Rated PG
Alliance owns the these characters, and I make no legal claim to them. I do, however, make several moral claims.
WEDNESDAY EVENING
Dinner over and the last bit of the clean up done, the Vecchio family, one Mountie and one wolf headed into the living room for a night of relaxation.
"Hey, the Cubbies are playing," Ray announced excitedly. "Let's turn on the game."
With just a few grumbles for appearances sake, Frannie turned on the battered old Sylvania and the family gathered around to watch the baseball game.
Rosa, of course, had her overstuffed arm chair, and Tony and Maria snuggled up together in one of the chairs. Frannie sat in the other chair, and the kids sprawled happily on the floor.
Benny and Ray took the sofa, and sat on adjoining cushions, even though they had the sofa all to themselves.
Ray was absorbed in the game, but Fraser seemed rather distracted, leaning back against the cushion with his eyes closed, gently rubbing his eyes.
When the game went to a commercial, Ray glanced over at his partner to say something, then paused with a frown. "You have a headache, Benny?"
Ben nodded.
"You had one the other night, too," Ray said, going into full Mother Hen mode.
Ben opened his eyes and looked over at Ray with a smile. "It's not that bad, Ray."
"Mmm hmm. You need to tell the Dragon Lady to stop working you so hard. She's had you doing paper work and squinting at the computer screen for three days straight now. No wonder you have a headache!"
"You used to complain when I stood Sentry duty. There's just no pleasing you, Ray."
Ray shook his head, then reluctantly grinned at his lover's teasing. "I don't suppose you'd take some aspirin?"
Ben instantly shook his head, as Ray had known he would. "That's really not necessary, Ray."
"Of course not," Ray muttered.
He moved over to the end cushion, placing a pillow in his lap. "Lie down."
Ben was only too happy to obey, and he kicked off his shoes and lay down on the sofa, his head resting comfortably on the pillow in Ray's lap.
"Close your eyes," Ray said softly, and Benny complied.
Ray very lightly traced his fingertips over Ben's eyelids, then began stroking his forehead.
Frannie had been watching the scene, and she turned back to the television, barely able to hold back a snort.
Were those two ever going to come out of the closet? If they didn't soon, she was going to rip the damn doors off and drag them out herself. Did they honestly think they were fooling anybody anymore? They couldn't be more obvious about it if they tried.
Fran glanced over at her mother and saw Rosa watching her with a knowing smile. The two women exchanged grins, then turned back to the game.
At the end of the inning, Frannie looked back over at the sofa. Fraser was asleep, a small contented smile on his face, and Ray was watching the game, his hands still stroking Fraser's face and his hair.
Fran turned to the TV again with a sigh. Why were all the good men gay? Or her brother?
THE END
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