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“...Ray, Ray, Ray”
He heard a persistent whisper, that was no doubt Fraser. He opened his eyes to discover Ben just few inches away from him. He tried not to flinch. It wasn’t the first time he saw his partner from this close, but the surprise was stronger. When did he fall asleep? And why did Fraser wake him up if it was still dark outside?
“Mhm” he tried to inquire what was going on, but he was still a bit groggy.
“Come with me.” Ben said, clearly excited.
Ray yawned and gave his hand to Fraser, who dragged him to the coat hanger. Ray realized he had been sleeping on the couch; he sat there after moving and unpacking his things for most of the day. They had just recently moved to their cabin, but Ray already felt at home. Setting up his things was draining him of energy. Fraser was already working at the local detachment, thankfully just 20 minutes from where they lived, so Ray took on himself the placement of all of their belongings in their home. He felt old for taking naps, especially if he slept too much, like today and was woken up by Ben when it was already dark outside.
“You wanna go out? It’s like minus million degrees outside!” Ray tried to object but the spark in his partner’s eye made him put on his parka and boots.
Clever thigs parkas were, Ray had to admit. During their journey to find Franklin’s hand, it had saved him from hypothermia more times than he could count. It was only sensible to wear it as soon as it got cold. And it was getting colder and colder with each day as November was passing by. Thank God, they were below the latitude of the polar night. It had been weird to experience the polar day, but Ray couldn’t imagine what not seeing the sun could do to him. And still the days were so short that Ray thought there weren’t any difference. The nights in Chicago were at least lit by the streetlights, here only cities had them. Maybe that’s why he still hadn’t gotten used to the dark.
“There is no such thing as minus million degrees, Ray. I already told you about absolute zero.” Ben said with what seemed to be a solemn expression, but Ray knew better. Fraser was teasing him. Ray rolled his eyes, but the corner of his lips quirked up slightly. “But come with me, you need to see this.”
Ray went, only with few complaints about the cold and how sleepy he was, but as soon as he went outside, he shut up. There were a few things that could shut him up, and Ben knew them all by now and used them when needed, especially when Ray’s comments were ruining intimate moments. This time he didn’t have to use any of the tricks. The sheer beauty of nature did all the work.
Ray had already seen the clear Canadian sky, the one without light pollution of the big city, and he fell in love with it. He had never paid much attention to stars, in Chicago they were dull little spots in the sky, but in the Arctic things were different. He could see the Milky Way, something he didn’t even know was possible. It was one of those arguments for moving here, the main being Fraser and wanting to stay with him, but the night sky was a nice touch. But now, the stars he was so used to by now were dimmed by the spectacular display of color.
“I’ve never seen the northern lights” Ray whispered as if loud noises could disturb the moment and everything he saw would disappear. “Why didn’t we see them on our adventure?”
“The season for them is already almost over in March, and this year up to this point was rather uneventful when it came to solar storms. Now that the new season started and the Sun is more active you can see the majestic aurora borealis with your own two eyes.” Fraser said, proud, as if he himself stirred the solar storm.
For all Ray cared, he could have. He truly believed that Ben could have orchestrated this for him. He called a minor nature spirit here, talked to the stars there and it was all set up. With all the unexplainable things that had happened since he met Ben, it wasn’t that improbable as one might think.
“It’s beautiful” Ray said with a smile and snuggled to Fraser, despite not being cold. Every opportunity was a good one to be closer to his partner.
“Yes, it is.” Ben agreed and Ray could hear a slight relief in his voice, like he finally was at peace.
And maybe he was. Ray knew how much Ben missed his home, how hard it was, despite also being quite fond of Chicago, to not be here and Ray started to get it. It was hard at first but after spending so much time in the middle of an ice field with nothing for miles and miles, he started to get used to it. He saw charm in it. If he told that to himself from just before meeting Fraser, his past self would make him a laughingstock or punch his lights out. But he was content with the current situation. Even more than that; he was happy, which he couldn’t say for a long time. He was happy with Fraser, so now he had to make him happy.
“Thanks” he whispered, still mesmerized by the northern lights.
Ray was certain he could feel Ben’s brows furrowing, despite not looking at him.
“What for?” Fraser asked confused.
“For letting me stay. Wanting me to stay.” Ray said; his voice only a few decibels above whisper, as if not to scare Ben away. “And for showing me aurora borreliosis, I guess.”
Fraser snorted, trying to keep his laugher in. But when Ray turned his head to face him, Ben had a big smile on his face.
“There isn’t anyone else I would rather watch, as you put it, aurora borreliosis with.” he said and after a pause added. “Thank you for staying.”
“Pleasure’s all mine” Ray responded with a growing smile and leaned in for a kiss. Fraser returned it, soft and sweet as if savouring the moment. Ray pretended not to be a romantic most of his life, and maybe he stifled that part of him just a little bit, but right now he could appreciate the beauty of the moment all he wanted. He melted right then and there, in Ben’s arms with northern lights lighting their figures against the darkness of the night.