A Cabin in South Tyrol, Italy, Friday Evening

[pocketpretzels]

A day spent indoors had been followed by one where Watts and Steven had visited the nearby town for lunch, as well as a bit of shopping (wine, of course, and a souvenir for Raphael, among other things), and then today?

Well, it had started with a lie-in, followed by French toast for a late (very late) breakfast, and then there had been a knock at the door with some flower deliveries - truly impressive, really, how the Student Council had known to deliver them here despite neither Steven nor Watts providing anyone explicit details regarding their destination.

There had been at least one other delivery as well, thankfully when Steven had been occupied in a manner that meant he hadn't seen who was at the door, which allowed Watts to stash said delivery in the sleeping area with one of his suit jackets to cover it.

And that wasn't even the last of it! Dinner had been dropped off from a not-quite-local restaurant, and having just poured their wine glasses, Watts pulled out Steven's chair with a flourish. "Here we are," he declared.

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

"I enjoy spending time with you no matter the location," Watts reminded him. "But- like this? Where we can also enjoy the out of doors together? And less- distraction and commotion in general? Yes, I would like that a great deal."

[hasaknightjob]

"It's not too nice?" Steven asked. "Compared to camping? Not - I don't mean doing it instead of. Only one or the other. But in general, I suppose. It's not lesser somehow?"

[pocketpretzels]

"It's different," Watts allowed. "Which is not a bad thing. Yes, we've far more amenities here than we would in a tent, but we are still- removed from civilization. On our own, surrounded by nature."

Okay, yes, the nearest town was a ten minute Uber ride away but that was not the point.

[hasaknightjob]

"I like that it allows for extremes of weather," Steven said. "I don't think I would've cared for Wednesday if we were in a tent. But here it was nice. Cozy."

[pocketpretzels]

"A little world of our very own," Watts agreed.

[hasaknightjob]

"Made the snow something to be enjoyed instead of endured," Steven said. He looked thoughtful. "Perhaps it could be like that in summer as well? A cabin so we've a place to escape from the worst of the heat?"

[pocketpretzels]

"That's an intriguing thought," Watts mused. "Though my tolerance for heat is quite a bit higher than my tolerance for cold, personally speaking," he added.

[hasaknightjob]

"I was thinking beastly heat," Steven said. "Far too hot and humid for all day comfort outdoors. That sort of thing."

[pocketpretzels]

"I see," Watts said thoughtfully. "Yes. I suppose a little cabin getaway would be nice. Though- it would need to have air conditioning, wouldn't it?" he pointed out. "Otherwise it would be just as stuffy as outside."

[hasaknightjob]

"Hadn't thought about that," Steven admitted. He looked around where in fact there was no air conditioning. Not that they needed it in winter in the mountains. "Suppose it would, wouldn't it? Unless we were somewhere like here in which case it wouldn't be that warm anyway, I'd imagine. Mountains and all."

[pocketpretzels]

"I believe the summer weather here is equivalent to a warm spring day back home," Watts agreed. "So- that could work. As far as an escape from uncomfortable heat."

[hasaknightjob]

"Could keep it in mind as something to try?" Steven suggested. He nibbled on his bao burger. "When it's too warm for camping, try a cabin somewhere not as hot?"

[pocketpretzels]

"That could be nice," Watts nodded. "Especially if it were cooler but still warm enough to take a dip in a lake."

[hasaknightjob]

"I wouldn't mind it," Steven said. "Perhaps one not too far from a beach? Lakefront or otherwise."

[pocketpretzels]

"That sounds nice," Watts agreed. "Swimming, hiking, and someplace cozy to come back to at night."

[hasaknightjob]

"With the perfect company," Steven said, looking right at him. In case there was any doubt.

[pocketpretzels]

"My idea of that is sat right here with me," Watts said, reaching out to brush his fingers across Steven's cheek.

[hasaknightjob]

"Funny thing," Steven said. He leaned into Llewellyn's touch. "Mine's sat right here with me."

[pocketpretzels]

"Isn't that interesting?" Watts said.

[hasaknightjob]

"Remarkable coincidence," Steven agreed. He smiled. "I like this. The idea we'd do a cabin again. I'd like it very much."

[pocketpretzels]

The heart eyes were back again. "I love you," Watts declared.

[hasaknightjob]

"I love you too," Steven said. "I must admit it's a relief you're so happy about it."

[pocketpretzels]

"Why wouldn't I have been happy about it?" Watts asked, puzzled.

[hasaknightjob]

"Because it's not camping," Steven said.

It made sense to him.

[pocketpretzels]

"It's still going somewhere to spend time with you," Watts pointed out. "And as you said, you're not ruling out proper camping in a tent in place of only ever doing this."