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]

"Exactly," Watts said. "Which is not to say I always want it to be a struggle. But- if it were consistently effortless, I don't know that I'd retain much enthusiasm."

[hasaknightjob]

"A welcome challenge," Steven said. "Something to keep your mind and body active."

Well, mainly Llewellyn's hands but they were active enough for little massages after.

[pocketpretzels]

Little massages that Watts was coming to look forward to, truth be told. Though much like a back or a neck massage, no matter how much he ached he'd never manage to ask for one. "You understand," he beamed at Steven.

[hasaknightjob]

Luckily Steven had no problems with offering. "With the right thing it's part of what makes it fun, right? Maybe that's why some people like climbing mountains, knowing they can do it."

Then, to be clear, "I wouldn't like to climb mountains."

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"I enjoy our hikes as they are," Watts agreed. "Mostly flat, with the occasional slight incline or decline. No desire to add scaling cliffs and mountains to the mix."

[hasaknightjob]

"Nothing death defying, thank you," Steven said. "Or too physically strenuous."

That was Marc's domain and Steven was happy to let him have it.

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"I like to- get the blood pumping a little, from time to time," Watts said. "But not to the point where I'm uncomfortable and cannot enjoy my surroundings. Or my company."

[hasaknightjob]

"A brisk walk," Steven said. "That's about my speed."

Then he grinned. "Speed."

[pocketpretzels]

"Incorrigible," Watts shook his head.

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Steven giggled, pleased with himself. "You love it."

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"Unequivocally," Watts agreed.

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"You love me," Steven added, looking pleased about it.

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"Wholeheartedly," Watts agreed again.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven took a moment to bask in that happiness, then said, "I love you as well. Whole heartedly."

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"And what a wonderful heart it is," Watts replied.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven took Llewellyn's hand and put it over his chest, right where his heart was. "Entirely yours."

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"A great treasure, as I said," Watts murmured, fingers brushing across Steven's chest.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven blushed. "You're a good man, to think it so."

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"Thank you, darling," Watts said, before tilting his head towards Steven for another needy kiss.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven kissed him back, covering Llewellyn's hand with his own for more contact between them.

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"Please," Watts managed, between kisses. What was he asking for? Even he wasn't entirely certain.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven went for kissing him harder, in case that was the answer.

[pocketpretzels]

It was certainly part of it, Watts kissing back with increased fervor of his own.

[hasaknightjob]

"I love you," Steven murmured between kisses, in case that was it.

[pocketpretzels]

Like puzzle pieces slotting in to place, that was another part of the solution but not the whole. Watts showed no signs in slowing down with regards to the kissing, his hands roving, exploring as he did so.