Epilogue – the right time

It'd been a year. Twelve lunar months since they shared that memorable night in one of the finest practice rooms of S.M. building. Baekhyun had been thinking a lot about it. Was it really inevitable, did they really have to break up? He often wondered if things would had been different if they had changed their minds. The what ifs killed him inside but there was some positive aspects of this calm atmosphere. No more hate on her because of him, no more pain in the stomach because of lying, hiding and constantly being afraid of getting caught because that would have made it even worse. They could meet in the corridors without their managers' shushing and hissing words. It was still weird looking at her contact in his phone and sometimes his fingers itched to call her just to hear her voice. They talked though: when he congratulated her on her solo comeback or she called him to ask about his drama’s shooting process. They still had important roles in each others’ lives and there were no awkwardness like they previously thought. Not having a public eye on them also helped a lot.

However, rumour had it that S.M. planned a company holiday for all of its employees. Weird, the money maker enterprise spoils idols and staff? No way! Well, in the end they were right about that part. S.M. always wanted something in return and this time, it was a recording of an all-star show. They made their own exclusive version of Idol Star Athletic Championship. Ironically, after the whole fuss of the previous years Taeyeon and Baekhyun was put together in the same team. They haven't met since the plane landed in Hawaii but according to Taeyeon, it was for the best. There was no reason to give people something to talk about.

But when they finally did meet Taeyeon didn't want to look him in the eye and suddenly it became awkward. From that moment everything led to this moment. To a shady club with no paparazzi and good music. First, Baekhyun didn't want to go. He had a masterplan to make out the most of this holiday by resting in the hotel room. But fortunately Chanyeol and Jongdae insisted on going out because only a few knew them here and they finally had a day off so they could explore the city and the night life. Also, his best friends didn't let him randomly throw on something to wear but chose for him. The tight jeans and a v-neck shirt made him look like someone who wanted to get laid at a college party and Baekhyun scoffed because he knew that was Yeollie's plan. He had tried to set him up with friends and strangers for the last year because he didn't like Baek's moping face. No wonder why Baekhyun felt like an overgrown highschooler at his first party. It'd been awhile since they could let loose a little.

"I'll go order. Want something?" Chanyeol shouted so that they could hear him despite the loud American music.

"Just coke or something," Baek murmured.

"Lame!" Jongdae hollered and called after their bandmate: "Bring some shots instead!"

Chanyeol grinned and dissolved into the crowd while the duo searched for a table. The club's atmosphere was misty and the dim light gave it an unearthly feeling. Everything appeared in different shades of blue: azure, aquamarine, navy... the whole damn sky. People reminded him of fairies as they swinged to the dreamy melodies. There were no empty places on the dancefloor, everyone enjoyed the music and got lost in the feeling. Baekhyun wished he could do the same but Taeyeon's sudden cold behaviour bothered him. They were okay before, they were friends then why couldn't she act like it on a public holiday? What was she suddenly afraid of?

Before he could examine the question more, Chanyeol showed up with a tray of shots and a happy smile.

Jongdae immediately grabbed one glass and lifted it up ceremoniously. "Cheers! To the future!"

Baekhyun repeated after him although a little less enthusiastically. He still forced a smile and took a glass but didn't drink any of it. He tried to figure out what did he do. Or didn't do? And Taeyeon's half-hearted yeah answer to his are we okay? question didn’t help at all.

"Don't be like this, Baek! Who knows when we will have a vacation like this once again? Enjoy it a little." Chanyeol nudged his shoulder with a smirk. "Just like her," he added and knowingly pointed in the direction of the dancefloor. Baek followed his gaze without a second thought and he felt like air escaped his lungs as he saw her. His Taeyeon.

The kidlike leader danced mindlessly with Tiffany and Hyoyeon among the midst of strangers and Baekhyun felt the pang of jealousy. The thought that someone might look at her with predatory eyes thinking that she's a perfect girl for one night made him nauseous. She was more than that. So much more. She was the Sun on a rainy day. The melody stuck in your head for hours. The blossoming flowers in winter.

Baekhyun thought that a break would change everything but it just made him even more aware of how deep he was in. A love like theirs can't change just like that. Still, it was Taeyeon who wanted a break in the first place and he respected her by not arguing about it. But right now, it didn't really matter, nothing mattered more than the possibility of a night with her. Out of Korea's strict gaze, without facing consequences.

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