Chapter Text
Heavy breathing. Jagged and rough.
Jungkook's didn't know who's it was-
It very well could've been his. His stamina was getting worse. He needed to get back in the gym.
Blood was splattered all over the floor. The dusty, old pattern of the black rug under his feet was broken by the scarlet liquid, a violent contrast.
Jungkook's was pretty sure it didn't belong to him. Some of the blood reached the metal railing around the cage. It was one of those matches.
Jungkook never really bled, apart from his knuckles.
They were constantly split, rough and abused, not given a lick of rest, a chance to heal.
There was shouting, muffled and irritating. It was all around him, on the other side of the cage.
They were cheering, drunk and loud, carefree as they basked in the entertaining show of violence.
Jungkook was pretty sure they weren't cheering for him. They never did.
And yet, he always won.
When was the last time he lost? He couldn't remember.
Perhaps when he had just gotten started.
But then they started mocking. They started with the degrading, the humiliation.
And Jungkook was never one to tuck his tail and take the beatings.
No, he lived out of spite. Out of revenge.
He always had.
The ring was no exception.
It was exhilarating, the way they stared at him, once the fights were over.
Some were shocked, because how could someone like him reduce so many men to that state?
Others feigned indifference, most likely thinking that they were the ones that could beat him.
Most of them were scared. And that's what Jungkook loved the most.
That's what he craved.
The fear he installed into people's heart, was all he fed on.
Breaking jaws, clawing at eyes, busting and breaking limbs, was something he excelled at.
And it was the one thing, he truly enjoyed.
The fight he was currently in, wasn't any different from all the others.
His opponent was big. Bigger than him this time. Something that rarely happened.
But the ones orchestrating the whole ordeal were smart.
They needed a show to offer to the people. But they also knew who Jungkook was. What he was capable of.
So every fight, they threw at him someone bigger. Someone rougher, tougher, everytime with less to lose, and all to gain.
But each time, Jungkook proved them wrong. He tore everyone they flinged against him, from limb to limb.
He was faster, smarter, angrier.
This was all he had, and he would have no shame in making people understand that.
After all, they wanted a show right?
Jungkook would provide. Excellently.
His opponent was called 'White Bear' or was it Polar Bear- Jungkook didn't really listen to the announcement.
He never did. What difference did that make? It was just another name.
Either way, it was stupid. An obsolete intimidation tactic to spark fear into the opponent.
It never worked on Jungkook.
The dumbass had gotten his name because he was pale like chalk, and he was built like a closet. Also because he kept his hair died the same colour of a cat's piss.
Jungkook had heard about him, a couple of days before the fight.
He was strong, hit like a truck. He liked to rush into the fight, taking hit and after hit, tanking them like they were nothing. And once you were in his grip, there was no escaping.
That's what he did to him. Or tried to.
But Jungkook wasn't just- everyone else.
And not even five minutes into the fight, Jungkook had the other on the floor, drilling punches into his face.
And to be honest, the fight could've ended there. Just a couple of more punches, and it would've been over.
But that wouldn't have been so fun, no?
Not for the viewers, especially not for him.
He needed- wanted, to drag it out as much as could. It was nothing personal.
The other was just a collateral.
So Jungkook got off of him, shook the blood off his hands, before tying the bandages around them tighter.
The crowd had been wild. Screaming and hollering at the top of their lungs, throwing drinks through the railing.
Jungkook circled the other's motionless, battered body, over and over again, bare feet stepping into blood, sweat, alcohol.
'Get up'
He had said, over and over again. Voice raspy, guttural and ruined.
It was cold, even and firm. Devoid of anything but command.
He had repeated it until he saw his opponent twitch where he was laid out. He had spit up some blood, groaning and spitting cursed under his breath, obviously aimed at Jungkook. Maybe even at the whole charade.
So here they were. Standing in front of one another.
They had exchanged some blows, right after the other got up. Jungkook wasn't taking it seriously anymore.
He had already won. This was more of- an encore.
He had dodged, took a couple of his opponent's poorly coordinated and aimed punches, and threw a couple of them back.
His opponent now swayed in place, legs trembling and barely holding him up.
One of his eyes was black, completely shut closed. His nose was leaking, likely broken, and one of his tooth had been knocked out, Jungkook's torn knuckle was the proof of it.
Jungkook sniffled, cracking his neck from side to side, already dreading how much of this fight he was going to feel tomorrow.
Hell, he was going to feel it tonight.
He huffed, deciding to finally put an end to it.
"F-fuh you, Jeon", his opponent said, barely able to pronounce the words, voice slurred and hazed.
Jungkook chuckled, tongue going to play with the throbbing piercing on his lip, "Perhaps a dinner first, mhm?"
The other scowled, and glared. At least it looked like it. Jungkook couldn't really tell, given the fact that he had rearranged the poor man's features.
The man started to walk- wobble, towards him.
He raised his arms, far too early, then he swang, wide and reckless, no real purpose.
Jungkook side stepped, his left hand reaching out to grab the man's hair, as his right fist came up, smashing into the other's nose, three times, nasty and precise.
Three uppercuts, followed by a heavy kick to stomach, making the opponent, turned victim, curl on himself.
Jungkook almost let out a laugh, when the man started to vomit. A mix of blood and stomach fluids.
He sighed, sweaty and just a tad bit out of breath, his eyes scanning the crowd.
They looked joyous, entertained, satisfied. And they knew what was coming.
And they had known since the fight had been announced.
Whatever they craved, Jungkook would provide, with just the same amount of hunger.
So, he balled up his right fist once again, both his wrist and knuckles flaring up from the abuse.
And then he punched. A heavy, stinging blow to the other's man jaw, sending him flying back, as Jungkook let go of his hair.
He was officially knocked out.
The crowd started screaming louder, cheering him on. Some started to fight between each other, probably due to some bet turned sour.
Jungkook turned around, not sparing the unconscious man another glance, as he walked out, leaving bloody footprints on his way.
His high started to spoil as soon as the fight had ended, like it always did. It never lasted long, but Jungkook needed it.
His hands ached, like they always did. The pain did last long, though.
And oh, if only it was just his hands that ached, it would've made everything just a tad bit more bearable.
╾────────────╼
He should really cut his hair.
He looked at himself in the mirror, as well as he could anyway. They never bothered to clean the so called 'shower-room', which consisted in three miserable and broken down shower heads hosted up on a cracking wall, with two basins held up by two buckets and the sheer will of hopes and dreams, and two mirrors that God knows where they were stolen from.
But, they also were the type to call a run down office with a couple of leaking water pipes, a locker room. So it shouldn't have been that surprising.
He grumbled under his breath, running his hands through his wet, messy mullet.
"Fuckin'- stay down, making me look like a dumbass", he rasped out, deciding to get angry with a single lock of hair that just wouldn't lay down in a normal way.
He had gotten it on a whim, a couple of weeks prior.
But it turned out to be really annoying during fights. He already was a bad sweater, and the bangs sticking constantly to his forehead and the curls tickling the nape of neck everytime he threw a punch, only worsened the situation.
Also, it made him look like a knock off of a lead singer of some rock band.
It was spiky, messy and rowdy.
The 'band-singer-image' only heightened by the countless piercings and numerous tattoos. He did it to himself, honestly.
He huffed, giving up on his hair.
His eyes instead focused on his nails. They pulsed, sore and throbbing, and they had a gross amount of blood under them.
He grimanced, immediately turning the faucet on, drowning his hands in the water, scrubbing at them.
The mirror got his attention, once again. As he cleaned his hands, his eyes zoomed in on the minute, fresh bruises on his face.
There were two. A really insignificant number in the field Jungkook worked in.
One was on his jaw, decorating the sharp line with a dull red, while the other was on his lip.
It wasn't busted, but the fucker had caught him where his lip piercing sat. It was bleeding.
"Fucker almost ripped it out, should've done him worse", he muttered, flicking the piercing with his tounge, trying to asses if it was knocked loose.
He had gotten most of piercing even before he had started fighting, so it was really the work of a miracle that they were still on his face.
Still, it didn't mean that it wasn't fucking annoying when they would get compromised. Mostly because Jungkook knew that his opponents aimed at his piercing on purpose.
Anything to win the fight, right?
Too bad it hadn't worked out in their favor.
As he checked how much of the blood he had managed to clean out of his nails, a voice boomed out from out of the shower room, where the locker room was.
"Oh, Razor! Come on out here, my boy!"
A grating, scratchy, impossibly deep, in a 'yawn stuck in the throat' type of way, voice.
He pointedly ignored the voice's broken singing, already dreading the five minutes he was going to spend with the owner of it while he dressed.
Oh, and yes. He did also have a nickname.
Razor. What a joke.
It was not a name that he willingly gave to himself. Jungkook would've stoned himself to death before he gave himself a fucking nickname.
But still, against his every will, it happened.
It all revolved around his scars. Both on his face. One dragging down his right eyebrow, grazing his lid, fading out on his cheek. It was loud, angry, violent, often the first thing they noticed in him.
The other grazed the left side of his mouth, decorating both lips. This one was much smaller, but still, visible.
Both were fucking ugly, both were annoying. And they were both done, by the hand of a single, desperate motherfucker.
It was his second fight, and he had beat the living shit out of this one opponent. Jungkook never learned his name, not that he really cared.
All that Jungkook cared about, was how the bitch blind-sided him. After the match, in the very same shower room, the other had snuck up on him, a razor blade in his hand.
If Jungkook's reflexes were any slower, he was pretty sure he wouldn't have an eye.
All Jungkook remembers of that night, was the stinging pain of the cuts now permanently adorning his face.
And how he had broken the man's four limbs, one by one. He had left him in the shower room, broken and shattered. More miserable than before.
He remember always despising his scars, from the very same moment he had got 'em. But then, the voice started to travel.
Every street, every corner of his block, damn near the whole city knew what had happened.
The name 'Razor' was attached to him the very next week. Very few kept calling him Jeon, and nobody called him Jungkook.
It doesn't matter how much he hates it. It doesn't matter how corny he thinks the name is. It doesn't matter how his name real name was damn near forgotten, replaced by a costant reminder of his disfigured face.
That's what the kind of life he was living brought.
Everyone would slowly but surely be stripped of everything that made them. Who they were, what they held.
His hands grappled the edge of the sink, tight and firm. Knuckles and finger tips turning white.
He looked in the mirror.
The one staring back looked like him.
Only half alive, tired. A weak soul with a tough container for it.
He scoffed, a weak, gloomy glare from both ends, as his hands tightened around the sink.
"What the fuck happened to you, mhm?", he whispered, tone accusatory and bleak, "What the fuck did you do?"
He got no response. As usual.
He sighed, forcing his eyes to stray away from his reflection.
He took the towel from around his waist, scrunching it up before he began rubbing at his damp hair, trying to get them as dry as possible.
"Oi! You in there beating your meat, or what?", the man banged on the doors, voice scratchy and grating to the ears.
Jungkook rolled his eyes, smacking his lips, "Absolutely, man. You can't smell my nut that's laying all over the damn floor? Is your age finally catching up to you?"
"Ah, real funny, boy- wait, are you really jerking off?", the voice now had a curious, strangely enticed tint to it, "Why didn't you invite me? We could've had a bonding moment!"
"I didn't wanna put that little cocklet of yours to shame, old man. I just got too much respect for you to embarrass you like that", Jungkook deadpanned, the sheer lie of him having any sort of respect for the older man making him skin crawl, as he shook the last remaining wetness off his hair.
"Now that's a funny joke. My knot alone would put your whole thang to shame, boy!", the man cackled, voice far too confident and cocky, "I've seen you naked more times than I'd like to admit, Jeon. You're big, but not that big."
Jungkook grinned, tongue poking his cheek. He looked down, hands on his hips, eyes inspecting himself.
If there wasn't anything else bringing him any sort of endorphin in his life, his endowments would be sure to provide.
Bless his genetics. Only in that matter though. With everything else, they fell kind of short. And they fell hard.
He began to walk out, not bothering to cover himself up.
He opened the door, bare feet stepping onto the cold floor of the locker room. His eyes immediately locked onto the turned figure of the man.
"That's because you've never seen my cock hard, Mr. Choi", Jungkook stated, raising his chin up at the man.
The other finally turned, the big and crooked grin only widening once he saw Jungkook's form.
Jungkook threw the towel towards the laundry bin, not bothering to check if he made it.
"Ah, Razor, Razor, Razor", the man said, greying eyebrows up and crinkled eyes blatantly staring at Jungkook's body, specifically his member, "Everytime i see it, i swear it gets bigger, you fucking punk."
"Keep looking at it like that and it might get even bigger, Mr. Choi", Jungkook drawled, voice flat and bored.
He began to walk towards his locker, all under the less than formal, and appropriate, stare of the older man.
"How the fuck are you an omega, huh? You ain't built like any of them whores i fuck. They're all big assess, small waists, flushed cheeks. Made to used, bred and- not wed. Maybe more- thrown to the curb once they're to loose to be useful", the man croacked, mocking laugh scratchy and smokey, "But you- you're somethin' else."
If only that'd been the first time he had heard something like that.
It wasn't. It may have been the first thing Jungkook remembered hearing, matter of fact.
Omega, omega, omega- who knew a single, tiny word would hold such power of his head?
Sweet, small, caring, soft, desirable.
He was none of those. Never been. Never will be.
Did he want to be?
Maybe, once upon a time- he had yearned for it.
The hope and earnestness for it, was long dead and buried.
Jungkook threw open the lock, with much more force than required. He took out his clothes- work, clothes, throwing them down on the bench.
He turned around, locking eyes with the older man. Eyes stoic, not a hint of emotion.
The playfulness and lightness that was previously in the air shifted, with one single look.
"You're right, Mr. Choi. I'm not like them", he voiced, tone flat and cold, head tilted slightly to the side.
Jungkook's eyes were now a tid bit more open. Pupils unwavering from the older man's.
A minuscule detail, but it was just enough to convey the intended.
The man's posture straightened up, the prior cockiness and bravado was nowhere to be found. He didn't utter a single word.
"-You know it better than anyone. So i would advise you to shut your fucking mouth, before you end up going home with no teeth."
As he pulled a fresh pair of briefs on, his words were met met with nothing but silence, if not for the audible, rough swallong of the man.
His words weren't threats. They weren't a promise.
Jungkook never dealt with neither of those.
When words came out of Jungkook's mouth, they were nothing but a near future, waiting to happen, but sure to happen.
He gave the man one last look, eyes scanning him up and down, before scoffing as he turned around.
"And zip up your damn pants, Mr. Choi", he sighed, voice light, but still detached, "No one wants to see your Pokemon boxers."
He sat down on the bench, putting a pair of socks on his feet, religiously mismatched. He heard the sound of a zip going up, followed by a very careful and awkward cough.
"Yah, Razor-ssi- you k-know i meant no offense, right? I mean, it's- it's not like you're like any of those cockwh- of t-those other omegas! Yeah, you're better. You ain't got nothing to worry about, a-am i right?", the man stuttered and stumbled over his own words, awkward and forced laughter falling out of his cracked lips, in an effort to appear less scared.
Jungkook hummed, "I know i'm not. I just don't need you to remind me, Mr. Choi. That's the problem. You need to learn how to shut your mouth, mhm?"
He didn't need anyone's words as a reminder of what he wasn't. Every other aspect of his life already reminded him.
He already reminded himself. Every fucking day.
He pulled on his "work pants", there were really a pair of old, dark blue jeans that were too ugly for him to wear normally, and just tight enough for him to not worry about dropping them while he worked.
"Now, would you mind make yourself useful and fetch me my work boots?", Jungkook stated, more of an order than a demand, as he scratched his chin, eyes trailing the floor for the missing shoes, "They gotta be somewhere around here."
"You talking about these ones?", the older man said, trailing around the bench with a pair of beat up boots in his hands.
Jungkook only raised his eyebrow, as he watched the older man blatantly take a sniff at his shoes.
And he only chuckled, when the man recoiled back, arms shooting towards Jungkook, urging him to take the shoes back.
"Jesus fuck, kid! When's the last time you washed those damn boots?! They reek!", the man complained, an over exaggerated grimance on his face.
"What did you expect, knothead? They're my work boots. You expected 'em to smell like flowers and fruits?", Jungkook deadpanned, snatching the boots from the other's hands.
He gave them a tentative sniff.
His nose automatically scrunched up.
Maybe he could give them a wash.
"Ya' see? Fucking hell, kid. I know you sweat like a rutting alpha, but that's somethin' else", the older man said, shuffling weirdly in his place.
And Jungkook would have believed the man in his disgust, if it wasn't for the subtle tug that the man gave to his crotch.
Jungkook scoffed, shaking his head, "You're a shit actor, Mr. Choi. If i gave you the chance you would stick your knot in 'em."
"Uh- what? That's- come on, kid-"
"Mr. Choi, as entartaining as this conversation is, i got work in like-", he checked his phone for the time, "-barely an hour. You either tell me something wort my time, or you get the fuck out", Jungkook cut him, voice beginning to tinge itself with slight irritation, "So, what's it gonna be?"
The older man sighed, hand reaching towards his back pockets, pulling out a white envelope.
Jungkook already knew what it was. And his mood instantly lifted up, even if just by a bit.
"Came to give you this. Your check for the fight", the other man said, clearing his throat, "You were on fire today, kid."
"When am i not?", Jungkook retorted, grabbing the check from the man.
He inspected it in between his hands. It felt heavy.
His eyes narrowed, tongue going to play with his piercing.
" W-what's the matter? You usually lighten up when you're given money?", the older man asks, fidgety.
"You never pay me right after my fights. I usually have to wait at least two days for your ass to remember", Jungkook explained, calculating eyes scanning the older man's body, "What's the deal?"
"Wha- you think too much, kid. I just wanted to- you know, give you what you're owed. You put on a great show-"
"Mr. Choi", he rasped out, head tilting, "Do you think i'm stupid?"
"O-of course not-"
"Then tell me, why the hell your ass decided to pay me on time for the first time in three years."
Jungkook's words left no room for argument, for deflection.
"I- Jesus. Listen kid, this check comes directly from- it's from Kang", the older man said, the name whispered, as if he was afraid to be caught speaking it.
Jungkook blinked, tired of the theatrics, "Kang who- ah, you mean Kang Wooyoung?"
"Hush! Fucking hell, boy, don't- don't talk so loud for fuck's sake-", the man quickened to hush him, "And yes, it's from him."
"Why are you acting like he's Voldemort or something? He's not going to appear in a cloud of smoke and skin you alive just for uttering his name", Jungkook scoffed, shaking his head.
"Shit, he just might. That motherfucker is- he's something", he stated, voice dripping with anxiety, and fear.
Jungkook had heard a couple of times about Kang Wooyoung. Although, it was not much, and what he had heard wasn't that scandalous.
He didn't know what he looked like, as he was a real elusive motherfucker- he never showed up once in the streets Jungkook wandered in.
He knew that in some way he owned and controlled the underground fighting circle Jungkook was in.
His name meants business. It held weight, true value. Unlike Mr. Choi, who was simply the one in charge of orchestrating the fights and events. But he wasn't the one to call the shots.
Kang was the one that pulled the strings, and he was the one who controlled when the curtains closed, and opened.
He also had learned that he had enough power, and money, to make people tremble at the mere whispering of his name.
Jungkook wasn't one of those. Why would he be scared of someone he hadn't even met in person?
There's one thing he knew for certain, though. And that was that to receive a personal check, from Kang Wooyoung himself, was no easy or common feature.
And that did nothing by but raise Jungkook's suspicion. Sure, the money was always welcome.
But it depended on it's source. He had never been the type to embrace the 'all money is good money' way of thinking.
He mindlessly threw the check in his bag, slipping on his boots, tying them up, "Careful who you act like this around, Mr. Choi. You're supposed to be an alpha, no?"
"Hell yeah, i am", the older man said, a little affronted.
"Then act like it, instead of shaking like a bitch in heat at the mentioning of another man's name", Jungkook stated, getting up from the bench, stomping his feet down to ensure his boots were secure.
Then, his eyes rose up, locking onto the other's, " 'Cause it's pathetic."
The man flinched back, licking his lips. Mouth clearly itching to open and spew some shit back at Jungkook.
He didn't. He knew better.
He just scoffed, reaching in his pocket to pull out a pack of cigarettes.
Jungkook finally pulled on his shirt. A raggedy white tank top, that held a mixture of impossible to remove stains.
"So, what's the fuckin' deal?", Jungkook continued, after too many seconds of the other man not speaking up.
The man took out a cigarette, stuffing it into his mouth, eyes focused on the cigarette as he fished out a lighter out of his other pocket.
Jungkook watched, as the cigarette lit up, smoke beginning to fly into the air.
Jungkook smelled it, and he didn't like it.
It was strong, but not enough.
"You want one?", the man asked, handing out the pack.
"Nah, keep 'em. You know what i smoke, don't you?", Jungkook said, waving a dismissive hand.
The other man gave him a weak nod, hand retrieving the cigarette from his lip, flicking the ash to the ground, "When Kang does shit like that, it means he's interested in someone."
Jungkook raised an eyebrow, "Interested in- what way, exactly?"
The man shrugged, huffing out a laugh, that switched into coughing. A raunchy, wet sounds, making the man look older than he already was.
"You'll find out soon enough", he stated, voice raw and ruined, "It's either going to be really good. Or really fucking bad for you, boy."
Jungkook listened. The man did not carry a single ounce of amusement anymore.
"One thing's for sure though, once he has his eyes set on you. There's no escaping."
The man's tone of voice left no room for debating. Jungkook could tell that whatever the older man had learned about Kang, was enough for him to have no doubts about the man's sheer power.
It was too bad that Jungkook was never keen to bowing down to anybody, blind and aimless.
He was never the type to abide to anybody's else game, or rules.
"We'll see about that, Mr. Choi", Jungkook said, stuffing his dirty clothes into his bag.
He swung it over his shoulder, making his way towards the door, whenthe other man's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"-Jeon-ssi."
At the usage of his real name, rarely spoken, Jungkook turned around.
The older man had a pinched expression on his face. A mixing pot of emotions. Fear, resignation, exhaustion, but Jungkook couldn't help but catch the lingering and growing amusement, in the man's eyes.
They held eye contact for a couple of seconds. Jungkook's knuckles tightening around the door's handle.
The man's eyes holding a veiled, growing excitement. The fucker knew more than he let on.
But did Jungkook truly want to know what it was?
"Be careful walkin' the streets, mhm?"
╍╍╍╍╍
Busan was quite pretty at night.
That was one of the only things Jungkook appreciated. Or that he could appreciate.
Make the best of you're given, right?
That was exactly what Jungkook had been doing, ever since he could remember. Even if what he was given wasn't much at all.
It was almost midnight, sitting on a scaffolding high enough to allow him to overlook most parts of the city.
He could even see the sea, from where he was sitting. Endless and quiet, made less intimidating only by pale blue light of the moon.
And that was enough.
With only yesterday's tteokbokki sitting in his belly, an impending migraine starting to pound at his head, and every bone in his body aching, it was enough.
He sighed, pulling out his trusty pack of cigarettes out of his jeans, popping one out. He put it in between his lips, immediately lighting it up, the gray smoke turning blue under the moonlight.
He sat back, legs swinging back and forth off the scaffolding, the wooden planks creaking and whimpering, breaking the night's silence.
Every other worker had already left hours ago, not one of them really craving and wanting to sit in between dust, hammers and cement any longer, which... fair enough.
Jungkook would have left too, if he had anywhere better to go to. But he didn't.
Most of his coworkers had friends that they hung out with as soon as they got off, some of them had their mates and kids waiting for them at home, some needed to go take care of their families. Jungkook had none of that.
He had also learned, that in the three weeks period that he had spent on this specific site- which was another impossible big and obnoxiously shaped apartment complex- there were no other omegas.
Which wasn't that much of a surprise, really. Ever since he had started, as a teenager, working in the construction field, he had met enough omegas to count on one, single hand. Maybe one with a chopped off finger.
Which, again, wasn't really that surprising.
Most omegas weren't built for it, but when they did have some type of physical prowess, they never really put it into a job like construction.
Most of them- the ones like Jungkook, that desperately needed money, usually used their bodies in other ways.
They worked with their hands, but they did not handle sledgehammers, and they certainly did not stack cinder blocks on top of each other.
And no, Jungkook never judged, or foolishly thought he was better than the ones that chose to that route. He was many things, but a bigoted, arrogant prick wasn't one of them.
Omegas already had enough shit on their plates. What the fuck did Jungkook look like shaming other omegas for whatever job they had?
The truth is, Jungkook loved being around other omegas, more than any other sub-gender. As everyone should.
But he- he just yearned for it. He craved the softness in their touches, the caring nature they had carved in their hearts, their gentle, soothing scents-
He craved what he didn't have. What was never given to him.
It was just unfortunate that the feeling was almost never reciprocated.
More often than not, people of all sub-genders wouldn't think twice before labeling him as an alpha, effectively keeping most omegas at a distance.
But that wasn't the only problem of course. Jungkook wasn't delusional.
He knew he didn't look like the most- approachable person. Even looking past the scars on his face, and the fact that he was covered from head to toe in piercing and tattoos- his personality wasn't really the easiest to digest.
And he understood. Really. He wouldn't exactly gravitate towards someone like him either, if he had the chance.
With that being said, it still hurt like a bitch. Being rejected in that way. Not even in a romantic sense, given the fact that Jungkook wasn't opposed to dating (or just fucking) any of the sub-genders.
It was the feeling of being rejected as a friend- as a person, that hurt the most.
He had honestly lost count of how many times he tried to be a decent human, to befriend others, whether it'd be omegas, betas, or even alpha- only to be ultimately met with frightened, uncomfortable, or even just straight up disgusted looks.
But the ones he hated the most, were the looks of pity.
The ones when people realized just how utterly sad, and fucked Jungkook was. The ones when they could see through his battered, metal-cold facade, almost as they saw every night spent hungry, every day spent beating people into a pulp just to afford his shitty apartment.
He would rather be dead, than to be pitied. Not when he spent every waking moment of his sorry life, making sure he wouldn't get any.
He didn't need it. He never did.
He had grew up alone, practically born alone. What was touch, what was affection to someone who had never felt it?
He raised his cigarette to his lips again, inhaling the bitter, heavy nicotine, the weight of it passing through his lungs and back settling him down a bit.
He exhaled, flicking the ash down, watching it fall. Some of it got on his boots, some of it disintegrated as it fell.
He wondered sometimes, what would be the thing to kill him first. Perhaps fighting? Maybe he would be lucky and he would destroy a wall just at the right angle so it could fall on him.
Or maybe he'd get totally fucked by fate, and he'd get lung cancer by the copious amount of cigarettes he smoked. Which was the most likely to happen out of the tree, given his track record. He wasn't exactly touched by luck.
Not like he exactly deserved any.
Life sucked dick, sure. And it had hurt him over and over again. Immensely so.
But Jungkook- Jungkook had turned into something that his much younger self would've hated.
He had hurt people that didn't deserve it. Mostly for money. For scraps of food.
He had done things that he wouldn't utter to anyone at a gunpoint. Of course, all for money. All to survive.
But it wasn't an excuse.
He wasn't a good person. And people like him, didn't deserve good things.
He looked at the moon once again. She was the one who kept him the most company. If he couldn't count on anyone else, he could count on her, to always be there, waiting.
"You gon' disappear too one day, huh?", he found himself muttering, voice bitter and hushed, "If you did, i'll actually kill myself, and this time i won't fail. So don't you dare, mhm?"
He took another whiff, blowing the smoke upwards, watching it momentarily cover the moon, "But why should you care about what happens to me?", he huffed, sound devoid of any humor, "I don't give two fucks about my life, either."
The flat, whispered words were left unanswered, as usual.
Jungkook tore his eyes away from his silent companion, looking at the city.
There were barely any cars in the streets, most of the lights decorating the buildings were no longer shining, settling most of the city in a deep, dark sleep.
He should've gone home and crawled into his bed hours ago. Perhaps even took something to soothe his aching, tired bones.
Better late than never, though.
He stood up, flicking the almost burned out cigarette into the air, letting it free fall.
He stretched, groaning in pain once one- maybe most of the bones in his back began throbbing, making him utter a long string of curses.
He didn't give the soreness time to settle, though, as he immediately gathered his bag, throwing it over his shoulder.
He descended the scaffoldings, careful and steady, but still fast enough to be reckless, not paying any mind to his aching limbs, only entering inside the building once he reached the part that was properly built.
They had done quite well today, given the fact that not one, but two of their coworkers had called in sick, leaving them to do double the work.
He mindlessly walked through the building, eyes falling on his aching feet, covered by a pair of boots that never looked so beat up.
He really needed to buy some new ones. Maybe with the check he got from the fight, he could finally afford some.
He was just out of the building, legs taking him towards the sliding metal gate separating the street from the construction site, ready to close it for good and take his ass home.
Just as his hand touched the gate, ready to close it, his nose was assaulted.
It was sour, bitter, warm and metallic. Blood, there was blood somewhere- or better yet, someone was bleeding.
Jungkook's eyes immediately snapped to his hands, ready to find some type of cut, gash, maybe reopened scabs on his knuckles- but there was nothing.
His head turned and swayed, eyes flickering everywhere, searching for something- anything.
Smelling blood, especially at that hour at night- especially around that part of town, never meant anything good.
Just as he was about to set the problem aside, selfishly deciding to ignore it, the rich smell of blood, got mixed with something else.
Was it- was it cinnamon?
It was sweet, subtle, covered by something bitter, salty. Sweat.
Sweat and blood.
Was it an omega?
No- it couldn't. Because among that sweet, pastry like scent, there was something deeper, more grounded. Stronger.
Amber. An hazy, fiery undertone of smoked amber, fighting through the metallic taste of blood and the tired whiff of sweat.
It wasn't an omega- most likely an alpha.
No, definitely an alpha. Although not loud, aggressive, the scent still held a certain amount of dominance, one that was gentle, but grounded.
Maybe someone had gotten hurt in the site?
No- it came from outside.
Jungkook's eyes shifted, scanning the surroundings.
They ultimately landed on a alley, just to the right of the construction site.
The smell of sweat, blood- an inkling of fear dripping into them only got stronger by the second.
His hand hesitated against the gate, legs twitching to move.
He sighed, "Fuck this."
He started walking, crossing the street in the matter of seconds, jogging up to the alley.
It was dark, tight, and just long enough to look like it was straight out of a horror movie.
Although, now being closer, the smell intensified.
The smoked amber and the sweet, subtle cinnamon wasn't the only scent his nose detected, though. There were other two.
They were strong, abusive on the nose, overwhelming.
Alphas. That was no mistaking that.
He ventured deeper, hand tightening just a bit around the strap of his backpack.
Once he got deep enough, he realized the alley broke into a right. Thankfully though, that part was at least a little lit up by a couple of streetlights.
As soon as he cut the corner, his eyes locked on to the owners of the myriads of scents.
At the end of the alley, there two figures, tall and broad,most likely the alphas he had smelled earlier, standing cocky and proud, looking down at another figure.
And that one- he was the cinnamon one.
Tha man laid down, torso rested against a couple of stairs leading up to the last door of the alley, legs spread open, one up and one down, almost making him look casual. Like he was sitting at home.
The man was also stabbed, if Jungkook's judging was correct. The man was holding a straining, pained hand to his stomach, pressing down making the dark purple button up he was wearing soak more blood by the second.
The trail of blood ran down, staining the black slacks, ultimately meeting the concrete, forming a puddle of a dark scarlet.
The man, although obviously pained, and clearly on the verge of being knocked out cold, also didn't wear the expression of one who was in that position.
He wore a cocky grin on his shaky lips, hard but exhausted eyes unwavering from the other two figure, almost daring to finish the job.
Jungkook scoffed, an eyebrow raised as he looked at the awfully theatrical scene.
Typical. Alphas biting off more than they can chew, and still managing to be as arrogant and as cocky as they could. Apparently even on the brink of being murdered.
But in this case, even if just a little bit, Jungkook could respect it.
Because he would do the exact same, given the opportunity.
Jungkook bit his lip, considering his options.
This wasn't any of his business. He could just turn around, walk right back home and go to sleep, like he should. Like he never saw or heard a thing. What was the worst that could happen?
And honestly, he should.
When was the last time someone lent him any help? When was the last time life extended him some grace?
But even then, as he watched the man's face grimance in pain, as he held his wound- he just couldn't.
Before he could give it any second thought, his hand around the strap of his backpack moved, taking it off and throwing it to the side, hidden behind a dumpster.
He let out a sigh, already regretting what he knew was about to come.
He stepped up, slow and deliberate, cracking his knuckles as he did so.
"-not so cocky now, huh V? Where's all the shit you were talking earlier?"
He could hear one of the alphas saying, as he bent down slightly, arms put up on his knees as he sneered at the man.
To Jungkook's surprise, the man on the floor still had the guts, and energy, to lean forward, and spit out a sick amount of blood in the alpha's face, making him flinch back.
"You fucking bitch- i'm gonna gut you-"
"Yah, motherfuckers", his voice rasped out, low and gravelly, "You got him, now back the fuck off."
As his voice echoed in the alley, breaking the silence that the night brought, all of the three men's attention momentarily focused on him.
The two standing alphas turned around, immediately sneering at him.
A bunch of wild, rabid dogs is all they were.
One of them was tall, maybe taller than Jungkook too, and leaner than the other, had a knife in his hand, coated in blood. Jungkook could take a good guess as to who's blood that was.
The other one was built like a brick house, shorter than him, but broader. He was bald.
Both of them looked really fucking ugly. Both of them stank.
And the stench was beginning to get on Jungkook's nerves.
"Mind your damn business, you bum. Unless you wanna end up like him?", the one on the right spat, eyes flickering up and down Jungkook.
Their scents spiked up even more, making Jungkook scrunch up his nose.
He waved his hand in front of his face, affronted by the stench, "For fuck's sake, you guys fuckin' reek."
"The fuck did you just say?", the big one growled, stepping forward, a vein popping out on his forehead.
"Jesus- calm down, big guy. You're gonna pop a blood vessel", Jungkook retorted, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"You're gonna get cut to pieces in a minute, bastard", the one with the knife said, knuckles turning white around the weapon, "This is your last warning, fucker. Fuck off, before we cut your fuckin' head off."
Jungkook scoffed, lax eyes shifting from him, to the other. He tilted his head, "Listen up, you fuckin' beanpole. You don't look like you'd be able to cut a piece of bread with the way you're gripping that knife, let alone me. And i would feel threatened, but you both just look like two rabid pups cosplaying gangsters."
His mocking, lazy tone and condescending words were met with pure silence, and a couple of aggravated, offended and really triggered expressions.
"And come on, two against one? And you two dumbasses got the nerve to brag about it?", Jungkook raised an eyebrow, shaking his head, "Not only that, but you also bring a weapon. Really, motherfuckers like you make me sick."
A strained, but sudden laugh brought Jungkook's attention elsewhere.
The man on the floor was staring at him. Eyes glassy from the exhaustion and pain, but wide and amused, most likely from Jungkook's antics. He wore a crooked, droopy smirk on his face, clearly entertained.
But, Jungkook's last, hissed and spiteful words seemed to be the final straw, for the two alphas.
And that was exactly what he wanted.
The tall one started to run up, knife tight in his hand, a crazed and raging look in his eyes.
Jungkook stood still. He could already tell what type of fighter the other was.
Lanky, tall, but doesn't know how to use his height to his advantage. Too aggressive, but little technique to back it up.
Jungkook's adrenaline started to pump up, eyes locked and steady onto the knife.
The alpha got in arm's range, and just like that, the hand with the knife went over their heads, and then, he swung down.
Jungkook side stepped to the right, hands finally coming out of his pockets. His foot were planted, firm on the ground, as his left hook went upwards, meeting the alphas stomach.
The punch was heavy, jarring, making the receiver double over in pain, letting out a startled gasp.
Jungkook didn't let up, though. His right hand was already up, fist clenched as it came down, meeting the top of the alpha's head with a brutal thud.
That second punch sent the man to the floor, momentarily debilitated.
In two seconds, he had the alpha wither and mumble in pain, clutching his head in between his hands.
Jungkook stepped over the man, sighing, eyes now focused on the other alpha.
The man looked flabbergasted, to say the least. Wary, but still raging eyes going back and forth from Jungkook, to his friend.
"It's your turn, big guy", Jungkook addressed him, tilting his head, "Come show me what you got. Or- are you two mutts just show offs, mhm?"
The alpha seemed to get set off, snarling, showing his teeth at Jungkook. A low growl that failed to be intimidating came out of his mouth.
"I'm gonna snap you in half, fuckin' asshole!"
"You can try", Jungkook retorted, eyes getting a little wider, adrenaline pumping faster. Excitement growing.
The alpha started running towards him, a furious, animalistic snarl on his face.
Jungkook put his hands up, lax and lazy almost, but still guarded and ready.
The man looked sturdier than the other. He wouldn't go down that easily.
So he would simply take another approach.
The man swung, left hand erratic and wild, not precise.
Jungkook backed up, the man's fist grazing his nose. Immediately, his own right fist came forward, a fast but pointed jab, knocking the alpha right in his jaw.
The man groaned, but kept his balance.
With bigger opponents, especially the ones that had some meat on them, Jungkook learned that he couldn't finish them quickly.
You had to make them sweat. You had to break them down, hit after hit, slowly tearing them to the ground.
The alpha shook his head, spitting some blood on the ground. Maybe Jungkook had knocked a tooth loose, who know.
The alpha stepped forward, angrier and reckless, throwing another fist.
This time it was his right hand, still no strategy, still to wild.
Jungkook ducked under it, hands shooting forward in a ruthless, fast combo.
The right hand to the other's stomach, the left came up in an uppercut, meeting the man's chin, while the right hand doubled back, crushing against the alpha's temple.
The last hit clearly dazed the man, as he momentarily lost his footing.
In a futile attempt to redeem himself, he rushed towards Jungkook.
"I'll fucking break you-"
The man's arms were wide open as he bent forward.
He was going to try to slam him.
Jungkook's grin only grew wider as he let the alpha wrap his arms around his waist. The man pushed against him, trying to lift him up.
That did not work, at all.
Jungkook's feet were glued to the ground, every muscle in Jungkook's legs stiffening, making Jungkook as immovable as cement.
"You're fucking weak, jackass", Jungkook rasped out, almost irritated.
In a split second, Jungkook grasped onto the man's jacket as his knee shot up, meeting the man's face.
He did it one, two, three times, before the man's grip on him loosened up.
Jungkook grasped him by the air, making him back up. It was only a momentary pause before Jungkook's right hand came up in a single, merciless uppercut.
That, made the alpha's stumble.
Jungkook stepped back, a satisfied chuckle coming out of him as he saw the alpha stumble miserably to the floor.
"Ah, did i hit you too hard?", Jungkook mocked, voice falsely sweet, a condescending tone to it, "I was starting to have fun! Get up, big guy."
The alpha growled, still looking dazed, as he rested on the ground, hazy eyes still managing to glare at Jungkook.
"Fuc' you- you shtupi' motherfucke'", the man slurred, trying to get up, only to fall miserably on his knees.
Jungkook pouted, "Aw, we're not done, darling", Jungkook rasped, voice sickly sweet and low, stepping forward, squatting in front of the man.
"I said, get the fuck up, alpha."
The man continued to just look at him, when a flicker of something passed in the man's eyes.
The alpha's dazed stared seemed to scan Jungkook's face. His eyes settled onto his two scars, and they were instantly filled with shock, maybe- no, definitely recognition.
"Y-you're-"
Jungkook stared at the man, eyes wide an unblinking, hollow and cold, holding just the tiniest bit of amusement. And maybe some disgust.
The man just kept on talking, but unfortunately, did not get up.
And that really ticked Jungkook off.
The next second, Jungkook's hand was grasping onto the man's nape, pulling him up.
He swung him around, smashing his head against a nearby door.
The alpha let out a bloodcurdling scream, blood splattering on the door.
"When i tell you to do something, you fuckin' do it, understood?", Jungkook growled, angry and sadistic, fingernails digging into the man's nape.
He tightened his grip, pulling the man back before smashing his head against the door, once more.
Only then, he swung the man around again, dropping him to the floor.
The man was panting, heaving, breath and blood knocked out of him. He was barely breathing, but he was still breathing.
"You fucking bastard-!"
As the scream echoed in the alley, Jungkook's head snapped towards the source.
The man with the knife had got up, wobbly and dazed, but still, he had gotten up. And now, he was running full force towards Jungkook, knife clutched tightly in his hand.
So, naturally, Jungkook decided to run too.
His feet sprung off the ground, legs meeting the asphalt like thunder as he ran.
But not away, rather towards the alpha.
Once they were mere inches from each other, the alpha's arm shot in a hook, knife cutting through the air.
But Jungkook had another plan.
He ducked, arms shooting out, before grasping onto the man's waist, shoulder meeting the man's already bruised stomach like a spear. The grip he had on the alpha was iron-like.
Inescapable, set in stone.
And before the man had the chance to effectively stab him in the back, Jungkook acted.
Not having stopped moving, Jungkook lifted the man off the ground, barely feeling the extra weight on him.
As he did so, Jungkook's eyes met the ones of the bleeding man on the ground.
The eye contact stopped time for a second.
Crazed, angry and hollow eyes, meeting ones that were far more different.
The man was looking at Jungkook, pointed and unwavering, like Jungkook was the only one in front of him. And maybe he had did so the whole fight.
The man held a shocked- no, impressed?- look, only mixing with what looked like an odd mixture of awe and questioning.
It felt like the man could singlehandedly look into his soul. Uncovering what was meant to stay buried.
Those eyes- they were too much. They were seeing to much.
And Jungkook didn't like that. At fucking all.
Jungkook growled, a raw and suppressed sound escaping from his throat as he squeezed the man's waist. His arms's muscles bulging from his bear grip, veins protruding from his skin.
And just like that, Jungkook slammed the man down.
The alpha's back met the concrete with a sickening thud, making him choke out a battered, breathless cry.
Jungkook slowly untangled his arms from the other's body, getting at least some type of satisfaction as he watched the alpha whimper and twist in pain.
He slowly got up, dusting his hands off, eyes going from the alpha at his feet, to the one a couple of feet away.
He scoffed, remembering the cockiness and arrogance they had, just about five minutes earlier.
He looked back at the man at his feet. The alpha was holding his head, hands clutched at the back of it. Maybe he hit his head as well. Too bad.
Jungkook nudged the alpha's shoulder with his foot, forcing him to look up at him.
Gone was the smugness and insolence in the man's eyes, that plagued most alpha's entire existence.
Now, Jungkook had pure fright looking back at him. Terror and panic mixed with obvious hate and disdain.
Things that Jungkook was used to. Things that he craved.
He grinned as leaned down, eyes a little wide, "Consider you being still alive a sign of- grace, from me. Now, go pick your buddy up from the floor, and crawl back to whatever shithole you came out of, understood?"
The man's mouth opened, then closed back up, shaky breathing being the only response that Jungkook got.
He put more pressure down, almost crushing the man's shoulder under his foot, "I said, understood?"
"Fuck- fuc- shit! Y-yes, yes! I understand just, please-", the man scrambled and stuttered, little tears escaping his eyes as he whimpered in pain, clutching at Jungkook's boot.
Jungkook smiled at the obedience. A cruel and sedated curl of his lips, as he looked down at the man.
He straightened up, getting his foot of the man's shoulder.
He watched as the man clutched his arm, curling up on the pavement, not showing any sign of getting up, and actually following Jungkook's instructions.
"Yah, you miserable bastard. Get your ass up and leave, now. My patience is thinning", he barked, voice devoid of the mocking playfulness of before, now stone cold and commanding.
The effect was immediate. The alpha flinched, immediately stumbling and tripping over his own feet as he tried to stand.
Jungkook watched it all with an impassive stare, eyes crinkled a little in amusement as he watched the damage he had done.
The alpha finally reached the other, struggling to get him up and support his weight. Out of the two, the bigger guy had definitely got it worse.
The tall one managed to support the other by his arm, as they began to walk- limp away.
Jungkook only raised an eyebrow, once the bigger alpha turned around, face bloody and busted, but he still managed to glare at him.
"You- you're fucki' dead, yo' bastar'", the alpha muttered, words slurred and almost incomprehensible.
"It was nice to meet you too, darling", Jungkook retorted, sending a little wave their way.
Jungkook huffed a chuckle, as he saw the two alpha's run away, the taller one trying to silence the other, as they limped away. Tucked tails and egos bruised.
A rough, cracky cough gained his attention, making his head snap back towards the man on the ground.
Jungkook had forgotten he was there for a second.
He sighed, eyes falling on the man's form. The other was trying to stand straighter, or even stand up. Ultimately failing, all four limbs buckling.
It was also a really stupid idea. What the hell was he thinking, trying to get up with a hole in his stomach?
Jungkook walked towards him, until he was close enough.
He crouched down, eyes falling on the damp, bloody shirt. The metallic and raw scent was practically enveloping the both of them.
And Jungkook tried his best to keep his eyes away from the man's face, from his stare. But he failed.
The man was already watching him. Well, as well as he could with his eyes half closed. Maybe due to the exhaustion and tiredness, or maybe due to the couple of bruises, violet and yellow flaring up under both of his eyes.
But the man, surprisingly, was smiling at him. It was a little crooked, pained, but kind grin. And it was directed towards Jungkook.
Jungkook wasn't used to that type of look.
His heart stuttered- and what the fuck.
"T'was a great show, big guy", the man finally spoke, voice rich and low, a little croaky.
It was deep, but it wasn't like Jungkook's deep, per say.
Jungkook's was cold, gravelly, void.
The man's was- it was warm, resonant. It had a soft tinge to it, that wasn't entirely... unpleasant.
"W-where'd you learn how to fight like that, huh?", the man continued, shifting in place, wincing, but the grin never faltered.
There he was, holding onto his stab wound. Still talking. Still looking, and talking at Jungkook in a way that he wasn't familiar with.
He wanted it to stop.
"Why? You wanna be next?", Jungkook grumbled, voice clipped and sharp, raising an eyebrow at him.
The man immediately shook his head, a soft, booming laugh escaping his chapped lips, "Not in a million years, big guy. 'Was just tryna compliment you. I know my limits."
Jungkook scoffed, eyes flickering back to the stab wounds, now held by the man's bloody, embellished hand.
"You obviously don't. What were you thinking, tryna fight those two by yourself, knowing you couldn't handle them?", Jungkook rasped out, sounding a little too much like a father scolding a child, not even realizing it, "Now look at you. Beat up and with a hole in your stomach, in a nasty alley."
Jungkook's little reprimanding was met with an unfairly cute pout from the man.
Wait- cute? No, not cute. Corny, embarrassing, gross.
"That's not fair. I know how to fight- i may not be the best but-", the man huffed, looking affronted, "They caught me off guard, and i was outnumbered! And! They had a weapon. I could've totally won if it was a one on one."
Jungkook sighed, oddly not annoyed with how much, and especially how frantically the man talked.
"Still, you should've just ran, idiot. You got long legs, you could've made a run for it. You don't always have to fight."
"But you did."
Jungkook blinked, "I did what?"
"You fought. Outnumbered, and without a weapon. And it wasn't even your fight", the man said, suddenly a little too attentive and lucid, "Why?"
"Because i felt like it, and because i could. Besides, there's not much else that i hate more than an unfair fight. It was more for me, than you."
"Aw, and here i was. Thinking i just found my next knight in shining armor", the man teased, feigning disappointment.
Jungkook just blinked, his deadpanned look making the man chuckle, all gums decorate with a boxy grin. The sound was cut short by a crunchy, loud cough, "Fuck- they got me good, didn't they?"
Jungkook sighed, probably feeling a little empathy for the other.
Jungkook grabbed the man's hand, moving it to the side as gently as his own hands allowed him too. He then focused on sliding up the man's shirt up, switching to just unbuttoning it all together.
"Well, damn. Not even a first date and you're already undressing me?"
"Shut up."
"Yes, sir."
Jungkook shook his head, once again finding that the man's mouth and jokes
did not grate his nerves.
Which was, admittedly, very fucking weird. It didn't take much to get on Jungkook's nerves. Especially when it came to alphas.
He wondered how the man would've felt like, if he knew that who saved him was actually an omega.
Somehow, Jungkook felt like the man wouldn't have acted any different.
He chose not to dwell on it. Instead, he focused on the matter at hand.
Once he had the man's stomach uncovered, Jungkook grimanced at the amount of blood.
The bright red liquid was all over the man's belly and crotch, possibly making the wound look worse than it was.
Jungkook shuffled closer, eyes narrowing as they zoned in on the cut, his hands meticulously and carefully twisting the flesh towards him, so he could take a better look.
Careful not to touch the wound, his fingers probed and pulled at the flesh, trying to assess the damage done the best that he could.
"Is' your lucky day, mhm? The wound doesn't look that deep, but it's too wide and stretched. If we don't stitch it up, you're gonna bleed out", Jungkook deadpanned, not sparing a single detail.
"Fucking hell- just what i wanted to hear", the man threw his head back, resting momentarily on one of the step, before his head shot up again, bruised eyes wide with surprise, "Did you say we? You're gonna help me?"
Jungkook poked his cheek with his tounge, "You say that like i haven't been helping you, dumbass. If it wasn't for me you'd be getting your head stomped in by those two bastards."
"And i can't thank you enough for that, seriously", the man admitted, voice too soft, and too honest for Jungkook's taste, "I don't know how to repay you."
"Don't be thankful, and you don't have to give me shit back. I've been having second thoughts about this since i've walked in this alley", Jungkook rasped, trying to put an end to the heartfelt words that the man was spewing out.
"But you still did it. And fuck, does it counts. If i'm being honest, i probably would've walked away, had i been in your shoes", the man admitted, a little ashamed, a little sheepish.
Jungkook ran a hand down his face, "I should've probably did the same. But, apparently i can't mind my fucking business."
"Because you're a good person. You can try to act tough all you want, big guy. But someone who isn't kind wouldn't do what you did", the man continued, voice secure and firm, like he was sure about the words he was spewing out, "Someone without a good heart wouldn't still be here, with me."
Jungkook's throat felt tight, all of a sudden. And dry.
His eyes had settled into a colder, more detached stare, and his jaw was slightly locked, as he stared into the other's eyes.
The man looked so sure, so positive about the pure bullshit he was throwing his way, that Jungkook almost believed it.
He almost forgot that he was talking about him.
"You don't know the first or last thing about me", Jungkook finally talked, voice heavy and slow, "If you knew, you wouldn't be this ecstatic about meeting me."
"You don't seem to know who i am either."
"Should i?"
"Not... if you don't want to? But point is, you don't know me. I could be a horrible person, and you still helped me."
"I highly doubt that. But like i said, this was more for me than for you, man."
"I-"
"Look, i work in the construction site nearby, and we should have a couple of things in our safehouse to fix you up, at least momentarily", Jungkook explained, suddenly feeling every inch of soreness and exhaustion on his body, "Can we get this shit over with so i can take my ass to sleep?"
The other man seemed far from done with the conversation, still giving Jungkook that knowing and all too tender look. Eventually, he let out a sigh, giving Jungkook a nod.
"I- i don't think i can walk though, so-"
At the man's sheepish grin, Jungkook sighed, an eyebrow permanently raised at that point. He didn't say anything as he got up, dusting off his hands once again. For some reason, not wanting to dirty up the man further. Like that was the most important thing.
He then crouched down, all under the careful and attentive stare of the other. He slipped an arm under the man's knees, and another under his back, careful not to brush against the wound.
In the blink of an eye, Jungkook picked the man up, sparking a surprised yelp out of the man. The man wrapped his arms around Jungkook's neck almost immediately, all too comfortable.
Most alphas would've threw a fit already. Most of them would've got offended even at being helped to not get murdered.
Maybe the man wasn't an alpha.
No, he had to be. Jungkook was sure.
His nose never failed him.
He tightened his grip around the man's body, not really scared about dropping him, more that if some other bastard popped out of nowhere and tried something.
Another thing that never failed him, we're his omega traits and instincts.
No matter how hard he tried to bury them or how much he tried to forget what he was, something would be there to remind him of what he was.
And right now, it was the instinct to protect, care.
The prime example of it in that exact moment, was the fact that the man could've very well walked, maybe with some support from Jungkook, but still.
The type of wound the man had wasn't as all serious enough to hinder the man's- the alpha's ability to walk.
The man just felt lazy. And sure, the man was clearly in pain, maybe it was the cut added to the beating that the other two alphas most likely gave him, and maybe the exhaustion from the adrenaline coming down was finally catching up to him, but the man didn't even try.
And Jungkook. Jungkook obliged. All it took was one good look at the man's timid, tired and still oddly charming smile, for Jungkook to get to carry him like a fucking princess.
Jungkook really needed to end this shit, as soon as possible.
"You said construction site, huh?", the man suddenly spoke, voice awed and a little starstruck, "Guess that explains why you're so damn strong."
Jungkook had already began walking, slow and steady as to not put pressure on the man's wound, and he tried not to get the genuine compliment and awed tone of voice get to his head. It kind of did.
He was still a man, after all.
"You're not that heavy", Jungkook grumbled, eyebrows furrowing a bit as his hands unconsciously probed at the man's flesh, pushing a tickled laugh out of him, "You need to eat more. Aren't you an alpha? If you had a little more weight on you maybe you could've put up a fight."
Admittedly, the man wasn't small. By any means. He looked tall, probably as tall as him, and he had a nice build, from what Jungkook's attentive eyes could grasp in the chaos of it all. But, it did feel like he didn't eat as he much as he should've-
Wait. Why the fuck was he thinking about this random man's eating habits? Jungkook had no room to talk on it in the first place, given how he ate, but- what the fuck.
"Wah, how did you know i was an alpha?! My scent- it's completely covered, like- i can only smell blood, and sweat", the man exclaimed, sniffing around, first at himself, then at Jungkook, "Ah, the sweat is yours. Well, i can only smell that."
Jungkook huffed out, a mix of annoyance and amusement at the man's overly eager and excited behavior. At first Jungkook thought it was the adrenaline speaking. But now, he was pretty sure it was the other man's default setting.
"Yeah, well. I've been working my ass off since the ass crack of dawn. Sorry i don't smell like peaches and cream."
"Hey, i never said it was unpleasant. You smell- manly?", the man tilted his head, voice completely serious and eyes still sparkly.
"Ah, lord help me-", Jungkook sighed out, feeling a headache starting to pound at his temples. Jungkook still couldn't find it in himself to be annoyed, "How are you not tired yet?"
"'S probably the adrenaline, and i was drinking a little bit before all of this, so- but seriously, how did you manage to tell i was an alpha?"
"I have a nose."
"I have one too, jerk."
"I have a strong nose."
The man smacked his lips, "Alright, mystery man. Keep your secrets. I don't care... seriously, though. I can't smell anything on you besides sweat- i think also cigarettes and- maybe cement?"
"That's because i'm not for you to smell. Mind your business."
"But, you can smell me", the man argued, childish.
"That's because you allowed me too. You released so much pheromones the people in Japan could smell you."
"... Fair enough", the man resigned eventually, a pout still lingering on his lips, "Just for the record, you do look like you'd smell amazing."
Jungkook pointedly ignored that sentence, a scoff lingering in his throat, ready to escape.
Because there wasn't a worst statement to make about Jungkook's smell. At least based on the very sporadic review laid upon him, all unsolicited.
As he walked, he also had managed to retrieve his backup, that he had so gracefully threw beside the dumpster.
It was mostly the man's doing, though. If it was for Jungkook it could've been there for the next two weeks, maybe forever. Not like he much in there.
After Jungkook claimed that he would've just came back to retrieve it later, the man was very adamant on doing the exact opposite. He convinced Jungkook to crouch down a bit, just enough so he could reach the strap of the backpack.
He had picked it up, and settled it onto his chest, and stomach, that prompted a not so calm scolding from Jungkook about again, not rubbing shit against the damn wound.
The man just flashed him a tiny grin, mumbled a 'sorry' that didn't feel apologetic at all, and batted those big, brown eyes at him.
The man was an alpha. He wasn't supposed to act like... that.
And Jungkook damn sure wasn't supposed to find him endearing, or adorable, or whatever the fuck else.
Jungkook almost threw him in the trash.
Eventually, they made it back to the construction site, Jungkook looking every two seconds behind him to make sure no one was following them.
When they made it to the safehouse, the man's body felt heavier on him, probably a sign that he about to fade out of consciousness pretty quickly. The fact that the man's eyelids were starting to flutter was also a pretty clear sign.
He kicked the door to the tiny house, not caring about whatever damage he would leave, and not having enough patience to fish out the key from whenever he had threw it into.
The safehouse was- miserable, to say the least. It was a tiny, dark, dusty and could barely hold itself up, put there not for the workers well being, of course, but purely to avoid a lawsuit about an 'unsafe' work environment.
Jungkook shuffled around in the complete dark for some seconds, flexed fingers palming the wall in search of the light switch, still careful not to drop the man in his arms.
And eventual click sounded off, and a hazy, washed up yellow light coated the entire safehouse, making the amount of dust filling the room much more visible.
"Well, this is... welcoming."
"Glad it's to your liking."
Jungkook moved, quickly getting to the small, stained and poor excuse of a couch sitting at the back of the room.
He crouched down, slowly and gently, hands tightening around the man to settle him down. The man let go of him pretty quickly, taking away the arm that was resting around Jungkook's shoulder.
Jungkook did not let his mind linger on how weirdly cold his skin felt. He should've been used to it.
He settled the man down in a way so that his head laid on the arm rest, long legs taking up basically the rest of the couch.
"I'm- i'm gonna find the shit i need to patch you up", he rasped out, scratching his chin as he looked around the room, trying to remember in which moldy cabinet they had threw the first aid kit in, "You just- stay still. Don't touch your wound, and don't move around."
"Aye, aye, captain", the man saluted him, getting much to comfortable and looking far too content.
Jungkook scoffed, doing his best to look annoyed. He wasn't sure that he had succeeded.
He began searching, opening and forcing open cabinet after cabinet, locker after locker. He only found what he was looking for once he looked into the desk that sat at the right corner of the house.
It was rigorously in the last drawer too, of course.
"Who the fuck puts this kind of shit in places like this?", Jungkook grumbled under his breath, although he was still sure he could be heard, "You would think they would hang a fucking first aid kit on the fucking wall."
He but all slammed the drawer shut, the first aid kit clasped tightly in his hand.
Once he turned around, his eyes locked with the other's. He was already staring at him. Maybe they never left him.
"What are you looking at?", Jungkook mumbled, swiftly grabbing a stool, placing it beside the couch, so he could work better and not actively worsen the wound in some type of way.
"Your tattoos", the man said, eyes unblinking and wide, but clear and gentle.
"What about 'em?", he asked, voice vacant, if not a little defensive.
He sat down on the stool, settling the now opened aid kit on the ground besides his boots.
"They're really beautiful."
The sheer honesty and admiring nature laced in the man's voice made Jungkook falter.
He unconsciously looked down at himself, where his arms sat on his knees.
His tattoos were nothing particularly special. Simple, suminagashi works, interrupted by the occasional flowers, mostly hydrangeas, that covered his entire body.
His chest and back were completely covered. Flowing, black and hazy lines falling into his limbs, almost wrapping around them. It was almost like a bucket of black paint mixed with gasoline was thrown on the ground, and it slowly started to spill in all different directions.
He had started at fifteen. He didn't put any particular meaning behind it, deciding that every other aspect of his life was already reminding enough.
He didn't need any other proof of the shitty life he was living, especially not drawn permanently on his body.
"Your have a lot of piercings too", the other acknowledged, stealing Jungkook's attention once again, "You're fucking cool."
Jungkook almost scoffed at the other man's awed tone. And he really couldn't bare to be looked at with those wide, almost admiring eyes any longer.
He felt himself flush, just a tad bit, just enough for Jungkook to feel annoyed. Mainly because he could feel himself enjoy to plain and honest compliment.
"...thanks", Jungkook answered after a while, voice stiff and cold, avoiding the man's eye contact.
He reached into the first aid kit, taking a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, some wipes and a needle and thread.
First, he focused on cleaning the area around the wound, getting rid of all the drying blood with the wipes. He made sure to be extra careful near and on the wound, even though he very well couldn't.
Even though the alpha could handle a little bit of pain.
He made sure to dump a generous amount of hydrogen peroxide on the wound, this time not really able to avoid hurting the other.
The wounded man flinched, hissing as his abdomen flexed, "Jesus- fuck!"
"Sorry", Jungkook mumbled, half meaning it, half a little amused by the man's reaction.
"No, no, it's- it's fine. I'm being a little bitch", the man responded, a little breathless, sending Jungkook a little shaky grin, "It doesn't even hurt- that bad."
Jungkook shook his head, actively fighting the grin appearing on his lips, "Of course, macho man. I trust you can handle this, then?"
He focused on passing the stitching thread through the needle, but he didn't need to watch to feel the other man stiffing up.
He looked up, after a couple of tries, only to find the man eyeing the needle like it was a nuclear threat.
The man gulped, Jungkook raised an eyebrow.
"You- do you know- you know what you're doing, right?", the man asked, seeking reassurance.
Jungkook shrugged, "I certainly didn't go the med school."
"B-but you did this before, right?"
Not on another person, but yes.
Jungkook sighed, deciding to take pity on the man, finding the man's nervous pout weirdly endearing-
That's enough. No, never.
"I'm not gonna kill you, if that's what you're worried about. Just- stay fucking still and it'll go alright."
Jungkook tried to reassure him, make his voice the least aggressive and aggravated that he could. It wasn't that much of a difference, if not only a little bit softer, and quieter.
It did the job, though. The man nodded at him, hands clasped tightly together on his chest.
And, there he went again, looking at Jungkook in a way in which Jungkook didn't deserve to be looked at, if he were honest.
The man looked almost trustful. Like for some reason he was sure Jungkook wasn't going to hurt him.
Unconsciously, a wary breath left his mouth, tearing his eyes away from the man's stare.
He shuffled closer to the sofa, stool legs scraping against the ground, as he zoned in on the wound. It wasn't too deep, and although it stretched from practically the man's belly button, all the way to his side, it shouldn't be too hard to stitch it up.
His left hand rested on the man's ribs, a signal to keep still, as he prepared his hand to pierce the skin for the first time.
His hand was shaking. He didn't want to believe that he was nervous about hurting the man.
It was a fucking needle. The man could handle it.
So he put the blame on all the fighting, the endless cigarettes, maybe the tragic amount of alcohol he would consume on the daily, perhaps even tiredness from work.
Anything, but being worried or scared of harming the man. Of scaring him.
Fuck no.
He let out a breath, forcing his hand to steady itself, before piercing through the man's skin.
He did hear the man inhale, sharply, but he hadn't moved, or flinched, or cried. Which at that point Jungkook expected.
"It- it wasn't that bad", the man then sighed out, voice a little embarrassed, " Sorry, i'm a crybaby when it comes to- to this stuff."
Jungkook huffed, "What, needles?"
"No, no. I mean like- wounds, blood and shit like that", the man explained, "Okay, maybe i am a bit weary of needles too, but- you know what i mean. Needles can be very fucking scary!"
Jungkook raised his head, blinked at the man.
The man blinked back, then he smacked his lips, "I guess- i guess you'd be the last person to have this conversation with. Sorry. But still, tattoos and piercings are not the same as cuts and wounds!"
Jungkook huffed, focusing back on his task, "Absolutely."
"Yah, i'm serious", the man pouted, a little whiny, "You're just- you're just different."
And that word, coming out the man's mouth, didn't feel like the other thousands times it was thrown at him. Not a lick of judgement, distaste or malice was in the man's voice.
And Jungkook hated it.
He continued to stitch, lips tight and eyebrows scrunched.
"What's your name, by the way?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"Because i'd like to know the name of the man who saved my ass", the man responded, like it was the most obvious thing on the face of the earth, "Are you always this distrustful?"
Jungkook huffed, "When has being a trusting person ever did anybody any good?"
"That's... a very bleak point of view."
"When life will show me otherwise, i'll rethink my opinion."
He heard the man make a quiet, sad noise. Jungkook could practically hear the pout in the man's voice.
"There's gotta be a person in your life that trust, everybody does."
"Not everyone's as lucky as you, i'm afraid", Jungkook reprimanded, a little irate, "And i'll be damned if i ever put my trust in someone, other than myself."
The man didn't respond, but Jungkook could practically feel the man's urge to continue talking back.
"I'm Taehyung, Kim Taehyung", the other man eventually settled on, "You don't have to tell me yours, if you really don't want to. I just- i want you to know."
"Why?", Jungkook huffed, a little cruel, a little exasperated, still keeping his eyes on the stitching, "We're not gonna become friends, if that's what you're hoping for."
"How are you so sure?", the other man retorted, a little too quickly, "I'm great company. When i'm not beaten and stabbed, at least."
"I'm sure of it, Taehyung-sii. I'm just not made for friends."
"Everyone needs friends, every once in a while, no matter how strong you are."
"I've never needed them so far. And i've been on my own since i can remember", Jungkook rasped out, "I think i'll do just fine. Besides, you don't wanna really know me, Taehyung-sii."
"How do you know?"
"I have nothing to offer to you."
"You have plenty to offer. You just made yourself think otherwise."
Jungkook bit his lip, muscles flexing, hands shaking, just in the slightest.
"You don't know me, Taehyung-sii. And you'll do just fine with not knowing me."
His tone was final, cold and distant, leaving no room for a response. And thankfully, the other man, Taehyung as he finally learned, didn't pry. Although Jungkook could still feel the urge to argue oozing out of the man's pores.
His name, was the last thing he could truly say the owned. It was something that no one uttered.
But, the fact that Jungkook didn't feel opposed to the idea of this man knowing his name, was- simply terrifying.
It was ridiculous, truly.
Perhaps it was the way Taehyung held a sort of childlike innocence to him, one that Jungkook had never been familiar with. Something that Jungkook was never permitted to have.
That honest, pure and bright outlook on everything around him, was contagious.
Perhaps it was also the fact that Jungkook didn't remember the time he met someone like Taehyung.
It was foreign, unfamiliar. He didn't know how to navigate it, and he didn't like it.
Jungkook was used to violence, brutality. Not whatever Taehyung was.
He just focused on his task, going a little faster, needing the tension that had settled in between to be cut short.
Needing the night to finally end, so he could go back to his fucking bed.
Needing Taehyung, to get out of his sight. To never be seen again.
They stayed quiet, the atmosphere in between them not hostile, but a little awkward. It was only when Jungkook reached had stitched up halfway of the wound, that the other spoke again.
"How did you learn how to do this?", voice small and unsure, still kind. Like he was suddenly scared to upset Jungkook.
He didn't like that.
Jungkook hummed, "Had plenty of practice on myself."
"Do- do you get injured often? Is it because of your- job?"
Jungkook paused, "Yeah. 'S cause of work."
"Is- is that also how you got the scars on your face?", the man's voice was careful. Like he just what type of question he was making.
Like he already knew the answer.
"Do you think it's 'cause of work?"
Taehyung stayed quiet for a bit. Jungkook could see his left hand's finger twitching.
"I don't know what to think about you."
"Let it remain that way."
His tone was final, rough and harsh, finally putting an end to the weirdly heartfelt turn that their conversation was taking.
After that, it was pure silence.
The only sounds were the ones of distant cicadas, the only sound that Jungkook could truly admit to not despising. It was a shame that they only sang during summer.
Jungkook let them keep him company, focusing on them, while he stitched the man up, occasionally cleaning the skin if blood started to flow again.
Usually, it wouldn't have taken him this long.
But, unfortunately, he wasn't in his best shape either.
He was fucking exhausted, and it was a miracle in itself that he hadn't dropped to sleep in the middle of fighting those two punks.
Plus, it was hot. Overwhelmingly so. That, was what irritated him about summer.
So, he was taking his sweet time. It didn't matter that he would probably not catch a wink of sleep, even if he did manage to get home at a decent time. It mattered more that he didn't fuck the stictching up.
After a while, though, little puffs of breath, constant and rhythmic started to go along with the cicadas's chirps.
Jungkook's eyes shifted onto Taehyung, now fast asleep. The man's head had lulled back on the armrest, falling softly to the right, hair mushed into the sofa.
The man looked so- soft, gentle, docile in ways an alpha should never be.
And, Jungkook wasn't blind.
The man was strikingly handsome. Almost like a model.
But the cutting eyes and the sharp jawline were never set in an harsh, violent way, but were smoothed into an innocence and pliance that Jungkook had learn to not expect, from anyone really.
Jungkook's eyes zoned in on the numerous bruises that were decorating Taehyung's face, making a note to himself to at least put some ointment, or cream at least, too help with the soreness. He had kind of put them to the size, due to the stab wound.
He let out a sigh, boots shuffling on the ground as he tried to fight his sleep. He had stitched more than half the wound.
He could do it, the sooner, the better.
╍╍╍╍╍╍
Taehyung snored, as he slept. Not in loud, rough and aggressive way, but rather in quiet and subtle sort of way, you could barely hear it.
But unfortunately, for Jungkook it was all that he could hear.
Not like there was much noise to be heard at two in the morning, especially not around the part of the city they were in.
The cicadas had stopped chatting, leaving just the occasional gust of chilly breeze to make a speck of noise.
But now, he had Taehyung's unfairly and surprisingly not annoying sleepy sounds to fill the silence.
Jungkook was still seated on the stool. His back was rested against the sofa, careful not to lean against the man's long legs, that had taken up the whole couch.
He had opened the door to the safehouse, allowing at least for some refreshing breeze to come through.
He was on his third cigarette, eyes still begging to shut down, head leaning to the side as sleep threatened to take him every once in a while.
But, unfortunately, he couldn't.
Well, he could've, technically. No one was there to stop him. He wasn't a guard dog, and no one had commanded him to stay allert while his owner took his rest.
He just wouldn't allow himself to give in and relax.
Because what if those two punks had went to get back up, and they were out somewhere searching for them?
What if Jungkook closed his eyes, fell asleep, and some other fucker came for Taehyung and finished the job?
He just couldn't.
So, maybe he was sort of a guard dog.
But, he told himself that it wasn't just to keep Taehyung safe. It was the principles.
He had started something, and now he would see it to the end of it.
And he'll be damned if he'll allow some bastard to have their way, and make a fool out of him.
It just couldn't happen.
So, he sat on his little, plastic and dusty stool, threatening to break under his weight, as he filled his lungs with nicotine.
He didn't even what he was waiting on precisely.
He had forgotten to ask Taehyung what he was going to do once he had patched him up, wanting to honestly say that he didn't feel like keeping an eye on him the whole entire night.
He had other things to do. Like sleeping.
But he didn't ask him, and Taehyung didn't mention anything. So, they unwillingly agreed to wait the night out in the little, dusty safehouse. Taehyung got his rest, while Jungkook kept an eye on him. Like a mother would with a fevered child.
He huffed, smoke blowing out of his mouth as he looked at Taehyung's sleeping form.
The man had turned, more than a couple of times. He was restless, to say the least. And Jungkook had to force him back onto his back three times, so that the man wouldn't pop his stitches while he slept.
He brought the cigarette back to his lips, turning his head away from where Taehyung was.
And that's, when the exact thing he expected to happen, happened.
A copious amount of scents, all very different, all very bitter, a mix of what smelled like unease and anger falling through the open door.
Although they were mixing and swirling with each other, he couls recognize and differentiate them enough to identify the subjects.
They were five. And they were coming.
He then heard the heavy stomps, running towards the safehouse, urging Jungkook to lean forward, elbows on his knees.
His hands were beginning to itch.
"-he's in there! I- i smell him-"
"-hurry the fuck up-"
"-no! Don't- don't just barge in, it could be fucking dangerous, idiot-"
It absolutely was, Jungkook thought, as he heard the voices get louder and clearer. The stomps approaching the safehouse.
He inhaled, smoke filling his mouth, falling down his throat.
The sound of feet stomping was louder, nearer, and soon enough, the first figure ran in.
It was a man. Big, tall, matching Jungkook in size, which wasn't exactly common. Scent strong with worry and a little bit of fear.
Sandalwood, a faint hint of orange escaping through the fog of emotions.
Alpha, for sure.
The man flinched back once his eyes settled onto Taehyung's sleeping form. Gaze turning loving and caring, relieved.
Then, his eyes shifted on Jungkook, and they were filled with rage.
Soon, four other figures barged in, all men.
They were stopped by the alpha, who extended a firm arm, stopping them from walking forward. He put himself forward.
Ah, not just an alpha, a pack alpha.
Jungkook could smell at least another alpha, although it was kind of hard to determine who it was exactly. His nose was bombarded by a copious amount of different scents.
He was almost sure he could smell a couple of omegas, as well.
So, the balanced number of sub-genders, and the way everyone seemed to listen to the alpha, and out their full trust in them, were both signs that he was most likely dealing with an entire pack.
The men looked- not like what Jungkook would expect from some random thugs sent to finish off a job not finished.
They looked worried, which was baffling. Jungkook just didn't know whether they were worried for Taehyung, or they were worried about who Jungkook was, and what he could do.
He planned to figure it, as soon as possible.
But, if it was the worse of the two options, Jungkook would handle it. Of course he would.
He had taken the responsibility to be Taehyung's guard dog, at that point, willingly or unwillingly, it didn't matter.
Jungkook was a man who saw and end to whatever he would start.
Even if that meant brawling with an entire pack.
Jungkook finally exhaled, tilting his head, eyes slowly falling on each and every one of them.
"Don't you dare even glance at them, bastard."
The voice boomed, almost as if it was shaking the room. It was rough, rageful, guttural.
"-and move, now. We're gonna get him, and we'll leave. And maybe we won't snap your neck in the process."
Jungkook didn't flinch.
He looked right back at the owner. The alpha had an almost feral look in his eyes. But, his expression was also pinched, distressed, inching into panic.
"Ah, are you here to finish the job?", Jungkook asked, giving the cigarette another puff, immediately exhaling this time, before lazily waving it towards them, "And if yes, which one of you wants to get their head cracked first?"
One of them, the small one with plushy lips and blond hair, scoffed, almost flabbergasted, "W-what the fuck are you talking about, you crazy bastard? Who even are you?!"
"You're not the one that gets to ask question", another one chimed in, another small one with skin as white as milk, "And you're not to one who gets to threaten, either."
"Ah", Jungkook nodded, eyes wide and voice mocking, eyebrows a little furrowed, "And why is that?"
"Just- just step the fuck away from him, now", the alpha spoke once again, voice growly as he pushed the blond one back, once he tried to push forward.
Jungkook glanced towards Taehyung, before leaning back on his chair, "Why should i?"
"Because we'll rip you apart if you won't, you fucking bastard."
Ah, there it was. A threat. Which was fair. Jungkook threw one first, the other threw one right back.
But, it was just unfortunate that Jungkook didn't respond too well with threats.
A moment of silence passed, before he snorted, cackled even. He supported his forehead with the hand holding his cigarette, like he had just heard the funniest joke in the world.
Once his laughter simmered down, and the men were looking at him like someone who had escaped a psych ward, he shook his head.
He stood up, taking one last puff of his cigarette, before flicking the burned off bud somewhere in the room.
"You know, the last man who threatened me like that, ended up on a wheelchair", Jungkook deadpanned, eyes void, almost devoid of any light, "And the one before that, simply lost an eye."
Those words weren't said like a promise, or even a threat, they were said as a warning.
A warning of what would soon to come, if they kept going in that direction.
Both of those instances happened when he was in the ring. Both being things that Jungkook really didn't want to do, but didn't regret doing.
He never started shit, but he made sure to finish it.
The men looked at each other, nervous glances being thrown around. Jungkook could see the way the alpha's muscles were twitching, fists clenching as he fully put himself in between them, and Jungkook.
Jungkook huffed, "You wanna be the first one?"
The man growled in response, a low, rumbling dissonance that held enough power to shake the walls.
Jungkook's grin widened. Hands itching, breathing getting faster.
The man's jaw was clenched, eyes wavering, just in the slightest.
As he thought they were about to set it off, one of the other's, a tall one with broad shoulders hesitantly stepped forward, wrapping a steady hand around the alpha's arm, pulling him back.
"Joon, calm down, for Christ's sake. We-", the man licked his lips, shaky eyes glancing from the alpha, to Jungkook, to Taehyung, "We don't even know if he's behind all of this. I- he doesn't- for God's sake, can we just talk this out, please?"
"Oh, now you wanna talk it out?", Jungkook scoffed, voice smokey and rough, "Afraid your alpha's gonna get his ass beat?"
The man's eyes snapped towards him, glaring, while the alpha glowered, ready to pounce.
"You haven't exactly done yourself any favours", the man snapped, "You threatened us as soon as we walked in here. What a way to not look suspicious."
Jungkook tilted his head, eyes a little crazed, "You five bastards barged in here like the fucking Avengers, demanding to let you have him-", he pointed a finger to Taehyung, "-when i have no clue who the fuck you bastards are. And you expect me to- what, roll on my back and let you do what you please?"
Jungkook's eyes stilled, head tilted the side, "- you couldn't have been more wrong. If you wanna get to him, you'll have to kill me", he cracked his neck, a little calm smile on his face, a cold and humorless one, "- and it's not gonna be easy."
The words were cruel, leaving no room for misunderstandings.
But they were working, though.
The five men glanced at each others. Unsure, worried, frightened. Some more than others.
The man with the broad shoulders spoke up, once again, although a little more carefully than last time.
He licked his lips, extending a slow hand towards Jungkook, like he was trying to calm a wild animal.
"We- we don't know who you are either, you can't expect us to be exactly friendly", the man explained, voice tight and wry, "And- seeing you all bloody near Taehyung... You can understand why we're a little fucking weary of you."
"Exactly! Besides, you keep talking like you have some type of claim over Taehyung!", the blonde one shouted, snarling at him, "How about we ask you who the hell you are?"
"I'm the one who saved his dumbass from two alphas that were beating the shit out of him in a damn alley", Jungkook scoffed, aggravated, "- i sent those two bastards running. Who says they didn't call for backup as soon as they ran home, mhm?"
The alpha flinched back, hurt, worry and a little bit of offence showing on his face, "What- you think we're here to finish him off?!"
"I said that shit twice, are you dumb?", Jungkook huffed, practically hissing at them, "You haven't exactly shown me otherwise."
"We don't have prove shit to you, bastard! And- what? You expect us to believe that you were just being a good samaritan or something?", the blonde snarled once again, eyes going over Jungkook's entire form, "You're delusional."
"I'll ask you once again. Move away from Taehyung-", the alpha commanded, doing a poor job at concealing his rage, "- we're his fucking pack. He's not yours to protect. That's if it's that even what you're doing."
"Pack... right. I'm not fucking dumb", Jungkook deadpanned, not moving an inch, "And you're wrong. He is mine to protect. At least until he wakes up, or until i get rid of you dickheads."
The alpha rumbled, growls emitting not only from him but from each and every one of them.
The implication of Jungkook claiming Taehyung making them that angry, would've been enough proof for Jungkook to believe they were his actual pack.
But, he couldn't and wouldn't risk it.
The alpha moved forward, eyes flashing red, glowing with how dark the room was, the faint light attached to the ceiling practically put to shame.
Jungkook's hand clenched, eyes panning over all five of them.
He didn't emit a sound, though. He never usually did. He found it pointless.
His presence was enough intimidation in it of itself.
He brought his right leg behind him, wanting to get his stance ready, at the very least.
But, just as his arms were about to go up, his right wrist was caught, holding it down.
Jungkook's head snapped behind him, eyes widening, just a tiny bit.
It was Taehyung's hand, wrapped securely, but still softly around his wrist.
The man's eyes were still clouded by sleep as he looked at him, all scrungly and dazed.
Jungkook completely ignored the relieved gasp that one of those men let out, opting to keep his attention on the wounded man.
"Taehyung", he rasped out, probably more softly than he would've liked, "Do you know these men?"
Taehyung shifted, letting go of Jungkook's wrist to bring himself to sit up on his elbows.
He groaned, eyes shifting towards the five men standing by the door.
And Jungkook already knew the answer, but the gentle, adoring look that Taehyung gave them, was enough confirmation.
"Yes, i do know these five idiots", Taehyung chuckled, weak but still playful, "They're pack."
And Jungkook shouldn't have- he had no right to, but hearing that word be uttered so lovingly, made something ugly unfurl in his chest.
Something repressed and rotted, that Jungkook always seemed to forget he had, brewing inside of him.
So he nodded, stiff and quiet, shifting his head back towards the pack.
His job was done.
He eyed the five men, throat drying looking at how miserable, and yearnful they were. Each of their pair of eyes shifting from Taehyung, to Jungkook, only to turn fearful and uncomfortable when they landed on him.
He stepped to the side, a quiet sign of permission.
Taehyung's pack moved quickly, running and stumbling over one another to get to the wounded man.
"-we're the idiots!? Look- just look at how you ended up-"
"-why didn't you tell us where you were going-"
"-you're in it for a real punishment once we got home, i hope you know that-"
Jungkook tuned their conversation out, settling on quietly packing his bag.
It was a whole bunch of worrying, and overbearing and protective instincts tumbling and mixing with each other.
The scents, consequently, started to summer down as well. Becoming sweeter, more natural and subdued, almost comforting, obviously to appease Taehyung.
Domestic shit. Pack shit.
Something he didn't have any business listening too.
He put the closed bag on one of the dusty counters, reaching for the pack of cigarettes and lighter sitting in his pocket.
He popped on his mouth, holding it between his lips as he flicked the lighter.
Once he lit it up, he stuffed the lgither back in his pants, turning around as he leaned on the counter.
He really tried to not let his eyes linger on the- pack in front of him, forcing his eyes to stare at the floor.
He listened to the worrying, to the fussing, to sweet nothings whispered, mostly towards Taehyung.
He didn't look. For privacy, he told himself.
Until he did.
His eyes snapped up, immediately meeting the ones of the blond's.
The man was already staring at him. He had a puzzled stare in his eyes.
Like Jungkook was a being from another planet. Like he was different.
"Don't look at me like i'm the intruder, darling", Jungkook snapped, not able to keep quiet anymore, "This is where i work. The sooner you're finished with your little reunion party, the sooner I can close it up."
As soon as his voice boomed through the room, it was complete silence. Each of their gazes fell on him, some still wary of him, except for Taehyung.
"Don't be rude, Jimin-ah", the wounded man said, gently scolding the blond man, "I'm pretty sure i wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him."
Taehyung turned towards Jungkook, a small grateful grin forming on his lips. The man looked a little more clear headed, now.
Jungkook averted his eyes, not responding.
"Did- did he really- were you really attacked by two alphas? Who were they? What did they look like-"
"Hyung, you're rambling", Taehyung huffed, looking amused at the nervousness oozing off of his 'hyung', the man with the broad shoulders flushed a little, seemingly calming down.
"But, yes, they attacked me- well, flanked me, more than anything. I noticed that somebody was following me, i just couldn't tell how many, and before i could do anything the bastard cut me-", Taehyung grumbled, looking at his wound, "-i fought back, got some good hits in, but-"
"You should've just ran, why-", the alpha huffed, running a hand down his face, where he was crouched near the couch, "-why would you even try to fight them alone?"
"Yeah, yeah, i know, someone already told me", Taehyung huffed, glancing towards Jungkook, "In my defense, i don't know this part of town that well i- i tried to run! But.. i guess i took the wrong turn?"
At Taehyung's sheepish expression, Jungkook almost let out a chuckle. The man looked like a kid being scolded by his parents.
The rest of the pack wore exasperated expressions, and Jungkook had a feeling that it wasn't the first time that something like this had happened.
"-or maybe the right turn, actually! He came and saved me-", Taehyung exclaimed, pointing an excited finger towards Jungkook, "-he came out of nowhere like- like Batman! He just started beating them up, flinging them left and right- they had no chance! I'm serious guys, you had to be there! He made it look like child's play!"
After Taehyung's eager explanation, all of the pack's eyes were on him, but it was more so Taehyung's awed and adoring gaze that made Jungkook avert his eyes.
He took a puff of his cigarette, waving a dismissive hand, still not uttering a word.
Jungkook only looked at them again, once the alpha moved.
The man had straightened up, now looking sort of bashful and sheepish. All of the pack's expressions had changed, relief and a little bit of curiosity replaced worry and aggression, although they looked still a little bit guarded.
"It seems like... we misunderstood each other", the alpha spoke, a little awkward and careful, but visibly calmer and softer, "Please, understand why we acted that way. I'm sure you've noticed by now that Taehyung is a part of our pack. We were searching for him for quite some time, so we when smelled him, and- all that blood we- we assumed the worst."
"We also didn't- couldn't smell you, like at all. So when we got in and saw... you, well-", the blond man chimed in, also clearly calmer, but still full of snark and distrust, "I'm sure i don't have to tell you how you look."
"Jimin!", Taehyung whispered-yelled, looking offended for Jungkook, landing a resounding slap on the back of the other's head, "Stop being mean."
"What? I'm not being mean i-", the blond one, Jimin, retorted, looking all to innocent, "I mean- the scars, the tattoos and piercing and everything else about his face- he doesn't exactly inspire trust."
"Jimin, for the love of God would you shut up?", the alpha turned around, hissing at the other, looking comically both embarrassed and exasperated, before turning back towards Jungkook, offering a wry smile, "I'm really sorry about him, he's- we've had a long day."
So have i, Jungkook thought bitterly, as he scoffed, eyes pointed outside the open door, wanting nothing more than to return to his shitty, run down apartment, and his equally shitty bed, that had never felt more enticing.
The snarky comments from the other man barely registered. Perhaps from the exhaustion running though his body, or perhaps for the fact that he had heard shit like that, and worse, countless times.
His eyes shifted back to the group, settling on the alpha, who as big as he was, managed to look much smaller, probably because that's what he was trying to convey.
The man wore a dopey, sheepish grin on his face, and although it was slightly forced, and really fucking tired, Jungkook could tell the man was trying his best to come off as grateful.
The man also was far too close for Jungkook's liking. Not close enough for Jungkook to have to deck him out of his personal space, but close enough that the man's scent was practically enveloping.
And the problem, was that Jungkook didn't it repulsing.
Jungkook's nose was sensitive, almost infuriatingly so. So, other people's scent, alpha's in particular, were common to make him scrunch his nose and grumble in irritation in simple casese, and gag and dry heave in the worst ones, if too close to him.
The only reason that he was able to carry Taehyung like that, was because of the amount of blood covering the alpha's scent.
But- this alpha's scent, did not want to make him bend down and vomit his guts out, surprisingly.
Quite the opposite, actually.
The alpha's scent was rich, strong, powerful, but not overwhelming and aggressive, like Jungkook found most alpha's scents to be.
Jungkook could still clearly tell the scent belonged to an alpha, a strong one at that. But- it didn't make him want to fight. It didn't trigger his offense mode.
Which, was saying a lot.
And now, that the alpha had calmed down, the deep and woody scent was mixed with something fruity, not overly sweet. Maybe orange.
It was warm, soothing. And Jungkook liked it. Why the fuck did he like it?
And, the horrific part, was that not only Jungkook could smell the alpha's scent, but now that the anger and rage had subdued, he could properly distinguish each of the men's scent.
And he found himself not hating all of them.
He- he needed them far, far away from him.
"We- we just want to thank you, is all. Fending off two alphas by yourself is no small task and- you risked it to save one of ours, and for that, you have our gratitude. I can't imagine what we would've done if something- something else had happened to Taehyung, so-", the man stopped, letting out a shaky sigh, before sending Jungkook another trembling, barely there smile, "We owe you, truly."
"You don't owe me shit", Jungkook responded, eyes flickering elsewhere, "Do me a favor, yeah? Let's just pretend this shit never happened."
The alpha's eyes went a little wide, taken aback from Jungkook's dismissal.
"Still, you saved his life, and we're rightfully in debt with you. So, if you need anything at all, just-"
"What i need, is for you guys to go, so i can lock this shithole up and take my ass to bed", Jungkook interrupted the alpha, now more than a little irritated, but more exhausted than anything, "I don't need anything. I saved your boy, that's it. Take him, and go."
"Yah, why are you such a fucking asshole?! We're just trying to-", the blond one shot up, visibly irritated, only to be silenced by the guy with the broad shoulders, a hand wrapped tightly on the other's mouth.
Jungkook raised an eyebrow at the antics, taking a drag of his cigarette, making sure to not blow the smoke towards the alpha's face.
He still had some manners after all.
The alpha looked more embarrassed, if not even a little ashamed by the his packmate's actions.
But, not surprisingly, Jungkook could still see the fondness practically oozing out of the man's eyes.
"Are you guys done?", he settled on asking.
The alpha looked back at him, still regarding Jungkook with a kind little grin, no matter how forced it was.
At least, Jungkook thought it was forced. He was being a jackass to the man.
"Is there truly nothing you need? Anything you want?"
"There's a lot of shit i need and want, but i doubt that you'd be able to give 'em to me", Jungkook deadpanned, rubbing his temple, "Please, man, just- all i want now is a fucking chance to go to sleep. Could you give me that?"
The man regarded him for a second, before giving him a hesitant nod, looking strangely disappointed that he couldn't somehow repay him, "Of course, we apologize. But, if you ever-"
"Oh my fucking-", Jungkook groaned, rubbing his hand down his face, "Give me five bucks."
The alpha blinked, "Ah- that's it?"
"I'm almost out of cigarettes, i need to buy another pack. Give me five bucks and your fucking- debt or whatever, is repaid", Jungkook muttered, waving his hand around.
The alpha picked the wallet out of his backpocket, picking exactly five bucks before handing them to him, still looking hesitant about it all.
"Smoking is bad for you", the alpha said, too softly, to gently.
Jungkook huffed, taking the five bucks from the alpha's hand, careful not to even grace the man's hand, before stashing them in his pocket.
"Living is bad for me", Jungkook rasped out, turning around, fixing up his backpack, "If the cigarettes are the ones to take me out, it'll be a fucking miracle."
His muttered, frankly depressing statement was met with silence, which- fair. Jungkook didn't even know why the fuck he would mutter shit like that to people he just met.
He barely talked to people at all.
"Are we done here, then?", Jungkook grumbled out, patience thinning by the second.
"Why did you save him?"
The question was made by a new voice. A lower, deep one, but not creamy like Taehyung's. This one was much richer, grounded.
Jungkook barely glanced back, just enough to look at the owner of the voice. It belonged to the pale, brooding one.
And much like Taehyung, and everyone else in the damn pack, the man's eyes held too much.
Jungkook turned away, "Did i need a reason to save him?"
"I don't know. Did you?"
Jungkook's jaw clenched, mild irritation growing inside of him.
Because, again... why?
Why did he go out of his way to save the man? Why possibly hurt himself to save another man? To save an alpha?
All questions he was trying to find the answer to since it all had started.
"The stench of his blood was getting on my nerves. And like i said to him, there's not much that i dislike more than an unfair fight", Jungkook shrugged, turning back around, facing them, "You done with the interrogation?"
The man kept looking at him, for a couple of more seconds, and there it was, once again.
The same, godforsaken look that Taehyung had, that the alpha had, wrapping around and mauling at the deepest parts of Jungkook's soul.
It wasn't accusatory, it wasn't pointed, it wasn't aggressive, and Jungkook didn't know why it wasn't.
He didn't know, and he didn't understand it.
His jaw clenched, muscles a little stiff and flexed melting down a bit once he saw them starting to move, some of them helping Taehyung to get up from the couch.
The alpha didn't move a muscle though. He was still there, too close to Jungkook.
He locked stares with the man, seconds that felt like hours.
Jungkook's eyes hardened.
The man's gaze softened.
Jungkook's lips were beginning to settle into a snarl.
The man's mouth bloomed into a smile.
A full one, this time, little dimples popping out on both of the man's cheeks.
"We won't rob you of your rightfully earned sleep anymore. I apologize once again for how we met, and again, you protected one of my packmates, and that is an act that i won't forget."
The man's unfairly honest and gentle words, were topped off by a deep, full bow from the man, to Jungkook's horror.
He sat there, eyes a little wide, heat crawling on his neck and face, at the pure act of gratitude and appreciation from the alpha.
He gulped, careful not to lift his eyes towards the other packmembers, who he could tell were standing right behind the alpha.
Not trusting his words enough, he grunted, a dismissive noise in hope of making the alpha rise out of his bow.
He turned away, once the alpha eventually straightened up, really not wanting to look at any of them, not anymore.
He felt the alpha's, and some more, eyes on him for a couple more seconds, the almost overbearing pressure of them replaced by the sounds of footsteps, walking away.
The alpah's scent lingered, although it wasn't as present, getting pulled away by the other men, now also walking out.
Jungkook's eyes were kept low, steady and unwavering, still hardened.
"Hey, big guy."
It was Taehyung's voice that filled the space. Docile, and kind.
Jungkook looked up, although he tried his best not to.
Taehyung's eyes were gentle, and too soft.
"I was right-", the man said, nose scrunched, grin playful and decorated by the bruises, "-your scent is wonderful."
As the words washed over him, the man finally walked, both arms nestled closely around his two packmates's shoulders.
Jungkook's eyes were stuck there for a moment, right where Taehyung stood a second prior.
A flicker of smoke invaded his sight, forcing him to look away.
His cigarette had completely burned down where it sat in between his fingers, ashes scattered around his boots.
It was silent. Like it always was.
The unfamiliar and stray scents were slowly fading away.
Jungkook's eyes rose up, eyelids threatening to close.
He looked outside, eyes finding no back retreating, no footsteps fading away.
They had went away quickly.
But they had left the door open.