Smoke Song

The Dancer

There was a small popping sound, and silence. Jungkook opened his eyes as the man knelt beside him, sweeping his hat off his head.

"A flight of stairs is a long climb for a comatose kid," he said, ruffling Jungkook's hair. "Anywhere hurt a lot?"

Jungkook frowned, searching the man's face. Friendly brown eyes peered out from underneath long bangs. The man's hair was full of fading highlights, and his soft smile was distracting enough that Jungkook couldn't find anything to say.

"Too tired?" the man poked him between the eyebrows, humming contentedly. "Well then, why don't you take a nap? Jin'll bring some food up--"

"H-how long?"

"Huh?"

"Jin-h-hyung said... a coma?" Jungkook coughed, rubbing his throat. Why did it hurt so badly? "How long?"

The friendly man sighed, rubbing his leg. "...three months? Four? I honestly don't remember. I didn't come on your rescue mission."

"Oh," Jungkook said softly. His throat was really beginning to ache. He pressed a hand to it, coughing, and the man reached over, patting his shoulder.

"Here," he said, "rest for a bit. It's a miracle you made it up here."

Jungkook sighed, closing his eyes, and relaxed. Sound faded in and out, dropping away. He stiffened as he felt someone adjust him, helping him lie on his side. He thought something brushed against his hand, for a moment, but he wasn't sure. He began to open his eyes and felt his entire body stiffen moments before he was sucked into the dark.

Cold. It was so cold. Jungkook shivered, opening his eyes, only to feel his entire body seize up as someone straddled him, wrapping their hands around his neck. He bucked, flailing, and managed to knock the phantom away before rolling onto his stomach, coughing and retching.

The cold bled out of the air around him as fast as it had come. Jungkook shook. Sweat dripped down his neck as fire sparked and flared around him, engulfing his body. He screamed, trying to stand, but his body shook so badly he couldn't move. His screams quickly faded to whimpers as he collapsed onto his stomach, sobbing and trying in vain to move. He was going to die. He was going to die--

--then he found himself lying on his back, Hoseok kneeling over him. He had both of Jungkook's shoulders pinned to the ground, keeping him on his back. Jungkook whimpered, trying to push him away, and Hoseok sat beside him, running a hand through his hair.

"Shh, shh, shh..." he murmured, "Jin'll be here in a second. Take a deep breath. It's gonna be okay."

Jungkook choked, eyes filling with tears. His body was on fire. His stomach clenched and unclenched, then twisted and flopped, sending his heart into his throat. Hoseok continued to hold him down, fingers digging into his shoulders, but he didn't try to escape again.

"It hurts," he croaked.

"Yeah," Hoseok said, "I know. Try to relax."

"Don't make me sleep," Jungkook begged, reaching up to grab the front of Hoseok's shirt. "Don't make me sleep, please--"

"It's okay," Hoseok said. "Breathe. It's okay."

"It's not!" Jungkook cried. "It's not-- please--!" he screamed as Hoseok's grip tightened on his shoulders, pressing the fabric against his burns.

"Relax," Hoseok murmured.

"I can't!"

"Relax."