bsky post here | twitter thread here | ao3 link here

Story starter: They were in the shower, singing at the top of their lungs. When they stepped out, someone was banging on the door…

Seokjin tilts his head back back, singing his current favorite song at the top of his lungs as the water from the shower cascades down his body. It feels good to finally wash off the days dirt and grime, as well as the scent blockers he wears everyday.

A sweet honey scent drifts through the steam, subtly filling the space and reflecting his happiness as he sings. It’s like a weight lifted off his shoulders, being able to be his true self — an alpha. He can only do it at night, in the safety of his apartment, though even that was starting to be risky these days.

Alphas were already rare enough as it is, and any that were discovered were quickly collected by The Guardians. Seokjin remembers when he first saw them practically dragging an older alpha out of their neighbor’s house. The alpha was crying for her mother, a beta that simply watched with an impassive expression and had a firm grip on the alpha’s unpresented sibling.

Taehyung had asked their omega mother why their “noona was being taken away.”

“Because she’s an alpha, baby bear. They’ve got a duty to fulfil.”

Taehyung had frowned, not truly understanding at his young age, but Seokjin never forgot his mother’s words. They haunted him every day after that. He remembered them a few years later, as he pressed a kiss to a sleeping Taehyung’s forehead, then slipped out into the night.

He’d barely found a secluded place a few days later, passing an agonizing three days for his first rut. He was sure he’d be found by The Guardians, but somehow, he survived.

After jumping into the nearby river to wash the sweet honey scent lingering on his skin post-rut, Seokjin managed to steal scent blockers before escaping to the city. There were a few close calls when he arrived, but most people didn’t look twice, simply deeming him tall for an omega. He was pretty, and Seokjin learn to lean into his features, often wearing lipsticks and wearing tops with low necklines so people focused on his plush lips and defined collarbones.

Seokjin inhales sharply, the song lyrics having died on his tongue as he shakes away the memories from several years prior. He was safe.

For now.

He reaches out to shut off the water, steps out of the shower, and freezes when he registers banging on the door. Cursing under his breath, he quickly towels himself dry, and reaches for one of the robes hanging on the back of the bathroom door. His honey scent is suppressed with it, Seokjin having drenched the robe in scent blocking spray for situations like this.

He hurries down the hall as he ties the robe at the waist, and after checking the security camera, he opens the door.

“Thank you,” Seokjin says in lieu of greeting, and quickly grabs the food from the delivery person’s hands before shutting the door in their face.

He rolls his eyes when he hears the person scoff, before they finally walk away. Only when the hall is silent does Seokjin push off from the door and head into the kitchen, where he sets down the food. He picks up his phone, opening the food delivery app where he scowls at the “leave food at door” instruction, but hits the thumbs up for their delivery anyway.

I hate when they don’t read the damn directions.

Sighing, Seokjin returns to the bathroom, pulls off the robe and replaces them with something comfortable for the rest of the evening. His mouth waters as he heads back to the kitchen, and his stomach rumbles as he finally unpacks the food to eat.