Schmoop Bingo - Blackout # 2 - No. 1
Title: Half-Court
Author: Redsirenfiction
Fandom: CWRPS (J2)
Schmoop: Blackout
Prompt: Friendship
Medium: Fic
Rating: PG-13.
Warnings: Will rot your teeth.
Disclaimer: Don't own them. This is all a mirage.
Summary: Jared remembers the first time he met Jensen. |SOUNDTRACK|| INSPIRATION PAGE|
Notes: Beta done by the always-awesome kimberlyfdr. Thanks, hon!
Word Count: 1745
friend·ship
-noun
1.
the state of being a friend; association as friends: to value a person's friendship.
2.
a friendly relation or intimacy.
3.
friendly feeling or disposition.
Casting rooms are notoriously cold and, even with a freakishly frigid California afternoon, the AC is still on in the downtown LA office. Jared's leg bounces, keeping his blood from congealing and keeping his nerves in check.
He can only assume that the man next to him is up for the same role. They've whittled it down to two and as kind and easygoing as he normally is, Jared hopes he comes out on top in this little competition. Jared wants this job; NEEDS this job. He can't be stuck in Star's Hollow forever, no matter what his fans want. It's a shame too, because the guy next to him is a thing of beauty. He would gladly work with him day in and day out.
Jared casts a sidelong glance at the other man, silently appreciating the good looks while admonishing himself because he has a girlfriend! He averts his gaze quickly as the guy sneaks a glance at him.
“Never gonna happen. No normal human ever makes that shot!” Jensen chuckles, sitting back down and slouching against the hard plastic of the stadium chair.
“What, you don't think he can do it?” Jared grins, looking over at his best friend in amusement.
“Statistically improbable, buddy.”
“Ten bucks says he does.” Jared challenges, smirking at Jensen as he pulls his wallet from his back pocket and wiggles it between his fingers.
“You ready to part with some cash? Fine by me.” Jensen pulls out his own wallet and almost simultaneously they each slip out ten dollars, the two bills getting folded together and shoved into Jared's shirt pocket.
The stadium is even less quiet during half-time, the low hum of a thousand conversations only augmenting the music and the announcer's words, spoken in both English and French. On the court, a middle-aged, eternal-frat boy of a guy bounces the orange ball with his eyes intent on the basket. If he makes it, he'll win a grand. If he doesn't, he'll get a t-shirt and a very embarrassing walk back to his seat.
As the man readies to take his shot, Jared holds his breath. It'll be nice to see someone take the risk and actually make it for once.
The audition goes as well as one can hope for, and Jared leaves the room a little more tired and a lot more hopeful than he went in. He's just about to hit the button for the elevator when someone taps his shoulder.
“Mr. Kripke and McG wanted you to know their decision before you left. You and Jensen Ackles are going to be the leads. Congratulations.”
It's actually one of the stranger ways that he's ever been given a part, but Jared recognizes the woman as Eric Kripke's personal assistant. She smiles at him before handing over an envelope that's packed thick with the first script and a copy of the legal papers he'd signed not an hour before. There'll be a more formal contract waiting for him at his kitchen table in the next few days, but for now this is as good as it gets and Jared doesn't remember ever feeling more excited about a part than now.
His finger is on the button when another, bigger, hand gently pats his back. Jared turns, expecting McG or Kripke or even the other writer that had been in the room with his crazy hair and painted nails. Instead, he comes face to face with the guy that had been in the waiting room with him.
“Hey, they just told me you're playing my brother. Congrats, man!” He sounds genuine and enthusiastic and Jared can't help but match the man's smile with one of his own. His insides are all aflutter, but Jared maintains a calm exterior as he extends his hand for a shake.
'You have a girlfriend, you have a girlfriend, you have a girlfriend,' he thinks to himself, as the man shakes his hand and introduces himself.
“Hi, I'm Jensen Ackles. You're Jared, right? Pada...” Jensen fumbles to pronounce Jared's last name, making Jared smile because it's so typical yet adorable all at once.
“Padalecki,” he states softly, finally relinquishing his hold on Jensen's hand as the elevator comes to a stop on their floor.
“I don't know about you, but I'm stoked for this show. Have you read the first script? More than you did for the audition, I mean,” Jensen asks as they both get in; the small space still comfortable despite the fact that both of them are pretty big guys.
“Not more than the few pages they gave me, no. But Eric's assistant just gave me a copy, so I'll be caught up by tonight.” He grins, holding up the envelope and twisting it slowly side to side.
“Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch; talk out the characters and get to know each other a little bit. Start getting into Sam and Dean's head, you know?” Jensen's words sound tentative to Jared, almost as though he's afraid to ask. Jared chalks it up to the fact that he's got a good four inches on Jensen. He's intimidating through height alone and sometimes he wishes it weren't the case.
“Yeah, that sounds great, man. Lead the way.”
“So what was up with Sandy today, anyways? She on the rag?” Jensen's question catches Jared off guard and he nearly spits up his beer. Chuckling, he shakes his head.
“Same shit, different day, man. She wants to have me all to herself. Can't understand that I have to work and do promo tours and conventions and stuff. Not to mention she gets downright demonic when I tell her I'm going out with you or Chad or any of our other friends,” Jared sighs, shaking his head as he remembered Sandy's words from earlier that day.
“Well, I'm just glad she let you go to the game. Would've sucked without you,” Jensen's words turn a touch softer, causing Jared to have to lean in to hear them over the roar of the crowd.
The contestant is getting ready to take his shot, and the organizers have been kind enough to let him ham it up a little for the crowd. Everyone needs their fifteen minutes of fame, after all.
Jared waits until Jensen's attention is back on the crowd before taking a long look at his best friend. There's days that he still wonders what it might have been like, had they gotten together, had Jensen been gay and not straight. Jared can't recall a time that he hasn't been happy with Jensen. Jensen walks into a room and Jared gravitates to him like an asteroid hitting a planet.
He shakes the thoughts from his head, not willing to delve deeper when he'll just reach a dead-end. Jensen's straight, he has a girlfriend, and nothing good will come out of telling his best friend that he has feelings for him. Nothing.
“He sounds like a nightmare! I can't believe he asked you that!” Jensen's practically in tears and Jared's not far behind. They've both been laughing on and off for the last few hours; trading anecdotes, tall-tales, and horror stories about being in the business, all exchanged and enjoyed in easy conversation.
Jared doesn't notice how many refills they've had, or that the restaurant is pretty much empty in the lull between lunch and dinner. All that matters is he's found a new friend and that they'll be working together on a new project that's already being lauded as a show to watch. Suddenly, moving to Vancouver to work doesn't sound nearly as harsh as it had when his agent had first told him. If nothing else, he'll have a fellow Texan there with him; a friend who shares his interests in sports, music, movies, and most importantly acting.
He can't deny the fact that Jensen is attractive, either. The man has stunning green eyes, a dash of freckles over a finely sculpted nose and cheekbones, and smooth, tanned, skin. Not to mention the long, sweeping lashes, and the cupid's bow mouth that has 'kiss me' written all over it. Were it not for the stubble, broad shoulders, and powerful arms, Jared would almost dare to call Jensen feminine. It's all wrapped up in such a beautiful way that Jared doesn't even need to ask to know Jensen is straight. There's no way that a guy who's everything Jared's ever looked for in a partner would be gay. It would be too perfect.
Jared makes up his mind right then and there to stop thinking of Jensen that way. It's not worth the frustration, the struggle, the heartache. The guy's going to be his co-worker and friend. That's more than enough for Jared; more than he could even ask for, really.
Jensen's voice brings him out of his thoughts, the question one of many Jensen's asked over the course of their lunch.
“So, Jay, you got anyone you're gonna be leaving behind when we ship up to Vancouver?” Jensen asks with a grin, the question posed casually. Any trace of humor leaves Jared and it takes him a minute to answer.
“Yeah. There's someone. I've gotta tell her tonight, actually.”
There's nothing he wants to do less.
The crowd-Jensen and Jared included-gets to their feet as the man approaches the half-court line. Tension sparks like static through the air as the contestant dribbles, looks at the basket, dribbles, and finally shoots. Time seems to slow as the ball sails through the air, the arena silent as everyone watches the arc. A thump, then a swoosh, and suddenly Jared can only hear his own heart beating as Jensen loses the bet. The two of them keep cheering the young man on as he's given a big, paper check with his name and the amount written on it.
“Told ya.”
“Yeah, yeah. How 'bout we get some dinner-yourtreat-after this?”
For once, Jared wishes Jensen means more than simple takeout.
“Sure, buddy. Always the best for you.”
Jensen's arm around him is the best thing in the world.
Author: Redsirenfiction
Fandom: CWRPS (J2)
Schmoop: Blackout
Prompt: Friendship
Medium: Fic
Rating: PG-13.
Warnings: Will rot your teeth.
Disclaimer: Don't own them. This is all a mirage.
Summary: Jared remembers the first time he met Jensen. |SOUNDTRACK|| INSPIRATION PAGE|
Notes: Beta done by the always-awesome kimberlyfdr. Thanks, hon!
Word Count: 1745
friend·ship
-noun
1.
the state of being a friend; association as friends: to value a person's friendship.
2.
a friendly relation or intimacy.
3.
friendly feeling or disposition.
Casting rooms are notoriously cold and, even with a freakishly frigid California afternoon, the AC is still on in the downtown LA office. Jared's leg bounces, keeping his blood from congealing and keeping his nerves in check.
He can only assume that the man next to him is up for the same role. They've whittled it down to two and as kind and easygoing as he normally is, Jared hopes he comes out on top in this little competition. Jared wants this job; NEEDS this job. He can't be stuck in Star's Hollow forever, no matter what his fans want. It's a shame too, because the guy next to him is a thing of beauty. He would gladly work with him day in and day out.
Jared casts a sidelong glance at the other man, silently appreciating the good looks while admonishing himself because he has a girlfriend! He averts his gaze quickly as the guy sneaks a glance at him.
“Never gonna happen. No normal human ever makes that shot!” Jensen chuckles, sitting back down and slouching against the hard plastic of the stadium chair.
“What, you don't think he can do it?” Jared grins, looking over at his best friend in amusement.
“Statistically improbable, buddy.”
“Ten bucks says he does.” Jared challenges, smirking at Jensen as he pulls his wallet from his back pocket and wiggles it between his fingers.
“You ready to part with some cash? Fine by me.” Jensen pulls out his own wallet and almost simultaneously they each slip out ten dollars, the two bills getting folded together and shoved into Jared's shirt pocket.
The stadium is even less quiet during half-time, the low hum of a thousand conversations only augmenting the music and the announcer's words, spoken in both English and French. On the court, a middle-aged, eternal-frat boy of a guy bounces the orange ball with his eyes intent on the basket. If he makes it, he'll win a grand. If he doesn't, he'll get a t-shirt and a very embarrassing walk back to his seat.
As the man readies to take his shot, Jared holds his breath. It'll be nice to see someone take the risk and actually make it for once.
The audition goes as well as one can hope for, and Jared leaves the room a little more tired and a lot more hopeful than he went in. He's just about to hit the button for the elevator when someone taps his shoulder.
“Mr. Kripke and McG wanted you to know their decision before you left. You and Jensen Ackles are going to be the leads. Congratulations.”
It's actually one of the stranger ways that he's ever been given a part, but Jared recognizes the woman as Eric Kripke's personal assistant. She smiles at him before handing over an envelope that's packed thick with the first script and a copy of the legal papers he'd signed not an hour before. There'll be a more formal contract waiting for him at his kitchen table in the next few days, but for now this is as good as it gets and Jared doesn't remember ever feeling more excited about a part than now.
His finger is on the button when another, bigger, hand gently pats his back. Jared turns, expecting McG or Kripke or even the other writer that had been in the room with his crazy hair and painted nails. Instead, he comes face to face with the guy that had been in the waiting room with him.
“Hey, they just told me you're playing my brother. Congrats, man!” He sounds genuine and enthusiastic and Jared can't help but match the man's smile with one of his own. His insides are all aflutter, but Jared maintains a calm exterior as he extends his hand for a shake.
'You have a girlfriend, you have a girlfriend, you have a girlfriend,' he thinks to himself, as the man shakes his hand and introduces himself.
“Hi, I'm Jensen Ackles. You're Jared, right? Pada...” Jensen fumbles to pronounce Jared's last name, making Jared smile because it's so typical yet adorable all at once.
“Padalecki,” he states softly, finally relinquishing his hold on Jensen's hand as the elevator comes to a stop on their floor.
“I don't know about you, but I'm stoked for this show. Have you read the first script? More than you did for the audition, I mean,” Jensen asks as they both get in; the small space still comfortable despite the fact that both of them are pretty big guys.
“Not more than the few pages they gave me, no. But Eric's assistant just gave me a copy, so I'll be caught up by tonight.” He grins, holding up the envelope and twisting it slowly side to side.
“Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch; talk out the characters and get to know each other a little bit. Start getting into Sam and Dean's head, you know?” Jensen's words sound tentative to Jared, almost as though he's afraid to ask. Jared chalks it up to the fact that he's got a good four inches on Jensen. He's intimidating through height alone and sometimes he wishes it weren't the case.
“Yeah, that sounds great, man. Lead the way.”
“So what was up with Sandy today, anyways? She on the rag?” Jensen's question catches Jared off guard and he nearly spits up his beer. Chuckling, he shakes his head.
“Same shit, different day, man. She wants to have me all to herself. Can't understand that I have to work and do promo tours and conventions and stuff. Not to mention she gets downright demonic when I tell her I'm going out with you or Chad or any of our other friends,” Jared sighs, shaking his head as he remembered Sandy's words from earlier that day.
“Well, I'm just glad she let you go to the game. Would've sucked without you,” Jensen's words turn a touch softer, causing Jared to have to lean in to hear them over the roar of the crowd.
The contestant is getting ready to take his shot, and the organizers have been kind enough to let him ham it up a little for the crowd. Everyone needs their fifteen minutes of fame, after all.
Jared waits until Jensen's attention is back on the crowd before taking a long look at his best friend. There's days that he still wonders what it might have been like, had they gotten together, had Jensen been gay and not straight. Jared can't recall a time that he hasn't been happy with Jensen. Jensen walks into a room and Jared gravitates to him like an asteroid hitting a planet.
He shakes the thoughts from his head, not willing to delve deeper when he'll just reach a dead-end. Jensen's straight, he has a girlfriend, and nothing good will come out of telling his best friend that he has feelings for him. Nothing.
“He sounds like a nightmare! I can't believe he asked you that!” Jensen's practically in tears and Jared's not far behind. They've both been laughing on and off for the last few hours; trading anecdotes, tall-tales, and horror stories about being in the business, all exchanged and enjoyed in easy conversation.
Jared doesn't notice how many refills they've had, or that the restaurant is pretty much empty in the lull between lunch and dinner. All that matters is he's found a new friend and that they'll be working together on a new project that's already being lauded as a show to watch. Suddenly, moving to Vancouver to work doesn't sound nearly as harsh as it had when his agent had first told him. If nothing else, he'll have a fellow Texan there with him; a friend who shares his interests in sports, music, movies, and most importantly acting.
He can't deny the fact that Jensen is attractive, either. The man has stunning green eyes, a dash of freckles over a finely sculpted nose and cheekbones, and smooth, tanned, skin. Not to mention the long, sweeping lashes, and the cupid's bow mouth that has 'kiss me' written all over it. Were it not for the stubble, broad shoulders, and powerful arms, Jared would almost dare to call Jensen feminine. It's all wrapped up in such a beautiful way that Jared doesn't even need to ask to know Jensen is straight. There's no way that a guy who's everything Jared's ever looked for in a partner would be gay. It would be too perfect.
Jared makes up his mind right then and there to stop thinking of Jensen that way. It's not worth the frustration, the struggle, the heartache. The guy's going to be his co-worker and friend. That's more than enough for Jared; more than he could even ask for, really.
Jensen's voice brings him out of his thoughts, the question one of many Jensen's asked over the course of their lunch.
“So, Jay, you got anyone you're gonna be leaving behind when we ship up to Vancouver?” Jensen asks with a grin, the question posed casually. Any trace of humor leaves Jared and it takes him a minute to answer.
“Yeah. There's someone. I've gotta tell her tonight, actually.”
There's nothing he wants to do less.
The crowd-Jensen and Jared included-gets to their feet as the man approaches the half-court line. Tension sparks like static through the air as the contestant dribbles, looks at the basket, dribbles, and finally shoots. Time seems to slow as the ball sails through the air, the arena silent as everyone watches the arc. A thump, then a swoosh, and suddenly Jared can only hear his own heart beating as Jensen loses the bet. The two of them keep cheering the young man on as he's given a big, paper check with his name and the amount written on it.
“Told ya.”
“Yeah, yeah. How 'bout we get some dinner-yourtreat-after this?”
For once, Jared wishes Jensen means more than simple takeout.
“Sure, buddy. Always the best for you.”
Jensen's arm around him is the best thing in the world.