The Beginning
of The End.
3.6k words
It’d been a peaceful day. he hadn’t had many customers, and Baekhyun was wiping down the last of the shot glasses he’d used earlier for coffee- one of the last things he had to do before was on break.
right as he moved to head back and grab the broom- the bell rang, and he huffed under his breath and turned back around. so much for extra effort...
“Hello! welcome to Mini’s Cafe, how might I help you today?”
he noticed how the tallest of a large group walked up, holding a list and a lopsided grin on his face, and Baekhyun thought he’d melt into a puddle on the ground. he had to fight the urge to coo at him and reach across the counter to run his fingers through his fluffy silver hair.
Chanyeol carefully read off everything that were on the list, making sure to get everything right.
“Will that be for here or to go?”
Chanyeol seemed to ponder over this for a second, until his eyes lit up and a huge smile spread across his face “For here, please~! and can you add one of those Truffle Cakes that I hear are so famous around here to that?”
at this, Baekhyun perked right up, and he had to wrap his fluffy raccoon tail around his leg to keep it from wagging. “Of course! Just give me a few minutes, and i’ll be right out with that! And can I get a name?”
the giant smiled at him widely “Chanyeol”
as Chanyeol and the others went and sat down, Baekhyun nearly skipped into the back- but he saved himself from further embarrassment- barely. out of all the things he enjoyed, baking and making coffee were easily two of his favorites, so working at this cafe was as enjoyable as it could be for a raccoon hybrid..
for as long as he could remember, people always looked down on him for being a raccoon. he was bullied constantly growing up, for countless things. being an orphan was one of them. he’d worked hard for everything he had, his grades, his food and his happiness. being an 19 year old who was beginning to get his life together and was happy with where it stood didn’t stop people from pushing him around. in fact, he was the customers’ favorite to push around and talk down to. he received threats and overreactions daily. but that was just how he had to live, I guess.
he pulled a new bag of coffee beans out so he could swap it out when the other one ran out and he replaced it with the empty backup bag they kept there. he didn’t really need to take it out, but at this point it was just engraved into his being to have an extra bag there.
as he was finishing up the drinks, he noticed that Chanyeol was sitting by the window- separate from the rowdy group, writing in a notebook. he smiled to himself as he saw Chanyeol’s face twist in concentration.
he decided to give Chanyeol his drink last, so that he could try to talk to him a bit. he ignored it when one of the people grabbed onto the string of his apron as he walked away and pulled, and as it fell open he could feel the other’s eyes on his ass. he simply ignored them and behind him, tying it closed once again, nearly getting started as he heard Chanyeol growl at the other.
he walked back from the front with Chanyeol’s cake and coffee in hand.
“One truffle cake and one iced americano~”
Chanyeol looked up from his notebook with wide, innocent eyes as he noticed baekhyun walking up to him in his peripheral vision, and smiled sweetly at him as he sat them down next to him. “thank you so much! i’ll eat it well~”
Baekhyun just smiled at him over his shoulder as he turned to walk away, but stopped as Chanyeol looked like he had something to say.
“H-hey, do you happen to be friends with the owner here? His name is Minseok.”
Baekhyun tilted his head, his black fringe tickling at his lashes, and narrowed his eyes at the man.
“What’s it to you? And, how do you know that name..?” -Minseok had specifically asked all of his employees to keep as much about him a secret as possible from anybody who asked, the only exceptions being a select few he never really cared much to learn the names of- considering how Minseok mentioned that there was a very low chance they’d actually ever turn up.
Chanyeol’s eyes widened, and he blinked a few times before looking back down to his notebook. “Aaaahhhh, he must have sworn you all to secrecy or something.. that Minseok, he always has been paranoid.” he chuckled, looking back up at the waiter.
Baekhyun furrowed his brows, eyes hardening further “You didn’t answer my question.” he shot back.
Chanyeol sighed, putting his hands up in surrender.
“Look, i’m just wondering how my old friend is doing. It’s been a while since i’ve been back in town, and I was hoping to see him again after so long. you know, to catch up?”
this made Baekhyun relax significantly, but he was still wary. “I see.. well, I don’t know where he is right now. You’ll have to see him later.”
Chanyeol rolled his eyes at how difficult this raccoon was being, but at the same time he wasn’t surprised. they were always like this when he asked about his old friend. “Doesn’t he have a phone for you to call? or has the old man finally cut himself off from the outside world completely?” he said, raising a brow.
“He does, and I will call him later. Stay if you want, but don’t complain to me if it takes a while.” was all he said before he walked away.
it was now 3 hours later, and Chanyeol was on his third cup of coffee. he still scribbled in his sketchbook in the corner, though by now it had gotten significantly darker. Baekhyun was hiding behind the doorframe in the back of the cafe, trying his best not to be seen as he stared at the way the sun kissed Chanyeol’s skin and made his dark chocolate eyes stransform to the color of glittering honey. the black dots the size of pennies on his cheekbones stood out even more, and don’t even get him started on the caramel brown ears at the top of his head that Baekhyun just wanted to read out and touch-
“Hey, Baekhyun!” Baekhyun jumped, slipped and fell, right through the door. he looked behind him and saw Chanyeol staring at him with wide eyes
“GEEZ, maybe be a little more quiet next time, Taeil?” he said, dusting off the back of his pants as he stood up, facing the kitchen again
Taeil chuckled, shifting from one foot to the other “Sorry baek, it’s just not every day I see you so, um.. invested in a customer..” he said, wiggling his brows at the now horrified raccoon.
“SHHH- don’t say that Taeil- he can HEAR YOU ya know.” Baekhyun practically screeched at the bear
he smiled at Baekhyun cheekily “Yeah, I know. it’s about time you get some d-“ Baekhyun jumped, clasping his hand over Taeil’s mouth in a final attempt to shut him up.
“Just please,” Baekhyun said, taking off his apron and hanging it up on the hook “Take care of any customers that come- I have to call Minseok.”
Taeil’s eyes widened at that- Baekhyun almost never had to call Minseok. he nodded quickly and waddled away to grab his own apron. “Alright, fine.. even though it’s not my shift, i’ll do this one little thing for you.. but i’m leaving right after, and you owe me!” he called after Baekhyun.
Baekhyun shook his head and brushed it off “Yeah, whatever.. thanks anyways!”
he woke up from his nap with a start, and he fell off the tree branch he was oh so peacefully sleeping on. he had to pull out his wings to stop himself from hitting the ground, and he sat there, hovering in a daze as he tried to figure out what just happened. he glanced around to figure out what the sound was- and oh, it was just his phone ringing.
“Hello? who’s this.” he said in a rough voice, still annoyed that he was woken up
“Hi, Mini~! it’s Baekhyun. I was just calling to tell you know some stuff you might find interesting.”
“Ah, okay. What did you want to tell me?”
“Well, there’s this guy here. He said he wanted to speak with you? His name was ‘Chanyeol’ or something like that. He’s also been sitting here for hours drinking coffee and writing stuff down... he’s kind of weird, honestly. But he’s really cute! I wonder how you know each other..” Baekhyun was just rambling at this point, and Minseok had frozen when he heard him mention the name Chanyeol, half listening and ignoring the cheeky tone of the last bit he’d said.
“Wait wait wait, did you just say Chanyeol??!”
“Uh, yeah..? Why? What significance does that name have to you, Minseok?”
“Nothing, nothing.... I just haven’t heard it in a while, is all. What else did he-“
“Whaaattt??? Oh, sorry Minseok, i’m talking to him right now. .... Renjun? who’s that. Why do I want him to call again? Who’s yixing??? Jeno? Jaemin? you know what, just take the damn phone. Minseok, you’re on speaker now.”
“Hello? Minseok? I need you to come to the cafe, i’m already here with Baekhyun. I don’t have time to explain, I just need you to get Renjun, Jeno, Jaemin, Jisung, Chenle and yixing here as soon as possible.”
“Are you serious?!! After all these years, you’re going to come back now?! What’s this about, hm? did you get a vision or something?!” Minseok choked out, trying to hold back his emotions
“Y-yeah, actually... I did have a vision. That’s what i’m here for. And it’s urgent, Minseok. That much I can’t tell. Now, you can yell at me all you want when you’re at the cafe, I promise. Please just hurry, that’s all I ask.”
he huffed. he was torn between completely ignoring the man, or listening to him. though it did sound rather important..
“Fine. I’ll call Renjun and Yixing, and i’ll be there shortly.” he said as he finally got up off the ground and hung up, running inside his house to get changed as he called Renjun.
“What do you want.”
“Well you’re quite chipper today! Did you sleep well last night?” he chuckled out as he buttoned up his tan pants and reached for a white tshirt.
“It’s none of your business.. now, i’ll ask again what do you want??”
“I need you to call the others and have them meet up at the cafe. As soon as possible. Like within the next ten minutes soon.” he braced himself for the complaining and yelling from the other, but it never came it. all he got in return was silence.
“It’s about Chanyeol, isn’t it.” it was more of a statement than a question, and Minseok knew this.
he sighed and nodded, even though he knew Renjun couldn’t see him. “Yeah. all he said was that it was urgent... and i’ll call Yixing on my way so you don’t need to worry about him. I’ll see you soon?”
he heard a hefty sigh of annoyance, then some rustling in the background. “Fine. I’ll be there soon. Hurry.” then he hung up.
Minseok shook his head and chuckled as he slowed to a stop in his doorway and called Yixing.
“Hi Minseok! What’s up?” well good, seems like Yixing was in a good mood..
“Oh good, you’re up! I need you to meet me at the cafe as soon as you can. Can you do that?”
“Uh- yeah, why? Is it Chanyeol??”
geez, how did everyone know it was Chanyeol?! well then again, that’s all he ever did. follow his visions like a lost puppy.
“Yup. I’m about to leave now. See you soon?”
“Yeah!” Minseok heard the sound of violent winds, and the next thing he knew the call disconnected. damn yixing, he always forgot about the calls disconnecting when he teleported...
he tucked his phone securely in his pocket and zipped it closed, and he was off.
he ran through the woods and shocking speeds. after about 30 seconds of picking up momentum, he jumped on a tree, bouncing off the side and jumping to the top, and onto the limb of an even larger tree, then soaring into the air. his wings exploded out of his back, sending the trees near him bending back from the force.
he felt his fingernails lengthen into talons and his eyesight sharpen tenfold. he could hear everything within a mile radius, and every beat of his wings sent him lurching forward.
he laughed as he soared through the sky, twisting and turning every which way- he didn’t really fly often, because he didn’t really see a need for it. but when he finally did stretch his wings, boy did it feel good. he felt the wind bite at his skin as he flew straight for his cafe in the small town- to any bystanders who might see him he’d just be a blur in the sky.
he landed on the ground right outside of his cafe, stumbling a bit as he pulled his wings back in, almost falling straight into the door, but then he shoved his hands onto the glass, falling backwards. he closed his eyes and tensed, preparing himself for the impact- that never came. he looked up to see who was the owner of the hands he felt on his back, and his eyes met Jisung.
“Hi, Minseok! it’s nice to see you!” the boy giggled out “Are you okay?”
“Yeah i’m fine..” he said, getting up and dusting himself off “Thanks for catching me though.” he said as he brushed himself off and straightened up.
he looked past jisung and saw Renjun walking towards them- followed by Chenle, Jeno and Jaemin, and waved at them.
Jisung looked over his shoulder and smiled, bouncing over to Chenle and grabbing his hand, wordlessly pulling him into the cafe as Chenle followed, whining his protests.
Minseok chuckled and walked up to the door, holding it open for the others.
“FINALLY!! I was starting to lose hope!”
Baekhyun’s loud voice rang out through the cafe, making half of them jump.
“please Baekhyun, we didn’t take that long.. do you just have no patience at all?” Renjun replied, clearly not up for dealing with Baekhyun’s antics.
Chenle and Jisung walked over to where Baekhyun was sitting with Chanyeol and Yixing, smoothies in hand.
Minseok looked at them suspiciously “Since when do you two know how to make those...?” he said, side-eying Baekhyun.
“Oh come on Minseok, I only showed them how to make smoothies and nothing else!”
he huffed at him “Fine, whatever.. it alright I gues-“ he was cut off as a blur rushed past him- too fast for him to grab and by the time he had turned his head, Jaemin was already preparing a coffee on the machine, looking up at Minseok with a shameless grin on his face.
“Oh no, you don’t- get your ass back here!”
he ran after Jaemin, trying to grab him by the hair- and he missed, this time reaching for his tail- success!
Jaemin yelped in shock as he felt Minseok’s rough hand grab at his tail “Don’t you have any manners, you-you- you JERK?!” he stutter-yelled at the man as he yanked his tail out of his hands with his own.
Minseok simply laughed in victory “If it means my coffee machines last longer, then no. No I do not.” he said, now dragging Jaemin back to the table by his ear “Now sit down, i’ll make it for you..”
Minseok met eyes with Chanyeol and crossed his arms, straightening up “Well, what was so urgent?” Jaemin started to whine in protest at having to wait for his coffee, but was silenced by a kick to the knee from under the table by Renjun.
Chanyeol cleared his throat “Well... the thing is, I had a vision. For the ones of you who don’t know who- or rather what I am, i’m a telepathic. We’re kind of rare nowadays-“
Renjun cleared his throat, speaking up “I’m one too. I can detect emotions and see what people’s intentions are before they can even finish a thought. Though I don’t know what you can do..” he trailed off.
the others nodded in agreement, seemingly knowing more than they cared to let on.
“I was just getting to that. I had a um.. a sort of vision. they’re never too specific, but I get the necessary details. such as, that it was very urgent, and that all of us specifically needed to be here and now. I don’t know what’s going on, or what’s going to happen. But I know we’re in danger.”
right then, Chenle, Jisung and Chanyeol all froze and sniffed the air.
“Um, guys..? What’s up. speak to us.” Yixing said, knowing that look in chanyeol and Renjun’s eyes.
Renjun shot up, a look of knowing and anger flashing in his eyes “Murder. I smell murder.” he growled out, and bolted outside before they could even register what’d happened.
Chanyeol looked fearful for the small boy, but when he met eyes with Yixing, he knew he’d be okay. they all got up and took off after him outside, the smell of blood now tickling all of their noses.
they all froze as they looked up at the angry black sky. There was electricity buzzing in the air, lightning bolts struck in the distance, thunder so angry that it reverberated for miles and miles- shaking them all so hard they thought they’d fall over. they all flinched as Renjun burst into flames- red hot bright orange wings erupting from his back, a tail falling out from underneath his shirt, and they stared in shock at his now glowing orange hair that had glowing ashes falling from it.
he ruffled his wings and turned to the others, his eyes glowing orange. “Well? What are you waiting for, Minseok? I think we have a job to do.” he pointed to the town, where they could smell the potency of blood.
Minseok nodded once, and stretched as his lion tail flicked behind him- his nails once again turning to talons, scales pushing up through the skin of his arms in scattered patterns, and his off white eagle wings ripping through his back- and he flapped them a few times- nearly knocking the others over.
he turned to Yixing now, his face twisted in worry. “You know what to do.”
Yixing nodded his head curtly, flicking his wrist casing a shimmering Ube forcefield to fall over the others. “I’m going to need you to stay here. I don’t know what could happen so.. please don’t try to fight against it, as it’s directly connected to me, and hurting it will only drain me of energy I might need to possibly heal Yixing, Renjun and anybody else who might need it.” he said, motioning to them with his hand. they simply nodded in acknowledgement.
and with this, Renjun and Minsek took off in the air, straight for the bigger part of town as Yixing ran under them on the ground, and before they knew it they were gone.
they froze as they took in what they saw. there was blood everywhere, splattered on buildings and cars, painting the streets and some still spilling out of dying hybrids. Yixing quickly got to work to save who he could, while Renjun put up a giant ring of fire around them- and they heard the snarls of predatory animals who’d lost their minds. “Renjun?!” Minseok tried, hoping the boy would know what was going on.
“There seems to have been some kind of massive energy shift... and i think it caused the predatory animals in radius to go lost their minds. they’ve gone on a bloodlust rampage.. i’ve trapped them all in here. There’s no hope for them, Minseok... we’re going to have to kill them.”
Minseok sighed and nodded his head. “Then i’ll go right, you go left.” renjun nodded and took off, and when Minseok turned to look- all he’d seen were fires erupting in various areas of the circle.
right after they’d taken care of the last of them, they looked up at the sky, and they were nearly knocked off their feet at what they saw. Yixing and Minseok ran off to find Renjun, and when they found him he was trembling on the ground, mumbling incoherent sentences. “YIXING!!” Minseok screamed, and Yixing scrambled to heal the boy. after a few minutes of Yixing holding his glowing hands over Renjun’s head, he was fine. he shot up, and his eyes went straight to the sky, and Yixing and Minseok’s eyes followed.
Minseok choked out a gasp “what in the hell is that?!!” the sky had a giant rip in it- it was glowing white and it rippled, growing by the second. Suddenly they felt the ground shake underneath them violently, and all they could hear was their own screams and the earth growling angrily- until it all stopped. they gasped and tried to steady themselves.
they looked up and saw the rip in the sky stabilize, and for a second they thought they’d be fine... until it imploded. their whole world went white- they couldn’t see, and for a second, they couldn’t even hear.
“What the hell is going on Renjun?!” Minseok screamed out, barely capable of thinking straight.
Renjun took in a shaky gasp, and closed his eyes to gain composure. “The beginning of the end.” and right after he uttered those words, their world went back to normal, and they breathed a collective sigh of relief, unknowing of how their world would never be the same again.
To be continued...
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