Martin Smythe, an OC, inna clinic at the moment, but put him in public if you like

[mm_ygrane]

Martin had been very surprised, in disbelief, really, when Mack came to fetch him and told him he had a VidCon call. He'd long since stopped waiting in the lobby during visiting hours for visitors that would never come. Connor would come see him once a week or so, but would always go directly back to his room to get him, or would call him on his

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[outshinetheday]

He sits in the waiting room for what feels like centuries (and he'd know, really). The book isn't turning out to be his cup of tea after all (and Mr. King had shown so much promise with the other novels he'd turned out) and the medical smell is slowly starting to bother him.

[mm_ygrane]

"Really, Mack, I promise, it's fine. Robert's a friend, and I feel very safe with him."

"This is your first day out, Martin, and we'd all feel a lot better if it was with a human. Why don't you call Connor to come get you?"

"Because Robert is already here, and I miss him, and he knows New York better than Connor does. Connor still doesn't like crowds."

"...All right. If you're certain. Page me if you need anything. And I mean anything"

"Yes, Mack, thank you."

And then Martin is running for the visitation with a huge smile plastered across his face.

"Robert!"

[outshinetheday]

Robert smiles and stands, pulling Martin into a hug before kissing both cheeks and squeezing him again.

"Oh, you do look so much better than before you left," he says, sounding more happy than it's obvious he can convey through words. "It's so good to see you."

[mm_ygrane]

"Oh, Robert, I missed you so much!"

He wraps all around his friend, shamelessly nuzzling into his neck.

[outshinetheday]

He strokes down Martin's hair with one hand.

"Of course, I am quite missable. Shhh, my dear boy, I'm not going anywhere."

He doesn't stop the nuzzling. It's for comfort.

[mm_ygrane]

"Oh, Lord and Lady, I want to go home!"

He winces and bites his tongue. It was the one thing he promised himself he wouldn't say. It did no one any good and would make Robert feel badly.

"Sorry. Just. You remind me so much of London. I miss it."

He stretches up to kiss Robert's cheek.

"Where shall we go first?"

[outshinetheday]

"Well," he says, "there's several different places to eat and you look as if you could use the food. What are you in the mood for?"

[mm_ygrane]

"I'm hungry."

He smirks wryly.

"And the food here doesn't exactly encourage a return to normal nourishment."

[outshinetheday]

"It's a medical facility. It's regulated to be painful, I think. There is in life only three things that are certain: death, taxes, and bad hospital food."

He ruffles Martin's hair.

"Come now, you must have something you've been craving."

[mm_ygrane]

"Roast duck. And potatoes. And peas. And salad. And bread rolls. And chocolate custard."

You might think the boy's hungry or something."

[outshinetheday]

He laughs.

"Then I supposed I shall have to take you to one of the better French restuarants I happen to know."

And he pulls Martin out of the Center and onto the street, his arm still around him.

"I have a car waiting for us, unless you'd like to walk?"

[mm_ygrane]

"Um."

He thinks about the warnings on crowds he was given both by the staff and by Connor.

"Let's start with the car and then maybe walk back?"

[outshinetheday]

He nods, pointing to the black limo that pulls up in front of them.

"Head on in."

[mm_ygrane]

Martin hops in and then curls around Robert again as soon as he sits.

"I missed you so much."

[outshinetheday]

He strokes Martin's hair.

"Yes, well, you've got me visiting for a week and then I have to head back, as you know. I hope that's long enough for the moment."

[mm_ygrane]

He nuzzles into Robert's hand.

"It's perfect. Thank you, Robert."

He settles in.

"I asked about being transfered to France, and they think I should be here at least one more year. I thought I'd ask you what you thought about that."