Coffee, Conversation, and Coming Out - 『Yusuke (Fox) x Ren (Joker) Fanfic』

. . .

I stopped just in front of the small cafe door. My eyes reverted up at the text stenciled across the red downing fabric: "Leblanc - Coffee & Curry". Picking up my phone, I quickly made a call to Yusuke, letting him know I made it there safely.

"I'm here, safe and sound," I informed him through the phone.

"What a relief..." He quietly said, his voice trailing, "I will come by later today... I wish you all the luck in the world."

"Thanks, see you then, Yusuke."

"I love you." He whispered as a goodbye.

"Love you, too." I quietly said back, ending the call.

Quickly I shoved my phone into my pocket and gave a heavy sigh. At least now I was going to be living nearby all of my friends once again (or at least I hoped so). The words of my parents still sat in the back of my mind...

"Get out of our house," my mom hissed, pulling me into the next room over... the room Yusuke wasn't in.

"Mom, I--" I attempted to defend myself, but my dad was quick to cut me off.

"Listen to your mother, Ren."

I fell silent, letting my mother scream in my face.

"If you want to be a faggot, fine, but not under our roof!" the woman said tossing me to the ground.

Slowly, I stood to my feet and headed towards the door, "I'm going to grab my bags."

They said nothing as I walked out the room. Once I entered the next room, my glazed over eyes met with Yusuke's. He had his hands covering his mouth, tears pricking the corners of his eyes...

I shook my head, allowing the thought to sink back into nothing but a bad memory. Knowing I couldn't stand outside the door all day, I pushed it open and stepped inside.

"Welcome to Leblanc, what can I-- Ren!? Is that you!?" The happy orange haired girl said as she rushed around the counter to give me a hug. "Sojiroooooo, get down here, it's Ren!"

I hugged the short girl back tightly, "Hey, Futaba."

"It feels like forever ago since we've last spoke. How have you been?" She seemed so much happier than usual.

"It's... complicated, but you seem to be well. You're working here full time now?"

"Yeah," she chuckles, stepping back, "Sojiro seemed to need the help after you left, so I figured the least I could do is help him out."

"Now what's all the commotion down here for?" The tired looking man looked me in the eyes before easing into a small smile, "Well, I didn't know you'd be coming by."

I attempted to place a smile on my face, but it was obvious the two could see right through it. I clutched my luggage close to my sides; the two looked at me then to each other. Sojiro motioned for me to come sit and Futaba strolled up to the door and flipped the sign to closed. She then quietly walked up the stairs to where my old room was.

"What's up...?" he said, turning to the coffee pot as he asked.

"I need to ask you a favour... and tell you something..," I slowly set my suitcases down in the nearest booth and take my seat at the counter.

"Sure, what is it?"

I fidget with my pant seam as I talk, "My parents kicked me out."

He looked up at me with caring eyes before turning back to his work, "I'm sorry to here that. Was there a reason?"

"It's because of who I'm with."

"That Nijima girl?" he questioned "I mean, she's a little headstrong, but why the hell would--"

"I... I broke up with Makoto a while ago." I quietly said, resting my arms on the counter.

Sojiro was visibly confused, "They kicked you out because you aren't with her?"

My whole body was shaking, but I refused to break. Slowly, I began to talk, "No, they kicked me out because of who I'm with now."

The brunet turned to the back counter, pulling out coffee cups, "Is it that Ann-chan? Or Okumara's daughter? Or maybe--"

"Yusuke." 

He slowly turned around to look at me; I couldn't read his current emotion, "Yusuke... as in...?" 

His eyes glanced over to the painting on the wall by the entrance and back to me. All I could manage to do was nod. I heard a soft sigh come from him, but not out of disappointment as I originally had expected. Slowly, he placed the two cups of coffee down on the counter, sauntered over and took the seat next to me.

"I figured you two would get together sooner or later," he began. "He's a frequent customer here still. We talk quite a bit when he comes and... the way he brings you into conversations... yeah, I figured as such."

"Does that mean you aren't mad?"

"Mad? No, why would I be? Anyway, the attic is still your room if you need it, but only on two condition. You have to help Futaba and me out in the restaurant and the same rules apply with relationships no matter who you're with: if you two want to... do anything... then it better not be here, got that?"

I nod, finally feeling worlds of relief falling off my chest, "Thanks."

"Don't mention it," he said standing up. Then, not moments later, almost as if it were some plot convenience an author put in for fanservice related reasons, the door slowly creeks open to reveal Yusuke. 

"Forgive my intrusion," he apologised. 

"Not at all, come on in." Sojiro said.

Once the Yusuke sat down next to me, he glanced over with a questioning gaze. Before I could answer, Sojiro spoke up, "Ren told me about you two and I told him he could live here again."

My boyfriend gives a soft smile to the older gentleman, "Thank you, Boss."

He pours him a coffee as well before giving a warning, "Now, listen up... You two need to remember that this is Japan, not the states or wherever. Both of you could seriously be in some trouble if too many people found out that you two are together. I'm not saying this because I don't want you two together, but I want you two to stay safe."

"Yes, we understand," I nod, letting my fingers gently intertwine with Yusuke's under the counter.

"Very well then... that's all I have to say. Ren, would you mind closing up the shop for me; it's getting late." He stated more than asked, tossing me the spare key.

I nod as Futaba comes down the stairs, giving Yusuke and me a big hug. The two soon head out leaving the restaurant to just Yusuke and myself.

"I suppose I am safe to assume that telling him went well?"

"Yeah and thankfully so... I would have had no where to go if not."

"I'm glad Boss is a kind man," he said, glancing out the window before wrapping him arms around my waist.

I turn inside his arms to face him, also taking a small look outside before doing the same, "He is."

"Would you like to meet with the others tomorrow? I let them know you would be back."

"I would like that very much," I say, giving him a quick peck to the lips before pulling away after I notice a small group walk by the store. Quickly, I turned to the tables, picking up the dishes from whatever previous customers had been there. It doesn't take me long before I had the place ready for the next day.

"Would you like to stay the night, Yusuke?"

"Would Boss mind...?"

"You've done it before, so I don't see why not."

"Alright, I'll bring your luggage up stairs," the taller boy said, grabbing my things for me.

Once he was up the stairs, I stood and thought for a moment about how lucky I am to have people like Sojiro, Yusuke, and all of the friends I have made along the way in my life. I give a small smile to myself and make my way up to the attic.