[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.)

Comments

[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.

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot has a split second to think about it, to grin and decide. And because he knows it will surprise Magnus (and because it seems to him that Galahad is paying attention), he tosses one tomato up to catch the third one thrown; he smoothly starts to juggle the three.

[summerdude]

Okay, what the fuck. "What," Magnus says, blinking, "the fuck." He turns to Galahad. "I didn't know he could do that. Did you know he could do that? What the fuck. He can do that?"

Obviously, mid-splutter, he picks another tomato -- this one isn't completely ripe yet; he's distracted, and lobs it at Lancelot as well.

[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad did not, obviously. He doesn't even bother to answer; he has too much to focus on.

[lanselos_du_lac]

He doesn't curse, but he almost flubs catching the fourth -- he really should have been expecting that. Still, he manages it, though he does say, "Sadly, four is my limit."

[summerdude]

"Are you sure?" Magnus asks, hand hovering over the tomato plant, threatening to ripen a fifth one. "We could test that theory."

[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad kicks Magnus' foot gently -- he's not done yet! Please do not make Lancelot drop anything yet!