Smoke Song

Traumatic Encounters

Jungkook finally relaxed after Mingyu took him to get his hair cut. They left the salon laughing, Jungkook still touching the back of his neck as if he couldn't believe his hair wouldn't touch it.

"Finally I can look you in the eyes," Mingyu teased. "I hope you spend this paycheck on new clothes, buster. You need them."

Jungkook nodded, smiling, and ran a hand through his hair, laughing as the wind flipped it backward. He turned around and saw Mingyu and Wonwoo holding hands, and his smile grew wider.

It felt so nice to see again.

He slipped easily into his work, taking a deep breath as the usual thoughts entered his mind and letting them flow out again. Behind him, business went on as usual in the cafe, people laughing and chatting. It wasn't crowded, so Jungkook spent a lot of time standing by the sink, looking out at the people and enjoying the soft, safe atmosphere.

He saw someone slip in just as Wonwoo brought him the dishes from a crowded table, but he didn't think about it until he turned around in time to see the stranger look up, smiling at Mingyu.

Taehyung.

Jungkook turned slowly, letting out a soft breath, and thanked the stars as Wonwoo arrived with another cup to wash. He kept his head down, resisting the urge to run a hand through his hair as tears bubbled up in his eyes. Not this. Not again. How could he have been so stupid? He'd thought he was far enough away to escape. How could he have forgotten the band's location?

Wonwoo sidled up to him, gently bumping him out of the way and pointing to the back, where a truck was pulling up. Jungkook nodded, drying his hands, and hurried out the back door, noting that the driver looked different.

"Good morning!" the driver said, and Jungkook bit his lip to stifle a gasp, nodding. He knew that voice all too well. The driver opened the back of the truck, stepping aside as Jungkook grabbed a box, checking the contents to be sure it was the right one.

"Didn't know you had to worry about attacks here," Soomin said smoothly.

Jungkook shook his head, then gestured to the boxes, moving his hands in the direction of the other buildings.

"Oh? My superior told me these were all for you."

Jungkook gulped, hands shaking so badly he almost dropped the box. Soomin watched him with a smile, obviously aware of the effect he had. Jungkook backed through the doors, hurrying the box to the storeroom, and paused beside it, breathing hard and opening it to check the contents again. Nothing smelled suspicious. The substance didn't feel different. He saw the notepad hanging on the wall and grabbed it, scribbling a note and ripping it off the pad before folding it as small as he could and hiding it in his fist.

Mingyu was still chatting with Taehyung at the counter. Jungkook hesitated, glancing toward the back door, then walked over with his head down, carefully poking the folded square under Mingyu's hand.

"Oh? What's wrong?" Mingyu asked, but Jungkook shook his head, jogging toward the back door. Hopefully the note explained the situation well enough that Mingyu would be able to come out and help.

"Oh? I thought you'd forgotten the rest," Soomin said brightly, moving from where he leaned against the car. Jungkook wondered, against his will, where the real driver was. Images of Yoongi flashed through his mind, and he forced himself to take a deep breath, pulling the second box toward him. Mingyu only ever ordered two. Jungkook moved back, and Soomin drew in, supporting the box as Jungkook wobbled in shock.

"I thought I'd never find you, babe," he said.

Jungkook's stomach flipped over. Soomin continued to smile brightly at him, but Jungkook saw the cold glint in the anti's eye. Slowly, he set the box down to check it as well, and Soomin moved so that he blocked Jungkook's view of the door, grabbing Jungkook's wrist.

"I thought it was suspicious that you left without me," he said. "But you know, I assumed you needed space." He snarled the last word, making Jungkook flinch. "I didn't think you'd run right back to the ones who abandoned you."

Jungkook sucked in a breath, trying to pull away, but Soomin's grip was too strong. "I know you're keeping secrets from them, Kookie. Do you honestly think they'll ever accept you when they find out what you've done? When they find out why their best rapper was put out of business?"

"No," Jungkook mouthed, shaking his head. "No. please. Let go."

"You'll never be welcome here," Soomin said. "Haven't you noticed? I'm the only one who cares about you. I'm the only one who will ever accept you."

Jungkook let out a terrified whimper. Where was Mingyu?

"Should I show you?" Soomin asked gleefully. "He hasn't moved from his perch on the counter. He may pretend to care, but he doesn't trust you. He'll never trust you."

Jungkook let his head drop, trying desperately to stop the tears. He kept repeating 'no' to himself over and over, fighting the thoughts that threatened to overwhelm him. It was all his fault. Everything was his fault. No one wanted him. He only caused pain and worry wherever he went. Silently he begged for help, for Mingyu to come through the door and prove Soomin wrong. For Wonwoo to look out the window in the door long enough to see what was going on.

"No one else will ever want you," Soomin said. "Stop trying to run away from me."

Jungkook yanked on his wrist without warning, and he startled Soomin enough that he was able to pull out of his grip and make a dash for the door.

"Kookie, you fool!" Soomin laughed, easily catching up to him and wrapping his arms around his waist. Jungkook turned in blind panic, putting his hands on Soomin's chest to put him away, and Soomin leaned in, fitting their lips together as he backed him up against the wall. Jungkook screamed into the kiss, partially from fear and partially because his head hit the wall so hard he saw stars. It was a waste of air. He struggled to pull away, but every time he managed to draw a breath Soomin would come back in, smiling that predatory smile.

Jungkook had never missed his words more. He struggled in Soomin's grip, trapped like a bug in a cup. Soomin was taller, stronger, and physically bigger than him. Jungkook tried punching, kicking, slapping. No one came. Tears of panic streamed down his face as Soomin finally released him, only to pin him against the wall, resting his chin on his shoulder.

"Calm down," he cooed, as if he'd done nothing wrong. "You're alright. We'll leave in a few minutes, yeah? No need to get your things."

Jungkook sobbed, gritting his teeth and moaning in pain as Soomin pinned his wrists to the wall.

"And then we'll work on your words so you can actually fight."

Jungkook shook his head frantically, but Soomin was oblivious. "You'll be so much better once you're back where you belong," he said. "No more stress, no more worrying. You can just fight with me and hide at the base, safe and sound."

Jungkook cried out and was rewarded with more pressure. He was sure he would suffocate before Soomin decided he was 'calm enough' to leave. His arms scraped against the rough stone of the wall and he sobbed, struggling to stay upright and as far away from the anti as possible. Why was no one coming? Did no one hear him? Or had they already decided he wasn't worth saving?

"Jungkoo-- what the hell!"