Midnight Manor Private Residence, Wednesday Evening

[pocketpretzels]

With their anniversary celebration coming up and all that would entail, Watts and Steven had opted for a quiet night at home for their date night this week.

Hence the popcorn and colas out on the table, with one of the many streaming services they subscribe to pulled up on the television.

"Any sort of picture you're in a particular mood for?" Watts asked Steven.

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

"I see." Steven thought back to various times that had happened. "I suppose that is comparable, isn't it? Getting lost in our own heads one way or another."

[pocketpretzels]

"Another way in which we are well-matched," Watts noted.

[hasaknightjob]

"We should do something to celebrate that," Steven said, grinning up at Llewellyn to show he was joking. "Perhaps go on a holiday of some kind to mark all the years we've been together."

[pocketpretzels]

"We- Oh," Watts said, looking sheepish as the reason for Steven's smile dawned on him.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven turned just enough to give Llewellyn a kiss on the mouth. "I adore you, you know."

[pocketpretzels]

"Even when I do not immediately realize you're joking?"

[hasaknightjob]

"Not in spite," Steven reminded him. "I'd much rather you tell me you need it explained then me wonder if I said something wrong."

[pocketpretzels]

"All right," Watts smiled at him again. "It does help when you smile so," Watts said, fingers reaching out to tap Steven on the lips. "That's an excellent cue."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven tried to give Llewellyn's finger a kiss. "Does it help that you like my smile? I like yours, you know."

[pocketpretzels]

"Fitting, since you are so often the reason for it," Watts said. Case in point, the pleased look that kiss to his finger got.

[hasaknightjob]

"I like making you smile," Steven said. Not that this was news, but some things bore repeating. "And laugh. Always brings me joy."

[pocketpretzels]

"You're exceptional at it," Watts informed him. Also probably not news.

[hasaknightjob]

"But it's all right if you don't laugh," Steven said, just so that was clear. "You don't have to get all my jokes. Not a requirement for me to love you."

[pocketpretzels]

"I suppose if it were, we'd not have lasted three years, after all," Watts mused.

[hasaknightjob]

"Likely true," Steven agreed. "And I do like when you enjoy my jokes. Making you laugh. Means more when it happens is all."

[pocketpretzels]

"It helps that you do not judge when I need an explanation as to why it's funny," Watts admitted. "And- that your humour is not at the expense of others."

[hasaknightjob]

"Don't care for people laughing at me," Steven said. "Wouldn't do it to others if I could help it. And I don't mind when you need an explanation. You don't make fun for me finding it funny."

[pocketpretzels]

"Whyever would someone do such a thing?" Watts wondered.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven shrugged. "People made fun of me for loads of things. Can't say I always understood it."

[pocketpretzels]

"In that, we are also alike," Watts said with a sigh.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven turned enough he could slip an arm around Llewellyn's waist and give him a hug. "I'm sorry you've ever dealt with that, love."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts leaned in to the touch. "Likewise. People can be cruel."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven twisted to try to get both arms around Llewellyn. "Misguided. Taking out pain on others because they don't know any better."

[pocketpretzels]

"Sometimes," Watts allowed. "There's some who revel in it. Being cruel."

[hasaknightjob]

"All the more reason they're misguided," Steven said. "Not saying it'd be easy to show them the right path." Steven had learned that lesson the hard way. "But it's still worth trying."