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The meeting spot had been empty for nearly an hour. The agreement was to split into respective groups, and all meet back at the ferris wheel. That was over an hour ago, and they had all passed the ferris wheel once already, at different times, with no sign of anyone else from their group. After a certain point, it became evident that the local fair was far too interesting to keep track of time.
Rumi and Jinu, the most obvious item, went off on their own before the others, saying something about a photo booth. Abby and Romance took turns tugging Mira in different directions, each with his own idea of where to head next. A single threat from her, a statement that she would go play games on her own, was enough to keep the peace between them. Baby, ever the one with something important to do on his own, left to find the spiciest food at the fair and eat it until everyone around him was uncomfortable.
That left Zoey, standing side by side with, according to her, the hottest member of the Saja boys. Her fellow band mates didn't agree, which was fine. Their opinions didn't slow her heart down when she chanced a look up at him.
She had seen his face before during the confrontation with Gwi-ma that had turned the boys all back against the world, and against their fans. It hadn't been easy for them to regain their popularity after what had happened. It took a lot of careful coverups and explaining away things that not even they understood. The boys were undoubtedly mortal now, having been sealed away from the wrong side of the conflict when the honmoon was sealed. They were also undoubtedly all glad to be free of the maddening voices in their heads driving them to unspeakable things. Over time, trust between the two bands had formed. Slowly but surely the Saja Boys were on the rise again, on the right side of the divide this time. It was an elephant in the room that was only addressed in careful, confused doses among the bands.
Mystery was beautiful, demon or otherwise, and she didn't care what her bandmates said. A single, inquisitive eye was looking down at her from beneath periwinkle bangs, studying her, waiting. Clicking her tongue, she gave him a shove.
“Quit looking at me like that!” She squealed, taking his hand. It was warm, soft, and it had her stumbling as she hauled him off toward the animals. “Come on come on come on. Let's go see the animals.” He didn't resist, following after her toward the barns and looking down at their connected hands.
Prize ribbons of several different colors dotted cages and pens. Showstopping pigeons, geese, pigs, goats, and more all filled the barns with noise and smells of the farm.
“...and this one time, I got bit by a pig right before he knocked me over…” animals had been a love of hers since before she could walk. “...the pony I loved as a little girl, his name was Zephyr…” she continued rambling, talking about every farm experience she could remember from a to z. Every once in a while, she looked back at Mystery. He would look at her, then look back at the animal she was petting or pointing to, then look back to her, then nod a bit before letting her lead them on to the next animal.
“...Peacock named Shelly used to scream all morning!” She looked over to see Mystery reaching a curious finger out toward a cow that had wandered up to the fence. When the large animal did not flinch at his touch, the rest of his fingertips followed, until he was able to give the animal several gentle strokes. His touch was so timid for a former demon. All her life, the idea that demons were never nice had been drilled into her head. Rumi had changed everything about that. The life of a demon was a lot sadder than that, at least in Jinu’s case. It stood to reason that the rest of the men he chose as bandmates were similar, shame ridden wretches who had made terrible choices and were prepared to spend an eternity suffering for them.
“Isn't she nice?” Zoey quietly approached, watching him pet the animal who tossed her head in their direction before returning to chewing her hay. Mystery only nodded. “Cows are always so chill. Totally unbothered by stuff at any given moment. I wish I could be more like that.”
Next was the sheep. Again, a cautious hand reached out for the white wool. A smile lit his face as he gently pushed on the plush curls, finding them bouncy and soft.
The goat was a different experience. Rather than passively stand for pets, the goat stood his front legs on the fence, standing up to greet them. Mystery backed away, looking to Zoey, who approached the goat without hesitation. “He won't hurt you. He's just always looking for treats. They're hungry like 24/7. Total mood.”
The goat did indeed stand the entire time Mystery stood petting his long nose. When the two walked away, the goat returned to his feed bucket, banging it around in the hopes that someone would be annoyed enough to fill it up.
The chickens caught Mystery's attention immediately, and he wandered over to watch them. Zoey resisted the urge to lean against his arm as he watched the placid birds peck around in their enclosure. When asked if he liked chickens, he nodded eagerly. “Yeah. I like how peaceful they are. And I like their sounds.” It was the longest sentence she had heard him say all afternoon.
“I love chickens. Ducks too. Actually all farm animals. I spent a bunch of time around farms growing up in America, but I really just love animals. I love how peaceful they are, and I love how…” she began rambling about animals, and the different feelings each farm animal brought her. He stood listening as she spoke, occasionally glancing back at the chickens before locking on her again. At least it seemed so. It was hard to tell where his eyes were looking under all that hair. She caught herself, shaking her head. “Sorry. I'm really rambling aren't I?”
“What?”
“Sorry you've been having to listen to me this whole time. I bet you would've been better off with Baby or Mira. All I do is talk.”
“I like it.”
“Huh?” She looked up at the hair-veiled face to find his head slightly cocked.
“You say a lot so I don't have to.” She could only stare, waiting for him to continue. “Talking is hard. I don't always know what to say. I’d rather listen.”
“Uhh… but you sing and dance so perfectly? And what about speaking to the fans? You guys make all kinds of public appearances and signings with no trouble.”
“Different. Singing and talking to a huge crowd is almost like singing to a wall. Talking to one person is harder.”
“You're talking to me right now aren't you?”
“Yeah, but I like you…” as soon as it left his mouth, she watched his arms come up and cross over his chest, hugging himself. A beautiful rosy flush just barely snuck out from under his bangs, and over the tips of his ears.
She could have died where she stood. Heart fluttering, and her own cheeks heating up, she swallowed the sand in her mouth. “You… do?”
He was quiet for a moment, still hugging himself, before nodding. “Mhm…” She was certain her jaw hit the ground. “I like your stories, and-” she could have sworn his blush deepened. “I like your soul. It's warm and feels like summer. Nice to be around.”
She gasped. “Are you just saying that so I'll give it to you? I thought you guys couldn't eat souls anymore!”
He shook his head, waving his hands and muttering quietly. “N-no! I can’t-... I can’t sense that kind of thing anymore. I just remember.”
Seemingly used up all his words for the moment, she grinned and took his hand again. This time, she was surprised to feel that his palm was sweaty. “Come on, Saja boy, have you ever had cotton candy?”
Judging by the way he inspected the giant fluff ball on a stick, he had not. “It's candy?” He asked.
“Yeah! It's made from sugar.” Zoey gently pinched a piece of the candy and pulled it away, holding it out to him. “Open up.” She could feel the heat of his mouth, and the warmth of his lips as she pushed the cotton candy into his mouth. It had her cheeks heating up, and her thoughts racing. He took it carefully, surprised by the texture and accidentally nipping her finger in the process. “Jeez. Don’t take my finger off!” Her voice wavered as she spoke.
“It’s so light. And… it’s gone?” He looked surprised. “It melted.”
“Yeah. it does that. That’s why it’s called cotton candy. When the sugar gets wet it melts.” She stuck her tongue out and pressed it against the candy, leaving darker colored, saturated droplets. “Thee?” her tongue still hanging out, she noticed his jaw was hanging slack. “What?”
“Cute…” Was the only thing he said.
She shook her head and thrust the stick out in his direction, pouting. “Want more?”
Watching him pluck another piece of the candy off the big ball, she was unaware of Rumi and Jinu walking up behind her. Mystery, too, remained too focused on gently pressing the candy between his thumb and forefinger before putting it in his mouth.
Jinu and Rumi, hand in hand, noticed the scene at the same time. Rumi, not wanting to ruin the moment, hauled Jinu off in another direction as quickly as possible, not taking into account the tight right turn and the fencepost that Jinu promptly slammed his knee into. The yelp was completely inaudible to the budding couple that remained fixated on a ball of cotton candy.
Piece by fluffy piece, the cotton candy stick was finished. Mostly by Zoey, who never seemed to get enough of sweet things. Mystery had had enough after just a few pieces, not being quite as much of a fan of sweets. It was far more entertaining for him watching her devour the fluffy treat.
They slowly made their way to a quiet area of the fair, a seating area by a pond where people could take their food and drinks, or merely stretch out on the grass before returning to the festivities. Zoey sat crouched by the bank of the pond, watching a family of ducks float idly around the center, waiting for any tasty morsels that might come their way. Mystery sat beside her, knees bent toward his chest.
“So, uh… I've been meaning to ask. Were you a human like Jinu was? I mean you are now again, right? But like… before.”
“Yes. Jinu wouldn't have been able to make us what we are if we hadn't been human.”
“Uh… o-kaay? Why?”
“We all knew what it felt like to have a soul. The music wouldn't sound good otherwise.”
“Only beings with souls can make music?” she muttered, thinking about it. The notion felt painfully simple and achingly huge to entertain all at once. Even the Honmoon was kept sealed and powered by the energy and fire in connected souls. It was why the music worked to seal it in the first place. It ever so neatly explained why the demons craved the souls of an energetic crowd too. “Do you feel bad about what happened?” It took her a moment to realize he was staring right at her. His head had turned so fast his hair parted, revealing a single eye.
“What the hell kind of question is that?” The eye she saw glaring at her was full of too many emotions to bear. Rage, shame, and an aching sorrow all coalesced into one look that threatened to melt her where she stood.
“I- I'm sorry! I dunno why I asked. It was just the way the conversation was going and I didn't think about it. Forget about it! Forget I said anything at all. Really. Delete.”
“Of course I feel bad about it.” There was acid in his words, a hissing anger that had her searching for those pointed tusks. They never appeared. Not anymore. “I get a second chance at life, and what's waiting for me on the other side? The same shame and guilt that I remember. Only this time, there's no escape.” His hands came up to hug himself again as he angled his body away from her.
Zoey regretted her big mouth more than ever as she dared to move closer to him. “You can't beat yourself up for things you did under Gwi-ma’s control. Rumi told me about the voices too. She heard it from Jinu.”
“What the hell kind of way is that to repay the fans who love us? Stealing their souls? Feeding them to some sham of a demon king?”
“It wasn't your fau-”
“Yes it was!” It was the loudest she'd ever heard his speaking voice rise. Even then, it was barely a yell. No one around them would have heard it. “It was. I did those things. Gwi-ma's voice or no. I think I'd be better off dead. Even… Even before Gwi-Ma.”
“Your… past life?” She was treading carefully, wanting to know but not wanting to drive him away. It was the old conundrum she always ran into. Wanting to know, having questions, yet always seeming to annoy or turn people off with her asking. Knowing that she had fallen into herself again with her crush made even more self loathing bubble in her chest. Now wasn’t the time, but it would certainly come up later. He hadn’t spoken. He hadn’t even moved. Time froze as she reached out to lay a hand on his forearm, more to make sure he was still there than anything else. He didn’t flinch or pull away, but she could feel his muscles lined with tension. His knees came tighter to his chest, and he wrapped his arms around them, hiding his face. It wasn’t difficult, given the hair, but it certainly made him harder to hear when he muttered something. She leaned closer. “I-... I didn’t hear that.”
“They killed my puppy.”
A long time ago, a boy had a beloved puppy. They went everywhere together. Played together, slept together, ate together. The boy was on the sickly side of childhood, and often had to stay in bed to recover. The dog was at his side the entire time, and running alongside him when he was well again. There came a day where the boy and the dog wandered too far from home. An unfortunate encounter with two men on the run from local authorities cost the dog his life after trying to protect his favorite human. The boy was overcome with blinding rage, and wished for nothing more than to make his best friends’ killers suffer. In his fury, a voice began whispering in his ear. A voice that could give him the power to destroy his companion’s killers. The rest was unfortunate, slightly blurry history.
As he recounted painstaking details, tears filled her eyes. By the end of it, her heart felt as though it had been ripped out and stomped on. “I’m so sorry…” Was all she could offer.
“And now what? What do I do with all these memories? All this pain. I turned into someone Cho wouldn’t even recognize.” She saw the tears slide down his cheeks as he moved to stand, turning away from her. She caught his arm before he could leave. Before he could protest, she moved closer, draping her arms around him and giving him a squeeze.
“First of all, I'm glad you're here. I don’t think you or any of the other saja boys would be better off dead. I kinda did when you were still demons, but, well-... You know what I mean.” she said against his shoulder. He was so warm, it was easy to forget he was upset with her. or, upset in general. “Second, you got a second chance to make your poor doggie proud of you again. The past can stay in the past. It’s not here hurting you anymore.” She smiled. “I learned that recently too. It’s okay to let it go.”
She heard an almost inaudible sniffle, and she was soon gathered up in the most perfectly warm, perfectly muscled, perfectly perfect embrace she could have ever dreamed of. A head full of hair came to rest on her shoulder as he wept quietly against her. Whatever cologne he had on was incredible. Like it was crafted specifically for her brain. Lavender and sandalwood mixed with something dark and smokey she couldn't quite place.
“I miss my dog…” He was still hard to hear, even now as close as she was.
“Pets dying is the literal worst thing. What happened to Cho… I can’t even imagine it. I’m sorry it happened to you. It’s not fair.”
He held her for a while. Her arms stayed draped over his shoulders, one hand running through the silky soft hair that graced the back of his neck. “It'll be okay. I know it will. You have us now. You have me.”
“I don't know where I'd be without the rest of the saja boys. And now you three too. I'm glad you don't hate us.”
The quiet moments drifted by, and there was something nagging at the back of Zoey's mind. As much as she wanted to spend forever wrapped in his arms, they shouldn't. People would begin to stare, and take pictures, and ask questions, and she didn't want to invite them to do it all. “Do you wanna head back to the fair? We can meet up with the others.” He shook his head. “Okay. Um… wanna go walk around the mall?” Again, a head shake. The next thought brought her eyes to the ground, finding a particularly interesting rock. “You probably just want me to leave you alone, huh…”
“No.” Snapping her eyes back up, she was comforted by that at least. “I just want to go somewhere quiet…”
She thought for a moment. “Yeah. I think I know a place. Lemme text Rumi and let her know we're going. You do the same with Jinu.”
The coffee shop was crowded, but calm and tranquil. It always was. Laptops were open, earbuds were dotting almost every ear except those who were present in groups. It was one of her favorite spots for a drink.
“I… don't know what most of this is.” Mystery muttered as he perused the menu, a hand on the back of his neck.
“Well, tons of choices here. Do you like coffee or tea?”
“Uh…” she could see the pink creeping into his cheeks again. Her knees weakened before she turned back to the menu.
“Can I pick something for you?” He nodded. She grinned, rubbing her hands together. “Hmmmm. Let's see. What does Mystery like?”
Some time later, they were seated at a table in the outdoor seating area. A server arrived with Zoey's drink, and a teapot on a warming unit lit by a single tealight. Inside the teapot was a blooming flower, releasing its essence and filling the water with a warm, golden hue. The teapot came with a single, small glass cup.
Zoey watched Mystery lean down to gaze at the flower. “Pretty…” he said quietly.
She reached out and flipped the cup, lifting the teapot and pouring some of the liquid out. “It's hot, but try it.”
Watching him admire the cup was an experience. It was though he had never seen it before, or maybe had seen it but in a past life long since locked away. He lifted the cup to his nose, inhaling the aroma of jasmine and black tea. His posture changed as soon as he took a careful sip. Shoulders relaxed, and he sat back in his chair. She couldn't see his eyelids flutter, but the sigh was unmistakable. “Yeah.” She said with a quiet giggle. “I had a feeling.”
“What's yours?”
“Iced mocha latte with strawberry cold foam. Want a taste?” She held the cup out to him, the idea of sharing a straw making her stomach flutter.
She watched him take the straw in his mouth and immediately recoil. “Woah. Sweet.” he slid her cup back, cradling his own steaming teacup after pouring more out of the pot.
“I like all my drinks sweet! Double sugar, light ice. Unless it's a cappuccino before a show and then I like it…”
She continued rambling on and on about her drinks. How her tastes had evolved over the years, how different shops had different flavored coffee roasts, and just about everything else that came to her mind. He listened to every word she said, cradling his teacup and sipping from it like it was made of stardust. Occasionally he would nod, or give her a quiet smile.
“Ew. Get a room.” The voice, and impish chuckle, of Baby Saja startled both of them as he spun a chair around, sitting on it backwards and rocking. Both faces flushed bright red. “You seen anybody else?”
“No. I texted Jinu. He knows where we are.” There was a hint of annoyance in Mystery’s quiet voice.
“He's prolly too busy making goo goo eyes at Rumi to check. Anyway I found you guys. You have a good time at the fair? And uh… whatever this is?
“Yeah. We had a great time.” Zoey saw the look on Mystery's face, even as veiled with hair as it always was. “You?”
“Yeah. Those guys in the pepper tent are chumps. Got a free T-shirt out of it too.” Baby pulled at his shirt, indeed different from what he arrived at the fair in.
“I think you're just not normal.” Mystery quipped. Zoey snorted, giggling over his blunt humor.
“Uh. Yeah. Duh.” Baby smirked, pressing a finger on Mystery's temple. “Neither are you, Sheepdog.” Baby removed his finger from Mystery's temple and instead tossed an arm around his shoulders. “So what are you guys up to? You left the fair pretty quick.”
“Mystery wanted to sit somewhere quiet for a while.” She didn't miss the look of relief on his face.
“Yeah that tracks. His social battery ain't good for long.” He shook Mystery's shoulders. “He must really like you though. He hasn't put his earbuds in yet.”
Mystery said nothing. Zoey watched his jaw clench.
“Lay off him, Baby.” Zoey scolded. “Not everyone is as wild and out there as you are.”
“Yeah, we can't all be me, right?” Baby shrugged. “Prolly for the best that yours truly is one of a kind. Anyway I'm gonna go get a coffee. Anybody need refills?”
When Baby left, Zoey slid her hand across the table. “I wouldn't have cared if you did put earbuds in. I talk a lot but I do know what it's like to wanna shut everyone out for a while.”
“I don't always do that. Baby's just being an ass.” Mystery said with a huff. Hearing him use that kind of language made her tingle in unexpected ways. “Sometimes I just need some time to not talk to people, but… I like company. I don't like to be by myself all the time.”
“And that's just fine.” She opened her hand, gesturing for his. Slowly, a hand moved to take hers. It was as warm as all the other times. “Don't let him rile you up. He's just playing around. He's being who he is.”
“I know.” He sighed, relaxing and giving her hand a squeeze.
The two split quickly when they heard Baby returning. He plopped back down in the chair with his coffee, and the bottle of water Mystery had requested. “They only had that one mineral water we all said tasted like dirt. I got you sparkling instead. Different brand.”
Mystery nodded. “It did taste like dirt.” he cracked open the water, and it was hard not to stare at his neck as he drank.
Eventually Jinu and Rumi showed up, sitting down by the group and talking about their day at the fair. An arm laced itself through Zoey’s and she was happy to have her bandmate back in the equation.
The last to arrive was Mira, followed close behind by Abby and Romance who looked, for all intents and purposes, unharmed. The only difference was Mira carrying a massive unicorn on her back.
“Wow, Mira!” Zoey looked at the massive stuffed toy, her eyes sparkling. “Did you win that?”
“No. The two turbo goons did. They wouldn’t let me leave the ring toss until they won.” She deposited the unicorn on the floor by the table, stretching her back. “Ugh. I need coffee.” Abby and Romance followed close behind, each boasting about having thrown more rings than the other.
“Sorry…” A small voice grabbed Zoey’s attention away from the unicorn.
“Huh? For what?”
“That looks like something you would enjoy. Maybe we left too soon.”
It took her a moment, but when she realized what he was getting at, she smiled, looking at the unicorn and then back at him. “I got to spend time with you. That’s way better. Besides, I have a ton of stuffed animals at home. There isn’t much more room in my bed. I never look for more when I go to stuff like this because I know I won’t be able to fit someone new.”
“Even me?”
It was such a quiet question she didn’t hear. “Huh?” She asked, and he cleared his throat, straightening his posture and looking away from her.
“Uh!... N-nothing.” The redness was so intense this time it began to spread to his neck. “Really.”
She was unable to feel his heart pounding in his chest, but she could feel the rigidity in his muscles. It took very little time to glean what he had meant, and she gasped, gently swatting him with her hand. “Bad Saja boy!” She couldn’t hide the smirk, and the blushing of her own cheeks over his attempt at flirting. The others remained unaware of the exchange. Rumi and Jinu were far too busy talking about the state of the goldfish in one of the game tents. Biting her lip a moment, she nudged him gently with her elbow.
“Besides, you know I’d move them. I don't need an audience.”
She was asked a question, but had time for a quick glance in his direction. His mouth hung open, and he was redder than a beet. Perfect.
Mira eventually returned with her posse, all carrying drinks of their own. The group settled in to sit and enjoy the night with each other. On several occasions, fans came over to greet the group, some asking for autographs and pictures.
Eventually the night wore on, and the staff began folding up the outdoor chairs to prepare for closing time. It was time to gather their things and head for home. Zoey found herself reluctant to leave her present company.
“Do you want to go out again sometime?” She hadn't ever expected him to suggest it, even though she hoped. “Just…-”
“The two of us?” She finished. He nodded. “Yeah. I do.” When he smiled, it made her lightheaded. In order to ground herself in reality again, she pulled her phone out. “You have my number, right?”
“Uh…” he pulled his own phone out of his pocket. “I'm still learning how to work this thing. I think Jinu added everybody.
Muttering something in Korean and giggling, she stood next to him and looked over his arm at the phone screen. Guiding him to the address book, she saw her number. “Why is there a flamingo next to my name?”
“Colorful and silly.” He was fidgeting next to her, his ears pink for the millionth time that day. “But also graceful.”
Rumi was calling her name. She could barely hear her over the ringing in her ears as she looked up at the handsome, purple-banged man that had managed to steal her heart. It took carefully rising to her tiptoes to match his height, but she managed without much effort. His hair was impossibly soft on her nose as she nudged past it, kissing his cheek and bouncing back down on her feet. “See you next time.”
Mystery had his earbuds in the entire ride home. Occasionally, his fingertips would come up to rest on the spot she had kissed him, and a small smile lit his face.
“Sooo? How did it go?” Rumi nudged her in the car on the way back to their penthouse. “Jinu and I saw you two sharing cotton candy at the fair.”
“It was AMAZING.” Zoey exclaimed. “Mystery is such a sweet guy.” her eyes were sparkling again. “You can’t even imagine. He doesn’t talk a whole lot, but when he does? Oh man…” Drool collected in the corner of her mouth. “And he wants to go out again sometime! Can you believe it? A second date!” The excited chatter began, even from Mira, who was coming around to the idea of having an entourage following her everywhere.
“Giiirls?” A stern voice came from the driver’s seat. “I’m not gonna tell you not to date the pretty Saja boys. I’m just gonna tell you to maybe consider the implications of dating the pretty Saja boys first.”
“Oh come on Bobby.” Zoey said with a smile. “What’s the worst that could happen?”
“Oh, you know, just your numbers tanking and losing everything you three have worked so hard to build a-”
“Yeah?” Mira interjected before he could spiral further. “Then we release a duet album, everyone loses their minds, and then they forget the drama. Easy.”
“Yeah well, there will be a supply of condoms somewhere in each bathroom. Use ‘em.”
“Bobby!!” Even Mira's face turned red at the thought.
“Hey. I love my girls and I don't want them hurt first and foremost, but over here on the back end I do not need any pregnancy scare rumors getting out and putting that kind of PR nightmare on my plate. Got it? Be safe and smart. Rule number one, don't keep me up at night worrying about the three of you. Rule number three, don't make my job a nightmare.”
“Uhh. What's rule two?” Zoey asked. “You skipped right to three.”
“There isn't one. Your safety is more important than my job, but my job is still worth mentioning.”
“Yes Bobby…” The three muttered sheepishly.
This seemed to put Bobby at ease for the time being. Zoey felt her phone vibrate in her pocket, and she pulled it out to reveal a text. Mystery wasted no time in texting her. It was a simple question, but it had her buzzing with energy and excitement all the way home.
“Do you like turtles?”