Midnight Manor Private Residence, Wednesday Evening

[pocketpretzels]

Following Steven's chat with Liz last night at the party, he'd let Watts know that he was ready to head home, where Watts could collect on that promised dance. There was no regret about making the effort to go out and attend the party, but it did mean that both of them felt rather strongly about tonight's date night being a cozy night in.

Something that often involved cooking dinner together but tonight they had other ideas. Hence, they'd gotten takeout so as to keep the kitchen relatively clean for their post dinner activity, which was baking cookies.

Watts surveyed the counter where he'd laid out all of their ingredients, and after nodding in satisfaction, pushed his sleeves up to his elbows. "There. We're ready to go."

[ooc: for the beau, and NFB.]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

The party had been lovely but in hindsight a crowded gathering with fancy dress in a building Steven had never been in before had been a bit much for a first outing after everything that happened Sunday. Steven hadn't been fully overwhelmed but by the time he and Llewellyn left the feeling of being lost if he wasn't too careful was certainly in the post. Going home and slow dancing in the arms of his beau had been exactly what the doctor ordered.

There was still a great deal on Steven's mind, but for the moment he was happy to focus on the biscuits. Or the start of the process of the biscuits, as the case may be.

"Does all your baking involve showing off your arms?" Steven asked. Because if so, he was in favor.

[pocketpretzels]

“Show- oh,” Watts blushed. “I just don’t care to get them dirty, is all.”

[hasaknightjob]

"That's very important," Steven agreed, with a smile that suggested personally he was putting keeping sleeves clean as a secondary benefit here.

[pocketpretzels]

“Why do I suspect you are humouring me?” Watts said, eyes narrowed.

[hasaknightjob]

"It is important!" Steven protested. He grinned. "I just like seeing your arms is all."

[pocketpretzels]

“You see them all the time!” Watts pointed out, but his expression had shifted to something more along the lines of amused fondness.

[hasaknightjob]

"Which I'm grateful for!" Steven replied, grinning. "Any excuse, really."

[pocketpretzels]

“Good to know,” Watts said thoughtfully. “Right now, though, these arms would like to pull you in close for a kiss,” he informed Steven solemnly.

[hasaknightjob]

"I'd be grateful for that as well, if you're wondering," Steven said. He moved closer to help with that very goal.

[pocketpretzels]

“Come here, then,” Watts directed, already pulling Steven towards him.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven melted against Llewellyn and kissed him back. Much as they'd been joking, the solid and real feeling of Llewellyn against him was a welcome balm to the troubles in Steven's mind beyond the simple pleasure of the kissing.

Though the kissing was very nice, mind you.

[pocketpretzels]

“I shall never tire of this,” Watts told him.

Perhaps sensing that Steven could use some physical contact beyond the kiss, he did not let him go even after their lips parted, keeping him in a loose embrace.

[hasaknightjob]

"Kissing me?" Steven asked. "Good."

Llewellyn had good instincts, as Steven didn't look to be moving out of the embrace any time soon. Was it possible to make biscuits with a beau for a shadow?

[pocketpretzels]

“Kissing you,” Watts affirmed. “Holding you. Simply… having you near.”

It would probably be somewhat awkward to make cookies that way, but they could try?

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm fond of all those things as well," Steven said. He gave Llewellyn a brief but tighter hug. "You being near means a lot now especially."

[pocketpretzels]

“That you are staying here with me even though things are difficult means a great deal, you know,” Watts said, one hand cupping Steven’s cheek.

[hasaknightjob]

"You're being an immense help," Steven said. He rubbed his cheek against the touch. "Giving me something to hold on to. Sometimes literally. I think - I think it would be worse, if I let go. Too likely to forget or put it all away again. This is hard but better."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts nodded. “As much as I don’t like seeing you hurt, it’s- part of life, isn’t it?” he said. “Facing down the hard things, the bad things, and continuing on regardless.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Agreed," Steven said. "Getting back on your feet to keep going, no matter how bad it gets. Though that's easier when you're not alone. Especially when you have someone who loves you helping you through it."

[pocketpretzels]

“I am honoured you trust me enough to be your anchor,” Watts admitted.

[hasaknightjob]

"You're very good at it," Steven told him. He gave him another kiss then stepped back so they could try to resume biscuit making. Not far back, mind, but back. "You've a gift, really. Always knowing what to say or do."

[pocketpretzels]

“Which is very new to me,” Watts said. “I never quite managed that before. Testament to how well we fit together, I suppose,”

[hasaknightjob]

"And how well you know me?" Steven suggested. "You know what to say to get through to me when I need it."

[pocketpretzels]

“Your troubles are my own,” Watts said. “Whatever I can do to help you carry them, I shall.”

[hasaknightjob]

"See? Things like that," Steven said. Then he gave Llewellyn a soft kiss of gratitude.