Hidden Patterns | Kpop Demon Hunters x Reader

[ 16 ] sudden spotlight

Jinu's head is spinning.

He feels like the air in the room has shifted, thicker now, pressing in on him until it's painfully difficult to breathe. His thoughts churn in dizzying loops, each one colliding with the next before it can even fully form. He's still struggling to make sense of everything—still trying to believe that this is even real.

So, not only did Baby kiss you, but apparently, he even met you before? Back when he was human? Just like Jinu did?

Fuck. Even now, the words won't stop echoing in his mind.

At first, he tried to convince himself that Baby was lying, that it was just another of his half-baked attempts at getting under his skin. Some ridiculous story that was made up on the spot to throw Jinu off, because Baby just loves stirring the pot. But the problem is, Jinu saw your face when the memory came up. He saw how your gaze lost focus, how your mouth parted just slightly as recognition settled in. You didn't deny it. You didn't laugh it off. You didn't call him crazy.

Which means it actually happened.

Before, Jinu already thought the situation was bad enough. Baby hated you. Loathed you. He made it his mission to provoke you, harass you, and find ways to infuriate you until you snapped. He wanted you gone—Jinu could see that plainly. It was messy enough to deal with back then. But this? This is somehow worse.

Because now, Baby isn't snarling or rolling his eyes or making snide little jabs under his breath.

He's clinging to you.

As in, literally clinging to you. His arms are looped around your shoulders like he's known you his whole life, his posture is relaxed, and his grin is all too wide and bright as he lets his head rest against you.

And what makes it all sting that much more is that—much to Jinu's mounting disappointment—you haven't even tried to push him away yet.

Jinu's jaw tightens. He swears he can hear the faint rush of blood pounding in his ears, and he can't stand it.

"I didn't realize that was you," you finally say, brows pulling into a faint frown as you meet Baby's gaze. Your voice is calm, but there's a flicker of something more complicated in your tone. Curiosity, maybe, or the faintest note of wariness. "But I definitely saved you, which means you should have been fine. What kind of a deal did you make with Gwi-Ma, then?"

Baby's expression shifts for a moment. Once again, something sly seems to pass over his features.

Only for a moment, though, because immediately after, he shrugs.

"Nothing worth mentioning."

You tilt your head, giving him a flat look. "Is that your way of admitting you just don't want to tell me?"

"I mean, what does it matter?" Baby leans in closer, his voice light, almost breezy. "It's already done. And it clearly worked out for the best. If I had lived and died as a human, I would never have gotten to see you again. This all happened for a reason."

His grin widens then, eyes sparkling like this is the most romantic, profound thing anyone has ever said.

"That's why we met again after all this time."

You don't look awfully impressed. In fact, your mouth tightens ever-so-slightly, and for a second, Jinu thinks—or rather, hopes—that you're about to call him out. But you don't. You just let the moment pass, not bothering to say anything more.

Finally, though, you put your hands on Baby's shoulders and forcibly push him back. The contact between the two of you breaks, and Jinu's lungs feel like they can expand normally again. He actually exhales, an audible rush of relief slipping out before he can stop himself.