[Closed Post] ..shining through the hollow..

[lanselos_du_lac]

Once Lancelot has left Magnus and Galahad in the greenhouse, he goes looking for Laertes. He can admit he has had the urge to check in on everyone, in the wake of Magnus' incident, but he has realized that it's been some days and he misses Laertes' company.

So he goes seeking, checking in on the places he thinks Laertes might be, and eventually finding him in that same parlor they'd sat together in before. Lancelot pauses in the doorway, and then clears his throat and says, "I do hope I'm not interrupting."

Despite the clear fact that he intends to interrupt. He is grinning.

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[timebethine]

Time seems to flow slowly, without bounds, like a spill of oil across the water or a sunrise nudging over the horizon. Laertes only lets go when he's dizzy and breathless; his eyes are half-closed, his smile huge and soft and utterly smitten.

[lanselos_du_lac]

That look is terribly appealing, and Lancelot can't stop himself from kissing the corner of that smile.

[timebethine]

"I love thee," says Laertes--as though it's a declaration of no particular moment; as though he has never judged whether it is too much or too soon.

[lanselos_du_lac]

Softly, with another little kiss, "Say on."

[timebethine]

"What should I say?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot's fingers combs through Laertes' hair, "Tell me of thy love. What sparks it in thee."

[timebethine]

"Thy sweetness, and thy steadfastness," says Laertes at once. "How thou wilt always think of others before thyself--and I love thy laugh, and how shy thou art, and when a blush graces thee, here." He brushes his thumb over the bridge of Lancelot's nose.

[lanselos_du_lac]

He smiles, laughing a little, "Do I blush there?"

[timebethine]

"Thou dost--it's very faint."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I did not know." He's blushing now, in fact, at the thought that Laertes has paid enough attention to notice such a detail.

[timebethine]

"I like to see thee easy," he says, and cants his head into Lancelot's touch. "In summer, I would like to see thee lain upon the grass in the sun, with no care but to soak it in."

[lanselos_du_lac]

He strokes the skin behind Laertes' ear, giving him a little smile. "I would be glad to do so, for thee. Dost ride?"

[timebethine]

"I do--not so well as Sagramore, but few do."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"In summer, my favorite thing is to go riding. To find some spot that feels hidden," he smiles. "Though at court we do not typically go by twos."

[timebethine]

"No? Well, we have but two horses, so we'll have to go by twos."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Fenyes may be on rest, by summer. I fear I do not understand the seasons here. Nonetheless, I would take thee riding."

If there is something of a wistful cast to this, he hardly realizes it.

[timebethine]

"With a glad heart--if Fenyes is on rest, thy horse is sound enough to bear us both."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Aye, that is so." He pauses, grinning at him. "But which of us would ride pillion?"

[timebethine]

With mild mischief in his eyes, Laertes asks, "Wouldst rather sit behind me, and hold me? Or be held?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Ah, that is a tricky question," with an exaggerated air of thought. "Thou'rt strong, and it is well to be held by thee. But, then again, I am likely the better horseman, and it may be wiser for me to hold thee."

[timebethine]

"I will not complain, to be held safely in thine arms." And indeed, Laertes turns to settle his back against Lancelot's chest, and to draw Lancelot's arms around him.

[lanselos_du_lac]

He wraps them tightly around him. "Is't pleasant?" His tone is light and teasing.

[timebethine]

A little ember of pleasure burns in Laertes's gut; he feels safe, cherished, surrounded by Lancelot's clean soap-and-horse scent. "Ay, it is. We might ride to the far shore of the lake, and there lay out a meal to share--or we could fish, and roast our catches by the water."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot nuzzles him, "Ay, that sounds well indeed."

[timebethine]

"I'd crown thee with flowers," Laertes whispers. "Thou shouldst have gentle things."