Real by Brighid (NC-17)

[askye.livejournal.com]

Fandom: DUE SOUTH
Pairing: Ray Kowlaski/Benton Fraser
Author on lj: brighidestone
Author's website: Brighid's Reading Room

Why you must read this:

Brighid's summary is: Ray and Fraser. Hope and Despair and an undershirt.

This is a post-Call of the Wild (CoTW--the finale) story with a different feel from many of the post-CoTW stories which often feature Ray easily emigrating to Canada or Fraser easily staying in Chicago.

Real is a lovely, bittersweet story with what I consider to be a happy ending. Ray and Fraser can't just live easily in their world. Ray can't just move to Canada, Fraser can only stay in Chicago at the whim of the RCMP, and they have to hide their relationship. The story covers one night before Fraser has to leave for Canada on business, told from Fraser's point of view.

Fraser and Ray may have to hide what they mean to each other from the world but they don't hide it from each other. And hiding it doesn't make it less real.

http://www.debchan.com/livia/brighid/real.htm

Comments

[stopawhile.livejournal.com]

Ah. That's a great rec. Makes me teary eyed every time.

Could you make some minor edits for me? Bridghid's lj name is actually brighidestone and you're missing an equal sign in the link to her website. Also, could you do me a favour and add a direct link to the story at the bottom of your rec? Thanks!

[askye.livejournal.com]

Okay fixed the problems, that's what I get for posting while sleepy.

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

This is just a heart-wrenching story, sweet and painful at the same time. I've always loved it, and re-read it frequently. I suspect that it is much more a snapshot of a real relationship between the two than many other stories portray.

(And then, if you want to be REALLY depressed, read Kat Allison's brilliant "End of the Road.")

[timian.livejournal.com]

Ouch! And yessss. That was gorgeous. Thanks so much for the rec.