Chapter Text
Made Golden Playlist via Spotify
“Are you sure?” Seokjin stares at him hard, letting the weight of the question hang in the air between them. Jungkook looks at himself reflected in the designer frameless glasses Seokjin only wears during important meetings.
Jungkook nods. He's very sure.
“That company doesn't have any idols. You'd be the first one they'd be signing if they would even sign you. Their whole image is hip-hop and you have the makings for a mainstream pop icon. There are plenty of companies who have successfully managed omega idols.”
“Exploited.” Jungkook corrects petulantly. He has heard the stories, he's seen the documentaries and story-times made by ex-idols on TikTok. He's seen the scandals and endless postings from the vicious media.
“You think an up and coming company run by not one but two alpha rappers called $trangeHitz is the safe choice?”
Jungkook nibbles his lip, pulling on the lip ring piercing near the corner of his mouth. He looks down at his hands, one lined with tattoos he worked so hard to pay for. He was a prime example of why no one should judge a book by its cover alone. He has looked into the companies and the only one he hasn't heard a single complaint about is that one. Though it could be the lack of omegas…but even the alpha trainees had nothing but good things to say.
Besides…it wasn't like the rappers were just any rappers. They fought to be at the top and their songs weren't mindless words chasing a beat. Their words resonated with him, deeply. Maybe it was stupid of him to trust in that but everything he read made them sound like genuinely good people. Sure, they've never signed someone like him yet. There was a lot of power in being first.
Seokjin sighs looking down at the papers on his desk, neatly stacked and stapled perfectly in the corner. The older omega taps his pen on them waiting for Jungkook to answer. Even though Jungkook's pretty sure Seokjin knows what he is going to say.
“I think so. If anything they will be extra careful. The last thing they'd want is bad PR or a lawsuit and I already have a growing following. Everyone knows I am going to be signed.”
“That's exactly why I doubt they'll sign you.” Seokjin sighs. “They have new money, sure. They can definitely afford to give you a good debut if their flashy music videos are anything to go by but taking you on is risky for a lot of reasons. They have zero experience with a young omega idol like you're aiming to be.”
“Can we just try?” Jungkook pulls at the sleeves of his hoodie. “If they say no then we can keep looking.”
“Fine. I will make the call, lucky for you I happen to...know someone who knows someone.” Seokjin clasps his hands together, “I just want to know one thing.”
Jungkook looks up and Seokjin peers at him.
“This has nothing to do with one rapper in particular, right? You want to try this because you really think it's best, right?”
Jungkook rolls his eyes, “I think he's inspiring but I also really do think this is the right choice.” Two things could be true. Yes, he did think the rapper Kim Namjoon was inspiring and that is why he looked into the company. However he really did think the company sounded good and would be good for him. Being an admirer of an artist was perfectly normal and it wasn't his reason for what he wanted to do. It was just a piece of the tapestry he's trying to build for himself.
“Okay. I will see about setting it up because shocker! They are not one of the several affluent companies blowing up my emails trying to get you.” Seokjin pulls his phone out of the breast pocket of his blazer. “You just have to make things difficult, you're lucky I like you most of the time.”
Jungkook grins, “most is better than none. All I need is for them to like me a little and I'm in.”
Seokjin glances at him then back at his phone, “they're alphas Jungkook-ah, I'm sure they'll like you plenty. One look at you and they'll see exactly how much trouble they'd be in for.”
“Because of my tattoos? I know my image isn't exactly conventional…” Jungkook pouts, his best friend did all his tattoos. He wouldn't trade them for anything, they were him. Sure he had a lot of piericngs and maybe they didn’t exactly make him look like the soft omega idol most would want.
Seokjin sighs, heavier this time, “you really have no idea what I mean. It doesn't matter, you have me and I'll do my best to protect you.” Seokjin types away on his phone.
Oh
Jungkook swallows, slow understanding settling in his bones. The industry was a dangerous place and he needed to remember that. He reaches up, feeling the patch on his neck, mating gland safely covered, scent securely neutralized. It was mandatory for him at this point in his life to never be without his patches when he was going out and about.
Since he was…
“Okay.” Seokjin says suddenly, putting his phone down. “They'll meet with us.”
Jungkook blinks, wide eyed “a-already? J-Just like that?”
Seokjin nods. “I'll get back to you with the details, but yes. For now, run along to the dance class you've been taking. If everything goes well you won't have to pay for things like that anymore. Not that you’re paying poor Hoseokie much.”
Jungkook nods, grabbing his bag, the keychains on it swinging loudly in the quiet office. He tries not to be anxious but the prospect of sitting in the same room with some of the people he's admired for so long…it made his skin feel clammy. For now though, he will focus on the things he can control. Like getting to his dance class on time so he doesn't get scolded by his teacher. Again.
"Your friend is with you right? You don't need a ride?"
Jungkook nods, "Taehyungie is waiting outside, no worries hyung!" Jungkook rushes out in a flurry of jingles.
✨
The ride to the city feels longer than it actually is. He watches trees and fields give way to densely packed buildings and skyscrapers. He can't stop bouncing his knee no matter how many times Seokjin reaches over to smack him to stop. The car smells like Seokjin, a soft clean cotton scent that he finds comforting most of the time but not now. Nothing can rid him of tension he feels in his gut. How could he relax knowing he was about to meet people he admired? People he was hinging his future on?
Seokjin lowers the volume of the music Jungkook's been blasting to drown his nerves out, “you do know that if they pass you up this isn't the end.”
“I know.” Jungkook starts biting at his lip piercing again, “don't you think I should have worn make up?”
“No. Trust me, you're exactly the way you need to be.”
Jungkook doesn't get it. He's seen a lot of videos of successful people getting ready to go try to get signed and Seokjin has him doing the opposite. He's barefaced, his scent is blocked with patches and spray. He has no product in his hair whatsoever. He's wearing simple black jeans and a button up black dress shirt that has him looking less like a wannabe idol and more like a server. How was anyone supposed to look at him and think of star power? But he goes along with it because he trusts Seokjin.
When they arrive, the building is bigger than Jungkook thought it would be. Of course he's looked it up online but seeing it in person was a different story. He has no doubt that there's enough floors to get lost easily. The parking lot Seokjin takes them to is underground beneath the building which they are only given access to after Seokjin shows the security guard an email with instructions. The guard directs them to guest parking and once Seokjin parks, he turns the car off and they sit in silence.
“You're going to do great Jungkook-ah. Okay? Don't let them intimidate you. Don't zone out either, I need you focused. No dissociation. No knee bouncing. I know you're anxious but I need you to be confident in there.” Seokjin lectures as he checks his appearance in the review mirror. “Oh one thing.” Seokjin digs into the center console and pulls out a tiny tube of cherry lipgloss, “here.”
Jungkook takes it slowly, “you want me to wear this?”
“No, I want you to eat it. Of course I want you to wear it.” Seokjin rolls his eyes, “hurry up.”
Jungkook hurries to apply it, nearly dropping it, making Seokjin suck his teeth at him. He rubs his lips together, tasting the cherry flavor and feeling how sticky it is. His lips shine with a slight red tint.
“Perfect. Let's go.” Seokjin motions for him to get out as he grabs his briefcase. He looks very professional in his brown three piece suit. At least Seokjin looked like someone they should take seriously, especially with his frameless glasses on again. Looking at Seokjin like this he wonders why he didn't go into modeling or something else for pretty people.
Why did he choose being an agent instead?
Jungkook hurries out of the car, patting himself down to make sure he has his wallet and phone. Then he jogs around the car to be at Seokjin's side. The elder leads him to an elevator, punching in a code from his phone.
“We are getting special treatment, most people have to come in through the front of the building. Lucky for us, I know a guy.” Seokjin tucks his phone into the breast pocket of his suit as the elevator door opens.
“Hyung!” a blond man with long hair hops out of the elevator and wraps his arms around Seokjin. “I missed you!”
“Ah, Jimin-ah, h-happy to see you too.” Seokjin hugs him–Jimin, though not as tightly as Jimin hugs him. Seokjin pats his back while trying to keep Jimin from his neck. “Yah, I have that meeting, quit it!” Seokjin complains.
“Hyung I just want to scent you,” Jimin whines as Seokjin leans away, ears getting the tiniest hint of pink.
Jungkook can't help but giggle watching them struggling with each other. Jimin turns to him then, loosening his hold on Seokjin but noticeably not letting go.
“You must be Jungkook-ssi.” Jimin smiles and Jungkook nods and bows. Jimin's eyes sweep over him from head to toe, assessing him. “Oh no…you're so cute.” Jimin whistles, “this is good and bad.”
“Don't scare him.” Seokjin pushes Jimin off him and straightens his blazer. “The last thing I need is for him to be more anxious.”
Jimin nods, crossing his arms, “well, you've come this far so let's just keep going. Yoongi and Namjoon hyung already agreed anyway.” Jimin leads them into the elevator with a swipe of a card, then they are going up up up.
The inside of the elevator is sleek. The doors are completely mirrored inside, allowing Jungkook a moment to look into his own nervous eyes. He looks away from himself, not able to take his own scrutiny and instead looks at Jimin curiously.
Jimin's hair is long, past his chin brushing his shoulders, half pulled up into a bun. Jimin's eyes look soft as he stares at Seokjin who is studiously observing his watch. Jimin is shorter than himself but not by a lot, dressed in a grey muscle shirt with a jacket tied around his waist and loose baggy joggers. There's a thin layer of shine to his skin, like he just worked out before coming to get them. He doesn't look like any rapper he knows assigned to the agency.
That's when Jimin's scent hits him, woody and green, something warm and fresh like lemongrass. However, despite his soft almost feminine look, it's very much–
“You're an alpha?” Jungkook blinks at Jimin's reflection causing the alpha to look away from Seokjin to meet his eyes.
Jimin laughs, “I get that a lot but what exactly is an alpha anyway?” He crosses his arms again, showing off the muscles of his forearms and biceps as he does thanks to the sleeveless tank top he's wearing. “At the end of the day, should they decide to sign you, I'm just your humble choreographer and occasional dance teacher if you are lucky.”
“Wait, you're the Park Jimin?” Jungkook gasps.
He knows the name, never seen the face because the famed choreographer was notoriously offline but always credited. Several dance challenges, music videos, even viral trends came from his choreo. His Instagram had exactly one photo of him from behind looking at a city view through the glass windows of a penthouse. Park Jimin's reposts however were filled with dancers doing his steps with minor comments and emojis cheering them.
Jimin nods, biting his plush bottom lip as he grins, “in the flesh.”
“Don't look at him like that, he's already smug enough as it is.” Seokjin rolls his eyes, “no need to inflate his ego.”
“Hyung,” Jungkook glares, offended as hell, “you knew the Park Jimin and you didn't even mention it?”
“Don't look at me like that, you're here now aren't you?” Seokjin puts his hands on his hips and Jungkook can't help the way he pouts. It was just so mean that he hid this! He knew Seokjin probably knew a lot of people in the industry but this seemed deeper than that. Seokjin knew how invested Jungkook was in this company!
“You said ‘I know a guy’, not that you know one of the guys!” Jungkook grumbles. As in, one of the guys from the company Jungkook's been following!
“Wow. That's how you talk about me?” Jimin cuts Seokjin a hard stare, “I'm just a guy to you?”
“What else would you be?” Seokjin raises his eyebrow at Jimin. There's a shift in Jimin's scent, a spike in the woodiness, something very primal about it that makes Jungkook want to move away. Alpha.
Thankfully the elevator dings and the doors open, sending in fresh air. Jimin steps out, then Seokjin and Jungkook trails behind trying to keep up and also look as nonchalant as he can. There's several doors, glass windows with offices behind them.
Jimin stops and points to a long hallway, “they'll be waiting for you behind that door at the end of the hall. I need to head back down, message me when you're out?” Jimin turns to Seokjin who gives a small nod.
Jimin looks at Jungkook, “good luck kid.” He gives him a thumbs up and heads back to the elevator leaving the two omegas standing there in the quiet.
Seokjin starts walking and Jungkook follows. As they enter the hallway, voices carry down it. Their steps slow.
“I thought we were supposed to be different. I thought we were anti-industry.” That voice, it's Kim Namjoon's voice. Jungkook's heart skips a beat.
“You want longevity? We need to diversify.” And that's definitely Min Yoongi.
“Yeah, sure, I thought we'd buy a few smaller labels not this.” Namjoon's voice echoes through the hall.
“We've talked about this.” Yoongi counters lazily.
Jungkook pauses, grabbing Seokjin's sleeve, listening. Seokjin looks between him and the door.
“No, we talked about maybe signing soloists. People who already have careers established looking to jump ship and join a new company. People who already have a following, who already have the experience, who have already gone through their first scandal…we did not agree on debuting an idol much less an omega idol.” He hears Namjoon argue.
“Let's just see the kid Joon.” Yoongi responds tiredly, “Jimin asked us to do this as a personal favor.”
At that, Seokjin takes his sleeve from Jungkook's grasp, “wait for me to introduce you and then come in.” He whispers.
Jungkook nods, heart pounding in his ears.
Seokjin knocks on the door which is already ajar.
“Come in.” Min Yoongi calls and Seokjin pushes the door open and steps inside.
“Hello, I'm Kim Seokjin, talent agent. I'm here with my client, Jeon Jungkook.”
Jungkook swallows, he takes a deep breath before stepping into that meeting room. The first thing he sees is Kim Namjoon, dressed in a suit with eyes sharp, jaw tight as he meets the omega’s gaze head on. Jungkook's stomach flips in on itself and he quickly looks at the floor, feeling his cheeks heat instantly.
“No.” Kim Namjoon says immediately and Min Yoongi turns to him.
“Are you serious?”
“I mean it. No. Absolutely not.”
“Can you give us a moment?” Min Yoongi asks and Seokjin nods. Jungkook can't move a muscle. Min Yoongi rises and smoothes out his own suit, giving a tiny bow as he moves.
No
The word rings in Jungkook’s ears.
Min Yoongi grabs Kim Namjoon by the arm and pulls, Namjoon reluctantly follows. They step outside and the door closes with a loud click.
Seokjin motions for Jungkook to sit in one of the two chairs already pulled out for them. He does so mechanically, given that he feels like he can barely think straight. Seokjin sits as well, movement fluid and deceptively relaxed.
Jungkook looks at Seokjin, but he doesn't turn to look back at him. Seokjin keeps his gaze forward, unreadable as they wait for the alphas to return. Jungkook looks back at his lap, his leg starts bouncing again. Seokjin puts his hand on it to make him still.
It takes a few moments, they can barely hear the muffled voices. Jungkook's pretty sure he hears ‘omega’ being thrown around like a slur. Then the door opens and the alphas shuffle back in. Min Yoongi first, a crisp autumn scent wafting as he passes and then Kim Namjoon, followed by a rich dark coffee scent.
Jungkook gets the urge to take a deep breath of it. There's something about the scents that makes him want to get more of them. Specifically the dark coffee one. Maybe it was his omega trying to calm itself.
The two alpha's settle back into their chairs, Kim Namjoon across from Jungkook, Min Yoongi across from Seokjin.
“Sorry about that, as you can understand, this is all very new for us. Our agency has yet to dabble in ‘idols’ but we love talent regardless.” Yoongi says smoothly. “My name is Min Yoongi, and this is my partner, Kim Namjoon. We are the head of this agency, founded $trangeHitz together and every decision goes through the two of us respectfully.”
“We are aware.” Seokjin deadpans looking unamused. It makes Yoongi's mouth twitch.
“I assume you have talent given that you're sitting here so let's just cut to the chase. Can you sing?” Yoongi looks at Jungkook.
“He can. Did you not see the videos I passed through Jimin-ssi?” Seokjin pulls out his phone. “I made sure to include a variety of clips and recordings–”
“I didn't bother. I'm old fashioned that way.” Yoongi motions to Jungkook, “so I'll ask again, can you sing?”
Jungkook looks up at that, meeting Yoongi's dark eyes. “I can.” It comes out far too soft, too shy.
“Pick a song and sing it then. Let's hear it.” Namjoon crosses his arms and leans back in his chair. His judgement is palpable and Jungkook feels sweat on the back of his neck.
Jungkook chances a glance at Namjoon and it's a bad idea because looking into those dark eyes makes him want to curl up and hide. Or worse, bare his neck in submission and apologize for even wasting their time. He swallows dryly, trying to fight down the uneasy feeling. If he wants this career he will have to get used to this feeling of being put on the spot.
“Do the song you were singing yesterday, that one was pretty.” Seokjin's voice sounds gentle and Jungkook's heart latches onto that.
Seokjin is here, he's safe. This is the kind of thing he should expect. It's nothing he can't handle. He takes a deep breath, getting the melody in his head, even though the idea of singing raw like this felt a little embarrassing.
“I just woke up from a dream, where you and I had to say goodbye…and I don't know what it all means…” Once he starts, he's perfect, switching into the comfort and ease of it quickly. He's been singing his whole life and now was the time to show it. His voice comes out soft and confident, building up to the chorus beautifully. He smells the alpha's scents getting stronger and he again makes the mistake of looking into Kim Namjoon's eyes and he immediately chokes on his words because the alpha's stare is just so intense on him and his lips. He stops singing abruptly, flushing deeply, something hot forcing its way into his stomach. He's suddenly very thankful Seokjin had the foresight to make him block his scent though he's sure his face is enough to give his feelings away.
“As you can see he can sing.” Seokjin is quick to get the alpha's attention. Jungkook almost sighs in relief.
The alphas are quiet, studying them for a moment and then Namjoon clears his throat.
“I see you have your scent blocked, was there a reason for that?” The alpha asks, looking from Jungkook to Seokjin. “Generally it's best to not use anything for meetings like this.”
For some reason it makes Jungkook want to squirm. For some reason his omega paws at the surface wanting to show them his scent. He, of course, remains completely still, looking to Seokjin for help. He doesn't have an answer, if there was a time to be patchless wasn't it now?
Seokjin smirks before replacing it with a very professional placid smile, “I thought it would be best to judge him without it. Also, Jungkook's scent is…very pure. He keeps his scent covered 90% of the time for that reason. For his safety, it's best that it's kept hidden, especially if he is to debut. We don't want his scent leaked, at least, not before he can make use of it.”
Make use of it…Jungkook is so hung up on that part he misses what Seokjin said before it. That is, until…
There's a shift in the alpha's scents, that primal spice rising beneath it.
“Pure?” Yoongi leans back in his chair, eyeing Seokjin.
“Pure.” Seokjin repeats.
Jungkook blinks at him in confusion. He touches his patch on his neck and understanding hits him like a brick. If he could turn any more red he'd be the brick itself. “H-hyung!” Jungkook gasps.
“They have to know this sort of thing.” Seokjin says evenly, as he adjusts his glasses like he didn't just casually announce that Jungkook's a fucking virgin.
Why did he point that out?! Why was that something they needed to know?!
Of course an omega's scent changes over the course of an omega's life. After first presenting there is a note of something sharp that indicated he was ready to be mated but also let alpha's know he hasn't been. It would eventually change to something warmer, only after…after…
Jungkook blushes.
An omega's scent changed after their first knot. The smell of the alpha would linger for days and once it left, his own scent would be richer. He didn't know people really paid attention to that, that it was worth pointing out in a meeting like this. His face feels as if it's covered in flames.
His scent lacked that warmth as it was now. He's never done it. He's only been close to one alpha in his whole life and that was his friend who just happened to present as an alpha but Jungkook didn't see him as one. Jungkook realizes now that his scent was probably only sharp to his own nose but to an alpha it probably smelled enticing, acting like a beacon.
He always kept his scent covered per his mother's demands and Seokjin's. He never thought much about it, a lot of people wear patches for a lot of reasons…He thought perhaps his scent was just unpleasant as it was. Maybe that wasn’t it. Maybe…
Oh…
He really was a risk.
Because of what he is in more ways than one.
“There's no way.” Namjoon shakes his head.
“No way that his scent is pure?” Seokjin asks with a confused pout.
“That–that's not what I meant. That much is obvious just by looking at him. I'm saying there's no way we are taking him on.”
Jungkook feels a wave of offense, because what did that mean? How was it obvious!? Then the rest of his words sink in and he starts to feel cold.
Yoongi clears his own throat, tearing his gaze away from Seokjin to Namjoon. “If we turn him down then what?”
“Then he's someone else's problem. Look at him hyung, we are not equipped for this.” Namjoon taps his fingers on the table, “can you even dance?”
“Once again, if either of you had simply reviewed the videos I had Jimin send over you would know he can. You'd also know he has quite the established following across social media and several companies are already trying to sign him.” Seokjin sighs, “see Jungkook-ah, I knew this flashy company would not be able to handle someone like you. Disappointing but not surprising.” Seokjin stands and dusts himself off like simply sitting in this room had covered him in ick. “Come, this meeting is over.”
Jungkook feels a burst of distress at that but he gets up quickly even as the alphas start to speak.
“First of all–” Namjoon starts but Yoongi raises his hand.
“I assure you Seokjin-ssi, I could handle you–your client.” Yoongi coughs into his hand as he stands, “I'll be honest I didn't know what to expect entirely but I like to go with my gut on things and so many things these days can be faked. My partner is understandably cautious, I am too. It may feel offensive but please look at it like this, we aren't underestimating the care Jungkook-ssi would need. Please give us time to properly review and consider. I apologize for not being more thorough.” Yoongi bows to the omegas making Jungkook release a tiny gasp in surprise.
Namjoon gives Yoongi a hard stare but he rises from his chair and he too, bows. Jungkook can't believe what he's seeing. Something warms inside at the respect of their apology. To have two rich and important alphas bowing to him…
“I do have just one more question.” Yoongi slowly lifts his head. “Why us? If there's so many companies…why us?”
Namjoon stands up straight looking at Seokjin for the answer.
Seokjin rolls his eyes, “why you? I asked the same thing.” Seokjin looks at Jungkook who up until now had barely been breathing. “Tell them.”
Jungkook looks at Seokjin like he's just been shot. None of this was going the way he had heard these things go. He wishes he was wearing a hoodie so he could burrito himself into it but he's not. He feels incredibly bare even though he is nearly completely covered up. He looks at Yoongi who stares at him, waiting patiently. Then he looks at Namjoon, who looks completely skeptical. Namjoon tilts his head like he's gauging him, then he gives Jungkook the smallest nod, as if to say ‘go on’.
“I…” Jungkook wants to say he trusts they aren't like the other companies. He wants to say he believes in the things they rap about. He wants to say he admires how they have risen from nothing to become what they are today. But he feels like that's too heavy, too embarrassing, too honest. Instead he tries for the more logical approach.
“You haven't signed someone like me and I believe there is power in being the first.” Jungkook thinks about the words he overheard on his way down the hallway before and uses that, “you could sign an established soloist if you like being a second choice, picking up where someone else left off…or you could be a part of building something new and help define it from the very start.”
“Why should that be you?” Namjoon asks with a smirk.
“That's for you to decide.” Jungkook meets his eyes, something defiant making its way through him, “if you'd rather someone else debut me so be it, it'll happen for me either way. I offered you the opportunity first, because I thought you were different from other companies.”
Yoongi chuckles at that, “thank you for your consideration then.”
Seokjin nods, looking pleased, "finally, you're getting it.” There's the slightest spike in warmth to the omega's cottony scent, drawing Yoongi's gaze to him.
Namjoon snorts but he doesn't make any further comment. Seokjin takes Jungkook's elbow and guides him out.
Jungkook gets the urge to look back, take one last look at the people he's wanted to see for so long.
“Don't look back.” Seokjin whispers softly, as if sensing it. Jungkook nods slightly and keeps his head forward, letting Seokjin continue to guide him out.
When the door closes behind them he nearly falls against Seokjin, feeling whatever force that took over at the last minute of that meeting leave him. Seokjin ruffles his hair, “you did really well Jungkook-ah. Let's say goodbye to Jimin-ah and be on our way.”
Jungkook nods but clings closely to Seokjin as they go.
✨
“I want him.” Yoongi blurts as he plops back down into his chair.
Namjoon slowly sits as well, “just like that? His voice is good but–”
“What? No, not the kid.” Yoongi blushes faintly, “the agent. He looks familiar, I swear I've seen him before. His scent, my alpha knows him but I can't remember when I would have met him. Not like we deal with agents like that very much.”
“That's because we keep finding our trainees ourselves.” Namjoon pulls out his phone and opens Jimin’s messages. “Can we focus?”
Yoongi sighs, “you're the one with the hang ups. I admit, it'd be a lot. The kid is pretty, even without smelling him he's wolf bait. You couple that with his voice?” Yoongi whistles, “he's the whole package.”
“He can dance.” Namjoon murmurs, watching one of the videos Jimin sent. “It's a little too technical, but it's clean.”
“Jimin can clean it up.” Yoongi says leaning over Namjoon's shoulder, “oh he has tattoos. Not exactly very idol-like of him…his lip was pierced too.”
“Tattoos can be covered when needed…” Namjoon swipes to the next video. In it, Jungkook looks up at the camera, singing in selfie-mode. His voice is soft, beautiful even. Namjoon closes that and clicks one of the links Jimin sent and it's to Jungkook's Instagram. He clicks the most recent video, it's another dance challenge. Namjoon doesn't care about that but he does care about the reception. He clicks the comments and starts scanning them.
[Comments💬]
[TaeTaeBae]: 👍🏼
[NamsLeftDimple]: OMG SO AMAZING AS ALWAYS
[Hoba4u]: lessons are paying off! See u in class! Don't be late this time!
[Bangwoomfie]: Damn those hips don't lie 🥵
[Bang0nMyTan67]: fakkkk slick on me pls 🙏🏾
[Seokrirangs]: submissive and breedable
[PurpleJkDefender]:JK~(人´∀｀)．☆．。．:*･ﾟdid you eat?
[PurpleJkDefender]: thinking of you (ಥ﹏ಥ)
There were also comments from the top companies in the industry.
[Comments💬]
[ExM ⭐️]: Come audition!
[FLP ⭐️]: Have your agent give us a call!
[HYUP ⭐️]: I SPY A STAR! Email us JK!
“Vultures.” Yoongi grumbles, “they'd love to sink their teeth in him. Debut and drop him the second a view count drops.”
“At least they have a system in place. We have nothing in place. We aren't equipped, he'd need constant chaperoning, I wouldn't even trust him alone on the other floors with the regular trainees. We'd have to keep him close, hire a whole new team...” The dollar signs were rolling through his head at lightening speed.
“You're right. A bulk of resources would have to be dedicated just to him if we really wanted to give him an actual debut. Just looking at him, we'd have to have tight security. It's probably too much for us…oh, wait, go back.” Yoongi slides the comments up. “Well would ya look at that.” He points to one comment in particular.
[Comments💬]
[B-Bound ⭐️]: JK, open the DMs, we're ready to sign you 🔏
Namjoon scowls at that name.
B-Bound…
Namjoon's scent spikes in irritation, “that piece of shit would be groveling in his comments.” Namjoon swipes to the next post and sees another comment from B-Bound is at the top.
“We're signing him.” Namjoon says suddenly, tossing his phone onto the table.
“Because of Choi?”
“Fuck Choi. Fuck the industry.”
“You're ready to throw thousands at this just because you hate one man?”
“It's not just him. I won't pretend it's completely out of the goodness of my heart either.” Namjoon sighs, thinking back to the kid. His big eyes, red cheeks, shiny lips that looked…fuck. ”They'd eat him alive and the next time we'd see him, he'd be coked up in the back of a bar getting passed around like a blunt to whatever dirty fuck paid enough.”
It's ugly. Jungkook's an omega. Namjoon didn't make the industry but at least he didn't try to emulate it either. At least with them he'd have a fighting chance.
“I agree. We should do it and we couldn't have a better jumping point. We're between major projects right now. We need to juggle things around but I think this will be good for us, the company. If that's his voice raw and nervous, imagine in the studio…” Yoongi hums, already looking dreamy, no doubt mentally selecting tracks he wants the kid to try.
Namjoon can't help but think of the way the omega's lips glistened as he sang. One look at the kid and he knows they'll be shelling out thousands just to keep alpha's from getting to him. It's hard not to see the immediate expenses but he unfortunately has no doubt the kid will make up the money in no time. Omega idols are rare. Dancers? Sure, a dime a dozen. But an idol? That carried more weight. More pressure.
More risk.
Namjoon sighs long and slow. It was going to happen one way or another and there's no way he's letting some bitchass company snatch up what had come to them first. Something about it makes his alpha turn, an agitation at the thought of someone taking anything of his.
Jungkook wasn't his but he was one signature away from it. At least, in a legal sense. “Let’s call our lawyers, get this contract drafted up.”
“Way ahead of you.” Yoongi types away on his phone, “I don't agree with how you came around to agreeing but I'm glad you did.”
Namjoon rolls his eyes, “as if you don't always get what you want.”
Yoongi grins, “Let's get Jimin in here, he's about to have a lot more responsibility.”
Jimin finally steps into the meeting room thirty minutes later looking annoyed. “Why were you rude to my Seokjin-hyung?”
“We weren't–wait is that what he said? What did he say?” Yoongi presses, scent shifting anxiously.
“Relax Jimin-ah, we decided we'll sign the kid.” Namjoon cuts in.
“Well I hope you're not too late. On their way out Seokjin hyung convinced Jungkook-ssi to meet with B-Bound.”
“What?” Namjoon nearly growls and Jimin flinches in surprise.
“Don't look at me like that. I can't tell them what to do. It's your fault for not taking it seriously to begin with!” Jimin glares, scent flaring.
“Easy,” Yoongi smacks Namjoon's shoulder, before turning to Jimin again, “when are they meeting?”
“Now.” Jimin sighs, “since they are in the city, Seokjin wants Jungkook to meet with other companies. Ya know, since this meeting went so swimmingly.” Jimin glares at them, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair. “B-Bound has been sending offers every time the omega posts. Seemed an obvious choice, they were more than delighted to meet on short notice.”
“That fucking asshole.” Namjoon's scent bursts with aggression.
“Don't talk about Seokjin like that!” Jimin nearly growls.
“Not him!” Namjoon does growl out his next words, “fucking Choi.”
“Jimin doesn't know anything about that.” Yoongi sighs, “where are they meeting? Do you know?”
“Jungkook-ssi was hungry, Seokjin offered to meet them if they provided a nice meal at The Black Swan.” Jimin frowns, “who is Choi? That is definitely the name hyung said. Choi something…”
“The Black Swan? That cheesy Choi bitch probably keeps a table there. That agent is pretty ballsy, asking for a meal from the most expensive restaurant in Seoul just to meet.” Namjoon shakes his head in wonder. They must really want Jungkook to have agreed so easily. An anxious and possessive feeling swells in his gut. One look at Jungkook and Namjoon knew he'd be nothing but trouble. Too pretty. Too soft looking. Wolf bait through and through.
“Seokjin-ssi…how long have you known him by the way? You’ve never asked for a personal favor. Are the two of you…close?” Yoongi examines his nails like they are the most interesting thing in the world. Namjoon wants to vomit.
“Is now really the time?” Namjoon glares at the older alpha but Yoongi ignores him.
“Seokjin hyung…we were at the same company. Trainees together.” Jimin's scent shifts, flickering with sadness but his face is guarded and he looks away. “Well, you see where we are now. Neither of us…made it, not as idols. For different reasons. I won't speak for Seokjin-hyung but I know he's doing everything he can to make sure Jungkook doesn't end up like he did. I'll leave it at that. Now, what are we doing about this Choi situation?”
That sounds ominous and Yoongi's scent shifts to something crisp like he isn't done but Jimin's question hangs in the air between them.
“I guess we could just wait and see what they offer and then make a counter offer.” Yoongi looks at Namjoon. “Figure out the numbers, specific rules we'd need in place…”
“I don't leave shit to chance.” Namjoon stands, grabbing his phone off the table. “This omega better be worth it.”
No.
Namjoon was going to ensure he was worth it one way or another.