Broken Challenge, by mergatrude

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

F/K, 275 words, G, wingfic. Thanks to china_shop for beta and title.

Gleaning

It's a measure of both the strangeness and calmness of my life these days that a quiet evening at home finds me polishing my boots, watching Ray as he preens. The last rays of the sun give the fan of primaries a glow like burnished gold. Twilight is the best time for flying, Ray has explained to me, as people are more likely to dismiss anything unusual as a trick of the light. Certainly that had been my inclination, the first time I'd caught him perched on that same windowsill, wings half extended, muscles coiled for launch.

However, as much joy as they provide – him to fly, me to watch – they require regular maintenance, as if being packed away within a hidden dimension of Ray's body results in snags and creases that need to be ironed out. And in this chore Ray is assiduous.

"Dammit!" Ray flinches, and a feather floats down in front of Diefenbaker's nose where he lies sprawled before the TV. Dief sniffs at it, sending it fluttering across the floor to where I'm sitting, one arm encased in leather. I reach for it with my other hand – it's a tertial: dark, almost chocolate-colored vanes becoming creamy at the base – and look over at Ray.

"Snagged on one of the others. Had to come out, anyway," he shrugs, and runs searching fingers over the surrounding area. I free my hand in order to stroke the damaged barbs. It's long, at least eighteen inches , not much longer than that of a golden eagle, and similar in coloring.

I say this to Ray, and he smiles.

"Keep it. You can make a dream catcher."

Comments

[springwoof.livejournal.com]

evocative. interesting images you've made in my head there...

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I can't seem to get the images out of my head.

[fullygoldy.livejournal.com]

and now I get to try these:
{\o/}
you deserve them!

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Hee! Thank you!

[sage]

oh, cool! What a great take on the prompt! ♥

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Sage.

[simplystars.livejournal.com]

I don't know what appeals to me most... the idea of Ray meticulously caring for his wings, or Fraser's handling of the shed feather, or Dief's nonchalance about the whole thing.

It manages to be homey and sensual all at once. Lovely!

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. I'm glad you liked it.

[malnpudl.livejournal.com]

Oh, my. I'm just... wow. I love this.

Stunning visuals, too.

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Yay! Thanks, Mal. I'm so glad you like it.

[j-s-cavalcante.livejournal.com]

WINGFIC!

Ray, preening! So gorgeous.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Thank you! &hearts

[c-regalis.livejournal.com]

Eeee! Dream catcher! A dream catcher with a feather from Ray's wings. *loves*

And the whole thing is lovely. &hearts:

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Yay! Wouldn't it be great?!

Thanks!

[buzzylittleb.livejournal.com]

Freaking gorgeous. Wingfic rocks and this is so Ray and so Fraser. And omg! *hugs the boys* And of course, Dief has seen it all before and there's no chocolate involved. ♥

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm so glad you liked it. Wingfic does indeed rock!

[luzula]

Mmmm. Makes lovely images in my head. Oh, and the dreamcatcher!

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Thanks. It's a lovely thing to think about, isn't it.

[akite.livejournal.com]

"Keep it. You can make a dream catcher."

Awww...*uses the only bird icon she has* That was lovely. I'd love to see Ray preening and flying too.

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Thank you! So glad you liked it.

I like your hummingbird, too.

[delurker.livejournal.com]

Wingfic! Yay! I love the details about Ray's feathers, and the sense of warmth in this. ::happy sigh::

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I wanted it to be a warm, cozy, angst-free moment.

[eledhwenlin]

Wingfic! ♥

I like the image of Ray preening his wings. :D

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Yay! Glad you liked it! Ray preening is something I probably spend too much time thinking about. *g*

[viciouscats.livejournal.com]

So lovely! :)

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[brigantine.livejournal.com]

the first time I'd caught him perched on that same windowsill, wings half extended, muscles coiled for launch.

I so love that image! Well all of it, but especially that bit. :)

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. I find I'm rather obsessed by the idea of a winged Ray.

[kuonji14.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, what a nice image all the way through. :)

[mergatrude.livejournal.com]

Thank you kindly!