Stella

Am I the only one that feels bad for Ray more than Sand ? No I wanted Sand to get his happy ending, I’m not hating on him and I love him and Ray as a couple . However, hear me out Sand is hurting from unrequited love which is realistic and normal in life. First’s eyes are so expressive when we see how he looks as he watches Ray flirting around and dancing with Mew . But Ray , his mom drank himself to death , he stops pouring his alcohol when he told this to Sand , he has a distant relationship with his father, even his friends are sick and tired of him for his drinking and left him. He tried to kill himself one night , saying he won’t be a burden anymore if he was gone from this world He wished to disappear to be gone forever. He was in the tub filling it up with water trying to end his life . He would have succeeded if it wasn’t for Mew. He has a crush on him for a long time and then suddenly Top took him away. After many years, suddenly trying to stop your habits especially if they’re alcohol, cigarettes or drugs is very hard . It’s a long process . I feel like Ray is so broken from the inside. I’m noting saying that Sand didn’t get hurt in the series. I just feel like people don’t understand or underate how much Ray has suffered throughout his life. Of course, I’m not excusing or justifying his behavior or actions. I just want to point this out. First and Khao did an amazing job in this series. First can express all, his emotions with his eyes alone , no words needed. Khao hugging and running into First’s arms in the therapy scene, I’m sure they both cried behind the scenes. They portrayed all their scenes as if they were real . Their great actors , they do so well in emotional and crying scenes, I know they will continue to succeed in the future and I wish the best for them.

Oh, how I wish this drama was released today instead of in 2023, I’m sure if it was released today, we would have gotten a full on bl. Suyu and Wubi deserved to be together. I know they’re technically family, well step-brothers, but I honestly never felt like they were. I mean it’s not like they grew up raised together and lived together for years . In fact at first, they didn’t even know they were step-brothers when they first met at school. They were like strangers just meeting as classmates. I don’t find them being together as a couple creepy or disturbing. I think Stay with me is a bl because the original novel is one, it’s a censored adaptation of same-sex original work , there’s many of those. Even though, there’s very limited physical affection and intimacy, there are subtle hints like Wubi says “ Suyu is mine” and Suyu tells him “ Be gentle”. I’m one of those fans who are still hoping for a season 2 of this drama , a live adaptation with the same actors , same language you get it . I’m glad that Jiong Min and Xu Bin are one the Chinese bl pairings that managed to pass censorship and stay friends.

Sand and Ray’s story was the best to me, theirs caught my interest the most. To start off First and Khao’s chemistry is off the charts . People say Sand’s the most boring character in the series , but I’d like to respectfully disagree. Sand always cared about others more than himself. He tries to stop his mom and Ray from drinking. He gives Nick advice about his own relationship with Boston as he releases to him with his relationship with Ray. Nick was able to move on and put himself before Boston thanks to Sand’s help. He also basically helped Ray realize his true feelings and who he actually needs in his life, not the drugs, cigarettes or alcohol, but a genuine connection and help. He made Ray realize that his long unrequited love for Mew was actually just platonic and he himself didn’t realize it . You can actually see in Ray’s eyes that his emotions are different when looking at Mew compared to looking at Sand . He always looks unhappy with Mew, but always smile at Sand. Despite all of his kindness and caring nature, Sand actually goes against his own usual self when he tells Ray to go to therapy or he will really lose him for good . This time, Sand is actually putting himself over someone else. He’s not doing it because he doesn’t love Ray anymore, but because he knows deep down he has to stand up for himself . He can’t let Ray continue taking advantage of him and using him for his own goods and benefits. Sand basically indirectly said the truth to the whole friend group , it was already destroyed long ago , he just helped them realize it. He basically has influence over pretty much every character in the series and their relationships. Now, Ray’s character arc is more complex I find his story relatable on a personal level. A lot of people tend to using drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism for depression, anxiety, stress, etc ( not suggesting it or saying you should do it) . Ray’s mother drank herself to death as she could n’t bear to spend one more second with him . She’d rather die . Ray wanted love and acceptance something his family couldn’t give him. He felt rejected, that he was responsible, it was his fault for what happened to his
mom. His obsession with Mew isn’t out of nowhere , it’s because Mew was the only one who was there for him and why he even continued living. Seeing him suddenly being taken away and drawn to someone else really hurted him and that is normal and understandable. Now, his treatment of Sand is what he’s hated most for. Well, if I’m being completely honest, Sand isn’t a saint or angel nor are any of the characters in this series. He couldn’t admit his own feelings towards Ray and letted him continue pursing Mew. He made it seem like he just wanted a friends with benefits relationship and to hook up just like everyone else . Ray was actually throwing out all his alcohol until he realized his father payed him to ask his son to stop drinking. Sand tries to stop people from drinking, but at the same time he also sells liquor . I don’t condone Ray’s toxic behavior and actions , but Sand also allows Ray to play and use him, so he also has his faults and flaws as well. I’m surprised that Ray actually went to therapy and counseling. Now, his redemption arc , a lot of people can agured it’s rushed, but I think it was well done. I believe he genuinely changed as he doesn’t go back to his old ways. He even offered to help Sand with his job and his father situation. Ray is my favorite character in the show,. He’s not perfect, he’s flawed and complex but when he learns from his mistakes and changes, it’s genuine . Overall, Sand and Ray are very well written characters in my opinion. First and Khao has such a wholesome, sweet and lovely relationship in real life. They did an amazing job in portraying their characters.

Aww, I love that Tiger offers to help Lynx take care of the cats and him after his mother’s death even though he’s a debt collector , so sweet . He’s very different when he collects tax and money from people and when he’s around cats. I knew that Tiger would soften up so much once he falls in love with Lynx. I love the concept that Tiger can talk to cats as he loves cats and is so soft for them. Perfect match I’m a cat lover too. Tiger and Lynx are a perfect match just like First and Khao.