The Photo Hut - Tuesday

[flamesburned]

As hard as it was to head downstairs and open up the store, Liz knew that she did still need to work and try and focus on finishing some tasks, which she was finding hard to do because she had her check up today and Prompto was going to be here for it. She was still finding it hard to believe that Prompto was still here and was starting to hope that maybe just maybe he was in fact back for good.

In the meantime she did have some paperwork from last week that she should try and finish off.

She had also heard back from Hellboy and Professor Broom and they had confirmed that they were both able to visit her for the weekend, so she needed to make arrangements for them to stay at Fandom. She decided to focus on that task first, rather than the paperwork because she was excited about them both visiting as it had been over ten years since they had both last been in Fandom.

[the Photo Hut is open!]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

Steven knew that he might be asked to give Liz her space now that Prompto was back. But he hadn't actually been asked to do that and, frankly, he wanted to see her and at least say congratulations in person.

So after working at the museum Steven stopped by the Photo Hut. He hoped that if Liz was still there he could at least say a quick hello.

He didn't want to assume he'd be welcome, though, so when he got there he stayed by the door and gave a tentative, "Hello?"

[flamesburned]

Liz was still there, finishing up the last of her paperwork that she had to catch up on for the day and smiled when she saw Steven.

“Steven, hi,” she said, she had felt bad that she hadn’t talked to either Steven or Marc much at all since Prompto had come back.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven relaxed a little at the smile but he still didn't want to presume. "Hello. Can I come in? I can leave if you'd rather. Absolutely understood."

[flamesburned]

“Of course, you can come in,” Liz assured him, “just had a bit extra paperwork to catch up on, had our checkup this morning,” she added.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven was happy to come in, both relieved he wasn't doing the wrong thing by visiting and to hear Liz's news. "Oh? How'd that go? Prompto was able to be there, yeah?"

Steven remembered how much it had bothered Liz that Prompto couldn't be part of things like exams and tests for the baby, so he hoped that was better now that Prompto was back.

"Congratulations by the way," he added. "Been dying to say that to you in person. You must be thrilled, him being home."

[flamesburned]

“He was,” Liz nodded with a smile, “everything went well, we even were able to get our first look at her and everything,” her expression lit up at those precious moments of seeing the first image of her daughter.

Her smiled widened at the last part, “thank you,” she told him, “it’s been amazing, having him home …I …I’m still scared that this could just be temporary,” she admitted.

[hasaknightjob]

"First look together? That's amazing," Steven said. He leaned against the counter. "I'll tell you I think Marc was ready to have a go at island on your behalf if it was having a laugh with you. Huge relief, it being past the weekend and Prompto's still here."

Steven would've been upset on Liz's behalf as well but he was the more optimistic of him and Marc and thus more convinced it was the happy ending Liz deserved.

[flamesburned]

“There’s even a photo and everything,” Liz smiled brightly, “I have a copy on my phone, did you want to see it?” she still couldn’t believe that she had just seen the first image of her daughter.

She nodded, “I think now that we’re past the weekend. it’s looking more likely that he’s actually staying and it’s not the island …I …I don’t know if I could go through something like that again,” she admitted softly.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven's face lit up. "Absolutely! So exciting. Must feel like meeting her in person, in a way. Seeing what she looks like."

[flamesburned]

"It does," Liz smiled as she got her phone out and opened it to where the copy of the photo was, she showed it to Steven.

"It was an incredible feeling, seeing her for the first time," she added, smiling fondly.

[hasaknightjob]

Even though it wasn't writing Steven still fished for his glasses so that he could appreciate the image properly. "Look at her! Looks just like her mum, obviously."

He was joking, of course you couldn't see that level of detail at this stage.

[flamesburned]

Liz smiled fondly, even though she knew there was no way to know these things until she was born, “she’s amazing isn’t she?” she added, “I can’t believe this is our daughter,”

[hasaknightjob]

"Makes it all the more real, doesn't it?" Steven said. "I mean you're carrying her about, of course you know she's real. But different seeing her, yeah? Don't know what the doctor said but I say she looks amazing."

[flamesburned]

“She’s completely healthy,” Liz nodded and hesitated, “even after those couple of weeks where I wasn’t looking after myself properly,” she admitted, she hadn’t liked making Prompto worry like that when she had revealed that to Dr. Halstead, “I … I was lucky that I didn’t hurt her,” she said softly.

[hasaknightjob]

"She's as strong as you are then, isn't she?" Steven pointed out. Though he did look at her with concern. "I know it's early days but is it better now? With him being back? You taking care of yourself?"

[flamesburned]

“It’s better, I’m feeling happier and it’s easier now to eat and sleep,” Liz nodded, “I … I know I will still need to keep seeing Dr. Lecter, actually I do need to call him … he’s still looking after Rain,“ she told him.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven thought he knew what Liz was implying but he figured no harm in asking to be certain, "So you're moving back here then? With Prompto?"

Which would be great news if that was the case. He knew Liz had been concerned about her and Prompto being able to pick up where they left off.

[flamesburned]

Liz did smile at that, “I am moving back, I left everything the same before I moved so I only really had to get some groceries yesterday and my things are still over at Dr. Lecter’s and Rain as well but hopefully I can get her soon, I know Hellboy would like to see her this weekend,” she added.

[hasaknightjob]

"Is he coming?" Steven asked. "That's brilliant. We're hoping to have Layla in as well. You'll have to meet her if she's able. And we'd love to meet your friend as well. Only - oh. Maybe one of us then. Unless you'd think he'd understand? He's your friend, we trust your judgement."

[flamesburned]

“Of course I’d love to meet Layla if she can come,” Liz told him with a smile and then she considered the rest of what he was saying, “Hellboy would understand, I mean I haven’t told him everything about you and Marc, I haven’t told anyone,” she added quickly, assuring him, “but I would love him to meet both you and Marc, I’d understand of course if you would only want one of you too,” she added.

[hasaknightjob]

"There's Prompto as well, isn't there?" Steven said. "Can't imagine I'm a favorite topic of conversation with you two. But I'd hate for us to be the cause of any secrets between the both of you. If you want to tell him we trust you completely."

[flamesburned]

“I haven’t told Prompto ,” Liz nodded and then hesitated, “… it … the conversation hasn’t come up yet, I … I do know that we will need to talk about … everything, I…I don’t want to hurt him again,” she said softly, biting her lip, “I would prefer to not have to keep any secrets from him,” she hesitated, “I … if I could tell him when the time does come, I … thank you,” she said softly, “for being so understanding,”

[hasaknightjob]

"Of course," Steven said. "Whatever you need, honestly. Wasn't even sure if I should stop by. You know, give some space? I can do that if it helps at all. Won't be offended if you ask it."

[flamesburned]

“No, that’s okay,” Liz assured him, knowing that she wasn’t confused by her feelings for Steven anymore and could confidently answer that question, “I don’t mind if you stop by,” well she wasn’t sure if Prompto would but she supposed she would know for sure when they did eventually have that conversation, “I know we haven’t talked much in the last week, it’s been nice getting to talk to you today, how have you been?”

[hasaknightjob]

"Good," Steven said. "Thrilled about your news, obviously. And Nell's back. Saw her today. Don't know if you've had a chance? She's older now, like Lana."

Then, an upside of Prompto being back was Steven felt even more comfortable adding, "And things are going well with me and Llewellyn. We're planning a trip, did I tell you?"

[flamesburned]

“I saw Nell at the picnic,” Liz nodded, “she seems well,” well Liz hadn’t seen her when she had been covered with bruises or she would have been more concerned, “I’m glad she is back,” she added and then tilted her head at Steven, “oh I don't think you did, where are you and Detective Watts going?” she asked, “is this your first trip together?”

[hasaknightjob]

"First holiday together, yeah," Steven said. "Portugal. He's wanted to go for ages and I've never been. We'll be going during that week when most people are out of town? Few weeks from today? Are you doing anything then?"

Granted any of Liz's plans for the future had probably been vastly affected by Prompto coming back but hopefully all changes had been good ones.

[flamesburned]

“Oh, that does sound nice - I’ve never been to Portugal,” she admitted “I do hope you have a nice time - you’ll have to show me the photos you take,” she smiled, “but I’m not doing anything that week - I think it will me and Prompto staying here,” even though she hadn’t been planning anything before Prompto had returned, she figured it was a good time to start getting more things organised for the baby.

[hasaknightjob]

"Bound to be great pictures, I had a good teacher after all," Steven said, gesturing towards her. Sure it had only been the one lesson but Steven felt his photo taking skills had improved immensely from it.

Then an idea occurred to him, "Say - if you'll be about, would it be possible to ask you for a favor? Only if it's too much you've only to say. I can ask others. It's - well you're one of the few I can trust with it, you see."

[flamesburned]

Liz smiled at that, "I look forward to seeing them," she told him, "I'm sure they'll be incredible pictures,"

"that's not a problem at all, what favour did you need?" she asked curiously, wondering what favour Steven would ask.

[hasaknightjob]

"I've fish, you see?" Steven was pretty sure he'd mentioned having fish before to Liz but then again he'd thought Llewellyn had already met Lana and that had been wrong. "Goldfish. Marc got them for me. They'll need to be fed while I'm gone. Which isn't much at all. Stop by each day, drop a little food in, easy as anything. It's only... well anyone who sees the flat would notice there's not two people living there, would they? So it needs to be someone who knows. Who we trust. Would - would you be able to?"

[flamesburned]

“Of course,” Liz told him with a smile, “I’d be happy to take care of your fish for you, thank you for trusting me to look after them,” she told him, “you live over at MHA right?”

[hasaknightjob]

"Yes, flat 14," Steven said. "I'll get you the spare keys, write up everything you need to know - you're sure? Tell me if it's a bother. But it'd be amazing if you could. One less thing to worry about, yeah?"

[flamesburned]

"It's no bother at all," Liz assured him, "the walking over everyday will be especially good for me," she added, "I'll take good care of your fish, so you don't have to worry on your trip,"

[hasaknightjob]

That Liz would be getting some benefit out of it helped Steven feel better about asking. "Thank you. It means a lot, knowing it'll be you. They're lovely fish. Well behaved. Shouldn't be trying to throw any parties while we're gone."

Steven gave Liz a small smile, hoping she liked the joke.

[flamesburned]

Liz did giggle at that, ““I’ll keep a close eye on the fish, make sure they don’t get out of line while you’re gone,” she promised.

Even though it was Fandom, it wouldn’t surprise her if the fish did try to have a party with squirrels or something like that.

[hasaknightjob]

"Don't let them trick you, they're not allowed to stay up late either," Steven said. He was glad he and Liz could still joke with one another. He would've understood needing to back off now that Prompto was back, but Steven would've missed his time with Liz all the same. "Very strict bedtime, those two."

[flamesburned]

Liz smiled, feeling relaxed that she could still be friends with Steven after she had gone and messed everything up, it had taken time but she was now feeling comfortable being able to make jokes like this, “absolutely,” she nodded, “I wouldn’t want the fish to lose their routine, bedtime will be strictly observed," she added with a giggle.

[hasaknightjob]

"Good to hear it," Steven said. More seriously he added, "And do tell me if you want something from Portugal as well. Happy to bring home souvenirs."

Even if she didn't ask he'd find something for her as a way to say thank you for taking care of the fish. But he didn't mind getting her something she asked for as well.

[flamesburned]

“That’s okay, you don’t have to do that,” Liz assured him, “I’ll be happy just being able to see the photos that you take,” she told him, since she was definitely interested in the photography angle of the trip and what photos Steven would be able to take while he was there.

[hasaknightjob]

"I'll take extra just for you," Steven promised. "Anything in particular you're interested in? We've got museums, an aquarium, wineries, and a library all on the agenda, if there's anything there you'd like."

The fact that Steven thought all of those were exciting probably said a great deal about why he and Llewellyn got on so well.

[flamesburned]

“They all sound like wonderful locations for photos,” Liz smiled, “maybe if you have a chance, you could also get some nature shots while you’re there?” she was still quite interested in seeing different aspects of nature being photographed.

[hasaknightjob]

"Consider it done," Steven said. The wineries alone would be a great opportunity for that. "I'm glad I stopped by today. Not just for the favor. Glad I can still chat with you and all."

[flamesburned]

Liz smiled at that, "same here," she nodded, "I'm glad that we can still be friends," she told him.