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

[hasaknightjob]

"Not at the moment," Steven said. "I'll let you know if that changes."

[pocketpretzels]

"All right," Watts relaxed. "So long as you will."

[hasaknightjob]

"I promise." Steven leaned down to press a kiss to Llewellyn's forehead, then sat up and resumed his massaging. "It's good to check in, I think. Make sure things are all right. Nobody caught in a wrong assumption."

[pocketpretzels]

"Much rather know if I'm doing something wrong so I can fix it rather than carry on and potentially irritating or upsetting you," Watts agreed.

[hasaknightjob]

"Precisely," Steven said. "Or not even upset. Something we'd like we haven't thought to mention. Sometimes that's easier to do if you're asked. You don't feel like - I dunno. You're coming off ungrateful for what you do have."

[pocketpretzels]

"And I hope I never do," Watts said. "Come across as ungrateful, that is. Or like I take you for granted."

[hasaknightjob]

"You've not yet," Steven said. "You make me feel like I'm something precious. Valuable."

[pocketpretzels]

"Because you are," Watts said emphatically.

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you," Steven said, even as he blushed. "I like that you think of me that way. You make me feel it as well."

[pocketpretzels]

"You are a treasure," Watts said, stretching his arm up to caress Steven's cheek. "My treasure, my darling."

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you." Steven leaned into the touch. "You love me for me. That's amazing."

[pocketpretzels]

"What else would I love you for, except yourself?" Watts asked.

[hasaknightjob]

"You could love me in spite," Steven explained. He smiled. "But you don't. You love all of me."

[pocketpretzels]

"Never in spite," Watts said firmly.

[hasaknightjob]

"And you're never too much," Steven told him, long as they were on this sort of topic. "Even when you're feeling poorly."

[pocketpretzels]

Had he been worrying about that exact topic? Perhaps.

"I haven't been demanding too much of you? Of your time?"

[hasaknightjob]

"Llewellyn Watts," Steven said, smiling fondly at him, "there is no one else I'd rather spend my time with. And you're not demanding at all, I promise. If I need to do something else I'll tell you."

[pocketpretzels]

"All right then," Watts said. "Your company is- it means a great deal to me. Particularly when I'm feeling unwell. But I wouldn't want to overstay my welcome."

[hasaknightjob]

"I think when you get cross and take it out on me that's a bit much?" Steven said, since they were honest with one another. "But even then I would tell you that I don't care for what you're doing. And you've gotten much better about that besides."

[pocketpretzels]

"I wish I knew why I get like that in the first place," Watts sighed. "I know it isn't fair to take my frustration out on you, and yet sometimes it's as if I'm unable to stop myself."

[hasaknightjob]

"Because I'm there?" Steven guessed. "Not that that makes it acceptable, but for a reason? You're cranky and I'm the only one about?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Perhaps," Watts said. "That does make sense. Unfair as it is."

[hasaknightjob]

"Perhaps you're worried that I'll leave you as well," Steven added, this time gently. "So you're trying to push me away so you're not left wondering when it will happen."

[pocketpretzels]

Way to hit the nail right on the head there, Steven. Not that Watts had realised that's what he was doing, at least on a conscious level.

In response to Steven's words, Watts brought his knees up to his chest, as if he were trying to make himself as small as possible as his head remained in Steven's lap.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven leaned in to hug him as best he could in their position. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."