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

[hasaknightjob]

"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."

[pocketpretzels]

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."

[hasaknightjob]

"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."

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

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

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

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

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

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

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

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

[pocketpretzels]

"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?"

[hasaknightjob]

"More kissing," Steven admitted.

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

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

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

"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.

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

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?"

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

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

[pocketpretzels]

"Just so," Watts nodded.

[hasaknightjob]

"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."

[pocketpretzels]

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

[hasaknightjob]

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

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