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

[pocketpretzels]

Harley probably owned a pair of literal rose-coloured glasses though?

"I really don't think that is the case here," Watts said.

[hasaknightjob]

"Fingers crossed," Steven said. "And Dean. You liked him as well. Good resident. Lives right there. That's helpful."

Yes, Marc had only met Dean long enough to approve him as a resident. Even so, Dean was close to their age, lived in the house, and Marc did not currently actively hate the man. That was a lot for Steven go to on.

[pocketpretzels]

"Amiable fellow," Watts agreed. "And not too terribly thrown by all the talk of how strange this place is."

[hasaknightjob]

"Maybe not too thrown by Marc and me then?" Steven said, since Marc had passed on that he hadn't given Dean that much information yet. "I mean if Midnight's not thrown him surely we can't be too strange for him?"

[pocketpretzels]

"I told him the best thing he could do in regards to this island is keep an open mind," Watts told Steven, reaching over to give Steven's hand a reassuring squeeze. "He seemed to take that to heart. I do not think he would react poorly."

Assuming he didn't jump to some possession-related conclusion or something, but in Watts's defense he didn't know that was a possibility.

[hasaknightjob]

In fairness to Dean so had Steven. So it wouldn't be held against Dean for jumping to that conclusion so long as they could get it cleared up in short order.

"And surely Marc and you and Midnight wouldn't have approved if he was horrible," Steven said. He pressed his hand back into Llewellyn's touch. "Can't imagine any of you allowing someone to rent a room if they had a hateful heart."

[pocketpretzels]

"Even if he were clever enough to hide it from human perception, Midnight would have seen right through to the core of him," Watts agreed.

[hasaknightjob]

"Probably wouldn't have agreed to allow it if he'd something to hide as well," Steven said.

Of course there was always the chance that someone could have an ability to hide their true self from Midnight, especially if they were like Illyana, but Steven preferred to think and assume the best of people.

"Still, hopeful, yeah?" Steven said. "Someone Marc can run into in the day. Strike up a conversation. Forge a connection in spite of himself."

Or possibly because Steven might forget he wasn't supposed to force anything and he shoved Marc out into the common areas if others were around. One of those.

[pocketpretzels]

"Precisely," Watts agreed. "Nothing against the young ladies, and Mr. Gonzo, of course, but- "

[hasaknightjob]

"Age appropriate," Steven said, by way of agreeing with him. Of course who knew Gonzo's real age but Gonzo was special in a great deal of ways. "Which... I think that's best for Marc for a lot of reasons. More likely to see him as he is for a start. Or put up with his bollocks."

[pocketpretzels]

"I do feel a little guilty for whisking us away practically the moment the man arrived," Watts admitted.

[hasaknightjob]

"Timing couldn't be helped," Steven said. "Besides, it's as if not more important that Marc's spending time with you tomorrow. Something fun at that. It'd take a lot for something to have greater priority there, you ask me."

Besides, what were the odds that anything strange would happen back on the island while they were gone? Pretty small, right?

[pocketpretzels]

No reason to think it would be anything but an ordinary week, really.

"That's a very good point," Watts said. "I'm certainly glad he agreed to go in the first place."

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm glad you got the tickets and knew how to invite him," Steven said. He let out a breath of some of the nervous energy that had built in the past few moments. "You're brilliant with him. That's something I'm forever grateful for, Llew. Don't know what I'd do without it."

[pocketpretzels]

"You shan't have to find out," Watts said. "You have me, both of you."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven squeezed Llewellyn's hand, holding more tightly than he might normally do. "I just don't want to ruin anything is all. I know it goes badly when I interfere. But what if not interfering is interfering? If I choose to stay out if it isn't that the same as choosing to get in it? What if things go poorly because I didn't help? What if - "

Steven might go on like this for a while if not interrupted.

[pocketpretzels]

"Shhh," Watts said gently, and then leaned over to interrupt Steven in the most effective way he knew.

[hasaknightjob]

It was a very effective method, since it both stopped Steven from talking and interrupted his racing thoughts. Steven leaned into it, forcing himself to focus on Llewellyn - the kiss, the sensation of him nearby, filling his senses with Llewellyn's calming presence.

"Thank you. I'm sorry."

[pocketpretzels]

"It's all right," Watts said. "You may be borrowing trouble, but your concern stems from the right place. Your wonderful heart."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven nodded, acknowledging that Llewellyn was right about borrowing trouble. "It's so hard sometimes. I only want to help him. Still learning how. At least, how to do it now that I'm aware I'm doing it."

[pocketpretzels]

"I know it's likely hard, but you have to- let things happen as they will," Watts said gently.

[hasaknightjob]

"I know." Steven sighed. "Thank you. Being patient with me. I'm trying, I am. Least I can talk to you about it. Let out some of my frustrations. Makes it a little easier to... try to be patient."

[pocketpretzels]

"Little bit of patience all around, hm?" Watts said with a hint of a smile.

[hasaknightjob]

That started to coax a smile out of Steven. It wasn't fully there yet, but the worry was being chased away. "That's true. Lucky for me yours is limitless?"

[pocketpretzels]

"When it comes to you," Watts said. "Others aren't so lucky."

He was well aware of his own flaws, after all.