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MIRA
Mira is always with Zoey.
They spend a lot of time together, not just in their lives as idols or as demon hunters. They are friends, Zoey is probably the best friend Mira has ever had in her entire life. Which probably isn't much because she was never much of a friend of bored kids of her parents' friends, but the point is that Zoey is one of the most special people Mira has.
They do movie nights, go to the bathhouse, Zoey teaches her lyrics, she cooks for her friend, and sometimes they sleep together. It's like a silent ritual, there's no doubt in their friendship, they're just there for each other. They seek contact, the gaze, the approval of the other without thinking about it, it just happens.
And everything intensified after the Idol Awards. That catastrophic night that still swirls in their minds; they have talked about its dozens of times, hugging each other on the sofa, with Rumi in her room, in the kitchen, in the middle of a training session, after the demon hunt. It's one wound between the three, and although it has stopped bleeding, there is a long way to go for it to heal completely.
Or so she thinks in the long sleepless nights. The nights are comforting, a moment just for her. It's an old habit; one she's carried with her since adolescence. Her body has become accustomed to surviving with 6 hours of sleep, even when Zoey and Rumi scold her for it.
The clock on his nightstand reads 2 a.m., she's about to turn everything off and finally fall asleep when she hears someone knocking on her door. You don't need to be a seer to know who is on the other side of the wood. There is only one person in the world who would knock on your door at this time.
With bare feet she crosses the room and opens the door. On the other side, Zoey clings to her turtle stuffed animal, as she gives her one of those smiles that don't reach her eyes, and Mira can imagine the reason why she's here.
"Bad night?" Mira asks.
"Just one more of the pile," Zoey replies without asking permission to enter.
Zoey curls up on the right side of the bed with the turtle in her arms and Mira just follows her. This has happened so many times over the years that it has become unspoken. Zoey is going to go straight to her bed every night she has a nightmare, you don't need to ask permission, it's just something that's written on their bones.
Mira lies in front of her and can see the traces of tears in Zoey's eyes. Without hesitation she brings one of her hands to the girl's face and removes any evidence that she ever cried, and receives a soft smile before her.
Zoey is so pretty that it hurts Mira. It almost became physical. Her breath gets stuck in her throat, her lips curl into an involuntary smile that she can't hide even if she wanted to—although she definitely doesn't want to.
"Are you asleep?" Zoey asks, approaching the warmth of Mira's hand that is still on her cheek.
"I was about to," she replied, pulling back a strand of hair and tucking it behind Zoey's ear.
"Mira," Zoey complained. You have to sleep earlier.
"Someday," she replies indifferently, it's a battle she's not going to win with Zoey so close to her. She was about to retrieve her hand and put it under the covers, but instead the girl in front of her took her hand and intertwined her fingers. That was different.
"Can I tell you about my dream?" Zoey asked.
"Always, Zo.
"In my dream I lost you. That day—" "They didn't need to say which day. They both knew— You just never came back, you never made it to the stage, and it left me thinking something.
"But that didn't happen. I'm here for you to bother me every day for the rest of our lives. Or others, I'd say," she replied, trying to comfort Zoey.
"Just... Maybe I won't tell you enough how much I love you and how special you are to me..." Tears began to form in the corners of Zoey's eyes.
"I know, Zoey, you don't need to tell me. I know. Now I know.
Mira moved even closer to Zoey, their bodies separated by the turtle stuffed animal. Still, even in the dark I could see Zoey's freckles, the sparkle in her brown eyes full of something that Mira can't describe, but in which she could gladly be lost forever. She could see her rosy cheeks and feel the warmth of her friend's body under the covers, and if Mira lowered her gaze just a little, she could see Zoey's soft, pink lips.
"But I want to tell you, I don't think you're able to understand the way I love you," Zoey whispered.
"I do everything I can to do it.
Zoey nods as she bites her lip, as if there's something she has to say, but she wants to hold it back. Mira takes the stuffed animal and takes it out of the way. Now there is no barrier between them, their bodies a couple of inches apart. Mira closed her eyes and joined her forehead with Zoey's.
"I love you, Zo. I don't know what I'd do without you," Zoey exhaled, as if it were something she needed to hear. “And I know I'm not the most demonstrative person when it comes to feelings. But always, and listen to me, I'll always love you, even when I don't know how to say it." Mira moved the hand they still held together to her chest right in her heart.
Zoey parted slightly from her after a few seconds. Her eyes were crystal clear and painted with something that Mira doesn't decipher what it is, but god, she would give anything to see her again. Zoey approached the short distance between them.
Zoey’s unoccupied hand passed lightly over her forehead, made a gentle path down her cheek, marking her jaw, until her thumb gave a light touch to her bottom lip.
"Please tell me to stop," Zoey whispered. Mira could pretend that she didn't know what she meant, but she wasn't going to lie, she knew exactly what was going through Zoey's mind, and only the Honmoon knew how much she wanted it.
"I can't," he replied in a sigh.
"Mira" Zoey began, but her words got stuck in her throat as Mira broke the distance between them. It was barely a touch of lips, but it still flooded them with a warmth that none of them had felt before.
When Mira was about to separate and fire hundreds of apologies, Zoey shortened the distance between them again in a real kiss, but not a desperate one like those American movies they watched together, no, this one was soft, warm, it tasted like home, like something it had to be.
Wrapped in blankets that still smelled of soap, between the citrus scent of Zoey's hygiene products, the darkness of the room, and the starry sky streaming in through the window, they could do nothing but memorize how each other's closeness felt.
And for the rest of the time, they spent awake, that desire that Mira had buried under dozens of mantras about friendship was free. And Mira kissed Zoey not once, she did it so many times that she lost count, she kissed Zoey, and although after dawn the spell seemed broken, she would not change it for anything. Knowing what Zoey's lips tasted like was worth it, a million times over.
RUMI
Rumi loves spending time with Mira.
Mira has that ability to read people, and she does it very well. She always knows what to do and what to say depending on the person. Rumi has seen millions of times Mira and Zoey curled up on the couch watching turtle videos and Mira knows how to make her maknae happy; She asks questions, teases or makes jokes, and keeps Zoey talking.
But when they are together, silence is their third companion.
Since the Idol Awards there is a new tradition between them. A time just for the two of them, although they always invite Zoey. Both take a walk before dark, they just go around the city, always taking a different route.
Some days they talk about anything, but Mira never pressures, she responds just enough to carry the conversation, but she never feels forced; other times, they just walk in silence with just the right words to know that they are together.
The air collided with her cheek, today they made a right turn that took them to a half-empty park. Mira walks to her left with her hands inside her coat pockets, her gaze staring down the path through the black-rimmed glasses and cap with a pair of gold earrings hanging from the brim.
They are silent, the comfortable ones that only Mira knows how to handle and that make her feel that she does not need to say anything or give explanations; Just keep going. They pass through a corridor in the middle of the park, surely after crossing it they will turn around and return, just in time for the regulation movie night, today it is Zoey's turn to choose.
They were walking in silence when, because of a tree root that came out, she ended up tripping. She closed her eyes tightly waiting for the blow, but the impact never came; Mira had taken her by the arm, pulling her and avoiding the blow. The two saw each other for a couple of seconds before letting out a small laugh.
"I can't believe you're the same Rumi who kills demons and does sold-out concerts," Mira sneered when she made sure she was okay.
"Ha, ha. laugh all you want, that's the truth," Rumi replied resuming the path and seconds later she heard Mira's footsteps behind her.
"I like this Rumi more, by the way," he said in a casual remark. Mira wasn't looking for an answer, but she still made her see her.
They walked a couple of meters more, Mira's hands were no longer in the bags, in fact her fingers brushed against each other from time to time, it was just a touch. And a thought crossed her head: "How does it feel to hold Mira's hand?" The thought made her shake her head as if it would make her flee from her head.
"Can we sit down for a moment?" asked the girl next to her, pointing with her head to a bench in the middle of the quiet park.
"Of course," she replied.
They both sat down, the sky above them was a deep blue, the stars were flashing brightly, and the moon was brighter than ever. Mira was carefree looking at the horizon, the city was shining perhaps more brightly, the lights of the buildings were noticeable, almost like the universe on earth.
"Isn't it cute?" She asked Mira. The girl next to her stared back at her a couple of seconds before answering.
"It certainly is," but it didn't feel like they were talking about the same thing.
"Mira" she whispered.
"Mhm..." Mira didn't say anything, but maybe if she had said something she would have chickened out.
"Thank you... For everything really, but especially for these moments.”
"You have nothing to thank me for, Rumi. I like to do it. I love Zoey, but I like these moments. Just you and me.”
One of Mira's pink locks moved out of place due to the breeze that passed in the place and without hesitation she removed it for a second by passing it behind her ear, Mira immediately blushed. And god only knows how much Rumi loves to see this part of her. Mira, without that stoic look she has for fans and the camera, a Mira that can wear glasses because she doesn't feel the need to be perfect and what she's supposed to be, a soft, protective Mira. Something that people out there, only Zoey or her, can see. He feels selfish because of the thought, but he allows herself to have it.
She cradles Mira's cheek feeling the warmth of the girl's skin, and with her thumb she caresses her slowly and feels how Mira melts on the touch with her eyes closed and her breathing slow. It seems that the world has stopped just for the two of them.
Mira lets out a sigh, and it's the only signal she needs. Rumi breaks with the distance, even if it wasn't much. And then the cold ceases to exist, not with Mira's lips on hers, not with the warmth of Mira's hands on her, one on her neck and the other on her waist.
When they separate, Mira sees her, she really does it, she does it carefully and with her thumb she follows the shape of her patterns, from her forehead to her jaw, Mira's touch is delicate, but it feels as if Mira venerates them and at that moment she questions how it is that she hid them for so long if Mira sees them as if they were the most beautiful thing she has ever seen.
Delicately she looks at the chin and brings it closer. Her lips kiss her temple, down to her cheekbone where she kisses again, then on her cheek and Rumi realizes that Mira is kissing her marks, soft, tentative and yet they leave her skin burning wherever her lips touch her. And like a cherry on the cake, even when there are no marks in that place, Mira kisses her lips. Just touch, but it makes Rumi close her eyes and fall into Mira's feeling.
When they returned home, they did so with their hands joined. They never took that turn to the right again, they never talked about it, not that day, not ever. It was almost like a secret, not the kind you hide because you fear the consequences of being discovered, it was a secret because the moment was so precious that it didn't deserve to be contaminated. And only the stars in the sky, the lights of Seoul below them and that empty park bench were the witnesses.
ZOEY
Zoey admires Rumi.
Zoey always sees the best in everyone, or so she's always told. And maybe it's true, but she seriously admires Rumi. Since he met her, she feels that sensation in her chest. And when they became close, that only increased. Because I didn't just know Rumi from the media, I really knew Rumi.
And when all the walls fell at the Idol Awards she admire her even more, of course after crying all three of them in a ball of limbs and tears on the couch.
Now Rumi is more open, closer, more Rumi than Zoey could think. They share more time together and if Zoey could already mention more than 50 things about Rumi, the list has become even bigger. From that day on, Zoey began to write a notebook for her girls. One for Rumi and the other for Mira, both full of data, details, and anecdotes about the girls.
And although she loves Mira, because of course she does, but her favorite is Rumi's.
And just that day Zoey was more eager to get home and write one more thing: Rumi's patterns reflect the light from the spotlight.
It had been an introduction to their most energetic and dedicated fans, not a big deal, just a small preview of what they could expect in their comeback. Even so, it was spectacular, the Honmoon screamed with happiness, she could feel it on her skin.
"That was amazing," she jumped up and down as she returned backstage, ready to remove the smudged makeup and sweat from her face.
"I know, did you feel the Honmoon?" Rumi followed, dropping her jacket to the side.
"It was great, but I'm exhausted, after three months I forgot how tired I am," Mira said, leaning against the doorframe. I’ll talk to Bobby and the backup dancers about some details I want to change in one of the choreographies. It didn't take long.
"How do we tell you that you are the one who rested the least?" She murmured to Rumi once the last strand of pink hair disappeared down the hallway and Rumi laughed.
"I think she missed dancing," Rumi said, sitting in front of the mirror and dipping a cotton pad with makeup remover and pressing lightly on her eyelid for a couple of seconds.
"I don't, and she's so demanding," she replied with a theatrical groan and sitting down on the dressing table instead of the chair to swing her legs.
"Aren't you going to remove your makeup?" Rumi asked, bringing the makeup remover and cotton closer to her.
"I'm lazy, I'll do it at home," she replied, taking a pad just to play.
"You should, you'll feel better," Rumi finished removing the glitter and eyeliner from both eyes.
"I know it would make me feel better," she said, instead of following her leader's advice.
"What?" Rumi asked, who was now delicately removing the foundation on her skin.
"Undo my hairstyle.”
"It's nice.”
"I never said it wasn't, but the stylist was very tight, and I feel my skin stretching.”
"And then you should remove your makeup," she suggested again.
"Why don't you say the same thing to Mira?" She replied in a mock tone of tantrum as she removed the ornaments and barrettes from her hair.
"Because if anyone has a 40-step skincare routine, it's her," Zoey nods in agreement. She could write an entire song while Mira completes her skincare routine.
"It got stuck," she announces when one of the hair ties, she combs her hair with got tangled in her hair, and pulling it only makes it worse.
"Let me help you," Rumi got up from his chair to settle between Zoey's legs and being careful not to hurt Zoey began to pull back the strands of hair until his bluish-black hair fell. And without asking Rumi started with the other side of her head.
Zoey could feel the delicacy with which Rumi was messing her up, slowly and carefully removing each accessory until her hair fell freely down her shoulders to the middle of her back. Rumi slowly ran her fingers through her hair and tenderly adjusted her fringe.
"Ready," Rumi announced, pulling her hair to her back. “You should wear it loose more often," he suggested, stirring a strand of hair over her finger.
"But they're my personal brand," she replied, referring to her hairstyle.
"I'm sure the fans would love to," Rumi said, continuing the conversation, but without breaking the closeness.
Zoey watched as Rumi wet another cotton pad with makeup remover and lightly and gently ran it over her skin, one of her hands on her chin to slightly move the angle depending on which area she was cleaning. Rumi still had a slight smell of lavender, some strands of her braid were loose and framed her face.
She felt dizzy for a second, the closeness, the aroma, the heat, even the adrenaline of the show running through her veins. All falling before her in a torrent, but still Rumi between her legs passing the make-up remover as if it were a routine, as if it were normal.
And maybe it is for her friend. But in reality, she is turning the world upside down, being aware that it would only be enough for her to get closer, just a little, to have Rumi's lips brushing against hers.
Rumi switched pads and gently ran over her chin, barely touching her lips with leftovers of her pink lip gloss, now faded and cracked. Even so, Rumi ran her thumb over her lower lip and Zoey had to hold back the heavy sigh that threatened to come out, but Rumi's hand didn't move.
She was afraid to look up into Rumi's eyes. She started with the matching necklace Rumi had with Mira, then she saw the new set of nails she is wearing, followed the path to her arms full of shiny and iridescent patterns, which unintentionally led her to her slightly open lips and ended up in her eyes.
Rumi's gaze was on her, but not on all of her, rather focused on her lips and without thinking, almost reflexively, she opened them. Rumi put both hands on the dresser at the sides of her hips, ending up even closer, and she put her arms on her friend's shoulders intertwining them behind her neck.
They spent a couple of seconds looking at each other in silence, their sighs colliding, sharing the same air and the same space. All until the tension was enough and both sought each other's lips with desperation and longing. The first was slow, tentative, almost imperceptible, even a little clumsy.
But that was only the beginning when Rumi put her hands on her waist and the distance between their bodies was non-existent, the doubt of the first ceased to exist and there was a new need to feel the warmth and softness of the other's lips.
Zoey was immersed in the moment, she didn't care about anything, absolutely nothing, it didn't matter who came in or saw them, because that moment was worth it.
And that night, when she was alone in her room, with the feeling of Rumi's lips still on hers, she had two more things to add to her notebook.
Rumi kisses extremely well, I think she could kiss me forever and I'd be happy with it.