RPS J2 | R | Cool Sheets, Real Fine
Title: Cool Sheets, Real Fine
Words: 3,400
Rating: R - few bad words
Warnings: They’re kinda angsty, but there’s more cuddling!
Summary: It’s Round Three of Snuggle!Gate
Notes: Title and cut text from Marc Broussard’s “Saturday." Someone shoot me before I write any more of this stuff. I have other things to work on. Follow up to See You.
For a month, the time since Jensen planted himself into Jared’s space and cuddled him, the guys go about their business like nothing had changed, really. They still joke and pick on each other, call the other names, eat sprawled across the living room like the messy men they were, and rise from and fall to bed as always. But, mentally, everything is different. If forced, they’d both have to admit to thinking so much differently in whatever they do around the other. Jensen smiles a little gentler, thinking fondly of his co-star and remembering how nice and warm the two days of cuddling had been. Jared tends to watch Jensen a little bit longer than necessary, sometimes being a little closer than normal, touching at a rate that’s more than anyone had seen before. Because he’s trying to work himself back into the snuggle zone. But in all, everyone around them chalks it up to the typical Jared and Jensen relationship. Nothing looked different.
As Jared rests in bed the night before their next day off, he imagines another day they spend in bed, and the possible ways it starts. If maybe Jensen would pop into his room way early. Or maybe he should get downstairs whenever he gets up. He just didn’t know. He wasn’t even really sure what it was that he was aiming for. They were men and men didn’t necessarily daydream about burrowing in bed with their best friends, who, considering his track record, was very, notably straight.
Jared finds himself thinking entirely too much about it, wondering where it’s coming from, this need to be in Jensen’s space - so close in his space. Because he’s always been in the guy’s face and all over his back and hugging on him in public. But half the time it’s just to embarrass Jensen. Because he likes to do that and it makes the guy blush something fierce. And Jared likes those moments. He also really likes the two moments and how close they were there, so warm and sleepy and just easy.
It’s around two in the morning when Jared shuffles his way into the kitchen and fixes himself some tea. Between the dogs rustling around his room with tags jangling at their necks and the anticipation of his plan for the morning, he’s unlucky in getting any sleep. He leans against the counter, blearily looking around at the mess they left behind from dinner. More takeout containers and a few empty beer bottles on top of clutter from the last few nights. He sips from the mug then crosses his arms and stares down the half-eaten order of jalapeno poppers before him. The sweet cream cheese had settled so perfectly with the tang of the pepper when he had them fresh from delivery. But right now, it’s bordering on a curdled consistency. Yet he can’t stop staring at it while he focuses on how tired and exhausted he’d been just hours before. His mind is working strong enough to keep him from falling into slumber.
He finishes off his mug of tea, enjoying the way the warmth soothes him, yet he’s still too awake to sleep. He begins to dump their abandoned dinner and gathers dishes into the sink, not wanting to wash them but at least they’re off the counter and island. He starts wiping down the surfaces, still feeling a little too wound up and dying to get tired at some point. Which he knows just makes it worse because then his mind is focusing on how he’s not getting tired any sooner. He makes a second mug of tea, wincing when he realizes he just may have microwaved the water a little too long because it sears his tongue.
“You, too?”
Jared winces because in reacting to Jensen’s voice he flinched the mug at his mouth and got more of the steaming liquid on his lips.
Jensen chuckles, low and almost dirty, which is how it happens when he’s drained and in between sleep. He bumps Jared’s hip so he can into the cupboards the guy’s blocking and then smirks at Jared’s hazy eyes. He makes his own mug of tea and settles in just next to Jared, resting back on the counter, arms crossed, and a mug in one hand.
“What’s your story?” Jared asks while looking down on Jensen.
He takes another sip of tea then closes his eyes. “Just too much thinking.” After a few moments, he looks over. “You?”
“Same,” Jared nods at the lip of his mug.
They’re quiet, but it’s comfortable. Standing in the kitchen and staring across the space, drinking their tea slowly and not moving more than when their hands bring the mugs up. Jensen sighs, turns to deposit his mug, and pauses enough to look at Jared, who looks over the edge of his shoulder to watch him.
“Yeah?”
Jensen’s smile is tiny and crooked. His eyes drop a little like he’s finally succumbing to the tire. “Nothing. I’m going back.”
Jared nods, knowing he’s still not totally ready to sleep but he’s not about to drag Jensen into it with him. He’s not that annoying. “Good luck,” he smirks.
One eyebrow goes up, like he’s not convinced anything will help. “Thanks.”
It’s not even five minutes for Jared to finish the rest of his tea and he’s still not feeling much in the manner of sleeping, which only pisses him off more. He puts his mug into the sink, minds himself to do dishes in the morning, and heads out of the room. He pauses for a second at Jensen’s room, cracking the door a little wider and peaking in. Jensen’s settled in bed but curiously so, lying parallel to the headboard, pillows at the far end of the side of the bed. There’s not much in a manner of light, so Jared’s surprised when Jensen’s able to see him and speaks up.
“Come on in.”
“Yeah?” Jared asks, like he doesn’t want to impose, but his feet are already bringing him inside.
“Better than stalking me from the door.” Jared chuckles and crawls across the foot of the bed to lay on his side and face Jensen. “Here,” he says while flapping an extra pillow at Jared’s face. “Have a pillow.”
“Dirtbag,” he mutters, but with a smile because Jensen’s smirking himself. He tucks the pillow under his head and breathes deep. He’s already feeling a little sedated - it’s the tea, yeah, not the fact that he’s in Jensen’s bed. Sure.
Jensen spots Jared eyeing him up and down with a curious face. He chuckles. “Thought a new sleeping position might work.”
“Does it?”
“I’m sitting here talking to you, so obviously not.”
Jared smirks and curls his arm under the pillow for more support. Jensen grabs at another pillow, but Jared insists he’s okay. Jensen holds it in the air between them until Jared takes it. “Thanks, man.”
Jensen shuffles enough to get his head crushed into his pillows and closes his eyes. “Not a problem.”
It’s such a good idea - just close eyes and sleep will come. Yeah?
No. Because Jared tries it and before he knows it, another hour floats by. He’s surprised when Jensen’s voice comes through the dark room. “This fucking sucks.”
Jared chuckles. “No shit.” Their breathing gets a little loud as they both become more and more annoyed with the inability to actually fall asleep. “Thought you were sleeping already.”
“Trying.”
He fights the notion so hard. They’re in bed together, just a few feet away, unable to sleep. So why not just use the chance to slide in close to Jensen and wrap his arms around the guy? They’ve done it before; it seems to be a thing neither of them mind. But he’s reminded of the fact that he did it to comfort a depressed Jensen, and Jensen did it as a pick-me-up when Jared was unusually tired and cranky. This is them just being themselves. They’re not out of sorts in any manner - aside from being pissed at their brains for not turning off. It doesn’t have to happen now.
“Hey,” Jensen’s voice breaks up Jared’s thoughts. “C’mere.”
When Jared looks over, Jensen’s scooting closer. Though his face does look annoyed and the voice sounded much like it, too. Jared’s eyebrows curl down. “What?”
Jensen reaches under Jared’s pillows and yanks at his arm so he turns onto his back. Then he rests his head at the bend of Jared’s shoulder and lets out a breath. “This seems like the best option, no?”
Jared can’t answer, can’t manage his brain to get words because it’s so busy trying to tell his lungs to open and let air in. before he can get proper oxygen back into his body, his arm is coming up behind Jensen and settling on his back. Jensen shifts so his chest is pressed into Jared’s side and his arm slings over his waist. Jared smiles to himself and finally says, “Yeah, best option.” He knows it sounds flat and mechanical, but he’s proud of himself for at least getting it out of his mouth.
*
Jared stirs and is thrown off by the weight against him, not to mention the way Jensen’s face is planted into his neck and the breath is warm on his skin. He smiles a little, breathes deep, and brings his arms a little tighter around Jensen.
*
Jensen moves just enough that Jared is aware of it, but not enough to have him fully comprehending the fact that the guy is nudging a leg over Jared’s. Though Jared is awake enough to move his legs so that all four limbs are wound together.
*
Jared shifts to his right, feeling stiffness in his back from lying one way the whole time. Jensen seems to sense this and moves away. While he hates the broken contact, he’s still dying to get into a new position, and rolling to his side feels best. Which he does without thought. It’s cold here, feels empty. But also good to his back.
Even better to his back is when Jensen’s chest is pressed against it and his arm slides over Jared’s side, palm setting just right - below his chest but above his stomach. It’s soothing and not the slightest bit weird.
None of this is, Jared says to himself. It’s all perfectly normal.
*
Jared wakes to a bit of sunlight in the room and a mass at his back. He smirks and sleepily reaches back to pat at Jensen but all he gets is pillows. He looks over his shoulders to a line of them, from his shoulders down to his calves. He rolls off the bed and shuffles into the kitchen, where Jensen is making coffee. The guy’s fighting a yawn while staring down the coffee drip.
“It’s not gonna go any faster,” Jared murmurs with a sleep-heavy voice as he moves closer.
Jensen looks up with a raised eyebrow and is obviously still so very tired. Jared realizes it’s barely eight, meaning they’d gotten maybe three, four hours of sleep. On their day off. “This is awesome,” Jensen grumbles, completing Jared’s thoughts.
“I know, man.” Jared reaches up for a mug in the cupboards then leans back on the island, watching Jensen’s back as the guy tenses and waits on the coffee. “You know it doesn’t do anything different when you’re watching it.”
“I’m using my powers of seduction to make it come faster.”
Jared barks a quick laugh at the innuendo and he chuckles again when Jensen gives him a cocky eyebrow and smirk, proving that he totally knew what he was saying. He crosses his arms and continues staring at the back of Jensen’s head. As if this is how normal people have conversations. “You gave me a wall of pillows.”
“Mmhmm,” he sounds out, a little excited and content that the pot is finally ready. He’s pouring himself a cup while he responds absently. “Yeah. Figured it’d be better than waking up to an empty bed.”
Jared’s eyebrows go up now as he watches Jensen take sips of coffee. He’s waiting for Jensen to A) move so he can get some coffee, and B) explain that one. He gets the former, but the latter rests oddly in his chest and he’s a little too rest-deprived to ask. So he just sips his coffee as Jensen does the same. Jared stays leaning against the island and Jensen’s against the counter just feet away. They’re quiet and drink the coffee before Jensen’s done first, putting his mug onto the counter. Jared looks down to his cup, which is half-gone and he mutters, “Bad idea.”
“Hmm?”
He looks up with a frown. “We can’t sleep but we’re gonna do caffeine?”
Jensen smirks, “No one forced you.”
“Yeah, but you brewed it. Worst idea ever.”
“Aww, widdle Jared,” he fake frowns. When Jared flips him off with the hand helping him drink, Jensen chuckles and pats his palm at Jensen’s chest. “You’ll get over it.”
Jared taps his hand over Jensen’s for just a moment, not even realizing he’s done it until he sees how slowly Jensen moves his hand back. He takes another sip of coffee to distract himself and figures that might’ve seemed a little too intimate. But then his brain rages on We’re fucking cuddling now and a hand is too much?
Jensen yawns and stretches up high, which, of course, forces his shirt up just enough that Jared’s eyes immediately go to the exposed skin. And of course, to Jared’s slight horror, Jensen sees that and he’s got an eyebrow up high again. Jared takes another sip to hide anything else that may pop up on his face. “Jay?”
He keeps his mouth behind the lip of the mug but his eyes go up, because Jensen’s voice sounded pretty amused right there.
“You think we’re getting ridiculous?”
Jared stares on, knowing he means the cuddling and the fact that it seems like neither of them can feel relaxed enough in free time without sleeping wrapped up in each other. Jared shrugs, “Do you?”
He shrugs back, not looking bothered by it.
“You’re the one with the personal boundaries.”
“Yeah, but you threw them out the window first day I met you.”
Jared chuckles. Because he so did. And he’s really not sorry about that.
“Even so, it’s you.”
Jared keeps drinking his coffee and waits for Jensen to continue.
And here is where Jensen starts to look a little uncomfortable about it, but the guy just rattles on. “I mean, you’re this huge giant of a beast. But you’re fucking cuddly man. I’m a little amazed myself on how comfortable it is.”
He finally smiles back and finishes off the mug. He leans forward to place it into the sink, but the interesting part is how he stays just in front of Jensen and reaches beyond him to do it; it’s done kind of unconsciously - like, he knows he’s doing it, but it doesn’t dawn on him that maybe he shouldn’t. And Jensen just stands there, watching Jared’s face the whole time. Jared starts to move back but something stirs in his stomach and he feels a surge of energy and courage. He looks back cautiously and waits a few seconds to see if Jensen freaks out that he’s not moving back.
He’s not.
Jared starts carefully. “It is comfortable.”
He nods like he, too, is amused by the whole thing.
With an easy voice, because he doesn’t seem any harm in it, Jared asks, “How far’s it really gonna go?”
Jensen still looks amused, like this is all totally natural but it’s really funny. “How far you really gonna take it?”
Jared’s mouth flickers with humored uncertainty and he shrugs. He moves a little closer, daring Jensen and testing how far it’ll go. Because while Jensen likes screwing with him about not helping with the dogs and eating all his food, Jared likes goofing around with Jensen’s personal space and finding the point at which Jensen freezes up or shoves Jared away. But he does neither and it gets to the point that Jared’s hands settle at the edges of the sink and he’s looking down on Jensen with a smirk. It falters just so when he’s confused with Jensen not moving away or saying anything.
His eyebrow does goes up just a little.
And Jared sees the dare in that movement, so he issues his own little challenge, dipping in closer. It’s then that Jensen reacts, standing up straight with a flat face that’s not so much amused anymore, which causes Jared to sober up to the moment and stand straight. He tries to smile a little and act his way through being funny with it all as he leans back on the island, feet going pretty far in front of him so he can do his best to recline and relax. “Alright, so the kitchen is sacred because of the coffee.”
Jensen chuckles a little, shaking his head. His voice comes out stern, but Jared knows he’s having fun with it. “Nothing ever, ever goes near the coffee machine. You know that.”
Jared raises his hands, “Won’t do it again.” He crosses his arms and shakes his head a little, glad his little challenge didn’t totally freak Jensen out. “FYI. You’ve got yourself what doctors call a problem.”
He smirks and stands up, takes a deep breath, and then he’s moving forward. His face morphs a little, from concentrated to playful to a mix of both. His palms plant into the counter of the island and he’s in Jared’s space.
“What about the coffee?” Jared asks as lightly as possible, but he knows it sounds slightly nervous.
“It’s behind me. I don’t trust you near it.”
Jared chuckles, a little because he found it funny, but mostly to calm himself because Jensen is in his space right there and when they’re awake and not burrowed in bed is a little different. Especially because it’s Jensen doing it. He’s not moving much closer, but it’s enough that Jared feels something crackling in the air. He breathes deep and drops his arms but doesn’t do much with them, just wants to seem less guarded and awkward there.
Jensen shuffles his feet so they’re closer to Jared and he’s at eye level with the guy.
But he’s still not saying anything, so Jared finally takes the moment by the hand and brings it to where he wants it. “So, here’s the thing.”
“Yeah?”
“Two months ago? You said you’d miss me.”
He shrugs, “Yeah. I will.”
“You said you loved me.”
Jensen nods oddly, like he’s not totally comfortable admitting it. “You’re my best friend. Of course I do.”
“And you let me cuddle you.” Jensen takes a few moments to respond, which he does with a slow nod. “Then last month, you came and cuddled with me.”
“You were a whiny baby that day.”
“And last night?”
Jensen shrugs like it’s not a big deal.
“You built me a wall of pillows so I wouldn’t miss you.”
There, Jensen’s smirk cracks a little and his eyes slip from Jared’s down to his chin for just a second before going back up to his eyes. Jared’s about to comment more on their situation when Jensen’s mouth is on his, plush and wet and hesitant. Jared’s deep breath is loud and Jensen moves back, his apology on the tip of his tongue. Instead, Jared reaches for Jensen’s face, and he goes back in, his lips pushing on with meaning.
*
When Jared wakes, there’s sunlight still streaming through the house, and like he seems to be doing lately, he wakes up with Jensen against him. But this time it’s skin and heat, and there’s a fog of something more in the air. When he moves from his back to his side, he’s blasted with two pools of green that smirk right back at him before closing off, sighing, and burrowing right back in. Chest to chest, legs slipping between themselves, and soon enough mouths sleepily working against each other.
Words: 3,400
Rating: R - few bad words
Warnings: They’re kinda angsty, but there’s more cuddling!
Summary: It’s Round Three of Snuggle!Gate
Notes: Title and cut text from Marc Broussard’s “Saturday." Someone shoot me before I write any more of this stuff. I have other things to work on. Follow up to See You.
For a month, the time since Jensen planted himself into Jared’s space and cuddled him, the guys go about their business like nothing had changed, really. They still joke and pick on each other, call the other names, eat sprawled across the living room like the messy men they were, and rise from and fall to bed as always. But, mentally, everything is different. If forced, they’d both have to admit to thinking so much differently in whatever they do around the other. Jensen smiles a little gentler, thinking fondly of his co-star and remembering how nice and warm the two days of cuddling had been. Jared tends to watch Jensen a little bit longer than necessary, sometimes being a little closer than normal, touching at a rate that’s more than anyone had seen before. Because he’s trying to work himself back into the snuggle zone. But in all, everyone around them chalks it up to the typical Jared and Jensen relationship. Nothing looked different.
As Jared rests in bed the night before their next day off, he imagines another day they spend in bed, and the possible ways it starts. If maybe Jensen would pop into his room way early. Or maybe he should get downstairs whenever he gets up. He just didn’t know. He wasn’t even really sure what it was that he was aiming for. They were men and men didn’t necessarily daydream about burrowing in bed with their best friends, who, considering his track record, was very, notably straight.
Jared finds himself thinking entirely too much about it, wondering where it’s coming from, this need to be in Jensen’s space - so close in his space. Because he’s always been in the guy’s face and all over his back and hugging on him in public. But half the time it’s just to embarrass Jensen. Because he likes to do that and it makes the guy blush something fierce. And Jared likes those moments. He also really likes the two moments and how close they were there, so warm and sleepy and just easy.
It’s around two in the morning when Jared shuffles his way into the kitchen and fixes himself some tea. Between the dogs rustling around his room with tags jangling at their necks and the anticipation of his plan for the morning, he’s unlucky in getting any sleep. He leans against the counter, blearily looking around at the mess they left behind from dinner. More takeout containers and a few empty beer bottles on top of clutter from the last few nights. He sips from the mug then crosses his arms and stares down the half-eaten order of jalapeno poppers before him. The sweet cream cheese had settled so perfectly with the tang of the pepper when he had them fresh from delivery. But right now, it’s bordering on a curdled consistency. Yet he can’t stop staring at it while he focuses on how tired and exhausted he’d been just hours before. His mind is working strong enough to keep him from falling into slumber.
He finishes off his mug of tea, enjoying the way the warmth soothes him, yet he’s still too awake to sleep. He begins to dump their abandoned dinner and gathers dishes into the sink, not wanting to wash them but at least they’re off the counter and island. He starts wiping down the surfaces, still feeling a little too wound up and dying to get tired at some point. Which he knows just makes it worse because then his mind is focusing on how he’s not getting tired any sooner. He makes a second mug of tea, wincing when he realizes he just may have microwaved the water a little too long because it sears his tongue.
“You, too?”
Jared winces because in reacting to Jensen’s voice he flinched the mug at his mouth and got more of the steaming liquid on his lips.
Jensen chuckles, low and almost dirty, which is how it happens when he’s drained and in between sleep. He bumps Jared’s hip so he can into the cupboards the guy’s blocking and then smirks at Jared’s hazy eyes. He makes his own mug of tea and settles in just next to Jared, resting back on the counter, arms crossed, and a mug in one hand.
“What’s your story?” Jared asks while looking down on Jensen.
He takes another sip of tea then closes his eyes. “Just too much thinking.” After a few moments, he looks over. “You?”
“Same,” Jared nods at the lip of his mug.
They’re quiet, but it’s comfortable. Standing in the kitchen and staring across the space, drinking their tea slowly and not moving more than when their hands bring the mugs up. Jensen sighs, turns to deposit his mug, and pauses enough to look at Jared, who looks over the edge of his shoulder to watch him.
“Yeah?”
Jensen’s smile is tiny and crooked. His eyes drop a little like he’s finally succumbing to the tire. “Nothing. I’m going back.”
Jared nods, knowing he’s still not totally ready to sleep but he’s not about to drag Jensen into it with him. He’s not that annoying. “Good luck,” he smirks.
One eyebrow goes up, like he’s not convinced anything will help. “Thanks.”
It’s not even five minutes for Jared to finish the rest of his tea and he’s still not feeling much in the manner of sleeping, which only pisses him off more. He puts his mug into the sink, minds himself to do dishes in the morning, and heads out of the room. He pauses for a second at Jensen’s room, cracking the door a little wider and peaking in. Jensen’s settled in bed but curiously so, lying parallel to the headboard, pillows at the far end of the side of the bed. There’s not much in a manner of light, so Jared’s surprised when Jensen’s able to see him and speaks up.
“Come on in.”
“Yeah?” Jared asks, like he doesn’t want to impose, but his feet are already bringing him inside.
“Better than stalking me from the door.” Jared chuckles and crawls across the foot of the bed to lay on his side and face Jensen. “Here,” he says while flapping an extra pillow at Jared’s face. “Have a pillow.”
“Dirtbag,” he mutters, but with a smile because Jensen’s smirking himself. He tucks the pillow under his head and breathes deep. He’s already feeling a little sedated - it’s the tea, yeah, not the fact that he’s in Jensen’s bed. Sure.
Jensen spots Jared eyeing him up and down with a curious face. He chuckles. “Thought a new sleeping position might work.”
“Does it?”
“I’m sitting here talking to you, so obviously not.”
Jared smirks and curls his arm under the pillow for more support. Jensen grabs at another pillow, but Jared insists he’s okay. Jensen holds it in the air between them until Jared takes it. “Thanks, man.”
Jensen shuffles enough to get his head crushed into his pillows and closes his eyes. “Not a problem.”
It’s such a good idea - just close eyes and sleep will come. Yeah?
No. Because Jared tries it and before he knows it, another hour floats by. He’s surprised when Jensen’s voice comes through the dark room. “This fucking sucks.”
Jared chuckles. “No shit.” Their breathing gets a little loud as they both become more and more annoyed with the inability to actually fall asleep. “Thought you were sleeping already.”
“Trying.”
He fights the notion so hard. They’re in bed together, just a few feet away, unable to sleep. So why not just use the chance to slide in close to Jensen and wrap his arms around the guy? They’ve done it before; it seems to be a thing neither of them mind. But he’s reminded of the fact that he did it to comfort a depressed Jensen, and Jensen did it as a pick-me-up when Jared was unusually tired and cranky. This is them just being themselves. They’re not out of sorts in any manner - aside from being pissed at their brains for not turning off. It doesn’t have to happen now.
“Hey,” Jensen’s voice breaks up Jared’s thoughts. “C’mere.”
When Jared looks over, Jensen’s scooting closer. Though his face does look annoyed and the voice sounded much like it, too. Jared’s eyebrows curl down. “What?”
Jensen reaches under Jared’s pillows and yanks at his arm so he turns onto his back. Then he rests his head at the bend of Jared’s shoulder and lets out a breath. “This seems like the best option, no?”
Jared can’t answer, can’t manage his brain to get words because it’s so busy trying to tell his lungs to open and let air in. before he can get proper oxygen back into his body, his arm is coming up behind Jensen and settling on his back. Jensen shifts so his chest is pressed into Jared’s side and his arm slings over his waist. Jared smiles to himself and finally says, “Yeah, best option.” He knows it sounds flat and mechanical, but he’s proud of himself for at least getting it out of his mouth.
*
Jared stirs and is thrown off by the weight against him, not to mention the way Jensen’s face is planted into his neck and the breath is warm on his skin. He smiles a little, breathes deep, and brings his arms a little tighter around Jensen.
*
Jensen moves just enough that Jared is aware of it, but not enough to have him fully comprehending the fact that the guy is nudging a leg over Jared’s. Though Jared is awake enough to move his legs so that all four limbs are wound together.
*
Jared shifts to his right, feeling stiffness in his back from lying one way the whole time. Jensen seems to sense this and moves away. While he hates the broken contact, he’s still dying to get into a new position, and rolling to his side feels best. Which he does without thought. It’s cold here, feels empty. But also good to his back.
Even better to his back is when Jensen’s chest is pressed against it and his arm slides over Jared’s side, palm setting just right - below his chest but above his stomach. It’s soothing and not the slightest bit weird.
None of this is, Jared says to himself. It’s all perfectly normal.
*
Jared wakes to a bit of sunlight in the room and a mass at his back. He smirks and sleepily reaches back to pat at Jensen but all he gets is pillows. He looks over his shoulders to a line of them, from his shoulders down to his calves. He rolls off the bed and shuffles into the kitchen, where Jensen is making coffee. The guy’s fighting a yawn while staring down the coffee drip.
“It’s not gonna go any faster,” Jared murmurs with a sleep-heavy voice as he moves closer.
Jensen looks up with a raised eyebrow and is obviously still so very tired. Jared realizes it’s barely eight, meaning they’d gotten maybe three, four hours of sleep. On their day off. “This is awesome,” Jensen grumbles, completing Jared’s thoughts.
“I know, man.” Jared reaches up for a mug in the cupboards then leans back on the island, watching Jensen’s back as the guy tenses and waits on the coffee. “You know it doesn’t do anything different when you’re watching it.”
“I’m using my powers of seduction to make it come faster.”
Jared barks a quick laugh at the innuendo and he chuckles again when Jensen gives him a cocky eyebrow and smirk, proving that he totally knew what he was saying. He crosses his arms and continues staring at the back of Jensen’s head. As if this is how normal people have conversations. “You gave me a wall of pillows.”
“Mmhmm,” he sounds out, a little excited and content that the pot is finally ready. He’s pouring himself a cup while he responds absently. “Yeah. Figured it’d be better than waking up to an empty bed.”
Jared’s eyebrows go up now as he watches Jensen take sips of coffee. He’s waiting for Jensen to A) move so he can get some coffee, and B) explain that one. He gets the former, but the latter rests oddly in his chest and he’s a little too rest-deprived to ask. So he just sips his coffee as Jensen does the same. Jared stays leaning against the island and Jensen’s against the counter just feet away. They’re quiet and drink the coffee before Jensen’s done first, putting his mug onto the counter. Jared looks down to his cup, which is half-gone and he mutters, “Bad idea.”
“Hmm?”
He looks up with a frown. “We can’t sleep but we’re gonna do caffeine?”
Jensen smirks, “No one forced you.”
“Yeah, but you brewed it. Worst idea ever.”
“Aww, widdle Jared,” he fake frowns. When Jared flips him off with the hand helping him drink, Jensen chuckles and pats his palm at Jensen’s chest. “You’ll get over it.”
Jared taps his hand over Jensen’s for just a moment, not even realizing he’s done it until he sees how slowly Jensen moves his hand back. He takes another sip of coffee to distract himself and figures that might’ve seemed a little too intimate. But then his brain rages on We’re fucking cuddling now and a hand is too much?
Jensen yawns and stretches up high, which, of course, forces his shirt up just enough that Jared’s eyes immediately go to the exposed skin. And of course, to Jared’s slight horror, Jensen sees that and he’s got an eyebrow up high again. Jared takes another sip to hide anything else that may pop up on his face. “Jay?”
He keeps his mouth behind the lip of the mug but his eyes go up, because Jensen’s voice sounded pretty amused right there.
“You think we’re getting ridiculous?”
Jared stares on, knowing he means the cuddling and the fact that it seems like neither of them can feel relaxed enough in free time without sleeping wrapped up in each other. Jared shrugs, “Do you?”
He shrugs back, not looking bothered by it.
“You’re the one with the personal boundaries.”
“Yeah, but you threw them out the window first day I met you.”
Jared chuckles. Because he so did. And he’s really not sorry about that.
“Even so, it’s you.”
Jared keeps drinking his coffee and waits for Jensen to continue.
And here is where Jensen starts to look a little uncomfortable about it, but the guy just rattles on. “I mean, you’re this huge giant of a beast. But you’re fucking cuddly man. I’m a little amazed myself on how comfortable it is.”
He finally smiles back and finishes off the mug. He leans forward to place it into the sink, but the interesting part is how he stays just in front of Jensen and reaches beyond him to do it; it’s done kind of unconsciously - like, he knows he’s doing it, but it doesn’t dawn on him that maybe he shouldn’t. And Jensen just stands there, watching Jared’s face the whole time. Jared starts to move back but something stirs in his stomach and he feels a surge of energy and courage. He looks back cautiously and waits a few seconds to see if Jensen freaks out that he’s not moving back.
He’s not.
Jared starts carefully. “It is comfortable.”
He nods like he, too, is amused by the whole thing.
With an easy voice, because he doesn’t seem any harm in it, Jared asks, “How far’s it really gonna go?”
Jensen still looks amused, like this is all totally natural but it’s really funny. “How far you really gonna take it?”
Jared’s mouth flickers with humored uncertainty and he shrugs. He moves a little closer, daring Jensen and testing how far it’ll go. Because while Jensen likes screwing with him about not helping with the dogs and eating all his food, Jared likes goofing around with Jensen’s personal space and finding the point at which Jensen freezes up or shoves Jared away. But he does neither and it gets to the point that Jared’s hands settle at the edges of the sink and he’s looking down on Jensen with a smirk. It falters just so when he’s confused with Jensen not moving away or saying anything.
His eyebrow does goes up just a little.
And Jared sees the dare in that movement, so he issues his own little challenge, dipping in closer. It’s then that Jensen reacts, standing up straight with a flat face that’s not so much amused anymore, which causes Jared to sober up to the moment and stand straight. He tries to smile a little and act his way through being funny with it all as he leans back on the island, feet going pretty far in front of him so he can do his best to recline and relax. “Alright, so the kitchen is sacred because of the coffee.”
Jensen chuckles a little, shaking his head. His voice comes out stern, but Jared knows he’s having fun with it. “Nothing ever, ever goes near the coffee machine. You know that.”
Jared raises his hands, “Won’t do it again.” He crosses his arms and shakes his head a little, glad his little challenge didn’t totally freak Jensen out. “FYI. You’ve got yourself what doctors call a problem.”
He smirks and stands up, takes a deep breath, and then he’s moving forward. His face morphs a little, from concentrated to playful to a mix of both. His palms plant into the counter of the island and he’s in Jared’s space.
“What about the coffee?” Jared asks as lightly as possible, but he knows it sounds slightly nervous.
“It’s behind me. I don’t trust you near it.”
Jared chuckles, a little because he found it funny, but mostly to calm himself because Jensen is in his space right there and when they’re awake and not burrowed in bed is a little different. Especially because it’s Jensen doing it. He’s not moving much closer, but it’s enough that Jared feels something crackling in the air. He breathes deep and drops his arms but doesn’t do much with them, just wants to seem less guarded and awkward there.
Jensen shuffles his feet so they’re closer to Jared and he’s at eye level with the guy.
But he’s still not saying anything, so Jared finally takes the moment by the hand and brings it to where he wants it. “So, here’s the thing.”
“Yeah?”
“Two months ago? You said you’d miss me.”
He shrugs, “Yeah. I will.”
“You said you loved me.”
Jensen nods oddly, like he’s not totally comfortable admitting it. “You’re my best friend. Of course I do.”
“And you let me cuddle you.” Jensen takes a few moments to respond, which he does with a slow nod. “Then last month, you came and cuddled with me.”
“You were a whiny baby that day.”
“And last night?”
Jensen shrugs like it’s not a big deal.
“You built me a wall of pillows so I wouldn’t miss you.”
There, Jensen’s smirk cracks a little and his eyes slip from Jared’s down to his chin for just a second before going back up to his eyes. Jared’s about to comment more on their situation when Jensen’s mouth is on his, plush and wet and hesitant. Jared’s deep breath is loud and Jensen moves back, his apology on the tip of his tongue. Instead, Jared reaches for Jensen’s face, and he goes back in, his lips pushing on with meaning.
*
When Jared wakes, there’s sunlight still streaming through the house, and like he seems to be doing lately, he wakes up with Jensen against him. But this time it’s skin and heat, and there’s a fog of something more in the air. When he moves from his back to his side, he’s blasted with two pools of green that smirk right back at him before closing off, sighing, and burrowing right back in. Chest to chest, legs slipping between themselves, and soon enough mouths sleepily working against each other.