What struck me the most was him shaving his head; there are certain cultures where it's common to shave your head when you're in mourning. And that's what he was; in mourning for Fraser and lost opportunities.

Y'know, the actual allusive properties in Ray shaving his head (mourning, pentitence, etc.) didn't strike me until I had written the whole story and looked back over it. *g* But Ray is defintely going through some grief process here, and it's only going to get back when he actually acts on those lost opportunities (and pounces Fraser, yum).

*grins* Thank you for those lovely comments!