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]

"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."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts made a wordless sound of acknowledgment in reply, trying to fold himself into Steven's arms as best he could.

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm here, I love you," Steven said, still holding him. "You can't send me away by being cranky."

[pocketpretzels]

"Don't care to think about what it would be like without you," Watts muttered.

[hasaknightjob]

"Don't care to think about my life without you either," Steven agreed. He hugged Llewellyn tighter. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm here."

[pocketpretzels]

"Hopefully I can refrain from testing that," Watts sighed.

[hasaknightjob]

"You've been doing better, I promise," Steven told him. "I've spoken up before when you've gone too far."

[pocketpretzels]

"Please continue to do so. I loathe hurting you."

[hasaknightjob]

"I know you do," Steven said. "It means a great deal. I don't like when you're cross with me and I haven't done anything wrong."

[pocketpretzels]

"It's terribly unfair to you," Watts agreed. "Especially since all you're ever trying to do when I'm like that is help. And you do wonderfully, even."

[hasaknightjob]

A smile spread on Steven's face. "I do? I'm helpful?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Of course," Watts said. "I've always said you have a knack for softening those sharp edges of the world. Well, they're never sharper than when I'm feeling unwell."

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm not glad they're sharper, of course," Steven said. "But I'm glad I can ease them for you all the same. I like knowing I can take care of you. That it makes you feel cared for. Particularly when you need it."

[pocketpretzels]

"Even now when I'm not truly ill?" Watts checked.

[hasaknightjob]

"You're still feeling not yourself," Steven said. "I don't see how that's different."