Smoke & Lightning: Born To Be Wild (12/?)

[eviltwin]

MASTER POST

Title: Smoke And Lightning: Born To Be Wild (12/?)
Authors: bloody_adorable and eviltwin
Fandoms: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: Jensen Ackles / Jared Padalecki.
Rating: Adult.
Wordcount: 4,036
Summary: AU. They're born to be wild. At least, Jared is. Jensen's learning, though, and this road-trip that they're on will teach him plenty of lessons. It's a good thing, too, because he'll need what he's learnt when they return and venture onto an altogether more serious step in their relationship. Trust is a major aspect for the both of them and Jensen's will be tested to breaking point as the boys learn how they'll cope together on the road...and off it.
Disclaimer: None of the following is true in any way, and no profit is made from this work of fiction.



CHAPTER TWELVE

Squinting his eyes, Jensen looked down the street one last time. He heaved a sigh, fearful that he wasn't going to be rescued from what could be a very long afternoon. His hair had grown out some and he ran his fingers through it now, sighing. He was just about to turn and walk back into the boutique, when he saw a familiar figure round the corner and smile at him. He returned the grin, grateful for the reprieve.

Chuckling, Chris neared him. "You look like you're ready to hurl, dude," he said, reaching out to Jensen.

Jensen took hold of the outstretched hand, pulling Chris in for a hug. "Oh, man," he breathed. "You have no idea."

"Where's the old man?"

Jensen nodded to the shop. "He's inside already, telling the tailor what I want."

"What you want," Chris snorted. "Some things never change at least."

"Seriously," Jensen told him, his smile fading for a moment. "I really owe you one for coming with. I didn't dare ask Jared. Him and Dad would have killed each other."

Chris wagged a finger at Jensen. "Careful, Jen," he winked. "Someday I may collect on that."

The flirting between them had been a little stronger since that night -- how long ago was it? -- when Jensen stayed with Chris at Steve's place. Regardless, Jensen knew that it was just that, flirting. He started towards the tailor's shop, taking another deep breath. "Here we go," he announced, walking through the doorway.

Jensen's father turned when he heard the door bells sound. He smiled brightly and headed over to his son and Chris. He held out his hands to Chris, shaking with one hand, and enveloping Chris's with the other. "Christopher," he greeted. "Good to see you again."

Chris nodded. "It's Christian, sir," he reminded him.

"Oh, of course, forgive me," he returned. "I'm so glad you could take a day off for Jensen. I hope this doesn't interrupt your studies."

"No, sir," Chris said, sure of himself. "I'm a college student. There's no such thing as studies on the weekend."

Alan's smile faltered for a moment, not sure if Chris was serious or not. He eyed him and then cleared his throat. "Yes, well, let's move over here and you can meet Mister Rogers."

Jensen couldn't help the snort of laughter that escaped him. He glanced over at his best friend when he heard the same sound from him. "Mister Rogers?" Jensen asked.

Alan clearly didn't get the joke. "Yes, you remember him," he nodded. "He was our neighbor for a short while when you were just a boy."

Jensen choked back another chuckle. He glanced over at Chris, then back to his father. "Did he always want to be our neighbor?"

"What?"

It was Chris's turn. He put his arm around Jensen and looked over at Alan. "Won't you be my neighbor, Mister Ackles?"

Alan still looked rather clueless. He scowled and separated the two boys. "That's enough foolishness," he said. "Come on."

Jensen's smile remained but he shook his head at his father, following him into the shop. "God, Dad," he sighed. "Weren't you ever a kid?"

"Of course I was," he said, speaking over his shoulder. "But I'm not anymore. And neither are you."

Sighing, Jensen threw a look over at Chris. "Kill me now?"

Chris smiled and squeezed Jensen's shoulder. "I'll get you through it."

Mister Rogers turned out to be a very lovely gentleman, soft spoken with a slight Irish accent. He asked Jensen what the suit was for, and wished him the best in his endeavors. Jensen smiled and was polite, but he felt that everything was merely for show, because Alan had promised a generous tip for an extra fine suit.

At first, Jensen had refused his father's offer. Their phone conversation had ended in very terse words, but Jared had elbowed him and told him to call his father back.

"Why the hell would I do that?" Jensen had asked.

"Because you're going to let him spend as much money as he wants to on you."

Jensen had laughed without finding any humor in what Jared had said. "No, I'm not," he had replied. "I told him before I don't want a thing from him."

"Jen," Jared had said. "After all the shit he's put you, your Mom -- hell, all of us through. You need to call him back. And then you order the most fucking expensive suit there is. Get it with fucking gold lining."

"Jay, he's trying to say he's sorry."

"And?"

"And just take advantage of him for that?"

"Hell, yes."

Jensen could see both sides of the story. He knew he should take Alan up on his offer, but he just couldn't. "No."

"Are you really that proud?"

Jensen had shrugged. "Not really," he'd admitted. "I just don't want to call him back."

Jared had dialled the phone for him and when Alan answered he'd handed the phone over, then went back to watching Pokemon with Kenzie. Jensen had glanced at him only once before he cleared his throat and spoke to his father, telling him that he'd thought about it. He was very sorry for how he'd spoken to him before, and he would love to meet him. For the whole afternoon? Sure, that sounded great.

When the conversation was over, Jensen hung up and threw the phone at Jared, pegging him in the chest. "I hate you," he'd said. "Now I have to spend a whole fucking afternoon with my father."

Kenzie had then looked up from the cartoons. "Mom!" she'd yelled over the back of the sofa. "Jensen just cussed!"

"Jensen," Donna spoke in a warning tone, her voice carrying through from the kitchen.

"Kenzie's watching cartoons and she hasn't done her homework yet," Jensen yelled back, smiling triumphantly at his sister.

"Mackenzie Ackles, get to your room and do your homework!" Donna called. "We've spoken about that, young lady."

Glaring, Kenzie got up from the sofa. "Big jerk," she snarled as she walked past Jensen.

Jensen tried to stop her from hitting him in the stomach, but she managed a shallow punch. He hit back, tousling her hair that she always worked so hard to keep pretty and neat. "Loser," he said back to her.

Kenzie hit him again, and Jensen retaliated.

"For Chrissake," Jared had interrupted. "Could you two take your catfight somewhere else? Ash is about to battle for a championship."

Jensen had rolled his eyes at Kenzie and the two of them had left Jared alone with his Pokemon cartoons.

As Jensen stood before the tailor now, he smiled, remembering how they were one big dysfunctional family. Sure, they got annoyed with each other, argued and tattled on each other, but they were a family. And they were happy.

Alan watched as the tailor measured his son's shoulder, across Jensen's chest, over his stomach and around his waist. He took measurements at Jensen's hips, around the very top of his thigh, the last of which made Jensen slightly uncomfortable. The measuring tape went from Jensen's hip, down to his heel, taking the outseam measurement, and then Mister Rogers set his hand to Jensen's crotch, pressing softly as he took the inseam measurement. Jensen jumped slightly when he felt the touch, but quickly composed himself. He looked over at Chris, who was seated in one of the three chairs nearby and smirking.

"Didn't you go home with the last guy that touched you like that, Jen?"

Jensen was a little stunned at the question. His gaze slipped over to his father, suddenly very excited to see the man's reaction.

Alan was standing nearby, watching the tailor work. His eyes flickered in Chris's direction when he heard the comment. He tried to ignore it, however, shifting his weight on his feet and turning back to the tailor.

One corner of Jensen's mouth turned up in a pleased smile. "I'd go home with you," he said, "if you play your cards right."

"Good thing cards is my game."

Alan finally acknowledged their conversation, but only by clearing his throat and shaking his head at Jensen.

He didn't let his father's annoyance damper his mood. Jensen looked over at Chris, his smile bright. Chris was definitely making this outing better than he had planned.

When all the measurements had been taken, and the few oddds and ends taken care of, Mister Rogers told Alan that he could expect the suit in ten to fourteen days.

Alan smiled and set a hand to Jensen's shoulder. "Would you and Chris please wait outside for me? We'll go for coffee, how about that?"

Jensen smile was forced as he nodded and slipped out the door. He didn't want to go for coffee. He wanted to hop into Chris's truck and head for home. But he owed Dad at least a coffee or two, an extra hour or so, in exchange for the suit. "Ugh, now we have to have coffee, too," he complained as they waited outside the shop.

"Hey, think of it this way," Chris said, leaning against the brick facade. "At least you get a great suit out of it. This guy's pretty good, I've heard. And better yet, Mister Rogers touched you in your no-no places."

That made Jensen laugh. He set a hand to Chris's shoulder and shoved him, his eyes sparkling as he chuckled. "You're sick," he said.

"Yeah, but you love me anyway."

The bells to the door jangled and Alan emerged into the afternoon sunlight. "Alright," he said cheerfully. "All taken care of. You'll have your suit in two days, Jensen."

He was stunned. "Dad, how did you pull that one off?"

Alan only chuckled at first, moving down the walk with the two boys falling into step beside him. "Don't worry about it, Jensen," he said. "Everything's taken care of."

To get the suit in that short of time Jensen knew his father had paid a pretty penny, but Jared's words rang through his head. He didn't like taking advantage of his father, but he did believe he was owed a little something for all the drama Dad had caused.

They walked to an expensive bistro two blocks away from the tailor shop. It was named The Black Dog and sold high-end sandwiches and top-of-the-line gourmet soups, amongst other pricey foods. In the back stood a bookshelf housing leatherbound and rare copies of books. The place seemed pretty stuffy to Jensen, until he realized that he'd been in the place several times before with his father. In another lifetime. Another Jensen.

They sat at a table in the back. Dad ordered coffees for all of them and they sat and tried to talk about every day things with each other. Jensen thought it was all going pretty well, until his father made a comment that hurt more than it probably should have.

"I've been meaning to ask, Jensen," Alan said, stirring cream into his second cup of coffee. "You're not going for the lumberjack look for this interview, are you?"

Slightly taken aback, Jensen just stared at him for a moment. He touched his face, where a good amount of beard stubble had grown in. "What?"

"Well, doctors are very well groomed you know," Alan smiled.

"There are plenty of doctors with beards, Dad," he said, his feelings clearly bruised.

"Yes, but it doesn't look good on you," he told him. "You should shave before the interview."

From his place beside Jensen, Chris could see that the words were sharp, almost physically cutting into his best friend. "I don't know," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "I think it makes him look more grown up."

Alan rolled his eyes. "He doesn't need to look older," he frowned. He took a sip of his hot coffee and set the cup back down on the table. "At least those hideous tattoos will be covered up completely."

Annoyed, Jensen looked over at Chris, who smiled back at him, trying to make him feel better. He reached in front of Jensen and grabbed hold of his coffee mug. "I'll get us some more coffee," he said, knowing Jensen would need the caffeine to keep himself going.

It was quiet while Chris was gone, leaving Jensen to sigh and scratch at his bearded chin. "You know," he began, trying to quickly search for the right words to make the conversation go smoothly. "I really appreciate what you're doing, Dad."

Alan smiled, as if it was something he did every day. "Don't mention it, Jensen," he said, sounding genuine.

Jensen knew, however, that Alan wasn't being genuine. "I don't like it though."

"Don't like what?"

He shook his head, his eyes first scanning over the crowds of people in the restaurant before coming to rest upon his father. "I just hope that you're not doing all of this, being extra nice to me, including Chris on stuff, so that we'll start hanging out more."

Alan glanced down at the tabletop for a moment. "I know that I've wounded our relationship, Jensen," he nodded. "And I know it will probably never be the same between us."

"No, you're right," Jensen replied softly. "You've never understood me."

Alan nodded again. "I know," he said. He was quiet for a moment before smiling brightly and chuckling softly. "But what's wrong with spending more time with Chris? He's a nice boy."

Jensen frowned and shook his head. He looked away, over to where Chris was standing at the counter, fixing both himself and Jensen a fresh cup of java. "You know, when I was a kid," he began, a hint of a smile playing at the corner of his lips, "you used to tell Josh and I that we could do anything, be anything. Have anything that we wanted."

Alan nodded just once. "And I meant it, Jensen," he replied. "I still believe that."

"Well, I want Jared," he said. "That's it."

"And you want to be a doctor."

"Yes, Dad, I want to be a doctor," he repeated, slightly irritated. "But you know what I mean. Jared is my life. I know it's a life you don't approve of, but honestly, I don't care anymore. I used to. But not anymore. And no matter how many expensive suits you buy me, posh restaurants you take me to, it's not going to change my mind."

Alan was silent for quite awhile. He stared down at his coffee more than he gazed over at his son. Jensen was old enough now, he knew, to speak his mind. But it didn't make the words hurt any less. He finally nodded his head and raised his coffee mug. "Point taken," he returned. "I honestly only want to help, son."

Jensen gazed into his father's eyes for quite awhile. Chris returned and set the fresh mug of coffee in front of his and Jensen's places, then sat down beside his friend. He eyed Alan and Jensen for a moment, remaining quiet. After a moment, Jensen nodded his head and raised his mug to his father's.

"Good luck, Jensen," Alan said.

They clinked their mugs together, Chris joining in too, and smiled at each other.

Chris had come home to gather some of the band equipment he had stashed in his father's garage, as well as see Jensen and a few other friends. He had the garage door open and was cursing under his breath at the things that were falling off shelves, onto his head, when he tried to get to a microphone stand that had been stashed up in the rafters of the garage. The place hadn't been cleaned in years and it desperately needed it. He made a mental note to come back and help Dad one of these days with that job. Maybe they could get the place organized so that both his parent's cars could be in there, not just one of them.

A low rumbling engine caught his attention. He turned and saw a motorcycle pull into the drive. Suicycle was inscribed on the side, and the rider had long legs and a muscular build. He also had a new lightweight cast on one arm. Smiling, Chris worked his way out of the messy garage, and moved towards Jared.

Parking and turning off the bike, Jared reached under his chin and unfastened his helmet with his good hand, pulling it off his head. "Hey," he greeted.

"What's up?" Chris asked, shaking the hand that Jared held out to him.

"Jen's at his interview."

Chris looked down at his watch. "Oh, shit, yeah," he said. "Was he freaking out about it?"

Jared smiled and rolled his eyes. "He didn't even sleep last night."

"He's a frickin' shoe-in," Chris laughed.

"I know that, and you know that," Jared chuckled. "But Jensen refused to believe that."

"He's your boy," he shrugged. "You ought to do something about that."

"Yeah, work in progress," Jared grinned. "I'm going to head downtown and meet him. Surprise him. You want in? I'm buying."

"Hell, yeah," Chris nodded. He patted his front jeans pocket, finding his keys there, and dug them out. Before he left, he called to his mother from the garage. "Ma! I'm heading out. I'll be back for dinner!"

Jared heard a muffled reply a split second before he fired up the bike again. As he headed down the quiet suburb street that Chris lived on, he glanced back only once to make sure the man was following him in the pickup truck.

"Alright," Doctor Ballantine smiled. "Just one last question, Jensen."

Shifting in his chair Jensen leaned in, attentive.

"Explain to me your work ethic," Ballantine said, looking directly into Jensen's eyes.

Fear coursed through Jensen's system as the definition of "work ethic" seemed to evade him. Oh, shit, he thought silently. Work ethic, work ethic. Think, Jensen! "As... In..." he began slowly, trying to hunt for the meaning of the words as quickly as he could in the recesses of his mind. "As in coming to work on time?"

"There you go," Ballantine chuckled and winked.

Sighing, Jensen relaxed a little. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "I'm just really nervous."

"I can tell," he returned. "But trust me, you're doing wonderfully."

Jensen took another deep breath and sighed. "Okay," he nodded. "Work ethic. My work ethic is to show up on time or earlier. To do a job that makes both you and myself proud. I believe that I represent you and the hospital when I'm off duty or on duty. I believe in being responsible for both the mistakes and the triumphs you make in your career." He floundered for a moment, trying to think of something else to say. "I... I can't think of anything else. My mind's a jumble of stuff. I'll think of twenty more things at three in the morning."

Ballantine chuckled again and closed the manila folder he had open on his desk. "I think we've gone over enough of the interview questions," he said, putting Jensen even more at ease. "Let's get down to the serious stuff."

The tension returned to his muscles. "Yes, sir," he said, trying to nod. He also attempted to swallow, but his throat felt parched.

"I believe in speaking my mind, no matter what. And I don't think people should be made to wait on a decision like this. I like you, Jensen," Doctor Ballantine said to him. "I would love for you to come work with me."

The breath that Jensen hadn't known he'd been holding suddenly burst free. His shoulders sagged and he swiped a hand over his mouth. He hadn't shaved as his father had requested, only trimmed up the beard, and part of him regretted it. His skin prickled and itched, but only because he'd been sweating, he knew. "Thank you, sir," he finally managed. "I'd like that, too."

"Wonderful," he grinned. "Let's not start until school does, how about that? I know that you and a friend were on a road trip that was a little trying. And you'll have to register for some of your classes still. So, I say go have a good couple weeks vacation, and we'll start up after that. Maybe a day or two before classes, alright?"

"Okay," he agreed.

"Alright," Ballantine said, standing from his chair. He was a tall man, taller than Jensen, with a round belly and gentle eyes. He reached out and took Jensen's hand in both of his, shaking it. "I'm very excited, I must admit. I think you'll fit in wonderfully here."

"Thank you, sir, I hope so." Jensen followed the man to the office door, and out into the corridor.

"Incidentally, you should look up Doctor John Lang," Ballantine told him. "He's three floors up in Pediatrics."

"Why is that?"

Ballantine stopped walking and smiled at Jensen. "I think you two might have a lot in common."

It took a moment for the doctor's words to sink in. "Oh," Jensen said, his face flushing red. "How..."

"I know it's not your father's favorite subject, but he felt it necessary to warn me."

"If it's a problem..."

"Why would it be a problem, son?" he asked. "It was your father that felt it was a warning. I found it information that didn't really sway me one way or the other. Not everyone is cautious like that."

Swallowing against his dry throat, Jensen nodded. "Yes, sir."

Ballantine must have found something overly humorous because he burst out laughing, slapping Jensen on the shoulder. "Did you think you were going to be the only gay doctor, son?"

Jensen tried to smile, but it was forced and unnatural. "Kind of," he nodded.

That only made Ballantine laugh harder.

Out of the hospital doors, Jensen closed his eyes to the feel of the light summer breeze hitting his sweat-dampened skin. He'd never been so glad to feel the sun and wind. He took a couple of deep, calming breaths, and then took off his suit jacket.

"Dude," a low voice said. "You got any ones? If this one's stripping, I want first dibs on stuffing a dollar in his waistband."

Jensen looked up, finding both Jared and Chris leaning against Chris's truck. The Suicycle was parked in front of the truck, two helmets sitting atop it. A smile spread across Jensen's face, his eyes lighting up. He stepped closer to them, tossing his jacket at Jared. "Keep your ones," he told him. "You get free nightly shows."

"Hey," Chris said, trying to sound hurt. "No fair."

Jensen just chuckled and leaned in to Jared. He grabbed hold of the man's head and pulled him in for a very sloppy, noisy kiss. "I fucking aced it."

Jared smiled and shook his head, his hands resting at Jensen's waist. He loved that the young man hadn't cared an ounce about who was watching them, he'd just acted. "I told you," he said. "You just weren't listening."

"Let's get out of here."

"Where do you want to go?"

"Let's go back to the Black Dog," Jensen said. "I missed that place." He watched Chris nod and head around to the driver's side of the truck. "Where's Dani?"

"She's in a sorority now," Chris told him. "So her and the girls are out doing something... Girlish. You know."

"Hey," Jared said, tugging on his helmet. "Aren't sororities all about sex?"

Jensen rolled his eyes as he stowed his suit coat in Chris' truck. "No, Jay," he said. "Just you are."

"Come on, guys," Chris called.

On the back of the bike, Jensen turned and saw Chris standing in the open driver's side door of the truck.

"Get a move on," he called to them. "We're going to commemorate this day with a celebratory cup of java and a picture of Boy Wonder."

"The hell you are," Jensen laughed.

"I brought the Polaroid," Jared said, his words muffled slightly through the motorcycle helmet.

"Traitor," Jensen chuckled. "Go ahead," he said to Chris. "I'll just crumple it up and toss it out."

Chris blared the truck horn at them, honking three times. "The hell you will," he laughed. "Get out of my way!"

--TBC--



Title: Suited, Booted And All Inked Up
Manip Artist: bloody_adorable
Subject: Jensen Ackles