⋆｡‧˚ʚ (non demon AU) ɞ˚‧｡⋆

"You’ve watched it three times now."

Baby is curled on the dorm couch, hoodie pulled halfway over his head like a turtle in retreat. You’re sitting across from him, phone in hand, volume up just enough to let him hear his own scream echo from the speakers.

“Hyung, don’t leave me! Don’t let go!” Cut to: Baby curled into Jinu’s side while Mystery calmly opens a fake coffin prop.

You pause the video. You don’t even have to say anything. Your smirk says it all.

Baby groans and flops backward, arm over his face.

"Do you want my career to end? Is that the goal here?"

You snort. "You leapt into Jinu’s arms."

"He was closer than the exit!" Baby shoots back, muffled through fabric. "It was survival instinct. Fight or flight. I picked ‘friend shield.’”

You play another clip. This time it’s him squealing during a “haunted elevator” prank and grabbing Romance by the collar.

Romance: "Bro. It’s a speaker." Baby: "We’re being targeted. This is a hate crime." Abby, calmly in the corner: "It’s literally a kids' ride."

You grin.

He yanks the hoodie all the way over his face.

"Don’t say it."

You say it anyway. "You cried."

"...It was humid. My eyes were reacting."

"You said, ‘Tell my mom I tried.’"

"I was in character. That’s what idols do. I was building the narrative arc."

There’s a pause. You cross your arms, still watching him flail in embarrassment.

Finally, he peeks one eye out of the hoodie. Quiet. Wounded.

"...You still like me, right?"

He says it half-joking, half-sincere.

And when you nod—of course you do—he exhales, leaning his head back dramatically.

"Good. Because next week’s episode is worse. I think I shrieked and asked the camera crew to carry me."

Then muttering, under his breath:

"I’m never gonna be the cool one in the group. I’m just... Baby. In every sense."

He looks at you again.

"Unless you start acting like you’re impressed by me. Just once. Just for balance."

And then—

"Or, I don’t know, kiss me so I forget this ever happened. Either one works."