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]

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

[pocketpretzels]

"You know what the very first thing I said to Detective Murdoch upon meeting the man? 'So you're the one who botched it', referring to the case I'd been brought in to re-examine. I am glad you didn't know me then."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven considered it. Having met Murdoch, Steven had to acknowledge, "That does seem strong. He didn't strike me as the sort to try to do things poorly."

[pocketpretzels]

"Technically, it was his wife who'd botched it," Watts said. "Or so the accused claimed. As she'd been the one to submit the key piece of evidence that saw him convicted in the first place."

[hasaknightjob]

"I still think you've a good heart, though," Steven said. "Being rough about the edges doesn't necessarily mean someone isn't a good person."

Not that Steven knew someone else who this could apply to or anything.

[pocketpretzels]

"I like that you can see that in me."

Even if he couldn't always see it in himself.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven reached to take Llewellyn's hand so they could continue walking. "You've a big heart, Llew. Hard not to see it from where I'm standing."

[pocketpretzels]

"Right next to me as you are," Watts said, leaning over to place a quick kiss on Steven's cheek.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven threaded their fingers together as they continued walking. "It's a good place to be. Pretty fond of it. Makes me happy, for certain. How about you? Hasn't been too much, staying over as you've been?"

It hadn't even been a full two days yet but Steven still worried.

[pocketpretzels]

“It’s been wonderful, darling,” Watts assured him. “A good place to be,” he echoed with a smile.

[hasaknightjob]

"It's been nice having you," Steven said. He gave Llewellyn's hand a squeeze. "You and Raphael. No problem on our end either, you two being about."

[pocketpretzels]

"Raphael is downright thrilled to still be there as well," Watts affirmed. "The fish haven't lost their ability to captivate him." Nor was the cat tired of having Steven's lap so handy to curl up in.

[hasaknightjob]

"The fish are rather captivating," Steven said. At least he'd always thought that about goldfish. "Very busy lives, they have."

[pocketpretzels]

"There is certainly something meditative about watching them swim about," Watts agreed.

[hasaknightjob]

"Suppose it could be said they enjoy looking at us as well," Steven said. "Since either we're about or they've the photos of us to keep them company."

[pocketpretzels]

“Do you think they can hear anything that’s going on?” Watts wondered. “Or maybe they’re making up their own tales of who we are and what we get up to.”

[hasaknightjob]

"They can hear? Sort of?" Steven said. "They pick up on vibrations, you see. That's why you're not meant to tap on the glass of the tank. It's like shouting at them."

[pocketpretzels]

“Wouldn’t want to do that,” Watts agreed, reaching to push a low-hanging branch out of Steven’s way.

[hasaknightjob]

If Llewellyn kept doing things like that he was in grave danger of being kissed again. For now Steven managed to keep his reaction to a fond smile.

"Hopefully they're happy," Steven said. "All their plants and places to hide in. Especially since travel is out of the question."

[pocketpretzels]

Look, nobody wanted a twisted ankle or a branch to the face! That was just facts. Even if, yes, Steven had access to a magical healing suit that could negate any nature-dealt damage.

"Perhaps for them going from one end of the tank to the other is a significant trip," Watts mused. "That's their whole world, after all."

[hasaknightjob]

The suit wouldn't heal any embarrassment, however. Nor would it prevent any insults from Khonshu that would come if he found out Steven used it to heal up an injury from simply being clumsy.

"That's what I hope," Steven said. "Giving them things to explore and to hide in. It's what any of us want, isn't it? Interesting things to see and a safe place to call our own. Good company as well, if you're lucky."

[pocketpretzels]

"I certainly am," Watts said, beaming at Steven.

[hasaknightjob]

"As am I," Steven said, bumping their shoulders together. Steven looked around. "It's nice out here. Do you think it's the sort of spot where we could have a picnic? Or is the park better?"

On a later date, of course. One in which food like sandwiches could be on the menu.

[pocketpretzels]

"I've seen some nice little clearings when I've been here previously," Watts affirmed. "Perfect for a picnic."

[hasaknightjob]

Perhaps there would be alot of food?

"Could be fun," Steven said. "If you'd care for it as well. Never done a romantic picnic. Closest I ever came was that first time we did lunch in DC."