forum The Rainbow Cafe (Closed)

Started February 08, 2019 by @Vuclan-is-tired

tune

“I-I just stay at the café…I’ve actually lived there ever since I ran away from home at 16” Elliot commented quietly. They hated discussing their past.

"Oh. I didn't…" Tyler stopped. How the hell to phrase this? he thought. "I didn't know. I'm really sorry. I'll take you over there." he backed out of the parking lot and started heading west towards the best rainbow of all time.

“It’s okay, to be fair I don’t talk about it much.” They said, trying not to make this more awkward than it already was.

"I know. You shouldn't have to. The past is the past." Tyler started thinking about his own past. He still hadn't forgiven. He should forgive, but he just can't.

They thought about the way they phrased that ‘ran away from home’ shit… they’d actually told the truth. Most people just assumed Elliot’s parents had kicked them out, but they never even gave their parents the chance.

Tyler couldn't stop thinking about his last night at his house after what Elliot said. He remembered it as if it was yesterday.
Dad? I'm home! I need to talk to you
Get me a beer, kid, and I'll listen.
Tyler brought his father a beer. Dad? You'll love me no matter what, right?
Maybe. Why?
Shit. This part almost always made Tyler cry when he replayed it mentally.
I'm gay, Dad.
His dad paused.
There'll be no (bleep!) under my roof. Get out.
And then it was done. Tyler started to cry softly in the car.

Elliot looked over “T-Tyler? Are you okay?” Their voice was filled with concern.

"I don't even know what okay is anymore…" he whispered through a closed-up throat. "I was thinking about… about the last time I had a family…" Tyler slipped away into tears.

“Pull the car over for a second” Elliot said sternly.

Tyler did as Elliot said. "I… I don't know why it still affects me so much. It's been 10 years. A decade since I've seen the drunken bastard. And yet… here I am, sobbing on the side of the road."

“Hey…it’s okay…” Elliot leaned over, hugging him tightly.

Tyler kissed Elliot, but only for a few seconds. He just wrapped his arms around Elliot. Tyler needed someone close for once in his life. He pulled Elliot closer. "I love you. Thank you." he choked out between sobs.

Elliot held him close. “I love you too, and I get that family sucks, it’s not easy to just forget about them, even if we want to.”

"It's nice to have someone who knows." Tyler's sobs turned softer, saltwater still running down his cheeks. This was exactly what he needed. Someone who knew.

“I’m here for you Tyler” they said, still not letting go of him.

"And I'm here for you, too," he promised. "No matter what. I'll be here."

They nodded, slowly letting him go.

Tyler wiped his eyes. "Sorry, you had to see me fall apart. Let's get you home." he pulled out of the shoulder and continued his way back.

“It’s okay, I’m here for you whenever you need me to be.” Elliot smiled gently, grabbing one of his hands.

Tyler pulled his hand away. "I need to drive, you know." He joked, sadness still in his tone. "But thank you."

“You’re very welcome. I bet you could drive with one hand you wimp.” They teased with a light smile.

"I bet I could, but I'm not risking it." Tyler smiled in return. "You, on the other hand? I don't you could."

Elliot merely shrugged in response, and turned to look out the window. Subconsciously their eyes looked at every face for possible future reference.

As the car drove with starkid in the background, Tyler tried to figure out how to break the silence. He ended up just singing along to whatever was playing.