Hana studied herself in the mirror, smoothing down her dress. 

She chewed on her lips slightly, an uncomfortable discord settling in her stomach.

Yoongi stood in her doorframe, leaning his shoulder against it lazily. "You look like a princess, kid," he declared fondly. "You'll get yourself into trouble looking like that."

Hana turned to face him, smiling. 

"That's the plan," she quipped, a soft giggle echoing around her room. She turned back to face her reflection once more and Yoongi perched on her bed.

The theme for the nights Gala was "All That Glitters" and she was certainly that. She and Jimin had found it in the bargain bucket of a discount designer store and it was perfect. 

The structured bodice was off-white with subtle blush hues, while the tulle skirt flared elegantly to her mid calves. Embellished with pearls, sequins and apparently just about everything the designer could get their hands on, it sparkled with every twist and twirl of her body. She loved it, but she couldn't help but feel like an imposter.

"You want to talk about last night?" Yoongi queried. He wasn't stupid. He knew where she'd been and who she'd been with.

"Not really, no," Hana said solemnly, before turning to face her mentor. "You don't have to tear anyone limb from limb. He ended things."

Yoongi could see the pain in Hana's façade. She was smiling but her eyes were still a little bloodshot.

"I think that's actually even more reason for me to tear him limb from limb," Yoongi grunted, causing Hana to laugh. He let his words simmer for a moment, observing the way Hana's posture was giving away her heartache. He wondered if he had been this obvious when he experienced it too. "It's for the best, kid."

She nodded, knowing he was right. She and Jungkook had been living on borrowed time as it was.

They parted ways with the agreement to not encroach on each other's territories and to steer clear of each other wherever possible. There was mutual respect and understanding between the two of them; an unsuspected ally.

"The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else, though, right?" Hana quipped, trying to poke fun at her upcoming mission. She didn't want to do it, but didn't really have much of a choice at this point.

"Right you are, kid," Yoongi smiled. She was dealing with this much better than he had expected and that in itself was troubling. "After this job, chances are you won't have to do anything like this again, Han. You'll get your pick of the bunch."

That was the hope. This would be the mission that would elevate them all to a status that didn't require fieldwork. Hana would be able to get a little taste of the normal life she had dreamt about, even if the man of her dreams wasn't there with her.

"Phew, someone call the fire department," Jimin cooed as he entered Hana's room. "We got a hottie in here."

Yoongi swatted Jimin, but Hana just laughed. He was in an emerald three-piece and had foregone a tie, choosing instead to leave his top button open with a silver chain showing. He had dyed his hair black that afternoon in a bid to not draw attention to himself. It was a shock to her system every time Hana saw him. He sat next to Yoongi, who was sporting a classic black tux and she thought he looked ever so good doing so.

Hana twirled in her dress, letting the skirt splay around her legs. "Cinderella shall go to the ball."

There was a flamboyant atmosphere in the air. They were all playing pretend, mutton dressed as lamb but it was almost fun. Trivial.  

"If you're Cinderella, does that make us the ugly stepsisters?" Jimin feigned offence, getting to his feet with dramatic flair. 

"Nooo," Hana rushed over and made him sit back down, crouching in between the two men. "You're my little mice helpers."

"I'm not sure that's much better," Yoongi said with a straight face, not having the slightest clue what she was on about. Disney films weren't exactly his area of expertise. 

She promised that it was, and asked them for one final affirmation that she looked alright. 

Normally, Hana was brimming with confidence and didn't need such reassurance. Yoongi didn't really know how to give it to her. He was an old soul, awkward and ungainly, but it's probably why his small compliments meant so much; she knew he was trying. "You'll smash it tonight, kid."

"You really think so?" Her eyes were doe-like, checking that she had everything she needed in her clutch. She had never been to a Gala before. She felt a little out of her depth.

It was the perfect distraction she needed from the turmoil in her heart. She needed to be surrounded by people, otherwise she'd break into tears. It's not that she was weak, not at all, she just didn't know how to handle her emotions. 

It was stupid, she thought, being so upset over a boy she barely knew. She didn't even know his favourite colour. Stupid, stupid girl, the voice in her head repeated until she began to believe it.

Yoongi looked at her warmly, proud of the woman she was growing into. "I know so."

"Oi, Cinders," Jimin called from the hallway, interrupting the benevolent conversation in Hana's room. "Your carriage awaits."

Yoongi rolled his eyes. Jimin had ordered an uber with a fake credit card. There was nothing regal about it.

"You ready?" Yoongi's smile was broad, reassuring.

"As I'll ever be."