Fandom Island Museum, Thursday Daytime

[hasaknightjob]

Steven was still getting his feet under him, so to speak. Each day made it easier but it was a process, not an instant switch to being better.

As such, Llewellyn accompanied Steven on the walk to work, and kept him company while Steven got set up and confirmed everything was as he expected and remembered it to be. Then, with a kiss and a directive to text or call if he wanted anything, even just to chat, Llewellyn headed out before the Museum was officially open.

After which Steven, having unlocked said doors for the public, sat at his spot behind the Welcome Desk and tried to busy himself with simple tasks that needed taking care of but not too much concentration.

He may have managed to wait almost an hour before texting Llewellyn a Hello, you. Which he thought was very strong of him, actually, willpower-wise.

He wasn't sure yet what he was doing at lunch but otherwise he stayed by his desk.

[open. beau modded with permission. fair warning mun has afternoon appointment and may be dealing with booster side effects today]

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

And wouldn’t you know it, just after Steven hit send was when a bouquet of flowers was dropped off at the Welcome Desk.

Containing, of course the usual card reading Love you. - L

Hence Watts’s smile when he got the text, figuring the timing meant it was a response to the delivery.

hello yuo

[hasaknightjob]

It had simply been because Steven wanted some kind of contact he could trust. But the flowers were an absolutely welcome and loved surprise.

Steven set the flowers up on his desk, took a picture, then texted it to Llewellyn.

Brilliant wonderful man. I 🍞 you

[pocketpretzels]

Watts went carefully through the emoji until he found the right one.

🍞 u too. glad ufo like themd.

[hasaknightjob]

Good surprise, Steven texted back. Welcome smile for my day. Wonderful beau

[pocketpretzels]

i do my bsdt. how ar things gjinvg?

[hasaknightjob]

Quiet so far. You?

[pocketpretzels]

went got gist steoh. did NOT get attacked by dice, this tim.

Come to think of it, it had been a while since he’d seen the bouncy dice he’d brought home some time ago. Huh.

[hasaknightjob]

It took Steven a moment to translate that one, but the mention of dice helped.

She doing well I hope?

[pocketpretzels]

she seems i good sprints yes came Watts’s reply.

[hasaknightjob]

Good to hear. Or read I suppose, Steven sent back. I miss you.

[pocketpretzels]

i miss u too.

Yes, they’d seen each other mere hours before and would see each other again later. Not the point.

[hasaknightjob]

You'll walk me home later?

[pocketpretzels]

of course

And then about fifteen minutes later, who should make his way through the museum doors but one Llewellyn Watts, takeout bag in hand.

“I couldn’t wait for the end of the day,” he said, sounding a little sheepish. “So I brought you lunch. I do hope that’s all right?”

[mylandmyrules]

Nell wandered in early before her class. "Good morning, Steven."

[hasaknightjob]

"Hello, Nell," Steven said. Not quite as effusive as he normally was but that had nothing to do with Nell, who he was pleased to see. "How are you? Looks as though you survived the party all right?"

[mylandmyrules]

"I had a very nice time," Nell assured him. "Liliana has a lovely garden and I enjoyed the dancing. And you?"

[hasaknightjob]

"Didn't get to see the garden," Steven admitted. By the time he'd needed fresh air he also needed to go home. "But I thought she did a wonderful job. Food was good too. Loads of options."

[mylandmyrules]

"Oh I didn't pay much attention to the food," Nell said. She'd been a little too anxious and then distracted to bother much with food, though Gladio had brought her a few things. "I assume she had vegan options? She seemed to have thought of pretty much everything."

[hasaknightjob]

"Loads of vegan options," Steven said. "Non alcoholic drinks as well."

Which Steven had appreciated given his own feelings that night, but he figured mention it to Nell since he knew she didn't care for drinking. If she hadn't tried the food she might not have tried the drinks either, so this way Steven figured she would know the options were likely to be there the next time Liliana threw a party.

[mylandmyrules]

"How thoughtful of her," Nell said. "Makes it more fun for everyone if you don't have to worry about that sort of thing. Did you enjoy the party?"

[hasaknightjob]

"It was nice, yeah," Steven said. He and Llewellyn had left earlier than Steven would normally have liked to leave but that wasn't a fault of the party. "Wish I could've said hello to more people. Course sometimes hard to do that if you don't know who they are. Costumes and all."

[mylandmyrules]

"Yes, I find it a bit disconcerting to not recognize people," Nell said. "You don't know who's there or whether you know them "

[hasaknightjob]

Steven nodded, because that had unsettled him as well. "Precisely. Throw in the decorations and all and it's easy to lose yourself."

[mylandmyrules]

"Much easier to stand along the edges and just watch," Nell said. "Or, well, dance with your partner and just focus on them."

[hasaknightjob]

"I said hello to a few people and then left," Steven admitted. "Did you end up dancing then?"