My Benefactor
He stood, frowning a little.
Watching as the older pulled in a deep drag from his cigarette. Before pulling it away, and slowly breathing out the smoke. Like a dragon that breathed fire. He scrunched his face, ears pinned back a little. The scent unpleasant. Though compared to the zombies, it was only slightly better to smell. He wanted so badly to tell Jisung smoking was bad for his health. But something told him, the older alpha wouldn't really care about that. Jisung sat on the porch steps of a home they were calling theirs.
For now.
After meeting in that store in the city, Jisung had taken a moment to determine what to do with Jeongin. After begging he take Jeongin with him, Jisung had sighed. He relented, giving in. Agreeing to take Jeongin in. The younger was so excited, he'd rubbed his face in Jisung's jawline and neck area. Jisung had only tolerated it a moment, before he gently pulled back. With that, Jisung guided Jeongin from the store. And out of the city. Back to his old neighborhood. For the time being.
Now, Jeongin stood with his fists on his hips. Watching Jisung smoke another cigarette. After trying to find something to talk about, he could not resist, "Why do you smoke so much, anyway?"
Jisung paused, eyes flickering to meet his gaze.
After pulling another draft and letting it out, he replied, "It keeps me calm." He watched Jeongin, "I told you, it's a medication I take." Jeongin frowned, even as Jisung sighed and explained further, "I was diagnosed with Imbalanced Pheromone Explosive Disorder. When I go into a blinding rage, I black out. I was prescribed medication to help me manage my untamed rage and aggression. To keep me calm, and not have a nasty temper. A temper that could see you dead for pissing me off in some fashion. But without my medication being manufactured anymore. And being difficult to obtain now, it's either I become unhinged. Or, I take up anything that helps me keep calm. Smoking does that for me."
Jeongin hummed, nodding slowly. Not fully sure of Jisung's health condition, but he trusted his word. His hands slid from his hips as he inquired, "So what do we do now? It's been a few days since we got back here."
Jisung watched him, as if trying to read him. After a few, he inquired, "What would you have us do, then?"
Jeongin shrugged, "I don't know. Anything else."
Jisung smirked, "Bored? Well then-." Jeongin blinked and felt panic swell within him. Jisung rose to his feet, hauling his crowbar up with him, "Let's go have a little fun, then. Get some new supplies. Maybe finally get you a weapon."
Shit. He should have never opened his mouth. Jisung almost seemed, eager to go looking for trouble. Before Jeongin could take back his complaint, Jisung seemed to relax a little. And spoke in a more kind tone and manner, "We really should get more supplies, Jeongin. And a weapon for you. Can't rely on me all the time."
Jeongin swallowed, but nodded. At least Jisung was calm again. Maybe his smoking really did keep him calm, and not so eager to do who knew what. And Jeongin was still grateful Jisung spared his life in that store. And for letting him tag along. He knew he was another mouth to feed for the older alpha. But he was alone, and lost. And so confused. And he was trying to learn by observing Jisung's behaviors as an alpha. He was not yet ready to ask him about it. Unwilling to share how young he was. That he'd presented on the day the zombies came.
He was shaken from his musings, and barely managed to catch the backpack Jisung tossed to him. He had thoroughly locked up their home to avoid other raiders from taking their stash. They wouldn't be gone long, anyway, "Let's get going, daydreamer."
Jeongin huffed, "I am not."
Jisung smirked, "Sure. Then what were you so deep in thought about, you nearly got a face full of backpack fabric?"
Jeongin rolled his eyes, gripping the backpack more firmly, "Nothing, really."
Jisung hummed, unconvinced. But he dropped the subject for the time being. With his own backpack on his back, he turned and guided Jeongin for a new supply run. Jeongin went without further word, knowing Jisung needed him quiet so he could ensure he got them both back to their temporary home.
Alive.
//
He'd forgotten how absolutely terrifying it was, yet awe-inspiring to watch Jisung take out a zombie.
They had gone to some of the houses not far from their current neighborhood. He'd waited as Jisung cleared the house. Once it was clear, Jisung helped him pack his backpack as full as it could go. As it was with Jisung, he made sure both backpacks were as filled as possible. Before calling it a supply run for the day. Just as Jeongin was packing his backpack, he stopped. Shuffling came from behind him. His eyes went wide, and he slowly looked behind him to see a zombie Jisung may have missed. Or it got in, somewhere.
His breathing quickened. Fear taking hold. He had no weapon to defend himself. He was a sitting duck. He only watched the zombie come closer, before he noticed a flash of something from behind the zombie. With a growling grunt, the zombie was soon sprawled on the floor. Jisung stood, gazing down at it with a dark expression. Hand gripping his crowbar tight enough, his knuckles turned white. After a moment, Jisung's eyes flared. And a deep guttural growl emerged from deep inside his chest. He raised the crowbar, and swung it down. Bringing it to the zombie's skull repeatedly.
Jeongin watched in odd fascination.
Jisung continued to beat the zombie's head in, until he was certain it was truly deceased. Jisung was breathing a bit, showing some effort into his zombie kill. His crowbar dirtied with blood and brain matter once again. Jeongin watched him, even as Jisung huffed, "Was wondering where this one was. That should be the last of them in this house."
"You were using me as bait?"
Jisung blinked and looked to him. He frowned a little, "No. If I wanted you as bait, I'd have at least provided some sort of warning. I'm not heartless. Just, really good at keeping hold of my emotions. As long as I have my medication, of course. No, I just couldn't determine where this one was. I could tell it was in here somewhere. Why do you think I told you I'd check the house once again?"
Jeongin sighed, relaxing, "You could have warned me there was one that escaped you. Lessen my chances of panicking."
Jisung blinked, and smirked. And finally, he brought an arm around Jeongin's shoulders, "Innie, let me tell you a secret. In this new zombie filled world, always keep your wits about you. You panic and freeze up like that, you're dead meat."
Jeongin whined a little, "But Sungie, I don't have a weapon yet."
Jisung nodded, "True." He gently dropped his arm from around his shoulders, "Let me go and see what I can find you. You'll have to kill a zombie, though. Not to prove your metal or anything. But to get used to the fact you have to do it." He used his crowbar to point at the zombie he'd just snuffed out, "Deep inside these things, is a trapped soul. The zombies you kill, allow those souls to finally be free. To finally be at peace, and rest."
Jeongin hummed, nodding in understanding. Before he finally asked the big question, "What about the zombies that stick around for years to come? Even the evolved ones that will inevitably come. Will their souls still be trapped?"
Jisung blinked. Seemingly taken aback by his inquiry. He spoke in a soft quite tone, "I'm not sure I can answer that, Innie. Not without facing such threats. And as you say, that could be a few years down the road. If we make it that long. For now, let's just take it one day at a time. For now, free the trapped souls. After that, I don't really know."
Jeongin nodded, and watched as Jisung slipped away again. Eagerly searching for a weapon for Jeongin to use.
He eventually found one.
//
With his own weapon in hand, they raided the other houses nearby.
Jisung paused, watching Jeongin walk ahead of him. His shovel weapon resting against his shoulder. It was going to be a decent weapon for a while. After a few, Jisung called softly, "You head back to our safe house. Stock pile our supplies. I'll be back soon."
Jeongin blinked, alarms racing through him. He turned back to face Jisung, and inquired worriedly, "Where are you going? Why? Why alone?"
Jisung blinked and spoke as soothingly as he could, "My backpack's still got some space left in it to fill. I'm going to hit up another store. Get myself more cigarettes. And see what else we can get. I'll be fine. I'll be back before sunset, promise."
Jeongin could not help the whine and whimpering that escaped him, "But, hyung." He bit his bottom lip, and finally confessed, "I'm scared. I don't want to be alone."
Jisung sighed and approached. He brought his hand to Jeongin's shoulder, and gave it a comforting squeeze, "I know. I can see it on you. I promise I will make it back. I'm smarter than those zombies. I won't travel too far into the city. Just to the next store. And I won't leave you alone. Not yet. I'll make sure you find a decent pack to join, before you can let me go."
"But, you'd come with me right?"
Jisung offered a soft smile, and replied in his same soothing tone, "Of course. But I would rest easier knowing you had others who could watch out for you."
Jeongin nodded, before he embraced Jisung, "Please, get home safe."
Jisung nodded and patted his backside. Reassuring the younger it would be alright, "You got a weapon now. So I know you'll be okay."
Jeongin nodded at that. And slowly, the two split up. Jeongin went to their safe house, Jisung to the city.
Jeongin watched the road like a hawk. Barely blinking. Waiting for Jisung to get home. As much as he wished his hyung wouldn't smoke so much, and wouldn't be so hard and stone cold. He did want him nearby. He was safest with him. They were a pack, sort of. He didn't want to be alone in this unforgiving world. He was still too young for this. Still so unsure of everything. Jisung was all he had, now.
He bit his bottom lip, leg bouncing with extreme nervous energy. The sun was beginning to dip. Jisung wasn't back yet. Jeongin stood and paced, trying not to whine. Where was his hyung? He'd promised. He knew promises should never be made in the zombie apocalypse. But Jisung had seemed so sure he'd be back before long.
Was he hurt?
Bit?
Turned?
Jeongin was so emotionally distraught, he thought about crumpling to the ground. And then crying. He was an alpha, and alphas weren't supposed to cry much. Or easily. But, he was just so scared and did not want to be left alone. Especially a second time. When the sound of gravel crunched beneath a foot, Jeongin turned. He grabbed his shovel, ready to go at it. Only for his shoulders to sag. Relief washed over him. Jisung was walking towards him. His backpack stuffed full. His crowbar resting on his shoulder.
Jeongin let out a small cry of relief, and hurried to meet Jisung along the path. Jisung blinked, having not anticipated Jeongin embracing him. He took a moment to figure out what was going on, before he sighed and relaxed. He then nuzzled Jeongin rather affectionately, "I'm back, worry not. Was a cluster fuck trying to get to the store, though. Seemed some brain rotten zombies had the same idea as me. Took forever to get them to move on so I had easier chance to get in without getting bitten."
Jeongin nodded as he pulled back, "Okay. I was just-"
"Worried. And that's okay. Come on, let's get in before the sun sets. Not sure how active they are at night right now. Better safe than sorry."
Jeongin nodded, and hurried inside with Jisung. After locking it all up and sealing it, Jisung went about sorting his own haul. Keeping the cigarettes and lighters to himself. Jeongin said nothing. As long as he had his hyung with him, he didn't care much he smoked. Even if he worried it would kill him faster.
He may have clutched Jisung extra tight that night when they got some sleep.