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]

"You are very welcome, my darling," Watts replied.

[hasaknightjob]

"Dancing in cabins as well," Steven said. "Very enjoyable."

[pocketpretzels]

"It's a new one for me too, you know," Watts said, with a somewhat watery chuckle. "I'm liking it a great deal."

[hasaknightjob]

"We've both learned something?" Steven asked. "I like that. Not just me."

[pocketpretzels]

"I enjoy discovering things alongside you," Watts told him.

[hasaknightjob]

"Or in front of me?" Steven said with a grin, rubbing his chin against Llewellyn's shoulder to indicate their current position.

[pocketpretzels]

"Beside, in front of, behind," Watts said. "Wherever you'll have me."

[hasaknightjob]

"Next to me now and always?" Steven suggested.

[pocketpretzels]

"Precisely," Watts nodded. "Now and always, side by side with you."

[hasaknightjob]

"Safe in each other's arms," Steven said. For some reason being held felt particularly good right now. "Both of us watching over one another."

[pocketpretzels]

"As partners are meant to do," Watts agreed.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven's smile grew wider. "My partner. I love that most of all."

[pocketpretzels]

"It is nice, isn't it?" Watts asked.

[hasaknightjob]

"Knowing I'm not - " Steven started to say, then adjusted. "I know I'm not alone. But it's different with you. Not just because we don't share a body. You're there for me in ways no other can be. Even Marc. We're a team. Because we choose to be. We're better together."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts reached out to caress Steven's cheek. "Stronger together."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven looked at Llewellyn with great fondness. "You're the strongest man I know."

[pocketpretzels]

"I don't know that I deserve that title," Watts said. "But it means a great deal that you think I do."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven lightly poked Llewellyn's chest with one finger. "You don't know all the men I know. It's for me to determine if I find you the strongest."

[pocketpretzels]

"I suppose that's true," Watts said.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven moved his hands up to rest behind Llewellyn's neck. "You're brave. You've gone through so much hurt and fear, and you keep trying anyway. I'm so proud of you."

[pocketpretzels]

"I could say the same of you," Watts said. "I do say the same. The last few years- have not always been easy for you. But you persevere."

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you," Steven said. "Your good opinion means a great deal to me."

[pocketpretzels]

"And I am honoured to be held in such high esteem," Watts replied. "Especially the fact that- that you think I am worth staying for."

[hasaknightjob]

"You are," Steven said. "You help me stay. You give me something solid to hang on to. Something I can trust. Something real."

[pocketpretzels]

"Very real, and proud to be your anchor," Watts said, leaning down to offer a soft kiss.