SandRay - His Downfall & The Road Back Home

The Road Back Home Part 2 *End*

*Bonus Chapter* Epilogue Part 2

"Are you hungry?" Ray asked Sand about an hour into their journey.

"I could eat," Sand responded. "You?"

Ray nodded his head in agreement, his face automatically forming a frown . "Mmmm. Starving. I skipped breakfast."

"We'll find somewhere to eat in a bit" Sand replied smiling down at Ray's pouting face. How annoyingly cute.

There weren't many options, however Sand got off the highway and pulled into a small café.

They both made their way into the café. They picked a secluded table by the corner that gave them a bit more privacy than the rest of the tables.

After ordering their drinks and food, the reality of today's events started to sink in.

Ray looked at Sand playing with the napkin dispenser as they waited for their order. Ray's heart started to beat a bit faster as he looked at Sands' warm smile. Ray couldn't really tell if this is what happiness felt like. He was never that familiar with that concept, But Ray knew this moment, this insignificant moment of just waiting for their coffee order, was what happiness must be.

Ray couldn't help but look at the boy who had changed the trajectory of his life.

"What are you looking at, you asshole?" Sand laughed.

"You look different today?" Ray responded.

"What do you mean, you saw me last week, I haven't done anything differently."

"I don't know, you just seem cooler for some reason today, you're actually pretty handsome if you ask me '' Ray teased. It had been a while since Ray flirted with Sand, he felt a little rusty.

Sand rolled his eyes, as the waitress brought over their order.

"Just eat your food." Sand responded, shaking his head, a smile plastered on his face.

They ate in silence for a few minutes enjoying the rich coffee and flakey pastries.

Both Ray and Sand couldn't help but steal glances at each other as they ate. Neither of them said anything, the tension filling the space between them. It was obvious their feelings for each other were still there.

Sand had been worried that sobriety would change the way Ray felt about him. Their entire relationship, or lack of, was complicated and messy. He didn't want his feelings to get in the way of Ray's progress but he also didn't want to let any more time pass by without clarifying their relationship.

Back in the car, they began making their way back home again. Ray turned on the radio as they sped down the highway.

Ray smiled as he took in the sights. He hadn't been out much while in treatment but being in the passenger seat as Sand drove him back, the music blasting, was more than enough for him to relish in the idea that he could be happy in this life.

---

They finally made it back, when Ray realized they were headed to Sands apartment and not his home.

"Aren't you taking me home?" Ray asked.

"Tomorrow." Sand responded. He wanted to talk a little longer, and thought it would be best to do it in his home. Not to mention that even for Sand, going back to Rays was difficult, while he had gone back several times while Ray was in rehab to clean up and check on Ray's things, it still reminded him how easy it was to lose Ray.

They walked into Sands place and Ray noticed the furniture and things had been rearranged.

The couch had been changed, the bookshelf had more books and albums, and the shelf that used to hold the jars of plum wine was gone.

"Where's Nick?" Ray asked.

"He went back home to visit his parents for the week." Sand responded, placing Ray's bags and keys on the kitchen table.

"Let me go change, give me a second." Sand continued

Sand walked towards his bedroom, Ray following right behind him.

Sand raised one eyebrow looking at Ray.

"Ummm..."

"I want to change too, let me borrow some clothes" Ray asked that familiar pout, making its way back to his face.

"Mmmm." Sand got some clothes and tossed a pair of shorts and a t-shirt into Ray's hands.

"Not this one," Ray said, tossing back the t-shirt.

"Asshole.." Ray laughed as the shirt landed on his head.

"I want the white one..." Ray said, smiling cutely at Sand.

Sand rolled his eyes knowing exactly what shirt Ray was referring to. Sand went back to his closet and pulled down the worn POOR BOY shirt he hadn't worn since taking it back from Ray several weeks ago.

Ray put the shirt and shorts on in Sands room, unbothered by his state of undress.

"Sand.." Ray hesitantly started.

"Hmmm..." He answered.

"Can I hug you?" Ray asked nervously.

Sand was quiet for a moment, thinking about how to answer. "Yes, you can."

Ray sighed, relieved.

Ray wanted to really show Sand how much he meant to him, he was grateful Sand had stumbled into his life and made him finally understand how fucked up he had been living.

Ray pulled Sand close, wrapping his arms around his waist. Being shorter than Sand meant Sands' arms instinctively wrapped themselves around Ray, cocooning him in a warm embrace.

Ray's face nuzzled the side of Sands neck, his scent giving him the comfort he desired and craved.

Sand relished in the feelings of having Ray in his arms. The broken boy whose light was bright enough to fill his heart. Sand kissed the top of Ray's head, separating himself from the embrace.

Sands hands reached for Ray's face, cupping his cheeks in his hands.

"You're so warm, like a cup of coffee." Sand said, looking into Ray's eyes.

Ray's breath hitched. Warm. That's exactly how he felt about Sand.

"Sand, let me say this as clearly as possible so you don't misunderstand." Ray began. "I want more than friendship with you. I know our history is a little complicated but you are the one I want to be with. I didn't know what love was before meeting you Sand. I ...and I need you to really listen...I want you to be my boyfriend...will you..be with me?" Ray asked.

Sand smiled, his eyes glistening. "Mmmmmm...that was supposed to be my line." Sand teased.

"Ray no one but you has ever had my heart, I wouldn't be able to be only friends with you."

The overwhelming feeling of happiness filled Ray's heart.

"Let's go watch a movie, boyfriend" Sand said pulling Rays hand, making his way back to the living room

Ray smiled letting himself be pulled by Sand.

"I'm sleeping over just so you know." Ray said

"You can, but well just be sleeping tonight." Sand said seriously.

"Saaaannnddd" Ray whined.

Sand laughed. "Well have time for that later, but tonight well just sleep. Mmm" Sand said sweetly.

"Fine," Ray pouted. "Let's go watch the movie already."

They spent the evening sprawled on the couch, talking and in each other's arms, finally able to breath in - each other's presence.

The happy moments made the pain worth the effort. No matter what, Sand would hold Ray's hand and Ray would hold Sands. They'd figure out the rest together at their own pace.

---

The end

---

thanks for reading! you can also find more stories on AO3 (pinkgrapefruitie)