⋆｡‧˚ʚ (non demon AU) ɞ˚‧｡⋆

The lake was quiet, the kind of quiet that made you forget the world was still spinning. A low sun hovered over the tree line, casting soft orange reflections across the water. The dock creaked under your weight as you sat side by side with Baby, feet bare, fishing poles resting against your palms. The lines stretched lazily into the lake, untouched by anything that swam below.

Baby let out a slow breath, leaning back on his hands, eyes squinting slightly toward the sky. “You sure this is what you wanted to do today?” he asked, voice low and unhurried. “Not that I’m complaining. Just… I don’t think I’ve been this quiet since I joined the group.”

He chuckled softly, a warm sound that broke the silence without disturbing it. His gaze flicked toward your fishing line. “Still nothing?” he asked, feigning disappointment. “Tsk. Even the fish are acting shy around you. Must be a pattern.”

You shot him a look. He grinned—wide, boyish, and a little smug—but didn’t apologize.

“I like it out here,” he said after a pause, voice softer now, the teasing edge fading. “No fans, no managers, no makeup artists attacking my face every ten minutes. Just… this. You. Me. A few fish who clearly don’t know how lucky they are.”

You glanced over. He wasn’t looking at the water anymore. He was watching you.

“You think we’d still hang out like this if I wasn’t in Saja Boys?” he asked suddenly, tilting his head. “Or would I just be some guy you passed on the street?”

It was a question that could’ve turned awkward, but Baby’s voice held no insecurity—just quiet curiosity.

He nodded before you could answer. “No, never mind. I don’t believe that.” His lips curved into a smaller smile, less performative. “You would’ve noticed me. Same way I noticed you.”

He dipped his toe into the water and flicked a few droplets in your direction, laughing when you flinched. “Don’t look at me like that,” he said. “You’ll scare the fish.”

You rolled your eyes, but neither of you moved. The moment lingered—calm, unhurried, like the lake itself. And for once, there was no need to fill it with noise.