ds_flashfiction | For the Whomping Fraser challenge

A festival o' sap, weighing in at 365 words, all of which have been given the Seal of Approval by my darling

kassrachel. Thanks, hon!

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The bathroom door opened, releasing a cloud of steam and Benton Fraser, naked save for a smallish towel wrapped loosely around his hips.

“Hey, Ben, you seen my—” Ray Kowalski straightened and gaped at him, one boot dangling from his hand. “What the hell happened to you?”

“Nothing, Ray.” Ben’s eyebrows drew together, giving him a puzzled look. “Why do you ask?”

Ray gestured mutely, the sweep of his arm encompassing Ben from head to toe.

Glancing down at his chest, Ben uttered a strangled “ah.” The colour on his cheeks, already pink from heat and a thorough scrubbing, deepened. “I believe,” he said, turning toward the closet, “that we got a little carried away earlier.”

“A little carried away?” Ray shook his head and dropped the boot with a clatter. He gently rested his hand on Ben’s shoulder, his fingertips fitting exactly into the pattern of bruises across the crest of muscle. “This is more than—”

His other hand twitched away the towel, and he sucked in a deep breath at the sight of a trail of bruises on the swell of Ben’s buttocks.

“I assure you, Ray,” Ben began, but Ray slid his hand up Ben’s shoulder to his mouth, cupping his jaw carefully and stilling his words.

With a sigh, he rested his forehead against the strong tendons on the back of Ben’s neck.

“Sorry. Guess I was so glad to see you that I didn’t realize my own strength.”

A flurry of movement, and Ben was facing him, arms wrapped around his waist. Ray knew that stern look: exasperation, thinly veiled.

“Do you know what those marks means to me?”

Ray pulled Ben close and shook his head.

“They mean,” said Ben, his eyes fierce, “that I’m not alone. You’ve touched me, made me yours. I cherish every mark because you put it there.”

Ray bowed his head and pressed his lips to the base of Ben’s throat. With a little moan, Ben shifted against him, his arousal evident.

“Let’s go back to bed.” Ray slid his fingers into the cleft of Ben’s buttocks. “And you can make me yours this time.”

A wordless moan was his only reply.