Despite the fact they'd arranged a date, Ray and Asher had managed to spend a lot more time together between then and now. Ray had the photos to prove it and he'd just finished sneaking around down in the basement with one of them. He'd thought about giving it to Asher in person but he wanted something more special; he wanted Asher to know that he loved him even when they weren't in the same room together. So he'd written a message on the photo and slipped it under Asher's pillow, so that he'd never forget how Ray felt.

Except for one with both of them in it that he'd hidden in his own wallet, the rest of the polaroids were in his hand and he flicked through them as he walked, perma-smile on his face. On the beach. Kissing under a tree. Asher on the other end of a see-saw. Ray on the floor after having fallen off the see-saw, body wracked with laughter. Cuddling on the couch, Asher rubbing Ray's booboo. Joined hands. A couple of them had been taken by strangers, with both of them caught off-guard and looking happy.

Ray's chest hurt so fucking much. He really wished Fraser were here to see this. Ridiculous odds and a speck of hope that they'd beat them - that really was all it had taken, in the end. And he and Asher were beating them hands down.

Loitering on the boardwalk, he slipped the photos into the pocket of his suit and straightened the cuffs, making sure he looked more that just presentable. He didn't know what Asher had planned but he did know he wanted to look his absolute best for him.