Chapter Text
Rumi never asked to be demi-god.
She certainly didn’t ask to be born.
A constant push and pull between two worlds has been something Rumi has faced long before the monsters showed up.
It never really felt like she belonged anywhere. No matter how hard she tried it never felt like she was enough of anything.
Not a human.
Not a god.
Even the word monster doesn’t feel fitting.
And as she lays here in a pool of her own blood, Rumi wonders if all she’s ever meant to be is nothing.
— —
Nine months ago
Zoey has no idea how she pulled this off.
Well she knows how she got the scholarship, but how she convinced her mom was a miracle in itself.
Ever since she’s started going to camp in the summers, her mom has been attached to her hip throughout the rest of the year. Not that Zoey has anything against it. She misses her mom when she’s away and it’s nice to be around her.
Zoey knew that if she got her mom on her side then convincing her dad was going to be easy enough. He tended to say yes just so he didn’t have to argue with her.
Did she apply for the program and took the scholarship test before even bringing it up to her mom? Yes, yes she did.
It all feels like a fever dream to be completely honest.
She remembers Mira talking about the exchange program from her school and Zoey latched on to that immediately. School has gotten better the older she gets, but it’s still not her favorite place in the world.
That happens to be right by Mira’s side.
When Zoey met Mira when she was twelve years old, she knew that she was a goner. Even if she didn’t quite understand the feeling in her chest, Zoey knew that she had to be with her.
Mira tried to act cold, tried to push her to the side.
Zoey didn’t mind.
She knew the things one does to not get hurt again.
So she waited.
And eventually Mira met her in the middle.
Gods, in that moment Zoey felt bigger than the sun itself.
(Sorry, father.)
Every summer, Zoey looked forward to camp, but most of all she just wanted to see her friend. Because even if it was the 21st century they weren’t allowed to use phones.
Stupid monsters, and their stupid senses.
Not that that stopped either of them. Zoey learned how to send a letter within two minutes of coming back home the first summer. Mira had handed her an address right before she left. At the time Mira was still getting comfortable with English. She hadn’t said anything as she gave Zoey the paper and hugged her one last time.
The first letter was sent two hours after Zoey got home.
For years that’s what they did. Trying to keep in touch with one another until they could see each other again.
It really didn’t surprise anyone when their friendship eventually turned into something else. Zoey truly believes that Mira’s mother jumped out of joy when they made it official.
It’s been a year since they’ve gotten together and it somehow hurts even more when they’re away.
So when Mira casually talks about the exchange program, Zoey runs with it. With a little help from Chiron, Zoey sends her application and takes the test without Mira knowing.
She spends weeks in limbo trying to hide how nervous she was from Mira. When the acceptance letter came in, she could barely believe it.
Then came the hard part, telling her mom.
It involved so many Iris calls, so many promises, and a lot of crying. But her mom somehow said yes. She had always wanted Zoey to visit South Korea. Get to see where she grew up.
She didn’t like the idea of Zoey being there alone, but when she mentioned that Mira would be there it alleviated her. Zoey's mother thought that Mira was the most capable kid there was. Zoey would have to agree with her.
Currently she’s standing in the middle of the airport really taking this in. She’s never been anywhere. She’s spent her whole life in Burbank and the only time she leaves is to go to camp.
Now she’s about to travel across the globe with a small suitcase and a giddiness she can’t explain. If her father were here he would tell her to write a poem about it.
She’s still not entirely sure how she pulled all of this off. She’s going to spend her girlfriend’s senior year with her. She’s going to get to go to the place that her mother loves so much.
Zoey can’t help but smile.
This is going to be amazing.
— —
Eight months ago
Zoey has been here for one month and Mira doesn’t think she’s ever been this happy.
She doesn’t even care about going home and having her parents berate her for everything she hasn’t done.
It feels like she’s on cloud nine.
Mira never really talked to anyone in school. Being the black sheep of the Kang family has made people steer clear from her. The couple of people that have tried to mess with her always leave with bruises.
Everyone at school learned pretty quickly that it wasn’t worth messing with her.
So yes, Mira has never really talked to anyone at school. She’s never wanted to. Mira has always known that she was better off alone.
But then Zoey quite literally fell into her life and being alone started to seem wrong.
Being alone didn’t bring her the comfort it once did.
She’s starting to believe it never really did.
Every year when she goes back to camp the one thing she truly looks forward to is seeing Zoey. Even if it’s just a month and a half it’s worth it.
Now having Zoey here with her, Mira doesn’t think she’s ever been this content.
To hell with camp, Mira could spend the rest of her life like this.
They’re walking to school together. Even though Zoey stays in the dorms, she wakes up earlier than anyone else, rides the subway, and waits for Mira outside her house. Hiding at the corner, making sure Mira’s parents don’t see her.
Every time Zoey greets her with that bright smile that Mira adores.
No matter how many times Mira tells her she doesn’t need to do that, Zoey is always there at the same time.
Mira really loves this girl.
Her mother had a field day when Mira finally told her. She ended up eating her words that she shouted at her years ago.
I’m not made for love.
Part of her still believes that, but with the way Zoey looks at her maybe Mira isn’t so bad at it.
They make it to school with at least thirty minutes left before class. It’s unfortunate that they’re in different classes, but gods do they make up for it during breaks.
They’re heading to their hiding spot. A corner on the roof that no one ever seems to find. Zoey found it within the first hour of her being here. It’s the perfect spot to hide from all the prying eyes. Especially the ones that look at Zoey as if she were a piece of meat.
In those moments Mira wishes she could bring her gok-do out. Teach them a lesson or two.
Zoey is rambling about whatever new turtle fact she’s learned and Mira is making a mental note to ask if she wants to watch that documentary later, when it happens.
Mira is opening the entrance to the roof when they both hear a crash. They’re both ready to reach into the mist when a groan breaks through the air.
Carefully, because monsters are never too far, they round the corner and find a surprising sight. Where their corner is at there are usually some wooden crates but now they’re in pieces and a body lies on top of the mess.
It’s a girl staring at the sky and it seems like she’s contemplating life choices.
Zoey peers over Mira’s shoulder and asks, “Are you okay?”
In an instant the girl is springing up, looking like she committed a crime.
Mira has never seen her before. She’s been going to this school for four years and not once has she come across. And believe her, Mira would remember if she had.
She’s shorter than her but taller than Zoey. She has purple hair in a braid that is so long it gets to her knees. Even under her baggy school sweater, you can tell there’s power beneath it. She has a small scar on her jaw and an eyebrow piercing.
From a far she might even seem intimidating, but as she stands in front of them looking like a frightened cat, she’s anything but that.
“Yeah, I’ve never been better.” She gives them an awkward smile.
“You have a piece of wood on you.”
Mira points to the girl’s shoulder and lo and behold there’s some wood clinging onto her sweater. The girl doesn’t even look as she reaches for it and yanks it off. It’s a miracle she doesn’t rip her sweater.
All three of them keep staring at each other until Zoey speaks again, “So did you fall from heaven?”
Safe to say that the poor girl turns so red, Mira is surprised she doesn’t pass out.
“W-What?”
Zoey looks up to the sky, “I mean it looks like you fell from above.”
She’s right and Mira looks up to the ledge that is beside the corner, “What were you doing up there?”
The girl rubs the back of her neck sheepishly, “I like to clear my head up there.”
“Doesn’t that seem dangerous?”
“It’s perfectly safe.”
“You just fell ten feet.”
“Is it ten feet?”
It’s silent for a handful of seconds before Zoey giggles and the girl relaxes just a fraction. Mira has no idea who this girl is and how she isn’t at least winded from the fall, but she kind of likes her. She’s by far the most interesting person in this place apart from Zoey.
Zoey pushes her forward and Mira goes willingly.
“What’s your name?”
The girl immediately straightens up and gives them a slight bow, “Ryu Rumi.” She’s so formal about it, Mira wants to laugh.
She tilts her head, “I’ve never seen you before.”
Rumi smiles awkwardly, “I’m new here.”
This would be the moment that Mira sends her away so Zoey and her can cuddle a little bit before class. But the longer she looks at Rumi the more she realizes that she isn’t a threat.
Sure she’s stiff and can’t seem to smile properly. She keeps messing with her hands as if she didn’t know what to do with them. The way she seems to try to make herself smaller.
Mira isn’t entirely sure on how to feel about this.
Zoey on the other hand has no problem at all. She rests her chin on Mira’s shoulder and smiles, “How about you just join us on the floor before you break your neck?”
Rumi looks so surprised that Zoey asks her this and she turns to look at Mira. Mira just shrugs, “Sure why not.”
If Zoey thinks it’s a good idea why not try it.
She’s going to ignore all the times Zoey’s ideas led to them running for their lives. They’re alive aren’t they?
Rumi keeps looking between the two of them. Her brows are furrowed and for as expressive as she seems, Mira can tell she’s holding back. Part of her is expecting Rumi to tell that it’s okay and leave. Completely ignoring the fact that she did in fact crush all the crates.
Instead she gives them that awkward smile of hers, “If you don’t mind.”
That’s all the permission that Zoey needs, before she skips over and grabs Rumi by her arm. Mira notices how she tenses just for a second before she forces herself to relax.
She doesn’t even fight Zoey as she pushes some wood away and makes her sit down.
“Are you concussed?”
“I don’t think so?”
It’s a bit funny how she tried to sound reassuring but Rumi only ended up sounding confused.
Zoey, her darling, grabs Rumi’s face without warning and looks her dead in the eyes. Bless Rumi’s heart, she doesn’t make a noise or even move, but her face is so red Mira is waiting for the moment she passes out.
“I don’t think you’re concussed, but you definitely have a nasty bruise.” Zoey mumbles under her breath. Mira knows what she’s doing but as long as she doesn’t start glowing they’ll be fine.
“Well my tailbone could’ve told you that.”
Zoey giggles and Rumi’s eyes widen.
Mira walks over to them and takes a seat beside Zoey. She gently pulls Zoey back and looks at Rumi.
“Babe, let her breathe.”
“Oops, I’m sorry,” Zoey says sheepishly.
“It’s okay,” Rumi whispers.
They all take one another in and it’s not unpleasant. Most of the time Mira would’ve walked away by now. But something about Rumi is different.
Even Zoey, who will talk to anyone on earth, is looking at Rumi differently. Rumi just seems surprised that they’re here with her.
“So Ryu Rumi do you like to eat?”
Rumi immediately perks up, “Yeah, I do.”
Zoey grabs her bookbag and starts to pull out all the snacks she always carries. She grabs one of the chip bags and hands it to Rumi with a smile, “Hi, I’m Zoey.”
Mira opens another bag, offers some to Zoey, and nods at Rumi, “Mira.”
Rumi clutches the chip bag and gives them a soft smile.
Maybe having another friend won’t hurt.
— —
Present
Rumi never really had any friends. She’s never minded.
Liar.
Living with Celine in their little house in the countryside was enough for her. Walking through the endless fields they had growing up was all she needed.
Liar
Sure, did she watch the other kids run around town when they went, and her chest ached just a bit? Yes, but that is neither here nor there.
Liar
She had been homeschooled her whole life. Taking lessons with Celine and whatever tutor she would hire. Then she would go train with her because Celine said she never knew the day she might need to protect herself.
Which is a strange way of putting a sword in a child’s hand, but Rumi never questioned it.
We both know that you are filled with questions.
Rumi didn’t beg Celine to let her go to school for her senior year because she was alone. No, she merely wanted to see the world. Even if the world consisted of an hour long plane ride to Seoul.
Rumi wouldn’t have minded spending the rest of her life here with Celine. She doubts Celine would complain either.
Is that really the truth?
But Rumi also knows that she shouldn’t spend the rest of her life hidden in one place. A smaller part of her whispers that her mother would’ve wanted her to see more. And Rumi won’t deny that seeing the world is intriguing as it is.
She spent months pleading with Celine to let her go, to give her a chance, promising that nothing would happen.
Eventually she had caved and Rumi had to run a mile out of pure joy.
Did you not see the grief that flashed in her eyes?
She couldn’t ignore the worried looks Celine would give her as the date for departure came closer. Rumi pretended not to see the way Celine would stare at her as if she were trying to remember every little detail of her.
If she thought about it too hard it would hurt.
The day she left, Celine took her to the airport in silence. It didn’t bother Rumi. She’s used to her aunt’s silence. She’s grown to love it, cherish it even. But that day’s silence felt heavier.
While she was excited to go, Rumi wasn’t ignorant enough to pretend like she wasn’t sad. As they called her plane and Rumi started to pick her things up, Celine did something that Rumi wasn’t expecting.
She gently took Rumi into her arms and hugged her.
Growing up, Rumi remembered that Celine used to cradle her. When she would get hurt or have a nightmare, Celine wouldn’t hesitate to take her in her arms. But then Rumi grew up and those moments became far and few.
Never wanting to push her aunt, Rumi learned to take the small gestures of affection with joy. Even if there were times when she simply needed a hug, she never asked.
You ache with a hunger that terrifies you.
So when Celine wrapped her arms around her, for a second Rumi didn’t know what to do. She froze until her brain caught up and she tentatively hugged her back.
“Be careful,” Celine had whispered, “Keep your eyes up.”
Rumi had wanted to jokingly tell her that she wasn’t going off to war, but the way Celine’s voice trembled ever so slightly made her keep her mouth shut.
She had held on tighter and whispered back, “I will. I promise.”
They had pulled back and Celine had looked at her for a long time. It’s moments like those that made Rumi wonder if Celine saw her mother in her.
Without a word, Celine reached back and pulled a knife out. Most people would find this strange and if it weren’t so early, everyone would be staring at them. Growing up with Celine, Rumi has become accustomed to all the random weapons the woman carries. She’s pretty sure there’s more weapons in their house than legally allowed.
The knife was one of the ones that Celine never quite let her touch. It was bronze and it felt older than it looked.
Rumi didn’t ask anything as she took it into her hands and wrapped it up before stuffing it in her bag. If TSA didn’t find it on her aunt, Rumi doubts they would find it on her.
Celine had smiled at her one more time before Rumi went through the gate.
In all the months she’s been away from home, she hasn’t used the knife. In all honesty she really thought Celine gave it to her for her own peace of mind.
But in the quiet of her dorm (Celine somehow managed to get her a sole dorm), Rumi would pull it out and practice. It felt calming, it felt familiar.
You feed off it.
That’s what she’s doing as she waits. She goes through all the forms that Celine jammed into her head with ease. It’s second nature at this point.
She does this for half an hour until there’s pounding on her door.
“Rumi, come on!”
Just the sound of Zoey’s voice is enough to make Rumi smile.
“Open the door, before Zoey starts whining.”
“Hey!”
Even if Mira sounds bored, her words are enough for Rumi to laugh.
“I’m coming!”
She sheathes the knife, grabs her bag, and opens the door.
Rumi didn’t come to school to make friends. Her senior year was about seeing the world for the first time. For quiet evenings by herself, walks through a city that felt far too grand and yet too small for her. She was ready for her classmates to look at her as if she was weird. As if there were something wrong with her because she preferred the silence over the chaos that was interacting with them.
She was used to being alone.
Running over to the door, she swings it open, and her heart flutters.
Zoey is bouncing on her feet with a bright smile. Mira stands beside her trying to act indifferent, but Rumi sees how she holds Zoey’s hand. It’s also hard to miss the fondness in her eyes.
Rumi didn’t come to school to make friends.
But somehow they still found her.
She smiles at them, “Let’s go.”
Zoey grabs her hand and starts to drag her out. All while Mira shakes her head fondly, and Rumi can only laugh at her antics.
And as they walk, teasing one another, Rumi shoves down the aching in her skin just like she has for her entire life