Archive of Our Own ^beta

Dennis had always been like a dad to him. Always there when he needed him. Like when he and Sherrie broke up. They just sat and talked. They were close. Then why was it so hard to tell him?

Drew finally got the courage on a chilly early morning in September. It was nearing 5 am, Lonny kicking out the few stray stranglers passed out in the bathroom.

Dennis was sitting at the bar, nursing his version of a Bloody Mary. Straight vodka with a little umbrella Lonny insisted he added.

Drew walked up and sat down next to him, body feeling heavy and tired. Anxiously he reached over and poured himself a drink, downing it so quickly he didn’t feel the burn.

“Hey Dennis. Can I talk to you?”

The man in questionlooked over, taking in the ball of nerves before him.

“Sure kid, what’s up.

Drew’s mouth went dry. He gaped like a fish, no sound coming out.He threw back another drink. Dennis matched his energy, feeling a pit in his stomach as he thought about the kid’s actions. Something similar to realization hit him.

“Listen kid.”

He chose his words carefully.

“I’m flattered. Really. But I thought you already knew, Lonny won me over years ago.I’m also too old for you.”

Drew laughed, nerves slowly fading.

“ NO, that’s … no. No offense, but ew.”

Dennis flushed, and laughed along with him.

“ I’m not gay,”

He took a breath, just like he practiced.

“But I am trans.”

The last sentence came out in a rush, like the liquor made his vomit out the words. The man next to him went quiet.

“Okay… Okay. What does this mean?”

Drew let out the breath he was holding.

“It means I’m Drew. I just took a different route to get there.”

“Your folks know?”

Drew nodded hesitantly.

“Yeah. Kicked me out for it. Why I can here actually.”

“Fucking Pricks.”

“You could say that again.”

Dennis saw his tenseness, and let out a small smile.

“You know this doesn’t change anything right?”

Drew looked surprised, already prepared to go home without a job.

“You’re still that brat that asked me for a job all those years ago.-“

“4 years isn’t that long.”

“Shh. Yes it is.”

Dennis reached over and ruffled his hair.

“You’re still my favorite barback. Don’t tell them.”

He pointed to his passed out employees laying on the stage.

He got a little serious.

“Thank you for telling me this.”

Drew just smiled and clinked their glasses together. Dennis set his down, getting ready to leave.

“I’m heading home, few too many unbloody Mary’s. You good with cleaning up?”

“What ‘bout Lonny? Can’t he?”

“You might not be into dudes, I’m not really either, but this one’s coming with me.”

Drew laughed freely.

“Go to bed old man.”

Dennis made his way to the door.

“You too kid. After you finish cleaning.”

He playfully flipped him off behind his back.

Dennis was like a dad to him, always there to talk. Turns out it wasn’t as hard to talk to him as he thought.