[Semi-Closed Post] the 'how are you's

[lanselos_du_lac]

It's a couple of days before Lancelot is feeling well enough, and before Susan is willing to let him out of her sight. He is still tired -- the incident with Magnus was surprisingly taxing, given the chill and the fever -- and he looks it.

He is dressed in a pair of jeans and a sweater, and he convinces Susan that he's feeling well enough, he needs to check on Magnus. In truth, he still feels on the mend, but giving into the urge to keep sleeping for another day or two would feel wrong.

So he ventures out, first to get coffee and then to seek Magnus. He decides to forego drills today, as he doesn't suppose he has the strength. He isn't entirely sure where to find Magnus, but he heads instinctively for the greenhouse, since that's where he left him. (Lancelot knows he might well find him elsewhere, but this is a good starting point.)

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[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad watches them both, his gaze flicking from face to face. He can tell Magnus is feeling something, and that it's complicated (he can't tell anything from Lancelot's face).

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Thank you," Lancelot says, with a little partial bow, once Magnus lets him go. He recalls, of course, that Magnus will have seen memories as part of healing him; he pauses for a moment. He isn't entirely sure what Magnus may have seen, but it seems likely that the incident is part of it.

He looks back to Galahad, "So. I came to apologize, as I said, to the both of you. Magnus, you asked for Galahad, I think, but I didn't quite understand you and... things began to get confused. I know, too, that Galahad-- you would have wanted to be with Magnus. I know he is dear to you. But eventually, I was... well. I was very poorly, it didn't occur to me until much later, and by that time I wasn't able to do anything more. I am sorry to have failed you."

That last you is meant to encompass them both, which perhaps he should make clear, but he feels he's already said too much. (He does not want them to see this as an excuse. It is meant as an explanation -- but that distinction hasn't helped him in the past so probably it's best to just stop talking.)

[summerdude]

In Magnus's book, Galahad showed up eventually and that's what really matters, but he knows Galahad was more upset about not being there. So he figures this apology is more for Galahad than for him.

Still, that last thing Lancelot said low-key pisses him off. "Yeah," he says, dryly. "It really sucks how you saved my life."

[onthewillowsthere]

He's quiet for a long moment -- he drops his gaze from Lancelot to the sketchbook on his lap, the sinuous dragon wreathed in myrtle. He thinks of Claudius toasting with Lancelot at Wanderers Gather. He thinks of Susan in the tower.

"I forgive you."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Thank you," he says, solemnly, to Galahad. Still, as much as he's visibly relieved by Galahad's response, he pauses to consider Magnus'. Eventually he says, "Magnus, I take your point."

[summerdude]

Magnus raises his eyebrows, crossing his arms without realizing he's doing it. "Do you?"

[onthewillowsthere]

His gaze lifts to Lancelot again.

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot thinks briefly of Susan's point that he may hold himself to standards that no one else has for him. Even so.

"Aye," not bothering now to keep any fatigue out of his voice. "I do. But it did not set right with me, that there was something you needed that I missed. And anyway -- I have been weary and am entitled to feel however it is I feel about it. Provided I don't make it your problem."

[summerdude]

Magnus's eyebrows stay up, but this time it's because he's surprised. "Huh," he says, thoughtfully, and then nudges Galahad. "Anyway, Galahad found me pretty quickly anyway."

[onthewillowsthere]

"I did," he allows.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I am glad of that. And glad you're well. Was Lan Wangji able to learn anything from the blade?"

[summerdude]

"You'd have to ask him. Or Alex. Or -- Galahad, do you know?" Magnus has decided to take a back seat in this investigation.

[onthewillowsthere]

"I don't."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I shall ask him. I think Susan may be discussing it with him as well." He picks up that Magnus isn't doing it himself. "Well, I will not trouble you further. I only wanted to be sure of you."

[summerdude]

"Thanks, dickface," Magnus says, very politely and clearly genuine. He glances at the plant between his knees. "Want a tomato?"

[onthewillowsthere]

They're good tomatoes. Galahad looks up expectantly.

[lanselos_du_lac]

The question somehow throws him, and he pauses, makes a thoughtful sound, and says, "Yes. Please."

[summerdude]

Magnus picks one and tosses it at Lancelot's face. It's a slow toss. Lancelot should have time to catch it.

[onthewillowsthere]

He frowns minutely and flips to a new page in his sketchbook. He's never drawn Lancelot before, but the tomato toss appeals to him.

[lanselos_du_lac]

And of course he does catch it -- his reflexes are quite good, thank you. He smiles and sniffs the tomato, where the stem is broken. "Did you grow this?"

[summerdude]

"No," says Magnus, growing another tomato right in front of him. "It just came like that." He picks this one, too, and experimentally lobs it at Lancelot, a little faster this time.

[onthewillowsthere]

It's a good challenge -- he has to sketch fast.

[lanselos_du_lac]

With an expression that is both mildly aggrieved and vaguely fond, he catches the second tomato. In his own dry tone he says, "You're welcome, Magnus. Thank you for the tomatoes."

[summerdude]

Galahad is drawing. Magnus can't see what, but he can tell when it picked up. He throws a third tomato at Lancelot. This one is slow again, since Lancelot's hands are full.

[onthewillowsthere]

Perfect. He works furiously with his remaining charcoal -- Dro has successfully hidden the rest.