aterat | July Distractions

Entry tags:

July Distractions

Who; Llewellyn and people
What; 1 open + 1 closed log
Where; The Watts-Maresh residence and/or somewhere between the market and their home
When; Early July
Warnings; None, but I'll update if necessary

A much needed coat of paint and conversation. - Closed to Rhy Watts-Maresh

It was strangely satisfying, Llewellyn had decided, to work on fixing up and improving their home since they moved in. Admittedly… He had fallen behind on that project, since disappearing and returning. It took the detective longer to bounce back to the life he loved and cherished in this place beyond sinking a little deeper into work again, and it had been frustrating… Probably worrying for Rhy, as well, as much as Llewellyn didn’t want to be the cause of it. Perhaps being a little more attentive and overcompensating a bit in an attempt to dissuade such concern.

But time and a few… proper nudges had eventually gotten him to set his head on right again.

The gate that had broken in the storm was first, given how Pretzel had developed a penchant for wandering to find people he liked without either of his father’s knowledge. Then a couple of windows that were stuck from disuse, and the stair railing that was loose. It proceeded quite nicely from there until the only things left were cosmetic changes. Decor, furniture, and painting. Llewellyn trusted Rhy’s judgement there a little more than his own, but it was nice to share in those decisions together all the same.

This had all brought them both to today, to work in the next room of their choosing. The kitchen needed a little work, but they hadn’t really rushed given their skills were a novice at best. Changing he handles out, cleaning, and painting.

The cupboards specifically needed fresh coats of paint in a more suitable shade, and they both were keen to get the space completed… Perhaps for similar reasons, though they hadn’t really gotten onto that subject yet. One thinking the other was agreeing or simply looking forward to moving forward with making the space just right for them, and hoping to continue to improve their own less-than-perfect cooking skills for future meals.

Finishing a small cleanup after sanding the cupboards to prepare them for a fresh coat of paint in an eye-catching shade of red. Sometime not too loud in tone, and complimenting the golden, honey-oak counter-tops and accents. Llewellyn finally looked up to find his husband, satisfied with the work thus far, and ready to start the main part of the job. “Do you know where we put the brushes, love? I um- I have the cans of paint tucked under the sink, but I can’t recall where I set those down…” He commented in a befuddled tone, looking around the space with light confusion.

A Garden Distraction. - Open to All

It was well overdue by this point, Llewellyn mused, as he stared at the empty space that was currently the fenced-in yard of the house he and Rhy had been fixing up. The space was going to be a lovely garden for them to sit and enjoy, and for him to keep himself busy about perfecting as a hobby he’d only dreamed up since his days at the Sphere. It was only as delayed as it was due to his own unfortunate state of mind… But he finally starting to… shift his focus as he adjusted to better distractions than working (or drinking) all the time.

He wanted to make the space that they’d spoken of, and keeping his hands busy had always been integral to Llewellyn’s peace of mind… It was this particular hobby that he found the most beneficial in that, finding some peace in the quiet work and the fresh air. He had always been most comfortable outside under the sun, after all, feeling less trapped and closed in than he did when he was cooped up in a room or office.

He had his work cut out for him, though, thanks to the delays. Plenty of the starters that Aerith had allowed him to work on in his spare time at her garden were ready to be planted in the ground before they became too constricted in their pots. And there were a lot of them considering the extensive list of things he intended to put in.

The garden focused heavily on roses, of course, with Rhy in mind. A wide variety of them planned to be positioned and sorted in pleasing ways for admiring. The most important, of course, being the red and golden yellow mixed blooms of a hybrid tea rose he’d grown special for his husband. Then from there, a massive collection of flowers he favoured or had thought would fill in the spaces nicely, and a few selections made specifically with a friend in mind. It would be beautiful once it was done, certainly… A nice space for them to sit at a small table over lunch or just relaxing… But first he needed to get things in the ground.

Llewellyn, realizing he couldn’t transport so much earth and plants on his own, had hired a chocobo drawn cart to carry it all back through the city to their home near the market district. Which was… Admittedly a bit awkward, since he was leading it by the harness carefully, since it wasn’t a wagon meant for riding so much as transporting goods and was even less experienced with chocobos than he was with horses. Anyone watching might find it amusing as the bird plucked at his hat lightly in an attempt to steal it every time he slowed and waited for someone else to pass.

(ooc: People free to spot him heading back to the house with the cart of plants/earth, or to stop by the house themselves!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Did he know where the paint brush had gotten. What a silly question. Of course Rhy knew where they had gotten. The simple fact of the matter had been that, given the work being done, Rhy hadn't been able to help with sanding. His daily job required his hands to be a touch softer in some places, and have very carefully managed callouses in others. So going at something with sandpaper had not been a thing he could do. No, instead he'd done his duty in cleaning the windows, and then had sat back while Llewellyn finished the last door.

And, while he was sitting, he had been twirling the brushes between his fingers quite deftly. Now he handed one over with a smile.

"Trust me, dear, I always know where the fun things to toy with are. And now, in all eagerness, we can start adding the bursts of color that will make this space more inviting."

Llewellyn had been happy to take on the tasks that Rhy couldn’t risk his hands over. Both because he wouldn’t want to endanger something Rhy clearly loved doing, but also because the work was relaxing for him. There was something nice about keeping his hands busy and focusing lightly on it and the odd conversation with his husband that was particularly relaxing in an odd way. Sure, he would never be William Murdoch, tinkering with clever gadgetry and the like, but this was fine. The things he could do were rewarding and practical, and meant an improved shared space with his husband. Another one of those things he never would have thought he could have and enjoy.

Looking up to see Rhy twirling the paint brush lightly between his fingers gets a small, pleased chuckle. “Silly me, I suppose. Of course you do, you are the fun one, love.” He added with a light tone, reaching up to take the one offered to him.

But he was rather excited about this idea. It was probably the biggest job of their improvements aside from the room they hadn’t quite decided what to do with yet. It was also probably the most fun one, since they could work on it together and simply watch the cupboards come to life in such a lovely shade.

Popping the lid off a can carefully, he grinned. “I certainly like the sound of that. This place really is starting to look like it’s ours, isn’t it?” He added softly, thinking of all the little things they’d gotten finished. Cleaning till things shone, curtains and the other small cosmetic repairs that just make the place feel like them.

"I'm the most fun one," Rhy said, smiling at his beloved. But yes, they should get to their task here. Another touch of making this place home.

"It truly is. But if you want, we can write our names on everything, just to send it home. I'm rather used to that, though the Maresh line tended to do with with the sigil of course."

The one Llewellyn wore even now as his wedding band.

“Mm… I certainly find I can’t disagree with that, my love. I have met no one to this day who is more fun than you.” He responded, setting the paint can aside and making space for them to begin working. His eyes tracing the cabinets thoughtfully as he picked one to start with and began painting careful strokes over the wood.

A small, silly grin crossing his face at the idea that they sign or put the Maresh sigil on everything they worked on for the house. It was hard to not think about the ring on his finger, of course. He did so love the reminder of their marriage and… Well, he still found it rather fun to seal sweet little notes to his husband with it. “You know, we could probably sign inside one of the cabinets with paint?” He mused thoughtfully, pulling his gaze off the cupboards for a moment to glance at Rhy. “Be a nice way to uh- commemorate another part of the house being finished, hm?”

"How sweet of you," Rhy laughs before starting on his own cabinet.

Still, when Llewellyn mentions the cabinets Rhy laughs.

"I was joking, but I think it might work. Especially since we can't commemorate them in... other fashions."

“Oh, I do try to be.” He responded with a small smile as he focused on spreading the colour evenly across the surface. After all, Rhy deserved the sweetness and more, he was sure.

Llewellyn offered a silly, pleased hum at the laughter. He really did love when he could evoke such a reaction from his husband. Laughter like that was music to the detective’s ears. It made him feel like he’d accomplished something wonderful. “Then, in that case, I believe we shall do just that. We’ll pick one at the end to-” It struck him late, as per usual, what Rhy had meant about commemorating their work in other fashions. A light flush crossing his cheeks and a tiny grin tugging at his cheeks again. “Oh! um… Yes, unfortunately this might not be the space for that, even without factoring in how long it takes paint to dry.” He mused clumsily at the rather interesting and pleasant mental images that crossed his mind.

"You would look pretty with red paint," Rhy answered with a smile. Was it wrong of him to say that? Perhaps. But no, that wasn't appropriate.

Still, he could accept it for what it is. Which is joy over their home.

"And soon the space will be suitable for others to see too."

A slight flush had graced his expression at that. He really needed to focus on painting, but… Well, Rhy was good at distracting him. Clearing his throat with a silly smile, he finally shrugged. “Oh? Well, I don’t doubt some paint will end up on me before the day is through.” He added with a chuckle, knowing how easy it was for him to get distracted and forget to be mindful of the brush or cabinet.

He nodded, though, dipping his brush back in the paint for a moment before continuing. “It will be. It doesn’t quite feel right to invite others over before things are finished.” He mused thoughtfully, knowing a few people had expressed an interest in being invited over… But feeling overall that it was something they should feel ready for, which meant getting the house in what they both considered a presentable state. “A little more clean and tidy looking, and the kitchen in particular has needed some attention. I’m glad we could start on it today.”

"Exactly. And I promised to let the little Princess come over and show me how to make one of her breads," Rhy answered with a smile. The little one needs to have that chance, and he feels like he has failed to give it to her.

The little princess? Llewellyn tilted his head at that. It wasn’t hard to work out who his husband meant between that and the mention of breads. “Ah- you mean Luna! That is a great idea, my love.” He commented with a smile, rather glad to hear that the two got along and had gotten to know each other. “I’m glad to hear that you’ve had the opportunity to ask her.”

Carefully spreading more paint, he continued thoughtfully. “I admit… It’s part of why I was hoping to get this room done next myself. She mentioned that she enjoyed baking from the conversations we’ve had, that and flowers, but and I’m not sure how often she’s allowed to use the kitchen at the orphanage.” He added with a small frown. Honestly, Llewellyn hated that she had to stay there… Especially after the storm night when she’d been frightened enough to run away and seek out the comfort of familiar faces when she wasn’t comfortable there.

Luna was a little princess. His little Princess at that.

"I had a chance at the potluck. She made such lovely bread. I wanted to give her the chance to enjoy the resources we had."

The two of them seemed to have the same opinion about the girl, and that was welcome.

He smiled a little to hear that. “I’m glad we both have such similar thoughts, then. It would be nice to make her feel a little more welcome, and to have the space uh- a little more tidy and presentable.” He responded with a glance at Rhy again, taking a moment to add more paint to the brush.

“Ever since that storm where she ran away from the orphanage, I thought it might be good for her to know she could come here if she needed to feel safe...” And they hadn’t had much ready in the house at the time. The child had somehow insisted on curling up with Pretzel in his dog bed to nap until he had to take her back. “I’ve been worried she might end up in more trouble if she didn’t know where she could go and be welcome.”

Storm where she ran away? Rhy looked quite concerned at that news.

"Dear me, the poor thing. She's been through so much. She feared I would eat her when I told her I was a king."

Yes, he'd told the little girl. He hadn't thought it would scare her.

He Always Has Time For You Llewellyn

And he loves that so much

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A Garden

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