Chapter Text
Crisp morning air filled Mira's lungs as she widened her stance, honing in on Celine across from her. The hum of crickets and birdsong gave the training grounds a choir to spar to. With the sway of raven hair bound up in a ponytail, Celine lunged forward. Mira narrowly deflected the blow, spinning out of the hit.
"Excellent, Mira," Celine panted. "Remember to keep your core tight."
"Right, right. Got it." Mira nodded.
"Let's reset and go again, but I want you on offense this time."
Mira shook her limbs out, bouncing on the balls of her feet to warm the chilled sweat clinging to her body. Celine cracked her neck with a gentle twist of her head. Within seconds, she locked back into training mode, waiting for Mira to strike.
She launched a blow forward, glancing off the swing when her staff met Celine's.
"Follow through the full strike, you hesitate to finish the arc," Celine critiqued.
"I don't hesitate with demons."
"Rumi's ribs made that very clear," she chuckled. "She commended your kick to me. You're quite the powerhouse."
A twinge rippled through her, remembering how afraid and in pain Rumi looked. Mira ached at the very thought of anything happening to either of her girls. Celine must have noticed the lapse in her focus because a dull pain struck her ribcage.
"You and Zoey both lose focus when Rumi is mentioned."
"Can you blame us?" Mira deflected.
That didn't fly however, evident by the second hard whack against her shoulder she took with Celine's raised brow.
"I'm serious, Mira," she declared tentatively. "You know you can talk to me if something is bothering you."
She shuffled in place, letting her arms fall fully to her sides and drop the wooden staff with a clatter. Mira hated the sensation that came over her in a wave, a painful mix of dread and worry that had been buried deep and tidy until now. Tears flowed in a free stream as her lip trembled from everything except the cold. Celine dropped her weapon as well, cutting the distance between them until Mira was gathered up in a warm hug. She fully collapsed into it, sniffling quietly into Celine's shoulder.
"Can Gwi-Ma really take her away that easily? Am I gonna lose her…lose all of you?" Mira hiccuped.
"We won't let that happen," she soothed.
"How? What can we even do?"
"We'll figure it out together."
Zoey idly scratched away at the last of her sketch, shading lines onto the curve of Rumi's horns. Her stuck out tongue tip had long gone dry, her back stiff from being sprawled out on her stomach. The bed dipped as an additional weight settled warmly on top of her.
"Hey cutie," Rumi purred soft into her ear. "What are you—"
Over her shoulder, Zoey could just barely see a glistening smile on Rumi's face as she noticed the sketch. She hugged tight around Zoey's neck, kissing her wetly on the cheek.
"You are the sweetest," Rumi hummed.
"What's my reward for that?" Zoey nudged their heads together.
Rumi gripped her shoulder and effortlessly flipped her onto her back, barely a second passing before her hips nestled down between Zoey's thighs. The demon warmth immediately sank all the way down into her bones delightfully. Zoey snuggled and coiled all her limbs around Rumi, rubbing her nose against her.
"What kind of reward were you looking for, aegiya?" Rumi's lips left hot blooms of pink up her neck.
"This kind." Her fingers ruffled into the lavender locks.
Rumi sucked lightly over her pulse point, teeth just barely grazing the tender skin, "I can do that for you, baby."
Her hands roamed over Zoey smoothly, slipping beneath fabric and caressing freckled skin. Each squeeze to a curve of Zoey's body brought a quiet hum out of both of them. Rumi's lips pecked all the way back to Zoey's, locking them into a deep kiss. She gripped the thighs clamped around herself and rolled her hips down in a rough grind.
"Oh, mi hermoso diablo," Zoey moaned breathily, widening her legs to allow Rumi more space.
She kissed downward, rucking Zoey's T-shirt up until her breasts and stomach were free. Rumi fondled and licked her way to being between freckled thighs, pricking her fangs gently into the soft flesh there.
Zoey keened at the sensation, tangling the lavender braid around her hands frantically. Her thighs threatened to snap shut once Rumi's lips closed around the wound and sucked the sensitive spot lightly. When she opened her eyes again they had gone golden and shiny. Zoey's hips twitched toward the fanged mouth inches from her now throbbing core. Rumi gave one final long lick over the puncture marks and chased her hips until her mouth was clamped around Zoey. Her tongue curled and explored inside in swirls, dragging choked moans out of her.
"R-Rumi, fuck," Zoey whined.
They tangled into each other, curvy legs over muscular shoulders. Zoey rubbed herself against the tongue pleasuring her, when a harsh wave of worry washed over them both along the Honmoon, like plucked piano strings threatening to snap.
Both Zoey and Rumi shot up, sharing a glance to determine which of them the sensation came from. When they realized it wasn't either of them, they frantically dressed and rushed outside where they found Mira held tight in Celine's arms. Zoey felt relief overcome her, knowing Mira hadn't been hurting alone. They separated when they heard footfall, Mira roughly wiping her red eyes as Rumi tackled into her.
"Woah, easy. Where's the fire?" Mira chuckled wetly, the dense sound of tears still in the back of her throat.
"We felt you through the Honmoon," Zoey whined, snuggling into Mira's back opposite Rumi with a nuzzle. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah sorry," Mira sniffled. "I don't mean to weight all that onto you two."
"But why are you that worried?" Rumi pouted, popping up to rub their noses together.
"I'm terrified of losing you two, you know that." Mira pet Rumi's hair flat.
"Well it's a good thing we're all gonna beat up the demon king together then," Zoey added from behind.
"Hell yes we are, so no worries," Rumi affirmed.
Mira remained tense between them, Zoey could feel it taut in her shoulders where she cuddled against Mira's back. Usually their reassurances instantly relaxed their girlfriend, but this time it didn't seem to budge her at all. Zoey rubbed their tall girlfriend's sides, caressing the lithe curve to her waist and faint edge of her ribcage. Rumi appeared to be continuing an onslaught of nuzzling and pecking Mira's cheeks and jaw. Celine smiled softly at the three of them, excusing herself to get start some tea. Zoey wanted to relax and sooth Mira's tension and nerves in any way she could. What that should be, she wasn't sure.
"Mira?" she mumbled against her.
"What's up, baby girl?" Mira purred quietly, just barely twisting her head towards her.
"Can we do something relaxing or fun that you want to do?" Zoey squeezed her tighter. "You seem really stressed and I want to help."
"Me too." Rumi hung off Mira's neck.
"Girls, I'll be alright. You don't have to go out of your ways for anything, really." The smile she flashed was small, but genuine.
"But all you do is train recently. We're worried, jagi," Rumi expressed sweetly. "Let us do something with you or for you."
"Please?" Zoey rubbed her cheek into Mira's shoulder blade.
She could feel the deep breath expanding in her hug, a resigned sigh slipping out of Mira. Her slender hands reached for both of them.
"Okay, you win." Mira melted ever so slightly in their grasp. "Any suggestions?"
"Massage?" Rumi tilted her head.
"Bookstore trip?" Zoey suggested.
"Picnic?"
"Beach day?"
"Movie night?"
"Fancy dinner?"
"Girls! Jeez give me a second to answer," Mira laughed boisterously, endeared by their back and forth. "Cuties."
Zoey grinned wide against her back, finding strength to squeeze even tighter around Mira's waist if only to cling to her forever. Rumi did much the same around her neck until Mira was thoroughly squished between them.
"Are you two trying to cheer me up or put me out of my misery?" Mira rasped out with the jovial tone.
"Squeeze the negative thoughts away," Rumi mumbled into another kiss on Mira's cheek.
"Last I checked I wasn't a lemon. Can I breathe now?"
They begrudgingly released their girlfriend. Zoey sidestepped around her to hug into Rumi's side and they both gave a hefty pout up at Mira at the loss of contact. Her sharp, sultry eyes flicked between them with a soft fondness. She never could say no to them, especially like this.
"Alright, put the pouts away. How about I change and we have tea, then I'll pick something, okay?" Mira tilted her head with a gentle smile.
"Deal," they replied in unison.
Zoey and Rumi each took one of Mira's hands and practically dragged her away from the training grounds. Mira's hands were delightfully warm and fully enveloped Zoey's with her long fingers. Mira's thumb began steady rubs back and forth over the back of Zoey's hand, settling her heart far more easily than something so small should be able to. Rumi shifted to fully hug Mira's arm, resting her cheek against the lithe bicep she was attached to. Rumi's patterns glowed a subtle pink at the contact points they shared, rippling outward and fading along her patterns. Mira chuckled warm and throaty above them, pecking Rumi on top of the head.
"Our little firefly," she purred.
"Shut up," Rumi puffed her cheeks, ears going red as she hid against Mira's arm.
"Make me," Mira challenged with a smirk.
Rumi groaned loudly, stomping to a stop in place. Mira and Zoey both turned to check on her, but Rumi dragged a deep breath in and grabbed Mira's cheeks with a light slap, yanking her down into a deep, wet kiss and dropping it with a smack of their lips. Mira blinked in a dazed state, a faint smile on her lips. Zoey felt tension melt out of her a bit more.
"My turn," Zoey piped up, guiding Mira's face into her hands as well.
She kissed Mira full and warm, sighing into the way Mira's lips claimed her own. Rumi rubbed steady circles on Mira's back as she watched them, peony hues dancing along her patterns with a steady pulse. As soon as they parted, Rumi gently pulled Mira back into another kiss and Mira melted completely, being passed between them. Zoey went in for yet another kiss and Rumi spoke reverent and content behind them.
"There we go." Her hands traced the relaxed shape of Mira's shoulders.
Mira giggled lightly, pulling back with a wet click. "Okay, okay, I get it. You both want me to relax. You're very persuasive."
"No, you're just smitten with us." Rumi hugged her waist.
"Simp," Zoey added.
"Jeez, okay." Mira cupped the backs of their heads, scratching lightly. "Let me rinse off and change and I'll meet you both in the living room."
Rumi and Zoey both popped up to kiss either side of her face at the same time, squishing her between them as they skipped off to Celine.
Mira shook her head with a grin, heart swelling with the amount of affection settling inside her. The taste of them both lingered on her lips as she closed herself into their bedroom and plopped against the door.
"I'll keep you both safe. I swear it."
She peeled the sweaty workout gear off her body, catching a glance of herself in the mirror as she passed it by.
It was odd, how different she looked.
Months ago, Mira wouldn't have imagined being so much more sculpted and bulked over her lithe frame. There was a fullness to her body now, the kind of weight and curves that only came with feeling happy and secure.
Rumi and Zoey gave her this gift.
The hot water washed away the dirt and grime pleasantly, leaving her to coat her skin in fragrant oils and lotions until Mira was fresh and scented for her girls. She rolled their suggestions for relaxing over and over in her head. What to pick?
She plucked her phone off the charger and opened up the map, scanning along the nearby streets to find shops and activities they could all enjoy together.
Her eyes caught on one in particular, a tiny square on the map, tucked away with the name "Kiln and Kin" highlighted beneath her thumb.
"That could work."
Rumi poured hot water over the cups beside Celine, glancing frequently towards her until Celine finally spoke up.
"You know I can't read your mind, dear," she muttered. "Whatever you're wanting to ask, you can."
She shuffled in place, throwing a look over her shoulder at Zoey, who busied herself digging through all the demon papers scattered around the coffee table. Rumi took a breath and whispered to Celine as quietly as she could.
"Are you worried about Mira?"
"It sounds like you are," Celine replied steadily, not giving anything away to Rumi despite her efforts to read between her words.
"Please, don't deflect this." Rumi stirred honey into her cup. "I am worried…did she say anything to you?"
Celine rinsed out dishes beside Rumi, deeply staring down into the drain with a thoughtful expression. Rumi tried to be patient, fingers drumming on the counter while she waited for Celine to answer her. Mira clearly felt comforted by Celine, so it was worth considering that maybe she would have confided something in her.
"She's afraid," Celine finally said. "Of losing you both…of Gwi-Ma being able to take you away."
Her lip quivered at the memory, of losing control so easily. Rumi hadn't even considered how much that affected Mira too, of how hurting Rumi to protect Zoey could be tearing her apart more than she let on.
"We're going to try and get her to relax today." Rumi sipped the warm green tea. "She's working way too hard."
"That will be good for her," she agreed.
"Rumi?" Zoey shouted for her attention.
"Yes, aegi?" Rumi spun to face her.
"You messaged Jinu, right?" Zoey held a cluster of hunter journals in her arms. "When is he coming?"
"Later this evening, around dinner." Rumi crossed the space to hand Zoey her own sweetened cup. "I figured we relax Mira in the meantime while we wait."
"Okay…probably for the best so she doesn't kill him," she giggled into the cup.
"My thoughts exactly."
Almost on cue, Mira padded out to them in a plain cotton T-shirt and sweatpants. Rumi reached out her hand, grabbing at air until Mira chuckled and slipped her own hand into Rumi's waiting one. Zoey stepped forward and planted a tea warmed kiss to her cheek.
"Hey baby, you decide on something to do?" Zoey rubbed her freckled nose against Mira.
"Yeah, actually." She produced her phone from the pocket, spinning it around to them. "There's one of those pottery painting places."
"Oh I've always wanted to do that!" Rumi bounced in place.
"That sounds really fun, Mir," Zoey giddily agreed.
"Celine, would you want to go too?" Mira glanced hopefully towards the older woman.
She turned around with what looked to Rumi like the face Celine makes before she politely declines something, but the second she sees Mira's version of puppy dog eyes, the shift was instant. Rumi couldn't help, but to smirk and caress Mira's pouty cheek in her hand.
"I suppose I have some free time to join you girls today," Celine said with a small smile of her own.
A broad grin overtook Mira's face and she gathered both her girlfriends into her arms, nearly spilling their tea from the force. She kissed them both on the tops of their heads and squeezed them flush to her body. Rumi nestled in beside Zoey, inhaling the fresh shower scent of lotions and shampoo on Mira.
"Thank you both, this is sweet of you," Mira whispered between them.
"Of course, jagi." Rumi rubbed along her back.
"We love you bunches," Zoey mumbled into Mira's chest.
Celine drove them down into town, parking just beside the small studio building filled to the brim with unglazed clay pottery. The walls were colorfully painted in murals and hanging photos of customers with their creations. Rumi propped open the door for everyone, earning a loving graze across her cheek from Mira's soft fingertips. She hummed and followed in after her. Zoey was the first to zigzag around the shelves at all the options.
"Mira, what do you want to glaze? There's mugs, plates, coas—oh there's little turtles!" Zoey squealed.
"Well I know what you're doing," Mira drawled with a chuckle, snatching the mug from Zoey's hands before she could drop it.
"Wait, hold up," Zoey said in a more serious tone. "They have tiger statues." And she walked off in a smooth glide.
Rumi giggled and slid up onto Mira's arm. They shared a glance and watched their girlfriend excitedly pour over various statues and cups. Rumi glanced back to see Celine admiring a clay tea set as an option.
"What do you think you're going to do?" Mira set the mug back on the shelf.
"Hmm, well a mug would certainly be the most useful with how much tea I drink," Rumi pondered aloud.
"What's the least useful then?" Mira snickered.
"Probably that." Rumi pointed with a grimace.
There was a gaudy rectangle with the words "Milf Magnet" emblazoned across it in sculpted block letters. Mira snorted beside her in a warm way she hasn't in days.
"Okay yeah, definitely more Zoey's speed, but let's make sure she doesn't see that or else I'll have to look at it every day." Mira spun the block around just enough that it was no longer facing Zoey.
"Don't pretend you wouldn't love anything Zoey painted. You're even softer on her than I am," Rumi teased.
"S-shut up," she hissed with a red blush.
"Your pretty blush only confirms it." Rumi clasped her hand behind herself coyly. "You are smitten with us both, but you go a little extra soft when Zoey earnestly wants something."
"What are you guys talking about?" Zoey called over, holding a round frog teapot.
"Nothing!" Mira blurted.
Zoey raised a brow which bloomed more pink across Mira's face and incited a laughing fit out of Rumi. Their smaller girlfriend bound over with a broadening smile, bouncing to a stop in front of Mira.
"Hey are you flustering Mira without me?" Zoey popped up on the ball of her foot.
Rumi shrugged, slipping her hand up the tall girl's back. "Maybe a little."
"Looks like a lottle," Zoey giggled.
"I hate you both." Mira stalked off grumpily, though the deepened flush to her face didn't convey the same sentiment.
Not even a full 5 seconds passed before Zoey chased after Mira, slamming into her back with a forceful hug. To nobodies surprise, the feigned anger was quickly snuffed into soft expressions and Mira's gentle cupping of Zoey's freckled cheeks as she spun around in her grasp. Rumi meandered towards Celine, leaning past her shoulder to see what she was holding.
A delicate, curved petal lily. In terms of sculptures, it was rather ornate and well made. Clearly the sculptor here is passionate. Rumi just wasn't entirely sure why it was picked.
"That's beautiful," Rumi whispered as she rested her head against Celine. "Are you picking that one?"
Something glinted in Celine's eyes, sparking with interest fueled by the kindling of nostalgia. Her thumb carefully ran along the smooth edges of the leaves.
"Lillies were your mother's favorite," she said forlornly. "They always remind me of her."
Rumi wrapped around Celine and rubbed her cheek against her shoulder. "I bet it would look really nice next to the picture of her you have."
"I think you might be right."
They stared quietly a moment, letting the melancholy settle between them like an old friend. Rumi rubbed Celine's back until they separated with slightly sadder smiles.
"Rumi, I need back up!" Zoey groaned loudly.
She expected to turn and see Zoey holding a couple options of pottery in her hands.
What Rumi actually saw was Zoey fully captured in a headlock by Mira, who continued browsing the shelves unbothered.
With a light hearted laugh, Rumi strolled over and bent down until her hands rested on her knees. "And what did we do to warrant capture this time?"
"Rude," Zoey grumbled.
"She kept biting me," Mira answered flatly. "So she's in time out."
"You're just trying to prove you're not a complete softie for her." Rumi's brow flicked up. "Besides I thought you liked that?"
"Not when the plan is to spend the next couple hours glazing pottery." Mira brushed her hair out of her face.
"I know what you could glaze instead, Mir." A wolfish grin spread across Zoey's face.
Mira didn't even reply, she simply jerked Zoey closer in the headlock and flicked her forehead once.
"Harder daddy," Zoey rasped out.
"This is why we don't let you out of the house," Mira directed down at Zoey sternly.
"You love me." She twisted in Mira's embrace.
Mira raised a brow and stared down at Zoey, only taking seconds to shake her head and melt around their smaller girlfriend with a peck to her head.
"Behave yourself," Mira chastised.
"Yes ma'am," Zoey purred as she nestled in closer.
"Zo, did you manage to pick anything or did you spend the whole time clinging to Mira?" Rumi teased, picking up a heart shaped jewelry box to look at.
"Oh yeah! Look at this bad boy!"
She wiggled out of Mira's arms and presented with outstretched hands a wide, round tray that looked like a cat flopped on his back. Rumi cocked her head at it, but Mira piped up first.
"Why do you want to paint a spoon holder?"
"For you, silly." Zoey held it out. "Since you cook for us all the time and we don't have one."
"Oh Zo, that's really sweet, but you should make something for yourself," Mira cooed.
"Wait a minute," Rumi thought aloud, "what if I make Zoey something and you make me something instead?"
"I love that!" Zoey bounced giddily.
They both glanced to Mira, who wore a smitten smile and nodded in agreement. Each of them split off and selected their pottery, getting advice from the lovely woman at the counter on glaze colors and application. The four of them piled into a long table with their supplies and got right to work.
"Wait Zoey, are you painting Derpy?" Rumi leaned over.
"Yep! He's basically ours at this point so," Zoey said, brushing another layer of blue.
"Very cute, baby girl." Mira smiled.
Zoey reached across the table and pushed Mira's glasses back up the bridge of her nose, inciting a lopsided grin to form on Rumi's face. She continued her own brush strokes across the round bowl, adding seaweed along the bottom rim.
A faintest flash of something outside found itself in Rumi's peripherals. Her eyes darted towards it right as the purple patterned figures slithered into the alley way after a person walking.
Demons…
But she didn't even feel the Honmoon tear.
She whipped her head back to the table.
"There's—"
Rumi's voice caught in her throat seeing how softened Mira looked.
"Ru? You good?" Zoey quirked a brow.
No…no she couldn't ruin this…
If Mira went demon hunting now, they'd never get her to relax back into this.
"T-there's a pretty good coffee shop up the street!" Rumi grit her teeth. "I was thinking of grabbing something."
"Oh sure, that sounds—" Mira started.
"Great! Zoey, want to come with?" She shoved herself up.
"Uh okay?" Zoey wiped off her hands.
"Cool, the usual orders for everyone?" Her arms stiffened at her sides. "Great! Be right back!"
Mira snatched her wrist as she rushed by. "Jagiya, are you okay?" Her face scrunched with worry, leaving a knot in Rumi's stomach. "You seem…frazzled."
"Just tired is all," Rumi strained. "Thank you for paying attention though."
She bent down, planting a full lipped kiss to Mira's cheek that left her skin pinker. Zoey giggled at the fluster and gave her a matching one. Rumi was only mildly mortified to have done that in front of Celine.
They made it outside and Rumi wasted no time grabbing Zoey's hand and breaking into a sprint once they were past the window.
"Wow you really want coffee," Zoey quipped.
Rumi skidded to a stop, frantically slapping Zoey's arm. "I don't want coffee," she hissed.
"What? Then why—"
"I saw demons, this way." She pointed.
"Why lie though?" Zoey pouted. "I…I don't like lying to Mira." She hugged around herself, shrinking away.
"I don't either, Zoey, but you saw how she's been recently." Rumi cupped her round cheeks. "She's finally relaxing a little and I don't want a handful of demons to ruin that."
"Are you okay to face them?"
"I think so."
"What if you lose control?" Zoey whimpered. "I'm not strong enough to overpower you by myself if Gwi-Ma takes over and you get the jump on me."
"I know what to expect now," she reassured. "If for some reason he still gets to me, do anything you have to and keep yourself safe."
"Rumi," she exhaled shakily.
"Let's take care of this fast. Together, okay?"
"And then coffee?"
"And then coffee," Rumi echoed. "Let's go."
They crept into the alley, summoning their weapons with a shimmering draw of threads. Rumi peeked around the corner, spotting the 3 demons hunched around limp people sinking through the Honmoon. Zoey and herself exchanged a nod and sprang into action.
"I've got the big one!" Rumi crashed downward with a brutal strike.
The demon whirled around, tusks bared in a snarl and claws swinging wildly. Rumi ducked beneath a swipe, stabbing up into the defined jaw of the demon. Zoey leapt past them, chucking her knives at rapid speeds into the smaller two demons. Magenta particles floated around them and Rumi stood straighter, wiping her forehead.
"Well, that's wasn't too—"
"Rumi! Look out!" Zoey pointed and threw a shin-kal whizzing past her head.
"Woah!" She ducked.
Another demon lurched over her, gnashing teeth snapping towards her throat. Rumi slashed with a back step, stumbling over a loose rock. The recovery held out, allowing her just enough time to right herself and take the surprise fourth demon out.
Zoey jogged up beside her and patted her back as she heaved in place.
"Thanks Zo."
"Why didn't we feel the Honmoon at all?"
"They must be residual ones from the last tear," Rumi rasped, swallowing to catch her breath.
"That's even scarier." Zoey tucked into her side. "What if we—"
They were launched forward by a powerful force. Rumi barely managed to curl around Zoey and protect her head as they crashed into a cluster of trash cans.
"Fuck, another one?" Zoey rubbed her shoulder.
Rumi pounded the ground with a fist, forcing herself upright with a frustrated growl. She summoned her sword again and sprinted at the large clubbed demon towering over them. It swung in a heavy arc that cracked the concrete beneath her. Zoey ran along the wall a moment, hurling blade after blade into the back of the hulking demon. Rumi hopped between cragged earth, trying to close the distance enough to strike.
"Rumi!" Zoey shrieked.
The shadow zoomed overhead, barreling down to the ground and Rumi barely avoided another strike with a poorly balanced teleport. She skipped along the broken concrete like a pond stone, scrapes burning into her flesh. Zoey jumped on top of the demon and buried her shin-kal into its back. It roared loud as lightning splits a tree.
"I'm coming! Hold on!" Rumi shouted.
"Trying to!" Zoey warbled, shaking side to side with each jerking movement the demon made to grab at her.
Rumi rushed full force, arcing a powerful swing. The demon thrashed like a cornered beast, the club and claws flinging wildly.
It started as a dull ache in her ribcage.
She blinked up at the sky.
"Wh—what?" she rasped wetly.
Jagged pain tore through her, crawling along each intercostal nerve ending.
Why were her ears ringing?
"Rumi!"
The call muffled as though Rumi had gone underwater, drowning out noise to a barely audible gurgle of her own name.
"Z-Zo," she whined.
No, no, she needed to get up. There was still a demon, a threat.
Rumi felt along the tender bones and pressed. A sickening pop jolted a yelp out of her. She rolled to her side and speared the sword into the cracked dirt. Zoey stabbed into the demons shoulders again and again.
"I'm coming," Rumi squeaked out past tears.
Every movement came with a cost, another stab and aura of lingering splinters of pain. Breathing became caustic. Her heart pounded in her ears. She tore her eyes away from the ground and forced her legs to hold her up. The grip on her sword became a life line. If she let go of it, Zoey could die.
A blade of iridescent pinks and blues thrust through the sternum of the demon, exploding particles outward in a spray.
Zoey leapt down, stumbling to her hands and feet on her scrambling run to Rumi. They crashed together, only to part abruptly when Rumi winced in agony.
"Oh Rumi," Zoey ushered urgently. "Baby, are you okay?"
"Y-yeah. What—"
The demon collapsed forward and dissipated, leaving an irate Mira standing there with weapon still drawn.
She'd never looked at them like that before.
Zoey tucked into Rumi's side, supporting her weight. Mira didn't move. Didn't speak. Usually she'd be doting over them, carrying them if they were injured and nearly crying at the sight of her girls hurt.
Instead, her mouth fixed itself as a grimace. Her eyes sharper than they ever should be when looking at them.
"Mira, I—" Rumi stepped forward, but lost her words on a ripple of pain.
She slowly walked towards them, letting her weapon unravel to threads back into the Honmoon. Each step carried weight, tension. Zoey whimpered beside Rumi, clinging to her tightly. Mira stopped in front of them, mahogany eyes brimming with a sheen of glossy dampness.
"Baby, we just—" Zoey choked out.
"Don't." Mira stood arms length from them.
"It was my fault," Rumi cut in. "I just wanted you to relax and—"
"Relax?" she spat. "You wanted me to relax when one of my partners says she's going for coffee and comes back with a broken fucking rib?" Mira let out a shaky inhale. "Not to mention that fact that you lied to me."
"Mira, we're sorry," Zoey sniffled.
"No, sorry is for accidentally breaking a glass or mixing up the laundry and dying my white dress shirt pink," she replied sharply. "Running off to do something dangerous and stupid that we are supposed to do together to avoid injuries like this, goes far beyond sorry."
They curled into each other, unable to retort or provide any valid reason that Mira could possibly find acceptable.
"You're right," Rumi muttered past her trembling lip.
"We shouldn't have done this without you," Zoey agreed. "Can we do anything to earn your forgiveness, cariño?"
"Come here." Mira's voice cracked, opening her arms to them.
Zoey and Rumi rushed into her embrace, crying against her chest with the comforting weight of her long arms around them both. Rumi nuzzled closer and rubbed into Mira's neck, smearing tears into her unblemished skin. Zoey hiccuped through her cries and clung tight to their protective girlfriend.
"Never do this again, you hear me?" she sobbed over them. "If I hadn't heard the crash…I…I could have lost you."
"I'm so sorry, Mira," Rumi whimpered. "I'm so, so, sorry."
"I love you both so fucking much," Mira replied wetly. "I need you like I need to breathe and when you leave me behind…god it fucking scares me."
"We won't do it again. Promise." Zoey squeezed tighter.
"Rumi?" Mira nudged her.
"I promise too." She nodded into her jaw.
Mira kissed them both long and full on the forehead, leaving the faint print of her lip gloss lingering like a memory of softer nights. It was so easy then, going through every day before demon hunts and voices in their heads. Rumi missed it more than anything.
They had to defeat Gwi-Ma, no matter what.
"Mira," Zoey tugged the hem of her shirt.
"Yeah, mon cœur?"
"Can you take care of Rumi? She's hurt." She pouted.
"Of course," Mira cooed, pulling back a touch. "Let me see, jagi."
Rumi lifted her shirt and flinched, even raising her arm sent a shockwave of pain through the spot. Mira took over holding the shirt instantly, running her fingers so tenderly over Rumi's ribs. She pressed ever so slightly, forcing a whine out of her.
"I think you have a few broken ribs and a pretty nasty bruise forming." Mira knelt down in front of her. "We'll ice it and let your demon half and the Honmoon patch the rest up."
She shifted side to side, sniffling through the pain. "Will you kiss it?"
Mira smiled her usual smitten way and kissed, soft as a dandelion seed landing, over the aching bruise. Zoey giggled beside them before joining in. They were being so gentle with her, that their breath began to tickle.
"Can we go finish our pottery and go home?" Rumi wiggled away, wincing.
"Are you okay to sit?" Zoey headbutt her affectionately as she stood.
"I think I'll be okay."
"And you're resting when we get home," Mira scolded.
"I know. I'm sorry I messed up your relax time before Jinu arrives." Rumi hugged around Mira again.
"Ugh. Don't remind me," she groaned.
Zoey took Rumi's hand, walking alongside them back to the pottery studio. "He hasn't betrayed us yet!"
"That we know of." Mira brushed Zoey's mussed hair back. "He could easily be setting a trap for us."
"I know, I know," Rumi sighed. "Thank you though, for trusting me enough to try."
"Come on, let's not think about worst case scenarios and focus on the real scary thing," Zoey shuddered.
"What's that?" Rumi turned her head.
"Telling Celine what happened."
Rumi stopped in place, eyes going wide.
"Maybe I should teleport home…"
"Not until you make her promise," Jinu shouted from behind a tree just outside the compound, glaring around the trunk.
"Seriously?" Rumi groaned, holding the ice pack firmly against her ribs.
"She threatened me naked last time!" He pointed in an accusatory manner. "Who knows what she'll do this time."
"Ugh fine." She sagged, spinning on a heel inside. "Big baby."
The living room was plastered in scattered sketches and scrawlings for more "demon king fighting plans" Zoey had been drafting up. She sprawled out on the couch, her head tucked cozily onto Mira's lap. She wore a content smile with slender fingers twirling through her dark hair. Rumi carefully maneuvered around the piles.
"Can I borrow you, jagi?" Rumi crossed the space and rested her fingers on Mira's shoulder.
"Zoey's comfy though." Her fingers were so deeply woven into dark curls, scratching the back of their girlfriend's head gently. "Tell him to quit being a wimp and come inside."
"He won't unless you promise not to attack him."
"Okay fine, I promise," Mira grunted.
"Even my rose tinted glasses could see that wasn't genuine," Zoey giggled from her lap.
"What if it's a set up?!" She threw her arms up in exasperation. "I'm supposed to just assume he's not a threat and welcome him inside?"
Rumi knelt beside Mira and rubbed her thigh in reassuring strokes. Their fiery girl immediately extinguished to a smolder, pouting only slightly. It took everything in her to focus and not just kiss the pout away.
"Baby, I do trust Jinu," Rumi offered steadily. "But the reason I have that luxury is because I know we're safe if anything does go wrong. We need his help and his insight." She inched up closer until she could peck Mira on the cheek warmly. "We're all strong and we have our extra caring lover girl to watch over us."
"Okay. I trust you." Mira took Rumi's cheek in her hand.
"Does this mean I have to get up?" Zoey added glumly.
"Unfortunately yes."
Zoey threw herself upright, raven hair flinging wildly with static. Mira smoothed it all out and pressed a kiss to the back of her ruffled head. With a patterned hand in hers, she followed Rumi outside where Jinu still practically cowered behind the large tree. A snort slipped out of Mira at the sight, more than mildly entertained by the idea that Jinu was this afraid of her.
Even more so by the fact that he thought a tree was enough to keep her from killing him if he tried to hurt either of her girls.
"Well?" he asked.
Rumi nudged her ribs once, gesturing for her to speak to him. Mira inhaled sharply through her nose and caught his gaze.
"I promise not to attack or hurt you…for no reason," Mira grumbled.
"Or throw your weapon near me."
"Or throw my weapon near you," she echoed sarcastically.
"And you can't be a dick."
"Fuck! Fine okay?! I'll be cordial." Her arms crossed tight over her chest. "Satisfied?"
Jinu shifted in place, clearly something else on the edge of his lips. Rumi glanced between them, watching Mira's foot start tapping and her tongue jut into her cheek.
"What?" Mira drawled.
"Rumi said you're a really good cook."
Her arms loosened to her sides. "Yeah…pretty good."
"…could you make jajangmyeon?" Jinu asked softly.
Mira drew back slightly, creases in her face smoothing out at the ask.
It was almost child like…the way he timidly asked for a meal.
"Sure. I can."
Rumi squeezed her arm with a bright grin as Jinu slipped out from his oaken barrier. The approach remained cautious, albeit far more relaxed then he had been a moment ago. Mira didn't meet his eyes and turned back inside.
Zoey appeared with a cold juice in hand, watching everyone filter in after Mira, who immediately shifted into the kitchen to occupy her mind. Jinu glanced around the room.
"Did a hurricane come through here?" He picked up a goofy sketch of himself with devil horns off the table.
"Hurricane Zoey, yes," Rumi chuckled.
"Y'all just don't understand the creative process."
"And…that process is to throw your paper everywhere?" He lifted a brow.
"Non-believers always question me." Zoey shook her head.
Rumi's gaze kept magnetizing to Mira in the kitchen, already throwing herself into dinner with tension clamped tight between her shoulder blades. She glanced to Zoey and Jinu, too immersed in papers and drawings to notice her slipping away.
Her hands glided up Mira's back slowly, coiling around her waist in a warm embrace that left her chin snug over the taller girl's shoulder.
"You okay?" Rumi whispered.
"Trying to be."
"Anything I can do?"
"Dice onions and zucchini for me?" Mira suggested lightly.
"Absolutely."
They settled next to a rhythm beside each other, combining ingredients together slowly until the space flooded with savory wafts of warm food.
"Are you feeling better?" Mira asked.
"Oh yeah, I feel fine now," Rumi said. "Thanks for taking care of me."
"Always. Anything to keep you safe."
Zoey bounced over, gathering dishes to set the table while they cooked. Rumi felt a shadow loom over her other side. She glanced up and met Jinu's gaze. He simply watched them, taking in each movement and step as if they'd quiz him on it later. Rumi moved the chopped veggies into a pan with a sizzle. The smell of pork and black bean intermingled with the spices well.
"Can I help?" Jinu asked stiffly.
Each one of them froze, searching him over thoughtfully a moment.
It surprised all of them further, when Mira was the first to speak.
"Here, finish the pork while I drain the noodles." She handed him a spatula.
He nodded and took it, stirring the cubed meat exactly how Mira had been. Rumi continued the veggies and elbowed him, wiggling her brows once his attention was caught.
"Shut up," he mouthed silently.
She chuckled to herself, indulging in the moment of normalcy. As normal as her life could be with her surrogate mother, two girlfriends, and demon friend all cooking together. The aroma of comforting food and warm tea wrapped around her.
Yet, she couldn't shake the feeling…
They were being watched.