I will be the umbrella on your rainy days

by dreamysakura

Summary:

Ray knew Sand since they were four. Sand's presence in his life made his cold lonely days bearable, filling it with warmth and love. Sand being like his guardian angel, was the reason Ray did not spiral downwards in his life. However, there's always a line drawn between them that kept them at arm's length.

It was until the second year of their university that Ray noticed the changes in Sand. Sand who exuded strong confident aura and his eyes full of liveliness, mischief and mirth became someone who was always spaced out alone, his eyes dull and lifeless. The smile and laughter that Ray loved were absent. Ray hated to see Sand so miserable.

It was at that moment that Ray decided to fully step into Sand's life. He vowed to bring back the smile and laughter that he missed so much. This time, Ray would be the umbrella for Sand on his rainy days... 

Notes:

This story is an alternate universe of Only Friends. The reason I started this story was because I wondered how would Ray's life be if he met Sand since they were kids. Perhaps he wouldn't be so lonely during his childhood days. How did Sand navigate his heartbreak from his break up with Boeing with the presence of Ray in his life? What would happen if Top was Sand's best friend instead?

Let's see how the story goes!

Chapter 1: Prologue

It was raining heavily. A line of lamp posts in the park illuminating the dark night. A lone figure was seen seating on a bench, drenched in the rain. His head tilted up, facing the sky with his eyes closed. His tears mixed with the pouring rain.. the sound from the pitter patters of the rain masked the sobs racking through him. A pained smile formed on his lips. He wondered whether the pain in his heart would vanish when the rain stopped. Suddenly, he could no longer feel the rain. He frowned with his eyes still closed. Did the rain finally stop? Out of a sudden? But he could still hear the sound of the raindrops.. 

"You love the rain so much huh, Sand.." A familiar voice was heard in his ears. Sand opened his eyes deliberately. A guy with an umbrella was looming over him. The guy was frowning with a concerned expression on his face. 

"Ray?" His voice croaked. He winced upon hearing his own voice. It was obvious that he was crying. 

Ray grimaced upon hearing Sand's voice. In the entire 16 years that he knew Sand, he had only seen Sand cried once and that was because he cried for Ray when Ray almost took his own life. Ray had never seen Sand cried for himself. It pained Ray that Sand was suffering quietly on his own. Ray shook out his concerns from his mind. He needed to focus on bringing Sand home first. Ray held out his unoccupied right hand towards Sand. "Come on, let's go home before you fall sick." 

Sand stared at Ray's hand with a dazed expression. "How did you find me here?“

Ray groaned." Seriously, Sand?! I'm getting wet from the rain and you are asking this question now?“

Sand shrugged. He didn't want to leave. He was a little annoyed that Ray disturbed his peace and his crying session. How often could he cry under the rain?! 

Ray sighed softly as he lowered down his hand when he realised Sand was not going to take his hand anytime soon. He crouched so that his eyes could meet Sand's at eye level. His unoccupied right hand cupped Sand's left cheek as his thumb caressed Sand's cheek gently. His eyes filled with mixed emotions..pain, sadness, care and love. "I will be the umbrella on your rainy days, Sand. This time, let me take care of you, okay?" Ray smiled softly. 

Sand's breath hitched. He could feel the warmth and love radiating from Ray. It reminded him of the past. Sand suddenly hiccuped, earning a light chuckle from Ray, causing his heart to skip a beat. Little did Sand realised the thorns in his heart fell off bit by bit due to the guy in front of him.