Enterprise Center, St Louis, Missouri, Saturday Afternoon

[pocketpretzels]

After they'd found their seats- nothing extravagant, though also not high up in the nosebleeds, but something reasonable in the lower bowl- Watts had almost immediately sprung back up to head to the concessions, coming back several minutes later with popcorn, nachos, a pretzel, a beer, a glass cup of wine, and two hot dogs (all beef, he'd checked). How was he managing to carry all that? Good question, don't worry about it.

"I wasn't certain what sort of fixings you'd care for," Watts said, as he handed the beer and one of the hot dogs to Marc. "So I brought some of everything." From a pocket, he produced ketchup and mustard packets, as well as several condiment cups with things like onions, hot peppers, and whatever else one might put on a hot dog.

Had Marc requested any of that? Possibly not, but he was getting it anyway.

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

"Me?" Watts asked. "Hm. Yes. You're not incorrect. And that includes more than just criminals."

[hasaknightjob]

"Does it make it hard for you to trust?" Marc asked.

[pocketpretzels]

"I am a doubter by nature and a cynic by experience," Watts informed Marc. "Part of that experience being acquired through my capacity as a policeman, yes."

[hasaknightjob]

Marc nodded, since that made sense to him. "I see the worst of the worst. But way I figure it's my job. I take that so other people don't have to."

[pocketpretzels]

"A heavy burden to take on," Watts noted.

[hasaknightjob]

"Someone's gotta," Marc said. He took a deep swallow of his beer. "If it's not me, it's someone worse than me."

[pocketpretzels]

"I suppose so," Watts said. "All told, I am glad I have you in- my corner, as they say in boxing."

[hasaknightjob]

"I used to do that," Marc said. He finished off his hot dog and wiped his hands on a paper napkin.

[pocketpretzels]

"Boxing?" Watts asked, not sounding even remotely surprised about this revelation.

[hasaknightjob]

"Yeah." Marc then made a so-so motion with his hand. "Fighting. Included some boxing. I know a few things."

[pocketpretzels]

"Never been much of a pugilist myself," Watts noted with a grimace. "More of a walking target."

[hasaknightjob]

"Yeah, we're gonna keep that from happening," Marc said, firmly.

[pocketpretzels]

"Which I appreciate," Watts informed him. "As much as I hope it continues to not be necessary."

Aside from that one time with Edwards, anyway.

[hasaknightjob]

"You know you're - " there was a word there but Marc wasn't going to use it. "There's no version of events where you and Steven aren't my top priority, okay? Nothing's ever changing that."

[pocketpretzels]

"I- Yes. And. Likewise," Watts said. "The two of you are- more important to me than anyone else, anything else."

[hasaknightjob]

"Long as that's clear," Marc said. He gestured with his beer cup, which luckily he'd drunk enough from that there was no risk of sloshing. "Big or small. You guys come first."

[pocketpretzels]

"That doesn't mean I'm going to let you get away with not taking time for yourself when you need it," Watts said archly. "Or want it, for that matter."

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm here," Marc protested. "I'm watching the game. I'm having a hot dog."

Had the hot dog. But that just proved his point, Marc figured.

[pocketpretzels]

"I know," Watts said, around a bite of his own hot dog. "I am just- emphasizing that I appreciate your presence."

[hasaknightjob]

"Yeah, well." Marc shrugged it off, clearly not certain what to do about the sentiment. "Thanks for the tickets."

[pocketpretzels]

"You're welcome," Watts replied, around a mouthful of popcorn. Was popcorn meant to pair with wine? Probably not, but while Watts was particular about his wines he wasn't too snobbish not to do it.

[hasaknightjob]

Marc motioned for the popcorn. "Can I?"

[pocketpretzels]

This was how much he liked you, Marc, because Watts held the popcorn bag out towards him with no comment.

[hasaknightjob]

"Thanks," Marc said as he took a handful. Which was a sign of him liking Watts. He'd repeatedly said thank you.

[pocketpretzels]

"Not a problem," Watts said. "There's plenty. And I can always get more." It wasn't as if he was invested enough in the game itself to worry about missing anything if he left for the concessions again.