A Campground Somewhere Near Baltimore, Saturday Evening

[pocketpretzels]

After services that morning, Watts and Steven had not lingered on the mainland for brunch or coffee, instead heading right back to the island to pick up their gear and... return to the mainland.

Specifically, a campground nestled near an unspecified lake.

They'd managed to get the tent set up without too many mishaps, and then had set off on a hike around the campground to take in the sights. During which they came across rabbits, squirrels, several different kinds of birds and even a couple turtles.

Thankfully, no bears.

Now, with the sun beginning to set it was clearly dinner time, and thus were getting the fire started in order to cook some pasta with a simple marinara sauce they'd brought along.

[ooc: NFB for distance, and for the beau.]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

So far the day had been rather like an extended hike. Setting up the tent had been a new experience but otherwise nothing Steven hadn't dealt with before.

As day was turning into night, however, he was keeping closer to Llewellyn more than was strictly necessary in order to help with cooking. He was also keeping an eye on how much sunlight was remaining.

"Lucky me you're experienced with fire," Steven said, watching Llewellyn with admiration.

[pocketpretzels]

"One of the many unadvertised advantages of courting someone from before electricity in homes was popular?" Watts said drily, as the fire blazed to life.

[hasaknightjob]

"Indeed," Steven said. He grinned at him. "The advert in the paper only mentioned how handsome they were. Nothing about skills with fire or how charming they are."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts let out a snort of laughter as he filled the pot with one of the jugs of water they'd brought with them. "You're incorrigible," he said fondly.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven's smile grew wider. He always felt proud when he was able to make Llewellyn laugh. "You like it. It is nice, though. You enjoying my sense of humor."

[pocketpretzels]

"You were- and continue to be- quite consistent in your efforts to let me know you were making a joke," Watts pointed out. "How could I not?"

[hasaknightjob]

Steven reached over to gently rub Llewellyn's arm to have the contact without disturbing his cooking too much. "That's what I like about you as well. Always knowing where I am with you. No nasty surprises."

A thought occurred to Steven and he grinned again. "Well. Suppose there was a brief period where I didn't know. When you fancied me and I didn't realize it. But that worked out in the end."

[pocketpretzels]

"Well, I was also doing my very best to convince myself I oughtn't be sweet on you," Watts pointed out. "But as you say, it worked out. Rather splendidly, I'd say."

[hasaknightjob]

"Sort of funny to think I was doing the same about you," Steven said. "Another one of those ways we fit together, isn't it? Matching before we even realized."

Steven leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. "Worked out beyond splendidly though. Better than I could have imagined."

[pocketpretzels]

“No imagining necessary, now,” Watts confirmed, beaming back at him.

[hasaknightjob]

"I did have a very good imagination though" Steven said, giving him a warm look.

[pocketpretzels]

"Wicked man, Steven Grant," Watts said, his look an echo of Steven's own.

[hasaknightjob]

"All yours, Llewellyn Watts," Steven replied. Then, with faux innocence, added, "Needed something to keep me warm on the long cold nights."

Yes, they met in late spring and began dating in early summer. What of it?

[pocketpretzels]

“If that’s all, perhaps an electric blanket might have done the job just as well, hm?” Watts asked, though he was grinning as he said it.

[hasaknightjob]

"Hmmm, don't believe that's recommended in the instructions," Steven said, pretending to think about it. But he was still grinning.

[pocketpretzels]

“What, keeping one warm?” Watts said. “Here I thought that was their whole purpose…”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven bumped their shoulders together. Lightly, because he didn't want to disturb the cooking. "Not the way you keep me warm."

[pocketpretzels]

“Ah, well. Yes. That is for me and me alone.”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven shifted closer. Not that they were far apart to begin with. Steven was already keeping close as the sunlight faded. Even so, closer was nicer.

"I like that. Being your and yours alone."

[pocketpretzels]

“That’s good, as I’m a poor hand at sharing,” Watts said, taking advantage of the closeness to press a kiss to Steven’s cheek.

[hasaknightjob]

"It's funny," Steven said. "You'd think sharing with Marc would be the easiest. But other than Layla he and I don't have those sorts of interests in common. Like you're not the sort he'd fancy. Which is good. I want you all for myself."

[pocketpretzels]

“Indeed,” Watts said. “He’s a wonderful friend,” don’t think he hadn’t noticed the way Marc had also been watching over him this past week, because he absolutely had, “and I love him dearly- in a completely different way than the way I love you.”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven nodded with understanding. "Family. Even if he never says it. It's nice, though. You two having some things in common."

Steven grinned as he realized. "Besides me, I mean."

[pocketpretzels]

“You are a pretty important something he and I have in common,” Watts acknowledged. “But yes. Agreed.”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven scooted closer still. Any closer and he'd definitely be in the way of Llewellyn cooking. Or at least severely hampering the amount of room Llewellyn had to move his arm while doing said cooking.

"You both take good care of me. You've that in common as well."