Fic: Solitaire, Part 2
"Just kiss me."
"Okay."
Jensen closed his eyes and melted into Jared's mouth, tasting and being tasted, letting his lip be bitten gently and biting Jared's lip back, time and space forgotten as Jared was now the only thing that mattered. What happened at Jared's home swirled down into a cortex and vanished. He tightened his hands at Jared's soft long hair and Jared groaned.
Jared pressed their foreheads together. "That was my mistake."
"What was? The kiss?"
"No. Meeting my parents."
"Jared, come on."
"I mean it. I should've listened to you. If I'd talked to them first and not ambushed them like that, they'd have had time to think. I feel so guilty right now."
"Well, don't. We don't know if things would have been better the other way around, right? I guess the sooner we find out how they feel, the better."
Jared smiled and stroked Jensen's jaw with his thumb. "Okay. You're right. I won't regret it and I still love you. Now, shall we go inside?"
"Are you sure?" Jensen looked out at the tall building looming over them. Outside it looked expensive and elegant. He wondered how it could be inside.
"What? Of course." Jared laughed out loud and Jensen was left mesmerized, speechless. Jared started his car again and made a short turn toward the entrance. He stopped at the lobby and one valet jogged in his direction.
"Good evening, Mr. Padalecki."
"Good evening, Mark." Jared gave him the key and Mark waved as he drove away. Jensen waited and followed Jared into the building.
"Would he wonder about me?"
"Don't worry, Jen. It's none of his business."
"Oh. Okay."
At the private elevator, Jensen saw Jared pushed the top floor button. The penthouse. Jensen swallowed. O-kay. He was trying to act cool, really, he was. But the sight that welcomed him made it incredibly hard to do so. Jensen could see the entire night sky as the south part of the wall was made entirely from glass. Just the metallic frames helped show the edges of the square glass panels.
Looking around, Jensen wondered if Jared was a hardcore fan of sci-fi movies and stories. Everything was either white or silver hues. The couches, the dining table, even the short stairwell leading to what Jensen suspected to be the bedroom was thick transparent set of glasses.
"Your place is amazing." Jensen couldn't hold back any longer.
"Thanks." Jared smiled a little. "I wanted to get away from the traditional style of my parent’s house."
Jensen couldn't help but chuckle. “I don’t think your parents would look too kindly on that.”."
"Yeah, well, it doesn’t matter. It’s going to be a while I think before I go back there again."
"Guess not."
Jared suddenly clapped his hands together once. "All right. Now it's time to show you the bedroom. You haven't seen anything like it I bet."
The bedroom. "You mean your bedroom?"
Jared stared at him funny. "Haha. You're so funny, Ackles." He turned around and went ahead of Jensen hopping up the glass stairs. He reminded Jensen of a hyperactive puppy. "Come on," Jared called out over his shoulder.
Jared wasn't kidding when he said Jensen hadn't seen anything like his bedroom. It opened to a grand view of the night sky, Jensen thought he'd be swallowed by the stars. The double king-sized bed was low with the thickest and fluffiest coverlet Jensen had ever seen, making him want to play trampoline in the middle of it. He took a deep sigh and nearly jumped when Jared hugged his waist from behind.
"You love it?" Jared whispered in his ear.
Though not too sure about what 'it' Jared meant to, Jensen nodded a lot more frantically than he wanted.
"It's beautiful, Jared." He leaned into Jared's hard, welcoming body. He merely complied when Jared spun him around.
"You're more beautiful. You'll complement this place like nothing else." Then Jared leaned forward and captured Jensen's lips with his.
Jensen gasped softly and kissed back. He held on Jared's long hair--just perfect for this purpose. It was like coming home, the kiss. Jared's taste, the small sounds he made, the feel in Jensen's hands, all were perfect.
When they surfaced for air, Jared cupped Jensen's face and slowly ran his hands over Jensen's shirt front and stopped on his hips. He pulled Jensen close until their groins pressed against each other. Jensen couldn't help a moan. Jared was hard in his jeans and slowly, oh so slowly, ground them both together. It felt painfully delicious. Jensen breathed hard, his heart beat quickening.
"Do you feel that? Do you like it?" Jared murmured.
"Yes." The reply came out as a shaky whisper. Jensen felt lightheaded as Jared kept rubbing them together and then stroked Jensen's bulge through the fabric of his pants. Jensen threw his head back and thrusted into Jared's hand. "Oh God." His eyes fluttered shut. "Jared... It feels so good."
Jared silenced him with his mouth over Jensen's before pulling back." I love the sounds you make." He fingered Jensen's zipper and jerked down the jeans. "Take this off. Now."
***
Jensen spent a lot of nights at the penthouse, though he never got too cozy or made himself at home. Who knew who would show up out of the blue?
Or maybe he shouldn't have thought of that. Always thinking someone would find out about him turned out to be something of a self-fulfilling prophecy. The night before he and Jared went to New Jersey for the IT conference, the private elevator whirred down and when it went up again, it opened to two most unwanted faces. Jared's mother and father.
"Mom! Dad!" Jared glanced at Jensen, shaking his head a little, as he rose from the couch.
Jensen frowned. What was that supposed to mean?
"What are you doing here?"
Jensen jumped up but halted at the sign from Jared.
"Hi, son." Jared's dad patted his shoulder and his mom hugged and kissed his cheek. "Thought I'd stop by. I have some things to tell you about the conference."
Jared had told Jensen about his dad's ideas and reminders. Jensen wondered what could be so important it couldn't be communicated through email or telephone.
Jared nodded a little. "Sure. By the way, you remember Jensen here?" he asked as he waved at Jensen.
"Of course," his dad said without looking at Jensen.
"Mr. Padalecki, Mrs. Padalecki." Jensen nodded to both although neither of them acknowledged him. He felt his eyes sting a little but he tried to ignore it. "I, uh." He waved in the direction of the master bedroom. "I'd better check my luggage." They'd finished packing earlier and he knew he'd prepared everything. That was such a lame excuse. Jensen dashed out of the room without waiting for any replies.
Despite his quick departure, he still caught the sharp whisper from Jared's mom. "You're sleeping with him?"
"Yes," Jared said curtly. Jensen could imagine his frown and pointed stare. Jensen didn't care anymore about Jared’s parents, though, closing the door behind him and heading to the bed. Lying down and staring at the darkness of the night through the glass panels, Jensen began to doubt his decision to be involved in Jared's life.
***
"Mr. Padalecki, a word about your next year's plan?"
Jensen glanced sideways, following Jared. A reporter shoved a microphone to Jared's face. Jensen didn't know it would be like this in the conference and Jared would be treated like a celebrity or the leader of a country. Jared, though, only curled up a corner of his lips, acting as if it was an everyday occurrence and perhaps it was.
"Jeremy, right? Well my next year's plan will be the same as our previous years, making more money."
The reporter, Jeremy, laughed aloud. He seemed too cheery. Was it because Jared remembered his name? Jensen eyed the man with short straight light blond hair as Jared left his side and went talking to Jeremy more up close and personal. They looked so...intimate, like good friends or even more. More? Jensen wondered if they meant more to each other than a reporter and a famous person to be interviewed. But who was he to question it? Jared's parents might have just found out about Jared’s preference for men, but it didn't mean that Jared never got involved with men before.
Jared had said something Jensen didn't catch and turned to Jensen, who could only smile weakly, not knowing what else to do.
"All right, Jensen? Shall we go in?"
"S-sure," Jensen stammered.
The sky was dark and lightning and thunders stroke and rumbled. The rain had started as a light drizzle but soon turned into full-on torrential rain by the time Jared and Jensen finished the sessions that day.
"Jesus Christ!" Jensen cursed as he pushed the double-paneled door. "This is an absolute horror. You want to drive in this kind of weather?" He glanced at Jared for the question.
Jared looked up at the sky, a mix of awe and resignation in his face. "It's quite scary, I know. But my parents are here. They won't appreciate us not accompanying them."
You, Jensen thought. They wouldn't appreciate you not accompanying them, not us. They didn't acknowledge him being there. Perhaps they even wanted to get rid of him.
"Can we at least wait until it's calming down a bit?" Jensen hated the begging tone he made.
Jared checked his watch. "It's quite late already. I don't think we should wait." He went to the valet to have his car retrieved and all Jensen could do was stare.
By the time the car reached the lobby, Jensen could hardly see the sky or anything else really in the rain. It was like layers of thick curtains surrounding them. But Jared stubbornly slipped into his car and Jensen had to rush to the passenger's seat if he didn't want to get left behind.
Jared drove slowly and cautiously but the wipers were barely useful and Jensen hardly hear a thing over the pounding rain. It all happened so fast. Jared was turning left at the gate when a huge vehicle--Jensen didn't even recognize what it was--sped forward and ran into Jared's car. There was a loud crashing sound before everything went dark.
***
Jensen had never been more disoriented before when he opened his eyes. The soft whirring sounds of machine were around him and a tug he felt when he pulled at his left hand. He looked down and noticed the needle connected to the IV drip above him. He gathered now that he was in a hospital room, an empty one at that. Slowly memory returned to him and his heart clenched and he jerked physically. Jared. Where was he? Was he all right? Was he...alive? He groped around for the bell.
“You’re awake.” A nurse rushed into the room, fixed the stethoscope on her ears, and began examining Jensen. “How do you feel?” she asked as she checked into Jensen’s eyes.
“Uh, throbbing in my head and my torso, it hurts a little when I breathe? What happened? When can I see Jared? How long have I been here?”
“I’ll go get the doctor.” She patted Jensen’s shoulder. “Ask him, okay? Take it easy.”
Jensen couldn’t relax. He sat up when the doctor appeared, only to fall back down and scrunch his eyes shut as his head throbbed like crazy. He thought he must have lost consciousness for a moment, when he opened his eyes again the doctor was at his side.
“Answer me, Mr. Ackles. Between one and ten, how painful was your headache just now?”
Jensen breathed out shakily. “Eight?”
The doctor looked contemplative. "We will add the painkillers then and keep you sedated."
Jensen normally hated being sedated but in this case he'd pay anything not to drown in pain. "Is-is it bad, Doctor?"
"Your brain is a bit swollen but nothing is ruptured. Until the swelling recedes, you're going to be in significant pain."
"And my ribs, are they broken?"
"Some fractures. Thank goodness they didn't puncture the lungs. But you'll feel uncomfortable for a couple of days."
"Doctor," Jensen called out quietly. "How is Jared?"
The doctor stared at Jensen for a long time, before finally asking. "Who's Jared?"
After everything he saw during the conference, Jensen couldn't believe someone actually didn't know Jared. Or he just wanted to cover some bad news. Terribly bad news. Jensen felt tears start to fill his eyes.
"Doctor, come on. Is it very bad? You can tell me. Seriously."
All he got was more question marks in the doctor's face. He squeezed Jensen's shoulder. "You think I'm hiding something from you? Who is this Jared? Was he supposed to be in the car crash, too?"
Alarm rang in Jensen's head. As far as he knew, when you got involved in a car crash, they would take you to the nearest hospital. Weren't he and Jared supposed to be taken to the same hospital, too?
"Where am I?" He jerked up, one hand clutching the cover tightly. "New Jersey General Hospital? Or back to Dallas?"
"New Jersey, Dallas? No, no. You're here in Pleasantville, New York."
***
Pleasantville, Recent Time
Jensen had since learned what had happened to him, being cast out like such a discarded reject just because he had a relationship with an heir of some billionaire. He couldn't help but wonder why the Padaleckis hadn't simply asked him to get away from Jared, to get out of their life. Why he hadn't been just laid off from the company? They went through all the trouble transferring him to a hospital in a town he'd never even heard off. He'd worried about Jared, though, how he fared after the accident. But days became weeks and weeks became months, and Jensen didn't hear anything about Jared. He guessed press wouldn't be able to keep quiet if something had happened to Jared, the celebrity.
On the other hand, it hurt Jensen that Jared didn't even try to contact him.
Aw, what the hell. Jensen was busy enough trying to fend for his own life. Starting all over again wasn't a walk in the park. Lucky he got to talk to the people around the dingy motel he lived once he was released from the hospital. He began working as a cab driver after a cab owner offered him the job. He’d thought of getting another job in IT but this would do for a while. Jensen was also longing to go back to his own apartment. But it was in Dallas, and Dallas reminded him of Jared. Jensen wouldn’t have that.
***
"Keep the change," said his passenger, the 40-something lady. "and make that phone call."
Jensen smiled at her under his cap through the rear-view mirror. "Thanks, I'll think about it." They'd been talking about the story of his life during the long journey from the airport. Jensen wouldn't do what she said, but he was grateful for her kindness and sympathy. Calling Jared, begging for his pity? Not in a million years, thank you very much. He'd rather live like this, away from the hustle and bustle of Jared's company and far, far away from Jared's mother's black heart.
Back on road, Jensen switched on the vacancy light on top of the cab when a man whistled, flagging him from a distance. Jensen cheered inwardly. He was never without passengers. This way he'd never have a problem to send money to his mom and sister again this month.
"Where to?" Jensen started, but his word was caught in his throat as he checked in the mirror. Chad. He immediately pulled down his cap as low as he could.
Chad mentioned the name of a street that Jensen recalled a luxurious apartment around the area. Could it be that Jared ... But Jensen shooed the thought as far as possible. He didn't care, all right? Even if Jared was really there, Jensen wouldn't be the one groveling for another possibility to be together. They tossed him away like garbage. They didn't care if he survived or not.
Jensen tried not to check on the rear-view mirror, afraid he'd catch Chad's eyes. When they reached the destination, Chad climbed out of the cab. Jensen wanted to just drive off but Chad handed out the money through the window.
"Thanks," said Jensen. But he made a mistake. He looked up and Chad stared back.
"Hey! Aren't you--"
Jensen took off at once.
Jensen's heart raced. He decided to pull off for a moment. "Shit," he murmured, clutching the steering wheel and pressing his head on it. What was Chad doing in this city? Did that mean Jared was around, too? Jensen couldn't come up with any reasons why. He drew a long, stuttering breath, wondering if he should worry about running into Jared. Then he snorted somewhat bitterly. What were the odds? There were hundreds, if not thousands, of yellow cabs all over New York. It was unlikely Jared would suddenly flag him down him like Chad had. Jensen just needed to stay away of the area he'd just left.
***
Dim rays sprinkled down as the morning broke. Relief seeped through Jensen as this would mean he only had to be on the road a couple more hours. He'd been driving since around eight the previous evening, the one night shift he had for this week. Now he planned to only take passengers around the office of his cab company, and he'd be headed home after his shift was over.
It was around seven when Jensen turned into the company's parking lot. He still had some stuff to do before he went home.
"Hey, Ackles. How was your day?" A fellow, fifty-something, driver called out amidst the noise of several other drivers chatting. Jensen waved at him, smiling.
"Not bad, old man."
"Huh. Who you call old man?" The others laughed. "So, wanna have some beer with this old man?"
"Sorry, man. Feel like dozing off. Rain check?"
"Sure, sure. Baby driver must have a lot of naps."
Jensen snorted. It was all good-humored banter. He liked the people here, especially the ones sharing the same shifts. He put on his jacket and stepped out of the office. The day had become brighter and brighter. Jensen wondered if he could sleep at a--
"Jensen."
Jensen froze. The voice was soft and thin but Jensen would recognize it anytime, anywhere. He turned around slowly, and there were Jared, and Chad slightly behind him. After those horrible months, Jared hadn't changed at all. Still his old self with soft longish hair and puppy-dog eyes. Jensen was reminded of a photograph of him and Jared taken before that conference in New Jersey that he'd saved and still kept in his cell phone. A photograph showing them happy and, especially Jensen, proud for having taken part in such a grand occasion. How naive he was at that time. He wouldn't know what would transpire the next minute.
"What are you doing here?" Jensen tried his best to sound cold and mad, only to come out shaky with a hint of sobs in his voice.
Jared reached out and took a step closer. Jensen automatically moved backward.
"No. Jensen, I'm sorry."
"How did you find me?" he asked as if Jared hadn't said a word. He followed Jared as he glanced back to Chad. Yes, of course. But it didn't explain how they found out exactly where Jensen was. "Why..."
"Why what?"
Jensen looked away. "Nothing." His blood started to boil. If Jared needed no time to track him this time, where had he been all those months ago? Jensen began to take off.
"Jen, wait." Jared caught his elbow thanks to his freakishly long limb.
Jensen waved it off. "No. Sorry, I'm so tired. Just driving for more than twelve hours." He'd worked late in the past but it was nothing compared to being a cab driver.
Jared raised his hands, stepping back. "Twelve hours? God, Jensen."
"Cut it out." Jensen didn't care about how Jared felt. He wasn't the one tossed aside at some no-name hospital where no one cared if he lived or died.
"At least let me drive you home. We can talk later."
Jensen gaped. He couldn't stand the thought of having confined in a small space for more than half an hour with Jared all the way to Pleasantville. Of course there was Chad, but that would only make things worse.
"Uh, no, thanks. I'll take the train as usual."
"Train? It's far from here? Where do you live?"
Jensen just shrugged, walking away. Why does Jared even care?
***
Sundays meant sleep for Jensen after spending the other six days driving either night or day. That was why he grunted in annoyance at the buzzing of the door. He pushed himself off the bed just because it could be his fussy landlord at the door.
"Yes?"
"Jensen, we need to talk."
Jared. Guess Jensen shouldn't wonder how Jared managed to find his apartment anymore.
"Go home, Jared."
"No. Come on, Jen. Open the door."
Jensen hesitated and hated himself for that. He shouldn't even have given his time to consider it. But the buzz came again.
"Jensen, your neighbors and people are staring at me. Please let me in before they call the cops."
"Neighbors? Early in the morning?"
"Morning? It's almost eleven o'clock!"
Oh. Oh. Jensen sighed.
"Are you alone?" He really didn't want to discuss his embarrassing experience with other people, Chad notwithstanding.
"Yes," said Jared.
Jensen was quiet for a moment before finally he said, "Okay," and buzzed the door open. One or two minutes passed before there was a knock at his door. Jensen felt lightheaded as he dragged himself there. His hand was shaking when he reached out at the door handle. The door went ajar revealing a rumpled Jared. It didn't make him less gorgeous, though. Jensen breathed hard.
"Jared." His voice felt stuck in his throat.
"Jensen. Oh God."
Jared rushed in looking as if he was about to hug Jensen. Jensen shook his head a little and Jared froze in his spot.
"Are you really alone or did you leave Chad in the car?"
"I have no one with me, I swear. Chad understands that this is between you and me."
"Did you tell anyone else about me?"
"You mean my parents? Of course not. I won't tell them anything about you, not after everything that has happened." Jared hung his head. "Jensen, you must know I had nothing to do with what happened. You have no idea how I felt when I found out my parents had removed you from the hospital where we were first taken to. I didn't even find out about it until after I was released three weeks later. They didn't tell me when I woke up but then why would they?"
Jared's words felt like a gentle slap at Jensen's face. Well, he had thought about Jared but not too much. But he’d thought Jared had let him go. Jensen cleared his throat. His voice was hoarse when he spoke.
"Jared, are you okay? I mean, the accident. Were you seriously injured?"
Jared's eyes widened as if he didn't see that coming, that kind of question from Jensen.
"No." He spread his arms to the sides. "I'm okay. I didn't break any bones or rupture any ribs. I just got bruises here and there. It was you, Jensen. You were seriously injured thanks to your bring in the passenger seat. I'm so sorry, Jen, for rushing out in the rain like that."
"God, no. No sorry. It was all fucked up. But not you. Your parents. They clearly couldn't accept me. I can't change that, like I can't change the fact that you're their son."
Jared frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Jensen suddenly felt awfully annoyed. How thick could Jared be?
"Come on, Jay. They're your parents. You can't get away from them. The company, your job, you'll always be dealing with them."
"I'm an adult. Don't I get a say in my own life?"
Jensen gaped, and gestured around. "Did what they did have your say? They just went on and did it. Did they ask you beforehand? Did they ask your permission? Of course not, damn it. They'll do anything they want no matter what you say."
"So what now? You want me to choose between you and my parents?" Jared's voice was so sad Jensen's heart broke in pieces.
"No." Jensen combed his hair back. Suddenly he felt so tired. "It's not a choice. It's just not possible for us to be together. I just can't imagine. If it happens again… I could've died, Jared. They'll surely kill me next time."
"It won't happen again. I'll make sure of it. I'll protect you."
Jensen shook his head. "You can't protect me 24/7."
"We'll run away. You and I. We can go to California. Or Canada."
"Oh, Jared. I told you I don't want you to choose me or your parents. That way you--"
"You've already made me choose my parents! I can think for myself, Jensen. And I want to be with you."
"You're going to lose everything. What are you going to do?" Jensen tilted his chin up in a challenging manner. He knew he was pushing Jared away. He just didn't want to make Jared's life miserable.
"What am I going to do? I don't know. I can do anything, Jen, so long as you’re with me."
"No." Jensen felt his eyes warm up. "You've never lived without. You'll be miserable."
"I will be miserable without you," Jared said quietly. "I was miserable when I thought I lost you. Just ask Chad how I drowned myself drinking."
"Oh God." Jensen knew they drank sometimes but Jared wasn't alcoholic. Far from it. "You could've died, too."
"I didn't care. I had no one I cared for or who cared for me."
"You're wrong." Jensen took Jared's hands. "Chad definitely cares for you."
"Not one that matters to me."
Jensen squeezed Jared's hands. "Don't say that."
Jared squeezed back and pulled Jensen closer, kissing Jensen's knuckles. "Please say we can be together again. Please don't give up on me. Let me choose you."
"I don't know..."
"Jen..."
"I can't tell the extent of what your parents might do, considering everything that happened."
"I'm serious about going to California or Canada or even Australia. We can start all over again if my parents disown me."
Jensen couldn't imagine there were parents who even thought of disowning Jared as a son. He was the best that could happen to a family. He was the best that could happen to Jensen. And whenever they landed later, Jared was the type of guy people liked and wanted to have around. He was one of the best in his field and Jensen trusted him. And Jensen himself? He was certainly not going to just sit back and relax. He knew his IT capabilities were not too shabby.
Jensen stared at both of their hands entangled to one another. He was no longer alone. He had Jared. Jensen looked up and met Jared's hopeful eyes.
"How about Hawaii?"
***
Mauka Beach, Oahu. Two months later.
Jensen sighed. "This is beautiful." He leaned himself closer on Jared's bare upper body so now they pressed skin-to-skin against each other, staring straight ahead into the sun that crept slowly down into the horizon.
Jensen loved sitting here on the quiet beach witnessing the sunset, so peaceful and serene, only the sound of the splashing waves and the soft breeze heard around them and Jared holding him close in his arms. He tilted his head sideways and kissed the corner of Jared's lips gently.
"Thank you for bringing me here." He was indeed extremely grateful. Jared had agreed to stay here in Hawaii while still taking care of his company in Dallas, like a long-distance CEO with Chad being his eyes and ears in the HQ office. Jared hadn't really told his parents about his plan, but they didn't disown him. Not yet, at least.
"No." Jared stole a small peck on Jensen's cheek. "Thank you. And you are more beautiful than the sunset, the beach, or the waves. You are incredible." He shifted up and slowly pushed Jensen down until he was lying on his back, holding his arms above his head.
Jensen arched a little and chased after Jared's lips when Jared bent down. Their mouths clashed a second later and they kissed like they just found water after a week getting stranded in the desert. Jared's hands had long left Jensen's wrists as if on their own accord to cup Jensen's face. Jensen linked his fingers on Jared's back and pulled Jared tighter.
"You are not too shabby yourself," Jensen whispered in Jared's ears and was back to kissing Jared. They ended up rolling on the sands as they quenched their thirst on each other. The afternoon had slipped into the night. The sunset had long disappeared replaced by the moon. The tides came and went.
They finally resurfaced for the need of oxygen though with great reluctance. Jared looked down and grinned at Jensen. "Shall we take this somewhere that's less ... sandy?"
Jensen snorted as he reached out for Jared's hand pulling him up. "If you say so, Mr. Padalecki."
The End