Memories

Memories:
pressed between
the pages
of my mind.

Memories:
growing sweeter
through the ages
just like wine...

Fraser woke early, as usual. Feeling the comforting warmth of the naked body next to his, he slowly opened his eyes. Ray was still asleep, as usual. Ray moved slightly, sighed deeply, found a more comfortable position.

Fraser smiled indulgently at his lover. He buried his face against Ray's neck and deeply inhaled the scent of the man to whom he had committed his heart .. and his life.

Memories of the past year played across his mind: Memories of the cases they had solved. Of slow walks along the lake - camping trips. Memories of comforting Ray during a thunderstorm. Of peaceful evenings spent at home, enjoying each other's company. Ray waking him at all hours of the night for odd conversations and pleasurable love making. Ray correcting him as he tried to learn Chicago parlance. Of himself trying to broaden Ray's vocabulary.

The look on Ray's face at his birthday present. Their one, thankfully abortive, attempt to be kinky - that is, unless chocolate syrup counted. Ray's brilliant smile that was sometimes playful, sometimes downright seductive. Memories of Ray's kisses - feather soft, teasing, like being brushed by the wings of a butterfly. And oft'times painfully intense - reaching into the very depths of his soul. Memories of Ray's hands caressing him, raising him to heights of passion and pleasure he had never imagined.

His Ray - this slender, graceful man with soft blonde hair and mesmerizing eyes. Energetic, electric, mercurial Ray. Memories of Ray pacing the floor and jabbing into the air with elegant, slender fingers as he talked.

Fraser smiled again at the memory of the day when, with Diefenbaker as their only witness, they had exchanged the gold rings each now wore constantly on their left hands.

Ray stirred and turned in his arms, releasing him from his reverie. Sparkling eyes smiled into his as Ray murmured "Mornin', Frase."

"Good morning, Ray. Oh ...... and, Ray ......"

"Yeah, Frase?"

Fraser leaned his head to touch his lips to Ray's. Their kiss was soft and slow, with a sweetness born only of love.

"Happy anniversary, Ray."