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That Time Jared Finally Did It
2,675 words; Rated R
It was Mackenzie’s day, nothing could be more certain. But Jared couldn’t keep his eyes off Jensen. His tailored three-piece suit and perfectly coiffed hair - parted just as usual but coupled with the classic outfit, and Jensen really shined.
Jared did his best to compliment Mac, noting how she looked breathtakingly beautiful - which she did - or how gorgeously the hall had been decorated - it was - but it was obvious to the few in the conversation that Jared couldn’t stop looking to the side, eyes constantly landing on Jensen.
A few times, Donna joked that she was grateful she’d finally gotten Mac married off. “Now if only Jensen could get moving,” different aunts or uncles laughed with the rest of the relatives, and each time Jared felt it sting inside.
They’d talked about it; Jared even referenced the very day to actually do it. But they’d mocked the whole thing and never spoke of it again.
When Alan casually fielded questions from relatives on when Jensen would settle down, Jared finally spoke up, asking Alan, “You have a second?” with a soft hand at his elbow.
Alan eyed him as he sipped his beer but followed to the side where no one could eavesdrop. “You okay?”
Jared swallowed hard and even tucked a finger inside his collar. “Yeah, I just wanted to ask,” and then he caught Jensen sliding close and he gave a tight smile. “If you’re having a good time. It’s a beautiful reception.” Alan kept the awkward glance but Jared smiled at Jensen as he patted Jared’s back. “How’re you?”
“I’m good,” he smiled easily with his hand settling low on Jared’s back. He looked to his father and grinned. “Day went well.”
“It went really well,” Alan grinned back. “No thanks to you.”
Jared slung an arm over Jensen’s shoulders. “What a hero.”
“Gimme a whistle and I’ll order everyone around.”
“I think that’s the only reason Mac put you in the party,” Alan nodded with a smirk.
“Whatever,” Jensen shrugged. “I made the final list.” Then he turned to Jared and grinned. “That’s two bridal parties.”
Jared laughed. “First one was by default.”
Jensen rolled his eyes. “God, you just can’t gimme a break can you.”
He laughed again and pulled Jensen close, kissing his temple. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Alan softly smiled at them, patting at Jensen’s shoulder. “You boys enjoy yourselves.”
They turned to the rest of the crowd, arms still around each other, and Jared tucked Jensen in tighter. Then he kissed his temple again and spoke at his hair. “You look ridiculously good.”
Jensen looked over and shared a small smile. “Not so bad yourself.”
“God, I just -” then he stopped himself, because his brain was moving far ahead of his mouth, imagining how good Jensen would look for years to come. Dressing sharp, taking care of himself, always standing with pride. Even if Jared mocked him for taking so much care with his image, it wasn’t without its rewards.
“You what?”
Jared sighed then kissed his cheek. “Nothing.” He ran a hand at the back of Jensen’s head and squeezed at his neck. “You just look really, really good.”
A tiny blush rose on his cheeks but he looked away and scrubbed at Jared’s back. “So, I spent all morning playing wedding dictator. There’s an open bar. And we have a room upstairs. We gonna drink, or what?”
“Great plan.”
*
During the dollar dance, Jared tucked a ten into the bag the best man held for Mackenzie and slid up with a smile then a long bow. She laughed and swatted his back. “Stand up, you idiot.”
Jared laughed and straightened as he easily moved into place and led her to dance. “You know, I couldn’t be happier to be here to see this. Especially with the open bar.”
She shook her head and fought a smile as she squeezed hard at his hand. “You and Jensen better not go too crazy. I saw him double fisting before.” Jared raised an eyebrow and smirked but before he could say a word, she stepped on his foot with a playful frown. “Oh, I’m sorry!”
He bit back the pain and looked over her head, immediately finding Jensen talking with a few cousins. “I guess I forgive you. It is your day.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” Mackenzie moved closer and rested her cheek at his shoulder. “How long have you guys been together?”
Jared looked down and then hummed. “Five years in October.”
She hummed right back.
With a deep breath, he squeezed gently. “I wanna ask him. He said I could, but that I had to wait until after today.”
She pulled back and eyed him. “You have to wait until after today?”
“Yeah, for you to have your day.”
Looking to the side, she found Jensen and sighed. “He’s such a li’l softy.”
Jared cleared his throat. “You think it’s okay?”
“Okay that you get married? It is legal in Massachusetts.”
“No, but I mean -”
They were cut off when the best man stepped up to signal the next dancer, her Uncle Dave waving a twenty with a sweet smile.
She was about to say more, but Dave stepped up and talked immediately.
Jared scrubbed a hand through his hair and tried to sneak in another chance to see Mackenzie’s look, but she was taken by the new conversation.
*
There’d been enough liquor to ease them up and Jared pulled up behind Jensen, who was hanging at the bar with Josh, their new brother-in-law, and a few cousins. Jared slipped an arm round Jensen’s waist and Jensen leaned back even as he kept talking and laughing with the guys.
Someone dished out shot glasses and looked at Jensen with a smirk. “You’re next, buddy.”
Jensen snorted, which only added to the relaxed nature of the moment. His jacket was gone, tie loose, hair mussed a little, and his lips in a permanent smile. “Talk to this guy.”
They all regarded Jared with a high eyebrow. “You holdin’ out on our boy?” Josh asked with a laugh, handing Jared a glass.
“No,” he insisted and gave Jensen a look before everyone tossed the shot back, and did their best to take it without argument. Jared hissed at the burn in his throat then laughed through a cough.
“I gotta go,” Jensen announced before turning and walking off.
Jared watched then looked at Josh. Josh said, “Takin’ a piss. C’mere, Jared.” He pulled him close with an arm around his neck and then passed a beer. “I’m just kiddin’, ya know?”
“Yeah, alright,” he smiled, trying to ease out of it. He’d always loved Jensen’s family, never had a single problem with any of them. But here at the wedding, trying so hard to work in a conversation about he and Jensen actually getting married sometime soon put him on edge. Jared picked at the label on his beer. “So how long did you date before you got married?”
Josh snorted and turned back to the bartender. Seconds later, he slid a fruity drink to Jared.
“What’s that?”
With a smirk, Josh tapped it. “Malibu and pineapple. Mom’s favorite. You know what else is her favorite? Jensen.” Jared looked between the glass and Josh until Josh pushed it into his hand. “Go talk to her about her two favorite things. Hurry before he comes back and interrupts you again.”
“Wait - What?”
Josh shook his head. “Jesus, you two are idiots. He keeps dropping in because he can’t stand to be away from you. Go ask my mom before he runs back in.”
Jared hurried to Donna and nodded with a smile as he handed the drink over. “Heard this is your favorite?”
She eyed him with a playful smile before taking a sip then sighing with appreciation. “Yes, Jared, it certainly is.” His smile and sigh were obviously thankful and she rung an arm through his. “You okay? Lookin’ kinda strung out tonight.”
He motioned his beer around but then put it down and regarded her seriously. “Yeah … I just … I have to ask.”
“Did you ask her yet?”
Jared looked to Mackenzie materializing at his side then to Donna when she asked, “Ask me what?”
Mackenzie sucked in a breath. “Oh my God, I’m sorry. Okay, go now.” She snuck an arm through his other one and watched as he took a few calming breaths.
He closed his eyes then finally said what he’d meant to say. “You know I love Jensen. And I wanted to know how you felt … about Jensen and I. If Jensen and I -”
“If they got married,” Mackenzie whispered excitedly.
“Jesus, Mac,” he huffed and she frowned.
“What? You were taking forever to ask.”
Jared cleared his throat then looked at Donna. “I’m asking permission to ask your son to marry me.”
Donna and Mackenzie shared a look then Donna giggled and broke into full laughter. “Why’re you asking me?”
His eyes widened and he thumbed behind him. “Josh told me to ask you. He said Jensen’s your favorite.”
She giggled again, sipping a good deal of the drink. “He is. He really is. Honey … you really think I’d say no? You know we love you.”
“Yeah, but -”
“But nothing, just ask him. He’s dying for you to ask.”
Jared held his breath then swiped a hand over his face. “No, wait … he said I had to wait until after Mac got married. That we couldn’t steal the spotlight.”
Mackenzie laughed and pulled on his arm. “He didn’t think you’d actually wait.”
“Oh, fuck,” he muttered, pushing the heel of his hand into his forehead. Then he frowned at Donna for his swear. “I mean … “
She rolled her eyes and pushed him away. “Please, two boys and her. You think I haven’t heard it before?” She ignored Mackenzie’s protest then asked, “You have a ring?”
Jared nodded and pulled the silver band from his pocket then handed it to Donna to look at. It all set Mackenzie off to jump and clap excitedly. “Oh my God, you’re going to do it here!”
“Gonna do what?” Jensen asked, showing up at Mackenzie’s side.
They each did their best to play cool, turning towards Jensen even while bumping arms. Then Jared heard the distinct clink of the ring hitting the ground and whimpered. “Oh, shit,” Donna whispered.
Mackenzie grabbed Jensen and insisted they dance, pulling him far enough away that Jared could fall to the ground and look for the ring. Donna bent over and pulled tablecloths up, then chuckled when Jared grumbled, “This is so not going well.”
“It’s not supposed to be perfect.” He gave her a hard look and she laughed while patting at his cheek. “Trust me, sweetheart, it ain’t. It’s better this way.”
It took some time and plenty of upturned tablecloths, but Jared finally found it and palmed it tightly. Josh stepped up next to him and quietly, yet excitedly, said, “Hear you actually have a ring. Lemme see.”
“Are you kidding me?” he hushed back. “The one time I pull it out and your mom can’t hold onto it!”
Josh snorted and Jared gave a warning glance before Josh patted his back and relaxed. “You’re not supposed to let her see it. What’re you thinkin’?”
Jared narrowed his eyes but then laughed with a roll of his eyes when he realized that Josh was pretty damned drunk and just screwing around with him.
“She say yes?”
“Of course she did,” Jared grinned. “She loves me.”
“Right,” he snorted. “Of course she does.”
They watched the party continue on, and especially Jensen. He was drunk enough to get into the music and was constantly jumping up and down with cousins, Mackenzie, and a few of her bridesmaids among other guests. The crowd jumped with the beat of R-O-C-K in the USA, and Jared couldn’t stop smiling, knowing it took the perfect level of alcohol for Jensen to be this open to dance around but not too far gone to be crazy about it.
Jared pocketed the ring and walked off, content with Josh’s comforting pat to his back, and joined the group. He beamed when Jensen slid close and kept moving with the rhythm, forcing Jared to dance with him. He’d seen this Jensen a few times before, and it was always a surprise, but still always made him laugh and want more of it. Just want more of Jensen period, because beyond the regular moments of anal retention and having a strict schedule to live by, he eased up whenever Jared stepped up, and Jared loved how easily they warmed to each other.
The music shifted into For Once in My Life, and Jensen sang along, poorly, but Jared just laughed with him. Until he just wrapped his arms around Jensen’s shoulders and kissed him. Knowing they were among family and lots of other guests, he didn’t push much into it, but there was just a bit of tongue and they both made sure to keep their hands in respectable places.
With shaky fingers, he pulled the ring out and held it between them. All the other times he’d thought of doing it flashed before his eyes - in the hotel room that night, at the harbor the next day, in their apartment next week, at a fancy dinner the week after. But he didn’t want to hold onto it anymore.
Jensen stared at it and muttered, “Oh my God,” then gawked at Jared.
Jared chuckled nervously then gripped Jensen’s neck and kissed him, unable to control it. When he pulled back he chuckled again and then admitted, “I bought it three years ago. After that aborted Valentine’s Day, when we had to eat in your office because you were too busy to leave, but you wouldn’t cancel. I spent my first few paychecks on it because I knew I had to have it in case you never asked.”
Jensen grabbed onto Jared’s neck and breathed so deep his chest pushed against Jared’s.
“I love you,” Jared gushed. “I’ve loved you forever. Please, please say yes.”
Jensen pulled back then grabbed the ring and looked over it, spinning it in his fingers. He murmured the inscription: we are all that matters Then he gushed, “This is, like, the most surprising, romantic thing you’ve ever done.”
Jared laughed. “So you like?”
His hand slid into the back of Jared’s hair, holding tightly and yanking him into a kiss. Jared quickly went with it, arms around Jensen’s waist, dipping him back. With the motion, Jensen’s hand clenched the ring then wound around Jared’s neck and held him close.
Suddenly, the crowd broke into cheers and the music blared with Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours.
Jensen and Jared laughed together. Jensen kissed him a few more times, and then he said to Jared’s lips, “I would’ve asked. I really would’ve.”
Jared righted them and hugged him tight, face buried into Jensen’s shoulder. “This is even better,” he grinned.
Jensen’s hand, again, slid into Jared’s hair and threaded through. His eyes were shining and his face set into a calm happiness. “I was making sure you were sure.”
He wrapped his arms around Jensen and pressed their foreheads together as he swayed them. “I’m so sure. Been sure for a while.”
Jensen’s arms wound tight around Jared’s waist and he couldn’t stop smiling or kissing, which first drew whistles but soon enough turned into groaning and yelling for them to get a room.
Jared laughed and moved his head beside Jensen’s, continuing to sway, and when he caught Mackenzie smiling at them, tears threatening to spill down her face, he felt the moisture finally build in his eyes. With emotion, he tipped his head down and kissed Jensen’s neck, happier than anything that he’d done it right then, glad he ignored the warnings of doing it at someone else’s wedding. Because it worked out pretty damned good.
2,675 words; Rated R
It was Mackenzie’s day, nothing could be more certain. But Jared couldn’t keep his eyes off Jensen. His tailored three-piece suit and perfectly coiffed hair - parted just as usual but coupled with the classic outfit, and Jensen really shined.
Jared did his best to compliment Mac, noting how she looked breathtakingly beautiful - which she did - or how gorgeously the hall had been decorated - it was - but it was obvious to the few in the conversation that Jared couldn’t stop looking to the side, eyes constantly landing on Jensen.
A few times, Donna joked that she was grateful she’d finally gotten Mac married off. “Now if only Jensen could get moving,” different aunts or uncles laughed with the rest of the relatives, and each time Jared felt it sting inside.
They’d talked about it; Jared even referenced the very day to actually do it. But they’d mocked the whole thing and never spoke of it again.
When Alan casually fielded questions from relatives on when Jensen would settle down, Jared finally spoke up, asking Alan, “You have a second?” with a soft hand at his elbow.
Alan eyed him as he sipped his beer but followed to the side where no one could eavesdrop. “You okay?”
Jared swallowed hard and even tucked a finger inside his collar. “Yeah, I just wanted to ask,” and then he caught Jensen sliding close and he gave a tight smile. “If you’re having a good time. It’s a beautiful reception.” Alan kept the awkward glance but Jared smiled at Jensen as he patted Jared’s back. “How’re you?”
“I’m good,” he smiled easily with his hand settling low on Jared’s back. He looked to his father and grinned. “Day went well.”
“It went really well,” Alan grinned back. “No thanks to you.”
Jared slung an arm over Jensen’s shoulders. “What a hero.”
“Gimme a whistle and I’ll order everyone around.”
“I think that’s the only reason Mac put you in the party,” Alan nodded with a smirk.
“Whatever,” Jensen shrugged. “I made the final list.” Then he turned to Jared and grinned. “That’s two bridal parties.”
Jared laughed. “First one was by default.”
Jensen rolled his eyes. “God, you just can’t gimme a break can you.”
He laughed again and pulled Jensen close, kissing his temple. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Alan softly smiled at them, patting at Jensen’s shoulder. “You boys enjoy yourselves.”
They turned to the rest of the crowd, arms still around each other, and Jared tucked Jensen in tighter. Then he kissed his temple again and spoke at his hair. “You look ridiculously good.”
Jensen looked over and shared a small smile. “Not so bad yourself.”
“God, I just -” then he stopped himself, because his brain was moving far ahead of his mouth, imagining how good Jensen would look for years to come. Dressing sharp, taking care of himself, always standing with pride. Even if Jared mocked him for taking so much care with his image, it wasn’t without its rewards.
“You what?”
Jared sighed then kissed his cheek. “Nothing.” He ran a hand at the back of Jensen’s head and squeezed at his neck. “You just look really, really good.”
A tiny blush rose on his cheeks but he looked away and scrubbed at Jared’s back. “So, I spent all morning playing wedding dictator. There’s an open bar. And we have a room upstairs. We gonna drink, or what?”
“Great plan.”
*
During the dollar dance, Jared tucked a ten into the bag the best man held for Mackenzie and slid up with a smile then a long bow. She laughed and swatted his back. “Stand up, you idiot.”
Jared laughed and straightened as he easily moved into place and led her to dance. “You know, I couldn’t be happier to be here to see this. Especially with the open bar.”
She shook her head and fought a smile as she squeezed hard at his hand. “You and Jensen better not go too crazy. I saw him double fisting before.” Jared raised an eyebrow and smirked but before he could say a word, she stepped on his foot with a playful frown. “Oh, I’m sorry!”
He bit back the pain and looked over her head, immediately finding Jensen talking with a few cousins. “I guess I forgive you. It is your day.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” Mackenzie moved closer and rested her cheek at his shoulder. “How long have you guys been together?”
Jared looked down and then hummed. “Five years in October.”
She hummed right back.
With a deep breath, he squeezed gently. “I wanna ask him. He said I could, but that I had to wait until after today.”
She pulled back and eyed him. “You have to wait until after today?”
“Yeah, for you to have your day.”
Looking to the side, she found Jensen and sighed. “He’s such a li’l softy.”
Jared cleared his throat. “You think it’s okay?”
“Okay that you get married? It is legal in Massachusetts.”
“No, but I mean -”
They were cut off when the best man stepped up to signal the next dancer, her Uncle Dave waving a twenty with a sweet smile.
She was about to say more, but Dave stepped up and talked immediately.
Jared scrubbed a hand through his hair and tried to sneak in another chance to see Mackenzie’s look, but she was taken by the new conversation.
*
There’d been enough liquor to ease them up and Jared pulled up behind Jensen, who was hanging at the bar with Josh, their new brother-in-law, and a few cousins. Jared slipped an arm round Jensen’s waist and Jensen leaned back even as he kept talking and laughing with the guys.
Someone dished out shot glasses and looked at Jensen with a smirk. “You’re next, buddy.”
Jensen snorted, which only added to the relaxed nature of the moment. His jacket was gone, tie loose, hair mussed a little, and his lips in a permanent smile. “Talk to this guy.”
They all regarded Jared with a high eyebrow. “You holdin’ out on our boy?” Josh asked with a laugh, handing Jared a glass.
“No,” he insisted and gave Jensen a look before everyone tossed the shot back, and did their best to take it without argument. Jared hissed at the burn in his throat then laughed through a cough.
“I gotta go,” Jensen announced before turning and walking off.
Jared watched then looked at Josh. Josh said, “Takin’ a piss. C’mere, Jared.” He pulled him close with an arm around his neck and then passed a beer. “I’m just kiddin’, ya know?”
“Yeah, alright,” he smiled, trying to ease out of it. He’d always loved Jensen’s family, never had a single problem with any of them. But here at the wedding, trying so hard to work in a conversation about he and Jensen actually getting married sometime soon put him on edge. Jared picked at the label on his beer. “So how long did you date before you got married?”
Josh snorted and turned back to the bartender. Seconds later, he slid a fruity drink to Jared.
“What’s that?”
With a smirk, Josh tapped it. “Malibu and pineapple. Mom’s favorite. You know what else is her favorite? Jensen.” Jared looked between the glass and Josh until Josh pushed it into his hand. “Go talk to her about her two favorite things. Hurry before he comes back and interrupts you again.”
“Wait - What?”
Josh shook his head. “Jesus, you two are idiots. He keeps dropping in because he can’t stand to be away from you. Go ask my mom before he runs back in.”
Jared hurried to Donna and nodded with a smile as he handed the drink over. “Heard this is your favorite?”
She eyed him with a playful smile before taking a sip then sighing with appreciation. “Yes, Jared, it certainly is.” His smile and sigh were obviously thankful and she rung an arm through his. “You okay? Lookin’ kinda strung out tonight.”
He motioned his beer around but then put it down and regarded her seriously. “Yeah … I just … I have to ask.”
“Did you ask her yet?”
Jared looked to Mackenzie materializing at his side then to Donna when she asked, “Ask me what?”
Mackenzie sucked in a breath. “Oh my God, I’m sorry. Okay, go now.” She snuck an arm through his other one and watched as he took a few calming breaths.
He closed his eyes then finally said what he’d meant to say. “You know I love Jensen. And I wanted to know how you felt … about Jensen and I. If Jensen and I -”
“If they got married,” Mackenzie whispered excitedly.
“Jesus, Mac,” he huffed and she frowned.
“What? You were taking forever to ask.”
Jared cleared his throat then looked at Donna. “I’m asking permission to ask your son to marry me.”
Donna and Mackenzie shared a look then Donna giggled and broke into full laughter. “Why’re you asking me?”
His eyes widened and he thumbed behind him. “Josh told me to ask you. He said Jensen’s your favorite.”
She giggled again, sipping a good deal of the drink. “He is. He really is. Honey … you really think I’d say no? You know we love you.”
“Yeah, but -”
“But nothing, just ask him. He’s dying for you to ask.”
Jared held his breath then swiped a hand over his face. “No, wait … he said I had to wait until after Mac got married. That we couldn’t steal the spotlight.”
Mackenzie laughed and pulled on his arm. “He didn’t think you’d actually wait.”
“Oh, fuck,” he muttered, pushing the heel of his hand into his forehead. Then he frowned at Donna for his swear. “I mean … “
She rolled her eyes and pushed him away. “Please, two boys and her. You think I haven’t heard it before?” She ignored Mackenzie’s protest then asked, “You have a ring?”
Jared nodded and pulled the silver band from his pocket then handed it to Donna to look at. It all set Mackenzie off to jump and clap excitedly. “Oh my God, you’re going to do it here!”
“Gonna do what?” Jensen asked, showing up at Mackenzie’s side.
They each did their best to play cool, turning towards Jensen even while bumping arms. Then Jared heard the distinct clink of the ring hitting the ground and whimpered. “Oh, shit,” Donna whispered.
Mackenzie grabbed Jensen and insisted they dance, pulling him far enough away that Jared could fall to the ground and look for the ring. Donna bent over and pulled tablecloths up, then chuckled when Jared grumbled, “This is so not going well.”
“It’s not supposed to be perfect.” He gave her a hard look and she laughed while patting at his cheek. “Trust me, sweetheart, it ain’t. It’s better this way.”
It took some time and plenty of upturned tablecloths, but Jared finally found it and palmed it tightly. Josh stepped up next to him and quietly, yet excitedly, said, “Hear you actually have a ring. Lemme see.”
“Are you kidding me?” he hushed back. “The one time I pull it out and your mom can’t hold onto it!”
Josh snorted and Jared gave a warning glance before Josh patted his back and relaxed. “You’re not supposed to let her see it. What’re you thinkin’?”
Jared narrowed his eyes but then laughed with a roll of his eyes when he realized that Josh was pretty damned drunk and just screwing around with him.
“She say yes?”
“Of course she did,” Jared grinned. “She loves me.”
“Right,” he snorted. “Of course she does.”
They watched the party continue on, and especially Jensen. He was drunk enough to get into the music and was constantly jumping up and down with cousins, Mackenzie, and a few of her bridesmaids among other guests. The crowd jumped with the beat of R-O-C-K in the USA, and Jared couldn’t stop smiling, knowing it took the perfect level of alcohol for Jensen to be this open to dance around but not too far gone to be crazy about it.
Jared pocketed the ring and walked off, content with Josh’s comforting pat to his back, and joined the group. He beamed when Jensen slid close and kept moving with the rhythm, forcing Jared to dance with him. He’d seen this Jensen a few times before, and it was always a surprise, but still always made him laugh and want more of it. Just want more of Jensen period, because beyond the regular moments of anal retention and having a strict schedule to live by, he eased up whenever Jared stepped up, and Jared loved how easily they warmed to each other.
The music shifted into For Once in My Life, and Jensen sang along, poorly, but Jared just laughed with him. Until he just wrapped his arms around Jensen’s shoulders and kissed him. Knowing they were among family and lots of other guests, he didn’t push much into it, but there was just a bit of tongue and they both made sure to keep their hands in respectable places.
With shaky fingers, he pulled the ring out and held it between them. All the other times he’d thought of doing it flashed before his eyes - in the hotel room that night, at the harbor the next day, in their apartment next week, at a fancy dinner the week after. But he didn’t want to hold onto it anymore.
Jensen stared at it and muttered, “Oh my God,” then gawked at Jared.
Jared chuckled nervously then gripped Jensen’s neck and kissed him, unable to control it. When he pulled back he chuckled again and then admitted, “I bought it three years ago. After that aborted Valentine’s Day, when we had to eat in your office because you were too busy to leave, but you wouldn’t cancel. I spent my first few paychecks on it because I knew I had to have it in case you never asked.”
Jensen grabbed onto Jared’s neck and breathed so deep his chest pushed against Jared’s.
“I love you,” Jared gushed. “I’ve loved you forever. Please, please say yes.”
Jensen pulled back then grabbed the ring and looked over it, spinning it in his fingers. He murmured the inscription: we are all that matters Then he gushed, “This is, like, the most surprising, romantic thing you’ve ever done.”
Jared laughed. “So you like?”
His hand slid into the back of Jared’s hair, holding tightly and yanking him into a kiss. Jared quickly went with it, arms around Jensen’s waist, dipping him back. With the motion, Jensen’s hand clenched the ring then wound around Jared’s neck and held him close.
Suddenly, the crowd broke into cheers and the music blared with Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours.
Jensen and Jared laughed together. Jensen kissed him a few more times, and then he said to Jared’s lips, “I would’ve asked. I really would’ve.”
Jared righted them and hugged him tight, face buried into Jensen’s shoulder. “This is even better,” he grinned.
Jensen’s hand, again, slid into Jared’s hair and threaded through. His eyes were shining and his face set into a calm happiness. “I was making sure you were sure.”
He wrapped his arms around Jensen and pressed their foreheads together as he swayed them. “I’m so sure. Been sure for a while.”
Jensen’s arms wound tight around Jared’s waist and he couldn’t stop smiling or kissing, which first drew whistles but soon enough turned into groaning and yelling for them to get a room.
Jared laughed and moved his head beside Jensen’s, continuing to sway, and when he caught Mackenzie smiling at them, tears threatening to spill down her face, he felt the moisture finally build in his eyes. With emotion, he tipped his head down and kissed Jensen’s neck, happier than anything that he’d done it right then, glad he ignored the warnings of doing it at someone else’s wedding. Because it worked out pretty damned good.