#oc: rosyn | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

flowerwrites06 · 2 years

Text

lion and the fox II — jjk

Plot: In a turbulent world of crime and intrigue, a fiery journalist makes an unlikely alliance with one of the country’s most notorious bosses.

Pairing(s): Mafia Boss!Jungkook x Journalist!OC (Name: Belle)

Rating: G | PG | M | R 18+

Type: Drabble | Oneshot | Two Parter | Series

Word Count: 8k+

Genre: Mafia AU | Vintage (1940′s vibes) AU

Tags & Warnings: crime, violence, sexual content, forced prostitution, mild scenes of harassment, some misogynistic behaviour, mentions of war, heavy mentions of drug use, infidelity.

Disclaimer: Please note that while some historical research has been done for this story, the MAJORITY of it has been altered in some way with creative liberties to match the themes and motifs of the plot.

Guilt is an inconvenience to focus. A phrase Jungkooks mother taught him for years, over and over again until it was embedded into his brain. Also something his father said the first time he killed a man. This is all business. Keep it a business. As much it seemed like a foolproof ideal, Jungkook also remembered both his parents using drugs, alcohol and sex as a coping mechanism for their guilt. Focus to them meant a slow downward spiral.

Which meant Jungkook was definitely a little guilty. He asked a woman to go out alone at night, near a brothel to get information in a dark alley. All arrows pointing to a bad idea. Even Rosynes’ usual hardened expression was soft in concern watching the doctor examine her bust-up thigh.

They stood in one of the guest rooms for the Jeon-Takahashi household. The outdoor garden whispering in the wind outside of the large window next to the bed. Belle looked to be partially awake, chestnut hair matted to her temples and cheeks. Jungkook almost had the urge to push it away from her face so it wouldn’t be uncomfortable. Instead he curled his fingers into fists.

“Why did you make her go alone like that?” Hoseok stared at the both of them with a grimace, eyes reddened and teary.

Rosyne and Jungkook shared slightly uneasy looks towards each other. “We’ll have her taken care of, Hoseok.” Rosyne reassured though Hoseok hardly looked any bit convinced.

“I could’ve gone…or you could’ve sent guards with her or something.” Hoseoks words were all thoughts already swirling in Jungkooks head.

There were so many ways he could’ve prevented most bad things from happening to her except in the heat of his frustration, he didn’t. Now Jungkook watched his guilt twist his gut while he watched the doctor cut the thread after the wound was stitched.

Their private med, Yuta Nakamoto took off his glasses and let out a deep sigh. “She’ll be okay.” A collective of silent relieved sighs passed through the room. “No internal bleeding, it’s a miracle that the knife missed important arteries considering the nature of the attack. One wrong move and she could’ve been dead in minutes.” He stood up from the bed while Jungkook tried to stop imagining that possibility. “It will leave a significant scar though and she’ll need someone to monitor her painkiller doses because they can be addictive.”

“I’ll do it.” Hoseok said without hesitation.

“Does she have any previous addictions or issues that I might need to know?”

Jungkook expected just as much of a quick answer from Hoseok as the last one but the man actually looked reluctant.

“The information won’t leave this room.” Rosynes mind always did work quicker than his own a lot of the time.

Hoseok shifted on the bed uncomfortably, giving a slight apologetic look to Belle before staring at the doctor. “She used to take a lot of Tuinal after her father passed away. She couldn’t function without it for a few years.” He let out a deep sigh remembering it had already been four years since they were working together. It was the point in time they became closer friends than ever before and the moment they began living with one another as support. “I got her some help and she hasn’t done it ever since.”

Yuta hummed in understanding. “Alright, so keep a close eye on her and if anything goes wrong, just give me a call.” He grabbed his suitcase and gave both Jungkook and Rosyne a respectful bow.

Jungkook couldn’t seem to gather the bearings around him for a moment but seeing Rosyne guide the doctor out of the room brought him back to reality. He watched Hoseok brush the hairs obstructing her face. Slowly he noticed Belle look a bit more peaceful. How stupid of him to think that such a beautiful being had never seen suffering. “What—what kind of food does she like?”

Hoseok looked over at him with furrowed brows before realizing his question. “Anything with rice honestly.” He mumbled under his breath. “But she really likes pork mince on rice.”

He nodded, glancing out at the window again. “I’ll have the chefs get something ready when she wakes up.” Jungkook didn’t wait for Hoseok to reply or even look over at his reaction before he made his way out of the bedroom, glad to breathe calmly knowing Belle didn’t die because of his carelessness.

As Jungkook padded into the courtyard, he saw Gaia come out of her room. They made separate private room not too long after their wedding night. Not that it stopped them from sneaking into each other’s rooms just in case a day was particularly stressful. Steam needed to be let off. Who better than your beloved spouse?

She had a dark coffee fur coat on, tied neatly around her small waist with a red beret atop her head, short curls stacked around the back of her neck. In the daylight, he noticed how her green eyes almost looked transparent. Like an ethereal faery reborn in a simpler time. Where magic was tainted into power and wealth.

“Where’re you off to?” It was a question of convenience. Jungkook didn’t truly care and Gaia knew it just as well.

His wife put on a pretty smile. Sweet pink lips stretched effortlessly. “On a day trip. I’ll be home for dinner.” Gaia looked over to the direction Jungkook came from as her smile reverted back to its original state. A subtle frown. As if she was always thinking of something wrong in the back of her mind. “Who are those people?”

Jungkook merely glanced over his shoulder. “A couple of new acquaintances. There has been some trouble going on with an unknown gang using Yeou Pa’s name for unauthorized activities.”

Gaia hummed but not quite in approval, lime green eyes flickering back to the room Belle and Hoseok were in. “Are you sure you can trust them?” She tilted her head. “We can’t risk any moles.”

“I assure you, we have it under control.” Jungkook pressed his lips together, attempting a smile as he lied to her face. He didn’t even know what he was supposed to have under control.

Thankfully his wife didn’t argue any further as she took a quick look at her red purse before padding closer. She pressed a small kiss on his cheek. Another act of convenience. Of habit. Just to ensure some kind of normalcy. To pretend that nothing about their marriage was out of the ordinary or downright lonely when all the doors were closed. “I’ll see you tonight, okay?” The sweet honey voice spoke in his ear.

“Of course.” Jungkook whispered in their close proximity. Then she walked away and he tried his best to push any hidden thoughts trying to rip at the seams.

Marionette Hotel became one of her favourite spots in the city. Not only for its fantastic view but the only place that practically oozed with Takahashi influence. Gaia didn’t have many places like that. It was strange how their powers were divided. Gaias name surpassed Jungkooks by a mile yet she could barely see her own home in a year.

Jungkooks gang wouldn’t survive without their marriage because they needed Hebi Pa as their backbone. Understandable. Gaia couldn’t live without this marriage because no one else would marry a female underboss and she needed heirs. Pathetic. Little pups who didn’t grow enough balls to be with a woman that overpowered them by a thousand steps in the authority ladder. There was one man who she found far too late however.

Clouds covered the sunlight giving the city a grey-ish hue. Gaia climbed out of the car, black paint glinting even in the dull lighting before walking up the burgundy velvet stairs of the Marionette entrance. Golden pillars laced with some black accents. The lobby always smelled of fresh flowers that they renewed in vases almost half her height.

Across the camel marble floors, her red heels tapping and echoing slightly she stood at the receptionist desk but not for long. They always had one special room ready for her. No one was allowed to book it.

Gaia accepted the key and was led towards the elevator. Ghastly, noisy things that pushed her up to one of the top floors.

Down the gold lamp lit hallways, the excitement began to shiver through her body knowing that wonderous things happened in her favourite room. Gaia turned to the left and opened the door to reveal the subtle scent of jasmines. They always remembered to put jasmines in here.

Throwing her purse on the wooden study table, Gaia began shedding off her clothes. A small cheeky smirk tugging at her lips seeing the window glass show the entire city before her eyes. This was all hers. Barely anyone had a clue. The best kind of power. Where a random man would stare at her ass like he had all the power but she could have him disappear with the flick of her fingers.

Shoes thrown off the into the closet, Gaia sat down on the comfortable bed with nothing but her black dress, striped sleeves dropping off her shoulders. She pulled off her red beret and threw it to the side.

The door opened then. Her first instinct was always to reach for the gun strapped beneath the nightstand. But there was only one other person who was allowed in here.

A smile appeared on her face seeing the familiar striking eyes and silver hair. The only time she ever genuinely smiled. They didn’t speak to each other first. There was barely any hours in the day for the two of them. Gaia merely knelt on the bed as he padded towards the edge of the bed, his hands already wrapping around her waist out of habit.

Plump lips pressed against hers, one of his hands unzipping her dress so he could caress down her bare back. It was only this building where she could ever achieve a feat like this. Every guard and employee in the building were deathly loyal to her. All of them waiting for the old and grey Don Takahashi to wither into the ground so she could take over. This was her safe space just like it was theirs.

Sex became such a familiar dance as the months flew by since Gaia saw him in one of their charity conventions. Jungkook was off talking about some kind of new cigar collection or chatting up an actress while she noticed him looking at her.

“Park Jimin.” He told her.

At first, Gaia didn’t truly care what his name was and simply wanted to whizz the night away. Now it became a precious secret of hers. A jewel she held dear. A name she would never utter outside this room. But here she would moan it. Scream it. Sometimes it’ll be the only thing running in her pleasured drowned mind.

Today was the same. Her body bent in all fours against the luxurious mattress, feeling Jimins hot breath against her ear as he fucked into her. A familiar dance. Her favourite dance. He raked fingers through her curls uncaring of how messy it would become. Sometimes Gaia would purposely leave traces of his touch just to feel like she had some control in her life. How funny. The power she had over Hebi Pa yet so powerless all the same.

Jimin liked marking her. Even in places where it was difficult to hide like at the edge of her jawline or on her collarbone. He liked seeing her perfect skin tainted with his bites. A clear reminder of their little secret. His hand moved from her hair over her jugular. Not squeezing. Just holding. Caressing every inch of her.

Squeezing made him think of his job too much. He didn’t want to think about it. Especially not in the heat of the moment where he felt the warm heaviness spread through his thighs.

Gaia moved to rest her cheek against the bed, panting and heaving. Her skin glistening in sweat and riddled with his bites. She tried to whisper out that she was close. Something intelligible passed through her lips muddled in more whimpers but Jimin seemed to have guessed it. His pace growing relentless as he pulled her arms back, slamming into her cunt like it belonged to him.

In a way, it did. In another way, it didn’t. It all depended on where you looked.

The bed always squeaked when they rode out their highs. Gaia felt his warm release painting her back and ass even though a small part of her wished he could do what Jungkook did. No one would know. No one would dare ask either. It was one of the reminders that she didn’t quite belong to him. That little privilege of being able to fill up her womb. It was a privilege around here especially when it was her. Though Gaia didn’t feel it was much of a compliment.

After a warm shower, they both settled under the blankets. Her head resting on his chest while her hand always absentmindedly traced the lifted scar over his heart. Gaia remembered he hated talking about it. She assumed it was a surgery mark or some kind of old burn but never asked after the first time. She didn’t mind the silence. She understood some secrets must be kept.

“We have a new visitor in our household.” Gaia muttered, not really caring if he listened. She just liked talking to someone openly without feeling like hiding some parts.

Jimin hummed in his relaxed state. Perfume and sex still lingered in the air around them, filling his nostrils and lulling him almost to sleep. “What kind of visitors?”

“Jungkook won’t tell me exactly…” She lifted one shoulder. “One of them was attacked though. Outside of Cho No Su. A guard was kind enough to tell me that they were investigating someone grabbing prostitutes from the streets.”

He trained his heart not to jump or lose control. It was one of the first people like him were taught to do. Your heart never lies. You have to make it lie. But Jimin wouldn’t deny this made him shift a little uncomfortably. “Why would they do that?”

Gaia closed her eyes for a moment feeling herself drift into a slumber. “Something about illegal prostitution rings. They have a man in one of their warehouses around—Anyang, I think.” She shook her head.

Genzo only gave her a few details before she wanted him out of her space quickly. Disgusting old man. One day she’ll have him hang somewhere on a wall. He could rot and crows could eat those grey eyes right out of the sockets.

“I don’t know why he’s interested either.” She spoke again. “Probably bored.”

“Bored?”

“Ever since the war, things have been dwindling. Calming down. People like Jungkook don’t always want that.” Gaia mumbled. “They always want trouble and excitement.”

“You two might have that in common.” Jimin teased, playfully tapping her nose to make her giggle.

She lifted herself up a little, messy curls moving to cover her face which Jimin happily tucked away. “I like this kind of trouble.” Gaia kissed him gently. Another hour. That’s all she wanted. Another hour of trouble and freedom.

Belles limbs felt like cement blocks when she finally woke up. Sunlight brighter than ever shining through some curtains. It must’ve been midday. But what day?

With a groan, she shifted on the bed except for one thigh that barely wanted to twitch without panging in pain. Her vision cleared quickly as if her body desperately needed to do something other than sleeping. Hoseoks face materialized on her right. His eyes darkened.

Somehow the scene looked familiar. Like the last time she woke up in the hospital a few years ago. Hoseok crying next to her while she noticed vomit stains on her clothes resting on a chair. This was different though. She didn’t feel like acid was eroding the insides of her mouth. This time it was her leg, twisting in agony as if the blade was still inside.

“Where are we?” It didn’t look like a hospital. The room was pretty not sterile. It had gold foiled peach blossoms on the far side of the wall glinting against the sunlight. Most of the walls were red with floral designs all over. And wood. A lot of wood from the folding screen borders to the floors.

“We’re at the Jeon-Takahashi household.” Hoseok answered in a meek voice.

Before Hoseok could get another word in, the door opened. Jungkook stepped in without so much as a knock. Not that he had to. This was still the fox’s den. And he was their Alpha. “Good. You’re okay.”

“Yes…don’t worry, no paperwork for you.” Belle shifted to sit on the bed. Granted her thigh didn’t enjoy a minute of it but Hoseok quickly set up the pillows for her back to rest against the headboard. “What happened to the girl?”

Jungkook expected an earful from the woman. Jabbing, maybe even screaming in his face but she simply went straight to business. Either because she understand this was only business. Or she’s gone through enough suffering to brush it off. He wasn’t sure which one made his stomach tug a little. “She was a high ranked prostitute in Cho No Su. Angel. An alias, I’m sure.”

Every prostitute had one. Not so much for protection but discretion. High ranked members of Cho No Su were trained spies, surpassing the skills of even the spies in organized syndicates. Meaning their alias, hair and even eye colour had to be switched every month or year depending on the cover blown. Fake tattoos added and removed, sometimes weight had to be put on and lost or height altered every which way. The whole package. Pure, strict secrecy so nobody knows the true person behind the spy. “The Madame has asked for the attacker to be taken to her once we’re done with the questioning.”

“We?” Belles brows furrowed.

Jungkook side glanced over to Hoseok who clearly had no soft spot for him currently nor ever will after today. “I think it’d be good if you’d come with me for the questioning.”

“No fucking chance.” Hoseok seethed. He was definitely never going to have a soft spot for him.

“Alright.”

“Belle, no.”

“I wanna see the bastard who stabbed me.” Belle replied simply, tired hazel eyes pointed right at Hoseok to ensure those words sunk into his mind. She wanted to see the man tied up and beaten.

Hoseok sighed in defeat. “Okay…” He nodded. “Okay but I’m coming with you.”

“That’s fine.” Jungkook stated though it didn’t look either of them cared about what he thought. “I’ve brought you some clean clothes for the journey.” He gestured over to the folded clothing on the table near the folding screen. “We leave in ten minutes.”

Belle hummed as Hoseok helped her out of the bed.

Jungkooks fingers started twitching again watching her limping towards the folding screen. Despite Hoseok having his arms out just in case, he still had the urge to give some support. Maybe guilt was an inconvenience. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. He couldn’t even remember what else to say.

“I’d prefer to be alone when I change, gentlemen. I’ll scream helplessly if I need to.” Belle muttered simply holding onto the wall as she gently pulled off the sleeves of the night dress. The door closed and she peeked at the corner to see that the room was empty. A shaky breath passed her lips, tears threatening to fill up her eyes as she wore one article of clothing after the other. One at a time. Breathe. Take it one at a time. Breathe.

She hated that she had put on clothes in someone elses home. It always reminded her of regrettable mornings, the feeling post-vomiting and the ache in her lower belly. Belle didn’t like the smell of someone elses home.

Hoseok would be pacing around their apartment when she got home. They’d fight about safety then Hoseok would tell her to stop ruining her life because her father is gone. He’d regret it. Apologize. They go back to work as normal and Belle does it all over again. Their little pattern for four years.

The clothes were warm as if just freshly sun dried. Grey skirt that reached halfway across her calf, thin black belt around her plump waist. A navy blue blouse slightly loose on her breasts so they didn’t get suffocated and a mustard yellow cardigan over top for warmth. Belle managed to find a hairbrush and some pieces to make her hair look less messy. Her curls a little puffed but it would do.

Belle didn’t take a good look at her wound. Some part of her mind wanted to block it out so it wouldn’t hurt too much. She painted a berry red lipstick to bring some life back to her dulled face, a failed smile at the mirror before she made her way out of the bedroom.

Jungkook was leaned against one of the red wood pillars, a simple coffee suit adorned on his lean body with a classic white dress shirt. His brunette hair styled in the same side part as it usually was when she saw him.

Hoseok, on the other hand had a loose shirt on and kept biting his nails out of worry. Both their gazes moved to her.

The group stayed silent as they exited the Jeon-Takahashi household. A black car waiting for their arrival. Hoseok sat in the passenger seat while Jungkook and Belle took the back seat. It didn’t take until they reached the main road for Jungkook to speak.

“Angel wanted to personally thank you but I’ve reassured her that there’s nothing to worry about.”

“How nice of you.” Belle deadpanned.

Hoseok didn’t have to look over his shoulder to feel that the tension between them rose a little. Even the air in the car warmed.

“It’s so her cover isn’t compromised. As far as we know, the attacker is the only person who knew what she looked like.” Jungkook tried not to grit his teeth too much as Belle kept her gaze on the window. Perhaps a part of him thought Belle wouldn’t connect too many dots. That she wouldn’t realize her injury could’ve been prevented if he was more careful when sending her out. She connected it just fine. None of them were happy with the result.

Driving from Gyeongseong to Busan every other day seemed like the strain of a lifetime but Jimin appreciated the breathing time. Being able to sit in a car and just sit still with his own thoughts became a luxury as the years went by. Generally assignments took around three months at best. At least for ones who were good at the job. This assignment however marked almost a year.

In the beginning of the year after summer began to cool into autumn, Jimin was brought into the Kim household for another assignment. He knew what needed to be done. Except his mind kept wondering when he planned on ending it. I want you to burrow slowly. So slowly and deeply that no one would even realize how you got there.

Only now when the weather began to get nippy and harsh. The seasons were changing. There was something else in the air that wasn’t present before. More than ever, Jimin felt vulnerable. Like he was an antelope being marked by a lioness.

He drove into the cold embrace of Busan. Same city scape. Different Master. Today the reporting was going to be done in a tea shop. Locations always had to change even in safe territory.

The establishment sign gleamed in red letters “平和と蜂蜜”. Peace and Honey. Jimin held in a scoff as he climbed out of the car. The tea shop was slightly sequestered like a garden in the middle of the city. Strange but oddly refreshing away from the law firms and designer stores. Every corner walked jeweled necks and secret affairs. Be a liar long enough and you can practically smell the deceit in the air like wild flowers.

Down a stone path, a pretty girl in a pink kimono led him into the tea shop. Inside looked like any other teahouse he knew of. Red and terracotta wood everywhere, some varnished while some were left raw. Japanese connection with nature. True to our nature. Jimin never bought into it. Most of the secrets in the city are uttered in tea shops. It’s almost like a bad joke waiting to be said.

Today they had the second room on the right. The Queens favourite room. Birds like Jimin would call Master Kims wife The Queen. They never called Master the King though. The pretty girl opened the door and knelt down to introduce Jimin to the man sitting at the table. Smell of cherry blossoms and warm cake lingered in the air.

“Thank you, dear. You can leave us.” Master Kim always sounded like an older brother of sorts. Not quite deep and guttural but still a sense of authority and nurturing.

The door closed behind Jimin and he made his way to the table, sitting down quietly. The Queen wasn’t present today. It was just the two of them. Sitting across from one another while Seokjin bit onto a rice cake. He could call him Seokjin now. In his head anyway. But only when they were alone.

“Safe journey?” Seokjin asked, taking the teapot and serving him a cup.

“Yes.”

“Good. How is she?” His voice grew soft when he spoke of her.

It was almost funny. Like Seokjin had pity or even care. Having an assignment for a year could do that to someone. Jimin had seen it before with other birds in the past. “She grows sadder each time I see her…but other than that, I do have something.”

Seokjin hummed as if he was still focusing on the first thing Jimin said.

“They have one of the grabbers in a warehouse. Supposedly in Anyang.” Jimin felt his stomach stir a little at the sight of rice cakes but he kept his hands to himself. He could only have tea within these walls. “Gyeongseong’s King apparently has precured an alliance of sorts with some outside parties for an investigation.”

Seokjin hardly gave a reaction. He brought the small tea cup to his lips and took a polite sip. It almost looked like he hadn’t heard Jimin but the bird knew he was thinking. The room would grow so incredibly silent that it was too loud. “That’ll be a disruption to our current plans.”

Jimin nodded. “What would you like me to do?”

“Not you. I’ll have a Tiger hunt him down.”

Tigers. Assassins for Holangi Pa. They so proudly wore the name of their sacred animal. Spies like him had to take the name Bird. To show that were always flying. Always watching separately. Never a part of one nest. Jimin wanted to ask which Tiger will be sent but he knew that was dangerous. Bird shouldn’t get attached to names. Just remember them, report them and forget them.

Jimin liked the name Gaia though. Gaia liked saying his name. He enjoyed hearing it sometimes when he wanted to feel human.

“It won’t be long now.” Seokjin muttered to him, in a soft voice. Like he was trying to reassure him. “You’ll go back to flying again.”

In a section of her files, Belle had places she found on her own. Hoseok lost his mind the first time he found out about her secret walks outside of the city alone. She tried physically connecting the dots that formed Yeou Pa’s web. Her body was small, able to hide in certain places and she knew how to control who got to see her and who didn’t. Anyang warehouse was one of those locations.

Unfortunately she never got the chance to confirm whether it belonged to Yeou Pa until today. Their car drove up to the entrance with a slight bump. Despite attempting to keep her thigh stagnant, the slight movement caused a gripping ache. Belle bit down her bottom lip to hide a wince.

“You need help getting out?” Hoseok asked just after Jungkook took a breath.

“I’m okay.” Belle muttered, opening the car door and climbing out. Shaky hands grabbed onto the edge of the car door for dear life as the wound bit under her skin. Deep breaths in and out, she closed the door. Hoseok stood in front of her with a worried look. There were so many things he seemed to want to say but nothing was coming out. Belle felt the exact same way. The only thing she could do was squeeze his hand before making their way into the warehouse.

A few guards were scattered around the perimeter. The building looked like a slab of grey, copper rust forming on the edges and the smell emanating from inside, putrid.

Jungkook walked in first, the back of his neck in her view. She noticed a tattoo peeking from his white collar, lines or veins. It was hard to decipher and Belle wanted to pull it down to see the full view. Somehow the aching made her less patient in her curiosity.

The warehouse was simple and dirty. It smelled of blood, urine and an annoying hint of cologne into the mix. Belle carefully tried not to step into any random puddles especially when the dark, cement floors couldn’t show whether it was water or where the urine smell was coming from. Her good leg began to lose a bit of balance much to her irritation, her hand grabbing onto Jungkooks suit sleeve.

His expensive suit probably. She wished her hands were dirty with something just to strengthen the slightly annoyed look on his face.

“Sorry.” Belle mumbled, letting his clothes go and shifting onto Hoseok.

The windows had a greenish tint to them, daylight weakly shining down on the sod tied on a rusted chair in the center. Next to some old machinery that probably hadn’t been used in years. She could see the man’s face properly now. Middle-aged with a weak scruff growing around his mouth area, his hair damp and a murky brown while his face looked like it was slowly its will to hold onto his skull.

“So…have you decided on telling us who you work for?” Jungkook asked, tilting his head.

The man scoffed before spitting on the ground before them. “I’m loyal to the Master.”

Belle glanced down and let out a small exhale. “Strip him.”

Both Jungkook and Hoseok looked over at the woman with a mixture of both shock and confusion.

“Innocent people are being stripped in the ring he works for. Why does he deserve common decency?” Belle spoke simply. “If he’s loyal to a gang, there will be a tattoo somewhere.” She gestured to his body. “He’s not a trained spy or assassin cause I’d be dead by now.”

Hoseok felt a small shiver down his spine seeing the sharp look on her face. The same look she gave Genzo and many other people. For the first time, he saw her imagination come to life as a few guards walked into the warehouse.

Jungkook didn’t hesitate before calling the bodyguards. Albeit the initial shock hearing Belle ask of something like that was terrifying. But he’d do the same thing.

Clothes ripping and falling helplessly to the ground before the guards held the naked man on his feet so every part of his body could be examined. “Now it’s your turn, sweetheart.” His raspy voice echoed in the warehouse.

Belle limped around to see his behind, a few old scars riddling down his shoulder blades. “Here.” She pointed at his left buttock at the monochromatic tiger head. “A tiger.”

“Holangi Pa.” Jungkook replied, brows furrowing. “What the hell does Kim want with me?”

The man merely huffed. “Don’t pretend Yeou Pa is innocent.” His breathing trembled a little as the air around them began to seep through his body warmth. “You ruined a lot of our lives during the war.”

Good, Belle thought. She walked back towards Hoseok, her head spinning when the pain grew overwhelming. Her face stayed neutral however. Even though something twisted inside her when he mentioned the war.

“I wasn’t in power during the war.” Jungkook shook his head. He didn’t doubt what might’ve happened though. The war was his fathers’ final years as King of Gyeongseong. He was so desperate to maintain power that he made a lot of problematic deals along the way, solidifying trade links overseas which ended up crumbling down like his sanity.

“But Yeou Pa still stands. That’s the problem.”

Belle wanted to sit down somewhere. The mixture of smells became too thick, filling her lungs until she was practically tasting all of it. She didn’t want to be here anymore. “That’s all he knows.”

Jungkook looked over his shoulder. “How do you know?”

“Because he’s not giving you information, he’s gushing.” Her knees shook. “You said Holangi Pa. That’s all we need.” Belle muttered before turning on her heel back to the entrance of the warehouse. “Let him sit there until he wants to give us something real.”

“You don’t give orders around here.” Jungkook seethed.

Belle paused in her tracks, hazel eyes burning red as she padded close to the male. Her feet almost stepping on his own as Hoseok tried to pull on her cardigan. “The name is all you need.” She muttered in a low tone, every word slow, intended to cut through him. Maybe he could feel the pain she was feeling. “If you want to act like a sorry little puppy and ask for more information then be my guest.” Her voice kept dwindling down into a whisper. An intimate fury shared between two people. “I’ll wait in the car once you’re ready to continue on with the investigation.”

Even if he wanted to reply, it would be speaking into empty space when Belle walked away. Jungkook noticed how she sped up in her walking. Like he would after getting scolded by his father, trying not to cry in front of his men. With a sigh, Jungkook ordered his guards to keep him tied up without clothes.

The sunlight grew brighter than ever as it reached its peak in the sky. It burned her eyes. Belle tried to keep her eyes somewhat closed but enough to feel the path she was walking on. She reached the car and climbed in before the driver could even catch the bearings.

As soon as Belle sat down on the chair, she let out a deep breath, trembling. Hand held over her thigh, resting back to somehow calm the dizziness in her head.

“Belle?” When he didn’t get an answer, Hoseok reached into his briefcase in the passenger seat and grabbed the painkiller pills. “Here, have one.” He took one tablet out on an open palm. Hoseok expected that look on her face. Like so many things were about to go wrong in this very moment. Butterfly wings flapping to start a hurricane. “I swear on my mother, I won’t let it happen to you again.”

Belle swallowed down the lump in her throat. She reached out and held onto the tablet.

“I brought some water.” Hoseok pulled out a canteen for her to drink.

It was a blurring moment. At least she tried to make it so. Try to make it a boring thing she had to do so it wouldn’t feel special in any sort. So it wouldn’t almost rule her life. Just one small thing. For a small injury. There are bigger, worse things in the world than physical pain. Her mother used to say that a lot. Belle learnt it in more ways than one.

“Thank you.” Belle handed back the canteen before resting against the seat. The pain was still there, pricking and prodding but at least she could believe it was going to pass.

The car door opened next to her with Jungkook practically jumping in, a loud sigh passing his lips. “Back to the House.” He spoke to the driver.

Jungkook felt all the drawers of his mind opening simultaneously as they drove back to the household. Holangi Pa. Kim Seokjin. He wasn’t in power during the war either. Was it an act of revenge? But his father never worked for or against Holangi Pa. It was all overseas and Japanese connections. Something didn’t add up.

On top of it all, Belle looked like she was ready to torture and kill the man who stabbed her. He attempted to catch a glimpse of the woman. She had her head resting against the car seat, hand over the grey skirt where her injured thigh was. Standing in the warehouse for too long must’ve add pressure to the wound.

“Are you okay?” Jungkook asked.

“Don’t have to act nice, Jeon.” Belle still had the cutting tone, either still angry about not being able to do more to the man or holding onto the grudge against Jungkook. It could be both.

“It’s a question on conscience.” That was the closest thing he could go in admitting his faults. But Jungkook had a feeling Belle wasn’t going to fall for sloppy attempts at apologizing.

Belle scoffed. “Surprised you even know what the word is.”

“If you have a problem with me, there’s nothing stopping you from saying it.”

“Was it the plan from the get-go?”

“What?”

“Sending me off alone. Was that your way of getting rid of me easily?” Belle turned her head to meet his gaze, as usual unwavering and deep like she wanted to rip out every weak link in his body.

Even Hoseok had his ears open. It wasn’t a far-fetched plan. Separate the nuisance so they’re vulnerable. Take Belle out through the mission and put a knife through Hoseoks skull. Foxes are sly enough to do just about anything to ensure their web of connections and secrets stays hidden.

Jungkook honestly had no clue how to respond to it. He expected her to simply berate him for a good hour on all the things that went wrong in the small mission she was sent on. Instead she just asked one simple question. A question that lingered in the air like a deadly disease. “That wasn’t my intention.” He answered with the same simplicity.

They didn’t know each other enough for him to defend himself. As far as Belle’s knowledge was concerned, Jungkook could’ve easily done anything to her as soon as she set foot into the household. He wouldn’t hurt anyone on a whim. But she didn’t know that. “My plan was to have you subtlety scour the perimeter and see if you could find an off duty butterfly. When the man attacked you…it was an unpredicted casualty. One that won’t happen again.”

Belle kept that deadly stare, diving deep until Jungkook almost felt like she could read his thoughts before he thought them up. “That’s all I wanted to know.” She stated, returning back to a rested position against the car seat.

So that was she wanted. Clarity. Jungkook couldn’t blame her. Everything about this situation felt like swimming through water that had been blocked with mud or algae. Knowing that her current suffering was an unexpected casualty instead of a trick must’ve felt like she was a fighter rather than a victim. It made a hell of a difference on someones mindset.

Even Jungkook could take a deep breath and relax if only for a moment.

It’s a badge of honor to be known by the sacred animal of a syndicate. Tiger. You are the prime sentinels of the city we represent. The assignment today was on the edge of Gyeongseong. Dangerous territory. Usually only Birds moved this far unless it was a dire circumstance that required quick elimination. This must’ve been something important. Master didn’t call him personally on a normal case.

Taehyung heard thunder rumbling in the cloudy, night sky as he closed into the perimeter of the warehouse. It would rain soon. Any footprints will dissipate. He always wore bigger shoes than his normal size however. Everything in his clothing fell or tightened over him in an odd way but it prevented sizing evidence. All these clothes ought to be burned later. Simple procedures for a Tiger.

The Anyang warehouse was a mere slab of a building. According to the orders, there was only one man that needed to be taken care of. Two guards were stationed outside but only on the front area. They didn’t expect the man to escape or he was unconscious. Or he didn’t care what happened to him. That always made his job easy.

Walking to the back entrance of the warehouse; a small door in the east corner. Taehyung cracked open the door, ensuring it made the least noise possible. He padded through the small gap. No guards inside. Just a naked man tied to a chair. He didn’t remember Don Jeon being into humiliation.

Confusion aside, Taehyung took another quick look at his surroundings before turning to face the man properly. He wasn’t even beaten. Just stripped down to skin and made to sit, tied up. Almost like a concubine awaiting their master.

The man noticed him and his eyes widened slightly. “Who—”

Taehyung brandished his blade and swiped it across the others throat. He learnt quite early in his career not to drag on these assignments. He watched the man’s throat slit open, blood trickling down his hairy chest and his eyes wide with shock, lifeless as they stared up at the ceiling.

The deed was done. He wiped off his blade with a tissue which will also burn along with his clothing. Running his hands through his strawberry blond hair, he caught a glimpse of the crescent moon shining through the windows over the top. It peeked through the clouds ever so slightly before being covered again.

Birds had far more complicated jobs than Tigers did. Tigers simply walked in, did the job and walked out. Feeling proud of what they achieved for the Master and their syndicate. Taehyung always wondered what it was like to fly from nest to nest. Accidentally creating bonds that were hard to break. Having to shatter your own heart just to move onto the next assignment.

Taehyung was happy with this. Complete detachment. He didn’t even know the mans’ name nor even remembered most of his face. This was what Tigers considered as peace. That way they could forget just how their hands dripped in red.

Han River, once a place for transportation became Gyeongseong’s personal dump as the factories became erected and population grew by the hundreds. Belle remembered doing a small article on the concerns but environmental concern didn’t quite touch peoples hearts well. Now she leaned against one of the cars on a cold, grey morning watching the guards dispose of the mans naked body into the water. It must’ve been five in the morning.

Belle rubbed her arms over her yellow plaid coat, although her thigh felt the worse off. Having the painkiller managed to maintain her tolerance but it was still irritating as the wind prickled through the bandage. The matching yellow hat managed to keep her hair away from her face despite her ears ready to freeze off.

Jungkook had a deep brown coat adorned over his shoulders making him look broader than normal, dark hair flying over his eyes but he didn’t seem to care. A light pink flush on his nose from the cold.

They were waiting for someone. Belle realized she had only met the consigliere of Yeou Pa. The underboss had always been on the down low with communication. Of course it wasn’t necessarily his job to be by Jungkooks side at all times like Rosyne. He was one of the pillars that held the syndicate. He couldn’t be close to Jungkook in every minute because his life acted as a back-up. Just in case something ever happened to the boss himself.

A similar black car then pulled up just as the body splashed into the water gently. Three guards appearing from inside and one sharply dress male padding out last. Silver hair flowed through the morning wind. His attire was fully black with a long coat. A tattoo etched across the back of his hand that almost looked like a flower. The man’s face had a mature aura about him; he must’ve been older than Jungkook even by a few years. Min Yoongi. Belle heard it a few times in newspapers whenever Jungkook attended certain events.

“Suicide?” Deep and raspy voice spoke making Jungkooks voice sound almost like a child’s.

“Doesn’t look it. Must’ve been an assassination.”

“You think he knew something important?”

Jungkook glanced over his shoulder to Belle for a moment. “No, probably just a way to clean up traces of the gang in our territory.”

Yoongi followed the youngers gaze as he reached for something in his coat pocket. “Is that the journalist?” He placed a cigarette in between his lips and fired it up with his silver lighter.

“Yeah…damn good researcher too.” He muttered under his breath just for Belle to hear. “She has more leads than we do with all this crap.”

He blew out the puff of smoke, the breeze moving to the side. “Holangi Pa.” A small smirk formed on his lips. “Who the fuck thought we’d hear from Kim again?”

“I would’ve liked not hear from him at all.”

“But now he’s sending eyes and hands into our territory.”

“There’s a reason why I said we could leave him be.” Belles voice caused both males to turn and face her. “Apologies for interrupting but I’d like to leave the cold soon.” She intertwined her gloved fingers together, hopefully to gain some warmth but the ice around her thigh felt like cold hell at this point.

“Likewise.” Yoongi smiled. “Ms. Belle.”

“Mr. Min.”

“What was the reason?” Jungkook asked.

Belle met the other males gaze before nodding to the body now descending down into the river. “When you said Holangi Pa, I knew I had it in my notes somewhere. There were sightings of people with tiger head tattoos but they were clustered in one prostitution ring near Hongdae.”

Yoongi sucked his cheeks in around the cigarette, letting it sit in his lung before blowing it out to the side. “How’d you find it out?”

“I was friendly.” She smiled. “A few street prostitutes weren’t getting money so I invited them out to dinner and drinks. They told me that the prostitution rings had sketchy ways of taking in members. They also kept loudly saying Master Jeon over and over again during conversations. One of them speculated it was a code name.”

Jungkooks breathing grew a little heavy. Not really from the anger of how crudely Seokjin was tarnishing his name but how well Belle managed to grab this information. The fact Saja Ilbo had her working under Hoseoks shadow looked laughable right now. “Is there a name for the ring?”

“It’s meant to be an alcohol factory as a front. The street prostitutes were there for peak hour when the men were starting to come out of work. Some of them noticed lines of peoples being brought or pushed in. A couple of them unconscious.” Belle gulped, relieved that her fingers were hidden so they wouldn’t see them shake.

Yoongi let out an amazed scoff, smile in full display. “You’re good. But how are we supposed to even find someone to question?”

“That’s actually the easy part. The boss there likes to have a professional prostitute every Friday night at the factory. Apparently he just likes talking to them for hours.” Belle raised her shoulders. “He uh–can’t perform sexually…but enjoys the fantasy of it.”

“Prostitutes really hear everything, don’t they?” Jungkook raised a brow.

“People just pretend they’re not there a lot is all.” Belle pressed her lips together into a thin line.

“The perfect spy.” Yoongi waved his cigarette. “Why do you think we have Cho No Su?”

“So we send in a prostitute to get our information?”

Belle shook her head. “No, I’ll go.”

Jungkooks smile disappeared as he narrowed his gaze. “Absolutely not.”

“This isn’t as dangerous as last time.”

“Dangerous all the same.”

“It actually would be better if she went.” Yoongi broke through whatever tension was trying to brew between them.

“Don’t encourage her, Yoongi.” Jungkook winced.

“Look she’ll remember what to do when she goes in there. Take pictures, note down whatever the boss says, we can’t just expect even a professional spy to understand all this in one night.”

He hated that Yoongi had a point. Belle could be in and out in an hour at best with pictures from a spy camera and more information carrying in that head of hers than any spy. She’d know which pieces of information to remember. Best of all, she’d know how to connect it all on the spot. Except Jungkooks eyes moved down to where her injury was hiding underneath the yellow plaid coat. What if something happened again?

“Maybe this time, you could actually have people waiting outside of the factory just in case something does happen?” Belle read his mind like a book.

Jungkook still couldn’t explain how but he felt almost naked in front of the woman whenever those hazel eyes fixated on him. It was fucking annoying. But…somehow invigorating at the same time. “We’ll have a car ready outside just in case something goes wrong.”

“Radio communication will be set up so we can hear some things and sense that you might need to leave.” Smoke puffed out of Yoongis lips through every word. “We could bring him in and have him interrogated but we don’t know the territory enough.”

Jungkook waved his hand. “All we need is inside information. No force. We don’t want Seokjin figuring out that we’re too deep into his scheme yet.” He glanced back to the River, the horizon now adorning an orange glow against the blue grey to welcome mid-morning. “If he sent an assassin, he knows Holangi Pa must’ve been exposed.”

“But he knows the grabber was clueless enough to keep the rings functioning if he got caught.” Belle spoke. “If the leader really is loose-lipped with a prostitute than I can find out about the associates that lead the other rings. They must have some kind of communication. Bonus if he hates them and likes to complain.”

“Have you actually done this before?” Jungkook shifted where he stood, watching the woman carefully but she merely smiled.

“When I was—researching the Golden Serpent, I had to pose as one of the strippers to take pictures of the ring for proof.” Belle fingers curled up into fists as she dug them into her coat. A faint memory of every pair of eyes and hands trying to reach for her only for the guards to pull them away. It was beneficial to be the stripper because of the rules of not touching. Unlike the waitresses who didn’t quite have the luxury. She was glad the whole damn club went down. “Hoseok stood outside with a getaway car.”

Jungkook bit the insides of his cheek. Even without his guards and syndicate, Hoseok still knew to be a back-up for Belle just in case something happened. That was what he must’ve wanted to do back at Cho No Su. More and more, guilt started to nibble at his chest wondering how all the things could’ve gone right if Jungkook had just put more safety precautions in place. Except it didn’t hinder his focus so much. This time his mind was sharper than ever, thinking up all the possible back-up plans that would ensure Belle stayed as safe as possible. “Alright.” He sighed. “Basically just buying all your clothes for you now.”

Belle rolled her eyes. “You’re rich, get over it.”

<< prev chap | next chap >>

#jungkook #thebtswritersclub #jungkook fanfic #jungkook fanfiction #jungkook mafia au #bts mafia au #bts 1940s au #1940s au #bts vintage au #vintage au #jungkook angst #jungkook smut #bts angst #bts smut

247 notes · View notes