K-Pop Demon Hunters: Iridescence (Gender Neutral Reader)
Chapter 1: Good as Golden
All around you, chanting could be heard.
"Huntrix! Huntrix! Huntrix!"
Somewhere nearby some young girls squealed.
People were hooting and hollering, but you. You were somewhere else right now, reflecting on just how everything came to this point.
Celine's words rang through your head.
"The world will know you as pop stars, but you will be much more than that."
Your memory flashed back to the first time you ever manifested your weapon.
"Demons have always haunted this world, stealing our souls and channeling strength back to their king, Gwi-Ma."
Your imagination flashing from that cherished moment to a more unsettling memory.
The memory of the first time you witnessed demons tearing open the Honmoon and crawling through.
"Until heroes arose to defend us."
Remembering the old scrolls you read during your training and studies.
The depictions of the first Hunters taking the fight to the demons.
"Born with voices that could drive back the darkness."
"Singing songs of courage and hope."
The memories of all the days and nights you ran your voice raw with vocal practice.
"But Hunters are more than warriors."
"Our music ignites the soul and brings people together."
Trying to wrap your head around how singing made you fight better the first time it was explained to you.
"With this connection, the first Hunters created a shield to protect our world, the Honmoon."
Studying the history of this magical force, and where we were meant to bring it, to its finality.
"Every generation, a new trio of Hunters is chosen to fulfill our ultimate duty."
Memories, the photos in Celine's home of all the previous Trio's... at least once cameras were invented.
"A barrier so strong it is impenetrable, that will keep demons and Gwi-Ma from our world forever, the Golden Honmoon."
Finally these memories drew me back, back to the day when Celine chose this generation of Hunters, where she gave this speech currently rattling around in my head.
"And now, that duty falls to you."
Within a sacred valley, I was leaning on a wall of stacked rocks along a dirt path. As Celine stood under a massive tree with ribbons tied to branches all over, and the girls standing in front of her.
They had been the three chosen by Celine, it stung a little to be overlooked, but I had been prepared for this to happen.
"That victory is within reach."
The three girls where wearing very light and pale tones, greys, whites, cream, the outfits where light, and plain.
But that didn't matter, this wasn't an extravagant initiation.
Potentially the most important responsibility in the world.
"It is your voices, your song, that will create the Golden Honmoon."
The sky was currently a lovely pink as the sun was in the midst of setting, not a cloud in the sky.
Zoey, Mira, and Rumi looked at each other, steeling themselves, and clasping hands, interlacing fingers.
"Yes, Celine." They agreed in unison.
Celine smiled at this, finally dismissing them.
Untwining her hands from Mira and Zoey, Rumi spun on her heels and launched herself at me.
I, who was not paying attention to potential threats, got taken to the ground in an instant.
"Did you see?! I'm a Hunter now!" She basically yelled into my face, forehead pressed against forehead.
Granted, it was an excited yell, no aggression or anger to be seen.
"Yeah Rumi, kinda why I was here." I laughed, she was brimming with this child like excitement.
I could hear Mira and Zoey making their way over to us, not that I could see them with how up in my face Rumi was.
"I'm proud of you, just promise me you'll stay safe on your adventures." I mostly teased, but there was a slight somber edge to my voice, one that I just couldn't hide.
Before Rumi could respond she was yanked off me by her collar, like a momma cat carrying their kitten by the scruff of their neck.
Mira, bringing Rumi back up to her feet seemed inquisitive. "Your?" Turning over to Rumi she asked. "Did you not already tell them?"
As Zoey helped me to my feet, in a lot more normal, giving me a hand sort of way. I asked. "Tell me what?"
Zoey giggled maniacally beside me.
"... should I feel like I'm in danger?" I inquired.
"No!" Rumi stated emphatically. Stepping back towards me she took both my hands in hers. "You know how I said I wouldn't let you be left behind?"
"Back on my eighteenth? Of course." I assured.
Out of the corner of my eye I could see Celine tense up at this comment. She was a stickler for tradition so this was probably not much appreciated.
"Well the girls and I were talking..." Rumi started, bringing my attention back to her. "And we want you to be our choreographer for Huntrix!" Rumi cheered this, throwing both my and her hands in the air to celebrate.
I smiled, but was a little confused. "But why, Mira is the Choreo Queen. Why would you need my help?"
That got a snort from Mira. "You sell yourself to short, even I know that."
Walking up to me and placing her hand on my shoulder she continued. "I think we all agree I'm good."
Both Rumi and Zoey nodded vigorously at this. Not allowing any potential of their friend to doubt herself. "But you using a rope dart all these years. The elegance and complete control it takes, the insane movements. It's turned you into someone with an insane control of their body. In a way we just don't have experience with."
"Yeah." Zoey chimed in. "It's not that we couldn't do it ourselves, but you come up with moves the same way I come up with lyrics. Sure we could do this without you, but it would be so much better to do it with you!" Zoey stated, wrapping her arm around my shoulder. Her opposite arm outstretching to the sky. "Just imagine it!"
The girls admiration and kindness drew a grand smile to your face.
"I'd love to." You accepted.
With that we all started making the trek back home,
As we all started heading back to our accommodations outside of the valley, Mira and Zoey made sure I hung back just a handful of paces out of earshot from Celine and Rumi, who were talking as they walked.
"I'm so glad you accepted our offer." Zoey said in a hushed tone.
"Me to." Mira agreed. "And hopefully this way, we can finally find a way to change how Rumi views youβ"
Snapping you out of your thoughts from where you were, near the stage.
The girls landed sound resounding off the stage that took the impact of their impromptu skydiving it seemed.
And the demons that seemed to come with them.
"How it's done, done, done!"
Looks like they already had to start the song to fight the demons.
Each of the girls bring their weapons down atop the demons in an overhead strike, the resounding sound of their weapons striking the stage as the sheered through them... well two of them, as Zoey's target was able to leap back just in time, landing off the stage and into the front row of the crowd, about ten meters from me. Right into the arms of some fans.
"I don't talk, I bite! Full of venom!"
As Mira took the spotlight with her verse, Zoey spotted the demon in the crowd and threw a handful of daggers turning it into a cloud of confetti.
Fully banishing the demon threat from the concert.
"Spittin' facts! You know that's..."
"How it's done, done, done!"
"But when shootin' my words, I go Rambo!"
"Took blood sweat and tears to look natural!"
"That's how it's done, done, done!"
"Hear our voice unwavering!"
"Till our song defeats the night!"
"Making fear afraid to breathe!"
"Till the dark meets the light!"
"How it's done, done, done!"
"Run, run we run the town!'
"Whole world playing our sound!"
"Turnin' up, it's going down!"
"How it's done, done, done!"
"We hunt you down, down down!"
As each the girls were facing a different direction, I saw Rumi's face shift for an instant, she looked surprised.
Grabbing Mira and Zoey's attention they all had a slightly stunned look on their faces, but were keeping their composure enough to still put on their performance.
"We got you now, now, now!"
Following where they were looking I glanced over my shoulder and also saw it.
For a brief moments there was a singular ripple of gold making its way around the Honmoon in the stadium.
Turning back to look at the girls I made eye contact with Rumi for just a moment.
The look of pride in her eyes... it was euphoric.
"We show you how, how, how!"
Starting moving again soon after this revelation. The girls seemed to be gaining even more energy then usual from the crowd. And who could blame them?
"How it's done, done, done!"
With the booming of the final note and the roar of the crowds, I could just barley hear the sound of the Honmoon resonate as it was reinforced even more. Near its completion after all these generations.
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With the performance having ended I was currently backstage with Bobby, and a gaggle of stage hands waiting to help the girls with whatever they needed.
As the elevator we waited from dinged and began to open I could hear Rumi's voice.
"Yeah. Just need a little water."
Bobby ever the dotting manager immediately jumped on this. "Did someone say water?
"Hi Bobby!" The three girls called with joy.
Each stage hand held out something in their hands the girls might want.
A set of spa robes, kimbap, hot coffee, iced coffee... and a essential oil diffuser?
While I, was holding the waters they would probably want.
"Water! Now!" Bobby called out... and before I could hand the girls the water I had three stage hands moved infront of me with ice cold bottles of their own, with straws in them to each give one to the girls.
"Damn, really man?" I asked, nudging Bobby.
He looked confused for a moment before looking down at the three thermal bottles I held in my arms for the girls.
"Oh, oops..." He said, scratching the back of his head.
As everyone got moving in different directions, the girls, Bobby, and I all walked down a hallway under the stage.
Rumi took the water bottle I had brought for her while Mira and Zoey took the stagehands bottles. Handing it to the woman in front of her to hold for a moment.
"What a way to end the world tour!" Bobby called, I was currently walking beside Rumi while she slid one of the robes on while the woman she handed her bottle to, held it for her to drink from while Rumi's arms were busy.
Bobby was currently in front of us, walking backwards to talk to the girls face to face while we moved.
"And that finale with the guy in the demon suit exploding into confetti?"
Off to my right I heard the young stagehand holding Zoey's kimbap fawning over her.
"Your so chill." He said, dreamy eyes on her. Whether Zoey didn't realized what was happening or just didn't care, she continued to eat, content to not give a response.
"Those special effects looked amazing." A second young man continued.
That earned a snort from me, and an elbow to the ribs from Rumi.
"Ow." I whined, nudging her back.
While Mira also chuckled she stated sarcastically. "Yeah." "Special affects."
Bobby reaching into his jacket pocket for his phone stated. "This is gonna break the bank, but, ooh, look at these social numbers!" Gesturing with his hand he added. "They're off the charts!"
As we moved I could feel my eyes starting to get heavier, thank god for this vacation coming up.
Putting his phone away he continued with more information. "And to celebrate, I booked you a week-long staycation at the fanciest most exclusive relaxation resort in Korea."
As stage hands were touching up her makeup Mira apologized. "Sorry, Bobby. We already have plans."
"What? What plans?" He asked confused.
Zoey jumping into the conversation explained. "We got the hottest ticket in town."
Mira and Zoey looked at each other and leaned in before saying. "To our couch!"
Before breaking into a slight jog chanting "Couch!"
As Mira and Zoey passed Rumi, Bobby, and I. I took a glance over to Rumi, I could tell we shared the same idea.
"You know Bobby..." I started.
"You should totally go enjoy the resort." Rumi affirmed the beginning of my thoughts, wrapping her arm around his shoulder as we progressed down the hall.
"This tour has been gruelling for everyone." Rumi emphasized.
"Totally, it was hellish even for me." I agreed. "You deserve a break to man." I said, patting his back to try and comfort him.
As Bobby slowed his pace Rumi and I made our way past him as he responded to us. "Me? Oh, no. I couldn't possiblyβ Just kidding. Robe me. I'm a 34 short please."
As two stage hands did a drive by dressing of Bobby, now in a robe, and one of those jell ball eye mask things, it was pink. He called out to us one more time. "See you in a couple of weeks, girls! And you too (Y/N)!"
"Bye, Bobby!" We all called in unison.
Turning our way down another hall Mira spoke first. "All right. Two weeks of vacation."
I glanced at Rumi beside me as she started to slow down. Tapping her two pointer fingers together, with a conniving smile. "Yes. Vacation."
"Yes (Y/N)?" She questioned, turning to look at me to find my closed fist raised above her head.
Bringing the bottom of my fist down on the top of her head making solid contact, but gentle enough not to cause any pain.
"Don't you dare Dr. Evil." I stated dryly.
"What?! I didn't even do anything!" Rumi cried out.
"Maybe but I know that look. This isn't "You've done something wrong Rumi." The key word to this interaction feels like it's gonna be "Yet." So again. Don't!" I stated, this time pinching her cheek.
"Owowow stop!" She yelped, pulling away from me. "What do you even think I'm gonna do?"
"Not a clue. But don't!" I stated, before dragging her with me in the direction of Mira and Zoey's departure.
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The tone of the elevator rung as we made it to the penthouse. As the four of us made our way into said abode, we continued discussing our vacation plans. "Mmm! I can't wait to eat kimbap and stare at the ceiling." Mira hummed, excited to veg out on the couch and eat.
"I already picked a movie for us." Zoey chimed in. "Granted, it's actually a list of 700 two-second videos all about turtles."
Currently leaning my head on Rumi's shoulder I was so ready to sleep. The back half of the tour had just been travel, and me going all out trying to make the perfect choreography for Golden when it was performed live. I was exhausted. But now that the last show was gone and my adrenaline was waning, I was crashing hard.
"Mmm, if you like turtles I hear there's a movie called Turtles all the way Down." I closed my eyes for a moment using Rumi to guide me as she was on her phone.
Zoey gasps. "What's it about (Y/N)!?"
"Not a clue. But the titles about turtles so like... gotta be turtles right?" Zoey squealed in excitement about this.
"Ngh, so loud." I groaned.
"Ok, I think we'll let you get to bed." Rumi said, putting her phone in her pocket and and patting me on the back.
"Please, I'd like to sleep the whole week if you'd be so kind." I mumbled lightly, I could feel myself swaying on my feet.
Damn, even I didn't realize I'd worked myself this hard... oops.
Making my way to my bedroom I kicked off my shoes at the doorway, pulled off my hoodie and jeans and crawled into bed.
Sleep took me almost instantly... and for about half an hour, I had bliss.
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I woke to muffled cries coming from the living room. Sounded like someone was panicking.
Reaching down from my bed I tugged a pair of pyjama pants on and a dirty t-shirt from my floor, while still laying in my bed.
Dragging myself out of bed I trudged down the hallway to the living room, muffled voices slowly morphing into familiar voices. Rumi, Zoey, Mira... and Bobby? Why was he here?
I heard Bobby call out. "Let's go Promo!"
"Promo? What do you mean Promo?" I asked.
"Oh, (Y/N)... your shirts on backwards." Bobby said, seemingly surprised by my bleariness.
Dragging my feet across the floor I made my way to Rumi, who seemed immensely anxious now. "Tell me you didn't do it."
"Do what?" She asked, letting out a nervous laugh that sounded more like a goat bleating then her usual self.
"I don't know, but I assume it's the thing I told you not to do." I stated, swaying on my feet just a little.
Zoey ever the sweetheart put a hand on my shoulder to stabilize me. "She released Golden, promo starts tonight."
"With a gentle sway I made my way over to Rumi, looping my arms around her waist, pulling her to my body. It seems she thought this was a hug and wrapped her arms around my neck.
I brought my head down to the crook of her neck, then up, then down again. Striking her with the strength of a hundred newborn babies who couldn't support the weight of their own heads.
"What? What are you doing?" She asked, confused at my delirious antics.
"Killing you." I stated with all the gumption of someone about to fall asleep standing up
"What!? Why?" She asked a little panicked now, more than anxious.
"Cause I was gonna have a week to finally catch up on sleep after all the effort for the choreo work I've put into Golden you evil evil woman." At this point I was just resting my head in the crook of Rumi's neck.
The embers of righteous vengeance failing to keep me as warm as my best friends body heat... man I wish I was still under my blanket.
I would avenge my vacation a different day.
"Let's get you back to bed before we head out for Promo." Rumi cooed, taking my hand and walking back in the direction of my bed.
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"We're going up, up, up!"
Damn, can't believe I slept through the whole week of Promo. Well at least now we're at the final stages of sealing the Honmoon, the girls were currently practicing the choreography I gave them, cause tonight was Golden's first live performance. And with it the probable end of our jobs as Hunters.
"You know together we're glowing!"
"Gonna be, gonna be golden! Oh!"
"Up, up, up with our voices!"
Damn, Rumi was really killing it, she seemed completely in the zone. Not a step off beat, not a breath missed.
It was really starting to look like this was it.
Bobby was currently dancing along beside me, it was cuteβ
"Ah shit!" I yelped as the back of Bobby's hand connected with my nose. Sending a stinging sensation all through my face.
"Oh, crap! I'm so sorry (Y/N)!" Bobby whispered loudly enough for me to hear over the singing but quiet enough to not disturb the performance.
Rumi's voice cracked and immediately the music cut out and everyone froze.
Mira turned to Rumi, putting her hand on her shoulder. "Hey, you okay?"
Nodding quickly Rumi assured us all. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Let's take it again. From the top."
"Like I'm born toβ" *Cough*
"Um, Rumi, are you okay?" Bobby asked making his way to the edge of the stage. "Do you need some water?"
Shit, shit, shit! This can't be happening we're so close to finishing this. Once the Honmoon was Golden, the world would be safe. And I'd be able to tell Rumi how I felt without it being a distraction to her.
I could see the anxiousness behind Rumiβs eyes, she knew something was wrong. But we both seemed to hope it was just something small.
"I just need five. I'm gonna take five." Rumi reassured us, making her way off the stage.
"Five minutes? We go live in ten!" A stagehand called out from my right.
I shot them a withering glare and she quickly made herself scarce.
Making my way up to Bobby I put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll go see what's going on."
"Thank you (Y/N)" Bobby nodded, appreciating my help.
Quickly making my was backstage, I worked my way deftly to Rumi's dressing room. With all the Hunter training we did growing up, I could easily hear Rumi's panicked breathing on the other side.
Something was most definitely wrong.
Knocking on the door with two knuckles, I called out to her. "Ru? Can I come in? Do you wanna talk?"
There was a brief pause. Hopefully knowing I was here, I waited a moment. We'd been through so much together, if something was wrong I was gonna be there to guide her throughβ
Did... did she just use the dressing rooms side door? Quickly opening up the door in front of me I witnessed the side door swinging shut. Quickly launching myself through it I looked both ways trying to figure out which way Rumi could have went.
Looking to my left I saw Rumi rounding the corner down the street. Taking off after her I was now starting to panic. She'd never acted like this, as we'd grown up she'd become so good at working through things, or letting me help her work through things.
Something felt so off right now. Running away? This had to be more serious then her just losing her voice right?
Following the latest street I turned the way Rumi had went, and when I got around the corner... she was gone.
I made my way down different streets and avenues for a while trying to see if I could intercept her path with luck.
But seems like that wasnβt happening tonight.
The Honmoon rippled violently... that was Rumi's voice, it was distant, but it carried with the power that had affected the Honmoon.
Unfortunately it was too far to tell where it came from, but... I hadn't felt that sensation since my childhood when Rumi protected me from Celine.
"Fuck." If I couldn't figure out where she went, I should probably make sure I was home when she got there, hopefully to help.
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With the elevator announcing somebodies return I heard Mira and Zoey rush my way from the living room. "Hey is everything ok withβ" The words died in Zoey's throats as she laid eyes on me, and only me.
Zoey looked a little disappointed.
But I knew it wasn't personal, she was just worried about the bigger issue.
Both Mira and Zoey were in plain clothes now, the former in a green two-tone t-shirt. While Mira was wearing a white and yellow cable knit sweater.
Mira came up to me, she saw the conflict raging in my heart, I could see the sympathy in her eyes. Reaching her off hand out she looped it behind my neck and tugged me into a hug.
"What happened?" She asked, appreciation her reassurance. Knowing we were all worried I explained the small amount of information I had.
"I'm not really sure, she bolted before I got into the dressing room, granted I could hear her really panicking." I rambled, running my hand through my hair. "She didn't even acknowledge I was there just booked it out the side door. I tried following her but she lost me about ten minutes in."
"So you came back to be here when she got back." Mira finished for me.
Zoey came up behind me as Mira released me from her hug. "You should go get cleaned up. Well let you know if she gets back before your finished."
As she placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder I nodded. "Ok, thank you."
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It had been an hour, the three of us were currently sitting on the couch waiting for Rumi.
I was really starting to worry she wouldn't come backβ
The door to the elevator slid open, Rumi walked out staring at her feet. She was wrapping her black and gold cropped jacket around her as tight as she could. The night wasn't particularly warm, and the performance clothes weren't particularly insulated either, she must be freezing.
Quickly getting up off the couch I unzipped my cream coloured hoodie I was wearing.
This sound seemed to draw Rumi's attention from her thoughts, as she looked up and saw the three of us waiting for her. Making my way over to her she flinched as I swung one side of my hoodie around her back, catching it with my free hand. I slid it over her shoulders wrapping it around her to help her with the much more insulated material that was already warm with my body heat.
And after that I just pulled her into a hug. The way she looked so shaken, talking and questions wasn't what she needed right now. She just needed some reassurance. Quietly following my lead Mira and Zoey eventually joined us.
I don't know how long the four of us stayed there... but it was a while.
A silent promise that I'd be here... we'd be here any day she needed us. Always.
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Still putting off the talk in hopes of lessening the burden Rumi was holding. Whatever struggle was going on. We had all decided to go out and get some dinner.
Rumi was currently pushing some of the beef around in her Seolleongtang (Ox Bone Soup)
After her getting back to the penthouse, the only thing anyone had really said was confirmation of where we were going to eat, and what we ended up ordering.
We were just hoping she'd open up when she was ready. And we weren't gonna push her away with undue pressure.
"I... I'm sorry about the show." Rumi started, finally mustering up the courage to confront this.
"Rumi, it's okay. I'm sure everything will be fine." Zoey tried to assure her. "Bobby can handle it."
Speak of the devil, Zoey's phone started ringing on the table in front of us.
"Please be good news." I said, praying to nobody in particular.
Picking up the call Zoey opened it with a greeting. "Hi Bobby!"
"Girls, I can't handle this!" Bobby's voice sounded off through the phones speakers. "There's thousands of disappointed fans, and the network is losing their minds."
I was about to let him know Rumi could hear him before he immediately continued with a new train of thought.
"No, okay, this is why you pay me 3%. Okay, back off!" He spoke, like a mantra to himself.
Bobby's voice became a little more distant, like the phone wasn't near his face now. "My girls will sing when they're ready."
Both Mira's and my finger came down on the red button to hang up the phone call at the same time. With a small beep the call disconnected. "It's ok. We can reschedule another live show within days." Mira attempted to comfort Rumi.
"I... I don't know if that's going to be possible. My voice, its in trouble." Rumi confessed this as if it were a sin. I guess with the weight of the world finally being complete safe from demons weighing on her. It may have actually felt like a sin for her to start struggling now.
"Wait, in trouble?" Mira seemed confused. "Then why did you push up the Golden release?"
"Because we're so close, and it's so important." Rumi seemed a little hesitant to say this.
I just hope she isn't going to be too hard on herself.
Placing my hand on hers, which was resting in her lap I drew her attention to me. "Ru, I know this is everything we've worked for, our whole lives even. But you need to take care of yourself. Otherwise we'll never be able to achieve our goals."
She nodded at this. No really verbal agreement. She seemed a little more dejected, while I began rubbing circles over the back of her hand with my thumb. Zoey attempted to brainstorm a way out of this.
"Okay, how do we handle this?" Looking from me and Rumi to Mira. "What do we tell the fans?"
Looking back to Rumi, Zoey suggested. "Maybe we should call Celine?" To some degree it was an inquiry. But with my hand interlaced with Rumi's I felt her tense for just a fraction of a second.
Personally I didn't like the idea either, Celine always worked Rumi to hard in my opinion. Harder then she even worked me, and we were training together all the time as kids.
I worried Celine's ideology and opinions may just exacerbate the problem, cause it was recuperation that Rumi needed. Not to be whipped back into shape.
"Not a fucking chance!" I spat, way more aggressively then I meant to.
The girls all looked at me a little stunned.
Ha, that's kinda embarrassing. "Sorry, that was probably my stress talking. I just mean... Rumi needs time to rest, to heal. While Celine's ideas would have her beating a dead horse if she could get a extra ten meters of travel out of it." I stated.
"Sorry, just a little all over the place myself." I apologized one last time.
I can't really say I'd ever seen eye to eye with Celine, but feeling Rumi flinch like that set me on an edge I didn't even realize before I opened my mouth.
Was that aggression directed to our teacher really just in my heart this whole time. Or was it just the stress like I hoped it was.
Jolting a little in my seat, as I was struck from my thoughts I saw Zoey's hand in my face, the source of the snapping.
"What do you think about that (Y/N)?" Mira asked as Zoey leaned back into her seat.
"Think about what? Sorry." I asked.
"Skipping the idol awards." Zoey stated, obviously reiterating it.
"What did Rumi say?" I looked at her, trying to gauge her opinion.
"She said we couldn't miss out strengthening the Honmoon for the whole year with that show." Zoey explained.
"She also said that "she was to close" which is a little worrying IMO." Mira stated.
"Ok. We'll deal with that comment later. So we are gonna do the Idol awards. Which meansβ" I started.
"We have two weeks to fix Rumi's voice. Any ideas?" Mira finished my thought for me.
All glancing over to Zoey she took the spotlight. "I do have one idea."
"Just one?" Mira asked skeptically.
Quite honestly it would be surprising if Zoey only had one.
"Actually, 57, but let's start with my favourite." Zoey said, emphasizing her speech with her hands. "Don't worry it's totally legit."
Zoey quickly unlocked her phone and pulled up an online add from Instagram... Jeezus.
She started explaining to the table what it was about, but I tuned it out. Focusing on Rumi right now. I hadn't seen her this unsure of her self since we were little.
Squeezing her hand lightly I pulled her attention away from Zoey's hyper active explanation.
"Hey yourself." She said, giving me a soft smile.
"Are you sure it's just your voice that you're struggling with?" I asked, just ripping the bandaid right off.
She hesitated for a moment.
"Yes." She affirmed, but it didn't sound very confident.
Sighing, I decided to accept it for now, she was struggling enough without me trying to break down walls and force in doors... on an emotional level.
"Ok... you know you can trust me with anything though... right?" I asked, yesterday I would have been sure of this. But today, I just couldn't tell for sure. "I'll have your back no matter what happens."
"Yeah. I know." Rumi said, the first small smile she'd gave me had disappeared just as fast. But this time, it seemed to stay.
Leaning her head on my shoulder she said something that felt like a gut punch and a warm hug. Cause it was both something I'd always hope to hear, but it was never in the context I craved. So I did my best not to react majorly.
"I love you. You know that?"
Damn you Rumi and being comfortable with telling your friends you love them. Cause "Platonic love is still love."
"Yeah... I know." I affirmed.
It was an odd feeling for sure though. The conflicting sting of rejection and the way my heart fluttered at the same time hearing those words.
