ds_flashfiction | First Line Challenge by kristiinthedark

Title: metaphorically speaking
Prompt: The first line of Frozen Heart by

shayheyred.
Length and Rating: About 700 words, PG
Pairing: F/K
Summary: Ray isn't listening. Schmoop.
A/N: Thank you to

justbreathe80 for the lightening-fast beta! You rock, honey!

"In the land of the North there lived a boy who dwelt with his mother in a house made of snow-"

"Fraser!" Ray snapped. "You want to tell me an Inuit story now?"

Ray was still having trouble getting the hang of the whole snowshoe thing, and at the moment, he was having trouble keeping his feet under him at all. The last thing he needed was one of Fraser's weird lessons for life. What he needed was practical advice on how to stay up straight, and maybe even move forward, because he was pretty damn tired of struggling along. He wanted to actually be good at it, like Fraser was. He told Fraser just that, and tried not to whine too much while he was doing it.

"Ah, yes, but I've been using snowshoes since I was very small," Fraser said, and if he was bothered at being interrupted, he wasn't showing it. "It simply takes some practice. Let's go over it again."

******

"In a frozen wilderness that had no sympathy for the weak, a boy began his journey-"

"Not now, Fraser." He didn't look up, but remained on his knees, bent over the pile of wood he was attempting to turn into a fire. "Besides, I'm not weak. I'm just having a little trouble."

"I'm not- I wouldn't- I'm certainly not calling you weak," Fraser said earnestly. "I'm just-"

"Yeah, I know," Ray said. "Telling me I need help. Okay, fine. Help."

He heard Fraser sigh, and then Fraser was crouched beside him, showing him what to do.

******

"Once there was a boy who existed in a world of white-"

"Fraser," Ray groaned. "Now is not the time."

They were naked, for christ's sake, wrapped around each other in the dimness of the cabin, and the sweat on their bodies hadn't even dried yet, so really, not the best time. Besides, Ray didn't want to think about anything right now except for how it had felt to kiss Fraser; to be inside Fraser. The sex had been incredible, better than Ray had even imagined it would be, and now he just wanted to bask in the afterglow of the best sex ever and plan on when they were going to do it again. That would be soon, if Ray had anything to say about it.

"No, Ray," Fraser whispered, his lips brushing Ray's forehead. He pulled Ray a little closer, until there was no space between them.

*******

Ray was making tea the next morning when it hit him.

"Hey, Fraser," he said quietly, turning to where Fraser was putting plates on the kitchen table. "Those stories you keep trying to tell me about the boy in the snow?"

"Yes, Ray?"

"They're about you, aren't they?"

"Yes, Ray."

"For god's sake!"

"Ray-"

"Why don't I listen? I never listen!"

"Ray-"

"How do you even put up with me? Why do you put up with me?"

Fraser grabbed him by the shoulders and gave him a little shake until he came back to himself. Ray stopped talking and then suddenly leaned forward until his forehead met Fraser's shoulder. He wouldn't blame Fraser if he pushed him away, but Fraser only held him tight.

"Okay, I'm being quiet," he mumbled against Fraser's neck. "You can tell me now."

Fraser cleared his throat. "Perhaps I was just telling the story badly." He paused, and then continued on in a rush. "I was trying to tell you that I've, um, been lonely for a long time, and that I need you and I'm glad you're here."

Ray didn't say anything for a moment as he thought about what Fraser had said, and then he pulled back to look at him in the eye.

"That is sweetest, dumbest thing I have ever heard, " he said with a grin.

Fraser grinned back in relief. "Yes, well, I may have gotten caught up in the metaphor."

"Uh huh," Ray agreed. "Now shut up and kiss me."

First Line Challenge by kristiinthedark

no subject