We Listened to the Demons (Let Them Get Between Us)

by spiderwritesx

Summary:

Rumi deserved to be in hell, and they did not.

She was no role model. She wasn’t a leader. She could pretend she was for years, act like one, try to convince herself that maybe she was, but she wasn’t. What she did was cruel, and she deserved every year that came after it. At the end of the day, that was all she was.

A demon. Disgusting, selfish, and greedy. It was all she was born as, and all she would ever be. None of Zoey and Mira’s kind lies would fix that.

Or, where the Saja Boys are the hunters and the girls are the demons.

Notes:

hiiii!

sooooo I’ve written before but deleted my account after a turn of events, however this movie was amazing and I’m sort of obsessed so I came out of the trenches to write this

THE NEXT CHAPTERS WILL BE LONGER! this is sort of a test run to see how the fic does :) if it gets enough love I’ll make sure to keep it going. disclaimer that I’m not Korean so if I make any mistakes please let me know 😭

finally please please please don’t leave hate comments! I’ve seen those around a lot. thank you (please leave kind comments though! I want to know what you think!)

enjoy!

Chapter 1: A Way Out

1.

 

The demon world was dark.

Not just in the physical way, but it was a feeling, one Rumi knew far too well. It was dark in the way that would stick with you long after you left, and in the way that would fill you up with self hatred and resentment and leave no room for anything else.

It was hard to lose track of time in the demon world- there was very little to do there other than mope and count the seconds. Waiting for an ending that would never come. It was hell, and it never tried to be anything other than what it was.

Or at least, it was like that until she met Zoey.

Zoey was bubbly, funny, kind- every part of being human that Rumi had lost over the years. She was, essentially, all Rumi wished that she could be. All she wished to have back.

Rumi was roughly 200 years into her time in the demon world when she met Zoey, who was (aside from being scared and lost) happy to indulge in all of Rumi’s desires and tell her all about the new things and concepts in the modern world. Like, for example, telephones, which Rumi was fascinated by, and cars (she’d give anything to be able to drive one, even if just once) or how Zoey had gone to school in America (which Zoey had to explain was a country).

But even though Zoey’s light was enough to push out the darkness for years, it soon began to fade, and Rumi was back where she began. Alone.

It was years later when they stumbled upon Mira, who had been there longer than both of them and yet managed to be strong enough to keep both of them grounded.

Mira was quiet when she wanted to be. Rumi could tell she was resisting at all times from saying what she really thought (whether this was habit from her old life or knowing what she wished to say would end in public torment, Rumi didn’t know).

There together, all three of them, it finally felt whole. Zoey would crack the occasional joke, Mira thrived on rumors and speculation, and Rumi felt like she belonged for once. A leader, was what they called her- a role model.

They didn’t ask for each other’s stories. Not until they finally ran out of things to talk about in their attempt of keeping themselves sane, and only then did they finally confide in one another about the reason they were all there together in the first place.

Zoey and Mira deserved far better.

This was something Rumi came to terms with far before she heard a single word about their old lives, and something she’d have to live with every single day to come. Their stories were nothing more than mistakes. Mistakes that were done in a moment of panic, or with the best of intentions, and despite their similarities, this was their biggest difference.

Rumi deserved to be in hell, and they did not.

She was no role model. She wasn’t a leader. She could pretend she was for years, act like one, try to convince herself that maybe she was, but she wasn’t. What she did was cruel, and she deserved every year that came after it. At the end of the day, that was all she was.

A demon. Disgusting, selfish, and greedy. It was all she was born as, and all she would ever be. None of Zoey and Mira’s kind lies would fix that.

Every day of her eternal punishment was like this, until the day Rumi heard what would change everything, and she knew it would. She’d heard the rumors. The fear ridden demons and the whispered words when they felt that Gwi-ma wasn’t listening. She had a plan. A plan to escape. A plan to get all of them out of hell.

 

*

 

She’d told Mira about it first.

She tended to do this often- not out of any preference or bias, and not because she didn’t think Zoey could handle it (after all, their experiences were intertwined) but because Mira was the one who had the higher chance of declining the offer. Rumi didn’t need to get Zoey’s hopes high once again only to have them crushed.

Upon proposing her idea, Mira, unsurprisingly, was skeptical. To be fair, the idea was a bit of a reach to begin with- but she didn’t have much to lose anyway. Really, when she took time to consider it, it balanced itself out nicely.

If she fails (and she’d make sure that didn’t happen) Gwi-ma wouldn’t be forgiving; winning, on the other hand, would lead to praise. Fame. Respect. And if Rumi played her cards right, it could lead to eternal silence.

“You really think this will work?” Mira asked, voice shattering Rumi’s thought train. “If it doesn’t…. you know he’ll be pissed.”

Rumi regained her posture, trying to look reassuring. If anything would convince Mira, it would be her confidence. “Don’t think about that part. What happens if it does? Zoey could finally have both her parents, and you could have your freedom, and I… he could give us good things, Mira. Really.”

Mira’s eyes went down to her ground. She inhaled, and Rumi felt the anticipation in her heart. “If this does work… and that’s a big if, Rumi- how do you know he’ll keep his word?”

Well. She didn’t. But they wouldn’t be punished for it, and she could guarantee that. If anything, he’d probably find their demands admirable.

He was desperate. Hungry. She knew his ways. He kept his word, in an angry, manipulative sense. As long as she worded everything right, she’d consider their odds to be well off.

“I don’t. But think, Mira. Don’t you think he’d be grateful to the demons who bring the hunter’s heads on a stake? The first to ever come even remotely close and succeed? He has no reason not to keep his word,” Rumi says, hoping she sounds sure enough for the both of them. “Please, Mira. At least consider it. For me?”

Mira finally looks up from the ground, her eyes meeting Rumi’s in a way that makes her still. “Fine. You know that I trust you, Rumi. But you need to stick with us. You can’t…” She falters, and Rumi knows exactly what she’s thinking.

The accusation is silent, but she can sense it there. There’s a sharp pang in her heart.

You can’t do what your mother did.

She’d been told those words all her life, as that would change what she was. From the beginning, they should have known what she would do. The pain she’d cause. The ones who would suffer because of her mother’s deadly mistake. They all chose to ignore it, and look how she ended up. A monster, a killer- locked in a cage for the rest of eternity.

Mira didn’t need to remind her of this, and she knew that, but Mira was smart. She knew Rumi best. And if there was one thing to keep Rumi from straying, from weakening her guard even once- it was this. The poison laced silence between them.

Rumi doesn’t drop Mira’s gaze. The words come easily out of her mouth, but promise lurks between them.

“I won’t.”

 

*

 

Zoey, of course, accepted instantly. And Rumi felt something she hadn’t felt in a very, very long time, something she didn't know if she was still capable of feeling- hope.

“Let me guess. They got away again?” Gwi-ma’s rumbling voice cuts through the demon world, and despite being there for years, she still feels a spark of fear go through her body.

She scolds herself for it immediately after.

They got away again; it’s awful for the poor demon, but not for Rumi. No, it’s the perfect opportunity. They’re getting out.

She turns, watching the red demon go up in flames, and she musters some sympathy for her before she says, as loud as she can manage to, “There once was a mighty demon king.”

Silence falls over the crowd, and Gwi-ma goes quiet for a moment too, which Rumi takes as a sign to advance, and she does so, warily.

“The world trembled where he roared. But,” she begins walking through the crowd, some part of her feeling oddly satisfied as they part ways for her. Whether it’s out of respect or fear, she doesn’t care to know. “Then some hunters same some songs. Now all he does is starve.”

She keeps her face down, hat going low over her eyes, casting shadows over her face. Rumi always felt that this was more shielding, protective. It wouldn’t keep her from Gwi-ma’s fire, no, but the feeling of being hidden was one that was always familiar to her.

“And will he let the fire go out? Is this the end of us now?”

She hadn’t sang in years. She still sounded just like she remembered- smooth, sweet.

Hopefully capable of stealing souls.

She was praised for her voice, once, back when she still had a home. Her father always used to tell her she could follow in his own footsteps- and perhaps she would have, once.

“Mighty king with a crumbling crown, will he let the fire go out,” She finishes, and she doesn’t dare to look up once she’s ascended the steps. Not until he talks to her first.

“I let you keep your voice, Rumi. Now you come out and mock me with it?” He grumbles, a threat lacing his words.

“I’m not mocking you,” she says, feeling Mira and Zoey’s presences behind her. “I want to offer you a solution.”

“A solution?”

Curiosity.

“Yes. Something to end the hunters for good. Something we haven’t tried. Or not like this, anyway.” She finally raises her head, her eyes falling upon the fire raging before her. “We go after what powers the honmoon. The fans.”

On this word she and the others strike a pose (it had been Zoey’s idea, and whether Rumi was too fond of it or not didn’t matter. Rumi figured she owed this much to her anyway after agreeing to the plan).

He goes quiet for a long while, before he finally laughs. A long, cruel laugh- the same one he would laugh when demons would be tortured or eaten before him, or when someone would go up to him begging for mercy, for their family back. For their deal to be reversed. For anything familiar. The laugh he’d laugh before he would engulf the demons in flames.

“A demon girl band? What makes you even begin to think that would work?”

Rumi snaps, and instantly her long hair is swept up into a braid, one that hits her back when it finally falls. She feels her tongue change shape from inside her mouth.

Mira’s tusks (the ones that usually stand out on her face) disappear, her claws vanishing as her hair, long and pink, fans out across her neck. Zoey’s four eyes close, but when she opens them again only two remain, and her hair does itself nicely upon her head.

Mira always hated the tusks. They came out of her mouth, long and old, and would curl back towards her ears. She claimed they were ugly, and they made her look like more of a monster- but if Rumi was being entirely honest, she liked them. They made Mira look stronger. Scarier. She thought they fit her nicely (even if she’d never tell her that).

Zoey wasn’t too fond of her eyes, either, but she didn’t necessarily seem to hate them; Rumi was pretty sure that she enjoyed blending in with the other demons, not looking too outrageously different, for whatever reason that may be.

As for herself, she didn’t mind the tongue. It was like a snake’s- if anything, it reminded her more of what she was. It was sort of refreshing, in a way, to not have the false comfort of doubt.

Gwi-ma seems to consider this. Rumi waits, expectantly, hope faltering- and finally he says, “I know you, Rumi. You’ve never done anything that wasn’t for your own gain. What do you want?”

Rumi, please. You are not like him. You are your father, through and through. A-

Then why can’t you look at me? Why can’t you love me?

I do, I do-

You can’t look at me. Are you really that disgusted by me?

Rumi ignores the voices, knowing he’s doing this on purpose to test her loyalty, and she doesn’t flinch when she says, “Our memories. I want them to be erased. And we want our freedom.”

Zoey and Mira go silent behind her, likely filled with dread by his answer. If he were to say no, Rumi wasn’t sure how Zoey would handle it. She hasn’t had a reason to have hope in decades. And Mira- her disappointment would show for years. Silent, unwavering, but heavy in the air.

Please. Please, don’t do this. You can’t do this. You’d be a monster. A demon-

Another pause. The fire flares. “Very well.”

Rumi feels herself relax, exhaling as he starts listing terms. She’d hardly listening. She doesn’t need to. She knows exactly what he’s telling her.

Celine, I have always been a demon.

Chapter 2: The Patterns

Summary:

Saja boys intro!

Notes:

I decided to post two chapters in one day to enhance the experience or something, I don’t know

anyway that being said posts may be infrequent. maybe. there should be at least 1 or 2 a week though! (ALSO: if you see any moments where it says Jelly instead of Bobby, that’s because I changed who their manager was last second. if you could report those to me it would be much appreciated)

also the saja boys are a little (a little) mean to each other, it’s all in good fun I swear. they love each other very much :)

enjoy!

The demons knew they were so close to sealing the honmoon.

Attacks on planes, in concerts, out in public- all of which were taken care of in the most orderly manner they could possibly muster, and all of which were played off as special effects, and all this was telling Jinu one thing-

They needed to release the song.

On one hand, the boys could hate him forever for taking away their break time (and this definitely wouldn’t get rid of the ‘overworking the Saja Boys’ accusations Jinu was already facing) but on the other, that all seemed very minuscule in comparison to a full demon apocalypse. Which was mostly why Jinu was walking slowly behind the boys, phone in hand, and the reason that the song had just been launched.

Golden. Soon to be their new hit single- or, predicted to be their new hit single. Written primarily by Romance and Mystery (they tended to be skilled at that) and the choreography done mainly by Abby (which, for whatever reason, he would willingly help with) was all they really needed to seal the honmoon for good. Jinu could hope, anyway.

Aside from the overworking accusations, he was also accused of narcissism (narcissism, can you believe that?) and attention seeking (which was, in Jinu’s defense, entirely Romance’s fault considering that he was the one who did line distribution) all of which would most definitely only be fueled more by the new track. Jinu would have to bitch to Romance about that later.

“Three weeks of vacation,” Baby sighed, collapsing on the couch. “It’s about damn time. Stupid demons. You know what, Jinu? The fans are entirely correct. You do overwork us.”

Baby was youngest. He didn’t act that, though. He knew exactly how to get under Jinu’s skin, which was something he had to try very hard not to be affected by. He was pretty sure that was simply how Baby communicated, although he wasn’t actually sure about this since he seemed to be the one who got most of the insults. On any normal occasion Jinu’s face would turn into an icy glare and the two would start bickering, but Jinu decided this wasn’t the time.

Instead, Jinu forced a smile on his face. Oh, they were going to hate him.

“Yeah, what’s up with that? I thought you cared about us.” Abby takes a spot beside Baby, holding a bowl of snacks he’d managed to sneak from the kitchen. “Kind of narcissistic, if you ask me.”

Abby was the oldest. He also didn’t act like it, but Jinu and Abby tended to get alone decently well, so he could excuse that. Abby got along with mostly everyone (some more than others) unlike other members, which was relieving, because that meant less damage control for Jinu.

And, unlike a certain member, Abby knew how to keep his mouth shut during interviews.

Abby and Baby would either argue or would appear to be the best of friends, and that tended to change every day; depending on Baby’s mood, most likely.

Unfortunately, today was a best friend day.

Jinu’s fake smile drops as Abby and Baby snicker. He scowls. “I don’t even know where the fans got that from. I am not-“

“You kinda are. I mean, the line distribution? Attention seeking.” Romance grins from next to Abby, and he and Baby only snicker louder as Jinu immediately opens his mouth to protest.

Romance was the second youngest, and he was probably (not that Jinu would ever rank the boys, but you know. If he absolutely had to,) also second to least favorite, which Jinu wouldn’t tell anyone except himself.

Romance wasn’t objectively that bad, not until he had to be told to stop catering to the fans as much, like the multiple times he got too into it and starts saying things to guys or girls that would most definitely raise eyebrows, or how he tended to flirt with everything breathing (this did count everyone in the group, much to Jinu’s dismay), or how he always took forever to get ready in the mornings because my hair, Jinu, do you just want me to kill myself? and I refuse to go outside looking like you do, no offense, or how he always seemed-

Maybe Romance was objectively that bad.

“That is entirely your fault, you literally write the-“

He feels a hand on his shoulder. He turns to see the purple hair of Mystery, who nods solemnly.

“It’s ok, Jinu,” he says in the quiet voice of his, the one that caused everyone to go silent just to be able to hear it. “I don’t think you’re narcissistic.”

Mystery age was in the middle, and he was Jinu’s favorite, by far. If he was ranking the Saja Boys (if! He wouldn’t do that normally,) Mystery would be on an entirely different page of the list than the others. Mystery probably knew this.

“Thank you. See? Why can’t you guys be more like Mystery?” Jinu glared at the tv as Baby turns it on, and it’s far louder than remotely necessary. He decides to overlook that.

“You are bossy though,” Mystery adds, grabbing a snack out of Abby’s bowl as he sits down. Jinu’s jaw drops in betrayal and Baby snorts.

“Fuck yes he is. Baby, you can’t say that to the fans. Baby, you can’t eat that. Baby, don’t have the tv volume up all the way-“

“I didn’t even say that!”

Baby turns around to shoot him a look. Jinu hated that look. He was pretty sure it was reserved for him only. “You wanted to.”

Very true, but that shouldn’t count considering he didn’t end up saying anything about it. He could never win here.

“I was going to let you guys relax for a while, but considering you’re all assholes, I’m revoking that,” Jinu says, a real grin spreading across his face now as all the boys freeze.

Romance turns towards him, eyes widening, hair brush in his hands. “Jinu. Please tell me you’re joking.”

Jinu shakes his head slowly, and everyone groans.

“Jinu, what the fuck, man? I didn’t even get to eat anything,” Abby says, sinking farther into the couch as he throws a pillow over his face. It’s muffled when he says, “I was joking at first, but not anymore. You are overworking. And you feed on our misery and pain.”

“I was never joking about that,” Baby deadpans, as Abby keeps going on about maintaining his body and Romance whines about how bad the stress is for his skin and Jinu, it’s like you just want me dead; Mystery doesn’t say anything (he doesn’t often speak unless remotely necessary) but Jinu can feel him glaring at him from under all his hair.

Well. Maybe Mystery could be demoted down the list a bit.

“The promo starts tomorrow,” Romance whines, before catching Jinu’s expression (which is very much still a genuine grin,) and groaning for a much longer period than strictly necessary. “Tonight? Oh, I hate you. I want you to know that.”

“It’s mutual,” Jinu says cheerfully, turning as the door behind them opens.

Bobby basically runs in, letting the door slam, his hair bouncing as he kneels over, catching his breath. He does this far more often than you’d think, so they’re not exactly unused to it.

Bobby, unlike the Saja Boys, was actually always kind and someone Jinu enjoyed being around for extended periods of time. Bobby actually made an effort to get rid of the narcissism rumors. He was the boy’s manager, and in comparison to some of the stories he’d heard from other groups, they had one of the best managers, if not the best.

Jinu considered them very lucky.

“Boys,” Bobby says, still breathing rapidly as he holds out the phone screen. “Your new single. It’s on fire! Everyone’s listening to it!”

At this Abby gives a weak cheer from underneath the pillow, Romance sighs, a long drawn out sigh that makes Jinu want to throw something at him, Baby glares at Jinu once more before putting on a smile towards Bobby, and Mystery is just silent, a ghost of a smile on his face.

“Y’know what this means?” Bobby chirps, grin covering his whole face, and despite their differences, the boys all smile at his enthusiasm. “It’s time to promo!”

*

 

Jinu could already hear the comments now.

“Jinu, ft. Romance, Baby, Mystery, and Abby” was one he saw far too frequently, and at this point he was almost sure that Romance and Mystery did the distribution intentionally for their own amusement. Still, he kept his mouth shut.

Because no matter what they did, or what the fans said, Jinu loved the boys. They get on his nerves sometimes, but he would die for them (some more than others) even if he doesn’t tell them this very often, or at all. They already knew.

There are many things he doesn’t tell them about, after all.

“Alright. Whenever you guys are ready!” Bobby says, eyes lighting up as he claps his hands together. “I’m entirely sure that you guys are going to do great tonight. You always do. Just don’t worry about it too much. And make sure you don’t say anything weird to the fans afterwards- Romance and Baby I’m talking you you- and everything will be great! Sorry, am I delaying you guys? I’m just so proud of you, I hope you know that-“

The cameraman clears his throat rather loudly and Bobby snaps his mouth shut, giving them a thumbs up and backing away to give everyone room.

“Start when you’re ready,” the cameraman says, and Jinu nods.

“I’m done hiding, now I’m shining, like I’m born to be-“ Jinu freezes. Everything stops, and Romance comes up beside him, face concerned as he puts a hand on Jinu’s shoulder.

“Are you alright?”

Jinu attempts to calm the panic rising in his veins. No, no, no, no; not here, not now.

The irony of the lyrics did not make their way past him. Maybe he’d find them to be ironic in a more amusing way if things were going differently. But God, he’s going to have to tell them. He’s going to tell them, and they’re going to leavehim, they’re going to draw their weapons, and-

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m good. One more time?”

So they get back into their original positions, Baby and Mystery on his right, Abby and Romance on his left. Jinu takes a breath in, and sings, “I’m done hiding now I’m shining-“

His voice.

It’s Abby, this time, who asks, “You good, man?”

No. No, he’s not.

Jinu straightens up. “I’ll be back,” he says, and then hurries off the stage.

The four are left there exchanging looks as Bobby rambles on and on about the media and the fans. “No, no, yeah. It’s fine. All of it, really. He needs a break! He’ll sing when he’s ready. Calm yourself, Bobby. Visualize that there aren’tthousands of fans outside the door screaming and sounding scary!”

Jinu’s first instinct is to head to the dressing room, and the second he gets in there he rips off the jacket he’s been wearing.

His eyes widen when he sees them, his breath coming out faster now; patterns. Patterns, spreading up his chest and wrapping around his neck. Dark, purple, and angry- jagged lines of misery and pain and all of Jinu’s mistakes, ones he’s trying to hard to forget-

This is all your fault.

Jinu’s hands go up to his head as the voice spits insults, accusations, and he knows he’s losing it, he’s going crazy, and he can’t tell anyone about it. He can’t tell the boys, he can’t tell Bobby. He can’t tell his mother, because she isn’t around anymore. Oh, how he wishes she was around still.

But that’s your doing, isn’t it?

Jinu can’t show his face in that stage again.

He dashes out the door, then out the building, letting it slam behind him. He hears the crowd of people’s excited chatter and the occasional sound of cameras. Yeah, the press is going to be hell tomorrow.

But Bobby can handle it (or at least that’s what he’s going to convince himself is true until he gets his shit together).

He really should have known this was coming. All of it, from the moment he listened to the voice in his head. He was naive, is what he was. Ignorant. Because now he doesn’t have his voice, and he won’t have the honmoon to fix him.

If only he’d be able to take it all back.

He’d have his mother back, his sister- sure, their house wasn’t nice, and his mother wasn’t home, and he was treated like shit by everyone at school. Yes, he didn’t have many possessions- but he couldn’t really care less about that right now.

Jinu goes up the stairs on a nearby building up to the roof, and collapses by the edge.

“I can still fix it,” he whispers, tilting his head up to overlook the city. It’s beautiful, and he can see the honmoon shimmering blue waves across the buildings, like a calm ocean, or a nice blanket. He doesn’t hear Gwi-ma’s voice- not right now.

Jinu deserved everything that was coming for him. But the boys didn’t. They didn’t deserve to watch him melt away into the demon world. They didn’t deserve to find out what he did, that he asked for fame and with it got his mother and sister killed.

But it worked, didn’t it? He has his fame. He’s praised for his vocals, the ones that he never was given attention for while his family was still around.

He has his fame, and yet he wished he didn’t.

The deal has carried him along for years- perhaps him being hunter was keeping the patterns at bay for longer than they normally would, but it didn’t matter. Once the honmoon was sealed, his deal would be off. Gwi-ma would be dead, and all the demons along with it. Jinu would be a hero. He could finally make up for what he did. Who he killed to get here.

The more Jinu thinks about it, the more he thinks about the ifs. If he hadn’t made the deal, would he still be a hunter? If he hadn’t made the deal, would he still have his family?

If he hadn’t made the deal, would he have earned his fame anyway?

The ifs hurt more than the certainty.

“It’s going to be ok,” he mumbles, voice raising in volume as he says, “I can still fix it.”

This sends a ripple of blood red waves that run down until they cross the horizon and vanish from his sight. Jinu flinches and falls back.

He can’t stay out here forever, even if he wishes that he could.

•  

When Jinu finally finds it in himself to walk back to the tower, it’s already been hours.

The elevator ride is silent, the casual music playing echoes through the small space, and when it finally dings and the door opens, the boys are all waiting on the couch.

They turn at the sound and Romance stands up, which is how Jinu knows he’s either going to get a talk or some form of therapy whether he consents to it fully or not. He steps into the room and sits awkwardly besides them before Abby breaks the silence.

“You didn’t come back,” he says, popping a piece of popcorn into his mouth. “We were worried about you.”

Jinu tries not to think about how this makes him feel, the relief growing in his chest. They still care about him. They don’t think he’s a monster. They were worried about him.

Jinu glances down at the food in Abby’s hands, and Abby shrugs. “I was stress eating.”

Baby shakes his head, expression grim. “Ok. What is up with you? First you launch the song right after our break, which I’m still pissed at you about by the way, and then you run out right before we go live? If something is actually fucking wrong then I do expect to know-“

Romance slaps his arm and Baby goes silent. “What he meant was, are you ok?”

Absolutely not.

Part of him is screaming to tell them. To make them promise not to leave him, not to kill him, not to be repulsed by the scars blooming on his skin- and then tell them everything. All of it. How his family really died. How it was all his fault.

How he’s turning into a demon.

They’ll turn on you, the voice in his mind says, and Jinu impulsively says, “We’re just so close. And I guess I panicked. I’m fine, I swear.”

Romance doesn’t look satisfied with this answer. Mystery is staring at Jinu intently (or Jinu is pretty sure he is), studying him. Making mental notes, maybe. Probably noticing that Jinu is lying straight through his teeth, and that their leader is actually a fraud and becoming everything they are against in the first place, seeing the cracks in his facade. Mystery has always been good at reading people.

But Mystery doesn’t say anything, just looks down at the floor.

“My voice though,” Jinu says cautiously, “I think it’s hurt.”

Baby groans. “See? I fucking told you we should have had the break. Now we have to deal with the press.”

“It’s fine,” Romance says cheerfully and a little forcefully, and Jinu is both grateful for his support and also selfishly annoyed that he’s treating him like a child. “Really. I’m sure Bobby’s got it handled. Maybe we should just focus on getting you back into it, right?”

Jinu doesn’t deserve this, Romance’s kindness (occasional kindness, of course,) or Abby’s worry, or Baby’s concern (Jinu is choosing to interpret it like that). He doesn’t deserve Mystery’s respect.

He doesn’t deserve a family. He already ruined one of them.

“Yeah.” Abby puts the snacks down as his phone on the table starts vibrating. “Hey, look, Bobby’s calling right now.”

The phone lights up as Abby picks it up and holds it to his ear. Whatever Bobby says causes Abby to hurriedly tell him “You got this” and hang up immediately after.

Romance eyes him. “What did he say?”

“That the press is going crazy and he can’t handle it,” Abby mumbles.

Romance shoots him a glare and Abby puts his hands up defensively. “You asked me!”

“Guys, it’s fine, really,” Jinu says slowly. “I’m sure everything will be fine tomorrow, and we can reschedule-“

“And if it’s not?” Romance counters, and Jinu has nothing to say to that. “Yeah. You matter too, you know. But it’s fine, because I have an idea.”

 

Notes:

the narcissist Jinu comments are DEEPLY based on accusations I’ve seen thrown at idols before. you’ll see more examples of this next chapter 😈

the first couple chapters until the girl’s first performance will be very very similar to the movie, but hopefully it’ll stray away after that! kudos and comments are well loves :)

Chapter 3: Flower Shop

Summary:

Zoey backstory (sort of)

Notes:

hii!
I’m physically incapable of not posting chapters the day they’re ready so here you go. if you are unable to tell which saja boy is my favorite then I’m writing this correctly (guesses are accepted!)
also, I want to mention that when Zoey becomes a demon, it’s roughly 1965 to 1975!
and with that please enjoy :)

Zoey used to work at a flower shop.

It was a little corner store down the street from her apartment that she would walk to everyday; she remembers the scenery perfectly. The stores, the bakery, the cafe. The flower shop wasn’t her store, but it might as well have been- she was the only one who was keeping it from shutting down. She always loved flowers, so making arrangements and breathing in the scents was never something she saw as much of a chore.

She lived with her mother at this time of course, back when she still lived in California- it was something Zoey thought about often. How she had been treated at school. How she hardly ever saw her father.

But of course she found the flowers to be far more worth dwelling on than the other things. Those were things she could ignore. Or, she tried to, at least.

She hadn’t ever really met any boys in California- none that she felt liked her for her, and weren’t just taking pity on her. She had to deal with this a lot. If anyone found her pretty, they were almost instantly driven away by her personality (and she did try not to take any of this too personally- after all, that meant she deserved better than them; but after time they take their toll) or her notebooks, both of which she could not change even if she wanted to.

Her notebooks were her lifeline, her only way to voice everything she thought and felt in a way that she felt was right. Little doodles and song lyrics and thoughts, recounts of her day and her emotions and everything that the students at school would never let her talk about, ever.

And look- Zoey would never consider herself to be a bitter person! Never. She tried to love everyone as she could, and understand that sometimes other people just didn’t want to be helped or to feel like they worth something, and that sometimes people simply didn't want to hear her ramble about random things like the butterfly she saw that morning that landed on flower and then was eaten by a bird (which was a real story that Zoey’s mother didn’t seem to find interesting).

But if Zoey was bitter about anything, it was her parent’s divorce.

It happened when she was little- only six or seven- and she knew that it was for the better. They weren’t good together, not like the other kid’s parents. Not like the ones in the stories that love each other through and through, in sickness and in health, and for exactly who they are. That wasn’t her parents, and Zoey knew that. Her parents fought and argued and yelled and cried, and Zoey was glad they now had some peace.

But Zoey couldn’t deny that it hurt, seeing happy couples with children, children who had both parents and role models. Hearing people at school talk about their dad taking them somewhere or teaching them something or doing anything with them whenever Zoey only had her mother.

Zoey loved her mother very much; the issue was that Zoey really wasn’t sure how much her mother cared for her. She wouldn’t listen to her rants. She thought the notebooks were weird. She told Zoey that she needed to go out and make friends, and that sometimes that meant you had to change yourself to do that.

Zoey thought that was ridiculous.

It was on the summer after she turned nineteen that her mother told her she was going to be going on a plane to visit her father in Korea. This would be the very last time she would ever step foot in her flower shop, or see the beach, or be able to pour her soul into her notebooks, or see her mother again.

The second she got off the plane, she’d heard it.

They divorced because of you.

She began hearing him everywhere, and it never got any better.

Words like this, angry and menacing and shameful; ones that she’d never be able to get rid of. With each one she felt her heart cracking, and she didn't think she’d be able to repair it. Any of it. Until one day, her offered her a deal.

You ruined it, but I can fix it for you.

And she’d listened.

She’s listened, and Gwi-ma had taken her life.

She should have expected it. She felt naive. Stupid. She should have known. Known that he would kill her father and enslave her. They were the problem, weren’t they? That’s what Gwi-ma told her. That her mother would never be happy, not until she was gone. Not until her father was out of the picture.

She remembers her last minutes. The house engulfed in flames- pink flames, not that anyone would have been able to see them except for her. She remembers the pounding in her heart as the patterns grew up her chest, her arms, wrapping around her neck before they reached her eyes.

And then she was pulled down. Down, down, down, where getting back up wasn’t a choice. You’d fall once and you’d never get back up, whether it was the voices or the other demons or the shame of even being born to start with.

•  

Zoey has been a demon for far less time than Mira and Rumi.

This has shown in much more than just their appearances, but in their actions. How they always act so defeated. How they listen to her rants as if they’re important rather than just being her unfiltered thoughts and worries and facts.

They are the family that Zoey has left, and she would do anything for them.

After her deal, Rumi was the only one that was finally able to help her get up. To tell her that it wasn’t her fault. To assure her that no mater what, she’d never leave her. That they were friends now, family, and she would never be alone again.

She’d humor Rumi, giving her rants and rambles about whatever it was Rumi wanted to know. Innocent questions; what school was like, or how it was in America, or if Zoey knows how to drive a car. Anything to keep them both from becoming like the other demons- depressed and lost and lonely.

But the thing about the demon world is that no matter how many friends you make, no matter how many different light hearted conversations you start, it still gets to you. You still hear Gwi-ma’s voice. You still feel his weight trying to pull you down, and after decades of it, it works.

So when Rumi came to her and offered her a way out, of course she was going to say yes.

Zoey hadn’t ventured out into the human world in forever, and she always had been told that she had a lovely voice. To decline Rumi’s request would have been foolish; she had nothing to lose anyway except for the girls, and if they failed they’d all be punished together. But Zoey knew if they succeeded, they’d be rewarded greatly.

Needless to say, she was not expecting the modern world to look like what it did.

Big screens that would shine over the city and cell phones and far more women wearing hoodies and pants than dresses and skirts. Everything was far bigger and more colorful and shiny. She didn’t have much time to dwell on any of this, though; Gwi-ma wouldn’t allow for such things.

So she found herself walking with Mira and Rumi through a street of people, each of which Zoey noticed were holding the flyers that Rumi had made.

Huntrix- that was the name they’d come up with. It was ironic, really- but Mira liked that it specified the word hunter, because that’s what she claimed they were. Hunters, hunting for souls. Zoey couldn’t argue against this and wouldn't have bothered anyway, she loved the name. It sounded new.

“I haven’t seen the sun in forever,” Mira groans, not bothering to shield her eyes from it like Zoey might have suggested normally. Mira took a sip from her drink. They didn’t need to eat, but she insisted on having at least some modern food while they were here. “It’s so bright.”

The sun was shining down on everything, heating up the paved streets. Zoey could hear cars honking and people’s chatter and birds chirping. They were sounds she’d missed so dearly.

And the trees- they were stunning. So bright and pretty, swaying slightly with the breeze. The flowers that were planted in the flower beds reminded her of the flower shop. No one seemed to pay any attention to them, though, just continuing on with their regular routines. Zoey wished she had stopped to appreciate the trees and the sun more back when she was alive.

Rumi insisted that they each wear clothes that would appeal to the audience, and promptly put Mira in a white tank and pink shorts, Zoey in a cropped teal top with black and yellow striped sweatpants, and herself in a top with a yellow jacket and black shorts, all of which were far more revealing than any of them were necessarily used to.

“So,” Rumi announces, sitting down on a nearby bench, her eyes lighting up as she claps her hands together, “I did research.”

“Already?” Mira asks, as she and Zoey take a spot beside Rumi, who nods enthusiastically.

“Yes, already. We’re making our debut today, Mira. I wasn’t going to just introduce ourselves to the hunters unprepared. So, I went through the trouble for you guys and found pictures. You’re welcome.” She reaches into the back pocket of her black shorts and hands some pictures to Mira, who scowls.

“They look insufferable.”

“Yes they do,” Rumi replies easily. “Don’t lose that mindset.”

“Let me see,” Zoey complains, reaching for them, and Rumi hands them to her.

She studies each image as if she’s never seen them before, but that’s not true. Gwi-ma had gotten them access to a penthouse, somehow (Zoey is positive that he’d claimed souls in the process, but she didn’t want to think about how many human’s lives she’d indirectly ended) and she’d spent her time learning about each of the boys after she’d figured out how to use the internet: their backstories, controversies, personality- anything she could possibly use against them.

She’d even listened to some of their songs (most of their songs) which wasn’t at all remotely necessary but she hadn’t heard music in decades and they had nice voices. Not that she’d admit that.

The oldest was Abby, who (and Zoey really had to dig for this one) had an abusive father as a child until he eventually left. Fan favorite by everyone, probably due to the fact that he was essentially the muscle (Zoey would probably argue he was actually just the fanservice) which she couldn’t deny she understood. If she was still human, she’d probably be a fan too.

He was one of the nicer ones in the group, which also contributed to his fame, Zoey found. Much to her dismay she could not find very many controversies surrounding Abby other than complaints of him being too sexual on stage (granted, there were not very many complaints of this) so Zoey decided it was probably just time to move on to the next one.

Baby was the youngest and the fan favorite, as Zoey found. He was almost always wearing a hat and a sweater, most of his best pictures including a lollipop in addition to that. He actually had quite a bit of issues, mostly for breaking character and not being the kind sweet one (which Zoey thought that just looking at him or listening to interviews would prove). Baby was the rapper, and unfortunately was good, but Zoey was pretty sure she could outdo him somewhat easily. His backstory wasn’t necessarily clear, although he had been an only child and his parents were rich.

Romance was not necessarily a fan favorite, but the fans he did have were dedicated. Romance was known for flirting with everyone and everything, which most fans deeply enjoyed and others complained about.

They also complained he was an attention seeker, which he had never even tried to deny, probably because it was true. In addition to that he had dating allegations with Abby (Zoey was, after watching interviews, not very shocked by this) and various women that he’d been seen with in the last couple years, not that he ever bothered to confirm anything. He had multiple siblings, all of which were girls, which Zoey thought might explain the hair.

Then there was Jinu, who was considered the leader. Jinu (which Zoey had giggled about earlier) has repeatedly been accused of narcissism. Jinu did not like these accusations.

His father’s location was unknown, but his mother and sister had both died from sickness at the same time a year before he’d rose to fame.

He made a deal with the devil. That was a headline she had seen. It was a joke, of course, but….

She decided not to dwell on it.

Lastly, there was Mystery.

Mystery was everything that the name suggests- a mystery. No one knew about his family or his past. He rarely spoke (all his documented words could be summed up in a thirty second compilation video) but when he did the fans went crazy. It was kind of hard for him to have accusations when he never said anything incriminating.

He was her favorite.

Not that that mattered, of course, but that was simply something she’d decided when researching the night before. If she wasn’t a demon, he’d be just her type (he is just her type, demon or not).

“….done with those yet?”

Zoey snapped her head up and turned to face Rumi, who was holding a hand out. Had she really been staring at them that long?

Her face flushed and she handed them over to Rumi, who dumped them in the trashcan next to the bench. “Yeah, yeah, sorry. I zoned out.”

“Right. Zoned out,” Mira snorts, and Zoey chooses not to respond.

Rumi gets up off of the bench and dusts herself off, the other two following suit, and she brushes her braid off of her shoulder. Zoey is pretty sure that it’s starting to annoy her, and Zoey knows that Mira’s is frustrating her, because she’s already complained about it at least three times.

Zoey, however, did not mind the hair. Actually, she preferred it- it was far better than not having any like she did the rest of the time. She did sort of miss her eyes, though.

Rumi nods up towards an alleyway. “This is the best way to avoid all the people. It’s super crowded during the day, it’ll take too long to push through everyone.”

“God, I didn’t miss this,” Mira grumbles, swirling her drink with her straw. “So many people. And they all shove.”

Zoey bounces on her feet as they walk through the alley, her tone light as she says, “It’s not that bad. It’s kinda nice. At least they aren’t staring at us. Not like in the demon world. Right?”

“They will be,” Rumi confirms, breathing in and out heavily. She thinks a second, then adds quieter, “Hopefully.”

They turned the corner, and Zoey’s heart just about stopped.

The boys. They were here.

Her eyes darted to each of them, all looking just as shocked as she was, so Zoey took a quick glance over at Mira beside her, and her eyes widened for a second before going back to normal, as if nothing happened at all. Zoey tried to do as she did and quickly regained her posture. They didn’t know who she was. They didn’t know she was a demon. She was safe; as long as she didn’t turn and the patterns-

“It’s alright,” She whispers to herself, and they walk closer. She can see the boys whispering frantically to one another, Jinu hitting Romance’s arm, and-

Mystery. Mystery was looking at her.

Zoey sends him a small wave, and she sees his lips turn up slightly as he returns it. She attempts not to allow that get to her.

Jinu is staring at something past her head (Rumi, Zoey would imagine, which she will definitely be bringing up later,) and it’s then that Mira bumps into Abby, her drink spilling onto the pavement.

There’s a moment of silence before Romance sweeps in swiftly, hands gracefully picking it up for her. Zoey turns around and sees Rumi, and she’s pretty positive that they both agree that this won’t end too well.

Briefly Zoey wonders if she should just go ahead and push Mira forward so they can get to their destination, but before she has time to do that he starts talking.

“So sorry about that, miss,” he says, offering her a grin, and Zoey happens to see Baby roll his eyes and Jinu sigh, putting a hand over his face, as though that would help shield him from the shame at all. “He really should have been watching where he was going.”

Abby slides in beside him, resting his arm on Romance’s shoulder. “Yeah, so sorry about that.”

“Love, I don’t suppose I could have your name?”

He was just as charming and confident as everything said he was. Zoey imagines that some of that confidence will be shattered after Mira’s done with him, though.

Mira looks him up and down, as though considering. She meets his eyes, hers judgemental, and for an incredulous moment Zoey thinks that she’s about to give him her name- but she simply nods her head up and says, “Watch yourself.”

Romance’s eyebrows raise and Abby’s jaw drops. Someone loudly lets out a laugh (Zoey is pretty sure it was Baby) and Mira then turns and walks off, leaving her drink in Romance’s hand. Rumi brushes past her, shooting them a cold look as she follows Mira, but Zoey doesn’t move.

She glances back at them: Jinu, who looks pissed and embarrassed all at once; Baby, who looks far too amused by previous events; Romance and Abby, who are still staring in awe in the direction Mira went; and Mystery, who is only looking at her. She should walk away.

Instead, she gracefully walks up to Romance and takes the cup from him. He glances at her for a second but he doesn’t say anything. “Sorry about that,” Zoey whispers apologetically, and she’s instantly hit with Gwi-Ma’s words.

No amount of apologizing can fix what you did.

She flinches slightly, her eyes meeting Mystery’s for a moment, and at everyone’s silence, she then jogs to catch up to the girls, discarding the cup on the way.

Notes:

upon writing this fic I realized that no one has detailed confirmed backstory other than rumi and jinu so I can literally do whatever I want :)

Chapter 4: Soda Pop

Summary:

heh. you’ll see (although it is 400 words longer than the last one!)

Notes:

helloooo

I’m sort of testing out character personalities and how they sound when it’s their pov, so from here on different character’s perspectives and dialogue and stuff may be different vibes, if that makes sense

bringing you SOME romabby content today (is it much? not really. remind me not to start this plot line and forget about it)

Romance MIGHT be a little toxic in this, don’t worry, he’ll be getting over it (character development!!)
anyways enjoy!

Romance, standing in the alleyway now, didn’t remember what he had said that had caused Jinu to slap him in the arm. Actually, he remembered very little of what the interaction had held, up until she was close enough that he would have been able to reach out and touch her if he wanted to. It had all gone by so quickly.

Something about her was special, though. Romance knew that immediately.

He had flirted with hundreds of girls. And guys, for that matter. All of them were pretty- some of them were funny, others intelligent. Some were all of those things, but none of them had stood out to him like she had.

She was hiding something.

Romance felt that he was decently good at telling when people were hiding things. He considered himself to be very good at emotions and small details, after all.

Like, he could tell that Jinu was hiding something from him right now and had been for years, and despite Romance attempting to be cheerful and kind towards him, Jinu was still yet to tell him what it was.

Romance was worried about him- he hadn’t worn anything without sleeves in months. Romance almost wasn’t sure he wanted to know what Jinu was hiding, but he wasn’t going to force him to tell him anything, no matter how badly Romance wanted to make sure he wasn’t hurting. But none of that was important right now.

When she had bumped into Abby, Romance had immediately swept in. No hesitation. He wanted to know more about her, but then she’d simply turned him down. Not just him, either. She turned down Abby, too. No one did that, not even Romance.

Never had Romance been turned down like that before.

Or ever, actually, but especially not like that. He honestly didn't even know what to do. Part of him sort of wanted to go after her- she’d fall for him eventually. They always did.

The other part of him, though, kind of just wanted to forget about it altogether and move on, if Baby would allow that to happen, anyway.

It kind of hurt.

It also kind of made him want to try harder, though.

“Damn,” Abby says, his arm still resting on Romance’s shoulder. “I’m glad no one saw that.”

“I saw that,” Baby grins from behind them. “Serves you two right.”

Romance didn’t say anything. He stood there, mind replaying it over and over. His eyes didn’t dare to leave the alleyway she vanished through. The black haired girl had come up and take her cup from his hands, uttering an apology before quickly scurrying off; and he hadn’t said anything to her. She was pretty- he’d considered it.

“Well,” Jinu says, glaring the direction of the girls, “that was embarrassing. Can we go now? We still need to reschedule the show, and I don’t think that doctor did anything.”

“Relax. You need a break. We need a break. We don’t have to do shit yet,” Baby groaned, stretching as Jinu opened his mouth to say something but decided against it. Baby froze, head slowly turning towards the left. “Wait. What’s that?”

Abby stood up straight, still hovering beside Romance, and Romance was about to say something about how Baby lying and changing the subject so abruptly was very insensitive and he really should stop doing it- but no, he heard it too. It sounded like music.

Mystery was the first to gravitate over to the building’s edge in that silent way he moved and peer over, and he quickly motioned for the others to follow behind him.

The city was always full of people, heading to work and shopping and taking walks- but there were more today. As if they were waiting for something.

Romance could see the look of confusion on Jinu’s face, and he followed his gaze to see the blue smoke pluming out from the center of the street.

Abby stepped out first, and Romance noticed some of his pink hair hanging out from the hood he had over his head, so he reached over and yanked on the strings, maybe a bit too hard, because Abby choked and stumbled backwards.

“Sorry,” Romance said, wincing, and upon Abby’s hoarse it’s fine, they all walked out to the front together.

Romance came out into the city often when he was younger, and he’d spend the entirely of his day exploring. Granted, he wasn’t usually alone for this- he had sisters. And on rare occasions, his parents.

But it wasn’t as if they were watching him very closely anyway, so he could mostly go out where he wanted. He knew the best places for everything- food, clothes, music.

Romance diverted his attention to the center, and right then a figure came out from the blue smoke, and then another, and a third, and the beat dropped.

“Don’t want you, need you, yeah, I need you to fill me up.” The voice was sickly sweet, and Romance’s jaw just about dropped upon seeing the girl’s long purple braid sway behind her as she pointed out into the crowd, a smile on her face, and Romance could tell it was a genuine one.

“You cannot be serious,” Jinu deadpanned, and not even Baby said anything. “They’re a band?”

“Got a feelin’ that oh yeah, you could be everything that I need, taste so sweet, every sip makes me want more, yeah,” she sang, shooting a wink Jinu’s direction, which only seemed to make him madder, and she dipped behind the others as the rude pink haired girl took front.

She’d not done much with her scowl, only making it somewhat lighter to the point where it looked as though she was enjoying herself. And she did seem to be, even if her face didn’t look it.

Romance wondered what her story was. She had a face that provoked that question- she looked as though she’d lived many lives. As though she’d seen things.

Romance wanted to know more.

“When you’re in my arms, I hold you so tight, so tight, can’t let go, no, no, not tonight.” Her voice was deeper than Braid’s, but not any less beautiful. She was far taller than the other two, but she moved gracefully, as though she’d been doing this her entire life. Romance didn’t dare look away, not until she vanished and Braid came back out again, and only then did he steal a glance at the boys, all of which looked just as enamored and lost as he was.

“‘Cause I need you to need me, I’m empty, you feed me, so refreshing,” Braid said, a ghost of a smile on her face as she threw her hair over her shoulder. Cheers and whistles came from the audience, and she seemed to simply breathe it in and out like it was some form of energy. The crowd was under her “trance” as well, not that Romance could even begin to be offended by this.

All three girls were out now, and in harmony, they sang, “My little soda pop,” and did one of the most flawlessly choreographed and in sync performances Romance had probably ever seen.

It was then that Pink Hair turned, and Romance could finally see her secrets clearly- they were worn on her skin, in the shape of jagged purple markings that ran up her arms and neck, a glint of a yellow eye flashing in the early morning sun.

He thought maybe he’d imagined it, but by looking at the nice girl or Braid he could easily see the patterns up their legs and faces as well.

To say he was shocked was an understatement.

Jinu and Baby gasped, and Romance heard Abby say rather loudly, “They’re demons?”

God, maybe the crowd was in a trance. They shouted and screamed at the girls, the sounds of people squealing and people scrambling to get closer was overwhelming. Romance wasn’t sure how he hadn’t heard any of the disturbances before- whatever they were using to lure their fans was working far too well.

He turned his head to see Pink Hair’s eyes jump to his and stay there, expression smug, and she lifts a hand to her lips and she blows him a heart.

It flies towards him and he catches it awestruck as she gives Romance one last glance and looks to Abby and blows him one. Abby does not catch it- instead it hits him firmly in the chest. Under most circumstances he probably would have laughed about that briefly (before asking Abby if he was alright and clinging onto his arm in apology) but this was not a normal circumstance. “They can make hearts out of thin air?” He asks, and he turns to see Pink Hair blow them out into the crowd.

The nice girl steps out into the front, head raised high in defiance, and the crowd stills. “Uh, make me wanna flip the top, Han mogeume you hit the spot, every little drip and drop, fizz and pop, ah, soreum doda it's gettin' hot…”

Baby scowls. “Damn, they’re good.”

“Very,” Jinu says, eyes not leaving them for a second. “What are we supposed to do about that?”

Baby looks at him incredulously. “What are you talking about? They’re demons, Jinu. We kill them.” He steps out, hands ready to summon knives if he needs them, but Mystery reaches out and grips his arm. Baby turns, and Mystery shakes his head.

“Not right now,” he says, voice low. “It’s too public.”

“Then when? They’re going to kill all of these people. Look at them. Everyone’s under their trance. Hell, even I was for a minute. We need to get rid of them,” He says, ripping his arm’s from Mystery’s.

“I mean…. it doesn’t look like they’re trying to kill anyone,” Abby amends, gesturing a hand out towards the girls, who truly don’t look like they’re here for souls. They’re handing out gifts, signing shirts.

“They never do,” Baby snaps.

Romance’s eyes drift up, and the center platform is lifting as the music ramps up, and he wonders for a moment how many souls they’re claiming from this. How many lives they’re taking from a minuscule three minutes.

“Just can’t get enough,” they sing, and Romance sees the ripples in the honmoon. Angry waves pushing away their golden.

This can’t go on longer.

“You’re all I can think of, every drop I drink up,” the crowd chants, and he hears the nice girl doing high notes in the back. “You’re my soda pop, my little soda pop. Cool me down, you’re so hot, pour me up, I won’t stop, you’re my soda pop, my little soda pop.”

They’re like sirens, luring the fans in with their songs, making them want more. Leading each of them to their deaths. They won’t even know what hit them before their souls are sucked from their bodies. Are their voices natural, or were they gifted to them by Gwi-Ma? He’s not sure he wants to know.

“You’re my soda pop, gotta drink every drop.”

It ends, and the fans go crazy.

Romance watches in horror as Pink Hair glances at Abby and brushes off her shoulder. Abby’s jaw drops.

Braid makes a heart with her hands, grabbing sunglasses in the shape of hearts out of her shorts. She pops them on, and “Shhh, shhh- aw. You guys are too sweet.” She brings a hand up to her heart, and the nice black haired girl shoots them a bright grin.

“But don’t worry! We’ll be able to see all of you again tonight on everyone’s favorite game show!” She waves with both manicured hands, taking off a gold bracelet on her wrist and throwing it out into the crowd. A group of teenagers catch it and immediately start screaming and blowing her kisses. “Don’t forget, Huntrix loves you!”

Pink Hair snaps, and the girls vanish into an explosion of blue smoke.

Romance can practically feel the rage radiating off of Baby right now, even though he’s feet away.

“Can we agree that they need to go now?” Baby mutters, and everyone nods.

“Tonight, after the game show,” Jinu says. “That’s when we’ll strike.”

Romance just hoped the demons wouldn’t make it too hard to do.

•  

Romance would like to say that he had a pretty good relationship with each of the Saja Boys.

They could pretend to be enemies whenever Jinu did something slightly irritating, but they weren’t enemies, not in the least. They were a family, one that was irreplaceable and one that Romance would prefer not to lose.

It’s not like Romance had a bad life growing up- they had money, and he had freedom, and they weren’t awful to him. They just weren’t around.

He wasn’t sure why they’d have kids if they weren’t going to spare time from their schedules to actually care for them. So he would end up spending time with his sisters rather than doing anything else.

Maybe that’s why he and Abby got along the way that they did- Abby always had attention that he didn’t want, and Romance never had any at all. Not until now, but it didn’t feel as filling now, did it?

As for Abby, what were they? Romance didn’t know. They had a connection, of course, one that neither of them tried to deny, but no one had ever done anything other than the occasional flirt. It was something that was difficult to balance between demon hunting and performance, because unlike the fans he tended to flirt with for his image (ones he didn’t know,) Abby was not something to be discarded (and this was far too real for that anyway). He’d prefer to stay whatever this was rather than ruin it.

And, by the way, hunting demons was not for the weak. They didn’t wait for schedules or for Romance to finish his morning hair routines- they just appeared when they wanted to, sometimes taking souls that the boys wouldn’t be able to get back, but they’d never truly lost before. Defeat was not something that the Saja Boys had ever come in contact with, aside from the few people who’d lost their lives when they were just starting out, and they’d avenged them the best that they could.

This was also another way to avenge those few.

“Alright,” Jinu whispers. Currently they’re crouched behind the stage of the Huntrix’s event, all of them dressed in leather (they had to look the part). “All we need to do is go in, wait, and the second they leave, we strike. Got it?”

Everyone nods, and they stifle a laugh as they walk up to the top of the stage.

“Oh, and Zoey is down,” the host announces, the freckled nice girl putting down her hot sauce, immediately covering her head with her hands in shame. Who knows what is and isn’t an act. If she wasn’t a demon, he might feel bad for her.

“Rumi is history!”

Braid (Romance guesses he should start calling her Rumi) sets down her bottle in exasperation. She gets up out of her chair and stands cheering beside Zoey, who’s clapping excitedly and bouncing on the balls her feet as the last girl keeps going.

The host feigns a look of shock, before saying rather loudly, “Looks like it’s between my handsome co-host and Mira! Who’s going to win?”

Mira.

She looked like a Mira. It was a regal name, one that she looked to hold with a hint of venom, but Romance could see that behind all that she really was just as kind as the other two- how she acted with her fans was real.

The other competitor finally drops his bottle to the ground, face a bright red as he rasps, “Spicy. Too spicy.”

Mira, who’s dressed in a white shirt with a pink heart patterned vest top and white shorts, brings a hand up to her forehead and salutes with two fingers. The crowd loses it, screams and whistles echoing throughout the room.

Romance must then loosen his grip on his weapon, because his blade slips from his hand, hitting the floor with a sharp pang before he regains his grip. The other Saja Boys heads snap his direction, but Romance is still focused on the girls. No one seemed to hear anything with all the applause, except for Zoey, who slowly looks up.

Her eyes meet Mystery’s, and her eyes light up for a moment, but then going wide on seeing the blades he’s holding in his hands. Almost immediately he lowers them, which warrants a rushed What are you doing? from Baby, but it’s too late for that- she saw them.

“With all the fun we’ve had, it’s so sad to see you all go.”

Zoey shuffles in closer to Mira, and Mira must be able to tell Zoey’s alarmed, because her eyes wander the room before landing on the boys.

Her eyes drift back to see his blade, and he can hear the thoughts going through her head right before she steps forward, smile on her face, and says into the mic, “Then why say goodbye? We’d love to introduce some extra special guests.”

She gestures up to the boys, and the lights immediately light up the darkness, all the boys making their weapons vanish as quick as they can. “Please welcome the Saja Boys!”

“Oh,” Jinu says, raising a hand in a wave, “We’re just here to-“

“Congratulate you guys,” Abby finishes. “And, uh-“

Rumi has a look of amusement on her face, and Zoey (who looks far less scared than she did upon their meeting) grins wickedly and says, “To play games with us? Bring out the slides!”

Some of the crew rolls in the slides- five of them, all different colors, that lead straight into a ball pit that wasn’t nearly deep enough for the five of them. The boy’s eyes all go wide. The slides were basically just public humiliation.

Baby plasters a grin on his face and shakes both hands, says loudly, “Oh, no, really, that’s fine. We were just watching. We really should be-“

“No, no, we insist!” The host declares, and looks out into the crowd. “Don’t you all agree?”

Of course, they all start cheering and chanting, and that means that the Saja Boys can’t simply leave now.

“Fine!” Abby says, glancing at the other boys in defeat. “For the fans.”

They all step out and begin their descent on the slides, but it’s about halfway down that Romance realizes that this was a very poorly thought out plan.

They were wearing leather, which did not sound nice at all on the metal.

“The leather has betrayed us,” Romance whispers, and he looks up to see that the girls had gathered around them, looks of disgust on their face. Zoey had her ears covered.

Abruptly the leather stops sliding and causes them to fall off the slides and into the ball pit, which earns giggles from the girls, and Romance can already sense that the videos of this moment will be reappearing in later interviews.

The boys look up, exasperated, just as Rumi, Mira, and Zoey shoot them bright smug smiles, their eyes flashing yellow for a moment- although he only sees the shine in one of Rumi’s eyes. He doesn’t think much of it.

Dutifully Romance hops out of the ball pit, the other boys following behind, and he dusts himself off. He wasn’t going to let this slide (haha).

No, two could play at this game.

He glances towards the girls, reaches out a hand and gently grabs Mira’s in his own, before bringing it up to his lips and pressing a kiss. Her skin is cold. Romance straightens up to meet her eyes before saying, “The honor is ours.”

From beside her Zoey inhales sharply, and Rumi’s eyebrows raise in shock. The faintest hint of a blush appears on Mira’s face, and he can see the rage behind her eyes, but they both know she can’t do anything about it right now. Not in front of the fans.

“So hot!” A girl screams, shaking her friend’s arm, and another adds awestruck, “And respectful!”

Upon hearing this and instead of promptly killing him she smiles wickedly, (one that only the ones closest to her would see as being anything other than joyful) and says, “No, really, it’s ours,” and grabs his face to press a kiss to his cheek.

The audience loses it at this, and Romance feels his face heat up slightly where her lips brushed his skin. Bringing his hand up to his cheek and back down he can feel her lipstick still stuck to his cheek. It’s a good thing that it’s the side that isn’t facing the cameras.

He freezes for a moment before he gets a swift kick in his leg from Abby, who’s at his side (and who snaps him out of it).

“What are you doing?” he whispers, and Romance ignores him.

“No, the honor is ours,” Romance declares, putting his hand up dramatically and bringing it back down across his midriff and bowing.

He hears the rustle of clothes and assumes that Mira has also gone down into a bow. “Ours.”

“No,” he says firmly, “it’s ours.”

“Ours,” and then he hears the sounds of shoes hitting the floor and giggles as the girls all run off stage.

Romance snaps back up straight just to see them vanish through the exit door.

This could prove to be slightly more challenging than they’d originally thought.

Notes:

you got me. I used this fic as an excuse to describe Mira in detail

Romance is my favorite Saja Boy so you could probably expect more content from him >:))

next chapter however will be told by Rumi’s perspective! (don’t worry, the other Saja Boys and Mira will get theirs eventually)

thank youuuuu make sure to leave kudos and tell me what you think!