Asher eyes slipped shut, a hand moving to Ray's shoulder and fisting the fabric of his shirt.

He repeated the name again, as if making sure he had Ray's full attention. He wasn't sure why, or how it would even be possible for anyone's attention to stray too far when they were busy doing what Ray was currently doing. His thoughts were a blur, his mind fuzzy until he spoke again. "I love you..."

After that, he was all too aware of everything. Every sound, the direction of the grain of the wood on the ceiling as his eyes shot open, Ray's movements. Or lack of them.

And there was that damn pang again. That time, though, he was sure he was having a fucking heart attack.