Halo

Jake-

No matter how hard Jade tried to meet with Wren, Adam refused to set them up together. He had barely entertained the idea with a few moments of thought before declining it outright. After three more phone calls, he still refused to even give Jade Wren's number. It was frustrating, to say the least, to see both his friend and his new boyfriend, nearly fighting over the situation.

"Adam, please give some kind of answer as to why Jade can't meet Wren. He promised that he wouldn't bother him if he didn't want to talk. All he wants to do is meet him face to face." Jake said as he leaned against the armrest of the sofa, watching Adam finish his meal on the recliner.

The TV was on but the volume was barely audible, allowing them to speak with the news as background noise. When Adam just sighed, Jake copied the action and flopped down to rest on the couch, figuring that he wasn't going to be getting an answer, again.

"Because, Jake, adding more people to a situation that's already unstable will just cause you to lose any chance you have of getting your little brother back. There's something going on that's terrifying him. Do you honestly think that letting someone as power sensitive as Jade near him right now, would be a good idea?"

Looking down at his lap, Jake shook his head. He knew that it would be an issue in and of itself, but he always felt that if someone was willing to help, why not let them at least try?

"Look. You're a sweet kid and you don't deserve what you've had to go through. I understand that you want your brother back, or at least on talking terms, but you need to give me a chance to help him, alone. He's just starting to respond to me more often. If we throw Jade into the situation, he's likely to withdraw completely and that would be the end of it."

Yeah... I know.

Adam was about to continue speaking when his phone suddenly began to ring. Without looking at the screen, he answered it with a calm "Hello?"

There was silence for a moment before Adam's face changed into one of shock as he stared at Jake. What's going on? "Of course. Where would you like to hang out?" Adam asked in an upbeat tone, making Jake's jaw drop.

The man rarely hung out or called anyone besides works, him or Jade, and Jake couldn't think that Adam would want to hang out after coming in from a work meeting an hour ago. When he hung up the phone, Adam got up and rinsed his plate in the kitchen, then came around to grab his jacket.

"Wren wants to meet me."

Jake jumped up, realizing that he couldn't come before he even straightened.

"I'm sorry, Jake. I'm trying to help." Adam said as he walked over, squeezing him in a strong hug before stepping back with his hands on his shoulders and a warm smile on his face. "I promise I'm trying as hard as I can to get him back to you."

Nodding, Jake returned the smile, though it took some effort. "Let me know how things went when you come home?" He asked, earning a pat on the head from Adam.

"Of course. I'm sure I won't be gone too long, then I'll make us some dinner, okay?"

Jake followed him to the door as he replied. "Alright. The chicken should be almost done defrosting?" He asked, earning a nod from Adam.

"That'll work. I'll think of something to make with it." Adam said before stepping out the door.

Jake locked it behind him, then turned and leaned against the sturdy frame. He was upset that he couldn't go. He wanted to be the one to break through his brother's worries or fears. He wanted to be his older brother like he used to be a long time ago.

"It seems like he's getting himself a new older brother." He mumbled as he pushed himself away from the door and trudged toward the kitchen. His thoughts were bitter, but he couldn't help it. He'd had so little in his life in terms of positive human relationships, that he cherished his brother, even if they hadn't seen each other in a while and didn't seem to be able to get along any longer.

Getting a cup down from the cupboard, he got himself a drink and tried to figure out what he was going to do over the next few hours. He'd read most of the books in the apartment and there was nothing on TV. Jade's probably at work, too. Pursing his lips, Jake wracked his brain until he remembered that the apartment complex had a pretty nice pool over by the office.

He didn't exactly have a bathing suit but normal shorts worked just as well. Once he got changed and grabbed a towel, then made sure that the place was locked up, Jake headed down the sidewalk to the pool. There were no kids, thankfully, and only one woman was lounging in a chair away from the water, clearly more interested in her cell phone than anything else.

Grinning, Jake tugged his shirt off and wrapped his phone and keys inside, then set it next to the pool before sitting down and letting his feet dip below the surface. It was currently overcast, making the water seem darker than it really was as it rippled around his legs.

"Gonna jump?"

Chuckling quietly, Jake turned his attention to the grey sky.

"Jana..."

They had gotten closer over the past few weeks. They'd gone out two more times and had barely any trouble. I wonder what he's doing right now?  Jake thought as he slid into the water. He only went in up to his shoulders, not wanting to get his hair wet.

"Hello, Jacob."

Little warm droplets of rain pattered against his cheek as Jake looked up. Jade. He couldn't help but smile as he swam over to him, holding onto the ledge near where he stood staring down at him. "I got off work a little early and decided to bring you a present." He said, a grin just barely tilting the corner's of his mouth upward as he turned slightly to gesture behind himself.

Jake tilted his head a little, looking to where Jana was slipping through the small gate that surrounded the pool, Tera's leash in his hand. When they locked eyes, Jana froze, making Jake hesitate in greeting him. He remembered what happened when they were in the bathroom that one time. He knew, that for some reason, water was a trigger for him.

It doesn't take much water to drown someone.

Clearly forcing a smile, Jana walked over to stand beside Jade. Both of his hands were in his pant's pockets and his pupils kept changing in size every time he looked away, then back. The little hairs rising along Jake's arms had nothing to do with the slight chill of the water he was in and everything to do with keeping Jana calm enough to avoid a dangerous situation.

"Hey Jana, hey Tera." Jake said with a relaxed tone. He was used to not trying to pet the dog by now, but it was still hard to keep his gaze away from her. He noticed Jana glancing sideways at her a few times and remembered that he did that often when he was feeling uncomfortable or losing his focus.

Instead of trying to help by talking, Jake remained still at the edge of the pool, doing his best not to move or break eye contact.

"I'll be right back. I forgot to sign us into the guestbook."

Really? Right now?

Jake knew that the office staff would likely come check who they were though, so it made sense to put their names down, but right that second wasn't the best idea. He wanted to say that, but even hinting at the situation that might transpire could set it off, so Jake bit his lip and just gave a slight nod. The second Jade stepped inside the office Jake felt a strong hand on his shoulder, squeezing to the point of being painful.

Jana had dropped down to his knees and was leaning forward over the pool. His pupils were huge and unfocused, the blue color of his irises disappearing nearly completely into black. His free hand gripped the edge of the pool to the point where his knuckles were pure white.

Don't react. Don't give him a reason to snap.

Jake focused on keeping his breathing calm as Tera got to work, realizing that the situation was getting dangerous. She nudged his elbow playfully, then licked it before slipping her head between his extended arm and his chest. From there, she tilted her head up and licked his chin. Even though he didn't respond to her, she continued to poke and prod at him with her nose and give little excited barks. It looked like playing to most people, but Jake knew that she was doing exactly what she'd been trained to do and that the service vest she wore was no joke.

Feeling the hand on his shoulder beginning to push him down, Jake steeled himself, but didn't fight against it. Instead, he continued to hold eye contact. Jana was beginning to pant, but every few moments he had to close his mouth to keep Tera's tongue from accidentally getting inside. It broke his narrowed focus each time, making him think about something else, even if just for a split second to prevent something he didn't want to happen.

The pressure on his shoulder stopped after Tera's fourth try to lick Jana's mouth, but he didn't release him. Silence took over them. Jake felt eyes on him from the side, but he didn't dare turn his attention away from Jana.

"You know why I'm like this?" Jana finally said in a cold, scratchy voice.

Licking his dry lips, Jake replied with as much calm as he could muster. "Your childhood was hell."

He'd been told bits and pieces over time. Some from Jana, but most of it from Domino and Tommy. He didn't like hearing it, but he needed to know at least some of what triggered Jana, to be sure that he didn't accidentally cause him to snap by mentioning something that he might have linked back to a traumatic experience.

"Very good. Do you know why?" He asked as his pupils slowly began to retract, slowly returning the oceanic blue.

Swallowing, Jake took a steadying breath, then whispered. "Your parents."

"Our." Jana corrected, making Jake fight to keep from ducking his head in shame. He'd heard about them, too, over time. He knew about his mother from the information he'd gotten after looking into his birth and why he'd been given up, but he had known next to nothing about his father until he'd asked Tommy to dig into his family history after he'd recovered enough to comfortably use a laptop.

"I can't change what happened, Jana." He said as the hand on his shoulder loosened ever so slightly. "I wish I could."

Jana tilted his head like a curious cat. He did that often, and Jake honestly thought it was the most adorable thing out of all the quirky things his brother did differently than others. Jake could tell that he was trying to piece together his thoughts without losing control, so he waited patiently until Jana released him completely, putting both hands on the edge of the pool to balance his weight. Tera calmed down immediately, lying down right beside him.

"No, you can't. Can you, Jacob."

It wasn't a question, but Jake shook his head slowly anyways as Jana continued to assess him while rain began to steadily fall from the sky. The drops were warm, contrasting with the chill from the pool water.

"You can't do anything but bother me all the time." Jana grumbled. Jake wasn't sure if he was still trying to fight off a trigger, so he was careful with his response as he smiled and gave a little shrug. "I hope that I can become something more than just a bother eventually."

Huffing, Jana reached behind himself and grabbed the towel Jake had set down near his shirt. Jake tried not to fidget, unsure of what he intended to do with it. The cold of the water, mixed with the stress of having to deal with Jana so suddenly, however, began to bring on a wave of shaking that Jake had trouble quelling. Shivers shook his arms and rattled his teeth after only a few moments.

"You want to be more than an annoyance, hm?" Jana replied, a smirk growing on his face.

Jake was full on shivering and knew that he couldn't keep verbally skirting around Jana. He seemed to have calmed down a good bit, so with a few careful movements Jake hoisted himself out of the chilly water. The action put him within just a few inches of Jana as his brother leaned back, allowing him just enough room so that they wouldn't collide.

"I love you, Jana. Your past is your past." Jake said as he slowly reached for the towel to wrap it gently around Jana's shoulders. He was the one who technically needed it, having just gotten out of the pool, but Jake knew that it meant more giving it to Jana.

At first, it had hurt terribly to think that the people Jana had killed could have possibly been his parents, but Jake knew after hearing about Jana's past, that he couldn't blame his brother for doing what he did. He didn't want any confirmation, though. If it happened, it happened. Years have already passed and debts, on both sides, had been paid.

"I don't want you to suffer anymore. Ever... and I forgive you for anything you might have done in your past. I just want to be allowed to be here for your future."

They were both quiet, except for Jake's chattering teeth, as the rain came down, soaking the towel easily. It felt like minutes passed before a large beach towel dropped over his head. Jake fought to keep himself from panicking, having lost eye contact with Jana. Strong arms locked around him and pulled him forward against a firm, unfamiliar chest before he could get his head free.

Who's hugging me? Jade?

"I guess it wouldn't be so bad..." Jana said, his voice sounded far away, yet the chest Jake was leaning against rumbled as the words were spoken.

Working his arms free, Jake slowly removed the towel from his head, allowing him to look up at his brother's tired profile as he stared off into the distance.

Unsure of what to do, Jake let his instincts take over, and for once, around Jana, he didn't feel worried as he leaned his head against his brother's chest and sighed out all of the stress that had built up in his mind. His eyes found Jade standing a few feet away, his work clothing soaked from the rain and a second beach towel in his right hand.

He's been watching to make sure that nothing bad ended up happening.

Grinning, Jake got up as Jana's arms loosened around him. He ran into Jade's arms, allowing himself to be wrapped in the dampening towel he offered before turning back to Jana.

"Come back and warm up with us." He offered eagerly.

Jana rolled his eyes, but stood and walked over none-the-less. When he didn't give any actual answer, yet followed a few feet behind them with Tera as they left the pool area, Jake knew that they'd both just taken the most important step of their relationship and turned something that could have been terrible, into a moment he'd never forget.

(Okay, so, I was going to start a new book so that I didn't add another POV in this one, but I don't think the new POV  wants a full book, or even really a few chapters, so I'll just let it help tie the story together)