Victuals & Vehemence - Septiplier

Chapter Twenty Seven

Around lunchtime, Jack crawls out of bed again. He gathers up his notebook, pen, and photos. After jotting down a few final thoughts next to one of his sketches, he gets fully dressed and heads downstairs. The omega follows the sharp scent of his mate through the home to a back room. Behind the door, he hears the soft murmur of his mate's voice, before a sweet, higher-pitched voice replies. Jack lightly knocks. A few seconds later, the door opens.

"I'm heading out. I need a change of scenery, I won't be back until dinner," Jack says to his mate, eyeing over the alpha's shoulder to where an omega sits. His button-up is unbuttoned, corset off and to the side, and undershirt pulled up to expose his stomach. The omega's head is cocked to the side as he peers back with curiosity before smiling widely.

"Jack! It's great to see you! Congratulations on the pup!" Mat exclaims, hopping off the table. He hurriedly pulls on his corset over his soft undershirt, tying the strings with the natural ease of someone who's been doing it their whole life. Mat buttons up his shirt over the corset and then bustles over. Mark steps to the side to let the omega hug his mate. Jack scowls and half-heartedly hugs back, wanting to be kind.

"Thanks," the gruff omega mutters begrudgingly. Mat pulls back and smiles happily at him.

"I'm glad everything went well between you two," he says softly. Mark goes to the large counter in the room, working on measuring and counting something out as Mat talks. After a moment, the alpha comes back.

"Here's your medication, Mat. It's the same as last month's," Mark says, offering the bottle of pills and a piece of paper. The omega smiles softly and takes the items, holding them close to his chest.

"Thank you, Mark. I appreciate it. They really do help," he says quietly, looking up at the alpha with appreciation. Mark chuckles and pats Mat's shoulder reassuringly.

"Don't worry, dear. It's my job to help," Mark says. Jack scowls and steps closer to his alpha, feeling possessive as the two hold eye contact for a moment longer. Mat breaks the connection and leans forward, pressing a kiss to each of Jack's cheeks, giving his biceps a squeeze, and flouncing out.

"Why was he half undressed?" Jack asks, frowning.

"Doctor-patient confidentiality, darling. I'm not allowed to tell you. I can assure you, it was not an act of infidelity," Mark murmurs, resting his hands on Jack's hips, smoothing over their soft curve as his thumbs rove over Jack's flat stomach.

"Mhm. That's the omega that talked to me right before we mated, correct?" Jack asks. Heats make everything foggy.

"Yes. Mat's mate is the mayor."

"He's Nathan Sharp's mate?" Jack asks incredulously. They are an infamous couple, fans of nightlife, and incredibly young to be in their position. The papers love them. There are rumors that Nathan got there by holding some massive blackmail over the older people who had been in power.

"Indeed. However, we're currently taking a lot of the press off of them," Mark chuckles quietly. Jack scoffs and rolls his eyes. There's a moment of silence between them before Jack slowly reaches up and undoes the top button of Mark's shirt. He pulls back the collar and looks over the smooth skin with firm muscle rippling beneath it. There are a few blemishes, all Jack's doing. The bite marks, knife scrape, and the cigar burn. The omega stands on the tips of his toes and presses a gentle kiss to the angry circle of skin. Mark tenses, hand tightening on Jack's waist.

"Can we agree not to physically injure each other when we are angry with one another?" Mark proposes. Jack giggles and blushes, ducking his head in embarrassment.

"Usually the omega's the one asking that question," he said softly, resting his head on Mark's chest.

"Mmm, but nothing about us is typical," the alpha murmurs. Jack suddenly gasps, jerking back, and digging in his bag.

"You could help! Fresh eyes, a medical perspective, and it doesn't bother you that much!" the omega exclaims, jerking out his journal, stuffed with pictures, sketches, and notes about the Angelmaker. He shoves the notebook into Mark's hands, looking up at the alpha with hopeful eyes.

"When you find the time, will you look over this? I'm still going to go out, but when I return, we could talk over this? I'd love to hear your thoughts about the Angelmaker's profile," Jack chatters away, blue eyes shining with hope. Perhaps Mark could help with the breakthrough. The alpha raises a brow and slowly takes the book.

"I will do my best, though I'm quite busy this afternoon. I'll see what I can do. Where will you be going?" Mark asks. Jack waves his hand, dismissively.

"Who knows? I might do a couple of interviews, some reconnaissance around the bar the murder was linked to. Or, I might just head out and let my thoughts run by a brook," the omega hums.

"You have your guns, right, and all your knives?" Mark checks. Jack giggles softly and presses a quick kiss to Mark's lips, feeling the alpha's concern through their bond.

"No need to worry, Alpha. I can handle myself, and our pup," he reassures. Mark smiles slightly and nods, resting a hand over Jack's stomach.

"I could keep you locked up, protect my pup. The laws do allow it after all," he muses. Jack scowls and pulls him into a feverish kiss, biting harshly at Mark's bottom lip before pulling away.

"You could try, and fail," he replies. He buttons up the alpha's shirt again, turns, and heads out, leaving Mark with his notebook of every single thing he's ever thought about when it comes to the Angelmaker.