(no subject)
May. 7th, 2003 02:12 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
indybrat.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
ds_flashfictionOk, I think I just made it. This is my first dS piece. It's been spell checked and beta'd by myself, since my beta was unable to get it done before the deadline, so here's hoping I didn't miss anything too blatantly obvious. *g*
And yes I broke the word count - it comes in at 1357, but just think of it this way, here in Australia one American $ will get you two Australian, and one pound sterling will get you three Australian $. So you're getting more for your money. *g*
Ray Kowalski looked unseeingly at the crowd seated patiently in uncomfortable looking wooden chairs. He had already been through the, ‘smile and shake hands’ routine. He mentally scowled at himself for belittling the process that was necessary for this to be the greatest day of his life. Although he’d never tell her, this was even better that the day he’d met Stella. The sacrifices he’d made to be here were… well, he guessed he could live with them even if didn’t like them.
Finally, the formal part of the day was done and they were free to mingle.
“Congratulations, Son.”
“Thanks Sir. I’m glad you’re here, it means a lot. So, any news about your…?”
“Yeah, came through yesterday. Still no word from your old man?”
“Nah. Didn’t really expect that to change.”
“Well your father’s an idiot. You made the right choice, don’t forget that kid.”
Touched by the gruff but sincere words, Ray simply nodded. As the older man turned to walk away he added, “oh and Kowalski? Keep in touch.”
“Will do, Lieutenant Welsh,” Ray found himself unable to hide the smirk that came with using the newly appointed rank.
****
“Oh for God’s sake stop complaining. I told you Ray was busy and not able to collect us after work. Besides, you can consider the walk your exercise for the night, and Ray did promise you pizza for dinner,” Fraser scolded Dief as they climbed the stairs to Ray’s apartment. The loud music coming from inside confirmed Ray was home, as Fraser knocked on the door.
“Yeah?”
Fraser stared in shock at what appeared to be a teenaged version of Ray, complete with the blond experimental hair and black clothes, the only real difference appeared to be the silver hoops through the teenagers’ ear.
“Ah. I’m Constable Benton Fraser...”
“Yeah you first came to Chicago on the trail of the killers of your father. Heard that before. C’mon in. Ray’s in the shower.”
Feeling like he’d stepped into an episode of the Twilight Zone, Fraser walked into Ray’s apartment, his brain providing the tangent that Ray would be pleased he’d made a pop culture reference. Hearing movement in the bedroom he opened the door to find Ray in the process of dressing.
“Hey Frase,” came the muffled voice from inside the shirt.
“Hi Ray,” he waited patiently for Rays’ head to emerge before pulling him in for a kiss.
“Mmm,” Ray moaned before breaking it off, “Sorry I couldn’t pick you up.”
“It’s alright Ray, I have legs.”
“Yeah, I know. But part of the whole dating experience is having your boyfriend pick you up after work. I’ll make it up to you I promise,” he leered.
“Um Ray, not that offer doesn’t sound enticing but, ah, there’s a boy sitting on your sofa.”
“Yeah, I know. He’s the reason I couldn’t pick you up. C’mon I’ll introduce you.”
They returned to the living room to find the boy slouched on the couch with his feet on the coffee table and Dief curled up beside him. Just like Ray, Fraser thought fondly.
“Benton Fraser meet Runaway Kowalski,” seeing Fraser’s startled expression he explained, “He had a fight with his Mama and ran away. Turned up at the precinct looking for me this afternoon.”
“Ray… you never told… how could you keep this… my God Ray... you have a teenage son,” feeling the blood drain from his face, Fraser abruptly sat in the wing chair.
“Fraser. Fraser. Fraser.”
“What?” Fraser uncharacteristically snapped as he became aware of Ray constantly calling his name, which was rather annoying, he’d have to remember to tell Ray that later.
Ray sat on the coffee table facing Fraser. Reaching out to take his hand he repeated, “I said, nephew. He’s my nephew, not my son.”
“Oh. OH. He looks just like you, and his name is Kowalski and I thought… I’m sorry Ray.”
“Hey, it’s ok. I can see where you might get that idea from and it’s not like you’re the first person to ever make that mistake. He’s my brothers’ kid.”
Straightening up, Fraser turned to the as yet still un-named youth and apologized for his behavior.
“Forget about it,” he waived his hand dismissively, “and my name, since someone around here was too rude to introduce us properly is Jasper.” He glared at his uncle as he stood and shook Fraser’s hand. “It’s great to finally meet you, I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“You have?” Ray and Fraser asked simultaneously.
“Of course, from Grandpa. Why do you think I came here instead of just going to a friend’s house?”
“Um I have no idea. And for the record what the hell did you think you were doing coming all the way from Arizona by yourself?” Ray was up of the coffee table and pointing two fingers at his nephew.
“I told you. I had a fight with Mom. I knew you’d understand.”
Unable to stop himself, Fraser found a small grin on his face as both Kowalski men paced and glared at each other, “Perhaps I should get us something to drink?” Without further delay he fled for the safety of the kitchen, only to hear Ray chuckle and call him a wimp.
“Ben, you can come back now. I promise we’re not gonna kill each other.”
Fraser returned from the kitchen with a beer for Ray, soda for Jasper and glass of milk for himself. Finding Jasper now seated in the wing chair, he settled on the sofa with Ray.
“Talk,” Ray demanded.
“Um, see I’ve been having some problems and uh, I wasn’t really sure what to do about it and um… see Grandpa always said you were… I was getting into trouble at school, and then Grandpa saw me and we talked. He’s pretty cool for an old guy, but then you know that, he raised you.”
“Jasper, you’re not making any sense. Just spit out whatever the hell you’re trying to say.”
Squaring his shoulders and looking Ray in the eye he stated, “Uncle Ray, I’m gay.”
“What?” Of all the things Ray had expected his nephew to say that was the last of them. He was doing drugs or knocked some girl up would have been his first choices.
“I’m gay. I have this friend, and we uh messed around some, and some of the kids at school found out and gave me a hard time. I got into a couple of fights. So, one afternoon Grandpa decides to pick me up from practice and he sees me just hanging out with Matthew, and I get in the car and the first thing he says to me is, ‘that your boyfriend?’ And I’m like what, no way Grandpa, I’m not like that. He’s just looking at me and shaking his head, he’s like ‘don’t lie to me. Let me tell you about your Uncle Ray’. So, we go for Cokes in the park, and he tells me straight out, he sees a lot of how you were as a teenager in me, but he never talked to you about it back then. Tells me that Fraser is your boyfriend and the best thing that ever happened to you. He goes on about how important it is to be honest about who you are, and that maybe I should talk to you, since you’d understand the things I’m going through.”
“Can you believe my Dad? Sounds like he was pretty cool with Jasper,” Ray mused later as they lay sticky and sleepy in bed
“What are you going to do about him?”
“I don’t know. I’ll have to call his parents tomorrow, and then put him on a plane home I guess.”
***
Ray Kowalski looked unseeingly at the crowd and squirmed in the uncomfortable wooden chairs. Finally the ‘smile and shake hands’ part was over and they were free to mingle.
“Congratulations Son,” a gruff voice muttered at his side, “you did a great job. You raised him right, to be a man with honor.”
“Thanks Dad. It means a lot to me, to all of us that you’re here.”
And yes I broke the word count - it comes in at 1357, but just think of it this way, here in Australia one American $ will get you two Australian, and one pound sterling will get you three Australian $. So you're getting more for your money. *g*
Ray Kowalski looked unseeingly at the crowd seated patiently in uncomfortable looking wooden chairs. He had already been through the, ‘smile and shake hands’ routine. He mentally scowled at himself for belittling the process that was necessary for this to be the greatest day of his life. Although he’d never tell her, this was even better that the day he’d met Stella. The sacrifices he’d made to be here were… well, he guessed he could live with them even if didn’t like them.
Finally, the formal part of the day was done and they were free to mingle.
“Congratulations, Son.”
“Thanks Sir. I’m glad you’re here, it means a lot. So, any news about your…?”
“Yeah, came through yesterday. Still no word from your old man?”
“Nah. Didn’t really expect that to change.”
“Well your father’s an idiot. You made the right choice, don’t forget that kid.”
Touched by the gruff but sincere words, Ray simply nodded. As the older man turned to walk away he added, “oh and Kowalski? Keep in touch.”
“Will do, Lieutenant Welsh,” Ray found himself unable to hide the smirk that came with using the newly appointed rank.
****
“Oh for God’s sake stop complaining. I told you Ray was busy and not able to collect us after work. Besides, you can consider the walk your exercise for the night, and Ray did promise you pizza for dinner,” Fraser scolded Dief as they climbed the stairs to Ray’s apartment. The loud music coming from inside confirmed Ray was home, as Fraser knocked on the door.
“Yeah?”
Fraser stared in shock at what appeared to be a teenaged version of Ray, complete with the blond experimental hair and black clothes, the only real difference appeared to be the silver hoops through the teenagers’ ear.
“Ah. I’m Constable Benton Fraser...”
“Yeah you first came to Chicago on the trail of the killers of your father. Heard that before. C’mon in. Ray’s in the shower.”
Feeling like he’d stepped into an episode of the Twilight Zone, Fraser walked into Ray’s apartment, his brain providing the tangent that Ray would be pleased he’d made a pop culture reference. Hearing movement in the bedroom he opened the door to find Ray in the process of dressing.
“Hey Frase,” came the muffled voice from inside the shirt.
“Hi Ray,” he waited patiently for Rays’ head to emerge before pulling him in for a kiss.
“Mmm,” Ray moaned before breaking it off, “Sorry I couldn’t pick you up.”
“It’s alright Ray, I have legs.”
“Yeah, I know. But part of the whole dating experience is having your boyfriend pick you up after work. I’ll make it up to you I promise,” he leered.
“Um Ray, not that offer doesn’t sound enticing but, ah, there’s a boy sitting on your sofa.”
“Yeah, I know. He’s the reason I couldn’t pick you up. C’mon I’ll introduce you.”
They returned to the living room to find the boy slouched on the couch with his feet on the coffee table and Dief curled up beside him. Just like Ray, Fraser thought fondly.
“Benton Fraser meet Runaway Kowalski,” seeing Fraser’s startled expression he explained, “He had a fight with his Mama and ran away. Turned up at the precinct looking for me this afternoon.”
“Ray… you never told… how could you keep this… my God Ray... you have a teenage son,” feeling the blood drain from his face, Fraser abruptly sat in the wing chair.
“Fraser. Fraser. Fraser.”
“What?” Fraser uncharacteristically snapped as he became aware of Ray constantly calling his name, which was rather annoying, he’d have to remember to tell Ray that later.
Ray sat on the coffee table facing Fraser. Reaching out to take his hand he repeated, “I said, nephew. He’s my nephew, not my son.”
“Oh. OH. He looks just like you, and his name is Kowalski and I thought… I’m sorry Ray.”
“Hey, it’s ok. I can see where you might get that idea from and it’s not like you’re the first person to ever make that mistake. He’s my brothers’ kid.”
Straightening up, Fraser turned to the as yet still un-named youth and apologized for his behavior.
“Forget about it,” he waived his hand dismissively, “and my name, since someone around here was too rude to introduce us properly is Jasper.” He glared at his uncle as he stood and shook Fraser’s hand. “It’s great to finally meet you, I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“You have?” Ray and Fraser asked simultaneously.
“Of course, from Grandpa. Why do you think I came here instead of just going to a friend’s house?”
“Um I have no idea. And for the record what the hell did you think you were doing coming all the way from Arizona by yourself?” Ray was up of the coffee table and pointing two fingers at his nephew.
“I told you. I had a fight with Mom. I knew you’d understand.”
Unable to stop himself, Fraser found a small grin on his face as both Kowalski men paced and glared at each other, “Perhaps I should get us something to drink?” Without further delay he fled for the safety of the kitchen, only to hear Ray chuckle and call him a wimp.
“Ben, you can come back now. I promise we’re not gonna kill each other.”
Fraser returned from the kitchen with a beer for Ray, soda for Jasper and glass of milk for himself. Finding Jasper now seated in the wing chair, he settled on the sofa with Ray.
“Talk,” Ray demanded.
“Um, see I’ve been having some problems and uh, I wasn’t really sure what to do about it and um… see Grandpa always said you were… I was getting into trouble at school, and then Grandpa saw me and we talked. He’s pretty cool for an old guy, but then you know that, he raised you.”
“Jasper, you’re not making any sense. Just spit out whatever the hell you’re trying to say.”
Squaring his shoulders and looking Ray in the eye he stated, “Uncle Ray, I’m gay.”
“What?” Of all the things Ray had expected his nephew to say that was the last of them. He was doing drugs or knocked some girl up would have been his first choices.
“I’m gay. I have this friend, and we uh messed around some, and some of the kids at school found out and gave me a hard time. I got into a couple of fights. So, one afternoon Grandpa decides to pick me up from practice and he sees me just hanging out with Matthew, and I get in the car and the first thing he says to me is, ‘that your boyfriend?’ And I’m like what, no way Grandpa, I’m not like that. He’s just looking at me and shaking his head, he’s like ‘don’t lie to me. Let me tell you about your Uncle Ray’. So, we go for Cokes in the park, and he tells me straight out, he sees a lot of how you were as a teenager in me, but he never talked to you about it back then. Tells me that Fraser is your boyfriend and the best thing that ever happened to you. He goes on about how important it is to be honest about who you are, and that maybe I should talk to you, since you’d understand the things I’m going through.”
“Can you believe my Dad? Sounds like he was pretty cool with Jasper,” Ray mused later as they lay sticky and sleepy in bed
“What are you going to do about him?”
“I don’t know. I’ll have to call his parents tomorrow, and then put him on a plane home I guess.”
***
Ray Kowalski looked unseeingly at the crowd and squirmed in the uncomfortable wooden chairs. Finally the ‘smile and shake hands’ part was over and they were free to mingle.
“Congratulations Son,” a gruff voice muttered at his side, “you did a great job. You raised him right, to be a man with honor.”
“Thanks Dad. It means a lot to me, to all of us that you’re here.”
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2003-05-06 10:33 pm (UTC)see? i TOLD you, posting is fun! do more! ^___^
your story was lovely, and just for the record, i think these are two of my favorite lines EVER:
Fraser walked into Ray’s apartment, his brain providing the tangent that Ray would be pleased he’d made a pop culture reference.
and
Fraser uncharacteristically snapped as he became aware of Ray constantly calling his name, which was rather annoying, he’d have to remember to tell Ray that later.
YAY!
no subject
Date: 2003-05-06 10:40 pm (UTC)Jasper!
Date: 2003-05-07 03:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-05-07 04:29 am (UTC)Pretty please?
Date: 2003-05-07 05:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-05-07 04:24 am (UTC)