Trooper Station, Friday

[pocketpretzels]

Watts’s day had started off with a phone call from the Bee Lady. Something about one of the Portalocity gnomes stealing one of her garden gnomes. To be honest, Watts wasn’t entirely sure he wanted more details.

Hence why he was sending Calvin out to investigate while he stayed back and… did a little more research into a personal project.

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

Come lunchtime, there was a Steven at Llewellyn's office door. "Hello, you."

[pocketpretzels]

“Hello, you,” Watts beamed as he saw Steven.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven came in and closed the door behind him. "How are you? How's your day been so far?"

[pocketpretzels]

“Stolen lawn gnomes,” Watts said as he stood to pull Steven in for a kiss. “Or possibly just gnome, singular. I’m afraid she wasn’t terribly clear on the telephone, but I’ve sent Calvin to nonetheless.”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven took the kiss gladly, wrapping his free arm around Llewellyn's waist. "Well hopefully everything turns out all right. No one hurt or kidnapped."

[pocketpretzels]

“Agreed,” Watts nodded. “How was your morning?”

[hasaknightjob]

"Busy cooking," Steven said. He held up the insulated bag proudly. "I hope you like it. Something nice and warm and hopefully comforting."

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“I have always enjoyed what you make,” Watts said, somewhat reluctantly pulling away so that he could pull Steven’s chair out for him.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven took the offered seat gladly, then set about taking out and serving mushroom stroganoff. He made sure Llewellyn's serving had extra mushrooms. "Here we are. And I've some of your sourdough to go with it."

[pocketpretzels]

“Oh!” Watts took a deep breath in. “That looks- and smells- rather wonderful.”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven beamed proudly. "Yeah? Thought it'd be something nice for a February day. Help make the gloom less gloomy."

[pocketpretzels]

“You certainly do that,” Watts said, smiling warmly at him. “As I’m sure your lunch will too.”

[hasaknightjob]

Steven smiled back. "Thank you. I'm glad I can bring you some cheer in any form. Myself or a hot meal."

[pocketpretzels]

“Well, without further ado, then, let me try what you’ve made,” Watts declared, scooping up a forkful.

“Well done, darling,” he managed, only barely remembering to finish swallowing before he spoke.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven beamed proudly. "You like? Excellent. I thought your sourdough would be good for sopping up any gravy that's left. It's good for that, with that crust."

[pocketpretzels]

“I am always pleased when you choose to have my bread accompany something you’ve made,” Watts admitted with a smile.

[hasaknightjob]

"I'm pleased to have your bread to do it," Steven said as he finally took a bite of his own meal. "It's like you're there helping me even when you're here at work."

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“Oh, I rather like that,” Watts said with a shy smile.

[hasaknightjob]

"See?" Steven said, smiling, "even when we're apart we're still with each other. Always in each other's hearts."

[pocketpretzels]

A statement which, naturally, deserved a kiss.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven was more than happy to kiss back. It had been mere minutes since the last one after all. Practically an eternity.

"See?" Steven said, when they parted. "Keeping me grounded even when you're not there."

[pocketpretzels]

"I'm glad I can do that for you," Watts said, fingers brushing away some invisible piece of lint from Steven's shoulder.

[hasaknightjob]

"Not that I was lost while you were gone," Steven said, just to reassure him. Then, realizing, "I mean not that I noticed? Suppose I could've lost a minute here or there and not realized. But it was still comforting to know you were only a call or text away. And that you were in my thoughts."

[pocketpretzels]

"If ever you have need of me, I would be there as soon as I could," Watts said. "Oh! Though that does remind me. I've been doing a little research. Have you ever heard of a condition termed 'dyschronometria'?"

[hasaknightjob]

Steven blinked. Then blinked again. "Can't say that I ever have? What is it?"