Chapter Text
Mira watched Rumi shift for the millionth time. Her face remained slightly pinched, eyes only half focused on whatever she was trying to do with her phone. She kept reaching up to rub her neck or shoulders, pulling at her clothes and adjusting her hair. Mira hoped her voice would come out softer than usual as she asked “You okay?”
Rumi looked up like she’d forgotten there was anyone else in the room. She immediately relaxed her posture and gave Mira a practiced smile. “Fine! Just can’t get comfy.”
“Is it because of your scars?”
Rumi flinched again.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to answer.” Mira turned back to her book “I shouldn’t have asked.”
“You’re right, though.” Rumi set her phone on her lap “I know you guys know about them now, but it’s still hard to talk about them.”
“You don’t have to. Talk about them, I mean. You can just say stuff and tell us if you’d rather not answer follow up questions or something. It’s your body, y’know?”
Rumi stared. Not just looked but stared at Mira. When she finally tore her gaze away, she stared down at the rug, processing.
Mira was worried she broke her. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No! No, not at all. I’ve never thought of it that way. But you’re right. I guess I don’t have to answer just because I’m asked. Hm.”
Mira couldn’t help smiling at the intense concentration on the singer’s face. “Do you want something? For the pain?”
Rumi gave a weak shrug. “It doesn’t always work.”
“What does?”
Rumi gave a hesitant glance in Mira’s direction.
“You don’t have to answer.”
“No, I know. It’s just… If I tell you, I don’t want you to feel obligated to do anything.”
Mira quirked a brow “Is the cure for burn pain an orgasm or something?”
“Oh my god!” Rumi’s cheeks matched Mira’s hair in seconds.
Mira laughed and set her book aside, reaching out to her friend’s shoulder. “I’m kidding, obviously.”
“Obviously.” Rumi chuckled, ears still tinged pink as she regained her composure “Would it be too much to ask for a massage?”
“Not at all!” Mira smiled wide, happy that Rumi was finally comfortable enough to voice what she wanted “Sit on the ground, it’ll be easier to get at your shoulders.”
Rumi could barely make eye contact. “Are you sure?”
“If you are.”
Rumi hesitated before sliding off the couch and sitting against the front of it.
Mira moved so her legs were framing Rumi’s body. She waited for the long braid to be pulled out of her way before setting her hands on either side of Rumi’s scarred neck. She pressed down with gradual strength, using the circular motions she’d seen online and moving out from Rumi’s spine.
She was seconds from asking how she was doing when a low moan echoed up from the woman in front of her.
Rumi stiffened, muscles going tight under Mira’s hands.
“Relax,” Mira ordered and pressed a little harder “It’s okay. That’s how we know it’s working.”
Rumi’s skin reddened again, but she stayed quiet. She let out the occasional hum, slowly becoming less embarrassed.
Mira made sure to take her time. The back and sides of Rumi’s neck, the top of her shoulders and her upper back. A knot slipped loose and the noise Rumi made sent a jolt to Mira’s center.
Rumi curled away “That’s great! Thanks, Mir.”
“Yeah, of course. Seriously, whenever you need it.” Mira did her best to control her face, thinking of literally anything other than that sound and how to hear it again.
Rumi pulled her knees to her chest as though she was going to stand but stayed seated between Mira’s calves.
“Thanks. I might take you up on that.”
“I’ll hold you to it.” Mira smiled, giving Rumi’s bicep a gentle squeeze “I wish you’d told us sooner. I could’ve been helping a lot more.”
Rumi’s ears burned red again. She wobbled to her feet and returned to the far end of the couch. “I wish that, too.”
Mira was much closer to Rumi now than when she first sat down, making her heart race as impulses flashed through her mind. She put a hand over Rumi’s knee. “I know I speak for Zoey too when I say we want to help you. You don’t have to do things alone anymore.”
Rumi looked down at Mira’s hand and placed hers on top. “You both feel that way?”
“Strongly.” Mira promised “We love you, Rumi.”
“That’s…” Rumi smiled and wove her fingers between Mira’s. “Good to know.”
Mira expected Rumi to pull away. She never did.