Chapter Text
Seokjin woke up to the bang of his door being slammed open.
“Hyung! Have you seen the news?” Taehyung yelled.
“No, I haven’t,” Seokjin groaned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “You just woke me up.”
“Look at this!”
Taehyung thrust his phone into Seokjin’s face.
Seokjin blinked rapidly, clearing the last of the sleep from his eyes. When the image finally came into focus the headline of the news article “Jungkook Caught Spending Late Night with Mystery Barista Who Is He?” Below the title were two photos that were very real and painted a very bad picture. The first showed Seokjin standing over Jungkook's table handing him the cheesecake with a soft, amused smile. The second photo was taken outside in the rain. Seokjin was wearing his rain jacket, hood pulled up. Jungkook stood just a step away getting rain soaked and grinning brightly, with his hands bringing up his phone mid gesture, as if asking for his number.
"Oh Shit!" whispered Seokjin
"Shit is right Hyung. Taehyung dragged his hand down his face, pacing at the foot of Seokjin’s bed like he was trying not to explode.
“Hyung,” he said, voice tight, “you are literally trending in the top three searches on Naver right now.”
Seokjin’s stomach dropped. “…What?”
“It also doesn’t help,” Taehyung continued, holding up his phone like evidence at a crime scene, “that half the people who go to your café are online calling you the perfect gentleman. And” he pointed sharply at the screen, “this is the worst part.”
He turned the phone so Seokjin could see the flood of comments.
“People are saying you have Omega traits. And Alpha traits. And now the hashtag is”
Taehyung’s voice cracked with disbelief, “#AlphaOrOmega.”
Seokjin stared at the screen, feeling his blood run cold. He knew that Jungkook would bring disaster and sure enough not even a day later had a scandal already happened. If this continued would Seokjin have to go hiding like most of his life already? While he continued to spiral, he felt the bed dip as someone sat down and then a pair of arms came around him.
"It's going to be okay Hyung you got us." Taehyung whispered.
A moment later, another weight settled on his other side. Jimin slid in without hesitation, looping his arms around Seokjin’s waist and pressing his cheek against Seokjin’s arm.
"You won't suffer alone."
They sat there in silence for a little while. Seokjin felt grounded by the two warm bodies surrounding him. They were interrupted by Seokjin's phone ringing the caller id was Namjoon. He went ahead and answered the call.
"Hyung! Are you okay? I've been trying to get a hold of you for hours! I hope you aren't going to go radio silence for weeks on end again."
Of course, Namjoon would bring that incident up again. In college there was the annual event of the Moon and Star where they would get the most handsome men and women in campus and put them in a pageant. Seokjin got nominated and his name was everywhere. The second it happened, people would turn their face to seem, and their attention sharpened on him like blades. Seokjin panicked. He hid in his apartment for three weeks and didn't go anywhere. Didn't answer calls. Not even Namjoon's. So of course, Namjoon was worried he was going to shut down again.
Seokjin swallowed before speaking "I'm not going anywhere this time."
Both Taehyung and Jimin squeezed his hands softly in response.
"That's a relief do you need anything? You also don't need to come today, I'll cover your shift, and I can just bring my younger brother Namgyun, so you don't have to worry about coming to the cafe until everything calms down. Okay?" Namjoon said in a comforting way.
" Thank you, Namjoon, I'm all good thanks for worrying. I have Taehyung and Jimin with me right now. I really appreciate it! I'm still going to go the cafe though because if I don't go people will think I have something to hide which isn't true at all." Replied Seokjin.
"Hyung, I don't think that's a smart idea but knowing you, you'll come anyway. I'll see you later tonight, we'll probably need all the extra help we can get because of the free publicity. Don't worry too much. See you soon. Stay safe and be careful!"
Right when Namjoon hung up, he was getting another call Seokjin went and answered it "Hi Hoseok just to let you know I'm okay."
There was a pause for a few seconds before a voice spoke which wasn't Hoseok’s voice. "I'm not Hoseok, this is Jungkook. You didn't want me to get your number, so I didn't want to get it without your permission and the only way to get a hold of you was Hoseok. I'm really sorry this has happened! Even when you didn't want a scandal you got one. I'm talking to my PR right now to fix everything as fast as I can. Also, um Hoseok says hi he is glaring daggers at me right now. “I totally deserve it. I’ll… I’ll see you soon, okay?” Jungkook didn’t wait for a reply, just a small, nervous breath before the line clicked off.
Jimin blinked at the phone. "Wow. Jungkook sure is dedicated. Gotta appreciate all the effort despite the problem he caused."
Seokjin groaned, dragging both hands down his face. "I wish this was a dream." He glanced at the clock beside his bed. It was already 7:30. It was time for him to get ready he needed to be at the café by 9.
Jimin gave a smile and got up. "Alright, let's get going! We are going to be busy tonight."
Taehyung pushed himself off the bed. "Yeah. We'll help at the café tonight, Hyung. No way you're facing a crowd of gossipers by yourself."
Jimin nodded firmly. "We'll be your extra waiters today, and anyone who stares or breathes weirdly we’ll glare at them. Whatever you need."
Seokjin couldn't help but smile at the two of them, warmth blooming in his chest despite everything. "You guys are the best. Thank you. Really."
Taehyung bumped his fist gently against Seokjin's shoulder. "Anytime!"
Jimin grabbed Seokjin's arm and linked their arms. "Come on, superstar. We need to make you look alive before we face the public."
🌙🌙🌙
The three of them stepped out of the apartment into the cool night air. Jimin immediately latched onto Seokjin’s arm, while Taehyung walked on his other side, solemn and protective like a brooding bodyguard. They were only halfway to the café when a familiar scent drifted toward them burnt marshmallows and faint campfire smoke. A cozy smell that could belong to only one person.
“Yoongi Hyung?” Jimin said, spotting him first.
Min Yoongi stood outside his cat café, The Onyx Whisker, hands tucked into the pocket of his hoodie. The dominant Omega lifted his gaze, looking tired and mildly annoyed in his usual Yoongi way. His eyes swept over the three of them lingering on Seokjin a little longer.
“Well,” Yoongi said, voice neutral and calm as always, “look at our local celebrity.”
Seokjin grimaced. “You know already?”
Yoongi snorted. “Hyung, I wasn’t born under a rock. Who do you think I am? A Neanderthal?” He shrugged. “And before you ask Hoseok called me. He’s worried out of his mind and needed to rant to someone. You know how he gets.”
Jimin perked up. “Right! You two used to dat—”
“Jimin.” Yoongi’s glare cut him off.
Taehyung elbowed Jimin before he could dig the hole deeper.
Yoongi sighed. “Hoseok and I broke up. It was mutual. We’re still friends. Anyway, he wanted me to warn you if I ran into you.” He jerked his chin toward Seokjin’s café. “You’ve got quite the crowd waiting. People with cameras. People pretending they’re not waiting. People who are definitely waiting. You’re going to have a tough night.”
“That’s one way to put it,” Seokjin muttered.
“Well,” Yoongi said, pulling open the door to his café, “if you need to high-tail it out of there, my door’s open until things calm down.”
“Thank you, Yoongi,” Seokjin said quietly.
Yoongi gave a tiny nod and slipped inside, the warm campfire scent fading as the door shut behind him.
The three of them continued walking. Streetlights were flickering on along the sidewalk they were walking. The sun was setting so the shadows were stretching. Seokjin turned off the main roads and started taking the alleys and less travelled streets. Taehyung stayed close by while Jimin was humming a cheerful song in the empty alley. They finally reached a narrow alley tucked between one building and the cafe. The back entrance appeared near the end hidden by a dumpster and a few stacked flour crates. The alley was dimly lit, but it was perfect for avoiding the crowd in the front. Seokjin exhaled softly with relief. This was the calm before the storm.
They slipped through the back door, the faint click of the lock muffled by the alley walls. Inside, the café was already alive with motion. The warm glow of the kitchen lights spilled out, illuminating the polished counters and the faint steam rising from whatever Hoseok was carefully preparing. The rhythmic clatter of utensils and the soft hiss of the espresso machine filled the space, creating a steady undercurrent of noise.
Hoseok moved with practiced ease, stirring, and plating, but there was a tension in his movements, a sharpness that wasn’t usually there. Namjoon, standing near the shelves, methodically checked the inventory, cataloging supplies. Every so often he paused, frowning slightly and muttering, a subtle edge to his normally calm demeanor.
From the front of the café the sound of chairs scraping against the floor Seokjin could already tell it was Namgyun, arranging tables and chairs. The scent in the air was noticeable: just a hint of sourness and anxiety from the team, the kind that comes from stress and anticipation. Even without seeing them, Seokjin could sense the subtle tension radiating from each person.
Namjoon was the first to notice them at the door. He hurried over. Hoseok, noticing Namjoon's movement, glanced up from the bowl he was mixing and wiped his hands on his apron, following Namjoon to the door with a worried look.
"Hyung are you okay?" Namjoon asked.
"Yeah, if I was in your shoes I would have stayed home. I give you props for showing up." voiced Hoseok.
"Everything alright let’s just treat this day as a normal day just a little busier." Seokjin says.
Taehyung let out a sharp breath and does a brief glare at Seokjin "Everything is not okay Seokjin don't try to play this off as normal."
Before Seokjin could respond, a knock echoed from the back door. Everyone froze for a moment, exchanging tense glances. Seokjin looked toward the door, nervousness flickering across his face.
Hoseok stepped forward confidently at first but then he paused as he reached for the handle.
"Jungkook wanted to apologize and help," Hoseok said quietly. "I told him to come through the back so he wouldn't be seen. Soooo I hope this is Jungkook."
He cracked the door open. The moment he peeked outside, Hoseok exhaled in relief and swung it open fully, ushering someone inside.
A figure stepped in wearing black jeans, a black hoodie pulled up, and oversized sunglasses. Only the faint glint of his piercings added color to him. He lowered his hood and glasses and Jungkook blinked in surprise at all the eyes staring at him.
"I uh..." Jungkook swallowed, then looked at everyone before meeting Seokjin's gaze last. "I'm really sorry for the chaos I caused. I made a statement saying I was visiting my childhood friend Hoseok, someone I think of as an older brother."
Hoseok nodded firmly at that.
"It won't take all the heat off you," Jungkook continued, "but it should help a bit. And with the crowd outside, I thought you might need a few more hands. It looks like you've got things under control, but I'm more than willing to help however you need."
Seokjin started to rub his hands nervously and then said "Okay this is what's going to happen. Taehyung, Jimin, I want you to go help in front with Namgyun to help get the front set up for opening. Hoseok, you finish what you've already started. Namjoon finish inventory and then put in what we need to order. Jungkook you will be helping Hoseok with whatever he needs. Alright let's split up and get ready!"
As soon as Seokjin finished speaking, everyone nodded and started to go to their assigned jobs. Except Namjoon who rubbed the back of his head with his hand and exhaled sharply.
"Hyung, we can't have him here," Namjoon blurted, gesturing frantically at Jungkook. "He's a liability right now! If anyone sees him in the building right now it'll be a disaster. You'll be dragged through the media storm again and then..."
Before Namjoon could spiral further, Jimin stepped forward, pressed both hands over Namjoon's mouth, and spoke brightly over him.
"Relax, Namjoon" Jimin said with a mischievous smile. "It's going to be fine. Plus, I think everyone will be wanting to focus on Seokjin and Hoseok tonight so if we can keep them in the front, it'll be fine." He then turned towards Jungkook. "We're glad to have you and I think everyone else will be glad to have you."
Jimin finally let go of Namjoon's mouth, then grabbed Taehyung's wrist and tugged him toward the front. Hoseok grabbed Jungkook by the shoulders and steered him back toward the mixing bowls, already giving him instructions. Namjoon muttered under his breath about "stupid famous people and the things they can get away with." as he returned to the shelves.
Two ovens beeped. Seokjin walked over, grabbed the mitts hanging on the wall, and opened both doors. Inside were trays of cookies, one batch of red velvet with white chocolate chips, and another of regular chocolate chips. He lifted them out and placed them on the counter to cool.
As he glanced up, Seokjin found himself staring at Jungkook mixing batter. Jungkook now wore an apron, sleeves rolled up just past his elbows, toned arms flexing with each motion. Ink shifted over his skin as the veins in his forearms tightened. Watching him, something low and primal stirred inside Seokjin, his inner wolf, usually silent thanks to years of training and steady doses of M-SHLD.
Now, without warning, it surged forward.
Mine.
The word hit him like a growl inside his skull. Seokjin jerked slightly, startled, and immediately reached into his pocket. He inhaled a dose of M-SHLD. Whether it was the medicine, placebo, or both the wolf slowly retreated.
As if sensing eyes on him Jungkook looked up and smirked like he somehow knew exactly what had just gone through Seokjin's head.
Seokjin quickly looked away, cheeks warming. The cookie trays are cool enough now. He loaded the cookies onto plates, gathered them into his arms, and he carried them through the swinging door into the front of the café.
Namgyun was there humming softly to himself as he lifted chairs down from the tables. The young alpha was smaller than Namjoon, but broader in the shoulders, with the soft, rounded cheeks that gave him a permanent baby face no matter how serious he tried to look. His scent was warm woody nutmeg with an earthy tone of ginger. His brow was furrowed in concentration as he set a chair down adjusting its angle a full three times before finally stepping back. He turned and saw Seokjin and smiled broadly with dimples like his brother.
Seokjin lowered the trays onto the front counter. "Namgyun, could you come over here for a moment."
Namgyun dusted his hands off on his apron and jogged over, bright eyed and eager. "Yeah, Hyung? What's up?"
"I assume you already know tonight is going to be busy, right?" Seokjin said, lowering his voice as Namgyun approached. "Luckily, we've got a lot of help. Just don't be too surprised when you see who's in the back. Jungkook is here in the back helping Hoseok."
Namgyun froze mid step, eyes widening. "Jungkook? Jeon Jungkook? Here?" His voice pitched up before dropping into a sharp whisper. "Hyung, you should kick him out right now!"
Seokjin blinked. "Namgyun"
"No, I'm serious!" Namgyun cut in, arms crossing. "This is going to cause more problems! Namjoon Hyung told me everything that happened last night. And now the guy who caused the chaos just walks in through our back door? It's like he owns the place! Which he doesn't. It's you and Namjoon Hyung who do."
Seokjin sighed. "He feels guilty, Namgyun. He came to help because he knows the mess outside is partly his fault.
Namgyun scoffed. "Hyung, celebrities always feel guilty for five minutes. Then they move on and leave everyone else to deal with the fallout." He waved a hand toward the back, ranting, gaining momentum. "You should have someone who actually knows you! Someone who genuinely cares and won't run off the second things get complicated."
Seokjin tilted his head. "Someone like who? You know all I have is this café and my family and a few friends."
Namgyun's cheeks puffed out in frustration. "Oh, I don't know maybe someone dependable, smart, stable? Someone who has your back every single day and isn't, you know, the most recognizable face in the country!"
Seokjin blinked at him, not understanding where Namgyun was going.
Namgyun threw his hands up "Seriously, Hyung there are plenty of people who'd be better for you than that good for nothing model. He walks away shaking his head whispering. "Why am I surrounded by so many idiots."
Seokjin glared at Namgyun and replied, "I heard that you punk!"
Namgyun froze mid step, shoulders jumping like he got caught. He turned back with an innocent smile that fooled exactly no one.
"I didn't say anything, Hyung," he lied blatantly, hands tucked behind his back. "Must be your old man ears acting up again."
Seokjin grabbed a towel and threw it at him.
Namgyun yelped and ducked behind a table, laughing.
"Namjoon Seokjin Hyung is bullying me tell him to stop it!"
Namjoon comes in and just chuckles and says "You probably deserve it Gyun. Seriously you two need to stop acting childish." Namjoon mock glares at both Seokjin and Namgyun. "And we're about to open. The last thing we need is to add more chaos on top of what's waiting for us outside."
Jimin and Taehyung finished lifting the last chairs off the tables, dusting their hands off as they turned toward the other. "We all need a little chaos in our lives, Namjoon!" Jimin said brightly. "Liven up! Though the circumstances aren't ideal remember all publicity is good publicity."
Namjoon shook his head and then said "I'm going to unlock door first Seokjin while I'm doing that go get the rest of the pastries and cheesecake from the kitchen and bring them up. It'll give you a little breathing room before the crowd starts firing questions."
Without waiting for a response, Namjoon headed toward the entrance.
Seokjin glanced toward the front windows then froze. He hadn't noticed earlier when he'd brought the cookie out, but now the sight was impossible to miss. There had to be at least fifty people gathered outside. Clusters of fans, curious strangers, neighbors pretending not to stare and entire sea of faces pressed close to the glass, buzzing with anticipation. Seokjin's stomach dipped. Nope. Not facing that yet.
He spun on his heel and hurried back toward the kitchen, the muffled noise of the crowd buzzing faintly behind him.
Seokjin then entered the kitchen. Hoseok was busy putting frosting on some brownies, and it almost seemed like he had read Namjoon’s mind, because Jungkook already had the cheesecakes out and was warming up the ganache.
Seokjin walked over and said, “Let me take over for now. What I want you to do is get a silicone scraper and the fondant by Hoseok. Also, bring me a couple of knives so you can help me cut them.”
Jungkook saluted Seokjin. “Aye aye, captain.”
Seokjin started pouring the ganache over the cheesecakes. Namjoon came over as well and wordlessly began pouring ganache over the remaining ones. Jungkook approached, his smile faltering slightly when he noticed Namjoon, but he brought everything Seokjin had asked for.
Seokjin used the scraper to smooth the ganache, then handed it off to Namjoon when he was done. After that, Seokjin grabbed the cakes and began cutting them, instructing Jungkook to place the fondant onto the sliced pieces.
As they worked, Jungkook spoke up. “You should teach me how to cook sometime so I can help more often in secret. I know this is a little stressful, but it’s also kind of relaxing.”
Namjoon replied flatly, “We don’t need any more problems, so this is the last time you’ll come here to help.”
“We’ll see,” Seokjin said calmly. “But I don’t think this will happen again.”
Seokjin gathered the finished cakes and asked Hoseok to bring the brownies out to the front.
Seokjin gathered the finished cheesecakes carefully, steadying his breathing as he lifted the trays. As he turned toward the door, he caught a glimpse of Jungkook out of the corne of his eye. The energy he'd carried earlier had dimmed, his smile fading as Seokjin stepped away. For just a second Jungkook looked... disappointed.
Seokjin looked away before he could dwell on it.
The café was packed.
Voices overlapped in a constant hum, chairs scraped against the floor, and the bell over the front door chimed nonstop as more people squeezed inside. The air was thick with mixed scents, coffee, sugar, excitement, and curiosity. Seokjin kept his head down as he slid the cheesecakes into the display case. Hoseok was right behind him putting the brownies and cookies beside the cheesecake. Having Hoseok nearby was a comforting presence in the midst of chaos. As the eyes were staring at him. Every movement drew attention. As he stood up people pretended to be looking at the menu when you could tell they were staring at him instead.
People closest to him were asking questions left and right.
“What’s Jungkook like?”
“How long have you been dating?”
“What gender are you?”
“Are you using Jungkook for popularity?”
Seokjin gathered his nerves and spoke in a slightly louder voice. “I will not be answering questions at this time. If you are here for gossip, I kindly ask you to leave.”
There was a wave of complaints from a lot of people who you could tell they were there for the drama. There were some customers complaining that this was a waste of time and they didn't even get to see the drama. There was good sized group that went out the door. Others lingered with curiosity in their eyes’ questions on the tip of their tongue, but they don't voice them. The scent of fresh pastries and warm sugar with coffee won everyone else over. As people ordered customers’ eyes would go wide once they had the taste of the Moonlight Cheesecake people were saying they will come again. Seokjin finally went back to the familiar rhythm of plating and wiping letting the routine ground him.
Hours passed, the café emptied and the chaotic rush from earlier ended. Now there was a steady flow of people coming in and out. cups clinking, quiet conversations overlapping, the hissing of coffee being made in the background. Still Seokjin could still feel the weight of curios stares that lingered on him.
The café had just started to feel mundane when the door opened again
Seokjin noticed them immediately because they were loud laughing and joking that didn't fit the energy of the café. Three men walked in like they owned the place. The scent came next Alpha pheromones unrestrained and careless cutting into the atmosphere and making others uncomfortable.
"Hey," the man called out voice a little too loud. "You're the barista begging for attention, right?"
The other two snickered.
Seokjin kept his expression neutral and replied. "If you're here to order, I'll be happy to help."
"Oh, we'll order," another one said smirking. "What will it take to order you to come and have fun with us?"
A laugh erupted from the three of them.
With that laugh the café quieted, and the attention came over to them.
Before Seokjin could respond, Namjoon appeared beside him, placing a menu down on the counter.
"Welcome," Namjoon said calmly. "Here is what is on the menu, these are what you can order."
The first man scoffed. "Relax, man. We're just discussing what to order. Isn't that, right?" His gaze slid back to Seokjin. "So, what are you, anyway? An Omega? Begging for Alphas’ attention?
Then Alpha’s pheromones flare heavy and intrusive.
There was the sound of someone's throat being cleared.
Taehyung was now by the counter, tall and unmoving.
"That's enough," Taehyung said with quiet authority.
"You're making the staff and customers uncomfortable," Taehyung continued, tone even but unyielding. "If you're not here to order, please leave."
One of the men snorted. "Oh! I see you brought out the bodyguards now?"
Taehyung and Namjoon didn't rise to the jab. They just held their gazes.
Namjoon spoke again, still calm, "This is your final warning."
The three men were silent for a beat then one of the men scoffed "Whatever. You guys are lame can't even take a joke."
They left in a burst of muttered complaints and bitter laughter, the door swinging shut behind them.
Namjoon glanced at him. "You, okay?"
Seokjin nodded. "Yeah. Thank you.
Taehyung gave a short nod and stepped away, moving back to continue cleaning off the tables and asking if customers needed anything else.
Gradually, the warmth returned. Conversations resumed. The scent of sugar and coffee reclaimed the space.
Seokjin knew one thing for certain. Despite the chaos that has happened throughout his life and the article that came out he felt protected and that he wasn't alone anymore.