A Lavish Prison
Title: A Lavish Prison
Author: bahama_breeze77
Rating: NC17ish
Pairing: J2, Jared/Josh Duhamel, Chris/Steve
Warning: Violence, Abuse, Sort of non-con, Bad language
Summary: Jared’s life is hell; he has one friend, a horrible boyfriend, and his future being decided for him. But that all starts to change when a gorgeous green eyed photographer moves into the next door apartment.
A/N: I have very little knowledge of medical related things, so forgive my ignorance when it comes to medications and such. Just go with the flow!!
Previous Chapters
Ch. 4
“Hey man.” Jensen answered his phone seeing Chris’s name on the display.
“How are things?” Chris asked in his gruff voice.
Jensen sighed; thinking back on his kiss with Jared before Jared’s quick escape yesterday. After Jared had walked off, he had returned home hoping to see Jared and explain the kiss and to apologize. But the man had been absent or at least not answering his door. So Jensen spent the rest of the day sitting on his balcony contemplating Jared. He couldn’t believe how attracted he was to Jared. He was also surprised by the strong protectiveness he felt toward the younger man. He knew it had started when he saw the bruise on his cheek. That coupled with Jared’s reluctance to ever talk about Josh gave Jensen the feeling that their relationship wasn’t a healthy one. “Fine.” He replied without any enthusiasm.
Chris chuckled. “Yeah, sounds like your having a blast.”
Jensen smiled slightly and shook his head, “I don’t know man, this guy I…”
“Whoa back up, so there is a guy? I knew it.”
“No. Chris it’s not like that, I mean it is, he’s one of my new neighbors…but it’s complicated.”
“How so? He already taken?” When silence met his question he continued, “Okay so he is.”
“Sort of but…” Jensen started to reply.
“Sort of? How can someone be sort of taken?” Chris asked.
“He lives with his boyfriend, but I don’t think…I get the feeling he’s not happy and…” Jensen trailed off not sure if he should even be talking about this. He had only met Jared a few days ago; he could be completely off base here.
“And what?” Chris prompted. “If they’re not happy then they will probably break up soon and he will be single…perfect for you to swoop in and be prince charming.”
Jensen chuckled but shook his head. “I don’t know man, there is just something off about them…he…his name is Jared and I just get the feeling that, maybe, it’s an abusive relationship.”
“Jesus Jensen, then why are you attracted to him?” Chris was being deliberately dense. He knew exactly what Jensen had meant. He knew his friend would never be with someone who hurt other people. He had just wanted to lighten the mood a bit. But his friend obviously didn’t detect the humor in his voice.
“No Chris, I think it’s Jared who’s being abused. Man you should see him, the way he acts when ever the boyfriend or family issues are brought up and he was perfect when I first saw him and now he has this huge fucking bruise on his face and he just doesn’t deserve that. He is so nice…like a giant puppy.”
Chris sighed. He was beginning to worry about his friend now. Jensen had a bad habit of falling for guys very quickly and most of the time it would never last. “Jensen you’ve known him less than a week man; maybe you’re wrong.”
“Maybe, but I just feel so protective of him already. I don’t understand how I can feel this passionate about someone who I only met just a while ago. I…god I just don’t know what to do.” Jensen let his frustrations be known to his friend.
“Have you asked Jared about this?”
Jensen snorted, “What am I suppose to say? Hey Jared nice weather, huh? Oh and by the way I was just wondering; does your boyfriend abuses you? I did ask him if Josh made him happy.”
“And what did he answer?”
“He changed the subject, said he didn’t want to talk about Josh. And then I don’t know what the fuck I was thinking and I kissed him. He kissed back and it was great and then he got freaked and ran and I haven’t seen him at all since yesterday afternoon.” Jensen said all that in a rush.
Chris was silent for a few seconds. “You kissed him? Damn Jen. You’re in a mess.”
Jensen sighed “Yeah tell me about it. I don’t know what to do.”
“I hate to tell you man but it seems like the next step is for Jared to decide. But it won’t hurt to talk to him. If he is in an abusive relationship then the boy is probably scared shitless.”
“I know.” Jensen replied softly, he did need to talk with Jared but first he had to find him.
*******~~~*******
Jared grunted as a pillow hit him lightly over the head waking him up, “Huh?” he moaned.
“Get up man before you sleep the day away. Come eat lunch.” Chad called over his shoulder as he walked into his kitchen.
Jared rolled off Chad’s couch and went into the bathroom to clean up. After running from Jensen yesterday he had gone to Chad’s house, not wanting to return home and be surrounded by bad memories of Josh. He had spent the rest of yesterday relaxing with Chad. He loved his friend for not asking any questions about why he had turned up on his door step with red rimmed eyes. Chad had just let him into the house and they had ordered pizza, drank beer and watched crappy TV movies. Heading into the kitchen he sat down at the table and watched Chad make something on the stove.
“So…” Chad said. “Are we going to talk about it?”
“Talk about what?” Jared sighed; he knew his good luck had to run out sometime.
“Oh I don’t know…how about why you showed up on my doorstep yesterday.” Chad replied calmly.
Jared shrugged, “I just thought we could hang out. It’s what friends do. We are friends right?” he joked.
Chad didn’t laugh. “I don’t know Jay. Are we?” Chad asked looking at the stove his back to his friend.
“What?” Jared asked feeling his heart jump. Dread filling him. Chad had been the only good thing in his life for a while now. He had no other friends but Chad. “Of course!”
Chad slowly turned to face his friend, “Then why won’t you talk to me? Why won’t you trust me and confide in me? Why don’t you ever tell me the truth?” Chad’s voice rose at the end, slightly angry.
“I do!” Jared pleaded. He didn’t want to do this right now…ever really.
Chad nodded slowly. “Okay. So tell me again how did you get that bruise on your face?”
Jared paled, “I…I told you. I tripped and…”
“Right. You fell. You’re lying!” All of Chad’s frustrations and fears for his friend were finally rising to the surface. “Jared do you think I’m stupid?” Chad yelled. “Do you really think I don’t know the truth? I’ve been hoping and praying that you would tell me on your own but you’re never going to are you?”
Jared looked at the floor ashamed. “I’m sorry.” He chocked out. God, he couldn’t lose Chad. He didn’t want his best friend to hate him.
Chad growled in frustration and slammed the stirring spoon on the counter, “I don’t want you to be sorry! I just want the truth! So say it! Josh gave you that right? That asshole hurts you?”
Jared could only give a small nod not looking up at his friend.
Chad came over and kneeled in front of Jared, grabbing hold of his hands. “Why don’t you leave him?” He reached out and gently tipped Jared’s head back up to look him in the eyes. “Please don’t be ashamed Jared. It’s okay to ask for help. You know I love you man. I’ll do anything for you.”
“It’s not that bad, he just gets angry sometimes and…and…” Jared began with the lies again as tears fell from his eyes.
“No Jared, it is bad. No one has the right to do that to you.” He pulled Jared into a tight hug and stroked his friend’s hair. He could feel his shirt dampen with his friend’s tears but he just held on tighter. “Is that why you came here yesterday, did that bastard hurt you again?”
Jared pulled back and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “No.” his breath hitched as he fought to control the tears. “I wasn’t lying. Josh really is out of town for a week. It wasn’t him.”
Chad got angry again at what that implied. Jesus, did his friend have some sort of sign on him that said ‘hurt me’. “It was that other guy you were with? That…that Jensen guy? I’ll rip his balls off and…”
“No!” Jared said quickly before his friend got any more worked up. “I mean it was Jensen but he didn’t hurt me. H…He kissed me.”
“Huh?” Chad asked confused; gripping Jared’s hand’s again. “He kissed you?”
Jared nodded. “And I like it…a lot. I really like Jensen. He makes me feel safe and happy and he’s such a great guy.”
“Then why did you show up here in tears?” Chad asked gently.
“I can’t….I’m with Josh.” Jared stuttered.
Chad sighed angrily. “So leave the fucking bastard, he’s a self centered asshole and he doesn’t deserve you.”
Jared shook his head. “I can’t.”
“Why?” Chad asked desperately.
Jared just shook his head and didn’t reply.
Chad didn’t want to push his friend anymore right that minute, so instead he said, “We aren’t done talking about this. But I want you to know that you can tell me anything and I will help you in any way I can okay?”
Jared nodded as Chad pulled him in for another hug. “Hey Chad?”
“Yeah?”
“Your stove is on fire.”
Chad stood up and whirled around. “Shit!” he pulled the pan off the stove and threw it into the sink and turned the water on to put out the flames. When he turned back to his friend Jared had an honest to god grin stretched across his face. “So you umm…want to go out for lunch?”
Jared could only laugh and nod.
*******~~~*******
Jared plopped down on the booth across from Chad and picked up the menu. They read in silence and only after the waitress had gotten their order did Chad say, “So tell me about Jensen?”
Jared looked up quickly, “Why?”
Chad shrugged and smirked, “I want to know about the man who has put stars in your eyes.”
“God Chad, that’s corny.”
Chad laughed “I know but its true.”
Jared shrugged. “He’s a photographer like I told you yesterday, he’s originally from Dallas, moved here for some inspiration to get back into his photography and he’s….he’s...” Jared shrugged again “He’s Jensen.”
“Look at that smile.” Chad said.
“Where?” Jared looked around confused. Had Chad been checking out a girl?
“On you, you idiot. I haven’t seen you smile like that in years.” Chad said with happiness filling him.
Jared startled as he realized he did have a big smile on his face which quickly slipped off. “Doesn’t matter.”
“Of course it does Jared!” He was silent as their food arrived but as soon as the waitress left he continued, “Dump the loser, move in with me…I…I’ll give you more hours at the café and you can see where this thing goes with Jensen….why are you shaking your head?”
“I can’t. Did you know my mom and Josh are planning our wedding?” Jared asked as he picked at his food.
Chad sat back stunned. “Josh asked you to marry him? And you said yes?”
“No.”
“No to what?”
“No to both questions. Apparently it was assumed we would marry when we got together. I just found out about the wedding a few days ago from Josh and my mother has been quite busy planning it.” Jared said bitterly.
Chad was shaking his head in frustration. “What a bitch!” He muttered before looking hard at Jared. “Say no.”
“I don’t think either one of them cares what I think.” Jared sighed. “I’m not going to marry Josh; I just don’t know what to do yet. It’s my mom, I’m all she has, and…”
Chad growled, “And nothing! She is such a bitch to you Jared. I don’t know why you can’t see it. Your dad would…”
Jared nodded. “I know, but he’s not here anymore…god I miss him.”
Chad sighed. He didn’t want to talk about this anymore. Jared had been happy a few minutes before and Chad just wanted to keep the conversation light from now on, but before he did, the subject of Jared’s father brought something to his mind. “Hey, you okay? I haven’t seen you take your pills today.” His friend had been taking them for so long; he was use to seeing Jared with his bottle of pills.
Jared gave a small smile. “Yeah, I haven’t felt the need to. I didn’t take any yesterday either, but I feel fine.”
“Huh.” Chad said. The only thing that had changed in Jared’s life recently was Jensen. Maybe he had more to thank Jensen about besides the fact that he put a real smile on Jared’s face. “You should go talk to him.”
Jared looked confused. “Who?”
“Jensen. That man is probably filled with guilt after you ran off when he kissed you. You should probably let him know you don’t hate him.” Chad urged.
Jared looked down at the table. “Yeah I guess.”
Chad smiled as he took another bit out of his burger. There wasn’t much he could do to make Jared leave Josh, but he could try to push Jared at Jensen and hope that Jared made the right choice in the end.
*******~~~*******
After Jensen’s talk with Chris, he had headed into town to develop the pictures he had taken yesterday when he and Jared had walked around town. Now he sat at his table looking through them and shifting all the ones he had secretly taken of Jared into a separate pile. A knock on his door had him walking over to it and he was greatly surprised to see Jared standing there with his hands shoved in his jean pockets looking nervous.
“Hi.” Jared said softly.
“Hey Jared.” Overcoming his surprise Jensen stepped back and opened the door wider. “Do you want to come in or is Josh waiting for you?”
Jared winced slightly at the mention of Josh as he stepped in. “He’s gone on a business trip for a week or so.”
Jensen nodded, happy on the inside that Josh was gone. “Do you want something to drink? I was just making some coffee.”
“Yeah sure.” Jared followed Jensen into the kitchen and leaned against the counter as Jensen went to get coffee mugs. Silence reigned for a few minutes before Jared said. “I just want to apologize for yesterday.”
Jensen startled at this. “I should be the one to apologize. I shouldn’t have kissed you like that.”
Jared shook his head. “It’s okay. I…I want to say sorry for running off like that.”
“Why did you?”
“I was just surprised…I guess I don’t handle surprise very well.” Jared forced a small laugh.
“What about the tears?” Jensen asked quietly.
Jared flinched and shrugged.
Jensen let it go for now, he didn’t want to send Jared running again. “Sorry.” Jensen said again. “I just…I like you a lot, and I had just had a great afternoon with you and you looked so…I just got caught in the emotions of it all I guess and didn’t really think before I acted.”
Jared nodded, not quite sure how to reply to that. He looked around the room like that would give him his answer and instead saw the piles of pictures on the table. “Are these the pictures from yesterday?” Jared asked as he walked closer to the table.
“Ummm…” Jensen tried to protest but Jared had already picked up the two piles of pictures.
“These are from yesterday.” Jared answered his own question as looked closely at the pictures of himself. “I didn’t know you took some of me.”
Jensen rubbed the back of his neck embarrassed. “Yeah well, you’re pretty photogenic and I kind of like you if you didn’t know that already.”
Jared looked closely at the pictures of himself he held. He almost didn’t believe this was him. In these pictures he was happy and smiling and he had a light about his eyes. He remembered that the few pictures of himself and Josh in their apartment lacked all of these things. These pictures he held, this was the Jared he had been when his father was alive, before he met Josh and this was the Jared he wanted to be again. Maybe Jensen could help him become that Jared again.
“Jared?” Jensen walked over to stand next to Jared who looked lost in thought. “You okay?”
Jared looked up at him with some type of emotion in his eyes that Jensen couldn’t place.
Jared cleared his throat, “Yeah.” He stated softly as he placed the pictures back on the table before looking up at Jensen. Jensen’s beautiful eyes were looking at him with concern. “I…I just want…” Jared trailed off and surprised himself as leaned forward and kissed Jensen.
Jensen was so surprised by the sudden kiss but couldn’t keep himself from responding. He reached up and ran his fingers through Jared’s hair tilting his head to deepen the kiss. Jensen licked his way into Jared’s mouth, exploring everywhere. He loved the sweet honey like taste that was purely Jared.
When they broke apart to gasp for air Jensen kept his forehead pressed against Jared’s. “God Jared! You taste so good.”
Jared smiled slightly. “You too.” He said before Jensen had surged forward again and reclaimed his lips.
They kissed for several minutes before the kiss got more heated. Jensen ran his hands up and down Jared’s back, pressing his body closer to the young man’s and walking them backwards out of the kitchen and into the living room.
Jared held the back of Jensen’s neck with one hand and his other arm was wrapped around Jensen’s waist keeping the man close to him. He didn’t realize they had moved until the back of his knees hit the sofa and he toppled back with Jensen landing on him never breaking the kiss. It was the feeling of Jensen’s hardness against his hip that brought Jared back to reality. “Jensen. Stop.” This had to stop. Pretty soon. Because Jensen would notice any minute that…Jared could feel Jensen freeze on top of him…yeah he would notice that.
“Jared?” Jensen pulled back worried that he had somehow misread Jared since the boy wasn’t the least bit aroused.
Jared pulled himself out from under Jensen and sat back on the couch. “I’m sorry…”
Jensen shook his head quickly. “No, its okay, I shouldn’t have been so pushy. I just got caught up in the kissing.”
“It’s not you.” Jared stated; flushed red with embarrassment. “I…its theses pills I take…did take…I’m coming off them and they just kinda stop me from…getting excited that way…”
“It fine you don’t have to explain.” Jensen quickly cut in.
“I really do like you.” Jared reassured softly.
“Good because I really like you too.” Jensen stated as he brushed a strand of hair out of Jared’s eyes and leaned over to press a quick kiss to Jared’s lips.
Jared looked down at the floor still slightly embarrassed by his lack of hardness. “I should go.”
Jensen quickly grabbed Jared’s hands. “No. Don’t. Stay, please. We can sit and watch a movie or something.”
Jared looked at Jensen with happiness in his eyes. He was glad that Jensen wanted him around still even with what he just found out. “Okay.”
After Jensen had popped in a movie and sat back down Jared snuggled into his side and sighed happily as Jensen wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pulled him in closer. They spent the rest of the day curled on the couch together lightly kissing and watching movies.
It was late by the time Jensen started to yawn. Jared looked over at him fondly. Jensen looked adorable rubbing his tired eyes and yawning. “I should go, it’s late and you’re tired.”
Jensen held Jared closer to him. Since Josh was away Jensen wanted to be with Jared as much as possible. “Stay with me tonight…I just want to hold you…nothing else.”
Jared knew he shouldn’t. That it couldn’t end well but for once he did exactly what he wanted. “Okay.” Jared replied hesitantly but he smiled brightly.
Jared followed Jensen into the bedroom where they stripped down to boxers and t-shirts and crawled into bed. Jared hesitated about where to lie and decided way on his edge of the bed was good. But Jensen reached out and pulled Jared into his arms.
Jared rested his head on Jensen’s chest listening to the man’s heartbeat as it soothed him to sleep.
“Goodnight.” Jensen whispered and Jared felt a kiss being placed on his head.
“Night.” Jared replied before he fell asleep with a smile on his face for the first time in a long time.
TBC next Monday!
Author: bahama_breeze77
Rating: NC17ish
Pairing: J2, Jared/Josh Duhamel, Chris/Steve
Warning: Violence, Abuse, Sort of non-con, Bad language
Summary: Jared’s life is hell; he has one friend, a horrible boyfriend, and his future being decided for him. But that all starts to change when a gorgeous green eyed photographer moves into the next door apartment.
A/N: I have very little knowledge of medical related things, so forgive my ignorance when it comes to medications and such. Just go with the flow!!
Previous Chapters
Ch. 4
“Hey man.” Jensen answered his phone seeing Chris’s name on the display.
“How are things?” Chris asked in his gruff voice.
Jensen sighed; thinking back on his kiss with Jared before Jared’s quick escape yesterday. After Jared had walked off, he had returned home hoping to see Jared and explain the kiss and to apologize. But the man had been absent or at least not answering his door. So Jensen spent the rest of the day sitting on his balcony contemplating Jared. He couldn’t believe how attracted he was to Jared. He was also surprised by the strong protectiveness he felt toward the younger man. He knew it had started when he saw the bruise on his cheek. That coupled with Jared’s reluctance to ever talk about Josh gave Jensen the feeling that their relationship wasn’t a healthy one. “Fine.” He replied without any enthusiasm.
Chris chuckled. “Yeah, sounds like your having a blast.”
Jensen smiled slightly and shook his head, “I don’t know man, this guy I…”
“Whoa back up, so there is a guy? I knew it.”
“No. Chris it’s not like that, I mean it is, he’s one of my new neighbors…but it’s complicated.”
“How so? He already taken?” When silence met his question he continued, “Okay so he is.”
“Sort of but…” Jensen started to reply.
“Sort of? How can someone be sort of taken?” Chris asked.
“He lives with his boyfriend, but I don’t think…I get the feeling he’s not happy and…” Jensen trailed off not sure if he should even be talking about this. He had only met Jared a few days ago; he could be completely off base here.
“And what?” Chris prompted. “If they’re not happy then they will probably break up soon and he will be single…perfect for you to swoop in and be prince charming.”
Jensen chuckled but shook his head. “I don’t know man, there is just something off about them…he…his name is Jared and I just get the feeling that, maybe, it’s an abusive relationship.”
“Jesus Jensen, then why are you attracted to him?” Chris was being deliberately dense. He knew exactly what Jensen had meant. He knew his friend would never be with someone who hurt other people. He had just wanted to lighten the mood a bit. But his friend obviously didn’t detect the humor in his voice.
“No Chris, I think it’s Jared who’s being abused. Man you should see him, the way he acts when ever the boyfriend or family issues are brought up and he was perfect when I first saw him and now he has this huge fucking bruise on his face and he just doesn’t deserve that. He is so nice…like a giant puppy.”
Chris sighed. He was beginning to worry about his friend now. Jensen had a bad habit of falling for guys very quickly and most of the time it would never last. “Jensen you’ve known him less than a week man; maybe you’re wrong.”
“Maybe, but I just feel so protective of him already. I don’t understand how I can feel this passionate about someone who I only met just a while ago. I…god I just don’t know what to do.” Jensen let his frustrations be known to his friend.
“Have you asked Jared about this?”
Jensen snorted, “What am I suppose to say? Hey Jared nice weather, huh? Oh and by the way I was just wondering; does your boyfriend abuses you? I did ask him if Josh made him happy.”
“And what did he answer?”
“He changed the subject, said he didn’t want to talk about Josh. And then I don’t know what the fuck I was thinking and I kissed him. He kissed back and it was great and then he got freaked and ran and I haven’t seen him at all since yesterday afternoon.” Jensen said all that in a rush.
Chris was silent for a few seconds. “You kissed him? Damn Jen. You’re in a mess.”
Jensen sighed “Yeah tell me about it. I don’t know what to do.”
“I hate to tell you man but it seems like the next step is for Jared to decide. But it won’t hurt to talk to him. If he is in an abusive relationship then the boy is probably scared shitless.”
“I know.” Jensen replied softly, he did need to talk with Jared but first he had to find him.
*******~~~*******
Jared grunted as a pillow hit him lightly over the head waking him up, “Huh?” he moaned.
“Get up man before you sleep the day away. Come eat lunch.” Chad called over his shoulder as he walked into his kitchen.
Jared rolled off Chad’s couch and went into the bathroom to clean up. After running from Jensen yesterday he had gone to Chad’s house, not wanting to return home and be surrounded by bad memories of Josh. He had spent the rest of yesterday relaxing with Chad. He loved his friend for not asking any questions about why he had turned up on his door step with red rimmed eyes. Chad had just let him into the house and they had ordered pizza, drank beer and watched crappy TV movies. Heading into the kitchen he sat down at the table and watched Chad make something on the stove.
“So…” Chad said. “Are we going to talk about it?”
“Talk about what?” Jared sighed; he knew his good luck had to run out sometime.
“Oh I don’t know…how about why you showed up on my doorstep yesterday.” Chad replied calmly.
Jared shrugged, “I just thought we could hang out. It’s what friends do. We are friends right?” he joked.
Chad didn’t laugh. “I don’t know Jay. Are we?” Chad asked looking at the stove his back to his friend.
“What?” Jared asked feeling his heart jump. Dread filling him. Chad had been the only good thing in his life for a while now. He had no other friends but Chad. “Of course!”
Chad slowly turned to face his friend, “Then why won’t you talk to me? Why won’t you trust me and confide in me? Why don’t you ever tell me the truth?” Chad’s voice rose at the end, slightly angry.
“I do!” Jared pleaded. He didn’t want to do this right now…ever really.
Chad nodded slowly. “Okay. So tell me again how did you get that bruise on your face?”
Jared paled, “I…I told you. I tripped and…”
“Right. You fell. You’re lying!” All of Chad’s frustrations and fears for his friend were finally rising to the surface. “Jared do you think I’m stupid?” Chad yelled. “Do you really think I don’t know the truth? I’ve been hoping and praying that you would tell me on your own but you’re never going to are you?”
Jared looked at the floor ashamed. “I’m sorry.” He chocked out. God, he couldn’t lose Chad. He didn’t want his best friend to hate him.
Chad growled in frustration and slammed the stirring spoon on the counter, “I don’t want you to be sorry! I just want the truth! So say it! Josh gave you that right? That asshole hurts you?”
Jared could only give a small nod not looking up at his friend.
Chad came over and kneeled in front of Jared, grabbing hold of his hands. “Why don’t you leave him?” He reached out and gently tipped Jared’s head back up to look him in the eyes. “Please don’t be ashamed Jared. It’s okay to ask for help. You know I love you man. I’ll do anything for you.”
“It’s not that bad, he just gets angry sometimes and…and…” Jared began with the lies again as tears fell from his eyes.
“No Jared, it is bad. No one has the right to do that to you.” He pulled Jared into a tight hug and stroked his friend’s hair. He could feel his shirt dampen with his friend’s tears but he just held on tighter. “Is that why you came here yesterday, did that bastard hurt you again?”
Jared pulled back and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “No.” his breath hitched as he fought to control the tears. “I wasn’t lying. Josh really is out of town for a week. It wasn’t him.”
Chad got angry again at what that implied. Jesus, did his friend have some sort of sign on him that said ‘hurt me’. “It was that other guy you were with? That…that Jensen guy? I’ll rip his balls off and…”
“No!” Jared said quickly before his friend got any more worked up. “I mean it was Jensen but he didn’t hurt me. H…He kissed me.”
“Huh?” Chad asked confused; gripping Jared’s hand’s again. “He kissed you?”
Jared nodded. “And I like it…a lot. I really like Jensen. He makes me feel safe and happy and he’s such a great guy.”
“Then why did you show up here in tears?” Chad asked gently.
“I can’t….I’m with Josh.” Jared stuttered.
Chad sighed angrily. “So leave the fucking bastard, he’s a self centered asshole and he doesn’t deserve you.”
Jared shook his head. “I can’t.”
“Why?” Chad asked desperately.
Jared just shook his head and didn’t reply.
Chad didn’t want to push his friend anymore right that minute, so instead he said, “We aren’t done talking about this. But I want you to know that you can tell me anything and I will help you in any way I can okay?”
Jared nodded as Chad pulled him in for another hug. “Hey Chad?”
“Yeah?”
“Your stove is on fire.”
Chad stood up and whirled around. “Shit!” he pulled the pan off the stove and threw it into the sink and turned the water on to put out the flames. When he turned back to his friend Jared had an honest to god grin stretched across his face. “So you umm…want to go out for lunch?”
Jared could only laugh and nod.
*******~~~*******
Jared plopped down on the booth across from Chad and picked up the menu. They read in silence and only after the waitress had gotten their order did Chad say, “So tell me about Jensen?”
Jared looked up quickly, “Why?”
Chad shrugged and smirked, “I want to know about the man who has put stars in your eyes.”
“God Chad, that’s corny.”
Chad laughed “I know but its true.”
Jared shrugged. “He’s a photographer like I told you yesterday, he’s originally from Dallas, moved here for some inspiration to get back into his photography and he’s….he’s...” Jared shrugged again “He’s Jensen.”
“Look at that smile.” Chad said.
“Where?” Jared looked around confused. Had Chad been checking out a girl?
“On you, you idiot. I haven’t seen you smile like that in years.” Chad said with happiness filling him.
Jared startled as he realized he did have a big smile on his face which quickly slipped off. “Doesn’t matter.”
“Of course it does Jared!” He was silent as their food arrived but as soon as the waitress left he continued, “Dump the loser, move in with me…I…I’ll give you more hours at the café and you can see where this thing goes with Jensen….why are you shaking your head?”
“I can’t. Did you know my mom and Josh are planning our wedding?” Jared asked as he picked at his food.
Chad sat back stunned. “Josh asked you to marry him? And you said yes?”
“No.”
“No to what?”
“No to both questions. Apparently it was assumed we would marry when we got together. I just found out about the wedding a few days ago from Josh and my mother has been quite busy planning it.” Jared said bitterly.
Chad was shaking his head in frustration. “What a bitch!” He muttered before looking hard at Jared. “Say no.”
“I don’t think either one of them cares what I think.” Jared sighed. “I’m not going to marry Josh; I just don’t know what to do yet. It’s my mom, I’m all she has, and…”
Chad growled, “And nothing! She is such a bitch to you Jared. I don’t know why you can’t see it. Your dad would…”
Jared nodded. “I know, but he’s not here anymore…god I miss him.”
Chad sighed. He didn’t want to talk about this anymore. Jared had been happy a few minutes before and Chad just wanted to keep the conversation light from now on, but before he did, the subject of Jared’s father brought something to his mind. “Hey, you okay? I haven’t seen you take your pills today.” His friend had been taking them for so long; he was use to seeing Jared with his bottle of pills.
Jared gave a small smile. “Yeah, I haven’t felt the need to. I didn’t take any yesterday either, but I feel fine.”
“Huh.” Chad said. The only thing that had changed in Jared’s life recently was Jensen. Maybe he had more to thank Jensen about besides the fact that he put a real smile on Jared’s face. “You should go talk to him.”
Jared looked confused. “Who?”
“Jensen. That man is probably filled with guilt after you ran off when he kissed you. You should probably let him know you don’t hate him.” Chad urged.
Jared looked down at the table. “Yeah I guess.”
Chad smiled as he took another bit out of his burger. There wasn’t much he could do to make Jared leave Josh, but he could try to push Jared at Jensen and hope that Jared made the right choice in the end.
*******~~~*******
After Jensen’s talk with Chris, he had headed into town to develop the pictures he had taken yesterday when he and Jared had walked around town. Now he sat at his table looking through them and shifting all the ones he had secretly taken of Jared into a separate pile. A knock on his door had him walking over to it and he was greatly surprised to see Jared standing there with his hands shoved in his jean pockets looking nervous.
“Hi.” Jared said softly.
“Hey Jared.” Overcoming his surprise Jensen stepped back and opened the door wider. “Do you want to come in or is Josh waiting for you?”
Jared winced slightly at the mention of Josh as he stepped in. “He’s gone on a business trip for a week or so.”
Jensen nodded, happy on the inside that Josh was gone. “Do you want something to drink? I was just making some coffee.”
“Yeah sure.” Jared followed Jensen into the kitchen and leaned against the counter as Jensen went to get coffee mugs. Silence reigned for a few minutes before Jared said. “I just want to apologize for yesterday.”
Jensen startled at this. “I should be the one to apologize. I shouldn’t have kissed you like that.”
Jared shook his head. “It’s okay. I…I want to say sorry for running off like that.”
“Why did you?”
“I was just surprised…I guess I don’t handle surprise very well.” Jared forced a small laugh.
“What about the tears?” Jensen asked quietly.
Jared flinched and shrugged.
Jensen let it go for now, he didn’t want to send Jared running again. “Sorry.” Jensen said again. “I just…I like you a lot, and I had just had a great afternoon with you and you looked so…I just got caught in the emotions of it all I guess and didn’t really think before I acted.”
Jared nodded, not quite sure how to reply to that. He looked around the room like that would give him his answer and instead saw the piles of pictures on the table. “Are these the pictures from yesterday?” Jared asked as he walked closer to the table.
“Ummm…” Jensen tried to protest but Jared had already picked up the two piles of pictures.
“These are from yesterday.” Jared answered his own question as looked closely at the pictures of himself. “I didn’t know you took some of me.”
Jensen rubbed the back of his neck embarrassed. “Yeah well, you’re pretty photogenic and I kind of like you if you didn’t know that already.”
Jared looked closely at the pictures of himself he held. He almost didn’t believe this was him. In these pictures he was happy and smiling and he had a light about his eyes. He remembered that the few pictures of himself and Josh in their apartment lacked all of these things. These pictures he held, this was the Jared he had been when his father was alive, before he met Josh and this was the Jared he wanted to be again. Maybe Jensen could help him become that Jared again.
“Jared?” Jensen walked over to stand next to Jared who looked lost in thought. “You okay?”
Jared looked up at him with some type of emotion in his eyes that Jensen couldn’t place.
Jared cleared his throat, “Yeah.” He stated softly as he placed the pictures back on the table before looking up at Jensen. Jensen’s beautiful eyes were looking at him with concern. “I…I just want…” Jared trailed off and surprised himself as leaned forward and kissed Jensen.
Jensen was so surprised by the sudden kiss but couldn’t keep himself from responding. He reached up and ran his fingers through Jared’s hair tilting his head to deepen the kiss. Jensen licked his way into Jared’s mouth, exploring everywhere. He loved the sweet honey like taste that was purely Jared.
When they broke apart to gasp for air Jensen kept his forehead pressed against Jared’s. “God Jared! You taste so good.”
Jared smiled slightly. “You too.” He said before Jensen had surged forward again and reclaimed his lips.
They kissed for several minutes before the kiss got more heated. Jensen ran his hands up and down Jared’s back, pressing his body closer to the young man’s and walking them backwards out of the kitchen and into the living room.
Jared held the back of Jensen’s neck with one hand and his other arm was wrapped around Jensen’s waist keeping the man close to him. He didn’t realize they had moved until the back of his knees hit the sofa and he toppled back with Jensen landing on him never breaking the kiss. It was the feeling of Jensen’s hardness against his hip that brought Jared back to reality. “Jensen. Stop.” This had to stop. Pretty soon. Because Jensen would notice any minute that…Jared could feel Jensen freeze on top of him…yeah he would notice that.
“Jared?” Jensen pulled back worried that he had somehow misread Jared since the boy wasn’t the least bit aroused.
Jared pulled himself out from under Jensen and sat back on the couch. “I’m sorry…”
Jensen shook his head quickly. “No, its okay, I shouldn’t have been so pushy. I just got caught up in the kissing.”
“It’s not you.” Jared stated; flushed red with embarrassment. “I…its theses pills I take…did take…I’m coming off them and they just kinda stop me from…getting excited that way…”
“It fine you don’t have to explain.” Jensen quickly cut in.
“I really do like you.” Jared reassured softly.
“Good because I really like you too.” Jensen stated as he brushed a strand of hair out of Jared’s eyes and leaned over to press a quick kiss to Jared’s lips.
Jared looked down at the floor still slightly embarrassed by his lack of hardness. “I should go.”
Jensen quickly grabbed Jared’s hands. “No. Don’t. Stay, please. We can sit and watch a movie or something.”
Jared looked at Jensen with happiness in his eyes. He was glad that Jensen wanted him around still even with what he just found out. “Okay.”
After Jensen had popped in a movie and sat back down Jared snuggled into his side and sighed happily as Jensen wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pulled him in closer. They spent the rest of the day curled on the couch together lightly kissing and watching movies.
It was late by the time Jensen started to yawn. Jared looked over at him fondly. Jensen looked adorable rubbing his tired eyes and yawning. “I should go, it’s late and you’re tired.”
Jensen held Jared closer to him. Since Josh was away Jensen wanted to be with Jared as much as possible. “Stay with me tonight…I just want to hold you…nothing else.”
Jared knew he shouldn’t. That it couldn’t end well but for once he did exactly what he wanted. “Okay.” Jared replied hesitantly but he smiled brightly.
Jared followed Jensen into the bedroom where they stripped down to boxers and t-shirts and crawled into bed. Jared hesitated about where to lie and decided way on his edge of the bed was good. But Jensen reached out and pulled Jared into his arms.
Jared rested his head on Jensen’s chest listening to the man’s heartbeat as it soothed him to sleep.
“Goodnight.” Jensen whispered and Jared felt a kiss being placed on his head.
“Night.” Jared replied before he fell asleep with a smile on his face for the first time in a long time.
TBC next Monday!