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

[hasaknightjob]

"In and out," Steven said, putting his head on Llewellyn's shoulder.

He was thinking of Llewellyn's heart, for the record.

[pocketpretzels]

Which Watts didn't necessarily know, but he did know Steven well enough to know that the innuendo was unintentional. "Lucky me."

[hasaknightjob]

"Not that out isn't looking particularly nice at the moment," Steven added.

That was intentional.

[pocketpretzels]

"There you go, being a flirt again," Watts said fondly.

[hasaknightjob]

"Not my fault my beau is so handsome and fit," Steven replied. "Can hardly be blamed."

[pocketpretzels]

"Mmm, even if it were your own handsome face and kind demeanor that drew me towards you in the first place?" Watts asked.

[hasaknightjob]

"Think that'd be why you flirt with me," Steven said. "Not why I flirt with you."

[pocketpretzels]

"Ah, but it was you who consented to foolishness," Watts pointed out. "Therefore, the fact that I am your beau is very much your doing."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven started to smile again. "But it was you who convinced me to be foolish, you see. So it's your fault."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts looked thoughtful. "Would you accept an equal division of blame?" he asked.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven made a show of looking thoughtful as well. "Partnership, even in blame? That sounds fair to me."

[pocketpretzels]

"It's settled, then," Watts nodded. "But how to seal the decision...?"

[hasaknightjob]

"Firm handshake?" Steven suggested.

[pocketpretzels]

Watts did his best to hide the look of disappointment on his face. "Er. Yes. I suppose that is... traditional."

He held out a hand.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven took Llewellyn's hand and brought it up for a kiss.

[pocketpretzels]

"Wh- " Watts started to say, a smile breaking out when he realized what Steven was doing. "Oh."

[hasaknightjob]

"No one says we have to be traditional," Steven pointed out. He held on to Llewellyn's hand just because.

[pocketpretzels]

"Were we traditional we would not be romantically involved," Watts pointed out.

[hasaknightjob]

"Precisely," Steven said. "We make our own traditions. Just as we make our own family."

There was a little melancholy that crept in there, but Steven was pushing past it.

[pocketpretzels]

"And I am very fond of our family," Watts agreed, besotted look on his face as he gave Steven's hand a squeeze.

[hasaknightjob]

"Our family is fond of you," Steven said, since he had the benefit of being able to speak on behalf of more than one member of it. "Very much."

[pocketpretzels]

"Though we may have to find Raphael an extra present for being away so long," Watts added.

[hasaknightjob]

"It's only fair," Steven agreed. "Poor lad without us for so long."

[pocketpretzels]

"We shall give him plenty of attention upon our return," Watts said. "Let him know he was missed."

[hasaknightjob]

"Let him shed all over our luggage to reclaim it as something that lives in the home," Steven said.