I missed you

The quiet hum of the elevator could be heard, barely distinguishable above the sounds of the movie playing on TV. Zoe and Mira, wrapped in a single blanket, sat on the sofa, absorbed in what was happening on the screen. But when the noise grew closer, Zoe was distracted and turned her head toward the door. The door opened smoothly, and Bobby was the first to step out of the elevator, wearing a hooded travel jacket and carrying a suitcase. Behind him, her heels clicking on the floor, came Rumi with an elegant travel bag and a package with something fragrant inside. “Girls!” The man opened his arms wide, and his smile lit up the hallway. “Did you miss me?” Mira and Zoe jumped up from the sofa, and the blanket slipped to the floor. They rushed to Bobby and Rumi, and in the next second, all four were laughing and hugging each other. Zoe couldn't sit still — she was jumping up and down, her eyes shining, her arms reaching out to Bobby and Rumi. Mira immediately picked up Rumi's things and carried them to her room. Meanwhile, Zoe touched Rumi's hand, her fingers trembling slightly. “Did you miss me?” Rumi whispered, her lips stretching into a mischievous smile. “Very much,” said Zoe, pressing herself against her, burying her nose in her neck and inhaling the familiar scent. Rumi smiled and pulled her closer, while Bobby was already asking Mira how they had managed on their own.

***

The evening was noisy and fun, but Bobby had to leave. He hugged the girls goodbye—Mira, Zoe, and Rumi, who only peeked out of the studio to say goodbye and then disappeared behind the door again, immersed in music. Mira and Zoe finished watching the film, laughing at the silly jokes and commenting on the plot, but then went to their rooms. Zoe immediately flopped down on her bed, burying her face in the pillow. She tossed and turned, sighed, tried to cover her eyes with a blindfold, even pulled the blanket over her head — but sleep would not come. Thoughts swirled in her head like annoying flies, and the harder she tried to chase them away, the more persistent they became. Meanwhile, Rumi finished working, put down her guitar, and stretched, feeling a slight tiredness in her fingers. She closed her notebook, turned off the light in the studio, and left the office — just as Zoe's door creaked softly. The brunette stood in the dim light, clutching a pillow to her chest. Her hair, usually tied in two buns, was now scattered over her shoulders, and her eyes, slightly swollen from fatigue, looked distracted. Rumi smiled and approached silently from behind, wrapping her arms around Zoe's waist. “Why aren't we sleeping?” she whispered directly into her ear, and Zoe shuddered, turning around. “You scared me...” she exhaled, but immediately relaxed when she felt familiar lips on her cheek. Rumi pressed herself against her shoulder, and Zoe caught the faint scent of her perfume. “Rumi.” “Mm?” “Are you done with work?” “Yes, why?” She pulled away, but her hands still slid along Zoe's waist, as if unwilling to let go. “I can't sleep...” Zoe looked down, clutching her pillow. “Can I sleep with you?” Rumi laughed softly, her voice velvety, and kissed her neck, leaving a slight tingling sensation on her skin. “Of course.” They went into the room, and Rumi, without hesitation, took off her sweater, leaving her in a light T-shirt. Zoe turned away, feeling the warmth spreading across her cheeks, and hugged the pillow tighter. “Are you going to lie down?” Rumi was already settled under the blanket and tugged at Zoe's pajama sleeve. “Huh? Yes, of course...” Zoe placed her pillow next to hers and lay down carefully. They lay face to face, and in the semi-darkness, Rumi seemed even more beautiful — the shadows emphasized her cheekbones, and her lips were slightly parted in a smile. She ran her finger along Zoe's cheek, lingering at the corner of her lips. “Can I hug you?” Zoe whispered. Rumi nodded, and in the next moment Zoe was already pressed against her, burying her nose in her neck. Rumi wrapped her arms around her, her fingers tangled in her hair. “Sleep,” Rumi whispered, kissing her on the top of her head.

***

Rumi slept sweetly, her face buried in Zoe's forehead, but suddenly she felt her begin to tremble. Half asleep, she caught quiet rustling sounds—the sliding of fabric, intermittent breathing, the barely audible beating of her own heart in her ears. “Rumi...” came a whisper. Rumi yawned, slowly emerging from her sleep, and moved slightly away, trying to make out her friend in the dim light of the room. “Are you cold? I can...” Rumi began, but the words stuck in her throat. Oh. Zoe's hand was in her shorts, her fingers trembling slightly, and she seemed to be burning all over — her cheeks, her neck, even the tips of her ears. Zoe jerked away, pulled her hand out, and rolled back to the edge of the bed, covering her face with her palm. “It's not what you think! I just...” Her voice trembled, her words jumbled. Rumi didn't let her finish. Gently but insistently, she pulled Zoe back, hugged her from behind, removed her hand from her face, and pressed her lips to her hot cheek. “Couldn't resist?” she whispered, a smile ringing in her voice. Zoe rolled onto her back, her eyes shining in the darkness. She nodded, swallowing, then looked down at Rumi's demonic scars, which now glowed with a faint lilac hue. “There is something...” Zoe admitted, her fingers reaching out to those marks, sliding over the warm skin. Rumi froze. “You...” she began, but Zoe interrupted her, pressing her forehead against her shoulder. “I didn't want to wake you. It's just... you were sleeping so soundly, and I...” She fell silent, clenching her fists in her friend's shirt. Rumi ran her hand down her side, feeling her rapid breathing beneath her palm. Zoe sat up, and in the darkness her eyes looked almost black—only her narrow pupils, dilated with excitement, gave her away. “You were sleeping. So peacefully...” Her voice faltered, her fingers unbuttoned Rumi's shirt and slid under the fabric. “I just wanted... a little. Just a little bit.” Rumi bit her lip as Zoe's palm rested on her stomach and her thumb slowly traced her lower rib. “So, how did ‘a little’ work out?” She raised an eyebrow, but immediately gasped as Zoe suddenly sank her teeth into her shoulder. “No,” she whispered, pulling away just enough for their eyes to meet. “Because you woke up.” Rumi laughed—quietly, stifled, because Zoe had already pinned her to the mattress, and the laughter immediately turned into a moan. “So now I have to make up for your disappointment?” She deliberately made her voice plaintive, but her hands were already sliding down her friend's back, clinging to the waistband of her pajama pants. Zoe didn't answer. She just leaned down and caught her lips in a kiss — greedy, impatient. Rumi responded to the kiss with equal greed, her fingers digging into Zoe's dark hair. And oh, how soft her lips were. Rumi exhaled as Zoe's fingers slid under her shorts. The room was quiet, only interrupted by ragged breathing and the rustling of sheets. Moonlight streaming through the curtains illuminated her bare shoulders, intertwined fingers, and the gleam of demonic scars that now pulsed with a soft lilac light in time with Rumi's rapid heartbeat. Rumi felt Zoe's palm press against her most intimate place, and her body responded instantly—goosebumps ran across her skin, and a sweet warmth flowed through her lower abdomen. She arched her back sharply, her nails involuntarily digging into her friend's bare back, leaving red marks on her skin. Zoe's fingers moved with agonizing slowness — sometimes pressing lightly, sometimes barely touching, seeking out every reaction. Rumi bit her lip, trying to hold back her betrayal moans, but when the wet pads of her fingers found the right rhythm, a suppressed cry still escaped from her throat. “Zo...i...” Her voice broke into a high note as a wave of pleasure washed over her, causing her fingers to clench convulsively into the sheets. Zoe pressed her hot forehead against her shoulder, feeling her friend's body pulsing in her hands. But before she could say anything, Rumi suddenly flipped her onto her back, pressing her down onto the mattress with all her weight. “Now it's my turn,” whispered Rumi, and her demonic scars flashed with a bright purple light, casting bizarre shadows on the walls. Zoe only had time to gasp as hot lips descended on her neck and confident fingers began a slow journey downward. Rumi took her time—her tongue traced wet circles around the pulse in her neck, her teeth gently biting the sensitive skin as her hand slid over her quivering stomach. Her lips slid down Zoe's neck, leaving wet, hot marks, and her teeth gently grazed the sensitive skin at her collarbone, causing her friend to cry out softly. Rumi's fingers, warm and confident, slowly slid over Zoe's stomach, feeling the muscles tremble beneath the thin skin. “You're shaking all over...” Rumi whispered, her breath burning Zoe's skin. “S-stop...” Zoe tried to cover her face with her hand, but Rumi caught her wrist, pressed it against the pillow, and intertwined their fingers. Her free hand finally reached its goal — through the thin fabric of her panties, Rumi felt that Zoe was already wet with excitement. “Oh...” Zoe arched her back sharply when Rumi's fingers found the right spot and began slow, inviting circles. “Quiet,” Rumi bit her earlobe, “or you'll wake Mira...” Zoe bit her lip, trying to hold back her moans, but her body betrayed her, trembling with every movement of Rumi's fingers. “Rumi... I...” Zoe's voice broke as the fingers inside her changed angle, finding that most sensitive spot. Rumi smiled, feeling her friend's body tighten around her fingers, her breathing quicken. She quickened her movements, pressing her lips to Zoe's whispers, stealing her moans in kisses. “I... I'm going to...” Zoe clutched the sheets convulsively, her legs trembling. “Yes, I know,” Rumi whispered. And Zoe climaxed, clinging to Rumi with a quiet, ragged moan. Rumi didn't stop until the last spasms had passed through the girl's body, then gently withdrew her fingers and pressed Zoe against her, feeling her heart beating wildly. “Well...” Rumi lazily ran her fingers over Zoe's stomach, ”you're not so lonely now? Zoe, still not quite herself, just snorted and poked her weakly in the side. “Shut up...” Rumi laughed and pulled her closer, kissing her on the top of her head.