Trooper Station, Friday

[pocketpretzels]

There was a large pile of random junk in the middle of the station again. Single socks, remote controls, loose keys, mugs, basically those inconsequential random things that go missing on a regular basis.

"Let me guess," Watts said. "Recycling Amnesty Day again?"

"Oh, no," Calvin shook his head. "This is the work of... The Masked Raccoon. Ralph's already making calls for people to come get their stuff."

The Trooper Station is open, come on in and pick up that Key That May Or May Not Actually Open Something, the good spoon, or whatever it is you've been looking for the last few days but haven't had any luck in finding.

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

"Little bit of a mix?" Steven said as he started to unpack things. "Of our firsts? At least as far as I could remember them."

Steven started setting things out on Llewellyn's desk, explaining as he went. "Right, first we've mochas. Which isn't the first coffee we had together but it's sentimental value for me. They're from the Perk, that's the one I didn't make.

"Then we've pasta salad, because that's what I had that first time I brought you lunch. This - it isn't the same one, I just liked the recipe."

For obvious reasons Steven had not made the meat lasagna which he'd bought for Llewellyn that day.

"Finally, we have biscotti, which is what I was making last night while you were practicing piano. It's what I got you to eat the first time we were sat at the Perk together and you were learning about modern coffee and the like. Er - again not the same kind, I don't think? Just thought the recipe was nice."

Steven then looked up at Llewellyn hopefully. "Voila?"

[pocketpretzels]

Watts's expression had grown more and more delighted at each revelation.

"One of the first things we baked together, too," he remarked, nodding at the biscotti and then turning full heart-eyes towards Steven. "How wonderfully thoughtful of you to have put this all together."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven's smile grew at Llewellyn's response. "I wanted to start our weekend off with something to honor the start of everything, you see. You and me. I - I'm glad you like it."

[pocketpretzels]

"I love it. And you," Watts told him. And what else could he do in that moment then pull Steven in for a kiss?

[hasaknightjob]

Steven returned that kiss happily, sighing into it with contentment.

[pocketpretzels]

"My thoughtful Gentleman Knight," Watts declared.

[hasaknightjob]

"My dearest detective," Steven replied. "I'm glad you like it. Or at least the idea of it. Hopefully you enjoy eating it as well."

[pocketpretzels]

"I am certain I will," Watts said, taking that as his cue to dig in to the pasta salad. "That," he managed, after that mouthful, "is delicious. Well done, darling."

[hasaknightjob]

"Thank you," Steven said. He dug into his own now that Llewellyn was settled. "It seemed an interesting variation on the idea? The sauce and all? Glad you like it."

[pocketpretzels]

"It is," Watts said. "The sauce has a good amount of flavour to it, I like that."

[hasaknightjob]

"Excellent," Steven said. "Do you need me to do anything to help you get ready for when we leave tonight? I've my own packing to finish, no problem add anything you might need in."

[pocketpretzels]

"I should be all right," Watts said, clearly charmed by the gesture. "I made sure to pack everything last night so we could leave as soon as I arrived home. But thank you, darling, for offering."

[hasaknightjob]

"Right," Steven said. He of course would be going over his own packing multiple times before they left. He had a list but that didn't keep him from worrying he'd forgotten something. "Let's see - sitter's been taking care of. They know Raphael's not allowed near the roses. You've told Harley we'll be out of town for the weekend. Am I forgetting anything?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Might want to leave a note on Marc's office door so our residents know to telephone us if there's anything urgent?" Watts suggested.

[hasaknightjob]

"Good idea," Steven said. "And give Raphael lots of extra cuddles so he knows we still love him even if we're gone for the weekend."

[pocketpretzels]

"We always come back, that's the important part," Watts said.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven smiled at Llewellyn. "Everyone in this family always comes back. A very important thing."

[pocketpretzels]

"Rather fundamental," Watts said, dipping one of his biscotti in to his drink.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven watched to make sure Llewellyn liked it. "I'm glad we made those together. Made them extra special to pick for today."

Not just because they weren't cake being served as a surprise for an anniversary.

[pocketpretzels]

Judging by the way he closed his eyes to savour that first bite, yes, he enjoyed it. "You put so much thought in to all the choices, it's wonderful." That word was getting a lot of mileage today.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven beamed proudly. "Thank you. And thank you for letting me have the kitchen last night so I could make them. I didn't want to rush this morning and possibly get them wrong."

[pocketpretzels]

"Of course, darling. It's your kitchen too," Watts pointed out. And if for whatever reason they'd both had need of the facility last night, the building did possess another kitchen. Also, he supposed, in a pinch the ability to make yet another kitchen, though in that case there would be no supplies beyond the main appliances.

[hasaknightjob]

"For a surprise though," Steven pointed out. "I'm grateful you trusted me with that as well."

[pocketpretzels]

"It's you," Watts said, reaching out to cup Steven's cheek. "And you know me better than anyone, Steven Grant. I trust you to know what sorts of surprises I would actually enjoy, versus those I would find upsetting."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven leaned into the touch. "I'm honored to have earned that trust, though. Means a great deal actually. I know you didn't give it lightly."