Chapter Text
That bubbly beginner was watching her again. It wasn't like Mira wasn't used to people watching her while she trained – it happened frequently enough and she was always pleased. She was an excellent fencer and from their stares she knew that they knew it too. There was admiration, awe, and even envy in the faces of other trainees as they watched her; this hadn’t changed just because she’d moved to a new city and in extension a new gym where people didn’t know about her old trophies and ranking (and they never would). This girl though… her stare wasn't about any of those things.
Some admiration of her skill was in there, maybe, but at its core the way she watched was… different. The first time she’d looked at Mira like that she’d tugged at her breeches uncertainly, worried for a second that she’d clocked her before she remembered that was literally impossible. Well, maybe from her height and build… but no, it wasn't that kind of look either – and even if it was, Mira didn't care. She didn't owe this girl anything. She still couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed though as now, two months into fencing here, the girl was once again clearly looking. Trying to make it subtle but failing, even with her fencing mask on.
Mira heard a thwack and from the corner of her eye she saw that the girl’s partner had finally gotten tired of the staring too, slapping the side of her foil against her thigh. The girl yelped indignantly and the corner of Mira’s mouth twitched upward before she could stop it. She quickly twisted her face into a grimace instead – the fencing strip wasn't the right place for messing around like those two always were.
With the girl’s attention so frequently on her, Mira hadn't been able to stop herself from noticing them back despite her best efforts to stay focused on her training. They’d clearly been coming to this gym for a long time, friendly with all the trainers and many of the other trainees. Having to realise as much kind of baffled Mira at first, because from what little she’d seen of them sparring, they were not as good as they should be under those circumstances. She’d realised quickly though why they – frankly – still sucked: They didn't take training seriously at all.
They were clearly a couple and spent most of their time at the gym giggling and teasing each other rather than actually doing any work. They took their masks off to kiss after just about every other spar and it was honestly distracting. She almost wished someone would kick them out, but their level of harmless PDA wasn't against any rules unfortunately. Or thankfully – Mira had intentionally looked for a queer friendly gym, after all, and was still pleasantly surprised at having found one. She supposed the couple’s distracting activities were a fair price to pay for feeling comfortable here.
Mira went back to focusing on her drills, the distant giggling easy enough to tune out once she settled into her routine. The soft sounds of moving feet and meeting foils had always been so centering to her. Her parents had called her fighting style aggressive, but in actuality she was rarely as calm as she managed to be on the fencing strip. Here, she had everything under control. It wasn't as much of a necessary escape anymore, but it still felt good.
She worked herself hard, never one to take it easy, eventually needing to get herself some more water. Fencing mask under her arm and water bottle freshly filled she was on her way back to her spot when a person stepped into her path. It was the bubbly girl, her mask off and showing a bright smile on a round face, bangs nearly falling into her eyes. At least the rest of her dark hair was reasonably tied back.
“Hi!”, she said with a little wave at Mira, making her stop in her tracks.
Mira gave her a once-over, the kind she’d been told repeatedly looked incredibly rude. She’d never done that on purpose, but she saw no point in forcing herself not to do it either. In the standard fencing uniform, all she gleaned was that she was short and probably around Mira’s age.
“Hi”, Mira said back flatly.
The girl was undeterred by her disinterested tone. “I’m Zoey, by the way. Park Zoey”, she said, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet a little and extending an ungloved hand to her. “Figured since you seem to be becoming a regular I should introduce myself.”
“Mae Mira”, she introduced herself back as she reluctantly shook her hand, finding Zoey’s grip firm and enthusiastic.
For some reason, Zoey beamed at her at that. “Mira! That’s such a pretty name!”
The words: Thanks, I picked it myself, popped into Mira’s head but she held back on actually saying them. “Do you need anything?”, she asked instead, nodding towards the fencing strips. “I’m kind of in the middle of training.”
Zoey’s smile turned a bit sheepish at that. “Of course, sorry. But there is, actually.” She was still shifting her weight around on her feet, making Mira briefly wonder if she ever stood still. Chewing her lip she finally said: “I was kind of hoping to get your number.” Zoey’s smile seemed like something Zoey herself had zero control over. “You’re gorgeous and I like your vibe. Very serious but… I don't know, intense. Electric.”
Mira blinked at her. She certainly hadn't expected this. The words you’re gorgeous echoed through her mind for an extra second. It’s not like she disagreed, but when fencing she wasn't exactly trying hard, with minimal makeup and a basic ponytail. And this girl – Zoey – with the most pronounced teddy bear energy she’d ever seen was… asking her out? Electric. What did that even mean?
Mira couldn't stop her brow from furrowing in confusion a little as she pointed towards the wall behind Zoey and deadpanned: “Isn't that your girlfriend over there?”
Zoey turned to look towards where the other half of this couple was sitting on a bench at the side of the training grounds, scrolling on her phone. Her hair was dyed bright purple and in an impressively long braid, making her easy to spot even at a distance.
Looking back at Mira, Zoey’s expression was bright and excited again, accompanied by more bouncing. “Yes! Rumi, she’s great!”, she said. “If you want her number instead I’d totally get it.”
Oh, okay. The surprises just kept coming today. “So you’re like… open?”, Mira asked with a raised eyebrow. It made more sense than Zoey just kind of attempting to cheat in full view of her girlfriend, but… well, they hadn't seemed like the type, considering how obsessed with each other they clearly were.
Zoey nodded with a more contained smile this time. “Poly”, she specified. “Our rule is that we only pursue people if we’re both interested in them.”
Mira couldn't help but wonder about the logistics. “What if I only wanted to date one of you?”, she asked.
She realised too late how that sounded when Zoey’s eyes lit up and she said: “Oh wow! How forward of you, Mira!”, with a glint of amusement in her eyes.
Mira ground her teeth, knowing Zoey knew what she’d meant and was just messing with her. “It’s a hypothetical question”, she clarified, slightly annoyed how she’d slipped up.
Zoey chuckled. “Well if you’d want to date me that’d be fine”, she said with a slightly meandering but chipper tone. “But if you wanted to date just Rumi I’d obviously have to smother her in her sleep.” She managed to stay serious for zero seconds before laughing at her own joke. “Seriously though”, she quickly added through chuckles, gesturing dismissively. “That’d be chill. We don't have to share everything, it’s just that the possibility from our side has to be there. It works for us.” Then she shrugged. “No pressure at all though if that's not your thing, I get it. Hey, we’d also love to get to know you on friendly terms. Rumi just insisted I shoot my shot so I can finally stop– uhhhh–” She cut herself off, fidgeting intensifying as her cheeks turned just the slightest bit red with apparent embarrassment. “Thinking about it”, she finished lamely.
So she could stop spending their whole time there staring at her, Mira assumed was what she only just avoided saying. She considered pointing that out but finally decided against it. With how Zoey was looking at her, it would have felt like kicking a puppy.
“Right”, Mira said instead, just the slightest touch of amusement colouring her voice. “I guess I’m flattered but not interested.”
Zoey’s mood instantly dimmed somewhat. “Oh”, she said, continuing to smile bravely. “Okay, sure. No problem.”
She waved awkwardly, taking a step back and seeming like she was about to excuse herself when an arm slung around her shoulders. It was her girlfriend, having looked up from her phone and approached on silent feet. Mira hadn't noticed her either until she’d already been close. Even so, Zoey didn't startle, she just stilled, seeming to relax into the touch.
“You tried”, the girlfriend told her sympathetically.
“Rumi!”, Zoey chided with annoyance that was clearly put on. “Don’t you know it’s rude to eavesdrop?”
“I wasn't, I swear”, Rumi insisted. “I just saw your shoulders drop. And you’re pouting right now.” Her tone was light, teasing.
Mira wanted to excuse herself, but she wasn't fast enough.
“It could be a pout of delight, you don't know”, Zoey petulantly argued back before squirming out from under her arm and nodded at her. “Rumi, this is Mira”, she introduced them.
“Ryu Rumi. Nice to meet you”, Rumi said with a disarming smile. “I hope Zoey wasn't too forward.”
“I can have tact if I want to!”, Zoey complained. “But I do have to be sure”, she added, turning to Mira to ask: “When you say you’re not interested, is that just about dating or also about the friendship thing?”
Both girls were looking at her curiously and Mira questioned how she had ended up in this situation. Everything about her screamed leave me the hell alone and yet here she was, having to say this.
“Both. I’m not looking for friends.”
If she expected disappointment like before, she was mistaken. Well, maybe Zoey was disappointed, but Rumi’s expression stayed neutral as she said: “Clearly.”
It was stupid, but the deadpan tone of her voice got to her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”, Mira asked, raising an eyebrow, always challenging, always making people say instead of just implying. She wouldn't let them get away with it. If that made her abrasive then so be it.
Rumi seemed unbothered by her tone. “Just that I don't think I’ve seen you hold a conversation longer than two sentences with anyone in the two months you’ve been coming here for”, she said with a shrug. She perked up a little with clear mischief in her eyes as she added: “Hey, that means this one is a new record!”
She was teasing her, Mira realised. Her eyes narrowed just a little. “This is exactly why I’m not interested in you”, she deadpanned. “I’m here to fence. You clearly don't take the sport seriously.” Why was she even still here, talking? She should just leave them and get back to her training, she was wasting time, letting her muscles cool.
“We do too!”, Zoey protested with a level of outrage that Mira found exaggerated.
Rumi snorted. “No, Zo. We don't.” At least she was self-aware about it.
Zoey pouted, crossing her arms petulantly. “Well, I could if I wanted to!”
Her behaviour tugged at Mira’s heart and she was startled to find that it wasn't with annoyance – at least not just annoyance. Fucking hell, she could admit to herself that Zoey was cute. That didn't mean she wasn't still a bother with how little she cared about fencing. People like that always rubbed Mira the wrong way. It was a great sport and anything that diminished it brought back grating memories.
She had an idea, then. It was silly and probably stupid and pointless, but she wanted to make Zoey – people in general – appreciate fencing. Maybe she had an opportunity here to do just that.
“Oh yeah?”, she asked, crossing her own arms as well, as she committed to her plan. “Okay, how about this then: I will go out with you.” She deliberately paused, seeing hope rise in Zoey’s expression, before finally adding: “If you can score a point against me in foil.”
Zoey was obviously a bit taken aback by that but far less discouraged than she thought she would be. “Okay!”, she instantly agreed, seeming to vibrate in place in excitement.
Rumi was less convinced. “Why would you offer that?”, she asked Mira, clearly baffled but also amused.
“You two have been keeping me from training for so long now, I might as well get some entertainment out of it”, Mira told her with a shrug. No way was she telling her the truth. She gave them her most confident look down her nose, a challenge. “Not like you’ll actually be able to do it.”
Rumi narrowed her eyes a little at that but Zoey undeterred. “One point and you go out with us?”, she asked, evidently to clarify the terms.
Glancing between the two Mira quickly said: “I go out with whichever one of you lands a point against me only.” If they both wanted to go they'd both have to fence.
Zoey pouted at that briefly, finally just asking: “Okay, but no limit on attempts?”
Mira rolled her eyes. “I’ll cut you off when I get bored.” On the inside she couldn't help but be intrigued by how seriously Zoey was taking this challenge. Maybe there was hope for her after all – not for Zoey at beating Mira, obviously, but for getting Zoey to at least try.
Zoey turned to Rumi then, eyes questioning. It had to be a girlfriend thing, because Rumi immediately chuckled like she knew exactly what Zoey was asking.
“You know I won't do it, but feel free, babe”, Rumi told her with an indulgent smile.
Hearing that kind of stung. Hadn't Zoey said earlier they were both interested in her? Mira quickly shook off the confusion and hurt. What did she care if Rumi wasn't into her enough to try? It wasn't like she actually wanted to go out with her. This was just about fencing and if Rumi wouldn’t fence then Mira wouldn't care about her.
“Alright!”, Zoey said, pointing a finger at Mira. “Let’s go!” Then she rushed off to fetch her mask, gloves and foil.
Rumi looked after her, chuckling. The look of adoration in her eyes made Mira feel… strange. She quickly shook it off. She didn't get how one could be so dependent on a person, let alone want even more people involved. Relationships were just a waste of time if you didn't need them – and Mira did not need them. She could take care of herself.
When Zoey came hurrying back, Rumi turned to Mira, who had to suppress a flinch, feeling irrationally caught having stared at her. From her expression Rumi didn’t seem to have noticed though. “I’ll referee in case you need it”, Rumi offered.
Mira scowled. “Feels like you might be biased.” A beginner trying to be a referee was also kind of comical. Mira was beginning to think neither of them had any idea how this was about to go.
Rumi smiled at her. “Don't worry, it’s just so Zoey doesn't start arguing. I’ll stay fair.” Turning to her girlfriend she snorted and said: “Don't pout, Zoey. Either respect the game or don't play.” She poked Zoey’s puffed up cheek, making the other girl giggle, unable to keep up the frown she’d been putting on.
Rumi had chuckled as she said it, but it was a shockingly serious sentiment from her considering everything Mira had seen of her so far had made her think Rumi was just as casual about this as Zoey. She finally just shrugged, hoping this wasn't about to be too annoying.
Mira hadn’t sparred very much since coming here, only doing practice bouts with the trainers. She was kind of excited to properly spar again and had to remind herself that this definitely wouldn't be very stimulating. She picked an empty fencing strip for them and put on her own gloves and mask, waiting for Zoey at the center line. Rumi put Zoey’s mask on for her, patting her on top of it teasingly before Zoey came over to cross swords with her.
“Ready?”, Rumi asked them informally as she joined them, eyes sharp. Mira quickly directed her focus back to Zoey. Just because this wouldn't be difficult didn't mean she wouldn't take it seriously. With the mask on, Zoey was just like any other opponent. “Allez!”
Mira lunged the moment she heard Rumi say the word and Zoey didn't react in time to stop a clean hit on her shoulder. For a moment she just stood there, face hidden by the mask. Mira expected her to complain, or maybe for Rumi to call the point. It was obvious who had scored though, so she supposed it wasn't necessary.
“Again”, Zoey finally said, voice determined.
Mira shrugged, returning to her starting position. Under her own mask she was smug and Zoey could probably tell even without seeing her face.
“On your guard”, Rumi started a bit more properly this time, perhaps for Zoey’s benefit. Zoey tensed in her stance. “Ready? Allez!”
Mira hit Zoey with yet another quick snap forward, Zoey attempting to react with her own foil but just not being fast enough. “Again!”, she immediately insisted.
Mira couldn't help but chuckle as she obliged. Zoey made a real effort to at least dodge backwards this time, if parrying was impossible, but it was a futile effort. When Mira hit her within less than two seconds again, Zoey groaned, hanging her head.
“Zoey”, Rumi said from the sidelines, not unkindly, but with the clear intention of getting her to give up.
“Again!”, Zoey snapped instead. “I’m just getting into it, trust me.”
Alright, Mira had to admit she hadn't expected that. It was pointless, but Zoey stubbornly continuing to try anyway was… interesting. Mira held up a hand. “One moment.” Then she jogged over to her equipment bag.
“What are you chickening out?”, Zoey called after her, teasing.
“In your dreams!”, Mira called back. Arguably what she was doing was worse, but whatever.
She returned a moment later, her old foil in her hand. The one she’d used as a child, which was several inches shorter. With a really skilled fencer, size ceased to matter, but among beginners, taller people did have an advantage in reach. A tall, experienced fencer against a beginner as short as Zoey was downright cruel, no matter the length of her foil, but Mira could at least put in the effort. She noticed Rumi’s eyes on her as she went back to their starting position. Most people wouldn't even notice the difference in blade but something told her that Rumi did.
She didn't comment on it though, simply announcing the next bout. Which Zoey lost within seconds yet again, even as Mira needed an extra one to adjust to the shorter foil. As well as the one after that. And the one after that. Rumi tried gently to get Zoey to stop again.
“You should really listen to your girlfriend”, Mira agreed with her this time. It had to be obvious to Zoey this wouldn't work out for her, right?
But Zoey stayed stubborn. “Again.”
Mira shrugged. “Whatever you say.” So what if she was having fun?
Zoey’s tenacity was oddly endearing… but Mira couldn't actually appreciate her effort. It bothered her too much that she was only taking fencing seriously to get what she wanted. As a means to an end. She knew she had set it up like that but still. She just focused on enjoying landing hit after hit, varying her technique, using this as a bit of an exercise. Zoey wasn't stupid and was genuinely trying, meaning she did show some improvement. Her reaction time got better as she focused more, even managing to bind for a split second once before Mira immediately took the advantage again.
Eventually though her movements became more sluggish with exertion and a few rounds after that Zoey sighed dramatically, leaning her head back and said: “Fiiiiine! I admit defeat.” Handing her foil to Rumi and taking off her mask she turned to smile at her and said: “You are really good, Mira.”
Mira took off her own mask as well as she stepped closer. “I am”, she agreed. “But that's not why you lost. You’re just really bad.”
That was rather blunt and most people would have called her rude for it, Mira knew. Zoey’s eyes went a bit wide and Mira braced herself for a complaint.
“Oh, that’s ruthless”, Zoey breathed with a dopey smile. “You’re so hot.”
Mira’s brain short-circuited.
“Zoey!”, Rumi chided her girlfriend with a nudge of her elbow. “Don't make her uncomfortable.”
Mira nearly protested, wanting to insist that she wasn't uncomfortable, she wasn't so easy to rile up – but caught herself before… well, actually getting riled up. Was it meant to rile her up? An insult, somehow?
“I’m sorry, it’s true”, Zoey insisted meanwhile, not sounding very sorry at all. Mira didn't smile, at least not visibly, and that was a battle. Definitely not an insult, she had to admit.
Rumi rolled her eyes. “Come on”, she said, taking her girlfriend by the shoulders and steering her towards Mira gently. “Shake on it like a civilised person and then I’ll cheer you up at home, okay?”
Zoey’s face lit up at the words. “Can I get a message?”, she asked Rumi, twisting her head back to look at her over her shoulder with a pout. “I think I pulled like… five muscles.”
“Sure”, Rumi said, chuckling.
Zoey pumped her fist in delight and Mira was briefly entranced by just how much affection was on Rumi’s face and just how up-beat Zoey still was despite such a humiliating defeat.
“Well, thanks for the opportunity, at least”, she said as she faced Mira again, extending her hand. “I did have fun.”
She did? Mira ignored the weird twist in her stomach at that, briskly shaking Zoey’s hand. “Whatever”, she mumbled. “Now I can finally get back to training for real.”
That was definitely what she wanted. They would leave her alone again and she could enjoy her favourite thing in the world in peace. She didn't need anything else, anyone else. It had just been a blip, a silly thing, just like Zoey’s smile, which definitely did not linger in her mind.