Fragments Of Love Series Part 2: Healing Love [ SandRay - Only Friends ]

City Lights

"Hey, you have to drink something." Ray sat down next to Sand, who was sitting at the open window with his legs tucked in, wrapped in a blanket, and looking out into the night.

"Thanks." Sand accepted the glass of water and took a big sip before placing it next to him.

The two often sat together at the window in the evenings. It was the perfect place to reflect, to let the mind wander, to get a moment of peace.

"Ray?" Sand turned his head to the other, briefly taking in the image that presented itself to him. Ray's hair, which fell in wild strands over his face, had become a little longer in the last few weeks, so that Ray now wore it permanently tied in a bun. Sand still loved the other's face, remembering every little detail, the full lips, long eyelashes and soft features.

Ray turned his head and looked questioningly at Sand, his brown eyes looking at the other like those of a puppy who had just been called by its owner. An involuntary smile spread across Sand's lips, and he had to admit to himself that he would probably never get over Ray. They were doomed, bound together by whatever supernatural force, as if the universe had played an incredibly stupid prank on them.

"Sand?" Ray's voice was so incredibly soft. Sand had been surprised by how much Ray had changed in the last few weeks anyway. It was as if a switch had flipped and he had mentally aged 10 years.

"How long have we been trapped in the apartment?" Sand took another sip of water without breaking eye contact with Ray.

"About four weeks," replied Ray, who also couldn't take his eyes off Sand. Over Sand's face washed a surprised expression.

"It doesn't seem that long." He was the first to break eye contact and turn his gaze to the city lights outside his window.

"When you're with someone you enjoy spending time with, sometimes it seems like time stands still," Ray slipped out. A smile formed on Sand's lips.

"As if the day suddenly had 25 hours instead of the usual 24." Sand stroked the spot on his hand where a small 25 was tattooed. Memories of another time. Ray nodded in agreement.

"Ray, can we talk? About us, I mean." Sand bit his lip nervously. It was crazy how much had changed for him in the last few weeks. He thought completely differently about Ray than he did four weeks ago, of course nothing was forgiven or even forgotten, but he was at least willing to listen to the other and try to create a basis between them again. At least Ray had shown him that he was capable of change, even though he had been in an incredibly difficult situation. Sand didn't know what was going to happen to them, what was going to happen to him, but they had to talk about their past in order to be able to take a step towards each other again.

Ray took a drag from his cigarette, inhaling the toxic smoke deep into his lungs. The time had come, the conversation which he was dreading the most, was about to happen. He turned to Sand, his back leaning against the window frame, his cigarette in his hand.

"I'm fucking scared of this conversation," Ray admitted. They had decided to be honest with each other, and this was the first step in showing Sand that he was serious about it.

"Me too. I hate arguing, especially with you." Sand now had his whole body turned towards Ray, snuggled up in his blanket, his knees still drawn up.

"Good premise for the conversation, we'll just decide not to argue, okay?" Ray tried to smile, but only a sarcastic laugh escaped his lips.

"How do we even begin this? I honestly have no idea how to do something like that." Sand now also took a cigarette and lit it.

"I'm starting." Ray took a deep breath, the faster they started talking, the quicker they would get the conversation over with. "And I hope that this time you will listen to me and let me finish." Sand swallowed audibly but nodded nonetheless, they had to respect each other if they wanted this conversation to work.