pocketpretzels | Midnight Manor Private Residence, Saturday Afternoon

"That- yes," Watts admitted.

"Two things could be true?" Steven suggested. "It could not look the way you want it to, but to me it could look like evidence of how hard my love works to try to make nice things for me."

"I suppose that- could be the case," Watts conceded.

"Would you prefer I delete the picture?" Steven asked. "Or take another? I don't want to keep it if it's unhappy for you."

"No," Watts shook his head. "Those are- your photographs. Your memories. You should get to keep it, if it pleases you."

"All right." Steven put his phone back into a trouser pocket. "Long as you understand that's never at the expense of your happiness or comfort. It's all right for you to say it doesn't sit well with you."

"Maybe so," Watts said. "But- I don't know that it would feel right."

"How come?" Steven asked. He gestured towards his shortcake to silently ask if it was all right to taste it while they talked.

"Your photographs are- to help with your memory, are they not? At least in part?" Watts asked.

"Yes," Steven said. Llewellyn hadn't indicated no, so Steven sampled a big bite of his shortcake. He chewed and made a pleased sound as the textures and flavors hit him.

"So it wouldn't sit right with me," Watts explained. "If- if the photographs did not align with your recollections."

"I see." Steven licked at a spot of cream that had stuck to his lips. "I suppose we could figure out how to handle it if it happened? Something to give me reassurance even without the picture?"

"All right," Watts said. "I don't- wish to be party to anything that would cause you distress."

Just because he occasionally had to point out that distress and other negative feelings were, unfortunately, part and parcel of being a person, didn't mean he wanted any of that for Steven.

"We're sort of matched there," Steven said, giving Llewellyn a soft smile. "Because I want the same for you."

"Ever my Gentleman Knight," Watts said fondly.

"My dearest detective," Steven replied in kind. "Looking out for me."

"What a good partner does," Watts said, leaning over to kiss Steven's cheek.

"He makes delicious strawberry shortcakes as well," Steven said. "This is delicious."

"Thank you," Watts said, looking pleased by the compliment.

"Made with love," Steven said. He nodded decisively as he took another bite. "Makes it taste better."

That last part was said while he was chewing, so perhaps it was not as clear as Steven hoped.

Ah, but Watts had known Steven for three years now, so he was somewhat versed in deciphering such utterances. "Does it now?" he asked. "Is that a fact?"

Steven swallowed, then smiled at Llewellyn. "It is. Scientific and all."

Watts had his own, perfectly good shortcake he could eat and see for himself.

Instead, he was leaning over to steal a kiss.

Steven kissed back, his lips likely still tasting of strawberry.

"You're right," he murmured. "Delicious."

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