Title: As Long as You're Mine Chapter 2/4
True to their promise, Jared and Jensen never forgot one another and spent every spring and summer together. Growing closer and closer every visit.
When Jensen was sixteen, his school friends Chris Kane, Chad Michael Murray, Tom Welling and Mike Rosenbaum begged, well Mike and Chad begged Tom and Chris just went along with them, Jensen to let them come with him on his usually trip, if he didn't want to come with them to Cancun for spring break.
Jensen was proud of himself for holding out for a month before he finally caved. It wasn't that he didn't want to spend time with his friends, it was just that this was his time with Jared and he didn't want to share Jared with them, at least not yet.
"Fine! You can come!" Jensen snapped out after what felt like the thousandth time that Chad and Mike presented their list as to why they should come.
"Awesome! You won't regret this! We will be on our best behavior." Chad promised.
Jensen shot Chad a knowing look. "Chad, I love you man, but you and best behavior things that don't go together."
A mock wounded look appeared Chad's face. "I am hurt that one of my best friends would think that I can't behave. I will show you, dude, I will be the best-behaved guy at the beach." Chad swore.
All Jensen cared about was that Chad and the others behaved around Jared, the last thing he wanted was for his friends to say something that might drive Jared away from him.
'Or steal him away.' A tiny voice whispered Jensen's deepest fear that someone could steal Jared away from him. And Jensen didn't know what he would do if he ever lost Jared as a part of his life, all he knew was that he wasn't complete without the merman in his life.
"So is there anything special about this beach that has you coming back year after year?" Tom asked, wanting to know more about this mysterious place that Jensen talked about. He didn't miss the smile that appeared on his face or the look in his eyes; the smile and look Jensen only got when he talked about or was thinking about that place. He was curious to know what or who captured his friend's heart and brought such a look of belonging that Tom ached to feel it himself.
Jensen felt his heart skip a beat as he thought of Jared. Yes, he loves the ocean and surfing, they are a part of him, just like Jared is a big part of him. When he catches a wave, he thinks about how Jared would smile at him and join him. When he is just sitting on his board, enjoying the feel of the water brushing against his legs, he thinks back to when he did the same thing and Jared was there beside him, the two of them just talking about everything and nothing, just enjoying their time together.
He could tell his friends about Jared, how they spent morning, afternoon and evening together swimming, surfing or just talking. But he didn't want to talk about the lagoon that was theirs, that they hide away from the rest of the world and just enjoy each other's company. In truth, he didn't want to share Jared. Yet he knew that he would when they got there, after all, there was no way that he was avoiding Jared, not when he had so little time with him.
"You'll just have to wait and see for yourselves what makes this place so special." Because really, Jensen didn't have the words to explain how special Jared is.
Mike shot him a small pout. "I knew that you were going to say that."
No one noticed Chris studying Jensen out of the corner of his eye, a knowing gleam appearing in his eyes. He had seen the look in his friend's eyes, there was something special waiting for him there and Chris wanted to see or meet what brings that look into Jensen's eyes.
+*****+
Time was both Jensen's mortal enemy and greatest ally as time seemed to fly by most of the year until it grew closer to the time that he would be meeting with Jared, then time seemed to just drag on until Jensen was cursing and glaring at any and all clocks, trying to will them to move faster.
Chris let out a low whistle as he came upon the sight of Jensen and his showdown with the clock. "Damn if looks could kill that clock would be nothing but ash."
"Not helping Chris," Jensen growled out under his breath as he tore his eyes off of the clock and glared at his friend instead. "Is there something I can help you with?"
Chris studied his friend. "Nope, just wanted to see how you were doing, you have been on edge for a while. If you don't want us along, we will understand. We don't want to interfere in someplace that is special to you."
Jensen knew that his friends would do that but he would never ask them to. "I wouldn't have agreed to you guys coming if I didn't want to share this place with you, it's just hard for me. Only my parents know why this place is so special to me and I don't know how to explain it to all of you without giving away the magic of that place."
Chris studied his friend a smile tugging on his face, 'So that is how a person looks when they are in love. So that answers why this place is so important to Jensen. I wonder if he has any clue?' One look at his friend and Chris knew the answer that no Jensen had no clue he was in love. "Don't worry between Tom and I we will do our best to keep Chad and Mike in line," Chris promised. 'After all, we don't want you to lose what makes that place so special to you.'
A feeling of relief coursed through Jensen's body, he knew that Chris meant every word. "Thanks, man, that means a lot to me."
+*****+
The day had finally come that they were heading out, Jensen was finally going to see Jared again.
"Dude, what the hell, why are we up at ass in the morning and why are you so cheerful? I didn't even know that there was a five in the freaking morning!" Chad complaining had Jensen's lips twitching as Chad came sulking up his driveways, bags in his hands and a rather big pout on his face.
"Will someone please shut him up! He has been bitching non-stop since I picked him up. Hell, I think he was bitching before that, from the way his mom all but tossed his ass into my car." Chris growled from behind Chad.
"His mom offered to get Chris the rope when he threatened to hog tie Chad to the roof of his car if he didn't shut up and get in," Tom added cheerfully from where he was unloading his own car.
"When he threatened to hog tie Chad to the roof of his car, his mom offered to get Chris the rope if Chad didn't shut up and get in," Tom added cheerfully from where he was unloading his own car.
"No one should be that cheerful," Chad growled as he shot a death glare at Tom who just waved at him.
Now normally Jensen would agree with Chad but this was different; if he had had it his way, they would have already left, but apparently two am was too early even for Tom. Chad and Mike had looked horrified about the five am but when they realized that Jensen wouldn't be moved, they gave in, even if Mike moaned about the lack of his beauty sleep.
“I can always still leave you behind if you don’t want to go!” Jensen threatened and his friends only needed to look at him once to see that he wasn’t fooling around, he would really leave them behind.
Tom grinned at Jensen as he passed his friend. “You ain’t leaving me behind. I am ready for this trip. Let’s get moving, you slowpokes, you can sleep in the car while Jensen and I take turns driving.” Tom called over his shoulder as he placed his bags in the back of Jensen’s jeep.
Jensen sent Tom a quick nod, he was very thankful for the other guy being his usual cheerful self. “Sounds like a plan, how about you drive the first half and then I take over as I know where we are going?” Jensen suggested.
“Sounds like a plan.” Tom agreed, taking Mike’s bag from him and flushing slightly as the other man leaned against his side and rested his head on Tom’s shoulder.
“But who will I use as my pillow?” Mike whined softly and Jensen wondered who they thought they were fooling about their feelings for one another.
“It ain’t going to be me,” Chris informed Mike as he put his bags into the jeep. “Use Chad.”
“But Chad drools!” Mike sounded affronted at the very idea. “I don’t want Chad to drool on my shirt!”
“Hey! I don’t drool and I certainly wouldn’t drool over you, not when there are plenty of ladies who would love a taste of the Chad.” Chad growled.
Jensen only shook his head. ‘Please do not let them scare off Jared.’ Jensen prayed silently and once again questioned if it was wise to introduce his insane friends to Jared.
“Well if he doesn’t run off then Jared is a keeper.” His dad’s words came rushing back to him after Jensen told him that he was taking his friends with him this visit. Jensen wasn’t sure what his dad meant with that, but he hoped that Jared would stick around.
“Alright enough! Just get in the car now!” Jensen growled as he tossed Tom his keys and moved around to get into the passenger seat and slammed the door shut.
His four friends exchanged looks. “Jensen seems a little growler than usually. I think we better just do as he says.” Tom suggested in a low voice so as not to be overheard by Jensen.
His [four] friends? The other guys? (Remember: only 16!)
“Hopefully we learn what makes this place so special,” Chad muttered under his breath, it was a mystery, one that Jensen kept close to his heart.
And that was what motivated them to get up early to see what Jensen treasured so deeply.
Peace fell over the car as Chad, Mike and even Chris drifted off into sleep with the rumbling of the engine and classic strains of Tom Petty’s Free Fallin. Tom noticed with fondness that Jensen was singing along with it. He wasn’t one to sing out loud often, which was a shame in Tom’s opinion as Jensen had a voice that even the sirens would envy. It was soothing and Tom didn’t want to disturb his friend, so he stayed quiet as he enjoyed the open road and hearing Jensen sing.
+*****+
Jensen was nervous, he had taken over driving and every mile brought him closer and closer to Jared and the first time he had to worry about anyone meeting Jared. He loved his friends they are his best, but that didn’t stop him from worrying about them saying the wrong thing to Jared, scaring him away or worse: stealing Jared from him.
“Wow, that is a nice place.” Chris let out a low whistle as the two-story beach house came into view.
“The deck leads out to the beach! That is awesome! Look at those waves, we can get in some choice surfing!” Mike added his excitement his hands twitching where he was standing.
Never one to be left out, Chad already had his bags and was making a run for the doors, snagging the key out of Jensen’s hands. “Dibs on the best room!”
Mike let out a squawk before chasing after a laughing Chad.
“If those two don’t make it back no one would blame us,” Chris growled under his breath as he stalked after the two. “Especially not if they had to spend the entire drive up here in the back seat with them.”
Tom and Jensen exchanged a look. “We'd better catch up to them before Chris decides to bury them on the beach neck down.” Tom grasped his bags and followed after them.
If Tom would have looked back he would have seen Jensen’s gaze turn towards the crashing waves, longing shining in his green eyes. “Soon Jaybird, soon,” Jensen whispered before heading off to the house. He planned on claiming his room quickly, then going out and seeking Jared.
+*****+
Chris was not at all surprised to find Jensen getting ready to sneak out. “Really? Did you think we would let you go without us finally knowing what is so special about this place.” Chris drawled as he rested against the door frame of Jensen’s bedroom. He wasn’t at all surprised to see that Jensen had claimed the room with the best view of the ocean.
“Yeah man, and from the way you all but tossed me out of this room for trying to claim it as my own, I say it has something to do with the view,” Chad added as he poked his head up from behind Chris.
Tom and Mike joined the group. “Jensen, we are your friends, you know you can trust us.” Tom pointed out softly with Mike nodding his agreement.
Letting out a small breath Jensen knew that he couldn’t keep Jared a secret for much longer, they were going to find out about him sooner than later. “His name is Jared and he is very special to me. We met on my very first visit here and we became inseparable, he is the reason that I keep coming back here every chance I get.” Jensen explained.
“So when can we meet this Jared of yours?” Chad asked bouncing up and down in his spot, not even caring at the glare Chris sent his way.
Jensen glanced at the clock, he knew that Jared should be arriving to the surface soon.
“I always know when you are here Jensen, Mother Ocean tells me and the currents sing of your arrival,” Jensen recalled the words Jared spoke to him when he asked how he always knew when he was there. “We are heading to the beach, you might as well change and grab your boards. I’ll meet you down there.” Jensen couldn’t stop himself from rolling his eyes at the disbelieving looks his friends shot him. “I promise that I won’t leave without any of you.”
“See that you don’t.” The 'or else' went unsaid from Chris’ warning as they went to change as Jensen had suggested.
+******+
“Finally!” Jensen tossed his hands up as his friends meet him at the deck doors, it felt like an eternity that they had left to go change.
“Relax, it hasn’t even been five minutes,” Chad muttered as they followed a glaring Jensen out the doors.
“Five minutes is five minutes too long to keep Jared waiting,” Jensen growled as he walked down the familiar path; it felt so good to feel the sand beneath his feet.
“Wait, Jared is already here?” Mike asked, looking around trying to figure out who this mysterious Jared was.
“Yeah, he is right there.” Jensen’s voice went soft in a way that his friends had never heard before and their eyes all flew to him before following where he was pointing.
“Dude, you know a merman?” Chad asked in disbelief and a little awe as he took in the young man in the ocean who waved at Jensen before diving under the waves and heading towards them, showing off his emerald tail.
“Yep, that is Jared,” Jensen informed them with pride. He tore his eyes off of Jared and onto his friends and his eyes narrowed into a protective glare. “Now do you understand why I kept Jared a secret? I will allow no one to harm him.”
“We won’t hurt him or let any harm come to him, Jensen, you have our word,” Chris promised, speaking for the group.
“I know now. Stay here, will I go speak to him,” Jensen ordered as he headed to where Jared was waiting for him.
Every time that Jensen saw Jared, the merman took his breath away with how handsome he was looking.
"Jensen!" Jared's face lit up in a smile that outshone the sun, it filled Jensen with a sense of warmth that he only felt when he was around Jared.
"Jared, it is so good to see you again. I have missed you." Jensen murmured as he waded out into the water to greet his friend.
Jared took in Jensen's sparkling green eyes that were more beautiful than any sea stone. "I have missed you like the oceans miss the moon that sends its eternal glow, that allows the ocean to reflect it’s beauty and the sun that warms the waves and drives away the cold.”
Jensen felt himself get tongue tied at Jared words and was grateful that his friends were behind him so they couldn’t see his flushed face. Only Jared made him feel this way.
“Jensen, are these the friends you have been telling me about?” Jared’s face lit up as he studied the humans behind his Jensen. “It is a pleasure to meet you.” He waved at them.
Jensen let out a soft sigh and turned to find his friends standing only a few feet away from him, not at all where he left them. “Jared, I would like you to meet Chris Kane, Tom Welling, Mike Rosenbaum, and Chad Michael Murray. Guys, this is Jared.”
"Huh, no wonder you never took Danneel Harris up on her offers," Chris muttered under his breath.
Brows furred together, Jensen shot his friend a confused look, "What do you mean by that, Chris?"
His four friends could only stare at him in disbelief. "Dude, did you seriously never notice that Danneel, the queen of the school has been hitting on you all year?" Chad asked in shock.
Jensen blinked as he thought back to his interactions with Danneel over the school year and maybe she had been flirting with him. He didn't know her all that well, they hung out in different circles. "Are you sure you're not just seeing things?"
"Who's Danneel?" Jared's eyes narrowed and a strange little feeling blossomed in his chest, he didn't like the idea of someone else liking his Jensen.
A small smile appeared on Chris' lips, one that he saw mirrored on Tom's as well; it would seem that jealousy and possessiveness went both ways. “Just a girl we go to school with,” Chris explained to Jared.
“Yeah, we don’t really hang out, so there is nothing to worry about,” Chad spoke up, he hated that sad look on Jared’s face. It was like looking into the face of a sad seal pup; the last thing you wanted to do was to see him sad.
“Really?” Jared asked, turning his attention to Jensen.
“Really Jay, I barely even know Danneel.” Jensen had no interest in the girl, she seemed nice but not his type.
The sad, possessive and jealous look faded from Jared's eyes as he smiled up at Jensen. “That is good. Now I would like to get to know the rest of you but I think we can do it in the water.” Jared hadn’t missed their outfits and boards they had left in the sand behind them.
“Sounds like a plan.” Jensen couldn’t wait to get into the waves and join Jared. He was happy to see that his friends liked Jared and more importantly that Jared liked his friends. He had been surprised to learn about Danneel’s crush on him or why he felt oddly thrilled at Jared’s possessive and jealous tone when he asked who she was.
“Dude, we need to exchange stories, I want to hear all about little Jensen,” Chad informed Jared.
To Jensen, Jared’s voice was more musical than a fairy's laugh and it distracted him for a moment until he registered what Chad had said. “There will be no stories!” Jensen declared.
Chris flung an arm around Jensen’s neck. “There will be stories we are going to hear them and nothing you can do is going to stop us from hearing them from Jared, so you might as well just give in now and save yourself a lot of grief,” Chris warned Jensen.
The mischievous glint in Jared’s eyes proved that Chris was right and Jensen felt his shoulders sag; he knew that there would be no stopping them. “Fine, but none while we surf.” Jensen declared.
+*****+
“We are going to call it a night,” Tom announced as they watched the sunset over the ocean creating a beautiful sight.
“We are?” Mike and Chad asked in time.
“We are,” Chris growled out as he gestured to where Jensen was sitting on his board talking softly to Jared, the two only having eyes for each other.
“I doubt they will even notice we are gone,” Chad muttered under his breath as the four of them headed in to get supper started, leaving Jared and Jensen alone to watch as dusk settled and the evening took over.
“I’m glad you didn’t go running, Chad and Mike can be a little much sometimes.” Jensen had been terrified that Jared might go running from their craziness.
A giant smile appeared on Jared’s face as he shook his head, sending droplets flying and some landing on Jensen. “I like them. I’m glad I finally got to meet them. I’m happy to see that you have such good people looking out for you while we are apart.”
Jensen’s heart warmed at the fact that Jared saw his friends as good people. “How about tomorrow the two of us hang out together in our lagoon?” Jensen loved his friends but he wanted some alone time with Jared.
“I’d like that a lot,” Jared admitted with a faint blush on his face. He missed having Jensen’s to himself.
As the first star of the night began to shine, neither noticed when their hands linked together on Jensen’s board and their fingers entwined as they watched the stars fill the night sky, with the sounds of the waves and the lives of those who live in her depths surrounding them.
+*****+
Jensen was thrilled when Tom had informed him that the others were going to be heading into the city to stock up on supplies; it gave him time to be alone with Jared.
“Did you have any problems with your friends?” Jared asked as Jensen entered the lagoon.
“Nope, they have plans for the rest of the day which means I am free to spend it with you.” Jensen smile lit up the lagoon as he placed the picnic basket he had brought with him.
That news made Jared very happy; while he liked Jensen's friends, he was thrilled that he and Jensen could be alone in the small lagoon that they had called as theirs after Jensen's third visit. Only they and their parents knew about it, giving them privacy away from prying eyes.
“I like your friends, they make you smile,” Jared admitted to Jensen as he ate the chocolate cupcake that Jensen had brought him.
“I’m glad. They like you as well. Chad surprisingly is pretty interested in learning all about merkind, I think he is hoping you can introduce him to a mermaid. It is driving Chris nuts and he muttered something about killing him.” Jensen has his theory as to why.
“You don’t think that Chris would really kill him, do you?” Jared asked worry shining in his eyes as he chewed on his lower lip.
“Naw, Chris is like the big bad wolf full of hot air. He likes to be all rough and gruff but he is really a sweetheart.” Jensen explained.
Jared had gotten that impression. “Maybe next time you can bring your guitar along.” Jared murmured shyly.
“Who told you about that?” Jensen had just started learning to play, he wasn’t that good yet which is why he hadn’t brought his guitar with him. He wanted to wait until he was better at it before he played for Jared.
“Chad, he can be a bit of a blabber. I hope that someday I can hear you play for me.” Jared knew that Jensen was going to be an amazing guitar player. “Maybe you can teach me as well?”
“I’d love to play for you and teach you someday,” Jensen promised.
“I look forward to that day,” Jared whispered already imagining Jensen singing to him.
When Jensen was sixteen, his school friends Chris Kane, Chad Michael Murray, Tom Welling and Mike Rosenbaum begged, well Mike and Chad begged Tom and Chris just went along with them, Jensen to let them come with him on his usually trip, if he didn't want to come with them to Cancun for spring break.
Jensen was proud of himself for holding out for a month before he finally caved. It wasn't that he didn't want to spend time with his friends, it was just that this was his time with Jared and he didn't want to share Jared with them, at least not yet.
"Fine! You can come!" Jensen snapped out after what felt like the thousandth time that Chad and Mike presented their list as to why they should come.
"Awesome! You won't regret this! We will be on our best behavior." Chad promised.
Jensen shot Chad a knowing look. "Chad, I love you man, but you and best behavior things that don't go together."
A mock wounded look appeared Chad's face. "I am hurt that one of my best friends would think that I can't behave. I will show you, dude, I will be the best-behaved guy at the beach." Chad swore.
All Jensen cared about was that Chad and the others behaved around Jared, the last thing he wanted was for his friends to say something that might drive Jared away from him.
'Or steal him away.' A tiny voice whispered Jensen's deepest fear that someone could steal Jared away from him. And Jensen didn't know what he would do if he ever lost Jared as a part of his life, all he knew was that he wasn't complete without the merman in his life.
"So is there anything special about this beach that has you coming back year after year?" Tom asked, wanting to know more about this mysterious place that Jensen talked about. He didn't miss the smile that appeared on his face or the look in his eyes; the smile and look Jensen only got when he talked about or was thinking about that place. He was curious to know what or who captured his friend's heart and brought such a look of belonging that Tom ached to feel it himself.
Jensen felt his heart skip a beat as he thought of Jared. Yes, he loves the ocean and surfing, they are a part of him, just like Jared is a big part of him. When he catches a wave, he thinks about how Jared would smile at him and join him. When he is just sitting on his board, enjoying the feel of the water brushing against his legs, he thinks back to when he did the same thing and Jared was there beside him, the two of them just talking about everything and nothing, just enjoying their time together.
He could tell his friends about Jared, how they spent morning, afternoon and evening together swimming, surfing or just talking. But he didn't want to talk about the lagoon that was theirs, that they hide away from the rest of the world and just enjoy each other's company. In truth, he didn't want to share Jared. Yet he knew that he would when they got there, after all, there was no way that he was avoiding Jared, not when he had so little time with him.
"You'll just have to wait and see for yourselves what makes this place so special." Because really, Jensen didn't have the words to explain how special Jared is.
Mike shot him a small pout. "I knew that you were going to say that."
No one noticed Chris studying Jensen out of the corner of his eye, a knowing gleam appearing in his eyes. He had seen the look in his friend's eyes, there was something special waiting for him there and Chris wanted to see or meet what brings that look into Jensen's eyes.
+*****+
Time was both Jensen's mortal enemy and greatest ally as time seemed to fly by most of the year until it grew closer to the time that he would be meeting with Jared, then time seemed to just drag on until Jensen was cursing and glaring at any and all clocks, trying to will them to move faster.
Chris let out a low whistle as he came upon the sight of Jensen and his showdown with the clock. "Damn if looks could kill that clock would be nothing but ash."
"Not helping Chris," Jensen growled out under his breath as he tore his eyes off of the clock and glared at his friend instead. "Is there something I can help you with?"
Chris studied his friend. "Nope, just wanted to see how you were doing, you have been on edge for a while. If you don't want us along, we will understand. We don't want to interfere in someplace that is special to you."
Jensen knew that his friends would do that but he would never ask them to. "I wouldn't have agreed to you guys coming if I didn't want to share this place with you, it's just hard for me. Only my parents know why this place is so special to me and I don't know how to explain it to all of you without giving away the magic of that place."
Chris studied his friend a smile tugging on his face, 'So that is how a person looks when they are in love. So that answers why this place is so important to Jensen. I wonder if he has any clue?' One look at his friend and Chris knew the answer that no Jensen had no clue he was in love. "Don't worry between Tom and I we will do our best to keep Chad and Mike in line," Chris promised. 'After all, we don't want you to lose what makes that place so special to you.'
A feeling of relief coursed through Jensen's body, he knew that Chris meant every word. "Thanks, man, that means a lot to me."
+*****+
The day had finally come that they were heading out, Jensen was finally going to see Jared again.
"Dude, what the hell, why are we up at ass in the morning and why are you so cheerful? I didn't even know that there was a five in the freaking morning!" Chad complaining had Jensen's lips twitching as Chad came sulking up his driveways, bags in his hands and a rather big pout on his face.
"Will someone please shut him up! He has been bitching non-stop since I picked him up. Hell, I think he was bitching before that, from the way his mom all but tossed his ass into my car." Chris growled from behind Chad.
"His mom offered to get Chris the rope when he threatened to hog tie Chad to the roof of his car if he didn't shut up and get in," Tom added cheerfully from where he was unloading his own car.
"When he threatened to hog tie Chad to the roof of his car, his mom offered to get Chris the rope if Chad didn't shut up and get in," Tom added cheerfully from where he was unloading his own car.
"No one should be that cheerful," Chad growled as he shot a death glare at Tom who just waved at him.
Now normally Jensen would agree with Chad but this was different; if he had had it his way, they would have already left, but apparently two am was too early even for Tom. Chad and Mike had looked horrified about the five am but when they realized that Jensen wouldn't be moved, they gave in, even if Mike moaned about the lack of his beauty sleep.
“I can always still leave you behind if you don’t want to go!” Jensen threatened and his friends only needed to look at him once to see that he wasn’t fooling around, he would really leave them behind.
Tom grinned at Jensen as he passed his friend. “You ain’t leaving me behind. I am ready for this trip. Let’s get moving, you slowpokes, you can sleep in the car while Jensen and I take turns driving.” Tom called over his shoulder as he placed his bags in the back of Jensen’s jeep.
Jensen sent Tom a quick nod, he was very thankful for the other guy being his usual cheerful self. “Sounds like a plan, how about you drive the first half and then I take over as I know where we are going?” Jensen suggested.
“Sounds like a plan.” Tom agreed, taking Mike’s bag from him and flushing slightly as the other man leaned against his side and rested his head on Tom’s shoulder.
“But who will I use as my pillow?” Mike whined softly and Jensen wondered who they thought they were fooling about their feelings for one another.
“It ain’t going to be me,” Chris informed Mike as he put his bags into the jeep. “Use Chad.”
“But Chad drools!” Mike sounded affronted at the very idea. “I don’t want Chad to drool on my shirt!”
“Hey! I don’t drool and I certainly wouldn’t drool over you, not when there are plenty of ladies who would love a taste of the Chad.” Chad growled.
Jensen only shook his head. ‘Please do not let them scare off Jared.’ Jensen prayed silently and once again questioned if it was wise to introduce his insane friends to Jared.
“Well if he doesn’t run off then Jared is a keeper.” His dad’s words came rushing back to him after Jensen told him that he was taking his friends with him this visit. Jensen wasn’t sure what his dad meant with that, but he hoped that Jared would stick around.
“Alright enough! Just get in the car now!” Jensen growled as he tossed Tom his keys and moved around to get into the passenger seat and slammed the door shut.
His four friends exchanged looks. “Jensen seems a little growler than usually. I think we better just do as he says.” Tom suggested in a low voice so as not to be overheard by Jensen.
His [four] friends? The other guys? (Remember: only 16!)
“Hopefully we learn what makes this place so special,” Chad muttered under his breath, it was a mystery, one that Jensen kept close to his heart.
And that was what motivated them to get up early to see what Jensen treasured so deeply.
Peace fell over the car as Chad, Mike and even Chris drifted off into sleep with the rumbling of the engine and classic strains of Tom Petty’s Free Fallin. Tom noticed with fondness that Jensen was singing along with it. He wasn’t one to sing out loud often, which was a shame in Tom’s opinion as Jensen had a voice that even the sirens would envy. It was soothing and Tom didn’t want to disturb his friend, so he stayed quiet as he enjoyed the open road and hearing Jensen sing.
+*****+
Jensen was nervous, he had taken over driving and every mile brought him closer and closer to Jared and the first time he had to worry about anyone meeting Jared. He loved his friends they are his best, but that didn’t stop him from worrying about them saying the wrong thing to Jared, scaring him away or worse: stealing Jared from him.
“Wow, that is a nice place.” Chris let out a low whistle as the two-story beach house came into view.
“The deck leads out to the beach! That is awesome! Look at those waves, we can get in some choice surfing!” Mike added his excitement his hands twitching where he was standing.
Never one to be left out, Chad already had his bags and was making a run for the doors, snagging the key out of Jensen’s hands. “Dibs on the best room!”
Mike let out a squawk before chasing after a laughing Chad.
“If those two don’t make it back no one would blame us,” Chris growled under his breath as he stalked after the two. “Especially not if they had to spend the entire drive up here in the back seat with them.”
Tom and Jensen exchanged a look. “We'd better catch up to them before Chris decides to bury them on the beach neck down.” Tom grasped his bags and followed after them.
If Tom would have looked back he would have seen Jensen’s gaze turn towards the crashing waves, longing shining in his green eyes. “Soon Jaybird, soon,” Jensen whispered before heading off to the house. He planned on claiming his room quickly, then going out and seeking Jared.
+*****+
Chris was not at all surprised to find Jensen getting ready to sneak out. “Really? Did you think we would let you go without us finally knowing what is so special about this place.” Chris drawled as he rested against the door frame of Jensen’s bedroom. He wasn’t at all surprised to see that Jensen had claimed the room with the best view of the ocean.
“Yeah man, and from the way you all but tossed me out of this room for trying to claim it as my own, I say it has something to do with the view,” Chad added as he poked his head up from behind Chris.
Tom and Mike joined the group. “Jensen, we are your friends, you know you can trust us.” Tom pointed out softly with Mike nodding his agreement.
Letting out a small breath Jensen knew that he couldn’t keep Jared a secret for much longer, they were going to find out about him sooner than later. “His name is Jared and he is very special to me. We met on my very first visit here and we became inseparable, he is the reason that I keep coming back here every chance I get.” Jensen explained.
“So when can we meet this Jared of yours?” Chad asked bouncing up and down in his spot, not even caring at the glare Chris sent his way.
Jensen glanced at the clock, he knew that Jared should be arriving to the surface soon.
“I always know when you are here Jensen, Mother Ocean tells me and the currents sing of your arrival,” Jensen recalled the words Jared spoke to him when he asked how he always knew when he was there. “We are heading to the beach, you might as well change and grab your boards. I’ll meet you down there.” Jensen couldn’t stop himself from rolling his eyes at the disbelieving looks his friends shot him. “I promise that I won’t leave without any of you.”
“See that you don’t.” The 'or else' went unsaid from Chris’ warning as they went to change as Jensen had suggested.
+******+
“Finally!” Jensen tossed his hands up as his friends meet him at the deck doors, it felt like an eternity that they had left to go change.
“Relax, it hasn’t even been five minutes,” Chad muttered as they followed a glaring Jensen out the doors.
“Five minutes is five minutes too long to keep Jared waiting,” Jensen growled as he walked down the familiar path; it felt so good to feel the sand beneath his feet.
“Wait, Jared is already here?” Mike asked, looking around trying to figure out who this mysterious Jared was.
“Yeah, he is right there.” Jensen’s voice went soft in a way that his friends had never heard before and their eyes all flew to him before following where he was pointing.
“Dude, you know a merman?” Chad asked in disbelief and a little awe as he took in the young man in the ocean who waved at Jensen before diving under the waves and heading towards them, showing off his emerald tail.
“Yep, that is Jared,” Jensen informed them with pride. He tore his eyes off of Jared and onto his friends and his eyes narrowed into a protective glare. “Now do you understand why I kept Jared a secret? I will allow no one to harm him.”
“We won’t hurt him or let any harm come to him, Jensen, you have our word,” Chris promised, speaking for the group.
“I know now. Stay here, will I go speak to him,” Jensen ordered as he headed to where Jared was waiting for him.
Every time that Jensen saw Jared, the merman took his breath away with how handsome he was looking.
"Jensen!" Jared's face lit up in a smile that outshone the sun, it filled Jensen with a sense of warmth that he only felt when he was around Jared.
"Jared, it is so good to see you again. I have missed you." Jensen murmured as he waded out into the water to greet his friend.
Jared took in Jensen's sparkling green eyes that were more beautiful than any sea stone. "I have missed you like the oceans miss the moon that sends its eternal glow, that allows the ocean to reflect it’s beauty and the sun that warms the waves and drives away the cold.”
Jensen felt himself get tongue tied at Jared words and was grateful that his friends were behind him so they couldn’t see his flushed face. Only Jared made him feel this way.
“Jensen, are these the friends you have been telling me about?” Jared’s face lit up as he studied the humans behind his Jensen. “It is a pleasure to meet you.” He waved at them.
Jensen let out a soft sigh and turned to find his friends standing only a few feet away from him, not at all where he left them. “Jared, I would like you to meet Chris Kane, Tom Welling, Mike Rosenbaum, and Chad Michael Murray. Guys, this is Jared.”
"Huh, no wonder you never took Danneel Harris up on her offers," Chris muttered under his breath.
Brows furred together, Jensen shot his friend a confused look, "What do you mean by that, Chris?"
His four friends could only stare at him in disbelief. "Dude, did you seriously never notice that Danneel, the queen of the school has been hitting on you all year?" Chad asked in shock.
Jensen blinked as he thought back to his interactions with Danneel over the school year and maybe she had been flirting with him. He didn't know her all that well, they hung out in different circles. "Are you sure you're not just seeing things?"
"Who's Danneel?" Jared's eyes narrowed and a strange little feeling blossomed in his chest, he didn't like the idea of someone else liking his Jensen.
A small smile appeared on Chris' lips, one that he saw mirrored on Tom's as well; it would seem that jealousy and possessiveness went both ways. “Just a girl we go to school with,” Chris explained to Jared.
“Yeah, we don’t really hang out, so there is nothing to worry about,” Chad spoke up, he hated that sad look on Jared’s face. It was like looking into the face of a sad seal pup; the last thing you wanted to do was to see him sad.
“Really?” Jared asked, turning his attention to Jensen.
“Really Jay, I barely even know Danneel.” Jensen had no interest in the girl, she seemed nice but not his type.
The sad, possessive and jealous look faded from Jared's eyes as he smiled up at Jensen. “That is good. Now I would like to get to know the rest of you but I think we can do it in the water.” Jared hadn’t missed their outfits and boards they had left in the sand behind them.
“Sounds like a plan.” Jensen couldn’t wait to get into the waves and join Jared. He was happy to see that his friends liked Jared and more importantly that Jared liked his friends. He had been surprised to learn about Danneel’s crush on him or why he felt oddly thrilled at Jared’s possessive and jealous tone when he asked who she was.
“Dude, we need to exchange stories, I want to hear all about little Jensen,” Chad informed Jared.
To Jensen, Jared’s voice was more musical than a fairy's laugh and it distracted him for a moment until he registered what Chad had said. “There will be no stories!” Jensen declared.
Chris flung an arm around Jensen’s neck. “There will be stories we are going to hear them and nothing you can do is going to stop us from hearing them from Jared, so you might as well just give in now and save yourself a lot of grief,” Chris warned Jensen.
The mischievous glint in Jared’s eyes proved that Chris was right and Jensen felt his shoulders sag; he knew that there would be no stopping them. “Fine, but none while we surf.” Jensen declared.
+*****+
“We are going to call it a night,” Tom announced as they watched the sunset over the ocean creating a beautiful sight.
“We are?” Mike and Chad asked in time.
“We are,” Chris growled out as he gestured to where Jensen was sitting on his board talking softly to Jared, the two only having eyes for each other.
“I doubt they will even notice we are gone,” Chad muttered under his breath as the four of them headed in to get supper started, leaving Jared and Jensen alone to watch as dusk settled and the evening took over.
“I’m glad you didn’t go running, Chad and Mike can be a little much sometimes.” Jensen had been terrified that Jared might go running from their craziness.
A giant smile appeared on Jared’s face as he shook his head, sending droplets flying and some landing on Jensen. “I like them. I’m glad I finally got to meet them. I’m happy to see that you have such good people looking out for you while we are apart.”
Jensen’s heart warmed at the fact that Jared saw his friends as good people. “How about tomorrow the two of us hang out together in our lagoon?” Jensen loved his friends but he wanted some alone time with Jared.
“I’d like that a lot,” Jared admitted with a faint blush on his face. He missed having Jensen’s to himself.
As the first star of the night began to shine, neither noticed when their hands linked together on Jensen’s board and their fingers entwined as they watched the stars fill the night sky, with the sounds of the waves and the lives of those who live in her depths surrounding them.
+*****+
Jensen was thrilled when Tom had informed him that the others were going to be heading into the city to stock up on supplies; it gave him time to be alone with Jared.
“Did you have any problems with your friends?” Jared asked as Jensen entered the lagoon.
“Nope, they have plans for the rest of the day which means I am free to spend it with you.” Jensen smile lit up the lagoon as he placed the picnic basket he had brought with him.
That news made Jared very happy; while he liked Jensen's friends, he was thrilled that he and Jensen could be alone in the small lagoon that they had called as theirs after Jensen's third visit. Only they and their parents knew about it, giving them privacy away from prying eyes.
“I like your friends, they make you smile,” Jared admitted to Jensen as he ate the chocolate cupcake that Jensen had brought him.
“I’m glad. They like you as well. Chad surprisingly is pretty interested in learning all about merkind, I think he is hoping you can introduce him to a mermaid. It is driving Chris nuts and he muttered something about killing him.” Jensen has his theory as to why.
“You don’t think that Chris would really kill him, do you?” Jared asked worry shining in his eyes as he chewed on his lower lip.
“Naw, Chris is like the big bad wolf full of hot air. He likes to be all rough and gruff but he is really a sweetheart.” Jensen explained.
Jared had gotten that impression. “Maybe next time you can bring your guitar along.” Jared murmured shyly.
“Who told you about that?” Jensen had just started learning to play, he wasn’t that good yet which is why he hadn’t brought his guitar with him. He wanted to wait until he was better at it before he played for Jared.
“Chad, he can be a bit of a blabber. I hope that someday I can hear you play for me.” Jared knew that Jensen was going to be an amazing guitar player. “Maybe you can teach me as well?”
“I’d love to play for you and teach you someday,” Jensen promised.
“I look forward to that day,” Jared whispered already imagining Jensen singing to him.