Work Text:
“Soooooo…” Zoey draws out the word as she peers casually—or at least makes a decent attempt of it—over at Rumi. “Any plans for tomorrow?”
Rumi sees Mira perk up slightly out of the corner of her eye and she shrugs. “I’m meeting with Celine in the morning, then rehearsal.” Tomorrow will be her first birthday since the three of them officially became this generation’s Hunters, but it wasn’t something she was used to having any kind of huge celebration for and they hadn’t exactly made plans. Rumi knows there are more important things.
“Oh.” Zoey deflates slightly for a second then perks right back up and gives Rumi a hopeful smile. “Um. But you’ll be back here for dinner, right? I mean, after rehearsal, where I will also be, of course.”
“Yeah.” Rumi can’t help but smile back. “I’ll be here after rehearsal.” Provided there isn’t a hunter emergency, at least, but she doesn’t add that. They all know their duty comes first.
“Yay! Alright. See you tomorrow!” Zoey practically launches herself at Rumi and squeezes her in a tight hug. “Goodnight!” she dashes for her room, grabbing Mira’s hand as she passes, and pulling her along.
“Night, Rumi.” is all Mira gets out before Zoey’s door slams closed behind them.
“Goodnight.” Rumi says to the empty room, standing and shaking her head. She should get to bed, too. Tomorrow promises to be a busy day.
When Rumi approaches her mother’s grave, Celine is already standing there waiting. She gives Rumi a small smile as the younger woman approaches.
“Good morning, Celine.” she inclines her head slightly in greeting.
“Good morning, Rumi.” Celine turns back to the headstone as Rumi comes to stand next to her. “Another year has passed. Mi-Yeong would be proud of the young woman you have become, and of all your accomplishments. You have done well.”
“Thank you.” there’s nothing else that would be acceptable to say. It’s not like Rumi isn’t grateful for Celine and these moments together that are becoming more and more rare with each birthday. She’s glad Celine thinks her mother would be proud of her. But what about you? she wants to ask. Are you proud of me? Are you proud of my accomplishments? Celine’s actions say that she is, but…is it bad to want to hear it without having done something particularly special to earn the praise?
The two of them finish their yearly ritual at Mi-Yeong’s grave and then return to the nearby home where Rumi was raised to share a meal.
“Happy birthday, Rumi.” Celine says as she sees Rumi out, handing her a gift box after she slips on her shoes.
Rumi takes it, bowing her head, “Thank you, Celine.” and then she’s out the door and on her way to rehearsal.
Rehearsal is draining. Zoey, looking slightly guilty, left early, which left Mira and Rumi to finish up what they could without her. By the end of it, Rumi is ready to go home, change into pajamas, and collapse into bed for the rest of the night.
“You look exhausted.” Mira comments as they’re riding the elevator up to their living quarters.
“It’s been a long day.”
“Yeah… But it’s also your birthday. You could probably relax at least a little.” she wraps an arm around Rumi’s shoulders, pulling the other woman into her side.
“I— Maybe…” Rumi allows as she leans into Mira, grateful for the support. “It’s always just kind of been another day, you know?”
“…Celine never celebrated your birthday with you?” Mira sounds slightly incredulous. “I mean, I know she’s kind of…”
“Yeah. I mean. No. We celebrated, but it was never really a big thing.” she knows Zoey and Mira are aware that her childhood hadn’t exactly been normal. That she’d been raised to be a Hunter since she was born while they only learned about the existence of Hunters and demons after they’d been selected to be a part of Huntrix. It wasn’t something the three of them talked about much though.
“I see.” Mira gently squeezes Rumi’s shoulders as they step out of the elevator. “Well, maybe you’re used to not doing much for your birthday, but…”
They round the corner and step into the kitchen. Rumi wasn’t sure exactly what she’d been expecting, but this wasn’t it. Her favorite foods, drinks, and snacks are spread out across the counter. There’s a cake in the middle everything, topped with several candles that look recently lit.
“Happy birthday, Rumi!” Zoey rushes into their space, wrapping her arms around Mira and Rumi and squeezing tight. “We wanted to make it special for you.”
“I—thank you. I don’t know what to say.” Rumi hugs them tightly back, feeling enveloped in the love they have for each other.
“Thank you’s a start.” Mira’s tone is dry, but Rumi can hear the smile in her voice.
“Come on!” Zoey breaks away, only to grab Rumi’s hand and pull her over to stand in front of the cake. “Make a wish!”
Rumi smiles, wrapping an arm around each of them and holding them close. “I love you guys.” she leans in, makes a wish, and blows out the candles.