[Closed Post] ..lines we're leaving behind..

[lanselos_du_lac]

He doesn't really mean to, but Lancelot keeps to his rooms for a time in the wake of the latest mansion upheaval. He doesn't disappear for days, and he mostly keeps his routines -- he does spend a little more time riding -- but he is subdued and not idly floating about for socializing.

It could have been worse. He knows this. He knows, too, that no one did this on purpose; he's grateful for Susan and Nightingale's understanding. But none of that makes it easier to regain his emotional balance. Much like that day (which felt very long), he is still grappling occasionally with that sensation of being... just outside of himself, a step removed, dizzy and longing to be even further away.

Still, he does not want to punish Susan and he knows they should talk. So this morning after he puts up Rivelin, he goes to find Susan, wherever she might be.

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[lanselos_du_lac]

He lets his arm slide down to loop around her waist, unwilling to move the other from her face. His thumb brushes her cheek and still he holds the kiss.

Lancelot also is considering nothing other than keeping her close, other than their connection, other than anything except Susan.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Eventually, Susan gets a handle on her own fervor. Lancelot is the one hurting, she tells herself, firmly. He shall set the tone. She manages to gentle into the kiss, after that, moving with more deliberation than desperation.

[lanselos_du_lac]

After a long while, he breaks the kiss just enough to say softly, "Christ, I'm so glad to have thee--"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"You have me," Susan says immediately, kissing him again, swift hard kisses punctuating her words. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I know," softer still, so his voice stays steady. "Susan, thou'rt--"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Yes?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

He shifts so that they are able to look at one another, one hand still at her cheek. His voice is low and now he's at last meeting her gaze directly. "Thou'rt so good to me. I love thee so."

Lancelot stops himself from saying anything else, lest he apologize for taking time to himself, or any other thing. His gaze and his smile are warm -- he wants her to know how she's helped not just this latest trick of the mansion, but everything. All of him.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I'm no better to you than anyone ought to be," Susan says, obstinate, but warmed by his gaze and his touch.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Perhaps," giving her a little smile, "But I prefer thee."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

There's that queer ache in her chest again! Perhaps she ought to take an antacid? Or perhaps--

She cups her hand over his, holding it against her cheek. "Good," she says, softly.

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot has another wave of gratitude and feeling that makes him close his eyes. He shoves down all of the reckless, over-the-top things that come to mind to say to her. Instead, he stretches up to kiss her again, sweetly.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

When Susan included the question about love on the survey she and Nina put together, she hadn't known what to expect. About half the answers were utterly useless. When you know, you'll know and the like. Where's the objectivity in that? The clear distinction?

Some responses were a little more illuminating. You will know if this person's wellbeing becomes your foremost priority floats through her mind now, as she kisses him and thinks, fleetingly, of the conversation she'd had with Laertes a week earlier, about being and having the sort of friends they deserve.

Everything else aside - all of her questions; all of her frustration with understanding her own feelings; all of her own discomfort with briefly being in Thomas's body and then returning to her own - she has enough clarity to recognize one thing as specifically true. "I prefer you, too," she says, her words half-swallowed by his mouth.

[lanselos_du_lac]

At this he laughs a little, softly, against her mouth, holding her closer still. It sends a warm flood of joy, delight, through him.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

He sounds lighter. Good. Relief suffuses Susan, and with it, her hold on him grows softer, like he's something precious to be treasured and cared for. This might be a noticeable shift; earlier, she'd been holding him rather like he was something ephemeral that might fly or float or drift away.

[lanselos_du_lac]

He strokes her cheek gently, and when they finally break the kiss to take a breath he says, very softly, "Art thou well?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

She turns into his touch, pressing her cheek against his hand. "Better now." His really is a grounding presence.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"In future," carefully, "I will not keep myself at a distance."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"You can if you need," Susan says, immediately, and then a moment later, "...just tell me first?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

There is a moment that registers on his face as something like surprise. And then, he says, "Aye, that's-- that is the sensible way."

He can't account for the way this makes him feel. That he could have whatever response or time he needed, and keep Susan informed or happy. It seems odd that it hasn't occurred to him before now.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan doesn't realize that she's said anything even approaching revolutionary; it just seems a matter of course, similar to any number of things she and her flatmate back in London would do when one of them was having a bad day. So she just says, "Of course it is; naturally I'll do the same," and strokes his neck just above his collar softly with the fingertips of one hand.

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot laughs a little, and then gives himself a moment to just look at her. He's missed her.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan is still stroking Lancelot's neck with tiny, featherlight touches. She really does feel ever so much better now that they're together and touching again. "Have you got any other feelings about the situation?" she asks; she did, after all, say that she wants to hear every single one of them.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"No, I-- think that's all I have words for, at least. I am grateful to thee and to Thomas for thy understanding. I just needed to sort myself out, I suppose." His hand rubs gently at her back. "What of thee? Any news?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Well, I'm myself again," Susan says, with a half-shrug.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"A very good thing, indeed." He gives her another quick, sweet kiss.