Chapter Text
Rumi doesn’t know how she got here.
She has always felt pride in her own self control, even after all the problems and pain it has caused for her and the people she loves. She was able to keep her head up even when there was nothing there for her to fall back on. Blind trust in her false confidence.
One thing she didn’t think she’d ever have to try to control was her jealousy, but here she was, shining bright green.
Bobby introduced them to some new staff (he believes the old ones dropped off the face of the earth because of the whole award show debacle, but the girls knew better and they were probably burnt alive by Gwi-ma and friends), and overall they’ve been lovely. They are fast and reliable, which is all they need now that their big comeback after their last huge show (Epic battle) is only a month away.
There was this one staff member, though. She can’t be any older than Mira; around 23 or 24. She was just like the others in the fact that she was quick to help or fix any issues concerning their outfits, but she’s been extra talkative with Mira. Mira seems to speak back with interest rather than begrudgingly, like she would with the usual overly excited new staff who speak to her. Zoey seemed happy that Mira had found what could be a new friend since Mira doesn’t particularly like looking for or keeping them. Rumi, however, could only think of the worst possible scenario.
Ever since they all sat down and spoke about their true feelings about that night, when they learned the truth about Rumi, they’ve been so open with each other. This led to Zoey breaking down and telling the two older women that she loved them, and not in the usual way she’d say all the time, but love them with her whole soul. The two, thanking Zoey for once again breaking the ice, confessed that they’ve loved the others the same. Zoey from the start, Mira a few months later, and Rumi… a little over a year ago. They’ve been inseparable ever since, which their three-month break aided with. Rumi has never been happier, or more afraid.
Rumi can only see the new staff, Lily, as an outsider trying to make herself at home. The way she looks for Mira when they show up for fittings or brainstorming days, the way she so easily has Mira’s attention when she talks to her about choreography or fashion, the way they can sit and talk for what feels like hours. Rumi can’t explain the feeling, but she knows what it could be.
Jealousy
So here she is, sitting on the couch on the opposite side of her girlfriend, who is currently laughing at something Lily had just said. She tries to focus on her phone, but she can’t help but look up when she hears Mira so much as sigh.
Zoey, ever the mood reader, walks up to the couch her girlfriend has been sulking on. Zoey has seen how Rumi has acted whenever Mira would talk to Lily, and she can’t quite name the face she makes before she walks away to stare at the two from a corner across the room. She’s come to the conclusion that talking to Rumi might give her some answers, since they’ve all learnt that sitting around and waiting for someone to say something has never really done them any good.
“Hey, are you okay? They have Sushi by the door, and you haven’t touched it.” She says, trying to break the ice with food. Rumi’s eyes go from Mira to her phone once she hears Zoey’s voice.
“Yeah, just not hungry.” Zoey pauses for a moment. Rumi’s voice sounds tight with emotion, and her clipped answer doesn’t help Zoey’s assumptions.
“Is this about Lily?” She asks, not expecting Rumi to give her a straight answer. The girl’s eyes shot to Zoey, silently trying to see if Zoey might feel the same. All Zoey gives her is a soft look of worry. Rumi’s eyes soften at that, and she glances back to her other girlfriend, still listening to Lily as she holds up different colors of cloth. Zoey follows her gaze.
“I…Can I be honest about something?” Rumi asks in a quite voice, like what she has to say doesn’t want to be shared at all. Zoey turns to her again.
“Of course. Whatever it is, Rumi,” Zoey says with an even more worried look. Did Lily do something to her? Did she hear something she wasn’t supposed to about Lily? Did Lily do something to Mira, and Mira isn’t telling them, but Rumi somehow knows? Just like Rumi, her thoughts drift to something so bizarre, so random, so bad.
“I like that Mira is making friends, I love it even, but-” Rumi sighs and closes her eyes. Zoey thinks Rumi is about to tell her something like ‘Lily is a demon’ or ‘I saw her kick a puppy on the way here’ but she doesn’t expect Rumi to turn to her with a pained expression.
“...I don’t like the thought of another girl getting this close to Mira.” Zoey pauses. Almost like the Ad she was so invested in was about a product she would have never guessed in a million years. Rumi is intimidated by this… random staff member?
Zoey isn’t dumb. She’s quite observant when it comes to people. She knew Rumi would be the last of the three to get accustomed to their relationship, considering the fact that she’s been taught to hide how she really feels and who she really is her entire life. A part of Zoey had hoped that she and Mira would be helping her in every way they can to realize just how important and loved she is to them. With them. This new development of jealousy feels like a failure on their end.
Zoey comes back to Earth just as Rumi looks down in shame and panic.
“Forget it, I know it's stupid and I am probably overthinking every-” Zoey grabs her hand and starts pulling her into the hallway, away from the eyes of the staff and the scene of Lily and Mira discussing whatever it is that they are discussing. Rumi stumbles for a bit but finds her footing once they're out the door. Zoey closes the door behind them and faces Rumi.
“First of all, it’s not stupid, Rumi. Your feelings are never stupid, don't ever think that with me, with us.” Zoey starts. Rumi freezes.
“Second, do you have any idea how much Mira loves us? I mean, even before everything, she wasn’t really subtle with how she acted around us. Like whenever we were sick, or hurt, or happy, or sad. Like ever.” Zoey says with a smile she can’t contain. Zoey truly felt every piece of love Mira ever gave, which only made her fall harder since the beginning. Rumi looks down and starts to think of all the times Mira showed, in her own way, just how much the two mean to her. It makes her crack a tiny smile. Zoey continues.
“She would never even kinda give that kind of attention or love or care to anyone else. I’m sure of it. She loves us so much. She loves you so much, Rumi.” Zoey grabs Rumi’s hands gently, like she’s holding something precious, someone precious. Rumi finally looks Zoey in the eyes, her vision starting to cloud.
“She would never want you to doubt that. You are allowed to feel all that you’re feeling, but please don’t think that Mira would ever let that girl get between what we have, okay?” Zoey cups Rumi’s face in her right hand, rubbing her thumb onto her cheekbones. Rumi can’t help but nuzzle in close ot her palm. Zoey takes a quick look around before kissing Rumi’s lips. Soft, but full of love.
“She loves you so much. I love you so much. I appreciate you telling me how you feel, and I’ll always be here to listen and get you out of your own scary and mean thoughts whenever you need,” Zoey says with a chuckle. Rumi laughs with her.
“But, I think I’m not the person you should be telling this to, not this time.” Rumi’s eyes lowered again. Zoey lifts her head to get her eyes back on hers.
“It doesn’t have to be now, or today, but the only way to truly get those thoughts to clear out is to get that reassurance from her. Trust me, she’ll help get those thoughts the hell out of that head of yours.” Rumi can’t help but smile at Zoey’s words. As much as they helped her think of just how much she means to them both, the only way to feel comfortable with this new friend is to hear it from Mira. Rumi presses forward to kiss Zoey, a thank you.
“You’re right. She deserves to know if I’m feeling any sort of doubt anyway. Thank you, Zoey. This… You helped me so much. I love you.” Zoey beams at her girlfriend, launching herself into her arms. Rumi squeezes back with a grateful smile.
“Of course! I’m so ready to fight your mean thoughts with punches of love and reality!” Zoey shouts into her shoulder. As she pulls away, she gives her another kiss on the cheek.
Just as they part, Mira steps into the hallway, and a look of amusement fills Rumi’s vision.
“What did I miss? Some meeting where I get no hugs and kisses?” Mira says with a smile on her face. With the door closed behind Mira, Zoey feels brave enough to bounce up and kiss her on the cheek before giving her own hugs to her other girlfriend. Mira seems satisfied now that she’s back in the loop. She gives Rumi a soft look over Zoey’s shoulder. Rumi’s face comes back with slight panic. Mira notices immediately.
“I wasn’t serious, by the way. Do what you want without me, hehe…” Mira tries to get the look off Rumi’s face, thinking her monotone way of speaking may have convinced Rumi into thinking she was genuinely hurt. Rumi laughs awkwardly, but her face doesn’t change much. Mira’s brows furrow. Zoey steps in to save Rumi just in time.
“I think we should talk in a more private place? As much as I don’t care who knows you both are mine, one picture of us kissing could blow up three different countries. Let’s get back home!” Zoey grabs Mira by the arm and and starts walking to the front door. Zoey turns her head towards Rumi, mouthing ‘take your time’ before turning back to Mira and going on a tangent on how cute she’d look in the blue they’ve been thinking of making their new outfits. Rumi’s shoulders relax.
She’ll tell her. She needs to. She knows she is loved, but she needs to tell Mira how she feels regardless, to get any semblance of peace about this whole ‘Lily’ issue.
She won’t keep Mira in the dark anymore. Not ever again.