Work Text:
Yusuke Week Day 7: Celebration
When he steps onto the train platform, Yusuke can't help but wonder what Ren could possibly need from him. He said it was kind of urgent for them to meet, which inevitably made Yusuke worry.
In any case, if Ren was able to contact him without any problems and he agreed to wait until Yusuke was able to get to LeBlanc then it most likely meant it wasn't a life or death situation. Whatever trouble Ren had gotten himself into, Yusuke's certain they could figure out a solution. Like they always do.
There's virtually nothing Yusuke wouldn't do for his friends. He would go to jail for Ren if necessary. If Ryuji got into a fight he couldn't win, Yusuke would step in front of him and take the punches. If Ann got hurt or used, Yusuke would burn down someone's home. If Makoto was in danger, he would jump into traffic to help her. If Futaba got lost or kidnapped he would search the whole country until he found her. If Haru went bankrupt he would sell all his possessions only to place a roof over her head.
He hopes Ren's problem doesn't have to come to any of this of course. And surely with everyone's help they can figure something out.
He tries not to let his anxiety burden him so severely on his walk to LeBlanc so he turns to admire the scenery that the small buildings in Yongen Jaya offer. He wishes to stop and sketch a couple of scenes that catch his eye, but his mind reminds him that he has to get to Ren as soon as possible. Maybe later, when he's more relaxed, he'll be able to sketch a little.
When he arrives to LeBlanc's door, he sees that the sign is turned to 'Closed'. Weird. At this time, Boss should definitely be open. He opens the door and sees the small coffee shop in shadows. Everything is absolutely quiet. Maybe he's upstairs, Yusuke thinks.
"Ren?" He calls out.
As he turns to close the door behind him, a storm of voices, all at once, almost make his heart stop.
"Surprise!" Everyone yells while coming out of their hiding places.
"Good God!" Yusuke exclaims with a hand on his chest.
"Happy birthday Yusuke!" His friends exclaim as they bring out party poppers.
"What?" Yusuke asks incredulous.
In a matter of seconds, he feels Ryuji, Ann and Futaba almost tackle him to the ground in a tight embrace. Morgana jumps up to his shoulder and rubs himself on the side his face. Yusuke gently but absentmindedly scratches his head.
"You didn't think we'd forget your birthday, did ya man?" Ryuji says while patting him loudly in the back.
Yusuke looks at them confused. He really wasn't expecting any of this. He had barely even thought about his birthday. For the longest time, he thought of birthdays as a trivial and vain celebration. 'Nothing more than an overinflation of the ego' he remembers Madarame telling him when 5 year old Yusuke asked him about his birthday. Yusuke hadn't really understood what those words meant at the time but he was able to comprehend that he shouldn't think of his birthday as something important. Let alone worth of celebration. Yet, as he grew up and witnessed birthday surprise parties for people his age, he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have one of his own.
Right now, his friends were showing him what it was like. For the first time in his life.
"Happy birthday, Inari!" Futaba exclaims while hugging him as tight as she can.
"Congrats, Yusuke!" Ann tells him as she hugs his side.
"Th-thank you…" Yusuke manages to say, still trying to process what's happening.
"Did we surprise you?" Makoto asks.
If Yusuke's face is not enough of an answer he doesn't know what is. "Yes, indeed." He says.
"Good. That was our intent." Ren says looking at him with a mischievous smile.
"I thought you needed my help." Yusuke responds questioningly.
"Oh, I did. I needed your cooperation for this." Ren responds with a grin on his face. That smug look Joker used to wear is seeping through Ren's features right this moment.
"We needed to bait you." Haru says. The tone in her voice is somewhat dissonant with her sweet smile. "We know you've been really busy, lately. And we thought the only way to make you come at the right time was if Ren pretended he needed your help right away."
"I thought you were in trouble." Yusuke says.
"I would've been in trouble. If I didn't get you to come. Ann would've never let me hear the end of it." Ren answers.
"Hey!" Ann punches Ren slightly. "But he's right." Her smile illuminates her face.
"Lady Ann did a great job putting all this together, didn't she?" Morgana asks eagerly.
"Oh, it wasn't just me, everyone helped a lot." Ann says failing to hide the embarrassment.
Yusuke's smile broadens without him noticing.
"Seriously, though." Ren says, regaining Yusuke's attention. "I'm sorry if I worried you. We just wanted to spend the evening with you. Celebrating you're here. With all of us."
Ren's smile is soft. Genuine. Yusuke runs his gaze over all of his friends' faces and he sees nothing but genuine affection. They actually look happy to be here.
Yusuke's chest and throat feel tight all of a sudden. And his vision starts to get blurred. He notices the tears forming in his eyes.
"Hey, you okay man? Ryuji asks concerned.
"Yes. It's… it's nothing." Yusuke says before taking a deep breath to force the tears back into his eyes. "Thank you all. For this, and everything you've ever done for me."
"We just want to see you happy." Makoto smiles.
Everyone stays silent for a moment before Ryuji speaks.
"Hey, this is supposed to be a party not a funeral, so let's get started!"
His words prompt everyone to move. Ann puts on some music while Makoto and Haru prepare the tables with food, snacks and drinks. Ren takes the cake out of the fridge and Futaba fumbles with the lights. Ryuji is the one to bring out the presents.
One by one, everyone showers Yusuke with presents accompanied with more hugs. Yusuke can only thank them and smile. He's too overwhelmed with all the attention. Still, it feels nice for once to be the center of attention. He never thought he would enjoy himself this much.
Looking back, it wasn't so bad that Madarame never allowed him to celebrate his birthday, Yusuke thinks. Because now, he can relish the feeling with more depth. The feeling of being surrounded by people he adores. The feeling of those people being reunited because of him and celebrating him. His friendship and his presence. He's grateful he gets to enjoy this moment to the fullest now that he's older and can remember every detail. But more importantly, he's grateful he gets to be with people he will love for the rest of his life.