[That warm grip is a vague but constant reminder that Fraser's still clasped around his hand, even as they speak, but Ray doesn't say anything about it, doesn't even bother to take note of it as the two of them stand there. There's nothing wrong with one guy holding another guy's hand if he's just helped him up. No different than a hand on the shoulder, like a physical reminder of support. So there might be some out there who consider hand holding something men shouldn't be doing, but Ray's pretty sure every one of those people have never had a partner that would die for them, so fuck those guys.
That grip does loosen though, Fraser pulling back at the mention of the two of them dancing, and Kowalski gets that it's not a rejection, especially not when the request for lessons comes in. And... A man has needs. Heh. No kidding. Ray knew all about those needs when he was shivering away in the middle of no where, but Benton didn't mean those kind of needs, especially not judging by his fairly swift exit.
Of course Ray followed closely, walking alongside and still two steps behind in the conversation because dancing.]
Not sure if you noticed, Frase, but Stella's gonna be dancin' with someone else tonight. You got no one you need to compete with. Clean slate. I'm all outta dance partners and there's no way you're gonna try sneakin' off with someone else to get a dance in and leave me sittin' like a chump by myself.
[The chorus drifting through the air doesn't spook Stanley any more, doesn't have him thinking of how much he wants to punch Vecchio. Maybe it's the alcohol finally sinking in, but he's finally okay with seeing the festivities, of awkwardly acknowledging Stella's family, of random arguments with Fran and pinched cheeks from Mrs. Vecchio. He knows both families and knows just how to deal with them. If he just kept his head down, avoided Stella and spent the rest of the day considering this a simple reunion, then he might just survive when Fraser's not by his side.]
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That grip does loosen though, Fraser pulling back at the mention of the two of them dancing, and Kowalski gets that it's not a rejection, especially not when the request for lessons comes in. And... A man has needs. Heh. No kidding. Ray knew all about those needs when he was shivering away in the middle of no where, but Benton didn't mean those kind of needs, especially not judging by his fairly swift exit.
Of course Ray followed closely, walking alongside and still two steps behind in the conversation because dancing.]
Not sure if you noticed, Frase, but Stella's gonna be dancin' with someone else tonight. You got no one you need to compete with. Clean slate. I'm all outta dance partners and there's no way you're gonna try sneakin' off with someone else to get a dance in and leave me sittin' like a chump by myself.
[The chorus drifting through the air doesn't spook Stanley any more, doesn't have him thinking of how much he wants to punch Vecchio. Maybe it's the alcohol finally sinking in, but he's finally okay with seeing the festivities, of awkwardly acknowledging Stella's family, of random arguments with Fran and pinched cheeks from Mrs. Vecchio. He knows both families and knows just how to deal with them. If he just kept his head down, avoided Stella and spent the rest of the day considering this a simple reunion, then he might just survive when Fraser's not by his side.]