Chilly Boulder, Thursday afternoon 7/4

[stykera]

It was a holiday and things were relatively quiet and it was warm outside and to Stark it just made sense to go for an ice cream sundae.

It was always a good time for ice cream (except, perhaps, in the dead of winter when it was freezing) in Stark's mind.

He was at a table with something called a firework sundae that had strawberry ice cream, blue moon ice cream, a veritable mountain of whipped cream, and a truly excessive amount of red and blue popping candies on top. And a cherry, of course.

He had tipped well. He always did but it being a holiday meant it was even more than usual.


[Very open for any ice cream or holiday or alien needs or wants you may have]

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

It was hot outside, and so instead of heading home after lunch, Watts headed to the other side of the island, to see if he could pick up a bucket container or two of sorbet or vegan ice cream to bring home.

"Stark," he greeted. "Good afternoon."

[stykera]

They probably did sell ice cream in buckets here for people like Raiden or maybe Sidon when he was around.

"Hello, Watts," Stark said, smiling at him over the mound of whipped cream. "Doing all right?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Quite well," he said, eyeing the options available and musing about whether to pick up a small treat to have now in addition to what he planned to take home. "If in need of something to keep me cool."

Maybe if you didn't insist on wearing so many layers, Watts...

[stykera]

Getting a treat for now and later was always the correct answer if you asked Stark.

"It is warm out," Stark said. "That's why I'm in here."

Not that the heat bothered him that much. He much preferred it to the cold.

"Were you away again? I haven't seen you."

Not that he'd seen many people this week.

[pocketpretzels]

Watts nodded. "Steven and I spent last weekend in California. For our anniversary," he looked quite pleased about this milestone.

[stykera]

As he should be! Milestones were important for a reason.

"I've never had one of those," Stark said. "But congratulations? It was a good trip then?"

[pocketpretzels]

"This is my first- well, first second," Watts admitted. His memories of his first first anniversary were somewhat marred by the fact that he'd been broken up with a few weeks later. "But yes, we had a very good time."

[stykera]

"I hope to have a first first," Stark said quietly, then shook his head a little.

"I'm glad it was a good trip. Wine and museums?"

[pocketpretzels]

"No museums this time," Watts said, a little regretfully. "We did do a wine tasting, and a picnic lunch at the beach." Which they could do here, sure, but it was different on holiday.

They'd also spent a lot of time at the hotel with its hot-spring-water hot tub and all. Ahem.

[stykera]

Ahem indeed.

"That sounds nice," Stark said. "And quiet. I took Summer to Ireland, for her birthday. I don't think I've seen you since. No beaches for us but we rode horses one day, and we blended our own whiskey and I took her to a club I'd found, looking on the internet. Called Copper Face Jack's."

He'd been so proud of that one.

[pocketpretzels]

"Sounds like a wonderful time," Watts said. He gave Stark a considering look. "Did you change out your mask to match the name of the establishment?"

He was just going to assume the modern version of club wasn't what he was accustomed to- namely a bunch of rich- mostly older- men sitting around drinking and discussing politics.

[stykera]

"I don't have one the right color," Stark said with a rueful headshake. "But this was close enough."

He grinned. "A few people bought us drinks for the mask. They thought it was amusing. And we danced."

[pocketpretzels]

Ah, so very much not the sort of club he was accustomed to at all.

"That sounds wonderful," Watts told him. "Steven and I danced as well, though- in our hotel room. Just us." And a very different sort of dancing (not dirty) as well.

[stykera]

Stark had never been in that sort of club and was unlikely to do so in the future though it wasn't impossible.

"It was wonderful," he said quietly. "She seemed to love all of it and I'm very glad. I wanted to do it right."

Like a proper boyfriend, you know.

[pocketpretzels]

"I certainly understand that," Watts said. "I've planned several holidays now and I- I still worry about making sure he will have a good time."

[stykera]

"This was the most planning I've done. Last year, for her birthday, I took her back to her favorite spa and we went away for a few days at Christmas but this had more to it. More planning. But she was happy. And...Steven always seems happy, with you. I'm sure you're good at the planning."

[pocketpretzels]

"Yes, well, thank you," Watts said, scratching at his chin. "His happiness is- it's very important to me," he said, expression soft.

[stykera]

"That is very clear," Stark assured him. "Even to me. But...I think the two of you make each other happy."

[pocketpretzels]

"A trend I hope continues for a long time," Watts admitted. You know, like forever. Forever would be ideal.

"You seem- happier. Overall." Not that he'd seen much of Stark lately but it was still evident.

[stykera]

Stark couldn't even begin to think of things like 'forever.'

"I am happier," he said, ducking his head a little. "Happier than I thought I would be, really. It's been a good year."

There were things he would change. Things could always improve. But it had been a good year so far.

[pocketpretzels]

"Good," Watts said. "You deserve that. Happiness."

[stykera]

"Thank you."

Stark didn't always believe that but he was working on it.

"As do you."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts, too, had a bit of trouble with that concept from time to time, the recently-wrapped Pride month being one of those that he struggled with.

"Thank you," Watts echoed. "I am. Very much so."