New Brother
His thumb pad gently brushed the steel within his grip, feeling the lettering of the name engraved within.
His gaze fixated upon it, his black ear flickered. Even if all he could hear, was his voice. The distant sound of survivors trying to settle for the night. Of others trying to get what rest they could, while being prepared to fight at a moment's notice. Nearby, one had his gun in pieces. Cleaning it. Ensuring it couldn't jam easily. The soft sound of a card being flicked and set on the pile between them, reached him as well.
"Scenario and question number two." Soojun watched San carefully, as if trying to gauge his ability to handle all that they often had to endure, "While North Korea is our primary objective in terms of combat, we do occasionally help what allies we have in the wars they are involved in. Some for good reasons. Others, for the wrong reasons. We shall not try and get too political on that subject at this time. And really, how can you? We are paid to fight and do as ordered. And we take our orders dead serious. Let the civilians and politicians hash out the ethics of war. You just focus on your duties. Though for South Korea, it's always about protecting our omegas."
San nodded, "There's no escaping that war is ugly. And we really should try and find a way to live in harmony. But politicians never let that happen, because it drives revenue. It's all about money, really."
Soojun smirked, nodding as he winked, "You are damned right about that. And we just get stuck in the middle. And often, we get forgotten. Thankfully, our wolves are often very appreciative. We're given many phycological assessments at the end of our enlistment. Ensuring we can be safe for the civilians once more." He smirked, "Though really, omegas have a magic touch." He winked, "And betas-." He chuckled, arms crossing as he shook his head, "They don't need to say much either. We're lucky. Other countries may not fair so well."
San nodded, "I agree. Now, scenario number two?"
Soonjun chuckled, "Scenario number two. We have just recently raided a compound where enemies of us all have been in hiding. We've freed the hostages. All that remains, is what to do with the bastards. After much deliberation, our superiors inform us to execute them. What do you do?"
San nodded slowly. He smirked, "They were my enemy. They had done horrible things. For all we know, they may have raped those hostages. That is trauma they will never recover from. I would simply ask, just one? And proceed to put bullets between their eyes. They don't deserve my sympathy. They made their choices, this is mine. No wolf is inherently good. One hundred precent pure and good. But it is our actions that will determine if we deserve a second chance, or not. They will have not."
Soojun threw his head back, and laughed a little, "Oh, you are a good one. The uppers would have absolutely loved you. You've got some brains to you. Guts, and you care. You'd certainly be put into some of the special units for certain. Well done. Always remember, San. There is always the case you have to decide when to take a life. If it is worth it. If you just go on killing sprees just because it's fun, you are the one that deserves a bullet between the eyes. All the psychotic wolves that will emerge from this zombie thing, they will deserve it. They've let the worst parts of themselves become unleashed. They will take lives because they can. They will rape, because they can. All without consequence. Do not lose yourself, San. Trust your inner wolf. Nature and the gods put it there for a fucking reason."
San nodded, "I promise."
Soojun smirked, "I'm not asking you anymore. I think you'd certainly have been in a relatively decent unit. You'd certainly become a good war machine to the government. But do not ever lose yourself, if you can help it."
"I promise. But, any advice would be great. Whatever you can give me. Until the outpost falls."
Soojun smirked, nodding, "I can certainly do that."
//
His ear flickered, and his gaze drifted from his exposed shin.
His hand stilled, the ink pen in his grip. He'd just been about to put a new tattoo on, when he heard a sound outside. It pulled a frown to his face. His previous tattoo had healed. Ah, the wonders of being an alpha. His eyes went to the blocked up windows. In the time since he'd arrived, he'd managed to find plywood to board up the windows. Including the one in the door. Ensuring they were not easily broken into by zombies. And to make it appear truly abandoned. It helped keep him relatively safe for the time being. San had no intention of staying in the former tattoo parlor. But he also was determined to have as many tattoos as he could.
The number he felt appropriate.
Usually, they coincided with a memory. Currently of Soojun. And all his advice. And even his little test for him. He blinked, watching the plywood covered door. His ears moving a little, straining to listen. The walls thick. Meant to keep the buzzing sound of the machine from being heard. It could be a bit too high pitched a whine for some wolves. It sounded like zombies, and they were all attracted to one thing. San frowned, curious. He lowered his trouser leg, and got to his feet. He'd ink his shin when he got back. If he managed to get back. He picked up his rifle, and then stowed the pistol into the back helm of his trousers. He liked the reach around sensation. He then picked up the machete he had, and even put on his fingerless gloves.
He was ready for a fight.
Slowly and carefully, San made his way from the building. Making his way into the hazy sunlight. And feeling a slight chill. Winter was headed their way. And it would be the first brutal winter they'd ever experienced. All because, they were without power. No real way to stay warm. Though as an alpha, San would relish the cold. Had it really been three full seasons of the zombies?
Huh.
How time really flew when you were trying to survive.
He looked to his left, seeing the empty streets. And no one around. Not even a shambling zombie. But looking to his right, saw the cause of his disturbance. A slowly shambling herd of zombies headed in his direction. Had they slowed a little with the incoming cold? A bonus, for the time being. Likely after the snow melted, they would get faster. May even go through their first evolution. Though San also hoped it was at least another year before that happened. On the ground having tripped and fallen, was another wolf. San tilted his head at this. Curious, and somewhat surprised. Blinking. He hadn't seen another survivor since he left the fallen outpost.
He looked young. And with a face that made San think him sweet and innocent. Too much so, for this new world. He looked like a teddy bear. After taking in the situation a moment, San gripped his machete tighter. And hurried to intercept the fallen wolf. Red eyes met his. So, the other was an alpha. Fair enough. San hurried to him, knowing that if he delayed the zombies would have a meal. Not on his watch. As he reached the other, he kept an eye on the zombies. Now seeing they had a two for one, they tried to shamble faster. He looked down to the other. Taking a protective stance over him. And between him, and the zombies. He looked over his shoulder and inquired softly, "Are you hurt?"
The other shook his head, replying in a surprisingly soft tone of voice, "No. Not, not entirely. I may have twisted my ankle. I made a stupid mistake. I exited an alleyway right into the herd. I should have been paying attention. I swear, I'm not bit."
San watched him a moment, before he looked back to the zombies, "Can you stand, walk?"
The other was trying to catch his breath, San noticed. Slowly and with a groan, the other rose to his feet. He stumbled a moment, "I-I can stand. But I will be slow walking. They'll get me with ease."
San hummed, before he turned to him. He gripped his machete even tighter, before he took hold of the other's arm. He wound it around his neck and shoulders, and brought his other arm around his waist, "Lean on me, but don't stop. Don't look back."
The other nodded, and San did his best to quickly take the other back to his current safe house. And despite the other limping, they made decent enough pace. Sensing the urgency to get back as soon as possible. Slow as the zombies were currently, they shouldn't take any chances that one wasn't already mutated and waiting for the chance to show up. Once at the former tattoo parlor, San guided the other in. He turned, and closed and locked the door. And even barricaded it. And even did his best to ensure the plywood covered windows remained sturdy. He then guided the other over to another tattoo bench, and sat him down.
He then knelt, and decided to give his ankle a once over. The other hissed, "I don't think it's broken. Just twisted." San nodded, before he pulled back in shock. Blinking, as the other suddenly stripped his clothes off, "See, I swear I'm not bit."
San smirked, "I would have smelled blood on you, if you were." He stood, even as the other finally got dressed again, "Who are you?"
The other spoke in his still quiet voice, "Choi Jongho."
Another Choi?! How very interesting. He nodded, holding his hand out to the other. After some hesitation, the other grabbed it. And the two shook hands, "Choi San." Jongho smirked, even as San spoke, "And I guess you're stuck with me until winter's over."
Jongho nodded, "I can go for that. And, thank you. For the save. I know you didn't have to. A burden and another mouth to feed. But, you did. Thank you."
San nodded, before he let Jongho get some rest.
//
Jongho watched him, listening.
The buzz of the machine having slowly become normal to him. Watching as his steady hand imprinted the image of flames into his right shin. He asked in his still soft voice, "Does it, hurt?"
San hummed, his concentration absolute. He replied after a moment, "Only a little. Sure as hell probably beats getting bit by one of those fuckers. Not that I'd know. Don't intend to find out, if I'm lucky."
Jongho nodded, even as San inquired, "Is there something wrong, Jongho?"
Jongho shook his head, "Not really. Just, anxious. Worried for the coming winter."
San nodded slowly, before he reassured, "I am certain we will be fine. There's stores around here with food we can scavenge for. It's only for winter. Maybe by the time spring returns, I'll have all the tattoos I want. Though with you here now, I can finally have someone do my backside. I'm not that flexible."
Jongho smirked, "Sure." He took a moment, looking away. He bit his bottom lip, "You looked so much like a warrior. A soldier. And, it was quite the sight. Would you, teach me how to be similar to you?"
San paused, and looked up to him. Trying to understand him a moment. After a few, he inquired as he went back to inking the flames into his skin, "You mean, how to fight? And use a gun?"
Jongho nodded slowly, "Please."
San hummed, thinking a moment, "I can teach you how to box, take a gun apart and clean it. Put it back together, and how to shoot. Though, no firing the damn thing in here. That will draw them here sooner than I want them to. If we can, we'll try and find what military remnants we can. Get you some cargo trousers and military boots. And your own weapons. Maybe even MREs."
Jongho nodded, smiling, "I'd like that." San nodded, even as Jongho finally came to sit beside him. He watched, somewhat fascinated with the ink image and how it was being created. After another moment, Jongho spoke softly, "If I said you're my pack, would you be okay with that?"
San smirked, even as he nodded, "I feel the same. My inner wolf says you're pack. So, I'm keeping you. Hence why I'm willing to help make you a fighter like me. Not sure when we'll meet the rest of our pack. But I am sure we will. For now, we make it through winter."
Jongho nodded, still watching. San didn't mind. After so long alone, he was sure both could enjoy some company. He would shape Jongho into as fierce a fighter as he was. They would become known as the Choi Brothers. And San was going to be pleasantly surprised by Jongho's strength. His voice and face belying his abilities.
They would be advantageous, in the coming years of survival.