Fic: Behind Every Dark Cloud, There's a Rainbow (Eventually) - Epilogue
December 31st
For New Year's Eve, Jensen decided that it might finally be time for Steve to meet Jared. Jared had invited them over for dinner and then they were going to head out to one of the clubs to pass the night.
Jensen and Steve stood outside Jared's door after Jensen had knocked. Jensen bounced with anxiety and energy, wondering what it would be like for one of his best friends to meet his boyfriend.
"Relax," Steve told him. "Everything's going to be fine. From everything you've said, we're gonna get along famously."
Jensen rolled his eyes. "That's what I'm afraid of."
Jared opened the door and pulled Jensen in for a kiss. After letting go of Jensen, Jared extended his hand to Steve. "Nice to finally meet you, Steve. I hear we have at least one thing in common."
Steve smiled. "Do I do the best friend, 'if you hurt him, I'll kill you' speech now?"
Jared let out a booming laugh. "Well, how about you come in from the porch at the very least."
"Sounds like a plan," Jensen answered.
"Beer, guys?" Jared asked as he walked through the house.
"Sure, that'd be great," Steve replied.
Jared brought three bottles of beer out with him and set them on the table. He looked at Jensen who looked like he was debating whether to drink the beer or not. "Baby, one beer's not going to kill you. You're with us, it's okay."
"Oh, please. Jensen, knock it off. Like you've never had a beer when we've been out," Steve reminded him.
They all opened their beers and toasted to new friends and a new year. "Want a quick tour of the place, Steve?"
"Sure!" Steve replied light-heartedly. Jared walked him quickly around his place, Steve also noticing the pool table. "You guys up for some pool?" Steve asked with a smile.
"How about after we eat? Everything's just about ready," Jared suggested. He had made a simple lasagna, bread and salad. He served up the plates and everyone dug in. Compliments were mumbled between bites and the light conversation flowed easily between the three.
After the table was cleared, Steve jumped right back to playing a game of pool. Jared jokingly said, "What, are you gonna kick my ass as well? Jensen's been wiping the floor with me."
"When did you suddenly get so good?" Steve teased.
"Jared's just a sucky player. You'd think by now he'd pick up a few tricks, but nope. I still just zing past him."
"Okay, who's up? Time to get schooled by the master."
"Sure, I'll give it a shot," Jared offered. As promised, Steve ran the whole game, sinking all of the solids before Jared even got a chance to take a shot. "Damn. Wow. That was impressive."
"You ready, old man?" Steve asked Jensen.
"Oh, what the hell. I need to be put back into my place," Jensen laughed. He was able to get a couple shots in before Steve ran the balls to win the game. "Glad to see that hasn't changed."
"So, how 'bout hitting the club?" Jared asked, figuring out that pool was over for the night.
"Sure," Steve answered. "Who's driving?"
"I'll be the designated driver," Jared offered. They climbed into his SUV and headed out to the bar Jared had mentioned that had the best wings in town. The club, of course, was crowded, even at 9 and there were only going to be more people coming in. The three of them scouted for a table and found one of the last ones that was open. Jensen offered to go get beers while Jared and Steve got the table.
"Look," Steve said. "Jensen's going to be back here any minute. But I'm serious, dude, about the if you hurt him I'll kill you speech. I know you know what's happened to him and I won't let it happen again. I was three steps away from seriously hurting Kevin. Jensen stepped in and asked me not to. But that will not be something I repeat, especially because Jensen's shared his story with you. And don't even ask what I wanted to do about Sam. Jensen would never tell me where he lived, though so I couldn't find him. I don't even know his last name."
"I got it, Steve. I hear you loud and clear. If I ever hurt him, you have my full permission to kick my ass. Hurting him is the last thing I ever want to do. He's too important to me."
"What's too important to you?" Jensen asked as he put the drinks down on the table.
"You are."
"Ah. Steve gave you the speech, huh?"
Jared grabbed Jensen's hand. "Yeah and I told him he had nothing to worry about."
Jensen leaned over and kissed Jared. "I know, babe. I know."
"Okay, enough of this lovefest," Steve said. He grabbed his beer, raised it and offered another toast to the upcoming new year.
They ordered appetizers and took in the atmosphere, listening to the music and just watching everyone at the bar. There were more beers for Jensen and Steve and sodas for Jared. The three of them were just comfortable, Jensen and Steve relaying stories from their days in ER. Jensen smiled as he watched two of the most important people in his life getting along.
Finally, the countdown to midnight began. They counted down from 15 seconds and when the ball dropped, Jensen gave Steve a big hug. "Glad you're back in my life, dude." He then turned to Jared and kissed him deeply. "I love you, Jared."
"I love you too, Jensen. Here's to a new year and a new start."
Jensen smiled. Yeah, this was looking like it might shape up to be a good year.