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]

"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."

[pocketpretzels]

"My Gentleman Knight, as always," Watts said fondly.

[hasaknightjob]

"My dearest detective," Steven replied. "As always."

[pocketpretzels]

"Whatever it was I did to deserve you, I'm eternally grateful," Watts said, stretching back out.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven resumed massaging Llewellyn's head and arm. "Told you. You courted me. Rather well too."

[pocketpretzels]

"It may have been foolish, but it was also my wisest decision, pursuing you," Watts informed Steven.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven smiled down at Llewellyn, affection and warmth in his eyes. "Fools together, you and me. A foolish family."

[pocketpretzels]

"That rhymes, you know," Watts pointed out, clearly amused.