[The alcohol isn't helping Ray's thought process. It has a tendency to make him aggressive and is currently doing a good job of keeping his metaphorical hackles raised even as he considers Fraser's logical perspective on all of this.
If there's one person he should be able to trust, its Benton. The two of them had got to know each other well enough in the passing months and even now Ray could concede that this was a partnership closer than he'd ever got with any previous colleagues. This was undoubtedly a friendship; a duet to end all duets, where Fraser was undoubtedly the most trustworthy of any Stan had ever met. It wasn't at all like the Mountie to be hurtful or vindictive. Even his mocking was barely there and bred from affection rather than affliction.
It would be entirely uncharacteristic to have Benton here, crouched before Ray, mocking and humiliating over a failed relationship that was obviously still very fresh. Fraser just wasn't the sort to be jabbing vindictively at an open wound.
But if belittling wasn't the intent, then what was? Was he really here to try and make moves on Ray. Was it really as simple as him attempting to display some sort of oddly placed affection? The brief display of blushing suggests it might be that simple but...]
Fraser, I don't uh... I don't usually go in for all this...
[Less bristling now although the confusion remains, even uncertain of what 'this' really is. But he relaxes just slightly, grip loosening, allowing Fraser movement but not quite releasing from his wrist just yet.]
no subject
If there's one person he should be able to trust, its Benton. The two of them had got to know each other well enough in the passing months and even now Ray could concede that this was a partnership closer than he'd ever got with any previous colleagues. This was undoubtedly a friendship; a duet to end all duets, where Fraser was undoubtedly the most trustworthy of any Stan had ever met. It wasn't at all like the Mountie to be hurtful or vindictive. Even his mocking was barely there and bred from affection rather than affliction.
It would be entirely uncharacteristic to have Benton here, crouched before Ray, mocking and humiliating over a failed relationship that was obviously still very fresh. Fraser just wasn't the sort to be jabbing vindictively at an open wound.
But if belittling wasn't the intent, then what was? Was he really here to try and make moves on Ray. Was it really as simple as him attempting to display some sort of oddly placed affection? The brief display of blushing suggests it might be that simple but...]
Fraser, I don't uh... I don't usually go in for all this...
[Less bristling now although the confusion remains, even uncertain of what 'this' really is. But he relaxes just slightly, grip loosening, allowing Fraser movement but not quite releasing from his wrist just yet.]