Plaque of the Human Variety - Dentist!AU - R, Jared/Jensen
Title: Plaque of the Human Variety
Series: Dentist!Verse
Author: thelonejuliet
Characters: Jared, Jensen, Mike, Tom, etc - you know, the usual :)
Pairing: mainly Jared/Jensen; mention of Mike/Tom, Jensen/Justin, unrequited Jared/Chad
Word Count: 4,032
Rating: R
Warnings: Boy kissing, PDAs, a nervous Mike Rosenbaum...
Disclaimer: These people belong to only themselves and their mommas. I'm just borrowing their pretty faces for a bit.
Beta: The ever wonderful candygramme. But I messed with it afterwards, so be forewarned!
Author's Note(s): Sorry this took so long to get out! RL has been full of suckage lately. Forgive me? *bats eyes*
Previous Parts of the Dentist!AU found here.
All fics found here!
Verse Summary - Jensen Ackles, a new dentist in town with a troubled love life, takes on a new patient in the form of barowner Jared Padalecki. Sparks fly and attraction deepens but can the secrets that both men harbor destroy everything before it's too late?
Chapter/Part Summary: Jared and Jensen spend some much needed time together. Later, Jensen gets a surprise he should have been expecting.
Banner made by my girl, mss_celestal!
Plaque of the Human Variety
A loud, forceful bark right next to his ear forced Jared to shoot up into a sitting position, eyes popping open with ridiculous force. He looked around, confused for a minute, until he heard Jensen laughing and saw his boyfriend running away with Harley. His wonderful dog had no doubt been coerced into barking right into Jared’s ear.
“You’re going to pay for that, Ackles!” he called after the two criminals. Jensen was still cackling, the sound easily carrying across the park on a breeze.
He looked over at Sadie, who was lying next to the blanket they’d spread out. He reached over and scratched behind her ears, smiling when Sadie’s eyes closed and she let out a happy-sounding whimper. “You wouldn’t treat me like that, would you, girl? No, you wouldn’t,” he said in an annoying baby-voice.
“God, if you ever talk to me like that, you’re never getting any again.”
Jared stopped his movements on Sadie’s head and turned to Jensen quickly, laughing at the other man’s yelp when he pulled Jensen down onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around Jensen’s waist and pressed up along Jensen’s back.
“S’that right?” he whispered against Jensen’s ear, nibbling on the lobe and down Jensen’s neck.
Jensen shuddered, trying to squirm out of Jared’s grip. After a few moments of no success, and Jared still kissing and biting along his skin, he gave up and slumped back against his boyfriend. He sighed in mock exasperation. “I suppose not. You seem to have ways to make me change my mind anyhow.”
Jared laughed and pushed Jensen off his legs. “Good God, man, you’re heavy.”
Jensen snorted. “You weren’t complaining last night when you were fucking me up against the wall.”
Jared opened his mouth to retort, while subtly adjusting himself of course, but stopped at the surprised gasp that came from behind him. He saw Jensen’s eyes widen right before he called out, “Sorry ‘bout that, ma’am!”
Jared laughed when he saw the young woman stroll by with a toddler in a stroller and another child who couldn’t have been more than 6 years old. Jensen’s face was an endearing shade of pink, making his freckles stand out in the sunlight.
Jared couldn’t resist leaning over and pulling their mouths together for a slow, sweet kiss. When they broke apart, Jensen was still flushed, but for an entirely different reason.
Jared cleared his throat and sat back on his haunches, knowing full well that they couldn’t take the scene any farther in the park, of all places. So he leaned back against the tree they’d set up near and began talking about anything that came to mind.
Jensen looked happy, just sitting around and joking around with Jared. He had this look on his face, one that Jared hadn’t seen in far too long. He loved that he was finally able to make Jensen look like that again, that he was the reason Jensen was able to relax and enjoy life again. He’d helped Jensen come out of hiding.
The past two months had threatened to undo all of the progress that Jensen had made since Jared had first walked into his office. At first, he was uptight and jumpy. But after a while, he’d loosened up, cracking jokes with ease, even about the relationship stuff. Then Justin had shown up and pushed him back into his shell.
If he didn’t already have enough of a reason to beat the shit out of Justin, that would have done it. Jared hated the guy with a passion he never thought he’d associate with anger.
But, they were okay. Jensen was still there, with him. He wasn’t running back to Dallas to escape. They were still side-by-side, the two of them facing life’s problems as one.
Jared suddenly realized that he’d stopped talking when he noticed that Jensen’s face had changed to confusion. He smiled.
“I love you, you know.”
Jensen’s brow wrinkled further. “Uh…I love you too?”
Jared laughed. “Sorry, random, I know. I just wanted to say it.”
At that, Jensen’s face lit up again, lighting up Jared’s heart along with it. The look in Jensen’s eyes was so intense that Jared had to look away before he started molesting the poor man in public.
“So, Jay,” Jensen said after a few minutes, voice a little unsure. “What’s caused you to be so deep in thought over these past few days?”
Jared shook his head to clear it of all the ways he was going to make Jensen scream his name… He cleared his throat, not even having registered what Jensen had said. “What?”
Jensen smiled indulgently. “I said, what’s got you all thoughtful lately. You look like your brain’s overworked. Not that it takes much…”
Jared ripped up a handful of grass and tossed it at his boyfriend. “Shut up,” he retorted, grin twitching at the edge of his lips as Jensen shook the green out of his hair.
He paused for a minute, trying to figure out how best to broach the subject that was on his mind. It’s not that it was a difficult thing to discuss or that he wanted to hide it from Jensen. It’s just that he wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to do. After all, it was Chad’s idea, and how often did that turn out well?
But maybe Jensen would, at least, be able to offer some fresh perspective.
“Well,” he said finally, sitting forward and playing with the folds of the worn blanket, smoothing them out meticulously. “Chad’s got this idea… He wants to open up a new location for Wax. He says that we might be able to develop it into a chain eventually.”
Jared stopped and Jensen didn’t say anything. When Jared looked up at him, he couldn’t read the expression on his boyfriend’s face, the faraway look in his eyes. “What’re you thinking?”
Jensen focused his gaze back on Jared. He gave him a reassuring smile. “You think you guys can pull it off?”
Jared shrugged. “You’ve seen the place on weekends. It’s packed. There’s been a line outside the door the past few weeks. I know this is Texas and all, but I honestly think we’re one of the last authentic places left. Everyone is buying into the modern age. These places might have a good western look to them, but they’re playing techno music every night. But, us? We’re just a good ole country establishment. I think a second place could be good. Then no one would have to wait…we’d be able to serve everyone, Jen.”
As he was talking, he could feel himself speeding up, getting more and more excited with every word. By the time he was finished with his answer, he was vibrating with energy, practically bouncing on the ground. Jensen was looking at him with that amused, fond expression again.
Jensen nodded. “Looks like you’ve already got your made up. And I think you should try for it. You’re right: business is good. I mean, you guys have managed to pay off the loan you got for the first place in less than two years. So, why not? Worst case scenario, it fails. So you cut your losses and refocus on the first location. I think it could be good. Maybe you can each run one? It’d be a lot of responsibility, though…”
Jared nodded, scooting closer to Jensen and clasping Jensen’s hands in his. “I know, Jen,” he whispered excitedly. “But, I think I want to do this. I’ve got a good-size savings and, like you said, the bar is doing great. So if this goes down in flames…It’s not like I’ll never be able to recover.”
Jensen leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Jared’s waist. He put his legs on either side of Jared’s Indian-style form and brought their chests flush together, pressing their lips together at the same time.
Jared sighed into Jensen’s mouth, cupping Jensen’s face in both hands. He slid his tongue along Jensen’s bottom lip, sighing again when Jensen smiled against his mouth and opened to let him in. He tangled his tongue with Jensen’s easily, twining it around slowly, tasting everything.
It always amazed Jared how everything with Jensen could still feel so new, even after six months of coupledom. Every kiss, every touch still set Jared’s body on fire. There were times when he felt like some sort of blushing virgin, wanting Jensen so badly he felt awkward with it. It was like he couldn’t believe that he had this wonderful, caring man in his life, and he was still a little shocked that Jensen wanted him. Jensen could have anyone he wanted; all he had to do was flash a smile, and both sexes were putty in his hands. But, he was right here, with Jared, kissing like teenagers in the middle of the park, their two dogs lounging at their feet.
Jensen was his, and there was nothing to refute his claim.
“It’s not bad enough that I have to see this at home? And at the club?”
Jared groaned and pulled away from Jensen to glare up at Chad. “What the fuck are you doing here, Murray?”
Chad put his hands up in surrender, taking a step back at Jared’s words. Okay, so maybe Jared had been a bit harsh, but he and Jensen didn’t seem to be able to find anywhere that Chad didn’t show up. It was not only annoying but downright suspicious. And if it wasn’t Chad they were running into, it was Justin, who was still begging Jensen to call him to talk about whatever it was he wanted.
“Hey, man, this is a public park,” Chad said, infuriatingly smug smile firmly in place. “Can’t I just take a walk?”
Jared rolled his eyes and pulled back from Jensen completely, separating any contact between them and almost whimpering at the loss. “You don’t take walks, Chad,” he grumbled. “Besides, I told you where we were going to be. So, I repeat, what are you doing here? What do you want?”
Chad sighed, hands dropping to his sides. He shrugged. “I’m meeting someone.”
“And you set up the meeting for the same place we happened to be, Chad?” Jensen asked. When Jared looked at him, he found Jensen smiling, but his eyes were hard. Jared couldn’t blame him; he wanted to rip Chad a new one too.
Chad’s smile faltered for a second, nasty sneer starting to appear, but then it was renewed tenfold. “Nah, they picked the place. I just follow orders.”
Chad didn’t say anything else, and Jared and Jensen just stared at him, waiting for him to make himself scarce. After a minute of uncomfortable, steely silence, the blonde sighed.
“Fine, I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone,” he chided, teasing smile in place as though he hadn’t done a thing.
He wasted no time in walking away, though Jared could hear him cursing them under his breath. Chad had been civil lately, sure. He’d been downright friendly. But that didn’t mean that his crush on Jared or his intense dislike of Jensen had disappeared. The contradictions were beginning to make his head spin.
Jared turned to face Jensen again. “Jen, I’m sorry,” he mumbled, hanging his head. “I don’t know why he keeps popping up.”
Jensen smiled and shook his head, telling Jared that it wasn’t his fault. Jared could tell it was taking a lot of effort for Jensen not to say something about Chad. He appreciated the effort that Jensen was making, but things had been weird since he and Justin had spoken at that bar a few weeks back. Whenever Chad was around or brought up in conversation, Jensen would tense up, and his face would take on this blank expression that Jared could see was forced.
It was as if Jensen viewed Chad as a threat again, but hadn’t they burned that bridge a long time ago? He’d told Jensen that Chad was like his brother, his family, and that Jensen was the only one he could even see, let alone be with. But maybe it was time to prove that to him again…
“Jay?”
Jensen reached out and cupped Jared’s chin, turning his face back towards him. Jared didn’t even know when he’d looked away, but he was looking in the direction Chad had run off in.
“Yeah, sorry,” Jared apologized, tilting his head and kissing Jared’s palm. “You ready to get out of here? I’m starving.”
Jensen laughed, a loud, genuine sound. “You’re always starving, dude. I swear your legs have to be hollow or something.”
Jared joined in the laughter as they gathered up their blanket and coerced the dogs into leaving.
* * *
“Goddammit, Mike. It’s my birthday. Okay? Birthday. And you’re making me go shopping because you have a date with Tommy tomorrow? Seriously? I thought it was all some ploy to get me to a surprise party.”
Jensen couldn’t help the disappointment from filtering into his mini-tirade. It wasn’t like he expected to get extra-special treatment. But a simple “Hey, we’re going out tonight” wasn’t too much to ask, surely. At least he could comfort himself with the fact that no one seemed to have forgotten his birthday. No, he’d gotten “Happy Birthday” calls all day from assorted friends and family members - and a very nice wake-up blowjob from Jared.
There just didn’t seem to be anybody who wanted to celebrate the day with him.
“Hey, c’mon. Chin up. You’ve been on my ass for years about asking Tom out and I’ve finally done it. But I’m freaking out, Jen. I seriously don’t have anything that’s even remotely date-like,” Mike paused for a minute, causing Jensen to look away from the scenery flying by the passenger-side window.
Mike was sitting rigidly in the driver’s seat, fingers clenched around the steering wheel so tight Jensen was half-convinced he’d never be able to remove them.
Jensen sighed. He could tell that Mike had gotten himself pretty worked up over the whole situation, and he’d been waiting for Tom and Mike to get their act together for years. He supposed he could overlook his birthday depression for a few hours to help out a friend.
“All right. Head for the mall,” he responded, forcing himself to sound slightly cheerier than he had the last time he’d spoken.
Mike’s face split into a wide, genuine grin. “Thanks, Jen. How ‘bout we hit up Wax after we’re done shopping? I’ll take you ‘round to see Loverboy and buy you a birthday beer.”
Jensen smiled in spite of himself. “Yeah, sounds good.”
Two hours and fifteen stores later, Jensen was ready to gouge his eyes out with a spoon. The memory of his embarrassing shopping trip with Mike at Christmas-time had come back with amazing clarity as soon as they’d entered the first store. Mike was the biggest diva Jensen had ever seen - and that was saying something.
Either he was deliberately being difficult, in true Rosey fashion, or he just really wanted to impress Tom. Which was sweet - in a weird, fucked-up sort of way.
Jensen moaned in appreciation as soon as he settled himself in the passenger seat of Mike’s car, dropping his head back against the seat. God, it felt good to sit down. He could vaguely hear Mike laughing at him as he started up the car, but he was beyond caring. He just wanted to head to the club, grab a beer and hang out with Jared for a while.
He closed his eyes as the car started moving, exhausted from the day he’d had. He’d spent all day moping and trying to hide it - and any experience with Mike was exhausting. On the verge of sleep, he was just about to suggest that Mike just take him home when Mike announced they were at the bar.
Jensen groaned, but opened his eyes and pushed himself out of the car anyway. He didn’t want to seem ungrateful for the small bit of celebration he was being offered. He stayed a few steps behind Mike, dragging his feet and trying to wake himself up. He noticed all the cars in the parking lot, finding it a little weird since it was a weekday, but he was simply too drained to think much of it.
That all changed when he walked through the door. A wave of sound greeted him, a multitude of people shocking him awake by all shouting the same two words;
“Happy Birthday!”
Jensen could feel his face threatening to split in two with the grin that slowly appeared as he let his eyes roam the large room. He was sure he looked like an idiot, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. All of his friends were there. Chris and Steve had shown up, apparently taking a day off from the studio. They’d brought their band mates, with whom Jensen had become semi-friends. Allison and Kristen were both there, looking odd in clothes other than their scrubs.
He didn’t have much time to soak everything in before he had a mass of Padalecki enveloping him.
“Happy birthday, Jensen,” Jared whispered in his ear.
He squeezed Jensen so hard that the dentist was sure he was going to break a rib. But, Jensen was okay with that; he just wrapped his arms around Jared’s waist and squeezed back, barely managing to get a “thank you” past the emotional lump in his throat.
Jared pulled away with a quick kiss and left Jensen to greet the other partygoers. It was at least an hour before he found himself near his boyfriend again.
Jensen plopped down into a chair next to Jared, immediately plastering himself to Jared’s side and laying his head on Jared’s shoulder.
Jared laughed and turned his head to lay a kiss on the top of Jensen’s head as he wrapped his arm around Jensen’s shoulders. “People are exhausting, huh?”
Jensen let out a whine and buried his face in Jared’s neck. Smiling when he felt Jared’s arm tighten, he mumbled, “You have no idea.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a while. Jared ran his hand up and down Jensen’s arm, and Jensen was just too content to move. But after a few minutes, Jensen pulled away. He reached up, cupping Jared’s face in both hands, and turned Jared’s face to his, tilting it down for a slow kiss.
When he sat back enough to look at Jared, he had to smile at the look on his boyfriend’s face. Jared had this dreamy look on his face, eyes slightly glazed over, lips all shiny and quirked up into a goofy, lovesick smile.
“I love you,” Jensen whispered, just loud enough for Jared to hear. “Thank you so much for throwing this party. I’ve been depressed all day, thinking no one really cared.”
Jared shook his head a little, eyes focusing firmly on Jensen. He wrapped both of his arms around Jensen’s waist and pulled himself closer, barely remaining on his own chair. He placed a soft kiss on Jensen’s forehead, murmuring against Jensen’s skin, “I would never want you to think you’re unimportant. But we couldn’t have you getting all suspicious on us, could we?”
Jensen pulled away, laughing and wiping the spit off his forehead from Jared’s sloppy kiss. “I’ll forgive you for your cruelty then, shall I?” he teased.
Jared was about to reply when a soft “excuse me” sounded from behind Jensen. His eyes widened comically, making Jensen reluctant to turn around.
His hesitation was justified when Jared’s face hardened and he snarled, “What the fuck do you want? Just leave him alone, man.”
Jensen sighed and turned around, already knowing who he was going to find. Justin held his hands up in surrender, looking only at Jensen. “I’m sorry to bother you on your birthday, especially at your party. But I knew you’d be here and I still haven’t heard from you. Just please - ”
Jensen stood up, barely managing to stop himself from punching Justin. He smiled when Justin flinched. He was so fucking tired of having to tell the bastard off. He’d even gone so far as to beg when they’d run into him at some random diner. He was certain that he’d made himself perfectly clear in that he didn’t want anything to do with his ex-boyfriend.
“Why would I care what you have to say, Justin? I told you that I don’t care. I told you to leave me alone. Yet you’re always around. You’re like a fucking cockroach!” Jensen growled. Jared’s hand on his wrist was the only thing that was actually keeping him from pummeling Justin into the ground as his anger grew exponentially.
“R-reparations,” Justin stuttered out, eyes wide in something like fear. “Reparations, Jensen.”
Jensen blanched at that. He wasn’t sure what to say to that. Reparations? What the hell was that even supposed to mean?
Jared spoke for both of them, standing up and placing himself right next to Jensen. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Justin was shaking, obviously out of his element, and Jensen couldn’t help but feel bad. He felt even worse about avoiding Justin as the blonde began to explain.
“My dad…and, well, me too. We want to compensate you for…everything. And, Jensen, I know it will never be enough. But, seeing how well you’ve built yourself back up…” he trailed off, turning his face away for a minute. Jensen could have sworn he saw tears in his eyes, like Justin was proud of him - and wasn’t that just the weirdest thing.
“Your family wants to pay Jensen off? Is that what you’re saying?” Jared asked, anger and disbelief coloring his words.
“Jay, it’s okay,” Jensen whispered, barely loud enough for Jared to hear. He could see Jared nod out of the corner of his eye and linked their fingers together.
Turning his attention back to Justin, he spoke louder. “You want to give me money? That is what you’re offering, right? You know that’s not going to erase all the damage back in Dallas.”
Justin looked back at Jensen and Jared, nodding emphatically. “I know. Believe me, I know. But, next month, there’s going to be an article in the papers. We’re publicly apologizing for all of it. My dad made sure that I told the reporter every detail. I’ve seen a draft of the article…it’s pretty embarrassing. For me, I mean.”
Jensen couldn’t stop the smile that spread over his face, details finally clicking into place. “So, let me get this straight. You want to compensate me for all the money I lost from the trial and the loss of my job. And, on top of all that, I get the satisfaction of having you dragged through the mud?”
Justin mumbled an affirmative, turning away again as his face turned an interesting shade of red.
Jensen laughed, suddenly feeling lighter than he had all night. “That is the best birthday present I’ve ever gotten. I’ll make sure my mom sends me a copy of that article so I can frame it.” He paused for a moment, relishing in the shame coloring Justin’s face. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d appreciate you showing yourself to the door. I’ll be in touch.”
He didn’t give Justin a chance to reply as he turned toward Jared and pulled his face down to his for a kiss. He could feel Jared’s smile against his lips, and he proceeded to kiss it right of his face. He practically devoured Jared’s mouth as he pushed him down into a chair and settled himself in his boyfriend’s lap.
Normally, he would have been blushing from head to toe at the show they were putting on as the catcalls sounded around them, but he couldn’t bring himself to even take notice. He was just ecstatic at the turn of events his birthday had taken.
He couldn’t wait to see what presents Jared had waiting for him at home.
********************
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_
Series: Dentist!Verse
Author: thelonejuliet
Characters: Jared, Jensen, Mike, Tom, etc - you know, the usual :)
Pairing: mainly Jared/Jensen; mention of Mike/Tom, Jensen/Justin, unrequited Jared/Chad
Word Count: 4,032
Rating: R
Warnings: Boy kissing, PDAs, a nervous Mike Rosenbaum...
Disclaimer: These people belong to only themselves and their mommas. I'm just borrowing their pretty faces for a bit.
Beta: The ever wonderful candygramme. But I messed with it afterwards, so be forewarned!
Author's Note(s): Sorry this took so long to get out! RL has been full of suckage lately. Forgive me? *bats eyes*
Previous Parts of the Dentist!AU found here.
All fics found here!
Verse Summary - Jensen Ackles, a new dentist in town with a troubled love life, takes on a new patient in the form of barowner Jared Padalecki. Sparks fly and attraction deepens but can the secrets that both men harbor destroy everything before it's too late?
Chapter/Part Summary: Jared and Jensen spend some much needed time together. Later, Jensen gets a surprise he should have been expecting.
Banner made by my girl, mss_celestal!
Plaque of the Human Variety
A loud, forceful bark right next to his ear forced Jared to shoot up into a sitting position, eyes popping open with ridiculous force. He looked around, confused for a minute, until he heard Jensen laughing and saw his boyfriend running away with Harley. His wonderful dog had no doubt been coerced into barking right into Jared’s ear.
“You’re going to pay for that, Ackles!” he called after the two criminals. Jensen was still cackling, the sound easily carrying across the park on a breeze.
He looked over at Sadie, who was lying next to the blanket they’d spread out. He reached over and scratched behind her ears, smiling when Sadie’s eyes closed and she let out a happy-sounding whimper. “You wouldn’t treat me like that, would you, girl? No, you wouldn’t,” he said in an annoying baby-voice.
“God, if you ever talk to me like that, you’re never getting any again.”
Jared stopped his movements on Sadie’s head and turned to Jensen quickly, laughing at the other man’s yelp when he pulled Jensen down onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around Jensen’s waist and pressed up along Jensen’s back.
“S’that right?” he whispered against Jensen’s ear, nibbling on the lobe and down Jensen’s neck.
Jensen shuddered, trying to squirm out of Jared’s grip. After a few moments of no success, and Jared still kissing and biting along his skin, he gave up and slumped back against his boyfriend. He sighed in mock exasperation. “I suppose not. You seem to have ways to make me change my mind anyhow.”
Jared laughed and pushed Jensen off his legs. “Good God, man, you’re heavy.”
Jensen snorted. “You weren’t complaining last night when you were fucking me up against the wall.”
Jared opened his mouth to retort, while subtly adjusting himself of course, but stopped at the surprised gasp that came from behind him. He saw Jensen’s eyes widen right before he called out, “Sorry ‘bout that, ma’am!”
Jared laughed when he saw the young woman stroll by with a toddler in a stroller and another child who couldn’t have been more than 6 years old. Jensen’s face was an endearing shade of pink, making his freckles stand out in the sunlight.
Jared couldn’t resist leaning over and pulling their mouths together for a slow, sweet kiss. When they broke apart, Jensen was still flushed, but for an entirely different reason.
Jared cleared his throat and sat back on his haunches, knowing full well that they couldn’t take the scene any farther in the park, of all places. So he leaned back against the tree they’d set up near and began talking about anything that came to mind.
Jensen looked happy, just sitting around and joking around with Jared. He had this look on his face, one that Jared hadn’t seen in far too long. He loved that he was finally able to make Jensen look like that again, that he was the reason Jensen was able to relax and enjoy life again. He’d helped Jensen come out of hiding.
The past two months had threatened to undo all of the progress that Jensen had made since Jared had first walked into his office. At first, he was uptight and jumpy. But after a while, he’d loosened up, cracking jokes with ease, even about the relationship stuff. Then Justin had shown up and pushed him back into his shell.
If he didn’t already have enough of a reason to beat the shit out of Justin, that would have done it. Jared hated the guy with a passion he never thought he’d associate with anger.
But, they were okay. Jensen was still there, with him. He wasn’t running back to Dallas to escape. They were still side-by-side, the two of them facing life’s problems as one.
Jared suddenly realized that he’d stopped talking when he noticed that Jensen’s face had changed to confusion. He smiled.
“I love you, you know.”
Jensen’s brow wrinkled further. “Uh…I love you too?”
Jared laughed. “Sorry, random, I know. I just wanted to say it.”
At that, Jensen’s face lit up again, lighting up Jared’s heart along with it. The look in Jensen’s eyes was so intense that Jared had to look away before he started molesting the poor man in public.
“So, Jay,” Jensen said after a few minutes, voice a little unsure. “What’s caused you to be so deep in thought over these past few days?”
Jared shook his head to clear it of all the ways he was going to make Jensen scream his name… He cleared his throat, not even having registered what Jensen had said. “What?”
Jensen smiled indulgently. “I said, what’s got you all thoughtful lately. You look like your brain’s overworked. Not that it takes much…”
Jared ripped up a handful of grass and tossed it at his boyfriend. “Shut up,” he retorted, grin twitching at the edge of his lips as Jensen shook the green out of his hair.
He paused for a minute, trying to figure out how best to broach the subject that was on his mind. It’s not that it was a difficult thing to discuss or that he wanted to hide it from Jensen. It’s just that he wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to do. After all, it was Chad’s idea, and how often did that turn out well?
But maybe Jensen would, at least, be able to offer some fresh perspective.
“Well,” he said finally, sitting forward and playing with the folds of the worn blanket, smoothing them out meticulously. “Chad’s got this idea… He wants to open up a new location for Wax. He says that we might be able to develop it into a chain eventually.”
Jared stopped and Jensen didn’t say anything. When Jared looked up at him, he couldn’t read the expression on his boyfriend’s face, the faraway look in his eyes. “What’re you thinking?”
Jensen focused his gaze back on Jared. He gave him a reassuring smile. “You think you guys can pull it off?”
Jared shrugged. “You’ve seen the place on weekends. It’s packed. There’s been a line outside the door the past few weeks. I know this is Texas and all, but I honestly think we’re one of the last authentic places left. Everyone is buying into the modern age. These places might have a good western look to them, but they’re playing techno music every night. But, us? We’re just a good ole country establishment. I think a second place could be good. Then no one would have to wait…we’d be able to serve everyone, Jen.”
As he was talking, he could feel himself speeding up, getting more and more excited with every word. By the time he was finished with his answer, he was vibrating with energy, practically bouncing on the ground. Jensen was looking at him with that amused, fond expression again.
Jensen nodded. “Looks like you’ve already got your made up. And I think you should try for it. You’re right: business is good. I mean, you guys have managed to pay off the loan you got for the first place in less than two years. So, why not? Worst case scenario, it fails. So you cut your losses and refocus on the first location. I think it could be good. Maybe you can each run one? It’d be a lot of responsibility, though…”
Jared nodded, scooting closer to Jensen and clasping Jensen’s hands in his. “I know, Jen,” he whispered excitedly. “But, I think I want to do this. I’ve got a good-size savings and, like you said, the bar is doing great. So if this goes down in flames…It’s not like I’ll never be able to recover.”
Jensen leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Jared’s waist. He put his legs on either side of Jared’s Indian-style form and brought their chests flush together, pressing their lips together at the same time.
Jared sighed into Jensen’s mouth, cupping Jensen’s face in both hands. He slid his tongue along Jensen’s bottom lip, sighing again when Jensen smiled against his mouth and opened to let him in. He tangled his tongue with Jensen’s easily, twining it around slowly, tasting everything.
It always amazed Jared how everything with Jensen could still feel so new, even after six months of coupledom. Every kiss, every touch still set Jared’s body on fire. There were times when he felt like some sort of blushing virgin, wanting Jensen so badly he felt awkward with it. It was like he couldn’t believe that he had this wonderful, caring man in his life, and he was still a little shocked that Jensen wanted him. Jensen could have anyone he wanted; all he had to do was flash a smile, and both sexes were putty in his hands. But, he was right here, with Jared, kissing like teenagers in the middle of the park, their two dogs lounging at their feet.
Jensen was his, and there was nothing to refute his claim.
“It’s not bad enough that I have to see this at home? And at the club?”
Jared groaned and pulled away from Jensen to glare up at Chad. “What the fuck are you doing here, Murray?”
Chad put his hands up in surrender, taking a step back at Jared’s words. Okay, so maybe Jared had been a bit harsh, but he and Jensen didn’t seem to be able to find anywhere that Chad didn’t show up. It was not only annoying but downright suspicious. And if it wasn’t Chad they were running into, it was Justin, who was still begging Jensen to call him to talk about whatever it was he wanted.
“Hey, man, this is a public park,” Chad said, infuriatingly smug smile firmly in place. “Can’t I just take a walk?”
Jared rolled his eyes and pulled back from Jensen completely, separating any contact between them and almost whimpering at the loss. “You don’t take walks, Chad,” he grumbled. “Besides, I told you where we were going to be. So, I repeat, what are you doing here? What do you want?”
Chad sighed, hands dropping to his sides. He shrugged. “I’m meeting someone.”
“And you set up the meeting for the same place we happened to be, Chad?” Jensen asked. When Jared looked at him, he found Jensen smiling, but his eyes were hard. Jared couldn’t blame him; he wanted to rip Chad a new one too.
Chad’s smile faltered for a second, nasty sneer starting to appear, but then it was renewed tenfold. “Nah, they picked the place. I just follow orders.”
Chad didn’t say anything else, and Jared and Jensen just stared at him, waiting for him to make himself scarce. After a minute of uncomfortable, steely silence, the blonde sighed.
“Fine, I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone,” he chided, teasing smile in place as though he hadn’t done a thing.
He wasted no time in walking away, though Jared could hear him cursing them under his breath. Chad had been civil lately, sure. He’d been downright friendly. But that didn’t mean that his crush on Jared or his intense dislike of Jensen had disappeared. The contradictions were beginning to make his head spin.
Jared turned to face Jensen again. “Jen, I’m sorry,” he mumbled, hanging his head. “I don’t know why he keeps popping up.”
Jensen smiled and shook his head, telling Jared that it wasn’t his fault. Jared could tell it was taking a lot of effort for Jensen not to say something about Chad. He appreciated the effort that Jensen was making, but things had been weird since he and Justin had spoken at that bar a few weeks back. Whenever Chad was around or brought up in conversation, Jensen would tense up, and his face would take on this blank expression that Jared could see was forced.
It was as if Jensen viewed Chad as a threat again, but hadn’t they burned that bridge a long time ago? He’d told Jensen that Chad was like his brother, his family, and that Jensen was the only one he could even see, let alone be with. But maybe it was time to prove that to him again…
“Jay?”
Jensen reached out and cupped Jared’s chin, turning his face back towards him. Jared didn’t even know when he’d looked away, but he was looking in the direction Chad had run off in.
“Yeah, sorry,” Jared apologized, tilting his head and kissing Jared’s palm. “You ready to get out of here? I’m starving.”
Jensen laughed, a loud, genuine sound. “You’re always starving, dude. I swear your legs have to be hollow or something.”
Jared joined in the laughter as they gathered up their blanket and coerced the dogs into leaving.
* * *
“Goddammit, Mike. It’s my birthday. Okay? Birthday. And you’re making me go shopping because you have a date with Tommy tomorrow? Seriously? I thought it was all some ploy to get me to a surprise party.”
Jensen couldn’t help the disappointment from filtering into his mini-tirade. It wasn’t like he expected to get extra-special treatment. But a simple “Hey, we’re going out tonight” wasn’t too much to ask, surely. At least he could comfort himself with the fact that no one seemed to have forgotten his birthday. No, he’d gotten “Happy Birthday” calls all day from assorted friends and family members - and a very nice wake-up blowjob from Jared.
There just didn’t seem to be anybody who wanted to celebrate the day with him.
“Hey, c’mon. Chin up. You’ve been on my ass for years about asking Tom out and I’ve finally done it. But I’m freaking out, Jen. I seriously don’t have anything that’s even remotely date-like,” Mike paused for a minute, causing Jensen to look away from the scenery flying by the passenger-side window.
Mike was sitting rigidly in the driver’s seat, fingers clenched around the steering wheel so tight Jensen was half-convinced he’d never be able to remove them.
Jensen sighed. He could tell that Mike had gotten himself pretty worked up over the whole situation, and he’d been waiting for Tom and Mike to get their act together for years. He supposed he could overlook his birthday depression for a few hours to help out a friend.
“All right. Head for the mall,” he responded, forcing himself to sound slightly cheerier than he had the last time he’d spoken.
Mike’s face split into a wide, genuine grin. “Thanks, Jen. How ‘bout we hit up Wax after we’re done shopping? I’ll take you ‘round to see Loverboy and buy you a birthday beer.”
Jensen smiled in spite of himself. “Yeah, sounds good.”
Two hours and fifteen stores later, Jensen was ready to gouge his eyes out with a spoon. The memory of his embarrassing shopping trip with Mike at Christmas-time had come back with amazing clarity as soon as they’d entered the first store. Mike was the biggest diva Jensen had ever seen - and that was saying something.
Either he was deliberately being difficult, in true Rosey fashion, or he just really wanted to impress Tom. Which was sweet - in a weird, fucked-up sort of way.
Jensen moaned in appreciation as soon as he settled himself in the passenger seat of Mike’s car, dropping his head back against the seat. God, it felt good to sit down. He could vaguely hear Mike laughing at him as he started up the car, but he was beyond caring. He just wanted to head to the club, grab a beer and hang out with Jared for a while.
He closed his eyes as the car started moving, exhausted from the day he’d had. He’d spent all day moping and trying to hide it - and any experience with Mike was exhausting. On the verge of sleep, he was just about to suggest that Mike just take him home when Mike announced they were at the bar.
Jensen groaned, but opened his eyes and pushed himself out of the car anyway. He didn’t want to seem ungrateful for the small bit of celebration he was being offered. He stayed a few steps behind Mike, dragging his feet and trying to wake himself up. He noticed all the cars in the parking lot, finding it a little weird since it was a weekday, but he was simply too drained to think much of it.
That all changed when he walked through the door. A wave of sound greeted him, a multitude of people shocking him awake by all shouting the same two words;
“Happy Birthday!”
Jensen could feel his face threatening to split in two with the grin that slowly appeared as he let his eyes roam the large room. He was sure he looked like an idiot, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. All of his friends were there. Chris and Steve had shown up, apparently taking a day off from the studio. They’d brought their band mates, with whom Jensen had become semi-friends. Allison and Kristen were both there, looking odd in clothes other than their scrubs.
He didn’t have much time to soak everything in before he had a mass of Padalecki enveloping him.
“Happy birthday, Jensen,” Jared whispered in his ear.
He squeezed Jensen so hard that the dentist was sure he was going to break a rib. But, Jensen was okay with that; he just wrapped his arms around Jared’s waist and squeezed back, barely managing to get a “thank you” past the emotional lump in his throat.
Jared pulled away with a quick kiss and left Jensen to greet the other partygoers. It was at least an hour before he found himself near his boyfriend again.
Jensen plopped down into a chair next to Jared, immediately plastering himself to Jared’s side and laying his head on Jared’s shoulder.
Jared laughed and turned his head to lay a kiss on the top of Jensen’s head as he wrapped his arm around Jensen’s shoulders. “People are exhausting, huh?”
Jensen let out a whine and buried his face in Jared’s neck. Smiling when he felt Jared’s arm tighten, he mumbled, “You have no idea.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a while. Jared ran his hand up and down Jensen’s arm, and Jensen was just too content to move. But after a few minutes, Jensen pulled away. He reached up, cupping Jared’s face in both hands, and turned Jared’s face to his, tilting it down for a slow kiss.
When he sat back enough to look at Jared, he had to smile at the look on his boyfriend’s face. Jared had this dreamy look on his face, eyes slightly glazed over, lips all shiny and quirked up into a goofy, lovesick smile.
“I love you,” Jensen whispered, just loud enough for Jared to hear. “Thank you so much for throwing this party. I’ve been depressed all day, thinking no one really cared.”
Jared shook his head a little, eyes focusing firmly on Jensen. He wrapped both of his arms around Jensen’s waist and pulled himself closer, barely remaining on his own chair. He placed a soft kiss on Jensen’s forehead, murmuring against Jensen’s skin, “I would never want you to think you’re unimportant. But we couldn’t have you getting all suspicious on us, could we?”
Jensen pulled away, laughing and wiping the spit off his forehead from Jared’s sloppy kiss. “I’ll forgive you for your cruelty then, shall I?” he teased.
Jared was about to reply when a soft “excuse me” sounded from behind Jensen. His eyes widened comically, making Jensen reluctant to turn around.
His hesitation was justified when Jared’s face hardened and he snarled, “What the fuck do you want? Just leave him alone, man.”
Jensen sighed and turned around, already knowing who he was going to find. Justin held his hands up in surrender, looking only at Jensen. “I’m sorry to bother you on your birthday, especially at your party. But I knew you’d be here and I still haven’t heard from you. Just please - ”
Jensen stood up, barely managing to stop himself from punching Justin. He smiled when Justin flinched. He was so fucking tired of having to tell the bastard off. He’d even gone so far as to beg when they’d run into him at some random diner. He was certain that he’d made himself perfectly clear in that he didn’t want anything to do with his ex-boyfriend.
“Why would I care what you have to say, Justin? I told you that I don’t care. I told you to leave me alone. Yet you’re always around. You’re like a fucking cockroach!” Jensen growled. Jared’s hand on his wrist was the only thing that was actually keeping him from pummeling Justin into the ground as his anger grew exponentially.
“R-reparations,” Justin stuttered out, eyes wide in something like fear. “Reparations, Jensen.”
Jensen blanched at that. He wasn’t sure what to say to that. Reparations? What the hell was that even supposed to mean?
Jared spoke for both of them, standing up and placing himself right next to Jensen. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Justin was shaking, obviously out of his element, and Jensen couldn’t help but feel bad. He felt even worse about avoiding Justin as the blonde began to explain.
“My dad…and, well, me too. We want to compensate you for…everything. And, Jensen, I know it will never be enough. But, seeing how well you’ve built yourself back up…” he trailed off, turning his face away for a minute. Jensen could have sworn he saw tears in his eyes, like Justin was proud of him - and wasn’t that just the weirdest thing.
“Your family wants to pay Jensen off? Is that what you’re saying?” Jared asked, anger and disbelief coloring his words.
“Jay, it’s okay,” Jensen whispered, barely loud enough for Jared to hear. He could see Jared nod out of the corner of his eye and linked their fingers together.
Turning his attention back to Justin, he spoke louder. “You want to give me money? That is what you’re offering, right? You know that’s not going to erase all the damage back in Dallas.”
Justin looked back at Jensen and Jared, nodding emphatically. “I know. Believe me, I know. But, next month, there’s going to be an article in the papers. We’re publicly apologizing for all of it. My dad made sure that I told the reporter every detail. I’ve seen a draft of the article…it’s pretty embarrassing. For me, I mean.”
Jensen couldn’t stop the smile that spread over his face, details finally clicking into place. “So, let me get this straight. You want to compensate me for all the money I lost from the trial and the loss of my job. And, on top of all that, I get the satisfaction of having you dragged through the mud?”
Justin mumbled an affirmative, turning away again as his face turned an interesting shade of red.
Jensen laughed, suddenly feeling lighter than he had all night. “That is the best birthday present I’ve ever gotten. I’ll make sure my mom sends me a copy of that article so I can frame it.” He paused for a moment, relishing in the shame coloring Justin’s face. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d appreciate you showing yourself to the door. I’ll be in touch.”
He didn’t give Justin a chance to reply as he turned toward Jared and pulled his face down to his for a kiss. He could feel Jared’s smile against his lips, and he proceeded to kiss it right of his face. He practically devoured Jared’s mouth as he pushed him down into a chair and settled himself in his boyfriend’s lap.
Normally, he would have been blushing from head to toe at the show they were putting on as the catcalls sounded around them, but he couldn’t bring himself to even take notice. He was just ecstatic at the turn of events his birthday had taken.
He couldn’t wait to see what presents Jared had waiting for him at home.
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