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Chapter Text

One of worst night of Jake's life started with simple question.

"I need a favor, you're sober right?"

It's was surprisingly warm Saturday evening in December, so almost all plebes from Naval Academy were still gone using town liberty (including his roommate Javy) when Natasha Trace come to his room without even knocking.

Normally Jake would joke about rudeness of that or how he was underage and he would never drink illegally, but Natasha looked like shit.

She was pale sweaty and holding her stomach, so he just answered her. "Yes. Do you need me to drive you to hospital or something?"

He asks right away, because he can be nice and he never really saw her look that bad before, so maybe he's little worried about her. 

"What? No, I'm fine. Don't be ridiculous" She said like she didn't look half dead.

"You don't look fine."

"I'm fine! It's just... I just started my period. It's not that bad usually, but today it's hell."  She whispers while looking away after he gives her a look. 

"Okay, do you need me to buy tampons, pads or anything like that?" She looks surprised at that offer, and now Jake feels very offended by that, but she starts moaning before he can say anything about it.

"Just shut up and let me talk." She whines. "I'm fine on period front, but I can't drive like that and promised Bradley I would pick him up."

Jake only now notices she's holding car keys in the hand that isn't clutching her stomach. "Can you pick him up for me?"

He rolled his eyes at that, because of course this is about Bradshaw. 

"He is big boy, I'm sure he can find his way home." 

Because fine, Jake he is aware that he is what some people might consider acquired taste, but he really tried particularly in these early weeks, and Bradley Bradshaw literally took one look at him and he decided he didn't like him, as if Jake's very existence triggered him.

"I'm sure one of guys will give him ride or something." He adds after Natasha gives him a look this time.

"No, because he went on a date and it's in Washington. I tried calling him so he wouldn't wait for me and get taxi or something but I think his phone is dead."

Natasha gives him pleading look and with how pathetically she already looks, it's very effective on Jake. He already knows he's going to waste his evening on that tasteless (those Hawaiian shirts are fashion crime) asshole instead of studying. 

"Please, I don't want him to miss curfew because of me." Natasha didn't even need to add that.

"I'll really own you one for this."  And she definitely didn't need to add that, but since she did, Jake would me fool not want favor from her. 

"Fine. I'll hold you to that. Just tell where to pick him up. "

"You're not Natasha." Is the first thing Bradshaw said after he got in the car. He looks so very confused that Jake has trouble refraining from laughing.

"No shit, Sherlock."

"Did you steal her car?"

So Bradley Bradshaw is one of those really stupid drunk. Jake thinks. This might be fun actually.

"Yes, I stole her car, and came to the one place she was supposed to be right now, because that is more likely than her just asking me to pick you up instead of her."

And Bradley looks like as if he was actually considering this possibility, at least until Jake starts laughing, then he mumbles. "Right, that was a stupid question." 

"You're really drunk, aren't you?" Jake asks rhetorically. He saw Bradshaw stagger to the car earlier, but still he didn't expect that level of drunkenness from Mister Perfect. Bradshaw just flips him bird in response.

"I guess the date didn't work out." Jake adds because he can't help himself.

"It is none of your business. Besides, so what if I'm drunk? I'm over 21! I can drink if I want!" Bradshaw sounds angry now.

Bradshaw is stupid and angry drunk, this won't be fun.

But fine, Jake can handle this, so he stops himself from making some old man joke, because the fact that he's on the older side of plebs seem to be very sore spot for Bradshaw. So Jake decided to be nice, he definitely didn't joke about it, because he never saw Bradshaw that drunk before and he might be worried of his reaction. 

"Just please fasten your seat belt, so we can leave and not miss curfew." He just says instead, because he realized Bradshaw had no intention to do so. "It's over an hour away, so we only have a few minutes extra."

"Fuck you, you can't tell me what to do Mav!" 

Mav? Who the fuck is Mav? 

Jake just looks at Bradshaw while blinking, because dude not only turned fully into moody teenager from alcohol, but also having some kind of hallucination or something?

"I'm not Mav. I'm Jake." He tried to be reasonable. "This is literally the law. I'm not starting this car until you do so." 

"Whatever." Bradshaw answers with eyeroll but he actually does buckle up, so Jake starts driving. 

"Wait, why did Natasha asked you to do this? Did something happened?" Bradshaw suddenly ask after few minutes of silent drive.

"She's fine. She just started her period and it's rather bad one, but she's fine beside that."  

Bradshaw relaxed his head against window again after hearing that, and after a while he started snoring. 

The last thing Jake remembers is mostly that snoring, and that he looked at the time thinking they would easy make it before curfew. 

He didn't know that they would not even get to leave Washington that night.

The thing is he doesn't remember the crash, but apparently this is the case sometimes, and this is not something to worry about.

Jake doesn't really mind that, because he wishes he could also forget what he does remember. All that blood, noise and pain.

He knows, but doesn't remember, that at the junction they were hit by a drunk driver who ignored a red light. 

Apparently there was nothing he could have done to avoid that, and Jake not sure he believes that, but he really doesn't remember anything about the crash, so he tries to believe official reports that all the blame was on the other driver.

He feels guilty anyway.

What he does remembers is waking up in a car thinking his head and left arm were killing him.

Someone was screaming outside the car (Please shut up.) and he could smell the sharp stench of petrol and blood. 

He also remembers realizing the car is wrecked and thinking Natasha is going to kill him.

And then he remembers looking at bloodied and stiff Bradshaw, and forgetting about his own pain because Bradshaw looked like he was dead.

He remembers blooding (there was so much blood everywhere) his shaky hands while trying to find his pulse and swearing when he couldn't. 

"Don't you die on me you fucking asshole." 

The last thing he remembers before darkness came is thinking he killed Bradshaw and now Natasha was really going to kill him. 

Chapter Text

Jake is used to waking up in a hospital bed, so at first he doesn't panic.

Even when he notices that his left arm is in a cast, he still doesn't panic.

Then he looks around the room, and notices Brashdaw lying in next bed, all in bandages like a mummy, recalls last night and he perhaps panics a little.

He almost killed Brashdaw, his social life is over. 

So a slight panic is very much in order.

The nurse who came to reassure him is young and beautiful, but after having a panic attack in front of her, he is unlikely to have a chance with her.

After he calms down, they have a typical conversation with questions like ‘how many fingers am I holding up?’ and ‘do you know your name?’ to see if his brain is working. 

"Do you remember what happened?"

Yes?

No?

Kinda?

When she notes that he is considering his answer she adds. "This is normal if you don't remember everything."

"Car crash?" She nods in response.

"I don't remember crashing, but I know that I was driving, and then I woke up in wrecked car. Brashdaw was fully covered in blood. Is he all right?" As soon as he asked about it he felt stupid.

Brashdaw is literally drowning in bandages next to him and he asks if he is all right.

"Don't worry, you and your friend seems to be are very lucky." She smiles, but he can tell she's hidding something.

"And don't worry about the naval academy." She changes topic. "They were informed of the situation right away because you both had emergency contacts set up as staff from the academy. They can't come, but they said to not worry about your absence, it will be excused."

Normally Jake would feel a little offended by the sympathy in her voice, but he's too focused on the fact that Bradshaw also has no one private he can set up as a emergency contact.

He is always surrounded by people, does he seriously not have normal contact in case of an accident?

Not even Natasha? They seem to have been non-stop connected since the beginning of the academic year.

Although, all in all, it's only been a few months.

Fuck, speaking of Natasha, he really need to call her.

He puts on his best smile. "Is it possible for me to get my phone back?"

After a little negotiation he gets his phone.

A phone that is almost discharged, because it comes out that Natasha and surprisingly also Javy tried to contact him practically all night.

He is most surprised by the number of worried text messages from Javy. 

He did not expect that he would care so much about him.

His last message is from an hour ago. "We know about the accident but they didn't tell us much and they won't let me and Natasha leave to come to the hospital. Please get back to me when you are able to"

Jake definitely did not expect Javy to want to visit him in hospital. 

He texts Javy "it's fine and i'm fine" (He doesn't say anything about Bradshaw because he's still lays like mummy next to him, so he can't really say he's fine).

He tries to force himself to call Natasha next, since she didn't text only called, but before he can do this, Javy starts calling. 

It's almost like he started calling the second he got his text.

Wierd.

Wierd, but nice. He is a little scared to call Natasha anyway. Not only he wrecked her car but also wrecked her best friend.

Any excuse is good to postpone this conversation.

So he picks call from Javy, and that conversation is even weirder because Javy seems so sincerely worried about Jake.

And it comes out that just before he was together with Natasha and they were worried together, but now she's in the bathroom.

He states that he will allow himself to be a coward this time and will take the easy way out, so he tries to finish this conversation fast, before Natasha can come back and yell at him. 

He asks Javy to pass everything on to Natasha, not that he knows a lot to be honest and that he will call when Bradshaw wakes up, but right now he's getting tired. 

He falls asleep almost as soon as he finishes talking, so he didn't even really lie with the fact that he's tired.

He is woken up by Brashdaw talking to some other nurse.

Before he happens to be completely reassured by the fact that Brashdaw sounds reasonably functional, the nurse asks his age.

"Eighteen." He responds confidently. 

Fuck.

Nurse doesn't even blink. Jake almost wonders if she knows that Bradshaw is definitely not eighteen.

"What year and month are we in?" She ask next.

"July, 2001."

It's December 2005.

"Ok." Nurse just smiles at Bradshaw like he didn't just get year wrong by almost half a decade.

"I think I'm gonna get a doctor." She says leaving their room in hurry.

Since his bed is closer to door Jake gets to see her smile dropping as soon as she's out of Bradshaw sight. It gets replaced by worried face.

And Jake gets left alone with Bradley who thinks it's 2001. Maybe he can close his eyes and pretend to be asleep before he notices him.

"Hey, sorry for asking, but do you know if they called my dads? She left so suddenly I didn't get to ask."

Damn, he noticed him. 

Not only has he noticed him, but he seems to be looking at him as if he is seeing him for the first time in his life.

As if they were some strangers in a hospital who happen to share the same room.

Not like they've been seeing each other almost every day for several months.

"Sorry, what?" He pretends to be fool.

"My dad. Do you know if they called him? Or my p-uncle Tom?"

There's something in the way he says that uncle Tom, but Jake is not sure what.

"It's wierd that none of them are here." He adds this so quietly that Jake almost didn't hear it.

And the thing is Jake knows nothing about Bradley's parents except that they are dead, so he can guess that his father died somewhere between July 2001 and when they started naval academy this year. 

Given that Uncle Tom is no longer his emergency contract, he guesses that he probably died during those years too.

"No, sorry, I don't know if they called your dad or your uncle Tom." He lies.

He's not cruel enough to say They can't call dead people.

"Can I use your phone to call them?" He ask or almost begs really, because of course he noticed the only thing on his bedsite table. 

You also can't call dead people. 

"No, sorry. I don't let other people use my phone." He lies again, and mentally begs that nurse to hurry up, because Bradshaw looks like he's gonna cry soon.

"If I give you his number can you call him for me, please?" 

I also can't call dead people.

"Fine." He lies once again, because he can see tears in Bradshaw eyes so he figures he'll try to stall before nurse gets back here. 

Bradley gives him sunny smile (VERY WIERD) and then gives him the phone number.

Jake enters the number as slowly as he can. He doesn't even know is this phone numer is for his dad or his uncle, but it is unlikely to matter since they are both dead.

He starts calling expecting simply to be told that the number no longer exists or something.

Only that there is a signal, and someone picks up almost immediately, so Jake makes some started noise instead of saying anything normal like 'hello'.

Damn, of course someone else have this numer right now.

"Who are you, and how did you get this number?" The voice on the phone is so icy that Jake feels threatened.

Great some psycho now has this number.

And he really didn't think it was possible to be afraid of someone's voice until that moment.

"I'm not gonna ask again."

Now this guy is definitely threatening him. That's what he gets for trying to be nice. 

Where's that damn nurse?

"I'm sorry, sir. I think my friend gave me wrong number."

"It's right number! It's Ice, he just sound bitchy on phone!" Bradley screams offended from next bed, and Jake just hopes guy on phone didn't heard that because he sounds like serial killer (not bitchy), and he doesn't want to piss him off, or at least piss him off even more than he already has by this accidental phone call.

His luck is, of course, that serial killer heard it.

"Was that Bradley?" Only now the serial killer seems concerned, and actually sounds far less like serial killer, almost like normal person.

Serial killer knows Bradshaw.

"Yes? Are you uncle Tom?" He ask because he knows for sure that Bradshaw parents are dead and he has only guessed that his uncle is also dead.

And if his uncle is in the habit of threatening everyone as a greeting, then Jake is not surprised that they might have had some falling out or something.

"Yes. What happened? Where is he?"  

"Car crash. We're at MedStar in Washington." He remembers being told this by the first nurse. 

"I'll be there. Do you..." Whatever he wanted to say gets cut.

"Fuck, my phone is dead."

He puts useless thing on table, he not sure when he will be able to get charger.

"Good news is, he said he will be here." He says to Bradley, and he seems to relax by hearing that, but only for few seconds.

"We're in Washington?" 

Damn.

"Yes?"

"Why I'm in Washington?" 

Fuck.

He is rescued from answering this question by a nurse with a doctor who has kindly turned up at last.

Chapter Text

When Bradley's uncle said he would show up, Jake wasn't sure what to expect, but he definitely didn't expect that dude would show up not even before doctor was finish talking with Bradley.

(Maybe he was magician instead of serial killer. Maybe Bradshaw was the kind of guy who was embrassed to have uncle in the circus or something.)

Talking is graceful way of saying what was happening.

The doctor seems so fascinated by this case of amnesia that he questioned Bradley without paying attention to his reactions. After few minutes Bradley seemed get rather overwhelmed by the doctor's interview and intrusive questions. The nurse tried to restrain him a bit, but to no avail. Doctor asshole dismissed her rather rudely.

After another few minutes of intense questions, even Jake could tell Bradley was about to cry.

Just as he was about to try interviene somehow, someone else spoke.

"I think that's enough of this interview for now."

Bradley visually relaxed at the sound of that voice. Which was quite funny because the voice was very murderous. Doctor Asshole literally flinched in surprise.

"And who are you?" 

"I'm his uncle." He said, approaching the bed. Bradley stretched out his hands towards him, expecting a hug. Uncle seemed surprised by this, but he hugged Bradley gently. "Hi, sweetheart."

(Jake isn't jealous.)

"Took you long enough. You'll have to make it up to me." Bradley mumbles, hiding in his shirt.

(And Bradley is spoiled little shit, because Jake is sure, it had not been more than half an hour since he had called his uncle. Unless he was somewhere really close to hospital, he probably broke some speed limit to get here.)

"I'm sorry, baby goose. I'll will." His uncle anwsers with kiss to his hair.

(JAKE ISN'T EVEN TINY BIT JEALOUS.)

After Bradley's uncle chased away the asshole doctor, Bradley ask. "Where is dad?"

(And Jake thinks, this is going to be so awkward.)

"He's probably at the San Diego airport right now. I was in Washington for work."

(What?)

"He is coming for sure, right?"

"Yes."

"He's not mad at me? Because, he said he would kill me if I ever drove drunk again."

(Huh?)

"Were you driving under the influence? And what do you mean again?"

"I don't know, I don't remember anything, but he said I had a high blood alcohol level and I hear something about a drunk driver, and I really don't remember anything."

And although Jake would prefer to remain ignored (he's still not convinced the guy isn't a murderer), he feels he has to intervene.

"That asshole doctor explained it to you wrong. We were hit by a drunk driver. You were drunk, but I was driving. Sober." He adds.

"We?" Bradley seems most confused by the fact that they were in a car together; He seriously thought Jake was some random guy from the hospital room. "Sorry, I don't remember you."

"Relax, I guessed it from the context."

Bradley's uncle turned to him. "I'm sorry, I was extremely rude. I didn't introduce myself."

"That's fine." Jake interrupts him." Considering the circumstances." He extends his hand towards him. "I'm Jake Seresin."

"Tom Kazansky." He grabs his hand before Jake can take it away.

Fuck.

He knew there was something familiar about him when he saw him, but he seriously thought maybe he had seen him on TV somewhere as a portrait of a murder suspect.

"Don't worry, I'm here privately. Just call me Tom or Ice please."

That's right, he's here privately because he's Bradley's uncle.

Jake almost killed Bradley.

And Bradley's uncle is Tom "Iceman" Kazansky.

Jake is dead dead.

The most embarrassing thing about panic attacks is the awareness afterward.

Jake didn't think he could ever have worse and more embrassing panic attack, then the one in middle of school at fiften.

Then he had panic attack in hospital infront amnestic Bradley Bradshaw and Tom "Iceman" Kazansky.

Admiral Kazansky who calmed him down from his panic attack.

He pretty sure Kazansky called him kiddo, buddy and even baby at some point.

Jake gonna have to quit academy.

If Kazansky doesn't kick him out first for being so pathetic.

"Jake, you're not weak or pathetic." At Jake's surprised look, he added. "You have it written all over your face."

"Okay." 

"I know you don't belive me now, but really panic attacks are nothing to be ashamed about. Especially when you had a traumatic night."

Jake just nodds, because he won't agrue with admiral.

"Would you call me pathetic or weak?" Suddenly he asks.

"No, of course not, sir." He adds sir because he suddenly feels in trouble again.

"Well, I'm pretty sure due to the age advantage, I had way more panic attacks then you. And kid please, don't call me sir."

Jake isn't sure what to say in response to such unexpected honesty.

Brashdaw saves him by snoring.

"Did he actually fall asleep while I was having a panic attack?"

"Told you it wasn't that big of deal."

Jake was embarrassed that Bradshaw had potentially witnessed his panic attack, but the fact that he simply fell asleep was somehow insulting.

Jake decides to change topic.

"He thinks it's 2001." He starts. "I'm pretty sure he even doesn't remember 9/11." He adds because thas is just weird.

(and whatever beef you guys had.)

He only gets a nod in response.

"Can I leave you alone, to go talk to doctor while he's still asleep?" Which is a weird question because Jake is nothing to him.

"Yeah." 

"Are you sure? I'm pretty sure this guy won't say anything sensible anyway, so if you want, I can stay." And Jake wants to ask him to stay, if only to see if you would really stay. 

"Yeah, I'm sure." He says instead, because asking him to stay would be kinda wierd. Even very wierd if Jake was being honest.

Not even counting the fact that he's only nice to him because he's under the false impression that he must be good friends with Bradley. 

Kazansky gives him one last chance to change his mind with a raised eyebrow in question. You sure? Like he could somehow see thought his bullshit. 

"I'm fine to be left alone." 

"Okay." He says finally and leaves.

Jake gets left alone with Bradshaw and his snoring, and starts crying for some reason.

Chapter Text

Jake doesn't even remember when he fell asleep. One moment he got left alone and and started crying like a baby, while Bradley was snoring, next he got woken up by swearing. 

"This is not fucking funny!"

Now Bradshaw is crying. He cries very loudly.

(And it's almost rude, Jake was crying silently, trying to not wake up Bradley.)

Admiral Kazansky is back in their room, only this time with different doctor. 

"Buddy, this isn't a joke." Kazansky sounds sad.

"It's impossible that it's 2005." 

This doctor starts to nicely explain that head injuries are really unpredictable, and that he's confused now, but most memory loss following an accident is temporary. 

She says he will most likely remember everything, sooner or later.

(Jake can see she's trying to be comforting, while not giving any guarantees.)

Bradley just keeps crying, while Kazansky rubs circles on his back.

(When it's his turn for the doctor to talk to him, like always there's no one there to rub circles on his back. Not that he needed it, of course.)

(But maybe, just maybe Jake is a little jealous.)

After the doctor had left, and a few Polish lullabies that Kazansky softly sang to calm Bradley (If Jake wasn't having auditory hallucinations, which he's almost sure he wasn't, but not 100 percent. Maybe he also had some kind of head injury.), they got their first meal.

(It's a bit rude to give things that require cutting to someone with only one working hand.)

Bradley may not remember the last few years of his life, but at least he has two working arms, so he has no problem eating.

"Jake, do you need help?" Kazansky ask, as he starts moving towards Jake.

Obviously. 

"No, I'm good." He huffed instead.

"Ok." Kazansky raises hands in surrender and Jake pretty sure he also bites his lips to keep from laughing.

Little shit Bradshaw actually laughs at him. 

"Ice, don't a dick." Jake is almost impressed by the audacy. Bradley called Iceman a dick to his face, even if he is his uncle, he's still Iceman. "Help him." 

"Language." Kazansky says half-heartedly towards Bradley, then he ends up taking Jake's cutlery and cutting up his food. 

Jake let's him do this, and tries very hard not to look at him. For some reason, this feels even more embarrassing than a panic attack.

(Jake doesn't remember anyone ever cutting his food.)

"Apparently I'm old as fuck right now. I can swear if I want to." 

"Bradley, twenty-two years old is not old as fuck." Kazansky says dryly.

"For you, because you're fucking ancient." 

"Thank you sweetheart, you always say the nicest things." Iceman chuckles while rolling his eyes, then he turns to Jake. "Done, you got this now?" He ask as if he would be ready to help if Jake said no. The fact that he even asks is even more embarrassing than the fact that he just cut up his food. As if Jake were a child who couldn't even eat on his own. Jake feels his face burning.

"If I say no, will you spoon-feed me?" Jake asks sarcastically, hoping to embarrass Kazansky at least a little, because it's not fair that he's the only one dying here from shame. The guy is an admiral, he shouldn't be mollycoddling some random first year student from naval academy. Even if he is under the false impression that he is friends with his nephew.

"I can." He simply answers seriously, and Jake doesn't know what to respond to that. 

For long moment the only sound is Bradley chewing.

"No, thank you. I got this." Jake finally mumbles while taking his cutlery back and he's pretty sure his face is red as tomato at this point. "And twenty-two kinda is old as fuck." He adds, because he's petty like that.

"See?! Jake as my fellow eighteen years old gets it." Bradley says refusing his real age, then he smiles brightly at him, definitely not realising that Jake also said that to indirectly insult him. Bradley with amnesia is weird.

"I'm still seventeen actually." Jake corrects him, focusing on his food which was cut into such small pieces as if Jake was three years old or something.

(Kinda embarrassing, kinda nice, but mostly embarrassing.)

"You're a minor?" Kazansky suddenly sounds pissed.

"Only for like seven more months." Jake isn't sure what he did wrong. It's not like he chose when he was born.

"That's over half a year." 

(Mind your business Bradshaw.)

"You're a minor, and they didn't even send anyone from the academy." Kazansky swears something in polish, and if Jake didn't know better he would think, that somehow Kazansky was offended on his behalf.

"I'm not a child." Jake says because he doesn't know what else to say.

(It's impossible he is offended on his behalf, right?)

"You're a minor." Kazansky repeats it again as if Jake didn't know how old he was. "Not even taking into account how weak it is from the point of view of decency. It's a legal matter. If something happened here at the hospital and they even didn't send anyone, there's potential for a lawsuit."

(Right. That makes so much more sense.)

"Don't worry, I don't have any living parents to sue academy." Jake tries to reassure him, but that doesn't seems to work. "Foster father who signed waiver and parental permission for me doesn't care enough to sue, for sure." Since it also doesn't seem to calm Kazansky, so Jake adds with uneasy laugh. "I can guarantee you that James Smith wouldn't even piss on me, if I was on fire, so academy is safe."

Kazansky suddenly takes a deep breath. "What do you mean?" 

Maybe he shouldn't have said that.

Now both Kazansky and Bradley look at him with something like sadness and pity.

(And Jake really wants to say: Screw you Bradshaw, guy who doesn't remember last few years of his life doesn't get to look at anyone with pity, at this point you are the most pitiful person here.)

"Jake, what do you mean?" Kazansky simply repeats the question. The question is heavily loaded.

Damn.

He really shouldn't have said that.

The silence is very awkward.

Jake wonders if he could turn this into a joke, but it's probably way too late for that. Besides, he would literally rather set himself on fire than start talking positively about James.

Fuck.

Jake idiotically wonders if there's a chance that if he doesn't respond, Kazansky'll drop the subject. Plan is very idiotic but, no harm in trying. And since Jake has no other plan, he will simply remain silent. 

Kazansky just keeps on staring at him, waiting for an answer.

Bradley raises an eyebrow at Jake. Is that your plan? Really? As if to ask.

(Bradshaw with amnesia is even more annoying than normal Bradshaw.)

When it finally looks like Kazansky is going to say something more, after he seemed to realize that Jake not gonna crack from his stare alone, Jake starts praying to some higher power to save him from this conversation now.

He can't cope with it now.

And for the first time in a long time, somehow something listened to him, because suddenly a hurricane blew into the room.

Kinda tiny hurricane, but hurricane nonetheless. 

"Dad!" Bradley managed to cry before the hurricane hugged him.

This was the very first time in Jake's life that Pete "Maverick" Mitchell saved him from something.

It wouldn't be the last.

Chapter Text

When Jake found out that Bradley's uncle was Tom Kazansky aka Iceman, he didn't think anything could surprise him anymore about Bradley's family.

Then turned out dude's dad was Pete Mitchell aka Maverick.

(Like the fuck?! We're talking about Navy royalty here.

He wonder does Natasha knows? Does anyone?

Bradley Bradshaw was some kind fucked spoiled runaway princess.

Because Jake is pretty sure something happened between them, and it was probably Bradshaw's fault, he couldn't image Maverick doing anything wrong to Bradshaw, not when he was staring at Bradley like the sun was shining out of his ass.

(Jake can now admit, he's dying from jealousy. Like come on, it's freaking Maverick. Yes, Iceman is technically just as impressive, but he's not MAVERICK.

He's not reason why Jake wants to fly.)

He doesn't know what happened, but when Bradshaw was saying he doesn't have family, it didn't seem to be like I don't want to admit I'm Super Nepo baby. Guy really seemed to believe he didn't have anyone.

And for real, the audacity of this fucking lying asshole?! Just unbelievable!

Jake's the one who doesn't really have anyone.

When you really don't have anyone, you don't have anyone to show up in hospital, even if you minor and there's apparently lawsuit potential.

But since you're just nobody who doesn't have anyone, naval academy doesn't even bother to send anyone for five minutes.

When you lie that you don't have anyone, when you're in hospital two Navy legends show up as if you're the most important thing in the fucking world.

How can you have family who loves you so freaking clearly, and say you don't have anyone.

Jake wanted to fucking fight lying Bradshaw, but of course fucking asshole just had to get amnesia, so Jake couldn't fight him now, at least not without looking like he was asshole.)

Jake didn't even realize he was spiraling, until he felt two gentle hands on his face. 

"Jake, calm down." Iceman.

"Calm down yourself." Jake cries.

"Just breath, buddy." Ice says and Jake realizes, He really kind of forgot to breathe.

"Breathe yourself." Jake chokes, but he tries to breathe.

"That's right, baby." Ice starts to encourage him.

"Not a baby." Jake cries like a baby, but he's not anyone's baby anymore. "You're a fucking baby yourself."

"Okay, not a baby, sorry." Ice says like he gets it, but he doesn't get it.

"Not a baby." Jake sobs louder, he wanted to be someone's baby again, but nobody wanted him since his mom died when he was eight. 

And freaking Bradshaw with his stupid mustache was still someone's baby. He clearly was his dad's baby despise whatever happened between them. He was even clearly his uncle's baby. And isn't it just not fair?

Jake was nobody's baby, and Bradshaw get to be baby of two somebody's and then he had the audacity to say he doesn't have anyone. 

"You're not a baby, Jake." Suddenly Ice is hugging him, while rubbing circles on his back.

This is so nice. Jake's pretty sure nobody did it to him since his mom died.

"You're not a baby, Jake." The way Ice keeping humming that phrase, makes it's easy to pretend he's saying "my" instead of "not a".

So Jake closes his eyes, and let himself pretend he's still someone's baby.

Ice is kind enough to start singing Jake lullabies the same way he did to Bradshaw before.

When nurse or doctor or something (Jake not sure who was that) shows up, he ended up getting some really good fully legal drugs to calm down.

And Jake doesn't know what he got exactly, but it knocked him down pretty good. He even ended up having this kind of funny, kind of fucked up, kind of weird, kind of sweet dream after he fallen asleep listening to Admiral Kazansky sing him polish lullabies.

There was nothing for a long time.

Just darkness and silence.

Then there was more darkness, but silence stopped.

"Okay, I didn't think I'd say this, but let's ignore the whole Bradley situation just for a moment." He dreams that his idol is talking. "Can we talk about the thing with this Jake kid?" Silly dreams, Maverick would never want to ignore Bradshaw, even for a second, to talk about Jake of all people.

Jake literally had talked with him only for few minutes before he had his mental break-down or whatever that was, let's just ignore that, and he could already tell that Bradshaw was like Maverick whole world. And really? The most annoying guy in whole naval academy, was secret son of Jake's idol? Could Jake's life be a bigger joke?

"We can't ignore the Bradley situation." Ice response is actually very realistic, Jake would like to praise his subconscious. Obviously Ice wouldn't care to talk about Jake, even if he had just lulled him to sleep by singing gently. Jake still not sure if that was real or did hospital drugs really have him such good trip. Maybe he should have car accidents more often, but it would be best if it were done alone in the future, so that he wouldn't have to feel responsible for anyone.

"And there's nothing to talk about the Jake thing." Very realistic, a bit sad, but realistic.

"I already made up my mind about Jake." Oh, Ice probably decided to kick him out of naval academy after all.

Maybe it's for the better Jake thinks in dream, maybe James Smith was right, and Jake doesn't deserve to fulfill his dreams. 

"You can't be serious." Maverick says. That's sweet, he's trying to defend him from Iceman. Jake wants to tell him not to bother, but he can't talk in this dream.

He can do literally nothing in this dream. He can only listen to voices in the darkness.

"You've put me in this situation countless times yourself. But you can't handle a role reversal just once in your life?" Now Jake is confused, and it's kind of rude that's his own dream is confusing him so badly. He would like to be able to at least open his eyes to see what is happening.

"Ice, that's not fair. You can't compare it to anything I've done.“ Long pause, Jake thinks something that can’t be heard happened.  “Well, maybe apart from that." He sounds so heartbroken.

Rude! Jake doesn't know what that is, and he likes to know things. He was called a nosy bitch more than once. His own dream shouldn't have secrets from him.

Then Maverick laughs in a strange way. "Hon, I know you think, this kid is like a lost puppy." Hey, even more rude! Jake is not a puppy! He's a mad vicious dog if anything!

"But Ice, this isn't a pet." Thank you dream-Maverick. Jake thinks. You're the best, dream or real. Even if you have such shitty secret son like Bradshaw. And really if you wanted a secret child, it should have been Natasha. At least she looks like you, and she's kind of cool.

"You're the one who thinks he's like a clearance puppy." Jake really wish he could talk to tell them to stop calling him that. He could be a baby, but that was way more insulting.

"Okay, fine. I do think that kid is very cute puppy." Maverick laughs sincerely this time.

Betrayal! Jake isn't very cute puppy! If he has to be a dog, then he is a wild dog with rabies! He's going to fucking bite someone when he wakes up from this weird dream to prove it!

"See, you want to take kid home as much as I do." 

"Okay, enough with enough with jokes." Maverick gets serious suddenly. "You really want to take in this kid, that you literally just meet today, might I add? You don't even know if this kid wants to be taken." Huh? When was that on the table?  And where are they taking him?

"Yes."

"Do you realize how crazy you sound? You sound like you want to kidnap a child, you know that?"

Jake is so confused. He thought they were talking about him, but now he's not sure. 

He remembers that his second foster mother told him once that even a fucking pedophile would want to kidnap him, he was such a terrible child.

They can't be talking about him, he is not a child anymore.

What kind of child are they talking about now? 

"Yes."

"Okay, there's that at least." Maverick sighs. "Bradley's accident fucked me up too, honey, but this isn't a way to cope with that."

Honey?

"This isn't about Bradley right now."

"Sweetheart, you wouldn't even know that Jake existed if it weren't for Bradley." Low blow.

But beside that, sweetheart? Was his subconscious making Iceman and Maverick into lovers?

They must have really had gave him some good drugs.

Anyways Jake must have missed a piece of the conversation, because now Ice is talking about some scenarios.

"Best case scenario, soon Bradley remembers everything. Scream at us to fuck off, and probably calls us some nice homophobic slurs for good measure. He leaves, but we're get left alone with cute puppy now at least." At this point Jake starts to wonder, if maybe he was just a puppy whole time, just pretending to be human. Maybe that's why he sucked so much at being human most of time. 

"It was one slur, and he was eighteen and justifiably furious, he wouldn't do that now. Give him some credit."

Wait, what? He can't keep up with his own dream, he thought he heard something wrong before, because with all his mixed feelings towards Bradley Brasdshaw even before the accident, he is definitely sure he doesn't use slurs towards people. Like dude almost got into fist fight with that Jefferson asshole for using slurs??? 

"It's was one too many." Ice sounds so tired. "Pete, you would let him get away with murder."

"Don't pretend that you're not the same now." Mav bites back.

Ice just ignored this attack. "Anyway. " Ice takes nervous breath. "Worst case scenario, he gets worse." Ice begins but is interrupted quickly by Maverick.

"They said there's was almost impossible chance he could get worse." Maverick sounds scared. "Don't even fucking start-"

What??? Bradley could get worse? When was that on the table?

Jake won't live down if Bradshaw going to get worse, because no matter what people say, he was driving that car. He is responsible for it. It doesn't matter that he doesn't remember it. If only Jake had been better, he probably could have avoided a collision with that drunk driver somehow.

And what does it mean worse? Dude already forget like chunk of his life. How can it get worse?  

"But there's a fucking chance, so worst case scenario." Ice starts again, this time more firmly. He truly sounds like Navy Admiral now. "He gets way worse. He need full time care. One of us has to quit work to take care of him full time. And since Jake clearly already feel responsible for this car crash, if Bradley would somehow ended up requiring constant care, I think he would just quit academy and force himself into our house to help." That sounds a bit like something he would have to do, because he is responsible for this situation. Natasha trusted him with this one thing and he let her down.

Jake starts to hate this dream. Why is his subconscious giving him idea that Bradshaw might get worse.

That is fucked up.

Jake wants to wake up, or at least wants to scream at those nightmarish versions of Iceman and Maverick for giving him such idea.

He thinks he manages to whimper something, because he can hear something coming closer.

Then he thinks that it was bad idea to make people from nightmares pay attention to him.

Fuck.

Before he can gets scared what those nightmare people will do to him, someone is stroking his hair. While someone else took his hand and started rubbing tiny calming circles with his thumb on Jake's skin.

Huh? Maybe it was nice nightmare after all.

"Calm down, sweetheart." Maverick is stroking his hair? "I guess you're really coming home with us, huh?"

Jake thinks this is actually isn't nice nightmare after all, because when he wakes up, he will be back in a reality where no one wants him. 

"Please be patient with me from now on. I'm also foster kid nobody wanted." Maverick whispers like it's a secret, and Jake would cry if it wasn't just a dream. But since it's a dream and he can't cry. Maverick just kisses his forehead as he says. "I guess you're really our puppy now." 

Person holding his hand stops with tiny circles, and Jake wants to protest, but he's still speechless in this stupid weird dream. "Mav, stop calling our new baby a dog before it sticks for good." Ice?

Jake thinks it's too late. He already resigned himself to being a pup in this dream, and honestly he doesn't mind as long as someone actually wants him. 

Ice then return to rubbing tiny circles with his thumb on Jake's hand, while still holding it. Jake's decided that, he loves getting tiny circles, somehow even better than getting big circles on his back, and the big circles are pretty amazing.

Maverick laughs softly. "So much for you're not a baby Jake." Because he also doesn't get, Jake wish he could to be someone's baby, but nobody wants Jake. 

"Please have you seen him? He's the babiest baby to ever baby. Not counting, Bradley before he grew that awful mustache." And we're back to insulting Jake, because it's one thing to be called a baby, but babiest baby to ever baby? That's just crossing a line. At least stupid mustache gets it too, this time.

"Please leave Goose's mustache out of this." This is once again is so absurd. Why does goose have a mustache, what's going on?

"Bradley is almost pulling this mustache look off. He's probably going to grow into it." Maverick adds, and the worst thing he's right. 

Bradley Bradshaw is one of the few people in the world who will be able to make this pornstache work.  Jake is sure he is that if he tried something like that he would get arrested on sight.

"Please, Goose was barely pulling his own mustache off." Ice somehow disagrees. "And mainly because it was the 80s."

Why are they keep talking about geese? Jake remembered suddenly that he is still a little afraid of geese, to be honest. In one foster home, a goose almost bit him. He thinks he would be even more afraid of a goose if it had a mustache. That's just a fucked vision.

Jake decides he doesn't like this dream after all.

"How dare you." Mav mocks. "For you Poles, nothing is truly sacred." He probably did point finger at Ice or something, because he stops stroking Jake's hair, and Jake doesn't like that even more. He wants to cry.

He wish he could say anything about it, he don't know how.

Only somehow since it's his dream, maybe he gets to control it a little sometimes or something, because Mav, seems to realize Jake didn't like that. 

"Oh, sorry." He chuckles, and he resumes petting Jake's hair. "I guess, you're a very needy puppy." Jake thinks he's almost managed to make some sort of sound of approval.

He can be called needy if it gets him attention.

"Fuck you, Mitchell. Now I'm thinking of him as a pup too." Ice sounds like he's given up on this issue. "I found this kid first, I should be the one to gets to choose main term of endearment." If it weren't for the fact that Jake knows better, he would think that Ice was whining. He's pretty sure you can't be whining, as an admiral.

Even in someone's dreams, it's probably beneath the dignity of the position.

Jake will probably have to apologize to him when he wakes up.

"We both know no one will believe it. You could swear under oath that you put me against the wall, that you want to take in child that you met literally a few hours earlier, and no one would believe it. Everyone will think that the roles were reversed, and that you're just covering my ass saying it was you."

Ice makes a noise of agreement. "I do happen to cover your sorry ass quite a lot." 

"At least pretend you disagree for a minute." Now Maverick is whining too? 

"What can I say, it's a good ass."

"Ice." 

"Mav."

"Kazansky."

"What do you want me to say, doll face? The roles would be reversed if you were here first."

"Not the point I was making." Now Maverick is definitely whining. "And I'm way too old for you to keep calling me doll face. " 

"You're always doll face to me."

"Have you really looked at my face lately? Because if so, you definitely need new glasses."

His subconscious went insane. Jake is definitely offended on behalf of his idol.

Maverick is definitely not the kind guy to be insecure about his face.

He'd like to fight his subconscious, which has created such a strange dream.

But his subconscious seems to start fight him first, because the voices seem to fade away, and somehow darkness becomes even darker.

The last thing he remembers from this dream is that he wanted to whine.

Just please let me stay in this dream where someone is holding his hand and petting his hair. He begs, he doesn't even know who.

I don't want to wake up, and be alone again.

Chapter Text

Jake is woken up by Pete “Maverick” Mitchell talking on the phone.  Jake guesses that it is the next day because it is light outside the window.

He feels way more like himself than he did the day before.

His brain seems to be working normally, or at least normaler. He hopes that his memories of his behavior in front of the Admiral yesterday were mostly just hallucinations from the medication, like that fucked dream he had, but he is almost certain that at least one of these panic attacks actually happened.

He hopes he didn’t actually screamed "You're a fucking baby yourself.” at Admiral Kazansky.  

He doesn't think even Bradshaw could save him from the consequences of this.

Maverick speaks practically in a whisper, but he paces briskly around the room. He makes way more sounds from walking than talking, and Jake wonders if he's even aware of it. He seems to move like an animal in a cage.

Jake tries to figure out what he's talking about, but he's mostly just saying: no or yes. Annoyed Jake decides he probably won't guess what this conversation is about, on top of that, Mav moves so quickly from one end of the room to the other that Jake starts to feel dizzy trying to follow him with his eyes. 

He is feeling dizzy and thirsty. He doesn't want to interrupt the conversation to ask for water, so he looks around the room. Jake won't bother guy whose son he almost killed.

And isn't it unfair that of all the people in the world he almost had to kill the son of someone he seriously admires.?

Bradshaw seems to sleep without any worries, snoring loudly.

Admiral Kazansky is gone. Jake tries not to focus on it. Of course, Bradshaw's uncle, who is an admiral, has more important things to do than be in this hospital room.

Especially  since it's probably Monday and Bradshaw’s father showed up.

Jake didn't expect him to stay for him. Maybe he hoped he'd at least say goodbye or something. Whatever, not like he cares or something.

Actually, it's probably better, because he would probably die of shame if he had to look the admiral in the eye after his yesterday's antics. Bradshaw the one with official head injury™ and he acted more normal then Jake.

Jakie notices that there is an army of different types of water bottles on his bedside table. His phone is also connected to the charger. (He's not sure what to think about it. Did Ice did it before he left? He will counts that as goodbye.)

There are only two bottles of water on Bradley's table, but both are identical. For a moment, Jake thinks he's winning. (Winning in what? Having more water bottles? Jake probably went crazy from that accident too after all.) Then Jakes recall seeing Bradshaw with this exactly brand of water before. Actually, when he thinks about it harder, he probably has never seen him with any other bottle of water.

Mister “I have no one” has a father who even remembers what kind of water he drinks.

Jake wants to reach for the first random bottle of water from the edge of the table, but there are so many of them and he still feels some kind of loopy from drugs, so he accidentally ends up knocking all of from bedside table.

This is new low, even for him. He can't even pick up a bottle of water without making a mess.

“Sorry, I have to finish.” Maverick ends his conversation abruptly. Suddenly Jake realizes that Mav's full attention is now on him. He can't be in trouble for water bottles, right?

But he was in trouble for less before.

“Sorry sir, I shouldn't have touched it.” He closes his eyes, not because he's afraid, but the sun suddenly starts bothering him.

He is not afraid.

“No kid, please. I'm sorry, I probably woke you up, right?” Maverick voice seems to come out suddenly from under the bed? Jake opens his eyes and realizes Mav is picking up the bottles he dropped.

Jake is suddenly incredibly embarrassed. “Sir, please don't. I'll do it.” Which is stupid because he's not sure he can get out of bed without falling on his face.

“Relax with sir. You're making me feel old.”

(I'm way too old for you to keep calling me doll face.)

“Sorry sir.” Jake tries not to panic. Even if the guy doesn't kill him for almost killing his son, he'll kill him for that fucked up dream he had about him for sure. ”I mean, just sorry.”

“If you really prefer, you can call me sir.” Maverick picks up last water bottle. “I won't be mad either way.”

“Yes sir.”

Maverick smiles at him sadly, but he doesn’t comment on that “Which water do you want?”  He points to the water bottles.

“No, it's ok. I don't need anything.”  He replies like an idiot, it's not like he just fucked up the bottles because he wanted to drink.

“Kid, you're killing me here.” Maverick put his hand on his face like he had a headache. “I didn't want to start it heavy like that, but Jake, please look me in eyes.”

Jake is afraid but he does it. It's not like he has any choice.

“Jake, I promise I'm not angry with you. I don't blame you for the accident. I don't want to hurt you." Maverick almost certainly is lying. "Can you believe me?”

“Yes sir.” He lies too. Maverick know he's lying.

“I think you're probably the only person in the whole world who's more afraid of me than Ice.” Maverick tries different approach, but that’s just freaks Jake more. Maybe that would offend Kazansky even more then than his yesterday's behavior.

Fuck, Jake hopes Maverick won't pass this feedback on to the Admiral.

Jake doesn't know if he can save this situation, but he tries. He tries to imagine that this is martial court . “My behavior yesterday towards Admiral Kazansky was inappropriate and was caused by my poor condition after the accident, which I would never have done under normal circumstances. I hope…”

Maverick starts laughing. He literally doubled over from laughter. “Kid where is this energy coming from? You're scaring me right now. I would much prefer cheeky brat from yesterday, then whatever this is.” Jake can see where Bradshaw impertinence came from. It's definitely hereditary, because Jake is dying of nerves here, while trying to remind being professional and Maverick dismisses him like a little child.

But somehow despite himself, only this completely honest reaction from Maverick calms him down in some almost profound way.

Maybe he was overreacting, if the guy wanted to do something for what happened to Bradley's, he probably would have done it while Jake was sleeping.

Suddenly Maverick gets hit by pillow. “Some people are trying to sleep here.”  Jake is even more reassured that Bradshaw has woken up. Who would have thought how life could change in a few days? Jake is getting reassured by Bradshaw presence.

“You sleeping beauties have already slept through breakfast, so enough is enough.” Maverick throws back pillow gently, then he picks up one of water bottles, opens it and gives it to Jake.

"Thank you" He even stops himself from adding sir. Maverick noticed it too, because he smiles at him brightly.

“Since both of you are awake, I'll see if I can get your royal majesties late breakfast.”

“I don't want hospital breakfast, I want McDonald's.”  Bradley says that in such princessy way, that it is probably sole reason why Mav is jokingly calling them royalties.

Maverick just gives a surprisingly firm no in response as he's leaving.

“Dad please.” Bradley whines after him.

“Have some dignity man.” Jakes mocks him, but only when he hears door close and is sure Maverick won't catch it.

“I don’t want dignity, I want Mcflurry.” Jake thinks he kind of likes amnesia Bradley way more than normal one. He is almost funny.

“I never actually had Mcflurry.” Jake has been to McDonald's like three times in his life.

“Are you for real?” Bradley looks at him with more pity then yesterday when Jake almost slipped just how abusive his current foster “father” was.  His priorities are so messed up.

“Yes.” Jake cackles at the absurdity of the situation.

“That's great. I mean it sucks for you. Sorry, but don’t worry, we can use that to get pity Mcdonald's.” Bradley is acting as if he's conspiring evil genius. ”Even his health freak ways will be broken by this pitiful admission.” Jake just laughs harder.

Maverick returns with “Sorry darlings, no breakfast for you, but got you early lunch.”

(Jake tries not to think about getting called darling. Obviously it's easier to say darlings, then “darling and the random kid that is also here”.)

Jake rotten luck is that, lunch it's some fancy quiche. What happened to shitty hospitals meal that don't require cutting. Is it because the holidays are approaching that they raised their budget or what? Jake doesn't need such Christmas miracles.

But Maverick unlike cultured Ice is audacious, and he doesn't even ask Jake if he needs help, he just starts cutting his quiche as if it was his own. Jake is a bit grateful, it's easier than asking for help.

“You not going to cut mine too?” Someone's jealous.

Jake almost bursts into laughter again. Like, you idiot, you saw how he looks at you practically all the time? Even a layman in the family topic like Jake, can identify easy love bleeding out of Maverick towards his son at every turn. One of main reasons he felt terribly threatened when he realized he had been alone with this man earlier (because a sleeping Bradley doesn't count as any backup, a conscious Bradley is barely any backup.)

“Now Gosling, don't be jealous brat. You got two working hands. Jakey needs a little help.”  Jake pretty sure his face start burning at that, is Maverick trying to humiliate him? He didn't have to rub it in like that.

“I'm not jealous.” Gosling huffs, obviously a little jealous.

“Chill Bradshaw, I'm not trying to steal your pops.” Jake snorts, because Bradshaw evidently lost not only his memory but all his marbles.

Bradley makes an unconvinced sound in response between bites of his quiche.

Jake wants to say more, but the impudent man that is Maverick suddenly offers a small piece of quiche on a fork in front of Jake's face. Jake is so flabbergasted by that that he just opens his mouth and accepts the food.

You’re not helping clean up this misunderstanding. Jake wants to say, but he is not rude enough to speak with his mouth full.

“All cut, kiddo.” Maverick hands him his fork with warm smile, like he didn’t just feed Jake like a toddler. Jake can barely manage to say thank you, after he swallows.

Suddenly Maverick’s cell phone starts ringing.

"It's Ice," He says after looking at the screen. "Do you kids want him to bring you anything before he gets back?" He ask quickly.

Jake perks up. Ice will be back?

"Anything except McDonald’s, Bradley." Mav adds.

“That's the only thing I want.” Bradshaw huffs again. His father ignores him. “Jakey?”

Jake shakes his head "No" surprised, at being seriously included. He thought "kids" in question WAS courtesy. Then Jake thinks that was stupid, Mav definitely doesn't seem like a guy who says things from courtesy.

Mav picks his phone, and he doesn't even get to say hello, before he starts laughing. “Everything is fine, Ice. I can handle two kids for three hours on my own.” Mav is saying to his phone as he leaves room to take his conversation outside. Two kids?

“Chill Bradshaw, I'm not trying to steal your pops.” Bradshaw is mocking him, as soon as door closes and they get left alone.

Jake doesn't know what to respond, so he focus on his food. Mav cut quiche into very tiny baby pieces, just like Ice did with yesterday's omelette.

It's sort of nice.

He feels Bradley's glare on him whole time he eats dumb quiche.

Chapter Text

Jake didn't think he could consider Bradshaw even more mollycoddled than he already thought he was.

Then Iceman returns, and Bradley is whining that he went to work, while he's in hospital.

“I'm sorry, baby goose.“ Ice actually apologizes to him, as if he wasn't navy admiral, who definitely have more important shit to do, then cuddle Bradley. “I got rid of everything I could, but I really couldn't get out of that meeting at the White House.” Bradley just huffs unimpressed, like little spoiled princess he fucking is. “I’m really sorry.” Ice apologizes with kiss to Bradley’s forehead, as if he considered Bradley’s whims more important than meeting with fucking president.

Jake.exe stopped working.

“What Am I? Chopped liver?” Maverick jokes, while he’s cutting apple for Jake.  Jake doesn't understand what it is about this hospital that makes everyone suddenly need to cut up his food (and like ok, he got only one working hand, but he could just eat apple without cutting. He isn’t that hopeless!) but he doesn't complain. In general Jake feels like this hospital room is some kind of alternative reality, so he will enjoy this while it last. “But seriously Brad, stop trying to guilt Ice into getting you McDonald’s.”

"I'm not. " Bradley whines, but he looks guilty as sin. He turns to Ice. “Where you at least meeting with president?” He ask shamelessly. "I won't forgive you ditching me, for anything less than vice president." Bradshaw adds after a moment like a benevolent ruler or rather little pampered princess.

“Sorry, it was a little less than vice president.” Bradley had the audacity to look genuinely hurt a little at that.

Bradley is beyond rotten spoiled. (Jake wants to kill him out of jealousy.)

Jake also wishes he had a camera or something. He's sure that without evidence Natasha and Javy will never believe him. Then he tries to forget about their existence, because he still hasn't turned on his phone to inform them about Bradley's memory loss.

“But I promise you, precious, that if Mav hadn't gotten here yet, I would ditch every meeting for you. I would never leave you alone in hospital, not even to meet the president.”  Bradley just nods contented, as if it wasn't the most lovely declaration of love Jake ever heard.

Jake has to look away trying to not to start crying from envy.

“Pu-Jakey.” Maverick distracts him by starting hand feeding him pieces of apple.

He doesn't even mention tears that he most definitely can see in Jake's eyes.

When one of those tears finally escapes, Maverick gently wiped it away, after giving Jake another piece of fruit with sad smile.

And Jake must have truly looked pathetic, because when the doctor comes to make hospital rounds, Maverick is acting as if he is Jake guardian, when it’s his turn to be checked over.

Jake knows he's being kind to him out of pity, but he will take it.

When the doctor left (This time whole ordeal happened without anyone crying, Jake wanted to cry but he didn’t so he guess that's improvement.) Maverick and Ice switch by whose bedside they are.

Bradley makes Maverick gets into bed with him with one whiny look.

They both fall asleep literally the moment they find the most comfortable position to cuddle, and Jake is practically alone with Ice.

“I'm sorry for yesterday, sir.” He starts, but Ice stops by raising his hands.

“You have nothing to apologize for. You’re a kid in hospital after a traumatic event. I  have seen grown men act worse, after less.” He sounds very sincere. Jake almost believes him.

“Okay.”

There is silence (not counting the snores from the next bed), but it is quite relaxed.

 When Jake reaches for random water bottle, Ice helps him.

“This is the one you prefer?” He asks as he opens bottle cap.

“Water is water. I don't have preference.” Jake answers before drinking. He's trying to imagine James Smith's reaction if he told him, "Don't buy me that brand of water. I prefer this one." He would laugh, and not kindly. In fact, he think any foster parent he had would have laughed at him. If he didn't get slapped in the face by half of them for saying something like that.

“Water is water.” Ice repeats after him, but Jake doesn’t think he’s mocking him. Ice looks at Maverick, who strokes Bradley's hair even in his sleep. And If Jake wasn’t green with envy he would admit that they were making very cute picture. ”He’s always saying the same thing, you know?”

“Because that's the truth, huh?” Suddenly Jake realizes something.” Did you buy me seven different types of water bottles because you didn't know what I liked?”

“Yes.” Ice replies as if it were obvious.

“That's dumb.” Jake says without thinking as his face starts burning from that admission instead of thank you because he's an idiot. “I mean, thank you.”

Ice starts laughing quietly.

“Ice you stupid bitch, you have corrupted baby goose into making him water snob like you.” Ice says suddenly in very good impression of Maverick’s voice. “He had threw biggest temper tantrum today, because I bought him wrong one. They didn't even have that stupid sparkling shit you drink here. He said he would rather “forthirst” then drink what I bought him! Water is water! He used to be normal about it!” He ends on rather whiny note.

Jake doesn't know how to answer that, because he suddenly feels that this is a very personal confession.

“A child's tendency to pick a parent's habit is a normal part of development.” He remembers reading in some psychological book, and thinking that, that was stupid. He is almost sure, he never picked up any of his foster parents habits. He probably never really stayed in most places long enough for that, not to mention they weren't even really his parents. Not in the way Ice, Bradley’s uncle, was his parent.

He thinks Bradshaw wouldn't want Jake to know why he only drinks a certain type of water.

“I’m not really friends with Bradley.” He confesses guilty. He closes his eyes not wanting to see disappointed Ice. “I was mostly picking him up as a favor for his real friend Natasha. She was supposed to pick him up but she couldn’t last minute. Me and non-amnesia Bradley don’t really get along.”

“Jakey.” Ice says as if he’s being silly. “We could figure out that. I know you also figured out there was a fight between us. You’re so much like Maverick, you probably triggered him on sight just for existing.”

“You think I’m like Maverick?” Jake focuses on this because it's the easiest part of this statement.

“Very much so.”

“Thank you.” Jake says this because he thinks it's the greatest praise he's ever received in his life. Ice chuckles in response like he gets it.

“Jake.” Ice starts after few more moments of silence “I don't want you to think of us as some kind of monsters that are going behind his back, while he's sick.“ Ice suddenly sounds like he's about to start crying, and Jake is probably the most afraid he's been since he woke up in this damn hospital room.

”We would have told him, that he had cut us off, but the doctors said absolutely not to push his memory, especially in these first days, especially if he doesn't ask himself.” Ice hides his face in his hands, and Jake is pretty sure he started crying. Jake wants to start sobbing too.

Jake wants to say, that he thinks that pre-amnesia Bradley is the only monster in this room, but he’s not stupid enough to think this would make Ice feel any better.

Jake wants to wake up Maverick, because he would definitely know what do about weeping Ice, but he’s also not asshole enough to do that. Waking up Maverick, would wake up Bradley and the whole things would become even bigger mess. Bradley with amnesia would start bawling from seeing crying Ice.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t -” Ice starts apologizing for sobbing, and Jake can’t stand that. He has to do something.

“Can you lay with me?” He repeats question that Bradley asked Maverick before, because he’s panicking and it’s the only thing that came to him mind.

“Huh?”

“Can you lay with me?” He repeats again because it seemed to somehow have shock Ice into stopping crying, and crying Ice freaked up Jake.

“Jake, you don’t-“ Ice obviously was going to reject him, because Jake wasn’t Bradley. He was stupid for asking. And that's unfair, because he didn't even want Ice to lie down with him!

(or at least he wouldn't admit it, not even under oath)

He just wanted to calm him down somehow!

“You don't have do it, if you don't want to. I don’t care.” He feels tears gathering in his eyes. “Forget I fucking asked.” Jake squeezes shut his eyes and fist that isn't in cast.

Ice doesn't say anything in replay, but after few beats Jake suddenly feels something.

Ice actually gets into his bed. He even manhandles Jake into laying on his chest. “Buddy, I didn’t say I didn’t want to.”

One of Ice’s hands starts petting Jake hair, while the other one grabs his clenched fist, and starts trying to unclench it. Jake is trying to keep his fist closed on principle!

They have this kind of ridiculous fully pretend power struggle, because Jake knows that Ice could easy pry open his hand if he used real force.

“Can you open it for me, babydoll?” Ice finally ask, just when Jake started to be having fun in this hand fight. (Rude!)

He opens his hand from shock of being called babydoll alone.

(What do you want me to say, doll face?)

Ice uses this as opportunity to interlock their fingers together.

Ice keeps petting his hair, while holding his hand.

It’s nice.

Jake wishes it wasn't just pity, but he will take what he can get.

 “Sorry about calling you babydoll.” Ice suddenly squeezes Jake’s hand in something like apology. “I wasn’t trying to be mean. I swear, I actually forgot for a second you don't like to be called a baby.”

(Damn, he really did scream "You're a fucking baby yourself." at Ice.)

Jake can’t even begin to explain what was his problem with being called baby, not right now.

“Babydoll is okay.” He mumbles instead embarrassed, so quiet he's not sure Ice could even hear him, although Jake is literally lying on his chest.

“Okay.” Ice croons in response. “Let’s try to get some sleep, babydoll."

Nestling with Ice in this too-small hospital bed for two is the best sleep Jake has had in a long time.

Chapter Text

When Jake woke up that Tuesday, at some ungodly hour, he didn’t expected it would end up being biggest emotional rollercoaster of his whole hospital stay. (Or Jake’s whole year to be honest, maybe even his life. )

He woke up pleasantly surprised to find Ice actually didn’t left him sometime during the night. Ice was still in bed with him, holding him, as if he was Bradley or something.

He wished he could stay like this, until someone else woke up, but he had mortifying problem.

Jake realized he woke up so early (it’s wasn’t even four am according to clock on the wall) because he had to go to the bathroom.

Since both he and Brad got catheters (he tried to ignore the fact that there was still blood in Bradley’s, that probably wasn’t good), Jake hadn’t actually have to deal with going to lavatory for pissing.

He remembers nurse telling him to call for help if he would need to go to the bathroom for other thing, not to try it on his own, since he shouldn't be getting out of bed by himself yet. But c'mon man, has his pride! Jake will deal with this on his own, as soon as he untangles himself from Ice's hug.

He is mad at his own body for betraying him like that. He wish he could enjoy those cuddles while they lasted, but no, his own body was against him.

Maybe if he’s lucky he’ll be able to sneak back into bed without Ice waking up, for some more cuddles.

“Babydoll, what are you doing?” Sleepy Ice ask.

Right, Jake can’t even sneak out bed without Ice waking up.

“Nothing.” Jake feels himself turns red at getting called such pet name. He likes it, but it’s still embarrassing. And he was already feeling embarrassed anyway.

“Do you need to go to bathroom?” Fuck, Ice is truly mind reader.

“Maybe.” He closes his eyes even more uncomfortable.

“Okay, let me help you.” Ice starts to get up. Then seeing Jake uneasiness he adds. “Unless you would rather I call nurse to help you?” As if it was any better option!

“I would rather be able to go bathroom on my own.” Jake gives annoyed response.

“I’m sorry buddy, you know that’s not really an option right now.”

“Whatever.” Jake wishes earth would swallow him or something. “I’ll just hold it in.”

“Jake, be reasonable. Me or nurse? Or I can wake up Maverick if you would prefer him?”

“You.” He mumbles in response, and Ice does help him.

The whole thing end up being slightly less embarrassing then Jake thought it would be, but only slightly.

Well maybe, expect for the fact that afterwards, Ice looks at him with such sad eyes as he’s washing his hands, while Jake sits on closed toilet set.

“Did James Smith gave you those scars?” Jake closes his eyes at that question.

Fuck, of course he saw scars. Since Jake’s one hand is in cast and the other still has bandage on, Ice literally ended having to wipe Jake's ass. Of course Ice saw those belt scars on said ass.

“Can we not talk about it?” He begs.

“Jakey, I think we should.”

“I don’t.” Jake feel caged, so he attacks instead. “Why don’t you focus on your fucking kid, while he doesn’t remember he fucking hates your guts.” Jake fights dirty, because that’s the only way he knows how, and Jake not sure what’s going on exactly between three of them, but Ice definitely is considering Bradley his kid.

“Jake please, let’s-”

 “You know, he goes around telling everyone he doesn’t have any fucking living family? You guys, must have really fucked him up somehow. He probably would never speak to you for the rest of his life, if he didn’t get so fucked up in his head right now, he can barely remember his own name!”

Ice takes sharp breath, and Jake feels like he won. A pyrrhic victory, but a victory nonetheless. He won’t have to speak about James Smith with Ice, because Ice will probably never speak with him again.

“Told you puppy would bite.” Jake almost fell down from toilet seat, when Maverick suddenly sneaks into bathroom.

“Did Bradley heard that?” Jake suddenly gets terrified. Bradley was truly fucked up in head right now, and just yesterday Ice told him that doctors said not to push his memories, and Jake might have fucked everything up, because he was too scared to talk about getting belted.

“No Jake, he's on that good hospital drugs right now, and I'm rather light sleeper.” Maverick says as he closes door behind him. Suddenly it’s three of them in closed bathroom.

“Okay.” He probably should apologize or something, but he can’t.

“It was a nice diversionary attack, couldn't have done it better myself.” Maverick gets in space between Jake and Ice. “Using someone's amnesiac kid against them, while they are trying to help you, it's a bit below belt, but all is fair in love and war. And I know-”

“Maverick, you’re scaring him.” Jake can’t believe Ice is actually trying to defend him after all he just said to him.

“I’m not scared.” Jake lies.

“You’re terrified, kid.” Maverick can see right through him. “But you don't have to be, not anymore.” He hold his hand in surrender. “The point I was trying to make before I was so rudely interrupted, is that I know what are you doing Jake, so does he.” He points to Ice.

“It’s not going to work, because we already made up our minds that we’re going to keep you.”

Huh? Jake must have heard something wrong.

“That's not how we agreed we were going to do it.” Ice suddenly sounds annoyed.

Maverick replied something, that Jake is too confused to hear.

Huh? 

“What’s going on?” Jake ask, because he doesn’t understand...

“We’ll take you in, if you want.” Ice says. “I have papers ready to sign that would make officially ours. You would have to choose one of us, to be your official guardian, but you would be ours.”

“This isn’t funny. You guys are being mean.” Jake wants to cry. He knows he had JUST said some fucked up things to Ice himself, but making fun of him like that was so cruel. Even Jake didn’t deserve that!

“We are not making fun of you sweetheart, I swear. ” Maverick is also mind reader. “Ice bring those papers. I think he won't believe it until he sees them.” Ice leaves, and Maverick is kneeling in front Jake. “We’ll take you in, even if you don’t want to.“ Maverick says because he is also foster kid, and he gets it. “I’m not letting you go back to that Smith asshole.”

“You just meet me literally three days ago.”

“Well, haven’t you heard of love at first sight?” It's so corny but Maverick says it so seriously without ounce of shame that Jake starts crying.

“But I just said those fucked up things to Ice, and I’ll probably do it again. I don't always control what cames out my mouth.” He would rather they change their mind now then later.

"You'll have to apologize for that, but it won't change our mind. Nothing will change our mind." Mav hugs Jake.

“Every rose has it’s thorn, babydoll.” Says Ice as brings those papers and Jake starts bawling.

Jake spends next few hours on such cloud nine, he really didn’t expect the other shoe to drop.

Like it even turned out they somehow told Bradley before, Jake wonders when but he doesn’t care, because this Bradley somehow doesn't mind sharing his parents with Jake!

“Dude, they were so obvious at what they were doing.” Amnesia Bradley looks at Jake like he’s dumbest person on earth for not realizing, but Jake also really doesn’t care about it. “You’re so dumb, you were clearly a charity friend” He teases Jake when they are left alone for a bit, but Jake doesn’t care.

Nothing matter expect for the fact that someone actually wanted Jake. And not even one, two people want Jake.

“You’re going have to choose one of us for official papers, because of DADT. It won’t matter here” Ice points his heart. “But it sadly matter outside. Like officially I can only be Bradley’s uncle.” He sounds so heart-broken about it.

“Papa, you know official things never matter to me.” Amnesia Bradley is trying to reassure Ice, but he doesn’t get, that he probably is only making things worse, because Bradshaw didn’t even let Ice be his uncle anymore officially. Or what’s worse unofficially. Jake wants to fight Bradshaw once again, but that Bradshaw doesn’t exist at the moment.

“DADT is fucking dumb.” Bradley adds, and both Mav and Ice just nod in agreement.

In general Jake gets it that this whole DADT thing is very sad and tragic, but he’s selfish asshole, because right now he is just so happy that he actually have two papers to chose from.

Two people want Jake, and he gets to choose!

This is great at least until the point where he seriously have to choose, and starts to worry that he might offend Maverick.

“It’s ok, darling.” Mav laughs. “I know you want to choose Ice. I’m not going to be jealous.” Jake will worry about the fact that everyone here is reading his mind later, right now nothing matters expect for the fact someone actually wants him.

Even Amnesia Bradley seem to wants Jake in his family. That’s like three people wanting Jake!

He tries not to think that Bradshaw definitely wouldn’t want Jake in his family.

But since Bradshaw didn’t want his family, Jake figures it will be ok, if he’s going to steal it.

Worst case scenario, Bradshaw remembers everything and he can't stand Jake for stealing his family.

Jake can even quit Naval Academy.

Jake doesn’t care as long as he actually gets a family.

Jake truly things it’s the best day of his life, then doctor show up for checkup.

Even the checkup goes fine, both he and Bradley are improving (not counting the obvious elephant in the room(It's fucked up, but funny metaphor because elephants have excellent memories)).

But just as she is leaving she accidentally lets slip that the drunk guy that hit them, died.

The guy they collided with died that Tuesday due to injuries he gotten in crash.

It's no longer the best day of his life.

This is the day he became a killer.

Jake Seresin is a murderer.

He remembers Maverick swearing at doctor, and Ice turning to him lying ”Jake, it wasn’t your fault.”.

He doesn't remember anything else from that day.

Chapter Text

On Wednesday, Jake wakes up with a strange feeling of déjà vu.

It’s also early morning, and he’s the first one awake. Only this time, Mav is in his bed holding him, and Ice is lying with Bradley.

He tries not to give himself too much hope over that. It not like he could blame them, for changing their minds about taking in a murderer.

And okay, Jake isn’t that stupid, he knows legally he isn’t responsible for that guy dead. Guy run red light, was speeding and drunk driving, he remembers being told that on first day in hospital by nurse. She also just told him the other guy was in worse condition, and that they were lucky to be wearing seat belts unlike the other driver, but she didn’t say it like it was that serious. Like he would die next week serious.

Jake think she said his name was Peter and that he was 23.

That’s only one year older then Bradley. That’s the same name as Maverick, and same as Bradley’s middle name as he found out this week (he's a little jealous, he wonder if he could ask to have his middle name changed to Thomas, but he's worried it would make him look even more desperate and pathetic).

Jake thinks of the principle of limited trust on the road, and that he was just generally tried from studying and annoyed with Bradshaw when he was driving.

Jake wasn’t drunk driving, but he definitely could have paid more attention to road.

Maybe if he just paid just a little more attention, somehow the other guy wouldn’t be dead right now.

Jake finally turns on his phone, because now Bradley's condition doesn’t seem that serious.

Yes, there’s a chance he might never get his memories back, but he will live.

(If Jake wanted to be snarky he could say there was probably nothing important in those years lost, since he had fight with world greatest parents in them. So was that really that great of lost? Guy lost memory of losing his parents and getting degree and 9/11.)

Bradley Pete Bradshaw will live, unlike that Peter Something (Jake doesn't even know his last name) who died.

Peter who was only one year older then Bradley.

It’s almost five in the morning, but Jake knows Javy would be awake by now. There’s chance that Natasha would be too. So he writes text that he send both of them.

“Hey, Im sorry for not getting back to you sooner, but my phone died on Sunday. Just turned it on.” (That’s not a lie, he just doesn’t mention that he could have turned it on, on Monday already, but he was a coward. Beside If Bradshaw didn’t have secret parents, there’s chance he still might not have any phone charger. Ice bought him phone charger just after meeting him for one day. Jake can’t believe he thought guy was serial killer. Ice was like teddy bear.) “I think Bradshaw phone was destroyed in car, just like his brain I don’t know how to say this, but Bradshaw has amnesia. Last year he remembers is 2001. But please don’t call, I can’t talk, he's in bed next to me and he's sleeping.” (and so are his secret parents that Jake kind of stolen but that beside the point.)

He adds last part because he remembers last text ended up with Javy calling him right away.

He hits send.

Almost right away Javy responds. “what the 2001???????????/////”

JS: “Yeah, I know fucked up.”

JM: “Does he remember 9/11?” Man after Jake's own heart.

JS: “No, he doesn’t!!!!!!!!!!”

JM: “WTF.”

JS: “I know!!!!!”

JM: “So much for never forget.” Jake has to stops himself from laughing at that.

JS: ”He’s so fucking weird and nice. I think im starting to like him. Do something!”

JM: ”I don’t believe it for a sec!!!! Don’t lieee bitch”

He doesn’t mention secret parents that he might or might not stole. That doesn’t feel like texting conversation, beside they still might take it back since….

JS: “The other driver, he died yesterday.”

JM: “The drunk guy who hit you guys>?”

JS: “Yeahh, He was like Bradshaw age”

JM: “Fucked up.”

JS: ”yeaa”

JM: “Not ur fault.”

Jake doesn’t know what to respond to that, and he notices Natasha did text him back too, somewhere in middle of his texting with Javy.

NT: “I’m so sorry Jay, are you ok?”

Why is she apologizing to him?

JS: “I wreck your car and your Bradshaw, why are you apologizing to me?????”

NT: “Who cares about the car???? And Not your fault Jay!!?! That’s that fucking drunk driver fault! Are you ok???”

JS: “He died yesterday.”

JS: “Drunk driver.” He adds, when she doesn’t respond right away.

NT: “Not your fault! Are you ok???”

JS: “His name was Peter and he was 23”

NT: ”How much not ok, are you???”

JS: “I don’t know.”

NT: “I’m sorry”

JS: ”at least I remember you” He adds even though it’s probably not that appropriate, but he figures out she wants to ask about Bradshaw probably way more than talk about him, so he will give her opening.

NT: “How terrible to you he is now?” He’s surprised she doesn’t really take that opening to ask any real questions. 

JS: “He’s very nice. That’s worse! I wish he would just be his normal bitch self.”

NT: ”I really have to get to hospital to see that.”

NT: “I’m sorry, they wouldn’t let us come on Sunday, You must have been freaking out alone.”

JS: “Don't worry about it. No longer a bitch Bradshaw actually makes fine company.” He doesn’t mention that  Bradshaw’s secret parents got here on Sunday. I guess maybe now they were also Jake’s secret parents?

He almost ask her, does she knows anything about Ice and Mav, but he feel a little too fragile on that front yet. Jake suddenly realized that while he was texting, Mav had started stroking his hair. He turns to look at him in surprise, he didn't even noticed when he woke up. Mav is clearly looking at him and his phone.

“Hey.” Because what do you say to someone who offered to adopt you yesterday, but you chose their partner for official guardian (and they said it doesn’t matter who you would chose but it does a little), then it turned out that you indirectly but still killed someone, and you had another breakdown and now he probably saw you calling his true son a female dog in text, and oh you’re guys are cuddling at the same time?

“Hey.“ Maverick respond with chuckle. “I’m glad you’re stopped being so terribly afraid of your own phone at last.”

And before Jake can say something bitchy in response, Mav kisses his forehead. “I’m sorry love, I really shouldn’t be teasing you, even if you're so fun to tease.” Then he kisses his cheek. ”I’m actually really glad about it.” He kisses his other check. Jake blushes at this freely given affection. Maybe the adoption thing wasn’t off the table despise Jake having kind of killed a guy.

“Did you saw?” Did you saw me call Bradley a bitch, he doesn’t add.

“I wasn’t reading your private conversations if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“You were looking.” Jake know he was.

“I was just looking at your pretty face sweetheart, and thinking how beautiful you look when you smile, sweet cheeks.” Jake feels his face heating up, but Mav doesn’t have any mercy on him. “Maybe Ice is right and you do look more like babydoll then puppy, you have such cute little baby face." Now Jake knows his face is burning, he could probably fry an egg on it if he wanted. "You are truly the loveliest dolly, babydoll.” Mav says it without a trace of sarcasm, and Jake wants to die (but maybe he secretly likes it a little, okay, maybe even a lot). “Please don’t tell him I said that. That man ego is big enough as it is.” As if Jake could ever be able to repeat those tactless complements to anyone. He buries himself into Maverick’s neck to hide him embarrassment.

“You're so lame and corny.” Jake mumbles, but he is kind enough not to say and you’re the one who has big ego. Mav did just gave him bunch of complements, mortifying, make you want to die complements, but complements, and Jake loves complements. He's so starved on that front, he will gladly take anything.

“Hey, you’re just thought I was the coolest person ever like two days ago.” Mav jokes. “Let me enjoy at least two weeks of being considered cool dad.”

“You’re not going to take it back?” Jake ask eagerly, but he doesn't dare to look up from his hiding.

"Even though I kind of killed a guy indirectly?" He whispers this part so quietly that he almost doesn't hear it himself.

"I told you nothing will make us change our minds." Mac suddenly sounds very serious. "Look me in the eyes, Jacob." Jake let's his face be pried from Mav's neck by his gentle hand.

"Nothing." He says it like an oath when their eyes meet. "You're our child now. Even if you change your mind, We won't. You will always have a home to come back now. Even if you ever directly kill someone. We'll visit you in prison. You're our baby now." Mav says that last part as if he somehow knew what Jake's problem was with Ice calling him a baby the first time around.

Jake is not ashamed to admit he started wailing loudly like a little baby.

He ended up waking up Bradley and Ice, and even concerted nurse showed up. 

None of that really mattered.

Because after almost a decade, Jake really was someone's baby again.

JS: "hypothetically, purely hypothetically. how fuck up do you think it would be if you got into car crash with your potential nemesis, like you are both orphans, and maybe you should bond over that but you don't(SPOILERS BECAUSE ONE OF U ISN’T REAL ORPHAN), and you guys are clearly on a way to become this epic rivals or something, but you don't know each other that long so you're not there yet. Then when you guys get into this car crash, your potential nemesis get amnesia, and as soon he loses memories he's crying to you to call his daddy. and you're like that's gonna be awkard he probably forgot his daddy is dead, and you ACTUALLY feel sorry for him, and tthen turns out HE wAs lying bitch about being orphan, because his parents show up and they are loveliest people on earth, and you want to kill your nemesis but you can't because he has amnesia, and he's so clueless. ANYWAYS somehow this situation ends up with you getting adopted by his parents, because U WEREN'T LYING BITCH ABOUT BEING opRAH ACTUALLY. but still you kinda end up stealing your future nemesis parents while he has amnesia, so how fucked up is it, on scale 1 to 10?"

JM: "damn like 99"

JS: "umm scale was 1 to 10"

JM: "They are his parents and he has amnesia still 99"

JS: "but he doesn't even wanted them!! I'll be better son then he ever was! I ony made them cry like once since they adpoteed me"

JM: "just when they adopted you?"

JS: "Yyesterday."

JM: "It's Wednesday, you had an accident on Sunday. how the fuck you managed to do that?"

JS: "Technically the accident was on Saturday."

JM: "Jake, please tell me you also get head injury, and you didn't seriously stolen Bradshaw’s parents while he has amnesia?!?!?!"

JS:"I CAN say that, but it would be lying."

JM: "ok, I think he's going to kill you, once he remembers."

JS: "So not even 98?"

JM: "nooo you're fucked."

JS: "maybe 98,5?"

JM: "no, Wait so you're like Jake Bradshaw now?"

JS:" Please I would never, they have diffrent last names, and im sticking to mine for secret reasons"

JM: "can i meet them?"

JS: "i'm not sure i should be even telling you this.i don't want to get in trouble. Don’t tell anyone abut them yet."

JM: "what are they in mob or something?"

JS: "or something."

JM: "Are you sure you’re okay?"

JS:"I think I would even consider myself happy if not for a fact that I kinda killed a guy."

JM: "Jake... not your fault!"

After texting Javy, Jake thinks maybe he should try to make up to Bradshaw at least a little, for fact that he ended stealing his parents while he does have amnesia.

And Jake knows only one thing that Bradley wants right now.

“I never actually had Mcflurry before.” He said after another hospital meal that left Bradley complaining.

(Jake felt like complaining too honestly, ever since he got officially adopted, they stopped getting meals that requited cutting. And maybe Jake wanted to be babied a little and maybe he wanted to be hand feed now when could shamelessly enjoy, as if it wasn’t embarrassing when it’s parent doing it to a child. It was embarrassing, when it was done out of pity for a friend (that’s not even really a friend)of your child, since he was such looser nobody showed up for him. Now that he could freely enjoy it, they started getting shit like oatmeal that even he could eat with his barely working one hand.)

Bradley lighted up like Christmas tree when he realized what Jake was doing.

Jake thinks maybe if he will keep buying Bradshaw McDonald’s he will forgive him for stealing his parents even when he ends up getting him memory back.

Jake tried to ignore voice in his head that is wishing Bradshaw would just not get him memory back.

He knows it’s fucked up.

Even if he is sure even Bradshaw would be better off not getting his memory back.

They’re are in hospital and it’s not that fun really, and it only been few days, yet he seen Bradley smile and laugh more in those few days then he had in all those months between start of academic year and accident.

“Brad, did you bully Jake into doing this?” Mav is lightly tugging his cheek, and while Bradley is faking hurt, his eyes are sparking so happily.

( Jake just doesn’t understand how Bradshaw could have thrown this away.

Jake knows he’s fucked up but he really wishes Bradley won’t get back his memory, because he’s worried he’s going to kill him, if he ends up breaking Mav’s and Ice’s hearts once again. )

Jake and Ice are doing this pretend hand fight again, where Ice is trying to pry open Jake’s closed fist.

Jake doesn’t know how Ice realized, Jake liked it so much the first time around, but he’s not complaining.

“Slider is coming tomorrow.” Ice take Jake’s hand and kisses his closed fist and Jake opens it from shook alone. “So you two brats, can stop your McDonald’s schemes, your drug dealer is coming to town.” When Ice intertwines their fingers together, Jake makes happy noise despite himself.

He thinks the way Ice ends winning their hand fight it’s like cheating, but he won’t complain since Ice cheats by giving Jake tender attention.

(He's not sure he'll ever get used to this free attention. Maybe it should cheapen it's value since it's was so free, but somehow it just made it so much more precious.

Jake wants to cry, because he’s still worried this hospital room is just some alternative reality.

And once he leaves he will be alone again.

And Bradshaw will hate him again.)

“Uncle Slider is coming? You said he was in Japan.” Bradley give surprised smile, and he has such sunshine smile it almost blinds Jake. He almost gotten used to it, but every time he remembers how Bradshaw used to smile, he get taken back by stark contrast. Bradley and Bradshaw are really like two different persons. Maybe it’s not fair, but Jake prefers Bradley so strongly.

“What? I don’t get pass for white house, but suddenly Japan is where you drown a line? He doesn’t get any complains he wasn’t here earlier?” Ice mocks.

“He kind of is my best drug dealer. Our relationship is strictly professional.” The way Bradley is saying this even Jake can tell whatever relationship they have it didn't even stand next to the word professional.

“Wait but he’s real uncle? You guys aren’t like throuple?” Jake suddenly ask, and Maverick makes such funny noise of outrage, it’s answer enough.

“Jakey, I love you so much for this!” Bradley is laughing so hard, he doesn’t even realize the effect those words have on Jake. Ice realizes and hugs him, he helps Jake hide his crying from Bradley with that.

Jake’s kind of brother just told him he loves him for first time.

It doesn’t matter because it’s a joke and he has amnesia, but….

Jake suddenly wishes he could somehow not only steal Bradshaw’s parents but also Bradley from Bradshaw.  

He wishes he could have parents and brother who loves him.

Chapter Text

By Thursday morning Jake is freaking out over the fact that “Uncle Slider” is coming. Apparently everyone likes Slider, so Jake feels pressure to make good impression.

(“Slider is like brother I never had.”

“Ice, you do have a brother. Stop shit talking about Jerry from now on, you’re giving Bradley bad example, on how to treat younger siblings.”

(Secretly Jake is relieved Jerry is stuck somewhere in Antarctica doing some research, that neither Ice or Mav remember what exactly is about, because only thing he talks about, apparently when talking about his work are penguins. He’s not sure he could handle meeting Ice’s biological brother so soon. Even if it’s kind of hilarious that guy called Ice has brother who lives in Antarctica. Not even mentioning that they are called Tom and Jerry.)

“Wait, you have brother named Jerry? You guys are named Tom and Jerry?” Jake can’t help but ask.

“Yes, and yes before you ask, we were named after that stupid cartoon.” Ice suddenly is embarrassed.

“Now Tommy, don’t lie to our new child, that’s also bad example.” Mav looks like cat that got canary right now, and Bradley is laughing in background. “We were named” Mav repeats Ice’s words mockingly. “Tommy here, was named after his father.” Mav is tugging Ice’s cheek while Ice looks like he wants to bite him. ”Then Junior whined his way into getting his little brother called Jerry, because it was his favorite cartoon at the time. Tommy thought it would be the coolest thing ever.” Jake starts to wonder if teasingly embarrassing people can be considered love language, because he’s pretty sure that’s Mav’s love language.

“I was five! They shouldn’t have let me make that kind of decision!” And Jake is trying so hard not to laugh at Ice, he does. “It’s okay, Jake you can laugh. I’m used to that thing haunting me my whole life.”)

Anyway if Jake was being very honest with himself he would admit that he’s terrified, that Slider is going to show up and try to talk some sense into Ice and Mav.

His new parents are insane. Jake doesn’t mind that, because he knows that sane people don’t offer to adopt someone they just meet.

Maybe Slider is some kind of sane friend that they have, and he will show up, and be like “Guys, you can’t adopt some random child just because he gotten into accident with your son.”

So Jake is already very worried about him showing up, and then he has realization.

“Wait, is Slider, admiral Kerner?!”

“Yes Jake, but don’t worry about it.” Mav says while stretching his arms. Ice is doing some work on his laptop on tiny table in corner of the room. Jake and Bradley are in their respective beds, because there’s isn’t anywhere else they could at the moment. “Really don’t worry about it, puppy.”

How could Jake not worry about it?! What are odds of two navy admirals being insane?!

Since Ice is insane, Slider is for sure, sane friend! Sane friend that is going to try to talk his parents into changing their mind about Jake! Because that’s sane thing to do, when your friends go insane after their prodigal son has car accident!

“Jake, do I need to remind you, that I’m also admiral?” Ice ask half seriously, as he looks away from computer.

“But you’re my dad now, so it doesn’t count anymore.” Jake replies, and Mav laughs at this, while doing some standing quad stretch by hospital’s wall.

“Jake, if you don’t feel up to it, I’ll tell him no to come.” Ice says seriously. “Zip it up.” He says to Bradley, as he looks ready to whine.

“He can come. I don’t mind.” Jake lies, because he’s pretty sure, Bradley wouldn’t forgive him for depraving him of his fast food dealer. He already knows Bradshaw won’t forgive him for stealing his parents once he remember everything, no need to add that on top off.

“Jakey really, you don’t need to force yourself. It’s not a big deal, sweetheart.” Slider was coming from Japan just for this. He probably haven’t seen Bradshaw since whatever happened with their parents and Bradshaw happened. It was a big deal.

“He can come.” Jake’s not going to deprive admiral Kerner from getting to meet sunshine Bradley, for all they know he might get his memory back tomorrow and not want to talk to anyone from his family again. “ It’s just did you guys told him about me?”

“Yes, honey. We told him about you.” Mav stops stretching to look Jake in the eyes.

“Everything?”

Did you told him you went insane and adopted some random kid you just meet?

“He knows he is visiting two nephews in the hospital, instead of one.”

"And he doesn't mind?" He doesn't mind that you guys insane and adopted some random kid you just meet?

"The moment I start making my life decision according to what that man thinks, someone shot me please." Mav starts to rant at the same time as Ice says "No, honey, of course he doesn't mind."

“Ok.” Jake feels a little reassured, but only a little because c’mon.  Usually nothing goods last in his life.

Slider probably lied to Ice on phone, that he doesn't mind Jake, when he realized Ice went insane. He probably decided it's better to try to reason with crazy people in person. 

They get some disgusting tomato soup for lunch.

“I’m not eating that. This tastes like piss.” Bradley whines after first spoon. Jake doesn’t blame him, there’s something just wrong with this one, but he had worse, so he doesn't complain.

“Gosling, please don’t be a spoiled brat.” Ice doesn’t even look up from his computer to say that. Mav is gone, since he went to get lunch for himself and Ice. “It can’t be that bad, and we both know you’re getting McDonald’s later, so please just eat this. Your dad will give me shit if don’t eat something nutritious before that.”

Bradley just huffs in response. “I’ll spoon feed you if I have to.” Ice threatens, when he notices Bradley doesn’t pick up eating.

Jake thinks Bradley wanted to respond something, but he didn’t get to because somehow Jake ended up spilling his tomato soup all over himself before that.

“Told you it was shitty.” Bradley laughs at Jake’s misery. “Jake would rather spill it all over himself then eat it.”

“I didn’t do that on purpose, asshole.” Then he gets scared because not only he made this huge mess, but he also called Bradley asshole in front of Ice. “I’m sorry.” He thinks he’s going to start crying, he gotten in trouble for making smaller messes before.

“Hey, it’s ok.” Suddenly Ice is in front of him. “Jake, you’re not in trouble.”

“I really didn’t do that on purpose. I swear.” Jake says as Ice starts to clean up his mess.

“Jake, nobody thinks that, I was just teasing you.” Bradley says from next bed surprisingly seriously.

“It’s ok, Jake really. Bradley’s probably right that there’s something wrong with it. It smells weird. Don’t eat it, Bradley.” Ice says and Jake knows it’s only for his benefit.

As Ice bends over to pick up Jake’s spoon, he can see Bradley blowing him a kiss with “Thank you” happy to get away from eating soup. Spoiled little shit, it wasn’t that bad.

“Jake don’t worry. Really, you’re long overdue for bath anyway.” Huh?

“Excuse me, I got forced three sponge baths already, and the new kid gotten a pass? How is this fair?”

And Jake is even more confused because when did that happened? Then he thinks he’s stupid, because how he didn’t notice that Bradley wasn’t wearing that same cheap ass hospital gown, as Jake anymore. In his defense color was kind of familiar, but Bradley’s gown was clearly way higher quality now. Jake tries to no be jealous, that they bought hospital gown for Bradshaw and not for Jake. Jake knows he’s charity case, he will take what he can get.

“Jake wasn’t sweating like crazy from fever like you, and beside that we didn’t want to overwhelm him.”

“But you could have overwhelm me? Rude!”

“Bradley, we knew you would not get overwhelmed by getting sponge bath from parent you know your whole life.”

“But I could have? I have amnesia!” This the moments Mav gets back, and he gets such weird pissed off look as soon as he notices mess Jake made.

Jake thinks fuck he messed it up after all.

He made mess and now Maverick is mad at him.

“Dad, calm down. This isn’t blood, it’s stupid tomato soup.” Bradley actually notices Mav before Ice, since Ice was still cleaning up after Jake’s mess, and he switched from whining to serious right away. Oh, Jake didn’t even considered that red stain on him, could be taken for blood.

Maverick visually calms down on Bradley’s words and Jake wants to cry. Mav got mad because he thought Jake was hurt? He didn’t get mad at him, he got mad because of him potentially getting hurt?

“I’ll go tell nurse, we going to need new bed sheets.” Mav says as he puts lunch on table next to Ice’s abandoned laptop.

“Ask if Jake can have normal bath already instead of sponge one by the way.” Ice calls after him.

Turns out Jake can have semi-normal bath already.

“Buddy, who do you want to give you bath, me or Mav?”

“I don’t get nurse option this time? Maybe I would like for hot nurse to give me a bath instead of one you old guys?” Jake can’t help to ask, because it’s embarrassing and he wants to embarrass someone too, but this of course doesn’t work on them.

“Let’s leave nurses to people who don’t have two parents willing to help them on site.” And now he wants to cry again, because now he does have two parents willing to help him on site.

 “Fine, Mav.” They both get kind of surprised looks by that choice, but they don’t comment on it. He is not that biased towards Ice!

It doesn’t matter that he would have chosen Ice, if not for the fact that he suddenly keep hearing those fucked up things he said to Ice last time Ice was helping him in that bathroom. He apologized for that already, but those word felt heavy on his mind.

“Ok, just carry him for me there.” Mav takes command.

“I can walk!” Ok, it was a bit of struggle when Ice was helping him walk to bathroom, and it ended up way easier when Ice just carried him back to bed afterwards, but he let himself be carried back due to overwhelming emotions at being asked to be adopted. Now he wasn’t emotional and he will walk like a man.

“So you don’t want your papa to carry you?” Mav is little shit.

“I didn’t say that.”

Maybe he will walk like a man next time, getting carried is nice after all.

“Relax, Jakey I won’t ask, no matter how bad it is. Not now.” Mav said when he noticed that Jake started to get really nervous when Mav took of his tomato-stained gown.

“Not ever.”

“Not now.” He says it firmly, and Jake knows it’s the best he’s going to get.

Maverick is truly child of system, because he almost doesn’t react at all to Jake scars.

He just takes this sharp breath when he get chance to look at them better, but he keeps his promise and he doesn’t ask.

(Jake tries to forget that it’s only for now.)

Whole bath ordeal is very embarrassing, but also almost nice, because Mav is so gentle with him. Jake’s first foster mother wasn’t half as gentle with him while giving him baths, and he was like eight.

Mav leaves hair washing for last. “Close your eyes, sunshine, I don’t want to get shampoo into your eyes, okay?”

“Okay, daddy.” Slips out of Jake’s mouth without him realizing. Mav stops washing his hair in surprise.

Fuck, now Mav is going to think Jake is weird.

Bradley gave Mav few, mostly sarcastic daddy’s those last days, but Bradley was Mavs real kid. Not charity case taken by temporary insanity.

“I’m sorry, it’s just slipped out.” Jake gets scared, because suddenly he remembers getting slapped by his second foster father for calling him daddy, guy said Jake wasn’t his kid, and that he was too old to be saying daddy anyway. He was like eight! If eight was too old, then what about seventeen?!

“It won’t-“ Jake gets interrupted by getting hugged.

“I’m your daddy now, Jake. I was just surprised you would acknowledge it so fast. Don’t you dare to apologize to me for that.“

“Okay.” Jake chokes out, but he doesn’t cry and he’s proud of himself, maybe he will make this bathroom trip without crying.

And Jake thinks he could have probably managed it, expect for the fact that after Mav finishes drying him off (with towel that was way too soft and too high quality to be hospital one, Jake wonder when they brought them in), he presents Jake with hospital gown with such embarrassing dog print, that Jake is impressed he managed to find it somewhere.

“For me?” Jake ask almost sell shocked.

“Yes, but Jakey, you don’t have to wear it if you don’t want. I got you plain one too, just like the one Bradley has, since they didn’t have anything with cute print in his size anyway.” Mav starts to take away doggy print gown, and Jake almost rips it with how much force he takes it back even if he can only do it with one hand.

“No! Mine! No take backs!” He doesn’t want stupid plain one like Bradley, he wants this embarrassingly cute one that his daddy picked up for him.

He starts to cry as he hold this hospital gown.

Because now everyone who will look at him, will be able to tell right away, it’s definitely not something they give patients at hospital.

Someone clearly bought him this hospital gown.

Someone cared about him enough to go out of his way to buy him embarrassingly cute hospital gown.

Now Jake can wear this neon sign that screams “I have someone who cares!”

Chapter Text

Jake was no longer afraid of Slider coming, his stupidly cute doggy gown was like his shield.

Bradley didn’t get that.

He actually got offended on Jake's behalf, like this lovely amnesiac idiot who didn’t get things he was.

“Geez, Jake! Did he bully you into wearing that? That’s got to count as child abuse. Mav, that’s too much! Ice do something!”

Because, he was idiot who didn’t get things, but he is Jake’s idiot. For now at least.

Almost every nurse and doctor in this hospital, from now on when they first saw Jake, they would get this some kind amused pity reaction, that would be something like oh, this kid’s parents are clearly still babying him. Poor thing, must be so embarrassed.

And that was so much better then Oh sad, pathetic foster child nobody showed up for, I would rather look away.

Not to mention mixing this gown with his baby face and his height (Jake right now was like Mav’s height, and Bradley started teasing him, that Jake now would probably get stick with it forever since he got adopted by him, not knowing that Jake wouldn’t mind staying short if It meant he could keep hearing he’s just like his new father.) everybody now assumed he was way younger, so it was easier to not be embarrassed about acting needy and childlike when people assume you’re like twelve anyway.

So yeah, his Bradley didn’t get shit, but his Bradley get’s a pass for being so clueless since he had amnesia. Bradshaw doesn’t get any passes, and Bradshaw also wouldn’t get it.

Slider finally showed up with very suspicious duffel bag, like drug dealer he was.

“There better be some drugs and money in that bag, because if that whole thing is just full of McDonalds,  even Ice won’t help you.” Mav is glaring into that duffel bag with hate, while Bradley was staring at it like his lost love was hiding inside or something.

Slider is just laughing as he’s holding Ice, and he says to him. “You never did learn how to control your fucking bitch wife.”

Afterwards Jake will admit there was definitely no heat behind that, and nobody but him really reacted to that, Ice gave head shake while eye rolling, Mav flipped lazy bird, and Bradley gave quiet snort.

But Mav was just been so kind and gently with Jake, and not to mention this stupid sweet gown with puppies, Jake felt very offended on Mav’s behalf.

Not to mention  “controlling fucking bitch wife.” definitely gave him flashbacks to one of the worst foster houses he ever had, but that beside the point.

Jake reacted by yelling and cursing guy out.

So much for making good first impression.

“Honestly, I’m just a little impressed.” Slider laughed afterwards, when everything was calmed down and explained. “I can see why Ice wanted you right away, you’re just like that one.” He pointed to Mav, and while Jake couldn’t see Mav reaction because Mav was holding him, Jake was almost sure he was glaring at Slider.

Jake ended up feeling terrible for cursing out Slider, because it turned out his bag was full of fast food.  Only every paper bag was different kind, because he didn’t know what Jake would like. This was way more extreme then Ice’s water bottles. Guy went through six different fast food chains, not just picked up variety of options from one shop. He did it for Jake, and Jake ended up cursing him out for bantering with an old friend. Bit awkward.

Anyways Jake picked up Taco Bell, since he never had it before, but he thinks this won’t be his drug of choice.

Slider ended up kicking out Mav and Ice from room for a while.

“Both of you, go change, take a shower or something in that overpriced hotel room you got close by, I don’t know what for, since it appeared you started to be living in this hospital. Just get out, and let me hold front for a while.”  

Only then really Jake realized that he and Bradley haven’t really been really left alone for more since few minutes Ice got here. At least one of them was always there. He’s turning into spoiled brat like Bradley. Ice and Mav are respectively Admiral and Captain, and Jake, before he even realized himself also stopped considering that they have better and more important things to do then to live in this hospital room, because he and Bradley were a bit injured.

“Jakey, is this ok with you? “ Ice asked him sincerely.

“We won’t go if you don’t want to.” Mav added.

“Hey, you’re not even going to pretend to ask me?” Bradley whined.

“We know, you’re okay with that.” Mav rolled his eyes.

“I could have not been okay with that! I have amnesia!” Bradley jokes, not realizing he made mood drop. Everyone but him, knew he wouldn’t be okay with that if he hasn’t gotten amnesia.

Amnesia that didn't seem to subside at any level. During today's hospital rounds, the doctor was definitely less promising about improving memory. They probably expect Bradley to at least start remembering anything at all, by now.

Jake worries about Bradley getting his memories back and becoming Bradshaw again, but he also worried that if he won’t get those memories that somehow would be on Jake’s conscious. He couldn’t help, but wish for guy to just remind clueless few times, and he knew it was not fair.

After some reassurance form Jake, Ice and Mav leave promising they will be back soon.

Jakes almost takes a nap while listening to gentle testing between Slider and Bradey, expect….

“What’s with them?” Bradley suddenly ask Slider, unexpectedly seriously.  Jake is sure Bradley thinks he’s sleeping now, so does his best not to move while keeping his eyes closed. “They are acting weird.” Oh, Jake thinks he’s not as clueless as he’s pretending to be.

“I don’t think there’s manual on how to act when your child gets amnesia. I’m sure if it was, both of them would have already read that by now.”

“I think it’s more weird then just that.” Oh, Bradley really isn’t clueless.

“Well they have always been weird and insane. They just basically kidnaped a child and I’m not even that surprised. Maybe this amnesia thing finally pushed them over edge.” Slider tries to joke. Jake gets offended, he was in process of very legal and official adoption! Thank you very much!

“Slider.” Bradley suddenly sounds like Bradshaw again, and Jake think there’s chance that somehow he had gotten his memories back, in that second.

“Now, baby goose, is this about you, not being able to handle stopping being only child?” Slider changes approach. “With how fast it happened, I can’t even blame you.”

“This isn’t about Jake. They are acting more normal with Jake, then they are acting with me.”

“Bradley, I heard you’re not supposed to be pushing your memories those first days. “ Slider tries, but Bradley doesn’t seem to care about it.

“Slider.” There’s something that passes between them that Jake doesn’t get, because he’s bit clueless too, only in some different way, about relationship between those people.

“I want my money back, they told me you were this scary cute version of yourself, that worried them by not asking almost any questions, and I get ambushed?” Slider's voice was weird, Jake didn’t know how to describe it.

“I’m not sure I want to ask questions, this whole thing is so weird, you have no idea. It feels like I time traveled, or something. Only I can’t go back home like in Back to the future.” Jake feels like an asshole that he was kind of dismissive of Bradley’s amnesia. It is very fucked from his point of view.

”Not to mention I feel like they might cry if I ask them wrong questions. I know something happened, but I don’t want to make them cry. You know I love you, Uncle Sli, but I can handle your crying. I don’t think I could handle their crying right now. I rather play up my whiny side, and make new kid I’m spoiled rotten, them make them cry.” Oh, Jake thinks they all kind of got played by amnesia Bradley a little, it’s almost impressive.

“You’re absolutely spoiled rotten.” Slider makes one last ditched effort at distraction.

“Uncle Sli, please. Just tell me what’s wrong with them right now.”

Slider sighs like he gives in to Bradley, and Jake thinks he’s going have to intervene, but he doesn’t manage to do that because words that came out Slider are so fast.

“Ice literally just had very serious cancer scare. He potentially could only had a few months to live." Jake realizes Slider started crying. "Not to mentions the unfortunate date of accident on top, you know it’s literally middle of December? Mav that idiot, he blames himself a little because of that.” It’s sounds like the truth? Wait, Ice had cancer scare, what?

Bradley takes sharp breath. “But he’s ok?”

“Yes.”

“You promise?”

“Yes, it was false alarm thankfully.  Don’t worry about it.“ Jake can breathe again.

Beside that Jake thinks that Slider is evil genius, because that was the truth. Yet there was no risk of that pushing Bradley’s memories, because he wouldn’t know anything about it anyway. There was no memories of that to be pushed because he pushed away his family long before this happened.

 “-wait unfortunate date of accident? Literally middle of December? Blame? Wait don’t tell me accident, it was on the tenth!?”

“Sorry kid, I thought you realized that.”

“I’m the worst son ever.”Yeah you are, but wait, why over the day of accident?

“Bradley, nobody’s blaming you, for getting into car accident on your dad’s birthday. If it comforts you, in Japan it was already after his birthday when you had that car crash.”

Oh, Jake suddenly thinks there was no date. Bradshaw lied to Natasha to go drinking alone on his estranged dad’s birthday. He is sure of it. That’s why he gotten so fucking drunk and called Jake “Mav”. And he dared to say to Jake that he had unhealthy coping mechanisms that one time!?! The audacity of this bitch!

“Hey, wait.” Bradley seems too came to realization. “Since it’s 2005… That mean, Mav is forty years old? That’s weird.”

“No Bradley, this is hilarious. Remember the shit he gave me for turning forty? And now he's been in crisis for like half a year, when it’s finally his time. This is my payback. This is justice.”

Bradley laughs a little, but then says. “You’re a little weird too. You know?”

“Have you considered that maybe, you’re the one who’s weird since you kind of do have amnesia? “

“Wow, way to blame a victim.”

“Hey, but seriously speaking of victims. This is Jake kid, you sure they didn’t pressure  him into this whole adoption thing or something?”

Jake is outraged at suggestion, but he also doesn’t want to get in trouble for eavesdropping. And at this point it definitely counts as eavesdropping, so keeps his outrage quiet.

“You said you weren’t surprised, about Jake.”

“Not surprised doesn’t mean, not worried.”

“Have you seen what he’s wearing, he done it willingly, just cause Mav bought it for him. I think he’s the one who’s kidnapped them.”

"Are you okay with that? With no longer being your daddies only spoiled baby?" Jake suddenly gets scared, because Bradley was acting like he was okay with all that, but maybe he played everyone on that front too. Jake could handle getting rejected by Bradshaw, but he's not sure he could handle getting rejected by Bradley. 

"Yes. I like the new baby." Stupid Bradley, he's the one acting like baby most of time. Jake thinks, but he's so relifed. Bradley wasn't rejecting him.

"Moreover, Slider, I'm not that spoiled!" Bradley adds.

"You kind of are, baby goose."

"I see how it is, you're no longer my favorite uncle. Now it's Wolfe."

"Wolfe? You wouldn't dare. At least pick Merlin or something."

"Too late, I already decided."

"You little shit, see if I even brings you Mcdonald's again with this attitude."  

Chapter Text

"Do I have to see them?" 

On Friday it turned out Bradley didn't want to see Natasha and Javy, who were supposed to show up next day.

Ice went to get lunch with Slider, so there was just three of them in hospital room right now. Bradley, Jake and Maverick.

"No honey, you don't have to force yourself to do anything." Mav said as he was feeding Jake chicken soup.

(Only good thing that came from “The great tomato soup accident” was that now, Jake was banned from eating any liquid meals by himself. He complained on principle, but he was pretty sure everyone could see through that. He did enjoy being taken care of, even if It was in such embarrassing way.)

"But Jake wants to see them." Bradley seemed conflicted and it made Jake feel so weird. Bradley didn't want to see Natasha and Javy, but he was trying to force himself for Jake's sake?

"It's okay, I don't-" Jake started saying, but Mav stopped him by shutting him up with spoon full of soup. Rude!

"Jakey can see them in hospital cafeteria." Mav said. "One of us can take him there in wheelchair, and other will stay with you."

"Oh, okay." Bradley relaxed at that.

Jake texted Natasha that news, low-key expecting she wouldn't want to show up, if it was just to meet him. In return she called him stupid, and said that of course she wanted to see him too.

That's how Jake ended up in wheelchair on Saturday.

That he didn't feel like he needed! He could probably walk, or crawl at least!

Only getting pushed in wheelchair by Ice was also nice in some weird way.

Some lady in elevator said to Ice that he had such cute son, and that she had eleven years old daughter herself.

Jake ignored implications that she thought he was like eleven, and focused on the fact instead that she knew right away that Jake was Ice's! That was all that really mattered!

That and the fact that Ice answered her with "Yes, he's very cute, he's our younger baby. His older brother is sadly all grown up already and isn't as cute anymore, as our little babydoll over here".

Jake gave whiny "Papa, please stop embarrassing me.", because that woman though they were like real father and son, so he didn't want to complicate this for her by calling Ice something else.

His whining just made both adults laugh.

When she left elevator, Ice apologized to Jake with kiss to his hair. "I'm sorry but it's parental duty to embarrass kid a little, and I have a lot of years to made up for."

When they showed up to cafeteria turned out that Javy and Natasha already were there.

They both looked like there were going to cry from seeing Jake in wheelchair.

Ice introduced himself simply as "Tom" Jake's new guardian, since his old one got arrested on drug charges, and that he would be on the other end of cafeteria working, and they could just come and get him when they were done.

Then he just left with kiss to Jake's forehead like what he said wasn't just brand new information to Jake too?! 

James Smith got arrested on drug charges?! Ice got him arrested?! 

Like Jake knew that Smith did drugs so those clearly weren't fake charges, but with timing Jake just knew Ice had something to do with that.

Just when did that happened?!

Between Bradley and Slider conversation he "overhead" and this Jake was beging to feel like he was the most obvious person in his new family, not amnesia Bradley.

Javy and Natasha were looking at him kind of shocked, clearly expecting explanation as if he had any idea what was going on, any better?!

"I could use something to drink." He said instead, because really he didn't know shit neither.

Natasha went to buy him a juice, and as soon as she was out of hearing range Javy started talking.

"Jake you really did got adopted by people from mob?! You ever thought that maybe Bradshaw had good reasons for cutting them off, since they are in mob?!"

"What no? What are you talking about Javy?"

"This Tom guy over here is giving serial killer vibes, and I'm pretty sure he gotten that Smith asshole arrested? Not that the guy didn't deserve that, but like did he plant the evidence on him or something?"

"Don't be ridiculous Javy, Tom is like teddy bear." Jake said as if he hasn't had the same first impression of Ice. "And I swear they are not in mob, quite opposite actually. I know I didn't say that to you before, but trust me, Smith was definitely using illegal stuff."

At this moment Natasha came back with juice, and "Nice PJ, Jakey. I didn't even noticed until I was looking at you guys from queue. Very cute puppies." 

"Thank you, I realize it might seem a bit tacky, but it's a gift, so I like it." Jake said with shameless smile, if she thought she could embarrass him with mentioning his doggy gown, she was mistaken!

"Fuck I didn't noticed it at first too." Javy only now looked at his gown. "You're look like you're ten year old or something in it, Jake." Javy started laughing at him. "I think this is child abuse."

"Fuck you, Javy. You guys are just jealous." 

They started talking about random stupid shit for a while.

"I'm sorry, Bradley didn't want to see you Natasha. It's not personal, he's really confused right now, you can't blame him for that." Jake finally decided to tackle elephant in the room. "I think he was a bit scared of meeting people he didn't know, that knew him."

"Jake you don't have to apologize to that. I'm kind of worried he's all alone right now, but at least he got you in this hospital." She smiles as him. "I always thought you guys could get along fine if you get to know each other really."

Jake wants to tell her truth about Tom, being actually Bradley's dad that Jake stolen, so she wouldn't have to worry about Bradley being alone. Only that feels like some kind of invasion of privacy since Natasha was way more Bradshaw's friend then Jake's.

He tells them instead a little about how different Bradley is from Bradshaw, and in general about this weird hospital stay.

They start talking about Peter drunk driver that died, at some point even, and both Natasha and Javy are trying to convince Jake it's wasn't his fault at all. (Since they don't get it.)

Jake's not sure how much they are end up talking, but it's few hours, and they would probably end up talking even more if Ice didn't interrupted them.

"I'm sorry to cut this short, but Jake have to head back. It'll be time for his meds soon."

They say goodbye, and Jake ended getting wheelchaired back with bag of gifts for him and Bradley's. 

It's very nice. 

Chapter Text

On Sunday while he was texting about some stupid unimportant shit with Javy, Natasha texted him something serious.

NT: Ummm, I know you clearly don’t want to talk about what happened with your ex guardian.  But is your new guardian, that Tom guy, really ok to you? He seemed a bit overbearing to me?

How dare she call Ice overbearing!  Jake got so offended by that, he almost didn’t care that it came from place of concern.

JS: You’re overbearing yourself!!!!

NT: Jake, I’m serious. The guy said he was going to work on his laptop, but he spend whole time staring at us, like some kind of control freak. When Javy swatted you CLEARY gently and playfully, the guy actually started to get up, looking like he was ready to kill him, before you started laughing.

Oh, Jake didn’t noticed that.

JS: I swear to you, Tom is great! only i guess he doesn't tend to make the best first impressions.

He thinks it’s best not to tell her, he thought Tom was serial killer at first.

NT: He didn’t even introduced himself properly, even though both me and Javy gave him our last names. What’s his last name?

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Think Seresin, think of something.

JS: I don’t remember.

Great, that's the best you can do?

NT: You don’t remember? Why are you lying about this? I don’t believe for a second you don’t remember last name of guy who is your legal guardian….

Fuck.

JS:  The whole thing is very very recent, and he has this rather weird polish last name. so yeah I don’t remember how you spell it’s exactly. You KNOW I’m dyslexic bitch!

NT: weird polish last name?

NT: Wait a minute, I thought the guy looked kind of familiar….

Shit, shit, shit.

JS: Natasha stop thinking please.

He texted her that, but he knew it was too late.

NT: JAKE WTF?! THAT WAS ADMIRAL KAZANSKY?!?!?!

JS:… maybe

NT: MAYBE?>! You little shit! How this happened?!

JS: Honestly I still don’t know. It just happened.

NT: Does Javy knows?

JS: He knowss I had a change of legal guardians, but he doesn’t realize just who Tom is yet I think.

NT: Wow

JS: Don’t tell anyone, pleases. Nobody’s knows.

NT: Except amnesia Bradley.

JS: Yeahh, obviously.

NT: I know you and amnesia Bradley are getting along fine, but he’s going to give you so much shit for becoming this huge nepo baby once, he gets back his memories, and YOU WILL DESERVE THAT!

And that just made Jake laugh out loud. She had no idea how ridiculous was what she just said.

Off all things Bradley will for sure gives him shit, once he’s Bradshaw again, being Navy Nepo baby, that was one thing he couldn’t held against Jake. Even Bradshaw wasn’t that big of hypocrite.

“What’s going on?” Mav’s sleepy voice suddenly made Jake remember he wasn’t alone. Mav and Bradley were sleeping together, and Ice was working on his laptop while Jake was on his phone.

“It’s ok, doll face. Jake just laughing, go back to sleep.” Ice says as he’s walking past bed where Bradley and Mav were taking afternoon siesta. Mav takes that soft command seriously and just falls back into sleep right away.

“Sorry, I didn’t meant to wake him.” Jake says to Ice, as Ice made his way next to Jake's bed.

“It’s okay, babydoll.” Tom touches his face. “Please don’t apologize for that. You didn’t wake them up, and it would be no big deal even if you did wake them up. They’re being lazy anyway.” Tom jokes and playfully pinches his cheek. “I’m just curious what made you laugh so hard.”

“This is kind of your fault.”

“Oh?”

Jake shows Tom his last text messages, then as Tom is reading them, he thinks that maybe he shouldn’t have. Maybe Tom will get mad that Natasha figured out who he is. “I tried to stop her from figuring it out.” He says just in case.

“Please, Jakey. I know I didn’t gave them my last name, but that was just for your sake. I didn’t wanted you to get even more overwhelmed. I knew they would figure it probably sooner or later, my face is public.”  Then he seemed to finish reading, and chuckled. “It is pretty funny.”

But Jake was focused on something else he said. “You didn’t want to overwhelmed me? I felt a little overwhelmed with information that you got Smith arrested. Why didn't you tell me before you got him arrested? And how did you do this so fast?” Jake wanted to ask about it, but he honestly forgot right after meeting with Natasha and Javy, while he had chance to ask Ice alone about it. He was a bit overwhelmed by that meeting after all.  By the time he remember about it, he was back in hospital room, and he didn’t want to ask about it in front of Bradley. Amnesia Bradley had enough of shit of his own to deal with, he didn’t need to be thinking about that too. He wanted to ask when Bradley would go to sleep yesterday, but he ended up falling asleep first. He figured he would ask today, when it became clear Bradley and Mav would end up napping, but then Javy distracted him by texting.

“I’m sorry about it baby, we and Mav were trying to figure out how to tell you about it. We didn’t think you needed to know about it that urgently with everything else going on. Only yesterday when I was meeting your friends I figured out I should say something, so they wouldn’t be thinking I was the guy who hurt you, in case you told them anything. That probably didn't turn out so well, honey. I’m sorry about it.”

“Oh, that’s okay. That’s actually makes sense, I guess.”

“But for the record, I didn’t get him arrested, baby.”

“Please, even Javy thought you got him arrested. He even suspected planting evidence.”

Tom started laughing at this into his fist. “Oh, really?”

“Maybe, forget I said that. I don’t want to get him in trouble.”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. That won’t get him in trouble. I just think it’s a little funny.”

“So how did you do it?”

“I'm navy admiral, not a cop Jake. Cops arrest people.”

“Please, I’m not that drugged to believe that. Wait! That probably was Slider’s wife right? He said she’s a cop from some kind of cop legacy family, that makes me and Bradley look barely like Navy royalty in comparison?!”

“Now, baby, using personal connection to get someone arrested would be a bit unethical, even if person did deserve that. Do you think we’re the kind of people who would do something like this?”  Then he adds as he see Jake open his mouth. “This is a rhetorical question, please don't answer.”

Jake knows he did it somehow, but also figures out when you do stuff like that, the less people know officially the better, so he decides not to push.

“So since he got arrested on something else, does it means we won’t have to talk about any potential child abuse charges?” Jake isn’t stupid, he also knows Ice wanted to get Smith arrested on that, but he can’t image talking about those stuff with Mav or Ice, let alone talk about it to the police or in court?

Ice gets sad, and Jake regrets asking, but also he had to know.

“Those are two separate things, Jacob. He can be charged with one thing on top another. Just because guy got arrested on drug charges, doesn’t mean he should get away with child abuse.” Jake wants to cry, Ice doesn’t get it.

“You-“ Jake would probably end up saying something he would regret, if Ice didn't stop him with gentle finger shushing on his mouth.

“But, Mav convinced me, that we shouldn’t pressure you into pressing charges if you don’t want.” Jake feels so relieved, as he looks at sleeping Mav. Ice doesn’t get it, but Mav does get it! Mav is foster kid himself and he gets it! “We hope you’ll change your mind about this later, but if you don’t, we won’t force you.” Jake wanted to get out of bed and kiss sleeping Mav.

“Thank you.” Jake could cry.

“Second but, that doesn’t mean we don’t have to talk about it.” Tom took away Jake’s relief as fast as he gave it. “I mean, you don’t have to talk about it with us, but you’ll at least have to talk about it with therapist.”

“Therapist?” Great now they are thinking Jake is some kind of loser who needs therapy.

“Yes, babydoll. You’re definitely are going to therapy.” Jake must have shown his distaste for that idea on his face because Ice added firmly. “I’m sorry, but that’s not up for discussion.”

“If I talk to you guys, about Smith, then can I not go to therapy?” Jake was begging, he didn’t want to go to stupid therapy.

“No, honey. These things don't connect.”

“You guys think there’s something wrong with me.” Jake doesn’t even know when he started crying, but Ice wiped his tears as Jake said this. ”I don’t need therapy. Please papa, don't punish me like that.”

“No please, baby, don’t cry about this. This isn’t some kind of punishment. We want to help you.” Ice was holding him and gently rocking. “I swear we want to help you, not punish you with that.”

“You didn’t send Bradshaw to therapy.” Jake’s last resort. He was almost certain that Bradshaw had not been to therapy.

“Yes, and that clearly was a mistake.“ Ice voice was thick with emotions. “A mistake we will not repeat.” And with that Jake knew he had lost this fight.

 “Fine, I’ll go to stupid fucking therapy, but only because you’re making me, and I’m not happy about it. I’m fucking mad at you right now.” Jake choked out between tears.

“That's my boy.” Ice said that with a kiss to Jake’s hair as he continued rocking Jake. “I’m so proud of you, babydoll.” Jake gotten another kiss this time on his ear. "So very proud."

And that just made Jake cry harder.  “It's not fair! I can't stay angry with you, when you say things like that to me.”

“Sorry about it.” Ice didn’t sound sorry at all, but he keep holding Jake close, and giving him gentle kisses, so Jake didn’t call him out on that.

Chapter Text

On Monday two things happened.

First thing was the fact that apparently Natasha and Javy talked with each other and exchanged infos. Jake get some interesting texts from both of them, or rather from Javy first, then he ended up texting Natasha himself.

JM: DUDE what wrong with u?! how could u not tell me, BRADSHAW’S SECRET DAD WAS ADMIRAL KAZANSY?!

Thanks, Natasha. You didn’t even last one day!!!!

JS: umm it’s Kazansky actually! the man is an admiral, have some respect!!!

Jake knew he didn't have leg to stand on this topic, since he was dyslexic. But his new dad last name was very know and important! Javy was in naval academy he should know how to spell his dad’s last name!

JM: Don't even try to correct me, you dyslexic bitch!!!!

Touché.

JM: And don’t change subject!!!!

JS: I mean, yu did meet him on Saturday, not my fault you didn’t recognized him?

JM: Don’t you ever dare!?!?! BITVH?! He introduced himself as tom?! And he was wearing this fugly cardigan, not to mention his hair was kinda wavy, not gelled to the back like in every possible photo of him that exist!!!! 

Fugly cardigan? Jake knew that Mav bought him this cardigan. Jake would wish everyone would stop criticizing Mav’s taste. Maybe his new dad liked buying people kind of tacky clothes, so what?! It was clearly his strange way of showing affection! Everyone needed to leave him alone and mind their business!!!

JM: BITHVJ!! Because of you I accused the admiral of being in the mafia!?

JS: Heyyy! I told you he wasn’t in mob before! I told you it was “or something!!!”

JM: DO not give me that excuse!!! I’m done for in Navy!!!

JS: Hey, you did not say that to his face

JM: So you telling me you didn’t repeat to him, that I thought he was in mob????

JS: I’m not saying that

JM: JAKE HOW COULD U BETRAY ME LIKE THIS?! I DIDN’t became crazy nepo baby overnight! I don’t have anyone to protect me! JAKEEE DON’T TELL HIM I MISSPELLED HIS LAST NAME!!!!

JS: Calm down, I won’t tell him, and he thought the mob thing was funny actually,

JM: really?

JS: Yeah, And I can protect you with my new nepo baby’s powers, so chill

JS: Really Javy I won’t let him do shit to you ok?

JS: so u better be nice to me!!

JM: Shit, you’re already talking like spoiled Navy princess

JS: Fuck you!

JM: I would say this back, but I’m not sure if I’m allowed, your Navy highness

JS: Double fuck you!!!!

JM: your wish is my command Princess

JS: Hey, but seriously, are we good? This whole thing is so crazy I didn’t know how to tell you everything.

JM: Yeah, but I’m changing your name in my phone to Princess, that’s not up to negotiation!!!!

JS: you’re being veryyy bad serf right now, but I’ll allow it

JM: and we’re good, the whole things is so crazy, I get why you didn’t tell me everything right away.

JM: Princess <3 <3<3

Jake still wasn’t telling him everything, but Mav and Ice relationship wasn’t actually his secret to tell. Not to mention whole DADT thing. Suddenly he realized something.

“Hey, Mav?” Jake asked, and Mav turned away from laptop. There were just the two of them, since they took Bradley for some tests, and Ice went with him.

“Yes, sweetheart?” Mav answered, and Jake still was trying not to blush at being called pet names so casually.

“I don’t know how to start this. But my two friends, Natasha and Javy, I guess Natasha is more Bradley’s friend. But anyways, they figured it out about Ice The Admiral, being my new guardian, and they made assumption that, he was Bradley’s too? They don’t know about you, but-“

“It’s okay, I don’t mind them thinking that. I don’t think Bradley will mind neither, once he gets back his memories. Documents about our guardianships are not that public, and I doubt it makes any difference to him which one of us is the father he officially hates, and no matter how angry he is with us, I know he would not betray us on this front. I like to think your friends have enough sense not to talk about your secrets left and right.”

Next Mav said wishfully. “Not to mention there are talks about DADT being repelled. Ice don’t think it will happen, but I always try to be a little more optimistic than him.”

Jake felt relieved by this, except for one last question. “But I did mentioned to Javy: parents, plural. I’m sorry, I didn’t think about it, but now they going to assume you’re some sort Ice’s secret wife.”

Mav just laughed at that. “I’m already Ice’s bitch wife according to Slider. So what if two more people are thinking this?”

JS: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR NOT TELLING ANYONE!!!

NT: Okay, first of all, I actually didn’t promised you that!

Shit, she got him there.

Fuck, he should have insisted on that!

NT: and second, have you ever seen Friends?

What’s that got to do with anything?!

JS: I know I’m foster child, but I didn’t live under the rock.

JS: YES, I HAVE SEEN FRIENDS!

Maybe like half of episodes at best, because sometimes it’s felt like he was living under the rock, but she didn’t need to know that.

JS: WHAt’s does that got to do with anything?

NT: Do you remember that episode where both Rachel and Joey, find out each other know about Chandler and Monica?

He did seen that episode. Oh, he can already see where this is going.

JS: yes

NT: So me and Javy ended up having very oddly similar conversation as “Do you know something?” from Friends. Except both of us turned out knew something a little different about this situation. I wasn’t walking around telling people about that

JS: ok, but don’t go around having those FRirends conversation with anyone else!

NT: Relax I won’t

JS: promise me this time!!!

NT: Ok, I promise!

JS: So, you’re not mad at me? For stealing Bradshaw dad?

NT: JAKE what? You didn’t steal his dad! You can’t steal dads! You can’t steal people! His dad taking you in, is not you stealing him. Please tell me you’re not seriously thinking that?!

Jake didn't expect such an answer. It was surprisingly reasonable, but Bradshaw wasn’t reasonable. If he was reasonable he wouldn’t have throw away Ice and Mav like piece of garbage. No matter what they have done. Jake knows they would never hurt Bradley, not in a way that counts.

JS: That’s not the way Bradshaw will see it.

NT: Bradshaw can suck me dick

Oh.

Oh, she was mad at Bradshaw!! She was mad at Bradshaw for lying to her about not having any living family! She wasn’t mad at Jake.

JS: You shouldn’t be mad at people, who have amnesia.

Jake almost didn’t even realized that he wrote that, before he hit send. Why was he defending Bradshaw? What was wrong with him?!

NT: Wow, barely a week passes and you’re already defending your new older brother. That’s almost sweet.

JS: Shut up! I’m not defending himm, I’m defending amnesia version of him! Amnesua Bradley is like a brother to me! Once he get’s his memory back he’s going to hate me, so whatever about him!

NT: Jake he’s not going to hate you, he will be shocked and maybe pissed a little, but he’s not going to hate you. You didn’t do anything wrong!

JS: He will hate me

NT: If he will, I’ll kill him for that!!!!

Jake was so touched, by this he didn’t know what to text back. So he settled on something stupid.

JS: I don’t think you should be threatening Admiral’s son

NT: But Bradshaw “doesn’t have any living family” so he can’t be Admiral’s son

JS: So he really didn’t told you anything, anyhting at all?

NT: No.

JS: Well, we don’t know each other that long too, be honest.

NT: STOP defending him! I think that even if I had known him for over ten years, I would have known just as much about his family.

JS: You don’t kno that.

NT: but I'm almost sure of it.

Jake couldn’t really argue with that, especially since he thought she was probably right.

The second thing that happened on Monday is something he wish he could forget.

It’s was just so mortifying.

He and Bradley ended up needing some stupid shots, he doesn’t even remember what for.

The worst thing is since their hands were still mostly bandaged, the nurse said it had to be the buttocks as place for injections. She said this as it was no big deal.

Jake thinks it was just so fucking rude, because it would be embarrassing, even if his ass wasn’t more scar tissue then skin.

And what’s worse she was some young pretty nurse. And as she chipperly said, she just returned from vacation or something, so she definitely haven’t seen his scars before, unlike some of others one, he was sure. He did wake up here, with change of clothes so to say, after all.

He briefly wondered what happened to clothes he was wearing on accident. He liked that blue jumper, but whatever. Mav will probably buy him an uglier one, that he will like even more (because his dad will buy it for him).

At any rate Bradley took his shots with minimal whining. Mav was holding his hand and whispered encouragingly to him.

Jake didn’t mean to stare, but he kind of did, since he noticed there didn’t seem to be not even one scar on his ass or thighs. (Not counting some small cut from accident on his left tight.)

He knew obviously that Bradley wouldn’t have any scars from physical abuse.

Ok, maybe he was a little worried, that Ice and Mav played him somehow.

Maybe he was worried a little they weren’t that great as they seemed.

Or maybe he was worried, that maybe they used to beat up Bradley, but Bradshaw was one of this mysterious lucky people, that even if he got abusive parents in the lottery of life, he got the unicorn ones, that actually changed for better.

Logically he knew that even if Bradley had some old abuse scars. They probably would have been from his mother (Jake found out Bradley’s biological father died when he was barely out of diapers), since Bradley didn’t always belong to Ice and Mav.  In this case, however, he would still lose some of his respect for Mav, since he still spoke so fondly of that mysterious Carole. Not to Ice, since Ice didn't say anything about her when Bradley and Mav were talking about her.

Maybe Jaka was over-interpreting, but it seemed to him that Ice had some kind of hidden problem with this Carole. So he thought that maybe there was possibly that she was abusive to Bradley, and Mav was able to overlook that since she was clearly his beloved friend (and Bradley was her child, and children forgive their mothers everything).

Jake was relived and both jealous, that there seemed to be absolutely no evidence of any physical abuse on Bradley’s body.

Like he knew that Bradley didn’t act like abused child, but sometimes you really can’t tell.

And Bradley did have those anger issues, that he tried to conceal in Academy, but Jake could see them shining through sometimes, since he was a bit oversensitive about the subject. Those anger issues came from somewhere.

So maybe he was worried that he was wrong about Ice and Mav somehow, even though his instincts made him feel he could trust them.

But now, he had concrete proof, that Bradley wasn't abused, at least not on the level that would leave physical scars.

Because only naïve people would say “all violence is the same “.

There are levels to physical violence.

Jake knew level of violence where, they don’t care that made you bleed and permanently scarred, as long it’s in places not easy seen.

So you could at least hide your shame easily from people.

He wasn’t complain that much, after all he knew it could be worse, he seen kids with scars in very visible places.

Not to mention he personally didn't actually knew sexual violence, so he knew it could always be worse.

Now he had proof, that Bradley even at worst case scenario (if Mav and Ice did played Jake somehow) didn’t know that level of violence.

So Jake felt a little relief, to have more evidence that he was probably right this time, and he could trust them.

Then it was his turn and all his relief was gone.  

Suddenly he was panicking, and he started to cry.

Nurse, and Bradley were rather surprised by his reaction. Ice and Mav not really.

He knew he was acting like toddler, but he couldn’t help it.

He didn't want to deal with any kind of new reaction to evidence of violence that were on his body, especially not from some strange pretty nurse.

“Please don’t make me do take that. I don’t want to.” He was almost wailing. “Please, papa.” He was begging Ice who was trying to gently convince him that it's not that big deal and he can do it.

Suddenly Jake realized that Mav was trying to convince nurse of something.

Maybe he was begging the wrong person. In middle of his crying he started thinking that Mav was probably the weaker link in this family though.

Suddenly she seemed to break. "Don't tell anyone, about this.” She seemed to tell all four of them. “I'll be in the bathroom. Call me when you’re done.” And with that she disappeared into to bathroom.

“I don’t have to take shots?” Jake was confused, and Ice seemed a little confused too. Since he was more focused on Jake’s embarrassing hysterics then Mav talking to nurse.

Bradley wasn’t saying anything, but Jake knew he was watching everything.

“She allowed me to do it. I have sufficient medical training to do it technically.” Mav said to him gently. “You'll feel better about it this way, right?”

It wasn't enough, since Bradley was still in a room, but it was definitely better. Jake just nodded.

“Can Bradley please not look?” Jake asked mournfully. Honestly he wouldn't mind that much Bradley knowing, as much as he definitely minded Bradshaw knowing. And he couldn't have one without the other.

“Bradley please, look away.” Ice said, and Bradley did listen, but Jake knew somehow he would end up looking.

So after Ice helped him turn around, and Mav started giving him those three stupid shots, Jake wasn’t surprised, when he heard Bradley's very confused swear.

Bradley definitely saw his large pathetic collection of scars.

“Bradley.” Both their fathers scolded at the same time, but Bradley already started crying from seeing Jake’s scars.

At that moment honestly Jake wasn't that embarrassed by it, he mostly felt greatest relief.

Bradley’s curse was so astonished that Jake was certain Bradley had no real personal  knowledge of parental violence.

Jake wasn’t wrong about Ice and Mav.

He was right!

And Bradley’s crying meant, that he actually really cared about Jake.

So even when he would became Bradshaw again, and would start hating Jake, that would be something Jake could always have.

“You might hate me now, but you used to care so much, you started crying from seeing my scars.” He will be able to say.

Jake will at least have this memory of his brother left.

Chapter Text

On Tuesday Ice had to leave for White house for few hours again.

Jake like to think he was a better son, because he reassured Ice that it was fine, even if he wanted to cry about it.

Bradley, the inferior son, tried to use this as an opportunity to barter for fast food.

Ice gave him a gentle flick on the nose for that, before leaving.

Jake was clearly a superior son, because he got a forehead kiss from their pops before leaving!

In any case, because of Ice leaving and since Slider had to leave on Monday, the three of them were left alone for over half of Tuesday.

For most of that time, Mav read the book aloud to them.

From some stupid fantasy series that Bradley liked.

Jake didn't care about the content of the book that much, he just liked the fact that someone was reading to him like he was a child. Mav even did voices as if they were seriously kids.

It was unexpectedly nice.

Honestly, he didn't even remember if his own mother read books aloud to him even when he was a child.

Somewhere between chapters, he began to seriously think of Mav as his father too.

At one point during the reading, the doctor came and said he wanted to talk to Mav privately for a moment.

Which was incredibly rude, because it happened at a crucial moment in the book.

Yes, it's possible that Jake also got a little caught up in this stupid fantasy story. Maybe Bradley didn't have the worst taste in books.

“Bradley, don't you dare use this as an opportunity to bombard Jake with questions. Don’t try to force him into talking about this, do you understand?” All three of them knew what he meant by that.

 Mav (father) was surprisingly serious and firm. Jake didn't hear him this firm before.

Bradley made some sort of a noise of agreement, but Mav (dad) wasn’t satisfied with that alone.

“I asked do you understand, young man? I expect a verbal response.” Jake didn't think their dad could sound so stern. He decided that Mav was definitely not pushover parent, after all.

“Yes, sir. I understand.”  Bradley said without looking at their father or Jake.

Jake was afraid for a moment that Mav would pressure Brad to say it again, insisting on him looking Mav’s in the eye as he said that. That was something Smith would do.

Bradley looked like he would probably start fighting Mav if he asked him to say it again only with eye contact.

Although now Jake was absolutely certain that Mav had never physically harmed Brad, so Bradley starting fight with Mav wouldn’t be dangerous, he still would prefer they didn't argue with each other.

Luckily Mav was satisfied with this answer and followed the doctor out.

“I’m sorry, about what happened to you.” Bradley said almost as soon as their dad left, and they were two of them.

“You just said you, wouldn't bombard me with questions, or force me to talk about it!” Jake wanted to cry. “You gave him “yes, sir” even!”

“I’m not asking any questions. We don’t have to talk about it!” At least Bradley sounded like he wanted to cry too. “But I have to tell this. It’s fucked up, and it wasn’t your fault, I don’t think you know that.”

“I’m not that stupid! I know it’s fucked up!” Jake already could tears in his eyes. “I fucking know it’s fucked up!”

“Then say you know it wasn’t your fault.” Brad's eyes were glassy too.

“I knew what asshole he was, but I still couldn’t keep my mouth shut.” Jake hide his face in his hands, even though it was pointless, Bradley already knew he was crying. “If I could just be fucking quiet, I would have at least half as many scars less. So I'm partly to blame for this.”

When Bradley didn't say anything in return, Jake just started crying harder, because Bradley probably agrees with him on this one. Jake was kind of hoping he would disagree.

Only that suddenly after a while he felt someone hugging him and saying. “It’s NOT your fault, Jake.”

Jake immediately removed his hands from his face. Bradley got out of his bed to hug him.

“Fuck, Bradley, you shouldn’t get out of your bed when there’s no one here! You could have fallen.” Bradley just hugged him harder in return.

“Calm down, it’s my head that mostly fucked up, not my body. We both know I have mostly small cuts from the glass, just a hell of a lot of them. Our elders are overdoing it with caring. This was more important, than some potential tripping.”  He was rubbing circles on Jake's back as he was saying that. “You’re important Jake, and it wasn’t your fault, not even in particular.”

Jake realized it was first time, he and Bradley hugged. Obviously he and Bradshaw also never hugged. That made him cry even harder, and he think Bradley was crying too, as he was comforting him.

“Dad is going to back soon, and you’re going to get in trouble for this.” Jake said as he finally calmed down a bit.

He and Bradley were cuddling in his bed right now. “He will see that we both cried earlier and guess that you didn't listen to him. And that’s not even mentioning escaping from bed.”

“I know, but that was more important.” Bradley kissed his hair. “Besides, maybe I can get away with this thanks to amnesia card.” He joked, then he kissed Jake’s hair again.

That was probably the twentieth kiss Brad had given him today, and wasn't that the most absurd thing he had ever experienced in his life? Jake just received lots of comforting kisses on his hair, forehead and cheeks from Bradshaw!?

If he wants to kill Jake after he regains his memory, Jake won't even be able to defend himself.

It's one thing to steal someone's parents, but this seemed like crossing an even bigger line.

“Can you try not to hate me, once you get your memory back?”  Jake definitely didn't want to say it out loud, but he accidentally did because Bradley suddenly answered him.

“I don’t think I could ever hate you.” Jake curses his stupid mouth again. “We weren't that close before accident, right?” He added after a second.

“Yes.”  Jake wonders if that counts as pressing his memory, but then again, Bradley did asked himself. And he knows he wasn't really important to Bradshaw, so Jake thinks he can be honest about it. ”Sorry Bradley, I didn’t meant to say this out loud.”

“That’s okay, I’m sorry, we weren’t close before. You're a kid, and I'm supposedly so old, so it's definitely my fault. I’m really sorry.” This apology was so sincere.  And funny at the same time, because…

“It's not your fault, dumbass.” This time Jake kissed Bradley’s cheek in comfort, it didn't even feel weird, like he expected it would. “I’m not really a kid! And I have a talent for pissing people off.”

“Jakey, you-“ Suddenly Bradley sounded so fucking sad again.

“Calm down, I didn’t meant it like that.” At least not this time.

Bradley didn't look convinced. He seemed to be wondering what to say, but at that moment their dad returned.

“Bradley Peter Bradshaw!”

Dad was so mad, that Jake's intervention on Brad’s behalf or even amnesia card didn’t work, at least not completely.

He was both angry at Bradley for not keeping his word, and getting out of bed alone.

Dad was so mad, but it didn’t seem like he wanted to hit Bradley at any moment.

Jake wasn't scared of their dad being mad.

Even so mad Maverick wasn’t any real danger to them.

Jake knew it before, but it's one thing to know and another to see something in person.

“I had to do it! You guys were so careful about not pushing him about anything, you didn’t even made sure, he knew it wasn’t his fault!” Bradley finally blurted out during their father's angry sermon.

This changed their dad’s attitude by 180 degrees. “Jakey, please tell me you don’t think this is your fault, baby?” In the blink of an eye, he switched sides of the bed and suddenly his full attention was focused on Jake.

Thanks Brad, just throw me out to wolves, why not?!  Wolves that want to strangle me with tenderness, but wolves nonetheless.

“I’m not that stupid! I know it was that asshole fault.” Jake was trying not to start crying again, he was getting a headache.

“He is lying to right now! Before he told me he thinks it’s partially his fault, because he has smart mouth. He thinks it’s partially his fault!” Bradley said quickly and dead seriously.

“Thanks Bradshaw, you fucking snitch. I’m not fucking telling you anything ever again! You’re so fucking-“ He got interrupted by getting double hugged. 

Suddenly he was sandwiched between his new dad and his new brother, and he just started to wail.

“It's not your fault in any way. Not partially, no nothing! This is not your fault.” He wasn’t even sure who said that, Bradley or Maverick, he was crying so hard, and they sounded so similar sometimes.

When Ice came back, he found the three of them somehow squeezed together on Jake's bed sleeping.

He said later that it was the most adorable thing he saw, even if it was bit stupid considering their injures. (Mav got a little scolding for that, it was so funny.)

Jake was in the middle of that cuddly sleeping sandwich of three people.

Apparently, he was that squished and hidden between them, that Ice got worried for second because he didn't even notice him at first.

His arm hurt a little later, from sleeping on his side, so that the three of them could fit together on that hospital bed, but he never admitted that.

Chapter Text

On Wednesday morning, Jake receives "good news".

“We will probably discharge you from the hospital today.” Doctor said with warm smile. “You won’t have to spend Christmas at hospital.”

Jake doesn’t tell her he’s scared of leaving, because then everything might return to normal. He just tried to smile back, pretending he’s happy, because he knows he should be happy about it.

“Right now he walks worse than me, why is he the first to leave?” Bradley complained from next bed, and Jake doesn’t mind, because he didn’t know what to answer the doctor anyway.

“Bradley.” Mav Dad gently scolds him, while Ice Pops is keeping on holding Jake’s hand like he had whole time since doctor got here.

“If all your results are good, we will probably discharge you tomorrow.” Doctor just turns to Bradley with smile. “So, don’t worry. You most likely also won't have to spend Christmas at hospital.”

Jake was surprised by this even more. Bradley still had amnesia, and they were letting him out? Although there is no medical way to regain memory, I guess.

After doctor leaves Jake says. “it’s kind of rude, how they suddenly changed their minds. Before, it was always, We don't know, We don't know. And now suddenly today they want to let me go? Give the person a chance to prepare mentally.”

“Baby, it’s okay to be scared to leave hospital. Really it's normal, a lot of things happened in those few days.” Ice says to him seriously, and Jake is sure he’s blushing a little.

“I’m not scared.” Jake lies. “I just think it’s unprofessional.” He doesn't know why he's lying, because none of the three in the room believe him anyway. Bradley rolls his eyes at him, and dad barely hides his chuckle. Pops just squeezes his hand comfortingly, and Jake thinks, this is why you’re my favorite.

“So what happens, if they do let him out today, and me tomorrow?” Bradley ask quielty.

“If they let you out in the morning, maybe we would be able to catch a plane to California on the 22nd.”  Pops sighs. “It would be slightly better than the flight on December 23nd.”

“It's going to be a nightmare either way.” Dad looks hopefully at pops. “Can you just get us a navy plane?”

Pops just answered with eye roll.

Jake tuned out of the rest of the conversation, because he started thinking.

He knew that Christmas was coming, but suddenly it seems like they came out of nowhere . How is it 21nd December already? Those 10 days in hospital really passed in a blink of an eye, but at the same time it seemed like it had been definitely more days than 10. It felt like he had been here for 10 weeks sometimes, with how much had happened.

He really didn’t felt like he was ready to leave today.

They decided to release him on Wednesday after all.

They took out his catheter before he left the hospital.

As an experience, Jake definitely does not recommend it.

Nurse who did it said it should not be a painful experience, but Jake disagrees.

It was painful and embarrassing! He even cried a little.

Yet unlike other times, when he had uncomfortable experiences at hospital, there is actually someone to hold him, and rub his back this time.

Mav is staying in hospital with Bradley, so Jake choses him, to be one to help him dress up.

(Since that day Natasha ended up dropping some of Jake’s and Bradley’s clothes from academy, before leaving for her hometown for Christmas break. As much as Jake was happy to see her even if for few minutes, he was almost disappointed with getting his clothes back. He kind of wanted to get new clothes (from his new dad), but he won’t complain like spoiled brat, since his old clothes are still wearable.)

And just when Jake thinks he might have lost all his sense of shame in this hospital stay, because he isn’t even that embarrassed to be needing help dressing up, he realizes something.

“This definitely isn’t my underwear.” He notices suspiciously.

“Yeah, it’s special kind in case you might have any accidents, since it common after catheter removal.” Mav said like it was normal. “Didn't you listen to the nurse before?”

Jake was that much overloaded on medical info those few days, he sometimes just turned off his hearing, but he wasn’t going to admit that, beside that there was more pressing matter. “I’m not wearing diaper like a baby.”He prefers to die!

“Jakey, please. It’s just pull-up underwear.” Mav sounded tired but like he expected that. “Believe me, you will fell much more like a baby, if you have leakage in normal underwear.”

“Will Bradley get the same?”

“Yes, if tomorrow they will remove his catheter too.  Will you wear it now?”

“Fine.”

Leaving that hospital room was so weird, especially since Badley still stayed in it.

Bradley looks sad that’s Jake is leaving, but he tries to pretend he isn’t.

Jake almost wanted to ask if he could stay that extra day with him, so they could leave together tomorrow, but they don’t let people stay in hospitals because they want to.

Mav gives him lot of goodbye kisses, as if they weren’t to be going see each other tomorrow (and maybe Jake cries tiny bit from that).

Whole way to hotel, Jake is lowkey expecting to wake up suddenly.

Like everything that happened in those last days was somehow a dream.

But he doesn’t.

Ice is still next to him, in taxi and is still holding his hand.

“How are you feeling to finally be free, sweetheart?” He ask Jake.

“I don’t know.” He answers honestly. “It feels like everything changed at hospital, yet we went outside and everything is the same.”

Ice seems to understand what he can’t say, and he uses his other hand to gently move Jake’s head towards him, so he can give him forehead kiss. “Everything is going to be fine. Don’t worry, honey.” After these words he gives Jake a second kiss.

When they arrive at hotel, and Ice leaves car first to help Jake get out, Taxi driver turns to him. "You're lucky, you father is very gentle and nice with you. Wish my old man, was more like that, but that guy was in the army.” He looks thoughtful and maybe even a little jealous as he says it. “Appreciate it, kid.”

Jake doesn't know what to respond, expect for the fact that he definitely shouldn't say “Sorry, but my new dad is navy admiral actually, so your father just sucks.” He isn’t that huge asshole.

He can’t also say. “Hey, I’m not the son you should be saying that!”

But Jake get saved from having to answers by Ice opening door from the other side, so he ends up just saying. “Thank you, for the ride.”

“Jakey, what did that taxi driver say to you?”

“Nothing important, Pops.”

“Honey, you changed your expression so much. I know he said something to you. Was he mean? Do I have to call the taxi company to complain about him?”

“No, he wasn’t mean.” Jake laughed at this. “He was jealous I think, that I have such nice dad, because his one was asshole from army.”

“Oh, well. Army guys are usually assholes, so I’m not surprised.”

“Pops, I think you might be a little biased.”

“My own flesh and blood says such things, unbelievable.”

In general Jake feels very uncomfortable in expensive hotel. He’s afraid to touch anything, in case he breaks something.

He literally wishes he could stayed that extra night with Bradley at hospital.

When it’s time to sleep since they are two bed actually, for two peoples, it would be reasonable for everyone to sleep in their own bed.

So Jake decided he’s not going to ask to sleep in one of them together, because he is sure everyone already thinks he’s so pathetic, so there is no need to reassure them of this again.

Only his new parent reads his mind again, and after helping him lie down, Ice asks. ”Do you want to sleep on your own, or not?”

“It makes no difference to me. As you wish.” Jake lies. “I really don’t care.”

“We’re going to need to work on you poker face, babydoll.” Ice just replies laughing, and Jake hides in face in pillow to hide his blush.

Later when Ice does joins him in bed, Jake counts to ten before starting to cuddle. He doesn't want to come out as that desperate!

As Jake is falling asleep listening to soft polish lullabies, he thinks maybe this is really is his new reality.

He left hospital, and somehow the spell is not broken.

It's after midnight but the carriage hasn't turned into a pumpkin.

Maybe he will be luckier than Cinderella somehow.

(He tried not to think about fact, that real midnight will happen once Bradley gets his memory back.

He has no illusions that if Bradshaw gives an ultimatum, him or Jake,who would they choose.

Jake knows they'll always choose Bradshaw.)

Chapter Text

They let Bradley leave hospital on Thursday morning, so they ended up flying to California that day.

It was nightmarish, with how close to Christmas it was, and both Jake and Bradley being still fresh out of hospital and not fully functional, on weaker meds. But for Jake it was actually his best commercial flight experience probably.

He didn't really has to worry about anything, because adults were actually being responsible and taking care of that, for first time in Jake's life probably.

Only time, he got kind of worried was when Bradley asked. "Since when this whole process got so much worse? I'm not insane, it used to be much less hassle, right?"

Because right, Jake didn't have his first airport experience before 9/11, but he knew it used to be much different. Now Bradley didn't remember anything past summer of 2001, and he clearly has airport experience, so he was clearly very taken back by difference in airport security.

"Something really bad happened, and they had to tighten on security." Dad sounded kind of nervous. "We can tell you about it later at home, if you curious. But let's just maybe not do it right here, at airport. Ok, honey?"

Bradley thankfully agreed not to press on this topic at the moment, and he didn't even asked later.

So Jake really ended up not having anything to worry about this whole airport ordeal. 

On the plane he sits next to Tom, and after like half an hour, while listening to Bradley and Pete quietly arguing half-seriously about something extremely stupid from row before them, he ends up falling asleep on Tom's shoulder.

Jake never had done that before. 

Jake had never felt so comfortable on a plane before, that he would be able to fall asleep.

But that day somehow he spends most of flight asleep.

Tom only wakes him up, when it's time to land. 

"I never actually been to California before." Jake let it slip once they were at San Diego airport, waiting for baggage claim. There were three of them sitting in plastic airport chairs at the moment, since Tom left to go bathroom. Pete was just massaging his temples, looking so tired. Jake felt bad for him.

"Obviously." Bradley laughed softly at Jake in answer.

Now Jake was offended. "What do you mean 'obviously', you can't remember shit! I might have been to California for all you know!" 

"I don't think you would have such of chip on the shoulder, if you ever were to California before. It would probably heal you, at least a little bit." Bradley said it like it was matter of fact.

Jake got so taken back by Bradley Bradshaw being one of those people from California, that before he could find response to that ridiculous statement (because really Bradshaw was the one with biggest chip on his shoulder, and he lived in California for years apparently! So what was he even talking about!?) they got interrupted by Pete saying seriously "Kids no fighting at airport, please. I'm too tired." He was almost begging actually.

So Jake dropped topic, but only for his dad's sake. 

Only on way to the house, did Jake got nervous and worried. 

Mav was driving this rented car, and Brad called shotgun before car even showed up, and everyone know it doesn’t count then, but whatever, Jake let him have it. (Not because he was actually scared that sitting in front seat of car would remind him too much of accident, or something. He let Brad have front seat, because he’s nice like that actually!)

Bradley asked if Jake was getting guest room, and they confirmed it.

“It will be your room from now on.” Ice smiled at Jake, from next seat. “We don’t really used that room for it purpose since my official apartment in city is more like our glorified guest room.” He finished with gentle hand squeeze.

But Jake wasn’t fully comforted by that. Suddenly he felt like uninvited guest showing up to family Christmas.

It didn't matter that he was invited, and actually would be soon fully legally part of this weird family. (Or at least he would fully legally connected to Ice.)

In that house there would be nothing that would vouch for that.

Somehow despite his worries, Jake didn’t felt unwelcome, not even for one minute, since he got into this house.

Even amnesia Bradley seemed to make it his priority, to make Jake felt welcome. And that was a bit too much, because guy didn’t even realize, he probably hasn’t been in this house for years.

But in general three of them tried so hard to make him feel welcome, it was making Jake’s eyes sting like he was going to cry any minute. He was fighting those tears with his life. He wasn’t in hospital anymore, he wouldn’t be crying left and right anymore.

It was hard, because they were so nice to him. Jake didn’t deserve that, but he wouldn’t cry.

He decided that he didn’t even care that he was getting some basic guest room, because he actually didn’t felt like uninvited guest somehow.

Even getting stupid guest room, wouldn’t be able to change that.

Only, their guest room didn’t actually looked like guest room.  It kind of looked more like potential teenage boy bedroom. Or rather if someone who never meet teenage boy before, tried to make teenage boy bedroom. It was just weird room, not in bad way. Funny weird.

“No judgement, I swear, but you guys have rather weird taste in guest rooms.” Jake just stated when he was let to that room by Tom. And ok, he was lying. He was judging a little.

“Obviously, it didn’t look like that before.” Tom laughed and he hugged Jake for saying that, as if Jake was being silly for even thinking that. “We didn’t want you to feel unwelcome, so we called our friend Sundown, since he lives in LA.” Tom chuckled bit nervously now. “He has four daughters. I’m pretty sure he just let one of them go ham at this room, so really, you’re lucky there’s nothing pink in here.”

Oh.

Oh.

“You didn’t have to do that.”  Jake says as he tries to blink away his tears. "That was so unnecessary."

(He swore to himself, that he wouldn’t cry so much any more! Why they were making this so hard?! It almost like they wanted to make him cry! Fucking rude!)

He really didn’t expect anything. And he knew he should, just be grateful not to have spent Christmas, with Smith.

He really was grateful for that, but still, he was dreading a little feeling unwelcome in house were it would be clear three people used to live together, and Jake is a pest.

For them to call some of their friends, and ask them to go of their way, (just before Christmas!) to change this guest room into potential room for Jake, was just too much.  Jake didn’t felt that welcome in any of fosters homes he was before, and they actually had time to prepare for his arrival. This was too much, he was going to cry.

“I’m sorry, that you don’t like it.”  Tom sounded concerned. “Please don’t cry over this, you can obviously change it to your liking, Babydoll. It was just temporary solution, maybe it was stupid. I’m really sorry, honey.”

Jake just hugged Tom very hard, for being so stupid and not getting why he was crying again.

“No, I love it. It’s terrible honestly, but I loved it.” Jake managed to choke out between his tears.

“Wow, what happened to this room?”  Bradley showed up with Mav, few minutes later, they probably heard Jake crying again.  

They found Jake sitting on bed, while he was getting hugged and his back rubbed by Tom.

(Jake will never escape crybaby allegations, once Bradshaw get his memory back. But whatever, he will actually have just as much dirt on Bradshaw now too.)

“One of Sundown’s demons probably.” Mav said as he looked around formal guest room. “I told him not to go overboard. Did he listen to me? No!” He facepalmed. “I’m sorry Jakey. I knew we should have called Holly and Wolf, instead.”

Since it was pretty late, they ended up just ordering pizza for dinner, and then chilling sitting on couch while watching TV.  Jake was getting snuggled between Tom and Bradley, and it was so nice. Pete was sitting on the other side of Bradley, and his hand was stretched out and he was gently massaging Jake's head.  He was just so happy, that Jake wanted to cry for second time that day, but he managed to keep it in. He didn’t want to ruin that moment with another mental break down.

He didn’t care one bit for what was on TV. Jake felt so nice, cozy and comfortable, he actually felt like he could feel asleep.

And then he finally fell asleep, somehow, he doesn't even remember when. He knows he fell asleep because he woke up the next day in his strange new room, so he assumed Ice had carried him to bed.

And just how insane was, that Jake wasn’t even embarrassed over the fact that Navy admiral, carried him into bed like little toddler that felt asleep in a car?!

He almost wonders if maybe, he actually ended up in coma after car crash, and this whole thing was going on in his own head.  Because really once Jake start to think too hard about everything that happened, it feels so insane it can’t be real.

And if it was actually some weird dream that he was having while in coma, Jake just hopes he doesn’t have to wake up from it like ever.

Chapter Text

They decided to keep Christmas extremely low key, to take pressure of things, and Jake was very grateful for that.

He actually kind of hated Christmas since his mom, Lisa Seresin died.

Before that, like every kid he used to think it was the best time ever.

What was kind of fucked up, he can admit freely, since his biological father, Douglas Seresin, actually committed suicide on December 27 before Jake was even born. It was so close after Christmas, it basically counted as Christmas suicide. So it was probably disrespectful to his biological father in some way, to be enjoying Christmas.

In Jake's defense, his mom always did his best to make this time magical for him, despite that personal tragedy. Not to mention Jake never actually meet the guy, since he did literally killed himself, while his mom was pregnant.

Jake tried not to take offence to that or be too judgy, since there were time in his own life when he did considered same option.

He wonders did Pete and Tom knew about Douglas, and if that was why they wanted to keep it lowkey. ( He knew it was probably just because of Bradley.)

He asked them not to read his social work files for now, for different reason. They said they wouldn’t do that, but there were probably other ways they could have found about Douglas, even if personally Jake only told them his biological father died before he was born, so he didn’t remember him for obvious reasons.

He told them a bit about Lisa, since he did actually remember her and she died in accident because of tornado, she didn't chose to die. Talking about the fact that his biological father didn’t gave a damn about him so much, he killed himself before he was even born was just bit embarrassing.

Not to mention he was still hoping that, he might somehow be able to convince them he didn’t need therapy after all.

He didn’t think he was very successful on that front, but if they knew his biological dad shot himself, he  definitely wouldn't have any chance in this matter.

Despite agreeing to keep things low key, they put on Christmas tree.

While they were decorating, Jake said it wasn’t that low key with Christmas tree, and all three of them laughed like what he said was so hilarious.

“Jay, believe me. Only putting on Christmas tree is extremely low key in this house.” Bradley explained to Jake in a very pretentious tone. In response Jake threw gold tinsel at him.

When they were almost finished with tree, Jake broke one of glass baubles.

Before he could even start to panic about it, Ice hugged him gently and Bradley actually broke another one of baubles, clearly on purpose.

“You didn’t have to done that dumbass. I wasn’t going to cry about breaking glass bauble.” Jake lied, because he really was ready to start crying about it, and Bradley breaking one too, calmed him down in a way nothing else probably would.  Ice hugging him was calming, but Bradley feeling safe enough to be able to just break it on purpose, to make Jake feel better. That made Jake feel like he could truly feel safe, from accidentally destroying it. Which doesn't change the fact that it was just stupid of Bradley anyway.

“I didn’t do that on purpose.” Bradley lied too. “I dropped it from shock, after seeing how clumsy you are. Guess they really let anyone in USNA nowadays.” He was smiling so warmly at Jake as he was saying that, that Jake didn’t even got offended. “Very embarrassing for you, Dad.” He said to Mav who had just returned with a brush and dustpan. Mav just answered with eye roll, and started to clean up what was left of two beautiful baubles.

Ice reacted more to that comment, than the injured party. Jake felt Tom stiffen, because he was holding Jake in his arms practically. “Bradley.”

Both Mav and Bradley turned to them immediately, after Tom called Bradley. Mav shook his head warningly at Tom, which Bradley couldn't see. Anyway Bradley already seemed contrite, by that one word.

 “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.” Bradley said this while looking at his slippers. (Because turned out they were no shoes in house kind of people. Jake thought it was bit weird and unamerican, but it was a rule on Tom's part, because quote, "in this half-Polish house we don't wear outdoor shoes.", so Jake didn't say anything about it.)

“I know, baby. It’s okay.” Pete immediately abandoned cleaning up, and was hugging Bradley before Jake could even blink. “Really it’s no big deal, I haven’t been sensitive on that topic in long time.” Pete glared at Tom, in return Jake hugged Tom protectively, and glared back at Pete.

Because Jake didn’t know what this was about it exactly, but he was sticking to Tom’s side! Bradley was clearly at fault anyways!

“What was this whole thing about UNSA earlier?” Jake asked later when Mav was reapplying his bandages, and two of them were alone in Jake's new room.

Before the topic was dropped pretty quickly, and Jake didn't like not knowing things.

Mav signed before talking.  “I was denied admission to the Academy due to my father's reputation. It used to bit sore subject for me, so Ice can be overprotective on that. Even if at this point it's completely out of place and so fucking hypocritical.” He spoke the last sentence much more quietly, almost as if he were speaking to himself rather than to Jake.

At seeing Jake’s confusion, he added. “At this point my father reputation is cleared up, but it wasn't always that way.”

Only Jake was still confused, and he was more confused about that hypocritical part actually, but he decided to leave it for second. “But even if he did something wrong, it wouldn't be your fault. Why would they deny you-“ He stopped talking when Pete stated laughing.

“Pissing off people in high positions is also hereditary in my case.” Pete stopped talking to gently kiss the wound on his arm from which he had just taken of old bandage. “I found out much later, that guy who was superintendent when I applied, used to have some personal beef with my father, so it was probably mostly about that actually.”

“Bradley shouldn’t have said what he said.” Jake knew Tom was fully in right earlier. How Pete dared to glare at him!

“Bradley can say whatever he wants to on that subject.” Pete says seriously, as he finishes with applying last new bandage, then breathes deeply. “Jakey, I know you wonder what happened between us, but you're probably too scared to ask actually.”

Oh, Jake didn’t expect the conversation to take that turn. He wanted to say he wasn’t scared to ask questions, but that would be lie, so he just nodded.

He was scared to ask, but he wanted to know that secret. He was dying to know that secret. In hospital he barely had a moment without Bradley, so there no way to get to know what happened, and he was still kind of scared somehow some kind of abuse was involved. He needed to know that secret.

“We pulled his USNA papers when he first applied at eighteen.” Pete says it like every word hurts him. Jake is just waiting for rest of information.

Except Pete stopped, and closed his eyes. Jake is  scared of the rest.

“And?” After minute or two of silence, Jake finds courage to ask about the rest. 

Pete opens his eyes surprised. “And?” He repeats Jake question.

“And then what?” Jake is scared to know, but he isn’t patient person also.

“And then we had worst fight of our life about it, and he left?” Pete says confused.

“That whole thing between you guys, was over his USNA paper being pulled?” Jake ask even more confused. “I don’t understand?”

“You don't understand?” Pete touches his forehead as if he expected for Jake to have fever or something.

“It was just about the papers?” Jake grabs hand that is touching his forehead.

“Yes." Pete answer is firm, even if slight confusion is still on his face. "Do you understand now?”

Oh.

"Jakey?"

Oh.

“Yes. I understand."

OH.

Jake understands that he is going to have to fucking kill Bradley Bradshaw, as soon as fucker gets his memories back.