Love vs. Loneliness

Category: romance, drama, comedy

Warning: m/m

Rating: NC-17

Notes: Jeannie Marie wanted me to write more slash (preferably happy slash) and stories which are more sexually graphic than what I normally do. Here is a story containing all three. Please note that this is a first time for both the characters and me, so a little awkwardness on all our parts is to be expected. :) I got the idea for this from probably the only innocent comment contained on the entire slash site (which, btw, is great!). This takes place right after 'Good for the Soul'.

Synopsis: Two people are getting married.

Love vs. Loneliness

by: Marie-Andrée

Fraser straightened his tie as his partner did the same. He smiled sweetly at the man he had decided to share his life with. He went to his partner, wrapping his arms around the other's waist, bringing his head forward to kiss the man deeply.

"Mmm..." his partner answered. "I love you, Ben."

"And I love you, Harding."



Two months before

"You wanted to see me, Leftenant?"

"Ah, Fraser! Just the man I wanted to see! Come on in!" Fraser eyed the Lieutenant quizzically. By Welsh's standards, that was babbling! Fraser closed the door and sat.

"Is this about Ray? I mean the detective formerly known as Ray Vecchio?"

Welsh shook his head. "Are you currently seeing anyone, Constable?"

Fraser shook his head, rather surprised by the question. "No, Sir."

"I worry about you, Fraser. I want you do be happy."

"Sir?"

"How do you see me, Constable?"

"How do I see you, Sir?" Welsh nodded. "Well, I've never really thought about that, Sir."

Welsh swallowed. "I've liked you from the moment I first met you, Constable. It's rare to meet young men like you who are bright, capable, and handsome."

"What do my looks have to do with my job, Sir?"

"I'm not talking about your job, Fraser."

"Oh." A sound by which Welsh realised that the Mountie wasn't as clueless as he made himself out to be.

"I've tried to love you like a son, Fraser. Really, I have! But I cannot deny my true feelings for you anymore. Of course, I don't expect you to reciprocate them, Fraser."

"Why are you telling me this now, Leftenant?"

"Warfield made me realise just how mortal you are. I've almost forgotten that since... since I didn't ask Vecchio for his weapon and my stupid mistake almost cost you your life. Do you realise the pain I go through, Fraser, every time someone hurts you? I know I hurt you by not supporting you, and that's when I knew I had to tell you."

Fraser nodded. "Permission to be dismissed, Sir?"

Harding Welsh nodded as he listened to the sound of his heart breaking. "Of course, Constable. Thank you for listening."

"Good day, Sir."

Fraser left the station confused. Had the Lieutenant really told him he loved Fraser in a romantic way?! It wasn't possible, unfathomable even. Then why did the idea excite Fraser?

"Could I be gay too?" Fraser mused, thinking of the well aged Chicago cop. "If I'm not, then why aren't I repulsed?"

Fraser thought back a little. Welsh had always been there for him, always come through, no matter his initial position. Even in times when Ray had turned on him, Welsh hadn't. The Lieutenant obviously loved him unconditionally.

The question was, did Fraser love Welsh? The answer stunned the Mountie. Yes, he did. He loved to listen to all the griping. He loved the man's dedication to his job. He loved the fact that Welsh loved opera, too. Hell, lasting relationships had been built on less than that!

Fraser was thirty-seven years old and had yet to find the 'right' woman. Suddenly, this perfect partner, who happened to be a handsome man, had confessed his love for him. If wanting Welsh meant that Fraser was gay, so be it. Better to be gay and in love than confused and alone.

Fraser retraced his steps to the precinct and headed back up to Welsh's office where he knocked quietly.

"Go away," a voice thick with tears answered.

"Harding, it's Benton." Fraser did not await a response. He quickly stepped into the Lieutenant's office.

Sure enough, Welsh had been crying. This made him all the more endearing to the Mountie whose heart he had suddenly captured.

Fraser held out his arms as Welsh looked up to see the love in his Canadian's eyes. Welsh stood, crossing the small office to meet Fraser who quickly engulfed him in an embrace.

"Fraser?"

"Ssh, Harding. We'll figure this out somehow." Fraser tipped his head upward and tentatively kissed the sensuous lips.

"Fraser?" Fraser took the opportunity to plunge his tongue into Welsh's mouth. Soon, passionate tongues sought one another. The men only stepped apart to breathe for a moment before allowing their tongues to waltz again, giving each man a taste of the other. Fraser found himself clenching the Lieutenant's ass, kneading it as Welsh began to do the same for Fraser. They ground their bodies together, becoming more aroused by each twist of a slick tongue, each sweep of each other's mouth. That's when, out of the corner of his eye, Fraser saw that he had neglected to close the door to Welsh's office and that everyone in the squad room--including Ray, Francesca, and the Duck Boys--were staring at them, mouths agape. Fraser stumbled away.

"What's wrong?" Welsh asked, disappointed. Fraser turned a horrified face and Welsh followed the gaze. "Shit...!" he exclaimed.

"What are you we going to do?!" Fraser asked, almost in a panic."

Welsh raised his eyebrows. "Um, this." He stomped out of his office and bellowed: "Haven't any of you ever seen a happy couple kiss before?! Go on, get back to work!" He turned back to Fraser who was grinning, and turning the colour of his uniform.

"I love you, Fraser. I'm not ashamed of that."

"And I love you, Harding. I'm not ashamed either."

That night, the men went out for dinner together and talked about their lives: their careers, the loves they had had, and the hopes they had for the future. Welsh found a new Fraser, one capable of opening up to his partner. Fraser had made a vow after Victoria that if he loved a person again, he would let that person know--explicitly.

So, oddly, but rightly, Fraser and Welsh began to date. Everyone at the precinct knew, of course, but the happy couple decided to practise decency and avoid public displays of affection. Of course, their lovesick little gazes were difficult to disguise.

About a week later, Ray took Fraser aside for the first time.

"Why didn't you tell me, Fraser?"

"I didn't know that I loved him until that afternoon, Ray."

"Not that. That you're, you know..."

"Gay?"

"Gay."

"I didn't know that I was gay until that afternoon, Ray."

"So, you two are, like, real serious?"

Fraser nodded. "Yes, Ray."

"Are you sleeping together?"

Fraser was scandalized. "Ray!"

"Are you?"

"No, not yet."

Ray shook his head. "Wow. You and Welsh. Go figure. Well, be happy, Fraser."

"I am happy, Ray."

Ray laughed. "I know. I never thought I'd see you dancing around the squad room humming love songs!"

"So you're okay with this, Ray?"

Ray nodded. "Yeah. But it's gonna take a while to, you know, get used to all this."

Fraser nodded. "Thank you, Ray."

That night, Fraser let himself into Welsh's apartment, prepared to surprise his Leftenant with dinner--and a special dessert.

"Wow, Ben! You sure can cook!" Welsh exclaimed after the gourmet dinner.

Fraser smiled, kissing his man chastely on the lips. "I have dessert, too."

"Cheesecake? Welsh asked hopefully.

Fraser smiled coyly. "Better than cheesecake."

"What could be better than cheesecake?" Welsh asked, knowing the answer, but wanting to hear it from Fraser.

"Making love with you."

"I've never done this before..."

"Me neither, Harding. Let's just do what feels right." He put a hand down to stroke Welsh's cock which responded immediately.

"Oh..." Welsh moaned.

"Like that?" Welsh nodded. Fraser grinned, dropping to his knees as his Leftenant sank into a chair.

Fraser quickly freed the erect penis from Welsh's pants, stroking it lovingly before bending down to kiss its tip, pearly with precum.

"Fraser!" Welsh exclaimed. Fraser smiled, unbuttoning Welsh's shirt. The Lieutenant arched his back as Fraser nipped his nipples, stroking the hard cock with a loving hand. "Fraser!" he exclaimed again, on the verge of ecstasy. Fraser bent his head down to swallow his man. Welsh began to thrust into Fraser's throat, coming with a loud moan, his seed spilling down Fraser's throat.

Welsh looked down at Fraser. Both men had tears in their eyes.

"Did you like that?" Fraser asked.

Welsh shook his head. "Wow. Where did you learn to do that?"

"Is this the appropriate time to discuss this?"

"Why not?"

"It's something Victoria did to me."

"Oh. Well, let me show you something my ex-wife did to me." Fraser's eyes lit up. "You have to be horizontal and naked for it." Welsh's partner grinned as Welsh began to undo the buttons of his flannel shirt.

As Welsh tried to undress him, Fraser tried to undress Welsh. It would have probably been quicker to undress individually, but neither man could keep his hands off the other. At last, they stood naked before one another.

"God, you're beautiful, Ben!"

"And so are you, Harding." Welsh led his lover towards the bedroom.

Welsh pushed Fraser onto the bed, dropping down on top of him, cradling his weight with his arms so as to avoid crushing the smaller man.

Welsh began to kiss Fraser. All over. His lips brushed the Mountie's forehead before moving downward to stroke Fraser's nose. The tongue swirled around Fraser's ears for a moment, and the Mountie moaned. Welsh's lips lingered over Fraser's, before allowing his tongue a taste of the Canadian's throat. Welsh paid particular attention to Fraser's nipples, sucking on them, making Fraser arch his back begging for more.

The Lieutenant continued the wet trail of kisses right down the Mountie's chest. He bypassed Fraser's groin to the Mountie's intense disappointment which was replaced by ecstasy as Welsh began to suck on each toe. Fraser couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Harding!!!" Welsh headed back upward to kiss the nest of curls covering Fraser's most intimate part. He allowed his tongue to gently stroll over Fraser's cock as the Mountie began to buck. Soon, Welsh was sucking on Fraser, occasionally using his tongue and teeth to exert pressure. As Fraser nearly convulsed under him, Welsh went for the kill. He quickly inserted a finger into Fraser's ass to stroke the Canadian's prostate. "Ohhhhhh!" Fraser screamed as he came, his seed spilling down Welsh's chin. Welsh rolled off his lover and took him into his arms.

"Like that?"

"Oh, yes!" Fraser exclaimed. "No one has ever done... that to me." Welsh grinned, leaning over to kiss his Canadian. Fraser took a deep breath. "Harding, I... I would like us to make love again, with you inside me." Welsh raised himself on one elbow.

"Really?"

Fraser nodded. "Yes. I want to know what it would feel like to have you inside me. The finger felt so good!"

Welsh grinned. "Well, I don't have anything..."

Fraser smiled. "I bought a few things."

"Really?"

"I'll be right back." Fraser bounded up and was back in a few seconds carrying a nondescript paper bag from which he extracted some foil wrapped condoms and a bottle of lubricant.

"You bought those things?"

Fraser kissed his Harding hard on the lips. "Mmm. Told you I had a special dessert!"

"You're sure about this?"

Fraser nodded. "Yes. If you don't want to do it, sweet, that's okay. But I want you inside me!"

"Okay," Welsh answered, his voice trembling imperceptibly. Fraser moved downward to kiss Welsh's cock, stroking it until it stood erect like a Mountie on guard duty. Lovingly, Fraser unwrapped the condom and rolled it onto Welsh's penis. Welsh took the bottle of lubricant and squeezed some onto his finger. "How should we do this?"

Fraser shrugged. "I don't know..."

"Maybe if you roll onto your side? I wouldn't want to crush you." Fraser obliged, rolling into a ball. Welsh worked the lubricant into Fraser gently, using first two, then three, fingers. He then applied some of it to his latex encased cock. "Are you okay?"

Fraser nodded happily, reaching behind to grab one of Welsh's hands. "Now, please. I want you inside me when I come." Welsh carefully parted the Mountie's cheeks, positioning his cock outside the round puckered opening, pressing gently. "Please!" Fraser begged as he stroked himself. Slowly, Welsh drove himself into the Canadian, gently so as to not hurt him. Soon, he was buried hilt deep into Fraser who was suddenly quiet.

"Ben?"

"I'm okay." The Mountie's voice sounded strange.

"You sure?" Fraser was in pain. But it was a good pain. The man he loved was inside him.

"Yes. Please move a little..." Welsh began to pump carefully as he allowed a hand to reach around Fraser and wrap itself around the hand which Fraser was using to stroke his cock. Welsh had never experienced anything like this in his life. Fraser's ass was so tight, the pressure exerted on Welsh's cock almost unbearable. He came in three quick spurts as Fraser did the same, all over his and Welsh's hand.

Gently, Welsh pulled himself out of his Mountie, wrapping his arms around him. "Ben?"

"Thank you, Harding."

The men slept.

Two hours later, Fraser woke up naked in Harding Welsh's arms knowing that his whole life had finally come together.

Two months later

Fraser dried each plate after Welsh washed it. They were more or less living together now and happy enough to be contagious.

Thatcher had taken things in stride since she and the Spanish ambassador found that they enjoyed one another's company even without booze. People at the precinct were still in shock, but they remembered just how miserable Fraser has been for so long. As for Welsh, love had mellowed him and he'd finally approved Francesca's cappuccino machine idea.

Fraser put the last plate away.

"There's something I need to ask you, Ben," Welsh said seriously. Fraser looked at his lover quizzically and followed him to the living room.

"Is something wrong, sweet?"

Welsh shook his head, smiling happily. "Will you marry me, Ben?" Fraser's eyes widened. "It wouldn't be legal or anything, but..."

"Yes!" Fraser exclaimed, throwing him arms around Welsh's neck. "Yes!" Welsh grinned. He took his beloved Mountie's left hand and slipped a sturdy gold ring onto the second to last finger.

The pair sealed their engagement with... dessert.

Present day

"They're waiting for us, Harding!"

"I know, I know. I just don't want to share you!"

Fraser straightened his navy blue tux, doing the same to Welsh's. "I don't want to share you either. Which is why we're getting married."

Not too surprisingly, Fraser had managed to convince Father Behan to officiate this less than traditional marriage.

"While these two men are not permitted by law to form an official union, the God I know wants for his sons to be happy. This might not be a traditional union, but any union based on mutual respect and love for one another cannot be wrong, no matter how unconventional. Rather than exchange traditional vows, the grooms have chosen to speak their own words." Welsh went first.

"Benton Fraser, by agreeing to be my mate for life, you have made me the happiest man on Earth. I hope that I can give you a fraction of the happiness you have given me." Fraser smiled, saying, as always, more with an expression than with words.

"You have, Harding."

"I pronounce you married," Father Behan said. "You may kiss." The romance in the air was contagious. As Fraser and Welsh shared a passionate embrace, Francesca leaned in to her Mountie. "Love you, Renny."