Work Text:
“Is this your home or what? Why drink that much if you know you can’t handle it? “
Sand grumbled. His frustration was evident.He understood that as a public place, Ray had every right to be there but why take your precious time when others might also need use of the facilities.
Sand felt even justified by what he said later....
"You are a burden to the society"—
Ray felt a surge of indignation. "That's uncalled for," Ray mused. What did Sand know about Ray's struggles to make such a harsh assessment? Did he understand why Ray sought solace in the bottle?
Ray carried a heavy burden of self-blame for his mom's death. She succumbed to alcohol, unable to reconcile her acting career with the demands of caring for Ray. Did having him as a son make her life so unbearable that she chose death over giving up her dreams? Ray longed for love, yearning for someone to show him that he mattered. At first, he thought Mew could be that person, but it turned out Mew only cared for him as a friend.
And then there was Sand. Did Sand love him? The night Sand found a drunken Ray attempting to drive home, he stepped in to help, bringing Ray to his own home when he couldn't locate Ray's address. Despite Ray's vulnerability, Sand didn't take advantage. It was an insult when later in the morning Ray accused him of theft. Ray later apologized and even extended an offer for Sand to be his drinking buddy, an unexpected admission of his need for affection.
As time passed, Ray found himself spening more time with Sand. He initiated texts and invented excuses to be around Sand. Despite his initial attempts to deny it, Ray couldn't escape the truth—he enjoyed spending time with Sand more than he dared to admit. Did liking to spend time with Sand necessarily mean he was in love with him? The complexity intensified when they slept together, injecting a new layer of uncertainty into their relationship. Ray found himself caught in the crossroads of friendship and something more, unable to deny the burgeoning feelings for Sand that transformed their dynamic from casual companions to something deeper and more profound.
Ray knew that Sand had feelings for him. The longing in Sand's eyes and the feigned reluctance to spend time together were telltale signs. Yet, even as Sand appeared to relish Ray's company, Ray couldn't shake his lingering infatuation with Mew. Caught between his unresolved feelings for Mew and the growing connection with Sand, Ray faced a dilemma. He didn't want to relinquish his connection with Sand, but he also hesitated to fully commit. Was he being unfair to Sand? Ray found himself unintentionally stringing Sand along, unable to sever ties just yet, caught in the complex web of his own emotions.