Chapter Text
When The Vulture smacked Jake on the ass, everything around Jake froze. He couldn’t think of anything else, flashbacks to the night with Brogan went through his head and he felt like he was going to throw up. Why didn’t he have more strength? Why did he have to feel so weak? Jake wants to rush out of there and to the bathroom but he just couldn’t make himself move, instead he decides to fall back onto his chair. Ignoring everyone’s eyes on him, Jake goes back to filling out his paperwork on the murder case Terry and him solved, hoping that everyone would go back to their own work.
“Jake?” Terry’s voice makes him flinch, “Do you need to take a walk?”
Jake nods, knowing that the words wouldn’t come out of his mouth. He grabs his hoodie and makes a run for the elevator, not looking up even once. He remembers what Dr. Kim had told him, talk to yourself, let yourself know that it was just a flashback, you’re safe. But was he actually safe right now? A random man could come up to him right now and touch him when he didn’t want to be. Jake takes a few shaky deep breaths and sits down on the bench, hands balled into fists. Nothing was going to make him feel better right now, so he feels the need to just man up and get over it.
When Jake feels someone sit next to him, he moves further away because not even an innocent civilian who just needed to sit down. “Are you okay?” It was Charles, “What the Vulture did wasn’t very appropriate.”
Jake nods and swallows, “Yeah, it sucked.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
When you don’t feel safe, or you don’t feel well, tell your friends, Jake. Deciding to follow Dr. Kim’s suggestion Jake speaks up, “It reminded me of something bad that happened to me.”
“Oh? What was it?”
“A few months ago, Jimmy Brogan sexually assaulted me and I’ve been meaning to tell you but I didn’t want one of the closest friends to think any differently of me,” Jake explains. “When the Vulture smacked my ass, it felt like Jimmy Brogan all over again, I felt weak. And I know it may seem really weird for me to randomly be opening up about this but I’m nervous rambling and trying to take my therapist’s suggestions.”
“Oh my God, Jake, I’m so sorry,” Charles says, not really knowing what else to say, because what else was there to say? His best friend had been sexually assaulted by a horrible man, a man that was idolized and he didn’t know about it for months.
Jake sighs and sits back on the bench, “I’ve been rejecting your Monday evening drinks because I have therapist appointments and Friday drinks as well because I’m trying to reconnect with my mom.”
Charles offers Jake a small smile, “I’m really proud of you, Jake. I know how hard it is for you to open up about things like these. And thank you for telling me.”
“Well, you’re my friend so you deserve to know,” Jake says.
“Who else knows?”
“Basically the whole squad except Amy.”
“Why not, Amy?”
Jake shrugs, “I don’t think we’re those types of friends.”
Charles sighs but nods anyway.
That night, when the Vulture touched his butt again, Jake decided that he had enough. “I didn't like that,” Jake says, but it barely came out as a whisper.
The Vulture stops walking and turns around, “What’d you say?”
“Please don’t smack me on my ass again, I don’t like it,” Jake says, louder and with more confidence. “It’s not appropriate at the workplace, or anywhere for that matter.”
“Okay, Twinkle Toes,” The Vulture scoffs.
“I agree with Peralta, Detective Pembroke,” Captain Holt says, “No one wants to file or receive a sexual harassment complainent.”
“Alright, my bad,” The Vulture says, putting his hands up, before grabbing the doorknob.
“A real apology, Detective.”
The Vulture turns around before looking Jake in the eyes, “I’m sorry.”
Jake sighs, “It’s okay,” before letting the older man leave the office. He turns to Captain Holt, “You didn’t need to make him apologize.”
“You deserve an apology,” Holt says before sitting back down, “And I am proud of you for standing up for yourself.”
Jake nervously crosses his arms and looks down at the floor, “Thanks, Captain, it means a lot to me.”
//
As Jake sat on the Thanksgiving dinner table, it hit me. This was his family, his family that he got to choose. Sure, his father may not have been there for him but he had Captain Holt and Sarge. Gina was always scared to show people the soft side of her but she never hesitated when it came to him. Charles is one of the most understanding and nicest people he’s ever met, he felt like he didn’t even deserve Charles. Amy… she’s just Amy. He never wants her to know what’s happened to him, it was selfish but he just couldn’t.
He sighs before getting up with his glass, a soft smile on his face. This was home. These people were his home. His safety.