Like a Slow Fire Burn 4/4
Part 3
“Miss Heather has her meds and is all settled for now,” Jensen told Margarite, making a note on the chart and handing it over. “She’s having a little trouble with the TV remote, though, so she’ll probably hit the button in another five minutes.”
Margarite laughed softly. “Noted. You off on your break?”
“Yeah, meeting Chad downstairs. He says he has something important to talk about.”
She arched one dark eyebrow. “Really now?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. Good luck with Heather,” he called as he walked away.
Chad was already in the cafeteria once he got there, so he grabbed his salad and headed over to Chad’s table.
“Hey,” he said, setting down his stuff and falling into the chair across from Chad.
“Yo. You have that ‘patients are so stupid’ look on your face. What happened?”
Jensen wrinkled his nose as he poured the dressing over his salad. “Nothing major. Just the technology-impaired getting confused by the simple buttons on the TV remote.”
Rolling his eyes, Chad gestured with his French fry. “Because channel up and down is so hard to figure out?”
“Apparently.”
He snorted. “Anyway. I’ve decided to propose to Kenzie.”
“No shit? It’s about time, man!”
“Well, I was saving for a ring and finally have enough. I didn’t want to buy something shitty.”
“Right, of course. Congrats, man. This is awesome! I’m happy for you and proud of you.”
“Thanks.” Chad beamed. Jensen had never seen Chad look that content before, and he felt ridiculously happy for his friend. “Will you go with me to pick out a ring?”
“Me? Why? I have no idea what Kenzie would like.”
“I talked to her mom for ideas. I need you there to stop me from doing something stupid, like buying her a 10carat diamond.”
“I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t like anything that big, and you’d be in debt for ages.”
“See!” Chad exclaimed, waving another French fry. “This is why I need you!”
“All right, all right,” Jensen laughed. “I’ll go, but can we make it tomorrow? I don’t get off till 8:30 tonight.” And Jared’s supposed to come over. That thought had him squirming guiltily, and he pushed back the urge to blurt out the truth to Chad. Of all his friends, Chad had the least involvement in his relationship with Jared. He probably couldn’t care less, but he was also generally terrible at keeping secrets, except when it came to surprises for Kenzie. He’d end up telling Jeff and Ian within a day and Jensen would be in deep shit.
“Sure. I’m off tomorrow anyway, so that works.”
The next day, Chad picked him up for a change, and they drove to the mall. Jensen hated the mall and pretty much avoided it at all costs. Eventually, after what felt like hours and hours, Jensen figured out why Chad chose to come here--he couldn’t make a decision to save his life and this way, there were multiple jewelry stores in one building.
“Chad,” he whined as they walked out of the second store. “Do you have to look at every ring in the city? Can’t you just pick one?”
“Dude! This is an important decision!” Chad protested, slowing down to frown at him.
“No, I know. I’m just tired and cranky.”
“If I feed you, will that help?”
“Oh, yes. I can be bribed with food.”
Even if it was just bad Chinese from the food court. It went a long way to renewing his energy for another round of ring-gazing. Jensen wandered off a-ways to look at a pair of ruby earrings for his mom’s birthday while Chad deliberated over a simple, princess-cut diamond. It would suit Kenzie perfectly, just like the other dozen rings he’d already considered.
“Do you know how you’re gonna ask her?” Jensen asked, drifting back over to find Chad staring at yet another ring, this one a slightly larger square-cute stone with smaller chips surrounding it.
“Yeah. Think I’m going the clichéd romantic dinner, roses, candles, me on one knee, sappy speech route. Kenzie won’t like it if I put her on the spot in public, so I’m going to order something in.”
“You’ve really been planning this for awhile, huh?”
Chad shrugged and pointed to yet another ring in the display for the jeweler to get out. It was heart-shaped and similar to one from the first store.
“I wanted it to be perfect for her. That’s why I waited so long. It wasn’t because I wasn’t sure about her. I knew I was gonna marry Kenzie about six hours after I met her.” Blowing out a breath, Chad shook his head and set the heart ring down, then studied the square-cut one again. “What do you think?” he asked, holding the ring out toward Jensen.
“I think Kenzie’s a lucky woman and she’ll love whichever one you choose.”
“Thanks,” Chad answered quietly. “All right. Before I change my mind again, I’ll take this one.”
He passed the ring to the infinitely patient jeweler. He must be used to indecisive customers, because he maintained a pleasant, attentive expression the whole time and easily answered all of Chad’s questions.
“You sure?”
“Yep.”
“You have to let me know when she says yes.”
“First thing I’ll do. Well, after the mind-blowing, celebratory sex anyway.”
Jensen laughed and clapped him on the back. Chad was reliable; he never changed and most of the time, that was a good thing.
Two days later on Saturday night, Jensen was curled up on the couch with Jared watching a movie when his phone buzzed, skipping across the coffee table from the force of the vibration. Jensen didn’t move, couldn’t since Jared was sprawled on top of him and pinning him to the couch. Jared reached out an impossibly long arm to snag it for him, and Jensen wriggled a hand out from between them to flip it open.
There was a text from Chad--She said YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!--with a picture attached of a brightly smiling Kenzie showing off her ring. It looked perfect on her finger, he noted.
Congrats!!! So happy for both of you! Kiss Kenz for me!
“What’s up?” Jared asked, touching his cheek. “You’re grinning like a dork.”
“Chad. He just proposed to his girlfriend. Fiancé now, I guess.”
“That’s great!”
“Yeah, it is.”
He was always a bit jealous of Chad, his only friend with a steady relationship, even if it wasn’t something he was exactly looking for. But now he had Jared and found himself no longer jealous of Chad and Kenzie, just happy for his friends.
Jared wrinkled his nose at him. “What’s going on in that head of yours? Now you look all wistful.”
Smiling, Jensen kissed him lightly on the mouth. “Nothing. Just thinking that we’re all growing up now.”
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“Definitely.”
Jared nuzzled Jensen’s cheek, then kissed him, lingering this time, until Jensen lost track of everything else, Chad and the movie forgotten.
“So I’ve been thinking,” Jared said, rolling onto his stomach and half on top of Jensen, his pointy chin digging into Jensen’s chest.
“Yeah? I was hoping I’d exhausted you too much for that.”
Grinning, Jared kissed his chest. “You did. But that’s what I’ve been thinking about.” Jensen cocked an eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate. “I think we should stay in bed all day.”
He snorted and combed his fingers through Jared’s tangled hair. “Oh, yeah? There’s one small problem with that. I told Chad I’d work half his shift for him today so he can go away with Kenzie this weekend.”
Jared pouted, which only made Jensen want to suck on his bottom lip. So he did, licking into Jared’s mouth, sliding his tongue against Jared’s and tasting every inch inside. Jared whimpered and shifted closer, nudging Jensen’s legs apart and slipping a knee between. He framed Jensen’s face with his huge hands and angled Jensen into a kiss that skipped any niceties and dove straight into filthy.
They kissed for a long time, hours with their mouths hungry on each other without any intention of taking it further. This was one thing Jensen didn’t realize he missed about having a boyfriend, just making out for hours and not necessarily expecting anything out of it. Getting off was great, but he loved these moments best, Jared’s big body covering him, Jared’s tongue doing wicked things against his.
By the time Jared pulled away to suck a bruise onto Jensen’s chest, tantalizingly close to one peaked nipple, Jensen’s lips were tingling and he felt lightheaded and strung out. He’d like nothing more than to stay here for much longer, but a quick glance at the clock confirmed that he was running out of time to get ready and head to the hospital. Jared licked his way over to Jensen’s nipple and bit down gently, and Jensen silently cursed Chad and his stupid, pathetic please help me look.
“Jared,” Jensen groaned, trying to lift Jared’s head and get his attention, but Jared simply smiled against Jensen’s skin, then focused on the other nipple. “Jared, seriously. I have to shower and get going. Chad will glare at me if I’m late, and I hate his glare.”
Jared’s laughter reverberated through him in a way that made Jensen want to say screw Chad! I’m staying here to screw Jared instead! But he was much too responsible and invested in their patients’ lives to ever actually do that.
Dammit.
“I really need to go now,” Jensen said.
This seemed to be a recurring theme for them--one of them trying to leave for some reason and the other one tempting him into staying with kisses and nakedness. He hoped it’d be better soon when Jared was out of school for the summer.
Slumping onto his back, Jared sighed and grumbled under his breath. Jensen used the opportunity to slip out of bed and gather a clean pair of scrubs. Jared watched him move around the room, gaze heated and intense on him the whole time.
“Don’t get any ideas,” Jensen warned, glancing back over his shoulder at Jared, and Jared huffed.
“What do you expect when you wander around naked and bend over like that. I can’t ignore a perfect ass, Jensen. I’m only human.”
The body wasn’t meant to blush and get an erection at the same time; it left Jensen confused, turned on, and dizzy.
“You’re not being fair,” he accused, to which Jared shrugged and smiled smugly, lifting his arms over his head so his gloriously naked body and half-hard dick were on full display. Jensen closed his eyes and prayed for self-control, then fled the room before he could climb back into bed and kiss the smugness right off Jared’s face.
By the time he hurried through his mostly cold shower and left the bathroom, Jared was dressed and sprawled out on the couch, remote in hand.
“You taking off then?” he asked. His eyes were on the TV, some nature show about bees as far as Jensen could tell, but he kept glancing at Jensen as he grabbed his jacket and put on his shoes.
“Yeah. Will you be here when I get back?”
“I should probably be good and do homework tonight.”
“Well, whatever. Just lock the door if you do leave.”
“Or I could wait here and then we could pick up where we left off earlier,” Jared suggested, dropping his head back over the couch to flash Jensen an upside down smirk.
“That’s an even better idea.” Even if it did leave him half hard and regretting saying yes to Chad.
Scooping up his keys, Jensen walked over to the couch and leaned over to thoroughly kiss Jared goodbye. Hopefully it’d tide them both over until he got back home.
Jensen almost detoured right back out of the cafeteria when he saw Jeff and Ian sitting together at a table by the window. But Jeff had already spotted him, so he wove through the tables and sat down across from Ian.
“Dude! Long time, no see!” Jeff complained, punching him lightly on the shoulder.
Jensen winced. He wasn’t precisely avoiding Jeff and Ian on purpose, but he didn’t exactly want to face them either, especially together. He always felt guilty and worried that something he said would give him away, and he didn’t want them to be pissed at him. Every time he saw Jeff, he remembered the conversation where Jeff told him his worst nightmare was one of his friends dating Jared or Megan. Someday soon, they needed to come clean, or Jensen was going to blurt it out at a really terrible time.
“Yeah, sorry,” Jensen said, concentrating on his salad so he wouldn’t have to look either of them in the eye. “I’ve been busy, picking up extra shifts for Chad and Margarite.” It wasn’t entirely a lie. He had worked for each of them in the past couple weeks, but Jared certainly took up most of his time.
Jeff scoffed and waved a hand dismissively. “Stop being so nice and hang out with your other friends for a change.”
“Yes. Soon,” Ian agreed.
“Wow, guys, I’d think you missed me or something,” Jensen said, grinning. He did miss everyone, even in the midst of new relationship bliss with Jared.
Before anyone could answer, Jeff’s phone buzzed, screen lighting up the pocket of his white coat. Jeff fished it out and read the message, then sighed forlornly as he looked at his half-finished lunch.
“Emergency. Gotta go back upstairs.” He gathered his stuff and pointed a finger at Jensen. “Don’t be a stranger.”
“Right,” Jensen answered, trying not to squirm under Jeff’s stern gaze.
There was a moment of silence after Jeff left while they went back to eating, then Ian smiled and said, “We do, you know. Miss you.”
“Okay, I get it. You guys can’t function without me. It’s understandable. I am pretty awesome.”
Ian rolled his eyes. “And so modest, too. Anyway. Do you want to come over this weekend?”
He knew from Ian’s tone and his cocked eyebrow that he didn’t mean it in a friends-hanging-out way.
“Sorry, I can’t.”
This wasn’t the first time he’d turned Ian down recently, but Ian didn’t call him on it, simply narrowed his eyes before taking a bite of his sandwich.
It surprised Jensen how quickly Ian stopped having an effect on him. Before, all he had to do was stand there and it turned Jensen on. But after being with Jared for the past several weeks, he didn’t want anybody else. The sex wasn’t necessarily better, not in technical terms anyway, but there was something right about falling asleep with Jared wrapped around him or even just spending time with him. Ian was great for a hookup and one of his best friends, but he never made Jensen feel shivery and giddy by just being in the same room like Jared did now.
“I work late on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday I have to go to Mom’s,” he explained, glad he had a legitimate excuse this time instead of whatever bullshit story he’d fed Ian before.
“Is your mum all right?”
“Oh, no, she’s great. Josh has some sort of announcement, so we’ve all been summoned to the house.”
If he hadn’t seen his friends in awhile, he’d been absolutely neglecting his family. Not that they were a close family or got together a lot anyway, but he had no clue what Josh’s announcement could be. He was looking forward to Sunday and catching up with everybody.
“That sounds like fun.”
“It should be. We haven’t all been together since Christmas. But enough about me. How’ve you been?”
Ian’s face lit up as he described a patient with dextrocardia, a reversal of the heart’s position in the chest, that he performed a bypass on last week. He looked like a kid on his birthday, practically bouncing in his seat as he told Jensen about the surgery and the article he hoped to write based on his observations. Jensen had to admit it was pretty cool--anything unusual like that created a buzz among the staff-- but he mostly just liked listening to Ian ramble.
“I think Jared’s been seeing someone,” Ian mentioned out of the blue once they’d moved onto other topics, and Jensen nearly choked on his mouthful of salad. He turned it into a cough instead. Ian arched an eyebrow to ask if he was okay, and he nodded. Reaching for his water, he swigged some to get his breath back.
“What makes you say that?” he asked, voice coming out hoarse.
“He’s been extra happy lately. He’s gone a lot and comes home at strange hours of the night.”
“So do you.”
Ian tipped his glass toward Jensen in a silent toast. “Anyway. He’s all secretive about it. Whenever I ask him, he acts flustered and nervous and runs away to hide in his room.”
“Maybe it’s not a guy. He could be selling drugs or something.”
Ian gave him a look, and Jensen knew his joke had fallen flat.
“Oh, it’s definitely a guy,” Ian insisted. “I’ve heard him talking on the phone as well.”
Jensen panicked a bit, wracking his brain for anything incriminating he and Jared had talked about over the last couple weeks. Nothing came to mind, but they’d need to be more careful in the future, just in case.
“I think he’s having an affair with one of his professors and that’s the reason for all the secrecy.”
Jensen did choke this time, but only because Ian’s statement startled a laugh out of him.
“Are you insane? Jared would never so something like that!” Ian maintained his serious expression for a few more moments before breaking out into a huge grin. “Jerk,” Jensen said, throwing his balled up napkin at Ian’s head. He ducked at the last second, and the napkin fell limply onto the table.
“Seriously, though, he’s up to something.”
“Maybe,” he hedged. “Even if he is, leave me out of it, man. We should respect his privacy and all that shit.”
“Yeah, all right.” He gathered his trash onto his plate and stood up. “I’ve gotta get back upstairs to do rounds and some prep work for a surgery tomorrow. See you later, mate.”
He squeezed Jensen’s shoulder on his way out, and Jensen only felt a little guilty for lying to him.
Jensen stared at Jared for a long time, thinking exhaustion was causing him to hallucinate.
“Hey,” he said finally, voice scratchy and rough even to his own ears. “I thought you had an exam.”
“I did. Got done early and thought I’d head over here, maybe make you dinner.” He hefted the canvas grocery bags hanging from his arms, then searched Jensen’s face, frowning. “You sounded absolutely wrecked on the phone. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, but I can leave if you want to sleep or whatever.”
“No,” he replied weakly, then repeated it with a little more feeling so Jared would know he meant it. “Come on in.”
He stepped back to let Jared past and stood there kind of listlessly while Jared set his stuff down in the kitchen area. He couldn’t explain how, but he just felt off, not like himself. He hated days like this. Suddenly Jared appeared in front of him and asked if he was okay. Jensen shook his head to clear it.
“Yeah, I’m fine. It was just a bad day.”
“Sure?”
Jensen nodded. “Yeah.”
Jared wrapped him up in a tight hug, and Jensen sank into it with a tired sigh. Closing his eyes, he buried his face in the curve of Jared’s neck.
“Wanna talk about it?” Jared asked softly, and somehow his genuine concern only made Jensen feel worse.
“No.”
Talking about it meant dwelling on it, and dwelling on it meant he couldn’t move on for the patients he needed to be all right for tomorrow. It didn’t matter anyway. Jared couldn’t bring back a patient that Jensen and two doctors couldn’t save in the first place.
“Okay,” Jared answered easily.
They stood there for a while in silence. Jensen soaked in Jared’s warmth, grateful he didn’t push for answers. This happened very seldom for Jensen, where he couldn’t cope with the futility and shittiness that came with working with sick and injured people. He usually shrugged it off or had a beer with the guys or went to Ian, but he couldn’t seem to shake his mood tonight.
“Tell you what,” Jared said, taking a couple steps back. Jensen immediately missed his warmth. “I’m going to start the food. Why don’t you get a shower?”
“Are you saying I smell?” Jensen’s teasing tone missed the mark a bit, but at least he didn’t sound quite as awful.
“Well, I was trying to ignore it but--” He playfully wrinkled his nose, then grinned, and Jensen found that he could actually smile in return. “Just go relax while I cook. Shower or TV, whatever will help.”
Jensen nodded and closed his eyes again when Jared kissed his cheek. After a minute of indecision, Jensen headed for the bathroom and a hot shower while Jared created a mess in his kitchen. Jensen came back out, feeling marginally better, just as Jared retrieved the homemade macaroni and cheese from the oven.
“That smells awesome,” Jensen told him, leaning against the counter by the stove.
“Thank you. It’s my grandma’s recipe. She basically taught me everything I know about cooking.”
“You’re gonna spoil me with homemade food if you keep doing this.”
“And that would be bad how?”
Jensen blushed and ducked his head to hide his pleased smile. It’d been a long time since he had anybody to care for him like this, and he was glad Jared was the one here right now. He was increasingly becoming the only person Jensen wanted to see. That was both scary and exciting.
Jared filled two huge bowls with pasta, and they took them into the living room to eat. Jared found a mindless sitcom for them to watch, something innocuously funny that, along with the good food, went a long way toward improving his mood. Jared helped even more, simply by being there. Jensen sat on the couch as close to Jared as he could get without impeding their ability to eat. Jared didn’t complain once, not even when their elbows bumped.
“This is really good. I’m gonna have you cook for me all the time now,” Jensen said, scraping the last of the cheese out of his bowl.
“Thanks. And anytime. I like to cook, but Ian’s usually gone, and it’s not as much fun to make things just for myself.” Grabbing Jensen’s bowl, Jared stood up. “Do you want more?”
“God, no. I’m stuffed.”
Jared laughed and bent down to kiss him. He tasted like whatever cheeses he’d put in the pasta, and Jensen lingered, chasing that incredible taste.
Jared eventually left to clean up the kitchen, and Jensen curled up on the couch. The day was finally blurring to a manageable level, but he still heard the loud beeping of the heart monitor, still felt as helpless as when their best efforts failed to regain a heartbeat. Sighing, he scrubbed a hand over his face, then startled when his phone started buzzing and skipping over the coffee table. It was a text from Ian.
Just got home. U okay? Wanna come over? Jared’s not here.
Jensen winced guiltily. I’m fine. Just going to bed.
Sure?
Yeah. But thanks.
Feel better, mate.
“Someone checking up on you?” Jared asked.
“Ian.” Jensen tossed his phone onto the table and flipped onto his back to look up at Jared. By his slightly uncomfortable expression, Jensen knew Jared had guessed the nature of Ian’s text.
“Ah. And you--”
“Said I’m fine and going to bed.” Sitting up, he pulled Jared down onto the couch with him and pressed a short kiss to his mouth.
“And are you? Fine?”
“Getting there,” Jensen promised.
“Good. Come on,” Jared urged, tugging Jensen with him when he stood again. “My plan includes more than feeding you.”
Jensen arched an eyebrow, especially since Jared was leading him toward the bedroom. Ian’s fix-it-all may be sex, but he didn’t expect the same from Jared.
“Oh, shut up! That’s not what I meant! Uh, take off your shirt and lie on your stomach, please,” he added sheepishly once they reached Jensen’s room.
“I didn’t say anything! But whatever you want. I’m in your hands.”
He stripped off his t-shirt and climbed onto the bed, lying down on his stomach. A moment later, he felt Jared straddle his thighs and settle back.
“So we’ve been talking in class about how sometimes the lightest touch will help people’s injuries or relax them enough for the deeper manipulations,” Jared explained, smoothing his palms up Jensen’s back on either side of his spine in one long, fluid arc. “Since you’re my favorite living model, I thought I’d practice on you.”
“Hm,” he mumbled, already feeling the tension draining from his body under Jared’s gentle touch.
“I take that to mean you’re okay with being my guinea pig?”
“Yes. Please.”
Jared paused to lean down and brush a kiss to the back of Jensen’s neck, his lips curved up into an unmistakable smile.
Jensen stayed quiet as Jared worked, falling into a half-doze. Jared concentrated mainly on lightly kneading the knots out of his shoulders and neck. Jared had amazing hands. For all that they were big and capable of much strength, they could also be incredibly gentle. Jensen had no doubt he’d be a great physical therapist someday.
By the time Jared finished and sat back on his heels, Jensen had practically melted into the mattress, muscles loose and finally free of the tension he’d carried around for most of the day. Jared crawled up the bed to lie beside him, and Jensen rolled onto his back, reaching out to comb the hair out of Jared’s eyes. Smiling, Jared propped himself up on an elbow and splayed one hand over Jensen’s chest, thumb sweeping slowly back and forth.
“Are you feeling better?” he asked.
“I am. Thank you.”
“I didn’t do much.”
“You’re here. You’re you.”
“Oh. Well, that part’s easy,” he replied, clearly embarrassed.
Jensen wanted to stay up longer with Jared, but he was exhausted before and the massage only made it worse. He yawned and a second later, Jared mirrored him.
“All right, bedtime,” Jared told him, then got them both down to boxers.
Jensen fell asleep before Jared even settled back in bed.
“Stay over tonight,” Jared said.
Jensen looked up from tucking himself back into his scrubs and frowned. “Jared, I don’t--”
“Please?” Jared closed the foot of distance between them in the empty patient room and molded himself against Jensen’s body, hooking his arms around Jensen’s waist.
“Ian--”
“Told me today that he’s working a long shift and won’t be home till tomorrow night, if he’s lucky. Come on, Jensen,” he murmured, nuzzling against his cheek. “I want to fuck you in my own bed for a change.”
It was really unfair of Jared to say that, especially in the low voice that always made Jensen shiver and when Jensen’s brain was still partly offline from an incredible blowjob.
“I’m not that easy, ya know. I expect dinner first.”
Jared laughed and brushed a kiss to his mouth. “I’ll cook you something amazing, promise.”
“All right.” Jared beamed at him, and he couldn’t help smiling back or leaning in for another, longer kiss. “I need to get back before someone comes looking for me. I should get done at 6 tonight.”
“Come over whenever. I’ll be home from class in the afternoon.”
Jared snagged one more kiss before slipping out into the hallway, Jensen following him a few minutes later. The rest of the day passed quickly and easily. Margarite even cut him loose early, since there wasn’t anything else to do and he was bored and bouncing off the walls a bit.
He stopped at home first to change clothes and grab a six-pack. When Jensen walked into the apartment, it was obvious Jared had started cooking already. It smelled like tomato sauce and spices, with garlic overriding everything, just as Jensen liked it.
“Hey,” he called, dumping his shoes and coat by the door.
“Hi!” Jared popped his head out of the kitchen, then disappeared again. “Dinner should be ready in a few minutes.”
“No problem. I brought beer.”
Jared was standing at the counter chopping vegetables for a salad, long-sleeved shirt pushed up his forearms and the hems of his jeans hanging over his bare feet. Jensen pressed up against him from behind and kissed the back of his neck. Jared leaned back with a happy noise.
“I picked up a bottle of wine on the way home. You can go ahead and open it if you want.”
“Ooh, fancy. Any particular reason why you’re going to so much trouble?”
Shrugging, Jared glanced over his shoulder and smiled softly. “No reason. Just thought it’d be nice.”
Jensen rucked up Jared’s shirt and slipped a hand underneath, spreading his fingers over Jared’s flat stomach. He felt Jared’s abdominal muscles contract as Jared sucked in a breath. He smiled against the soft skin at the base of Jared’s neck, just above his collar, then traced his thumb down Jared’s happy trail, dipping down past his waistband.
Jared gasped quietly, the steady rhythm of his chopping faltering. “If I cut off my finger, it’ll be your fault,” he warned.
“Noted. Good thing I’m a nurse.”
“Jensen.” His breath hitched, and the knife clattered to the cutting board.
“Okay, fine. Later, though.”
Jared nodded and resumed fixing the salad with a shaky hand. Jensen nipped at his neck once, then stepped back.
“Do you want a glass of wine?” he asked.
“Yeah, thanks.”
Jensen opened the wine, then fetched glasses out of the cupboard. There weren’t any wine glasses, so he grabbed a couple bar glasses Ian “accidentally” brought home from Brady’s one night.
“Hey, come here,” Jared said, wiping his hands off on a towel. He snagged one of Jensen’s belt loops and tugged him closer before taking his mouth in a heated kiss that made Jensen want to skip food and go right to the bedroom.
Of course, that was when the timer on the oven buzzed, and Jared pulled away to get what turned out to be lasagna. It smelled heavenly, and Jensen’s stomach growled loudly.
“Ya know, you really will spoil me with all this good food,” he mentioned. After spending so many years relying on take out and the hospital cafeteria, having Jared feed him all the time was a welcome change.
“You know I don’t mind. I like to cook. Hey, grab forks and bring the salad to the table?”
They settled down with their food and wine, a pile of Jared’s textbooks shoved to the side of the table. The lasagna tasted even better than it smelled. He unashamedly went back for seconds, since his schedule for the next few days meant he wouldn’t get real food for a while.
Sitting back, Jensen hooked his foot around Jared’s, slowly rubbing the back of his foot along Jared’s calf. Jared smiled lazily and filled their glasses again, finishing the wine off.
“Is there any dessert?” Jensen asked, picking up his glass.
“I could say something cheesy about me being your dessert, but I won’t. And, no, there isn’t any dessert.”
Jensen laughed, then leaned forward to kiss Jared. “I guess I’ll forgive you this time. Now, though, I remember you mentioning something about fucking me in your bed?”
Jared’s expression immediately changed from amused to heated, and he hauled Jensen in for a kiss that left them both breathless. Jared slipped his hand down to cup Jensen through his jeans, thumb rubbing over the head.
“Shit,” Jensen moaned, thrusting his hips into Jared’s grip.
“You like that?” he murmured and nipped at Jensen’s jaw, tightening his hand and increasing his pace.
The one time Jared wasn’t the least bit shy was during sex, and it turned Jensen on more than he expected. Jared was never timid about taking what he wanted or ramping Jensen up.
“Jesus, Jared, come on.” Jared’s fist was too loose, not enough pressure, and it was driving Jensen crazy. “Want you,” he gasped as Jared sucked on his neck.
In the end, they barely made it to the bedroom, Jensen too close to the edge and Jared eager to join him there. Jared fucked him on his knees from behind after the least amount of prep Jensen could stand. It burned a little, but that quickly gave way to pleasure, Jared filling him so good, his lips pressed to the back of his neck. It only took a few strokes of Jared’s hand on his dick before he was coming, and Jared followed him not long after.
Later, curled up in Jared’s arms and half-asleep, Jensen thought he heard a noise out in the living room, but he was too warm and content to pay much attention.
When Jensen stumbled into the kitchen in search of coffee, somebody was already at the machine, brewing a large pot.
“Uh, hi,” Jensen said, very nearly waving like an idiot.
Ian smirked at him, cocking one eyebrow in an amused expression Jensen knew well. Jensen wanted to ask him why he’d come home early, but Jensen wasn’t ready for the possible confrontation that would start and if Ian wasn’t bringing it up yet, neither was Jensen.
Ian broke their silent staring contest when the coffee finished brewing. Fetching another mug down from the cupboard, he poured them both some, then handed one to Jensen, who took it gratefully.
“So,” Ian said, staring at Jensen over the rim of his cup. “You and Jared, huh?”
“Uh,” he stammered, trying to come up with a logical reason why he crashed in Jared’s room last night.
“I’m not stupid, Jensen. I knew Jared was up to something. Also, his room is right next to mine, and I know your sex noises. So again, you and Jared, huh?”
Jensen flinched, feeling a blush creeping up his neck. “Uh, yeah? I’m kind of maybe in love with him,” he admitted quietly, and Ian’s eyes widened slightly. “I’m sorry!” he blurted.
Ian rolled his eyes. “Jensen, don’t be an idiot. I think it’s bloody fantastic.”
“You do?”
“Of course. You’re both brilliant, incredible guys. You deserve to be happy, and I’m glad you found each other. And I’m also glad to finally have the mystery solved of what’s been going on with Jared lately.”
Jensen grinned, shuffling closer to Ian. “You’re the best, you know that?”
Slinging an arm around Jensen’s waist, Ian beamed and kissed the side of Jensen’s head. “Nah, you are. Been telling you that for ages.”
Jensen set his mug on the counter, then hugged Ian, resting his cheek on Ian’s shoulder. They stood like that for quite awhile, until the sound of throat clearing from the doorway caused Jensen to turn his head. Jared leaned against the doorjamb, arms and ankles crossed, this soft look on his face that made Jensen’s insides go all melty.
“Is this a private moment, or can anyone join in?” Jared asked, lips quirking up at the corners.
“I need to get to the hospital anyway,” Ian said. He stepped back after one more squeeze to Jensen’s side. “He’s all yours,” he told Jared, and a happy zing went through Jensen’s body at the words.
Jared immediately took Ian’s place, crowding against Jensen and leaning in for a long kiss.
“He’s right. I am yours,” Jensen said softly.
“Yeah?” Jared murmured and nuzzled against Jensen’s cheek. “That’s good, because I’ve been yours for awhile now.”
Jensen tilted his head up to kiss Jared, one hand rasping over the stubble on Jared’s jaw. Jared smiled into it, pulling Jensen close and palms slipping down to cup Jensen’s ass. Distantly, Jensen heard the front door shut when Ian left.
“So,” Jensen said when they finally broke apart. “How long were you eavesdropping in the hallway to make sure the coast was clear before you came into the kitchen?”
Blushing, Jared laughed awkwardly. “Just a couple minutes. Enough to know Ian wasn’t pissed.”
“Not pissed at all. He’s happy for us.” Jensen made a face and picked up his coffee again. It was a little cool but still good. “Do you think our luck will hold out when Jeff finds out?”
Jared laughed again, though it almost sounded like a groan. “No?”
“Me either. Maybe we should have Ian talk to him.”
“That’s cruel.”
“But effective,” Jensen pointed out in a sing-song.
“Can we worry about it after breakfast? Someone kept me up late last night.”
Jensen grinned, pulse picking up, as Jared’s expression turned filthy and teasing. Splaying a hand over Jared’s abs under his shirt, Jensen nipped at Jared’s throat and jaw.
“Wanna skip breakfast and go back to bed?” he asked.
Jared’s smile sent shivers down his spine. “Absolutely.”
Bonus Fic
“Miss Heather has her meds and is all settled for now,” Jensen told Margarite, making a note on the chart and handing it over. “She’s having a little trouble with the TV remote, though, so she’ll probably hit the button in another five minutes.”
Margarite laughed softly. “Noted. You off on your break?”
“Yeah, meeting Chad downstairs. He says he has something important to talk about.”
She arched one dark eyebrow. “Really now?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. Good luck with Heather,” he called as he walked away.
Chad was already in the cafeteria once he got there, so he grabbed his salad and headed over to Chad’s table.
“Hey,” he said, setting down his stuff and falling into the chair across from Chad.
“Yo. You have that ‘patients are so stupid’ look on your face. What happened?”
Jensen wrinkled his nose as he poured the dressing over his salad. “Nothing major. Just the technology-impaired getting confused by the simple buttons on the TV remote.”
Rolling his eyes, Chad gestured with his French fry. “Because channel up and down is so hard to figure out?”
“Apparently.”
He snorted. “Anyway. I’ve decided to propose to Kenzie.”
“No shit? It’s about time, man!”
“Well, I was saving for a ring and finally have enough. I didn’t want to buy something shitty.”
“Right, of course. Congrats, man. This is awesome! I’m happy for you and proud of you.”
“Thanks.” Chad beamed. Jensen had never seen Chad look that content before, and he felt ridiculously happy for his friend. “Will you go with me to pick out a ring?”
“Me? Why? I have no idea what Kenzie would like.”
“I talked to her mom for ideas. I need you there to stop me from doing something stupid, like buying her a 10carat diamond.”
“I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t like anything that big, and you’d be in debt for ages.”
“See!” Chad exclaimed, waving another French fry. “This is why I need you!”
“All right, all right,” Jensen laughed. “I’ll go, but can we make it tomorrow? I don’t get off till 8:30 tonight.” And Jared’s supposed to come over. That thought had him squirming guiltily, and he pushed back the urge to blurt out the truth to Chad. Of all his friends, Chad had the least involvement in his relationship with Jared. He probably couldn’t care less, but he was also generally terrible at keeping secrets, except when it came to surprises for Kenzie. He’d end up telling Jeff and Ian within a day and Jensen would be in deep shit.
“Sure. I’m off tomorrow anyway, so that works.”
The next day, Chad picked him up for a change, and they drove to the mall. Jensen hated the mall and pretty much avoided it at all costs. Eventually, after what felt like hours and hours, Jensen figured out why Chad chose to come here--he couldn’t make a decision to save his life and this way, there were multiple jewelry stores in one building.
“Chad,” he whined as they walked out of the second store. “Do you have to look at every ring in the city? Can’t you just pick one?”
“Dude! This is an important decision!” Chad protested, slowing down to frown at him.
“No, I know. I’m just tired and cranky.”
“If I feed you, will that help?”
“Oh, yes. I can be bribed with food.”
Even if it was just bad Chinese from the food court. It went a long way to renewing his energy for another round of ring-gazing. Jensen wandered off a-ways to look at a pair of ruby earrings for his mom’s birthday while Chad deliberated over a simple, princess-cut diamond. It would suit Kenzie perfectly, just like the other dozen rings he’d already considered.
“Do you know how you’re gonna ask her?” Jensen asked, drifting back over to find Chad staring at yet another ring, this one a slightly larger square-cute stone with smaller chips surrounding it.
“Yeah. Think I’m going the clichéd romantic dinner, roses, candles, me on one knee, sappy speech route. Kenzie won’t like it if I put her on the spot in public, so I’m going to order something in.”
“You’ve really been planning this for awhile, huh?”
Chad shrugged and pointed to yet another ring in the display for the jeweler to get out. It was heart-shaped and similar to one from the first store.
“I wanted it to be perfect for her. That’s why I waited so long. It wasn’t because I wasn’t sure about her. I knew I was gonna marry Kenzie about six hours after I met her.” Blowing out a breath, Chad shook his head and set the heart ring down, then studied the square-cut one again. “What do you think?” he asked, holding the ring out toward Jensen.
“I think Kenzie’s a lucky woman and she’ll love whichever one you choose.”
“Thanks,” Chad answered quietly. “All right. Before I change my mind again, I’ll take this one.”
He passed the ring to the infinitely patient jeweler. He must be used to indecisive customers, because he maintained a pleasant, attentive expression the whole time and easily answered all of Chad’s questions.
“You sure?”
“Yep.”
“You have to let me know when she says yes.”
“First thing I’ll do. Well, after the mind-blowing, celebratory sex anyway.”
Jensen laughed and clapped him on the back. Chad was reliable; he never changed and most of the time, that was a good thing.
Two days later on Saturday night, Jensen was curled up on the couch with Jared watching a movie when his phone buzzed, skipping across the coffee table from the force of the vibration. Jensen didn’t move, couldn’t since Jared was sprawled on top of him and pinning him to the couch. Jared reached out an impossibly long arm to snag it for him, and Jensen wriggled a hand out from between them to flip it open.
There was a text from Chad--She said YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!--with a picture attached of a brightly smiling Kenzie showing off her ring. It looked perfect on her finger, he noted.
Congrats!!! So happy for both of you! Kiss Kenz for me!
“What’s up?” Jared asked, touching his cheek. “You’re grinning like a dork.”
“Chad. He just proposed to his girlfriend. Fiancé now, I guess.”
“That’s great!”
“Yeah, it is.”
He was always a bit jealous of Chad, his only friend with a steady relationship, even if it wasn’t something he was exactly looking for. But now he had Jared and found himself no longer jealous of Chad and Kenzie, just happy for his friends.
Jared wrinkled his nose at him. “What’s going on in that head of yours? Now you look all wistful.”
Smiling, Jensen kissed him lightly on the mouth. “Nothing. Just thinking that we’re all growing up now.”
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“Definitely.”
Jared nuzzled Jensen’s cheek, then kissed him, lingering this time, until Jensen lost track of everything else, Chad and the movie forgotten.
“So I’ve been thinking,” Jared said, rolling onto his stomach and half on top of Jensen, his pointy chin digging into Jensen’s chest.
“Yeah? I was hoping I’d exhausted you too much for that.”
Grinning, Jared kissed his chest. “You did. But that’s what I’ve been thinking about.” Jensen cocked an eyebrow, waiting for him to elaborate. “I think we should stay in bed all day.”
He snorted and combed his fingers through Jared’s tangled hair. “Oh, yeah? There’s one small problem with that. I told Chad I’d work half his shift for him today so he can go away with Kenzie this weekend.”
Jared pouted, which only made Jensen want to suck on his bottom lip. So he did, licking into Jared’s mouth, sliding his tongue against Jared’s and tasting every inch inside. Jared whimpered and shifted closer, nudging Jensen’s legs apart and slipping a knee between. He framed Jensen’s face with his huge hands and angled Jensen into a kiss that skipped any niceties and dove straight into filthy.
They kissed for a long time, hours with their mouths hungry on each other without any intention of taking it further. This was one thing Jensen didn’t realize he missed about having a boyfriend, just making out for hours and not necessarily expecting anything out of it. Getting off was great, but he loved these moments best, Jared’s big body covering him, Jared’s tongue doing wicked things against his.
By the time Jared pulled away to suck a bruise onto Jensen’s chest, tantalizingly close to one peaked nipple, Jensen’s lips were tingling and he felt lightheaded and strung out. He’d like nothing more than to stay here for much longer, but a quick glance at the clock confirmed that he was running out of time to get ready and head to the hospital. Jared licked his way over to Jensen’s nipple and bit down gently, and Jensen silently cursed Chad and his stupid, pathetic please help me look.
“Jared,” Jensen groaned, trying to lift Jared’s head and get his attention, but Jared simply smiled against Jensen’s skin, then focused on the other nipple. “Jared, seriously. I have to shower and get going. Chad will glare at me if I’m late, and I hate his glare.”
Jared’s laughter reverberated through him in a way that made Jensen want to say screw Chad! I’m staying here to screw Jared instead! But he was much too responsible and invested in their patients’ lives to ever actually do that.
Dammit.
“I really need to go now,” Jensen said.
This seemed to be a recurring theme for them--one of them trying to leave for some reason and the other one tempting him into staying with kisses and nakedness. He hoped it’d be better soon when Jared was out of school for the summer.
Slumping onto his back, Jared sighed and grumbled under his breath. Jensen used the opportunity to slip out of bed and gather a clean pair of scrubs. Jared watched him move around the room, gaze heated and intense on him the whole time.
“Don’t get any ideas,” Jensen warned, glancing back over his shoulder at Jared, and Jared huffed.
“What do you expect when you wander around naked and bend over like that. I can’t ignore a perfect ass, Jensen. I’m only human.”
The body wasn’t meant to blush and get an erection at the same time; it left Jensen confused, turned on, and dizzy.
“You’re not being fair,” he accused, to which Jared shrugged and smiled smugly, lifting his arms over his head so his gloriously naked body and half-hard dick were on full display. Jensen closed his eyes and prayed for self-control, then fled the room before he could climb back into bed and kiss the smugness right off Jared’s face.
By the time he hurried through his mostly cold shower and left the bathroom, Jared was dressed and sprawled out on the couch, remote in hand.
“You taking off then?” he asked. His eyes were on the TV, some nature show about bees as far as Jensen could tell, but he kept glancing at Jensen as he grabbed his jacket and put on his shoes.
“Yeah. Will you be here when I get back?”
“I should probably be good and do homework tonight.”
“Well, whatever. Just lock the door if you do leave.”
“Or I could wait here and then we could pick up where we left off earlier,” Jared suggested, dropping his head back over the couch to flash Jensen an upside down smirk.
“That’s an even better idea.” Even if it did leave him half hard and regretting saying yes to Chad.
Scooping up his keys, Jensen walked over to the couch and leaned over to thoroughly kiss Jared goodbye. Hopefully it’d tide them both over until he got back home.
Jensen almost detoured right back out of the cafeteria when he saw Jeff and Ian sitting together at a table by the window. But Jeff had already spotted him, so he wove through the tables and sat down across from Ian.
“Dude! Long time, no see!” Jeff complained, punching him lightly on the shoulder.
Jensen winced. He wasn’t precisely avoiding Jeff and Ian on purpose, but he didn’t exactly want to face them either, especially together. He always felt guilty and worried that something he said would give him away, and he didn’t want them to be pissed at him. Every time he saw Jeff, he remembered the conversation where Jeff told him his worst nightmare was one of his friends dating Jared or Megan. Someday soon, they needed to come clean, or Jensen was going to blurt it out at a really terrible time.
“Yeah, sorry,” Jensen said, concentrating on his salad so he wouldn’t have to look either of them in the eye. “I’ve been busy, picking up extra shifts for Chad and Margarite.” It wasn’t entirely a lie. He had worked for each of them in the past couple weeks, but Jared certainly took up most of his time.
Jeff scoffed and waved a hand dismissively. “Stop being so nice and hang out with your other friends for a change.”
“Yes. Soon,” Ian agreed.
“Wow, guys, I’d think you missed me or something,” Jensen said, grinning. He did miss everyone, even in the midst of new relationship bliss with Jared.
Before anyone could answer, Jeff’s phone buzzed, screen lighting up the pocket of his white coat. Jeff fished it out and read the message, then sighed forlornly as he looked at his half-finished lunch.
“Emergency. Gotta go back upstairs.” He gathered his stuff and pointed a finger at Jensen. “Don’t be a stranger.”
“Right,” Jensen answered, trying not to squirm under Jeff’s stern gaze.
There was a moment of silence after Jeff left while they went back to eating, then Ian smiled and said, “We do, you know. Miss you.”
“Okay, I get it. You guys can’t function without me. It’s understandable. I am pretty awesome.”
Ian rolled his eyes. “And so modest, too. Anyway. Do you want to come over this weekend?”
He knew from Ian’s tone and his cocked eyebrow that he didn’t mean it in a friends-hanging-out way.
“Sorry, I can’t.”
This wasn’t the first time he’d turned Ian down recently, but Ian didn’t call him on it, simply narrowed his eyes before taking a bite of his sandwich.
It surprised Jensen how quickly Ian stopped having an effect on him. Before, all he had to do was stand there and it turned Jensen on. But after being with Jared for the past several weeks, he didn’t want anybody else. The sex wasn’t necessarily better, not in technical terms anyway, but there was something right about falling asleep with Jared wrapped around him or even just spending time with him. Ian was great for a hookup and one of his best friends, but he never made Jensen feel shivery and giddy by just being in the same room like Jared did now.
“I work late on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday I have to go to Mom’s,” he explained, glad he had a legitimate excuse this time instead of whatever bullshit story he’d fed Ian before.
“Is your mum all right?”
“Oh, no, she’s great. Josh has some sort of announcement, so we’ve all been summoned to the house.”
If he hadn’t seen his friends in awhile, he’d been absolutely neglecting his family. Not that they were a close family or got together a lot anyway, but he had no clue what Josh’s announcement could be. He was looking forward to Sunday and catching up with everybody.
“That sounds like fun.”
“It should be. We haven’t all been together since Christmas. But enough about me. How’ve you been?”
Ian’s face lit up as he described a patient with dextrocardia, a reversal of the heart’s position in the chest, that he performed a bypass on last week. He looked like a kid on his birthday, practically bouncing in his seat as he told Jensen about the surgery and the article he hoped to write based on his observations. Jensen had to admit it was pretty cool--anything unusual like that created a buzz among the staff-- but he mostly just liked listening to Ian ramble.
“I think Jared’s been seeing someone,” Ian mentioned out of the blue once they’d moved onto other topics, and Jensen nearly choked on his mouthful of salad. He turned it into a cough instead. Ian arched an eyebrow to ask if he was okay, and he nodded. Reaching for his water, he swigged some to get his breath back.
“What makes you say that?” he asked, voice coming out hoarse.
“He’s been extra happy lately. He’s gone a lot and comes home at strange hours of the night.”
“So do you.”
Ian tipped his glass toward Jensen in a silent toast. “Anyway. He’s all secretive about it. Whenever I ask him, he acts flustered and nervous and runs away to hide in his room.”
“Maybe it’s not a guy. He could be selling drugs or something.”
Ian gave him a look, and Jensen knew his joke had fallen flat.
“Oh, it’s definitely a guy,” Ian insisted. “I’ve heard him talking on the phone as well.”
Jensen panicked a bit, wracking his brain for anything incriminating he and Jared had talked about over the last couple weeks. Nothing came to mind, but they’d need to be more careful in the future, just in case.
“I think he’s having an affair with one of his professors and that’s the reason for all the secrecy.”
Jensen did choke this time, but only because Ian’s statement startled a laugh out of him.
“Are you insane? Jared would never so something like that!” Ian maintained his serious expression for a few more moments before breaking out into a huge grin. “Jerk,” Jensen said, throwing his balled up napkin at Ian’s head. He ducked at the last second, and the napkin fell limply onto the table.
“Seriously, though, he’s up to something.”
“Maybe,” he hedged. “Even if he is, leave me out of it, man. We should respect his privacy and all that shit.”
“Yeah, all right.” He gathered his trash onto his plate and stood up. “I’ve gotta get back upstairs to do rounds and some prep work for a surgery tomorrow. See you later, mate.”
He squeezed Jensen’s shoulder on his way out, and Jensen only felt a little guilty for lying to him.
Jensen stared at Jared for a long time, thinking exhaustion was causing him to hallucinate.
“Hey,” he said finally, voice scratchy and rough even to his own ears. “I thought you had an exam.”
“I did. Got done early and thought I’d head over here, maybe make you dinner.” He hefted the canvas grocery bags hanging from his arms, then searched Jensen’s face, frowning. “You sounded absolutely wrecked on the phone. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, but I can leave if you want to sleep or whatever.”
“No,” he replied weakly, then repeated it with a little more feeling so Jared would know he meant it. “Come on in.”
He stepped back to let Jared past and stood there kind of listlessly while Jared set his stuff down in the kitchen area. He couldn’t explain how, but he just felt off, not like himself. He hated days like this. Suddenly Jared appeared in front of him and asked if he was okay. Jensen shook his head to clear it.
“Yeah, I’m fine. It was just a bad day.”
“Sure?”
Jensen nodded. “Yeah.”
Jared wrapped him up in a tight hug, and Jensen sank into it with a tired sigh. Closing his eyes, he buried his face in the curve of Jared’s neck.
“Wanna talk about it?” Jared asked softly, and somehow his genuine concern only made Jensen feel worse.
“No.”
Talking about it meant dwelling on it, and dwelling on it meant he couldn’t move on for the patients he needed to be all right for tomorrow. It didn’t matter anyway. Jared couldn’t bring back a patient that Jensen and two doctors couldn’t save in the first place.
“Okay,” Jared answered easily.
They stood there for a while in silence. Jensen soaked in Jared’s warmth, grateful he didn’t push for answers. This happened very seldom for Jensen, where he couldn’t cope with the futility and shittiness that came with working with sick and injured people. He usually shrugged it off or had a beer with the guys or went to Ian, but he couldn’t seem to shake his mood tonight.
“Tell you what,” Jared said, taking a couple steps back. Jensen immediately missed his warmth. “I’m going to start the food. Why don’t you get a shower?”
“Are you saying I smell?” Jensen’s teasing tone missed the mark a bit, but at least he didn’t sound quite as awful.
“Well, I was trying to ignore it but--” He playfully wrinkled his nose, then grinned, and Jensen found that he could actually smile in return. “Just go relax while I cook. Shower or TV, whatever will help.”
Jensen nodded and closed his eyes again when Jared kissed his cheek. After a minute of indecision, Jensen headed for the bathroom and a hot shower while Jared created a mess in his kitchen. Jensen came back out, feeling marginally better, just as Jared retrieved the homemade macaroni and cheese from the oven.
“That smells awesome,” Jensen told him, leaning against the counter by the stove.
“Thank you. It’s my grandma’s recipe. She basically taught me everything I know about cooking.”
“You’re gonna spoil me with homemade food if you keep doing this.”
“And that would be bad how?”
Jensen blushed and ducked his head to hide his pleased smile. It’d been a long time since he had anybody to care for him like this, and he was glad Jared was the one here right now. He was increasingly becoming the only person Jensen wanted to see. That was both scary and exciting.
Jared filled two huge bowls with pasta, and they took them into the living room to eat. Jared found a mindless sitcom for them to watch, something innocuously funny that, along with the good food, went a long way toward improving his mood. Jared helped even more, simply by being there. Jensen sat on the couch as close to Jared as he could get without impeding their ability to eat. Jared didn’t complain once, not even when their elbows bumped.
“This is really good. I’m gonna have you cook for me all the time now,” Jensen said, scraping the last of the cheese out of his bowl.
“Thanks. And anytime. I like to cook, but Ian’s usually gone, and it’s not as much fun to make things just for myself.” Grabbing Jensen’s bowl, Jared stood up. “Do you want more?”
“God, no. I’m stuffed.”
Jared laughed and bent down to kiss him. He tasted like whatever cheeses he’d put in the pasta, and Jensen lingered, chasing that incredible taste.
Jared eventually left to clean up the kitchen, and Jensen curled up on the couch. The day was finally blurring to a manageable level, but he still heard the loud beeping of the heart monitor, still felt as helpless as when their best efforts failed to regain a heartbeat. Sighing, he scrubbed a hand over his face, then startled when his phone started buzzing and skipping over the coffee table. It was a text from Ian.
Just got home. U okay? Wanna come over? Jared’s not here.
Jensen winced guiltily. I’m fine. Just going to bed.
Sure?
Yeah. But thanks.
Feel better, mate.
“Someone checking up on you?” Jared asked.
“Ian.” Jensen tossed his phone onto the table and flipped onto his back to look up at Jared. By his slightly uncomfortable expression, Jensen knew Jared had guessed the nature of Ian’s text.
“Ah. And you--”
“Said I’m fine and going to bed.” Sitting up, he pulled Jared down onto the couch with him and pressed a short kiss to his mouth.
“And are you? Fine?”
“Getting there,” Jensen promised.
“Good. Come on,” Jared urged, tugging Jensen with him when he stood again. “My plan includes more than feeding you.”
Jensen arched an eyebrow, especially since Jared was leading him toward the bedroom. Ian’s fix-it-all may be sex, but he didn’t expect the same from Jared.
“Oh, shut up! That’s not what I meant! Uh, take off your shirt and lie on your stomach, please,” he added sheepishly once they reached Jensen’s room.
“I didn’t say anything! But whatever you want. I’m in your hands.”
He stripped off his t-shirt and climbed onto the bed, lying down on his stomach. A moment later, he felt Jared straddle his thighs and settle back.
“So we’ve been talking in class about how sometimes the lightest touch will help people’s injuries or relax them enough for the deeper manipulations,” Jared explained, smoothing his palms up Jensen’s back on either side of his spine in one long, fluid arc. “Since you’re my favorite living model, I thought I’d practice on you.”
“Hm,” he mumbled, already feeling the tension draining from his body under Jared’s gentle touch.
“I take that to mean you’re okay with being my guinea pig?”
“Yes. Please.”
Jared paused to lean down and brush a kiss to the back of Jensen’s neck, his lips curved up into an unmistakable smile.
Jensen stayed quiet as Jared worked, falling into a half-doze. Jared concentrated mainly on lightly kneading the knots out of his shoulders and neck. Jared had amazing hands. For all that they were big and capable of much strength, they could also be incredibly gentle. Jensen had no doubt he’d be a great physical therapist someday.
By the time Jared finished and sat back on his heels, Jensen had practically melted into the mattress, muscles loose and finally free of the tension he’d carried around for most of the day. Jared crawled up the bed to lie beside him, and Jensen rolled onto his back, reaching out to comb the hair out of Jared’s eyes. Smiling, Jared propped himself up on an elbow and splayed one hand over Jensen’s chest, thumb sweeping slowly back and forth.
“Are you feeling better?” he asked.
“I am. Thank you.”
“I didn’t do much.”
“You’re here. You’re you.”
“Oh. Well, that part’s easy,” he replied, clearly embarrassed.
Jensen wanted to stay up longer with Jared, but he was exhausted before and the massage only made it worse. He yawned and a second later, Jared mirrored him.
“All right, bedtime,” Jared told him, then got them both down to boxers.
Jensen fell asleep before Jared even settled back in bed.
“Stay over tonight,” Jared said.
Jensen looked up from tucking himself back into his scrubs and frowned. “Jared, I don’t--”
“Please?” Jared closed the foot of distance between them in the empty patient room and molded himself against Jensen’s body, hooking his arms around Jensen’s waist.
“Ian--”
“Told me today that he’s working a long shift and won’t be home till tomorrow night, if he’s lucky. Come on, Jensen,” he murmured, nuzzling against his cheek. “I want to fuck you in my own bed for a change.”
It was really unfair of Jared to say that, especially in the low voice that always made Jensen shiver and when Jensen’s brain was still partly offline from an incredible blowjob.
“I’m not that easy, ya know. I expect dinner first.”
Jared laughed and brushed a kiss to his mouth. “I’ll cook you something amazing, promise.”
“All right.” Jared beamed at him, and he couldn’t help smiling back or leaning in for another, longer kiss. “I need to get back before someone comes looking for me. I should get done at 6 tonight.”
“Come over whenever. I’ll be home from class in the afternoon.”
Jared snagged one more kiss before slipping out into the hallway, Jensen following him a few minutes later. The rest of the day passed quickly and easily. Margarite even cut him loose early, since there wasn’t anything else to do and he was bored and bouncing off the walls a bit.
He stopped at home first to change clothes and grab a six-pack. When Jensen walked into the apartment, it was obvious Jared had started cooking already. It smelled like tomato sauce and spices, with garlic overriding everything, just as Jensen liked it.
“Hey,” he called, dumping his shoes and coat by the door.
“Hi!” Jared popped his head out of the kitchen, then disappeared again. “Dinner should be ready in a few minutes.”
“No problem. I brought beer.”
Jared was standing at the counter chopping vegetables for a salad, long-sleeved shirt pushed up his forearms and the hems of his jeans hanging over his bare feet. Jensen pressed up against him from behind and kissed the back of his neck. Jared leaned back with a happy noise.
“I picked up a bottle of wine on the way home. You can go ahead and open it if you want.”
“Ooh, fancy. Any particular reason why you’re going to so much trouble?”
Shrugging, Jared glanced over his shoulder and smiled softly. “No reason. Just thought it’d be nice.”
Jensen rucked up Jared’s shirt and slipped a hand underneath, spreading his fingers over Jared’s flat stomach. He felt Jared’s abdominal muscles contract as Jared sucked in a breath. He smiled against the soft skin at the base of Jared’s neck, just above his collar, then traced his thumb down Jared’s happy trail, dipping down past his waistband.
Jared gasped quietly, the steady rhythm of his chopping faltering. “If I cut off my finger, it’ll be your fault,” he warned.
“Noted. Good thing I’m a nurse.”
“Jensen.” His breath hitched, and the knife clattered to the cutting board.
“Okay, fine. Later, though.”
Jared nodded and resumed fixing the salad with a shaky hand. Jensen nipped at his neck once, then stepped back.
“Do you want a glass of wine?” he asked.
“Yeah, thanks.”
Jensen opened the wine, then fetched glasses out of the cupboard. There weren’t any wine glasses, so he grabbed a couple bar glasses Ian “accidentally” brought home from Brady’s one night.
“Hey, come here,” Jared said, wiping his hands off on a towel. He snagged one of Jensen’s belt loops and tugged him closer before taking his mouth in a heated kiss that made Jensen want to skip food and go right to the bedroom.
Of course, that was when the timer on the oven buzzed, and Jared pulled away to get what turned out to be lasagna. It smelled heavenly, and Jensen’s stomach growled loudly.
“Ya know, you really will spoil me with all this good food,” he mentioned. After spending so many years relying on take out and the hospital cafeteria, having Jared feed him all the time was a welcome change.
“You know I don’t mind. I like to cook. Hey, grab forks and bring the salad to the table?”
They settled down with their food and wine, a pile of Jared’s textbooks shoved to the side of the table. The lasagna tasted even better than it smelled. He unashamedly went back for seconds, since his schedule for the next few days meant he wouldn’t get real food for a while.
Sitting back, Jensen hooked his foot around Jared’s, slowly rubbing the back of his foot along Jared’s calf. Jared smiled lazily and filled their glasses again, finishing the wine off.
“Is there any dessert?” Jensen asked, picking up his glass.
“I could say something cheesy about me being your dessert, but I won’t. And, no, there isn’t any dessert.”
Jensen laughed, then leaned forward to kiss Jared. “I guess I’ll forgive you this time. Now, though, I remember you mentioning something about fucking me in your bed?”
Jared’s expression immediately changed from amused to heated, and he hauled Jensen in for a kiss that left them both breathless. Jared slipped his hand down to cup Jensen through his jeans, thumb rubbing over the head.
“Shit,” Jensen moaned, thrusting his hips into Jared’s grip.
“You like that?” he murmured and nipped at Jensen’s jaw, tightening his hand and increasing his pace.
The one time Jared wasn’t the least bit shy was during sex, and it turned Jensen on more than he expected. Jared was never timid about taking what he wanted or ramping Jensen up.
“Jesus, Jared, come on.” Jared’s fist was too loose, not enough pressure, and it was driving Jensen crazy. “Want you,” he gasped as Jared sucked on his neck.
In the end, they barely made it to the bedroom, Jensen too close to the edge and Jared eager to join him there. Jared fucked him on his knees from behind after the least amount of prep Jensen could stand. It burned a little, but that quickly gave way to pleasure, Jared filling him so good, his lips pressed to the back of his neck. It only took a few strokes of Jared’s hand on his dick before he was coming, and Jared followed him not long after.
Later, curled up in Jared’s arms and half-asleep, Jensen thought he heard a noise out in the living room, but he was too warm and content to pay much attention.
When Jensen stumbled into the kitchen in search of coffee, somebody was already at the machine, brewing a large pot.
“Uh, hi,” Jensen said, very nearly waving like an idiot.
Ian smirked at him, cocking one eyebrow in an amused expression Jensen knew well. Jensen wanted to ask him why he’d come home early, but Jensen wasn’t ready for the possible confrontation that would start and if Ian wasn’t bringing it up yet, neither was Jensen.
Ian broke their silent staring contest when the coffee finished brewing. Fetching another mug down from the cupboard, he poured them both some, then handed one to Jensen, who took it gratefully.
“So,” Ian said, staring at Jensen over the rim of his cup. “You and Jared, huh?”
“Uh,” he stammered, trying to come up with a logical reason why he crashed in Jared’s room last night.
“I’m not stupid, Jensen. I knew Jared was up to something. Also, his room is right next to mine, and I know your sex noises. So again, you and Jared, huh?”
Jensen flinched, feeling a blush creeping up his neck. “Uh, yeah? I’m kind of maybe in love with him,” he admitted quietly, and Ian’s eyes widened slightly. “I’m sorry!” he blurted.
Ian rolled his eyes. “Jensen, don’t be an idiot. I think it’s bloody fantastic.”
“You do?”
“Of course. You’re both brilliant, incredible guys. You deserve to be happy, and I’m glad you found each other. And I’m also glad to finally have the mystery solved of what’s been going on with Jared lately.”
Jensen grinned, shuffling closer to Ian. “You’re the best, you know that?”
Slinging an arm around Jensen’s waist, Ian beamed and kissed the side of Jensen’s head. “Nah, you are. Been telling you that for ages.”
Jensen set his mug on the counter, then hugged Ian, resting his cheek on Ian’s shoulder. They stood like that for quite awhile, until the sound of throat clearing from the doorway caused Jensen to turn his head. Jared leaned against the doorjamb, arms and ankles crossed, this soft look on his face that made Jensen’s insides go all melty.
“Is this a private moment, or can anyone join in?” Jared asked, lips quirking up at the corners.
“I need to get to the hospital anyway,” Ian said. He stepped back after one more squeeze to Jensen’s side. “He’s all yours,” he told Jared, and a happy zing went through Jensen’s body at the words.
Jared immediately took Ian’s place, crowding against Jensen and leaning in for a long kiss.
“He’s right. I am yours,” Jensen said softly.
“Yeah?” Jared murmured and nuzzled against Jensen’s cheek. “That’s good, because I’ve been yours for awhile now.”
Jensen tilted his head up to kiss Jared, one hand rasping over the stubble on Jared’s jaw. Jared smiled into it, pulling Jensen close and palms slipping down to cup Jensen’s ass. Distantly, Jensen heard the front door shut when Ian left.
“So,” Jensen said when they finally broke apart. “How long were you eavesdropping in the hallway to make sure the coast was clear before you came into the kitchen?”
Blushing, Jared laughed awkwardly. “Just a couple minutes. Enough to know Ian wasn’t pissed.”
“Not pissed at all. He’s happy for us.” Jensen made a face and picked up his coffee again. It was a little cool but still good. “Do you think our luck will hold out when Jeff finds out?”
Jared laughed again, though it almost sounded like a groan. “No?”
“Me either. Maybe we should have Ian talk to him.”
“That’s cruel.”
“But effective,” Jensen pointed out in a sing-song.
“Can we worry about it after breakfast? Someone kept me up late last night.”
Jensen grinned, pulse picking up, as Jared’s expression turned filthy and teasing. Splaying a hand over Jared’s abs under his shirt, Jensen nipped at Jared’s throat and jaw.
“Wanna skip breakfast and go back to bed?” he asked.
Jared’s smile sent shivers down his spine. “Absolutely.”
Bonus Fic