The sound of the crowd was almost deafening. It usually was after a Huntr/x show, and the girls had just learned to tune it out like pros. Big smiles, quick waves, a few blown kisses, and then out. Once the elevator doors closed behind them, it was like the world could breathe again. Mira sighed, leaning her full weight against the elevator wall.

"What a fun show. But I miss our couch already.”

Zoey gave a small laugh, mopping sweat off her forehead with the sleeve of her hoodie.

“Yes! Couch. I miss our couch. Rumi, don’t you miss our couch?!”

She was tugging playfully at Rumi’s jacket, which earned a barely-there smirk and a single arched brow.

“Sure. Couch sounds great.”

Rumi was still smiling, like, actually smiling, and not her usual camera smile. A soft one. And Mira caught it instantly.

“Okay. Nope. Why the hell are you smiling like that? You're not even tired. What is happening. Are you okay? Blink twice if you’re dying.”

Rumi blinked once. Dramatically.

Zoey’s eyes widened in mock realization.

“Wait. Wait wait wait. Is this because she came to the show tonight?”

Rumi froze. Zoey gasped.

“Oh my God, it is, isn’t it? You were totally doing the most during the final set! Don’t even lie! Choreo was extra crisp, vocals were all ‘look-at-me-I’m-in-love!’ vibes, Mira, tell me you saw that.”

Mira deadpanned in reply.

“I was distracted, There were dumplings in the greenroom.”

Rumi tried so hard to stay annoyed.

“You’re both impossible.”

Zoey only beamed at the remark.

“Rumi, I love you, but you were staring right at her the entire time. It was like, fan cam level. Honestly. I'm gonna start charging her.”

“I was not.”

But her voice cracked slightly near the end, and they all knew it. You’d finally made it to a show- her girlfriend, secret or not, was standing out there in the crowd like a real part of her life, and Rumi wanted to make sure every second was worth it. So maybe she’d tried harder than usual. Maybe her eyes found you without meaning to. Oh well.

Mira muttered, mock horror in her voice.

“Oh no, Our girl’s got it bad.”

Zoey leaned in like she was sharing an important secret.

“Mira, I think Rumi’s in loooove.”

Rumi’s cheeks flushed immediately as she tried to defend herself.

“Okay, first of all? Shut up. Second, do not say that around her. We haven’t said the L-word yet!”

Mira snorted and gave Rumi a pat on the shoulder.

“Babe. You don’t need to. It’s written all over your face.”

The elevator dinged and the trio stepped into the back hall of the venue. Crew members parted instinctively, clearing the path to the dressing room. Rumi adjusted the cuff of her jacket, trying to reset her composure.

She failed. Zoey just added on casually,

“I’m just saying, if you look at someone like that during a performance? Pretty sure you're already saying it.”

Mira chuckled and opened the dressing room door—then paused, grinning.

“Speak of the angel.”

And there you were. Waiting by the far wall, smile wide, cheeks a little pink, rocking the oversized Huntr/x shirt like you were any other fan. You weren't. You were Rumi’s person, even if the world didn’t know it yet.

She was halfway to you before she even realized she’d moved. One hand instinctively reached for yours, the other gently tugging the shirt fabric at your side, laughing just a little bit.

“Oh no. Don’t tell me you paid for this, My girlfriend should not be paying for merch. You literally could've texted me, we’ve got boxes of this stuff in the penthouse, like, actual mountains of it.”

Zoey peeked in again, already dragging Mira back down into the hall.

“We’ll be in Bobby’s lounge if you two wanna... you know. Talk.”

Rumi glared at the two of them half-heartedly.

“You’re not funny.”

Mira waved over her shoulder.

“Yea, we’re hilarious.”

Then the door clicked shut, leaving you alone together. Rumi let herself relax, let her fingers tangle with yours properly now, let herself lean in just a little more than usual.

She was still smiling. But softer this time. Like she admiring the amazing girl in front of her.