notes/disclaimers
The Language You Cry In
by Silvina
He could only see one problem with his life right now. Well, two, but
one would fix itself as soon as he and Ray could be truly alone
together. He wasn't quite sure what the other problem was, but it
didn't look good.
Ray sat by the window, staring out. He would be at the safe house for
another week. Gradually he would be allowed to return to his previous
life as Ray Vecchio and Ray Kowalski would go back to being Ray
Kowalski. He didn't know what to say to Ray now, didn't know how to
make it okay.
At first he'd been told of Ray's return, but he'd had to go through
the normal channels of requesting time off work to see Ray. He'd ben
given two weeks off by a surprisingly sympathetic Inspector Thatcher.
His reunion with his partner had been good. If they hardly moved
apart after the first welcome-back hug and if he couldn't keep the
smile off his face it was only at the sheer joy of having Ray back
safely. He'd finally pulled himself away hours later to go home
planning on surprising Ray with a visit from Diefenbaker the next day.
Diefenbaker had come over to him the second he got in the door,
sniffing him excitedly. Tail wagging vigorously, Diefenbaker fairly
leapt at him, happily licking his face. He'd laughed and allowed the
last remaining tension to leave his body.
The next day was clear and sunny, unreasonably mild for this time of
year. Dief was moving in front of him like a Ray seeking missile, and
he felt the same way as he hurried to keep up with the wolf. He
knocked on the door and was let in quickly by the two guards. They
directed him to the second floor as if he hadn't just been there
yesterday.
Diefenbaker hadn't needed directions though, so by the time he arrived
upstairs he'd missed it.
Whatever it was, apparently the reunion hadn't gone as expected. Ray
looked hurt and upset, but he wouldn't say anything. When he asked
Dief, the wolf just growled. It hurt to watch the two of them.
After an hour of trying to get an answer he decided to take
Diefenbaker home, hoping that it would break the ice enough for him to
find out what the problem was. It hadn't worked, and now he was back
watching Ray watch the sky, hoping he knew what to say to make Ray
tell him.
The silence was broken by Ray's sigh before he could gather the nerve
to say anything.
"He won't talk to me. He won't even look at me anymore."
"Why not?"
"I don't know." Ray's gaze drifted off again before he could stop
him.
"Ray. Ray. Ray." Finally he got Ray's attention again. Their dynamic
had changed and it felt good to touch Ray whenever he wanted.
"I'm sorry I left Benny."
"I understood, Ray."
"No you didn't."
"Not at first, no. But I did after I thought about it. It was
something you needed to do."
"I think there's something else I need to do. You don't mind do you?
I can't exactly leave this humble abode."
"Not at all." He paused at the door. "It'll be okay."
Ray smiled a little. "You were always the optimist."
Diefenbaker hadn't moved since he'd been dropped off, and he realized
he should have seen how upset Dief must have been. Man and wolf had
bonded, and he'd neglected to explain to Diefenbaker why Ray went
away.
"You should hear him out. He had good reasons, Dief."
The walk felt longer this time, and Dief trailed behind him up the
stairs.
"Ray? We're back."
Ray smiled at him. "Thanks Benny. Would you mind giving us some time
alone?"
He shook his head, already seeing Ray's attention focus on the wolf
who was studiously not looking at him. As he stepped out of the room
he could see Ray sit cross-legged on the floor, nose to nose with his
friend.
"Listen up furball, don't give me the pouting face anymore, okay? I
missed you too."
He smiled. Everything would be okay.
End