Smoke & Lightning: City Of Angels (16/?)
Title: Smoke & Lightning : City Of Angels (16/?)
Authors: eviltwin and bloody_adorable
Fandoms: Supernatural RPS AU
Pairing: Jensen Ackles / Jared Padalecki.
Wordcount: 6,159
Rating: Adult.
Summary: Jared has a long road to recovery ahead of him, but Jensen's not going to let that stop them.
Disclaimer: None of the following is true in any way, and no profit is made from this work of fiction.
MASTER POST
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
"You're going to have to do it sooner or later."
"Fuck off."
Even though Jared was angry and not being particularly nice, Jensen couldn't help but smile. The man was sounding more and more like his old self again, even if his voice didn't yet hold the power it used to. "Come on," Jensen encouraged. "I'll be here to help you."
There was a nurse in the room with them, a physical therapist that had decided it was time for Jared to get moving.
"No," he refused yet again. "Every fucking rib I have is broken. My leg was nearly severed in half. I'm not walking."
"Oh, God," Jensen laughed. "And you tell me I'm dramatic?"
"No, I tell you you're a girl." He narrowed his eyes at Jensen, watching the man watch him in return. "No," he said again. "I'm not getting up."
"She doesn't want you to run a marathon, Jay," he told him. "She wants you to sit up and put your legs over the side of the bed. Don't tell me you can't do that?"
He just glared a little more. "No."
Jensen smiled politely over to the therapist, nodding to the door. She headed out of the room with him not far behind. "I'm sorry," he apologized.
"It's understandable, Doctor A," she smiled sweetly. "Most everyone looks at us like we've lost our minds when we go in to start the sessions."
He nodded and winked at her. "He'll do it next time," he assured her. "I'll light a fire under his ass, I promise."
She giggled. "Sounds good."
He watched her go for a moment before returning to Jared's bedside. "Well, you handled that maturely." Jared's bed was in a semi-reclining position, giving Jensen just the right angle to lean his elbows at the man's head and press a kiss to his forehead.
"I fucking hurt, Jen."
His smile vanished, Jensen nodded his head. "I know you do, Jay," he said to him. "But you've gotta get up and move around."
"Why?"
"Because if you don't, you could get pneumonia and die," he explained. "You started breathing on your own, and you woke up, but that doesn't mean you're not still in danger. You're strong and healthy, and that's going to help you along the way, but if you just sit here--"
"I get it," he frowned, flopping his head upon the pillow behind him. "Just stop talking, okay?"
Jensen smiled, brushing his hand over Jared's forehead. The man's hair was long; he would need a haircut soon. He wondered about asking Stevie to cut it before she and Jeff headed back home, whenever that was. "Your new pain meds working okay?"
Jared nodded, turning his sad eyes up to Jensen. "Yeah," he breathed softly.
"And you know I can get you something for that breakthrough pain, you just gotta tell me."
Jared shook his head this time. "I don't want to get hooked on that shit."
"You won't," he assured him.
"I don't want it."
Sighing, Jensen nodded. "Alright." There wasn't anything he could do if Jared refused the meds. "I have some good news though." He didn't wait for Jared to come back with a snarky comment. Instead he smiled brightly and played with the man's hair, brushing it back from his forehead. "Holly and Corey are on their way."
It didn't seem to take much to tire him out. It could have been because he couldn't breathe so well from his painful ribs. It could have been from the relaxing motion of Jensen's hand on his forehead, in his hair. But, regardless, already Jensen could see that Jared’s eyes were growing heavy. "Yeah?" Jared said, his voice still a little scratchy from the intubation tube.
"Yeah, be here pretty soon," he nodded. "Kenzie and Phin are bringing them in."
A smile grew on Jared's cut lips. "You put Phin in a car for eighteen hours with a seven year old and a five year old?" When he laughed, he made a pained sound, and he winced, setting his right hand to his left side. "Ow, don't--don't make me laugh," he said, even though he desperately wanted to.
Jensen chuckled with him, so happy to see that smile on the man's face, even if it was laced with pain. "I'm sorry," he said. "It is pretty funny. He really wants to see you."
Grunting, Jared tried to relax again as the pain in his ribs subsided a little bit. "Wanna see him too," he said, slightly out of breath. "But I don't want the kids to see me like this."
"Jay."
"I look like a raw piece of hamburger, dude," he complained. "It'll scare them."
"We've told them what's happened. They're insisting, Jay," he said. "They want to see you. Holly's been a bear lately, I guess. She's absolutely terrified. Acting out really badly. It'll do her good to see you." He bit at his bottom lip and glanced across Jared's face. He wasn't sure if it was the right time or not, but he plowed ahead anyway. "Someone else wants to see you too."
"Who?"
Taking a deep breath, Jensen swallowed nervously. "Do you remember me telling you about Matty? The little boy whose Dad broke his leg?"
Sleepily, Jared nodded. "Yeah."
He wasn't sure how to continue, so there was a good measure of silence in the room. "He...Social Services is going to place him in foster care for awhile, I'm sure," he finally said. "But then...Then he can go to a home."
"Okay."
"He's asked if he can live with us."
Jared's swollen, bruised eyes met Jensen's. "You kidding me?"
Jensen smiled. "No," he answered. "I told him that I'd have to talk to you, and I know it's not what you want, Jay. I know this isn't the best time either, but he wants to come in and meet you and I don't want to do that to him if we're going to flat-out say no, so I said I'd talk to you and I am, I just--"
"Jen," he said, holding one hand up. "Slow down."
Taking a deep, calming breath, Jensen nodded.
Jared gazed up at him and, even through sleepy eyes, he could see how much this meant to Jensen. He had promised that when they got to LA, and got settled, they would talk about the whole family thing. They weren't what Jared would call "settled," still working the kinks out of a lot of things. And he hadn't gotten to really put any money down on the business he wanted. Part of him wondered if he just didn't feel settled because they weren't in Texas. He realized, right then, that he needed to stop putting things off. He was there, with Jensen, the only person he'd ever wanted to be with, and they needed to start making their lives there. Not just existing.
Nodding, Jared's eyes slowly blinked, sleep trying desperately to take hold of him. "Let him come in," he agreed.
Stunned, Jensen just stared at him for a moment. "R-really?"
He nodded again. "Yeah," he answered. "I want to meet him."
Just the look in Jensen's eyes spoke volumes to Jared. You have no idea how much this means to me. Jared half smiled and nodded. But before he could say what had amused him so, he drifted off to sleep.
When he awoke again, Jared found his room filled with people, all of them staring at him. He looked all of them over at first, not saying a word. His eyes still heavy, he wasn't sure if he was really seeing the people, or if he was still dreaming. His eyes fell to Jensen. "Do you see all these people?" he asked. "Or am I hallucinating again?"
Jensen chuckled and nodded his head. "They're here to visit," he explained.
"Oh." He turned to them again, trying to pick out individual faces in his half-awake state. He wasn't given much time though. He saw Phin, and then Kenzie. As his eyes met hers, she rushed at him, throwing her arms around him, forgetting momentarily that he was injured. Though he grunted in pain, Jared reached up and held her with his good arm.
"Kenzie, careful," Jensen warned.
Jared met his eyes. "She's okay," he said softly. Kenzie trembled in his arms, telling him that she was crying. So much for it only being Holly that was dealing badly with the whole thing.
"You're my best friend," she whispered to him. "Don't you ever do that to me again."
Jared closed his eyes. "I'm sorry, sweetheart," he said back, just as gently.
As she pulled back, Jensen caught movement out of the corner of his eyes. He turned just in time to see Stevie wipe tears away from her eyes as she held Corey. The little boy was unfazed. He was just happy to be out of his car seat. Jensen felt tears stinging his own eyes, but didn't let them fall. Not in front of them all.
Kenzie pulled away, composing herself. While she did, Jared looked directly to Phin. The man came forward without invitation, reaching out to him. Jared took hold of the man's hand with his right one, smiling. "You survived."
"So did you," Phin returned.
"Just barely."
Chuckling, Phin nodded. "Same here."
Jared smiled a little brighter, watching Phin step back. This time his gaze fell upon Jeffrey. In the man's arms was Holly, her long, gangly legs dangling at his waist. She was in pajamas and she looked very tired from the road trip. Her hair was in pigtails, wisps of the locks having fallen out of the ties. "Hey, pipsqueak," Jared spoke to her in his scratchy voice.
She did not reply to him, instead resting her head on Jeffrey's shoulder. Jeff turned and whispered something in her ear but she shook her head.
"I look all scary, huh?" Jared said. He felt scary. He hadn't seen himself yet, but he knew, from his broken nose, the cut over his eye, and the fractured cheekbone, that he had some serious facial bruising going on. And that wasn't the worst of it.
Holly nodded.
"I'm alright," he said. "All these wires and stuff. Just make me more like Darth Vader." He saw that his words oddly settled well with her. "Come here, come sit with me."
Jeffrey spoke to her again, and this time she nodded. He moved closer to the bed and set her down on Jared's right. "Hey, tough guy," he greeted, his eyes twinkling at Jared.
"Hey, gorgeous," he returned.
"We'll leave you two alone."
"We won't go far," Jensen added. "Be back in a few minutes."
Jared nodded and watched them go, the hydraulics on the door hinge hissing softly as it closed with a dull thud. He turned his attention to Holly. "Oh, wait, you're the gorgeous one, aren't you?"
Holly smiled. "Are you okay, Jay-Jay?"
He returned her grin. "I am, baby," he said. "I just need some time to heal up. Then I'll look as beautiful as I was before."
She giggled, her smile brighter. She reached across his chest and pointed to his banged-up arm. "Your tattoos are all messed up now."
He nodded and tried to lift his head and arm simultaneously. A sharp pain seared through his side, but he persisted. "Yeah," he grunted. He rested again, looking over at her. "You'll help me figure out what new stuff to put there?"
"A Transformer," she laughed.
"A Transformer?" he smiled, trying not to laugh only to avoid another sharp pain in his side. The kid was obsessed with the movies and toys lately. "The Holly-bee?"
She giggled again, nodding her head. She was quiet for a moment, leaning against his right side, watching him. "Jensen told Daddy that you died."
Jared knew that Jensen wouldn't give such details with Holly in the room. He narrowed his eyes at her. "Were you eavesdropping again like you're not supposed to?" His little sister had become a notorious little spy.
She looked down at Jared's hospital gown, scratching at the starched fabric with a small, nimble finger. "Yeah," she said. "But only 'cause...'cause I was so worried."
He smiled and patted at her leg, letting her off the hook this time. "Alright," he agreed.
"Did you die?"
He nodded. "That's what they tell me."
"Do you 'member anything?"
This time, he shook his head, his lips pursed. "Nope."
"Jared?"
"What, pip?"
She looked into his eyes, not caring that they were still blood-red from broken blood vessels. "I'm glad you di'n't die."
When they had told him what had happened, it hadn't affected him as much as when he looked into those big, innocent, grateful brown eyes. It took a handful of seconds before he felt capable of answering her. "Me too, baby."
* * *
"Oh," Jared breathed, clearly in pain. "I fucking hate every goddamn one of you." With his right hand, he had a hold of Jensen's shirt, crumpling the fabric in his fingers. The sound of Jensen's chuckle only infuriated him more.
"Come on," Jensen encouraged. He smiled over at the physical therapist, thankful that he had previously warned her of Jared's temper and choice adjectives. "You can do better than that."
A cough.
It was so simple. Yet Jared found himself unable to perform the simple task. He tried. He hated admitting it, but he was terrified to actually cough. He knew it was going to hurt. And hurt bad.
But Jensen wasn't going to let him get away with not doing it this time. With the help of the Physical Therapist, he had finally gotten his legs over the side of the bed, even put some weight on his broken leg. That, at least, didn't feel broken, merely sore. It just felt weird with the rod and screws in there.
His left arm was in a sling. His shoulder still ached, as did his fractured wrist, but not nearly as much as the broken collarbone. The raw patches of skin were scabbed over, but Jensen kept putting some sort of lotion on them to keep them soft. Jared was thankful for that, now that he was to be moving around more.
"Can you stand up a little straighter?" the therapist said to him.
He met her eyes. "Look," he began, his voice laced with pain. "Judy, is it?"
"Aimee," she returned.
"Close," Jared nodded. "Look, I'm doing the best I can here, okay? So, unless you want to see blood--"
"Jared," Jensen said, gently warning him to remain calm. "We'll forego the cough for now if you walk around a little bit."
Pursing his lips and attempting a small sigh, Jared gazed over at Jensen for a second before straightening his spine, standing taller. It was actually better, he found. He was able to put his good arm around Jensen's shoulder, and his breathing seemed somewhat freer.
Aimee clapped her hands, pleased that Jared had successfully straightened and took a small step closer to Jensen. "Excellent," she encouraged. "Now..."
Jared watched her turn, step out the door, and return again with a walker in her hands.
"Now we're going to have you walk," she announced.
"No," Jared refused. He eyed the walker, insulted. "No, come on," he said. "This is fucking humiliating enough. My ass all hangin' out in here, I'm not walking down the hall so that every old lady can gawk at me."
Jensen chuckled. "You've never been afraid to show off your ass before."
"That's what I'm saying," Jared nodded. "I'll have people bothering me non-stop."
Rolling his eyes, Jensen laughed. "Come on, just for a little while."
"Man," Jared complained. He unlaced his arm from around Jensen's shoulders and gripped one side of the walker. "I'm not this old yet."
"You complain like it."
Grumbling, Jared took a few tentative steps, eventually smiling. It felt good to get up and move around, regardless of his bitching. He was doing it - actually doing it, when, after hearing all that had happened to him, he thought for sure he'd be laid up for years.
"See?" Jensen chuckled. "You're doing fine."
"Shut up," he said, albeit through a smile.
"Alright, let's head back towards the bed," the therapist advised.
Jared eyed her for a moment. "You should be ashamed of yourself," he told her. "Propositioning me like that in front of him." He nodded his head towards Jensen.
"Laugh now, big guy," she grinned. "But when you get back there, you're still going to cough. And make it good."
"What? Why?"
"Because if you can talk this well and flirt, then you have enough air to give me one good cough for the day."
"Wow, I hate you."
"Yeah, yeah," she giggled.
Jensen was glad that the therapist had quickly learned how to handle Jared, how to talk to him. It helped out tremendously that she didn't let his lifestyle, his physique, or his attitude dissuade her from doing her job. Jared made it back to the bed and let go of the walker, instead grabbing hold of Jensen again. The therapist told him that the next time, he was going to do it all by himself. He grumbled at her, but accepted her rules.
It took about three tries before he coughed enough to please Jensen and the therapist. It hurt like a bitch, and he complained to them about it, but they persisted. After the third cough, Jensen nodded and let Jared swing his legs up and lay down again.
Back in bed, Jared suddenly looked completely worn out. The therapist left, telling him that she would see him tomorrow. Jared nodded and waved her away. Concerned, Jensen leaned in closer, brushing his hand over Jared's forehead. "You okay?"
Sleepy, he nodded his head. "Just tired," he told him.
"Well, you did really good, I'm proud of you."
"Be proud when I win a fucking marathon."
Jensen chuckled. "You just walked about ten feet on a broken leg, I might add."
"Well, we always knew I was awesome."
Chuckling again, Jensen nodded his head. "I've always told you that," he agreed.
In the stillness that followed, Jared's eyes grew heavier and heavier. He tried to stay awake, gazing up at Jensen, but it was getting more and more difficult to stay alert.
Jensen could tell that he was on his way to sleeping a good while. He felt his own stomach growl and glanced down at his watch. It was time to grab some dinner and maybe run over and see Matty, maybe even do some work. Brushing Jared's hair back away from his bruised forehead, Jensen spoke softly. "Hey," he said, rousing the man. "I'm just going up to my office, okay?" He smiled and nodded his head. "I have a shitload of paperwork to do, then I'll be back down after you rest some."
Surprising him, Jared shook his head. "No," the man refused.
"What?"
Jared shook his head again. "No, go home," he told him.
"Jay..."
"Go home," he said again. "Take a shower. Shave. Sleep in a bed. Our bed. Be normal for a little while. Leave me the hell alone, for God's sake."
Jensen's brow furrowed. He didn't like the sound of any of that.
"How the hell else am I going to flirt with that hot orderly, if you're here hovering all the time?"
His concern quickly faded and a smile crept across his lips. Shaking his head, Jensen chuckled and leaned in for a quick, careful kiss. "You're so bad," he said.
"Mm, that's why you love me."
"One of the many reasons," he agreed. He straightened and sighed. "Alright, fine. I'll go home. But I'll be back first thing. And I'll bring you some clothes so you don't have to flash your ass around to everyone, how about that?"
"Don't come back too early," he told him. "I want to sleep in before that psycho bitch comes back with her medieval torture devices."
* * *
It was the smell of coffee that woke him up. He lay on his stomach, one arm draped over the edge of the mattress. He'd lost his pillow sometime during the night, though where it was, he didn't know. Squeezing his eyes shut tighter for a handful of seconds, Jensen finally let one lid slip open just slightly. He just barely saw his sister's form, leaned over the bed and waving a mug of coffee under his nose.
"Ugh," he mumbled. He propped himself up on his elbows and turned to look at the bedroom window, the vertical shades drawn tightly to mask the sunlight. "What time is it?"
"Around ten," Kenzie told him. She mumbled to him to be careful, the coffee's hot, when he reached out and took it from her.
"Fuck, I've gotta get going," he said. He downed a few good sips of the black coffee, to get himself centered.
"It's okay," she shrugged, sitting down on the edge of the mattress. "Phin and Rock went out to get some things. They’re picking up the shorts and jerseys you asked for, for Jared. Jeff already went in though. He said he was taking the morning shift. I think him and Stevie are thinking about heading out soon."
Listening to her talk, Jensen set the mug of coffee on the nightstand. He turned over onto his back, pulling the covers up to his bare chest. He didn't really want to see any of them go, but he knew they couldn't stay forever.
"Oh, and work called," Kenzie continued. "They said you missed a meeting, but Jack Devereaux covered for you?"
Jensen groaned. "Ugh, I forgot," he said. "Jack's a good guy though. I'll have to buy him lunch to thank him." He raised his head up off the mattress and looked around the room. Plopping it back down, he looked over at his sister, throwing a thumb towards the door. "Alright, kiddo. Out," he said to her.
"Why?"
"Because I'm getting up, that's why."
"So, get up."
He nearly rolled his eyes at her, his long eyelashes fluttering. "I'm not exactly dressed for company, Kenz," he explained.
She suddenly giggled, standing from the mattress and reaching for the bed sheets. "You sleep in the nude?" she nearly shrieked.
"Get out of here, you freak," he laughed, slapping her hands away. He could feel his face turning a bright shade of red, his ears burning.
"That's nothing to be ashamed about," Kenzie said, still giggling at him. "Phin does it all the time."
Jensen froze. In the silence that followed, he stared up at his sister, eyes wide. She had halted the horseplay, instead returning his gaze, one hand covering her mouth. "Phin what?" he said sharply.
"I just..." Kenzie stammered for a moment. "I mean he told me that he does, that's all."
He didn't look convinced, still staring at her.
"I swear, Jensen," she said, raising her hands in the air.
"Do you have any idea how fucked up our family would be if anything happened between you two?"
She nodded.
"We're weird enough, Kenzie," he said, relaxing again. "Don't add to it."
* * *
The shower was intoxicating. It was supposed to wake him up, but Jensen couldn't keep his eyes open at first. Once he forced himself to move, to wash his hair at least, he finally felt himself waking up. And he felt pretty damn good. Jared had been right. The sleep in their own bed had been just what he'd needed. He felt refreshed and ready to tackle whatever the day brought.
Rinsing off his hair, Jensen stood in the stream of water for a few minutes, his eyes closed, spitting the warm water off of his mouth as he breathed out and back in again. His hand skated down his inked chest, across the ring that was pierced through his nipple. That quick shiver it sent through him, not really even enough to be called a shiver, made him think of Jared. It felt like decades since they'd been together there, at the apartment. In their bed.
He picked up the body wash, trying not to think about that. Regardless of his attempts, images flashed through his head. Jared hovering over him, Jensen on his back. Jared's fingers intertwining with his, pressing Jensen's hands into the mattress, pinning him there. When he closed his eyes, he could almost feel Jared's mouth on his, feel it inching down his throat, nipping kisses leaving a clear marked path down his neck, chest, and lower. And he swore that he could feel Jared's mouth on him, making his back arch, his mouth fall open, jaw slack. When he opened his eyes, he realized that it was his own soapy hands that had taken the place of Jared's mouth. He shouldn't be doing this. Not now, with everyone there. Stevie, Chris, Kenzie, the kids, his mother, for God's sake.
But he did not stop.
In his mind, he remembered just a couple weeks ago. Jared had been so predatory and sexy, knowing exactly what he wanted and taking it. Jensen still felt his breath being taken away when Jared acted like that. Even after all this time together. He still found himself awed, swept away, in love. Flashes of images, of times past, skipped through Jensen's mind. He remembered Jared hovering over him in a kiss, stretching Jensen's arms above his head, fingers interlocked. He closed his eyes, his memories accompanied with the sounds and smells of the moments. He could hear Jared's breathing in his ear, could smell the scent of his cologne and of their combined sweat. He could feel Jared's hands on him, coaxing him along. Could see Jared's mouth at the nipple ring Jensen had grown to love, or inching ever southward towards his cock.
Jensen gripped at the shower curtain bar with one hand, quickening the pace of the strokes. His knees went weak and warmth spilled from him. His mouth fell open and he could only hope that any of his heavy breaths or moans stayed in the shower with him. He shouldn't have done what he'd done, considering the apartment was filled to the brim with family, but his stress level had dropped considerably. It wasn't the same as being with Jared, of course, but it would do for now.
By the time he was out of the shower, the rest of the household was well into their day. His mom and Kenzie had both gone out, hopefully not talking about his sleeping habits as they did so. With his hair still wet, only toweled off and a touch of gel added, Jensen grabbed a slice of toast off the plate on the counter on his way to the door.
"Hey," Stevie almost snapped.
He halted and looked at her. "What?"
She pointed to a chair at the table. "Sit your butt down."
"Yeah, sit your butt down, Jensen," Holly called from the living room. She and Corey were standing on the sofa, gazing into the small kitchen area. Chris was seated beside Holly, but he made no move to reprimand her, nearly shaking with silent laughter.
"Sit on you butt," Corey giggled.
Stevie shot her daughter a look. "Holly Davidson Morgan, do you want a spanking?"
Her head lowered. "No, ma'am."
"Then sit there and watch your cartoons, and stop teaching your brother things like that."
Jensen watched the little girl turn around to watch the television again, her thunder having been stolen right out from underneath her. Corey merely giggled and plopped back down beside her. He smiled and met Chris's eyes momentarily. Turning his attention to Stevie, he crunched on his toast. "I'm fine," he told her. "I gotta get to the hospital."
"Jeff's with Jared right now," she said. "So sit your butt down. I'm making eggs."
"But I don't want--"
"You have to eat, Jensen."
It was easier to just give into her. He swallowed his bite of toast and nodded. "Can I get more coffee at least?"
"Yes," she agreed. "But then you sit down."
He poured himself a coffee and took a seat the other side of Chris, sipping at his drink and glancing at the kids, enthralled by the cartoons. They weren’t paying him any mind now, so he nudged Chris’s knee with his own and smiled when he looked round.
“Everything all right?” Chris asked.
“Everything’s fine. I’m just… I’m sorry. This wasn’t quite how we’d planned your vacation to go, y’know?”
Chris shook his head. “It’s not your fault, Jensen. Or Jared’s. Things happen. It’s just how life goes, is all. Besides, I’m getting the work done that I’m meant to. All I care about apart from that is being here for you guys. I know you’d do the same for me.”
Jensen nodded in agreement. “We definitely would. I just wish I could spend a bit more time with you.”
“There’ll be time.”
“What about Lynn and Johnny?”
“I thought I’d call them, see if she wants to fly out here with him for a few days. We’ll stay in a hotel while she’s here.”
“Do that,” Jensen told him. “It’ll be good to see them again.”
“Breakfast’s up!” Stevie called, and Chris pushed him up from his seat, laughing at the look he got for doing so. Jensen went back to the kitchen area, took a seat at the table there to eat. Stevie sat down opposite him, both hands wrapped around her own mug of coffee. Jensen thanked her for the food, and she waved the compliments away, telling him it wasn’t a problem. “So are you okay?” she asked, as concerned as Chris had been.
Jensen nodded. “I’m fine, honest. I slept really well.”
“We noticed. You’re still worried about him though, aren’t you?”
“Jared?” He shrugged. “A little. I’m more worried about Matty.” At Stevie’s confused look, Jensen remembered he hadn’t told them much at all about his recent conversations with the boy. He should ask her about it, he knew. So as he ate, he told her all about what he was hoping to do.
By the time they arrived to the floor, Jensen felt his nerves kick in. After all the assurances he'd given Matty, he couldn't help but wonder if the boy was as nervous as he was. Outside Jared's room, Jensen stopped and moved to stand in front of Matt's wheelchair. "You ready?" he asked.
Swallowing hard, Matty nodded. "I think so."
"Just remember," he said. "I can take you back anytime. He can be kind of…” Jensen trailed off, not knowing how to describe how Jared could be. “And if you're not comfortable one bit, you just tell me. Okay?"
Taking a deep breath, Matty nodded. "I'm ready."
Jensen backed into Jared's room, pulling the wheelchair with him. Partway through the door, he shifted Matty, resting his hands on the front of the chair and pushing the boy backwards. "Good morning!"
Jared looked up. He was sitting up in his bed, looking clean, shaven and happy, regardless of his black eyes, bruised nose and forehead, cracked lips and swollen cheekbone. He tossed down a Harley magazine that Jeffrey had left for him, smiling when it hit the side table with a solid thwack! "Good afternoon is more like it," he said.
"Look at you!" Jensen remarked. "Looks like they held you down for that sponge bath after all."
One arm still in a sling, Jared shrugged, opening his other arm. His hair was still wet, combed and neatly slicked back from his forehead, save for a few locks that spilled down in front of his eyes. "This, my friend, is a shower."
"Really?" Jensen returned, impressed. "They let you take a real shower."
"New bandages, and new clothes, thank you for sending them down this morning." He motioned to the basketball jersey and elastic-waist shorts -- easy to get on over his broken leg. He looked over at Matty, winking at the boy. "I had the help of a very pretty nurse. I think her name was Melinda."
"Liar," Jensen shook his head. "Jeff was here."
"Melinda," Jared nodded at the boy.
"Yeah, yeah," Jensen chuckled. He motioned to Matty. "Look what I found out in the hallway."
"Well, damn," Jared said, sounding extremely chipper. "Is it time to spray again?"
Matty smiled brightly.
"Ha, ha," Jensen returned, rolling his eyes. He looked down at the boy, setting both hands on the arms of the wheelchair. "Matty, this is Jared. Jared, this is Matty."
Jared patted the empty space next to him on the thin hospital mattress. "Come on up here and see me, Matty."
Hopeful, the boy looked up at Jensen. He shrugged in return. "You want to?" He smiled when Matty nodded his head. Leaning down, Jensen had the boy wrap his arms around him. Being careful to support Matty's cast-heavy leg, Jensen hoisted him up to the bed. He moved the nightstand, where some junk had cluttered, and rested the heel of the boy's cast on the table.
After throwing away a few things from the table, Jensen turned to Jared and Matty. Jared pursed his lips and motioned at the door with his thumb.
"What?" Jensen asked. He watched Jared repeat the motion. "You want me to leave?"
"You know him already," Jared said. "I don't."
Slightly exasperated, Jensen frowned. "You're welcome," he replied. He moved Matty's wheelchair out of the way, setting the brakes before heading for the door.
"Hey."
Turning, he saw Jared crook his finger at him. When Jensen neared him, he saw Jared motion again, this time wanting a kiss. Nervous, he glanced over at Matty.
"He's going to have to get used to it sooner or later."
Jared had a point. Leaning down, Jensen gave Jared a quick kiss, catching only a glimpse of Matty out of the corner of his eye. He suddenly didn't want to turn and see the disgusted face the child was making. He quickly left, glancing back only long enough to tell them that he'd return in a few minutes.
Once Jensen was gone, Jared turned his attention to Matty. He saw the boy's face was still contorted in a typical kid's reaction to any kiss, be it gay or straight. Chuckling, Jared set a hand to his ribs. "What?" he asked.
"Gross," Matty giggled.
"What, you don't kiss girls?"
He shook his head.
"Boys?" he teased.
"No," he answered, his smile still bright. "Kissing is for sissies."
His grin broadened some. "You might change your mind later," he told him. He eyed the child for a moment. He had dark hair, almost the same shade as his dark eyes, accented with long lashes. He was scrawny, not an ounce of fat on the kid. He was quiet, but he was quick to smile, which surprised Jared, knowing the kid's past already. Jensen had been good for him, too. "So, you're Matty."
Matty looked back over at him, smiling. "And you're Jared."
"Jensen tells me that you want to come live with us."
He nodded, his smile fading. "My dad was mean."
The declaration seemed to not really relate to the conversation at hand, and yet, at the same time, Jared could easily see how it did. "My dad was kind of an asshole too," he nodded.
"He was?"
"Yeah. Knocked me around every chance he got."
Matty nodded. "Mine too."
It was a big deal for him to admit that. "But then, my mom met this really great guy, and after she died, I lived with him. And he became my dad."
"He was nicer?"
"He's the best," he told him.
"Is he still your dad?"
Jared nodded. "The only one I've ever really had," he said. "And he married a really great girl, and they had my baby sister and baby brother."
Matty was quiet for a handful of seconds. "I don't want to go with the Social Services lady," he admitted.
"Why not? She's only trying to make sure you get a good home."
He shook his head, more adamant this time. "If I go with her, I won't see you or Doc Jensen again."
"Well, you might have to go with her for awhile, Matt," he said. "We can't just take you right away. There's a lot of stuff to see to first. And there's no guarantee that it'd all work out."
Matty knew that Jared was telling him the truth. And even though he liked being told the truth, it saddened him. "Will you try?"
He hadn't expected the boy's gaze to affect him as much as it did. But, just as when Holly had confided her thankfulness to him, Jared felt a tug upon his heartstrings. He smiled ever so slightly and nodded his head. "We'll try like hell."
NEXT