Hidden Patterns | Kpop Demon Hunters x Reader

[ 01 ] burned into skin

"It was really nice meeting you, but we should get going now," Rumi says.

You nod, still smiling. Even if it was only a brief encounter, you're grateful for it. Keeping a generous distance between you and humans is always the best course of action, and you obviously know that, but that's exactly what makes these little moments all the more meaningful. They offer you comfort and warmth in times of need.

If you ever start to feel lonely—which you inevitably will—you'll think back to the kind words Rumi offered you today. When she said you had a pretty voice.

You really, really liked hearing her say that.

"Yeah, let's head home. I'm starving," Mira groans. "I need my ramyeon, now."

Mira starts to link arms with the other two girls, but all too abruptly, Zoey's eyes widen.

"Wait!" she cries out. "We can't leave yet! Shouldn't we at least give her our autographs?"

"I'm telling you, she doesn't even know who we are," Mira sighs.

"No, I do."

All three of them freeze up, as if they've been petrified by your words. It's kind of cute, you have to admit. The slightest twinge of panic is starting to set in. Maybe they're worried you're about to scream out their names, prompting dozens of fangirls and fanboys to come flocking in.

Obviously, you're not going to do that.

But the way their expressions just did a full one-eighty is rather amusing.

"You're Huntrix," you say, voice calm and steady. "I didn't realize it at first, but it clicked pretty fast. I'm not really good at staying up to date with social media, trends, and all that stuff... but you're so popular that even I've heard of you. I usually am pretty disconnected from everything, though. But now I think I'd like to start supporting your music however I can."

They all blink at you, perhaps a bit blind-sided by how mature, collected, and uh, otherwise relaxed you are. They really have been blowing up lately. They're probably used to screaming fans and jam-packed concert venues.

So, yeah. They just blink. For a while, at least.

Then, once more, Zoey's eyes widen.

"So, we should give you our autographs!" she enthuses. "I mean, you're basically a fan already!"

Mira squints at her. "That's not really what she just said."

"It basically is!"

"I'm pretty sure you're getting ahead of yourself, but—ah. Okay, cool. She's not listening to me at all."

Sure enough, Zoey has already begun signing her name across a piece of paper she ripped from a notebook. Based on the title of the notebook, it looks like that's where she keeps the group's upcoming song lyrics. You can't help but wonder what that must be like. To create something of your own.

It makes you dare to dream that maybe, just maybe, you might be able to come up with a song as beautiful as Jinu's.

But then again, dreams are only dreams for a reason.

"Here you go!" Zoey beams, handing you the autographed paper. She nudges the other two girls and hands them papers as well. "Come on. Give her your autographs too! Actually, sorry. What should we call you...?"

You fall silent for a while. Having lived hundreds of years, you've never been able to forge any real connections, although it's not like you have much of a choice. You always need to hide. Hide who you are, what you are, and keep your distance from others for their own good.