Inner Harbor Ice Rink, Baltimore, Wednesday Evening

[pocketpretzels]

Originally, Watts and Steven's plans for tonight had just involved dinner on the mainland, but they'd decided to take a short walk following their meal and had ended up passing by, of all things, an outdoor skating rink.

Watts glanced at Steven. "Would you care to?" he asked, nodding to the booth that was offering skate rentals.

[ooc: for the beau and NFB for distance!]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

Steven looked delighted. "You wouldn't mind?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Mind?" Watts echoed. "An opportunity to go skating with you? No, I would not mind at all."

[hasaknightjob]

"Then yes, please," Steven said. "I'm growing to like this. Not nearly as unsteady as I started!"

It helped that he'd had more and more practice since the first time.

[pocketpretzels]

“You’re improving wonderfully,” Watts agreed, as he took hold of Steven’s hand to tug him towards the skate rentals.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven threaded their fingers together as he let himself be led. "Helps that I have a wonderful teacher. You."

[pocketpretzels]

“I’ve never taught anyone to skate before,” Watts said. “So I am glad you’re finding my skills up to par.”

Once he got their admission fee and skate rental taken care of, he led Steven over to a nearby bench so they could get ready.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven concentrated on getting his skates laced up. He wanted to try to be able to do them correctly on his own. Though he may have double checked how Llewellyn was doing it just to be triple sure.

"I'm always worried I'm too loose. Or tight." Steven admitted.

He meant the skates.

[pocketpretzels]

Fortunately for him, Watts missed any possible double meaning there.

“You want them right, but not uncomfortable,” Watts advised. “Honestly it’s much easier to gauge when you’re using your own boots,” like the skates he had at home, which were just blades one clipped on, “but these are- sturdier.”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven gave an experimental wiggle of his foot. "Think it feels all right? Who knows? Maybe if we do this enough I'll buy my own."

Not that those would be available for spontaneous skating, but planned outings at least.

[pocketpretzels]

“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself enough to even consider it,” Watts said, smiling fondly over at Steven.

[hasaknightjob]

"It's fun," Steven said. "Especially the more I get used to it. I'm glad you showed me."

[pocketpretzels]

“I’m having a great deal of fun myself, skating with a partner.”

[hasaknightjob]

"That does help," Steven said. "Don't know if I'd find it as much fun on my own."

With of course the usual caveat about Steven never fully being alone.

"I do like it though," Steven said, because he knew Llewellyn appreciated this sort of feedback. "I would enjoy it on its own. I just like it more with company."

[pocketpretzels]

“I’m glad,” Watts said, standing up and holding out a hand for Steven. “Shall we, then?”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven took Llewellyn's hand gladly. "Let's. I don't think I need the warm up area this time. We should stay out of the way of the faster skaters but I think I can be with everyone else."

[pocketpretzels]

“Oh, splendid!” Watts said, as he led them out on to the ice. “And it’s not overly crowded tonight either,” he pointed out.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven held on to Llewellyn's hand. Both for support as he adjusted to being on the ice, and because it was nice to hold Llewellyn's hand. "I suppose because it's mid week. People have school and work in the morning."

Including himself, but luckily Steven knew they weren't likely to be out late enough for that to be a problem.

[pocketpretzels]

“I promise I shan’t keep you out too late,” Watts told him, letting Steven set their pace.

[hasaknightjob]

"Or up too late?" Steven said, giving him a grin.

Their pace wasn't fast by any means, but it was more relaxed and easy going than Steven's first attempts had been.

[pocketpretzels]

“Or up too late,” Watts affirmed.

[hasaknightjob]

"Maybe a little late," Steven said, just so that was clear. "A little late wouldn't be too bad."

[pocketpretzels]

“Reasonably late?” Watts asked with a grin.

[hasaknightjob]

"Comfortably late," Steven said, with an answering grin.

[pocketpretzels]

“Now, I don’t want Raphael complaining at me,” Watts pointed out.

[hasaknightjob]

"Good point," Steven said. "He has only just started to forgive us. Won't do to have him need to lecture us again."

As adorable as it was when it happened.