Chapter Text
moodboard by the wonderful rié (@koosdolls)
A loud, short bell was ringing overhead, and the heavy steel doors opened with a crash.
“Prisoner, free,” the prison guard said in a stoic voice, rising from his seat. He nodded impatiently towards the gates, eager to let another prisoner - who has served his time - out as quickly as possible.
Jungkook gave him a brief, colorless glance and turned to the gate, clutching his jacket and documents in his hand. The realization of freedom didn’t come immediately - slowly, gradually acquiring a contour and clear features. In front of him was the wasteland, a golden field and a long road, that splits it in two parts. About thirty meters from the gate was an empty bus stop and a parking lot for the visitors and the prison staff. There was nothing within a radius of fifty kilometers of the prison. In case someone escaped, there was no place to hide. No one had ever tried to escape before - it was pointless.
The alpha stomped in place for a few seconds. Out of habit, he ruffled his light brown hair with a reddish tinge barely visible in the sun, and took a step, finally going beyond the prison's threshold. The gate immediately closed, pushing the former prisoner into the hands of freedom, the taste of which was especially sweet after a year in a high-security colony. The past remained behind the gray fence, the present was calling and waiting. Abandoning freedom would no longer be easy.
A dark blue hypercar in the color of the starry night sky was already waiting in the parking lot, shimmering in the sun and shining like a bright new star against the background of a dull, gray prison landscape. The passenger door opened gently, raising like an angel's wing, inviting and welcoming. Quickly looking at the graceful and smooth curves of the car, Jungkook got in, immediately leaning back in the comfortable seat and looking at the horizon, where the blue sky touched the endless field.
“McLaren P1, 2013, hybrid engine,” Jungkook slowly spoke in a low, hoarse voice after two long minutes of silence, as if he was talking about how he had spent his day. “Nine hundred horsepower, not bad,” he nodded approvingly, finally turning his head to the driver. “Rear-wheel drive,” he added, slightly grinning and looking into his older brother’s eyes, that were intently looking back at him through his sunglasses.
“Were you allowed to use Google in prison? “ Hoseok grinned, starting the engine and turning to the road smoothly.
"Roars nice,” Kook said, rolling down the window and putting his hand out of it. “Since when do you drive British ones?” He asked, catching the wind with his fingers as the car flew by. The long-awaited thrill was building up inside, his heart was beating faster and faster, picking up speed as fast as the car.
“About six months,” Hoseok replied, looking at his brother and smiling slightly. “New tattoo?” He asked, noticing the black pattern that resembled a snake's scales, peeking from under the collar of Jungkook’s T-shirt.
His little brother had changed a lot. Hoseok didn’t know how much his inner world had changed during the past year, but he looked older and stronger. His features became sharper, more pointed, his face serious and thoughtful, tiny wrinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes. He became more muscular, it was visible through his extremely tight, white T-Shirt. Compared to him, Hoseok was a frail carcass, just skin and bones. His brother had really changed. Prison had always hardened people and made them stronger. Only one thing had stayed the same: the way he looked at the cars and the road. His stare was still full of adoration, and it was really encouraging.
“Yeah”, Jungkook grinned, gazing at his brother again. Hoseok looked relaxed, lazily driving his fast car. The needle of the speedometer went over 150, the car was flying like an arrow, like a hunting bird that had found its prey. It roared aggressively but melodically, caressing both alphas’ ears. Hoseok had always looked beautiful behind its steering wheel, perfect, as if it were created especially for him. It suited him well, he’d made a good choice.
A light, refreshing breeze blew through the windows, getting into each cell of his body and clearing out all the prison mold living under Jungkook’s skin after this hateful year. Warm sunlight touched his skin, tattooed with different ink patterns, decorating his veiny arms. Jungkook had missed it - speed, the smell of oil and fresh paint, the light crunch of tires leaving a trail of fire on the road. That was his life before the arrest, and today he was starting to live again, breathing in his favorite scents, that smelled better than any perfume.
“Let’s visit the Black Hole tonight,” Hoseok looked at the road, carefully trying to flatten his black hair with one hand, disheveled because of the wind. “Let’s have a little party in honor of your comeback. Our boys will be glad to see you back on the streets again”, he smiled brightly and winked, patting Jungkook’s knee. “But first, let’s go see our father”
“One person won’t be happy,” Kook grinned, leaning his head back on the leather seat and closing his eyes. “I planned to rest for a couple of days, to stay alone with my baby. We haven’t seen each other for too long” he sighed, sending Hoseok a look full of sincere sadness.
“You didn’t miss me as much,” Hoseok said with a false resentment, rolling his eyes. “Your baby is still in our father’s garage, no one has touched it since you were arrested. I bet it has already become rusty without the taste of asphalt and dust,” he chuckled watching his brother’s reaction. “Maybe it’s time to replace it with something new?”
“NO! No way. I’ll take her for a ride tonight, I don’t need another one,” Jungkook responded harshly, squinting and fidgeting in his seat. He patted his worn-out jeans, the same ones he got arrested in. They've become a bit tight around his thighs. Finding nothing, Jungkook looked through his jacket pockets and started getting angry. “Shit… Do you have any cigarettes?”
“Check the glove compartment,” his elder brother answered, pointing with his chin towards it.
Jungkook reached for it, searching through the contents with one hand. Some papers, candy wrappers, which weren’t typical for Hoseok, and finally, what he was searching for. He grabbed a pack of cigarettes and closed the glove compartment. Jungkook wrinkled his face, holding a thin red-white pack and snickered.
“What the fuck? Since when do you smoke cherry cigarettes?” he asked, wrinkling his nose again, losing his enthusiasm, taking out a long thin cigarette and a lighter hidden in the pack.
“Shit, Min Yoongi” Hoseok sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his fingers. “He’s doing this again," the alpha shook his head unhappily, frowning and stroking the steering wheel with his thumb, an old habit. Actually, it was a delight to see something from the past, something that hadn’t changed. “What? Why are you staring at me like that ?” Hoseok rolled his eyes.
“Are you still fucking that jailbait?” Jungkook smirked getting hit in the shoulder at once. Everything started making sense. The candy wrappers: It wasn't Hoseok’s style, but it was certainly Min Yoongi's. His brother’s reaction made the situation even funnier, his lips setting into a thin line, a frown on his face, still concentrating on the road, fingers tightening on the wheel. “He’s still in high school, right? A senior?” Kook teased again, avoiding the next punch and laughing. Hoseok pursed his lips harder, screwing his eyes shut and trying to control the car and punch Jungkook at the same time. “Hey! Watch the road, Hoseok-ah! You will kill us, I have just gotten out of jail, I haven’t even had a chance to live like an ordinary person.”
“Shut up if you don’t want to go on foot,” Hoseok grumbled, frowning one more time and turning away. Jungkook laughed quietly and looked out of the McLaren’s window.
The field was already left behind, the city appearing in front of them: more and more buildings, more green and roads he had traveled many times: they had given him a lot of victories. Well-known crossroads and streets looked as if they were created for the perfect sprints; the main road was long and wide, opening the world of new streets for mad night races. Jungkook had missed it so much.
“Who’s on the streets now?” Jungkook asked looking at the city with interest, as if he was here for the first time, noticing things that had changed and observing the pedestrians. Ordinary people, no prisoners wearing those awful bright orange jumpsuits.
“Many newbies were trying these months. Mostly, jackanapes that have just finished driving schools and don’t really know how to drive, they don’t know what an actual race is,” Hoseok answered, slowly going off the main road. “Im’s crew is still trying. Less than a year ago he took Nowong under control, but I didn’t mess with it, I decided to leave it for you.”
“It’s high time to take back what’s mine,” Jungkook bit his bottom lip, leaning on his arm and looking thoughtfully ahead.
“There’s going to be a race soon, I don’t know the details, but you can get back your title there,” Hoseok said, switching gears and stepping on the gas. The speedometer climbed to one hundred and ninety-five, nothing but a straight open road in front of them.
“Hey, slow down! Watch the cops! I don’t want to go back to jail,” Jungkook frowned, looking at the speedometer.
Hoseok looked at his brother like he did earlier too - surprised and disbelieving, through his sunglasses. It wasn’t not only surprising to hear, it was freaking weird.
“Just kidding, go faster,” Jungkook grinned and Hoseok calmed down, smiling back brightly - Jungkook was still the same, he still loved the speed and driving. He still was that guy that had ruled the streets a year ago, getting a win after win. He had finally come back.
The speedometer’s arrow went over two hundred.
🔥🔥🔥
After a half-hour drive through the whole capital, the McLaren pulled up to a large, bright mansion, situated on the other side of the city. Beyond the mansion was just the forest, where the wild curvy road for drifting was hidden. It went deep into the unknown. High trees surrounded the house, like silent guards, protecting them from outside danger. The McLaren halted in front of the mansion, crushing the gravel under its wheels. Massive mechanic gates opened, letting them in. The car entered a large yard, passing by a decorative fountain and stopping right in front of the front doors.
Jungkook left the car and swung his jacket over his shoulder, looking at the yard and the house, then climbing up the stairs. Hoseok went after him, locking the McLaren’s doors and hiding the keys in his back pocket. He put his hand on Jungkook’s strong, wide shoulder, patting it lightly.
“Now you’re home, little brother.”
The massive wooden door was opened by a butler, who had served the Jeon family faithfully for many years. An old beta in a black suit, typical for them, with a tiny grey ponytail, bowed, smiling welcomingly.
“Welcome back, Mr. Jeon,” he said with a quiet calm voice, closing the door behind the alphas. “I’m really glad you’re back here with us. Your father is waiting for you on the veranda. “
“Thank you, Dowon” Jungkook smiled, patting his shoulder in a friendly way. “Hold this,” the alpha gave his jacket to the man and went deeper into the house.
Hoseok nodded at Dowon and went too, putting the sunglasses on his head.
Their father was sitting on a massive chair, looking at the garden. Wrinkly fingers with expensive rings were tapping the wooden table, which was prepared for his dear sons. The alpha was holding a cigarette and squinting, looking at the sunshine, blowing out the smoke slowly.
“Father” Jungkook greeted him, going to the veranda, passing by maids that were bowing to the guests. The eldest Jeon heard Jungkook’s voice, stood up and turned to the alphas, with a light smile curving his lips, holding the cigarette between his fingers.
“Hello, Jungkook-ah,” The eldest Jeon stepped towards his son opening up his arms. Jungkook hugged him back, smiling. “Son, you have changed,” the man said, stepping back and looking at Jungkook, noticing the differences between his old and new appearance. He had gotten taller, stronger. Older.
“I had more free time in jail, so I used it for staying in shape,” Jungkook grinned, shrugging and sat down at table after his dad. Hoseok took his place on the right side of him, Jungkook was on the left.
“My people tried to make it more comfortable for you, to make your time in jail easier,” the eldest Jeon frowned a bit, putting the cigarette between his lips again and pouring whiskey into his glass. “Did they do well?”
“Yes, dad, I’m grateful for your support,” Jungkook nodded, “Let’s leave it in the past. I’m not going back in there. How is the situation here now?”
“Your brother has settled everything, your detention wasn’t recorded anywhere,” Jeon took a sip of his whiskey, leaned back and put his cigarette into the ashtray. “Your business is developing. Everything is delivered on time. Parts for racing cars, stolen and resold cars which are illegal in Korea, recycling and all the other things. But as for street racing, it’s not my business, just Hoseok’s and yours.”
“The cops are under control, they won’t mess with our races”, Hoseok said, putting his hands together on the table.
Jungkook nodded, delighted, but he was still frowning and thinking about something else. There was still anger left inside his veins, burning every cell of his body for the whole year. The alpha coughed into his fist and moved closer to the table, copying his brother’s pose.
“What about Do Jihan?” he asked, trying ho hide the anger in his voice, looking at his father, then at Hoseok.
“He has gone underground, we were trying to track him down, but there were no results. Someone told us, he moved to Japan. Maybe he got scared that his setup would come to light, so he decided to disappear for a while. My men continue to search for him, but they still can’t find anything,” the man frowned, shaking his head. “You shouldn’t mess with him Jungkook, I could tell there was something wrong with him,” he sighed, closing his eyes and rubbing his forehead. “So what do we got now? You’ve been in prison without even being guilty. And you could’ve stayed there even longer, if …”
“Dad,” Jungkook interrupted him in a rude manner, staring at him and biting his lips. “What can you change now? I know that I fucked up big time, making a deal with that asshole. We couldn’t have known that it would turn out like this, I checked all the documents myself, my lawyer also did, damn it. There’s no reason to discuss it now. But if Do appears, he won’t stay alive for long,” Jungkook raised his glass of whiskey and took a sip, watching his father’s tense face. Bitterness burned his throat nicely, waking up old memories. A year without alcohol was no joke. It was the high time to make up for lost time.
Hoseok sighed and closed his eyes, listening to the small argument brewing between his father and his younger brother. Oh, there were so many between them before, some things don’t change even after a while apart.
“Jungkook-ah, you have to be more careful,” Mr. Jeon said harshly, making Jungkook shut up. Both brothers glared at their dad. “You acted thoughtlessly, and I hope you won’t make the same mistakes twice. It’s about all of us. Hoseok’s and my business are at stake, not to mention yours.”
Jungkook pursed his lips, burning the eldest Jeon with his stare and getting the same look in return. He always liked to highlight Jungkook’s faults, making him feel dumb and short-sighted. It made Jungkook mad every time, but it was impossible to argue with his dad again and again for his whole life. Jungkook opened his mouth to say something but Hoseok interrupted him, trying to stop the pointless dispute.
“Stop it, this is not the time for making scandals. What’s important now, is that Jungkook is with us again. Let’s drink to that,” Hoseok said, breaking the awkward silence and raising his glass.
“Hobi is right, all in good time. Cheers!” the eldest Jeon’s light smile appeared again.
The awkward atmosphere dissipated, turning smoothly into the usual domestic banter. Dad and Hoseok were talking about everything that had happened in the course of a year. The eldest Jeon talked about his business and working with a big Japanese clan. A maid served them meals, which Jungkook ate without a single complaint. It felt like he was learning what food and alcohol were once again. A taste of life he was denied for a whole year. Despite his privilege, the jail remained the jail. Cruel and wild, without any rules and standards. Without an ordinary life.
After a good dinner and long conversations about everything in the world, Jungkook went to take a shower. Hot water, that he didn’t have in prison, touched his body gently, bringing relaxation and relief. Jungkook put some new black jeans on and a black T-Shirt after the shower, finishing it off with black boots and a red leather jacket.
The alpha went downstairs to the first floor, where Hoseok was waiting for him. The bright golden sun was setting behind the huge windows, making everything look soft pink with an orange glimmer. The darkness was coming. It was time for dark streets and burning tires. It was racers’ time.
“Where’s my baby?” Jungkook asked, pushing his wet hair back.
Hoseok smiled, walking out of the house and showing him the direction.
The brothers went past Hoseok’s McLaren, stopped near the front door, and got into a three-gated garage keeping their father’s cars.
“Does she have something inside?” Jungkook was staring at the slowly opening gates, biting his lip with excitement.
“Full tank,” Hoseok answered, giving him the keys. The silver shield decorated with diamonds gleamed in the sunlight. Jungkook looked at Hobi, and then back at the keys. A bright smile curved his lips and sparks of hellfire glistened in his eyes.
The alpha went into the garage, walking between the cars. Hoseok grinned and crossed his arms, waiting for his brother outside. The long-expected, unmistakable roar of a motor could be heard. A few seconds later, a pair of blazing eyes, belonging to the capital's demon could be seen in the darkness.
“Let’s go, Hoseok-ah,” Jungkook exclaimed excitedly, peering through the hypercar’s window. “From here to the Black Hole. Get ready to swallow dust,” he grinned and drove out of the garage with a demonstrative roar of the engine, leaving a happy Hoseok behind.