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When Rumi came through the door with two rather sizeable hydrangas she could tell that Mira owed Zoey money. The maknae juped up pumping her fists victoriously and Mira just rolled her eyes grumbling.
"Honestly Mira you're the one dating her you should know her well enough by now."
"Zoey she just bought those tiny figs three days ago! I can't think every time she goes out its to buy MORE plants."
Rumi huffed and let the two bicker between themselves as she carried her new children out to the balcony of her and Mira's shared room. She set them down neatly arranged in speically decorated pots on either end of a trough of various other plants.
Rumi loved plants. She always had, ever since tending the flower garden on Jeju with Celine. Ever since planting those beautiful daffodils around her mothers grave, ever since…well ever since forever. There was something about them that drew her.
They were gorgeous, she liked gorgeous things, see her girlfriend. They smelled wonderful, they had such deep meanings if one studied flower language, which of course Rumi had. She'd begged Celine to let her sign up for a college course on it until her mother figure acquiesced.
She hadn't wanted Rumi in public schools very much but Rumi whipped out her ultimate puppy dog eyes and Celine could never really resist those when Rumi really got them going. Rumi breathed in the smell of her own little plant paradise.
Flowers also needed taking care of. And Rumi loved taking care of things. It made her feel important, needed, loved, providing something with its very life and existance. Supporting their growth in ways…well in ways she wished she'd been supported in her growth.
Rumi's smile softened as her mind drifted back to her younger years. Always cloying for Celine's approval trying so hard to earn her affection. To feel like she was worthy of it. Her hands traced the iridescent patterns on her arm coming to a stop at her shoulder.
She breathed in.
Then breathed out.
The floral scents flooding her nostrils always managed to ground her. She was past having to hide, not believing she was enough, thinking she had to earn love.
It had taken awhile, but she'd managed it. She still struggled of course, but she had her plants, she had her career, she had Mira and Zoey. She knew she was loved. And loved a lot.
Speaking of being loved a lot.
"What are our new childrens names?" The low sweet voice drifted out onto the balcony and Rumi's heart soared. She might be used to being loved, but she was still having to get used to Mira casually saying things like that.
"The one on the left is Roberta and the one on the right is Arim." Rumi gestured to each plant as she named them off.
"Arim?" Mira cocked an eyebrow tilting her head at the plant.
"It's Mira backwards! I thought you deserved to have a child bear your name."
"Just backwards?"
"Well I can't just name the plant Mira can I? It's not even pink. That would be criminal!"
Mira chuckled at Rumi's insistence and walked over placing a hand on her girlfriends shoulder as she stood behind her looming ever so slightly over their shared little garden. It was mostly Rumi's but what was Rumi's was Mira's and vice versa.
"So what's got you so stressed out? Is it the new album?" Rumi hated how perceptive Mira was. It could be really frustrating when a perfectly innocent coping mechanism in response to extreme stress was identified as exactly that. Rumi was supposed to be all cool and mysterious…
Well she wanted to be sometimes. She found however it was increasingly difficult to have these secret coping mechanisms to not worry her since they'd started dating. Sure Mira had probably recognized them before this but she got to be a lot more intimate about her concern for Rumi over the past few months.
"I didn't get any sleep last night. Worked all through the night trying to narrow down the perfect melody for the release single. Mira I feel like I'm lsoing my touch I've never struggled this much with a release single like this before." Rumi stayed squatting tending to her plants not looking back at Mira.
She knew what she'd see if she did. A look of concern and mild frustration at Rumi for not taking care of herself. Mira always got on her for little things like that. Oh she didn't know how to take care of herself? Cmon look at her garden she was so good at taking care of things.
"I know, I was up past midnight waiting for you." Mira whispered. There was no bite in her words, just a pang of sadness that twisted Rumi's gut. Mira wasn't trying to make her feel guilty about it. Rumi couldn't help but feel that anyway.
The image of Mira's increasingly sad face sitting in their ebd as she waited while Rumi slaved away in the studio just a few floors down their complex…fuck.
"I'm sorry." Rumi's voice was quiet glancing at the hydrangeas, at least she'd picked a good flower for the occasion.
"You know you don't have to apologize to me Rums, I get how hard you work. But you don't have to do it by yourself…and you can talk about it to us when you're struggling. To me." Mira's voice had always had this incredibly calming effect. Even more so when she was tired.
God Rumi was tired. She hadn't realized it hopped on the anxiety of deadlines and contracts. She had so much to do, so many shoots, interviews, obligations. And only so much time to do it all. Not to mention she had to take care of her babies. Their babies.
She could take a nap but that would ruin her sleeping schedule even worse. She needed to tough it out until tonight and then she could get some rest.
Rumi finished trimming the multitude of plants in the garden. Mira never left slowly kneading Rumi's shoulder the entire time just showing she was there. Mira had a habit of that. Just doing these small things to remind Rumi she was there.
Rumi never admitted how badly she needed the reminders but Mira never seemed to need them. Freely giving Rumi exactly what she needed exactly when she needed it.
"Okay good, our children are looking much better and their new siblings fit in so well." Rumi cooed standing up beaming softly at the plants. Mira wrapped her arm around Rumi's should and pulled her close to her body comforting presence and a nice rose scent flooding Rumi's nose.
She loved when Mira used floral perfumes. She'd taken to rose a few years into their career. Rumi had never asked her why she'd swapped scents to that one but it certainly hadn't helped young Rumi's pining at all.
"When was the last time you ate?" Mira's voice again cutting through Rumi's brains myriad of tangents and pulling her back to the moment.
Rumi was not a fan of being in this moment. Her face flushed red and she diverted her eyes still not looking at Mira. She hadn't eaten yesterday, too busy in the studio, and had spent her morning wandering around a local flower shop looking for her new children.
"Okay that's it." Rumi was suddenly being tugged into their shared room. "Throw something a little more presentable on than just your sweatpants we're going out for lunch." Any protest Rumi had died in her throat as Mira gave her a look that left no room for argument.
Rumi just nodded her assent and trudged into her closet to sift through potential outfits. Twenty minutes later she came out sporting a pair of white skinny jeans and a loose black sweater that settled just off her shoulder.
Mira was in a classic Mira outfit. A deep blue sleeveless top and jeans that flared out at the ankles. Her golden rimmed glasses perched in the shadow cast by her baseball cap. Rumi smirked and nodded appreciatively. Her girlfriend was hot.
Mira preened under the look before waggling her eyebrows to indicate her own appreciation for Rumi's outfit. They walked out together, taking the elevator down to the complexes garage. Mira had grabbed the keys for one of their more subtle vehicles. A gray Kia Forte. Rumi raised her eyebrows at the choice, so a more lowkey style date?
Mira opened the passenger side door for Rumi and made sure she buckled her seatbelt before climbing into the drivers seat and starting the car.
"Where are we going?" Rumi asked a childlike excitement beginning to swell in her chest. She loved going on dates with Mira.
"I've got some plans." Mira said simply. Not elaborating as she turned on the radio and peeled out of the garage. Rumi rolled her eyes, always a romantic. She grabbed Mira's hand and held it over the center console squeezing it tightly.
The playlist was Rumi's favorite. A mix of KPop, some JRock, and a few guilty pleasures of hers. She couldn't help but sing along to almost every song.
Pouting briefly as Mira parked in the middle of a song killing the engine, Rumi turned to protest and ask her to at least let her finish singing the song until she realized where they were.
"Mira.." Rumi's voice wavered with emotion. It was a Korean BBQ restaurant, but not just any KBBQ place. This particular restaurant had outdoor seating and some of the most ecclectic flora decoarations of any restaurant around.
The restaurant had partenered with a flower shop in the same district which had donated most of the decorations. No matter where you sat indoors or out you were surrounded by gorgeous and rare plants. Each booth had it's own theme.
It was Rumi's favorite resturant.
She pulled Mira into a tight hug as soon as they got out of the car which Mira returned squeezing her tightly. Rumi held the hug for a moment before peeling off looking into Mira's eyes and basking in the love that she saw there.
"You're too good to me." Rumi sighed into the hug.
"I can only try to be as good as you deserve. Can't ever be too good for you." Rumi surged forward capturing Mira into a quick passionate kiss. After breaking apart Rumi giggled and turned to strut away leaving Mira grumbling behind her clearly flustered.
Walking inside they were greeted warmly by the owner. Mira must've called ahead. He took them back to Rumi's favorite booth. One that Mira had gotten personally customized for her as a gift for their first anniversary.
Lavendar, lilacs, Morning Glory, and some hydrangeas that looked a lot like the twins dominated the space, with peonies, roses, and dhalias sprinkled thorughout adding the splash of pink into a sea or purple.
Their usual orders, all the assorted meats and toppings, came quickly. Mira manned the stove in the middle as usual not letting Rumi handle any of the cooking aspect doling out exactly what she knew Rumi would want without ever needing to ask.
The conversation flowed easily between them as akways. Mira didn't bring up anything about the album, or Rumi's lack of sleep, or any of that. Choosing to talk about their favorite KDramas, joking about video games Zoey was playing, and of course admiring the surrounding view.
Rumi thought she recognized some new additions to the arrangements and talked Mira's ear off about the different meanings of each of the flowers. She was fairly sure at this point Mira was very familiar with flower language. Yet she always asked questions anyways.
Rumi knew by this point that Mira wasn't asking becasue she didn't know. Rumi had explained these arrangements probably a hundred times over to Mira, she asked anyways. Becuase Rumi loved to talk about them, and Mira knew that. Rumi really was the luckiest girl in the whole world.
They finished their meal and after squabbling with the owner for several minutes Mira was allowed to pay for their meal and leave a genorous tip to the waitress who had served them for the meal. She always insisted no matter where they went. It was one of the things Rumi most admired about her.
After snapping a selfie with the waitress and signing a napkin they waved goodbye. Mira again opened the door and secured Rumi in the car before making her way around to the drivers seat.
The radio roared to life mid song and Rumi deicded to start it over so she could sing the whole thing. Mira chuckled to herself as she did returning her hand to the center console so Rumi could hold it tightly, Mira's thumbs tracing the patterns on her hand from memory.
Three songs later Rumi blinked as Mira made an unexpected turn.
"Hey the interstate back to the apartment was back there you made the wrong turn."
"No I didn't." Mira smirked. Rumi furrowed her brow, pouting into the rearview mirror.
"Miraaaa I really need to get backto the studio and get some more work done today! We're going to fall behind on the deadlines if I don't get this song figured out before the end of the month."
"It's the 8th Rumi. You've got over three weeks to work on this okay. And you're not going to actually get anything done being all wound tight like you get when you're stressed. So you're not doing a damn thing today because I'm keeping you away got it?" Mira's voice was harsh but not rude or mean. People often failed to make the distinction. Rumi never did.
Rumi wanted to hold her pout, wanted to argue, wanted to come up with every reason why she should be ahead of the deadlines as much as possible but all of those potential conversations died in her throat when Mira made another turn and she suddenlt realized where they were driving to.
"Mira…"
"And it's not the last place I'm taking you today either got it? You deserve this okay." Mira's voice softened from its earlier harder inflection, the care that was there never changed though. Her eyes, which Rumi focused on through the rearview had this incredible softness to them that only Mira was truly capable of.
They pulled into the parking lot for the spa fifteen minutes later. Mira again opened the door for Rumi and helped her out. Rumi knew better at this point than to even try to open the door on her own. She'd done it once out of habit and Mira had looked at her like a kicked puppy.
Rumi had gotten back in the car and closed the door at Mira's insistence. Rumi smiled fondly at the memory as Mira ushered her in to the spa. It was one of the highest rated spas in Korea and knowing Mira she'd probably booked some extravagant experience for them.
Her suspicions were immediately confirmed when again the owner of the spa was at the front desk to greet them. Perks of being in Huntr/x were many and varied, special treatment at their favorite places was of course always one that was hard not to enjoy.
They were handed robes and directed to the changing space. There were multiple closed off areas for changing. Rumi and Mira walked into the same one anyways. Mira hummed appreciatevely as Rumi stripped out of her outfit which earned her a playful shove.
When Rumi whistled at Mira as she stripped down she received no such chastisement. Mira posed dramatically showing off to Rumi before sliding the robe on winking and swatting at Rumi's butt playfully as they walked out.
A moment later both women were face down on massage tables as the massoirs got to work. Rumi's grunted as she worked her back, clearly working through several knots and Rumi groaned as she felt them each unravel, unable to see Mira next to her Rumi listened in for the soft noises the other woman made during her massage.
After about forty-five minutes Mira got quiet, maybe she'd passed out. Rumi heard a quiet stepping of feet as the massuse working her readjusted her position and got back to work.
When her hands returned to Rumi's body they worked with renewed strength. Rumi could feel involuntary moans slip out of her lips as the woman worked, hitting all of Rumi's most sensitive spots, on her back and thighs working out knots Rumi hadn't even known she could have.
Rumi could feel herself getting groggy at the treatment but managed to stay awake, she was finally feeling so relaxed. The womans hands kneaded at the base of her spine working the last of what Rumi needed her to. Then a hand slipped beneath her towel and squeezed at her ass.
Shocked Rumi yelped and flipped around ready to smack the woman. Mira's shit eating grin met her in the otherwise empty room instead. Realization dawning Rumi almost slapped the woman anyways.
However a quickly disarming dart of her eyes down to Rumi's chest, which she realized was bare distracted her from those aspirations.
"You are the worst!" Rumi insisted shoving Mira and standing up, wrapping herself back up in her robe.
"Eh you love me though." Mira's voice filled with smug arrogance that Rumi couldn't even fight back against. She just rolled her eyes and instead of shoving her again pulled Mira in to a chaste kiss.
Mira babbled in shock not having expected that move from Rumi. The leader simly smirked back at her visual and sauntered off to the next part of their experience, the sauna.
The spa day was everything anyone could have hoped for. Sauna, facials after, manipedis, and finally a gloriously comforting and relaxing trip to the bathhouse. Just the two of them. Usually either the bathhouse or sauna had at least a small handful of other people in them.
Rumi could only imagine why they just so happened to be so empty today. Really Mira was too much.
As they dried off from the bathhouse experience Rumi sighed contentedly. It had been a long time since she'd done anything for herself, the last few months had been such a whirl of album promotion and wirting that she'd really neglected personal care.
Mira had a special way of noticing those small hints that Rumi didn't even realize she was giving out as cries for help. Sure tomorrow several of the knots and tense muscles would find their way back into her body but at least for now she was able to close her eyes and let all of the obligations drift awat.
She was allowed to just be a woman having a nice day with her girlfirned.
Back into the car they went and Rumi resumed belting the song that had stopped when they arrived without missing a note. Mira peeled out and Rumi knew better at this point than to expect anything other than a dinner destination. The sun would set soon but they still had some time.
She found herself growing with excitement for whatever their next stop would be.
Paying close attention to the roads Mira was taking Rumi began to narrow down the options.
She always takes the shortcut to the movie theatre back there so not that. It's not that Italian place we went to on our first date after tour she'd have taken that exit. Oh hmm not even going to the arcade. Low chance but always present Rumi did love an arcade.
Then Mira took the next turn and it settled in her mind. There was only one place out this far that Mira would take her. Her eyes began to water her lip wobbling. She cried she wasn't to proud to admit it.
She cried like she'd cried on her first trip to the bathhouse, it was ugly, wet, extremely unattractive, and raw. The smirk on Mira's face at the reation would normally earn her a punch in the arm, a shove, or several teasing responses to get her to break.
Not this time.
The parking lot was empty. Of course it was, Mira had surely called ahead again, no owner to greet them this time. Well obviously, the staff had clearly been told to leave for the day as well. Rumi wiped tears that kept replacing themselves from her face trying to reign in her sobs.
Mira opened the door and offered Rumi her hand. Rumi took it, eyes still wet but voice calming down and stepped out. She grabbed onto Mira tightly. She'd needed this, more than she knew. It had been so long since she'd had time Rumi really didn't realize how much she needed this.
But Mira had.
They walked past the big sign "Strawberry Angel Greenhouse" and Rumi almost burst into tears again remembering. Mira always went big in terms of presents. Above and beyond to make sure Rumi knew she was loved, appreciated, and cared for.
For her 26th birthday Mira had built her a greenhouse.
The sprawling structure was held inside a glass dome. It held within it every plausible plant Mira could find. She'd had it constructed in secret on the outskirts of the city so there was no chance Rumi would even drive near the construction site.
It was an incredible investment. Mira had set up a charity for people to donate to that was focused on research towards saving endangered plant life. Several of which, those that were reasonable, had their conservation efforts focused in this very greenhouse.
It was the grandest of gestures and the running and management of the greenhouse was left to as Mira described her "the woman with the greenest thumb and biggest heart." Rumi remembered throwing herself into the work with excitement, Mira had gotten everything set up perfectly working with specialists to make sure everything was perfect.
Rumi had found things to do anyways. After a year and a half she'd gotten it to a point of self sustainment, local trainees were given jobs, and the greenhous was open to the public.
"I want everyone to be able to enjoy the things you love jagiya." Mira had said Rumi lost it everytime she thought about it.
The months of album prep and album writing always took away time she wanted to dedicate to the greenhouse so she hadn't made it out here yet this year. She rarely visited on her own time.
"I just thought you should get to enjoy the thing you built." Mira said quietly.
"You built it. Not me." Rumi replied softly squeezing Mira's hand tightly. Mira chuckled and shook her head.
"I just put it here you built it. Made it what it is. It's been awhile since you've been able to visit the kids who've moved out right? Let's say hi." And they walked in. Rumi's fingers twitched as she looked at the variety of plant life her heart swelling at how well it was maintained even in her absence.
Though of course she saw the little things that needed her attention. Small details, placements, trimming that needed to be done. Normally she'd dive right into it. But tonight she was content to just be there, amongst her children.
Mira directed her to the center of the greenhouse a spacious green space planted with a rare grass that only grew in Korea a space for families to play with their children, or have picnics with their significant others.
The basket on top of the blanket was so cliche Rumi wanted to tease Mira about it. It really was the most basic thing so stereotypical. But so lovely and perfect and so perfectly Mira.
Mira spread out the blanket and pulled out a hand made dinner she must have prepared while Rumi was showering. How she had gotten it here ahead of them Rumi could only marvel at. She knew it was likely a painstakingly planned maneuveur that only Mira could have pulled off. And only for her.
Only ever for her.
Two bottles of Rumi's favorite rose and a pair of glasses inalin with a lilac and a rose each. Their flowers.
Mira poured the wine and plated the food. They sat there together for hours, as the sun went down talking, laughing, kissing, talking, and just letting the world around them exist. No responsibilities, no deadlines, all of that just faded away into the background.
It was just Rumi and Mira two women in love having a date surrounded by an impressive number of plants. Rumi wouldn't have it any other way. They talked into the moon began to raise high in the sky, the wine long since empty.
"Thank you Mira. I really needed this today." Rumi said gazing longingly at those choclate brown eyes that had cpatured every part of her heart.
"You take care of everyone and everything around you so attentively Rumi. It's one of the things I love most about you. Always making time for others. Always giving yourself, even your plants. I mean honestly I don't know anyone else who uses specially formulated water on her backyard plants."
Rumi scowled, "My babies deserve only the best treatment for their growth."
"And so do you." The simple statement landed hard in Rumi's chest. Taking her breath away. "You don't give it to youtself enough so I've gotta force you to every now and then. Remind you that you need taken care of just as much as these plants."
"I'm sorry," Rumi started "I know I can be a lot and I know it can be difficult to…" Mira shook her head cutting her off.
"Do you love taking care of your garden?"
What a silly question.
"Of course I do it's not work to me I just love…doing it…" Realization dawned and Rumi wondered for the millionth time what she'd done to deserver and earn this woman's love. Mira would always insist that Rumi didn't need to deserve love.
"Then you know you don't need to apologize. You're like my little sapling jagiya, my little flower, and I'll take care of you in the best way I know how to, forever."
It was a promise they'd shared many times. That didn't mean that being reminded of it every time didn't send Rumi's heart into traitorous palaptations as butterflies swarmed in her stomach looking at this perfect woman sent to earth to love and love fully.
Rumi captured Mira's chin in her hand and pulled her into a heated kiss. Mira pushed forward arm cradling Rumi's cheek as she kissed her back.
Together under the stars, Mira pulled the blanket over the two of them.
"I told the staff that we'd be closing tomorrow, so we don't have to worry about anything angel." Rumi snuggled in closely to Mira basking in her warmth beneath the blanket.
"This has been the best day my Strawberry." A quick chaste peck on the lips earned Rumi a tight squeeze as Mira held her even closer.
They drifted off to sleep.
Rumi sat in the studio picking Zoysia grass out of her hair a dopey smile spread across her face. They'd gotten back early enough in the morning to have breakfast with Zoey before they had to split off. Mira had an appearance to make at a pop up shop and Zoey had an emcee gig at a sports center.
Rumi spun around the chair in the studio still giddy from the previous days events. Her shoulders still loose, her posture relaxed. It was nice to be in the studio and not feel that crushing stress for once. The idea struck her then.
Giggling she spun back around and began to aggressively scribble down in her notebook creativity flowing through her. A melody sprang unbidden to her mind, she banged it out on the piano. It would need some work but it was a start.
Strumming her guitar to a progression that fit the melody Rumi grinned brightly. Making notes to share with Zoey about lyric ideas. Rhyme schemes and song themes. Yes this would work, it might even be some of her best work.
She flitted about the studio recording and writing in earnest. That day of relaxation had really done a lot for her.
Satisfied Rumi decided to break for lunch. Striding out of the studio and taking the elevator up to their floor. She popped a Mira style ramyeon in the microwave though only pouring in a small amount of the spicy packet that came with it.
There was a reason it was Mira style and not Rumi stlye after all. Humming she walked out to her balcony slurping on the noodles. She sat down in her garden amongst her children.
"Roberta, Arim, your mom is feeling great today. I'm so lucky to have your mother in my life."
And for once, without a care in the world Rumi basked in her afternoon. Feeling so wonderfully and perfectly taken care of.