J2 | Never Far From Home | PG
Title: Never Far From Home
Words: 3,900
Rating: PG
Summary: Studying in Scotland, Jensen's struggling with being so far from his family. The small Easter dinner Misha brings him to isn't a great distraction from the homesickness. But then there's Jared, who sounds like home and makes the evening better.
Notes: written for Round 2 of silverbullets, for oddishly's prompt kiss me quick. So, you know, schmoop ahead!
Thanks: to zuben_eschamali for being my in-home beta ;-)
It’s chilly and damp, but that’s Glasgow. Jensen had found that out within hours of arriving, no matter that it was 105 degrees and dry as heck when he left Texas in August.
Studying abroad at the University of Glasgow has been more than a culture shock for him. He’s dealt with hours upon hours - or even days, it seems sometimes - of misty, overcast weather that always brings down his mood. The mood itself seems to constantly be down anyway. He hadn’t expected that the exhilaration of his postgrad degree in Medieval Studies would cost him indefinite unhappiness and loneliness because emails and late night quick chats with his family and friends back in the States just aren’t enough to get him through it.
Worse yet is having an ocean between him and his family for Easter. It’s not the holiday as much as the idea that his family will all be in the same room to welcome his newest nephew home and there is no way he could afford - time or money - to be home to see them all.
It’s a small comfort when Misha, his neighbor in the international residence, insists Jensen join him and a few other international students for their own Easter dinner.
“Katie’s another Sector Policies major, Danneel’s Euro Sociology, Lauren International Development, and Matt Celtic & Viking Archaeology,” Misha rattles off as they take the walk up to the apartment he says Danneel and Katie share.
“So,” Jensen says. “That’s a lot of info in one sentence.”
“Sorry for the refresher,” Misha snarks.
“No, it’s fine. It’s better than the alternative,” Jensen replies, following Misha up the stairs to the second floor.
“Which is no information on our holiday hosts at all?”
Jensen smiles a little. “That and being in my flat alone, eating bread and cheese.”
“Well if you took your nose out of the books for more than sleep-”
“I get out,” Jensen argues then lowers his voice once Misha knocks on an apartment door. “I’ve met your friends before.”
Misha doesn’t reply, only smiles broadly when the door opens to a male model sort of guy wearing a Viking helmet.
“I didn’t know it was a costume party,” Jensen jokes.
The guy looks at Jensen strangely. “It’s not.”
Jensen stalls before saying, “Oh, well the hat and-”
“Matt, Celtic & Viking Archaeology,” Misha stage whispers.
Wisely, Jensen just nods and lets the moment melt into loud greetings from inside as he and Misha enter the apartment.
It feels awkward to watch the half dozen dinner guests hurrying in from different rooms to share a hug and kiss on the check with Misha. Jensen adjusts his grip on the paper bag covering a bottle of whiskey he’d picked up for the hosts and tries to not feel awkward or left out.
“Hi, Jensen!”
He’s shaken from the scene of everyone chatting together to find … Danneel, yes, Danneel. He now remembers her from an early orientation and networking event for international students.
She goes on her tip toes to kiss his cheek and then smiles. “We’re real happy you could make it. Can I take this off your hands?” she asks, reaching for his bag.
There’s just a tiny hint of southern in her voice and he smiles at the memory of it. “Yeah, sure,” he says easily and hands it over. “It’s for you and Katie, or all of us, I guess. Just as thanks for letting me crash.”
Danneel flicks her hand through the air. “You’re just one more mouth, what could it hurt? And I’d hate to be stuck alone on a holiday.” A second later, she motions at Katie - who Jensen had met a few weeks ago at the flats when she and Misha were heading out to an art seminar on campus.
In a flurry, he receives hugs and kisses on the cheek from everyone in the room. It’s all warm and inviting once they get going, voices happy and rising the longer they mill in the foyer.
“Am I the only one cookin’ or what now?” a lazy drawl calls out from the kitchen. Then the head pops into view, a broad smile and dimpled cheeks. “Danneel? Darlin’?”
Danneel laughs, embarrassed, and pushes Jensen’s whiskey into Matt’s hands. “You open this up and get it going, I gotta get back to chefing.” As she rushes to the kitchen, the guy in the doorway joins the rest of them.
“I didn’t know you were here already!” he says happily, kisses Misha’s cheek, and envelops him in a hug.
Jensen instantly realizes it’s Jared, a history major and one of Misha’s closest friends here. Jensen has seen him plenty of times, even talked to him on numerous occasions, and he feels infinitely more settled to be here now that he’ll know someone other than Misha or a friend in passing. Doesn’t help that in the past, there’s been a great rapport between them, enough to make Jensen wonder if there was interest from Jared’s side. There certainly is from Jensen’s.
“Jensen, hi,” Jared says. He’s smiling yet quieter than the fuss around them as Misha and Matt open the whiskey and pass glasses around.
“Hey, Jared,” Jensen returns much the same and moves into Jared’s hug.
“I’m glad you could join us.”
“Yeah, me, too.”
Jared squeezes Jensen’s shoulder and frowns a little. “We’ll catch up later. I should be gettin’ back in the kitchen after hasslin’ Danneel.”
“Yeah, sure thing,” Jensen nods and watches Jared walk back to the kitchen.
Once Jared’s out of sight, something tingles up his spine. He’s trying to convince himself it’s because Jared’s a Texas boy, too, and has a warm accent to prove it. It sounds even more comforting than Danneel’s small lilt, and Jensen decides it’s a good back-up to being home. Not at all that Jared is one of the most attractive men he’s seen for the nine months he’s been here.
Soon enough, Misha, Katie, and Lauren get into an animated conversation about the legitimacy of infrastructure improvements back in the states based on changing policy. Jensen’s interested to hear them talk about home, but when it gets far too technical because of their majors, he slowly rounds the room to look at the décor and fake distraction from their talk. Soon enough, there’s a dust up in the kitchen and Jensen wanders over to find Danneel and Jared laughing as they stand over a mess of a demolished ceramic dish and what was likely green bean casserole before it was dumped on the ground.
“Danneel did it,” Jared says the minute he sees Jensen in the room.
Jensen laughs, then harder so when Danneel claims Jared dropped the dish.
“Why would I ruin the best damn thing on the menu?” Jared asks.
“Because you’re a klutz!” She smacks his arm then adds, “You only eat the crunchies anyway,” swatting his ass.
Jensen chuckles and feels his gut twist, as if watching Danneel play with Jared like this has ruined his entire evening. He’s been here just 10 minutes, maybe 20. There’s no reason to have had any expectations, or have them crumble to the ground like the green beans.
Jared’s struggling to clean up the mess with just paper towels while Danneel hauls dish after dish out to the dining table. Jensen crouches down with a ladle from the counter to scoop up and help. “The crunchies are the best part,” Jensen says, carefully smiling.
“They really are. That and the cream sauce.” Jared sits back on his haunches and smirks at Jensen. “Well, your idea’s certainly better than mine.”
“Sometimes you just need a second man on the job,” Jensen jokes.
“Glad you’re here then.”
Jared’s smile tweaks at the corner, making his dimple impossibly deeper. Jensen has thoughts of laughing or softly smiling to make a point or even just leaning forward to close the space between them, pressing his mouth to Jared’s. He doesn’t move, though, because they’re just bantering over green bean casserole; this isn’t some magical moment that demands action.
Jensen is transfixed enough that he doesn’t realize he’s staring at Jared’s dimple until Jared clears his throat and the dimple disappears.
“You fellas gonna help me or just sit on the floor the whole time?” Danneel asks, making another pass through the kitchen.
They both get up and help set the rest of the food out at the table as the group joins together at the table. Plates are passed and filled, glasses poured with wine and the whiskey Jensen had brought. Everyone is bright and happy and even though Jensen feels a small pang of emptiness when Matt says grace in place of what Jensen will miss from his father, he starts to feel warm with the comfort of being folded into the group so quickly as they all talk together, even over each other, and pass more dishes and liquor around.
At times, Jensen falls quiet, just watching it all unfold around him. Katie, Misha, and Lauren start a friendly argument over slowly developing economic policies in Africa while Danneel, playful and a bit tipsy, is attempting to explain the societal impact of Viking burials to Matt. It seems like she’s making up every sentence on the spot, but Matt is watching with a warm smile, face cradled in his hand and elbow on the table to watch her intently. Suddenly it clicks that Danneel didn’t intend anything with Jared in the kitchen.
“Some more?” Jared asks from Jensen’s left. He nods to Jared holding the whiskey bottle over his glass. “This is some good stuff.”
“Yeah, it’s Cask 23. From The Good Spirits Co.,” Jensen adds when Jared just keeps looking at him.
“Oh, down on Bath? I’ve been meaning to go in there.”
Jensen nods and shifts towards Jared, while Jared turns towards him, resting his arm at the back of Jensen’s chair. Jensen goes on to explain his few trips to the whiskey house, about the multiple blends of malt whiskey kept together, but in the back of his mind, he keeps note of Jared’s arm right behind him.
When the whiskey conversation has run its course, Jared asks Jensen about his classes.
Jensen chuckles and flicks his hand out. “I’d hate to bore you with all that.”
Jared smiles. “Not boring. And it’s better than the possibility of those helmet horns braining someone to death.”
As Jared finishes his statement, Jensen glances to Danneel and Matt, who are now leaning closer together. It would almost seem like that’s exactly what they’re talking about with how Matt keeps tipping his head to one side over and over.
“He really loves that hat, huh?” Jensen laughs.
“He does. The guy saw The Viking when he was eight and game over. Personally, I think he’s got a mancrush on for Kirk Douglas. He also likes shouting ‘I am Spartacus’ at inopportune times.”
Jensen’s cheeks suddenly burn with how hard he’s smiling at Jared. He’ll blame the whiskey, or that Jared is friendly and open and funny. “I wasn’t aware there were opportune times for that.”
“While watching Spartacus?”
Jensen laughs once again, feeling mildly stupid for it, but no one else is watching him and Jared talk, so he figures it’s allowed. “Okay, you may have a point.”
“I do, and I appreciate you noticin’.”
He’s a second from dropping his voice low and saying Oh, I’ve been noticin’, but he clears his throat and takes a quick sip of whiskey instead. The liquor could really be his problem, though, because his brain is now cataloging a dozen different moments of Jared, and he’s left wondering if Jared’s warm smiles are just a general character trait or mean something right now.
Jensen thinks back to one of their first meetings when Jared had casually grabbed and patted Jensen’s arm during conversation, how it didn’t take long for Jared to share a hug in greeting and goodbye, and then tonight with a handful of laughs and nice smiles between them each. No, it’s not anything to write home about, Jensen tells himself. Jared’s touchy by nature, and the group is so tight and yet openly friendly that they’ve all hugged and dropped kisses to cheeks every time they see each other. Jensen is no exception here.
Then Jared taps his hand at Jensen’s leg, and Jensen flinches, kicking the leg of the table and flushing with red when the whole group laughs. Even Jared’s laughing and then slapping him on the back. “I was just tryin’ to bring you back to reality. You were dozin’ there for a minute.”
“I’mma blame the whiskey,” Jensen says quickly, trying like hell to get through this moment with as much dignity as possible.
“I think we all will,” Jared says from behind his glass. When Jensen glances to Jared, his eyes are intent on Jensen and his hand still settled on the back of Jensen’s chair. Jared taps his thumb on the frame and clears his throat to look around the table. The plates seem done with their friends busy enough with the women talking across Matt and Misha, and vice versa.
Jared piles a few of the dishes within range and rises. “Whelp, I’m thinkin’ it’s dessert time?”
“I can help,” Jensen offers, standing as well.
“No, you don’t have to. You’re the guest.”
Jensen feels a bit deflated. His thoughts on joining Jared in the kitchen away from the others obviously won’t happen, and he won’t get the chance to really read Jared and figure out if all the warm looks and touches are just Jensen’s imagination.
“Aren’t you, too?” Jensen tries.
Jared chuckles softly then nods off toward the kitchen. “Alright, let’s get movin’ then. Matt made his infamous Guinness chocolate cake. Can’t wait to break that baby out.”
Jensen follows with his arms full. Once in the kitchen, he scrapes out leftovers and stacks dishes in the sink while Jared does the same right beside him. Jared starts up a sink full of soapy water and cleans dishes while Jensen rinses and sets them out across the counter lined with towels.
He elbows Jared, hoping to start up more friendly talk and trying to return the little touches Jared always makes. “So, what does your family do for Easter?”
Jared lights up. “Oh, man. My mama does a full out Easter egg hunt in the house. She fills the plastic eggs with li’l clues, all rhyming about where the next ones are at.”
“How many nieces and nephews do you have?”
“Yeah, no,” Jared laughs and then motions his soapy hands around as he continues. “It’s strictly for us kids. Me, my brother, sister, sometimes my dad. We get pretty competitive about it.”
Soap bubbles have flicked out with Jared’s animated movements and now a few cling to the edges of his hair. “I am actually a little jealous of that,” Jensen says as he reaches out to nab the bubbles.
Jared is staring at Jensen, and it’s a little awkward. Maybe Jared is reading into Jensen and his last few touches, and maybe he’s absolutely against it and was honestly just being a welcoming force for Jensen, who had nowhere else to go for Easter in this new country.
“Forgot a few,” Katie says, announcing her sudden presence in the kitchen. She slides a couple casserole dishes onto the counter. Then Misha and Matt are crowding into the room to get coffee started and gather things for dessert.
“You doing good?” Misha asks while grabbing onto Jensen’s shoulders.
“Yeah, I’m good,” he replies with a nod.
“Not sorry you came?”
“Why would I be?”
“’Cause we keep geeking out on foreign policy?”
Jensen smirks. “You do that whether there’s another body in the room. I’m used to it.”
“God, right?” Danneel says loudly when she joins them in the kitchen. “Katie’s like that 24/7.”
“I am not!” Katie insists and the group gets going in a rousing, playful argument over which of them takes their major far too seriously.
Jensen’s phone vibrates in his pocket with a text message from back home, his brother sending a picture of his sister holding his new nephew. Mackenzie is smiling so sweet and warm, the baby asleep in her arms, and it makes Jensen’s chest tighten. His eyes even start to sting with the sudden blast of homesickness smacking him. He slips from the room to get a little fresh air and let them bicker together, making his way out to the tiny balcony.
He presses his thumb and forefinger into his eyes then blinks as he takes his time to take in the neighborhood with its old architecture, buildings full of apartments and tiny stores on the ground floor. The sky is mostly pitch black with patches of fog keeping him from seeing far beyond the surrounding blocks. The fog sucks here, but this is a whole new country, and Jensen smiles a little. He forces himself to recognize how amazing this chance has been to study abroad and expand his career.
When he feels settled, he taps out a text back to his brother, thanking him for the picture, saying how much he misses them and is glad to hear they’re having a great holiday.
He takes a deep breath then it catches when the balcony door opens and Jared slides through it to join him.
“They’re now discussing the merits of Viking marriages versus cavemen dragging their mates across the floor by their hair.”
Jensen laughs hard and quick, grateful for the quick change of subject from all the sadness of missing his family, though he feels a tear break free and quickly thumbs it away.
“You okay?” Jared asks, leaning against the railing and frowning.
He takes a deep breath and lets it out as he looks up to the stars. “Yeah, just missing home right now.”
“God, I know. This place can get a li’l bleary.”
Jensen nods then looks at his phone to read his brother’s reply text. The lil nugget is drooling on Mack’s shoulder. A dozen pics to come. He chuckles and smiles, dying to see what kind out of outraged look Mack will have from all the baby slobber staining her clothes.
“Someone back home?” Jared asks.
When the next picture comes in, surprisingly with Mack smiling about the drool and still holding the baby close, Jensen shows it Jared.
“Oh, man, a baby,” Jared murmurs. He smiles then shifts back against the railing again. “That is a good lookin’ family.”
Jensen nods. “Yeah, a little surprising my brother could have a cute boy.”
“Oh, your nephew?” Jared asks oddly.
“Yeah, and my sister.” After a beat, Jensen tilts his head and eyes Jared. He’s looking at Jensen strangely, a little sad, a little soft, and Jensen holds his breath to ask, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Jared says, shaking his head.
“Are you okay?”
There’s a quick outburst of laughter from inside and Jared tugs the door completely shut then clears his throat. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
“Jared, c’mon!” Matt yells from inside.
Jared doesn’t answer the call, but he licks his lips and murmurs, “I only have a quick second.”
Jensen’s about to ask more, but then Jared is moving closer and his eyes drop lower on Jensen’s face, and Jensen realizes Jared’s about to kiss him. His stomach clenches with anticipation and he lifts his face to meet Jared’s mouth. Jared’s lips are damp and surprisingly hot, but maybe that’s just the shock that for all that Jensen’s been hypothesizing on Jared’s behavior all evening, Jensen was right.
Before Jensen can open his mouth, make this go on and get a taste of Jared on his tongue, Jared pulls back and frowns a little. He bites his lower lip and admits, “Been thinking about that all night.”
Jensen’s brain is useless at the moment, unable to come up with any response but to smile. He finally says, “It was unexpected. But appreciated.”
Jared smiles, almost seeming embarrassed. “It’s a little hard to really say or do anything, with the others always around.”
“Jared, we’re waiting!” Katie yells.
“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” Jensen mumbles.
Jared clears his throat. “They’re probably just gonna to keep arguing economics and government reform the rest of the night.”
“Yeah, probably,” Jensen says, glancing at the closed door.
“If it’s getting too late,” Jared says with a minor shrug, “I can walk you back. Let Misha stay and rule the roost.”
Jensen thinks about the trip back to his flat. “I didn’t know you lived by Maclay.”
Jared glances away. “I don’t.”
It almost sounds like a question, like Jared’s afraid to have said it. And that’s when it all clicks - Jared wants to walk him home no matter where else he has to be. Jensen moves closer, slipping his hand along Jared’s and sliding their fingers together. “I’m sure everyone would be bored to tears if we analyzed the rule of the Knights Templar.”
Jared snorts. “I was always more a fan of the Black Death in the later Middle Ages.”
Jensen bites the corner of his mouth, tempering his want to grin. Realizing that he could speak at length about his major and Jared - a history buff - would absolutely get it makes him a little too excited to keep Jared around. “I bet that would bore them, too.”
“We should probably save them from that.”
Glancing at the balcony door, Jensen lifts both eyebrows. “And miss the famous chocolate cake?”
“We can take some with us.”
Jensen nods and softly smiles, and Jared seems to get it because he’s already moving back inside and towards the kitchen. Jensen slowly walks to the dining table, where everyone has sat again to get through dessert and is holding a conversation at a normal decibel level.
“You heading out?” Misha says rather levelly, but there’s a flicker of a smile across his face.
“Yeah, I’m getting tired. Probably the whiskey.”
“Probably,” Danneel murmurs with her eyes on Jared in the doorway, holding a container that must be full of dessert.
Jensen goes on without pause, thanking them all, insisting no one gets up and they should continue to enjoy dessert. They hardly argue while he and Jared grab their coats and head out.
As they walk down the sidewalk, past the balcony where Jared had just kissed him, Jensen slows down and looks up at the lit-up door.
Jared rests his hand on Jensen’s back. “Did you forget something?”
“No, I just,” he says, turning towards Jared. He then smirks because this sudden turn of events is extremely satisfying. Even if it’s just been ten or so minutes. His face goes warm when he and Jared lock eyes for some time and they’re both softly smiling. “I’m real glad I came tonight.”
“I’m glad you did, too.”
Jensen takes Jared’s hand and tugs, continuing down the sidewalk. Jared doesn’t say anything else, just hums and follows, grasping Jensen’s hand firmly.
Suddenly, Jensen doesn’t feel so far from home. He’s comfortable and warm despite the damp chill of the air. He feels happy and satisfied that he’s spending today in Glasgow.
Words: 3,900
Rating: PG
Summary: Studying in Scotland, Jensen's struggling with being so far from his family. The small Easter dinner Misha brings him to isn't a great distraction from the homesickness. But then there's Jared, who sounds like home and makes the evening better.
Notes: written for Round 2 of silverbullets, for oddishly's prompt kiss me quick. So, you know, schmoop ahead!
Thanks: to zuben_eschamali for being my in-home beta ;-)
It’s chilly and damp, but that’s Glasgow. Jensen had found that out within hours of arriving, no matter that it was 105 degrees and dry as heck when he left Texas in August.
Studying abroad at the University of Glasgow has been more than a culture shock for him. He’s dealt with hours upon hours - or even days, it seems sometimes - of misty, overcast weather that always brings down his mood. The mood itself seems to constantly be down anyway. He hadn’t expected that the exhilaration of his postgrad degree in Medieval Studies would cost him indefinite unhappiness and loneliness because emails and late night quick chats with his family and friends back in the States just aren’t enough to get him through it.
Worse yet is having an ocean between him and his family for Easter. It’s not the holiday as much as the idea that his family will all be in the same room to welcome his newest nephew home and there is no way he could afford - time or money - to be home to see them all.
It’s a small comfort when Misha, his neighbor in the international residence, insists Jensen join him and a few other international students for their own Easter dinner.
“Katie’s another Sector Policies major, Danneel’s Euro Sociology, Lauren International Development, and Matt Celtic & Viking Archaeology,” Misha rattles off as they take the walk up to the apartment he says Danneel and Katie share.
“So,” Jensen says. “That’s a lot of info in one sentence.”
“Sorry for the refresher,” Misha snarks.
“No, it’s fine. It’s better than the alternative,” Jensen replies, following Misha up the stairs to the second floor.
“Which is no information on our holiday hosts at all?”
Jensen smiles a little. “That and being in my flat alone, eating bread and cheese.”
“Well if you took your nose out of the books for more than sleep-”
“I get out,” Jensen argues then lowers his voice once Misha knocks on an apartment door. “I’ve met your friends before.”
Misha doesn’t reply, only smiles broadly when the door opens to a male model sort of guy wearing a Viking helmet.
“I didn’t know it was a costume party,” Jensen jokes.
The guy looks at Jensen strangely. “It’s not.”
Jensen stalls before saying, “Oh, well the hat and-”
“Matt, Celtic & Viking Archaeology,” Misha stage whispers.
Wisely, Jensen just nods and lets the moment melt into loud greetings from inside as he and Misha enter the apartment.
It feels awkward to watch the half dozen dinner guests hurrying in from different rooms to share a hug and kiss on the check with Misha. Jensen adjusts his grip on the paper bag covering a bottle of whiskey he’d picked up for the hosts and tries to not feel awkward or left out.
“Hi, Jensen!”
He’s shaken from the scene of everyone chatting together to find … Danneel, yes, Danneel. He now remembers her from an early orientation and networking event for international students.
She goes on her tip toes to kiss his cheek and then smiles. “We’re real happy you could make it. Can I take this off your hands?” she asks, reaching for his bag.
There’s just a tiny hint of southern in her voice and he smiles at the memory of it. “Yeah, sure,” he says easily and hands it over. “It’s for you and Katie, or all of us, I guess. Just as thanks for letting me crash.”
Danneel flicks her hand through the air. “You’re just one more mouth, what could it hurt? And I’d hate to be stuck alone on a holiday.” A second later, she motions at Katie - who Jensen had met a few weeks ago at the flats when she and Misha were heading out to an art seminar on campus.
In a flurry, he receives hugs and kisses on the cheek from everyone in the room. It’s all warm and inviting once they get going, voices happy and rising the longer they mill in the foyer.
“Am I the only one cookin’ or what now?” a lazy drawl calls out from the kitchen. Then the head pops into view, a broad smile and dimpled cheeks. “Danneel? Darlin’?”
Danneel laughs, embarrassed, and pushes Jensen’s whiskey into Matt’s hands. “You open this up and get it going, I gotta get back to chefing.” As she rushes to the kitchen, the guy in the doorway joins the rest of them.
“I didn’t know you were here already!” he says happily, kisses Misha’s cheek, and envelops him in a hug.
Jensen instantly realizes it’s Jared, a history major and one of Misha’s closest friends here. Jensen has seen him plenty of times, even talked to him on numerous occasions, and he feels infinitely more settled to be here now that he’ll know someone other than Misha or a friend in passing. Doesn’t help that in the past, there’s been a great rapport between them, enough to make Jensen wonder if there was interest from Jared’s side. There certainly is from Jensen’s.
“Jensen, hi,” Jared says. He’s smiling yet quieter than the fuss around them as Misha and Matt open the whiskey and pass glasses around.
“Hey, Jared,” Jensen returns much the same and moves into Jared’s hug.
“I’m glad you could join us.”
“Yeah, me, too.”
Jared squeezes Jensen’s shoulder and frowns a little. “We’ll catch up later. I should be gettin’ back in the kitchen after hasslin’ Danneel.”
“Yeah, sure thing,” Jensen nods and watches Jared walk back to the kitchen.
Once Jared’s out of sight, something tingles up his spine. He’s trying to convince himself it’s because Jared’s a Texas boy, too, and has a warm accent to prove it. It sounds even more comforting than Danneel’s small lilt, and Jensen decides it’s a good back-up to being home. Not at all that Jared is one of the most attractive men he’s seen for the nine months he’s been here.
Soon enough, Misha, Katie, and Lauren get into an animated conversation about the legitimacy of infrastructure improvements back in the states based on changing policy. Jensen’s interested to hear them talk about home, but when it gets far too technical because of their majors, he slowly rounds the room to look at the décor and fake distraction from their talk. Soon enough, there’s a dust up in the kitchen and Jensen wanders over to find Danneel and Jared laughing as they stand over a mess of a demolished ceramic dish and what was likely green bean casserole before it was dumped on the ground.
“Danneel did it,” Jared says the minute he sees Jensen in the room.
Jensen laughs, then harder so when Danneel claims Jared dropped the dish.
“Why would I ruin the best damn thing on the menu?” Jared asks.
“Because you’re a klutz!” She smacks his arm then adds, “You only eat the crunchies anyway,” swatting his ass.
Jensen chuckles and feels his gut twist, as if watching Danneel play with Jared like this has ruined his entire evening. He’s been here just 10 minutes, maybe 20. There’s no reason to have had any expectations, or have them crumble to the ground like the green beans.
Jared’s struggling to clean up the mess with just paper towels while Danneel hauls dish after dish out to the dining table. Jensen crouches down with a ladle from the counter to scoop up and help. “The crunchies are the best part,” Jensen says, carefully smiling.
“They really are. That and the cream sauce.” Jared sits back on his haunches and smirks at Jensen. “Well, your idea’s certainly better than mine.”
“Sometimes you just need a second man on the job,” Jensen jokes.
“Glad you’re here then.”
Jared’s smile tweaks at the corner, making his dimple impossibly deeper. Jensen has thoughts of laughing or softly smiling to make a point or even just leaning forward to close the space between them, pressing his mouth to Jared’s. He doesn’t move, though, because they’re just bantering over green bean casserole; this isn’t some magical moment that demands action.
Jensen is transfixed enough that he doesn’t realize he’s staring at Jared’s dimple until Jared clears his throat and the dimple disappears.
“You fellas gonna help me or just sit on the floor the whole time?” Danneel asks, making another pass through the kitchen.
They both get up and help set the rest of the food out at the table as the group joins together at the table. Plates are passed and filled, glasses poured with wine and the whiskey Jensen had brought. Everyone is bright and happy and even though Jensen feels a small pang of emptiness when Matt says grace in place of what Jensen will miss from his father, he starts to feel warm with the comfort of being folded into the group so quickly as they all talk together, even over each other, and pass more dishes and liquor around.
At times, Jensen falls quiet, just watching it all unfold around him. Katie, Misha, and Lauren start a friendly argument over slowly developing economic policies in Africa while Danneel, playful and a bit tipsy, is attempting to explain the societal impact of Viking burials to Matt. It seems like she’s making up every sentence on the spot, but Matt is watching with a warm smile, face cradled in his hand and elbow on the table to watch her intently. Suddenly it clicks that Danneel didn’t intend anything with Jared in the kitchen.
“Some more?” Jared asks from Jensen’s left. He nods to Jared holding the whiskey bottle over his glass. “This is some good stuff.”
“Yeah, it’s Cask 23. From The Good Spirits Co.,” Jensen adds when Jared just keeps looking at him.
“Oh, down on Bath? I’ve been meaning to go in there.”
Jensen nods and shifts towards Jared, while Jared turns towards him, resting his arm at the back of Jensen’s chair. Jensen goes on to explain his few trips to the whiskey house, about the multiple blends of malt whiskey kept together, but in the back of his mind, he keeps note of Jared’s arm right behind him.
When the whiskey conversation has run its course, Jared asks Jensen about his classes.
Jensen chuckles and flicks his hand out. “I’d hate to bore you with all that.”
Jared smiles. “Not boring. And it’s better than the possibility of those helmet horns braining someone to death.”
As Jared finishes his statement, Jensen glances to Danneel and Matt, who are now leaning closer together. It would almost seem like that’s exactly what they’re talking about with how Matt keeps tipping his head to one side over and over.
“He really loves that hat, huh?” Jensen laughs.
“He does. The guy saw The Viking when he was eight and game over. Personally, I think he’s got a mancrush on for Kirk Douglas. He also likes shouting ‘I am Spartacus’ at inopportune times.”
Jensen’s cheeks suddenly burn with how hard he’s smiling at Jared. He’ll blame the whiskey, or that Jared is friendly and open and funny. “I wasn’t aware there were opportune times for that.”
“While watching Spartacus?”
Jensen laughs once again, feeling mildly stupid for it, but no one else is watching him and Jared talk, so he figures it’s allowed. “Okay, you may have a point.”
“I do, and I appreciate you noticin’.”
He’s a second from dropping his voice low and saying Oh, I’ve been noticin’, but he clears his throat and takes a quick sip of whiskey instead. The liquor could really be his problem, though, because his brain is now cataloging a dozen different moments of Jared, and he’s left wondering if Jared’s warm smiles are just a general character trait or mean something right now.
Jensen thinks back to one of their first meetings when Jared had casually grabbed and patted Jensen’s arm during conversation, how it didn’t take long for Jared to share a hug in greeting and goodbye, and then tonight with a handful of laughs and nice smiles between them each. No, it’s not anything to write home about, Jensen tells himself. Jared’s touchy by nature, and the group is so tight and yet openly friendly that they’ve all hugged and dropped kisses to cheeks every time they see each other. Jensen is no exception here.
Then Jared taps his hand at Jensen’s leg, and Jensen flinches, kicking the leg of the table and flushing with red when the whole group laughs. Even Jared’s laughing and then slapping him on the back. “I was just tryin’ to bring you back to reality. You were dozin’ there for a minute.”
“I’mma blame the whiskey,” Jensen says quickly, trying like hell to get through this moment with as much dignity as possible.
“I think we all will,” Jared says from behind his glass. When Jensen glances to Jared, his eyes are intent on Jensen and his hand still settled on the back of Jensen’s chair. Jared taps his thumb on the frame and clears his throat to look around the table. The plates seem done with their friends busy enough with the women talking across Matt and Misha, and vice versa.
Jared piles a few of the dishes within range and rises. “Whelp, I’m thinkin’ it’s dessert time?”
“I can help,” Jensen offers, standing as well.
“No, you don’t have to. You’re the guest.”
Jensen feels a bit deflated. His thoughts on joining Jared in the kitchen away from the others obviously won’t happen, and he won’t get the chance to really read Jared and figure out if all the warm looks and touches are just Jensen’s imagination.
“Aren’t you, too?” Jensen tries.
Jared chuckles softly then nods off toward the kitchen. “Alright, let’s get movin’ then. Matt made his infamous Guinness chocolate cake. Can’t wait to break that baby out.”
Jensen follows with his arms full. Once in the kitchen, he scrapes out leftovers and stacks dishes in the sink while Jared does the same right beside him. Jared starts up a sink full of soapy water and cleans dishes while Jensen rinses and sets them out across the counter lined with towels.
He elbows Jared, hoping to start up more friendly talk and trying to return the little touches Jared always makes. “So, what does your family do for Easter?”
Jared lights up. “Oh, man. My mama does a full out Easter egg hunt in the house. She fills the plastic eggs with li’l clues, all rhyming about where the next ones are at.”
“How many nieces and nephews do you have?”
“Yeah, no,” Jared laughs and then motions his soapy hands around as he continues. “It’s strictly for us kids. Me, my brother, sister, sometimes my dad. We get pretty competitive about it.”
Soap bubbles have flicked out with Jared’s animated movements and now a few cling to the edges of his hair. “I am actually a little jealous of that,” Jensen says as he reaches out to nab the bubbles.
Jared is staring at Jensen, and it’s a little awkward. Maybe Jared is reading into Jensen and his last few touches, and maybe he’s absolutely against it and was honestly just being a welcoming force for Jensen, who had nowhere else to go for Easter in this new country.
“Forgot a few,” Katie says, announcing her sudden presence in the kitchen. She slides a couple casserole dishes onto the counter. Then Misha and Matt are crowding into the room to get coffee started and gather things for dessert.
“You doing good?” Misha asks while grabbing onto Jensen’s shoulders.
“Yeah, I’m good,” he replies with a nod.
“Not sorry you came?”
“Why would I be?”
“’Cause we keep geeking out on foreign policy?”
Jensen smirks. “You do that whether there’s another body in the room. I’m used to it.”
“God, right?” Danneel says loudly when she joins them in the kitchen. “Katie’s like that 24/7.”
“I am not!” Katie insists and the group gets going in a rousing, playful argument over which of them takes their major far too seriously.
Jensen’s phone vibrates in his pocket with a text message from back home, his brother sending a picture of his sister holding his new nephew. Mackenzie is smiling so sweet and warm, the baby asleep in her arms, and it makes Jensen’s chest tighten. His eyes even start to sting with the sudden blast of homesickness smacking him. He slips from the room to get a little fresh air and let them bicker together, making his way out to the tiny balcony.
He presses his thumb and forefinger into his eyes then blinks as he takes his time to take in the neighborhood with its old architecture, buildings full of apartments and tiny stores on the ground floor. The sky is mostly pitch black with patches of fog keeping him from seeing far beyond the surrounding blocks. The fog sucks here, but this is a whole new country, and Jensen smiles a little. He forces himself to recognize how amazing this chance has been to study abroad and expand his career.
When he feels settled, he taps out a text back to his brother, thanking him for the picture, saying how much he misses them and is glad to hear they’re having a great holiday.
He takes a deep breath then it catches when the balcony door opens and Jared slides through it to join him.
“They’re now discussing the merits of Viking marriages versus cavemen dragging their mates across the floor by their hair.”
Jensen laughs hard and quick, grateful for the quick change of subject from all the sadness of missing his family, though he feels a tear break free and quickly thumbs it away.
“You okay?” Jared asks, leaning against the railing and frowning.
He takes a deep breath and lets it out as he looks up to the stars. “Yeah, just missing home right now.”
“God, I know. This place can get a li’l bleary.”
Jensen nods then looks at his phone to read his brother’s reply text. The lil nugget is drooling on Mack’s shoulder. A dozen pics to come. He chuckles and smiles, dying to see what kind out of outraged look Mack will have from all the baby slobber staining her clothes.
“Someone back home?” Jared asks.
When the next picture comes in, surprisingly with Mack smiling about the drool and still holding the baby close, Jensen shows it Jared.
“Oh, man, a baby,” Jared murmurs. He smiles then shifts back against the railing again. “That is a good lookin’ family.”
Jensen nods. “Yeah, a little surprising my brother could have a cute boy.”
“Oh, your nephew?” Jared asks oddly.
“Yeah, and my sister.” After a beat, Jensen tilts his head and eyes Jared. He’s looking at Jensen strangely, a little sad, a little soft, and Jensen holds his breath to ask, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Jared says, shaking his head.
“Are you okay?”
There’s a quick outburst of laughter from inside and Jared tugs the door completely shut then clears his throat. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
“Jared, c’mon!” Matt yells from inside.
Jared doesn’t answer the call, but he licks his lips and murmurs, “I only have a quick second.”
Jensen’s about to ask more, but then Jared is moving closer and his eyes drop lower on Jensen’s face, and Jensen realizes Jared’s about to kiss him. His stomach clenches with anticipation and he lifts his face to meet Jared’s mouth. Jared’s lips are damp and surprisingly hot, but maybe that’s just the shock that for all that Jensen’s been hypothesizing on Jared’s behavior all evening, Jensen was right.
Before Jensen can open his mouth, make this go on and get a taste of Jared on his tongue, Jared pulls back and frowns a little. He bites his lower lip and admits, “Been thinking about that all night.”
Jensen’s brain is useless at the moment, unable to come up with any response but to smile. He finally says, “It was unexpected. But appreciated.”
Jared smiles, almost seeming embarrassed. “It’s a little hard to really say or do anything, with the others always around.”
“Jared, we’re waiting!” Katie yells.
“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” Jensen mumbles.
Jared clears his throat. “They’re probably just gonna to keep arguing economics and government reform the rest of the night.”
“Yeah, probably,” Jensen says, glancing at the closed door.
“If it’s getting too late,” Jared says with a minor shrug, “I can walk you back. Let Misha stay and rule the roost.”
Jensen thinks about the trip back to his flat. “I didn’t know you lived by Maclay.”
Jared glances away. “I don’t.”
It almost sounds like a question, like Jared’s afraid to have said it. And that’s when it all clicks - Jared wants to walk him home no matter where else he has to be. Jensen moves closer, slipping his hand along Jared’s and sliding their fingers together. “I’m sure everyone would be bored to tears if we analyzed the rule of the Knights Templar.”
Jared snorts. “I was always more a fan of the Black Death in the later Middle Ages.”
Jensen bites the corner of his mouth, tempering his want to grin. Realizing that he could speak at length about his major and Jared - a history buff - would absolutely get it makes him a little too excited to keep Jared around. “I bet that would bore them, too.”
“We should probably save them from that.”
Glancing at the balcony door, Jensen lifts both eyebrows. “And miss the famous chocolate cake?”
“We can take some with us.”
Jensen nods and softly smiles, and Jared seems to get it because he’s already moving back inside and towards the kitchen. Jensen slowly walks to the dining table, where everyone has sat again to get through dessert and is holding a conversation at a normal decibel level.
“You heading out?” Misha says rather levelly, but there’s a flicker of a smile across his face.
“Yeah, I’m getting tired. Probably the whiskey.”
“Probably,” Danneel murmurs with her eyes on Jared in the doorway, holding a container that must be full of dessert.
Jensen goes on without pause, thanking them all, insisting no one gets up and they should continue to enjoy dessert. They hardly argue while he and Jared grab their coats and head out.
As they walk down the sidewalk, past the balcony where Jared had just kissed him, Jensen slows down and looks up at the lit-up door.
Jared rests his hand on Jensen’s back. “Did you forget something?”
“No, I just,” he says, turning towards Jared. He then smirks because this sudden turn of events is extremely satisfying. Even if it’s just been ten or so minutes. His face goes warm when he and Jared lock eyes for some time and they’re both softly smiling. “I’m real glad I came tonight.”
“I’m glad you did, too.”
Jensen takes Jared’s hand and tugs, continuing down the sidewalk. Jared doesn’t say anything else, just hums and follows, grasping Jensen’s hand firmly.
Suddenly, Jensen doesn’t feel so far from home. He’s comfortable and warm despite the damp chill of the air. He feels happy and satisfied that he’s spending today in Glasgow.