Fandom Island Museum, Thursday Daytime

[hasaknightjob]

Steven was in his usual spot behind the Welcome Desk. He had his glasses on and was scrolling through the pictures he'd taken of Shenanigans the previous day.

In theory he was debating if any of the pictures were worth turning into a display for the history section of the Museum. In reality he was having a hard time focusing as his thoughts kept turning to things that had come up for him on the weekend.

He didn't want his thoughts to linger there, though, so he did what he could to try to shake it off and stay on task.

He wasn't always successful.

[open!]

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[pocketpretzels]

“I’ve never had a home, myself, not until you,” Watts replied.

[hasaknightjob]

A slow smile spread across Steven's face. "Well. That's very nice to hear, actually. I'm glad you think of me as home. I hope you always do."

[pocketpretzels]

“I certainly plan to,” Watts informed him.

[hasaknightjob]

"Always?" Steven asked. And this time the question didn't seem as rhetorical as it usually was. "Not in spite of?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Always," Watts echoed. "Not in spite of." He gave Steven a curious look. "What's bothering you, darling? I can tell you've something on your mind."

[hasaknightjob]

"The weekend," Steven admitted. "I mean I'm glad to have met your friend. Glad you were able to see him, even if it was bittersweet. And very proud of you for being brave enough to tell him about you and me. There's no question on any of that."

[pocketpretzels]

"But?" Watts prompted.

[hasaknightjob]

"We couldn't have told him about me, could we?" Steven said, and this was rhetorical now. "I mean - I'm not saying we should have. Bad idea all around. But that's the point, isn't it? Didn't realize how much I'd gotten used to not having to hide that around here."

[pocketpretzels]

Actually, if they were to tell anyone from Watts's world, the dead man who'd go back to being dead after a few days would probably be the best choice.

"Oh, my darling," Watts said. Sat at adjoining corners, they were already pretty close, but Watts was now scooting his chair over so he could pull Steven into a hug from the side.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven leaned into the hug, resting his head on Llewellyn's shoulder. "I wish you could always be proud of me. I mean - I know you are. I don't doubt that. But I wish you had a beau you could always brag about when you wanted to."

[pocketpretzels]

"Nearly everyone who matters to me is here," Watts pointed out, rubbing gentle circles on Steven's back. "And they know already."

[hasaknightjob]

"What if we move home?" Steven asked. "People aren't as nice there as they are here. We'd both have to lie then."

[pocketpretzels]

"That is a good point," Watts admitted, because as much as he wanted to say Steven worrying about 'what ifs' was borrowing trouble, he'd sort of come to the conclusion that they would eventually, move back to Marc and Steven's world, specifically Steven's London. "But it isn't as if we'd be entirely alone, isn't it? There's Ms. El-Faouly, and Mr. Crawley. That's a start."

[hasaknightjob]

"That's true," Steven said. "And our friends here. We'd keep in touch, I'd imagine."

[pocketpretzels]

"Absolutely," Watts said. "And- there's billions of people in your world. There's bound to be some more who we could be completely honest with. We just need to find them, is all."

[hasaknightjob]

A smile started to peek out. "I like the way you think. You're right. There may be. Be nice to find them."

[pocketpretzels]

"I'm a detective, after all," Watts pointed out. "Finding things, finding people. That is- 'my thing', as Steph would say."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven's smile grew fonder. "You would solve the case of finding new friends?"

[pocketpretzels]

"I would," Watts said. "You can count on that."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven looked up at him. "I believe you could do it, you know. If anyone could solve that case, it'd be you."

[pocketpretzels]

"I'd have the most effective motivation to do so," Watts pointed out. "Your happiness." Yes, he too would like friends, but he'd also been content without them.

[hasaknightjob]

"Good reward in it," Steven said. "Finding my happiness. I can guarantee that. But it's an offer only for you."

[pocketpretzels]

“Your happiness is my own,” Watts pointed out. “Not only your troubles.”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven kissed Llewellyn's cheek. "Don't know what I did to deserve you. I'm grateful for you though."

[pocketpretzels]

“You were kind, and patient, and charming,” Watts informed him. “Still are.”