A Shell of a Tail
due South -
[PG] for barely even hinted at M/M slash between Ben and RayK.
Contains spoilers for 'due South - Season 3.'
Disclaimer: dS characters aren't mine, so the voices tell me.
But I never listen.
The turtle comment had seemed like a good idea, at the time.
Now, this.
"But, Ray, I thought you knew."
Ray knew one thing. The Mountie was getting on every last one
of his nerves tonight and using his 'Ray's being unreasonable
voice' was the last straw.
"Out! Get out!" Ray shouted as he stood forcefully knocking the pizza
box to the floor, much to Dief's delight. He then strode to the door,
slamming it open. Making wide sweeping arm gestures, he indicated
to Fraser exactly what he meant.
"Go, now!"
Fraser sat aghast on the couch not quite sure what he had done to
suffer immediate dismissal from Ray's presence. Dief, hungrily wolfing
down his find, offered no assistance, whatsoever.
"Fraser! Haul that Mountie butt up and outta here, if ya know what's good
for ya!"
Before Fraser could comply with his shouted command, Ray had slammed the
door, raced back over to the couch, and stood menacingly above him. Fraser
decided the best course of action at this point was to remain perfectly still and
quiet.
"So, tell me, Mr. Know-It-All, where'd you pick up that particular tid-bit?
Off a box of wheat germ flakes?"
Fraser shifted uncomfortably under his close scrutiny. He now fully
appreciated the expression 'in your face,' as Ray's was but an inch away.
Fraser averted his eyes from the sea-green ones burning into his and
answered softly.
"No, Ray. As you know, I often frequent libraries where I enjoy reading,
among other subjects, about different people and cultures. Since you are
of Polish ancestry, I naturally sought out reading materials concerning
your heritage. I read the *tid-bit* about turtles in a book of Slavic fables."
Ray grimaced and sat abruptly on the couch beside Fraser. His breathing
slowed enough that Fraser understood the crisis to be over. Turning carefully
towards his friend, Fraser took in the sagging shoulders, the arms hanging
dejectedly by his sides and the heavy lidded eyes. He had definitely hit upon
a sore point. Before he could offer a feeble apology, Ray held up a hand to stop him.
"Don't, just don't, okay Fraser? No more psycho-babble what'sit, okay? We're
having a good time here and you've gotta ruin it with turtle totem fertility nonsense.
Sometimes, a pet's just a pet. Granted, mine didn't fall on my head, doesn't talk back, or
gobble up all the pizza, but it's a companion, of sorts. You know, something to look after,
take care of, that sorta thing."
With that all said, Ray laid his head back, closing his eyes. The silence in the small
apartment was deafening. Dief had finished his undeserved reward and had curled up
contentedly on the floor feigning sleep. Fraser decided to take advantage of this quiet
moment to drink in the visage of Ray's outstretched neck. So intent was he in his
perusal that when Ray spoke, he rose an inch off the couch.
"You are *not* to start telling me Polish tales, got it?"
"Understood."
Fraser gaze strayed down to Ray's collarbone straining against the fabric
of his moss green t-shirt. The Mountie convinced himself he only needed
something to focus on and his reclining partner's neckline, or maybe chest,
were readily available targets for contemplation while he tried to fathom
this evening's events.
Ray's sudden outbursts seemed to drain him as quickly as they ignited
and during tonight's, he appeared more than usually agitated. The turtle
remark, said in an off hand manner meant only to generate further personal
conversation, triggered an intensely disturbing reaction. Disturbing especially
to someone with the mere whisper of a thought of progressing further into a
relationship with a divorced man. A divorced man who still exhibited strong
emotions about his ex-wife and their lack of progeny.
Fraser's contemplation had journeyed to Ray's abdomen, past his prominent
ribs to a point just above his waistband. The soft looking cotton cloth keeping
time with his now relaxed breathing only served to quicken Fraser's pulse and
to quickly end his rumination concerning the turtle incident. Perhaps, it was time
to go.
As Fraser shifted to stand, he felt a hand suddenly on his forearm, the long fingers
like a brand searing through the cloth of his Henley. Tugging him back, it stayed
firmly in place while it's owner bestowed upon the unsettled Mountie his most
wondrous smile. The one that lit up his entire face, sparkled in his eyes, and warmed
Fraser's heart in it's glow.
"So, ya've been reading 'bout my *people*? What else didja pick up?"
The glorious smile transformed into the quirky grin which gave his teal eyes a
mischievous glint while he softly teased his flustered captive.
"Give, Frase. Tell me 'bout my roots."
Ray's hand loosened it's hold on his arm to stroke up to Fraser's shoulder and
finger the brass finishings on the strap of his braces. Sensing no resistance,
Ray twisted on the couch to more comfortably continue his pursuit and to gauge
his partner's reaction. Fraser's rigid posture, in marked contrast to Ray's sprawl,
did not ease as a rough thumb reached up to brush his earlobe.
Copyright © 2000 Stephanie A. Moore
All Rights Reserved
dS slash by moonstarnine.
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