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

Alpha Line I

Namjoon and Yoongi are being shuttled to the first interview Namjoon has been to since the pictures of him and Jin leaked. He's nervous, to say the least. But he's with one of his hyungs, and the interview is with some hip hop station, so the pictures shouldn't really be mentioned at all.

The reaction from the general public has gone only slightly better than expected. There have been outcries from concerned, conservative parents that thought the Bangtan boys were corrupting their children, spreading hidden messages and agendas with their music, and that the pictures of Jin and Namjoon proved as much. But most of their fanbase knew how ludicrous that was, and showed outpourings of support in response. There were several music moguls that put their two cents in, some upset or even angry that one of the biggest K-Pop groups was being led by a gay Alpha, others commending them and Big Hit on being so progressive and diverse. Anytime Namjoon opened and article or a forum headlining the pictures, or he and Jin in general, it was a mixed bag as to whether it's be positive or negative, and sometimes they were just rambles that neither showed support nor animosity, clearly only having been written for clickbait and ad revenue.

They're herded into the station's studio. They're taken to a little sound proofed room with a table and four chairs situated around it, mics at each seat. They'd been assured they wouldn't be filmed, this was audio only. Namjoon is a little grateful for it. Namjoon sits at one edge of the table, Yoongi next to him, and their manager-hyung on Yoongi's other side. The last seat, on the end opposite Namjoon, is saved for the MC.

The have to wait a little bit for the MC to show up. It's just long enough for anxiety to spike in Namjoon's chest, a cool sweat breaking out across the back of his neck. He's usually fine with interviews, used to heading them himself as the leader of Bangtan. But this...feels different, after the controversy has sparked around him and Jin. Yoongi must notice, either from the change in his body language or the change in his scent. Or perhaps both. Smooth and casual as the older Alpha always is, he slides one hand under the table and squeezes Namjoon's knee. "You're fine," he says calmly, voice soft but there's still a hard edge to it that leaves no room for argument.

Namjoon sucks in a breath, nodding in a way that's more to reassure himself than anything. "Yeah." he says. "Yeah, we got this."

The MC finally arrives, taking his seat with an air of arrogance that makes Namjoon's hackles rise. The MC is a Beta, but carries himself like he's trying to present as an Alpha. Namjoon has no prejudice towards classes, but it makes his stomach churn when people try to act like something they're not.

They all introduce themselves to each other formally before the PD-nims in the sound booth start recording the interview. It's not live, which is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because they don't have to be quite as careful with what they say, a curse because it can be edited afterwards. And there are wizards of editing that can make it sound like they said something he complete opposite of what they meant.

The MC starts by introducing Yoongi and Namjoon to his audience (as Suga and Rap Monster, of course). He also mentions their manager, who's there by formality more than anything else. "You guys are in the middle of a pretty impressive comeback." The MC says, sounding a little indifferent. "How's that going for you all?"

The question is so vague that Namjoon just blinks a little before actually answering. "It's been great." He says. "Amazing. The ARMYs have been so supportive, they're what has been making this so impressive."

The MC just hums. "Rapmon, I've got a question for you. It goes a little off from what we had planned, but I'm just curious."

Dread settles like a lead weight in the pit of his stomach. "Sure," he says tightly.