xmas trainstamp!
Practicality is Underrated
PG; 1400 words
Trainfic timestamp for jesseofthenorth from the holiday timestamp post
When Jensen had flipped the small jewelry box top up to find cuff links that match the tie and money clips he’d already opened, the smile was worth it. It was small but wondrous, and warmed Jared in the center of his chest. They hadn’t cost a small fortune (almost, but not quite), but Jared had spent a long time considering what to get Jensen. The guy was a highly successful financial savant, and his sharp clothes and thick wallet often proved it. Jared wasn’t going without, not by any means thanks to a burgeoning career in computer programming, but shopping for Jensen has always felt like a chore.
What do you get the guy who can literally buy everything?
Jewelry had been Chad’s mocking suggestion, but the more Jared thought on it, the more it made sense. He dragged his brother along for help narrowing it all down and finally decided to go for the Kenneth Cole trifeca of brushed silver accessories to accent Jensen’s classic style.
Jensen’s slow breathing and bright, surprised eyes told Jared he’d definitely done well.
But now, Jared’s a bit lost as he stares at the patch of box revealed under a large strip of torn wrapping paper, which constitutes Jensen’s gift to Jared. He slowly peels away more red-white-and-green-striped paper to confirm that yes, for their second Christmas together, Jensen is giving Jared a toaster oven.
To be fair, the thing looks pretty fancy: bright silver, smooth lines, and an LCD screen with smart dials.
Jared bites his bottom lip and turns the box over. He hopes he’ll find random scotch tape holding the thing closed to say Jensen simply reused the box, but no, it’s professionally sealed with clear packing tape and the box is in perfect condition.
“Do you like it?” Jensen asks, quiet and hesitant.
Jared swallows and takes a moment to drum up the energy to smile, but he’s sure it’s pretty lame, given Jensen’s tentative look. “A toaster oven. I’ve never had a toaster oven,” Jared says as straight as possible.
Jensen scoots closer on the couch, pressing warmly along Jared’s side, and points at the controls on the picture on the box. “It has presets for toast, bagels, and even cookies.” He nudges Jared’s arm and smiles a little.
Nodding, Jared stays quiet just so he doesn’t let his disappointment show. It’s a toaster oven. For Christmas. From the boyfriend who can buy anything.
Jensen spreads his hands across the box to signify the length of it as he clears his throat. “It also has enough space for pizza. Up to 12 inches.”
“That’s … that’s pretty awesome,” Jared says with some interest. Because it kind of is awesome that this appliance will fit that large a pizza, but he’s still battling the fact that Jensen bought him a kitchen appliance for Christmas. “Thank you,” he finally says and drops a kiss high on Jensen’s cheek. He puts the box on the coffee table in front of him then gets up with a clap. “You up for a drink? I’m up for a drink.”
Without waiting for an answer (and it doesn’t come anyway), Jared moves to the kitchen and grabs a bottle of red from the wine rack in the corner of the counter. As he works the bottle open, tugging the cork out, he considers the spread of his kitchen and wonders where he’ll put the toaster oven … then considers if he’ll even keep it.
He pours two glasses of wine and takes a healthy sip himself. It’s sharp and bitter; he’s kind of feeling that way right now, so he figures he can get a little passive aggressive for the moment. Jensen’s spent enough time being the crabby one in their relationship; Jared savors the chance to do it himself.
“You don’t like it,” Jensen says from the doorway, startling Jared. He looks pissed and disappointed. Mostly disappointed. “You can just say it instead of hiding it. I’m sure you’re already planning the return.”
Before he realizes, Jared has finished his glass of wine and before responding to Jensen’s tense tone or eye roll, he grabs Jensen’s glass and starts drinking that one.
Jensen sighs and tips his head back. “Jared, seriously, stop being immature and just say you don’t like it.”
Jared puts the glass down to the counter with a sharp clink. “Fine, I don’t like it.” Then he cringes with how pissy he can hear himself being. More so when it seems like Jensen whithers against the doorway, hands tucked into his slacks’ pockets and head dropping down to stare at his shoe lightly kicking at the edge of the doorjamb. “You bought me a kitchen appliance,” Jared says flatly.
“Yeah, I did,” Jensen says tightly. “It’s from Williams-Sonoma.”
Somehow, Jared keeps the smart and that should make me feel better? to himself. But after another sip of wine, he mumbles, “I bought you a money clip, cuff links, and a tie clip. That’s not a short order, and kind of nice, ya know? I thought about it.”
Even with Jensen’s head down, Jared can see the way his claw clenches. Jared sighs, feeling the warm wine thrum through his system, and tries to stave off an argument, but he’s feeling pretty disappointed, possibly insulted.
“You’ve been complaining about your breakfast for weeks,” Jensen says as he glances across the kitchen.
“What?”
“Every morning, you start your calls or emails off with tales of your wretched toaster and how everything burns no matter what you do.”
This is so not going well, especially for Christmas. Still, Jared can’t help but ask, “And what, you were tired of hearing me complain?”
Jensen’s eyes narrow and he tips his head to look at Jared from the corner of his eye. “No.”
Jared sighs, feeling like that’s all he’s been doing since he opened the stupid present.
“You’ve been pretty down,” Jensen says carefully. “For weeks now. And I just wanted to give you something that would lighten the day.”
Running over the last few weeks, Jared tries to remember how often he’s been bitching about the stupid toaster that has been ruining his breakfasts and thus his mornings, leaving him hungry and tired and cranky until lunch hits. And okay, maybe he’s been kind of a baby about it all, but it’s not like Jensen’s the most affable person before noon. Or at all.
“I hated seeing you like that. And … selfishly … I need you to be in good moods.”
Jared turns against the counter, keeping one hand on it and digging his fingers in. Something feels tight in his chest and he’s suddenly too aware of where this is going. “You need me to?”
Jensen shrugs self-consciously. “It helps my days go better.”
Jared takes a few slow steps towards Jensen, breathing deep. “Have I been that crabby?”
“You were starting to rival my worst days,” Jensen says with a high eyebrow.
“Really?”
“Okay, maybe not that bad.” Jensen smirks a little. “But it seemed pretty bad coming from you. Like that toaster started the avalanche of bad days, every day.”
Jared chuckles then bites the corner of his mouth, realizing that while it’s the most ridiculously practical gift ever, it’s Jensen’s way of cheering Jared up and making their lives a little better. “I guess I didn’t realize how much I was bitching about it.”
“Don’t ever accuse me of not listening,” Jensen jokes.
“Never again,” Jared promises, leaning in for a kiss.
Jensen is smiling when they pull away, and then he nods beyond Jared. “So, do I get any wine, or are you looking to drown your sorrows a little longer?”
Jared shrugs. “I guess I’ve been the bad guy long enough.”
“Does that mean I have to be the bad guy?”
Jared considers Jensen’s awkward tone and look, and he immediately wants to get back to where they mesh and complement each other. Not where they’re off and misunderstanding most everything between them like it was when they first got together.
He sets his hands high on Jensen’s sides, rubbing small circles with his fingers, and moves in close. “No, you don’t. I rather like you as the good guy.”
Jensen cups Jared’s face in a surprisingly gentle way. “Me, too. For the both of us. No more bad guys.”
“Agreed” Jared smiles and leans down for a tender kiss that doesn’t stop for a long time.
PG; 1400 words
Trainfic timestamp for jesseofthenorth from the holiday timestamp post
When Jensen had flipped the small jewelry box top up to find cuff links that match the tie and money clips he’d already opened, the smile was worth it. It was small but wondrous, and warmed Jared in the center of his chest. They hadn’t cost a small fortune (almost, but not quite), but Jared had spent a long time considering what to get Jensen. The guy was a highly successful financial savant, and his sharp clothes and thick wallet often proved it. Jared wasn’t going without, not by any means thanks to a burgeoning career in computer programming, but shopping for Jensen has always felt like a chore.
What do you get the guy who can literally buy everything?
Jewelry had been Chad’s mocking suggestion, but the more Jared thought on it, the more it made sense. He dragged his brother along for help narrowing it all down and finally decided to go for the Kenneth Cole trifeca of brushed silver accessories to accent Jensen’s classic style.
Jensen’s slow breathing and bright, surprised eyes told Jared he’d definitely done well.
But now, Jared’s a bit lost as he stares at the patch of box revealed under a large strip of torn wrapping paper, which constitutes Jensen’s gift to Jared. He slowly peels away more red-white-and-green-striped paper to confirm that yes, for their second Christmas together, Jensen is giving Jared a toaster oven.
To be fair, the thing looks pretty fancy: bright silver, smooth lines, and an LCD screen with smart dials.
Jared bites his bottom lip and turns the box over. He hopes he’ll find random scotch tape holding the thing closed to say Jensen simply reused the box, but no, it’s professionally sealed with clear packing tape and the box is in perfect condition.
“Do you like it?” Jensen asks, quiet and hesitant.
Jared swallows and takes a moment to drum up the energy to smile, but he’s sure it’s pretty lame, given Jensen’s tentative look. “A toaster oven. I’ve never had a toaster oven,” Jared says as straight as possible.
Jensen scoots closer on the couch, pressing warmly along Jared’s side, and points at the controls on the picture on the box. “It has presets for toast, bagels, and even cookies.” He nudges Jared’s arm and smiles a little.
Nodding, Jared stays quiet just so he doesn’t let his disappointment show. It’s a toaster oven. For Christmas. From the boyfriend who can buy anything.
Jensen spreads his hands across the box to signify the length of it as he clears his throat. “It also has enough space for pizza. Up to 12 inches.”
“That’s … that’s pretty awesome,” Jared says with some interest. Because it kind of is awesome that this appliance will fit that large a pizza, but he’s still battling the fact that Jensen bought him a kitchen appliance for Christmas. “Thank you,” he finally says and drops a kiss high on Jensen’s cheek. He puts the box on the coffee table in front of him then gets up with a clap. “You up for a drink? I’m up for a drink.”
Without waiting for an answer (and it doesn’t come anyway), Jared moves to the kitchen and grabs a bottle of red from the wine rack in the corner of the counter. As he works the bottle open, tugging the cork out, he considers the spread of his kitchen and wonders where he’ll put the toaster oven … then considers if he’ll even keep it.
He pours two glasses of wine and takes a healthy sip himself. It’s sharp and bitter; he’s kind of feeling that way right now, so he figures he can get a little passive aggressive for the moment. Jensen’s spent enough time being the crabby one in their relationship; Jared savors the chance to do it himself.
“You don’t like it,” Jensen says from the doorway, startling Jared. He looks pissed and disappointed. Mostly disappointed. “You can just say it instead of hiding it. I’m sure you’re already planning the return.”
Before he realizes, Jared has finished his glass of wine and before responding to Jensen’s tense tone or eye roll, he grabs Jensen’s glass and starts drinking that one.
Jensen sighs and tips his head back. “Jared, seriously, stop being immature and just say you don’t like it.”
Jared puts the glass down to the counter with a sharp clink. “Fine, I don’t like it.” Then he cringes with how pissy he can hear himself being. More so when it seems like Jensen whithers against the doorway, hands tucked into his slacks’ pockets and head dropping down to stare at his shoe lightly kicking at the edge of the doorjamb. “You bought me a kitchen appliance,” Jared says flatly.
“Yeah, I did,” Jensen says tightly. “It’s from Williams-Sonoma.”
Somehow, Jared keeps the smart and that should make me feel better? to himself. But after another sip of wine, he mumbles, “I bought you a money clip, cuff links, and a tie clip. That’s not a short order, and kind of nice, ya know? I thought about it.”
Even with Jensen’s head down, Jared can see the way his claw clenches. Jared sighs, feeling the warm wine thrum through his system, and tries to stave off an argument, but he’s feeling pretty disappointed, possibly insulted.
“You’ve been complaining about your breakfast for weeks,” Jensen says as he glances across the kitchen.
“What?”
“Every morning, you start your calls or emails off with tales of your wretched toaster and how everything burns no matter what you do.”
This is so not going well, especially for Christmas. Still, Jared can’t help but ask, “And what, you were tired of hearing me complain?”
Jensen’s eyes narrow and he tips his head to look at Jared from the corner of his eye. “No.”
Jared sighs, feeling like that’s all he’s been doing since he opened the stupid present.
“You’ve been pretty down,” Jensen says carefully. “For weeks now. And I just wanted to give you something that would lighten the day.”
Running over the last few weeks, Jared tries to remember how often he’s been bitching about the stupid toaster that has been ruining his breakfasts and thus his mornings, leaving him hungry and tired and cranky until lunch hits. And okay, maybe he’s been kind of a baby about it all, but it’s not like Jensen’s the most affable person before noon. Or at all.
“I hated seeing you like that. And … selfishly … I need you to be in good moods.”
Jared turns against the counter, keeping one hand on it and digging his fingers in. Something feels tight in his chest and he’s suddenly too aware of where this is going. “You need me to?”
Jensen shrugs self-consciously. “It helps my days go better.”
Jared takes a few slow steps towards Jensen, breathing deep. “Have I been that crabby?”
“You were starting to rival my worst days,” Jensen says with a high eyebrow.
“Really?”
“Okay, maybe not that bad.” Jensen smirks a little. “But it seemed pretty bad coming from you. Like that toaster started the avalanche of bad days, every day.”
Jared chuckles then bites the corner of his mouth, realizing that while it’s the most ridiculously practical gift ever, it’s Jensen’s way of cheering Jared up and making their lives a little better. “I guess I didn’t realize how much I was bitching about it.”
“Don’t ever accuse me of not listening,” Jensen jokes.
“Never again,” Jared promises, leaning in for a kiss.
Jensen is smiling when they pull away, and then he nods beyond Jared. “So, do I get any wine, or are you looking to drown your sorrows a little longer?”
Jared shrugs. “I guess I’ve been the bad guy long enough.”
“Does that mean I have to be the bad guy?”
Jared considers Jensen’s awkward tone and look, and he immediately wants to get back to where they mesh and complement each other. Not where they’re off and misunderstanding most everything between them like it was when they first got together.
He sets his hands high on Jensen’s sides, rubbing small circles with his fingers, and moves in close. “No, you don’t. I rather like you as the good guy.”
Jensen cups Jared’s face in a surprisingly gentle way. “Me, too. For the both of us. No more bad guys.”
“Agreed” Jared smiles and leans down for a tender kiss that doesn’t stop for a long time.