Queen's Park, Toronto, Wednesday Afternoon

[pocketpretzels]

Monday, Steven and Watts had indulged in a lie-in followed by a late breakfast. Then, they'd gotten dressed up and headed down to the lounge for high tea followed by an evening outing to the symphony. Yesterday, they'd gone to a wine-tasting, from which Watts had come back with several interesting vintages, some of them even local. Canadian wines really had improved over the last century.

Today was- well, traditionally it would be date night, but they'd actually headed out in the afternoon, for a carriage ride tour of Queen's Park.

The weather was a little chilly, though, so Watts had insisted on picking up a couple of mochas at a nearby coffee shop before they headed in to the park, and now he was holding on to both cups so that Steven could step up into the carriage, after which he would follow.

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

It was good that Llewellyn did, since Steven did need both hands to brace himself as he got in. Not that it was particularly difficult to get in, just that it was Steven.

Once he was in and seated, however, he held his hands out. "Right. My turn."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts handed the coffee cups over, and then stepped up into the carriage with the practiced ease of someone who had done such a thing hundreds if not thousands of times.

He nestled in close to Steven (all the better to ward off that chill in the air), and let their driver know they were good to go.

"I've always enjoyed this park," he told Steven. "A lovely place to take a book and spend an afternoon."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven handed Llewellyn's cup over once he was settled, making sure to sit closely as well. For warmth. "It looks lovely. What did you like about it?"

[pocketpretzels]

Watts took a long sip of his drink. “I’ve always preferred the life of the city streets over the sterility of an office,” he admitted. “But sometimes even the streets are too much. This was- an escape. Still full of life, but- a different sort than you’d find strolling down Jarvis. And I’m not just speaking of the greenery.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Somewhere you can find a, erm, friend?" Steven asked, mindful of their carriage driver.

[pocketpretzels]

“A- oh. Well. Occasionally,” Watts stammered. “But that wasn’t- I didn’t mean to imply that was what drew me here.”

[hasaknightjob]

"I see," Steven said. He gave Llewellyn an understanding look. "It's all right. I was only trying to wrap my head around it is all. Was there somewhere in particular you liked to read?"

[pocketpretzels]

“In the shade of a tree, usually,” Watts said. “I had a few particular favourites.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Sounds lovely," Steven said. "Nice escape from your day to day, and your work."

[pocketpretzels]

“Sometimes work would bring me out here, of course,” Watts admitted. “That was- less pleasant.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Understandable," Steven said. "Hopefully you had more good days than bad? Nice weather, good reading? Pretzels?"

Steven glanced around, on the odd chance him saying that might have made a pretzel vendor appear along their route.

[pocketpretzels]

“On average, yes,” Watts smiled at Steven.

Then a thought occurred to him. “I have not seen a single pretzel cart since we arrived,” he pointed out, sounding slightly disappointed.

[hasaknightjob]

"We'll keep an eye out," Steven said. "Perhaps they're not allowed in certain places. Or they're not carts but food trucks now."

[pocketpretzels]

“Good points all around,” Watts acknowledged with a gentle bump of Steven’s shoulder with his own.

[hasaknightjob]

"They've had to do things like that in London," Steven explained. "Too much tourist traffic or pigeons loitering about. That sort of thing."

Then, in case that had come off as Steven dismissing the compliment, he added, "Thank you."

[pocketpretzels]

It hadn’t, but the amendment got a fond smile all the same.

“Love you,” Watts murmured just loud enough for Steven to hear.

[hasaknightjob]

"Love you too," Steven whispered back. "My Llew."

It was handy having a way to say "I love you" twice without simply repeating the words.

[pocketpretzels]

It was awfully nice hearing it twice, too.

“Now and always,” Watts agreed.

[hasaknightjob]

"Suppose this didn't stand out to you as much as to me," Steven said, indicating the carriage. "Special for me still. Different."

[pocketpretzels]

“Somewhat more extravagant of a carriage than I’m accustomed to,” Watts said. “So this is still special enough. Particularly since it’s with you,” he added. “You make- anything special.”

[hasaknightjob]

A pleased blush touched Steven's cheeks. He lowered his voice to whisper, "Poet. So do you. Even the ordinary."

[pocketpretzels]

“Like flying in an aeroplane?” Watts pointed out. Sure, it wasn’t something Steven did as often as Watts had ridden in a carriage, but it was similar enough.

[hasaknightjob]

"Like riding in an airplane," Steven confirmed. "Even if it hadn't been your first time, it still would've been nicer because you were there."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts beamed at him. “I’m glad,” he said. “That’s- what I want. The extraordinary ordinary. Along with the occasional dose of truly extraordinary,” he added with a wink.

[hasaknightjob]

"Like tea and symphonies and flowers in our hotel room?" Steven asked, smiling fondly at the memories.

Well, the flowers were still there but the memory of the surprise of it.