Page 37 of They Were Roommates

By the beginning of April, they were fully staffed, and only had to rely on their friends for theme nights, which became a Wednesday night tradition. Both Penelope and Seth made a point to show up every Wednesday, either as staff or as customers.

By May they had begun rotating coffees and suddenly they had an entirely new customer base of coffee enthusiasts who favored one brand over another. Frankie, always one to follow through on a plan, had erected an “Inclusive Businesses” bulletin board at the front of the cafe and a replica online. Diego often saw customers perusing the board in person but the online one was such a hit, they had people clambering for a newsletter.

While Diego knew next to nothing about marketing, Obie did and so did Emilio. One night in mid-June, Diego hesitantly brought this up.

“I think he might have some really useful tips for us. I know your first meeting was… uncomfortable, but I actually think you two would really get along,” Diego hedged, and Frankie gave him a contemplative look.

“I hear you, D, it’s just kind of fucking difficult to like the guy when I know he’s been inside you,” Frankie growled. His protective side that very rarely showed its face seemed to be coming out in spades tonight.

“You already know you’re the only person who will ever be inside me likethat, Franklin, so please don’t start,” Diego said in annoyance.

Frankie’s eyes flashed with surprise and then embarrassment and he looked away.

Diego couldn’t understand what was stopping him from giving this intimacy to Frankie, because in the grand scheme of things, it did seem pretty small. Diego played with dildos all the time now, trying to make sure he stayed used to having something inside him. He truly did like it, he was just… worried.

Frankie knew Diego had been pretty versatile with anal sex with both Collin and Emilio. What Diego couldn’t say to Frankie was that Emilio had almost been inside his front hole once. It had been near the end of their time together, right before graduation, and Emilio had been teasing what was left of his folds of skin. Diego had whimpered and pressed against his hand.

Emilio had offered, but at the last moment, Diego had lost his nerve. While he knew and trusted, and honestly probably loved Frankie, the fact that he was omni and Emilio was gay held Diego back. Emilio had never been with women, so Diego hadn’t worried that he would look at his parts and somehow mistake them for female anatomy. Frankiehadbeen with women, though. What if he got his fingers or dick inside Diego and felt differently about him and his gender.

Diego must have been quiet for far too long because Frankie walked over and hugged him tightly. They didn’t say anything else on the matter, and in the end, Frankie asked if he could be the one to call Emilio.

Frankie and Emilio talked for an alarmingly long time. By the two-hour mark, Diego was practically crawling out of his skin. Were they talking about him? Was Frankie bemoaning how long it was taking for them to switch roles in the bedroom and Emilio was confirming?

Strong arms wrapped around him from behind and he gratefully sank back against Frankie’s warm chest.

“You know… he’s really not that bad. Maybe next time he visits, we can invite him to stay in the guest bedroom.”

Frankie had pretty much moved into Diego’s room, a fact that pleased Diego greatly but also made changing out his packer when he used it more difficult. It was still something he didn’t feel comfortable sharing with Frankie. Thankfully, he wasn’t wearing it very often, and usually only for work.

“Well, he is important to me, so I’m glad you two can get along.”

“Anyone who likes you as much as he does is okay in my book,” Frankie murmured. He kissed his way down Diego’s neck, licked at his pulse point, and nipped at his collarbone.

They tangled together, arms and legs entwining as they stumbled into the bedroom. Diego got very close to asking Frankie to fuck him, but something held him back. Instead, he used the vibrating, two-sided dildo Frankie had bought for him and it was almost like having Frankie inside him. Almost.

As the summer flew by, and fall began to set in, Penelope became a permanent fixture on Wednesday nights. Seth typically joined them as staff, busing tables and dishing out pastries, and Penelope wandered around, not really working but also not quite a customer. They’d stopped hosting official theme nights, no longer needing the added hype and accompanying workload, but for some reason, they continued to draw large crowds on Wednesdays.

Diego eventually put his foot down and insisted they officially hire Seth and Penelope. Both of them declined official payment, Seth because he was already benefiting from Obie’s ownership and Penelope because… she was Penelope. No matter how much Diego insisted they should pay her, she wouldn’t accept anything but pastries and coffee.

Diego was beginning to feel almost cruel keeping their relationship a secret from her, but Frankie insisted he wanted to have at least a year under their belts before they told their families. Diego began to wonder if maybe Frankie was only doing this because he thought it was what Diego wanted, and honestly, Diego didn’t even know what he wanted anymore. Well, no. He knew he wanted to be with Frankie in every sense of the word, forever. He wanted to be with him in bed, in life, in their place of work, out in public, and everywhere else. They had finally returned to having some semblance of a social life after six months of running the cafe, which meant they were spending more time with Penelope and some of their other friends. They didn’t completely hide their relationship; they just weren’t flaunting it, and Diego was fairly sure Penelope had already figured it out.

Still, it was possible his mounting guilt was why he kept pushing for better compensation for Penelope. Finally, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Penelope accepted a “deal” of one free coffee per day and unlimited pastries. They extended the same deal to Seth who laughed and waved them off. Diego felt a little bit better, and Frankie was so excited to have a set schedule to see his sister he pressed a chaste kiss to Diego’s lips in the backroom. Unfortunately, Penelope chose that moment to pop in to grab her things.

Frankie had been horrified and tried to splutter out an explanation, but Penelope gave them both the biggest shit eating grin Diego had ever seen and sauntered out. After that, Diego didn’t feel bad for not openly announcing their relationship status. All the people they genuinely cared about knew, or should have figured it out by now, and at the end of the day was it anyone else’s business? No.

The plan went to hell the week before Christmas when he got a frantic call from his cousin. She was practically in hysterics when Diego answered. Eventually, he was able to work out that she was in a hospital.

Panic seized him as he tried to understand if she was hurt, and if so, how badly. Finally, her tear-soaked voice delivered two succinct sentences.

“Diego, your mom died of a heart attack. There was nothing they could do.”

Diego’s world stopped spinning. He was in the backroom where he’d scurried off to take the call. He felt himself falling towards the floor. Then, he was sitting, legs splayed out and his hand resting on his phone. He wasn’t sure how long he sat there but he didn’t even flinch when a soft hand touched his shoulder and a feminine sounding voice called out.

A minute later Frankie was kneeling in front of him, his hands cupping Diego’s face, but he couldn’t feel it. He couldn’t feel anything.

“D? Diego? Diego, please. Yes, Lopi, please get Obie…Mon chéri… It’s just us now. Can you answer me? Please, love, I need you to answer or I’m going to have to call 911. I might call them anyways.”

“Franklin,” Diego tried to croak out, but he was interrupted by his own broken sob.

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