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.

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[hasaknightjob]

Steven took a deep breath, using the scent of Llewellyn and their dinner to remind himself that this was all real.

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"You with me, darling?" Watts checked.

[hasaknightjob]

"Trying to," Steven said. He rubbed a hand on Llewellyn's back, letting the feeling of Llewellyn's clothes further ground him.

[pocketpretzels]

"Tell me," Watts instructed. "Tell me what your senses are telling you."

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm holding the man I love," Steven said. "We've cauliflower left to eat for dinner, I can smell it. The dressing from the salad too, I can smell that."

[pocketpretzels]

"What else?" Watts asked. "Use all your senses."

[hasaknightjob]

"I can hear your voice," Steven said. "And the music. It's nice music by the way. I've been enjoying it."

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"Thought we could have a dance later," Watts shared. "After your cake, perhaps."

[hasaknightjob]

"Yes, please," Steven said. "I'd love a dance with you. Two or more, even."

[pocketpretzels]

"It's your birthday," Watts said. "I'd dance with you till sunrise, if that's what you wished." He smiled. "Though- that's a long time to wait for your present."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven looked pleasantly surprised. "There's a present as well?"

[pocketpretzels]

"There is," Watts nodded. "I couldn't let your birthday go by without a gift as well."

[hasaknightjob]

"I thought the concert was the gift," Steven admitted.

[pocketpretzels]

"Well," Watts said, looking pleased that Steven even thought so. "I wanted to give you a physical gift as well."

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm getting proper spoiled today," Steven said, grinning widely. His earlier discomfort had vanished now that they were on less complicated topics. "I look forward to all of it."

[pocketpretzels]

"That is my goal," Watts said. "To spoil you."

[hasaknightjob]

"Shall we try the main?" Steven said. "It looks wonderful."

[pocketpretzels]

"Midnight was a great help with that," Watts said. "As it's meant to be cooked on an outdoor grill. But it was able to temporarily convert our stovetop into something that worked just as well."

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you, Midnight," Steven said, addressing the ceiling since that was as good a location to look as any. "Kind of you to help with my birthday as well."

There was no reply, of course, but the general background vibes seemed good.

[pocketpretzels]

Watts dished out the two cauliflower steaks, making sure of course that Steven got the bigger of the two, and then poured their last wine selection. "Happy birthday, darling," he said, once everything was plated and ready.

[hasaknightjob]

"They smell and look wonderful," Steven told him. "Is that a bit of spice?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Chilies again," Watts said, amusement sparkling in his eyes.

[hasaknightjob]

"So it matches?" Steven asked. "Aren't you clever?"

[pocketpretzels]

"I should confess that I didn't set out to do so," Watts shared. "It is a happy coincidence."

[hasaknightjob]

"I like it all the same," Steven said. He cut a big piece for himself, then nodded with approval as he chewed. It was, sadly, too much for even him to attempt speaking with his mouth full.