Chapter Text
Rumi glanced back to the couch once more. It was obvious to her how little the quietest of the Saja boys got out of the house, or spent any time with anyone. "I can always do this later when the other girls get home-"
Baby rolled his eyes, sticking his thumb into the crease of his book and halfway closing it to stare down the Huntrix leader. "I'll be fine." He grumbled. He knows the only name he had anymore was Baby, but that didn't make him one. "Not all of us need constant companionship."
"If you say so.." Rumi sighed. She knew not everyone was a social butterfly, but she doubted it was good, even for a demon, to never have Any socializing. "I'm a call away-"
Baby groaned, pointedly sitting up from where he reclined and pulling out earbuds to drown her out with.
Rumi frowned but took the hint, leaving to go visit her mother's grave.
Baby sighed in relief, putting the earbuds back up. Moving in with the Huntrix was not an idea he was entirely on board with. He couldn't deny it was the only one they really had. It's not like they had real jobs to get their own place with. And since the band was just to get souls, they rarely bothered making money from it either.
Even so, Baby held a firm grudge against Mystery for daring to suggest and convince the others to ask the Huntrix of all people for help.
It's not that he hated the girls. They were... Fine. None of them were particularly annoying. No, what made Baby dread moving in was the awful flirting. He couldn't go more than an hour without running into Zoey drooling, or Abby and Romance trying to woo Mira. At least when it was only Rumi home, he didn't have to deal with kissy faces and doe eyes. Unless he brought up Jinu. Or Gwi-Ma. Or swords.
Baby shook his head. He didn't mind when everyone was preoccupied. It gave him time to breathe from the constant reminder that he was the afterthought. He always had been. Even now, as a Saja Boy, he felt like he was only included to round out the numbers. Like, really. Baby? What kind of band roll was that? What was he even expected to do??
He wasn't sure if Jinu was trying to be ironic because of Baby's deeper tones. Or if he just had no other ideas so assigned him the made up title of "youngest", despite none of them even actually remembering their ages. Baby's roll ended up amounting mostly to keeping himself busy with lollipops, so he wouldn't mouth off or say something inappropriate around the fans. Innocent and Naive wasn't exactly a trait inherent to demons.
Baby sighed to himself, returning to his reading. No, he didn't mind the alone time. At least when on his own, he wasn't having to play up to a role he'd never chosen. It didn't surprise him once everyone started pairing- or tripling- off, he was again the afterthought. Sitting on the sidelines by himself.
He wasn't sure why it bothered him. There's no one he'd want to date anyways. Fans would expect him to live up to his namesake. If someone wasn't a fan, they'd pry too deep into his name, his history, things he couldn't ever tell them. If they weren't put off from his nail polish and makeup to start with.
Baby groaned, bookmarking his page to rub his face in exhaustion. Gwi-Ma wasn't in his head anymore, and he still couldn't escape the constant worries and doubts. The constant reminder that he was just the extra, the spare, there only to round things out without actually being on anyone's minds.
Baby sighed and got up. He wouldn't get any reading done until his brain stopped trying to send him back to hell. He abandoned the book and headed for his room to grab his polish kit. A new color always helped him to feel better.
Baby had just settled on a color combo when he heard the door opening. He tensed, glancing out of the corner of his eye. He knew they were safe here. That Rumi had convinced the others that they were prisoners, not monsters. He could never shake the fear they'd one day change their minds. It's not like the boys' wouldn't have earned it.
Baby blinked a bit in shock to not see a face where he expected, glancing a bit further down he spotted the manager of the band letting himself in. He relaxed. This one wasn't a safety hazard.
"Alright, good news! The repairs will be done in time for the Comeback-" Bobby glanced around, realizing the penthouse was far too quiet.
Baby gave a snort. "Rumi went to see her mother."
"Oh- Is she okay?"
Baby gave a shrug. "Seemed to be."
Bobby nodded. "Zoey?"
"On a date." Baby turned back to his colors, trying to decide a pattern now.
"Mira?"
"At the bathhouse to avoid the pink duo. And they're out trying to find some gift she'd like."
"Oh... I'll just text them the news then-"
"Eh, wait a bit. You know how Rumi is, she'll cut her visit short to come handle final preparations."
Bobby gave a chuckle, putting his phone away. "You're probably right... I'll tell them at dinner."
Baby gave a nod, leaning back to clean the old color off his nails.
Bobby tilted his head slightly. "Just here by yourself then, huh?"
"Nothing new." Baby gave a shrug.
"Really?" Bobby came over, leaning over the back of the couch to see what he was doing.
"I don't really go out much. Not used to having down time."
Bobby gave a chuckle. "I can relate to that. The girls keep me on my toes with the band schedule. It's been nice having some time off. Guess I can thank you boys for that."
Baby raised a brow, glancing to the man. "Us?"
"I'm sure if the girls' weren't helping you all settle back in to life, they'd have cut their hiatus short and gotten right back to work."
"Do they do anything besides work?" Baby shook his head, focusing back on his nails.
"Of course they do. They just also enjoy their work so don't mind doing it more often than most."
"What about you?" Baby glanced to him once more.
"Oh, I take spa days when I can. Catch up on my shows when I can."
"Do your nails?" Baby offered, finding himself enjoying getting to talk to someone who wasn't crush crazy.
"Occasionally." Bobby chuckled.
"No, want me to do yours? I already have my kit out. And sounds like you have time until the girls get home."
Bobby considered this and gave a nod, circling around to join Baby on the couch. "Got a nude tone? I tend to keep it simple."
"I have black?" Baby gave a shrug. "Otherwise, only vibrant colors."
Bobby chuckled. "Black it is."
Baby nodded, grabbing his file to clean up any rough edges on the other man's hands.
"You know, I'm usually on the go so much, I can't remember the last time I just sat down and talked." Bobby admitted.
Baby glanced up, chest aching at the familiar isolation. "Surrounded by people and still usually alone."
"Oh- Well, I wouldn't say that- I talk with the girls-"
"About things besides work?"
"Well- No. I'm their manager. Need to keep things at least a bit professional."
Baby gave a nod. "My bandmates- Former? Bandmates- Whatever we count as now, are pretty busy with... Everything. Lately- It makes sense." Baby sighed. "It's all shiny and new. They'll get over it and calm down eventually. Still. Usually ends up just my books and me around here."
"Oh, what do you read?"
Baby gave a shrug and a sly smirk. "I don't think that'd be professional of me to mention right now."
Bobby laughed at that, shaking his head. "Hey, I'm off the clock while the girls are busy."
Baby snickered, giving a nod. "Fair enough." He grabbed his black polish, giving it a shake since it'd been awhile since he used it.
Bobby rolled his eyes to realize he wasn't going to get an answer on the book. "You're pretty good at this. You could totally open a shop-"
"I am not sure a former 'dead' pop star opening a nail salon would go well." Baby laughed. "I don't want to get too known again, anyways. I don't want him to find me."
Bobby's smile turned a bit sad. "You're safe here."
Baby chuckled. It wasn't worth the air to explain how he's not. "You've been handling all of this remarkably well for a mortal."
"Thank you?..." Bobby hoped that was a compliment. "It did make a lot of the odd comments and lyrics the girls have make more sense."
"Fair enough." He chuckled, leaning down to really focus on Bobby's nails as he began to paint. "I'm surprised you're not scared of me, of us. After everything."
Bobby gave a shrug, getting his arm swatted at.
"Sit still." Baby scolded.
Bobby laughed, trying not to shake his hands as he did. "Sorry-" He shook his head. "It was a bit nerve wracking at first. Hearing the truth, and that you all were staying here. But then I think of how easily I got swayed into it all..." Bobby leaned back a bit, staring out the large windows. "Even before the Idol Awards, I'd kept finding myself doubting if I was doing enough, or too much? Rumi losing her voice really scared me. I worried it was my fault. That I overbooked them... I figure- If even I can get swayed into following the doubts that easy... Well, who am I to judge you boys? I'm sure you all had your reasons."
Baby sat silently, painting carefully. He was very aware of how warm Bobby's palm was in his own as he held it steady. It had been so long since anyone had spoken to him, about him, with such kindness. Such care. It made his chest ache, on the border between painful and warm.
"Sorry- Did I overstep?" The silence worried Bobby.
Baby cleared his throat. "No- No, you're fine. Just- It's just an adjustment. Being here. Being free..."
"I bet." Bobby squeezed his hand slightly. "If I can do anything-"
"You're busy enough as it is. I don't want to add to your workload."
"I'm not offering as a manager. I'm offering as a friend."
Baby froze at that, eyes stinging with the threat of tears. Friend. He never really even had those when he was human. Not until he met his boys- The same ones running off busy with the girls.
"Are you alright, uh- Erm-"
Baby snorted. "Yeah.. Baby's an awkward name, huh?"
"Is it... really? Your name??"
Baby shrugged, resuming his painting. "It probably wasn't back when I was human. I don't remember that one anymore... Baby's all I have now."
Bobby gave a slow nod. "Can I... just call you B?"
"That works." Baby smiled, capping the polish. "Done."
Bobby let out a whistle, looking his nails over. "That is crisp and clean. I'm never going to my usual salon again."
Baby's face went a bit warm at the praise. Also foreign. He didn't have blood to flush his face anymore. But his mind still remembered the sensation. A phantom blush, a lingering memory of living. "It's just a flat color." He gave a shrug, picking up his hot pink and electric blue to start on his own.
Bobby chuckled, blowing on his nails to help them dry. He watched as Baby started on his own nails, fascinated by the dedicated precision.
Baby glanced over, feeling his face heat up once more to be the center of attention. "What shows do you watch?"
"Hm?- Oh, lots really. More of a big stakes kind of story over slice of life usually. Never expected to end up LIVING in one."
Baby laughed a bit at that. "Thrill seeker, huh?"
"Oh, not really." He chuckled. "Slice of life ones just aren't about a type of life I'm used to. It ends up feeling a bit..."
"Isolating?" Baby glanced up in understanding. "A world you just, don't belong to."
"Yeah, a bit." Bobby nodded.
Baby grinned. "You want to try painting mine?"
"Oh- I don't want to mess them up."
"Oh, come on. Always time to learn something new." Baby straightened up, handing the polish to his companion. "I can always fix it if it's a disaster."
"I don't know.."
"Got anything better to do right now?"
Bobby considered this and chuckled, taking the polish. "I warned you."
Baby chuckled, resting his hand on Bobby's knee. He'd forgotten how warm living beings were. How nice being warm felt. He fought the urge to move closer. Maybe the other boys weren't as insane as he thought.
Bobby gave a soft huh of surprise, but didn't comment on the odd temperature free sensation. He didn't even seem bothered or uncomfortable from it. He simply set to work trying to apply the base coat of colors. "Do you still have your powers?"
Baby relaxed, leaning forward slightly. "I haven't tried. Low profile and all."
"Fair enough." Bobby nodded. "You made this look so easy."
"Just lots of practice." Baby shrugged. "Got a favorite show right now?"
"Oh, yeah." Bobby beamed. "I'm currently watching one about two sisters whose family got ripped apart by a civil war caused by their city's government neglecting it's less fortunate people."
Baby gave an intrigued huh. "I wouldn't mind watching that with you... If you wanted."
"I could stand to start from the beginning." Bobby nodded. "I've forgotten some of the finer details after- Alllll of that mess."
Baby laughed. "Maybe if your tastes pass my judgement, I'll lend you a few books."
"Oh, really?" Bobby laughed, shaking his head. "I'm honored."
"Mmm, you should be." Baby joked, smiling wide.
"Do you boys have phones? I could give you my number and, anytime you have some idle down time, I can see about swinging by for shows and manicures."
Baby hated how easily his feelings went from indifference to fluttering. He didn't want to be a drooling buffoon like the others. Still, he nodded.
Bobby chuckled, pausing his painting to change colors.
Baby took the moment to grab his phone from the table. It was nothing fancy, but it worked for emergency calls (And for Huntrix to track them, he was sure.) and texting. He carefully added Bobby's number, trying to force the butterflies to go away.
Bobby grinned and leaned back, holding up a peace sign with his newly painted nails. "For a contact photo."
"Right..." Baby chuckled, snapping the picture and saving it. "You know where to find me when you get idle time yourself."
Bobby nodded, reaching for Baby's other hand to paint it.
Baby tensed slightly, then remembered they were still doing manicures. He took deep breaths. Get a grip! "You're doing pretty good, you know."
"Really? It's not as straight as your work-"
"Neither am I." He laughed. "It works."
Bobby snorted at that, shaking his head.
Baby tilted his head slightly, unsure if the faint dusting of pink was a blush, or if Baby's cold hands were starting to give him chills. "Sorry- I can't be comfortable to hold for a long period of time."
"Oh, you're fine." Bobby scoffed. "I tend to run a bit warm anyways, as often as I'm wearing suit jackets and what not. Kinda nice to have a cool down."
Baby gave a stiff nod, sure if it could, his own face would now match his sweater.
"What are you two doing?" Mira snorted, a mix of amused and baffled, a hint of concern. She was still suspicious of the demons around normal humans.
Both boys jumped up, startled by the intrusion. Baby narrowed his eyes, nails elongating slightly into sharp points in defense. He hadn't even heard her come in.
Bobby laughed slightly, holding his chest in relief to just see it's Mira. "Oh, hey. I was just waiting on you girls to get home."
Mira glanced between the pair, brow raised.
Baby could feel her stare burning into him. It made his skin crawl in danger.
Bobby glanced up to Baby. "Sorry- I smeared that last stroke pretty bad-"
Baby's face burnt hot enough he could feel it on his ears to realize that the other man only came up to around his shoulders. He could just, lean over and rest his chin on top of his head so easily. The realization he wanted to felt like a burning coal in his gut.
Mira's tone turned more confused and slightly uncomfortable than amused. "Did I... interrupt something?"
Baby's hands flew to his face at remembering he wasn't alone. He couldn't be lost in thoughts like this. When he lowered them, he was back in his bedroom. Guess he had his powers after all. Baby glanced to the pink streak that was jolted up his middle finger. He groaned and covered his face once more, slumping to the floor. He couldn't even fix it until he was willing to brave the living space once more.
When he finally sucked his emotions up enough to creep his door open, he blinked in surprise to find his nail kit neatly packed up and placed by his door, along with his book and phone. Baby knelt down and picked his things up, spotting a piece of paper sticking out from the book.
Baby shut and locked his door before risking grabbing the note.
We can idle at my place next time? -Bobby
Baby's face warmed once more, a smile on his lips. He unlocked his phone and sent a brief text. "Thanks. -B."
Baby sat back on his bed, setting out his kit to finish his nails and fix the smudge across his skin. He smiled to himself, adding black detailing on top of the colors. He smiled to the note, considering where he could tuck it to keep it safe but hidden from his house mates. He was too thoughtful to just toss away.