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

[pocketpretzels]

Watts let himself melt into the hug. "I'm not certain what you mean."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven rubbed Llewellyn's back with one hand as he continued to hold him. "You. Beating yourself up for still being afraid. Not seeing how much progress you've already made these past weeks."

[pocketpretzels]

"Because it isn't progress, I've gone backwards."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven kissed the side of Llewellyn's head. "But that happens, doesn't it? We aren't perfect all the time. Sometimes we slip. What matters is if we try again, yeah? Even if there's only a little progress that day, or no progress at all. Try again the next day then."

[pocketpretzels]

"It is exhausting," Watts reiterated.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven hugged him tighter. "I wish I could make it easier on you. I am proud of you. Don't know if that helps."

[pocketpretzels]

"You do make it easier," Watts admitted. "Just by being you." And doing things like announcing himself before opening a door. Such a simple, small thing, and Watts loves him for it while simultaneously hating how much relief it brings.

[hasaknightjob]

"If I can do more I will," Steven said. He kissed the side of Llewellyn's head again. "Even if it's to be patient enough for the both of us."

[pocketpretzels]

Unfortunately Watts was extremely unlikely to ask for such help, stubborn as he was.

"I'm sorry. We were having a nice afternoon."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven pulled back enough that he could look Llewellyn in the eyes. "You've nothing to be sorry for. I enjoy spending time with you. I don't enjoy you being unhappy, but I do like that when you are you know you can talk to me about it. Any time. Even when we're having a lovely hike."

[pocketpretzels]

"I would've preferred not to have spoiled the mood," Watts said, looking down at the ground.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven gently caressed Llewellyn's cheeks, but did not force him to look up. "Is that your own disappointment then? If you didn't want any dark moods on this walk I can understand being disappointed that one came up on you."

[pocketpretzels]

"You know me well," Watts muttered.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven leaned his forehead against Llewellyn's. "My poor Llew. I'm sorry your mood turned against you."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts took a deep breath. "Might we continue?" he asked. "On our walk, I mean. Perhaps with a different subject of conversation."

[hasaknightjob]

"Of course," Steven said. "Can I give you a kiss before we do?"

[pocketpretzels]

"That would be most welcome," Watts confirmed.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven cupped Llewellyn's face with both hands and gave him a soft, slow kiss.

[pocketpretzels]

Watts slipped his arms around Steven's waist, pulling him close and doing his best to forget about everything but what they were doing in this moment.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven moved his hands to rest on the back of Llewellyn's neck. He let Llewellyn take the lead on how long the kiss lasted, content to enjoy it for however long that may be.

[pocketpretzels]

As long as humanly possible? Watts stepped backwards, pulling Steven with him, until Watts’s back was pressed up against a nearby tree.

[hasaknightjob]

If Llewellyn insisted, who was Steven to argue they had some sort of hiking related schedule to keep? Steven moved with him, pressing against Llewellyn so that Llewellyn might feel secure and safe with Steven in front of him and the tree behind him.

[pocketpretzels]

And oh, but Steven was good. Not just at kissing (there was no question of that), but of knowing what Watts needed in that moment, which was absolutely that feeling of being safe and secure. A soft, contented sound rose in his throat as he continued the kiss.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven heard the sound and responded by holding Llewellyn tighter. He moved his hands up to tangle in Llewellyn's hair (taking care not to dislodge his hat, of course) and keep him nice and close as the kiss continued.

[pocketpretzels]

And thus did Watts encounter a dilemma, for he very much wanted Steven to know that he was good, perfect, wonderful only he couldn’t very well utter such encouragement with his mouth occupied as it was. So he focused instead on trying to convey that message through his enthusiastic response.