[ Fraser knows he's going to be handed back control long before it happens. He'd suspected it would happen at the very moment Ray had first recoiled. At last, it seems, some of that movement comes back, enough that Fraser no longer thinks his partner is about to combust on the spot.
Ray just needs time to adjust, to decide how this is going to work, perhaps even to unjumble some of the feelings he was having about it--though the latter sometimes seemed to take time and potential heartbreak to accomplish. Where Fraser's emotions were - in general - neatly ordered and pigeonholed, Ray didn't have that benefit. Of course he also didn't know that Fraser had considered kissing him long before this point; had imagined that one of the times Ray snagged his arm and pulled him through the door into Welsh's broom cupboard second office it might have been for something other than to be overheard talking. It had, at least, occurred to him, and that gave him an uncanny advantage.
Not that Fraser hadn't carefully and adjustedly buttoned up any such thoughts years ago, without a second thought, and shelved them for the sake of professionalism.
Carefully Fraser ran his hand up along Ray's arm, then up to his shoulder. His other hand fell from Ray's cheek, swiftly but gently moving to settle featherlight at Ray's waist. Three points of a dance hold, and Ray with the last part to do. ]
Put your hand on my shoulder, and close your eyes. Tell me: Can you hear it, Ray? The music?
[ Because if he could only give Ray something familiar to focus on, he might be able to help him to find his center. ]
no subject
Ray just needs time to adjust, to decide how this is going to work, perhaps even to unjumble some of the feelings he was having about it--though the latter sometimes seemed to take time and potential heartbreak to accomplish. Where Fraser's emotions were - in general - neatly ordered and pigeonholed, Ray didn't have that benefit. Of course he also didn't know that Fraser had considered kissing him long before this point; had imagined that one of the times Ray snagged his arm and pulled him through the door into Welsh's broom cupboard second office it might have been for something other than to be overheard talking. It had, at least, occurred to him, and that gave him an uncanny advantage.
Not that Fraser hadn't carefully and adjustedly buttoned up any such thoughts years ago, without a second thought, and shelved them for the sake of professionalism.
Carefully Fraser ran his hand up along Ray's arm, then up to his shoulder. His other hand fell from Ray's cheek, swiftly but gently moving to settle featherlight at Ray's waist. Three points of a dance hold, and Ray with the last part to do. ]
Put your hand on my shoulder, and close your eyes. Tell me: Can you hear it, Ray? The music?
[ Because if he could only give Ray something familiar to focus on, he might be able to help him to find his center. ]