Chapter Text
When Jinu came up to their house, Romance was pacing outside. He was mumbling to himself as he dug his nails into his arms.
"Hey, what's going on?" Jinu asked, stopping him.
"Abby. He's-"
Romance flinched as the both heard the shout from within the house. Jinu left Romance and dashed into the house. Mystery was huddled in a corner as Abby pinned Baby against the wall, eyes full of rage.
"Abby! What are you doing?" Jinu yelled, pulling him off of Baby, who retreated towards Mystery.
"Get off, Jinu!" Abby pushed him into the wall.
Jinu caught himself and punched Abby squarely in the jaw. Jinu shook his hand and ducked just in time as Abby retaliated. Abby sneered, and Jinu dived out of the way, causing Abby to run himself into the wall.
"Mystery, Baby, go outside with Romance," Jinu called, prepping himself for Abby's next assault. Baby had to tug on Mystery's arm a few times before the other man followed him towards the door.
"Abby, you need to calm down," Jinu said, trying to keep him voice even.
"Don't tell me what to do!" He swung another punch at Jinu, who again dodged out of the way. "I can do things, too!"
Jinu kept backing around the room, trying to tire Abby out. "Of course you can, Abby."
"I don't need your pity, Jinu!" Abby spat. "I could have gotten those hunters if Baby hadn't stopped me. I would have finally been great."
"Abby, you dont have to kill a hunter to be great," Jinu said, keeping his hands near his face to be able to defend himself.
"Easy for you to say! You with your perfect voice. Everyone loves you. They all listen to you. They don't... I can't-"
Abby fell to his knees, his head in his hands, and for the first time, Jinu heard him cry. He pulled at his hair, just as Jinu used to. Jinu knelt beside him and placed a hand on his arm. He felt Abby trembling beneath his fingers.
Jinu moved behind him and hugged Abby around his chest tightly, just as he had done for him before. They sat in that position for what seemed like forever before Abby finally calmed down enough to breathe normally.
"You alright?" Jinu finally asked, unwrapping his arms from around Abby.
Abby nodded. "Yeah, of course."
Jinu rolled his eyes. "Well, you're obviously not alright, alright. I just want to make sure you're calmed down because if not, I want to make sure to get you there."
"Why are you like this?" Abby asked, crossing his legs.
Jinu raised his eyebrow. "Like what?"
"Nice. You should hate me."
Jinu laughed lightly. "The only person I hate here is myself."
"You shouldn't," Abby whispered.
"Because I'm perfect?" Jinu asked, calling back what Abby had yelled at him.
"Jinu, I-"
"I'm not perfect. I told you. My voice is my shame. I was poor, living on the streets with my mother and my sister. I had nothing except my bipa. I couldn't make any money. We had no food, nothing.
"I gave in to Gwi-ma's whispers. He gave me the voice that anyone would love. I was finally praised for my voice, but I left my mother and my sister behind. I became someone I didn't recognize. I gave away my family for wealth and comfort, and my voice is my reminder."
"I shouldn't have said that," Abby said softly. "I'm sorry."
"I'm not perfect," Jinu repeated. "But I'm not about to leave another family member ever again."
"My family would have loved if I had left," Abby admitted. "I was never the son my parents wanted."
"I'm sure that's not true."
Abby scoffed. "You never met my father. I was the bane of his existence. He's the reason why I ended up here."
"What do you mean?"
Abby sighed and sat back. "He wanted me to be a captain in the army, like him. I was not cut out for that life."
"You seem like the perfect soldier."
"Now, I do. I look the part, but back then, before Gwi-ma, I was built more like Baby. I was thin as a twig and scared of everything.
"My father tried to whip me into shape, but it just made things worse. I tried and tried to make him proud. Nothing I did worked. I thought that it was just because I was weak.
"I started hearing the whispers when I was twenty one. My father had given up on me. He never talked to me. He couldn't even look at me. I thought that if I became the person he wanted he would finally love me.
"I sold my soul to be the person he wanted to see. I felt more confident because people did finally give me a bit of time in the day, but my father? He called me pathetic. I could change my body, but I couldn't change who I was. I couldn't change the fact that I would never be anything other than a failure. I'd never be a leader like him."
"I'm sorry, Abby."
"It was almost a blessing ending up here."
"Based on what you've said, your dad wasn't much of a leader. If he can't be a father, then he can't be that good of a commander."
Abby laughed awkwardly. "Thanks, I guess."
"Besides," Jinu said, punching him playfully in the arm, "we wouldn't be together if it wasn't for you. You started all of this. You brought us together, and you're quite good at keeping all of us in check on an individual level. Maybe you're not a captain in an army, but you're the glue that keeps us together."
Abby looked at him, contemplating what Jinu said. "You're the one who's really gotten everyone to do this who band thing. The guys all love you."
"They love you, too, stupid," Jinu replied. "You're Mystery's second hand when it comes to dancing. If it weren't for you, Romance wouldn't have anyone to match his ego. Baby imitates you, even if you don't notice, and me? I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you, a thousand times over. You have kept me from going completely insane over all these years."
Abby let out a slow breath. "I really messed up tonight. I went off on Baby because he stopped me from taking out the hunters. He was just trying to protect me. I just wanted to finally do something right."
"If it helps, your form was pretty good." They both laughed.
Abby sighed as he stood up. "I should go apologize to the others."
Jinu followed him outside where they found Mystery, Romance, and Baby piled together. They looked up hesitantly. Abby stepped forward.
"Guys, I'm sorry. I was totally out of line," he began. He cleared his throat. "Baby, I shouldn't have yelled at you, and I should never have laid a finger on you. I give you free reign to punch me, if you would like."
Jinu tensed as Baby stood up. Abby steeled himself as Baby slowly approached him. Abby shut his eyes bracing for impact, but Baby just hugged him.
"I'm glad you're okay," Baby said. Abby stood there for a moment before returning the hug.
"I'm so sorry."