Some Nights (Part b)

[moviegeek03]

"Damn it!" Misha huffed as a small stack of books toppled over and fell to the ground with a loud thunk.

"Geesh, Misha...some of us are actually trying to study, ya know?"

Misha glared at his friend. "Like you're actually studying, Jen. Semester hasn't started yet."

"Yet here I am..."

Despite his teasing, Jensen knelt down and picked up some of the books for Misha.

"Thanks," Misha said, taking some of the books. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"Matt's got an advising meeting with an undergrad sometime this morning," Jensen explained. "So...since I took the GA position to help with tuition, he wants me to find some sheet music downstairs for him to use for one of his intro courses."

"That's right...Jay has to meet with him so he can finalize his schedule."

"Jay?" Jensen scrunched his brow in confusion. "You decide to get a new boyfriend and not tell me?"

"No...I just broke up with Ally a few weeks ago."

"And you also said you were fed up with women."

"True...and while Jay is pretty hot...not going there with him." Misha put the rest of the books on the shelf. "He's actually my new roomie. Think he's stopping by here to give me back my keys. He had to borrow them this morning to have some copies made."

"He's hot?" Jensen asked with a smirk.

"Yes," Misha replied with a teasing tone. "Double majoring in art and music too. You'll like him. He's a pretty cool guy. Only person I know besides you that has an old record collection."

"Really?" Jensen commented excitedly.

"Yes…down boy,” Misha teased. “But seriously, you should come by tonight...bring pizza and beer. Get Danni and Sophia to leave their new lost nest and come too. I'll introduce you guys."

"Cool...I'll call them once I get that sheet music."

"Don't get lost," Misha chuckled.

"One time! Only did that one damn time," Jensen grumbled as he headed towards the music shelves downstairs.

Misha smiled at his friend as he made his way back to his desk, all the while thinking how well Jensen would get along with Jared. He’d been considering it for awhile now, but hearing Jensen get excited over the little snippets of information he had just told him were definitely cementing the idea in Misha’s mind. Now he would just have to convince Jared somehow…

"Hey," Jared said, drawing Misha out of his thoughts a little while later.

Misha smiled up at Jared. "You get the keys made? I know your Mom asked for some spares for her and your brother.”

“Yeah…thanks for not getting annoyed with her last week. I know she can come across kind of scary when she gets in momma bear mode.”

“At first,” Misha laughed, “but she was really cool after that. She just worries.”

“Oh I know,” Jared huffed. “But thanks for putting up with it, dude.”

“No problem.”

Jared glanced up at the clock. “Shit…I gotta run. I’ll see you tonight!” With that, Jared headed out quickly, not hearing Misha yell after him to ask him about his friends coming over. He also didn’t see how Jensen stood off to the side, his eyes never leaving Jared.

Instead, Jared hurried over to the music department to meet with Dr. Bomer. He all but ran, worried he would be late. He was a little out of breath when he approached the office door and knocked.

“Come in!” a voice inside yelled out.

Jared took a deep breath and stepped inside. The office was small but quaint. The walls not lined with shelves of records and sheet music had old music posters and fine art hanging. Jared blinked up at them all in amazement.

“Jared right?” Dr. Bomer asked, drawing Jared’s attention towards him.

He was a lot younger than Jared had expected him to be. He had on a tailored, light blue dress shirt underneath a dark grey vest. His black trousers encased his long legs, which were easily shown off when he stood to shake Jared’s hand.

“Yeah, I’m Jared Padalecki, sir.”

Matt barked out a laugh. “None of that sir business, Jared. Feel free to call me Matt. Sir makes me feel old and I’ll never get used to being called doctor.”

“Yes si-Matt.”

“Take a seat.” Matt patted Jared on his shoulder and pushed him towards the small but welcoming couch he had somehow managed to squeeze into his office space. Jared gently moved the pillows, which were covered in treble clefs and various musical notes, so that he could sit. “Now,” Matt continued, “I’ve already gotten the notes and courses that Lauren suggested for you and I’ve added the ones that I feel would be best for you to take. You’ve actually gotten a lot of your general education classes out of the way…impressive.”

“Thanks,” Jared said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I took a bunch of AP classes in high school and spent the last year doing online courses through a different university. I didn’t know that I would be coming here this year, honestly.”

“Well…I think you will be a great addition to the program. I watched your performances and all. Your quite impressive on the piano, kid. How long have you been playing?”

Jared blushed at the compliment. “I started when I was a kid…maybe six or seven? I had originally wanted to pick up a sport like my older brother was doing at the time…but my mom was a little paranoid. I was pretty bummed about it all and decided that the best way to get my way was to hide from my mom in the old den…which happened to have my grandmother’s piano that she had given to my mom stored in there. I got bored so I started playing on it. When my dad found me, he saw how much fun I was having pounding on the keys so he took me for real lessons the following week…he never bothered to tell my mom that I’d been hiding from her though.”

Matt chuckled a bit before turning more somber. “Take it your mom didn’t want you playing sports because of your diagnosis of Addison’s?”

“Yeah…she had read how injuries and physical stress could mess with your system so she was always really paranoid.”

“Must have been hard seeing your brother doing it and not you.”

“At first, but I really loved the piano and music as I got into it more. And as I got older…my brother and uncle totally helped me find ways to play sports and work out without Mom knowing.”

“I understand,” Matt smiled. “Have an older brother myself.”

“Yeah…but I still always preferred music, art, and writing.”

“I’ve read your blog before.”

“Really?” Jared asked in shock.

“The…the older brother I mentioned…he was diagnosed with Addison’s a few years ago. I stumbled upon your blog when I was researching some information with his wife. It was very comforting and informative. It helped him a whole lot when we showed it to him. He’s still subscribed to you actually.”

Jared’s eyes widened. He knew his blog was quite popular, especially among others’ with Addison’s disease. He had received emails from people telling him how it had helped, but he had never spoken to someone about it in person.

“Wow…I’m glad to hear that.”

Matt sent him a grateful smile. “Now…here is the schedule that I thought would be good for you. I have you down for fifteen hours, which is five three-hour classes. You have the art classes Lauren suggested and the creative writing class. Both Lauren and I think only one art this semester will be good since you have an art history credit already on your transcript. I would suggest you take a music theory class as well as a piano class. I have those down here, as you can see. The piano class is with me and I think it will be challenging and fun for you. It involves a bit of composition as well as performing.”

“Really?” Jared asked excitedly.

“Yes,” Matt chuckled. “And for your final class of the semester, I agree with Lauren that you should take a general ed class since you don’t have that many left. I would further suggest that you go with Matt Davis’s psychology class. He has a history of working with students who have disabilities and health problems. During college, he worked as a tutor in a children’s hospital. Now that he’s a professor here he even helps run our disability services on campus.”

“Ok,” Jared replied, taking it all in.

“Alright then…with that added in, you will only have classes Monday through Thursday with two morning classes all four days and then one evening class on Wednesday, which is the psychology class. Matt will actually probably end up having you do a lot of your work for him online so there might even be days where you don’t have to show up for the class. He’ll work with you.”

“That’s amazing,” Jared said in awe. The schedule would allow him to not only have days he could help JD at the shop, but also plenty of time to rest up if he started to feel too stressed.

“I’m also giving you this,” Matt continued, shoving a piece of paper towards Jared. “That’s the hours I’m in my office as well as where I am for classes the rest of the time. If for some reason you start to feel sick or whatever while you are on campus and don’t think you can make it home, I want you to be able to come here and just crash on my couch. If I’m not in here, the music department’s secretary or my GA will let you in. I haven’t informed them on your condition yet…but I can if you would prefer. If not, don’t worry about it. They are used to me having people come in here when I’m not. All my tests and grading materials are locked up in the file cabinets so no one can get to them anyway.”

“Th- that’s…wow…just…thank you,” Jared stuttered.

Matt got up from his chair behind his desk and sat down next to Jared on the couch. “We all want you to do well here. And we want to make the process easy on you…doesn’t mean the work will be easy of course.” Jared laughed. “But that doesn’t mean everything else has to be difficult. You’re a smart kid and you deserve this. Don’t think that you don’t.” Matt squeezed Jared’s shoulder.

“I really appreciate that,” Jared said, his voice thick with emotions.

“My door’s always open for ya.” Matt patted Jared’s back before standing. “Welcome to the department.”

********

By the time Jared arrived back at the apartment, he was exhausted and achy. He knew he’d pushed too hard and really needed to take his medication. He should have taken JD up on that break and taken them earlier, but the coffee shop was crowded now that people were moving back into the dorms and the nearby apartments. He hated leaving JD hanging when his other staff had called in sick for the day so he pushed through it. Now he was feeling the effects of the stress of it all.

He had a headache that would soon turn to a throbbing migraine if he didn’t take his tablets soon. He was absolutely starving and seriously hoped that Misha had something prepared for dinner. JD was running low on everything and mainly just had sugary baked goods that would have ended in Jared crashing too quickly. So he had only had had an apple so far for the evening. He wanted to get some real food and crawl under his covers and not move for the rest of the night. Hopefully that would make the dull joint ache go away by morning…

As he stepped out of the elevator, a wave of vertigo hit him, making him grab at the wall. He groaned and sent a silent prayer that he could make it to his apartment before another crashed down on him.

He heard voices once he stepped inside the apartment but he barely paid them much attention. He was too focused on getting to his room, collapsing on his bed, and taking his medication. He didn’t notice Jensen and the girls watching him from their places on the couch.

“I thought you said he was super friendly?” Danni asked in confusion as Jared shut the door without any form of acknowledgement.

“He is,” Misha replied. “He must be tired. He’s been up for awhile and didn’t sleep much last night. Plus he started working at his uncle’s coffee shop today…you know how crazy Morgan’s can get when people start moving back into the dorms.” Misha was definitely more worried than he was letting on to his friends, he just didn’t want to tell them the real reason why without Jared’s permission. “I’ll be back…going to check on him.”

“Want us to pause the movie?” Jensen asked.

“Nah…seen it a hundred times.”

Misha rushed up from his place on the floor and hurried down the hall to Jared’s room. He knocked once before letting himself in. He saw Jared fumbling a bit with his bottle. Misha crossed the room and took it from him, opening it and handing over the correct dosage. Jared screwed up his eyes and stumbled into Misha’s shoulder a bit.

“Woah! Jay!”

“Sorry,” Jared mumbled as he steadied himself and sat down on his bed. “Little dizzy where I’m late on my meds tonight.”

“You sure you’re ok?”

“I will be…just need to take this and rest up some. Didn’t sleep last night.”

“Shit! I’m so sorry Jay! I have friends over and I should have check with you before and-“

“Misha…it’s your apartment too. Don’t feel like you can’t have people over just because I may not feel up to it.”

“But do you?”

Jared rubbed at his eyes tiredly. “Think I’d better stay in here and rest up. Can you apologize to them for me? I didn’t even notice them on my way in.”

“Of course. I hope you feel better. Jensen really wanted to meet you…he’s the one in the music grad program.”

“The one you totally want to set me up with,” Jared sighed. Misha had been hinting at it for a few days now.

Misha smiled a bit. “I won’t do anything you don’t want…promise. But how about I bring you some pizza? I had Jensen get you a gluten free veggie one.”

Jared smiled in spite of how crappy he felt. “That sounds perfect.”

“Go ahead and change and get in bed. I’ll bring some water and that.”

“Sorry for ruining your night with-“

“Don’t be…you’re not allowed to say sorry for being sick, man.”

Jared nodded and started to change his shirt. Misha stepped back out into the main room to grab Jared’s pizza and some water.

“Everything alright?” Sophia called as he crossed over to the kitchen.

“Yeah…he just isn’t feeling too great. He’s got one hell of a migraine and it’s making him dizzy.” Well…it wasn’t a complete lie at least. “So I’m gonna just take him his veggie pizza and let him rest.”

“Still can’t believe he eats veggie pizza,” Jensen laughed. “He some type of health nut?”

Misha smiled at that, knowing he’d thought the same thing when he’d first met Jared. “Something like that.”

“Well…whatever he is…it’s definitely working for him,” Danni said with a smirk. “He’s damn fine, Jen.”

Jensen blushed and Misha couldn’t help but laugh. Danni and Jen went back and forth as he crossed back towards the hallway towards Jared’s room. He could hear Sophia attempting to mediate between them as he opened Jared’s door once again. The room was barely lit up by his bedside lamp so as not to aggravate his headache.

“You take your meds already?” Misha softly asked.

“Yeah,” Jared replied. He took the plate of pizza and the water from his roommate. “Thanks again. Tell Jensen I really appreciate him picking it up for me.”

“Sure…if you start to feel better come into the living room. We’re just gonna hang out and watch movies…nothing crazy.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Jared took a large bite of the pizza, groaning at the wonderful taste. “But not sure I’ll be that social tonight.”

“No worries…maybe we can all go out tomorrow night? One last time before classes start back up?”

“Maybe…”

Misha smiled widely. “Cool, man! Eat up! Yell if you need anything.”

With that, Misha headed back into the other room. “Hey guys, Jared wanted to say he was really sorry. With the migraine and all…he didn’t even really notice you guys on his way in. He was too focused on wanting to get to his bed. He said he might go out with us tomorrow though.”

“I’m playing at Chris’s bar tomorrow. Ya’ll should come,” Jensen commented before taking a draw from his beer.

“Yeah, man,” Misha replied. “I really want you to meet Jay. Think you two would hit it off.”

“Oh I’m sure Jen wants to ‘hit it’,” Danni teased, earning a pillow to the face from Jensen. “Just saying…”

Jensen blushed and turned back to the movie so that he could ignore her. But his mind stayed on the thought of Jared. The guy was definitely hot…there was no denying that. From what Misha had told him, he did seem like a cool guy as well. Jensen would definitely have to see if he could talk to Jared after his set tomorrow…he would definitely have to.

They spent the rest of the evening devouring what was left of the pizza and watching whatever movies Misha had lying around. Jared never came out of his room. By the morning, he only felt marginally better. He knew the combination of having high cortisone one night followed by too low of one the following was probably screwing with him. He really just wanted to stay home in sweats for the night. But Misha was giving him the biggest puppy dog eyes and attempting to get him to go out…

“Come on, Jare! Please?”

“Misha, I don’t know. I probably should stay home.”

“You’ve been resting all day! I know you’re feeling better. You’re not doing that squinty, pained face you do when you have a headache. You aren’t walking like an old man because your joints hurt. And you aren’t swaying like a drunk in a pub on St. Patrick’s Day because you have vertigo!”

“Seriously?” Jared turned with wide eyes towards Misha. “You’ve gotten all of that from me living here for not even a full week.”

Misha shrugged as he moved from Jared’s doorway and towards his closet. “I’m highly observant when I want to be and I wanted to learn your tics and quirks so I’d know what to look out for if something went south with you.”

“Thanks,” Jared stated slowly, “I think.” Jared sat up in his bed more. “What are you doing in my closet?”

“Looking for a shirt that will show off your killer chest muscles,” Misha replied succinctly, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Ok…”

“Ah hah!” Misha pulled out a tighter fitting black t-shirt and tossed it to Jared. “Put that on.”

“Misha-“

“With this!” Misha tossed a soft, light grey hooded sweater towards him as well. “That way you look good but are still comfortable since you aren’t feeling your best. Throw on some dark washed jeans and your tennis shoes. You’ll look perfect and feel good that way.”

“Misha…that’s sweet but-“

“Look…your brother warned me that you tend to like to shy away from meeting new people.” Misha stepped over to where Jared was sitting in bed with his knees drawn up to his chest. “And I get it man. I know you hate how some people can react to you being sick. And that sucks ass. But you know what? You’re in college now! Which is where you meet new people! So I am dragging your ass out with me to meet the girls and Jensen. You can drag mine out next time you go out with your Gen and Penn…which have a mentioned how adorable it is that they rhyme?”

Jared chuckled a little and relaxed back against his pillows. “I really am still tired Misha…”

“I know. We won’t be out that late, Jay. I promise. We’ll go and hang out for a few hours and watch Jensen perform. That’s all.”

Jared bit his lip. “Let me go take a shower first…”

“YES!” Misha did a dorky jump kick in his excitement, causing Jared to roll his eyes but laugh even more as he made his way to the bathroom.

Before long, he was dressed in the clothes Misha had chosen and riding along to the music club…some place called Kane’s. When Misha parked in the small lot next to an old brick building, Jared’s jaw dropped a little. It was nothing that he had expected when Misha had called it a music club. He had expected flashing strobe lights and a thick base thumping through the door. Instead he was met with the sight of an older building that had a slightly warm and modern feel to it. The bar was a dark wood tone and ran the length of one of the walls. There were various booths and tables of the same wood around the floor. On the other side was a large stage with various instruments and equipment set up. The walls were covered with various pictures and posters of local acts and more famous ones that had played there before. It was incredible…

“Take it you like the place?” Misha laughed, clapping Jared on the shoulder.

“I didn’t expect this. It is just…wow…”

“Yeah. Chris-the owner-wanted it to be a more traditional music club for locals to be able to come to and have some fun. It’s definitely gotten more popular the last few years.” Misha started to guide Jared towards a long booth off to the side of the stage. “Jen and Danni are good friends with the owner Chris.”

“That’s cool,” Jared commented. He started to feel a little nervous as they neared the table.

“Breathe,” Misha whispered to him before taking the final step to the booth. “Hey girls!”

“Misha!” Danni shrieked. “About time you got here!”

“Sorry…Jared wasn’t sure if he felt up to coming at first.”

“Hey,” Danni said towards Jared. “Sorry to hear you had that migraine last night. Feeling better?”

“Um…a little.”

“Jared,” Misha interrupted, “this is Danni and over there is her girlfriend Sophia.”

“Hi,” Jared waved. “It is really nice to meet you two. Sorry about last night. I was so out of it and-“

“Don’t worry about it, sugar,” Sophia interjected. “I get migraines so I completely understand.”

Jared smiled in appreciation, even though he knew his wasn’t just a migraine. It was still nice of her. He let Misha slide into the booth first before he sat down on the end next to him.

“So,” Misha said loftily. “Jensen is up at the stage getting ready for his set and is looking pretty good, Jare…”

“Oh God,” Danni laughed.

“You don’t waste any time do you?” Jared sighed.

“Well…I really think you two would hit it off.” Misha pushed himself up in the seat and caught Jensen looking towards them. He started waving like a maniac.

“Seriously?” Jared hissed.

“Yes! You are too shy for your own good!”

The girls giggled. “Seems it Jared,” Sophia said softly. “And I really can’t see a reason you should be.”

Jared blushed and Jensen came over to the booth.

“Hey guys!” Jensen said with a smile, slumping into the booth next to Sophia. “Thanks for coming out tonight.” He ran a hand over his face, wiping some of the sweat from his brow the stage lights had caused. He then locked eyes with Jared. “You must be Misha’s new roomie?”

Jared stared at Jensen, taking him in. He hadn’t expected the guy to look that good. He wore a tight purple button up with black jeans that seemed to hug his body perfectly. His hair was spiked up, allowing his face to be showcased nicely. There were even a few freckles across the bridge of his nose that Jared had to admit were adorable.

Misha gently nudged him after a few seconds of him gawking. “Oh! Yeah…I’m Jared.”

“Nice to meet you.” Jensen stuck his hand out for Jared to shake. “Really nice to meet you. Misha’s told me a lot about you. Said you were double majoring in art and music. That’s pretty awesome.” Jensen sent him a huge smile.

“I’m ex-excited about it.”

“I’m a grad student in the music department now.”

“That’s really cool,” Jared replied. “I’d like to maybe do that at some point. Not sure if I’d want to get a master’s in art or music first. Just depends on how undergrad goes I guess.”

“Can’t say I blame you there,” Jensen chuckled. “There were times I didn’t think I’d survive undergrad and I didn’t have a double major!”

“Well…I couldn’t choose which one to major in and I really wanted to have writing as a minor.”

“Nothing wrong with that, man! I think it’s really awesome that you are trying all that. What type of music and art are you wanting to specialize in?”

“Um…with music I’m more of a pianist and composer I guess. I can sing but not well enough to go professionally. Best I could do is background vocals. And while I love being on a stage, I’d rather be behind the piano than front and center. As far as art…it will probably be a toss up between drawing and painting. I love both so not sure if I’ll be able to choose just one.” Jared couldn’t believe how easy it was to talk to Jensen about all of this. He hadn’t even mentioned any of this to his parents or advisors yet.

“Taking different classes will help you with that. You get your classes lined up?”

“Yeah…met with Dr. Bomer yesterday and got it all finalized. So I’m ready to go on Monday.”

“Dr. Bomer’s your advisor? He’s pretty awesome. I’m working as his GA this year.”

Jared’s heart sank a little as reality came crashing back on him. He remembered Matt saying he could inform his secretary and GA about Jared and his condition. Once Jensen found out…he would surely bolt. It wouldn’t matter how good of a couple Misha thought they’d make. No one wanted to deal with someone whose health could easily give out…

“Well…I gotta head up on the stage!” Jensen commented after a few moments. “I’ll see you after the set, Jay. I really want to hear about that awesome record collection Misha told me you had. Maybe I can buy you a drink and we can talk some more?”

Jared gulped and nodded silently. He knew it wouldn’t happen. It just couldn’t.

Jensen headed up to the stage where the club’s owner, Christian, was standing off to the side checking the speakers and everything. “Hey Jen,” he greeted. “Thought you’d forgotten about performing there for a minute.”

“Hey…can you blame me?” Jensen smirked and tilted his head towards where Jared was still sitting at the booth.

Chris whistled. “Damn…he is fine.”

“And mine,” Jensen said, pointing his finger at Chris.

Chris held his hands up in surrender. “Down boy…never said I was going for him. Now stop making eyes at him and get your ass up on the stage before I find someone else to take your set.” Chris pushed Jensen up towards the stage and introduced him to the crowded club.

Back at the booth, Misha thankfully hadn’t comment on Jared’s initial silence and the table soon fell into a comfortable conversation that eventually drew Jared in as well. Jensen started playing and Jared fell in love with his voice. He tried his best not to get too swept up in it though. But he didn’t succeed too much. He let himself get lost in it…so much so that he didn’t notice some guy had approached the booth and slid in next to. Not until said guy had his arm wrapped around him.

“Hey hot stuff,” he drawled. His breath stank of cheap beer and Jared felt like he could vomit from just the smell of it. The guy’s arm tightened around Jared. “How about I buy you a drink?”

Jared tensed up under his touch. “Sorry…but I don’t drink. Thanks anyway.” He rolled his shoulders, trying to dislodge the guy’s arms without causing too much of a scene during Jensen’s set.

“Aww…don’t be so uptight! Let me buy you a beer cutie!” The guy’s face inched closer to Jared’s. He closed his eyes and tried to find a way to breathe without having to smell the idiot next to him. Before he could do anything else though, Misha’s arm wrapped around him on the other side.

“I think you should back off, buddy. He’s my boyfriend. So…I’m the only one buying him any drinks tonight.” Misha put his other arm around Jared’s waist and hugged him tightly. With a smirk, he placed a kiss on Jared’s cheek. The guy made a face, muttered something under his breath, and hurried off.

“That was awesome,” Danni said around a fit of giggles.

Jared smiled, looking over at Misha who still had a smirk on his face. “Thank you…that was awesome.”

“Any time, Jay,” Misha winked, moving his arm from around Jared’s waist.

Turned out…Misha ended up making good on that when a few more persistent guys and a rather scary looking girl approached Jared and didn’t take no for an answer. He glared and wrapped his arms around Jared until they got the message. He even pressed a kiss to Jared’s temple to prove the point and get them to leave.

Once the last guy had given up, Jared turned towards Misha, who was still smirking. “You are enjoying this way too much, man.”

“Hey, not every day I get to say someone this hot is my boyfriend! Let me have my fun.” Misha rubbed his nose on Jared’s cheek before kissing him again. Jared laughed it off and tried to push him off. Misha only hugged tighter. The girls laughed at their antics and Jared rolled his eyes. None of them noticed the way Jensen watched them, turning slightly red.

Jensen had a small break where one of his friends was doing a few songs. He had stepped over to the side and had watched Misha kiss on Jared.

“So…I thought he was supposed to be ‘yours’?” Chris teased.

Jensen glowered towards his buddy and pushed past him to get back up on the stage to finish performing. He could feel himself turn red every time Misha would lean into Jared more to hear something the guy was saying.

After his set, Jensen came back over to the table. Jared had excused himself to the restroom since Jensen’s set was over. Jensen sat down next to Misha, punching him softly in the arm and sending him a slight glare. “What the hell, Mish?”

“What?” Misha said in confusion.

“What are you doing?” Jensen snapped. “I thought you were trying to get me to take Jared out? Then I look over to see you kissing on him? What the hell man?”

Misha scrunched up his brow in confusion. “Jen-“

“I mean, if you wanted him for yourself, that’s fine man. But don’t shove the guy at me and then kiss on him as soon as I walk away from the table!“

“I wasn’t!” Misha snapped back, getting annoyed with Jensen’s tone. “Dude I just-“

“You totally were doing that! You two were all over each other during my set! I’m not blind, dumbass!”

“Jensen,” Danni warned. “You really should-“

“Stay out of this Danni.” He pointed towards her as he spoke before turning back to Misha. “This is between me and him.”

“Jen I promise I-“

“What? That you weren’t trying to lead me on and let me think Jared was all mine and then-“

“Excuse me?” Jared asked, appearing back at the table.

Jensen blushed and turned towards Jared. The younger man’s face was as red as Misha’s, showing his obvious anger and embarrassment. “Jared, I-“

“No…please continue.”

“I’m sorry. I just saw Misha and-“

“Misha was helping Jared get some creeper drunks to stop hanging off of him,” Sophia softly interrupted. “That’s what Danni was trying to tell you. Misha’s spent the whole time talking you up once Jared wasn’t being hounded by them…”

“Oh…”

“Hey,” Jared started, “I think I’m ready to head out, Misha.”

“But I was going to-“

“Buy me a drink,” Jared finished for Jensen. “Think I’ll pass tonight. It was really nice meeting you girls.” Jared sent them a wave before heading outside.

“Shit,” Jensen cursed.

“Way to go,” Danni scoffed, kicking him under the table.

“I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings! I just-“

“Spoke without thinking, dick,” Misha finished. He ran a hand through his hair before standing in his seat and hopping over the back to get around Jensen. “Look…as awful as that was…I still think you’d be good together. So get your shit together and apologize tomorrow. He’s working the morning shift at Morgan’s. Get your ass out of bed and down there…” Before Jensen could say anything else, Misha had taken off.

“That was a dick move, Jen,” Danni continued.

Jensen groaned and thunked his head on top of the table. It was going to be a long night…

********

With a tired sigh, Jensen made his way through the crowd on the sidewalks. He hated mornings with a fiery passion and abhorred the idea of being up before at least nine if he could help it. Yet here he was, pushing his way into Morgan’s at seven AM so that he could talk to Jared before the shop got too busy. He would definitely have to order the largest coffee available before leaving…

He found Jared standing next to a display of bags of chips and cookies that JD always had off to the side of the counter. There was a large box at his feet; it appeared as if he was restocking the display. He was dressed in kakis and a plain t-shirt, but still managed to look very nice.

“Hey,” Jensen said softly as he approached.

Jared looked up from his stocking. His bangs fell into his eyes for a moment as they met Jensen’s. “Morning…what can I do for you?” Jared asked, trying to sound professional.

“Let me talk to you.”

“I’m on the clock, Jensen, and-“

“You can take a break, Jay,” JD yelled from behind the counter, earning a glare from Jared. “Want the usual Jen?”

“Thanks JD! I’ll definitely need it,” Jensen answered before looking back at Jared. “So sounds like we have time to talk.”

Jared sighed. “What is there to talk about?”

“Last night…”

“You mean when you were a jackass to me?”

“Yeah…that…”

Jared laughed dryly. “Well…at least you’ll admit to it.”

“I’m not normally like that,” Jensen said. “I’ve just…my last boyfriend cheated on me and seeing you with Misha…”

“I’m not your boyfriend…we had only just met.” Jared didn’t mention how he wouldn’t be having any more boyfriends. There wasn’t much point in it. “And I most certainly don’t belong to anyone.”

“I didn’t mean it like that!”

Jared knew that Jensen most likely hadn’t meant anything by saying he was ‘all mine’ last night. It was just a saying, but it had hit a nerve. Jared was too used to not feeling like his own person whenever he was in hospitals or random doctors offices. “Still…you shouldn’t have just assumed anything.”

“Your right,” Jensen said, much to Jared’s surprise. “I was putting my shit from past relationship onto you when I barely even know you. I am really sorry for that! You seem like a great guy and I do want to get to know you. I shouldn’t have been such a dick to you about Misha. The girls told me what happened and I really overreacted.”

“That you did,” Jared sighed in agreement. He noticed the shop start to fill up with more customers who were no doubt on their way to work or somewhere. “Look…I appreciate you apologizing but I really need to go back to work.”

“Yeah…of course! Just…thanks for listening. And I really am sorry. Sometimes I don’t think before I speak.”

“You don’t say?” Jared teased.

“Ok,” Jensen chuckled. “I get it…I was a dick. I promise I’m not like that all the time. I’ll show you…”

Jared just nodded as he tied his work apron back around his waist. He didn’t want to give a verbal response to that. He still didn’t think Jensen would react well to his condition and he didn’t know if there was much pint in attempting any type of relationship, friendship or romantic.

“So…I’ll pick you up around 6 and take you out on a date to prove that.” Jensen leaned against the counter with a small but cocky smile planted on his face. He reached across for his coffee, his eyes never leaving Jared and all the while giving him an almost appreciative look as he waited.

Jared bit his lip. “Like I said…I’m not your boyfriend, Jensen. You can’t just assume that I want to go out with you.” Jared didn’t say it meanly. In fact, he felt his voice crack a bit while saying it. Despite how Jensen had acted, he had had a nice time talking to him. They shared a lot of interests, especially in regards to music, but it couldn’t happen. He wasn’t going to let himself get close to Jensen when he would just shoot him down eventually…

“But…I thought we-“

“You…you can’t assume. You didn’t even ask me right now! You just said ‘I’ll pick you up’.”

Jensen blushed when he realized he hadn’t asked. “Look I’m sorry again and-“

“I know you are. It’s ok. Look…I’ve gotta get to work. And you’re kind of holding up the line.” Jensen looked over his shoulder to see a few people behind him sending glares his way. “I appreciate you coming…and I’ll see you around.” Jared sent him the best smile he could muster.

“Yeah…I guess so,” Jensen sighed. With that, he picked up his coffee once more and headed out of the shop.

With a sigh of his own, Jared took the orders of the new customers and helped JD fill their drinks. It didn’t take long for the crowd to disperse and for the shop to be practically empty again. Jared knew there would be another rush closer to nine, but for now he was happy for a bit of a break. His mind was still reeling from the encounter with Jensen.

“So,” JD said, placing a stack of throwaway cups next to the espresso machine. “You want to tell me what all that was about with Jensen?”

“What do you mean?” Jared asked with a shrug. He picked up the washrag and started to wipe down the area around the machines where some coffee had spilled in their rush to fill orders.

“Don’t play stupid, Jay.”

“Fine,” Jared huffed. “Jen is a friend of Misha’s.”

“I’m aware of this…please continue.”

“And Misha thinks that we should go out…like on a date.”

“Huh,” JD said with a smile. “Could see that. You two would be pretty good together I think.”

“And you know this how?” Jared sighed.

“Well…the kid has been coming in here since he started as a freshman going on five years ago. He’s a good guy…can be a little cocky but has a good heart.”

“Oh…I saw the cocky side last night.” Jared threw the rag into the sink. “We went out to Kane’s where he was playing. Some creeper drunks hit on me while I was sitting with our friends. Misha pretended to be my boyfriend to get them to go away. I teased Misha that he was enjoying it too much so he hugged on me and kissed me on the cheek to tease me back. Jen saw from the stage and overreacted. He got all pissy about it to Misha so I called him out on it. He just came to apologize this morning. He was trying to get me to go out with him again.”

“I see,” JD commented. “Jay…Jensen went through a really bad breakup with a boy awhile back because the guy cheated on him.”

“He mentioned that…”

“Yeah…but did he mention that he had been dating the guy since high school and had moved to Massachusetts because the asshole wanted him to and all?”

“No…” Jared deflated a little at that.

“He didn’t see it coming until he caught the bastard making out with a so called friend backstage at a show Jensen was performing at. So…”

“Seeing me with Misha-a friend of his-hit a nerve.”

“Exactly!” JD put an arm around Jared’s shoulders.

“Well…seeing him react that badly to me goofing off with Misha hit one of mine,” Jared scoffed. He shrugged out from under JD’s arm and headed towards the kitchen in the back. JD followed though. “Listen I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Tough…cause you’re gonna, kid.”

“You left the front unattended! I should go back out and-HEY! Move your arm! Uncle JD!” JD had put his arm up, blocking Jared from going back out to the counter. “But you’ll have customers and it is just us!”

“Well then you better start talking then, huh kid?”

Jared glared at JD, but knew it was pointless. His uncle would definitely make good on the threat. “Fine…”

“Good…so…”

“So,” Jared sighed, “seeing him react that badly to that makes me think that it wasn’t worth trying.”

“Worth trying what, bud?”

“Getting to know him…becoming friends with him…dating him…”

“I’m not following, Jay.” JD ran a hand through his hair.

Once again, Jared deflated and plopped down onto an upturned crate. “I just…if someone reacts bad to something like that…they’ll react badly to other things when the time comes.”

JD’s face lit up with realization and he grabbed another crate so that he could sit down next to Jared. “This is about Chace.” Jared’s eyes flickered to the floor. “Jared, not everyone will react like Chace did to you.”

“But…he was perfectly fine at first. Then when he saw how bad it could get…he bolted. Broke up with me through a text message.”

“Chace was a cowardly dick,” JD went on, squeezing Jared’s shoulder. “I don’t think Jensen is, buddy.”

“But-“

“You deserve to find someone, kid. No point in going through your life without someone to love just because you are afraid you’ll scare them off. Anybody who runs just because of a damn illness isn’t worth your time or your love anyway, Jay. And you know what? I really think Jensen is worth it. Like I’ve said, I’ve gotten to know that boy pretty well over the past few years. He’s got a wicked coffee addiction and has been coming here nearly every day. I think you should try.”

Jared bit his lip but never looked up from the floor. “I’m not my disease.”

“I know that, kiddo. I know.”

“Why can’t other people?” Jared looked up at JD with wide eyes.

“Come here,” JD said, his voice thick with emotion. He pulled Jared into a hug and held him tight, not caring that the bell over the door was ringing to signal new customers. Right now, all his attention was on his nephew; right where it needed to be.

Jared embraced the comfort of his uncle’s arm, all the while thinking over what JD had said. Maybe Jensen would be different. He definitely wasn’t Chace…that much was obvious from what little time Jared had spent with him. Maybe it would be worth trying. Jared just had to figure out if he was ready for that. He knew he could just be setting himself up for heartbreak again…he had to know if he was ready for that.

********

Over the next few weeks, his thoughts continued to stray towards Jensen, despite how hectic his schedule became with the start of classes. To say he was stressed would be a huge understatement. Even though class had just started a few days ago, the workload was already quite large.

Both Matt and his art professor, Sebastian Roche, were giving out extra work to get a feel for how advanced he was and to gain a sense of his talents. It was exhilarating to be able to put his work out there and get appreciation for it, but the long hours of dealing with it were definitely wearing him down. He knew he would have to get used to it, and he would. But for now, he was still trying to figure out how to juggle everything.

With an exhausted sigh, he opened the door to the practice room. Matt had given him a new piece to work on for the week and he wanted to go over it one last time before he met with Matt tomorrow. He was looking forward to actually performing for Matt, and not just because it would mean that his school week was over. The piece was more challenging than the ones Matt had given him the previous week. Jared was excited to be able to prove himself.

He set his bag down on the table near the door before heading over to the piano bench. He slumped down onto the padded seat; his hands thumped against the keys, sending a resounding clank of random notes through the small space. He smiled tiredly at it and was thankful that the rooms were soundproof so no one would hear.

Jared sighed to himself again as he cracked his knuckles. He had already memorized the notes to the song and didn’t bother grabbing his sheet music. He had always been good at memorizing music, no matter how tired or sick he felt at the time. It was something he had always been grateful for in the past.

Jared’s fingers flew over the keys gracefully while his foot pressed gently on the pedals here and there. The song was soft yet powerful. It was fun to play but gave Jared a challenge. It was just what he needed to take his mind off of things.

One song turned into another and then another. Before Jared knew it, he had spent hours losing himself in the music of the piano keys and serenity it brought him. He was so lost in it that he also lost track of time. It soon became the evening, which was when he needed to take more of his tablets. He never noticed the hours ticking by or growing headache. In fact, it took awhile for him to even notice the dizziness and nausea that started to assault him.

He stopped playing and picked up his cell phone from where he had left it on the top of the piano. “Oh shit,” he muttered to himself, realizing he should have taken his meds hours ago. The headache and nausea slammed into him at the realization, causing him to bend over the piano and rest his head against the keys. The clanking noise the action caused only made the headache worse.

He stayed that way, despite knowing that he really needed to move to get his medicine from his bag. He didn’t think he could take his tablets right now without being sick, but there was also some syringes and vials that he could use to inject the hormones into his system. If he could find a way to move without making himself throw up…

While Jared battled with his body, outside the practice rooms, Jensen was struggling with a large amount of books and sheet music. Just like Jared, he had lost track of time. His classes had ended hours ago, but he had stuck around to help Matt with some things. Then he had stayed in his own office for a while to catch up on some work for his classes. Now, he was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to crawl into his own bed at home.

As he started towards the hallway with all the practice rooms, he found it odd that one of them was still lit. Not many students stayed down there this late, and he honestly expected to find no one to be there. College kids were always hurrying about and someone had probably forgotten to turn off the lights.

He most certainly did not expect to find Jared slumped over the piano with his eyes screwed shut and a fine sheen of sweat coating his forehead. Something didn’t feel right about the scene at all. Jensen knew Jared had wanted some space, but there was no way he was going to just go by and not check on the guy.

Jensen knocked but Jared didn’t seem to notice him until he entered the room. Once inside, he could tell for sure that something was definitely wrong. He skidded onto the bench next to Jared. His backpack fell to the floor, books flying out everywhere. “Jared?”

Jared jumped at Jensen’s voice and looked up with panicked eyes towards the guy. “J-Jensen?”

“Hey…what’s wrong? You don’t look so good, man. What’s going on, Jay?”

Jared swallowed convulsively, trying to keep down the bile that he could feel building in his throat. “B-bag…can you get…my b-bag?”

Jensen’s brow furrowed with confusion, but he quickly spotted the messenger bag near the door. He scurried over to the table and grabbed it so he could bring it back to Jared. Once he placed the bag next to Jared, Jared fumbled to find his kit. He pulled it out a second later, but was having trouble getting everything to work with how bad he was feeling.

Jensen gently took it from his hands. “Tell me what to do, Jare.”

Jared ran through the instructions quickly while Jensen followed along, doing each task efficiently. “B-break the vial. Put the n-needle into the sy-syringe. Like that…good. Then…draw the medicine into-yeah like that. T-tap it for bubbles and pr-press the plunger.”

“Like this?”

“Yeah…just make sure there are no bubbles. Co-could kill me.”

Jensen gulped a little and double-checked it. “Ok?”

Jared’s hand still shook a bit but he took it from Jensen. He quickly injected himself in the thigh. He knew it wasn’t ideal to do so with his pants still on, but it would work. He was too embarrassed to try and pull them down and inject himself. This was bad enough to have happen.

Jared was still a little dizzy and ended up swaying into Jensen’s shoulder. His face turned bright red at it and he tried to push himself up but Jensen stopped him.

“You’re ok. Stop…just relax.”

Jared listened and let Jensen hold him up on the bench for a little while. Once the injection started to take effect Jared managed to get himself sitting up on his own a little more.

“Thank you,” he said softly. “I…not sure I would have been able to do that on my own this time.”

“Y-you’ve done that on your own before?”

“Yeah.” Jared’s eyes were cast down onto the floor. “I’m used to it. But sorry you had to-“

“Don’t be,” Jensen quickly interrupted. “Oh God!” He stood up abruptly and started towards the door. “Do you need a hospital? I should be taking you to the hospital. Let me grab my keys and-“

“I’m ok,” Jared said with a little smile. “Don’t need a hospital. You already fixed me up. Wasn’t in a full-blown crisis. I was just late on my medicines.”

Jensen didn’t seem all that convinced but he calmed a little at least. He bit his lip before speaking once more. “Can…can I ask what was wrong? Like…what they are for? I know it wasn’t an EpiPen but I don’t know what it is.”

Jared rubbed at the back of his neck and closed his eyes. “It was a hormone injection. I…I have Addison’s disease so my body doesn’t produce some that it needs. I ran late on my medicines. I was supposed to take it a few hours ago so my levels were too low. I get headaches when I’m closer to the time I’m supposed to take them but I was playing in here and I lost track of time. So it moved on to me being really dizzy and nauseous…which is why I needed the injection. I didn’t think I could keep my tablets down. Again…I am so sorry you had to deal with all this. You can leave. It’s ok.”

Jensen settled back on the bench beside Jared, brushing his shoulder against the other man’s. “No way I’m leaving you alone.”

“I don’t need a babysitter, Jensen,” Jared sighed. He didn’t want Jensen to feel like he had to stay there. He was embarrassed enough as it was. He didn’t need Jensen to stay there out of pity or whatever it was.

“Never said you did…but I’d feel a hell of a lot better if I stayed with you. I do know a little about Addison’s…enough to know you shouldn’t be alone. So I’m staying.”

Jared huffed but didn’t comment. He was too surprised by the fact that not only was Jensen not running away at the mention of him being sick, but he even knew a little about the disease. So instead, he looked to the floor. He noticed all the books that had fallen out of Jensen’s bag earlier. He bent down to retrieve them. Jensen grabbed at him, thinking he was still dizzy and about to take a nosedive off the bench.

“Not gonna pass out on you,” Jared chuckled. “I’m just getting your books. It’s the least I can do after you…you know…pretty much saved my ass.” And my life…

Jensen blushed and let go of Jared so he could gather up the books.

“Music Therapy Handbook?” Jared asked as he picked up the paperback.

“Yeah…definitely can’t lose that,” Jensen laughed.

Jared scrunched his brow. “You’re into music therapy?”

“Yeah…it’s what I’m going to grad school for.”

“I…I didn’t realize that.”

“Yep…I started out in just the music program, like you. But then I started taking some psychology courses. At first…it was just because my boyfriend was into them and I wanted to be around him more often. I ended up dumping the guy but sticking with psychology after awhile. So Dr. Bomer, I mean Matt, suggested that I switch over to music therapy as a way to have the best of both worlds. I’ve loved doing it.”

“I’ve been to a music therapist before,” Jared admitted softly. He didn’t know why he was saying it, but the words were out of his mouth before he could stop.

“Really? That’s awesome. I’ve read some case studies and all about people with chronic illnesses, like Addison’s, who have really done well with music therapy.”

“Yeah…it really did help.”

Jensen started talking some more about how much he loved his work and learning about the various conditions that music therapy could help. The more he talked, the more comfortable Jared felt and the more he started talking about his own experience with it. For once, he didn’t feel anxious talking about his condition with someone he barely knew.

“So, feeling better?” Jensen asked after awhile.

“Yeah…think I should head out and get some food. With my luck my blood sugar will crash on me too.”

“Let me take you out to eat,” Jensen requested. “I mean…would you like me to take you out to eat?” Jensen rephrased, remembering how Jared had reacted to his assumptions in the past.

Jared smiled softly at that. “You…you really want to still do that after dealing with all of this?” Jared waved his hand over the needle and broken vial that was still sitting on the top of the piano.

“Yeah…why not?”

Jared could think of a hundred reasons why not. But instead of listing them, he simply said, “I’ve heard just about ever reason in the past. I can give you a few in you want.” He laughed dryly, in a self deprecating way. “Most people can think of a lot of them when they find out I’m sick.”

“Well, if you haven’t noticed, I am not like most people,” Jensen replied with a cocky smirk. “For one thing, I’m a helluva lot better looking.” Jared laughed for real at that. “And it takes a lot to scare me off. So you’re sick? Ok…pretty sure there is more to you than that from what I heard when we hung out at the bar.”

Jared had enjoyed that initial meeting and conversation, before everything had blown up. He couldn’t help but grin at the memory of it. “Like my record collection.”

“Like your record collection that I am dying to see,” Jensen teased, bumping shoulders with him.

“Well,” Jared sighed, “then I guess you better take me out to eat first. I don’t let just anyone near those babies.”

“Then I will start to prove myself worthy by buying you dinner.” Jensen stood and gathered up all of his things, as well as Jared’s. Jared wrapped the used needle and syringe in an old t-shirt he had in his bag so that he could dispose of it properly at home. Once that was done, Jensen reached his hand out and grabbed Jared’s. He took Jensen’s hand and let himself be pulled up from the bench. He mentally fist pumped when he didn’t sway on his feet.

“I’m guessing that you have to eat kind of healthy since Misha asked me to get you a veggie pizza that one time?”

“Um…to a point. I have to watch for certain things. Like, I can’t eat a lot of potassium and I have to limit myself with desserts and make sure I eat them after I’ve eaten a better meal.”

“Well…I know this diner a few blocks from here that has a pretty good mix of healthy and greasy food options.”

“That sounds good,” Jared agreed.

They started walking out of the music department. It was already dark outside and pretty much everyone else had vacated the building for the night. A few stars had appeared in the sky and the air felt lovely. Jared paused for a second once they were outside, shifting nervously.

“Hey, Jensen, thanks again. I really don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t showed up back there.”

Jensen squeezed Jared’s hand and looked up at him. A second later, he leaned in and care Jared a kiss on the lips. It wasn’t very deep or passionate. It was more chaste but very sweet. It made Jared blush, smile, and do a little happy dance in his mind. He felt like a dork and like he was on cloud nine all at once.

He never thought that would happen. He didn’t know it could happen.

“You ready?” Jensen asked once he moved his lips from Jared.

Jared knew Jen was just talking about dinner, but to him it felt like there was maybe more to it than that, like he wasn’t just saying yes to dinner. Maybe he was over thinking things, but he felt like he was saying yes to the possibility of more. A whole lot more.

“Yeah…I think I am ready.”

A/N: I have done a TON of research on Addison’s disease, but I am by no means a doctor or an expert. Forgive any liberties I have taken with that lol. Hope you have enjoyed this!