[ Fraser took a deep breath the moment he was free to, his eyelids relaxing too, his chest and the tension in his arms. He knew he'd only make Ray more nervous if he was tense and rigid in his own right, transferring that energy through his body the way that a nervous horse made for a nervous rider, and vice versa.

Ray was already having a difficult time with this. Fraser could help, but he had to focus him into the moment, maybe even hypnotise him a little bit. They could get through this, the humiliation, if that was the only way out.

He still had an ace up his sleeve. If this went too far... ]

I'm not afraid. Look at me, Ray. Don't think about the rest of the room. [ A slow breath, in and out, encouraging Ray subconsciously to mimic the action. ] There's just you and me, and you...you make me happy. You make me feel safe.

[ He licked his lips nervously, rolling his shoulders where they were uncomfortably knotting underneath him. ]

I want to touch you. Will you--will you hold my hand, please, Ray?