Lost (a RichJake story)

22

Jake stared at the picture Rich was holding. His mind was blank and his eyes went fuzzy.

"Jake?" Rich's voice was drawing him away from the empty void of his mind "is this me?"

Jake shook his head to regain focus "um... yeah."

Rich looked at the photo then back at Jake them at the photo then at Jake. He did this a few more times before taking a deep breath "explain."

Jake nodded quickly "you and I were great friends when were younger. We did so much together. We used to meet at the park-"

Rich cut him off "why don't I remember any of this?"

Jake sighed "that's what I'm thinking. Anyway I moved away for years and once I came back I didn't see you anywhere. You didn't even seem to know I existed. Then we bumped together in the hall but you didn't seem to know me."

"I thought that was the first time I met you" Rich frowned.

Jake sighed "Yeah well I remember differently."

Rich thought for a moment "why didn't you tell me?"

Jake faltered and stalled "what?"

"Why didn't you tell me?" Rich repeated slightly harsher. This made Jake flinch.

Jake sighed "I didn't want to freak you out. We have a real connection and I didn't want to mess that up."

Rich blinked at him "that makes no sense."

"Well when you first noticed me again you were... different because of the squip" Jake said "I couldn't ruin how confident you suddenly were."

"What makes you think that if you told me I would have lost that?" Rich asked.

"I don't know" Jake shrugged "I just- ugh I'm an idiot."

"You really are" Rich chuckled "but you're also my idiot and I can't deny that I am mad at you" Jake frowned but Rich kissed his nose "but I need you listen to this."

He gripped Jake's hands "you said you didn't want to mess" he gestured between them "us up but you could and can never mess us up."

Jake smiled "not even after I did this stupid thing."

"Never means never Jake" Rich said before gently pecking Jake's lips "besides I can't stay mad at you especially because I'm going to need your help."

Rich hopped off the couch and beamed down at Jake.

Jake raised an eyebrow "help with what?"

"Well I need to remember the time we spend together when we were kids and most importantly how the fuck I forgot everything."

Jake got off the couch and faced his boyfriend.

Jake smiled at his boyfriend "okay how do we start then?"

"Well do you have any more of photos from when we were kids?" Rich asked.

"Yeah I have tons of them" Jake said "they're in a drawer in my room why?"

"I'm thinking that maybe they could jog my memory" Rich said.

"Well it's worth a try" Jake replied.

The couple walked to Jake's room. Rich moves quicker then Jake eager to discover more of his past. Jake was doubtful. Pictures wouldn't bring back his memories it wasn't that simple although he wished it was deeply.

Rich jumped on Jake's bed and sat cross legged. Jake chuckled at his cuteness as he opened the drawer that held the old photos of the two. He gathered up the album and the few loose ones he had scattered in the drawer. He tossed them on the bed and Rich grinned. Jake plopped down beside his boyfriend.

Rich picked up a picture of Rich being held in a cradle by Jake. There was a bandage on Rich's left cheek and I'm on Jake's right. It made the pair wonder what they had done to get those scratches.

"We look like we're newly married" Rich laughed.

"We should totally recreate the photo when we get married" Jake smiled not even thinking of what he was saying.

Rich's eyes widened "what?"

"What?" Jake replied quickly and awkwardly.

Rich gave him a small smile "you want to get married someday?"

Jake was blushing like mad and he hid his face in his hands "Well... yeah."

He voice was muffled and Rich gave a laugh at that.

"Jake" Rich placed a hand on his shoulder "you seriously don't believe I haven't thoughts about marrying you to do you?"

Jake looked at him "you have?"

"Well duh" Rich chuckled then held Jake's hand "it's not so strange Jake."

Jake smiled at him "thanks."

Rich picked up another photograph and saw one of Jake and Rich in the pool. Rich clinging to Jake like he had a few days ago.

"Things haven't really changed have they?" Jake squeezed Rich's hand while smiling fondly at the picture.

"I wish I knew" Rich had a sorrowful look.

Jake frowned at him "Hey."

Rich looked over at him and Jake smiled.

"We'll get your memories back I promise" Jake told him.

Rich blushed but smile nonetheless.

"Oh look at this one" Jake held up a picture of Rich and Jake dressed as vampires.

Rich laughed "god we look stupid."

"We look amazing excuse you" Jake jokingly responded.

Before the two knew it a hour had passed. Rich was now leaning against Jake as he flicked through the photos.

"I hate myself for not remembering any of this" Rich sighed.

"I still don't understand how?"

"I don't know I don't remember much from my childhood" Rich shrugged.

"Really?" Jake asked.

"Yeah it all seems like something's blocking that part of my mind."

Jake frowned "Do you think it has something to do with the squip?"

"Well no because before I had it I didn't realise I knew you" Rich said.

"Well what if the squip enhanced that" Jake said.

Rich looked doubtful "that doesn't make sense why would I forget my memories in the first place."

"Maybe something happened?" Jake replied "like you were hit over the head."

"Wouldn't I notice that my memories were gone? Plus the squip is gone it shouldn't have effect?"

"Listen Rich I think I'm on to something here so don't start questioning me" Jake warned "we need to talk to Jeremy and Michael."

"What? why?" Rich questioned.

"Michael researched all about squips and Jeremy knows a lot to."

"Jake this is insane" Rich reasoned.

Jake gave him a pleading look "we can at least try."

Rich hesitated then smiled and nodded "okay."