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Ray had come a long way since his days of reckless drinking and self-destruction. He was now attending rehab, determined to kick the habit that had once threatened to ruin his life. Sand, his beloved boyfriend, had been his anchor throughout this journey. Sand, a talented musician who played at Y.O.L.O bar, had stood by Ray through thick and thin, offering support and unwavering love.
It was a typical evening at Y.O.L.O bar, where Sand performed his heart out on stage. The dimly lit room was filled with the intoxicating aroma of love and music, and Sand's enchanting voice captivated the audience. But this night was different. A sudden sense of unease began to gnaw at the edges of his consciousness. Sand, lost in his music, was unaware of the disconcerting presence looming on the outskirts of his world. Boeing, his ex-boyfriend, had just entered the bar. The memories of betrayal, hurt, and deceit that had accompanied their breakup still haunted Sand's heart. As Sand's set continued, Boeing made his way through the crowd. His eyes locked onto Sand, and a smug smile crept across his face. He was determined to make amends, or at least, that's what he wanted Sand to believe.
Ray's senses went on high alert as he spotted a tall male with his hair pushed back and round glasses in the crowd, inching closer to Sand. He had a feeling this was not just someone who wanted to be closer to the stage, no, he seemed like he thrived on chaos. He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, a surge of protectiveness surging through him. He knew he had to act fast to shield Sand from the approaching storm. He got up from the booth he was currently occupying for the arrival of their friends and made his way through the crowd toward Sand. The man reached Sand first, attempting to engage him in conversation. Sand was polite, but his discomfort was evident.
"Sand," Ray said, sliding up next to him. "I've been looking for you."
Sand's eyes lit up as he saw Ray, and he instinctively leaned into his embrace. Ray placed a protective arm around Sand's waist, making it clear to man that Sand was not alone.
The man’s facade of warmth that he was showing to Sand just moments before dropped as he glared at Ray. "Who are you?" he snapped.
“I am Ray… and you are?” Ray said, looking the strange man up and down as if trying to find all his secrets.
“I am Boeing… Sand and I go way back.” The man smirked “Now would you mind stepping away I would like to have a discussion with Sand in private”
Feeling Sand stiffen under his hold, “I do apologize but Sand has a set to finish, so you will have to come back later if you wish to have this oh-so-important discussion with my boyfriend” Ray said as if realizing what he just said look at Sand as if saying “sorry” when Sand just smiled, that was all the confirmation he needed that he did nothing wrong.
The man, taken aback by the news that Sand would not be easily persuaded and would get back with him willingly, mumbled something about talking later and retreated into the crowd. Sand watched him go, his heart heavy with mixed emotions. Sand let out a heavy sigh and nodded to Ray as an indication that he was okay.
Sand finished his set and joined Ray at their table. "Thank you for being there," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
Ray smiled warmly, reaching out to hold Sand's hand. "I'll always be there for you, Sand," he reassured him.
“Oi, you do know you two are not the only ones at this table right?” Boston said, causing Sand and Ray to look over in his direction. Boston, Nick, Top, Mew, Chueam, and April were all sitting there watching the couple.
The remaining group showed up not long after Sand and Ray’s encounter with Boeing, they all talked about the Hostel and the remaining projects it needed before it was officially done. The atmosphere seemed to become lighter.
As the night carried on and the bar slowly started to mellow down, the friend group all split to do their own thing, Sand and Ray both ordered a drink, Sand ordered a whiskey whereas Ray ordered a non-alcoholic drink. Since starting rehab he has been trying to lower his alcohol intake, he does not wish to stop completely, only drinking on special occasions and barely even a whole glass then. He really is trying, he wants to be with Sand for a long time. He can not see anyone else he would rather spend his adventures traveling the world so Sand can see all the music festivals he wants to see, have lazy Sundays while they rather cheesy romance movies and cuddle all day with, grow old one day with, none of that is possible without Sand right there with him. Ray took a scan of the bar and noticed everyone engrossed in their own world Mew and Top were dancing, Boston and Nick disappeared to do god knows what, and Chueam and April were having a conversation with Yo at the bar. Ray turned back to face Sand when he noticed a figure approaching them.
“Sand… can we have that discussion now?” Boeing said standing beside the pair
Ray looked at Sand, looking at his expression, looking for any hint of discomfort, when he noticed Sand looked determined to get this conversation done and over with. He squeezed Sand on the leg.
“Ray, I will meet up with you in a moment.” Sand said looking determined
Ray nodded before standing up, “I will step outside for a cigarette.” turning on his heel he made a beeline to the bar where Chueam and April were still talking to Yo and Plug who recently joined the conversation.
“I am stepping outside for a bit in case Sand comes and asks” Ray said hoping they caught on to the undertone of “keep an eye on Sand while I step out”
Ray continued his way out the door of the bar, the cool air eased his nerves and helped his tense muscles, which he did not even know he was tensing, relax. Ray grabbed the almost full pack of cigarettes from his pants pocket and fished for his lighter. He did not smoke as often anymore either, he did not have the urge but carried them around so he could ask Sand for his lighter, which always resulted in an eye roll, but he was always given the lighter after.
After realizing he did not have a lighter, he put the cigarettes back in his pocket leaned his head back against the wall of the bar, and just let the cool air soothe him, while he allowed a few more moments to himself before entering the bar again. With a sign, he pushed himself off the wall, brushed his clothes to straighten them back out, and walked back into the bar.
He looked at the bar and saw Yo, Plug, Chueam, and April engrossed in their own conversation and they would occasionally look over in Sand’s direction, Ray smiled to himself knowing his friends had his back as he walked over to them to let them know he was back and they could enjoy their night.
He then started walking back over the Sand and Boeing when he stopped in his tracks.
“I know you are seeing someone, I am willing to be the bad guy here, but do I still have a chance?” Boeing said, grabbing Sand’s hand in his own. Sand pulled his hand away and smiled weary at Boeing, god he was too polite for his own good.
Without a word, Ray walked over to Sand and took a seat on his lap, wrapping his arms around him. He nuzzled Sand's neck affectionately, planting soft kisses on his cheek, making sure that Sand felt loved and cherished but to also making it fairly obvious that Sand is not interested.
Boeing's eyes widened in surprise as Ray was displaying his affection openly, and it was impossible to ignore. Sand's heart, torn between his past and his present, now leaned heavily in favor of Ray.
“Sorry it took so long” Ray whispered, “I think I lost my lighter again”
Sand laughed wrapped his arms tightly around Ray’s waist and leaned his head on top of Ray’s before speaking.
“I think you don’t bring a lighter on purpose so you can use mine”
“Saaaand” Ray said from his resting place on Sand’s neck “can we go home now, I want to go to sleep”
Ray deliberately said home, instead of Sand’s apartment or his house, he watched Boeing’s face, from his resting place, change from a neutral to a scoff as he stood up and walked away, which was a victory in Ray’s book.
They remained entwined in each other's arms, Ray's protective presence a comforting shield that banished any lingering shadows of doubt from Sand's mind. Chueam had a mischievous grin as she leaned into April and whispered, "Looks like Ray's feeling a bit clingy tonight, doesn't he?"
April giggled and replied, "Well, I guess it's working. Sand seems happier than ever."
The couple watched as Sand brushed his finger through Ray’s hair as he slowly rocked them back and forth and whispered for only his boy to hear.
“Come on Ray, let’s go home,” Sand said while still running his fingers through Ray’s hair
Ray groaned but moved off Sand’s lap before standing and pulling Sand with him. They both waved goodbye to the group and walked out to Ray’s car.
“Would you like me to drive?” Sand asked as they walked hand in hand to the passenger side door
Ray shook his head and opened the passenger side door, “let me drive you this time, you always drive”
Sand just smiled before getting into the car and buckling up, once Ray was in the driver's seat and started the car they drove the short distance from Y.O.L.O bar to Sand’s apartment where they could finally relax. Once in the apartment, Ray threw himself on the bed with a loud and drawn-out groan, which received a chuckle from Sand.
“Come, I’ll draw a bath for you.” Sand said tugging Ray from the bed and into the bathroom
Sand filled the bathtub with warm water and added some fragrant bubbles. Ray, who had faced a challenging few weeks at rehab, and having to deal with an unexpected guest, sank into the warm water which further eased the tension in his muscles, and he leaned back, resting his head on the edge of the tub. Sand stood up and went to walk out of the bathroom when a wet hand grabbed his wrist which caused him to pause and turn around to look at Ray.
“Where are you going, I thought you were going to join me,” Ray said with a pout
“I am darling, I am grabbing two drinks and cigarettes, I will be right back I promise.” Sand said while kissing Ray’s forehead.
Ray smiled at the nickname sank back into the warm water and finally relaxed.
“I should be the one doing this for you,” Ray said barely above a whisper as Sand walked out of the bathroom to retrieve their drinks and cigarettes. He placed them on the small table that Ray somehow grabbed and smiled in an invitation to Sand. Sand stripped and stepped into the warm water and sat opposite Ray so they could face each other, they both lit a cigarette, with Sand’s lighter of course, and drank their drinks in silence as they simply looked at each other with adoration. Sand broke the silence by grabbing Ray’s hand which was sitting on the small table in front of them.
“You were amazing tonight, you know? You stood by me, and protected me. I love you so much."
Ray closed his eyes, savoring the words. "I love you too, Baby. You mean everything to me. You give me the strength to keep going."
They shared a quiet, intimate moment in the bath, their love reaffirmed by the trials of the evening. Afterward, they dried off, Sand threw one of his t-shirts at Ray as he knew his boyfriend always preferred to sleep in his shirts and headed to their cozy bedroom. They snuggled under the covers, their bodies entwined, and whispered sweet nothings to each other.
After the chaos of the day seemed to calm down and there was nothing but the steady breathing of the couple who were tangled around each other with barely any space between them, Ray was the one to break the silence.
“Baby?”
Sand who never liked the use of Baby when in public seemed to love it when they were in the privacy of their home.
“Hmm,” Sand hummed and ran his fingers through Ray’s hair as he lay on Sand’s chest.
Ray, who was still in the process of healing, confessed, "I know I'm not perfect, Sand, but I promise you, I'm working on becoming the best version of myself for you."
Sand pressed a soft kiss on Ray's lips. "And I'll be right here with you, every step of the way. We'll face all the challenges together, just like we did tonight."
Ray with one final kiss on his boyfriend’s cheek settled back down, They drifted into a peaceful slumber, the echoes of the evening fading into the tranquility of the night. In the cocoon of their love, they found the strength to face whatever challenges the future held, knowing that together, they could weather any storm that came their way.