Fic: Chasing Dreams, Counting Butterflies (J2, PG-13)
Title: Chasing Dreams, Counting Butterflies
Author: lostt1
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 5731
Warning: Nothing really.
Disclaimer: Not mine. I just like to play with them every once in awhile.
Summary: Jensen believes love is something Hollywood made up, a gimmick used to rake in more money. He doesn't believe real love exists. But when he meets Jared, a man in love with fairytales, will he change his mind and take a chance?
Notes: For the j2_everafter challenge, this fic is inspired by the movie Enchanted. It was supposed to have art, but alas, it does not. I ran out of time thanks to a completely crazy whirlwind of real life happenings. This is not exactly the tale I meant to tell. It's a bit experimental in style, but not too much of a departure from my usual style.
Once upon a time, in a magical land known as Hollywood, there lived a prince named Jensen. Jensen was handsome and charming and well-loved by all his people. As Jensen grew older, he never lacked companionship, but his constant doubts about the motivations of others left him feeling lonely and jaded. At twenty-four years of age, Jensen was the most cynical man in all the land. He had lost his ability to hope, to wish for that one person in all the world destined to be his.
Prince Jensen did not believe in fairytales. He did not believe in destiny or fate. And he definitely did not believe in true love.
Luckily for Jensen, there was someone out there who did. He believed enough for the both of them. He knew that life was made up of a series of moments where anything could happen. One missed meeting, a change in plans and everything could change.
This is their story. These are their moments.
~*~
"Oh hell no!"
"Come on, Jensen, live a little." Sophia wrapped her slender fingers around his wrist and tugged him forward through the door to the bar. "Besides, you promised me."
"That was before I knew you were going to drag me here," Jensen muttered, scanning their surroundings.
The Wishing Well was a popular place tucked away on the outskirts of town that catered to the city's young and fabulous. It was the exactly the type of place Jensen usually avoided.
Sophia pointed to a stool at the bar. "Sit."
"But it's pink," Jensen argued, giving the seat a horrified once over. "And fluffy."
Sophia just looked at him, her lips tilted up in amusement. "So?"
Jensen stared at her, mouth wide open. "Come on, Soph! I have an image to maintain!"
Sophia snorted. "Please. What image?" She shrugged, slipping onto her own stool. "You're no cooler than Christian Kane and he was just here last week."
Jensen glared at his best friend turned assistant. "I am definitely cooler than Chris Kane," he muttered, leaning against the bar.
Sophia dug her elbow into Jensen's side and shot a pointed glance at the stool next to her. "Are you going to sit down or am I going to have to make you sit?"
An amused chuckle sounded from Jensen's right. "I don't know about you, but I'd do what the lady says. Doesn't really seem like someone I'd be willing to cross."
Jensen slipped onto the stool and Sophia leaned forward, a huge grin on her face. "Thank you." She reached around Jensen's back and held out her hand. "I'm Sophia."
"Jared."
Jensen turned and stared up at the man standing next to him. He was tall, taller than Jensen, even. Shaggy dark hair, bright smile, and broad shoulders, dressed casually in jeans and a tshirt, Jared didn't look like someone Jensen would expect to find in a fairytale-themed bar.
Jared held out a huge hand to Jensen. "Well, I don't know if you're cooler than Mr. Kane, but you may be prettier."
Jensen rolled his eyes and Jared laughed, his eyes lighting up. He accepted Jared's hand, giving it a firm shake. "Jensen."
"Ackles." Jared acknowledged. "I've heard some of your music."
"Oh yeah? You a fan?"
Jared shrugged. "Not sure just yet. The jury is still out on that one."
Sophia laughed and nudged Jensen. "I like him."
Jensen shook his head. "You would." He leaned forward, staring down the length of the bar. "Doesn't anyone work around here?"
"Jensen-"
"What?" Jensen shrugged. He glanced around the bar. "I promised you that I'd come. But look at this place, Soph. The least they can do is give me alcohol. If I worked here, this place would make me a raging alcoholic."
"I don't know, I kinda like it. It has character."
Jensen turned to Jared, eyebrows raised. "Seriously? You'd have to be on the good stuff to find this place cool. What kind of person even thinks to decorate a bar with giant cotton balls?" Jensen knocked his knuckles against the wood of the bar. "And what does it take to get some service around here?"
Jared glanced around and jumped over the bar, his long legs clearing the flat surface with ease.
"Jared! What did I say about jumping over the bar?"
An older woman with long dark hair appeared from the back room, a tray of bar glasses in her hands.
"That it looks cool?"
"Jared," the lady growled.
"Sorry Aunt Sam." Jared leaned in and kissed her cheek before taking the glasses and setting them down behind the bar. He grabbed a towel and swiped it over the dark wood. He looked at Jensen and quirked an eyebrow. "So what can I get for you?"
Jensen closed his eyes and sighed. He always had a habit of putting his foot in his mouth. "How about your favorite?"
"One 'True Love's Kiss' coming right up," Jared replied, lips tilting up in a soft grin. "How about you?" he turned to Sophia.
Sophia looked over the list of drinks painted on the wall behind the bar. "I'll take one Mr. Incredible, make him cute."
"I'll do my best." Jared grinned at her as he grabbed two shot glasses before tossing them in the air and slamming them down on the counter. He expertly mixed the drinks and slid them along the smooth surface into Jensen and Sophia's waiting hands.
"True Love's Kiss, huh?" Jensen held the shot up and gave it a quizzical look. "What's so great about it?"
Jared shrugged. "It's the most powerful thing in the world."
~*~
The night was cool as Jensen pushed his way through the door and back out into the real world. Sophia stumbled behind him, her fingers twisting in his shirt.
"You had to drink the green shit, didn't you?"
"Green Fairy," Sophia nodded before burying her face in Jensen's chest with a giggle. "Now everything's blue, pink, blue, pink-"
Jensen groaned as Sophia collapsed against him. She was surprisingly heavy for someone so tiny.
"Need some help there?"
Jensen looked over to find the bartender, Jared, watching them with a look of amusement. He had a duffel bag at his feet and a cell phone in his hand. Jensen shook his head. "Nah, man, I've got it. I live just over on 10th. I can carry her that far."
He wrapped his arm tightly around Sophia's waist and pulled her arm across his shoulders. He struggled to stand up straight and promptly stumbled forward.
Strong hands gripped his shoulders and pushed them back, helping him gather his equilibrium once again. Jensen groaned. "Maybe a little help would be good."
Jared smiled and swept Sophia into his arms. She giggled as she wrapped her arms around Jared's neck. "I like this one, Jenny, can we keep him?"
Jensen rolled his eyes. Sophia was always a goofy drunk. "Sure, Soph, whatever you want."
"I want this one." came the reply, just before Sophia went limp in Jared's arms.
"So you planning on keeping me?" Jared grinned.
Jensen ignored the question but he couldn't help but admire the way Jared's shirt pulled tight across his chest as he maneuvered Sophia into a better position. Jared tilted his head to the side, indicating the ground. "Could you get my bag?"
Jensen looked down at the duffel and back up at Jared. "Uh, yeah, sure." He grunted as he hefted the heavy bag over his shoulder. "Lot of stuff here. You leaving town?"
Jared sighed. "I was supposed to." He glanced over at Jensen as they began to walk down the sidewalk, headed towards Jensen's condo. "My boyfriend was going to pick me up on the way to the airport. He promised me the world but I guess it'll just have to wait for another day."
Jensen frowned. "He didn’t show?"
"He got caught up with business." Jared was quick to defend. He sighed again, this time heavier. "I was just so excited to finally see him in person."
"How long have you been apart?"
"Well, we've never actually been together. At least, not in person. Yet."
"But you're dating?" Jensen shot Jared a confused look. "How's that work?"
Jared flushed. He shifted Sophia in his arms and kept his eyes focused straight ahead. "We met on the internet."
"On the internet?" Jensen repeated.
"I've known him for years," Jared argued. "It's not as crazy as it sounds."
"Well, that's good," Jensen said. "Because it sounds fuckin' psycho. I mean, who in their right minds-"
Jared flinched and Jensen immediately felt guilty. "Look man, I'm sorry. It's not my place to judge." He tossed Jared a pleading look. "I tend to put my foot in my mouth. A lot."
Jared lips tilted upwards in a small smile. "I noticed."
Jensen grinned as the tension between them faded into the background once again. "So where are you staying?"
Jared gave a small shrug, Sophia's body shifting with the movement. "I don't know. A hotel, I guess. My lease ran out and all of my stuff is in storage. I could stay with my aunts, I guess, but it's late and-"
Jensen knew the idea was crazy, but the words were out of his mouth before he could think things through.
"I have a guest room-"
~*~
Jensen woke to the sound of music playing softly in the other room. Remembering his guest, he groaned and rolled over, burying his face in the pillow. "Why me?"
There was something vaguely familiar about the music, something Jensen couldn’t quite put his finger on. With a low moan, he swung his legs around until his feet hit the floor with a dull thud. He pressed his knuckles into his eyes and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
After taking a few minutes to wake up, Jensen struggled to his feet and headed down the hall.
Jared was sitting in the middle of the living room floor, Jensen's favorite guitar perched on his bent leg. The rest of the carpet was covered with various scraps of paper, various piles of debris in an order that only made sense to the man on the floor.
Jared's fingers plucked the strings, the soft melody filling the room. His eyes were closed but he continued playing, the song long committed to memory.
Jensen leaned up against the wall, content to watch the impromptu concert in his living room.
Jared played on, oblivious to his audience, his voice soft and quiet as he sang. Suddenly, he stopped and bent forward, reaching for a pencil near his knee. His hair fell forward, obscuring his face from Jensen's view. He made a couple quick marks on a slip of paper before turning his attention back to the guitar.
Curious, Jensen leaned forward. He noticed the scattering of tiny black notes against the dirty white of the paper. Frowning, Jensen looked closer. There was something very familiar about the arrangement. It was different, but not completely.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Startled, Jared's head shot up. The guitar toppled forward but Jared quickly grabbed it before it fell to the floor. "What?"
"What are you doing?" Jensen repeated through clenched teeth.
Jared's eyes were wide as he stared up at Jensen. "I'm sorry, I was just-"
"Those are my songs," Jensen growled. "You had no right."
"I just thought-"
"You just thought what? That you could steal my words and my music? Tweak them a little and maybe make a name for yourself?"
"No! They were just sitting there on the coffee table and I just wanted to-" he trailed off, his fingers brushing the surface of the paper. "They're really good."
"Of course they are," Jensen huffed. "I wrote them."
Jared glared up at him. "They're good. BUT-"
"But what?"
"I thought the lyrics could use a little work and the melody needed to be a bit softer." Jared shook his head. "You don't know anything about real love, do you?"
Jensen snorted. "I know a lot about love. I know that it's a figment of imagination, a pretty story mothers tell their children when they put them to bed at night. I know that love sells. It's manufactured and peddled and sold by the dozen. That's what love is."
"Wow."
"What?" Jensen shrugged. "That's what real love is."
Jared just shook his head, a sad look on his face. "Someone did a real number on you, didn't they."
"Whatever," Jensen shifted, uncomfortable under the weight of Jared's stare. "Don't fuck with my music."
Jared sighed. "I'm sorry, it won't happen again." He climbed to his feet and set the guitar carefully on its stand. He looked up at Jensen with a thoughtful expression. "So I was thinking about going to the park, maybe do a little shopping. Want to join me?"
Jensen thought about the numerous messages he needed to return and the tracks he still needed to put down. He thought about Jared and how he really didn't know him at all, how he wasn't sure he wanted to take the time to learn more about him. He stared down at the piles of paper scattered across the floor.
"Sure. Why not?"
~*~
Jensen stretched out along the grass, hands behind his head. The day was warm and the sun was bright, a perfect day to spend in the park. It was gorgeous outside and he was glad he had taken the time to enjoy it.
He was also a little bored.
"I could always tell you a story."
Jensen rolled over onto his side and snorted. "Sure, yeah, whatever. Tell me a story."
"I know just the one." Jared gave him a soft smile and something in Jensen's chest twisted in response. He tangled blades of grass around his long fingers as he turned his gaze up towards the blue, blue sky. "This story is the tale of King Gerald and his search across worlds to find a wild rose."
Jensen frowned. "I don't think I know that one."
"It's my favorite," Jared said, shrugging one shoulder. "You see, King Gerald was a kind and fair ruler, loved by all his people. But he was extremely lonely. He longed to find his true love, the one who would complete him and make him the happiest man in the world."
Jensen snorted. "True love, of course."
Jared glared down at him. "Do you want to hear the story or not?"
Jensen flopped back on his back and held up his hands. "Please continue."
"Anyway," Jared paused and looked at Jensen, lifting one eyebrow. When Jensen remained quiet, Jared began speaking again. "The king filled his days with busy work, always trying to fill the emptiness inside of him. He trained with his knights and listened to his people. He met with his advisors and attended several balls, always taking time to dance with the eligible ladies from the nearby countries. But nothing filled the void."
Jensen watched as Jared told his tale. His face shone bright in the sunlight, his eyes sparkled, his lips tilted upwards in a constant smile, dimples barely peeking through. He was beautiful.
"King Gerald's best friend was Prince Edward of Andalasia. They had known each other for years and Prince Edward was a bit of a thrill seeker, always going on hunts to exotic lands. He watched as King Gerald grew more and more despondent with each passing day until one day, he had an idea. He would send his friend on a great hunt, a search for the most elusive treasure in the world. The wild rose of Sharon."
Jared continued his story, telling Jensen of King Gerald's search across worlds to find this rose, rumored to be the most beautiful flower anyone had ever seen. The rose was magical and it was said that anyone who succeeded in plucking it from its bed would be rewarded with their greatest desire, be it money or power or anything else. The rose was hidden away and many a man had attempted to locate the treasure and claim it as his own. But the rose was prickly. It was covered in thorns filled with a fast-acting poison. Many men had tried to pluck the rose and had failed, falling prey to their own greed. But King Gerald was different. He didn't want the rose for the great treasure it would bring him. He wanted to find the rose so he could take it from its dark hiding place and move it to the light, for anything that could grant a man his greatest desire belonged in the sun.
"King Gerald plucked the rose from its bed and carefully tucked it away in his saddle bag before making the long journey back home. Once there, he planted the rose in his castle's great garden so that it could blossom in the sunlight. Each day he would go to the gardens and water the rose. This went on for several weeks until one day, a strange thing happened. King Gerald tilted the water can and as the drops fell onto the rose's soft petals, the flower began to grow. It grew and grew until a beautiful woman stood before the king. She was the prettiest woman the king had ever seen.
'You saved me,' the woman said. 'I was cursed, but your love and care have restored me. For that, I will be eternally grateful. As a reward, you may have one wish.'
'May I have some time to think about it?' the king asked.
The wild rose of Sharon bowed her head. 'You may have until sundown.'
The king bowed before offering his arm to the beautiful rose. He gave her a tour of his castle and the grounds. Together, they laughed, a smile always on their face. But as sundown grew near, the king grew quiet. With only a few minutes to spare, he made his decision.
'You,' he said. 'I choose you. Please stay with me, be my rose.'
Rose of Sharon smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling in the setting sun. 'I hoped you would say that,' she wrapped her arms around the king and whispered in his ear. 'Wish granted.'
And they lived happily ever after." Jared smiled into the distance.
"That was beautiful man."
Jared glanced over at Jensen and rolled his eyes when he caught the other man's smirk. "Shut up."
"I mean it, I'm getting all choked up here." Jensen laughed, feeling carefree and happy for the first time in a very long time. "Seriously man, it's a good story."
Jared grinned. "I know. It is, isn't it?"
~*~
"So how did you and this Edward Prince meet?" Jensen asked Jared as they stood side-by-side, thumbing through the racks of cds in Jensen's favorite music store.
Jared shrugged one shoulder, pulling a case out in order to flip it over to read the back. "Through a friend, actually."
"Thought you said it was the internet." Jensen leaned one hip against the shelves, his body turned toward Jared.
"It was a bit of both," Jared shrugged again. "My buddy Chad is from his country and said we'd be perfect for each other. So we started emailing, then chatting online, and then talking to each other on the phone. We hit it off."
"Huh."
Jared grinned. "And he's got this sexy little accent. Man, I have such a thing for accents."
Jensen rolled his eyes. "I have an accent."
Jared frowned. "No you don't."
"Yes I do," Jensen argued. He quirked an eyebrow in Jared's direction. When he spoke again, he let his accent slip through. "I'm from Texas but I had to lose the accent for the show. But if I'm drunk or tired, it tends to pop up."
Jared looked at him, eyes wide as he swallowed. "Imagine that."
Jensen just grinned in response.
~*~
"So what made you such a cynic in your young life?"
Jensen glanced around at the various patrons having lunch in his favorite diner. He took a bite of his burger before answering. "Grew up in show biz. Kind of sucks the hope and dreams right out of you."
"It couldn't have been that bad." Jared argued as he stole a fry from Jensen's plate.
"Stop that," Jensen swatted at Jared's hand. "Eat your own fries."
Jared laughed as Jensen glared at him. Jensen sighed. "It wasn't bad, exactly. But it's kind of hard to believe in love when you spent five years of your childhood as one half of Hollywood's golden couple, always in the spotlight and none of it was real."
"None of it?"
Jensen shook his head. "Not one minute. Danneel was great. She was one of my best friends and the station thought they could bring up the ratings by having a 'sweetheart couple' on the show. So we had to pretend to be in love if we wanted to keep our jobs. That's Hollywood for you. Don't believe everything you see. It's not always real." Jensen paused. "Actually, it's rarely true. That's why it's the land of make believe."
Jared frowned. "No offense man, but your outlook on life kind of sucks."
"Them's the breaks, I guess," Jensen shrugged. He pointed at Jared's plate. "You going to eat the rest of that?"
Jared just pushed his plate across the table, a sad look on his face.
~*~
"Oh come on, wouldn't it be great?"
Jensen snorted as they made their way down the busy sidewalk. "No, Jared, it would not be great if life were a musical. People just randomly breaking out in song? That would be damn creepy."
Jared laughed. "It wouldn't be that bad."
Jensen gave him an amused look. "Think about grocery shopping with the lady wandering down the aisles, singing about her grocery list."
"Beef, broccoli, tunaaaaaa fish," Jared sang, his voice rising with each word.
Jensen shuddered. "Exactly." He nudged Jared in the side. "If your life was a musical, what would you be singing right now?"
Jared's eyes gained a wicked gleam. "I wanna know what love is!" he belted out. "I want you to show me!"
"Oh shut up." Jensen slapped his hand across Jared's mouth.
Jared darted away, singing as he ran. "I wanna feel what love is, I know you can show me-"
Jensen took off after him. He was laughing when he finally caught up, his fingers tangling in the fabric of Jared's shirt. He tugged Jared back, shoving him against the brick of a storefront. "Shut up!"
Jared grinned. "Make me." He opened his mouth to sing again so Jensen did just that. He shut him up the only way he knew how.
And that's when Jensen kissed Jared for the very first time.
~*~
"I don't see why we can't just-"
"Real life just doesn't work that way, Jared. This isn't one of your stupid fairytales."
Jared snorted, the sound bitter and harsh, causing Jensen to turn and glare at him. "What?"
Jared just shook his head. "No offense, Jen, but what makes you think I'd ever cast you as Prince Charming? Sure, you're definitely pretty enough. But you're also arrogant, self-involved, rude-"
Jensen held up a hand, cutting Jared off. "And Edward is so much better?"
"Well at least he isn't afraid to love me."
"I'm not afraid."
Jared just gave him a sad smile. "Sure you're not."
~*~
Jensen wasn't avoiding Jared. He wasn't. He was just busy. And if his crazy life kept him so busy that he didn't see Jared for days, that was just a coincidence.
Jared was definitely wrong. He wasn't scared to love anyone, let alone Jared. Jared was an overgrown child. He was naive and actually believed in those silly fairytales he loved so much.
Jensen didn't need Jared. He didn't need anyone.
Jensen wasn't prepared for Ed's arrival. Seeing Jared walking down the street, holding hands with the other man, laughing at something he said forced Jensen to re-evaluate his beliefs.
Maybe he didn't need everyone. Maybe he just needed Jared.
~*~
"Jensen?"
Jensen gripped the phone tight in his hand, knuckles white. "Hey Jay."
"Jen, what's going on?" Jensen could hear the worry in Jared's voice and it warmed his heart to know that Jared still cared.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I know you're with Ed and it's probably too late. I screwed up. I didn't want to take a chance but I was stupid and I just...I just miss you. Do you think we could-"
"How about dinner?" Jared interrupted, voice quiet. "7:30 at Little Italy?"
Jensen couldn't keep from beaming. "Sounds perfect."
~*~
It all happened so fast.
One minute, Jensen and Jared were having dinner. They slid back together easily, like they had never been apart. Jensen was telling a story from his television days, a story filled with chaos and colorful characters. Jared was laughing, head tossed back, dimples flashing. He took a bite of his apple pie and then-
~*~
Jensen held Jared's limp form in his arms as tears streamed down his face. "Oh god, Jared-" He pulled Jared's head to his chest and looked frantically around the room. "Somebody help me!"
The room erupted with the sudden flurry of activity. There were shouts for a doctor and the clang as metal pans hit the floor.
A woman slid down onto the floor next to the two men. "What happened?"
Jensen stared at her for a moment before shaking his head. "We were just eating. He took a bite of his pie and he...he stopped breathing. Oh god, he's not breathing."
"It's ok," the lady assured him. "I'm a doctor." She tilted Jared's head back and turned his head from side to side. "Does he have any allergies?"
"I don't know," Jensen frantically tried to recall every conversation he and Jared had shared, hoping to recall anything that could help. "Wait, he said something once about peanuts. And he requested a special piece of pie."
The doctor glanced up at the table to the plate of pie, noting the finely ground crust. "I'm afraid there must have been a mix-up in the kitchen." She reached in her purse and pulled out a large pen.
Jensen gave her a panicked look. Jared was dying and she wanted to write something down?
The doctor smiled gently. She popped the cap off the pen and held it against Jared's body. "I just need to hold this here for ten seconds so the medicine can get in his system."
"Ambulance is on the way," a waiter announced.
"Thank you," the doctor smiled at the waiter and turned back to Jensen. "He should be ok, but he'll need to go to the hospital and be checked out. Just to be safe."
Jensen nodded, his eyes on Jared's face. Jared was so still, so unlike his usual boisterous self, but Jensen could see the gentle rise and fall of his chest.
Sirens rang out in the distance, getting closer every second.
"Thanks," Jensen glanced up at the doctor. She patted his arm as she stood up, heading toward the door to meet the ambulance crew.
"You can't die on me, you hear? I didn't get a chance to tell you that you win. I believe now. You actually made a believer out of me." Jensen ran his thumb along Jared's jaw. He brushed the shaggy dark hair out of his face and leaned forward, pressing their foreheads together. "I love you, Jared. Please don't leave me."
"Never." Jared's hoarse response was barely louder than a whisper, but it was the greatest thing Jensen had ever heard. He pulled back to find slitted hazel eyes staring back up at him.
"Promise?"
"Always and forever."
~*~
"Ed, I'm sorry." Jared glanced over his shoulder to where Jensen stood, the other man digging the toe of his shoe into the concrete while he pretended to be oblivious to the conversation that was occurring. "I-"
Ed sighed. "You love him."
Jared pulled his lower lip between his teeth and nodded. "I really, really do."
Ed gave him a sad smile. "Then I'm sorry, too."
~*~
"So apparently my father is King Gerald."
Jensen looked up from the sheet music spread across the dining room table. "Come again?"
Jared slid down the wall until he was sitting on the floor, his knees pulled up to his chest. "You know that fairy tale I told you about King Gerald and his search for the wild rose?"
Jensen nodded, not sure why Jared was bringing up the story he had told him that day in the park.
"Well, apparently it was my aunt's way of telling me about my parents. My dad apparently decided to come to America to find a wife and found my mom. Sharon. Sharon Rose."
Jensen frowned. "Your parents? Aren't they dead?"
Jared looked up at him, eyes glistening with tears. "Apparently not. They're alive and living overseas."
"So what? Did they not want-" Jensen couldn't bring himself to finish the question, afraid the answer could cause Jared pain.
"Me?" Jared apparently had no issues with doing the same. He shook his head. "No. They did want me. But my father's this...and my uncle tried to kill me when I was born and oh my god, this is so crazy. Things like that aren't supposed to happen in real life."
Jensen slid down the wall to sit next to Jared on the floor. "Your dad's a what?"
Jared glanced over at Jensen and huffed a laugh. "He's a freaking king."
"Which makes you, what, a prince? And you're uncle tried to kill you when you were born?" Jensen snorted and pinched the bridge of his nose. "It definitely sounds like one of your crazy stories."
"I know, right?" Jared sighed. "Anyway, my parents couldn't prove that my uncle tried to kill me so they sent me to live with my aunts. To protect me or something."
"And your aunts are?"
"My mom's sorority sisters," Jared gave a forced laugh. "My life, man."
"Not to sound cynical-" Jared snorted but Jensen ignored him and continued. "But why are you just learning about all of this now?"
"Ed told me," Jared sniffled, rubbing a large hand across his face. "Apparently we're betrothed. Our fathers are best friends and wanted to join their kingdoms a la Sleeping Beauty."
"And you believe him?" Jensen pulled away from Jared, turning his torso to face him. "I know you're still friends, but come on, Jay. That just sounds like a crazy story created by someone desperate to hold onto something that doesn't exist anymore."
"No, it's true," Jared let his head fall forward, his hair masking his face. "I asked my aunts. They told me everything."
Jensen sighed. "Fabulous. So now what?"
Jared gave a watery laugh. "I have to go there."
Jensen frowned. "Go where?"
"Home. To Rosebriar or Briar Rose or whatever it's called. My dad's sick and they don't know-" Jared paused, gathering his composure. "Our flight leaves tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Jensen felt like he'd been punched. Just when he'd allowed himself to believe that things might be different, that maybe something like love really did exist and it was being snatched away before it ever really had a chance to grow.
"Come with me?"
The whispered plea tore down the final wall around Jensen's heart. He wanted to say yes. He wanted to, but-
"I can't." Jensen reached over and grabbed Jared's hand, tangling their fingers together. "I would, but I have responsibilities here. My career. I just- I can't. You promised me you'd never leave."
"I know." Jared squeezed his hand as tears rolled down his face. "Can we just sit here for awhile?"
Jensen swallowed hard, choking back his own tears, trying desperately not to cry. "Yeah, Jay, we can do that."
~*~
Time passed and life went on. Jensen continued to work on his music, injecting Jared into every song he wrote.
Two months after Jared left, Jensen received an email that simply said, 'I can honestly say that I'm your biggest fan now. You're so much cooler than Christian Kane.'
Jensen didn't cry. He just perspired a lot.
~*~
"Hey Hollywood!"
Jensen closed his eyes, unwilling to turn around. He knew that voice. It was so familiar, the low tones embedded deep in the dark corners of his mind. He knew that voice, but he was terrified to turn around, scared to find out it was just another figment of his imagination.
Arms wrapped around his waist and he was pulled backwards against a hard chest. "Miss me?" warm breath brushed along his collar.
Jensen turned around. "You're really here?"
Jared grinned. "I'm really here."
"What?" Jensen was at a loss for words. "How? I thought you had to marry Ed so your kingdoms could be joined. And yes, that sounds so weird. Your kingdoms. Because you're a fucking prince."
Jared laughed. "It's modern times now. Ed and I drafted a contract bringing the two countries together. He's going to stay there and run things and I'll go back every now and then. I'm hoping you'll go with me. My mom would love to meet you." His smile softened. "But this is my home."
"Why? I mean, not that I'm complaining, but-"
Jared reached up and brushed a thumb across Jensen's cheekbone before pressing their lips together in a tender kiss.
"Can't exactly have my happily ever after without you, can I?"
~*~
Jensen leaned forward and rested his elbows on the bar. The fluffy pink decor was starting to grow on him. "So how does it feel to have one of your songs in the top 10 of Billboard's Hot 100?"
Jared shrugged as he added two splashes of cranberry juice to the drink. "I don't know, you tell me. It's your song." He slid the glass across the flat surface.
Jensen shook his head. "No, it's our song. I couldn't have done it without you."
"We make a pretty good team, don't we?" Jared gave him a soft smile.
Jensen grinned. "Damn straight we do." He held up the glass and examined its contents. "So what's this one?"
Jared's smile grew wider. "It's a 'Happily Ever After.'"
Jensen laughed, green eyes flashing. He leaned forward, his lips brushing Jared's.
"I'll drink to that."
Author: lostt1
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 5731
Warning: Nothing really.
Disclaimer: Not mine. I just like to play with them every once in awhile.
Summary: Jensen believes love is something Hollywood made up, a gimmick used to rake in more money. He doesn't believe real love exists. But when he meets Jared, a man in love with fairytales, will he change his mind and take a chance?
Notes: For the j2_everafter challenge, this fic is inspired by the movie Enchanted. It was supposed to have art, but alas, it does not. I ran out of time thanks to a completely crazy whirlwind of real life happenings. This is not exactly the tale I meant to tell. It's a bit experimental in style, but not too much of a departure from my usual style.
Once upon a time, in a magical land known as Hollywood, there lived a prince named Jensen. Jensen was handsome and charming and well-loved by all his people. As Jensen grew older, he never lacked companionship, but his constant doubts about the motivations of others left him feeling lonely and jaded. At twenty-four years of age, Jensen was the most cynical man in all the land. He had lost his ability to hope, to wish for that one person in all the world destined to be his.
Prince Jensen did not believe in fairytales. He did not believe in destiny or fate. And he definitely did not believe in true love.
Luckily for Jensen, there was someone out there who did. He believed enough for the both of them. He knew that life was made up of a series of moments where anything could happen. One missed meeting, a change in plans and everything could change.
This is their story. These are their moments.
~*~
"Oh hell no!"
"Come on, Jensen, live a little." Sophia wrapped her slender fingers around his wrist and tugged him forward through the door to the bar. "Besides, you promised me."
"That was before I knew you were going to drag me here," Jensen muttered, scanning their surroundings.
The Wishing Well was a popular place tucked away on the outskirts of town that catered to the city's young and fabulous. It was the exactly the type of place Jensen usually avoided.
Sophia pointed to a stool at the bar. "Sit."
"But it's pink," Jensen argued, giving the seat a horrified once over. "And fluffy."
Sophia just looked at him, her lips tilted up in amusement. "So?"
Jensen stared at her, mouth wide open. "Come on, Soph! I have an image to maintain!"
Sophia snorted. "Please. What image?" She shrugged, slipping onto her own stool. "You're no cooler than Christian Kane and he was just here last week."
Jensen glared at his best friend turned assistant. "I am definitely cooler than Chris Kane," he muttered, leaning against the bar.
Sophia dug her elbow into Jensen's side and shot a pointed glance at the stool next to her. "Are you going to sit down or am I going to have to make you sit?"
An amused chuckle sounded from Jensen's right. "I don't know about you, but I'd do what the lady says. Doesn't really seem like someone I'd be willing to cross."
Jensen slipped onto the stool and Sophia leaned forward, a huge grin on her face. "Thank you." She reached around Jensen's back and held out her hand. "I'm Sophia."
"Jared."
Jensen turned and stared up at the man standing next to him. He was tall, taller than Jensen, even. Shaggy dark hair, bright smile, and broad shoulders, dressed casually in jeans and a tshirt, Jared didn't look like someone Jensen would expect to find in a fairytale-themed bar.
Jared held out a huge hand to Jensen. "Well, I don't know if you're cooler than Mr. Kane, but you may be prettier."
Jensen rolled his eyes and Jared laughed, his eyes lighting up. He accepted Jared's hand, giving it a firm shake. "Jensen."
"Ackles." Jared acknowledged. "I've heard some of your music."
"Oh yeah? You a fan?"
Jared shrugged. "Not sure just yet. The jury is still out on that one."
Sophia laughed and nudged Jensen. "I like him."
Jensen shook his head. "You would." He leaned forward, staring down the length of the bar. "Doesn't anyone work around here?"
"Jensen-"
"What?" Jensen shrugged. He glanced around the bar. "I promised you that I'd come. But look at this place, Soph. The least they can do is give me alcohol. If I worked here, this place would make me a raging alcoholic."
"I don't know, I kinda like it. It has character."
Jensen turned to Jared, eyebrows raised. "Seriously? You'd have to be on the good stuff to find this place cool. What kind of person even thinks to decorate a bar with giant cotton balls?" Jensen knocked his knuckles against the wood of the bar. "And what does it take to get some service around here?"
Jared glanced around and jumped over the bar, his long legs clearing the flat surface with ease.
"Jared! What did I say about jumping over the bar?"
An older woman with long dark hair appeared from the back room, a tray of bar glasses in her hands.
"That it looks cool?"
"Jared," the lady growled.
"Sorry Aunt Sam." Jared leaned in and kissed her cheek before taking the glasses and setting them down behind the bar. He grabbed a towel and swiped it over the dark wood. He looked at Jensen and quirked an eyebrow. "So what can I get for you?"
Jensen closed his eyes and sighed. He always had a habit of putting his foot in his mouth. "How about your favorite?"
"One 'True Love's Kiss' coming right up," Jared replied, lips tilting up in a soft grin. "How about you?" he turned to Sophia.
Sophia looked over the list of drinks painted on the wall behind the bar. "I'll take one Mr. Incredible, make him cute."
"I'll do my best." Jared grinned at her as he grabbed two shot glasses before tossing them in the air and slamming them down on the counter. He expertly mixed the drinks and slid them along the smooth surface into Jensen and Sophia's waiting hands.
"True Love's Kiss, huh?" Jensen held the shot up and gave it a quizzical look. "What's so great about it?"
Jared shrugged. "It's the most powerful thing in the world."
~*~
The night was cool as Jensen pushed his way through the door and back out into the real world. Sophia stumbled behind him, her fingers twisting in his shirt.
"You had to drink the green shit, didn't you?"
"Green Fairy," Sophia nodded before burying her face in Jensen's chest with a giggle. "Now everything's blue, pink, blue, pink-"
Jensen groaned as Sophia collapsed against him. She was surprisingly heavy for someone so tiny.
"Need some help there?"
Jensen looked over to find the bartender, Jared, watching them with a look of amusement. He had a duffel bag at his feet and a cell phone in his hand. Jensen shook his head. "Nah, man, I've got it. I live just over on 10th. I can carry her that far."
He wrapped his arm tightly around Sophia's waist and pulled her arm across his shoulders. He struggled to stand up straight and promptly stumbled forward.
Strong hands gripped his shoulders and pushed them back, helping him gather his equilibrium once again. Jensen groaned. "Maybe a little help would be good."
Jared smiled and swept Sophia into his arms. She giggled as she wrapped her arms around Jared's neck. "I like this one, Jenny, can we keep him?"
Jensen rolled his eyes. Sophia was always a goofy drunk. "Sure, Soph, whatever you want."
"I want this one." came the reply, just before Sophia went limp in Jared's arms.
"So you planning on keeping me?" Jared grinned.
Jensen ignored the question but he couldn't help but admire the way Jared's shirt pulled tight across his chest as he maneuvered Sophia into a better position. Jared tilted his head to the side, indicating the ground. "Could you get my bag?"
Jensen looked down at the duffel and back up at Jared. "Uh, yeah, sure." He grunted as he hefted the heavy bag over his shoulder. "Lot of stuff here. You leaving town?"
Jared sighed. "I was supposed to." He glanced over at Jensen as they began to walk down the sidewalk, headed towards Jensen's condo. "My boyfriend was going to pick me up on the way to the airport. He promised me the world but I guess it'll just have to wait for another day."
Jensen frowned. "He didn’t show?"
"He got caught up with business." Jared was quick to defend. He sighed again, this time heavier. "I was just so excited to finally see him in person."
"How long have you been apart?"
"Well, we've never actually been together. At least, not in person. Yet."
"But you're dating?" Jensen shot Jared a confused look. "How's that work?"
Jared flushed. He shifted Sophia in his arms and kept his eyes focused straight ahead. "We met on the internet."
"On the internet?" Jensen repeated.
"I've known him for years," Jared argued. "It's not as crazy as it sounds."
"Well, that's good," Jensen said. "Because it sounds fuckin' psycho. I mean, who in their right minds-"
Jared flinched and Jensen immediately felt guilty. "Look man, I'm sorry. It's not my place to judge." He tossed Jared a pleading look. "I tend to put my foot in my mouth. A lot."
Jared lips tilted upwards in a small smile. "I noticed."
Jensen grinned as the tension between them faded into the background once again. "So where are you staying?"
Jared gave a small shrug, Sophia's body shifting with the movement. "I don't know. A hotel, I guess. My lease ran out and all of my stuff is in storage. I could stay with my aunts, I guess, but it's late and-"
Jensen knew the idea was crazy, but the words were out of his mouth before he could think things through.
"I have a guest room-"
~*~
Jensen woke to the sound of music playing softly in the other room. Remembering his guest, he groaned and rolled over, burying his face in the pillow. "Why me?"
There was something vaguely familiar about the music, something Jensen couldn’t quite put his finger on. With a low moan, he swung his legs around until his feet hit the floor with a dull thud. He pressed his knuckles into his eyes and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
After taking a few minutes to wake up, Jensen struggled to his feet and headed down the hall.
Jared was sitting in the middle of the living room floor, Jensen's favorite guitar perched on his bent leg. The rest of the carpet was covered with various scraps of paper, various piles of debris in an order that only made sense to the man on the floor.
Jared's fingers plucked the strings, the soft melody filling the room. His eyes were closed but he continued playing, the song long committed to memory.
Jensen leaned up against the wall, content to watch the impromptu concert in his living room.
Jared played on, oblivious to his audience, his voice soft and quiet as he sang. Suddenly, he stopped and bent forward, reaching for a pencil near his knee. His hair fell forward, obscuring his face from Jensen's view. He made a couple quick marks on a slip of paper before turning his attention back to the guitar.
Curious, Jensen leaned forward. He noticed the scattering of tiny black notes against the dirty white of the paper. Frowning, Jensen looked closer. There was something very familiar about the arrangement. It was different, but not completely.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Startled, Jared's head shot up. The guitar toppled forward but Jared quickly grabbed it before it fell to the floor. "What?"
"What are you doing?" Jensen repeated through clenched teeth.
Jared's eyes were wide as he stared up at Jensen. "I'm sorry, I was just-"
"Those are my songs," Jensen growled. "You had no right."
"I just thought-"
"You just thought what? That you could steal my words and my music? Tweak them a little and maybe make a name for yourself?"
"No! They were just sitting there on the coffee table and I just wanted to-" he trailed off, his fingers brushing the surface of the paper. "They're really good."
"Of course they are," Jensen huffed. "I wrote them."
Jared glared up at him. "They're good. BUT-"
"But what?"
"I thought the lyrics could use a little work and the melody needed to be a bit softer." Jared shook his head. "You don't know anything about real love, do you?"
Jensen snorted. "I know a lot about love. I know that it's a figment of imagination, a pretty story mothers tell their children when they put them to bed at night. I know that love sells. It's manufactured and peddled and sold by the dozen. That's what love is."
"Wow."
"What?" Jensen shrugged. "That's what real love is."
Jared just shook his head, a sad look on his face. "Someone did a real number on you, didn't they."
"Whatever," Jensen shifted, uncomfortable under the weight of Jared's stare. "Don't fuck with my music."
Jared sighed. "I'm sorry, it won't happen again." He climbed to his feet and set the guitar carefully on its stand. He looked up at Jensen with a thoughtful expression. "So I was thinking about going to the park, maybe do a little shopping. Want to join me?"
Jensen thought about the numerous messages he needed to return and the tracks he still needed to put down. He thought about Jared and how he really didn't know him at all, how he wasn't sure he wanted to take the time to learn more about him. He stared down at the piles of paper scattered across the floor.
"Sure. Why not?"
~*~
Jensen stretched out along the grass, hands behind his head. The day was warm and the sun was bright, a perfect day to spend in the park. It was gorgeous outside and he was glad he had taken the time to enjoy it.
He was also a little bored.
"I could always tell you a story."
Jensen rolled over onto his side and snorted. "Sure, yeah, whatever. Tell me a story."
"I know just the one." Jared gave him a soft smile and something in Jensen's chest twisted in response. He tangled blades of grass around his long fingers as he turned his gaze up towards the blue, blue sky. "This story is the tale of King Gerald and his search across worlds to find a wild rose."
Jensen frowned. "I don't think I know that one."
"It's my favorite," Jared said, shrugging one shoulder. "You see, King Gerald was a kind and fair ruler, loved by all his people. But he was extremely lonely. He longed to find his true love, the one who would complete him and make him the happiest man in the world."
Jensen snorted. "True love, of course."
Jared glared down at him. "Do you want to hear the story or not?"
Jensen flopped back on his back and held up his hands. "Please continue."
"Anyway," Jared paused and looked at Jensen, lifting one eyebrow. When Jensen remained quiet, Jared began speaking again. "The king filled his days with busy work, always trying to fill the emptiness inside of him. He trained with his knights and listened to his people. He met with his advisors and attended several balls, always taking time to dance with the eligible ladies from the nearby countries. But nothing filled the void."
Jensen watched as Jared told his tale. His face shone bright in the sunlight, his eyes sparkled, his lips tilted upwards in a constant smile, dimples barely peeking through. He was beautiful.
"King Gerald's best friend was Prince Edward of Andalasia. They had known each other for years and Prince Edward was a bit of a thrill seeker, always going on hunts to exotic lands. He watched as King Gerald grew more and more despondent with each passing day until one day, he had an idea. He would send his friend on a great hunt, a search for the most elusive treasure in the world. The wild rose of Sharon."
Jared continued his story, telling Jensen of King Gerald's search across worlds to find this rose, rumored to be the most beautiful flower anyone had ever seen. The rose was magical and it was said that anyone who succeeded in plucking it from its bed would be rewarded with their greatest desire, be it money or power or anything else. The rose was hidden away and many a man had attempted to locate the treasure and claim it as his own. But the rose was prickly. It was covered in thorns filled with a fast-acting poison. Many men had tried to pluck the rose and had failed, falling prey to their own greed. But King Gerald was different. He didn't want the rose for the great treasure it would bring him. He wanted to find the rose so he could take it from its dark hiding place and move it to the light, for anything that could grant a man his greatest desire belonged in the sun.
"King Gerald plucked the rose from its bed and carefully tucked it away in his saddle bag before making the long journey back home. Once there, he planted the rose in his castle's great garden so that it could blossom in the sunlight. Each day he would go to the gardens and water the rose. This went on for several weeks until one day, a strange thing happened. King Gerald tilted the water can and as the drops fell onto the rose's soft petals, the flower began to grow. It grew and grew until a beautiful woman stood before the king. She was the prettiest woman the king had ever seen.
'You saved me,' the woman said. 'I was cursed, but your love and care have restored me. For that, I will be eternally grateful. As a reward, you may have one wish.'
'May I have some time to think about it?' the king asked.
The wild rose of Sharon bowed her head. 'You may have until sundown.'
The king bowed before offering his arm to the beautiful rose. He gave her a tour of his castle and the grounds. Together, they laughed, a smile always on their face. But as sundown grew near, the king grew quiet. With only a few minutes to spare, he made his decision.
'You,' he said. 'I choose you. Please stay with me, be my rose.'
Rose of Sharon smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling in the setting sun. 'I hoped you would say that,' she wrapped her arms around the king and whispered in his ear. 'Wish granted.'
And they lived happily ever after." Jared smiled into the distance.
"That was beautiful man."
Jared glanced over at Jensen and rolled his eyes when he caught the other man's smirk. "Shut up."
"I mean it, I'm getting all choked up here." Jensen laughed, feeling carefree and happy for the first time in a very long time. "Seriously man, it's a good story."
Jared grinned. "I know. It is, isn't it?"
~*~
"So how did you and this Edward Prince meet?" Jensen asked Jared as they stood side-by-side, thumbing through the racks of cds in Jensen's favorite music store.
Jared shrugged one shoulder, pulling a case out in order to flip it over to read the back. "Through a friend, actually."
"Thought you said it was the internet." Jensen leaned one hip against the shelves, his body turned toward Jared.
"It was a bit of both," Jared shrugged again. "My buddy Chad is from his country and said we'd be perfect for each other. So we started emailing, then chatting online, and then talking to each other on the phone. We hit it off."
"Huh."
Jared grinned. "And he's got this sexy little accent. Man, I have such a thing for accents."
Jensen rolled his eyes. "I have an accent."
Jared frowned. "No you don't."
"Yes I do," Jensen argued. He quirked an eyebrow in Jared's direction. When he spoke again, he let his accent slip through. "I'm from Texas but I had to lose the accent for the show. But if I'm drunk or tired, it tends to pop up."
Jared looked at him, eyes wide as he swallowed. "Imagine that."
Jensen just grinned in response.
~*~
"So what made you such a cynic in your young life?"
Jensen glanced around at the various patrons having lunch in his favorite diner. He took a bite of his burger before answering. "Grew up in show biz. Kind of sucks the hope and dreams right out of you."
"It couldn't have been that bad." Jared argued as he stole a fry from Jensen's plate.
"Stop that," Jensen swatted at Jared's hand. "Eat your own fries."
Jared laughed as Jensen glared at him. Jensen sighed. "It wasn't bad, exactly. But it's kind of hard to believe in love when you spent five years of your childhood as one half of Hollywood's golden couple, always in the spotlight and none of it was real."
"None of it?"
Jensen shook his head. "Not one minute. Danneel was great. She was one of my best friends and the station thought they could bring up the ratings by having a 'sweetheart couple' on the show. So we had to pretend to be in love if we wanted to keep our jobs. That's Hollywood for you. Don't believe everything you see. It's not always real." Jensen paused. "Actually, it's rarely true. That's why it's the land of make believe."
Jared frowned. "No offense man, but your outlook on life kind of sucks."
"Them's the breaks, I guess," Jensen shrugged. He pointed at Jared's plate. "You going to eat the rest of that?"
Jared just pushed his plate across the table, a sad look on his face.
~*~
"Oh come on, wouldn't it be great?"
Jensen snorted as they made their way down the busy sidewalk. "No, Jared, it would not be great if life were a musical. People just randomly breaking out in song? That would be damn creepy."
Jared laughed. "It wouldn't be that bad."
Jensen gave him an amused look. "Think about grocery shopping with the lady wandering down the aisles, singing about her grocery list."
"Beef, broccoli, tunaaaaaa fish," Jared sang, his voice rising with each word.
Jensen shuddered. "Exactly." He nudged Jared in the side. "If your life was a musical, what would you be singing right now?"
Jared's eyes gained a wicked gleam. "I wanna know what love is!" he belted out. "I want you to show me!"
"Oh shut up." Jensen slapped his hand across Jared's mouth.
Jared darted away, singing as he ran. "I wanna feel what love is, I know you can show me-"
Jensen took off after him. He was laughing when he finally caught up, his fingers tangling in the fabric of Jared's shirt. He tugged Jared back, shoving him against the brick of a storefront. "Shut up!"
Jared grinned. "Make me." He opened his mouth to sing again so Jensen did just that. He shut him up the only way he knew how.
And that's when Jensen kissed Jared for the very first time.
~*~
"I don't see why we can't just-"
"Real life just doesn't work that way, Jared. This isn't one of your stupid fairytales."
Jared snorted, the sound bitter and harsh, causing Jensen to turn and glare at him. "What?"
Jared just shook his head. "No offense, Jen, but what makes you think I'd ever cast you as Prince Charming? Sure, you're definitely pretty enough. But you're also arrogant, self-involved, rude-"
Jensen held up a hand, cutting Jared off. "And Edward is so much better?"
"Well at least he isn't afraid to love me."
"I'm not afraid."
Jared just gave him a sad smile. "Sure you're not."
~*~
Jensen wasn't avoiding Jared. He wasn't. He was just busy. And if his crazy life kept him so busy that he didn't see Jared for days, that was just a coincidence.
Jared was definitely wrong. He wasn't scared to love anyone, let alone Jared. Jared was an overgrown child. He was naive and actually believed in those silly fairytales he loved so much.
Jensen didn't need Jared. He didn't need anyone.
Jensen wasn't prepared for Ed's arrival. Seeing Jared walking down the street, holding hands with the other man, laughing at something he said forced Jensen to re-evaluate his beliefs.
Maybe he didn't need everyone. Maybe he just needed Jared.
~*~
"Jensen?"
Jensen gripped the phone tight in his hand, knuckles white. "Hey Jay."
"Jen, what's going on?" Jensen could hear the worry in Jared's voice and it warmed his heart to know that Jared still cared.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I know you're with Ed and it's probably too late. I screwed up. I didn't want to take a chance but I was stupid and I just...I just miss you. Do you think we could-"
"How about dinner?" Jared interrupted, voice quiet. "7:30 at Little Italy?"
Jensen couldn't keep from beaming. "Sounds perfect."
~*~
It all happened so fast.
One minute, Jensen and Jared were having dinner. They slid back together easily, like they had never been apart. Jensen was telling a story from his television days, a story filled with chaos and colorful characters. Jared was laughing, head tossed back, dimples flashing. He took a bite of his apple pie and then-
~*~
Jensen held Jared's limp form in his arms as tears streamed down his face. "Oh god, Jared-" He pulled Jared's head to his chest and looked frantically around the room. "Somebody help me!"
The room erupted with the sudden flurry of activity. There were shouts for a doctor and the clang as metal pans hit the floor.
A woman slid down onto the floor next to the two men. "What happened?"
Jensen stared at her for a moment before shaking his head. "We were just eating. He took a bite of his pie and he...he stopped breathing. Oh god, he's not breathing."
"It's ok," the lady assured him. "I'm a doctor." She tilted Jared's head back and turned his head from side to side. "Does he have any allergies?"
"I don't know," Jensen frantically tried to recall every conversation he and Jared had shared, hoping to recall anything that could help. "Wait, he said something once about peanuts. And he requested a special piece of pie."
The doctor glanced up at the table to the plate of pie, noting the finely ground crust. "I'm afraid there must have been a mix-up in the kitchen." She reached in her purse and pulled out a large pen.
Jensen gave her a panicked look. Jared was dying and she wanted to write something down?
The doctor smiled gently. She popped the cap off the pen and held it against Jared's body. "I just need to hold this here for ten seconds so the medicine can get in his system."
"Ambulance is on the way," a waiter announced.
"Thank you," the doctor smiled at the waiter and turned back to Jensen. "He should be ok, but he'll need to go to the hospital and be checked out. Just to be safe."
Jensen nodded, his eyes on Jared's face. Jared was so still, so unlike his usual boisterous self, but Jensen could see the gentle rise and fall of his chest.
Sirens rang out in the distance, getting closer every second.
"Thanks," Jensen glanced up at the doctor. She patted his arm as she stood up, heading toward the door to meet the ambulance crew.
"You can't die on me, you hear? I didn't get a chance to tell you that you win. I believe now. You actually made a believer out of me." Jensen ran his thumb along Jared's jaw. He brushed the shaggy dark hair out of his face and leaned forward, pressing their foreheads together. "I love you, Jared. Please don't leave me."
"Never." Jared's hoarse response was barely louder than a whisper, but it was the greatest thing Jensen had ever heard. He pulled back to find slitted hazel eyes staring back up at him.
"Promise?"
"Always and forever."
~*~
"Ed, I'm sorry." Jared glanced over his shoulder to where Jensen stood, the other man digging the toe of his shoe into the concrete while he pretended to be oblivious to the conversation that was occurring. "I-"
Ed sighed. "You love him."
Jared pulled his lower lip between his teeth and nodded. "I really, really do."
Ed gave him a sad smile. "Then I'm sorry, too."
~*~
"So apparently my father is King Gerald."
Jensen looked up from the sheet music spread across the dining room table. "Come again?"
Jared slid down the wall until he was sitting on the floor, his knees pulled up to his chest. "You know that fairy tale I told you about King Gerald and his search for the wild rose?"
Jensen nodded, not sure why Jared was bringing up the story he had told him that day in the park.
"Well, apparently it was my aunt's way of telling me about my parents. My dad apparently decided to come to America to find a wife and found my mom. Sharon. Sharon Rose."
Jensen frowned. "Your parents? Aren't they dead?"
Jared looked up at him, eyes glistening with tears. "Apparently not. They're alive and living overseas."
"So what? Did they not want-" Jensen couldn't bring himself to finish the question, afraid the answer could cause Jared pain.
"Me?" Jared apparently had no issues with doing the same. He shook his head. "No. They did want me. But my father's this...and my uncle tried to kill me when I was born and oh my god, this is so crazy. Things like that aren't supposed to happen in real life."
Jensen slid down the wall to sit next to Jared on the floor. "Your dad's a what?"
Jared glanced over at Jensen and huffed a laugh. "He's a freaking king."
"Which makes you, what, a prince? And you're uncle tried to kill you when you were born?" Jensen snorted and pinched the bridge of his nose. "It definitely sounds like one of your crazy stories."
"I know, right?" Jared sighed. "Anyway, my parents couldn't prove that my uncle tried to kill me so they sent me to live with my aunts. To protect me or something."
"And your aunts are?"
"My mom's sorority sisters," Jared gave a forced laugh. "My life, man."
"Not to sound cynical-" Jared snorted but Jensen ignored him and continued. "But why are you just learning about all of this now?"
"Ed told me," Jared sniffled, rubbing a large hand across his face. "Apparently we're betrothed. Our fathers are best friends and wanted to join their kingdoms a la Sleeping Beauty."
"And you believe him?" Jensen pulled away from Jared, turning his torso to face him. "I know you're still friends, but come on, Jay. That just sounds like a crazy story created by someone desperate to hold onto something that doesn't exist anymore."
"No, it's true," Jared let his head fall forward, his hair masking his face. "I asked my aunts. They told me everything."
Jensen sighed. "Fabulous. So now what?"
Jared gave a watery laugh. "I have to go there."
Jensen frowned. "Go where?"
"Home. To Rosebriar or Briar Rose or whatever it's called. My dad's sick and they don't know-" Jared paused, gathering his composure. "Our flight leaves tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" Jensen felt like he'd been punched. Just when he'd allowed himself to believe that things might be different, that maybe something like love really did exist and it was being snatched away before it ever really had a chance to grow.
"Come with me?"
The whispered plea tore down the final wall around Jensen's heart. He wanted to say yes. He wanted to, but-
"I can't." Jensen reached over and grabbed Jared's hand, tangling their fingers together. "I would, but I have responsibilities here. My career. I just- I can't. You promised me you'd never leave."
"I know." Jared squeezed his hand as tears rolled down his face. "Can we just sit here for awhile?"
Jensen swallowed hard, choking back his own tears, trying desperately not to cry. "Yeah, Jay, we can do that."
~*~
Time passed and life went on. Jensen continued to work on his music, injecting Jared into every song he wrote.
Two months after Jared left, Jensen received an email that simply said, 'I can honestly say that I'm your biggest fan now. You're so much cooler than Christian Kane.'
Jensen didn't cry. He just perspired a lot.
~*~
"Hey Hollywood!"
Jensen closed his eyes, unwilling to turn around. He knew that voice. It was so familiar, the low tones embedded deep in the dark corners of his mind. He knew that voice, but he was terrified to turn around, scared to find out it was just another figment of his imagination.
Arms wrapped around his waist and he was pulled backwards against a hard chest. "Miss me?" warm breath brushed along his collar.
Jensen turned around. "You're really here?"
Jared grinned. "I'm really here."
"What?" Jensen was at a loss for words. "How? I thought you had to marry Ed so your kingdoms could be joined. And yes, that sounds so weird. Your kingdoms. Because you're a fucking prince."
Jared laughed. "It's modern times now. Ed and I drafted a contract bringing the two countries together. He's going to stay there and run things and I'll go back every now and then. I'm hoping you'll go with me. My mom would love to meet you." His smile softened. "But this is my home."
"Why? I mean, not that I'm complaining, but-"
Jared reached up and brushed a thumb across Jensen's cheekbone before pressing their lips together in a tender kiss.
"Can't exactly have my happily ever after without you, can I?"
~*~
Jensen leaned forward and rested his elbows on the bar. The fluffy pink decor was starting to grow on him. "So how does it feel to have one of your songs in the top 10 of Billboard's Hot 100?"
Jared shrugged as he added two splashes of cranberry juice to the drink. "I don't know, you tell me. It's your song." He slid the glass across the flat surface.
Jensen shook his head. "No, it's our song. I couldn't have done it without you."
"We make a pretty good team, don't we?" Jared gave him a soft smile.
Jensen grinned. "Damn straight we do." He held up the glass and examined its contents. "So what's this one?"
Jared's smile grew wider. "It's a 'Happily Ever After.'"
Jensen laughed, green eyes flashing. He leaned forward, his lips brushing Jared's.
"I'll drink to that."