ds_flashfiction | Double-Take challenge by clueless

RayK/Fraser, 1115 words, PG-13

Ginormous thanks to

_aerye_ for the speedy and superb beta. All mistakes are my own.

Fraser stepped out of the shower and wrapped himself up in a bath sheet. It was as large as some blankets he had owned, and in the beginning it felt almost sinful to use it. It hadn't taken long to get over that.

Fraser toweled his hair using a smaller version of the bath sheet, then hung both towels over the heated rack and slipped into his bathrobe. He ran his fingers through his hair to settle it in place as best he could by touch, since the mirror was completely fogged over, and exited the bathroom, eddies of steam swirling after him.

He stood in his closet contemplating the racks of clothing while he put on his undershirt and shorts, eventually selecting a navy blue suit and mutely patterned tie. As he fastened his cufflinks on his French blue dress shirt, he could almost hear his father telling him how soft he was getting. Fraser studied himself in the full-length mirror. Thanks to daily visits to the exercise room in what had been the maid's quarters of the apartment, Fraser was as fit as he'd ever been in his life.

He checked his watch; they still had close to half an hour until the car would be there to pick them up. After a final appraisal of what the mirror reflected back, Fraser went to the study to prepare a pre-dinner drink.

"Honey, you left your wedding ring in the bathroom again."

"Sorry. At least it was in the dish this time." Fraser finished pouring his scotch and turned around.

Stella was radiant, as usual. Part of it, no doubt, was her pregnancy, but part of it was just Stella. Fraser knew there would be a surfeit of admiring glances directed their way at the fundraiser that evening.

She crossed to him and he obediently held out his hand, palm down, fingers spread, so she could slip his ring back into its place. When she finished, he brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. "You look stunning, my love."

"You're not so bad yourself. It's a beautiful night. Shall we take our drinks outside?"

"That would be delightful." Fraser picked up the drinks and followed Stella to the balcony. He handed her a glass of mineral water garnished with a lime wedge. Fraser draped an arm around Stella's shoulders and gently pulled her to lean against his chest. Then they both turned to take in the magnificent view of the Chicago skyline.

~*~

Ray didn't like hearing confession. He supposed it was too much of a reminder of his past life and confessions of quite another kind. He had left the force to escape the despair that had become as familiar as the limbs of his own body. But Father Joseph insisted that all of the priests in the parish regularly participate in all of the varied responsibilities essential to their job, so one week of the month, Ray found himself in the confessional booth. Thankfully, Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. Shallahan had been his only customers for the day.

Ray let himself out of the tiny closet and glanced at his watch. He had fifteen minutes until he had to be at the gym for basketball practice, which from experience he knew gave him just enough time to change clothes, throw together a sandwich and shove it down his throat before meeting the kids.

Ray snagged the mail on his way into his apartment. It was mostly bills, but there was also a letter from his parents. His mother had been thrilled when he'd decided to exchange his role of police officer for that of a man of the cloth, and his father had finally started to speak to him again. If nothing else, his career change had certainly jump-started his relationship with his parents.

He dropped the mail on the table inside the door. He'd read the letter after practice. He quickly shed his vestments and put on his basketball clothes. He passed his answering machine on his way to the kitchen, but the red light wasn't blinking. Five minutes later he was locking the door behind him, wolfing down a sandwich as he walked. Sure, his life was a lot quieter now, but he figured he had earned dull. Dull was okay. Dull was good.

~*~

"Ben," Ray whispered, one arm propping up his head, the other lightly stroking down the length of Ben's arm. "Wake up. You're having a nightmare."

Ben slowly came awake, eyes wild, head jerking as he scanned the room.

"Hey, hey. It's okay. You're at home. In our bed." Ray leaned down to plant a kiss on Ben's shoulder. "You were having a dream. Kind of a bad one, huh?"

Ben relaxed into Ray's touch. "You have no idea."

Ray ran a hand over Ben's bare chest. "You want to talk about it?"

"Erm." Ben's ears turned red, and Ray knew the flush would be spreading down Ben's chest, if it were light enough to see.

"You don't have to. Just if you think it would help."

Ben turned over and buried his face in Ray's neck. "It's really rather embarrassing. And quite horrifying."

Ray traced a hand up and down Ben's spine. "Ahh." He learned that one from the Mountie.

"It's just. Well. Apparently I was living in high style in a luxurious high rise on Lake Shore Drive."

Ray snorted. "That doesn't sound so bad. I mean, I know you'd find the view and all the other good stuff a hardship, but only because there aren't any caribou carcasses to be had in Chicago."

Ben nipped Ray's chest. "Very funny. That's not the scary part."

Ray shivered. "Then spill."

"Fine. IwasmarriedtoStellaandshewaspregnant."

Ray froze.

"Sometimes a dream is just a dream, Ray. You know how I feel about your ex-wife." Ben picked up his head so he could see Ray's face. And saw that Ray was fighting a losing battle with laughter.

When he could finally breathe enough to speak again, Ray said, "I had a totally weird dream just now, too."

"Really?" Fraser's tongue was on Ray's abs now, and Ray squirmed a little as it tickled.

"Yep, I was a priest. I mean, can you see me as a priest?" Ray smirked in disbelief.

Ben lifted his head and looked up at him. "Well, actually, Ray…" he grinned.

Ray flipped them both over so that Ray lay on top of Ben. "Liar," he whispered. He licked around Ben's ear and down his neck. "Besides, if I were a priest then I couldn't do this, so I'd never be one."

As Ray moved ever lower, he heard Ben gasp out, "Thank god."