Brothers in Hooves (Shorts)

Scar of Absence

  Rainer was getting used to driving every morning and evening to the Bull Brother's Bakery, to get Takoda to and from work.
  Ever since the Bison gave his parents a very deserved wake-up call, he went no contact with them, and had been living with the rein-deer and his family since then.
  Their job schedule aligned in such a way that Rainer always arrived around an hour or so before closing time at the Pastry shop, so he got to sit down and enjoy the atmosphere of the place. Especially now that Hailey was on summer break.
  But there was something very different in the atmosphere that evening, and he knew about it even before he dropped Takoda off that morning.
  And upon getting inside, he saw Raff sitting on a corner of the place, by herself at the moment, as the place was filled to the brim with customers.
  Takoda smiled at him before walking to a nearby table to get some orders. At the same time, Bryan was delivering a few to some other tables, and Nilo was at the counter taking care of a somewhat large line of customers.
  So Rainer just smiled back at his boyfriend, and calmly made his way to where Raff was sitting. The buffalo herself staring at the crowded space with a helpless look on her face, next to an empty basket.

Rainer: Can I...

Raff: Sure.

  She didn't even let him finish that sentence, so he just sat down close to her, trying to find what words to say next.

Rainer: So... Tough day? After yesterday.

Raff: Actually... It was quite nice. Everyone is being so supportive and checking on me.

Rainer: Heh. Guess they're paying you back for being a good friend.

Raff: I guess so. But wish I could still help. It has been a very busy day here.

Rainer: I can see that. But you can't always put others before you.

  The buffalo then let out a sigh.

Raff: I know, it's just...  I don't know what the future has in store for us. I'm afraid Foster Care will take my siblings away. I wish I could just go home right now, but home is not the same anymore... It hasn't been the same for years.

Rainer: Then what happened? For this to change.

  She took another sigh, as painful memories seemed to flood her head.

Raff: About ten years ago, not long after my brother Ollie was born, my father was caught in a horrible traffic accident, and didn't make it.

Rainer: Oh...

Raff: Yeah... He was nice. And he wasn't the sole breadwinner of the house, but mom was so grief stricken at the time she didn't have the strength to work for a whole year. So I had to step up however I could.

Rainer: Aw... She never really recovered from that, right?

Raff: Not fully at least. And you can see what that lead to.

  She pointed to her bandaged-up shoulder.

Rainer: Yeah... I know how it feels to lose a father too.

Raff: Really? Mind talking about it?

Rainer: Not at all. To be true, we don't even know how it happened. We just got the news that he died on the job. He looked quite anxious for the past few days before that, so it was something heart related.

Raff: Wow... You can't even blame someone for that.

Rainer: Yeah. It sucks, life sucks. But at least I'm fine now and so are you, so we can cherish that.

Raff: Yeah... At least we are fine.

  At that moment, two younger buffalos and an older antelope that looked somewhat like Cindy walked in, all holding very cute bird plushies and with smiles on their faces, as they headed towards that table.

Oliver: Amy got a crazy bonus at the arcade so we got those.

  He said as he handed an extra red bird plush to his oldest sister.

Amy: I told you I'm good.

Raff: I know, you haven't let me win ever since you were nine.

Amy: And I plan to keep it like that.

Scott: Who's the buck fella with you?

  The antelope shifted his gaze towards Rainer.

Rainer: Oh I'm Rainer Sleigh. Just a friend of hers.

Scott: Nice to meet ya then.

  He extended his hand in a greeting motion and the rein-deer accepted, before the three of them sat down around the table as well, and Rainer got up to talk with Takoda and Bryan, who finally got enough room to breathe a little by the counter.

Bryan: Phew... We might need a third waiter soon.

Takoda: Heh. First time?

Bryan: You know it.

Rainer: Got time for another order?

Takoda: The usual?

Rainer: Yep.

Takoda: On it.

  And as his boyfriend went to pick up some star cookies, Rainer couldn't help but look back at Raff's table, and see how much more at ease she was now.