Steven Grant / Marc Spector (Fandom High)

Date night had consisted of Greek food for dinner, since they hadn't had that in a while. But for dessert Steven had found something that looked rather fun, actually.

Plus one of the suggested items to use was pretzels, which seemed like a sign when you got right down to it.

So after dinner was eaten, Steven and Llewellyn were in the kitchen with ingredients for fondue, pretzels, and an assortment of fruits for dunking.

"It says we could use a slow cooker so long as we stir it enough," Steven said. "Do you think we could try the little one we have for lunches?"

[for the beau]

Steven and Llewellyn had gone out for dinner since doing so meant that much less to clean. Back home, full of delicious pasta and all right bread (Llewellyn's was much better, in Steven's opinion), the rest of date night would be watching a movie.

Or attempting to watch. They did make good attempts.

No snacking in the living room, unfortunately, but that didn't preclude Steven getting into comfortable sweats for easier cuddling while they sat on the couch.

"What are you in the mood for?" Steven asked. He pet Raphael, who had curled up on the armrest beside him. "Comedy, perhaps?"

[for the beau]

Marc didn't want to talk to anybody. In general, really, but particularly not this weekend. With like two notable exceptions. But Marc often didn't get what he wanted so here he was on the phone with Layla. ( Having the following conversation... )

Marc then went to find Watts.

[for Watts]

The holiday had come at such a strange time of year this year. Right on top of Christmas and straight through New Year's. To say nothing of how Christmas and New Year's were in the middle of the week, making it difficult for people to know how to plan where they would be and when.

Steven and Llewellyn did still want to do something for the residents. They didn't know for certain how many might be about, but then again if some had no other options for where to go that was all the more reason to offer something, wasn't it?

So handwavy notice was sent out that there'd be something for anyone who lived in the boarding house who was around and wanted to attend. No pressure, full understanding if they couldn't, that sort of thing.

It was still Steven though so there was an abundance of food. There were latkes with traditional toppings of sour cream and apple sauce, but also options like wasabi, honey, and marmalade. There were also tostones, and malanga fritters. Brisket sliders were again on offer and this year Marc might even admit he'd been responsible for making sure of that.

Llewellyn's baking provided soft pretzels and challah. There weren't as many who might drink wine this year as last, but they were still on offer with hand written notes suggesting pairings. There were also moddable soft drinks available.

For desserts there were sufganiyot with jelly and other fillings. There were also Cuban style buñuelos.

All the food was set up in the boarding house dining room buffet style, along with moddable party food like chips and vegetables and dips. Notes indicated what options were vegan and any other ingredients or things to be mindful of for dietary restrictions or needs. And of course the napkins had an adorable happy sufganiyah on them.

With everything in place, the only thing that remained was for any residents who happened to stop by.

And for Steven to fuss over everything. Couldn't have a gathering without Steven fussing over everything.

[for the residents]

The appearance of freshly made latkes had caused a bit of confusion. They'd checked in with Midnight to make sure it hadn't developed a new ability - handy though that ability would have been - and determined it to be one of those Fandom things.

On the plus side they were surprisingly fresh and tasty for all that they randomly appeared. So a changing of plans for some toppings and side dishes meant this could be supper while Steven and Llewellyn tried to watch a film.

"I know it's early but perhaps a holiday film?" Steven suggested, pointing to the summary of it on the screen.

[for the beau]

It had been a while since they'd had a proper Saturday at home. Well, some of that meant going over to the mainland during the day. But when they got back Llewellyn did some baking and then disappeared into the library for piano practice.

Which left Steven free to work on dinner. He wanted to do something nice again. Nothing fancy necessarily, but something that felt like more than an average meal all the same.

So he set about making a shepherds pie to be served with some of Llewellyn's bread and a nice green salad. When it was ready, Steven set the dining room table up with all the food, some candles, and wine that he held off on opening in case he'd picked wrong.

Steven checked to make certain everything was all right, then went to fetch his beau.

[for the beau]

Upon getting home from their lovely holiday, Steven and Llewellyn had been confronted with a cat who demanded to know, in the loudest meows possible, where they'd been and how were they going to make up for abandoning him so cruelly.

(He'd had a sitter, he'd been fine. It was the principle of the thing, in Raphael's opinion.)

So there was petting and treats and in general a desire to simply be home, enjoying each other and their space.

Which meant quickly dealing with luggage and then getting comfortable with all three of them on the living room couch together with delivered Greek food for dinner.

The Greek food being for Steven and Llewellyn, much to Raphael's disappointment.

"It was a good holiday, I thought," Steven said.

[for the beau]

Come lunchtime, Steven had taken over so that he and Llewellyn could get to work on making dinner. Then, when appropriate, holiday observations and eating.

The official ways to mark the first night done, Steven and Llewellyn were now back in the kitchen to put away leftovers, place dirty dishes into the dishwashing cupboard, and do any needed washing up before continuing with the rest of their evening.

And, in Steven's case, to sneak small nibbles of cake as he worked.

"I thought that went well?" Steven said, half hope, half uncertainty.

[for the beau]

Sunday mornings were always good for being lazy. But this morning Steven was possessed of an urge to spoil Llewellyn. No particular reason, he just wanted to.

So Steven got up around the time when Raphael would normally start demanding breakfast. He quietly slipped out of bed and got dressed in sweats and a t-shirt. Then he quickly scribbled a note that he left on Llewellyn's nightstand.

In the kitchen. Back in a tick. Love you. S.

That done, Steven took his mobile and headed downstairs.

He fed Raphael, then put in an order for delivery. While he waited, he set about making tea the way he and Llewellyn liked, and prepping a tray for the food. When the food got there, Steven portioned out breakfast burritos and fruit salad, making sure Llewellyn's fruit salad had more of the fruits he liked.

That all done, Steven double checked he had everything, then carefully took the tray back upstairs.

Really one of these days they should put in a lift so Steven didn't have to worry so much about balance. But luckily nothing had spilled by the time he returned to the bedroom and looked to see if Llewellyn was awake.

[for the beau]

Llewellyn wasn't feeling as physically badly as he'd been, but tiredness was still the order of the day thanks to poor sleeping.

So Steven was still fussing. Plans for the day were no more complicated than spending time together in the living room. Though Steven did take time to make a treat while Raphael watched over Llewellyn.

Once the muffins were ready to eat Steven put them on a plate and the plate on a tray along with two glasses of sweetened ice tea that Steven had handwavily with permission learned how to make from Arden. That all set up, Steven carefully carried the tray to the living room to see how Llewellyn was doing.

[NFB and for the beau]