Midnight Manor Private Residence, Saturday Evening

[pocketpretzels]

After their usual jaunt over to the mainland, Watts had headed to the kitchen to do a bit of baking, and then to the library for some piano practice.

And as he'd told Steven the other day at lunch, he was close to mastering the piece he was currently working on. Maddeningly close, in fact. So absorbed was he in getting to the point where he could play it through without a stumble that he did not notice as the hour ticked over past that where he usually stopped for the evening so he and Steven could have dinner together. Instead, he kept playing, and playing, single-minded in his determination to finally master the piece.

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[pocketpretzels]

"I haven't quite got it down," Watts said. "If I could just-" his hands twitched, as if he were about to lay them on the keyboard again, but he held himself back.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven began rubbing Llewellyn's back in comfort. "It sounded like Mozart? Do I have it right? That's complicated either way."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts nodded in affirmation. "Sonata number sixteen," he said, leaning back in to Steven's touch.

[hasaknightjob]

"Mozart's hard, isn't it?" Steven said. "Feels like he'd be difficult. You're doing brilliantly so far then, you ask me."

[pocketpretzels]

"This one was labeled as intermediate," Watts said. "I thought I would give it a try."

Had it been something of a jump, difficulty-wise, from the last piece he'd worked on? Absolutely. Possibly a bit too big of a jump. But Llewellyn Watts was nothing if not stubborn, and so he'd stuck it out.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven stood behind Llewellyn so he could wrap his arms around Llewellyn's shoulders and give him a hug. "I'm proud of you. Look how far you've come already!"

[pocketpretzels]

Watts relaxed into the hug, accepting the praise even as he still felt frustrated by his inability to master the piece.

"Thank you, darling."

[hasaknightjob]

"Dinner's here," Steven said. "Feel up for taking a break?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Dinner's here?" Watts echoed, fumbling for his pocketwatch. "Oh," his heart sank as he noticed it was past their usual dinner hour. "You haven't been waiting long?" he asked, apologetically.

[hasaknightjob]

"I gave you extra time before I ordered," Steven said. "But it is here now, yeah. Should probably eat before it goes cold?"

[pocketpretzels]

"I, yes. Absolutely," Watts affirmed. "Apologies. For making you wait." Yes, Steven had said the food hadn't been waiting long, but also that he'd waited a little before ordering.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven stood up straighter so he could rub Llewellyn's shoulders instead of hugging them. "Where would you like to eat?"

[pocketpretzels]

Watts groaned as Steven's actions began to relieve some of the tension he typically carried there. "Here, if that's all right? Or we could put a picture on in the living room?"

[hasaknightjob]

"Here's fine," Steven said. He kissed the top of Llewellyn's head. "Would you like to get comfortable while I get it?"

[pocketpretzels]

"If you don't need my help?" Watts checked.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven considered. "Probably best for you to pick the wine if you'd like wine with it?"

[pocketpretzels]

"I would drink whatever you picked, for the record," Watts said, though he was standing regardless.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven took advantage of the standing to reach for Llewellyn's hand. Because why not hold hands all the way to the kitchen, which was oh so far? "Probably should've given it thought while I was waiting. Didn't occur to me I'm afraid."

[pocketpretzels]

"Next time, perhaps," Watts said, threading their fingers together. "I'd be interested to see what you'd pick, actually."

[hasaknightjob]

"Perhaps we could try figuring out the wine for Rosh Hashanah together?" Steven suggested. "As we determine what we'll be making?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Oh, yes!" Watts said brightly. "I'd like that."

[hasaknightjob]

"It'll help me to know your thought process," Steven said.

Once they were in the kitchen, Steven squeezed Llewellyn's hand before letting it go. "Do you still wish to eat in the library?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Yes," Watts nodded. "If you're certain that's all right with you?"

[hasaknightjob]

"It is," Steven said, as he gathered up plates and silverware to take with them. "I didn't know if you felt like eating in here now that we are here is all."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts shook his head. "It's the kind of night where- I don't know. I'd like to be on the couch with you."