Chapter Text
Jungkook parks his car and hops out of it to make his way into Inky Skins.
When he glances up at the sign before entering the tattoo shop, he always feels a sense of pride.
He had come a long way from when he first arrived in the city as a young, clueless, but determined man.
When Jungkook first left his village, he went to the only person he knew: his older cousin, Jaewoo.
Jaewoo was someone he always looked up to growing up because he was the first wolf to leave his village. Jungkook was the first person to know that Jaewoo had plans to leave the pack. Jaewoo trusted Jungkook with the information, as he knew Jungkook wanted to do the same. Jungkook can still recall the day he cried his eyes out in front of his older cousin, sharing his innermost thoughts. He strongly hated living like he had to follow some sort of script and desperately wanted to live by making his own decisions.
The night before Jaewoo had left the pack permanently, he scribbled down a number on a piece of paper and handed that to Jungkook, carefully instructing him, "Keep this safe with you, and when you leave, call this number."
At the time, Jungkook did not fully understand what that meant, simply because he did not know of such technology existing, where someone could get into contact with another just by pressing a few numbers. Jaewoo had specifically demanded that he keep enough spare change in his pockets to use a 'phone box'. Again, Jungkook did not know what he meant, but he knew he would be able to figure it out after Jaewoo briefly explained it to him.
Jaewoo boosted his confidence, telling him that he had faith in him and knew he'd find a way out. That had given Jungkook the encouragement that he needed.
Jungkook would then move more strategically and collect money in secret for a train ticket that would grant him his freedom.
When the right moment arose for him to leave, he took it without turning back.
The moment that he had entered the city, he asked around and was kindly led to the nearest phone box, and the number scribbled carefully was what he rang.
Jaewoo found him easily and welcomed the younger man with open arms, congratulating him on his escape. He allowed Jungkook to stay with him until he was fully settled in.
Jungkook did odd jobs here and there to survive and earn his keep. As much as his cousin said it was okay, he wanted to do this for himself.
Being in the city exposed him to an array of options and opportunities, which made him feel utterly lost with what he wanted to do, as the village he came from offered him little to none.
It was so easy to become overwhelmed with how fast-paced and different everything was.
However, in the maze of being lost, he found himself fascinated by tattoos.
Jungkook had always been amazing at art. He thoroughly enjoyed it and found it extremely therapeutic.
Even though his father scolded him to stop, angrily stating that it was useless for an alpha to do such things, Jungkook had agreed to stop just for the sake of not being attacked by his father, but would then go on to secretly draw and hide his art away.
Luck was on his side, as it just so happened that Jaewoo actually knew someone who was a tattoo artist. After introducing the two of them, the tattoo artist offered to train him.
During his training, he met two other alphas, Jimin and Yoongi.
The trio clicked instantly.
Even though they were different from each other, they shared the same passion. On a night out, drunkenly, they all made a pact to fulfil their dream of opening up a tattoo parlour.
Years later, that dream became a reality.
That was how Inky Skins came about.
"Good morning, Jungkookie!" Jimin greeted cheerfully.
"Morning, hyung!" Jungkook replied with a smile on his face.
Jungkook was about to make his way into his office, where he does consultations, when Jimin stopped him.
"Oh! Before I let you go, you have some mail!" Jimin passes on the letter to the younger alpha. "I haven't seen letters like this in the city in a long time, but it has your name on it."
Jungkook glances down at the letter in his hands, feeling puzzled.
Just who might this be from?
He scans the back and front of the letter and freezes immediately when he recognises the stamp sealing the envelope.
It's a stamp with the letters 'M' and 'M'... a stamp used in his pack or former pack, which stood for 'Mountain Moon'.
Nervousness starts to overcome him. He left on a bad note, pretty much cutting ties, so how exactly did they find him?
"Everything good, Kookie?" Jimin questions gently after spotting a frown on the younger's face.
Jungkook looks up from the letter to his concerned hyung, giving him a weak smile. "Yeah, just give me a moment."
Jimin nods, not knowing what made the younger's face turn a little pale, but gives him space and allows him to retreat into his office.
Jungkook throws his bag down carelessly and places the letter on his desk, just staring at it, his stomach sinking.
He doesn't even know what the letter says, but if his pack had successfully managed to locate him after many years, his mind immediately turned to assume the worst.
He furrows his eyebrows as he reads the name on the letter and finds that it's from his younger brother, Jun-seo.
He takes a deep breath before opening the letter and reading its contents.
As he reads the letter, the feeling of anxiety is replaced by one of shock and happiness, with a wide smile stretching across his face.
His younger brother is getting mated, but not just to anyone; it's an alpha of his choice. Jungkook almost screams in joy, feeling like it's a victory.
Besides the joy, he wonders just how this could have possibly happened.
Knowing his father, he would never allow them to mate who they wanted and frequently reminded them that no proper and respectable wolf should choose their mate. So, for Jun-seo to quite literally write, and Jungkook knows it's his writing, that it was with an alpha he loves, Jungkook is so damn happy.
A knock on his door interrupts his thoughts. Yoongi opens the door and pops his head in to inform him, "Jungkook, your client for 10 a.m. is here."
"Coming!" Jungkook replies as he carefully stuffs the letter back into the envelope.
The smile on his face hasn't left all day since he read the letter, even now when he's at the bar with Jimin and Yoongi after their work is over.
"Okay spill. What's with the smile? Don't get me wrong, I love seeing our bunny-like alpha happy, but what's got you this happy?" Jimin interrogates, dying to know.
"You guys remember when I told you about my younger brother, right?" The two alphas respond with a nod. "Jun-seo is getting mated!"
"Oh my gosh! Congratulations to him!" Jimin springs excitedly from his seat to hug Jungkook.
Yoongi smiles, too, but there is a small wariness on his face that Jungkook questions.
"I mean, definitely, congratulations to him. But, Jungkook, your pack, your father..." Yoongi mentions cautiously.
Jungkook had told the two alphas about his pack before, so he understands the older alpha's concern.
"I know what you mean, hyung. I was sceptical, too. However, Jun-seo wrote in the letter that his mate was of his choice, and my gut is telling me that this definitely is the case."
"That sounds great, Jungkook. I'm really happy to hear that," Yoongi replies genuinely, feeling some relief.
At his friend's concern for his brother, someone that Yoongi has never met, Jungkook feels once again so grateful to have met such good people.
"So, he's invited you to the mating, right?" Jimin asks, and Jungkook responds with a nod. "Will you be attending?"
Jungkook bites his bottom lip as he stares at the wooden table and contemplates how to reply.
Jimin and Yoongi share a look together, but wait patiently for the alpha's response.
Jungkook huffs out a sigh. "I don't know... I really just don't know. Don't get me wrong, I really want to. I would love to. But... I don't know if I can return to the place I thought I had left behind... I mean, moving to the city to get away from my pack is what I wanted, and if I just go back... would they even allow me?"
The two alphas can understand their friend's dilemma, and Jimin speaks up first. "I understand your hesitation completely, but I'm certain that Jun-seo would've asked your pack, and definitely your father, for permission so you could be invited. The fact that he probably went some lengths to find you just shows that he really wants you there too."
"Yeah, I definitely think he had to have gotten some kind of permission," Yoongi adds. "When exactly is the mating?"
"The next full moon."
"So, in about three weeks time?" Jimin asks.
"Yes."
"Did the letter say when you'd have to arrive or anything?" Yoongi inquires.
"Jun-seo requested that I arrive two weeks earlier to help out with the preparations. You know how serious mating is for my pack. There's definitely going to be a big celebration since many matings can take place at once with the full moon," Jungkook says with a small sigh.
"Is that something you would want to do?"
"What?" Jungkook questions.
"Go there earlier, rather than just on the mating day. If you were to go, that is," Jimin says.
Jungkook turns his head down again before replying, "I would actually love to. Especially for Jun-seo. I haven't seen him in years, and I miss him. But... I just don't know whether I can just go back to the place that made me want to escape so badly."
Jimin brings his hand to Jungkook's head and pats it, while Yoongi brings his hand over to Jungkook's, offering silent support.
"Kookie, I think you have a little bit of time to decide. Sleep on it for now. Then let us know, okay? Don't worry about Inky Skins. Yoongs over here will sort it all out."
Yoongi nods in agreement to ease some of the younger alpha's concerns that may affect his decision.
Jungkook gives them a genuine smile. "Thanks a lot, hyungs."
Jungkook really thinks hard about it.
He does not regret his choice to leave the pack behind; it was a necessary step for him. It was truly the only way for him to be who he is today.
However, there was one part that he did regret: leaving his younger brother behind. He loved him dearly, but when he secretly exited his pack so there was no danger of anyone finding out his plan, he left without saying goodbye.
That was something that did make him feel guilty when his brother crossed his mind.
Jungkook thought that, as a result of his actions, his younger brother most likely hated him. So, the fact that he wrote him a letter, too, to invite him to his mating, an extremely important part of a wolf's life, made him feel immense happiness, and he did cry from joy.
On the other side of his thoughts, the invitation had arrived formally with the pack's stamp of approval. In order for that to happen, like Jimin had said, surely he would have had to have spoken to their father.
That part was extremely difficult for him to believe.
He especially finds it weird because he would not even think that his father would approve of him showing his face ever again to the very pack he left.
However, at the same time, who knows?
When he looks back, it has been many, many years since he left.
What if his father had changed?
Maybe that is why he allowed Jun-seo to choose his mate.
Overall, Jungkook really didn't want to miss this huge moment in Jun-seo's life.
So, he makes his decision.
Yoongi and Jimin meet up with him the night before he has to leave, helping him with any last-minute packing and also just for a last drink between the three of them as he was going to return in two weeks. Sure, it did not seem like a long time, but it would be the longest he's gone without seeing the two alphas who remained constant in his life in the city.
The next morning, he begins his long journey on the road. On the passenger seat, he puts the bag of food Jimin's mate, Hoseok, prepared so kindly for him.
It isn't long into his journey that he reaches for it, and one bite leads to another, and then to another. Eventually he munches through the food, finishing it up so easily. Though he eats a lot in general, he knew he was definitely nervously eating, with numerous thoughts running through his head.
He takes a deep breath in and out when he spots the opening to his former pack grounds. Naturally, his car is stopped by a wolf guarding the entrance, but when an older member of the pack recognises him when he says his name, he gives him a brief nod and allows him to pass onto the pack grounds.
While driving, many wolves stare at the car. However, he expected as much, since nobody really drives in the pack, so it's rare for a vehicle to be seen.
He drives his car down the familiar route he would take to walk home, and finally, he reaches the house he grew up in.
He steps out of his car and feels deep nostalgia sink inside of him as he takes in the scents that were once so familiar and regular in his life.
"Jungkook-hyung!"
He moves back as a figure comes rushing towards him, making him let out an 'oof'. His younger brother, Jun-seo, barrels into him, holding him tightly.
Jungkook chuckles at Jun-seo, returning his hug enthusiastically and closing his eyes for a brief moment to breathe in his calming chamomile scent with a sigh.
The moment he opens his eyes, he peers over his younger brother's shoulder, and his eyes move up towards the window of the house.
His breath almost hitches as he catches the eyes of his father, who has a blank look on his face.
He hasn't seen his father in years. His father looks the same, except for the deeper lines on his face.
Just like he is taking in his father's appearance, his father also scans him, particularly paying attention to his hair, the ink visible on his skin, and his piercings.
They stare at each other, and his father is the first to avert his eyes and step back to move away.
The lack of reaction does sting a little, but Jungkook doesn't take it to heart.
When he returns his eyes down, he finds his mother standing at the entrance of their house, with tears glistening in her eyes.
He pulls back from his brother and ruffles his hair before the younger pulls him by his hand, leading him to their mother.
Jungkook stands in front of her with hesitation, but she doesn't make that hesitation last very long, pulling him down into a hug.
Jungkook melts into the warm embrace and breathes in her lavender scent, which he hasn't smelled in years but still has its soothing effect, as always.
She doesn't let him go, and he doesn't either; they haven't seen each other in years, after all.
"I've missed you so much, my pup," she whispers with sadness in her voice.
As Jungkook snuggles further into her, a lump builds up in his throat, preventing him from replying.
Jun-seo wraps his arms around both of them, laying his head on Jungkook's shoulder and joining the hug.
When they pull apart from the hug, Jungkook's mother tenderly presses a kiss to his forehead and takes his hand into her own, leading him into the house.
He rolls his suitcase in and enters the house.
While taking steps inside, memories hit him all at once, but not all of them are good memories that resurface.
"Jungkook, go freshen up, then come back down. I'm almost finished cooking your favourites."
Hearing his eomma say she prepared food for him made him feel a little sense of normality and welcome. "Thank you, eomma."
"I'll go with him!" Jun-seo beams. "Come on, hyung!"
Jungkook picks up his suitcase and follows his brother, feeling a bit like a stranger in the house he grew up in.
As he walks up the stairs, he can see that not much has changed around the house, and that makes sense; his father prefers a certain way of being and makes sure everyone adheres to that.
When he enters what used to be his bedroom, he discovers that it has actually been changed to be a simple room, with no traces of him or really of any occupation in there.
He doesn't particularly feel upset because he knows it was most likely his father who must have taken his things down.
He sets his bag on the floor beside his bed and opens it, taking out his belongings to put in the dresser.
Jun-seo plops down onto the bed and takes in his brother's new appearance. He particularly stares at the detailed tattoos on his brother's arm with fascination.
"You look so different, hyung."
"I do, don't I?" Jungkook chuckles, looking at his brother's wide eyes.
"It suits you," Jun-seo says sincerely.
Jungkook pauses from hanging a shirt up, and faces his little brother abruptly with a surprised expression. He smiles at him and with an appreciative tone, replies, "Thank you. That really means a lot."
Jun-seo gives him a wide smile back, but his expression changes as he remembers, "I still have your art book, hyung!"
Jungkook is shocked. "You do? I thought it would've been torn and probably burned by now."
Jun-seo frowns at him, because that truly would've happened, but he tells him in a hushed voice, "I snuck into your room and found it where you used to hide it. I took some other things too, before father angrily barged into the room to get rid of your things."
Jungkook, though grateful that his brother still thought to take care of things that were precious to him, can't imagine how his brother must have felt in the aftermath of his leaving. Guilt simmers inside of him, making him feel bad for what his brother had to have gone through because of their father. And he definitely knows it had to have been difficult.
He can't help but hesitantly ask, "Jun-seo, do you hate hyung for leaving?"
Jun-seo instantly shakes his head and says, "I don't, hyung. I wouldn't call it hate, but at first, I did have resentment towards you because father became even more strict and harsh."
Jungkook winces, "I'm so sorry, Jun-seo, it's my fault."
Jun-seo cuts him off. "No, hyung, you didn't let me finish. When I thought through my resentment, I could understand why you left, and I can't blame you for that."
Jungkook feels like he could cry at how empathetic his brother is towards him, and he shifts forward to pull him into a hug. "Don't be so kind to your hyung, Jun-ah. I don't feel deserving of it."
"Be quiet, hyung. I could never hate you," Jun-seo reassures him, hugging him back to comfort him.
Jungkook presses a kiss to the top of his head, making Jun-seo giggle.
"I can't believe you're getting mated."
"Me too! I'm so happy," Jun-seo squeals.
Jungkook feels relieved at hearing it firsthand from Jun-seo's mouth that he feels happy and can't find a trace of pretence in his eyes or voice.
However, he can't help but feel curious as to how this even passed by his father.
"I'm really glad you're happy, Jun, but... was it really your choice? Sorry, I can't help but ask, because you know how father is, as well as how this pack is with omega and alpha interactions. How did father even agree?"
The two siblings sat down across from each other on the ground before Jun-seo informed him of what happened. "I understand your concern, hyung. I never thought father would let me mate who I wanted because, like you said, besides him being strict, the pack is also very strict. Do you remember Taerin?"
Jungkook recalls the name Taerin and nods. From his memory, Kim Taerin was an extremely gentle alpha and was picked on a lot because of that. Jungkook would sometimes get involved if the alpha's got too handsy with the younger.
"I had a huge crush on Taerin, and I thought it was one-sided, but when I found out he had feelings for me too, I thought my heart was going to burst! I really wanted to be with him but was scared it was never going to be, since I could never even think to bring it up to father, nor did he know how to confront his own father. You know how stern Alpha and Omega Kim are. However, it was father who found out when a note dropped from my sleeve. He demanded I hand over the note. I could see the fury in father's eyes while he read it, and I thought I was going to die right there. But then, after reading the note, father had walked away."
Jungkook felt perplexed. "He walked away?"
"Yes," Jun-seo reaffirms. "I know. I was so thrown off because I thought my life was ending there, but instead I was left standing, just staring at eomma, who was also staring back in fear and shock. I thought father had left to get something to hurt me with."
Hearing that terrifies Jungkook, and noticing that, Jun-seo shakes his head and holds onto his hands.
"No, hyung, it didn't happen. Father never came back and only returned later during the evening. He didn't speak to me for a week. For a whole week, I was on guard, thinking he was preparing how he was going to deal with me. However, when he did come, he told me he spoke with Alpha Kim."
"Taerin's father?"
Jun-seo nods. "They spoke, and Taerin formally asked to mate with me. Father had approved."
Jungkook was stunned.
Seeing the stunned look in his eyes, Jun-seo says, "I know, hyung. I was completely shocked, too."
"This is genuinely so hard to believe... father out of all people? Wow..."
"And guess what, hyung?"
"What?"
"Father was the one who told me to invite you."
Jungkook doesn't mask the shock that overcomes him.
His father told Jun-seo to invite him.
What?
"I know, hyung! I thought I didn't hear him right, but when he told me that, I was so happy, too. I really wanted you to be there and to hear from father himself to invite you... I cried with joy. I am so, so happy you're here, hyung."
Jungkook hugged Jun-seo again, seeing as his brother appeared like he was ready to cry.
And honestly, he was too.
However, more than anything, Jungkook was astonished, still not quite believing what his brother had revealed to him.
Jungkook cannot help but think that perhaps his father really had gotten some sense into him after he had left.