(no subject)
Title: Let's Do Some Living After We Die
Author: poor_choices
Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: Jensen Ackles/Jared Padalecki (mentions of Jared/Misha, Danneel/Genevieve, Sophia/Chad)
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Major spoilers for season two and minor spoilers for season three of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Word Count: 3000.
Summary: Jared Padalecki is the first ever male Slayer. He's also incapable of keeping a Watcher. That's where Jensen comes in.
Notes: I was trying to write a Halloween story, but then I was mostly watching Buffy, and then I wrote this story. As mentioned above, it does refer to major storylines from the second season. That being said, it doesn't really follow the third at all, and I was fast and loose with stuff. Whatever! I do what I want.
Disclaimer: Lies and untruths.
Jared Padalecki is kind of legendary.
He's legendary for a lot of reasons--first off, he's The Slayer, which means he's legendary in the literal sense, a legend, a mythological something, a magical creature except human.
And then he's a he, the first and only male Slayer, for reasons no one has ever figured out. According to his former Watchers, the vampires and demons and other things he puts up with really enjoy making fun of him about it.
And the scores of former Watchers are the last thing that make Jared a legend, because the guy cannot keep a Watcher. A few of them have been killed, a lot more of them haven't been able to put up with him, and he's just generally thought of as a huge headache for the entire organization.
Emphasis on the huge, apparently--Jensen has seen pictures, but it's not until he sees the kid in person, walking through the halls with a tiny dark-haired girl and laughing big, that he realizes Jared is a few inches bigger than him, and he's not a small guy. He's on the scrawny side, as Slayers tend to be, but he's--cute. Jensen already knew that too, but it's more intense in person.
Jensen retreats to the library. He can't really approach Jared until he's alone anyway. He's not being a coward or anything.
At lunchtime, the Slayer finds him.
"Wow," says Jared, with a big grin. He's got dimples. None of the reports he read mentioned dimples. Obviously. "I heard the new librarian was cute, but I figured everyone was exaggerating. But you are pretty. Watchers aren't supposed to be pretty."
"Uh," says Jensen, watching Jared boost himself up to sit on a table.
"You are my new Watcher, right? It's always the librarians. I think the school is getting suspicious about the turnover rate."
"You really shouldn't just say that," says Jensen, recovering enough to be a little firm. "Civilians would--"
"So you are my Watcher," says Jared cheekily. "Awesome. I've never had eye candy before."
Jensen chokes. "Eye candy?"
"You're, what, twenty-two, twenty-three?"
"Twenty-two," Jensen says. He's feeling really off his footing.
"That's really young for a Watcher," says Jared. "I mean, based on my previous Watchers." He cocks his head. "Let me guess, they thought I'd relate better to someone closer to my own age."
Jensen winces, because that was exactly it.
"So," says Jared. "I'm Jared Padalecki, but I guess you already know that. What's your name?"
"Ackles," says Jensen.
"First name," says Jared, rolling his eyes. "You're like five years older than me, I'm not calling you Mr. Ackles."
"You have to in school," says Jensen. "I'm a teacher."
"First name, Mr. Ackles," says Jared firmly. "Come on. Otherwise I'm gonna make on up. And it'll be, like, Floyd."
Jensen can't help quirking a smile. "Jensen," he says. "Jensen Ackles."
"Jensen," Jared repeats. "Okay, hi, Jensen." He grins. "Got any omens for me?"
His smile is blinding, and Jensen looks away. "Nothing in particular," he says. "Are you patrolling tonight?"
"Of course I am," says Jared. "I'm not new at this or anything."
"Right," says Jensen. "Uh. I know." He rubs the back of his neck. "I'll come tonight? Get a sense of how you work."
Jared shrugs. "Suit yourself." He slides off the table as a gaggle of girls comes into the library. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Ackles."
"You too," says Jensen, feeling totally off-balance.
"You should be careful about him," says one of the girls. She's wearing a top so low-cut Jensen is shocked it's legal. He should check if the school has a dress code or something. "He's gay."
"So am I," Jensen says absently. Then he catches up. It's not news to him--he's read Jared's file--but he's still surprised to hear her warning him off. "Wait, what?"
The girl looks put out. "That's Jared Padalecki. He's a freak. Not because he's gay," she adds quickly. "He's just freaky. He's always hanging out in the library, so you're going to have to see him all the time."
That's the general idea, Jensen thinks.
*
Jared is chatty on patrol.
"So yeah, my best friends Genevieve and Sophia know about the Slayer thing," he says, after a long rambling story Jensen can't even begin to follow.
Jensen does a double-take. "What?"
Jared shrugs. "Also, Genevieve's girlfriend, Danneel, but she's a werewolf. And Sophia's kind of boyfriend Chad, but he's an ex-vengeance demon."
"Four people know you're the Slayer?" Jensen asks incredulously.
"Mostly accidentally." Jared shrugs. "Also, you're probably going to hear a lot about my ex-boyfriend, so let's just get that covered now."
"The vampire," Jensen supplies. "Angel?"
"That was more of a nickname," says Jared, shrugging. "I called him Misha."
"Okay," says Jensen warily.
"So I guess you already know that story," Jared says softly.
It's the first time Jensen's heard him anything less than upbeat, and he's not exactly surprised. Jared's third Watcher couldn't deal with him dating a vampire, even one with a soul, and she took off. The Watchers Council attempted to get the relationship ended, with the result that the Watchers Council realized that the Slayer pretty much did whatever the fuck he wanted.
There was a messy business of Angel--Misha--losing his soul, and getting it back, and getting stabbed, and leaving Jared behind for his own good.
"Yeah," Jensen says. Talking about exes is hard enough when they didn't try to kill you, or destroy the world, or dump you because you haven't had a bicentennial. "You don't have to tell me."
"Awesome," says Jared, but there's something genuine behind the sarcasm. "So what's your story?"
"My story?"
"Yeah," says Jared, giving Jensen a grin. "Where are you from, what are you into, how'd you become a Watcher, whatever. You're my first American Watcher."
Jensen smiles. "I was born in Texas, went to college in England. I ran into some vampires, ended up fighting them off, found out about Watchers. It seemed cooler than physical therapy."
"Wow," says Jared. "Where in Texas?"
"Richardson. Near Dallas."
"Huh," says Jared. "I guess you know I'm from San Antonio?"
"Another factor when they were deciding who to send, yeah," Jensen admits.
Jared laughs. "Right, we're both from Texas, so clearly we're both cowboys."
"I left my chaps at home."
Jared laughs, sounding surprised. "You have a sense of humor. I already like you better than the last guy."
Jensen tries to remember who the last guy was--Robert. A nice guy, kind of, but really uptight and serious. Jensen can imagine just how badly that worked out.
"Glad to hear it."
"I'll try not to get you killed," says Jared, and the way he says it, it's not sarcastic, not a joke.
Jensen glances over, and Jared looks sad. It's not a surprise, but it's heartening.
"Shit," says Jared. "Stay back." He takes off for the park, where a girl is trying to fight off a vampire. Jensen is on alert, ready to charge in if he has to, but he wants to see how Jared works.
It's fast, and efficient, and Jensen hears the monster attempting to make a joke about how Jared is awfully manly for a Slayer, but Jared stakes him before he can finish.
"They all say that," says Jared, with a lopsided grin, and Jensen's heart flutters.
If he was smart, he'd quit right now.
*
Watchers have become romantically involved with their Slayers. It's not common, it's not encouraged, but it has happened. After all, however many centuries of guys watching over young, attractive girls in high stress situations, it was kind of inevitable.
It's never happened with two guys before, but there's never been a male Slayer before.
Still, Jensen doesn't want to be the first.
*
"I'm bored," says Jared. "I can't remember the last time I wasn't facing an impending apocalypse."
"You're objecting to a lack of apocalypses?" asks Jensen.
Jared sighs.
"Jared needs distraction," says Sophia. "He's dwelling."
"Dwelling?" asks Jensen.
"Shut up, Soph," Jared hisses.
"Oh," says Jensen, looking away. "Misha."
"No more gossiping with my Watcher," says Jared firmly.
"But he's so young and pretty," says Genevieve. "It's hard to remember he's supposed to be a Watcher."
"He's way more age-appropriate than--" starts Chad, and Sophia elbows him.
"See?" says Jared miserably. "I would love an apocalypse right about now."
*
"The signs indicate--"
"This is weird," says Jared.
Jensen raises his eyebrows. "What?"
"Whenever you get all Watcher-y, you start talking like a stuffy old British guy. It's weird. You should stop."
Jensen sighs. "Whatever." He puts on an exaggerated drawl. "So, y'all, looks like that there Hellmouth is gonna be openin' up a world of hurt for us."
Jared laughs. "Man, you should do that all the time. It makes bad news way better."
"Seriously, Jared," says Jensen, unable to keep from smiling. "A whole world of hurt."
"Whatever," says Jared. "We'll handle it."
*
Jensen's in the library after hours, researching a monster that's been tearing senior citizens apart, and Jared is doing college applications. His mom has a new boyfriend, and Jared doesn't like the guy much, so he's been spending more time with Jensen in the library. Jensen pretends not to be excited, but it's been three months, and he's mostly over lying to himself.
It's quiet, and companionable, and Jensen is getting close to an answer, he thinks.
He and Jared both look up when the door opens, but Jared is the only one who freezes.
"Can I help you?" Jensen asks.
The man who's come in looks--nondescript, pretty much. Brown hair, blue eyes, stubble. He licks his lips and looks at Jared, who still hasn't moved.
Jensen figures it out a second before Jared says, "Misha."
"New Watcher?" Misha asks. "I liked Robert."
"He was a humorless prick," says Jared. His voice is low and coiled--dangerous. "What are you doing here, Misha?"
"The creature you're hunting--it came from Los Angeles. I was tracking it. The one that haunts retirement centers."
"Yeah?" asks Jared. "Great. You can go and deal with it, and then you can leave."
"Jared, I never meant--"
"Save it. If you need help, you can call. Otherwise, you clean up your own mess."
"Jared--" says Jensen, and Jared whirls on him.
"Don't you start, don't you dare start. You weren't here."
And then Jared grabs his stuff and storms out.
Misha looks at Jensen. "You're very young for a Watcher," he finally says.
"Not really," says Jensen. "I'm a little young to be assigned to the Slayer."
Misha nods. "How long have you been here?"
"About three months," says Jensen carefully.
He nods again. His eyes are steady on Jensen, a little unnerving. "You may be the record holder."
"Maybe," Jensen agrees, like he doesn't know he is.
"I should go. I'm sure Jared will help me, if I need it."
"Okay," says Jensen. He knows he fucked this up, he's just not sure how.
*
Whenever Jared is upset, he goes to the roof of the school. Genevieve imparted this wisdom to Jensen a few weeks in, and Jensen had realized it was a sign of profound trust.
"Hi," says Jensen, when he gets onto the roof.
Jared barely even turns. "Hi," he says hollowly.
Jensen licks his lips and sits down next to Jared. "I'm sorry. It wasn't my place to--interfere."
"You didn't," says Jared. "You were right. I'm the Slayer. I'm supposed to be--mature."
Jensen smiles fondly. "You're seventeen, Jared," he says gently. "You aren't capable of being mature about your ex-boyfriends."
Jared laughs, but it comes out a little like a sob. "Cuz you're so old, right?" He doesn't wait for Jensen to respond. "Did they tell you how he lost his soul?"
"No," says Jensen. "It wasn't very detailed."
Jared rests his cheek against his crossed arms, giving Jensen the saddest smile he's ever seen. "He--his trigger, I guess. The curse was broken if he ever experienced real happiness. And he did. It happened to coincide very closely with me losing my virginity."
"Shit," says Jensen. "Jared, I'm--"
Jared smiles again, and Jensen wants to hug him. "So it's not like we had a lot of future. I mean, I know there's more to a relationship than sex, but I think I like sex."
"I don't get to date much," says Jensen. "The last guy I dated was in college, before I became a Watcher."
Jared looks surprised. "You, um. You date guys?"
"Yeah," says Jensen hesitantly. "Pretty much exclusively."
"Oh," says Jared. He sighs. "Great."
"You okay?" Jensen asks.
"Not really," says Jared, smiling. "But I'm sorry for snapping at you."
"So I guess I don't have research this monster," says Jensen. "You want to come over to my place and watch a movie or something?"
Jared laughs faintly. "I should finish these applications. But thanks."
"No problem," says Jensen.
When they get up, he does give Jared a hug, and he holds on a little too long, but Jared doesn't seem to notice. Hell, Jared doesn't seem ready to let go either.
*
Watcher isn't exactly the safest occupation in the world. Jensen gets more than his fair share of bumps and bruises, but he first time he gets hospitalized, it's a few weeks after Misha's visit. Some vampire with a grudge against Jared is in town, and gets the jump on Jensen when he's heading home. He's mostly unconscious while he's in the lair, occasionally tortured, but the big thing is that he knows Jared will come for him.
It's been a couple days when Jared gently slaps him awake. He's tied to a chair, achy and sore, and there's a gash in his stomach that will need stitches.
"Hey, hey," says Jared. "Please be alive, please, don't leave me, not you too, don't ever leave me, come on."
"Hey," says Jensen, foggily.
"Hi," says Jared, face splitting open with happiness. "Hey." He licks his lips, fingers untying Jensen's ropes. "Come on, I'm gonna get you out of here."
"Hospital."
"I know," says Jared. He picks Jensen up gently. "Gonna take care of you. Gonna save you."
The next time he wakes up, he's in the hospital, and Jared is still there, asleep by the bed. Genevieve and Danneel are with him, looking fresher.
"He hasn't left," says Genevieve.
"He's very dedicated," says Danneel.
Jensen licks his lips. "How long was I out?" he asks creakily.
"A day," says Danneel. "He missed some class."
"Hey, Jared," says Genevieve softly. "Hey, wake up."
Jared startles up, eyes flying to Jensen immediately. His face opens up into a weary grin. "Hi."
"We're gonna go," says Genevieve, and they leave. It's painfully unsubtle.
He can't bring himself to care. "Hi," he says.
"I was so worried," says Jared. "I'm fucking tired of losing Watchers."
"No way you're ditching me this easy," says Jensen weakly. "I've got a record to uphold."
"No one's gonna beat you," says Jared. "I'm not getting another Watcher, not ever."
Jensen smiles. "So you haven't been trying to drive me away?"
"No," says Jared, not bothering to joke around. "I'm going to keep you."
*
"We need to talk," says Sophia.
Jensen looks up, surprised. "Hi," he says hesitantly. Sophia has never completely warmed to him.
"I don't know if you're aware of this," says Sophia, "but I had a major thing for Jared."
"But--he's gay," says Jensen.
"I know. And I've accepted that. But I'm still protective of the guy. And we've all been worried about him for a long time."
"Okay," Jensen says warily.
"So here's the thing," says Sophia. "You have got to stop doing this."
"Doing what?"
"Leading him on."
"Leading him on?"
"He was heartbroken after Misha. And we weren't exactly thrilled when he moved on to you, but you beat a vampire, and you can take care of yourself. But if you aren't interested in him, you need to stop inviting him over for movies and flirting with him, because his pining is totally pathetic and depressing. Put him out of his misery."
Jensen blinks. "Uh," he says. "I--what?"
"Just tell him you're not interested and he can go off to college and find a nice guy to settle down with. Until he turns out to be some kind of horrific monster."
"Says the girl dating an ex-demon," says Jensen. He swallows. "I'm not--I am," he says awkwardly. "Interested."
"Oh," says Sophia awkwardly. "So--put him out of his misery and sleep with him," she corrects. "God knows he needs a positive sexual experience." There's a pause. "And stop making fun of my boyfriend."
She's gone before Jensen has the chance to respond.
*
Jensen pretty much has two options: he can ask for a reassignment, or he can make a move.
But Jared's interested, so there's really only one option.
*
"I'm bored," says Jared. He's throwing a pen in the air and catching it. Jensen is trying to read. It's not working. "Let's make out."
Jensen chokes on nothing.
"Sophia said if I asked you, you'd probably said yes. I thought if I waited for you to make the first move, I'd just be waiting for a while."
"We can't make out on school grounds," Jensen points out. "I'm a teacher, and you're a student, and--"
Jared kisses him anyway.
"Want to go watch a movie at your place?" he asks, with this hopeful, adorable grin, and there's really no answer Jensen can give but yes.
*
In the end, the Watchers Council doesn't approve, but Jared tells them that if they try to reassign Jensen, he is never going to keep another Watcher for more than a week, and since Jensen has already managed to last six months, which is six times longer than anyone else, the Council decides to let it go.
"They recognize that we are an awesome team," says Jared smugly.
"Also, orgasms don't make him evil," says Chad.
Jensen groans. "Chad, shut up about my sex life."
Jared laughs. "See? Best team ever."
Jensen glares at him, but it's really true. He and Jared? They're going to save the world.
Author: poor_choices
Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: Jensen Ackles/Jared Padalecki (mentions of Jared/Misha, Danneel/Genevieve, Sophia/Chad)
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Major spoilers for season two and minor spoilers for season three of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Word Count: 3000.
Summary: Jared Padalecki is the first ever male Slayer. He's also incapable of keeping a Watcher. That's where Jensen comes in.
Notes: I was trying to write a Halloween story, but then I was mostly watching Buffy, and then I wrote this story. As mentioned above, it does refer to major storylines from the second season. That being said, it doesn't really follow the third at all, and I was fast and loose with stuff. Whatever! I do what I want.
Disclaimer: Lies and untruths.
Jared Padalecki is kind of legendary.
He's legendary for a lot of reasons--first off, he's The Slayer, which means he's legendary in the literal sense, a legend, a mythological something, a magical creature except human.
And then he's a he, the first and only male Slayer, for reasons no one has ever figured out. According to his former Watchers, the vampires and demons and other things he puts up with really enjoy making fun of him about it.
And the scores of former Watchers are the last thing that make Jared a legend, because the guy cannot keep a Watcher. A few of them have been killed, a lot more of them haven't been able to put up with him, and he's just generally thought of as a huge headache for the entire organization.
Emphasis on the huge, apparently--Jensen has seen pictures, but it's not until he sees the kid in person, walking through the halls with a tiny dark-haired girl and laughing big, that he realizes Jared is a few inches bigger than him, and he's not a small guy. He's on the scrawny side, as Slayers tend to be, but he's--cute. Jensen already knew that too, but it's more intense in person.
Jensen retreats to the library. He can't really approach Jared until he's alone anyway. He's not being a coward or anything.
At lunchtime, the Slayer finds him.
"Wow," says Jared, with a big grin. He's got dimples. None of the reports he read mentioned dimples. Obviously. "I heard the new librarian was cute, but I figured everyone was exaggerating. But you are pretty. Watchers aren't supposed to be pretty."
"Uh," says Jensen, watching Jared boost himself up to sit on a table.
"You are my new Watcher, right? It's always the librarians. I think the school is getting suspicious about the turnover rate."
"You really shouldn't just say that," says Jensen, recovering enough to be a little firm. "Civilians would--"
"So you are my Watcher," says Jared cheekily. "Awesome. I've never had eye candy before."
Jensen chokes. "Eye candy?"
"You're, what, twenty-two, twenty-three?"
"Twenty-two," Jensen says. He's feeling really off his footing.
"That's really young for a Watcher," says Jared. "I mean, based on my previous Watchers." He cocks his head. "Let me guess, they thought I'd relate better to someone closer to my own age."
Jensen winces, because that was exactly it.
"So," says Jared. "I'm Jared Padalecki, but I guess you already know that. What's your name?"
"Ackles," says Jensen.
"First name," says Jared, rolling his eyes. "You're like five years older than me, I'm not calling you Mr. Ackles."
"You have to in school," says Jensen. "I'm a teacher."
"First name, Mr. Ackles," says Jared firmly. "Come on. Otherwise I'm gonna make on up. And it'll be, like, Floyd."
Jensen can't help quirking a smile. "Jensen," he says. "Jensen Ackles."
"Jensen," Jared repeats. "Okay, hi, Jensen." He grins. "Got any omens for me?"
His smile is blinding, and Jensen looks away. "Nothing in particular," he says. "Are you patrolling tonight?"
"Of course I am," says Jared. "I'm not new at this or anything."
"Right," says Jensen. "Uh. I know." He rubs the back of his neck. "I'll come tonight? Get a sense of how you work."
Jared shrugs. "Suit yourself." He slides off the table as a gaggle of girls comes into the library. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Ackles."
"You too," says Jensen, feeling totally off-balance.
"You should be careful about him," says one of the girls. She's wearing a top so low-cut Jensen is shocked it's legal. He should check if the school has a dress code or something. "He's gay."
"So am I," Jensen says absently. Then he catches up. It's not news to him--he's read Jared's file--but he's still surprised to hear her warning him off. "Wait, what?"
The girl looks put out. "That's Jared Padalecki. He's a freak. Not because he's gay," she adds quickly. "He's just freaky. He's always hanging out in the library, so you're going to have to see him all the time."
That's the general idea, Jensen thinks.
*
Jared is chatty on patrol.
"So yeah, my best friends Genevieve and Sophia know about the Slayer thing," he says, after a long rambling story Jensen can't even begin to follow.
Jensen does a double-take. "What?"
Jared shrugs. "Also, Genevieve's girlfriend, Danneel, but she's a werewolf. And Sophia's kind of boyfriend Chad, but he's an ex-vengeance demon."
"Four people know you're the Slayer?" Jensen asks incredulously.
"Mostly accidentally." Jared shrugs. "Also, you're probably going to hear a lot about my ex-boyfriend, so let's just get that covered now."
"The vampire," Jensen supplies. "Angel?"
"That was more of a nickname," says Jared, shrugging. "I called him Misha."
"Okay," says Jensen warily.
"So I guess you already know that story," Jared says softly.
It's the first time Jensen's heard him anything less than upbeat, and he's not exactly surprised. Jared's third Watcher couldn't deal with him dating a vampire, even one with a soul, and she took off. The Watchers Council attempted to get the relationship ended, with the result that the Watchers Council realized that the Slayer pretty much did whatever the fuck he wanted.
There was a messy business of Angel--Misha--losing his soul, and getting it back, and getting stabbed, and leaving Jared behind for his own good.
"Yeah," Jensen says. Talking about exes is hard enough when they didn't try to kill you, or destroy the world, or dump you because you haven't had a bicentennial. "You don't have to tell me."
"Awesome," says Jared, but there's something genuine behind the sarcasm. "So what's your story?"
"My story?"
"Yeah," says Jared, giving Jensen a grin. "Where are you from, what are you into, how'd you become a Watcher, whatever. You're my first American Watcher."
Jensen smiles. "I was born in Texas, went to college in England. I ran into some vampires, ended up fighting them off, found out about Watchers. It seemed cooler than physical therapy."
"Wow," says Jared. "Where in Texas?"
"Richardson. Near Dallas."
"Huh," says Jared. "I guess you know I'm from San Antonio?"
"Another factor when they were deciding who to send, yeah," Jensen admits.
Jared laughs. "Right, we're both from Texas, so clearly we're both cowboys."
"I left my chaps at home."
Jared laughs, sounding surprised. "You have a sense of humor. I already like you better than the last guy."
Jensen tries to remember who the last guy was--Robert. A nice guy, kind of, but really uptight and serious. Jensen can imagine just how badly that worked out.
"Glad to hear it."
"I'll try not to get you killed," says Jared, and the way he says it, it's not sarcastic, not a joke.
Jensen glances over, and Jared looks sad. It's not a surprise, but it's heartening.
"Shit," says Jared. "Stay back." He takes off for the park, where a girl is trying to fight off a vampire. Jensen is on alert, ready to charge in if he has to, but he wants to see how Jared works.
It's fast, and efficient, and Jensen hears the monster attempting to make a joke about how Jared is awfully manly for a Slayer, but Jared stakes him before he can finish.
"They all say that," says Jared, with a lopsided grin, and Jensen's heart flutters.
If he was smart, he'd quit right now.
*
Watchers have become romantically involved with their Slayers. It's not common, it's not encouraged, but it has happened. After all, however many centuries of guys watching over young, attractive girls in high stress situations, it was kind of inevitable.
It's never happened with two guys before, but there's never been a male Slayer before.
Still, Jensen doesn't want to be the first.
*
"I'm bored," says Jared. "I can't remember the last time I wasn't facing an impending apocalypse."
"You're objecting to a lack of apocalypses?" asks Jensen.
Jared sighs.
"Jared needs distraction," says Sophia. "He's dwelling."
"Dwelling?" asks Jensen.
"Shut up, Soph," Jared hisses.
"Oh," says Jensen, looking away. "Misha."
"No more gossiping with my Watcher," says Jared firmly.
"But he's so young and pretty," says Genevieve. "It's hard to remember he's supposed to be a Watcher."
"He's way more age-appropriate than--" starts Chad, and Sophia elbows him.
"See?" says Jared miserably. "I would love an apocalypse right about now."
*
"The signs indicate--"
"This is weird," says Jared.
Jensen raises his eyebrows. "What?"
"Whenever you get all Watcher-y, you start talking like a stuffy old British guy. It's weird. You should stop."
Jensen sighs. "Whatever." He puts on an exaggerated drawl. "So, y'all, looks like that there Hellmouth is gonna be openin' up a world of hurt for us."
Jared laughs. "Man, you should do that all the time. It makes bad news way better."
"Seriously, Jared," says Jensen, unable to keep from smiling. "A whole world of hurt."
"Whatever," says Jared. "We'll handle it."
*
Jensen's in the library after hours, researching a monster that's been tearing senior citizens apart, and Jared is doing college applications. His mom has a new boyfriend, and Jared doesn't like the guy much, so he's been spending more time with Jensen in the library. Jensen pretends not to be excited, but it's been three months, and he's mostly over lying to himself.
It's quiet, and companionable, and Jensen is getting close to an answer, he thinks.
He and Jared both look up when the door opens, but Jared is the only one who freezes.
"Can I help you?" Jensen asks.
The man who's come in looks--nondescript, pretty much. Brown hair, blue eyes, stubble. He licks his lips and looks at Jared, who still hasn't moved.
Jensen figures it out a second before Jared says, "Misha."
"New Watcher?" Misha asks. "I liked Robert."
"He was a humorless prick," says Jared. His voice is low and coiled--dangerous. "What are you doing here, Misha?"
"The creature you're hunting--it came from Los Angeles. I was tracking it. The one that haunts retirement centers."
"Yeah?" asks Jared. "Great. You can go and deal with it, and then you can leave."
"Jared, I never meant--"
"Save it. If you need help, you can call. Otherwise, you clean up your own mess."
"Jared--" says Jensen, and Jared whirls on him.
"Don't you start, don't you dare start. You weren't here."
And then Jared grabs his stuff and storms out.
Misha looks at Jensen. "You're very young for a Watcher," he finally says.
"Not really," says Jensen. "I'm a little young to be assigned to the Slayer."
Misha nods. "How long have you been here?"
"About three months," says Jensen carefully.
He nods again. His eyes are steady on Jensen, a little unnerving. "You may be the record holder."
"Maybe," Jensen agrees, like he doesn't know he is.
"I should go. I'm sure Jared will help me, if I need it."
"Okay," says Jensen. He knows he fucked this up, he's just not sure how.
*
Whenever Jared is upset, he goes to the roof of the school. Genevieve imparted this wisdom to Jensen a few weeks in, and Jensen had realized it was a sign of profound trust.
"Hi," says Jensen, when he gets onto the roof.
Jared barely even turns. "Hi," he says hollowly.
Jensen licks his lips and sits down next to Jared. "I'm sorry. It wasn't my place to--interfere."
"You didn't," says Jared. "You were right. I'm the Slayer. I'm supposed to be--mature."
Jensen smiles fondly. "You're seventeen, Jared," he says gently. "You aren't capable of being mature about your ex-boyfriends."
Jared laughs, but it comes out a little like a sob. "Cuz you're so old, right?" He doesn't wait for Jensen to respond. "Did they tell you how he lost his soul?"
"No," says Jensen. "It wasn't very detailed."
Jared rests his cheek against his crossed arms, giving Jensen the saddest smile he's ever seen. "He--his trigger, I guess. The curse was broken if he ever experienced real happiness. And he did. It happened to coincide very closely with me losing my virginity."
"Shit," says Jensen. "Jared, I'm--"
Jared smiles again, and Jensen wants to hug him. "So it's not like we had a lot of future. I mean, I know there's more to a relationship than sex, but I think I like sex."
"I don't get to date much," says Jensen. "The last guy I dated was in college, before I became a Watcher."
Jared looks surprised. "You, um. You date guys?"
"Yeah," says Jensen hesitantly. "Pretty much exclusively."
"Oh," says Jared. He sighs. "Great."
"You okay?" Jensen asks.
"Not really," says Jared, smiling. "But I'm sorry for snapping at you."
"So I guess I don't have research this monster," says Jensen. "You want to come over to my place and watch a movie or something?"
Jared laughs faintly. "I should finish these applications. But thanks."
"No problem," says Jensen.
When they get up, he does give Jared a hug, and he holds on a little too long, but Jared doesn't seem to notice. Hell, Jared doesn't seem ready to let go either.
*
Watcher isn't exactly the safest occupation in the world. Jensen gets more than his fair share of bumps and bruises, but he first time he gets hospitalized, it's a few weeks after Misha's visit. Some vampire with a grudge against Jared is in town, and gets the jump on Jensen when he's heading home. He's mostly unconscious while he's in the lair, occasionally tortured, but the big thing is that he knows Jared will come for him.
It's been a couple days when Jared gently slaps him awake. He's tied to a chair, achy and sore, and there's a gash in his stomach that will need stitches.
"Hey, hey," says Jared. "Please be alive, please, don't leave me, not you too, don't ever leave me, come on."
"Hey," says Jensen, foggily.
"Hi," says Jared, face splitting open with happiness. "Hey." He licks his lips, fingers untying Jensen's ropes. "Come on, I'm gonna get you out of here."
"Hospital."
"I know," says Jared. He picks Jensen up gently. "Gonna take care of you. Gonna save you."
The next time he wakes up, he's in the hospital, and Jared is still there, asleep by the bed. Genevieve and Danneel are with him, looking fresher.
"He hasn't left," says Genevieve.
"He's very dedicated," says Danneel.
Jensen licks his lips. "How long was I out?" he asks creakily.
"A day," says Danneel. "He missed some class."
"Hey, Jared," says Genevieve softly. "Hey, wake up."
Jared startles up, eyes flying to Jensen immediately. His face opens up into a weary grin. "Hi."
"We're gonna go," says Genevieve, and they leave. It's painfully unsubtle.
He can't bring himself to care. "Hi," he says.
"I was so worried," says Jared. "I'm fucking tired of losing Watchers."
"No way you're ditching me this easy," says Jensen weakly. "I've got a record to uphold."
"No one's gonna beat you," says Jared. "I'm not getting another Watcher, not ever."
Jensen smiles. "So you haven't been trying to drive me away?"
"No," says Jared, not bothering to joke around. "I'm going to keep you."
*
"We need to talk," says Sophia.
Jensen looks up, surprised. "Hi," he says hesitantly. Sophia has never completely warmed to him.
"I don't know if you're aware of this," says Sophia, "but I had a major thing for Jared."
"But--he's gay," says Jensen.
"I know. And I've accepted that. But I'm still protective of the guy. And we've all been worried about him for a long time."
"Okay," Jensen says warily.
"So here's the thing," says Sophia. "You have got to stop doing this."
"Doing what?"
"Leading him on."
"Leading him on?"
"He was heartbroken after Misha. And we weren't exactly thrilled when he moved on to you, but you beat a vampire, and you can take care of yourself. But if you aren't interested in him, you need to stop inviting him over for movies and flirting with him, because his pining is totally pathetic and depressing. Put him out of his misery."
Jensen blinks. "Uh," he says. "I--what?"
"Just tell him you're not interested and he can go off to college and find a nice guy to settle down with. Until he turns out to be some kind of horrific monster."
"Says the girl dating an ex-demon," says Jensen. He swallows. "I'm not--I am," he says awkwardly. "Interested."
"Oh," says Sophia awkwardly. "So--put him out of his misery and sleep with him," she corrects. "God knows he needs a positive sexual experience." There's a pause. "And stop making fun of my boyfriend."
She's gone before Jensen has the chance to respond.
*
Jensen pretty much has two options: he can ask for a reassignment, or he can make a move.
But Jared's interested, so there's really only one option.
*
"I'm bored," says Jared. He's throwing a pen in the air and catching it. Jensen is trying to read. It's not working. "Let's make out."
Jensen chokes on nothing.
"Sophia said if I asked you, you'd probably said yes. I thought if I waited for you to make the first move, I'd just be waiting for a while."
"We can't make out on school grounds," Jensen points out. "I'm a teacher, and you're a student, and--"
Jared kisses him anyway.
"Want to go watch a movie at your place?" he asks, with this hopeful, adorable grin, and there's really no answer Jensen can give but yes.
*
In the end, the Watchers Council doesn't approve, but Jared tells them that if they try to reassign Jensen, he is never going to keep another Watcher for more than a week, and since Jensen has already managed to last six months, which is six times longer than anyone else, the Council decides to let it go.
"They recognize that we are an awesome team," says Jared smugly.
"Also, orgasms don't make him evil," says Chad.
Jensen groans. "Chad, shut up about my sex life."
Jared laughs. "See? Best team ever."
Jensen glares at him, but it's really true. He and Jared? They're going to save the world.