MHA #15, Saturday Morning

[pocketpretzels]

As far as birthday celebrations went, Watts- well, he didn't have anything to compare it against, actually, but all the same he thought it went rather well.

Yes there'd been a part of the evening where his fears had been laid out for all- or at least for Steven, as no one else had actually paid them any mind- to see. But the conversation had shifted, eventually, and then they'd come back to the island, fumbling their way through the hallway and stopping only for the occasional kiss that still tasted of crepes.

Fumbling all the way, as it happened, to Watts's apartment, through the door, and into the bedroom. Where there was (shockingly) more kissing. And then some things that weren't kissing. And then, eventually, drifting off to sleep together.

Which naturally led in to waking up together. Or it would. Eventually. Right now they were still both blissfully asleep, Watts once again doing his very best impression of an octopus curled around Steven.

[ooc: for he who is mentioned in the post.]

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

"I don't see the point in bending the truth, is all," Watts said. "And those few times I've tried have proved I've no skill for it besides."

Dr. Ogden had once remarked that she didn't think he was capable of lying, even to spare someone's feelings, and... she was not wrong.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven threaded their fingers together. He studied them for a moment, feeling the solidness of Llewellyn's hand against his. "So many things were confusing in my life. Even before I knew why. I'd lose time, things, me. People would have conversations with me and I've no idea what they were talking about. All sorts of references to things I didn't remember saying or agreeing to. It's not like that with you. I can ask when it gets all jumbled and you don't get cross about it. It's nice."

[pocketpretzels]

"You see?" Watts said, bringing their clasped hands up so he could press a kiss to Steven's knuckles. "A good match."

[hasaknightjob]

"And for some reason you're not bothered about it," Steven said. Which was a broader comment given the knowledge gained in the past week, but it was true all the same. "Still getting used to that."

[pocketpretzels]

"Steven Grant," Watts said solemnly. "There is nothing about you I've found to be a bother. So yes, get used to it you'd better."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven felt warmth go through him at Llewellyn using his full name. He nestled in closer in response. "See? You being wonderful again. How am I to say no to that?"

[pocketpretzels]

“You do not,” Watts said simply. “Although speaking of saying things- I never did say thank you properly for arranging everything last night.” Given how things had ended up, it’s possible Steven had got the message anyhow. “So. Thank you. It was wonderful.”

[hasaknightjob]

How things ended up was a good hint, but it was nice to hear all the same. "I'm glad. I must say there being no surprises was handy. No worrying that I'd chosen something wrong and ruined your night."

[pocketpretzels]

"You see? Exactly," Watts said. "Well," he amended, "I have enough confidence in you that I don't believe you would have chosen that poorly, but many people place too much emphasis on the element of surprise- to the point where it often overshadows the gift itself."

[hasaknightjob]

"Is that why you don't care for surprises?" Steven asked. "Wanting to focus on the gift?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Hm. No, that's not it," Watts shook his head. "Just something I've observed."

[hasaknightjob]

"Why don't you care for surprises then?" Steven asked. "If you don't mind saying, that is."

[pocketpretzels]

"In my experience they've nearly always been- unpleasant," Watts admitted. "For example, when I found my sister."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven instinctively hugged Llewellyn at the mention of her. "Did you have warning a surprise was coming that time or were you entirely off guard?"

[pocketpretzels]

"None whatsoever," Watts said, "we showed up at the estate our murder victim had been staying at, and- there she was. Running the place. Had been for five years."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven pressed a kiss to Llewellyn's chest. "Extra nasty shock then. You being unprepared and on the job beside. Must've been hard trying to handle it while you're expected to be professional."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts closed his eyes, taking comfort in Steven's presence as he continued. "It was. I might have had an easier time of it if I'd just accepted her initial explanation at face value. I think in her own way she was just trying to spare my feelings."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven gave Llewellyn's hand a squeeze to reassure him he was there. "Which explanation was that?"

[pocketpretzels]

"That she'd gotten involved with a man who'd forced her to leave me, all those years ago," Watts shared. "I just kept circling back to- well, how could I not have known my own sister was in distress?"

The answer, of course, was that she never had been. But he hadn't known that until he'd pressed her regarding the inconsistencies in her story.

[hasaknightjob]

"It's that detective brain of yours," Steven said. "Don't think you had much choice, really. You're too good at noticing things and sussing out a mystery."

Steven knew this from firsthand experience. Of course, unlike Llewellyn's sister, Steven rather liked it when Llewellyn noticed things about him.

[pocketpretzels]

"Still," he sighed. "As much as I do prefer to know the whole truth, a part of me wonders if it might have been better to let myself believe the lie. At least then she might have remained in Toronto, and even if we were to have no contact... I would know that she's alive. Instead, she's left me twice."

[hasaknightjob]

A somber look crossed Steven's face at the mention of believing a lie, but Steven kept his focus on Llewellyn. "That's on her though, isn't it? She's the one who chose to move on. She's an adult now, same as you. It's not on you that she'd rather shove off than have an honest conversation."

[pocketpretzels]

"Isn't it?" Watts countered. "She left the first time because she did not want me. The second, she deliberately did not tell me where she was going, for the same reason. To me, that speaks to- to some fundamental flaw in my being."

[hasaknightjob]

"Right, well first of all you're not flawed, you're wonderful," Steven told him, just so that was clear. "I'm not brooking any argument with that. Second, it is on her. And I'm not biased there. I do understand why she left when you were children. It was horrible for you both, but I understand it. But later? As an adult? No. No reason at all not to chat with you or keep the door open for later. It's being selfish. Maybe she's trying to prevent some pain of her own, but that's no excuse for hurting other people."

After all, Steven did have some experience in this area.

[pocketpretzels]

“If it were just her, perhaps I could accept that. But there’s a pattern: my parents. My foster brothers. Jack. Even professionally, I was asked to vacate my original posting as Detective.” Which he hadn’t actually minded, finding most of Station One to be staffed by dull and uninteresting folk, but he’d recognized the insult for what it was.