Midnight Manor Private Residence, Saturday Morning

[pocketpretzels]

The heating pad had helped a great deal to soothe the ache in his arm, though at some point during the night Watts still found himself awake and restless. He scribbled a quick note for Steven and headed downstairs to make himself a cup of tea.

Fandom being Fandom, he never made it back upstairs, and thus come Saturday morning there was a tiny Llewellyn Watts fast asleep on the library couch, one arm slung over an equally fast asleep Raphael, who was laid out next to him.

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[hasaknightjob]

Steven slept soundly, which meant he didn't notice when Llewellyn woke up. He did notice he was by himself when he awoke, however. But this was not unusual for the two of them so Steven didn't worry.

He worried less when he saw and read the note that said Llewellyn had gone to make tea. Steven debated staying where he was on the odd chance Llewellyn had meant he was making tea for the two of them to enjoy in bed. But they did have their usual plans for off island and Steven figured coming back to bed would only tempt them to stay home.

So Steven got up, still dressed in his pajamas, and went downstairs to see about tea and breakfast.

"Llew? You about?"

[pocketpretzels]

He was indeed about, albeit still fast asleep. Though it was quite possible Steven might miss him on first glance if he happened to look in the library, given that Watts usually sprawled over most of the couch but this Llewellyn was much, much smaller.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven did, in fact, check the kitchen first. When there was no sign of Llewellyn, or tea for that matter, Steven went looking in earnest. "Llew?"

Steven pocked his head in the dining room, living room, and then the library in turn, stopping when he finally saw who was on the couch. "Oh dear."

[pocketpretzels]

Llewellyn wasn't much in the way of being a heavy sleeper, so those two words were enough to have him cracking an eye open.

He smiled when he recognised Steven. "'Lo," he squeaked out.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven of course missed grown up Llewellyn. But fortunately they'd gone through this before so he was able to adapt more quickly.

"Hello," he said with a smile. He kept his voice low, so as not to be too jarring to a little one who'd just woken up. "Have you come to visit again?"

[pocketpretzels]

Llewellyn nodded. Did he remember how he got here? Of course not, and somehow that seemed entirely unimportant. But deep down he knew this place was safe (even if it was also sometimes very loud and bright) and that he'd be all right if he stayed here for a little while, like he had before (A few months ago? A year ago? Last week? The exact amount of time it had been was unimportant).

[hasaknightjob]

"It's wonderful to see you again," Steven told him. He knelt down so they could be at eye level. "Has Raphael been taking good care of you?"

[pocketpretzels]

Llewellyn nodded and ran a small hand down Raphael's back. "He's so soft," he observed, for about the umpteenth time.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven couldn't help but be charmed by this version of Llewellyn.

"He is," Steven agreed. "Is he purring?"

[pocketpretzels]

Llewellyn nodded. "Rrrrrrr," he vocalised, his best imitation of a purr.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven chuckled softly, because that was adorable.

"That means he likes you," Steven said. "That's very special. I bet he remembers you from last time."

[pocketpretzels]

"I 'member him too," Llewellyn nodded. "And you. We had bread that's a circle."

[hasaknightjob]

"That's nice that you remember me," Steven said, since for him that was always a bonus. "I remember you as well. You helped me take care of Raphael and you didn't care for things that were bright and noisy."

[pocketpretzels]

"The box with the moving pictures," Llewellyn nodded. It was interesting but also too noisy.

[hasaknightjob]

"And the lights if I recall correctly?" Steven asked. "We should keep them dimmer for you?"

[pocketpretzels]

"But not out," Llewellyn insisted. "Don't blow them out."

[hasaknightjob]

"You won't have to be in the dark, I promise," Steven told him. "And we'll not leave you alone. Raphael and I will always be near."

[pocketpretzels]

"And the house," Llewellyn said. "The house is magic."

[hasaknightjob]

"That's right," Steven said. "Midnight is a friend. It'll take good care of you as well."

[pocketpretzels]

"Nice house," Llewellyn agreed.

[hasaknightjob]

"Nice you," Steven replied. "How are you? Are you hungry? I've not had breakfast yet."

[pocketpretzels]

Llewellyn was pretty much always hungry, which wasn't much of a change from the bigger version, so he nodded. "M'hungry too."

[hasaknightjob]

"Are you in the mood for anything in particular?" Steven asked. "If we don't have it, we can get it delivered."

[pocketpretzels]

"Can I have a orange?" Llewellyn asked.

[hasaknightjob]

"You can absolutely have an orange," Steven said. "What else would you like?"