Chapter Text
When Jinu unveiled his stupid ‘become a boyband’ plan, Baby knew it wasn’t going to work. How could they undo centuries of work with a few catchy songs and cute boys? He went along with it anyway, because it seemed like it’d at least be fun before it inevitably burned to the ground, and because maybe the distance would quiet Gwi-Ma’s constant cruelty.
And for a few weeks, it was amazing! There was no time to wallow in misery, they were too busy toying with the hunters, soaking up the support- and the souls- of the fans, singing and dancing as a team… and Gwi-Ma’s torments were limited, nothing that would leave marks or ruin their voices with screaming. And the memories were... manageable, at least in the beginning.
Foolish child- why would I break my tools while still using them? I was lenient on you before, but you failed and now you’ll get what you deserve.
The memories of agony flashed red hot through his body, and Baby just rode it out with no response. He should be used to it- even before his deal, there was only a temporary release of pain before things got even worse. That's how it always was, and that’s how it’ll always be.
Pathetic runt. There’s nothing you can do, nothing you can change, the only demons who’d pretend to like you are suffering and there’s nothing you could do to save them. Not that you would- a worthless wretch like you is not even worth the effort of bringing back to the Underworld. The Hunters didn’t even need to send you back, they knew you’d be too helpless to cause trouble without Jinu pulling your strings.
“Shut up.” Baby muttered under his breath. Romance stirred beside him, a look of false concern in his eyes, but he didn’t react.
Romance knew what it meant, that sometimes the only way to block out the whispers was to scream. He was the only one left who could. But that just means that when he leaves you as the dead weight you are, you’ll be all alone, and nobody else will ever pretend to care like they do.
Baby gritted his teeth, his hands pressed over his ears like it would protect him from Gwi-Ma’s poison.
Oh, that silly little habit. I thought you stopped that centuries ago. But you just keep going back, like a child sucking their thumb… then again, you are a baby. Gwi-Ma’s laughter stabbed into his psyche like knives. You know that won’t do anything- it’s as useless as you are. And yet you keep pretending, keep lying to yourself as if it’ll come true if you try hard enough. What did those lies lead to, runt?
Against his will, Baby found himself dragged through another slideshow of failures- Jinu taking centuries to form their sad little group, learning to sing and dance and hide their sins, coming to the surface as false idols and being torn down by the Hunters. By Jinu’s betrayal.
Jinu threw the whole plan away at the last minute, went against everything they stood for, and still Romance and Baby went back for him. Searched the rubble for a body, tried following his stupid pets who abandoned them for the Hunters just like Jinu did, and even reached through the damned Honmoon for their erstwhile leader.
What did that get them? Burning pain that left them weak for weeks and a corpse with a heartbeat. They managed to catch the empty shell that used to hold Jinu, but he betrayed them one last time.
And now, Baby was left like discarded garbage in the human world, hiding away like the coward he was in the decrepit husk of an office in the middle of nowhere. Cursed with the pathetic human needs in his inhuman body- but didn’t you beg for that? The taste of sweetness on your tongue and the burn of spice in your throat? You should have known there was a cost.
Pangs of hunger hit his stomach like a wave, rocking Baby back in pain. He didn’t know how to live in this world, with plastic cards full of money he didn’t have and glowing boxes in the hands of former fans that sent proof of his continued existence to Huntr/x. Desperation sent him out to fend for himself and Romance, but fear of the chase kept chasing him back with whatever scraps he could savage.
But it’s never enough, is it? Nothing you could do would ever be enough- that’s why Jinu abandoned you. Centuries of teamwork gone because a pretty girl batted her eyes at him. And then she let him die.
“Jinu isn’t dead!” Baby shouted, breaking the silence. “…he’s not.”
“He isn’t,” Romance said, soft and sweet like he was talking to a fussy baby. Still, his tired smile seemed real enough. ”But he’s… not much help right now.”
You could have tried bringing Abby or Mystery through instead. It might have even worked- that little trick of yours surprised me. But you had one chance, and wasted it on that traitor, and now they will suffer forever because you couldn’t accept that Jinu deserved to die.
Baby looked over to the corner of the room, where they propped up Jinu’s body like a broken mannequin. Wrapping him in a tarp- why bother sacrificing a blanket for a useless corpse- at least made him look like he was sleeping, and covered the marks that constantly glowed like the damned Honmoon.
(Romance complained that it distracted him when he tried to sleep, but Baby knew better.)
He… wasn't hurt- even though he deserved it, and even though it would be so easy to punish him for his sins- and didn't need food or water, but nothing Romance or Baby did could wake him. His heart beat, his chest rose and fell in a steady pattern, but still Jinu didn’t wake up.
Of course he won’t- there’s nothing here worth anything. Maybe he’d wake up for his pretty little hunter, but not for you.
There’s nothing about you that’s worth love.
Of course there wasn’t- Baby couldn’t be loved, or love anybody. He didn’t need Gwi-Ma to tell him that. There was nothing worthwhile about him, nothing that deserved the affection the Saja Boys were kind enough to share with him.
But… that didn’t mean that Romance shouldn’t be loved- or Mystery or Abby, or even fucking Jinu of all people. They deserve so much more.
Baby stood up, joints cracking from disuse. “I’m going out.”
“Where?” Romance asked, instantly alert and constantly nosy, has to make everything about him-
Baby bit down on his tongue, hard enough to hurt, hard enough to cut off the Gwi-Ma induced thought before it sunk in too deep. Romance was all he had up here, he can’t let Gwi-Ma turn that against them. “Supply run. I’ll be back before dark.”
Romance nodded, wary but without the energy to argue. He touched the side of Baby’s head, and the familiar glossy feel of an illusion spread over him. “Stay safe.”
So pathetic that you need somebody else to cast your spells for you. I thought you were better trained than that- did you forget your tricks without your owner holding the leash?
That… didn’t hurt, not like how it was meant to. Sure, Baby could do it himself- they were all in charge of their own human disguises when they were still performing, and he can do a few basic things with illusions as weak and useless as they were- but Romance had always been the best at it. And now Baby could save his own energy to teleport to safety, or hide his presence from the hunters or other demons.
No wonder Gwi-Ma didn’t recognize it. This was kindness, and Romance was just giving it to him without thought.
Baby swallowed, a lump in his throat he couldn’t explain.“I will… and thank you. I’ll try to pick up something strawberry flavored for you.”
“Oh, as long as it’s not a bother,” Romance waved it off with a lazy smile. And for the first time in weeks, Baby smiled back.
—-
Baby hated convenience stores. They were full of fluorescent lights and hidden cameras, and the cashiers always watched him suspiciously, like they thought he was going to steal something.
Which he was, because even mere humans could see what a pathetic wretch he is, but they didn’t get to judge him for it.
But I do, runt. I can see how far you’ve fallen. Once on top of the world, now cowering in run down shops trying to stay out of sight. One fumble, and it’s all over.
So then Baby won’t get caught. He carefully examined each item, strangely colored snacks and useless trinkets, and slipped some of each in the deep pockets of his hoodie and pants. Not everything he looked at- not even everything he wanted, stomach aching and mouth watering at the shrimp crackers and spicy noodles- but what he could get away with. What wouldn’t make noise when he walked or be missed from the shelves.
What a clever little mouse you are, nibbling around the grain pile without being spotted. How long do you think it would take for them to start putting down traps? Nobody would think twice about poisoning vermin.
Don’t think about that. Focus on the task at hand.
Of course- one distraction, one flicker of an eye, one ex-fan of the Saja Boys recognizing you, and you’d be caught. Locked away in a cell while Romance waits endlessly for your return, or brought to the hunters like a lamb to the slaughter.
Baby crushed a bag of chips in his hand- and now they know he’s here, they’ll catch him if he keeps fucking up like that- and forced himself to put it back. It was too late, the cashier looked up from her glowing box and her judging gaze burned shame into his soul.
It’s not the end of the world- all he has to do is wait for her to stop paying attention, and then leave. He probably can’t come back any time soon, but if he hurries he could go to that bakery on the other side of town, and get the stale bread from the dumpster before it goes bad.
What lofty goals you have. Truly, your family would be so proud of the man you’ve become.
Don’t listen. Focus on something, anything else.
Focus on the music.
This store played music, tinny and trapped in the crackles of the speakers, but it’s still there. Nobody else seemed to care, treating it like background noise, but there was so much music everywhere on the surface.
Down below, it was just Jinu’s bipa and their five voices, trying to fill up the underworld with something other than screams. It echoed in their cave, a chorus onto themselves, and one of the few times they truly felt happy in hell.
Now those times are over, because Jinu is gone and you’re stuck here, and the others are suffering for your failures.
And of course, because Baby’s existence was constant suffering, the next song was by Huntr/x. To salt the wounds further, it was that stupid song they sang at the concert, the one that almost killed Jinu and doomed demonkind.
“I tried to fix it, I tried to fight it- my head was twisted, my heart divided…”
Baby wished he could hate it, that he could tear the lyrics apart with Romance as trite trash like they did with other group's terrible songs, but it was too good for that. Why did they even try something like Takedown when they could write something like this?
He was still proud of Soda Pop- it was catchy and contagious and the layers amused him, even if he and Romance bickered about the sex jokes he stuck in there. But Your Idol was a mess, from start to finish- pressure from Gwi-Ma constantly building higher, signing autographs for people who you know you'll kill, and Jinu was too busy with management (and secretly wooing that hunter) to help. It was too blunt, too obvious, too… cruel.
Huh, if a demon like him thought it was too cruel, what would the fans have thought if they were in their right minds, listening to a song that mocked them for caring?
If they had a better song, would it have changed anything? Could they have won, or at least survived or died as a group? (It was hard to care which one, as long as they were together.)
Baby didn't know, but…
“We’re shattering the silence, we’re rising, defiant-“
Gwi-Ma was quiet. Not the background thrum that could almost be ignored, but the silence of an unplugged mic in the middle of a set. His presence was still there at the back of Baby’s throat, behind his eyes, seeped into his soul too deep to be undone, but his voice?
His voice was gone.
“Shouting in the quiet, ‘you’re not alone!’”
Gwi-Ma wouldn’t let go like this. Not without making it a spectacle, not without making it hurt worse. So why wasn’t he belittling Baby for enjoying the song that ruined everything? That kind of weakness shouls leave his ears ringing with despair for weeks.
“We listened to the demons, we let them get between us-“
It couldn’t be the music, could it? They’ve listened to those hunters sing hundreds of times to prepare, and while it was catchy, none of it did anything to them (except make Jinu fall head over heels for purple hair and booty shorts, apparently.)
“But none of us are out here on our own!”
Wait. Jinu said something when they found out about his nightly visits with the hunter. He said a lot of things about her: she was half demon, she promised him a place above the Honmoon if he helped, and that he knew she’d let them stay up here too, if they gave her a chance!
He said that Gwi-Ma couldn't reach her. And when they sang together, Gwi-Ma couldn’t reach him either.
“So we were cowards, so we were liars-“
Jinu has always been a selfish, manipulative, lying bastard. That’s what Baby liked about him, that’s how their group survived all this time. That’s why Jinu’s idolization of her, his bitter betrayal, his sudden sacrifice, none of it sat right with Baby.
“So we’re not heroes, we’re still survivors…”
But… what if Jinu had an angle? Jinu always had multiple plans in the works, ready to switch between them at a moment’s notice. And if he thought he could get a better one- one that helped him and the other Saja Boys- he’d take it with both hands and his whole heart.
“The dreamers, the fighters, no lying, I’m tired.”
If Jinu could convince the hunters to let them stay where it was safe, if they could pretend to be harmless and sweet, that they could deserve to be loved, then… Huntr/x were vicious fighters, gleeful in their slaughter, but they’d be sweeter masters than Gwi-Ma. At least they'd hide their cruelty from prying eyes.
“But dive in the fire, and I’d be right here by your side!”
“Oh, Jinu… I’m sorry I doubted you.” Baby whispered, his hand over his heart. An unfamiliar feeling filled his chest- it might be hope. “I know what your plan is now. I’ll make it up to you- I can make it work.”
But first, he needed supplies. He needed to get Romance set up safely. He needed the cashier’s glowing box.
Humans listen to music on those, right?
—-
“Here,” Baby threw the bag to the ground in front of Romance. “Got groceries.”
“Ugh, Baby?” Romance rubbed his face, clearly just waking up. Baby should’ve gotten more caffeine, Romance needed to stay alert while keeping watch. “Wait- what’s that? The music...”
“Huntr/x.” So far all their songs worked, although not as well as the first one. A few whispers made it through, but it wasn’t enough to stop him. After centuries of pain, this was nothing.
(this trick won’t last forever)
“Yes, I can tell. But why are you listening to them?” Romance seemed more confused than angry. “After everything they’ve done?”
Fuck, he should’ve got another glowing box for Romance to listen to, but Baby could barely get this one to work, and he’s going to need it more. “I need you to listen carefully- I’m going to be gone for a while.”
“Baby, what the fuck are you talking about?” Romance stood, ignoring the food. “You’re listening to them and talking about leaving- why are you acting like this? Like Jinu.”
(like a traitor)
“Because Jinu’s a conniving bitch and a brilliant bastard, and he had a plan. And now I know what it is, and…” How much could Baby tell Romance without Gwi-Ma finding out? How much could he risk? “I need you to trust me.”
Romance bit his lip, but nodded. “Always.”
(how can he trust you when you’re going against everything they stand for)
“Thank you.” Baby couldn’t resist- he reached out and pulled Romance into a hug. Romance froze for a moment before melting into the embrace. “I got you enough stuff for a week, but I should only be gone for… three days? I don’t know how long it will take. But if it’s longer than that, I’ll send a signal. Otherwise…”
“You’ll be… with Abby and Mystery.” Romance clung harder, without any of his usual grace. “Right.”
(their torture will be so much worse if you do this)
“…Right. And I need you to take care of Jinu. Keep him from... I know he fucked things up, but… he’s still Jinu!” Baby hated using this card, but… “Romance, you owe him. We all do.”
Romance froze up, and retreated from Baby’s arms, eyes coldly gleaming like ancient coins. “I think that debt has been covered many times over.”
“Then… owe it to me instead. Or I’ll owe you. I don’t care- just keep him safe until I come back, okay?” The true danger wouldn’t be stray demons or wandering humans, but Baby couldn’t ask him to fight off Gwi-Ma. “Romance, please. I promise I can make it worth it.”
(how can you promise that when even you don’t believe it)
“…you don’t need to owe me anything, Baby.” Romance kissed his forehead, despite the damp, matted hair. “Jinu will, if- when he gets back. But never you.”
“He’ll be back,” Baby promised. “And we’ll get Mystery and Abby back, and we’ll never let Jinu live this down.”
“Not for another four hundred years,” Romance agreed, his smile radiant and broken. “Good luck. Do you need another illusion?”
“…Yeah. Can you do me as… like when we debuted?” It was selfish, but he had to ask. Would Romance even have enough energy for that?
(so weak you need to beg another stray dog for his scraps)
“I can certainly try!” Romance said, too cheerful to contain any actual cheer. The illusion did hold, at least for now- and Baby didn’t need it forever, just long enough to get into the door.
And… It felt like he was taking a part of Romance with him into battle, which felt more important than any other prep he could do.
“I’ll be back,” Baby teleported away, Romance’s cracking smile the last sight he saw before falling into the smoke and landing miles away, in a luxurious lobby where most demons would die rather than step foot inside.
(because you are a fool and this will be your tomb)
He always assumed that the hunters would put anti-demon wards around their shitty, shiny tower- but they didn’t. Maybe it was because their leader was part demon, maybe it was hubris, maybe it was because the last time demons tried attacking them during their so-called ‘Couch Time’, they were sent back in thirty seven pieces. Baby didn’t care why, just that he was able to make it here after all.
He… probably won’t be able to make it back, but that’ll be okay. It has to be.
(they will kill you and then i will make you wish to die)
Elevators were magical things, traveling skyward at a dizzying speed. The hunters lived at the tallest part, high above the rest of humanity, so Baby had a precious few minutes to recover, to plan what he would say- what he could do with what little he had left.
It still wasn’t enough, when the elevator reached the top floor and slid open to reveal the three hunters, terrifying and resplendent even in sweatpants. All three summoned their weapons, but Baby only had the focus for the leader.
As soon as he saw her- as soon as she saw him- Gwi-Ma’s echoes faded away. And if she kills him where he stands, then at least he’d die free.
“Ryu Rumi. You ruined our plans, humiliated us, stole our leader’s soul and thwarted Gwi-Ma so thoroughly that it will take centuries for him to recover,” Baby said, cautiously approaching when they didn’t immediately carve him open. “And you… you sang with Jinu. And he said it made the voices stop.”
He stumbled- his emotions, his body’s weakness, a bent rug? It didn’t matter why, it all ended in the same way: on his knees before them. Might as well commit to it.
“Please…” Baby bent his body as deeply as he could manage, face to the floor as he bowed, tears staining the floor as he begged for the mercy he’s never been shown. “I will do anything you ask, swear my shattered soul to you, if you could do the same for us. Please, please, just… help me save the others from Gwi-Ma, and I will serve you for all of eternity.”
Please make Jinu’s sacrifice, our pain worth it. Please be the savior we need.