Genre Challenge by Musegaarid

[musegaarid.livejournal.com]

Title: No Such Thing As Coincidence
Author: musegaarid
Pairing: Fraser/Kowalski
Rating: PG-13? There is no explicit sex, but they sure talk about it a lot
Word count: ~3,300
Genre: Epistolary
Notes: This takes place in the second season, sometime after All The Queen's Horses.



An ad in the Chicago Tribune...

It was the case, in medieval China, that a woman would search for a lover by writing a poem on a lotus leaf and letting it float down a brook. If the fates allowed, the man who discovered the poem would then find the woman, and they would share a heart, a home, and a bed.

There not being much in the way of small waterways in the greater Chicago area (certainly a leaf would be lost on the Chicago River) and not being much of a poet myself, I will instead copy the words of another and find a different means of getting this message to you. If you are the one, please look for me. I find myself growing increasingly lonesome here.

Among the beautiful clouds,
Over the heavenly river,
Crosses the weaving maiden.

A night of rendezvous,
Across the autumn sky,
Surpasses joy on earth.

Moments of tender love and dream,
So sad to leave the magpie bridge.

Eternal love between us two,
Shall withstand the time apart.

-Stranger in a Strange Land
PO Box 194
Chicago, IL 60601



Stranger -

Hey, so I read your ad and it was different than the usual “I’m 5’10” and I like long walks on the beach” kind of crap, so I’m writing back to you. I ain’t no Prince Charming, but I guess I’m lonely, too, and it seems better to be lonely together than lonely apart, you know? My ex probably wouldn’t agree, but that’s where the ex part comes in.

Anyways, I want to look for you, but I got no idea where to start. I don’t know what you look like or what you do or anything. Give a guy a hint? In the meantime, here’s a poem I always kind of liked.

A sharp silhouette in the ballroom door,
A shadowy figure across the floor,
A graceful movement away from the wall,
A glance as she paused to survey the hall,
And then she became a beautiful sight,
A rose that blooms in the evening light.

A glowing gardenia graced her tress,
A garden of flowers grew on her dress.
Such beauty and grace should inspire a chance,
But I hesitated to ask her to dance,
In fearing the thorns I might find that night,
On the rose that blooms in the ev'ning light.

No sweet scent of roses was ever sensed,
Nor petal caressed without risk commenced.
So feeling the pain outweighed by the prize,
Looked into a beautiful pair of eyes,
And asked to have the next dance, if I might,
With the rose that blooms in the ev'ning light.

Champ
PO Box 2238
Chicago, IL 60661



To Champ -

I mused over your comment about being lonely together for quite some time last night. It was most profound. I don’t know that I have ever had that experience, but I’m certainly intrigued, and it does sound preferable to the alternative. The closest I've come to such a situation is the unenviable experience of caring about others far more than I was cared for in return. Not that I wish to complain. I simply want you to know that my experience in matters of romance is limited, at best.

I apologize if my lack of specificity is frustrating to you. My purpose in using this roundabout method is to get to know someone before appearances can distract us from the truth in our hearts. It happens far too frequently, in my opinion. To that end, I do not wish to say what I look like, but I can tell you that my profession involves helping people to the best of my ability.

Thank you for sharing your poem with me.

-Stranger in a Strange Land



Stranger –

Shy, huh? I get that. If it helps, I ain't a supermodel or nothing, just an ordinary looking guy, and I don't care if you're ordinary looking, too. I'm looking for someone who doesn't mind being with a working-class joe. I can do the fancy thing for special occasions and I clean up pretty good - I like giving little presents and stuff, and I'm not gonna forget a birthday or anniversary - but from day-to-day I'm more of a sports and beer kinda guy. I got a pretty dangerous job and I don't work normal hours, so sometimes I just need to blow off steam or make like a couch potato.

Speaking of jobs, you say yours is to help people. That don't really narrow it down much. You could be a doctor or a cop or a teacher or a social worker or a lawyer or even an accountant for all I know. You gotta give me something to work with here, 'cause I wanna find you. I do. I know all about loving someone too much and it sucks.

Write back!
Champ



To Champ -

Thank you for your honesty. It seems to be a remarkably rare commodity these days...

I was relieved to read your description of yourself. As I am entirely average in appearance as well, I don't foresee an issue on that front. If it helps to narrow things down, I am not a doctor, teacher, or lawyer. In addition, I have a somewhat unusual animal companion.

I was also quite pleased to find that you enjoy sports; I am fond of them myself.

At this point, I'm not certain what it is that I'm truly looking for. Friendship, certainly. Romance, if possible. But I do not trust my own judgment in that realm. You must be patient with me if you wish to pursue a deeper relationship. Once bitten, twice shy, as they say.

Before my letter turns unbearably maudlin, I should go. However, I would like you to know that you've already brightened my life. Now when I go on a walk, or am performing one of my more mundane duties, I look at the people passing in the street and wonder: Could that be Champ? Or that?

-Stranger in a Strange Land



Stranger –

Oh, thank God. I mean, I like you and I'd like you no matter what you did for a living, but I gotta say thank-freaking-God that you are not a lawyer. I hate the bastards.

Unusual animal companion, huh? I got one of those, too, but I can't say I ever thought about her in those words before. At least, I think she's a she. It's kinda hard to tell... She's low-maintenance, though, which is good, 'cause I don't always know when I'm gonna be around.

So, besides walks and sports, what do you like to do when you're not helping people?

And, hey, I'm glad I could brighten your life. I'm like a ray of sunshine over here. But now you got me doing it. Only most of the people I meet I don't want them to be you, you know?

-Champ



To Champ -

Many lawyers are hard-working individuals who care deeply about what they do: protecting the innocent and trying to find the truth. So, it may be premature to say that you hate all lawyers. However, since many lawyers are not as concerned with justice as they should be, I can certainly understand your position.

In regards to your animal companion, I often find that a careful inspection of the genital area will generally help in identifying his or her gender, if that is something that concerns you.

I am quite fond of music, in addition to walks and sports, and I enjoy making things. I'm quite good with my hands. Does that help?

-Stranger in a Strange Land



Stranger –

Wow. I like you and all, but you're completely nutso (in a good way). Lawyers are either total slimebags, burnt out public defenders with no self-respect, or so in love with their careers that they don't notice anyone else. If you've met a lawyer who cares deeply about what they do and gives a crap about the truth, you must be the luckiest woman in the world.

And, uh, you some kind of reptile expert or something? 'Cause I'm not gonna just sit there and stare at Sally's (probably) girl parts. Even if I could find them. She deserves a little privacy and I'm not that desperate. (Yet. :D) Human girl parts is a whole 'nother story, though. And I hope you don't mind me talking like this, but I figure we gotta be honest here and sex is pretty important to me in a relationship-type situation. There would definitely be some staring at girl parts if I ever found you and we ended up together that way (if you want that). I'm not a pervert or anything – don't got no weird fetishes – but I ain't a prude either. I'll try just about anything once.

Guess that's it for now. Hope you write back.
Champ



To Champ -

My apologies for taking so long to reply to your last letter. I had a somewhat difficult week involving psychotic brothers and a poncho wired with a bom - that's not important. What is important is that it has taken more time than I wished to be resolved and that was time I could not spend writing back to you. I hope you haven't taken my silence as fear or disapproval. While I might be "nutso," I don't believe I am completely so, my respect for lawyers notwithstanding.

Also, I am not a reptile expert, per se, but I am fairly familiar with many of the major species of mammals in North America. Determining the gender of a mammal is significantly easier than sexing a reptile, so I understand your confusion. In case you were wondering, I am not in the habit of spending any significant time staring at animals' genitals; in most cases a quick glance will suffice. I'm sorry my advice was so useless.

As for the remainder of your letter, yes, honesty is much preferred and appreciated. If it helps, I do not believe I have any particularly unusual desires, either. I am uncertain about your preferences regarding frequency, but some kind of sexual contact on a fairly regular basis is part of what I am looking for, so it sounds as though we would be well-matched on that level, as well. I have only one further thought on the matter. You say you'll try almost anything once. Does that include assignations with other men?

-Stranger in a Strange Land



Stranger –

Okay, so it's been a few days, but you totally threw me. I had to look up assignations in the dictionary and kinda wigged out when I realized that you wanted to know if I'd do a guy. Which, at first I thought, shit no! Then I thought maybe you were into threesomes, which is kind of an unusual desire whatever you say. Then I spent a whole day thinking that maybe you were married or already had a boyfriend or something and you guys were looking to spice up your love life, which is cool and everything, but you been talking about honesty and leaving that out ain't honest. So right now, I don't know. I really don't know why you're asking, either, but I guess I thought about it some. I never wanted to do a guy before, and looking around at the guys I know, I still don't. But I suppose if there was a guy that I clicked with and who did it for me and I trusted and stuff, I could maybe try it. Anyway, not sure if that's the answer you wanted, but that's what I got.

Champ



To Champ -

You are quite possibly the most amazing man I have ever known, even if it is only through the written word. Even though I was in no fit state of mind when I wrote my last letter, you have been nothing but thoughtful and open-minded and I hope that someday I can have half the courage you do.

I am sorry that I was ever unclear about this point, but at present I have no spouse, boyfriend, or any other person with whom I share romantic liaisons. I'm entirely unencumbered. Additionally, I'm not remotely interested in having relations with a third person present; two would be more than sufficient.

Finally, the reason for my question is that, well, I am a man. I apologize if I have misled you somehow; I'm not sure where you got the impression that I was not. I know this troubles you, but I hope we can maintain our correspondence regardless of what else we might decide. What I mean is that even if you cannot imagine a relationship with another man, I dearly hope we can remain friends, at least. Your letters have come to mean so much to me. If you feel you cannot continue, however, I will certainly understand.

-Stranger in a Strange Land



Stranger –

What the hell do you take me for? I ain't no homophobe. I'm not gay either, but I'm not just gonna stop talking to you 'cause you are. At least I get why you wanted to talk to someone for a bit before you met them, though. It's hard to keep getting rejected when the other person doesn't even know you yet – just that you're a guy or have weird hair or ugly glasses or whatever. I dunno about the whole you/me romance thing now, but talking about it ain't gonna kill me. What do gay guys do about sex anyway? From what I heard, it don't sound all that great, you know?

And I don't know why I thought you were a chick. I guess I wanted you to be one and assumed. Just like I assumed I was the only guy you were writing back to, but I'm probably being a dumbass. I bet twenty guys answered your ad and you're probably writing to all of them about this stuff. Maybe one of them is gay and you guys are gonna run off to Canada and get married and have little gay babies.

Champ



To Champ -

If what you've heard about homosexual intercourse is that it leads to having children, you've been sadly misinformed...

Also, please allow me this one chance to set the record straight about a few other matters. While I did receive a few inquiries to my advertisement, yours was the only one that interested me enough to respond. You, Champ, are the only person I have been speaking to for the past several weeks, outside of my co-workers, and on much more intimate topics than I would normally approach in the workplace.

In addition, I do not identify as a gay man. I am bisexual, in the sense that I am equally attracted to both men and women. That was why I did not specify a preferred gender in my ad; it makes little difference to me if my partner is male or female.

That said, I have never yet engaged in intercourse with another man, so I cannot describe it for you from personal experience. In theory, however, homosexual lovemaking can take many forms, including frottage, mutual masturbation, oral stimulation, anal penetration, and intercrural intercourse, all of which could be experienced with a female partner, as well. In fact, the only sexual act that two men cannot participate in together is vaginal intercourse and I believe the loss is more than made up for by the existence of the prostate in men, which can be remarkably pleasurable if it is stimulated during intercourse.

-Stranger in a Strange Land



Stranger –

Jeez! My ears are burning over here! How do you do that when you sound like you swallowed a textbook? Hell, I had to pull my dictionary out again. If I'd known "frottage" was in there when I was in middle school, I'd have taken English a lot more seriously.

Okay, so I get it now. You like guys and girls, but specifically you like me right now 'cause you ain't talking to anyone else. And I'm guessing that you're kinda hoping that I'll change my mind about guys, because I'd want the same thing if I was talking to someone I really liked and they weren't into whatever I was. So, let's give this thing a fair shake. How about we both go to a public place at the same time? I'll wander around, and if I find you, we'll go out once – as buddies – and see how it goes and if it leads to anything. If I can't find you, then maybe I'm not the guy you're looking for.

Champ



To Champ -

That sounds like an admirable plan and I am eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to finally meet you in person. Unfortunately, I came down with a mild case of amnesia the other day and am still trying to "find my footing," as it were. I will write again when I am feeling more myself because I can't expect you to find me if I cannot.

-Stranger in a Strange Land



A MILD CASE OF AMNESIA??!?!
- Champ



To Champ -

Once again I find that I must apologize for an embarrassingly tardy letter, but it has been a trying couple of weeks. The details are unimportant. Suffice it to say that I find myself increasingly isolated and in desperate need of a friend, if nothing else. Will you come and find me now?

-Stranger in a Strange Land



Stranger –

What I'm about to say is probably the shittiest thing I could say in a whole history of saying shitty things. I know that I'm an asshole, you don't gotta tell me. But while you were gone, I started a new job and met this guy... And it's not like that, or maybe it is, I don't know, but maybe it could be. I mean, I never would have looked before, but we had talked about all that stuff and so I looked a little and I liked what I saw and I kinda want to see if there's something there. So now I feel like if I find you, it won't be fair to him. I even asked him straight out if he thought I was attractive and he said yes. So I gotta try. And I'm real sorry, Stranger. I really am. But I know you'll find someone soon – someone who cares about you and is always there for you. I'm sorry I can't be that guy, but you're important to me just the same.

Thanks,
Champ



To Champ -

I appreciate your concern, but there is no cause for worry. I believe I have met someone special as well...

Yours,
Stranger in a Strange Land




Two years later, sixty-three miles from the nearest town in the Northwest Territories, Canada...

Ray stares at the fire, deep in thought. Occasionally, he takes a sip of tea, but the mug has long since given up its warmth to the hands that cup it.

"Frase?" he asks, finally. "You ever had a pen pal?"

Fraser's eyes crinkle at the corners. "I did once." He glances over to see the flames picking out golden highlights in Ray's hair.

"You ever wonder if you should have..."

"No," Fraser interrupts, smiling. "I'd know you anywhere, Champ."

Comments

[gloriana.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is amazingly sweet!! I love the tone of the two series of letters, and how well you've captured Ray's voice in particular. I love the idea of Fraser, who is such a focussed individual, throwing himself to the winds of chance like this. Many giggles for the 'MILD CASE OF AMNESIA?!?!?; and of course for the last lines. I liked the idea that, having found Ray at last, Fraser would not say anything, letting their relationship develop naturally.

[musegaarid.livejournal.com]

Thank you for all the kind words! You're right that Fraser is often very focused, but I think he does have an impetuous streak in him - falling in love at first sight and jumping on moving vehicles as two examples. And I'm so pleased that you liked how Fraser didn't say anything after finding Ray. I pondered that for quite a while, but it felt right, so I ran with it. ;)

[innocentsmith.livejournal.com]

As I am entirely average in appearance as well

AHAHAHAHA. OH FRASER. And Ray seems to be strangely deluded in that respect as well.

This is very, very sweet. I love epistolary fic.

[luzula]

I have a thing for epistolary fic, and this one is just delightful! \o/ I had a hard time not laughing out loud at several points, like this one:

If what you've heard about homosexual intercourse is that it leads to having children, you've been sadly misinformed.

I also really liked this line:

I will write again when I am feeling more myself because I can't expect you to find me if I cannot.

[galenlisle.livejournal.com]

AWWWWW! I love it all but particularly the ending! Sweet and satisfying!

[musegaarid.livejournal.com]

Well... he can't actually say that he's a super ultra megafox. XD His teeth aren't nearly pointy enough.

Thanks, m'dear. I love epistolary fic, too.

[musegaarid.livejournal.com]

Yay! That second line felt very Fraser-when-he's-being-especially-weird-and/or-has-a-head-injury to me, so I'm glad it worked for you, too.

Thanks!

[musegaarid.livejournal.com]

Awesome. Thank you! :D

[neu111.livejournal.com]

Very well done, and much enjoyable! The gradual getting-to-know each other, with a few minor hiccups - Ray thinking Fraser's a woman :) - that they manage to resolve each time, just like in the series canon. The resolution was perfect.

[musegaarid.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Methinks it's fate. ;)

[exbex.livejournal.com]

I love the creativity here, and the way you've captured their voices. The ending is wonderful :D

[musegaarid.livejournal.com]

Thank you! That Fraser is one smart cookie. ;)

[brigantine.livejournal.com]

*giggle* I can just imagine Ray's expression when he gets Fraser's advice on how to be sure Sally is an appropriate name for his turtle.

A mild case of amnesia. *sporfle*

[musegaarid.livejournal.com]

Imagining the reactions is the best part of epistolary stories! I picture Ray kind of squinting at Sally for a moment from across the room before squicking himself out...

And it was only for one day. Definitely mild. ;)

[j-s-cavalcante.livejournal.com]

SO MUCH LOVE. :)

Yay, epistolary fic! This is fabulous. (Hi, Muse! I am delurking to write this, because it's so great to see you, and to see you have written more dS fic! I will have to look and see whether I've missed anything else in the past several months since RL hit overwhelm.)

I adore that both Ray and Fraser describe themselves as average-looking. Fraser's from another planet and Ray never looks in the mirror when he's wearing his glasses, I'm going to guess. :) And, yeah, there are the serious self-esteem issues, for both of them.

I loved how we could easily see Ray didn't know Fraser was a man. And how well they responded to each other's true selves without the complications of gender and appearance, etc.

Beautifully done. Perfect (and amusing) ending. \o/

[musegaarid.livejournal.com]

Aw, hi, j_s! (I have actually written two dS fics in the last couple of months and am working on a third. The other one is here (http://community.livejournal.com/ds_noticeboard/1299420.html) if you wanna check it out. :D)

I think I took the average-looking thing from innocentsmith's story And These Are All For You (http://community.livejournal.com/ds_flashfiction/645191.html) because I think she's right that Fraser would have had trouble understanding beauty, caught as he is amidst various cultures with differing standards. But Ray, well, yeah, Ray has self-esteem issues. Little woobie!

It was actually pretty difficult writing so that Fraser didn't give his gender away, but in a way that still felt natural that he didn't, if that makes any sense. As usual, Ray gives away a lot more personal information than Fraser does, even if it seems like Fraser is being fairly open. He's hiding behind that, oddly enough...

Enough rambling. Thank you so much, sweetie!

[lucifuge-5.livejournal.com]

What a delightful and sweet fic, musegaarid! This a perfect example of why epistolary genre is one of my faves.

I loved how casual Fraser was about the Bolt brothers' return as well as about the events in "Flashback." It was truly interesting to see the way he defined himself without using his image as a Mountie or an Inuit story (or a dozen. *g*) For his part, the RayK in this fic was equally as fascinating. All the way from the poem about dancing (!) and his opinion on lawyers to his honesty.

The ending had the right note. So, now I'm smiling like a loon. Thank you very much for such a lovely story. :D

My favourite quote:

Now when I go on a walk, or am performing one of my more mundane duties, I look at the people passing in the street and wonder: Could that be Champ? Or that?

There's something about Fraser's longing that makes me want to give him a hug. I can imagine his eyes flicking to and fro while doing guard duty at the Consulate while thinking about Champ's real identity. *pets him*

[musegaarid.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment, Lucifuge! I really adore epistolary fics myself and this one was brewing for a long time. As soon as I heard the thing about Chinese women writing poems on lotus leaves, I knew it would be a dS story at some point.

You also pointed out my favorite part. It must be so difficult for Fraser to keep his mind occupied during guard duty, but imagining him avoiding all that strenuous mental work to daydream about Champ just ached.

So glad you liked it!

[thornnuminous.livejournal.com]

I just loved this! Very very well done. *applauds*

[musegaarid.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks! Glad you liked it.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

That was fantastic. Loved your use of letters.

[musegaarid.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It doesn't always work, but it's nice when it does. ;)

[kuonji14.livejournal.com]

This is beautifully done. I love Fraser's wistful, still textbook voice. Ray's brash honesty and amazing bravery. Love how, even though he can't know that it'll work out with Fraser, Ray comes clean with 'Stranger' before trying, instead of hedging his bets by playing both men. Love how Fraser keeps his discovery his secret for all that time; I wanted to whack him at first, but I can see how that is completely in character for him, and for this story.

Ah, the herdsman and the weaver. I always want to yell, "Why don't you just walk across and stay, fergodsake, screw the gods' rules." Good thing Ray and Fraser got it right and moved to Canada together. ;)

I am tempted to quote the whole thing, but I think these two resonated with me esp. They say so much about both characters:

You are quite possibly the most amazing man I have ever known, even if it is only through the written word. Even though I was in no fit state of mind when I wrote my last letter, you have been nothing but thoughtful and open-minded and I hope that someday I can have half the courage you do.

I bet twenty guys answered your ad and you're probably writing to all of them about this stuff. Maybe one of them is gay and you guys are gonna run off to Canada and get married and have little gay babies.

[kuonji14.livejournal.com]

(here via crackvan)

[musegaarid.livejournal.com]

Wow, thanks for coming over to read this story. I'm excited that someone really got all the nuances of character that I tried to put in. I think that Ray really is admirably honest and wants to do the right thing. And I'm glad you can see why Fraser would want to let their relationship advance naturally. I'm sure that knowing the kind of man that Ray is from almost the very beginning would help with Fraser's insecurities, too.

Anyway, this is just a long way of saying thank you! Readers like you make me very happy.

[kuonji14.livejournal.com]

You are most welcome. :) Thanks for sharing a wonderful story.

[ride-4ever.livejournal.com]

Awesome epistolary fic! Spot-on voices! <3 how the story line plays out. And the ending : oh Fraser!

[ride-4ever.livejournal.com]

Back for a many-months-later reread. And yes, <3 just as much second time around.

[musegaarid.livejournal.com]

Aw, you're amazing. Thank you so much!!