J/C fic - Play me Something (G)
Title: Play me something
Characters: Jared/Chris
Rating: G
Warning: Mentions of a Mental Disorder (OCD) - please note, I mean no offence with this fic... While I am no expert in mental illnesses, I have tried my best to make this fic as realistic as possible.. but it is still fiction! :) (Let me know if something is terribly wrong! I'll be happy to fix it!)
Word Count: 4,200
Beta: NONE!
Summary: Jared never thought that he would find someone as amazing as this man.
It was relatively quiet in the college library. Students researching and studying for their finals that were mere days away, the stress and tension however was palpable in the air, something Chris picked up on as soon as he stepped foot in the old building. Searching for his best friend, Chris spotted Jensen at a distant table, sitting with another guy, both of them seemingly deep in thought.
“Hey Jense!” Chris called out, receiving a few glares for his trouble. Chris ignored the looks, making his way over to his friend who had also looked up when he called out.
“Chris? What are you doing here?” Jensen asked, nervously looking between Chris and his other companion who had yet to look at him.
“You left this at home,” Chris explained tossing a large textbook down onto the table, one that Jensen had been using all night the previous night studying for his first exam.
“Oh Shit, yeah thanks man, I need this! I’ll see you back home tonight right? Or are you playing tonight?” Jensen asked, flicking through the book and opening up to a page full of notes.
“Nah, I’m playing tonight, how about you and your friend come along? Take a break from the studying?” Chris commented, reminding Jensen that he still hadn’t been introduced to the other guy who was currently gnawing at his bottom lip, eyes downcast but
frantically darting from side to side.
“Right, Jared? Jared? This is my friend, Chris, he lives with me. Chris, this is Jared, we have an anatomy class together,” Jensen said trying to get Jared’s attention.
“Nice to meet you,” Chris smiled, sensing something peculiar about the situation and not knowing exactly how to act.
The younger man looked up then back down then up again before meeting Chris’ eyes and smiling nervously, “Hi…” He nodded twice, his hand reaching out then hesitating before backing away and repeating the cycle again, this time holding it out for Chris to grasp.
Chris took Jared’s large hand in his own, appraising Jared’s form while the other man was still looking at him. He was simply gorgeous, albeit a bit shy, his brown hair was long and fell past the nape of his neck, his bangs falling over his bright hazel coloured eyes. The guy obviously worked out too, his large biceps were obvious under his tight fitting shirt and his grip on Chris’ hand was firm in his.
He must have been staring for just a little bit too long because no sooner had Chris thought about that hand, had Jared released his grip and looked back down. Chris coughed nervously, watching as Jared started wiping his hand against his thigh near furiously.
“Uh right, okay then, I guess I’ll just leave you two to your work, good luck then…” Chris said, feeling the sting of rejection, something he admittedly wasn’t use to in the past.
“You… You don’t have to…” Jared mumbled, looking up and down and then back up again in some sort of pattern, fingers tugging on his ear as he continued to gnaw on his bottom lip.
Chris looked to Jensen for guidance, not sure what to do. “I think we can do with a break now anyway,” Jensen shrugged, “Want to come and grab a bite to eat with us Chris?” Jensen asked, looking to Jared quickly to make sure that he was still okay with the change of plans.
“Sure, I’m starving,” Chris smiled, watching the two students pack their bags. Jensen all but threw all his books and stationery into his bag while Jared was evidently more particular about where everything went. All his pens, papers and books went back into their allotted spot, Jared checking them twice over to make sure nothing was misplaced.
They made their way towards a nearby diner, conversation flowed easily between the three people, laughing and chatting about the little things like classes and music, as if nothing was wrong. Chris noticed Jared’s slightly usual behaviour once more when it came time to cross the road, again he looked either way twice, which didn’t seem too unusual until he also false started his steps twice, trying to take a step with his right foot once, pulling back and stepping out again, waiting until his third time before actually stepping out onto the street to cross it.
Chris eyed Jensen quickly, silently questioning his best friend, however the look Jensen shot back to him made him immediately slam his mouth shut. There would be a serious conversation once they got home.
The diner was quiet at this time, early in the afternoon, a few students not freaking out over assignments were in their own booths, soft music playing on the speakers around the room and the open shopfront windows allowing the sunlight through, giving the whole place a more comfortable, laid back feel.
They made their orders quickly, conversation not stilling until the food finally arrived, burgers all around, which was quickly demolished. Chris and Jensen were somewhat sloppy with their food, Jared on the other hand was extremely careful with his bites, making sure nothing fell from the burger, not an easy feat.
“So you two up for coming out tonight and watching me play? If you’re anything like Jensen here, then I’m sure you’re all set for your exams right?” Chris asked as they sipped on their drinks, having polished off all the food.
“Uh…” Jared hesitated, hand once again rubbing against his thigh nervously.
“You know you don’t have to Jared,” Jensen quickly spoke up, shooting Chris another warning look.
“No… I want to, I’d love to watch you play,” Jared answered, looking Chris dead in the eye with such heat, “I just, I don’t know if a bar is such a good place to do it… I uh… I don’t do so well in crowds,” Jared mumbled, breaking eye contact with Chris quickly. “No, I should just go now, leave you two, leave you two… yeah,” Jared quickly said, nodding his head in a seemingly familiar pattern to Chris and gathering up his things as fast as possible, always checking and rechecking that everything was in the right place.
“No wait, I didn’t mean to -” Chris started, but no sooner had he had Jared left the café, Chris noticing how he pushed the doorhandle down twice before even opening the door. Chris turned back to Jensen, glaring at his best friend waiting for the answers to the obvious questions.
Jensen sighed. He had been waiting for this since the moment Chris laid eyes on Jared. He had seen the instant attraction flare between his two closest friends, and watched as both of them realised how much they had in common. But there was just one thing that he knew would cause Jared to run in the opposite direction, just as he had done seconds ago. Chris shot Jensen a questioning look as soon
as the other man was gone.
“Well… I mean, it’s not really my place to say…” Jensen started, knowing what Chris was asking.
“There’s obviously something going on there, I thought we were getting somewhere, the two of us, but I don’t know, the way he just ran out of here… I mean what was that?” Chris asked, throwing his arms out in the air and waving them around.
“Jared should really be the one to tell you it, look, tomorrow night, I’ll get Jared to come over, you can cook something awesome and maybe he’ll open up to you about it, but I think you can already figure out kinda what's going on…” Jensen replied, getting his things together as well and heading out of the diner, Chris in tow, “come on, you’ve got your show to get ready for tonight, and I guess that means it’s going to be a late one,” Jensen joked, wrapping his arm around the shorter man’s shoulders and pulling him in close, “trust me, Jared
likes you, it’s just harder for him to admit it,” he reassured.
Jensen confirmed the dinner plans with Jared early the next day, Jared hesitantly agreeing to dinner and a movie. Jensen was excited, nearly giddy with the idea of matching up his two friends with each other. He sprinted into Chris’ room, all but kicking the door open, before leaping onto Chris’ bed, waking the slightly hung-over man.
“Wha-?” Chris groaned, hands flailing out in an attempt to bat away at the intrusion.
Jensen lay down beside his best friend over the quilts, “So… Guess who I just spoke to…” Jensen teased, nudging Chris with his elbow.
“Who?” Chris mumbled, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes before turning over and pulling a pillow over his face, trying to ignore his best friend.
“Jared, I spoke to him this morning, he said he’ll come over tonight like we planned, so you better start planning for tonight,” Jensen grinned.
“Wait, what? Really?” Chris asked, bolting upright, tossing the pillow at Jensen. “I have to get ready then!” he added, scrambling to get out of the bed.
“Whoa! Relax dude, there’s still hours until he’s coming over, you can still get some more sleep if you want. Looks like you need it too, I’m just going to be studying some more. He said he’d be here at around 7:30,” Jensen explained, pushing Chris back down into bed and leaving the other man alone.
Chris slumped back down onto another pillow and sighed. He had to impress Jared tonight, and find out exactly what was going on. He knew it was weird, feeling this way about someone after only meeting them the day before, but the way Jensen had always spoken about his friend from class and from what he saw yesterday, Chris knew Jared was someone he wanted to get to know a lot better, and possibly have more with.
The day seemed to drag on for Chris, waiting for time to pass so that he could start preparing something for dinner and not seem too eager in front of his friend. He knew that it would spell a lifetime of ridicule if he did. He got himself ready first, putting on a pair of his best dark blue jeans and a tight fitted grey long-sleeved top and then decided to start on the meal.
The cooking was well underway by the time the knock sounded at the front door, Jensen moving to answer it but getting pushed aside by Chris who rushed for the door. “Hey!” Chris smiled, opening the door wide and greeting Jared.
Jared shuffled on the spot, nervously looking up and away as Chris realised was common for the younger man. Jared wore a simple pair of jeans and a dark blue shirt, but all Chris saw was the beautiful hesitant smile and bright shining eyes.
“Come in Jared, come in,” Chris said, stepping back and allowing Jared to enter.
Jared put his right foot forward and then stepped back, and repeated the motion once more before finally managing to step up and through the door. He coughed awkwardly, “uh, sorry… thanks for inviting me over tonight,” Jared said quickly, his fingers frantically tapping out a beat against his thigh.
“Hey Jared!” Jensen greeted, stepping up from behind Chris and greeting his friend. “How’s the studying been going?” He asked, pulling Jared into the apartment with Chris.
“Yeah, you know, stressful as usual, did you get much done today?” Jared asked, eyes darting to Chris as he spoke.
“Not really,” Jensen laughed, “How much longer until dinner is ready?”
Chris looked flustered, “nearly done!” he said, rushing off back to the kitchen to finish off the meal.
“Has he… has he said anything…?” Jared asked quietly, his teeth working his bottom lip and his fingers tapping out a more obvious pattern against his thigh as Jensen lead him over to the couch to take a seat.
“He likes you Jared, I mean really likes you, but he did… well he noticed, and he tried to ask me but I didn’t say anything!” Jensen admitted softly.
Jared looked down, “What… what did you tell him?” he asked.
“Nothing Jared, I promise, although I have to be honest with you, I think he may have figured it out but isn’t going to say anything until you do, it wasn’t my thing to tell, so I didn’t,” Jensen said, reaching his hand out and placing it over Jared’s twitching fingers, stilling the repetitive motion gently.
“He can’t possibly like me, I'm too weird,” Jared rebutted, shaking his head and pulling his hand free from Jensen’s grasp, the repetitive tapping starting up again, this time at a quicker pace.
“Jared, please, stop it, calm down. You know this isn’t good for you to get too stressed out, just take a breath,” Jensen tried to sooth.
“Dinner is ready!” Chris called out, walking into the lounge room but stopping short at the sight before him. “Jared? Hey, you okay?” Chris asked, walking over to Jared’s panicking form.
Jared shook his head in the negative, his breathing coming out more irregular and his hands now rubbing over his thigh more insistently. Chris was at a loss, never had he had to deal with anything like this, and looking over towards his best friend, he started to realise that neither had Jensen. Thinking quickly, Chris got up and grabbed his guitar, remembering the pattern that Jared kept repeating over and over on his thigh, Chris started to play.
“I promised you that I would play for you, didn’t I?” Chris said, allowing the music to pick up its pace to match Jared’s current tapping before slowly bringing it back down again. Chris watched as Jared started to really listen to the music that was being played. It wasn’t anything really, just the same two chords being stung out in time with Jared, allowing the younger man something to pace himself back to.
“Thank… Thank you,” Jared mumbled once he had calmed down.
“You okay Jared? Need anything?” Jensen asked, poorly trying to conceal his concern.
“No, I’m okay, just let my brain get ahead of me for a minute there, you said something about dinner?” Jared said, trying to divert the attention away from himself again.
The meal was simple, marinated chicken wings with salad and chargrilled vegetable salsas, the three men using their hands to eat the chicken while watching whatever was on the television. Conversation was a bit stilted, Jared and Chris not knowing what to say to one another, but Jensen slowly managed to bring both men out again and soon enough he couldn’t stop them from talking.
Later in the night, Jensen begged off, feigning exhaustion and leaving the other two men alone. Jared and Chris settled closer to one another on the plush couch, conversation barely pausing to wish him goodnight. Slowly as the night wore on, Chris noticed Jared relaxing more and more, his hands stilled against his leg and when Chris slowly picked it up in his, Jared barely even blinked.
Jared was enjoying the night, spending time with his best friend and Chris, the man who was turning out to be something else entirely. Once Jensen had left the conversation had turned to a more personal note, they were sitting side by side, bodies turned in towards one another, arms and legs touching. And then, Chris picked up his hand their heads tilting towards one another and their lips met in a gentle kiss.
It was a barely there press of the lips, but sparks shot through Jared’s body instantly. They broke apart seconds later, “Chris…”
“I’m sorry Jared, I just had to… if you don’t…” Chris started.
“No, no I didn’t mean it like that, I just don’t know if you’d really want to get involved with someone like me…” Jared mumbled, fingers starting to tap against his leg again.
“The person I’ve seen yesterday and tonight has been nothing but amazing, funny, intelligent and considerate, and not to mention gorgeous!” Chris started.
“But…”
“No wait, I don’t want to hear it, I want to get to know you, the real you first, then, when you’re really ready, you can tell me what you think I need to know,” Chris said, taking Jared’s fidgeting hand into his own and using the pad of his thumb to rub against the smooth skin underneath it.
“Chris… I don’t know… I haven’t…” Jared tried, unsure of exactly what to say.
“This is something we can take slow, I really like you, and I know that I have only known you for a short time but I’ve heard so much about you from Jensen, and that’s the guy I want to get to know!” Chris urged.
Jarednodded slowly, “I should go now…” Jared sighed, removing his hand from Chris’ grasp once more.
“Jared…”
“Can I give you my number? Maybe we can meet up again once finals are over?” Jared asked, standing and moving towards the door.
Chris followed Jared to the doorway, both men stopping and exchanging phones. “I’ll call you tomorrow?” Chris asked, leaning against the doorjamb and watching as Jared went through the motions of opening the door, having to twist the knob twice before finally opening the door.
Jared blushed and looked away, “Yeah, I’d like that,” Jared smiled.
Chris cupped Jared’s cheek, pressing one final kiss to Jared’s lips before seeing him out the door, watching him as he walked down the stairs. Once gone, Chris rushed back inside, slamming the front door closed and raced into Jensen’s bedroom, grabbing his friend’s computer chair and straddling it backwards.
“Well? How’d it go?” Jensen asked, closing the book he had been reading over.
“I think it went really well…” Chris admitted.
“So you two talked? You’re okay with…”
“We talked, but not exactly about everything. I told him I wanted to get to know him first, then, when he was ready he could tell me what he needed to…” Chris quickly said before Jensen could. “I really like him…” he added.
“Good for you man, I can’t believe how mature you're acting!” Jensen joked, tossing a flimsy book at Chris. “Jared’s good, he really is, so you gotta figure out real quick if you can handle everything Jared’s got to give, the good and the bad, cause I don’t want to see him get hurt…” Jensen warned, becoming serious for a moment.
“Was that your version of the ‘you hurt him and I’ll hurt you’ speech?” Chris laughed.
“Shut up, I mean it Chris…”
“I promise you, I wouldn’t hurt him, not on purpose anyway, not if I can help it!” Chris said in all seriousness. “I think I could really like him.”
“That’s great man, now get out of my room!”
The following months were great. Chris and Jared started speaking to each other nearly every night, even if it was simply to wish each other ‘goodnight’. Chris soon started picking up on several other habits of Jared’s, whether it was Jared always answering on the fourth ring or not answering at all, the way he had to organise all his exercise books and pens so that nothing was out of place in his bag or in his dorm room or the silent counting of the most obscure of things like the lights they passed as they drove.
It was closing in on their first four months together when Jared asked Chris out for dinner, stating that he had something he really wanted to talk about. Chris was almost certain he knew what it was, but spent the rest of the day freaking out anyway, different scenarios running through his mind about what it could be that Jared wanted to tell him.
Chris picked Jared up later that night, taking him to one of their preferred restaurants, a quiet and dimly lit place that Jared felt most comfortable in. They took their regular seat near the back and ordered their usual, two plates of pasta and a beer each. Jared felt comfortable in the small Italian family style restaurant, it was the kind of place he needed to be at to calm his nerves and help him get through the night. He had finally decided that it was time, time to tell Chris everything.
Everything was going smoothly right up until their desserts were served. Jared’s fingers first started tapping against the table top, and he started rearranging the remaining cutlery and gnawing at his bottom lip. Jared started playing with his dessert, trying to think of a way to start the conversation that needed to be had.
“Chris… I have something I want to talk to you about…” Jared started.
“Jared…”
“I know you’ve noticed some things about me, some things that affect my life daily and ultimately yours if you decide you want to stick with it…” Jared said nervously, sucking in a large breath of air before continuing, “I have OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder, I’m seeing a psychologist once a fortnight and I’m on medications to help control it… usually I’m okay, but there are times, especially when I’m stressed that the symptoms come out more… like now,” Jared said, looking down at his fingers that were taping against the table, forcing
them to stop.
“That first day I met you Jared, I knew that there was something going on, and that second night I told you I wanted to get to know you first. Thank you for trusting me enough to actually tell me, and I hope you know that this doesn’t change anything, your OCD is a part of you, and I love you, each and every part of you, this right here,” Chris said placing his hand over Jared’s, “doesn’t change that.”
Jared was silent for a few moments, staring at Chris’ hand over his, he looked up and met Chris’ worried gaze, “Did you… did you say you loved me?” Jared asked, turning his hand over and gripping the work calloused hand in his.
“I… Yeah, I guess I did, and I meant it Jay…”
“I love you too, Chris,” Jared smiled, leaning over the table and placing a quick kiss to his lover’s lips, “so much,” he smiled as he sat back.
After Jared spoke to Chris, the older man started becoming more and more involved in Jared’s life. He learnt about the medications he was on, learnt his doctor’s name and started working out how best to control Jared’s obsessions and compulsions. But more than that, they both started leaving more and more of their things over at each other’s places. Jared’s dorm room was small but he was the only one there while Chris’ small apartment was the perfect for the two of them to get away from everything for a while.
It wasn’t long until Jared and Chris decided to try living together, Jared moving into his shared apartment, Jensen not minding in the least. From there, things were going unbelievably well, better than Chris or Jared could ever have expected. So much so that most of Jared’s nervous tics and symptoms of his OCD were slowly disappearing.
Jared and Chris were curled up together in the large bed late one night, quietly talking about nothing of importance. Jared’s body framed Chris’, his lips creating invisible pathways up and down Chris’ exposed neck and shoulders, his arm wrapped around his partner’s middle, holding him close.
“Hey, babe?” Chris started.
“Mm?”
“I’ve been thinking, I’d really like for you to meet my parents…” Chris mentioned as casually as he could.
Jared’s movements stilled for a moment, his fingers twitching slightly. He tapped his fingers against Chris’ heated skin in thought, Jared knew what it would mean to meet the parents, it would be the next step in their relationship. But Jared had no idea if he was ready to meet the parents, moving in with Chris was hard enough, meeting Chris was initially a problem. His thoughts spiralled through his mind, he wanted to do it, for Chris, but he was scared of meeting new people, people that might judge him for his OCD and the sometimes obvious tics he had.
“You don’t have to Jay,” Chris said after a moment, turning around in Jared’s arms and stilling his hands. “I understand, it was just a thought,” he added, brushing the suggestion off. He leaned in and sealed his lips over Jared’s, tongue slipping out and running along the seam of Jared’s lips.
Jared broke away from Chris, “I’ll do it, I want to meet them,” Jared nodded twice nervously.
“Really? Are you sure Jay? We don’t have to, not right away anyway,” Chris said, offering Jared a way out.
“Organise it, I want to meet the people that raised you,” Jared said smiling, his fingers brushing through Chris’ long hair, pushing it off his face. He leaned down, sealing his lips over Chris’, sealing his promise to meet the parents. Now all he had to do was get over his nerves about meeting them and not being good enough in their eyes for Chris.
The look on Chris’ face right at that moment, however, was worth the anguish he was feeling, Jared thought as he cuddled back in with his partner.
Next part>>>
So... What did you think?! I haven't finished the next part yet, but I'm working on it!! You're comments might make me write faster!! ;p
Characters: Jared/Chris
Rating: G
Warning: Mentions of a Mental Disorder (OCD) - please note, I mean no offence with this fic... While I am no expert in mental illnesses, I have tried my best to make this fic as realistic as possible.. but it is still fiction! :) (Let me know if something is terribly wrong! I'll be happy to fix it!)
Word Count: 4,200
Beta: NONE!
Summary: Jared never thought that he would find someone as amazing as this man.
It was relatively quiet in the college library. Students researching and studying for their finals that were mere days away, the stress and tension however was palpable in the air, something Chris picked up on as soon as he stepped foot in the old building. Searching for his best friend, Chris spotted Jensen at a distant table, sitting with another guy, both of them seemingly deep in thought.
“Hey Jense!” Chris called out, receiving a few glares for his trouble. Chris ignored the looks, making his way over to his friend who had also looked up when he called out.
“Chris? What are you doing here?” Jensen asked, nervously looking between Chris and his other companion who had yet to look at him.
“You left this at home,” Chris explained tossing a large textbook down onto the table, one that Jensen had been using all night the previous night studying for his first exam.
“Oh Shit, yeah thanks man, I need this! I’ll see you back home tonight right? Or are you playing tonight?” Jensen asked, flicking through the book and opening up to a page full of notes.
“Nah, I’m playing tonight, how about you and your friend come along? Take a break from the studying?” Chris commented, reminding Jensen that he still hadn’t been introduced to the other guy who was currently gnawing at his bottom lip, eyes downcast but
frantically darting from side to side.
“Right, Jared? Jared? This is my friend, Chris, he lives with me. Chris, this is Jared, we have an anatomy class together,” Jensen said trying to get Jared’s attention.
“Nice to meet you,” Chris smiled, sensing something peculiar about the situation and not knowing exactly how to act.
The younger man looked up then back down then up again before meeting Chris’ eyes and smiling nervously, “Hi…” He nodded twice, his hand reaching out then hesitating before backing away and repeating the cycle again, this time holding it out for Chris to grasp.
Chris took Jared’s large hand in his own, appraising Jared’s form while the other man was still looking at him. He was simply gorgeous, albeit a bit shy, his brown hair was long and fell past the nape of his neck, his bangs falling over his bright hazel coloured eyes. The guy obviously worked out too, his large biceps were obvious under his tight fitting shirt and his grip on Chris’ hand was firm in his.
He must have been staring for just a little bit too long because no sooner had Chris thought about that hand, had Jared released his grip and looked back down. Chris coughed nervously, watching as Jared started wiping his hand against his thigh near furiously.
“Uh right, okay then, I guess I’ll just leave you two to your work, good luck then…” Chris said, feeling the sting of rejection, something he admittedly wasn’t use to in the past.
“You… You don’t have to…” Jared mumbled, looking up and down and then back up again in some sort of pattern, fingers tugging on his ear as he continued to gnaw on his bottom lip.
Chris looked to Jensen for guidance, not sure what to do. “I think we can do with a break now anyway,” Jensen shrugged, “Want to come and grab a bite to eat with us Chris?” Jensen asked, looking to Jared quickly to make sure that he was still okay with the change of plans.
“Sure, I’m starving,” Chris smiled, watching the two students pack their bags. Jensen all but threw all his books and stationery into his bag while Jared was evidently more particular about where everything went. All his pens, papers and books went back into their allotted spot, Jared checking them twice over to make sure nothing was misplaced.
They made their way towards a nearby diner, conversation flowed easily between the three people, laughing and chatting about the little things like classes and music, as if nothing was wrong. Chris noticed Jared’s slightly usual behaviour once more when it came time to cross the road, again he looked either way twice, which didn’t seem too unusual until he also false started his steps twice, trying to take a step with his right foot once, pulling back and stepping out again, waiting until his third time before actually stepping out onto the street to cross it.
Chris eyed Jensen quickly, silently questioning his best friend, however the look Jensen shot back to him made him immediately slam his mouth shut. There would be a serious conversation once they got home.
The diner was quiet at this time, early in the afternoon, a few students not freaking out over assignments were in their own booths, soft music playing on the speakers around the room and the open shopfront windows allowing the sunlight through, giving the whole place a more comfortable, laid back feel.
They made their orders quickly, conversation not stilling until the food finally arrived, burgers all around, which was quickly demolished. Chris and Jensen were somewhat sloppy with their food, Jared on the other hand was extremely careful with his bites, making sure nothing fell from the burger, not an easy feat.
“So you two up for coming out tonight and watching me play? If you’re anything like Jensen here, then I’m sure you’re all set for your exams right?” Chris asked as they sipped on their drinks, having polished off all the food.
“Uh…” Jared hesitated, hand once again rubbing against his thigh nervously.
“You know you don’t have to Jared,” Jensen quickly spoke up, shooting Chris another warning look.
“No… I want to, I’d love to watch you play,” Jared answered, looking Chris dead in the eye with such heat, “I just, I don’t know if a bar is such a good place to do it… I uh… I don’t do so well in crowds,” Jared mumbled, breaking eye contact with Chris quickly. “No, I should just go now, leave you two, leave you two… yeah,” Jared quickly said, nodding his head in a seemingly familiar pattern to Chris and gathering up his things as fast as possible, always checking and rechecking that everything was in the right place.
“No wait, I didn’t mean to -” Chris started, but no sooner had he had Jared left the café, Chris noticing how he pushed the doorhandle down twice before even opening the door. Chris turned back to Jensen, glaring at his best friend waiting for the answers to the obvious questions.
Jensen sighed. He had been waiting for this since the moment Chris laid eyes on Jared. He had seen the instant attraction flare between his two closest friends, and watched as both of them realised how much they had in common. But there was just one thing that he knew would cause Jared to run in the opposite direction, just as he had done seconds ago. Chris shot Jensen a questioning look as soon
as the other man was gone.
“Well… I mean, it’s not really my place to say…” Jensen started, knowing what Chris was asking.
“There’s obviously something going on there, I thought we were getting somewhere, the two of us, but I don’t know, the way he just ran out of here… I mean what was that?” Chris asked, throwing his arms out in the air and waving them around.
“Jared should really be the one to tell you it, look, tomorrow night, I’ll get Jared to come over, you can cook something awesome and maybe he’ll open up to you about it, but I think you can already figure out kinda what's going on…” Jensen replied, getting his things together as well and heading out of the diner, Chris in tow, “come on, you’ve got your show to get ready for tonight, and I guess that means it’s going to be a late one,” Jensen joked, wrapping his arm around the shorter man’s shoulders and pulling him in close, “trust me, Jared
likes you, it’s just harder for him to admit it,” he reassured.
Jensen confirmed the dinner plans with Jared early the next day, Jared hesitantly agreeing to dinner and a movie. Jensen was excited, nearly giddy with the idea of matching up his two friends with each other. He sprinted into Chris’ room, all but kicking the door open, before leaping onto Chris’ bed, waking the slightly hung-over man.
“Wha-?” Chris groaned, hands flailing out in an attempt to bat away at the intrusion.
Jensen lay down beside his best friend over the quilts, “So… Guess who I just spoke to…” Jensen teased, nudging Chris with his elbow.
“Who?” Chris mumbled, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes before turning over and pulling a pillow over his face, trying to ignore his best friend.
“Jared, I spoke to him this morning, he said he’ll come over tonight like we planned, so you better start planning for tonight,” Jensen grinned.
“Wait, what? Really?” Chris asked, bolting upright, tossing the pillow at Jensen. “I have to get ready then!” he added, scrambling to get out of the bed.
“Whoa! Relax dude, there’s still hours until he’s coming over, you can still get some more sleep if you want. Looks like you need it too, I’m just going to be studying some more. He said he’d be here at around 7:30,” Jensen explained, pushing Chris back down into bed and leaving the other man alone.
Chris slumped back down onto another pillow and sighed. He had to impress Jared tonight, and find out exactly what was going on. He knew it was weird, feeling this way about someone after only meeting them the day before, but the way Jensen had always spoken about his friend from class and from what he saw yesterday, Chris knew Jared was someone he wanted to get to know a lot better, and possibly have more with.
The day seemed to drag on for Chris, waiting for time to pass so that he could start preparing something for dinner and not seem too eager in front of his friend. He knew that it would spell a lifetime of ridicule if he did. He got himself ready first, putting on a pair of his best dark blue jeans and a tight fitted grey long-sleeved top and then decided to start on the meal.
The cooking was well underway by the time the knock sounded at the front door, Jensen moving to answer it but getting pushed aside by Chris who rushed for the door. “Hey!” Chris smiled, opening the door wide and greeting Jared.
Jared shuffled on the spot, nervously looking up and away as Chris realised was common for the younger man. Jared wore a simple pair of jeans and a dark blue shirt, but all Chris saw was the beautiful hesitant smile and bright shining eyes.
“Come in Jared, come in,” Chris said, stepping back and allowing Jared to enter.
Jared put his right foot forward and then stepped back, and repeated the motion once more before finally managing to step up and through the door. He coughed awkwardly, “uh, sorry… thanks for inviting me over tonight,” Jared said quickly, his fingers frantically tapping out a beat against his thigh.
“Hey Jared!” Jensen greeted, stepping up from behind Chris and greeting his friend. “How’s the studying been going?” He asked, pulling Jared into the apartment with Chris.
“Yeah, you know, stressful as usual, did you get much done today?” Jared asked, eyes darting to Chris as he spoke.
“Not really,” Jensen laughed, “How much longer until dinner is ready?”
Chris looked flustered, “nearly done!” he said, rushing off back to the kitchen to finish off the meal.
“Has he… has he said anything…?” Jared asked quietly, his teeth working his bottom lip and his fingers tapping out a more obvious pattern against his thigh as Jensen lead him over to the couch to take a seat.
“He likes you Jared, I mean really likes you, but he did… well he noticed, and he tried to ask me but I didn’t say anything!” Jensen admitted softly.
Jared looked down, “What… what did you tell him?” he asked.
“Nothing Jared, I promise, although I have to be honest with you, I think he may have figured it out but isn’t going to say anything until you do, it wasn’t my thing to tell, so I didn’t,” Jensen said, reaching his hand out and placing it over Jared’s twitching fingers, stilling the repetitive motion gently.
“He can’t possibly like me, I'm too weird,” Jared rebutted, shaking his head and pulling his hand free from Jensen’s grasp, the repetitive tapping starting up again, this time at a quicker pace.
“Jared, please, stop it, calm down. You know this isn’t good for you to get too stressed out, just take a breath,” Jensen tried to sooth.
“Dinner is ready!” Chris called out, walking into the lounge room but stopping short at the sight before him. “Jared? Hey, you okay?” Chris asked, walking over to Jared’s panicking form.
Jared shook his head in the negative, his breathing coming out more irregular and his hands now rubbing over his thigh more insistently. Chris was at a loss, never had he had to deal with anything like this, and looking over towards his best friend, he started to realise that neither had Jensen. Thinking quickly, Chris got up and grabbed his guitar, remembering the pattern that Jared kept repeating over and over on his thigh, Chris started to play.
“I promised you that I would play for you, didn’t I?” Chris said, allowing the music to pick up its pace to match Jared’s current tapping before slowly bringing it back down again. Chris watched as Jared started to really listen to the music that was being played. It wasn’t anything really, just the same two chords being stung out in time with Jared, allowing the younger man something to pace himself back to.
“Thank… Thank you,” Jared mumbled once he had calmed down.
“You okay Jared? Need anything?” Jensen asked, poorly trying to conceal his concern.
“No, I’m okay, just let my brain get ahead of me for a minute there, you said something about dinner?” Jared said, trying to divert the attention away from himself again.
The meal was simple, marinated chicken wings with salad and chargrilled vegetable salsas, the three men using their hands to eat the chicken while watching whatever was on the television. Conversation was a bit stilted, Jared and Chris not knowing what to say to one another, but Jensen slowly managed to bring both men out again and soon enough he couldn’t stop them from talking.
Later in the night, Jensen begged off, feigning exhaustion and leaving the other two men alone. Jared and Chris settled closer to one another on the plush couch, conversation barely pausing to wish him goodnight. Slowly as the night wore on, Chris noticed Jared relaxing more and more, his hands stilled against his leg and when Chris slowly picked it up in his, Jared barely even blinked.
Jared was enjoying the night, spending time with his best friend and Chris, the man who was turning out to be something else entirely. Once Jensen had left the conversation had turned to a more personal note, they were sitting side by side, bodies turned in towards one another, arms and legs touching. And then, Chris picked up his hand their heads tilting towards one another and their lips met in a gentle kiss.
It was a barely there press of the lips, but sparks shot through Jared’s body instantly. They broke apart seconds later, “Chris…”
“I’m sorry Jared, I just had to… if you don’t…” Chris started.
“No, no I didn’t mean it like that, I just don’t know if you’d really want to get involved with someone like me…” Jared mumbled, fingers starting to tap against his leg again.
“The person I’ve seen yesterday and tonight has been nothing but amazing, funny, intelligent and considerate, and not to mention gorgeous!” Chris started.
“But…”
“No wait, I don’t want to hear it, I want to get to know you, the real you first, then, when you’re really ready, you can tell me what you think I need to know,” Chris said, taking Jared’s fidgeting hand into his own and using the pad of his thumb to rub against the smooth skin underneath it.
“Chris… I don’t know… I haven’t…” Jared tried, unsure of exactly what to say.
“This is something we can take slow, I really like you, and I know that I have only known you for a short time but I’ve heard so much about you from Jensen, and that’s the guy I want to get to know!” Chris urged.
Jarednodded slowly, “I should go now…” Jared sighed, removing his hand from Chris’ grasp once more.
“Jared…”
“Can I give you my number? Maybe we can meet up again once finals are over?” Jared asked, standing and moving towards the door.
Chris followed Jared to the doorway, both men stopping and exchanging phones. “I’ll call you tomorrow?” Chris asked, leaning against the doorjamb and watching as Jared went through the motions of opening the door, having to twist the knob twice before finally opening the door.
Jared blushed and looked away, “Yeah, I’d like that,” Jared smiled.
Chris cupped Jared’s cheek, pressing one final kiss to Jared’s lips before seeing him out the door, watching him as he walked down the stairs. Once gone, Chris rushed back inside, slamming the front door closed and raced into Jensen’s bedroom, grabbing his friend’s computer chair and straddling it backwards.
“Well? How’d it go?” Jensen asked, closing the book he had been reading over.
“I think it went really well…” Chris admitted.
“So you two talked? You’re okay with…”
“We talked, but not exactly about everything. I told him I wanted to get to know him first, then, when he was ready he could tell me what he needed to…” Chris quickly said before Jensen could. “I really like him…” he added.
“Good for you man, I can’t believe how mature you're acting!” Jensen joked, tossing a flimsy book at Chris. “Jared’s good, he really is, so you gotta figure out real quick if you can handle everything Jared’s got to give, the good and the bad, cause I don’t want to see him get hurt…” Jensen warned, becoming serious for a moment.
“Was that your version of the ‘you hurt him and I’ll hurt you’ speech?” Chris laughed.
“Shut up, I mean it Chris…”
“I promise you, I wouldn’t hurt him, not on purpose anyway, not if I can help it!” Chris said in all seriousness. “I think I could really like him.”
“That’s great man, now get out of my room!”
The following months were great. Chris and Jared started speaking to each other nearly every night, even if it was simply to wish each other ‘goodnight’. Chris soon started picking up on several other habits of Jared’s, whether it was Jared always answering on the fourth ring or not answering at all, the way he had to organise all his exercise books and pens so that nothing was out of place in his bag or in his dorm room or the silent counting of the most obscure of things like the lights they passed as they drove.
It was closing in on their first four months together when Jared asked Chris out for dinner, stating that he had something he really wanted to talk about. Chris was almost certain he knew what it was, but spent the rest of the day freaking out anyway, different scenarios running through his mind about what it could be that Jared wanted to tell him.
Chris picked Jared up later that night, taking him to one of their preferred restaurants, a quiet and dimly lit place that Jared felt most comfortable in. They took their regular seat near the back and ordered their usual, two plates of pasta and a beer each. Jared felt comfortable in the small Italian family style restaurant, it was the kind of place he needed to be at to calm his nerves and help him get through the night. He had finally decided that it was time, time to tell Chris everything.
Everything was going smoothly right up until their desserts were served. Jared’s fingers first started tapping against the table top, and he started rearranging the remaining cutlery and gnawing at his bottom lip. Jared started playing with his dessert, trying to think of a way to start the conversation that needed to be had.
“Chris… I have something I want to talk to you about…” Jared started.
“Jared…”
“I know you’ve noticed some things about me, some things that affect my life daily and ultimately yours if you decide you want to stick with it…” Jared said nervously, sucking in a large breath of air before continuing, “I have OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder, I’m seeing a psychologist once a fortnight and I’m on medications to help control it… usually I’m okay, but there are times, especially when I’m stressed that the symptoms come out more… like now,” Jared said, looking down at his fingers that were taping against the table, forcing
them to stop.
“That first day I met you Jared, I knew that there was something going on, and that second night I told you I wanted to get to know you first. Thank you for trusting me enough to actually tell me, and I hope you know that this doesn’t change anything, your OCD is a part of you, and I love you, each and every part of you, this right here,” Chris said placing his hand over Jared’s, “doesn’t change that.”
Jared was silent for a few moments, staring at Chris’ hand over his, he looked up and met Chris’ worried gaze, “Did you… did you say you loved me?” Jared asked, turning his hand over and gripping the work calloused hand in his.
“I… Yeah, I guess I did, and I meant it Jay…”
“I love you too, Chris,” Jared smiled, leaning over the table and placing a quick kiss to his lover’s lips, “so much,” he smiled as he sat back.
After Jared spoke to Chris, the older man started becoming more and more involved in Jared’s life. He learnt about the medications he was on, learnt his doctor’s name and started working out how best to control Jared’s obsessions and compulsions. But more than that, they both started leaving more and more of their things over at each other’s places. Jared’s dorm room was small but he was the only one there while Chris’ small apartment was the perfect for the two of them to get away from everything for a while.
It wasn’t long until Jared and Chris decided to try living together, Jared moving into his shared apartment, Jensen not minding in the least. From there, things were going unbelievably well, better than Chris or Jared could ever have expected. So much so that most of Jared’s nervous tics and symptoms of his OCD were slowly disappearing.
Jared and Chris were curled up together in the large bed late one night, quietly talking about nothing of importance. Jared’s body framed Chris’, his lips creating invisible pathways up and down Chris’ exposed neck and shoulders, his arm wrapped around his partner’s middle, holding him close.
“Hey, babe?” Chris started.
“Mm?”
“I’ve been thinking, I’d really like for you to meet my parents…” Chris mentioned as casually as he could.
Jared’s movements stilled for a moment, his fingers twitching slightly. He tapped his fingers against Chris’ heated skin in thought, Jared knew what it would mean to meet the parents, it would be the next step in their relationship. But Jared had no idea if he was ready to meet the parents, moving in with Chris was hard enough, meeting Chris was initially a problem. His thoughts spiralled through his mind, he wanted to do it, for Chris, but he was scared of meeting new people, people that might judge him for his OCD and the sometimes obvious tics he had.
“You don’t have to Jay,” Chris said after a moment, turning around in Jared’s arms and stilling his hands. “I understand, it was just a thought,” he added, brushing the suggestion off. He leaned in and sealed his lips over Jared’s, tongue slipping out and running along the seam of Jared’s lips.
Jared broke away from Chris, “I’ll do it, I want to meet them,” Jared nodded twice nervously.
“Really? Are you sure Jay? We don’t have to, not right away anyway,” Chris said, offering Jared a way out.
“Organise it, I want to meet the people that raised you,” Jared said smiling, his fingers brushing through Chris’ long hair, pushing it off his face. He leaned down, sealing his lips over Chris’, sealing his promise to meet the parents. Now all he had to do was get over his nerves about meeting them and not being good enough in their eyes for Chris.
The look on Chris’ face right at that moment, however, was worth the anguish he was feeling, Jared thought as he cuddled back in with his partner.
Next part>>>
So... What did you think?! I haven't finished the next part yet, but I'm working on it!! You're comments might make me write faster!! ;p