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The world knew SajaBoys as legends.
They were five faces plastered on billboards the size of buildings, five voices that sold out stadiums in minutes, and five demon slayers who, quite literally, had saved the world more times than their fans would ever know, all while smiling for cameras and waving their hands gracefully.
Their names were Jinu, Baby, Mystery, Romance, and Abby.
Together, they were untouchable.
But individually?
Absolute menaces.
And right now, those menaces are sprawled across the living room floor of their shared penthouse half-asleep with limbs tangled in ways that defied anatomy.
“This,” Baby announced solemnly as he layed flat on his back with a pillow covering his face, “is what peace feels like.”
Mystery hummed thoughtfully from the his perch on the couch, upside down might I add, with even the legs draped over the armrest.
“We have no schedules, choreography practice, and even emergency summoning circles.”
Romance who was sitting perfectly upright at the dining table with sunglasses still on despite the fact that it was 8 a.m. indoors decided then to pipe up.
“I refuse to believe this is real. Gwi-Ma doesn’t give days off.”
On the other hand, Jinu stood near the window with coffee in hand as he stared out at the city like a man who had stared death in the face and won.... and yet still looked utterly exhausted.
“It’s real,” he finally said quietly, “I checked the schedule three times.”
His words made Baby gasp dramatically.
“So you’re saying… no interviews?”
“No fan calls?” Mystery asked, but added in a more quiet voice, “Not that I'd hate those...”
'I can see Zoey there afterall.'
“No sudden demon incursions?” Romance added with a raised skeptical brow.
'Though Mira may be there too, so it's not a real lost.'
They were only snapped out of their thoughts when a hesitant Jinu replied to them.
“…Okay, maybe one demon incursion,” Jinu finally admitted, before he hastily added when he saw the others' faces fall, “But Gwi-Ma said it was ‘minor’.”
Still, everyone groaned despite his best efforts to comfort them.
Well, except Abby that is.
The almost forgotten Abby by the narrator (joke) was currently leaning against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed as he watched Jinu with a smile that was far too fond for a simple bandmate.
“A whole day off,” Abby said slowly, his eyes sparkling slightly in mischief and teasing with a bit of a dash (make that a lot) of excitement. “Just with us?”
Jinu didn’t even turn around to know.
Or more like, he didn’t need to as he could already feel the attention boring into the back of his head.
His ears, traitors that they were, burned red anyway.
“Just us,” he replied in agreement, his voice carefully neutral, like this was a completely normal sentence to say and not a social grenade lobbed into the middle of the living room.
There was a half-second of silence before Baby sat bolt upright so fast the pillow slid off his face and hit the floor.
“Absolutely not.”
Romance’s head then snapped up with his finger already pointing like he’d been waiting for this moment his entire life. His grin was wide and knowing as he yelled.
“I knew it! The vibes were suspicious!”
Mystery, on the other hand, merely narrowed his eyes as his gaze flickered between Jinu and Abby like he was watching two criminals who had made the fatal mistake of being too smug.
“Are you two...” he started before continuing hesitantly, “plotting something...?”
Jinu finally turned around, shoulders slumping just a little.
“We’re not plotting.”
Abby, meanwhile, merely looked delighted. The bastard, really, smh smh.
Tho, the moment his grin suddenly widened, Jinu already had a feeling that this guy will add fuel to the fire.
“We’re dating.”
And he wasn't fucking wrong as the words landed and echoed in the living room, leaving silence to swallow the room whole.
Fortunately, our adorable shayla(me lol) decided to be the hero and shatter the stunned silence.
“I FUCKING KNEW IT!” Baby screeched as he leapt to his feet and pointed wildly, even though he had, in fact, known it for months and had once written I told you so in the group chat at 3 a.m.
And he even won the bet with Rumi! These idiots couldn't even wait till the end of year to reveal it.
Heh, he's now a million won richer.
Thank you, hyungs *bows deeply in gratitude*
Romance pinched the bridge of his nose like this revelation had physically shortened his lifespan.
“You could have at least pretended to be subtle.”
'Yeah, as subtle as you checking Mira out last time.'
Mystery tilted his head causing his bangs to momentarily part revealing an expression that was painfully earnest.
“You’re terrible liars. The way you look at each other is… disgusting.”
'Says you?! The way you look at Zoey?! Bro??'
Yet, unfazed by their outbursts, Abby merely laughed and slung an arm around Jinu’s shoulders and pulled him in without hesitation to his side.
“Jealousy doesn’t suit you.”
'Heh, I'm not like you single dogs.'
Jinu stiffened for exactly half a second before giving up entirely. He cleared his throat as he tried and failed to look like a man in control of the situation.
“Anyway, Abby and I are going out today.”
His words once again caused the rest of the members to stare at them.
“Outside?”
“Yes.”
“In public?”
“…Yes?”
“With people?”
“…Well, technically, yes.”
His answers made Baby make a distressed noise as launched himself upright like he was about to physically block the door.
“You can’t just go on a date.”
Abby raised an unimpressed brow at him.
“Watch us.”
“Stop it,” Jinu chastised as he slapped his arm, “don't add fuel, you dumbass,” before he lifted his hands placatingly to the others, stepping in like the responsible leader he is.
“We’ll be careful.”
Yet Mystery simply stared at them with the haunted look of someone recalling a traumatic memory.
“You said that last time. You held hands in a convenience store.”
“In my defense,” Abby chimed in easily, “he tripped.”
“I did not trip!” Jinu protested immediately.
“You absolutely tripped.”
“I– there was a–”
Yet again, before he could say another word, Baby had already clutched his chest dramatically.
“Do you have any idea how fast fans can recognize Jinu-hyung’s left eyebrow?”
That caused Jinu to promptly freeze in his tracks.
“…My what?”
“Your left eyebrow,” Baby said in a deadly serious voice. “it’s honestly expressive, I'm not gonna lie.”
Jinu stared at him speechless, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry with that.
Romance stood on the side, calmly smoothing his jacket he walked over slowly towards the pair.
“Disguises, you will wear disguises.”
Mystery nodded solemnly in agreement, then started ticking points off on his fingers as he listed off the things the two will need.
“Hats, masks, sunglasses, no matching clothes, and absolutely no pet names.”
That immediately made Jinu and Abby exchanged a long look.
“…What about slightly matching clothes?” Abby asked tentatively.
“No.”
“Accidentally?”
“No.”
“Spiritually?”
“NO!”
Abby then just smiled innocently.
“We’ll behave.”
“We trust the Leader but not you, you damned flamingo!” the three yelled simultaneously.
An hour later, the penthouse had descended into absolute anarchy.
It was the kind of chaos that could only be achieved by five people who had fought demons together and somehow still didn’t trust each other with basic life decisions.
Baby was now seen sprinting across the living room with wild eyes as a lint roller was held aloft like it was a divine weapon.
“YOU CAN’T GO OUT WITH CAT HAIR ON YOUR JACKET!”
Abby dodged him effortlessly as he spun out of reach with the grace of someone whose job description literally included lead dancer.
“It’s fashion,” he quipped back as he continued hopping onto the couch to avoid capture from grabby baby hands.
“That’s not fashion, that’s a disaster!”
And across the room, away from the mess done by the two children, Romance had taken control of Jinu’s face.
And quite literally at that.
He shoved a pair of oversized sunglasses onto Jinu’s nose and adjusted them.
“No eye contact,” Romance said sharply. “ever, you hear me?”
Jinu, in response, frowned behind the lenses.
“That defeats the purpose of eyes.”
Romance leaned in close to his face, his voice deadly serious as he emphasized his words.
“DO YOU WANT TO TREND??”
That made Jinu immediately shut his mouth.
Meanwhile, Mystery then appeared at Abby’s side like a helpful ghost and placed a hat into his hands.
“This one wards off recognition.”
Abby looked down at it, before raising it up again. His expression conflicted as he looked at the usually quiet Mystery before him.
“…This is a pink bucket hat.”
“Yes,” Mystery nodded solemnly in agreement. “it’s cursed.”
Instantly, Abby let out an amused snort before pulling it on his head.
“Perfect.”
Jinu, who was now finally free from Romance’s grip, subconsciously reached out without thinking, his fingers brushing toward Abby’s hand like it was muscle memory.
It was Romance who reacted instantly as he instantly slapped Jinu’s hand away with the speed and precision of a professional assassin.
Which he sorta is, ngl.
“NO HOLDING HANDS!!!”
Jinu recoiled like he’d been electrocuted and was about to take a hesitant step back, yet Abby simply bursted out laughing and reached out his own hand instead, thus stopping Jinu in his tracks, then gently brushed his thumb over the slapped part of the ravenette's hand to silently comfort him.
Seeing this, Romance got ready to enact the hand of justice once more.
Yet, it was Abby who still remained unruffled by the executioner as he simply raised the unoccupied hand in surrender, half-heartedly placating the other pinkette. However, he refused to let go of the hand comforting Jinu.
“Relax,” he said smoothly, “we’ve survived worse.”
And so, Romance had no choice but to let the offenders go. It seems that the work of law enforcers is going to be tough going forward.
But then, there was a flash of turquoise in the peripheral vision, and they turned their heads towards the wall in unison.
Only to see Baby, who now kneeling on the floor in defeat, stared up at them with hollow eyes. His voice that came out of him was so unlike him that the others had no choice but to pay attention to him.
“Have you?” he asked rather weakly. “Because fans are scarier than demons by a lot.”
'Brother, just what have you gone through to look like that?' is the collective subconscious thought of the rest.
Still, his words made Jinu pause and consider it.
“…he’s not entirely wrong,” he finally agreed after a while.
With that, Abby now had no choice but to agree too since his beloved said so.
He's the type who'll believe Jinu even if the other said the Earth is shaped like a screw.
And so, disguises it is.
Eventually, finally breathes out the narrator, the chaos slowed into a stop.
The pair of disastrous couple now gathered near the front door with the aftermath of battle scattered behind them. There were lint rollers abandoned, hats swapped and re-swapped, and various masks pulled into place.
Jinu and Abby stood side by side, disguised enough to maybe, possibly pass as two normal people instead of globally famous idols and secret demon hunters.
Jinu adjusted his mask before glancing sideways.
“You ready?”
Abby leaned in just a little in response, close enough that Jinu could hear him clearly beneath the noise of his own heartbeat.
“You nervous, leader?”
“Only about one thing.”
That caused Abby to raise an eyebrow in curiousity.
“Oh?”
“You,” Jinu let out, yet the small genuine smile at the corners of his lips says otherwise.
And for a heartbeat, Abby’s grin softened into something warm.
“Good,” he smirked back. “because I plan to be a problem.”
However, before Jinu could say anything, it was Baby's voice from the living room that shouted to them.
“IF YOU GET CAUGHT, I’M PRETENDING I DON’T KNOW YOU!!”
“If you trend, I’m suing and disowning you,” Romance added coolly from the side with Mystery who simply waved from the couch.
“Bring back snacks~”
Jinu shook his head in exasperation before nodding as he turned to open the door.
And with that, along with far too much teasing encouragement(Mystery), several dramatic warnings(Baby), and one even shouting 'don’t hold hands!'(Romance), the two of them finally set off.
Their destination was intentionally simple. It was just a normal walk in a park, in a city that was only a bus stop away.
It was normal and low-key.
At least, that was the plan.
Jinu adjusted his mask as they stepped out onto the sidewalk, the city stretching out before them in all its familiar noise.
Abby walked beside him with his hands tucked casually into his jacket pockets, posture relaxed in a way that screamed not suspicious at all.
They were dressed down to the T with hats pulled low, sunglasses hiding their eyes, and masks covering half their faces. To anyone passing by, they were just another pair of people enjoying a free afternoon.
Normal non-fan people that is, but eh, ignorance is bliss.
“We look ridiculous,” Abby began cheerfully, causing Jinu to glance at his reflection in a shop window.
“…You’re wearing a pink bucket hat,” he voiced out skeptically.
“It’s cursed,” Abby replied seriously. “Mystery said so.”
“That doesn’t help your case.”
Abby bumped his shoulder lightly as they walked.
“Relax, no one’s looking at us.”
Jinu very deliberately did not look at the group of teenagers passing by.
“That’s what you said last time.”
“And we survived,” Abby still pointed out, stubbornly insisting his view of it. “barely traumatized.”
They reached the bus stop together, now standing a little too close without realizing it. The bus rumbled into view, its brakes hissing as it pulled up.
And for a moment, Jinu hesitated.
Riding the bus felt… strangely intimate.
It felt mundane, something from a life before the fame, before the demons, and before the world had decided their faces were public property.
“We don’t have to,” he said quietly.
Yet, when he looked at Abby beside him, he could somehow see the soft expression behind the mask and sunglasses.
“I want to.”
And so they did.
They sat side by side with their shoulders brushing every time the bus swayed as the city passed by in flashes of color and motion.
Abby leaned back in his seat with a relaxed air about him, while Jinu watched the streets with something like fond nostalgia.
“Remember when we used to do this all the time?” Abby whispered softly.
That caused Jinu to smile faintly.
“Back when we were trainees? Before Baby decided public transport was a health hazard?”
“And before Romance started carrying hand sanitizer like a weapon,” Abby nodded his head in agreement, but then he tilted his head and the voice that came out next was gentler.
“Before all of this.”
It was Jinu this time who nodded.
Unknowingly, the bus stop came too soon as they talked and reminisced with each other.
They got off and walked the rest of the way until green swallowed concrete and Seoul Forest Park opened up before them with its wide paths, tall trees, and sunlight filtering through leaves.
Jinu let out a slow breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding before texting Gwi-Ma a quick update.
We’re here. You don’t need to pick us up. We’ll go back the same way.
Amazingly, he reply came almost immediately. As if the other was waiting specifically for them.
GWI-MA:
Be careful, don't do anything stupid, and call if anything happens.
Jinu could practically hear the sigh behind the message.
Gwi-Ma had been hard to placate, but after Jinu promised him a cruise vacation with his boyfriend Bobby, they were let go with just several stern warnings and a long look that said 'please don’t make me regret this'.
He decided to trust them. Or, well, at least trusting that they wouldn’t set something on fire.
Anyway, they spent the afternoon wandering without any real destination.
The paths curved and split and rejoined beneath their feet, shaded by tall trees whose leaves rustled softly whenever the breeze passed through.
Sometimes they walked side by side in the comfortable silence and sometimes Abby would veer off suddenly, tugging Jinu along because 'oh my god, look at that'.
They also laughed at things that barely qualified as jokes.
Abby pointed out every dog they passed, the big ones, the small ones, and the most especially fluffy ones. While Jinu countered by pointing out birds perched on railings or hopping through the grass.
“That one’s been staring at you for a while,” Jinu noted with a smirk.
Abby squinted at the magpie perched above him, before letting out an offended huff.
“It's judging my hat.”
Jinu laughed heartily at that.
Later, they paused near the food stands, arguing in hushed voices about which smelled better between the sweet pastries and the grilled skewers, before ultimately buying nothing and walking away still bickering.
Then, at some point, the crowds thinned.
And that was when the deer appeared.
It seemed they've wandered close to the corral without knowing.
The deer wandered closer without fear with its hooves light against the ground, its eyes calm and curious as it walked closer towards them. They moved among the people like they belonged there just as much as anyone else.
Abby promptly froze in his steps, before his eyes lighting up in excitement. He turned towards the ravenette beside him, and instantly, Jinu knew what he wanted.
“Jinu.”
“No.”
“Jinuuuuu.”
“We are not–”
Alas, it was too late.
As just a few minutes later, Abby was now already crouching and holding out feed with a grin so bright it could’ve powered the stage lights on its own.
He looked absolutely delighted, like this was the best decision he’d made all day.
The nearest deer hesitated for a moment, it's head tilted in thought, before finally deciding to humor the human and stepping closer.
Jinu thought it'll end there. Only to be surly mistaken when another followed, and another.
Jinu watched dumbfounded from where he stood, as Abby was slowly drowned in deer fans.
Of course Abby would do this. Of course he’d kneel in the dirt without a second thought, with his smile wide and open and completely himself.
That was one of the things he loved about him after all.
“You’re unbelievable,” Jinu let out helplessly.
Yet, he joined him anyway.
They fed the deer together and laughed softly when one nudged too insistently or tried to steal more than its share. One particularly bold deer even leaned in, causing Abby to wobble in his crouch.
“Hey–!”
Jinu reacted without thinking as his hand caught Abby’s arm to steady him. Abby wqs unphased as he simply laughed and even leaned into the touch.
Jinu had to stop to stare at the other as the sun began to dip and spill light on Abby through the trees in soft gold, turning his visage hazy and unreal.
For a moment, he forgot the promises he made to the others as an irresistible urge to kiss the dummy beside him senseless surged.
Fortunately, his reason went back online before he could do something disastrous. Yet, the look Abby gave him after said that he too understands.
Oh deer, a crisis was just averted.
(If they continue later in the safety of their room, who's to say no?)
They were wholly relaxed.
That, more than anything else, was what startled Jinu when he later thought back on it.
They walked hand in hand(Romance felt forces disturbing the air) through rows of flowers with fingers comfortably intertwined like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The park had quieted as evening crept in, the lantern lights started flickering on one by one, and petals glowed faintly under the soft illumination.
Abby hummed under his breath and occasionally swinging their joined hands just to feel the movement, and Jinu just let him have his fun.
“Look at this one,” Abby suddenly said, before tugging him closer to a cluster of flowers, “it’s shaped weird.”
“That’s because it’s wilted.”
“It has character.”
Jinu snorted at that, smiling despite himself.
“You say that about everything.”
“Including you,” Abby cheekily responds, his hand squeezing slightly playfully.
They lingered longer than planned and let time slip by unnoticed.
But eventually, the sky had deepened into indigo and the air cooling just enough to raise goosebumps along Jinu’s arms.
“Alright,” Jinu said reluctantly as glanced up at the darkening sky, “we should head back, have dinner, and rest. Being responsible adults who have work tomorrow.”
“Ugh, I hate that phrase,” Abby grumbled out.
They were just turning towards the exit when suddenly–
Rain came down heavily all at once and soaked the path within seconds.
“Oh come on,” Abby groaned as the first cold drops splattered against his hat. Jinu yelped when water hit the back of his neck.
“Run!”
And with that, they bolted.
Their shoes splashed against the pavement, and clothes dampening almost instantly as they sprinted toward the bus stop, yet they continued laughing breathlessly between curses and near-slips.
By the time they reached shelter, both were damp with hair sticking out at odd angles beneath their hats.
Jinu bent over, his hands on his knees as he caught his breath.
“Okay, that’s… fine. We’ll just take the bus back.”
Abby took that at his cue to glance at the posted schedule. However, what he saw mae him blink continuosly and lean closer in disbelief.
“…Jinu.”
“What?” he asked curiously, unconsciously straightening at the serious voice of the other.
“There aren’t any more buses.”
“What do you mean, any more?” Jinu frowned in confusion as he stepped closer.
Seeing his doubt, Abby simply pointed at the notice taped to the sign already speckled with rain.
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF SERVICES – STRIKE IN EFFECT
They both stared at the notice, so much so that it might burn from how intense it is.
“…Oh,” Jinu finally let out slowly.
It hit them at the same time that they had absolutely not checked the news because they were too busy blissfully escaping their lives for a day.
“…That’s on us,” Abby finally admitted.
Jinu rubbed his face in frustration.
“That’s very on us.”
Yet still, the rain continued to pour relentlessly without any regards to the poor sods stuck at a bus stop.
“It’s fine,” Jinu then let out cheerfully as he started reaching for his phone. “I’ll just call Gwi-Ma.”
He unlocked the screen of his phone. Or rather, tried to, as the screen stubbornly stayed black.
Jinu pressed the button again, but the results was still the same–
Absolutely nothing.
“…No,” he whispered desperately. He plugged it into hope alone, and yet it continued to betray him as there was still nothing in response.
The phone was dead. He had too much fun taking photos and videos of Abby that he hadn't noticed.
'I knew I shouldn't have just brought my wallet and phone!!'
He should have listened to Baby.
But seriously, what straight man brings a bag on a date?
Oh wait, he's not straight. Not at all.
And so, Jinu lifted his head slowly in resignation before looking at Abby as if he's the last stray of hope in this situation.
“Can I use your phone?”
Abby promptly froze for a few seconds before smiling sheepishly.
“…So,” Abby began carefully, his eyes slowly averting to the side making Jinu narrow his eyes in suspicion.
“Abby.”
“I may or may not have… left it in our room.”
There was a beat of silence between them.
“You what.”
“I wanted today to be uninterrupted,” Abby said, before shrugging like this was perfectly reasonable. “such as no calls and no sudden emergencies. Just us and the two of us.”
Jinu stared at him, utterly dumbfounded in his confidence to go out without one.
“You,” Jinu said slowly, “intentionally left your phone behind.”
“Yes?”
“In the middle of Seoul.”
“Yes.”
“During a world tour.”
“…Yes?”
Jinu closed his eyes in despair before laughing incredulously for a moment.
This idiot!
Alas, he's his idiot.
He shook his head slowly, looking back at Abby with a mix of disbelief and fondness.
“I can’t believe you.”
Seeing that Jinu isn't angry, Abby simply grinned again and reached for his hand again despite the rain.
“You love me.”
“…Unfortunately,” Jinu sighed out dramatically, before squeezing his fingers back.
And so, they stood there under the bus stop shelter, soaked, stranded, and very much on their own.
And yet somehow, it was still one of the best days they’d had in a long time.
Rain drummed steadily against the shelter, a relentless curtain of silver that blurred the city beyond the bus stop. Jinu stood there, damp and resigned, with a phone finally resurrected just enough to show the time weakly in his hand.
Wow, he never saw that miraculous 0% in a long time.
“Okay,” he finally said as he started squinting at the streets. “I can call a cab.”
However, before he could leave to go find one, the hand clasped with his stopped him.
“I have a better idea.”
Jinu looked up only to find Abby’s eyes were bright even when his hair already plastered to his forehead beneath the cursed pink bucket hat, and some rainwater dripping from the brim.
He looked utterly ridiculous and thrilled. And that has never been a great combination.
“No,” Jinu said immediately.
“We run.”
“No.”
“Like, dramatically in the rain, like in the movies!”
“Absolutely not.”
Unphased, Abby grabbed his hand and got ready to sprint.
“Abby.”
“Home isn’t that far!”
“Abby!”
“We’ll be fine, probably! And it's romantic!”
Jinu stared at him like he had completely lost his mind.
But Abby, the complete buffoon, just grinned wider in response before he was already pulling Jinu out into the rain.
Cold water soaked through them instantly, their shoes splashing against the pavement once more as they ran, laughter bubbling out of Abby like he couldn’t contain it.
Jinu stumbled once to keep up with the brute, then found his footing due to years of training. He suddenly found himself breathless and soaked and laughing like there's no tomorrow.
“YOU’RE INSANE,” he shouted over the rain.
“And you love me!” Abby shot back, before tugging him faster.
They ran through empty streets and glowing streetlights, with rain streaking down like the world had decided to wash itself clean just for them.
Abby then spun suddenly, dragging Jinu into an impromptu twirl right then and there on the sidewalk.
“What are you–!”
“Dance with me!”
“It’s raining!”
“Exactly!”
Jinu protested weakly, but Abby was already moving with laughter ringing out as he swayed them clumsily beneath the downpour. Water soaked into their clothes and their hair stuck to their faces, but neither of them cared.
And during all of this, their hands never once let go.
They broke into another run, only to slow again when Abby tugged him close once more, this time resting their foreheads together for a brief moment as rain dripped between them.
Jinu felt his heart pound in his chest. As if the damn thing wanted to escape from its captivity.
This was simply reckless, and stupid, and going to end with colds and lectures and Gwi-Ma’s disappointed stare.
And it was perfect.
They finally reached the street of their penthouse soaked through and chests heaving, laughing like they’d just gotten away with something huge.
Jinu wiped rain from his face, before speaking with a shake of his head.
“We’re going to get sick.”
Abby shrugged, his ever present smile still on his face.
“That’s future us’ problem.”
“Gwi-Ma’s going to kill us,” Jinu sighed at him, both a mix of fondness and helplessness.
“Also future us' problem.”
“Well,” he finally whispered softly as he squeezed Abby’s hand, a smile also on his face, “at least today was worth it.”
Abby leaned in, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek despite the rain.
“Always.”
And if the next day they both woke up sneezing and voices hoarse, and endured an hour-long lecture about responsibility and common sense.
That was for future them to worry about.
Tonight?
They were just two idiots in love, soaked to the bone, and laughing on their way home.
✧✧✧
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END