Smoke Song

Senya

"Jungkook-ah?"

Jungkook looked up, blinking in surprise as a young woman sat down in front of him, extending a hand to shake. She didn't flinch when his was limp, instead holding it tightly for a solid three seconds after she had finished shaking it, eyes boring into his.

"I never got the chance to introduce myself," she said. "I'm Senya. I came with your, ah, rescue party."

Jungkook nodded, mouth forming a small 'o' of surprise. Jin had mentioned Senya, briefly, when Taehyung asked about hearing a girl's voice during their rescue. She was one of the top agents, often out in the field with a pair of giant speakers and her playlist holder-- two devices that worked together to broadcast music at the enemy, avoiding the necessity of a 'fandom' filled with those who could sing at a high level.

"Hoseok suggested I come see you," Senya said, crossing her legs and leaning forward. Jungkook was distracted for a moment as her long, thick, curly blue hair swung in her face, hiding her eyes and making her break into laughter.

"Dang it! I'm trying to be serious!" she ran a hand through her hair, smoothing it back, only to have it fall straight into her face again. "I'm sorry, hang on--"

Jungkook watched, transfixed, as Senya twisted, digging in the pocket of her cargo pants and yanking out a headband. She muttered grumpily to herself, rolling her eyes as she tied it and shoved it up, forcing her curls away from her face.

"They love the attention," she said, resting her chin in one hand. "Anyway, as I was saying: Hoseok thought you might want to hang out with us for a bit? He's teaching a few agents how to dance and he thought you might enjoy it."

Jungkook bit his lip, fiddling with his fingers and staring down at the table. Senya reached over, taking one of his hands in hers, and leaned over, sticking her head beneath his so he couldn't avoid her.

"Just once! Whaddaya say?"

Jungkook's lips curled into an involuntary smile. Senya grinned, and he watched the smile light up her face, turning her eyes into little half-moons.

"Is that a yes?" she said, squeezing his hand.

Jungkook nodded.

"So," Hoseok said. "Good to see you two."

Jungkook rolled his eyes, trying to smother a smile. Senya had fooled him-- he'd been roped into a private lesson. It was probably to distract him from being unable to sing, but who was he kidding? It was better than nothing.

"I'm guessing Senya didn't tell you much," Hoseok said, taking in her smothered laughter. "Have you heard of dancers?"

Jungkook shook his head.

"Not surprised. That's another thing antis hate." Hoseok winked at Senya. "Well, they hate everything, but let's cut them some slack-- they seem to enjoy making everyone look and act the same."

Senya sat down on the floor and lost it, laughing so hard it rang off the walls of the studio. Jungkook smiled crookedly and raised his eyebrows in Hoseok's direction, making the older man chuckle.

"Basically, if you can dance well enough, you can manipulate your environment, other peoples' emotions, and, uh... I think I heard of someone who manipulated reality once?" Hoseok scratched the back of his head, frowning. "Not a lot of people hit that level. But hey, worth a try, right?"

Jungkook nodded, swallowing hard.

"Here, come stand next to me," Hoseok said, and Senya got up, scooting over to make room for Jungkook. "Take your jacket off, you'll get really sweaty."

Jungkook obeyed, biting his lip as Senya smiled at him. Hoseok looked him up and down and laughed, shaking his head.

"Ran into I.U., didn't you?"

Jungkook nodded, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion.

"She hates scars," Senya said, running a hand through her hair. "She says they're distracting. If you let her get at one she'll heal it."

Jungkook's mouth opened in another 'o' of surprise, and he sighed, tucking his hands behind his back to hide the bandages they were bound in. When Senya told Jin what she and Hoseok were planning, the older man had insisted on it, saying it would help keep him safe.

He didn't know what that meant anymore.

Jungkook flinched when Hoseok pulled his arms out, holding his hands firmly in his. "Don't hide them," Hoseok said firmly. "They show you're a fighter. You didn't let them take you."

Jungkook stared into his eyes, surprised at the steel behind them. When had it gotten there? He glanced down at his hands and grimaced. The bandages didn't mean he was a fighter. They meant he was an idiot. He'd ruined his ability to be helpful. There was no way any of this would work out. Why was he so desperate to exhaust all his options?

"One step at a time," Hoseok said, and Jungkook saw him squeeze his hands. Jungkook looked up, and Hoseok smiled, giving his hands a quick shake.

"You can do this," he said.

Jungkook took a deep breath and nodded.