F/K Snippet: Pavlov's Bell (R)

[arrow00]

Title: Pavlov's Bell
Author: arrow00
Fandom: dS
Pairing: F/K
Rating: R
Prompt: "Pavlov"
Length: 300 words
Notes: [x-post] For ds_snippets amnesty challenge 12


Pavlov's Bell

by Arrow


It used to bug the shit out of Ray how all it took was that bird-dog straightening of Fraser's spine, or even just a low, urgent, "Ray," and automatically Ray's heart would start pumping juice and there he'd be, running after Fraser to dive through a wall of fire or climb a rope onto a hot-air balloon or jump off a roof into Lake Fucking Michigan. He was trained. Totally whipped, but he wasn't even getting any. And it bugged him he didn't seem to have the same hook into Fraser—had to practically beg the guy to turn left instead of right.

But that was Before. B.F.F., or Before Fucking Fraser.

A.F.F., Ray found out he could just give the sign and Fraser would be there. All Ray had to do was lick his lip, or jut out his hip and cup his dick, and like ringing a bell there was Fraser on his knees—on his fucking knees—pulling down Ray's fly or even bending over for him. Which Fraser did, frequently, usually with this confused look on his face like he didn't quite understand why he was doing it.

And Ray needed that, needed Fraser to feel how that was, because Ray had been living with that feeling since the day he'd met the guy, and even though things usually turned out all right, Ray was giving up a hell of a lot just on faith. Fraser had to have the same faith in him, and what better way to show it than by going down on all fours and begging for Ray's cock?

It was like Fraser had this one area it was okay to let go in, and just one person he would let go for, and that one person was Ray.

And that suited Ray just fine.

Comments

[vsee.livejournal.com]

Oh. Yeah. That works. Mmmmm. Thinky and hot, and makes sense out of that dynamic that I sometimes have trouble making sense of. I love Fraser's giving in...it's sexy, and it works.

[akamine_chan]

It was like Fraser had this one area it was okay to let go in, and just one person he would let go for, and that one person was Ray.

Oh, this was very nice.

Fraser needs Ray so much, needs him to be that one person to let go for. Needs someone to trust.

Very, very nice, arrow. Thank you for sharing.

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

I can see how the inequity would really bug Ray. Nice way to redress it ;-)

[capt-spork.livejournal.com]

BFF and AFF have me cracking up.

Nice!

[luzula]

Oh, I love the bird-dog straightening of his spine--my parents had an Irish setter, so it really brings out a visual for me.

And nice way to adress the trust issues between them. (Also, hot.)

[thornnuminous.livejournal.com]

I totally get this. Great job.

[thayln.livejournal.com]

Yay, passion! \o/

Love the image of Fraser going up like flash paper from just a look. The more repressed they are, the harder they fall. LOL

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

One thing that always bugs me is people complain Fraser is asking too much of Ray(s) when in fact, they do everything they do of their own volition. There is a reason why--they get what they need out of the partnership; they do what they do because they *want* to. I wanted to make the comparison because I think it's there...and sexy. :) Thanks.

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sweet girl!

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

heheh. Convenient how that works out, huh?

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

Thank you kindly, Luz. :)

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

Hee hee! It's a True Fact. ::timber!::

[vsee.livejournal.com]

*nodnod* I think that in general this is part of a larger trend in genre fiction and slash fanfiction anyway, that the dramatic dynamic of a "sidekick" gets played up into a bigger thing...that the sidekick is somehow made a victim to the hero. That has always baffled me. Part of the whole draw of this kind of genre writing in the first place is that the pair live a more interesting, dramatic and fulfilling existence, one that might entail something difficult and challenging, but worth the price. It can be very dramatically satisfying AND sexy, which does make a lot of drama very slashable.

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

You're totally right--that larger than life thing, where everything is larger (including their equipment. hee. sorry, couldn't resist going there.)

But there seems to be a whole class of fiction where Ray is portrayed as weak and put-upon, by everyone, not just Fraser, but Fraser becomes the focus, like he represents the pressures of life getting Ray down. I hate to be deconstructionist, but it seems to me pretty obvious that those folks who depict Fraser in that way (as a patronizing figure that needs to be "brought low" and "taught a lesson") have some issues with the men in their lives.

The problem with that approach is it thus implies Ray is weak somehow, just lets things happen to him, has no control at all. But he is not a passive character in the series. Ray is *not* weak! Drives me NUTS to see him written that way.

I even read a fic recently where Fraser was depicted as so fucked up and possessive as to be physically *abusive* in one scene, and 'might have raped Ray if Ray didn't stop him.' (I know--buh?) Just so Ray could go on and be all righteously hurt and chide Fraser, who had to be meek and apologetic and promise to "do better." The whole thing turned my stomach so badly.

The reason I personally love both these guys is to me they represent two sides of a flawed but beautiful person. To bring down one half is to lessen the whole.

[vsee.livejournal.com]

Yes, and yes! I see some trends through time and for both Rays that I've seen in other pairings, and I've seen both of them sometimes depicted as weak, or manipulated. Buh? Why would that be? They are both strong, competent, reasonably self assured, smart, professional, physically powerful guys. While Fraser does have the force of larger than life experience with a side of what a lot of people loosely call magical realism, I have never, never seen him as abusive, controlling, or even especially manipulative. I find stories that put either Ray into the weak position, or make Fraser into a crazy bully terribly offputting. I find both of those themes much more prevalent in older, "old school" slash anyway.

I don't subscribe to the "take Fraser down a peg" school of thought at all, but my fondness for unwinding him, and letting him accept a more receptive role, and the relaxation that goes with it....well, that pleasure is coming from an entirely different emotional place.

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

my fondness for unwinding him, and letting him accept a more receptive role, and the relaxation that goes with it.

Oh, yes, indeed. I really don't think of that as being demeaning in any way, and the poor boy needs it so. :)

[viciouscats.livejournal.com]

Mmmmmmmmmm, abbreviations! :)

[jesse_the_k]

Takes supreme confidence and strength to let go & give, and you make that real.

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

I am SO with you, there. Thanks, jesse.

::ps icon ADORE::

[arrow00.livejournal.com]

hee! ::smooches::

[nos4a2no9.livejournal.com]

Oh, arrow00, I say this every time, but this was really, really terrific. It provides so much character insight and hotness and such good, old-fashioned writing ability. I love the way you've explore that issue of control, and shown us how much Fraser loves and trusts Ray. You've really illustrated that point you made below to vsee: these guys are two halves of a whole. They're equals, and Ray provides solace and release for Fraser in a way no one else does. That's a beautiful thought, and you craft it in such a compelling and beautiful way. I really enjoyed this short piece, and yes, wow, with the hot. You are on fire lately!

[vickitub.livejournal.com]

Short and sweet and beautifully written.