pocketpretzels | Midnight Manor Private Residence, Saturday Afternoon

"This is exciting," Steven said. He had pen and paper ready to take notes.

"I do hope you'll still think so once we get started," Watts said. "As the first step is peeling all of these," he indicated their bowl of potatoes.

Steven grinned at him. "I'm rather certain that is not the first step."

"You are?" Watts gave him a puzzled look.

You'd think he'd know by now what Steven considered the first step to most, if not all, of their recipe-related ventures.

"The first step is a kiss," Steven said. Then, to be clear, "Between you and me."

"Oh!" Watts grinned. "Yes, yes. You are correct." He reached out to pull Steven in close and wrap his arms around his waist.

"Had it in my notes and all," Steven said, pointing to show that was true.

"Can you forgive me my misstep?" Watts asked.

"Always." Steven grinned up at him. "Long as I get that kiss."

"Of course," Watts said, leaning down to kiss him soundly.

Steven made a happy sound into the kiss. "Hmmm. Wonderful. Successful recipe so far I would say."

"Off to a very pleasant start," Watts agreed.

Steven smiled up at him. "Now then, we do something with our spuds?"

"Peel," Watts said. "And then slice. Thankfully not with a knife, for that second part, as they need to be- paper thin, nearly."

"Peeling I can manage," Steven said, getting a peeler so he could do just that. "We have what the recipe called for for slicing? A mandolin?"

"I purchased one when I first started making these," Watts said, pointing out the kitchen device in question.

Perhaps someday he'd have the thought that he could use it to slice things that didn't specifically call for use of a mandoline.

Steven leaned over to peer at it. "Isn't that clever? Not familiar with them. I'll get to try it?"

"It's a helpful little device." Watts nodded. "And of course."

Edited 2025-01-04 19:53 (UTC)

"Wonderful!" Steven said. He got to peeling. "That'll make two new things learned then. I'm doing well with my new year already."

Watts's potato peels were, predictably, flying everywhere as he also got to peeling. "Two new things, while also keeping up some traditions," he grinned.

"Will you practice your piano later?" Steven asked, as long as they were on the topic of things normally done.

"That was my intent," Watts confirmed.

"I admire you for that, you know," Steven said. "Keeping at it all this time. Proud of you, actually."

"You do?" Watts asked. "You are?"

"You've been at it for ages now," Steven said. "Still going even when it's not easy. I think that's admirable, don't you?"

"Well, I do enjoy it, even when it's challenging," Watts shared.

"You like being able to meet the challenge and get to the other side?" Steven guessed.

"Precisely," Watts nodded. "If there was no challenge, it wouldn't be- as satisfying, I feel."

"Not as much of an accomplishment," Steven suggested.

"That's it, yes," Watts nodded.

"And so you see?" Steven said. "I admire you doing it, even when it's hard."

"I do appreciate your support in that matter," Watts said. "Especially when it means I disappear in to the library for a time."

"Of course." Steven lightly bumped his shoulder into Llewellyn's. "It's all right when you get stuck in to a thing. Long as I can lure you out for dinner when the time comes.

"You do have a talent for that," Watts replied fondly.

"Helps that I like making sure you're fed," Steven replied with a grin. Then he remembered to add, "Thank you."

"You've a talent for that, as well," Watts added. "It's how you began courting me, after all."

Before they were officially courting, but... details.

That officially was a key qualifier, yes. As indicated by Steven's blush.

"I worried about you," Steven said. "New to modern life and all."

"Very gentlemanly of you," Watts said, finishing the last of his potatoes and going to wrap his arms around Steven again. "I welcomed it, even if my situation were nowhere near as dire as you were imagining."

Steven smiled up at him. "I wasn't going to risk it. Worked out well for me, I'd say. No regrets."

"None at all?" Watts asked, with a smile.

"None," Steven said. He grinned. "Wait, one."

Steven turned around so he could give Llewellyn a kiss. "There. Now none."

"Flirt," Watts declared. "My flirt," he added, after a moment.

"And you're mine," Steven said. His smile grew wider. "See? Courting worked out for me. I'd not done it before either. Not with any sort of success."

"Hadn't found the right match," Watts said, tucking a lock of Steven's hair behind his ear. "Not until me."

"It's nice that you like my attempts," Steven said. "Before... didn't get as appreciated as I would have wanted."

"I hate that," Watts said, holding on to Steven a little tighter. "Thinking of your feelings being hurt by the callous behaviour of others. But also I am selfishly glad it means I get to have you instead."

Steven wrapped his arms around Llewellyn to hold him close. "You appreciated me from the start. Goes to show how much you were the one."

"There was plenty to appreciate," Watts said. "Still is, each and every day."

Steven gave Llewellyn's cheek a kiss. "Even when I flirt with you over potatoes?"

"I should hope you would flirt with me over the potatoes," Watts said, with a particular emphasis on 'over' that made it clear he meant 'instead of'.

Steven giggled. "Even if they swear they only have eyes for me?"

"Shameless flirts, those potatoes," Watts shook his head. "They'll say anything if they find you a-peeling."

Steven gave a bark of delighted laughter. "I love you."

"Because I have more to offer than a potato?" Watts asked, expression innocent.

"That's a root cause to be sure," Steven replied.

"Scoundrel," Watts declared, like he wasn't slinging puns around himself mere moments ago, and leaned in to kiss him.

Steven kissed him back, bringing his hands up to cup Llewellyn's cheeks as he did. "You're perfect for me. I'd have no other."

"Good, as none other will do for me either," Watts said. "I've found the love of my life, and it is you."

"I've found my heart, and it's you," Steven replied. He moved his hands to the back of Llewellyn's neck, using that to pull him close for more kissing.

"As you healed mine, so you could steal it away," Watts declared.

"And keep it loved and safe always," Steven replied. "No one stomping it into the dust like before. Cared for like the precious thing it is."

"Wonderful, beautiful, perfect, delightful man," Watts said, punctuating each adjective with a kiss.

"Yours, yours, yours, yours," Steven replied in between each kiss. "My handsome, charming, poetic, brilliant beau."

Watts rested his forehead against Steven's, not going in for another kiss but not pulling away just yet. "Love you."

Steven took advantage of the proximity to bump their noses together. "Love you too."

"Shall we resume our project?" Watts asked.

Steven snuck one more kiss, then smiled. "Yes. What's next?"

"Slicing!" Watts declared cheerfully. "I'll do one, so you can see how it's done, and then you can give it a try?" he asked.

"Good idea," Steven said. "I can take notes while I watch you."

"First, we'll set it on the thinnest setting here," Watts said, picking up the mandoline and showing Steven how to adjust that setting. "And then just feed the potato in," he added, doing just so. "Rather straightforward. Much simpler than attempting to do so by hand."

Steven wrote all of that down, after including a step for kissing in between peeling potatoes and slicing them. "I can't imagine trying to slice them as thin as crisps. Don't think I could do it."

"I know I couldn't," Watts said. "They'd come out looking all," he made a gesture reminiscent of something thick on one end and thin on the other.

"That's just it, isn't it?" Steven said. He leaned against the counter. "Hard enough slicing them even at all, never mind when it's so finely."

"Lucky for us, we've a tool," Watts said. "Which- would you care to give it a try?"

"With you here, I feel brave enough for the attempt," Steven said. He put his glasses down by his notepad. "Ready when you are."

Watts stood behind Steven, wrapping his arms around his waist and letting his chin rest on Steven's shoulder: "Go on, then," he said encouragingly.

"You've my back?" Steven asked with a grin. He picked up a potato to get started. "Am I meant to use pressure?"

"Your front and all your sides as well," Watts said, giving a gentle squeeze of his arms. As for pressure, just a little is needed."

Edited 2025-01-05 18:28 (UTC)

Steven chucked at Llewellyn's joke. Then inspiration struck. "Can you show me? Your hand over mine?"

"Certainly," Watts said, putting his hand over Steven's and guiding it to the chute. "Just like so," he continued, gently pressing down and letting the mandoline's blades do their work.

Steven relaxed as Llewellyn showed him what to do. It had a little bit been a ploy to get Llewellyn to touch him more, but Steven had also wondered about the pressure in truth.

"That's not so bad," Steven said. "I thought it'd be more effort."

"The blades are very sharp," Watts might not have been entirely aware of any ploy-related reasons for Steven's request, but he wasn't removing his hand just yet either.

That was all right. Steven didn't want him to.

"Good thing our fingers don't get anywhere near it," Steven said. "Don't much care for the idea of you cutting yourself."

"Nor I you," Watts replied. "You might be able to heal from such a thing quickly, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't hurt."

"Would you kiss it better?" Steven asked.

"I most certainly would," Watts said, bringing their joined hands up to his lips so he could press a kiss to Steven's knuckles.

"My hero," Steven said, smiling up at him. "Taking such good care of me."

"Always," Watts said. "I love you."

"I love you too," Steven said. He started slicing again. "I love that you bought this."

"I wanted to make crisps for you," Watts said. "And all of the recipes called for the use of one."

"Yes, but - " Steven tried to think of how to explain it. "It's... homey? That you would get things for our kitchen?"

"It is?" Watts said, pleased. "I like that- that I can," he admitted.

"I think that's part of why I like that you did it," Steven said. "It's you knowing this is your home. You have as much right to set it up as Marc or me."

"It's still because of you two, in a way," Watts said. "It's not- the kind of purchase I would've made a few years ago. Leaving aside not being much for cooking. But it would have seemed- too frivolous. To consider."

"That's another part of it," Steven said. "That you consider yourself worthy of things even if they are just for fun, or making things easier."

It was easier to do that sort of thing when it wasn't just for his own benefit- the electric fireplace and the piano had been the two major exceptions to that rule. But tools for the kitchen, or making sure their hotel room had a jacuzzi tub? Well.

"Still getting used to that freedom."

"I suppose that means at least it won't be taken for granted?" Steven said, always one to try to find a bright side. "Though of course I wouldn't mind if you accepted it as a given that you are worth good things."

"I've the very best of things right here," Watts said, pressing a kiss behind Steven's ear.

Steven chuckled. "And I've a shameless flirt."

"Takes one to know one, darling," Watts said lightly.

"Sounds like the words of a charming man," Steven replied.

"You see?" Watts said pointedly, as he fed the last of the potatoes in to the slicer. "Case in point."

"I'd say I was caught red handed but we already established how safe this is," Steven said, giving Llewellyn a grin.

"Scoundrel," Watts shook his head. "I think you will especially like this next part."

"I've a guess but you tell me," Steven said.

"Oh?" Watts said. "We put our potato slices in a bowl of ice water and let them rest for a half hour or so," he told Steven. "What was your guess?"

"More kissing," Steven admitted.

"Ah, see, you're almost correct," Watts said. "For what else are we meant to do while it soaks?"

"More kissing?" Steven said again, this time grinning wider.

"Precisely so," Watts said cheerfully, pulling him in for a kiss.

"You're right, I like this step very much," Steven said. Even if they hadn't technically done the step yet and had gone right to kissing.

"Thought you might," Watts said, as he pulled away to do aforementioned step.

Steven took the opportunity to update his notes, making sure to specify how much pressure to use and that they were about to do a step which involved kissing. "Can I help in some way?"

"Put the potatoes in?" Watts said, once he had the bowl of ice water on the counter.

"Just sort of - er - dump them in?" Steven asked, to be sure.

"Just so," Watts nodded.

"Easily done," Steven said. He went to put the potatoes into the water, then winced when some of the water splashed out as a result. "Sorry! Sorry."

"No harm done," Watts said, reaching for a kitchen towel. "Only water, darling."

"It doesn't ruin the recipe?" Steven asked, worried.

He was thinking of baking, where measurements had to be precise.

"Not at all," Watts assured him. "So long as all the slices get soaked in the ice water, the amount of water itself doesn't need to be precise."

"All right," Steven said. He took a breath to let some of his worry go. "I trust you."

"And now, we can engage in a most pleasant diversion," Watts said, pulling Steven close again.

"Is it a diversion if it's a required step?" Steven asked, as he wrapped his arms around Llewellyn's shoulders. "Because that's how I wrote it in my notes"

"Mmm, good point," Watts said thoughtfully. "I suppose I hadn't considered how working with a partner would alter the process."

"Raphael didn't try to lend a paw to help?" Steven asked, grinning.

"He tried, but found the water too cold to his liking," Watts told Steven.

Steven chuckled fondly. "Poor little lad. At least he gave it a go. For his dad, I imagine."

"He keeps to supervising, these days," Watts said with a nod.

"Rather proud of him," Steven said. "Suited to management already."

"Keeps his own hours, coming and going as he pleases." Take now, for example, where Raphael was definitely not present in the kitchen.

"Probably for the best when it comes time for the frying," Steven said. "No worries he'll risk getting hurt."

Steven was perhaps worried about getting hurt himself when the time came.

"Precisely my thoughts," Watts agreed, leading Steven around the kitchen in a not-quite-waltz as they waited.

Steven smiled, delighted. He started humming a song for them to dance to.

Which, naturally, led to Watts's own smile becoming even more besotted as they moved around the kitchen.

Steven got lost in his enjoyment, and started adding words to the traditional waltz without realizing. Nothing elaborate. Things like "Da da da da da, dance dance, dance dance..."

They went on like that for a little while, until Watts couldn't hold it back anymore, an utterly delighted "I love you," bursting forth.

Steven didn't know what the inspiration for that outburst was, but neither did he mind hearing it. "I love you too, my love."

"You bring so much joy in to my life," Watts added. "I am incredibly grateful for you."

Steven blushed, pleased. "Yes. Well. Thank you. Always nice to know I can bring happiness. You you in particular."

"I was not a happy man," Watts said. "When I first arrived in Fandom. And then you- you showed me there were still things I could find that joy in."

"Like food?" Steven suggested.

"Like food," Watts echoed. "And company to share in that food."

"And dancing?" Steven suggested, indicating what they were currently doing.

"And not being limited to doing so behind closed doors," Watts nodded.

"Very handy for ice skating as well," Steven said. "Be difficult to do that all on our own."

"Though if anyone could, it would be us," Watts pointed out. "With Midnight's unique skills in creating spaces."

"That is true," Steven said. "I'm glad we have the option to go out though. It's fun."

"It is," Watts agreed. "I am glad you were willing to give it a try, and found out how much you enjoyed it."

"That's joy I wouldn't have had without you to help me," Steven pointed out. "We find these things for each other, you see."

"That is true, isn't it?" Watts mused. "And we've a lifetime more of doing so, you and I."

"Imagine what joy we'll be discovering years from now," Steven said. "When we've had so much practice at finding it."

"All sorts, big and small," Watts said, leaning in to offer one of those kisses he'd promised.

"Perhaps with children as well," Steven said, quietly as though he didn't want to jinx anything.

It's very possible Watts had been thinking along those same lines, holding tightly on to Steven as he offered that kiss, slow and sweet. "Perhaps," he agreed softly.

Edited 2025-01-06 21:09 (UTC)

Steven held on tightly in return as he kissed back. Then he whispered, "That's joy. That it could maybe be possible."

"A joy I never would've considered, without you," Watts murmured.

Steven chose his words carefully, since he wanted to be honest. "One I didn't think possible again until you showed me."

Because he had considered it, then learning about Marc meant it was gone, and then Llewellyn had showed it could be possible once more.

"You see?" Watts smiled, reaching up to caress Steven's cheek. "A well-matched pair we are. Giving each other the gift of that possibility."

"The gift of possibility," Steven repeated as he leaned into Llewellyn's touch. "I like that. My poet."

"Wholly yours," Watts agreed. "No matter what else, I am wholly yours."

Steven smiled. Even though Llewellyn was leading, he guided them into a few more steps while singing, "You are all mine, my Llew, my Llew..."

"I do love your singing," Watts said, that besotted expression finding its way back on to his face.

Steven opened his mouth to dismiss the compliment. Then he remembered and instead said, "Thank you. I'm glad."

"You're most welcome," Watts leaned in to kiss Steven soundly.

Steven kissed back. And continued humming the song, which he hoped was close enough to singing for Llewellyn's purposes.

It was indeed. "You do that when you're happy," Watts noted. "I like when you're happy. Even more so when I am the cause of said happiness."

"You frequently are," Steven said. "Uniquely gifted at being said cause, actually."

"And I take great pride in that," Watts told him.

"Happier than anyone I've known," Steven said. "I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else."

"Me neither," Watts said. "I don't know that I look forward, exactly, to the prospect of growing old. But growing old with you?"

"Facing the future together," Steven agreed.

"Now that, my darling, the love of my life, my Gentleman Knight, that sounds wonderful," Watts declared.

Steven looked around, then stared stalwartly in one direction.

"Darling?" Watts asked, a little concerned.

"That's east?" Steven said. At least he was pretty sure it was. "Where the sun rises? So I'm looking to the future."

Watts tilted his head, slightly at first and then at more of an angle.

"I do believe you are correct about it being the east," he said. "And thus, I shall look to the future with you."

Steven beamed proudly. "And thus we face it together!"

"My preferred way," Watts said, leaning in to kiss Steven once more- but this time just planting a quick kiss on his nose.

Steven snickered. "I like that too. Any kisses from you, really. Much in favor of those."

"Careful," Watts said with a playful smirk, "Or a man's likely to take that as an invitation."

"Best be a specific man or my beau's going to have words with him," Steven replied, grinning back.

"Very specific," Watts nodded. "This one, stood right here."

"Good." Steven gave a light tug on Llewellyn's shirt. "I'd abide by no other."

"Glad to hear it," Watts said, using one hand to push Steven's shirt collar slightly aside so he could press a kiss to the same spot he liked to leave a mark on.

Steven shivered with delight. "Good. Long as that's clear."

"Crystal," Watts said. "I think our potato slices have soaked long enough," he added after a moment, only somewhat reluctantly.

"Best get back to it I suppose," Steven said. "Before they catch chill."

"One more kiss?" Watts asked hopefully.

"I see no harm in that," Steven said, moving in to kiss Llewellyn.

He fully intended to take his time with said kiss, of course.

That's good, as Watts wasn't inclined to rush either, lingering in the kiss as long as possible.

This time Steven's him wasn't musical, but it was contented. He melted into Llewellyn's arms trying to show how much their conversation had meant to him.

The way Watts was holding on to Steven as the kiss continued hopefully conveyed a similar message.

It did. Steven hummed again, moving his hands so his fingertips could rub the back of Llewellyn's neck as they kissed.

Watts sighed appreciatively into the kiss at the touch, backing up slightly so he could press Steven against the counter as they continued.

Steven didn't mind that at all. He made another happy sound, deepening the kiss to show how much he was enjoying it.

"Love you," Watts murmured, pressing himself up against Steven. "So much."

Steven laced his fingers at the back of Llewellyn's neck to hold him close. "Love you too. Wonderful man."

"It pleases me that you find me so," Watts managed, resting his forehead against Steven's.

"You're wonderful and all mine," Steven said. "That pleases me a great deal."

"Now and always," Watts promised.

"Now and always," Steven agreed. He rubbed the tip of their noses together. "Mine all mine."

"Every last inch of me," Watts added.

Steven grinned. "Good, I like all your inches."

"Mmm, perhaps once we've finished in the kitchen you can show me just how much," Watts mused.

"Wouldn't mind that at all," Steven said. "And show my appreciation for your lessons."

"Which we ought to get back to..." Watts pointed out, again with a little reluctance.

"Something to fortify us for later?" Steven suggested. "No good going hungry in the middle."

"Good point," Watts said, pulling away but grabbing Steven's hand as he did so, tugging him over to the bowl of potato slice.

"Now we take these out and pat them dry," he explained.

Steven was happy to be tugged (cough) and took a look at what they needed to do. "With kitchen paper?"

"We'll lay them out on a towel and then use the paper to pat them dry, yes," Watts told him.

"A little massage before their swim?" Steven said, grinning.

"Cute," Watts said, unable to resist pressing a kiss to Steven's cheek.

"No reason not to encourage them," Steven said. "They're going to do us a favor by being tasty."

"That they most certainly are," Watts agreed with a smile.

Steven grinned as a thought occurred to him. "Much like yourself."

Watts squinted at him. "Tasty?"

Steven grinned, proud of himself. "Yes. Perhaps later I'll have a nibble."

"Ah!" Watts beamed at him. "Well. Yes. I'd be most amenable."

"Excellent!" Steven kissed him. "Shall we take care of our poor potatoes now?"

"Let's," Watts agreed, reaching for the kitchen towels once he'd parted from the kiss.

Midnight Manor Private Residence, Saturday Afternoon

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