Midnight Rendezvous: A SandRay Story

Chapter 12: Are We Dating Now?

Ray's POV

Life's a wild ride, you know? It's like you're coasting along, thinking you've got it all figured out, and then bam! Suddenly, you're in a whole new dimension you never even saw coming. Me? I've always been the type to jump headfirst into whatever life throws at me. But this thing with Sand? It's like charting unknown waters.

There's Sand, sitting on my bed, giving me that look like he's trying to read my soul. And let me tell you, I need him to get what I'm saying. This isn't just some random confession I'm throwing out there. So, I close the gap between us, lift my hand to cup his cheek, and let my thumb brush against his skin.

"Hey, Sand," I say, a bit more serious than usual, "I need you to get that this is legit. I'm not feeding you some lame excuse. There's something deeper going on, something I can't ignore anymore."

I lean in, because sometimes words fall flat. Our lips meet, and it's like everything around us fades. Kissing Sand is like finding home after a long journey, like fitting the last piece into a puzzle. It's familiar, yet totally different - a confirmation of feelings we've kept locked away.

This kiss is more than just lips touching. It's a release of all those emotions we've been bottling up, a green light for all the stuff we've been holding back. It's full of passion, mixing our desires with the fears we've been shoving aside.

When we finally pull apart, we're still close, foreheads touching as we catch our breaths. I've got my arms around him, feeling his chest rise and fall against mine. There's a quiet, heavy silence hanging in the air, filled with words we're not saying and promises we're not sure we can keep.

But then Sand breaks the quiet, his voice slicing through the tension. "So, are we, like, officially dating now, Ray?"

I meet his eyes, searching for answers in those depths. And it hits me again, that honesty that's gotten us here. I let out a sigh, my thumb tracing circles on his cheek, trying to put my thoughts into words.

"Yeah, Sand, if you're cool with it," I reply, my voice softer than usual. "Honestly, I'm still figuring this whole thing out. My feelings for Mew, my feelings for you – it's all a mess up here."

I tap my temple, trying to lighten the mood a little, and Sand actually smiles. But then he says something that takes me by surprise, something that shows he gets it more than I thought.

"Your honesty is all I wanted, Ray," he says, his smile growing. "Just the fact that you're willing to explore this more, that's enough for me. I'm not expecting some over-the-top declarations or fairy tale endings. I just want to see where this road takes us."

And right then, a weight lifts off me. Sand's not looking for me to be anyone other than me. He's not expecting me to become a romantic guru or the perfect partner. He just wants me to be real, to give us a shot, and that's huge.

I grin back at him, feeling relief and gratitude bubbling up inside me. It's like this silent agreement, a pact that we're taking a leap into the unknown together. We don't have all the answers, but we're willing to find them out.

With his words echoing in my head, we settle down on the bed, holding each other close. The night deepens, and it's like the weight of the past weeks fades into the background. There's this feeling of ease, like we're in the right place at the right time. And as sleep comes easy, we're tangled up together, hearts finally syncing up in a rhythm that just feels... right.

Sand's POV

It's funny how our weaknesses can sometimes lead us down unexpected paths. In my case, that weakness came in the form of Ray—a spoiled, seemingly carefree guy who everyone thought was the ultimate playboy. Little did they know, he is just entangled in the complex web of unrequited love for his best friend, Mew. And ironically, knowing his secret only intensified my own feelings. I couldn't resist the lure of the chance he offered me—a chance that might not be love yet, but it was a starting point. My desperation was evident, and I couldn't help but chuckle at my own predicament.

As the morning sun cast its gentle glow on Ray's peaceful face, a wave of happiness washed over me. Seeing him asleep, free from the furrowed brows he sports whenever he glimpses Mew with Top, made my heart swell with a mix of contentment and relief. Knowing that I might be part of the reason behind his serene slumber was a feeling that I savored.

My thoughts, however, were abruptly interrupted by the ringing of a phone. Checking to ensure it wasn't mine, I stretched out to Ray's side of the bed to silence the device, not wanting anything to disrupt his rest. To my surprise, it was Mew's name that appeared on the screen, calling Ray at this early hour. Irritation simmered within me—Mew's timing couldn't be worse. Engaging in a silent debate with my better judgment, I found myself answering the call. Mew's anxious voice on the other end was a mix of concern and curiosity, seeking to find out where Ray had disappeared to the previous night. The green monster of jealousy reared its head, and while I knew I was being petty, I couldn't resist taunting Mew just a bit. I couldn't help but take the opportunity to let him know that Ray was with me, perhaps staking a claim in my own subtle way. Mew's voice seemed a tad uncomfortable as he reacted to my presence. It could have been my imagination, but it felt like a small victory at that moment.

Shaking off the sudden surge of emotions, I decided to get on with my day. A shower later, I discovered Ray still sound asleep, so I opted to head downstairs. The welcoming aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked croissants greeted me, along with Ray's cheerful housekeeper who seemed genuinely thrilled to see me. Her warmth enveloped me like a comforting embrace, reminding me of the familial connection I had found here. I settled in as she busied herself with breakfast preparations, sharing laughter and stories.

It was during this cozy interaction that I heard the unmistakable sound of Ray's footsteps, his approach laced with a tinge of annoyance. It was as if the world had ended just because I hadn't woken him up. Despite the audience—the housekeeper—Ray seemed oblivious to anyone else's presence as he reached out to me, his hand resting casually on my waist. His grip was possessive, conveying a clear message that he wanted me close.

"Why didn't you wake me up? I woke up and you were gone! I freaked out!" he whined, his expression a comical mix of annoyance and concern.

"Sorry," I replied, trying to contain my amusement. "You just seemed so peacefully asleep, I didn't want to disturb you."

"Well, next time, at least let me know before you disappear," he pouted, his tone so endearing that I struggled to hide my smile. Ray had an uncanny ability to manipulate my emotions effortlessly, and I felt myself melting under his gaze.

"Got it," I chuckled, deciding that indulging him was more than worth it.

As I watched him, I couldn't help but wonder how it had come to this. How had I gone from being the one who pined in silence to being the one who held a cherished place in Ray's world? It was a transformation that seemed too good to be true, and yet, here we were. And despite the trials, I knew I was willing to fight to make sure Ray's gaze remained fixed on me. This may not be love just yet, but in this moment, it felt like heaven.