Work Text:
“What do you think of them?”
Baekhyun met his eyes exactly to the source of a man in black’s voice who asked him before he looked away to see who was being described as. He noticed the couple with linked arms. They seem to be looking at the stall of donuts from the counter. They seem to be happily choosing with whatever was in front of them. It’s not like they shouldn’t, but it rather seemed unusual that he’s asked to see what he thinks about them.
They were just simply strangers to Baekhyun’s eyes, knowing nothing about them but the unknown.
“Did you receive a black card from one of them?” Baekhyun quietly asked instead. The cafe was actually quiet considering the clock struck exactly eleven in the evening and this was usually the time when Baekhyun’s cafe-pastry shop comes to its close. They were his last customers for today and he’s closing his shop for that day.
Yixing lets the liquid in his glass cup stir as he fiddled with it, holding with such freedom and lightness. “Not just one.” These words added more gravity to the situation after Baekhyun realized how grieving it was. He remembered letting Yixing come in simply for a cup of coffee. He hasn’t received any black cards— death cards, except today.
And it’s sadly Valentine's Day in a few hours.
It was quite unfortunate when two hearts were supposed to celebrate a day together. A simple event couldn’t void this phenomenon because death was still awfully unexpected, after all. It’s tragic when you’re aware of it and at the same time, it’s heartbreaking. It’s the cruelty of the world in one form.
“This shop is the fourth to last of their visit. The card will take into action after you close the shop, or a time somewhere in the afternoon tomorrow.” The friendship between Yixing and Baekhyun wasn’t so close yet it’s not too far either. Baekhyun only keeps his cafe open normally until midnight or 11 in the evening, and only by then, Yixing visit.
Yixing comes when he’s either catching up with the last bits of his work, just resting, or simply wanting a cup of coffee to finish a few of his paperwork. The thing is, Yixing wasn’t simply an office worker. He’s a grim reaper, similar to that Korean drama named Goblin? Yeah, he’s an example of that one. Not too hip with clothing either, but he has his drip while wearing black fits.
He comes every night a few hours before the time Baekhyun’s cafe closes, and he’s been a long-time regular. Baekhyun always noted how Yixing seemed enthusiastic and cheerful when talked to, but when he talked about work, he always fell serious and quite philosophical.
The reason why Baekhyun found out about his secret was due to an accident Yixing himself did. It was very late at night and Yixing left the establishment early. Baekhyun was cleaning the tables—a usual routine he’d done all the time before closing it for the night, and in one of the chairs was a black fedora hat in the place where Yixing sat.
Baekhyun had to touch the fedora hat, placing it in his wooden basket of left items, meant to be placed on top of his cabinet in case someone retrieved it the next day. Yixing came barging in without notice, panting and asking that he left his hat on one of the chairs. Baekhyun pointed exactly to where the basket was located. Yixing was shocked to realize that the hat was touched and moved to a new location.
It’s because touching the hat could either put you to sleep or do absolutely nothing. Fortunately for Baekhyun, it was the latter. He somehow had a connection with death or he was qualified to be a grim reaper for this case, as explained by Yixing himself.
“Trust me, no one has to know, not even them. No one has to know anything about this.” Yixing placed his index finger to his lips. Baekhyun already knew how much of this was a secret but Yixing never failed to remind him. He never had the plan to actually reveal this, but the reminder was something he considered to be better. It makes it highly probable that he wouldn’t spill it out when he’s chatting with his customers.
If Baekhyun was going to think hardly about it, this was probably the first time he heard Yixing mentioning a timed death card for a couple.
Baekhyun slightly giggled as he drank some of the coffee he brew for himself before eventually closing the cafe. “I know, now, when will you finish that work of yours so I could close my shop?”
“In a few minutes, I promise.” Yixing hastily typed on his laptop, eyes seemingly able to read everything like a fast typewriter. He drank some of the iced coffee Baekhyun served him earlier. It’s not a problem with such chilly weather tonight combined with a well-ventilated room.
It wasn’t so long until he stretched his arms upwards before finally turning his laptop off. “I’m a week advance with paperworks, you don’t mind keeping company tomorrow, right? I’ll come earlier and probably still come home late.”
Baekhyun laughed, unable to contain the laugher. “Sure, I haven’t seen you that much, too.”
“Alright, I’ll see you after my work tomorrow,” and the two of them go on with their lives, like usual. Yixing vanishes from a tiny puff of white smoke in front of Baekhyun, lucky it was already nighttime and people were out of sight.