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

[hasaknightjob]

"I do," Steven said. "I know you don't care for eye contact, so I try not to stare. But I do notice, I promise."

[pocketpretzels]

"I had no idea," Watts said wonderingly. "And that- does it bother you? That I- that I dislike looking others in the eye?"

[hasaknightjob]

"No?" Steven said, the questioning tone more because he couldn't see why it would be a question. "You've let me do it the times I need to. I'm happy to respect your preferences otherwise."

[pocketpretzels]

"That is a relief," Watts said. "I've had people tell me it is- disrespectful. Rude. I didn't- want you to think I was being so, not to you."

Steven's opinions carrying far more weight than anyone else's, after all.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven immediately shook his head. "Never! It's how you treat me that matters. You always listen to me attentively, you're mindful of my needs. You've never left me feeling as though I was some sort of - I don't know. Afterthought?"

[pocketpretzels]

"You could never be," Watts said, meeting Steven's eyes now. "Foremost in my thoughts as you are."

[hasaknightjob]

"See?" Steven said, looking back at him. "You do it when it matters. And knowing you don't care for it means it matters all the more when you do."

[pocketpretzels]

A blush tinged Watts's cheeks. "Well. Thank you. For- your understanding. It means a great deal."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven smiled up at him. "You mean a great deal. Works out nicely, you see."

[pocketpretzels]

"It really does," Watts agreed, smiling warmly at him.

[hasaknightjob]

"And your eyes are beautiful," Steven said, so that didn't get lost in the discussion. "Like the rest of you. Warm and inviting."

[pocketpretzels]

"Not. Strange and off-putting," Watts checked.

[hasaknightjob]

"Not strange, not off-putting," Steven said. He hugged Llewellyn closer. "You can be on-putting, in fact. On me. I like you there."

[pocketpretzels]

"Scoundrel," Watts barked out a laugh.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven naturally took that as encouragement. "I should like you to never be a stranger? Ideally you should be very familiar to me. Always."

[pocketpretzels]

"You do know me better than anyone," Watts reminded him.

[hasaknightjob]

"I should like to keep that up, please," Steven said. "You and me, very familiar with one another."

[pocketpretzels]

"Down to every last inch," Watts said with a smile. "I am certainly amenable."

[hasaknightjob]

"Inside and out?" Steven suggested.

[pocketpretzels]

"Inside and out," Watts agreed, reaching to tuck a lock of hair back behind Steven's ear.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven leaned into the touch, blushing a little. "That is - I mean to say as people. But I suppose also. Other things. As well."

[pocketpretzels]

"I understood your intent," Watts assured him. "But agree that it could- and should- be interpreted- in multiple ways."

[hasaknightjob]

"If you're free tonight, for example," Steven said.

[pocketpretzels]

"Well, following this dance I do have plans involving dessert," Watts said, pretending to think about it. "But- following that, perhaps? Or I could speak to my beau, see if he's willing to alter those dessert plans."

[hasaknightjob]

"Could depend on the dessert," Steven said. "If it'll keep."