Midnight Manor Private Residence, Monday Evening

[pocketpretzels]

A Thanksgiving feast, even when just for two(ish) people, was still a feast, and thus had required both yesterday and today to be properly prepared. Most of the dishes were the same as last year: the main along with the side dishes of vegetables, potatoes, and stuffing. And yes, of course there were dinner rolls.

New this year was a soup and simple garden salad. Dessert was also the same as last year, with apple cake and butter tarts (along with a batch of the non-vegan variety that had been set aside for Marc).

"It looks fantastic," Watts said, surveying everything laid out on the dining room table. "Will you light the candles, then, while I go fetch us a bottle of wine?"

[ooc: for the beau!]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

"Absolutely," Steven said. "As well as keep someone from absconding with a roll."

[pocketpretzels]

"I'm tempted to let him have one, given that it's a holiday," Watts admitted. "But I don't want to encourage bad habits."

Maybe half of one?

[hasaknightjob]

"A small piece?" Steven suggested. "Enough for a bite?"

[pocketpretzels]

"A small piece," Watts agreed. "Would you like to do the honours?"

The potential thief in question currently was perched on one of the chairs, paw outstretched as he tried to reach the basket containing the bread rolls to pull it closer.

[hasaknightjob]

"Before he knocks a candle over, yes," Steven said. He took one of the rolls out of the basket, tore a piece off that was just big enough for Raphael to carry in his mouth, and held it out for the cat. "Here you are, young man. That's all for you. Can't have you getting sick now."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts watched Raphael take hold of his prize in his mouth before he left for the kitchen, where he very loudly crinkled a package of cat treats.

Predictably, the cat came running, and Watts set the treat down in front of him along with a new toy before absconding back to the dining room with their wine.

"There," he said victoriously. "I think that shall keep him occupied."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven meanwhile had lit the candles. "Very clever of you to get that for him. Makes it a holiday for him as well."

Not they didn't buy toys for Raphael for the special occasion of a day ending in Y or anything.

[pocketpretzels]

Certainly didn't routinely scour gift shops on their Friday excursions for cat-suitable toys...

"He can't have the food, so he deserves a little gift," Watts said with a nod.

[hasaknightjob]

"He's part of the family, and we are thankful for him," Steven agreed. He pulled out Llewellyn's chair and gestured for him to sit. "Here. Get comfy."

[pocketpretzels]

"How gallant," Watts said, unable to resist a quick peck to Steven's cheek before he sat.

[hasaknightjob]

"This is all thanks to you," Steven said as he took his own seat. "You deserve a little pampering."

[pocketpretzels]

"Hardly all. You put just as much effort as I did into the preparations," Watts argued.

[hasaknightjob]

"It's your holiday to start," Steven said. "You came up with most of the menu last year. You get at least a little honor for that, you ask me."

[pocketpretzels]

"I just don't want you downplaying how much work you did this year," Watts insisted.

[hasaknightjob]

"I won't," Steven promised. He picked up a ladle to start serving. "I'm rather proud of my soup, thank you. I think it came out rather well."

[pocketpretzels]

"I am looking forward to trying it," Watts said. It had been very tempting to sneak a spoonful yesterday, but in the end he'd left any taste-testing to Steven.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven sprinkled extra pecans on Llewellyn's soup before presenting the bowl with a flourish. "Here we are. I think it came out well. Even better for having a day for the flavors to blend."

[pocketpretzels]

Meanwhile, Watts had poured their wine into glasses. He debated for a moment whether to fill his plate or take a spoonful of soup first, and- well. Soup won out.

"Oh, that's delicious," he said, after swallowing a spoonful. "Well done, darling."

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you, love," Steven said. He held up his wine glass for a toast. "To Thanksgiving? To family?"

[pocketpretzels]

"To our Thanksgiving, our family," Watts agreed, clinking his glass against Steven's.

[hasaknightjob]

"I can't believe we did it all," Steven said. "In time for eating and all. Well done, us."

[pocketpretzels]

"And with time for plenty of these along the way," Watts said, leaning in to offer a kiss.

[hasaknightjob]

"Vital part of the process," Steven said as he kissed Llewellyn back. "Wouldn't have tasted as good otherwise."

[pocketpretzels]

"It's scientific fact." Had they ever attempted to cook a meal together without kissing breaks to test this theory? Of course not. But that obviously was not the point.

[hasaknightjob]

"Meal has to be made with love," Steven said. He tore a piece from the roll he'd already given Raphael a piece from and dipped it into his soup. "Otherwise it's just food."