Midnight Manor Private Residence, Saturday Afternoon

[pocketpretzels]

Watts had promised to teach Steven how to make homemade crisps, and so following their usual services on the mainland he departed from his usual routine of baking something in favour of doing so.

"It's quite a straightforward process," he said to Steven, once they had everything ready to go, including salt and spices for possible seasonings. "With a sometimes maddening amount of waiting."

Luckily they had ways of occupying themselves during such times.

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

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

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

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

"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."

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

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

[pocketpretzels]

"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."

[hasaknightjob]

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."

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

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

[pocketpretzels]

"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'.

[hasaknightjob]

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

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

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

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

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

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

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."

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

"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.

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

"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."

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

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

[pocketpretzels]

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