Trooper Station, Friday

[pocketpretzels]

Of course the moment Watts sat down at his desk, the phone rang.

"Hello."

"Sir, you need to- you need to slow down."

"Are they your rocks?"

"I see. Then I'm afraid that's not actually a crime."

"Yes, I agree it's somewhat strange, but again: not actually a crime. I'm afraid your neighbour is perfectly within their rights to smash the rocks in their yard with a pickaxe if they so choose."

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

Come lunchtime there was a beau. Not with rocks, but with an insulated food bag. Steven knocked on the doorjamb to alert Llewellyn to his presence before saying, "Hello, you."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts had moved on to signing off on some paperwork by the time lunch rolled around, so the sound of Steven's voice- and the sight of him, once he looked up- was a welcome respite.

"Hello, you," he smiled. "Do come in."

[hasaknightjob]

"Don't mind if I do," Steven said. He closed the door behind him for privacy then came around to Llewellyn's side of the desk. "Possible to get a proper greeting now?"

[pocketpretzels]

Watts’s answer to that was to stand up and pull him in for a kiss.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven safely put the bag on the desk so that he could wrap his arms around Llewellyn and return that very kiss.

[pocketpretzels]

"Missed you," Watts murmured. Had it even been two full days since they'd seen each other last?

[hasaknightjob]

Steven bumped their noses together. "Missed you too. It's been ages."

Or something like two days. Since Wednesday night, anyway.

[pocketpretzels]

“But I have you here now,” Watts said, sneaking in another quick kiss before he gestured for Steven to sit in his usual spot. “Highlight of my week.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Mine as well," Steven said, in case any doubt had crept up since last week.

Steven took the offered seat and unpacked some banh mi. "Here. I used one of your baguettes for this."

[pocketpretzels]

“Did you?” No, Watts would never stop being delighted whenever Steven turned around and made use of the things Watts made. “It looks wonderful.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Could hardly use inferior bread now, could I?" Steven said. He put each portion onto a plate. No prize for guessing if Llewellyn's had more of his favorite vegetables on it. "It would've been a salad if I'd not had this handy."

[pocketpretzels]

“Salad would have been lovely too, I’m sure,” Watts said. “But- I like seeing you make use of something I made for you, as well.”

[hasaknightjob]

Something about the phrase something I made for you made Steven blush and feel warm inside.

"Of course. It's meant to be used, isn't it? Hopefully well used here for our lunch."

[pocketpretzels]

“I don’t know, perhaps you didn’t care for it and were too polite to tell me, and have been feeding it to the birds all this time,” Watts said. He was trying to joke, sure, but there was an undercurrent of relief that this was not the case to his words.

[hasaknightjob]

"Never," Steven said. He looked horrified at the very idea. Then he amended, "I mean maybe if something happened that made it inedible to humans but not to birds? So it didn't go to waste? But I love your breads and all your baking."

[pocketpretzels]

“That is good to hear,” Watts said, a little relieved even though he wasn’t actually surprised by the answer. “And I know, of course, that if you did dislike something you would mention it, as we are meant to be honest with each other.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Always have," Steven said. "Like that first loaf of yours that didn't turn out quite right."

Which made it all the more impressive that Llewellyn's subsequent attempts came out so well, in Steven's opinion.

[pocketpretzels]

Yes, well. The contents of Watts’s freezer probably helped explain that, containing as they did attempts at baking that he did not feel met a particular standard for sharing, but weren’t bad enough to be thrown out completely.

“Very true. I like that I can count on you in that manner. Not just regarding baked goods.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Of course," Steven said. "Part of how we trust each other, isn't it? Knowing we never have to guess if we've gone wrong. Means a great deal to me with you."

[pocketpretzels]

“I like that. Not guessing. And that you understand if I tell you the truth about something, I am not intending to be rude or inconsiderate.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Same for me," Steven said. "That way you'll know things like I'll not say I enjoyed bike riding if I didn't. I did end up liking it, by the way. Once I got the hang of it."

Steven had mentioned that once they were done but he figured it couldn't hurt to be sure Llewellyn knew.

[pocketpretzels]

“I’m glad,” Watts said with a smile. “I mentioned to Marc that I thought we might try again this weekend? Perhaps add some inclines?”

[hasaknightjob]

"Small inclines?" Steven said. The idea of a steep hill felt intimidating. "Just to get the feel of it?"

[pocketpretzels]

“Small inclines,” Watts echoed with a nod. “We can increase them gradually, but only as you’re comfortable.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Cheers," Steven said. "Like to get my feet under me before we try anything too much. Or my wheels under me, I suppose."