Return to Camelot
"Hey, buddy."
Ray looked up from the lab table and smiled. "Hey! What's up?"
"Got a minute to talk?" He gestured to the suit helmet on Ray's desk.
Ray waved a dismissive hand at the helmet. "It can wait. You're more important than upgrades, you know that."
Nate smiled at him, but Ray could see his eyes were troubled. He pulled up a rolling chair and sat near Ray. "Um... hm." He blew out a little sigh, and didn't seem able to continue.
Ray thought over the past few days' conversations, trying to imagine what might be making Nate so uncomfortable. "Is it Zari?" he asked.
Nate nodded, slumping in his chair with a groan. "We broke it off today," he said.
"Ohhh. I'm sorry, man." He frowned. "But... I thought you said you could tell she wasn't comfortable, and you weren't feeling night, either."
Nate nodded. "It's true. After she came out to me, we thought we could still make it work. I mean, we care about each other a lot, but... I don't think were in love. And just now when we talked about it, she said the same." His eyes started to shine. "But I feel... am I losing a loving relationship just because of sex?"
"Aw, Nate, come on, don't feel like that. Sex is an act of love in a relationship - for someone who isn't ace, anyway. I'm sure Zari wouldn't want to deny you something as important as that, any more than you would want her to feel any pressure to do something she's not comfortable with."
Nate nodded. "You're right. I mean, we basically said almost those exact words to each other. But..." The tears that had been standing in Nate's eyes finally started to fall down his cheeks.
"Still feels bad?"
"Real bad," he said, nodding. He brushed at his tears only to have more replace them.
"Come on," Ray said. He pulled Nate into a firm embrace, and Nate clutched him and let the tears come.
After a while, Nate chuckled. "We're quite a pair," he said. "Two highly eligible guys, tragically unable to choose available women."
Ray laughed mirthlessly. "Terminal bachelors."
Nate sighed. "Well. I'm in good company, anyway." He sat up and dried his eyes. "Thanks for the shoulder."
"Any time. I mean, I hope we stop having so many reasons to cry, but..."
Nate laughed. "I know what you mean." He squeezed Ray's arm and smiled. "I love you, bro. You're such a good friend."
"Love you, too, buddy," Ray said. An urge to say more suddenly seized him. "I... I really..." Ray stopped himself, almost in a panic. No. No, do not ruin this. He smiled nervously at Nate's expectant look. "I... really feel so fortunate to have you in my life."
Nate's face flushed, and he grinned brightly, but... was there something else in his eyes? "Aww, Ray." The flicker of... something - sadness? disappointment? - was gone so quickly, Ray could almost pretend he hadn't seen it. "I feel the same way." Ray smiled, his gut un-clenching, the panic subsiding as the moment passed. "Guess I'll let you get back to work."
Ray looked down at the forgotten task. "Um... I kinda don't feel like doing this anymore." Nate looked surprised. "Wanna get popcorn and have a Spielberg marathon?"
A broad grin spread across his friend's face. "Start with 'Indiana Jones'?"
"Sure, if you want to save the best for last."
Nate laughed and swatted Ray's shoulder playfully. "Come on."