Trooper Station, Friday

[pocketpretzels]

Watts had not slept well last night, dreams full of unpleasant images regarding his brothers and their killer that he'd really rather forget. Still, he dragged himself to the station anyway, and was now looking at the spot under his desk with longing. A nap would be so nice.

Only- there was no way to guarantee it wouldn't be as nightmare-filled as last night had been, was there? And besides that, Steven was supposed to come over for lunch and he'd already worried him once this week, if he got caught sleeping under his desk once again...

So instead, after setting a framed photograph on his desk beside the one of himself with his brothers, he got out his Korean workbook, and was sort of halfheartedly completing some writing exercises to keep himself occupied unless and until something actually came up that needed his attention.

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

Steven had slept well, actually. There'd been no new reason to yell at Marc for a start. Plus there were things he had to look forward to. Or hopefully look forward to. Some of that would be sussed out during lunch.

So it was with an overall good demeanor that Steven arrived at lunch time, takeaway bag in hand, and a smile as he said, "Hello, you," upon entering Llewellyn's office.

Then he saw Llewellyn's appearance. "Are you all right?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Hello, you," Watts said as he looked up, managing a smile, albeit a somewhat careworn one, for Steven. "Didn't sleep well," he admitted.

You were this close to having come in to find him curled up under the desk again, Steven.

[hasaknightjob]

"Oh no," Steven said. He closed the door behind him so they could have their usual privacy. "Something wrong?"

[pocketpretzels]

Watts nodded, because yes, something was wrong, the world was short two wonderful souls, that was what was wrong.

[hasaknightjob]

Well that look was certainly going to get his attention. Steven put the bag on the desk so that he had his hands free as he came around to give Llewellyn a hug. "My poor love. What can I do?"

[pocketpretzels]

You were already doing it, Steven. A fact which Watts tried to impart by hugging him back just as tight.

[hasaknightjob]

"It's all right, I've got you," Steven said. He didn't know what was wrong but he'd hold Llewellyn as long as he needed. He rubbed Llewellyn's back with one hand, hoping that would also offer some comfort.

[pocketpretzels]

It had been years since Hubert’s murder, longer still since Daniel’s, long enough that he’d become accustomed to the dull ache in his heart that came up whenever he thought of them. So why this year the sharp, raw grief was back, he couldn’t say.

“Sorry,” he managed finally, pulling away just slightly but not letting go.

[hasaknightjob]

"I'd be upset if you tried to pretend you're all right if you weren't," Steven told him, suspecting that being upset at all was what Llewellyn was apologizing for. "Your troubles are mine, remember?"

[pocketpretzels]

Steven’s suspicions were spot-on. “I remember,” Watts murmured.

[hasaknightjob]

"You don't have to tell me if you don't care to," Steven said. "But I'll listen if you do."

[pocketpretzels]

It took a good minute or two before Watts found himself able to say the words. “Tomorrow marks three years,” he said finally. “Since Hubert’s murder.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Oh, love." Steven hugged him tighter. "I'm so sorry. No wonder you're having a time of it."

[pocketpretzels]

“I miss them so,” Watts admitted. “Him and Danny both.” It isn’t fair, he wanted to say, but he didn’t.

[hasaknightjob]

"Of course you do," Steven said. "Everything you've told me, no wonder that the day is hard. Your poor heart."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts held on for a minute more, before finally actually pulling away. "I think- they both would have loved you, you know. Hubert especially. He was always- a bit of a romantic."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven smiled down at him. "High praise indeed. I would have been honored to meet them. Especially if I could have asked their blessing to take care of you."

[pocketpretzels]

"They'd have given it in a heartbeat," Watts informed him. Possibly been incredibly smug about the fact that their older brother was letting someone take care of him for once.

[hasaknightjob]

"I'll do my best to be worthy of it," Steven said. He reached out to caress Llewellyn's cheek. "Would you like to do something for them? Light a candle or something to remember them?"

[pocketpretzels]

“That- sounds like a nice idea,” Watts acknowledged.

[hasaknightjob]

"I'll keep you company while you do it if you like," Steven said. "Or stay out of your way. I'll understand."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts mulled that over for a minute.

“I would- appreciate the company,” he decided finally.

[hasaknightjob]

"Then I'd be honored to be there," Steven told him. "It's what I did for my mum. Doesn't take the hurt away, but it felt right."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts nodded, reaching out to take Steven’s hand and give it a squeeze. “Thank you.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Your troubles are my own," Steven said, since it bore repeating. "Think you can eat?"