[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

[summerdude]

"You were bound, but you've never been bound before?" But Galahad said to ask about his, like, boyfriends or whatever, sooooo: "Whatever. Would you want Laertes or Grantaire... or Susan," Magnus is a big supporter of women's rights, including to, like, dominate or whatever, "to tie you up?"

[onthewillowsthere]

Not what he meant, but again: very crucial information. Eyes on you, Lancelot.

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot does have a very brief moment of seriously considering this, a quick mental journey through what that might be like with each, and why.

His response, though, is to say, "I'm not sure what the appeal of that might be."

[summerdude]

"No?" Quickly, Magnus signs, Dude, I'm tagging you in. I need to percolate a better question.

[onthewillowsthere]

It isn't fair to use any of the information he knows about anyone else -- and he knows a great deal of information. What's fair is to offer something of his own, since Lancelot has done the same.

"I don't want to be bound, but I like telling Claudius what to do. I like when he obeys me. And I like it when he feeds me things, and touches my lips."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot's eyebrows go up, and he pauses. He was not anticipating any of this and least of all detailed information about Galahad's love life.

He manages, "Ah. That's well."

[summerdude]

"Is this uncomfortable for you?" Magnus asks Lancelot, in a tone that conveys it would be extremely weird if he does find it weird. He still immediately turns to Galahad and says, "Where do you think feeding someone things should fit on the scale?"

[onthewillowsthere]

"I think it matters because I like it," after a moment to reflect. "Between five or six. Higher if he puts his fingers in my mouth."

[lanselos_du_lac]

He does flush a little at this, but says to Magnus, "Not uncomfortable. However, I wasn't expecting this discussion."

[summerdude]

Don't worry, Lancelot, Magnus can do better! He doesn't actually want to retraumatize the guy or whatever, and he doesn't want him to have a bad time, but he is having fun, and he thinks this is probably good for Galahad and Lancelot, too. Maybe not the specific subject matter but, like, hanging out in general? In a low-stakes way? Probably not a bad thing. So, more to keep the conversation going than because he cares about the answer (and to distract himself from the very distractably distracting mental image of Alex putting her fingers in Magnus's mouth), he says, "Who's the best kisser?"

[onthewillowsthere]

Oh, that's a good question. He looks back at Lancelot.

[lanselos_du_lac]

A minute frown, largely at the notion of determining a ranking. It doesn't take much thought, though, to respond, "I would not place one over another -- they are different, and there is enjoyment in those differences."

[summerdude]

That's fair. That's probably something you're not supposed to do when you're still actively kissing everyone you're comparing, or whatever. "Different how?" Magnus asks, though, and decides to throw Lancelot a bone by explaining, "I've only ever kissed Alex. And Jackie Molotov, but that doesn't count, because I was twelve and it felt exactly the same as getting mouth-to-mouth from a goat." Which Magnus has, obviously. From one of Thor's goats.

[onthewillowsthere]

"I've only kissed Claudius," he agrees.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Well, different people have different manners, different preferences or ways of expression. It's similar to how, even if two people are trained in the same blade art, they move and react differently." Lancelot's tone is open and thoughtful. "How one feels about them makes a difference as well, the mood or what have you."

[summerdude]

"Okay, so, like, different how exactly?"

[onthewillowsthere]

"At the dance. It was different dancing with you and Claudius. Is kissing the same?" to Lancelot.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I only danced with Susan, but yes-- something like."

[summerdude]

Magnus decides Lancelot probably isn't going to give any specific details, which is annoying on several different levels. (First of all, he's curious; second of all, this means he's gotta hand it to Lancelot for being, like, respectful or whatever. And he doesn't want to!!!)

(Also, he thinks maybe the difference between Galahad dancing with him and with Claudius is that Galahad is in love with Claudius, and is in found familyship with Magnus.)

Still, just in case, he gives Lancelot an expectant look.

[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad waits, although he has all the same expectations regarding Lancelot actually telling anything.

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot raises his eyebrows at both of them. "I believe I've answered your question."

[summerdude]

"I guess," Magnus allows.

[onthewillowsthere]

He's not entirely sure about the question until he asks it, and then he's absolutely confident -- but he looks at Lancelot steadily the whole while, with no hint of uncertainty. "Are you happy?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot looks faintly surprised. After a moment he says, "This week has been a hard one, but-- aye. Most days I am happy. Happier than I have been in a long while."

[summerdude]

"Gross," says Magnus, with relish, but he offers Lancelot the tiniest of nods and an even tinier smile. He's actually glad to hear it. He's seen plenty of that guy's thoughts, and now that he's decided Lancelot isn't his, like, enemy or whatever, he's also concluded that it's good that Lancelot is happy. Mostly because that means he's less likely to make his trauma everyone else's problem, maybe, but also perhaps, perhaps, he deserves happiness too.