Throughout the Preserve, Friday early Afternoon

[pocketpretzels]

The weather today was pleasant, perfect walk-in-the-woods weather, and so as soon as they'd returned from services (and lunch) on the mainland, Watts had suggested that's exactly what he and Steven do. So the two of them had set out to walk to the woods in order to walk in the woods.

Although intellectually he realised it hardly mattered, it still wasn't until they'd passed inside the tree line that Watts reached for Steven's arm with a smile.

"This was a wonderful idea," he said. A good amount of the usual tension he carried with him had melted away on the walk over and so his gait was loose-limbed and easy.

[ooc: for the walking companion!]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

Ever since they'd suggested the idea on Wednesday, Steven had been imagining him and Llewellyn walking hand in hand. Arm in arm was even better, and Steven happily moved closer. "Funny the things you never get around to, isn't it? Suppose since it's there all the time it doesn't feel like a rush to take advantage."

[pocketpretzels]

"But then sometimes before you know it, it's not even an option anymore," Watts said. And then grimaced slightly. "Sorry. That was a bit more melancholy than I'd intended."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven looked at him with concern. "Any particular reason your thoughts have taken that turn?"

[pocketpretzels]

"No particular reason, other than the fact that things are always changing- we are walking in nature today but suppose we'd decided to take a stroll throughout town," he said. "Where the geography has seen a rather significant change as of two weeks ago."

[hasaknightjob]

"Ahh, I see," Steven said. He gave Llewellyn's arm a squeeze. "I can understand that. Or even circumstances, like me getting the sack."

Then, realizing that might not have been clear, Steven hastily added, "About this time last year, I mean. Current job is fine."

[pocketpretzels]

"Oh," Watts let out a breath he didn't realise he'd been holding at Steven's clarification. "That would've come out of nowhere, had you meant your current job."

[hasaknightjob]

"Sorry," Steven said. He bumped his shoulder into Llewellyn's for added reassurance. "No, Blathers is great to work for. Which I suppose goes to show you can be surprised by good things as easily as bad. Wouldn't have predicted working for an owl this time last year either, let alone enjoying it instead of thinking it was more proof I was going mad."

[pocketpretzels]

"I don't know that I would have pictured myself as in charge of a station either," Watts admitted. "Even one without much crime to solve."

[hasaknightjob]

"I was still hoping to have a relationship with someone some day," Steven said. He smiled up at Llewellyn. "Someone wonderful who I cared for and who cared for me. That worked out, didn't it?"

[pocketpretzels]

"I'm rather pleased with how that shook out, indeed," Watts agreed.

A year ago he had just had his heart broken by the same man for the second time and had resolved to give up on love, but thankfully that hadn't stuck.

[hasaknightjob]

Of course it was difficult going down this particular path of memories for Steven without being reminded of the much more severe things which had shaken his world. Such as finding out about his mother.

"You are right though," Steven said. He held on to Llewellyn's arm more tightly. "Never know when things'll be taken from you. Best to appreciate them while they're there."

[pocketpretzels]

"Exa- oh, watch out, there," Watts said, tugging Steven to one side in an effort to avoid him tripping on a root sticking out of the ground.

[hasaknightjob]

Which was good because Steven hadn't been paying attention at all. It was also good because the thing that Steven did notice was that they were now closer than they had been. He smiled up at Llewellyn. "My hero."

[pocketpretzels]

"I'd not let you stumble if I can help it," Watts told him, smiling back.

[hasaknightjob]

"You never do," Steven said. "Can I kiss you to show my appreciation?"

[pocketpretzels]

"I'd quite like that, yes," Watts informed him.

[hasaknightjob]

"So would I," Steven said. He leaned up to do that very thing. He kept it light, though, in case even the Preserve was too public for Llewellyn's comfort level.

[pocketpretzels]

There was nobody else human around- at least in this section of the Preserve. It was of course hard to avoid squirrels entirely, but the other wildlife was much less concerned with their private life.

... Except perhaps the alot of kissing that was lurking nearby for some reason.

In any case, Watts was all right with lingering for a moment or two.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven bumped their noses together when the kiss finally ended. "Didn't picture that a year ago either. But that's all right. Reality is better than what I could've imagined."

[pocketpretzels]

"My imagination could never have conjured someone as sweet as you," Watts informed him.

[hasaknightjob]

"Mine wanted someone as thoughtful as you," Steven said. "And romantic."

[pocketpretzels]

"Ah, and there you see is more evidence to my point about things being ever changing. There is no-one who would have genuinely used those words to describe me even a few years ago. That is all a recent development."

[hasaknightjob]

"Sounds strange to me," Steven admitted. "You were thoughtful from the start, far as I could see."

[pocketpretzels]

"A recently acquired skill," Watts told him. "One that didn't come easy."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven wrapped his arms around Llewellyn's waist. "One you cared enough to work on. That means something."