#ler!romance

She showed up without fanfare. Rumi didn't drift, didn't sneak. She came striding down the path with the same confidence that had made him nervous the first time they'd met. A demon hunter walking openly to meet a demon... something about that still felt like they were tempting fate.

Jinu tilted his head, smiling despite himself. "Did they give you any trouble?" he asked, nodding toward her ankles as though his bird and tiger might still be hiding somewhere nearby.

Rumi's lips quirked. "No. I came right away."

"Yeah, I bet." His giggle slipped out too easily, betraying both his relief that she came and the odd giddiness that always came over him around her.

They sat. At first, the conversation was mundane: trading updates, feigning disinterest in the war both their sides were waging, letting their words circle closer to the dangerous truth that they enjoyed each other's company. Jinu's bird was off in some tree, preening silently, and his tiger lay stretched in the grass like a bored cat, giving them the illusion of privacy.

It was almost too peaceful. Which, Jinu would realize too late, was exactly the setup for Rumi's trap.

"So," she said after a lull, her tone innocent enough to raise alarm bells in his head. "About a few nights ago."

He froze mid-shift on the bench. "What about it?"

"You tickled me."

Jinu blinked, trying not to grin. "Uh... yeah?"

"You think I forgot?" Her voice carried the same seriousness she used when talking about sword training or something.

He laughed nervously. "Come on, that was just... like, a moment. You laughed! You had fun!"

"Oh, I had fun." Her smile spread, sharp but playful. "But now it's your turn."

Before Jinu could process that, she lunged.

Her fingers caught him in the ribs, quick and merciless, and his entire body jolted off the bench like she'd sent a spark through him. "WoahwoahWohohah- W-wahahahaitwahahaitwahahait!!" he yelped, collapsing back against the wood, laughter bursting from his throat in uneven gasps. "HehehehehEEHeee!! RuHUhuhumi, RuhUHUMi!!! Okahahayokayokahahahay!!"

She didn't relent. She had her hunter's focus, her hands quick and precise, skittering along the spots she'd already guessed would be sensitive: his sides, his ribs, the base of his neck. Every touch made him fold, wheezing laughter escaping in a rhythm she didn't let him catch.

"See?" she teased, leaning close like she was interrogating him. "Not so fun when it's happening to you, huh~?"

"HEEEheehee- w-wahahahait!! Nohoho, stohohohop-!! Ruhuhumi, Ihihihi c-caAhahHAHHAn't!!" His words tumbled out, breaking apart with giggles. He tried to wriggle sideways, only for her to follow, pinning him lightly against the arm of the bench.

The tiger raised its head in mild interest, then yawned and went back to dozing.

Jinu's demonic tattoos, usually glowing faintly across his collar and arms, flickered, dimmed, and then vanished altogether when her fingers traced over them. He barely noticed. All he could register was the raw sensation, the way her touches erased Gwi-Ma's ever-present voice in his skull: no commands, no whispering cruelty or shame, just laughter, spilling out of him unrestrained.

"Ughuhuhgh—ohohOHOHohkayokayokaAHAHAYay!!" Jinu wheezed, repeating himself like a broken record. "WohOHahwahahait- waAAHAHAhait!!!" He doubled over, knees bouncing, hoodie riding up to expose the pale stretch of his stomach that she immediately zeroed in on.

Her grin widened. "Oh, so this is worse~?"

"NOHOHOHO! DOhoHOn't- Hehehehhee- DohoHON't youhUhUHUu DahhahahAAAHARE-!!"

She dared.

Her fingers swirled in his belly button, and he nearly folded in half, laughter pitching into desperate squeaks. His bird flapped down from its perch with a sharp cry, landing on the back of the bench as though to protest his torment, but it didn't intervene. Even his familiars knew he'd sort of brought this on himself.

Minutes (or maybe seconds, time blurred) passed before she finally leaned back, hands withdrawing. Jinu slumped instantly, gasping for air, his hoodie clutched around his middle like it might shield him from another attack. His cheeks were flushed, his hair stuck to his forehead, and he couldn't stop giggling even as he tried to compose himself.

"Y-youhuhu-" he panted, pointing weakly at her, "youhuhu ahahare ehehevil."

"Funny, I said that to you last time. And it's revenge," Rumi corrected, brushing her hands together like one just finishing a chore. "Fair's far."

"Not fair at all," he muttered, still huccuping soft laughter. "Youhuhu're, like, way toohoo good at thahat."

Her smirk softened into something fonder. "I didn't think demons could be ticklish."

"Guess I'm full of surprises." He tugged his hoodie down, still smiling despite himself. "D-don't tell anyone, okay? If the others find out..."

"They'll what? Gang up on you?" She leaned back, crossing her arms smugly. "You'd probably like it." (Foreshadowing is a literary device in whi-)

He sputtered, face heating. "Wh- no, I- I wouldn't- shuhuhut uhup!"

Her laugh rang out bright in the empty park, and though he wanted to argue, Jinu let it linger. For the first time in what felt like forever, the darkness inside him was silent, replaced by something lighter, stranger. Unknown, but not unwelcome.

Eventually, the moment stretched thin, and he knew he had to leave before someone noticed his absence. Rising shakily from the bench, he stuffed his hands back in his hoodie pocket. "You... win this round," he admitted.

"Of course I do," Rumi replied. "But don't think I won't do it again~."

"O-ohoh... I bet," he said, laughing under his breath.

And with that, he turned down the path, his tiger slinking after him and his bird fluttering overhead. He didn't dare look back, but he didn't need to. Rumi's laughter still echoed behind him, a sound so bright it carried him all the way home.

Jinu slipped into the apartment as quietly as possible, hoodie pulled low, sneakers squeaking faintly against the polished wood floor. He told himself he'd just breeze past the living room, disappear into his room, and no one would notice.

Well, that plan shattered the second Mystery's voice drifted from the couch. "You're late."

Jinu flinched. Mystery sat cross-legged, periwinkle hair shrouding half his face. Across the room, Abby was sprawled on the carpet with a dumbbell in one hand, doing lazy reps, while Romance leaned against the counter, scrolling through his phone. Baby was perched on a beanbag, silent, watching a drama on the flat-screen.

Every head turned when Jinu froze mid-step. In the awkward silence, Jinu's tiger brushed past him and lay down on a beanbag next to Baby to snooze.

"Uh," Jinu said, trying to look casual. "Hey. What's up?"

Abby grinned, setting the dumbbell aside. "'What's up' is you sneaking out again. What, you think we don't notice?"

Romance slid his phone into his pocket, a smile playing at his lips. "Don't tell me, don't tell me- you were off infiltrating Huntr/x, hm? Whispering sweet nothings to the enemy~?"

Jinu's ears burned. "N-no! I was just-"

"Spill it," Mystery interrupted, his tone as calm as ever, though the corner of his mouth twitched. "You've been disappearing a lot."

Jinu fumbled for an excuse, but the silence stretched too long, and his stupid, nervous laugh bubbled out. "Heehee- I- It wasn't anything like that, I just... Rumi and I were..."

Romance's eyes sharpened. "Oh, this is good. You're glowing, Jinu. Don't think we can't see it."

"Glowing?" Abby sat up, eyes widening in recognition and pointing at him. "He's right! Totally, look at his face! That's not demon work, that's... what, did you two go on a date or something?"

Jinu threw his hands up. "No, no, it wasn't a date! I just-"

Baby, quiet until now, finally looked up from the TV. "Then what happened? What, exactly, did you and Rumi-from-Huntr/x do?" His tone was flat, but everyone leaned in like he'd just issued a command.

Jinu opened his mouth. Closed it. Tried again. "I... g-got tickled."

A beat of silence followed, so heavy he wondered if he'd accidentally said something in another language.

Then Romance doubled over, laughter spilling out like music. "Tickled? Thahat's what this is about!?"

Mystery's stoic façade cracked into a grin. "Unbelievable."

Abby howled, actually falling back onto the carpet and clutching his stomach. "THEHehE MIHIGHT DEMOHON JIHINU, TIHIHICKLED!"

"Oh, stop it!" Jinu shouted, face blazing, taking off his hoodie and throwing it in the corner. "It's not funny!"

"It's hilarious!" Romance countered, wiping tears from his eyes. "Tell me, tell me! Did you beg? Did you squeal?"

"N-nohoho-!" Jinu sputtered, the giggle betraying him instantly.

They roared even harder.

Even Baby's lips twitched, just barely, before he looked back at the screen with forced indifference.

Jinu flopped onto the nearest chair, burying his face in his hands. "I hate all of you."

"Ahaww, don't be mad~!" Abby teased, crawling closer to nudge his shoulder. "We're just surprised. Ticklish demons! That's new lore, bro!"

Romance leaned in with mock seriousness. "Maybe the Demon King's greatest weakness is feather dusters. We should report this!"

Mystery's smirk softened as he studied Jinu, who still shook with leftover laughter he couldn't entirely suppress. "You really don't look miserable, though. You look... lighter."

The comment hushed the group just a fraction. Abby glanced away, Romance pocketed his grin, and even Baby seemed to be listening now.

Jinu lowered his hands, blinking at Mystery. "... So what if I do?"

Romance exhaled, suddenly thoughtful. "It's just... been a while, you know? Since any of us..." He trailed off, gesturing vaguely. "...felt something like that."

Abby nodded, quieter than usual. "We fight, we train. We obey. But laughing like that? Haven't done that since..." He exhaled, staring off into space. "...since before."

The word 'before' hung heavy... before they'd been bound to the Demon King, before their humanity had been scrubbed away.

For a long moment, no one spoke. The faint sound of Baby's drama played in the background, oddly poignant.

Finally, Baby broke the silence with his low, even tone, turning to look at Jinu. "So. Tickling." He didn't smile, but his voice carried the slightest hint of curiosity. "That's what made you feel human again?"

Jinu swallowed, hesitant but honest. "Y-yeah. It... it shut everything else out. Just laughing, just being there. No... Gwi-Ma. No orders, no shame. Just... me."

His voice cracked on the last word, and suddenly the room felt fragile, like one wrong move would shatter the unspoken truth between them.

Romance leaned back, softer now. "Well. Maybe we should all try it."

That earned him a round of incredulous looks.

"You're joking," Abby said.

But Mystery's smirk returned, sly this time as if he were squinting underneath his hair. "Are you?"

Romance shrugged, but his eyes glinted. "Well, maybe not. We could use a little... experimentation."

Jinu groaned, already sensing the disaster brewing. "Guys, please- don't get any ideas-"

But that spark was there, that seed planted. And judging by the grins spreading across their faces, it was only a matter of time before this apartment descended into chaos. It was a powder keg.

The quiet didn't last long.

Romance was the first to move, like always, walking forward to lean on the back of the couch with that lazy, mischievous grin of his. "You know," he said, stretching his arm dramatically, "we're idols. We might get asked to do this on some variety show someday."

Abby snorted. "What, tickle each other?"

Romance wiggled his fingers teasingly in the air. "You know those challenges. They're weird, like that hot sauce challenge."

Wordlessly, everyone looked at Baby, who just smirked proudly.

Romance continued, "Anyways, it wouldn't be the strangest thing they threw at us."

Mystery raised an unimpressed brow from his seat on the couch. "Why do humans want us to debase ourselves for their amusement? Tickling would be absurd."

"Is it?" Romance leaned down casually and, before Mystery could react, jabbed two fingers into his side.

Instantly, Mystery, the ever-composed, brooding figure, jolted like he'd been electrocuted. A sharp yelp escaped him, followed by a burst of helpless giggles that shattered his entire mystique in two seconds flat.

"HEHEHEe- WhahAHAHhat-?!" Mystery twisted away, clutching his ribs, laughter bubbling up uncontrollably. His sweater slipped as he curled, and he desperately tried to smother his own giggles with his sleeve as he rubbed at the spot Romance had poked him.

The room exploded.

"NO WAY!!" Abby cried, crawling toward the couch and sitting beside his bandmate. "Mystery?! You're that ticklish!?"

Romance looked smug, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder. "Ah, what can I say? I have a gift for finding weak spots."

Mystery glared through his hair, but the blush on his neck betrayed him. "D-dohon't- dohohon't make a bihihig deheal-!" His protest was cut off in another squeak when Abby poked his ribs experimentally. Mystery folded instantly, crumbling sideways into Abby's lap, giggling like a kid. "HehehehHEEhee-!! N-nohoHohOo, StohOhohohOp!!"

Abby's jaw dropped. "Oh, this is golden." He wiggled his fingers across Mystery's sides just to prove it, and Mystery writhed helplessly, clutching at his wrists. "He really can't take it, guys!"

Romance chuckled. "Forget the Demon King, all they need to do is poke Mystery, and the war's over."

Jinu leaned forward from the armchair, still flushed from his earlier humiliation, but unable to resist the grin spreading on his face. "See? It's not so bad once you get used to it."

Mystery shot him a betrayed expression between hiccupping giggles. "N-NohOhoHot- fuhuHuHUhUhunny-!!"

"It kinda ihis," Jinu teased, his own giggle slipping through. "Besides, I told you guys. Ticklish demons. It's a thing."

Abby grinned wider. "Well, then we've gotta find out who's the most ticklish, right?"

"Oh, no," Jinu groaned, already feeling dread pool in his stomach. "Don't even start-"

But it was too late. Romance clasped his hands together dramatically. "Gentlemen, I propose a challenge. A noble experiment in the name of science... and fanservice."

Baby, still on the beanbag, finally turned his head from the TV. His expression didn't change, but his tone carried dry amusement. "You're actually suggesting a tickle competition."

Romance's smirk widened, enunciating with his hands as he explained. "Why not? Think about it. If a variety show does spring it on us, wouldn't it be better to train for it? Build immunity, I guess?"

"Build immunity?" Abby barked a laugh. "Dude, that's not how tickling works!"

Jinu buried his face in his hands, chuckling despite himself. "Youhu guys are insane..."

"Insane," Romance echoed, eyes glittering, "or visionary?" He wiggled his eyebrows goofily.

Mystery sat up finally, still giggling under his breath as he shoved Abby away. His cheeks were pink, his composure in tatters. "Ihihi refuhuhuse," he muttered, though his voice cracked halfway through.

...which only made the others laugh harder.

"See, he's scared already," Abby teased. "That's how you know he's doomed."

Baby exhaled through his nose, almost a laugh. "Fine. But if we're doing this, it has to be fair. Everyone gets tested."

Jinu peeked through his fingers, groaning. "This is going to end badly..."

Romance leaned closer, his grin positively wicked. "End badly for you, maybe. End gloriously for the rest of us."

The challenge was sealed, and it didn't take long to escalate.

"Alright," Abby said, rolling his shoulders, trying to play it cool. "If we're really doing this experiment, then bring it on. I'm not scared."

That bravado lasted all of... thirty seconds.

Romance smirked and pounced first, fingers clawing into Abby's sides from behind the couch. Abby flinched but managed to grit his teeth, shoving him off. "Hah- nice try, playboy. You're gonna have to do better than-"

Hungry for vengeance, Mystery swooped in without a word, jabbing Abby's ribs, and that's when the façade shattered. Abby's laugh burst out like a gunshot, sharp and wild. "bAHAhahAHAHA-!! NoHOHO WhAHahAIT-!!"

"Those abs won't protect you now," Romance teased, already grabbing the hem of Abby's shirt. "Let's see what's hiding under here."

"NoOhOHoHO, DOhohon't youhUhu- dohoHon't youhuHU DahahahARe!!" Abby thrashed, but Jinu, sitting beside him, joined in, tugging his shirt up until his sculpted stomach was exposed. The sight alone made the group chuckle.

"Just look at that target," Mystery mused, grinning softly. "Wide open."

Abby didn't even have time to curse before all three of them attacked. Fingers dove straight for his belly, and especially his belly button, which turned out to be devastating. Abby's deep voice dissolved into shrieking laughter, bouncing around the apartment.

"StaaHAHHAHAHAHA- NOHoHOHO, NOOOhOOHO!! N-NOHoHoHOT THEHEHEHERE!!!" he howled, twisting so hard he nearly flipped the coffee table. "IHIHI-IHiHIHI CAhahaHAN'T- AHhAHAHAHA!! OhOhOHOH MYyHYHY GOHoHOHHD!!"

Romance, merciless, traced slow circles around Abby's belly button, cooing, "Ohhh, this is the spot, isn't it~? Your strength is useless here~!"

"SHUHUHUHUT UhUhUHUP!!" Abby cried, tears in his eyes from laughing. His arms flailed weakly, but with Mystery pinning his wrists and Jinu digging into his sides, he was doomed.

The spectacle left Baby and the tiger both staring impassively from their beanbags, but Jinu caught Baby's almost-smile out of the corner of his eye, which only encouraged him further.

Finally, Abby collapsed forward, flat onto the carpet, wheezing, sweat beading on his brow. "OhOHOHOKAhahAY!! Y-YohUhUHU WIHIHIN!!"

The others fell back, triumphant.

"Science says," Romance announced smugly, "that Abby is extremely ticklish."

"Sh-ShuHUt it!!" Abby groaned, curling protectively around his stomach.

But Romance wasn't safe for long.

"Your turn, loverboy," Mystery said smoothly, lunging forward and making to grab Romance.

Romance yelped, scrambling backward. "Woah, woah, woah- gentlemen, careful-!" He raised his hands in mock surrender, grinning like he could talk his way out. "Y-you're touching dangerous territory. We wouldn't want anyone to get the wrong idea~!"

"Flirt all you want," Abby growled, already recovered enough to grab him by the ankle. "You're not wriggling out of this."

"Waitwaitwait-!! Think of the optics-!!" Romance laughed nervously as they dragged him down onto the couch. "T-The fans will kill you for ruining my perfect image-!!"

Mystery cut him off by digging into his ribs, and Romance's composure shattered instantly. His laughter rang out bright and melodic, spilling over the room.

"GAHhahAHHAHA-! OkaHAHAyokaahahya-!! M-mYHHYStery, youHUhu TraahAHAITOR!!!" He kicked his legs, twisting in their grip, still trying to flirt his way through it. "I-IihIhif youHuhu keehEHep touHUhuching me LihiHike thihihis, IhiHIHI'll hahahave toho BuuHUhUy youHuhu dihihiNner fiHiHIhiRST-!"

Jinu snorted, joining in to scribble over his sides. "Well, you are ticklish!"

"SToHohoHOahp-!! N-NoHoHO!! IhiHihi'm sTIhIhill- stiHIhIll chahahAhArming-!!" Romance wheezed, his words tripping over laughter. "Y-YouHuhU cahHAhan't tahHAHahake thahahAHt froHohOm MeHEhehE- HAhaAHAH!! NoHoHOHo, NOhOHOT MyHYHy RiHIHIBS!!"

Abby leaned up with wicked glee, slipping his fingers under Romance's shirt to poke at his stomach. "Dangerous territory, huh? Feels like pretty weak territory to me, dude~."

Romance shrieked and tried to twist away, laughter bubbling out in frantic waves. Even while he begged, he still tossed out desperate, half-flirty lines. "S-SOhOho RouhuHUgh WIhIHIhIth mEheHHee-!! YoUHuHu'll RuHuHUIN MyHyHy RehHEHEHEPUhUhUTAHAHATION!"

Mystery smirked down at him. "Oh, it's pretty ruined already."

The apartment dissolved into pure chaos after that.

Abby let go of Romance, only for Romance to lunge at Jinu, pinning him against the couch and scribbling mercilessly over his ribs. Jinu squealed, kicking his legs, his giggles echoing high-pitched and wheezy.

"NoHoHOT mEHehHEE AagAHAhaHAIN!!! NOhOhOHoHOEhEHEHE!!"

Mystery took the distraction to pounce on Abby, returning the favor by digging into his exposed stomach. Abby bellowed, thrashing so hard he almost knocked Mystery into the wall.

"VEhEHEHNEhEHHEANCE!!!" Abby roared with helpless laughter.

The couch tipped, cushions flying as Jinu and Romance squealed with surprise. The coffee table skidded half an inch across the floor from the impact of Abby's foot. Someone's shoe flew off, landing in the kitchen.

The room was a battlefield, alliances forming and crumbling in seconds. Jinu and Mystery briefly teamed up against Romance again, only for Abby to betray them both and tackle Jinu back onto the carpet. Romance seized the moment to tickle Mystery's knees, and Mystery folded instantly, laughing so hard he lost all strength in his limbs.

"T-TrHAhahHAAHAHAITOHOhORS!!! AHhahHAHAALL oHoHOHOF YOuHUHUHU!!!" he cried, giggling uncontrollably.

Even Baby wasn't safe. A stray hand brushed his socked foot when Jinu tried to crawl away, and Baby kicked him square in the shoulder back into the pile, not hard, but enough to remind them he was there.

"Don't," Baby warned, his voice flat as ever. But Jinu caught the faintest flicker of amusement in his eyes.

The laughter filled the apartment like a storm, blending with shouts, squeals, and cries for mercy. It was reckless, it was ridiculous, but for the first time in years, they all sounded alive.

Finally, the storm slowed, the bows strewn across the carpet and couch like casualties of war. Everyone was panting, flushed, eyes glassy with tears, except for one.

Baby sat upright on his beanbag, arms crossed, completely unscathed. The others had been reckless, wild, and undone, but Baby still looked like a statue.

Jinu, cheeks burning, pushed himself up on trembling arms. "HEehEHehehe... youuhuhu've just been sihihitting there. Nohohot fahair."

Baby tilted his head. "Yeah, someone had to stay in control."

"Yeah?" Jinu said, grinning through his breathlessness. "Let's see how long that lasts."

Mystery perked up immediately. "Ohh, I like where this is going."

Abby, still sprawled out, wheezed, "You guys ahahare insahahane. Hehehe's... hehe's not tihicklish."

"We'll find out," Jinu replied, already stumbling toward the beanbag.

At first, Baby didn't even react. Jinu jabbed experimentally at his ribs. Romance leaned forward, fascinated. Nothing. Mystery poked his side.

"Hey, stay down." Baby scribbled under Mystery's underarm, sending him back to the floor in squealing laughter. "You guys are wasting your breath," he said flatly, eyes half-lidded.

But Jinu wasn't backing down. With a sharp grin, he dropped low and dug into Baby's stomach, fingers scabbling with purpose. Romance joined instantly, hands doubling the assault.

For a moment, it seemed hopeless. Baby's jaw clenched, his face blank as stone. And then...

"...mmmMhhffhfhfhff- pfftaahahahaha!!"

The laugh erupted deep and rumbly, startlingly rich. The room froze for a second, jaws dropping, before the boys dissolved into stunned giggles of their own.

"Ohoh my god! Baby's laughing~!" Romance cried.

"It's real!!" Abby barked out, wide-eyed.

Baby twisted, struggling to regain control, but Jinu and Romance pressed harder, circling his belly button and pinching at his sides. The stoic façade crumbled, his face flushed, his lips trembling with sound he clearly didn't want to give.

"Ghhhuhuhuhh- stohohOhohahap- n-nohohohohoho-!"

It wasn't just laughter. There was a slip, a crack into something softer, almost babbling, before Baby snapped his mouth shut again, furious with himself.

The boys went silent at the sound, blinking at him in shock.

Then, with sudden force, Baby surged upright. "Okay, fihine." In a single sweep, he knocked both Jinu and Romance backward, his calm restored in an instant.

"I won't take shit from you..." Baby scribbled over Abby's belly, making him cackle.

"...or you..." Baby squeezed Jinu's ribs, causing the demon to giggle helplessly.

"...or you..." Baby grabbed Romance's foot and scribbled over his sole, making him shriek and flail around.

"...and especially... not you." Baby shot his hands back down under Mystery's underarms, who kicked his feet as he squealed with laughter.

Irrefutably, Baby was the one looming victorious, as the other four, defeated, panted for breath. Jinu and Mystery were tangled on the carpet, Abby was groaning against the couch, and Romance was wheezing into one of the couch cushions. Only Baby sat tall, unruffled, as if the outburst had never happened.

The room buzzed with aftershocks of laughter, heavy breathing, and hearts pounding. For a long moment, no one spoke.

A woman, clearly frazzled and on the phone, stumbled into Baby. She’d hung up the phone by accident because of this, which pissed her off. 

He hit the floor at Jinu’s feet hard, his hood coming off and revealing his mint green hair. Jinu knelt down next to him immediately, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Watch where you’re-!” Baby and Jinu looked up at her at the same time, Baby’s patterns flickering. Not that she could see, but the point got to Jinu. “Saja Boyz?” She finished, her tone going from accusatory to terrified. 

Baby looked down and scowled, preparing to say something, but Jinu squeezed his shoulder. He whispered, “Careful, we need a good reputation, remember?” The younger frowned but still restrained.

“I-I’m so sorry! Please forgive me!” She continued, offering a hand to him. He took a breath and accepted the hand. Jinu stood with him, watching his face closely in case he did anything harmful.

“It’s fine. Nobody got hurt, and that’s all that matters,” he said, his voice about an octave higher than normal to keep up his character and not be cross with her. He put half a heart to his face and smiled, like he would on a TV show. She swooned, making an excited hum before apologizing again and running off to a man across the road. 

The second she was gone, Baby pulled his hood up once again. “This is why I said we should just teleport rather than walking.”

Jinu groaned. “I already told you, we can’t do anything without being watched. What do you think would happen if everyone saw us just disappear from sight.”

Baby huffed.

“Hurry up, I’m worried she’s gonna tell everyone that we’re here. Let’s go.”

The other four nodded. 

Before they set off again, Baby tapped Abby and gave him the best puppy dog eyes he could. Abby chuckled and let him jump on his back so he could carry him. 

Jinu eyed them, smirking slightly. “And you say the whole baby-act is just a charade.”

With his head on Abby’s shoulder, he snarked, “Shut up. At least I don’t sneak out every-”

He shoved a hand over his mouth. “Okay! You can be quiet now.”

Abby, Romance, and Mystery shared a look before deciding it wasn’t worth it to pry in public. 

—

They somehow made it home without being noticed again. Once they got inside, Abby dropped Baby on the couch, then acted as if he’d fallen once again. Mystery moved behind the couch to check on him quietly.

“You ass!” Baby exclaimed, rolling his eyes.

“It’s not my fault you have a thing with falling today,” Abby teased, crossing his arms. The shorter glared at him – and if looks could kill, he would’ve dropped dead – before standing and grabbing the remote for the TV. 

Romance whispered something to Abby, and they both broke out into laughter.

“That’s such a good idea! We’re doing that,” Abby responded, elbowing his arm. Baby furrowed his eyebrows, but chose to ignore them for his own sanity.

He went to sit down, but Romance came up behind him and tased his sides. Baby collapsed onto the floor dramatically, squeaking uncharacteristically. 

“See, you just won’t stop falling!” Abby taunted, sitting on the couch where Baby was very clearly planning to sit.

“You- ugh you prick!” He chucked the remote next to him, barely missing his arm. 

Jinu made a face at his bandmates. “I said no violence against each other. We can’t get anything done if we kill each other.”

Baby glared. “If I wanted to hit him, I would have.”

The taller shrugged, sitting by the arm of the couch. Baby stood once again, trying to shove past Romance, who only tweaked his ribs. This time he didn’t fall, instead yelping and whacking his arm lightly.

“Knock it off!” He blushed, storming off to his room. 

The four left in the living room exchanged glances before Jinu broke the silence, making sure Baby was out of earshot. 

“What are you two up to?”

Abby and Romance both snickered. Romance tried to explain through laughter while moving to sit next to Jinu. “Wehe- we’re gonna see hohow many tihimes we can get him to fall before we break him.”

“And what is breaking him, exactly?” Mystery piped up, managing to sit on the back of the couch. 

“You’ll see,” Abby said, turning on the TV. The first thing they saw was the game show they were on a couple days ago – the one with Huntr/x. Must’ve been a replay for the people who missed it. The TV displayed Jinu giving up on the hotsauce, Baby happily kicking his feet next to him. 

“Ugh, can we change to a movie or something, I don’t want to be reminded of this.” Jinu complained. When Abby refused, he got up and left their home. Probably to go bother Rumi, if we’re being real.

—

A couple hours later, Baby came out of his room. He looked a little less grumpy and a lot more flustered. He plopped down on the floor in front of the couch a lot closer to Abby than he normally would. 

“Another fall for the count?” he teased.

Baby only flipped him off. “Shut up, dipshit. I just wanted to know what you guys wanted to eat.”

Romance grabbed his shoulder. “Hmm… maybe ras~” 

Baby flinched, rolling his hand off of his shoulder. 

“What? I was gonna say rice!”

Mystery and Baby shared a puzzled expression. 

“That is not what you said, bastard!” Baby yelped, trying to seem more composed than he was.

“I don’t know, I definitely heard ‘rice’, babe,” Abby chimed in, poking the younger’s cheek.

He swatted his hand away, mumbling a defeated whatever and standing up. “Does anyone want to come with me to the store, then?”

Romance and Abby smirked. 

“Sure, we’ll both come!” Abby said excitedly. Pulling Romance off of the couch. Baby let out a huff of annoyance, but let them come along anyway. 

The three put on makeshift disguises again and headed out to the store. The second they stepped outside, Abby pinched the shortest’s hip. He yelped and dropped to the cold, concrete sidewalk. 

“Oh wow, is that three or four now?” Abby asked, as if he hadn’t caused the reaction. He reached out a hand to help him up. Baby took the hand and stood up before pushing Abby.

“You-!” He started, but was cut off by Romance quickly spidering his ribs. He fell backwards into the taller demon, who caught him and helped steady him.

“That was four, Ab,” Romance corrected. Baby growled and walked down the sidewalk towards the store. The other two ran to catch up with him.

They walked the rest of the way in silence. Baby made sure to stay more than arms length away from the two to avoid any more ‘falls’. They made it to the store with no further problems, shockingly.

“Pick the rice you want, I know what Jinu and Mystery usually get,” Baby grumbled, not even looking at the duo.

Deciding this was not the time nor place, they left the youngest alone until the rice was paid for (with what money is the main question here) and they left the store. Halfway back to the house, Abby scribbled quickly into his side. This elicited a near-scream and he went down once again. 

“Bahabe, how ahare you nohot expecting it by nohow?” Romance giggled, grabbing under his arms – which Baby flinched and squeaked at – and hoisted him up.

He didn’t answer, only glaring at the two and speeding up his pace. They had to fight back laughter to avoid getting jumped right then and there.

By the time they arrived home, Jinu was already there and waiting. 

“Where’d you go? I got home and Mystery was watching a Huntr/x interview!” Jinu yelled lightheartedly. Mystery was sitting in the corner like a child who was put in time out.

Baby scoffed. “Please, like you wouldn’t do the same thing. Do we need to put you in time out as well? Or do you get special privileges?”

Jinu gaped at his audacity, but also didn’t say anything. He was right, to be fair.

“Well, that’s not very kind, babe,” Romance said, nudging his ribs. He jumped so far he landed almost next to Jinu.

Jinu cackled at his usually stoic bandmate, noticing the red creeping up into his face.

“It’s not funny! If I’m not allowed to hurt them, why are they allowed to torture me?” Baby asked in convincing but fake distress.

“Because if you really cared that much, you wouldn’t let it continue like it is, Baby,” Jinu said, his laughter dying down.

Baby squawked. “That’s not- You- ugh! Fuck all of you!” He got up and stomped to his room again, slamming the door in frustration.

“Is this him breaking?” Mystery asked from the corner.

Abby shook his head. “Not quite yet, but almost there. Also you can come out of the corner now.”

Mystery nodded and got up. He grabbed everyone’s rice and passed it out to each of them, except for Baby’s, which he placed back on the counter. He’ll come out for it eventually, he thought.

—

The next day, Romance was sent to wake Baby up because he was late for dance rehearsal. Obviously, it was an awesome opportunity. 

He opened Baby’s door to the sight of him face down on his bed. He snuck over to his bed and traced gentle shapes on his neck.

“You’re late for dance, it’s time to get up,” he whispered softly.

Baby swatted at his hand and pulled the blankets over his head. “No.”

Romance sighed. “Don’t make me be mean.”

Baby ignored him.

“Fine.”

With that, he roughly squeezed around where his ribs would be under the blanket. Baby jumped, trying to pull the blanket off to fight back, but he got stuck under it.

“N-NO!” He choked back giggles and fought to get the blankets off. “I’M UHUP! I’M UP!”

Romance stopped and took the blanket off of him. “Then get dressed. Jinu’s already pissy that Abby was late.”

The youngest was redder than a tomato. He pushed the taller off of his bed and grabbed his clothes. “Great. You can leave now.”

Romance left the room and waited for him to exit. Once he was ready, they both left for rehearsal.

The second they walked in, Jinu let out an exasperated sigh. “Finally. Now we can actually get stuff done.”

“I’m starting to think you did this just to dance and sing again,” Baby sassed, smirking and crossing his arms.

Jinu narrowed his eyes. “You willingly joined, by the way.”

“Regardless, you still started the group.”

“How else are we supposed to defeat the hunters?”

Baby snorted at that. “There’s many other ways. Look, if you wanted to sing and dance, that’s your business. It’s not my fault you’re getting defensive.”

Jinu jumped at the younger, taking him to the floor. The other three gasped and prepared to break up a fight. But then they saw Baby’s mannerisms.

He was biting his cheeks to prevent the obvious smile on his face, arms protectively around his torso, and he was looking in any direction except for at Jinu.

Jinu halted any actions he was making, or about to do, noticing his maknae’s behavior. “Oh. That’s what this is.”

Baby mocked a confused expression, trying and failing to meet Jinu’s eyes. “What do you mean? You just rudely tackled me!”

“Yeah, just for how you treated me, I’m making you wait.”

His face dropped slightly before he turned away. “I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

Jinu tweaked his side lightly before climbing off. “Sure you don’t.”

Abby whispered to Mystery before they started, “That’s what him breaking looks like.”

With that, they all officially got to practicing. They started running the dance for Soda Pop, and experimented with choreography for possible future songs. Baby, of course, was a little distracted, which caused some timing issues for the dance. And soon came the call from Jinu:

“Baby! Focus!” 

That phrase got repeated at least one hundred and fifty times before they ended rehearsal. And, although Jinu tried to seem mad, everyone knew he wasn’t.

After they finally finished up, Jinu offered to grab drinks for everyone, so he hadn’t gone home at the same time as the other four. 

As soon as they stepped foot inside, Baby plopped onto the couch, leaving no room for anyone else to sit.

“Move,” Abby demanded.

“I got here first.”

Abby took a deep breath. “Will you please just move?”

“Make me.”

Abby raised an eyebrow and Romance froze. “Make you?”

“What, you too scared?” he taunted, crossing his arms under his head.

“Alright.”

Abby reached for the youngest, to which he flinched dramatically, slamming his arms down to his stomach. Deciding to be mean and not give him what he wanted, Abby picked him up and dropped him on the floor, sitting down before he could get up.

Baby looked at him, bewildered. Romance covered his mouth and choked on laughter at the sight of his ‘tough guy’ facade cracking.

“What, not the ‘make me’ tactic you were hoping for?” Abby teased, winking at him.

He sat up against the couch. “I don’t know what you’re implying.” 

Abby shook his head and reached for the remote, but Baby snatched it just before he was able to grab it. “Can I please have the remote?”

He huffed a very clear hell no.

“Baby.”

“Abby.”

“Give it.”

“No.”

Abby twisted and wrestled it out of his hands, accidently turning on the TV and filtering through the channels. By the time he got the remote, they had landed on a French movie: Belle et Sebastien, or something of the sorts (good movie, you should watch it), right during a tickle scene. 

Baby flushed a deep red, looking away from the screen. He mumbled something incoherent. 

“What was that?” Romance asked, leaning down to his level.

“Nothing, you prick.”

“No, it was something. C’mon, you know you can tell us.” 

Baby’s eye twitched. “Fuck off, you’re lying.”

He put a hand over his heart, as if genuinely offended. “How rude!”

Baby scoffed and stood up, but Romance squeezed just above his kneecap. His knees buckled and he crash-landed next to him. 

“Oh my, Babe, you are quite the clumsy one. We oughta put bubble wrap on you.”

“Shut up, asshole!” His face burned as he tried to ignore the painfully obvious blush dusting his face and ears. 

“Asshole? That’s really not nice, Baby,” he said in such a teasy tone that the younger physically recoiled, covering his body once again. “Oh, he’s all choked up now. You alright there, babe?”

Baby groaned. “Fine.” He said, but it was obviously not an answer. It was an admission of defeat.

“Fine what?” Abby piped up, elbows on his knees and face in his hands.

“Can you stop torturing me and just get it over with?” He asked quietly, looking away. “Please?”

The please threw all three of them off, and Romance and Abby immediately felt proud. They shared a look and came to a consensus: put him out of his misery.

“Alright,” Abby answered finally, jumping up, grabbing the smaller’s arms and pinning them under his knees in one swift movement. Romance quickly followed in suit, sitting on his thighs and resting his hands on his sides. Baby yelped, squirming at the sudden restriction.

Once they had him securely down, Romance lifted his sweater and lightly traced hearts on his sides while Abby played with his hair that, for once, was not hidden in a beanie. Baby sucked in his stomach at the touch, wiggling slightly, as if adjusting to the feeling rather than avoiding it.

Mystery walked over and sat on the couch, pulling out a phone – where did he get a phone?? – and beginning to record the interaction.

“Wait- Doho-don’t record this!” Baby yelped. He shut his eyes tight and turned his face into his arm, like that would hide him.

Abby smirked. “No, please record this. The fans would adore this! Think of how happy Jinu would be if our number skyrocketed because of it! You know how people are about – what do they call them? Clips? Yeah. – clips of stuff like this.”

“No! Meheanies!”

Romance smiled. “We’re ‘meanies’ now? Not various profanities?”

Baby made a strangled noise. “Wehe- we can always goho back to that!”

Mystery frowned. “Let’s not. Idols aren’t supposed to swear, remember? We’d get – what’s the word?”

“Cancelled,” called Jinu’s voice as he entered the house. He set down the drinks on the table. “What’s going on here?”

Abby lit up at the chance to embarrass their Maknae. “He finally broke, so we’re giving him what he wanted. Y’know, since you didn’t at rehearsal today. Also, Mystery’s recording, so say hi.”

Jinu blinked. “Hi? Why are you recording?”

“Don’t people think seeing videos of k-pop idols in general is cute? Especially the maknae? Plus, who wouldn’t think his giggles are adorable?”

“Behe quiehet!” Baby whined, his giggles slipping out more and more by the second.

Just for that, Romance jumped up to his ribs and pinched gently. Baby squeaked and jolted, his giggles turning into chokey snickers.

“Aweee, he even squeaks! Awen’t you just the cutest wittle thing?” Abby baby talked, booping his nose.

“Ahahabby!”

“He didn’t try to bite me that time! I think that’s pretty good.”

Mystery furrowed his brows. “He bites you? Are we sure he’s Baby and not Puppy?”

“No, Mystery. He’s Baby, you’re… well, you’re kind of like a dog,” Jinu said, remembering that he literally barked at a fan for talking to Zoey.

“Oh. I guess you’re right. I’m gonna find a way to make sure this conversation isn’t in the video.”

Everyone else – save for Baby – shook their heads at this. Regardless, they ended that conversation. They chose to focus on the youngest instead.

Abby stopped playing with his hair, opting to trace shapes on his neck. This elicited a genuine snort from him, before he began actually laughing.

“Noho! Thihis ihis buhuhullyihing!”

Jinu gasped. “Bullying? You’ve been trying to provoke us since yesterday afternoon, and you literally bullied me at rehearsal this morning!”

“Ihit wahas juhustifihied!”

Romance focused on a particular rib that seemed to have more of a reaction. “Just because you were in a mood doesn’t mean it was justified, babe.”

“Shuhut uhup!”

“How rude! It’s like you don’t learn!” He exclaimed, vibrating a clawed hand into his stomach, just below his ribs.

He squealed and began to cackle. His normally deep voice rose two octaves the second his stomach was touched. “NOHO NOHOT THEHERE!”

“Then where, silly? Nowhere else seems to get the point across!” Abby said, trailing down to draw swirls on his biceps.

Baby rapidly shook his head, eyes still shut tight. “THIHIS IHIS BUHULLYIHING! MEHEAHANIHIES!”

Jinu rolled his eyes. “We’ve been over this, Baby. It’s not bullying if you ask for it.”

Baby blushed a deeper red than he already was, tugging on his arms. It was entirely for show – he definitely could’ve gotten out if he wanted to.

Romance snickered, before addressing the cackling demon beneath him. “Do you want this to be over quicker and more efficiently? Or do you want us to take forever and go as slow as we can?”

“IHI- YOHOHU CAHAN’T-!”

“Either or, babe!” He dropped his voice to where the phone microphone couldn’t pick it up, deciding to spare some embarrassment. “Here’s a hint, if you want it over with faster, you’ll get to have your favorite treat.”

Baby lit up slightly, but his blush spread down to his neck at the realization. “IHIT’S NOHOT- UGHHH GEHEHT IHIT OHOVEHEHER WIHIHITH!”

Abby frowned. “Ah-ah, not so fast. What’s the magic word?”

The youngest hesitated, his squirming increasing dramatically. “PLEHEAHASEHE!”

“There it is! I got you Baby, don’t worry!” Romance beamed, inhaling and dropping his head to his stomach. He waited just a second for anticipation before finally blowing a raspberry just about his navel. Baby screamed before falling into the loudest belly laughter ever.

“Awee, someone's got a tickwish tummy!” Jinu teased, using that infuriating baby talk again.

He would’ve responded with a snarky comment about You do too, dumbass! Or generally just Shut the fuck up, bastard! if he wasn’t too busy laughing his head off to talk – or even think straight for that matter.

Romance blew four or five more raspberries before letting up. Baby sucked in a greedy breath, still stuck in a giggle fit. Abby and Romance climbed off of him, letting him curl up and giggle into his knees.

After a couple more minutes of labored breathing, Mystery caught Baby’s attention. “Say hi to the video, Baby!”

Baby growled slightly, but still reluctantly waved to the phone. As soon as he did, Mystery stopped the video and sent it to Zoey, asking her to cut out some parts and send it back to him. She happily did, of course.

—

“RUMI! Rumi! Come look at this!” Zoey yelled, running into the living room excitedly. 

Rumi glanced over her shoulder, patting the spot next to her on the couch. “What’s up, Zo? Everything okay?” “Yes! Look at this!” Zoey exclaimed, hopping onto the couch and handing Rumi her phone. The video of Baby played and Rumi had to fight back laughter. 

By the time the video was over, Rumi looked at Zoey, shocked. “I didn’t realize how human they act sometimes.”

“Right? It’s almost kind of endearing.”

“Also, How did you get this video, Zo?”

Zoey hesitated, before opting to run out of the room. Rumi jumped up and gave chase immediately. “Zoey! Tell me!”

Abby didn't get his signature build off lazing about, even as a demon. He had a very well planned workout regiment, and sometimes he even just went to work out for the fun of it.

Today, Abby was in the gym, minding his business, and pointedly ignoring his boyfriend a few feet behind him.

He could feel Romance's smirk, and that mischievous look in his eyes, trained on his neck as he did another pull up.

“Aaaaabby..” Abby gasped under his breath as he lowered himself again, having not heard Romance approaching.

“Ro.” He tried to be firm, but there was the softest wobble in his voice that romance certainly caught. He ignored it, doing another pull up. Romance remained right behind him, waiting for him to come down, almost level with him again.

“Somethin’ wrong, doll?” He hummed, voice dripping with something a little too mean. Abby shook his head, his eyes upturned towards the ceiling—technically improper form, and he knew better. “Nope. Just workin' out.” He glanced downward, and almost lost his grip on the bar entirely— Romance had put his hands on either side of Abby, not anywhere particularly close to touching, but close enough that Abby thought he almost felt the ghost of his fingertips brushing against his abs. He turned his eyes straight ahead to the far wall, steadying his breathing as he pulled himself up again. Abby shook his head, mumbling out a quick “Yeah, just working out.” Romance grinned.

Abby pulled himself up again, he seemed hesitant to come down again, firmly not looking down to where he knew Romance's hands hadn't moved from.

“Yeah? You gonna stay up there? I don't bite.”

“Yes you do!” Abby's voice was shrill for just a moment. “You do worse things than bite!” Still, Abby knew he couldn't hold that position forever. He slowly started to lower himself again, only to quickly pull up as he saw Romance's fingers twitch. Romance didn't move his hands as he pulled away. “Ro-!”

“Mm?” The other boy looked up innocently, stilling his hands. “What's up? You didn't finish the pull up.”

Abby was starting to understand now. He bit the inside of his cheek. As an experiment, Abby went down again, keeping an eye on Romance's hands, which inched ever so slightly closer as he did. Abby pulled up again, and Romance's fingers stilled. “Well now you're just teasing me.” Romance pouted.

‘Yeah, I'm the one teasing you.’ Abby thought to himself, face flushing bright red. Instead of responding, he did another pull-up.

Another twitch of Romance’s fingers.

He did it again, and caught the lights above reflecting off his nails, pink, as usual.

“Whatcha thinkin’ about, 애인?” Abby blushed even harder at the petname. Sweetheart. “Surely not my fingers, so devilishly close to a terribly sensitive spot of yours.” He chuckled. Romance could see Abby tensing his abs even more as he spoke.

“N-no. No, I'm just thinking about how many reps I have left. Yeah.” Romance raised an eyebrow.

“And how many is that?” He asked, fingers stilling as his sweetheart pulled up again.

“Twelve.” He muttered, quick, like he was trying not to talk too much.

Romance nodded seriously. “Go on then. That's a big number for someone so.. sensitive.” Abby let out a sound between a squeak and a snort as he descended again, he could have sworn he'd felt Romance’s fingertips brush just above his waist. “How many more?” He asked again.

“Eleven.” Abby bit his tongue as he pulled up again, sure to control his pace on the way down again.

And then he really felt it.

Romance's fingers, softly tracing along his abs, below his bellybutton. He gasped, falling and hanging—quite close to the floor—from the bar, giggles falling freely. “Ro- Rohoho- im trying to wohohork out- cmohon-”

“Somethin’ the matter, dear? Maybe you're a little.. ticklish?” Abby's giggles only got more frantic as he hung on the bar, completely unable to pull up again because of the awfully tickly sensation. Romance's nails were slowly dragging along his abs, and he was humming behind him, close enough for Abby to feel his breath on his neck. “You have ten more pull-ups to do, Abby.”

Abby whined, trying his best to put the tickling out of his mind, as he managed another pull up, and while Romance's fingers stilled, they did not retract, and he had to bite his cheek to bear the sensation of Romance’s nails tracing down his abs as he pulled himself up again. Oh Fuck. “Shihihit- Ro plehease-”

“Hm? Nine more. You're almost done, you're so strong, 애인!” Romance whispered against Abby's neck, watching gleefully as Abby let himself down again, prompting his boyfriend to start to skitter his nails across his abs. “Eight more, love. Don't stop now.” Abby threw his head back, nearly headbutting Romance as he did so, gasping with laughter that made Romance want so much more of it.

“Romahahahance-”

Abby was losing his mind as he pulled himself up again, feeling Romance's fingers stilling, yet still there. The contact was maddening, almost as maddening as the actual tickling. He held this, not ready to have romances nails on his stomach driving him crazy again just yet.

“You're stalling, Abby.” Romance teased after a few seconds, his tone patient and leisurely, drumming his nails ever so softly along Abby's sides.

“I'm not- I'm not stalling. Shut up.” Abby grumbled, trying his best to ignore the feeling as he went down for what was probably the quickest pullup of his life. “Seven!” He blurted out before Romance could say it. He heard his boyfriend chuckle behind him. Felt his fingertips twitch and felt a twinge of anticipatory regret in his tummy. Oh, he was so cooked.

“Six.” He did another, Romance calling the number before he got the chance to. Romance's fingers barely moved.

“Fihive..” Abby went down again, surprised by only a soft brush against his abs.

“Abby. I'm going to tickle you.” Romance could have sworn he'd saw Abby's grip falter for a moment.

“Ro-”

“I'm not done,” He grinned, firmly holding Abby's sides as he came down again, leaning in close to his ear, close enough that Abby began to giggle at the feeling of his breath as he whispered, “You're going to keep working out, and when-”

Abby couldn't take it, he couldn't listen to whatever he knew romance was about to say, he just couldn't, instead he tried to do another pull up, only for his arms to give when he felt romance vibrating his fingers into the sides of his abs, causing the man to let out a sound similar to a shriek, followed by a stream of desperate giggling. “SHIHIT- ROMAHANCE!”

“Where do you think you're going, mm?” He questioned, holding firm to Abby's sides. “Did I say I was done? I don't think so. Now, as I was saying before you decided to run away from me, I'm going to tickle you. As soon as you finish those last.. four reps. I'm going to tickle you, and the second you let go of that bar, I'm gonna make you regret letting me find out you're ticklish in the first place.” He lightened his touch again, and Abby pulled up again, relieved to get away from the horrible, tickly whispers on his neck.

“I- fuckin hahahate yohou..” he grumbled, though the wobbly smile and giggly declaration didn't carry much weight.

“Say that again.” Romance raised an eyebrow, Abby shook his head desperately, giggling like a child. “I'd rather nohohot.. four.” Abby had three pull ups left, a giggle hungry boyfriend behind him, and nothing but pride keeping him hung on the bar. He felt Romance’s nails on his abs again, light, teasing, almost daring him to say something.

Abby pulled up again. “Three..” Romance went back to his soft, somehow loving traces along his abs, humming as his hands crept in towards the center of Abby's tummy. “Twohoho.. WAHAIT ROMAHANCE QUIHIHIT IT-”

It was just like Abby to think Romance would actually let him finish his workout, wasn't it? Romance chuckled as Abby fell from the bar entirely, one of his arms wrapped around Abby's upper ribs, his fingertips drilling into his armpit, and his other hand skittering along his tummy, occasionally dipping into his bellybutton, prompting a squeal from the boy.

“Oh no.. did you not get to finish that last pull-up? Well, that's such a shame, dearest..” Romance teased. Abby could feel the smirk against his neck.

“THAHAHATS CAHAUSE YOU CHEHEATED-”

Romance gasped. “I did no such thing! How dare you call me a cheater!” He huffed, leaning in and blowing a raspberry right against Abby's neck, humming in satisfaction as the other threw his head back onto his shoulder, somewhere between trying his best to squirm out of Romance’s grip, and trying to stay still so as not to hurt him. Well.. he wouldn't have hurt him anyway but the sentiment was there to save Abby's pride. Just a little of it. The same way Abby batted uselessly at Romance's hands, even though he was perfectly capable of throwing romance over his shoulder in a moment.

“Apologize. You called me a cheater.” Romance was just picking on him now, wasn't he? Abby shook his head wildly. “No? No? Well, we couldn't have that, now can we?” He took a teasing breath in, and felt Abby grabbing at his wrists.

“NOHOHO- YOU DIHIHID CHEAT! THAHAT MAKES YOHOHOU A DAHAMN CHEATER!”

Romance shrugged, blowing another, even more devastating raspberry against Abby's neck. “FUHUCK OKAY- OKAHAY IM SORRY- IM SOHORRY!” Romance grinned and hugged Abby tighter, slowing the tickling to an eventual stop, and leaving a kiss on his cheek.

“See? Was that so hard?” He hummed, loosening his hold as Abby started to wiggle out of his arms, chuckling as he merely turned around to hug his boyfriend around his arms.

“Shut up.” Abby mumbled against romance's ear, resting his chin on Romance's shoulder. Romance hummed, putting a hand teasingly on Abby's side, but Abby didn't flinch, as he had felt the slightest twitch of Romance's lips, and felt a tiny bit of tension in his neck. “You know,” he started, tightening his hold on Romance, effectively pinning his arms against his sides. “If you're going to cheat in a game I never agreed to play, you probably shouldn't make getting you back so easy.” He whispered against his ear, knowing it tickled like nothing else to poor romance.

“I-ihim sorry..?” Romance was already squirming, of course Abby held him firmly though.

“Yeah. I'll make sure you are.” Abby grinned, leaning in to blow a raspberry against romance's neck.

“Baby~! Come on!” Jinu teased, struggling to pin him. Baby only continues his string of curses, taking the risk of flipping Mystery off. “I just wanna know if it’s true! Work with me here.”

“No! Go jump off a cliff, sadist asshole!”

For context: There was a tiktok with a video from a gameshow the Saja Boyz had appeared on with a big, red arrow pointing out Baby’s extremely clear jump when Abby touched his side. Abby hadn’t noticed, thankfully. The fans, however, were a different story. Within the hour after the interview, there were clips of the interaction everywhere. From tumblr to reddit, arrows and people freaking out over the “cuteness of the reaction” wouldn’t just let him move on in peace.

And, even worse than that, Rumi had shown Jinu that tiktok video. Of course, the second the demon got back from his late night visit, he lunged at the sleeping demon. Baby woke up in time to roll out of the way, yelling out an exasperate what the hell? before noticing the look on his face and booking it away from him. Jinu explained what he saw the best he could while they played ring around the rosie with the couch, which solidified the youngest's hatred for the internet. They’d been locked in the wild goose chase for the past thirty minutes before Mystery awoke and stepped in.

Jinu gripped his side and Baby’s breath hitched. His attempts to escape doubled and he used one hand to shove Jinu’s arms. In response, he squeezed the younger’s side. He yelped, curling in towards himself.

“NO! Jinu wait!”

He scoffed. “Wait for what? Me to find out another important piece of information through a Tiktok post?” He pinched above his knee in hopes of getting him to uncurl, but he earned a kick to the chest instead. He winced before manhandling Baby out of a ball and into an upright sitting position. He hugged him from behind and crossed his legs over Baby’s, preventing him from kicking or getting away.

“Alright, you yappy fuckin’ chihuahua,” Mystery snorted at the title, but he immediately covered his mouth at the death glare from their maknae. “Unless you can come up with a good enough reason or distraction for me to leave you alone, I’m testing out this information.”

“I’m not a chihuahua!” Baby snapped, trying to pry him away from his body. “Get off, wannabe prince charming! I promise that you’re in a ditch before the Idol Awards!”

Mystery sat on the couch, watching the two with amusement in his non-visible eyes. 

Jinu gasped dramatically. “Wow, okay. Good to know that you’re all bark and no bite.”

“I can still bite, dipshit. Don’t test me.”

He spidered up his ribs, leaning in to whisper next to his ear. “Whatever you say.”

Baby shuttered, thrashing around to try and throw him off. He looked around for a way out of this. Wait. Come up with a good enough reason. 

“Jihi-Jinu! Wahait!” He called out, suddenly remembering something very important. 

“For what? Unless you have something good, you’re not getting out of this.”

“Ihit’s gohohood! Yohohou’ll lihike it!” 

Jinu reluctantly let up, still holding the younger tight just in case. “Go on.”

Baby took a second to breathe before staring threateningly at Mystery. “Mystery is ticklish too.”

He raised an eyebrow, glancing at the demon on the couch. “Now, Mystery, is he telling the truth?”

Mystery hesitated, which was all Jinu needed to let go of Baby and pounce at Mystery. The screech that he let out definitely woke up the other two band members. 

He fell back on the couch, attempting to kick Jinu off of him and back to Baby. “He’s lying!”

Jinu persisted, reaching for any leverage to pin him. He eventually landed on his calf, roughly squeezing as many times as he could before Mystery yanked his leg away.

“Oh, who’s the liar now, puppy?” Baby teased, standing to help Jinu. “If you can get  his legs I can get his arms.”

Jinu nodded and Mystery let out a desperate “No!”. Baby managed to get a hold of his wrist, pulling it up and fighting to grab the other arm. Once he finally got it, he held them both above his head, pinning them on the couch with both hands.

“Waiting on you.”

Irritated, he somehow caught one of his legs, which made it much easier to grab the other one. He pushed them into the cushion while climbing to sit on his shins. 

“Finally,” Baby groaned.

Jinu glared at him. “We could always turn our attention back to you, jumpy.”

He shook his head frantically. “His thighs are really bad.”

Mystery shook his head. “No they’re not! Jinu, don’t believe him!” 

Ignoring him completely, he skittered his fingers across his thigh. This elicited a short scream and snickers with snorts sprinkled in.

A couple seconds afterwards, Romance came out of his room. He looked like a zombie, obviously still tired. “Okay, I’ve heard too much shrieking for three in the morning. What’s happening?”

Just on cue, Mystery yelped as Jinu got too close to the back of his leg. “Roho! Hehelp!”

“What?” Romance walked to the other side of the couch, trying not to laugh when he saw what was going on. “Awe, I didn’t know you were ticklish, Mystery! Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Yohohu knohow why!”

The pink haired demon placed a hand over his chest. “How rude! And I thought you were nice. I was going to help you, but not anymore.”

Mystery snorted again, his leg spasming. “Noho Ihi’m sohorry! Pleheahase!”

Romance considered for a second, tapping his chin cartoonishly. “Alright, I suppose.”

With no warning, Jinu was yanked off of the couch and thrown onto the floor. In less than a second, Romance was on top of him, scribbling on his ribs. Baby jumped at the yell he let out, letting Mystery go as a result. 

He immediately dragged their maknae down onto his stomach, climbing onto his back and making himself comfortable. 

“Mystery- Wait-!”