Midnight Manor Private Residence, Saturday Afternoon

[pocketpretzels]

Right, so. Steven was off helping write a solution to the nonsense that was going on, leaving Watts to- well, normally he'd be stress-baking, but that was not an option right now. So quietly stressing it was, while also making sure Midnight understood what was meant to be doing- namely, keeping everyone inside safe.

It was at least somewhat of a relief that Steven had chosen to assist with the part that didn't directly involve violence, instead of him or Marc going off to fight the nightmare creations.

In the meantime, nothing to do now but wait, Raphael curled up in his lap lightly snoozing and unaware anything out of the ordinary was going on.

[ooc: for the beau and NFB please!]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

Once Steven knew things were settled, he sent Llewellyn a text.

On my way home. Are you all right?

[pocketpretzels]

Watts did not startle at the sudden sound of the mobile telephone on the couch cushion next to him buzzing. Definitely not.

imf ine. ar you?

[hasaknightjob]

Right as rain. Everyone else all right?

[pocketpretzels]

sofar as i cna tell

[hasaknightjob]

Good. Shall I pick up dinner on the way home?

[pocketpretzels]

please! thank you.

[hasaknightjob]

What are you in the mood for?

[pocketpretzels]

greek? thouh no pita bread isuppose

[hasaknightjob]

Right. On my way. I love you.

No loaf, given the holiday.

Steven texted an order for food in so he could pick it up along the way. Once that was taken care of, he took the time to do a quick walk around their neighborhood, making sure there were no clear signs of damage or danger amongst their friends.

That done, he headed home, calling out as soon as he was inside the private residence, "Llew? I'm here."

[pocketpretzels]

"In here!" Watts called out in response from the library. He would've stood to go meet Steven, except there were rules about disturbing snoozing cats, you see.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven left his things - except the bag of food - in their various spots by the door then went into the library. He smiled when he saw the tableau, taking a moment to appreciate the view before he said, "Hello you. The two of you look comfortable."

[pocketpretzels]

"Be more so if you were sat next to us," Watts said, patting the couch cushion next to him while giving Steven a not-so-subtle once-over. Yes, he'd been strictly in the non-violent part of things and he had a magical healing suit, but that didn't mean Watts wasn't going to make sure he was all right.

[hasaknightjob]

That was all right, Steven was giving him and Raphael much the same look. Yes, they'd been safe at home, but home had been where chips had gone rogue. Nothing could be assumed.

Which was why Steven didn't hesitate to come over. He put the bag on the table in front of the couch, then settled down next to Llewellyn so he could wrap his arms around him - briefly giving Raphael a pet, of course. "You're all right? All was safe here?"

[pocketpretzels]

"It was very quiet," Watts assured him. "Nothing got in, and no reports of anything strange emerging from the refrigerator or anywhere else at the boarding house."

[hasaknightjob]

"Good." Steven moved in for a kiss. Possibly a little clingy. Don't mind him.

[pocketpretzels]

"And how are you?" The kiss was possibly a bit of a clue, of course.

[hasaknightjob]

"Glad you and Raphael and everyone else seem to be all right?" Steven said. He snuggled in. "I did worry about you."

[pocketpretzels]

"I was mostly sat here worrying about you, out in the fray as it were."

Or at least, closer to the fray than Watts himself had been, at least.

[hasaknightjob]

"Spent the whole time in the Town Hall," Steven said. "Turns out part of the solution was for people to create things that were positive to counteract all the negative, you see. Rather nice, actually. Shows you don't always need violence to solve problems."

[pocketpretzels]

And, yes, that was the other thing that Watts had worried about, when the call summoning creative types had gone out over the radio and Steven had responded. “And you are- you are doing all right? Truly?”

[hasaknightjob]

"I think so?" Steven said. He gently pet Raphael while he spoke, letting the action be comforting to him and the cat both. "It helped to think about what you told me the other day. About the power of stories to inspire. I mean, that is the point, isn't it? It can be a way to help people. A non-violent way at that."

[pocketpretzels]

Raphael was very good at being comforting, as evidenced by the fact that he stretched out from his current position, front paws gently kneading Steven's thigh. Invisible kitty-biscuits still being kosher for Passover and all.

"It did?" Watts asked. "Help, that is? What I said?"

[hasaknightjob]

Steven smiled fondly down at Raphael before addressing Llewellyn again. "It did. I mean, still overwhelming. Thinking an idea someone had turned into, well, me. But it was what Marc needed. What a small child needed when he needed it most. Maybe it's not the most conventional ways of coming into the world. But that doesn't make it bad, right?"

Steven's words sounded confident but his expression showed he could still use the reassurance.

[pocketpretzels]

"It does not," Watts said. "As you said, you were what he needed, when he needed you. Nothing bad about that at all."

Except obviously the situation that had prompted Steven's creation, but that wasn't what they were talking about.

[hasaknightjob]

"That's what we did today. Gave inspiration. Hope. Tools they could use for the fight." Steven rest his head against Llewellyn's shoulder, taking comfort in having Llewellyn near. "Also there was a chicken kick line which was surprisingly helpful."