Chapter 15
The Start of Something NewAllen entered the cafe with Woobin walking behind him, the both of them having changed into more casual clothing.
“It's done?” asked Jake after Allen walked over and pulled up a chair to sit down.
“It's done,” confirmed Allen as he nodded his head after sitting down. “Things should calm down now, so you can head back whenever you want to,” he added.
“Great,” sighed Jake as he leaned back in his chair. “I hope that whatever happens next isn't as stupid or crazy as what just happened,” he grumbled.
“Right, your father's trial,” sighed Allen as Woobin walked over with their drinks and handed Allen his before going to sit nearby and observe the happenings in the coffee shop.
“How much worse can it get?” Asked Chanyoung as he looked curious.
“Well, considering how my father can get, it can get pretty bad,” responded Jake as he shook his head. “At least, the worst trial is over,” he mumbled to himself as he leaned back in his chair.
“That's one way to look at it,” scoffed Jeonggeun before he took a sip of his coffee. “Why the hell did you need me there anyway if he was going to be-” He paused when he remembered that Chanyoung and Seobin still had their translators in their ears. “Nevermind,” he finished, shaking his head.
“Someone had to be,” responded Jake as he shook his head. “I knew this was going to happen at some point,” he mused, looking thoughtful.
“You knew and didn't bother telling me?” Asked Jeonggeun.
“How could I have told you?” Asked Jake. “This involved your brother, and despite everything he was still family to you,” he explained.
“You could've told me ahead of time that my brother was going to end up dead," snapped Jeonggeun as he stood, walking away to calm down and not do anything rash.
“You never told him?” Asked Allen as he turned to Jake.
“How could I?” Asked Jake as he let out an exasperated sigh. “This was his brother for god's sake,” he grumbled. “They were still family despite everything and I didn't want that to tell him because of it,” he explained.
“I think I know where you're coming from,” chimed in Chanyoung as he thought about it. “Because it was family you didn't think he had to know until the moment his brother was thrown to the ground at his feet for this trial?” He asked. “What do you think would've happened if you told him beforehand?” He asked.
“Knowing him, a lot,” grumbled Jake as he reached up and rubbed his temples in frustration.
“Gee thanks for the vote of confidence,” muttered Jeonggeun as he let out a soft sigh. “I'm ready to go home,” he added, speaking louder as he walked back over to where they were sitting.
“Will you two be okay going home?” Asked Jake as he turned to Chanyoung.
“Yeah, we live in the same dorms as Allen,” responded Chanyoung as he nodded. “It was the only dorms in the area that would accommodate my brother,” he explained.
“What's your major anyway?” Asked Jeonggeun.
“I'm a med student believe it or not,” responded Chanyoung as he rubbed the back of his neck with his right hand. “I'm not sure which part of the medical field I'm going into yet, but I'm just a first year so,” he added with another shrug.
“Good luck to you, and we'll see you around I guess," Jake said in farewell as he stood.
“Yeah, same to you,” responded Chanyoung as he nodded. “Also, I wouldn't mind going to another gathering, as long as my brother can come along, we did have fun despite the um, thing at the end,” he added.
“I want to come too!” Exclaimed Seobin as he looked up from his drawing and at Jake. “I had tons of fun!” He explained with a grin.
“We'll see okay?” Asked Jake as he let out a soft chuckle. “I'll let Allen or someone at your dorms know if you can come back for another gathering,” he added.
“Can you tell Jay I said thank you?” Asked Seobin as he looked down at the markers again and gathered them back into a pile. “I would give them back but he said to keep them so,” he explained with a nod.
“I'll make sure to tell Jay you said thank you,” reassured Jake before he left with Jeonggeun.
~
“I get it now, why you didn't tell me first,” commented Jeonggeun as he walked back to the house with Jake. “This would've caused me to try to probably fight for his innocence, despite the odds against me,” he sighed out, taking out his translator and putting it back in the charging case and stuffing it in his front pocket next to his phone. “It doesn't mean I'm not pissed at you for not telling me, but I am more understanding of why now,” he explained.
“Some things are better left unsaid until the last minute," agreed Jake as he nodded his head. “But next time something this big happens I'll be sure to let you know, okay?” He asked. “Not that there won't be a next time, but just in case,” he added.
“I get it, and thanks,” mumbled Jeonggeun as he looked down at the ground as they kept walking. “I also see why they told us to leave, not just because of Chanyoung and Seobin, but in case I decide to try and interfere,” he added with a sigh. “Not that I would even be able to interfere,” he mused, looking thoughtful. “The idea that I may interfere, or try to, seems like it was on everyone's mind,” he hummed, looking up at Jake as Jake grabbed his hand.
“Are you willing to stay as soulmates now, after you've gone through this crap?” Asked Jake as they stopped walking.
“Honestly, I don't know,” responded Jeonggeun as he shook his head. “But I am willing to take this as slowly as possible until after we either graduate or when you get done with your duties under Hwon,” he explained, keeping a steady gaze on Jake who observed him with a calculating stare.
“We can do that, yeah,” agreed Jake as he nodded his head. “I don't know if I can even wait until after I'm done with my duties under Hwon, but we can see where we end up at after we both graduate,” he decided on, nodding in agreement to the terms set.
“That's that, then,” mumbled Jeonggeun before he turned and kept walking, almost dragging Jake with him as his hand moved, letting their tattoos touch.
It seemed to ease the turmoil in Jake's mind as he followed after Jeonggeun, knowing that even after everything that's happened so far, that Jeonggeun was still willing to give them a chance.
Jake just hoped that fate would work in their favor this time.
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