Archive of Our Own

🏕️

Rumi raised her hand, smile faltering slightly behind it as she blocked the light coming off the cameras flashing in her face.

It always happened, and it always gave her a slight headache.

The quick flashes of cameras, the rapid questions hurled at her, microphones and phones pushed in her face to see how she would react, what she would say.

The paparazzi always swarmed them after concerts, Mira and Zoey trailing just behind her, doing better to hide their irritation than she was today, polite smiles and waves, a couple quick answers to the questions that just seemed to get more invasive each day.

But then they were in their car to go back to the penthouse, the noises muted by the windows, the lights stopped now that they were out of view behind tinted glass.

She breathed a sigh of relief, settling into her seat, eyes closed while she let the pulsing behind her eyes dissipate.

“You okay, Rumi?” Mira's voice cut through the air, not doing anything for the ache in her head, but Rumi couldn't be mad at her. Mira was always checking on her and Zoey, and how could she be anything but touched by the concern?

She cracked her eyes slightly, looking at her friends.

Mira, watching her, completely unreadable in her expression; Zoey, all soft concern and slightly tilted head, waiting for her to answer.

She nodded, just barely, hand coming to her forehead.

“I’m okay, just a little headache. I’ll be better once we get back to the penthouse.”

Mira nodded at her, Zoey reaching into her bag to pull out some pain killers, offering them to Rumi. “The lights and noise get really overwhelming, I get it. Would be so nice to have some peace and get away, y’know?”

Rumi took a couple, thanking Zoey, the relief washing over her almost instantly.

“Yeah, I know. Just a little quiet.”

The car took off smoothly, and soon they were back home unwinding, Mira and Zoey heading straight for the couch in their robes to relax after the show.

Rumi opted to go to her room for a bit, tending the plants on her balcony, relaxing in her own way before she joined them.

After she was done, she stood, hands on her hips, looking proudly at her tiny forest, lush and full, well taken care of after years of finding hobbies when she couldn’t go to the bathhouse with the others.

She tilted her head slightly, looking at her plants. Tiny forest. Something about that reminded her of what Zoey had said earlier as well, wanting to get away from it all. 

Thinking about it more, they could get away. They had earned the time off after everything, and Bobby would definitely be able to convince any network executives that Huntrix would be even better after a small break, refreshed and ready to jump right back into new music, interviews and live shows.

It was brash, but she texted Bobby quickly, telling him that she wanted to go on a hiking trip with Mira and Zoey for a couple days, just them out in nature, no need or want to talk with anyone for a little while. The reply came quickly, Bobby organising a car to take them to where Rumi had planned, and come get them again after, trusting her that they would be safe on their own, promising to get them at least a week for the trip. She thanked him, sending him the broad idea of where they would be, and tucked her phone away after, pleased it was coming together so easily.

Now just to get the girls.

🪴

Zoey and Mira were on the couch, eyes completely glazed over, lazily and happily watching whatever was playing on the television, not absorbing, but happy for the mindless content. They were just about to tuck into their snacks, when Rumi rose from behind the couch, familiar wide grin on her face as she looked expectantly down at them.

“Rumi, no. Whatever it is you have planned this time, absolutely not. It’s couch time.” Mira was instantly distrustful, scowling at their leader despite the manic joy plastered on Rumi’s face.

Zoey whined softly, smile melting off her face as Mira turned to face Rumi, now also suspicious of whatever the purple haired hunter had planned.

Rumi, confused for a second, tilted her head, taking in Mira’s scowl and Zoey’s growing misery, then remembered the last time she had done this to them. She quickly waved her hands, cheeks reddening, smile softening as she spoke. “No, no, I promise this isn’t like when I dropped the Golden release on you two.”

Mira squinted, still not trusting her.

Rumi pressed on, hands resting on their shoulders as they turned to look at her. “I am sorry for springing that still, but this is different. I’m getting us more relaxing time, actually.”

Mira raised a skeptical eyebrow. It was sounding better, but she was still wary.

Rumi, seeing the apprehension pressed on. “I wanted us to go on a sort of camping trip. A small hike. Just us three. A little getaway, like Zoey said in the car.” She let it hang in the air a second, watching as the girls took in and mulled over her words.

“That... is much better than another sudden song release… I don’t think I would be opposed to that.” Mira said, brightening the more she thought about it. 

Now it was just up to Zoey, the Rumi looking at her expectantly, Mira just bemused, eyebrow quirked, seeing what Zoey would choose.

“I did say getaway. Um. Sure, sounds like it would be fun.”

Rumi grinned again, squeezing the others’ shoulders slightly now that they were on board.

“Huntrix is going on a hike.”

🌄

Right after all was agreed on, Rumi vaguely explained where they were going, Zoey and Mira nodding along as it unfolded. They weren’t too bothered about where they went, so long as they got to relax. The fans were lovely, being in the spotlight was wonderful, but it all got a little much sometimes when the fate of the world rested on you, and you were still expected to smile for the fans and answer every insane question they had without saying too much to cause a major PR incident. A break would be amazing.

Bags were packed, all agreeing on what to bring; a big tent to share, sleeping bags, a tarp to hang over their tent in case it rained, ropes, pots to boil water in, a couple small cans and packs of easy to cook food, many little snacks and drinks, a first aid kit, waterproof cameras, clothes and towels. At Zoey’s insistence, they also packed a polaroid camera, extra shoes, bug spray and sunblock, and a little water purifier.

“Just in case. Maybe we’ll need to drink river water. Mira’s already got a sensitive tummy, so why not lessen the risk of issues?”

With that, Mira also packed some extra medicine for her own sake, just in case of an IBS flare up. She nudged Zoey with a gentle smile, repeating 'just in case' to her, Zoey grinning right back at her.

Anything else they figured they would manage without, and they always had their weapons, so there was nothing much else to be prepared for. They were set. All that was left to do was go to bed, and in the morning, they would set out for their trip.

☀️ 

Before the sun was even up, they were bundled into a car, on their way.

Zoey lay against Mira, snoring softly, having been the hardest to force out of bed. She had blearily showered and gotten dressed, almost falling back asleep while Mira made coffee, only managing to drag herself to the car before she was out again.

Mira herself was nodding off, head drooping before snapping back again, insisting to Rumi that she was awake before she repeated the cycle. Zoey’s warmth against her shoulder was lulling her back to unconsciousness, the gentle rumble of the car soothing in the background.

Rumi was practically vibrating, far too excited to go back to bed, hopped up on caffeine and anticipation. She had meticulously planned this trip in her frenzied state, picking the trail carefully, knowing it would be safe and easily hiked, but also secluded enough to afford them true quality time.

Beneath her want to get away from the buzz of stardom, she also wanted a chance just to be with her girls, perhaps work up the nerve to say what had been just on the edge of her mind.

She had always loved Mira and Zoey - from the moment they met, how they felt like they were destined to be close - but it had changed recently, or maybe it had changed over the years, only realised now that things had taken a drastic turn for the better.

☀️ 

After everything; the honmoon being sealed, her secrets out in the open, her patterns revealed; they only became closer. Their gentle touches held more tenderness, their inside jokes felt more full of softness, their quality time felt more intimate. It was all the same actions they’d done as they grew together, but it held so much more weight to Rumi. It felt like she was loved - really loved for all that she was - and she wanted to keep it safe, to keep it hers forever. She just had to figure out if they felt the same way she did, if it had bloomed into more than just friendship, or if it was the same as it always was, just growing more comfortable now that the walls were gone.

If not now when they could be alone together, then when?

She looked out the window, watching the trees whiz by, sunlight just starting to creep up the horizon, and promised herself to make it the most memorable trip they had ever been on.

This would be the time she confessed.

☀️ 

The car pulled up smoothly to a small circle of pavement, giving way to a grass path flanked by thick bundles of trees. They were here.

Now awake, Mira nudged Zoey gently, waking her with a small groan.

“We’re’ere?”, she slurred, rubbing at the corner of her eye with one hand, and wiping the small spot of droll from the corner of her mouth with the other.

“We’re here, sleeping beauty,” Mira lovingly snarked, rubbing spit off her shoulder.

Rumi was already out of the car, grabbing their bags from the trunk, eager to get moving. Being out here was invigorating, seemingly doubling her energy just from the fresh air and peace.

Mira and Zoey followed, stretching before taking their bags from Rumi, bidding the driver farewell as they sized up the path.

The trail was grassy, but well worn, trees on either side bearing small flags to guide the way, seeming to grow denser the further out from the path they were. Flowers and mushrooms dotted the ground around the thick roots, sporting all manner of colour and sizes, poking up between fallen leaves everywhere they looked. Sunlight filtered in between the crowns of the trees, lighting up their path in patches of warm gold, leading them along.

It was gorgeous.

Rumi let out a soft squeal, and started ahead, turning back to ensure the others were following her. Her head kept swivelling, marking down every form of flora she could see, naming what she could, and committing to memory what she couldn’t, intent on looking it up and cataloging it when they got back home.

Zoey giggled at Rumi’s enthusiasm, catching a quick picture of her stooping to admire a particularly striking flower. As she shook out the polaroid, Rumi came back, smiling brightly, her patterns lighting up a rosy pink against her skin.

“It’s a tiger lily! I love how orange they are, and the petals always have such a cool pattern. And look how far the stamen reaches out! It’s so curved!”

Zoey snapped another picture quickly, capturing Rumi’s genuine smile in a candid shot.

Rumi blinked at her, smile growing confused, eyebrows knitting together as she looked at the younger hunter shaking the developing picture. “You’re taking pictures of me?”

Zoey nodded, inspecting the picture before tucking it safely away and meeting Rumi’s eyes. “Obviously. Gotta take a picture of everything gorgeous out here.” She said with a wink, trailing her fingers teasingly along Rumi’s jaw as she walked past her, joining Mira ahead as they kept walking.

Rumi let out a soft noise, fingers touching where Zoey’s hand had ghosted over her skin. ‘Is she flirting with me? Or is that just teasing?’, she thought, getting lost in her head for a second before stumbling after the other hunters.

Mira nudged her gently, laughing at the flushed expression on Rumi’s face as she caught back up with the group, but said nothing of it. She just linked her arm with Rumi’s, doing the same with Zoey on the other side, all three walking together, listening as Rumi pointed out plants, only interrupted when Zoey pointed out bugs. Mira walked in the middle of them, contentedly listening to her girls rattle off nature facts.

🌼

As the minutes stretched into hours, the light chatter petered out, taken over by comfortable silence as the girls walked happily together, each lost in their own thoughts.

Mira was planning their dinner for the night, cup noodles and tins of sausages, maybe making a little of the instant rice they had packed. She’d make their fire and get the water boiling, making sure everyone was fed before they settled for sleep.

Zoey was thinking about her mental bingo card, checking off all the animals or bugs she had seen, and still wanted to spot. She’d seen darting shapes in the shadows of the trees further from the path, likely deer, but she wouldn’t check it off until she had full confirmation. So far, all her bugs were spotted, all manner of dragonflies and moths plentiful. Subtly, she hoped to see some turtles, frogs or ducks, but she wouldn’t hold her breath; she wasn’t sure if Rumi’s trail would take them near water sources.

Rumi was fiddling with the hem of her tank top, trying to figure out how she would phrase her confession, and when would be the right time. Should she wait for them to be going to bed, using the starlight as romantic ambience? Should she say when they were waking up, all sleepy thoughts and gentle energies? Would it be better to say it sooner before she lost her nerve, or on the last day so if they didn’t return her feelings, it wouldn’t be awkward for the remainder of the trip?

Her thoughts were interrupted when she glanced up, and noticed Zoey falling behind, turning to face her before she heard a tiny shutter click. More pictures.

Zoey giggled to herself, lovingly staring at the picture as it fully developed. Mira and Rumi had turned to face her as she was taking it, sunlight falling between the leaves and casting pockets of glowing light onto both of them, illuminating the shine of joy in Mira’s eyes as she smiled at Zoey; the radiant but gentle glow of Rumi’s patterns, having shifted into a predominantly pink hue, curling around her jaw and down her neck and shoulder. She lingered on the photo longer than she meant to, blush starting at the tips of her ears as she admired everything she loved about the others before she put it away safely with the others.

“Got a good picture?”, Mira asked as she and Rumi waited for Zoey to catch back up.

“Yeah, it’s perfect.” She bumped into Mira gently, walking with the group again.

They fell back into a comfortable silence, Zoey slipping her hands into Rumi’s and Mira’s somewhere along the way, keeping them all together.

☀️ 

The further they walked, the more the trees started to thin out, late afternoon sun starting to fall in sheets rather than pockets. It was warm, but nothing unbearable, though Rumi thought ahead to the waterfall they would find further along the way. She wanted it to be a surprise, knowing Zoey would absolutely lose her mind at the premise, and Mira would appreciate the cool-down after their walking. The more she thought about it, the more excited she was to get there, imagining the looks on the others’ faces when it came into sight. It would be wonderful.

Rumi’s attention returned to the present moment though, hearing soft humming coming from her left. Zoey was looking up, humming softly while watching the sky, sunlight highlighting her freckles and turning her dark eyes hazel, details Rumi was quickly committing to memory.

“What are you humming?” Mira asked her, Zoey turning to her right after.

“Nothing much. Just sorta thinking. Being out here is really peaceful, a little inspiring.”

“New song inspiring?” Mira prodded, quirking an eyebrow at the younger hunter.

Zoey laughed before she shyly admitted, “You know me so well. It’s mostly random words. Maybe it could be a song, maybe multiple. Something about love, something about healing. I’d need to really sit with it to figure out where to take it.”

“Can we hear some of the words?” Rumi asked, genuinely curious how this trip was already inspiring Zoey.

Zoey waved her hand, embarrassedly blushing as she turned away from Rumi. “Yeah, I guess. But it’s silly. I’m still thinking about it.”

Rumi and Mira waited patiently while Zoey worked up the nerve to say what she’d been thinking. When she did, the words came softly, aimless tune carrying the words delicately.

“The light falling on your skin, baby I see the beauty shining from within. All this time, I wanted to let you know, those three little words, I could say it all day but how can I make them show?”

She paused, mumbling a bit. “I don’t have the part in between, but there’s another part that goes- It feels like I have the words so close. Got you so near to me, so here it goes. // Being here with you makes it feel all okay. Here in your arms, baby, forever I’ve gotta stay. Seeing you through it all. Never gon’ let you fall. Now that we’re here together, I’ve gotta say-”

She stopped, clearing her throat, waving her hand in front of her face like she could fan away the growing heat from the sun and her own embarrassment.

“That’s all so far, it’s silly, it’s stupid. Just rambles. Anyway-”, Zoey sprinted ahead, feigning interest in a tree as she pulled out her camera, leaving Mira and Rumi to watch each other in stunned silence, their own blushes giving away how endearing they found the small song.

“She’s so cute...” Mira mumbled to herself, playing with the straps of her bag.

“Isn’t she just?” Rumi mumbled in reply, having heard Mira, and accidentally responding.

They faced each other, unspoken understanding passing between them before they broke into laughter. Unfiltered, full laughter, both of them completely on the same page about how adorable they found their teammate, and tickled that they both thought it without having to say it.

They caught up with Zoey right after, making small comments about the tree Zoey was taking pictures of, earning a small huff from her, before they started walking again.

🌳

Rumi was walking slightly ahead of the group, invigorated, seemingly tireless as she sped towards a clearing she saw in the distance. She wanted to check it out, see if it would be a good place to make camp for the night, afternoon sky starting to bleed into the reds and pinks of the coming sunset.

“Rumi, take five?”

She paused, turning back to the others.

Mira was panting softly, just behind her, but it was Zoey who had asked, face flushed in her effort to keep up with the leader, flagging a couple feet behind the pink haired hunter.

“Sure, sure. Sorry. I just wanted to get to that clearing over there. Seems like a good place to make camp.” she said as she came to a stop, watching Mira coming to stand next to her, Zoey doubling over a couple steps back.

“Yeah, no problem. Just… need a second. Shorter legs. And you walk so fast- it’s crazy.” Zoey spoke between breaths, stretching first forward, then back, her spine crackling as she did.

She stood with her hands on her hips, taking deep breaths in and out, a few big sniffs through her nose as well.

“Smells like rain though.”

Rumi stepped closer, unsure she had heard Zoey properly.

“What do you mean ‘smells like rain?’” she asked worriedly. It couldn’t rain, she had checked every weather report she could find, all saying clear skies and light breeze for the whole week.

Zoey looked at her, sheepish smile growing as dark eyes met. “I could be wrong, but it kinda does.” She tapped her nose between words, emphasing. “This nose knows, and it smells like.. The sky getting fuller? The air becoming more still before it gears up for a downpour, y’know? I’m not sure how to describe it, but it just smells like rain to me. Plus-” Zoey leaned forward, slapping a hand against her right knee. “Knee aches. Rain’s a'comin’”

Rumi gaped at her, her plans coming to a screeching halt as the words sunk in. It couldn’t rain! The clearing, her plan for them to sleep under the stars, her quiet confession!

“What does your knee have to do with it?” Mira asked, kneeling in front of Zoey to inspect said joint.

“Skating accident when I was twelve, maybe. Tried to ollie onto a stair railing, missed it, and came down hard at the second to last step. Cracked right through!”

“Sick. So now it hurts whenever there’s rain?”

“Yeah. Or general storms. Something about the shift in atmospheric pressure, I think. Maybe also electrons in the air for lightning?”

Mira and Zoey’s idle banter barely breached Rumi’s worried spiral, eyes frantic as she tried to come up with a new plan for their shelter. Then Mira’s hand was on her shoulder, gentle pressure reassuring. “Hey, don’t worry. We packed tarps, remember? We can string them between the trees and have our tent beneath. I even packed extra so we can make a bigger area, put our fire beneath it as well. No stress.”

Rumi looked up at the taller woman, catching Zoey in the background nodding along, both of them assuring her that it was all okay. Her plans interrupted a little, sure, but it would be fine. It had to be fine, she told herself.

She nodded at Mira, then turned more toward Zoey. “Can you tell how soon the rain is coming?”

Zoey shook her head, answering somewhat sadly, “No. Just a general feel for it, but no real estimation of when. But the sky looks fine, so maybe we have a couple hours?”

Rumi nodded again, then scanned their surroundings. Just off the path they’d been following, before the clearing, there was a small patch of trees, tall and sturdy enough to support their tarps, spaced out enough to fit their tent and a small fire comfortably between them. That could work. Rumi’s plan had a new direction, and it would work.

She turned back towards the others, determined look in her eyes as she spoke, “Okay, let’s start making camp over there. After, we’ll start dinner, and then settle in for the night. Lots more trail to cover, and we can get an early start in the morning if we rest soon. Sound good?”

Mira squeezed her shoulder, smiling down at her in confirmation, Zoey flashing two thumbs up as she nodded, settling their plan now that they were all in agreement.

Tomorrow, they’d be back on their way.

🌧️ 

The tarps went up easily, the tent right beneath it, affording a big enough area for them to walk around under without any worry of the forthcoming rain. Mira gathered rocks and started building the barrier for the fire, Rumi and Zoey gathering sticks for fuel. A loud crack of thunder sounded just as Mira was sparking the fire, lighter in hand, startling them all. It seemed Zoey was right about a downpour. Rumi sighed, quietly mourning her plans for a romantic confession under the stars. She knew she’d have another chance, but she’d gotten her hopes up, nerves kept in check as she embraced the idea, now dashed as clouds started to move in.

Zoey patted her back, thinking she was just disappointed about the rain when the sky had looked so clear earlier. “It’s okay, Rumi. Rain or no rain, this is fun so far. Plus, maybe the rain will bring out some snails. Great pictures to be had with them.”

Rumi chuckled. She loved Zoey’s optimism, even if that wasn’t what she was stressed about. She could always rely on Zoey to be a ray of sunshine in the dark of the storm. “Thanks, Zoey.” she whispered into Zoey’s hair as she pulled the dark haired hunter into a hug.

“Always.” Zoey replied easily, squishing Rumi as she returned the gesture.

There was another crack of thunder before a light trickle started, small taps hitting the tarp overhead as the hunters huddled underneath.

“Good timing. Glad you two got all the firewood already-” Mira called back, placing a metal pot over her expertly built fire with the end of her gok-do.

Zoey tapped her nose again, replying, “This nose knows.”

Rumi and Mira shook their heads at her fondly, Mira turning back to the fire.

Their maknae.

🌧️

Mira ended up making ramen cups, the instant rice, a couple eggs Zoey had packed from the convenience store - Zoey insisted that they would be good for another week, but Mira thought it best to make them tonight before they ended up forgotten - and loose leaf tea, the meal warm and cozy as the rain picked up around them.

After dinner, they settled in their tent, laying on a thick blanket since the night was cool enough not to need individual sleeping bags. The fire was out, leaving them in a deep darkness, only broken up when the moon peeked out from the clouds, only to be smothered again just as quickly.

Zoey was out quickly, head tucked against Rumi’s shoulder, soft breaths tickling her skin with each exhale. Rumi herself was fading fast, Mira’s heartbeat just next to her ear lulling her gently to sleep, worries of the day fading as she was wrapped in the others’ warmth.

They tended to fall asleep like this a lot lately, with either Zoey practically on top of Rumi, a softly snoring weighted blanket and Mira curled around her side like a serpent, or Zoey cuddled against her shoulder, Rumi’s head on Mira’s chest, sandwiching her between. It was comfortable and safe, all gentle intimacy and closeness. It meant a lot to Rumi to finally have this, no longer afraid of them noticing her patterns if a sleeve accidentally shifted during the night. She wanted to protect this, protect them. But did it hold the same importance to them as it did her? She was too afraid to ask, to shatter the unspoken barrier between friendship and romance, lest she ruin it and push them away with her wants. She wanted so badly, and now that it was in her reach, she was still too afraid to embrace it. Soon though. As she fell asleep, she promised herself, soon.

🌧️

Zoey shifted, waking to the sounds of heavy rain smacking against the tarp overhead. She blinked into the darkness, reaching over Rumi to nudge Mira’s arm before she went back to sleep, already feeling herself falling back under. But when her hand met empty air, she jolted awake, almost waking Rumi, who groaned softly, before settling back into the dark of slumber. Zoey carefully untangled herself, slipping out of the tent to go find Mira. It didn’t take long though, Zoey’s eyes finding her in the dim starlight, sitting just ahead of their camping spot, letting the rain wash over her.

Zoey let out a soft sigh, relief coming quickly at finding the other close-by. She shrugged off her shirt, wanting to keep it dry, going over to settle on the grass next to Mira.

“Couldn’t sleep?”, she asked softly, shivering in the slight cold of the night.

Mira too was shirtless, rivers of water snaking down her shoulders, catching off the little light. She brushed her hair out of her face, playfully flicking water at Zoey.

“The rain just looked inviting. Feels cool on your skin, right?”

Zoey nestled closer to her, trying to steal her warmth. Mira always ran warm, and Zoey cold, so it was the perfect balance between them. And Zoey wanted to stay out here with her, despite the coziness of the tent beckoning back her already.

“Plus, I wanted to think.” Mira continued, prompting Zoey to look up at her as she spoke.

“If I know Rumi, I know she has something planned. She can say all day that she just wanted a break from the stage and the lights; and I do believe she was telling the truth, at least in part; but I think there’s more to it than that. I’m not sure what exactly, but I feel like she has something major to say.”

Zoey chewed on her lip a minute, glancing back to the tent, before she spoke, “You think she’s working up the nerve to say something?”

“Maybe. A lot’s changed lately, so I think she’s still getting it out of her system that she doesn’t have to hide, that she can just say things.”

A couple beats of silence passed between them, just letting the rain soak them through.

“You think she’ll tell us she feels the same way about us as we do about her?” Zoey asked softly, hopefully, breaking the quiet.

Mira shrugged against her, but Zoey could feel Mira’s hope too, like a warm weight settling in her chest. She took a shaky breath before she spoke again, dry chuckle accompanying the words, “I hope so. I’ve wanted to tell her for years, but I didn’t want to scare her off. She was already so stressed about everything, her walls so high, and after everything with the Saja Boys and the honmoon and her patterns- It wasn’t the right time to say. I can’t add more for her to carry. I’ll just wait till she’s ready. Whenever that is.”

Zoey bumped into Mira playfully, teasingly sing-song as she spoke, “You loooooove her. You love her so bad, and you want to kiss her.”

Mira bumped back, soft laughter leaving her. “Shut up. You love her too. And don’t act like you’re any better than I am. You took forever to stutter out your confession to me at the bathhouse.”

Zoey gasped, mock hurt lacing her voice, “It was a tearful, romantic confession delivered at the perfect pace. And you cried about it, lovergirl.”

Mira didn’t respond, just playfully wrapped her arms around Zoey, tugging her down to lay in the grass, now growing muddy with the downpour. Zoey let out a squeal as she did, wresting Mira to be let up again. More than that though, Mira was already lost in the memory of that day.

Mira had cried at the confession. She remembered it so vividly. 

🛁

She and Zoey had begged Rumi to come to the bathhouse, getting a soft apology and a promise of ‘maybe later’, just as usual, before going themselves, planning to have a nice relaxing day to themselves before they went on tour again.

It was just a random day, nothing special had happened that day or even recently. Just another day at the bathhouse, Zoey and Mira soaking in the lightly lemon scented water together, comfortable silence beyond the light drips in the background from other tubs.

But then Zoey was speaking, another one of her silly rambles that Mira had grown to love. She didn’t remember when she started loving them so much, only that she always relaxed when Zoey started speaking, the sound of her voice calming despite the frantic and enthusiastic delivery of the words.

There was a brief pause, Zoey taking a breath, before she switched gears, now asking a question.

“Mira, wanna know two turtle facts and a random other fact?”

Mira glanced over at Zoey, eyebrow raising in question, but she took her up. “Is this like two truths and a lie? Cuz this sounds like all truths.”

Zoey huffed, splashing water at Mira, before she asked again, “Wanna know them?”

Mira snickered, and nodded, sitting up straighter to listen.

“Okay so.. So turtles’ shells are fused to their spines, which is why when you pick them up, you-you pick them up like a hamburger, or you, um, you hold the edges of their shell, and support the undercarriage.”

Normal enough.

“Some turtles can breathe through their cloacas- That’s their butt- Because of all the nerve vessels and stuff.”

Weird, but still normal enough by Zoey metrics.

Zoey paused now, chewing on her lip.

Mira raised a brow, speaking now to prompt Zoey to continue, “That’s two turtle facts, what’s the third one?”

“That I love you.”

Mira chuckled, settling back again. “I love you too, Zo. You dork-”

Zoey shook her head, eyes shut tight and face deep red, stirring up the water around her as she moved. “More than that. Not friendship love, although I do also love you that way. Like… I’m… I’m in love with you.”

Mira blinked at her, stunned into silence. And then she let out a soft hiccup. She could feel the sting in her eyes, the lump in her throat, her arms trembling at her sides. She wanted to say she felt the same, that she loved her too, so much, but all she could get out was another choked little sob, teetering on the edge of crying.

Zoey looked up at her then, her scrunched, embarrassed expression morphing more into awed admiration, watching Mira desperately try not to crumble in front of her. She drifted closer, hand coming up to cup Mira’s cheek.

“Mira, are you crying?”

Mira shook her head, gasping and swallowing down a sob before she pulled Zoey into a tight hug, all she could do to keep the shorter hunter from seeing her cry. Her tears fell softly onto Zoey’s shoulder, but whether she just thought it was moisture from the bath or knew otherwise, she kept it to herself, waiting until Mira hoarsely whispered back, “I’m in love with you too.”

After that they grew closer, nights spent together, cuddled up and feeling out the fragile new dynamic that began between them. Quiet admissions of all they loved about the other, gentle kisses and shy touches, both coming to understand exactly how they felt about the other. In time too, they came to discuss how they both felt about Rumi, how they loved her in much the same way. Gorgeous, smart, stubborn, workaholic Rumi, with all her walls yet her softness she displayed with them, her awkward smiles, her dad-jokes and inability to relax unless forced into it. They were in love with Rumi as well as each other, coming to a mutual agreement to wait on her, that only if they were all on the same page that this- they- could progress.

They would wait as long as it took. 

🛁

Now everything had changed - walls broken down, secrets out in the open - Rumi’s confession felt so close, they were so close to finally all being together, but only if Rumi said. They would wait until she was ready, ever patient with Rumi, the third piece to their messy puzzle.

There was a soft grunt under Mira, and she was back in the present moment, still pinning Zoey in the mud, wrestling around with her.

She leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Zoey’s neck, earning a giggle between Zoey’s struggling noises. She stayed there, speaking lowly against Zoey’s skin, “If I’m lovergirl, what does that make you, hopeless romantic?”

“I don’t reject my label, I’ll have you know. I’m happy being a hopeless romantic as long as I get to be romantic with you-”, Zoey flirted, wiggling her eyebrows at Mira despite the fact that it was dark, and Mira didn’t have her glasses on.

“Ugh, cornball.” Mira rolled her eyes at Zoey, but couldn’t help the smile pulling at the corners of her mouth.

Suddenly, Zoey was pushing her up, slicked from the mud, rolling them so that she now straddled Mira’s hips, pinning her arms above her head as she panted softly.

Mira looked up at her, stunned, before her brows knitted together, joking scowl taking over her face. “Wait, did you flirt to distract me?”

“It worked too.” Zoey teased, nuzzling her muddy cheek against Mira, who groaned and tried to squirm away, not putting any real effort behind it.

Then there was an easy silence again, their soft pants mingling as they lay tangled in the grass, muddy and soaked through.

“Really though,” Zoey started quietly after a beat, always one to fill silences, “I hope she feels the same. I really do love her so much.”

“I do too.” Mira replied softly.

“You..love me…? Like that?”

Mira and Zoey's heads darted in the direction of the voice, catching Rumi by the pink patterns glowing along her skin, standing just under the edge of the tarp. They weren’t sure how long she’d been watching them, but it sounded like she had heard the important part.

Rumi had woken up just after Zoey had slipped away, the absence of warmth immediately apparent, listening to them talk with her heightened hearing. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but she just kept listening, heart growing fonder as they quietly spoke of their love of her to each other. They loved her. They felt the same as she did. And they were just waiting on her. As her cheeks grew warmer, the tent lit up by her glowing patterns, she slipped out, standing at the edge of the dry shelter, listening, watching. It was only when she was sure, it said explicitly, did she speak up, tearfully watching them wrestle around. She loved them so much, her silly, playful dorky girls.

Zoey slipped off of Mira, turning to face Rumi, opening her arms out wide as she smiled brightly at Rumi, whether or not she could see it. Then she tilted her head back, raindrops falling into her eyes and mouth, not deterring her as she yelled into the sky, “I love you, Rumi!”

Mira sat up, deciding to mimic the motion, arms spread wide next to Zoey, “I love you so much, Rumi!”

Rumi hiccuped, wiping at her eyes quickly before she was racing at them, diving into their arms and toppling them all into the mud again. She was dirty, soaked in the rain, sobbing and snotty against either Zoey or Mira’s shoulder, she couldn’t tell, but she didn’t care. She pulled them in tight to her, feeling their arms press and hold around her as well as she choked on her tears and mumbled half sentences, overcome with emotion.

“I love- You both mean- You’re both so dumb and-”

“Easy Rums, we got you.” Mira held her tightly, speaking near her ear, seemingly unbothered to be completely covered in mud after Rumi plowed into her.

Zoey patted her back reassuringly, pressing a quick kiss to reddened and patterned skin. “You are choking me a little, though.”

Rumi choked out a tearful laugh, easing her hold around them before turning and settling on her back, closing her eyes against the rain.

“I love you both so much.”

Rumi felt her hands be grasped, Mira’s slender fingers in her left; Zoey’s shorter, calloused fingers interlocking with her right.

“Love you, Rums.”
“I love you too, Rumi.”

They spoke softly, voices drifting over the sound of rain, permanently taking residence in Rumi’s mind.

They loved her too.

🌧️ 

They sat in the rain for a while more, letting the water wash off all the mud, before they remade the fire, trying to warm themselves after the adrenaline of confessions faded.

“We’re so gonna get sick in a couple days.” Mira trembled, tugging the sleeves of her newly donned sweater down over her hands.

“We’ll have soup and cuddle, it’ll be fine.” Zoey barely got out, chattering teeth breaking up her words. She squished herself between Mira and Rumi to get as much warmth from them as she could, lightly trembling against their shoulders.

“Bobby made sure we had time off for this, I’m sure he can get us a little bit more if we’re sick.” Rumi wrapped an arm around Zoey, both to keep her warm, and just because she wanted to.

Zoey sighed and melted into her, grateful for the added heat, and contact. Then she piped up, hopeful, just a soft question she already felt like she had the answer to, “So are we girlfriends now? All of us?”

“Absolutely. Huntrix is girlfriends.” Mira answered immediately, nestling closer to Zoey.

Rumi just nodded, not trusting herself to speak as she felt a prickle behind her eyes again.

“Awesome. Gonna write a song about this when we get home.”

🔥

When they settled for bed again, wrapped together under a spare blanket Zoey had thankfully packed, their cuddle felt closer, the last barrier between them finally broken. The rain eased as morning drew closer, the last of its gentle patter fading with the rise of the sun, casting rainbows over the trail and the sleeping hunters.

🌈

When they woke again, they packed up quickly, setting out once more, careful not to slip in the very muddied but still clear trail through the clearing. Mira and Zoey had taken their shirts off the night before, sparing them from the soak of the rain, but Rumi’s eagerness had cost her. Sure, she could put her spare shirt on, but she was feeling brave, the confessions making her feel more daring than she ever had before, boldly walking in just her underwear and shorts, patterns gleaming pinks and blues and soft whites on her shoulders, winding down her back and stomach, disappearing into her shorts as she walked along. Not that Mira or Zoey complained.

Zoey hummed again as they walked, seemingly working on the song from the previous day, Mira and Rumi joining in when they recognised a piece she was treating like a chorus. Soon, all three were loudly and joyously singing, inserting new pieces into the song as they went.

Zoey was just about to start a rap bridge when she gasped, rushing ahead. Rumi and Mira followed her gaze, chuckling as they caught up.

“Tiny pond! And there’s turtles!!!” Zoey was excitedly circling the pond, tucked between rocks and some short bent trees, water rippling as the animals within swam happily.

Rumi sat at the edge of the pond, pulling her phone out to take a video of Zoey, Mira coming up next to the dark haired girl to animal watch along with her.

“Give me the polaroid, I’ll get some pictures of you holding them.”

Zoey handed it over, practically throwing it into Mira’s hands, carefully scooping up a turtle in her palms, holding it close to her face with the widest smile either girl had ever seen on Zoey’s face.

“It’s a Chinese Pond turtle,” she proudly announced, giving its shell a soft kiss before gently placing it back in the water.

“There’s tadpoles too; see if you can find a frog-” Mira instructed, earning an eager nod before Zoey hunted around, coming back with one carefully but firmly clasped in her hands.

“Big one. Korean water toad.” She held it out, bringing it close to the camera lens, making herself blurry in the background as Mira took more pictures. Each one, she shook out carefully, admiring her work, before putting it away, intending to put them with Zoey’s collection later.

Rumi was more focused on capturing their easy dynamic, the laughter spilling from Zoey, contagious and Mira chuckled as well, watching Zoey release the frog only to pick up another animal from the pond, water cupped in her hands tightly.

“Ooh, this one is a froglet, see how it still has its tail, but also has little legs? It survives off nutrients stored in the tail till it eventually becomes a fully developed frog. Isn’t that neat?”

Mira snapped another picture, bringing the camera close to Zoey’s hands. “Very neat.”

Rumi finished her video, tucking her phone away again just as Zoey was releasing the froglet, wiping her hands off on her pants. “One more creature, and I have a bingo.”

Mira chuckled at her, handing off the polaroids and camera, Rumi just watching her with a confused look. “You have a bingo card?”

“Mental image of one, yeah.”

“How do you keep track of where the placement of everything is?”

Zoey opened her mouth to speak, then shut it again, pout forming on her lips. “I.. haven’t been keeping track, so I guess I’m gonna treat it like a full one - Need everything to get a bingo.”

Mira pat her head gently, Zoey playfully shoving her away.

Then they were on the move again.

🦎

The walk today was a lot warmer, a bit humid after the rain, Mira and Zoey eventually abandoning their shirts as well, trying to cool down. No one was around to see them anyway, and none of them had any objections.

Soon though, Zoey was flagging again, panting harder as they started going uphill now, natural rocky steps carving a steep set of stairs into the earth.

“How do you both- have so much more stamina- than I do?” Zoey panted out, wiping sweat from her forehead. She was in no way unfit, all toned muscles and slender figure from the upkeep of idol appearances and demon hunting, but with the honmoon sealed, she had admittedly gotten a bit slacker, snacking more and training less as demon sightings became rarer.

“Rumi’s been training since she came out the womb basically, and I was in ballet and track from the time I could walk, so I think we have a slight advantage-” Mira admitted, patting Zoey’s back gently.

Zoey grumbled at that, sucking deep breaths in and letting them out slowly, trying to slow her heart-rate.

Rumi stepped closer, eager to keep moving, but even more excited for what she was about to offer.

“I can give you a piggyback ride-”

Zoey looked up at her, eyes gleaming. “Woah, really? I haven’t gotten a piggyback ride in forever. You sure?”

Rumi nodded, handing off her bag to Mira, then stooped down a little to allow Zoey to hop up before she added, “I want to.”

Zoey wasted no time, almost as excited about the idea as Rumi was, jumping up into her waiting hands at her sides. She got herself settled on Rumi’s waist, legs wrapping around her as Rumi’s hands secured under her thighs, Zoey’s hands hugging around Rumi’s neck. She leaned in, kissing Rumi’s cheek, before clicking her heels together, “Onward, my steed.”

Rumi rolled her eyes affectionately, just making sure Zoey was secure before she started walking again. Zoey added no extra strain, and she felt like she had an abundance of energy regardless, using the piggyback as an excuse to expend extra energy. Deeper down, she also wanted to show off her strength, impress her new girlfriends, and just be of help. She would do anything for either of them.

Mira smirked at them, taking a picture on her phone before she followed along, leaning in close, whispering, “Save a horse, ride a Rumi.”

“Mira!” Zoey swatted at her, Rumi flushing and making a small, embarrassed noise, Mira sprinting ahead, cackling about her joke.

Zoey sighed, shaking her head, muttering conspiratorially to Rumi, “She’s the worst, but I still love her. Don’t you?”

“I really do.”

🐴

The path uphill kept up for a while, Rumi’s legs burning with the effort of carrying herself and Zoey, but she just had to keep going. The waterfall was soon, and she had to make sure they got there, at least for her sake - she was starting to feel sticky, sweat clinging to her wherever her and Zoey’s skin made contact, at first tantalising, now growing bothersome the warmer her core became.

She was just considering calling for a break, when she saw the top of the hill, the sound of water reaching her ears first. She summoned the last bits of her energy, cresting the hill, taking in the sight below. There, across on another taller hill, water came rushing and cascading down, meeting the rocks below in the small valley, flowing into the river winding its way through the earth before disappearing into trees in the distance. On her shoulders, she heard Zoey gasp, fumbling for her camera.

“Rumi! It’s gorgeous! Is this where you were leading us?”

Rumi sighed happily; this was exactly the reaction she had wanted. “Absolutely. Now let’s go swim.”

“Great, I was just starting to feel sweaty. A swim would be so killer right now.”

Exactly as planned.

Zoey got her picture after hopping down from Rumi’s back, making Rumi and Mira pose for another as well, saying the waterfall was the perfect backdrop, before they carefully picked their way down.

💦

Zoey was the first in the water, all sense of shame and modesty abandoned as she stripped off her clothes and disappeared below the surface, only breaching to beckon the others in.

They had been to the bathhouse together - granted, only a couple times recently after Rumi felt more comfortable with her patterns being seen, which was nudity. And they had been around each other for years, growing accustomed to various states of undress. But it felt different now, not only because of Rumi’s still-new lack of need to hide herself, but because they were dating now, fresh as it was. It all felt more weighted, more intimate despite being the same as always.

Mira nudged Rumi, getting her out of her thoughts. She was also stripping out of her clothes, Rumi’s eyes wandering down before she turned away shyly. Miru caught her by her chin, turning her head to face her. “You’re allowed to look, y’know. Do join us soon though, when you’re ready.”

She let Rumi go again, splashing in after Zoey, letting the cool of the water rush over her skin.

Rumi shuffled uncomfortably for a second, shyness and shame holding her back, before she decided if she had come this far, she may as well continue. She set her bag down carefully, stripped down, then was in the water, submerging herself to her nose, pink flush at her ears and glowing patterns giving her away regardless.

Mira pet her head gently, chuckling as she encouraged Rumi softly, “Good girl, Rums.”

Rumi’s flush grew darker, closing her eyes like if she couldn’t see them, they wouldn’t see the patterns pulsing rosy pinks on her skin.

💦

As Rumi grew more relaxed in the water, she joined in on the game Mira and Zoey were playing, which seemed to just be Mira tossing Zoey into the water, Zoey swimming back spluttering and giggling, asking for it again. Rumi was careful not to throw too hard or far, but Zoey was invigorated, in her natural element in the water or soaring above it before splashing down again. Then Mira moved to sit on the rocks, spent for the time being, telling the others she would rejoin after a while.

Zoey instead pulled Rumi closer to the waterfall, climbing a couple more steady rocks, sitting them down under the relentless flow of water. It was pummeling, but relaxing, soothing the sore muscles in Rumi’s back.

Rumi sighed, getting lost in the feeling, letting her eyes fall closed before she opened them again, spotting Mira looking off into the distance.

“She’s gorgeous.” Rumi was speaking before she even realised it, having just meant it to be a thought.

“She is. One of the prettiest girls I know.” Zoey answered, bumping her shoulder into Rumi’s.

“Oh yeah? Do you see one of the other ones when you look in the mirror?”

Zoey gasped, hand flying to her chest as she gaped at Rumi. “Absolute bars, Rumi! Who knew you were such a flirt?”

Rumi laughed, hand rubbing the back of her neck, proud that she was able to get it out, but shyly wishing she had something smoother to say. 

“Anyway, I see her right now, with all her pretty patterns and shy blush.”

“Shush. You can’t use the same flirt aimed back at me.”

“Stop me then-” Zoey leaned in closer, teasing, freckled nose bumping patterned one, their breaths mingling.

“I. Um. I-I will-” Rumi stuttered out, brain shorting with Zoey pressed almost flush to her. This was all so much, and so new to her, and Zoey was so pretty and flirty and so so close-

Zoey pressed a quick kiss to her cheek, bringing Rumi’s stuttering to a sudden halt, melting under the contact. Her face couldn’t grow any hotter than it already was, patterns feeling like they were scorching against her skin.

“That’s what I thought.” Zoey teased, earning a whiny huff from Rumi, who didn’t trust herself to get any more words out. “Anyway though, while we’re under the water, let me redo your braid. We really got muddy last night.”

Oh. Rumi hadn’t even thought about that, so focused on everything else that she forgot she must have been trailing ten pounds of mud in her hair.

“Uh, sure-” she managed after a second, turning herself to let Zoey start undoing the long braid.

Her fingers worked deftly, undoing the messy hair, letting it fall at Rumi’s back and shoulders the more of it she undid. As she got to Rumi’s head, her nails scratched slightly at Rumi’s scalp, a soft noise of pleasure leaving her. Zoey made no comment though as Rumi tried to swallow it back down, just continuing what she was doing while Rumi focused on not doing it again.

She worked her fingers between strands, combing it out the tangles and flecks of mud, the water washing everything quickly away. It wasn’t clean, not really, but it was already better, Rumi unwinding as Zoey worked.

“Your hair is so pretty. But I don’t know how you manage to do all this every day.” Zoey said, just playing with the strands as she contemplated where to start.

Rumi shrugged, saddened that Zoey was done, fingers no longer massaging her scalp. “Habit, I guess. It’s how I’ve always done it.”

“No wonder you have such beefy arms-” Zoey mumbled, resolving to give Rumi a less complicated braid. She wasn’t even one hundred percent sure she could do Rumi’s usual style of braid, much less execute it well on so much hair.

“I gotta have beefy arms to hug and hold my girlfriends.”

Zoey snorted at her, before she replied, “Nice. You’re getting cornier already.”

Girlfriends. The idea still made Rumi warm inside, her patterns glowing again as she thought about it. Zoey just hummed, doing her hair, letting the quiet be for now.

💦

The sun was starting to dip when they left the water, toweling off and dressing before they made camp again, picking a spot just across the river under some trees, setting up a tarp again in case of more rain, though Zoey said it smelled like it had passed.

“Knee still hurts, but I think that’s just because of the walking. Nose says clear skies. Though I suppose there’s no harm in a tarp anyway.”

Zoey went to gather fuel sticks alone this time, Rumi watching as Mira made the fire, gathering stones to border it, expertly picking bigger sticks to support the flames to come.

“How do you know how to do this so well?” Rumi asked, awed by the effortless skill.

Mira shrugged, dusting her hands off before sitting to face Rumi. “Just picked it up from videos. Parents never would’ve let us go camping, but I still studied just in case I ever got the chance. And look how well that turned out-”

Rumi hummed in reply, deciding not to poke further. Mira almost never spoke about her family, and what little she did say was always vague. Prodding always got her to retreat and shut down - Rumi had learned that early on - and it had been such a good time so far, Rumi couldn’t spoil her mood now.

“I’m glad I could be helpful, though,” Mira continued, startling Rumi. “I like being of service. I think it’s my love language?”

“Love language?” Rumi tilted her head at Mira, waiting for her to elaborate.

Mira chuckled, eyes crinkling with the smile spreading over her face. “I love when you tilt your head like that. Like a confused puppy.”

Rumi’s breath caught, automatically straightening her head and turning away from Mira with a huff. “Don’t point it out! And don’t just blurt out things like that!”

“Rumi, you know me-” Mira stood, coming over to Rumi and taking Rumi’s chin in her hand, making the blushing hunter look at her, “Always blunt, always to the point Mira. But it’s true. I love when you do it, so never stop.”

Rumi squeaked up at her, just nodding as Mira’s hand stayed firmly against her skin.

“Good girl.” Mira kissed her forehead before she went back to the fire, leaving Rumi to battle the swirling, stuttering thoughts in her head. She didn’t even explain love languages. Rumi didn’t have to contend long though, as Zoey soon came back, sticks spilling out of her arms. 

“Welcome back, Zo. I’ll get the fire started, and we’ll eat soon.”

“Thank you, lovely girlfriend.” She then turned to Rumi, blowing her a kiss. “And hello to you too, other lovely girlfriend!”

Girlfriends. Rumi blushed redder, the wash of emotion overtaking her again and again as it kept sinking in, fresh in her mind every time.

Mira and Zoey chuckled, letting Rumi be a flustered mess in peace, chatting softly with each other over the fire as it started.

🔥

They set their blanket up just out from the tarp, intending to stargaze before they moved it back into the tent to sleep. Bellies full with fire-roasted sausages and more ramen, they lay together, holding hands loosely as they looked up at the sky. 

“That one is a star. And that one is… also a star. That one? Maybe a star, maybe a planet. Probably a star though.” Zoey joked as she pointed to various glowing dots, Rumi giggling and wheezing at her antics, Mira groaning at her.

“You don’t know stars at all, do you?”

“Not a clue. Animals are my forte.”

Mira reached over Rumi, blindly trying to lightly smack Zoey’s hand. “You’re a dork. Just watch the stars with us.”

Zoey captured Mira’s hand instead, holding it to her lips and pressing a kiss to her knuckles before releasing it again. “Fine, but only because it’s too dark for me to look at my stars here on earth.”

There was a beat of silence, the sound of Zoey’s dumb smile growing practically audible, before Mira groaned, covering her eyes with her hand that she snatched back quickly. She always acted like she hated it, but Zoey knew Mira loved her dumb lines, and that she was blushing, trying her best to scowl even if no one would see it.

“You’re lucky me and Rumi love you…” she grumbled, turning her face into Rumi’s shoulder, hiding the warmth growing on her face, though Zoey couldn’t see it anyway.

Rumi just lay in the middle of them, heart swelling at their antics, falling deeper in love if it were even possible. She loved them so deeply, it almost hurt, a steady weight in her chest just growing with every minute she spent with them.

“I’m really the lucky one to have you both-” Zoey whispered, leaning over Rumi, breaking her train of thought. Rumi could actually see the blush on her face, heightened senses allowing her to see in the dim light, though her patterns also added to it, casting a soft glow on Zoey.

She took her in then, letting her eyes commit everything to memory; the light mischief in Zoey’s amber eyes, the freckles dotting across her nose and high parts of her cheeks, the soft curve of her cheeks, the curve of her lips. Her eyes lingered there a minute, soft breath leaving her as she wondered how Zoey’s lips would feel against hers.

She didn’t have to wonder though. She was allowed to want to know. She was allowed to want.

“Zoey, can I kiss you?” she blurted, left hand coming up to cup Zoey’s cheek, right hand still tangled with Mira’s.

Zoey let out a small sigh, not even answering, just leaning down and capturing Rumi’s mouth with hers, the kiss soft and patient yet full of desire and unspoken promise. She was practically on top of Rumi, overwhelming her with her warmth and presence, only pulling back from the kiss to breathe. Then Rumi was turning her head, no chance to get the words out before Mira’s mouth was on hers, more fiery and fierce, leaning into her, leading the kiss in a frenzied dance of lips and soft nips of teeth. Rumi melted into it, letting out a soft noise into Mira’s mouth before she pulled back, panting softly.

“I’m so glad I can finally kiss you,” Mira whispered against her lips, leaning in to kiss Rumi again, more gently this time, her hand steady at Rumi’s jaw.

“Don’t hog her, Mira-” Zoey whined before Mira let her go, Rumi leaning up to kiss Zoey once more, hand at her waist now, the kiss growing a bit rougher as Zoey’s hands came to Rumi’s face, holding her still as tongue clashed against tongue. When Zoey pulled back, she watched the patterns dance in heated pinks and vibrant reds on Rumi’s skin, giving away the hunter’s unvoiced desires.

Rumi panted softly, slightly dazed after the swell of desire to kiss hit her. Deeper down she wanted more, but she knew all of this was still new and fragile, content to let it be for now, able to better explore the boundaries of this relationship another time.

“Before we lay out here kissing all night,” Rumi started hoarsely, clearing her throat before continuing, “Let’s get to sleep. There’s more to the hike before we go back.”

“Fine, if you insist.” Zoey whined softly, rolling off of Rumi and sitting up with a stretch. “Maybe when we get back home, we can have a night of kissing. We’ll have movie nights, and smoochy nights.”

“I vote for that too.” Mira cut in, kissing Rumi’s shoulder before she sat up.

“We’re all in agreement then.” Rumi finished, sitting up, letting the heat in her core cool before she got up and arranged the blanket in the tent for them to sleep. They curled up together again, tangled limbs slung lazily over each other, pressed closer and held tighter, their bond growing stronger.

💫

Breakfast after they woke was a couple of granola bars and the last of the tea, down to the reserves of ramen in case they needed to spend one more night out here. But Rumi promised they were almost done, just one last spot before they finished the trail, just a half day away from where they would meet the car to pick them up.

The last leg of the journey was filled with easy laughter, impromptu harmonising, and too many pictures to count, Zoey using up almost all of her film, saving the last ten for ‘the perfect shots’, now switching to her phone to capture candids of her girls, various bugs and shots of the river, the sun casting funny shadows over the thinning trees along their path.

Then, they came to it. The open field full of flowers. They were just azaleas, but Rumi had been most excited to show them this, a highlight of this trail.

She grabbed their hands, leading them to sit with her in the grass, gently picking up the fallen but un-withered flowers, first placing one in Zoey’s hair, then Mira’s.

Neither Zoey or Mira could say anything to this, Zoey’s eyes watery as Rumi placed the flower in her hair, Mira swallowing down the lump in her throat, turning away from Rumi. They were enamoured with her.

“Mira, do you remember when you spoke about love languages yesterday?”

Mira made a grunt of affirmation, still not trusting her voice, turning slightly to face Rumi.

“Can you explain it to me now?”

Mira shook her head, wiping quickly at her eyes, still too overcome with emotion to speak.

Instead, Zoey cut in, explaining softly, sniffling in between while trying to keep her voice even. “It’s meant to explain how you show or receive love. There’s five main types: acts of service - doing things for others because it makes you happy that they would be happy, quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch, and gift giving.”

Rumi hummed at that, turning her attention back to the countless flowers as she ruminated on the words. “I think mine is quality time, then. Being out here with you both has been the most wonderful experience of my life.”

Mira lay down then, covering her face with her hands, but the muffled sobs still escaped, her shoulders shaking, before she choked out, “I love you so much, but I need you to shut up before I kill you.”

Rumi looked at her, startled, confusion and worry setting in quickly.

“And don’t you dare tilt your head at me!”

Rumi righted her head automatically, Zoey letting out watery laughs next to her, wiping her eyes as she nestled closer to Rumi. “You broke Mira, you gave her way too much love, and now she’s gonna cry about it.”

“You shut up too, let me be.” Mira grumbled out, sniffling and wiping at her eyes.

Zoey kissed Rumi’s cheek gently, resting her cheek on her shoulder. “What she means is that she loves you, and she’s happy to share this moment with you. It’s gorgeous, and you are so amazing for this, Rumi. I love you so much.”

Rumi’s heart swelled, still a bit concerned about Mira, but trusted Zoey, happy that she had effectively shown her love for them. She’d feel more assured when Mira stopped crying, though.

🪻

Once Mira was settled, wiping her eyes and insisting she was fine, Zoey used the last of her film to take pictures of them among the flowers.

Three of Rumi - one of her sitting in the grass, facing away from the camera, flowers at her sides; another of her laying down on her back, eyes toward the camera, flowers out of focus to capture the light in her hazel eyes; the last picture of her with flowers in her braid, smiling brightly for the camera, sitting cross legged while framed by the pinks of the field.

Three of Mira - one of her laying on her stomach, eyes focused on the flower in front of her; the second of her laying on her side, smirking at the camera, offering a flower to the photographer; the final one of her sticking her tongue out, flipping a bird, one leg up and one leg crossed as she faced the camera.

Zoey let the next three be of her - the first of her laying back, eyes closed as she faced the sky, at peace; the second with her out of focus but smile still evident, flower cupped in her palms, being shown to the camera; and the last one of her making a heart against her cheek, sitting easily among the flowers as she smiled openly.

The last of the film was used to capture a selfie of them together, doing their best to angle it to capture their arms around each other, their vibrant smiles, and the full field of pink behind them. When it was developed, it was blurry at the edges, flowers just little dots in the back as they took up most of the frame. Their smiles and love of each other. It was perfect.

🪻

Rumi led the way to their end point, hands linked together as they waded through the field, and wove their way through the last bits of trees, another circle of pavement in sight, marking the end of the trail. They sat just beyond it on a fallen log, waiting for their car to pick them up after Rumi called it. She’d given Bobby a rough time when they would be finished, so she knew their ride wasn’t far away, just waiting to get the signal.

It arrived barely five minutes later, the girls packing their bags in the truck before bundling in, falling asleep almost immediately, leaning on each other, limbs tangled comfortably. Zoey curled her arms around Mira’s, both older hunters’ heads resting on Zoey’s. Rumi’s leg was flung haphazardly over Zoey’s lap, Mira’s hand resting on her thigh. Even in slumber, they maintained contact, never wanting to let the others go again.

Even when they were back at the penthouse, they still stayed stuck together, moving as one to collapse onto Mira’s bed - just because it was the closest - and curled more into each other, breathing the same air, sharing the same peace.

🌄

Hours later when they awoke, they felt it, each realising and feeling it at the same time; the mildest of tingles in the throat, the tiniest itch in the nose; the beginnings of a cold to come.

Hot showers were taken, cozy dry pyjamas donned, and endless cups of tea drunk, all in the name of fighting off the coming illness. They would make soup together later, for now just content to be together and rest, keep each other company and keep the sickness at bay.

Zoey sneezed, rubbing her already reddening nose. “At least we had fun before we had to get sick.”

Rumi handed her a tissue, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “If we’re all sick, we don’t have to worry about not kissing and infecting the others-”

Mira smirked, just sliding over another cup of tea. She was loving seeing Rumi bloom into this new flirty confidence, suddenly so corny and endearing.

“We’ll also have more time before we have to go back to performing and interviews,” Zoey added, leaning into Rumi’s touch.

“As long as I get to spend it with you both, I’m happy.”

🌼