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]

"I don't mind that," Watts said. "As much as I enjoy every minute with you, time apart is good as well. Whether it's because you have other things that need doing or because Marc has a life of his own to attend to," he shrugged. "That is just how it is."

[hasaknightjob]

It might be how it was, but Steven gave Llewellyn a grateful look all the same. "Some day he'll have someone of his own."

Though by the sound of it even Steven had given up on the idea of it happening this year.

[pocketpretzels]

"Some day," Watts echoed. "He deserves the sort of happiness I've found with you."

[hasaknightjob]

That coaxed a smile back out again. "Least you understand that. Now all we need to do is get him on board. Even if it's not with someone. Just being happy time to time. He's allowed."

[pocketpretzels]

"He's been joining me at the diner as of late on Tuesdays," Watts noted. "Well, not joining me per se, as we don't necessarily sit and eat together. But I do see him there." Which Steven likely knew, of course, but still.

[hasaknightjob]

He did, but Marc was horrible with details and if Steven didn't know where to look for them - or what details there were available to find - he didn't necessarily get everything. "That's something. Has he been talking to people? Besides you? I know he goes to Devil's Nest some Thursdays, so that's Annie, yeah?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Annie and Mr. Amicitia," Watts confirmed. "As he's typically there on Thursdays as well. And Mr. Scientia has started working at the diner, which is why I started going. They'll usually have a chat as he places his order."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven looked hopeful. "He does? That's major for Marc. Normally he doesn't chat with an order unless he's hoping to get something out of it. Information or something."

[pocketpretzels]

"Given Mr. Scientia's blindness, I suspect it is also a way to subtly help him stay oriented regarding Marc's location," Watts said. Which he had no doubts Ignis had also figured out, but Ignis and Marc both being who they were, neither of them were acknowledging that was what was going on.

[hasaknightjob]

"Oh right," Steven said. "Suppose that makes sense. Marc may be a twat but he's not the sort of twat who'd be cruel to someone who can't see. Not because they can't see, at any rate."

[pocketpretzels]

"Rather the opposite," Watts nodded. "He's offering assistance without being condescending about it."

[hasaknightjob]

"That does sound like him," Steven said. "Especially the part where he'd rather come off like someone who talks than he would someone who's nice or helpful."

[pocketpretzels]

"Still, you and I know the truth, don't we," Watts winked at Steven. "And the more he gets out, the more people will see that side of him, hopefully."

[hasaknightjob]

"He's been doing so much better than he has been," Steven said. "Gym, those lunches, Devil's Nest. Sometimes on Wednesdays he pops by to see Irene. That's major for him."

[pocketpretzels]

"Hmm," Watts said. "Perhaps I ought to see how Miss Adler is doing. It's been a while since I've spoken to her."

[hasaknightjob]

"She seemed all right last time Marc spoke with her," Steven said, just to reassure Llewellyn in case he was worried. "But I'm sure she'd love to see you."

[pocketpretzels]

"I feel as if I've been a bit reclusive lately," Watts said. "Visits to the diner aside."

[hasaknightjob]

"I've been keeping you all to myself in many ways," Steven said. He gave Llewellyn's hand an apologetic squeeze.

[pocketpretzels]

"I cherish every minute with you," Watts reminded him.

[hasaknightjob]

"I do as well," Steven said. "Including things like this, where we're meant to behave ourselves."

[pocketpretzels]

"Not for too much longer," Watts said, tugging Steven lightly so as to avoid a rock in their path. "I think we'll be out the other side of the Preserve soon."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven may have taken that as an excuse to walk closer to Llewellyn than he had been. "Then back home? To have you all to myself again?"

Then, because it had to be acknowledged, "To myself and Raphael?"

[pocketpretzels]

"We shall say hello to Raphael, and let him berate us for leaving him for the afternoon," Watts affirmed. "And then we are going in to your bedroom and closing the door so we can do all manner of things that we do not wish any prying eyes to behold."

[hasaknightjob]

"So all sorts of cuddles when we get home then?" Steven said, grinning. "Depending on the need?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Mmm," Watts nodded in the affirmative. "And I am letting you right now that I have a great need for..." he leaned over to murmur something in Steven's ear, conscious as always of eavesdropping squirrels.