gift for morrezela, Eight letters, three words, one meaning ", Jared/Jensen, PG-13
Fic title: "Eight letters, three words, one meaning "
Author: the_milky_way
Genre: RPS, AU
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: ~ 6.100
Warnings/Spoilers: none
Beta: Many thanks to parka_girl for the very fast and awesome beta
Disclaimer: This story is fictional (not real, didn't happen). Not true in any way. I don't own anything.
Summary: Chad’s hiding behind a shelf of cups, pretending to be busy sorting the new to-go cups. Jared just snorts and looks up at the customer who's just reached the counter.
Jared can’t help but grin when he realizes who it is. The guy's been coming in for two weeks straight, every day and he always asks the same question. And for those two weeks Jared has always answered the same, only to feel his heart skip a beat at the dejected expression on the guy’s face.
Notes: This was written for morrezela for the spn_j2_xmas exchange.
I took the prompt: Jared is a Starbucks barista. Jensen is a frenzied personal shopper who is trying to do too many people's holiday shopping, and has a serious addiction to pumpkin spice lattes..
I tried to incorporate some of your other likes and one special idea that I couldn't let go of. Sorry, there's no porn at all :). I hope you'll like it. Happy Holidays. :)
Title is generously borrowed from Take That's "Eight Letters"
October
A week before Halloween and Jared’s in the middle of decorating for the holiday season. They are late this year but he had refused to put anything up when it still in the 100s outside and he comes to work in board shorts and a wife beater.
Not that he stands behind the counter dressed like that but still. There’s nothing that can kill his Christmas mood more than blue sky, sun and people demanding ice lattes and Frappuccinos instead of anything hot or remotely festive.
But the girls and Chad have been nagging him for days now, pointing out that everyone else in there street has decorations out already. Jared had conceded, but only to put his own Halloween balloons up the second the girls had pulled the boxes of decorations out of storage.
It’s way too early to even think about Christmas.
He’s trying to wrangle a plush reindeer out of its packaging when the bell over the door sounds - and Jared will kill Chad to for reattaching it after Jared ripped it off last week. It’s a sound he can only stand for so long. And damn it, he’s the boss here so he'll pull his weight if he has to. Chad’s hiding behind a shelf of cups, pretending to be busy sorting the new to-go cups. Jared just snorts and looks up at the customer who's just reached the counter.
Jared can’t help but grin when he realizes who it is. The guy's been coming in for two weeks straight, every day and he always asks the same question. And for those two weeks Jared has always answered the same, only to feel his heart skip a beat at the dejected expression on the guy’s face.
It's come to the point where Jared only has to shake his head before the guy even says a word. Today, though, will be different and Jared's really kind of looking forward to it. He wants to see the guy’s face when Jared tells him. Because for once, Jared wants to see him smile.
This guy is gorgeous when he looks a little forlorn and sad, just like someone told him he can’t have the ice cream before dinner or something. Jared just wants to see how gorgeous he can be when he smiles and looks happy. This guy coming in every day is sort of Jared’s highlight and that’s really a little pathetic when he thinks about, which he tries not to do. At least not often.
“Hi,” the guy says, looking all hopeful now that Jared hasn’t reacted in his usual way.
“Welcome back.”
The guy starts to grin a little now and Jared can’t help but smirk back. This is fun and if the guy’s up to it, Jared would like to play the teasing card a little longer. He rarely gets to flirt in a way he really means and he hopes he can get this to last a little longer. He can see Chad lurking, watching the with curious eyes, probably already planning to run straight back into storage once he’s sure he won’t miss anything important out in the shop.
Sometimes Jared can’t believe how much of a gossip girl Chad actually is. But then, being around Danneel and Sandy for too long, can turn anybody into a girl, even the biggest macho on the face of this planet.
“So?” The guy raises his eyebrows. Jared smiles wider and waits. The tension in the air isn’t bad and he likes it. It’s been a while since he had that.
“You are really going to me make ask, aren’t you?”
“Well, haven’t heard you say the magic words in a while now,” Jared says, grinning and shrugging. It’s kind of cute how the guy shuffles a little, scratches the back of his neck and tries to hide the slight red tinge on his cheeks.
Jared realizes that today might be the first time the guy isn’t on his phone or typing anything into his ever-present tablet. The calm man in front of him is a nice change from the busy, never-quiet guy that usually rushes in, asks his question and rushes out again.
So maybe Jared has a crush. On a guy whose name he doesn't even know. Jared has a crush and his co-workers mock him mercilessly for it. He doesn’t care at all as long as the guy comes into his shop and he can ogle him freely. The guy never seems to mind and Jared’s slightly optimistic, tending toward hopeful, that if he should ever decide to take the next step after ogling - namely talking and asking important questions like ‘what’s your name’ - he won’t be shut down immediately.
There’s a sigh and Jared almost laughs when the guy goes offers up a put upon look and then straightens again.
“Okay. So, is there any chance that you might have already started selling pumpkin spice latte already?”
Jared lets him stew a little because really, it’s cute how a grown man can squirm and look like a fidgety five year old when asking for coffee.
“You know, this addiction of yours can’t be healthy. You should maybe have it checked out,” Jared says and makes sure to put more than just a little flirty teasing in there. The guy sighs again, but he's smiling wider now.
“What can I say? It’s my elixir of life this time of year and you just make them so perfectly.” There’s a wink that leaves Jared blinking for a second.
“You've never had any of mine. You just came in here two weeks ago,” he blurts out and wants to hide under the counter when the guy actually laughs a little and Jared can hear Chad snort and stifle laughter as well. He kicks the cleaning cart a little and it bumps into the cup shelf, not with much force but enough to make Chad squeak and scramble for the teetering cups.
“I was been here last year. When you took over this place and were so busy that you never even looked up at all when making drinks,” the guy says with an amused smirk and now Jared feels himself blush as well.
“Wow. I suck.”
“Well, I can’t say much about that but your drinks sure don’t.”
There’s a blush burning on his cheeks and this is not how Jared envisioned this conversation going. Even so, he can’t stop staring at the guy, especially how he sort of transforms when he smiles all wide and amused. He looks younger now, carefree in a way Jared envies a little.
“Uh thanks.”
“So, I just told you I’m addicted to your pumpkin spice latte. Now would be the time to release me from my misery and tell me if you have them or not.” The guy looks a little sheepish, as if he knows that his addiction is the source of much amusement.
Jared is glad that it’s early and that the guy is the only one at the counter. He turns to his right side, pretends to be rummaging around and grabs the cup he made ready a minute before the guy entered the shop. Since the guy is like a clockwork, Jared knew when he’d be in, counted the minutes to make sure the coffee was still hot and smelling delicious.
The second he slides the cup over the counter the guy gasps and Jared can see how hard he refrains himself from making grabby hands. Cute isn’t strong enough word anymore.
“Thank you …” the guy breathes the words out, pulls the cup close to his face and takes a deep breath. He looks all blissed out and it presents Jared with a view that will most definitely feature in his fantasies during the next few nights, just like the guy’s face had and still has since the first day he stepped into Jared’s coffee shop.
How could he have missed this man last year? Where has the guy been during the summer?
“This will make my day so much better. I don’t get why people need to, like really need to do their Christmas shopping now,” the guy mutters and then blinks up at Jared, blushing slightly again. “No, really. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And your face just there made my day.”
“Awesome. Glad to provide some relief to the hard life of a barista”, the guy winks and hands over the money Jared had totally forgotten about. “That’s okay. Keep the change and buy Rudolph here a proper nose.”
The guy waves when he leaves and Jared, again, didn’t ask for his name.
“We so should go back to asking for names on the cups,” he says to Chad and then looks at the reindeer in his hand. Jared has to admit that Rudolph really could use a nose job.
“Told you that first time he came in. Pathetic, Jay. Really. Just ask him the next time. Keep his cup hostage and get it out of him.”
Jared thinks it might be a legit way. He can’t go on calling him ‘the guy.'
***
Jared learns Jensen’s name by accident.
Well, okay, not really. His friends really like to meddle in his love life and Jared never has the heart to tell them stop. This time it’s not Chad trying to hook him up but Sandy. And she has enlisted Danneel to help her.
The second Chad told him Jared was ready to hide in the deepest, darkest corner and wait them out. Sadly, the shop doesn’t run itself and Jared has to be present sometimes, if only to supervise his employees and prevent his investment going up in flames (which is a long story about Chad trying to repair one of the coffeemakers with a pair of hair clips and a Swiss army knife. Jared taken Chad’s oath to never watch MacGyver unsupervised again).
So Sandy gets Jensen to tell her his name. She actually holds his cup hostage and Jared can only use the very same shelf Chad tried to vanish behind as cover. It’s embarrassing how much he wants to listen in and see what Sandy is writing on the to go cup.
The shop is packed and Jared actually has to man the till in the little merchandise section. He misses Jensen leaving and frowns when the disappointment about still not knowing a name connected to these very green eyes squeezes his heart more than it should.
“Jensen’s so damn perfect,” Sandy says when she takes a break and sidles up to him.
“Jensen?”
“Yep. The guy you are crushing on.”
Jared doesn’t blush when the group of teenaged girls wanting to pay for their purchases starts to giggle. He really doesn’t even if Sandy will later tell everyone who wants to listen that Jared turned red like a tomato.
“Thanks, Sandy. I really love it when all my customers are so very well informed about my dating life. Really, ‘cause it’s clearly their business.”
Sandy shrugs, starts to sort through the collection of chocolate bars they keep by the merchandise till and grins at Jared when he just huffs in annoyance.
“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you. Also, Jensen asked for your name.”
“Huh? But I wear a name tag.” Jared’s confused now because he has seen the guy … well, Jensen, squint at the tag and he has been waiting for Jensen to actually say Jared’s name out loud. It hasn’t happened so far.
“Well…,” Sandy intones, drawing out the letters and grinning even wider.
“What. Come on, tell. I don’t have time for games, afternoon rush is on its way.”
“Jensen doubted that your name is actually ‘moose’.”
Jared blinks, then looks down at the name tag pinned to his shop apron and groans out loud. Over his name a strip of band aid pronounces in bold green letters that he is a MOOSE. No wonder Jensen never said a thing.
“I’m gonna kill him.”
“I hope that you’re talking about Chad here.”
“’Course. God, that’s so damn embarrassing.” Jared wants to facepalm or something but he’s busy handing out free toffee cookie samples.
“Calm down, Jensen thinks it’s funny. He also likes your real name,” Sandy winks and then leaves him standing there, gaping a little.
She turns when she’s back at the coffee counter and looks at him for a second.
“You two would be perfect. I so will try to hook you up with him. That would be so damn hot.”
Jared doesn’t get even the smallest chance to answer that because the door opens and people fill the small shop within seconds. The afternoon rush is in full force now and Jared greets every customer with a smile.
Jensen. He thinks the name fits.
***
A week later and Jared regrets allowing the girls to decorate the shop. He regrets the bet he made with Chad even more.
It’s Halloween and he’s standing behind the counter in a stupid - no scratch that - in a very warm, ridiculously stupid looking costume, handing out free candy with every order and trying not to sweat to death. He’s alone tonight and is glad that it’s not too busy. He can close up in an hour and join his friend’s at the party raging across the street at Carlson’s.
Jensen hasn’t been in yet, but Jared knows he will make it five minutes before closing, like every day this week.
He’s bending down to get fresh milk out of the storage fridge under the counter when the bell over the entry sounds. It’s muffled now, but a reindeer Jared had strategically placed just over the bell. It has done wonders for his nerves and ears.
He waves a hand over the counter to show that he’s there and curses under his breath when his stupid costume gets caught on something under the counter. He struggles a little, curses louder and then stumbles when he’s suddenly free. He stands up and then almost laughs when Jensen stumbles back a step.
“Whoa.”
Jared nods and feels his moose head move with a slight delay. The head slides a little every time Jared moves, so he has to pull it back into position.
“Told you not to bet against the Mavs. But now the name tag is actually true.”
Jared just shows him the finger and goes to prepare Jensen’s drink. He puts an extra shot in there because Jensen looks exhausted and really tired, practically slumped against the counter.
“Sandy thinks it’s cute. You know, I’m a prince, cursed to be moose and I need saving.”
“Did she come up with that?” Jensen smiles, less tired now and Jared likes that look way better.
“Yep.”
“Well, seems like she knows how to use good pick up lines. I like that.”
Jared grins and nods, because he knows what Jensen means.
Sandy has been less than subtle about wanting them to hook up ever since they started actually talking to each other. She thinks they're perfect for each other and sometimes Jared likes to agree. Over the last few days Jared’s crush has developed into something he can’t quite name.
They talk when there’s time. It’s not often, but now Jared knows that Jensen’s a middle child just like him, has a degree in marketing, can’t live without coffee for which Jared is very glad and works as a personal shopper. Jared admits that he laughed at that, like a deep belly laugh he couldn’t stop for five minutes straight. Jensen took it all in a stride.
It’s the reason why he comes in late now. He’s running around the whole town, getting stuff and arranging pick-ups for his clients. And he’ll be even busier once the real holiday rush starts.
Jared has never given much thought to Black Friday, but Jensen sees it has his personal deadline. From then on, he’ll be a slave until after Christmas. Jared doesn't envy him. He hates shopping and has had all his presents together since July and doesn’t even think about joining the masses in their yearly Christmas craziness.
But still, Jensen seems to love his job. Gets good money, too. And actually has the holidays themselves off, unlike Jared who will be open until midday on Christmas Eve. His mom did enough scolding for that to last him a lifetime. But he will at least be home and he’s glad she won’t rip him a new one for not making it. Last year was bad enough.
Jensen inhales his drink, smiles when he sees Jared watching.
He watches Jared in return. It’s nice and quiet, not an uncomfortable silence. Jared starts to clean up, getting ready for closing and Jensen relaxes more and more.
“Man, the girls went overboard, didn’t they? I see Halloween stuff smothering the Christmas things,” Jensen says, low and sounding half awed and half scared.
“Yeah. Remind me to never give in to their nagging again. They get the stuff up and leave me working in this holiday hell while they're off partying.”
“Aww, poor moose. Need the hero to kiss it better?”
Jared knows it’s said mockingly but he can’t help and shiver inside his costume. Just the word kiss out of Jensen’s mouth does things to him.
“Maybe?”
Jensen grins, reaches over the counter and Jared freezes. And when Jensen only pats his moose head Jared tries hard not to be too disappointed.
“Well, when you're sure, let me know. I’m an awesome hero. Thanks for the coffee, Jay. I really needed it. Have fun at the party.”
Jensen leaves at the same time Chad barges in. Jared never gets the chance to tell Jensen that he’d love to have him as his hero.
***
November
The next several weeks are busy.
Jared barely has time to breathe between the morning and the evening rush. College kids seem to have discovered the shopping street and his coffee shop along the way. Not that he minds, it’s good business after all. But it doesn’t leave much to time to ogle Jensen or even talk to him.
Jensen is busy too, of course, busier than usual now. He rushes in and out, like a flash, and Jared always just catches a glimpse of him these days. Jensen's phone's always ringing or he's talking away, which means he mostly just smiles at Jared and nods his thanks when the freshly made pumpkin spice latte is pushed across the counter.
But Jared catches Jensen, more than once, stopping just outside the shop and inhaling the coffee’s scent. It makes Jared smile and the girls gleeful. Danneel and Sandy still try to set them up, but it hasn’t worked out so far. And the longer Jared has to endure the teasing and only being able to look at Jensen from afar, the less inclined he is to stop their efforts. There’s hope it might work out one day.
Then Jensen starts to come in less and less, only sporadically and always looking harried and stressed. They only have time to share some basic words about how they are, small talk at best. But Jared gets to know that Jensen’s jetting across the country to fulfill last minute wishes and create lists for the heavy Christmas shopping most of his clients plan to do after Black Friday.
One day Jared's feeling particularly bad for Jensen and so he puts two extra shots into Jensen’s coffee. The next time Jensen rushes in, hands full with bags and eyes wild Jared thinks that maybe that idea wasn’t the brightest he’s ever had. But then Jensen practically begs him for coffee and Jared can’t resist doing it all over again.
The smile he gets in return is so worth the almost turned over table, the crashed potted plant and the stares that range from annoyed to really amused Jensen leaves in his wake when he stumbles back outside.
Jared thinks Jensen is a brilliant strategist, knows from what Jensen told him that the man is organized like no one else Jared knows. But not getting his coffee fix on time seems to render him partially useless. It’s beyond cute.
***
There’s no Jensen during Thanksgiving. Jared doesn’t worry … much. It’s not like they're actually friends or anything. They just know each other and flirt from time to time. Jensen isn’t obliged to tell Jared when he’s around and when not. That Jensen told him before when he’s traveling doesn’t mean he'll always do it.
Jared’s pretty good at convincing himself of this fact, too. He just has to try and believe in things long enough and strong enough. Except he thinks that it's really too bad it’s not working all that well this time. And maybe he should've listened to Chad and should've closed the shop for the holidays.
There’s no one really around and Jared’s bored. His parents only expect him in the afternoon; even though his mom had almost cried when he told her he wanted open the shop for a few hours. He’s devoted to it, maybe too much, but getting in some extra cash won’t hurt. It’s not like there’s someone he has to pay, only himself and he cuts back every time. He thinks Danneel and Sandy would team up on him if they knew how much of his own pay he’d sacrificed since he took over.
Sometimes, Jared thinks he’s too nice for this world.
The shop isn’t as garishly decorated as it had been a few weeks ago, but there’s still way too much stuff around and on a whim Jared decides to change that. He tears down most of the colorful wrappings, bows and streamers and only leaves the rein deer where they are.
Then he grabs the snow spray for the windows and paints stars, mistletoe twigs and Santas all over the glass. Sometimes, having studied graphic design still comes in handy. When he’s done, he turns in a slow circle and is actually very satisfied.
“Nice.”
Jared doesn’t jump. No, he squeaks, turns too fast and crashes into the nearest table.
“Dammit, Chris. Make a noise next time.”
“Did. You were just too caught up in prettying up the place. I like it. Better than the eye sore it was before.” Chris grins, flops down on one of the chairs by the counter and watches Jared going back to putting the decorations away. Next year, he’ll do all of it himself. No way he’s letting the girls win him over again.
“Don’t let the girls hear that. They hate you already as it is, don’t make it worth. I don’t need a feud between my shop and your bar, Kane.” Jared slides a freshly brewed coffee across the counter and almost grins when Chris can’t suppress a moan.
“Not my bar, just work there. No matter what they told you, I didn’t set them up with those cowboy hicks last year. No reason to hate me.”
“Dude, you printed their phone numbers all over the men’s room.”
Chris shrugs then and looks so innocent that Jared marvels at the show. Chris is so far from innocent that the word doesn’t even move in Chris’ periphery.
“So? They deserved it. Telling Sophia I had genital herpes just because they thought I was the wrong one for her wasn’t all the ladylike.”
And Chris is right. The girls went too far with that one. There have been apologies, hugs even and things have settled down somewhat but they're all still trying to one up each other. Jared thinks it won’t end well or when it ends, it'll be with Chris getting both of the girls, which would be kind of unfair but that's usually the way things work in Jared’s circle of friends.
“Why are you here anyway? Steve threw you out?”
“Why? Can’t I just come over and have coffee with one of my buddies.”
“Sure. You just never do it.”
Chris sighs then, rolls his eyes and drains his cup in one go.
“Well, there's this friend of mine who calls every five minutes or so because he fears you might think he’s a douche because he couldn’t tell you that he won’t be around to get his daily pumpkin spice latte…. Man, this sounds a stupid as it did when he rambled it out…”
Jared doesn’t even let Chris finish, starts to grin and moves closer to the counter again.
“Jensen?”
“Got it in one. His brother kidnapped him to take him to their parents’ place during Thanksgiving; otherwise Jensen would be working through the holidays. Jensen didn’t have a way to tell you, but remembered you know us. He called, texted, send emails and begged me to come over here and tell you.”
Jared’s not sure what to say to that, he can only grin, duck his head and grin some more. There’s a snort and Jared knows what Chris is thinking. A second later he’s proven right.
“Chad’s so damn right. You two are kind of pathetic. Man, Jared, you aren’t shy, ask him out. Believe me, sometimes Jensen is so wrapped up in his job that he can't see what’s right in front of him, but when he goes as far as to beg me, he's definitely noticed you.”
Jared’s heart does a happy dance in his chest and he promises himself that he’ll take the another step the next time he sees Jensen.
***
December
Only, the next time he sees Jensen is a day before Christmas Eve and Jensen's on the phone again. He looks even more rushed and Jared loses the little hope he had to talk to Jensen before he closes the shop for two days.
He prepares Jensen’s drink like he always does, slides it over to where Jensen is waiting and watches the other man smile and mumble something into the phone. Suddenly Jensen tucks the phone between his cheek and shoulder then grabs a napkin and the pen lying on the counter.
Jared doesn’t dare to hope but can’t hold back the smile anymore. Chad’s right next to him, digging his elbow into Jared’s side and wiggling his eyebrows like a loon. When the napkin slides into his field of visions Jared doesn’t even think about not grabbing it.
Their fingers touch and it’s like a current sprinting up his arm. It’s like a cheesy romantic comedy where time stands still and the protagonists stare longingly into each other’s eyes. Only it doesn’t last long because Jensen's already walking back outside, talking rapidly and only winking at Jared when he turns at the door.
It's only when the last customer has left and the shop is closed that Jared dare to look at the napkin. He laughs out loud, startling Chad so much that he has to clean up yet another broken cup off the floor.
The napkin reads: Chris threatened to kill me if I don’t give you my number. So here it is. Christmas present. Call? Jensen
Jared’s still grinning when he comes home that evening and if his dogs look strangely at him, Jared doesn’t mind. It's really one of the best Christmas presents ever.
Jensen’s number is already programmed into his cell phone but he keeps the napkin, stows it with the cards his sister sent from all her trips around the world and among the trinkets from his youth he keeps in a wooden box his grandpa made.
***
Jared calls.
On Christmas Day because he thinks it’s fitting. The conversation is short, due to family obligations on both sides, but Jared thinks it’s the right start. They text, talk some during Christmas.
Jared earns amused look from his parents and knowing ones from his siblings when he can’t put the phone away, checks it every five minutes even during presents time. When he texts Jensen about it he gets back a same here which makes him grin and his mother laugh.
They talk some more during the day after Christmas.
And then Jensen walks into the shop with the phone at his ear and Jared laughs out loud. And then laughs some more when Jensen flinches at the volume.
“Dude, that was mean.”
“Not my fault you were talking on the phone to me and walked in here doing so. “
When Jensen reaches the counter they look at each other for a while and Jared’s glad that it’s early, that only a few customers are there and that neither Chad nor the girls are around. It’s really pathetic how Jared grins at Jensen and can’t stop to do so.
“Hi.”
“Hi.
“It’s good to see you,” Jensen says, a little shy and maybe Jared finds that so adorable that he forgets to answer for a second. Jensen’s raised eyebrow brings him back to the present.
“Yeah … God, it’s good to see you, too. “
The movements are automatic and Jared isn’t even thinking about what he’s doing. Jensen shrugs and smiles even wider when Jared presents him with a pumpkin spice latte topped off with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.
“Thanks. Listen, Jared … I don’t know if I’m reading all this right but… would you go out with me?”
Jared blinks because this comes kind of out of the blue. He has been hoping for it but hearing it is something different. He wants to shout ‘yes’ but he refrains from it and resorts to grinning stupidly and nodding.
“Good,” Jensen says with a laugh.
“Sorry. I kind of hoped you would ask,” Jared answers, feeling a blush creep up his cheeks and he has to duck his head again. Judging from the look Jensen gives him, it’s affecting the other man the same way those green eyes and Jensen’s shy smile are affecting Jared.
“Well, I hope you don’t mind that I’ll take you to Steve’s New Year’s party. I think being among friends at a party might be just the right thing for us. We’ve had coffee way too many times.”
“You had coffee. I just made it,“ Jared mumbles because he knows what Jensen is referring to.
“Yeah, no. Don’t think I didn’t see you preparing two cups and tasting yours before you handed over mine.”
Jared doesn’t know if he should feel embarrassed or awed that Jensen picked up on Jared’s way to make sure that the coffee always tasted the same. Also, Jared really loves pumpkin spice latte and it’s not exactly a hardship to have one of his one every time Jensen comes in.
“You are just as addicted as I am, right?” Jensen asks and Jared really, really likes the way his eyes sparkle when Jensen smirks like this. Yeah, Jared is really glad that none of his co-workers are around just then. He thinks Jensen and him couldn’t even embody a romantic chick flick more than they’re doing it just now.
“So? You judging?”
“Hell no. One more thing we have in common. Time to find out even more. So New Year’s party alright?”
“Yes, Jensen. I would love to go to Steve’s New Year’s party with you.”
Jensen laughs then, eyes sparkling even more, crinkling at the corners and lips spread wide. It gives Jared even more material to fantasize about, not that he needs any more. Jensen's gorgeous and Jared feels so damn happy that this man is interested in him.
“Good. I’ll pick you up,” Jensen says and then is gone before Jared even thinks to ask where he got his address from. Jared thinks he owes Chris a drink or two at the party, because it could only have been Chris handing out such vital information.
When Jared really closes up for the night, he feels good and thanks his pumpkin spice latte making abilities for finally having paid off.
***
December - January
The party is loud and exactly the way it should be. A typical New Year’s event at Carlson's and Jared loves it. Jensen is right beside him, has been the while evening and Jared even endures his friends, or even better, their friends, because Chris and Steve count, mocking him and their knowing looks. Jensen seems to ignore them as well.
They just have eyes for each other anyway. It’s been a while since Jared felt anything close to this and he wonders if he ever even felt anything exactly like it before. He somehow doubts it.
Jared is having fun, feels relaxed, and actually feels good. For the first time in over a year he’s more than just a young coffee shop owner living for his business and trying to keep it afloat. When he looks at Jensen, he knows the other man is feeling something similar. Jensen looks younger again, so relaxed like Jared hasn’t seen him in a long time.
They’re standing close, arms touching, hips pressed even closer. Jared loves the feel of Jensen against him. And it’s then that he decides to let Jensen know. Two minutes before midnight.
“I decided.”
Jensen turns his head, moves closer so that he can hear what Jared’s saying. “What did you decide?”
Jared takes a deep breath, almost inhales Jensen’s scent and tries not to bury his face in Jensen’s hair. Jensen smells awesome. “That I would like to have you as my hero.”
Jensen smiles then, turns a little more and they’re suddenly face to face. So close that Jared, for the first time, sees the multitude of freckles on Jensen’s cheeks. He loves the already.
“You did? So I need to break the curse now?”
Jared nods then, heart beating faster in anticipation.
“How do I do that then?” Jensen’s smirking now, the way Jared can't resist falling for even more than he already has.
“Usually … with … a kiss,” the words are slow to leave his mouth but Jared’s way too busy staring at Jensen’s lips. Lips that are licked now and are moving closer.
“Okay,” Jensen whispers against Jared’s mouth and then there are soft, warm lips covering his. It feels amazing. The current is there again, prickling on his skin, everywhere they're touching. Hands on hips, knees knocking against legs and mouth moving slowly against mouth.
They kiss and ignore everything around them for a long time. Until someone knocks into them and Jared realizes that they kissed through midnight.
“Happy New Year,” he says grinning and smiles even wider when Jensen pulls him close again.
“Happy New Year, Jared.”
***
An hour later, when the party has calmed down a little and people are more than just halfway to drunk, Jared’s still plastered against Jensen. They don't really care that their friends, who are three sheets to the wind, are commenting on their supposed cuteness as a couple. And Jared’s not even sure if they count as a couple yet. But kissing is awesome, and Jared already loves kissing Jensen, so he tries not to stop.
Only when Jensen pulls back smiling, and looks at him, does Jared come out of his lust-clouded haze. Kissing Jensen is definitely a good way to start the new year.
“Don’t know if the kiss worked, Jared,” Jensen suddenly says all serious and frowning.
“What? Why?” Jared doesn’t squeak, but Jensen later swear he did.
“Well, the hero breaks the curse with his love and desire. But you are still a moose.” Jensen flicks the antlers on Jared’s head, courtesy of Chad.
“Dude … Reindeer not moose.”
“Oh … I’m so sorry. How could I say otherwise. Still … a deer of some kind.” Jensen is smirking and Jared laughs out loud. Then he leans down and repeats the kiss they shared at midnight only now it lasts longer, means even more.
“Just antlers. Not a whole ‘some kind of deer.’ More kisses are definitely needed to get rid of them as well. Go on, my fearless hero, help the prince with more awesome kisses,” Jared can't hold the laughter in once Jensen leans in and kisses his nose.
“As you wish, my prince,” Jensen says drolly and then goes back to showing Jared how he should have been kissed all his adult life. The last thought Jared has that night is also the first one of the new year. He thinks that he's pretty sure that he could fall for Jensen.
The end.
Author: the_milky_way
Genre: RPS, AU
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: ~ 6.100
Warnings/Spoilers: none
Beta: Many thanks to parka_girl for the very fast and awesome beta
Disclaimer: This story is fictional (not real, didn't happen). Not true in any way. I don't own anything.
Summary: Chad’s hiding behind a shelf of cups, pretending to be busy sorting the new to-go cups. Jared just snorts and looks up at the customer who's just reached the counter.
Jared can’t help but grin when he realizes who it is. The guy's been coming in for two weeks straight, every day and he always asks the same question. And for those two weeks Jared has always answered the same, only to feel his heart skip a beat at the dejected expression on the guy’s face.
Notes: This was written for morrezela for the spn_j2_xmas exchange.
I took the prompt: Jared is a Starbucks barista. Jensen is a frenzied personal shopper who is trying to do too many people's holiday shopping, and has a serious addiction to pumpkin spice lattes..
I tried to incorporate some of your other likes and one special idea that I couldn't let go of. Sorry, there's no porn at all :). I hope you'll like it. Happy Holidays. :)
Title is generously borrowed from Take That's "Eight Letters"
October
A week before Halloween and Jared’s in the middle of decorating for the holiday season. They are late this year but he had refused to put anything up when it still in the 100s outside and he comes to work in board shorts and a wife beater.
Not that he stands behind the counter dressed like that but still. There’s nothing that can kill his Christmas mood more than blue sky, sun and people demanding ice lattes and Frappuccinos instead of anything hot or remotely festive.
But the girls and Chad have been nagging him for days now, pointing out that everyone else in there street has decorations out already. Jared had conceded, but only to put his own Halloween balloons up the second the girls had pulled the boxes of decorations out of storage.
It’s way too early to even think about Christmas.
He’s trying to wrangle a plush reindeer out of its packaging when the bell over the door sounds - and Jared will kill Chad to for reattaching it after Jared ripped it off last week. It’s a sound he can only stand for so long. And damn it, he’s the boss here so he'll pull his weight if he has to. Chad’s hiding behind a shelf of cups, pretending to be busy sorting the new to-go cups. Jared just snorts and looks up at the customer who's just reached the counter.
Jared can’t help but grin when he realizes who it is. The guy's been coming in for two weeks straight, every day and he always asks the same question. And for those two weeks Jared has always answered the same, only to feel his heart skip a beat at the dejected expression on the guy’s face.
It's come to the point where Jared only has to shake his head before the guy even says a word. Today, though, will be different and Jared's really kind of looking forward to it. He wants to see the guy’s face when Jared tells him. Because for once, Jared wants to see him smile.
This guy is gorgeous when he looks a little forlorn and sad, just like someone told him he can’t have the ice cream before dinner or something. Jared just wants to see how gorgeous he can be when he smiles and looks happy. This guy coming in every day is sort of Jared’s highlight and that’s really a little pathetic when he thinks about, which he tries not to do. At least not often.
“Hi,” the guy says, looking all hopeful now that Jared hasn’t reacted in his usual way.
“Welcome back.”
The guy starts to grin a little now and Jared can’t help but smirk back. This is fun and if the guy’s up to it, Jared would like to play the teasing card a little longer. He rarely gets to flirt in a way he really means and he hopes he can get this to last a little longer. He can see Chad lurking, watching the with curious eyes, probably already planning to run straight back into storage once he’s sure he won’t miss anything important out in the shop.
Sometimes Jared can’t believe how much of a gossip girl Chad actually is. But then, being around Danneel and Sandy for too long, can turn anybody into a girl, even the biggest macho on the face of this planet.
“So?” The guy raises his eyebrows. Jared smiles wider and waits. The tension in the air isn’t bad and he likes it. It’s been a while since he had that.
“You are really going to me make ask, aren’t you?”
“Well, haven’t heard you say the magic words in a while now,” Jared says, grinning and shrugging. It’s kind of cute how the guy shuffles a little, scratches the back of his neck and tries to hide the slight red tinge on his cheeks.
Jared realizes that today might be the first time the guy isn’t on his phone or typing anything into his ever-present tablet. The calm man in front of him is a nice change from the busy, never-quiet guy that usually rushes in, asks his question and rushes out again.
So maybe Jared has a crush. On a guy whose name he doesn't even know. Jared has a crush and his co-workers mock him mercilessly for it. He doesn’t care at all as long as the guy comes into his shop and he can ogle him freely. The guy never seems to mind and Jared’s slightly optimistic, tending toward hopeful, that if he should ever decide to take the next step after ogling - namely talking and asking important questions like ‘what’s your name’ - he won’t be shut down immediately.
There’s a sigh and Jared almost laughs when the guy goes offers up a put upon look and then straightens again.
“Okay. So, is there any chance that you might have already started selling pumpkin spice latte already?”
Jared lets him stew a little because really, it’s cute how a grown man can squirm and look like a fidgety five year old when asking for coffee.
“You know, this addiction of yours can’t be healthy. You should maybe have it checked out,” Jared says and makes sure to put more than just a little flirty teasing in there. The guy sighs again, but he's smiling wider now.
“What can I say? It’s my elixir of life this time of year and you just make them so perfectly.” There’s a wink that leaves Jared blinking for a second.
“You've never had any of mine. You just came in here two weeks ago,” he blurts out and wants to hide under the counter when the guy actually laughs a little and Jared can hear Chad snort and stifle laughter as well. He kicks the cleaning cart a little and it bumps into the cup shelf, not with much force but enough to make Chad squeak and scramble for the teetering cups.
“I was been here last year. When you took over this place and were so busy that you never even looked up at all when making drinks,” the guy says with an amused smirk and now Jared feels himself blush as well.
“Wow. I suck.”
“Well, I can’t say much about that but your drinks sure don’t.”
There’s a blush burning on his cheeks and this is not how Jared envisioned this conversation going. Even so, he can’t stop staring at the guy, especially how he sort of transforms when he smiles all wide and amused. He looks younger now, carefree in a way Jared envies a little.
“Uh thanks.”
“So, I just told you I’m addicted to your pumpkin spice latte. Now would be the time to release me from my misery and tell me if you have them or not.” The guy looks a little sheepish, as if he knows that his addiction is the source of much amusement.
Jared is glad that it’s early and that the guy is the only one at the counter. He turns to his right side, pretends to be rummaging around and grabs the cup he made ready a minute before the guy entered the shop. Since the guy is like a clockwork, Jared knew when he’d be in, counted the minutes to make sure the coffee was still hot and smelling delicious.
The second he slides the cup over the counter the guy gasps and Jared can see how hard he refrains himself from making grabby hands. Cute isn’t strong enough word anymore.
“Thank you …” the guy breathes the words out, pulls the cup close to his face and takes a deep breath. He looks all blissed out and it presents Jared with a view that will most definitely feature in his fantasies during the next few nights, just like the guy’s face had and still has since the first day he stepped into Jared’s coffee shop.
How could he have missed this man last year? Where has the guy been during the summer?
“This will make my day so much better. I don’t get why people need to, like really need to do their Christmas shopping now,” the guy mutters and then blinks up at Jared, blushing slightly again. “No, really. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And your face just there made my day.”
“Awesome. Glad to provide some relief to the hard life of a barista”, the guy winks and hands over the money Jared had totally forgotten about. “That’s okay. Keep the change and buy Rudolph here a proper nose.”
The guy waves when he leaves and Jared, again, didn’t ask for his name.
“We so should go back to asking for names on the cups,” he says to Chad and then looks at the reindeer in his hand. Jared has to admit that Rudolph really could use a nose job.
“Told you that first time he came in. Pathetic, Jay. Really. Just ask him the next time. Keep his cup hostage and get it out of him.”
Jared thinks it might be a legit way. He can’t go on calling him ‘the guy.'
***
Jared learns Jensen’s name by accident.
Well, okay, not really. His friends really like to meddle in his love life and Jared never has the heart to tell them stop. This time it’s not Chad trying to hook him up but Sandy. And she has enlisted Danneel to help her.
The second Chad told him Jared was ready to hide in the deepest, darkest corner and wait them out. Sadly, the shop doesn’t run itself and Jared has to be present sometimes, if only to supervise his employees and prevent his investment going up in flames (which is a long story about Chad trying to repair one of the coffeemakers with a pair of hair clips and a Swiss army knife. Jared taken Chad’s oath to never watch MacGyver unsupervised again).
So Sandy gets Jensen to tell her his name. She actually holds his cup hostage and Jared can only use the very same shelf Chad tried to vanish behind as cover. It’s embarrassing how much he wants to listen in and see what Sandy is writing on the to go cup.
The shop is packed and Jared actually has to man the till in the little merchandise section. He misses Jensen leaving and frowns when the disappointment about still not knowing a name connected to these very green eyes squeezes his heart more than it should.
“Jensen’s so damn perfect,” Sandy says when she takes a break and sidles up to him.
“Jensen?”
“Yep. The guy you are crushing on.”
Jared doesn’t blush when the group of teenaged girls wanting to pay for their purchases starts to giggle. He really doesn’t even if Sandy will later tell everyone who wants to listen that Jared turned red like a tomato.
“Thanks, Sandy. I really love it when all my customers are so very well informed about my dating life. Really, ‘cause it’s clearly their business.”
Sandy shrugs, starts to sort through the collection of chocolate bars they keep by the merchandise till and grins at Jared when he just huffs in annoyance.
“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you. Also, Jensen asked for your name.”
“Huh? But I wear a name tag.” Jared’s confused now because he has seen the guy … well, Jensen, squint at the tag and he has been waiting for Jensen to actually say Jared’s name out loud. It hasn’t happened so far.
“Well…,” Sandy intones, drawing out the letters and grinning even wider.
“What. Come on, tell. I don’t have time for games, afternoon rush is on its way.”
“Jensen doubted that your name is actually ‘moose’.”
Jared blinks, then looks down at the name tag pinned to his shop apron and groans out loud. Over his name a strip of band aid pronounces in bold green letters that he is a MOOSE. No wonder Jensen never said a thing.
“I’m gonna kill him.”
“I hope that you’re talking about Chad here.”
“’Course. God, that’s so damn embarrassing.” Jared wants to facepalm or something but he’s busy handing out free toffee cookie samples.
“Calm down, Jensen thinks it’s funny. He also likes your real name,” Sandy winks and then leaves him standing there, gaping a little.
She turns when she’s back at the coffee counter and looks at him for a second.
“You two would be perfect. I so will try to hook you up with him. That would be so damn hot.”
Jared doesn’t get even the smallest chance to answer that because the door opens and people fill the small shop within seconds. The afternoon rush is in full force now and Jared greets every customer with a smile.
Jensen. He thinks the name fits.
***
A week later and Jared regrets allowing the girls to decorate the shop. He regrets the bet he made with Chad even more.
It’s Halloween and he’s standing behind the counter in a stupid - no scratch that - in a very warm, ridiculously stupid looking costume, handing out free candy with every order and trying not to sweat to death. He’s alone tonight and is glad that it’s not too busy. He can close up in an hour and join his friend’s at the party raging across the street at Carlson’s.
Jensen hasn’t been in yet, but Jared knows he will make it five minutes before closing, like every day this week.
He’s bending down to get fresh milk out of the storage fridge under the counter when the bell over the entry sounds. It’s muffled now, but a reindeer Jared had strategically placed just over the bell. It has done wonders for his nerves and ears.
He waves a hand over the counter to show that he’s there and curses under his breath when his stupid costume gets caught on something under the counter. He struggles a little, curses louder and then stumbles when he’s suddenly free. He stands up and then almost laughs when Jensen stumbles back a step.
“Whoa.”
Jared nods and feels his moose head move with a slight delay. The head slides a little every time Jared moves, so he has to pull it back into position.
“Told you not to bet against the Mavs. But now the name tag is actually true.”
Jared just shows him the finger and goes to prepare Jensen’s drink. He puts an extra shot in there because Jensen looks exhausted and really tired, practically slumped against the counter.
“Sandy thinks it’s cute. You know, I’m a prince, cursed to be moose and I need saving.”
“Did she come up with that?” Jensen smiles, less tired now and Jared likes that look way better.
“Yep.”
“Well, seems like she knows how to use good pick up lines. I like that.”
Jared grins and nods, because he knows what Jensen means.
Sandy has been less than subtle about wanting them to hook up ever since they started actually talking to each other. She thinks they're perfect for each other and sometimes Jared likes to agree. Over the last few days Jared’s crush has developed into something he can’t quite name.
They talk when there’s time. It’s not often, but now Jared knows that Jensen’s a middle child just like him, has a degree in marketing, can’t live without coffee for which Jared is very glad and works as a personal shopper. Jared admits that he laughed at that, like a deep belly laugh he couldn’t stop for five minutes straight. Jensen took it all in a stride.
It’s the reason why he comes in late now. He’s running around the whole town, getting stuff and arranging pick-ups for his clients. And he’ll be even busier once the real holiday rush starts.
Jared has never given much thought to Black Friday, but Jensen sees it has his personal deadline. From then on, he’ll be a slave until after Christmas. Jared doesn't envy him. He hates shopping and has had all his presents together since July and doesn’t even think about joining the masses in their yearly Christmas craziness.
But still, Jensen seems to love his job. Gets good money, too. And actually has the holidays themselves off, unlike Jared who will be open until midday on Christmas Eve. His mom did enough scolding for that to last him a lifetime. But he will at least be home and he’s glad she won’t rip him a new one for not making it. Last year was bad enough.
Jensen inhales his drink, smiles when he sees Jared watching.
He watches Jared in return. It’s nice and quiet, not an uncomfortable silence. Jared starts to clean up, getting ready for closing and Jensen relaxes more and more.
“Man, the girls went overboard, didn’t they? I see Halloween stuff smothering the Christmas things,” Jensen says, low and sounding half awed and half scared.
“Yeah. Remind me to never give in to their nagging again. They get the stuff up and leave me working in this holiday hell while they're off partying.”
“Aww, poor moose. Need the hero to kiss it better?”
Jared knows it’s said mockingly but he can’t help and shiver inside his costume. Just the word kiss out of Jensen’s mouth does things to him.
“Maybe?”
Jensen grins, reaches over the counter and Jared freezes. And when Jensen only pats his moose head Jared tries hard not to be too disappointed.
“Well, when you're sure, let me know. I’m an awesome hero. Thanks for the coffee, Jay. I really needed it. Have fun at the party.”
Jensen leaves at the same time Chad barges in. Jared never gets the chance to tell Jensen that he’d love to have him as his hero.
***
November
The next several weeks are busy.
Jared barely has time to breathe between the morning and the evening rush. College kids seem to have discovered the shopping street and his coffee shop along the way. Not that he minds, it’s good business after all. But it doesn’t leave much to time to ogle Jensen or even talk to him.
Jensen is busy too, of course, busier than usual now. He rushes in and out, like a flash, and Jared always just catches a glimpse of him these days. Jensen's phone's always ringing or he's talking away, which means he mostly just smiles at Jared and nods his thanks when the freshly made pumpkin spice latte is pushed across the counter.
But Jared catches Jensen, more than once, stopping just outside the shop and inhaling the coffee’s scent. It makes Jared smile and the girls gleeful. Danneel and Sandy still try to set them up, but it hasn’t worked out so far. And the longer Jared has to endure the teasing and only being able to look at Jensen from afar, the less inclined he is to stop their efforts. There’s hope it might work out one day.
Then Jensen starts to come in less and less, only sporadically and always looking harried and stressed. They only have time to share some basic words about how they are, small talk at best. But Jared gets to know that Jensen’s jetting across the country to fulfill last minute wishes and create lists for the heavy Christmas shopping most of his clients plan to do after Black Friday.
One day Jared's feeling particularly bad for Jensen and so he puts two extra shots into Jensen’s coffee. The next time Jensen rushes in, hands full with bags and eyes wild Jared thinks that maybe that idea wasn’t the brightest he’s ever had. But then Jensen practically begs him for coffee and Jared can’t resist doing it all over again.
The smile he gets in return is so worth the almost turned over table, the crashed potted plant and the stares that range from annoyed to really amused Jensen leaves in his wake when he stumbles back outside.
Jared thinks Jensen is a brilliant strategist, knows from what Jensen told him that the man is organized like no one else Jared knows. But not getting his coffee fix on time seems to render him partially useless. It’s beyond cute.
***
There’s no Jensen during Thanksgiving. Jared doesn’t worry … much. It’s not like they're actually friends or anything. They just know each other and flirt from time to time. Jensen isn’t obliged to tell Jared when he’s around and when not. That Jensen told him before when he’s traveling doesn’t mean he'll always do it.
Jared’s pretty good at convincing himself of this fact, too. He just has to try and believe in things long enough and strong enough. Except he thinks that it's really too bad it’s not working all that well this time. And maybe he should've listened to Chad and should've closed the shop for the holidays.
There’s no one really around and Jared’s bored. His parents only expect him in the afternoon; even though his mom had almost cried when he told her he wanted open the shop for a few hours. He’s devoted to it, maybe too much, but getting in some extra cash won’t hurt. It’s not like there’s someone he has to pay, only himself and he cuts back every time. He thinks Danneel and Sandy would team up on him if they knew how much of his own pay he’d sacrificed since he took over.
Sometimes, Jared thinks he’s too nice for this world.
The shop isn’t as garishly decorated as it had been a few weeks ago, but there’s still way too much stuff around and on a whim Jared decides to change that. He tears down most of the colorful wrappings, bows and streamers and only leaves the rein deer where they are.
Then he grabs the snow spray for the windows and paints stars, mistletoe twigs and Santas all over the glass. Sometimes, having studied graphic design still comes in handy. When he’s done, he turns in a slow circle and is actually very satisfied.
“Nice.”
Jared doesn’t jump. No, he squeaks, turns too fast and crashes into the nearest table.
“Dammit, Chris. Make a noise next time.”
“Did. You were just too caught up in prettying up the place. I like it. Better than the eye sore it was before.” Chris grins, flops down on one of the chairs by the counter and watches Jared going back to putting the decorations away. Next year, he’ll do all of it himself. No way he’s letting the girls win him over again.
“Don’t let the girls hear that. They hate you already as it is, don’t make it worth. I don’t need a feud between my shop and your bar, Kane.” Jared slides a freshly brewed coffee across the counter and almost grins when Chris can’t suppress a moan.
“Not my bar, just work there. No matter what they told you, I didn’t set them up with those cowboy hicks last year. No reason to hate me.”
“Dude, you printed their phone numbers all over the men’s room.”
Chris shrugs then and looks so innocent that Jared marvels at the show. Chris is so far from innocent that the word doesn’t even move in Chris’ periphery.
“So? They deserved it. Telling Sophia I had genital herpes just because they thought I was the wrong one for her wasn’t all the ladylike.”
And Chris is right. The girls went too far with that one. There have been apologies, hugs even and things have settled down somewhat but they're all still trying to one up each other. Jared thinks it won’t end well or when it ends, it'll be with Chris getting both of the girls, which would be kind of unfair but that's usually the way things work in Jared’s circle of friends.
“Why are you here anyway? Steve threw you out?”
“Why? Can’t I just come over and have coffee with one of my buddies.”
“Sure. You just never do it.”
Chris sighs then, rolls his eyes and drains his cup in one go.
“Well, there's this friend of mine who calls every five minutes or so because he fears you might think he’s a douche because he couldn’t tell you that he won’t be around to get his daily pumpkin spice latte…. Man, this sounds a stupid as it did when he rambled it out…”
Jared doesn’t even let Chris finish, starts to grin and moves closer to the counter again.
“Jensen?”
“Got it in one. His brother kidnapped him to take him to their parents’ place during Thanksgiving; otherwise Jensen would be working through the holidays. Jensen didn’t have a way to tell you, but remembered you know us. He called, texted, send emails and begged me to come over here and tell you.”
Jared’s not sure what to say to that, he can only grin, duck his head and grin some more. There’s a snort and Jared knows what Chris is thinking. A second later he’s proven right.
“Chad’s so damn right. You two are kind of pathetic. Man, Jared, you aren’t shy, ask him out. Believe me, sometimes Jensen is so wrapped up in his job that he can't see what’s right in front of him, but when he goes as far as to beg me, he's definitely noticed you.”
Jared’s heart does a happy dance in his chest and he promises himself that he’ll take the another step the next time he sees Jensen.
***
December
Only, the next time he sees Jensen is a day before Christmas Eve and Jensen's on the phone again. He looks even more rushed and Jared loses the little hope he had to talk to Jensen before he closes the shop for two days.
He prepares Jensen’s drink like he always does, slides it over to where Jensen is waiting and watches the other man smile and mumble something into the phone. Suddenly Jensen tucks the phone between his cheek and shoulder then grabs a napkin and the pen lying on the counter.
Jared doesn’t dare to hope but can’t hold back the smile anymore. Chad’s right next to him, digging his elbow into Jared’s side and wiggling his eyebrows like a loon. When the napkin slides into his field of visions Jared doesn’t even think about not grabbing it.
Their fingers touch and it’s like a current sprinting up his arm. It’s like a cheesy romantic comedy where time stands still and the protagonists stare longingly into each other’s eyes. Only it doesn’t last long because Jensen's already walking back outside, talking rapidly and only winking at Jared when he turns at the door.
It's only when the last customer has left and the shop is closed that Jared dare to look at the napkin. He laughs out loud, startling Chad so much that he has to clean up yet another broken cup off the floor.
The napkin reads: Chris threatened to kill me if I don’t give you my number. So here it is. Christmas present. Call? Jensen
Jared’s still grinning when he comes home that evening and if his dogs look strangely at him, Jared doesn’t mind. It's really one of the best Christmas presents ever.
Jensen’s number is already programmed into his cell phone but he keeps the napkin, stows it with the cards his sister sent from all her trips around the world and among the trinkets from his youth he keeps in a wooden box his grandpa made.
***
Jared calls.
On Christmas Day because he thinks it’s fitting. The conversation is short, due to family obligations on both sides, but Jared thinks it’s the right start. They text, talk some during Christmas.
Jared earns amused look from his parents and knowing ones from his siblings when he can’t put the phone away, checks it every five minutes even during presents time. When he texts Jensen about it he gets back a same here which makes him grin and his mother laugh.
They talk some more during the day after Christmas.
And then Jensen walks into the shop with the phone at his ear and Jared laughs out loud. And then laughs some more when Jensen flinches at the volume.
“Dude, that was mean.”
“Not my fault you were talking on the phone to me and walked in here doing so. “
When Jensen reaches the counter they look at each other for a while and Jared’s glad that it’s early, that only a few customers are there and that neither Chad nor the girls are around. It’s really pathetic how Jared grins at Jensen and can’t stop to do so.
“Hi.”
“Hi.
“It’s good to see you,” Jensen says, a little shy and maybe Jared finds that so adorable that he forgets to answer for a second. Jensen’s raised eyebrow brings him back to the present.
“Yeah … God, it’s good to see you, too. “
The movements are automatic and Jared isn’t even thinking about what he’s doing. Jensen shrugs and smiles even wider when Jared presents him with a pumpkin spice latte topped off with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.
“Thanks. Listen, Jared … I don’t know if I’m reading all this right but… would you go out with me?”
Jared blinks because this comes kind of out of the blue. He has been hoping for it but hearing it is something different. He wants to shout ‘yes’ but he refrains from it and resorts to grinning stupidly and nodding.
“Good,” Jensen says with a laugh.
“Sorry. I kind of hoped you would ask,” Jared answers, feeling a blush creep up his cheeks and he has to duck his head again. Judging from the look Jensen gives him, it’s affecting the other man the same way those green eyes and Jensen’s shy smile are affecting Jared.
“Well, I hope you don’t mind that I’ll take you to Steve’s New Year’s party. I think being among friends at a party might be just the right thing for us. We’ve had coffee way too many times.”
“You had coffee. I just made it,“ Jared mumbles because he knows what Jensen is referring to.
“Yeah, no. Don’t think I didn’t see you preparing two cups and tasting yours before you handed over mine.”
Jared doesn’t know if he should feel embarrassed or awed that Jensen picked up on Jared’s way to make sure that the coffee always tasted the same. Also, Jared really loves pumpkin spice latte and it’s not exactly a hardship to have one of his one every time Jensen comes in.
“You are just as addicted as I am, right?” Jensen asks and Jared really, really likes the way his eyes sparkle when Jensen smirks like this. Yeah, Jared is really glad that none of his co-workers are around just then. He thinks Jensen and him couldn’t even embody a romantic chick flick more than they’re doing it just now.
“So? You judging?”
“Hell no. One more thing we have in common. Time to find out even more. So New Year’s party alright?”
“Yes, Jensen. I would love to go to Steve’s New Year’s party with you.”
Jensen laughs then, eyes sparkling even more, crinkling at the corners and lips spread wide. It gives Jared even more material to fantasize about, not that he needs any more. Jensen's gorgeous and Jared feels so damn happy that this man is interested in him.
“Good. I’ll pick you up,” Jensen says and then is gone before Jared even thinks to ask where he got his address from. Jared thinks he owes Chris a drink or two at the party, because it could only have been Chris handing out such vital information.
When Jared really closes up for the night, he feels good and thanks his pumpkin spice latte making abilities for finally having paid off.
***
December - January
The party is loud and exactly the way it should be. A typical New Year’s event at Carlson's and Jared loves it. Jensen is right beside him, has been the while evening and Jared even endures his friends, or even better, their friends, because Chris and Steve count, mocking him and their knowing looks. Jensen seems to ignore them as well.
They just have eyes for each other anyway. It’s been a while since Jared felt anything close to this and he wonders if he ever even felt anything exactly like it before. He somehow doubts it.
Jared is having fun, feels relaxed, and actually feels good. For the first time in over a year he’s more than just a young coffee shop owner living for his business and trying to keep it afloat. When he looks at Jensen, he knows the other man is feeling something similar. Jensen looks younger again, so relaxed like Jared hasn’t seen him in a long time.
They’re standing close, arms touching, hips pressed even closer. Jared loves the feel of Jensen against him. And it’s then that he decides to let Jensen know. Two minutes before midnight.
“I decided.”
Jensen turns his head, moves closer so that he can hear what Jared’s saying. “What did you decide?”
Jared takes a deep breath, almost inhales Jensen’s scent and tries not to bury his face in Jensen’s hair. Jensen smells awesome. “That I would like to have you as my hero.”
Jensen smiles then, turns a little more and they’re suddenly face to face. So close that Jared, for the first time, sees the multitude of freckles on Jensen’s cheeks. He loves the already.
“You did? So I need to break the curse now?”
Jared nods then, heart beating faster in anticipation.
“How do I do that then?” Jensen’s smirking now, the way Jared can't resist falling for even more than he already has.
“Usually … with … a kiss,” the words are slow to leave his mouth but Jared’s way too busy staring at Jensen’s lips. Lips that are licked now and are moving closer.
“Okay,” Jensen whispers against Jared’s mouth and then there are soft, warm lips covering his. It feels amazing. The current is there again, prickling on his skin, everywhere they're touching. Hands on hips, knees knocking against legs and mouth moving slowly against mouth.
They kiss and ignore everything around them for a long time. Until someone knocks into them and Jared realizes that they kissed through midnight.
“Happy New Year,” he says grinning and smiles even wider when Jensen pulls him close again.
“Happy New Year, Jared.”
***
An hour later, when the party has calmed down a little and people are more than just halfway to drunk, Jared’s still plastered against Jensen. They don't really care that their friends, who are three sheets to the wind, are commenting on their supposed cuteness as a couple. And Jared’s not even sure if they count as a couple yet. But kissing is awesome, and Jared already loves kissing Jensen, so he tries not to stop.
Only when Jensen pulls back smiling, and looks at him, does Jared come out of his lust-clouded haze. Kissing Jensen is definitely a good way to start the new year.
“Don’t know if the kiss worked, Jared,” Jensen suddenly says all serious and frowning.
“What? Why?” Jared doesn’t squeak, but Jensen later swear he did.
“Well, the hero breaks the curse with his love and desire. But you are still a moose.” Jensen flicks the antlers on Jared’s head, courtesy of Chad.
“Dude … Reindeer not moose.”
“Oh … I’m so sorry. How could I say otherwise. Still … a deer of some kind.” Jensen is smirking and Jared laughs out loud. Then he leans down and repeats the kiss they shared at midnight only now it lasts longer, means even more.
“Just antlers. Not a whole ‘some kind of deer.’ More kisses are definitely needed to get rid of them as well. Go on, my fearless hero, help the prince with more awesome kisses,” Jared can't hold the laughter in once Jensen leans in and kisses his nose.
“As you wish, my prince,” Jensen says drolly and then goes back to showing Jared how he should have been kissed all his adult life. The last thought Jared has that night is also the first one of the new year. He thinks that he's pretty sure that he could fall for Jensen.
The end.