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!)

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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.

“Yes, she told me that the storm had scared her and she hadn’t liked being alone… It was lucky that Pretzel found her, still don’t know how he knew she was there.” he added with a small shake of his head. The dog had been so insistent that someone was outside and made a mad dash as soon as the door was open.

Llewellyn blinked in surprise, offering Rhy a sympathetic expression to hear how he had accidentally scared the girl. Had he thought Rhy might run into the girl and mention it, he might have warned his husband. “I’m sorry, love. That must have been quite a shock to hear. I still can’t fathom what kind of person would consider such a horrible thing as that.” He added with a worried, noticeable furrow between his brows. It still didn’t make sense for a parent to bring harm to their child, let alone that. But… She was away from there, and… Llewellyn hoped they could give her safety while she was here.

“I’m glad that you were able to prove to her that you weren’t like that?” Rhy must have, of course, if the girl was still speaking with him and spending time in his company. Rubbing the side of his face, and… accidentally getting some paint smudged there, he continued. “I, um… Can’t help but wonder sometimes if more could be done for her while she’s.” Which sounded silly, perhaps. He could already hear a familiar voice in his head suggesting that was nonsense and that it wasn’t something meant for someone like him. But… He couldn’t help but wonder if his husband remembered the conversation they’d had when he’d seen that memory of Felix.

"Children are too precious," Rhy sighs. And his father, for all that the man was not always the most doting to either him or Kell, was a good man. Hers... No, the King of her place was not a father.

"I wish so too," Rhy said with a sigh. "I just don't know what to do."

“They are, and they should be protected… Not put through such things.” He murmured, tone sad. He knew personally how often they weren’t, and it was hard to not think of his own childhood with Hubert and Danny… But what Luna had been through was entirely unthinkable, and left a worried pit in his stomach to think she might go back to that place one day.

Llewellyn was quiet after that for a moment or two, brushing a few more strokes of paint against wood as his husband commented on not knowing what to do. He wasn’t sure himself, of course, well… That wasn’t strictly true. He did have an idea. The detective was just having a hard time letting himself think it might be a good idea. That the subject had come up, and a certain Inspector had pointed out that someone like him would never find himself in the situation to be raising a child to understand what it was like.

Still, the idea refused to leave either. So, slightly uncertain, he finally spoke quietly. “What if… What if she didn’t have to stay at the orphanage?”

IT wasn't like Rhy was going to bring it up himself. He had thought Llewellyn would only have cared for the option were they extending it to young Felix. Meanwhile Rhy's heart went out to this young girl, and he wanted to protect her. Especially since he understood the burdens and fears of noble life. So, when Llewellyn spoke up, his answer was a clear one.

"I know we were thinking about turning the room on the other side of the stairs into a guest room, but it would just as easily become a proper bedroom. Especially with the attached bathroom to offer her privacy. And, were her brother to arrive, it would not take much effort to convert it further. Do it in a very different color, to make it clear that it isn't our space, but her sanctuary."

Hearing Rhy’s clear sureness in his tone, Llewellyn felt some of the nerves that had tensed up at voicing the thought loosened slightly and he found himself lowering the brush to drop in the side of the bucket- oops… That’d be something for Llewellyn to fish out later, right now he was entirely focused on the suggestion with a particular hopeful light in his eye.

“I had been thinking along those lines myself? And we haven’t even begun with that room. It’s already a blank slate for us to paint and make comfortable for her to stay.” They could buy a different colour of paint, of course, something soft and soothing perhaps. “I was a little worried you might think the idea a bit silly, but I find myself worrying about her more often than not… And it would be nice to know she’s safe, to give her that security while she’s here…” Like Mrs. Young had for him, all those years ago.

It wasn't like they were fully adopting the girl, was it? And it wasn't like they would do it without her consent. But Rhy wanted to ensure that Luna was not so alone, and not so scared.

"We'd perhaps put a little desk in. Work together to provide an education. She is clearly adept with writing and reading, but perhaps she'd need figuring work? And some science. I could offer her some education in other arts, not only with work such as needlepoint and clothing mending, but etiquette and culture as would be expected of a girl of her status, even while stressing it's not needed."

Yes, he's been thinking quite seriously here. But mostly he sighs and pauses in his own painting.

"The children where she is, the orphanage, they will not be kind to her, I imagine, for her differences. I was the prince of the blood, and still was not treated well by other children for the lack of magic. She deserves people who will care for her, and take care of her. Who will be willing to learn to speak with her on her own level."

If nothing else, he owed her it as one royal to another.

No, but Llewellyn’s life recent life back in his world had involved people making very unkind comments about his lifestyle and how he would never be in the position to worry or care about a child beyond his job. So it was hard for him to not feel a particular worry about approaching such the subject now. Even if he was starting to adjust? That, among other things he hadn’t brought up, would be hard to not think of on occasion. Thus, Rhy’s positive response to the idea was a welcome one that settled some of the lingering anxiety on the matter.

“That is a wonderful idea, Rhy. This place seems to lack an actual school, after all...” He responded, considering where they might find a nice little writing desk to tuck against one wall in the room. “She’s very clever, and I think she would absolutely benefit from a chance to learn more abut subjects she may not have already.” They would give her a choice, of course, if she wanted to learn something or if she had no interest… But she had exhibited a curious nature and an intent to learn on a few occasions. “Perhaps a small bookshelf as well, to fill with books on subjects she would enjoy or stories she might like to hear. She has a keen interest in fairytales, it seems. She left trails of flowers at my office while I was gone. Someone had told her a story about how it would bring someone missing home.”

And to finish the garden and have a safe, beautiful space for her to play with Pretzel, perhaps. The hound was undoubtedly going to start following her around with a keen excitement if he didn’t have to go for to look for her anymore.

Llewellyn hummed, considering Rhy’s next words. “That is something I’ve worried about as well… Children can be terribly cruel to those who are different, and her lack of voice would set her apart from the other children already, even without counting her lineage.” His brothers had a harder time getting their words out at times than the average child, though no less clever or intelligent, despite what people thought. It had still made them easy targets, as had his tendency to sink inward and get caught up in his own head. “We could be that for her while she’s here. There for her, to make sure she is understood and cared for.” he ended softly, a thoughtful look on his face.

“I could even teach you Italian, if you like. She understands the language we speak here, of course, but it would seem that despite how different her world sounds, she’s from one that has an Italy. She seemed uh- quite delighted when I spoke to her in the language, after she had to correct herself once.” He added with a small smile, knowing his husband had a similar talent with languages. It probably wouldn’t be hard, if he had the interest.

That his love is coming along with him on this conversation makes him happy. Though perhaps they should be cautious not to plan too fast. She might say no.

"Italian. That is a language of your world, yes? Perhaps in exchange, if you wish, I could teach you Arnesian. It is nothing like the High Royal we both speak."

Though languages were a delight to share.

That was something they would have to find out when the opportunity to ask the girl arose.

Llewellyn smiled at the offer, though. His suggestion only meant to possibly assist in making Luna more comfortable, but to share languages with each other as well would be an interesting experience. “It is, yes! It’s uh- one of several I know. It’s been nice for it to come in handy again.” For nicer reasons than casework, especially. “I was a little worried I was rusty, but she seemed happy to hear it.”

And to learn a language of Rhy’s land would be interesting as well. Picking up new languages was a hobby that Llewellyn excelled at, and rather missed since arriving in these worlds. “I would certainly enjoy the chance to learn that from you as well, my love. Something we could practice and share together in the evenings.”

"We should definitely talk together then, lessons if nothing else."

And he definitely knows this is something he needs to address with the girl and soon. This was fun, though, enjoying the idea of perhaps making a family. Even if he isn't sure he'd be good at it.

"We should do that."

Even if he could understand the worry… Llewellyn would gladly point out that Rhy had already done well, at least for their small family of him and Pretzel. The detective hadn’t felt such love or care before and hadn’t known family since his adoptive brothers. His own sister hadn’t even wanted him, and it was hard sometimes to not wonder how people could even choose him when she had wanted nothing more than to be rid of him.

This was just… Potentially making their small family a little larger, if Luna agreed. If anything, he was more sure of Rhy than he was of his own abilities in a way. He could understand and relate to her as royalty, after all. It would be important for her to have that connection, all things considered.

“I’m glad you think so, my love. I uh- think it would be nice to share it with you, il mio cuore.” He added with a gentle smile, not quite resisting throwing a little at his beloved now to call him ‘his heart’ softly at the idea. This was all such a wonderful possibility, a different kind of addition to their home that would make it feel more full and full of life.

“I… I’m so glad that we can do this. That we can open up our home to someone who needs it, together.” He finally added, offering Rhy a softer expression. Even the ability to consider doing it was something special, another reminder of how different things were here.

"What did that mean?" he asked, because yes, he absolutely wanted to hear that now. Wanted to know what was going on."

But he finally moves to start painting again. Better to have their home ready to cook with her, and to offer.

"We're also those who need it, but yes. Sheltering others matters."

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July Distractions

He Always Has Time For You Llewellyn

And he loves that so much

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