[Fic] Tell Me I'm A Bad Man (Kick Me Like A Stray)

[thesockmonster]

Tao smells like trees and dirt and Jongin nuzzles his face into a warm neck to inhale more of him. The tightening of skin over his chest doesn't hurt at the small action and Jongin's eyes open only to squeeze shut at the invading sunlight. He groans and brings the blanket over his head, hoping to block it out. A raspy laugh filters into the silence of the room and Jongin peeks out and tilts his head up to see Tao looking at him with a smile. To be completely honest with himself, Jongin had expected to feel the numbness again, emotions dampened with the lack of pain and adrenaline, but they're ever present and it will definitely take some getting used to. "How long was I out?" Jongin asks, squinting until his eyes adjust.

Tao cranes his neck to read the clock on the bedside table. "14 hours or so." That explains the stiffness. Jongin sits up slowly, the blanket slipping to reveal angry pink lines down his chest where there used to be deep gashes. Tao leans up behind him, hooking his chin over Jongin's shoulder to look down. "They look better."

"You did a good job."

"Is that a compliment?" Tao laughs. "From you?"

"Don't get used to it," Jongin says, trying to add some bite to it, but he's smiling and he can't seem to stop. Tao laughs harder and Jongin elbows him in the ribs so he falls back on the mattress.

.So much unexplored territory, so many never used emotions invading from all sides and Jongin has to deliberately not pull away. It's so engraved in him to run, to block out anything except pain and the freedom of the wolf that now he's fighting with himself to not do something irrationally stupid. He doesn't even know he's trembling until Tao's arms are wrapped around his middle, a warm chest pressed to his back and Tao's breath on his neck. "It's ok," he whispers. A light kiss just below Jongin's ear has him exhaling a shuddered sigh. He doesn't want to run and hide. Tao's embrace is safe and comforting and Jongin leans into it hesitantly as if waiting for the other man to disappear.

But he doesn't and Jongin allows himself to relax again, untensing muscles he didn't know had been preparing to make the jump. The urge to pull away every time Tao presses a kiss along the column of his neck is slowly fading and Jongin hums before turning his head so their mouths meet. It's timid, Tao and Jongin both bracing themselves for the potential backlash that never comes. A welcome euphoria races down his spine and Jongin's the one who twists to settle on Tao's lap, licking through parted lips for more. Tao moans and the sound settles between Jongin's legs, his toes curling and heart beating frantically in his chest.

Hands roam familiar skin, for once not intent on bruising because the primal need to be together is beginning to take over. Jongin is rocking down, legs wrapped firmly around Tao's waist as he pants into the other man's mouth between kisses. It's sloppy and uncontrolled, the heat building and his body tingling in anticipation. The pads of Tao's fingers are rough and they catch on Jongin's healing wounds, scratching against tender skin until he's aching. Jongin's not surprised the pain adds to his arousal.

Being bound together without having actually mated yet is guiding their actions until Jongin finds himself flat on his back with Tao over him, pressing a lubed finger between his legs. Jongin had never given much thought to having a mate, but even then he’d imagined it the other way around. He’s always been the dominant sort, but he willingly spreads his legs further for Tao because it feels right. His fingers curl in blood stained sheets at the foreign sensation, stuck between wanting more and twitching to pull away. In the end, it’s Tao’s warm palm resting on his stomach that stills his trepidation and Jongin accepts him wholly.

The pain of a second finger twists the knot in his stomach, his cock hardening further until it’s flush and red and Jongin wants so badly to be touched. He bites down the whine that wants to come out and instead rocks his hips down, Tao looking up in mild surprise at the action. Jongin raises an eyebrow and Tao smirks, sliding in the third digit. The sting rushes up and Jongin moans, head falling back and neck bare for Tao to stretch up and bite. And he does, teeth attached to skin as his fingers work Jongin open harder and faster.

Jongin hooks a leg around Tao’s waist when he’s ready, using his weight to swing them around so he’s straddling the other man and looking down at him with a smirk. He thinks Tao may put up a fight, but his body is relaxed and his bottom lip is in his teeth, the look on his face daring Jongin to do something. He slicks Tao’s cock slowly, pumping up and down the shaft more than necessary just to see Tao’s mouth falling open. “Jongin,” he growls and said man snaps his teeth before lifting himself onto his knees.

Tao’s cock is thicker than his fingers and despite the preparation, Jongin has to clench his teeth and choke back the pained noise threatening to bubble up when the tip breaches. He pants into the air, chin resting on his chest and eyes squeezed shut. Tao rests hands on his hips, running fingers soothingly over his skin until Jongin finds the strength to slide the rest of the way down. It’s a completely new sensation, being so full and feeling Tao’s cock pulsing inside him. He groans, taking a moment so he doesn’t tear himself open before rocking his hips.

Tao moans and Jongin loves the sound so he lifts and drops, surprising himself because he didn’t expect it to feel so good. It’s an instant addiction that threads through him and Jongin begins a slow up and down just to feel more. Tao’s hands grip harder around his hips, urging him to quicken and he does. His head falls back, mouth slack and hands now bracing on his lover’s thighs. His hips rotate and Tao lifts into it, sending liquid lust shooting through every part of Jongin’s sensitive body. Small pleasured noises turn into moans, each one louder than the last until Jongin’s voice is cracking.

Too lost in his own pleasure, Jongin’s startled at the sudden move that leaves him on his hands and knees with Tao behind him. A hand pushes down on the back of his neck, forcing his head into the mattress as Tao slides into him again. Jongin barely has a chance to breathe, balling fists in the sheets and bouncing back with each snap of Tao’s hips. The first time Tao growls, Jongin nearly loses it. He fights to take in enough air, spreading his legs apart more in a clear sign of submission, letting his mate take and take and take.

His own cock sways heavy between his legs, but Jongin doesn’t do anything to alleviate the pressure because he wants this to never end. It’s a cross between a whine and a growl when Tao leans forward enough to jerk him off with his free hand. Jongin bucks backward, almost trying to get him to stop but it doesn’t work. Tao growls and moves the hand on Jongin’s neck only to bite down on the newly exposed skin. Jongin yelps at the sudden pain and that’s all it takes for him to come. He unintentionally shreds Tao’s sheet with every pulse that rocks his body.

Tao’s teeth only sink into his neck further when he finds his own release, latching on until his fangs come out and dig deeper. Jongin shudders at the piercing pain and another wave of pleasure washes over him. He’s been marked by Tao now. Jongin falls limp onto the mattress, cringing at the wet spot under his stomach, but before he can move, Tao’s weight drops on him. He grunts and attempts to wriggle away only to stop when Tao releases his neck and begins licking over the punctures.

A contented sigh escapes his lips and his toes curl with every swipe of Tao’s tongue over sweaty skin. This is something he can gladly get used to. After Tao finishes cleaning Jongin’s neck, he noses his way down for a messy kiss.

“Get off me,” Jongin grunts when their mouths part. “You’re not exactly light.”

Jongin gasps when Tao pushes him further into the bed before getting up, leaving him shivering at the sudden exposure to cool air. He rolls onto his back and Tao take it upon himself to settle over him again. Jongin’s eyes immediately go to the scar on Tao’s shoulder where he’d marked him. His fingers trace over the outline of his teeth and he feels an odd sort of pride at the image of himself branded into Tao’s skin. Their bodies can heal most anything without a trace left behind, but marks are different. A mark never fades and now Jongin has one on the back of his neck to match. What a pair they make.

“I suppose you’ll be moving in now,” Tao comments and Jongin stares at him with wide eyes. “There’s no telling what kind of trouble you’ll get into without me.”

Jongin lifts a knee into Tao’s side and feels mollified at the pained gasp that follows.

It’s not exactly as if Jongin’s going to miss his small room, but living with someone else is something he’s never done before. At first he’s hesitant, keeping to the sides as Tao goes about his usual routine. (Like in the mornings when he stretches beautifully in the middle of the living room, muscles taut and skin sweaty by the time he’s done. It leaves Jongin a little light headed every time and Tao winks, forcing a frown onto his face at the display of arrogance.) And then he’s alone as Tao goes to work, leaving Jongin to his own devices. He’s almost afraid to touch anything because it’s not his. It’s Tao’s. And this is all so new and on more than one occasion he’s tempted to just get up and leave. It’s overwhelming for someone so used to being closed off.

But then Tao is there at night, all hands and mouth as he brings Jongin over the edge again and again. Sometimes they make it to the bed, but usually they don’t. Jongin mostly finds himself bent over the couch or pressed back on top of the kitchen counter with Tao between his legs. There is also the one time they ventured into the shower together which was deemed a bad idea when they couldn’t keep their hands to themselves and took down the shower rod when they fell, curtain wrapped around their legs. It had been awkward, but they didn’t stop to laugh over the situation until they were done and the bathroom floor was a soaked mess.

And it’s these moments that keep him grounded, weaving fingers into his mate’s hair and pressing kisses into his skin when they’re laying in bed together about to fall asleep. Slowly, he accustoms himself and realizes Tao’s not going to kick him out for cooking a meal or rearranging his books into alphabetical order because the haphazard way they were stacked was driving him crazy.

Jongin finally finds himself feeling at home when Tao sinks a fist into his stomach for acting like a bitch over burning dinner. He’s taken aback at first until he spies the playful spark in Tao’s eyes and then it’s back to the good old days. Jongin lunges and Tao hits the floor with a thunk that resonates. Punches and kicks fly until Jongin is pinned and Tao is kissing down his chest, Jongin’s hands tied together over his head with his shirt.

Right at home.

It's far more simple than Jongin had expected to fall into this bonded relationship. Things he never would have done before come so naturally. He supposes he's always been capable of this, but never had cause or reason to act upon it. Now he does.

Tao is at his side, midnight black fur blending with the shadows criss-crossing along the forest floor as they run as fast as they can. The attraction to the other wolf is just as strong in this form, keeping them side by side effortlessly. There’s no destination, only running together because it feels so damn good. Two halves of a whole finally melding together under the moonlight and Jongin howls. Tao follows, their howls ringing out in the air around them as their paws create paths through the trees.

They break into a clearing minutes later, trees surrounding overgrown grass dotted with dandelions. Jongin watches as the white puffs fan into the air with every step and he’s so entranced he doesn’t notice Tao until he’s being shoved onto his side. He growls, snapping at Tao as he darts back out of reach. Jongin pounces, but Tao doesn’t move. They roll through the grass until stopping with Tao’s head nestled under Jongin’s and both of them seem content enough to stay this way.

Tao licks over Jongin’s muzzle a few times and Jongin’s chest rumbles happily. They fall asleep under the moonlight, daring to slink back home near dawn with grass stuck to their fur and bodies brushing against each other every step of the way.

There's a finger poking his cheek and Jongin bats it away before it's right back and he turns to give Baekhyun a baleful look. "What?" he finally demands when his coworker won't leave him alone.

"You're all glowy," the small man comments with the largest smile Jongin's ever seen plastered on his face.

He looks down at his arm in confusion and then back up with furrowed eyebrows and a frown. "Glowing? Please don't tell me you finally decided to smoke the hemp bracelets."

Baekhyun pokes Jongin's cheek again. "I meant metaphorically, you ass. You're all -" Baekhyun gestures wildly with both hands before settling them daintily on his hips. "Oh. You got laid."

"What?" Jongin chokes, but his cover is blown by the blush that decides to spread across his cheeks. The sheer satisfaction written on Baekhyun's face is downright scary.

"I knew it! Who is it?" Jongin scrunches his nose and turns away, hoping it'll deter Baekhyun from his interrogation. He's wrong. There's a face next to his, chin resting on his shoulder and Jongin freezes. "Please." There's a pout on Baekhyun's lips and Jongin wishes he was immune to it. He purposely keeps his eyes pointed down at the counter. A gasp spills out when he spies where he's somehow carved Tao's name into the wood and he hastily covers it with a hand, attempting to look as nonchalant as possible. "Is it Joonmyun?" Baekhyun guesses.

Jongin looks at him with disgust. "Joonmyun? That's who you go with?"

Baekhyun shrugs. "He's always in here to see you. I just thought he finally got through that icy exterior you keep up."

Maybe Baekhyun's not as airheaded as Jongin thought and he stares at him intently. "Joonmyun's not my type," he says finally.

"Then who?" Baekhyun whines, dragging out the question and encircling Jongin's waist with his arms. Jongin looks down at the clasped hands secure against his side then back up at Baekhyun. Baekhyun is really pushing his boundaries - and probably knows it - because Jongin isn't one who enjoys being touched. (Unless it's Tao, but that's an entirely different situation.) The smaller man's eyes are narrowed and he looks evil. "Are you ticklish, Jongin?"

There's no time to answer before Baekhyun's fingers are under Jongin's shirt and attacking his sides. A very feminine shriek echoes and Jongin doesn't hesitate to run. He darts passed Baekhyun and into the open space, being followed by an insistent coworker who is still demanding answers. Jongin happens to be very ticklish and now his weakness is out in the open. Baekhyun advances and Jongin moves behind one of the long tables with crates of albums stacked across the top. Baekhyun slides under and Jongin runs out and toward the entrance, stopping in his tracks when the door opens and the bell chimes.

"Good aftern-" Jongin's cut off as Baekhyun jumps onto his back, arms latched around his neck and legs around his waist. "Noon," Jongin gasps out, hands coming up to pull at his new human-sized leech.

The man in front of him is looking at the two of them curiously and Jongin can't really blame him. "Is there anything we can help you with?" Baekhyun chimes in, voice loud in Jongin's ear and he sounds far too happy up there.

"Not really," the customer says in a surprisingly deep voice. He looks far too young to be in a place like this, but Jongin can't really judge since Baekhyun listens to most of this outdated music voluntarily and they can't be that far apart in age.

"Well if you change your mind, let us know."

Jongin resists the urge to growl and throw Baekhyun from his back like he could easily do. He'd hate to break the human - kinda. With Baekhyun still attached he shuffles all the way around to the register, refusing to speak even as the man huffs in his ear. For someone his age, he's incredibly childish.

"Why won't you tell me?"

"Because it's none of your business," Jongin answers in a low voice because his personal life isn't something he wants to advertise to strangers.

"Aren't we friends?"

Jongin leans forward and lets his forehead connect with the counter. Baekhyun lets out a yelp when he loses his grip and slides to the ground with a thunk.

There's something off. Jongin can sense it.

The lock clicks on the door and Baekhyun pulls out his key, pocketing it before turning to head toward his house. Jongin stands and listens to the noise he makes, humming to himself as he turns the corner. It always takes several minutes for Baekhyun to be out of hearing range, but not tonight. He's cut short and Jongin's hackles raise as he takes off after him. Every muscle in his body feels tightly wound and they have been for the last hour. He doesn't know why, but there's a sinking fear eating away at him and it makes his legs move faster. The edge of the building is just ahead and he turns, halting almost immediately when he sees two figures in the distance. It's not an alley, but more of a small parking lot with only one vehicle parked across three spaces.

What gets his attention is the large man now holding Baekhyun, hand over his mouth and a gun pressed to his temple. Eyes flicker up and Jongin's relatively surprised to find himself staring at the customer who had visited the store earlier. One whiff and the presence of silver tickles in his nose. Jongin snarls, eyes flaring red momentarily because this isn't a man. This is a hunter. He feels like such an idiot for not noticing it before. His guard had been down, complacent with his new lot in life and now it's all catching up with him. This is the reason he always ran. So they couldn't finish the job they failed to do two decades ago.

Baekhyun whimpers and the hunter smirks at Jongin as if daring him to make a move. From this distance there's no way he can get to the human in time to prevent his death and the fact that he actively cares whether Baekhyun lives or dies is a testament to how much his bond is changing him. Before all this, Jongin would have run and not given two shits who died in the process of his escape. But now Baekhyun is staring at him with wide, teary eyes and Jongin's stomach lurches because he doesn't want this. He wants childish Baekhyun to continue living his simple life with his mundane problems and stupid grin, ignorant of all the evil in the world.

Anger floods and the wolf craves to take over and Jongin licks his lips as he prepares to try and take out the hunter without getting Baekhyun's brains splattered on the asphalt in the process.

"Not so fast, mutt," comes a deep voice from behind him and the rage flares white hot in his veins. He'd paid too much attention to the scene in front of him to notice the addition of another player. Jongin doesn't turn but he smells the silver, strong and stinging its way down the back of his throat. With the amount of the precious metal inside those bullets, he'd be dead with one well aimed shot. "This is how we're going to do this." The tip of the barrel is cold on the back of Jongin's neck and it sends a line of goosebumps flourishing down his spine. "Chanyeol here is going to take your bitch of a human for a little ride." Jongin growls and the gun is pushed harder into his skin. It burns from silver residue left behind. Either he didn't clean his gun or he's very recently used it. And the idea of hunters being here, of Tao being in danger heightens Jongin's fear a thousand fold. It also enhances everything else, adrenaline and fierce protective nature kicking in. "And if you behave, we'll let him go."

"Behave," Jongin snorts. "So you can put me down like a dog."

"That's the idea, so play nice."

Jongin clenches his jaw before he can say anything to put Baekhyun's life in further danger. He wishes he could convey how sorry he is to the other man who's now whimpering as he's tossed in the passenger seat of the car. If he could tell Baekhyun it would be alright, maybe it would ease the fear. But he can't and the last thing he sees are the tears tracking down Baekhyun's face as the car drives past. There's no use trying to explain that Baekhyun isn't his because it's not like the hunter is going to believe him. Their breed aren't exactly known for being rational.

"If I'm not at the meeting point in an hour, that boy's death will be on your hands," the voice informs him and Jongin's chest rumbles with a growl.

"It's not me with a gun pointed at someone's head," he retorts.

"But think of how many lives I will be avenging by killing you. Think of all the lives I will save."

"Is this what you say to yourself so you can sleep at night because you're murdering innocent people?"

A foot connects with the back of his left knee and Jongin is forced to the ground. "You're not a person," he hisses.

"But Baekhyun is. And killing him is murder."

"There's no quarter for a human low enough to befriend the likes of you."

Something clicks in Jongin's brain and he smirks before craning his head to the side so he can get a better measure of his situation. "So this is a vengeance gig for you then. Some Big Bad got a bite of your mommy or daddy, right?"

Another kick and Jongin is face down on the pavement and that was a bad move by the hunter. Before the man can answer, Jongin is slipping away with a roll and on his feet with time to spare. The gun fires and he feels the breeze of the bullet going passed his ear. That was close. It's reflexive, his arm extending and hand wrapping around the hunter's wrist to twist until the weapon falls with a clatter. Jongin feels the beast rearing its head and he's quite inclined to let it take over and do the dirty work for him. He's eluded his fair share of hunters, but never fought one before and the prospect of a good fight is too enticing to pass up. "I really hope that's not all you've got," Jongin taunts.

The hunter is taller than he is, but not by much. Dark eyes narrow as they drag over Jongin's form as if sizing him up. The man quirks his lips up in a mean smile and a pair of knives slip into his palms from inside his jacket. "Not even close." One of the blades slices just enough to make Jongin's wrist bleed and he releases his hold because it burns. Fucking silver again. He almost rolls his eyes at the predictability. "Come on, pup."

This time Jongin does roll his eyes. "What are you, like a year older than me? Two max? Stop with the idiotic banter and hit me." It's a well aimed punch that would have gotten Jongin in the face if he wasn't significantly faster and already standing two feet to the left. "I said hit me."

The hunter, Jongin has to admit, is light on his feet for a man of his stature - all lean with long arms and legs and very large hands. One of those arms is closing in and Jongin jerks back, but a fraction of a second too late. There's a smooth cut across his cheek now beginning to drip blood, the silver lingering long enough to throw him off his guard. Perhaps he needs to reign in his pride for this otherwise he's liable to lose. The smirk on the man's face is soon wiped clean by Jongin's fist, sweeping over his jaw with enough force to send him crashing back and out of range. Not that it's a problem; Jongin is already pursuing him as the man scrambles to find his balance, one hand holding his injured face.

Blood hits the ground when the hunter spits and Jongin counts it as the first in a long line of small victories he hopes to achieve in this encounter. The next one is coming up, hunching down and slamming his shoulder into his chest, sending them both to the ground. He can feel the wolf surfacing, eyes turning red and claws extending as he growls down. Saliva pools and drips on the exposed skin of his prey's neck.

"Nothing but a mindless beast," the hunter taunts.

Jongin snarls and grabs onto his self control enough to keep his wits. As much as he'd like to drag this out, he needs as much time as he can to track where Baekhyun's been taken so he can get there before he's killed. And it's not likely this hunter will talk no matter how long Jongin torments him; loyalty and oaths and all that shit humans don't have a clue about, but this one looks like the stubborn type. The claws retract and Jongin manages to get one of the knives away. He's reaching for the other, but the hunter is fast and it's buried in Jongin's side before he can get to it. A pained howl rips out of him, head reared back and the stinging bite of silver wedging between his ribs is all consuming. It's enough of a distraction for the hunter to throw Jongin off. He lands on his back and blinks once before pulling the blade out and letting it fall to the ground. Breathing hurts and he cringes when he gets back to his feet.

Too slow. The hunter takes Jongin by the hair and a fist lands solidly on his face. Everything goes out of focus and Jongin tries to pull away, but another punch has him off balance. The blows are relentless and Jongin knows he's a mess, but the hunter can't keep it up. Jongin is, in the end, sturdier and the bloody knuckles that impact his cheek one last time crack loud enough for him to hear.

"Son of a bitch," the hunter growls and Jongin's finally able to pull away.

There's blood running down from his forehead and the open gash in his side protests with every movement, but he's alive and he's not going down. He rushes and lets out a satisfied grin when the hunter's back knocks against the brick wall of the building. The man groans and Jongin has a hand around his throat before he can do anything else. The silver is taking its toll, repressing the wolf enough for Jongin's strength to dwindle, but he only needs enough time to put the hunter out of commission. A large hand comes up and grabs him by the hair in an attempt to pry Jongin away.

A flash of glinting metal and Jongin feels the bullet speeding through his shoulder before he registers the sound of a shot being fired. Fire races down and his arm drops uselessly to the side. He's shoved back, landing in a heap before he's kicked onto his back by a steel-tipped boot to the chest that knocks all the breath out of his lungs. The pain is searing and he struggles to blink the darkness back that's invading his vision. He looks up to see the gun pointed at his head and wonders how they ended up back where they started.

"The name is Kris," the hunter says, trying to sound tough through his own labored breathing. "So you can tell your cellmate in Hell who sent you."

Despite it all - the agony and the fear and the knowing he's about to die - Jongin laughs. "Did you practice that line in front of a mirror?" Talking hurts and he hisses through clenched teeth from the effort.

"You still don't get it. I win and you're dead."

The cocking of the barrel echoes in Jongin's ears, but it's the wolf who reacts. It's a series of events he doesn't take the time to deconstruct. His body rolls just before the gun fires. The sound of the bullet ricocheting off the asphalt is followed by a grunted curse and then Jongin has his claws out and raking across the hunter's neck. The man looks surprised, eyes wide and mouth open when he crumbles to the ground. The wolf calms and Jongin stares down at the man clutching at his throat in an effort to stop the bleeding. He knows just by looking that it's not enough to kill him and even after all this, he doesn't want to kill him. Jongin's never taken a human life before and if he does now, it will make him exactly what they want.

It isn't long before the hunter succumbs to the pain and loss of blood, eyes rolling back in his head and body going lax. Jongin pats him down after kicking the gun away. There's a cell phone in his pocket and Jongin shatters it against the side of the building. He can't chance him waking up and calling his friend to finish Baekhyun off.

He’s leaning against the wall for a breather, pain pressing in from every corner, when he realizes there’s no way he can get to Baekhyun in time. Not like this. He needs help. It’s with his tail between his legs that Jongin peels himself away from the strong surface to hobble his way out to the street. He pushes through it, wheezing and clinging to his senses as his shirt sticks to his side and shoulder with the blood steadily trickling out from his wounds. The silver makes it tougher for him to heal, but at least the agonizing burn from the metal has faded into a dull ache. And the bullet seems to have gone all the way through so he doesn’t need to worry about dying. At least not from that.

Every step is torture, every move threatening to take him out of the game, to force him to fall to the ground and pass out in a pool of blood. The flow isn’t stemming and he knows he needs Tao. His stomach plummets in the knowledge that he needs someone now and it’s such an unfamiliar thing. But it’s emollient enough knowing that Tao will also be there. He won’t have to beg or trade or pander to his ego. He can slump onto his mate and he’ll be there through it all.

The idea gets him moving faster, an image burning on the insides of his eyelids to drive him forward. City lights fade into the background and Jongin is dragging himself through the trees, leaves rustling angrily under his scraping feet and breath rattling in his lungs. They’re filling with blood.

The first house he comes to is Joonmyun’s and a sob almost pours from his mouth when he sees the lights on. It feels an eternity before he gets to the door, fist pounding weakly against wood. When it opens, Jongin falls forward and is caught in small arms.

“Jongin!” he hears and it’s Joonmyun holding him up. He keeps calling his name and Jongin manages to grunt to let him know he can hear.

There’s someone else in the room and Jongin can’t sort the scent, the medley of the entire pack’s odors all over the entire place so he’s in the dark until they shuffle closer. Sehun.

“Sehun, get the others. Get Tao. Now.”

Joonmyun manages to keep him up and Jongin hears the howling of Sehun’s wolf, loud enough to echo down through the trees and reach them all. It isn’t long before he hears the running steps, his hands now clutching against Joonmyun because he can’t stay up very much longer. He starts slipping and Joonmyun heaves, but it’s no use; not with his dead weight balancing awkwardly between them.

A stronger set of arms embrace him from behind and Jongin moans when Tao’s scent envelopes him, thick and addicting. “Fuck, Jongin,” Tao says as he tries to maneuver Jongin further into the house so they’re not blocking the door. “Do you ever stay out of trouble?”

“Is that a trick question?” Jongin mumbles, wincing when his shoulder is moved. He tries to twist away to alleviate the pain because as much as he embraces the feeling, too much is too much.

Jongin has to admire the speed at which the entire pack shows up, one after the other before he’s even gotten to the couch. It’s black at least so he doesn’t have to worry too much over his blood staining the cushions. Tao lays him down as gently as he can and Jongin watches as his mate surveys his injuries. Fingers brush his side and the noise of pain he makes has Tao shaking. Jongin doesn’t show weakness like this.

“Silver,” he grits out. “Hunters.”

The silence that fills the room is deafening.

“They took Baekhyun.”

Jongdae is the one who rushes over and crouches down next to Jongin. “Where?” he breathes.

“South, headed out of town in some banged up old Mustang. There’s only one with him I think.”

Jongdae glances at Joonmyun who is looking at him with lips thinned and arms crossed. “Not alone.”

Sehun and Yixing step up and they’re all out the door and disappearing into the night. Jongin feels a little better knowing they’ll be able to track him down. If he placed the look on Jongdae’s face right, Baekhyun has nothing to fear.

“How did they find us?” Joonmyun says more to himself, but they all hear.

Tao busies himself with ripping open Jongin’s shirt to examine the damage, fingers running over bruising skin and around the puncture through his ribs. Jongin squirms and Tao motions for Kyungsoo to come over and hold him down. Firm hands push against his chest and Tao goes for Jongin’s shoulder first, tongue dipping into the hole and Jongin howls, claws coming out to push him away as Kyungsoo pushes down harder.

“We’ve been so careful.” Joonmyun doesn’t sound happy at all.

Jongin’s head falls to the side, eyes half-closed and noises choking off in his throat because he simply doesn’t have the strength to fight the insistent licking over the bullet wound. He focuses on Luhan who is sitting off in the corner, picking at his fingers nervously and his eyes cast down to the floor. Nausea roils in Jongin’s stomach and the pain is momentarily forgotten. “You,” he hisses at Luhan. If it weren’t for Kyungsoo and Tao both, Jongin would have launched himself at the silver haired wolf.

All eyes fall on Luhan who is now out of his seat and backing into the corner.

“What did you do?” Joonmyun asks, voice strained.

Luhan shakes his head, refusing to look at his mate at all as he shrinks as far as he can.

“What did you do?”

And Jongin sees the ripple of an alpha command travel over Luhan's form until he's on his hands and knees, staring at the floor with clenched teeth and trembling arms. “I just wanted him gone,” Luhan confesses. “They promised they wouldn’t hurt the pack. Just Jongin.”

“And you believed that bullshit?” Jongin demands. “They don’t care if you hunt or stay in and knit every full moon. Hunters will kill every single one of you without remorse. My parents never harmed a soul and hunters killed them inside their own home just for being what they are.”

Joonmyun is looking at Luhan in horror, the wolf in him pulling his lips into a sneer as his fists clench at his sides. “I’ll deal with you later.” Jongin has never heard Joonmyun sound so cold, composure lost and anger finally coming to the surface. And now he’s thankful he’s never brought it out in the alpha because the strength behind that frail looking form is frightening. “Our priority is the hunters.”

“The hunters are mine,” Jongin says and Tao glares down at him with a growl.

“You’re not alone anymore, idiot,” Tao says, knocking their foreheads together affectionately.

“This isn’t your fight.” The very idea of Tao getting hurt because of this entire mess is something Jongin refuses to accept.

“Yes it is.” Tao looks over at Joonmyun who nods in their direction.

“How many?” Joonmyun asks.

“Two. I left one in the parking lot by the shop. With any luck he’s still out.”

“Not dead?” Tao and Joonmyun both ask in surprise.

Jongin bites back a growl. “Not dead. I’m not an animal.”

“We’ll go after him. You two stay put.” Joonmyun’s head snaps toward Luhan. “You will stay by my side until this is over,” he orders and Luhan whimpers before getting off the floor to join his mate and alpha. The pitiful look on his face does nothing to ease the burning anger Jongin has. Sending hunters after him is one thing, but putting Tao in their path is unacceptable.

It takes only moments for the rest of the pack to be outside and on the move, leaving Jongin and Tao alone in the house. Tao goes back to licking, his shoulder itching as it slowly begins healing closed. He knows he needs to tell Tao it goes all the way through so he can get the back, but that means he’d be moved and he doesn’t know if he can handle it.

“This will be easier at home,” Tao mumbles and Jongin merely groans. “I know. Just, hold on to me.”

Tao lifts Jongin off the couch and everything screams to be dropped back down. He stumbles on legs that won’t stop shaking and the room is spinning dangerously and he thinks he’s going to be sick. “Bad plan,” he gets out before trying to lay back down.

“Oh no,” Tao says as he grabs Jongin and supports his weight with an arm around his waist. His shirt is ripped the rest of the way off so it stops getting in the way. Jongin would bitch about being down to one wearable shirt if he were in the proper mindset. Only he’s amazed he’s still conscious at all.

Two steps forward and Tao is obviously rethinking the plan, now lifting Jongin off the floor completely. He’s only kind of mortified that he’s being carried bridal style, but his injured arm is on the outside so there’s less pain and his side is snug against Tao’s chest and it feels nice. Jongin foregoes complaining for the moment. He’d hate to be dropped.

“I really hope this won’t be a regular occurrence,” Tao comments along the way, feet crunching over leaves. Jongin glares up at him as best he can and Tao smiles. The very sight itself has Jongin’s heart racing and he smiles back through it all. “I should have kept the receipt.”

Jongin’s mouth falls open in mock indignation as Tao’s eyes shine in the moonlight. Even like this, body broken and battered, he’s managed to find happiness. It’s still a little hard to believe.

They both sense it too late and Jongin’s slipping from Tao’s grip right after gunshot goes off. He lands hard and everything is out of focus, a hand reaching out for Tao who is now down on his knees and grabbing his right thigh. Rage has nothing on what Jongin is feeling, eyes shooting over to the hunter - Kris - he’d left in a parking lot to bleed. Bastard was stronger than Jongin accounted for and now he’s paying for it.

“Two for the price of one,” he says confidently as he strolls toward them with one hand still clamped to his neck and the gun in the other. “I suppose I should thank you for making this so easy.”

Jongin digs fingers into the dirt, the tips aching with the need to release his claws. His vision fuzzes and everything is red - from the grass to the trees to the silhouette of Kris walking ever closer to Tao. Every step he takes toward Tao is another death sentence and the wolf is clawing at him to take over and sink his teeth into every bit of flesh he can find. And Jongin is a hairsbreadth away from letting it.

Overconfidence is the downfall of many a man and Kris seems to be no different. If he’d just shot off two rounds, one in each of them, from a distance then they’d be dead and he’d be on his way. But as it stands, he’s within arm’s reach of Tao when he aims the gun at the man’s head from behind. Jongin locks eyes with Tao and the nod is barely a twitch, but he picks it up loud and clear.

Tao spins on his good ankle and disarms the hunter in one move, the gun landing several meters away before he strikes and takes the man to the ground. Jongin has to appreciate the sheer ferocity of his mate - of muscle shifting under skin and the growls that rip out of his throat as he bares his teeth to the man pinned under him. It’s a thing of beauty. Kris doesn’t stand a chance against Tao and Jongin’s wolf recedes a little.

Until he hears the yelp when he’s kicked in the thigh where he’s been shot and tossed to the side. Kris is going for the gun and Tao is using both hands to hold his leg that’s now bleeding profusely and there’s no way Tao can avoid another shot. Jongin is up on his feet, fangs out and claws itching to rip and tear and bleed his prey. Adrenaline all but numbs the pain enough for him to lunge, forcing Kris onto his stomach before he can reach his weapon. Tao is calling his name and Kris is gasping for air, but Jongin isn’t entirely in possession of his humanity. In one swift move he sinks teeth in Kris’ neck, canines piercing easily through already ripped skin. The wolf snarls in delight, refusing to release his hold until his prey stills and stops fighting. Fingernails scrape over Jongin’s arms and legs thrash to buck him off, but it’s all useless. A wolf doesn’t let go until it wants.

“JONGIN!” Tao’s voice is loud and it’s only then, when his mate is over him and tugging at his arm, that he finally relents. He falls back on his haunches as Tao attempts to drag him away, legs dragging through the dirt until they end up as a bloody pile leaning against a tree with the hunter still face down and unmoving. “What did you do?”

Kris groans and rolls himself onto his back, both Tao and Jongin going stiff at the movement, but the hunter makes no attempt to do anything else.

“Let him see how it feels to be hunted,” Jongin says loud enough for Kris to hear. The reality of the situation leaves silence in its wake and Jongin sobers at the idea that he’s just created another wolf for the first time. And a hunter at that.

Jongin twists as best he can, looking up at Tao whose eyes are still riveted on Kris. “Hey,” he whispers, gaining the other man’s attention. Tao’s head snaps down and before Jongin can tell him it’s alright and everything will be fine, Tao is kissing him. It’s desperate and needy and Jongin is happy to give in. They only pull apart when they smell the rest of the pack nearing.

Jongin spies Sehun and Yixing and he looks at Joonmyun with wide eyes. “Baekhyun?”

“Safe,” he assures him. “Jongdae took him home.”

Jongin sags in relief only to lift again when Tao hisses in pain behind him. The others come over to help them up, Kyungsoo supporting Tao as Minseok picks Jongin from the ground and cradles him similar to how Tao had him. It’s still embarrassing, but he thanks him.

They all watch as Joonmyun approaches the hunter still on the ground. He crouches beside him, grasping his jaw and turning his head to inspect the bite on his neck. “We’ll have to move,” he says loud enough for them to hear. Jongin’s eyes catch on Luhan as he shuffles nervously in the back.

Joonmyun moves away and Kris’ hand shoots out and grabs him, long fingers around a small wrist. Luhan is at his mate’s side in an instant, growling down at the hunter.

“Kill me,” Kris says in a raspy voice.

“We don’t kill.” Joonmyun’s voice is emotionless and he shakes free of the weak hold to stand and walk away. He doesn’t need to say anything for the pack to follow him. Kyungsoo and Minseok branch off to deposit the injured pair at Tao’s house, promising to bring word of any decisions made in the aftermath.

They’re down by the river, staring down at the rushing water with clasped hands and the sounds of the forest all around them. It’s a silent goodbye, a thank you for being a wonderful home because the pack is moving on. Kris’ body was gone by morning and all signs of the hunters have disappeared. Jongdae has convinced Baekhyun to come with them and preparations for a new life in a new place are already underway. Joonmyun and Luhan left days ago and now they’re all following.

Jongin turns to look at Tao, squeezing his hand and smiling. Tao is still playing with his hair, now bleached a dirty blond. He keeps complaining about it, but Jongin likes it. It’s a really good look on him and Jongin leans up to kiss him, grinning as their mouths meet.

“What?” Tao asks, because Jongin is being uncannily sweet.

“Nothing.”

Tao rolls his eyes and uses their linked hands to drag Jongin back toward the house and the mostly packed up vehicle parked out front. All of it is Tao’s since Jongin had a bag’s worth of clothes (pants) to his name and nothing more. Even the shirt he’s wearing now belongs to Tao and Jongin likes the smell. But then he supposes he belongs to Tao too and he rather enjoys the way it makes his heart skip a beat.

He may be running again, but now they’re running together. A pack and a home - two things he never wanted yet now he can’t imagine life without them.

“Get your ass in the car,” Tao gripes when Jongin stares too long at the forest they’re leaving behind.

“Bite my ass,” he tosses back.

“Don’t tempt me.”

~le fucking end