Oils      Oils

 by Callie

  

 Author's website: http://www.geocities.com/callinuk

 Disclaimer: Due South and all of its characters belong to Alliance
Communications

 Author's Notes: 

 Story Notes: 

 

 

 "So how was school?" Ray looked sideways at Fraser as he settled himself
in the passenger seat. "Did you give the teacher an apple?" he teased with
a grin as he put the GTO into gear. 

 "No Ray," Fraser replied smiling at his partner's teasing. "I did not
give my teacher an apple." He clasped his books tightly as the GTO
screeched away from the kerb. "And school was fine. I'm enjoying it
immensely, although I don't think I will be able to complete the course." 

 "Why?" Ray asked. "Thought you just said you were having a ball," he shot
a confused look at Fraser. "Look," he stuttered nervously concentrating on
the road ahead. "If it's money or .... you know something like that, I can
always lend you some. And you can owe me," he babbled. "I know that school
can be expensive, even if it is just an evening class." 

 Fraser smiled touched at his friend's generosity. "No Ray," he brushed
his hand over Ray's hand gently. "It's not the money." 

 "So if it's not the money," Ray asked confused. "What is it? And you know
if there's anything I can do to help .......well you know I will," he
offered. 

 "Thank you kindly Ray," Fraser smiled again, although he rubbed at his
hands nervously. "But unless you want to pose naked for me, there is
nothing you can do to help me," he looked ahead at the road, not wanting
to look at Ray. 

 "What?" Ray nearly swerved into an oncoming car. Straightening the GTO
back onto the road and signalling at the driver who had blared his horn at
them, he looked over to Fraser. "What did you just say?" Ray tried to keep
the squeak out of his voice. 

 Drawing a deep breath, Fraser looked up and sideways at Ray. Steeling
himself for a burst of Ray's temper. "I said unless you wanted to pose
naked for me, there is nothing that you can do to help me." He looked back
down to his books. 

 "I thought that's what you said," Ray replied as he pulled up and parked
next to Fraser's apartment building. "So what has me stripping and showing
you my skinny ass gotta do with school?" 

 Relieved that Ray didn't seem angry, Fraser turned in his seat. He took
another deep breath. "Well," he started to say. 

 "Short version," Ray interrupted as he held up a hand with a small smile.


 "Understood," Fraser smiled back. "As part of my evening class, we have
been set a homework project," he coughed nervously. "We have four weeks in
which to undertake a study of life and paint it in a medium of our own
choice. And the finished project will account for 50% of our final marks."


 "A study of life huh," Ray grinned. "A naked something?" Fraser nodded,
his expression unhappy. "And an apple aint good enough?" Ray teased in an
effort to make Fraser smile. 

 "No I ate the apple," Fraser smiled back at Ray. "And our teacher, Mr.
Brett, insisted it had to be a nude," he blushed. "I think he saw it as a
challenge for the class." Fraser dropped his head picking at the seam of
his jeans. "And I have a suspicion for me in particular. He thinks that I
will fail," Fraser said miserably. 

 "That don't seem fair," Ray sympathised. He patted Fraser's hand. "Hey. I
bet Frannie would pose for you," he suggested. 

 "Good God," Fraser jerked his head up, a look of horror crossing his face
at the thought, his hands starting to tremble. 

 "OK. OK," Ray soothed trying to calm Fraser. "So Frannie was not one of
my better ideas." He smirked, not being able to help himself. "You could
always ask the Ice Queen." 

 "Ray," Fraser glared at his partner. "That is... that is," he spluttered,
lost for words. He cleared his throat in an effort to calm himself. "That
would not be appropriate," Fraser replied adopting his prim voice. 

 Ray grinned at him, his pale eyes sparkling with mischief. "Just yanking
your chain. Honest," he put his hands up in defence, still grinning. 

 "Now you see why I cannot finish," Fraser said miserably. "And I would
really have liked to have been able to complete the course." His voice
sounded wistful. 

 Ray took a deep breath knowing that he would instantly regret his next
words, but he didn't like to see Fraser so unhappy. "OK.... I'll do it,"
he said, his voice trembling slightly. 

 "Do what?" Fraser looked at him confused. 

 "I'll do it," Ray looked exasperated as he waved his hand in the air.
"I'll take my clothes off, and you can paint me." 

 "You.... you," Fraser's eyes widened in surprise. "Would do that.... for
me?" he swallowed nervously. 

 "Yeah why not?" Ray tried to sound confident. "It's..... it's for," he
struggled for the words. "Education, art and all that kinda stuff, and it
will show that jerk of a teacher that you don't suck." He moved closer to
Fraser, lowering his voice. "But if you tell anyone," he prodded his
finger into Fraser's chest. "And I mean anyone. I will hunt you down and
kill you." 

 "Understood," Fraser promised with a small smile. "It will be our
secret."  

 Two days later..... 

 "So where do you want me?" Ray came out of Fraser's bedroom, his robe
wrapped tightly around him. He tried to sound confident, but his heart was
beating loudly in his chest, deafening him. 

 It wasn't the taking off the clothes that made him nervous - it was
taking his clothes off in front of Fraser that made him feel sick inside.
Fraser, who had been haunting his dreams for months, Fraser who he had
stupidly fallen in love with. Scared of frightening Fraser with his
misplaced feelings of love, Ray had settled for their firm friendship,
which he valued more than anything else in the whole world. And now here
he was about to pose naked for Fraser. "You and your big mouth," Ray
thought to himself, but he hadn't been able to stand the miserable look on
Fraser's face at the thought of not being able to complete his art course.


 Fraser looked up from preparing his paints. "In my bed," he thought to
himself. He quickly shook the thought out of his mind trying desperately
to focus on arranging his paint tubes neatly in a row. He lined up his
brushes and fiddled with the easel, settling the canvas in place. Fraser
tried everything to blank the thought from his mind that Ray was going to
be naked in front of him. 

 Fraser sighed to himself wondering when he had fallen in love with Ray.
But he had, hopelessly and irrevocably, finding it impossible to deny the
feelings to himself. It made him feel a little off-balance, and after the
chaos that had been Victoria, Fraser had decided to keep his feelings to
himself, and treasure and enjoy their friendship. 

 "Hey," Ray moved closer to Fraser. "What you gonna paint me in?" Apart
from my skin," he blushed slightly trying to lighten the mood and calm his
jumpy nerves. 

 Fraser looked up with a small smile. "Oils," he replied. "I thought I
could get some beautiful textures with the paints," he said. 

 "Sounds good to me," Ray smiled back. "So," he waved his hand in the air
absently. "Where do you want me?" 

 "Over there," Fraser pointed at his battered looking couch. "I thought I
would leave it up to you how you wanted to pose," Fraser disappeared
behind the easel. "But I need angles," he instructed. 

 "Now he thinks I'm a ruler," Ray mumbled as he slumped down on the couch.
He bounced up and down a couple of times - the couch was lumpy, but soft. 

 Fraser re-appeared from behind the easel. "I thought you could use this,"
he handed Ray a length of silk. "To cover up," he waved his hand in the
direction of Ray's groin area. Fraser blushed bright red as he re-directed
his gaze looking Ray in the face. 

 "Nice colour," Ray smiled slightly as he accepted the bluey\green silk
material. 

 "I thought it would complement your skin tones and the colour of your
eyes," Fraser blurted out, without thinking. Ray raised his eyes
surprised; he gave Fraser a small smile but chose to remain silent. Fraser
blushed cursing himself for his careless slip. 

 "OK," Ray said over brightly. "Let's get this show on the road," he
headed towards the kitchen. 

 "Where are you going?" Fraser asked puzzled. 

 "You want angles?" Ray re-appeared from the kitchen dragging a chair
behind him. Fraser nodded still looking puzzled. Ray raised his eyes in
exasperation. "I can't do angles on your couch. I'll just doze off, and a
sleepy nude aint what you want," he grinned at Fraser. "Right?" 

 "No," Fraser shook his head as he watched Ray set the chair down in front
of the couch. 

 Ray took a deep breath, steeling his nerves. "OK," he smiled at Fraser
again as he slid the robe off to reveal his nakedness. "No laughing," he
pointed a finger at Fraser. Ray could feel himself blushing all over as he
stood in front of Fraser trying to appear cool and confident. 

 Fraser couldn't help it - he stood staring, his mouth slightly open
marvelling at Ray's beauty. The light from window seemed to flicker across
his nakedness bathing his pale skin in a soft glow. Although slighter in
build than himself, Fraser could see the strength visible in Ray's lithe
body. He couldn't seem to drag his eyes away from Ray. Running his eyes up
and down Ray's form, Fraser memorised every detail from the outline of
Ray's rib cage, to his nipples, down to his flat stomach, his firm thighs
and down to his penis nestled in coarse blonde hair between long, strong
legs. 

 Ray began to fidget nervously. "Quit staring," he shuffled his feet.
"Behind your easel," Ray made shooing motions with his hands at Fraser.
"And I'll just get myself comfy over here. Then you can do.... whatever
you artist types do. OK?" 

 "Of course," Fraser stuttered embarrassed. "I'm so sorry Ray. I don't
know what came over me. Please forgive me." Fraser disappeared behind the
easel trying to hide his embarrassment. Taking deep breaths, he
desperately tried to calm himself and get himself under control. 

 "It's OK," Ray replied gently. He arranged himself on the kitchen chair
draping the silk material over himself. He cocked his head to one side, an
amused smile on his face. "Hey Fraser. Don't you need to look at me to
paint me?" he teased. 

 "Yes... yes of course," Fraser's head peeped cautiously around the
canvas, his breath catching in his throat again. Standing at the side of
the chair, Ray had one foot balanced on the seat. Leaning slightly
forward, he had rested his right elbow on the bent knee. His face turned
towards Fraser, Ray's stubbled chin was balanced on his fist. His left arm
hung loosely at his side, and he had managed to drape the silk material
over his bent knee covering his groin area letting it fall naturally, in
line with his left leg, to the floor. Fraser thought that Ray was the most
beautiful thing he had seen in his entire life. 

 Will I do?" Ray asked shyly. His face was flushed red. "Enough of them
angles for you?" 

 Fraser cleared his throat. "Yes," he replied, trying to keep the squeak
out of his voice. "Will you be comfortable like that?" he asked worried. 

 "Yeah. I'm good," Ray answered. "You just paint or whatever. I'll let you
know if I need to unpose myself," he gave Fraser a small smile. 

 "Thank you Ray," Fraser smiled at Ray as he picked up his charcoal and
began to sketch an outline.  

 Fraser stared out of his apartment window. He could hear Ray in his
bedroom changing out of his clothes into his robe ready for their sitting.
He sighed as he pressed his head against the cool glass. "I can't do this
any more," he thought to himself as he turned away from the window moving
towards his easel. 

 Cocking his head on one side, Fraser studied his portrait of Ray. Ray had
wanted to see the portrait, but Fraser had made him promise not to look
until it was finished. And Ray being Ray had kept his promise. Fraser
reached forward tracing his finger around Ray's outline wishing with all
his heart that it was Ray's skin he was touching and caressing. He shook
his head, cursing his traitorous thoughts, trying desperately to banish
them from his mind. 

 Despite feeling miserable, Fraser couldn't help a small smile - he had
enjoyed the last two weeks. Ray had posed for him without complaint, and
to Fraser's surprise, without fidgeting. While they worked, and Fraser
suspected to take their minds of Ray's nakedness, they had talked about
every subject they could think of, from baseball to cooking to astrology
to television programmes. Fraser had even managed to explain the rules of
curling, and Ray had reciprocated by telling Fraser how to do an oil
change on the GTO. 

 Ray had made him laugh with outrageous stories and funny jokes, and for
the first time in as long as he could remember, Fraser felt truly alive.
He looked at his painting again - he hoped that he had captured Ray in all
his beauty and contradictions. Fraser wanted people to look beyond the
nakedness and see the real Ray - the gentle, kind and funny man that Ray
had shown him over the last two weeks. 

 He felt privileged, and in return he had tried to show Ray the real
Fraser, the man he hid behind his Mountie armour. But now Fraser felt
frightened, afraid that he had shown too much to his perceptive friend. He
had decided to end their sessions before he admitted his true feelings
ruining their precious friendship. 

 His thoughts were interrupted by Ray ambling into the room. "Ready?" Ray
smiled at Fraser as he dropped the robe onto the couch. He took up his
position on the kitchen chair, draping the silk scarf across his leg. 

 "Yes Ray," Fraser disappeared behind the easel. Picking up a brush, he
dabbed it into the blue paint he had mixed having decided to work on the
colours of the silk scarf which he hadn't got quite right. He silently
worked, his brush strokes firm but gentle as he tried to imitate the folds
of the material as they dropped to the floor. Fraser tried to concentrate
on his painting, and not the thoughts that were whirling around his mind. 

 "You OK?"Ray interrupted his thoughts. "You seem kinda quiet tonight." 

 Fraser peeped around the canvas. "I'm fine Ray," he lied. "Just
concentrating on getting it right." 

 "Oh OK," Ray's voice didn't sound convinced. 

 Fraser disappeared back behind the canvas. He gritted his teeth and took
a deep breath. "You'll be pleased to know," he made the tone of his voice
bright and cheerful. "But this will be the last evening I will need you to
pose for me. No more standing still for long periods of time." He
continued to hide behind the canvas, afraid that he would give himself
away. His heart thumped in his chest. 

 "Ohh,"Ray replied, and Fraser couldn't help noticing that the tone of his
voice seemed to be tinged with disappointment. "Nearly finished huh?" Ray
asked. 

 "Yes Ray," Fraser answered. "I just have some finishing touches that I
have to do, which I don't need you for." He bit at his bottom lip, hating
that he was lying to Ray. He closed his eyes taking deep breaths. 

 "So," Ray had left the chair and moved closer to the easel, startling
Fraser. 

 "Ray," Fraser quickly threw the thin sheet over his painting. "You
promised you wouldn't look until it was finished," he moved out from
behind the easel. 

 "I aint looking. I promised. And I always keep my promises," Ray
protested angrily as he wrapped his robe around himself. "I just wanna
know what all this crap is about," he glared at Fraser. 

 "I'm sorry Ray," Fraser studied his brush guiltily. "I knew you weren't
looking, and I also know that you always keep your promises. I hope you
will accept my apology. I didn't mean to be so abrupt with you." 

 "Yeah. OK. We're good," Ray smiled slightly. "So," he put his hands on
his hips. "You gonna tell me why you don't want me to pose for you any
more." 

 "I told you," Fraser said quietly. "I have nearly completed the painting
apart from some finishing touches that I don't need you for." 

 "Yeah right," Ray challenged, his eyes glinted with anger "I thought we
could tell each other anything," he shrugged his shoulders. "Guess I was
wrong." 

 "No you're not wrong," Fraser said with a hint of desperation in his
voice. "I just can't..... it's hard... you'll.... I can't....," Fraser
stammered. He looked at Ray earnestly. "But it's not you. It's not
anything you have done. It's me. I'm just being silly." 

 Ray chuckled, his good humour returning. "Silly," he grinned. "You. Mr.
Perfect-Mountie. Silly? Nah," he said, still chuckling. Fraser returned to
studying his paint brush. "Hey look we're friends. Yes?" Ray looked to
Fraser for an answer. Fraser remained silent his head down, still studying
his paint brush. Ray shook his head exasperated. "Or have I been just
imagining our friendship?" he asked suddenly angry again. 

 "No," Fraser jerked his head up. "Of course we're friends. Best friends,"
he looked back to his paint brush. "And that's why I can't tell you what's
wrong," he mumbled. "I don't want to lose your friendship." 

 "Nothing can be that bad," Ray said. "I promise you won't lose my
friendship. Just say it. OK?" Fraser remained silent not looking at Ray.
Ray pulled a face at Fraser. "Hey I've been showing you my skinny ass for
two weeks," he said, his voice irritated. "Don't that count for something?
I wouldn't strip for just anyone. So just say it. OK?" 

 Fraser looked up. Ray smiled encouragingly. Fraser took a deep breath. "I
love you," he blurted out. "I tried not too. Really I did. But I can't
stop thinking about you. Wanting you," he babbled tears springing to his
eyes. "And I can't bear the thought of not being your friend because of
it." Ray stared at Fraser, lost for words, as his mouth dropped open.
Fraser started to turn away, the pain in his chest unbearable. "I'm sorry
Ray," he whispered. "I'll understand if you don't want to be my friend or
partner any more." 

 Ray snapped his mouth shut. He couldn't believe what Fraser had just said
to him. "He loves me," he thought to himself. "He loves me," his mind
shouted at him. Ray felt like all his dreams had just come true. "Well
don't just stand there stupid," he chastised himself. "Hey," he grabbed
for Fraser's wrist tugging on it until Fraser faced him again. "It's OK. I
love you too. OK?" He pulled Fraser closer. "I love you too," Ray repeated
as he caressed a hand down Fraser's face, wiping at the tears. 

 Fraser sniffed loudly. "You do?" he asked doubtfully leaning into the
caress. Ray nodded at Fraser, a small smile playing on his lips. Fraser
smiled back; he grew bold - bringing his hands up, Fraser placed them
lightly on Ray's hips. 

 "Yeah," Ray grinned at him. He waggled his eye brows seductively. "Gonna
kiss me then?" 

 "I'm thinking about it," Fraser grinned back. "But it's a distinct
possibility that I am going to kiss you. Right now," he pulled on Ray's
hips. 

 "Freak," Ray teased as Fraser pulled him closer. 

 "Your freak?" Fraser asked. Ray nodded with a grin as Fraser leaned
forward to claim his lips in a gentle first kiss. As he kissed Ray for the
first time, Fraser knew that he would love Ray until the day he died. 

 "Mmmm," Ray breathed as he returned the kiss opening his mouth so Fraser
could plunder the inside. He couldn't help moaning as Fraser took up his
invitation exploring his mouth with his tongue. 

 Growing even bolder, Fraser pushed the robe of Ray's shoulders. Leaning
down, he began to trace his tongue along Ray's shoulder blade and up the
tendons of his neck. He nibbled gently on Ray's ear lobe. Ray sighed his
name as he ran his tongue back down his neck, biting gently at the bony
shoulder, marking him. Fraser lapped at the red mark soothingly as he
delighted in the feel of Ray's hands running up and down his back,
massaging his muscles gently. 

 "Come to bed with me," Fraser whispered in Ray's ear. 

 "Oh yeah," Ray grinned as he took Fraser's hand in his. He tugged them
towards Fraser's bedroom. They sat on the edge of the bed holding hands
smiling shyly at each other. "I hope you kinda know what you're doing?"
Ray said with a blush. "Because I haven't .... you know... gotta clue." He
blushed again. 

 "Me neither," Fraser answered with a matching blush. "But I know I want
you. Need you," he squeezed Ray's hand in reassurance. "Perhaps if we lay
on the bed together, it might help," he suggested shifting backwards. He
stretched out on his side patting the bed in encouragement. Ray grinned
laying down close to Fraser. Still clothed, they wrapped their arms and
legs around each snuggling closer. "You are so beautiful," Fraser ran his
hand down Ray's face. "I hope I have done you justice in my painting." 

 Ray took Fraser's fingers tenderly kissing each one in turn. "These are
magic fingers Fraser," he teased. "I am sure your painting is wonderful...
even with a Chicago flatfoot as your model." 

 "Ray," Fraser protested with a frown. "My painting is wonderful because
it's got you in it. I won't have you saying such things about yourself." 

 "OK... OK," Ray kissed Fraser soothingly. "I surrender." "Good. That's
settled then," Fraser said with a smug smile as his hands traced a path
down Ray's side, over his hips and back upwards to his face. Ray shivered
in anticipation leaning forward claiming Fraser's lips in a kiss. Fraser
moaned drawing Ray towards him, returning the kiss as Ray's hands massaged
his ass. 

 "Naked now," Ray murmured as he tugged at Fraser's tee-shirt pulling it
out of his jeans. Pushing his hands underneath the cotton, Ray explored
Fraser's chest, his nimble hands dancing over the warm skin. 

 Fraser pushed at Ray. Sitting up, he peeled his tee-shirt over his head.
Fraser glanced down at Ray, who was staring up at him grinning. "And you,"
he said as he pulled off his boots throwing them untidily on the floor.
"Want you naked now," Fraser stripped out of his jeans and underwear. 

 "Why?" Ray teased, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Wanna paint me?" 

 "No," Fraser growled in the back of his throat. "Want to make love with
you now," he lay back down. Ray squeaked in surprise at Fraser rolled on
top of him claiming his lips in a rough kiss. Returning the kiss fiercely,
Ray spread his legs to allow Fraser to get comfortable. 

 Fraser moaned into Ray's mouth as his cock glanced against Ray's
hardness. At first their movements were awkward and shy. In their urgency
and nervousness, they bumped heads a couple of times, desperate to kiss
each other. Then Fraser accidentally elbowed Ray in the stomach. Ray then
inadvertently kicked Fraser in the shin as Fraser surprised him with a
kiss to his stomach. They laughed as they nearly fell off the bed in their
desperation to touch each other. Laying side by side, they held hands as
they calmed themselves. Slowly, they began to kiss again, this time gently
as they strove to find a rhythm. In unison they began to move against each
other delighting in the new found feelings they were evoking. They kissed
and caressed each other's dampened skin as they explored the new territory
of one another's body. They rolled over and over tangling themselves in
the sheets and blankets, shifting against each other, lost in passion and
desire, whispering the other's name. 

 Their passion began to grow and their movements became more urgent as
they thrust against each other. Skin slick with sweat against skin. Cock
against cock. They groaned marvelling at the unfamiliar and wonderful
sensations they were eliciting as their hands caressed and explored. They
rolled until they lay facing each other, arms and legs entwined. Their
mouths fused together as they kissed, tongues duelling for dominance as
they thrust in and out of one another's mouth. Rocking against each other,
they moved towards their climax. Picking up their new found rhythm, they
ground against one another thrusting harder and harder. 

 Their moans of need and desire echoed around Fraser's bedroom as they
chanted the other's name. Fraser rolled on top of Ray again. He thrust his
cock hard against Ray letting out a loud moan as he came, his penis
spurting his release between their sweat soaked bodies. Continuing to
thrust his cock against Ray's body, Fraser shuddered towards his
completion, his semen coating Ray's belly and thigh. Ray arched his back
against the sensation and answered Fraser's cry with one of his own as his
orgasm tore through his body, his release joining Fraser's between their
bodies. 

 As they savoured the final throes of their orgasm, they continued to
pound against each other urgently, not wanting the wonderful sensations to
end. They kissed nipped and sucked at one another hungrily. Finally
surrendering to the inevitable, they lay together panting - Fraser still
covering Ray with his body - as they tried to calm their breathing. 

 Fraser recovered first. Rolling off Ray, he grabbed his tee-shirt from
the floor and cleaned them up before laying back down. Tugging at the
crumpled sheets and blankets, Fraser tried to straighten them up. With a
sigh he gave up, and pulled the blankets up over them as best he could.
Ray chuckled as he rolled towards Fraser snuggling close. "I think we
kinda messed your bed up," he smirked at Fraser. 

 "Yes Ray," Fraser smirked back. "And I hope we will continue to do it
over and over again." 

 "Oh yeah," Ray grinned kissing Fraser softly. "Me too." They lay in
silence, luxuriating in being together, kissing each other every now and
again. "So," Ray wriggled snuggling closer. "You still want me to pose for
you?" 

 "Yes,"Fraser caressed a hand down Ray's face. "Forever and always." 

 "OK," Ray giggled. "But I don't know if I can keep up that pose forever.
Kinda hard on the back." He put his cold feet on Fraser's warm ones. 

 "And you call me a freak," Fraser snorted. "And," he looked over at Ray.
"Are your feet always this cold?" 

 "It's your fault," Ray protested. "You're the one who had me buck naked
with only a scarf to keep me warm." 

 "Well, I'll have to do something about that," Fraser grinned as he rolled
on top of Ray covering him completely with his body. 

 "Oh yeah," Ray breathed as he rubbed his cold feet on Fraser's warm body.
 

 Epilogue
 Three weeks later..... 

 The college hall was bustling with students and their guests. Each of the
students had spent the day displaying their work ready for the final
assessment, and were nervously awaiting their teacher, Mr. Brett. 

 Ray ambled into the college hall, hands shoved in his pockets. He peered
through the sea of students, looking for Fraser. He smiled as he spied him
in the corner talking to a group of students. Ray decided to let him chat
while he wandered through the hall looking at the art work. He found
himself being surprised at the high calibre of the paintings on display. 

 He scanned the room again - Ray was looking for Fraser's display. He
hadn't seen his portrait, and he was curious as to how it had come out. As
he passed a young blonde student, she stared at him nudging her friend.
Ray smiled at them both - they continued to stare at him silently. Ray
shrugged wondering if he had something stuck to him. 

 Shaking his head, Ray moved to the next display looking up at the
paintings. His mouth dropped open - he had found Fraser's work. Pencil
sketches of the 27th Precinct and Consulate personnel edged the board.
Pictures of Diefenbaker, Fraser's father and Buck Frobisher had been
placed at the top of the board, and delicate water colours of Fraser's
homeland had been positioned at the bottom of the display. But the centre
of the board was completely dominated by his portrait. 

 Ray stood staring up at his portrait. Fraser had captured him perfectly
from his pale skin, his spiky blonde hair, the small smile playing on his
lips to the colour of his pale blue eyes. But Fraser had also captured
something else, something Ray couldn't quite put his finger on. He
squinted up at the painting again noting that Fraser had been right, the
colours of the scarf had complemented him. Ray flushed slightly, now
knowing why the two girls had stared at him - there was no mistaking who
the model was. Ray glanced around nervously hoping that Fraser hadn't
invited any of the Precinct, the Consulate or Frannie. 

 "Do you like it?" Fraser came up behind him. 

 "It's.... it's wonderful," Ray breathed. "Well except for the idiot with
no clothes on," he turned to smile at Fraser. 

 "Ray," Fraser protested. "It's the best thing I have ever done," he
looked up at the portrait. Fraser couldn't help being pleased with the
painting - it was better than he had hoped with the inner Ray shining out
of the oil paints somehow. He cocked his head to one side smiling - he had
spent the last two weeks putting all the love he felt for Ray into the
painting. 

 "What did your jerk of a teacher say?" Ray asked interrupting Fraser's
musings. "Hope you got a good mark. You deserve it. Your pictures are
great." 

 "Thank you kindly Ray," Fraser glanced around before taking Ray's hand
and squeezing it gently. "I did. He gave me a good pass for the other
pictures, but he gave me full marks for your portrait," Fraser smiled at
Ray. "And then asked if he could buy the painting." 

 "He did," Ray looked back at the portrait hoping that Fraser hadn't sold
it. He looked back at Fraser. "What did you say?" 

 "I said," Fraser squeezed Ray's hand again. "That I wouldn't sell it for
all the money in the world." 

 Ray beamed at Fraser. "Love you," he whispered in Fraser's ear. 

 "Love you too Ray," Fraser murmured. "Can't you tell?" he waved a hand at
the portrait. 

 "Oh yeah," Ray beamed again. 

 THE END 

End Oils by Callie: callinuk@yahoo.com

Author and story notes above.