Thief

19

As Jinyoung exposed the skin hidden under his shirt, Jaebum felt a deep anger brewing within himself. All along Jinyoung's back and sides were faint bruises and healed scars, strategically placed where no one could see them. Jaebum sucked in a sharp breath, his heart breaking to peices at the sight.

"I have some on my legs too... they usually punish me when I don't come back with enough stolen goods, but sometimes they just bully me for fun. Obviously they avoid injuring the arms and the face, so that when we walk in public people aren't suspicous of our scars."

Jinyoung spoke in plural, meaning that they not only did this to him. There were other people suffering this abuse, Jinyoung was just one of the lucky ones to escape it. That hurt Jaebum's chest even more, the thought of so many people wanting freedom, but are instead shackled behind closed doors and clenched fists. This explained why Jinyoung flinched when Jaebum was yelling at him earlier, and why he thought Jaebum might hit him. He'd been through it before.

"Jinyoung... I had no idea..." Jaebum said, his hand reaching out to touch one of the long scars across Jinyoung's back. The wound was healed, but it was still very visible. Jinyoung jolted when he felt Jaebum's cold fingers drag along his back, but he allowed the elder to feel his scars.

"I'm so sorry you've had to experience that..." Mark said, his eyes glued to Jinyoung's back, also examining the patterns of wounds.

Jaebum pulled away and Jinyoung pulled down his shirt, turning back to face the two. Jaebum got a quick glance of Jinyoung's stomach as he did so, seeing some more faint scars decorating the otherwise perfect skin.

Jinyoung sat back down, his hands clasping in his lap. "I didn't want you to know. But I don't really have a choice now, they could hurt you and I don't want you to get hurt because of me. Neither of you. I was willing to go take the beating again for you guys, if it meant that you two would be safe..."

Everything in Jaebum's being completely opposed that idea. The image of Jinyoung helpelessly getting beaten by some evil crook infuriated him, that was the last thing he wanted to think about. "No Jinyoung, fuck that. I wouldn't even let you think of doing that for us."

"I know, that's why I tried to sneak out quietly so no one could stop me. But I fucking tripped and broke Mark's vase... sorry about that..." Jinyoung mumbled, glancing up at Mark.

Mark shook his head, waving away the apology. "Some vase is not worth your life kid. I'm glad I caught you, or else you'd be a pile of blood and broken bones right now."

Jinyoung looked away, obviously not wanting to be reminded of what could've happened to him.

Jaebum sighed, shaking his head. He gripped Jinyoung's shoulder tightly, making the younger look at him. "I refuse to let you go. I'm telling you right now that if you step foot outside of this damn house without me or Mark by your side, then I will literally chain you to my arm and hide the key, and you'll have to stay chained to me until we figure this shit out. But I refuse to put you in any possible danger until then."

"But Jaebum, they'll hurt all of us if we don't do something!" Jinyoung said urgently, feeling the need to act soon so they aren't targeted.

"I don't care. We'll figure it out. You're not getting hurt on my watch though, do you understand me? I care too much about you to let yourself deal with this all alone." Jaebum said, his eyes searching Jinyoung's face for understanding.

Jinyoung hesitated before eventually nodding his head. He tilted forward a bit towards Jaebum, suggesting that he wanted to lean on him, but he stopped himself from doing so. Jaebum knew Jinyoung was trying to hide how really distraught he was about everything, the younger's blank face showing hints of worry an anger.