Chapter Text
It had been a while since the last time San managed to get a part-time job as a musician. Gigs were simply not sustainable enough and he had long gotten tired of being a waiter. Yet after months of applying to different places and waiting for responses, he had managed to land a place at Jean's bar. It was quite a satisfying idea despite it being known to be frequented by the rich people of the town. The pay was great, the atmosphere of the bar was intoxicating and the host was a funny, inviting lady. There was hardly any reason not to accept it.
When the first day came, San stood outside the club and smoked a cigarette. He watched as different dolled up people would enter the bar to get a drink or two. That was something he enjoyed about the nightlife; the idea that people could let go of life's responsibilities for a few hours, make themselves feel pretty and go wild.
Once he finished the cigarette he was smoking, he noticed that it was almost time for his set. He walked inside and immediately the music from the speakers overfilled San's ears, the bar was coated in a blue hue due to the special lighting, tables were scattered around and the main bar was at the back. He could see Jean standing there, trying to make a drink for one of her customers. He sat on the stool by the bar for a bit, fiddling with his phone until it would be time to perform. Once it was, San got up from his stool and walked on stage slowly, with no apparent alert in his eyes. If there was one thing San was confident in, was his musical ability. Born with perfect pitch, a natural feel for musical theory and a passion for music, there was nothing he could not play. Besides, the nature of bar music was not the type to create much of a challenge.
He hopped on stage to set up his amplifier and grabbed one of the guitars offered by the bar. It was a great opportunity since San could only afford a cheap one that resembled the sound of an empty bucket. The one offered was a Gibson, a brand known for its thicker, rounder tone, with less feedback. He only gave it a single strum at first and still felt the sound vibrating in his veins.
He was ready to perform when a rushed glance towards the crowd caused him to lose his footing for a short period of time. Out of all the rich people in town, San did not expect Ray to be the one sitting at one of the nearest tables, enjoying a couple of drinks with two other women he didn't recognise. The richest man himself could land through the roof with his private jet and sit on the very front table, and San would not bat an eye. He didn't even care if any of the rich people from his university would join. He could even put up with that obnoxious guy, Boston. Ray though, he was the exception. Those two breath-taking eyes were hard to miss in a crowd.
All of a sudden San got a flashback from freshman year, when a single smile from Ray was already enough to realize that he was already a goner. It was a memorable moment for him as he remembered time running still, all surrounding sounds turning into muffles. He was aware that falling for someone without knowing anything about them was bizarre yet there he was, years later, looking at him in a bar and unable to keep his heart from beating all over his chest. As a man of pride, he was even cringing at the thought alone.
Ray must have felt someone staring at him, because he attempted to look back, but San was fast enough to pretend he never looked in the first place. This had happened a couple of times before, usually when Ray would look exceptionally well on the day and San just couldn't stop himself from taking a peek.
It wouldn't be surprising if someone was to be staring nevertheless. Ray was a man that was very easy on the eyes and dripping with charisma. Beyond his branded clothes and brushed back hair, he had a gaze and body language that were enthralling. His confident demeanour and his way with words would often guarantee him what he wanted. His strong presence in combination with his family name, made him considerably untouchable.
San pursed his lips and shook his head. He didn't want to botch this perfect opportunity that was laid in front of him just from being distracted. He disliked rich people; cocky ones especially. His unexplained feelings towards this rich, cocky man made him dislike himself as well.
He swiftly set up the microphone, hoping this could end quickly enough so that he could leave and forget about it. As soon as he plugged the first string, the vibrations radiating from his fingertip, later reached into his anxious heart and calmed him down. He smiled warmly as he realised the effect of music never changed on him.
One song after another, San had his gaze fixed everywhere, but nowhere. Most importantly, he was avoiding looking at Ray like the plague. His head was distracted enough to finish his set with zero issues, as he had been used to. The audience gave him a clap, of which he enjoyed greatly since it has been a while since the last time he was on stage.
The time after his sets, working in other bars in the past, San would usually socialise with the customers or enjoy the drinks his fans would buy for him, yet he couldn't wait to just get out that day.
"Great work today honey!" Jean nodded at him and placed a hand on his shoulder as a gesture of approval. San smiled shyly to her but inside he was ecstatic by the positive feedback; he was excited to have long-term work in the music industry once again.
"I agree, great work!"
Both Jean and San turned towards the direction of the deep voice that made itself known. San could recognise that silky voice everywhere. It was Ray of course, out of all the people in that bar it had to be him.
"Come join us for a drink." Ray tapped the seat next to him with his palm, a simple gesture causing San's insides to go into orbit.
"Okay, sure."
Five minutes ago, he was burning to leave, yet a simple suggestion from Ray erased everything. He was uncertain on why his actions greatly mismatched his thoughts. Perhaps there was miscommunication between his heart and brain because he was never this giddy and terrified from the same situation before.
He sat on the chair, as nonchalantly as he could, cursing himself in his head for acting like a teenager.
"I'm Ray"
"I know." San said without thinking. "We are in uni together."
"I've seen you around." Ray crossed his legs and rested his head on his palm, giving San his full attention.
This was a huge deal to San. Beyond the vast difference in their class, Ray was also quite the social butterfly; you would often see him with a big crowd circulating around him and the rest of the times he would be with his best friends, the meathead, Boston, who had a terrible knack of doing things without thinking about them first and the softie, Mew, who was greatly endearing to many, yet was rumoured to have rejected anyone who tried to get with him. He also never really spoke to them, but knew of them due to the gossip going around. Ray was also known for his tendency to enjoy casual dating, something that San could never see himself doing. It did not appear as an issue in his mind though, since he could not see himself have a chance with Ray.
The fact that Ray singled out San, despite the fact that they never spoke properly before, caused an unexplainable emotion in him which pulsated all over his body.
"I'm San." He mentioned abruptly. "Also in business administration." He felt a little flustered to disclose his personal information to Ray after a long time of noticing him from afar.
"Do me a favour and don't start talking about assignments." Ray leaned back. "Students tend to have a nasty habit of bringing uni talk in places it doesn't belong in."
"Oh, I bet you must have a lot of interesting topics to bring to the table."
Subtle, very subtle. Yet Ray was quick to catch on. He leaned forward once again and grinned.
"Get to know me a little and you might find a lot of interesting things about me."
Then, there was eye contact, which didn't get to stay around for long.
"Um... I'm Min, this is Pop." One of the girls said shyly which snapped San back to reality. It was jarring, considering how invested his mind was elsewhere. For a moment there, it really felt like he was in a bubble with Ray that had just been popped.
"Great to meet you girls." San gives them both a glance. "I hope you enjoyed my set."
"Yes of course! You are so good." Pop smiled, using her flirtatious tone.
When it came to aimless flirting, San was not a saint; when the mood was right, he would be more than happy to even initiate it. He would enjoy the excitement of such interactions. Yet in that moment there was only one person he was in the mood to do anything with, but his attempt was previously interrupted. The excited butterflies quickly got replaced by a disappointing, stabbing pain in his abdomen.
Jean handed San a glass of vodka and coke mix, of which he gladly accepted. Liquid courage was exactly what he needed in that situation.
"Where did you learn how to play?" Pop continued to try and get to know San, this time tucking a hair strand behind her ear. She was certainly pretty; she had a shapely figure enhanced by her red bodycon. The dress complimented her nails and lipstick which were the same colour. Her straight kohl-black hair rested perfectly on her left shoulder and her almond eyes were scouting San seductively.
"I'm not sure. I was kind of born with it and then with just a few piano lessons I could pick the rest up by myself."
"Wow, that's so impressive!" Min said, puffing her cheeks. "I wish I had a talent."
"You are incredibly beautiful, I think that's a talent." Ray tells her, of which she responds with a giggle.
"Stop it Ray, you are such a flirt."
San looked away for a moment and then took a long gulp from his drink. He never wished to be mauled by a bear before as much as he did at that moment; a painful death sounded way more appealing all of a sudden. He knew of Ray's reputation but experiencing it first-hand induced a knot in his throat he was trying hard to suppress.
The night was slowly coming to a close and the four of them enjoyed their time with alcohol and laughs. It was eventually getting late and the people still sitting around and drinking were sparse.
"P'Jean, may I put on a softer song to wind down?"
"Of course, sweetheart just head over to the booth."
San wanted to put on *wicked game* by Chris Isaak. There was something so enchanting about that song that would instantly make him close his eyes and sway to the beat. He was addicted to the liberating feeling of music overtaking his whole being. He picked up the cup of whatever alcohol he was drinking at the time and rested it between his lips.
"That's an awfully chill song for you to request." Ray made sure to point out. San chuckled and talked with his cup in hand.
"I love the vibe it has. Besides, the lyrics are quite something. Have you never felt like the world was on fire and only a specific person could save you?"
"No, not really. Maybe? I can't see myself being that passionate." A frown formed on his face.
"I feel like that for you, San." Pop said, sending a finger heart in San's direction. He took a look at both of the girls and realised they were evidently very inebriated.
"CHEERS!" San exclaimed and they all clicked their cups. Right after, San turned towards Ray and spoke in a small voice.
"I think it is about time we call these girls a cap. Except…" He trailed off and gave Ray a meaningful stare.
"Oh no, I wasn't planning to sleep with them, I never do anything to people who are unable to give consent anyway." Ray raised his eyebrows and then leaned closer to San. "Besides… I have my eye on something else." Ray's eyes suddenly turned to a dove shape and with his left hand, he gently stroked San's thigh.
San sat up alert, all the hair on his body standing to an end. "Alright girls, I think it is about time we send you home."
Both of them booed at that suggestion yet followed them out. San's hands never moved that fast before calling for a taxi. The whole process of putting them in the car was all a hurried haze in his mind. He couldn't remember anything despite the fact that he got hit on the head with a purse. All that he could think about was the signal Ray had given him. HIM. He would only dream of this day before, yet there he was, living it in reality.
San and Ray went back inside the bar, this time deciding to sit on the stools. It was mostly because Ray just wanted to be as physically close to San as possible, since he was determined to seduce him with all his might. An enchanting air started to surround them as soon as they took a seat, which both seemed to enjoy it very much. San was still a little reserved, since not too long-ago Ray was flirting with another person. He was unsure of the intentions the other man had towards him.
"That was quite a lot of work. Carrying around two drunk girls is much harder than it sounds."
"Are they also from our university?"
"They are just associated with my dad's work. You know, he always recommends that I keep good relations."
"Good relations means bringing them to bed with you?" San teased.
"Flirt? Yes. Sex? No, not really. Since they are not handsome musicians attempting to act indifferent around me."
San broke eye contact and took a gulp of the drink Jean served them earlier. After that, he redirected his attention back to Ray. He was caught red-handed and needed a pause to respond.
"Well, that handsome musician needs to try harder on acting indifferent next time."
Ray scoffed at his response and then followed a moment of silence. When the time felt right, he placed a hand on San's head and inspected it.
"Did you get hurt? You got hit pretty hard back there."
"I'm okay." San leaned away from Ray's hand and his whole body goes rigid.
"You seem tense compared to before." Ray pointed out and pulled San's stool closer to himself.
"My brain is trying to calculate what you expect from me." San was notorious for having a transparent filter with his words and he couldn't keep this thoughts to himself.
Their legs were intertwined, with San's knee resting on Ray's thighs. Ray's hand would slowly explore San's lap and its restless, unpredictable movements were driving him crazy.
"What are you overthinking? Are we not friends by now? We can just have some fun."
"If you want us to be friends, stay friends, no sex." San said sharply
"But some people start being friends after having sex."
"And what after that?"
"Well how about we go down that path together and we find out?" Ray leaned forward. "I know you want to."
San wanted to cry. Resisting Ray proved to be harder than he expected. He couldn't help but be pulled in by his charm.
"How can you be so sure I do?"
Ray took up San's finger and dipped it in whatever alcohol they were having at the moment. "I'll show you."
Without a second thought, Ray placed the wet finger next to his lips and started licking it seductively, occasionally sucking the top keeping the perfect ratio of eye contact to looking away. His gaze at that moment could pull you apart. Ray had more power over San than he was willing to admit.
San's whole body shuttered, and something in him switched on. Before he could properly process it, he grabbed Ray's neck by the nape and pressed his lips against his. It wasn't long before their tongues were dancing together to the rhythm of their lust. The kiss felt hungry and determined as they were both battling to take the lead.
"San-" Ray moaned between kisses. Though San did not give him much room to express himself. After a long kiss, he finally leaned back slightly, both of them panting hard from what had occurred.
San did not wait around for long. He moved his hand higher up the back of Ray's head, grabbed his hair and yanked it down, causing his head to jerk upwards. He sunk his lips in, making a feast out of Ray's neck.
"San… wow." Was all Ray could say as he was also enjoying whatever just came upon San. "I hate to do this but we should really get out of here."
All of San's actions made him appear as if he was under a spell. He broke the kiss and looked at Ray with the greediest expression he had ever seen. Something tickled Ray's abdomen at that moment and his playful expression got as serious as San's.
"I know a nearby hotel we could use." Ray suggested
They didn't even take Ray's car. They both did not trust each other to get into one. Ray held San's hand all the way to their destination, he booked a room as fast as he could and made their way inside. They barely passed the door of the room before they were back all over each other.
Ray back kicks the door shut and slides his hand inside San's shirt on his hip. The cold surface of his palm from walking outside gave San the shivers.
They locked lips once again, their tongues exploring each other's mouths. Ripples of pleasure have already started brewing between one another. The taste of cigarettes and alcohol coming from San lurked through their mutual sin. On the contrary, Ray tasted like alcohol and fresh mint, probably from the mojito he had previously. They were both the perfect amount of buzzed; tipsy enough to not overthink but not drunk enough to not be a conscious decision.
And boy was it a conscious decision.
They both wanted it, a lot.
San broke Ray's kiss, only a stream of saliva left behind attaching them and made his way to Ray's neck once again, kissing all the sensitive spots. Ray clutched on San's sides and let out a quiet moan. His body started to grind on the man next to him, as he was getting increasingly needy.
Ray took every cloth higher than the waist off of San and in return, he removed Ray's sweater. With a quick flick of the finger, he opened up Ray's shirt. Most buttons ripped off and fell on the ground with a quiet sound. None of them were in a state to care about that though. Ray's bare skin peeking through his messed-up shirt drove San crazy. He wanted to unravel him, touch every nook of his body, intertwine his own body with his until they became one. His thoughts overtook him as he put Ray in his embrace, moving his hands up and down his back, his lips raining kisses on his shoulder.
Ray was split into two sides on this romantic gesture. A part of him adored being enveloped by San; he felt like it was drowning and captivating in the best way possible. Yet there was this other part of him, which panicked and wanted to push him away.
That moment did not linger long enough though, since San moved his hand on Ray's bulge. He didn't expect it and gasped in surprise.
"You seem very excited." San teased while whispering in Ray's ear. That action was so steamy it gave Ray the chills.
Ray snickered and grabbed San's nape, locking eyes with him.
"And you are not?" Ray asked mischievously, looking at him lustfully. He knew that his eyes were his strongest flirting point. They drew you in the same way fire fascinates the observer.
San took Ray's hand and put it over his own bulge. "You tell me."
Hot Ray thought. He gave it a squeeze and pinned San on the wall. San's legs were already slightly trembling from Ray's touch making his sensitivity towards him quite evident. Ray licked the curve of San's collarbone and bit into it. He would usually avoid leaving signs behind of his nights of passion, but there was something about San that made him want to leave his marks everywhere. San could never admit it out loud, though he loved the idea himself.
The patience they both shared was running thin, so Ray threw San on the bed and kissed him on the lips once again. Soon they spun around and San was leaving kisses on Ray's abdomen.
Ray reached his hand out and took a condom and lube out of the nightstand.
"How considerate of them." Ray joked.
"Someone should be considerate of you today."
"Is that a promise?" Ray shot back, a spark of excitement passing his eyes.
San smiled and rolled his eyes. Despite the fact that Ray would often put a hot and cool front, he had an endearing, adorable side that would sometimes surface. San loved it, which wasn't a surprise since he loved all sides of him.
Ray pulled San's pants down and gracefully pulled out his throbbing member, then his own, and rubbed them together with two hands. The sudden, overwhelming sensation caused San to drop his weight on his hands, which were at the time clutching on the bed sheets. Ray couldn't peel his gaze off San, since he found his slight frown and desperate expression to be the most appealing view of all. When San noticed him staring, he put his hands over his eyes. He was afraid Ray would be able to see more than he was willing to show.
"Ray… no more." San said through ragged breaths. If he was to let him continue, the night would end disappointingly quickly. "Stop." He said strictly.
The rubbing came to a gradual stop and Ray put his hands down at the sides of his body. In reality, he was so invested in the feeling that if San wouldn't have told him off, he wouldn't have stopped.
San picked up the lube and squeezed some on his hand. Ray reached his hands on his underwear to take it off, but he was stopped.
"No, keep it on."
There was something about ruining Ray's clothes that excited San a lot; He would enjoy seeing his artwork at the end of love making.
"You didn't strike me as the type to like messy sex."
"Get to know me a little and you might find a lot of interesting things about me."
"Wow, smart words. I wonder what genius you heard them from."
The playful nature of their dynamic translated into their sexual life, yet the deeper they got, the more their brain would get fuzzier and the more words turned to dust.
San applied some of the lube on Ray's exposed penis and some on top of his underwear at his back side. Each of his hands were stroking the two parts respectively. The coldness of the lube combined with San's warm hands created an exciting stimulating experience.
Ray shut his eyes in delirium for a moment. He put his hands around San's neck as his heavy breaths became more and more frequent. Something in the way San's heat radiated towards him, or the way his hands were so cautious but wild, or perhaps the way he would look at him as if he wanted to devour him, turned Ray's mind completely blank. For that period of time, he was not thinking about his feelings, or his family or his friends. The only thing that existed was that moment.
Ray looked at him with pleading eyes and that's when San decided it was time for the underwear to go. Or… whatever was left of it. Ray reached that state where his usual smirk, the spark in his eye and his cocky expression faded away. It all got replaced with a whiny, desperate and hopeless expression. That was right where San wanted him.
With some more generous amount of lube, San placed his hand on Ray's rim, and pushed one finger in relatively easily. Ray clenched up immediately and once San felt the passage get tighter, he kissed him on the forehead and ran his other hand through his hair as reassurance. It worked more than San anticipated, since he could see his whole body relax.
After some time, he shoved one more causing Ray's eyes to roll back.
"That's enough just fuck me already."
"No." San responded in a sultry voice. Despite the fact that he liked it rough at times and it made him feel weird to oppose Ray, he wanted their first time to be remembered as passionate and steady. Besides, he also enjoyed taking in Ray's hopeless attitude; bullying him was way more entertaining than he anticipated.
San grabbed Ray's chin and lifted it slightly. He planted another passionate kiss on his lips while fingering him steadily, making Ray increasingly restless: his entire abdomen felt as if it was about to catch fire. He curled his toes and bit San's lip as soon as they were separating. A hint of blood surfaced on San's swollen lower lip, but he was too invested in what he was doing to even notice. He then placed the third finger and tried his best to hit Ray's prostate.
Ray didn't want to get defeated that easily. He secretly loved San opposing him, though that didn't mean he wouldn't go down without a fight. With a bit of a struggle on his position, he grabbed San's hard member and without warning, started stroking it seductively. San paused for a second and a quick moan reached his mouth. His blood started humming in his veins. Ray was not smiling up at him, it was an expression of challenge, to which San responded by shackling his hand hard, devastating his control.
"Do this and you won't get the chance to get what you want."
Ray miscalculated the extent of how much San was holding back. Perhaps one of the first times in his life, Ray had to be patient to get what he wanted. He was more used to quickies more than anything, since that's what he would express he wanted. It's been a while since he made love in such a passionate, slow-burn manner. Suddenly, he wasn't sure if this is what he would always like, or if he started wanting it due to San. He raised his hand in defeat and San pinned it down on the bed sheet while kissing and sucking on Ray's chest.
Once San deemed it was time, he removed his fingers and ripped the condom package open. While San was putting it on, Ray was lying down motionless and breathless; already stimulated massively from the foreplay they had. With a brazen hand, he grabbed San's wrist.
Hold me. He wanted to say out loud but hoped the expression he wore translated that. San sighed, kissed Ray's cheek and slipped it, almost all at once. Ray whimpered and grabbed San's shoulders once again, leaving behind shallow scratches from the tip of his nails.
Their bodies were finally one and with a quick evaluation of Ray's body language, San started thrusting in and out. Ray was increasingly moulding to him. It wasn't long before tears started streaming down his face. The pleasure he experienced through San was beyond exhilarating; he enjoyed letting him take the wheel entirely. In some strange way he knew exactly how to please Ray.
San picked up his rhythm, to which Ray responded accordingly. His legs started to tremble as his tears trickled slowly down his flushed cheeks. Without being fully aware of it, Ray's hips were moving in synchrony with San. Something awakened this aroma of ecstasy between the two of them. All thoughts became superfluous but one; for Ray was San and for San was Ray. Once again, Ray's lips softened under San's, the flavour starting to become familiar. Ray's hand moved on the other man's nape, and they both lost themselves in that fervent sentiment. With two minds filled with smoke, they moved in harmony to a newly learned beat.
Ray pulled San's neck towards him and leaned towards his ear.
"I'm close." He whispers, as if it was a secret nobody else could know.
"Me too." He said back, and sped up into the last few moments of their burning interaction.
That's when they both went into a consuming climax the one after the other. First it was Ray, all over his abdomen and then San in Ray.
Very soon after, the lethargy of their spent passion overtook them. San collapsed on Ray for some time, both of them attempting to catch their rabbit breaths.
"That was…" Ray was the first one to speak. "It was fucking incredible."
The corners of San's lips were quick to perk up for a bit. San moved to Ray's side but Ray was not ready to let go yet. He extended his arms and led San into his embrace. It was quite endearing that a tall man such as San was so perfectly enveloped by Ray.
San tight the condom they used, put it on the side and nuzzled in Ray's chest. He could only afford to give a lazy hum in agreement to what he was told. They were both dazed and half asleep but none of them wanted to actually stop talking to each other.
"So good."
"Well, ne-"
Well next time it'll be even better.
San cut himself off just in time. Their future was as uncertain as a chaotic pendulum; the large displacements in the manner of their newly-formed relationship were sending them into unpredictable motion. There was no guarantee their encounter was not phasic. Judging from Ray's personality it was also difficult to figure out. To an extent San was also too afraid to ask; dreading the unfavourable answer.
"You felt amazing." San diverted the topic shyly. Once he regained some of his energy back, he grabbed a few tissues from the side and wiped Ray's abdomen, until he noticed a small tattoo on his hip. It was written in cursive, spelling out beautiful.
"You have a tattoo." He pointed out, brushing over it with his fingers.
"How did that get there?" Ray's joking manner resurfaced after calming down a bit, earning an eye roll from San. "I have a few actually."
"Oh yeah?" San looked up at Ray. "Can I see them?"
"You'll get the chance." Ray grinned.
San was trying his hardest not to show the ball of excitement jumping up and down in his mind. He was struggling to keep himself from squeezing Ray and showering him with kisses.
Instead, he cleared his throat. "I'll take a smoke."
San was disappointed to leave Ray's embrace behind but he needed to cool off his emotions for a bit. So, he grabbed whatever cloth was spared from before and took a puff by the French balcony of the room. The cold air coming in from the very early hours was a comforting contradiction to his burning body. At that moment, he finally got the chance to have a clearer mind and look around.
The surroundings looked like the hotel rooms that would pop up in his favourite action movies. The bed, big and inviting, was accompanied by a pair of silky bed sheets. Adjacent to it, was a desk with a kettle and a menu neatly placed upon it. The bathroom had a bathtub and a shower, both of which had their own respective smart consoles to control the water and lights. There was a series of orderly wardrobes by the entrance, filled with two pairs of slippers and bathrobes. It was certain to San then that the room was expensive, even for a night.
When Ray joined him, San was quick to discuss this topic.
"How much did you pay for the room?"
"Don't worry about it." Ray said nonchalantly while placing his elbows on the windowsill.
"No, really tell me."
"You already gave me something better than money."
"So? You paid for sex? Am I a prostitute?" San turned towards Ray, the bitterness in his words hinting his ideas on rich people. San took another puff from his cigarette in agitation
"No no no." Ray swung his arms up, placed them on San's cheeks and kissed him. It was a much more tender kiss than the ones they've shared so far. The smoke from the cigarette waltzing between their mouths and then exiting out added an interesting touch though.
"I just want to treat you to a good time, please?"
San moved back towards the window and took another puff. "Alright then, if you are going to be like that, I will use everything in this room. I'll even empty the mini fridge over there, the one that says 'extra charge'"
Ray scoffed at San's adorable act of rebellion. "Good! Knock yourself out!"
At that point, San could become a professional eye-roller dealing with Ray. There was something so frustrating yet so endearing about him.
As they were standing there, San couldn't stop his impulsive thoughts early enough and started to caress Ray's hair. They would reach quite low on the nape of his neck and were very soft to the touch.
"Your hair is pretty long." San stated the obvious once again
"So are yours."
"Yeah, but I wouldn't expect you to want long hair. Have you ever tried tying half of them up? Like a man bun."
San's sudden interest in his hair made him laugh out loud. Never in his life had Ray expected to have a hairdresser consultation after sex. San was embarrassed a little by the response he received but he didn't mind making a fool out of himself if it meant seeing that wonderful expression. Sometimes, he could just not control what would come out of his mouth. He retaliated by grabbing Ray's hair and swinging his head left to right playfully and jokingly.
"Who are you laughing at, you brat."
That's when he let go of him and redirected his attention back to his cigarette. He was unable to hide the smile on his face as Ray was toning down his laughing. It was… pleasant. The mood was pleasant.
San was observing the outside, his artistic mind admiring the details of the way the trees rustled with the gentle wind. He took a big breath, inhaling all of it in. Staying in this hotel for a night all of a sudden sounded like a great idea. It felt like a quick vacation before having to go back to following his course. He took a quick glance at Ray and he was also enjoying the outside. He admired Ray's side profile for a while since he found that everything about him was graceful.
"I think you are failing at acting indifferent right now."
"I think we are way past that point." San rolled his eyes again and blew the smoke right into Ray's face.
Ray chuckled and then stared at San's lips. A small wound has formed on where Ray previously bit him. With his thumb, he rubbed gently on it, slightly lost in thought.
"The bite on my collarbone and the scratches on my shoulders, I can hide. What do you think my excuse for this one should be?"
"A mosquito bite?"
"What kind of mosquito leaves behind such a wound? More like a small, annoying dog"
"This annoying dog is very lovable, actually." Ray said, side eyeing San.
"How many lovable dogs do you know that bite people?"
Ray could tell that San actually loved the marks; his faint blush gave it away. His refusal to admit his true feelings at times when they were painfully obvious made San appear more fun to Ray. He was about to kiss San once more but then his phone rang. Once he checked the contact that was calling, his smile completely faded away. "Sorry, I have to take this." He said hurriedly before quickly moving towards the door. The only thing San heard was the faint voice of a woman saying *hello?* before Ray shut the door behind him.
It would have been a lie if San would say that didn't make him curious. Who was that girl? Why did Ray have such an extreme reaction change? All of these were uncertain but San knew at least one definite fact: Ray was much more of a mystery than he initially thought. He thought he'd be quite a typical rich boy but the more he got to know him, the more he started to question his idea towards him.
San really resisted the urge to eavesdrop, but the muffled voices coming from outside only piqued his curiosity even more. It was almost like the girl's voice was trembling, but it wasn't clear enough for San to be able to tell for sure. He looked back outside to try and stop thinking about it. Someone else's private life was not his business, but him being aware of that didn't put his mischievous ear at rest.
The door swung open again and Ray walked back in wearing an expression San couldn't quite figure out.
"Everything okay?" He asked with a raised eyebrow."
"Yeah just-, it was nothing." Ray stumbled on his words, making himself sound even more suspicious than before.
"You seemed…. disturbed."
"You finished smoking?" Ray changed the topic abruptly. The vulnerable tone of his voice made San understand that the conversation had to take a turn.
"Yes. Already missed the smoky kiss?"
"If I told you yes, would you light a new cigarette?"
San soon got the feeling that this wasn't about cigarettes anymore. Ray's expression was just like always when they were flirting; cocky and endearingly insufferable. Yet something else lurked beneath the surface this time around. He wanted to tell him that he would light ten packages of cigarettes if that's what he desired. He would decay his teeth and corrupt his lungs to make him happy.
"I would."
Ray was satisfied with the response and seemed to have lifted some of the weight that was on his back. San didn't expect something like this to be of comfort to Ray, since he did not seem to be the novelty type strung up on metaphors.
"Since you are so desperate to squeeze everything out of this room, do you want to join me in the bathtub?" Ray gave San a mischievous smile and walked backwards a few steps.
San didn't have to be told twice. He put his cigarette package away and followed after him like a soldier. After all, he couldn't go against his own words.