Midnight Manor Private Residence, Sunday Evening

[pocketpretzels]

Watts couldn't pinpoint when, exactly, Steven came to bed during the night- only that he woke up in the morning clinging to Steven like a human octopus.

After waking there had been the promised breakfast in bed- French toast with syrup and fruit, of course. What followed that was- well, it may have been Steven's birthday but he had something of a gift for Watts of the variety that would normally go behind a cut tag or in the comments because NSFW.

Next up had been the part that Watts was the most apprehensive about- he'd put together a little concert of sorts of a few piano pieces he felt he'd especially mastered. But Steven had enjoyed it, so it was a success.

Late afternoon rolled around and Watts excused himself to go prepare dinner- he'd done as much of the prep work as possible yesterday but despite it not being quite as elaborate as last year's, it still did require some work day of.

Eventually, though, dinner was laid out in the dining room: A soup and salad, along with the main course (which Watts had cooked indoors, with Midnight's help, thank you). There was a cake as well, that would be brought out later. For now, there was music playing softly in the background, and all Watts needed was the birthday boy himself.

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

Steven had loved the concert, actually. The heart eyes had been out in full force the entire time, and Steven had watched and listened to Llewellyn play with so much pride he'd been fit to burst. To say nothing of how honored he felt for Llewellyn to do that for him. When it was over, Steven had pounced for a great deal of smooching.

He had let Llewellyn go to work on dinner as he did want to be surprised by what Llewellyn made. He spent his time in the library curled up on the couch with Raphael, alternatively reading and writing things down in his journal.

When dinner time came near Steven went upstairs to wash up and change into his grey suit, with the tie and pocket square Llewellyn had given him. The tie didn't have the neatest knot of all but it was the best Steven could manage with neither Llewellyn nor Marc to help him.

(Normally Marc wouldn't mind but Steven couldn't ask him today of all days.)

Steven then went into the dining room. He stood in the doorway, taking in everything Llewellyn had prepared - minus the cake - and let the evidence of Llewellyn's love wash over him.

"It looks amazing."

[pocketpretzels]

"Happy birthday, darling," Watts said, coming over and pressing a kiss to Steven's cheek before reaching for his arm.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven let his arm be so taken. "You put in so much work!"

[pocketpretzels]

"I wanted it to be perfect for you," Watts said, blushing as he led Steven to his chair and pulled it out for him.

[hasaknightjob]

"It's brilliant," Steven told him. He took the offered seat, once more appreciating the view of the meal. "It looks wonderful. So colorful!"

[pocketpretzels]

"Orange ended up being- a bit of an unintended theme," Watts admitted. "But it does help tie things together."

[hasaknightjob]

"I was going to ask if it was meant to match the cake!" Steven said, rather proud of himself for guessing. "Oh!"

He quickly patted himself down for his mobile, then began taking pictures of the meal before they tucked in to it.

[pocketpretzels]

Steven taking photos of their meals was a well-established tradition by now, but Watts couldn't help the swell of pride as he watched him do so.

[hasaknightjob]

"One of you now?" Steven asked.

[pocketpretzels]

"And then one with us both, please," Watts requested.

[hasaknightjob]

"You read my mind," Steven said with a smile. "Have to have a birthday selfie, don't we?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Key part of the celebrations," Watta agreed with a nod.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven brought his mobile up to get Llewellyn into frame. "Ready?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Ready," Watts affirmed, moving in nice and close to Steven.

[hasaknightjob]

"One, two, three - " Steven counted off before taking the picture.

[pocketpretzels]

And of course, right on three as per usual, Watts leaned in to kiss Steven's cheek.

[hasaknightjob]

Which got a big smile out of Steven, as usual, right in time for it to be captured in the picture.

Steven then turned to kiss Llewellyn properly. It was his birthday, he was allowed.

[pocketpretzels]

Steven could have as many kisses as he liked any day, so far as Watts was concerned. But
especially on his birthday.

[hasaknightjob]

"I love you," Steven said. He'd been saying it a lot today. He'd keep on saying it as the night went on. "You're amazing."

[pocketpretzels]

"I love you too," Watts replied. "I love being able to do this for you. Give you a wonderful birthday."

[hasaknightjob]

"You gave me a concert," Steven said.

Yep, heart eyes were still there.

[pocketpretzels]

"That wasn't too- presumptuous of me?" Watts checked. "To assume you would enjoy that?"

[hasaknightjob]

"It was - " Steven tried to find words and couldn't. Instead he grabbed Llewellyn and pulled him in for a hard kiss.

[pocketpretzels]

"Oh," Watts said softly, his own expression full of fondness and love. "Good," was all he could manage.

[hasaknightjob]

"An entire concert," Steven said. Still with the heart eyes. "For me. With how hard you practice!"