[Closed Post] ..the plan means nothing stays the same..

[lanselos_du_lac]

In the few days since Dark ended, even Lancelot has noticed himself feeling easier. He had not thought himself much affected by Dark, aside from his concern for Susan and those he cares about who were facing their own struggles during the month; it's something of a surprise to find that his relief is also deep-set, for himself. There is a strange kind of hope that he doesn't recall feeling before, in anticipation of spring. He realizes that the pace will change, and that he is looking forward to spring and summer in this new place.

He's been considering whether he should move some of his things back to his own room. He has not stayed the night there since Susan asked him to stay with her during Dark, and he is happy to admit that this arrangement has been deeply pleasant. Lancelot has never experienced something so ... domestic as this. (He so rarely was able to wake up next to Guinever, that the first few times he woke up next to Susan after they began seeing each other, it felt like a very deep intimacy.) He doesn't, however, want to presume anything -- he knows Susan has appreciated having him close, he knows their relationship has grown deeper, but he isn't sure whether she wants him to stay with her at night on a more permanent basis. He suspects she might want her own space back, once she's recovered her equilibrium.

As ever, he has maintained his routine. He has also seen the invitation to Dionysus' party. It's this that was on his mind as he set out for the training yard this morning -- it was brisk and cold, but not so much the punishing cold of deep Dark -- and this he let himself idly consider while making his way through drills. (Thinking about it during drilling helps, because thinking about it otherwise has made him feel anxious -- he will never know what he ought to wear, or what to expect.)

By the time he has finished, he knows that there are several subjects that he needs to discuss with Susan when they meet for lunch.

Comments

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Back in the room, Susan sets all her things on the table. She's tempted to pull Lancelot straight to bed, but she is in fact hungry, and she's a responsible woman, so instead she starts dishing out their foods.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Sweet, it all smells so good," he says sincerely, as he settles things and then sits at the table. "I admit, I am very hungry."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"And you ought to keep your strength up," she says, her prim tone counterbalanced by the lascivious look she gives him.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I do not doubt it. I must meet certain demands."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I'm very unreasonable," pertly, leaning in to kiss his cheek and drag her mouth to his ear before taking her own seat.

[lanselos_du_lac]

He grins, "I would never say so."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"And demanding." She sighs, breaking a turnover open. "I'm quite the taskmistress."

[lanselos_du_lac]

He pulls his own plate closer and digs in. "I've no complaints."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"And thus we're rather well-suited."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"One of many ways."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

She smiles at him, soft with an undercurrent of that lingering, smouldering heat.

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot spends several minutes eating, happily, and after some time he says, "This is delicious, love."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

It's fortunate that neither of them realize that the food is actually fairly bland! Yet another mark in the Susan Pevensie and Lancelot du Lac column. "I'm pleased you like it."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"'Twas sweet of thee to cook for us."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan is in the kitchen every day, because the routine is good for her. She chases a sliver of bacon around her bowl. "You're sweet."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Of course I am," mock-smugly.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"And so dreadfully modest," she adds, bumping a foot against his under the table.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Aye," peaceably, "That, too."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

She's hungry - she knows she's hungry - so she forces down a few more bites of food, but her attention is all on him. She watches his mouth as he eats, gaze flicking to his eyes every few seconds to see if he's looking at her, too. The more time they spend not touching, the more she burns for his touch. Is this what Gideon meant by edging?

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot tends to eat with a kind of businesslike focus, even when he's enjoying his meal. But he can feel Susan's gaze on him, and so he takes care to cast the occasional flirtatious glance up at her as he does, that warm look glowing on him.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan is officially far too restless to sit still; when notices the wine Lancelot brought, she rises to open it and pour them each a little in the mugs that live on the sideboard. She leaves hers there for the time being and leans over Lancelot's shoulder to place his mug in front of him, sliding a hand down his chest, pressing a kiss to the side of his jaw.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Ah," quietly, finishing his meal. "That feels very pleasant."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

She kisses his cheek, and then his neck, moving her arm so that she's hugging him from behind.

[lanselos_du_lac]

He takes a sip of wine and says, teasingly, "Is it that thou'rt still hungry?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Simply ravenous," she murmurs.