AU | R | Lessons for Life
So, I was trying to start my spook_me story and got just one paragraph down that I don't even like. I've been pretty crabby the last few days and decided that the only way to channel that energy is to write pissy!Jensen.
Title: Lessons for Life
Words: ~3,500
Rating: R - bad words because my boys like to swear
Summary: Wherein Jared’s still a bit oblivious, but then he learns how truly ignorant Jensen is in the world of dating and he feels better about himself.
Notes: Follows Rules of the Train
Jared stands on the left side of the escalator, watching the tall, tall ceiling of the train station get closer as he rides up. He lets his iPod blare itself into his ear canals and smirks a little. He’s thinking about how sunny it is outside, how he can’t wait to pull his sunglasses down against the outrageous glare and just feel the heat on his face.
He’s jostled from his daydreaming when a rough hand closes in the back of his shirt and yanks him to the right, his hip bumping hard against the moving railing. As Jared turns to his left with a scowl, numerous random commuters zip by him, a few frowning at him as they pass. He turns fully to see Jensen behind him with that typical pissy look he’s been giving him for months on the train. Jared smiles as he tugs an earbud out and says happily, “Hey. It’s you.”
“Hey. You’re kind of a dick,” Jensen says, annoyed and rolling his eyes.
He frowns. “What’d I do now?”
Jensen pushes at his back to take the last few steps up and away from the escalators. He keeps on walking towards the north exit of the station and Jared falls in line, not even needing to go that way, but he’ll keep with the guy. Who’s not exactly talking.
Jared decides to take care of that by starting up, waving his hands between them, “Hey, look. I was waiting a few days, you know. Like the rules?” Jared bumps against the door to follow Jensen out and onto the street. “I’m sorry if you thought I was ditching you or something. I have your card. Look,” he explains quickly, still following right along. He pulls the card out of his wallet and flashes it in front of Jensen’s face. “See. I’m going to use it. I just didn’t want to call right away, like an annoying stalker from the train.”
They’re stopped at a light, waiting for the Walk signal when Jensen clears his throat uncomfortably. “Annoying stalker from the train?”
“Yeah,” Jared smiles and hurries after Jensen as he marches through the crosswalk. “I didn’t want you to think I was overly anxious.”
“You mean, like, following me through the station and now to work when I’ve never seen you walk this way before?”
Jared frowns and slows his steps as Jensen continues on. He thought they were just being goofy and talking, but he whizes through this interaction and realizes he’d been the one being goofy and talking while Jensen was just being … pissy. And kinda hot in a crisp suit and offset tie. Jared realizes that Hot, Pissy Guy really was the best nickname for Jensen … but maybe he should just forget both the name and the nickname because this thing with Jensen doesn’t seem to be going so well.
Jensen’s far ahead of him and he distractedly looks over his shoulder for just as second before continuing on his way. But then he looks again and slows down, finally stopping and ringing his hand in the air, swinging it in circles. “You can keep walking, you know?”
Something stings in his stomach and he frowns, not wanting to do it, but knowing he should for sanity’s sake. Because no matter how gorgeous he thinks Jensen is, and how badly he wants to make the guy smile instead of always growling, Jared doesn’t know if his ego can take all the beatings. “Yeah, I’m gonna walk that way,” he says evenly, thumbing a finger behind him.
“What?” he shrugs with attitude while shaking his head.
Jared laughs uncomfortably. “Uh, I don’t even work this way.” He offers a short wave and he turns away. He breathes deeply and continues on his path, proud of himself for cutting it off, but also feeling the bruises already forming on his self-esteem.
“You’re supposed to stand on the right.”
He looks over his shoulder and Jensen is walking faster than he had been before just to catch up to him. And it shows in how he spits out his words like he can’t manage oxygen while keeping up with Jared’s long legs. Even when his voice is surly.
“If you’re not going to walk on the escalators, you stand on the right so people can pass on your left.”
Jared smirks a little, feeling his ego rise a few inches back up. “Well, see, how’m I to know that if you don’t tell me?”
Jensen looks at his watch and answers flatly, “Common knowledge.” His eyes find Jared again and he frowns, but it doesn’t look as rude as it normally does. “I have a meeting to get to, okay?”
He shrugs and smiles, going for the easiest face he can manage. “Hey, yeah. You’re the one following me now.”
With that, Jensen stops and looks around. He takes a deep breath and looks around them. “Alright, yeah.” He punches at Jared’s shoulder as he moves away, raising a finger sharp at him. “Stand on the right!”
“Got it!” Jared calls back, bright smile and eyes.
*
Jared is this close to missing the train out of the City. He s rushing down the platform to get as far up as he can but then the announcement comes from within the train, telling passengers which route they’re on, what stops it makes, which all means it’s leaving in about two seconds. He jogs into the closest doorway and hops up the stairs, cutting people off who are already walking their way through the train to find seats at the very front cars. He keeps going, waiting to find a double seat open, knowing the further up he goes, the better chance he has to not have to share his space.
He pushes another set of doors open to enter the next car and a second later, he hears grumbling and cursing. When he turns, Jensen is stuck between the sliding doors and he’s feeding him the darkest glare Jared’s ever seen - and that’s really saying something, coming from Jensen.
Jared smiles and starts walking backwards as he watches Jensen free himself and surge forward with the rest of the crowd behind him. “Hey. It’s you!”
Jensen shakes his head, scowling hard and pushing a hand into Jared’s chest as he forces him to keep moving.
“Hey, c’mon,” Jared complains as he bats the hand away and starts to walk on his way through the car.
A few seconds later, Jensen’s grabbing at the back of his shirt and forcing him into an empty bench seat. Jensen lands hard next to him and he grumbles while shuffling through his laptop case to pull out his train pass. “You just have absolutely no idea what you’re doing in public, do you?”
Jared frowns and watches Jensen shove his pass into the clip on the seatback in front of them then sit back with force and a sigh.
Jensen chances a glance and then closes his eyes and shakes his head. “Jesus Christ. Puppy dog eyes.”
He shifts in his seat and his voice is slightly irritated. “What’d I do now?”
With a deep breath, Jensen shifts a little towards him. “You didn’t hold the doors open.”
An eyebrow goes high. “I’m supposed to hold doors open for you? When you’re always bitching at me?”
“What? No,” Jensen scowls. “You’re supposed to be smart enough to look behind you, see if someone’s there, and keep the doors open long enough for them to get through.”
Jared eyes him. “How many rules are there? Is there an instruction manual or something?”
“Just …” Jensen sighs while scrolling through his Blackberry, obviously distracted. “Look behind you next time.”
“Alright, yeah,” Jared grumbles and looks out the window, lost at what to really say.
A few stops later, Jensen’s putting his pass back into his bag and his phone into the holster at his waist. He rises as the train slows and Jared looks up quickly. “Where’re you going?”
“I’ve got plans. Getting off early.” He hitches the strap of his bag into his shoulder and shakes his head with that pissy look back on his face. “Just, try to be a little a little more aware of yourself, alright?”
Jared frowns in return.
*
After a tiring day at the office, Jared’s phone rings loudly from his pocket, the latest Black Eyed Peas song obnoxious in the quiet of the train car. He pushes the ignore button in seconds and offers a careful frown to those around him, serving as his apology. He immediately puts it on silent, not even bothering to see what Chad wants. He’ll be home in about fifteen minutes and they’ll head out to the bar to watch Monday Night Football.
When the train slows, he watches those around him, making sure he’s not cutting anyone off as he gets to the aisle. He goes so far as to let people off from above with a careful smile, like he really lives to do this, but actually, the businesswoman looks more harried than he feels. He thought he’d do her the favor of getting off the train first. As he pushes through the double doors, he pushes his hand flat so they stay open long enough for the guy behind him to continue behind, and then he hurries his way down the steps to keep moving with the crowd.
He rushes to the bike rack, crouches, and zips through his combination lock, when he hears, “You’re learning.”
Jared looks up to Jensen looming over him, tucking his hands into his pockets and shifting on his feet. He’s not sure how long it’s been since he’s seen Jensen - or rather, since he’s attempted to because he did spot him a few times on the train, but he went on minding his own business. It’s been long enough that this feels a little weird. Jared unwraps the lock and stands tall, now looming over Jensen. “Yeah, well, I don’t wanna piss people off every day.”
“I’m sure you’re safe on the weekends.”
An eyebrow goes high and Jared fiddles with the chain in his hands.
“You know, when you’re not on the train?”
Jared’s other eyebrow goes up and Jensen looks to his feet and sighs as he walks away. Jared watches him go a few steps before he turns back to his bike.
“You never called.”
He spins back to Jensen and sees how uncomfortable the guy looks. Gone is all the gruffness, and in its place seems to be disappointment. It cuts Jared in the stomach, but he says honestly, “Didn’t really think the invitation was still out there.”
Jensen’s hands are still tucked into his pants and his shoulders hunch into a shrug. Even with the dip of confidence, his voice is cranky. “Maybe I was waiting for you grow some manners.”
Jared laughs to himself as he moves back to his bike. “Think maybe you’re worse at this flirting thing than I am.”
Without realizing it, Jensen’s back in his space. “Alright. So I taught you how to survive on the train. You teach me how to survive on a date.”
His eyebrow rises again. “You asking me out?”
“You gonna say yes?”
The eyebrow flips up as he tries to hide his smirk. Jared mounts his bike and rocks it back and forth. “Maybe.”
*
“I didn’t think you were serious,” Jared complains before he finishes the rest of his beer.
“You need to learn some patience,” Jensen grumbles at the edge of his pint glass.
Jared leans across the table, using his hands to express more as they flip above the table. “You said, and I quote ‘you teach me how to survive on a date.’ And I’m telling you, an hour of beer at the train station bar is not a date.”
He sighs and glances at his watch then scowls at Jared. “Lesson learned. What else?”
Shaking his head, Jared sits back on his stool. “I don’t know, Jen. You’re kind of a mess.”
“It’s Jensen,” he corrects him immediately.
Jared pushes his hands out, palms up. “And just one hour? I just can’t work under these conditions.”
“Then what?”
“Well,” he smirks. “We can watch the game at my place.”
Jensen shakes his head with a tight, angry smile. “Yeah, that sounds like a bad idea.”
“Okay, we can do your place.”
He huffs and rises with his bag, moving to the bar. It’s a few minutes later that he returns, nodding to the side as he passes.
Jared follows him, using his long legs to keep in time with Jensen’s quick walk. The guy’s always moving like he’s got a race to finish. “What’re we doing?”
“Train’s in five.”
He follows Jensen, and neither says more until they’re halfway through the train where there aren’t as many commuters. Jensen settles against the window of a bench seat and Jared sits beside him. Before the train even jumps to life, Jensen digs into his bag and pulls out a can of beer, handing it over to Jared. As he grabs it, he leans closer and sees another three beers, one of which Jensen pulls out and opens. “Turning this into the booze caboose?”
Jensen shrugs and takes a long sip, surprising Jared with the enthusiasm with which he drinks. He shifts, back against the window and his arm settling behind Jared at the back of the seat. “Alright. Lesson one, no dates in the train station or on the train.”
Jared smirks at how Jensen looks comfortable as he’s loosening his tie and his knee nudges Jared’s leg when he moves further against the window. “Yeah.”
“What’s lesson two?”
He chuckles as he sips his beer. “Alright. Lesson Two is treating.”
Jensen scowls then scoffs. “What? I totally bought these beers.”
“Yeah,” he chuckles again. “But I bought my own when I got here before you. And then another two rounds. Oh!” Jared laughs. “Lesson three. Be on time.”
Shaking his head, Jensen nearly downs the rest of his beer.
Jared eyes him and casually says, “Four. Don’t get drunk.”
Jensen’s eyebrow quirks up and he eyes Jared with a vicious glare. “You’ve been drinking, too.”
“Okay,” he tries to amend, “Don’t drink more than your date.”
He shakes his head and finally finishes it. “You’re just gonna have to keep up.”
“Rule Five?” Jared leans his head closer. “Don’t be a dick.”
They finish their last beers with small talk about Jensen’s job. Something about finance and stocks and accounts and basically a lot of numbers Jared doesn’t know, but pretends to care about.
After a bit, Jared cuts in. “Number six … ask your date about himself.”
Jensen glares for a few moments before he replies, “You asked me about my job. I was answering.”
“Yes. I was following the rule. Now ask me back.”
Instead, he punches Jared’s shoulder and grabs his things. “C’mon. It’s our stop.”
Jared grins as he watches Jensen settle his bag at his shoulder, and even Jensen’s irritable confusion can’t set him off. He likes hearing Jensen call it our stop.
“You moving or what?”
He rises, and pegs Jensen with a bit of an angry stare. “Lesson Five.”
“What?”
“Dick.”
Jensen pushes at his back to force Jared down the aisle. “Just keep going. With your luck, we’ll be stuck on here for another six stops and stranded out in the middle of nowhere.”
He stops near the doors, waiting for the train to completely stop. “Certainly would make for an interesting first date.”
Shaking his head, Jensen’s mouth flattens and Jared takes it as an almost-smile because at least he’s not frowning, scowling, grimacing, or sighing. All the passengers tumble out the doors and Jensen follows Jared over to his bike, waiting quietly while he undoes the chain, which Jared fumbles with. They really did drink those beers a little fast and he’s trying his damnedest to line five different numbers up perfectly. “So,” Jensen says uncomfortably, “Not so bad a date, right?”
Jared looks up and Jensen’s hands are in his pockets and he’s nervous. Which makes Jared chuckle a little. “Yeah, it could’ve gone worse.”
“Really?” he asks with a flat voice.
“Yeah, you could’ve found more ways that I suck at public transportation.”
Jensen pushes his hands deeper into his pockets and shifts on his feet. “I think we’ve found all those.”
“That’s good to know. Maybe you’ll be a little nicer to me now?”
“I’ll consider it,” he mumbles while looking at his watch. He seems to do that a lot, Jared’s noticed.
Jared hangs the chain over the top bar of his bike and he plants a hand at the seat, leaning casually. “So. When do you want to plan your next lesson?”
“I need that much work?”
He smiles, because Jensen seems actually a little concerned with the idea. “Well, there are a few rules left and we seem to be running outta time.”
Jensen frowns and shakes his head. “I told you before that I’ve got a conference call. You said it was fine.”
Jared waves a hand out. “Don’t worry. I was just giving you shit.”
There’s a rough sigh from Jensen, but the motion seems to relax him because his face is clear of any bad emotion. There isn’t really anything good there either, but Jared considers this an improvement. “Alright. One more rule.”
Jared smirks and moves closer. “Number Seven. You gotta nail the goodnight kiss.”
Jensen’s eyes lock in and they flip between each of Jared’s. They’re quiet as they stare at each other, Jensen seeming to be extremely tense and Jared waiting for Jensen to make an effort. “Really?” Jensen murmurs.
“Well, if you had a good time.” It’s silent until Jared adds on, “You know, like to tell him that you want to see him again.”
He looks around, as if he doesn’t know what to do right here.
“Or you could save it for the second date,” Jared says a little tight as he turns back to his bike. He looks back up. “If you have a second date, that is,” he says a little lamely.
“You want a second date?”
“You asking?”
“Maybe.”
Jared sighs, short and loud. “Rule Eight? Don’t fuck around when trying to get the next date.”
A split second later, Jensen is close, holding his jaw as he presses his mouth to Jared’s. It’s hesitant, but Jensen’s there, not moving away and soon enough, his lips part and he pushes a little more to grab Jared’s bottom lip. Jared slides his hand to Jensen’s side, reeling him in closer so they’re chest to chest. He slips his tongue against Jensen’s lips in a tease before he sucks at his plush lips and moves back to end the perfect, respectable first date kiss. But Jensen’s hand cups the back of his neck to pull him in again and now there are tongues flipping over each other and mouths opening wider for more access. Jared’s palm settles at Jensen’s lower back as he pushes his tongue down into Jensen’s mouth, flicking across the roof of his mouth and down under his tongue.
Jared smiles when Jensen whimpers and inhales sharply through his nose. And then Jensen’s surging up, his tongue all lazy but methodical in the way it laps across Jared’s lips, into his mouth, like he’s always known exactly how to wrap his tongue to Jared’s. His fingers dip into Jared’s hair, closing around the strands before pushing back up through the hair. Jared pulls back with a smile and his hand still at Jensen’s back, not letting him move away.
Jensen’s eyes are dazed and he’s just staring right back. His lips twitch for a quick moment and he asks with a rough voice, “You want to get dinner? A proper date?”
He nods with a smile. “Yeah. Definitely if you’re going to kiss like that.”
Jensen nods, too, as he takes a step back, hand slipping down from Jared’s hair, over his neck and shoulder, and then with light fingertips across his chest, like he doesn’t want to stop touching him. “Alright. How about Friday? Something downtown?” Jared thinks for a second at how fancy a place Jensen might pick in the City. But Jensen adds on, “Rule number Two. My treat.”
Jared’s smirking as Jensen backs away and turns to the parking lot. He watches the guy walk without shame because he likes this new development. But he’s surprised when Jensen throws a look over his shoulder and Jared can swear … oh, so swears that the corner of Jensen’s mouth is hitched up and it looks like. Yes, Jensen’s smiling.
Title: Lessons for Life
Words: ~3,500
Rating: R - bad words because my boys like to swear
Summary: Wherein Jared’s still a bit oblivious, but then he learns how truly ignorant Jensen is in the world of dating and he feels better about himself.
Notes: Follows Rules of the Train
Jared stands on the left side of the escalator, watching the tall, tall ceiling of the train station get closer as he rides up. He lets his iPod blare itself into his ear canals and smirks a little. He’s thinking about how sunny it is outside, how he can’t wait to pull his sunglasses down against the outrageous glare and just feel the heat on his face.
He’s jostled from his daydreaming when a rough hand closes in the back of his shirt and yanks him to the right, his hip bumping hard against the moving railing. As Jared turns to his left with a scowl, numerous random commuters zip by him, a few frowning at him as they pass. He turns fully to see Jensen behind him with that typical pissy look he’s been giving him for months on the train. Jared smiles as he tugs an earbud out and says happily, “Hey. It’s you.”
“Hey. You’re kind of a dick,” Jensen says, annoyed and rolling his eyes.
He frowns. “What’d I do now?”
Jensen pushes at his back to take the last few steps up and away from the escalators. He keeps on walking towards the north exit of the station and Jared falls in line, not even needing to go that way, but he’ll keep with the guy. Who’s not exactly talking.
Jared decides to take care of that by starting up, waving his hands between them, “Hey, look. I was waiting a few days, you know. Like the rules?” Jared bumps against the door to follow Jensen out and onto the street. “I’m sorry if you thought I was ditching you or something. I have your card. Look,” he explains quickly, still following right along. He pulls the card out of his wallet and flashes it in front of Jensen’s face. “See. I’m going to use it. I just didn’t want to call right away, like an annoying stalker from the train.”
They’re stopped at a light, waiting for the Walk signal when Jensen clears his throat uncomfortably. “Annoying stalker from the train?”
“Yeah,” Jared smiles and hurries after Jensen as he marches through the crosswalk. “I didn’t want you to think I was overly anxious.”
“You mean, like, following me through the station and now to work when I’ve never seen you walk this way before?”
Jared frowns and slows his steps as Jensen continues on. He thought they were just being goofy and talking, but he whizes through this interaction and realizes he’d been the one being goofy and talking while Jensen was just being … pissy. And kinda hot in a crisp suit and offset tie. Jared realizes that Hot, Pissy Guy really was the best nickname for Jensen … but maybe he should just forget both the name and the nickname because this thing with Jensen doesn’t seem to be going so well.
Jensen’s far ahead of him and he distractedly looks over his shoulder for just as second before continuing on his way. But then he looks again and slows down, finally stopping and ringing his hand in the air, swinging it in circles. “You can keep walking, you know?”
Something stings in his stomach and he frowns, not wanting to do it, but knowing he should for sanity’s sake. Because no matter how gorgeous he thinks Jensen is, and how badly he wants to make the guy smile instead of always growling, Jared doesn’t know if his ego can take all the beatings. “Yeah, I’m gonna walk that way,” he says evenly, thumbing a finger behind him.
“What?” he shrugs with attitude while shaking his head.
Jared laughs uncomfortably. “Uh, I don’t even work this way.” He offers a short wave and he turns away. He breathes deeply and continues on his path, proud of himself for cutting it off, but also feeling the bruises already forming on his self-esteem.
“You’re supposed to stand on the right.”
He looks over his shoulder and Jensen is walking faster than he had been before just to catch up to him. And it shows in how he spits out his words like he can’t manage oxygen while keeping up with Jared’s long legs. Even when his voice is surly.
“If you’re not going to walk on the escalators, you stand on the right so people can pass on your left.”
Jared smirks a little, feeling his ego rise a few inches back up. “Well, see, how’m I to know that if you don’t tell me?”
Jensen looks at his watch and answers flatly, “Common knowledge.” His eyes find Jared again and he frowns, but it doesn’t look as rude as it normally does. “I have a meeting to get to, okay?”
He shrugs and smiles, going for the easiest face he can manage. “Hey, yeah. You’re the one following me now.”
With that, Jensen stops and looks around. He takes a deep breath and looks around them. “Alright, yeah.” He punches at Jared’s shoulder as he moves away, raising a finger sharp at him. “Stand on the right!”
“Got it!” Jared calls back, bright smile and eyes.
*
Jared is this close to missing the train out of the City. He s rushing down the platform to get as far up as he can but then the announcement comes from within the train, telling passengers which route they’re on, what stops it makes, which all means it’s leaving in about two seconds. He jogs into the closest doorway and hops up the stairs, cutting people off who are already walking their way through the train to find seats at the very front cars. He keeps going, waiting to find a double seat open, knowing the further up he goes, the better chance he has to not have to share his space.
He pushes another set of doors open to enter the next car and a second later, he hears grumbling and cursing. When he turns, Jensen is stuck between the sliding doors and he’s feeding him the darkest glare Jared’s ever seen - and that’s really saying something, coming from Jensen.
Jared smiles and starts walking backwards as he watches Jensen free himself and surge forward with the rest of the crowd behind him. “Hey. It’s you!”
Jensen shakes his head, scowling hard and pushing a hand into Jared’s chest as he forces him to keep moving.
“Hey, c’mon,” Jared complains as he bats the hand away and starts to walk on his way through the car.
A few seconds later, Jensen’s grabbing at the back of his shirt and forcing him into an empty bench seat. Jensen lands hard next to him and he grumbles while shuffling through his laptop case to pull out his train pass. “You just have absolutely no idea what you’re doing in public, do you?”
Jared frowns and watches Jensen shove his pass into the clip on the seatback in front of them then sit back with force and a sigh.
Jensen chances a glance and then closes his eyes and shakes his head. “Jesus Christ. Puppy dog eyes.”
He shifts in his seat and his voice is slightly irritated. “What’d I do now?”
With a deep breath, Jensen shifts a little towards him. “You didn’t hold the doors open.”
An eyebrow goes high. “I’m supposed to hold doors open for you? When you’re always bitching at me?”
“What? No,” Jensen scowls. “You’re supposed to be smart enough to look behind you, see if someone’s there, and keep the doors open long enough for them to get through.”
Jared eyes him. “How many rules are there? Is there an instruction manual or something?”
“Just …” Jensen sighs while scrolling through his Blackberry, obviously distracted. “Look behind you next time.”
“Alright, yeah,” Jared grumbles and looks out the window, lost at what to really say.
A few stops later, Jensen’s putting his pass back into his bag and his phone into the holster at his waist. He rises as the train slows and Jared looks up quickly. “Where’re you going?”
“I’ve got plans. Getting off early.” He hitches the strap of his bag into his shoulder and shakes his head with that pissy look back on his face. “Just, try to be a little a little more aware of yourself, alright?”
Jared frowns in return.
*
After a tiring day at the office, Jared’s phone rings loudly from his pocket, the latest Black Eyed Peas song obnoxious in the quiet of the train car. He pushes the ignore button in seconds and offers a careful frown to those around him, serving as his apology. He immediately puts it on silent, not even bothering to see what Chad wants. He’ll be home in about fifteen minutes and they’ll head out to the bar to watch Monday Night Football.
When the train slows, he watches those around him, making sure he’s not cutting anyone off as he gets to the aisle. He goes so far as to let people off from above with a careful smile, like he really lives to do this, but actually, the businesswoman looks more harried than he feels. He thought he’d do her the favor of getting off the train first. As he pushes through the double doors, he pushes his hand flat so they stay open long enough for the guy behind him to continue behind, and then he hurries his way down the steps to keep moving with the crowd.
He rushes to the bike rack, crouches, and zips through his combination lock, when he hears, “You’re learning.”
Jared looks up to Jensen looming over him, tucking his hands into his pockets and shifting on his feet. He’s not sure how long it’s been since he’s seen Jensen - or rather, since he’s attempted to because he did spot him a few times on the train, but he went on minding his own business. It’s been long enough that this feels a little weird. Jared unwraps the lock and stands tall, now looming over Jensen. “Yeah, well, I don’t wanna piss people off every day.”
“I’m sure you’re safe on the weekends.”
An eyebrow goes high and Jared fiddles with the chain in his hands.
“You know, when you’re not on the train?”
Jared’s other eyebrow goes up and Jensen looks to his feet and sighs as he walks away. Jared watches him go a few steps before he turns back to his bike.
“You never called.”
He spins back to Jensen and sees how uncomfortable the guy looks. Gone is all the gruffness, and in its place seems to be disappointment. It cuts Jared in the stomach, but he says honestly, “Didn’t really think the invitation was still out there.”
Jensen’s hands are still tucked into his pants and his shoulders hunch into a shrug. Even with the dip of confidence, his voice is cranky. “Maybe I was waiting for you grow some manners.”
Jared laughs to himself as he moves back to his bike. “Think maybe you’re worse at this flirting thing than I am.”
Without realizing it, Jensen’s back in his space. “Alright. So I taught you how to survive on the train. You teach me how to survive on a date.”
His eyebrow rises again. “You asking me out?”
“You gonna say yes?”
The eyebrow flips up as he tries to hide his smirk. Jared mounts his bike and rocks it back and forth. “Maybe.”
*
“I didn’t think you were serious,” Jared complains before he finishes the rest of his beer.
“You need to learn some patience,” Jensen grumbles at the edge of his pint glass.
Jared leans across the table, using his hands to express more as they flip above the table. “You said, and I quote ‘you teach me how to survive on a date.’ And I’m telling you, an hour of beer at the train station bar is not a date.”
He sighs and glances at his watch then scowls at Jared. “Lesson learned. What else?”
Shaking his head, Jared sits back on his stool. “I don’t know, Jen. You’re kind of a mess.”
“It’s Jensen,” he corrects him immediately.
Jared pushes his hands out, palms up. “And just one hour? I just can’t work under these conditions.”
“Then what?”
“Well,” he smirks. “We can watch the game at my place.”
Jensen shakes his head with a tight, angry smile. “Yeah, that sounds like a bad idea.”
“Okay, we can do your place.”
He huffs and rises with his bag, moving to the bar. It’s a few minutes later that he returns, nodding to the side as he passes.
Jared follows him, using his long legs to keep in time with Jensen’s quick walk. The guy’s always moving like he’s got a race to finish. “What’re we doing?”
“Train’s in five.”
He follows Jensen, and neither says more until they’re halfway through the train where there aren’t as many commuters. Jensen settles against the window of a bench seat and Jared sits beside him. Before the train even jumps to life, Jensen digs into his bag and pulls out a can of beer, handing it over to Jared. As he grabs it, he leans closer and sees another three beers, one of which Jensen pulls out and opens. “Turning this into the booze caboose?”
Jensen shrugs and takes a long sip, surprising Jared with the enthusiasm with which he drinks. He shifts, back against the window and his arm settling behind Jared at the back of the seat. “Alright. Lesson one, no dates in the train station or on the train.”
Jared smirks at how Jensen looks comfortable as he’s loosening his tie and his knee nudges Jared’s leg when he moves further against the window. “Yeah.”
“What’s lesson two?”
He chuckles as he sips his beer. “Alright. Lesson Two is treating.”
Jensen scowls then scoffs. “What? I totally bought these beers.”
“Yeah,” he chuckles again. “But I bought my own when I got here before you. And then another two rounds. Oh!” Jared laughs. “Lesson three. Be on time.”
Shaking his head, Jensen nearly downs the rest of his beer.
Jared eyes him and casually says, “Four. Don’t get drunk.”
Jensen’s eyebrow quirks up and he eyes Jared with a vicious glare. “You’ve been drinking, too.”
“Okay,” he tries to amend, “Don’t drink more than your date.”
He shakes his head and finally finishes it. “You’re just gonna have to keep up.”
“Rule Five?” Jared leans his head closer. “Don’t be a dick.”
They finish their last beers with small talk about Jensen’s job. Something about finance and stocks and accounts and basically a lot of numbers Jared doesn’t know, but pretends to care about.
After a bit, Jared cuts in. “Number six … ask your date about himself.”
Jensen glares for a few moments before he replies, “You asked me about my job. I was answering.”
“Yes. I was following the rule. Now ask me back.”
Instead, he punches Jared’s shoulder and grabs his things. “C’mon. It’s our stop.”
Jared grins as he watches Jensen settle his bag at his shoulder, and even Jensen’s irritable confusion can’t set him off. He likes hearing Jensen call it our stop.
“You moving or what?”
He rises, and pegs Jensen with a bit of an angry stare. “Lesson Five.”
“What?”
“Dick.”
Jensen pushes at his back to force Jared down the aisle. “Just keep going. With your luck, we’ll be stuck on here for another six stops and stranded out in the middle of nowhere.”
He stops near the doors, waiting for the train to completely stop. “Certainly would make for an interesting first date.”
Shaking his head, Jensen’s mouth flattens and Jared takes it as an almost-smile because at least he’s not frowning, scowling, grimacing, or sighing. All the passengers tumble out the doors and Jensen follows Jared over to his bike, waiting quietly while he undoes the chain, which Jared fumbles with. They really did drink those beers a little fast and he’s trying his damnedest to line five different numbers up perfectly. “So,” Jensen says uncomfortably, “Not so bad a date, right?”
Jared looks up and Jensen’s hands are in his pockets and he’s nervous. Which makes Jared chuckle a little. “Yeah, it could’ve gone worse.”
“Really?” he asks with a flat voice.
“Yeah, you could’ve found more ways that I suck at public transportation.”
Jensen pushes his hands deeper into his pockets and shifts on his feet. “I think we’ve found all those.”
“That’s good to know. Maybe you’ll be a little nicer to me now?”
“I’ll consider it,” he mumbles while looking at his watch. He seems to do that a lot, Jared’s noticed.
Jared hangs the chain over the top bar of his bike and he plants a hand at the seat, leaning casually. “So. When do you want to plan your next lesson?”
“I need that much work?”
He smiles, because Jensen seems actually a little concerned with the idea. “Well, there are a few rules left and we seem to be running outta time.”
Jensen frowns and shakes his head. “I told you before that I’ve got a conference call. You said it was fine.”
Jared waves a hand out. “Don’t worry. I was just giving you shit.”
There’s a rough sigh from Jensen, but the motion seems to relax him because his face is clear of any bad emotion. There isn’t really anything good there either, but Jared considers this an improvement. “Alright. One more rule.”
Jared smirks and moves closer. “Number Seven. You gotta nail the goodnight kiss.”
Jensen’s eyes lock in and they flip between each of Jared’s. They’re quiet as they stare at each other, Jensen seeming to be extremely tense and Jared waiting for Jensen to make an effort. “Really?” Jensen murmurs.
“Well, if you had a good time.” It’s silent until Jared adds on, “You know, like to tell him that you want to see him again.”
He looks around, as if he doesn’t know what to do right here.
“Or you could save it for the second date,” Jared says a little tight as he turns back to his bike. He looks back up. “If you have a second date, that is,” he says a little lamely.
“You want a second date?”
“You asking?”
“Maybe.”
Jared sighs, short and loud. “Rule Eight? Don’t fuck around when trying to get the next date.”
A split second later, Jensen is close, holding his jaw as he presses his mouth to Jared’s. It’s hesitant, but Jensen’s there, not moving away and soon enough, his lips part and he pushes a little more to grab Jared’s bottom lip. Jared slides his hand to Jensen’s side, reeling him in closer so they’re chest to chest. He slips his tongue against Jensen’s lips in a tease before he sucks at his plush lips and moves back to end the perfect, respectable first date kiss. But Jensen’s hand cups the back of his neck to pull him in again and now there are tongues flipping over each other and mouths opening wider for more access. Jared’s palm settles at Jensen’s lower back as he pushes his tongue down into Jensen’s mouth, flicking across the roof of his mouth and down under his tongue.
Jared smiles when Jensen whimpers and inhales sharply through his nose. And then Jensen’s surging up, his tongue all lazy but methodical in the way it laps across Jared’s lips, into his mouth, like he’s always known exactly how to wrap his tongue to Jared’s. His fingers dip into Jared’s hair, closing around the strands before pushing back up through the hair. Jared pulls back with a smile and his hand still at Jensen’s back, not letting him move away.
Jensen’s eyes are dazed and he’s just staring right back. His lips twitch for a quick moment and he asks with a rough voice, “You want to get dinner? A proper date?”
He nods with a smile. “Yeah. Definitely if you’re going to kiss like that.”
Jensen nods, too, as he takes a step back, hand slipping down from Jared’s hair, over his neck and shoulder, and then with light fingertips across his chest, like he doesn’t want to stop touching him. “Alright. How about Friday? Something downtown?” Jared thinks for a second at how fancy a place Jensen might pick in the City. But Jensen adds on, “Rule number Two. My treat.”
Jared’s smirking as Jensen backs away and turns to the parking lot. He watches the guy walk without shame because he likes this new development. But he’s surprised when Jensen throws a look over his shoulder and Jared can swear … oh, so swears that the corner of Jensen’s mouth is hitched up and it looks like. Yes, Jensen’s smiling.