(Y/N) POV:

I wake up in Habaek oppa's room, his body curled around mine protectively, arms holding me close. Small streams of sunlight filter through a crack in the drawn curtains, casting a soft light around the room. I wake to a conflicted feeling; my heart yearns to accept what Habaek oppa had said, talked to me about last night- my heart whispering that it wouldn't be too selfish to allow myself to be happy from time to time but my mind was strong in its intent to drive in the hard, cold facts. The truth about my reality, my past- forcing me to see myself for what I was. A monster. Nothing more and definitely nothing less.

But then his soft brown eyes blink open, sleepily at first and then focusing intently on me. And before I can move and slide out of his hold, his arms tug me a bit closer.

"I know it'll be hard to accept straight away but just bit by bit open yourself up to the world, to people. I promise it'll be worth it sweetheart." He murmurs, gently tucking my head under his, my hand sliding to rest against his chest- feeling the strong steady thud of his heart, letting it comfort me, reassure me.

I trust Habaek oppa more than I trust myself. And he's never lied to me before. So maybe there is truth in what he's saying. Truth in the words that opening myself up might end up well for me.

I smile and nod and only then does he let me slide out of bed, beaming at me when I turn to thank him.

"Always sweetheart." He promises. And with those words unburdening my heart, I leave to go shower and change- each small act and routine allowing me to build myself up mentally for when I'll step out the front door with a fresher mentality, a newfound determination and hope.

Mi-sun unnie grins at me as I step into the kitchen, smiling knowingly at my outfit before she calls out nonchalantly from the cup of coffee she's holding up towards her mouth.

"You'll have to grab a change of clothes." She says, smile widening when I pause mid-step to look at her confused.

Her smile only widens.

"Surely you didn't forget? We have dance class." She says, laughing at the pained groan that leaves my lips.

"Unnie~" I whine but she shakes her head admonishingly.

"No take backs. Don't you remember how eager Hoseok was to see you next lesson?" she teases.

I shake my head furiously.

"He said it to both of us." I emphasise.

The look I get is almost pitying.

"Oh my darling, he had eyes only for you." she says, before returning her attention to the pancakes, her lips twitching with a smile.

Mi-sun unnie's words send my stomach churning nervously, violently. Do I want to go? 

But then Habaek oppa steps through into the kitchen, hair slightly damp, fresh from the shower and his words come sliding back to mind. I'd promise to try.

And though this would be embarrassing, mortifying and extremely awkward, I was willing to give it a shot. Surely he wouldn't notice me if I was all the way at the back. That way he wouldn't see me making a fool of myself, but even so my mind whirred as I recollected the moves he'd taught last lesson, remembering the counts of eight, the beat slowly being recalled.

I could do this. I could do this.

-----

"You can't make me." I hiss in a low voice, holding back and resisting even as unnie tried to tug me forward, face expressing exasperation.

"You said!" she insists, both of her arms latching onto mine and insistently pulling me forward even as I try to drag my feet, loitering outside the dance studio- already changed but staring fearfully at the door, ears picking up on the sound of chatter from people who've already arrived.

"(Y/N)! Stop it- you also promised Habaek!" she says, her words making me internally wince. She's not wrong there.

And the thought of that triggers me to move my feet slowly forward, inching carefully towards the door as if it'll suddenly reach out and grab me, eyeing it with trepidation.

"That's it my sweetheart. Baby steps." Mi-sun unnie coos, voice gentle now that I'm complying, face expressing nothing but gentleness- and though it's a stark contrast to her just scolding me mere moments ago, unnie is nothing but a softie really.

"Let's head inside then ladies!" a bright exuberant voice chirps from behind us, making me spin in alarm- mouth wide open.

Behind us dressed vibrantly and radiating a joyous energy is Hoseok.

"How long have you been there?" Mi-sun unnie asks, voice careful. I realise with alarm that he may have heard my voice.

"Not long. Just seeing this fun game of tug-of-war going on." He chirps, voice alight with laughter.

But then he turns to me with a softer countenance.

"But don't force yourself to go in if you don't want to." He adds.

And just as I'm about to shake my head and head inside, another voice calls out bright and airy- so strikingly familiar.

"Hyung what's going on? Aren't you teaching today?" a voice teases growing louder as it approaches and when a face appears on Hoseok's side- a familiar pair of soft brown eyes shining with a bit of curiosity, full cheeks and thick plump lips that curve up when they land on me.

I feel shock bleed into my system, mind making the connection that these two also know each other and hastily turn, grabbing unnie by the hand and rushing into the studio, feet speeding towards the back. Because I need just a bit of time to progress this second coincidence.

And when Hoseok and Jimin start recounting the last steps taught and begin teaching the new choreography after a warmup, I follow along, body moving to the music and mind desperately making connections.

I try to hide out in the back row, pretending to be ignorant to the glances I can feel darting towards me, eyes sliding away from two intense, watchful stares feeling their gazes seemingly scorch my skin. I push everything aside and just dance, feel the music and lose myself in it. Because whatever this is, I'll think about afterwards- preferably in the safety of somewhere other than here.

JIMIN POV:

My eyes widen when they land on the girl from the rink, standing in front of me in the flesh, hair tied up in a ponytail- soft tendrils curling attractively around her face. Her face that expresses surprise, a flash of recognition. I feel myself smile, automatically at the sight of her but before I can open my mouth to greet her, she turns hastily- dragging the girl next to her and rushes into the studio.

I gawp at the sudden exit and Hobi hyung sighs- a sound of relief and joy.

"I'm glad she gathered the courage to go in." he says, my head turning to him in confusion.

"What do you mean hyung?" I ask, curiosity piqued. 

"She was really hesitant and shy. Going in means she's willing to try." He adds before striding forward. I follow him still feeling slightly puzzled, eyes automatically searching for when I enter- frowning when I don't see her, not until we're standing in the centre and just as we start the warmup I see a glimpse of her face, tucked away and hidden in the back.

I resolve myself to talking to her afterwards, I didn't get to thank her properly last time and I still felt guilty for being so engrossed with Yoongi hyung's arrival that I didn't even notice her getting up and leaving.

I couldn't wait to introduce her to Hobi hyung and find out how he knows her.

The word shy was right. Not too sure about the hesitant- after all she hadn't taken a moment to think but had just helped me out automatically, without pause.

I can't help but pick her out in the small crowd of students, her presence naturally standing out like a beacon amongst them, despite the fact that she was hidden away. My eyes trailed over the fluidity of her moves, the grace of her transitioning easily from one move to the other- eyebrows rising, she had the control and precision of professional dancers, she was clearly dancing at a level lower than her capabilities.

Maybe I'd have to talk to hyung about that, move her to a more advanced class- because it seemed to me as if her talent would fester away, hidden and tucked away in the backrow- when clearly she seemed to have the choreography picked up instantly, body emotionally communicating with the music.

But a few times I caught Hobi hyung's careful, intense gaze on her too- silently appraising, eyes glinting with that dance teacher mode, examining her capabilities too.

Maybe that chat would be easier than expected.

And when the lesson ended, everyone trailing out the studio with sweaty smiling faces I watched as she fiddled with the towel in her hand, wiping her face down before taking a long drink of water, head tilted back, slender column of her neck glistening with an attractive sheen, throat bobbing. I avert my eyes, feeling flushed and slightly guilty for looking.

The lady from earlier approaches her again, talking to her in quiet murmurs, draping herself happily onto her even as she wriggles and visibly protests- struggling to free herself from her casual affection. It makes me smile because the gestures remind me of how we behave around each other as a group. 

Hobi hyung comes to stand next to me, silently taking in the sight before he decides to approach the two, my own feet moving in unison to get closer to her; the angel on ice from the other day at the rink.

"Great lesson you two. Mi-sun ssi you're picking up the moves really nicely." Hyung compliments the slightly older woman, who's face beams with happiness.

And then he turns to the other girl.

"And I knew you had the grace of a dancer! You held back on me last time." he says, voice alight with excitement.

She shakes her hands, face bashful and the rosy hue deepening.

"Oh (Y/N), I know a good dancer when I see one." he says, lightly admonishing her, faux disapproval in his tone.

(Y/N). The name has a pleasant ring to it, rolling off hyung's tongue easily.

(Y/N). I know the name of my angel now.

"She is hyung! I think we should change her class to an advanced one." I add before my eyes catch with hers, that familiar softness so warming.

"I think I should go. Let the three of you discuss." Mi-sun says delicately, extracting herself from around (Y/N)- even as she struggles for a few moments before drooping almost resignedly.

Kookie. Again her mannerisms bring him to mind. That shyness to be around strangers. It tugs at my heart.

And when Mi-sun has disappeared only then do I speak.

"Hyung she's also the one from the other day. The girl who helped me at the ice rink!" I chirp watching as hyung's face expressed shock and then wonderment.

And (Y/N)'s gaze turns startled, at being called out, gaze similar to that of a deer caught in headlights. Startled, wide shining eyes.

HOBI POV:

My eyes snap to her face with a newer intention, roving carefully over her- looking at her with a fresher lens. This is the famed mittens girl who Jiminie couldn't stop sweetly gushing about that day? The one with the small delicate hands, eyes trailing down to observe them, a smile tugging at my lips.

She's suddenly become even more interesting, the silent dancer with another story. Her eyes are wide and startled, clear that she wasn't expecting Jiminie to bring that up.

"Thank you (Y/N)- you didn't have to but you chose to help Jiminie and you chose to stay with him too. You gave him comfort." I say softly, feeling my eyes soften when her demeanour expresses her shyness.

And then Jiminie surprises me by holding out his phone to her, notes open but expression clear- a silent moment of communication between the two.

She takes it, a small smile directed towards him, before she taps into it and then holds it back out. I peer over Jiminie's shoulder to read what she's written.

Something so simple, so sweet that I can't believe that such a soft soul exists.

Everyone should feel comfort. I did what I should've done.

Jiminie raises his eyes, beaming at her.

"You're too kind (Y/N)." he says softly.

"Can we treat you to lunch? Please." I ask, looking hopefully at her when she seems to hesitate.

She takes the proffered phone.

There's no need to. Please don't burden yourselves.

I shake my head adamantly.

"There's no burden, it'll make us happy." I say, watching as her eyes waver, clearly torn before nodding, smiling tentatively at me.

And for some reason my heart leaps at that.

At the idea of getting to spend some time and perhaps learning some more about her.

And my mind can't help but whisper how beautiful her smile is.

(Y/N) POV:

I sit on one side of the table, Hoseok and Jimin on the other- the plates of food and our drinks awaiting us. I've managed to change back into the clothes I'd been wearing before, unnie is either extremely intuitive or she'd been planning to take me out afterwards.

I fidget slightly under the two pairs of eyes until Jimin breaks it off with a small laugh.

"Sorry. You just intrigue me." he says before nudging Hoseok who also breaks off his stare with an apologetic smile.

I smile even as panic floods inside me. Intrigue means interest, interest leads to curiosity. Curiosity leads to questions, questions that don't have rational answers. Questions I don't ever want to answer.

But his intrigue is sweet-natured and innocent, small chatter about what my likes and dislikes are, favourite colour, movies, books, hobbies. It's surprisingly easy to communicate the two, easy to smile and laugh silently when the two-share tales of what the two get upto, how long they've known each other, their own habits and preferences being revealed. This much chatter, to this level is safe.

And I smile thinking how proud Habaek oppa and Mi-sun unnie will be, as well as happy for me.

"So how old are you?" Jimin asks, curiosity in his voice.

"Ahh...she's 22. Same age as JK!" Hoseok chirps turning to face him with excitement.

JK. The nickname brings two memories to mind.

One of Jimin talking fondly about his shy sweet dongsaeng. And two, the sudden memory of a leader board that flashes with the triumphant initials at the top spot- the victor of DDR. It's a coincidence that their dongsaeng has the same initials as the winner of the game- maybe it even is him, but the thought of the nameless victor threatens to stir those feelings of competitiveness again.

"Ah really? The two of them are so similar in their shy manner." Jimin adds, eyes glinting with a fondness for his dongsaeng even as he looks at me.

"Talking about JK...the others would have loved to meet you (Y/N). Hyung wanted to thank you that day." Hoseok adds.

I stiffen slightly, the mental image of meeting more strangers, of that painfully shy awkwardness of having to silently introduce myself, to place myself into a position of observation and scrutiny makes me wince, unintentionally.

Caught by Hoseok's sharp eyes.

"I'm not saying you have to. There's no pressure. Especially since it sounds like me inviting you to meet complete utter strangers...just that they'd have loved to see who it was who helped Jimin-ah." He backpedals, voice rushing slightly in his haste to reassure me, put fears to rest.

I smile at the concern in his voice, shake my head slowly.

Glance at the empty plates and cups. 

And then Jimin notes the time, jolting in panicked alarm.

"Ahh hyung we're going to be late! You know Jin hyung hates it when we're late for group stuff. We'll miss hyung's match." He says, sounding harried as he straightens up, getting ready to move.

Hoseok smiles apologetically at me.

"Sorry to cut this short (Y/N), I really, really am. But I had a lovely time, please think about our offer. We really would like to see your dance style and place you in a class that suits you." he adds, standing up.

He holds out a card, his name and number on it- bright and vibrant like his personality.

"Text if you change your mind." He urges and in a flurry of waves and bright smiles, the two vanish through the door.

I clutch at the card, looking down at it.

At the offer he'd made- far more meaningful than what he'd realised. He'd offered me the comfort and refuge of dance again. And though it had been decades since I'd professionally danced and indulged in my love for it, the offer came back again- accompanied with a bright sunny smile and a sweet warm voice.

A promise to reach in and help me regain that form of escapism. A way of letting my self-loathing and regrets fade away. Because when I danced I wasn't a siren, I wasn't a human. I was just me, the me who lay deep in the centre of my damaged soul.

And just like that he'd given me a way of reaching out to her again.

(THERE YOU GO! DANCING DUO- MINNIE AND HOBI MAKE THEIR APPEARANCE AND HOW WAS IT?? LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS AND IDEAS- WAS IT WRITTEN PROPERLY, DID IT FLOW WELL?? AND THEY SEE THE POTENTIAL IN HER- SOMEONE WHO COULD BECOME AN ADVANCED DANCER AGAIN...AND LEMME THROW A HINT IN THERE- WHAT BETTER WAY THAN TO JOIN A GROUP OF WELL-TRAINED DANCERS *WINK WINK*. AHHH! SO EXCITED TO WRITE THE NEXT CHAPTER ALREADY! WHO DO YOU THINK IT'LL BE NEXT? AND I WAS PLANNING A GYM/SWIM MEET; THOUGHTS? AND WHICH MEMBER WOULD IT BE? THANK YOU FOR THE 4K READS MY LOVES! TAKE CARE AND STAY SAFE AND ENJOY!)

QUESTION...FAVOURITE BOOK SERIES?

Mine...is a list haha! To name a FEW...The Infernal Devices, Throne of Glass Series, A Court of Thorns and Roses, The Grisha-verse books, The Lunar Chronicles!! *happily fangirling*

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3