certain- certain that she loved me. And then, as an adult, I found I was- mistaken."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven watched him, listening carefully. "Do you feel you've accepted that now?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Yes," Watts nodded. "I know the truth, and accept it for what it is. Though sometimes I do- find myself nostalgic for what I thought was the truth."