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]

"Hoping for loads of dances," Steven replied. "Is it working?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Exceptionally well," Watts told him, leaning over to give Steven a kiss as proof.

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm getting all sorts of presents today," Steven said. "An excellent birthday indeed."

[pocketpretzels]

"Good," Watts said, around another mouthful of cauliflower. "M'glad."

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you," Steven said.

He tucked in to more of his dinner, absent mindedly humming along with the music as he did.

[pocketpretzels]

Don't mind Watts, who was just going to watch Steven with utter fondness written all over his face as he worked his way through his own plate.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven was content enough that he even bounced in his seat a little to go along with the beat. Such as the beat was for the music playing.

[pocketpretzels]

Absolute and utter heart-eyes as Watts finished up the last of his meal.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven finished his as well, punctuating the last note of a song with a flourish of his fork like he was a conductor with a baton.

[pocketpretzels]

Which got a delighted chuckle out of Watts, naturally. "Eager for that dance?" he asked.

[hasaknightjob]

"It's all right to do that before cake?" Steven asked. "I don't want to ruin your plans."

[pocketpretzels]

"I was originally thinking cake first," Watts admitted. "But I don't mind doing the reverse, if you would prefer."

[hasaknightjob]

"No, no," Steven said. He made a gesture of finality. "Cake first. I want to do it as you planned it. You put a great deal of thought into everything."

[pocketpretzels]

"All right," Watts pressed a kiss to Steven's cheek and then stood. "If you're certain."

[hasaknightjob]

"Without a doubt," Steven assured him. He looked at all the plates. "Do you need help getting it all to the kitchen?"

[pocketpretzels]

Watts smiled, touched by the offer. "No," he shook his head. "You stay here, and I shall bring the cake out."

There wasn't much in the way of leftovers to pack up, so Watts made quick work of gathering all the dishes, and then setting out the dessert plates. "Be right back," he declared, with a nod towards the kitchen. "Don't go anywhere."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven was likewise touched by Llewellyn taking care of everything. He watched him with a fond expression on his face.

"Staying put," Steven promised. He resumed humming along with the music while he waited.

[pocketpretzels]

Dishes put away in the dish-washing cupboard, Watts picked up the cake and carried it out into the dining room. "Here we are," he declared, placing the cake in front of Steven. "One cake featuring orange marmalade, as requested."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven's face lit up when he saw it. "How pretty! I have to take a picture before I forget."

He patted himself down for his mobile.

[pocketpretzels]

Watts beamed at Steven's reaction. "Of course," he said, getting the knife to cut the cake but waiting to actually do so until Steven had a chance to take the photograph.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven took several pictures before putting his mobile away. As always, not in the same pocket he'd taken it out of.

"Ready," Steven said, indicating Llewellyn's knife. "A nice big piece, please."

[pocketpretzels]

As directed, Watts cut Steven a nice big slice. The cake itself was vanilla, to complement the flavour of the marmalade on top as well as between the cake layers.

"There we are," Watts said, moving to cut his own slice. "I do hope it passes muster."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven immediately stuck his finger in the icing, getting it and marmalade both. He then licked his finger clean. "That's wonderful! Just the right amount of sweet."

[pocketpretzels]

"Sweet for my sweetheart," Watts said fondly.

[hasaknightjob]

"From mine," Steven replied with a grin. He took a big forkful of cake and ate it. He nodded and made approving noises as he tasted it, once again his mouth too full for speaking.