Work Text:
"Could I order a smile with my coffee this morning?"
The question was asked in a teasing tone, and it took a moment for Sakura to process it, staring at the paper cup in his hand, blinking, before looking up. Suo looked far too amused for how early it was, eye full of mirth and a small, but amused smile on his face. Sakura glowered, trying to ignore the rush of heat spreading across his face as his nose wrinkled into what he would saw was a snarl— but what Suo would say was a pout.
"Aw, Sakura-kun, that's the opposite expression I want," He turned away from Suo, marching over to the espresso machine to start on his boyfriend's stupid drink, ignoring the way Suo followed him over, standing on the other side of the counter with an over exaggerated pout.
"Stop harassing me while I'm working."
"Harassment? Sakura-kun, I'm hurt," He placed a hand over his chest, "I wanted to wish my boyfriend a good morning before I head to work."
Sakura grumbled to himself, muttering under his breath as he finished the drink, placing the lid on with a bit too much force, before shoving it forward. "You do this everyday!"
Suo blinked at him, taking the drink with a small smile, "Of course, I can't stand the idea of starting my day without seeing your beautiful face."
Sakura was acutely aware of the fact that Kotoha had stepped onto the floor, and was watching the pair. Embarrassment flooded Sakura at Suo's flirtatious words, and he couldn't help but sputter, hissing out, "We live together!"
"Sakura, be nice to our customers," Kotoha's voice was teasing, and he whirled around to face his friend and co-worker, eyes narrowing at her amused expression.
"He started it!"
Suo took a sip of his drink, a faux wounded expression on his face, "It's alright, Kotoha-chan. My dear Sakura-kun is just tired of seeing me as much as he does."
Even though Sakura knew he meant it teasingly, he still felt a strike to his heart, a pang in his chest as he turned back to his boyfriend, scratching the back of his neck, "I- I didn't say that." He knew, he had known Suo was teasing him, but his response was immediate.
Suo's face lit up immediately, and his grin was bordering on smug, "I'll make sure to be back to walk you home then, Sakura-kun!" He headed towards the door, waving to his blushing boyfriend, "See you later my love!"
The only thing holding Sakura back from launching himself at his boyfriend was Kotoha placing her hands on his shoulder, guiding him back to his post up front, "Calm yourself, Sakura, he's just teasing."
"Does he have to be so loud?" Kotoha just laughed at his annoyance, and once the feeling of being flustered wore off, the pair fell into their usual routine.
After high school, Sakura had felt aimless. He felt he had no real skills to use, other than fighting, and worried he'd end up feeling like a leech, living with Suo and not being able to provide anything to their home. Kotoha, however, had come to his rescue, offering him a position at her coffee shop, citing that she knew him and she knew he was a hard worker. Plus, the customers already knew and loved him, and he accepted the position without second thought. He'd worked there ever since, feeling proud of his little paychecks, being able to buy things for his boyfriend or contribute to groceries as much as he could. Of course, Suo always told him he didn't have to, but Sakura needed to feel like he was doing something, and Suo accepted that. He had gotten to the point that Kotoha trusted him to run the shop, and it was in moments like this that that trust truly came in handy.
"I dunno why you're actin' like this is a big deal," Sakura couldn't stiffle his yawn, sending a half lidded glare Kotoha's way, "You've left me in charge before."
"I know but those times were scheduled," She looked stressed, running a hand through her hair as she stared down at her phone, no doubt re-reading the text from Umemiya, "Not last minute."
Sakura just shrugged, leaning back against the counter, "We close in an hour, and I know how to shut everything down. I'm not a newbie anymore."
"I know," She bit her bottom lip, and he stepped forward, waiting for her to look up and catch his eyes.
"Go. I'll be fine, Kotoha. If anything happens I'll call you, okay?"
She stared at him for a moment, studying his face with narrowed eyes, before sighing with a nod. "Fine. Fine! But if anything happens and you don't call me—"
"That won't happen," He cut her off, playfully tugging at the tied knot of her apron, loosening it, "Now go before Umemiya freaks out even more."
"God, okay," She finished taking her apron off, rushing to the back to get ready to leave, leaving Sakura online on the floor with zero customers.
Umemiya had texted her in a panic— apparently two of the kids at the orphanage had gotten into a fight, and it had resulted in injuries. The two had been too close to the stairs, and a quick timed push turned into both falling, one had broken his arm, the other seems to have hurt his leg. Umemiya was working alone tonight, and needed someone to watch the others while he took the kids to the hospital. Kotoha was ready to rush over, but her anxiety at leaving Sakura alone had made her pause.
"Bye, Sakura! Thank you!" Kotoha rushed out the door, throwing her jacket over her head to block out the rain as she rushed off, leaving Sakura alone with the quiet music playing overhead.
He stretched his arms up over his head, sighing as he glanced around. The customers were always clean, tidying up after themselves so there wasn't much for him to do. He supposes he could take some dishes to the back, keep the door open to listen for anyone coming inside. After musing for a moment he moved around the shop, humming quietly along to the music overhead, grabbing dirty dishes and moving mindlessly to the back. He strangely enjoyed doing dishes, it was one of his chores at home despite Suo insisting on him just using the dish washer, it was mundane and relaxing. So relaxing that he missed the chime of the bell, not noticing someone had come in until he heard a pointed throat clear. He turned, startled, to see three men standing at the counter, watching him almost curiously. Slightly embarrassed, he dried his hands, rushing out to the floor to greet them.
"Sorry," He muttered, scratching at the back of his neck, "Didn't hear you all come in. What can I get for you?"
He didn't recieve a response at first, and the silence was slightly unnerving. The three continued to stare at him, study him, and it made the hairs on Sakura's arm stand on edge.
"Where's Sun Fei?"
"Where— who?"
"Sun Fei," The man repeated, his expression growing more annoyed as the seconds ticked by, "He frequently visits here. Where is he?"
"I have no idea who you're talking about," The vibe coming from the three men before him was beginning to put Sakura on edge, and he couldn't help from taking a tiny step back from the counter.
"Bullshit," The man's words were venemous, a little bit of spit flying as he spoke, slamming his hand on the counter, "Stop trying to protect him!"
"I don't know who you're talking about!" And even if he did, Sakura wasn't about to rat someone out to three men who looked like nothing but bad news.
The man scoffed, standing up straighter, shaking his head almost condescendingly, "You're making this harder than it needs to be, little boy." The patronizing tone had Sakura bristling, eyes narrowing.
"I'm going to have to ask you three to leave."
"Leave?"
"Yes. We're closed now. If you want coffee, you can come back tomorrow." For a moment the air between them stayed silent, the only noise the quiet hum of music over head. The man chuckled, and the other two followed suit a second later.
"We didn't come here for coffee."
"Then you've wasted your time," Sakura pointed to the front door, "So leave."
The man seemed to ponder Sakura's words, leaning forward, hands pressed flat against the counter, "Listen, kid, Sun Fei comes here every day, gets the same drink, leaves at the same time. You're really gonna sit here and continue telling me you don't know anything?"
"I told you, I don't know who that is," He enunciated each word, a sliver of fear crawling up his back, the annoyance simmering lower as he realized he truly wasn't sure what was going on or how to handle it.
"Either you're lyin' or you're just plain stupid, kid," The man scoffed, standing up fully and crossing his arms, head tilted as he continued to stare Sakura down.
Sakura would later blame the years of slacking off from fighting for allowing the three to get the jump on him. One of the men reached forward, moving too quick to process, a hand grabbing Sakura by the front of his shirt, pulling him forward aggressively. His stomach hit the counter and he groaned, feeling the wind being knocked out of him, and he was quickly pulled over the counter, landing heavily on his back, staring up at the three. He was quick to move, wincing as he did so, hating that this position had his back up against the counter, staring at the three men.
The first guy stepped closer to Sakura, grabbing at the same area on his shirt, pulling him forward. With their height difference, Sakura ended up standing on his tip toes, the pair practically nose to nose as they stared each other down, "Still don't remember Sun Fei, huh?"
Sakura didn't offer a verbal response, snarling with a quick headbutt, slamming his forehead into the man's nose. He let go instantly, crying out as he staggered back, clutching his face as blood began gushing down his face. No time to feel smug like he used to, he moved, stepping away from the counter and away from the other two, hands balling into fists as he brought his arms up.
"You little shit—" The man snarled, his voice sounding muffled as he spat blood out onto the floor, eyes flashing, "You'll pay for that."
He sneered, not moving as he waited for one of the others to make the first move. He didn't have to wait long, dodging quickly as a fist was swung at his head, momentarily remembering all the fights in high school as he punched the thug in the side, hearing the man wheeze as he fell backwards. He wasn't able to stop, having no time to pause as the second man stepped forward. Sakura wasn't able to dodge quick enough, and a blow landed against his cheek, dazing him for a moment.
Trying to take advantage of Sakura's dizziness, the man stepped forward again, fist ready for another blow. Sakura moved quickly, quicker than even he could process, kicking forward with all his weight, the flat of his foot landing against the man's stomach, pushing him back, tripping over his own feet and landing on the ground. Sakura almost missed the thrill of the fight, missed the rush of adrenaline.
"Got you," But he didn't miss moments like this, the cold wash of being grabbed from behind, his arms wrapped in such a way that he was frozen, thrashing in the man's hold, trying to land a kick wherever he could. He was lifted slightly, his feet hanging a few inches above the floor, and he snarled, feeling like an animal caught in a trap.
"Feral fucker, aren't you?" The man behind him cackled, "You good boys?"
"Think he cracked my fucking ribs!" The man coughed from the floor, pushing himself up, staggering on his feet, placing his hand against his ribs with a wince.
Sakura thrashed, the one kick he managed to land doing nothing but making the man holding him grunt, his curses muffled. His attention shifted, Sakura missed one of the other men stepping forward, landing a heavy blow to his right cheek, and Sakura's world swam, the fight draining out of him as he tried focusing on staying conscious.
"Calmed down now, huh?" The tone was mocking, "Thatta boy." Sakura's snarl was wordless, and the movement made his head spin. He could only stare forward, trying to blink the world back into focus, watching as the other two stood before them, cruel smiles on their faces.
One of them reached forward, grabbing his jaw, fingers digging into his cheeks. He could feel the bite of their blunt nails, the breaking of his skin. "That's better, now—"
Sakura heard the chime of the bell this time, piercing through the shop. Before anyone had time to respond, the lights flickered off, leaving the four of them in darkness, each shadow looking eerie in the light coming in from the sidewalks.
"What the hell? I locked the front door," The man holding Sakura turned, turning Sakura along with him to see who had intruded.
"You're making a mess," The voice was familiar, and Sakura blinked heavily, trying to focus on the figure standing in the front door, "And you're touching something that's mine."
"Shit—"
"Sun Fei—"
It was Suo, his face emotionless, hands clasped behind his back as he stepped forward, his one visible eye cold and calculating. "That's not what I go by."
Sakura opened his mouth, only croaking out a confused, "Suo?" For a moment, Suo didn't look at him, his attention focused on the man holding him, eye glued to the arms holding Sakura. The man holding Sakura laughed quietly, stepping back and dragging Sakura with him.
"Well, this is convenient, isn't it? We've been looking for you, Sun Fei." It was evident in how he spoke that he was nervous, clearly unprepared to have come face to face with Suo— with Sun Fei?
Sakura wasn't sure if it was the definite concusion he had, or if Suo really moved that fast, but in a blink he was in front of them, clearing the distance in a single step. Sakura could feel the man holding him flinch, processing a second too late that Suo had moved, and then Sakura was being dropped, stumbling to the ground. He couldn't do much more than scoot out of the watch, staring up as Suo held the mans wrist in his hand, grip tight and punishing. Suo's movements were almost graceful as he twisted, angling the mans arm into an unnatural angle, not stopping even after he heard the defeaning snap of the mans arm breaking as he cried out.
He finally let go, hands moving to be clasped behind his back at the man held his now useless arm, curses falling from his lips as he stumbled backwards. Suo took a step forward, following him step for step.
"I don't recognize any of you," Suo's voice took a tone Sakura had never heard, and even he felt an ounce of aprehension at how he sounded, "That tells me either you're moving as a rogue, or you're not as high up as you think you are."
"We- we—"
"You have two seconds to get out of here." Suo's hand snapped forward, reaching for the same man he had broken the arm of, pulling him so the two were face to face, "Should I ever see you again, regardless of where we are, I will kill you myself. Am I clear?"
"There's no—"
"C-Crystal!" The man in Suo's grasp gasped out, interrupting the other thug, and the moment he was realeased he tucked tail and ran, the other two trailing after him after a second's hesitation.
The silence that followed was defeaning, and for a moment, all Sakura could do was stare up at Suo, who had yet to turn to look at him. He was tense where he stood, staring forward at nothing, before he took a shuddery breath, turning to look down at Sakura, an empty smile on his face.
"Goodness, that could have been worse," He knelt down, reaching forward, fingers gently brushing against Sakura's cheeks. He winced, feeling the small open cuts from how the man had held his face, and Suo frowned, a flicker of guilt crossing over his eye, "Oh dear."
He glanced up, looking between Sakura's eyes, measuring, "It doesn't appear like you have a concusion, at least, not one that's too bad."
Sakura, despite all the panic and confusion he had felt, couldn't help but let out a shaky laugh, the movement doing nothing to help his injuries, "You think?"
"Well, you're able to answer normally, so that seems to be a good sign."
"That your medical opinion?"
Suo shrugged, not moving away from Sakura, the warmth of his hand still pressed against Sakura's cheek softly, "Just an observation."
"Sun Fei," Sakura spoke slowly, watching the way Suo's shoulders shot up at the name, "That's what those guys called you."
He wanted Suo to tell him that it was a mistake, that they had mixed him up with whoever this Sun Fei was. That they were stupid thugs, and that Suo was just a protective boyfriend. But he knew better, he knew from the way the three cowered at Suo's presence, the promise in Suo's threat to kill them.
"Yes, they did."
"Is- is that your name?"
Suo let his hand drop from Sakura's cheek, and he felt himself missing the steady weight, the warmth. He had to stop himself from leaning forward, trying to press himself back into Suo like a touch starved fool.
"Yes and no. The characters of my name are read as Hayato in Japanese, but, in Chinese they're read as Sun Fei. But," Suo took in a shuddery breath, looking more shaken than Sakura's ever seen him, "I would prefer if you continued to call me Suo, or Hayato."
Sakura felt like his head was going to explode, or implode. That could be from the possible slight concusion, but the added information being presented to him wasn't helping. He didn't even have time, or the wherewithal, to be embarrassed at the notion of calling his boyfriend by his first name. He groaned, hands coming up to cup his face, trying to make sense of the mush in his head.
"What does any of this mean? Those three came in and demanded to know where you were— who were they?"
"They're people you'll never have to worry about again," Suo soothed, seeming unsure of what to do with his hands— to keep them to himself or put them on Sakura, "I'll have them taken care of."
Sakura's head snapped up, and he ignored the pain in his neck as he did so. "You mean you'll kill them."
Suo just hummed, holding eye contact, "I won't be the one to touch them."
"Who are you?"
"I'm your Suo Hayato," He smiled, a faint look on his face, "I'm sorry you had to deal with that. I had never planned on introducing you to any of this part of my life."
His Suo Hayato had gotten into fights, sure, he had seen them, he had been there with him when they had fought. Hell, they had finally fought themselves. But Suo had never been as cold in a fight as he was just breaking that man's arm. His Suo Hayato trained Nirei as if it was his purpose, his Suo Hayato held his hand when Kiryuu had convinced Sakura to get his ears pierced, his Suo Hayato was the definition of clingy when he woke up in the morning.
His Suo Hayato could order to have three men killed, and said he'd do it without batting an eye.
"I don't understand."
"And you don't need to," Suo reached forward, hands on Sakura's biceps as he stood, bringing Sakura to stand with him, balancing him as Sakura wobbled on his own two feet, "You'll never be invovled with that again, I promise."
"What—"
"It's very selfish of me to keep you in my life like this," He continued to speak, paying no mind to Sakura's attempted questions, voice low and thick with emotion, "But I can't leave you, and I can't risk letting you leave me."
"I," Sakura swallowed, his gaze never faltering, never wavering away from Suo's, "I'm not gonna leave you over this."
Suo went still at Sakura's words, and for the first time since the three thugs had left, there was a crack in his mask. He leaned forward, head resting lightly on Sakura's shoulder, his hair tickling Sakura's ear. "Don't say something like that so easily."
Sakura clicked his teeth, letting his boyfriend rest against him, a wave of exhaustion creeping over him as they stood, "I'm sayin' it 'cause it's true."
Suo chuckled, a warm brush of air against Sakura's skin, causing him to shudder, goosebumps forming along his arms. "You don't realize what you're getting yourself into."
"Then explain it to me when you're ready," He had begun to have an idea, an inkling into the life, the second life, his boyfriend was living. But he was tired, and Suo seemed high strung and ready to snap at any second.
"You're something else, Haruka Sakura," He stood, smiling a true and genuine smile at Sakura, reaching up to cup his cheeks, "Let's get you home and looked over professionally." He glanced around, as if finally noticing the disarray of the shop, "I'll have to send some people over to fix the cafe, I fear Kotoha's wrath more than anything."