The February 15th Gift
by Pita Patter

*Great, he thought. Another one of those place where even crack dealers fear to tread.*

"You have an appointment here, Benny?"

Fraser was blushing, licking his lower lip nervously. Ray knew it was a sign he had lied or he had something to say. Something that would irritate Ray beyond belief.

"No, Ray. Actually, I set an appointment for you. It is my Valentine gift. Or post-Valentine, if you prefer."

Ray looked around, baffled. "And what is it? A live exhibit on amazing species of the human fauna? This place is dangerous, Benny. Besides, you don't have to give me any other gift. Valentine was yesterday, and I liked last night very much."

"I appreciate it, Ray. But this is something I have been meaning to give you for sometime. I just chose Valentine because it is a significant date."

Ray looked around. "What appointment could you have possibly made in this part of town, Benny?"

Fraser pointed up to a sign on the second story of a building that screamed condemned. "Madame Zara. She was highly recommended."

Ray twisted his neck so he could finally read, "Madame Zara - Astrology and Tarot Readings". There were stars and some planets drawn over the letters.

"What? A psychic?! You made me an appointment with a gypsy woman?!"

"Now, Ray, Madame Zara is not a gypsy. She is an astrologer, and I believe she might help you see those problems of self-esteem and bad image you have about yourself. Having your natal chart lay out and interpreted for you is a valid and precious tool of self-discovery. Today many firms use astrology when considering new employees. And, as I said, Madame Zara was highly recommended, and - "

"And by whom, may I ask? Who might have made such a recommendation? Frannie?"

"Not, Ray, it was not your sister. It was Jasmine, from the Consulate, who has seen Madame Zara more than once, and has assured me that she has been very helpful. I talked to her myself, to deliver some information she needed about you, and she seemed a very skilled professional."

"Information about me?! Fraser, what did you tell her?"

Benny looked at him as if he had just asked him which century was that. "Ray, any astrologer needs to know the birth date, time and place of birth of his client in order to draw his natal chart."

Ray was getting a fix; his eyes all bugged out in awe. "You are getting me seriously aggravated here, Frasier! Where did you find this information?"

"I asked your mother, Ray. But I knew you would not want me to tell her that you were seeing an astrologer, so I told her the police department needed it."

"You lied to my mother?"

Benny had the decency to blush. "Yes, Ray."

"But Mounties don't lie, Frasier!"

"I did it for you, Ray."

Magic words. They made Ray realise how much Benny wanted him to do this. For some reason, that crazed Mountie believed Ray would be better off consulting a fortune-teller, or astrologer, as he said. Ray also knew that there was nothing he wouldn't do for Benny. Besides, Benny was offering it as a gift. It had a special meaning to Benny.

Ray sighed and made an effort to calm down. "Alright, alright. Let's do it."

They got out of the Riv and Fraser said, "I will walk Diefenbaker while you see her, Ray." The wolf whined softly.

Ray was surprised. "Aren't you coming with me?"

"No, Ray. This is very personal and private. I am sure Madame Zara wouldn't mind my being with you, but it wouldn't be right. This is all about you. Please try to enjoy." Benny leaned in to kiss Ray, but stopped just in time to realise they were in public. "I will be waiting for you when you come back, my love. And don't worry, we'll watch the car for you." He patted his lover's back and smiled. "Come on, Dief."

A very distinct whine made Ray chuckle as he looked for the building's entrance. Then he saw his lover and his wolf walking down the street, away from him.

Ray looked up at the stairs and found another sign with stars and planets indicating Madam Zara's office. He sighed, climbing the stairs. What he didn't do for his Benny?

• * *

  Diefenbaker could sense the tension in his pack mate, even though Benny made it quite clear by the way that he was twisting the Stetson in his hands. The two winos (Joey and Mac) had already played with Dief, so the street hardly held any interest for the wolf. Patiently, Dief sat by the sidewalk, ears in attention as the night fell, cold and chilly, over Chicago.

  Benny was waiting for Ray outside the Riv, wondering if that had been such a good idea. Still, he really believed it was a valid effort. Ray sometimes could be so plagued with doubts, and a session with the astrologer should do him good. Benny only wondered if Ray would be open minded enough to value it.

  Suddenly, Ray emerged from the tiny door, walking slowly. Instinctively, Fraser stood up and waited until Ray approached him. The Italian's face was unreadable.

  "Ray."

  "Hey, Benny. Want to get something to eat?"

  "Yes, Ray, that would be nice."

  Ray looked tired, Benny noticed as they got inside the Riv. He apparently was not willing to talk about it. It was not unusual after two hours of astrological consultation. Benny was anxious to his Canadian bones, but he respected his partner's feelings. In his own good time, Ray would talk about it.

  When they moved through traffic, Ray took the initiative. "Benny, can we talk about it later? I don't feel up to it now."

  "As you wish, Ray. I understand."

  "Thanks."

  It was Benny's task to pick up a takeout on the way home. They ate in silence, but there was no tension between them. Benny understood that Ray was probably feeling drained. He picked the cleaning tasks, too, as Ray slouched in the couch.

  Gentle hands crept up to massage slender tense Italian shoulders. Ray moaned aloud and smiled, "You read minds, too?"

  "No, Ray. I just thought you would appreciate a back rub."

  "Yeah, but maybe later. Now I think you want me to talk." He patted a spot beside him in the couch. "Come here."

  Ever obedient, Benny sat beside his lover. "You know, Benny, it was intense. I didn't think it could be so."

  "Ray, you don't have to tell me anything. I just hope it helped you see how the things that make people love Ray Vecchio. Was it helpful?"

  "Of course it was helpful, Benny." He leaned in and brushed his lips on his lover's. "Thank you for this gift. And I apologise for my prejudice. Madame Zara was very nice to me."

  "I am glad you two went along fine, Ray. She is one fine lady."

  "Yes, she is. In the end, she was thanking me for the opportunity of doing my horoscope."

  "Really? How is it so?"

  "As far as I could understand, Mars and Venus work differently in gay people, because a man projects his image of perfect woman on another man. Or something like that. I didn't understand it too well, but any way she said it was the first time she could study a gay man's natal chart in such depth."

  "That is interesting, Ray."

  Ray smiled. "My Mars is in Taurus, she said. My Moon is there, too"

  Benny looked at him, delighted. "You know I am a Taurean. Does it mean we are... connected?"

  "Benny, you know I am a Cancer. The Moon is very important to people born under this sign. And Taurus goes along very well with Cancer. As a matter of fact, Zara said it was on of the most harmonious combination in the whole Zodiac." Ray took Benny's hand in his.

  Benny was beaming, his heart racing. "Really? In what way?"

  "We both cherish family values, loyalties and bonds. We also prize conjugal fidelity, we work well together, and we share whatever we got, in material ways or otherwise." Ray's squeezed Benny's hand with tenderness. "I have other planets in houses of fire, which means temper flares, every now and then. She says those tantrums may scare you, because Taureans are so practical."

  Blue eyes were filled with love and understanding. "I have always known you to be a passionate man, Ray."

  Ray decided to let the innuendo slip by. "My Mercury is also in a house of fire. That is why I talk too much, then regret it later." He shrugged. "But I don't badmouth anyone, she said. I don't gossip, either."

  "Of course not." Benny came closer to snuggle, feeling Ray's arms wrapping him.

  "But she said I am very hard on myself. I can't remember exactly the words, but it involved Saturn, or Jupiter, and Virgin, in the first house. Anyway, it has something to do with my father and the way he messes up with my self-esteem." He shrugged. "That much I had figured out myself. But she explained it in a way I've never heard before. I understand it a little better now."

  "I am very happy for you, Ray."

  Ray stayed quiet for a long time, and Benny respected it. He knew Ray would be struggling with some strong emotions and he wanted to make sure Ray knew he had his entire support.

  "I love you."

  Ray looked down at him and smiled. "I am so grateful for that." He kissed Benny's forehead gently. "Thank you for the gift. I am sorry I bitched about it at first, because it helped me."

  "I am glad, Ray." Benny wrapped himself in Ray's arms.

  "Zara gave me a whole bunch of papers, and I'll read everything later. I can't do it now. Everything is so fresh in my head, and I am still... shaken up, I guess."

  "It is very natural. Maybe you would like to take a nap?"

  Ray grinned, and it was a wicked grin. "Only if you agree to nap with me." His eyes had a gleam Benny knew only too well.

  "You are not thinking about napping, are you?"

  "Wouldn't you love to know?" Ray's hands started to snake inside Benny's shirt, and his voice became sensuous. "I would love to let you know..."

  Benny smiled, knowing he was being wooed. He loved it, mainly because nobody ever done it to him before. Only his Ray.

  "Why don't you show me what you mean?"

  Ray took Benny's face in his hands and leaned in for a deep and serious kiss, one that made loud sucking noises and shot blood straight to their groins. They spend several lovely minutes enjoying their lips, exploring their mouths, altering their breathing patterns. When their lips finally came apart, they looked inside each other's eyes, glassy and unfocused.

  "Bed?"

  "Bed."

  Even though none of them wanted to break contact, they moved quickly from the couch to the bed, clothes flying all the way. Indescribable pleasure swept through Benny's body as he felt Ray's naked skin next to his. Ray was warmth, and fire, and sweetness. They caressed each other's bodies, exploring the points both felt most pleasure. In minutes, they were panting.

  Tenderly, Benny showered sweet kisses in Ray's elegant neck and moved lower to lick his erect nipples, making the Italian hiss and caress his dark hair with slender fingers. His expert tongue lapped at the hard nub, then moved to other, as Ray gasped in pleasure, laying all sprawled on his back.

  "Oh, God."

  Benny moved lower, kissing all the way to Ray's navel, smiling when Ray's breath faltered. A tiny bucking reflex from the Italian's hips sent Benny's hands to steady them. Benny's tongue next stop was that particular point below the navel and above the soft forest of dark curls that held so many pleasures. That was a very delicate spot, one that made Ray wild. And that was Benny's precise goal.

  "Oh, Benny!"

  He looked up to see Ray writhing, his face contorted with pleasure as his tongue worked its magic. It hardened him just to look at Ray. Benny plunged to take Ray in his mouth, all of him at once. The Italian bucked, keeling, and Benny used both hands to steady him as his head bobbed up and down the hard shaft. Ray caressed his dark hair, his head going from one side to the other. The mouth down began gentle sucking action.

  Then Ray stopped him, sitting up. "No, Benny, wait, please. Stop, Benny."

  "Ray?"

  Ray's voice had an urgent, pleading tone. "Make love to me, Benny." Ray spread his legs even further, his eyes golden. "Please, love."

  Benny kissed his way up the Italian's body, sensing his excitement building up. "Oh, my Ray..."

  They kissed deeply and Benny retrieved the lube from the nightstand, then settled between Ray's legs, preparing both of them carefully. Benny was always so gentle, thought Ray.

  The same gentleness was there when Benny slid in Ray, the sensation of fullness and tightness surrounding both at the same time. Benny grabbed Ray's legs to rest on his shoulders, and then started to thrust, receiving moans of approval as he increased the pace.

  Benny changed the angle of thrusts and Ray squeezed his eyes as he felt his tender spot hit. His whole body trembled with pleasure, and he reached for his aching erection. Halfway, his hand met Benny's, and they both started pumping in synch with the thrusting. Benny felt his control slipping away, and the last vestiges of his rational thought also abandoning him.

  "Oh, Raaaay!"

  He felt his balls tingling in a particular way and sped up his pumping, Ray catching up with him. Then he cried out his lover's name and filled him up with his juices, as his orgasm vibrated wave after wave. In a few moments, Ray joined him, arching his body up and spurting his seed between their bodies. His legs came down to wrap Benny's body, and so did Benny's arms around him. Together they stayed for a long time, their hearts getting back to normal, their bodies cooling down from the heat of the passion.

  Benny was the first to move, shaking the rubbery feeling off his limbs. He went to the bathroom and retrieved a washcloth to gently clean them both. Ray stirred from his slumber and pulled the Canadian to his arms, nestling himself in the well-defined biceps and getting back to sleep. Benny smiled, feeling the heat of his lover's body and the warmth of their love covering both of them.

  The Moon was still full, her light bright in the chilly night. Once more She smiled down upon the couple. On of her favourites, indeed. They were two sons She cared for with most diligence, in a special place inside her.

  Because they deserved it.

  The End.