MHA #14, Thursday Evening

[pocketpretzels]

Following lunch with Steven, Watts had puttered around town for a bit, before heading back to the apartment building. His own apartment was only a brief stop, however, as he collected a little four-legged friend before heading across the hall to Steven's.

Putting the cake away in the fridge, he noticed the remains of both the pie and the whiskey he'd shared with Marc last night, and made sure the pie was covered both so it didn't dry out and so little sneak-thief felines didn't try and sneak a bite.

That taken care of, he headed back to the living room, picked out a book from the shelf to read and curled up on the couch, Raphael on his lap as he waited for Steven to get home.

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

And thusly Watts needed to express how much he appreciated that show of willpower.

"Missed you." It had been hours! Hours!

[hasaknightjob]

"Missed you," Steven murmured back between kisses. Because, yes, hours! "Love you. Perfect. Wonderful..."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts laughed softly against Steven's lips. "So, that's your way of saying you don't mind I let myself in?" he checked.

[hasaknightjob]

"Good surprise," Steven confirmed. He gave Llewellyn another kiss. "Lovely view to come home to. Wouldn't mind it again in the future."

[pocketpretzels]

"I'll keep that in mind," Watts said. "It occurred to me, we had plans to spend the evening together already, so why waste a single minute?" It might have been a different story had those plans involved going out, but they hadn't. So here he was.

[hasaknightjob]

"Look at you," Steven said, with a fond smile, "being clever. Here, let me put my things down."

Steven stole one last kiss then stepped back so he could put his satchel down and take off his coat. Or at least he started to when movement by his feet reminded him there was someone else to say hello to. He squatted down to pet Raphael. "Hello. Come to celebrate my birthday as well?"

[pocketpretzels]

Finally, finally, the cat was getting the proper attention he was due, purring happily at the attention.

Watts, of course, was just watching with not even concealed amusement.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven wasn't aware of the amusement, since he was paying attention to Raphael as was proper. "You look handsome as well. As always. Not a fur out of place, I see."

[pocketpretzels]

"Mrrrr!" Which was clearly cat for 'Yes, thank you for noticing.'

[hasaknightjob]

"No, no, I don't doubt it," Steven replied. He gave Raphael a final pat - well, final for the moment - then got up again. "Here. Still need to take my coat off, don't I? Let me do that and we can have a proper cuddle."

Was that offer for the cat? Llewellyn? Possibly both.

[pocketpretzels]

"I do like the sound of that," Watts informed Steven. Raphael was clearly in agreement, winding between Steven's legs and rubbing up against his ankles.

[hasaknightjob]

"Right, yes, here, hang on, need to hang my coat up," Steven said, walking carefully so he didn't trip over Raphael. Which wasn't anything Raphael was doing so much as it was Steven knowing his own sense of coordination.

To Llewellyn, as he finally put his things away, "And how are you, love? Afternoon all right?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Quiet," Watts informed him. "Took a walk around the island after lunch, and then came here and did a little reading."

[hasaknightjob]

Once Steven had his coat and satchel put away, he moved towards the couch, motioning for Llewellyn to join him. "Didn't keep you waiting long, did I?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Not long, but I was watching the clock all the same," Watts said, as he followed Steven over to the couch.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven sat down, ready to tuck himself up against Llewellyn as soon as Llewellyn joined him. "Hungry? We could order something?"

Or have cake for dinner. That was an option.

[pocketpretzels]

"If I say no to food, be assured something is seriously wrong," Watts said, folding himself down on to the couch and pulling Steven close.

Even the times where he'd been so focused he'd forgotten to eat, he hadn't been actively refusing food.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven snuggled in close, leaning against Llewellyn's side and resting his head on Llewellyn's shoulder. It was his birthday, he figured it was allowed to make himself as comfortable as he liked. "Something delivered? Nice and easy?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Your birthday," Watts said, pressing a kiss to the top of Steven's head. "You choose."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven thought about it. "Something from Luke's? Loads of options there."

Steven would not be ordering the same burger Marc had the night before.

[pocketpretzels]

"No need to order dessert, though," Watts said solemnly. "Unless, of course, you're tired of cake by now."

... Although ice cream to accompany said cake might not be a terrible idea.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven looked up at him. "I would never tire of your cake. It was lovely."

Which Steven knew from having a slice of it with lunch.

"Unless you're trying to tell me it's all gone?"

Steven was grinning though, to show he was joking.

[pocketpretzels]

"Safely tucked away in the fridge," Watts assured him.

[hasaknightjob]

"Safe from cats then," Steven said. He turned to see where Raphael was. "None for you. It's no good for cats to eat. We'll have treats for you later."

After all, Raphael needed to celebrate the birthday too.

[pocketpretzels]

"Treats all around," Watts agreed with a smile as Raphael hopped up on to the couch and padded over to them, searching for the ideal spot that would get him the maximum amount of attention from both his people.