Trooper Station, Friday

[pocketpretzels]

"Hello?" Watts said, picking up the station's telephone.

"Can you- can you slow down and repeat that?"

"She threw mice- oh, attack mice at you?"

"Oh, at your bees. And the bees didn't- I see. No, of course I'm not accusing your bees of-"

"Yes, I'll send someone right away."

Hey Ralph, guess who you got to visit today?

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[hasaknightjob]

At lunchtime there was a boyfriend. A boyfriend who had in no way done anything that might have gotten in the way of Llewellyn getting to work on time. A boyfriend who, in fact, had made sure Llewellyn had a very lovely morning wake up to start his day off right.

... with a hug. And maybe other things.

Also a boyfriend who had a bag with him containing their lunch. He knocked on the the doorframe of Llewellyn's office when he got there to get his attention. "Hello, you."

[pocketpretzels]

It had been the kind of wake up that had left Watts seriously debating the merits of leaving to go to work at all, let’s put it that way.

“Hello, you,” he replied with a smile as he looked up from attack mice related paperwork.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven liked to think he gave good hugs. Particularly with all the practice he'd had of late.

Steven closed the door behind him so they could have privacy while they ate. He gave Llewellyn a smile. "Day going all right? Been forever since I've seen you."

Hours. Hours.

[pocketpretzels]

Forever.

“Oh, mostly. Other than the fact that attack-mice are a problem we may have to worry about now.”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven pondered that. "What are they attacking?"

[pocketpretzels]

“The Bee Lady’s bees. Apparently they’re quite upset.”

[hasaknightjob]

"The mice or the bees?" Steven asked.

[pocketpretzels]

“Oh, the bees,” Watts said, with a resigned air. “The mice are fine. If a little violent.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Understandable," Steven said. "They are getting ready for the colder weather. Plenty of things for them to be worrying about without mice getting in their way."

Since they were chatting, Steven started setting the food out on Llewellyn's desk. It was Peruvian today, with pumpkin soup, tamalitos verdes, empanadas, and ceviche.

[pocketpretzels]

“Mmhm,” Watts agreed. Particularly these bees, which were apparently very sensitive.

“Looks great,” he said, surveying their lunch. And then he was standing up to give Steven a proper kiss in greeting.

[hasaknightjob]

Kissing was good. Steven was very fond of kissing. He liked kissing Llewellyn in general, and today he also took extra comfort from the gesture. He was still nervous about his upcoming conversation with Travis after all.

[pocketpretzels]

And Watts was happy to provide whatever comfort he could. "How was your morning?" he asked, when he finally pulled away. Not too much fretting about the upcoming conversation with Travis, he hoped.

[hasaknightjob]

"Started wonderfully, then became cold, now it's better," Steven told him.

Also there'd been some fretting, yes.

[pocketpretzels]

"Alas, the cold could not be helped," Watts said apologetically as he sat back down. "Else who would have been here to deal with the fallout of attack mice?"

[hasaknightjob]

Steven sat down in his usual chair and started parceling out food for them both. "Still. Good morning. And here I am all slept well and knowing that it's Friday. Thanks to you."

[pocketpretzels]

"I was happy to help, darling," Watts told him. That he also benefited from Steven staying over was certainly nice, he wouldn't argue that, but that hadn't been the primary reason.

[hasaknightjob]

"See? I don't get lost when I'm around you," Steven said. Then, since they were honest with each other, "Or if I do you find me. Things are better with you around."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts smiled again, Steven's words making him feel- well, loved. No one had ever made such a claim about him before.

"Any time," he told Steven.

[hasaknightjob]

"Almost makes me wish my schedule changed more often," Steven said, smiling to show he was joking. "So I have an excuse to spend time with you."

[pocketpretzels]

“‘I’d like to see you’ is a perfectly good excuse,” Watts pointed out. “Or perhaps something like ‘Miss Gingrich gave me several pumpkins yesterday as I mentioned contemplating learning how to make a pie, and would like to do so with you’.”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven quirked an eyebrow at him. "That last one seems rather specific."

[pocketpretzels]

“You think so?” Watts asked, biting back a grin.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven couldn't help but smile at Llewellyn's expression, which was rather cute. "A bit, yeah. I mean pumpkins and all. Lot of detail. Can't say it applies to me, though. Haven't seen Steph at all this week, for a start."

[pocketpretzels]

“Hmmm,” Watts hummed. “And- if I were to say it applied to me?” he asked. “Would you think it an acceptable reason for me to invite you over?”

[hasaknightjob]

"Don't need an excuse," Steven said. "I like you inviting me over. But if that's the case, yeah. Could cheer on your efforts and the like."