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]

"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."

[hasaknightjob]

"The missed days were the worst," Steven said. "Well - didn't care for people trying to kill me either. But with those I - they felt like dreams. Bad dreams, but dreams. Losing time though, that was disorientating. Actually affected my life."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts nodded. "Hard to keep up with responsibilities when it's as if you blinked and it's days later," he said sympathetically.

[hasaknightjob]

"Precisely," Steven said. "Then people get cross with you for not knowing. You never did that to me. Thank you."

[pocketpretzels]

"I think- if anyone had truly taken the time to get to know you, they would have seen it was not intentional," Watts said. "I see how hard you work to remember, to keep track of things."

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you," Steven said. "It's been... better? I think? Not as much time lost as we used to. Maybe it's helping, me writing things down and taking pictures and all."

[pocketpretzels]

"Combined with Marc being able to be truthful about his whereabouts," Watts nodded. "I know there are still- gaps. From time to time. But I'd certainly notice if neither of you were about for long stretches." Not counting when Marc was with Harley, of course, because Marc always informed him that's where he'd be.

[hasaknightjob]

"And Khonshu not playing about," Steven said as he resumed eating his soup. "Having us do things we can't remember doing."

[pocketpretzels]

"At least when I- lose track of time, it's merely that. Losing track. I may not be aware of how much has passed while I am- focused. But I understand, afterwards, what has happened," Watts mused.

[hasaknightjob]

"See though?" Steven said. "We're there for one another. Helping each other not get lost in our own ways."

[pocketpretzels]

"I don't know what I'd do without you," Watts admitted. "The way you keep the sharp edges of the world from being- too much."