The Beach Near Midnight Manor, Sunday Afternoon

[pocketpretzels]

Layla had said she wanted some time to talk to Watts without either Steven or Marc around, and so they’d made plans today to go for a walk and grab some coffee. The walk itself had consisted of a mix of idle chit-chat interspersed with Watts occasionally pointing out a location of interest; the real talk was being saved for when they found a nice spot to sit and enjoy those coffees.

“I know just the place,” Watts said, leading Layla to a spot on the beach where they had a good view of the Manor, and there were rocks and logs scattered about that were large enough to serve as seats.

[ooc: for she who be mentioned!]

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"Steven's right about it being a good location," Layla said. "Can you go swimming here too?"

[pocketpretzels]

“Oh, yes,” Watts said with a smile, their current location being just a stone’s throw from where they’d set up for their beach date a month or so ago. “Though it might be a bit on the chilly side now.” Next year, though, they’d have a whole summer out here and Watts was definitely planning to make the most of it.

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"Definitely wasn't suggesting it," Layla said, without any rancor. She looked at what was on offer and at down on one of the more sturdy looking logs. "I'm used to swimming in warmer waters when I go. London was the closest I've come to living somewhere that gets cold with the seasons."

Compared to, say, Canada.

[pocketpretzels]

“It doesn’t get quite as cold here as Toronto, which is perfectly fine by me,” Watts said. “I’ve never been particularly fond of winter.”

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"You guys are always welcome in Cairo," Layla told him. Then she grinned. "Technically speaking I'm not always welcome in Cairo."

[pocketpretzels]

“I’ve never been, myself,” Watts admitted. “Though I would certainly like to.”

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"When you guys come I promise to play tour guide," Layla said. She wasn't a Steven-level optimist, but she liked to think positive. "Except show you all the authentic spots. Not the tourist traps. Maybe we'll even get to sneak in to some of the pyramids where normally people aren't allowed."

There had to be perks to being avatars, right?

[pocketpretzels]

“As a copper I’m not supposed to approve of sneaking in where one isn’t normally allowed,” Watts said with mock sternness. “But I think in this case my curiosity might win out.”

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"Imagine the look on Steven's face if you didn't," Layla pointed out, not without a measure of fondness. Though she then sighed and shook her head. "It is wild to me how different he is from Marc. I still catch myself sometimes expecting to see something of Marc in there but - "

She shrugged, sipping her coffee for lack of a better way to end that sentence.

[pocketpretzels]

“Well, they’re different people,” Watts said with a shrug.

Of course, Layla had known Marc, and just Marc, for years, and had met Steven relatively recently. Watts, on the other hand, had only known Steven a month or so before he’d met Marc, so adjusting to the idea of the two of them sharing the same body had been a little simpler.

[temporaryavatar]

"I know," Layla said. "Now. It took getting used to. I've known Marc for over ten years and I had no idea - "

She shook her head again, "As much as anybody knows Marc. He's still keeping secrets from me. That's where you're lucky. Steven's not like Marc. He's honest."

Layla felt no bitterness about that. More sad resignation than anything.

[pocketpretzels]

“I am keenly aware of how lucky I am,” Watts assured her. “Steven and I- we take being honest with each other quite seriously.”

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"I'm glad he's happy." Layla shrugged. "Much as I have a right to be glad he's happy. You know him better than I do now."

She and Steven and Marc kept in touch via texts, but she knew that wasn't the same thing as being there.

"He and Marc seem to be doing pretty good together too," Layla said. "That's good. At least in some way Marc's not alone."

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“I consider Marc a dear friend as well,” Watts told her. “He is very important to me.”

There was, well. A marked change in warmth regarding how Watts spoke of him compared to last year, when he’d still very much been Mr. Spector.

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"He is to me too," Layla said. Not challenging or anything, just confirming that she and Watts were - well not on the same page but maybe similar ones. "Ten years doesn't just go away. You can't stop caring for someone just like that."

Layla snapped her fingers, then gave a wry look since she came from a world where a snap could actually do a lot.

"I don't know what the future holds for me and Marc," she said. "If he let me in I'd give him a chance, but he's still not ready to do that."

To Marc's credit, though, at least now he seemed aware that that was something he needed to get past in order to be a good partner. Whether or not he ever did was another matter.

[pocketpretzels]

Watts considered that, and was silent for a few moments as he mulled over what to tell her.

“How much do either of them mention to you regarding the odd things that happen here?” he said, aware it seemed like an abrupt subject change.

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"Odder than the living house?" Layla asked with a grin. Which was arguably unfair since Midnight hailed from a corner of the multiverse more like Layla's home than not, but still. "I've heard some. Mainly from Steven."

Which probably went without saying but Marc did text her highlights from time to time. Mainly to point out that sometimes the world was crazier than he was.

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“Last year I was afforded a glimpse of- a possible future. Wherein you and Marc were once again involved romantically. It was- the four of us had- a good life. I don’t know if that future will be our future, but- it happens somewhere, at least, which means it’s possible here,” Watts told her.

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Layla's eyebrows raised, and then raised some more. "That one did not make it to me."

Funny how Marc had felt no need to mention it.

"It sounds nice," Layla said. Look, she'd had a decade of building something of a life with Marc. She'd be lying if she said part of her didn't still wish it might happen. "Right now he and I are - we're letting things be. He needs to work on himself if he's going to be with anyone. And we've agreed that for either of us if something comes up in the meanwhile there's nothing holding us back from trying it."

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"That seems- reasonable. Fair," Watts agreed. "You shouldn't- put your life on hold waiting for someone else to catch up."

Said in the tone of someone who had tried doing just that.

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Layla noticed the tone and gave him a sympathetic look. She'd listen if he wanted to talk, but she didn't think it was her place to press.

"Regardless," Layla said. "No matter what happens I would never try to interfere with what you and Steven have. That - I know that's a strange thing to say. Like you and Steven need my permission somehow. But Marc tried making decisions about us without consulting me so I think it matters for everybody to know there's got to be respect all around. Everyone's got to have an equal say in how things are handled."

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“I appreciate that,” Watts said. “You mean a great deal to Steven. Your opinion certainly carries more weight with him than that of anyone else I know, except Marc of course.”

Well, and himself, but that didn’t count when the topic was him.

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"If Marc and I ever got back together I'd expect the same in return," Layla said. "But you seem to understand that."

If nothing else Layla hadn't picked up on any sense of resentment that Watts had slept alone Friday night while Layla and Marc had stayed up late talking about some of the very topics Layla and Watts were talking about now.

Well, none about Watts sleeping without Steven. The cat ending up with Layla had been another matter.

"I guess it helps that you knew about the two of them coming into it."

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Watts nodded. “That was- Steven and I had quite a lengthy discussion, regarding expectations, when he agreed to giving courting a try. Non-negotiable was respecting Marc’s need for a life of his own.” That Marc hadn’t seen a need for a life of his own wasn’t the point.

[temporaryavatar]

Yeah, Layla was used to how it was typically Marc who threw the wrench into the works. At least in the relationship related things.

"That sounds like Steven," Layla said, a fond smile on her face. "He even tried fixing things with me and Marc. Telling me why Marc was being such an asshole."

Which had been extra impressive given Steven's obvious crush. (One that admittedly Layla hadn't discouraged, but in her defense it was a confusing time and Steven was very sweet.)