Trooper Station, Friday

[pocketpretzels]

The Troopers were all clustered around Ralph's desk today, and it looked as if they were reading something, trading muttered comments back and forth. Watts couldn't be sure, though, as every time he tried approaching them they all suddenly stood up straight.

"A most auspicious question," said Ralph when Watts finally got curious enough to ask what they were doing.

"Auspicious..." echoed the other Troopers.

"I don't think that word means what you believe it does," Watts said, shaking his head and going back to his office.

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

Encouraged, Steven kept up with lightly stroking his fingers through Llewellyn's hair. "It's good to know I need you you're not far at all. Not even a floor. Just a few steps."

[pocketpretzels]

"Mmm," Watts purred hummed happily. "Anytime you'd like."

[hasaknightjob]

"Goes both ways you know," Steven said, keeping up the touch. "I know it's not as easy, not knowing if it's me or Marc who will answer. But you can ask. You can always ask."

[pocketpretzels]

"I do know," Watts assured him.

Of course, having permission to ask and being able to bring himself to ask were two entirely different things.

[hasaknightjob]

"Could always text first if you're unsure?" Steven suggested, wanting Llewellyn to at least know he had options. "I mean there's no harm in knocking but if it worries you. There's that as well."

[pocketpretzels]

“I can try to remember that option ,” Watts promised. Try being the operative word, of course.

[hasaknightjob]

"Good." Steven pressed a kiss to his temple. "Your troubles are mine. That's part of our deal now. Same as me being yours and yours alone."

[pocketpretzels]

“Which reminds me- any thoughts as to what we might decorate your hat with?” he wondered.

[hasaknightjob]

"Suppose the first question is what sorts of things do people use?" Steven asked. "I've seen you do feathers and plants. Imagine plants don't last long though, do they? I'd like something that lasts however long we stay."

[pocketpretzels]

"You could go with an artificial flower made of silk," Watts suggested. "Plastic wouldn't work, unless it wasn't obviously so, as we don't have that." Well they did, but it wasn't that common. "Beads of some sort perhaps? Though again, they'd have to be wooden or glass."

[hasaknightjob]

"Beads?" Steven looked at Llewellyn's hat thoughtfully. "Where would they go?"

[pocketpretzels]

"If you strung them on a wire, same as how you'd put a feather in," Watts said, tapping the left side of his hat. "Tucked into the band."

[hasaknightjob]

"Think I'd like a feather or something like it better," Steven decided. "Or anything you've put in one of your hats, I think. Makes it more you that way."

[pocketpretzels]

"So perhaps if I find myself a feather to wear for a while and then pass it on to you?" Watts suggested.

[hasaknightjob]

"That's a thought," Steven said, brightening up at the suggestion. "Would that work? They don't wear out easy, do they?"

[pocketpretzels]

"No," Watts shook his head. "They don't last forever, of course- but I can do my best to be careful so as to preserve it for your use."

[hasaknightjob]

"I like the idea of you taking good care of my feather," Steven said. "Makes it even more dear to me."

[pocketpretzels]

"Your feather, your heart," he reached for Steven's hand, placing a gentle kiss on his knuckles, "every inch of you."

[hasaknightjob]

"You are quite the romantic, Llewellyn Watts," Steven said. This was not a complaint.

[pocketpretzels]

"You bring it out in me, Steven Grant," Watts pointed out.

[hasaknightjob]

"Only proves it was there in the first place," Steven replied in kind. "Didn't create it, did I? That's your heart being wonderful."

[pocketpretzels]

Ah, but Steven had been the one to heal said heart after it had been stomped on far too much.

"It's easy when it's you," Watts said, returning to that familiar sentiment.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven leaned over to give Llewellyn a soft kiss, because really this sort of conversation demanded it. "I'm happy that it's you."