Fandom Island Museum, Thursday Daytime

[hasaknightjob]

Today found Steven behind the welcome counter reading the book Llewellyn had given him. Perhaps not strictly work related, but it was a way to pass the time while waiting to see if there were any visitors.

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[hasaknightjob]

"And you didn't even have to sail to get it," Steven said. He frowned. "At least I'm assuming."

It was Fandom. Steven couldn't rule it out.

[pocketpretzels]

“No, I did not,” Watts confirmed. “Though in doing my research regarding what to order I did find that truly vegan options were somewhat limited,” he said, with an apologetic look.

[hasaknightjob]

"You could order meat for yourself," Steven pointed out. Yes, they'd had this discussion before but Steven still felt like he had to give it a try. He hated to think of Llewellyn limiting himself more than he had to. "I promise I won't mind."

[pocketpretzels]

“I could,” he acknowledged, “but I don’t wish to.”

[hasaknightjob]

"If you're certain," Steven said, sounding not at all certain himself. Was the conversation making him think about other things Llewellyn was doing without because of Steven? Yes. Absolutely. Though Steven tried to cover by going to take a seat.

[pocketpretzels]

“Quite certain,” Watts said firmly. “I told you before I did take on a vegetarian diet for some time. However, I don’t believe I ever told you why.”

[hasaknightjob]

"If you did I can't remember it," Steven said.

[pocketpretzels]

“…It may not be appropriate meal time conversation,” Watts realized, sounding a bit sheepish.

It was a work-related story, and given his line of work, very few of those were mealtime-appropriate, but this one even more so.

[hasaknightjob]

"Right, well mystery for later then, I suppose," Steven said. Given the topic, he wasn't going to push if Llewellyn said it wasn't appropriate for during a meal. "Still, very nice of you to get lunch. Especially if you had to work to find it."

[pocketpretzels]

Oh, Watts would have happily told the tale of botulism and attempted murder, Steven, only over the past few years he’d learned that most other people thought there was a time and place for such things, and during a meal time was certainly not it.

“It does raise a few questions regarding what we’ll do should we ever actually take that trip to Portugal,” Watts mused, as he unpacked their lunch- the same meal for both of them, since most of the ‘vegetarian’ choices had still involved fish broth.

[hasaknightjob]

"It looks good," Steven said, to reassure Llewellyn. "And I'd imagine an entire country would have more options, yeah? Besides, I can always make do. I've done it plenty of times. It's no bother."

[pocketpretzels]

"I hope so," Watts said. "Because a vacation isn't about making do, whether or not it's any bother. And good food is an essential part of experiencing a new place, at least in my opinion."

[hasaknightjob]

"Agreed there," Steven said. He reached over to give Llewellyn's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Why go if you aren't going to try new things? I'm sure it'll be fine. Can't be possible I'd be the first vegan to set foot in the country, yeah?"

[pocketpretzels]

"You may have a point there," Watts admitted, sheepish once again. "I am, perhaps, overthinking things."

Considering this trip was still very much in the theoretical stages.

[hasaknightjob]

"You're worried about me," Steven pointed out. "It's kind. It's also a bit new for me. Most of this is, if I'm honest. Still figuring it out, you see."

[pocketpretzels]

"Well," Watts said. "I'm here, to help in whatever way I can. As you figure things out."

[hasaknightjob]

"See?" Steven said, as though this were a bright side. Which in a way it was. "You're not the only one needing patience time to time."

[pocketpretzels]

"We are a good match, in that respect," Watts conceded with a fond smile.

[hasaknightjob]

The smile helped Steven relax a little bit. Even so he felt the need to say, "You promised you'd tell me if it's ever too much for you. I'm keeping you to that. Please."

[pocketpretzels]

"I do not make promises lightly," Watts told him in all seriousness. "You can trust me there."

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you," Steven said, letting his relief show. "Leap of faith, yeah? I need your bravery some days."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts didn't consider himself particularly brave, but for Steven's sake he wasn't going to belabor that point. "Leap of faith," and now he was the one reaching over to give Steven's hand a squeeze. "Together."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven squeezed back, then was determined not to wallow in uncertainty any more. For now, at least. He turned to his food and to other topics.

"Marc met Irene yesterday," Steven said. "She knows now as well."

[pocketpretzels]

“Miss Adler?” Watts checked, in case there might be another ‘Irene’ about.

(What? With two Steves and a Steven, a Jon and a John, two Eddies, and two Rosas, it wasn’t entirely out of the question!)

[hasaknightjob]

No that was entirely fair. Steven nodded in confirmation. "That's the one. I don't mind her knowing. Have to go apologize not doing it myself I suppose."