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]

"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."

[hasaknightjob]

"Is piano playing sharp?" Steven asked, curious. He put his soup down and picked up his tofu paid thai. "Like when you have difficulty with the piece?"

[pocketpretzels]

Watts shook his head. "The opposite, really. Easy to get lost in. To forget about everything else but the notes. Mistakes are- frustrating, yes, but all I can think about is getting it right."

[hasaknightjob]

"Like a puzzle?" Steven guessed. "Something you want to sink your teeth in and solve?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Yes, precisely," Watts said, smiling brilliantly at Steven, pleased that he understood.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven smiled back. "Something we have in common in our own way. Things we like to get stuck in on. Topics or hobbies we can get lost in for hours. That's part of how I stayed up nights. Reading about Egypt, things like that."

[pocketpretzels]

"Mmm, I would have had you read to me," Watts said. "Tell me all sorts of interesting things about Egypt and the like."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven tried to picture it. "That... could be nice, actually. You keeping me company. Head in my lap, maybe."

[pocketpretzels]

"So long as you didn't let me fall asleep," Watts said. "Because- that's- it's very comfortable. In your lap."

[hasaknightjob]

"I don't mind when you do," Steven said. He offered Llewellyn a piece of tofu from his dish. "I like that you feel comfortable enough for that."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts leaned over to take the offered tofu with a smile. "But then I'm- not very good company. If I'm asleep."

[hasaknightjob]

"It'd be rude if we were having a conversation," Steven said. "If I'm reading I could go back to it. Not out loud anymore, is all."

[pocketpretzels]

"Mmm," Watts said. "But in this hypothetical- where I knew you before. If I were trying to stay awake to keep you company."