Hello, Hello (Tell Me What You Want Right Now)

Jeongguk II

Jeongguk hates interviews. Well, he hates this interview in particular. The MC questioning them is focusing too much on their class and dynamics, something they usually avoid talking about. They're all against class stereotypes, and the way the interviewer is trying to get Namjoon to admit that he's the leader because he's an Alpha makes Jeongguk's skin crawl.

And then the MC asks, "So, what do you think Jungkook will present as, huh? Is he exhibiting any traits?" and Jeongguk wants to crawl under the table.

Yoongi dismisses the question with a vague answer of they'll accept him no matter what, which is true, but then the MC turns to Jeongguk and focuses in. "What do you see yourself as? I see you as an Omega, but that might just be because you're young, you know?"

Heat flares in Jeongguk's face and he knows he must be beet red. He's very glad this is a radio interview. He hates talking about this stuff in general, but even more so when it's directed especially at him. He already knows he hasn't presented, he doesn't need it thrown back in his face. He just mumbles "I'm not sure. I feel the same as I always have, so."

The MC hums and Jeongguk knows he isn't happy with the answer, but he can't find it in himself to care. He just wants this to be over.

After an eternity and a half, the MC ends the interview and thanks them all for their time. They shuffle out of little studio room and make their way back to the van, led by the managers, to continue the schedule for the day. Hoseok sidles up next to them as they go down the hall, a gentle hand on Jeongguk's arm. "You okay? It got rough in there."

Jeongguk snorts. "I'm fine, hyung. I can handle myself."

"You can," Hoseok agrees. "But you don't have to, not always."

The comment startles him a little, but Hoseok is gone before he can say anything about it. All the turbulent thoughts from the interview come back to him and he finds tears stinging his eyes, to his absolute horror. They make it to the van and he's sat in between Jimin and Taehyung, who are joking with each other. He'd normally join in, but his mind isn't in the right place. They notice, of course, and Jimin looks at him with a concerned pinch to his eyebrows. "Jeonggukie, are you okay?"

Hoseok's words come back to him and so he shakes his head, biting his lips to fight back the tears that had been threatening to spill the whole time. Taehyung makes a noise of alarm and Jimin coos soothingly, both of them hugging onto his sides. "No, Kookie, don't listen to that stupid guy." Jimin says and Taehyung follows with "We'll love you always, you're perfectly normal and amazing, don't you ever forget that."

The words make his tears finally tip over, combined with the fact that his two best friends are cuddling him so close. The older hyungs take notice and Jeongguk vaguely hears Namjoon say something to the managers up front. He hears the manager respond with, "We'll lodge a complaint on that MC, he was told to not talk about anything like that in the first place."

Jimin and Taehyung cuddle him the whole car ride, scenting at his neck and making soft, soothing noises. They let him cry, tears rolling silently down his cheeks, and he couldn't be more grateful to them. When the car stops to let them out, Taehyung uses his own shirt sleeve to wipe at Jeongguk's cheeks. Jeongguk grumbles and bats him away, earning him a smile from the older boy. He smiles back, albeit weakly.

They're allowed a break when they get into the studio to let Jeongguk compose himself. He's in the bathroom, wiping his puffy eyes with wet paper towels, when Hoseok finds him again. The Beta wraps his arms around Jeongguk's middle, hooking his chin over his shoulder. He can feel the older's gaze on him in the mirror and he drops his own into the sink instead.

"I'm proud of you." Hoseok says, tightening his arms and squeezing Jeongguk close.

Jeongguk scoffs. "Why? Because I'm crying like a little kid that got dissed by the school bully?"

"Aish, no." Hoseok says. "Because you're letting the others help you. I know this has been hard on you, we all see it." Jeongguk furrows his brow and Hoseok immediately hums soothingly. "No, don't do that. It's not a bad thing, Ggukie. We just want what's best for you. We all care about you."

Jeongguk kind of wants to cry again, but not for the same reasons. "I know that. I know you all do. This just... it sucks. I hate my body. It needs to make up its damn mind."

"It will." Hoseok assures, like it's that simple.

They stay quiet for a moment, comfortable, and then Jeongguk asks, "Will you tell me about when you presented?"

"Oh," Hoseok says, surprised.

"You don't have to!" Jeongguk backtracks. "I'm just- I was just curious, you don't have to-"

"No, it's okay." Hoseok soothes. "I just wasn't expecting it. I mean, there wasn't too much fanfare, since I'm a Beta. I was sixteen when it happened. I had the worst headache for a couple days, from my head all the way down my neck. My wrists ached all the time. I know now it was my scent glands coming in, but at the time I thought I was just getting sick. Then I woke up one morning and could suddenly smell everything, the scents that I had been told everyone had but couldn't smell yet. I knew I was a Beta because I wasn't producing obscene amounts of slick and I didn't pop a knot, so." Jeongguk mumbles an "ew" and Hoseok laughs. "Over the weeks after that I learned how to not let the scents overwhelm me, and eventually how to interpret body language and changes in smell so I could do my job as a Beta."

"Holding everyone together." Jeongguk says softly.

"Hm?"

"You, uh. You hold everyone together." He says louder. "That's what you do for us, I mean. You're, like, the glue of the group." Jeongguk is worried that he sounds stupid, but he catches Hoseok's smile in the mirror.

"Thank you, Kookie. That means a lot, actually." After a moment, he finally releases Jeongguk. "You ready to go back out there?"

"Yeah," Jeongguk says. He is, now. Talking to Hoseok always makes him feel better. So he throws his balled up towels away and lets the Beta lead him to where the others are waiting.