My 7 Alpha's Step-Brothers || BTS OT7 x Readers AU ✔

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟲

The next morning, YN was up before sunrise, her resolve to improve unwavering. The cool morning air nipped at her skin as she stretched in the clearing, waiting for Namjoon to arrive for their training session. She was completely unaware of the brothers' late-night conversation and the emotions they were working so hard to conceal.

Namjoon came near with his typical composed demeanour, but something in YN caught a flicker of something else across his eyes: a hesitation, softness. It was there and gone in an instant, and she was left wondering whether it had been imagined altogether.

"Ready?" he asked with steadfast tones.

"Always," she returned as she fell into step next to him.

The session went smoothly; Namjoon was being Namjoon, pushing her limits as always, but YN couldn't shake this feeling that something was. different. His corrections felt almost deliberate, his gaze lingering just that one second too long.

It wasn't just Namjoon.

Throughout the day, she noticed the others acting a little differently, too. Jungkook insisted on carrying heavy supplies for her, Taehyung kept offering her snacks with his signature boxy grin, and Jimin was unusually playful, his teasing toeing the line of flirtation. Even Yoongi, typically reserved, was gentler in his critique during a strategy discussion.

"Is it just me, or are you all acting weird?" YN finally asked at lunch, her brow furrowed as she glanced around the table.

The brothers exchanged discreet glances with one another, but Jin answered immediately with a light voice. "You're imagining things. You must have been training too hard."

Hoseok nodded in agreement and sent her a reassuring smile. "Exactly. Loosen up, YN. You've earned it."

Still, the tension in the air was palpable, and YN couldn't help but feel like she was missing something.

As days turned into weeks, the brothers' resolve to bury their feelings began to falter. The more time they spent around YN, the harder it became to maintain the careful facade.

One evening, when the pack was congregated around the firepit for a casual gathering, things were especially rowdy. YN was giggling at one of Taehyung's dramatic stories, the firelight dancing across her eyes.

Namjoon, a little distant from the group, eyed her with quiet intent. He wasn't the only one.

"Do you think she notices?" Jimin whispered to Yoongi, who nursed a drink nearby.

"She's sharp, but I think she's too focused on training to see it," Yoongi replied, his tone neutral. "It's only a matter of time, though."

Jimin hummed in agreement, his gaze flicking to Jungkook, who was subtly leaning closer to YN as they spoke.

Namjoon noticed it too, his jaw tightening. "We need to talk," he said quietly, addressing all of them without drawing YN's attention.



Later that night, after YN had gone to her room, the brothers congregated in Namjoon's office. The atmosphere was thick with heavy air and unspoken words.

"This isn't sustainable," Namjoon started, firm but laced with frustration. "We can't just keep acting like this isn't happening."

"You think we don't know that?" Jungkook exploded. It wasn't like any of them asked for this.

"None of us did," Taehyung added, the usual playful glint in his eyes now serious. "But here we are. So what do we do?"

"We agree on boundaries," Jin said, his voice practical. "For her sake and for the pack's."

Yoongi nodded. "We can't let this affect our responsibilities—or her progress. She's been through enough without us adding to her stress."

But what if she does notice?" Jimin asked, his voice soft but insistent. "We can't control how she feels. What if." He trailed off, the unspoken possibility hanging in the air.

Namjoon sighed, running a hand through his hair. "If that happens, we handle it like adults. But for now, we keep this to ourselves. No one acts on anything.

The brothers exchanged a look, silent in their agreement as turmoil churned in them.

Weeks later became a test of their restraint. The brothers dove head-first into work, using the pack's growth and security as a distraction. They trained with YN, worked alongside her, and watched her grow with strength and confidence each day.

But their feelings never went away. If anything, they deepened.

Namjoon admired her leadership qualities when discussing strategies. Jungkook felt an urge to protect her when she was overexerting her efforts in training. Taehyung was captivated by her friendliness and humour, and Jimin appreciated the little ways she showed concern for the well-being of others. The sharpness of her mind appealed to Yoongi, while her determination did the trick for Hoseok.

Jin, ever the caretaker, found solace in her presence, her resilience reminding him of the strength they all shared as a pack.

One evening, as the pack gathered for dinner, YN couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed. The brothers were as attentive as ever, but there was a new depth to their interactions-a warmth she couldn't quite place.

She pushed the thought aside, turning back to her meal and the boisterous conversation that wove its way through the table, but the flutter happened when Namjoon caught her eye from across the table, offering a small, almost imperceptible smile.

She did so now, completely oblivious that the brothers were silently clashing between duty and emotion, something that was not anywhere close to being over.