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]

"I can do it."

He reaches for Ramon's hand once more.

"It's OK. I'm getting used to it again."

[latino_menace]

'You don't have to. I did tell you that, right?'

At the moment, he'd promise Random that he never had to do it again if it would make him happyand stayand keep this evening stress-free.

'If you don't want to get used to it, don't do it. It's OK.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"No, I know that. I wouldn't be trying if I didn't want to, you've always been clear about all of that. I just dislike it for reasons that aren't enough to make me stop wanting to make you feel good in very way possible."

He glances up at the glass separating them from the driver, and then speculatively at Ramon.

"On the way back?"

[latino_menace]

'Well, it does feel good. Really good.'

Subtle encouragement, he feels. But no pressure. And he grins.

'If you like. I won't stop you - be warned that'll you get it paid back tenfold afterwards.'

Tragedy!

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"I think I can live with that."

And things would no doubt get dirtier there, if they weren't fast approaching the destination.

[latino_menace]

'Thought you'd manage, somehow.'

He grins and looks out of the darkened window, hiding a grimace. Bloody art shit. But he thought Random night like it.

'OK. First stop, art museum thing. Your sort of deal. And then dinner, and then dancing. Sound alright?'

He'd be content with a bar and the football on TV. But he's making an effor because things have to be put right, a little. If they can be.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Oh God yes."

He'll love it.

"It sounds perfect. Is this the place?"

[latino_menace]

He looks out again. There are other people all dressed up and a few other limos. And, as is wont to happen, people watching the people in limos.

He leans forward and tells the driver to keep going for a few blocks. No sense being gawped at when they can walk in unnoticed with a bit of care.

'Yeah, this is it.'

He squeezes Random's hand once before releasing it. Won't be able to touch him again for most of the rest of the evening.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

Random lets his fingers linger on Ramon's, he can't bear himself to pull away just yet, and sits in the limo a moment longer, breathing the moment in.

"Thank you. In case we're having sex later and I forget to say it. Thank you."

[latino_menace]

Ramon pauses as he's about to open the door, then turns back to him. He looks a little confused but is smiling all the same.

'For what?'

And then kisses him one last time anyway, because Random is just so kissable.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"For spoiling me even when things are shaky."

He lets his fingers linger on Ramon's jaw, and closes his eyes, just breathing him in for a moment.

"I love you. Lets go and see if we can keep our hands off each other all night."

[latino_menace]

'Not a chance of it,' he says blithely, and grins as he exits the car. Ugh, a whole evening without touching Random. What are the chances?

He waits until Random's out of the car and standing next to him before he murmurs, 'Love you too,' in his ear - and surreptisously squeezes his butt. Just because.

It's a museum/art thing. He's got to find some fun somewhere.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

Ramon gets an Eyeroll, and Random moves towards the museum, at a moderate clip. He is, however, short, so Ramon shouldn't have to worry about keeping up.

"So what is this place? It looks beautiful."

[latino_menace]

He is very good and does not shrug and say, 'who cares?' He just pulls a leaflet from his pocket and scans it.

'Don't know, really. I just called someone I used to know and asked if there were any black-tie events happening. You said you wanted to wear a tux, and this seemed like something you'd like to do.' More scanning.

'It's a museum, and an opening of a new art display. Unveiling a picture of something as well. Hmphf. Probably stole it from the Met. Well. There's champagne anyway.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Then we'll fit right in. You the criminal, me the critic."

As the draw closer, signs begin to proclaim the event, and Random's eyes widen in recognition.

"Have I mentioned recently that you're stupendous?"

[latino_menace]

'...no?'

Ramon looks at signs and sees...signs.

'Well, maybe you did. What's the big deal?'

And after a beat,

'Pretty sure you're a criminal as well. If an alien royal one.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Yes, but this is a careful front we're keeping up, dear."

They round the corner, and join- not exactly a throng- but a group of other similarly dressed people.

Random falls silent, with a grin.

[latino_menace]

'Yes, darling,' he mutters sarcastically, and pulls their tickets out. The thing is by invitation only but if you've got enough money, that sort of thing is never hard to negotiate. The names marked are aliases of course - Daniel Amber and Incendio Ramierez - and he smirks as they're checked.

'I've always thought you look like a Daniel,' he says quietly as they head inside and are immediately offered champagne.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"A Daniel?"

He takes the glass, and takes a polite sip.

"I've got 'Brandon' and 'Matt' before, but never Daniel."

[latino_menace]

'Brandon? Christ, you're not a football player or pop star, who the hell told you that suited you?'

Some art is given a cursory glance. Meh.

'Matt's quite sexy. No. Daniel suits you better though.'

He doesn't know why, it just does. But Random's best.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Just don't call me that at any awkward moments and we're good."

He straightens his bowties slightly, and takes another sip of champagne.

"Come look around with me a little?"

[latino_menace]

'Awkward?' He snickers in a rather dirty fashion, then adds, 'No, I don't think that's likely.'

He almost reaches for Random's hand as they walk, out of instinct. When his fingers brush though, he remembers and pulls it back.

'Right. OK, what are we looking at? Is this modern art, or classical or what?'

His homes are full of beautiful things that are worth a lot of money. That doesn't mean he looks at any of it. He knows it's value, but they're investments and baubles, rather than things to be enjoyed.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"This? This is impressionist. Isn't it beautiful?"

He stops under a particular painting that draws his eye.

"What do you think?"

[latino_menace]

Ramon stops, and in the interest of trying to make this a good evening for Random, really examines the painting.

'I don't know. It's well drawn?'

Of course, it's a painting. But it's all the same to him.

'The colours are nice,' he ventures, after a moment.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Look at it the way you do at the picture of our bedsheets. See the girl? The way she's smiling?"

He gestures, tracing the curve of her lips in the air.

"It takes my imagination flying."