pocketpretzels | MHA #15, Monday Evening

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!]

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Steven snuck a kiss to Llewellyn's cheek. "Of course, love. Long as you're liking it."

"I like that you're taking such care to find things I might enjoy," Watts said fondly. "Very thoughtful of you."

"This one was easy," Steven said. Not that he was dismissing the thanks, just giving Llewellyn more information about what this round had entailed. "Helped knowing what you liked last time."

In truth the hardest part had been debating whether or not to include one song in particular. In the end Steven gave in to nerves and decided to leave it off. If Llewellyn liked the artist maybe Steven would feel brave enough to include a song that felt more personal to Steven's feelings for Llewellyn in the next round.

Edited 2022-09-30 02:31 (UTC)

Truth be told, if Watts knew there was a song that Steven associated with his feelings for him, he would want to hear it regardless of his thoughts on the artist's other works.

"Then I will provide an accurate review this time as well," Watts told him.

Truth be told Steven had more than one song which met that criteria, but in this particular case there had been only one which also matched an artist on the latest list. Perhaps someday Steven would feel brave enough to share all of them.

"Good," Steven said. This time when he gave Llewellyn's shoulder a squeeze it was to reassure Llewellyn, not himself. "I promise I won't be upset if you don't like any of them. It's all about learning what you fancy."

"I fancy you, of that much I am certain," Watts said.

"Welcome to play me anytime you like," Steven replied, giving Llewellyn an inviting look.

Granted not strictly true given schedules and Steven's particular situation, but the sentiment itself was true at the very least.

And Watts understood the spirit in which it was meant, anyway. "Don't think I won't take advantage of that."

"I'll consider that a promise then," Steven replied. "You're right. Maybe we should start keeping a list."

"Hmmm," Watts hummed as he thought about it. "How detailed should this list be?" he asked, grinning wickedly.

A flush came to Steven's cheeks but not an unpleasant one. "It was your idea. As detailed as you would like then, I'd imagine."

"Giving me free rein, are you?" Watts's hand briefly left Steven's shoulder to cup his cheek. "Could be dangerous."

"Not when I know you'd never hurt me," Steven replied. He leaned into Llewellyn's touch. "I trust you."

"And I'd not betray that," Watts affirmed. "Ever." Which is basically what Steven had just said but it never hurt to reiterate.

Edited 2022-09-30 04:20 (UTC)

"I wouldn't for you either," Steven said. Then, thinking of how many times he'd hurt people without meaning to, he added, "Least not purposefully so."

"Of course," Watts nodded. "I suppose I ought to amend my own statement; as I've said before, I'm not always aware that I've said something hurtful or wrong. But you can trust that it's never my intent to deal harm, and you can always tell me when I've done so."

"Exactly," Steven said, glad Llewellyn understood it. "There's no intent, and we'll fix it if it happens. It's all we can do."

Watts nodded. "Now," he said slowly. "Back to this list, the results of which are meant to be pleasing to both parties involved..."

"Dancing was on it," Steven said. "I'm certain of it. Think it was even first thing, actually."

"And is it?" Watts asked. "Pleasing, I mean?" He was certainly enjoying himself, but that didn't mean much if Steven wasn't also.

"I like anything that means being near you," Steven said, because it was true. Since they'd gotten a little informal he moved his hand from Llewellyn's shoulder to rest closer to the dip by his neck. "But this is nice as well. Knowing what to do if we need to do it somewhere. Like the wedding, maybe."

Odds were probably pretty small there would be required formal dancing at the wedding, but even so it was one less thing to worry about.

"It is the kind of thing one might do at a... bachelor's party..." Watts admitted. "Which, as you can imagine, was the cause for some slight confusion on my part when the invitation from Mr. Hargreeves came for his pre-wedding celebration."

Steven couldn't guess what exactly Llewellyn had thought it meant but based on his own knowledge of bachelor parties he did feel a need to point out, "I don't think they involve much waltzing, I'm afraid."

"Oh, no, I know that now," Watts assured him. "I did some research. Because the term has a- slightly- different connotation back in my time."

"Can't even guess if I'm honest," Steven told him. Though he did try to imagine it before coming up empty.

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