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Ryu Rumi is a realist. She recognizes situations and potential situations and plans accordingly. She studies meticulously. She studies history, secular and religious, Honmoon and typical. She practices martial forms until her limbs refuse to cooperate any longer. Her days consist of private tutors and exercise. Her nights of reading.
Rumi reads literature too. Typically the classics, she avoids modern tropes and rolls her eyes at romance. She looks at art. The serious ones that practice form and imitate nature. She tries her hand at it but is quickly frustrated since it isn't perfect. She has one drawing she's secretly proud of, but her other attempts are burned.
Rumi is serious. She recalls laughing as a child and trying to make Celine smile, but she doesn't have time for that anymore. Soon Celine will hand over the power of the Honmoon. Rumi has to focus.
Zoey's laugh is the first thing Rumi really notices at the auditions. She looks at the long line of girls and instantly singles her out. She's rocking back and forth on her feet with a wide smile and two little buns in her black hair. She's showing another girl something on her phone, but that girl ignores her and Rumi's eyes narrow. Zoey's a little saddened but shrugs it off and turns to the other girl behind her.
Mira’s appearance makes Rumi stop breathing. Her chest constricts and her hands turn into fists. Mira's tall and serious and dressed in all black with hair dyed pink, intimidating, but she looks at Zoey with almost fondness. She listens and nods and her face cracks into a small smile as Zoey continues to ramble.
Celine puts a hand on Rumi’s shoulder and Rumi whips her head around. Celine just smiles knowingly and they start the auditions, but Rumi already knows.
Zoey writes her own lyrics and Mira choreographs her own dances. Their performances make Rumi lightheaded but it's pleasant. Being with them is pleasant and not technically a distraction since bonding with the other hunters is essential to maintaining a strong Honmoon.
Rumi reads about bonding and how to make friends but it's really unnecessary, since Zoey’s always coming up with interesting questions and Mira's short answers are always reassuring and straight to the point. Rumi likes efficiency, but tends to stutter out her thoughts. Rumi reads about speaking and communication and wonders why she can't do it as well as them.
Rumi doesn't hug. But Zoey loves to touch. She hugs before Rumi can ever protest or share that she doesn't hug. It's not that it bothers her. She's not used to it and doesn't really see the point. Zoey also holds her hand. She drags Rumi to see things and then keeps holding it even when they're no longer moving. Mira helps Rumi up after sparring and rubs her thumb in a circle before letting go. Mira puts her hand on Rumi's shoulder after something is difficult and Zoey squeezes her face against Rumi's in a side hug when she's excited. They press against her when they watch movies or have sleepovers and it's not unpleasant. Some pressure feels nice. It's calming. It reduces anxiety. It's good for you.
Rumi doesn't go to the bathhouse. They complain at her and tease her and call her modest. Rumi asks Celine if they would understand. Celine insists they wouldn't. It's one bonding opportunity she'll have to miss, but the rest make up for it. Their bond is strong and the Honmoon is too.
Rumi has a separate dressing room. They are a little saddened but then they tease her again about being modest and needing her privacy. They share a dressing room and Rumi wonders why she feels left out.
Rumi's patterns grow on her skin, stretching purple as she becomes more desperate for them to go away. They just need to turn the Honmoon golden and then Rumi can relax. But for now she had to focus, no distractions, no detours, no mistakes.
Rumi catches them kissing. It's late at night. Rumi couldn't sleep and got up to get water. They're still on the couch, turtle videos forgotten in the background. Zoey's hair is down and Mira's hand is twisted in it. Zoey's arm is wrapped around Mira's neck with her other hand on her chest. Their eyes are closed and along with the soft hum of the TV, Rumi can hear their breaths and their moans.
Rumi gets water. They hear it run and watch Rumi from the couch. They're still in each other's arms, flushed and looking at Rumi in slight shock. Rumi says goodnight again.
Zoey says in disbelief, “Is that all you have to say?”
Rumi affirms and tries to leave.
“Rumi, come here and talk to us about this,” Mira says.
Rumi obeys, though she isn't sure what there is to talk about.
They all sit on the couch staring at each other. Zoey has to get off of Mira's lap and now they only hold hands.
“Mira and I--” Zoey tries to begin.
“We're in love,” Mira says.
“Okay.” Rumi blinks and rushes through scenarios in her head.
Zoey says, “It's only been a little while, a couple weeks, but we didn't want you to feel left out. We were going to tell you.”
“It's alright.” Rumi says, “but Celine won't be happy, we can't have any distractions.”
Zoey scoffs. “This just makes our bond stronger, it's not a distraction. It doesn't change anything else.”
“Alright then, I trust you both.” Rumi shrugged. She couldn't tell them not to see each other. It would probably burn out sooner than later anyway. Things might be awkward for a bit but then they would go back to normal.
“So you don't feel left out?” Mira asks.
“Your actions towards me haven't changed in the last couple weeks. Things have proceeded like normal.”
“So you don't want more?” Zoey squeaks.
“More what?” Rumi asks in confusion. The tips of Zoey's ears turn pink and she mutters a nevermind.
Mira smirks, “You don't want to join?”
Rumi laughs lightly, assuming Mira is joking. “No, I'm good.”
Rumi is annoyed. She tries to understand. She really does. At first, everything proceeds like before but they touch each other a little more. Then they start kissing in front of Rumi sometimes, briefly, sweetly. Now they practically make out on top of her. They'll be watching a show or something and end up kissing. One of their backs will still be flush against Rumi and Rumi doesn't know how to feel about it.
She should be honest with them that she's...uncomfortable,..if that’s the right word, but she doesn't want to hurt their feelings. She watches them kiss, studies it really, trying to find the appeal. Could it really feel that good? She understands the little touches and the cuddles because she's grown to enjoy them, but she can't imagine having another person's tongue in your mouth would be pleasant. Even if it's theirs.
Rumi helps Zoey organize her room, as it got a bit messy and Zoey was feeling overwhelmed. Mira does the closet while Rumi and Zoey go through piles. When they finish Zoey kisses Rumi on the cheek. And Rumi maybe understood the appeal of kisses more. It’s quick but Rumi's whole body feels warm. It has a similar effect to the other touches. That must be why people do more. They're chasing the warmth.
Zoey makes them watch romances, some animated, some adult, all of them perplex Rumi. The men are mostly jerks or unremarkable compared to the women. Zoey agrees and shows them queer romances instead and maybe Rumi can see more of the appeal. Though they often make her cry.
Mira wipes away Rumi's tears one late evening and then kisses her forehead. All of the tension and sadness leave Rumi's body replaced with warmth. Zoey teases them, calling them softies, like she didn't still have tear stains on her cheeks. Mira reaches over and kisses Zoey briefly against the lips, right in front of Rumi whose chest constricts. Maybe she doesn't mind it that much.
Celine is incensed when she finds out. She lectures the three of them, though mostly Mira and Zoey. Celine is disappointed in Rumi for allowing this to happen. Rumi's arms are crossed and lips tight.
“I'm not going to tell my friends not to love,” She says firmly.
Celine scoffs, “It's not love.”
Rumi can see Zoey deflate in her periphery. She can feel the anger rising in Mira.
Rumi says, “Fuck you, we're leaving.”
Celine's mouth opens in shock. She tries to say something, but Rumi grabs her friend's hands and drags them to the car.
“Rumi, you, you stood up to her.” Zoey comments in surprise.
“I have patterns,” Rumi says.
“What?”
“I was born half demon. Celine told me I had to hide it from you.” Rumi took off her sweatshirt to reveal her sports bra and purple marks. Both of her friends' eyes widened. “No one should feel ashamed about the way they were born. Over something they can't control.”
Rumi's hands shake. The bravado leaves her body. Tears prick at her eyes. Mira grabs her hand and holds it.
“You're right.” She says, “thank you.”
“You're so pretty, Rumi.” Zoey says in awe. Her fingertips trace the patterns on Rumi's wrist.
Rumi says, “That's not what you say about demons.”
Zoey insists, “You're not a demon.”
“Half.” Rumi admits.
“Zoey's half gremlin,” Mira comments.
Zoey retorts, “Mira's half grouch.”
Mira chuckles a little. “Thank you for standing up for us and telling us the truth.” Mira kisses Rumi’s temple.
“You're welcome,” Rumi says softly. “I'm sorry I lied.”
Zoey kisses her hand and giggles a little. “Did you see that Mira?”
Rumi frowns, “See what?”
“Your patterns glow a little, when we kiss you,” Zoey explains.
“Oh, interesting.”
“But you don't want to join?” Mira’s thumb moved, along her skin in little circles.
“Join what?”
“The love triangle.”
“I hate love triangles, the two girls should just get together, or the guys should leave her alone.”
“What if they're all girls? Or two and Zoey?”
“Mira!” Zoey laughed and Rumi wondered what the heck they were talking about.
“I don't think we've watched any like that.”
“We're living it jagiya.”
Rumi is warm. Mira kisses her at the corner of her mouth and Rumi shudders. She can feel her patterns heat up and probably glow though she refuses to look at them.
Rumi is warm as Zoey pulls her head the other way and kisses the opposite corner of her mouth.
Rumi is confused. Why are they kissing her like this? It's too close to the lips. It's too close to romance. They are together and Rumi is their friend. Nothing else. Nothing more. No distractions.
They are both holding her hands. Mira rubs in a circle and Zoey traces along the lines. They're both smiling. They're both relaxed. Rumi imitates them. Her hands relax and she allows herself to melt into their touches.
They have a sleepover that night. Everything is normal. They cuddle together with Rumi in the middle. There's light laughter and animal facts and teasing.
And Rumi is warm.
They're sitting on the couch, tangled together, watching a movie. Rumi's hand is open, palm up as Zoey's fingertips graze and caress Rumi's palm and wrist and up her arm. Sometimes it's along a pattern, but overall it's lazy circles and lines. The pressure varies from firm to light making Rumi involuntarily shudder. Rumi leans her head back and Mira must sense an opportunity.
Rumi jolts as Mira's lips press to her neck. A spark rushes through her and down between her legs. Rumi settles as Mira continues, kissing every inch of her neck. Sometimes slow, deliberate, sometimes pecks. Then her teeth scrape just as Zoey kisses the palm of Rumi's hand. Rumi whimpers and they both pause.
Rumi sits upright and curls into herself. She feels the heat rushing to her ears. They gently peel her out of the ball and kiss her temples lightly.
“It's okay, you don't need to be embarrassed,” Zoey whispers.
Rumi starts to relax.
“We want to take care of you,” Mira whispers.
They both pause, close but lips no longer touching her.
Rumi nods slowly with her eyes shut. They are so gentle with her, until her body surrenders to them. They press against her in ways Rumi had never thought would feel good.
Rumi sighs and opens her eyes to see them kissing over her. She whimpers a little again and they both grin at her.
Mira kisses her first to an exasperated sigh from Zoey. It's gentle but passionate.
Zoey is desperate and kisses like she'll never get the chance again.
Rumi's eyes roll back in her head as they both press kisses lower, along her patterns and her clavicle and the toned muscles of her arms.
Rumi moans and her legs twitch. Mira taps her bra strap and Rumi lazily opens her eyes in confusion.
Zoey giggles. “She's asking if she can take it off.”
Rumi nods again. She doesn't have time to be embarrassed because they're already worshipping her. Tongues and lips caress every inch of her chest and abdomen. This time Zoey uses teeth and Rumi makes a hiss that turns into a groan.
“Oh, you like that, huh?” Mira teases.
“Goody two shoes Rumi likes to be bit, who knew?” Zoey said against her skin before resuming.
“Please,” Rumi hardly recognizes her voice.
“Please what?” Mira asks. Her hand lazily drags against Rumi's skin.
Rumi whimpers. “I don't know.”
“Well, tell us when you figure it out.” Mira says without a hint of sympathy. She resumes her assault on Rumi's neck.
Rumi is trembling. Rumi is on fire. Rumi takes back all the things she thought about intimacy.
Their hands caress her legs and hips through her pajama pants. Rumi groans and huffs. “Just take it off.”
Zoey giggles and kneels in front of Rumi. She looks in her eyes and pulls her pants down. Rumi's head falls back but Mira caresses her hair and pushes her head down to look at Zoey. Zoey who is taking her time to lick and suck and bite the inside of Rumi's thighs. Rumi can feel her legs trembling. She whimpers again and Mira reassures her.
“It's alright, you're doing so good for us, princess, just relax.”
Rumi’s whole body tenses when Zoey starts touching her in that spot, between her legs. Rumi does her best to relax, as she’s read that makes it feel better somewhere before. Rumi’s eyes roll back and she holds onto Mira, who continues to nibble and suck on her chest and neck and occasionally lips, though Rumi often pulls away to groan or whimper.
“You sound so pretty, Princess.” Mira says with a low, strained voice. “Let Zoey take care of you. Then we’ll let you rest before I do.”
Rumi makes a louder sound, she thinks it’s a cross between a whimper and a yell. Rumi sees sparks on the back of her eyelids and feels a gush, before her whole body goes limp. She sniffles and Mira pulls her into a hug and whispers reassurances as Zoey joins too.
“It’s okay, it’s okay, we got you.” Zoey says softly, but a little frantically.
Rumi nods as she shivers. “I’m okay.”
“I love you, Rumi.” Zoey says as she gently caresses the few patterns on Rumi’s back.
“I love you Rumi.” Mira says it softer as she buries her head on Rumi’s chest, her breaths causing goose bumps.
“I, I love you too.” Rumi says finally. “You, you actually want me to join?”
“Yes.” They both say. Rumi trembles beneath them and they soothe her. Zoey wipes the few tears that fall from Rumi’s watering eyes.
They tell her they love her over and over again and Rumi’s warmth, stays.