Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Baby would say he and Mystery are good friends, They've known eachother for a long time; But then again, he's known Abby and Romance for a long time too, since they were an idol group before the Saja Boys, and considering they all stuck together in the underworld before Jinu came along..

 But thats different. 

Mystery is different.. 

He makes Baby feel differently than the others do. 

Baby always shrugs it off and tells himself he's just closer to Mystery than he is the others.. or maybe its a Coincidence..

So there Baby is, sitting on the couch with his legs infront of him and his notebook filled of useless lyrics propped up ontop of them. Where are the others? Probably out shopping or.. doing something for publicity.. Baby doesn't remember what Jinu said; nor does he care. It gives Baby more time to write songs for the Saja Boys anyways.

 So he sat there, fidgeting with his pen & sometimes glancing at the penguinz0 video he put on the tv for background noise..

 "How is it this hard to write a song for an EP called Honey??" Baby asked himself with an annoyed groan. 

"Maybe you should let yourself think about the title first, Darling." Romance answered— wait— 

"ROMANCE??" Baby jumped after hearing Romance's voice, almost falling off the couch. "I thought you were with the others?!" The mint haired boy raised a brow.

 "Mm-mm." Romance shook his head, looking through the fridge to find banana milk "I was going to go," He paused to open the bottle with the bottom of his shirt "But I decided not too, since I wanted to work on getting in touch with Seijin so he can schedule a meeting with the HUNTR/X girls so we can truly discuss this collab we're doing." The heartthrob took a sip of his banana flavored beverage and went to go sit next to Baby.

"So, About this song," Romance took another drink of his banana milk "Does it have a title?" He asked, raising a brow and earning a head shake from the other in return.

 "Not yet.." The maknae sighed. "Then let's start there. What's the overall vibe you want to go for with the song?" Baby shrugged.

 "I don't know.. maybe like a.... sexy... love... song.. thats more about love than sex..?" He improvised. "Hm.." Romance thought "Insatiable? Its like a hunger for something." 

Baby nodded and wrote the word in the first line at the top. Baby clicked his pen in thought. He mumbled, trying to think of lyrics, when he did he wrote 'I'm so addicted to you' and showed Romance.

 "Thats good!" Romance responded, clapping his hands excitedly (yk how the british do) and tried to think of some as well, holding his hand out for the pen. He wrote down 'I can't control the urge' , along with 'You're so insatiable, you're so insatiable.' 

"Damn, Enz!" Baby spoke after writing down the chorus "You're a genius!" Romance (or Lorenzo) chuckled softly

 "Arent I? It's nothing we havent done before, Dear." Baby thought for a second.

 "I think you and Isaac should share the bridge, since you two have the lightest voices out of all of us?" He said while writing in the notebook. Baby wrote the verse on a seperate page, writing 'THE BRIDGE (Romance and Mystery.)' at the top line before tossing his notebook to the side.

 Romance took another sip of the banana milk "I'll text Abby and tell him to start thinking of choreo, & then I'll get started on rough sketches for our costumes.." 

The pink haired boy took out his phone and texted their group chat; Baby on the other hand, was swiping through more MoistCr1TiKaL videos, clicking on the one that seemed the most intresting. Baby picked his notebook back up and started writing the 2nd verse to insatiable. 

When the rest of the Saja boys got home, Baby and Romance were still on the couch. This time, Romance had a sketchbook and sketched out costume ideas for the music videos + promo for their upcoming EP. Baby on the other hand was watching whatever Romance put on (which, knowing Romance, was The Vampire Diaries.). 

Abby was the first out of the three boys to speak. "What the hell are they watching?" He mumbled, not expecting to get an answer and still got one from Romance. "The Vampire Diaries!" Romance got up and went to show the others his sketchbook "All while I work on sketches for our costumes based on the song Baby wrote!! What do you think??" He smiled, pushing his reading/working glasses up. The rest of the Sajas were in awe "You got that from one song??" Abby raised a brow "Enzo, those are amazing! I love them!" 

Romance blushed at Abby's praise; Jinu took the sketchbook to get a better look at the costumes, Romance took it back after Jinu was done and wrote little notes next to the sketches "I'll show Mrs. Minju the sketches in the morning.." The baby pink haired boy yawned "For now, I may rest for a bit." Romance walked to the fridge to get another bottle of banana milk, then went to his room and shut the door. 

Abby and Jinu went to their rooms as well;

That left Mystery and Baby..

Mystery sat next to Baby, who seemed to really be interested in ...The Vampire Diaries?

 "Can I see the song?" Mystery spoke. Mystery didn't talk a lot, but when he did, His voice was soft, Baby loved it.

 He could listen to Mystery talk for hours if he had too; Just to hear his voice. 

"..Lukas?" Baby snapped out of the trance Mystery unintentionally put on him. 

"Huh? Oh! Yeah! The song!!" He passed Mystery the notebook with the song written in it.

 "..Insatiable? Is it a sex song?" Mystery raised a brow, Although, Baby couldnt tell, since Mysterys bangs covered most of his face, leaving his nose and mouth. 

"It's a more of a love song than a sex song. Like 'Oh I love my partner so much, I cant be without them!!' Yknow?" Mystery nodded, before Baby had switched the page "You and Enzo share the bridge by the way." He pointed to their names, Romance's being written in pink, and Mystery's being written in purple. "I mean, you two are going to have seperate lines too, I just haven't gotten that far yet."

 Mystery nodded "It's pretty good so far, its for the EP, right?" "Yeah, I may write one more.." Baby replied with a yawn, setting his notebook to the side. "Jesus I'm tired" He streched out on the couch. "What did you and the others even do while me and Enzo were here?" Mystery moved to sit next to Baby's head and looked down at him. "Just some like.. public stuff." 

Oh, so thats what it was.

 "We also signed a few autographs." It sounded boring when Jinu said it, like really boring. But when Mystery said it, It didnt seem half bad. 

Maybe because Baby doesn't like Jinu as much as he likes Mystery. The two of them talked for hours, until they both eventually fell asleep; Then came morning. 

In the morning, Baby woke up to fimd himself still on the couch. He got up and stretched, looking around. Everything looked good so far.. 

Then he looked down.

It turns out, Baby and Mystery both fell asleep on the couch and just didn't realize it! And god, did Mystery look good while he slept.. 

He slept facing away from Baby. There wasn't a blanket, and mystery did look cold, so Baby went into his room and grabbed a blanket from his closet to put around Mystery's body. 

He sat back down and just stared for a little, not noticing the pink forming on his cheeks.

 He debated on leaving, which he really wanted to do, but he also really didnt want to leave Mystery like that. 

So he stayed. He stayed long enough to hear Mystery wake up (finally.. sometimes Baby forgets that Mystery is a sleeper).

 "..What time is it..?" Mystery said softly, his morning voice a little deeper than Baby's normal voice, Baby forgets that Mystery's voice is deep in the morning, but he finds it attractive. 

Not in a gay way, because thats not gay.

 "Uh.. 11:25." Baby answered, debating on telling Mystery about them both falling asleep on the couch, he decided to anyways 

"Turns out we both fell asleep on the couch...!" He smiled nervously, getting a concered look (which baby could not see, besides the frown) from Mystery. 

"..Oh.." was all Mystery said in return. then it was just Awkward silence... 

Awkward silence until Romance came out of his room. 

"Okay!! So I talked with Seijin last night!" The heartthrob spoke excitedly "And he said we would have our meeting with HUNTR/X tomorrow!!" 

Oh. HUNTR/X.. Greattttt..

chapter 1~ 

Chapter Text

Baby doesn't have an opinion on the HUNTR/X girls. 

Many fans had asked him and he's just said 'They're cool I guess.' or 'I like their music.' 

The most common thing he gets asked is 'Will you and Zoey do a rap battle??' 

and honestly, he hates that question.

Not that he doesnt think it wouldn't be fun, or that he finds Zoey annoying (he kinda does.), its just that the question is so repetitive. And he gives the same answer, 

"I dunno..."

Now that they're actually doing a few collab songs to go with the Saja's EP, they were having frequent collaboration events. 

'Fansign this day'

'mini performance the next'

'interview the day after'

.. Thankfully, today is just a meeting. 

The HUNTR/X penthouse is tall. Obviously taller than the Saja Boys penthouse. Baby thinks its because they debuted after HUNTR/X, as the Saja Boys anyways.

 Baby looked up at the skyscraper of a building. 'How could someone need so much house???' He thought. 

While they went up the elevator to the main area (which felt like forever..), Baby noticed Mystery was getting tense, more tense than usual. Conveniently, Mystery was right next to him; So he tapped him on the shoulder 

"You good, Isaac?" Baby spoke softly, it took a few seconds for Mystery to reply.

It didnt feel like seconds though. It felt like minutes, hours even. Baby just wanted to know why. 

"...Yeah.. I'm fine I guess.." Mystery finally answered after a few seconds, as if he was actually thinking about it. "Just nervous.." 

Nervous? Oh wait.. yeah.. probably because Mystery doesn't talk a lot to anyone that isn't Baby or the rest of the Sajas, and he BARELY talks to Jinu.. 

Not because he doesn't want to, Obviously. 

He just prefers to be silent, and Baby and the rest of the Sajas are fine with that. 

Baby is the most fine with that though. 

The elevator isnt all that big, I mean it was made for three people, and there are 6 in there right now. (Baby, Mystery, Romance, Abby, Jinu and Manager Seijin..)

 So it's a little cramped.. but Baby doesn't mind.

After what feels like an eternity, the Sajas and Manager Seijin finally get to top of the HUNTR/X penthouse. For some reason, its bigger on the inside...? Whatever.. 

As they walked in, the HUNTR/X girls' manager, Bobby came to greet them. 

"Saja Boys!! What an honor to have you here, and what an honor to finally collab with you!!" Yeah.. Baby always thought Bobby was more...enthusiastic.. than Seijin was. 

He recalls seeing him in an idol group a few years ago.. he doesn't remember what it was called though. 

"You boys can sit on the couch while I tell the girls you're here!!" 

And they do as their told. Baby sits next to Mystery, Abby with Romance, and Jinu's... probably waiting on Rumi. 

The girls come out after maybe five minutes? Rumi sits next to Jinu (yeah, he was most definitely waiting on Rumi.), Mira sits far far away from any of the Sajas, Baby thinks its because she still doesn't trust them or something.. and Zoey sits on the opposite side of Mystery, giggling. Mystery smiles in return. 

Oh. Right, Zoey has a not-so-secret crush on Mystery.. Baby forgot about that. 

Not that he's jealous or anything!! 

Or that he likes Mystery. 

He just.. finds it weird.

 Zoeys a sweet girl & all, but she's kinda annoying, Shes nice to talk to, and her rap style is cool, but that's about it. 

"Baby??" Romance looks at him with a raised brow. "..Uh.. what?" Baby shot back. 

"The notebook?? With the song in it??" Romance glared.

 Oh right. The notebook.. 

Baby passed the Notebook to Mystery, who passes it to Zoey, who passes it to Abby, who finally passes it to Romance. 

"The song's called 'Insatiable'! Baby wrote it." Romance passed the notebook to Rumi.

 "The lyrics are cool, nice job, Baby!" She praised. "Uh huh.." Baby seemed distracted by the fact that Zoey was looking at Mystery the same way she looked at him at the first fansigning.

 The same one where Baby gave her that side eye, The side eye that went viral. Not that he's ashamed or anything. He'll do it again. And he did. This time, he made sure nobody caught it.

They planned the song for a few hours, then decided to take a break. Romance was sketching the costumes for the HUNTR/X girls for the Insatiable video, Abby was watching and complaining about how Romance should actually take a break instead of overworking himself like he always does, Jinu and Rumi were talking about God knows what.. Mira made some coffee or something, Zoey was talking to Mystery, who would respond with small nods,

and Baby was just watching, silently judging Zoey. 

Just Zoey. 

Baby didn't even mind that he felt a little cold, the 'hatred' for Zoey kept him warm. 

It wasnt even hatred, how could he hate her?? She's such an angel.. But then again, Baby thinks it would be easier if she was dead or something..

 It was actually not that hard to get along with the HUNTR/X girls, including Zoey. But something in Baby hated how she talked to Mystery, how she giggled when Mystery was around, he just hated everything she did around Mystery, and he didnt know why..

 He wants Mystery to be happy, obviously; Just not with Zoey.. or anyone except him, platonically and not in a gay way...

 He looked at Zoey with a harsh glare, the tension between the three growing thicker by the second. 

Romance noticed this and passed the sketchbook to Zoey to distract her "What do you think of these so far?? I can add or change anything if you'd like." 

Zoey glanced at the sketchbook in awe "These are amazing!! I love them!!" 

She got up and went to go show the girls, which gave Romance an excuse to raise a brow at Baby, who gave a shrug in return.

 Soon enough, they got back to planning. Baby actually tried to pay attention to whatever Rumi had to say, but it was a little hard since he couldn't help but notice a small smile tugging on Mystery's mouth. 

Baby thought it was the most attractive smile he's ever seen... As a compliment, though. Not in a gay way, because he's not gay! 

His eyes flicker from Rumi and whatever shes saying, and Mysterys attractive-but-not-in-a-gay-way smile. He could stare at Mysterys smile for hours, days if he had the chance!

 "..Baby...?" Abby called out. 

"...What?..." Baby glanced around at the group. 

"How do you want me and Mystery to divide our verse??" Zoey said next, with a small smile on her face.

 Baby hated how he made Mystery and Zoey share a verse.. But it's what worked.

The fans ship Zoey and Mystery, like a lot.. they call them Zoeystery, and the song is about love, So whatever makes the fans happy. 

Happy fans, Happy money or whatever HUNTR/X said.

 Baby didn't care how they split the verses, but that didn't mean he liked the fact that their fans ship them.

 Like he was jealous or something.. (He's not, he's not gay.)

 "I don't care, do what you want." Baby said as he got up from the couch. "I'm gonna take five again. I'll be back." 

He walked over to the elevator, pushing the button to go down stairs.

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Baby kicked the gravel as he walked slowly. He thought about how he saw Zoey and Mystery, 

He wished he were Zoey at that point, just so Mystery would do those things with him.

 Baby hates how he knows everything about Mystery, how he subconsciously notices stupid little details, how irritating it is that Baby notices and knows every stupid little thing about Mystery and his beautiful, perfectly dewy face. 

Not in a gay way.. 

Baby groaned in annoyance as he crossed his arms and sat in a random corner. He thought about how stupid this is. Zoey and Mystery?? They're not even cute together.. 

Mira, Romance and Abby made a little bit of sense, but thats because Romance and Abby already acted like they were dating, or atleast crushing on eachother. 

"Lukas!!?? Are you alright, Love??"

Speak of the devil..

 Baby heard Romance's voice and poked his head out of wherever he was sitting 

"There you are! You said you would take five, but its been half an hour!! What's wrong?" Romance walked closer to Baby, grimacing when he realized he was sitting on bare gravel. 

Romance reached out a hand to help Baby up, but of course, he wouldnt take it. "Nothing, I just wanted to get some air & lost track of time, thats all." Baby replied with a subtle glare.

 "You seemed awfully pissed in the penthouse though. Whats on your mind?" Romance crouched down to Baby, making sure not to get anything on his clothes. 

Baby bit the inside of his cheek "Its nothing, its just.. Don't you think Zoey's being a little too touchy with Isaac?" Baby asked, raising a brow 

"No? She's barely touched him, Luke.." Baby shook his head after Romance's reply. "No.. not literally touchy, but like.. the giggling and talking and stuff." "Oh.. Still no though..,"

 Romance raised a brow "Why do you care..?"  

Baby furrowed his brows at that "I don't. I just don't like seeing Zoey with Mystery. It rubs me the wrong way I guess.."

 He glanced around at the things around him, until Romance interrupted him. "Are you jealous..?" No?? 

He was NOT jealous. "No! I'm not jealous. That would be gay and guess what?? I'm not gay!" 

Romance snickered at that. "You don't have to like someone to be jealous of the person theyre talking to."

 Something had to click in Romance's head.. or the hairdye got to his brain.

 "You like Isaac!!" 

Baby scrambled to cover his hyung's mouth "I do not!! Dont say shit like that outloud, dude!"

 Romance glared at Baby, moving his hand. "Okay, since we're doing this, I saw the way you were looking at Isaac's face, We had to call your name HUNDREDS of times because you were looking at Isaac—,"

 "—I was not—" 

"—Do not interrupt me." Romance frowned at Baby, getting an eye roll from in return. 

"You stayed out here for half an hour just so you wouldn't have to see Zoey and Isaac." 

Damn, He's good at reading people. 

"Oh, and you swore you 'werent gay' when I asked if you were jealous of Zoey." 

Baby thought about it. He was kinda jealous of Zoey.. More than kinda.. sorta very? But that doesnt mean he likes Mystery! 

"I just.. Don't like the fact that our fanbases ship them. See with you, Barrett, and Mira, It makes sense, because you and Barrett act like you have some crazy crush on eachother." 

Romance scoffed at that "We do not! We act like normal friends who value one another's time." He crossed his arms with a small blush. 

"Normal friends dont hold and kiss eachothers hands, Enzo.." Baby replied with a shit eating grin. 

"You're not funny." Romance glared. "This isn't about Barrett and I anyways.. Its about you and Isaac." The pink haired boy frowned "You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to, but I'm here if you need to. Now get up so we can go back inside, its dark and there are most certainly bugs around." 

Romance held out a hand for Baby to grab, he took it and got pulled up. They spent the rest of the walk (+elevator ride) talking about useless subjects and jokes.

chapter 2 ~

Chapter Text

"You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to, but I'm here if you do." 

Those works stuck to Baby like glue..

They came back from the HUNTR/X penthouse a few hours ago. It was now 11:30 and Baby could not stop thinking about what Romance had said. Baby's on his bed, not being able to sleep, because hes actually thinking about what Romance said and what he feels for Mystery.

 He couldn't like him.. that would be gay; And Baby isn't gay. Not that theres anything wrong with being gay, Romance is gay! Baby just isn't. 

He tossed and turned, but sleep just wouldnt claim his consciousness, So he just lies there. He lies there and shuts his eyes, and tries to sleep, but his mind kept shifting back to Mystery. 

Mystery and his beautiful, dewy, symmetrical face.

 Mystery and his attractive-and-not-in-a-gay-way smile.

 Mystery and his soft (but deep in the morning) voice.

 Mystery, and his lips on Baby's—

what.

 Baby sat up, What was he thinking?? Whatever. He turned the flashlight on his phone on and looked for the tv remote. Maybe watching YouTube would distract him from whatever he was feeling, so he put on MoistCr1TiKaL again.

 Somehow, that didnt make the situation any better. Mystery kept popping up in Baby's thoughts, he imagined Mystery's head being on his shoulder while they both watched YouTube and those corny rom-coms Mystery liked.. 

Which actually didn't seem like a bad idea. 

No! He- ugh. 

He fell back onto his bed and let out a loud aggravated groan. He decided to get up and splash water on his face.

He went into his bathroom and turned on the sink, splashing water on himself. He looked into the mirror, watching the water droplets cascade down his face. 

What was wrong with him?? Why was he thinking of Mystery so often??

 It's like his brain had a crush on him (His BRAIN not himself, Baby isn't gay.) 

"Stupid brain.." He frowned as he went back into his bedroom. He thought about getting a snack, but he remembered the other Sajas were most likely asleep. Like he should be, but of course, Baby couldn't sleep because he was thinking of Mystery. Stupid, Gorgeous, Pretty,— 

Stop. Mystery. Just Mystery. Nothing else, just Mystery.

 He looked at the wall, his Sonic poster from that one collab the Sajas did staring back at him. 

He then looked at the other wall, a line of Polaroids he's taken with the guys. 

Baby's eyes immediately darted at the one with just Mystery. He threw his pillow over his face and groaned into it. 

"Stupid brain! Stupid! Stupid!!" He said while hitting himself with the pillow. 

He glanced at his phone, debating on texting Romance, After like 3 minutes, he grabbed his phone and typed out

' are you awake??' 

Baby sighed, there was no way he would get a reply at 11:55 at night—

'Unfortunately. Whats wrong?'

Nevermind.. Baby glanced at his nails and noticed that his nail polish was a little chipped, so he typed out..

'uhh i think im ready to talk 🥀.. also can you redo my nails?? 🙏🏼'

'We'll see, just knock.'

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Baby sighed as he climbed out of bed. He paused the MoistCr1TiKaL video and walked out of his room. 

Luckily, Romance's room was only a hallway down, past the kitchen, so Baby could grab a snack if he wanted to; And he did, he grabbed a piece of mochi from the fridge and continued his walk to Romances room.

It wasnt long before he reached it, He was just hesitant to knock.

 He didn't know why, he was just going to talk to Romance about feelings and stuff.. ew. 

Baby wasn't one to usually talk about feelings, but he knew he had to do it, because if he doesn't, those thoughts about Mystery and— just mystery; Nothing else.

Those thoughts about Mystery wouldn't go away.

 So he knocked on Romance's door and stepped back. He took a second to think about it. Maybe it was a bad idea?? Maybe his brain's crush on Mystery will wear off!! Maybe— 

"Come in!!" Romance whispered.

 Maybe Baby should just go inside.. 

He opened the door to find Romance sitting at his vanity mirror, his hair in a ponytail. "One moment, I'm getting colors." He glanced at Baby through the mirror "You do want blue, right?"

 "Uh.. yeah.." Baby nodded and sat at the foot of Romance's bed "So.. Enzo.." Baby started awkwardly "I thought about what you said.." 

"I can see." Romance grabbed nail polish bottles, cotton balls and remover and gestured for Baby to sit where he's sitting. 

Baby did what he was told and gave his left hand to Romance, who had moved to a chair next to him. 

"Uh.. I think my brain has a crush on Isaac." Baby said, sounding dead serious.

 "What?? Pff— What do you mean 'your brain has a crush on Isaac'??" Romance took a cotton ball with nail polish remover on it and started wiping the old nail polish off Baby's nails "Thats ridiculous." 

Baby frowned "I'm serious, man! I can't stop thinking about him.. Its like, my brain wont shut up about him!!" 

Romance rolled his eyes and put the cotton ball to the side, wiping Baby's nails with a paper towel. "Uh huh.. and what makes you think that??"

 "I guess I just can't stop thinking about him, and his stupid, pretty face." Baby looked at his hands "..Is this what you felt like with Barrett?" 

Romance thought for a second "Uh.. I suppose?"

 The heartthrob paused, biting the inside of his cheek as if he were thinking hard. 

"Barrett and I just.. happened, Its not like we're officially an Item.. we just are. I mean, we definitely talked about it, yes. Just, no label.. yet." Romance shrugged and grabbed clear nail polish and started applying the first coat, occasionally blowing on Baby's nails. 

Baby himself didn't get it, but whatever worked. "Hey, Ro?" He hesitated before opening his mouth again..

"Is it gay if I think Isaac's pretty?"

Romance thought for a second. A long one. 

"..That depends.." was all he said.

Well?? Depends on what???

"Depends on what, Enz?" Baby frowned. "Am I gay or not??"

Romance laughed softly "That's not something I can tell you."

"What, so do I just go on Dr. Phill now??" Baby deadpanned, his frown deepening. He rolled his eyes. Sometimes, Romance just made no sense. I mean he talks like he's Rarity from My Little Pony, but still.

"No, Luka. No one can tell you what you feel except yourself." Romance shook his head and placed Baby's left hand on the vanity, gesturing for his right and started the proccess over again.

"That doesn't make any sense!" Baby sighed. It made perfect sense, Baby was just stubborn. "Can't you just help me out a little??" 

"Well If I'm being honest, I think you have a crush on Isaac, not just your brain" Romance spoke softly, not looking up from Baby's nails. "It's hard to understand at first, but you'll get it eventually." 

"But I'm not gay—" 

Baby got cut off.

"Its not gay to like someone, Lukas." Romance applied a clear coat of nail polish to Baby's nails

"I know!! Its just.. Isaac.. He's .. I don’t know.. his face—.. ugh." He sighed in frustration, no word seemed to be right when describing Mystery, it was both frustrating and intriguing in a way that Baby didn’t quite understand. "He makes me—.." Baby almost brung his hands to his face, until Romance caught them.

"You're so sad, its adorable." Romance smiled and placed both Baby's hands onto the table "You don't have to put a label on yourself, Luka." He paused, trying to think of the right way to say this "You just—.. Give it time.. And the answer should come to you."

"..Hypothetically.." Baby paused. "And going off what you said, if I thought I had a crush on Isaac, how would I know..?" He raised a brow

"Do you want to go out with him?"

"Yea.."

"Do you want to be in a relationship with him?"

"Maybe.."

"How long have you felt like that?"

"A long time. Since like 1MORE.."

Maybe it was a bad idea to bring up their old group..

"Lukas?"

"Enzo."

"You probably like Isaac."

"I know.."

The room went quiet after that. Not willingly, Baby was just afraid to say anything, So he just watched Romance paint his nails baby blue.

"How would I get..Isaac.. to.. like me back..?" Baby finally spoke in a hesitant tone.

"Well that depends.. Barrett and I just kept flirting until we happened. But that might not work with Isaac, so I'm not sure.." Romance replied, blowing on Baby's nails.

"I— Uh.. I could spend time with him! Just him & me??" Baby laughed nervously "..But how would I do that.."

Silence filled the room yet again, This time, Romance broke it.

"Ooh! Ooh! While you were 'taking five again', Jinu invited the HUNTR/X girls over for a picnic! You can talk to Isaac then!!" 

"Yeah but he's probably gonna wanna stay with Zoey.. You see the way she looks at him!" Baby frowned

"That doesn't necessarily mean he likes her back, Darling." Romance glanced up from Baby's hand, applying one more clear coat to both hands.

"I know, but it still hurts.." Baby sighed and leaned 

"It's going to hurt for a little bit, Lukas. That's part of having a crush." Romance put the bottles of nail polish, nail polish remover and the cotton balls away. Getting up and sitting on his bed, gesturing for Baby to sit next to him.

Baby complied and moved a pillow "Yeah, but.. its weird. I've liked girls for like— ALL my life, Its weird liking a guy for the first time.."

"I know. Now which movie do you wanna watch??" Romance grabbed the remote and started scrolling through the movies

"Can we watch South Park??" Baby suggested

"Fine." Romance clicked South Park and turned on the most recent episode.

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A few hours later, Romance was fast asleep, but Baby was still wide awake. 

"Hey Enz?" He looked over his shoulder. "Right.." Baby got up and left Romance's room. Texting him when he got back to his own.

'thanks 4 everything man'

And when he got into his bed, he unpaused the MoistCr1TiKaL video and finally fell asleep.

chapter 3 ~

Chapter Text

The picnic was the week after Baby and Romance's 'evaluation'. Honestly, Baby hadn't eaten since last night, So he was obviously starving.

He had told himself he was going to talk to Mystery about his feelings before then, and he did.

He didn't.. He chickened out and told himself he was just hyping himself up.. wow..

Its not his fault, He's pretty sure Romance was scared to talk to Abby before they...happened.

But this is different. Romance knew he was gay. Baby didnt even know he liked guys.

And thats okay!!

He just has to keep telling himself that.

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Its warm outside, but not cold enough for Baby's disliking. He doesn't care.

He's hungry.

The spread for the picnic is of a few korean dishes, some of Baby's favorites.

Which coincidentally, are also some of Rumi's favorites.

Yeah.. this was definitely Jinu's idea.

Theres Beef Bulgogi, Tteokbokki, some dishes Baby doesn't really care about, Rice, Hwache,

Baby could not wait to get his hands on the Hwache.

But first, he had to wait for the rest of the guys.. and HUNTR/X. Right now, it was just him and Jinu.

So he waited.

Romance came first, dressed in some fancy but casual blouse Baby didnt know the name of, He also didn't look too thrilled about sitting on the ground.. Baby noticed he curled his hair at the ends.

After Romance, came Abby. Who wore matching colors to his...boyfriend..? I dont know, Romance said they didn't have a label.

Then it was Mira, who was wearing a light or pastel green (Baby doesn't know the difference..) top thing with a white skirt. 

Then it was Rumi, the one who Jinu must've had some sort of crush on. She was wearing what Mira was wearing, but in light or pastel pink.

Then it was Zoey, Who had on the same thing as the rest of the HUNTR/X girls, but in light or pastel blue.

Then it was Mystery. Who actually had one of his eyes pulled to the side, so you could see his.. purple eyes..? Baby couldve sworn they were brown. It doesnt matter. He looked beautiful, shimmery, gor—

Nevermind. Baby watches as everyone took their seats, sitting in the same order they sat at the meeting, Baby sits next to Mystery, Zoey sitting next to Mystery (Why is he not shocked..) Abby with Romance, and Jinu with Rumi. This time, Mira sat next to Zoey.

"Can we eat now?? I'm starving." Baby said, grabbing a biscuit and taking a bite

And yet, Jinu didn't answer, he was too busy talking to Rumi.. He didnt notice, but the rest of the Saja's were glaring at him.

"..Right.." Abby reached for a piece of Tteokbokki, splitting it with Romance.

Baby noticed that Mystery was really quiet, Like more than usual. But Baby was fine with that.. 

Baby reached for a glass and finally poured himself hwache, and continued to people watch.

Jinu was talking with Rumi, Abby and Romance were flirting like it was their first language, Zoey and Mira were joking and eating fruit sandwiches, And Mystery was gone.

Baby did a double take. He looked to where Mystery was sitting, then to the opposite side. Where did he go in such a short time frame??

Obviously, Baby was curious, so he grabbed a fruit sandwich and went to go look for him.

"... Baby..? Where are you going??" Asked Romance

"Uhh.. on a walk..I’ll.. be back later.” Baby mumbled, his eyes looking around for Mystery, whether it be instinctively or not, he didn’t know. “Just stay here, alright?” He didn’t wait for a response or anything, he just started walking to where he thought mystery might be

Mystery always said he liked the sound of the water, and Baby believes it. Everytime they go to a chinese restaurant, one of the Sajas has to drag Mystery away from the fish pond/tank.

So theres no way Mystery isn't there.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Baby was obviously right. Mystery was on the ground, infront of a lake, watching; Or just sitting there.. it was hard to tell under his bangs since he took the hairclip out.

"What're you doing, dude?" Baby spoke softly, as to not startle Mystery. Mystery shushed him in return.

"Listen." Mystery patted the ground next to him for Baby to sit at, and Baby did.

But Baby didn't hear anything.

"Listen for what?? All I hear is water." Baby raised a brow, Mystery just nodded.

"Thats the point." Mystery didn't take his eyes off the water once.

"Why are you not at the picnic..?" Baby furrowed his brows "There's like, everything you've said you've been craving or whatever."

"I know." Mystery replied "I just felt weird just sitting there and not talking.."

But his girlfriend was right beside him..?

"Dude.. your girlfriend was at the picnic..??" Baby actually wondered how much Mystery could see under his bangs.

"I have a girlfriend..?" Mystery said, throwing a rock into the lake

Is he stupid..?

"Zoey??" Baby frowned, looking at Mystery, but mystery didn't look back

" Zoey and I aren't dating." Was all Mystery said back.

"Well you act like it! She's so touchy with you, and She talks to you non-stop, and giggles like an annoying school gir—"

"Zoey and I aren't dating." Mystery repeated, more in a comforting way, than an aggravated way. It was relieving to hear anyway.

"..Cool.." Baby nodded nervously, swallowing whatever sentence he wanted to say next.

"You're anxious about something.." Mystery suddenly changed the subject.

That caught Baby off guard. "I am??" Baby knew the answer was yes. He was anxious about Zoey, and Mystery, and Zoey liking Mystery.

"Yes." Mystery nodded "Is it about that boy you like?"

.

"How the fuck do you know about that?!" Baby frowned. He would've panicked if he wasn't nonchalant.

"I heard you and Enzo talking about it last week.." Mystery grabbed another rock and threw in into the lake

Oh. Well shit. 

"..Do you know who it is..?" Baby nervously asked

"No." Mystery smiled softly "I support you two though."

"I'm not sure if he likes *me*.." 

"Why not?"

Baby sighed "Its just.. I don’t know.." 

"Then why do you think he doesn't like you, if you don't have a reason?" Mystery looked at Baby, taking his eyes off the water for the first time.

A beat. Then Baby answered.

"I don't—"

"—There's nothing to not like about you anyway, the only semi-bad thing about you is that you're stubborn as shit." Mystery shrugged.

"I am not— Oh." Maybe he is stubborn

"Not like it's a bad thing anyway, you just don't like to listen sometimes." Mystery raised a brow "Why are you even out here anyway? Shouldn't you be at the picnic??"

Oh fuck make up an excuse..

"I— Uhm— It got boring.." Baby nodded nervously. 

"I'm not boring to you..?" Baby noticed Mystery fidgeting with his hairclip

'Far from it..' Baby thought

"No, Not actually.." And Baby swore he saw Mysterys mouth shape into that smile he loved so much

"Thanks, Luke." Mystery's expression turned into its regular state, Baby wished he could see the smile for longer

"Why isn't Zoey here with you..?" Baby kicked his legs back and forth, looking into the lake 

"I come here to think mainly, so I usually dont bring company." Mystery replied after a few seconds

"Oh fuck! Sorry! I can leave—" Baby started to get up, but Mystery grabbed his hand.

His hands are soft, almost as soft as his hair. Baby did not want to let go.

"Stay." Mystery (probably) looked Baby dead in the eyes. "It's fine, I promise."

So he stayed.

He stayed and talked with Mystery, the both of them not noticing how many hours have went by of them just talking and joking with eachother.

He stayed and talked with Mystery like it was the only thing keeping him alive. 

He stayed and talked with Mystery until the other Sajas came looking for them both

"There you two are! We've been looking for you everywhere." Jinu glared at the both of them, mostly at Baby

Romance looked heartbroken at the fact that their was dirt on his fancy-but-casual blouse that baby didnt know the name of. But baby noticed that his gaze softened at the site of seeing that Baby and Mystery were okay.

Or maybe he was teasing him.

Abby was teasing Romance for being upset about the dirt on his shirt and reassured him that everyone had dirt on their shirts.

"Are you two alright?? You've been gone for hours!" Romance pushed past Jinu and sat on his knees next to the two boys by the lake, not noticing the dirt collecting on his pants.

"We're fine.." Mystery answered before Baby had got the chance. "Just lost track of time."

"Yeah.." Baby nodded and checked the time.

8:20 pm, they started the picnic at eleven. 

"Jesus.." The maknae stared at the time

"It's fine, don't worry about it." Abby held out his hand for Mystery, and Romance doing the same for Baby.

"Can we go back inside? I'm hungry." Baby spoke after getting up. 

"You skipped the picnic to look for Mystery." Jinu frowned at Baby, getting a glare in return.

"My bad for wanting to know if my friend is safe." Baby rolled his eyes and playfully nudged Mystery, Mystery smiling slightly as they walked back to the penthouse 

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

The next morning was like every morning. 

Jinu, making breakfast.

Romance, brushing his hair.

Mystery, reading a book.

Abby, figuring out what to put on for the Sajas to watch while they eat.

And Baby, who was sitting at the island and playing Cookie Run.

Today was their off day.

The day before the start of their promotion for HCNEY starts, before they take their hiatus.

Baby can't wait for a whole month of couch and TV.

Until Jinu got a call..

"Hello..?" He answered.

"Mhm.."

"...Oh.."

"Yes, Yes.. Of course. Goodbye."

The Sajas all looked at Jinu.

"Who was that?" Romance raised a brow, his hands still on the brush that brushed his pink hair.

"Seijin, we have an interview today." Jinu groaned and looked back at the pancake batter.

"Oh come on! We were supposed to chill today! Go to the bathhouse! Do something that isn't—work related!" Baby frowned and put his phone down.

"I know, I know, there's nothing we can do now though." Jinu poured some pancake batter into the frying pan.

"Right as I was contemplating going back to sleep.." Romance finally set his brush down on the coffee table. "Im never going to make it through this interview!!"

Abby ran a finger through Romance's neatly brushed hair "We probably have a few hours before we're supposed to show up anyways, Enzo. You can sleep for a couple more hours."

Mystery closed his book "I think we should all go back to sleep after we eat." He spoke, getting an 'Agreed!' in unison from the others.

So they do. They eat breakfast and go back to sleep until an hour and a half before it's time to leave.

Romance was blow drying his hair while doing his skincare routine, 

Abby was choosing which shirt to wear,

Mystery was debating on wearing his hairclip to show off his face before ultimately deciding to wear it without showing his face.

Jinu was writing a list of questions the interviewer might ask. 

and Baby, Baby was trying to decide how to style his hair, going with putting his hair up with a claw clip (that he may or may not have stolen from Romance).

Baby grabbed one more snack before the Sajas all headed to the van.

chapter 4 ~

Chapter Text

The drive to the set was most certainly not quiet. The boys talked about everything! They clowned Romance and Abby, they made fun of Jinu for being old, everything!

Everything except work.

The Saja Boys thought it was weird to talk about work around eachother, so they didnt.

The drive was about an hour and some change, But no one was paying attention. They were all too busy clowning eachother or calling Jinu unc.

Baby sat in the back with Romance and Mystery, Romance was fixing Baby's hair like a mother would.

"Enzo! Cut it out!!" Baby whined, trying to swat Romance's hands away and getting a scoff in return.

"I'm trying to get something out of your hair." Romance rolled his eyes and got whatever was in Baby's hair out, & showed him. "See? We can't have your hair messed up on live TV." He then opened his compact mirror to check himself.

Baby sighed and glanced at Mystery; He looked beautiful, his hair was pulled up, leaving the bangs that covered his face. Baby loved those bangs, he could stare at them for hours.

Baby continued to look out his window; He didn't realize how far theyve actually driven out. Last time Baby had checked, 

They were in the city. They're in the countryside.

"Are we there yet!? We've been in this car for like 4 days!!" Baby complained

"We still have a little while left, dear." Romance had said as he fixed his mascara. 

Baby rolled his eyes, not fully paying attention to what Romance had said

Not because he didn't want to, (actually, partially because he didnt want to.) but because he felt his eyelids getting heavier and heavier..

Until he fell asleep.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

The studio was big, but not that big.

The show host greeted them with a smile. "Saja Boys! Its an honor to have you with us today!"

Romance took the initiative to answer. "The honor is all ours, dear! The Saja Boys are very happy to be here." He gestured at the other sajas, who responded by hitting their poses they always do when they enter a room.

Baby couldnt give one fuck, he was more concerned about how much couch time he would have once this whole interview thing was done with. He was still peeved that this just had to happen on their off day.

Not that the others werent, Baby could tell they were.

Baby was the only one that showed it.

They were escorted to their dressing rooms to fix their hair and makeup. Baby always dislikes this part; Something about having a million people touch your hair gave him the ick.

Once their hair was done, The host had showed them to the set and instructed them to sit on the couch in order from eldest to youngest. So it was Jinu, then Abby, then Romance, then Mystery, then Baby. They had to come up with a lie for jinus age, and everyone agreed on him being 24.

The couch was surprisingly comfy. Compared to the other interview couches they've sat on, Baby favorited this one. Mainly because the pillows were pretty colors.

The interview wasn't anything special, just some random questions they each took turns answering

'What's it like working with your ex-rival group??'

"It took some time getting used to..," Answered Abby. "But we're getting along pretty well."

'Did you expect getting your fame so quickly??'

"Honestly, No." Romance spoke, his tone genuine. "We're insanely grateful for each and every member of the pride, we wouldn't be here if it werent for you guys!" He blew a kiss to the camera, the live audience swooning.

'For Jinu, What gave you the idea to form the Saja Boys?.."

"Well, it wasn't an overnight decision." Jinu lied. It was literally an overnight thing. "It took years of planning," Now hes pushing it.. "Not to mention the hundreds of auditions. I didn't want just anyone to be in the Saja Boys."

The host nodded. Baby couldn't believe the host was naive enough to think any of that was true.

Then it was Mystery's turn.

But Baby couldn't hear the question that was asked because he was too busy zoning out, he didnt know how much longer he could take of this interview.

"Baby..?" The host raised a brow

"Oh— Huh?"

"Anyway..." The host looked at his notepad "We know how the Saja Boys and HUNTR/X had a rivalry in the past," he started "We also know how both your fanbases match you guys; Mystery with Zoey," Mystery nodded slightly "Romance and Abby with Mira," Abby put his hand on Romance's thigh, earning a glare in return. "And Jinu with Rumi." Jinu blushed softly "How does it feel being the only one without a match?" 

"Uhh.." Baby blinked. Romance nudged him. "Its— not that bad... It helps with sales, I guess." It was actually pretty annoying to see Zoey and Mystery being shipped. Golden retriever x black cat.. sooo original.. 

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

A few hours later, they finally left and went home.

Baby sat on his bed, penguinz0 on the TV as always. 

His eyes darted to his wall of pictures of him and the guys. 

He looked at a picture of him and Abby after the MAMA awards.

He looked at a picture of him, Jinu, and Romance in their Pajamas, during one of their 'sleepovers' that they have once a month.

And then there was Mystery..

The picture of him and Mystery was taken right after the opening night of their first tour. Mystery had pulled back his hair since they were off stage, and he looked adorable. Baby could stare at that picture for hours and hours, just looking at Mystery—

Baby heard a loud sound, almost of a growl, but only a sound the Honmoon could make.

He looked out his window to see a small pink area in the normally blue(ish) shield.

"Shit.." He mumbled under his breath, going out of his room. He turned the light on in the living room to see if any of the guys were awake, or heard the sound too. 

Of course, no one was there. Baby just had to hope and pray that the other sajas had teleported to the crack, as he was about to do.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Baby teleported infront of where the crack was; In an alleyway, a few blocks away from their penthouse. He summoned his ppyeom-chang and held it infront of him before going into the alleyway.

This is pathetic. He shouldn't have to clean up the mess the HUNTR/X girls are responsible for. This was THEIR Honmoon that the Saja Boys helped to seal, out of the kindness of their heart (it was a vote. Baby lost 4:1 🥀)

And the Hunters can't even keep the Honmoon alive for 6 months.

Baby walked farther into the alley, looking for any sight of another crack, or demons. Realistically, the demons are probably here to rip his (if not the rest of the group's) head off. He still thinks this Jinu's proposal to help the hunter girls was stupid.

I mean, it's nothing he hasn't done before. The Sajas (Abby, Romance, Mystery and Baby) were hunters before Gwi-Ma reached them. So it was pretty easy for them. 

Baby took a left, his violet iridescent weapon glowing lightly. Everything looked fine so far, He could just teleport back home—

"Ow!" Baby ran into something and fell, his weapon disintegrating.

Rather.. someone.

Baby looked up at whoever he bumped into. "What the hell—" he paused.

"Enzo..?" 

"Goodness— Im so sorry— ..Lukas..?" Romance responded "We've been wondering when you were going to show up." Romance helped Baby up.

"What the hell are you talking about? The Honmoon made that noise like 10 minutes ago.." Baby frowned, summoning his staff again.

"No, love. It's been doing that for half an hour." Romance fanned himself with one of his two mudang fans.

Oh..? Maybe he spent longer staring at that picture of Mystery for longer than he thought.

"Whatever." Baby rolled his eyes and started walking again, Romance following after. "Has anything happened yet? Demons specifically?"

Romance shook his head. "Nothing yet, Jinu, Abby and Myst are all over there. I stayed back just in case." 

Baby looked around for any sight of demons, or more tears. Maybe he was being paranoid, but something felt off. 

Today was just weird.

And the worst part?

Baby barely got any couch time.

chapter 5 ~