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 and Llewellyn were going on a trip that weekend, so Steven wanted to enjoy a night in with Llewellyn before they left.

(Yes, Steven could always pop in on the trip as needed, but this was for Marc and Llewellyn. Steven wanted to give them their time together.)

Nothing too elaborate. But a nice home cooked meal complete with a salad, some garlic bread, and Steven's best attempt at picking a wine to go with it. For after, a simple dessert.

Steven had tried to time everything so that it would be finishing up - and hopefully have the house smelling nice, by the time Llewellyn got back from work. He probably wasn't going to get that timing exactly right, but either way he was busy in the kitchen while keeping an eye out that Raphael didn't try to abscond with any of the bread.

[for the beau]

Their time in Cairo had involved Steven leading Llewellyn going through every museum and site they were allowed to get into (and, thanks to Layla, a few that technically they were not). Though Steven and Llewellyn being Steven and Llewellyn meant that enjoying as much of the local food and wine as possible did not get forgotten. ( There were also these various handwaved details )

On Wednesday Steven and Llewellyn left Cairo for the second half of their holiday, which was to let Llewellyn soak up as much beach and sunshine as possible in Alexandria, which was thankfully having a warm spell the entire time they were there. Funny how that worked out. Ahem.

They checked in to their hotel room, at which point Llewellyn immediately changed and went outside to sun himself like a lizard in their private garden.

Steven, of course, had immediately followed to make sure Llewellyn was appropriately covered in sunscreen. ( Then there was the rest of the day. And the night. And, er, well... )

Which was why Steven was now curled up on one of the lounge chairs outside wearing only pajama pants and clutching the matching shirt to his chest. Fast asleep.

[for the beau]

Llewellyn had found a delicious looking restaurant for them, so Wednesday date night involved heading out for the evening.

It wasn't a formal event by any means, but Steven had still fussed over what he was wearing, ultimately settling on a nice blue button down shirt and darker blue slacks. They were as crisp as anything Steven ever wore could be, which was to say nicely ironed before he put them on and, well, here we are.

Steven put his glasses on as he sat down so he could read the menu. "Things to share, do you think?"

[for the beau]

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]