"What news do you have about my uncle, officer?" Jackson asks anxiously as he stands up from his place at the dining table.

An anxious feeling is building up inside him, the pit of his stomach is heavy and he feels like he is about to throw up. His heartbeat races as he continues to look at the police offices intensely.

"It might be good if you sit down Mr. Wang." The tall police officer says, hand wavering towards the couch, making the suggestion he should sit down there.

Jackson walks to the couch and sits down slowly. Next to him Mark and Jinyoung sit down. Jinyoung's hand finds its way to the small of Jackson's back. Mark intertwines his left hand with Jackson as he puts his other hand on Jackson's thigh, slightly squeezing it.

The officers sit down infront of them on two chairs the small officer grabbed from the dining table.

"Your uncle," the tall officer starts, "he disappeared a while ago."

Jackson stares at them confused but also noticing how the officer is looking at the ground, as if he is finding it difficult to tell Jackson the full story.

The police officer looks up after a couple of seconds of silence and stares at Jackson. Jackson is looking back at him with distressed eyes, scanning all over the police officer's face for any sign of comfort.

"He disappeared a while ago as I said. To be exact, he disappeared 3 months ago. Exactly the day after he had called you. You see, Mr. Wang, after he called you he was seen driving to some apartment building, but he never got out. All there was seen was three man, all wearing black clothes and masks to cover their identity, escaping the back of the building. A couple of minutes later they came out with a big bag in their hands. They carried it to a van and disappeared, just like your uncle. The surveillance cameras recorded every movement. We tracked the license plate of the van, but to no succes. The license plate was fake and the van was stolen. The footage of the theft is missing so we have no clue who they are."

The pit of Jackson's stomach got heavier as the police officer told the story. His eyes started to sting, and as he desperately tried to hold back the tears, it didn't work. Tears fell down his face. The reaction of the two beside him are immediately felt by Jackson, Jinyoung rubbed his back as Mark held his hand thighter and rubbed his upper leg in attempt to comfort him.

Jackson himself was trembling. His legs was shaking as his whole world seems to collapse right infront of him. The one who supported and loved him when no one else would is gone.

"People started worrying and looking for your uncle as he didn't show up to his work, missing his appointments. We were notified by this and soon after the Hong Kong police department started an investigation. We tried looking for your uncle and  we searched for him everywhere. It wasn't until a week ago until something incredible happened, we had gotten the golden hint. The forest ranger said they might had seen the culprits in their forest close to the apartment building. He also said he heard struggling coming from nearby when he was walking through the forest. Days before the police department in Hong Kong had told the nation on national television about what happened and they asked if someone might new what would have happened. In the end we went to search for your uncle in and around the forest. Fortunately, we found him."

Jackson feels relieved, they found him. Though worry crushed his hopes quickly. "I-is he still alive? Is he okay?" Jackson interrupted the police officer.

"Unfortunately, he isn't. We found your uncle dead about 7 feet underneath the surface in a coffin. He died due lack of oxygen according to the autopsy. He most likely suffered a slow and painful death. When we got him out of there, his body seemed almost unrecognizable."

"H-how are you sure it is him then?" Jackson asked, the tears still flowing down his cheeks. His sight was clouded by all the tears he was shedding and his head was aching but he could care less. He loves his uncle.

"We are almost 100% sure it's him because of his teeth. They were still in a good condition." The small police officer explains.

Jackson slowly nods. "So wh-what now?" He asks tentively.

"Well, you will have to go back to our colleagues in Hong Kong who are leading this case. They will give you more details about the whole situation. Besides you will go into interrogation, to see what you know about your uncle and to research if you may know something relevant to the homicide."

Jackson slowly nodded. "Okay, and when do I have to go there?"

"As soon as possible. I suggest you take the first plane to Hong Kong. By coincidence, I know that your parents already know and they will be notified about your presence in Hong Kong after you have gone to the police station. Unfortunately, you aren't allowed to visit them beforehand."

"O-okay." Jackson mumbles. A heavy silence takes over the room. Jackson stares down at the ground. He sobs silently as his friends try to comfort him.

What he feels is indescribable. His world is crashing down. He can't believe his uncle is gone, forever.

He will never speak to his uncle again.
He will never touch his uncle again.
He will never see his smile, hear his laugh.
He will never hear his voice again.
He will never go out with him again.
Talk to him about all his troubles.
His uncle will never comfort him again.

Jackson can't believe it. Many thoughts go through his head. It can't be his uncle right?

It can't be him.

He cannot be dead.

"Anything else we can help you with officers?" Jinyoung asks. He wants the officers to leave so him and Mark can fully focus on comforting Jackson.

Jinyoung is sensitive and he just feels Jackson's pain at the moment. He knows he can't do anything to turn it back to how it was before nor can he do anything to prevent what happened.

Jinyoung does know that it will take time to realize that. Jackson shall go through the stages of grief and it will be hard. It will be even harder knowing all of it will happen while the investigation goes on.

Jinyoung hates seeing Jackson like this. He has seen Jackson in pain before but never has he seen Jackson like his. He has never felt Jackson's pain like this.

The worst thing is, the knows Mark feels it too. Mark knows how it is to go through those stages. Mark knows how it is to loose someone so close to you.

Jinyoung doesn't know if that will make things better or worse. All he knows is that those police officers have to leave.

"No, I think that is all for now. If there is more we will let you know."

"Let me let you two out then." Jinyoung says has he stands up, leading the two guests outside.

Meanwhile, Jackson throws himself fully in Mark's arms, sobbing loudly. Mark tries to console him by hugging him and rubbing his back, shushing him without any words.

Mark's thoughts wonder off to the time where he lost someone. He knows how it feels to loose someone so dearly.

He remembers the face of the man clearly. He remembers the funeral. He remembers all the struggles he went through.

His mind quickly switches to how his experiences could help Jackson. But Mark also knows every griefing process is different. Especially this one with the investigation going on.

Luckily, Mark is determined. He wants to help Jackson no matter what. He wants to console Jackson and make things easier for Jackson wherever he can.

Jinyoung shuts the door softly and walks back into the living room. He sees Jackson in Mark's arms while fully sobbing. Jinyoung takes place next to Jackson and rubs the small of his back softly.

"Th-this can't be happening right?" Jackson speaks up. "I-it must all be a dream! He, he cannot be dead!" Jackson exclaims panicking.

Both of the boys don't know what to say at this moment. They both know this is the truth and they will have to live with this from now on.

They both stay silent, not knowing which words will calm Jackson down. Their words might probably not be enough to silent Jackson, to make him stop crying. 

Jackson's whole body is shaking as he panics. He is completely in his own world, consumed by his thoughts. They overwhelm him as he cries more and more in Mark's arms.

Jackson's headache worsens, his eyes start to hurt more and more. Mark can't handle it any longer, seeing his boyfriend like this. He is in Mark's arms completely devastated and Jackson looks like he is almost losing control.

"Baby," Mark speaks up softly, Jackson looks up at him, breathing heavily and sniffles.

"Listen to me, okay?" Mark continues. It was more of a question than a demand but Jackson nods at him anyways.

"We are going to get through this. I know it may seem not easy right now. And to be fair with you the road will not be easy. There will be many obstacles before you will feel okay again. You will feel angry, devastated, upset and sorry. Some days you will feel like you can just disappear and leave this world forever. Some days you will like you will be able to live the day without too many worries. There will be days you will want to lock yourself in your room all day and suffer alone, there will be days you will do that. There will be days you will be so angry that you might throw stuff, break it all into tiny pieces. You will scream as loud as you can on those days. There will be days you will blame yourself for everything that happened. You will think about how you could have prevented this from happening. And there will be one day, you will find acceptance. When that day comes, you will finally feel at peace. Before that day comes, and even after, I will be here for you. On your bad days and on your slightly better days. I am sure Jinyoung will be by your side too. Aswell as all your other friends. Aswell as all your parents. We will get through this."

Jackson slowly nods and smiles weakly. "Thank you." He whispers. "Both of you, thank you."

Mark dries Jackson's tears with his thumbs. Mark cups his face and pecks his lips softly.

Jackson turns himself to Jinyoung and embraces him. Jinyoung hugs back, a smile on his face.

"I think I need a nap." Jackson announces softly. You can still hear the panic in his voice. His voice trembles slightly whenever he speaks. "And some aspirin because this headache is killing me."

"Of course baby, head upstairs and I will be right there with the medicine." Mark says.

Jackson nods and slowly walks upstairs, his head hanging low.

Mark heads to the kitchen cabinet to grab a glass, he pours some water in it. When he turns around, Jinyoung stands a few feet away from him.

"Do you think we can do this?" He asks.

"I don't know anything for sure. But I do know that if we try hard and give everything, we will atleast be able to make him feel a little better." Mark says. He places a hand on Jinyoung's upper arm and squeezes it a little.

Jinyoung gives him a reassuring smile and Mark heads upstairs, he stops at the bathroom to get the aspirin.

He walks into his and Jackson's room. Jackson is laying on their bed, his back facing him.

"Here you go." Mark says and puts the medicine and the glass filled with water down on the bedside table.

"Do you need anything else?"

"Please stay here."

"Of course baby." Mark lays down next to Jackson, taking him in his arms. Jackson moves so he is laying on Mark's chest. His eyes start to water again as he thinks of what has just been told to him.

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A/N: Helloo~ The secret is finally revealed! Or well, this is not everything but you know 👀

What do you all think?

And what will happen next?

~jacksonsidiot🌷