J2 Big Bang - Gone In An Instant (Or Here Til The Bitter End) Jared/Jensen NC-17 5a/13
Back to Chapter 4
Throughout Jensen’s educational career he had never deviated from his patterns. If there was homework, reading or assignments to complete, he would do it as soon as it had been assigned. Lately, there had been too many assignments all given at the same time and he had been forced to prioritize, but for the most part he had not been raised as a procrastinator. By noon on Saturday, Jensen had any and all work done that was due for the coming week. He had the rest of his weekend free, but most importantly, the rest of his day free. Which would only lead to one thing: him over thinking his date with Jared that night.
Lounging on the couch with Virginia’s head in his lap, both were on the verge of dozing off again. It was when she abruptly stood up and started to whine Jensen opened his eyes and looked over at his girl. She was standing at the front door, leash in her mouth whining for her master to take her out.
“You want to go to the park?” Jensen asked, lazily. He was comfortable where he was, but if she truly had to go out and he denied her for too long, she would make her displeasure known by going right in the middle of the carpet. At the mention of the ‘p’ word, Virginia’s ears perked up and she barked. The leash clattered to the floor with a resounding thud as if punctuating her desire to go out.
Jensen eyed his phone on the coffee table. He wondered if Jared was up and if he was busy. Hitting the other man’s name in his address book, Jensen waited for it to ring. It only took three rings for Jared to answer.
“What are you up to?” Jensen asked with a smile.
“Uhhhh, just finishing breakfast,” Jared answered. “You’re not cancelling tonight are you?” There was a hint of worry in his tone. “Because if you are, I’m definitely not okay with that.”
“No, god no. I just… well, Ginny wants to go to the park and we were wondering if Tank wanted to play?”
Jared chuckled causing for Jensen’s stomach to clench and flutter. “Seriously?”
“If you’re busy…” Jensen bit his lip, he hadn’t expected Jared to turn him down.
“No. Not at all. I’m just …”
“Just?”
“This will be good. Tank can get some fresh air and a doggie play date at the park will take my mind off of
how I want today to hurry the fuck up.”
“Oh?” Jensen said with a tease. “Got something big planned?”
“Just this date with a total hotass with a big dog.”
“You know what they say about guys with big dogs,” Jensen flirted.
Jared laughed outright. “I don’t know man. I know what they say about guys with small dogs, and that is an outright lie. So…”
“We’ll see about that,” Jensen croaked. His tongue was hot and heavy in his mouth and he ached to
finally put that myth to rest.
“We sure will,” Jared’s voice held hunger and promise. “Meet you at the park in twenty?”
Jensen agreed and hung up the phone. Palming his erection, Jensen took one more look at himself in the mirror and caught Danneel watching him from the landing. “What?”
“You are too fucking cute,” she said with a fond smile. “I’m so glad for you honey. You two are going to be perfect for each other.”
He blushed and tried to take the focus off of himself. “So what are you and Genevieve up to tonight?” Jensen watched as Danneel’s eyes widened and she licked her lips.
“You don’t want to know.”
Jensen knew he should listen to her, but he wasn’t very good at heeding his own warnings. “I do now.”
He watched Danneel cover her eyes with one hand as she spoke. “We’re heading out to the Velvet Room to see if we can find some hot guy to bring home.”
“Together?” Jensen knew he didn’t need to ask. The answer wouldn’t surprise him. He laughed as Danneel shook her head with pity.
“Oh honey. Just go. We both know the answer to that and I’ll just chalk it up to your giant vagina since your cock withered up from lack of use. Jared’s waiting for you for your pre-date date.”
“Fuck you,” was all Jensen could reply with through the embarrassment. Ginny gave a happy bark as they exited the house and made their way towards the park. He was surprised to see Jared already there, holding two steaming paper cups in his hands.
“I wasn’t sure how you took it,” Jared said with a smile. “I didn’t put anything in it and have creamers and sugar in my pockets.”
Jensen grabbed the cup and inhaled the delicious scent of black, strong coffee. “This is how I like it. Perfect.” He saw Jared’s eyes crinkle and his cheeks flush at the smile on his own face. “You’re perfect.”
Jensen thought he heard Jared mumble “you’re perfect,” under his breath but the other man was blushing and hiding his smile in his coffee and Jensen didn’t want to embarrass him further. They watched their dogs run back and forth, chasing a Kong toy that Jared must have brought with him. Jensen enjoyed the comfortable silence between them, happy to be standing side by side with Jared knowing he was there WITH him.
A thought crossed Jensen’s mind and he couldn’t help but ask. “So… Frisbee.”
Jared’s eyes lit up and a smile covered his face. “Yeah? You mean, the sport that my team demolished all competitors in? That Frisbee?”
Unable to hold the laughter off, Jensen nodded. “Exactly, so would you like to explain to me HOW you
managed to do that?”
“What? Computer nerds can’t play Frisbee?”
“I think we both know that clearly isn’t the case. Just...what’s your secret? We did pretty good ourselves, but even we didn’t have a perfect record. And we nearly won last year.” Jensen held his breath as Jared leaned in, a secretive smile on his face.
“Oh, you want to know huh? What our secret to success is?”
Jensen licked his lips and could only nod. Jared’s proximity obliterated any ability he might have had to speak.
“You want to know how we could have won the whole thing?” His lips were right next to Jensen’s ear, close enough that Jensen could feel the breath on his neck.
“Yes?” He let out a strangled response.
“Too bad,” was all Jared said, smirking.
It took a few seconds for Jensen to understand what Jared had said and meant. “What?”
“Too bad.”
“You’re not going to tell me?”
Jared looked at him like he was crazy. “Hell no. I tell you our secret, you run back and tell your team and then next year you win? No way.”
They both stood chest to chest, eyes locked until Jensen couldn’t hold back the laughter. “You’re serious aren’t you?”
“Like a heart attack.”
Conversation flowed freely, both aware of the time and taking turns throwing the toy for Tank and Ginny to catch and retrieve. The sound of Jensen’s phone ringing interrupted a great debate of the merits of bean chilli and “real” Texan chilli. Seeing Chris’ name on his caller ID Jensen told Jared he’d just be a moment.
“Christian, what’s up?”
“Hey son, Danni said you took Virginia to the park with Jared and his dog.”
“Yeah, we’re both here.” Jensen checked his watch to see it was almost three. He’d need to get going sometime relatively soon if he wanted to be showered, changed and have Ginny settled for the night before Jared showed up at six to pick him up. “I shouldn’t be too much longer.” Jensen met Jared’s eye and the other man nodded. “Gotta be ready for my big date tonight.” They shared a smile.
“So, about that. Is there any way you can cancel?” Chris asked.
Jensen laughed, assuming that his friend was joking. When Chris didn’t laugh he stopped. “No Chris, there is no way I can cancel my date with Jared tonight.” Jensen saw Jared raise an eyebrow at his words and Jensen shrugged.
“Just reschedule, tell him something came up.”
“No I WON’T reschedule. And nothing DID come up. What’s wrong with you?” Jensen began to get aggravated. He knew his friends were aware of his date with Jared that night and how excited he was for it. He didn’t know where this was coming from.
“Well, maybe just switch the venue of your date.”
Jensen saw Jared point to the group of people a few feet away and nodded. Jared looked uncomfortable knowing that they were talking about him and Jensen was glad that he would be able to speak without Jared hearing what he was about to say.
“What the fuck are you talking about, Chris?”
“I need you tonight. We’ve got a gig and I need a guitarist. Just tell him that I need your help and maybe reschedule, or bring him. He can see us play and during intermission and after you guys can have your date.”
“Are you insane? No. Why do you need me?”
Jensen could hear the irritation in Chris’s tone and felt his own grow. “Steve’s sick and we have a gig tonight. I need someone to play with me and you’re all I’ve got on short notice. Please, don’t be a dick about this.”
Jensen’s entire body went rigid and he felt the rage grow in his stomach, throughout his whole body. When he didn’t respond Chris continued.
“Don’t be so fucking selfish. I need you, you barely know this kid. He’ll understand, if he’s as cool as you and Sandy say…”
“No,” Jensen said calmly. “This isn’t my problem. This is your problem, yours and Steve. I’m sorry he’s sick but I’m not available.”
“It’s just a fucking date. Hell, you’re with him right now.”
“Oh, just a fucking date. When it’s my life it’s just a fucking date. When it’s you and we have plans it’s okay because Sandy’s this hot chick and you’re still in the getting to know you phase and we’re all expected to understand. Fuck you.”
“You’re such a selfish asshole, this is my music,” Chris argued, nearly shouting. “This is my life. If you were a true friend you’d understand.”
“Exactly KANE, this is YOUR life, YOUR music. Don’t you dare call me fucking selfish.” Through his own anger, Jensen could hear someone yelling on the other end of the line, a voice that sounded similarly to Danneel’s. “As for the true friend comment, fuck you.” Jensen disconnected the call and wished he had the satisfaction of slamming a receiver down. Instead he closed his eyes, counted to ten while taking deep breaths. By the time he got to fifty, he was able to open his eyes without seeing red in front of him. Jensen looked over at Jared who was watching him with concern in his eyes.
With a few extra deep breaths for good measure, Jensen headed over to join Jared who was crouching down rubbing Ginny’s stomach enthusiastically. “She’ll love you forever,” he said with honesty. Jensen felt a little of the anger ebb just at being with Jared and vowed not to let that exchange ruin the rest of his day and their date.
“Naturally.” Jared grinned, winking at Jensen. Ginny whined when Jared stopped his rubbing and stood
up. “So,” Jared started, “Everything okay?”
Jensen was clearly not but he gave a strained smile anyways. “Yeah.” He stared deep into Jared’s eyes.
“They will be.”
“Uhh…if you need to, we can resch--”
“NO.” He appreciated Jared offering but he was not going to reschedule. “No, I don’t want to. That shit, it’s not my responsibility...” He was cut off by the sound of his phone ringing. Chris’ name showed up on his caller ID and Jensen ignored the call. Forty seconds later it reappeared.
Jensen shook his head and saw it come to life a third time only with Danneel’s name appearing. He didn’t want to talk to anyone, he was still too mad to handle it rationally. Jensen turned the ringer off and slipped the phone in his pocket.
“I’m sorry,” Jared looked genuinely remorseful and Jensen stepped in to link their fingers.
“Stop, this has nothing to do with you.”
Jensen’s pocket started to vibrate in notification of the phone ringing. He let out a few curses and ignored Danneel’s call. “Give me one second, I have something to handle.” He squeezed Jared’s hand to let him know he didn’t want him to go anywhere.
Within seconds Jensen opened his iMessage programme and started a message to Chris, Danneel and Steve.
I’m going to be home in about half an hour. I don’t want to talk to anyone. I don’t want to see anyone. I’m coming home to shower, change, set Ginny up for the night and meet Jared for our date. Either don’t be around or don’t be home, but this isn’t negotiable because if you push me, you won’t like the result.
He hit send and almost instantly he got a response in his inbox from Danneel.
xo d
“So maybe you want to pick me up at my place?” Jared asked softly. Jensen’s eyes flickered from his phone to the other man’s face. He saw uncertainty in their hazel depths. Jensen couldn’t stop himself from pulling Jared down to press their mouths together in a desperate yet relieved kiss.
“God yes. Please. I don’t want to be home any more than I need to be right now.”
“You sure you need to go home?” This time uncertainty was replaced with suggestiveness and a twinkle of mischief. “You can just come over…”
Jensen gave what he hoped was a stern expression. “Be good.”
“Good never gets you anywhere,” Jared pouted playfully.
“Good now might get me naked later,” Jensen promised. He whistled for Ginny to come to him and heel. She waited patiently while Jensen attached her leash and tried to avoid Jared’s heated gaze.
The two men walked together through the park. When they were at the path where they would separate, Jared stepped in and quickly kissed Jensen on the lips. “See you in a few hours.” When Jensen didn’t move to walk away Jared flashed a grin. “Offer’s still good to come over now.”
“You’re bad.”
“I guess you’ll find out tonight.”
“Fuck.”
“Faster you get home, faster you can come… Over. Come over.”
“Incorrigible,” Jensen accused.
“Charming,” Jared called over his shoulder as he headed in the direction of his house.
“Bye, Jared,” Jensen responded. He felt lighter than he would have imagined after his conversation with Chris. As much as he was dreading having to go home and possibly face his housemates, Chris in particular, he was focused on just getting ready and going on his date with Jared. Their first official date, despite time spent together, a few chaste kisses and a multitude of texts, emails and phone conversations. He held his breath as they entered the house. Ginny let out a bark, as if to alert anyone that they were home but she received no response.
Once her bowls were full and she was resting comfortably in the giant bed they kept for her in the living room, Jensen headed up the stairs. He kept Jared’s face in his mind to distract the nervousness of coming face to face with one of his roommates. When Jensen passed Danneel’s room, he stopped and part of him wished that she was home, that he could have here there to reassure him everything would be okay. The love he felt in his heart for her overrode his anger for Chris at the moment. When he got to his room, he shot off a fast text to her with “I love you, thanks. I just need time.”
“Anytime. Have fun tonight. Don’t forget to get laid. Xo.”
It was just after six when Jensen walked up Jared’s front path. He took another look at himself, taking in his faded jeans, long sleeved shirt, leather jacket and boots. It took a few minutes for someone to answer the door. Genevieve’s eyes widened and she paused for a moment.
“H-hey Jensen.”
Jensen was stunned as Genevieve discreetly pushed Jensen back and closed the door behind them. “Hi Genevieve,” Jensen said slowly.
“What’s up?” It was clear that something was going on inside the house. “You… You look good.”
“Thanks, Genevieve.”
“Gen.”
“Yes?”
Genevieve looked startled for a moment before laughing nervously. “No, call me Gen. Gen and Jen. Isn’t that funny?”
“Is Jared home?” Jensen pulled out his phone and opened a message to Jared.
“What’s going on? Genevieve is acting sketchy and I’m on your front step.”
“Of course he’s home, he’s just getting ready. I thought we’d enjoy the nice weather while you wait for him.”
Something caught Jensen’s eye in one of the windows and he saw Jared standing there, hand on his head in what looked like a weary expression.
“Oh god…I’ll be right down. Humor her and I’ll explain. Just don’t come inside.”
Although he was confused, Jensen went along with Genevieve’s stalling tactics. They made small talk and about five minutes after Jared’s text the front door opened. He saw Danneel behind Jared and she looked like she was trying to restrain someone out of his line of sight. Jared must have seen the expression on his face and he rushed to close the door.
“Thanks Gen, that’ll be all.”
“Oh any time, Jen and I were just getting to know each other. Now that we’re dating each other’s best friends.” Jensen couldn’t help but step in and pull the small girl in to a tight embrace. He felt her gasp of surprise against his chest.
“It’s okay Genevieve,” he said with a kind smile. “Breathe, it’ll be okay.” He watched her eyes flicker to Jared and a flash of panic appeared before it was gone. “Have fun with Danni tonight.” Genevieve’s expression turned and her lips curled in a sexy smirk.
“Of course.” She pulled Jensen in and in a move that completely shocked him, she placed a feather soft kiss on his mouth. “Have fun tonight. Fuck him, you guys deserve this.”
“Genevieve,” Jared warned. “Go.”
“I love you, Jared,” she squeaked as she ran past him and into the house.
“So, that happened,” Jared’s voice broke through the awkward silence between them.
“She kissed me.”
Jared nodded. “She sure did.”
For the first time since he’d arrived, Jensen afforded himself a look at the man in front of him and felt his gut clench and his groin harden. Jared looked even more beautiful than Jensen could have ever expected and he refused to let any regret or drama with Chris interfere with the evening.
Silent understanding passed between them and Jared grabbed a hold of Jensen’s hand, threading their fingers together. They headed towards a pub that Jared swore he had to try. They had a few dozen beers on tap not to mention the best ribs he’d had outside of Texas.
A niggling thought crossed his mind and Jensen stopped in his tracks, needing to say something before the night continued. “You know I want to be here right?”
He saw that his declaration had come out of the blue with Jared. “I hope so?”
With a laugh, Jensen shook his head. “No seriously, I want to be here. Out with you. I don’t care what happened at the park, or what clearly happened back at your house. None of that matters.”
“But he’s your best friend,” Jared squeezed Jensen’s hand comfortingly. His voice held no judgement, no emotion other than soft understanding. “I understand how hard it must be for you.”
“One of them, yes. And that’s how I know it’ll eventually be okay.” Jensen let out a deep, cleansing breath as he shrugged. “It’s like, I give and I give and I give, and when I want to do something for me, it’s inconvenient. And some things just aren’t worth the fight. You are.” He felt himself being brought into the heat of Jared’s embrace and relaxed into the other man’s arms. Grinning, he looked up and met Jared’s eye, “at least you better be.”
The answer he received was a lengthy, deep kiss. Jared licked at Jensen’s teeth, pushing into his mouth and entwining their tongues together. Jensen cupped Jared’s ass in his hands, taking advantage of the groan that resulted by deepening the kiss. Once they were both gasping for breath, grinding shamelessly against each other Jensen finally pulled away. “Dinner.”
“What?” Jared seemed distracted by his mouth, running the pad of his thumb against the wetness from their kiss.
“Dinner, let’s…” Jensen started another kiss. It broke with a groan from both men. “Shit Jared, let’s go eat.”
“Right, date. Dinner.”
They shared another few kisses.
“We can continue this later though. Right?” Jared asked into Jensen’s mouth.
“And more,” Jensen promised.
That was enough for Jared to step back, grab a hold of Jensen’s hand and pull him into the pub. It was busy, the dinner crowd filling the bar from wall to wall. Luckily, Jensen spotted a small booth on the far wall and headed towards the table before someone else could beat them to it. Despite both men’s rush to finish dinner so that they could continue what had been started outside, a calm settled between them. The atmosphere was relaxed, conversation coming with an ease that neither had felt with anyone outside their most inner circle of family and friends.
After a few pints and shared appetizers, Jensen was feeling pleasantly warm. Judging the flushed state of Jared’s cheeks, the way his eyes were focused intently on Jensen and the wide smile on his lips, he too was feeling warm and buzzed.
Midway through their meals, Jensen switched to water. He wanted to be coherent for the after dinner entertainment and falling down drunk was not going to help. He watched Jared lick sauce off of his fingers and the heat that had been simmering was back in full force. Jared must have noticed the want that was radiating off of him, because he’d taken every chance he could get to tease Jensen, licking his fingers suggestively and practically deep-throating the straw to his own glass of water.
Once their dishes had been cleared, the waitress returned inquiring about dessert, coffee and/or tea. Jensen could hardly believe that Jared was contemplating it. “No, just the cheque please.”
The waitress nodded and headed off to get their bill. Jensen looked at Jared who he swore was pouting.
“I wanted some cake,” he whined.
Jensen couldn’t help but laugh. “Is anyone expecting you home tonight?” His eyes were sharp, trained on Jared’s mouth. He watched the other man lick his lips hungrily.
“They weren’t sure. I’m to text Gen whose house we end up at. So they go to the other.”
“Tell her to take Danni and their friend to your house. I’m taking you home to mine. Now. We’ll stop at the bakery down the street from my house; it’s open late. I’ll buy you a whole cake if you want.”
Jared didn’t even argue. Instead, he pulled the credit card from his wallet and gave it to the waitress who had just reappeared. Jensen tried to argue but Jared shut him up with his finger over his mouth.
“If you are buying me a whole fucking cake …and you are buying me a whole fucking cake, I’ll pay for dinner.”
“You actually want a whole cake?” Jensen was incredulous. He’d said it jokingly, but Jared didn’t seem to be kidding.
“I love cake. Especially chocolate fudge cake. You would be amazed at what I would do for a whole chocolate fudge cake.”
On to Chapter 5b
Masterpost
Throughout Jensen’s educational career he had never deviated from his patterns. If there was homework, reading or assignments to complete, he would do it as soon as it had been assigned. Lately, there had been too many assignments all given at the same time and he had been forced to prioritize, but for the most part he had not been raised as a procrastinator. By noon on Saturday, Jensen had any and all work done that was due for the coming week. He had the rest of his weekend free, but most importantly, the rest of his day free. Which would only lead to one thing: him over thinking his date with Jared that night.
Lounging on the couch with Virginia’s head in his lap, both were on the verge of dozing off again. It was when she abruptly stood up and started to whine Jensen opened his eyes and looked over at his girl. She was standing at the front door, leash in her mouth whining for her master to take her out.
“You want to go to the park?” Jensen asked, lazily. He was comfortable where he was, but if she truly had to go out and he denied her for too long, she would make her displeasure known by going right in the middle of the carpet. At the mention of the ‘p’ word, Virginia’s ears perked up and she barked. The leash clattered to the floor with a resounding thud as if punctuating her desire to go out.
Jensen eyed his phone on the coffee table. He wondered if Jared was up and if he was busy. Hitting the other man’s name in his address book, Jensen waited for it to ring. It only took three rings for Jared to answer.
“What are you up to?” Jensen asked with a smile.
“Uhhhh, just finishing breakfast,” Jared answered. “You’re not cancelling tonight are you?” There was a hint of worry in his tone. “Because if you are, I’m definitely not okay with that.”
“No, god no. I just… well, Ginny wants to go to the park and we were wondering if Tank wanted to play?”
Jared chuckled causing for Jensen’s stomach to clench and flutter. “Seriously?”
“If you’re busy…” Jensen bit his lip, he hadn’t expected Jared to turn him down.
“No. Not at all. I’m just …”
“Just?”
“This will be good. Tank can get some fresh air and a doggie play date at the park will take my mind off of
how I want today to hurry the fuck up.”
“Oh?” Jensen said with a tease. “Got something big planned?”
“Just this date with a total hotass with a big dog.”
“You know what they say about guys with big dogs,” Jensen flirted.
Jared laughed outright. “I don’t know man. I know what they say about guys with small dogs, and that is an outright lie. So…”
“We’ll see about that,” Jensen croaked. His tongue was hot and heavy in his mouth and he ached to
finally put that myth to rest.
“We sure will,” Jared’s voice held hunger and promise. “Meet you at the park in twenty?”
Jensen agreed and hung up the phone. Palming his erection, Jensen took one more look at himself in the mirror and caught Danneel watching him from the landing. “What?”
“You are too fucking cute,” she said with a fond smile. “I’m so glad for you honey. You two are going to be perfect for each other.”
He blushed and tried to take the focus off of himself. “So what are you and Genevieve up to tonight?” Jensen watched as Danneel’s eyes widened and she licked her lips.
“You don’t want to know.”
Jensen knew he should listen to her, but he wasn’t very good at heeding his own warnings. “I do now.”
He watched Danneel cover her eyes with one hand as she spoke. “We’re heading out to the Velvet Room to see if we can find some hot guy to bring home.”
“Together?” Jensen knew he didn’t need to ask. The answer wouldn’t surprise him. He laughed as Danneel shook her head with pity.
“Oh honey. Just go. We both know the answer to that and I’ll just chalk it up to your giant vagina since your cock withered up from lack of use. Jared’s waiting for you for your pre-date date.”
“Fuck you,” was all Jensen could reply with through the embarrassment. Ginny gave a happy bark as they exited the house and made their way towards the park. He was surprised to see Jared already there, holding two steaming paper cups in his hands.
“I wasn’t sure how you took it,” Jared said with a smile. “I didn’t put anything in it and have creamers and sugar in my pockets.”
Jensen grabbed the cup and inhaled the delicious scent of black, strong coffee. “This is how I like it. Perfect.” He saw Jared’s eyes crinkle and his cheeks flush at the smile on his own face. “You’re perfect.”
Jensen thought he heard Jared mumble “you’re perfect,” under his breath but the other man was blushing and hiding his smile in his coffee and Jensen didn’t want to embarrass him further. They watched their dogs run back and forth, chasing a Kong toy that Jared must have brought with him. Jensen enjoyed the comfortable silence between them, happy to be standing side by side with Jared knowing he was there WITH him.
A thought crossed Jensen’s mind and he couldn’t help but ask. “So… Frisbee.”
Jared’s eyes lit up and a smile covered his face. “Yeah? You mean, the sport that my team demolished all competitors in? That Frisbee?”
Unable to hold the laughter off, Jensen nodded. “Exactly, so would you like to explain to me HOW you
managed to do that?”
“What? Computer nerds can’t play Frisbee?”
“I think we both know that clearly isn’t the case. Just...what’s your secret? We did pretty good ourselves, but even we didn’t have a perfect record. And we nearly won last year.” Jensen held his breath as Jared leaned in, a secretive smile on his face.
“Oh, you want to know huh? What our secret to success is?”
Jensen licked his lips and could only nod. Jared’s proximity obliterated any ability he might have had to speak.
“You want to know how we could have won the whole thing?” His lips were right next to Jensen’s ear, close enough that Jensen could feel the breath on his neck.
“Yes?” He let out a strangled response.
“Too bad,” was all Jared said, smirking.
It took a few seconds for Jensen to understand what Jared had said and meant. “What?”
“Too bad.”
“You’re not going to tell me?”
Jared looked at him like he was crazy. “Hell no. I tell you our secret, you run back and tell your team and then next year you win? No way.”
They both stood chest to chest, eyes locked until Jensen couldn’t hold back the laughter. “You’re serious aren’t you?”
“Like a heart attack.”
Conversation flowed freely, both aware of the time and taking turns throwing the toy for Tank and Ginny to catch and retrieve. The sound of Jensen’s phone ringing interrupted a great debate of the merits of bean chilli and “real” Texan chilli. Seeing Chris’ name on his caller ID Jensen told Jared he’d just be a moment.
“Christian, what’s up?”
“Hey son, Danni said you took Virginia to the park with Jared and his dog.”
“Yeah, we’re both here.” Jensen checked his watch to see it was almost three. He’d need to get going sometime relatively soon if he wanted to be showered, changed and have Ginny settled for the night before Jared showed up at six to pick him up. “I shouldn’t be too much longer.” Jensen met Jared’s eye and the other man nodded. “Gotta be ready for my big date tonight.” They shared a smile.
“So, about that. Is there any way you can cancel?” Chris asked.
Jensen laughed, assuming that his friend was joking. When Chris didn’t laugh he stopped. “No Chris, there is no way I can cancel my date with Jared tonight.” Jensen saw Jared raise an eyebrow at his words and Jensen shrugged.
“Just reschedule, tell him something came up.”
“No I WON’T reschedule. And nothing DID come up. What’s wrong with you?” Jensen began to get aggravated. He knew his friends were aware of his date with Jared that night and how excited he was for it. He didn’t know where this was coming from.
“Well, maybe just switch the venue of your date.”
Jensen saw Jared point to the group of people a few feet away and nodded. Jared looked uncomfortable knowing that they were talking about him and Jensen was glad that he would be able to speak without Jared hearing what he was about to say.
“What the fuck are you talking about, Chris?”
“I need you tonight. We’ve got a gig and I need a guitarist. Just tell him that I need your help and maybe reschedule, or bring him. He can see us play and during intermission and after you guys can have your date.”
“Are you insane? No. Why do you need me?”
Jensen could hear the irritation in Chris’s tone and felt his own grow. “Steve’s sick and we have a gig tonight. I need someone to play with me and you’re all I’ve got on short notice. Please, don’t be a dick about this.”
Jensen’s entire body went rigid and he felt the rage grow in his stomach, throughout his whole body. When he didn’t respond Chris continued.
“Don’t be so fucking selfish. I need you, you barely know this kid. He’ll understand, if he’s as cool as you and Sandy say…”
“No,” Jensen said calmly. “This isn’t my problem. This is your problem, yours and Steve. I’m sorry he’s sick but I’m not available.”
“It’s just a fucking date. Hell, you’re with him right now.”
“Oh, just a fucking date. When it’s my life it’s just a fucking date. When it’s you and we have plans it’s okay because Sandy’s this hot chick and you’re still in the getting to know you phase and we’re all expected to understand. Fuck you.”
“You’re such a selfish asshole, this is my music,” Chris argued, nearly shouting. “This is my life. If you were a true friend you’d understand.”
“Exactly KANE, this is YOUR life, YOUR music. Don’t you dare call me fucking selfish.” Through his own anger, Jensen could hear someone yelling on the other end of the line, a voice that sounded similarly to Danneel’s. “As for the true friend comment, fuck you.” Jensen disconnected the call and wished he had the satisfaction of slamming a receiver down. Instead he closed his eyes, counted to ten while taking deep breaths. By the time he got to fifty, he was able to open his eyes without seeing red in front of him. Jensen looked over at Jared who was watching him with concern in his eyes.
With a few extra deep breaths for good measure, Jensen headed over to join Jared who was crouching down rubbing Ginny’s stomach enthusiastically. “She’ll love you forever,” he said with honesty. Jensen felt a little of the anger ebb just at being with Jared and vowed not to let that exchange ruin the rest of his day and their date.
“Naturally.” Jared grinned, winking at Jensen. Ginny whined when Jared stopped his rubbing and stood
up. “So,” Jared started, “Everything okay?”
Jensen was clearly not but he gave a strained smile anyways. “Yeah.” He stared deep into Jared’s eyes.
“They will be.”
“Uhh…if you need to, we can resch--”
“NO.” He appreciated Jared offering but he was not going to reschedule. “No, I don’t want to. That shit, it’s not my responsibility...” He was cut off by the sound of his phone ringing. Chris’ name showed up on his caller ID and Jensen ignored the call. Forty seconds later it reappeared.
Jensen shook his head and saw it come to life a third time only with Danneel’s name appearing. He didn’t want to talk to anyone, he was still too mad to handle it rationally. Jensen turned the ringer off and slipped the phone in his pocket.
“I’m sorry,” Jared looked genuinely remorseful and Jensen stepped in to link their fingers.
“Stop, this has nothing to do with you.”
Jensen’s pocket started to vibrate in notification of the phone ringing. He let out a few curses and ignored Danneel’s call. “Give me one second, I have something to handle.” He squeezed Jared’s hand to let him know he didn’t want him to go anywhere.
Within seconds Jensen opened his iMessage programme and started a message to Chris, Danneel and Steve.
I’m going to be home in about half an hour. I don’t want to talk to anyone. I don’t want to see anyone. I’m coming home to shower, change, set Ginny up for the night and meet Jared for our date. Either don’t be around or don’t be home, but this isn’t negotiable because if you push me, you won’t like the result.
He hit send and almost instantly he got a response in his inbox from Danneel.
xo d
“So maybe you want to pick me up at my place?” Jared asked softly. Jensen’s eyes flickered from his phone to the other man’s face. He saw uncertainty in their hazel depths. Jensen couldn’t stop himself from pulling Jared down to press their mouths together in a desperate yet relieved kiss.
“God yes. Please. I don’t want to be home any more than I need to be right now.”
“You sure you need to go home?” This time uncertainty was replaced with suggestiveness and a twinkle of mischief. “You can just come over…”
Jensen gave what he hoped was a stern expression. “Be good.”
“Good never gets you anywhere,” Jared pouted playfully.
“Good now might get me naked later,” Jensen promised. He whistled for Ginny to come to him and heel. She waited patiently while Jensen attached her leash and tried to avoid Jared’s heated gaze.
The two men walked together through the park. When they were at the path where they would separate, Jared stepped in and quickly kissed Jensen on the lips. “See you in a few hours.” When Jensen didn’t move to walk away Jared flashed a grin. “Offer’s still good to come over now.”
“You’re bad.”
“I guess you’ll find out tonight.”
“Fuck.”
“Faster you get home, faster you can come… Over. Come over.”
“Incorrigible,” Jensen accused.
“Charming,” Jared called over his shoulder as he headed in the direction of his house.
“Bye, Jared,” Jensen responded. He felt lighter than he would have imagined after his conversation with Chris. As much as he was dreading having to go home and possibly face his housemates, Chris in particular, he was focused on just getting ready and going on his date with Jared. Their first official date, despite time spent together, a few chaste kisses and a multitude of texts, emails and phone conversations. He held his breath as they entered the house. Ginny let out a bark, as if to alert anyone that they were home but she received no response.
Once her bowls were full and she was resting comfortably in the giant bed they kept for her in the living room, Jensen headed up the stairs. He kept Jared’s face in his mind to distract the nervousness of coming face to face with one of his roommates. When Jensen passed Danneel’s room, he stopped and part of him wished that she was home, that he could have here there to reassure him everything would be okay. The love he felt in his heart for her overrode his anger for Chris at the moment. When he got to his room, he shot off a fast text to her with “I love you, thanks. I just need time.”
“Anytime. Have fun tonight. Don’t forget to get laid. Xo.”
It was just after six when Jensen walked up Jared’s front path. He took another look at himself, taking in his faded jeans, long sleeved shirt, leather jacket and boots. It took a few minutes for someone to answer the door. Genevieve’s eyes widened and she paused for a moment.
“H-hey Jensen.”
Jensen was stunned as Genevieve discreetly pushed Jensen back and closed the door behind them. “Hi Genevieve,” Jensen said slowly.
“What’s up?” It was clear that something was going on inside the house. “You… You look good.”
“Thanks, Genevieve.”
“Gen.”
“Yes?”
Genevieve looked startled for a moment before laughing nervously. “No, call me Gen. Gen and Jen. Isn’t that funny?”
“Is Jared home?” Jensen pulled out his phone and opened a message to Jared.
“What’s going on? Genevieve is acting sketchy and I’m on your front step.”
“Of course he’s home, he’s just getting ready. I thought we’d enjoy the nice weather while you wait for him.”
Something caught Jensen’s eye in one of the windows and he saw Jared standing there, hand on his head in what looked like a weary expression.
“Oh god…I’ll be right down. Humor her and I’ll explain. Just don’t come inside.”
Although he was confused, Jensen went along with Genevieve’s stalling tactics. They made small talk and about five minutes after Jared’s text the front door opened. He saw Danneel behind Jared and she looked like she was trying to restrain someone out of his line of sight. Jared must have seen the expression on his face and he rushed to close the door.
“Thanks Gen, that’ll be all.”
“Oh any time, Jen and I were just getting to know each other. Now that we’re dating each other’s best friends.” Jensen couldn’t help but step in and pull the small girl in to a tight embrace. He felt her gasp of surprise against his chest.
“It’s okay Genevieve,” he said with a kind smile. “Breathe, it’ll be okay.” He watched her eyes flicker to Jared and a flash of panic appeared before it was gone. “Have fun with Danni tonight.” Genevieve’s expression turned and her lips curled in a sexy smirk.
“Of course.” She pulled Jensen in and in a move that completely shocked him, she placed a feather soft kiss on his mouth. “Have fun tonight. Fuck him, you guys deserve this.”
“Genevieve,” Jared warned. “Go.”
“I love you, Jared,” she squeaked as she ran past him and into the house.
“So, that happened,” Jared’s voice broke through the awkward silence between them.
“She kissed me.”
Jared nodded. “She sure did.”
For the first time since he’d arrived, Jensen afforded himself a look at the man in front of him and felt his gut clench and his groin harden. Jared looked even more beautiful than Jensen could have ever expected and he refused to let any regret or drama with Chris interfere with the evening.
Silent understanding passed between them and Jared grabbed a hold of Jensen’s hand, threading their fingers together. They headed towards a pub that Jared swore he had to try. They had a few dozen beers on tap not to mention the best ribs he’d had outside of Texas.
A niggling thought crossed his mind and Jensen stopped in his tracks, needing to say something before the night continued. “You know I want to be here right?”
He saw that his declaration had come out of the blue with Jared. “I hope so?”
With a laugh, Jensen shook his head. “No seriously, I want to be here. Out with you. I don’t care what happened at the park, or what clearly happened back at your house. None of that matters.”
“But he’s your best friend,” Jared squeezed Jensen’s hand comfortingly. His voice held no judgement, no emotion other than soft understanding. “I understand how hard it must be for you.”
“One of them, yes. And that’s how I know it’ll eventually be okay.” Jensen let out a deep, cleansing breath as he shrugged. “It’s like, I give and I give and I give, and when I want to do something for me, it’s inconvenient. And some things just aren’t worth the fight. You are.” He felt himself being brought into the heat of Jared’s embrace and relaxed into the other man’s arms. Grinning, he looked up and met Jared’s eye, “at least you better be.”
The answer he received was a lengthy, deep kiss. Jared licked at Jensen’s teeth, pushing into his mouth and entwining their tongues together. Jensen cupped Jared’s ass in his hands, taking advantage of the groan that resulted by deepening the kiss. Once they were both gasping for breath, grinding shamelessly against each other Jensen finally pulled away. “Dinner.”
“What?” Jared seemed distracted by his mouth, running the pad of his thumb against the wetness from their kiss.
“Dinner, let’s…” Jensen started another kiss. It broke with a groan from both men. “Shit Jared, let’s go eat.”
“Right, date. Dinner.”
They shared another few kisses.
“We can continue this later though. Right?” Jared asked into Jensen’s mouth.
“And more,” Jensen promised.
That was enough for Jared to step back, grab a hold of Jensen’s hand and pull him into the pub. It was busy, the dinner crowd filling the bar from wall to wall. Luckily, Jensen spotted a small booth on the far wall and headed towards the table before someone else could beat them to it. Despite both men’s rush to finish dinner so that they could continue what had been started outside, a calm settled between them. The atmosphere was relaxed, conversation coming with an ease that neither had felt with anyone outside their most inner circle of family and friends.
After a few pints and shared appetizers, Jensen was feeling pleasantly warm. Judging the flushed state of Jared’s cheeks, the way his eyes were focused intently on Jensen and the wide smile on his lips, he too was feeling warm and buzzed.
Midway through their meals, Jensen switched to water. He wanted to be coherent for the after dinner entertainment and falling down drunk was not going to help. He watched Jared lick sauce off of his fingers and the heat that had been simmering was back in full force. Jared must have noticed the want that was radiating off of him, because he’d taken every chance he could get to tease Jensen, licking his fingers suggestively and practically deep-throating the straw to his own glass of water.
Once their dishes had been cleared, the waitress returned inquiring about dessert, coffee and/or tea. Jensen could hardly believe that Jared was contemplating it. “No, just the cheque please.”
The waitress nodded and headed off to get their bill. Jensen looked at Jared who he swore was pouting.
“I wanted some cake,” he whined.
Jensen couldn’t help but laugh. “Is anyone expecting you home tonight?” His eyes were sharp, trained on Jared’s mouth. He watched the other man lick his lips hungrily.
“They weren’t sure. I’m to text Gen whose house we end up at. So they go to the other.”
“Tell her to take Danni and their friend to your house. I’m taking you home to mine. Now. We’ll stop at the bakery down the street from my house; it’s open late. I’ll buy you a whole cake if you want.”
Jared didn’t even argue. Instead, he pulled the credit card from his wallet and gave it to the waitress who had just reappeared. Jensen tried to argue but Jared shut him up with his finger over his mouth.
“If you are buying me a whole fucking cake …and you are buying me a whole fucking cake, I’ll pay for dinner.”
“You actually want a whole cake?” Jensen was incredulous. He’d said it jokingly, but Jared didn’t seem to be kidding.
“I love cake. Especially chocolate fudge cake. You would be amazed at what I would do for a whole chocolate fudge cake.”
On to Chapter 5b
Masterpost