Recipe for a perfect song part 2
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Jensen looks at the forest outside and then back to the piece of wood he was chopping. He never thought he would be an outdoorsman, but it turned out he likes living near a forest. He likes chopping wood for his own fireplace. Back when he lived in New York, he would end restless nights like these high or drunk of his ass. He lifts his axe and chops the piece of wood in half.
He still can’t believe the day he had. Jared showed some balls by firing him and Jensen can actually see the humor in the situation. He had planned on going back to the hotel the next day to talk to the other man and see if they could come to an agreement, but the old man told Jensen there was no way he was fired and that his idiot son needed to learn to respect legends.
God Jensen hated the man the minute he opened his mouth.
It is no wonder Jared is wound as tightly as he is; and the nerve of that old Padalecki to stab his son in the back like that.
Jensen shivers as he imagines how he would feel if his father ever did that to him. Jensen plans to talk to Jared tomorrow anyway, apologize and try to get them on a better working ground.
Jensen is about to get another block when he hears a noise from the forest behind his house. First it is just some rustling sounds and then he hears a yelp and crash. Jensen decides to investigate.
What he finds is a disgruntled looking Jared laying face first onto the ground.
He turns around, eyes unfocussed for a minute before settling on Jensen, “You!” he shouts accusingly.
Jensen considers telling him to quiet it down, but he doesn't have any neighbors so there is no need.
“I can’t seem to get away from you, you sexy asshole.”
Jensen helps the other man up. Judging from Jared’s unstable stance and the bottle of wine clutched in his hand, the man is drunk off his ass.
“What do you mean?” Jensen inquires.
“You are the doctor, then the freaking singer and now you’re,” Jared stops looking at him for a moment before asking, “What are you doing?”
“How did you get here?” Jensen asks checking Jared over, wondering if the other man had a car accident.
“Cab, “Jared says stumbling towards the house.
Jensen nods. He had never been a fan of drunk driving. It's good that Jared had been smart enough to take a cab. He thinks for a moment what to do, but the cab is long gone and he can’t let Jared just wonder around the forest as drunk as he is. Jensen tries to move Jared along. The sooner he gets the man inside his house the better. He wants to make sure Jared doesn't hurt himself while wandering the forest. Now that Jensen thinks about it, what is he doing here?
“What are you doing here?”
“Hmm,” Jared asks looking up from the branches he was staring at.
Jensen smiles amused at Jared's face as he starts pushing Jared towards his house again, “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted peace,” Jared mumbles drunkenly while taking another swig of the bottle of wine.
Jensen nods; this usually was a peaceful place. Jared pushes up against him, probably to steady himself and Jensen feels the body that Jared has been hiding underneath those stupid suits. Jared leans his head close to Jensen and Jensen gets lost in the swirl of colors in Jared’s eyes.
“My father refused to let me fire you,” Jared says and Jensen quickly pulls away.
He takes the bottle of wine from Jared taking a quick swig for himself. Jensen could taste that it was the expensive kind. It wasn’t the type of wine to drink straight out of the bottle.
“Is this all you’ve had to drink?” he asks. If the answer is yes then Jared got drunk really fast.
“No, I had a couple back at the hotel. Where are we going?”
Jensen opens the door to his house and leads Jared to the living room. He sits the other man down on his couch before walking to the kitchen to get a glass of water.
“I brought you inside my house,” Jensen says bringing the glass of water to Jared. “Here, drink this.”
Jared’s eyes go big as he looks around the room, “You live here?”
Jensen sniggers because he usually gets that reply. For someone who looks like he walked straight out of a western, his house is really modern. He likes the straight lines and corners. All the walls in his house are white, except for the big one in his living room which is grey. He gave the place more color with decorations. Yes. He knows he sounds like an interior decorator. He dated one for a couple of months.
“I know a cowboy like me huh?”
He has to admit the interior of the house makes the place look like it had character, but it also is a bitch to clean and Jensen likes a clean house.
“And you want me to stay the night?” Jared asks eyes narrowing at Jensen.
Jensen shrugs, “You’re already here,” he states swallowing when Jared leans closer to him.
“Are you trying to seduce me Mr. Ackles?”
***
Jared watches with amusement as Jensen stumbles trying to find a good answer. If Jared is honest with himself, he won’t mind if Jensen is trying to seduce him. Okay Jared had a bit too much to drink. He is tired of being so serious, of drowning himself in work; which clearly wasn’t helping him get over his break up with Chad. Plus, Jensen is pretty hot. He has beautiful eyes, a nice smile, and if Jared had felt it right, a great body. Besides, he is exactly the opposite of Chad. If fucking around with him doesn’t help him get over the man who broke his heart at least it would piss his father off.
Jensen is still spluttering and Jared decides he should just go for it. Even if Jensen turns him down, Jared can blame it on the alcohol. He leans forward to kiss Jensen. Jensen’s lips are soft and pliant underneath his and Jared moans softly as he feels Jensen’s stubble scratch his chin. There is something about a rough man that turns Jared on.
Jensen grabs his hair and when he pulls Jared realizes that Jensen isn’t kissing him back.
“Jared you’re drunk,” Jensen states but doesn’t push Jared further away.
Jared just tries pushing closer to Jensen, loving the slight sting he gets from his hair being pulled. Jensen moans softly and lets Jared’s hair go as Jared starts kissing his neck.
“Jay, I’m not strong enough to stop you again. I wish I was a better man but I’m not.”
Jared crawls onto Jensen’s lap, feeling the other man harden beneath him. Jensen looks up at him, eyes dark with lust.
“I don’t need a better man, I need someone to fuck me,” Jared states before kissing Jensen again.
“Jay,” Jensen groans gripping Jared’s hips harder, pulling him down as he pushes up.
Jared groans, feeling needy and he doesn’t care that he is probably making a fool out of himself. Hell Jensen doesn’t seem to care either. It isn’t like Jared is going to be seeing Jensen again after this night. Jensen seems like a one night stand kind of guy.
He pushes and pulls clumsily at Jensen’s clothes until Jensen laughs and pushes him back a little. Jared growls offended until Jensen starts unbuttoning his shirt. Jared stares at the naked skin in front of him wanting to taste. He leans down and licks a stripe on Jensen’s chest, sucking a hickey above the right nipple.
“Fuck Jay,” Jensen murmurs as he pulls Jared down a bit.
“Fuck me,” Jared whispers, as Jensen bucks up more against him.
Jensen groans softly before pushing Jared off, “Bedroom,” he says pushing Jared down the hall.
As soon as they’re in the bedroom Jensen finishes undressing with the speed and finesse of someone who has done this before. Jared’s mind goes blank as soon as Jensen stands naked before him.
“You want to get fucked Jay?” Jensen asks stroking his own cock.
Jared nods, unable to pull his eyes away from Jensen’s cock. It's thick and smooth, the tip shining with pre-come.
“Then get on the bed on your hands and knees,” Jensen orders and Jared feels a shiver run down his body. Jared quickly undresses not caring where his clothes land.
Jared groans softly as his knees hit the bed.
“What’s wrong?” Jensen asks turning him around.
His eyes roam over Jared’s body in concern this time. His eyes focus on Jared’s knees. Jared feels a sting when Jensen touches his left knee and he sits up to look. There is a big bruise underneath his left knee.
“What happened?” Jensen asks looking at Jared with question in his eyes.
Jared shrugs, “Maybe I fell, I don’t know.”
“Jesus Jay you don’t know?” Jensen asks flopping down next to Jared.
Jared turns to look at him; his hands wandering down Jensen’s chest before grabbing his cock and stroking it softly.
“Why did you stop?”
Jensen groans as his hips buck up into the grip. Jared smiles; at least he knows Jensen’s body is on board. Jensen lays there for a moment letting Jared stroke him before rolling around and pushing Jared down into the bed.
“You really want to get fucked don’t you?” Jensen asks settling between Jared legs.
Jared nods as he grabs Jensen’s ass to pull him closer.
Jensen pushes his cock against Jared’s hole, not pressing in but just enough to let Jared feel it. Jared moans. He wants Jensen inside him, wants to feel the other man fill him up, make him lose it. In the back of his mind he knows the alcohol is taking away some of his inhibitions but right now he doesn’t care. He hasn’t been fucked for well over six months and he needs a cock now.
“Please Jensen,” he begs, as he feels Jensen suck a hickey on the side of his neck.
“Yeah, I know Jay. Need to get you ready first,” Jensen says, his finger circling Jared’s hole.
He helps Jared turn so that he is on his hands and knees again. He then slowly pushes his finger inside as he kisses his way down Jared’s body. Jensen preps Jared with care and consideration, never going too fast or too hard.
“Please,” Jared begs.
It doesn’t take long before Jared is desperate with need and has three fingers up his ass. He wants Jensen’s cock up his ass and he isn’t too shy to beg for it. Well the wine had helped with that.
“More Jensen, need you. Need your cock,” he moans.
Jensen groans, “You’re so hot when you beg. God the first moment I saw you I knew. I knew you would be hot.” He says and in a flash he’s on top of Jared, cock rubbing against him, almost entering his ass, pre-come slicking up his hole even more.
Jensen grabs his hips, pulling Jared slowly towards him, then impaling him on his cock. It burns and hurts a little but it all fades quickly compared to the feeling of Jensen. Jensen inside him, Jensen fucking him, Jensen whispering in his ear how hot he is and how good he is taking Jensen’s cock; mixed with the occasional moan or grunt.
Jensen takes his time moving slowly inside of Jared. Jared is reduced to whimpering needy sounds and words no longer make it out of his throat when Jensen finally picks up his pace. Jared’s mind blanks out as Jensen moves faster, harder, and deeper.
“God Jensen, you feel so good,” Jared whimpers.
Jensen fucks into him with hard punishing thrusts, every single one of them aimed for Jared’s prostate. Jared feels the pressure build in his stomach, his balls tighten and he knows that he is close. Jensen’s hand finds Jared’s cock and he begins to stroke it. Before Jared realizes what is happening, he’s coming all over the bedspread, shaking. He floats on the thin line between pain and pleasure when he hears Jensen groan, speeding up his thrusts and coming in thick spurts inside him.
Jensen drapes over him breathing deeply. Jared stays still for a while, feeling sobered up. He waits for Jensen to pull out and disregard him. Despite that and the pleasant buzz being gone Jared can’t regret the great sex he just had. Maybe this was what he needed to get on with his life.
Jensen draws in a soft breath before pulling out. Jared sighs in disappointment and moves to get up and clean himself.
“You stay there,” Jensen says and walks away.
When he comes back he wipes Jared clean with a warm washcloth. Jared closes his eyes at how good it feels to be able to just lay down and enjoy his afterglow. Now he knows why Chad always hated to get up to help him clean after sex. He doesn’t even know why Jensen is doing it now.
“If you roll around, you’ll be off the wet spot.” Jensen comments and Jared does before falling asleep.
***
Jensen doesn’t really sleep although he feels calm and relaxed after his sex with Jared. He never expected this to happen. He feels a bit unnerved because Jared was so drunk and there was no way he really knew what he was doing last night. So when he had begged for Jensen to fuck him, Jensen can’t be sure he really wanted that.
What he said was true though; he hadn’t been strong enough to stop Jared a second time. He can’t deny he wants the other man. Especially when Jared isn’t acting like the stiff business man everyone thought he was. Jensen had seen a glimpse of the other man at his sister’s office and Jensen knew how Jared could be if he only let his hair down. Jensen sighs as he shifts on the bed trying not to wake Jared.
He fails because when he turns around to face the other man, his eyes are open.
“Hi,” Jared whispers softly.
Jensen smiles at him and leans forward to kiss him softly, only to have Jared turn his head and the kiss lands on his cheek.
“No, it’s disgusting. I have wine breath,” Jared says smiling at Jensen.
“You really don’t want to kiss me?”
Jared looks sheepish at him shrugging. Jensen points at his en suite bathroom.
“Well I do. You can brush your teeth if you want.”
Jared gets out of bed and stumbles a bit towards the bathroom. Jensen stops him when he moves to walk past him.
“Are you alright?” he asks worrying he hurt Jared last night.
“Yeah, just the alcohol you know?”
Jensen does know; Jared had been drunk off his ass. There was no way all of that was already out of his system after maybe one hour of sleep. The other man did seem sober though. Jensen lays back listening to the sounds in the bathroom waiting for Jared to return. When the other man does he stands awkwardly in the room, like he is waiting for Jensen to say something.
Jensen looks at him. Jared is still naked and despite the ugly rash appearing in spots on his body, he is the hottest guy Jensen had ever seen. He is built, strong and lean muscle. Jensen has to stop himself from drooling. Instead he gets up out of his bed, walking towards Jared. His hands find Jared’s hair and he pulls the other man into a deep kiss, tongues finding each other, caressing and playing. Jensen's hands roam over Jared's body, feeling the other man, caressing him.
Jensen breaks away from the kiss, “Come on Jared, touch me,” he begs.
That seems to spur Jared into action and he starts pushing Jensen towards the bed. Jensen laughs as he falls on the bed and Jared crawls on top of him. Jared laughs softly as he begins kissing his way down Jensen’s body.
“Jay,” Jensen groans and Jared looks up with mischief in his eyes before taking Jensen’s cock into his mouth.
Jensen watches as Jared sucks him down.
“God Jay so hot,” Jensen murmurs fisting Jared’s hair. “Knew you would be. Your mouth, god your mouth is so hot.”
Jensen can’t help himself; he bucks his hips up into the warm wet heat of Jared’s mouth. The moment he does, Jared’s mouth goes slack and he lets Jensen fuck into his mouth. It is too hot for words and Jensen bucks up two or three times before he comes hot and fast in Jared’s mouth.
Jared crawls back up Jensen’s body kissing him as Jensen comes down from his orgasm. Jared smiles down at him and Jensen growls flipping them over. When he is on top of Jared his hands are traveling down to touch Jared, he looks down at him surprised.
“I already uh,” Jared says holding his wet hand up.
Jensen rolls over to lie down next to Jared, “God, you’re going to kill me.”
***
When Jared wakes up the next morning he has a splitting headache and a mouth that feels like an animal died in there. He groans as he rolls out of the large bed and looks around, wondering for one moment where he is. Then he remembers Jensen, and what they did the night before. He feels a small terror as he fears that Jensen has left him alone. Then he hears soft noises coming from somewhere down the hall and wanders in that direction.
What he finds is big kitchen with a big island in the center. He is half in love with the place when Jensen comes walking in with just some well-worn pajama pants on. Jensen smiles when he sees Jared walking to the coffee maker.
“Did you sleep alright?” Jensen asks as he pours a cup of coffee and hands it to Jared.
Jared frowns, wishing his headache wasn’t so bad, “I guess. What are you doing?”
Jensen laughs softly, “Making us breakfast.”
Puzzled, Jared looks around the kitchen again. It wasn’t the kind of style he would imagine fitting with Jensen, but then again he didn’t really know the guy.
Jared sits down and feels a soft sting in his ass and he smiles softly at Jensen as he remembers the night before. He drank one bottle of wine after the other. God, it was a miracle that he was still walking around. Jensen took him inside and helped him to bed. Jensen had been so nice and hot. Jared had been so turned on that he begged for Jensen to fuck him. Jensen was big and strong, sliding inside him. Jared shivers as he remembers Jensen softly cleaning him up. Then he remembers Jensen had to clean him up because he didn't wear a condom. How can he be so stupid, he never had sex with out one. He even made Chad wear one.
“I,” Jared doesn’t know how to bring it up, “We uh,” he wants to asks Jensen what happens now but he simply can’t get to words out.
Jensen smirks slightly, “Yes Jared, we did fuck. You begged me and I couldn’t refuse.”
Jared shivers at Jensen’s hot stare. He can’t believe Jensen would just come out and say it like that. The man seems to have no shame, then he remembers there is more important issue.
“we didn't.” Jared shifts not really knowing how to bring this up, “we didn't use protection.”
Jensen frowns at that, like he didn't realize that before Jared brought it up. Then he looks Jared in the eyes.
“Well I had um, some medical issues a while back and I got tested for everything. I'm clean, I can show you? And I know you went to my sister before, did you have yourself tested?”
Jared damn well did, after Chad cheated on him? Of course he wanted to make sure he didn't catch anything. So he nods, feeling unsure how to proceed now.
“It’s okay Jared, that’s just human nature. You enjoyed yourself didn’t you?”
Jared nods slowly. Jensen was gentler than he had expected.
“Well so did I. Now how about some waffles?”
“You actually know how to make waffles?” Jared asks surprised.
He didn’t know how it happened, but Jensen had shown a lot of care. He didn’t kick Jared out yet plus he offered to make breakfast. He was kind of a gentleman, which Jared hadn’t anticipated.
“You thought I had this big fancy kitchen for nothing?”
Actually that was exactly what Jared had been thinking; that Jensen had gotten this big house to throw parties in and impress his friends.
“I love this kitchen. I have to admit it came with the house but it is a thing of beauty don’t you agree?”
Jared had to agree, but he wasn’t going to let Jensen know that.
“Mmm…I don’t know, it’s alright I guess.”
Jensen frowns at him, “You don’t cook?”
Jared actually does but somehow he doesn’t want Jensen to know that; so he shakes his head no. Jensen hums in response and goes back to making his waffles. Jared had to admit that Jensen seems less like an asshole now. After all he let Jared stay here after he fired him. Of course they ended up having sex, but Jensen invited him in before that.
Jensen finishes the waffles in silence giving Jared a plate before disappearing for a second. When he returns, he hands Jared a couple of aspirin.
“Your headache must be pretty bad. Wine always gives me a bad hangover.” He states as Jared looks at him.
“It’s mostly a headache so I’m thinking I got pretty lucky this morning,” Jared answers taking the aspirin from Jensen.
“Why do you work for your dad anyway, if he overrules you that easily?” When Jared frowns at him, Jensen then adds, “Sorry I guess it’s none of my business.”
It is a sore spot. Jared had always worked for his father yet his father had never given him any large projects and he was always checking up to see if Jared was alright. Chad had said it was normal and that when they had enough money saved they could start their own company. That was before he started fucking the mailroom guy.
Jared is still upset that his father didn’t fire the bastard.
“No, I guess you’re right. That’s why I quit yesterday.”
Jensen looks surprised. Jared guesses he can come across as a bit of a daddy’s boy. So maybe Jensen wouldn’t expect him to pack his bags.
“I figured I couldn’t work with you and you would be even more of an asshole after what my father pulled.”
Jared doesn’t really know why he is telling Jensen this; he guesses his hangover has weakened his defenses or something. That or maybe it's because Jensen has been so nice this morning.
“I guess we had a bit of a rough start,” Jensen admits. “I was going to apologize to you today. Well I guess I still can. I’m sorry,” Jensen says with a sheepish smile, “I guess I don’t always realize that some people don’t have the same kind of humor as me.”
Jared is silent for a while before deciding, “It is water under the bridge. I’m leaving the hotel now anyways.”
Jensen watches as he places his plate and the cup in the sink without saying another word. Jared looks around the room thinking that it’s time for him to go when he starts looking for his phone. Then he remembers he left it in his hotel room because he didn’t want to see if his father would call him, or if he had gotten drunk enough there was the possibility that he might have called Chad.
“You can always stay here. We can have some fun together, that is until you figure out what you want to do.”
Jared gapes at Jensen.
“Hey, I’m not asking you to go steady. I have enough room. You can stay here for a couple of days. Maybe I can even get my sister to give you something to help with that ugly rash” Jensen says pointing at Jared’s chest.
Jared just looks at the other man. He could use some time to get back on his feet. He could also use a little light fun with someone who isn’t so serious. Jensen might be a good distraction for him right now at least until Jared decides he wants to get serious again. Jensen doesn’t seem the type who gets serious.
His father will probably have a heart attack when he discovers Jared is serious about quitting and isn’t coming home.
“Yeah, but I can’t just stay here. I hardly know you!“ he says, not knowing how else to react.
Jensen smiles at him. “Jared, live a little. We had sex. We know each other well enough. If I wanted to kill you I could have done it last night. Come on and have a little fun!”
Frowning at him, Jared thinks back to a time not so long ago when he had heard those exact same words.
“Come on Jared! What did you expect? You’re never any fun. That’s why I had to find it somewhere else! Come on and have a little fun!”
Those had been Chad’s last words before Jared left. Maybe the man had been right. Not that he was right to cheat but maybe Jared had taken the relationship too seriously. Maybe he just needed to relax a little and it seems like Jensen is offering just that.
He nods slowly, “But there is no way I’m showing your sister my rash as long as I have hickey’s from you on my body,” he says making Jensen laugh loudly.
Yeah this might be a great decision.
***
Jensen isn’t really sure inviting Jared to live with him temporarily is such a good idea. He kind of likes the guy, maybe a little more now that he realizes how hot the guy is in bed. If he’d only let himself go a little during the day, he could be so much happier. Maybe then he would lose those dark bags underneath his eyes, and the ugly rash Jensen had seen last night; which must have come from stress.
“You sure you don’t mind?” Jared asks before he leaves to get his bags from the hotel.
Honestly, the question had been asked in the spur of the moment. Jensen has been living alone for more than five years. Before that Jensen was with his band mates going from hotel to hotel, without a moment of privacy. Sometimes he misses those times. So yeah, Jensen doesn't think it will be that hard having another person inside his house.
“Yeah I’m sure. Come on hot stuff, we’ll have fun,” Jensen says winking at Jared.
The other man blushes and Jensen can’t help but giggle. Jensen shows Jared the rest of the house, and Jared stands in awe the moment they enter his music room.
“Wow, this room is beautiful.”
Jensen smiles with pride. He spent a lot of time getting this room exactly the way he wanted. Jared walks around the room under Jensen’s watchful eye. Jensen can see that Jared is curious by the way he touches almost every instrument in the room.
“You play violin?” Jared asks stopping by the instrument.
“Well that one used to be my mom’s, but yeah,” Jensen says picking up the instrument and playing a few soft notes.
“That was beautiful.”
Jensen smiles softly at him, putting the instrument down. He quickly takes Jared through the rest of the house. When they are done they end up in the kitchen again with Jensen smiling at the other man.
“So you think you can get used to spending some time here?” he asks pulling the other man close.
Jared leans into the touch, proving to Jensen that they are a good match; well at least physically.
“Yeah, it’s a great house Jensen. I still can’t believe you chop your own wood.”
Jensen smiles and winks at Jared, “How else do you think I look this good?”
Jared rolls his eyes and they move on.
***
Two days later Jensen gets a call to come to the hotel, to discuss how to run it while Jared is gone. He discusses this with Jared at which Jared just shrugs.
“You could continue the way I was planning.”
Jensen agrees; ignoring the uncertainty in Jared voice. Sometimes he wants to punch the elder Padalecki for making Jared doubt himself. Jared had some really good ideas.
Living together is going great. They sleep together every night and Jensen finds himself looking forward to waking up with Jared. Jared has adapted to the change in scenery faster than Jensen would have thought he would. He has left Jensen to himself when he needs some quiet time and searches Jensen out when he needs to talk. It seems as if Jared just sense what Jensen needs.
Jensen grabs his coat and kisses Jared goodbye, “I’ll be home late. The remote for the TV is on the desk next to the TV and,” Jensen goes on to explain but Jared pushes him towards the door.
“I know how to entertain myself, besides you showed me how to work your TV yesterday, remember? Oh don’t forget to pick up my cell phone and my bags.”
Jensen does remember; he first watched Jared stare at the thing for five minutes before helping him out. He had expected Jared would know how to work with expensive entertainment sets, but as it turns out Jared rarely watches TV. So Jensen gave him a crash course on how to work the home theatre system.
He nods watching Jared wave in the rearview mirror as he drives away.
He isn’t really sure how he feels about leaving Jared alone in his house. He has never left anyone in his house unsupervised before and it makes him kind of nervous. He even asked Jared if he wanted to come with him but the other man had refused. Jared had also picked up on Jensen nervousness and laughed, telling him he walked around the house when Jensen was asleep too. If he had wanted to do something he would have done it by now.
Jensen is in so deep in thought that he is surprised to see he has already arrived at the hotel. Sighing as he gets out of his car, he doesn’t know why he was called in for this. He is only here for one day a week, but apparently Misha had requested his attendance.
“Jensen, so happy you could come,” Misha says shaking his hand and pulling him inside the first chance he gets.
“Yeah about that, why am I here?” Jensen questions.
Misha shrugs looking uncomfortable, “Well I read somewhere that you used to do all the finances for your band; even some management? I thought that maybe you had some good ideas? You have experience.”
Jensen just smiles. He was really proud of what he and his band mates accomplished back then. From the first moment that there was talk of them being signed, they all took courses in various things. They had also made a pact that they did whatever they could themselves; that way they didn’t have to explain their actions every time. Back then it was rebellion; with them being so young they didn’t want to depend on anyone. Later on it proved to be very helpful.
He doesn’t know how his experience with the band will be any help here. A hotel is very different from a band.
“Well Jared had a plan written out right? Why don’t you all stick to that?” he questions.
Misha nods, “I agree, but now we have to convince the rest. See Jared didn’t get to finish his presentation of the plan before, remember? And I was thinking that if anyone can convince them it is a great idea it’s you.”
Jensen nods feeling guilty. With his little stunt he had jeopardized the future of the hotel even more. So he sits down at a big table opening the file that is in front of him deciding he will represent Jared the best he can.
***
Jared walks around the house the moment Jensen leaves. He feels restless and he has been ever since he left the hotel. It really hadn’t bothered him until now, because when he felt restless before, he would find Jensen and listen to him play music or talk to him.
But now Jensen isn’t here so Jared has to find something else to calm him down. Usually when he feels like this he bakes. Ever since he was a child it had been able to calm him down. He remembers when his mom died and his father was too busy to look after him. His father’s cook, Mr. Jones had taken him to the kitchen and taught him how to bake something new every time.
Jared wanders into Jensen’s kitchen looking for something to work with. When he opens the first cabinet, he sees it is full with different kinds of food. Jared smiles. It figures that Jensen would be prepared for a hungry winter. The other man hates to go out of the house. Jared doesn’t judge him for that; it is obvious he just likes spending his time at home. It makes sense that when he went shopping he would get enough for a couple of months. He has the space after all.
He is in the middle of getting everything ready to bake a couple of muffins and maybe some pastries when the landline rings. Jared stares at it for a couple of moments contemplating if he should pick up or not. Jensen didn’t seem to mind picking up Jared’s bags. Even though it means that probably everybody at the hotel knows Jared is staying with him. So Jared figures that Jensen doesn't mind people knowing he is here. Hell Jared is probably more bothered by it himself, but then he realizes it is that or ride in with Jensen which means he would have to face the people in the hotel. No matter which way it goes they will still know Jared is staying with Jensen.
Anyways, there is no way Jensen will mind Jared answering it, so he picks up the phone.
“Ackles residence, this is Jared speaking.”
“Jared?!? It is you. I thought Jensen was lying when he said I would get you if I called this number. How are you? You seemed pretty upset the other day.”
It's Katy and Jared smiles as he hears her cheerful voice through the speaker.
“I’m good,” he says cradling the phone between his shoulder and ear.
He is thankful that Jensen has a cordless phone as he turns on the oven to preheat.
“I stumbled into Jensen when I was drunk and he took me in like a stray cat,” Jared says smiling, “Did you know he lived in the middle of nowhere?”
He puts the eggs in a bowl and decides he can whisk them by hand instead of using the machine. He wants to talk to Katy and the machine would make it harder to hear.
“Yeah I heard. What are you doing with him anyway?”
Jared shrugs out of habit before answering, “I don’t know, we had fun together you know? And I thought it would be a good idea to get away from it you know? ”
“By having fun you mean sex?”
Jared grimaces; he never really talks about his sex life. He has the feeling Katy does. When he had told her about Chad, she had asked him straight up what the sex had been like. It was kind of refreshing.
“Yeah….” Jared says feeling a blush creep up his cheeks.
“Good for you Jay. No really Jensen… he is quite a catch.”
When Jared is done measuring the ingredients he dumps them all at once in the bowl and starts mixing it all together.
“Yeah we’re not really... it’s just sex, nothing more.”
“Really? Wow that doesn’t sound like you.”
Jared knows and he feels kind of giddy. He’s doing something he knows his father would frown upon. He's never done anything like that before. It makes him feel rebellious.
“I know.” He says grinning.
The batter seems ready and he’s going to need both hands to get it in the molds so he tells Katy that he needs to go and that he will call her later.
“Fine, but next time I want details!” she says before hanging up the phone.
Jared grins, as he starts filling the molds.
***
Jensen sighs in relief when he gets home. The meeting had been hell. Most of the staff had been against the changes Jared had come up with, even if it meant the hotel would become more successful. They had argued that the Canyon Creek Lodge needed to stay just a hotel. They didn’t want it to change into an attraction.
Jensen talked to Misha a bit when the meeting was over and the other man seemed as resigned as Jensen felt. Misha told him he knew the changes were the only way to get the hotel running again, but the others were afraid of taking the risk.
Jensen promised Misha he would try and convince Jared to come back. At least he would be able to put his fist down and demand the changes. Jensen didn’t have the guts to do that. Sure he has a bit of a business mind, but even he realizes that this is way over his head.
The moment he comes home, he goes to find Jared to tell him about everything that had happened and beg him to come back. It surprises Jensen that he cares this much about the hotel. Maybe it is because he had gotten to know the people who worked there or maybe because his sister was in love with the place.
Jensen finds Jared in the kitchen. He is standing in front of the oven humming to himself. There is flour everywhere and a grey goop in spatters on the floor. Jensen clears his throat and Jared startles turning around to face Jensen.
“What are you doing?” Jensen asks looking around the kitchen once more.
It smells delicious and there are pastries everywhere. Jensen thinks there might be enough to feed the whole town.
“I’m baking,” Jared says, blushing a little bit. It looks cute on him.
“Okay,” Jensen says, “why?”
“I was bored,” Jared says shrugging, “it’s just something I do when I’m bored or upset.”
Jensen smiles as he walks towards Jared, picking up a cupcake on his way. The cupcake is decorated with pink frosting and when Jensen takes a bite it is as sweet as it looks.
“How did you even make these?”
Jared looks guilty, “Our chef taught me when I was younger. However I might have put a dent in your supplies.”
Jensen stares at the other man as he fidgets with the hem of Jensen’s shirt. He looked hot wearing Jensen’s clothes. They were a little small on him and they showed off his perfect body.
Jensen puts down the cupcake to pull Jared close and kiss him, “I didn’t even know I had enough stuff for all this,” he says against Jared lips.
Jared shivers in his arms, leaning more towards Jensen, “Maybe I went a little overboard.”
Jensen nods grinning, “Maybe I can take some to the hotel tomorrow.”
He wants to ask Jared about the hotel, but he has the feeling that it’s the last thing Jared wants to talk about. Also Jared seems more relaxed than he has been in days and Jensen doesn’t want to ruin that.
“How did the meeting go?” Jared asks while putting the dirty dishes in the dishwasher.
“We wanted to continue with your plans but Misha just doesn’t know how to convince the others.” Jensen says deciding its fair game now that Jared’s brought it up.
Jared sighs, “I’m sure my father will send someone to help him.”
“Why did your dad send you anyway?” Jensen asks.
Jensen had wondered about that for awhile now. It is clear that Jared has a business mind, but he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who likes the hotel business. He sees Jared more in a small store or maybe, after today, in a bakery.
“He thought it was a good way to get over my ex,” Jared answers honestly and Jensen is stunned. “Deep down inside I know he wants me to be happy, he just has a weird way of showing it,” Jared adds when he sees the look on Jensen’s face.
Jensen grimaces handing more dishes to Jared before sitting down at the dining room table. He stares at Jared as the other man looks around the kitchen. After deeming it clean he sits across from Jensen.
“So he sent you here after your boyfriend dumped you or something?” Jensen asks unbelieving.
“Not exactly, Chad was cheating on me. My father thought some time away might help me forget his little indiscretion.”
Jensen snorts a laugh. Jared might seem like a little pushover but Jensen finds it hard to believe that Jared would accept cheating.
“Yeah I figured I would give him some time to get over the relationship. Chad was the perfect son-in-law after all. Despite the cheating,” Jared amends after Jensen raises his eyebrow at him.
Jensen doesn’t understand how that works; with him it's always what you see is what you get. He appreciates the same in other people. He guesses Jared’s dad is more about appearances. Maybe Chad came from a good family and what happened inside the bedroom stayed there, right?
“So you just packed up your bags and left?” Jensen asks.
Jared shrugs, “It was the biggest project my father had ever trusted me with, and I was going to take it despite the reason. It was my chance to prove myself.”
“Why didn’t you start your own business then? You seem smart enough,” Jensen asks after having thought about it.
“Honestly I have no idea what I want,” Jared confesses.
They sit in silence for a while until Jared’s stomach rumbles. Jensen laughs telling Jared he’s going to order dinner..
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