Rest Ye Merry by brynnmck (PG)

[aingeal8c.livejournal.com]

Fandom: due South
Pairing: Fraser& Vecchio, Gen
Author on LJ: brynnmck
Author Website: http://www.tandtweb.com/brynnhome.html
Why this must be read: It's a Christmas story which I am reccing in March because the good feeling this story gives you is appropriate at any time of year. It's a lovely illustration of Fraser and Ray's friendship at Christmas.

It reads just like it was out at the end of the season 1 Christmas episode Gift of the Wheelman and is a lovely postscript. You can really imagine it hapopening.

It's warm, friendly and has the same humour we see int eh show. It's totally believable with good characterisation and banter. All in all it's just a lovely comforting read.

"Oughta be ashamed, a natural predator like you," Ray told the wolf on his way by, shaking his head. "The caribou are laughing at you right now." Dief just ruffed, unimpressed, and rolled so that Antonia could get at the other ear.

Ray figured the back porch was his best bet; left to himself in a crowd, Benny had a way of drifting toward the nearest patch of open sky. With a last glance over his shoulder to make sure his ma's radar hadn't detected his escape, Ray shrugged into the coat that was hanging by the door and stepped out into the crisp night air.

Sure enough, Fraser was at the far end of the porch, standing at the railing with his feet planted and his posture perfect, and he didn't move despite the fact that his super Mountie senses could probably detect the not-too-subtle sound of a back door badly in need of oil. He just kept staring out into the softly falling snow, unconcerned by the cold in his off-duty blue shirt and leather jacket, his face calm in profile and wreathed with the mist from his breath. Ray stuck his hands in his pockets.

"Hiya, Benny."

Fraser did turn his head then, smiled at him in a soft, welcoming way that made Ray stop breathing for a second. "Hello, Ray."

He ignored the feeling, like he usually did, walked to stand at Fraser's side. "Everything OK?"

"Oh, absolutely," Fraser assured him, an anxious crease appearing between his eyes like Ray was gonna call Miss Manners on him or something. "I'm having a wonderful time, and I'm grateful to you for inviting me. I just thought some fresh air might be bracing." He looked out beyond the railing again. "It's a beautiful night."

Ray let his friend have his delusions for a few seconds, then, "Frannie chased you off, huh?"

Fraser cleared his throat. "She has, it seems, laid in quite a quantity of mistletoe for the occasion. She's very…" Another slight cough. "She's very dexterous, isn't she?"

Ray shook his head. "Y'know, Fraser, if any other guy said that about my sister, I'd knock his block off."

"I appreciate your restraint, Ray."

He smiled, clapped Benny on the shoulder. "No problem."

Rest Ye Merry