King Arthur Pendragon (insulaavallonis) wrote in nevermore_logs, @ 2012-06-08 02:52:00 |
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Entry tags: | arthur pendragon, lancelot |
Who: Lancelot and Arthur
What: More chances to patch up this messed up friendship, After one of Lance's stakeout's, he's been asleep in his car and he happens to see Arthur. (Originally posted by Lancelot)
When: Friday afternoon
Where: Random NY pub
Lancelot rolled over in his seat, his head hitting against the window with a clink. It was one way to wake up. The sun had already risen, it was almost two o'clock in the afternoon. He'd been on a stake to find one of the Judus' on his hit list. A girl who worked at a strip club that had not made her bail bond. She'd shot her druggie boyfriend and was still on the loose. Lance hadn't honed in to take her down yet, but he was observing. He'd observed himself right into a sleep coma, cramped and curled up in his car.
As soon as he peeled open the door and stood, every bone in his body creaked at his movements. It was not the most ideal way to spend the night. He'd have to invest in a bigger vehicle. This one was by far the worst bed possible. He stretched his arms high over his head, knocking out all the kinks. When his eyes adjusted to the light he saw Arthur from a short distance. He was pretty sure Arthur had seen him to. There was no walking away after the notice, it would be rude. Besides, Lancelot was doing what he could to mend this broken friendship. He gave a polite wave before crossing the road to meet his once king.
Arthur had indeed noticed Lancelot and he raised his eyebrows, wondering what Lancelot was doing sleeping in a car.
He headed over to his old friend and he smiled slightly. "Don't tell me this is what you've come to," he said, as if sleeping in a car was some sort of terrible consequence of some imagined sin.
Lancelot weaved through cars until he met up with Arthur on the other side. He couldn't hold back the yawn as he started to talk. Waiting a moment he gave Arthur a wayward look. "I'm not homeless, if that's what you are asking. I'm a bounty hunter. I was sniffing out a lead early this morning. Often times I have to resort to using my car as a bed." He slapped his hand against his neck, rolling it out of a kink.
Arthur was actually relieved to hear that, though he tried as hard as he could not to show it. Not yet. "Ah, that makes more sense. Interesting lead then?" he asked easily. And then a beat later he spoke again. "You look like you could use some coffee and breakfast. Am I right?"
Lancelot waited for that look of concern, but it never came. He shouldn't have expected Arthur to be sympathetic, but he wanted him to. Lancelot wanted what was before, it was just impossible.
"I could use something in my stomach, yes." It was a start.
"Come on," Arthur said, trying to sound magnanimous. "My treat. There's a cafe across the way. My case got out of court early today and I don't have to rush back to the office."
Lancelot followed as he always did for his king. He couldn't help but feel his respect for Arthur. If things could be taken back, Lancelot still wasn't sure he'd not do it again. Placing his hands in his pockets he walked relatively silent until they reached the cafe.
"Thank you." He gave a nod, taking a seat once they came inside. His body was sore still, which he felt as he sat again.
"Come here often?"
"When I pass by here," Arthur said with a shrug. "Sometimes I have court just down the road and the food here is good and filling. You still look weary." He sat across from Lancelot and he fiddled a bit with the sugar shaker in front of him. "How have you been?"
"I'm worn out. A car is not exactly the most comfortable of beds." He rubbed his eyes and scratched the stubble that formed around his chin. He hadn't shaved in a few days. It was difficult to find things to talk to Arthur about, because he knew where their thoughts always were. Lancelot hadn't even heard from Guinevere in quite some time, which did have him worried. She needed her space, but this felt like a very big gap. It made him uncomfortable.
As a girl in an apron walked by with her coffee pot, Lancelot politely stopped her. He gave her a sweet smile and asked for a fresh cup of that coffee. She paid him back the same smile, promising to return. He thanked her kindly and turned over the empty cup on the table.
"I'm good, though. I have no room to complain. And you, my oldest friend? How about you?"
"No room to complain either," Arthur said with a smile. There was no way he was discussing Elizabeth with Lancelot, though. "Things are running smoothly again, but that always seems to signal trouble ahead."
Lancelot was curious, wondering if the reason Guinevere had hidden herself had been because of Arthur. He had no way of knowing if they were still married, and considering he and Arthur's past he didn't figure it best to pry. It might ruin what they were trying to do here. Or at least what Lancelot was trying to do.
"Life is always going to have it's bumps," he caught a little coffee in his throat which he cleared.
"True enough," Arthur acknowledged. He tried not to think of Elizabeth, running off with George while he was left again with nothing. Surely it couldn't happen again. "Are you alright?"
"My mind escaped me for a minute," he cleared his throat again, chugging down some water. He hit his chest lightly. "I'm fine," he waved his hand in assurance.
This was kind of dreadful. There was so much silence between them when they used to spend hours confiding in each other. So, Lancelot got right down to it. "Is this how it's going to be Arthur? Just us sitting around like mild acquaintances without anything more to say than 'how's the weather?'"
Arthur chewed his lip for a moment and then he leaned forward. "I hope not," he said with a sigh. "I don't know how to- I don't know how to trust you again, Lancelot. But I want to."
Trust. That was a tough word, especially when Lancelot knew of Guinevere's presence even now. He couldn't tell Arthur. Once again he'd made a promise. Though it seemed as if possibly Arthur had moved on, if not from the distrust Lancelot had given him. "I know," he said dishearteningly. "I've given you many reasons to not trust me, but, I was following my heart. I meant no dishonor to you." His head hung. He was already guilty. He ran his hand through his hair. "I want to have your trust, your friendship again." Arthur was his closest friend. This had been unbearable to carry all this time.
Arthur gritted his teeth a moment before saying, "if you were following your heart then you placed her over me. I need to know something now. If it came to it, would you place her over me again?"
Lancelot felt stumped. He swallowed heavily. They were no longer kings and queens in this time, Arthur still felt as such. If it came to it he didn't know what he'd do again. He just knew how brightly his heart beat for her. "No, Sir."
Arthur raised his eyebrow at his knight. "You wouldn't choose her over me? Interesting. I have to tell you, Lancelot, it was always your betrayal which hurt more. You were my best friend. No one since has even come close to holding that spot since you."
"I wouldn't," he paused, "my King. No one regrets the situation more than I do. I've lived with it for centuries. I loved you both."
Arthur studied Lancelot for another moment before nodding. "Then we can work on moving forward. It will take time, Lancelot. Be patient with me."
"I know my liege. I'm willing to take that chance." He nodded as if the silent apology would benefit him. There were only so many ways to apologize. The difference was he meant it.