MHA #14, Saturday Morning

[pocketpretzels]

Well, chalk up another successful date night. For a certain definition of success, in any case. There had definitely been dinner. And dessert. Watts and Steven might have even actually sat down on the couch to watch the film but that remained to be seen (heh) in SP.

Where they definitely failed was in taking things across the hall to Watts's apartment before they fell into bed together. But now it was morning and warm and happy and wrapped around the man he loved, Watts didn't even recall the fact that taking things over to his apartment had ever been part of the plan.

[ooc: for... two? dun dun dun.]

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

He was! Just like you'd told him to, Steven!

Watts wasn't quite sure what to make of that look. "What is it?"

[hasaknightjob]

"You look very handsome," Steven said. The expression on his face wasn't quite as strong as it had been with the Canadian t-shirt, but it was definitely in the same neighborhood. "I like it."

[pocketpretzels]

“Oh,” a ghost of a smile crossed Watts’s face. “That wasn’t my intention.” Pleased him all the same, though.

[hasaknightjob]

"Still look nice," Steven said, giving him a smile back. He came over to sit on the side of the bed near Llewellyn. "Are you all right?"

[pocketpretzels]

“I don’t know,” Watts answered honestly. The sheer panic at being caught earlier had subsided, leaving him feeling more than a little drained. “Is- is Mrs. Ingram all right?”

[hasaknightjob]

"She is," Steven said. He reached over to take Llewellyn's hand in his if Llewellyn would let him. "Embarrassed, more than anything. Sorry she gave you a fright."

Hopefully not using the time Steven was spending with Llewellyn right now to flee using the fire escape.

"I'm sorry as well," Steven said. "I should've realized why seeing her would've upset you. At least faster than it took me."

[pocketpretzels]

“It’s all right,” Watts told him, taking his hand and holding on tight. “Wasn’t expecting it myself.”

He’d been feeling comfortable with casual displays of affection in public, after all.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven was more than fine for his hand being held that way. He moved closer as long as they were at it, since it didn't seem that Llewellyn needed personal space. "How would you like breakfast then? Could go to your place? Or stay here, ask Nell to join us?"

Yes, Steven had already asked Nell if she wanted to join. But she didn't want to if Llewellyn wasn't comfortable with it and Steven figured this way Llewellyn wouldn't feel pressured to say he was out of a sense of politeness.

[pocketpretzels]

“We could, ah. Eat here. Invite her to join us. That would be fine,” Watts said, after taking a moment to consider it. He appreciated being given the out, though.

[hasaknightjob]

"All right," Steven said. He gave Llewellyn's hand a squeeze. "Food's on its way. Up, I mean. Might be here now, actually."

It probably was. Whether Nell was still in the flat remained to be seen. There were a lot of escape routes, especially when the delivery person wasn't standing in front of the door anymore.

[pocketpretzels]

“Don’t want anything getting cold, then,” Watts said, unfolding himself from his position on the bed and standing up. All without letting go of Steven, though that would likely change once they were back outside the bedroom.

[hasaknightjob]

Good thing Steven used that moment while they were still in the bedroom to give Llewellyn a quick kiss, if he was able.

[pocketpretzels]

A fortifying kiss was exactly what was needed, actually.

And then he was taking a deep breath and pushing the door open.

[mylandmyrules]

Nell had gotten the breakfast order and set it out. She'd also made coffee and had hot water ready for tea. The table was set and she was uneasily perched on the edge of a chair in the corner looking out the window. This had probably been a bad idea, but if it made Detective Watts feel better that would make Steven feel better too, so she'd do it.

[pocketpretzels]

Having let go of Steven as soon as the bedroom door was shut, Watts made his way down the hall, past the kitchen and to the dining area.

"Mrs. Ingram," he greeted. "Good morning." Not a stutter or awkwardly drawn out vowel in sight.

[mylandmyrules]

"Detective Watts," she said. "Please have a seat. Coffee?"

She held the pot ready to pour. Sugar and Steven's milk were on the table. "I must apologize for my behavior this morning. You surprised me and I'm afraid I panicked. I'm very sorry for upsetting you."

[pocketpretzels]

It said something about the state of mind Watts was still in that he sat down relatively normally. Not a twirl in sight.

He nodded at her question, holding out a mug since she had it ready to go.

"I apologise for reacting, ah, poorly, when I saw you," Watts replied. "I too was caught off guard."

[mylandmyrules]

Nell poured his coffee then set the pot back down to keep it warm. She retreated to the far seat and perched uneasily again while shaking her head. "No, I shouldn't have been here. You belong here. With Steven. You make him happy."

[pocketpretzels]

"You've every right to be here," Watts said, shaking his head. "You were invited to reside here. And accepting that invitation also made Steven happy," he pointed out. So there, Nell.

[mylandmyrules]

She sighed. "He is very hard to say no to. Even when that would be the smarter choice."

[pocketpretzels]

"Hmm, agreed," Watts said with a nod. Though it was said in absolute fondness and also he'd never particularly wanted to say no, so.

[hasaknightjob]

"I am stood right here," Steven reminded them, more bemused than anything else. Though in fairness to them both he had detoured to the kitchen once he'd spotted that Nell hadn't laid out a plate or silverware for herself. He put those in front of her before taking a seat where she'd left a setting for him. "In case you want something. Have you tried bagels before?"

[mylandmyrules]

Nell shook her head and sipped at her tea. Chamomile. Very calming. "No. They look a bit odd. But I'm sure they're very good."

Her stomach was still a bit wibbly.

[hasaknightjob]

"They aren't the best I've ever had but they'll do," Steven admitted. He didn't take offense to her finding them odd, chalking it up to her sheltered background. Particularly since people from far more metropolitan places than Nell's home also treated them as exotic for some reason.

He made a mental note that perhaps he should find somewhere that delivered proper bagels for everyone as a treat, rather than the local version that was all right enough but had never been near boiling water. In the meanwhile he took a muffin for himself and said, "So I believe I interrupted? Something about it being worthwhile to listen to me?"

[pocketpretzels]

Beigels were somewhat new to Watts too, having only been introduced to them a couple years prior, and even then, it was the type of thing you really only came across in the markets in the Ward. But like any type of food that was easy to eat in one hand while on the go, he quite liked them.

"Something like that, yes," he said.