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]

"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."

[pocketpretzels]

"I like that," Watts said. "Very poetic."

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you," Steven said. "It's a day to inspire poetic thinking, isn't it? Appreciation for what we have."

[pocketpretzels]

"Which is so much," Watts said. "A home, a family..."

[hasaknightjob]

"A boarding house with residents who are happy living here," Steven added. "Friends we've made and new friends that we're making."

[pocketpretzels]

If Watts's smile wavered for just a moment at that last one, well. Never mind. "The opportunity to try new things and visit new places."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven reached over to lightly brush Llewellyn's hand to show he'd seen that hesitation and was there for him.

"And make our own traditions," he added. "Adapting as we go."

[pocketpretzels]

"Building our life together," Watts nodded.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven leaned over to give Llewellyn another kiss. "Doing so with the love of my life, who I'm grateful to have found."

[pocketpretzels]

"Through worlds and time," Watts murmured in to that kiss.

[hasaknightjob]

"I am so very thankful for you, Llewellyn Watts," Steven said. He caressed Llewellyn's cheek. "My dearest, foolish partner."