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You're my Home, Rumi
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Mira woke up before the alarm clock for once.
The faint blue of dawn filtered through the curtains, painting the room in soft hues. Normally, she would’ve buried herself deeper into the blankets and grumbled until Rumi nudged her awake. But today wasn’t normal. Today was their anniversary.
Their fourth anniversary.
Mira lay there for a few seconds, her heart beating a little faster at the thought. Four years of Rumi—four years of laughter, arguments, stolen hoodies, late-night ramen runs, and Zoe’s chaotic arrival. And somehow, it still felt like the beginning.
She turned her head to look at Rumi beside her.
Even in sleep, Rumi carried that quiet dignity Mira adored. Her long purple hair spilled over the pillow, her expression soft in ways Mira rarely got to see during the day. Mira’s chest ached with affection. She reached out, brushing a strand of hair from Rumi’s cheek, careful not to wake her.
“Happy anniversary, baby,” Mira whispered, barely audible.
A sudden tug on her sock made her yelp.
“Zoe!” Mira hissed.
The golden retriever pup was awake and very much ready for mischief, her tail wagging like mad as she tried to pull Mira’s foot off the bed with the stolen sock dangling from her mouth.
“Traitor,” Mira muttered, scrambling to grab it back.
Rumi stirred, eyes fluttering open. Her voice was groggy, laced with sleep. “…what are you doing?”
“Nothing!” Mira said a little too quickly, shoving the sock behind her back. Zoe barked happily, blowing her cover immediately.
Rumi blinked at them both, unimpressed. “Suspicious.”
Mira laughed nervously, scratching her neck. “Happy anniversary?”
That softened Rumi a little. Her lips twitched in a half-smile, though she still looked unconvinced. She reached out, pulling Mira back onto the bed by the wrist. “Happy anniversary,” she murmured, pressing a fleeting kiss to Mira’s cheek.
Mira melted instantly, but her nerves returned just as quickly. Because she had to keep her big surprise under wraps for a few more hours.
“I, uh, made breakfast!” she blurted, jumping up again.
“You? Cooking?” Rumi’s eyebrow arched.
Mira put her hands on her hips. “Hey, I can cook!”
“Burning toast doesn’t count.”
Mira gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. “Wow, on our anniversary? You wound me, Rumi.”
Rumi chuckled, settling back into the pillows. “Go on, lover girl. Impress me.”
Mira scurried out of the room, Zoe trotting after her like a mischievous shadow.
---
The kitchen smelled faintly of coffee as Mira fussed over the stove, humming to herself. She flipped pancakes—miraculously not burning them this time—and sliced strawberries into neat little hearts. Every move she made was filled with nervous energy, her mind racing.
Would Rumi like the resort? Would she think Mira had gone overboard? Would she find the candlelit setup cheesy?
Zoe barked at the fridge, snapping Mira out of her spiral.
“Don’t you dare eat the strawberries,” Mira warned, setting the plate out of reach.
By the time she carried the tray back to the bedroom, she had arranged everything as prettily as she could: pancakes with strawberries, scrambled eggs, coffee in their matching mugs, and a small vase with a single rose.
Rumi sat up against the headboard, watching her with that calm, unreadable expression that always made Mira feel like she was being seen through entirely.
“Well?” Mira asked nervously.
Rumi’s lips curved into the softest smile. “You didn’t burn anything.”
“Rude,” Mira muttered, but she relaxed as Rumi reached out to take her hand, squeezing it gently.
They ate together, Zoe bouncing on the edge of the bed until Mira gave her a piece of egg just to make her settle down. Rumi sipped her coffee, eyes lingering on Mira more than usual.
“You’re hiding something,” she said suddenly.
Mira nearly choked on her pancake. “What? No!”
Rumi tilted her head, unconvinced. “You’ve been sneaking around all week. Taking calls in the hallway. Making excuses.”
“Maybe I’ve got a secret boyfriend,” Mira said lightly, hoping humor would distract her.
Rumi’s flat stare was answer enough.
“…or maybe,” Mira corrected quickly, “I just wanted today to be special.”
Rumi’s expression softened, though suspicion lingered in her gaze. “Special, huh?”
Mira grinned sheepishly. “You’ll see.”
And with that, the tension simmered between them—Rumi quietly curious, Mira buzzing with anticipation—until it was time to finally leave for her carefully planned surprise.
——————————
The sky was a flawless blue by the time they set out. The kind of weather poets wrote about, where clouds drift lazily and the sun wasn’t too hot, softened by the salty breeze rolling in from the coast. It felt like the world had conspired to make their anniversary perfect.
Mira gripped the steering wheel a little too tightly. She tried to play it cool, tapping her fingers against the leather to the beat of the radio, but her heart was racing faster than the music.
Rumi noticed, of course. She always did.
“You’re driving like you’re in a spy movie,” Rumi commented, leaning against the passenger door with her arms crossed.
Mira flinched. “What? No I’m not!”
“Eyes darting. Hands sweaty. You keep checking the rearview mirror like someone’s tailing us.”
Mira forced a laugh, a little too high-pitched. “I’m just… excited!”
“Suspicious,” Rumi said again, deadpan.
Zoe barked from the backseat, as if echoing the sentiment.
“Not you too!” Mira groaned, glancing at the puppy through the mirror. Zoe tilted her head, tongue lolling happily, completely oblivious to the rising tension.
Rumi smirked faintly, turning her gaze to the window. The sunlight caught in her purple hair, and Mira nearly missed a stop sign because she was staring. She caught herself just in time, heart thudding.
Focus, Mira. Don’t ruin this before the big reveal.
They passed rows of little shops, people milling about the district with ice cream cones and shopping bags. Mira kept stealing glances at Rumi, watching how her eyes softened whenever they passed by a couple walking hand-in-hand or an old man feeding pigeons.
“Pretty day, huh?” Mira ventured.
“Mhm.”
“Perfect for, say, a walk on the beach?”
That got Rumi’s attention. She turned slowly, narrowing her eyes. “Beach?”
Mira slammed her lips shut.
Too late.
“You’ve been hiding something since this morning,” Rumi pressed, voice calm but edged with curiosity. “Now you’re talking about beaches. Mira…” Her gaze sharpened, pinning Mira like a butterfly under glass. “What are you planning?”
Mira squeaked. Literally squeaked.
“I—uh—it’s just—a normal day! Totally normal! Heh.”
Rumi tilted her head, unimpressed.
Mira scrambled for a distraction. She reached over and flicked Rumi’s hair gently. “Hey, did I ever tell you how gorgeous you look in sunlight?”
Smooth.
Rumi raised a brow, but the faintest blush touched her cheeks. “…flattery won’t save you.”
“Maybe not,” Mira said, grinning nervously, “but it’ll buy me some time.”
Rumi shook her head, turning her gaze back to the scenery, though her lips curved into the tiniest smile.
---
Half an hour into the drive, Zoe decided she’d had enough of being ignored. She scrambled forward, resting her paws on the middle console, nose twitching as she tried to climb into Mira’s lap.
“Zoe! No!” Mira tried to gently push her back. “I’m driving!”
Rumi reached out, scooping the puppy up with practiced ease. Zoe wriggled happily, immediately climbing onto Rumi’s lap instead, tail wagging furiously.
“She likes you more than me,” Mira grumbled, feigning jealousy.
Rumi smirked, scratching Zoe’s chin. “Smart dog.”
Mira gasped dramatically. “Et tu, Rumi?”
Zoe barked once, as if in agreement with Rumi, and Mira sighed like she’d been betrayed twice over.
“Unbelievable. Ganged up on by my own girlfriend and our daughter.”
“You’ll survive,” Rumi murmured, leaning down to kiss Zoe’s head. But when her eyes flicked up, she caught Mira’s pout—and for just a second, her expression softened further. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you love me,” Mira shot back, unable to keep from smiling.
“…unfortunately,” Rumi teased, but her hand brushed Mira’s on the console, squeezing briefly before retreating.
That tiny gesture steadied Mira’s racing heart.
Because this—the teasing, the soft touches, the quiet acknowledgment that love didn’t always need grand declarations—this was why Mira had planned something as elaborate as the evening ahead.
Rumi deserved to know she was home. Always.
---
The closer they got to the coast, the more Mira’s nerves spiked. She kept checking the clock, the directions on her phone, the little checklist in her head of what the staff at the resort had promised: candles lit, table set, food warm, champagne chilled.
Everything had to be perfect.
Rumi must’ve sensed her spiraling thoughts because she finally said, “Mira.”
Mira jolted. “Y-yeah?”
“Relax.” Rumi’s voice was calm, steady. “Wherever you’re taking us, I’ll like it. As long as you’re there.”
Mira’s grip on the wheel loosened. She glanced at Rumi, who wasn’t even looking at her—just staring out the window, her profile illuminated by sunlight. But the words had landed squarely in Mira’s chest, anchoring her.
“Thanks, princess,” Mira murmured, her throat tight.
Rumi hummed softly, stroking Zoe’s ears.
And for the rest of the drive, Mira let herself breathe, her nerves shifting from anxious to excited.
Because tonight wasn’t just a surprise.
It was a promise.
——————————
The winding road opened up to a stretch of coastline so pristine it looked like something out of a travel brochure. Golden sand stretched endlessly on either side, and the sea glittered under the late afternoon sun, waves rolling in with a calm rhythm.
Mira’s heart thumped harder the closer they got to the resort gates.
Rumi’s eyes narrowed slightly at the sudden change in scenery. “Mira…”
“Yes?” Mira squeaked, gripping the steering wheel.
“You didn’t mention we were going to the coast.”
“It’s—uh—a detour?” Mira tried, voice cracking.
Rumi’s brow arched. Zoe barked from the back, wagging her tail as if agreeing that yes, this was very much not “just a detour.”
Mira swallowed hard. “Okay, fine. It’s not a detour.”
Rumi smirked faintly. “I knew it.”
But the smirk didn’t last long. As they passed through the gates of the private resort, lined with palm trees swaying in the breeze, Rumi’s expression shifted from smug to something softer, almost unreadable.
Mira’s stomach flipped.
This was it.
---
The car rolled to a stop in a secluded area near the beach, where a resort staff member greeted them warmly. Mira hopped out quickly, trying not to trip over her own excitement.
“Ms. Hong, everything has been prepared just as you requested,” the staff member said with a bow.
Rumi’s gaze slid toward her, one brow raised, clearly demanding answers.
Mira coughed awkwardly. “Thanks. Um. We’ll take it from here.”
As the staff retreated, Mira turned back to Rumi, heart hammering. “Okay, so, don’t freak out—”
“Mira,” Rumi interrupted, her voice calm but firm. “What did you do?”
“…Something good?” Mira tried, flashing her most innocent grin.
Rumi sighed but allowed Mira to take her hand, letting herself be led toward the shore. Zoe trotted happily beside them, nose twitching at every new scent, paws leaving tiny prints in the sand.
And then, as they turned the corner, the surprise revealed itself.
A small section of the beach had been transformed.
Soft lanterns lined the path leading down to the shore, their glow golden against the growing twilight. At the end of the path, a round table sat draped in white, adorned with a vase of fresh roses and candles that flickered gently in the sea breeze. A bottle of champagne rested in an ice bucket, glasses catching the last light of the sun.
Beyond it, the ocean stretched endlessly, painted in streaks of orange and pink as the sun began to sink toward the horizon.
It looked like something out of Mira’s wildest daydreams.
And judging by the silence beside her, it had rendered Rumi speechless.
Mira bit her lip nervously, sneaking a glance.
Rumi’s eyes were wide, her normally calm expression cracked open in surprise. The lantern light reflected in her gaze, softening her features even further.
Mira’s chest tightened.
“So…” Mira began, her voice wobbly. “Happy anniversary, Baby.”
For a long moment, Rumi didn’t say anything. She just stared at the setup, then at Mira, as if trying to piece together the effort, the secrecy, the sheer heart Mira had poured into it.
Finally, she exhaled, almost like she’d forgotten to breathe. “…Mira.”
Mira laughed nervously, scratching the back of her neck. “Too much?”
Rumi’s lips twitched, her voice softer now. “You’re unbelievable.”
Mira blinked. “In a good way or…?”
But before she could spiral, Rumi reached out, fingers brushing gently against hers. Her voice carried a quiet weight that stilled Mira’s nerves instantly. “In the best way.”
Mira melted on the spot.
---
Dinner unfolded in a blur of laughter and warmth.
They sat at the little table, eating the meal Mira had carefully chosen with the resort chef days ago. Zoe darted in and out of the shoreline, chasing waves and barking at crabs, occasionally returning to nudge at their legs for scraps.
Rumi looked radiant in the lantern glow, her laughter mixing with the sound of the waves. She teased Mira for nearly spilling the champagne when she tried to pour it, and Mira retaliated by stealing bites from Rumi’s plate.
And yet, beneath the playful banter, something heavier lingered in Mira’s chest.
Because the real surprise hadn’t happened yet.
The table, the dinner, the champagne—those were just preludes. The real heart of tonight was waiting under the rising moon.
And Mira was terrified.
---
By the time they finished eating, the sun had fully dipped below the horizon. The sky stretched wide and dark above them, sprinkled with stars, the moon casting silver light across the waves.
Mira stood abruptly, her hands clammy.
Rumi looked up at her with mild curiosity. “What now?”
Mira took a shaky breath, extending her hand. “Dance with me.”
Rumi blinked. “Here?”
“Why not?” Mira grinned, though her chest felt like it might burst. “We’ve got music.”
She pulled her phone from her pocket, swiping quickly until a soft, slow tune began to play from the speaker. The melody carried across the sand, blending with the rhythm of the ocean.
Rumi hesitated for only a second before sliding her hand into Mira’s.
Mira’s heart leapt.
They stepped onto the sand, Mira wrapping an arm around Rumi’s waist, Rumi’s hand resting gently on her shoulder. They moved slowly, swaying to the music, their bodies fitting together like puzzle pieces.
Zoe darted around them, kicking up sand as she ran in circles, but Mira barely noticed. All she could focus on was Rumi—the way the moonlight kissed her skin, the warmth of her body pressed against Mira’s, the rare softness in her eyes as they held each other.
Mira’s throat tightened.
This was the moment.
She leaned in, her lips brushing against Rumi’s ear. Her voice trembled, but the words came from the deepest part of her.
“You’re my home, Rumi,” Mira whispered. “Always will be.”
Rumi stilled, her breath catching against Mira’s neck. For a heartbeat, silence stretched between them, filled only by the music and the waves.
And then—Rumi pulled her closer, burying her face against Mira’s shoulder. Her arms tightened, and Mira felt the faintest tremor in her chest, like the kind that came with emotions too big to hold back.
“…Idiot,” Rumi whispered, her voice breaking the slightest bit. “How am I supposed to top that?”
Mira laughed softly, blinking away her own tears. “You don’t have to. Just stay with me.”
Rumi pulled back just enough to meet her gaze, eyes shimmering in the moonlight. “…Always.”
And as they swayed under the stars, Zoe barking happily nearby, Mira realized her plan had worked.
Not because the resort was perfect, or the setup was flawless.
But because Rumi understood.
Because Rumi felt it too.
—--
The music faded, the last notes swallowed by the ocean breeze.
Mira didn’t even notice when the playlist ended. She was too busy memorizing the feel of Rumi’s body pressed against hers, the warmth of her hand, the way her heartbeat seemed to sync with her own. For a while, they just stood there, swaying gently to music only they could hear.
Zoe eventually grew tired of chasing the tide and trotted back, panting happily. She plopped herself right into the sand at their feet, rolling onto her back with an exaggerated groan as if to say, enough of this mushy stuff, give me belly rubs.
Mira chuckled, reaching down to rub Zoe’s tummy before looking back at Rumi.
“You liked it?” she asked, her voice hesitant, vulnerable.
Rumi didn’t answer right away. Instead, she lifted her hand to cup Mira’s cheek, thumb brushing lightly across her skin. Her eyes, usually sharp and unreadable, held nothing but quiet sincerity.
“Mira,” she said softly, “I loved it.”
The simple words knocked the air from Mira’s lungs. Relief washed over her in a tidal wave, followed by a giddy warmth that made her want to spin Rumi around in the sand.
Instead, she pressed a gentle kiss to Rumi’s lips, whispering against them, “Good. Because I thought I was going to explode keeping this a secret.”
Rumi chuckled quietly, her lips curving against Mira’s. “I knew you were up to something.”
“Yeah, but did you guess private resort and slow dancing under the moonlight?”
“…No,” Rumi admitted, amusement flickering in her eyes. “You surprised me.”
The pride that swelled in Mira’s chest at those words was almost too much to contain.
---
Later, they returned to the villa the resort had prepared for them. It was small but luxurious, with wide glass doors that opened straight to the beach, and a bed so large it looked like it could swallow them whole.
Zoe immediately claimed the foot of the bed, curling up with a dramatic sigh that made both Mira and Rumi laugh.
Mira flopped onto the mattress beside her, arms spread wide. “Okay, I might never leave this bed again.”
Rumi slipped off her sandals and sat gracefully on the edge, shaking her head. “You’re impossible.”
“And you love me for it,” Mira teased, tugging at Rumi’s hand until she joined her.
Rumi gave in with a quiet sigh, lying down beside Mira. The room was dim, lit only by the silver glow of the moon filtering through the curtains. The sound of the waves carried inside, steady and soothing.
For a while, they just lay there, their hands tangled between them. Mira traced lazy circles against Rumi’s palm, her voice soft. “Four years, huh?”
Rumi hummed. “Feels like longer.”
“Good longer or bad longer?”
“Good,” Rumi said simply, turning her head to press a kiss to Mira’s temple. “Very good.”
Mira’s chest tightened, emotion welling up again. “I meant what I said, you know. About you being my home.”
“I know.” Rumi’s voice was steady, but Mira could feel the way her fingers tightened slightly in hers. “I believe you.”
They lay in silence for a beat, the weight of unspoken feelings filling the space. Then Rumi added, almost too softly, “You’re mine, too.”
Mira’s eyes stung. She buried her face against Rumi’s shoulder, muffling her voice. “Don’t make me cry on our anniversary, Ru.”
Rumi chuckled, wrapping her arms around her. “Then don’t cry. Just stay here.”
Mira let out a shaky laugh, nodding against her. “Always.”
---
As the night deepened, Mira drifted closer to sleep, cocooned in Rumi’s arms. Zoe snored softly at their feet, her little body rising and falling in rhythm with the waves outside.
Before she fully slipped under, Mira whispered one last thing, her words slurred with drowsiness.
“Next year… I’ll top this.”
Rumi kissed her hair, her voice a low murmur in the dark. “You don’t have to. You already gave me everything.”
And with that, Mira finally let herself rest, heart full, knowing that wherever they went—whether it was moonlit beaches or the messy chaos of everyday life—Rumi would always be her home.