[ Despite his efforts to search Ray's eyes for the answers, he didn't come up with anything so complicated. He'd be embarrassed for himself if he knew. He'd back off, give way time, let him adjust to the idea and maybe in private they could see if it worked between them. But Fraser didn't know, and while there did seem to be something flighty about Ray that already wasn't surprising enough to cause alarm. They were talking about real feelings, after all.

And on the topic of feelings.

Fraser licked his lips, shifting very slightly forward in the chair and slightly lowering the volume and tone of his voice, conspiratorial. ]

I've thought about much more than kissing you, Ray. I've thought about much more than kissing you four times in the last two minutes. Five. [ He shifted very slightly in his chair. He was thinking about kissing him right now, but he knew where to draw a line. When to stop and wait to see where the chips fell. ]

I know you haven't thought about me that way, that I've give you no reason to. I don't expect you to change who you are for me, Ray. Dating is...dating is serious. And I know that I...I'm not what you'd look for in the long term. I can't give you children, and I-- [ God, Fraser, it's dating. It's sex, not a marriage. ] And if something goes wrong...