Midnight Manor Private Residence, Saturday Afternoon

[pocketpretzels]

Saturday's routine had started off like normal, heading off to the mainland to attend services. Once they were back on the island, however, Watts was off to the clinic for the first in what he'd found out would be a series of vaccinations over the next several weeks.

Hence his current state, sore and generally unwell-feeling, bundled up on the couch in the library.

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

"We'll see," Watts said. He wasn't going to try and fall asleep on purpose, but Steven's words made him feel a little better about the possibility of doing so accidentally.

[hasaknightjob]

"Long as you're not worried about it," Steven said. He continued to gently massage Llewellyn's head. "We can also talk if you like. I enjoy speaking with you."

[pocketpretzels]

"I do like speaking with you as well," Watts said fondly. "So that does work nicely."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven moved his hand back to massage near the base of Llewellyn's neck. "Anything you'd care to talk about? I suppose the unfairness of side effects is always a topic."

[pocketpretzels]

"Mmm," Watts said. "I feel like I may have exhausted that topic," he pointed out. "How about- our upcoming cabin stay. We should settle on a date." A beat. "Also possibly a location."

[hasaknightjob]

"In a cabin," Steven said, grinning down at him to show he was joking.

[pocketpretzels]

"Incorrigible," Watts grumbled.

[hasaknightjob]

"You love me," Steven said, proudly. "We could go on break? I know we're not taking classes but it's often quiet."

[pocketpretzels]

"Our plans were for Egypt then," Watts reminded him.

[hasaknightjob]

"Bugger, right." Steven grimaced. "Sorry. Dates are difficult sometimes."

[pocketpretzels]

"I know, darling," Watts said, with sympathy. "It's all right, I know you do your best. Sometimes things slip through regardless."

[hasaknightjob]

"Particularly when we get to - " Steven couldn't say it. He went with, "Late February. Seems to get more difficult."

Llewellyn knew what late February was the anniversary of.

[pocketpretzels]

Given their relative positions, Watts couldn't squeeze Steven's hand. He did, however, reach out to rub a gentle circle on his knee. "Understandably so."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven gave Llewellyn a grateful look. He tried to push unpleasant emotions aside. "Still. Plenty of time before we have to worry about that. We can think about our holidays in the meanwhile."

[pocketpretzels]

"Indeed," Watts said. "A Valentines getaway might be nice," he mused.

[hasaknightjob]

"For the cabin?" Steven asked, to be extra sure he was following. "That could be romantic. Cozy."

[pocketpretzels]

"That was my thought, yes," Watts confirmed.

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm looking forward to that," Steven admitted. "You and me, snuggling in by a fire, snow outside."

Yes, they could do all of that at home. But it was different in a cabin.

[pocketpretzels]

It was cozier in a small space. Unless the space was too small, then it was possibly claustrophobic, but Watts was absolutely going to take that into account when finding the appropriate cabin to rent. "A beautiful view." He was smiling up at Steven as he said that, so it was of course entirely possible he wasn't referring to whatever would be outside their window.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven blushed. "Thank you. Can I say I'm looking forward to the view as well?"

He did like looking at Llewellyn in firelight.

[pocketpretzels]

"Of course," Watts said, with a pleased smile.

[hasaknightjob]

"Could we go somewhere with ice skating?" Steven asked. "Or will we be somewhere too rustic? More snowshoeing, perhaps?"

[pocketpretzels]

"I was hoping to find someplace where skating would be an option," Watts admitted. "Though I suppose we ought to narrow down where in the world we'd like to visit."

[hasaknightjob]

"Europe?" Steven suggested. "Somewhere in the mountains?"

[pocketpretzels]

"What would you think of the Alps, then?" Watts mused.