The Perk, Saturday Late Morning

[pocketpretzels]

Upon discussion with Steven it had been determined that despite coffee dates being a regular part of courting, they hadn’t really done much of those. In fact, the vast majority of their dates beyond their regular weekly lunches tended to be at home. Which was understandable for a few reasons but quite frankly Watts was ready to try and push things out of his comfort zone a bit, hence part of why the two of them had started doing things like going for nature walks and dinner out.

And meeting up for coffee.

[ooc: Watts may be here for a date but it’s an open coffee shop!]

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

"For some reason I'm in the mood for a mocha," Steven said, giving Llewellyn a grin.

[pocketpretzels]

“Now that you mention it, something about that sounds awfully appealing,” Watts mused.

[hasaknightjob]

"Think it's required now," Steven said. "And to eat?"

[pocketpretzels]

“Some muffins, of course,” Watts decided. “And those cookies meant for dipping. Biscotti?”

[hasaknightjob]

"That's the ones," Steven said. "Do it up right I say."

[pocketpretzels]

“Find us a seat, then, and I can get the coffees?” Watts asked, flipping the script a little.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven did catch that. He smiled to show he noticed. "Can do."

Looking around, he picked a table by the window so they could people watch if they cared to.

[pocketpretzels]

And a couple minutes later, there was Watts, with two mochas, two (different) muffins, and an assortment of various biscotti.

“And here we are,” Watts said, setting the food and drinks down before settling into a chair- close enough to be within shoulder-bumping distance, for the record.

[hasaknightjob]

"Cheers," Steven said. He held up his drink in a toast. "To coffee dates?"

[pocketpretzels]

“Which should happen more often,” Watts agreed, breaking the chocolate muffin in two and sliding the larger half towards Steven.

[hasaknightjob]

Funny how the blueberry muffin by Steven underwent a similar fate, with the larger half going over to Llewellyn.

"Agreed," Steven said. He smiled at Llewellyn. "I like dates with you. Romantic."

[pocketpretzels]

“It would be slightly awkward to have been courting all this time only to find out you didn’t like the dates,” Watts mused.

[hasaknightjob]

"Even if I didn't it helps that I like the company," Steven said. "Even before I realized how much I liked it."

[pocketpretzels]

“I was terribly torn, myself. Enjoying your company but thinking all that time you were already seeing someone.” He could smile sheepishly about it now, but at the time it had been quite distressing.

[hasaknightjob]

"I wonder how things might have gone if you hadn't," Steven said. "I mean I like how it worked out. You and me being friends first and the rest came later. But you do wonder what if, yeah?"

[pocketpretzels]

“Hadn’t thought you were seeing someone or hadn’t enjoyed your company?” Watts asked. “Because I cannot for the life of me envision the latter, nor do I care to.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Can't imagine not liking yours either," Steven said, smiling at him with affection. "No, I meant if you knew I wasn't seeing someone. My side wouldn't have been any different. I thought I couldn't see anybody. But would yours?"

[pocketpretzels]

"I... don't know," Watts said. "After all, on top of thinking you were seeing someone, I was- recovering from recent heartbreak. I- didn't wish to risk putting myself through that again, not at first."

Perhaps thinking Steven was happily attached to someone had, strangely, let him fall harder than if he hadn't been. Because in a way he'd been unattainable. Safe.

[hasaknightjob]

"I prefer it this way," Steven said, in case his question had made Llewellyn worry at all. "I think if you'd come out the gate trying to date me I'd have pushed you away. I knew the answer there was no. Or thought I did. But a friend - I always like making more of those."

[pocketpretzels]

"And you have become my very dearest friend," Watts said, reaching for Steven's hand. "I needed that, especially when I first arrived here."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven took Llewellyn's hand, giving it a squeeze to show he understood the courage involved in the gesture. "I got to know you as you first. And I like you very much. You've been a good friend to me, Llewellyn Watts."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts beamed at him. "I am gratified to hear you say so."

[hasaknightjob]

"The relationship's the important bit, I think," Steven said. "It's always been that way for me. Never been looking for someone to have a shag with. I mean - I like that part, make no mistake. No complaints there. But it's the person that's important. That's what I always wanted. Someone I could enjoy spending time with, whatever we were doing."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts nodded. "I still think that makes more sense than- how a great deal of people seem to go about it. Myself included. I don't know why I am how I am. I think if I had a choice I'd much rather- approach it the way you do, but," he shrugged, picking at a bit of his blueberry muffin.

[hasaknightjob]

"But it was harder for you to spend the time with people?" Steven guessed. "Because of the danger?"