Midnight Manor Private Residence, Wednesday Evening

[pocketpretzels]

Sometimes, date night was an elaborate affair involving getting dressed up and going out to the symphony, or the theatre, or the like.

And sometimes, date night was an evening at home, curled up on the couch with takeout pasta and a documentary about penguins playing on the television.

Tonight was definitely the latter.

[ooc: for the husband and NFB please!]

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[pocketpretzels]

"Sometimes people are just not ready or willing to accept help," Watts said. Which he knew Steven knew, but it was the sort of thing that bore repeating.

[hasaknightjob]

Which again showed how well Llewellyn knew his husband. Steven needed that repeated a lot.

Softer, but still loud enough for Llewellyn to hear him, Steven said, "I hate that Marc couldn't be the one to do it. He's so hard on himself already. I feel like I've told him some of his worst suspicions about himself were right."

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"I know it isn't- remotely the same," Watts said. "But I've been- trying to remind him. Of how good a friend he has been to me. How much I trust him."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven looked up at him. "It helps. He needs to hear things like that. More people telling him he's not horrible. Not truly."

Steven settled against Llewellyn's lap again. "I think he'd be wonderful for someone some day. Not - there's work to be done. Not saying there isn't. But... someone - "

Steven sighed, not sure how to say it.

[pocketpretzels]

"He cares so deeply when he lets himself," Watts acknowledged.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven nodded. "His heart is so big. He's so much love to give. But he doesn't think he deserves it in return. I - I want someday for him to find someone who treats him - helps him see - "

Again Steven struggled with how to put it. Finally he went with, "I wish that one day he learns relationships are something that are allowed to make you feel happy and safe. That they aren't something you have to take the pain for."

[pocketpretzels]

"Ought to be a partnership," Watts agreed. "Your troubles are my own, yes, and I will always help you shoulder that burden as best I can. But your joys are mine as well, including the joy we find in each other."

[hasaknightjob]

"He was happy," Steven said. "Enjoying himself, at least. I think it was good for him? For what it was? But... as you say, burdens shared. Marc takes so much on his own already. I'd like for him to one day have someone he feels - trusts - he can share with."

[pocketpretzels]

"There's also the possibility," Watts floated gently, "That romance is- not for everyone. He deserves happiness, this I agree with, but- it may not come in the form of a romantic partner, necessarily," he pointed out.

[hasaknightjob]

"I know," Steven said. He rubbed his cheek against Llewellyn's leg in silent gratitude that for him a romantic partner had both been desired and found. "I just want him to feel loved. Not surprising coming from me, I suppose."

[pocketpretzels]

"Not in the least," Watts agreed. "He has you and I," he reminded Steven. "That- may need to suffice, for the time being."

[hasaknightjob]

"He's a good person," Steven said. He knew Llewellyn knew that, but Steven needed to say it all the same. "Deep down. He's worthy of love."

[pocketpretzels]

"Not even all that deep down," Watts countered. "The only one whose presence makes me feel safer is you."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven couldn't help but smile. "Likewise, you know. You're the only one who makes me feel safer than him."

[pocketpretzels]

"I think- he makes our residents feel safe as well," Watts pointed out. "A certain subset of them, at least." You know, the ones who also felt like they were just a little out of step with everyone else, in need of some place to belong.

[hasaknightjob]

"Do you know I actually like that some of them like him more than me?" Steven said. "They appreciate him."

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"You would," Watts let out a little chuckle, soft and fond, and leaned down to press a kiss to Steven's temple.

[hasaknightjob]

"He's got good bits," Steven said. "They just... need the right audience."

[pocketpretzels]

"You are 'preaching to the choir' as I believe the expression goes," Watts told Steven.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven turned so he could smile up at Llewellyn. "See? You appreciated him once you got to know him. There's good in there."

[pocketpretzels]

"There absolutely is," Watts agreed. "It's getting him to see it that's the trick."

[hasaknightjob]

"Indeed," Steven said. He reached for Llewellyn's other hand so he could idly toy with it. "He doesn't realize he's got kindness to take advantage of."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts happily let Steven take his hand. "Kindness and a protective instinct."

[hasaknightjob]

"And a willingness to take the pain so others don't," Steven said. He threaded his fingers through Llewellyn's. "I think... I think that's why he didn't push harder. She seemed happy with things as they were and he assumes there's only so much happiness he's allowed to have. If that."

[pocketpretzels]

"From what I gather," which was, to be fair, all secondhand. "She seemed to prefer to take without giving. I'm not- certain that was at all equal."