Chapter Text
Abby isn't exactly a modest man. He's at least smart enough to know that, and he doesn't question it. Because, honestly, he really doubts a lot of demons out there waste their time on being humble. So, no, when thinking about the kind acts he has done in the past weeks, not a lot of things come to mind. And it’s not like he’s eager to change that.
But there's always an exception. The human world can get to you in some ways. There are bad things here, but also good ones.
But it's not a realization that makes Abby try harder. To be fair he still doesn't understand half of the things he's talking about. No, what makes him change runs skin-deep, deeper than that. It makes his heart beat faster and his pulse quicken, and he is honestly too scared to name it. It's... something related to Baby. That much is obvious. They haven't fought or anything, and it's not like the guy has even noticed the shift in Abby's demeanor yet. Nonetheless, Abby is here, laying down on his bed, in the boy band's shared apartment, thinking more than he's done in years.
Baby is not a saint, Abby is also smart enough to know that. He probably did something horrible in his past, like they all did, which led him straight where he is right now. But there's no judgment occuring in Abby's thoughts today. He was just amazed when it happened. Still is.
Baby had listened to him yesterday.
He didn't just tolerate his ranting, like most of the boys would do, but actually listened and added things to the conversation. Abby was honestly shocked when he heard the elaborate response Baby had thought about when he was just showing off like he always did. He actually asked how long Abby had trained for. And, honestly, Abby didn't even remember that, but he still gave an answer because, fairly, that made his heart skip a beat. It was like Baby was trying to get to know him. Like he was actually interested. And that made Abby feel... things.
So, no, Abby isn't going to try harder because he knows he should change for the better or some bullshit like that. He's doing it for Baby. He's doing it because lately, he has been wondering how it would feel like to run his fingers over the guy’s lips. And he's smart enough not to lie to himself about that.
—
The next day, when the boys are all around, some having breakfast and others playing video games with the new console Jinu bought for them, Abby has a fantastic idea.
There aren’t a lot of plates on the breakfast table. Coincidentally, there are only two. His and Baby’s. Jinu is not playing games like the rest, but he’s not exactly vigilant, so Abby thinks this might be the perfect opportunity to start his humble quest. Or his ‘make-Baby-like-me’ quest. Whatever, he doesn’t know what he’s calling it yet.
He has to focus on his first mission, which would be to do something kind for Baby right now. What he should do comes naturally to him because of the situation. Baby has almost finished his meal and will soon get up to clean up his plate. So, surely, it would be a good idea to do it for him.
But, as convinced as Abby knows he sounds, he’s pretty nervous. Mostly because he’s dreading the fact that Baby will notice he’s acting weird and there’s a chance he’ll ask about it. He crosses his fingers behind his back for a second and then decides to put his plan into motion either way.
He gets up from his seat.
“Let me take care of that,” he tries his best to act nonchalant as he walks over to where Baby is seated to take his now empty plate. He does, and the man just… stares at him. And there’s a very obvious feeling of inspection in his gaze.
So Abby slows his motions for a moment, tries to think harder to find something that made Baby uncomfortable, but then he stops when he sees the man’s expression shift, and hears his voice, louder than usual.
“Okay…” he states. And it makes Abby relax a bit. At least enough to let it be and take their plates to the kitchen to clean them.
He does clean them, in the end. He obviously didn’t want to, and thought about doing it later, but when Baby popped into his mind again he just couldn’t bear not to be actually sincere.
Weird.
He catches Jinu throwing him a suspicious glance, but he can’t bring himself to care. He wonders for a moment, ‘did Baby get nervous when I talked to him?’ Before shaking his head with a smile and focusing on the task at hand.
—
Predictably enough, Jinu tries to talk to him later.
It’s time for lunch, but demons don’t really have to eat that much real food, so they normally skip it. At the moment, the rest of the boys are training. Jinu is not because he’s the best singer in the group and honestly doesn’t need it, and he insisted that Abby skipped practice today too because ‘they had to talk’. The guy is not even trying to be subtle…
Either way, Abby has ended up here, perched on the railing of their balcony while Jinu looks at him with crossed arms.
“You’re acting weird”
He could’ve seen that coming.
“Weird, how?” Abby still asks because he doesn’t want to admit to what he’s planning.
“You’ve been doing Baby’s chores all day,” Jinu deadpans, and yeah, Abby probably should’ve guessed that Jinu would notice the change in his behavior. They’re close, after all. And it’s not like he planned on lying, so…
“Yeah…” He sighs, and Jinu looks at him like he’s killed his entire family.
“‘Yeah’? Would you be kind enough to explain what you mean?”
“I mean…” Abby doesn’t really know what to say now, or how to explain the situation, so he goes for the direct approach. “I’m kind of… into Baby, so–...” he is immediately stopped by Jinu’s glare.
“You’re ‘into’ him?” The leader responds, and Abby knows that’s fair. He’s not a very romantic guy, and he does usually play with people when he’s flirting, but it’s all different with Baby.
“Yeah, but it’s not like that, I swear!” Abby explains, looking like he’s in a hurry. Jinu just arches his brow.
“Right,” he says, and then sighs dramatically. “Don’t play with him, Abby. He cares about you more than you might think,” he ends up warning, and then leans on the railing too, looking more relaxed after finding out what’s going on.
But Abby’s just thinking about what he’s said. Jinu thinks Baby cares a lot about him…?
“You… think?” He asks because he honestly has to. He doesn’t want Jinu to be messing with him about this.
Jinu looks at him for a moment, and then smiles a bit.
“You’re serious, uh?” He arches his brow and chuckles. He actually answers when Abby nudges him. “Yeah, I think he does, really,” he ends up reassuring Abby, and to be honest, though the man is too busy thinking about Baby’s affection, he appreciates it.
“You think he knows I care, too?” he asks Jinu, because the leader might as well be all-knowing right now.
But Jinu shrugs.
“You know him. Not a guy with very high expectations…” He offers an explanation, looking thoughtful. “You could always do something big to show him, like writing a song or something,” he proposes, but Abby honestly cringes at the idea. It’s too much, too forward. And he’s not ready for that yet.
“That’s not my style…” He chuckles, the thought of singing for Baby making his cheeks warm up. It’s probably embarrassment…
Jinu just bursts out laughing.
“Yeah, no, it’s not your style…” he says between chuckles and giggles. And since it makes Abby feel ridiculous, now he has to pull out the big guns.
“You act cool, but I see how you look at that Huntrix girl,” he says smugly.
It does make Jinu stop laughing, now looking as embarrassed as Abby was before.
“Her name is Rumi,” he responds,sounding between angry and defeated. Abby can’t help but to laugh.
“You even knew which one of them I was talking about, that’s hilarious…”
Jinu just glares at him.
Sweet victory.