Jade Fern Grove [m] and the walls kept tumbling down in the city that we love

he doesn't expect the rejection. it makes sense, of course; the sounds of the storm register distantly after a few beats, and he remembers that his habit of ignoring such weather isn't shared by everyone. likely for the best. but it hurts. it's such a little thing, but it stings just enough to be the last straw — just enough to break him. okay, the tears start then, sliding down his cheeks no matter how hard he tries to keep them from falling past tightly-closed eyelids.