Thief

28

Jackson leaned back, his eyes wide as he took in everything Jinyoung had said. He needed a moment to process it all, since so much had happened to someone in such a short period of time.

"I... I don't know what to say... I'm sorry to hear that you went through all of that..." Jackson said, sincerely feeling bad for all that Jinyoung's been through.

Jinyoung shook his head, not wanting to make a huge deal out of it. "It's fine, really. You all feel bad for me but, I think I'm turning out okay, aren't I?"

Jaebum nodded, rubbing Jinyoung's shoulder. "You're turning out just fine, but it's okay to feel hurt about what's happened to you. I don't want you to feel like you need to pretend that everything is okay."

"Of course, none of that was okay. Jinyoung you're a strong person, and I can see why these two wanna help you so bad. I thought you three had gotten into some problems with the law and were using me for protection, but this is different. Of course I want to help you too." Jackson assured.

Jinyoung nodded, smiling at Jackson's kindness. "Thank you. We're gonna be safe here right? At least for a little while?"

"Yes! I'll make sure of it. I can't say it will be forever, but definitely for a few days. Maybe I can make some calls and find out more about these 'Shadow' people who're after you. Then I can offer more protection." Jackson said.

Jaebum nodded eagerly. "That would be really great Jackson, thank you for going out of your way."

Jackson shook his head, waving his arms in denial. "No, it's totally fine! You all look like you're gonna pass out any minute though, so I won't keep you up any longer. Let me show you guys to your rooms."

"Well I already know where my room is." Mark said, standing up and heading down one of the many hallways of the place.

"Mark that's where my room is..." Jackson pointed out.

Mark spun around, a mischievous look on his face. "I know. I'll be waiting for you just how you like me."

Jackson made a disgusted face as Mark ran off, shaking his head. "Jaebum I told you he would do this. He's gonna be all flirty and stuff and he doesn't listen when I tell him to stop..."

Jaebum shook his head, knowing that Jackson was trying to look out for his feelings. Jaebum used to be sensitive when it came to Mark and Jackson being together, since they had just broken up and it was sort of a shitty move for your ex and best friend to get caught in bed together a week later. He was over that now though, Mark was of no romantic interest to Jaebum. He was just a close friend, that's all.

"Jackson I don't care what you do with him. We broke up a long time ago, I have more important things to worry about now..." Jaebum stated, his eyes glancing at Jinyoung who he caught looking back, the both of them quickly looking away after making eye contact.

Jackson noticed the look between the two, a knowing smirk growing on his face. "Oh... oh I see. Okay Jaebum. So... would you two like to share a room?"

Jaebum felt his heart stop in his chest. That sounded like a wonderful idea, sharing a room with Jinyoung. Sleeping with Jinyoung. Waking up to Jinyoung's peaceful face. Being able to hold him while he rests. They've slept together only once, and that was by accident. If only they could do it on purpose now...

"No! No I didn't... I didn't say that..." Jaebum said, shaking his mind out of the darker place it was headed the more he imagined him and Jinyoung in the same bed.

Jackson chuckled, clapping Jaebum on the back. "Sure you didn't say it, but the look you two gave each other just now definitely showed it! No wonder you wanted to help him so bad, you two have a little 'thing' going on huh?"

"No Jackson i-it's not like that..." Jaebum said, feeling his cheeks heat up, probably turning an embarrassing pink color.

Jackson shrugged, though he still speculated a deeper hidden relationship between the two. "Fine, whatever you say. Come on, I'll show you guys where you can sleep."

Jackson stood up along with Jinyoung and Jaebum, the pair following Jackson down a corridor that came to an abrupt end. Jackson spun around, his hands outstretched.

"I figured that since you two may not want to share a room, maybe you'd still at least like to be nearby each other. These two room are across the hall from each other, so you can stay here if you like. Upstairs there are two more bedrooms, but one is on one side of the house and the other is on the opposite side. So whichever you pick is up to you, I don't really care." Jackson said, taking a step back to allow the two to choose.

"Wait, how many bedrooms do you have here?" Jaebum asked, trying to keep count of all the options in his head.

"Six... I think? One is mine, one is Mark's, and the other four are just gathering dust. I might have another one somewhere but... I dunno, I forgot." Jackson said with a shrug.

Jaebum thought it must be amazing to have enough money to forget the amount of rooms you have in your house. At the same time though, it must be a burden to try and keep track of everything you have, which makes it much easier to lose expensive items and money. Jaebum aspired to be 'rich and famous', but not to an overwhelming extent, he wouldn't be able to handle it as well as Jackson does.

Jaebum and Jinyoung took a look into the large bedrooms, both of their jaws dropping at the massive space they had just to sleep in. Jaebum turned to Jinyoung, questioning what the younger wanted to do. Though Jinyoung was so mesmerized with the rooms, he wasn't really paying attention.

"This one. I want this one..." Jinyoung stated, choosing one of the rooms that had a large flatscreen tv and a mini fridge in it.

"I guess he's made his choice." Jackson said with a chuckle, now looking at Jaebum expectantly to choose his room.

"The other one; I want you across the hall from me. In case... I need you or something..." Jinyoung said before Jaebum could even answer.

Jaebum was planning on picking that room anyway since it would be close enough to Jinyoung, but it made him even happier that Jinyoung really wanted him nearby as well.

"I guess I've made my choice too then." Jaebum said with a chuckle, looking into the other room that was just as large as Jinyoung's, a sofa and coffee maker being only two of the many items in it.

"You two are so cute! I'll be sure to give you guys your privacy whenever you're together." Jackson said, winking at Jaebum, obviously hinting at a more inappropriate thought.

"Jackson I said it wasn't like that..." Jaebum repeated, though he didn't really know why he was denying his feelings for Jinyoung. Jinyoung already knew about them anyway due to Mark's big mouth, Why was he still being so defensive?

"I know, I know, I'm just messing with you guys. Enjoy your stay in Hotel Jackson! I'll see you two in the morning! Please get a good rest!" Jackson stated before quickly heading back down the hall, leaving Jaebum and Jinyoung just staring at each other.

It felt a bit awkward, but Jaebum didn't know why. He tried to break the silence, unable to handle feeling so weird around Jinyoung. "So, Jackson had a really nice place huh?"

Jinyoung nodded. "I mean, he lives in a penthouse so..."

"Right..." Jaebum said, feeling that even their small conversation felt off. Why did he feel so awkward and embarrassed? He hated it, and him trying to prolong their conversation made it feel worse. "So um... I'll see you in the morning, you should get some rest."

Jinyoung nodded, backing into his room. "You should too. Have a good rest Jaebum."

"You too." Jaebum replied before Jinyoung closed his door, leaving the elder there in the hallway.

Jaebum stood there for a minute, shaking himself out of the uncomfort he felt. Jinyoung was acting fine, so why did he feel weird? Must just be his worries of being in a new place or something. He walked into his own room, flopping himself down on his bed. All Jaebum could hope for was Jinyoung to be okay here, and that he made the right decision in the long run.

----------------------------------------------

(*this chapter sort of has no point being here, yet it does??? Idk anymore lol*)