Three Month Hiatus - Polytrix

Caught? (M)

first time reader check in:

(18+ chapter)

RUMI's POV:

It's been three months since everything went down with the Saja Boys, and a lot has happened since. Not much has changed regarding the honmoon, Huntr/x has been super busy fighting demons, but the golden honmoon is finally back in our reach.

It's been weird having conversations with my sword aka Jinu... but he is honestly my best guy friend at the moment. He's been helping me navigate my weird feelings. I've always known I was bi, but in comparison to hiding my patterns all of these years, I never really thought too much about it until the bath house.

*****
Three months ago

I take a deep breath, clutching the rope of my robe tightly. I never actually thought that Zoey and Mira would see all of me. I got used to hiding my patterns, and anything that leaves me vulnerable. Bath houses are the norm here, but not for me. I've always had to clean myself in private. It still shouldn't be a big deal, but I've never shown anyone, let alone people I care about, ALL of me. What if they don't like what they see?

Wait, why do I even care? They are my friends and they love me.

"Rumi! Are you coming?" Mira yells, her words ricochet off of the lockers.

Ugh, why am I like thisssss!!! Get yourself together Rumi, we are the #1 girl group in the world right now. Get a hold of your confidence.

My heart beat quickens, and I unravel my robe, feeling the chill air leave goosebumps on my skin. My feet lead me toward the bath. Then, I see them.

Zoey and Mira. Every single inch of their bodies glisten gold against the water. They are perfect. My mouth opens ever so slightly, biting the corner of my lip.

"Bath-house with Rumi!" Zoey and Mira chant over and over, clapping to an imaginary beat in their heads, eyes closed with glee.

I smile, walking closer. Their chant stops as they look me up and down. My feet stop moving as I look at both of their faces, a weird feeling begins to fill my abdomen.

"Rumi, are you okay?" Zoey nervously asks. There's an expression in both of them I can't quite read, but it draws me in. I want to be close to them.

So much so, that I forgot I was just standing there... naked for them both to see. It feels different than in changing rooms for our shows or practices. It's bare. New.

I practically catapult myself into the bath, and the warm water envelops me. I sink into it, trying my best to forget about that awkward encounter.

"Wow, this feels amazing" I mutter.

"We've been saying that for years," Mira reaffirms.

"Right? See what you've been missing?" Zoey cutely says. Her voice makes me smile.

This is more like it. These are my girls. My best friends. They would never judge me.

"Oh yeah, I want to come here every day on our three month hiatus" I sigh, fully savoring this moment.

I thought we've already shared every emotion between us by now, but the weeks that followed surprised us all.

Each time we went to the bath house, I noticed the same unreadable expression on both of their faces, and each time my chest would fill with butterflies.

*****

Mira acted first, enough to make me overthink everything about myself...

One week later: