hasaknightjob | Harrison Hot Springs Resort, Friday late afternoon

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]

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From:

pocketpretzels

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

From:

hasaknightjob

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

From:

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."

From:

hasaknightjob

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

From:

pocketpretzels

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

From:

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.

From:

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."

From:

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?"

From:

pocketpretzels

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

From:

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?"

From:

pocketpretzels

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

From:

hasaknightjob

"Perhaps tomorrow?" Steven suggested.

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

From:

pocketpretzels

"Followed by a dip in the hot springs?" Watts suggested.

From:

hasaknightjob

"That sounds amazing!" Steven said, unable to clamp down on his excitement. "Oh yes, please? I like the sound of that."

From:

pocketpretzels

"Their presence was a deciding factor," Watts admitted. "Over just a regular resort."

From:

hasaknightjob

"Do they advertise the part about dancing with handsome men?" Steven asked, grinning up at Llewellyn.

From:

pocketpretzels

Watts laughed. "That one's an exclusive," he told Steven.

From:

hasaknightjob

"Suppose there could be others," Steven allowed. "But when it comes to a certain man I'd prefer he only care to dance with one."

From:

pocketpretzels

"My card contains your name alone," Watts said. "You are, after all, my partner."

From:

hasaknightjob

"In dance and life," Steven said. He tried to lead them in a few steps.

From:

pocketpretzels

"In dance and in life," Watts echoed, going along with Steven's lead.

From:

hasaknightjob

Steven wasn't doing any particular steps. More dancing around and having fun while holding Llewellyn. He did lead them in the direction of the dessert plate though.

From:

pocketpretzels

Given the setting, Watts wasn't particularly fussed about formal steps. Especially when they got close enough that he could reach out and grab an apple wedge, holding it up to Steven's lips.