So Late Tuesday Night It's Basically Wednesday Morning, MHA #15 and then #14

[pocketpretzels]

It wasn't right, his body lying there so still. It wasn't right. He should've been faster. No matter that running in to the church any sooner only would've seen his own body added to the count from that night. It wasn't right.

Jackson couldn't be dead, Jackson was always so- he was too alive to be dead. Watts was aware that reasoning didn't make any sense. But nothing made sense. There was so much blood, and Jackson was dead, and George was on the verge.

Watts's eyes snapped open and he gasped for breath. It had been a while since that particular nightmare, though once upon a time it had been a regular nighttime visitor.

He spent the next hour or so tossing and turning, trying to get back to sleep only to be faced with the image of his colleagues bleeding out on the church floor every time he closed his eyes. Eventually, he had to admit defeat, and threw on Steven's his sweatpants and an undershirt, padding out towards the kitchen to- he wasn't sure what. Fix himself some tea, perhaps.

Except- crossing through the living room, he glanced over at the door to his apartment. Maybe- maybe it would be all right if he...?

Watts took a deep breath, and headed across the hall to Steven and Marc's apartment. He knocked on the door.

After waiting for a minute, he lifted his hand to knock again, and then paused, wondering if this was a stupid idea. Perhaps he should just go back to his own apartment.

[ooc: for them whose apartment door is being knocked. details NFB plz.]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

Marc had been out that day, so it had been Marc who went to sleep. Likewise it was Marc who woke up at the knock on the door. It was, however, a familiar knock so between that and how late it was, that immediately got Steven taking over and heading to the door.

Which Steven then opened with no delay. "Llew. Come in. What's wrong?"

[pocketpretzels]

“I- “ Watts stood at the threshold to the apartment, not actually coming in just yet.

“I’m sorry to disturb you.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Nothing to apologize for," Steven said. He looked Llewellyn over to see if he could figure out what might be bothering him. "You're always welcome. Any time. I promise."

[pocketpretzels]

Right. He knew that. He did. But he’d needed to hear it again, out loud, in this moment.

“I-“ he stepped forward then, burying his face in Steven’s shoulder. “I needed to see you.”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven only held off on hugging Llewellyn with both arms for long enough to close the door behind him. Once that was done Steven hugged him tightly. "Here I am. Look all you like. I've not gone anywhere."

[pocketpretzels]

“I don’t think I could bear if you had,” Watts said. Not that he worried about Steven sneaking off in the middle of the night- well. Not intentionally sneaking off, in any case.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven kissed the side of Llewellyn's head. "Do you want to sit down?"

[pocketpretzels]

“Please,” Watts said, still into Steven’s shoulder.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven took Llewellyn's hand to lead him towards the couch. "What happened? Would you like to talk about it?"

[pocketpretzels]

“I couldn’t sleep,” Watts admitted. Not when every time he closed his eyes he saw the bodies of his colleagues, his friends, motionless on the church floor.

“I was- I thought to make myself some tea,” he continued. “Only I found myself knocking on your door instead.”

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm glad you did. It's what I'm here for." Steven guided Llewellyn to sit on the couch. He went to sit beside him then hesitated. "Would you like me to put the kettle on? It's no problem."

[pocketpretzels]

“I would like tea,” Watts confirmed.

[hasaknightjob]

"All right, I'll be just a minute then," Steven said. "Will you be all right if I turn on the lamp?"

Steven didn't think Llewellyn would mind light as a concept, but given how things were it seemed a good idea to be extra careful about anything that might be a surprise.

[pocketpretzels]

He vastly preferred light to the dark, yes.

“That’s fine.”

[hasaknightjob]

"All right," Steven said. He turned on the lamp. It gave enough light that the room could be seen without being too bright for the hour. "Won't take a moment for the tea. Would you like to keep talking to me while I do it?"

[pocketpretzels]

“All right.” Somehow it was easier with Steven suggesting what he might do. “Ah. Ms. Ingram sent me home with some brownies for you. I’ve some cinnamon rolls as well.”

As long as the red, white, and blue theme didn’t offend Steven’s sensibilities there.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven put the kettle on, then got cups ready for tea. He picked something non-caffeinated. "Are they your cinnamon rolls or did Nell make those as well?"

[pocketpretzels]

“Mine,” Watts said. “Though I did add a little red and blue fruit syrup to go with the icing on top. Since it is the American Independence Day and all.”

Possibly was, at this point?

[hasaknightjob]

"Aren't you clever?" Steven replied, pride in his beau obvious from the tone of his voice. "Between you and Nell I'll certainly be spoiled for breakfast and desserts tomorrow. Lucky me."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts smiled slightly at the compliment. "She said to tell you hello as well," he passed on.

[hasaknightjob]

"I'll be sure to thank her when I see her."

The tea finally ready, Steven came out with two cups and held one out for Llewellyn to take. "Here you are. Just as you like it."

[pocketpretzels]

"Thank you, darling," Watts said, taking the offered cup and not taking a sip just yet, cradling it in two hands.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven set his own cup on the coffee table. He sat down beside Llewellyn, encouraging him to lean against Steven in any way Llewellyn cared for. "Would you like to talk about what's bothering you?"

[pocketpretzels]

Watts scooted over until he was right up against Steven, not quite in his lap but close to it.

"I could not sleep."

Well. Obviously.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven wrapped his arms around Llewellyn to hold him close. "Any particular reason?"