Sunday was the final day for rest. 

The world didn't know about Jamie, and Jamie didn't know about the world. However, that was set to change in less than 24 hours. 

Yet, that wasn't what troubled the dark-haired hero the most.

His breakfast turned bitter, though not because of the taste. The whole team had gathered in his apartment, seemingly making it their mission to stock Jamie’s place with food so he wouldn't lack for anything. He’d never had so much food in his kitchen, not even when he first moved in with hopes of eating regularly alongside his work. 

Breakfast was thus quite hearty. Besides eggs, his colleagues had prepared PB&J sandwiches and cooked sausages. It was a rather unusual combination, but it seemed everyone had taken charge of preparing their own specialty, so it made sense.

Everything seemed fine on the surface and could have been a peaceful morning, had Jamie not spoiled it with a question: “You like jam?” 

It seemed like an innocent question directed at Adrian, but in reality, it was the result of another collision between Jamie's two worlds. He was convinced that the youngest hero didn't like jam, but now he had instinctively reached for a sandwich that was full of it. 

“Yeah,” Adrian answered simply, as if it were a question through which the other hero wanted to learn more about him, not one born out of confusion. His tone, however, was slightly puzzled, as he hadn't expected it.

Jamie knew he shouldn't let such a trivial thing rattle him, but it affected him nonetheless. He tried not to let it show, but his friends were watching him too closely for it to go unnoticed. No one said anything aloud, though, and they continued eating as if it were an ordinary morning. 

The hero with glasses ate as well, but only out of obligation. He didn't want to waste the food they’d put so much effort into, so he chewed and swallowed, keeping his mouth busy so he wouldn't have to speak further.

The worst part was that the day’s bad atmosphere and his regrets didn't end with breakfast. Not when he realized a few hours later that he was subconsciously avoiding his youngest teammate, as if afraid he would again be a reminder that he had missed a year and lacked memories. 

Jamie had known Xavier, Nate, and Elias for years. He knew that Eli occasionally struggled with his attention span, that Nate sometimes took far too many responsibilities onto his shoulders and was too proud to ask for help, and he knew that the team leader always preferred to put himself at risk before the rest of the team. 

Jamie knew their strengths and weaknesses, the habits they had under stress, and he could sometimes predict what they would say before they even managed to formulate the thought. The same, however, did not apply to Adrian. 

Instead of trying to get to know him better, he kept his distance like a coward. 

Although the youngest member of the team said nothing about it, Jamie was sure he had noticed, so he decided to make amends.

“Adrian, can you come for a second?” He hated that he had to summon the courage just to address him. 

The brown-eyed man looked surprised but nodded and stood up from the couch. Jamie began leading him toward the balcony, ignoring the gazes of the others upon them, as that was the place where he’d had his best conversation so far, and he hoped it hadn't just been because of Eli.

“I’m sorry,” the dark-haired hero said first after they sat down. 

“You have nothing to apologize for,” Adrian assured him immediately. 

“I do,” Jamie protested without hesitation and looked up to establish eye contact with him. “I don’t want you to go easy on me just because…” He didn't know exactly how to finish the sentence, so he eventually chose: “...I wasn't here.”

“I’m not going easy on you,” the medic said, correcting him: “I’m giving you space to return to your life. I know it’s difficult. You’re forgetting that I felt what state you were in when you came back, Jamie. I never want to see you like that again.”

Another wave of guilt washed over him after hearing the genuinely caring tone directed his way. He should have been the one making the effort, not Adrian. 

Jamie drew breath to respond, but evidently his face revealed more than he intended, as Adrian didn't let him speak and instead continued with further reassurances.

“Ask me anything. I won't get angry if you get something wrong. I want to get to know you better, too.” His tone was becoming more desperate than determined, and he even ran a hand through his hair—something Jamie hadn't seen him do before, not in either reality. 

“You can call me Adi, I don't mind,” he continued. “I know you haven't spent as much time with me as with the others, but I don't want this to be a breaking point. I missed you, Jamie. Honestly.”

The hero with glasses didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t expected all of this. He had more or less thought he would be the one leading the conversation, but this…

This time, when he felt more than usual moisture in his eyes, it wasn’t because he was desperate. Now he felt touched, realizing he hadn’t known that Adrian cared so much about their relationship and that he had taken the time to think about how to make Jamie’s return to reality easier.

“I want that too,” he spoke after a moment, while his teammate gave him space to think. “To get to know you better.”

“I’m glad.” Adrian gave him a small smile. Then, however, he steered the conversation back to a serious topic for a moment, instead of ending it to take it easy on the other hero. “I know things are hard for you right now, and I can't even imagine being in your shoes, but don't be afraid to ask for help. And I don't just mean from a medical standpoint.” 

Jamie nodded. “I’ll remember that.”