Fandom Island Museum, Thursday Daytime

[hasaknightjob]

Steven hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary on his way into work that morning. Perhaps because he'd been so focused on getting there.

It wasn't until he arrived that he tripped over a suitcase in the front doorway. He bit back a curse as he glared at it.

There on the suitcase was the word: Lesser.

That didn't help Steven's desire to glare, actually. He grabbed the suitcase and hauled it behind the Welcome Desk. On his way there he spotted others: Unwanted and Uninteresting.

A memory of a few years back came to Steven. He clamped down on any feelings of Marc he could possibly put a hold on so that whatever this was didn't manifest something for him too.

"You're not getting him," Steven said aloud to... whatever this was. "You can't have him."

Behind the Welcome Desk was another suitcase.

Unreal.

Steven shoved that one under the desk as hard as he could. He then stood there, his eyes closed, and tried his best to breathe slowly and calmly.

"It's fine," he said. "Absolutely fine. I can handle this."

Behind him, near the staircase to the second floor, was a battered and worn trunk. The word on that was ANGER.

Steven didn't see the trunk. Which was fine. It wasn't his anyway.

[open!]

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[hasaknightjob]

"I'm not letting him out today," Steven said. "Whatever this is can't have him."

As Steven said that, a black duffel bag appeared with the word Killer on it.

Steven glared. "Come now. That's not even original."

The bag vanished.

[pocketpretzels]

"Brave of you," Watts said, one hand coming up to cup Steven's cheek. "Keeping him safe."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven leaned into the touch. The look on his face indicated that Steven would indeed have found comfort in Marc's reassurances if he'd been there. "Wish i could keep you safe too."

[pocketpretzels]

"You're here," Watts said, as 'IDENTITY' landed unceremoniously on the Welcome Desk. Sorry about any papers or the like that might end up scattered about due to its arrival.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven frowned when he saw the new arrival. "Is that mine or yours?"

[pocketpretzels]

Watts peered at it. "Judging by the style?" Which, like most things of Watts's, was rather old-fashioned- "Mine."

[hasaknightjob]

"I see," Steven said. He took in their situation. "Thank you for letting me hug you then. Shall we have a sit down?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Let's," Watts nodded, holding up the now slightly rumpled bag of treats. The teas had made it to the desk prior to Watts being hugged. The bag... had not been so lucky.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven's face fell. "I'm sorry. I didn't to ruin your lovely effort."

[pocketpretzels]

"Think nothing of it," Watts said, leaning in to give Steven's cheek a quick peck. "I'm certain they're still edible. And a hug from you is worth far more than baked goods, regardless."

[hasaknightjob]

"Right," Steven said, though he still looked unsure. A battered and torn bag appeared that said Chaos on it. Steven tried not to look. "Er - out here? On the benches? Or our lunch spot?"

[pocketpretzels]

Watts gave the bag a cursory glance, and then leaned in to give Steven's arm a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "Do you have a preference?"

It's possible 'DIFFICULT' and 'TOO MUCH' had gotten to him a little.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven considered. On the one hand their spot felt more theirs. On the other Steven didn't like the idea of these upsetting thoughts being there.

Looking around, another option occurred to him. "Blathers' office? It's got a door that closes, and he won't mind."

[pocketpretzels]

"I remember," Watts said, recalling the time he'd stumbled in here after being attacked by Edwards. "That's a great idea."

[hasaknightjob]

"Can I help you carry?" Steven asked.

[pocketpretzels]

"You could take the teas, if you'd like?" Watts said, nodding towards the two paper to-go cups.

[hasaknightjob]

"Easily done," Steven said. He put out a sign saying he was going on break, then picked up the cups and led the way into Blather's office. "They're still warm, feels like."

[pocketpretzels]

"Oh, good," Watts looked visibly relieved. "Cold tea is- well, iced is one thing, when it's cold on purpose. This would just be unpleasant."

And reheating it in the microwave was obviously sacrilegious.

[hasaknightjob]

"I bet you got it just the way I like it too," Steven said. He looked around but sadly no luggage appeared to signify something like loved.

Steven then put the tea down on Blather's desk so he could have hands free to close the office door behind them.

[pocketpretzels]

"What other way would I have them prepare it?" Watts asked with a soft smile.

[hasaknightjob]

"My love," Steven said, giving him a smile. He motioned for Llewellyn to take one of the seats in front of the desk, so they could both get comfortable. "Thank you for thinking of me. I'm sorry I wasn't able to reach out to you before this."

[pocketpretzels]

"You were preoccupied," Watts said, waving a hand as he twirled down into his seat. "I'm certain you would have eventually."

[hasaknightjob]

"I would have," Steven assured him. He took a sip of his tea, nodding his approval of how it tasted. "I was distracted trying to keep myself steady. Lost track of time, if I'm honest."

[pocketpretzels]

"I'm not surprised," Watts said sympathetically, because that did tend to go hand in hand with Steven feeling unsettled.

[hasaknightjob]

"And here you thought to get tea and treats for us," Steven said. He motioned for the bag. "Always thoughtful, you are. Never too much."

Steven would repeat that as often as the luggage needed to hear.