Pyramid Lake Lodge, Jasper Alberta, Wednesday Evening

[pocketpretzels]

 As was tradition, Watts and Steven had arrived at their hotel room yesterday and indulged in the strawberries and champagne that Watts had arranged to be there. Earlier today there had been snowshoeing and skating, and now they were changing out of outdoor clothes and in to something more appropriate for dinner, even if that dinner was just in their hotel room (also tradition).

"The clouds look like they've cleared some," Watts noted, peering out the window. "Perhaps we will get to see the Northern Lights after all."

[ooc: for the husband, and NFB due to distance.]

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

"How do you figure that?" Watts asked. "Other than, I suppose, me managing to win the heart of the handsomest man in this or any other world," he added with a wink.

[hasaknightjob]

"As far as I'm aware fewer people have been angry with you?" Steven replied. "Whereas I... had significant difficulties in that area."

[pocketpretzels]

"Mmm, I'm not sure if it counts if the reason is that I have not been terribly sociable as of late," Watts pointed out. "Hard to misstep when you're not conversing in the first place."

[hasaknightjob]

"I feel we've been comparably social?" Steven offered. "With, er, perhaps a notable exception? But... that's best left in the past, I think. In many ways."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts nodded. "Your new coworker does seem to be a nice fellow," he offered, spearing a piece of mushroom with a fork.

[hasaknightjob]

"He does," Steven agreed. Tension that had crept into his shoulders began to ease. "Understanding as well. To me and to Marc."

[pocketpretzels]

"Suppose he's seen all sorts," Watts noted. "Given- his line of work. The fact that you and Marc are simply- existing- rather than doing the sorts of things that would land you in- his realms- is what matters to him."

Yes, yes, Marc had killed people and that was bad. But Marc had also been judged worthy of a peaceful afterlife, which said a lot so far as Watts was concerned.

[hasaknightjob]

"And so far he's treated us equally?" Steven offered. "Perhaps it's too soon to say for certain. Things... can get more complicated the more someone gets to know us. But good start, yeah? Positive?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Absolutely," Watts agreed.

[hasaknightjob]

"To things we can be optimistic about in the new year?" Steven suggested, holding up his glass for a toast.

[pocketpretzels]

"To an optimistic outlook," Watts agreed, leaning in to clink his glass against Steven's.

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm optimistic about us," Steven said with a smile. "In case you wondered."

[pocketpretzels]

"That we'll have a wonderful year together, going on new adventures?" Watts asked.

[hasaknightjob]

"While being more in love each day," Steven agreed.

[pocketpretzels]

"I do particularly like the sound of that," Watts agreed.

[hasaknightjob]

"I've firm plans in that regard," Steven told him. "They involve spending time with you and learning all new ways to appreciate you."

[pocketpretzels]

"What a remarkable coincidence," Watts said. "As those align rather nicely with my own plans regarding you."

[hasaknightjob]

"Oh good," Steven said, with a grin. "Would've been a bugger trying to spend time with you if you didn't want to do the same."

[pocketpretzels]

"You are my favourite person to spend time with, darling," Watts said, leaning over to press a kiss to Steven's cheek. "Now and always."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven reached to give Llewellyn's hand a squeeze. "I'm glad. Though of course you could spend time without me if you like as well."

[pocketpretzels]

"I know," Watts said. "I do occasionally like my solitude," a huff of wry laughter, given who he was talking to. "Or even the company of other friends. I just meant- you are at the top of that list."

[hasaknightjob]

"Good." Steven rubbed Llewellyn's hand. Then he realized how that might have sounded. "That you know, I mean. That you are at the top of my list but it's not a requirement we spend every moment together. It means a great deal that you understand that in reverse. For me and... our situation."

[pocketpretzels]

"Of course," Watts said. "I said that from the very beginning- that I do not expect nor do I desire for us to be- attached at the hip, as the saying goes."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven gave him a shy look. "Only in certain circumstances."

[pocketpretzels]

A bark of delighted laughter. "Like later tonight, for example?" he asked, hopefully.