Chapter Text
One of the most common things to exist in demons was messing around. Humans who are turned get bored, get pent up, or just need something to distract themselves from their shame. It was natural, normal, and usually didn't mean anything long-term. In the 400+ years Jinu was a demon, he had lain with more men and women than he could think of. Maybe he had seen those demons again later, but he couldn't remember their faces, nor did he want to.
Those times were transactional, not romantic. The act was mechanical and followed a pattern; it didn't have care or thought put into it. It was always like that for every demon, every time. At least, Jinu thought that. Jinu was sure that nothing romantic was sparked by these interactions, for sure. Anytime he tried to engage in something more than intimacy, he was met with ridicule.
In his over 400 years of being a demon, he had learned a few things. He knew to never offend Gwi-ma, he knew to never banter with humans unless prepared, he knew to never flaunt his beauty to other demons unless prompted, but most of all—he knew that romance would never flourish in a demon's chest. No matter how many times he wanted something, someone, his shame would fester in his heart. Shame wrapped around his veins, gripping them like a vice at all times.
Jinu wanted to be rid of this pure shame, the memories that would flash in his mind at any given moment. It would haunt him for the rest of his life if he didn't get rid of them. His past misdeeds, the ones that turned him into what he was, lingered in his brain for Gwi-ma to scrape at whenever he wanted to.
It wasn't uncommon for Jinu to brainstorm ideas to make Gwi-ma erase the constant pain he was exposed to. None ever truly came to fruition, but it was nice to hope for a way out. He once thought it was never possible to provide himself with an escape, but that proved untrue when he thought of an amazing idea. An idea so perfect that it made Jinu bolt upright at the thought of it.
When Jinu proposed the idea of a K-pop group to rival the demon hunters, he had expected to get laughed at. He knew that the second he showed everyone the beauty of the demons he had gathered, they would quickly change their minds on the idea being subject to ridicule.
Abby had the muscles of a god. Mystery had an appeal to him, being, well, mysterious and quiet—no sane human wouldn't want to know what was under those large bangs. Romance had the voice of a cupid and the flirts of a succubus. Jinu thought succubus and not an incubus because there was also no way that man could ever be on top.
However, the real course was the maknae. Baby, a gently placed name on a brash man. Baby was unlike the rest of the members. Jinu had only known him from a previous hook-up. Usually, he didn't like to interact with those demons, the ones he had been with in the past. However, Jinu just couldn't think of anyone else who would fit the role that needed to be filled: a cute, lovable, youngest member that the fans would find cute and handsome at the same time. Baby fit that role perfectly; he was an amazing actor.
Baby was deliciously handsome when he needed to be. His eyes could turn a beautiful golden color with human-like pupils that acted like the moon against the sun. His eyes were usually half-lidded, but widened into their upturned, round state in times of panic or shock. Jinu would never tell anyone how he knew that. Baby's face was soft, his mouth able to morph into a deceptively adorable smile that still managed to be devious. His hair was a nice, soft teal color that made Jinu smile when he saw it. It was extremely soft and made the leader want to rake his hand through that lake of hair and keep it there. And don't get Jinu started on his body and personality.
Their first performance in the human realm was amazing, it went spectacularly. The month of practice prior to proposing the idea to Gwi-ma did pay off. Everyone was in their correct spots, they all did the choreography right, but Jinu was more focused on Baby's perfect voice and rapping. It wasn't anything weird, of course, just an interest in how naturally good Baby was. When he took the center position so casually and danced while rapping, it made Jinu a little jealous. Sure, Abby could do it too, but there was something different about the way Baby did it.
The entire band was talented, for sure. Jinu wouldn't have picked these demons if he didn't think they were. The plan would definitely work; there was no way for it not to work.
The Saja Boys, the title they gave themselves, had decided on buying a penthouse to rest in when they didn't have concerts or outings to go to. It made them feel more human. They didn't really need to feel human, but it made them all feel better.
It was a particularly quiet night, shockingly. Most of the group was lounging at the penthouse; everyone besides Jinu was relaxing. Jinu needed a moment out of the house, his head was starting to ache with responsibility. He did what he always did when he needed a break from his stuff. Jinu went to a hill in the dead of night, one that was usually occupied in the day. During nighttime, though, it was quiet and desolate.
Jinu had guessed that none of the others would follow him, they had no reason to. He went out a lot, and the demons knew that. The outdoors was his calming space. The open nature, the scent of grass, and the chirping of night birds. Everything that made the outside, the outside, that was what made Jinu go out there so often.
A shift came from behind him, the grass blades behind him parted like they were being stood in. His unnatural awareness of his surroundings made it so he could tell every single detail happening around him, down to the T. There wasn't an approach, just an appearance, meaning someone—something had to have teleported near him. Jinu perked up for a moment, but his worry quickly died down. He could tell it wasn't anyone important. The being behind him had more than 2 legs.
After a moment, a large head nudged Jinu's back, and the demon feigned surprise for the big cat's sake. Jinu turned his body, holding himself up with one hand and using the other to give the tiger a scratch on the chin. Sussie was perched on Derpy's head, as per usual. The large, blue tiger chuffed at Jinu in response.
"Hey, tiger," Jinu softly cooed at Derpy, "something important?" Jinu withdrew his hand, staring at Derpy with an expectant expression. He placed his hand on the ground before turning himself around completely to face his pet.
Derpy stared back with black eyes, doing nothing but sitting down and getting comfortable on the grass. His tail flicked, and he blinked like a frog. The demon and the tiger just stared at each other for a bit, Jinu's lips pursing as he waited for something from Derpy. It stayed that way for a bit until Sussie, still bearing the tiny hat made for Derpy, squawked out a loud noise that made Derpy open his mouth. The magpie looked smug.
The tongue of the tiger fell out of his mouth, framed by his curved tusks. It held a letter for Jinu, stuck on the slimy tongue for a second until it slowly slid down it and dropped to the floor with a wet slap. Jinu frowned at the grossness for a moment, then picked up the letter hesitantly. No matter how many times this happens, it'll always gross him out a little bit.
The letter was slick with saliva, and Jinu really didn't want to hold it for too long. He tried to wipe it off on his jacket, dry it enough to feel comfortable opening it.
Jinu opened the letter carefully, trying to ignore the strings of spit. Inside, it read:
Come home.
Love, Saja Boys.
That was anticlimactic. Jinu raised a brow at the wet paper and tossed it over his shoulder, letting worms and insects wriggle on it. Jinu didn't care if that was littering. His eyes narrowed. What could they possibly need him for? Didn't they know that he was relaxing today? Jinu stood from his spot and wiped his hands off on his jacket.
A grumble came from Jinu's throat as he readied himself to teleport. It wasn't very pleasant to teleport; in fact, it took quite a bit of energy that he didn't always have when he needed it. The purple ash spread around him, engulfing him. Jinu blinked, and suddenly he was in the large penthouse, three of the four other boys in front of him.
"'Ey, Jinu hyu—ung!" The smooth voice of Abby rang in Jinu's ears. He was lounging on the couch, his arms stretched across the back of it. His mouth was curved into a devilish smile, showing off sharp teeth. Jinu had tried to convince Abby to get rid of the fangs in his human form, but Abby refused to. And to top it off, his shirt was slightly unbuttoned near the bottom, showing off his abs.
Nearby was Romance, who always tended to be right next to Abby when he could be. Well, maybe not always, Jinu thought, but often. His eyes watched Abby, occasionally flicking to Jinu; it was like he was watching for a reaction. He was trying to keep a straight face, but the corners of his mouth kept twitching upwards.
And then there was Baby, sitting on the far end of the couch. He was staying as far away from the two older members as possible. He was leaning into the armrest, a lollipop lodged in his mouth. His eyes were narrowed as he side-eyed Abby with anger, or confusion, or some third thing that Jinu couldn't name. Jinu's eyes latched onto Baby at first, maybe it was the brightly colored hair, or attractive features, but Jinu couldn't seem to stop staring.
When Jinu was able to tear his eyes away from Baby, he sighed. "How many times have I told you? Don't call me that when we're not on stage."
"Why? Makes you feel old?" Romance chipped in. Romance's voice was possibly the second-most distinguishable of the group. It was smooth and flirty at all time, something about it made Jinu upset.
"No, not because it makes me feel old," Jinu spoke dully, "where is Mystery?" Jinu glanced around the room for the only missing member, a deep frown approaching his face. He hadn't even asked why he was called here, that should've been his first question.
Abby stretched with an unnecessarily loud moan of satisfaction. "Ol' Mystery is up in his room, pouting."
"Pouting?"
"Yeah, hyung, pouting! You know, like he always does." Abby looked so satisfied with his sentence, Jinu wanted to punch him right in the face. Did he not just tell him to stop calling him that? Whatever, whatever Mystery was doing, Jinu didn't care.
Jinu crossed his arms. His eyes found themselves on Baby again, nothing weird, but he enjoyed looking at the vibrant colors that Baby wore on himself. His carefree demeanor made him enticing. Still staring at Baby, Jinu spoke, "why am I here? Did you send the tiger just to tell me Mystery is pouting?"
Romance flicked his hair back, finally joining the conversation again. "You're the one who brought him up Jinu. We just wanted to see you again, can't we miss our hyung?" His voice was close to condescending, the word hyung falling out of his mouth like honey from a jar. Had Abby really gotten Romance to start saying that now? Jinu hated it, it's not like they were a real boy band anyway!
There was a long moment of silence as Jinu admired Baby, then shifted his glare to Abby and Romance. Jinu eventually, after what felt like another 100 years, grumbled a curse and sat down in between Abby and Baby.