Trooper Station, Friday

[pocketpretzels]

Nobody was probably more relieved at the island's December whimsy changing by the day than Llewellyn Watts was today. Ball pits full of Christmas baubles were... strange, but didn't make his skin crawl the way the dreidels' attempts to make him place a bet did when he attempted to set foot outside yesterday.

The Trooper Station was open, just... mind the ball pit.

Comments

[hasaknightjob]

Steven walked around cautiously. "Beginning to regret my choice of lunch for today."

[pocketpretzels]

"Oh?" Watts asked, now even more curious than he usually was about what Steven had made.

[hasaknightjob]

"In case I slip," Steven explained. "More likelihood of spilling today than other days."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts frowned. "I do hope no one's been removing the baubles from their... containment area."

Ball pit. He meant the ball pit that had appeared in the middle of the station.

[hasaknightjob]

"I worry is all," Steven said.

In case Watts had somehow lost his memory and/or had never met Steven before.

[pocketpretzels]

"Hmm," Watts said. "Doesn't sound like you."

Said with a soft, fond smile that hopefully conveyed that Watts was not mocking that particular tendency, just gently teasing.

[hasaknightjob]

It was enough to get a hint of a smile out of Steven. "I'll go heat up our lunch then?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Please," Watts said. "In the meantime, I shall have Calvin check for ornaments and return any errant ones to containment."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven gave Llewellyn a grateful look. "My hero."

[pocketpretzels]

Watts looked pleased by the compliment. "Thank you. I do try."

[hasaknightjob]

"Not that Calvin's efforts aren't appreciated as well," Steven said.

Calvin would just not get kisses for his troubles. Not from Steven at any rate.

[pocketpretzels]

"Of course," Watts nodded.

No kisses for Calvin, alas.

[hasaknightjob]

What Calvin and Ralph did in their own time was their business.

"Right," Steven said. "I'll get it heated up then? Back in a tick?"

[pocketpretzels]

It's possible they had rich inner lives with partners and etc! We will just never know.

"I'll be in here," Watts said, nodding towards his office.

[hasaknightjob]

Precisely. Steven wasn't going to assume what either of them did when they weren't at work.

In the meanwhile Steven made his way to the break room to heat up their lunch. After a few minutes he came back with a couple of bowls, which he presented with a flourish.

"Ta da! soup," Steven said. "Something that would've been a right mess if I spilled it."

[pocketpretzels]

"I am relieved you didn't, because that looks delicious," Watts said, pulling out Steven's chair for him before settling into his own seat.

[hasaknightjob]

"Cheers," Steven said as he took the offered seat. "Thought this would be a nice one to have today. Cool temperatures and all that. Supposed to reheat well."

[pocketpretzels]

And as soon as Steven was seated, Watts was digging in to his own soup. "Indeed it did," he reported. "It tastes wonderful."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven smiled, pleased. He picked up his own spoon so he could eat. "Excellent. I'll keep this recipe in the rotation then?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Absolutely," Watts affirmed around another mouthful.

[hasaknightjob]

"Excellent," Steven said. He got a spoonful, making sure to get plenty of rice as well. "Can't believe it's the end of the semester already. Went by so fast it feels like."

[pocketpretzels]

"Less than two weeks from the New Year already," Watts shook his head.

[hasaknightjob]

"Holidays and all that," Steven agreed. "Feels like there's barely time to blink for everything that needs doing."

[pocketpretzels]

"I've our holiday taken care of," Watts said. "The trip, I mean. Booked and ready to go."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven? Looking at Llewellyn with heart eyes. "You're wonderful. Thank you, love."