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]

"Podcasts are- those recorded shows where it's just sound?" Watts checked. "No moving pictures?"

[hasaknightjob]

"Correct," Steven said. "People interviewing other people, or talking about topics they're experts in, that sort of thing."

[pocketpretzels]

"Perhaps I ought to look in to those," Watts mused.

And then he'd fall down a rabbit-hole of true crime shows or something.

[hasaknightjob]

"There's all sorts of topics," Steven said. "You're bound to find something you like. Might even be ones about learning to play the piano."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts pinched the bridge of his nose. "So much information available all the time, from anywhere, so easily. I confess I'm still not entirely accustomed to that."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven freed a hand to rub Llewellyn's arm. "Is it too much? Sharp?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Now, don't get me wrong. I'm a fan of innovation. And sometimes it's- useful. Having so much at one's fingertips. But it is also, yes, overwhelming, at times."

There was a reason he hadn't touched his mobile telephone during their camping trip aside from taking some photographs.

[hasaknightjob]

"I can understand that," Steven said. "Sometimes it feels as though the mind can only handle so much at once. At least mine does. Though maybe it's because mine's crowded."

[pocketpretzels]

"Mine feels crowded at times even with only me in there," Watts admitted. "Thoughts- going every which way. Like a startled flock of sparrows."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven couldn't help a small smile. "Is it bad if I think that's poetic?"

[pocketpretzels]

"My intent was to evoke a vivid mental image, so I suppose I can hardly claim offense if I succeeded," Watts said.

[hasaknightjob]

"You've a way with words," Steven said. He smiled shyly. "I find it captivating."

[pocketpretzels]

"Captivating, hm?" Watts said, smiling back at him. "Now that's a familiar-sounding term..."

[hasaknightjob]

"I heard it from one of my favorite poets," Steven replied, bumping their shoulders together.

[pocketpretzels]

Which elicited a peal of laughter from Watts. "Flirt," he declared.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven's smile grew wider at Llewellyn's laughter. "Of course I flirt with you. I love you."

[pocketpretzels]

"And there is no greater gift I could ask for," Watts replied.

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you," Steven said. He reached over to brush his fingers against Llewellyn's hair. "And your little birds? Can I help with those?"

[pocketpretzels]

"More than you already do?" Watts asked.

[hasaknightjob]

"If it's possible," Steven said.

[pocketpretzels]

"I don't know," Watts replied. "You've always been- soothing. Reassuring. That helps plenty."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven tucked a lock of hair behind Llewellyn's ear. "I'm glad to hear it. You'll tell me if you think of anything else?"

[pocketpretzels]

"I would," Watts finished up the last of his dinner and, on a whim, after placing his empty bowl back on to the table, slid down so his head was in Steven's lap.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven giggled as he looked down at Llewellyn. He indicated his plate. "I'm not done yet."

[pocketpretzels]

"Perhaps I shall take a nap, then," Watts declared. "You can wake me when you are finished."

He would not actually fall asleep. Probably.