Another Departure
They stared at each other silently,
and it took a few moments before Fraser came to himself. He shook
his head with a sad smile and held out his hand to Ray. His
partner, former partner his mind chimed, smiled back but Fraser could
see that it wasn't in his eyes. Ray ran his hand through his
blond spikes before speaking.
"Hell, Frase, I think we're past
that, you know?"
Ray dropped his carry-on and pulled
him into a tight hug. Fraser returned it gratefully and thought
back to the first time they met. It was only fair that things
should come full circle. Last boarding call echoed through the
halls in two languages and Ray cursed.
"Gotta go, Frase. I'll miss
you."
"And I you, Ray."
"Take care of yourself, and don't
be so hard on Dief."
Fraser found he couldn't speak so
he just nodded tightly. Ray picked up his bag with a sigh and
headed for the gate. Fraser looked as long as he was able, but he
just couldn't stand the sight of Ray going through the doors, so he
quickly turned away. The large windows beyond faced the
runways. He felt himself drawn to them. Ray's plane taxied
and waited for another flight to land before the big engines pushed its
bulk enough to defy gravity. As soon as the wheels left the
ground, a sharp pain ignited in his chest. It was reminiscent of
a bullet from long ago, but Fraser was sure he'd carry this pain much
longer.
He wasn't sure how long he stared
at his reflection in the glass. He could almost see Ray's
reflection standing beside him just as Ray was always beside him.
Fraser wiped his eyes and chided himself on the disassociation.
He was unstable enough without that. Ray's reflection sharpened
and Fraser felt a shoulder brush his own.
"Whatcha looking at?" Ray asked
peering out the window.
Fraser let out a noise that was
part laugh part sob.
"You were just going to let me go,
weren't you? You were just going to solider on.
That's not buddies, Frase." Ray's words were scolding, but his
voice was soft.
When he was sure of his voice,
Fraser replied, "Why didn't you leave?" He could hear the small
voice inside along with the words. Everyone leaves.
"Well, knowing us the plane would
have been hijacked or broken or something. I realized that I had
already jumped out a plane once without a parachute. I wasn't
about to do again it without you."
Fraser looked away from his
reflection and looked at Ray. He must have looked horrible,
because Ray's face softened even more and he was gathered into strong
arms. A hand rubbed a hand up and down his back as he cried onto
Ray's leather clad shoulder.
"I've got you, Frase," Ray
whispered.
All Fraser could think was, "No, I have you, Ray. I have you."
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