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

[pocketpretzels]

"Love you," Watts whispered.

[hasaknightjob]

"I love you too," Steven said. "When you smile and you don't."

[pocketpretzels]

"I do far more of the former when you're around," Watts told him.

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm glad," Steven said. "And obviously I prefer you happy. But when your moods are dark I'm glad I can be there for you. You're never too much when that happens."

[pocketpretzels]

"Not even when I am snappish for no good reason?" Watts asked.

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm not thrilled about that," Steven said. "But I still love you."

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"I'm not thrilled about it either, if that helps at all," Watts offered.

[hasaknightjob]

"It does," Steven told him. "Means you don't do it to be cruel. And you're learning how not to do it. Trying to be better. That matters."

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"I wish I knew why," Watts admitted. "Why I do that, I mean."

[hasaknightjob]

"Because you worry that I'll leave you and when you're feeling poorly you're trying to force that to happen?" Steven guessed.

[pocketpretzels]

The look in Watts's eyes said Steven's words had clearly hit home.

[hasaknightjob]

"I won't, though," Steven said. "I'll not like the way you're treating me, but I won't leave."

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"Logically, I know that is true," Watts said.

[hasaknightjob]

"Harder to believe emotionally," Steven guessed.

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"It's been. Something of a repeating pattern," Watts said softly.

[hasaknightjob]

"Three years and I'm still here," Steven said. He rubbed Llewellyn's back. "And I'll be here more besides."

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Watts leaned in to the touch. "Three years seems both such a long time and a short one, all at once."

[hasaknightjob]

"Really does," Steven agreed. "Blink of an eye sort of a thing. Well, not literally for me. Thank goodness. Very glad for every memory I have of all our three years."

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"We have made a lot of wonderful ones together," Watts said, idly playing with Steven's shirt collar.

[hasaknightjob]

"Be horrible to lose those," Steven said, face falling as he contemplated it. "I'm glad that never happened. Blink and I've lost months with you."

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Watts leaned in to press a soft kiss to the corner of Steven's mouth. "I'd be there when you- woke," he stumbled a little over what might be the right word, and then decided that one fit best. "You needn't worry about that, at least."

[hasaknightjob]

It was Steven's turn to hold on as he took comfort from a hug. "I'm glad I met you after. Still lose time but never time with you, it seems."

[pocketpretzels]

There was something about that statement that nagged at something in the back of Watts's mind. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, though.

"I'll always find you," he said, hugging Steven tight. "Always."

[hasaknightjob]

"Never missed a date with you," Steven said. He melted into Llewellyn's arms. "I'm glad for that. I was so scared in the early days."

[pocketpretzels]

"You work so hard to keep it all straight," Watts noted.