Time to Move On
He stood just a little bit from the steps leading to the porch.
His gaze narrowed, staring towards the city. He hated to leave it behind, it had more cigarettes. But he knew that the neighborhood they'd been staying at had run its course. They had no more supplies to gather from it. This meant that they would have to leave the region soon. Find a new place to do supply runs. Here was just hoping other places had cigarettes for him to snag. Otherwise, he was in for a shitty time. More than he already was. His ear flickered a moment, before turning to better catch his companion's movements. The door opening with a silent squeak. He tore his gaze from the city, and looked to a freshly woken up Jeongin. He rubbed his eye, and spoke in a sleep filled voice, "Hyung? Thought you left for a supply run."
Jisung spoke softly, "I wouldn't without telling you. And giving you instruction of what to do should I not make it back. As per usual. No, I am merely thinking."
Jeongin nodded, and asked around a yawn, "About what?"
Jisung smiled softly. Okay, there were times the younger was cute enough to have Jisung softening up a bit. He answered quite honestly, "About the fact we can't make anymore supply runs in the neighborhoods nearby. We've taken what we could. We may have to leave the area, and find a new one. We'll do what we can to avoid others for the time being. You're the only one I can currently trust. And I hope the same applies to you. Trust has to be earned, Innie. It can't be given freely anymore. There are going to be wolves out there that will not hesitate to kill you because they can now. Without a reason or punishment."
Jeongin nodded slowly, "Okay, hyung."
Jisung smiled softly, before he spoke, "I'm going to raid the city. I want to take as many cigarette packs as I can, before we do head out. May be some time before I find anymore."
Jeongin replied softly, "I can keep an eye out for any. I can also learn how to make some, if you want."
Jisung gave a soft smile at that, "Maybe. Just for now, know what I'm going to do soon. Just for cigarettes and lighters. Matches too. If I can, I'll snag what food and medicines I can. The city will remain infested a little longer. So I cannot be there long, or get too deep into it. Though most stores aren't in the very center."
Jeongin nodded, "I can come with. Help carry more, and more food and medicine."
Jisung turned to face him fully, and took him in. He sighed, and replied, "Okay. Then here is the plan. Once our supply is at a decent enough level it is manageable to carry around, we'll head for the city for our last supply run. After that, we come here for a final night. Then, we head for the greater world of Korea."
Jeongin nodded, "Sounds like a good plan to me."
Jisung nodded in agreement. A plan set. He then pulled out a cigarette. And after putting one between his lips, he was quick to light it.
And proceeded to smoke it.
//
He groaned low, before peering open a single eye.
Frowning, wondering who the fuck was waking him up from his delicious slumber. It took a moment for him to remember, he was living with Jeongin. And only Jeongin. Ah, yes. The younger. He was shaking his shoulder, rather urgently. He spoke in a hushed tone, voice trembling with some fear, "Hyung. Hyung! There are zombies outside. What do we do?"
He let out a small tired sigh. He perked his ears, listening intensely to the sounds outside. He heard the familiar groaning and moaning coming from them. Their slow shuffling along the dirt and asphalt. Sure enough, they were outside. But they seemed to merely be moving on past the house. Not too worried, Jisung replied in a similar tone, "Just relax, Innie. They don't know we're here. Keep calm and quiet."
Jeongin whispered, still panicking a little, "But where did they come from?"
Jisung sighed, still tired and trying not to blow up on Jeongin, "Likely the outer edges of the city. They're starting to leave it. It will be a small trickle at first. All the more reason for us to start heading elsewhere. Away from the city, and away from as many of those things as possible."
Jeongin nodded, even as he whimpered softly. With a third and final tired sigh, Jisung raised his arm. Letting Jeongin cuddle with him. Anything, if it meant calming the younger down. And helping him feel safe. He hoped Jeongin could toughen up soon. At least, enough he didn't get scared so easily. With only a tiny whimper, Jeongin snuggled into his promising and protective embrace. Clutching him. His only family. As Jisung headed off back to sleep, his mind did wander a bit.
So, the zombies were starting to leave the city. That wasn't a good sign. There would be one hell of a massive herd at the end of their vacancy from the city. So it was definitely getting close to time to leave. He'd see which direction the zombies headed, and go in a different direction. For the time being. Seems tomorrow was their final supply run. He'd have to think of how to proceed from there once they got back. As he drifted to sleep, he could feel Jeongin's grip tightening now and again. His whimpers small and quiet enough. Buried into his neck region. His heart did ache a little.
After learning just how young Jeongin was, he felt for the young alpha. He had hissed when Jeongin told him he'd presented day of the apocalypse. That wasn't the best start to being an adult wolf. But it had also highlighted to Jisung, just how lost and innocent Jeongin really was. It's why he was trying extra hard to stow some of his temper. The younger didn't know better. He'd lost his family when he'd needed them most. So, Jisung had relented. Letting Jeongin consider them a pack. A family of their own. And now, Jisung was responsible for him. As his elder, and a hyung. And the one that would see Jeongin to a safe place in the end. Or at least, to someone more qualified to care for him.
At least, someone without such a nasty temper.
But for now, he would do his best for Jeongin. As long as he had his smokes, he'd be okay with the younger. And he was trying not to smoke in the house. He knew Jeongin didn't like it. Hell, he knew they were far from healthy. But they were all he had for medication. Since he was fresh out of his prescription. But this made him wonder. What about those they met down the road? Would they tolerate his smoking? Would they even believe he did it to keep his nasty temper at bay? And what about omegas? How would they handle it? If he hoped to hopefully have one for a mate, would they accept it?
Well, he supposed he may be able to keep calm with a mate. No need for the smokes. But, he wouldn't know unless he found the right one. If they yet lived normally. Well, normally for survivors of the apocalypse. He had to wonder if it would be a good idea, to lay off his smokes around psychotic wolves. Show them he wasn't one to be trifled with. That they had him to fear, rather than the reverse.
He'd cross all those bridges, when he reached them.
//
Jeongin gave him a cute happy smile, shifting his backpack on his shoulders, "Ready, hyung."
Jisung smirked, nodding at his words, "Let's get going then. The sooner we get in, the sooner we get back out. The sooner we make our way into the world."
Jeongin nodded, and quickly fell into step beside Jisung. His shovel resting on his shoulder in a similar fashion to Jisung with his crowbar. Jisung had thought about smoking before they left. But he decided against it. His aggression could come in handy, possibly. And maybe he wanted to prove to Jeongin what he had been saying was true. How he had a nasty temper. Uncontrollable aggressive rage. Couldn't do that smoking beforehand. But in a way, it saddened Jisung. Once he did, Jeongin may leave him. And it hurt. The idea of being alone again. But maybe it would be for the best.
As planned, they entered the city for a supply run. And just as Jisung had suspected, the zombies milling about at the edges of the city had left. Having moved during the night. Jisung nodded, mostly to himself. Yes. It was time to leave these parts. He may come back through here one day. Sometime in the future. During whatever wanderings he was subjected to. Either alone, or with a pack of his own. He wasn't sure. It was too far into an uncertain future for him to really consider.
Would Jeongin still be with him at that point?
He supposed he'd get his answer today. Sort of. With little hesitation, Jisung guided Jeongin into a few stores. He remained silent as he instructed Jeongin to search for medicine and food they could carry. That would be useful. And some water as well. He went to the register and raided it for all its cigarettes and lighters and matches. Once he would complete that, he'd join Jeongin in gathering necessary supplies. And he was also looking for potential new weapons for Jeongin. That shovel would become cumbersome before long. And he kept an eye out for any new crowbars he could collect. Eventually, his current one would need serious replacement.
They managed about five stores in total. Not bad, for a city run. But this was the end of it for them. They had to get back to their safe house for a final night. Then head into the wilds. Maybe they'd find a companion along the way. Who was to say. Jisung wasn't in a hurry to gather other wolves around them. He'd take it all with extreme caution.
It was on their way back they ran into some trouble. Thankfully, it wasn't the massive herd of zombies still in the more central part of the city. Just a small rabble. Jeongin gave only a small whimper. Jisung watched him and spoke, "You got a weapon, you'll be okay."
Jeongin nodded, grabbing his shovel. Gripping it as tight as possible. They kept their backs to one another, ensuring they didn't get separated. Or let anything get to the other. By the time Jeongin finished his zombies, he was a bit woozy. Faint from all the blood and the sounds of killing. He'd have to toughen up. Like Jisung. As Jeongin did his best to breathe and recover from his near fainting spell, he watched Jisung work. Jisung's eyes were glowing a little. He'd never seen that before. He wasn't sure what it meant. Could all wolves do that? Jisung growled, finishing off his last zombie himself. His fangs grit and on display. His crowbar swinging.
It was a brutal sight.
Even when the zombie was on the ground, Jisung was unrelenting. Not until the kill was complete. Jisung pulled back, chest heaving. Sweat dotting his forehead. His eyes looked wild. Unhinged. Almost-almost black. Jeongin blinked, having gotten over his nausea. Staring wide-eyed at Jisung. He'd seen Jisung kill zombies before. But never this viciously. As Jisung calmed down, he looked to Jeongin. He growled, approaching him a little. Almost threatening, even as he pointed to the zombie with his crowbar, "Still think I'm making an excuse to smoke?"
Jeongin flinched. Never having heard Jisung so aggressive with him before.
Jisung closed his eyes, and took a few to breathe in deep. As he slowly let it out, he reached into his pocket. Hand shaking, even as he pulled out a cigarette and his lighter. With quick yet shaky movements, Jisung lit it. Inhaled what he could, before letting it out slowly in a smokey visual. He sighed, and spoke softly, "I'm-sorry, Innie. Didn't meant to threaten you like that. But now you know. When I get triggered, I black out. And am ready to attack anything and everything. This isn't the worst I can get." He looked away, "I'll understand if you can't live in this new world with a wolf like me. No one can. Or even should, really. Sometimes, I feel it's best if I stayed alone. I run out of smokes?" He shrugged, "Then all the more reason I stay alone." He gave a depreciating huff of a laugh, "No omega would want someone as dangerous and unhinged as me, without something to keep me calm."
Jeongin blinked.
After a few, he hurried over and embraced Jisung. Nuzzling him a little, "I'm not leaving. You saved me when you didn't have to. You took me on, even though you knew I could be burdensome. A second mouth to try and feed. I may not fully understand this adult wolf world yet, but you're teaching me. And I may not understand your health issues, but I know you're not lying. Why would you? What would you gain from it? Especially in this new zombie filled world? And as long as it is used to protect us all, then I don't care." He pulled back, "I'm sure there will be an omega out there still that will be what you need. And will love you, no matter what."
Jisung gave a soft and sad smirk, "We'll see, Innie. If you're sure you're willing to stick with me-."
Jeongin nodded, "I am, hyung." He turned to head back to their safe house for the last time, "Let's get going, hyung."
Jisung gave a small smile. Okay, he was definitely keeping Innie around. And protecting him as best he could. Without further word, they made for their safe house for a final night. And after packing things properly, they got what sleep they could. When morning came, they ate a small something. Then hit the road.
Who knew where their path would lead them next.