MHA #15, Monday Evening

[pocketpretzels]

The weekend had been successful, Watts couldn't help but think. He'd finally gotten to meet Layla, who Steven spoke so highly of and Marc was typically close-lipped about. George had met Steven (albeit not Marc, which was unfortunate, but there had been a desire not to complicate things considering George was only here for the weekend) and Layla as well, and had even ended up with an idea for a new novel out of the experience. And there had been other interesting people he'd met as well, including Annie's friend Kimiko, who despite her inability to speak managed to communicate quite well in a way that Watts frankly found refreshing because it was just so... honest. Less successful had been the pumpkin-carving he'd attempted yet again, so the less said about that the better.

But now it was date night, which Watts also hoped would be successful. Everything was laid out on the table: apples and honey, butternut squash soup, seven vegetable couscous, brussels sprouts with pomegranate molasses, honeyed carrots and roasted chickpeas and vegan challah.

Had he prepared any of this himself? Absolutely not. He'd not even sliced the apples; those he'd picked up from the store pre-sliced, and everything else had been picked off a list of suggested menu items when he'd stopped by Luke's to place the order. And then there was of course whatever Steven was bringing for dessert. Was it likely way too much food for two people? Yeah. But hey, who didn't like leftovers, right?

For after dinner, Watts had his speaker queued up with a waltz-appropriate playlist that he'd compiled for dancing lessons. Now, of course, all he needed was the boyfriend.

[ooc: for the dance partner!]

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

"That works out nicely, don't you think?" Watts mused. "Since I'm rather sweet on him as well."

[hasaknightjob]

"They do say if you have something sweet it will bring you sweetness all year," Steven pointed out. He might have been looking for any opportunity to make that joke.

[pocketpretzels]

"Then it seems I," and now Watts was reaching out to pull Steven in closer, "am destined for a very sweet year indeed."

[hasaknightjob]

"Think that's for the two of us, maybe," Steven said. He helped close he distance so there could be a kiss.

[pocketpretzels]

"Just as well, I think," Watts said. "Wouldn't hardly be fair otherwise."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven gave Llewellyn another quick kiss before leaning back. "Going to have to behave myself around you. I do have work tomorrow."

[pocketpretzels]

"Why, Steven Grant, I hope you aren't implying that I would encourage absenteeism."

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm outright stating you'll encourage tardiness, Llewellyn Watts," Steven replied, his grin making it clear he didn't mind it.

[pocketpretzels]

"Ah, well. Yes. Almost certainly. But you can be sure I'd send you on your way eventually."

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm holding you to that," Steven said. Of course holding each other regarding anything was going to be a great deal of the problem.

[pocketpretzels]

"That is the general plan for tonight, yes," Watts pointed out.

[hasaknightjob]

"We've a lot of catching up to do, don't we?" Steven said. He wasn't just talking about topics of conversation. Though speaking of that, "Oh! Meant to say, with the packing. Think I'll bring at least an outfit or two for Marc. He doesn't want to go, very much wants us to have our privacy. But if something happens he should have the option, I feel."

[pocketpretzels]

"I'd wondered a little about that," Watts admitted. "It makes sense." Both that Marc wouldn't want to be about, and that he should have something comfortable in case for whatever reason he did end up making an appearance.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven relaxed now that that was out of the way. "Should've known you'd be understanding about it. Very wonderful, you are."

[pocketpretzels]

"Well," and now Watts was blushing, because that's what happens at being called wonderful.

[hasaknightjob]

"You are though," Steven said. He reached over to brush his hand over Llewellyn's. "I thought me saying him being possible might - I don't know. Spoil things. But you're not like that. You understand it happens. You've been amazing about all of it since the beginning. Means the world to me."

[pocketpretzels]

"I may be foolish, but I didn't walk into- this- blind," Watts assured him.

[hasaknightjob]

"I know you didn't." Steven gave Llewellyn's hand a squeeze. "You're braver than me. I'm grateful for it."

[pocketpretzels]

“I disagree,” Watts shook his head. “I think you were just as brave, taking a chance on me. You might know now that I would never do anything to hurt you, not intentionally, but you had no way of knowing that when this was new, didn’t you?”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven threaded their fingers together. "I didn't think you would hurt me. I mean you could. You have my heart after all. I thought this - me - would be a burden. Which I know you put a great deal of thought in. You put thought into everything."

Steven nodded to indicate the meal they were eating as yet another example.

"But it's one thing to think it and another to live it, isn't it?" Steven said. "I appreciate you being patient with me when I see that in new places. Like going on holiday when I'm - when I'm like this."

[pocketpretzels]

“How could I be anything but?” Watts asked. “Truly it’s you who are wonderful, and I honestly have no idea how you put up with- with someone like me.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Someone poetic and kind and thoughtful?" Steven asked. He rubbed his thumb against Llewellyn's hand. "Been a real hardship, that."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts shook his head. “Someone who is- difficult. Broken.”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven looked at Llewellyn curiously. "How are you broken, love?"

[pocketpretzels]

“Everyone I’ve loved has either left me, or has died,” Watts pointed out. “It is a pattern that is hard to ignore, and here I am at its centre.”