This is a not so short one shot, coming from a X thread that I posted few days ago. ************************ After too much alcohol and not enough will to keep himself together, he found himself sitting on the cold floor of his apartment, staring at that piece of paper with Ray's handwriting. His fingers traced over the words again and again. "I love you." A bitter laugh escaped him. "You love me?" he whispered, his voice barely above a breath. "Then why did you leave me?"

Ray and Alan are both heartbroken. Ray, because his best friend found a boyfriend and left him feeling alone. Alan, because his boyfriend of five years just cheated on him. They meet at a beach party on Ray's 23rd birthday and Alan's last night before walking away from his old life. One thing leads to another, and they end up having a hot, steamy one-night stand right there on the beach. But things get complicated when they see each other again, not as two strangers who hooked up, but as student and professor. And that's not all. Suddenly, Mew, the guy who always pushed Ray away, starts acting clingy, sweet, and maybe even interested. Meanwhile, Ray's doing everything he can to get that sexy man from the beach back in his bed. The problem? Alan has one very strict rule: never blur the line between business and pleasure. ---- Content Warning: 🔞 I will always include a 🔞 warning for any content that is explicit, mature, or potentially triggering. Please read at your discretion. -smut -age gap (8 years) -trauma / toxic behavior -drug use/suicidal tendencies -long story/slowburn romance If such stories aren't your preference, feel free to skip them. Your comfort is important!

Sand finally came to terms with the painful truth-Ray had chosen Mew over him. In an attempt to move on, he turned to music for comfort, exploring artists he hadn't really listened to before. That's when he stumbled upon Ariana Grande's haunting track, Twilight Zone. Something about the song resonated deeply. So much so, he decided to record a cover. To his surprise, the cover went viral. And of course, Ray saw it-secretly. He listened to it on repeat, unable to shake the ache and stirred in him. It hit him harder than he expected: he missed Sand. Terribly. It was only now, too late, that he realized the depth of his feelings. He wanted to go back. To fix things. To choose Sand this time. But how do you reach out to someone who's already let you go? Especially when you're still standing beside the person you once thought you wanted-Mew.

Alan, formerly known as Sand, is Ray's former boyfriend. After a six-year absence, he reencounters Ray, who is now a successful CEO. Alan had left Ray abruptly, struggling with personal issues and responsibilities. Despite the time that has passed, Alan still harbors strong feelings for Ray, and their unexpected reunion stirs up old emotions and unresolved questions. Ray, on the other hand, is left with mixed feelings about Alan's reappearance and their complicated history. Their story is one of missed opportunities, personal growth, and the lingering effects of a past relationship.