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Fraser sat in a chair by the register, hunched over his book. Had anyone come into the bookstore to notice - and they hadn't, not in a day and a half - they would've seen that he hadn't turned the page in over an hour. Periodically he would look up from his book to stare at the door, then invariably sigh and turn his eyes back to the pages, if

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Ray peeked in the front window of Mort's, but he didn't see nothing so he came right in. He glanced around, feeling suddenly nervous, but he didn't see Benton or, actually, anyone at all.

Grabbing a random book from a shelf, Ray went over to the counter and hit the bell with it a couple times.

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"Just a minute," Fraser called from the kitchen. He knew he oughtn't be so irritated at having an actual customer, but the truth was he was content with staring out the kitchen window. He went to the sink and quickly splashed some water on his face, hoping to erase the signs of fatigue he knew were etched there, and went back into the shop. He stopped dead when he saw who was standing there, his mouth stuck in a small O of surprise.

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Ray wasn't sure he could say anything, either. As much as Benton had pissed him off, God, he'd missed him. He wasn't even sure he realized how much until the man was standing right there.

"So, uh...I was thinking of trying," Ray paused momentarily to glance at what he'd grabbed, "...Death of a Salesman. I mean, I hate salesmen, so, it sounds like a good one." He grinned, but the uneasiness he felt made it brief.

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"You'll like that one, then," said Fraser. His expression seemed fixed in surprise, though he did come a few steps closer to the counter that divided them. "It's a cautionary tale against pursuing success and wealth at the expense of principle."

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"Yeah, or, maybe I just came by to say hi," Ray said, nervously tapping the book's binding against the counter. He didn't have the heart to break it to Benton, but his summary of the book made it sound like the more boring thing he'd ever heard of. "Hi."

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"Hello," Fraser echoed. He finally managed to close his mouth. He hadn't expected this chance, and now that he had it, he didn't know what to do with it. He said the first thing that came to mind. "I apologise for what I said. I had no right to speak about your private affairs, particularly when I don't know the facts. It was presumptuous of me, and I - and I -" Having run out of words again, Fraser stood there gaping once more. "Shall I make tea?"

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"I...uh, sure," Ray said, but leaned toward the counter before Benton had a chance to disappear into the kitchen. "Listen...maybe it's naive, or whatever, but I never thought...I never felt like Neil was a hooker. I mean, he was, a hooker, but I never-- I didn't use him. Okay? Maybe I'm scum, but I...well, maybe I'm just scum." He shrugged, not knowing what to say. He didn't regret whatever he did with Neil. "I guess I just kind of wish you didn't think so."

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"But I don't," said Fraser, dumbfounded and horrified in equal measure. "I never thought that of you. It was only...well, Neil seemed hurt by it, and I...I spoke out of turn."

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Ray blushed a little, that Benton didn't think so, but his expression grew troubled. "He did? Nah, he's in love with somebody, so, y'know, it's okay," he assured Benton, looking back down at the book in his hand.

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"Ah. He didn't confide that with me." And, if Fraser's suspicions were correct, Neil was unlikely to confide anything in him at all in the near future. "As I said, I didn't know the facts."

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Ray looked back up, just wanting to forget the whole thing. "We still buddies?" he asked, keeping his eyes locked on Benton's.

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"I...yes," breathed Fraser, feeling himself colour under Ray's intense gaze. "If you'll have me."

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Ray smiled warmly, ducking his head a little. "Yeah, I'll have you."

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Fraser seemed to crumple with relief, every muscle in his body buckling until it seemed he had nowhere to go but down. He covered this as best he could by turning towards the kitchen. "I think we'll have that tea now."

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Ray felt the same relief, and he let out a long breath.

"Okay, uh, you want me to wait out here? I could try to sell folks books," Ray offered, tossing the Salesmen one aside. He wasn't sure he could get anyone to buy that one.

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"Don't be silly, Ray," Fraser laughed, feeling a little giddy. "The odds of a customer coming in are...well, they're not favourable." He disappeared into the kitchen, beckoning Ray along behind him.