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[lightconductor]

If you have a message for me, Dr. John Watson, please leave it here. I shall certainly get back to you as soon as I can.
- JW

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[pineapplesalmon]

César nods and smiles. Of course, there's a whole terrible side to it, but Watson already knows about how his father had to flee for his life and found their mother that way. Love and life find a way.

"Your poor brother, indeed." César agrees solemnly. "Enough to get you through school, but not enough to open a practice. Business takes capital."

[lightconductor]

"And thus, the army. Thus, this."

He rubs his temples, but shakes his head after a moment. "But there's no point in agonising about it. None of my life turned out as I wanted, but... my life would have been very different indeed if I'd had money. Easier, but... perhaps less exciting."

[pineapplesalmon]

"You wouldn't have met Holmes, for one." César states with a soft laugh. "Or Mary."

Both of their names are said with affection.

[lightconductor]

"Sometimes it all seems such a remarkable coincidence. Makes one believe in Fate." Watson shakes his head. "Though it's all rather academic a question. None of that can be my life anymore, it seems."

[pineapplesalmon]

"Indeed, it makes one wonder, even as we grieve for what we no longer have." César hears his alarm go off and removes the strainers from the tea as he speaks, then he looks up with a sad smile as he offers Watson his tea cup and saucer. "But I look in your eyes and find peace."

[lightconductor]

Watson takes the cup gratefully, smiling. "You've been listening to me too much, if you have sentimental nonsense like that coming out of your mouth." But he's glad for it all the same, and his fingers briefly caress César's as the tea is transferred. "I love you."

[pineapplesalmon]

César smiles as he holds his hands still to let that caress linger for as long as possible. "I love you, too." He laughs. "But poor Johnny. He's married to two sentimental fools. How ever will he survive?"

[lightconductor]

He settles back with his cup of tea. "We can only hope he secretly enjoys it. Otherwise, I don't know what we are to do." A small laugh. "He's rather stuck with the two of us now, after all."

[pineapplesalmon]

César picks up his own cup; he's letting it cool before he drinks it but enjoys the warmth in the meantime. Also, for the record, he totally stole this tea set at the end of the excursion so Watson could have proper English tea whenever he wants because he deserves it.

"He is quite stuck with us, isn't he?" César quips back, grinning widely. "He more than secretly enjoys it. I should start writing him some purple prose and see how much I can make him groan while smiling."

[lightconductor]

What a very sweet gesture for the odd occasion where he wants tea instead of his usual coffee.

"If you take up writing, you will have to let me see, of course. Poetry or prose?"

[pineapplesalmon]

Or when he offers tea for someone who needs a listening ear. César keeps his tea things mostly in the room for that reason.

"Prose, of course. I want Johnny to be able to breathe and not die from laughter."

[lightconductor]

Watson chuckles, warmly. "We don't want that, do we?"

He stretches, rubbing at his leg idly. "As fine as this place is, I admit the weather is a bit cold and wet for my taste, even with the help of the fireplace."

[pineapplesalmon]

"We wouldn't."

César's replies back, before he can stop himself. "I'm certain I can help warm you up if you'd like."

He freezes, deer in headlights, then smiles dumbly and innocently.

[lightconductor]

He guffaws, in a sudden burst of laughter. "Come here. Come sit with me. Your warmth and presence is always a gift." He extends his free hand in invitation, shifting slightly on the sofa.

[pineapplesalmon]

César laughs, too. He stands up and takes Watson's hand, carefully carrying his tea saucer in the other. The smile across his face is radiant.

"Just throw your legs over mine if you need to stretch out."

[lightconductor]

"Oh, I think I rather like the idea of my feet in your lap."

It feels cosy and comfortable, and indulgently lazy, which is perfect for his current mood.

[pineapplesalmon]

"I will even rub your feet if they are in my lap. I like cooler tea, so you'll have my hands to yourself for several minutes." César is feeling just as indulgent.

[lightconductor]

"Oh, true luxury," he chuckles. "Well. If you plan to spoil me in this way, make yourself comfortable, and I will."

[pineapplesalmon]

"Then I shall." César puts down his tea and does just that, making sure he's right where he needs to be, and putting a pillow between them to support behind Watson's knees.

[lightconductor]

Watson shifts comfortably, feet up, and he lets out a sigh of pure contentment.

"Thank you," he says. "I know I can be an absolute bear when I hurt, but... this does make things easier."

[pineapplesalmon]

César smiles indulgently at him as he begins to massage his right foot, gently to start. "You're welcome. And I don't mind." He looks down at the foot he's rubbing. "You're kind to me when I need it, so it's easy to do in turn."

[lightconductor]

He lets his eyes fall shut.

"I am blessed to have such husbands. I am blessed to have husbands." Watson gives a little laugh. "I haven't any notion what my life has become, sometimes, but there is such joy in it."

[pineapplesalmon]

"Blessed is certainly the way I'd describe it. Who knew I could feel joy again after everything?" César laughs warmly in turn.

Oh, he's already finding a knot. :)

[lightconductor]

Watson gives a pleased little grunt, despite himself. That feels wonderful.

"I certainly think you deserve happiness," he says.

[pineapplesalmon]

César chuckles warmly at the grunt, and he's going to keep working that knot out. "Considering you married me, I certainly hope so!"

He wants to kiss Watson, but he's too far away. Oh well.