A Better Life Part 3
Jamie and Daniel got tight, apparently Daniel really made amends and Jamie forgave him for the slight. It made little to no sense to Jared but Jensen assured him it was normal. One morning he woke up super early and baked a cake. Jensen got up as Jared was icing it in a chocolate ganache. “Cake for breakfast?” asked Jensen.
“Today is the anniversary of me accosting you in the grocery store.”
Jensen’s face fell, “Oh, God, Jared. I’m sorry, I totally forgot. Jay-”
“April twenty-seventh, that’s when we started dating. This isn’t our anniversary, April twenty-seventh, remember that one. This one is just a day with cake for breakfast. And tonight I’m making us a Mexi-Kickin’ Curry sans weird cheesy rice. It’s not an anniversary, there are no presents. It’s just a cake.” He kissed Jensen. “It’s time to go wake Jamie.”
Jensen kissed him again, “I love you.”
“You too,” Jared smiled.
Then it was go time. Jared was so excited about the Oscars that he had trouble sleeping for three days before they flew out to LA. Jamie was also pretty bouncy about it and Jensen kept smirking at them both. Apparently there was going to be an Oscar party at the house. Jim Cameron sent Jensen an email that said, “Your tuxes are waiting in your hotel room. You have connecting rooms with Chad… sorry.” Which made Jensen laugh.
On the plane on Saturday they were in first class with Chad and Sophia. Jared was still bouncy and Chad came over saying, “Jensen, switch seats with me.” Jensen moved to sit with Sophia. Chad slumped into Jensen’s chair. “Stop acting like a fucking Oscar virgin, you’re embarrassing me.”
“I am an Oscar virgin.”
“Okay, here’s how it works. We go to the hotel, relax then we go out and do something. Tonight we go to the Night Before; it’s a big fund raiser dinner. Everyone gets trashed, a few Hollywood royalty always end up vomiting inappropriately in the lobby. Try not to vomit, you only have one tux. You go upstairs, have messy, drunk, excited sex and go to sleep. Tomorrow we get up and have greasy morning-after breakfast. Maybe we’ll go swimming or something. Then Jim will send up someone up to help us get dressed and do a little makeup. Usually the people like us don’t have to do the red carpet thing but with all the buzz around Jensen and you and with the fact that this could be my fourth Oscar it’s a big deal. We’re walking it with Jim, should be fun, break out your biggest smile and get ready to chitchat with vapid blondes from E! and Access Hollywood.
“Then we go in, chill out for four, mostly boring as fuck, hours we hug people when they win, laugh politely at poorly written jokes. After that we go to the Governors’ Ball where we eat dinner and kiss each other’s asses. Then we go back to the hotel, drop off our statues and get our gift bags and hit the Vanity Fair after party where we drink, dance and eat little delicious things on crackers. We get back to the hotel around four and crash. Then we roll out of bed and go home. It’s not that exciting, calm the fuck down. I’m embarrassed to be your best friend when you act like this.”
Jensen came back and said, “Chad, Sophia wants you back.” Chad got up and Jensen sat down. “What were you talking about?”
“Chad wants me to calm down.”
“Why?”
“He says I’m embarrassing him.”
Jensen nodded, then he leaned in, speaking softly, “Does Chad give you blow jobs?”
“No.”
“Does Chad have sex with you?”
“No.”
“Does Chad want to be your baby daddy?”
“No.”
Jensen kissed his ear, “I think you’re adorable when you’re over excited. I think it’s sexy and sweet. And I love the way your leg bounces and the way that when you try to stop grinning you can only keep a straight face for a minute before smiling again. Ignore Chad: we’re going to the Oscars. Be as excited as you like.”
He felt himself grin and said, “We’re going to Hollywood!”
Jensen laughed, “Yes we are. And we get to party, kid free, two nights in a row! And I get to show off and play the piano in front of tens of millions of people on TV. And we get to wear tuxedoes and drink champagne. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll say my name and you can totally tongue me on international TV.”
“I really want you to win.”
Jensen laughed again and Chad called over, “Jen, I just got him calmed down.”
“Well, he doesn’t want to be calm so suck it up.”
“He’s going to embarrass us on the red carpet.”
“No, he’ll embarrass you. There is a large difference. I’m firmly on team overexcited. In fact,” He hailed an airhostess, “Can we please have four glasses of champagne?” She brought them without pointing out that it was wasn’t noon yet. Jensen thanked her and handed them out. Holding up his glass he said, “Here’s to the next forty-eight hours. Win or lose we get to get dressed up to the nines, party, get gift bags full of swag and sit with cool famous people.”
Jared and Sophia said cheers while Chad said, “No, it’s all about winning. I don’t like tuxedoes. I’m straight so I don’t give a shit about dress up. I don’t need free stuff and most celebrities are assholes. I just want my statue.”
Jensen rolled his eyes and said, “And here’s to Chad getting his forth Oscar.”
They laughed and drank their champagne. Once they landed there was a limousine waiting for them. They went to the hotel where Jensen unpacked while Jared tried on his tux. “Do you want to rip this off me?”
“I always want you naked but I don’t want to rip an Armani tux.”
“It’s a rental,” Jared agreed with a sigh.
Jensen shook his head, “It’s a loan. When someone asks ‘who’ you’re wearing tomorrow and you say Armani, you have paid the rental fee.”
“What are you wearing?”
Jensen checked the garment bag, “Dolce and Gabbana, nice. Now, if you would like to get laid for the first time in LA you should really strip so that I don’t damage the tux.”
Jared took it off, teasing Jensen who was watching him with hungry eyes. “Never been to LA before, after this can we go sightseeing?”
“Of course we can.”
“Can we walk the walk of fame?”
“Whatever you like.”
Sun was pouring in from the open balcony doors as Jensen slid into him. They were kissing and it was nice until Chad pounded on the connecting doors, “Bros, let’s go out. Sophia is looking awesome and wants to hit the stores, c’mon.”
“Go without us,” said Jensen sounding remarkably even, “we’ll catch up at dinner.”
“C’mon, guys, it’ll be fun. We’re not going without you.”
“Chad, we’re having sex, go away,” Jensen kissed Jared’s neck and pulled his arms up over his head, pinning him down.
He heard himself cry out, “Jesus that feels good, Jen.”
“Are you guys messing with me?” asked Chad.
Jensen laughed and Jared loved the vibrations and said, “That’s good too.”
Jensen started to stroke him and said, “Chad, I like but you really need to fuck off.”
“We’ll see you later,” Chad called. “Use protection.”
Jensen got him off with quick movements and Jensen groaned and came soon after. He slumped down against Jared and said, “Welcome to LA, Jay.”
They showered together, and dressed in jeans and tee-shirts. They caught a cab to a specific address and Jared said, “Where are we going?”
“The place I love to go to when I’m here for lunch.”
“You have a place?”
“I used to come here a lot, did a lot of concerts here and scoring films. I have a place.”
Jared smiled, “Am I going to like this place?”
“I have loved it since the first time I came here when I was six. I think you’re going to really enjoy it.” He pulled something out of his wallet and handed it to Jared.
It was a bubble pack of pills, “Is this Lactaid?” They still kept soy milk in the house for Jared’s coffee and for him to drink.
“Yeah, you’re going to want those.” They pulled up in front of an awning with Mickey and Minnie Mouse kissing at a table over a shared milkshake. “Disney’s Soda Fountain.” Jensen paid the guy as they jumped out.
Jared laughed, “I always think you’re the adult in this relationship. Ice cream for lunch: you’re losing the grownup status.”
“Dude, they do food.” Jensen shrugged as they went in. To the hostess he said, “May we please have a booth?”
She smiled, “Follow me.” As they sat down and she handed them their menus she said, “Congratulations on your Oscar nominations, Jensen, it’s good to see you again and have a magical lunch.”
“They know you?” asked Jared.
“I’ve never met her before but they train the wait staff to recognize their famous regulars. I was here twice when I was scoring the film.” Jensen said, “They have the best chili in a bread bowl.” Above the soda fountain counter there were hundreds of pictures of celebrities eating at the restaurant. One of them was Jensen, about seventeen, smiling and eating a huge bowl of chili. It was signed and everything.
Jared laughed, “Dude, they have a picture of teenage you.”
“I’ve been here more than forty times. And actually, go along the line of pictures ten spots down.” Jared didn’t instantly recognize the little kid in the picture the person he recognized was Jensen’s mother as a younger woman.
“How old are you in that picture?”
“That was our first trip here, I was six. I had three concerts here that week and I needed a little breather and Mom brought me here. It was during the whole media blitz about a kid being so talented.”
“Wow.”
It was actually really good food Jared had a ranch chicken wrap and Jensen kept saying that he was missing out on the chili which Jared tried and was phenomenal. They finished up with huge sundaes. They left a huge tip before going into the store where Jensen bought a collection of pins that all had Disney characters holding Oscars as a gift for Jamie. They headed back out onto Hollywood Boulevard there they walked along the street, looking at all the fame stars and they looked at the Hollywood sign. Jared felt like his eyes must be the size of saucers as he drank it all in, it was totally awesome. He stood just staring at the sign for a while because it was right there. Smiling Jensen said, “Gimme your phone.” Jared handed it over and Jensen took a picture of him.
“I’ll take yours.”
Jensen shook his head, “There are at least forty of me in front of the sign, I’m good.”
They wondered around for the rest of the afternoon. Chad and Sophia met them coming out of Hollywood and Highland. Chad was loaded down with shopping bags. He looked like he was exhausted. “Have you guys been shopping all this time?” asked Jared.
Chad nodded glumly, “What have you guys been doing? Oh, sorry for trying to walk in before.”
“We went to the Disney Soda Fountain,” said Jared.
“Seriously? You went to that tourist trap?” said Chad. Jared was standing behind Jensen and shook his head at Chad who quickly added, “Is what a lot of people would say. But that’s really cool.” Jensen laughed.
“They have pictures of Jensen and at six and seventeen eating there hanging up,” said Jared.
Chad looked like he wanted to swallow the foot he’d just put in his mouth, but Jensen laughed it off and said, “I don’t really feel like I’m in LA until I’ve eaten there. It’s just tradition.”
“It’s really good food,” said Jared. “We should go get ready for dinner.” There were too many bags for them to share a cab so they went back separately.
They got dressed with the connecting doors open, talking to each other continually. He couldn’t figure out his bowtie and after five minutes Jensen said, “Stop it.” Jensen moved behind him and tied it perfectly.
“How did you do that? My mom tied it for both my proms.”
“When you’re a little kid doing concerts they expect you to dress up like an idiot. I could do a bowtie after the third tour I think.”
“That sucks.”
“Jamie and I have it in our contracts that we have the right to deny costuming. If he wants to wear the tux he will, if he wants jeans he will.” Jensen tied his own.
Then Chad came in and held out his tie, “Help me?” Jensen moved so that he was behind Chad and tied it quickly. “Thank you.”
Sophia came in wearing a floor length green gown and smiled, “Look at you, boys. Jensen, congratulations on making that exceptionally gorgeous tux look casual. Jared and Chad, you both look like little kids in your dads’ suits.”
“And you look stunning,” Jensen grinned at her and then said. “We have thirty minutes until the dinner starts downstairs.”
“I suggest we get buzzed,” said Chad.
Jared expected Jensen to say no but instead he said, “That’s a good idea. The first forty minutes of this thing are painful. It’s all speeches about how awesome we all are before we can actually focus on the food and talking.” Jensen went into the mini fridge to get little bottles of vodka and orange juice out while Chad got them glasses.
They were all very slightly buzzed when they went downstairs. They met Jim Cameron in the lobby and all went into the banquet hall, sitting at a table with everyone from The First Voyage. And it was true, over a half hour was boring as hell. Jared leaned over and whispered, “Why are we here?”
“Because I spent five thousand dollars on our tickets,” Jensen whispered back. “It’s a fundraiser. It starts boring but it gets better.”
When the speeches were over they finally started to eat and drink and talk to each other. Then it was fun because some people would come over and say hello but mostly it was them talking and drinking with the people from the film. Jim Cameron was drunk and telling the whole table hilarious stories about Jensen being sixteen and when he was drunk at the wrap party and how he’d vomited on Kate Winslet. It was close to two AM when Jim said, “We should get to bed so that we can be pretty tomorrow night.”
Chad had been right: Kevin Spacey vomited in a planter and then he and Jensen had drunk, messy excited sex. The next morning he woke up with a screaming hangover. “Jen, if you ever loved me please kill me.” Jensen rolled over and reached into the mini fridge.
He held out a time bottle of tequila, “Drink this.” Jared downed it in a gulp. “That’s why the party is called the Night Before.”
“What?” asked Jared.
“Old saying for hangover? This is - in fact - the morning after the Night Before.”
“That’s really not cute,” Jared rubbed his eyes.
“I didn’t name it,” said Jensen. He rubbed Jared’s back. “Want a greasy breakfast?”
“And Alka-Seltzer and maybe to give you a blowjob once I can move without puking.”
Jensen ordered them two plates of sausage, eggs, hash browns and toast and a jug of orange juice. He finished by saying, “Do you have any Alka-Seltzer... Awesome. Would you please send up a couple of those... Thanks.” He rubbed Jared’s back, “fifteen minutes. Want anything?”
Jared pulled him down, “Just stay with me. Glad someone doesn’t get hangovers.”
“Never have,” Jensen kissed his neck. Jensen cuddled him close for a while then said, “I’m going to put on pants so that I can open the door.” He pulled away slowly and Jared pulled Jensen’s pillow over his head. A little while later through the pillow he heard someone knock and heard Jensen saying good morning and talking softly. Then Jensen pulled the pillow away from Jared’s face, “Food.” Jared slowly sat up as Jensen set up the tray. First he poured Jared a glass of water, dropping in a pill he said, “Plop-plop, fizz-fizz. Swallow that.”
Jared stirred the drink and swallowed it with a grimace. “Gah.”
“You can always spot a boy from the south by the way he can chug straight tequila but chokes on the cure.”
“I like the flavor of tequila,” responded Jared. Jensen filled his glass with orange juice and set the tray on the bed between them. Jared started to eat feeling nauseous, but as always grease set his stomach at ease. It was only once his stomach and head felt better and the plates were empty that he realized Jensen looked awful. “Jen, are you sick?”
“What?”
“You look gray.”
“Oh. It’s just nerves, I’m fine.”
“You look like you’re gonna puke. Is it the playing in front of tens of millions of people?”
Jensen looked confused, “What? No. Don’t be stupid, Jay, that’s the good bit.” He sighed. “What if I win? What if I have to give a speech? I don’t have anything to say? I mean, is it just political? Do you think that’s it? That it’s a political nomination? Like, poor Jensen, we watched him grow up as a kid and get outed, and we watched him become an adult, then his wife died and he became a recluse and now he’s back and awesome and happy so let’s give him a couple of nominations in solidarity. I hope it’s just political. I don’t want to have to give a speech.”
Jared moved the plates off the bed and pulled Jensen into his lap, “Jen, you’re work is amazing.” He hugged Jensen close. “I don’t think it’s political. It’s beautiful music. I think it’s a genuine nomination. C’mon you’re the most self-confident person I know.”
“Confidence in my work is totally different than having to give a speech.”
“Tonight you get to get up there and play your music and relax. If you win you get up there and say thank you and get down again. No one dislikes a brief speech people hate lists. Don’t do a list and you’re good.”
“They said they won’t play you off this year, if you’re not doing a list, they just let you talk and what if I start to ramble? I’m not good at awards; I’ve never been good with accolades. I’ve got three Golden Globes, seven Grammys and five CMAs. And I have hated giving the speeches every time.”
“I watched all those acceptance speeches on YouTube, the night I looked you up, you were adorable in all of them. You’ll be fine don’t freak out.”
And he was. That night they walked the red carpet talking to totally inane interviewers. They had seats close to the front because the film was nominated for so many things. He was between Chad and Jensen and having a ball. It was so cool because the stage was huge and right there. Jared kept discretely pointing out movie stars and Jensen was relaxed and talking to Jim’s wife Suzy and rubbing thumb over the back of Jared’s hand, which he was holding. Then the show began and it was way more fun than Chad had made it out to be. Part of the fun was that they kept winning stuff. First the film got best original screenplay, then best art design. Then Chad got best cinematography. He jumped up onto the stage right after kissing Sophia and hugging a lot of people.
“Okay, wow, thanks, Academy! Everyone in the category is awesome. Dad, Rex-osaurs, Nicky, Brandon, Ty and Shannon I love you. Jim Cameron, thanks for giving me a project with puppets, a submarine and a lot of water: that was cool. Thanks to everyone on the film it was a really smooth shooting schedule which is awesome. And Sophia, darling, thanks for sticking with me even when I am a total assbutt. Someday I hope you give up and marry me. Thanks!”
Right after that there was a commercial break and Jensen left to go back stage to get ready to perform. A seat filler came and sat next to Jared and Jared said, “Hey.”
“Hey,” she said, “I’m not really supposed to talk to the celebrities.”
“That’s a stupid rule.” She smiled. “Are you having fun?”
“It’s awesome.”
“Right? Look,” he pointed discreetly, “Helen Mirren is right there. We’re totally breathing her air.”
Chad heard them and said, “Jay, I’ve won lots of Oscars and you’re right next to me. I’m holding an Oscar that I just won. I’m twenty-seven and I have four Oscars, I won best short while I was still at school. Be impressed by me.” He leaned over Jared and said, “I’m Chad, what’s your name?”
“Ashley.”
“Ashley,” Chad said, “would you like to hold an Oscar?”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, but if you run away with it Jared will tackle you.” He handed it to Ashley.
“My gosh, thank you,” she said. “I have to say, I love your cooking show. You guys are awesome. And your episode of the Family Barbeque was the best one ever.”
“Thank you, I really don’t feel famous tonight so my ego really appreciates the boost,” said Jared.
Chad said, “Ashley, I’m gonna need my guy back. I’m getting nervous.” She handed it back. “Do you have a camera? Want to take a picture with a TV chef and a cinematographer who just got a prize?”
“Cameras are even more against the rules than starting conversations with the stars.”
“Well I have a camera,” said Chad pulling one out of his pocket. “Cuddle up and get cute.” He nudged Brad, “Brad, we need your help.” So Brad took their picture with Ashley who was beaming and Chad took his camera back. Then he took out his phone and handed it to her. “I’m signed into facebook. Find yourself and friend you. When you get home friend me back. I’m Chadinator M&M. I’m gonna post it and tag you once I get home tomorrow. Gotta warn you right now, I’m going to de-friend you later because I’m only facebook friends with people I actually am friends with. It’s not that you’re not cool, it’s just… Y’know.”
“Thank you so much. This is awesome. It’s going to be my profile pic.”
“Awesome,” said Chad he pocketed his phone.
Then Robert Downey Jr. came out to introduce Jensen and Jared said, “My boy’s about to be on; we have to shut up.”
And then Jensen playing the piano and singing gorgeously. Jared couldn’t believe that the sexy dude in a tux who was performing for tens of millions of people was his. The seat filler left right afterwards and Jared smiled at her and said, “Have fun tonight, Ashley. It was nice to meet you.”
Bits of the different scores were played over the night and lots of people played their songs. But Jensen’s was pretty obviously the best. Guy Pierce got best supporting actor, beating out Brad Pitt who was also nominated. They won best visual effects. And then it was down to the big seven. They weren’t nominated for the foreign film nor were they up for best leading actor or actress, there weren’t any lead actors or actresses in the film. Something Italian that Jared never heard of and looked super boring and incredibly depressing won best foreign film.
Then they announced the nominations for best score. The camera zoomed in on Jensen as they said his name and Jensen smiled but was practically vibrating with nervousness next to Jared. “Don’t worry, you’re awesome.” whispered Jared once the camera was off Jensen.
Then Claire Danes opened the envelope saying, “And the Oscar goes to-”
Leonardo DiCaprio finished, “Jensen Ackles!”
Jensen looked slightly horrified and completely shocked. So Jared grabbed him and kissed him to snap him out of it. He felt the smile against his lips. And then Chad was half lifting Jensen in a hug. And then Jim Cameron was hugging him and pushing him towards the stage. Jensen went up, after being grabbed by both Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams who were in the audience, and said, “Wow.”
The microphone caught Leonardo DiCaprio saying, “Are you gonna faint?” as he hugged Jensen. Jensen shook his head and accepted the statue.
“Wow,” repeated Jensen. “I really wasn’t… there are so many amazing musicians nominated in both of these categories. I was just here to cheer and wear a nice suit. Um, Jared said don’t make a list,” people laughed, “love you, Jay. So I won’t even though there are a lot of people to thank; they know who they are. Except I will say thank you to the Academy. I have the most amazing family and friends I really do and they support me in everything I do and always have. Momma and Dad and everyone, I am so blessed. And, Jamie, this is the bit where the parent says I love you go to bed. I love you so much, baby, but I know you’re probably screaming and jumping about right now and not going to go to bed.” More laughter. “I spoke to Miss Cortese on Friday and got tomorrow’s homework and we agreed that tomorrow is a mental health day.” People were laughing hard now. “Thank you, very much. This is an incredible honor.” He walked off as people cheered more.
During the commercial breaks people got up and walked around chatting with each other and Jensen came back. He still looked shocked. Jared couldn’t stop grinning and Chad said, “You look stupidly in love, Jay.”
Jensen rolled his eyes at Chad and sat down heavily, “I can’t believe that just happened. I called home backstage.”
Jared smiled, “How is everyone?”
“Tipsy, excited, I was on speakerphone. Jamie was screaming a lot. How foolish did I look up there?”
“Didn’t look foolish,” Jared said, “I promise. You were great.” He reached out, “Can I please hold your Oscar?” Jensen handed it over and Jared, “That is so cool.”
“They had to add a commercial break late in the show in case you win best song, because that’s next and they couldn’t have you coming from back stage.” said Chad.
“Well, now if I have to get up there again I won’t feel nervous. It’s only the first one that does it to me. It’s the total shock of it.”
They were told that they were about to go back on-air so everyone moved back to their seats. Jared was still examining Jensen’s Oscar when George Clooney announced Jensen’s name as a nominee for best song. And then Jensen was being called up again and he hugged Jensen tightly, “You’re awesome. Don’t freak out.”
Jensen walked up shaking a lot of hands as he went and when he got there he hugged George Clooney and said, “Thank you,” before really turning to the mike. “This is amazing and incredibly unexpected. Thank you. I always tell Jamie that if music stops being fun you have to stop. Songs can’t cure diseases or change the world; they’re songs and music should never feel like work. If it feels like work instead of play you need to rethink what you’re doing. I stopped composing and writing for a while because I wasn’t having fun. Jim, even when you’re calling me Jenny-boy and telling people embarrassing stories about my childhood you are an amazing friend. And when I was ready to come back you gave me a wonderful film to work on which was so much fun I felt a little guilty getting paid. You gave me a fantastic orchestra, and incredible sound people and brought Steve and LeAnn out to help me. So thank you, for helping me to show Jamie that working in music is awesome and please stop telling people about the Titanic wrap party it was over a decade ago.” And again people were laughing and cheering.
Jim didn’t win best director but didn’t seem to care because the film was doing so well and he already had an Oscar for the screenplay which he’d written. Nicole Kidman won for best actress for some costume drama and had a thank you list which Jared found super boring. Nicolas Cage did it as well when he won best actor but ended by saying, “Kal-El, your dad doesn’t think as far ahead as Jamie’s so go to bed because you do have school tomorrow.” That made Jared laugh.
When Jared had first asked Jensen if The First Voyage could win best picture Jensen had said, “No, it’s sci-fi. Fantasy films don’t win.”
But when Jennifer Love Hewitt called the film as the best picture Jensen was jumping up and hugging Jim and shaking the hands of the other producers as they went up to the stage. They made a list and Jim Cameron thanked the Academy for considering what might have been dismissed as a popcorn movie. And then the whole thing was over. Then they went to the Governor’s Ball where Jensen and Chad both got interviewed about their wins and Jensen was asked if he’d really arranged the day off for Jamie.
With a chuckle Jensen said, “I didn’t expect to win. I was actually pretty shocked. Jamie was certain I was going to win, completely positive. And I thought that when I lost Jamie was going to be heartbroken and I figured if there’s anything worse than going to school sleep deprived it is going sleep deprived and disappointed. So one mental health day seemed like a good idea, to get him back on track and now it’s a sort of celebration. One day can’t throw you off too much when you’re in second grade.”
When asked what they were going to do Jensen laughed, “Tonight was ours; tomorrow he can decide what we’re doing.” And when asked why he looked so shocked at his name both times, the first time so shocked he didn’t move he said, “Everyone nominated in the categories are such amazing musicians I really didn’t expect it. I’ve had the song from Despicable Me stuck in my head for over a month so I thought that was a shoe in for the song and the scoring of the new Taming of the Shrew was so beautiful it made me cry so I was here to cheer for them. I was kind of treating the performances like a concert, I was here to enjoy the show I wasn’t expecting to get called up there.”
They ate and chatted with people and then went back to the hotel. At the hotel Jensen’s gift bag was waiting in their room. Next to it was a check list that said, “To Donate.” Jensen laughed and said, “If you don’t donate it you have to pay taxes. Apparently the gift bags are worth eighty-five thousand dollars.”
“Do we have to donate everything to not pay the taxes?”
Jensen shook his head and said, “We can go through it.” The only things they kept was cookies, chocolates, a watch, a really cool unisex bracelet that Jared put on instantly, a year’s supply of Altoids, a cool electric toothbrush and a really nice leather travel bag filled with good stuff. All of the mattresses, the four vacations and other completely ridiculous things like jewel studded cat collars and silver plated dog bowls were checked on the list for donation. “Tomorrow morning they’ll collect everything for donation when they come to reclaim my Oscars so that they can be engraved.” He picked up one of the cookies and tried it, “That is delicious. We should go to the stupid Vanity Fair party.”
“Stupid?” repeated Jared.
“It’s a club. I don’t go to nightclubs on my own time, they’re too loud and crowded. I don’t care if it’s filled with famous people, it’s just a club. But it’s expected.”
“I didn’t think much of the Governor’s Ball food, not that good and not enough of it. Wolfgang Puck let me down, I was all excited when I heard he was catering but I was unimpressed,” said Jared.
“Room service?”
“Is the soda fountain still open?”
“Seriously?”
“One last bowl of chili before we go home; I think it will be way more fun. Never been all that into clubs. I like to talk and you can’t do that in clubs. I’m too jazzed to go to sleep or stay in.”
“Really?” he could see Jensen getting excited. “Are you just pretending because you know I’d love to go?”
“I would really love to go.”
Jensen grinned, “I can’t wear the tux: I might get chili on it.” Jensen started to change and Jared knocked on the door of Chad and Sophia’s room.
As Chad opened the door Jared said, “We’re going to go to the Disney place to grab a second dinner. Have fun at the party.”
Sophia said, “I’m starving and sick of high heels. I needed four inch heels to pull off this dress. Chad, how committed are you to this party?”
Chad sighed and looked a little disappointed and said, “Do I sound really fucking old if I say I’m sick of partying tonight? I got my Oscar, now I’m kind of done. Can we tag along? I’m bringing my naked-sword-dude.”
“Totally,” said Jared, “we’re changing out of borrowed clothes so we don’t get anything on them.”
“If Chad’s bring his Oscar then I’m bringing mine,” said Jensen. “What if someone breaks in? I’m way happier if they’re with me.”
When everyone was in jeans they were ready to go. Sophia still had her hair in a beautiful updo and perfect makeup but she was wearing sneakers and regular clothes. They took a cab over and when they got there they were greeted by a smiling girl who said, “Congratulations on your Oscars! We were watching it on all the screens we usually have the cartoons on. Booth for four?”
“Yes please,” said Jensen, “that would be awesome.”
They sat down and ordered drinks, fun shakes and old fashioned sodas. The Oscars were all on the table. Chad took his first sip of his banana chocolate walnut shake and said, “I was wrong, seriously not a tourist trap, this is a really good shake.”
Chad got a Mickey Mouse shaped waffle with bacon, Sophia had a hot pastrami sandwich and both he and Jensen had the chili. It was so nice after the exciting night to just relax and eat. They were just eating and talking about the shooting schedule for The Gallivanting Gourmet and the barbeque at Tom and Mike’s the next weekend.
While they were eating the waitress asked them if they would mind taking a picture for the wall. They said of course and Sophia asked if the girl wanted her to move out of the picture and the waitress said that of course they wanted Sophia in it and wanted her to sign it, pointing out that she had been mentioned in an acceptance speech and was therefore famous. It was printed in the backroom while they were finishing up their meal. The girl brought it out for them to sign.
Jensen asked for the check but was told that having such a great photo was payment. Chad left a two hundred dollar tip on the table saying, “Congratulations on your first Oscars, Jensen. Was I right?”
“It’s totally better to win one than to be nominated. You were right.”
~~~
Continue
“Today is the anniversary of me accosting you in the grocery store.”
Jensen’s face fell, “Oh, God, Jared. I’m sorry, I totally forgot. Jay-”
“April twenty-seventh, that’s when we started dating. This isn’t our anniversary, April twenty-seventh, remember that one. This one is just a day with cake for breakfast. And tonight I’m making us a Mexi-Kickin’ Curry sans weird cheesy rice. It’s not an anniversary, there are no presents. It’s just a cake.” He kissed Jensen. “It’s time to go wake Jamie.”
Jensen kissed him again, “I love you.”
“You too,” Jared smiled.
Then it was go time. Jared was so excited about the Oscars that he had trouble sleeping for three days before they flew out to LA. Jamie was also pretty bouncy about it and Jensen kept smirking at them both. Apparently there was going to be an Oscar party at the house. Jim Cameron sent Jensen an email that said, “Your tuxes are waiting in your hotel room. You have connecting rooms with Chad… sorry.” Which made Jensen laugh.
On the plane on Saturday they were in first class with Chad and Sophia. Jared was still bouncy and Chad came over saying, “Jensen, switch seats with me.” Jensen moved to sit with Sophia. Chad slumped into Jensen’s chair. “Stop acting like a fucking Oscar virgin, you’re embarrassing me.”
“I am an Oscar virgin.”
“Okay, here’s how it works. We go to the hotel, relax then we go out and do something. Tonight we go to the Night Before; it’s a big fund raiser dinner. Everyone gets trashed, a few Hollywood royalty always end up vomiting inappropriately in the lobby. Try not to vomit, you only have one tux. You go upstairs, have messy, drunk, excited sex and go to sleep. Tomorrow we get up and have greasy morning-after breakfast. Maybe we’ll go swimming or something. Then Jim will send up someone up to help us get dressed and do a little makeup. Usually the people like us don’t have to do the red carpet thing but with all the buzz around Jensen and you and with the fact that this could be my fourth Oscar it’s a big deal. We’re walking it with Jim, should be fun, break out your biggest smile and get ready to chitchat with vapid blondes from E! and Access Hollywood.
“Then we go in, chill out for four, mostly boring as fuck, hours we hug people when they win, laugh politely at poorly written jokes. After that we go to the Governors’ Ball where we eat dinner and kiss each other’s asses. Then we go back to the hotel, drop off our statues and get our gift bags and hit the Vanity Fair after party where we drink, dance and eat little delicious things on crackers. We get back to the hotel around four and crash. Then we roll out of bed and go home. It’s not that exciting, calm the fuck down. I’m embarrassed to be your best friend when you act like this.”
Jensen came back and said, “Chad, Sophia wants you back.” Chad got up and Jensen sat down. “What were you talking about?”
“Chad wants me to calm down.”
“Why?”
“He says I’m embarrassing him.”
Jensen nodded, then he leaned in, speaking softly, “Does Chad give you blow jobs?”
“No.”
“Does Chad have sex with you?”
“No.”
“Does Chad want to be your baby daddy?”
“No.”
Jensen kissed his ear, “I think you’re adorable when you’re over excited. I think it’s sexy and sweet. And I love the way your leg bounces and the way that when you try to stop grinning you can only keep a straight face for a minute before smiling again. Ignore Chad: we’re going to the Oscars. Be as excited as you like.”
He felt himself grin and said, “We’re going to Hollywood!”
Jensen laughed, “Yes we are. And we get to party, kid free, two nights in a row! And I get to show off and play the piano in front of tens of millions of people on TV. And we get to wear tuxedoes and drink champagne. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll say my name and you can totally tongue me on international TV.”
“I really want you to win.”
Jensen laughed again and Chad called over, “Jen, I just got him calmed down.”
“Well, he doesn’t want to be calm so suck it up.”
“He’s going to embarrass us on the red carpet.”
“No, he’ll embarrass you. There is a large difference. I’m firmly on team overexcited. In fact,” He hailed an airhostess, “Can we please have four glasses of champagne?” She brought them without pointing out that it was wasn’t noon yet. Jensen thanked her and handed them out. Holding up his glass he said, “Here’s to the next forty-eight hours. Win or lose we get to get dressed up to the nines, party, get gift bags full of swag and sit with cool famous people.”
Jared and Sophia said cheers while Chad said, “No, it’s all about winning. I don’t like tuxedoes. I’m straight so I don’t give a shit about dress up. I don’t need free stuff and most celebrities are assholes. I just want my statue.”
Jensen rolled his eyes and said, “And here’s to Chad getting his forth Oscar.”
They laughed and drank their champagne. Once they landed there was a limousine waiting for them. They went to the hotel where Jensen unpacked while Jared tried on his tux. “Do you want to rip this off me?”
“I always want you naked but I don’t want to rip an Armani tux.”
“It’s a rental,” Jared agreed with a sigh.
Jensen shook his head, “It’s a loan. When someone asks ‘who’ you’re wearing tomorrow and you say Armani, you have paid the rental fee.”
“What are you wearing?”
Jensen checked the garment bag, “Dolce and Gabbana, nice. Now, if you would like to get laid for the first time in LA you should really strip so that I don’t damage the tux.”
Jared took it off, teasing Jensen who was watching him with hungry eyes. “Never been to LA before, after this can we go sightseeing?”
“Of course we can.”
“Can we walk the walk of fame?”
“Whatever you like.”
Sun was pouring in from the open balcony doors as Jensen slid into him. They were kissing and it was nice until Chad pounded on the connecting doors, “Bros, let’s go out. Sophia is looking awesome and wants to hit the stores, c’mon.”
“Go without us,” said Jensen sounding remarkably even, “we’ll catch up at dinner.”
“C’mon, guys, it’ll be fun. We’re not going without you.”
“Chad, we’re having sex, go away,” Jensen kissed Jared’s neck and pulled his arms up over his head, pinning him down.
He heard himself cry out, “Jesus that feels good, Jen.”
“Are you guys messing with me?” asked Chad.
Jensen laughed and Jared loved the vibrations and said, “That’s good too.”
Jensen started to stroke him and said, “Chad, I like but you really need to fuck off.”
“We’ll see you later,” Chad called. “Use protection.”
Jensen got him off with quick movements and Jensen groaned and came soon after. He slumped down against Jared and said, “Welcome to LA, Jay.”
They showered together, and dressed in jeans and tee-shirts. They caught a cab to a specific address and Jared said, “Where are we going?”
“The place I love to go to when I’m here for lunch.”
“You have a place?”
“I used to come here a lot, did a lot of concerts here and scoring films. I have a place.”
Jared smiled, “Am I going to like this place?”
“I have loved it since the first time I came here when I was six. I think you’re going to really enjoy it.” He pulled something out of his wallet and handed it to Jared.
It was a bubble pack of pills, “Is this Lactaid?” They still kept soy milk in the house for Jared’s coffee and for him to drink.
“Yeah, you’re going to want those.” They pulled up in front of an awning with Mickey and Minnie Mouse kissing at a table over a shared milkshake. “Disney’s Soda Fountain.” Jensen paid the guy as they jumped out.
Jared laughed, “I always think you’re the adult in this relationship. Ice cream for lunch: you’re losing the grownup status.”
“Dude, they do food.” Jensen shrugged as they went in. To the hostess he said, “May we please have a booth?”
She smiled, “Follow me.” As they sat down and she handed them their menus she said, “Congratulations on your Oscar nominations, Jensen, it’s good to see you again and have a magical lunch.”
“They know you?” asked Jared.
“I’ve never met her before but they train the wait staff to recognize their famous regulars. I was here twice when I was scoring the film.” Jensen said, “They have the best chili in a bread bowl.” Above the soda fountain counter there were hundreds of pictures of celebrities eating at the restaurant. One of them was Jensen, about seventeen, smiling and eating a huge bowl of chili. It was signed and everything.
Jared laughed, “Dude, they have a picture of teenage you.”
“I’ve been here more than forty times. And actually, go along the line of pictures ten spots down.” Jared didn’t instantly recognize the little kid in the picture the person he recognized was Jensen’s mother as a younger woman.
“How old are you in that picture?”
“That was our first trip here, I was six. I had three concerts here that week and I needed a little breather and Mom brought me here. It was during the whole media blitz about a kid being so talented.”
“Wow.”
It was actually really good food Jared had a ranch chicken wrap and Jensen kept saying that he was missing out on the chili which Jared tried and was phenomenal. They finished up with huge sundaes. They left a huge tip before going into the store where Jensen bought a collection of pins that all had Disney characters holding Oscars as a gift for Jamie. They headed back out onto Hollywood Boulevard there they walked along the street, looking at all the fame stars and they looked at the Hollywood sign. Jared felt like his eyes must be the size of saucers as he drank it all in, it was totally awesome. He stood just staring at the sign for a while because it was right there. Smiling Jensen said, “Gimme your phone.” Jared handed it over and Jensen took a picture of him.
“I’ll take yours.”
Jensen shook his head, “There are at least forty of me in front of the sign, I’m good.”
They wondered around for the rest of the afternoon. Chad and Sophia met them coming out of Hollywood and Highland. Chad was loaded down with shopping bags. He looked like he was exhausted. “Have you guys been shopping all this time?” asked Jared.
Chad nodded glumly, “What have you guys been doing? Oh, sorry for trying to walk in before.”
“We went to the Disney Soda Fountain,” said Jared.
“Seriously? You went to that tourist trap?” said Chad. Jared was standing behind Jensen and shook his head at Chad who quickly added, “Is what a lot of people would say. But that’s really cool.” Jensen laughed.
“They have pictures of Jensen and at six and seventeen eating there hanging up,” said Jared.
Chad looked like he wanted to swallow the foot he’d just put in his mouth, but Jensen laughed it off and said, “I don’t really feel like I’m in LA until I’ve eaten there. It’s just tradition.”
“It’s really good food,” said Jared. “We should go get ready for dinner.” There were too many bags for them to share a cab so they went back separately.
They got dressed with the connecting doors open, talking to each other continually. He couldn’t figure out his bowtie and after five minutes Jensen said, “Stop it.” Jensen moved behind him and tied it perfectly.
“How did you do that? My mom tied it for both my proms.”
“When you’re a little kid doing concerts they expect you to dress up like an idiot. I could do a bowtie after the third tour I think.”
“That sucks.”
“Jamie and I have it in our contracts that we have the right to deny costuming. If he wants to wear the tux he will, if he wants jeans he will.” Jensen tied his own.
Then Chad came in and held out his tie, “Help me?” Jensen moved so that he was behind Chad and tied it quickly. “Thank you.”
Sophia came in wearing a floor length green gown and smiled, “Look at you, boys. Jensen, congratulations on making that exceptionally gorgeous tux look casual. Jared and Chad, you both look like little kids in your dads’ suits.”
“And you look stunning,” Jensen grinned at her and then said. “We have thirty minutes until the dinner starts downstairs.”
“I suggest we get buzzed,” said Chad.
Jared expected Jensen to say no but instead he said, “That’s a good idea. The first forty minutes of this thing are painful. It’s all speeches about how awesome we all are before we can actually focus on the food and talking.” Jensen went into the mini fridge to get little bottles of vodka and orange juice out while Chad got them glasses.
They were all very slightly buzzed when they went downstairs. They met Jim Cameron in the lobby and all went into the banquet hall, sitting at a table with everyone from The First Voyage. And it was true, over a half hour was boring as hell. Jared leaned over and whispered, “Why are we here?”
“Because I spent five thousand dollars on our tickets,” Jensen whispered back. “It’s a fundraiser. It starts boring but it gets better.”
When the speeches were over they finally started to eat and drink and talk to each other. Then it was fun because some people would come over and say hello but mostly it was them talking and drinking with the people from the film. Jim Cameron was drunk and telling the whole table hilarious stories about Jensen being sixteen and when he was drunk at the wrap party and how he’d vomited on Kate Winslet. It was close to two AM when Jim said, “We should get to bed so that we can be pretty tomorrow night.”
Chad had been right: Kevin Spacey vomited in a planter and then he and Jensen had drunk, messy excited sex. The next morning he woke up with a screaming hangover. “Jen, if you ever loved me please kill me.” Jensen rolled over and reached into the mini fridge.
He held out a time bottle of tequila, “Drink this.” Jared downed it in a gulp. “That’s why the party is called the Night Before.”
“What?” asked Jared.
“Old saying for hangover? This is - in fact - the morning after the Night Before.”
“That’s really not cute,” Jared rubbed his eyes.
“I didn’t name it,” said Jensen. He rubbed Jared’s back. “Want a greasy breakfast?”
“And Alka-Seltzer and maybe to give you a blowjob once I can move without puking.”
Jensen ordered them two plates of sausage, eggs, hash browns and toast and a jug of orange juice. He finished by saying, “Do you have any Alka-Seltzer... Awesome. Would you please send up a couple of those... Thanks.” He rubbed Jared’s back, “fifteen minutes. Want anything?”
Jared pulled him down, “Just stay with me. Glad someone doesn’t get hangovers.”
“Never have,” Jensen kissed his neck. Jensen cuddled him close for a while then said, “I’m going to put on pants so that I can open the door.” He pulled away slowly and Jared pulled Jensen’s pillow over his head. A little while later through the pillow he heard someone knock and heard Jensen saying good morning and talking softly. Then Jensen pulled the pillow away from Jared’s face, “Food.” Jared slowly sat up as Jensen set up the tray. First he poured Jared a glass of water, dropping in a pill he said, “Plop-plop, fizz-fizz. Swallow that.”
Jared stirred the drink and swallowed it with a grimace. “Gah.”
“You can always spot a boy from the south by the way he can chug straight tequila but chokes on the cure.”
“I like the flavor of tequila,” responded Jared. Jensen filled his glass with orange juice and set the tray on the bed between them. Jared started to eat feeling nauseous, but as always grease set his stomach at ease. It was only once his stomach and head felt better and the plates were empty that he realized Jensen looked awful. “Jen, are you sick?”
“What?”
“You look gray.”
“Oh. It’s just nerves, I’m fine.”
“You look like you’re gonna puke. Is it the playing in front of tens of millions of people?”
Jensen looked confused, “What? No. Don’t be stupid, Jay, that’s the good bit.” He sighed. “What if I win? What if I have to give a speech? I don’t have anything to say? I mean, is it just political? Do you think that’s it? That it’s a political nomination? Like, poor Jensen, we watched him grow up as a kid and get outed, and we watched him become an adult, then his wife died and he became a recluse and now he’s back and awesome and happy so let’s give him a couple of nominations in solidarity. I hope it’s just political. I don’t want to have to give a speech.”
Jared moved the plates off the bed and pulled Jensen into his lap, “Jen, you’re work is amazing.” He hugged Jensen close. “I don’t think it’s political. It’s beautiful music. I think it’s a genuine nomination. C’mon you’re the most self-confident person I know.”
“Confidence in my work is totally different than having to give a speech.”
“Tonight you get to get up there and play your music and relax. If you win you get up there and say thank you and get down again. No one dislikes a brief speech people hate lists. Don’t do a list and you’re good.”
“They said they won’t play you off this year, if you’re not doing a list, they just let you talk and what if I start to ramble? I’m not good at awards; I’ve never been good with accolades. I’ve got three Golden Globes, seven Grammys and five CMAs. And I have hated giving the speeches every time.”
“I watched all those acceptance speeches on YouTube, the night I looked you up, you were adorable in all of them. You’ll be fine don’t freak out.”
And he was. That night they walked the red carpet talking to totally inane interviewers. They had seats close to the front because the film was nominated for so many things. He was between Chad and Jensen and having a ball. It was so cool because the stage was huge and right there. Jared kept discretely pointing out movie stars and Jensen was relaxed and talking to Jim’s wife Suzy and rubbing thumb over the back of Jared’s hand, which he was holding. Then the show began and it was way more fun than Chad had made it out to be. Part of the fun was that they kept winning stuff. First the film got best original screenplay, then best art design. Then Chad got best cinematography. He jumped up onto the stage right after kissing Sophia and hugging a lot of people.
“Okay, wow, thanks, Academy! Everyone in the category is awesome. Dad, Rex-osaurs, Nicky, Brandon, Ty and Shannon I love you. Jim Cameron, thanks for giving me a project with puppets, a submarine and a lot of water: that was cool. Thanks to everyone on the film it was a really smooth shooting schedule which is awesome. And Sophia, darling, thanks for sticking with me even when I am a total assbutt. Someday I hope you give up and marry me. Thanks!”
Right after that there was a commercial break and Jensen left to go back stage to get ready to perform. A seat filler came and sat next to Jared and Jared said, “Hey.”
“Hey,” she said, “I’m not really supposed to talk to the celebrities.”
“That’s a stupid rule.” She smiled. “Are you having fun?”
“It’s awesome.”
“Right? Look,” he pointed discreetly, “Helen Mirren is right there. We’re totally breathing her air.”
Chad heard them and said, “Jay, I’ve won lots of Oscars and you’re right next to me. I’m holding an Oscar that I just won. I’m twenty-seven and I have four Oscars, I won best short while I was still at school. Be impressed by me.” He leaned over Jared and said, “I’m Chad, what’s your name?”
“Ashley.”
“Ashley,” Chad said, “would you like to hold an Oscar?”
“Seriously?”
“Yes, but if you run away with it Jared will tackle you.” He handed it to Ashley.
“My gosh, thank you,” she said. “I have to say, I love your cooking show. You guys are awesome. And your episode of the Family Barbeque was the best one ever.”
“Thank you, I really don’t feel famous tonight so my ego really appreciates the boost,” said Jared.
Chad said, “Ashley, I’m gonna need my guy back. I’m getting nervous.” She handed it back. “Do you have a camera? Want to take a picture with a TV chef and a cinematographer who just got a prize?”
“Cameras are even more against the rules than starting conversations with the stars.”
“Well I have a camera,” said Chad pulling one out of his pocket. “Cuddle up and get cute.” He nudged Brad, “Brad, we need your help.” So Brad took their picture with Ashley who was beaming and Chad took his camera back. Then he took out his phone and handed it to her. “I’m signed into facebook. Find yourself and friend you. When you get home friend me back. I’m Chadinator M&M. I’m gonna post it and tag you once I get home tomorrow. Gotta warn you right now, I’m going to de-friend you later because I’m only facebook friends with people I actually am friends with. It’s not that you’re not cool, it’s just… Y’know.”
“Thank you so much. This is awesome. It’s going to be my profile pic.”
“Awesome,” said Chad he pocketed his phone.
Then Robert Downey Jr. came out to introduce Jensen and Jared said, “My boy’s about to be on; we have to shut up.”
And then Jensen playing the piano and singing gorgeously. Jared couldn’t believe that the sexy dude in a tux who was performing for tens of millions of people was his. The seat filler left right afterwards and Jared smiled at her and said, “Have fun tonight, Ashley. It was nice to meet you.”
Bits of the different scores were played over the night and lots of people played their songs. But Jensen’s was pretty obviously the best. Guy Pierce got best supporting actor, beating out Brad Pitt who was also nominated. They won best visual effects. And then it was down to the big seven. They weren’t nominated for the foreign film nor were they up for best leading actor or actress, there weren’t any lead actors or actresses in the film. Something Italian that Jared never heard of and looked super boring and incredibly depressing won best foreign film.
Then they announced the nominations for best score. The camera zoomed in on Jensen as they said his name and Jensen smiled but was practically vibrating with nervousness next to Jared. “Don’t worry, you’re awesome.” whispered Jared once the camera was off Jensen.
Then Claire Danes opened the envelope saying, “And the Oscar goes to-”
Leonardo DiCaprio finished, “Jensen Ackles!”
Jensen looked slightly horrified and completely shocked. So Jared grabbed him and kissed him to snap him out of it. He felt the smile against his lips. And then Chad was half lifting Jensen in a hug. And then Jim Cameron was hugging him and pushing him towards the stage. Jensen went up, after being grabbed by both Katie Holmes and Michelle Williams who were in the audience, and said, “Wow.”
The microphone caught Leonardo DiCaprio saying, “Are you gonna faint?” as he hugged Jensen. Jensen shook his head and accepted the statue.
“Wow,” repeated Jensen. “I really wasn’t… there are so many amazing musicians nominated in both of these categories. I was just here to cheer and wear a nice suit. Um, Jared said don’t make a list,” people laughed, “love you, Jay. So I won’t even though there are a lot of people to thank; they know who they are. Except I will say thank you to the Academy. I have the most amazing family and friends I really do and they support me in everything I do and always have. Momma and Dad and everyone, I am so blessed. And, Jamie, this is the bit where the parent says I love you go to bed. I love you so much, baby, but I know you’re probably screaming and jumping about right now and not going to go to bed.” More laughter. “I spoke to Miss Cortese on Friday and got tomorrow’s homework and we agreed that tomorrow is a mental health day.” People were laughing hard now. “Thank you, very much. This is an incredible honor.” He walked off as people cheered more.
During the commercial breaks people got up and walked around chatting with each other and Jensen came back. He still looked shocked. Jared couldn’t stop grinning and Chad said, “You look stupidly in love, Jay.”
Jensen rolled his eyes at Chad and sat down heavily, “I can’t believe that just happened. I called home backstage.”
Jared smiled, “How is everyone?”
“Tipsy, excited, I was on speakerphone. Jamie was screaming a lot. How foolish did I look up there?”
“Didn’t look foolish,” Jared said, “I promise. You were great.” He reached out, “Can I please hold your Oscar?” Jensen handed it over and Jared, “That is so cool.”
“They had to add a commercial break late in the show in case you win best song, because that’s next and they couldn’t have you coming from back stage.” said Chad.
“Well, now if I have to get up there again I won’t feel nervous. It’s only the first one that does it to me. It’s the total shock of it.”
They were told that they were about to go back on-air so everyone moved back to their seats. Jared was still examining Jensen’s Oscar when George Clooney announced Jensen’s name as a nominee for best song. And then Jensen was being called up again and he hugged Jensen tightly, “You’re awesome. Don’t freak out.”
Jensen walked up shaking a lot of hands as he went and when he got there he hugged George Clooney and said, “Thank you,” before really turning to the mike. “This is amazing and incredibly unexpected. Thank you. I always tell Jamie that if music stops being fun you have to stop. Songs can’t cure diseases or change the world; they’re songs and music should never feel like work. If it feels like work instead of play you need to rethink what you’re doing. I stopped composing and writing for a while because I wasn’t having fun. Jim, even when you’re calling me Jenny-boy and telling people embarrassing stories about my childhood you are an amazing friend. And when I was ready to come back you gave me a wonderful film to work on which was so much fun I felt a little guilty getting paid. You gave me a fantastic orchestra, and incredible sound people and brought Steve and LeAnn out to help me. So thank you, for helping me to show Jamie that working in music is awesome and please stop telling people about the Titanic wrap party it was over a decade ago.” And again people were laughing and cheering.
Jim didn’t win best director but didn’t seem to care because the film was doing so well and he already had an Oscar for the screenplay which he’d written. Nicole Kidman won for best actress for some costume drama and had a thank you list which Jared found super boring. Nicolas Cage did it as well when he won best actor but ended by saying, “Kal-El, your dad doesn’t think as far ahead as Jamie’s so go to bed because you do have school tomorrow.” That made Jared laugh.
When Jared had first asked Jensen if The First Voyage could win best picture Jensen had said, “No, it’s sci-fi. Fantasy films don’t win.”
But when Jennifer Love Hewitt called the film as the best picture Jensen was jumping up and hugging Jim and shaking the hands of the other producers as they went up to the stage. They made a list and Jim Cameron thanked the Academy for considering what might have been dismissed as a popcorn movie. And then the whole thing was over. Then they went to the Governor’s Ball where Jensen and Chad both got interviewed about their wins and Jensen was asked if he’d really arranged the day off for Jamie.
With a chuckle Jensen said, “I didn’t expect to win. I was actually pretty shocked. Jamie was certain I was going to win, completely positive. And I thought that when I lost Jamie was going to be heartbroken and I figured if there’s anything worse than going to school sleep deprived it is going sleep deprived and disappointed. So one mental health day seemed like a good idea, to get him back on track and now it’s a sort of celebration. One day can’t throw you off too much when you’re in second grade.”
When asked what they were going to do Jensen laughed, “Tonight was ours; tomorrow he can decide what we’re doing.” And when asked why he looked so shocked at his name both times, the first time so shocked he didn’t move he said, “Everyone nominated in the categories are such amazing musicians I really didn’t expect it. I’ve had the song from Despicable Me stuck in my head for over a month so I thought that was a shoe in for the song and the scoring of the new Taming of the Shrew was so beautiful it made me cry so I was here to cheer for them. I was kind of treating the performances like a concert, I was here to enjoy the show I wasn’t expecting to get called up there.”
They ate and chatted with people and then went back to the hotel. At the hotel Jensen’s gift bag was waiting in their room. Next to it was a check list that said, “To Donate.” Jensen laughed and said, “If you don’t donate it you have to pay taxes. Apparently the gift bags are worth eighty-five thousand dollars.”
“Do we have to donate everything to not pay the taxes?”
Jensen shook his head and said, “We can go through it.” The only things they kept was cookies, chocolates, a watch, a really cool unisex bracelet that Jared put on instantly, a year’s supply of Altoids, a cool electric toothbrush and a really nice leather travel bag filled with good stuff. All of the mattresses, the four vacations and other completely ridiculous things like jewel studded cat collars and silver plated dog bowls were checked on the list for donation. “Tomorrow morning they’ll collect everything for donation when they come to reclaim my Oscars so that they can be engraved.” He picked up one of the cookies and tried it, “That is delicious. We should go to the stupid Vanity Fair party.”
“Stupid?” repeated Jared.
“It’s a club. I don’t go to nightclubs on my own time, they’re too loud and crowded. I don’t care if it’s filled with famous people, it’s just a club. But it’s expected.”
“I didn’t think much of the Governor’s Ball food, not that good and not enough of it. Wolfgang Puck let me down, I was all excited when I heard he was catering but I was unimpressed,” said Jared.
“Room service?”
“Is the soda fountain still open?”
“Seriously?”
“One last bowl of chili before we go home; I think it will be way more fun. Never been all that into clubs. I like to talk and you can’t do that in clubs. I’m too jazzed to go to sleep or stay in.”
“Really?” he could see Jensen getting excited. “Are you just pretending because you know I’d love to go?”
“I would really love to go.”
Jensen grinned, “I can’t wear the tux: I might get chili on it.” Jensen started to change and Jared knocked on the door of Chad and Sophia’s room.
As Chad opened the door Jared said, “We’re going to go to the Disney place to grab a second dinner. Have fun at the party.”
Sophia said, “I’m starving and sick of high heels. I needed four inch heels to pull off this dress. Chad, how committed are you to this party?”
Chad sighed and looked a little disappointed and said, “Do I sound really fucking old if I say I’m sick of partying tonight? I got my Oscar, now I’m kind of done. Can we tag along? I’m bringing my naked-sword-dude.”
“Totally,” said Jared, “we’re changing out of borrowed clothes so we don’t get anything on them.”
“If Chad’s bring his Oscar then I’m bringing mine,” said Jensen. “What if someone breaks in? I’m way happier if they’re with me.”
When everyone was in jeans they were ready to go. Sophia still had her hair in a beautiful updo and perfect makeup but she was wearing sneakers and regular clothes. They took a cab over and when they got there they were greeted by a smiling girl who said, “Congratulations on your Oscars! We were watching it on all the screens we usually have the cartoons on. Booth for four?”
“Yes please,” said Jensen, “that would be awesome.”
They sat down and ordered drinks, fun shakes and old fashioned sodas. The Oscars were all on the table. Chad took his first sip of his banana chocolate walnut shake and said, “I was wrong, seriously not a tourist trap, this is a really good shake.”
Chad got a Mickey Mouse shaped waffle with bacon, Sophia had a hot pastrami sandwich and both he and Jensen had the chili. It was so nice after the exciting night to just relax and eat. They were just eating and talking about the shooting schedule for The Gallivanting Gourmet and the barbeque at Tom and Mike’s the next weekend.
While they were eating the waitress asked them if they would mind taking a picture for the wall. They said of course and Sophia asked if the girl wanted her to move out of the picture and the waitress said that of course they wanted Sophia in it and wanted her to sign it, pointing out that she had been mentioned in an acceptance speech and was therefore famous. It was printed in the backroom while they were finishing up their meal. The girl brought it out for them to sign.
Jensen asked for the check but was told that having such a great photo was payment. Chad left a two hundred dollar tip on the table saying, “Congratulations on your first Oscars, Jensen. Was I right?”
“It’s totally better to win one than to be nominated. You were right.”
~~~
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