Chapter Text
Jaewon was wary of the AOMG pack. The pack had an interesting dynamic. They were all connected by their bond, but each member was allowed to have relationships outside of the pack. It was a widely known fact that the group continuously and intentionally broke societal norms and expectations.
His wariness wasn't enough to keep him from standing at their door for a second time during team picks during Show Me The Money 5. The artists at AOMG were hard working and had a reputable company when it came to their talent and production work. He knew that different reputations preceded each member none more infamous then the controversial CEO Jay Park.
When the doors slid open to reveal Simon Dominic and Gray he put his hands together and closed his eyes to send a small prayer in hopes they would choose him amongst the other contestants vying for a chance to the next round.
He knew it would be controversial, but his home company YG hadn't been helpful this far and both AOMG producers have been giving advice to everyone so far when they weren’t even obligated to.
They waited for filming to resume and then for Gray and Simon to pick their teams. Since they lost the battle they were up first.
“We choose ONE.”
Tears automatically form, but he keeps them at bay as the two producers embrace him. Filming continues and the entire time Simon's hand is cradling the back of his neck. It's a comforting presence feeling the elder gently squeeze in reassurance.
Once filming ended, Zion.T started teasing him, but Simon only smirked and told the YG producers to ‘leave the pup alone.’ He was far too old to be referred to as a pup, but being the current maknae in his team made sense as to why his senior affectionately called him the term of endearment.
He didn't mind too much. The deep voice softened by affection as he uttered the word had him feeling like he was, for once, going to be taken care of.
Then the prank happened. It wasn’t worth mentioning his feelings and the anxiety and hurt he felt.
He was spoiled after the cruel prank.
It was quite obvious that his producer hyungs were tactile people, and they lavished him with skinship and words of praise and gentle criticism. They instructed him kindly but sincerely. They never forgot to compliment him when there were improvements. His self-confidence and self-worth increased miles from how he started.
He had finally blossomed. All it took was attention and instruction from two very capable people instead of having to figure things out on his own.
Through the mentoring, he had noticed that Kiseok was becoming far more attentive and affectionate with him. His hyung was quick to come to his defense and to get the other trainees to stop being so judgmental.
He was weirdly attracted by the protective behavior. He wasn't used to people being on his side and actively taking care of him wholeheartedly. He was flattered by the attention.
He knew that they knew he was attracted to them as well. More so to Kiseok as the oldest of the mentors was far more involved in his day-to-day life and keeping him wrapped tight in a safe bubble of warmth, protection, and support.
Sunghwa hyung was kind to him. The younger producer would comb his fingers through his own hair and softly compliment him. He was honest with his critique, but always kind about it. He wanted to encourage him so that he could get better.
There was no surprise when the other contestants would find him snuggled into one of the producers sides napping while the mentors combed their fingers through his hair. It was a common enough sight that it had become a new normal and also a very clear sign to everyone else.
Jaewon was theirs. He was in their inner circle now. He was to be treated with respect.
He can remember his first kiss with Kiseok. After he has passed the team battle and rapped flawlessly, after filming was finished and he could turn to his hyungs side, Kiseok hugged him tightly.
“I'm so proud of you, pup. You did so well,” he refuses to let him go even as they separate from the hug. His hyungs hands are on his waist and a look of fondness and pride is clear in his kind eyes.
His hyung leans in and a soft pair of lips are pressed against his. His whole body sings at the touch. He melts into his hyung, and asks for more kisses.
There was talk. Talk between Jay Park and Simon Dominic on official CEO business.
He had the fortune of sitting in on one of the meetings snuggled up into Kiseoks chest with his legs draped over the olders thighs.
They wanted to sign Jaewon.
His heart raced. He couldn't believe it. He had never been so happy.
They got a hold of his contract and looked at the cancellation fee.
For a high amount he could be released without any restrictions to his public image. He paled looking at the numbers. There was way too many zeroes tacked onto the end of that number.
Jay picked up the phone and called someone. He called his company, specifically he called his current company's CEO. They talked. Jay wasn't going to bend and was trying to bargain for the price to go down.
“Look I didn't want to use this card, but it seems like I have too. If you don't drop the price by fifty percent, we will sue. Your current trainee has bonded with my co-CEO. Under pack law that in itself trumps all business legality. You don't fuck with bonds. And you will be if you don’t accept our terms. Your cancellation fee is fucking ridiculous. You keep the pup in the basement and tell him to figure out how to be a rapper with absolutely no help. He has no promotions. He has only his history to get by with and that is going to fade. It's an absolute rip-off and it should be illegal. He never should have signed this contract without legal representation present, and if you don't drop the cancellation fee like I've asked, we'll be suing you for that as well.”
Jay is powerful. He gets his way. The fee is dropped more than seventy percent after the threats of being sued.
He's free. Free from a contract and company that was burdening and unhelpful to his dreams.
He signs to AOMG a few days later with legal representation present on his behalf this time.
He lost SMTM5. He won back his freedom. He won a company willing to invest in him. He managed to find someone to bond with. He was welcomed into a pack that treated him kindly and fairly. He wasn't some dirty secret. In fact, he was the maknae. The pup of the pack who was often overly spoiled. He didn't mind it. In this family, he knew he was being taken care of and that his packmates were loyal.
Kiseok seemed to relax more. They began talking about officially bonding and how they wanted to: by bite or mental bond.
A part of him wanted the bite. He wanted the physical reminder that he was taken and he wanted it so he could show the world that he was wanted.
They ended up doing both.
He had, in his opinion, the prettiest bite mark on his lower neck just above his collar bone that healed nicely.
Kiseok liked to kiss it. Sunghwa liked touching it and pressing soft pecks to it.
In fact, his whole pack tended to his bite mark. Keeping it clean and making sure it healed well. They all would press a kiss to the healing wound from as far up as Jay Park to his fellow SMTM5 teammate BewhY.
It was fascinating to see how smitten his label mates were over him. Yes, he was bonded specifically to Kiseok, but these were his packmates and he was allowed to seek comfort from them.
He used to be intimidated by Jay. He had a strong presence and extremely intelligent. He acted aloof more often than not, but he could tell the man was far smarter.
Jay liked pretty things, pretty people, anything pretty.
Jaewon knew his visuals were pretty and Jay had no problem complimenting him on that. At first it was annoying because he didn't like his visuals being the forefront of opinions initially made about him, but Kiseok had told him that Jay just genuinely appreciated what he found to be beautiful and to not be offended by him.
Jay would often have Jaewon involved in his meetings when Kiseok couldn't join. Jaewon would be sitting in his lap practically half asleep because Jay was safe. Next to Kiseok, Jay felt like the safest person to be around. Jay took care of him. Jay spoiled him. Jay gave him sweet kisses and flirty winks. Jay had his arms wrapped around him as he dozed off.
Jay was technically the pack alpha, not that they really had a clearly established hierarchy. A part of Jaewon recognized Jay as head alpha. His scent kept him calm. His voice was like a lullaby to him. The warmth of his presence alone kept him off guard.
He slept.
He woke up to lips on his forehead and to familiar brown eyes.
“Hyung,” he says happily, nestling into Jay's chest.
“Oh cute,” Kiseok hums sounding far too amused. He looks up at Jay, “How long has he been sleeping?”
“The entire time. He fell asleep almost as soon as the meeting started,” Jay speaks fondly.
“Sleepy pup, probably felt nice and relaxed being with the head alpha, hmm? You were able to have some quality snuggle time with Jay, which I know you've been wanting.”
Kiseok knew him….way too well.
A result of being bonded no doubt, but again he paid attention to everything. He was attentive and thoughtful.
Jay kisses him on the forehead and they leave the office building to go back home.
There were days spent with Sunghwa in his studio as they worked on his debut mini album. His hyung was obviously fond. It was cute seeing his hyung absolutely smitten, and it was even more amusing to Kiseok. Kiseok would tease him, but then immediately called them AOMG’s prettiest duo.
Kiseok and Sunghwa were close. They always had been, but it seemed to increase ever since he had entered the picture.
“Do you like Sunghwa, pup?” Kiseok asks him while they’re eating lunch together.
“Yeah, he’s nice to me. Let’s me cuddle him whenever I want, even if he’s busy or focused.” He shares.
This is apparently quite amusing for Kiseok as he chuckles and leans over to kiss his forehead.
“So, would you be okay if we courted him?”
Jaewon looks up, “Seriously?”
“Yeah, but only if you’re okay with it.” Kiseok reassures gently.
“You got a thing for pretty boys?” He teases his hyung slyly.
Kiseok bursts into laughter, “You caught me.”
“I don’t mind hyung, I really like Sunghwa hyung, and I think he has feelings for you.”
Kiseok looks pleased by the news. It’s a cute sight.