Chapter Text
Rumi sat in her room, shrouded in darkness, wearing nothing but her sweatpants and a comfortable, poncho-like blouse that exposed her arms and cleavage. The lights of Seoul illuminated her face, filled with sadness and regret. The cerulean blue tiger sat beside the half-demoness, purring softly. It bumped its head against the idol, but the woman ignored it.
“Meow?” It asked, but received no answer.
Another moment passed, and a bright blue light surrounded the tiger as it disappeared into the floor. Rumi huffed at it with annoyance.
“Even you will leave eventually, Hye,” She whispered, getting off the bed and approaching the balcony doors.
Rumi looked at the city below and sighed heavily as the new Honmoon shimmered. Someone knocked on her bedroom door, but she ignored it, hoping the person would leave. Her gaze traveled to her reflection, and the patterns on her neck darkened to a deep purple as her heart filled with shame.
Knock, knock!
The sound echoed again. As Rumi tried to ignore the intrusion, the doors opened, and the blue tiger walked in, its tongue hanging out in a derpy expression.
“Rumi, are you here?” Mira asked in a hesitant, low voice.
“Leave me alone,” Rumi replied coldly. The doors closed, but the demoness felt her old friend’s presence, “Please,” She added more softly, never turning to face the taller woman.
“I wish I could, but it seems that even your demon kitty is worried about you,” Mira retorted semi-mockingly, tying her hands on her chest.
“Just ignore him. I’m fine,” Rumi said, glaring at the tiger.
The pink-haired woman sighed in defeat, dropping her hands and a nonchalant expression.
“Rumi, you aren’t fine,” Mira argued, stepping closer, “It’s been over a week since we– since you defeated Gwi-Ma. You haven’t talked to us since the bathhouse. Hell, I’m not even sure if you ate anything–”
“Stop pretending to worry,” Rumi hissed, interrupting, “I said that I’m fine. Just leave it at that.”
“Rumi!” Mira exclaimed, fed up with her friend’s defensiveness, “Stop pushing me away, and talk to me.” She reached Rumi and touched her shoulder, hoping to get her attention.
“Don’t–!” Rumi exclaimed, startled by the touch on her exposed skin, stepping back as her eyes glowed gold, “You pointed your weapon at me!” She said, her voice shaking with unshed tears.
“I was confused! If you had told us earlier, we would have been able to help and support you!” Mira exclaimed, feeling guilty for her behavior at the Idol Awards.
“You wouldn’t,” Rumi said, her voice breaking, and tears escaping her eyes.
Heavy silence filled the room. The tiger purred and pushed its head underneath Rumi’s hand in a show of support.
“When you threatened me, do you know where I went?” Rumi asked. Mira knew better than to answer, “I went to see Celine,” She said, clenching her eyes and her patterns glowed with red glow, “She wanted to pretend nothing happened, to hide me–”
Rumi paused, blinking rapidly her tears away, and looking up at the woman before her. Mira had never seen such a heartbreaking view. She wished to take the demoness’s pain and help her recover.
“She couldn’t even look at me,” Rumi said, her face crooking in a panicked cry as she could no longer hold back the sob.
“Rumi…” Mira whispered softly and, without thinking much, pulled the demoness into a powerful hug. “I’m so sorry,” she added, placing her hand on the lavender head and cradling the shorter woman.
Rumi froze. She did not expect Mira, or anyone, to hug her. She did not expect to be touched at all. Yet, the pressure on her upper body proved her otherwise.
“M-Mira?” Rumi stuttered in disbelief, still unable to move.
“Shh, it’s going to be okay,” Mira hushed, “I’m so, SO sorry for summoning my gok-do. I was confused and scared,” She said, slightly applying pressure to Rumi’s back in comforting circles.
“You said that you worked with Jinu. I was scared that I lost you, and without you–” Mira paused, pulling slightly away to look at the demoness in her embrace, “Without you, I lost my home and family,” She explained before pulling the woman again.
“Mira?” Rumi asked again in disbelief, her hands shaking as they reluctantly moved to Mira’s back, clenching her sweater.
“You don’t have to hide from me, Rumi,” Mira assured, her low tone soft and welcoming.
Rumi believed her. Despite everything, she believed Mira. The demoness clenched the sweater with more urgency, returning the hug with more fervor, afraid that if she ever let go, Mira would disappear.
It felt like eternity, but after a while they parted. Rumi looked away, ashamed of how Mira looked at her. Sudden touch on the demoness’s chin guided her to look up.
“Don’t hide from me,” Mira said softly, smiling warmly before wiping the tear streaks from the pale cheeks, “You’re beautiful, Rumi,” She added, and the said woman looked away, her patterns darkening again.
“I’m not,” Rumi argued, “I’m hideous. Ugly as a sin, didn’t you mean it?” She quoted their song.
“It was before I understood that demons feel and have souls, too,” Mira encouraged Rumi to look at her again, “And you have the most beautiful soul, Rumi,” She added, smiling slightly.
Rumi blinked rapidly in confusion. It was not Mira’s typical smirk. She did not sound like she was teasing. What was she implying? Racing thoughts paralyzed the shorter woman until she forgot how to breathe.
“Meow!” Hye snapped her out of her torpor.
“Huh?” Rumi returned to reality, and Mira just giggled.
For all the times Rumi heard that laughter, this sounded different. It was melodic, like a wind chime, pushing all evil away and lighting her expression ever so softly.
“Give us a room, Hye,” Rumi said, slightly confusing the woman still in her arms.
“Meow?”
“Don’t give me attitude,” Rumi said, slightly blushing.
Mira grinned knowingly, watching the blue tiger disappear into the floor. She just realized that she was still holding Rumi close, and the other woman was not pulling back. She wanted that.
“So, um, you’re a cat lady now?” Mira asked teasingly when they were finally alone.
“You could say that,” Rumi agreed, amused by the realization. Her expression suddenly faded, “I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you–”
“Don’t apologize,” Mira interrupted, “I know how Celine is. Your faults and fears must never be seen. I’m sorry she made you feel ashamed of who you are.” She paused, and a quick glance at Rumi’s lips did not go unnoticed.
The demoness’s breathing hitched at the realization. When did Mira start thinking about her like that? She did not care about it at the moment. She did not realize they inched closer.
“M-Mira?” Rumi whispered, afraid to ruin their friendship.
“Is that okay?” Mira asked softly, placing her hand on the pale cheek.
Rumi did not reply. She could not. Her voice failed her. But her hands traveled to Mira’s neck, one hand entangling between the pink, soft locks. Their lips barely brushed, and their eyes filled with nerves and desire.
“God, yes,” Rumi thought, slightly trembling in anticipation.
“Why did I hold back before?” Mira wondered, feeling Rumi’s anxious breathing as their lips continued to brush lightly against each other.
Rumi’s patterns flickered with different colors, and their lips closed the remaining distance. The kiss was soft and full of hesitation. The women finally closed their eyes and fell into the sensation of the plushness of the other’s lips.
The smaller hand moved in the pink hair, scratching Mira’s scalp softly. Rumi stepped closer when she felt the hands roam across her back. Their lips parted, letting them breathe as they began to kiss more fervently, and the warmth spread across their bodies.
Rumi’s hands traveled to Mira’s sturdy shoulders as she held the taller woman for dear life, gasping at the sensation of the warm, soft tongue on hers.
“Mmmm!” Rumi was unaware of the desperate moan that left her throat.
Her mind became dizzy as she gave into the experience. Mira groaned lowly, her hand traveling to Rumi’s hip, pulling her impossibly closer. She heard the woman in her arms mewl in pleasure.
Mira gathered the courage and sneaked her thumb underneath Rumi’s hoodie, caressing the ethereally soft skin. The demoness stiffened, slowly halting her affections. Mira did not notice that, too focused on her actions.
“No!” Rumi stepped back, breaking the kiss as if something burned her, shocking and scaring the other woman.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” Mira exclaimed, lifting her hands, confused, but seeing Rumi’s fear clearly, “I didn’t know you didn’t want me to–”
“I do!” Rumi exclaimed, anxiously grabbing the hem of her blouse, “It’s just–” She stammered.
“Okay, slowly,” Mira said softly, stepping forward and placing her hands on Rumi’s arms, not daring to touch the exposed shoulders, “Take a deep breath and talk to me,” She added, gesturing for them to sit on the bed.
Rumi hesitantly followed and hugged herself. Mira did not push. She waited patiently for the other woman to gather the courage to open up.
“I was five years old when my patterns began to show,” Rumi said, her voice devoid of any emotion. She looked back at the balcony doors and recalled her childhood, “Celine did not hide my past from me. She immediately told me that my father was a demon,” She said, reluctant to look at Mira. But she did anyway.
While she expected disgust, Rumi was welcomed by nothing but warmth, understanding, and patience. She sighed heavily before continuing.
“Do you remember what happened when Celine caught you flirting with me when we were seventeen?” Rumi asked, finally releasing her hug. Mira chuckled nervously.
“You don’t have to remind me,” she giggled. “I still have nightmares from all the chores she gave me to distract me from you,” Mira admitted anxiously. “She really messed me up.”
“You got off easy,” Rumi said coldly. Mira’s expression faded, “She began with lecturing me that we’re Hunters, that we have mission– that I cannot risk exposing myself like that,” She said before looking at her exposed forearms, “Then she made me read every book on the demon lore, teaching me that letting go, allowing anyone in would have disastrous impact on the Honmoon–” She paused, angry at her memories, fisting her palms.
“So you began building walls around you?” Mira asked, seeing Rumi clearer than ever. She hesitated momentarily, but she gathered the courage to touch the exposed, pattern-covered arm.
“Huh?” Rumi jumped in her seat, shocked by the soft caress, and looked up into the big, soft gaze. “Y-yeah, that’s what Celine taught me to do,” she confirmed, allowing the touch.
Rumi’s breathing trembled as Mira trailed her patterns softly. It was so delicate, soft, and warm, yet strangely painful. The demoness never wanted it to stop.
“Is that okay?” Mira asked, seeing Rumi’s anxious reaction.
“Y-yeah,” The demoness stuttered, her patterns glowing slightly, “I just–” She bit her lower lip, “No one ever touched me. The only hugs I know are the ones you guys gave me, and Celine–” She looked at Mira with fear, “Oh, God! I’m a mess!” She exclaimed in frustration, throwing her hands in the air and falling back onto her bed with her arms covering her eyes.
“Rumi,” Mira said, giggling slightly, as she crawled up the bed to lie next to the shorter woman, “Come on, look at me.” She touched the pale chin, and Rumi removed her arms, “I don’t care if you’re a mess. I’m a mess without you,” She whispered, moving her hand to slightly caress the pale cheeks, traveling down to the patterns on the neck.
“And I’m a coward,” Mira continued, shocking Rumi, who raised her eyebrow questioningly, “It took a literal end of the world as we know it for me to understand that I shouldn’t hide my feelings for you,” She explained as she continued her delicate caresses.
Rumi trembled at the touch, her skin began to glow gold, and she closed her eyes. Mira slightly hesitated, seeing how the other woman’s breathing hitched, and her arms covered in goosebumps.
“Feelings? She had feelings for me?” Rumi wondered as her brain was slowly drowning in the fuzzy feeling.
“Rumi?” Mira whispered airily, breaking the silence. The amber, glowing eyes looked at her, “Can I kiss you again?” She asked, not believing the pupils could widen so quickly when she saw the lustful expression in the demonic eyes.
Rumi nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She scooted closer and gulped nervously. She had wanted this for so many years, but now that it was about to happen, she could not find the courage to act on her own.
“Tell me, or tap me if you can’t speak, if you want me to back off,” Mira whispered, inching closer, “I don’t want to do anything that would make you feel uncomfortable,” She added, reassuring Rumi of her intentions.
“I–” Rumi choked, “I trust you, Mira,” She said, her eyes nervously roaming the warm eyes, hesitantly touching the pronounced cheekbones.
Mira anxiously moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue and dove in, capturing the soft, pink lips in a delicate kiss. Rumi’s hand immediately traveled to the pink hair, encouraging the affection.
A soft moan escaped someone’s throat. Neither cared who whimpered and mewled as their kiss intensified, quickly deepening. Rumi’s patterns began to glow again, and Mira could not stop herself as she pulled the smaller body, needing to feel the demoness impossibly closer.
Mira felt a sudden tug on her sweater, and she rolled on top of the smaller woman, continuing her assault. Rumi tilted her head, giving more access to her mouth. She moaned loudly when she felt Mira’s leg sneak between her thighs.
“Demons just deprave and destroy! Do you want that for Mira?!” Celine’s voice echoed in Rumi’s mind.
“No!” Rumi exclaimed, startling Mira, causing them to pull away from each other.
“Rumi?” Mira asked, seeing the panicked expression. Rumi’s patterns turned dark purple again, and her breathing became short and labored. “Rumi, Rumi, breathe,” She quickly whispered, trying to help the other woman.
“I can’t,” Rumi choked as her voice began to fail her. She shook her head slightly, “Celine said–” She paused, but her lips continued to try to speak.
“Shh, Celine said many things and many were not true.” Mira tried to calm the other woman, but the demoness’s breathing became short and raspy.
“M-Mira,” Rumi gasped in panic, her eyes roaming the other face in fear, “Can’t breathe,” She choked out, struggling to speak.
“Whoa, whoa, easy,” Mira said softly, quickly pulling the other woman into an embrace, “Listen to me breathe,” She instructed, “Come on, with me. In–” She took a deep, slow breath, “And out–” She continued, and Rumi tried to follow.
It took another five rounds before they were breathing together. Mira continued to hold the shorter woman close to her heart until she realized that Rumi was fast asleep.
“Damn, and I thought that Celine fucked me up, huh?” Mira whispered, watching Rumi’s tearstained face.
“You didn’t deserve to be shamed for who you are,” Mira thought, helping them comfortably lie in bed.
The night slowly began to fade away when someone entered Rumi’s room. Every time Mira tried to move, the demoness tightened her hold, afraid to let go. Zoey tiptoed toward the bed and smiled, seeing her best friends curled together.
“Huh?” Mira mumbled, feeling someone cover her before she noticed the black-haired woman beside the bed.
“Sleep, Mira,” Zoey whispered, covering her friends with a fuzzy blanket, “Take care of her. You two deserve to be finally happy,” She added before leaving the room as quietly as possible.
Mira smiled at that gesture of kindness before looking back at the woman in her arms.
“I’m not letting you go,” She vowed, planting a delicate forehead kiss.
Mira inhaled Rumi’s scent in contentment, immediately falling asleep.