notes/disclaimers
Glassy eyes closed for a second as elegant hands
detected the high temperature in his forehead. A huge
sigh. "Yep, Benny, it's confirmed: you're running a
fever."
"Don't be silly, Ray. I never get sick."
"Well, hate to tell you, buddy, but your are not
healthy. It is the second morning in a row that I come
here to pick you up and find the same thing: you still
in bed, sick as a dog. No, Benny, it is not right. Why
don't we go see a doctor?"
Benny seemed to sulk. "That will not be necessary. I
just haven't slept well, that's all."
Diefenbaker snarled in retort and Ray pointed, "See?
Even. the mutt agrees with me. We are going to the
doctor's office now. No arguing."
Turning his head, Benny gave a stern look at
Diefenbaker. "He is exaggerating. I just lack sleep."
"I won't hear any of it." Ray raised from Benny's bed,
checking his watch and pulling the covers. "I guess we
have time until your shift begins. Besides, if you do
come in a little late, tell the Dragon Lady it was an
emergency. Come on, Benny, let's go."
Knowing Ray would not let him have any peace until he
did as he was told, Benny sighed and got up.
***
"So, Mr. Fraser, what other symptoms have you been
feeling besides the fever?"
Red as a beet, Benny looked as if he was searching for
an answer in his memory. Ray thought his friend was so
embarrassed that his mask of perfect Mountie was
cracking. "He has not been sleeping well either,
doctor."
The doctor stared at Ray with an annoyed look for the
second time. The cop recoiled to the safety of his
seat.
He wondered how long it would take until Vecchio
actually made him lose his patience. As the duly
designated physician for the Chicago PD, Dr. Allenson
had already seen Vecchio a few times. When the loud
detective showed up with his sick Canadian friend
early in the morning, the doctor fit them in because
he knew how tight a cop's schedule could be. But he'd
run into something totally unexpected.
It was the first time he'd seen Vecchio this concerned
about someone's health other than his own. That was
good, but he could really stop the mother hen act. And
although he did not know this Fraser well, it was
plain that the man was bothered. Maybe it was
Vecchio's attitude, maybe it was not. He'd seen
hundreds of people, he knew a lot about them and their
infirmities. There was something else here.
It was worth a shot.
The doctor turned back to his patient. "I am not sure
it's merely a case of the flu, Mr. Fraser. Is there
any unusual circumstance or situation in your job or
in your life right now that may have caused this? You
know, a preoccupation at work, or an annoyance in your
private life, perhaps a difficulty in matters of the
heart?"
Ray smiled internally. This guy obviously did not know
Benny. A somatic disease? Yeah, right.
The Mountie was even redder than before. That doctor
was really a good one, to hit the nail so quickly. He
just shook his head, avoided looking directly at the
physician and answered quietly. "I would say nothing
out of the ordinary, sir."
Dr. Allenson recognised the tone and the face. This
patient had a problem, and he might even know it,
but he would not admit having one. Yes, Vecchio's
attitude was definitely not helpful at all. He looked
at the man who would not meet his eye and sighed.
There was a little a mere physician could do in such a
situation.
Both men were sent off in minutes. The refractory
patient received a diagnosis of an unnamed short-live
virus, besides recommendations to rest a lot, to eat
healthily and to go easy on the job.
***
Later, the same day, Ray entered the dilapidated
apartment and started Benny, who was already in bed.
"Ray?"
"Sorry, Benny, were you asleep?"
"No, not really, Ray." Fraser sat up, and Ray put a
parcel on the table and went to check Benny's
temperature.
"Yep. Just as I thought. Fever again. Why am I not
surprised, huh?" Ray got up, shaking his head, arms
flying and getting to the table. "You are one stubborn
Mountie, mister." He began to fumble with the parcel
he had brought.
"I am sorry, Ray. The doctor said it is probably a
short-live virus, an opportunistic infection..."
Ray never let him finish. He went back to Benny's bed,
a container and a spoon handed out. "Never mind. Here.
Eat."
Benny sat up, blinking. "What's that?"
"It's chicken soup, and it's good for you. Ma sent it,
and she made it herself. Actually, she has just made
it, so it would be still be hot when I got here. It
means you have to eat it now. Come on."
The Canadian blushed. "Ray, this is so embarrassing,
I..."
"I can go get her to make you eat in person, Benny.
You don't know how Ma can get when she puts her mind
to something. I recommend you don't make me do it.
Shut up and eat now."
Without discussion, Benny obeyed. Ray smiled, then
after the container was cleaned, he tucked Benny in
and went home.
***
Benny sighed. It was ridiculous. He tossed and tossed
for what seemed to be hours. Nothing. No sleep.
He knew his perception was altered. It had been for a
while, since he had found out his feelings for his
best friend. Said best friend would not be best or
friend anymore if he heard about it, though. Probably,
he would run screaming if he ever found out, Benny was
certain of that.
It had been weeks since Benny made the decision of not
letting it show. It was more than a decision, it soon
became a point of honour. He endured stoically Ray's
closeness, his scent filling his nostrils, the ghosts
of his touches burning his skin, coming to haunt him
at night. He could withstand it. He was a Mountie,
after all.
Lately, though, Benton Fraser thought he was going out
of his head. His sleep was altered, and disturbed.
There had been dreams, occasionally, those unspeakable
dreams of Ray doing unspeakable things to him, and he
doing unspeakable things to Ray. Unspeakably good...
Then, came the depression, the prostration, and now,
the fever. In his usual way, and in another proof of
his ever-giving nature, Ray took care him and took him
to a physician. Oh, what a disgrace. The doctor even
seemed to know the real source of his problem. What a
shame.
His hand ran across his forehead. Sweat. Good. Maybe
it meant the fever was breaking. It could mean some
sleep that night, too.
With that in mind, Benny let himself be engulfed by
the dark waves of darkness.
Then the dreams came.
***
"Geez, Benny! What happened to you?"
"What, Ray?" The question seemed false even to his
ears. Although already in uniform and ready to go,
Benny could not lie. He slumped and confessed, "I am
afraid I did not get any better, Ray. I am sorry. I
managed to get some sleep, but it was not restful..."
"That's it. You're staying home today."
"No, Ray, it is fine. I really need to go to work.
Besides, tomorrow is Saturday, and I will be able to
rest all day."
"Benny, I am sure you have enough sick days to stay
home today. Look at you!"
"I am afraid my absence would upset Inspector Thatcher
immensely. As would any tardiness. So, can we go,
please?"
Ray sighed. "Alright, stubborn Mountie. But I will
pick you up at the end of the day. It is supposed to
be a really cold night, with a blizzard and all, and
you should not walk home." Diefenbaker barked in
agreement, and Ray nodded, "Yeah, back me up here,
furball. Make sure he waits for me at the Consulate."
Ray turned to Benny. "I mean it, Benny. Wait for me
inside the Consulate."
"If you insist, Ray, I will wait."
Fraser just wished he could be waiting in some other
way for Ray. Yes, in his wishes. He sighed as they
headed off to work.
***
"I brought you some more of Ma's chicken soup, Benny.
She says you have to eat everything."
"You mother makes very good soup, Ray."
"She suggested I take you home tonight, so she could
take care of you tomorrow."
"Thank you, Ray, but that would be imposing. I cannot
accept it."
Ray smiled. "I told her you'd say that, so she said it
would be OK for me to come back tomorrow and take a
good look at you. And, if you don't get any better by
then, we are going to a hospital, whether you like it
or not."
"There is no need, Ray. You are overreacting." Benny
tried to put on a brave face. It was not working,
though.
"Maybe. Anyway, if I hadn't promised Ma to stay in the
house tonight, I would be sleeping here tonight to
take care of you."
"Ray, tomorrow is your day off. I don't want to keep
you away from your family."
"You are kidding, right? You'd be doing me a favour.
Besides, they are not home tonight, that is why I have
to house sit." He frowned. "Why am I listening to you,
anyway? You are going to be alright, and that is an
order, Mountie."
Benny felt too sick and tired to argue. Besides, Ray
was right. Sleep would do him good. He was cold, and
he went to bed like a good little Mountie, as Ray
picked up his coat and confided to Dief, "You keep an
eye on him for me, OK?"
The wolf made a happy woof, making Ray grin as he
picked up his Ma's now empty container, and put the
dirty dish in the sink. "I'll take of it tomorrow,
Benny. Don't you get your hands on the cold water to
wash it, you hear? If I find this clean in the
morning, you're in trouble."
Already in bed, Benny weakly answered. "Yes, Ray."
Ray put his cap on. "Good night, Benny".
"Good night, Ray."
***
Ray sighed as he stepped inside the big Vecchio home.
Actually, inside the big empty Vecchio home. Ray shook
the snow off his shoulders and hung on his coat and
cap. It seemed the weather guy on the radio was right,
for a change: it was cold and a blizzard was on its
way. He hoped Benny's heating would stand.
As Ray switched on the coffee machine, his mind
wondered back at the apartment on Racine Street and
its tenant. He should have stayed, and he knew it. But
his Ma had asked him to housesit, since she was
helping a lady for church and had to sleep out. The
whole family was away, and he could not stay with
Benny.
He could be sleeping in the same room with Benny right
now. And none of his dreams would come true.
A stab attacked him suddenly in the stomach. Geez, did
he have it bad. It was ridiculous. He better get a
grip on himself.
Ray knew he was making a spectacle of himself, but he
could not help it. He loved Benny so much it ached.
Damn, he had it really bad. But Ray could not tell the
Mountie a word, now, could he? Ray was sure his love
was doomed. That straight friend of his would run all
his way back to Canada if he knew Ray's feelings.
Now his friend was ill, though. It was time to focus
on that. Ray would take care of Benny, no matter what
it meant to his own image.
He sipped off the fresh coffee and went to the window
to watch the snowfall, glad he was inside the house.
His hands finally started to get warm. Snow and cold
reminded him of Benny, so fresh, so pure, pristine.
Geez, he needed a good lay.
He could not worry about that now. He needed to be
rested for tomorrow. Tomorrow he would be at Racine
Street, where he wished he were right at that moment.
Ray hoped Benny would be better in the morning. He was
serious about that hospital threat. Even if it snowed
up to his shoulders, he would take Benny. He had
carried Benny on his shoulders for miles once, and he
could do it again.
He'd better get to bed early so he could spend his
whole day doing what he wanted most: taking care of
Benny.
***
Ray could not point out exactly what woke him up in
the middle of the night. The loud noises on his front
door finally did the trick. He put on a robe hastily,
and went downstairs half asleep.
He was even more surprised to find out that the source
of the noises was no one else than Diefenbaker. He was
scratching the door and pounding himself to get the
door open. When Ray opened the door, the first thing
he realised was the cold wave that hit his face and
the volume of snow in the street.
But after a fraction of a second, he felt his heart
racing to see Dief yelping at his feet. "Dief? Dief,
what happened? Something happened to Benny? Oh, God."
The wolf answered by running to the front porch swing.
There, lit by the moon, lay a Mountie curled in the
bench, apparently sleeping in the bluish atmosphere.
Ray's heart, racing until that moment, almost stopped
at the sheer beauty displayed in front of him. An
angel had fallen on his front porch. That had to be
it.
But then Ray's frozen brain registered Dief's
distressed whining and the subzero temperatures
surrounding them. He rushed to the sleeping Mountie.
"Benny! Benny!"
Sleepy grey eyes fluttered at him. "R-ay...?"
Ray realised Benny was shivering, and he was running a
fever - a very high fever. "God, Benny, are you out of
your Canadian mind?! You almost give me heart attack!"
'Could... not.. sss... s-sleep..."
"Oh, geez. Come in, Benny. You are half-frozen
already, about to win first prize of Mountie Popsicle
competition."
Ray wrapped the Mountie in his arms and dragged him
inside, and took him to his room, where the heating
was highest. Dief promptly took his place in a rug.
There, Ray removed Benny's boots, and rubbed his arms
vigorously, before taking his coat off. He had to
fully concentrate on his task and not let his mind
wonder.
*Better not register the feelings of having Benny in
my arms or the memory of taking off his clothes.*
"Benny, why didn't you go to a neighbour and called
me? I would have picked you up."
"Could not sleep... without you... Ray..."
Ray tucked his friend in bed, a little surprised with
what he heard. Maybe he just thought he heard. Still,
he answered, "I told you I'd be there in the morning,
Benny."
"Needed you... Ray... Can't stand... being without
you... " He smiled feebly at him, his cheeks so rosy,
his skin so pale. Ray could not be sure he was
conscious, for his eyes fluttered. "I... I had... to
hold you... Ray... Please... hold me..."
How could Ray deny such request?
He wondered if Benny would remember any of this in the
morning, or if he should do as he was asked. He solved
all doubts by reminding himself the need to share heat
with his half-frozen friend.
So, without a second thought, before he changed his
mind, he undid his robe and wrapped his arms around
Benny, who was still shivering a bit. Ray tried very
hard not to take advantage of the moment. Still, he
could not help to notice Benny's forms, his hot body,
sweet and tender. More than once, he had to silently
shout at his groin that it was not what it looked
like.
It became particularly hard to convince his anatomy of
this fact when Benny shifted in his sleep. Actually
Benny latched on to Ray in such a way that the Italian
wondered if the Canadian had sprout any extra limb
spontaneously. Benny moaned and sighed happily against
Ray's chest.
"Love you, Ray..."
It was a whisper, a susurration beneath his breath,
nothing more than that. And those were the words Ray
had always dreamed of hearing.
Instead of elation, Ray felt depression. It was
obvious that Benny was delirious, and those words were
not for real. Those wonderful sensations his body was
feeling at that moment would not be happening if Benny
were conscious. Everything that was being displayed at
him was not truly at his disposal. It was an illusion,
that's all. It would have been too much luck. Ray
Vecchio was never that lucky in love. He should have
known.
The Italian rubbed his friend's arms again, sighing.
"Try to get some sleep, Benny."
*Then maybe I can fall into oblivion too and forget
all this.*
Two hearts - one broken and one feverish - beat away
in the darkness.
***
A warm body was pressed against Benny's back, and it
puzzled him even before he was awake. His head felt
wrong, his body seemed to be covered in lead and his
brain was slowly showing signs of function.
He raised his head, sluggishly taking inventory of his
surroundings.
Ray's room. Ray's bed. Oh, God. It was *Ray's* warm
body next to his own.
*Don't panic. You're a Mountie.*
"Benny?"
Oh, no. Ray was awake.
"Ray?" His voice was so weak. He turned to look at his
friend.
"Do you feel any better, Benny?" There was concern in
green eyes.
God, he looks so gorgeous when he wakes.
"I think so, Ray". Benny reluctantly pulled away from
those warm arms. "I am in your room." The tone was
puzzled. "In your house."
Ray felt his heart sinking. *He does not remember.
Well, that's no surprise.*
"You were running a real high fever last night, Benny.
And I, huh, I am sorry about the sleeping
arrangements. I thought you could use the extra heat,
otherwise I would've slept in Tony's room. Sorry if
you are uncomfortable."
"But... Ray... I don't remember getting here."
Ray sat up in bed. "You walked here on the middle of
one of the worst blizzards of the year. Lucky for you
Dief was smart enough to follow you and wake me up. I
found you half-frozen in the porch, Benny. Almost gave
me a heart attack. That was how I figured you were
delirious". He touched Benny's forehead. "Now you are
better. I will fix you some warm soup, OK?"
"I could eat something hot, thank you."
"Don't get up." Ray put on his robe and went
downstairs. He never saw Benny closing his eyes and
finally catching his breath.
Benny stayed in bed as he had been told. On the
outside, he looked merely a little ill. On the inside,
he felt paralysed with fear.
Oh God what had he done? Did he unknowingly risk his
friendship with Ray?
Please let it not be so.
Ray came in, a tray in hand. "Ma has left enough
chicken soup for a whole battalion. Are you up to it?"
Benny sat up in bed and received the tray. "Thank you.
I am sorry to be such a nuisance, Ray."
"Benny, you are sick. It is not your fault."
Cautiously, he said, "Apparently, I was also
delirious."
"Yes, you were, Benny. You came here in the middle of
the night, and scared the hell outta me. You might
have frozen if Dief had not warned me."
"I am sorry, Ray." He blushed. "Did I - Did I do or...
say anything?"
Was his impression, or was Ray blushing?
Ray felt his cheeks warming. That was it, then. Benny
did not remember what he had said and was disgusted
when they woke up in the same bed.
Ray was sure that had lost his best friend. But he
owed Benny the truth.
"Yes, Benny, you said some stuff."
"Stuff?"
"You said you could not sleep, and then you said...you
said that you loved me, too."
Oh, dear.
"Oh, Ray... I am so sorry."
"Hey, Benny, don't sweat over it. I know you were
delirious, and it was just the fever talking, right? I
mean, if it was not for the fever, you'd not be saying
that, wouldja?"
Benny had to agree with that. "Yes. I would not be
saying that if it were not for the fever, Ray."
Ray smiled in triumph, feeling pain inside. "See?
There you go. I know, it's like when you get drunk,
except good little Mounties don't ever get drunk.
Besides, you probably meant it like you're my best
friend, and so it's not like... you know."
Benny's face got redder and hotter, and his eyes
suddenly were glued to Ray's mother chicken soup. He
could not face Ray, no more than he could lie to him.
Not that blatantly, anyhow.
Maybe if I just stay quiet, he will forget it.
"Benny?"
Oh no. Ray would not forget it.
"You did mean it like... a brother or best friend
stuff, didn't you?
No place to run, no place to hide. He sighed. "No,
Ray. It was not like a brother stuff."
Ray did a double take at that. "So... it means that
you said you love me like... like..."
Benny was so ashamed he actually had his palms
sweating. "Yes, like that. I am sorry, Ray. I never
meant to hurt you in any way, believe me." He put the
tray aside and swung his legs to the floor. "I think
you want me to leave now, and I understand it."
"Of course not, Benny, you can't go. It's freezing out
there. And you haven't touched your soup. Ma would
kill me if I let you leave this house not only sick,
but also hungry."
It touched Benny that Ray apparently was trying to
treat him like always. But those days were over. He
had ruined everything, and lost Ray forever, even his
friendship. "Ray... I think I'd better leave now." He
stood up.
"No," Ray said, firmly. Strangely, Ray felt calm and
confident. "I won't let you leave this house. Unless
you tell me you were lying when you said you loved me,
you are staying right there, Mr. Mountie."
Benny flinched. "I did not lie, Ray. But I realise you
do not feel the same way, so if you could please at
least grant me the courtesy of a quiet -"
"Benny, no. I won't let you leave until you hear me
out. Now sit down."
Not knowing what else to do, Benny obeyed, chastised,
anticipating words of anger at his betrayal of trust.
How could he do that to his best friend?
Ray sat by his side. His voice was low. "Benny, I
don't want you to leave. I love you, too, and I am in
such a shock to know that you feel the same way. I
know I probably don't make much sense right now, but
just stay here, please? Don't go. Don't ever leave me,
Benny."
Wide blue-grey eyes were staring at Ray's green ones.
Benny just stared at his best friend, waiting until
his words really sunk in. He had heard Ray, he knew
what the words meant, but he just could not believe
that Ray actually said it. It was everything he always
wanted to hear. A dream coming true? These things just
not happened to Benton Fraser.
Sensing his confusion, Ray gently took Benny's hand in
his. "I do love you, Benny. It is true." His voice was
soft and gentle, and Benny could not help but keep on
looking at him. Ray went on, "I was feeling kinda bad
for almost taking advantage of your condition. You
know, sleeping in the same bed and all. Then you said
that, and I knew it was just fever talk. So I wanted
to tell you as soon as you woke up. But I was sure you
did not love me back. I mean, you never... And now to
find out that you do... I am in heaven."
Ray was grinning, and suddenly there was sun in his
room, so bright it lightened Benny's soul, because the
smile was for him only. Benny saw Ray get closer to
him, slowly put his hand on his red cheeks, and it was
wet.
"You are crying. Are you happy or sad?"
Benny mumbled. "Don't know. I am so... overwhelmed. I
never - "
"Maybe you are still feeling weak, Benny. I think we
can talk about all this later. I will reheat the soup,
you eat, and after that, you can talk, OK?" He stood
up, ready to do as he said.
Ray's arm felt a tight grip. "No!" Fraser was
surprised at his own tone of voice, as Ray stood up
and looked down at him. "No, please Ray, don't go.
Don't." Benny just needed him so much, and he did not
know how to say it. Benny was looking up at his
friend, tears still streaking down his red cheeks.
"Please, Ray." He felt so embarrassed that he wanted
to hide, yet he could not tear his eyes from Ray.
Ray got closer to Benny. "Benny, if you want
something, you will just have to ask. I can't guess
everything that's inside that head of yours, handsome
as it is."
"I..." Benny looked away, then cleared his throat and
took a deep breath. "Please Ray, I want to hold you."
The cop smiled. "I am glad you do, because I want to
hold you, too."
The tray was pushed away even farther from them and
after some truly awkward moments, Benny pressed his
body against Ray's, his arms going around the cop's
shoulder, enveloping him, touching him. He needed that
touch so much. The heat around their bodies almost
made Benny quiver. For so long he had dreamt of having
Ray in his arms like that, but no fantasy had prepared
him for the real thing.
Ray still could not believe it. After that little
delirious confession from Benny, Ray had struggled not
to entertain a small light of hope in his heart. Now,
all he could do was relish in the feeling of Benny
wrapping his strong body all around him. How happy
could someone be?
Ray raised his head and met Benny's eyes, still moist
from his previous outpour. The silent exchange between
those eyes was magical. Ray never thought he could see
so much in them. He could feel his soul literally
fulfilled, reaching what it seemed to be looking for a
long, long time.
"God I love you."
"Ray..."
It was nothing more than a whisper.
Naturally, their heads leaned forward and their lips
met. It was a gentle yet firm pressure, and their arms
held each other a wee bit tighter than before. Benny
felt his heart threatening to burst as Ray's tongue
slipped inside his willing mouth, exploring,
demanding, possessive.
Oh, the heat, the passion. Benny's overloaded brain
tried to catalogue the sensations amidst the stunning
happiness. Ray tasted of spice and smelled faintly of
cologne and... Ray. Suddenly there was no room for
thought or exploration, only Ray and a hunger that
Benny did not know he was capable of feeling.
At first they were a bit clumsy, not really used to
kissing or holding each other. Yet Ray's hand seemed
to be clutching so desperately at Benny and a soft
sound between a moan and a groan emerged from the
Canadian throat.
Ray's body moved closer, his hands moving about on
those big arms. Their bodies were pressing closer, as
if they could not get near enough, their mingled
breaths loud in the quiet room. Diefenbaker sighed, as
their packmates finally had seen the obvious. The wolf
put his head between his paws and let them to their
activities.
Benny moved his lips straight to the side of Ray's
slender neck, a spot that had been haunting his every
dream. He nibbled playfully at the long elegant
column, evoking shivers from Ray, who moaned at his
caresses. The Italian felt his whole body electrified.
He remembered so many sleepless nights longing for
this to come true...
"Oh, Ray...", Benny whispered. "Please". His hands
roamed over the silk robe. "Oh, Ray..."
"Benny, no." Ray disentangled himself from those
amorous arms. "We gotta stop right now." Panting, he
slid away from Benny. His eyes caught the Canadian's
statement of doubt, fear, surprise and disappointment.
He could not miss either the swollen lips, the glassy
eyes of arousal.
"Ray...?"
Ray took a deep breath to steady himself, then said.
"If we don't stop now, Benny, we won't be able to stop
at all."
"Why do you want to stop, Ray? I thought you wanted
this, too."
"God, Benny, of course I want you. Do you know how
close I am right know from tearing off those stupid
longjohns of yours?"
A tricky smile. "No one is stopping you, Ray."
The Italian gasped, his body responding. "Benny, you
would be a big help if you don't complicate this."
"OK". The Canadian sounded as if he had just promised
to behave himself, and was not happy about it.
Ray explained it. "You just had a bout of fever,
Benny. I don't want to feel like I am taking advantage
of you. Besides, I want you good and healthy when we
do this."
The Canadian sulked like a child whose candy had been
taken away not to spoil his appetite for dinner. Ray
rolled his eyes and got closer to him, "Look, Benny, I
meant every word I said. I love you now and I will
love you forever. We'll have plenty of time for that
when you get better."
Benny lightened his statement then actually smiled
fondly at that wonderful man who seemed to take care
of him even against his will. His heart was swollen
with pride to be the object of such affection.
He took both of Ray's hand within his, and looked deep
with green pools of pure light. So much love. He had
to let him know his feelings. Benny took a deep breath
and steeled himself.
"Ray, I love you so much. Never before have I felt
this way about anyone. You are everything to me. I
don't know how I am going to say exactly the way I
feel about you. I would like to spend the rest of my
life trying, if you let me."
The words hit Ray like a flood of emotions. His heart
skipped a beat and his face was suddenly hot. Where
had Benny learned to say things like that?
"Benny... I just... I mean, I... wow..."
Benny put two fingers over Ray's lips to quiet him.
"You don't have to say anything, Ray. I love you. That
is all you need to know, and all I need you to
believe."
Ray stretched the palm of his hand over Benny's
forehead, then shook his head, blushing even more, his
eyes watering. "Just needed to make sure it was not
fever talking again, Benny".
"No, Ray. Although I still feel some symptoms of my
illness, I am not delirious."
Ray let go one of those smiles that made Benny all
mushy inside. "Good, because I would hate that." He
brushed his lips swiftly over Benny's, then he was up
again. "Now we better get back to business. I mean, it
is chicken soup to you, now, or Ma will kill me, and
she is about to arrive." He bent to pick up the tray.
"Er... Ray?"
"Yes?"
"I would like to trade the soup for another
therapeutic item, if you don't mind."
"Sure I don't mind, Benny. Want some aspirin, maybe a
glass of juice?"
"No, Ray. Could you please lay down with me and hold
me for a while? I want to be with you until your
mother gets home. We won't be able to do that when she
does."
Ray's heart fluttered at those words, which came with
a grade-A big-eyed Mountie look. How could he ever
resist?
"Of course." He kicked off his slippers and got into
bed. "Now scoot."
In seconds, they were both under the covers, Benny's
head resting comfortably over Ray's silk-covered
chest, and the Italian wrapped the Canadian in his
arms. Benny sighed, a sense of completion flowing
inside him as he felt Ray's warmth around him, his
heart beating steadily, lulling him to sleep.
"So much love..." he mumbled.
Ray shifted to get even closer to the Mountie. Now
his Mountie, he remembered with a grin. He was still
a bit overwhelmed of how things went. He had wakened
up sad and now he felt like a million bucks. Never, in
his wildest dreams, would he imagine he would be
spending early Saturday morning with a feverish
Mountie in his arms. Nothing could compare to what he
was feeling that moment.
There was nothing he'd rather do until the time
stopped and forever came. If Benny agreed with it,
that would be his mission in life from now on: take
care of that big hunk of prime Canadian Mountie. He
kissed Benny's head just for gratitude. The Mountie
sighed happily, asleep.
Life could not get better, Ray thought, as he allowed
sleep to take over him, too.
The End