With Choices Comes Consequences

Part One - Rain

The moment the dark clouds began to paint the sky should have been the triggering sign that the evening's weather was not what it was forecasted to be. But, at the time, the brunette brushed it off, hoping that the grey clouds were only temporary and his usual plans would not be soiled. But, to be frank, he needed the dark sky to be a small inconvenience and move on, a small fault in Mother Nature's doing, for his plans could not be soiled.

So, when the cafe echoed with harsh pitter patter of rain against the windows, Baekhyun could only let out a heavy-hearted sigh. He made a mental note to never trust the single word of the news ever again.

It was currently closing time and the brunette was accompanied with one other co-worker to close the cafe up for the night. The two of them were wiping off tables and bidding the last few customers goodbye in an usher. And as the cafe became more vacant, Baekhyun was only reminded of how mentally upset he was now that it raining. The more deserted the cafe became, the more pronounced the splattering of rain echoed. No soft chatter and clattering dishes could help drowned out Baekhyun's wallowing sorrow.

Instead, there was only the continuous swish of wet cloth against marbled table along with an occasional squeak the booths let out when either of the employees sat in one to reach the other end of the table.

"If you stare any longer, you won't be able to get your share done."

Baekhyun hadn't even noticed he was staring out the foggy, rain decorated windows until the voice of his co-worker startled him out of his trance.

With slumped shoulders and a sullen expression, the brunette pushed himself up from the booth he was sat in and clenched the damp cloth with a tight fist, "I'm sorry, Jongdae. I just can't believe it's raining..." Baekhyun sighed out, trailing his words to a mumble.

With a sympathetic grin, Jongdae approached Baekhyun with a warm hand pressing to his shoulder, "No need to apologize, Baek. I'm just teasing," He paused before taking the white cloth from Baekhyun's death grip and tossing it, accompanied with his own, onto the bar countertop, "What's so bad about the rain that's got you all caught up?"

Baekhyun avoided Jongdae's curious gaze as he fumbled with his own fingers. He had come up with excuses more than once and he wasn't about to break his streak now, "It's just the rain is too gloomy. It makes me feel... down."

It no longer scared Baekhyun how seamless his lies had sounded, he had become accustom to saying little white lies to the people around him. He wasn't shocked at how convincing he started to sound either.

Jongdae let out an understanding click of his tongue, "Ah, I see. The rain brings the mood down, huh?"

Baekhyun gives an attentive nod.

Jongdae smiles before taking a step back from the latter, "Well, how about we call it a night then. We can clean up the rest early tomorrow, how about that?"

Baekhyun was sure Jongdae had no authority to give such orders or lack thereof and was quite positive neither of them will be arriving to the cafe early enough the next day to finish up their duties.

"I wouldn't want to get in trouble, plus I don't mind staying here a bit longer. Maybe the rain will let up a bit." Baekhyun tried to reason with the latter, hoping he'd let him stay without much question.

Jongdae gave Baekhyun a worried look, "Then, would you mind if I left early? I have things at home I need to check up on now that it's raining like it is."

The brunette felt his body relax at the convenience of the situation, "No, I don't mind. I'll finish up here and you go home. I won't say anything to Junmyeon," He smiled sweetly at the man who stood beside him.