Senseless

Who's There?

(Quick chapter before zzz)

Jake-

Kicking his legs as he sat on the stool, Jake couldn't help but feel giddy as he waited for Adam to come back with their food. His job was going really well, and he'd heard from a friend at work that he might be getting a raise and offered more hours soon since he was one of the few workers that didn't insist on taking days off abruptly. Heck, he was the one who always picked up those days, and with eagerness, too. Of course, once in a while doing so ruined his plans to meet up with Jade and work out what they had going on, but the other man always understood. 

I'm really lucky I didn't stay away from him. 

Granted, he knew that Adam had asked them to stay away from each other only because he was worried that they wouldn't work out well. Which they honestly hadn't, but Jake was optimistic that they could figure out a middle ground. They'd been texting each other a lot and calling once in a while. Jade had also taken him out to dinner once a few days ago. It wasn't a super expensive place, but it was a bit intimidating until Jade started slipping in little jokes about the food looking a bit like celebrity's faces. 

Jake didn't think they were funny, but he did love that the man was trying to distract him from being nervous. He, in turn, took Jade to a small pizza place he'd found near his work while walking home one day. They'd agreed that after just the first bite, that the pizza beat out the fancy restaurant hands down. 

"Here we are." Adam said, snapping Jake out of his daze. 

When his plate was set in front of him, his stomach grumbled, eager to be filled with the delicious looking turkey panini and caesar salad. Adam had also gotten him a mixed berry smoothie and Jake hurried to reach for it and take a long sip. 

This will always be my favorite place to eat. 

The food was reasonably priced for the amount you got and it always tasted amazing. 

"You look like you're in heaven, kid," Adam said with a chuckle before beginning to dig into his own ham and turkey melt. The man had impeccable manners and while Jake still wasn't quite used to worrying about what he looked like while eating, he had gained quite a few useful things from just being around Adam so much, as well as Jade. 

Nodding, Jake took a bite of his sandwich and gave a quiet moan. It really was that good. The avocado and ranch dressing he'd gotten along with it really worked well together. When he swallowed his first bite, leaving behind a huge smile, Adam was mirroring it. 

"So, how are you and Jade doing? It seems like things are coming along pretty well?" He asked before taking another bite of his sandwich. 

Jake nodded, answering once he finished swallowing his mouthful of food. "Great, actually! We're taking things really slow, though. He's very determined to keep his rules, but I'm slowly getting him to adjust certain ones." 

It was a long process, but he was proud of how far they'd gotten. Especially with Jade accepting his touch. It wasn't all the time, nor without permission, but he never got mad when he accidentally did it anymore, and he even asked for attention a few more times since that first morning he'd surprised Jake with the request. 

"Good to hear. I wasn't much of a fan initially, but you two seem to be working out quite well. I hope things keep going smoothly." Adam said as he finished off the first half of his sandwich, then picked up the second to start working on it. 

Jake was nodding his agreement when a shockingly familiar head of sun-highlighted soft brown hair met his eyes. It can't be. Adam had finished his bite of food and was speaking to him about something else, but when the man realized that he clearly wasn't paying attention, he turned in his seat to try and figure out who Jake was staring at. 

A mixture of pain, longing, and hesitant hope swelled in Jake's chest as he set his drink down and carefully slid from his stool, taking a step toward the order line where the young man stood waiting, his back to him. 

He's a little taller than me now. His hair's a little longer, too. 

But there was no mistaking who it was. Not even for a second. Suddenly feeling lightheaded, Jake took another three steps forward, then flinched when the line moved up and the young man took a step away from him. The thought that he might walk away and Jake may never see him again constricted his heart to near-breaking. He couldn't let that happen... again. 

"...Wren?" 

The word was nearly silent on his lips. Just a simple whisper in a noisy sandwich shop. Yet, somehow, the young man perked up and tilted his head just enough for Jake to see his warm brown eyes. It took Wren a few moments to notice him as his gaze glanced moved the shop, but when their eyes met, Jake's heart felt like it had stopped in his chest. 

He couldn't read the emotions that sped through his little brother's eyes, there were far too many to think through. Please let the good ones win. Please! He hadn't realized how badly he'd missed his brother until right then. Yes, he'd thought about him, but he'd hoped that with himself out of the picture, Wren would get to have a normal life and not have to stress about what was happening to him. 

I'll always remember when you tried to help me. I won't judge you for having to turn away after they hurt you. I'll always love you. 

He wanted to say the words, but he just couldn't get his mouth to work. Or his feet. He was frozen where he stood, and the longer they stared at each other, the more distance he felt building between them, even though they hadn't moved an inch. People were walking around Wren as he stood in the middle of the line, holding it up before the other customers realized that he was no longer interested in ordering.

 After what felt like forever, but was likely closer to ten minutes, Wren moved. His right hand twitched, then reached up to swipe through his hair. The familiar nervous gesture made Jake's eyes widen a little more. Wren returned the reaction with a lick of his lips as he shifted his weight slightly. 

Deciding to try his luck, Jake took a step forward and offered a hesitant smile. "H-hi." 

He couldn't believe that his brother was there, or really, hadn't left yet. 

"Hey." Wren finally answered back, allowing Jake to take a much needed deep breath, then release it. 

He'll still talk to me. 

It was such a relief. He wanted to talk to him about everything, but they were standing in the middle of the room and holding up customers. Jake wanted to ask him to come sit down and maybe catch up a little, but his mouth decided to ignore him once again. After a few moments of trying he hesitantly extended his hand, the gesture, as well as his pleading eyes, making his request clear.

 When his brother just stared at his outstretched hand, Jake pursed his lips and blinked a couple times. Don't be upset. He still acknowledged you. Curling his fingers in, he hesitantly withdrew his hand at the same time Adam stepped up in front of him and set a hand on Wren's shoulder, gently starting to guide him away from the line he was holding up. 

"Hello, I'm a friend of Jake's and just wanted to introduce myself. My name's Adam. It seems you two know each other?" He asked, his voice cheerful and far more energetic than Jake felt. 

He wasn't sure exactly what Adam was trying to do at first besides say hello, but when Wren actually allowed him to guide him over toward a booth, Jake couldn't believe it. He actually moved our food and drinks over, too! He must have done it while we were stuck staring at each other... The thoughtfulness touched his aching heart and he hurried to follow. 

Knowing that his brother was clearly worried about speaking with him, or even being around him, Jake decided to slide into the booth beside Adam, thought he desperately wanted to sit beside Wren and pull him into a hug. 

Looking across the table, he met Wren's gaze for just a moment before his little brother turned his attention to Adam's warm smile and welcoming expression. 

"So, how do you two know each other?" Adam asked, starting the conversation that Jake would hang on every word of... 

 (Andddd, little brother is back! Or is he? Who knows! Not even me ;D but great job Adam! I believe Check chapter two or around there if confused. )