Exhibit deux:

They've been home for maybe fifteen minutes before Rumi is back on her bullshit.

It goes like this-

They independently get ready for their movie marathon.

Clothes: changed

Snacks: arranged

Movie: qued

And then the waiting begins. Mira's hair was already down and she was wearing comfortable joggers when they went out so all she has to do is shuck her bra and change her shirt and she's ready to go.

She sets their snacks up like a good fucking friend, cause that's what she is. A good friend.

Then she gets comfy on the couch. Now, some sources (Zoey) would tell you that Mira purposely takes up as much space as possible on the couch in an attempt to force the others to cuddle her. These are specious lies. She just likes to be comfortable and it's not like it's her fault that her legs are three kilometers long. Also, it's not like Zoey or Rumi ever ask her to move. Because she would. She's not a monster (unlike some people).

No, they just mold themselves around her and everyone is happy.

Now usually, Zoey will sprawl all over Mira in whatever formation suits her fancy that day, Mira will grumble when her stomach gets elbowed, and Rumi will sit on the opposite side of the couch with her feet and ankles tangled up with Mira so they can play footsie (NOT LIKE THAT).

But today Rumi flips the script. (Remember: Rumi, bullshit, back on it) The first thing she does differently is get changed and ready before Zoey. Mira is surprised to see her exit her room so soon, but she supposes it makes sense that Rumi is ready quicker now that she's not trying to cover every spare centimeter of skin.

In fact (and Mira DOES NOT stare), she's gone in the opposite direction with a loose off the shoulder crop top and a pair of silky lavender shorts that might as well not be there for how short they are.

So what if Mira drinks half of her tea in one gulp? It's not a big deal and it doesn't mean anything. Shes just thirsty. The regular normal kind of thirsty.

And so what if Mira can't help but think about how soft the skin of Rumi's inner thighs has to be? (she just knows they're soft as silk, knows it like she knows her own name) Thoughts aren't crimes.

"Hey," Rumi shakes Mira out of her thoughts with the simple greeting.

"Hey."

Rumi doesn't look nervous exactly but she's making her "I want to talk but don't how to start face."

Mira puts her out of her misery. "What's up?"

Rumi bites her lip.

The horny monster that lives in Mira's brain screams.

And even though Mira has been so nice, Rumi once again chooses the path of evil. She doesn't sit in her usual place at the other end of the couch but instead right beside Mira's hip, touching her...on purpose and of her own volition. She can feel the heat of Rumi's body through the layers of fabric. Mira forces her expression to stay neutral.

Rumi wrings her hands together. "Um...about earlier."

She doesn't say anything for a minute so Mira prompts her with a "go on."

"I just wanted to apologize if I did anything to make you uncomfortable." Rumi is watching her hands as she speaks, still twisting them in a way that looks painful.

Mira reaches out on instinct and takes Rumi's hands with hers. She leans down awkwardly to look Rumi in the eye since she hasn't looked up. "You didn't."

"You just seemed kind of tense."

Mira huffs out a derisive laugh. Tense was an understatement for sure. "I was just surprised. You're not usually so... physical. But you know me Rumi, if I were uncomfortable with it I would have stopped you."

Rumi nods and smiles that cute little shy smile she keeps just for Mira and Zoey. "Can I hug you?"

Mira rolls her eyes and opens her arms. "You don't have to ask to hug me."

And see, ok, this one is on Mira, because she thought Rumi would just lean down and give her a totally normal hug. But that's not what happens because Mira is actually in the demon realm burning endlessly. What actually happens is that Rumi LaYs DoWn ON ToP OF hER. She wraps her arms around Mira's body and once again puts in face right in the crook of Mira's neck. Mira is the human embodiment of that one emoji with its brain exploding. And she can't freak out because she just told Rumi she didn't mind.

Mira very carefully places her hands on Rumi's clothed upper back because if she touches bare skin in this moment she might actually combust.

Their legs are tangled and what Mira really wants is to take Rumi by the hips and pull her down on her thigh. But that would be weird. Mira isn't weird.

She's cool.

She's calm.

She's...being nuzzled.

Just like with her nails earlier, Rumi is running the bridge of her nose along Mira's jaw. Mira's hands tighten on her shoulder blades and Rumi hums.

Mira is going to go insane. Actually, you know what, she's already insane. She just decided. And if she's already crazy she might as well act on it. So she turns her head and nuzzles Rumi back before placing the lightest of kisses on her temple, nearly a brush of her lips, just in case that proves to be too much.

Rumi gasps, just a little, her warm breath ghosting over Mira's neck, but she doesn't move away. Neither of them do, they just lay like that for awhile, tangled together.

Until Mira feels that prickle on the back of her neck like she's being watched. She looks up and sees Zoey standing in the hallway grinning like a maniac.

Zoey waggles her eyebrows. Mira glares and bares her teeth. Zoey's mischievous grin does not dim.

"Hey! No fair! That's my spot," she says as she scampers over as if she hadn't been watching them like a freak.

Rumi starts at the sudden noise but doesn't pull away. She turns her head to face Zoey and sticks her tongue out. "You took too long."

"Oh that's it missy!"

Mira barely has time to think "Not again" before Zoey is dog piling them. Mira wheezes, "why?" But Zoey isn't paying attention, she's wrestling a shrieking Rumi off of her and tickling her mercilessly. Mira sits up and rubs at her bruised ribs as she watches Rumi escape Zoey's hold and retaliate with a headlock and a noogie.

Tom Hayward

And James Moriarty