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

[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."

[latino_menace]

His fingers tangle in Random's hair, trying not to muss it too much but wanting the familiar intimacy of it.

'Well, no,' he concedes. 'But you'd also get to enjoy the things you like without listening to me asking what the point is and making fun of them all.'

Chances of him stopping are slim to none. It's the only way he can stop himself falling asleep.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"But then it'd just be me alone. Not me thinking to keep up with you. Not me having to consider, not me trying to remembered what the beans were about. Just me alone in a room and that's not what I am any more."

Love someone, let them change you.

"I'm sorry I'm so... clinging."

[latino_menace]

Ramon stills because that has actually floored him. And he pulls back from Random just far enough to take his face in his hands so carefully and look him directly in the eye as he says,

'Never apologise for clinging. It's how I know you need me. And you will never be alone in a room again. Ever.'

And then kiss him, with everything he has.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

Random surrenders to it, with grateful sounds in the back of his throat and his arms wrapping around him.

He'd be crying, if he weren't closing his eyes tight against it.

Weight, somehow, seems to be lifting from his shoulders. Problem upon problem safe and away.

Never be alone again. I know you need me.

"Je t'aime, mon amour."

[latino_menace]

Never, never, never be alone again. No matter what. You'll always have me.

The weight is still there on his, but it's shifted. No longer is it will he come back, will he love her, will he leave? Now it's just the knowledge that the sacrifice still has to be made - but he knows it'll just be physical, and that's something that can be lived with.

'Te amo, mi amante.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

He isn't thinking about it. Because he knows he can. It'll hurt, but he can.

Mostly, it's just knowing that Ramon'll be there waiting when he comes home.

"Kiss me again, then take me to see my painting?"

[latino_menace]

'Anything you want, baby.'

Absolutely anything. So he's kissed again, for a long time, and this time Ramon enjoys every last second.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

By the time they part, Random has his legs and arms snaked back around Ramon, and is breathing heavily again. Smiling, too, widely and happily.

"Thank you. This is beautiful."

[latino_menace]

'You're beautiful.'

A statement, with no room for argument. And Ramon doesn't let him go because it's nice to just stand and be quiet and hold on to each other sometimes. Especially when it's needed, as it is now.

'And please stop thanking me. You don't have to.'