Summer Days - Day 3
Title: Summer Days - Day 3
Rating: PG
Genre: AU, H/C
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Warnings: Mentions of: Drug use
Word Count: ~ 1700
Disclaimer: The events described in this story are purely fictional.
A/N: Sequel to A Summer Day and part of Summer Days
Summary: Home sweet home.
Summer Days
"If you are going through hell, keep going."
~ Winston Churchill
Day 3
Jared
The long branches of a sturdy oak sway lightly in the faint breeze. Birdsong chimes in from deep within the tree. Sunlight smiles through the leaves. A pleasant summer rain cooled down the air the night before. Saturated the flowers, grass and sky to spring colors.
Everything is quiet in Jared’s street. Adults at work. Children at school. A normal day. Peaceful. His home is smiling welcomingly. Or maybe it’s just him and his heart, a rush of endorphins circling through his body.
He pauses at his front door. Curls his fingers around the key in his pocket.
“This is it?” Jensen asks, glancing about. “’s so nice, here…”
Jared nods, smiling. “Welcome home, soldier,” he says, softly. Holds up the key for Jensen. Dangling from the key ring: A stylized Dog tag with Jensen’s name.
He drops it in Jensen outstretched palm. Eyes wide with surprise, Jensen brushes his thumb over the metallic shapes. “Cool,” he mumbles. Smiles wide. When he looks back up his sylvan colored eyes sparkle. He got a pair of glasses, but Jared’s glad Jensen insisted on contact lenses, too. They really make his eyes shine.
Happily he nudges Jensen’s shoulder. “Go ahead, try it out.”
Jensen
With hands as steady as they’ve last been when he was twelve, he plucks a key into the lock of a front door. Turns the key and hears a soft click. “It worked,” he laughs. His key worked.
“Duh,” Jared laughs. “Of course it does.”
Grinning Jensen sets a hand to the doorknob. “Harley and Sadie are home, right?” He asks.
“Yep,” Jared says. “Told them all about you. They can’t wait to meet you.”
“I can’t wait, either.” Eager, he pushes the door open. But when he wants to step in, Jared’s hand curls around his shoulder. Holds him back.
“Remember what Dr. Withley said, though,” Jared warns.
He nods. “Don’t let them lick at a wound or my mouth. Always wash my hands right after petting them.”
Jared grins at that. “I was just saying. You didn’t have to recount it.”
“Dude…” he groans, shoves Jared lightly. It earns him a soft chuckle. Then Jared gives his shoulder a last squeeze. Tilts his head at the entrance. Smiling, he says, “Sorry, go ahead.”
So he does. Steps into the wide, sun drenched hallway of Jared’s home. There are two open doors that lead to a sparkling, blue kitchen and a cozy living room. A third door at the far end is closed. On it hangs a sign that reads guests in curly writing.
To his right Jensen spots a small cabinet with a phone station. In the corner is a hall stand. Everything is tidy and clean. Kept in warm, light colors. Even the stair case on the left.
From underneath, two dogs peak out. Eyes curious and ears pointed. Jensen can hear the soft whip, whip of their tails wagging. Laughs at the image. He beckons them, and they twitch forward excited, but remain under the staircase. Frowning he straightens up. “Why ain’t they coming?”
“Successful schooling,” Jared chuckles.
“Oh, okay…” That kinda sucks.
Jared nudges his side. “We’ll train them so they listen to you, too, alright?”
He nods, emphatically. “Yes.”
Then Jared finally calls them.
“Hey,” Jensen laughs. Hunches down and stretches his hands out as they bound up to him. Their warm snouts sniffle at his fingers. Prod them until he hauls Harley and Sadie in to pet them. Sadie cuddles up against him and he pats her belly. Harley wriggles from his grasp after a moment, though. Jensen watches as the big dog goes for a pat from Jared. Then Harley comes back over to him, circles him twice. Sniffs at him every now and then, before he lays down by his feet. Pushes his head up against his free hand.
“Good boy,” he whispers. Ruffles him behind the ears. He kneels down fully. Hugs Sadie tighter as she drops against him.
“Careful,” Jared says, softly. Jensen glances up, when Jared pushes gently, but firmly at Sadie’s snout until she takes a step back.
“What?” He asks.
“Sadie was getting close to your hip.”
“I’m wearing jeans, man… and it’s healed anyway.”
“Almost healed,” Jared corrects.
He rolls his eyes, again. “Worry pants.”
Jared grins. “Sue me.”
Shaking his head, he laughs. Then Jared hooks a thumb over his shoulder. “How about a tour of the house?” He asks. “Don’t you want to see your room?”
Right, his room. He definitely wants to see it. Giving the dogs one last pet, he pushes back to his feet. Then holds up his hands. “Gotta wash up first, though.”
Jared smiles at him, proudly.
Jensen’s pretty sure the next few month are gonna be awesome.
Jared
After Jensen washed up in the restroom downstairs, Jared shows him the living room. Jensen flops down on his black couch with the extra deep seats. The cushions nearly swallow him. He grins, toys with one of the remotes for the Home Entertainment System. Then glances up at him. “Can I use all this?”
The question startles him. The image of Jensen lounging in his living room is so perfect, it’s familiar. As if Jensen’s been living here forever. “Of course you can,” Jared says. Frowns. “Why wouldn’t you?”
Jensen bites his lips. Averts his eyes. “No reason…”
“Did Roy and Johnny have stuff like this?”
“Roy did sometimes.” Jensen sighs.
“And he didn’t let you use it?”
“Well, at first, he let me, but…”
“What happened?”
“Guess I shouldn’t have sold the TV for H…” Jensen mumbles. “Or puked on the stereo… though I still ain’t sure that was really me. Franky was there, too and he did puke a lot near the end.”
Jared’s too stunned to speak. Then Jensen looks back up at him. Says, “But I ain’t doing all that no more, right?” A beat. “I mean, I promise.”
“Right,” he drawls. Flops down next to Jensen. Rubs a hand over his head. The soft hair that’s slowly growing out again. “Just don’t sell anything without talking to me first and we’re golden, okay?” He says.
Jensen grins. “’kay.”
“So, kitchen, now?” Jared asks. Takes Jensen’s hand and pulls him up. He follows willingly.
Jensen
The kitchen is so clean Jensen’s sure he could eat off the floor. In a corner by the door, Harley is doing so. Or rather he’s slurping water from a bowl. Sadie is sitting by the large table in the middle of the room. Nosing at the blue table cloth that matches the front side of the kitchen cupboards.
On top of the table sits a note and a plate with cookies. Chocolate cookies. His favorites.
He picks one, brings it up to his lips. The smell tickles his nose. He takes a bite. Then remembers his manners. Turns to Jared. “Can I?” He asks, swallowing the bite.
Jared just shakes his head. But he’s smiling, not looking annoyed. “Sure,” he says. Then his hand reaches out. Flicks off a crumb by the corner of his lip. “My sister made them for us.”
Jensen glances at the note.
Welcome home, guys!
Sorry I couldn’t be there
when you get back.
Enjoy the cookies :)
PS: Don’t let Sadie have any.
She already snatched some
of the dough.
“’s nice,” he mumbles. Puts the remaining cookie into his mouth. “They’re real good.”
“They better be,” Jared laughs. “She’s a confectioner.”
At that he perks up. “So she can do a chocolate cake? Like a huge one for…” he trails off. Remembers it’s maybe not so smart to ask for a birthday cake. “Uhm… Christmas or so?”
But it’s too late. A sad shadow flickers over Jared’s face. “You can have cake anytime you want,” he says, way too serious.
Jensen busies himself with another cookie.
Jared
They leave the dogs downstairs. Head to the second floor. A rush of excited anticipation overcomes Jared. Pausing only briefly to point out his own bedroom and the bathroom, he leads Jensen immediately to his new room. Splays a hand on the doorknob, turns it. Says, “It’s still pretty bare, so…”
At that Jensen just shrugs. Hands buried in his pockets. “I don’t need much.”
“No, that’s not…” he trails off, sighs. Cups Jensen’s shoulder and brushes a thumb over his jaw line. “It’s your room. I want you to pick what goes in it.”
“I don’t have anything,” Jensen points out.
“Not yet,” he says, smiling softly. Jensen returns it, tentative but hopeful. It’s the expression Jared’s been hoping for. Pleased, he pushes at the wooden door and it swings open. The sunrays are even more playful than the other day. Dancing joyfully through the room, making it shine warm and homely. It’s like they’ve been anticipating Jensen to come home as much as Jared did.
But the most beautiful picture is painted on Jensen’s features. Mouth slightly agape, with what Jared dares to assume is awe, Jensen steps past him. Stops in the middle of the room and lets his gaze sweep. Brushes his fingertips over the furniture in his reach. Whispers, “’s all mine? Just mine?”
“Yes,” he says. “Just yours.”
“’s been forever since I had my own closet…” he trails off, chuckles. Scrubs a hand over his jaw. The stubble he’s sporting gives a raspy sound. “Hell, ‘s been years since I had a closet at all.” Eyes sparkling with clarity, he turns to him. “’s weird. Not having one didn’t bother me before, but seeing this… not having a closet, ‘s weird, right? I mean everyone’s got a closet.”
He’s not wrong. But Jared doesn’t know what to say. Having a closet is such a mundane thing. He never really put that much attention to it. Jensen doesn’t seem to expect an answer anyway. He has already shifted his focus to the bed. Gingerly he sits down on the edge. Bounces slightly to test the mattress. “’s hard…” he mumbles.
“Oh,” Jared says. “We can get you another one.”
Jensen shakes his head. “No. I like it. I’ve had enough off soft mattresses.” With a smile Jensen lets himself fall backwards. Stretches out. “I really like it.”
Jared smiles at the image. It’s been almost a week of ups and downs. Finally he has Jensen with him. Finally they can start living. Finally, they…
Jensen straightens back up. His fingers smooth out the covers by his side then curl around the bed frame. “So,” he asks, looks up at him expectant. “What now?”
Day 4
Rating: PG
Genre: AU, H/C
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Warnings: Mentions of: Drug use
Word Count: ~ 1700
Disclaimer: The events described in this story are purely fictional.
A/N: Sequel to A Summer Day and part of Summer Days
Summary: Home sweet home.
Summer Days
"If you are going through hell, keep going."
~ Winston Churchill
Day 3
Jared
The long branches of a sturdy oak sway lightly in the faint breeze. Birdsong chimes in from deep within the tree. Sunlight smiles through the leaves. A pleasant summer rain cooled down the air the night before. Saturated the flowers, grass and sky to spring colors.
Everything is quiet in Jared’s street. Adults at work. Children at school. A normal day. Peaceful. His home is smiling welcomingly. Or maybe it’s just him and his heart, a rush of endorphins circling through his body.
He pauses at his front door. Curls his fingers around the key in his pocket.
“This is it?” Jensen asks, glancing about. “’s so nice, here…”
Jared nods, smiling. “Welcome home, soldier,” he says, softly. Holds up the key for Jensen. Dangling from the key ring: A stylized Dog tag with Jensen’s name.
He drops it in Jensen outstretched palm. Eyes wide with surprise, Jensen brushes his thumb over the metallic shapes. “Cool,” he mumbles. Smiles wide. When he looks back up his sylvan colored eyes sparkle. He got a pair of glasses, but Jared’s glad Jensen insisted on contact lenses, too. They really make his eyes shine.
Happily he nudges Jensen’s shoulder. “Go ahead, try it out.”
Jensen
With hands as steady as they’ve last been when he was twelve, he plucks a key into the lock of a front door. Turns the key and hears a soft click. “It worked,” he laughs. His key worked.
“Duh,” Jared laughs. “Of course it does.”
Grinning Jensen sets a hand to the doorknob. “Harley and Sadie are home, right?” He asks.
“Yep,” Jared says. “Told them all about you. They can’t wait to meet you.”
“I can’t wait, either.” Eager, he pushes the door open. But when he wants to step in, Jared’s hand curls around his shoulder. Holds him back.
“Remember what Dr. Withley said, though,” Jared warns.
He nods. “Don’t let them lick at a wound or my mouth. Always wash my hands right after petting them.”
Jared grins at that. “I was just saying. You didn’t have to recount it.”
“Dude…” he groans, shoves Jared lightly. It earns him a soft chuckle. Then Jared gives his shoulder a last squeeze. Tilts his head at the entrance. Smiling, he says, “Sorry, go ahead.”
So he does. Steps into the wide, sun drenched hallway of Jared’s home. There are two open doors that lead to a sparkling, blue kitchen and a cozy living room. A third door at the far end is closed. On it hangs a sign that reads guests in curly writing.
To his right Jensen spots a small cabinet with a phone station. In the corner is a hall stand. Everything is tidy and clean. Kept in warm, light colors. Even the stair case on the left.
From underneath, two dogs peak out. Eyes curious and ears pointed. Jensen can hear the soft whip, whip of their tails wagging. Laughs at the image. He beckons them, and they twitch forward excited, but remain under the staircase. Frowning he straightens up. “Why ain’t they coming?”
“Successful schooling,” Jared chuckles.
“Oh, okay…” That kinda sucks.
Jared nudges his side. “We’ll train them so they listen to you, too, alright?”
He nods, emphatically. “Yes.”
Then Jared finally calls them.
“Hey,” Jensen laughs. Hunches down and stretches his hands out as they bound up to him. Their warm snouts sniffle at his fingers. Prod them until he hauls Harley and Sadie in to pet them. Sadie cuddles up against him and he pats her belly. Harley wriggles from his grasp after a moment, though. Jensen watches as the big dog goes for a pat from Jared. Then Harley comes back over to him, circles him twice. Sniffs at him every now and then, before he lays down by his feet. Pushes his head up against his free hand.
“Good boy,” he whispers. Ruffles him behind the ears. He kneels down fully. Hugs Sadie tighter as she drops against him.
“Careful,” Jared says, softly. Jensen glances up, when Jared pushes gently, but firmly at Sadie’s snout until she takes a step back.
“What?” He asks.
“Sadie was getting close to your hip.”
“I’m wearing jeans, man… and it’s healed anyway.”
“Almost healed,” Jared corrects.
He rolls his eyes, again. “Worry pants.”
Jared grins. “Sue me.”
Shaking his head, he laughs. Then Jared hooks a thumb over his shoulder. “How about a tour of the house?” He asks. “Don’t you want to see your room?”
Right, his room. He definitely wants to see it. Giving the dogs one last pet, he pushes back to his feet. Then holds up his hands. “Gotta wash up first, though.”
Jared smiles at him, proudly.
Jensen’s pretty sure the next few month are gonna be awesome.
Jared
After Jensen washed up in the restroom downstairs, Jared shows him the living room. Jensen flops down on his black couch with the extra deep seats. The cushions nearly swallow him. He grins, toys with one of the remotes for the Home Entertainment System. Then glances up at him. “Can I use all this?”
The question startles him. The image of Jensen lounging in his living room is so perfect, it’s familiar. As if Jensen’s been living here forever. “Of course you can,” Jared says. Frowns. “Why wouldn’t you?”
Jensen bites his lips. Averts his eyes. “No reason…”
“Did Roy and Johnny have stuff like this?”
“Roy did sometimes.” Jensen sighs.
“And he didn’t let you use it?”
“Well, at first, he let me, but…”
“What happened?”
“Guess I shouldn’t have sold the TV for H…” Jensen mumbles. “Or puked on the stereo… though I still ain’t sure that was really me. Franky was there, too and he did puke a lot near the end.”
Jared’s too stunned to speak. Then Jensen looks back up at him. Says, “But I ain’t doing all that no more, right?” A beat. “I mean, I promise.”
“Right,” he drawls. Flops down next to Jensen. Rubs a hand over his head. The soft hair that’s slowly growing out again. “Just don’t sell anything without talking to me first and we’re golden, okay?” He says.
Jensen grins. “’kay.”
“So, kitchen, now?” Jared asks. Takes Jensen’s hand and pulls him up. He follows willingly.
Jensen
The kitchen is so clean Jensen’s sure he could eat off the floor. In a corner by the door, Harley is doing so. Or rather he’s slurping water from a bowl. Sadie is sitting by the large table in the middle of the room. Nosing at the blue table cloth that matches the front side of the kitchen cupboards.
On top of the table sits a note and a plate with cookies. Chocolate cookies. His favorites.
He picks one, brings it up to his lips. The smell tickles his nose. He takes a bite. Then remembers his manners. Turns to Jared. “Can I?” He asks, swallowing the bite.
Jared just shakes his head. But he’s smiling, not looking annoyed. “Sure,” he says. Then his hand reaches out. Flicks off a crumb by the corner of his lip. “My sister made them for us.”
Jensen glances at the note.
Welcome home, guys!
Sorry I couldn’t be there
when you get back.
Enjoy the cookies :)
PS: Don’t let Sadie have any.
She already snatched some
of the dough.
“’s nice,” he mumbles. Puts the remaining cookie into his mouth. “They’re real good.”
“They better be,” Jared laughs. “She’s a confectioner.”
At that he perks up. “So she can do a chocolate cake? Like a huge one for…” he trails off. Remembers it’s maybe not so smart to ask for a birthday cake. “Uhm… Christmas or so?”
But it’s too late. A sad shadow flickers over Jared’s face. “You can have cake anytime you want,” he says, way too serious.
Jensen busies himself with another cookie.
Jared
They leave the dogs downstairs. Head to the second floor. A rush of excited anticipation overcomes Jared. Pausing only briefly to point out his own bedroom and the bathroom, he leads Jensen immediately to his new room. Splays a hand on the doorknob, turns it. Says, “It’s still pretty bare, so…”
At that Jensen just shrugs. Hands buried in his pockets. “I don’t need much.”
“No, that’s not…” he trails off, sighs. Cups Jensen’s shoulder and brushes a thumb over his jaw line. “It’s your room. I want you to pick what goes in it.”
“I don’t have anything,” Jensen points out.
“Not yet,” he says, smiling softly. Jensen returns it, tentative but hopeful. It’s the expression Jared’s been hoping for. Pleased, he pushes at the wooden door and it swings open. The sunrays are even more playful than the other day. Dancing joyfully through the room, making it shine warm and homely. It’s like they’ve been anticipating Jensen to come home as much as Jared did.
But the most beautiful picture is painted on Jensen’s features. Mouth slightly agape, with what Jared dares to assume is awe, Jensen steps past him. Stops in the middle of the room and lets his gaze sweep. Brushes his fingertips over the furniture in his reach. Whispers, “’s all mine? Just mine?”
“Yes,” he says. “Just yours.”
“’s been forever since I had my own closet…” he trails off, chuckles. Scrubs a hand over his jaw. The stubble he’s sporting gives a raspy sound. “Hell, ‘s been years since I had a closet at all.” Eyes sparkling with clarity, he turns to him. “’s weird. Not having one didn’t bother me before, but seeing this… not having a closet, ‘s weird, right? I mean everyone’s got a closet.”
He’s not wrong. But Jared doesn’t know what to say. Having a closet is such a mundane thing. He never really put that much attention to it. Jensen doesn’t seem to expect an answer anyway. He has already shifted his focus to the bed. Gingerly he sits down on the edge. Bounces slightly to test the mattress. “’s hard…” he mumbles.
“Oh,” Jared says. “We can get you another one.”
Jensen shakes his head. “No. I like it. I’ve had enough off soft mattresses.” With a smile Jensen lets himself fall backwards. Stretches out. “I really like it.”
Jared smiles at the image. It’s been almost a week of ups and downs. Finally he has Jensen with him. Finally they can start living. Finally, they…
Jensen straightens back up. His fingers smooth out the covers by his side then curl around the bed frame. “So,” he asks, looks up at him expectant. “What now?”
Day 4