SandRay - His Downfall & The Road Back Home

The Road Back Home Part 1

*Bonus Chapter* Epilogue Part 1

Sand drove 2 hours along the highway in Ray's black convertible. The top was down and the heat was tolerable. Sand could feel the wind on his face like soft kisses in the summertime. The road was familiar as Sand had driven this way many times before. He could recognize the landmarks and side roads that would lead him to his destination.

Sand had gotten used to this routine. He would drive 2 hours to see Ray, stay for an hour or if he was lucky an hour and a half, then drive back home. However today's routine would be interrupted by someone occupying the passenger side on the way home.

It had been 90 days since Ray decided to enter rehab and today he was finally able to come back home. After Mew and Sand had found Ray unconscious in the bathtub, Ray finally found some clarity and decided he wanted to get help. Three long and hard months of intense therapy and detoxing finally paid off. There had been some dark moments in those 90 days, and there had been days Sand didn't know if Ray would make it out the other side, but Ray had put in the work and tried his best. That's all anyone could ask for.

Sand continued down the scenic route, taking in the rustling of the trees and warm breeze. Finally making it to his destination he turned into the visitors parking lot.

Sand took the keys out of the ignition, stepping out to stretch after the long drive.

Making his way into the facility he greeted the nurses and staff who had grown accustomed to seeing Sand almost weekly. He tried his best to make it to every week, of course primarily he was worried about Ray's progress but he also had selfish reasons for coming every week.

Sand missed Ray.

He wanted to spend as much time as possible with him, away from his friends, away from everyone back home, he wanted to monopolize Ray's attention and time. Since there was only one visitor slot a week, Sand would sometimes give up his day and let Mew or Cheum go instead. Those weeks were the worst.

To some, driving 2 hours back and forth, only to be able to visit for 1 hour at a time might seem like a waste, but for Sand and Ray that 1 hour was more than enough time to solidify their bond.

After signing in at the nurses station, Sand took a seat in the waiting area, anticipation growing in his chest. His leg bounced as he waited for Ray to come out. He didn't know why he was so nervous he had just seen Ray last week. Sand took his phone out and scrolled his social media while he waited.

Officially they had not talked about dating as the facility does not encourage relationships to be formed while the patient is still undergoing treatment. However Sand could wait, as long as Ray was making progress they could maintain their relationship.

No matter how happy Sand was that Ray was able to come home today, he was still scared. Nothing was certain, and no matter how much he wanted things to work out, realistically he knew there was always the possibility things wouldn't turn out the way he wanted.

Time passed and the doors to the treatment center finally opened.

Ray walked out carrying a few bags, sobriety shining on his face.

Sand knew Ray still struggled especially with his mental health however for the first time he could see a hint of determination and happiness in Ray's eyes.

As Ray got closer, his smile unknowingly got wider. Ray could see Sand waiting for him, looking at him with proud eyes.

Ray had never wanted someone's approval before, however he wanted Sand to be proud of him, he wanted to show Sand that he could also work to become someone who was worthy of the love and affection he had so desperately craved.

Sand had always taken care of Ray and now Ray hoped he could also be the one to take care of Sand.

Sands' smile also grew as Ray got near.

"You ready?" Sand asked.

The question was weighted.

More than just asking if Ray had everything, he was asking if Ray was ready to leave and start his life back up in society again.

"I'm ready." Ray responded, his smile reaching his brown eyes. Two short words filled with endless possibilities. Ray was finally ready to start moving forward with his life.

Sand grinned, he was aware of how he looked at Ray, love and affection showing in his eyes, but he didn't care anymore who saw.

"Can you take these?" Ray asked, pouting his lips and giving Sand his signature puppy dog eyes. "Please...na..naaaa...naaa."

"Asshole" Sand responded and smirked, even sober Ray still acted like a pampered princess.

"Let's go then" Sand said, grabbing the bags Ray was carrying. They weren't heavy, and deep down Sand liked doing these things for Ray. Giving in to Ray always came naturally to Sand.

They both made their way back to the car, Sand instinctively getting into the driver seat. Ray chuckled amused by how comfortable Sand looked in his car, but got in the passenger seat nonetheless.

Ray wasn't going to lie to himself, there was something about Sand driving his car that was really attractive. Ever since the first week Sand started visiting him, Ray told him to bring the car. Initially Ray had said it was because he needed to make sure the car was running and not just sitting in his garage while he was in rehab, but really he just didn't want Sand driving his motorcycle so far.

"Buckle up baby, we've got a long way home." Sand said, turning to face Ray.