OOM: Black tie evening

[latino_menace]

So, it hasn't been the best vacation so far. It had had potential, and then it had sucked. But Ramon is determined that the time away isn't going to be a complete waste - and he's rather good at sweeping emotion under the rug and ignoring it, when he wants to.

And so, the sight in their dingy little motel room is rather innocuous. The place is more used to seeing hookers and junkies - but tonight, it gets two men getting ready to go out and dressing in tuxedos.

If the good mood is a little forced, then Ramon hopes it'll be better once they're out. Is determined to try.

'Nearly ready?'

Comments

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

By the time he's back, Random has drifted back to the woman and is smiling at her.

"She's reaching for her lover. Can't you see it? She can almost touch him now, that's why she's smiling."

[latino_menace]

He stands close to him and doesn't say anything. But his hand moves, just a little, and a finger curls gently round one of Random's. A light squeeze, and it's gone.

'I see it.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

Whistfully;

"I wish we were allowed cameras in here. We'd better move away. I want to kiss you."

[latino_menace]

'Come on. We'll wander around. Bound to be somewhere quiet where no one will appear for a few minutes.'

He wants to kiss Random too. When doesn't he? But now even more than usual.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

“I know the place.”

Random sets off with a smile, a purpose in mind. Further into the older section, past the fashionable young couples looking at women, past the old professors looking at the renaissance things.

Good art galleries always have a couple of off-rooms with one big thing on the wall. This one’s no different. There’s a screen, with a projection of water on it. Rushing over a waterfall, then down a brook, an audiovisual piece that holds no ones interest for more than a few seconds.

After the champagne drinking woman who was in there before them loses interest and walks off, they’re alone.

[latino_menace]

Ramon forces himself to stand still while the woman is there, an while she walks away. Even for a moment after she's gone - though it's a very brief moment. And then he's turning, sliding arms round Random's waist and tugging him near.

'You OK?'

And kissing him. Of course he kisses him. Soft and deep because it's always the hardest thing in the world, not to be able to touch him when he wants to.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

His fingers wrap tight through Ramon's hair, and his kiss is a little bit desperate.

I miss you, says the stroke of one hand up Ramon's back.

For now, he just kisses him more.

[latino_menace]

Ramon's arms keep him close, not planning on letting him go, not when he feels the hint of desperation, the hand moving on his back. And kisses him back, always.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

Random yanks away at the sound of approaching footsteps, and is on the other side of the room by the time the middle aged man walks into the small space.

He doesn't suspect anything. Probably.

[latino_menace]

Probably. Unless the look on Ramon's face is anything to go by. It's a bit worried, a bit turned on, a bit sad. The guy can probably see it because he turns away from Random to hide it from him, going to lean against the back wall instead. It's impossible to feign interest in the screen, but he couldn't care less about that anyway.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"I want to go somewhere else. Out back. Please, get me out back."

Part of it is said in Thari. It doesn't matter, it'll be alright.

"Or upstairs. Anything. As soon as they unveil it, please."

[latino_menace]

Turned away, in a darkened room with lights coming from a screen and a strange language he doesn't understand reaching his ears. Only he does, because it's Random and it's them.

The guy in the middle of the room is looking from one to the other, confused and aware he's walked into something here. Ramon ignores him and looks back at Random, seeing only him.

'Come on.'

They can go anywhere. He doesn't care. Being around other people is just a bad thing at this moment in time.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

Random nods politely to the man, and gives him a studied, empty smile that reassures him perfectly, as it was meant to.

This time when Random leads him off, it's further back into the museum. Where there's nothing but religious scenes, and old pieces of carved wood, taken down from old buildings.

There are only a few people here, and one washroom, which Random goes into quickly.

[latino_menace]

It's quiet. And it's a relief to be away from where people are drinking champagne and laughing as they make comversation that means nothing. He passes the few that are wandering here without noticing them, just follows Random without thought.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

Once he and Ramon are safly inside the bathroom (empty) he cheats a bit and has the door simply lock.

The moment it clicks shut his arms fly around him and he kisses him miserably, as though he's drowning.

[latino_menace]

Ramon holds onto him tightly, returns the kiss in exactly the same way, unable to feel anything good from it but needing it all the same.

He breaks it when he needs to breathe, resting their foreheads together and trying to get level again.

'I'm sorry. I wanted this to be a good night. I'm sorry.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

“I didn’t know you spoke any French.”

Je t’aime.

Random leans in, shallow breaths making his chest rise and fall rapidly against Ramon’s, smile slipping into place with the proximity.

“It’s fine. I just need you. Can we make it a gay bar after dinner?”

[latino_menace]

It's not fine. I'm not fine.

'Sure. We can find one, it won't be hard.'

He kisses Random again gently and then just holds him close, cheek to cheek, speaking quietly next to his ear.

'Everyone knows what 'I love you' in French is. And I know a few words, that's all. Maybe I should learn.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

It will be. I have you. I love you.

"Thanks. Somehow, I can't bear the thought of anything else."

He nuzzles a little closer.

"I feel like the woman in the rock out there, when I have to be around those people. So close. But still held away. Fucking homophobic society."

[latino_menace]

'Mmmm.'

Hands make slow circles on his back, breathing him in, calmer just because he's near.

Nothing to hold on to when you're gone.

But it'll be OK. Random's coming back. He is. It's fine.

'I don't care about homophobic society. I just don't like not being able to touch you.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"I know."

His breath is already evening out, so he wraps Ramon closer and kisses him, a touch more softly.

"It's like the statue. Lover mine, sweet thing, stunning creature. Take me back to the unveiling? In a few moments. I'm almost alright again, for remembering I have you."

He draws his jaguar tooth out of his pocket, and holds it up for Ramon to see.

[latino_menace]

Ramon doesn't feel alright. Because while he knows he has Random now...he stops the thought before it goes any further, once again. This is not the time to panic. And he's here, he's tight against him, they're OK.

'OK. In a few minutes.'

And he smiles quietly, reaches for his own pocket and the paperclip that goes everyhere with him.

'Love you.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Very, very dearly."

He bends to kiss Ramon's throat, under his jaw, feather light touches.

"Thank you. This place is so beautiful. Thank you."

[latino_menace]

'You're welcome.'

He smiles and relaxes, touch working the way it always does, eventually.

'We'll have to come back.' Afterwards. 'Enjoy it properly. I'll stop making sarcastic comments about the art.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"That's the best part though."

He rests his head on Ramon's shoulder, breathing against his throat.

"It wouldn't be you if you didn't."