[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]

She tugs him as she moves back to the stove, so that he's standing behind her, holding her, as she stirs the soup again.

[lanselos_du_lac]

He is happy to do so, leaning into her a little, bending to kiss her cheek.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Now who's distracting?" she asks, pleased.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I am behaving myself," even as he holds her a little more tightly.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh, far too much," she agrees, turning off the stove and then turning in his arms.

[lanselos_du_lac]

He doesn't loosen his hold, saying lightly, "Too much? Lady, I would treat thee with honor, but only as much as it pleases thee."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Everything you do pleases me brims at her tongue. She swallows it down. "It pleases me when you take liberties."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Ah, yes," he bends to kiss her throat, "sometimes I forget."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I shall continue to remind you," she says, tilting her head back.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I would be grateful." He nips lightly at her jaw.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

She sets her hands at his waist, spreading her fingers wide. "Lunch is ready," she says, because she's task oriented. "But I should like you to keep doing this," she adds, because she's task oriented.

[lanselos_du_lac]

Another few kisses, and a gentle bite at the base of her throat, "I would not like to starve thee."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I'm a woman of many hungers," she says, half-wry, half-breathless, and captures his mouth in a searing kiss, which she indulges in for another moment before pulling away, pecking a few short kisses to his lips, and acknowledging, "though I suppose I shall remain hot for longer than the food."

[lanselos_du_lac]

He gives her a bright, devilish grin, "God willing."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Perhaps we ought to take lunch in my room."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I would not object."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"If you carry the soup, I can bring the turnovers and some dishes."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"As my lady bids me."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"My sweet man," kissing him again.

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot chuckles into the kiss, and barely restrains himself from wrapping both arms around her -- this would be counterproductive in the task of getting them and their food back to the room.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Lancelot has a stunning ability to blaze right past Susan's regimented approach to life. She'd felt guilty, at the start of Dark, that her focus on him pulled her from tasks that might have benefited them during the month of deprivation. Now she just wants to indulge. She lingers for a moment longer, then goes about transferring the pastries to a platter -- she leaves about half behind for anyone who might walk past feeling peckish -- and gathering up bowl and spoons.

[lanselos_du_lac]

He goes where he is directed, warmly efficient, carrying whatever he's asked to, up to and including tucking a bottle of sweet wine under one arm.

[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.