Fic: Solitaire, Part 1
Title: Solitaire
Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: J2
Rating: R
Word count: 12,300
Summary: Jensen thinks everything is in the past now. He can just forget it and move on. But the appearance of Jared in this city brings back memories. Not all of them are good ones. And Jensen would rather not have to go through them all over again.
AN: Written for J2 Reverse Bang
Art is HEREby kuwlshadow
Beta: Thank you so much, gatorgurl94, for beta-ing this. Your insightful comments and feedback are very helpful, and of course for the suggested words and sentences, and all the corrections. *hugs you*
"I was so stupid."
"Excuse me?"
“We are half way to your destination and I have just now remembered to turn on the meter.”
"Oh gosh. I'm sorry to hear that."
"Yeah, I’m very sorry.”
“Well, that’s okay. I’ll just give you double.”
“Thank you. But I'm lucky you have called my cab then."
His passenger, laughed a little from the back seat and that made Jensen smile. "I'm serious," he said. "-I’m relatively new here in New York, just a couple of months. Before I lived in…" He swallowed before he continued, "uh, Dallas."
"Really?"
"Yes. Well, I didn't really choose to stay here but, umm, I mean, I've lost everything. My job, my house." My life, said Jensen under his breath.
There was a soft gasp coming from his lady passenger. "What happened?"
"Oh no." Jensen laughed, so bitter he could taste in his mouth. "That's gonna be a very, very long story."
His own words shut him up completely. What the hell, Jensen, he hissed to himself. Overshare much? Why would you want to spill his deepest and darkest secret to a total stranger? It had been clogging up in his chest like a dead log since he'd never talked about it to anyone-ever. But a psychiatrist was too pricey for a cab driver like him and he had zero friends who he could talk to in this city.
Not that he had ones back in his neighborhood in Pleasantville. Leaving for work before sunrise and going back to his apartment way after sunset didn't give him many chances to socialize. Besides, he'd be too worn out by the time he reached home to leave his place again.
Jensen fell quiet for too long he'd nearly jump when his passenger told him to pull up at the next block.
"Keep the change," she said, and Jensen nodded, looking over his shoulder and catching a glimpse of his passenger, a lady who seemed to be in her mid-40s.
He’d be 30 in a couple of years, but he felt old and tired with his life. It had lost its meaning since he was stripped of everything he had, leaving him bare and hollow.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"Y-yes, of course." Jensen startled at her question, having thought she'd left.
"All right then," she said and finally got out of the cab, closing the door gently.
Jensen drew a deep breath. After a moment, he ignited his car back up, ready for the next passenger--that was all he could do.
Being a cab driver was far from what he thought he'd do with his life, not nine months ago at least.
***
Nine months ago
"Congratulations. Welcome to Padalecki Enterprises." The HRD manager stood up and offered his thick hand to Jensen, a wide smile across his face.
Jensen should've had his own smile plastered all over his face. He shook the man's hand back. "When can I start?"
"Right away. Now you come with me to take care of the administration matters. We'll prepare your name tag, bank account, and the likes."
Someone knocked the door and went in without anyone telling him to.
"Jared," the HRD manager called out. "Anything I can do? Oh, let me introduce you to the newest member of new IT staff."
"Tom." The man nodded. Jared, thought Jensen. The Jared. Padalecki's heir. Jensen swallowed, stunned. This was man he’d only seen in magazines and on the Internet and here he was right before his eyes. And he looked much better. Tall and slender with broad shoulders and flat stomach, and his flowing hair as soft and sleek as what people said in those articles. Jensen swore he'd never swooned over anyone before this, but looking at Jared made him weak in the knees.
But the man didn't even acknowledge him.
"The papers for Chad, have you prepared them? He's going with me tomorrow," Jared said to Tom, the HRD manager.
"Sure. I have them right here. I'll have them sent to you right after I'm done with Ackles here."
Just then Jared turned to Jensen. Jensen raised his hand.
"Morning, uh, Mr. Padalecki, sir. My name's..."
But Jared waved a hand in a dismissive manner and turned back to Tom.
"Yeah okay. Hope to get them by this afternoon," he said and left.
Jensen stood there with his hand hanging and pulled it down awkwardly, letting out an uneasy short laugh. "Uh yeah. Well." Tom looked at him with something akin to pity.
"Don't take it personally. He's just a busy person. He's also a bit on the shy side."
Shy? Jensen wouldn't have interpreted that as shy. Snobbish and arrogant maybe. But Jensen checked himself. Jared was the son of the big boss. The heir. Jensen must know his place. He was just a new hire and low man on the totem pole, while Jared was the boss and it wasn’t Jensen’s place to judge him.
"By the way," added Tom. "Chad, Chad Michael Murray, will be your direct boss. He's the IT manager. He'll be out of town tomorrow with Jared but he's in the office now. Let me take you to him."
Tom took him through the pastel-hued corridors of the office building. It gave off a vibe of luxury and importance, and the employees he met along the way all looked serious, focused on their computers or in deep discussions with others. Jensen tried to suppress his feeling of pride to be joining this crowd. His mama and sister were ecstatic when they learned about the good news. Jensen knew how his mother had worked her fingers to the bone so that he and Mac, his sister, could go to college. Now it was his turn to be the breadwinner.
Tom stopped at an office with glass walls and double-paneled doors. Inside were cubicles of the same colors. In the corner there was another door leading to a small office not dissimilar to Tom's office. The back of a blond head was all Jensen saw, as the face was fixed to the computer screen in front of him.
"Chad," Tom called out, and the man jumped in his seat, turning around.
"Gosh, Tom. You scared me to death. What do you want?"
Tom seemed not to care about Chad's annoyance. "Hey. I want you to meet your new guy. Jensen, this is your boss, Chad."
After that rejected hand shake, Jensen hesitated to offer again though this was with a different person. But Chad was on his feet at once and unlike Jared, he grabbed Jensen's half extended hand. Jensen gasped. Jensen was relieved to know not everyone was as standoffish as the boss.”
"Jensen Ackles, is it? Hey, glad to have you join us."
Jensen grinned, still nervous. "Yeah, uh, I'm honored to be here."
Chad snorted. "You're too polite. Come on. I'll take you to meet the team. I'm gone tomorrow but I'll make sure you'll be too busy to miss me."
***
Jensen wasn't sure whether he was sad or glad to now know that Jared hadn't been as haughty as their first meeting had implied. But--perhaps he'd rather have had a rude Jared after all, maybe then he wouldn’t have fallen for the trap of those puppy-dog eyes and beguiling smile.
Several weeks after Jared--and Chad--were back from out of town, Chad called him to his office.
"Tell me." Chad squinted up to Jensen, who was standing frozen in his place in front of Chad's desk. "What did you do or say to him that makes him like that?"
Jensen stammered, "W-what do you mean? Makes whom like what?"
"Come on, you don't have to pretend you don't know about this. The meeting was crucial and we were supposed to dot all the i's and cross all the t's. But you know what Jared did there? He kept getting distracted and I caught him mutter something like, 'I shouldn't have done that to him' several times."
Jensen's jaw slacked. "That's it? And you think it has something to do with me?"
Chad leaned forward. "So, tell me why he spent so much time browsing your name through the office database, Jensen Ackles? He showed me himself."
Jensen’s head spun and he had to grab a chair. Jared went through the office database looking for his information? "W-what did I do wrong?" Was he going to lose his job? He hadn’t even been there a month.
This time it was Chad who was stunned. "What? No. Why would you think so? You're not getting fired. In fact, Jared researched you because he wanted to know more about your background."
"And what did he find?" Jensen was glad he'd never been attempted to steal something no matter how tough life was. A criminal record would be hard to hide. And while he could say anything to try to justify something like that, it would still be there.
"That you only have a mother and a sister. No dad," said Chad in a small voice.
Jensen's throat filled and he looked away. "I don't want pity. I can work here and I've got it because of me. I didn't get it out of charity."
"No one pities you and you're surely not a charity case. You're good, Jensen. I know it and you know it, too."
"Then why? Why did he dig info on me? Is it his habit or something?"
Chad smiled a little. "No. This is the first time he acted weird. That's why I asked what you've done to him. It's never happened before."
And Jared didn't just come and talk to him. Of course not. Why would he? , Jensen was just a lowly rookie. What? He expected the son of the company's owner to come looking for him? Wake up, Jensen.
It wasn’t until week later, during the opening ceremony of their new oil field that Jensen saw Jared again After Jared symbolically turned on the pump that started the drilling, he came to all his staff and shook hands with each one of them. Jensen hated to admit how nervous he was as Jared got closer. He wiped his suddenly sweating hand to his pants several times but it kept getting--sweaty.
When Jared finally reached him, Jensen offered his hand. He wanted to have it done and over with. The quicker the better. He grabbed Jared's hand, giving it a quick shake and was about to let go when Jared pulled him close.
"Huh?"
"Hey, Jensen, what do you say if we have coffee someday?"
Uh, well, guess he could stand having coffee with an heir to one of the richest men in the country.
"Um, yes, of course."
Jared's grin was one of the best things he'd ever seen and Jensen felt his knees weaken.
"Good."
That was all and Jared walked away.
***
He was late. Jensen walked faster to the café where he and Jared agreed to meet. It was almost six, way past five, the designated time. It wasn't his fault, though. Chad had insisted their department stay to correct a last minute problem. Jensen had asked Chad if he’d contacted Jared. He was the boss after all, and should be aware of when problems arose. Still Jensen felt bad for being late.
Several paces from the café, Jensen stopped short.
It was very hectic in front of the café. Two cars, both damaged on the front side, two ambulances, a police car crowded the street. In the middle of it all was Jared, who seemed busy talking to the cops and the medics.
"Jared!" Jensen ran towards them. "What happened? Are you okay?"
Jared looked up, combed his hair back, and smiled at Jensen. He seemed relieved to see Jensen.
"Hey, there you are. Could you wait a moment?"
"Are you okay?" he repeated. "Is one of these your car?" Jensen nodded at the vehicles.
"No, no. I mean, yes, I'm all right. And no, none of these are my car." Jared was distracted by a medic who tapped his shoulder.
"I think we're all set. We're headed to the hospital now. Thank you very much for your help," said the paramedic.
"Anytime." Jared shook the medic's hand. "Glad to help."
Jensen stood back, arching his eyebrows. He waited while the police also thanked Jared.
"We’ll just wait for the tow truck. Thanks again, Mr. Padalecki."
"No problem."
Jensen couldn't stop his lips from curving into a smile. He folded his arms on his chest.
"So, what are you besides being a rich kid and the owner of an oil company? A hero?” As Jared turned to face him, Jensen noticed the blood. “Oh my God, your shirt. That's a lot of blood!"
Jared gazed down, looking as if he’d only just realized that he was soaked in blood. "It’s not mine." He looked up. "God, Jensen, it’s okay. I'm okay."
Jensen felt himself start to shake. "You--are you sure you're all right?"
Suddenly Jared was right beside him, engulfing him with an arm around his shoulders. It was heavy but comforting. "I really am. I wasn’t the one in the accident. Those are not my cars and I'm not injured, not at all. Come on. Check for yourself." He let go of Jensen and stood in front of him, taking both of Jensen's hands and put them on his chest. He guided Jensen to feel all over him. "See?"
Panic slowly ebbed away and Jensen could breathe again. What was left was overwhelming embarrassment for having overreacted. He pulled back, hiding his face down. "Sorry," he said, his voice small.
But Jared wouldn't let him retreat. "Oh, no no no. You don't have to hide your feelings. It's totally normal to feel afraid."
Jensen swallowed with difficulty. "Yeah?" he asked when he dared to look into Jared's eyes again.
Jared smiled. "Of course. Now, shall we?" He gestured at the coffee shop's entrance.
"But..." Jensen eyed all the blood. "Don't you want to get a change first?"
Jared huffed. "If you think I'd drive all the way back to my place just to do that, you're wrong. People saw what happened. I don't think they mind a bit of blood."
"Jared, it's a place to eat and drink. I do think they'll mind."
"But--"
"My place is just around the corner." Jensen regretted once the words left his lips. What was he thinking, inviting Jared to his place, just like that? Compared to the kind of place he imagined Jared lived in, Jensen’s place was a dump.
Jared contemplated Jensen’s offer, seemingly oblivious to Jensen's instant self-doubt.
"I guess you're right. They might think it's gross."
"No, not gross." Another slip in less than one minute. Jared had been such a hero and he called him gross. Good job, Jensen.
"It's okay, Jen." Jared winked. "You don’t need to censor yourself when talking to me. So, your place? My car is over there."
"No need. It's very close. Come on."
Jensen wasn't trying to be humble when he thought his apartment was a dump. His apartment was at the end of the corridor on the second floor of a building that had seen much better days. The apartment was tiny; it contained only a bed, a table, a small dresser and had only one window that directly faced the wall of the next building. It was stuffy, dark, and sad, and Jensen knew he was an idiot to take Jared there.
Wordlessly he let Jared in and began scouring the dresser. He remembered he still had a shirt he rarely because it was a tad too big for him.
"Here you go." Jensen handed it to Jared, who looked too stunned at the place to say anything. "Hope it's big enough."
"Uh, yeah. Where's the restroom?"
Jensen lifted an eyebrow. "It's outside at the other end of the hall. Why not just change here?" He smiled at Jared's bashful face. "Promise I won't look. Much."
Jared snorted as he began unbuttoning his shirt. The blood had seeped through the shirt, causing it to stick to his skin. He struggled for a bit before finally peeling it off. . Jensen turned away at the first sign of a hard chest and busied himself with the drawer.
"Do you have paper bag or something?"
"Huh? Oh, sure." The place wasn't dubbed a pig sty for nothing. Jensen found one in the middle of the pile on the table. He kept a lot of things there whether he wanted to or not. Not a lot of space to do otherwise.
"Not bad, eh?" Jared spread his arms when he was all set.
Jensen grinned. Jared looked funny with those too short sleeves. "Sorry. That's the biggest shirt I have. A gift from my sister. I guess she had the size mixed up."
"That’s okay. Umm, your sister?"
"Yup. Her name's Mackenzie. She's still in college."
"Lucky her to have you as a brother."
Jensen turned to him sharply. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Jared raised his hands. "Nothing bad. Look. That's one of the reasons you live in the dump like this, right? Because you send most of your money home."
Jensen ignored the question. "You've been checking on me and my family. You have no damn right--"
"Hold it right there. I’m sorry but I was curious about you and wanted to know you a little better."
Jensen gasped and forced himself to still. He drew a deep breath. "Okay. Okay," he said, more to himself. "What do you do with all the information? Blackmail us?" He laughed dryly and dug down when Jared glared at him. "Sorry," he muttered.
"I like to know that," Jared started, "so I can do something if anything happens."
Jensen frowned. "What, for example?"
Jared merely shrugged. "In case of emergency, perhaps?"
"Why not simply ask then?"
Jared stared long at Jensen. "I need more than phone numbers if that's what you mean."
Uneasy feeling grew stronger each time and Jensen began to think he'd made a mistake joining Padalecki Enterprises. If Jared had a hair of bad intent to his family--oh who was he kidding? He was nobody while hardly no one had never heard of Jared or his family. If anything, it would be Jared who often feared of his safety. Jensen turned around and walked to the door without saying anything.
"Well?" Jared chased him. "Are you going to just walk away? No more questions? Objections?" He grabbed Jensen's shoulder and spun him back around.
"What?" Jensen nearly shouted. "What do you want from me?"
Jared was startled but then he grinned. "Right now? Just to have coffee with you."
Jensen huffed.
***
The coffee had been just the beginning, Jensen found out later. Jared never gave him his phone number and vice versa, though the latter didn't seem to be a problem since Jensen then received a message from an unknown number. 'Have lunch together?'
He didn't know who it was but he could guess. Still, he ignored the message. It was simply what he usually did every time he received a phone call or a text message from an unlisted number. Nothing. So, he didn't answer it--until Chad called him again to his office.
"Why didn't you answer Jared's texts?"
That question annoyed Jensen on so many levels. "Oh, that was Jared?" But of course he pretended not to know. "By the way, that's none if your business." He was perturbed that his boss and his employer were exerting this kind of pressure on him.
"Well, it's definitely my business, all right. Jared is my best friend and we protect each other."
Now Jensen felt hurt, too.
"You think I'm going to hurt him?"
Chad watched him with his small eyes. "I don't know. I don't know you but I know Jared and he's too trusting, making him vulnerable. And the fact that he is rich--"
Jensen leaned over Chad's desk. He didn't care Chad was his boss, didn't care if he'd lose his job because of this.
"Listen. I'm here just to work. I didn't even know him. So if you think I'm chasing him or something, I'd say you're delusional. Now please tell him to stay away from me because I'm not answering his texts. We never even exchanged numbers." Jensen turned around and left.
Later that afternoon Jared himself turned up at Jensen's cubicle, breathing hot and heavy like he’d just ran over.
"Jensen, please don't listen to Chad. It's true that we protect each other but he doesn't need to protect me from you."
Jensen went stiff.
"I know it's my mistake not to give my number to you. It's unfair that I have your number but you don't know mine. You can just forget it now, okay. We don't have to have lunch or coffee together."
"I'd like to go."
"You must think it's weird...wait, what?"
"I want to go with you. For lunch or coffee." Jensen almost mentioned dinner but that was another thing altogether. Besides, Jared never said what it was he wanted.
Jared beamed like a boy left in a room full of toys. "Are you serious?"
"Yes, of course. It's wrong to deny your boss, right? I'd also appreciate the company."
Jared's face fell and panic came again to Jensen. What did he say wrong?
"For sure I'd love your company, but as your friend, not as your boss."
Inwardly, Jensen banged his head over and over to his desk. Stupid, stupid, stupid. He should learn to hold back his tongue. "Sorry," he mumbled.
After a pause, Jared smiled. "That's okay. So, will tomorrow be okay?"
"Yeah. Yeah, it's okay."
Jared had walked away when suddenly he turned back.
"What's wrong?" Jensen asked. If Jared changed his mind...
"I forgot to give my phone number again. It's..."
Jensen grabbed his cell phone and began typing it in his own.
***
Now
Jensen poured the cooked ramen chicken noodles to the bowl. It would be better if he had eggs and butter but this would do. He didn’t need to splurge. He spent his money on more important things, namely his family.
He brought the bowl to the desk and took out his cell phone. Still nothing. No missed calls or text messages. That could mean good or bad. Good, meaning that his family still didn't suspect anything had happened to him. And bad meaning they were still expecting some money sent to them. It was time again for him to pay for Mac's school and he had no idea how he could do that. He still had some money in his account but it was nowhere near close to the amount his sister needed.
With a heavy heart, Jensen stuttered a sigh. His pay as a cab driver wasn't enough to cover his expenses and pay her tuition. He had absolutely no idea where he'd get the rest of the money. He squeezed his eyes close and buried his face in both his hands. He couldn’t help but think back to years earlier when he’d received a much needed surprise, a nice surprise though at first he'd thought of refusing it.
Then
"You paid for it," Jensen had said to Jared at one of the lunches they'd had together.
"Excuse me?" The forkful of cut meat soaked in gravy stopped mid-air.
"The remainder of Mac’s college fees. I checked my account yesterday and it hasn't been deducted. I contacted the university and they said everything was paid off. I requested the name of the payer and they said it was Padalecki Enterprises."
Jared chewed his food slowly and shrugged while smiling a little. "It's one of your job benefits."
"Really?"
"Yes."
For a long moment Jensen couldn't speak. Then he took Jared's hand in his. "Thank you. That means a lot to me." He felt his eyes burn with unshed tears.
Jared stared at their hands together and at Jensen. "Is it really okay with you? Jensen, I just want to help and yes, I can assure you we support the education of the staff's family."
"Is that why you needed the information?"
Jared cleared his throat. "Uh, yes, that's right."
It was an old argument Jensen wasn't about to repeat, so he just nodded. "Thank you again. I-I can send my money now to my mom for other needs."
"No."
"What?"
"You should use the money for yourself. Find a new apartment. Buy clothes."
Jensen looked down at his shirt. "You think I need buy clothes? But this is new. Is it ugly?"
Jared laughed. "No one said it's ugly. I just think you need more clothes. The more formal ones, too."
"I don't need suits. I have one already."
"Yes, you do. You're going to need to wear suits more often soon."
"Huh? I don't understand."
"There's nothing to understand. You just need more suits."
"You sound like a broken record." Jensen snorted.
"Record? Man, your age is showing."
Jensen was a couple of years older and he knew that. "Yeah. I'm century years old."
***
Out of his reverie, Jensen was back in his Pleasantville apartment with his now soggy ramen. He sighed. He had to stop it. He couldn't live in his memories anymore. No use. Jared didn't even think about him, Jared’s mother had made sure of that. But it was hard to let go, memories were all Jensen had, including the ones about their dinners that followed shortly after the strings of lunch breaks they'd had.
"Jared, can I ask you something? Where do you think this is going?" Jensen asked during their third dinner. He wasn't naive or pretended that this was also one of the company's benefits. "Are we dating?"
"Do you want us to be?"
"Damn it, Jared, you're the one asking me out--sorry." Yeah, cursing at your boss was never a good thing.
"I know, but just because I ask you out doesn't mean I get all the say."
Jensen gritted his teeth. Jared knew so well how he had all the say: He was the boss and he was the one with money. But he couldn't say that to him, right? Jensen gasped when Jared took his hand.
"Listen," Jared said. "If it were up to me, I'd tell you that we were dating whether or not you'd agree with me. But I'm not like that. I care about you, Jensen, but I'm not going to force myself to you in any way."
Jensen felt mesmerized. He had never met a man as perfect as Jared. And Jared was talking about 'if it were up to me.' Well, if it were up to Jensen, he'd asked Jared out the first time he'd seen him.
"I think we are dating," Jensen mumbled as he buried his chin to his chest.
"Excuse me, what?"
Jensen thought his face was burning when he looked up, and he smiled shyly. "You don't mind if we are dating?"
Jared's jaw went slack. "Are you kidding me? That's all I ever wanted."
Jensen grinned from ear to ear. "This is unconventional but you are one-in-a-million, Mr. Padalecki." Jared didn't even attempt to kiss Jensen, but Jensen didn’t mind. It would be worth the wait.
Suddenly, another thing crossed his mind. "What about Chad?"
"What about him?"
"Uh, he's your best friend and all."
"Last I remember I'm not married to him or anything. He can say whatever he’d like about us, but if I want to be with you, I will be with you."
Jensen nodded slowly. "Thank you."
"C'mere." Jared took Jensen's hand and pulled him closer. Jensen leaned to him across the table. "You're the most gorgeous man I've ever met."
Jensen was drowned in Jared's moss green eyes. They got closer and closer. Their lips weren't really touching yet and it made Jensen crazy.
"Jared?"
"Mm-hm?"
"You're welcome to kiss me now."
"I don't need your permission to kiss you."
"No?"
"Shut up."
Jared grabbed Jensen's shirt front and smashed their mouths together. Jensen was startled at first but got on board quickly. Mm-hm indeed. Jared might be treading lightly in getting to know Jensen but his domineering traits certainly shone through and Jensen didn't mind that.
When they broke apart after several minutes, breathing heavily, Jared licked his lips. "What are we going to do now, boyfriend?"
***
"What? You must be joking. You and Jared are now an item?"
Jensen gave a lopsided smile. He'd been debating with himself whether to tell Chad or let Jared do it. But Chad was his boss. Jensen thought he had the right to know as soon as possible. Jared had been with Jensen the whole weekend. Jensen knew Jared hadn’t had a chance to meet with Chad.
"Well, are you mad at me?"
Chad stared at him and shrugged. "Mad? Why would I be? It's none of my business, right, even though Jared is my best friend. And even if I'm mad, will that change anything?"
"No, I don't think so."
"See?"
Jensen stood from his chair and shook Chad's hand. "Thank you. I know it mustn't be easy for you. But just so you know, I'm not trying to take Jared from you."
Chad waved him off. "You already have."
***
If there was one thing Jensen had liked about his relationship with Jared was that he rarely saw Jared at the office. He just didn't have anything to do with the big boss so there was no reason for him to interact with Jared. And so far only Chad knew about him and Jared. At least that was what Jensen thought.
Tonight Jared seemed to want to change that.
"Hey, what about dinner at my place?" Jared asked when he’d called Jensen.
Jared's place was the big Padalecki mansion with his parents, brother, and sister living there.
"Dinner at your place--just with you?" Jensen asked carefully. He wasn't going to delude himself into thinking wow, this is it. Dinner with the parents! He knew that wasn't the case.
Jared snorted. "No, of course not. My parents aren't going anywhere tonight so I guess it'll be a perfect time to introduce you to them."
"As your boyfriend?"
A pause. "You don't want me to?"
"I don’t know. I mean, I do, but don't you think it's too fast?" That was another thing Jensen was a bit worried about. Jensen rarely heard about Jared’s dating life, but the few rumors he had heard, were always about him and a lady friend. Never a guy.
"That's okay, Jen. If you're not ready, we can always go some other time."
Somehow, Jensen thought he'd rather have it over and done with. He shook his head, then realized Jared couldn't see him.
"No. I guess it’s fine to do it now, Jay. I don't care if you introduce me as your friend, boyfriend, even staff."
"Okay, okay." Jared laughed. "Wow, you can be very stubborn sometimes. I like that nickname by the way."
Oops. Jensen didn't even realize doing it. "Well, you gave me a nickname, too."
"I know. All right. You know where I live. I'll be waiting around seven? Or would you rather I pick you up?"
"That's not necessary," said Jensen quickly. He'd been very much the 'girl' in this relationship. He didn't need Jared to make it even more obvious. "I'll see you there tonight."
"That's fabulous. And Jen?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
***
Despite what he'd said, Jensen couldn't help but hesitate with his decision to meet Jared's parents tonight. They'd just started dating. They hadn't slept together. The only person who even knew about them was Chad. Jared had been right. It might be too fast to do this now. But Jared suggested it first so maybe it was okay.
Jensen debated, if he could still talk Jared out of it but from the corner of his eye, Jensen caught the sight of the clock on the wall. It was almost four. He'd planned to leave before five so he still had time to change. It was way too late to speak to Jared now. Besides, his job could be at stake.
***
The Uber took longer than what Jensen had expected. It was partly due to the heavy traffic in downtown Dallas, but was also due to the fact that Jared's house was quite far away. Jared said it was on the outskirts of the city, but Jensen felt the house lay well outside the city. Nevertheless, Jensen was relieved when they were finally free from queues of cars on the highway and out of the window, he could only see open lands.
Next they came to acres and acres of orange and apple fields, just like what Jared said about his house. So not only did they have an oil field but they also got these. From afar Jensen could spot a throng of horses running around on the meadows. Do they also belong to Jared's family, Jensen wondered. How rich could they be?
"You can open the window to smell the oranges."
"Huh?"
"Go on." Smiling over his shoulder, the forty-something Indian driver turned off the air conditioner. "People always do that around here. They love the smell of the oranges."
Jensen complied. He rolled down the window and immediately he was attacked by a burst of sweet smell of the oranges. Jensen took a deep breath and his mouth began to water. "It's amazing."
"Right? They’re almost ready for harvest. Bet those oranges and apples are very sweet."
Jensen only smiled and kept sniffing the mixed smell of sweetness and tanginess. It was quite aromatic and therapeutic as well to soothe Jensen's nervousness.
As they got closer, Jensen could place the big two-story house in a distance. He was instantly intrigued by the blue rooftops and several white tall chimneys coming out of them.
"Is that Padalecki's house?" he asked the driver. He didn’t knew exactly where it was.
"That's right. We're headed there, right?"
"Y-yes." Nervousness returned as the car turned into a small road leading to the house, and suddenly Jensen felt he was completely out of his element. The house was exceptionally big reaching to the back yet it gave an air of comfort of coziness with low white fences along the porch, large windows, a high mahogany door, and two lamps on the wall on both sides of the door.
Jensen stepped out of the car and paid the driver. "Thanks." He had a half mind to jump back up into it and asked the man to take him back to the city but he only smiled weakly when the driver nodded.
"Have fun. Don’t worry. I’ve heard they’re good people."
"Sure," he said and walked down the narrow path toward the house. White dominated the residence up to the fine pebbles making up the pathway. Neatly cut grass covered the front yard and flowery shrubs lined the edges of the grass.
Looking up, Jensen met Jared, who was standing at the door, grinning from ear to ear.
"Jensen! You’re here."
Jensen merely shrugged and gestured around him. "Quite an impressive place you have here, Boss."
"All belongs to the family." Jared laughed and his eyes narrowed. "I'm not your boss here, okay?"
"All right." Jensen hesitated, wondering if he should shake Jared's hand or hug him, but Jared grabbed him and hugged him hard.
"God, I missed you," Jared whispered in his ear.
Jensen felt warm all over and he hugged back. "Me too."
"How's the trip?"
"It was fine." He waved at the gate where the Uber used to be. "The driver was nice. Thank you for sending a car for me."
"No problem, truly."
"I can't imagine you have to drive all the way out here every day."
Jared laughed. "I have an apartment downtown. I don't get here every day."
"I see." Jensen wondered why they didn't just have dinner there in Jared's apartment. It would have eliminated the question of meeting Jared’s parents and would have been a lot closer to his own apartment. With the long drive back, he’d be getting home very late.
As if reading Jensen's mind, Jared said, "You're staying tonight, right?"
"Huh? I didn’t plan on it."
"Don't worry about it. I have toiletries and clothes you can use." Jared ushered Jensen inside. "Come one, this way."
Jensen found himself led to a library. A man and a woman, both in their fifties, got on their feet.
"Mom, Dad, this is Jensen Ackles. He works in IT."
Jensen stilled for a second. Okay, so that was how it would go. He was merely a member of the staff. From the office. Not a boyfriend. Far from it.
Jared's mom, a smallish, sophisticated lady, slender with shoulder-length hair, offered her hand. Jensen took it. Her grip was weak and soft. He fought a sudden urge to curtsy.
"Ma'am."
"How do you do, Jensen?"
A complete opposite of his wife, Jared's father was big and sturdy, but he clearly exercised as seen from his build.
"Have you been with us long, son?"
"Just a couple months, sir."
"How's it been so far?"
"It's great. Everything is great." Jensen stole a glance at Jared, the corner of his lip curled up into a small smile. Yeah, it had been great.
"Jared, I thought you invited Gen," Jared's mom suddenly said.
Jensen frowned. Jen? There was another one named Jen?
Jared scowled. "No, I didn't. Why should I?"
"Isn't she your girlfriend?"
"No, Genevieve is not my girlfriend. She is a friend who happens to be a girl and I don't have to invite her every time."
Genevieve. Gen. Jensen swallowed.
Mrs. Padalecki's eyes went wide. "Okay," she said slowly and turned her gaze to Jensen.
Jensen arched an eyebrow. What? I have nothing to do with it. He'd never even heard the name before this. Jen. Gen. What the fuck?
Finally it was Mr. Padalecki who broke the tension. "So." He clapped his hands. "Shall we eat?"
Mrs. Padalecki sighed. "I'll check with the maids."
Jared huffed. "I'm going to give a little tour around the house to our guest if that's okay?"
"Uh," Jensen started. But Jared didn't ask him a permission.
"Sure," Jared's dad said.
"Good. Come on, Jensen."
Jensen still wasn't sure if that was a good idea but he had no say in this. Soon he found himself in Jared's one-armed hug that swept him out of the library to the nearest room there.
"I thought you said you were giving me a tour around the house," Jensen said when Jared closed the door behind his back and reached out and switched on the light. Brightness poured all over replacing the short darkness that engulfed them just a second ago.
Jared slowly encircled Jensen and shoved him to the wall. His predatory eyes made Jensen shiver. "The tour can wait." Jared's voice was hoarse. "But you can't."
Jensen was left breathless. "I can't wait for...what?"
"This." Jared's fingers inched up cupping Jensen's jaw, Jared's thumb tracing his lips, and Jensen gasped. His eyes fluttered close.
"Jay..." He'd expected it but it startled him nonetheless when Jared kissed him. Jensen's heart raced and he felt like melting ice cream under the heat of the sun. Only this wasn't the sun. This was Jared's searing hot lips and tongue and taste invading Jensen's senses. Jensen yanked at Jared's hair--when did his hands get there anyway?--as he pulled back.
"I need to breathe." He wheezed. "Oh God." Jared's puppy dog eyes didn't help at all.
"Jen, you--"
"Are you serious?" Jensen said when he could breathe normally again.
"What? About our kiss? Of course I am."
"No. About Gen. Genevieve. She's not your girlfriend?"
Jared sighed and presses his forehead against Jensen's. "Do you have to bring her up now?"
When they were being intimate like this. Right. "Sorry," Jensen practically whimpered.
"Jesus," Jared hissed a reply and ran his fingers through his hair. "You don't have to. It's just... Look. She's not my girlfriend, okay? Never was, never will be. Not that way. You have nothing to worry, Jen."
Normally, Jensen wouldn't be so easy to trust, but not this time. He stared at Jared's pleading eyes and felt like drowning there. "Okay." He was spellbound for sure.
Jared cupped the side of Jensen's face and Jensen leaned into the hand. "Jen--"
"Jared, are you in here?"
The door cracked open and the two separated quickly.
"Mom." Jared breathed hard. "W-what's up?"
"I was just looking for you two. Dinner is ready," she deadpanned.
"He was giving me a tour."
Jared's mom didn't even seem as if she'd heard Jensen. Jensen snapped his lips together again at once. Mrs. Padalecki didn't blink as she glared at Jared.
"I--we'll talk about this later, Jared." She stomped her heel as she whirled around and stepped out of the room.
Jensen huffed, just realizing he'd been holding his breath the entire time.
***
The dinner was awkward as fuck. No one seemed to want to talk, least of all Jensen. He'd sink under the table if he could. Before heading into the dining room, he'd begged Jared to let him leave but Jared wouldn't have it.
"I'm an adult. I decide who I want to see or kiss. If they don't like it, they can kick me out of here," Jared had said.
Jensen had been frantic. He would not let it happen. Jared shouldn't get kicked out because of him.
So Jensen went silent the entire time, not like others would chat with him anyway. Jared's mother acted as if he wasn't even there. She never looked his way. All Jared's father said, "Pass the salt, please," and that was it.
After dinner both the older people took off without so much as glancing at Jared. Jensen could hear his own heart cracking apart. He wondered if this was going to cost him his job. His mother and sister still needed him so much.
They drove back to town that night. Jensen didn’t want to spend another second in their house. He knew he'd never step foot in again.
"I can understand..." he started.
"What?"
"If you wouldn't want me at the office again."
"What? No." Jared looked totally flabbergasted by the idea. "I will never--"
"It's for everyone’s sake."
"You’re too quick to discount how I feel."
Jensen felt helpless.
"No way, Jen," said Jared with that tone that brooked no argument. "I still need you for the workshop in New Jersey next week. The office still needs you. Jesus, I need you, Jensen."
He needed Jared, too.
"I-I'll be wherever you want me, Jared."
Jared stared at him longingly from behind the wheel when their eyes met. Jensen snorted wetly.
"Watch the road, Boss. I'm too young to die."
***
"Jensen? Jen, wake up. We're home."
"Home?" Jensen jerked up, gasping. "Jesus Christ. Is this your apartment? I forgot to tell you my address." He fumbled with the seatbelt. "That's okay. I'll grab a cab. I-I have to go now." Jensen reached for the door but a strong grip curled around his wrist.
"You're not going anywhere."
Jensen looked down at Jared's hand upon his and shook his head, feeling helpless. "I'm sorry I fell asleep like that. Thank you, Ja--"
Jared silenced him with a stern yet gentle kiss. Jensen let out a little squeak of surprise. But this was not the first time Jared stopped him from saying anything with a kiss so he simply enjoyed it.
"I let you sleep because you looked like you needed it," said Jared into his mouth. "And I love watching you sleeping. You look like an angel when you are."
"Jared?" Jensen murmured.
"Hmm?"
:: Part 2 ::
Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: J2
Rating: R
Word count: 12,300
Summary: Jensen thinks everything is in the past now. He can just forget it and move on. But the appearance of Jared in this city brings back memories. Not all of them are good ones. And Jensen would rather not have to go through them all over again.
AN: Written for J2 Reverse Bang
Art is HEREby kuwlshadow
Beta: Thank you so much, gatorgurl94, for beta-ing this. Your insightful comments and feedback are very helpful, and of course for the suggested words and sentences, and all the corrections. *hugs you*
"I was so stupid."
"Excuse me?"
“We are half way to your destination and I have just now remembered to turn on the meter.”
"Oh gosh. I'm sorry to hear that."
"Yeah, I’m very sorry.”
“Well, that’s okay. I’ll just give you double.”
“Thank you. But I'm lucky you have called my cab then."
His passenger, laughed a little from the back seat and that made Jensen smile. "I'm serious," he said. "-I’m relatively new here in New York, just a couple of months. Before I lived in…" He swallowed before he continued, "uh, Dallas."
"Really?"
"Yes. Well, I didn't really choose to stay here but, umm, I mean, I've lost everything. My job, my house." My life, said Jensen under his breath.
There was a soft gasp coming from his lady passenger. "What happened?"
"Oh no." Jensen laughed, so bitter he could taste in his mouth. "That's gonna be a very, very long story."
His own words shut him up completely. What the hell, Jensen, he hissed to himself. Overshare much? Why would you want to spill his deepest and darkest secret to a total stranger? It had been clogging up in his chest like a dead log since he'd never talked about it to anyone-ever. But a psychiatrist was too pricey for a cab driver like him and he had zero friends who he could talk to in this city.
Not that he had ones back in his neighborhood in Pleasantville. Leaving for work before sunrise and going back to his apartment way after sunset didn't give him many chances to socialize. Besides, he'd be too worn out by the time he reached home to leave his place again.
Jensen fell quiet for too long he'd nearly jump when his passenger told him to pull up at the next block.
"Keep the change," she said, and Jensen nodded, looking over his shoulder and catching a glimpse of his passenger, a lady who seemed to be in her mid-40s.
He’d be 30 in a couple of years, but he felt old and tired with his life. It had lost its meaning since he was stripped of everything he had, leaving him bare and hollow.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"Y-yes, of course." Jensen startled at her question, having thought she'd left.
"All right then," she said and finally got out of the cab, closing the door gently.
Jensen drew a deep breath. After a moment, he ignited his car back up, ready for the next passenger--that was all he could do.
Being a cab driver was far from what he thought he'd do with his life, not nine months ago at least.
***
Nine months ago
"Congratulations. Welcome to Padalecki Enterprises." The HRD manager stood up and offered his thick hand to Jensen, a wide smile across his face.
Jensen should've had his own smile plastered all over his face. He shook the man's hand back. "When can I start?"
"Right away. Now you come with me to take care of the administration matters. We'll prepare your name tag, bank account, and the likes."
Someone knocked the door and went in without anyone telling him to.
"Jared," the HRD manager called out. "Anything I can do? Oh, let me introduce you to the newest member of new IT staff."
"Tom." The man nodded. Jared, thought Jensen. The Jared. Padalecki's heir. Jensen swallowed, stunned. This was man he’d only seen in magazines and on the Internet and here he was right before his eyes. And he looked much better. Tall and slender with broad shoulders and flat stomach, and his flowing hair as soft and sleek as what people said in those articles. Jensen swore he'd never swooned over anyone before this, but looking at Jared made him weak in the knees.
But the man didn't even acknowledge him.
"The papers for Chad, have you prepared them? He's going with me tomorrow," Jared said to Tom, the HRD manager.
"Sure. I have them right here. I'll have them sent to you right after I'm done with Ackles here."
Just then Jared turned to Jensen. Jensen raised his hand.
"Morning, uh, Mr. Padalecki, sir. My name's..."
But Jared waved a hand in a dismissive manner and turned back to Tom.
"Yeah okay. Hope to get them by this afternoon," he said and left.
Jensen stood there with his hand hanging and pulled it down awkwardly, letting out an uneasy short laugh. "Uh yeah. Well." Tom looked at him with something akin to pity.
"Don't take it personally. He's just a busy person. He's also a bit on the shy side."
Shy? Jensen wouldn't have interpreted that as shy. Snobbish and arrogant maybe. But Jensen checked himself. Jared was the son of the big boss. The heir. Jensen must know his place. He was just a new hire and low man on the totem pole, while Jared was the boss and it wasn’t Jensen’s place to judge him.
"By the way," added Tom. "Chad, Chad Michael Murray, will be your direct boss. He's the IT manager. He'll be out of town tomorrow with Jared but he's in the office now. Let me take you to him."
Tom took him through the pastel-hued corridors of the office building. It gave off a vibe of luxury and importance, and the employees he met along the way all looked serious, focused on their computers or in deep discussions with others. Jensen tried to suppress his feeling of pride to be joining this crowd. His mama and sister were ecstatic when they learned about the good news. Jensen knew how his mother had worked her fingers to the bone so that he and Mac, his sister, could go to college. Now it was his turn to be the breadwinner.
Tom stopped at an office with glass walls and double-paneled doors. Inside were cubicles of the same colors. In the corner there was another door leading to a small office not dissimilar to Tom's office. The back of a blond head was all Jensen saw, as the face was fixed to the computer screen in front of him.
"Chad," Tom called out, and the man jumped in his seat, turning around.
"Gosh, Tom. You scared me to death. What do you want?"
Tom seemed not to care about Chad's annoyance. "Hey. I want you to meet your new guy. Jensen, this is your boss, Chad."
After that rejected hand shake, Jensen hesitated to offer again though this was with a different person. But Chad was on his feet at once and unlike Jared, he grabbed Jensen's half extended hand. Jensen gasped. Jensen was relieved to know not everyone was as standoffish as the boss.”
"Jensen Ackles, is it? Hey, glad to have you join us."
Jensen grinned, still nervous. "Yeah, uh, I'm honored to be here."
Chad snorted. "You're too polite. Come on. I'll take you to meet the team. I'm gone tomorrow but I'll make sure you'll be too busy to miss me."
***
Jensen wasn't sure whether he was sad or glad to now know that Jared hadn't been as haughty as their first meeting had implied. But--perhaps he'd rather have had a rude Jared after all, maybe then he wouldn’t have fallen for the trap of those puppy-dog eyes and beguiling smile.
Several weeks after Jared--and Chad--were back from out of town, Chad called him to his office.
"Tell me." Chad squinted up to Jensen, who was standing frozen in his place in front of Chad's desk. "What did you do or say to him that makes him like that?"
Jensen stammered, "W-what do you mean? Makes whom like what?"
"Come on, you don't have to pretend you don't know about this. The meeting was crucial and we were supposed to dot all the i's and cross all the t's. But you know what Jared did there? He kept getting distracted and I caught him mutter something like, 'I shouldn't have done that to him' several times."
Jensen's jaw slacked. "That's it? And you think it has something to do with me?"
Chad leaned forward. "So, tell me why he spent so much time browsing your name through the office database, Jensen Ackles? He showed me himself."
Jensen’s head spun and he had to grab a chair. Jared went through the office database looking for his information? "W-what did I do wrong?" Was he going to lose his job? He hadn’t even been there a month.
This time it was Chad who was stunned. "What? No. Why would you think so? You're not getting fired. In fact, Jared researched you because he wanted to know more about your background."
"And what did he find?" Jensen was glad he'd never been attempted to steal something no matter how tough life was. A criminal record would be hard to hide. And while he could say anything to try to justify something like that, it would still be there.
"That you only have a mother and a sister. No dad," said Chad in a small voice.
Jensen's throat filled and he looked away. "I don't want pity. I can work here and I've got it because of me. I didn't get it out of charity."
"No one pities you and you're surely not a charity case. You're good, Jensen. I know it and you know it, too."
"Then why? Why did he dig info on me? Is it his habit or something?"
Chad smiled a little. "No. This is the first time he acted weird. That's why I asked what you've done to him. It's never happened before."
And Jared didn't just come and talk to him. Of course not. Why would he? , Jensen was just a lowly rookie. What? He expected the son of the company's owner to come looking for him? Wake up, Jensen.
It wasn’t until week later, during the opening ceremony of their new oil field that Jensen saw Jared again After Jared symbolically turned on the pump that started the drilling, he came to all his staff and shook hands with each one of them. Jensen hated to admit how nervous he was as Jared got closer. He wiped his suddenly sweating hand to his pants several times but it kept getting--sweaty.
When Jared finally reached him, Jensen offered his hand. He wanted to have it done and over with. The quicker the better. He grabbed Jared's hand, giving it a quick shake and was about to let go when Jared pulled him close.
"Huh?"
"Hey, Jensen, what do you say if we have coffee someday?"
Uh, well, guess he could stand having coffee with an heir to one of the richest men in the country.
"Um, yes, of course."
Jared's grin was one of the best things he'd ever seen and Jensen felt his knees weaken.
"Good."
That was all and Jared walked away.
***
He was late. Jensen walked faster to the café where he and Jared agreed to meet. It was almost six, way past five, the designated time. It wasn't his fault, though. Chad had insisted their department stay to correct a last minute problem. Jensen had asked Chad if he’d contacted Jared. He was the boss after all, and should be aware of when problems arose. Still Jensen felt bad for being late.
Several paces from the café, Jensen stopped short.
It was very hectic in front of the café. Two cars, both damaged on the front side, two ambulances, a police car crowded the street. In the middle of it all was Jared, who seemed busy talking to the cops and the medics.
"Jared!" Jensen ran towards them. "What happened? Are you okay?"
Jared looked up, combed his hair back, and smiled at Jensen. He seemed relieved to see Jensen.
"Hey, there you are. Could you wait a moment?"
"Are you okay?" he repeated. "Is one of these your car?" Jensen nodded at the vehicles.
"No, no. I mean, yes, I'm all right. And no, none of these are my car." Jared was distracted by a medic who tapped his shoulder.
"I think we're all set. We're headed to the hospital now. Thank you very much for your help," said the paramedic.
"Anytime." Jared shook the medic's hand. "Glad to help."
Jensen stood back, arching his eyebrows. He waited while the police also thanked Jared.
"We’ll just wait for the tow truck. Thanks again, Mr. Padalecki."
"No problem."
Jensen couldn't stop his lips from curving into a smile. He folded his arms on his chest.
"So, what are you besides being a rich kid and the owner of an oil company? A hero?” As Jared turned to face him, Jensen noticed the blood. “Oh my God, your shirt. That's a lot of blood!"
Jared gazed down, looking as if he’d only just realized that he was soaked in blood. "It’s not mine." He looked up. "God, Jensen, it’s okay. I'm okay."
Jensen felt himself start to shake. "You--are you sure you're all right?"
Suddenly Jared was right beside him, engulfing him with an arm around his shoulders. It was heavy but comforting. "I really am. I wasn’t the one in the accident. Those are not my cars and I'm not injured, not at all. Come on. Check for yourself." He let go of Jensen and stood in front of him, taking both of Jensen's hands and put them on his chest. He guided Jensen to feel all over him. "See?"
Panic slowly ebbed away and Jensen could breathe again. What was left was overwhelming embarrassment for having overreacted. He pulled back, hiding his face down. "Sorry," he said, his voice small.
But Jared wouldn't let him retreat. "Oh, no no no. You don't have to hide your feelings. It's totally normal to feel afraid."
Jensen swallowed with difficulty. "Yeah?" he asked when he dared to look into Jared's eyes again.
Jared smiled. "Of course. Now, shall we?" He gestured at the coffee shop's entrance.
"But..." Jensen eyed all the blood. "Don't you want to get a change first?"
Jared huffed. "If you think I'd drive all the way back to my place just to do that, you're wrong. People saw what happened. I don't think they mind a bit of blood."
"Jared, it's a place to eat and drink. I do think they'll mind."
"But--"
"My place is just around the corner." Jensen regretted once the words left his lips. What was he thinking, inviting Jared to his place, just like that? Compared to the kind of place he imagined Jared lived in, Jensen’s place was a dump.
Jared contemplated Jensen’s offer, seemingly oblivious to Jensen's instant self-doubt.
"I guess you're right. They might think it's gross."
"No, not gross." Another slip in less than one minute. Jared had been such a hero and he called him gross. Good job, Jensen.
"It's okay, Jen." Jared winked. "You don’t need to censor yourself when talking to me. So, your place? My car is over there."
"No need. It's very close. Come on."
Jensen wasn't trying to be humble when he thought his apartment was a dump. His apartment was at the end of the corridor on the second floor of a building that had seen much better days. The apartment was tiny; it contained only a bed, a table, a small dresser and had only one window that directly faced the wall of the next building. It was stuffy, dark, and sad, and Jensen knew he was an idiot to take Jared there.
Wordlessly he let Jared in and began scouring the dresser. He remembered he still had a shirt he rarely because it was a tad too big for him.
"Here you go." Jensen handed it to Jared, who looked too stunned at the place to say anything. "Hope it's big enough."
"Uh, yeah. Where's the restroom?"
Jensen lifted an eyebrow. "It's outside at the other end of the hall. Why not just change here?" He smiled at Jared's bashful face. "Promise I won't look. Much."
Jared snorted as he began unbuttoning his shirt. The blood had seeped through the shirt, causing it to stick to his skin. He struggled for a bit before finally peeling it off. . Jensen turned away at the first sign of a hard chest and busied himself with the drawer.
"Do you have paper bag or something?"
"Huh? Oh, sure." The place wasn't dubbed a pig sty for nothing. Jensen found one in the middle of the pile on the table. He kept a lot of things there whether he wanted to or not. Not a lot of space to do otherwise.
"Not bad, eh?" Jared spread his arms when he was all set.
Jensen grinned. Jared looked funny with those too short sleeves. "Sorry. That's the biggest shirt I have. A gift from my sister. I guess she had the size mixed up."
"That’s okay. Umm, your sister?"
"Yup. Her name's Mackenzie. She's still in college."
"Lucky her to have you as a brother."
Jensen turned to him sharply. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Jared raised his hands. "Nothing bad. Look. That's one of the reasons you live in the dump like this, right? Because you send most of your money home."
Jensen ignored the question. "You've been checking on me and my family. You have no damn right--"
"Hold it right there. I’m sorry but I was curious about you and wanted to know you a little better."
Jensen gasped and forced himself to still. He drew a deep breath. "Okay. Okay," he said, more to himself. "What do you do with all the information? Blackmail us?" He laughed dryly and dug down when Jared glared at him. "Sorry," he muttered.
"I like to know that," Jared started, "so I can do something if anything happens."
Jensen frowned. "What, for example?"
Jared merely shrugged. "In case of emergency, perhaps?"
"Why not simply ask then?"
Jared stared long at Jensen. "I need more than phone numbers if that's what you mean."
Uneasy feeling grew stronger each time and Jensen began to think he'd made a mistake joining Padalecki Enterprises. If Jared had a hair of bad intent to his family--oh who was he kidding? He was nobody while hardly no one had never heard of Jared or his family. If anything, it would be Jared who often feared of his safety. Jensen turned around and walked to the door without saying anything.
"Well?" Jared chased him. "Are you going to just walk away? No more questions? Objections?" He grabbed Jensen's shoulder and spun him back around.
"What?" Jensen nearly shouted. "What do you want from me?"
Jared was startled but then he grinned. "Right now? Just to have coffee with you."
Jensen huffed.
***
The coffee had been just the beginning, Jensen found out later. Jared never gave him his phone number and vice versa, though the latter didn't seem to be a problem since Jensen then received a message from an unknown number. 'Have lunch together?'
He didn't know who it was but he could guess. Still, he ignored the message. It was simply what he usually did every time he received a phone call or a text message from an unlisted number. Nothing. So, he didn't answer it--until Chad called him again to his office.
"Why didn't you answer Jared's texts?"
That question annoyed Jensen on so many levels. "Oh, that was Jared?" But of course he pretended not to know. "By the way, that's none if your business." He was perturbed that his boss and his employer were exerting this kind of pressure on him.
"Well, it's definitely my business, all right. Jared is my best friend and we protect each other."
Now Jensen felt hurt, too.
"You think I'm going to hurt him?"
Chad watched him with his small eyes. "I don't know. I don't know you but I know Jared and he's too trusting, making him vulnerable. And the fact that he is rich--"
Jensen leaned over Chad's desk. He didn't care Chad was his boss, didn't care if he'd lose his job because of this.
"Listen. I'm here just to work. I didn't even know him. So if you think I'm chasing him or something, I'd say you're delusional. Now please tell him to stay away from me because I'm not answering his texts. We never even exchanged numbers." Jensen turned around and left.
Later that afternoon Jared himself turned up at Jensen's cubicle, breathing hot and heavy like he’d just ran over.
"Jensen, please don't listen to Chad. It's true that we protect each other but he doesn't need to protect me from you."
Jensen went stiff.
"I know it's my mistake not to give my number to you. It's unfair that I have your number but you don't know mine. You can just forget it now, okay. We don't have to have lunch or coffee together."
"I'd like to go."
"You must think it's weird...wait, what?"
"I want to go with you. For lunch or coffee." Jensen almost mentioned dinner but that was another thing altogether. Besides, Jared never said what it was he wanted.
Jared beamed like a boy left in a room full of toys. "Are you serious?"
"Yes, of course. It's wrong to deny your boss, right? I'd also appreciate the company."
Jared's face fell and panic came again to Jensen. What did he say wrong?
"For sure I'd love your company, but as your friend, not as your boss."
Inwardly, Jensen banged his head over and over to his desk. Stupid, stupid, stupid. He should learn to hold back his tongue. "Sorry," he mumbled.
After a pause, Jared smiled. "That's okay. So, will tomorrow be okay?"
"Yeah. Yeah, it's okay."
Jared had walked away when suddenly he turned back.
"What's wrong?" Jensen asked. If Jared changed his mind...
"I forgot to give my phone number again. It's..."
Jensen grabbed his cell phone and began typing it in his own.
***
Now
Jensen poured the cooked ramen chicken noodles to the bowl. It would be better if he had eggs and butter but this would do. He didn’t need to splurge. He spent his money on more important things, namely his family.
He brought the bowl to the desk and took out his cell phone. Still nothing. No missed calls or text messages. That could mean good or bad. Good, meaning that his family still didn't suspect anything had happened to him. And bad meaning they were still expecting some money sent to them. It was time again for him to pay for Mac's school and he had no idea how he could do that. He still had some money in his account but it was nowhere near close to the amount his sister needed.
With a heavy heart, Jensen stuttered a sigh. His pay as a cab driver wasn't enough to cover his expenses and pay her tuition. He had absolutely no idea where he'd get the rest of the money. He squeezed his eyes close and buried his face in both his hands. He couldn’t help but think back to years earlier when he’d received a much needed surprise, a nice surprise though at first he'd thought of refusing it.
Then
"You paid for it," Jensen had said to Jared at one of the lunches they'd had together.
"Excuse me?" The forkful of cut meat soaked in gravy stopped mid-air.
"The remainder of Mac’s college fees. I checked my account yesterday and it hasn't been deducted. I contacted the university and they said everything was paid off. I requested the name of the payer and they said it was Padalecki Enterprises."
Jared chewed his food slowly and shrugged while smiling a little. "It's one of your job benefits."
"Really?"
"Yes."
For a long moment Jensen couldn't speak. Then he took Jared's hand in his. "Thank you. That means a lot to me." He felt his eyes burn with unshed tears.
Jared stared at their hands together and at Jensen. "Is it really okay with you? Jensen, I just want to help and yes, I can assure you we support the education of the staff's family."
"Is that why you needed the information?"
Jared cleared his throat. "Uh, yes, that's right."
It was an old argument Jensen wasn't about to repeat, so he just nodded. "Thank you again. I-I can send my money now to my mom for other needs."
"No."
"What?"
"You should use the money for yourself. Find a new apartment. Buy clothes."
Jensen looked down at his shirt. "You think I need buy clothes? But this is new. Is it ugly?"
Jared laughed. "No one said it's ugly. I just think you need more clothes. The more formal ones, too."
"I don't need suits. I have one already."
"Yes, you do. You're going to need to wear suits more often soon."
"Huh? I don't understand."
"There's nothing to understand. You just need more suits."
"You sound like a broken record." Jensen snorted.
"Record? Man, your age is showing."
Jensen was a couple of years older and he knew that. "Yeah. I'm century years old."
***
Out of his reverie, Jensen was back in his Pleasantville apartment with his now soggy ramen. He sighed. He had to stop it. He couldn't live in his memories anymore. No use. Jared didn't even think about him, Jared’s mother had made sure of that. But it was hard to let go, memories were all Jensen had, including the ones about their dinners that followed shortly after the strings of lunch breaks they'd had.
"Jared, can I ask you something? Where do you think this is going?" Jensen asked during their third dinner. He wasn't naive or pretended that this was also one of the company's benefits. "Are we dating?"
"Do you want us to be?"
"Damn it, Jared, you're the one asking me out--sorry." Yeah, cursing at your boss was never a good thing.
"I know, but just because I ask you out doesn't mean I get all the say."
Jensen gritted his teeth. Jared knew so well how he had all the say: He was the boss and he was the one with money. But he couldn't say that to him, right? Jensen gasped when Jared took his hand.
"Listen," Jared said. "If it were up to me, I'd tell you that we were dating whether or not you'd agree with me. But I'm not like that. I care about you, Jensen, but I'm not going to force myself to you in any way."
Jensen felt mesmerized. He had never met a man as perfect as Jared. And Jared was talking about 'if it were up to me.' Well, if it were up to Jensen, he'd asked Jared out the first time he'd seen him.
"I think we are dating," Jensen mumbled as he buried his chin to his chest.
"Excuse me, what?"
Jensen thought his face was burning when he looked up, and he smiled shyly. "You don't mind if we are dating?"
Jared's jaw went slack. "Are you kidding me? That's all I ever wanted."
Jensen grinned from ear to ear. "This is unconventional but you are one-in-a-million, Mr. Padalecki." Jared didn't even attempt to kiss Jensen, but Jensen didn’t mind. It would be worth the wait.
Suddenly, another thing crossed his mind. "What about Chad?"
"What about him?"
"Uh, he's your best friend and all."
"Last I remember I'm not married to him or anything. He can say whatever he’d like about us, but if I want to be with you, I will be with you."
Jensen nodded slowly. "Thank you."
"C'mere." Jared took Jensen's hand and pulled him closer. Jensen leaned to him across the table. "You're the most gorgeous man I've ever met."
Jensen was drowned in Jared's moss green eyes. They got closer and closer. Their lips weren't really touching yet and it made Jensen crazy.
"Jared?"
"Mm-hm?"
"You're welcome to kiss me now."
"I don't need your permission to kiss you."
"No?"
"Shut up."
Jared grabbed Jensen's shirt front and smashed their mouths together. Jensen was startled at first but got on board quickly. Mm-hm indeed. Jared might be treading lightly in getting to know Jensen but his domineering traits certainly shone through and Jensen didn't mind that.
When they broke apart after several minutes, breathing heavily, Jared licked his lips. "What are we going to do now, boyfriend?"
***
"What? You must be joking. You and Jared are now an item?"
Jensen gave a lopsided smile. He'd been debating with himself whether to tell Chad or let Jared do it. But Chad was his boss. Jensen thought he had the right to know as soon as possible. Jared had been with Jensen the whole weekend. Jensen knew Jared hadn’t had a chance to meet with Chad.
"Well, are you mad at me?"
Chad stared at him and shrugged. "Mad? Why would I be? It's none of my business, right, even though Jared is my best friend. And even if I'm mad, will that change anything?"
"No, I don't think so."
"See?"
Jensen stood from his chair and shook Chad's hand. "Thank you. I know it mustn't be easy for you. But just so you know, I'm not trying to take Jared from you."
Chad waved him off. "You already have."
***
If there was one thing Jensen had liked about his relationship with Jared was that he rarely saw Jared at the office. He just didn't have anything to do with the big boss so there was no reason for him to interact with Jared. And so far only Chad knew about him and Jared. At least that was what Jensen thought.
Tonight Jared seemed to want to change that.
"Hey, what about dinner at my place?" Jared asked when he’d called Jensen.
Jared's place was the big Padalecki mansion with his parents, brother, and sister living there.
"Dinner at your place--just with you?" Jensen asked carefully. He wasn't going to delude himself into thinking wow, this is it. Dinner with the parents! He knew that wasn't the case.
Jared snorted. "No, of course not. My parents aren't going anywhere tonight so I guess it'll be a perfect time to introduce you to them."
"As your boyfriend?"
A pause. "You don't want me to?"
"I don’t know. I mean, I do, but don't you think it's too fast?" That was another thing Jensen was a bit worried about. Jensen rarely heard about Jared’s dating life, but the few rumors he had heard, were always about him and a lady friend. Never a guy.
"That's okay, Jen. If you're not ready, we can always go some other time."
Somehow, Jensen thought he'd rather have it over and done with. He shook his head, then realized Jared couldn't see him.
"No. I guess it’s fine to do it now, Jay. I don't care if you introduce me as your friend, boyfriend, even staff."
"Okay, okay." Jared laughed. "Wow, you can be very stubborn sometimes. I like that nickname by the way."
Oops. Jensen didn't even realize doing it. "Well, you gave me a nickname, too."
"I know. All right. You know where I live. I'll be waiting around seven? Or would you rather I pick you up?"
"That's not necessary," said Jensen quickly. He'd been very much the 'girl' in this relationship. He didn't need Jared to make it even more obvious. "I'll see you there tonight."
"That's fabulous. And Jen?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you."
***
Despite what he'd said, Jensen couldn't help but hesitate with his decision to meet Jared's parents tonight. They'd just started dating. They hadn't slept together. The only person who even knew about them was Chad. Jared had been right. It might be too fast to do this now. But Jared suggested it first so maybe it was okay.
Jensen debated, if he could still talk Jared out of it but from the corner of his eye, Jensen caught the sight of the clock on the wall. It was almost four. He'd planned to leave before five so he still had time to change. It was way too late to speak to Jared now. Besides, his job could be at stake.
***
The Uber took longer than what Jensen had expected. It was partly due to the heavy traffic in downtown Dallas, but was also due to the fact that Jared's house was quite far away. Jared said it was on the outskirts of the city, but Jensen felt the house lay well outside the city. Nevertheless, Jensen was relieved when they were finally free from queues of cars on the highway and out of the window, he could only see open lands.
Next they came to acres and acres of orange and apple fields, just like what Jared said about his house. So not only did they have an oil field but they also got these. From afar Jensen could spot a throng of horses running around on the meadows. Do they also belong to Jared's family, Jensen wondered. How rich could they be?
"You can open the window to smell the oranges."
"Huh?"
"Go on." Smiling over his shoulder, the forty-something Indian driver turned off the air conditioner. "People always do that around here. They love the smell of the oranges."
Jensen complied. He rolled down the window and immediately he was attacked by a burst of sweet smell of the oranges. Jensen took a deep breath and his mouth began to water. "It's amazing."
"Right? They’re almost ready for harvest. Bet those oranges and apples are very sweet."
Jensen only smiled and kept sniffing the mixed smell of sweetness and tanginess. It was quite aromatic and therapeutic as well to soothe Jensen's nervousness.
As they got closer, Jensen could place the big two-story house in a distance. He was instantly intrigued by the blue rooftops and several white tall chimneys coming out of them.
"Is that Padalecki's house?" he asked the driver. He didn’t knew exactly where it was.
"That's right. We're headed there, right?"
"Y-yes." Nervousness returned as the car turned into a small road leading to the house, and suddenly Jensen felt he was completely out of his element. The house was exceptionally big reaching to the back yet it gave an air of comfort of coziness with low white fences along the porch, large windows, a high mahogany door, and two lamps on the wall on both sides of the door.
Jensen stepped out of the car and paid the driver. "Thanks." He had a half mind to jump back up into it and asked the man to take him back to the city but he only smiled weakly when the driver nodded.
"Have fun. Don’t worry. I’ve heard they’re good people."
"Sure," he said and walked down the narrow path toward the house. White dominated the residence up to the fine pebbles making up the pathway. Neatly cut grass covered the front yard and flowery shrubs lined the edges of the grass.
Looking up, Jensen met Jared, who was standing at the door, grinning from ear to ear.
"Jensen! You’re here."
Jensen merely shrugged and gestured around him. "Quite an impressive place you have here, Boss."
"All belongs to the family." Jared laughed and his eyes narrowed. "I'm not your boss here, okay?"
"All right." Jensen hesitated, wondering if he should shake Jared's hand or hug him, but Jared grabbed him and hugged him hard.
"God, I missed you," Jared whispered in his ear.
Jensen felt warm all over and he hugged back. "Me too."
"How's the trip?"
"It was fine." He waved at the gate where the Uber used to be. "The driver was nice. Thank you for sending a car for me."
"No problem, truly."
"I can't imagine you have to drive all the way out here every day."
Jared laughed. "I have an apartment downtown. I don't get here every day."
"I see." Jensen wondered why they didn't just have dinner there in Jared's apartment. It would have eliminated the question of meeting Jared’s parents and would have been a lot closer to his own apartment. With the long drive back, he’d be getting home very late.
As if reading Jensen's mind, Jared said, "You're staying tonight, right?"
"Huh? I didn’t plan on it."
"Don't worry about it. I have toiletries and clothes you can use." Jared ushered Jensen inside. "Come one, this way."
Jensen found himself led to a library. A man and a woman, both in their fifties, got on their feet.
"Mom, Dad, this is Jensen Ackles. He works in IT."
Jensen stilled for a second. Okay, so that was how it would go. He was merely a member of the staff. From the office. Not a boyfriend. Far from it.
Jared's mom, a smallish, sophisticated lady, slender with shoulder-length hair, offered her hand. Jensen took it. Her grip was weak and soft. He fought a sudden urge to curtsy.
"Ma'am."
"How do you do, Jensen?"
A complete opposite of his wife, Jared's father was big and sturdy, but he clearly exercised as seen from his build.
"Have you been with us long, son?"
"Just a couple months, sir."
"How's it been so far?"
"It's great. Everything is great." Jensen stole a glance at Jared, the corner of his lip curled up into a small smile. Yeah, it had been great.
"Jared, I thought you invited Gen," Jared's mom suddenly said.
Jensen frowned. Jen? There was another one named Jen?
Jared scowled. "No, I didn't. Why should I?"
"Isn't she your girlfriend?"
"No, Genevieve is not my girlfriend. She is a friend who happens to be a girl and I don't have to invite her every time."
Genevieve. Gen. Jensen swallowed.
Mrs. Padalecki's eyes went wide. "Okay," she said slowly and turned her gaze to Jensen.
Jensen arched an eyebrow. What? I have nothing to do with it. He'd never even heard the name before this. Jen. Gen. What the fuck?
Finally it was Mr. Padalecki who broke the tension. "So." He clapped his hands. "Shall we eat?"
Mrs. Padalecki sighed. "I'll check with the maids."
Jared huffed. "I'm going to give a little tour around the house to our guest if that's okay?"
"Uh," Jensen started. But Jared didn't ask him a permission.
"Sure," Jared's dad said.
"Good. Come on, Jensen."
Jensen still wasn't sure if that was a good idea but he had no say in this. Soon he found himself in Jared's one-armed hug that swept him out of the library to the nearest room there.
"I thought you said you were giving me a tour around the house," Jensen said when Jared closed the door behind his back and reached out and switched on the light. Brightness poured all over replacing the short darkness that engulfed them just a second ago.
Jared slowly encircled Jensen and shoved him to the wall. His predatory eyes made Jensen shiver. "The tour can wait." Jared's voice was hoarse. "But you can't."
Jensen was left breathless. "I can't wait for...what?"
"This." Jared's fingers inched up cupping Jensen's jaw, Jared's thumb tracing his lips, and Jensen gasped. His eyes fluttered close.
"Jay..." He'd expected it but it startled him nonetheless when Jared kissed him. Jensen's heart raced and he felt like melting ice cream under the heat of the sun. Only this wasn't the sun. This was Jared's searing hot lips and tongue and taste invading Jensen's senses. Jensen yanked at Jared's hair--when did his hands get there anyway?--as he pulled back.
"I need to breathe." He wheezed. "Oh God." Jared's puppy dog eyes didn't help at all.
"Jen, you--"
"Are you serious?" Jensen said when he could breathe normally again.
"What? About our kiss? Of course I am."
"No. About Gen. Genevieve. She's not your girlfriend?"
Jared sighed and presses his forehead against Jensen's. "Do you have to bring her up now?"
When they were being intimate like this. Right. "Sorry," Jensen practically whimpered.
"Jesus," Jared hissed a reply and ran his fingers through his hair. "You don't have to. It's just... Look. She's not my girlfriend, okay? Never was, never will be. Not that way. You have nothing to worry, Jen."
Normally, Jensen wouldn't be so easy to trust, but not this time. He stared at Jared's pleading eyes and felt like drowning there. "Okay." He was spellbound for sure.
Jared cupped the side of Jensen's face and Jensen leaned into the hand. "Jen--"
"Jared, are you in here?"
The door cracked open and the two separated quickly.
"Mom." Jared breathed hard. "W-what's up?"
"I was just looking for you two. Dinner is ready," she deadpanned.
"He was giving me a tour."
Jared's mom didn't even seem as if she'd heard Jensen. Jensen snapped his lips together again at once. Mrs. Padalecki didn't blink as she glared at Jared.
"I--we'll talk about this later, Jared." She stomped her heel as she whirled around and stepped out of the room.
Jensen huffed, just realizing he'd been holding his breath the entire time.
***
The dinner was awkward as fuck. No one seemed to want to talk, least of all Jensen. He'd sink under the table if he could. Before heading into the dining room, he'd begged Jared to let him leave but Jared wouldn't have it.
"I'm an adult. I decide who I want to see or kiss. If they don't like it, they can kick me out of here," Jared had said.
Jensen had been frantic. He would not let it happen. Jared shouldn't get kicked out because of him.
So Jensen went silent the entire time, not like others would chat with him anyway. Jared's mother acted as if he wasn't even there. She never looked his way. All Jared's father said, "Pass the salt, please," and that was it.
After dinner both the older people took off without so much as glancing at Jared. Jensen could hear his own heart cracking apart. He wondered if this was going to cost him his job. His mother and sister still needed him so much.
They drove back to town that night. Jensen didn’t want to spend another second in their house. He knew he'd never step foot in again.
"I can understand..." he started.
"What?"
"If you wouldn't want me at the office again."
"What? No." Jared looked totally flabbergasted by the idea. "I will never--"
"It's for everyone’s sake."
"You’re too quick to discount how I feel."
Jensen felt helpless.
"No way, Jen," said Jared with that tone that brooked no argument. "I still need you for the workshop in New Jersey next week. The office still needs you. Jesus, I need you, Jensen."
He needed Jared, too.
"I-I'll be wherever you want me, Jared."
Jared stared at him longingly from behind the wheel when their eyes met. Jensen snorted wetly.
"Watch the road, Boss. I'm too young to die."
***
"Jensen? Jen, wake up. We're home."
"Home?" Jensen jerked up, gasping. "Jesus Christ. Is this your apartment? I forgot to tell you my address." He fumbled with the seatbelt. "That's okay. I'll grab a cab. I-I have to go now." Jensen reached for the door but a strong grip curled around his wrist.
"You're not going anywhere."
Jensen looked down at Jared's hand upon his and shook his head, feeling helpless. "I'm sorry I fell asleep like that. Thank you, Ja--"
Jared silenced him with a stern yet gentle kiss. Jensen let out a little squeak of surprise. But this was not the first time Jared stopped him from saying anything with a kiss so he simply enjoyed it.
"I let you sleep because you looked like you needed it," said Jared into his mouth. "And I love watching you sleeping. You look like an angel when you are."
"Jared?" Jensen murmured.
"Hmm?"
:: Part 2 ::