OOM: The latest with Mary Anne

[latino_menace]

Ramon is quiet when he walks into the house. He feels like he's done something wrong, even though he technically hasn't. Not wrong in that he toyed with Mary Anne a bit to get her to tell the truth for once - wrong because the conversation happened at all. Knowing how hurt Random was after he'd kissed her, it feels slightly off for him to talk to her about the situation. Almost as if he's been unfaithful, somehow, especially given that she showed him what might have been.

But he hasn't, and wouldn't - but he still feels the need to tell Random what happened. In a minute though. Right now, he's just leaning his back against the front door and pausing to try and get some of the tension out of him. He has a vague notion that something might just snap if the day carries on like this.

Comments

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Pretzels."

He sneaks an arm around Ramon's waist and snugs him in close.

"Better idea. You're tense, let me work at your back."

[latino_menace]

's'very American of you.'

Whatever, he's not really hungry anyway. It's much nicer to hang an arm around Random's shoulders and give him a quick kiss hello.

'Can if you like. Hasn't been a good day.'

He just wants to be comfortable, and to talk to him. Not big asks, he hopes.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Living room."

He's pulling him anyways, steering him towards the sofa and seating him gently on it, before pulling up onto it himself. He sits on the back, on leg on either side of Ramon's shoulders, with free access to his neck and shoulders.

"'m here for you."

[latino_menace]

'You're perfect,' he says simply. Because he is.

'We lost a shitload of money today. One of the clubs got raided on a tip off. Some assholes are paying for it tomorrow.'

Might as well get the easy stuff out of the way first.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Not mine?"

Oh God, please.

"Say it's not mine."

[latino_menace]

'No no.'

Of course not.

'Your place is clean. Shit, they're all your places though. Half the business, remember? But no - one of the fronts. Cops knew about the delivery, just walked in and grabbed it half an hour after it arrived. They'll be 'round tomorrow.'

Assholes.

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Want me to talk to them?"

He goes back to Ramon's shoulders once that's cleared up, massaging gently. Working out the knots, where he knows they'll be.

"'m a better liar than you. I'll have them in, make them tea, tell them a lot of nothing and have them on their way smiling in a couple of hours, thinking they understand everything perfectly, but with no more than what they came with."

[latino_menace]

'If you want to.'

He'd just pay them off. Seems a hell of a lot quicker, to him. But tonight, he doesn't feel like arguing it. Random's hands are too good and he's too tired - the fires warm here and he can't help but start to relax. It doesn't make him feel a whole lt better emotionally but its something.

'I went to the bar after to have a drink or ten two.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Lean forwards."

Random leans, too, so he can work down his spin, chasing the ache away.

"You terribly drunk, love? Anything interesting happen in the bar?"

[latino_menace]

'Not drunk at all.'

He does as he's asked, resting his arms across his knees and setting his chin on them. Random will probably feel him tense up again at the question.

'Yeah. Kind of.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Oh, damn."

He did feel that, so immediately sets to work at the new worry.

"Shh, love, out with it. You know the drill. Spill it, or I'll make it worse in my head."

[latino_menace]

He stays quiet for a moment while Random works because he wnats the relaxation but doesn't want to have this conversaton without being able to see his face. So when he's untensed, he reaches around and takes one of his hands.

'That'll do. C'mon down here so I can talk to you.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

He swings down, obligingly, and settles half draped across him.

"So?"

Spill. Now, Ramon, if you know what's good for you."

[latino_menace]

He closes his eyes and tries not to wince.

'Please Random, it's been a hell of a day. Less of the orders, hmmm?'

Wants it quiet and easy. He's already got him wrapped in his arms, fingers in his hair.

'Saw Mary Anne again.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Oh."


Oh, certainly, no more orders, he wouldn't have been able to anyways because it's now his everything that's sitting in quiet jeopardy, like a woman's pointing a sniper rifle at it, that they bought her for Christmas.

Some colour leaves his face, he can't help that, but otherwise, there's no outward sign.

[latino_menace]

He feels guilty that he's even been talking to her, even though he did nothing wrong. Stained almost, and like Random's within his rights to be mad at him for even sharing the same space with her.

'It's OK. It was just...strange. She showed me what could have been and told me some things and now I've,' he runs a hand over his eyes and rubs a temple, 'got a headache and wanted to coe and tell you about it so you didn't think I was hiding anything.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Alright."

He nods, because it makes sense, and he appreciates it. He'd rather that than hear it from her, some time later.

"What was her future like?"

[latino_menace]

'Our future,' he corrects, gently.

'Mine and hers. What could happen if we were together.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"That's what I meant."

He closes his eyes, a little distraught.

"Your options, as opposed to life with a neurotic prince with conquered commitment issues but lingering family baggage. Voyages into the Vietnam jungle versus pushing Martin's stroller, then holding my hand after a family council, dealing with me when I vanish into the inevitable politics of something or other, trying to survive the mechanisms going on around us. Researching schools, neighborhoods, private places and tuitions, hours of me thrashing and waking you up in the night, artwork framed on the wall, or a warm, pliant, able woman who'll blow you, your mind, and rock your world?"

[latino_menace]

'A warm, pliant, able woman who's also batchit insane some of the time.'

He traces fingers down Random's hairline at the back, behind ihs ear and down to his neck, tangling them there.

'They weren't options - I don't have an option but to stay with you, Random. Because I don't love her and never will. I don't know how many times I can say it but I'm sure you'll have to believe me sometime. I love you.'

He'll never stop saying it.

'I like holding your hand. I like getting you back after one of your family things and helping you get back on your feet. I can research schools all day if you want me to, your artwork is genius and no one rocks my world like you do, OK?'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Thanks."

A muffled sigh, into Ramon's shoulder, where he's resting now.

"Ramon. Do you think you could be nice to Martin tonight? There's enough greek salad in the fridge for both of you, and cold cuts and bread on the counter. I'm feeling light headed, I want to go to bed."

[latino_menace]

'You don't want me to come with you?'

...ow. Ramon swallows, curses himself and then nods.

'Of course. I'll look after him.

...you want me to sleep down here so I don't disturb you?'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"No, I want you."

He shakes his head vehemently.

"It's not that. It's just, he needs supper. More than that, he needs someone to ask how his day was and be excited when he shows you the picture of the frog he drew- I'll stay up. I need to stay up. Let me go get supper fixed."

[latino_menace]

'I'll do it!'

He says it strongly, and at once. Because Random knows how much he hates doing this stuff but he has to show him that he will . For him.

'Go to bed. I'll be up in an hour or so. I won't wake you if you're asleep.'

[underwater-owl.livejournal.com]

"Ask him about the picture," he insists, "and smile when he explains it to you. If there's a squiggle in the corner it's an 'M,' he's learning basic letters, it'll look more like a camel than anything but tell him it's a good job. Make sure he brushes his teeth."

God, what else might Ramon not know?

"Warm milk before bed if he says he's feeling jumpy, and a quarter of a banana. But he has to re-brush after."