FIC: Know Your Damn Constituents, Part 3 of 4

[bekkis]

Part Three



Two Years Earlier

Jared's sitting next to him on the couch, his feet up on the coffee table. Jensen takes a long sip of beer, glancing over at the TV before looking at Jared again. Jared grabs a few kernels of popcorn from the bowl between them and stuffs them into his mouth. He glances over at Jensen, and Jensen flushes, looking back at the TV.

"What, do I have something on my face?" Jared grins and wipes a napkin over his mouth. Jensen shakes his head and looks back at the TV.

It's late. It's really late, and Jensen should be at home, in bed sleeping next to Joanna. Instead he's sitting on the couch with Jared, sharing a bowl of popcorn and watching a movie Jensen hasn't paid attention to at all. It's completely wrong, because Jensen just wants to reach over and do things he isn't supposed to want. He glances over at Jared again, who's watching him carefully, like he's trying to figure something out.

Jensen turns his head back towards the TV, ignoring Jared's gaze. He can't...he really should go home. He feels the cushions shift, and Jared places the bowl of popcorn on the table, wiping his hands on his jeans. He moves closer to Jensen and places his hand high up on Jensen's leg.

"Am I...is this...?" Jared tightens his hand, and Jensen can feel the warmth of his palm seeping into his leg. Jensen turns his head towards Jared and swallows. His beer almost slips out of his hand, and he places it on the table.

He turns towards Jared, his eyes flickering from his eyes to his mouth. He's about to make the biggest mistake of his life, and he doesn't care.

Jensen lifts his hand to Jared's jaw, and presses his mouth against Jared's. He pulls back, meeting Jared's eyes before pressing forward again, opening his mouth and letting Jared push him against the arm of the couch.

Jensen never does remember what movie they're watching. He just remembers laying there on the couch, Jared's mouth sure and steady against his, Jared's giant hands against his skin.

***

Jensen sits in his car, scrolling through his contacts on his phone. He stops at Jared's name and stares at it for a moment before hitting the "send" button. This is a bad idea. A monumentally bad idea. Making out in dark corners late at night with only a few staffers around is a bad idea. But Jared lives with Chad. They'd be better off hooking up on the steps of the Capitol, because that would be less embarrassing than Chad finding out. But the phone is ringing, and Jared answers before voicemail kicks on.

"Jensen? Is everything okay?" Jared sounds sleepy, and Jensen glances up at the clock on his dashboard. It's almost 2 A.M.

"Oh, shit, sorry man. I didn't know how late it was." He can hear Jared yawn on the other end.

"What's up?"

Jensen closes his eyes for a minute.

"Nothing I just..." He coughs. "Can I come by?"

"Oh. Chad's at Sophia's. Just call me when you get here."

Jensen nods, tracing the pattern on the seat. This is a monumentally bad idea.

Ten minutes later, Jensen is standing in Jared's apartment. Jared looks tired, and Jensen feels bad for about thirty seconds for waking him up. But Jared looks warm. His t-shirt is wrinkled, and his hair is a mess, but he looks young and sweet. Jensen just really wants to kiss him. Jared runs a hand through his hair and wipes his eyes, leaning against the back of the couch. Jensen's had a seriously long day, and he just wants to curl up with Jared and forget everything. But he can't, because they don't do that. He thinks of Joanna for a minute, feeling guilty. But Jared's well aware of Joanna and he wanted this anyway.

"What's up?" Jared yawns, and Jensen just shrugs. "Seriously, it's like 2 .AM. And you know I have that meeting first thing tomorrow, and I'd like to, you know, be somewhat functioning."

Jared reaches his hand out to rub Jensen's arm. It's that small touch that pushes Jensen into action. He leans into Jared, grabs the front of his t-shirt and kisses him. Jared gets with the program pretty fast, twisting them around and pushing Jensen against the back of the couch, cupping Jensen's jaw as he pushes his tongue into Jensen's mouth. Jensen lets out a low groan as Jared presses up against him harder, their groins rubbing together. Jared pulls him away from the couch and pushes Jensen towards his bedroom. Jensen trips over a pair of shoes in the hallway, and Jared laughs a little as Jensen tries to regain his balance. Jared reaches for Jensen again, pushing the suit jacket off his shoulders as Jensen struggles with his belt.

Jared pushes Jensen into the bedroom and pulls his t-shirt over his head, mussing his hair. Jensen laughs, and Jared just smirks before reaching for Jensen’s dress shirt and unbuttoning the first few buttons, kissing the skin he exposes. Jensen's laugh turns into a groan, and he pulls meekly at Jared's shorts. Jared's got half his shirt unbuttoned and is pushing his hands against Jensen's chest and kissing his collarbone. He slides his hands down to the button of Jensen's pants as Jensen tries to do the same, and their hands brush against each other. Jared laughs softly against his skin, and Jensen lets out a huff. Jared manages to get Jensen's pants unbuttoned, and he pushes them down his legs. They fall down to Jensen's ankles as Jared pushes him down on the bed.

"Seriously, dude, could you at least finish getting my clothes off?"

Jared just laughs, and together they manage to get Jensen's shoes and pants off. Jared slides up Jensen's body to kiss his mouth again, rutting against Jensen slowly. The kiss is sloppy and messy, Jared caring less about technique and more about getting Jensen naked. Jared's fingers fumble on the last few buttons of Jensen’s shirt, before Jensen pushes Jared off and pulls his shirt over his head. He raises an eyebrow at Jared, who just pouts and pushes Jensen back down onto the bed.

They're both a little more frantic now, just wearing their underwear as they push up against each other. Jensen's hand strokes down Jared's back, down to his ass and into his shorts. He pushes them down off Jared's hips, as Jared does the same to him. Jensen ends up with his boxers down around his ankles. Jared rubs his hands down Jensen's side, nipping at his bottom lip as Jared slips a leg between Jensen's thighs. Jensen arches against him, grasping at Jared's side. Jared's touching him everywhere but his dick, rubbing his hands across Jensen's chest, pulling his mouth away from Jensen. Jared licks across Jensen's nipple, getting it wet before nipping at it with his teeth. He does the same to the other as Jensen rubs against him, trying to relieve the pressure in his groin. He can feel Jared's dick heavy against him.

Jared slides back up the bed and kisses Jensen again, more desperate and sloppy this time. He spreads his hands against Jensen’s hips, pressing him into the bed and Jensen moans into the kiss.

“God Jensen, so fucking hot,” Jared moans and mouths against Jensen’s jaw. Jensen tries to buck upwards, but Jared’s got him pinned to the bed.

“Jared, I need...” Jensen groans and he feels Jared grinning against his skin.

Jared slides one hand from Jensen’s hip and teases him with light touches before wrapping his hand around Jensen’s dick. Jensen lets out a low moan as Jared strokes him. It takes Jared a few tries to get the rhythm right and before Jensen even realizes it, he’s moaning and pressing his face into the bedspread and bucking into Jared’s fist. Jared mouths across his neck, sucking and biting and Jensen threads his hands in Jared’s hair and pulls Jared’s face up to his.

“Jared...” Jared surges up and kisses him and twists his hand and Jensen’s coming fucking everywhere. He catches his breath and he can still feel Jared hard and leaking against his leg.

Jared wipes his hand across his mouth and flops down on the bed next to Jensen. He's still hard; Jensen's reaches over and wraps his hand around Jared's dick. He starts to lean down to suck Jared into his mouth, but Jared shakes his head and brings his hand down over Jensen's. They bring Jared off together, Jared desperately kissing Jensen. It doesn't take long; Jared's comes quickly, getting come all over both their hands.

They both take a minute to catch their breaths before Jared rolls off the bed and pads off to the bathroom to get a towel. Jensen just lays there, his stupid boxers still dangling off his left foot. He's still wearing his socks. Jared walks back into the room with a soft smile on his face as he hands Jensen the towel. When Jensen's done cleaning off his hand, Jared sits back down on the bed next to him. Jensen leans over and kisses Jared again, his hand resting on Jared's thigh. He glances over at the clock and groans. Jared just laughs at him.

"Well, you're the one who came over at 2 A.M. for a booty call." Jensen flips him off, and Jared rubs his back. "Do you wanna crash here?" Jensen just gives him a look, and Jared sighs, looking away. They both know this was already bad enough, but Jensen sneaking out in a few hours to change and get back to the Hill is an even worse idea.

Jensen pulls his boxers up and starts getting dressed. Jared just sits on his bed, picking at his nails and pointedly not looking at Jensen. Jensen's got half his shirt buttoned up when he can't take the silence anymore.

"What's wrong?" Jared grabs his shirt off the floor and pulls it over his head. He walks over to his dresser to pull on a clean pair of boxers. He won't meet Jensen's eyes.

"Seriously, man, what's up?"

"Nothing Jensen. I'll see you in a few hours."

Jensen gives up buttoning the rest of his shirt, grabs his jacket and shoes, and flees from Jared's room. He feels like an asshole, showing up in the middle of the night for sex and running off right after. He weighs the thought in his mind for a minute before walking back towards Jared's room.

"Did you wanna cuddle?"

Jared looks up at Jensen and starts laughing. Jensen grins, and Jared just shakes his head.

"Just get outta here."

Jensen's satisfied, the air cleared for now, and heads out to his car.

***

Jensen's risking everything, running around with Jared like this. Stolen kisses in the hallways, telling Joanna he has to work late, and then sneaking over to Jared's for an hour or two. It's seeping into everything he does. Jared still argues with him daily, trying to change Jensen's mind about the same beliefs he’s had for years. It's unnerving, how Jared gets under his skin.

Jensen gets to the office early on a Tuesday morning, bleary eyed from accidentally falling asleep at Jared's and he has to run back to his apartment at 4 A.M. to get ready for the day. He juggles his coffee and laptop, dropping everything on the desk, when the Senator's door opens.

Chris just slides the day's agenda over to Jensen and points to an item about halfway down the page. Jensen rubs his eyes sleepily, reading down the page. His heart stops for a second, and he glances up at Chris.

"That time of year, huh?" Jensen swallows down some coffee, a feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach.

***

Jared slams his hand down on the table, making Jensen jump. They're having lunch in Jared's office and Chad is pacing as he talks on the phone.

"Those ignorant, homophobic assholes."

Jared's not really eating his lunch, and Jensen can barely swallow down his own sandwich.

It's the annual "let's make gay marriage illegal" vote. Jensen's never had a strong opinion on it one way other another; he knows the opinion polling, knows that in another twenty years it might not even be an issue anymore, but right now, it's hitting him way to close to home. It's a subject he and Jared barely touch, because it's never been something Jensen's really cared about one way or other. He’s always peddled the States rights bullshit, but now he doesn't know.

This is just another way Jared's gotten under his skin, fucked with his head and everything he believes in.

He spent the morning on the phone with constituents, alternating between reassuring them the Senator is voting for the bill and trying to explain why the Senator's voting for it. Now he's sitting in a room with Jared, and he feels like an ass. He can barely look at Jared.

"Can you believe this bullshit?" Chad throws his phone on the desk, and he looks genuinely angry.

"I guess, yeah," Jensen says, shrugging. Jared throws his sandwich down in disgust.

"Those fucking assholes. Like it's not bad enough you can't walk down the fucking street in half the country without getting your ass kicked, we have to put up with this...legislating hate. Fucking unbelievable."

Jensen shifts awkwardly and picks at his sandwich, his appetite completely gone.

"It's not gonna pass, Jay. I mean, c'mon, this is just their annual hate parade. Fuck ‘em," Chad says, rubbing Jared's back. He gives Jensen a look, and Jensen bites his lip.

"They don't have the votes. They just want to make the next election cycle harder for a couple of Dems, that's all," he says, except his own boss is voting for it, and Jensen can't tell him not to.

"Fucking assholes. Let's see how they like the government tellin' 'em who to love." Jared glances up at Jensen, and Jensen looks away, not wanting to meet Jared's gaze.

"Yeah...it's fucked up," Jensen says, and looks up at Chad. Fucked up doesn't even begin to cover it.

***

Jensen stands awkwardly in the Senator's office, his hands shoved into his pockets. He might just throw up.

"Jensen, what can I do for you?" The Senator leans back in his seat.

"The vote, later today."

"On the marriage amendment?"

Jensen nods and pulls his hands out of his pockets, twisting his fingers nervously.

"I think you should vote against it."

The Senator drops his pen and stares at Jensen. "What?"

"Look, sir, you believe it's a states rights issue, and this is just a clear violation of that. It gives you enough cover to vote against it, and the way things are shifting out there, it might end up being used against you."

"I never thought you were a gay rights activist, Ackles."

Jensen coughs. "Well, sir, it's just...I mean, the way the tide's turning out there. You've seen the polling. The tide's starting to turn on this, and we don't want to be on the wrong side."

"Yeah, Jensen, in Connecticut the electorate is in favor of gay rights. Not Texas." Jensen shrugs and the Senator continues, "You're serious?"

"Yes, sir. This is...it's wrong. And I can't...I can't work for you if this is the kind of stand you're going to take." Jensen can't believe he just said that, but this is...it's different now.

"I never knew you felt so strongly about this."

"Things change, sir."

The Senator nods.

"If you really feel that way...I don't want to lose you, Jensen. You have a bright future in the party, and this will just ruin everything you've worked for."

He's right. Jensen's spent years working his way through the Hill, gaining a reputation that's brought him a lot of respect in the party. But he thinks about having to face Jared after that vote, having to say to his face that he told his boss to vote for that amendment, and it kills him. He thinks about Joanna, getting more and more suspicious every day, about Jared's eyes whenever he leaves to run back home. This thing with Jared, it's going to get messy soon, and Jensen has no idea what he's doing.

"I know, sir."

"Think it over." The Senator glances down at his watch before looking back up at Jensen. "I have a floor vote. I guess I'll see you afterwards, then." Jensen nods and watches the Senator leave his office, pulling on his suit jacket.

He just possibly fucked up his entire career over a gay rights vote. Over Jared freakin’ Padalecki.

***

Jensen stands in front of Jared's apartment door for a moment, letting out a slow breath. He knocks on the door and shoves his hands in his pockets, waiting for Jared to open the door. Fuck, he really hopes Chad isn’t around.

"What happened to you?" Jared asks as he opens the door. He reaches out and runs his finger along the edge of Jensen's eye.

Joanna's stronger than she looks. Jensen says this as Jared lets him into the apartment, his hand resting low on Jensen's back. Jensen tries not to flinch as they walk inside and Jared leads him to the couch. He disappears into the kitchen and comes back with a frozen bag of veggies. Jensen raises an eyebrow but takes it, wincing at the cold as he presses it against his face.

"What happened?" Jared sits down next to him. "You took off after lunch. It never made it to a floor vote."

Jensen swallows and averts his eyes. "Yeah, I heard."

Jared pulls the frozen bag away from Jensen's face and presses his fingers against the bruised skin. Jensen swears and leans away from Jared, batting his hands away. He can see Jared frowning out of the corner of his eye.

"Seriously, you disappear and show up with a black eye and Chad said Chris Kane almost took him out in the parking lot. What's going on?"

"You sure Chad wasn't just being, you know, himself?"

Jared hit his arm. "Stop being a dick. What's going on?"

Jensen shifts on the couch uncomfortably and takes the offered bag from Jared. He presses it against his face again just to avoid meeting Jared's eyes.

"Joanna punched me."

"Seriously? Damn, I would've never...Oh. Shit." Jared pauses and rests his hand on Jensen's back. "You told her."

Jensen nods. He wants to move away from Jared and put some distance between them. "Yeah."

Jared doesn't say anything for a minute. He rubs his hand up and down Jensen's back. "Damn."

Jensen laughs a little and scoots away from Jared, throwing the frozen bag on the table. "So she punched me. Which I can't really blame her. I mean, I'd punch me too, you know."

"Jensen..."

"Jared, c'mon. This is ridiculous.”

Jared's quiet for a minute and Jensen can feel the cushions shift as Jared tries to move closer.

"Are you breaking up with me?"

Jensen laughs. "For fuck's sake, we're not dating. You knew about Joanna, don't try to pretend this was something else."

"So this was..."

"A big fuckin' mistake. It's gotta end."

He can feel the cushions shift as Jared gets off the couch.

"So this was just...god, I can't believe...no, you're right. This was just a big mistake and I was fucking stupid to think it might be something else."

Jensen pulls himself off the couch, careful not to touch Jared at all as he gets up."I got an offer to work for a firm down in Austin. The money's good."

Jared opens and closes his mouth a few times. "So that's it. Just like that, you're leaving? You’re not even gonna try this?"

"Jared, I can't. What would I tell my parents? Joanna already...I lost my best friend tonight. I lost both of them. Chris won't speak to me either. We're fooling ourselves to think this would work. I mean, c'mon, Jared. What did you expect? Did you really think I could tell my family about this? Tell my dad about this?" Jensen crosses his arms against his chest. "Anyway, I just wanted to say goodbye."

Jared bites his bottom lip. “Just like that? God, you’re such a fucking coward. Well then. Goodbye." He gets off the couch and walks towards his room.

Jensen’s done here. He walks out of the apartment, thinking of Joanna throwing her shoes at him when he told her, of Chris telling him to leave before he kicked his ass. It's true. He could never tell his family what he feels for Jared. He can't lose his family, not even if he got Jared in return. Jared's turned him upside down and made him question everything he believes in. He needs to get away. From Jared, from D.C., from all the feelings he has. He needs to regroup, start over.

At least, that's what Jensen keeps telling himself as he calls a cab to the airport.



Present Day

To: jackles@gmail.com, thechad@gmail.com
From: jpadalecki@gmail.com
Subject: Election Day Parties

Please forward this memo to your staffers regarding the Election Day events. Let's not make my head explode this time, ok Chad?

***

Jensen's pacing across the floor of the plane. The Governor is trying to catch some sleep, his feet up on the chair across from him. Jensen can hear the toilet flush, and Jared opens the door to the tiny bathroom on the plane. He flushes a little and wipes his mouth.

"Did you yack?" Jared nods, and Chad tosses him a box of mints. "Feel better now?" Jared nods and flops down into the chair across from Chad. Jensen's still pacing.

"Seriously, Ackles. You're making me dizzy. Sit your ass down," Aldis says, glaring up at Jensen. He's working on the speech for tonight, and he looks like he's about thirty seconds from losing his shit.

"Are you gonna be like this all day?" Chad gives him a look from over the top of his laptop, as Jensen flops down into an empty seat. "Cause it's only 10:00 and I won't spend another twelve hours watching you pace."

Jensen flips him off. "Shut up."

Chad tosses his napkin at Jensen. "You shut up."

"Okay, seriously, I'm gonna punch someone in about thirty seconds if you don't stop it." Jared glares at both of them, and they both put their hands up.

"Calm the hell down,” Chad says and glares at Jared.

"I'm going to fire all of you if you don't let me get some sleep." The Governor doesn't open his eyes, but his tone is enough to shut them all up.

***

Looking back on the day, Jensen can't remember much between stumbling onto the campaign plane and waiting backstage, watching CNN and waiting to hear results. Misha is on his phone, and his hair has never looked crazier. He also looks about five seconds away from tearing all his hair out. Aldis is locked away, frantically finishing the Governor's speech.

It's that time, right before the polls close in the East. The West is just starting to vote. Anything could happen in the next few hours. It's either going to be a long night, or it'll be over before midnight.

Jensen walks over to Chad, who's sitting on the couch, watching CNN. Chad barely acknowledges him, except for passing over a bottle of water. Jensen downs half of it, before screwing the cap back on.

"Wolf Blitzer is a jackass." Jensen nods, searching his pockets for his pack of cigarettes.

"He's a tiny, tiny man." Jared flops down on an empty chair, his hair falling all over his face. His suit is beyond wrinkled, and he hasn't shaved in a few days.

"But he's mostly a jackass." Chad glances over at Jensen. "What the hell are you doing?"

"I need a smoke."

Jared gives him a look. "Smoking's bad for you."

Jensen rolls his eyes as Chad passes him a cigarette.

"Yeah, well, it's too early to drink." Jensen and Chad walk out a side door and Jensen smiles at the security guys outside the door. They nod at him and Jensen lights his cig before passing the lighter to Chad.

"So. What are you gonna do when this is all over?"

Jensen just shrugs, taking a drag from his cigarette. "Sleep. For a week."

Chad rolls his eyes and blows smoke at Jensen.

"Not what I meant, fucker. What are you gonna do?"

"I have no idea, man." Chad just nods, blowing out a smoke ring. Jensen rolls his eyes at him.

"If the Governor offered you a job...?"

"Dude, don't say shit like that! You wanna jinx it? You better not let Jared hear you say shit like that."

Chad rolls his eyes and puts out his cigarette.

"Okay, if we win. Would you?"

Jensen just shrugs. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't thought about it, but he's not sure if he wants to go back to D.C.

"Haven't really thought about it." He puts out his cigarette, and tosses the butt into the empty water bottle he brought outside with him.

"Yeah, yeah, you big lying liar."

Jensen punches him in the arm as they both go back inside. As they walk back over to Jared, Jensen can see Misha hanging up his phone.

"Seriously, would a shower kill you, Jared?" Misha rubs his eyes sleepily as Jared flips him off.

"I've been a little busy."

Misha eyes him warily.

"Yeah, well, I can smell you over here."

Jared raises his arm towards his face and sniffs a little before getting up and sitting down in Misha's lap.

"I smell fabulous, thank you very much And I'm very busy and important and didn't have time for a shower this morning."

Misha pushes him onto the floor as Jensen and Chad laugh at them.

"I'm busy and important. I took the time to shower this morning."

"Seriously, Jay, you smell pretty rip." Chad makes a face as Jared flops down into a chair.

Jared glares at all of them. "You know, I can just fire all of you."

"I didn't even say anything!" Jensen says.

Jared gives him a look. “You were thinking about it, though.”

Misha's phone rings, and he looks at the display, and groans before answering it.

"Yeah...ok...mmhm...thank you!" Misha turns to them, grinning.

"Polls are closing in ten minutes. CNN is gonna start calling this thing."

***

Jensen can barely believe it when they actually win.

It's late. Really late. The Governor's speech rivals his speech from the convention, and he's in a corner with his wife, drinking and celebrating their big win. Jensen is with Chad and Danneel, comparing their election night bets.

"There's no way they get sixty seats."

"I dunno, Jensen. It's getting close." Jensen takes a sip of his beer as Danneel refreshes the webpage.

"Okay, maybe fifty eight. But Minnesota? Alaska? There's no way you're picking up those two seats."

Chad rolls his eyes. "Didn't you see the polling? Your guy is down by five points."

Jensen throws a piece of paper at Chad, who just bats it out of the way.

"Just give it up already. You know you lost." Danneel grins at Jensen as she pushes her laptop closed and puts it on the table between them.

"We'll see who's right." Jensen sticks his tongue out at her before draining his beer. He spots Jared out of the corner of his eye and watches as he walks outside. "I'm gonna go get another beer." He jumps up out of his seat and rushes away before Chad or Danneel can say anything.

He's been building up his courage for this moment for weeks. He's drunk enough that he can blame his word vomit on the booze if Jared doesn't react well.

"Hey, Jared."

Jared's leaning against the wall, one of his feet propped up against the side. He changed out of his suit into jeans and a t-shirt, the neck of the shirt stretched out, exposing his collarbone. His eyes are closed, but they open when Jensen speaks.

"Hey."

Jensen leans against the wall next to Jared, brushing his arm against Jared's.

"Crazy night, huh?"

Jared laughs a little. "I can't wait to get some sleep."

Jensen nods and closes his eyes. His hand brushes against Jared's, and he jerks his hand back. He clenches his fingers once before brushing his hand against Jared's again. Jared pushes away from the wall.

"What are you doing?"

Jensen looks away and shrugs.

"What happened last time? I'm sorry."

Jared just stares at Jensen.

"You really want to talk about this now?" Jared takes a step closer. "That was like over a year ago. I'm over it."
Jensen nods and reaches out to touch Jared. Jared sucks in a breath when Jensen's hand brushes his stomach and takes another step closer.

"I know." Jared's standing right in front of him now, and Jensen rests his hand on the waist of Jared's jeans. Jared starts to reach up, but hesitates for a moment. Jensen bites at his bottom lip, and Jared places his hand flat against the wall next to Jensen's head.

"Okay." Jared leans down and presses his mouth against Jensen's. Jensen lets out a little noise before tightening his grip on Jared's waist. Jared's hand rests on Jensen's jaw, his thumb stroking against his skin. Jensen opens his mouth and slips a leg between Jared’s and Jared slides his tongue against Jensen's.

It's exactly like Jensen remembers. Jared tastes like beer, and he's flushed and sweaty, but it's perfect. It's like they've been doing this every day, like it hasn't been over a year since this last happened.

They make out against the wall for a long time until the door leading outside slams against the wall, making them fly apart.

"What's up, motherfuckers?" Chad has a beer in his hand and his walk is unsteady. "We need more booze." He leans heavily against the wall next to Jensen. He can smell the beer, and he glances at Jared, who's grinning at Chad.

"Then let's get some booze."

***

“Jaaaaaared!” Chad screeches.

The night has finally wound down and now it’s just the senior staff piled into Jared’s hotel room. Misha and Danneel have taken over the couch and Jensen’s pretty sure Danneel’s about to get what she’s been wanting through the whole campaign. Jensen’s sitting beside Chad and Aldis, and since they kissed earlier, Jared has been throwing him looks the whole night.

Everyone starts laughing and Jared pulls himself out of his chair unsteadily, beer in hand. He holds his hands up, looking serious and everyone settles down.

“I propose...” Jared belches.

“Jared Padalecki, campaign manager.” Misha waves his hand towards Jared. “It’s his way with words that got him this far,” Misha says and Danneel giggles against his neck.

“Shut the fuck up, can’t you see the man is tryin’ to say something?” Chad says, glaring at Misha.

“Thank you! I propose a toast.” Jared raises his beer. “To the President-Elect, because otherwise we’d all be unemployed.”
Everyone laughs but takes a drink.

“To Chad, because he’s a cheap motherfucker.”

Even more laughter this time and Jensen drains his beer, not quite ready to hear what Jared says next.

“And to Jensen.” Jared’s quiet for a moment and meets Jensen’s gaze. “Because he’s one mean sonabitch, but we couldn’t have done it without you.” There’s agreement around the room and Jensen watches Jared take a drink.

Jared doesn’t take his eyes off of Jensen for the rest of the night. Jensen’s in the middle of arguing with Aldis over the returns from the West Coast when Danneel and Misha leave quietly. Jensen grins at her as they leave and Danneel flips him off as the door shuts behind her. He risks a glance at Jared, who looks amused. Jared gets up from where he’s flopped out on his bed and crowds onto the couch next to Jensen.

“Who won?” Jared asks, resting his arm against the back of the couch. The senior staff had a running poll on Congressional seats and Chad and Jensen were tied for bets before the West Coast polls were closed.

Jensen groans and rubs his hand across his face while Aldis laughs at him. They’re both stupidly drunk and now Jared’s sitting next to him, smelling and looking so fucking good.

“Chad won,” Aldis says.

Chad raises his arms in victory and spills his beer on the floor.

“Victor and champion. The Republicans can go fuck themselves!” he yells.

“One fucking seat!” Jensen croaks.

“You can’t win ‘em all, Ackles,” Jared says, patting his back. Chad’s still parading around the room with a shot glass. “What’d you miss?”

“Alaska.” Jensen turns to look at Jared. “I can’t believe he beat me out.”

Jared smirks and glances around the room. He leans down to whisper in Jensen’s ear. “I didn’t want to tell you this, but Chad? He always wins. He’s like, the fucking master at this shit.”

Jensen groans and buries his face in Jared’s neck. He can feel Jared’s hand sink into his hair and he can’t help but grin and sit back. Jared’s smirking and Jensen can feel the couch shift as Aldis gets up and ushers Chad out of the room.
Chad yells, “Don’t have too much fun, you fuckers!” before Aldis shoves him out of Jared’s room. It reeks of booze but Jensen couldn’t give a shit because Jared’s sitting right there and he just wants to kiss him.

So he does.

Jensen slides his hands into Jared’s hair and kisses him. Jared moans and pushes him down on the couch, his back crinkling against papers and napkins. He hitches his hips up and Jared presses him into the couch. Jensen deepens the kiss and tastes tequila and beer and chips. Jared’s hands slide down to grab Jensen’s hips and he moves his hips to rub against Jared’s, their cocks rubbing together.

“Fuck, Jensen,” Jared gasps and sits up. “Fuck, not...not on the fucking couch.” He sits up and runs a hand through his hair. He pulls Jensen towards the bed and they both stumble, falling onto the bed. Jared pushes the empty cups off the bed and moves backward until they’re at the headboard. He pulls Jensen into his lap and they’re kissing again, Jared’s hands firm on his ass. Jensen pushes his hand down on Jared’s crotch and Jared pushes his hips up into Jensen’s hand. He unbuttons Jared’s jeans and Jared helps him push them down and off.

He’s got Jared’s boxers off and a hand wrapped around his cock in the next minute, stroking him sloppily as they kiss. It’s a little awkward, and Jensen’s got no rhythm because he’s so goddamn drunk. But Jared’s moaning and pushing up into Jensen’s fist.

“You got...” Jensen starts. Jared nods towards his bag, and Jensen rolls off the bed, padding towards Jared’s bag. He finds what he needs quickly, refusing want to think about who Jared’s slept with. He stumbles back to the bed, the room spinning a little. Jared’s completely naked now. He smirks at Jensen and grabs his dick, stroking once and arching into his hand.

“Fucking hell, Jared.” Jensen clambers up to Jared and pulls his shirt off. Jared helps him push his jeans off and then they’re both naked, rubbing against each other. Jared’s hard and leaking against his thigh and Jensen just wants Jared so fucking badly. He lubes his fingers up and Jared spreads his legs and moans.

He’s got two fingers inside of Jared, twisting and stretching him and getting lube all over the goddamn sheets. Jared’s thrusting down on his fingers and moaning like crazy, begging Jensen to fuck him and Jensen’s never been able to resist that. He pulls the condom on with shaky hands and then he’s sliding inside of Jared.

“Fuckin’ missed this,” Jared slurs and bucks up into Jensen.

“Me too,” Jensen groans and thrusts into Jared, trying to find the right rhythm. It doesn’t take long before Jared’s bucking against him and begging for more. Jensen rests his hands on either side of Jared’s head and fucks into him, fast and hard.
It’s so fucking good and neither one of them last very long. Jensen can feel his orgasm building and he reaches down to jerk Jared off in time with his thrusts. Jared comes all over his hand and Jensen follows.

He presses his face into Jared’s neck and pulls out of Jared slowly. Jared keens and Jensen rubs a hand down his side as he slides out completely. He flops down onto the bed next to Jared, resting his hand on Jared’s stomach. Jared blinks sleepily at him and Jensen pulls the condom off and throws it in the trash. Jared turns and snuggles close to him and that’s the last thing Jensen remembers before he falls asleep.

***

Jensen wakes up the next morning and groans. He's on his stomach, and he rolls over, his mouth dry and stale. His head is pounding, and when he rubs his hands over his eyes to block out the sun, he hits something solid next to him. He opens one eye and looks over. Jared's out cold, his hair falling down across his eyes, his mouth open as he sleeps.

Jared's not wearing a shirt. Neither is Jensen.

"Uhh..." Jensen lifts the covers and looks down and bits and pieces of the night before start to come back to him.

They fucked.

Next to him, Jared starts to wake up, groaning as he turns over.

"Time issit?" He rubs a hand over his face, eyes squinting in the sun.

"No idea." Jensen swallows and meets Jared's eyes. Jared isn't freaking out. Jared looks over at the clock on the table next to the bed and groans.

"Need more sleep." Jensen nods, and Jared turns back around to face him. His eyes close, and he slips off to sleep soon after. Jensen watches him sleep for a few minutes before he starts to drift off himself.

Jensen wakes up a few hours later. He can hear the shower running in the bathroom. He looks over at the clock and falls back down onto the bed. He pulls the covers over his head and groans.

When he hears the bathroom door open, he pulls the blankets off his head. Jared's wearing jeans and a t-shirt, his feet bare as he towel dries his hair. He meets Jensen's gaze and smiles softly.

"What's up?" Jensen picks at the blanket and looks down. He can hear Jared sigh and he sits down at the end of the bed. "Look, Jensen. We were just...we were drunk and excited. It doesn’t have to mean anything."

"Right." Jensen doesn't meet his gaze, just stares at the blanket covering him.

"Nothing's changed since last time. We can't do this again." Jensen just nods. He wants to say that something has changed, that everything is different now and that he can do it this time. He doesn’t say any of that and instead just gives Jared an awkward smile.

"Chad called. Wanna go meet him for dinner?" Jared asks, changing the subject.

"Yeah, sure." Jensen slides out of the bed and pulls his jeans on.

"You okay?" Jensen forces a smile and nods. Last night didn't mean anything to Jared. He fucked up his one chance. Tomorrow he's on a plane back to Dallas, and he's not ready to leave.

Part Four