Coffee Brews Love (BoyxBoy)

▪ Chapter 11 ▪

{Abuse warning}

{Lucas' POV}

The dread of stepping into my home hit me like a brick wall as I opened the front door. I was met by my mother's hand against my cheek, harshly slapping me.

"Selfish, that's all you are. Don't you care about how tired I am? You can at least keep the house clean while I'm gone."

The house was clean, I always cleaned it spotless just for her. Even when I knew she wouldn't be coming home.

"Mom," I started gently, "I'm sorry, I thought it was cleaned enough." I couldn't meet her eyes.

"Well it's not. You can do better than this." She then stormed away into the kitchen.

I had to be careful with what I said when she was in these moods. All it took was one wrong word and it'd be over for me.

I started walking to my room to change. After I finished I came downstairs to help my mother with dinner.

We finished and ate dinner without talking to one another. Every now and then my mom would cough, probably because she was a smoker. Ever since I can remember she has been smoking, I even asked her to stop but she never really listened. Saying it didn't matter.

As I was putting up the leftovers I had spotted a bottle hidden in the corner.

Great, just what she needs. My mom was also a drinker. She got really emotional when she did drink. I wanted to leave the house, but I knew I couldn't without her finding out. I didn't want to stick around to see what she was going to do after she had a drink.

So I headed up to my room, quietly locking the door and turned on some music. Maybe she wouldn't drink tonight, maybe she'll just fall asleep.

Hopefully.

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"L-Lucas get your ass down here" the loud slurs snapped me from my resting place on my bed.

I just gotta play it safe. Say what she wants to hear and I'll be fine. I told myself this over and over, everytime this happened, knowing the outcome everytime, yet still hoping that maybe one day it'll end differently.

It never did.

"Y-you think i-it's ok for a b-boy your age to t-talk like that to your own m-mother?" She slurs out.

"Mom I didn't even say anything." I sighed.

"SHUT UP" She threw her wine glass at me. "Don't t-talk back to m-me you disrespectful b-bastard. This is m-my house and y-you will obey m-me. Ya h-hear?!"

All I could do is nod. Just do what she wants you to Lucas, it's not worth the fight. If I played how she wanted me to I could avoid getting hurt.

"So, um, how was work?" I tried my best to make normal conversation as I cleaned up the broken glass on the floor.

"As it always is" she responded quietly. "Speaking of work, quit your job."

I looked up at her in shock, "But m-mom, I just started a few weeks ago. I'm not causing any harm by earning some cash for myself." I tried to convince her.

"Y-you don't need a j-job. I can g-give you money." She grabbed a new glass and poured herself more wine.

"I don't want to take your money mother."

"You'll d-do what I fucking tell y-you to do!" She yelled as she turned to look at me. I'm sure she won't remember saying any of this tomorrow so I just nodded.

I waited until she tired herself out, occasionally she would scream at me, which was normal. When she passed out on the couch I headed back into my room. I made sure I was quiet and left a blanket on top of her.

When I got back to my room I looked in my mirror to see that she had left a mark on my cheek from when she had slapped me earlier. It was nothing big, just a tiny cut probably from her nail. Things like this weren't a big deal to me anymore.

I put a band-aid over the thin slice and layed down. Slowly drifting off into my dreams. Which were more pleasant than my reality at this point.

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Morning came faster than I would have liked. I dragged myself out of bed, getting ready for work. My mother was already gone. She would leave early just to avoid awkward contact between us.

I made my way downstairs, grabbing a yogurt for breakfast and made my way to work.

{Umeko's POV}

The door chimed as Lucas walked in. I greeted him with a smile, not really paying attention to his physical appearance.

He greeted me back in a soft monotone voice, keeping his back to me as he went to clock in.

"Soooooo, how was it yesterday?" I asked curiously. That's when he turned around to look at me. There were dark bags under his tired eyes, his hair was untamed, framing his cute face, and a band-aid rested on his left cheek.

I wasn't sure whether or not to mention his state or not. He looked like he had a rough night. I sure hope Yoshiro didn't mess anything up.

"Uh, yeah I had fun yesterday." Lucas said with a gentle, tired smile. It wasn't fake either.

The day at the café went by slowly. We were actually a bit busier than usual. I put Lucas on coffee making duty, since he looked like he didn't really have the energy to put up with any interactions today.

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We closed down for our lunch break. The café returning to its quiet and soft atmosphere. I let out a loud exaggerated sigh.

Lucas had been extremely quiet today.

"You're a good worker Lucas." I casted my eyes over to him, he had seated himself on the couch in the corner.

He looked up at me with wide eyes and then bashfully looked down, "Well that's kinda random."

I giggled, "Sorry, I just felt like it needed to be said. You're so sweet with the customers and make sure that they're always happy and satisfied."

He smiled gently without meeting my eyes, "Thank you, Umeko."

His expression looked sad, which worried me. I didn't want to press him for answers so I quickly started rambling on about a new book I had found the other day.

We made light conversations and finished out our work day peacefully.

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Hope everyone is having a good day. Remember to drink water and get enough sleep. ♡