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The week had been declared sacred as Huntr/x have earned seven full days off after a round of shows just to relax.
Rumi intended to do something “completely normal and peaceful,” which this time, in her mind, meant reading a book cover to cover, like a civilian. But the decision came after she had time to buy something beforehand. And that's how she found herself standing in front of a massive bookshelf in Zoey’s room.
"So... what kind of book are you looking for?" The maknae asked.
“I want something relaxing.” Rumi said resolute.
Zoey hummed thoughtfully, eyes scanning the spines. “Okay. I have tons. Fantasy, romance, drama…”
Rumi stepped closer and pointed immediately. “That one.”
Zoey turned and her mouth opened at the same moment. The book had a soft pastel cover and stylized illustrations, delicate lines and two characters drawn close together under falling petals. It looked harmless and cozy.
“Rumi…” Zoey started.
“I like the cover.” Rumi said decisively, already taking it from the shelf. “It’s pretty.”
“I was going to explain-” The dark haired woman hesitated.
“It’s fine. I’ll read it blind. That’s part of the experience!” The leader said, cheerfully.
Mira, that was lounging on the bedroom’s armchair, glanced over, eyes narrowing at the title. Then she grinned.
Zoey sighed. “Okay. Sure. Have fun.”
Rumi smiled, completely unaware she had just picked up one of Zoey’s adult romance novels. It was a bit chilly that afternoon, so she decided to start her reading before her meeting with Jinu later. The purple haired woman curled up on her bed, the book resting comfortably in her hands. At first, it was exactly what she expected: poetic descriptions, emotional tension, longing glances. She relaxed.
‘This is nice’, she thought.
As the pages turned, the story deepened. The tone shifted slowly and subtly. Rumi frowned at a very suspicious sentence. Then another, more suspicious than the previous one. Her brow furrowed.
“Oh...” She flipped the page. “…oh no.”
By the time she reached an explicit scene, her face was burning. The language wasn’t crude, but it was very clear. Her brain stalled. She snapped the book shut like it had bitten her.
“Oh my god…” She whispered.
Her ears felt hot with her mind replaying the sentences she absolutely had not been prepared for. She looked at the clock. Jinu would be there soon. She abandoned the book on her bed, the bookmark still marking the exact page of her literary downfall, and fled to the bathroom for her bath, like a woman escaping a crime scene.
By the time Jinu arrived, Rumi was still in the shower, desperately trying to rinse both soap and embarrassment off her skin. Jinu, familiar with the apartment, wandered into the bedroom while waiting. His eyes caught the book instantly.
“Huh...” He murmured, picking it up.
He noticed the bookmark and, curious, he opened it to read. His eyebrows lifted. Then slowly… a smile spread across his face. He chuckled quietly, flipping back a page, then forward again, clearly entertained. “Wow…” That was the only thing the demon could say to himself.
When Rumi finally emerged, wearing comfortable clothes and a soft sweater, she found Jinu leaning casually against the doorframe with the book in his hand.
“I didn’t know you were into these… things.” He said lightly.
Rumi froze. Her eyes followed his gaze to the book open on that page. Her face went red instantly.
“I- that’s… it’s not-” She stammered.
“Relax. I’m just surprised.” Jinu laughed, gentle and teasing.
“Zoey didn’t tell me!” She covered her face with her hands.
“Uh-huh…” He said, clearly amused. “Sure.”
She peeked at him through her fingers. “I swear.”
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You know, if you’re curious, you could’ve just told me.”
Her ears turned an even deeper shade of red.
"We're late!" Rumi protested, before grabbing her boyfriend's hand and practically dragging him out of the room.
—-------
The next morning, Rumi marched into the living room with purpose. Zoey was on the couch with Mira beside her, both with coffee mugs in hand.
Rumi planted herself in front of them.
“Zoey…”
Zoey looked up innocently. “Yes?”
“You lent me a dirty book.”
Mira nearly choked on her coffee.
Zoey burst out laughing. “Dirty is harsh.”
“I was not prepared!” Rumi insisted.
“You didn’t let me explain. I tried” Zoey said, wiping her eyes.
“I chose it because the cover was cute!”
Mira leaned back, smirking.
“Yeah. They look cute while doing… things.”
Rumi turned to her other friend, startled.
“You knew it too?! Why didn’t you warn me?!”
Mira shrugged. “You didn’t ask.”
Rumi groaned, burying her face in her hands. “You’re all terrible.”
“You know,” Zoey leaned forward and said casually. “lots of people like that kind of book.”
“I am not lots of people!” Rumi made a small, mortified noise.
“You could try doing what you read with your boyfriend.” Mira smirked.
Rumi’s head snapped up.
“I am leaving!” She fled to her room, cheeks burning, while laughter followed her down the hall.
Days passed and her friends' teasing did not stop. But neither did the thoughts. That was how, a few days later during a movie night with Jinu, she took a deep breath and asked carefully:
“So… remember that book?”
Jinu smiled slowly. “I do.”
“…I might’ve been curious.”
His smile widened. The result of this conversation, of course, was very satisfying.
And after secretly borrowing it a couple more times, Rumi quietly returned the book to Zoey’s shelf with a new bookmark, just in case.