Hands of Fate: Epilogue
Title: Caught in the Hands of Fate
Author: fadedsparks
Beta: lunadragonx
Art: trueshellz
Fandom: RPS
Pairing: Jensen/Jared
Rated: R, with NC-17 in later chapters
Genre: AU, Angst, Romance
Disclaimer: This isn't meant to offend anyone and I am making no profit from it.
Warnings: Violence and Homophobia. Also, Jensen and Jared are the same age in this story.
Summary: Jensen has had his share of ups and downs, but he pushes forward and tries not to take life for granted. Starting college in California seems like the right choice for him, and everything is going better than he imagined it would. However, fate can be a tricky thing sometimes.
-~*~-
Epilogue:
-~*~-
“You guys should get a dog,” Mike says as he rejoins everyone in the living room, a couple of bowls filled with popcorn in his hands that he places onto the coffee table. “You have all of this space, there’s no reason you shouldn’t have a dog.”
“I have two dogs at home, Mike,” Jared grabs a kernel and tosses it at Mike’s bald head. “But he has a point,” he directs this at Jensen with a hopeful look. “I always considered having Sadie and Harley brought out here once I had a place where I could have them.”
“Are you asking me permission to bring your dogs here?” Jensen asks, amused.
“No, not permission, but this is our house,” Jared clarifies, and makes sure Jensen gets his point. “These are things we should make decisions on together, don’t you think?”
“It isn’t really a decision at all, I love Sadie and Harley, and you know I’d love to have them here. This is where they belong anyway. But, I’m glad you’re including me.” Jensen leans over, pressing a chaste kiss to the corner of Jared’s mouth, while at the same time stealing a handful of popcorn.
“You guys are so married, it’s adorable!” Sophia coos, making everyone laugh - or gag exaggeratedly, in Chad’s case - but they all seem to agree with her.
“You two do act like a married couple,” Steve chuckles under his breath, but Jensen can tell he means this in the nicest way, his words are not meant to mock.
“We’re never going to hear the end of this, are we?” Jared rolls his eyes, a sentiment Jensen shares. “You make sure to comment every time we’re together.”
Tom, who is usually quiet and does his best to stay out of things like this, surprisingly speaks up. “No one means to tease, we’re all genuinely happy you two have worked things out, and are as strong as ever. These guys, they’re just happy, and they can’t stop making comments because it’s good to have everything back on track.”
Jensen leans back into the couch cushions, considering his friend’s words. He can understand where he - and everyone else - is coming from. He’d had similar thoughts as well, though he typically kept them to himself, for the most part.
However, it does feel like everything has straightened themselves out in their lives. Their little gang of friends feels complete again. There is no tension, no misunderstandings and relationship issues getting in the way. Everyone is free to relax, to spend an afternoon in each other’s company, and just be happy.
It may have taken a while, with plenty of troubles and obstacles thrown in their path, but everything feels right again, like this was how it was always meant to be. When he first moved to California, Jensen never could have dreamed that such a great group of people would accept him with open arms, but he considers himself lucky.
A soft touch to the inside of his wrist draws Jensen out of his thoughts, and when he looks up he finds Jared watching him with a soft smile on his face. The corner of his mouth lifts up in a small smile, tuning back into the conversation going on around him, and laughs along with everyone else at the joke Mike had been telling, animatedly.
Chris slides a movie into the player, effectively shutting down further jokes from Mike, and instead they all make random comments about the comedy Chad had chosen for their movie night. This was something they did once a week, each taking turns with picking out a movie. It was a good way for them all to keep in touch, and spend some quality time together. Jensen thought this was a great idea, seeing as life changes and people tend to get busy with their lives, he doesn’t want to lose the closeness he shares with any of them.
Pulling his feet up onto the couch beneath him, he snuggles into the warmth of Jared’s side. He pushes all thoughts from his mind, letting himself relax and enjoy the moment, surrounded in good company.
:0Ж0:
Later, after movie night has ended, Jared takes it upon himself to clean up the living room while Jensen heads upstairs for a shower. Rounding up the empty beer bottles, he tosses them into the recycle bin and takes the trash out to the road to be picked up tomorrow morning.
Returning to the house, he climbs the stairs to the second floor, and is unable to hear the sounds of the shower running. Entering their empty bedroom tells him immediately where Jensen is. Most days he can usually be found in their home office, typing away on the computer, working on his book. Jared usually leaves him alone during those times, so as to not distract him, or he will sit quietly by the window and read a book.
He has to admit that he likes their lives, the comfortable routine they have, and just sharing each other’s space can be enough. It just feels good that despite everything they have gone through, things are good, and life is good. Jared is very passionate about photography, and he has decided to pursue a career in Travel Photography. This will more than likely take him to exotic places, he will be required to travel, which would mean an undetermined amount of time spent away from home and away from Jensen. This would be the one aspect of it that he is still undecided about. He is also studying photojournalism though, as a backup plan if things don’t work out.
Jensen is still attending his classes at the University but will be graduating soon and has been thinking about career paths, though he hasn’t been able to decide yet. Jared keeps telling him not to stress over it, and that he has time to get that figured out. Jensen begrudgingly admits that he has a point, but Jared can see how it still stresses him out.
In the meantime, he has been writing a lot. A book about his experiences, with moving to California and starting college far from home, his struggles with that and the attack. He says that it is therapeutic in many ways, and Jared doesn’t doubt that it is. Jensen has managed to move passed the attack, but he still is fighting his demons. He still has issues with public displays of affection, even just holding hands, and they both have considered the possibility that he may never fully be comfortable with it again. Nevertheless, he has made progress, and that’s what counts.
As expected, he finds Jensen sitting in front of the computer, typing away at the keyboard. He stands in the doorway for a few long moments, just watching Jensen’s back and listening to the sounds his fingers make on the keys. Once the sounds stop, Jensen turns in his seat to look over his shoulder at Jared.
“I thought I could feel a pair of eyes watching me,” he laughs, motioning Jared to come closer.
Jared does so without further prompting, running his fingers through Jensen’s hair once he is close enough to touch. “It figures you’d be in here, hard at work, as always.”
Jensen smiles slightly, unable to disagree. “Once I get started on this it’s hard to pull myself away,” he admits with a sheepish grin.
“I’m not complaining,” Jared shrugs and gives a beaming grin of his own. “At this rate, you’ll be a published author in no time.”
Jensen gives a nervous smile. “I don’t think I’ll ever try to get published, it’s just not something I want to share with just anyone, much less the world. My every thought and emotion is written plainly on paper, it’s just too personal to me. Maybe one day I’ll consider it, but it’s too soon.”
In a way, Jared can see where he is coming from; having strangers read something that is so personal to you must be intimidating. However, he has seen how hard Jensen has worked on this, has spent countless hours in front of the computer screen, and that kind of dedication shouldn’t go to waste. At least, Jared doesn’t think so. Now is not the time to persuade Jensen though, so he just smiles and gives a nod of understanding.
“I hope that one day you will reconsider, because I think your story deserves to be told. But, for now, I see where you’re coming from and I won’t try too hard to reason with you.” Giving a teasing smile, he leans down to press a kiss to his boyfriend’s lips, loving the way Jensen opens up to it and kisses him back softly.
The kiss lingers for a few moments, and by the end, they are just sharing breath, relishing to closeness. Smiling, he moves over to the chair by the window and takes a seat. Grabbing the book lying on the table beside it, he plans to read quietly while Jensen works on his book, but Jensen’s voice breaks the silence between them.
“The book is finished.” Jared looks up in surprise, and Jensen smiles back a bit shyly, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. “I may not be the best writer, Jay, and I’d need someone I trust to read it first before I even considered trying to get it published… Which is something I’m still not sure I’d want to do.” He goes on to say, not wanting Jared to get his hopes up, which is too little too late. Jensen basically said he might consider trying to get his book published if someone close to him liked it, and Jared is determined to see that happen.
Jensen turns away for a moment to print out a few pages on their home printer. Gathering the pages, he uses the hole puncher on each of them before placing them with a stack of papers lying on the edge of the desk. Carefully, he threads ribbon into the holes, binding the pages together in a simple but efficient way.
His hands are shaking just slightly as he turns back to Jared, and crosses the space between them. “Even if the world never gets to read these words, I don’t care, there’s only one person I care to share this with.” Smiling nervously, Jensen hands the book to Jared.
Taking it carefully, he looks into Jensen’s eyes as he stands up and pulls the light-haired man into his arms, embracing him tightly. “Thank you,” he whispers in Jensen’s ear, pulling back just enough to slot his mouth over his boyfriend’s, kissing him soft and sweet.
Blushing, Jensen runs his fingers down Jared’s jaw, a mixture of emotions in his eyes as he kisses his lips once more. “I’ll be downstairs, working on dinner. Take your time with the book, it may take you a while to read, so when you’re ready to take a break come join me in the living room, otherwise I’ll come get you when the food is ready.”
Jared just gives a nod, and watches as Jensen walks out of the room. His eyes stare at the vacant doorway for a moment longer before taking his seat at the window once more. Bringing his eyes to the book clutched in his hands, he reads the title “Caught in the Hands of Fate” and he smiles.
The End
Author: fadedsparks
Beta: lunadragonx
Art: trueshellz
Fandom: RPS
Pairing: Jensen/Jared
Rated: R, with NC-17 in later chapters
Genre: AU, Angst, Romance
Disclaimer: This isn't meant to offend anyone and I am making no profit from it.
Warnings: Violence and Homophobia. Also, Jensen and Jared are the same age in this story.
Summary: Jensen has had his share of ups and downs, but he pushes forward and tries not to take life for granted. Starting college in California seems like the right choice for him, and everything is going better than he imagined it would. However, fate can be a tricky thing sometimes.
-~*~-
Epilogue:
-~*~-
“You guys should get a dog,” Mike says as he rejoins everyone in the living room, a couple of bowls filled with popcorn in his hands that he places onto the coffee table. “You have all of this space, there’s no reason you shouldn’t have a dog.”
“I have two dogs at home, Mike,” Jared grabs a kernel and tosses it at Mike’s bald head. “But he has a point,” he directs this at Jensen with a hopeful look. “I always considered having Sadie and Harley brought out here once I had a place where I could have them.”
“Are you asking me permission to bring your dogs here?” Jensen asks, amused.
“No, not permission, but this is our house,” Jared clarifies, and makes sure Jensen gets his point. “These are things we should make decisions on together, don’t you think?”
“It isn’t really a decision at all, I love Sadie and Harley, and you know I’d love to have them here. This is where they belong anyway. But, I’m glad you’re including me.” Jensen leans over, pressing a chaste kiss to the corner of Jared’s mouth, while at the same time stealing a handful of popcorn.
“You guys are so married, it’s adorable!” Sophia coos, making everyone laugh - or gag exaggeratedly, in Chad’s case - but they all seem to agree with her.
“You two do act like a married couple,” Steve chuckles under his breath, but Jensen can tell he means this in the nicest way, his words are not meant to mock.
“We’re never going to hear the end of this, are we?” Jared rolls his eyes, a sentiment Jensen shares. “You make sure to comment every time we’re together.”
Tom, who is usually quiet and does his best to stay out of things like this, surprisingly speaks up. “No one means to tease, we’re all genuinely happy you two have worked things out, and are as strong as ever. These guys, they’re just happy, and they can’t stop making comments because it’s good to have everything back on track.”
Jensen leans back into the couch cushions, considering his friend’s words. He can understand where he - and everyone else - is coming from. He’d had similar thoughts as well, though he typically kept them to himself, for the most part.
However, it does feel like everything has straightened themselves out in their lives. Their little gang of friends feels complete again. There is no tension, no misunderstandings and relationship issues getting in the way. Everyone is free to relax, to spend an afternoon in each other’s company, and just be happy.
It may have taken a while, with plenty of troubles and obstacles thrown in their path, but everything feels right again, like this was how it was always meant to be. When he first moved to California, Jensen never could have dreamed that such a great group of people would accept him with open arms, but he considers himself lucky.
A soft touch to the inside of his wrist draws Jensen out of his thoughts, and when he looks up he finds Jared watching him with a soft smile on his face. The corner of his mouth lifts up in a small smile, tuning back into the conversation going on around him, and laughs along with everyone else at the joke Mike had been telling, animatedly.
Chris slides a movie into the player, effectively shutting down further jokes from Mike, and instead they all make random comments about the comedy Chad had chosen for their movie night. This was something they did once a week, each taking turns with picking out a movie. It was a good way for them all to keep in touch, and spend some quality time together. Jensen thought this was a great idea, seeing as life changes and people tend to get busy with their lives, he doesn’t want to lose the closeness he shares with any of them.
Pulling his feet up onto the couch beneath him, he snuggles into the warmth of Jared’s side. He pushes all thoughts from his mind, letting himself relax and enjoy the moment, surrounded in good company.
:0Ж0:
Later, after movie night has ended, Jared takes it upon himself to clean up the living room while Jensen heads upstairs for a shower. Rounding up the empty beer bottles, he tosses them into the recycle bin and takes the trash out to the road to be picked up tomorrow morning.
Returning to the house, he climbs the stairs to the second floor, and is unable to hear the sounds of the shower running. Entering their empty bedroom tells him immediately where Jensen is. Most days he can usually be found in their home office, typing away on the computer, working on his book. Jared usually leaves him alone during those times, so as to not distract him, or he will sit quietly by the window and read a book.
He has to admit that he likes their lives, the comfortable routine they have, and just sharing each other’s space can be enough. It just feels good that despite everything they have gone through, things are good, and life is good. Jared is very passionate about photography, and he has decided to pursue a career in Travel Photography. This will more than likely take him to exotic places, he will be required to travel, which would mean an undetermined amount of time spent away from home and away from Jensen. This would be the one aspect of it that he is still undecided about. He is also studying photojournalism though, as a backup plan if things don’t work out.
Jensen is still attending his classes at the University but will be graduating soon and has been thinking about career paths, though he hasn’t been able to decide yet. Jared keeps telling him not to stress over it, and that he has time to get that figured out. Jensen begrudgingly admits that he has a point, but Jared can see how it still stresses him out.
In the meantime, he has been writing a lot. A book about his experiences, with moving to California and starting college far from home, his struggles with that and the attack. He says that it is therapeutic in many ways, and Jared doesn’t doubt that it is. Jensen has managed to move passed the attack, but he still is fighting his demons. He still has issues with public displays of affection, even just holding hands, and they both have considered the possibility that he may never fully be comfortable with it again. Nevertheless, he has made progress, and that’s what counts.
As expected, he finds Jensen sitting in front of the computer, typing away at the keyboard. He stands in the doorway for a few long moments, just watching Jensen’s back and listening to the sounds his fingers make on the keys. Once the sounds stop, Jensen turns in his seat to look over his shoulder at Jared.
“I thought I could feel a pair of eyes watching me,” he laughs, motioning Jared to come closer.
Jared does so without further prompting, running his fingers through Jensen’s hair once he is close enough to touch. “It figures you’d be in here, hard at work, as always.”
Jensen smiles slightly, unable to disagree. “Once I get started on this it’s hard to pull myself away,” he admits with a sheepish grin.
“I’m not complaining,” Jared shrugs and gives a beaming grin of his own. “At this rate, you’ll be a published author in no time.”
Jensen gives a nervous smile. “I don’t think I’ll ever try to get published, it’s just not something I want to share with just anyone, much less the world. My every thought and emotion is written plainly on paper, it’s just too personal to me. Maybe one day I’ll consider it, but it’s too soon.”
In a way, Jared can see where he is coming from; having strangers read something that is so personal to you must be intimidating. However, he has seen how hard Jensen has worked on this, has spent countless hours in front of the computer screen, and that kind of dedication shouldn’t go to waste. At least, Jared doesn’t think so. Now is not the time to persuade Jensen though, so he just smiles and gives a nod of understanding.
“I hope that one day you will reconsider, because I think your story deserves to be told. But, for now, I see where you’re coming from and I won’t try too hard to reason with you.” Giving a teasing smile, he leans down to press a kiss to his boyfriend’s lips, loving the way Jensen opens up to it and kisses him back softly.
The kiss lingers for a few moments, and by the end, they are just sharing breath, relishing to closeness. Smiling, he moves over to the chair by the window and takes a seat. Grabbing the book lying on the table beside it, he plans to read quietly while Jensen works on his book, but Jensen’s voice breaks the silence between them.
“The book is finished.” Jared looks up in surprise, and Jensen smiles back a bit shyly, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. “I may not be the best writer, Jay, and I’d need someone I trust to read it first before I even considered trying to get it published… Which is something I’m still not sure I’d want to do.” He goes on to say, not wanting Jared to get his hopes up, which is too little too late. Jensen basically said he might consider trying to get his book published if someone close to him liked it, and Jared is determined to see that happen.
Jensen turns away for a moment to print out a few pages on their home printer. Gathering the pages, he uses the hole puncher on each of them before placing them with a stack of papers lying on the edge of the desk. Carefully, he threads ribbon into the holes, binding the pages together in a simple but efficient way.
His hands are shaking just slightly as he turns back to Jared, and crosses the space between them. “Even if the world never gets to read these words, I don’t care, there’s only one person I care to share this with.” Smiling nervously, Jensen hands the book to Jared.
Taking it carefully, he looks into Jensen’s eyes as he stands up and pulls the light-haired man into his arms, embracing him tightly. “Thank you,” he whispers in Jensen’s ear, pulling back just enough to slot his mouth over his boyfriend’s, kissing him soft and sweet.
Blushing, Jensen runs his fingers down Jared’s jaw, a mixture of emotions in his eyes as he kisses his lips once more. “I’ll be downstairs, working on dinner. Take your time with the book, it may take you a while to read, so when you’re ready to take a break come join me in the living room, otherwise I’ll come get you when the food is ready.”
Jared just gives a nod, and watches as Jensen walks out of the room. His eyes stare at the vacant doorway for a moment longer before taking his seat at the window once more. Bringing his eyes to the book clutched in his hands, he reads the title “Caught in the Hands of Fate” and he smiles.
The End