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Times New Romance

Summary:

Rumi's been taught her entire life that one day she'll find a man. One day she'll be fixed. So when Zoey starts working at Tigerstripes Bookshop with her at Clear Lake Mall and Mira keeps giving her free coffee at Magpie's Coffee Co. down the hall, Rumi is conflicted. Jinu, her oldest friend and the only person who sees her for who she truly is, helps her. He shows her that she's allowed to be who she is. And with Zoey's confidence in her identity and Mira's kindness, Rumi starts to feel like she doesn't have to hide anymore. She starts to feel less like a mistake.

 

AKA: a long-winded and self indulgent metaphor for internalized homophobia based on a kids' movie wrapped in a bookshop/coffee shop au

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Chapter 1: i could die a million times and i'd still wake up at your door

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Tigerstripes Bookstore @ Clear Lake Mall.

Now hiring!

Looking for employees with a passion for reading to help stock, organize, and check out customers.

Email Rumi Ryu at [email protected]

11-8 on weekdays and 10-9 on weekends. Closed on Sundays.

 

Zoey first saw the ad when she was scrolling through a job hunting website. It wasn't too far away and Zoey would describe herself as having a passion for reading. Many people would describe her as having a passion for anything. Zoey tried to take those statements as compliments. Regardless, she applied, sending them a terribly over-exaggerated resume (her mom says it's just normal-exaggerated, but Zoey begs to differ) and a messy cover letter. She was surprised when there was almost an immediate answer asking if she could come in tomorrow for an interview.

This was how she found herself walking around a mall on a Tuesday at 1pm. She showed up early just in case she got lost and good thing because she did get very lost. She finally found the place. A sign bordered the entrance, a blue cat sleeping on top of the title of the store. It’s cozy. The inside matched. It was all dark woods and tall shelves stacked full of books. There were other little trinkets around, but the books were overwhelming the space, stacked on top of bookcases and on the floor where the shelves were spilling over. There were a few glass displays of rare stuff and an excited looking man sat behind a wide counter.

“Hi!” he said. “Welcome to Tigerstripes!” He had the widest smile Zoey had ever seen. Second widest; Zoey’s was the first. Zoey grinned back.

“Hey! I’m looking for Rumi Ryu? I had an interview set up.”

“Oh that’s right! Rumi told me about that.” He snapped his fingers and pointed at Zoey. “She should be in soon.”

“Thanks!”

She looked around the store a bit more, half paying attention to the countless copies of Emma by Jane Austen and half paying attention to the guy behind the counter. She turned to face him. “What was your name?”

“Oh, I’m Bobby.” He held out a hand and Zoey moved to shake it.

“Great to meet you, Bobby! I’m Zoey.”

“Well, Zoey, good luck with Rumi.”

“Do I need luck?”

Bobby laughed, shaking his head. “No, she’s the nicest person you’ll meet.”

“She’s a good boss?”

“Absolutely. A little scatter-brained, but who wouldn’t be?” He held his arms out, gesturing to the store as a whole. “There’s so much information in these books and you expect us to remember we went to the back to grab paper towels? No way, José.”

Zoey laughed, but stopped when Bobby turned and waved.

“Hey Rumi!”

Zoey spun to face Rumi and, Huh, she thought, Not what I was expecting. Rumi was young. Like Zoey’s-age-young probably. Zoey was expecting someone that emailed with a signature to be at least past their 40’s. More surprisingly, Rumi’s hair was a wild purple color, hanging down her back and past her knees in a braid. Besides that all, she was also really hot. Zoey had to remind herself of the goal here. She needed to remember to get the paper towels from the back.

Rumi returned a wave to Bobby. “Hi Bobby.” She turned to Zoey. “And you must be Zoey.”

Zoey offered a hand. “Yup, that’s me!”

Rumi took it with a slight smile. Really fucking hot.


The interview went fine, Zoey stuttering over some questions but doing overall a decent job. Rumi said she had a few more interviews, but she’d get back to her that night. True to her word—which Zoey never doubted; that woman had an air of confidence that could shatter a brick wall—Rumi called her that night with the affirmation that Zoey got the job and asked if she could come in next week. She did some training with Bobby and he was nice. Like SUPER nice. Like he and Zoey were already planning ice cream hangouts nice. He was incredibly patient, knowing just what to say and how to say it in a way Zoey could understand. It left her feeling confident enough to open the next morning.

Zoey woke up with a text from Rumi.

Rumi: Hey Zoey! I’ll be opening with you today. What’s your coffee order?

Zoey’s coffee order was an elaborate mix of specific syrups and mix-ins to get the perfect taste. She texted her back:

Zoey: Anything sweet!

Rumi: Haha! Not surprised ;)

Less than a week and Rumi had already read her like a book. Ha, book pun. It wasn’t too farfetched though; Zoey wore her heart on her sleeve. She practically wore her heart embroidered across her entire wardrobe. Zoey didn’t mind it though. It just meant Rumi didn’t have to ask whether or not she even liked coffee. Of course she liked coffee.

She arrived early, the gate unlocked but still pulled down and the lights on. She set her bag down behind the counter and clocked in just as Rumi walked up from the back. “Hey Zoey! Great to see you.” She was holding a coffee in hand, setting it on the counter for her.

“Oh my god, you’re the best.” Zoey took the cup, the smell already waking her up. “I can totally pay you back—”

“No, don’t worry about it.” Rumi brushed it off. “My treat.”

“Best boss ever,” Zoey mumbled. “I’m expecting this every morning from now on or I quit.”

“After five days on the job?”

Zoey nodded very seriously, taking a sip. The taste cut off every other thought happening in her head. “Holy shit, this is really good.”

Rumi laughs. “It’s Magpie’s Coffee Co. down the hall. They’ve got pretty good coffee.”

“Wow, yeah, they do.” Attractive woman buying her coffee? Zoey could get used to this.

Rumi walked Zoey through the steps of opening, showing her the lightswitches and how to open the gate. Bobby arrived for his shift a few hours later.

“Ah, I see you’ve already discovered the favorites around here.” He gestured to her practically empty coffee cup, the small amount left grown cold.

“Totally. I can see why it’s a favorite. Speaking of which, I kinda wanna take my break and get more.”

Bobby laughed. “I’ve got you covered.”

“Where is the coffee shop, by the way? Magpie’s?”

“Did you not—?” Bobby looked confused.

“Oh, no. Rumi got that for me this morning. I haven’t really explored the mall yet.”

“Seriously? Wow, Rumi’s already picking favorites, getting you coffee.”

The idea of Rumi only getting coffee for her made her blush slightly, a warmth coming to her cheeks she hoped Bobby couldn’t see. “Haha, yup!” she tried to cover up the awkward silence. “Uh, do you want me to get you anything while I’m there?”

“No, I’m good.” He and Zoey exchanged a fist bump. “I’ll see you in 30.”

After following Bobby’s oddly explained directions, she found herself at Magpie’s Coffee Co. It wasn’t a store really, more like a pop up in the food court down the hall. The store was themed black and white, with yellow lettering and a lineart of a magpie as their logo. She realized she passed it when she was walking through the mall to the bookstore every morning. It was an odd hour on a Thursday, so no one else was there when she stopped by.

A tall woman with long red hair pulled back in twin pony tails walked up to the counter. Does everyone in this mall have crazy long and dyed hair? Zoey felt out of place. “Hey,” the woman said. “What can I get for you?”

“That’s a very good question.”

The woman eyed Zoey, her gaze dragging up her frame. She felt flustered all over again. “I’ve been seeing you around quite a bit recently. Is the mall just your new hangout spot or are you stalking someone?”

She said it in such a blunt manner that Zoey briefly considered the possibility that she had been stalking someone. Possibly Bobby. Maybe Rumi. Zoey laughed it off. “No, I just started working down the hall. At Tigerstripes Bookstore.”

The name caught the attention of a guy lounging in the back. He brushed his hair out of his eyes with a hand, looking up at Zoey. “You said Tigerstripes?”

“Yeah.”

“Nice. One of my friends works there.” He nodded, turning away to continue staring at the ground.

The woman rolled her eyes at his display, looking back to Zoey. “Tigerstripes is cool. Your boss is super awesome. Speaking of, we offer a discount to anyone that works in the mall if you’re looking for coffee.”

Zoey grinned. “I’m always looking for coffee.”

“And we’re always here. What can I get for you?”

Zoey gave her order, trying to keep it short.

“And a name?”

“Zoey.”

A few minutes later, the woman called her name. “It’s nice to meet you, Zoey,” she said, handing her the coffee. 

“Nice to meet you, too. Can I get your name?”

The woman smiled slightly, a smirk across her sharp features. “Next time.”

Zoey left feeling a little weaker in the knees and finished her coffee before her break was even over.

 

Just after Zoey left, Jinu snuck up behind Mira. He counted on his fingers. “Smooth opening straight to the flirting, got the girl’s name and left her wanting more. I’d give it a solid 9/10.”

Mira elbowed him in the ribs, punching a sound out of his throat that was part laughter but mostly a wheeze.

Notes:

Chapter title from Relimerence by The Happy Fits

Chapter 2: no point in fixing what's fine (love the way you say my name)

Summary:

Rumi & Jinu are dumbasses but they're dumbass bffs <3
Mira and Zoey flirt and Zoey notices some strange behavior from Rumi.

Notes:

cw: characters mention american holiday (labor day)
idk how to write about other cultures so we're stuck with an american mall

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Jinu was standing in front of the gate when Rumi got in that morning.

“Nothing else to do in your eventful life but awkwardly stand in front of a bookstore waiting to ambush the woman that works there?”

Jinu scoffs. “I have plenty to do. A whole list in fact.” He leaned against the wall as Rumi pulled the gate open. “And bothering you is on that list.” Rumi sighed, holding the gate up for him to duck under before pulling it back down behind her. “And I wouldn’t call it ambushing per se."

“What would you call it?”

“Lurking?”

“That makes it sound worse.” Rumi set her keys on the counter. “Why are you here?”

“My shift starts in two hours and I didn’t have anything better to do. And remember: I’ve got my list.”

“I’d like to see that list,” Rumi muttered.

“Sooo.” He leaned against the counter, like a cat vying for attention. “I met Zoey yesterday.”

Rumi flushed at the mention. “And?”

“She’s super nice. Cool hair.”

Rumi raised an eyebrow, looking up from counting the cash in the register. “That’s all you got? Cool hair?”

“She was pretty.”

Rumi grew more flushed.

Jinu grinned. “Ah, I see.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Jinu put his hands up in surrender. “Me neither.” He picked up a lucky cat statue from a shelf, imitating its waving arm. “I just think it’d be nice to put yourself out there.”

“You break it; you buy it,” Rumi said. She sighed, closing the register and staring at her hands. “I don’t know. I don’t know if I’m ready. I don’t know how to tell when I am ready.”

Jinu set the cat back down on the shelf. He walked back up to the counter, holding out a hand for Rumi to take. She did. “You don’t have to be ready yet. You’ll know when you’re ready.” He grinned. “And when you are, I’ll be there ready for double dates.”

“With what boyfriend?”

Jinu leaned back, placing a hand over his heart and scoffing in mock-offense. “You wound me.”

Rumi laughed. She smiled sadly at him. “I just wish I had the confidence to be myself like you do,” she said softly, like a secret between the two.

Jinu took her hand again. “You will. You just need to allow yourself to be yourself. The rest will follow.”

She glanced at him, a warmth shared between them. She broke it off when she checked the clock. “Alright, go open the gate.”

“What? Why me?”

“Because I haven’t finished the cash count yet and I’m beginning to think your list is fake.”

Jinu grumbled something under his breath as he walked to open the gate.


A few hours later, after Jinu left (only after reading through half the comics and commandeering the back office and its mini fridge), Zoey came in.

“Morning!” Rumi called.

“Hey,” Zoey returned, a giddiness about her.

Rumi was glad to have Zoey working at the store. Her excitement bled into everyone she interacted with and Rumi wondered where she got the energy from. Her answer was set on the table, a fresh cup of tea from Magpie’s. It was the phone number written along the side that caught Rumi’s attention.

Rumi groaned internally. “Oh no, please don’t tell me Jinu’s already hit on you.” Jinu was attractive and he knew it, flirting with girls despite not having any sort of attraction for them. He said he was practicing for when he talked to boys, but Rumi noticed a severe lack in the talking department when there were any boys Jinu liked around.

Zoey grinned wider at the mention and Rumi briefly wondered if that was even possible. “Nope,” she said. “ Mira .” She pulled down the sleeve to show a name written below the number, the dot in the i drawn as a heart. Zoey said the name like it was a victory, presenting it as if it was a prize she’d won.

Rumi’s brain short-circuited briefly. “Like the girl — the girl at the coffee booth—? Coffee shop—? What’s it called—? Magpie’s?”

Zoey pulled the sleeve back up, hiding the name. “Yup.” She was still smiling, quieter and just to herself. Rumi didn’t realize she was staring until Zoey shot her a confused look.

“Uh, cool!” The word was forced and came out a bit choked. “Sorry. I didn’t know— Or I didn’t realize… that— The— Um, I’m gonna work in the back.” Rumi turned, spinning on her heels and awkwardly made her way to the back. She could feel Zoey’s eyes on her the whole time she left.


Zoey: i would play hard to get and wait a few days to text u but i think we both know im not patient enough for that

Mira: Ah, Zoey I presume.

The response was immediate and Zoey’s heart fluttered at the thought.

Zoey: that’s right :)

Zoey: how was ur day?

Mira: Good! Pretty slow, as Mondays always are. Yours?

Zoey: the same

Zoey: do u like working in the mall?

Mira: Is this an interrogation?

Zoey: only if u want it to be ;)

Mira: Hm, let me take a rain check on that. To answer your question, I enjoy working in the mall. It’s fun to see regulars and there’s never a dull moment. I like making friends with the other shop employees.

Zoey: so we’re friends?

Mira: Only if you want us to be ;)


Zoey arrived groggy the next day despite her shift starting at 1. Rumi noticed her starting to nod off about an hour before close, jerking her head back up and fighting her third yawn in one minute. Not that Rumi was watching Zoey that closely to notice. Or that she had unknowingly abandoned her task, staring at Zoey. She shook herself out of her trance, speaking up:

“Do you want to take the rest of the night off? I’m here 'til close.”

Zoey stared at her blankly, as if she was considering the possibility of staying. She finally deflated a bit, her lips turning up. “Really?”

“Totally. Take the night off, you deserve it.”

Zoey climbed up out of the chair, stretching up in a way that made Rumi feel like she needed to look away. Zoey clocked out, grabbing her bag from behind the counter.

“I’m gonna get such good sleep tonight, even you’ll feel it.”

Rumi had no idea what that meant, but she flushed slightly anyway. “Have a good night.”

Jinu was walking into the store as Zoey was leaving. She pointed at him. “Magpie boy.”

Jinu pointed back. “Tigerstripes girl.” He held out a hand for her to shake. “I’m Jinu.” Zoey took his hand as Jinu glanced behind her. “Where’s Rumi?”

“Back desk.”

Rumi waved at him from the desk and he waved back. He muttered something to Zoey that Rumi couldn’t hear and walked up.

“Your shift over?”

Jinu shrugged. “Yeah, for the rest of the night. No one wants coffee at 7pm.”

“Zoey probably does.”

Jinu grinned. Rumi swatted his arm. “Hey! I came here out of the kindness of my heart to hang out with a friend and you betray me?”

Rumi gave him a pointed look, moving to the front counter. He followed, a cheeky smile on his face.

“Y’know I’m just curious, you’ve got all these new romantic possibilities and a summer romance is just calling your name.” Jinu gasped. “Wait! I propose a plan.”

“Oh no.”

“Project: Get Rumi a Date By The End of the Summer. Oh! And your deadline is… Labor Day.”

“Deadline for what?”

“Getting a date—Did you hear a word I just said?”

Rumi glanced up from her computer, an eyebrow raised. “Kind of?”

“You need to end your life of celibacy, Rumi.”

Rumi could feel her cheeks darken at the statement. “I don’t know.”

“Low stakes, no pressure. But also like, it could be fun.”

“It sounds horrifying.”

Jinu snapped his fingers. “That wasn’t a no!”

Rumi scoffed. She glanced down at her hands, fiddling with her fingers. A nervous habit.

Jinu’s look softened and he leaned against the counter, his full attention on Rumi. “What’s on your mind?”

“I— I… I’m still working right now.”

“Who’s coming into a bookstore at 7:30 on a Tuesday? Just close the shop now.”

Rumi shot him a look and he surrendered, sitting on a stool behind the counter.


Thirty minutes later, Rumi closed the gate. Jinu was sitting on the counter kicking his feet out. “What’s up?”

Rumi hoisted herself up on the counter beside him. Something about how Jinu spoke, how he treated her, how he listened, made Rumi want to tell him everything. He was the longest friend she’d ever had and she was glad for it. He was always there when she needed him; a shoulder to cry on, a friend to laugh with. He saw her fully and he didn’t shy away. He provided a space where Rumi could feel whole. She leaned into his side, speaking. “I’m feeling… confused.”

“In a good way or a bad way?”

“I’m not sure.”

“That’s okay.” He waited a beat. “Something happen?”

Rumi hesitated slightly, the words stuck in her throat. She finally forced them out. “Mira gave Zoey her number.”

“And?” he asked softly, inviting her to continue without force.

“And I don’t know. I just don’t understand.”

“Don’t understand what?”

“How— How they can just… be .” Rumi twisted her hand in the air, a pathetic little gesture like she was trying to pull the feeling out of the air and hand it to Jinu. Like it had to be solid for him to believe her. “How they can just do that without any thought. Any fear.”

“You think they should be more careful?”

“No. No, not at all. I just— It surprised me. Zoey came in with Mira’s number written on her cup and it wasn’t strange. It was just a thing that happened.”

“You’re right: it isn’t strange.”

“It was just a thing that happened,” she echoed.

He laid his hand over hers. “You’re allowed to be just a thing that happened too, Rumi.”

She took his hand. “But what if something goes wrong?”

“Then you’ll learn from it.”

“And if there’s nothing to learn?”

He smiled, a warmth shared between them. “You’ll figure it out. And if you can’t, I’ll help.”

She returned his smile. “Thanks, Jinu.”

“In return, you can get started on Project: Get Rumi a Date By The End of the Summer (Deadline: Labor Day).”

“Only if you give it a shorter title.”

Notes:

Chapter title from news by Jack Dean
i would tag it "Alternate Universe - Everyone's a Dumbass Loser" but that wouldn't be an alternate universe

anyway, updates will be slow (re: sledgehammer)
thank you for reading!

Chapter 3: i've been feeling very lost and found (but you always seem to seek me out)

Summary:

Mira gets flustered, Zoey rants about goblincore, and Rumi is a goblinwhore.

Notes:

Sorry about such a short update! I've been working through the pain of the AO3 curse to get this chapter out. I hope you enjoy! Just fyi, I changed how the texting looks throughout the chapters. I'm new to publishing on AO3 and haven't found a good style yet.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Mira was ready to go home ten minutes after she came in for her shift. The coffee machine was being annoying, the customers were being annoying, and, unsurprisingly, Jinu was being annoying.

“She broke you after just two days! Two coffees! That’s gotta be a new record.”

“Jinu, if you say one more word, I’m gonna waterboard you with coffee.”

A slow smile spread over Jinu’s face.

“And if you say, ‘ Wouldn’t that be coffee-boarding? ’ I’ll crush you.”

Jinu put his hands up in retreat, taking a step back.

Mira’s phone buzzed in her pocket and she pulled it out to see a text from Zoey.

Zoey: is jinu the guy you work with?

Mira: Unfortunately. Why?

Zoey: he just dropped by yesterday to talk with rumi

Zoey: i guess he did say he was friends with someone at the shop

Mira: Yeah, they’ve been friends for ages. I’m glad for it too. He needs someone to humble him on his good looks.

Zoey: LMAO i wholeheartedly agree

Zoey: do you know rumi or are you just assuming everyone i work with is hot?

Mira: It wouldn’t be that big a stretch; but yeah, I know Rumi. She stops by for coffee quite a bit. She’s hot.

Zoey: really hot

A customer walked up to the counter and Mira pocketed her phone.


A couple hours later, Jinu took his break. It was late enough that their stand was practically empty. Mira took to staring off into space. Sometimes, she would close her eyes and pretend the rumbling noise of all the people in the mall was the sound of a river. Sometimes, Mira felt like a rock in that river, the water rushing over her and sanding down all her hard edges. Her eyes flicked open when she heard someone walk up to the counter.

“Hey Mira.” Rumi gave a short wave.

“Rumi, what’s up?” Mira liked Rumi. She would always take the time to ask Mira about her day. Unlike other customers, who she went out of her way not to talk to, Mira looked forward to seeing her. She didn’t sand down her hard edges like rushing water; she smoothed them over like clay.

“Eh, just work.” She shrugged. “Anything new on your end?”

Mira returned the shrug, a tired half gesture. “Coffee.”

Rumi grinned, like a flicker across her features that she couldn’t control. It crinkled around her eyes. “So what you’re saying is I might lose a few points in the Mira’s Favorite People ranking if I ask you to make one for me now?”

“No. You couldn’t lose points if you wanted to.”

The tips of Rumi’s ears flushed. She recovered quickly, much to Mira’s amusement, and sat on one of the bar stools. “Well.” She leaned across the counter. “I’m glad you’re here.” Her eyes flicked up to meet Mira’s, a half smile pulling the edge of her lip up.

Mira opened her mouth to say something. Tried again. Sputtered out half a sound before coughing into her hand and choking out the question: “‘Cause my coffee’s better than Jinu’s?”

The edges of Rumi’s eyes crinkled again. “That’s one of the reasons.” She rested her chin in her palm. “I can think of a few others.”

Mira froze. She was usually the flirter , not the flirtee . Her cheeks were warming and she tried to salvage the situation. “Speaking of coffee, can I, uh, get you some?”

“Sure.”

Mira stayed a few moments longer than she had to before offering Rumi a thumbs up and turning away.

By the time she had finished Rumi’s drink, Jinu had sat beside Rumi. The quiet conversation between the two was cut off when Mira set the cup down.

“Thanks!” Rumi stood up. “I’d love to stay and talk, but I don’t want to leave Zoey for too long.”

Jinu and Rumi exchanged goodbyes before the latter turned to Mira. “You should text me. It’d be nice to talk more.”

Mira watched as she walked away, waving back when Rumi waved to her from the escalator until she disappeared from view.

Jinu bumped her shoulder with his, tying his apron around his front. “You liiiike her.” He said it in a way a child would, teasing on the playground.

Mira glared at him. “You are not allowed to give me dating advice when I have yet to see you experience anything even remotely romantic.”

“Have you considered that I might be saving myself for marriage?”

“Have you considered the fact that you’re never gonna have any sort of marriage if you don’t date someone?”

Jinu rolled his eyes, lazily wiping down the counter with a wet rag. “Maybe I’m secretly a prince and my king and queen parents have made an arranged marriage with me and the most attractive woman in the world and we get married and I don’t invite you to our wedding and you’re jealous.”

He said it like a gotcha, like he had won the argument. Mira scoffed and let him live out his fantasy land, moving to take a customer’s order.


“Hey Zoey,” Rumi asked. “Do you mind helping me shift some books in the back?”

“Sure! I mean, no. I mean, yes?” Zoey’s expression went blank momentarily before she carefully enunciated. “No, I do not mind helping you shift some books in the back, Rumi.”

Rumi smiled. “Cool, I just need to clear up some space on the lower shelves.”

 

Rumi had set up the ladder in the back, high enough to allow her to reach the top shelves. “Can you just hand me the books on the bottom shelves? I’ll put them up there.”

They worked rhythmically, half chatting while moving books back and forth. Zoey stretched her arms above her head. “I am going to get so jacked after working here.”

Rumi laughed as Zoey punctuated the statement with a weak flex. “Guys will be crawling all over you.”

Zoey clicked her tongue, shooting a finger gun at Rumi. “And girls. I’m not picky.”

Rumi froze briefly, her hand flinching slightly as she set the newest stack of books from Zoey on the shelf. “Ah, that too.”

Zoey didn’t seem to realize she had derailed Rumi’s mind. Not that it was running on the track well anyway. Zoey yawned, shaking her head and wiping tears from her eyes.

Rumi attempted to get the conversation back to something decently friendly. “Stay up too late again?”

Zoey opened one eye, grinning up at her. Rumi flushed lightly. “Nah, I’m always tired. And that lo-fi stuff you have playing in the store knocks me out.”

“I can see that. I put on lo-fi for my cat sometimes when he’s stressed. It always calms him down.”

Zoey froze, halfway through handing a new stack to Rumi. “You have a cat?”

Rumi laughed. “Yeah, his name is Derpy.”

Zoey gasped and mumbled the name to herself.

“I didn’t choose the name, though. He was Jinu’s, but I kind of gained ownership when Jinu had to move and couldn’t get a pet-friendly apartment.”

“Jinu lost the cat in the divorce.”

Rumi shot her an amused look. “Divorce with him and his apartment?”

“Exactly.”

“Well, if lo-fi puts you in danger of falling asleep at the desk, do you have any other suggestions?”

Zoey let out a noise that was part laughter and part scoffing. “Oh, I sure do.”

Rumi waited a beat before realizing Zoey wasn’t going to continue. “Let’s hear them.”

“Hear…?” Zoey cocked her head, a look of confusion on her face.

“I want to hear your suggestions for what we should play in the store.”

“Wait, seriously? Because I can and will go on rants. Like, you need to be mentally prepared before you ask me about song suggestions.”

Rumi laughed again. “I’m mentally prepared.”

Rumi was not mentally prepared. Zoey excitedly talked about all her favorite bands for almost half an hour. She explained about 14 different genres Rumi had never heard of ( “Goblincore? Like, music goblins would listen to?” “Kind of? It’s like embracing the ugly. Like beautiful flowers growing from the ugly dirt.” “So it’s dirtcore.” “No, dirtcore is a very different thing.” ) and told Rumi about how they might affect customer’s attitudes. Rumi had never been so passionate about anything as Zoey could be over practically any topic. She listened with a sort of wide-eyed amazement. Every single one of Zoey’s thoughts cut off the last one, ideas blending together that shared her excitement in a way words never could. Rumi hadn’t realized how caught up she had gotten in just watching her until Zoey stopped, her hands spread out in a frozen gesture.

“Sorry, I’m getting too much, aren’t I? I can stop.”

“No,” Rumi said, a bit too forcefully. Zoey’s head shot up to stare at her in bewilderment. “I— I like hearing you talk.”

Zoey deflated a bit. She sent a careful smile up to Rumi. “Really? You don’t have to patronize me.”

“I’m serious. I want to hear what you have to say.”

A bright flush appeared over Zoey’s cheeks and she let out a breathy laugh, clearing her throat.

Rumi prodded more. “Tell me more about Kaz Moon.”

Zoey grinned.


A bit later, after Zoey had seemed to grow too anxious to continue talking even after Rumi kept asking her questions, the two had moved all the books.

“Tada!” Zoey exclaimed, shaking her hands out towards the empty shelves.

Rumi couldn’t control her smile at Zoey’s excitement. “I’ll bet it’ll be two days before these are filled with books. Then we begin the process all over again.”

Zoey gave Rumi a high-five. “Hell yeah!”

Rumi returned the ladder to the back wall as Zoey surveyed their progress.

“Oh!” Zoey called. “Forgot a book.” She plucked a tipped book from one of the bottom shelves and leaned on her toes, stretching to place it somewhere higher where the shelves were filled. The movement caused her shirt to ride up and a small window of exposed skin appeared.

Rumi knew she shouldn’t stare. Knew it was impolite or inappropriate or a multitude of other reasons. She couldn’t seem to take her eyes off her though. Zoey was wearing boxers, the edges of the band peaking up over her jeans. Rumi watched her; how the muscles in her stomach tensed as she stretched up, how her boxers slipped down slightly as she moved to the tips of her toes.

Rumi’s eyes flicked up to Zoey’s. Rumi’s face was burning and she felt a little lightheaded. Zoey looked a little concerned. Shit, she probably said something. Rumi finally muttered, “Sorry, what?” Smooth.

“I just asked if you were okay. You look flushed.”

“Yeah! Yeah, sorry, I just, uh, overworked myself moving books.”

Zoey nodded very seriously. “That’s okay. Go sit down. I can get Bobby to help me next time.” Zoey sent her a cheeky smile. “In, what, three days when that shelf is full again?”

“Uh, two.”

“That’s right.”

Rumi turned to leave, but stopped when Zoey spoke again.

“Hey, uh… thanks for listening to me rant about my music.” She looked almost apologetic. “Most people don’t care.”

“Oh. Really? I’m surprised. You have good taste.”

Zoey beamed.

Rumi turned to leave again before spinning back for the second time. “If you want to make a playlist for the store—appropriate of course—then I’d be happy to show you how the sound system works.”

Zoey’s eyes widened. “Seriously? Like really?”

“Yeah, of course.” Rumi teased, “If it’s the only way to keep you awake on the job, then absolutely.”

Zoey clapped her hands excitedly. “You are not going to regret this!” She rushed out of the room, shouting a thank you! over her shoulder before she disappeared through the door.

Rumi was left alone in the back room. It didn’t have any sort of air conditioning and the air was sticky, sweat clinging to her skin. She could hear the hum of customers speaking from the front room. She held her fingers up to her neck, feeling her pulse point pound against her skin. She felt like she’d done something wrong. Something sinful.

She stayed in the back and pretended to work on her computer until Bobby told her he was closing.

Notes:

Chapter title from Lost and Found by Wax Works.
Is this chapter an excuse for me to talk about my favorite bands? ABSOLUTELY. Kaz Moon reference? In my fanfiction? More likely than you'd think.
Zoey is so me-coded. I did a presentation in class about the game mechanics of my favorite video game and got so into it that my teacher went "I have never heard someone talk so fast. I wish I could be as excited about things as you are." Long story short, she had to sit with me so I could calm down lmao.

Chapter 4: is this the heaven you planned for? i cannot count on the sky

Summary:

Zoey explains some things to Rumi

Notes:

sorry about such a short chapter (again). I have tomorrow/today/tuesday off so I'll see if I can get another chapter out asap.
thank you everyone for your kudos, comments, and bookmarks, and thank you for sticking around so far to hear my silly little story even though it's taking me so long to get it out (and yes, my hand is feeling much better although has turned an odd purple color)

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Rumi couldn’t sleep. She would close her eyes and see Zoey. And she felt dirty. Like she’d disappointed someone and was having to apologize for it, regret coiling in her stomach. She wasn’t entirely sure on who she’d disappointed. Maybe herself. Celine most likely.

She sat up out of bed and Derpy’s head shot up, blinking sleepily. “Ha, sorry, buddy,” Rumi whispered, smoothing the cat’s ears down. He made a noise against her touch, something between a happy growl, a purr, and a snore. She gave him one final pat before moving to the kitchen.

She paced the floor, long enough that Derpy abandoned his spot on the bed and jumped up onto the counter. The counter where he was not supposed to be. She scooped him up, holding him in her arms and bouncing like she was holding an infant. He looked a little confused as to why he had been abducted but leaned into her anyway.

The memory of yesterday was stuck in Rumi’s mind: Zoey’s movement, a smile to her from the bottom of the ladder, the way she seemed to glow when talking about her music. Butterflies fluttered in Rumi’s stomach when she thought of her. They quickly died and settled at the bottom of her gut like stones. Rumi shook her head, trying to clear her mind. She paced alongside the counter, still rocking Derpy to the point where he was purring in her arms. 

Zoey had sent her a few songs to listen to and despite herself, she had. She had played them on repeat on the walk home, keeping them in her headphones until she had gone to bed. There were only a few. Zoey had talked about more but didn’t “want to overwhelm you with all my suggestions,” she had said sheepishly. There was one that was her favorite: “conversation” by Coastal Club.

(“It’s less of a conversation between the singer and a love interest like you’d think and more of one between the singer and themself. It’s like an unrequited love between someone and their true self, the latter wanting them to be together; meeting halfway. An internal vs. external persona. Someone’s fears vs. what they really want.”

Rumi had been entranced. The way Zoey spoke about music made it feel like something holy, otherworldly. She wanted to feel the same way about it as she did.

Zoey skipped the song currently playing on her phone and played “conversation”. It was the only song neither of them talked through. It made Rumi feel like her chest had opened, exposed, her heart out in the air. The music was gentle with it. She added it to her playlist.)

Rumi hadn’t put much thought into her music. She didn’t quite have a specific taste that was something other than “what sounded nice.” She had never thought deeply about the themes of music like Zoey had.

(“ Music isn’t an essay. It isn’t instructions. It’s an art. And art is not just from the people that have made it: it’s a mosaic of everyone who listens to it; it's a reflection of you. It breaks you down and fills in the rest of the space like kintsugi. It’s healing.” It was the first time Rumi had seen Zoey still, frozen as if all her energy had worked its way to her mind and filtered out into her words. Zoey looked up at her. “It emphasizes your faults in a way that makes them beautiful.”

Zoey held eye contact.

Rumi broke it.)

Rumi considered calling Celine. She considered breaking down. She considered asking for help.

She was too scared to.


Zoey was already talking before Rumi even realized she was there.

“Okay, so I spent four hours yesterday making a playlist for the store. It’s got stuff people will know as well as some of my indie favorites mixed in. Let me show you.”

Rumi smiled up at her from the computer. “Clock in first; you should get paid for your work.”

“This is more all play, no work.” Zoey excitedly gestured to her phone. “Anyway! Look, I’ve got some Beatles with spill kit mixed in and then I added some Vansire—” Zoey just kept going. Rumi was struggling to catch up.

“Put your bag down and I’ll show you how the sound system works in the back.” Rumi brought her to the computer she had plugged into the store speakers.

Rumi returned to the front counter and Zoey came back a few minutes later, a soft song playing from the speakers.

Zoey excitedly pointed to the ceiling, up toward the speakers. “‘You, In The Afternoon’ by Vacation Manor.”

“I like it. I like the singer.”

“Grah! Right?! He’s so good.”

Zoey kicked her bag further under the counter before she gasped. “Wait! I brought something for you.”

Rumi’s curiosity was piqued and she leaned across the counter to watch Zoey dig through her bag. She pulled out a handful of pins with a “Tada!”

“What’s on them?” Rumi asked as Zoey dropped them on the counter, sending them skittering in all different directions. Rumi picked one up. It was a little rectangle with “He/Him” in a bolded typeface across it.

“They’re pronoun pins!” Zoey picked one up that said “She/Her” and attached it to her breast pocket. “So people can know what pronouns we use.”

Rumi rubbed her thumb across the raised text of the pin in her hand. “Can they not tell just by looking at you?”

The question froze Zoey, her fingers stilling on another pin she’d begun to pick up from the counter. “Well,” she started. “You never really want to assume someone’s pronouns. And some people use pronouns you wouldn’t expect, so it’s important to not make them feel left out.”

“So you wear one even though… everyone knows your pronouns? For people with pronouns you wouldn’t guess to feel included.”

“That’s right! And I brought as many different ones as I had so you and Bobby could have them.” Zoey proudly waggled her fingers over her array of pins.

“What pronouns does Bobby use?”

“He/him. That’s why I brought them in. So you don’t even have to ask. And so you don’t get anyone’s wrong.”

Rumi momentarily panicked. She’d known a few people that would wear pronoun tags but she hadn’t really understood it at the time. She wasn’t sure how to talk about it. “And… I’ve been using the right pronouns for you and Bobby, right?”

“Yup!” Zoey gestured to the He/Him pin still in Rumi’s hand, the metal growing warm against her fingers. “I brought that one for Bobby but you’re welcome to choose yours!”

Rumi looked over every single one. Some of them had words she’d never seen before. She set Bobby’s pin down, placing her hands on the counter. “I, uh, think I’m alright. I don’t need one. Thank you though.”

Zoey nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ll—I’ll keep a few in my bag if you ever change your mind!” She scooped the remaining off of the counter, dumping them gracelessly in her bag.

“Alright.” Rumi turned, heading to the back desk.


Zoey : Ok, tell me if u think I’m being overdramatic and I’m like 90% sure I am

Zoey : Do u think Rumi is a bigot??/

Mira : Where did this come from?

Zoey : Idk I just offered her a pronoun pin today and she got really confused?? like she asked why I needed one when “people can just tell”

Mira : Hm, she does seem pretty reserved. Maybe she just doesn’t know?

Zoey : Maybe

Zoey : I tried explaining, but I think I just made her even more confused lol

Mira : Lack of understanding doesn’t necessarily mean she’s against it.

Zoey : Yeah, that’s true

Zoey : Sorry lol, I fs overreacted

Mira : I understand wanting to work for someone who sees you as you really are.

Zoey : Yeah

Mira : Do you have a pride flag?

Zoey : Yeah why lol

Mira : A ton of the shops around the mall have a pride flag in their window. You could hang one up tomorrow and see how she reacts.

Zoey : Ohhhh good idea! Tytyty for ur help :DD

Mira : Absolutely :)


Zoey opened the next day, arriving early. She had a few extra flags and brought a progress pride flag with her. She had ironed it last night, pressing out the creases that had accumulated after being folded up in a box for too long. She used suction cups with little hooks to attach the flag to the inside of the window. It was bright, right in the center of the display.

Rumi came in about half an hour later. Zoey tried not to watch her too obviously when she saw Rumi notice the flag. Zoey wasn’t sure what she was expecting. An intrusive thought in her mind made her see Rumi tear the flag down, demanding to know who hung it up and firing Zoey on the spot. In reality, Rumi gave a small nod before walking in.

She approached the front counter, pointing towards the window. “Did you hang up the flag in the window?”

Zoey took a second to respond, the intrusive thought playing again in her mind. “Yeah, when I came in this morning.”

“Where did you get it from?”

“Uh, I just had it.”

Rumi glanced at it from where she was standing by the counter. “It’s the pride flag, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Why does it have the thing on the top?” Rumi cocked her head slightly.

This was not going how Zoey expected it to. “Uh, like the triangle?”

“Yeah, and the purple circle?”

“It’s the progress pride flag, so it celebrates more than just gay people.”

“Like who?”

“Wellll,” Zoey pointed towards the flag. “The blue, pink, and white is the trans flag; the black and brown represents queer people of color and those affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis; and the yellow with the purple circle is intersex.”

Rumi turned to look at her. “What’s intersex?”

“It’s like someone who doesn’t biologically fit into the male or female characteristics of sex.”

“Huh.” Rumi was looking at the flag again. “That’s cool. I’ve never seen that flag before.”

Maybe Mira was right. Rumi wasn’t bigoted, she just didn’t know. Not only that, she was also taking the time to learn. She wanted to know. And Zoey was happy to help. “It is cool!”

“Why is it in the window?”

Zoey briefly panicked again. “Uh, people deserve to feel seen. There’s a lot of bad rep about queer people going on and it’s important that people know there’s someone in their corner. We need to show them we’re on their side.”

Rumi was looking at the window, a far off look in her eyes. “It is important. Even one person can make a difference.”

Zoey couldn’t help grinning. “That’s right! And look—” she dug through her bag again, pulling out another pin. “I brought you a pin!”

“How many of those do you have?” Rumi joked, moving around to the other side of the counter.

“Literally so many .” She showed her the pin. It was a small circle with the progress pride flag and text overtop reading You’re safe with me . Zoey gave Rumi the pin. “A straight ally pin. So you can be that one person who makes a difference.”

Rumi took it carefully. She held it in her hand. Her eyes darted between Zoey and the pin. “Thank you, Zoey,” she finally said. She closed her fist around it and sent one last look to Zoey before turning away, moving to the back desk.


Zoey : I am literally never doubting u again

Mira : Damn right.

Notes:

Chapter title from conversation by Coastal Club
Is this entire chapter just an advertisement for one of my favorite songs? No comment.
Fanfiction chapter? Nah, Nick gets to talk about his favorite music chapter.
Sorry if this was super dense/boring. I wanted to sort of show Rumi's learning process and think i ended up writing almost a wikipedia article lmao
thank you for reading!

Chapter 5: do you wanna fall in love (or should we hang out at the mall?)

Summary:

Jinu's being gay, Rumi's being gayer, and Zoey's breaking the 4th wall. Mira is eating a pretzel.

Notes:

nick try to post a chapter over 3k words challenge (level: impossible)

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Jinu turned 14 in 2010. Coincidentally, Tangled came out in 2010. He was entranced by Flynn Rider. Therefore: Jinu came out as gay the next day.

It wasn’t a celebration; it wasn’t a mourning. It was simply a thing that happened. His mom was proud of him, Jinu was proud of himself, and his sister was the proudest of them all. And that was all that mattered.

He started going to pride festivals at 15, sticking to smaller ones within the city. He would go all out, wearing the most garish rainbows he could find and painting flags on his cheeks. He loved it. The community, the feeling of being welcome, the understanding. Every single person at pride would have a smile on their face and Jinu couldn’t get enough.

At 23, after almost a decade of attending pride festivals, he spotted someone with more of a frightened look. Obviously, this was cause for investigation. It was a young girl, maybe 20, walking around looking a little overwhelmed. She had her hands in her pockets, eyes darting back and forth between people and booths. She looked interested, like she wanted to see more, but her shoulders would pull in tighter and she’d walk a little faster if she stared in one spot for too long. Jinu watched her turn down an alleyway, disappearing into the darkness. Jinu, not one for understanding toxic masculinity, followed after her.

She had leaned against the brick wall, breathing heavily and her head in her hands. She was mumbling something to herself under her breath, but Jinu didn’t get close enough to hear before her head shot up and her eyes widened.

“You alright?” he asked. “I can totally understand getting overwhelmed. Festivals are LOUD.” He was going for cheeky. The girl looked like she was going to cry. Or maybe punch him. Honestly, probably the latter. Maybe both at the same time.

She didn’t say anything. Just stared at him. She opened her mouth once then closed it. Opened her mouth again. “What?” was all she managed to say.

The question left him as confused as her. “Uh, I’m Jinu.” He offered his hand, pulling back when she almost flinched away from him. “Sorry. I just, um, saw you run in here and wanted to make sure you were alright.”

“I’m fine,” she said curtly.

“Good.”

She nodded slightly, still with a wild look in her eyes. She swallowed. “Jinu.”

A small smile spread across his face. “That’s right.”

“You’re here for the… festival?”

“Yeah.” He grinned, pointing at his cheeks. He’d gone for less rainbows since he’d grown, but still painted flags on every year. “It’s fun! I didn’t want you to miss out.”

The question seemed to catch her off guard. Her shoulders fell and she leaned further into the wall. “Why do you care?” The question wasn’t rude. It was genuine, coming across with a vulnerable lilt at the end.

He gave her another soft smile. “Pride is for everyone to feel included. So everyone can feel loved. It’s for celebrating who you are.” He glanced around the alleyway. “There’s not much celebrating happening in here.”

Her eyes darted between the walls and corner she had come from. She pushed herself off of the wall slightly.

“Here,” he said, gesturing to the end of the alley and the festival happening beyond it. “I’ll buy you a corn dog.”

“What if I don’t want a corn dog?”

“Then I’ll buy you a deep-fried Oreo.”

“Gross.”

He snapped his fingers. “That’s exactly the point.”


Six years later, Jinu walked up to Tigerstripes Bookstore. A pride flag in the window caught his eye, smooth and fluttering slightly against the glass. He grinned despite himself.

Zoey was sitting at the front desk when he approached.

“Hey, Zoey.”

“Good morning!” She smiled at him, seemingly her default.

“Did you add the progress pride flag in the front?”

“Yup.”

“Awesome.” He glanced around. “Where’s Rumi?”

She nodded to the opposite side of the store. “In the back.”

“Thanks.”

He made his way to the back, pushing open the employee only door. It squeaked on its hinges and Rumi glanced up from where she was sitting at the office computer.

“Hey,” she said.

Her attention was back on the computer screen. “Why are you here?”

“Had to clock in for my daily Bother Rumi time.”

She sent him an amused look. “Great news for me.”

He picked up a pen from the table, spinning it between his fingers. “I saw the flag in the front window.”

Rumi’s hands stilled on the computer. She didn’t look away from the computer screen. “Zoey brought it in.”

“But you left it up.”

She glanced up at him. There was an almost shameful look in her eyes, but something like excitement laced between it. “I did.”

“What are you thinking?”

“I…” She buried her face in her hands. “Sorry, I’m just really in the middle of something right now. Can I make it up to you tonight? I’ll show you my secret candy stash.”

“Alright,” Jinu said with a smile. “Looking forward to clearing it out.”

Jinu heard Rumi exhale a laugh as he closed the door.


Zoey: MIRA

Zoey: this is VERY important

Mira: Huh? I’m at work.

Zoey: Jinu works at the coffee shop…

Mira: Where I’m supposed to be working right now.

Zoey : Rumi works at the bookstore…

Mira: Both of these statements are true.

Zoey: MIRA!!! THEY ARE LITERALLY PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER!!! And jinu keeps coming in every day asking for rumi and they disappear in the back and rumi’s ALWAYS in a better mood after he leaves

Zoey: OH MY GOD

Mira: Oh no.

Zoey: bookshop/café au...............

Mira: I have no idea what that means.

Zoey: It means God Herself destined these two to be together

Mira: Because they both work in the same mall?

Zoey: This is a CONSPIRACY, Mira

Zoey: We need to keep this between us

Mira: Believe me, I am not breathing a word of this to anyone else.


It was a few hours later that Mira got another notification. She was half expecting it to be Zoey, a continued rant about soulmates and alternate universes.

Rumi: Do you want to get lunch?

Mira blinked at the message in surprise. It wasn’t long before a few others joined.

Rumi: I just mean like, I’m going on my break and I don’t feel like walking around the mall for the 50th time and don’t feel like readign and don’t want to sit alone

Rumi: reading*

Rumi: Totally alright if not

Rumi: Just curious

Mira had to cut this off before it got worse. She sent a quick text.

Mira: Sure. Now?

Rumi: If that’s alright with you


Mira told Jinu she was leaving, folding her apron and tossing it under the counter. She walked down to Tigerstripes Bookstore, seeing the pride flag still up in the window. Nice .

Rumi was leaning across the counter, talking to Zoey from the customer side of the desk. When they noticed Mira, they both turned. Zoey waved excitedly and Rumi just smiled almost sheepishly.

“Hi Mira!” said Zoey. “Wait, listen!” She went completely silent, pointing to the ceiling. The sound of a trumpet emitted from the speakers. “ ‘This Can’t Be Love’ by Nat King Cole. Very good song.”

Rumi nodded very seriously to Mira. “Nat King Cole only writes Christmas songs.”

“No, he doesn’t— Rumi, we talked about this.”

Rumi grinned at Zoey’s peeved look. This was clearly a topic of debate.

“Well,” Mira leaned against the far end of the counter. “I hate to break up this clearly important discussion, but can I steal Rumi?”

“I’ll be less than a half hour,” Rumi promised to Zoey.

Zoey looked between the two, a curious look on her face. Mira gave a lazy shrug. Zoey looked down and a second later, Mira’s phone buzzed.

Zoey: do NOT tell her about our conspiracy.........

“See you later, Zoey,” Mira called as she and Rumi left.

They walked silently to the food court, Mira bobbing her head slightly to the music playing in the inner mall.

Rumi played with her sleeve. “Uh, did you have anything in mind for lunch?”

“Not really. But now that you mention it.” Mira nodded forward. “I want a pretzel.”

Rumi stuttered out a laugh. “A pretzel?”

“Absolutely. Mall staple.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a pretzel here,” Rumi said, following Mira to the front counter of the pretzel booth.

Mira sent her a grin. “Ooh, so I get to be your first.”

Rumi's face flushed. She cleared her throat. “Well, uh, yes, but I’ve had pretzels before.”

“Not these.”

They ordered, Mira choosing for them both. They ended up with a cinnamon and sugar pretzel as well as a regular salted. “Here,” Mira said, holding out the former to Rumi. “Try some.”

Mira expected Rumi to take the pretzel. Instead she leaned forward, taking a bite out of it from her hand. Mira’s stomach dropped slightly, butterflies pouring in.

“Mm,” Rumi mumbled finally. “Very good.”

“Y-Yeah. It’s great.”

“Anything with butter is.” Rumi held up the regular pretzel, taking a bite of it as well. “Oh yeah. Everything is better with butter.”

“Do you think we should add butter to the coffees?”

“Depends. You already have milk in a lot of different coffees. I’m curious what butter would do.”

“Melt.” Mira said it without thinking, the word dropping blandly from her mouth.

Rumi grinned immediately, a laugh breaking through the air. “Y’know, you’re right.” She held up the regular pretzel. “You wanna swap?”

“Only if you do. I like the sugar.”

“Perfect, I’ll take the salt.”

They wandered around the mall. Rumi finished her pretzel before Mira had even started hers. “I’m like a real mall go-er now. I eat pretzels. I don’t buy anything.” She nudged Mira with her shoulder. “I bother employees.”

Mira laughed. “I wouldn’t call it bothering. And you’re not a real ‘ mall go-er ’ until you drop 200 dollars on cheap plastic.”

Rumi nodded. “This is also true. I guess my dreams of being a real mall go-er have been postponed until I actually have money to spend.”

“Meaning you’re a fake mall go-er right now?”

“Exactly.”

“Don’t you and I go to the mall about 100 times more than the average person as employees? Making us the true mall go-ers?”

Rumi sent her a grin, tapping her own temple with a finger. “Now you’re thinking. And we’re getting paid. Professional mall go-ers.”

“I'm gonna put that on my resume."


They were closest to Tigerstripes Bookstore, so Mira dropped Rumi off there. She leaned against the entrance. “It was nice seeing you. We should get lunch again; practice our mall-going skills.”

“Thanks for walking around with me,” Rumi said.

“Anytime. I’d love to go out again.”

Rumi flushed. “Uh, yeah, thanks.” She turned back into the store, disappearing through an employee only door.


Jinu: How was your date? (✿◠‿◠)

Rumi: Fuck.

Jinu: In the mall? (ʘ ͟ʖ ʘ)

Rumi: Ew

Rumi: No

Rumi: And it wasn’t a date

Jinu: ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)

Rumi: How are you even typing those?

Rumi: (‘o . o’)

Jinu: A strong first attempt.

Rumi: I was kind of going for eyebrows, but it looks like a dog.

Jinu: I’ll show you tonight.

Rumi: \(0 . 0)/

JinuScary


Jinu showed up about 20 minutes after closing. Rumi sent Zoey home right at 8PM, letting her leave early and allowing Rumi to close by herself. Rumi was logging profits into the computer when she heard the gate open and close, a screeching sound throughout the store.

“Rumi?” Jinu called.

“Front desk.” She knew he knew where she was. He was simply announcing his presence, letting her know he was there.

He leaned across the counter, picking up some stray pens and tossing them into the mug. “I was promised a secret candy drawer.”

Rumi rolled her eyes, exhaling a noise that was halfway between a scoff and a laugh. “Fine.”

They moved to the back, Jinu sitting heavily in the office chair while Rumi pushed a few books aside, revealing a shoebox of candy.

“Woah there, Nancy Drew. You’ve got the secret book case and everything.”

She handed him the box. “Don’t make yourself sick.”

“No promises.” He took the box. “Holy shit,” he said, riffling through it. “You’ve, like, actually got good candy.”

“W— What do you mean actually ?”

“I was expecting like Dots or Tootsie Rolls. Grandma candy.” He pulled out a large Charleston Chew bar. “Not this.”

She blushed despite herself. “I… I like chocolate.”

“Hell yeah, you do.”

She leaned on the edge of the desk as he continued to dig through the box. After he was satisfied with what he had pulled out, he looked up at her.

“So,” he said.

“So,” she returned.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m not sure.”

“That’s okay.”

He waited a beat longer, already halfway through a large Cow Tail.

“Zoey hung the flag up yesterday,” Rumi finally said. “She told me it allows people to feel seen. Feel included.”

“Does it make you feel included?”

She clenched her jaw, shaking her foot nervously. Jinu tapped his shoe against hers and she stilled. She looked up at him. “It does,” she muttered eventually. “She… She said it’s important for people to know they have someone in their corner. Like, creating a safe space.”

“And?”

“I’m… really glad I’m able to have you as my safe space.”

The confession hung between the two for a beat before Jinu sagged against his chair, a soft smile spreading across his face. “I’m glad I’m able to have you, too.”

Rumi pulled the pin Zoey had given her from her pocket, showing it to Jinu. “Zoey gave it to me. So I ‘could make a difference.’” Rumi hung the quote in the air with hooked fingers.

“You already are. Keeping that flag in the window, having that pin. You’re allowing space for others.”

Rumi nodded, handing the pin to him. “Thanks, Jinu.”

He smiled up at her, taking it. “Are you gonna wear it?”

“I’m not sure. She, uh, said it was a straight ally pin?” Her voice lilted at the end, almost saying it like a question.

Jinu froze, making a face. It was his trying not to laugh face. Rumi could tell because of all those compilations they’d watch on YouTube. The ones Jinu would always lose.

“You can laugh,” she finally said.

“No, nope.” He snorted slightly. “It’s just— Man, that girl does not have an ounce of a gaydar in her, does she?”

“What’s a gaydar?”

Notes:

Chapter title from Stranger Things by Dolo Tonight
Is this the stupidest chapter title I've had so far? ABSOLUTELY. BUT I AM LITERALLY OBSESSED WITH THIS SONG. IT HAS BEEN STUCK IN MY HEAD FOR MONTHS
Rumi can canonically beat up in a man in this fic btw she's got those bookshop worker arms
Thank you for reading!

Notes:

UPDATES MIGHT BE SLOW BECAUSE THE AO3 CURSE HIT ME!! I HIT MY HAND WITH A SLEDGEHAMMER!!! HOW DOES ONE EVEN DO THAT!! anyway, I can't type :(
hang out with me on Tumblr @nicholaswithauniquenickname