Chapter Text
Since birth, Seokjin was never quiet. He was proud of his debate skills, surpassing those of his close circle since primary school in the quiet city of Gwacheon. Of course, being of royalty--heir apparent at that--had pushed him to hone his skills even further. He taught himself the art of politics, taught himself important skills the future Alpha king of a kingdom was expected to learn. He would be damn sure that his ignorance wouldn’t lead to a bad deal or treaty. He was ready for anything that came his way, especially from ruthless leaders looking out for their own best interest. He was ready for anything.
Except, of course, being passed over his rightful spot.
He came into puberty as a Beta, like how all children start out, and left out of it an Omega.
A fucking Omega, of all things.
A royal Omega has not naturally came in years in Gwacheon. All people of royalty, Seokjin’s ancestors, have all came as an Alpha, forcing them to marry outside the lineage to find an Omega. Seokjin’s mom was an Omega noblewoman, a step lower than the aristocracy his father was, but still well respected.
16 years old on a quiet afternoon, Seokjin had a heat for the first time ever, solidifying his status,
and ruining his dreams for life.
Seokjin remembers his mother calming him, the young boy scared to death about the rest of his future.
“Nothing will change what you want to do in life,” his mother reminds him, “I don’t care if you’re an Alpha, Omega. Everyone deserves to live their life.” Seokjin takes that to heart.
As an Omega, he doesn’t have the rights to the throne anymore. Omegas were seen as unable to lead their own household, much less an entire country. There would be riots before allowing an Omega to lead. So Seokjin, for the peace of his kingdom, officially stepped down from his place and allowed his younger brother Jungkook to become crown Alpha king when his day comes.
Although Seokjin had abdicated the throne, it doesn’t mean he’s completely settled into his life as an Omega.
Fuck no.
Although highly immoral in the current society, people would still find the young Omega around in the official chambers listening, discussing, and strategizing with his cabinet members on important issues, giving advice and criticism where he deems fit. And not to brag, but he was good at this; he was raised on backdoor diplomacy and threats of war. It’s all he knows, and diplomacy is what he’s always love at if it means a better life for his citizens.
It does help to be as beautiful as Seokjin. People are easily fooled by his beauty, believing that he’s too pretty to truly understand the complexities of the monarchy. His sweet, enticing smell understandably works to his advantages at times. But other times, it doesn’t. It’s a hit and miss with his identity, taking him years to artfully use it for his gain.
But make no mistake, Seokjin didn’t instantly gain the position of authority given to him; he had to work hard for people to look at him as himself rather than the king’s son.
Now, with another identity disadvantage, he’ll have to work twice as hard for people to see past his status too.
*
Ten Years Later
“Now, I called this emergency for an important, secret reason.” the old Alpha King ominously starts out, “and it does not leave this room.”
Nods of heads come from all around. A blonde hair from his seat looks around in question.
“Where’s Prince Seokjin-ssi?” General Min Yoongi asks.
“That’s exactly why I’m calling this a meeting of secrecy.” the King explains. “Now I wish to continue with today’s subject matter.”
The King nods and at once, a boy immediately runs over to the King, hands him a letter. The palace messenger makes accidental eye contact with the prince on his way out the room and nearly trips on his shoes, before finally dashing off. No one notices the stumble or the blooming red on the young prince’s face.
“I’ve received a letter,” The King continues, “from Ilsan, and it reads:
Dear Alpha King Kim of Gwancheon,
I am Kim Namjoon of Ilsan. I am reaching out to you in hopes of beginning to heal the damage that years of warring and petty rivalry had brought upon us, so that both of our kingdoms may live in peace. I realize that my father, the former Alpha King, was partially involved in the relationship worsening over time. As the new King, though, I would like to start on the right foot and create a change that would be substantial. I would be most grateful to host a diplomat from your kingdom to discuss such a treaty, or that you may allow me to travel to your area. Whichever way you would prefer I am accepting to it. Please consider this offer carefully, not only for us but also for the sake of both of our citizens.
With kindest regards,
Kim Namjoon.”
And with that the old King sat down on his chair, his back sitting up immediately so to not lose the focus of the group. The cabinet members meet the King’s stare with dead silence.
General Min is the first one to speak. “Ilsan wants to make peace? Now?”
The Old King nodded. “Yes, it appears so.”
“What if it isn’t about peace?” Prince Jungkook asks, “What if it’s a trap? This is Ilsan, we’re talking about.”
The Old Alpha King smiled a bit. “23 years old, my boy, and you’ve finally added something worthwhile to the conversation.”
“Father!” the cabinet members laughed along to the easygoing King, all of them used to the King’s teasing and banter. But the King’s face sobers up fast.
“I’ve had my thought on whether it was a trap or not, but the son of the former King’s reputation goes far beyond what I thought. He’s known as a serious person, bold even, but someone who also doesn’t want to start any trouble.”
“He’s smart too.” General Min adds, “it’s insane to use the time of transition from one king to another for anything but for peace. Right now is the best time to act with new, good faith. I’m sure he’s well aware of how strong our army has grown. We’re not as powerful as the Heart of Steel, but we’re a formidable enemy to make”
“Thanks to you, hyung.” Jungkook finger-guns at the General, who doesn’t respond to it until the King is distracted and turns around, giving the young prince a playful finger-gun back and a wink as well.
“Yes, indeed, thanks to you to General.” The King turns around and continues, and both men settle back, “Usually, I would take this chance to have the King to come here and deal a treaty myself as King, but I am old as well.”
“But King, your age doesn’t affect you leading the country. You’ve done a lot despite your old age.”
“I am not saying that I can’t, but I must take a step back and think. You all must as well; I may not be too old yet, but I will. I would also like to take the chance to leave behind a kingdom of peace, something Alpha King Namjoon was not given. I applaud him on his courage to take the initiative when his own father couldn’t. But it can’t be just me; it must be the next generation.” the King explains.
Just then the chief of staff asks, “if you’re stepping away from this treaty, then who will delegate for us?”
The King’s face contorted with emotion, a bit of hesitation in his eyes. The room stayed quiet for his answers.
The King starts off guarded as if bracing himself for the backlash. “I want to send my son as a diplomat on behalf of the kingdom.”
Arguments of all kinds immediately started in the room.
“... But sir, the new Alpha King won’t take him seriously…”
“... we’ll be coming back with no treaty then!…”
“... with all due respect to the Prince, he’s a brick that can’t be moved!…”
“... there will be no negotiation at the table there then, just plain arguing…”
“... you know the Prince will demand his side before anything…”
“... they will not take an Omega seriously…”
“... the Prince may be amazing, but it’s not right to send an Omega!...”
“... no offense, my King, but your son is not the right person to do this…”
“ORDER!” Prince Jungkook stands up to interject, his voice laced with the Alpha authority he was blessed with, “Yelling will do us no good! Let’s try to hear the reasoning behind this!” the voices in the room heed to the powerful voice before them.
“Thank you, son.” the King nods in approval at his son, “As I was saying, I want to send him, regardless of how that would look on us.”
“Sir,” the chief of staff interjects yet again, “I think most of us know that the level of… respect Omega receive in this kingdom is little, nevermind a country like Ilsan.”
“You’re worried about respect? Let us not move around the elephant in the room!” a man cuts off the chief of staff, “an Omega cannot be trusted with this responsibility!”
General Min cuts him off with, “You take that backward logic of yours out and shove it right up your-”
“Let us argue thoughtfully, please! I for one don’t care about him being an Omega, although some of us do. I’m more about if the King of Ilsan is anything like his father, he won’t even look at Prince Seokjin respectfully.” someone else adds.
“Along with the fact that,” another one interjects, “your son is… a bit hard to argue with. He’s simply too good at fighting back but not so well at… listening.”
Not even General Min or the Prince could argue that. They both know how… hardheaded the older Prince could get.
The King had stayed silent the entire time, as waves of arguments came from all sides of the room. He walks in a slow circle around the table. It’s a few minutes before others stop talking and finally look at the King’s peculiar silence on the matter.
“I realize,” the King said, “that this may look like a comment based on nepotism and favoritism. It is not because I said so, it is because that is the consensus throughout everyone that Kim Seokjin has ever met. The fact is is that Prince Seokjin is one of the best debaters of our time.” The room nods at that.
He continues, “He has one of the quickest minds anyone has ever seen. He was trained to be an Alpha King before his status was announced, but that didn’t change him. He was still that same trained King, the same intelligent man. If he was anything less than good I would not be here today, in front of my cabinet members, some I’ve known since I took reign 50 years ago, arguing for a chance for him. It is not that I don’t trust anyone else. I am sure that there are some exceptional people in this room who could do what we want. But Seokjin,”
he stops right there, standing still as he continues, “it's a sad fact that a status can keep even the brightest mind chained. I don’t care to argue to certain people who believe otherwise on Omega rights. But what I can say for certain is that I did not help in fighting the stigma.”
“Sir, there isn’t much you can do anyways; people are already set in the narrow-minded ways,” someone states.
“That is true. But I could do something for the next generation it's his only chance to do something with his brain. It's not often we see Omegas in important positions, and now is the best time to use an Omega’s voice. I think Seokjin’s voice for our kingdom is perfect for this trip, and to show that Omegas can do great things before he’s married off. Once he’s married, he’s no longer part of this kingdom. He’s part of whatever kingdom he marries into. We only have now.”
“But the citizens here won’t like the idea of an unmated 26-year-old Omega deciding the fate of their future. It’s going to be a lengthy conversation between the King of Ilsan and Prince Seokjin that will affect all of us for ages to come.” Jungkook logically points out, “How will you convince them to trust the Prince?”
“With my name behind this decision. They’ve trusted me before and I’ve never let them down; I must ask they extend that same faith to me in my decision.” The King finishes, “If Seokjin fails, then he fails in not only his name but mine as well.”
“Wow,” Jungkook whistles out, “so should I tell him all this with a ’no pressure buddy’?”
*
“Ma’am,” Prince Seokjin sits on the judge’s stand, with both feets kicked up and a gravel on the hand closest to the table, ready to smack it at anytime, “If the insurance is under your name like you said it is, then why does the paper read-” and he squints to read the name on the insurance card.
“Lee Jongsuk”
the woman takes a few seconds to answer the simple question. “That’s my old name.”
“Your files never said you changed your name.” Seokjin looks up and meets the woman’s angry eyes head-on.
“Are you calling me a liar?” she avoids Seokjin’s question.
Prince Seokjin rolls his eyes in exasperation. “No, but I’m calling you out for insurance fraud. I order you to pay the amount due on the card, plus an extra 600,000 wons for slander against the victim. Case dismissed.” and he smacks the gravel down on the table.
Wow. The most exciting part of his day.
As the women were taken by the guards over her screaming voice (“You Omegas! You don’t even deserve that spot! How dare you make ruling when you don’t even understand law!” the women yell, and Seokjin wants to double the damage money just for that), a figure walks behind the Prince’s seat. It’s a second too late to see the approaching man.
Seokjin feels a pair of sturdy hands on his shoulders, and he screams in fear. “Oh, my God!” he flinches from his chair immediately, hitting the desk with his stomach.
“Ahh, my Prince, you’re getting too old! How did you not hear my footsteps!” it was Taehyung, the palace messenger.
But you ask the royal Princes, he’s more than that.
The messenger was brought as a young boy by his poor, sickly mother, who was a servant. Taehyung’s mother was the servant for the young Queen when she was a simple noblewoman. She begged her to take the child, too poor to raise him herself. She had left quickly after, for reason that was never explained. Seokjin the only one old enough to remember how she looked; Taehyung was a carbon copy of his mother.
The young orphan was raised right beside the kind Queen’s two other boys, and later on, when questions arise from why exactly the young boy was still living with royalty, he was given the title of the messenger.
“Taehyungie. If you try that scaring tactic again, I will punch you. I don’t care if people us fight.” Seokjin replies calmly.
To anyone, it would be scary receiving a threat that aggressive, especially from a royal person.
But Taehyung isn’t just anyone.
“Like you’ll follow through on that threat. And believe it or not, I’m not just here to annoy you. The King wants you back immediately to pack for a trip.”
“Pack? Already? To where? I just came back from a trip. I just went to a wedding and I didn’t even know the groom or bride!” Seokjin turns and complains to his pseudo-brother. How many times does he have to represent the kingdom in these useless parties and weddings, only showing face and doing nothing more?
“I’m not supposed to know, so I don’t officially know. But,” and Taehyung moves closer, “between you and I, Kookie told me great news for you.”
Seokjin sees exciting energy from the younger one, an infectious vibe that gets Seokjin leaning into the younger one, waiting on his words. “You, hyung,” he starts off, eyes bright. Seokjin and Taehyung push the doors to the outside world, already leaving the building since Taehyung coming to get him.
“are going on your first official diplomatic trip.”
Seokjin stands still in the busy sidewalk in shock, “Me? An Omega? A diplomatic trip?” he asked again, making sure he heard right.
Taehyung nods, pushing him to walk again. “You're not supposed to know until the King tells you, so act surprised with him. But yes! You’re going to Ilsan to design a treaty with the new King! Isn’t this great!” Taehyung grabs at the Prince’s broad shoulders, shaking him a bit in his own excitement.
“Thank you for being so excited for me like this, but you must understand my confusion. Why… why me?” Seokjin asked, more to himself to Taehyung.
“Apparently, your dad convinced the cabinet,” Taehyung explains in a rush, feeling guilty for mentioning that once he sees Seokjin’s face fall. “But that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve your spot.” he hurries to correct. “You were the best person for this job anyways, the cabinet just needed a little more convincing.”
Seokjin groans, “I just… I don’t…” Seokjin seems tongue-tied on what exactly to say, but manages through, “that just... makes me sound like a daddy’s boy or something. I hate how they believe I could never do a job like this.” he sighs, moving closer to Taehyung to avoid hitting a tree. Taehyung takes the opportunity to slide his arms around the taller Omega, rubbing his shoulders as a source of comfort.
It’s an everyday struggle within Seokjin, not trying to care about what others thought of him. He knows he shouldn’t, but it’s easier said than done.
“Well,” Taehyung shrugs, “guess you just have to prove them wrong, huh?”
“I’ll prove them so wrong they’ll feel their prejudice up all their asses.” Seokjin crudely states, smiling as he curses.
“That’s my guy!” Taehyung laughs.
“When do I leave?”
“They’d want a meeting to happen in a few days time, so they’re sending you off today with a list of deals needed on our side. They’ll debrief you right when you come to the castle and then send you away. And you know what to do with the Ilsan King.” Taehyung begins to remind him. Seokjin smiles at his younger brother.
“Be firm, but not too firm,” he answers.
“And don’t come off rude, hyung. The man is not like his father, you know.”
“Me? Rude?” Seokjin playfully asks. Taehyung simply raises his eyebrows back at him.
Seokjin realizes he’s got a reputation of being a bit too... firey with others. A little too sassy with comebacks, a little too harsh with criticism and overall a pain in the ass.
It’s only because it gets the job done.
At the front of the castle, Taehyung yet again grabs at Seokjin’s wide shoulder in excitement.
“Sir,” Taehyung never calls in a respectful manner, always forging formal greetings with the years of friendship and brotherhood they share. Seokjin raises an eyebrow in question at the respectful tone.
“Make us Omegas proud.”
*
It’s a few hours until Seokjin is planned to depart, as he picks out the outfit for the trip to Ilsan in his closet. He’s planned to stay for a week, believing that that’s enough time to forge a treaty. He knows he’s not only representing the kingdom and its citizens, but he’s also representing all the Omegas who were ever told they’d never amount to anything after inheriting their status.
He’s also can’t forget who’s putting himself on the line for them.
“I’ll make you proud Father, and I won’t bring back anything less than a win for us,” he tells himself, putting on his royal clothing. He looks in the mirror to check himself out.
He’s got broad shoulder that thankfully give off an air of authority. Between his slim waist, wide Omega hips, and his sweet scent, he doesn’t seem that intimidating at all. He’s just an Omega, after all, only good for housework and children.
He hates it, when Alphas look at him up and down with their hooded bedroom eyes barely hiding the want and lust; seeing him as a hot commodity to grab onto. It's uncomfortable when he simply wants to talk to them like a fucking human about things. Blind dates that he’s been on to set him up with other Princes and Princess usually ends in disaster when Seokjin’s asking what their values are for their countries and they answer, “In between your legs.”
Ew.
“Why are you just checking yourself out?” General Min asks, Seokjin jerking away from his spot in front of the mirror quickly in fright.
“How long were you there?”
“Long enough. Did you really turn around to check out your own ass, hyung?” he teases.
“Shut up.”
“Aww, Prince Seokjin-ssi can’t be mad right now, not when he’s about to break history!” Seokjin raises an eyebrow at the large smile and excitement from the usually stoic General.
“What’s the opposite of the phrase 'who pissed in your cereal?’, ‘who put some laughing gas in your blunt?’, because that’s exactly how it seems like.”
“I try to act happy and encouraging to a person, and what do they do? They accuse me of doing drugs. I’m not some stone cold general, hyung.” the man grumbles out, taking a seat on Seokjin’s bed.
“I wouldn’t know. You’re usually out here trying to look intimidating. But it never works, you know. You always do that thing with your mouth when people talk to you.”
“Do what?”
“That pouting thing is what hyung is referring to. I don’t think you’re as intimidating as you think you are.” Jungkook and Taehyung walk into the royal room as well.
The four of them are especially close, crossing the boundaries of acquaintances and co-workers a long time ago. While Taehyung and the brothers grew up together, General Min Yoongi came to the trio when he was a soldier at 16, and climbed the ladder of position in the military quickly before leading an entire battle at 23. He’s been the general to an end to a war and a 2 ½ years of peacetime since he took charge. With credentials, and other accomplishments in his bag, it’s no wonder he’s the youngest General in the history of the kingdom.
“Oh, don’t mind me, I’m just trying to undress and pack before my small, extremely unimportant trip. Make yourselves at home in my bedroom, you’re all invited.” Seokjin deadpans, glaring at all of them behind in with the mirror. Seokjin focuses back on his suitcase, folding and placing clothes on top of one another, and he finally packs the last clothing. His hands shake as he tries to close the suitcase without any help.
“Hyung, you ok?” Yoongi sees his older friend’s grip on the zipper slip a few times and asks. Seokjin debates on lying before he just simply shrugs.
The Prince ponder his situation. If there was ever a life-changing moment in Seokjin’s life, it would be now. This isn’t college law. It’s not judging cases in his free time, it’s not building connection as a prince, it’s not the duty that comes with being an Omega in the royal family. This is a treaty, a deal with an unpredictable country like Ilsan, who’ve always lived ruthlessly. There’s a reason why the entire kingdom is affectionately called the ‘Heart of Steel’ of South Korea. This is crucial to his kingdom’s survival, and although Seokjin wouldn’t say it out loud, he knows he has the fate of his country in his hand if this deal goes wrong, for years to come.
Despite his accomplishments and belief, he’ll always have insecurity about himself. He’s an Omega, an undesirable status for any. No one has faith in his ability, he knows, so of course his first mission he would be nervous about.
He’s also got one chance at this. He has to come back with something, or else he fails. Not only himself but his entire world.
“It’s nerve-racking, but I’ll be OK.” Seokjin simply says, trying to drop the conversation. But Yoongi shakes his head at that, and the Prince feels a rant coming.
“It’s not fair the first assignment you’ve gotten since abdicating the throne and finishing college is something like this! Not even seasoned Ambassadors have done this alone. Nothing about your skills exactly hyung, but they think you can do this alone? A peaceful, long-lasting treaty?” Yoongi complains the inner thought Seokjin was slightly scared to say out loud. It’s great having a friend like Yoongi, and being so close in age gives him comfort in expressing his worries out loud.
“Then go with him, you and Taehyung-hyung.” Jungkook cuts him off. Yoongi raises an eyebrow.
“How would that help Prince Seokjin?”
The Alpha Prince explains, “I can’t go, because I’m the heir now, and there is some responsibility here back at home that I must watch over. You too, however, aren’t particularly tied up with the castle as much. Taehyung can go because he’s an Omega servant. Just say he’s your chosen servant hyung, and he’ll fly under the radar quietly. And Yoongi-hyung, you can go too because this treaty deals with their arm force and soldier count, something no Ambassador is expected to know, so it won’t make him look like he needs help. Seokjin wouldn’t feel quite as nervous now that he has you, and plus, he has more eyes and ears to catch for anyone crossing you on Ilsan’s side.”
The room is silent, stunned at the youngest’s flawless explanation.
The Alpha General looks like he’s in deep thought. “That… actually kind of smart.” Yoongi says. “That’s a good idea. When did this kid get so smart?” he jerks a thumb at Jungkook, scoffing in faux-disbelieve. Jungkook groans at the teasing, but smiles wholeheartedly.
“But the travel plans have already been made,” Seokjin interjects over the sound of the three other’s laughter.
Jungkook confidently shrugs, “I’ll say that I requested this last minute myself, we’re notoriously last minute anyway. I’m more worried about you, Jin-hyung.” he said the last part directly to Seokjin. “I don’t care if others see bringing backup along as weak when they can’t even speak their way to a sentence against an Alpha King. You shouldn’t care what they think either.”
It’s time like these when, Jungkook can see through multiple angles and make a quick decision like this, overall showcasing his talent at leadership, that Seokjin really doesn’t regret giving up his spot to the throne. He feels at peace leaving the country to him.
There are no hard feelings between the brothers, especially when Jungkook is equally as deserving to the throne. He’s been training to be next King since he was 13, longer than Seokjin had trained before he had to abdicate. He’s proud of how far his shy, introverted younger brother grown since the news, and how he grew to blossom into this.
Seokjin smiles as he thinks about all those countless nights consoling his baby brother on the future he was never expected to have, reassuring him through all this that his older brother wasn’t mad at him, that his older brother still loves him. He and Taehyung had tag-teamed that first year in helping Jungkook not feel so overwhelmed with his new schedule since becoming next in line for the crown.
Seokjin turns a little to see Taehyung look onto the future King in admiration. There are more people to thank in Jungkook’s journey to the throne than Seokjin can say thanks.
Seokjin finally turns to his suitcase, bending down to close it. He jumps back up, scan the room, and asked, “why are you guys just sitting there? We have a carriage to catch!”
*
It’s a while before they make it to the castle, the long-winded road and morning breeze the only keeping the trio see for miles ahead.
On closer inspection of the castle, sitting on the edge of the bustling city, some could say it looks similar to the castle in Gwacheon. Regardless of Taehyung multiple arguments otherwise, Seokjin can see some similarities to both neighboring Kingdoms.
“See, look. Did you see that? They have roses that grow naturally here. We don’t have that anywhere back home! This place is nothing like the gloomy Gwacheon castle.”
“Taehyung, remember when Jungkook gave you dandelions to put in your hair? Those were from the castle garden.” Yoongi grumbles. “How do you forget your own boyfriend’s surprise gift?”
Taehyung quickly replied, “He’s not my boyfriend!” same time Seokjin asked, “You called that a gift, Tae-Tae?”. To Yoongi, Seokjin also adds, “I hope you know dandelions are weeds. That’s not romantic at all.”
Taehyung fidgets with the strings on his newly pressed clothing, hand cleaned by the servants in the castle (the irony: they smuggle Taehyung with them as a servant, only to treat him as one of them) “You guys are such cruel tease. Why would Jungkook even look my way when there are plenty of Omegas, noble and royals from other countries, to court? It’s ridiculous; he obviously meant those dandelions as a token of our friendship.” the young Omega comments, his low self-esteem evident.
Yoongi and Seokjin both wore simultaneous frowns at the comment. Before either man could respond with anything, the carriage makes a full stop, signaling the end to their trip and effectively their conversation. Seokjin reminds himself to talk to the younger man about this. He doesn’t have enough time right now to bash some common sense into the other man’s head.
Right now, it’s time to meet the King himself.
Seokjin starts to fidget in his seat, and he tries to take several deep breaths to calm himself. He’s not scared, per se, but nervous. Extremely nervous. He’s never felt like this before. Being a royal Omega, he isn’t allowed to be shy less or else he loses the little respect he has. He has to be brave and shameless to get the authority and respect he wants. He can’t walk into the dealing table looking like he’s an Omega from those films.
He can’t go like he’s every bit the scared Omega the Alpha King expects him to be.
Before he could give himself a proper pep talk though, the door is knocked on, permission to open being waited on. Yoongi cocks his head at Seokjin, and Seokjin nods. The General swings the door open himself and steps out first. Once Yoongi’s feet hit the ground, Seokjin can see clearly out the window.
His eyes wander to what looks to be five men. Two of them are obvious royal guards, each standing on one side. The three in the middle aren’t guards, the trio going from tallest to shortest. All of them in clean, beautiful, but ultimately non-distinguishing clothing, making it hard to find out who’s of royalty and who’s not.
Once Yoongi left the carriage, Seokjin nods at Taehyung to leave next. Taehyung, instead of jumping off like Yoongi, sits on the carriage and swings his leg out. He pushes himself off with his arms at an awkward angle but still manages to land right. Seokjin smiles and Yoongi rolls his eyes in mock-irritation, all to used to the younger one’s peculiar methods. The three men though weren’t so used to it, one of them gasping in fear of Taehyung hurting himself.
When it’s Seokjin’s turn to step out, he quickly jumps out and stands in between his two friends, facing the three men.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that Kim Seokjin was born to be royalty. Not even just with his looks, which could be rivaled by non-royalty like Taehyung and Yoongi.
Instead, many people can tell just by the way he carries himself. Prince Kim Seokjin never allows himself to slouch. Prince Kim Seokjin always maintains eye contact. Prince Kim Seokjin is always ready with a graceful smile always present, even when he doesn’t feel like it. Prince Kim Seokjin is the epitome of royalty, the peak of authority.
If a person studies Seokjin long enough, they’ll realize one thing; he carries himself as if his status is an Alpha. It’s because that’s who he learned it from; it’s all according to the person he learned Alpha manners alongside; Jungkook.
(Omega classes focus on how to entice, please, breed and satisfy your Alpha. They teach the expectation of Omegas on childcare and on their submissive place in society.
Seokjin couldn’t believe the major drop of intellectual stimulation he saw when he went from his Alpha classes to the new Omega classes.
He couldn’t handle the mindlessness of it all. The simple sewing, the day-long cooking labs, learning the proper etiquette on how to greet your Alpha after a long days work. The classes he was in wasn’t his cup of tea, so instead he everything he could from his younger Alpha brother. Whatever Jungkook learned each day, he would sneak into Seokjin’s room and teach it to him, repeating an entire school day of lessons. He had taught his older brother every rule, posture, mannerism. All the traces of Omega training in Seokjin was gone by the time Jungkook graduated, something Seokjin never regrets.)
Seokjin eyes the line up right in front of him. Between the three men, he honestly can’t tell who’s the King. No clothing, no distinguishing features, nothing.
He knows the King is an Alpha, so that takes out the one standing in the middle, who’s obviously an Omega.
“Good afternoon, sirs,” Seokjin starts off. He tries to sound assertive, hyper-aware of his first impression on the King, whichever one he is. “I am Omega Prince Kim Seokjin of Gwacheon, and here beside me is my friend and trusted messenger Omega Kim Taehyung.” he points at Taehyung, making sure to give him a better title than a servant.
“And this is Alpha General Min Yoongi,” he points to Yoongi, “both of whom hail from Gwacheon themselves,” he explains. “I hope it will not be a bother if you can provide rooming to them too, Alpha King Kim Namjoon-ssi.”
He asked the last question to pinpoint who the King is, but all three of them nod. Which definitely doesn’t help him. At all. He shoots a smile to all of them. They all barely smile back, their strain grins matching more of a grimace than anything else. Especially the tallest Alpha there, who catches Seokjin’s eyes by accident. He immediately looks down a red blush furiously spreading on his cheeks.
Did the Alpha just- he just- he wouldn’t even look in Seokjin’s way! How rude, Seokjin’s brains supplies.
Seokjin thinks about what Jungkook said to him just before they disembark: ”If the Alpha King is anything like his father, then he won’t even look at you respectfully.”
Seokjin doesn’t feel so well suddenly in this foreign land. He’s been to many places, but never for official diplomatic reasons. He’s usually there to be used just for his face. Never for important reasons. He’s never had to command attention and respect for all those other trips. Seokjin straightens his back even more so than before, and shoots a glare at the Alpha, who’s still not meeting his gaze. His dark red cheeks tell Seokjin that he knows he’s being watched.
Cutting his glare away from the tallest one, Seokjin scans the entire group of men. At this point, Seokjin still can’t tell the three men apart, and he now has to guess who’s the king. It’s a ⅓ chance of getting it right, Seokjin thinks.
“This is a beautiful palace, Alpha King Kim Namjoon,” he said this compliment while directly looking at the shortest one in the row. The man widening his eyes in shock from being spoken to so directly.
The man smiles a toothy cute grin when he understands what happened, “Oh! My apologizes Omega Prince, I am not the King. I’m his cousin, Alpha Prince Park Jimin.”
“Oh!”
Oh.
Oh. Oh no.
“Oh, my God! I am so sorry!” he profusely starts to apologize, covering his hand with his mouth, both to the Alpha King, who finally looks up and whose jaw is left hanging, and the Alpha Prince, of who is red as a tomato and laughing profusely along with the Omega in the middle.
He’s still apologizing when everyone (even the traitors he called his friends) calms down a bit. The Alpha King is the only one who doesn’t laugh outright, though a shy grin does poke out from him, his deep dimples betraying him. “Omega Prince, you have nothing to fear. It was an honest mistake on your part.” he finally opens his mouth and speaks.
Oh my God, that voice! Seokjin thought. The sultry, smooth voice does something to Seokjin’s stomach, making him twice as nervous as before. The Alpha’s voice is amazing, something that could put him to sleep, as he laid next to the young man and places a hand on his chest, snuggling into the warmth his arms offer, reaching out to meet his soft lips-
Seokjin frowns, shaking his head to clear his thought.
“Omega Prince Seokjin-ssi,” The King continues, “I invite you to my palace, and I accept your guests. Please, feel welcome here. Follow me, I will take your items into your rooms.” he finishes, reaching out to start wheeling Seokjin’s suitcase.
Seokjin has his suitcase in his hand, shocked that the King was taking it in for him when he has servants to do it for him. The others don’t look as shocked, simply smiling and staring at their King pull Seokjin’s bag.
“Well, Prince Seokjin-ssi. We must follow! We’ll lose him pretty easily.” Jimin says, not even explaining the peculiar behavior.
*
Seokjin shakes his head a bit, shocked about his first meeting with the King. He’s still thinking about his unfortunate mistake when Taehyung comes into his room after barely knocking on his door twice.
“Hyung, are you alive in your room? Or maybe this is Alpha Prince Park Jimin-ssi’s room? I get you two confused sometimes” Taehyung teases, already opening the door and sitting on the bed. He looks ready to head to the table for the first official dinner, his clothing looking good and his hair bouncing in a deliberate artful mess.
Seokjin mumbles out a, “Leave me alone.” before throwing the covers over his head. He hadn’t even bothered to unpack, simply changing to his pajamas to relax on his bed.
Taehyung is determined to make Seokjin forget about his embarrassing first encounter. He isn’t going to allow him to wallow in self-pity.
“Seokjin-hyung, you can’t do this! Get up! You’re being immature! How are you supposed to convince him of anything when you can’t even look at him in the eye! Over a small dumb, admittingly embarrassing mistake?!?” Taehyung climbs into bed, squeezing the Prince.
“Let’s go. They told Yoongi-hyung that lunch is ready.” Taehyung pulls at the cover, and then Seokjin’s arm. The older one barely moves from his spot.
“Stand up now, or I’ll go to the table and tell them a list of your embarrassing moments before now.”
Seokjin lifts his head up so fast, “You wouldn’t.” he dares.
“Ok, suit yourself. I’ll just go to the table and tell them the summer Kookie and I brought you dog food instead of human food, and you still thought it was delicious-”
“Alright! I’m up!” Seokjin grumbles, standing up from the bed.
He hears some knocking on the door, not even thinking a bit before swinging open the door to find-
“Oh. Alpha King Kim Namjoon-ssi of Ilsan, hello.” Seokjin bows a little and looks back up directly to the Alpha King's eye. The man becomes flustered again for some reason, meeting Seokjin’s eyes for a bit before looking away. “Is there something you need?” he asks. Seokjin takes a step out of the dorm to talk in private, only realizing how close he is and how he barely has on respectable clothing, simply opening the door with his sleepwear. The Omega Prince turns red as the second most embarrassing moment of the day plays out. The King moves backward and allows Seokjin the space to enter the long hallway.
“Please, just call me Namjoon. The long title is of no use here, no one even calls me King.” he chuckled awkwardly. Seokjin was a bit surprised. Titles are important back in his home country, and only his closest friends can drop the title. Not even Yoongi usually calls him hyung, somehow always switching between Prince Jin-hyung or Prince Seokjin-hyung.
Well, as they say, when in Rome...
“Well, then please call me Hyung, Namjoon” Seokjin replied, testing out the foreign name on his tongue.
The King’s smile is immediate, “Did I pronounce it wrong?” Seokjin worriedly asks, just in case there’s another reason the King was smiling. Just how many times will he embarrass himself in front of the King?
But the King furiously shakes his head, reassuring Seokjin.
“No! No. You didn’t. You definitely didn’t. You did not. It sounded perfect. Perfect. Just perfect.” he pushes together a sentence to reply, and a snort from behind Seokjin is audible.
“Taehyung!” Seokjin stage-whispers to him, unable to believe the audacity Taehyung has in laughing at the King. he doesn’t want his first trip to end on a bad note because of a fucking mishap.
Taehyung recognizes this, softly closing the door behind him. “I apologize.” he solemnly says, but his serious mask destroyed by his smile, breaking his character.
“It’s alright Seokjin-hyung, he can laugh. I do make some mistakes. Even in front of important figures.” Namjoon laughs a bit at himself, “Especially in front of important people.” he whispers to himself.
Seokjin laughing out loud. He appreciates some self-deprecating humor.
“Not as bad as me confusing who the King is.” and Seokjin, for some reason, finds himself comforting the man with his own self-deprecating humor. The King leans forward a bit as he catches his stomach in laughter.
Seokjin just then notices how close he stands next to the King after the other man leans back. He’s close enough to tell that he only goes up to the King’s eyebrows in height. Close enough to observe the slope of his nose, a small button shaped nose. Close enough to smell his scent, a beautiful orange blossom, and lavender scent, that most of all, smelled of tangible things.
To Seokjin, it felt like… it smelt like… protection and safety.
He smells so good, Seokjin moans in his head.
That jarring epiphany alarms Seokjin back to reality, and allows him to catch his head, and respectfully step back from the Alpha King, less he does something embarrassing like scent him. He sees the slight frown on the King’s face, probably due to Seokjin crossing his personal bubble. Did he hear Seokjin smell him?
Seokjin’s entire face pales in shame. What is he doing? It’s almost as if he doesn’t have control of himself, of his reactions and thoughts and behavior. It’s all embarrassing!
He’s brought back to reality when the King of Ilsan asked, “Do you mind if I walk you two to the table? This place is entirely too big and even I do tend to get lost around here.”
“Oh, we’re having lunch right now?” Taehyung comes in to answer. At the Alpha King’s nod, he asked, “Can you give the Prince a moment to change into something more formal?”
The King cocks his head in confusion. “There’s no need for anything like that. It’s nothing formal at all. What you have on is actually similar to what I have on.” the King definitely does not have what Seokjin is wearing, a casual stay at home clothing of black pants and a tucked in black t-shirt, accentuating his strong chest.
Not that Seokjin cares about his stupidly built chest. He doesn’t.
“Are you sure? You’re not trying to set us up or anything?” Seokjin jokingly asks, but Namjoon’s face falls a bit at the mere accusation.
Seokjin’s sense goes haywire, and he’s on high alert now.
“Are you setting us up? Trying to make us look unprofessional before our negotiation?” Seokjin bluntly asks. He knows how these things work out, passive-aggressive tactics to beat down the other sides. This may be small in the grand scheme of things, but Seokjin is nothing if not one-step ahead of the game.
He reminds himself to not trust this man, no matter how natural it does feel to do or how innocent the King comes across as.
He’s the enemy, the person on the other side of the negotiating table.
For all Seokjin knows, he may have already seated all his important officials in one room and is waiting for Seokjin to walk in, unprepared and looking like a complete mess.
“Set… you up? I am not, hyung. You look good. You look perfect.” the King repeats, with more force than last time. He sounds hurt, seeing from his pink tinted cheeks and the furrow in his eyebrows. As if he’s been insulted from Seokjin’s insinuation.
Taehyung pokes at Seokjin, quite possibly to calm him, but if there’s anything about Seokjin people should know, it’s that he doesn’t just calm down. He keeps silent, letting his deadly glare speak for him.
“I--I mean, you a--are of course allowed to change if you would feel m--m--more comfortable.” Namjoon tries again, wincing a bit at his stuttering.
Seokjin nods at that, “I have my eye on you, Alpha King.” Seokjin says, purposefully not calling him by his name. The Alpha King looks down as he turns around, his shoulders sagging as he leads the way.
Behind him, Seokjin takes a deep breath, trying to calm his beating heart. Seeing how much his irrational anger affects the other man does Seokjin feels kind of bad. Here the King was, going above and beyond the call of his position, literally guiding the two of them from Seokjin’s own personal room to the lunch table, and all Seokjin could do is snap at him.
Seokjin doesn't know why he snapped. It takes more than that to make him angry. He doesn’t get like that until-
No. it’s not a possibility. At all. Seokjin shuts the idea down before it’s even planted.
The King slowly down his steps after a few minutes, allowing the Prince to catch up. The two of them walk in silence together, Taehyung trailing beside the King’s other side, the awkward silence filling the air.
Seokjin is the type of person to confront the elephant in the room right away. He had probably hurt his chances of a peaceful negotiation with the King now from his random outburst. He should consider apologizing and avoiding the weirdness that looms between them.
But before he opens his mouth, a thought struck him.
Why does he care so much about what the King thought of him? He’s only here to make a treaty, not to make friends. He doesn’t give a shit if the King is mad at him or hurt by him. If Seokjin somehow manages to get what he wants from the deal, the King will end up mad anyways. Why delay the inevitable?
Seokjin looks back, checking to see where Taehyung is. He’s a few steps behind them, checking out the beautiful art displayed everywhere. “You don’t have a servant to guide us?” Taehyung asked in interest. “You’ve taken our bags and lead us to the mess hall. Well, only the prince’s bag, actually.” the King chokes at that part. Seokjin doesn't notice.
“I do have servants,” he politely explains, “but I thought it would be more helpful if I were to help somehow Make you feel more relax here during your stay,” he said this while staring at Seokjin.
Helpful? Relax? Yeah, right Seokjin quietly ponders in his head. Does he think Seokjin needs the help?
A dark thought comes into his head, “Does he think less of Omegas?” Seokjin feels his inner rage come right back up again.
“That’s such a kind way of thinking things, sir-” Taehyung began.
“Let us get on with it.” Seokjin buts in, purposely rude now. He’s angry, his thoughts fueling his actions at this point. He realizes just how… irrational he’s being, but it’s like he can’t control it. “Remember we do not have much time. I don’t know what your plan is, Alpha King, but I cannot and will not be bribed with any bouts of kindness.”
At that, the King and Taehyung’s conversation died immediately, along with their smiles. Seokjin walks faster than them, suddenly at a brisk pace.
“I hope that you truly don’t think in that way. Do you?” the King asks, slowing down a bit to walk alongside the Omega. He sounded frantic and miserable in his efforts, his scent spiking and his hormones unbounded, but his smell still strong and lulling Seokjin into a false sense of security.
Actually, since meeting the King, he hasn’t smelled anyone else. It’s like the King admittingly sweet smell is the only thing he can think of, the only thing worth smelling here.
Seokjin answers Namjoon’s question. “However way I take anything is of my own conclusion, one that I do not need to speak on with anyone. You, sir, might benefit from staying in your own damn business.”
“Prince Seokjin-ssi!” Taehyung admonished, finally snapping. Seokjin shoots his younger friend a glare. Stay out of this.
“It’s quite alright, Taehyung-ssi. If you give a moment to hyung and I.” the Kings clears his throat. Taehyung simply points forward in lieu of asking direction, and the King nods him off. Once he’s out of earshot, the King faces the Omega Prince.
Now that he’s the only one in the hallway, with Taehyung’s Omega scent fading fast, Seokjin can only focus on the silence and the scent of Namjoon growing stronger. He realizes that his own scent is growing stronger as well, and the two smells are permeating the hallway, mixing and shifting into a new scent of its own.
If Namjoon notices it, he doesn’t say.
“Hyung, I want you to understand one thing. I do not have any ulterior motives.” Namjoon clearly looks done, “No ulterior motives at all. I made this meeting to move past the old ways of my father because I always say that I am not him. I want everything to be as transparent as it can be. Please, you must understand.” he explains, a pleading desperate tone taking over his last words.
“Plus,” the Alpha King continues, “I don’t believe we can make a treaty work fairly if you’re this guarded and suspicious over everything.” the King leans into Seokjin. The King’s quick breathes fans over Seokjin’s ear, making the Omega Prince shiver.
Seokjin is weak to his reasoning (and even weaker to the King’s soothing whisper), and he finds himself nodding in agreement. “... I guess I have been a bit rude and judgemental,” he says
The Alpha’s face relaxes, “and I haven’t done much to prove you better. Can we agree to keep things as honest as possible between us? To turn a new leaf, for the sake of both our Kingdom?” a hand is extended. Seokjin feels this moment. This isn’t a simple handshake; there’s more to this, more to the King’s longing gaze, more to this entire trip, than what meets the eye.
When their hands make contact, Seokjin finds himself not regretting this decision one bit.
*