OOM: Reciprocation

[latino_menace]

It's taken him a few days to find what he wanted but that's OK. He has it now and that's the important thing. He's been waiting for the right time and this is the perfect day - they're alone on Haven but stuck indoors because it's pouring rain outside and blowing a gale against the windows. He can think of nothing better than spending the afternoon inside with Random, not doing much of anything.

So he goes in search of him and locates him in the kitchen. Arms are immediately wrapped round his waist from behind and he rests his chin on his shoulder comfortably.

'What're you doing?'

Comments

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Tea."

He doesn't reach for the kettle, even though it's boiling. Just leans back into Ramon's arms.

"You?"

[latino_menace]

'Looking for you.'

He's content to just stand like this, warmed simply by having Random in his arms.

'Going to get a coffee though. I need to talk to you as well.'

He doesn't move though. Too nice.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Mmmm."

One hand gropes out lazily to try for the kettle. Falls short. Falls back to Random's side because he doesn't care.

"Really?"

[latino_menace]

'Really.'

They have all afternoon. They can stand here a while if they want to. Ramon thinks it's nice - their own world, just them, while a particularly strong gust of wind hurls itself at the window pane.

'No rush.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Mmmkay."

His head falls back to rest on Ramon's shoulder, and he starts humming something in Thari.

[latino_menace]

He listens for a moment, a small smile on his face.

'What's that you're humming?'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"A love song."

He takes a long breath, and starts humming again, rocking them slightly to the tune, just a little.

[latino_menace]

Ramon closes his eyes and listens, his smile widening. Life really is perfect.

Or will be in a little while. When their left hands match.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"It's about two birds," he whispers, when the song is over.

"A night bird and a day bird, and singing together at sunset and at sunrise."

[latino_menace]

'That's the only time they're both awake?'

He nuzzles at his neck, just because he likes doing it. Then goes back to resting comfortably.

'It's very pretty.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Yes."

A soft sigh at the nuzzling, and he relaxes back into his arms again.

"It's really a history. About two old secret lovers, who only stole moments together from their different lives. A jester and a courtier. He wrote it and sang it for the court when I was very young. Everyone understood except the woman's husband, who was a boor.'

[latino_menace]

'I'm a boor,' he points out mildly, not sounding in the least bit affronted.

'He must have been just stupid. But still, it's nice.'

Mainly because it's Random singing it. And he's so happy right now, everything is beautiful.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"I always like watching people who are in love."

He keeps rocking in his arms, just slightly, because it's comforting somehow.

"There's something sweet about it."

[latino_menace]

'I've never really noticed.'

He likes the rocking. It's a nice rhythm. Lulling.

'I've found I prefer being the one in love, now that I am.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Well, obviously."

I mean, they knew that.

"That's true."

[latino_menace]

'Mmmm.'

He holds him a moment longer, then sighs quietly and reluctantly lets him go.

'Make your tea, then we can talk.'

He puts on a pot of coffee and lights a smoke, leaning against a counter as he waits.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

It's jasmine tea today, so he doesn't add milk or sugar, just stirs some looseleaf into one of their mugs, then lifts it to take a breath of the hot steam.

"Looks like it's starting to rain."

[latino_menace]

'Again.'

He glances out of the window, then smirks.

'I suppose we'd better stay inside then. Oh well.'

Devestating prospect, clearly.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"I almost want to light a fire. But then if it heats up again we're in real trouble."

He slides arms around him, careful not to slosh tea on him, and sets his forehead on Ramon's shoulder.

"I love sitting inside in the rain."

[latino_menace]

'Light it. If it gets hot, we can put it out again.'

Fires are good like that. He sets his coffee down too and drapes his arms loosely round his shoulders with a grin.

'Hi.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Can't be bothered."

Pulling back, he rescues the tea with one hand and tugs Ramon towards the living room.

"Will you come lie down with me? Today's a day for curling up together."

[latino_menace]

'Perfect.'

He snatches up his coffee at the last minute and follows gladly. This is exactly what he wanted.

'You look great today.;

As he does every day. But Ramon is feeling maddeningly cheerful and happy and feels like throwing random compliments around.

He may also be a tad nervous.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Thank you, sweet thing."

He cups his tea in his hands and takes a breath of the steam again.

"Come here. I want to stay as close as possible. 's a bit chilly."

[latino_menace]

He slumps down on the sofa and holds out a hand for him.

'It is. I'll keep you warm though. C'mere.'

The ring box is in his pocket and he hopes it's not too obviously sticking out. He's wondering how to do this the best...and is quite excited really.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

He curls close, no, doesn't feel it, just leans back against his chest and smiles.

"Of that, I've no doubt."

[latino_menace]

Ramon wraps him up in his arms and holds him near, smiling into the back of his shoulder.

'Mmmm. So. Wanted to talk to you. And now I can't remember what I wanted to say.'

He knows the main bit. But there were other things and his mind's going blank now. Maybe it doesn't matter - there's only one thing that's important anyway.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Then just get going."

He yawns, and relaxes into him.

"We'll get it sorted out."

[latino_menace]

'Get going?'

He shifts. Well, why not? Random hadn't given him any warning at all - but surely he has to be expecting this a little bit?

His hand toys with the box in his pocket, eventually pulling the ring free where Random can't see it.

'OK. Well...I wanted to tell you that I had to take the ring off so I didn't lose it in the shower - I saw the inscription.'

There's a quiet kiss to his ear.

'It's really nice, thank you. And the paperclips made me laugh.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"I was so nervous about them. It was midnight and I was sitting down here jittering away about whether to or not."

He grins and stretches then adjusts himself to be more comfortable.

"I did them with a fork, you know."

[latino_menace]

He loosens his arm to allow him room to move, then holds him tightly again. It's as though having Random solid in his arms remind him that it's OK to do this because he's here, it'll be fine. And he did give him one first.

'They're nicely done - how the hell did you manage that with a fork?'

Won't stop him stalling a little.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Trade secret."

He smirks, and closes his eyes.

"What was it you wanted to say?"

[latino_menace]

His left hand takes Random's and he entwines their fingers, trying to find a way to word it.

'Just that I love you.'

He swallows.

'And...'

Words dry up. This is nothing like the last time he did this. For one thing, he means it this time.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

Random rolls, so that he can look into his eyes, see what's got him starting and stopping, see if he can help.

"I love you too, kay?"

And?

[latino_menace]

Ramon takes a deep, calming, breath and pulls Random's left hand over to where they can both see it. He glances at him once in the eye and then looks away, as he's watching himself slide a gold ring onto his fourth finger.

'So, ma-' he breaks off to clear his throat. Wrong words.

'I want you forever as well.'

He looks him in the eye properly now, unwavering. Watching for signs of a freak-out, maybe = but hopefully there'll be a 'yes' in there somewhere too.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Yes."

Unequivocally. Utterly. Without hesitation.

Random's eyes fasten on the ring, and a smile begins to spread.

"A thousand times, yes."

[latino_menace]

And it's that simple. Ramon grins too, feeling relief start to flood through him.

'I was so sure for a minute that you were about to run a mile.'

He leans in to kiss him for a long moment. The ring itself is the match of the one Ramon's wearing, although it's custom-made in a more conventional way, platinum overlaid with gold.

'Will you wear it?'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Every minute of every day."

He wraps arms up around his shoulders and holds on as tight as he can, then kisses him again, and again.

"How could I ever leave you?"

[latino_menace]

'I hope you don't.'

Mmmm, kissing.

'Thought you'd run because of your thing against marriage, you know? But it's OK?'

Has to check.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Well, this isn't that. This isn't a wedding of convenience. One of us hasn't got the other knocked up, one of us isn't digging for the others money, one of us isn't going to be beaten the rest of their lives. I'm not taking you to court to be my perfect wife, to try to gain Oberon's attention. I'm not doing this to make diplomatic treads into your country. I'm not doing this because it's expected."

All of which either enfuriate or frighten him, or perhaps a combination of both.

"I'm not tying myself up. I'm tying myself to you. It's not a cage, it's a door we've both been given a key to. So I think I can make an exception, for us."

[latino_menace]

He's grinning by the end of the third sentence. When Random's finished, Ramon's resting his head on his shoulder, legs tangled together, wrapped round him fully because there's no such thing as too close.

'I love you.'

He is so perfect. Ramon is constantly blown away by it.

'And I'll tie myself - have tied myself - to you, forever.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"That we may never be parted. That we may never lose faith in the other, not to find home again."

He gives Ramon a solemn kiss, as though sealing a bargain.

"I swear it."

[latino_menace]

The returned kiss is just as solemn and Ramon strokes a hand through Random's hair.

'I swear it too.'

A small smile then, because these are the sort of vows that mean something to him. And a lighter kiss, just for fun...and then he just holds him, eyes closed, feeling like the luckiest man alive.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

Random closes his eyes too, with a little sigh, and just rests.

Amazing, how it feels to just lie together.

He's content to sit and let the tea get cold.