“Sir, are you aware of what could have started the fires?”

Baekho thinned his lips, tapping his fist against his cheek. “Um, possibly one of the candles? I’m so sorry,” he apologized again.

“We were able to contain it so it’s only done some damage to the bedroom. It’s good you managed to leave, usually those asleep don’t notice till it’s too late.”

Ren purses his lips, wearing a giant sweater loaned from Baekho. “We might as well have, not like we got to do anything anyway.”

The firefighters didn’t catch it and Baekho bit his bottom lip. Baekho faced it, it really was his fault. He saw the candle earlier and forgot to blow it out. A rookie mistake.

Baekho could handle a few light bulbs turning off, but fire was a bit trickier.  Ren’s emotions always attuned well to fire, which Baekho was sure to be careful of.

“I wouldn’t recommend staying here, the fire took out part of your roof.”

Ren is a bit puzzled when he nods his head, “Oh right, you guys actually take time to patch them, don’t you?” He remembers.

“Let’s go to a hotel,” Baekho suggests. Despite how little time it took compared to an actual job, it’s exhausting for the still young witch. “Tomorrow you can do it, if you’d like. It’s too late.”

Ren parts his lips and holds a long gaze with him. Baekho just smiles as the witch shifts his eyes in defeat. Ren doesn’t argue much against Baekho’s pleading, how could he went the man was considerate for him?

On the cab ride to the hotel, Ren nuzzles against Baekho as he takes a brief nap. Baekho looks out the windows and sees the passing rain. Baekho was rather calm, his insurance covered it well and no one was hurt. Odd how his perceptions change over the years.

Baekho’s fond of the memories they’ve shared. And one stands out just now.

After their many outings and some dates, Baekho remembers the two hadn’t yet kissed when they had started going out.

At their age, it shouldn't be a big deal. And Ren was definitely not the conservative type, dropping hints all around that even Baekho couldn't ignore.  Baekho was shy on how to initiate it and foiled every attempt.

It’s after an accidental date that has Ren and Baekho enjoying a good time outside, and though it rains, it doesn’t dampen their atmosphere.

Ren holds out his hand and lets the flicker of drops settle on his hand, “it isn’t cold, we could keep walking.”

“But you aren’t wearing a jacket.” Baekho notes, Ren smiles.

“Why is everyone here under the assumption that rain gets you sick? I’ve walked in the rain before dressed like this, and nothing’s happened yet.” Ren knocks on the wooden door right behind him just in case.

And when Ren’s ready to take that step, Baekho pulls him back. “Hold on,” he says and takes off his jacket, placing it over Ren to shield him from the rain.

Ren stared blankly at the man as Baekho takes a determined step and the two walk together, pacing quickly through the puddled sidewalk. When they reach a lit bus stop, Ren pulls the jacket close to him and shifts it from his head to over his shoulders.

“Thank you,” Ren says to him, Baekho smiles and nods. Ren peeks at Baekho who wipes his face with the back of his sleeve. Baekho stops when Ren helps to dry his cheeks, dabbing his face.

Baekho cleared his throat, having this man look at him this way was doing wonders to him. And when he leans in, grasping the sweet opportunity and brushes his lips against his, the lights of the bus stop flickered.

Still oblivious to Ren’s attuned to lights, Baekho cautiously pulls him away from the bus stop and beneath a nearby shop where they talk shelter.

"They might burst at any moment, maybe we should call-"

"Are you going to focus on the lights instead of me?" Ren asks. Baekho stammers as Ren smiles and closes his eyes, waiting.

Baekho leans in a second time, this time it’s an actual kiss.

It’s a few days after when Baekho’s in the break room, he hears his colleagues’ conversation as he pours his coffee.

"We need to invest in those new generators."

“We have to consider the budget firsthand.”

"Then you better hope we don't get another blackout, luckily we had good ones, but it was awful."

"Was it really city-wide?"

"It wasn't so bad," Baeko drops in lightly, his colleagues continue to talk amongst themselves as Baekho guilty clenched his cup.

Caution, he decided. He definitely had to take more caution.

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