Thief

40

"Okay, so. Are we all calm? We got our emotions situated and everything?" Jackson asked at the dining table where everyone had regathered for the first time since their conversation earlier.

Jaebum looked over at Jinyoung, both smiling as they locked gazes. "Yeah... we're good."

"I can see that you two made up well." Jackson said happily when he noticed the loving eye contact.

"Make up sex?" Mark asked before shoving food in his mouth.

"Mark stop it, don't joke right now." Jackson scolded, hitting the elder on the arm.

"Sorry... joking lightens the mood, y'know?" Mark replied.

"You can joke around after, we need to talk seriously about what we're doing." Jaebum stated.

Mark nodded, deciding to be serious for the moment. "Right. So... wait, what are we doing?"

"Well, I dunno. But, I was thinking that your idea of telling the police was actually smart." Jackson stated, to which Jaebum frowned at.

He just didn't like the idea of calling any authorities. They could be partnered with Shadow, or they could take Jinyoung away from him for shooting that store owner in the leg. Either way, it just didn't seem like a good idea that would benefit them in the long run. "But- "

Jackson raised a hand, stopping Jaebum from arguing. "Hold on a sec. I get where you're coming from, the police might be corrupt. But remember, I have connections. I can't guarantee that they're trustworthy, but I can call up my friend who's the head of a nearby police station. He's the one that provides any protection I need since I donate to the station quite often, so I can contact him and let him know what's going on and ask him for some more help."

Mark nodded, agreeing with the idea. "Okay, well that sounds like the beginning of a plan. We're getting somewhere now. I don't think it's a bad idea Jaebum, Jackson usually had trustworthy sources."

"And... I might need Jinyoung to recount his story, just so they know everything he's been through and everything that goes on in Shadow. That place is basically keeping normal people as slaves to do their dirty work, and that's why they don't want anyone finding out. People need to know about this to watch their own safety and to help those who are suffering." Jackson stated, looking over to Jinyoung for his response.

"I can do that. I'll tell them everything." Jinyoung assured.

Jackson smiled, leaning back in his chair. A weight was being lifted off all of their shoulders now that they were putting their heads together to actually form a plan of action. "Good. Our best bet is what we said to do earlier, stay put. They know where Jinyoung is, so I'm sure they're watching the building 24/7. If we even attempt to leave, they could ambush us and take Jinyoung. Or take all of us. Or... we'll, y'know... do whatever they may want to do with us..."

Jaebum was actually on board with all of this. Though he didn't want to totally admit it, the four of them alone were pretty powerless. Having some back up was probably a good idea, and probably a really good way to keep all of them safe. "But Jackson, remember you're important too. They know he's staying in your penthouse, which means that you have to be careful. If they catch you, they could gain a lot of money and information that you have. I mean, you're famous, and everyone knows that famous people are valuable."

Jackson waved off Jaebum's worrying, nodding his head confidently. "Right, I got it. Don't worry. None of us are leaving, I just asked my chef to go get us some more food, so we'll be good for a little while longer here. I wish we could have more freedom than this little space, but..."

"Little?" Jaebum asked, gesturing to the high ceilings and wide spacious room.

Jackson rolled his eyes. "Well, y'know what I mean. I have go call my friend down at the station now. Jinyoung, can you come with me?"

"Sure..." Jinyoung said, hopping off of his chair to follow Jackson out of the room.

"It'll be fine, just tell them everything you told us, and any extra information." Mark instructed.

Jinyoung nodded, already formulating what he was going to say. "Yeah, I got it..."

"Baby you'll do fine." Jaebum said as encouragement, watching Jinyoung look back at him with a light blush as he walked away with Jackson.

Jaebum could feel Mark's mischievous stare from across the table, furrowing his brows at the elder who sat there with a smirk. "Oh, 'baby'? You're getting really comfortable with him, huh? Pet names already?"

"Uh, I-It just... came out..." Jaebum stuttered, his own cheeks flushing red with color.

"Jaebummie you're so cute when you're in love! Makes me miss the good old days..." Mark said, gazing up at the ceiling in remembrance of his own young love.

Jaebum scratched the back of his neck, feeling embarrassed for letting the name slip. "I-I just..."

"You don't need to explain. You two are adorable together, and I'm happy to see you finally in another relationship. I think you need him." Mark stated with a slap on Jaebum's shoulder.

"I do? Really?" Jaebum asked, not expecting such supportive words to come out of Mark of all people.

Mark nodded, humming in approval. "I think so. It may seem that he needs you right now, but... I think that after we broke up, you've deprived yourself of much needed love and affection over the years. I know that was probably my fault, making you sort of afraid to love again because of my uh, disloyalty. You grew so cold and boring over time, I never thought I'd ever see the warm bubbly Jaebum again. But Jinyoung brought that side of you back, and I'm happy that you're happy."

Jaebum's jaw fell open from Mark's kind words, and he quickly had to close his mouth to hide his shocked reaction. Mark really catches him off guard with these random spells of kindness, but he appreciated it more that way since they're so rare. "You can be really nice when you want to..."

"I'm not a mean person. I'm just mean to you." Mark answered back, chuckling at his own joke.

"Wow, thanks a lot..." Jaebum responded with the roll of his eyes

"No problem Jaebummie!" Mark exclaimed, making Jaebum grin and let out his own bit of laughter too.

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(*cute lil chapter lol. Sorry for any mistakes, I tried to catch them all but I'm not using the device I normally update on so I might've missed some.*)