Milk and Cream: Sequel to Coffee and Aspirin

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴇɴ

Note: I have decided to add a bit of angst to this story as I love it. So, for a heads up, the following is added in this story:

_ angst (obviously)
_ guilt-tripping
_ suicide (there will be a warning when a specific character commits it)

(Google Translate was used to help me translate English into Japanese; explained at the end of the chapter)
—
Milo Martinez loves many things: his job, friends, , and coffee. As of right now, Milo was having two of these things being done.

Rosie's Coffee Shop was an icon in the big apple, having been standing since before Milo's parents were alive. Rosie's coffee was out of this world so of course, he had to bring his best friend, Harry to the shop.

Milo watched as Harry fiddled with his latte while sipping on his own. He knew Harry was feeling guilty about helping Milo get Henry, Harry's younger brother, into his clutches but it was for a good cause.

"You did good, Tomodachi," Milo confessed from one end of the booth. Harry glanced up at his friend, frowning still.

Harry and Milo have known each other since they were in college, Harry being there for school and then flying back to the U.S. for the holidays. Milo was born and raised there. The two had bonded over their different cultures and Milo even taught Harry how to speak and write Japanese.

"Then why do I feel so guilty? I mean, he was happy with him, Mil, he has a wonderful home, an amazing husband, hell; he even has a cat! He's always wanted a cat."

Milo drew his eyebrows together in anger, setting his drink down harshly on the table. "Henry wasn't happy there. And even if he was -which he wasn't- I will make him happier!"

"By keeping him down that god-awful place?! How is that helping him?! How?!"

Milo drew a breath and leaned back in his seat, eyeing his friend with caution. Harry's temper often got out of control if not watched with hesitance. Harry's prison record is full-proof of that.

"What if I let you see him? Will that calm you?"

Harry's anger came to a close. Milo noticed and smirked. "Good. Glad you can agree."

•••
Everything hurt. Every bone and muscle in his small body, the stomach cramps of hunger, and his parched throat making his voice, and the throat itself scratchy and itchy. His ankles and wrists were still chained up and he still didn't have any clue where he was.

He has heard the door open a few times and tried talking but it was no use; his voice was useless in this situation.

He also wasn't sure just how long he'd been done there but it was far too long for his liking. He weakly lifted his head from his chest when the door creaked open and two voices echoed through the room.

"Ah, and there he is." A voice taunted. "A good boy." Usually, this little praise would make Henry smile wide and giggle for more praise but now it just sent shivers down his spine.

"Leave us." The other voice said. That made a whimper come out of Henry. Why would he need to be alone?

Retreating footsteps sound for a moment before a door slams and then silence. He wasn't sure what triggered the salty tears to seep through the blindfold but the tears did come and they rushed down his cheeks like a waterfall.

He heard the other person sigh before he walked over to Henry. Henry could feel this person bend down to his level on the floor then cold hands took hold of his face; Henry sobbed in response.

"Henny... I'm so, so sorry this has happened."

Henny.

Did he hear that correctly? Henny.

"B-Bubby?" The words were soft on his tongue and the nickname was quiet as well but there was no mistaking it.

Familiar cold hands reach behind his head and slowly undid the blindfold. It took Henry an odd amount of time before his eyes could adjust to the light.

"Bubby!" Despite the scariness of the situation, Henry resorted to little space and began giggling and attempting to make grabby hands for Harry.

Harry's sad smile, blotched cheeks from crying, and the quiet but noticeable tears were rolling down his face.

Harry leaned forward and grasped his younger brother and said, "I'm going to make it up to you, Hen."

—
Gah! I forgot the translations!

Tomodashi - means "friend."