#daeun

There was a time he would have given everything to be hounded by a journalist. There was a time that he had given everything, and now he had it all.

Award shows. Fansigns. A sold out tour they would never be going on. It had been his dream.

And now it meant nothing. Now and again a fan might might shout something sweet or post a particularly endearing dance trend, and a faint memory of the joy it used to bring would flicker at the back of his mind. But the voices always followed

You are using them, just as they used you. They think you an inspiration but you are nothing more than a parasite

He sighed and shook his head.

Time to find the others. Someone at some point had pressed a coffee into hand. Demons could eat and drink. Everything tasted muted and nothing was ever filling but he’d picked up the habit since being up in the human realm. So when he took a sip of the coffee, it wasn’t the intensity that threw him off it was the familiarity.

He stopped and looked at the brand. He… remembered this place.

“Beano's iced Americano with three shots of expresso and two pumps of hazelnut,” a smug voice came from behind him, “The batista even gave the same mildly horrified look when I ordered it.”

Baby whipped around to see a man leaning rather chalantly agains the window pane. He tilted his head to a side as he looked him over. It was Huntrix’s manager wasn’t it? A chill ran crept up his arms like his body had recognised something before his mind had caught up.

“It is you, isn’t Daeun?”

How had he got that name? They had been careful to avoid them. Jinu didn’t want any curious fans digging up an old boy group from ten years ago with the same faces and names as his master plan. He swallowed hard, still trying to place the man in the murky fog of his memory. His breath got stuck in his throat as the realisation dawned on him.

“You look good, better even,” Bobby stepped under the artificial light of the old ceiling lamps. Of all the people from his old life he could have met, it had to be him. How much did he know? He was around the hunters all the time but he didn’t approach him like someone would knowingly confront a demon.

“It’s mostly makeup,” he tried, voice sounding empty and far away but it made Bobby smile. At least that brought him a little peace. He must not know.

“Y’know after everything fell apart… I know I wasn’t really great at keeping in touch. But if you guys were getting back together, you could have told me.” Bobby laughed, gesturing to himself, “I mean I’m hardly the image of an idol anymore, but I know people, I could have helped you.”

Daeun was very aware he should have something to say in reply but any sort of response died as soon as it reached his lips. In the silence, Bobby laughed more softly.

“I guess you guys did just fine on your own.”

Daeun swallowed a gasp. Memories he’d been determined to let fade taunted him. Bobby was their youngest, the only one of their members who’d grown up in Seoul. His mother would sneak them snacks through the back window of the studio, when they were kept on diets. He loved dancing or at least he did at the beginning. And he was good at it too.

None of them ever spoke about their deals with the Demon King. When, at the end of it all, he’d been summoned to the demon realm he was less surprised to see the others and more surprised that Bobby was not with them. It was a small thing that gnawed at the last remnants of his soul before GwiMa took that too. He’d been left up there all alone.

His heart leap in his mouth as he felt the shame ripple across his skin. Whatever disguise Jinu had woven over them was potent but there was nothing he could do to stop the patterns flashing. He turned away quickly saying in his panic, “I dunno what your talking about old man.”

The words only made the guilt worse. Bobby’s expression hardened and for the first time Daeun sensed an anger hidden between the man’s easy demeanour. But he crossed his arms and looked away, which was the aim wasn’t it?

“That’s cold hyung, you don’t want to talk to me, fine. But to pretend I don’t exist??”

He pressed his head against the cold plaster of the wall. His mind raced, what was he supposed to say. Suddenly, he was aware of the footsteps approaching.

“I just wanted to check up on you, I looked into it when I recognised you guys. There’s nothing on any of you, for the past ten years or that new guy Jinu. Is he okay,” He placed a hand on his shoulder, “Are you okay?”

Daeun flinched back still keeping his head down. He couldn’t let him see. He heard Bobby gasp and he almost snarled in response. Anything to counter the burning sting from his patterns.

“Okay, I get it, I’ll leave you alone,” Bobby began to retreat , “For whatever it’s worth, I’m glad you guys finally got your break, we worked so hard. You deserve it.”

Do you deserve it, Daeun?

He shook his head in a vain attempt to rid himself of the Demon King’s laughter. In the end he doesn’t know why he calls out. But in the doorway, Bobby stopped.

“Bobby, are… are you happy?”

He rolled his eyes, “Well, not particularly, right now,”

“But like, yknow, in… life?”

He looked at him strangely for a moment before a small smile crept back on his face.

“Yeah? Yes, I am,” he replied, “Stressed out of my mind most of the time but I think that’s just how I am,” he gave another little laugh before sobering up, “Look I dunno if we were unlucky or just not good enough, I mean… considering how well your doing now, maybe it was me dragging the rest of you down “

“No,” said Daeun with the earnestness of a boy he’d once been.

“It doesn’t matter. No, Daeun, it really doesn’t. No one should have had to go through what we did. They used us, used our passion and our youth and we had so much at stake we couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t do anything.”

He looked up. There was something different about him. He seemed… grown up? There was a confidence behind his smile that comes only from experience. It lodged something heavy and acidic lodged in his throat.

“But now, I can.” Bobby continued, “I’m working with these girls, bringing wonderful music to the world - just like we always wanted. And I can make sure that it doesn’t kill their love of it in the process. I can make sure what happened to us doesn’t happen again. And yeah, that makes me happy. It wasn’t the plan but I’m really happy. Are you?”

Rage. He realised, that’s what had been building in his chest. A cruel and twisted fury. It wasn’t fair! They had done this together. They had worked themselves nearly to death together. Lost all of it together! How can it be that Bobby could be standing here happy, while he is still here, living their dream and feeling so… empty.

He wanted to scream at him. Wanted to see him scared. Wanted to take that sweet and steady soul from him and just understand it for a moment. Before GwiMa took that too.

A hand finds it way over his own and Daeun looked up. It’s like someone had cut the strings holding him up. He looked into the face of an old friend, filled with genuine concern. When was the last time anyone looked at him like that?

Do you deserve it, Daeun?

“Hyung?”

For a moment it was quiet. Quiet like it hadn’t been since the first time he set foot in the demon realm. For a moment he thought maybe…

Baby knew the sound of a hunter’s weapon being drawn on instinct. A shadow appeared in the doorway. Zoey stood grimly, blades flashing, though she hid them easily behind her back by the time Bobby had turned to see. A sheepish grin plastered over her face.

“Um that guy from ‘A hundred kisses’ is back, you said we didn’t need to go on that show if we didn’t…”

“Hmm? Oh yeah, I’ll deal with him. Some of these guys are real vultures,” Bobby shrugged and shot another meaningful look back at him. But whatever spell had been cast over the room was broken.

“Your members are looking for you. Aren’t you on in like 5minutes.” Zoey’s smile turned sharp.

Baby tore himself away from his gaze and nodded. It didn’t matter. None of it mattered anymore. He mumbled some sort of response and bowed quickly to the both of them before slipping out. He’d given up that choice long ago. Now he just had to exist with the consequences.

Two days before Christmas, you and Jihyo take a trip to the new house. Construction was completed three weeks ago, so the main focus now is on furnishing the property.

Luckily, you got help from your wife, Jihyo, who helped you pick out the furniture for the living room, most of the rooms, and the appliances for the kitchen. She secretly asked the members for their preferred rooms a few months ago to make it easier to move in a day.

The two of you decided to surprise the members, mainly the children, and host Christmas at their new home. “The babies are going to be so surprised!” says Jihyo enthusiastically.

“They deserve it, deserve the best,” as you pull in Jihyo and kiss her on the forehead. 

“I’m going to bring out the presents from the storage room.”

“Sure, I’ll stay and finish decorating the Christmas tree.” 

Seeing Jihyo decorating the tree makes you realize how much has changed during these past few years. Going from sneaking out with Jihyo to having children and even being married to her.

“I can’t wait to see the children’s faces.”

“They’ll be so happy when they see this giant tree. These past few days, they’ve been pointing to the small Christmas tree in the living room and even looking under it,” says Jihyo. 

“They’re going to go wild when they see all the gifts they get this year.” 

Jihyo smiles and says, “I really want to see baby Daeun open up her gifts; she’s been crawling and tearing up paper these past few weeks.” 

“Haha, Dahyun’s been taking so many pictures of her, too.” 

“Alright, oppa, let’s finish up so we can head back home and prepare!”

————

It’s Christmas Eve, and the members, alongside the children, are enjoying a meal that the older members and you helped prepare. They share memories that they’ve made these past few months while on tour and the goals they have for the future.

On the other hand, the children sitting next to each other give their bread to Daeun, who recently started eating on her own. 

They watch as Daeun waves the bread from her high chair before putting it in her mouth. Jisoo laughs as she sees Daeun lick the bread before offering it to Ari, who is looking at her. 

The mothers can’t help but find Daeun interacting with her sisters adorable. Dahyun, the proud mother, boasts about Daeun’s recent achievements over the past few weeks.

“Daeun has tried to stand up independently and can hold herself for two seconds!”

Jihyo Mina responds, “Savor the mementos because before you know it, she’ll start walking, and you’ll be chasing after her.”

The members laugh and look at Ari and Jisoo who are known to run around the house whenever they are playing with each other. 

You don’t want to interrupt their conversation, but it’s time to call it early, “Alright, everyone, let’s call it a night and get to sleep. Tomorrow is a big day; ensure you’re all in the living room by four in the morning.”

Chaeyoung whines, “Oppa, but that’s too early!”

“You can stay if you want, but you’ll miss out on the Christmas presents.”

“Fine, I’ll get up.”

A few hours later, most of the members are in the living room with the kids sleeping on the couch. You help take the suitcases into the cars while the mothers place their children inside the cars. 

With everyone ready, you head to the new house before sunrise, only stopping for coffee.

As you all pull up to the front gate of the residence, Jihyo presses the door remote, allowing the vehicles to enter your new home. 

The lights up as you pull up to the front of the house. Tzuyu seems to be the most excited out of the bunch as her eyes shine to enter. “It looks so pretty from the outside. Is it okay for us to explore a bit?” 

Jihyo responds, “Let's bring the kids in and the suitcases first; if we have time, we can explore a bit.”

With everyone in agreement, the members help bring in the suitcases while the mothers place a large mat in the living room for the children to sleep in.

Chaeyoung goes in, makes her way to the large Christmas tree in the living room, and turns it on. “So many gifts! Which one is mine?” 

“Chaeyoung yah, try to get some rest!”

Startled by Jihyo, she finds a spot in the living room and wraps herself in a blanket before falling asleep. The members continue afterward, forming a barrier around the children as they sleep.

Somehow, you’re woken up with a heavy presence on your chest; you open your eyes and see Jisoo sleeping on top of you. She’s drooling on your shirt, her arms extended. 

Suddenly, you feel someone grabbing your arm and a small little head. You turn around and see Hina trying to work her way to the side of you. Once she’s comfortable, you try to go back to sleep when you see a small figure under a large blanket. 

From under the blanket, you see Ari crawling; she then pokes her head out and smiles. Ari stands and begins to run towards you and jumps, landing on your stomach and waking up Jisoo. 

Jisoo lifts her head and shouts at Ari, who gets up and begins to run around. This results in Hina waking up teary-eyed and wondering what's going on. The members start to wake up and watch as you stop them by grabbing onto the back of their pajamas. Their bodies are suspended in the air, their arms and legs squirming as they try to get back to the ground. 

“Since Ari and Jisoo are having a hard time, maybe we should ask Santa to take back his presents?” says Jihyo.

The children look up, shocked, and say, “No! Santa, no!” and look at you. 

“Maybe if you two apologize, Santa will be okay with Ari and Jisoo keeping the presents.” They nod, and you put them on the floor. They run back to their mothers and say, “Sorry, mommy.”

Daeun wakes up a few minutes later, crawls to you, and sits on the mat with her arms extended. “Do you want me to pick you up?” Daeun smiles; you pick her up and place her on your lap. 

“Alright, since everyone is awake, we can start opening the presents.” 

All the kids raise their heads up by Jihyo’s words and gather around the presents near the large Christmas tree. “Unnie, is it okay if I pass the presents to the babies?” asks Tzuyu.

The mother's nods, and Jihyo replies, “Yes, of course.” Tzuyu smiles and sits next to the large pile of presents. She looks through the numerous wrapped boxes and asks, “Is it okay if I start with Daeun?” 

The babies look up at Tzuyu and nod, with Jisoo saying, “Yea… Daeun, a baby.”

“Aww, you three are such good older sisters.” 

Jisoo, Ari, and Hina smile and watch as Tzuyu gives Daeun the first gift. Daeun looks at the wrapped box before grabbing it and smacking it against the mat. Jisoo grabs the box and says, “Jisoo, help baby Da-eun.” She pokes a hole with her finger and rips the side of the box. Jisoo rips the remaining wrapping before giving it to you, “Open box, Daddy.”

You open the box, leave it slightly open, and give it back to Jisoo. She takes out the stuffed toy and hands it to Daeun. “Jisoo is open for Daeun,” and she hands her a white stuffed tofu.

The members clap at Jisoo’s willingness to help out the maknae of the family. “Jisoo is doing such a good job as a big sister,” says Nayeon.

Jisoo smiles and goes towards Tzuyu, “Jisoo help, unnie.” Tzuyu replies, “Yes, I’ll tell you who to give the presents to.” Jisoo nods and extends her hands as Tzuyu calls out names. She makes sure that each person receives their present in their hands before making her way back to Tzuyu. 

At the end, Jisoo sits on the mat, exhausted but satisfied with the compliments. She grabs her gift and opens it, ripping the paper and showing it to her sisters.

“Now, for the last present,” says Jihyo. She looks at you, giving you a slight nod. You go towards the garage and grab a slightly opened large box. You walk back to the living room and see that all the wrapping is cleaned up. 

“Now that we are living in this large house, we noticed that most of it is open space; we have a large background and even a small forest to the end. As you all grow up, we know how active you girls are going to be, so your daddy and I decided to give you something that will protect you all if you decide to explore.” 

You place the box in the middle and see the girls interested. They move slowly, with Ari touching the box, and it suddenly shakes. She yelps and hides behind Jisoo, who tries to act bravely in front of her younger siblings. She walks towards it and flips the top when a golden head pops up. The sisters look at each other and peek their heads inside the box. A small bark startles them when they see a puppy in golden fur jump, which causes them to laugh.

“Puppy! Puppy!” 

The puppy pushes the box, which causes it to tip over, allowing it to get out and run around the living room. The children laugh as the small puppy runs around, wagging its tail from excitement. Jisoo runs after it and manages to catch it; the puppy wiggles around as it barks.

Ari and Hina approach Jisoo, who is hugging it, “Touch, puppy?” Jisoo nods and holds the puppy so her sisters can pet its head. 

After petting it, Hina walks towards you and shyly asks, “H…Hina play puppy?” You look at Mina and Jisoo, who approves, “Yes, you can take the puppy outside, and I’ll go with you all to watch you.”

Hina smiles and hugs you with a quick kiss on the cheek. The members find it cute since Hina is usually reserved, so this is surprising.

With the children outside, the members decide to open their presents; most of them are clothing, makeup, or things they can use for everyday tasks. It is when they open the long boxes that they start to burst out laughing. 

“Fuck him! If he wasn’t with the children, I would give him a piece of my mind,” says Jeongyeon.

“It’s just a joke,” responds Sana.

“Yeah, unnie. Take it easy and put it to good use instead,” says Chaeyoung as she waves a red dildo in the shape of your member.

Jeongyeon replies, “Disgusting, I can’t.” 

“If you don’t want it, then you can give it to me,” taunts Momo. “It even has veins and everything, I wouldn’t mind having two,” she says as she winks. The members laugh at Jeongyeon’s expression as they hold the dildos you gifted them in their individual colors. 

After having fun teasing each other with their dildos, Sana mentions wanting to tour the house. As you watch the kids playing with the play, they agree and pick everything up before leaving the living room. 

Jihyo, knowing the layout of the house, tells the rest that she will be in charge of the tour. They walk up the stairs to the second floor and see the first room when you come out of the hallway. “Most of the rooms are slightly furnished, and once you choose your room, you can decorate it however you want.” They walk in and notice how much bigger it is compared to their old room. 

“Yes, our own bathroom! Finally! No more sharing!” says Chaeyoung with much enthusiasm. The members laugh but also agree to the nice change. 

“This floor has both full rooms and half rooms. The full rooms have their own bathroom and walk-in closet while the half rooms only have the walk-in closet.”

“I want a full room!” shouts Nayeon.

“Me too!” says Momo.

“Relax, everyone is getting a full room. The half room is for the kids.”

They're surprised by the amount of space in the room and the walk-in closet, “I really like it. I think all my stuff will fit inside,” says Sana.

After exiting, they visit one of the half rooms, “Ideally, this would be for the kids or future kids you may have. If not an office space.” 

They continue to walk down the hallway and see multiple powder rooms throughout the different wings of the house, as well as a reading room. 

The third floor is the same; the only difference is the master room and one of the half rooms, which have three beds and closets full of clothes. “Aww, that’s cute; the kids get to be roommates this time around.” 

“Should I buy them a Lego set so they can decorate their room?” she asks herself. 

They then move to the basement floor, where three doors lead them to different areas. One door that has a label with areas such as theater, storage room, and panic room. The other two have a tunnel to the garage and a detached garage, and the other has a keypad with the label “Playrooms”.

“Is that what I think it is?” asks Momo as she stares at the door. 

“I can’t wait to use it, can I go inside unnie?” asks Chaeyoung.

“It’s not ready yet. Maybe in a week or two,” replies Jihyo.

Disappointed, they both go in the door that leads them into the theater. They look at the single couches and large sofas. Tzuyu runs to one of the sofas and jumps on it before commenting on how comfortable it is. They continue to the game room, which has multiple games and a large table and shelves of games. 

After viewing most of the basement floor, they work up to the first floor. Jihyo shows them the family room, library, laundry room, main kitchen, and secondary kitchen. 

After viewing most of the house, they decide on what rooms to use. Jihyo mentions that the rooms on the second floor are free while the rooms on the third floor are saved for the mothers and the children. Hearing that, the members run to choose their rooms. 

An hour later, Jihyo, Mina, and Dahyun take a walk to look at the daycare you asked for to be built. Jihyo drives the golf cart across the property to the center. They then see you and the rest of the girls playing on the play structure while the puppy sleeps in the grass.

“What are you all doing over here?” asks Jihyo.

“The girls and the puppy ran all the way over here, and since they saw the playground, we decided to have some fun.” 

Dahyun then walks towards you and greets Daeun, who is sitting inside the baby carrier on your chest. She dangles her legs as she watches her sisters going up and down the slide. 

“Daeun, where are you?”

She turns around and smiles at Dahyun, who is hiding behind you, as she tries to play peekaboo. Daeun laughs as she sees her mother appear from your side and extends her arms so that her mother can pick her up. 

The mothers enter from the other side of the building and into the hallway, where they see a line of cubbies and get a pair of sandals to change into. They tour each of the classrooms, beginning with the infant room.

Dahyun points at the crib and the toys to Daeun, “Look, Daeun, this is going to be your classroom. You’ll have lots of fun before you join your sisters.”

They then move to the larger room that the twins and Jisoo are going to use. Mina comments on the layout of the classroom and how cute everything looks. “It reminds me of my childhood when my mom used to talk me to school. I remember beating up all the boys,” laughs Jihyo. ”Aggressive as ever,” replies Dahyun, causing both Mina and Jihyo to laugh. 

Continuing with their tour, they finish it off by heading outside to the playground, where they see you and the girls resting on one of the benches. “Did you girls like the playground?” asks Jihyo.

The girls nod, “park, fun!” replies Jisoo. 

“That’s great. You three will be coming here more often.” 

The girls look at each other and begin to hop in excitement at the idea of playing together again. 

With everyone trying to unpack some of their belongings, Mina and Jihyo take their children to their new room. Immediately as they open the door, Jisoo and Ari run into the room and point at the three beds. 

“Do you like your new room?” asks Jihyo. 

“Jisoo’s room?”

”Yes, Jisoo, as well as Ari and Hina’s room.”

”Together?”

“Ari’s bed?” asks Ari as she points at one of the beds.

”Yes, you get to have your own bed. No more sleeping with mommy,” replies Mina. 

“Yay! Sleep, Jisoo and Hina!” 

On the other hand, Hina seems a bit nervous as she holds onto Mina’s pants. Mina sees Hina’s reaction and picks her up, “Are you nervous?” 

Hina nods, “Want to sleep with mommy” and buries her head to her chest. 

“Aww, you’ll be able to sleep with me whenever you want; I’ll only be next door.”

”Yeah?”

”Of course, if you want you, I’ll tuck you in every night and read you a story. Does that sound good?”

Hina nods and says, “Hina down.” Mina puts Hina down and watches as she follows her other two sisters and climbs her bed. “Hina, sleep here.” 

Eventually, night comes, and all the children are washed and ready to go to bed. All three girls are tucked into their beds and looking at Mina as she sits in front of them with a large book in her hand. 

“Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there lived a young girl named Cinderella…” 

Mina continued to read the story in Japanese until all three of them fell sound asleep. She ensured everyone was tucked in before giving each a good night kiss on the forehead. 

“Goodnight, little ones, sweet dreams,” as she slowly closes the door.