Commissioned this gorgeous piece from the incredible @princington from their Rumira Baby Bean AU. FINALLY finished the accompanying story below the cut! Didn't come up with a great title, sorry.
The Birth of Ha-Young
Rating: T (pregnancy and childbirth below the cut)
Now on AO3!
Mira had heard of people being "deliriously happy" before. She'd always believed it to be an exaggeration, at least until she joined HUNTR/X. Then she thought there might be a sliver of truth to it.
When she dated Rumi, that sliver grew. When they married, she found out what "blissfully happy" was.
But sitting in the too-big bed (even with Rumi and Zoey on either side), body aching in ways it's never ached before, she finally understands what it is to be deliriously happy.
Because, as she holds her nursing daughter close, surrounded by the two most important people in her life, Mira knows that what she is.
………………
At 2 a.m., Mira gives up on trying to fall asleep. She slides out of bed as carefully as she's able to, loathe to wake Rumi. Her wife spent most of the day arguing their maternity leave with Sunlight Entertainment executives, and she's earned her sleep.
As she pads down the hallway, Mira rubs her swollen middle in a futile attempt to ease the pressure that's been plaguing her since evening. Along with cramps and a persistent pain in her lower back, it's kept her from doing more than doze for a few minutes at a time.
She doesn't want to think about it.
Mira pads down the hallway, needing no light. Celine's compound is as familiar as their penthouse, after all, and she merely needs her memory to make her way to the kitchen.
A door opens behind her, but Mira doesn't need to look to know who it is. It's not her first late-night foray, and Zoey, the night owl that she is, has taken to leaving her door cracked open so she can see when Mira passes. Zoey falls in step beside her now, heating pad draped over her shoulder, and takes Mira's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
They walk to the kitchen in silence, leaving the lights off and navigating by moonlight and memory alone. The only sounds are those of preparing tea- filling the electric kettle and turning it on, grabbing mugs from their designated spots, gathering satchets of chamomile tea and a small jar of honey. Once the mugs are filled and the tea is seeping, they make their way to the couch. Zoey won't let Mira sit until she's arranged a veritable mountain of pillows, with the heating pad resting on top.
"You and Rumi, I swear. I can still do these things for myself." Mira settles against the pillows, adjusting the heating pad so it's resting across her lower back.
Zoey waves a hand. "You're growing a human. The least we can do is make you comfortable. Nope, don't want to hear it. I'm guessing you need a good distraction, so you're going to rest there while I put on a turtle playlist."
Mira huffs a laugh and does as she's told, settling back and accepting the mug of tea Zoey hands her. The playlist begins, and within seconds they're cuddled together.
And then everything shatters.
The pressure tightens around Mira's pelvis, so strong she lifts off the couch. She shifts, trying to ease it, but it just keeps going, cramping until she lets out a desperate hiss.
After a minute- though it feels longer- it eases, although there's a lingering pain in her lower back. And with it- suffusing her veins with ice- fear. She has no doubts about what just happened. That was a contraction, a real one.
She can't deny it any longer.
She's in labor.
Hands cup her face, thumbs brushing away the tears she hadn't noticed forming. Zoey's face is soft, worried- it's clear she's figured out what's happening. Mira whimpers, and Zoey pulls her into a hug, rubbing soothing circles on her back.
"Hey, hey, it'll be alright. It's going to be hard, but you'll make it through. And we're going to be here. Every step."
Mira buries her face in Zoey's shoulder, letting the tears fall as they would. She feels the Honmoon react in some way, but lacks the will to raise her head to see what's happening. She thinks she knows.
Her suspicion is confirmed with the rapid padding of slippered feet, followed by a quick intake of breath. The couch on her other side dips, another pair of arms wrapping around her.
"Hey Mir. I'm right here, love."
Rumi's voice is low, accompanied by a kiss to Mira's temple, and Mira shifts so she can better lean back against her wife. She feels Zoey give her another squeeze before pulling away.
"I'm going to go talk to Celine. I'll be back in a bit."
Rumi shifts so she can run her fingers up and down Mira's arms, tracing patterns only she can see. Mira rests her head in the crook of Rumi's neck, breathing in her scent, trying desperately to push down the fear coiled in her gut. Despite her efforts, fresh tears begin to fall.
"Shhhhhhh Mira. It'll be alright." Just as Zory had done earlier, Rumi brushes the tears away with a thumb.
"I'm so scared, Rumi. I don't… I don't know if I can do this. Any of this."
"Mira, I'm pretty sure being scared is just part of having a baby. But I know you can do this. And you won't be alone. I'll be here, every step."
Despite her fear, Mira feels a smile grow. Small, but there. "Zoey said the same thing. The 'every step' part, I mean."
Rumi chuckles, nuzzling Mira's cheek. "See? We'll both be by your side. I'm sure Celine will be there too, in her own way. You won't be alone, but you have to let us help you where we can, alright? Can you promise me that?"
Mira draws in a shaking sigh and nods. Already her breathing is settling, and her fear has abated, a least a bit.
Footsteps bring their attention to the hallway- Zoey and Celine have joined them. Zoey settles back on the couch beside Mira, placing her glasses on the table.
"Thought you might want those at some point."
"Thank you."
A gentle hand on her shoulder brings her attention to Celine, who gives her a small smile. Mira returns it, resting her hand atop her mentor's.
"I can call Moon-he if you would like. It will probably take her some time to get here."
Mira nods, and Celine squeezes her shoulder and leans down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"I'm certain you've already been told this, but I will say it anyway. You will do amazing, Mira."
Mira swallows hard, choosing to blame her tears on hormones.
……………….
Two more contractions hit before Moon-he makes it to the compound. She curls into herself with each one, hissing as she rides out the pain. Rumi holds her through each one, letting Mira grip her hands as hard as she needs to. Zoey offers her hands as well, or simply rubs Mira's legs until each one passes. Then they're soothing her, brushing away tears and stray hairs, rubbing her back, or offering encouraging words.
Mira likes Moon-he. The midwife is no-nonsence, but always listens to Mira's concerns (and there's certainly a multitude of them). More importantly, Moon-he is completely unfazed by the mystical side of… well, everything in their lives. Celine had once told them that there are non-hunters who can still at least sense the Honmoon, if not actually see it. Hoon-he is one of them.
Most importantly, Moon-he had been Mi-yeong's midwife, the one that brought Rumi into the world.
"Put those teeth away, girl. I'm here to help your wife."
Mira, still shaking from the last contraction, glanced back to see Rumi's face turn a bright red, her lip quickly falling back into place from where it had been curled into a faint snarl. Mira sighed and gently smacked Rumi's arm, causing her to duck her head.
"I'm so sorry, Moon-he."
"Mmmm, your wife's in labor, and you feel like you need to protect her. But let me help her. Now, I'm going to need to check your progress, Mira, so let's get you to the bedroom."
Rumi and Zoey help her stand, and they make their way to the bedroom. At the doorframe, Zoey pauses, looking uncertain. Mira takes her hand, giving it a squeeze.
"I want you to be with me. As long as you're okay with it. Please."
Zoey nods, and it's Mira's turn to wipe tears from her face. She follows them in, taking up position on the opposite side of the bed from Rumi.
A (blessedly) quick check leads to Moon-he squeezing her knee, an empathetic look on her wrinkled face.
"As I expected, based on your contractions, tou're in early labor right now. It could be a day or longer before your baby comes. But!" Moon-he holds up a finger to stop Mira's retort, "you can, and should, move around. Take a shower. Take a walk. Rest if you're able. And make sure these two take good care of you."
Rumi and Zoey nod enthusiastically, prompting a smile from Mira.
"I'll be around. Let me know when your water breaks. Don't be surprised if your contractions are inconsistent right now. If you need anything else, come find me."
Moon-he leaves them, and Mira looks at Rumi.
"A shower sounds good right now. And then," she looks at Zoey, "another turtle playlist?"
Zoey grins. "You two go get your shower. I'll have the most calming compilation ready by the time you're done."
……………..
True to what Moon-he said, it's well into evening before Mira's water breaks.
She spends the rest of the morning after her shower trying to rest, before having a light breakfast. She lets Rumi and Zoey pamper her with an in-home spa day, plays video games, walks around the garden, and overall attempts to distract herself from the inevitable truth.
She's about to have her baby. And that still terrifies her.
So when her water breaks, a sudden rush that soaks the leggings she's wearing, Mira breaks out into sobs, burying her face in Rumi's neck.
Zoey's hand rubs soothing circles on Mira's lower back. "Let it out, Mira. We're here."
Mira rests against Rumi, trying to focus on her warmth, on the gentle circles being rubbed on her back. It takes several minutes, but she's finally able to calm down enough to pull away and wipe her eyes.
"Okay… okay. I… I probably should get out of these pants. And let Moon-he know."
Zoey leaves to fetch the midwife while Rumi brings Mira to the bedroom, helping her change into one of Rumi's oversized sleep shirts- one long enough to reach the tops of Mira's knees. She settles on the bed just as Zory and Moon-he return.
A quick check, and Moon-he announces that Mira's in active labor, a fact confirmed mere moments later when the strongest contraction so far hits. Mira gasped, hands fisting in the sheets, back arching, as the pain takes hold. She's vaguely aware of Moon-he's orders to breathe, and it's a struggle to do even that.
I can't do this, I can't, I can't, I-
"You can, Mira."
She hadn't realized she'd been speaking out loud. Rumi's holding one hand in both of hers, thumbs rubbing over Mira's knuckles. Mira rests her head on the familiar comfort of Rumi's shoulder.
"You're so strong, Mir. Stronger than I could ever be. You can do this, and you will. Whatever you need, I'm here." Rumi looks up, then adds, "We're here."
A hand on Mira's other shoulder- Zoey must have resumed her post by the bed.
"We're here." She echoed.
Mira releases a shuddery breath, wishing she could share their confidence. Before she can speak, another contraction comes, and she presses into Rumi, nails digging into her wife's arm. When it passes, she sags, trying not to wail in distress.
Because despite all the reassurances, Mira doesn't know how she's going to do this.
……………………
There's no more resting after that.
The contractions come, closer together, stronger each time, longer each time. Mira clings to Rumi, or Zoey, or both of them, trying to breathe as Moon-he coaches her to, but mostly only succeeding in gasping for air. She's received countless injuries throughout her years hunting demons. This pain is different, deeper, like nothing she's experienced.
Rumi remains by her side, calm and steady, even when Mira lets her temper take rein and lashes out. Rumi's only response is to duck her head and give Mira the space she needs until the tears return and she begs her wife to hold her.
Zoey remains mostly quiet, offering a hand to hold, ice chips, or wiping Mira's brow. Mira can't be angry at her, of course. She wasn't the one to get Mira pregnant.
(There is a small part of her mind that reminds her that she'd been the one to ask Rumi for a baby. A very small part).
When she can, Mira paces the bedroom, exhausted but restless, needing to move. She tries different positions, bounces on the yoga ball she'd thought was a ridiculous purchase (and turns out to be quite comfortable). And endures the onslaught of contractions as they come, sending spikes of pain through her back and pelvis.
Celine checks in every so often, but doesn't stay for long. After the third visit, Rumi murmers something about wanting to talk to her, leaving for several minutes.
When Rumi returns, Mira pretends not to notice the dried tear tracks on her face.
She knows Rumi's as scared as she is.
………….
By the second evening, she's a trembling mess on the bed, no longer having the energy to stand. Time is marked by the pain of contractions, and the short periods of relief she's allowed between each one. Both Zoey and Rumi remain mostly quiet, wiping her face and letting her squeeze their hands as needed.
Moon-he comes in for another check, and gives Mira's knee a squeeze.
"Alright Mira, it's time to push. Work with the contractions, let yourself rest when they let up. You'll be too tired to deliver otherwise."
If Mira had the energy to scream, she would. She doesn't know how she's expected to push, when it's taken everything to simply weather the pain. Moon-he must have noticed the look on her face, because she gives Mira's knee another squeeze.
"You get to work with your body now, Mira. This is hard, but you can do it. Hold tight to Rumi and Zoey. Get mad if it helps. It's time to meet your baby."
It's time to meet your baby.
The words ring through her mind, and it ignites that second wind. The one that allows her to practice new choreo for hours even after a full performance, or fight off a band of demons poised to harm Rumi or Zoey, even when she herself is injured.
Now, it will be used to bring their baby into the world.
With the next contraction, Mira grits her teeth and pushes. It becomes a pattern- feel the surge of pain, inhale as deep as she can, push, collapse when it's done and try to recover what little strength is left. She screams when she has the voice, moans when she doesn't. Thinking of it as a rhythm helps- she can work with a rhythm.
At some point, Rumi maneuvers behind her back, allowing Mira to brace herself with each push. Rumi holds one hand, but leaves the other open for Zoey.
"You've got this, Mir. You're so strong."
Mira's beyond words. She leans her head back to rest in the crook of Rumi's neck as another contraction builds, and bears down with a groan. Below, it burns, something stretching her, tearing her. Moon-he calls out.
"The baby's crowning! One good push and you'll have the head out!"
Mira whimpers, but follows her direction, pushing until she feels something give. Moon-he gives a delighted cry.
"There we go! Alright, Mira, just lay back and pant for a bit. Give yourself a break. Here, if you'd like, give me your hand- you can feel your baby's head."
Assisted by Rumi, Mira lifts herself into a sitting position, reaching down to feel…
"Oh," is all Mira can manage as her fingers run through the downy hairs of the baby's head. She guides Rumi's hand to do the same, and her wife's eyes fill witn tears.
"Oh Mira."
The moment is broken by the onset of another contraction, and Mira falls back, the pressure and pain driving her to howl. She clenches her eyes shut, back arching, squeezing Rumi's and Zoey's hands like a lifeline. It hurts- she's being ripped apart, nothing but fire and agony below…
Something gives, and for a terrifying moment she thinks it's her body tearing open, but then she feels it- the baby sliding free. She holds her breath, terrified…
A cry, loud and strong, fills the room, and all around them, the Honmoon sings.
"It's a girl!"
Zoey cheers, and Mira falls back against Rumi with a gasping laugh, eyes still on Moon-he as she dries the baby off. The midwife calls Rumi over to cut the cord, and Mira can feel her wife trembling as she eases out from behind her. Somehow, Rumi manages it, shaking hands and all, before bringing over a wrapped bundle. Mira holds her hands out, and Rumi places their daughter, their daughter, in her arms.
Mira's world stops, and she knows this moment will be forever etched in her brain.
She lifts a shaking hand, running it through the downy tufts of hair. She takes in the wrinkled, scrunched face, relaxing now that the birth is over. Little eyelids crack open to reveal soft grey eyes, and Mira laughs.
"Oh, Mira."
"You did it, love."
Zoey and Rumi cuddle close, tears in their eyes, and Mira sniffs back her own tears.
"Hello, Ha-Young."
