OOM: Another visit

[latino_menace]

Ramon's a bit nervous about this visit. Not only because of the conversation with Dworkin, but the 'little visitor' that had been promised in the last letter. Still, he gets to see Random again and that's worth anything.

So, here he his. Late at night, tired but happy with anticipation. He can't keep his mind off the Trump in his pocket.

Comments

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

A trump which is currently being activated?

The small, not-quite tinny, but certainly muted voice calls out "Ramon?"

Cue the Random.

[latino_menace]

Ramon grins and grabs the card, extending his hand through it.

'Come on through.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

He does. Somewhat awkwardly and with an arm full of infant. Martin's quiet as ever.

"Take him, I need to go grab my bag."

Ramon is given very litte choice in the matter, merely handed the boy.

Random can be smart, when he wants to.

[latino_menace]

Ramon flails.

'What?! Oh...uh, OK.'

Armful of infant. Right. Shit.

He knows what to do with him. He just...doesn't particularly like doing it. And this is the first time he's held him since Random got him and it's weird. He stares at him.

'Hi Martin.'

Um?

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Martin, this is your tío."

He says it absentmindedly, as he drags the suitcase back through.

"Ramon, this is your Martin. Now you've been formally introduced, and good God, I'm tired. Lets order up some food please?"

[latino_menace]

My Martin? Oh Christ.

He looks away from the child and doesn't know quite what to say. So he grasps.

'Food. Right OK, I can go and get it. If you..y'know, take the baby. And kiss me first.'

Hello kiss? Please? He's missed him.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

Of course.

He negotiates carefully over the baby, to kiss Ramon hello very happily, very sweetly, and very comfortably.

"I cannot believe how long this is taking. What do you want? I'll get a waitrat to bring it up."

Martin has a bottle in the bag. Random is Prepared. And not quite letting Ramon let go of the little boy just yet.

"Now, hold him, I'll get myself some coffee, and all will be well in the world."

There is brief vanishing. Just outside the door, to flag a rat from the top of the stairs and place the order.

Martin looks considerably less stressed than Ramon does, it must be said.

[latino_menace]

Well, Martin's only a few weeks old. Ramon has had years to get this good at stressing over kids. He tries to say something to Random about take him with you? but the man's gone and he's left holding the child.

He sits down and just stares at him. He's very small. And luckily, not crying.

[randomsbastard.livejournal.com]

Crying? Oh, no. Staring. He's staring. In that unfocused, baby manner that they have. He's also chewing on his fist.

Martin has always had an oral fixation.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

Which is not the thought that occurs to Random, as he returns and smiles at the sight.

"Thanks."

[latino_menace]

Ramon is staring right back at the child. Because frankly, it's a little unnerving to get looked at like this and he doesn't want to take his eyes off him in case he should decide to attack or something.

'You want him back now?'

Please?

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"You're doing well. Just wait for the food to come back."

He heads for the suitcase.

Pulls out a camera.

And click. Immortalized on film.

[latino_menace]

Ramon glares at him.

'For Christ's sake Random, that isn't funny. Have him back.'

Not amused. Tired, and not amused.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Sorry."

He crumples. A little. Drops the camera on the foot of the bed, and reaches for the baby.

"I can't help myself. I don't ever want to forget you holding him when he's this small. He's going to be grown soon, you know. He's already bigger than he was at first."

[latino_menace]

He curses in his head. He doesn't want to upset Random, he'd told himself he wasn't going to if he could help it.

'I'll hold him a bit. If that's what you want.' He doesn't hand him back. 'He does look bigger.'

It's quite obvious, when you think to look for it. He hadn't before.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"No, that's alright."

He reaches for him, moving to sit with the boy at the head of the bed, cradling him carefully.

The baby completely neglects to stop staring at Ramon of course.

"I'll take our handsome lad, I don't mind. How have things been here? Besides the lovely little family reunion?"

[latino_menace]

Great, now he just feels worse. He rubs a hand over his face and sighs.

'Same old. Cursed people, enemies, arguments and fucking Nina Myers. Doesn't matter.'

He watches the baby right back.

'Look, I didn't mean to make it sound like I'd never touch him or anything, I didn't mean to snap either.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"And I honestly don't mind. Come sit up here with me, I promise, it's alright. You'll have plenty of chances to do it again."

He says it with something like hope in his voice.

"I sort of... can't really do it all alone."

It's true. He still looks tired.

[latino_menace]

It tears at him, seeing Random like this. Because he really doesn't want anything to do with the child still, but he can't bear Random looking that tired either. And if he's asking for help, he can't say no.

It's quietly moved past for the time being. He goes to sit next to him without hesitation, an arm sliding round his shoulders. After a moment, he asks quietly,

'You said something a while ago that's been on my mind. You said, 'I hoped you'd be happier than you are' - about the baby I presume. Was that what you were talking about?'

That sentence has stayed with him for a while now.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"I don't even remember."

He leans his head on Ramon's shoulder, with a sigh, resting against him and just relaxing into the comfort of being held.

"When? But... it sounds right. I did think you'd not mind it quite as much as all that. I mean, I know it was hopelessly romantic of me, but I thought we could have a non murderous, non hostile, non miserable sort of family thing going on. Kinda never tried it. Never really wanted to. But it's you and it's him and if it was ever going to happen.

I'm talking too much. I'll regret this in the morning, you know."

[latino_menace]

It's so nice to have him near again. Ramon can feel himself relaxing, just by having him close.

'It was - not long after you came back with him. It doesn't matter. And I won't be miserable, alright? I haven't seen him much though so I guess it just takes a bit of getting used to. I'll try.'

He doesn't want to try. But he will, for Random. Eighteen years out of five hundred, right? He can deal. He thinks.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Thanks."

The tone in which it's said makes the word sound more solemn, more meaningful than it has any right to sound.

"Means a lot. I can't really say why, but I seem to be finding my happiness unavoidably attached to your own. What can I say?"

[latino_menace]

Ramon smiles a little and kisses his head.

'Strange, I seem to be coming down with the same affliction.'

And to show willing, he reaches a hand down to the baby and lets him wrap a hand round his finger. It's not so bad.

'Could be a lot worse. He could be a screamer.'

[randomsbastard.livejournal.com]

He isn't a screamer. He is, apparently, a stare-er. Like now.

And now.

And now.

And now.

And now.

Give the baby a break, he's never heard Ramon's accent before.

And now.

And now...

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"I think he likes you."

Random can't keep the laugh out of his voice.

"Pretty, pretty little bug. It's eerie, knowing what he's going to look like later."