#iloverumi

Something crazed lights up in Rumi's face. "How did you—"

"I learn about myths and legends in my free time. But..." you pause, glancing over her patterns again, "I've never heard of a human-demon before. Unless, you aren't human...?"

Rumi breaths. The kind of breathing that made you believe she's relieving through something. "I— I am."

— 🪻

It's become a habit for you and her to meet up every now and then. She'd ask you what you know about the demons, the Honmoon, Gwi-Ma, and she'd tell you her experience about being a hunter. (You asked for anything fan-related things too, of course. Picture, autograph — it's awesome!)

How curious that demons truly do exist.

You didn't expect her to want to meet you so often. First of all, she's a famous idol. You're a casual fan of Huntrix, but you already know how hard they work for their art. Second, she's a hunter! The legendary three-part harmony protectors of the Honmoon!

A sigh escapes you. You can't imagine bearing all that responsibility — let alone being a demon herself.

Rumi likes to text you a lot, always planning the next hangout. You'd think that she would have to keep changing schedules, but on the contrary, it seems like it's you who always has conflicting schedules.

— 🎶

"The Saja Boys are demons," she says one day, suddenly, her face falling heavy. "Avoid them, okay? The girls and I will fix it as soon as we can."

You stare at her in awe, your eyes narrowing in curiosity. "Demon boy band? Of course..."

She places her hand on your shoulder. You give her a smile, gently brushing your hand against her patterns.

"Don't worry, Rumi," you nod. "I'll help too, in my own way. Thanks for telling me."

"Thank you," Rumi parrots, meeting your eyes. "But you don't have to do anything. Let me handle all of it. Just stay safe."

— ❤️‍🔥

"Don't leave. Don't leave!"

Just like that.

Rumi's patterns were revealed to the whole world. Her own friends raised their weapons against her. Jinu yelled at her, brushed her off, denying everything she believed in him. Celine, to this day, this disaster—

She will never be accepted, will she? Everyone turned against her—confused on who she is, disgusted on what she is, afraid of her.

"Rumi!"

You call, tears blurring your vision as you firmly grip her shoulders. "Please. Your patterns don't make you who you are. I—"

Rumi watches as you let go of your hold on her, turning instead to clutch your aching head. She watches you tremble, watches you cry as the voices take over your mind.

She watches.

"Rumi," you gasp, trying so hard to ignore his voice. "Rumi. Help. Stop, stop it, stop it, stop it! Rumi!"

Rumi watches with quiet satisfaction. You need her. You're not pushing her away—you call her name—despite everything, you tried to comfort her—

A few moments of silence from her, a few moments of sobbing from you. Eventually, she kneels beside you, leveling with your glassy eyes, and offers a weak smile.

"Thank you," she mutters, gently pulling your forehead to her lips. "I'll make it right. I will."

With those final words, Rumi watches as you finally give in to Gwi-Ma's voice and stand to follow him.

She watches as you walk to the stadium.

She trails behind, everything and anything raging through her mind.

— 🔥

"That whole thing felt like a nightmare," you mutter, holding one side of your head.

You look up, seeing Rumi stare at you with a smile. Ever since that doomsday of an event, she's being acting different, somehow. Extra clingy, extra paranoid, extra... happy?

At least she's happy now.

She hasn't been wearing long sleeves, free enough to be wandering with her scars.

You unconsciously place a hand on her cheek, feeling the texture of her skin. She melts instantly into your touch, leaning to chase it closer.

"I'm proud of you," you smile. "Thank you for protecting us."

Rumi blinks her tears away. It's not everyday someone thanks them for doing their duty.

"I'm never abandoning you," she smiles back. "As long as you don't... abandon, me."

She throws her sword once. She jumps, stumbles on her own feet, and slashes twice.

"You hunters," you say, clicking your tongue as you dodge her attacks, "all the same."

Rumi's face shifts with anger. "Shut up, demon. You—You're not supposed to be here!"

You leap, making sure the distance is far enough for you to mock her with a smile. "What does that make you? Hey, I wasn't even doing anything."

With a shout, she launches the tip of her sword at you. You easily avoid it with a tilt of your head. That was rather weak.

"A demon hunter," you hum. "Doesn't Gwi-Ma speak to you?"

"Why should I tell you anything?" she hisses, running toward you with a summon of her sword again.

"Because I'll tell you this," you say, blocking her sword with your own hands. "If all demons are to be killed, then why do you still stand?"

Rumi grunts, breathing heavily, pushing her sword as much as she can.

You scoff as your arms start to tremble. "Because you're a hunter? Please. You have his marks. You're one of us, Rumi."

She gives a final push before leaping backward, positioning herself into a defensive stance. Her eyes tell you that you're right — but, no, no no no, she's different!

"Don't look so disappointed," you cross your arms, glancing at the full moon. "Being a demon isn't so bad. I'm a demon. My best friend's a demon. You know what we usually do? Play Ddakji."

"Shut up," she snaps. She's shaking in anger, but she doesn't move.

"Yeah, you're right," you sigh. "I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm terrible at Ddakji."

Rumi's fingers tighten around her weapon.

You smile. "What? Think other demons have no feelings?"

She takes a step and swings her sword — but you disappear before it touches you.

— 🌪️

You're here again.

Rumi watched the Honmoon flounder for a moment. She knows it opened a tear here. A sigh escapes her as she slides on her jacket.

"Don't hide them," you mutter behind her. She whips around and calls her sword, her eyes narrowing. "They should be free more. Besides, they look sick."

"Why won't you just die?" Rumi mumbles, her voice cracking. She's not looking at you anymore — she didn't see the way your face scrunched.

You let out a long sigh. It draws her attention enough to glance at you. "Die? Is that the first thing you think of when seeing a demon?"

She suddenly runs, slashing her sword. You jump in time to avoid it.

"How could I not?" she snaps, cutting the air again. "Demons steal innocent people's souls!" Again. "The amount of missing posters—" Again. "Your people has done nothing but—!!!"

"Survive," you say. "That's all they're trying to do. I get what you're saying, Rumi, I really do."

Rumi pants, widened eyes scrutinizing your every move.

"I don't know why it's come to this either," you continue. "Maybe that's why I don't do anything for Gwi-Ma." Her breathing pauses. "But, seriously, at least drop the 'demons are evil' mentality."

You make eye contact. "It's hurting you, too."

— 🖤

Nowadays, it seems like Rumi is waiting for you to show up.

She finds herself thinking about you a lot more often. Your words echo in her mind. It shouldn't feel so comforting — messages that came from a demon. A demon who... knows about her predicament... a demon who has such a different perspective.

The Honmoon trembles above her. She buries down the shudder of excitement.

"I hope you won't raise your sword anymore," you snicker, your voice ringing in her ears. She turns and spots you sitting on a building just right beside hers. "You should be used to my visits by now."

"Why?"

You pause. "Why what?"

"Why do you," she stops for a moment, glancing away in what feels like shame. "Why do you keep returning?"

You contemplate for a moment, opening your mouth but —

"Why don't you work with Gwi-Ma? Or are you lying? ...Why would you?"

You stare at her blankly.

"Why did I have to end up being a demon?" she croaks.

Rumi jolts and freezes when you suddenly appear in front of her, your face plastered with deep sadness.

"Maybe because your mother saw something in demons, that the previous hunters couldn't," you answer quietly.

Then you were gone.

Rumi falls to her knees.

Shit.

— 💔

"You have a wonderful voice. Anyone ever tell you that?"

You asked that as soon as Rumi started singing to test her broken voice. Her patterns are reaching dangerously close to her most important function — singing.

So, of course, she gets defensive. "Are you mocking me?"

"No, no," you exclaim, shaking your head as you raise your hands. "I meant that. I guess it just sucks that the demon part of you is breaking the one thing that has you going."

With a choke, you cover your mouth and meet her eyes. "Sorry! I didn't mean it like that."

She balls her fist and lets out a loud, frustrated groan. You stare at her, cringing.

"Uh... any idea why that's happening?"

Rumi glares at you.

"Just curious," you shrug, standing over the edge with the wind dancing with your garment.

She doesn't respond, her eyes carefully watching you.

You smile. Taking in the details of her eyes, the carving of her patterns, and the way she looks so inwardly desperate.

"You're beautiful as yourself, Rumi."

— 🍃

[bonus]

The next time Rumi meets you, you say something strange.

"They have a new plan," you mutter, swinging your legs over the edge of the balcony. "Demon boy band and stuff." You start chuckling, turning to Rumi, "the whole thing's so funny, actually, but it sparked hope in the underwor—"

Rumi has her brows furrowed in confusion, mouth agape.

"Look. You'll see what I mean, okay?"

She fidgets with her hands. "What— Can't you stop them?"

"Why would I?"

Rumi snaps her head to you. You curiously cock your head.

She chokes. "What kind of question is that?"

"A serious one. For real though, I can't do anything to help you," you shrug, skimming the view. "I'm pretty neutral. Thought you knew that already—"

Aaaand she's gone. She's back inside her humble abode, most likely thinking about the next step.

Oh, well.

Jinu's definitely going to pull his hair out when he finds out Rumi is a demon.

--- 🌙

In the time of the reckoning, she comes to find you.

For comfort, mostly. You happily give her what she needs.

She just had to make sure you're on the other side.

— that's all i got, thanks for reading :)

i wanted to put more plot points like;

"where do u think demons come from?"

"jinu was a human once. he sold his soul."

"demons are humans?"