Chapter Text
Ever since they'd managed to return Jinu's gifted soul to a physical form, texting with him at the end of a particularly frustrating day had become habit for Rumi. So when the tiger—who Zoey had affectionately named "Derpy" upon finding out Jinu had simply been calling him "tiger" for centuries—appeared through her floor carrying a note that read, "I bought kimbap," she smiled and climbed on his back.
"Mmm, this is from Lee Kimbap, isn't it?"
Jinu didn't bother hiding a smirk as he watched her first bites. "You do keep insisting that it's the best."
"Because it is." The pointed look she leveled at him had Jinu raising his hands in surrender.
Jinu's apartment was small, tucked away in a quieter part of Seoul. And while plainly furnished, it did house a table currently piled with food and a couch just large and padded enough for two to sink into.
Sitting quietly on his side of the couch, Jinu watched her as she slowly opened up about her day. Rumi could feel his eyes on her, listening intently as she went into detail about long choreography sessions and overzealous fans. Occasionally he'd say something understanding or add in a snarky quip to lighten the mood, but for the most part he was quiet, just allowing her to get everything off of her chest.
At a pause in her recounting, Jinu suddenly stood and walked into another room, returning shortly with something in his hands. Rumi reached up just in time to catch the piece of clothing being tossed at her face.
"I'm glad you don't feel like you have to hide your patterns anymore, but you were starting to shake the couch with your shivering."
"I was not," she said with a roll of her eyes, feeling a flush rise to her cheeks. She still pulled the hoodie on gratefully, ignoring the smug look on his face.
Pleasantly drained after her venting, Jinu suggested she stay and relax a while. Sounding too tempting to pass up, she was about to suggest a movie they could put on when the title of said movie appeared on the TV screen.
"I've been wanting to see this one for weeks," she said with a contented sigh.
"I know." Jinu grinned as Rumi glanced at him curiously. "You mentioned it two weeks ago. Knowing you, it wasn't hard to guess that you hadn't gotten around to it yet."
"I've been busy," she mumbled as she snuggled further into the couch cushions.
"You've been refusing to sit still for two hours," he teased as he pressed "play".
The two of them sat in comfortable silence as they watched the main characters navigate a high-stakes operation while romantic tension bubbled between them. Occasionally Rumi thought she felt a pair of eyes on her, but when she'd glance over to Jinu, his attention was on the screen. He had one arm perched on the armrest with the other resting between them, fingers idly picking at the edge of his cushion. Her eyes quickly locked back onto the screen, shoving down the sudden urge to casually place her hand next to his.
By the time the end credits began to roll, Rumi could feel her eyelids drooping.
"Maybe you should stay the night," said Jinu as she yawned and rubbed at her eyes. "Wouldn't want you falling off the tiger in the middle of Cheonggye Plaza."
"I'll be fine." Accepting an offered hand from Jinu, Rumi pried herself out of the soft cushions. "Besides, if I tried to sleep on your couch, I'm not sure I'd be able to crawl back out."
His quiet chuckle warmed her chest. "I was going to take the couch," he said with a smile. "Although," a twinkle suddenly lit in his eye as he leaned in, face inches from her own, "I'm pretty sure we could both squeeze into my bed."
Rumi's face suddenly matched a ripe tomato, eyes wide. "What!? Um, I don't—I mean—that's—"
Unapologetic laughter burst from Jinu as he leaned back. With a wide grin, he said, "Well, you seem plenty awake now. I'm glad. I'll sleep easier knowing you won't fall to your death." He turned to Derpy with a cheeky look. "Though if she does, make sure to let me know so I can hide the body. Wouldn't want to traumatize the fans."
Every visible part of her skin still bright red, she punched him in the arm before opening the sliding door to Jinu's small balcony.
"This is the thanks I get for making sure you get home safe," he said, rubbing his bicep as Derpy followed Rumi outside.
"You deserve worse," she teased, trying to keep a shy smile from tugging at her lips. Climbing on the tiger's back, she paused before speaking again, tone turning sincere. "Thanks. For tonight. Didn't realize how much I needed it."
Jinu reached out, burying his hand in Derpy's soft fur barely an inch from where Rumi's rested. He held her gaze, all signs of playfulness gone. "I'm always here if you need anything."
On impulse, she laid her hand on top of his, giving it a light squeeze. Something danced in his eyes as they darted to their hands and back up again, but before she could name it, she let go and sat up straight.
"I should go." Her voice came out a bit higher than usual. "Another busy day tomorrow."
"Right." Stepping away, he put his hands in his pockets. "Text me when you make it back?"
She smiled. "Wouldn't want you to think I fell off."
With a small wave, Derpy leapt into the air. Forcing herself to not look back, Rumi sucked in a deep breath, trying to settle the heart pounding in her chest. Her efforts proved fruitless, however, when all it took to start it up again was a short response text from Jinu when she informed him of her safe arrival back home.
Glad you didn't fall. Good night, Rumi.
Smiling, she replayed the night's events in her head, resting a hand over her racing heart. She and Jinu had been through a lot since they'd first met, and their relationship had often been more than a little complicated. But between her favorite kimbap, a gaze that truly listened, a movie she'd mentioned one time, and a sweater she was currently drowning in, she was starting to understand that she probably had fallen that night.