[Open Post] ..only want to glean the purpose..

[lanselos_du_lac]

Since they learned of Shen Yuan's death, things have been subdued; rightly so, Lancelot reasons. He has done what he can to be a support for those he loves, and to keep his own worry and anxiety at bay. He worries about how they are all doing, about whether or not they are safe, about what he can do to make anything better -- which often feels like nothing. It's unsettling, and he wants to stay settled and present for them, so he determines to find a way to be so.

As has always been the case for him, being outside helps. The weather is warming and true spring is settling in. (He has difficulty keeping track of what time may be like back in Britain¹, but he suspects that it is early summer there. If so, then he supposes that means he is another year older, which is a strangely hopeful thought.) And so, after his lunch with Susan, he heads back out -- he might ride, or walk through the woods, or explore the lake. Whatever keeps him out in the sunshine, under the sky.



^{1: He has not quite realized this yet, but he has generally stopped thinking "at home" when he means Camelot, or Britain in general. That this place -- no, these people -- have become home in so short a span is something he has to take by degrees, lest he worry about what it means for his relationship with those he left behind there.}

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[lanselos_du_lac]

"Ah, now I recall," resting a hand on Laertes' thigh. "I hope thou'rt correct." He pauses very briefly before adding, "That feels very nice."

[timebethine]

"My hand in thy hair?" He presses just a little harder, massaging with his fingertips.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Mmhmmm," he closes his eyes and lets himself bask in it for a moment.

[timebethine]

It's easy to indulge him. Laertes turns toward him, mouth soft against his jaw, legs splayed to welcome that hand on his thigh, and rubs his fingers in slow, soothing circles behind Lancelot's ear.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Thou wouldst tempt me," quiet and fondly amused.

[timebethine]

A smile against his cheek. "Wouldst be tempted?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I cannot see how it can be avoided," turning to catch Laertes' mouth in a proper kiss.

[timebethine]

It fills Laertes with a joy like sunlight, to see Lancelot so uncomplicatedly happy--to see him teasing and flirting, to feel his kiss and know that he wants Laertes enough to be brave. He gathers Lancelot against him with a glad little sigh, still stroking his hair.

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot lets the kiss draw out, almost lazily, kissing him deeply and indulgently, squeezing his thigh gently.

[timebethine]

And when they part, Laertes is grinning helplessly. "Now I fear I've been tempted, almost beyond resisting."

[lanselos_du_lac]

His voice is soft, a little husky, "Hast thou?"

[timebethine]

He lays a hand on Lancelot's chest, sliding it down at a tauntingly slow pace. "Ay, sir, restrain me."

[lanselos_du_lac]

That little flush. "And if I should not?"

[timebethine]

That hand continues its inexorable glide down. "Then I fear I shall soon have thy chaste treasure in my hand."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Thou hast no need for fear," as lightly as he can -- which is not very given everything at the moment. "For my chastity has long since fled."

With women, at least, but he's decided there's no reason to draw a line.

[timebethine]

Laertes's hand settles lightly at Lancelot's hip. "Say me nay, and I'll await that promised night," he says. His lips graze Lancelot's jaw, then his pulsepoint. "But an thou stay me not, I will not ask again."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot gazes at him for a long moment before he says, "I've no wish to say thee nay."

[timebethine]

Laertes holds that gaze, and for all his teasing, his expression is as solemn as a vow. He lets Lancelot see his adoration, his gratitude, his trembling hope--then he leans up to kiss Lancelot's lips, and he lets his hand fall between them.

[lanselos_du_lac]

Afterwards, as Lancelot is trying to put himself back together (quite a task, given that he is feeling approximately seventeen different things, and all of them remarkably good), he says easily, "Christ. I wasn't expecting that today."

[timebethine]

"Nor I! But I can't bring myself to regret it." Laertes is, it must be said, sitting significantly closer--his legs draped over Lancelot's lap, his arms wound possessively around Lancelot's neck.

[lanselos_du_lac]

This is a very pleasant arrangement, and Lancelot lets his arm settle about Laertes' waist. "No," softly, "regret is not a part of this."

[timebethine]

A soft, welling laugh. "I feel light as thistle-down. I want to fall asleep in thine arms, and wake only to taste the pleasure of thee again."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Well, I've no reason to move just now, so if that is thy wish, then do so."

[timebethine]

"But what of thee? How dost thou? What wouldst thou?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot reaches up to cup Laertes' cheek. "I am very well. A little... dizzy, almost. But that is joy. I wish mothing more than to stay here with thee a while longer."