Reason

(Quick update. This song won't get out of my headddd)

Jake-

Waking up in a dark room was a blessing to Jake's headache. It felt like he'd been hit in the back of the head with a frying pan, though as his memory started to flood back, he knew that the pain had been caused by Jana. It was worrying to know that his brother had done such a thing, and clearly on purpose, but for some reason, Jake couldn't shake the happiness that curved his lips.

I have a big brother.

Jana needed a lot of help, but Jake knew that there was something else there. His brother wasn't just an aggressive person. There was more to him. The few times he'd met him before the previous evening were proof enough.

He 's really, honestly, a sweetheart. He just doesn't seem to know how to show it.

Of course, what caused Jana to snap was slightly lost on Jake, though. He knew that it was technically him, but why? He had no clue.

"Hello, Jacob."

Unsurprised, Jake turned his head on the pillow to see Jade slowly step inside the room, then shut the door before walking over. He turned the lamp by the bedside on to its lowest setting, allowing just a faint glow to illuminate the closer portions of the room. The warmth of Jade's palm pressing against his forehead relaxed Jake almost to the point of slipping back to sleep.

"Still tired, I see." Jade stated with a hint of humor to his tired voice.

Jake smiled, then yawned. He did still feel really tired, but he didn't want to go back to sleep. Now that he was full conscious, he could feel his throat aching painfully and his headache had doubled. There would be no more sleeping for a bit.

"Would I be able to have something to drink, please sir?"

Jade frowned for only a fraction of a second before he managed to cover it up and nod. "Of course, are you feeling alright besides your throat? I'd assume it's quite sore, but that should go away with time."

Jake took a moment and did a mental inventory of his body. Indeed, his throat and head were the only two things that were really hurting. "Just a headache besides my throat." He replied, wincing a little at the soreness.

"I'll get you some medicine for the pain, too. Be back in a moment."

The moment Jade's warm hand disappeared from his face, Jake knew that he was in trouble. Not just because he'd used sir again, but because he really wanted to call the man back and tell him to forget about the medicine and water. He just wanted him there.

Grumbling, he ducked his head beneath the pillow and heaved a stressed sigh. I need to get back to Adam. Being here is just going to put more stress on both of us, and I don't want to bother Jade anymore than I already have.

Besides, he liked Adam fine. The man wanted to help him, and was honestly doing a good job just from what he'd done so far. I have to work tomorrow, too. The idea was surprisingly uplifting, though. He hadn't been able to keep a solid job down yet. It was his chance to finally get his feet beneath him and begin walking as an adult.

When he heard the door open a minute later, Jake forced himself to sit up. He was going to move back against the headboard, but Jade was suddenly behind him, gently pulling him back and into his lap. Strong arms wrapped around him and Jake nestled right into them hungrily. There was silence for several moments, but Jake was perfectly fine with the quiet. He needed the attention after all the craziness that had happened, and Jade seemed to know that.

"Thank you," Jake eventually said when one of Jade's arms retreated to bring back a few pain pills, then once Jake took them, a small cup of water.

Jake took the medicine, then easily finished the cup of water before reaching over and setting it down on the nightstand. He knew that he had to return to Adam soon, but he just wasn't willing to be the one to break contact. I don't think I'm causing him stress right now. Jake spared a quick glance up at Jade's face, but the man didn't seem to be paying him much attention. At least, not mentally. His eyes were locked on the opposite wall as he slowly breathed in and out and the fingers on his right hand gently rubbed along Jake's back.

The quiet whir of the fan overhead had Jake's eyelids growing heavy as he relaxed against Jade. Darkness eventually crept in where he could faintly hear whispers of words off and on, but when he finally opened his eyes again, he was surprised to see Adam sitting in a recliner a few feet away. The man was relaxed and when he noticed that Jake was awake, he offered him a calm smile.

"Good evening, Jake."

He's not calling me A.J.. Then Jade had to have spoken with him.

He didn't mind, though he had grown accustom to his abbreviated name. "How are you feeling?" Adam asked, making Jake do another mental check of how he felt. His headache wasn't nearly as bad, and his throat hurt less.

"I'm feeling much better." He almost let a sir slip, but he managed to clamp his mouth closed fast enough to cut off the word. He felt Jade's chest vibrate with a slight chuckle, bringing heat to his cheeks as he groaned quietly and turned his face into the man's chest.

"Jake?"

Blinking his eyes open, though he hadn't even noticed he'd closed them, Jake hurried to look up at Jade, then lower his gaze as he replied. "Yes sir?" Jade's fingers gently slid beneath his chin and lifted it until their eyes met.

"You fell asleep again suddenly. Are you sure you are feeling alright?"

A frown turned the corners of Jake's lips downward. "I didn't realize, but I don't feel bad. Just still a little tired."

"It could just be his body trying to force him to rest more. You said he was already checked out by your friend, so perhaps he just needs to get back to bed." Adam said as he stood from his seat and walked over. He looked like he wanted to check his temperature, as he'd been lifting his hand toward Jake's face, but at the same time Jake felt Jade's arms tighten around him, Adam retracted his hand.

"Alright. Well, we should head back now, Jake. You need to get some rest."

The hand that Adam extended to him then was hard to take, but Jake knew that if he stayed with Jade, he'd just cause more problems. It had been very clear that they weren't compatible to live together. It would be unfair to ask Jade to let him stay for the night because he felt comfortable in his arms, even if he was still a little nervous about messing up one of the man's rules again.

"You're right." Jake finally said as he reached out to Adam.

When Jake's hand settled in the warmth of his, Adam tugged him gently from Jade's lap. His legs were shaky, but Jake was proud that he managed to get his balance without a stumble. "Are you alright to walk?" Adam asked, worry in his voice.

It took a moment for Jake to feel comfortable enough in his decision to nod, then reply quietly. "Yes, I think I can walk." He did squeeze the man's hand that he was still holding, though, just to let him know that he would appreciate a bit of help. Adam returned the small gesture and added a smile, then nodded to Jade.

"Thank you for helping him, I'll give you a call tomorrow to let you know how things are going. If he ends up not being able to start working tomorrow, I'll be sure to try and get that straightened out, too." Adam said.

Jade gave a stiff nod and stood, offering his hand to Adam, though his eyes barely left Jake's for a moment to do so. They shook hands, but Adam clearly was more amused than anything when their hands, except for the one that still held his, dropped to their sides.

"Have a good rest of your night, Jade, and please give my compliments to Rose. She is a fantastic cook, though we'd just had a few small cookies while we spoke." Adam said with a small smile before turning and nodded to Jake.

He returned the gesture and they carefully made their way outside. He'd thought that walking wouldn't be too bad, but by the time Jake finally got situated in Adam's car, habitually having gone to the backseat, he could barely keep his eyes open.

"If you're having trouble staying awake tomorrow, I'll get you to a doctor. You were already checked out, but I'd feel more comfortable doing it again if necessary."

Jake didn't bother arguing about the cost of a doctor's visit, that he definitely couldn't afford to even pay back for a while. If he kept his not-started job. "Go ahead to sleep. I'll carry you in to bed if you don't wake up when we get to my home."

Needing to hear nothing further, Jake quietly thanked Adam as he drifted off almost immediately after the words left his lips.