last day of summer
Title: Last Day of Summer
Rating: R
Genre: AU, H/C
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Warnings: Potentially triggery, due to (Spoiler): death!fic
Word Count: ~ 2300
Disclaimer: The events described in this story are purely fictional.
A/N: Third and final installment of my "Summer Days" 'verse.
Masterpost
Summary: It's the evening before autumnal equinox, over 14 months after Jared and Jensen were re-united. It's also almost nine months past the doctor's estimation of Jensen's life expectancy.
Last Day of Summer
“Death ends a life, not a relationship.”
~Mitch Albom (Tuesdays With Morrie)
Jared
Faint noises from the neighborhood filter in through the window. He leans on the windowsill, a slight breeze ruffles his hair as he looks out into the sky. Dusk is falling. He sighs. For some reason today’s sunset is chastening him rather than calming him. A cat wails somewhere and he closes the window. Shivers flutter down his spine.
“You’re cold.” Jensen’s voice makes him turn around. He’s leaning in the doorframe, bare from the waist up, sweatpants hanging low on his hips. Very low. The result of Jensen’s lack in appetite for the last few weeks. He’s got his cell phone clutched loosely in one hand.
Jared works up a smile. Motions at his bare skin. “I’m naked.”
“Still not like ya’ to be cold,” Jensen drawls, head lolling against the wooden frame. Jared supposes he means to look relaxed, but instead he just looks tired. Weary and worn out. Jared swallows hard. There’s been a weird atmosphere in the air, today. Surrounding Jensen, specifically.
He points at the phone. “Who’ve you been talking to?”
“Richard. He asked me to take over the camera for Matt. Ya’ know, on the talk-show we’re shooting the day after tomorrow.”
Jared tilts his head, biting his lips. “Man…” he drawls, “you sure that’s such a good idea? You’ve been kinda…” He shrugs, motioning awkwardly at Jensen. “…lately. I think you should take it easy for a couple days.”
A shadow flicks over Jensen’s face. It’s gone fast, but Jared noticed it nonetheless. He’s about to say something when a smile tugs at Jensen’s lips. “Didn’t say I would do it.”
He frowns. “You turned him down?”
Jensen nods. Pushes of the doorframe. “’m kinda tired.” He takes a couple lazy steps and when Jared opens his arms for him, he all but falls against him.
Worry gnaws at Jared’s gut. You okay? sits on his tongue but dies before it passes his lips. Instead he holds Jensen’s frame safely up.
Outside the cat’s wailing has turned into howls and screams. Jensen chuckles, says, “sounds like someone’s getting some action.” His arms loosely wrap around Jared’s hips, hands gripping the cheeks at the base of his spine.
Jared can’t help the warm feeling of arousal that rises in his groin. But he huffs a doubtful breath. “Didn’t you say you were tired?”
Jensen hums against his neck. “Never too tired for that.”
Jared feels Jensen’s hands squeeze his buttocks, his fingertips slipping in between, ghosting over soft, sensitive flesh. A silent prelude of things yet to come. And then, when Jensen pushes him towards their bed, Jared’s no longer able to withstand him.
Jensen
Jared slowly walks them backwards until they meet the bed. Jensen’s not sure he could have made it faster anyway. It costs him a lot of effort to just stay upright. But he wants to be close to Jared. Needs to be. As close as he can, physically, emotionally… If it’s the last thing he does.
Jared’s behind slips from his hands when Jared sits down. He slides back on the mattress, leaving room between his legs where Jensen drops to his knees. The mattress yields beneath his weight, throwing him off balance and he has to prop himself up on all fours.
Jared’s sprawled out beneath him, smiling gently. Jensen can feel his erection against his leg. His own cock is only slowly rising. In his chest, his heart’s working hard, a skittish crescendo.
He takes a deep breath and Jared brings up a hand, gently strokes it over his face. Jensen closes his eyes for a moment. Relishes the warm touch. Jared’s thumb catches on his lower lip. He kisses it. Then sinks down onto his side, next to Jared. Jared turns on his side too, helps him take of his pants. Afterwards Jensen strokes a hand down Jared’s side, rests it on Jared’s hip. Smiling, he gives it a slight pull. Jared gets what he wants, even without him saying it. He props himself up and, with one of his long arms, Jared reaches past him for the nightstand. Retrieves a tube of KY and a condom from the drawer. Jensen watches strong muscles work just beneath smooth, tanned skin. It fuels the warm flame in his groin. And for a moment he feels like any other night they’ve done this.
Jared sinks back down and presses both, tube and condom into Jensen’s hand. On the way down, he leans in close, until his lips push up against Jensen’s ear. “Can’t wait to feel you inside me,” he whispers, gently stroking his hand up over Jensen’s arm and down his side.
Jensen’s breath hitches and Jared smirks then rolls onto his belly. His taut butt presses up against Jensen’s erection. He moans before biting down on his lip, working hard to focus on putting the condom over his cock. Using the KY, Jensen slicks it up with some extra lube. He applies some on the twitching pucker waiting between the fleshy globes of Jared’s behind, too, before he shifts his body until it lines up with Jared’s. It’s routine, a well rehearsed choreography he can perform from muscle memory alone. It’s as if Jared’s warm body is a magnet for his own. He rests his head between Jared’s shoulder blades, as he uses one hand to line his cock up properly. When the head’s in, he brings his hand up again, his arms now bracketing Jared’s torso.
Jared’s smell fills his senses, a mix of his shower gel and that faint note underneath that’s just Jared. He sucks in a greedy breath and the intoxicating smell gets even stronger. Jensen closes his eyes. Allows his other senses to take over. He listens to the soft puffs of air of Jared’s breathing, the moans in between, as Jensen moves deeper into him. He feels the quivers and shivers of pleasures running through Jared’s body against his palms. Every inch of their skin that touches, allows Jared’s heat to seep into him.
By now, he’s in to the hilt. Jared pants, reaches back and grabs for his hips, indicating him to stay in place. He does, his eyes all but rolling back into his skull until Jared pants, gives a desperate moan and releases him. So Jensen starts moving his hips, leisurely but not without determination. He moves his hands up for better leverage, curls them around Jared’s where they’ve clenched into the sheets.
Their sounds, their smells, their bodies slowly unite within their bedroom until they reach their climax in sync.
Jared
Slowly, the high of his orgasm ebbs into a warm, blissful sensation that fills his body, loosens his muscles and makes his limbs comfortably heavy.
On top of him, Jensen hasn’t moved yet. Jared can still feel Jensen’s cock inside of him. Jensen’s breathing is fast and shallow.
He squeezes their entangled fingers, leaves Jensen to catch his breath even though it takes longer than usual. Finally, Jensen shifts. He coughs twice at that, sounding awfully congested, then Jared feels Jensen’s cock being pulled out.
Jensen drops onto his back and Jared turns onto his side. Watches as Jensen fumbles to remove the condom, tie it up and toss it into the trashcan by the bedside. When Jensen’s done, Jared reaches out, cups Jensen’s cheek and caresses it with his thumb. From beneath heavy lidded eyes, Jensen smiles up at him. His chest’s still rising and falling heavily. He looks content, though. Peaceful.
Jared watches him like this for a while. Eventually, he softly says, “You’ve been quiet, today. Ain’t like you.”
Jensen hums at that. He closes his eyes and cups Jared’s hand on his cheek with his own. Presses his face further into the touch. “’m tired.”
He sighs, smiling and says, “come here,” then shifts them around until Jensen’s on his side, his head resting on Jared’s chest. Jared holds him in his arms, one hand languidly stroking Jensen’s shoulder and arm.
Jensen
“Thought about it, today,” he says as he watches the ceiling fan do its round in his peripheral vision.
There’s a moment of silence as Jared pulls the covers over their bodies, up to Jensen’s shoulders. Then he asks, “thought about what?”
“The day we met.”
Jared squeezes his shoulder. “Why?”
Jensen closes his eyes, hums noncommittally. “’s a fond memory. Sort of.”
He feels Jared shift, tilting his head down, probably to look at him. “Sort of?”
“It had me wonder…”
“Wonder what?”
“What woulda happened if I had left that motel with you.”
Jared’s hand cups his shoulder. His thumb begins to gently brush back and forth over his skin. “Yeah,” he says, quietly, “I’ve wondered about that, too.”
“Still,” he mumbles. “’t’s a great day.” And he means it.
“Can’t believe it’s already been 11 years,” Jared says. There’s awe in his voice.
“’n two months,” Jensen adds. “But who’s counting?”
That actually gets a laugh out of Jared and Jensen smiles. “You really showed those doctors,” Jared says, voice thick with pride.
“Guess so,” he mumbles. 14 months, almost 15. He held on eight months longer than they gave him. Most his scars have faded. He got promoted from intern to fulltime employee. He’s had Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Eastern and a birthday party. Got to celebrate one of Jared’s, too.
“You know what day it is tomorrow?”
He frowns. “Wednesday?”
At that Jared chuckles. “Yeah, but it’s also the first day of autumn.”
“That so?” He asks, swallowing hard around a lump. It makes him cough. New breaths come shallow afterwards.
“Yeah. It’ll be the first season that we start together for the second time. This probably sounds stupid but I feel like… I dunno. I mean that’s something, isn’t it?” Jared sounds happy.
His fingers curl over Jared’s stomach. Jared’s heart beats strong in his chest, right below Jensen’s ear. But he can’t say anything. His mouth feels dry.
Gently, Jared nudges his shoulder. “Jensen?”
“Jared…”
A sudden tension in Jared’s body tells him Jared’s caught on. “Jensen…”
“Yeah.”
Jared
No! Tears spring to his eyes. He slams his free hand over his face. His hold on Jensen tightens, and he hugs him close. Impossibly close.
Not yet, it’s not fair. Not right. “Gotta…” he gasps, then turns his head, eyes searching for his cell. Any phone. Blindly he feels for it. But his fingers remain empty. Desperate, he starts to shift, when a rattling breath catches his attention.
“Jared…” croaks Jensen.
“What?” He calls, voice breaking. His eyes snap back to Jensen.
A faint smile plays on Jensen’s lips. “’m still here, dude…” he whispers. He looks… content. Happy. And it hits Jared then. An ambulance, the hospital… it’s not gonna change anything. So he lets go. Forces himself to let go, of his own - selfish? - wishes and needs, as hard as it is. He wipes a hand over his face. The tears still come, but he’s got his mind back. And his focus back on Jensen.
He sucks in a calming breath and settles back into the bed. Hitches Jensen higher until they’re lying comfortably again. Jensen’s glancing up at him. His eyes shimmer pale in the dim light.
“Wha-,” Jared croaks, but his voice breaks. He clears his throat. “What do you want me to do?”
There’s a beat, where Jensen’s smile widens and his eyes close. Then he softly says, “Jus’ talk…”
A surprised chuckle escapes him at that. He throws back his head, watches the ceiling fan do its rounds for a moment. Then he takes a deep breath and tilts his head back down so Jensen’s hair is softly tickling his chin, and says, “Yeah, okay, sure.” Talking. He can do that. And so he does. For a while. But then even he runs out of words. He trails off in a chuckle. Sighs, opens his mouth again but no more words come out. He squeezes his eyes shut. Rubs his hand up and down Jensen’s side. Jensen’s torso is rising and falling, fast and shallow. His skin is cold to the touch. Jared hitches up the covers, over Jensen’s shoulders.
“Jared?” A faint whisper.
He swallows hard. Looks down, not at Jensen’s face, but at Jensen’s hand over his chest. He picks it up, gently plays with the fingers. The tips are pale and bluish. Slowly, he lets his eyes trail up to Jensen’s face. His lips are the same color. He’s blinking at him, tired and confused.
And Jared knows there’s only one thing left to do. Left to say. So he lays Jensen’s hand back down on his chest. Instead, he carefully cups Jensen’s chin and cranes his neck down. Their lips meet, soft pressure that turns into a soft kiss. Jensen’s mouth is awfully dry, but Jared doesn’t care. When he pulls back, he brushes a thumb soothingly over Jensen’s cheek, smiles a smile that he hopes isn’t too sad and says, “I love you, Jensen.”
A lonely tear rolls out of the corner of Jensen’s eye. Bumps against Jared’s thumb. Jensen’s breathing is rapid, his mouth dry, but he curls his lips like he wants to say something, too. And then he manages, slowly, quietly, but with a smile, to say, “I love you, too, Jared.” His eyes fall shut afterwards. His mouth remains open, though. For the next hour, Jared just holds him close. Listens to Jensen’s breathing. It’s rapid, giving out every now and then, only to start up again. Until it doesn’t. Jared gasps, presses his face into Jensen’s hair.
The fan whirs slowly on the ceiling… Then the timer kicks in. The fan dies and all is silent, except for Jared’s own breathing.
-Fin
Rating: R
Genre: AU, H/C
Pairing: Jared/Jensen
Warnings: Potentially triggery, due to (Spoiler): death!fic
Word Count: ~ 2300
Disclaimer: The events described in this story are purely fictional.
A/N: Third and final installment of my "Summer Days" 'verse.
Masterpost
Summary: It's the evening before autumnal equinox, over 14 months after Jared and Jensen were re-united. It's also almost nine months past the doctor's estimation of Jensen's life expectancy.
Last Day of Summer
“Death ends a life, not a relationship.”
~Mitch Albom (Tuesdays With Morrie)
Jared
Faint noises from the neighborhood filter in through the window. He leans on the windowsill, a slight breeze ruffles his hair as he looks out into the sky. Dusk is falling. He sighs. For some reason today’s sunset is chastening him rather than calming him. A cat wails somewhere and he closes the window. Shivers flutter down his spine.
“You’re cold.” Jensen’s voice makes him turn around. He’s leaning in the doorframe, bare from the waist up, sweatpants hanging low on his hips. Very low. The result of Jensen’s lack in appetite for the last few weeks. He’s got his cell phone clutched loosely in one hand.
Jared works up a smile. Motions at his bare skin. “I’m naked.”
“Still not like ya’ to be cold,” Jensen drawls, head lolling against the wooden frame. Jared supposes he means to look relaxed, but instead he just looks tired. Weary and worn out. Jared swallows hard. There’s been a weird atmosphere in the air, today. Surrounding Jensen, specifically.
He points at the phone. “Who’ve you been talking to?”
“Richard. He asked me to take over the camera for Matt. Ya’ know, on the talk-show we’re shooting the day after tomorrow.”
Jared tilts his head, biting his lips. “Man…” he drawls, “you sure that’s such a good idea? You’ve been kinda…” He shrugs, motioning awkwardly at Jensen. “…lately. I think you should take it easy for a couple days.”
A shadow flicks over Jensen’s face. It’s gone fast, but Jared noticed it nonetheless. He’s about to say something when a smile tugs at Jensen’s lips. “Didn’t say I would do it.”
He frowns. “You turned him down?”
Jensen nods. Pushes of the doorframe. “’m kinda tired.” He takes a couple lazy steps and when Jared opens his arms for him, he all but falls against him.
Worry gnaws at Jared’s gut. You okay? sits on his tongue but dies before it passes his lips. Instead he holds Jensen’s frame safely up.
Outside the cat’s wailing has turned into howls and screams. Jensen chuckles, says, “sounds like someone’s getting some action.” His arms loosely wrap around Jared’s hips, hands gripping the cheeks at the base of his spine.
Jared can’t help the warm feeling of arousal that rises in his groin. But he huffs a doubtful breath. “Didn’t you say you were tired?”
Jensen hums against his neck. “Never too tired for that.”
Jared feels Jensen’s hands squeeze his buttocks, his fingertips slipping in between, ghosting over soft, sensitive flesh. A silent prelude of things yet to come. And then, when Jensen pushes him towards their bed, Jared’s no longer able to withstand him.
Jensen
Jared slowly walks them backwards until they meet the bed. Jensen’s not sure he could have made it faster anyway. It costs him a lot of effort to just stay upright. But he wants to be close to Jared. Needs to be. As close as he can, physically, emotionally… If it’s the last thing he does.
Jared’s behind slips from his hands when Jared sits down. He slides back on the mattress, leaving room between his legs where Jensen drops to his knees. The mattress yields beneath his weight, throwing him off balance and he has to prop himself up on all fours.
Jared’s sprawled out beneath him, smiling gently. Jensen can feel his erection against his leg. His own cock is only slowly rising. In his chest, his heart’s working hard, a skittish crescendo.
He takes a deep breath and Jared brings up a hand, gently strokes it over his face. Jensen closes his eyes for a moment. Relishes the warm touch. Jared’s thumb catches on his lower lip. He kisses it. Then sinks down onto his side, next to Jared. Jared turns on his side too, helps him take of his pants. Afterwards Jensen strokes a hand down Jared’s side, rests it on Jared’s hip. Smiling, he gives it a slight pull. Jared gets what he wants, even without him saying it. He props himself up and, with one of his long arms, Jared reaches past him for the nightstand. Retrieves a tube of KY and a condom from the drawer. Jensen watches strong muscles work just beneath smooth, tanned skin. It fuels the warm flame in his groin. And for a moment he feels like any other night they’ve done this.
Jared sinks back down and presses both, tube and condom into Jensen’s hand. On the way down, he leans in close, until his lips push up against Jensen’s ear. “Can’t wait to feel you inside me,” he whispers, gently stroking his hand up over Jensen’s arm and down his side.
Jensen’s breath hitches and Jared smirks then rolls onto his belly. His taut butt presses up against Jensen’s erection. He moans before biting down on his lip, working hard to focus on putting the condom over his cock. Using the KY, Jensen slicks it up with some extra lube. He applies some on the twitching pucker waiting between the fleshy globes of Jared’s behind, too, before he shifts his body until it lines up with Jared’s. It’s routine, a well rehearsed choreography he can perform from muscle memory alone. It’s as if Jared’s warm body is a magnet for his own. He rests his head between Jared’s shoulder blades, as he uses one hand to line his cock up properly. When the head’s in, he brings his hand up again, his arms now bracketing Jared’s torso.
Jared’s smell fills his senses, a mix of his shower gel and that faint note underneath that’s just Jared. He sucks in a greedy breath and the intoxicating smell gets even stronger. Jensen closes his eyes. Allows his other senses to take over. He listens to the soft puffs of air of Jared’s breathing, the moans in between, as Jensen moves deeper into him. He feels the quivers and shivers of pleasures running through Jared’s body against his palms. Every inch of their skin that touches, allows Jared’s heat to seep into him.
By now, he’s in to the hilt. Jared pants, reaches back and grabs for his hips, indicating him to stay in place. He does, his eyes all but rolling back into his skull until Jared pants, gives a desperate moan and releases him. So Jensen starts moving his hips, leisurely but not without determination. He moves his hands up for better leverage, curls them around Jared’s where they’ve clenched into the sheets.
Their sounds, their smells, their bodies slowly unite within their bedroom until they reach their climax in sync.
Jared
Slowly, the high of his orgasm ebbs into a warm, blissful sensation that fills his body, loosens his muscles and makes his limbs comfortably heavy.
On top of him, Jensen hasn’t moved yet. Jared can still feel Jensen’s cock inside of him. Jensen’s breathing is fast and shallow.
He squeezes their entangled fingers, leaves Jensen to catch his breath even though it takes longer than usual. Finally, Jensen shifts. He coughs twice at that, sounding awfully congested, then Jared feels Jensen’s cock being pulled out.
Jensen drops onto his back and Jared turns onto his side. Watches as Jensen fumbles to remove the condom, tie it up and toss it into the trashcan by the bedside. When Jensen’s done, Jared reaches out, cups Jensen’s cheek and caresses it with his thumb. From beneath heavy lidded eyes, Jensen smiles up at him. His chest’s still rising and falling heavily. He looks content, though. Peaceful.
Jared watches him like this for a while. Eventually, he softly says, “You’ve been quiet, today. Ain’t like you.”
Jensen hums at that. He closes his eyes and cups Jared’s hand on his cheek with his own. Presses his face further into the touch. “’m tired.”
He sighs, smiling and says, “come here,” then shifts them around until Jensen’s on his side, his head resting on Jared’s chest. Jared holds him in his arms, one hand languidly stroking Jensen’s shoulder and arm.
Jensen
“Thought about it, today,” he says as he watches the ceiling fan do its round in his peripheral vision.
There’s a moment of silence as Jared pulls the covers over their bodies, up to Jensen’s shoulders. Then he asks, “thought about what?”
“The day we met.”
Jared squeezes his shoulder. “Why?”
Jensen closes his eyes, hums noncommittally. “’s a fond memory. Sort of.”
He feels Jared shift, tilting his head down, probably to look at him. “Sort of?”
“It had me wonder…”
“Wonder what?”
“What woulda happened if I had left that motel with you.”
Jared’s hand cups his shoulder. His thumb begins to gently brush back and forth over his skin. “Yeah,” he says, quietly, “I’ve wondered about that, too.”
“Still,” he mumbles. “’t’s a great day.” And he means it.
“Can’t believe it’s already been 11 years,” Jared says. There’s awe in his voice.
“’n two months,” Jensen adds. “But who’s counting?”
That actually gets a laugh out of Jared and Jensen smiles. “You really showed those doctors,” Jared says, voice thick with pride.
“Guess so,” he mumbles. 14 months, almost 15. He held on eight months longer than they gave him. Most his scars have faded. He got promoted from intern to fulltime employee. He’s had Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Eastern and a birthday party. Got to celebrate one of Jared’s, too.
“You know what day it is tomorrow?”
He frowns. “Wednesday?”
At that Jared chuckles. “Yeah, but it’s also the first day of autumn.”
“That so?” He asks, swallowing hard around a lump. It makes him cough. New breaths come shallow afterwards.
“Yeah. It’ll be the first season that we start together for the second time. This probably sounds stupid but I feel like… I dunno. I mean that’s something, isn’t it?” Jared sounds happy.
His fingers curl over Jared’s stomach. Jared’s heart beats strong in his chest, right below Jensen’s ear. But he can’t say anything. His mouth feels dry.
Gently, Jared nudges his shoulder. “Jensen?”
“Jared…”
A sudden tension in Jared’s body tells him Jared’s caught on. “Jensen…”
“Yeah.”
Jared
No! Tears spring to his eyes. He slams his free hand over his face. His hold on Jensen tightens, and he hugs him close. Impossibly close.
Not yet, it’s not fair. Not right. “Gotta…” he gasps, then turns his head, eyes searching for his cell. Any phone. Blindly he feels for it. But his fingers remain empty. Desperate, he starts to shift, when a rattling breath catches his attention.
“Jared…” croaks Jensen.
“What?” He calls, voice breaking. His eyes snap back to Jensen.
A faint smile plays on Jensen’s lips. “’m still here, dude…” he whispers. He looks… content. Happy. And it hits Jared then. An ambulance, the hospital… it’s not gonna change anything. So he lets go. Forces himself to let go, of his own - selfish? - wishes and needs, as hard as it is. He wipes a hand over his face. The tears still come, but he’s got his mind back. And his focus back on Jensen.
He sucks in a calming breath and settles back into the bed. Hitches Jensen higher until they’re lying comfortably again. Jensen’s glancing up at him. His eyes shimmer pale in the dim light.
“Wha-,” Jared croaks, but his voice breaks. He clears his throat. “What do you want me to do?”
There’s a beat, where Jensen’s smile widens and his eyes close. Then he softly says, “Jus’ talk…”
A surprised chuckle escapes him at that. He throws back his head, watches the ceiling fan do its rounds for a moment. Then he takes a deep breath and tilts his head back down so Jensen’s hair is softly tickling his chin, and says, “Yeah, okay, sure.” Talking. He can do that. And so he does. For a while. But then even he runs out of words. He trails off in a chuckle. Sighs, opens his mouth again but no more words come out. He squeezes his eyes shut. Rubs his hand up and down Jensen’s side. Jensen’s torso is rising and falling, fast and shallow. His skin is cold to the touch. Jared hitches up the covers, over Jensen’s shoulders.
“Jared?” A faint whisper.
He swallows hard. Looks down, not at Jensen’s face, but at Jensen’s hand over his chest. He picks it up, gently plays with the fingers. The tips are pale and bluish. Slowly, he lets his eyes trail up to Jensen’s face. His lips are the same color. He’s blinking at him, tired and confused.
And Jared knows there’s only one thing left to do. Left to say. So he lays Jensen’s hand back down on his chest. Instead, he carefully cups Jensen’s chin and cranes his neck down. Their lips meet, soft pressure that turns into a soft kiss. Jensen’s mouth is awfully dry, but Jared doesn’t care. When he pulls back, he brushes a thumb soothingly over Jensen’s cheek, smiles a smile that he hopes isn’t too sad and says, “I love you, Jensen.”
A lonely tear rolls out of the corner of Jensen’s eye. Bumps against Jared’s thumb. Jensen’s breathing is rapid, his mouth dry, but he curls his lips like he wants to say something, too. And then he manages, slowly, quietly, but with a smile, to say, “I love you, too, Jared.” His eyes fall shut afterwards. His mouth remains open, though. For the next hour, Jared just holds him close. Listens to Jensen’s breathing. It’s rapid, giving out every now and then, only to start up again. Until it doesn’t. Jared gasps, presses his face into Jensen’s hair.
The fan whirs slowly on the ceiling… Then the timer kicks in. The fan dies and all is silent, except for Jared’s own breathing.
-Fin