Midnight Manor Private Residence, Sunday Night

[pocketpretzels]

Well, it sure has hell had been a day. There was a lot of bread currently populating both the private residence's and the boarding house's kitchen, let's just put it that way. And we won't even talk about the dough in the freezer.

Eventually, though, Watts had slipped into bed exhausted, falling asleep rather immediately.

The smell of vomit and sweat hit him like a wave as soon as he stepped inside.

It was overwhelming, he was practically choking on it. He wanted to run, be anywhere but here- but at the same time, he knew he needed to be here, this might be the last-

Watts awoke with a gasp, scrambling out of the bed and scribbling a quick note for Steven indicating that he'd be on the balcony. He threw on a pair of trousers and a shirt without checking whose they were- probably Steven's, honestly, judging by the softness of the fabric if nothing else- and all but flung himself out the balcony door and on to the outdoor sofa.

[ooc: details of conversation NFB please!]

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

"Oh, that's good, I'm glad to hear it," Watts said, clearly relieved with that news.

[hasaknightjob]

"She also asked me to pass on her apologies for everything," Steven said. "Of course I told her none were necessary, but you know her. She felt bad all the same."

[pocketpretzels]

"Of course," Watts said. "Perhaps I'll go check in on her at some point. Or check out, I suppose, given her temporary relocation to the roof."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven smiled approvingly at the wording.

"Her - Duke?" Steven still wasn't entirely certain what the relationship there was " - said it may take days."

[pocketpretzels]

"Still remarkably faster than if she were human," Watts noted. "Though I suspect it's the psychological effects that will linger even more."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven held Llewellyn's hand tighter and more protectively. "Don't care for it happening at all. Horrible rules. Horrible thing to do to anyone, let alone a child."

Yes, Arden was in her late teens. She still counted as a child to Steven.

[pocketpretzels]

"I agree wholeheartedly," Watts said. "It churns my stomach to think that not obeying those rules would have meant even worse consequences."

[hasaknightjob]

"Absolutely unacceptable," Steven said. There was a look in his eyes that was a shadow of the reminder that in this particular instance, Marc had been the one holding Steven back.

[pocketpretzels]

And now Watts was the one giving Steven's hand a squeeze.

[hasaknightjob]

"At least it's over?" Steven said, going for optimism. "And she's safe and on her way to sound?"

[pocketpretzels]

Technically it wasn't over so much as Arden had been offered a three-year reprieve, though pointing that out wasn't going to help anything in the moment.

Instead he busied himself with putting some cookies on a plate once they entered the kitchen.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven in the meanwhile busied himself with their drinks. "Still coffee? Not tea?"

Steven had no particular preference, he was just checking in case Llewellyn had changed his mind on the way down.

[pocketpretzels]

"Coffee," Watts affirmed. "Still coffee."

[hasaknightjob]

"I'll brew us a pot then," Steven said, setting about to do just that. "The biscuits look wonderful. Smelled it as well, when you were baking them."

[pocketpretzels]

Bread was his go-to when stressed, because he found the kneading soothing. "I was craving something sweet," he said. And not surprisingly, had combined two favourites with chocolate and orange.

[hasaknightjob]

"Perhaps tomorrow we can have something nice to go with your bread," Steven said. He got out one of Llewellyn's favorite mugs for his coffee. "Soup, maybe."

[pocketpretzels]

"Soup sounds nice," Watts agreed. "Uncomplicated."

Not to mention warm and comforting.

[hasaknightjob]

Those were all the reasons Steven had picked it. That and it would be nice to sop up broth with Llewellyn's bread.

"Hopefully we can take things easy tomorrow," Steven said. "No more bad surprises."

[pocketpretzels]

"No more surprises," Watts said in agreement.

[hasaknightjob]

"We could do anything you like?" Steven suggested. "Tomorrow, I mean. Well, now as well. If it helps you feel better?"

[pocketpretzels]

"You're sweet, as always," Watts said, coming over to press a kiss to Steven's cheek. "Perhaps- something outdoors?"

[hasaknightjob]

"A walk along the beach perhaps?" Steven suggested.

[pocketpretzels]

"That sounds lovely," Watts agreed.

[hasaknightjob]

"Perhaps for lunch a picnic by the water?" Steven said.

The coffee was ready so Steven began pouring it into the mugs and preparing Llewellyn's the way he liked it.

[pocketpretzels]

Which got him a silent look of thanks and a smile from Watts.

"One last hurrah before the weather turns, most likely," he said. Not that they couldn't enjoy the outdoors in the cold, but picnics would be harder.