"...Did I miss something?" 

Stef leans in. "I am doing lots of guessing here, but Van mentioned that Maitimo kept asking him if Leareth still seemed distracted, and when I asked if he was worried he said Maitimo was probably going to sit Leareth down and just ask him about it at some point. At which point, what, he's not going to lie about it. And then today Leareth just completely failed to turn up to work with Vanyel, it wasn't for a very important thing so he wasn't really annoyed but he also said he couldn't find Maitimo for part of the day and that literally never happens, so - I am not sure of this but I have a strong suspicion they talked it out." 

"...It could've gone disastrously, you know." 

"Nah. Then one or both of them would've ended up going to Van with all their hurt feelings. Anyway. If I am right then I bet Leareth would tell Van at some point and we'll know for sure." 

"–And I can't tell anyone else, I know. Because of the whole Quendi marriage thing which Melody says I mustn't call stupid because that would be judging their cultural practices, but it is stupid. I'm so mad about it though. I am being very, very polite and respectful but I'm mad about it." 

"...I know. Just - we don't have enough momentum to tackle it head-on so it'd be stupid to try, but it might change someday, y'know?" 

Maitimo works diligently for the next while to catch up on everything. Makes a trip to Vinyamar to tell Findekáno and do some logistics there. 

Leareth wakes up and uses magic to open his curtains without even moving, because he can, and then sifts through dream-fragments - some moderately unpleasant ones that sort of qualify as nightmares but didn't wake him, some confusing but nice ones, and - what...? 

:Maitimo?: he sends. :Did yesterday...happen...?: It's kind of a stupid question but it's far from the first time he's asked for help sorting out which bits of his memory he can trust. 

I asked you what had been weighing on your mind. You confessed that you'd read Findekáno's mind and in the tradition of eavesdroppers everywhere learned things you didn't know what to do with. We cuddled. You played with my hair. I played with your hair. - if anything else happened, that was your imagination, though it doesn't necessarily have to stay there.

And now he's smiling. :Did I say before that your hair is very good? It is very good: 

You would probably have to sleep around more to confidently think it better than average!

:I make no claim that it is better than average, simply that it is good: Leareth pads over to the window and stares absently at the courtyard. :...I think we discussed whether I ought to speak to Findekáno, to - understand better how relationships work. I would like to do that at some point: 

That seems like a good idea, yeah. He's still working in Vinyamar, though there were plans to leave on another scouting trip for city sites in a few weeks.

:Right. I suppose I could speak with him on the next occasion that it makes sense for Vanyel and I to go to Vinyamar anyway: 

Sure! Or drop by now, if you'd rather, I tend to go back and forth most days.

:I could do that: He's not impatient exactly but also not excited to spend days or weeks sitting on it. Also Vinyamar is always nice to visit. :I ought to check with Vanyel if he needs my attention on anything. And - tell him, probably: 

Mmhmm. 

:All right. I will talk to you soon: He sends a wash of affection along with the words. 

He permits himself one inexplicable smile and gets back to work.

Leareth can smile as much as he wants in the privacy of his room; he's pretty sure he can contain it once he's out. 

:Vanyel?:

:Leareth! Are you all right - didn't see you yesterday...?: 

:I am fine: He is so much better than fine actually but that can wait. :We were going to work on the Gate-research, no? I can meet you at the Work Room in half an hour: 

:Um, sure, see you then: Vanyel has definitely noticed something and is curious but he's keeping it mostly out of his mindvoice. 

Leareth dresses and heads out to get breakfast and is waiting by the Work Room half an hour later when Vanyel arrives, smiling no more than usual. "I am sorry for disappearing yesterday." 

"No, it's fine, don't worry about it. Shall we?" They keep the room locked when not in use, more out of general caution than any specific worry; Vanyel unlocks it and heads over to start getting out the components they'd been working on before.