Around the island, Sunday afternoon

[hasaknightjob]

Steven and Llewellyn were men on a mission. Specifically a mission involving putting up fliers all around town. Specifically fliers which read:



Hanukkah Party
With Food & Friends
All Are Welcome
19 December, 8pm
Flat #15, MHA
(There's no dress code or anything. Don't have to bring anything either if you don't want. Just a bit of fun during the holidays. Though there will be alcohol so adults only, please.)
Questions? Contact Steven Grant or Det. Watts

If one came away from reading said fliers with the impression that a much beleaguered print shop clerk had given up and simply typed in everything Steven said as he said it... well there was good reason for that.

[open for anybody who might want to say hello to the boys as they go about their work]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

"I mean that's good," Steven said. He assumed if Stark wasn't saying the contact was welcome then it wasn't. Which was fine. Everyone had boundaries. "And I see what you mean about it being better here for all of us. Maybe that's why there's so many nice people. We know what it's like, not being wanted."

[stykera]

"A lot of people here do understand," Stark agreed. "That makes it easier, often. At least I think it does. I'm glad you're doing well here. It's always better when people are comfortable. It makes them more likely to stay."

Stark didn't have nearly enough friends to feel comfortable with losing any of them. Not even just to moving away.

[hasaknightjob]

"I'd like to," Steven said, smiling, because he did pick up the meaning behind Stark's words. "There's good people here. Good friends. For both of us. Been a luxury, really. And I think I will try it. Being honest. Just - not right away. Too much to imagine trying to deal with it before the party."

And also maybe the week before the party might turn out super busy for some reason. You know, with party prep. Or something.

[stykera]

"I don't think you need to rush anything," Stark told him with a gentle smile. "You ought to be comfortable and it's still yours to tell when you wish. Better to wait until after the party and give yourself time. There's time enough after."

And yeah, this week might be busy for some reason. You never knew!

[hasaknightjob]

"Llewellyn suggested the new year," Steven said. "Especially since that's when new people might be arriving. Fresh starts all around."

And gave Steven time to work up his courage.

[stykera]

"It could be a, a resolution," Stark said with a nod. "If that's something you do."

[hasaknightjob]

"Could do," Steven agreed. "And gives time to maybe tell a few more people who know us but don't, well, know. Feel bad there's some we consider friends who might get told after strangers, you know?"

Mainly people Steven considered friends. The list of people Marc considered friends was microscopic and anybody on it already knew the truth.

[stykera]

"You shouldn't feel bad about protecting yourself," Stark said gently. "But it would be good, I think, if there are people you specifically would like to know, to tell them. There are people you still want to tell who you haven't?"

[hasaknightjob]

"Steph, I think," Steven said. "Maybe Annie now that Summer knows. That hasn't been not trusting them. Mainly that Llewellyn sees them more often than I do is all. Otherwise I don't think anybody? At least no one who we've spent enough time with that we should've told them by now, I don't think."

But it was Steven. He could be forgetting someone without meaning to.

[stykera]

"I think they'll both understand," Stark said. "I don't know Steph as well and Annie and I haven't talked in...a long time. But they should both understand."

[hasaknightjob]

"Have a hard time imagining Steph not being understanding," Steven said. "And Annie's been kind every time I've seen her. She's good friends with Wanda so clearly a lovely person, same as her."

Steven was behind on some of the off island news.

[stykera]

"I don't know Wanda. We've met, I think, but we've never really spoken." There were some people here Stark just never managed to run into for whatever reasons.

"You're right though. I can't see Steph being upset with you. Curious seems more likely, doesn't it?"

[hasaknightjob]

"I think so, yeah," Steven said. "She always seems like the type who'd want to understand a thing before she made an opinion. Wouldn't leap to assume the worst. Even if she's from a world where people may have notions about what people like me and Marc were like."

[stykera]

"I hope it goes well," Stark said. "When you tell them. If I can help at all..."

He'd be happy to try, at least.

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you," Steven said. He gave a wry smile. "Maybe even to fall on you after when I've done it but the nerves catch up with me again. Can't always be asking poor Llewellyn to bear it."

Llewellyn probably didn't mind though. Still. It was good to have friends.

[stykera]

"I'll do my best to catch you," Stark promised. "If you should need it."

[hasaknightjob]

That was really the sort of thing that would've gotten Stark a hug. But Steven assumed Stark's opinion on the matter hadn't changed in the past few moments, so he instead went with a smile and a, "Thank you."

[stykera]

Stark didn't mind hugs. He didn't get enough of them, really, and so didn't always recognize when they might be available.

"You're welcome. I mean it. I'm happy to help if I can."