thelockbox | Benton Fraser

[He can practically hear the 'understood' without it ever actually being uttered. It's a predictable enough reply at this point in their partnership and it has Ray's lips curling against the kiss in the slightest of smiles, amused by the familiarity of it.

The shoving pays off, the drop causing Ray to huff heavily out of his nose as he keeps up the assault on Fraser's mouth. He senses, even feels the submit, like the many times Fraser's so patiently stood aside, hands behind his back as Ray's pushed himself forward on whatever little tangent he gets himself into. He doesn't expect or request full surrender, but he makes the most of what little he gets, aware just how much of this is give and take, of how much roles reverse at a moments notice.

It's the noises Fraser barely makes that spur Ray on, retaliating with own little groan that lingers in his throat. He drags his teeth into play, his tongue slipping back long enough for him to bite down at Benton's bottom lip, rough but not anywhere near enough to draw blood.

His shoulders roll back into the touch, shifting himself to be less beside and more on top of the Mountie.]

Ah.

[ It's more a sound than breaking the rules, a gasp startled out of him by rough teeth. It's not unexpected, not from Ray, but it is unexpected at least in so much as...well, by definition, biting really isn't something he sees coming. Even relatively gentle biting. Kisses were full of passion, yes, but always strictly (for the most part) above the belt.

Passion, yes. But practicality too.

And now he had to adapt, absorb. He'd done it since his very first meeting with Stanley Kowalski, and he did it now, took a breath to summon his ethical strength and let his meticulously blunt fingernails scrape against Ray's flanks in reciprocation. Rough, but only insomuch as the Mountie can allow himself to be; adjusting his own behavior to mirror Ray's, urging him on, and demonstrating that he could give just as good as he got. This was...different. And it had to be. In fact he'd be surprised if anything was ever really the same after this.

And for the gasp, the almost-syllable, he attempts to absolve himself by pressing back up into the kiss, taking advantage of Ray's lapse to better assault his mouth--again reflecting some of that instinctual ferocity, challenging back in their as yet wordless verbal spar. ]

[There we go, more of those sounds he likes. It's not the sort of thing he often hears from Fraser and it makes a new experience just that little fresher. If he were thinking (which is completely unlikely) he might consider how poor this idea is, but it's too late to bother with that anyway. Even if they were to both pull away right this second, it'd already be too late. Whether it's changed for better or for worse remains to be said, but at least they've got experience with settling their differences.

While Ray's distracted with being just a little smug over Fraser's reaction, he gets caught off guard by the resurgence of kissing. And then there's nails against his skin and he can't help the soft gasp against Fraser's mouth, his back and hips arching into the feel of those fingers.

The lack of clothing is a stroke of genius, especially with how quickly it's heating up around them, but it's almost overpowering to Ray at just how much stimulation he's getting. It's not only from lips and drifting fingers, but with his weight pressing down against Fraser, there's a whole lot of skin coming into contact that's putting his nerves into overdrive.

No surprises that he's making a muffled little noise.] Hngh...

[ This was the moment where it became safe to break the kiss, or at least Fraser felt it was. Ray's skin was burning hot against his own, but it was the helpless sound of pleasure gasped against his mouth that sealed the deal.

His nails dug a little deeper into Ray's hips, silent instruction to stay, to press closer, before he finally let him go. Instead he reached up, caught Ray's face gently in his cupped hand, thumb smoothing across his chin, across Ray's lips, maneuvering a breath of space between them.

This was it. More than Ray's lips crashing against his own to begin with, this was the moment where it was all laid on the line. Just for a second there was a chance to think, to make eye contact--because where Ray was all instinct, Benton had to be emotion. He didn't give himself to this unless he felt it; couldn't. He dropped his hand lower, lay it flat against the center of Ray's chest, held in questions and words, and then brushed just the briefest redeeming kiss against Ray's lips, not giving him the chance to disappear back into it, almost asking for permission to not thunder blindly onward for just a few moments.

Maybe it was a mistake, maybe it was selfish, but he'd given Ray what he needed. This was what he needed. Just a moment. Only a moment. ]

[He does what he's asked of; doesn't move when Fraser's hands lift, doesn't even force forward for a continuation of the kiss, even if he is briefly trying to lean in again before being halted by that trailing thumb. His tongue follows up it's path, wetting his bottom lip.

There's one small issue here, and that's patience. This momentary pause does give Ray a chance to catch his breath- chest heaving against the palm pressed at his ribs as he breath comes in short, sharp huffs- but it's also giving time to think and reflect. Waiting isn't really something he's too good at.

After what feels like minutes, but is more than likely little more than a few short seconds, Ray's whining out a soft noise of impatience, squirming against the Mountie beneath him.]

Fraser. I gotta... I gotta... [He's not sure what he really needs, but laying there doing nothing is going to drive him nuts.]

Edited 2014-07-10 22:39 (UTC)

[ No, waiting isn't easy for Ray at all. Benton on the other hand could stretch this moment out into an eternity. But he could do it without actually taking forever, compress those minutes into seconds, get everything he needed out of the moment. He needed it to be Ray, for Ray to actually be present, to acknowledge his own presence too, and his feelings now that the dam had been released, emotion spilling free across the ancient, dried up riverbed that was Benton Fraser.

It took mere seconds for him to find himself, and Ray's whining and squirming solidified it. Genuine amusement reached his eyes. ]

You know, Ray. [ Breaking his vow of silence. ] You really should learn to hold still.

[ It was foreshadowing. Here came the fight at last, the surge of strength that sent Ray over onto his back in the blankets instead, with Fraser looming over him, hand still on his chest. The second hand joined the first, reaching along Ray's forearms for his wrists, seeking them out so that he could pinion his weight against him. The full length of his chest and hips crushed against the slighter man, but the noises weren't gone just because the wind had changed. It was an intense feeling, and Fraser wasn't above it - he was a Mountie, not inhuman - huffing a hot breath against Ray's collarbone, then his ear, not resisting the soft groan of pleasure that rose in his throat as he rolled his hips. ]

[Ray tries to understand the waiting thing, he really does and he's definitely heard enough stories by now about Fraser's endless patience when it comes to tracking. He's understanding enough that he's not forcing anything until his partner's ready, but it doesn't mean he's going to stop squirming.]

No can do--

[He's barely even got that last word out before there's a sudden shift. It's not something he'd been expecting, especially not after such stillness from Fraser only moments before. This time it's his turn to hit the ground hard enough to wind him, but he still manages the tiniest chuckle gasped between a few sharp inhales. He doesn't even complain about the grip at his wrists, retaliating with writhing beneath the heavy weight on him, his hips lifting up against the downwards roll.

With Fraser's head placement where it is, Ray doesn't pass up the opportunity to lash out with his tongue against the curve of Benton's ear, grinning to himself with a certain kind of smugness.] Breathin' pretty hard there.

[ It's always good to catch Ray by surprise, but there's something very rewarding about the chuckle in his ear; unexpectedly rewarding. At the lick, which makes him shiver, and the accusation - no, assessment - Fraser dips back, looking Ray in the eye again. The flush of arousal has ruddied his cheeks the way the harsh northern winds can't seem to, no matter how hard they blow, and the warmth isn't reserved for him; he bleeds it into Ray, tension and heat and need. ]

I suppose you think you've worn me out already?

[ It's not really a question. Of course he's failed to see the weakness in his plans. Without actually reaching across and fishing his handcuffs out of his belt, there's no way to get the use of his own hands back while still immobilizing Ray, no way to do anything but reciprocate against the urgent shift of hips against his own, to shudder visibly with each punctuation.

And breathe a little harder. ]

Well you'll have to... Ah. [ His eyes were glazed, rarely senseless. ] What was I saying?

[It's rare to ever see Fraser this way. Ray's seen him flustered, sure, that's nothing entirely new, but flushed and emanating heat like this is an encouraged change. Ray's an open book for the most part but Fraser? Fraser's not usually quite so obvious.

That grin of Ray's doesn't fade as Fraser speaks, merely nodding a soft agreement in return. Pinned or not, it seems like he can still get to the Mountie with a few purposeful shifts of his hips.]

Try harder, huh?

[Don't worry, Ray was sort of listening for once.]

Sure is somethin' hard around here.

[ Not usually or in fact ever. Unless you shoot his hat, in which case this pales in comparison. And sometimes, just sometimes, being able to communicate on a psychic level works very well for both of them. It saves Fraser from having to communicate using actual words, which is a good thing because forming them has become a problem.

Well, most words are a problem. Ray is undoing him piece by piece, and given the opportunity and enough focus to resolve the sentence without stuttering, he can't seem to resist being himself: ]

Other than the pack ice, you mean?

[ As if he didn't already know, as if he hadn't noticed. Decision time. He pressed his face against Ray's neck for a moment, breathed him in, then pulled himself back upright abruptly, releasing his partner's wrists as he went. Ray had given him a kind of patience, but they were a long way past any semblance of it now, or at least it was Fraser's that was running thin. Getting upright had been the only way to escape the lights dancing behind his eyelids, the static crackle of energy where skin touched skin, but now that he was here... It was time to make the choice. He licked his lips, and nodded almost imperceptibly at no question at all--at least not one spoken out loud. ]

[Considering Ray's complete lack of being able to communicate his thoughts half the time and Fraser saying too much, their ability to get their point across without words really does have it's bonuses. At least Fraser's not totally lost the ability to speak just yet, however his words merely cause an amused eye roll. Ray's well aware that his partner gets the point.

When Fraser sits upright, Ray's gaze curiously follows him, surprisingly unmoving beneath the weight of the other. The pause gives him his own brief respite to consider the scenario somewhat uncertainly, brows furrowing thoughtfully as he observes the nod from Fraser. It's better if Ray doesn't think too hard on it all. This whole thing isn't something he's ever dreamed or fantasised of, but something about it feels right, like everything had led up to this.

With a huff of breath he lifts his hands to rest at the top of Fraser's thighs, thumbs circling softly and just a little awkwardly.]

You good?

[ Fraser appreciates the moment of uncharacteristic stillness from Ray, even though the time it buys him doesn't help him pick his way through what happens next. It isn't exactly something he thinks about in any detail on a daily basis. Or often at all. Which is part of what makes it so difficult. Fraser has always lived his life in such a way as to think three steps ahead at any one time. When he jumps into a boat that's about to tumble off the edge of a waterfall, he already knows where he's going when he drives his quarry down into the steep corrie valley, and where to jump from so as to not shatter his legs on the riverbed floor.

This isn't something he's planned for, not anything he can study in meticulous detail and carry out to the letter of some invisible check-list. It's instinct, which makes it more Ray's territory than his own, although at the deepest level Fraser still knows what he wants and how to take it. Always, when Fraser's plans failed, he knew he could depend on Ray to if not take it in hand, then to at least say the right thing.

He nodded more surely. ]

Yes, Ray. I'm good. [ Thank you for asking. He tilted his head, ever so slightly, a minute twitch. ] A good horseman knows when to hand over the reins. That is--if you would?

[Something like this is all about instinct for Ray, all about his current feelings, emotions and gut feelings. He let his heart lead his head, and doing what he wanted rather than what may be for the best. It could mean poor choices, he knew that, after all this sort of attitude had got him trying to bed his ex and kissing suspects in cases. He's just not entirely sure if writhing around a tent with his best friend is better or worse than those just yet.]

Yeah. [It takes a second for Fraser's words to sink in, but then it's clicking and the nod is returned firmly.]

Yeah. I got this. [Although there's a level of uncertainty behind his tone as he shifts a hand behind him, using it as leverage to push himself up. He leans enough to press his lips against the curve of Fraser's jaw, following the line down to his neck as he mumbles against skin.] I'm all over it.

[ Fraser gets right back to helping, shifting his weight back across Ray's thighs, and wrapping his arms around his waist to better support his weight, welcoming the fresh electricity, the brand of Ray's skin burning against his own.

The pause had been a bad idea, ultimately, but he was starting to forget it had ever happened. Ray's mouth against his jaw was a more than welcome distraction. The kisses made him shudder, and Fraser urged him closer. ]

So long as you're "all over it", Ray.

[ A hiss, and with one arm still at Ray's waist, he moved his other hand up, winding his fingers into his partner's hair--somewhat longer than usual, he noted, although it wasn't surprising. The same could be said of his own. But he tightened his grip somewhat, albeit reactive to the slightest movement, fingers opening and closing in perfect reflection to Fraser's rapidly failing efforts to keep his breathing steady. ]

All over you, heh.

[Gradually he works on losing that awkward self awareness that he's managed to work up after that brief pause. Tries to lose himself in the warmth of Fraser, of his lips against skin and the weight of his partner on top of him.

He keeps the path of lips moving, a careful trail downwards; his tongue occasionally flicking out, lapping against the pulse point of Fraser's neck and adding a soft scrape of teeth.

The drifting hands of Fraser are met with a soft exhale of approval, his head kept in close thanks to that reassuring pressure of fingers against his skull. Ray's own hands make their move, trailing down the curve of Benton's spine, fingers of one hand settling to grip at the curve of his behind, while the thumb of his other curling into the waistband of those boxers. He doesn't pull, not yet, but the careful pressure downwards against the elastic is something of a hint.]

[ Fraser didn't know how to keep down those soft noises forever, not when Ray's tongue lashed against his throat, followed by gentle teeth--he was better ready for them this time, and instead of a shocked gasp he reciprocated with the softest moan.

And he listened, not with his ears but with his body, reaching for the inherent understanding such as that which he used to read the texture of the snow like a storybook. Like this, he tried to interpret Ray's responses instead. He tried to feel him in his fingertips, his heart, tried to hear the meaning in the sound of his breathing, and little by little he was picking up on the intricacies. That sound meant he was doing something right. The fingers in Ray's hair. He pushed them a little deeper, drew his nails gently against Ray's scalp, digging but not pulling, trying to urge him to make the sound again. ]

You like that.

[ And he was still learning, still maneuvering his way through it, and in this case the maneuver was to shift his hips to one side, carefully bringing himself off Ray's lap so that they might better coordinate getting out of their underwear. Not that he went far, he couldn't bear to. ]

[Fraser's noises aren't so bad either. Ray's being attentive enough to listen to the sounds being made and when they're being made, quietly pleased with himself for managing to get a reaction out of the other.

There's certainly reactions being dragged out of him too, those nails digging in causing him to grunt out a noise of quiet pleasure, overly sensitive to every touch.]

Nngh, yeah. Yeah. Real good. C'mon. [The shift from his lap is needed despite Ray's reluctance to let it happen, giving him a chance to make a proper effort to get Fraser out of that last bit of clothing despite having to draw away for a moment.]

[ If he had the wherewithal to do so, Benton might have marveled over his own fondness for Ray, the fact that his friend's frenetic energy was even now not a burden but a benefit. A turn on, if he were to be crass about it. There was no slowing him down, and Fraser had no intention of trying, a soft whisper of a laugh panted into Ray's hair.

Instead his hands sought out the back of Ray's, and a moment later he was ducking down until his forehead brushed against his partner's elbow, kicking his way to freedom. Outside the wind howled a challenge, but for once Fraser ignored the weather, ignored everything but what he was doing--which was, while he was already in a more pragmatic position, helping to divest Ray of his own underwear. His nails scraping against Ray's bared hip bones and the long stretch of thighs that followed was even intentional, as was the blunt-toothed bite he left on naked skin as he moved back up again. Close. Close enough to feel the heat against his chest but not close enough to touch. ]

Now, Ray?

[That interminable energy of Ray's is built up in him like a static, causing his muscles to constantly tremble under the excitement and effort of it all. He's almost not sure what to do with himself, but his focus lies entirely on Fraser, all the little shifts and movements made for his partner's sake.

But he settles for the garment removal, attention locked solidly on Fraser as the Mountie slips from the final confines of covering. And Ray does stare, he stares unabashedly, flushed and panting and eager, his lips curling upwards into a roguish little smile. It doesn't take much for Ray to start whining out a soft moan thanks to those teasing nails, his pitch lifting at the bite. He can feel the heat of Fraser and almost almost arches towards him.]

You uh. We don't have any uh.

[He's pretty sure they didn't pack for this sort of thing. Which is too bad, because now that Fraser's close again, Ray's hands are going right back to gripping at the curve of his ass, unwilling to let his partner go too far.]

[ It's more than rewarding. Benton isn't strictly aware of himself as attractive, but he appreciates the reciprocation, the pure honesty of it. All too often he's aspired too far only to find himself disappointed, but these high aspirations come hand in hand with a core affection such that only partners could share. Ray had come on this mission with him, nevermind the challenges it meant that they would face; he'd trusted him that they would face them together. After all, Fraser always knew what to do.

This time at least--he could provide the necessary solution at the germane moment. ]

Lubricant. [ Because what is awkward. ] Actually Ray, I rarely if ever leave home without it.

[ But before he could explain himself, he had to twist across, reaching for his discarded pack. Fortunately the tent wasn't so large that he had to get away from Ray to twist open the leather strap, and a moment later he was settling back against Ray's warmth, an ancient looking tobacco box held into the space between them. When he twisted it open deftly with one hand, the air filled with the scent of warm leather and sandalwood. This wasn't the moment to explain its purpose, though he could wax lyrical about the many uses of the grease. The truth was its primary function was to soften and protect Fraser's precious boots. ]

[There's a temptation to ask what the hell Fraser's doing with any kind of lubricant, but then Ray remembers he doesn't care. Not to mention he's fully aware of the amount of random balms, ointments and whatever else the Canadian likes to carry with him; he should know, he's had enough of it used on him in the past. At least he's not going to complain about it this time around.

He reaches out towards the box when Fraser presents it, tilting his head to try and get a glimpse of the contents, a curious sniff given.]

Just occasionally, Fraser, yer useful to have around. [For the sake of lube. And also for this sort of thing, he guesses.]

I see. But only occasionally? After all I imagine this is the kind of thing you can usually take care of without my help...

[ He'd had the chance to get his breath back, which was the peril of stopping even for long enough to fetch supplies, but while he was very capable of filling the space with words, he didn't intend to leave it at that. Leaving the tin to Ray, he pulled himself a few inches closer, stretching across the space between them to press a kiss to Ray's shoulder, before flattening his cheek against his chest, trying not to speak too loudly over the rhythm of Ray's heart in his ear. ]

If you could try not to use it all, Ray. ...For a number of reasons, none of which need to be explored at this juncture.

[ And not all of which related to the wellbeing of his boots. For one thing, if this didn't go terribly badly, then the tension levels in the tent the following night might escalate to similar levels...and then where would they be? ]

Occasionally. [He reiterates just to rub it in, because obviously he doesn't need Fraser around. It's not like he'd die cold and alone in the wilderness without his buddy. Although Fraser is becoming kind of useful for this sort of thing, even if it is a first.

The tin is accepted silently, giving him a proper chance to take a look and while his hands are otherwise occupied for the moment, Fraser's getting an appreciative little hum for his closeness. His chest rises and falls under Fraser's ear, his breathing and heart rate having slowed somewhat during the latest pause but already picking up again.

It's the feel of the grease- or rather the knowledge of what he'll do with it- that's got him excited again, coating his fingers in it and dumping the tin aside. When his hand traces downwards, he's leaving a slick trail against Fraser's lower back, fingers slipping cautiously between the curve of cheeks and ever so attentively circling against his entrance. There's something careful about Ray's actions, like he so desperately wants to get it right, watching for reactions with his head tilted down and brows furrowed.]

[ It's the natural rhythm that he thrives on, that collects him when everything else is out of his control. Like hoofbeats or raindrops beating on the ground, or the soft strum of an acoustic guitar, Benton uses the sound to help him find his center in the moment. Ray is a cacophony of sound on a good day, but it's almost compiled itself into a harmony now, chaotic but real, symphonic in its own right. Fraser wrote the meter behind his eyelids, the heartbeat the base, the sound and feel of his breath the strings, the soft, appreciative hum - and he did recognize it as appreciative - making every difficult part of this impossibly worth it.

They might bicker, but they understood each other without words, and just as Fraser could all but feel Ray's nerves twisting the air, he knew his own soothing commitment and trust would be equally well communicated. They could balance each other out like this, find the safer middle ground. As long as they had each other, they could make it through any trial, survive sinking ships and track down fugitives in the wilderness.

And do this.

Raising his head, Fraser braced his arm underneath himself, canting his hips very slightly, legs parting by way of wrapping one across Ray's only to tangle it through once more, hooking his toes at the base of Ray's knee. He didn't say a word, but his breathing slowed and staggered, while Fraser, meanwhile, sought out Ray's line of sight. Flushed, lips parted, he guided him with almost imperceptible little nods of his head, knowing that he could resolve some of Ray's anxiety with minute directions, and pressed back with his hips just in case despite his best intentions the other gestures failed.. ]

[That silent communication has done them well in the past. It's got them through plenty of tough times and has only improved with experience. It takes a real understanding of each other to truly get it and as much as Ray may be loathe to admit that he can interpret Canadian freaks, he's certainly managed to get on the same wave length as his partner. With a few careful glances or subtle hand gestures, the two of them have managed to set up plans of attack in the past, but it's strange just how well the skill has it's other uses.

The silence in the air at that moment is thick, the heavy breathing from both of them barely making a dent in it, but still Ray doesn't speak. He matches Fraser's own quiet, reading into each nod and pant presented without a word and returning his own slow nod; a confirmation and a warning at once.

It's the only notice Fraser gets before those fingers move, pushing one within in one steady movement. He crooks and curls it, massaging lightly, leaving little time before a second slips in alongside the first, a mix of impatience and eagerness.

Beyond the quickened heart beat of excitement, Ray appears surprisingly calm. His gaze never leaves Fraser but he's exactly why Ray's nerves have settled. Staring at his partner is it's own reassurance, a dogged sort of loyalty that tells him if Fraser's okay then he's okay.]

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