Midnight Manor Private Residence, Wednesday Evening

[pocketpretzels]

“There we go,” Watts said, sliding the rosemary foccacia into the oven.

“The pasta recipe calls for canned purée,” he continued, “but it seems a shame given fresh tomatoes are in abundance right now. I looked up how to make it ourselves and it doesn’t seem complicated at all. What do you think?” he asked Steven. There were enough fresh tomatoes to make said purée laid out on the counter, but also a can ready to go in case that was deemed too many steps.

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

"First dinner in our new home, may as well go the extra steps?" Steven said, after giving it some thought. "No harm in trying if we've the called to fall back on, yeah?"

[pocketpretzels]

“My thoughts exactly,” Watts said, pleased that Steven agreed. “And we can both do the chopping for the tomatoes, since it isn’t as if they need to be neatly done. That should help things go a little faster.”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven read through the instructions again. "I like how we can save the extra for later. Tomatoes taste so good this time of year. Perhaps we should get more to save up later this week."

[pocketpretzels]

“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” Watts said, taking the opportunity to sneak a quick kiss to Steven’s cheek. “One we never would’ve considered when we started cooking. We’ve come quite a ways, I think.”

[hasaknightjob]

"We have, haven't we?" Steven said, smiling proudly. Then he pretended to look serious. "There is one problem though."

[pocketpretzels]

“What’s that, then?” Watts asked with a concerned look in Steven’s direction.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven took Llewellyn's hand and pulled him closer. "A bigger kitchen means we don't bump into each other as much while we're cooking."

[pocketpretzels]

“You’re right, that is a problem,” Watts murmured as he closed the rest of the distance between them leaning in to kiss Steven properly. “Suppose we’ll have to figure out how make up for it in some manner.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Part of learning how to navigate our new home," Steven agreed, kissing Llewellyn back. "We'll have to do loads of practice."

[pocketpretzels]

“Muddle through it together,” Watts affirmed.

[hasaknightjob]

"Worth it," Steven said. He grinned up at Llewellyn. "Just like you."

[pocketpretzels]

“I like that you find me so,” Watts said, brushing a thumb gently across Steven’s cheek.

[hasaknightjob]

"I wouldn't move in with just anybody," Steven pointed out. "Had to be a very special person indeed."

[pocketpretzels]

“Flatterer,” Watts said fondly. “You know,” he added slowly. “It may be that we don’t bump in to each other anymore, but a larger kitchen does have some advantages…”

[hasaknightjob]

"Oh?" Steven said, curious to see where his beau's thoughts were headed. "Like what?"

[pocketpretzels]

Watts took Steven’s left hand with his right, and then slid his own right hand up Steven’s side until they were in a rough approximation of a waltz position.

“More room to dance, darling.”

[hasaknightjob]

Well now Steven was both delighted and had heart eyes for his beau. "I like that very much. I enjoy any excuse to dance with you."

Good thing there was a timer set to make sure the bread didn't burn while they kept getting distracted. Not that it was going to be done anytime soon but, well, these two did have a history.

[pocketpretzels]

“Glad to hear it,” Watts said, leading Steven across the kitchen in a few steps before turning them
back towards the counter, and the tomatoes.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven got a knife so he could start cutting the tomatoes as the recipe said. "Perhaps later? After dinner? You and me and a dance?"

[pocketpretzels]

“I would like that very much, Steven Grant,” Watts told him, grabbing another knife to help with the cutting.

[hasaknightjob]

"Another good way to mark the occasion," Steven said. "Between your bread and all that I feel it'll give our home a proper start of things."

Yes they'd been living in it for over a week now, but living and fully moved in were two different things.

[pocketpretzels]

“Very romantic of you,” Watts said.

[hasaknightjob]

"I like to think our home always will be," Steven said, smiling at him. "Romantic. Full of love. Love of all sorts, really."

[pocketpretzels]

“Something which our home will surely appreciate as well,” Watts pointed out with an answering smile.

[hasaknightjob]

"It's been doing well so far, hasn't it?" Steven asked. "Our residents seem happy. Liking their rooms and all."

Steven was thrilled about that on multiple levels, frankly.