FIC: I've Loved You So Long- Prologue

[if_only91]

Title: I've Loved You So Long
Pairings: Jared/Jensen, Jensen/OMC's, Jared/Misha
Rating: PG- 13 at the moment, ratings to rise in future fics
Word count: 5, 406
Summary: Jared Padalecki- Ackles is aware that his husband, rich and famous businessman Jensen Ackles doesn't love him. Jensen believes their marriage is to strictly keep other gold-diggers off Jensen's back and too support Jared in all aspects of his life, yet is unaware that Jared's feelings for him are deeper then platonic.
However an accident forces both of them to re-evaluate their relationship and what they mean to each other.

Warnings: Cheating Jensen, oblivious!Jensen, insecure Jared, hurt!Jared, eventual bottom!Jared, ridiculously long prologue, WIP, but will be updated as regularly was possible, my first fic ever and I have no clue of any legal or medical matters in this fic, all for dramatic and fic purposes only.
Disclaimer: Honestly, I brought the boys and all their friends off e-bay. Jealous? Plot and artwork isn't even mine, all belong to
imogen-lily I simply wrote it.




“So all you have to do,” Jensen said, grinning at him. “Is go in there and pretend to be totally smitten by me, okay?”

Jared could have snorted at the irony of the situation. Instead, he grinned back. “Not a problem Jen.”

Jensen’s smile brightened, showing off his perfect, white teeth, his emerald eyes gleaming. “Well, I need some Dutch Courage before I go and introduce all the hyenas to my husband.”

Jared’s stomach flipped at the word.

“They’ll have a fit,” Jensen’s smile widened as he continued. “Be back in five.” With that, Jensen turned and walked out to the door which lead to the hallway.

When Jensen gently closed the door behind him, and gently leaned against the wall, letting out a soft breath. To tell the truth, he was absolutely freaking out. He had not idea how his colleagues, family and the public would react to the fact that Jensen Ackles was settling down. Jensen raised his hand to stare at the golden wedding ring on his finger. It was gorgeous.

Even though Jensen had never believed in real love for himself, he knew others were capable of it. He saw the love and the happiness others radiated when they looked at their wedding rings. But for Jensen, guilt was the only feeling he had.

Jared was a person who was able to love. And Jensen had taken that from him when he had asked to marry him. Jensen had felt horrible about asking Jared to marry him- even worse when Jared had said yes. Jared was such a close friend, even though they had only known each other for a few months, Jensen was sure that he would be able to trust Jared, and not laugh at him like Chris or Steve. Sometimes, he hated the fact that he was right.

Jensen sighed, straightened his green tie and walked further down the hall to his bedroom. He knew he had some grog stashed away in his suitcase somewhere.

**

Jared sat on the lounge, staring at the closed door that Jensen had just walked through. He still couldn’t believe the position he was in. Three months ago, he was a normal Law student at Harvard University, until his world was turned upside down by famous businessman and notorious playboy, Jensen Ackles.

Jared had just come out of the hall, as he had finished his last yearly exam and was juggling his text books and study notes he had used for his final cram sessions. Jared was over excited and looking forward to going out with Chad and Sophia to celebrate, wasn’t watching where he was going and fell oh-so-gracefully down the last set of stairs, colliding with something solid. Jared had bounced back, falling hard on his ass, before looking around, confused, and saw the most dazzling pair of green eyes staring back at him. Jared blinked a few more times, before he realised the man he had run into was Jensen Ackles, who had a seminar with some business classes that day. Jared remembered that Jensen had pulled him up, his hands lingering a little long on Jared’s waist and hand. Jared knew all the signs of flirting, and eagerly returned the gesture.

Jensen had asked Jared out for coffee, a cheeky smile on his face. Jared had excitedly accepted.

From their first encounter, Jared had been completely infatuated. The man was nothing like the gossip magazines had claimed him to be. He was smart and intriguing, funny and loyal and they got on really well. Their interests were the same from favourite foods and movies, and had friendly arguments on their taste in music and whose football team was better.

But the most likely thing that drew Jared to Jensen was the fact he cared for him. Not even three hours after they had met, Jared received a phone call from St. Mary’s Hospital in San Antonio, telling him that his parents were in a horrific car accident.

Jared was shocked, and immediately stood, fumbling to get his wallet out of his back pocket, and trying to text Chad, telling him to come and get him.

Jensen had stood next to Jared, placing a firm hand on Jared’s and demanded that Jared and he take his private jet to get to San Antonio as quickly as possible. Jensen drove Jared to the hospital, while Jared was still in shock. When Jared received the news that his father, Jerry, had already passed away, Jared had burst into tears and Jensen was there, looking after him and rubbing soothing circles into his back.

Jared was initially shocked by Jensen’s comfort. He had not known Jensen for very long and was embarrassed for showing that much emotion to someone he barley knew. Jared had stepped back and Jensen looked confused, Jared somehow knew that he had insulted Jensen at his attempt of comfort. Jared couldn’t stand the thought of hurting the one person who was trying to make him feel better, and so he gently placed one hand around Jensen’s waist and pulling him close to his body. Jensen was stiff at first, but eventually wrapped his arms around Jared.

Jared had tried to get Chad back to San Antonio quicker then they had planned, but he couldn’t afford the flights. Jared was all alone, with no-one to be with him while he wondered whether or not his mother would survive. Jensen offered to take Jared back to Jared’s parents’ home and look after him while his mother recovered. Jared had refused at first, but Jensen said he had already rang his company and told them he was taking a few weeks off. Jensen took Jared to his parents’ house, cooked for Jared and made sure he got rest. He helped Jared prepare his father’s funeral, as unfortunately, they couldn’t wait for his mother to wake up. He wasn’t entirely sure why Jensen had gone out of his way to help him, but any thanks Jared tried to give him were simply brushed off by Jensen, who simply explained it was the least he could do, given the circumstances.

Eventually Chad made his way to San Antonio, and joined with Jensen to make sure Jared washed everyday and talked to his friends Sophia and both distracted him with various football and playstation games. Every day, Jared had woken up, expecting Jensen to say that he couldn’t stay anymore. Eventually Jared had asked Jensen about him going back to work.

“Don’t worry bout it Jay,” Jensen had said. “What are friends for?”

Jensen continued this cycle for three weeks until Jared’s mother, Sherri, woke from her coma. Jared was relieved, yet also scared as he didn’t know if there were any further complications.

Jensen drove Jared to the hospital, just like he had everyday, to talk and look over his mother. Once they arrived Jared had begged Jensen to stay, and to Jared’s surprise, he did. Sherri would need a physical therapist to assist her rehabilitation and someone to look after her, and Jared was eager to do so.

Jared remembered telling his mother that her husband and his father hadn’t made it. She clutched to Jared for hours as she wept for the loss of her best friend, her lover, her husband and her son’s father. Jared had felt so guilty about not even giving his mother a chance to say goodbye to Gerry.

Whilst Jared had been comforting his mother, Jensen had slid through the crack of the hospital door to watch. Jared remembered his mother’s eyes lighting up when she saw Jensen, and how she started babbling that she was so happy that her son had finally found someone. Jared was so shocked and happy that she was finally awake; he couldn’t say anything to contradict his mother and he remembered how his heart fluttered when Jensen walked up behind him and slid a tentative hand around his waist, telling his mother that Jared was a fine man and he would look after him.

The following scenario would be firmly planted in Jared’s memory for the rest of his life. Jensen looked sideways, so his luminous emerald eyes were locked on Jared’s hazel ones, and he slowly leaned over to give Jared a chaste kiss on his check, and with that kiss everything was sealed.

Jared toyed with the new golden band on his ring finger.

That was the exact moment, the first time Jensen had kissed him, and Jared knew Jensen was all he wanted, for the rest of his life. So far, the feelings appeared to be one sided, but Jared was willing to chase Jensen as long as required before the feelings were returned. Most people would call it naïve, laugh at him, after all, Jensen’s reputation for his conquests put Casanova to shame, but Jared couldn’t help it.

Jared was a self professed romantic, and believed that marriage was forever and for two people who loved each other, and now he had entered a marriage essentially of convenience to a husband who didn’t love him. He felt horrible going against those beliefs, but he was willing to do anything for Jensen, after all the support Jensen had given Jared, he doubted he would have got through it as a whole without the man at his side.

Jared only had one long term boyfriend he was engaged to before Jensen. Chace. He thought they would be together forever.

Jared felt a slender hand curl around his shoulder. He looked up to see Sophia looking at him. She looked stunning. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a bun, her fringe framing her face, and the strapless purple dress she was wearing was extremely different from her usual T-Shirt and jeans. He drew his eyes back to her face, to see she was frowning, her eyes filled with concern.

“What?” He asked, cautiously

“We’ve been through this Jared,” she sighed. “You’re amazing, and loving, and I adore you for that. But this-” she moved to place both her hands over his chest, lightly fiddling with his new Hickey Freeman Navy Suit, “isn’t you. You ever heard how people say some crap like ‘Don’t change yourself for anyone’?”

Jared nodded sheepishly.

“Well, it’s true,” she huffed. “But in you’re case; it should be ‘Don’t change for your slut of a husband’.”

“Soph,” he groaned. “He’s not that bad. He’s a nice guy, we get on well, he’s scarily smart and funny and…”

“Yes, you’ve told me all that,” she answered impatiently. “But what will he be like as a husband? There’s a big difference Jay.”

Jared paused. He and Jensen had discussed terms of their marriage. Jensen had explained that he couldn’t expect him to be faithful. He had tried and it had ruined many of his relationships. Jensen had basically called for an open marriage, but promised he would be discreet. In return, Jensen offered to pay for all of Jared’s school needs, the medical care for his mother and that

they would have an equal relationship. Be close friends, yet in public appear to be completely loving and faithful.

“We’ve talked,” he admitted slowly.

“No,” she replied abruptly. Sophia pulled her hands from his chest and began pacing the room. “Not in the business sense. In a personal sense. Just friends? Friends with benefits? Jared, what if you find someone else you want-”

“I don’t want anyone else!” Jared interrupted. Jared was surprised to hear the words come out of his mouth, but instantly felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest.

“Or your crush develops into more then what it already is?” Sophia stopped her rant and looked at Jared, who hung his head sheepishly. “Oh no,” she groaned. “Jay. You’ve known him for three months-“

“Chace and I dated for like, one month before I realised I loved him,” Jared interrupted quietly, his head hanging, his long bangs covering his eyes. “I don’t see how this is any different.”

Chace was Jared’s best friend his whole life. They ‘screwed around’ with each other when they were fifteen, when they recognised their attraction to the same sex. They started dating the same year, remaining the ‘golden couple’ of their high school and also into their first three years of college, until Chace was offered a job in Columbus. It was then they both realised that they wanted different things out of life, and were heading in different directions and had agreed to end it.

“Jared, you and Chace were different,” Sophia began. “Chad told me he though you guys were it. Forever. “

“Well it didn’t work out,” Jared mumbled. “You and Chad were obviously wrong. Why can’t you be wrong about Jensen?”

He raised his head to look her head on. “Have I told you, you look gorgeous tonight?”

Sophia’s mouth twitched. Jared smiled innocently back at her before her forehead creased into a frown.

“Don’t change the subject,” she scolded. “Shit Jay, you’re not in love with him, are you?”

He looked away and began twirling with his wedding ring. “Yes,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean for it to happen. I don’t know how it did, but I can’t change it.”

“So you’re just going to hang around until he suddenly stops being a slut, has a major wake up call and realises he is in love with you?”

“Well that would be an awesome outcome,” he replied wistfully.

Sophia sighed and dropped down on the seat next to Jared. “Oh Jay…I don’t want to be harsh or hurt you. I love you but…it’s just… have you thought of how you’re going to handle it, knowing you’re in love with him and also knowing he’s screwing around with other guys?”

Jared didn’t reply.

Sophia raised her hands to pull Jared in for a tight hug. “If it hurts you too much, or he takes too long to realise how good and how damn lucky he is to have you… can you promise me to get out? Please?” She begged, carding her fingers through his hair.

“I hope it doesn’t come to that,” Jared replied, letting out a shaky breath. “But yeah, I promise.”

“Not trying to steal my husband are you?” Came a quiet, concerned voice from the door.

Sophia tensed against Jared, while he froze, wondering how much Jensen had heard. She slowly pulled away from Jared and forced a grin to her face. “Just saying goodbye to my boy, seeing as I didn’t get to do it before you actually got married.” She stood up and smoothed her dress before walking over to Jensen and held out her hand “Sophia.”

Jensen shook it. “I’ve heard a lot about you. You’re a good friend to Jared,” he told her, smiling slightly.

Jared could tell she was shocked at that. She finally recovered, saying “Well, it’s nice to finally meet you, but if you don’t mind, I better be getting back. Don’t want to miss your grand entrance.”

She turned away from Jensen and walked over to Jared and kissed him on the cheek, before walking out the door.

“So, you know the drill-”

“Dude, I know,” he interrupted. “When we get in there, I look at you like I think the sun shines out of your ass, like you’re the greatest thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

Jensen grinned at him.

Yep, he thought. Too damn easy.

**

Jared and Jensen stood in front of a large crowd, the room full of tables, where their friends and family sat, but to the sides of the room was also a number of reporters from different press, including a few business magazines, but majority was from the tabloids.

Jared knew that Jensen was nervous, by looking over and seeing the hard line of his set jaw and how Jensen’s hand was shaking slightly in his. Jared felt just as bad, his stomach churning continually. Although both of their families knew about Jared and Jensen as a “couple” they hadn’t told them they were married. They had no clue how they would react.

“-And I know there have been plenty of speculation in the media recently about my relationship with my close friend, Jared.”

Jensen smiled at Jared and Jared saw many eyes switch to look at Jared, before whipping back to Jensen when he started speaking.

“One of the reasons you were all called here tonight, was to set the record straight.” Jensen cleared his throat. “Jared is not my boyfriend. He is my husband. We met and started dating three months ago and married two weeks ago. We wanted to see if things would work out so we waited until now to go public as it were,”

Jensen’s announcement was met with a shocked silence, but Jensen curled a slender hand around Jared’s waist and tilted his head up to look in Jared’s eyes, before leaning in to place a quick kiss to Jared’s check.

When Jensen leaned back, his eyes seemed to sparkle; his emerald eyes were flecked with gold. Jared felt his heart clench, wishing that it was love that shone out of his eyes.

Jensen turned back to face his friends, family and fellow workers. “I understand that it is quick and very unexpected, but when you know, you know and I know I love Jared and want to spend my life with him, I don’t take marriage lightly and never expected to get married but life has a way of surprising you,” Jensen smiled. “We love each other a lot, and decided we couldn’t wait and we understand there will be a lot of interest to the media and others, but we are willing to put that aside for each other. My husband means everything to me.”

Jensen’s hand squeezed gently at Jared’s waist, glancing quickly at Jared and Jared wrapped his arm around Jared’s shoulders.

Jared looked down at Jensen, beaming, slowly breathing in and out to make sure his heart was still beating. He wished, hoped to God that one day, Jensen would say those words without having to lie about it.

Steadily, the shocked reaction from Jensen’s and Jared’s guests turned to smiles and applauses.

Alan Ackles stepped forward, raised his glass and said “finally our son is settling down. My wife and I both never though we’d see the day, but we are glad it has happened.” Alan was smiling warmly at both of them. “We couldn’t be happier son that you have chosen such a man as Jared.   We all wish you the best and hope you have a happy and long life together. To Jared and Jensen!”

Jared watched happily as all the guests raised their glasses and repeated “To Jared and Jensen,” while beaming. He saw his mother staring at them dazed, but he could see a little smile growing in the corner’s of her mouth. Alan and Donna were glowing with pride, just as the day Jensen and Jared had told them they were a couple.

**

Following the announcement of their marriage and after the press had left, Jared and Jensen began walking around the room, greeting their dinner guests, many congratulating them on their marriage.

Earlier, Sherri had practically jumped on both of them, pulling them into a tight hug, bawling, saying she was so happy. She had said she was annoyed for not telling her, but she was happy for them, and according to her, they looked totally in love.

Alan and Donna Ackles were both slightly angered, like Sherri, that they were not told earlier, but had welcomed Jared into the family and demanded for Jared and Jensen to come over for dinner soon. Mackenzie, Jensen’s younger sister had simply told Jensen, mock-annoyed, to “stop stealing all the hot ones” before her hands framed Jared’s face, kissing him on the check announcing “if you ever get sick of him, you know where to find me” winking and strutting off. Jared had stared after her, shocked and Jensen simply laughed at her, placing his hand in Jensen’s lower back and told him he’d protect him from crazy straight girls.

Jared had introduced Sophia and his other best friend, Chad Michael Murray to Jensen’s friends Christian Kane, Steve Carlson and Sandra McCoy. Jared had found Sandy easy to get along with, and had found Steve quiet and friendly, but felt slightly uneasy with the way Steve had looked at him, with pity, or sadness in his eyes. Chris was open and loud and scared the hell out of Jared when he took him aside and threatened him with dismemberment if he ever hurt Jensen, as he had never seen Jensen happier. Jared had felt slightly better when he saw Chad do the same to Jensen, although he was sure that Chad didn’t have the same affect as Chris.

As much as Jared didn’t like the attention, Jensen had warmly told him he would have to cope with it. He smiled brazenly, and simply said “you’ll have to get used to it now you’re married to the hottest billionaire in business. You and me together, nothing we can’t do,” he had winked.

Jared simply started. He was amazing.

**

Jared stood outside on the veranda, inhaling the brisk, night air. He felt like he had to get away from everyone, even though most of the guests had gone home. Chad, Sophia his mother and Jensen’s parents had also said their goodbyes, with both Jared and Jensen promising to talk and have dinner soon. The maids and caterers were beginning to clean up.

As he stood outside, he watched Jensen talking to Chris and Steve. Jared stood watching his husband toss back whiskey.

The man was sinfully divine. He was wearing a charcoal Gucci suite, with a green tie, which only accentuated his gleaming emerald eyes. Jared’s eyes trailed to Jensen’s plump lips, to his chiselled jaw, which was free of his usual stubble, as Jensen always preferred to look clean cut in public.

Jared’s eyes followed Jensen’s body further, his suite hung lose of his shoulders, displaying the white dress shirt underneath which was stretched tight across his ripped stomach.

He felt like some kind of weird stalker, but anyone as gorgeous as Jensen was bound to be stalked once in his life, right?

Stop it, Jared scolded himself. There was much more to Jensen then meets the eye. If he didn’t see it, he would be just as bad as Milo.

“Watching your prize are you?” a voice behind him sneered.

Jared was startled, twirling around to face to voice, before he was shoved forcefully backwards, his back colliding roughly with the brick wall behind him and his eyes slammed shut in pain.

“Jared,” the voice mocked, lithe hands running up his chest to grab the lapels of his suite jacket. “So you’re the new husband. I suppose you’re aren’t too horrendous to look at, if you developed some fashion sense, got some plastic surgery you might not stick out so much in this crowd, but then Jen’s always had a soft spot for charity cases.”

Jared forced his heavy eyelids to open. In front of him stood Milo Ventimiglia, one of many Jensen’s boy toys before he married Jared. Milo was smirking, his hands trailing from Jared’s chest to rest on his hips, and pulling them towards Milo’s own hips and Jared felt his stomach heave. Milo was hard. Jared gasped, his fingers clawing at Milo’s wrists, but he held on tight. Jared opened his mouth to call out of help, but one of Milo’s hands closed around his mouth.

“What’s so special about you?” Milo growled, leaning into Jared. He could smell the alcohol on his breath and was amazed the man was still standing, taking in his glazed over eyes and his dishevelled hair.

In another time, maybe another life, Jared would have been able to understand why Jensen had been with Milo, recognising he would have once been attractive and handsome, when he wasn’t such a bitter brat.

“I’ve known Jensen for ages, wore him down, got him to open up to me and then - bam - he meets Mr Bambi with a sob story and he decides to fucking marry you. Unbelievable.”

Milo’s hand began to stroke down the side of Jared’s face, who flinched at the unwanted touch. Milo frowned, but didn’t move his hand. “You’re pretty, I’ll give you that. But that has never been enough to keep Jensen. He’ll get bored with you. Just because you married,” Milo spat “it doesn’t mean anything. You really think you have what it takes to keep you with him?”

Milo looked Jared up and down in a way that made Jared feel simultaneously dirty and inadequate. “I can’t believe you’re that naïve! Did he throw you some line of how much he adores you? Give you some bullshit story of saving you from your old life and your broken family? I almost feel sorry for you. Jensen doesn’t like that, he likes… experience and you are definitely lacking that.”

Milo smirked. “I hope you can keep Jen amused because he is very difficult to please.”

Jared didn’t respond, trying not to react to Milo’s spiteful words. “You really don’t have a clue about Jensen do you? I doubt you can even give me a reason you Jenny married you!” He spat.

Jared forced Milo’s fingers off his mouth and wrenched himself out of Milo’s grasp. “Sure I do,” he said shakily. “He loves me, you dickhead.” Jared pushed Milo backwards, who staggered, tripping over his own legs, before falling in an unceremonious heap on the concrete floor, probably due to the amount of alcohol he had consumed.

Jared stared at Milo and sighed, as much as he wanted to hate the man, he couldn’t. In a strange, sort of twisted way, he was the reason him and Jensen were married.

Shortly after Jared’s parent’s accidents, gossip magazines began stating that Jensen was settling down, that they had never seen Jensen go home with the same man so many times. Jensen had told him to just ignore them, and that he was sorry for disturbing his life, when really, Jared hadn’t minded. He kind of liked the idea that people thought he was good enough to be Jensen Ackles’ boyfriend.

A few days after his mother woke up; Jared found a magazine in the hospital, claiming that a man called Milo Ventimiglia had slept with Jensen the whole time he was going out with Jared. Jared was horrified by the allegations, not being able to believe that some people were willing to go and lie so far to get some attention. The same day, Jensen was continually stressed and apologised profusely to him, before quickly leaving, as different businesses were refusing to work with Jensen, as they did not want Jensen’s social life affecting their business.

Jensen had promised to stay in touch, that they could be friends. Jared was sure that he would never see Jensen again.

Jared was proven wrong, when two months later Jensen had shown up at his and Chad’s apartment in Cambridge. With flowers. And a wedding ring. Asking Jared to marry him.

Jared remembered Jensen saying that it was one of the craziest suggestions Jeff ever had, although Jensen seemed happy to go along with it.  Jensen had told Jared that he only liked him as a friend, and he needed help to boost his business, and Jeff had come up with the idea of the two marrying so the rumours and gossip of Jensen’s ‘sordid’ personal life would stop, and Jared would have everything he needed, dreamed of and more. Jensen had promised Jared it wouldn’t be for long and if Jared ever found someone, the marriage could be cut off as soon as Jared wanted.

A few days later Jeff had flown down, with their prenuptial agreement stating they had to be married for at least three years and they could decide if they wanted to remain married after that, how much Jared would receive if they did divorce and that they could both have other partners if they wanted but they had to be discreet. It also stated that the wedding would be like eloping, only both of them and Jeffery would attend and they both would tell their families and friends in two weeks, when they had the big dinner event.

Jared sighed, sagging back into the wall as he pinched his nose with his forefinger and his thumb.

He knew that it was stupid and reckless, he barely knew Jensen after all. Sophia knew the reason why they had married and although he knew she was right, on some level, he couldn’t stop hoping that one day Jensen would realise how good he and Jared could be together. Officially.

Jared pushed himself off the wall, walked past Milo who scrambled to grab onto Jared’s legs, but he stepped aside, pulled open the door, and called out to Jensen.

Jensen looked up at Jared and frowned when he took in Jared’s shaky appearance.

He walked over to Jared and before he could say anything, Jared cut in saying “Trouble’s here.”

Jensen frown depend and looked to where Jared was pointing. “Son of a bitch,” he growled. Jensen turned around and called to his friends who were looking at them in confusion.

Chris and Steve walked over and stopped when they saw Milo, struggling to stand on the balcony.

“Don’t worry, Jen” Steve reassured him. “We’ll get him out of here.” He added, glancing over at Milo’s prone body, his lip curling in distaste.

“Thanks Steve,” Jensen said before turning to Jared and his hands framed Jared’s neck “You okay?” He quietly asked, his eyes quickly scanning over Jared’s face and body for any signs of injury, relaxing when he found none.

Jared unconsciously closed his eyes and leaned into Jensen’s touch, before he realised what he was doing and pulled back slightly.

“Yeah,” Jared answered, trying to smile. He opened his eyes and saw Jensen’s concerned, emerald ones staring back. Jared swallowed before slowly shaking his head. “Can we just go?” He asked, in a hushed tone.

Jensen removed his hands from Jared’s neck and wrapped his left hand around Jared’s waist, before turning back to Steve and Chris. “You got him?”

“Yes, sir,” Chris drawled, mock-saluting while smiling at Jensen. “Just get Jay home, alright?”

Jared looked down at Jensen, whose lips were curled into a tight smile, but with no light in his eyes. Jared was surprised at seeing Jensen look like that. He had never seen him so angry before.

“Yeah,” Jensen muttered. “Talk to you later.” Jensen’s hand on his hip tightened, before he turned, steering Jared out the door.

**

Jared and Jensen were in the limo, heading back to Jensen’s house in Chicago, before Jared went back to school and Jensen went back to his work in two weeks. Jensen had his arm around Jared’s shoulder and Jared’s head was on his shoulder.

“I’m so sorry Jay,” Jensen said finally. “I never thought he would have tried something like this.” Jensen paused.

“I can understand if you want out.”

Jared looked up at him and grinned slightly. “No way man. It’s gonna take more then that obsessive bastard to get me out of this marriage. Seriously, you needed me, I needed you. What are friends for, huh?”

Jared felt Jensen swallow against his forehead. “I’m still sorry.”

Ok, Jared thought. He has to stop doing this. My heart is going to explode ‘cos of happiness around this guy. Soph’s wrong, she’s gotta be. I’m…we’re gonna make this work.

“Don’t worry,” Jared answered.

Silence returned to the car. Jared was feeling tired; his eyes slowly closing before Jensen softly spoke again.

“I’m sorry.”

“Stop saying that,” Jared replied drowsily.

Jensen snorted. “Thought you liked that girly crap.”

Jared mumbled sleepily in reply.

“I’m serious though,” Jensen said, breathing the words into Jared’s hair. “I won’t let anything happen to you. Our marriage might not be 100% real, but my friendship for you is.”

Jared snuggled closer to Jensen’s warmth and turned his head to breath in Jensen’s scent. Just for now, he thought, I can pretend we are more than friends. Jared’s left hand darted out to wrap around Jensen’s waist, hoping one day, he wouldn’t have to pretend anymore.

TBC