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]

"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.

[hasaknightjob]

"Am I making you feel - I don't know," Steven said. He tried to think of how to put it. "Overlooked?"

[pocketpretzels]

"No," Watts shook his head. "Not in the least."

[hasaknightjob]

"Or like your grief doesn't matter?" Steven checked.

[pocketpretzels]

"The other night, when you were sleepwalking and I confessed to having been woken by a nightmare, you asked me what I needed," Watts pointed out. "As I've said, even when you're feeling overwhelmed by your own grief, you take the time to check in on me, worry about how I feel."

[hasaknightjob]

Without thinking about it, Steven picked up a couple of towels near the pool and handed one to Llewellyn. "All right. Long as I'm not making you feel forgotten. Unimportant. You're neither to me."

[pocketpretzels]

"You have never made me feel such things," Watts said. Steven was no Jack Walker, after all. Watts stripped off his wet t-shirt and wrapped one of the towels around himself.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven watched Llewellyn with interest, his own towel forgotten.

[pocketpretzels]

"What is it?" Watts asked, catching that look.

[hasaknightjob]

"You're very handsome," Steven said.

[pocketpretzels]

Watts chuckled, reaching out to pull Steven in close. "You see, how could I feel forgotten when you're saying such things?"

[hasaknightjob]

Steven let himself be pulled closer. "You looked good in your wet shirt as well. If you wondered."

[pocketpretzels]

"I'm glad you approve," Watts declared, pressing a kiss to Steven's jaw.