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Fandom Island Museum, Thursday Daytime

One might think that the benches in the museum lobby being replaced by similarly sized sufganiyots would capture Steven's attention. And in fairness they did. But when they didn't show any apparent sign of being anything except large sufganiyots - no attempts to grow sharp teeth or move about chasing anyone, for example - Steven assumed it was one of those island things and got stuck in to his work.

Which was the next thing that captured his attention, because new maps had arrived for the brochure rack. Specifically maps which had been updated to show the boarding house. The update was rather nice all on its own, never mind that the person who had made the map had been kind enough to put a little moon icon on the building.

At least Steven assumed the person who'd made the map had purposefully put the moon icon on it. Moon symbols did have a habit of showing up around him and Marc unbidden...

No, not going to worry about it! Good map, good gesture, and the museum lobby smelled like a bakery. Definitely far worse ways to spend one's working day as far as Steven was concerned. He busied himself setting out the new maps for any visitors who might need them.

[open!]

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Nell was here with a large container of her vegan butternut squash and apple soup. "Happy Hanukkah, Steven! Though I think that was over last night?"

"Nell, good morning!" Steven said. "No, no you're still in time. Thank you, it's kind of you to remember. Do you need a hand with that?"

"Well, it's soup for you and the Detective," Nell said with a smile. "So it probably needs to go in the refrigerrator until you can get it home, so -"

She caught sight of the former benches. "Oh my. All of them?"

"All the ones here in the lobby, yes," Steven said. "I've not tried sitting on them. Or eating them for that matter. They smell nice though, don't they? "

He held his hands out for the soup. "And cheers, that's very kind of you. It'll go down a treat I'm sure."

"You know," Nell said hesitantly. "You're welcome to come with the Detective on Monday nights. I'm just... I wouldn't want -"

She took a deep breath. She and Steven had already had a variation on this conversation and he'd seemed to understand. "Someday I hope Marc will be able to talk to me again and help me understand what happened. But until then," and oh, she hoped there would be a then, "I'm not comfortable with him in my house. But I don't want you to feel that you're not always welcome. Because you are. And I understand if this means you'd rather not come, but I wanted you to know you're welcome."

Steven was surprised by the offer - visibly so - and tried to think of what to say. "I assumed it was awkward, me being there. That's why I never asked."

"I don't mind you being there as long as we keep to our agreement," Nell said. "And I did think it would be a bit awkward at first, but you and I have talked and we're okay - I think anyway - and I'm comfortable with you, and you're my friend even if Marc doesn't want to be, and I think the Detective might like it if you could come too, so..."

"I mean I couldn't always," Steven said ~~since IRL was busy on Mondays~~, "but as long as you understood that wasn't for any personal reasons I could certainly try to pop by now and then."

Nell beamed at him. "Gladio's the only one who's always there every week," she said. "Stop by whenever you feel like it. I just wanted you to know that you're welcome."

"All right," Steven said, relaxing once it was clear she understood there was no ill intent if it wasn't a regular occurrence. "Thank you. If nothing else it's good to know it wouldn't be painful for you if I was about on those evenings."

Steven wasn't Marc, of course, but they did bear that uncanny resemblance to one another after all.

She shrugged. "You've always felt very different to me. And you've been a good friend."

Steven looked at her hesitantly. "This does make me want to point out in return that you are welcome to visit as well. With Llewellyn and I, I mean. At home."

"I won't lie to you," Nell said, "the house makes me nervous. But you said I could come sometime and sort of, well, not talk to it, but... I would be willing to at least try that."

"I've not brought it up because I didn't want you to feel pressured about it," Steven said. "But if you're willing to give it a shot it'd mean a great deal. With the same understanding it would be me, of course. Well and possibly Llewellyn and any of our boarders about. But they're very nice people."

Well, people and whatever Gonzo was.

Nell nodded. "That would be all right. So yes, I'd be glad to try. I know it must hurt you that people don't trust the house, even if I can understand why they don't."

Steven nodded, some of his usual positive demeanor fading. "Honestly I was half terrified to mention it. Didn't know if you'd be angry or hurt for me even asking."

Steven looked like he was tempted to say more but then stopped, due to the very uncertainty he'd just mentioned.

"I wouldn't be angry or hurt for you mentioning it," Nell said honestly. "It's your house now and you love it, so it's only right that you want to share it. I just... it scares me still and it hurt people I care about so badly..."

She made a little face. "I want to feel comfortable visiting and I promise I'll give it a fair shot. I just hope you won't be angry at me if I'm not - or at least not at first. Because even if I'm not I can try again."

Steven relaxed as Nell spoke, relief going through him. "No, no, that's it exactly. You've explained it in just the way I was trying to. Thank you. And all the patience in the world, I promise. That you understand the crux of it so well means a great deal all on its own, honestly.

"I just - I mean I would have felt bloody stupid if you had been willing to try and the problem was I hadn't said you were welcome, yeah? And here you were being so kind as to make sure I knew I was welcome in your home. Only felt I should do the same in return."

She smiled at him a little uncertainly herself. "See, it's all good. I, well, honestly, I always felt I was welcome there, I just - beyond what I just said - it's Marc's house, too, and I certainly wouldn't want to assume I could stop by and say I didn't want him there. It's rude."

"Be honest, that hadn't even occurred to me," Steven admitted. "But only because far as I'm concerned it's understood it'd just be me. So I was more worried about your comfort with Midnight than the rest of it, if that makes sense?"

"It does," Nell said. "And that comfort level is definitely important. But where you can say that you understood it would be just you - well... here, since we've talked, it's a given to me. But then for me to expect it would be okay in his house wouldn't feel right. So it's good we talked."

"Me as well," Steven said, giving her a grateful look. "And that's all thanks to you, really. I wouldn't have mentioned it if you hadn't kicked us off. So thank you for that as well. I know it's not easy for you to talk about. Especially with me. I appreciate you taking that leap of faith today."

Nell smiled at him again. "You're welcome and thank you for always being so understanding."

"Same in return," Steven told her. "Now then, how are things with you otherwise?"

"Oh, very good," she assured him. "I went away with Gladio this weekend for a belated birthday celebration. We stayed in a fancy treehouse up in the mountains of North Carolina. It was wonderful!"

"That sounds wild," Steven said, for once no pun intended. "Were you up off the ground and all?"

"Mmhmm. Right up in the trees," Nell said happily. "There was a ramp up to the door and it was just wonderful!"

"Did you take any pictures of it?" Steven asked. "I imagine it was very pretty."

"I didn't," Nell said. "I never think of that. Gladio might have taken some, but I'm not sure. We were out hiking most of the time."

And, you know, spending time in the hot tub under the stars.

"You were enjoying the moment," Steven said. "It's understandable."

"I know my phone can take pictures," Nell said, "but I never think of it. I use it so rarely as it is."

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Fandom Island Museum, Thursday Daytime

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