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.

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[pocketpretzels]

“Oh,” Watts leaned in to the touch, now feeling a bit silly for immediately leaping to the wrong conclusion. “Although, I suppose- why don’t I bring you lunch tomorrow? And we can swap, I mean.”

[hasaknightjob]

"So I would bring you lunch next week?" Steven asked, to be sure he had the right of it.

[pocketpretzels]

"Yes," Watts nodded. "Would that work out?" he asked. "With your schedules, I mean."

[hasaknightjob]

"Can I confess something?" Steven asked, looking shy. "I rather thought it would be nice if you made the first lunch. It just felt right somehow."

[pocketpretzels]

"Is that so?" Watts's expression was practically a mirror of Steven's.

[hasaknightjob]

"Well, I mean we started our relationship when you brought me lunch that day," Steven said. Not that he had that particular lunch memorized or anything. "And here we are starting this new chapter. Seems right, doesn't it?"

[pocketpretzels]

"I suppose," Watts agreed. "Though I was inspired to bring you lunch because you had been bringing food by for me, when we were still only friends."

[hasaknightjob]

"Well," Steven said, still shy. "Couldn't have my new friend going hungry now could I?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Even if it meant telling little white lies about 'accidentally' ending up with too much food?" Watts asked pointedly as he started the tomatoes cooking.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven stood behind Llewellyn and wrapped his arms around his waist. "Only the one! At least, the one that I remember."

In hindsight getting a dish with meat in it had probably been too much of a clue.

[pocketpretzels]

"That's true," Watts acknowledged, leaning back against Steven. "After that we were officially courting, so there was no need for false pretenses."

[hasaknightjob]

"And it was you who started that," Steven said. He pressed a kiss behind Llewellyn's ear. "So you see? First lunch. But - I mean not if you'd rather not. I don't mind spoiling you with lunch on Friday either."

[pocketpretzels]

"No, no, it's all right," Watts said. "If we swap, then Marc can be about if he's needed on Friday. I'm fine with that; it was only the prospect of missing out entirely that had me distraught." No sense in pretending he hadn't been, given how easily Steven had picked up on it.

[hasaknightjob]

"No, no, never miss out," Steven said. He hugged Llewellyn tightly. "I'd be just as miserable if we did. No, if ever we had to miss for some reason, we'd make it up some other way. I promise."

[pocketpretzels]

"That's good to know," Watts admitted. "Because these lunch dates- they're very dear to me. My favourite part of the week."

[hasaknightjob]

"They are to me as well." Steven came forward enough that Llewellyn could see his face, though he kept one arm around Llewellyn's waist so they were still in contact. "Not only because I see you but - it sets things right, seeing you. I like seeing you any time because I love you and I love your company. But our lunches, they're regular. I can count on them. They help me know when and where I am. The world's not so scary then."

[pocketpretzels]

"Even should we swap which day we're to do lunch?" Watts checked, giving Steven a careful once-over.

[hasaknightjob]

"If I know we're doing it," Steven said. He thought about it so he could give Llewellyn a complete and honest answer. "If you surprised me it would be a surprise, but I trust you to set me right if it confused me. That's the part where it's you that matters."

[pocketpretzels]

"If I surprised you with lunch on a week where it was meant to be your turn, it would be because I desired extra time in your company," Watts told him. "If it ended up confusing you regarding whose turn it was that week, of course I'd set you right. Always, darling."

[hasaknightjob]

"I know you would, you always do." Steven gave him a one armed hug, doing so carefully so as not to disturb the cooking. "Part of why I feel safe with you. I know you'd never let me get lost. In reality or my own mind."

[pocketpretzels]

"You are far too precious to me for me to ever let that happen," Watts promised him solemnly.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven ducked his head, feeling a warmth inside of him. "Always hoped someone would find me precious."

[pocketpretzels]

“I do,” Watts said. “Very much so. You are the love of my life, the keeper of my heart, Steven Grant.”

[hasaknightjob]

Well now Steven was positively melted. He laid his head against Llewellyn's shoulder. "That's a wonderful title. Keeper of your heart. I like it."

[pocketpretzels]

“Yours alone to claim,” Watts told him.