Only Sleeping

That one time in the cafeteria when the pizza was sold out and you changed her salad with your own slice of the Italian food. Just to be caught by her friend Mira thinking you wanted to steal her green nutritious dish.

Or when in class she didn't have a pencil to write down and you lent her one. Just for someone else to take the credit due to the distance between both of you.

The last significant shot was to ask her just where the library was - you knew it from memory, but you were running out of ideas - tapping her shoulder just to see it was her other best friend Zoey with her hoodie. You went all the way with a happy Zoey bringing you to the library and suggesting some books about Turtles.

But today was the day. The next Winter Dance was going to be soon. You had already bought a Corsage Flower for her, a beautiful purple rose still blooming. You practiced, like a lot, in front of the mirror, blushing. Nothing could go wrong.

You left a letter on her locker. Telling her to meet you behind the school after class. You stood there, the time passing slowly. The day was hot, or you felt it like it. Sweaty hands, feet moving from side to side. Until you heard her voice.

"Listen, I appreciate the interest but I don't want a relationship right now, I am trying to focus on my career as a singer... So, no, thank y..."

She was coming, closed eyes like repeating a monologue, gasping. Until she saw you, standing frozen. Her words not being able to get out.

Your heart broke, you didn’t have the chance to ask anything. Your hands went down with the corsage flower. You knew it, there was never a chance. Like, she's the queen! Of course she had a lot of people trying to invite her out.

"Owh, sorry then… Thank you"

Your eyes went down, almost leaving.

"N-no… Wait! I thought you were just another person, not that you were you, like…"

She started to get nervous, her hands moving like crazy. Worried.

"If I had known that was you, I would have prepared myself better and not said all these things so automatically…"

You smiled, your heart repairing itself, she was so lovely getting all flustered.

"Yeah…?"

"Yeah… I was going to invite you to the dance. Just, I couldn't have had the occasion to talk to you first!"

Her cheeks painted red, hands sweaty.

"I'm trying since last month to talk to you!"

"I know, so do I! But the girls kinda got in the way and then I had so many things going on, that it was almost impossible to get close to you. My cat and my crow had this thing where they started hiding things and… I saw you trying to help and being all cute and kinda clumsy… I couldn't help but find it…"

She denied it and smiled to you. She knew your existence after all! Not in the way you wanted, but you needed it. Maybe she investigated you too.

"But yes… I wanna go to the dance with you, Y/N"

She admitted, walking to you. Her scent filling your nostrils. Intoxicating, so soft.

You laughed a little in disbelief, posing the gift in your hand to her.

"You didn't let me ask first"

"I think that your heart said all. Could your hear it?"

She said without doubting, placing a hand on your chest.

Your heart bumping of joy.

"Always"

I try to finish it the last Friday, but kinda get busy. Here it is! I love the cliches. What can I say?

After so many years of being a demon hunter, she knows when and how to react to being awakened out of nothing. She was calm, but still worried. It was you, after all!

She sits too and puts a hand on your back, caressing in circles. You come out of the trance and see her.

"A nightmare, dear...?"

Mira whispers to you. You just nod.

She keeps caressing your back, giving you the space you needed.

After a while, you relax a little and let the emotions fade out. Mira pulls you to her chest, laying down again, protecting you with her arms.

"It's all okay, you're safe..."

You nod again. Mira starts to hum a song, very soft but still audible. It was like a lullaby. You finally let it all go and speak again.

"You are never afraid of anything, huh? My girlfriend is so tough and calm..."

Mira can't help but chuckle. She knows you're saying it kinda joking.

"I feel fear too, you know? Someone gets me worried every now and then..."

She pokes your face carefully.

You smile too, fading a little.

"How do you do it...? How can you be so cool about it...?"

Mira smiles warmly at you, her hand moving to your cheek, wiping away a last tear rolling down.

"It's not about not feeling the void, or being sad or scared..."

"Then?"

"It's about being brave, even with those feelings. It's like the moon and the sun. Neither can be out forever. Everything will change. And I hope for a better day."

You think about it, internalizing it. You nod for the third time and lay your head on her chest. Her heartbeat singing a song too. Your favorite one.

"Never leave, please..."

"Never, my love..."

And both sleep close to each other. Even in a wicked world. The only one that matters is the one you're holding on to.

I had always hate the nightmares. The feeling that everything it's wrong. The loneliness. The loud heartbeats. Even when it's not real, the feeling it is. It's not about forgetting. It's about learning. And taking care of ourselfs and what we love the most.

She had a cup of tea and a blanket in her lap.

"Zoey, sweetie, I thought you would be ready to go out and get a little of the weather on us."

You said, leaving your work things in the nearest chair.

She turned back to you, smiling slightly, not so excited. She patted the space next to her. You sat and she began to talk.

She shared her blanket, covering you too. You got closer, her knees touching yours.

"Today I feel nostalgic. I remember things."

"Good things?"

"Things from when I was in Burbank."

That said it all. Not good things, not entirely. Your view, her eyes sparkling with the reflection of the city lights.

"Do you want to talk about it, dear...?"

She nodded. Her tea was getting cold in her hands. She sipped a little.

"You know, before being this awesome and cool girlfriend you have, I was kinda..."

"Yeah?"

"…Bullied."

The way she said it. It was a long, long pain from the past. Memories that were part of what she was.

Your heart sank. You moved your hand instinctively to hers, the one that was free.

She let them meet and be covered by yours. You didn’t say anything, not yet. You nodded to her to continue.

"I was different, from Korea in California? That was a thing. But expressing my hobbies and passions? Kids can be really, really cruel sometimes, when someone is slightly unique."

You held her hand more tightly.

"So, there I was, little Zoey, with her magazines of K-pop idols and brackets. Dreaming of being on huge stages, selling out stadiums just to share my truth. My lyrics, my dreams, my day-to-day life."

Her smile grew. Her emotion expressed with those words. You smiled at her too.

"They saw an easy target. They treated me badly. Making fun of me, giving me nicknames and letting me spend time locked in lockers. I was so..."

And the feeling faded, her smile turned into a sad one.

"But the rain... it was my friend. It helped me when I needed to stop thinking. I could just lose myself and let it wash my tears away. To continue smiling. They would never know that I was sad. I didn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me in that state.

That’s when I promised myself to never let that dream die. So every time I see the rain, I get happy. Because I let myself be free and reach what once seemed so far away."

You couldn’t hold it anymore. You took her cup of tea and put it aside, hugging her from the side and resting your head on her shoulder. She giggled and caressed your hair.

"You’re so strong, Zoey... So many times, on your own. I wish so much to give the little you a hug."

She closed her eyes and nodded.

"You are. She’s going to be okay. I am where I deserve to be. With my family, with Mira, with Rumi and with you... In the end, it was all worth it."

"Thank you for fighting so much and getting this far. I love you, Zoey..."

You whispered to her, your hand moving to her cheek. Your eyes meeting. She melted instantly, leaning her weight into your warmth.

She started to slowly cry, not because of sadness, but because of happiness. Of what she had accomplished. Of what she had become.

"I am home, my turtle..."

"Yes... yes, you are, my little koala..."

You leaned in and kissed her carefully. She tasted like salty tea.

Both of you got close to each other, warming up with the blanket and continuing to share the night

view. The rain coming down. A reminder of more than just memories. A reminder of life.

And here I write another one, kinda short, but it breaks my heart too. ;-;

Don't be a bully, please. This world need more kind people. Where are all together in this.

You two run inside, entering an old antique store. Rumi's fans are after her. You take some old clothes and disguise her, making her look like a mannequin. A lot of girls pass by. One even enters the store.

"Did you see Rumi, the super pop star, Huntrix Lead?"

"Yeah, she went that way, run!"

You point to a street far from both of you, in the opposite direction.

"Thanks! I’ll get a photo and autograph, and we’ll be friends!"

She runs towards that street. Rumi can’t help but finally breathe again and laugh.

"And thank you too. That was close..."

[Verse 2]

When enemies are at your door

I'll carry you away from war

If you need help, if you need help

You are carrying Rumi on your arms, running, demons nearby. She’s hurt but stable. Really tired.

"I can still fight them!"

She’s a tough one. You shake your head and don’t stop running through the streets. Almost home.

"I know, but I care about you enough to make you stop. There were too many demons. We need to get close to the girls."

Your hope dangling by a string

I'll share in your suffering

To make you well, to make you well

You’re almost there. But a demon gets in the way. You cover Rumi with your arms, running and trying to evade it. A claw gets close to you, leaving you with a deep cut. You don’t stop until you meet the girls and let them deal with your pursuers.

You lay Rumi on the ground, slowly and gently. She gets really worried, seeing the wound and getting close to give you first aid.

"Why didn’t you leave me? Are you okay!?"

You smile, even with the pain, at her.

"Because you’re mine and I am yours. In the good and the bad."

Before fainting from exhaustion, the girls take you to her apartment. Rumi takes care of you until you heal.

[Pre-Chorus]

Give me reasons to believe

That you would do the same for me

When you are sleeping, Rumi caresses your cheek, with sweetness and a deeply protective instinct.

"Thank you for staying in my chaotic life..."

She whispers.

[Chorus]

And I will do it for you, for you

Baby, I'm not moving on

I'll love you long after you're gone

You both go for ice cream on a sunny day, with cool disguises and smiling from ear to ear. She puts a little ice cream on your nose and kisses you. You do the same.

For you, for you

You will never sleep alone

I'll love you long after you're gone

And long after you're gone, gone, gone

Cuddling, your favorite part of the day. Staying in the same bed. A sacred place. Home. You caress her head and give her small kisses on the forehead.

[Verse 3]

When you fall like a statue

I'm gon' be there to catch you

Put you on your feet, you on your feet

The marks are growing. Only you know it. Another session with the girls where Rumi can’t sing. She gets angry and leaves, standing in the nearest closed room. She enters a maintenance closet, screaming with all of her lungs. You go after her, reaching the empty hallway until you hear her. Small little sounds.

And if your well is empty

Not a thing will prevent me

Tell me what you need, what do you need?

You enter, slowly. You see her. No need for words. Not now. You get close and hug her. She lets herself cry over your chest, trying to muffle the sound of her broken voice. She hates it. You stay there until she calms down.

"Everything will be okay..."

You whisper. She start to doubt it.

[Pre-Chorus]

I surrender honestly

You've always done the same for me

Rumi gives you a chocolate bar.

"I know how much you like this. So, I’ve bought you some."

5 boxes of the same chocolate bar are behind her. She’s smiling innocently.

"But you need to eat vegetables first, and only one bar for meal!"

[Chorus]

So I will do it for you, for you

Baby, I'm not moving on

I'll love you long after you're gone

The cinema projector starts to cast light onto the screen. The romance movie is getting to the climax. Rumi and you eat popcorn until your hands meet. You giggle a little, making some people behind you shush. You try not to laugh more and intertwine your fingers, blushing.

For you, for you

You will never sleep alone

I'll love you long after you're gone

And long after you're gone, gone, gone

The girls are putting a lot of makeup on you.

"I have to say, that color looks really good on you."

Mira approves and keeps brushing powder over your eyelids.

"And you have long eyelashes, tell me your secret!"

Zoey looks at you, so intrigued.

Rumi can’t help but see you with tenderness. She loves her family, and seeing your chemistry with them, that you get along so well, makes her really happy.

[Bridge]

You’re my backbone

You’re my cornerstone

You’re my crutch when my legs stop moving

She runs to you. You run to her. Day, night, afternoon. You always have time for each other.

You’re my head start

You’re my rugged heart

You’re the pulse that I’ve always needed

And if you can’t see each other, you have long phone calls, messages, and small notes for each other. Nothing could make her feel more cared for.

Like a drum, baby, don’t stop beating

Like a drum, baby, don’t stop beating

Like a drum, baby, don’t stop beating

Like a drum my heart never stops beating

But something changes. The Saja Boys appear. He appears. Slowly getting into Rumi’s head. She starts making excuses, forgetting dates, running from night to night, leaving you behind.

[Chorus]

For you, for you

Baby, I'm not moving on

I'll love you long after you're gone

You follow her one time, and that’s when you notice she was going to someone else.

For you, for you

You will never sleep alone

I'll love you long after you're gone

Someone who was like her. A demon. A person. A regretful living thing.

For you, for you

Baby, I'm not moving on

I'll love you long after you're gone

And they hug. And they sing. And they smile. And they get close, and they...

For you, for you

You will never sleep alone

I'll love you long

Long after you’re gone

You run until your legs can’t take it anymore. You scream in a dark alleyway and cry. Until you lungs burn.

[Outro]

Like a drum, baby, don’t stop beating

And she gets tricked.

Like a drum, baby, don’t stop beating

And her marks get exposed.

Like a drum, baby, don’t stop beating

Her family feels betrayed and leave her alone.

Like a drum my heart never stops beating for you

But, in the pain, she doesn’t run to you. She runs to him.

And long after you’re gone, gone, gone

The people come and go. But without her, you wouldn’t make it.

"Do I have to lose you too?"

You think, you say, you scream, you live.

I’ll love you long after you’re gone, gone, gone

The Walkman clicks. The tape ends. You two sit on the velvet ground, her head on your shoulder.

"I love you..."

You smile; it was the first time she said it.

"I love you..."

You say it back.

Gooooooooooods, this was so heart breaking. Picturing like a movie, was a really devastating idea in my head. I hope it's worth it.

The girls stayed there a couple of minutes, processing and hoping for you to return. Maybe the issue would fix itself. But it doesn't.

"I miss them so much already"

Said Zoey, pouting to the closed door.

"We know, so do I, but they will return. They always do"

Said Mira, caressing the back of Zoey.

"Maybe, should we get busy with something else?"

Said Rumi, trying not to miss you so much. Focusing on another activity. One less romantic.

"Bed?"

"And movies"

"And snacks"

They all went to the room. Zoey getting the popcorn, Mira the drinks, and Rumi the extra comfy blankets and pillows. That's when she saw it.

Like an item glowing in the dark, the extreme legendary loot left by a powerful enemy. Under the light, an oversized hoodie of yours.

Rumi leaned in and smelled the hoodie. Letting her nose trails get full of you. She was enjoying it. Maybe too much. That's when one of the girls arrived.

She couldn't believe it. She took it with care. Clean, but still with your essence. You leave some of your clothes from time to time and forget about them. Rumi took it and rubbed herself against it. She wasn't the needy girl looking for her partner for missing them. But she couldn't deny it — she was.

"Rumi! How hard is it to find blankets and pillows? We're full of them after that last fort we did a month ago. What are you doing?"

Mira peeked, Rumi tried to hide the hoodie.

"N-nothing... Just taking off some spider webs from these things, you know..."

Rumi was kinda nervous, her moment crashed. That's when the hoodie slipped from behind her back.

Mira saw the hoodie and opened her eyes.

"That's... Y/N's hoodie."

Mira confirmed, not a doubt in her voice, quickly taking it from the floor.

"Is it? I could swear that was one of mine, hehehe..."

Rumi blushed and tried to play it cool, faking innocence.

Mira sharpened her gaze to Rumi and smelled the heavenly piece of clothing in her hands. Instantly, she got relaxed, her facial features softening. Embracing the fabric like it would break.

"H-hey! I saw it first!"

Rumi protested, pouting and crossing her arms to her chest.

"And now you lost it. You shouldn't have let it get on the dirt and cold ground. This is precious."

Mira replied, trying to get the hoodie so close to her chest.

And the winner came in.

"Hey girls, what u doing?"

Said Zoey, appearing from nowhere, looking at both and fixing her eyes on the cloth.

[...]

After a while, Zoey was inside the hoodie. So big for her, but so soft and cute.

Mira and Rumi couldn't go against her. She was the smallest one, but also the most fiery when she proposed it.

"It's like if Y/N was here. I feel their warmth and closeness"

Zoey was hugging herself, imagining it was you.

Rumi and Mira weren't so happy.

"I told you she would win over us. But nooooooooooooo, you thought that a laser could win against a rock"

Mira looked at Rumi, kinda exaggerating over losing the treasure item.

"She pulled out a decent argument, I couldn't debate it! And you also lost. Obviously, the cat gets distracted with the laser too"

Rumi replied, gasping and exasperated. Pointing to Mira.

"It was a different kind of laser!"

Mira denied with her hand.

"Girls...?"

Zoey spoke from her comfortable hoodie.

"That's not the point! You lost the only thing in this place that smells like them!"

Rumi started to lose it, not paying attention to Zoey.

"Well, you lost it too. Double or nothing. You didn’t have double!"

Mira was getting grumpy, also ignoring Zoey.

"Girls, actually..."

Zoey said louder.

"I was optimistic!"

"Too optimistic for your own good"

"Girls!"

Zoey screamed.

"What!?"

They both looked at Zoey.

"You know this isn't the only Y/N's clothing here, right? Them always leave some just in case"

Zoey raised an eyebrow and looked at them.

They both went quiet. Too quiet. Not saying anything, they went looking in other places for more clothes.

"I found a sweater!"

"And I found a T-shirt!"

"Look, socks!"

In the end, they all got covered in all your forgotten clothes. All three in the bed, watching a cheesy action drama movie. So close, so full of snacks, so yours.

They all fell asleep at some moment. Hugging and cuddling so close. Arms and legs intertwined.

When you arrived and saw them asleep, you couldn't help falling in love with the view. They were looking so adorable! You took a mental picture and covered them with the blankets.

They can be rude, independent, and so cool. But also lovely and silly.

Finally a Polytrix Story! I was looking for it so bad and I had the time recently to write.

I love the fluffy corny cliches and this one seems so fitting with our girls.

"Nothing rhymes with orange, Zoey."

You say, eating part of the orange.

"Everything rhymes, even orange—especially orange."

Zoey had been like this for about an hour now, drawing doodles and tapping in the notebook to the beat of the song.

"Then why had we stayed like this forever?"

You see her—her hair in small space rolls, her delicate gestures. She looks adorable, but probably would kill you... if you were a demon, of course.

"Because you don't help! You’ve been stealing my snacks since you arrived."

She hits you playfully with her marker.

"Sowwy, I need food to think."

"And you aren't."

"Well, have you tried with... sausage?"

Zoey looks at you a little worried.

"Why would I rhyme sausage with orange in the first place?"

"Idk, you wanted words—not that they would be good. You could think something like, 'Like sausages to boil, the oranges are fun.'"

You say awkwardly.

She looks at you for a good 12 seconds before starting to write it down, trying not to laugh.

"For the record, this will be only for tracking and history. But it’s really bad."

"Oh yeah? Then you think of something better. What about... strange?"

Zoey takes some chocolate and tastes it. Some of it still on her lips.

"Strange things you're saying, orange is what you tasted."

You raise an eyebrow.

"Not bad, not bad... But you could do better. What about... courage?"

You get close to her, wiping her remaining chocolate with your finger.

She gasps and laughs, looking you in the eyes.

"Give me the courage, give me the orange, I will make it turn into a collage. Look at me, I am not guilty. I want to make you feel like you are dreaming."

"Keep going..."

You say, getting closer, your elbows touching each other.

Zoey starts to look at your face—your eyes, your eyebrows, that rebel hair and your soft lips.

"Babe, I don't want to leave this feeling in storage. Like oranges in the freezer. Please, don't leave me..."

Zoey starts whispering, looking at you. Her pupils dilated. Getting closer.

"Zoey..."

You don't step back, you want this too.

"Yeah...?"

She says, closing her eyes. Your breath so close, her essence so intense.

"I won't get estranged, because you're the orange I adore."

You lean toward her—a perfect kiss, so pure and blissful. Soft and with a taste of orange and chocolate. Time seems to freeze. The only thing that matters is this moment. The music softly matching the scene. Susnset getting down.

After a while, you break the kiss—the air was needed. Both with blushed cheeks. Kinda shy, but close.

Your fingers intertwining.

"We look like strawberries..."

Zoey says, trying not to look you in the eyes, writing down the rhymes.

"I love you berry much..."

You say.

"I love you berry too..."

She says.

"Another fruit to think what rhymes with."

"Tomorrow. Now... shall we?"

"Yes please."

And this way, the session of rhymes turns into a kissy one. Never doubt the power of the oranges.

A kinda small one, but really cute. It's hard to think in things to rhyme with oranges!

Finally, all 3 girls have their respective first stories. I hope to write soon something else.

“Hahaha… Yeah, I’m good at being clumsy. Glad to help the community.”

You say, faking a laugh and being sarcastic.

“And sassy too. I like that…”

She looks back and waves to someone. Some officers arrive and take the criminals away. The old lady approaches.

“Wait a second, please.”

Mira walks up to the granny and returns her purse. They talk for a moment. She seems so badass, but at the same time… really kind. Sharp eyes, soft heart. You stare at her a little, stealing glances two or three times when she’s not looking.

But oh—the lady, THE LADY—definitely notices. She gets close to Mira and gives her something in her hand. The granny says goodbye and leaves happily, purse intact. Mira returns.

"So…  어르신 (eolshin) give me this tickets to use them in the Arcade around the corner. In gratitute for rescuing her purse. Wanna join me? I mean, maybe I would stop the robbers alone, but your style was better. And you helped me."

Her eyes sparkle—she really wants to go to the arcade. Teasing you is just a side quest, with no malice at all.

“Yeah, sure, whatever…”

You try to tease and joke too. She jiggle a little and give you a small friendly push in the shoulder.

“Let’s go, Rockstar.”

She leads the way to the arcade she mentioned—just around the corner. It’s not new; the kind of place you’d visit in the summer when the air is warm and all you want is to relax.

As you enter, a flood of lights and sounds greets you. Machines and games everywhere.

“Where do we begin?”

You ask, looking around, some kids running with a lot of tickets, touching and moving through the floor, like a tail.

Mira stops in front of a claw machine in the middle of the arcade. Shiny, glowing with RGB lights. Packed with plushies. A true challenge.

“That one. Now.”

She’s not asking. She’s decided. She walks straight to it and scans the prizes. You follow her—lots of soft, round, cute animals inside.

“Here I go.”

You insert a coin. The game begins. Mira reacts to the music.

“Grab that bunny!”

Her eyes lock on a pink bunny with button eyes and long ears. You move the claw toward it and try to grab it. It slips at the last second.

“Close, but not enough.”

You try again. And again. And again. Each time you miss by just a little. You spend all your quarters—except for one. A lot of kids come closer to see the battle against the machines. Her faces against the crystal clear.

“Just one more… I need to make it count.”

Mira gasps, expectant—but more than anything, she’s watching you. Your determination, the furrow in your brow, your hopeful smile. It means more that she would admit.

And when you finally grab the Bunny. The world around explode in emotion and victory. The kids happy around you, high fives and joy. You get close to Mira and give her the Bunny.

“I think this is yours.”

A wide smile on your face, proud of beating the claw. Mira can’t help but find it adorable.

“Why’d you get so obsessed with winning it? Not complaining, btw.”

She was looking to the Bunny, a little of doubt about take it. She is not used to open affectionate gifts from other person along Zoey or Rumi, sometimes even Bobby. Most of them were bribes from her family. To compensate the false promises, the fightings and the traumas since her childhood. No one has meaning. Except for this one.

“Because you wanted it. You couldn’t stop staring at it. And maybe I got a little competitive with that machine. Human rules!”

You say, chuckling, but smiling warmly.

“But seriously—I did it because of your kindness. You looked so serious on the outside, but your eyes lit up for that bunny. You helped that old lady without even thinking twice. You deserve what you give. And this… is my gift.”

Blushing, cheeks burning. It’s cheesy—but it’s the truth.

“You’re a goofball… but a cute one. Thanks for it.”

Mira whispers, just loud enough for you to hear. Her cheeks as pink as yours. Her words reveal the true softness behind her tough exterior. She takes the bunny with gentle hands and kisses your cheek.

The kids around you all groan—“Gross!” “Ewww!” Mira gives them the stare and they all get scare and run.

Your cheek tingles. Warmth spreads through you. It was all worth it. You try not to get too dreamy and smile.

“So… shall we go pick our prizes with the tickets the old lady gave us?”

You say.

“Yeah, and let’s rock this arcade. I bet I can get more tickets than you in almost every game.”

Mira replies confidently, the pink slowly fading.

“That sounds like a challenge…”

“Always.”

A song starts playing in the background, with lyrics meaning the start of something more than friendship.

And so, for the rest of the day, Mira found more than a purse—

She found someone who reminded her of the most important thing in the world:

Never be afraid of being yourself.

어르신 (eolshin) means elderly person, but it's used in a respectful and polite way.

Also the song talks about a breakup, but I think it can also mean something else, like a promise from the beginning of a relationship.

"If you're gonna break my heart, smashed into pieces, 'Cause I'm not gonna need it, As much as I do right now"

I choose to love you, giving in all, with all the things that implicate, that can be broke, that can be fix, that can be anything else but always learn love someone o something else. Ourselfs or not. A second chance to feel it. And the melody it's corny enough to give vibes of a love moment.

You forgot something in their apartment one afternoon, and returned with the spare key they gave you. Only Rumi was there, Mira and Zoey had gone out for a Spa Session. Thinking she was alone, she took off her jacket to relax in the home’s comfort, but, without warning, you walked in and saw them. Those glowing, darker, full-body marks.

She freaked out at the moment. Tried to hide them with a sofa pillow and a nearby curtain. But it was too late. You came closer, out of curiosity.

- "When did you get those?"

She tried to play it cool.

- "W-what…? The curtains? Ikea…"

You narrowed your eyes.

- "The marks, did you get tattooed and not tell us?"

Her fear started building up, she didn’t want to say anything. She wanted to make an excuse. Something credible like Celine told her in her childhood. But she was also tired of lying. And the light turned on. You weren't a demon hunter. You didn't know anything about the secret and dangerous world beneath your feet. Maybe, just maybe, you would understand.

There was no room for mistakes. So she told the truth: that the demons were real, that they were hunted down. And that she was living proof of it. Half demon, half human.

Of course, the thought of a joke crossed your mind. But her eyes, her voice, her determination spoke for her. It was all real. So you started to dig down until you knew all her past and her present dilemma.

Rumi gasped, finally someone other than Celine recognized her existence. Finally, someone else didn't run away from her.

And she got to the point.

- "Don't say anything to Mira and Zoey"

She told you in a whisper.

- "T-they… don't know?"

Rumi shook her head.

- "I am what we promised to eliminate, to get rid of. I’ve lied for so many years that now… I can't say anything about it. Feels like I am betraying them, and I'm scared… That they’ll choose duty over friendship… I would understand… But at the same time, I feel…"

And the tears began to flow. You couldn't just watch. You got close and hugged her. Your heart breaking. How could she bear all this pain, all this solitude since birth? She was just a girl. Not a demon, not an error. Not a mistake, not a… thing.

- "You're not alone."

You said with a warm whisper, loud enough for her to hear.

- "You will not be alone anymore, not with me here."

You caressed her back, pulling Rumi close to your chest. She didn't pull away. She needed it.

- "Your secret is safe… And I'll be here whenever you need me. To remind you that you are just a girl. More than a demon hunter or a demon itself. Just Rumi. And that's what matters."

She stayed this way for some time before talking again.

- "Promise?"

Looking up at you.

- "Promise."

You smiled and kissed her forehead. She smiled in response, shyly but happy. The girls returned later, just to find you both sleeping on the couch. Questions not allowed, said Rumi, winking at you.

And since then, you stayed true to your word. You arrive at the place. Say "Hi" to Mira and Zoey and knock on Rumi's door.

- "I am here.. ."

And don't wait for an answer. Don't need it though. She was already running to your embrace.

She will always look for you to remember, that after all her hate and intrusive thoughts, she was loved.