somehow i managed to totally miss this until - well, right now. at work. but this was much more fun that work, and by fun i mean 'really good and sad and tense and then beautifully resolved and hot'. i really hurt for your tired, stressed old-feeling ray.

everyone above has talked about the Good Stuff, which i heartily agree with and can't put any better. so, can i just say, i love this detail:

Ray jerked him off while shoving his hand over the wet mouth, and in a moment of dumb tenderness, had kissed his temple as the kid came all over Ray’s hand.

the subtle way this tells you about him, that he's looking for more - more than just sex, more than just getting off, this bone-deep need for connection - is so very good.