Anonymous asked:

Prompt- Jake gets injured during a fight and it's Duke who ensures that he reaches home safe. Both of them have a little chat during the walk. Set post Jake and Rose's marriage in the Duke universe.

Hmmmm.

Hmmmmmmmmmm.

Okay i got you

Warnings: blood, violence mentions, infidelity mentions, written on my phone

"What happened to you?"

Duke ran toward the man on the sidewalk, who was struggling to stand. He could see blood dripping from the side of the man's head and despite the fact that Alisha always warned him that there were dangers to helping strangers, he couldn't help himself.

"Are you all right?"

Duke knelt by the man and the man turned his head to look at him. Duke was shocked to realize that he recognized him - and a rush of emotions went through him as he looked into Jake Long's eyes. It was ten years ago and they were all different people now but looking at him, Duke felt that old pain like it was fresh for a second.

Jake coughed and blood flew onto the sidewalk.

"We've got to get you to the hospital."

Jake waved him off. "I just gotta get home. I gotta … You don't have to help me."

"I will."

Duke offered his hands to Jake and Jake allowed Duke to help him up. They were both wearing wedding rings now and even though Duke had known they'd been married for some time now, seeing Jake as Rose's husband felt different. If Jake and Rose hadn't been in the same bar one night, Duke would still be Rose's husband. He wouldn't have Alisha or Arisha. It was a strange ache to feel.

Jake was woozy on his feet.

"Where do you live?" Duke asked.

"You know," Jake said awkwardly.

That didn't surprise Duke at all. There was a reason he'd left Rose the house. He'd help Jake to the front door but Duke knew he wasn't strong enough to go inside.

"We're not far," Duke said. "Come on."

They stumbled together and Duke wondered how they'd ended up here. Of all the people in the city he didn't even live in anymore.

"You really don't have to," Jake said. "I'll manage."

"You were face down on the sidewalk when I found you," Duke reminded him.

Jake grunted.

"I'm not the type of man to leave someone behind if I can help it."

"I've always been told you were a good man," Jake said, "but the last time I saw you, you punched me in the face."

"Twice."

"Twice," Jake echoed. "I won't say I didn't deserve it."

"You can't say it."

Jake nodded. "I'm sorry that it happened that way."

"Water under the bridge now," Duke said, glad he could see the house. "It didn't feel like it then and I won't say it doesn't still get to me sometimes but Rose was right when she said we'd all be better for it."

He got Jake up onto the front step.

"Is someone home?" Duke asked.

"Rose is," Jake answered, teaching for the doorknob.

"Best of luck, Jake."

"You too, Duke. Thanks."

Duke turned and hurried down the walkway, needing to get far away, so that he didn't see Rose.