Harrison Hot Springs Resort, Friday late afternoon

[hasaknightjob]

Steven and Llewellyn had gone for a hike on Hicks Lake Loop, taking longer than the suggested time since they'd brought a picnic with them to enjoy along the way.

Once done, they headed back to their hotel room. There Steven had arranged for a fruit platter and flowers to be waiting.

Yes, their anniversary had been yesterday. But that didn't mean they were limited to celebrating on that day. After all, here they were taking the entire weekend.

"I rather enjoyed that," Steven said as they came into the room. "Our hike."

He figured Llewellyn could notice the gifts in his own time.

[for the beau]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

"Do you like?" Steven asked, smiling as he watched him. "I wanted to get something for you like you always do for me. Have it waiting in the room and all."

[pocketpretzels]

"They're wonderful," Watts said, reaching out to pull Steven into his arms. "You are wonderful," he added, before kissing him soundly.

[hasaknightjob]

"Did you see the name on the - " Steven started to ask, but then they were kissing and that was much nicer.

[pocketpretzels]

"I love you," Watts declared. "Forever."

So that'd be a yes to Steven's unfinished question.

[hasaknightjob]

"I love you too," Steven said. He wrapped his arms around Llewellyn's shoulders. "Forever. Best neighbor I've ever had."

[pocketpretzels]

"A distinction I bear with pride," Watts said.

[hasaknightjob]

"Not sure I count as a good neighbor for people," Steven said. "At least before I came here. Things got a bit chaotic when everything was going down with Marc and me."

[pocketpretzels]

"Ah, but we're not talking about before," Watts said. "Otherwise I would point out how I was hardly a good neighbour myself. Coming and going at all hours, sometimes with Constables having to come fetch me," he pointed out.

[hasaknightjob]

"Suppose it could be said things vastly improved for both of us when you moved near me," Steven replied. Both for the neighbors we had and neighbors we were."

[pocketpretzels]

"A mutual improvement," Watts agreed with a smile.

[hasaknightjob]

"Sort of like that about our relationship in general," Steven said. "I think we both improve each other. Encourage each other to learn and grow."

[pocketpretzels]

"Something I think you've done wonderfully at," Watts told him. "Learning. Growing."

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you," Steven said. "You've helped there, you know. Being so supportive and encouraging."

[pocketpretzels]

"It means a great deal to me to be- included. On your journey," Watts told him.

[hasaknightjob]

"Means a great deal to be supported in it," Steven said. "Not treated as wrong for needing it."

[pocketpretzels]

"There is nothing wrong with wanting to expand your horizons, no matter the reason," Watts said fiercely, one hand coming up to caress Steven's cheek. "Anyone who says otherwise is an imbecile."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven leaned into the touch. "Still means a great deal to me, having your support. Knowing I can try and fail sometimes."

[pocketpretzels]

"I love you. That is what partners do for each other," Watts told him.

[hasaknightjob]

"And I promise I'll be honest with you," Steven said. "If we try things together and I don't care for them. But I liked the music on Wednesday and I enjoyed our hike today."

Granted hikes weren't new for them but even so, just in case Llewellyn wondered.

[pocketpretzels]

"I'm glad," Watts said. "Not just because it means I get to do those things with you again, but because I enjoy seeing you happy."

[hasaknightjob]

"I was very happy," Steven said, the smile on his face now much like the one he'd sported throughout the hours they'd just spent outdoors. "I had you, I had nature, I had a nice picnic. What more could I want?"

[pocketpretzels]

"A dance?" Watts said, swaying them in a little dance step to demonstrate.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven chuckled with delight. "Yes, please. Oh! We should dance on a hike sometime. Er - quietly. Maybe just hum to ourselves so we're not disturbing nature. But that'd be nice, wouldn't it?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Oh, that sounds marvelous," Watts agreed. "Just you and I and the natural world."

[hasaknightjob]

"Perhaps tomorrow?" Steven suggested.

Though perhaps not on the routes that were an entire day of hiking.