(no subject)
Title: Let's Go Shit On Coworkers In a More Informal Setting
Author: Chash
Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: Jared Padalecki/Jensen Ackles.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None!
Word Count: 3400.
Summary: College AU! No longer in college, actually. Jared out in the real world, with his real job, and the best boyfriend ever.
Notes: I am so braindead Jesus Christ this is probably RIDDLED WITH TYPOS. But enjoy guys! I have had a super awesome year here.
Disclaimer: Lies and untruths.
Jared becomes aware that Jensen is home when he feels lips brush against the back of his neck and arms wrap around his waist. He leans back into it and murmurs, "Welcome back."
Jensen sighs. "I was trying not to wake you up."
Jared smiles, rearranges so he's facing Jensen. "Hey," he says, giving Jensen a quick kiss. "I don't mind."
Jensen shakes his head. "Of course you don't. You don't need sleep."
Jared nods. "I'm amazing like that. How was class?"
Jensen shrugs, repositions so he's more comfortably curled up against Jared. "Fine. Really just want it to be over, though."
Jensen's been getting certified for various emergency situations so that he can make a little more money at work. They're not hurting, exactly, but they're not saving as much as they'd like, so they'd both agreed that the extra income would be great, and two weeks wasn't too long.
It's coming up to the end of the first week now, and Jared's thinking they were kind of wrong. The class itself doesn't go to late, but Jensen has a bitch of a commute because they're out in the suburbs. They'd gotten rid of Jensen's truck because the insurance was too much, to say nothing of gas and maintenance, and they're close to public transportation. But the train comes infrequently at night, and a lot of Jared's evening is taken up texting Jensen while he's waiting for or riding on it. By the time Jensen gets back, Jared has to have turned in--he's teaching at the middle school, which starts freakishly early, and he has to get there too--and they barely have any time together. Even knowing it's temporary, it's hard on both of them.
Jared drops a kiss onto the top of Jensen's head. "Yeah, I know."
"I figured being a real adult would be cooler than this," says Jensen.
"Aren't you gonna learn how to staple a guy's head shut or something?"
Jensen smiles. "Yeah, that's going to be cool."
"That's what I'm saying."
"The boss said that homosexuals are bringing down society today," says Jensen quietly.
Jared tightens his arms. "You should really complain to HR, man. Seriously."
"I know," he hedges. "I'm just--it is a big deal, and I don't want him to get away with it, but, fuck, I'm tired. I don't even have the brain power to deal with this right now."
"Hey, I'm not judging or anything. Trust me, I know exactly how much you like gay people."
Jensen laughs. "Yeah, you would. Homo. How are the kids doing?"
"Good. I mean, as well as middle schoolers can be. You know, they're all surly and angry and full of hormones." He considers. "You don't have class tomorrow, right?"
Jensen groans happily. "No, thank god."
"One of my coworkers is having a barbecue," he says. "Told me to bring my roommate."
Neither of them is out at work. Jared's been thinking about it--the school doesn't have a GSA, and he's been lobbying for one, and the administration is hemming and hawing and saying they're not sure if anyone at the school needs that. He wants to bring Jensen, not as his roommate but as his roommate, partly to test the waters with his coworkers, partly to keep Miss Juarez who teaches Spanish from hitting on him, and mostly because he loves Jensen and hates pretending he doesn't.
Jensen says, "You comin' out?"
"Thinking about it."
Jensen is quiet for a minute before he pushes Jared, repositioning him so he's on his back. "Wake me up in the morning to talk about this," he says, curling against Jared's chest. "Way too fucking tired."
Jared laughs and closes his eyes. "Yeah. I can do that."
*
Jared's alarm goes off at 5:45 and Jensen makes a noise that conveys his incredible distaste for the entire idea of waking up. Jared is used to this, manages to drag himself out from under Jensen, start the coffee, and get to the shower. When he finishes with that, he goes over and pokes Jensen in the side.
"Muh," says Jensen, managed to sound both confused and irate."
"Hello to you too," says Jared. "You told me to wake you up."
"I lied," says Jensen.
Jared shakes his head over Jensen's face, spraying him with beads of water.
"Jesus Christ, I hate you," splutters Jensen.
"Sorry, princess," says Jared, sounding not even slightly contrite.
Jensen drags himself out of bed and pulls on a t-shirt. "You made coffee, right?"
"In the kitchen."
Once Jensen's had a cup he slants a look at Jared. "I don't love you again, but I'd be kind of sad if you died."
"That's all I ever wanted from a boyfriend."
Jensen takes another swig of coffee. "So, you want to come out?"
"Test the waters with my coworkers before I go for the administration," he explains. "You think I'm nuts."
"Pretty much always," Jensen agrees. "But not in particular for this."
"Okay," Jared grants. "But what if I need you to protect me from Inez?"
"That's the Spanish teacher who's like half your size, right?"
"The terrifying one," Jared corrects,
Jensen snorts, which he clearly didn't think through, because he does it right into his coffee and gets it all over his face. Jared is pretty much required by law to laugh at him.
"Fuck you," says Jensen.
"Come," says Jared, earnestly, because he never loves Jensen quite as much as he does when he's being a grumpy dumbass.
Jensen scrubs a paper towel over his face, trying to get all the coffee off. "Yeah," he says. "Dude, of fucking course."
*
Jared really does like his job. Granted, middle-school kids are pretty much the stupidest, most hormonal, least rational subsection of society that exists, but as Jensen delights in telling him, he's about at their maturity level, so it works out.
Jared sighs. Part of why he'd decided in the first place to not be out at work--beyond the obvious, that he had no idea what kind of environment it'd be for him to be out in--was that he didn't want the kids to dismiss him as being "that gay teacher." He wanted to be more than that to them.
It's three weeks into the school year and now he's realizing that they really need someone to be that to them. Half the kids talk (when it comes up) like they've never met a flesh-and-blood gay person before. Not always in a bad way, not like they're bad, but like they're some curious extinct race, like the dodo bird.
Jared's gay--bi, but he barely thinks that anymore, because he's with Jensen, and plans to be for the rest of his life--and he knows he's not the stereotype. He doesn't lisp, or wear makeup, or have limp wrists, and too many of his kids think every gay person in the world is like that.
It's not purely selfish, his wanting to come out. Not that he thinks wanting to hang out with your boyfriend in public ever counts as selfish.
"Hey," says Mr. Talbot--Keith, Jared reminds himself--sticking his head in Jared's door. "You coming tonight?"
"Yeah."
"You dragging that roommate we've heard so much about?"
Jared laughs, and he thinks Keith misses the strained note. "I think I will be, yeah."
He never actually told anyone that Jensen was his roommate. He just mentioned his name, and everyone decided they were roommates. He's not really sure how he's going to correct the misunderstanding. He's guessing Jensen will not be down with making out in the middle of the barbecue.
More's the pity.
*
Jared gets off work around four most days--the school day ends at two-thirty, but he has paperwork to do, and grading, and he likes to be around if any students are staying late and need to ask any questions. He's got a few loyal kids who like to stick around with him--he suspects they don't have a lot to go home to, so they'll just hang out in his room and catch the late bus if he's going to be around.
Today he's got three in there--Penny Jordan, Rita Lopez, and Danny Horowitz. He knows Penny and Rita think they're subtle, but they've both got monumental crushes on him. Not in a particularly bad way, he doesn't think--he's more like a celebrity to them, someone safe and pretty they can idolize. Neither of them actually have any expectation that he'll make a move on them, and probably no desire that he do it. They're not going to try to seduce him or anything, which he honestly worries about with a couple of the high school girls he's seen looking at him.
Danny he hasn't quite put his finger on yet. He's friends with both girls, but not good friends. Jared thinks Danny just doesn't want to be at home.
It's almost three-forty-five when his phone rings, pulling him away from this week's spelling quizzes.
"Mr. Padalecki," he says.
"Gets me so hot when you call yourself that," says Jensen, completely deadpan.
"Hello to you too," says Jared, trying to sound pissy, but unable to keep the smile off his face or out of his voice. "What's up?"
"This thing tonight--what time is it?"
"We're supposed to show up around seven."
Jensen hmms into the phone. "Okay. My last appointment for the day just canceled, so the boss authorized me to take off early so I can get the train. I'll be home around five, you can tell me what not to wear."
Jared laughs. "Doesn't that usually go the other way?"
"Hey, they're your friends, not mine. I'm at your mercy."
"You're going to regret that."
"Believe me, I know." He sighs. "Okay, I gotta let you go. Paperwork to do." He sounds genuinely sad about it, like he always does when he has to end a phone call, and it's one of the million things Jared adores about him. "Love you."
"Love you too," says Jared. "See you at home."
"Bye."
When he hangs up, Jared shouldn't be surprised to see three tweens looking at him wide-eyed, but he totally is. He really needs to remember when he has kids around him.
"Mr. Padalecki," says Penny, wide-eyed. "Was that your girlfriend?"
Jared snorts. "I'm hurt! You make it sound like it's totally inconceivable anyone would want to date me."
"You never mentioned her," says Penny, with a kind of sulky protestation that makes it sound like she has carefully monitored his conversation for any signs that he was in a relationship, and she's deeply upset that she was not vigilant enough.
"Shockingly," says Jared, "my love life has absolutely nothing to do with The Giver. I know it's hard to believe."
"But you like us!" protests Rita.
"I do," Jared grants. "But, and I know this always sounds really lame, but it's true, my personal life really isn't anyone's business but mine."
"But she called you!"
"Well, yeah. But it's after school hours, and I can't have a cell phone, so this is the only way to get in touch with me."
"Will you tell us about her?" asks Rita.
"Is she pretty?" asks Penny.
"How long have you been dating?"
"Guys," says Jared, exasperated. They're giving him pleading eyes. "Not that it's any of your business, but we met in college, and anyone you love is always gorgeous to you, so it's not even a real question. I am so far beyond biased." He glances over at the clock. "And the bus is gonna be here soon, so you guys gotta go."
The girls grumble and gather their stuff, and Jared notices Danny scuffing his feet, going slow. He waits until Penny and Rita have taken off to say, "You okay, Danny?"
Danny stares at the floor, but the looks up, resolute. "Your girlfriend," he says, clearly forcing his voice out. "She's not a girl, is she?"
Jared blinks. He feels the pieces falling into place around Danny, and swallows hard, his heart going out to this kid. "No," he admits. "His name's Jensen."
Danny nods, like he's not surprised, but it's still hard to hear, somehow. "He--how did you know?"
Jared can't actually tell Danny the 100% true story of how he realized he was bisexual, because it's probably illegal to share stories of your underage, alcohol-fueled sexual encounters with your future boyfriend with students, and even if it's not illegal, it's seriously awkward. "I dated some girls," he says, "and then--I met this guy, and none of the girls I'd ever been with felt like right like he did. I had always thought about guys, but--it wasn't til I met him that I really admitted it to myself."
"And you love him?"
"More than anything," says Jared.
"What about your parents?"
"It's different," says Jared. "I mean, clearly, but--once you get older, you love your parents just as much as ever, but you see them less. They're not as much of your life. And he's--my whole world."
Danny nods, looking at his shoes. "I don't think my parents--I'm already a disappointment."
"My parents still aren't totally okay with it," says Jared. "But it's not worth making yourself miserable to make them happy."
"I guess not," says Danny, sounding divided.
"It's hard," says Jared. "But you can talk to me anytime you need to, okay?"
Danny nods again. "Thanks, Mr. Padalecki."
"Yeah," says Jared. Then, "Don't miss the bus."
Danny's lips quirk up. "I won't."
*
Jared gets home later than he planned, because Miss Juarez cornered him and tried to establish if he was going to the barbecue tonight, and then wanted to chat about a lot of other things, and Jared is fairly sure the conversation ended with her implying she wouldn't be wearing panties tonight. On the bright side, this means Jensen's already on the couch when he gets in, and Jared wastes no time in pushing off his shoes and crawling in to curl next to Jensen.
"Hey," says Jensen, squeezing his shoulder. "Bad day?"
"One of my students came out to me," says Jared.
"Wow," says Jensen. "Jesus. You okay?"
It should be a weird question, except Jared doesn't feel okay. He feels tired and old and like a sham, like he's not prepared for the kind of person he needs to be to help these kids.
"Yeah," he says. "I mean, it's just--I didn't know what to tell him. I pretty much said it's worth it, and then felt like the biggest tool ever."
Jensen strokes his hair. "Tell me what happened?"
"You called, and the girls were all scandalized I had a girlfriend, and I dodged some questions and after they were gone he asked if my girlfriend was a boy."
"Did you tell him that awesome gaydar will serve him well later in life?" asks Jensen.
Jared pokes him in the side. "Shut up."
"Tell me the rest," says Jensen.
"He asked how I knew--" he hears Jensen start to snicker, and elbows him, harder than the poke. "I fudged that one, shut up. And then he asked if I loved you more than my parents, and told me his parents were already disappointed in him."
"And you said your parents didn't like it either but it's worth it," Jensen supplies.
"Pretty much," says Jared.
Jensen kisses the side of his head. "You did fine. Seriously." He gives Jared a final squeeze and then untangles. "Come on, pick out clothes for me."
Jared smiles. "If you insist."
*
Keith gave Jared exacting directions to his place, involving one bus and a lot of walking, because Jared said he'd take walking over multiple buses any day of the week. Jensen is quietly supportive by his side, not holding his hand, but walking close enough Jared can feel his warmth. It's September, just getting nippy, and Jared is kind of excited for the cold months. He's always loved Christmas in Michigan, and the idea of getting to see the leaves turn into snow is a prospect he likes.
Jensen thinks it's freezing and grumbles all the time, but with a smile that lets Jared know he never wants to be anywhere else.
Keith greets them at the door with a wide smile. "Jared! Hey, you made it!" He turns to Jensen, still grinning. "And you must be the infamous roommate--Jensen? I never got your first name."
"Jensen," says Jensen, smiling back just as warmly and shaking Keith's hand. "Jensen Ackles."
Keith flushes. "Oh, fuck. Sorry. I've only heard it as a last name, I figured Jared just always called you--"
Jensen waves his hand. "No problem. It's what I get for my hippy parents."
"Well, it's great to meet you either way. Jared talks about you all the time."
"Yeah," says Jared, clearing his throat. "About that. Jensen--I should have corrected you guys about this a while ago, but, uh. Jensen's not actually my roommate. I mean, he is, because we share a room, but--he's my boyfriend."
Keith's face goes through a number of transformations, including surprised and wary, but he settles on surprised and delighted. "Can you tell Inez that? Like, immediately? And then tell her that I am available, and cute, and totally funny, and completely heterosexual. Because I am absolutely not above crush-rebound sex."
Jared laughs, more than he should, but he doesn't think Keith notices too much. "I'll be sure to work it in to the conversation."
"Thanks, Padalecki. You're good people."
"Good to hear."
"And it's great to meet you, Jensen," Keith adds. "Everyone's out back, feel free to grab some drinks and then plan your public coming out. I'll be back to man the girl once Tanya and Oscar show up."
"That went okay," says Jensen lowly, knocking his shoulder against Jared's.
"Minimal scarring," Jared agrees. He takes Jensen's hand and weaves their fingers together, and they go back into the yard together.
*
It goes really, really well, Jared thinks. Inez is the only one who seems particularly upset, and Jared's sure it's less that he's gay and more that he's taken. He doesn't manage to get to the haaaaaaaave-you-met-Keith portion of the conversation, but Keith manages to get talking to her later in the evening, and gives Jared a subtle thumbs up. Mrs. Nelson, who teaches geometry and tells Jared he must call her Gloria, tells him she's disappointed he has a boyfriend, because she's been looking for a young man for her nephew Martin, but that Jensen seems like a charming boy. Jensen flushes to the tips of his ears and gives her a thank you, ma'am. A few people ask if the administration is aware, and when he explains he's going to use it to support the idea that they need a GSA, a few of his fellow teachers agree that it's important and promise their support.
Jensen starts flagging early--he always gets tired fast at social events, and it doesn't help that he got up early today. Jared wraps an arm around him where he's chatting with Tanya and Melanie's husband Jack. "You ready to go?"
"If you are," says Jensen, clearly doing his best to not look eager.
Jared laughs. "You look like you're about to fall over."
"I'm fine," says Jensen. "I'll stay as long as you want."
"I'm ready to go," says Jared.
Jensen stares at him, as if he thinks he has x-ray vision that can detect whether or not Jared is lying.
"You know," says Tanya, smiling at Jared, "Oscar and I were about to go anyway. We can give you a ride home if you'd like."
Jared beams. "Really? Yeah, that'd be awesome."
Jensen falls asleep on him in the back seat, burrowed in close and snug. Jared smiles down at him, and almost misses when Tanya clears her throat.
"How long have you been together?" she asks.
"My freshman year of college," says Jared.
"That's quite a while."
"Coming up on four years," he agrees, not even bothering to hide his own grin.
"And still going strong," she says.
It's not a question, but Jared looks down at Jensen, mouth open, drooling slightly, hand curled possessively in Jared's shirt. "Yeah," he replies. "Still going strong."
Author: Chash
Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Pairing: Jared Padalecki/Jensen Ackles.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None!
Word Count: 3400.
Summary: College AU! No longer in college, actually. Jared out in the real world, with his real job, and the best boyfriend ever.
Notes: I am so braindead Jesus Christ this is probably RIDDLED WITH TYPOS. But enjoy guys! I have had a super awesome year here.
Disclaimer: Lies and untruths.
Jared becomes aware that Jensen is home when he feels lips brush against the back of his neck and arms wrap around his waist. He leans back into it and murmurs, "Welcome back."
Jensen sighs. "I was trying not to wake you up."
Jared smiles, rearranges so he's facing Jensen. "Hey," he says, giving Jensen a quick kiss. "I don't mind."
Jensen shakes his head. "Of course you don't. You don't need sleep."
Jared nods. "I'm amazing like that. How was class?"
Jensen shrugs, repositions so he's more comfortably curled up against Jared. "Fine. Really just want it to be over, though."
Jensen's been getting certified for various emergency situations so that he can make a little more money at work. They're not hurting, exactly, but they're not saving as much as they'd like, so they'd both agreed that the extra income would be great, and two weeks wasn't too long.
It's coming up to the end of the first week now, and Jared's thinking they were kind of wrong. The class itself doesn't go to late, but Jensen has a bitch of a commute because they're out in the suburbs. They'd gotten rid of Jensen's truck because the insurance was too much, to say nothing of gas and maintenance, and they're close to public transportation. But the train comes infrequently at night, and a lot of Jared's evening is taken up texting Jensen while he's waiting for or riding on it. By the time Jensen gets back, Jared has to have turned in--he's teaching at the middle school, which starts freakishly early, and he has to get there too--and they barely have any time together. Even knowing it's temporary, it's hard on both of them.
Jared drops a kiss onto the top of Jensen's head. "Yeah, I know."
"I figured being a real adult would be cooler than this," says Jensen.
"Aren't you gonna learn how to staple a guy's head shut or something?"
Jensen smiles. "Yeah, that's going to be cool."
"That's what I'm saying."
"The boss said that homosexuals are bringing down society today," says Jensen quietly.
Jared tightens his arms. "You should really complain to HR, man. Seriously."
"I know," he hedges. "I'm just--it is a big deal, and I don't want him to get away with it, but, fuck, I'm tired. I don't even have the brain power to deal with this right now."
"Hey, I'm not judging or anything. Trust me, I know exactly how much you like gay people."
Jensen laughs. "Yeah, you would. Homo. How are the kids doing?"
"Good. I mean, as well as middle schoolers can be. You know, they're all surly and angry and full of hormones." He considers. "You don't have class tomorrow, right?"
Jensen groans happily. "No, thank god."
"One of my coworkers is having a barbecue," he says. "Told me to bring my roommate."
Neither of them is out at work. Jared's been thinking about it--the school doesn't have a GSA, and he's been lobbying for one, and the administration is hemming and hawing and saying they're not sure if anyone at the school needs that. He wants to bring Jensen, not as his roommate but as his roommate, partly to test the waters with his coworkers, partly to keep Miss Juarez who teaches Spanish from hitting on him, and mostly because he loves Jensen and hates pretending he doesn't.
Jensen says, "You comin' out?"
"Thinking about it."
Jensen is quiet for a minute before he pushes Jared, repositioning him so he's on his back. "Wake me up in the morning to talk about this," he says, curling against Jared's chest. "Way too fucking tired."
Jared laughs and closes his eyes. "Yeah. I can do that."
*
Jared's alarm goes off at 5:45 and Jensen makes a noise that conveys his incredible distaste for the entire idea of waking up. Jared is used to this, manages to drag himself out from under Jensen, start the coffee, and get to the shower. When he finishes with that, he goes over and pokes Jensen in the side.
"Muh," says Jensen, managed to sound both confused and irate."
"Hello to you too," says Jared. "You told me to wake you up."
"I lied," says Jensen.
Jared shakes his head over Jensen's face, spraying him with beads of water.
"Jesus Christ, I hate you," splutters Jensen.
"Sorry, princess," says Jared, sounding not even slightly contrite.
Jensen drags himself out of bed and pulls on a t-shirt. "You made coffee, right?"
"In the kitchen."
Once Jensen's had a cup he slants a look at Jared. "I don't love you again, but I'd be kind of sad if you died."
"That's all I ever wanted from a boyfriend."
Jensen takes another swig of coffee. "So, you want to come out?"
"Test the waters with my coworkers before I go for the administration," he explains. "You think I'm nuts."
"Pretty much always," Jensen agrees. "But not in particular for this."
"Okay," Jared grants. "But what if I need you to protect me from Inez?"
"That's the Spanish teacher who's like half your size, right?"
"The terrifying one," Jared corrects,
Jensen snorts, which he clearly didn't think through, because he does it right into his coffee and gets it all over his face. Jared is pretty much required by law to laugh at him.
"Fuck you," says Jensen.
"Come," says Jared, earnestly, because he never loves Jensen quite as much as he does when he's being a grumpy dumbass.
Jensen scrubs a paper towel over his face, trying to get all the coffee off. "Yeah," he says. "Dude, of fucking course."
*
Jared really does like his job. Granted, middle-school kids are pretty much the stupidest, most hormonal, least rational subsection of society that exists, but as Jensen delights in telling him, he's about at their maturity level, so it works out.
Jared sighs. Part of why he'd decided in the first place to not be out at work--beyond the obvious, that he had no idea what kind of environment it'd be for him to be out in--was that he didn't want the kids to dismiss him as being "that gay teacher." He wanted to be more than that to them.
It's three weeks into the school year and now he's realizing that they really need someone to be that to them. Half the kids talk (when it comes up) like they've never met a flesh-and-blood gay person before. Not always in a bad way, not like they're bad, but like they're some curious extinct race, like the dodo bird.
Jared's gay--bi, but he barely thinks that anymore, because he's with Jensen, and plans to be for the rest of his life--and he knows he's not the stereotype. He doesn't lisp, or wear makeup, or have limp wrists, and too many of his kids think every gay person in the world is like that.
It's not purely selfish, his wanting to come out. Not that he thinks wanting to hang out with your boyfriend in public ever counts as selfish.
"Hey," says Mr. Talbot--Keith, Jared reminds himself--sticking his head in Jared's door. "You coming tonight?"
"Yeah."
"You dragging that roommate we've heard so much about?"
Jared laughs, and he thinks Keith misses the strained note. "I think I will be, yeah."
He never actually told anyone that Jensen was his roommate. He just mentioned his name, and everyone decided they were roommates. He's not really sure how he's going to correct the misunderstanding. He's guessing Jensen will not be down with making out in the middle of the barbecue.
More's the pity.
*
Jared gets off work around four most days--the school day ends at two-thirty, but he has paperwork to do, and grading, and he likes to be around if any students are staying late and need to ask any questions. He's got a few loyal kids who like to stick around with him--he suspects they don't have a lot to go home to, so they'll just hang out in his room and catch the late bus if he's going to be around.
Today he's got three in there--Penny Jordan, Rita Lopez, and Danny Horowitz. He knows Penny and Rita think they're subtle, but they've both got monumental crushes on him. Not in a particularly bad way, he doesn't think--he's more like a celebrity to them, someone safe and pretty they can idolize. Neither of them actually have any expectation that he'll make a move on them, and probably no desire that he do it. They're not going to try to seduce him or anything, which he honestly worries about with a couple of the high school girls he's seen looking at him.
Danny he hasn't quite put his finger on yet. He's friends with both girls, but not good friends. Jared thinks Danny just doesn't want to be at home.
It's almost three-forty-five when his phone rings, pulling him away from this week's spelling quizzes.
"Mr. Padalecki," he says.
"Gets me so hot when you call yourself that," says Jensen, completely deadpan.
"Hello to you too," says Jared, trying to sound pissy, but unable to keep the smile off his face or out of his voice. "What's up?"
"This thing tonight--what time is it?"
"We're supposed to show up around seven."
Jensen hmms into the phone. "Okay. My last appointment for the day just canceled, so the boss authorized me to take off early so I can get the train. I'll be home around five, you can tell me what not to wear."
Jared laughs. "Doesn't that usually go the other way?"
"Hey, they're your friends, not mine. I'm at your mercy."
"You're going to regret that."
"Believe me, I know." He sighs. "Okay, I gotta let you go. Paperwork to do." He sounds genuinely sad about it, like he always does when he has to end a phone call, and it's one of the million things Jared adores about him. "Love you."
"Love you too," says Jared. "See you at home."
"Bye."
When he hangs up, Jared shouldn't be surprised to see three tweens looking at him wide-eyed, but he totally is. He really needs to remember when he has kids around him.
"Mr. Padalecki," says Penny, wide-eyed. "Was that your girlfriend?"
Jared snorts. "I'm hurt! You make it sound like it's totally inconceivable anyone would want to date me."
"You never mentioned her," says Penny, with a kind of sulky protestation that makes it sound like she has carefully monitored his conversation for any signs that he was in a relationship, and she's deeply upset that she was not vigilant enough.
"Shockingly," says Jared, "my love life has absolutely nothing to do with The Giver. I know it's hard to believe."
"But you like us!" protests Rita.
"I do," Jared grants. "But, and I know this always sounds really lame, but it's true, my personal life really isn't anyone's business but mine."
"But she called you!"
"Well, yeah. But it's after school hours, and I can't have a cell phone, so this is the only way to get in touch with me."
"Will you tell us about her?" asks Rita.
"Is she pretty?" asks Penny.
"How long have you been dating?"
"Guys," says Jared, exasperated. They're giving him pleading eyes. "Not that it's any of your business, but we met in college, and anyone you love is always gorgeous to you, so it's not even a real question. I am so far beyond biased." He glances over at the clock. "And the bus is gonna be here soon, so you guys gotta go."
The girls grumble and gather their stuff, and Jared notices Danny scuffing his feet, going slow. He waits until Penny and Rita have taken off to say, "You okay, Danny?"
Danny stares at the floor, but the looks up, resolute. "Your girlfriend," he says, clearly forcing his voice out. "She's not a girl, is she?"
Jared blinks. He feels the pieces falling into place around Danny, and swallows hard, his heart going out to this kid. "No," he admits. "His name's Jensen."
Danny nods, like he's not surprised, but it's still hard to hear, somehow. "He--how did you know?"
Jared can't actually tell Danny the 100% true story of how he realized he was bisexual, because it's probably illegal to share stories of your underage, alcohol-fueled sexual encounters with your future boyfriend with students, and even if it's not illegal, it's seriously awkward. "I dated some girls," he says, "and then--I met this guy, and none of the girls I'd ever been with felt like right like he did. I had always thought about guys, but--it wasn't til I met him that I really admitted it to myself."
"And you love him?"
"More than anything," says Jared.
"What about your parents?"
"It's different," says Jared. "I mean, clearly, but--once you get older, you love your parents just as much as ever, but you see them less. They're not as much of your life. And he's--my whole world."
Danny nods, looking at his shoes. "I don't think my parents--I'm already a disappointment."
"My parents still aren't totally okay with it," says Jared. "But it's not worth making yourself miserable to make them happy."
"I guess not," says Danny, sounding divided.
"It's hard," says Jared. "But you can talk to me anytime you need to, okay?"
Danny nods again. "Thanks, Mr. Padalecki."
"Yeah," says Jared. Then, "Don't miss the bus."
Danny's lips quirk up. "I won't."
*
Jared gets home later than he planned, because Miss Juarez cornered him and tried to establish if he was going to the barbecue tonight, and then wanted to chat about a lot of other things, and Jared is fairly sure the conversation ended with her implying she wouldn't be wearing panties tonight. On the bright side, this means Jensen's already on the couch when he gets in, and Jared wastes no time in pushing off his shoes and crawling in to curl next to Jensen.
"Hey," says Jensen, squeezing his shoulder. "Bad day?"
"One of my students came out to me," says Jared.
"Wow," says Jensen. "Jesus. You okay?"
It should be a weird question, except Jared doesn't feel okay. He feels tired and old and like a sham, like he's not prepared for the kind of person he needs to be to help these kids.
"Yeah," he says. "I mean, it's just--I didn't know what to tell him. I pretty much said it's worth it, and then felt like the biggest tool ever."
Jensen strokes his hair. "Tell me what happened?"
"You called, and the girls were all scandalized I had a girlfriend, and I dodged some questions and after they were gone he asked if my girlfriend was a boy."
"Did you tell him that awesome gaydar will serve him well later in life?" asks Jensen.
Jared pokes him in the side. "Shut up."
"Tell me the rest," says Jensen.
"He asked how I knew--" he hears Jensen start to snicker, and elbows him, harder than the poke. "I fudged that one, shut up. And then he asked if I loved you more than my parents, and told me his parents were already disappointed in him."
"And you said your parents didn't like it either but it's worth it," Jensen supplies.
"Pretty much," says Jared.
Jensen kisses the side of his head. "You did fine. Seriously." He gives Jared a final squeeze and then untangles. "Come on, pick out clothes for me."
Jared smiles. "If you insist."
*
Keith gave Jared exacting directions to his place, involving one bus and a lot of walking, because Jared said he'd take walking over multiple buses any day of the week. Jensen is quietly supportive by his side, not holding his hand, but walking close enough Jared can feel his warmth. It's September, just getting nippy, and Jared is kind of excited for the cold months. He's always loved Christmas in Michigan, and the idea of getting to see the leaves turn into snow is a prospect he likes.
Jensen thinks it's freezing and grumbles all the time, but with a smile that lets Jared know he never wants to be anywhere else.
Keith greets them at the door with a wide smile. "Jared! Hey, you made it!" He turns to Jensen, still grinning. "And you must be the infamous roommate--Jensen? I never got your first name."
"Jensen," says Jensen, smiling back just as warmly and shaking Keith's hand. "Jensen Ackles."
Keith flushes. "Oh, fuck. Sorry. I've only heard it as a last name, I figured Jared just always called you--"
Jensen waves his hand. "No problem. It's what I get for my hippy parents."
"Well, it's great to meet you either way. Jared talks about you all the time."
"Yeah," says Jared, clearing his throat. "About that. Jensen--I should have corrected you guys about this a while ago, but, uh. Jensen's not actually my roommate. I mean, he is, because we share a room, but--he's my boyfriend."
Keith's face goes through a number of transformations, including surprised and wary, but he settles on surprised and delighted. "Can you tell Inez that? Like, immediately? And then tell her that I am available, and cute, and totally funny, and completely heterosexual. Because I am absolutely not above crush-rebound sex."
Jared laughs, more than he should, but he doesn't think Keith notices too much. "I'll be sure to work it in to the conversation."
"Thanks, Padalecki. You're good people."
"Good to hear."
"And it's great to meet you, Jensen," Keith adds. "Everyone's out back, feel free to grab some drinks and then plan your public coming out. I'll be back to man the girl once Tanya and Oscar show up."
"That went okay," says Jensen lowly, knocking his shoulder against Jared's.
"Minimal scarring," Jared agrees. He takes Jensen's hand and weaves their fingers together, and they go back into the yard together.
*
It goes really, really well, Jared thinks. Inez is the only one who seems particularly upset, and Jared's sure it's less that he's gay and more that he's taken. He doesn't manage to get to the haaaaaaaave-you-met-Keith portion of the conversation, but Keith manages to get talking to her later in the evening, and gives Jared a subtle thumbs up. Mrs. Nelson, who teaches geometry and tells Jared he must call her Gloria, tells him she's disappointed he has a boyfriend, because she's been looking for a young man for her nephew Martin, but that Jensen seems like a charming boy. Jensen flushes to the tips of his ears and gives her a thank you, ma'am. A few people ask if the administration is aware, and when he explains he's going to use it to support the idea that they need a GSA, a few of his fellow teachers agree that it's important and promise their support.
Jensen starts flagging early--he always gets tired fast at social events, and it doesn't help that he got up early today. Jared wraps an arm around him where he's chatting with Tanya and Melanie's husband Jack. "You ready to go?"
"If you are," says Jensen, clearly doing his best to not look eager.
Jared laughs. "You look like you're about to fall over."
"I'm fine," says Jensen. "I'll stay as long as you want."
"I'm ready to go," says Jared.
Jensen stares at him, as if he thinks he has x-ray vision that can detect whether or not Jared is lying.
"You know," says Tanya, smiling at Jared, "Oscar and I were about to go anyway. We can give you a ride home if you'd like."
Jared beams. "Really? Yeah, that'd be awesome."
Jensen falls asleep on him in the back seat, burrowed in close and snug. Jared smiles down at him, and almost misses when Tanya clears her throat.
"How long have you been together?" she asks.
"My freshman year of college," says Jared.
"That's quite a while."
"Coming up on four years," he agrees, not even bothering to hide his own grin.
"And still going strong," she says.
It's not a question, but Jared looks down at Jensen, mouth open, drooling slightly, hand curled possessively in Jared's shirt. "Yeah," he replies. "Still going strong."