blind spot, n., a part of one's understanding where one's judgment does not act fairly or competently (Webster)
Title: Blind Spot
Author: trinchardin
Fandom: King Arthur
Pairings: Various
Category: Angst/Romance
Rating: PG13
Summary: Tristan is blindsided.
Disclaimer: The myth owns itself, Touchstone Pictures owns the movie.
He is a more than competent scout. It is not pride, simpy a statement of fact. Its proof is his continued days above ground, and those of his fellow knights. Mistakes have led to lives lost, and he marks each one in his heart even if they may leave none on his skin. He can read a trail three days old, and hear a legion's march miles away on stone-cold ground. It is a gift from the gods, and one he does not take lightly.
Yet, it is not only on the field that he keeps a sharp eye. He is not one who likes to be caught off his guard, so he is constantly on the look out, even as the others rest. Over the years, he has watched them at mock-sparring or drinking, anytime their own guard is down. He believes he knows them even more than they know themselves.
Bors first look is always to the barrack gates each time they return. He seeks to reassure a familiar face, at the same time, counting each accompanying head. There is a quick softening of the eyes that another might miss. Ignorance of this slip leaves most to wonder why Vanora stays or at the fondness that the rag-tag group has for him.
Dagonet is more unsure of himself than the others imagine. When faced with his reflection, he takes careful note of each new scar. It is the same way his gaze lingers on Bors' children, except with tenderness instead of disgust. There is also the hungry longing when Kay's daughter enters a room, dark eyes drawn to the golden head.
Galahad is just as fond of blondes, while Gawain favors dark-haired beauties. They do not realize that with each woman they bed, they first take a sideway's look at each other. In the weighing, the women are always found wanting, but they bed them anyway. What would otherwise have been a moment's tumble for them after the battle rush is hindered by the subconscious knowledge that they'd want more after the quenched lust.
Arthur always slips away before each mission to murmur platitudes and petitions to his God. Everyone knows that, but only two notice the catch in his voice when time comes to bury the fallen. Only they see the gleam of guilt that lurks in his eyes. The other person is Lancelot, and that is because he is the other's shadow. For all his talk of wenching, Tristan knows that those dark eyes turn to Arthur more than ten-fold the number of women he beds. Nor is the man as self-involved as most think. Of all the others, only he feels Tristan's eyes watching, and just as often, he turns to look right back.
So, it is only a slight surprise when the other corners him in a dark corridor and roughly steals a kiss laced with the wine which drove him to the deed. Yet, the more disconcerting thought for Tristan is that he returns the kiss.
for Shibbie, who introduced me to the possibility of Tristan/Lancelot