Trooper Station, Friday

[pocketpretzels]

Watts was still in a bit of a Mood thanks to yesterday, and it wasn't helped by the fact that all of today's calls involved someone leaving luggage with passive-aggressive commentary affixed via label maker labels on their neighbour's doorsteps.

"Do they know that the luggage isn't appearing anymore?" Watts said as he hung up the telephone with a sigh,

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[hasaknightjob]

Come lunchtime, there was a Steven at the door. "Hello, you."

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Mood or not, Steven's arrival got a smile. "Hello, you."

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Steven closed the door behind him as he came in. "How are you?"

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"Certainly better than yesterday," Watts said. Even if some of the things those bags had said were sticking with him.

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Steven put the insulated bag down on Llewellyn's desk, then went to give him a hug. "Better is good. Perhaps we can get you on the way towards best."

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"Your presence certainly goes a long way in that direction," Watts said. "How are you?"

Just because they'd seen each other as recently as that morning didn't mean he didn't want to take the time and check in.

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Steven had sort of been attempting to avoid that question. But now that Llewellyn asked Steven hugged tighter, taking comfort as much as offering. "As you say, better."

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That was the downside to having a partner, apparently. Someone who'd check in on you.

"Whatever I can offer, it's yours," Watts told him.

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"This is good," Steven said, indicating the hug. "You always make me feel better."

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"That's my job as your partner," Watts reminded him. "To help you carry that load."

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Llewellyn could probably feel Steven's smile against his shoulder. "You're very good at it. Thank you."

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"You are very welcome," Watts replied, squeezing tight.

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"And you?" Steven asked, pulling back just enough to look at him. "Can I lighten your load in some way?"

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"By showing me what you've made us for lunch?" Watts suggested.

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"That I can do," Steven said. He gave Llewellyn a kiss on the cheek then went over to the desk to unpack their meal. First he took out burrito bowls complete with tortilla chips. Then two mango smoothies.

"There," Steven said, gesturing towards them. "I thought the drinks might help provide cheer? With the color?"

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"It all looks wonderful," Watts said. "Are they mango?" he asked, guessing from the colour.

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"Yes!" Steven said. "I thought - sunny? With the yellow?"

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"Clever," Watts said approvingly. "And I do enjoy mango."

He enjoyed most fruits, honestly. Particularly the ones that one couldn't easily get ahold of in 1900s Toronto.

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"Wonderful!" Steven said. He had perhaps picked mango also for the reason that he knew it wasn't something Llewellyn would've had easy access too before. "And the bowl just looked tasty really."

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Best beau, honestly.

"It does look so," Watts agreed, taking a forkful. "And taste!" he declared, mouth still full as he spoke.

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"Wonderful!" Steven said. He took a sip of his drink before tucking into his bowl as well. "How's everyone been here? Troopers all right?"

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"There's some baggage-related drama," Watts said. "Not- the kind from yesterday. But apparently someone is using it as inspiration for airing their grudges to their neighbours."

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Steven made a face. "That's rude. Cruel as well, depending on what they're saying."

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"Even if the things they are saying are true?" Watts asked curiously.

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"Absolutely," Steven said. "Pretending to be whatever that was yesterday is different from having a conversation, right? And if a truth is important enough to say it should be said directly. Face to face, not some note you scribble on a bag."

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"I see," Watts nodded, taking this in as if this was new to him.

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"And if they're using the bags it's probably not kind, is it?" Steven said. "None of them said things like 'excellent listener' or 'always there when your friends need you.' So it's people saying things to be cruel, really. Without putting their name to it."

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"I hadn't considered that," Watts admitted.

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"Would you do that?" Steven asked. "Leave a bag on someone's door with something cruel written on it?"

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"Not- with the intention of being cruel?" Watts said. "But I've told you before- my honesty has often been interpreted as such."

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"Can't see you leaving some sort of note when you could tell someone directly, however," Steven said. "Trying to make people think their worst thoughts about themselves haven't gone away."