"You're a single man," Jackson points out as he looks around Mark's living room. "Why do you have a 2 bedroom?"
"Callie lived with me. Then Sloan," Mark points out as he walks through the threshold, a duffel over each shoulder.
"Yes, but I'm assuming you moved in here before that."
"It had everything I was looking for. The second bedroom was merely a plus. Now, are you going to keep asking questions or can we talk?"
Jackson raises a brow. "Talk?"
"I don't want to put this off any longer than we need to. If you're going to be living here, I want to lay out my rules. Then you can decide if you want to stay or not."
Jackson nods, sitting down. It seems fair enough. Mark dashes down the hall for a moment, then returns and settles beside him. Jackson continues to look around the apartment. It's sleek, modern. Much to his surprise, there's a lot of homey touches. Pictures of Meredith, Derek and Alex are on a shelf nearby. He spots a couple of Sloan, even, including one with the baby. Jackson wonders where he ended up.
The one that surprises him the most is a frame with Mark and Addison. It's a photo booth strip, like one you'd take at the mall. The Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery is sticking out her tongue. She looks almost human.
Why does Mark still have that?
"Have you spoken to Addison lately?" Jackson asks, looking at him.
Mark raises a brow. "Why would you ask me that?"
"Just curious. You never talk about her."
"Not much to say. Now, stop stalling." Mark clears his throat. "I've thought long and hard about this."
"First time for everything, eh?" Jackson quips.
Mark shoots him a Look. "I'm going to start off with all of this is for your own good. You're probably not going to like me much sometimes."
"I mean, you already bug me in general."
Mark rolls his eyes, smacking him upside the head. Jackson snickers as he rubs the afflicted area.
"As I was saying," Mark continues. "These are the rules. They aren't negotiable. You haven't been taking great care of yourself, so now, I'm stepping in."
That's enough to melt the smile from Jackson's face. The truth stings his ego. It's not like he wasn't trying! He just needed to get through boards and then…
He isn't sure what his plans were after that. There's a full time job at Seattle Grace Mercy West waiting for him. The Plastics Posse will be permanent.
Jackson hasn't given it much more thought.
"The first rule, I'm in charge. I can add, modify or remove them as we go."
Jackson holds up a hand. "Wait."
Mark sighs. "We're on rule one and you already have an issue?"
"I don't think it's fair you can add rules out of nowhere."
"If I've learned anything in life it's to know things change. There may be a rule I don't think we need to have and then you decide to jump off a bridge." He pauses. "Do I need to make that a rule?"
Jackson pinches his nose. "No."
"Do you get what I'm saying then?"
"I guess. But it won't be arbitrary, right? Like you decide you hate I eat Skittles or something?"
"No. Every rule I have will serve a purpose. Even if it's not one you understand."
Jackson nods. That doesn't sound too terrible. He does trust Mark. As annoying as he is, he doesn't think he'd implement a rule he didn't truly think would help.
"Now, onto number two, bedtime." Jackson grimaces. "I know, not your favorite. It's needed, however. Obviously, things are different if you're on call. If you're home, you're in bed by 10 PM. Showered, teeth brushed and pajamas. No notecards, books, phone or laptop."
"My alarm is on my phone."
"Then you'll use a clock," Mark dismisses with a wave of a hand.
"Isn't 10 a little early? I mean, especially if I have nothing to do the next day?"
"It's called consistency. Now, for when you're on the clock, if you are not with a patient or working, I expect you in the on-call room. Sleeping."
Jackson frowns. "No one sleeps in there."
"Then you'll have lots of peace and quiet, won't you? Besides, I have it on good authority that Alex sleeps in there."
Jackson sighs. At least he won't be alone in the insanity of having a caregiver who works at the hospital. Even though Alex can never, ever know about his status.
"Three, you'll nap if we're home."
"I don't nap."
"Now's a great time to start. Similar to bedtime, if we're on the clock, you can nap in the on-call room. Do not make me come get you."
Jackson doesn't want to think he'd do that, but he nods anyway.
"Four, you can study in the morning, on your breaks at work before 10 PM or before 9 when we're at home."
"Why 9?"
Mark throws up his hands. "Are you going to question every rule?"
"I'm just trying to clarify, here! You said my stupid bedtime is 10:00."
"It gives you an hour to wind down and relax."
"Oh. Guess that makes sense."
"Good. Five, you will maintain a healthy diet. Three meals a day. Snacks if needed. I get this may be difficult when we're working but if you have a moment to do so, you will. I don't want to hear any excuses. If you don't want me to play caregiver at work, show me I won't have to."
Jackson nods, unable to find much fault with that one. He does try to eat regularly but it's not always possible. Sometimes, he's lucky to scarf down a protein bar in between patients. Lord knows he should probably drink some more water.
"Six, no more coffee."
Jackson's eyes widen. "Hey, no! That's not fair!"
"Littles aren't supposed to have alcohol or caffeine," Mark points out.
"I am a resident. Coffee is how we function. And are you now saying I can't drink?!"
"That was going to be seven."
"No, that's where I draw the line." Mark shakes his head. Jackson groans. "C'mon, Mark! It won't kill me to have a little coffee."
"You can have one cup of decaf, none after noon."
"At least 5 PM."
"No, because then you won't go to bed on time."
Jackson grumbles, conceding with a nod. He's sure he can sneak real coffee at some point. Alcohol too. What Mark doesn't know won't kill him.
"Eighy," Mark continues. "You need to be honest with me about when you're dropping. That includes at work. This is for your own safety and health. We work at a busy hospital. I can't have you wandering around lost."
"Considering I don't want anyone to know, there's no arguments there."
"It counts for home, too. You can't hide things from me."
Jackson sighs. "Fine…but, you can't either."
Mark raises a brow. "What would I keep from you?"
"I don't know. But I need to trust you just as much as you do me, right?"
Mark smiles a little. "You're right. You do. So, agreed. No secrets."
Jackson smiles a little. Mark squeezes his arm.
"Nine, you need to be home before your bedtime on nights you don't work." Jackson makes a face. "Well, it defeats the purpose if you're out. I also need to know where you're going and who you're with. You need to keep your phone on you and charged at all times."
Jackson grumbles a reluctant "fine". Mark is unfazed.
"Ten, this sort of goes back to the eating thing, you need to prove to me that you can do things. That includes hygiene, dressing yourself, eating well, what have you. If I see you're struggling, I will step in. This goes for both spaces." Jackson opens his mouth but Mark holds up a hand. "I'll start off with trusting you now. We'll see where we go from here. I'm not doing this to punish you, buddy. I want you safe and healthy."
Jackson ducks his head, trying not to blush. Mark rubs his back.
"Eleven, this one I expect the most pushback on. But it is what it is." Mark sits up straight. "Punishments."
Jackson bites his lip. "Like…"
"I have the authority to ground you and set the parameters of what that may look like. I also may put you in timeout, regardless of space."
"You'll put me in the corner even if I'm big?"
"It brings results." Mark shrugs. "At least that's what Derek says." Jackson snorts at the thought of Alex in timeout. "I'd keep your chuckles for later. Do you know the other parameter allowed?"
Jackson tilts his head. It's been awhile since he studied the laws regarding treatment of Littles. He shrugs.
"Spanking," Mark says.
Jackson's eyes widen. "You're going to spank me?!"
"As a last resort. Only if I know nothing else will get through to you. I'd only use my hand, slipper or the spoon."
"The spoon?"
"Your mom never whooped you with a wooden spoon?"
Jackson shakes his head. "Usually just her hand."
"Well, hopefully it won't get to that."
"I'm assuming that goes for both spaces too?"
"Look at you, catching on." Jackson rolls his eyes. "Okay, twelve. We both snark. We're sarcastic. I don't expect the whole "yes, sir", "no, sir" bullshit. But you'll remain respectful. I can tell between your jokes and when you're actually being a jerk."
Jackson isn't sure how he knows him this well. Then again, they spend pretty much all day together at work given his speciality.
"No swearing."
Jackson raises a brow. "Oh, so you'll stop too?"
Mark laughs. "I'm in charge. I don't have to."
Jackson rolls his eyes. "When I cursed as a kid, my mom washed out my mouth. I'm assuming it's the same here?"
"Yup."
"Joy. Why do you even care? Like you said, you know I don't mean it personally."
"And I think you could stand to cut back. If I'm saying that it means something." Jackson shakes his head. "Alright, thirteen. As of now, I trust you home alone if we have separate shifts, so long as you're big. However, if you've dropped and I have to go in, you have to go to daycare."
Jackson shakes his head. "Nuh uh, no. You said no one would have to know!"
Mark scrubs at his face. "Jackson, there isn't an alternative. I can't take off every time you drop."
"I'll be fine alone."
"No, you won't. Look, the daycare is on the other end of the hospital. None of our friends will know."
"What if Alex ends up there?"
"Would it be the worst for Alex to know? He's a Little too. He won't tell anyone."
Yes. It would be the worst. No one else is supposed to know. Mark said no one would have to!
"How about this," Mark barters. "We'll take that as it comes. Maybe you won't need to go."
"I won't."
"But you can't hold back on your space, alright? Again, this all needs to work on trust."
"Fine."
Jackson has no plans of dropping on the days Mark has to work. He'll be fine. There is no way in hell he's going to that daycare. The teachers will just treat him like a baby. He's not a baby!
He'll figure something out. There's no way he'll ever become regressed at the hospital. They don't need to see him that way.
"Thank you. Now, number fourteen." Mark's face grows serious. "Look, buddy, I am doing this for your own good. I want you to be healthy, happy and safe."
Jackson squirms a little under the serious tone. "You've said that."
"I need you to be gentle with yourself. Trust me. I know I just threw out a list of rules and I hate I have to make this one, but have fun. Let yourself go. Be a kid. You'll never get in trouble for that."
Jackson plays with his fingers. Mark gently touches his chin.
"It's okay to be little," he whispers. "It's biologically a part of you. It doesn't make you a bad boy."
Jackson tries to prevent his lips from going into a pout. Until now, no one's ever told him it's okay to be Little. Ironically, he's always been the one to assure others. He's had quite a few patients become embarrassed about dropping or wearing diapers. More than one apologizing for an overprotective or smothering caregiver. Jackson just smiles and reminds them it's all natural.
He never allows himself that grace.
Is he going to end up like those patients? Given how obsessive Mark has been about the future of his career and education, he can definitely see him as the caregiver insisting to read the chart and demanding to know what was going on.
If it even lasts that long. Maybe Mark will get bored.
"You don't have to do this," Jackson says. "I'm…"
"You are not fine," Mark interrupts. "You need this. I want to do it."
"Why?"
"Because…I look at you and I know this is how it's supposed to be. I'm your caregiver, you're my little. We'll figure out the rest together, eh?"
Jackson nods, smiling a little. "Alright."
Mark pats his cheek. "That's my boy."
"We should probably discuss rent."
Mark waves him off. Jackson groans.
"Mark, come on. Money isn't an issue here. I know this place has to cost a fortune…"
"Yeah, and I've been covering it on my own. Maybe I don't have Avery money, but I do pretty well for myself."
"I don't feel right living here and not covering bills."
"It feels weird asking a Little to pay rent."
"Well, it feels just as weird for me to just live here."
Mark is quiet for a moment, he runs his fingers through his hair.
"We take turns paying for groceries and you can buy your own stuff for your adult space. I cover the rest, including your younger space."
"I don't need anything for when I'm Little."
Mark smirks. "Oh, we'll see about that."
Jackson groans. "You're going to dress me in those ridiculous "Heartbreaker" onesies, aren't you?"
"Only the best for my boy." He lightly punches his chin. "Now, let's get you all settled."
It only takes an hour to unpack. Jackson's room is pretty standard. It's olive green with a king sized bed. Mark says he can decorate it however. Jackson barely decorated his own apartment. He's not one for clutter.
Mark quizzes him for a few hours, leaving him be while he fixes dinner. Jackson flips through the cards, trying to find the trickiest questions. The assessors tend to come up with ones out of left field. The most ridiculous hypotheticals. There's no way he can possibly prepare for them. Doesn't mean he won't try.
"Go wash up," Mark announces. Jackson doesn't look up. "Jackson, dinner is almost ready. Go wash up."
"Just five more minutes."
"Oh, I don't think so. Jackson, what are the rules about meals?"
Jackson sighs. He gathers his study materials and brings them to his room before washing his hands.
"20 seconds!" Mark calls out.
"I'm a surgeon!" Jackson shouts back.
"Not yet!"
Jackson rolls his eyes. This isn't even basic surgeon prep. This is just…life skills 101.
He finishes up and heads back into the kitchen. Mark's set two plates on the table. Jackson slides into his chair. He starts cutting up the cutlet, when he thinks of his notecards. Jackson adjusts his knife, trying to practice his technique.
"Stop playing with your food," Mark says.
"I'm not playing. Just…practicing."
"You can do that at work tomorrow."
"I think I've almost got it."
There's some shuffling against the floor. Mark drops in the chair beside him and knocks the knife out of his hands. Jackson pouts. Mark holds up the fork.
"Open."
"Mark, I can…"
"You're going to keep playing. So, I have to feed you."
Jackson's pout increases. He's not playing! He's practicing! Why can't Mark see that?
"Do I have to do the airplane trick?" Mark asks. Jackson shakes his head. "Oh, I don't? Because I think this plane needs to come in for landing!"
He makes buzzing sounds as he twirls the fork to his mouth. Jackson tries to hide a chuckle, but he can't help it. Mark slides in the bite. Jackson chews and swallows.
"It's good!"
"Don't sound so surprised. I know how to feed my little man." Jackson blushes over the nickname. "Oh, I think another plane is coming."
Jackson feels a little ridiculous as he's spoon fed his dinner. His breakfast was yesterday, when this all began, but that was a little different. Mark wasn't making silly plane noises and cooing at him like he's 2. Still, he allows it.
Mark takes time to eat his own dinner, which is when Jackson drinks his milk. Then, he's back to being fed.
Once dinner is over, Jackson clears the dishes. Mark leans back in his chair.
"Do you have to go potty?"
Jackson tenses up. "I…I'm not in space."
"That's not what I asked."
"Mark…"
"Jackson. Try going potty."
Jackson pouts again, dragging his feet as he walks back to the bathroom. He tries not to think of the stupid plastic mattress cover back at his apartment. He's lucky that he didn't have an accident the past couple of nights.
Once he's done, he heads back to the kitchen. Mark rubs his back.
"I've ordered a few things. Including protection for nighttime."
Jackson averts his gaze. "I don't need diapers."
"I've felt that bed, buddy." Jackson's cheeks burn. "Hey, hey, it's alright. Lots of Littles need to wear them, even when they're big. Some surgeons wear them for long surgeries."
"Not me," Jackson grumbles.
Mark smiles in a way that tells him this conversation isn't over. "Sure, buddy. Why don't you go shower and put on some jammies?"
"I was gonna study a bit more."
"Nope, you're going to relax the rest of the night. We both have to be up early tomorrow and you should enjoy part of your day off."
"You said I could have until 9!" Jackson checks the clock. "It's only 7!"
"And you studied most of the day. Go on, get that little behind in the shower."
Jackson frowns as he storms down to his room. He shuts the door behind him and stretches out on his bed, taking out his books once again. Jackson reads a case study of a woman who received a double mastectomy and is now looking to do reconstruction. This is simple, he can do one of these in his sleep…
"Jackson!"
Jackson ignores him, rereading the study. All he needs to do…
"Jackson, I don't hear water running!"
"And you won't!"
"If you're studying those stupid cards again…"
"I'm not!"
Jackson makes notes on the study, outlining the procedure. He gets to work on a second option, should the patient not agree with his initial opinion.
The door swings open and Mark strides in. Jackson looks up and tenses a little. Mark's frowning, his eyes narrow.
"You said you weren't studying."
"I don't have my notecards?" Jackson offers.
Mark sighs, shaking his head. "Up you go."
He bends down and lifts him up. Jackson squawks, flailing his arms. It's known that caregivers are stronger than littles, but surely not to such an extent.
"Mark! Put me down!"
"Are you going to take your shower or do I need to give you a bath?"
"I'll shower in a half hour…"
"Bath or shower, now. Those are your choices."
Jackson kicks his legs. "Put me down!"
"You have until the court of 3. 1…2…"
"Okay! Okay! I'll shower!"
Mark smiles and settles him on the floor. Jackson brushes himself off, whining a little. Mark gathers his study materials.
"These stay in my room. So you're not tempted."
Jackson throws a pillow after him as he leaves the room. Mark doesn't even bother to turn around. Jackson sighs. If Mark is this serious about the study rule…just how much will he be with the rest?