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.

Comments

[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."

[hasaknightjob]

"I've no objection to that," Steven said. "Can you handle the glasses and the wine or should we make two trips?"

[pocketpretzels]

"I can manage," Watts said, letting go of Steven's hand to go get the Riesling and a couple glasses.

Though not without a parting kiss first, because he could.

[hasaknightjob]

"We can walk together then," Steven said, as he picked up his side of things.

It wasn't far at all. But there was the principle of the thing.

[pocketpretzels]

Much like how sitting at the dining room table in their usual spots wouldn't be far at all either, but sitting together on the couch was closer.

"Got everything?" Watts checked, lingering by the doorway to the kitchen.

[hasaknightjob]

"Think so," Steven said as he double checked what he was holding. "We can always pop back if we need."

[pocketpretzels]

"True enough," Watts acknowledged. "I'd hold out an arm for you, but. Well." Both of their arms were, alas, full.

[hasaknightjob]

"We'll have to get close when we sit to make up for it," Steven said, as he headed towards the library.

[pocketpretzels]

"My thoughts exactly," Watts said. Once they were in the library, he set the bottle and glasses down on the coffee table, uncorking the bottle and pouring them each a glass.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven sat down beside him and began unpacking the food, making sure to get what Llewellyn asked for first. "So what you were playing did sound nice."

[pocketpretzels]

Steven making sure his favourites were within easy reach got a smile out of Watts, even as he sighed as he thought about his playing. "Until I near the end, and then it's-" he made a frustrated gesture.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven started with his soup first, sitting back on the couch once he had a bowl of it. "You were still going, though. Not letting it defeat you."

[pocketpretzels]

"Mmm," Watts hummed in acknowledgement around a mouthful of noodles. "Would've gone on all night, most likely, if you hadn't interrupted me," he added gratefully. "Possibly even through morning."

[hasaknightjob]

"Nope, can't have that," Steven said. "I require that you are well fed and cared for, I'm afraid. No sleepless nights without eating for any reason, I'm afraid."

[pocketpretzels]

"You take such wonderful care of me," Watts said fondly.

[hasaknightjob]

"You would do the same for me," Steven said. He paused as he lifted his spoon towards his mouth. "Hum. I wonder what it would've been like if you and I were together when all that happened with me and Marc? Me trying not to sleep and all?"

[pocketpretzels]

"That's a good question," Watts said. "I- likely would have stayed awake with you. Or attempted to. To try and understand what was happening to you."

Which did make him wonder how far Marc would've gone to protect the secret of his existence.

[hasaknightjob]

"Been another level of security," Steven agreed. He leaned against Llewellyn, since holding his bowl made any form of hug difficult. "You could have helped me keep track of time, as you do now. Make it so I knew when and where I was sooner."

[pocketpretzels]

"Kept you anchored," Watts agreed. "As best as I was able, of course, without knowing the hows or whys of what was happening to you.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven gave him a kiss on the cheek. "You'd have been a great comfort to me. I wouldn't have felt so alone."

[pocketpretzels]

"When I think of how frightening that all must have been for you- I wish I had been there."