Title: Fraser's Garden
Author: lucy_roman
Rating: Teen and up
Summary: Fraser has always loved gardens
Warnings: Death fic
Pairing: Fraser/RayK
Word count: 344


Fraser's mother had always kept a garden. Even in the most inhospitable climate she would spend the summer months coaxing plants into life. Of course Fraser has only vague memories now of those gardens but he dredges them up whenever he feels lonely and unsure of himself.

Since having met Ray Kowalski he is a lot less lonely than he used to be. Of course when they met Ray was lonely too. Maybe that's why they got on so well together.

Ray gave him the strength to actually start living, to start making connections that make the world seem brighter. To make this garden, a place where his nephews and nieces can play, a place where he can walk and remember.

Fraser has a long memory. As he once told Ray he never forgets a face and he hasn't. He can still picture each and every one of those he has lost. Especially the last.

He is nearing the spot now and his footsteps falter. He stands under the maple tree and looks up at the branches and remembers. This is the place where he lost the most precious thing in his life.

He still remembers the fear he felt when he saw Ray stretched out on the ground. A heart attack had been the conclusion. And now every year he comes back to this spot. He can't seem to help itself.

The memory still makes him cry even as gentle arms slide around his waist.

"Ray." Fraser turns and returns the embrace but the tears continue to roll down his face.

"Why do you do this to yourself?" Ray asks as he always does. "When we're here together."

But they hadn't been, not for a long time.

"I'm sorry. If I'd have come sooner..."

Ray grins. "I'd've been as mad as hell. 'Sides." He shrugs. "There are worst places to spend eternity."

"And worse people?" Fraser asks.

"I don't want to be with anyone but you, you know that. I like it here."

"I do too." Fraser says and he takes Ray's hand.