sometimes you’re overrated, just f.y.i. [jared/jensen, nc17, 32k] part 2

[strippedpink]

Jensen feigned sleep as Jared came in the front door. The damn sun still hadn’t fully risen, and the kid had already been up and at it for a good two hours, apparently thinking nothing of the guy trying to sleep on his couch. And failing miserably.

Jensen might’ve taken mild consolation in Jared’s restlessness if he didn’t think it was probably normal, to Jared, to go out jogging at ass o’clock in the morning during the weekend. And judging from Jared’s toned calves and the broad shoulders nearly bursting through the seams of a washed-out sleeveless tee, it was hard to deny that Jared’s behavior was more simple routine than a figment of any deeper issue involving the ridiculous scene Jensen had caused the night before.

Jensen wished he could consider himself as lucky.

“Yeah, sounds good. You know I wanna help out whenever I can.” Jared was speaking into a Bluetooth headset in low tones, wiping the sweat from his flushed face with a towel as Jensen watched him through his lashes.

Who the hell else would be up this fucking early? Jensen wondered grumpily, unwilling to admit to the true emotion driving his irritation.

Jared flicked a quick look his way, and Jensen went very still as he pulled the soaked-through shirt over his head. It landed in a corner just as his husky laughter tickled Jensen’s ears.

“Hey, you’re the one with delusions of grandeur, man. I’m just trying to get by.” Jared propped a foot on the edge of the coffeetable and leaned into a stretch. It had the effect of long muscles rippling under golden skin, and Jensen’s mouth watered.

He shifted quietly, trying to ignore his thickening erection and the demand it was giving his brain to walk over there and shove the sexy fucker against the wall and show him exactly what happened when you teased a guy, except…Jared hardly knew he was teasing. And probably wouldn’t be inclined to do anything about it if he did, anyway.

And why don’t you just fucking admit that’s the real reason you’re lying here fuming like a lovestruck virgin instead of getting in an extra couple hours of sleep?

He wasn’t used to wanting what he couldn’t have. It sounded whiny and ridiculous, and he’d glossed over the truth nicely when telling Jared the previous night, but Jensen really did have his pick of the litter back in Los Angeles. Famous porn star or not, he was a hot motherfucker and people just seemed to want to be with him. Or be seen with him, which basically boiled down to the same thing in Jensen’s cynical estimation.

Something told him Jared Padalecki wasn’t most people, and it should’ve had Jensen running in the other direction. Definitely not pining over the sweet straight boy in love with his ex-girlfriend.

“Let me call you back later, Chris,” Jared said then, and Jensen breathed out the name on a quiet hiss. He recognized it, sure. One of Jared’s co-workers from the Sink, a good-looking blond kid, quiet and solid with a killer smile. “I just walked in the door and Jensen’s still asleep.”

Whatever Chris said over the line, it made Jared laugh fondly. “Yeah, well, you know Danny. She always gets what she wants.” A beat, and then Jared shrugged those big shoulders. Jensen held his breath. “He’s not so bad, actually. A little bit of that LA attitude, I guess…but he seems like a good guy. Anyway, you can find out more for yourself later today. Danneel’s forcing him to come into the shop, and apparently I’m supposed to stick to him like glue.”

He stretched out the other leg, and Jensen had to literally bite down on his lip so as not to groan out loud when Jared’s shorts pulled tight across his ass. A pathetic whimper escaped instead, and Jared craned his neck to look at him again, a slight frown on his face, before he dropped his foot and stood up straight.

“Yeah, later,” he said, eyeing Jensen thoughtfully. He reached up and disconnected the call, coming straight toward Jensen while Jensen continued playing possum. His heartbeat shot straight into overdrive when Jared sank to his knees, bringing that gorgeous face right up close.

“Now I can see why you didn’t make it in Hollywood,” Jared said. “Your acting sucks, man.”

Jensen’s eyes popped all the way open to find Jared openly grinning. “Yeah, well, you smell like the inside of someone’s ass,” he lied, hoping Jared couldn’t tell just how much he loved that spicy-hot aroma of sweat and male. Jared.

Jared just raised both brows and stood up, looking down at him with unreadable eyes that flashed in the early-morning light. “Well, I guess you’d know best, wouldn’t you?”

Jensen blinked, mouth slightly open as Jared grinned again and turned toward the hallway bathroom. The blankets fell from his shoulders as he sat up, staring in shock. It took a few seconds, then his lips melted into a smile and he blew out a laugh. “Score one for you, kid.”



The weekend flew past without too much excitement, and Jared found himself at the Sink on Tuesday watching a small group of admirers crowd around Jensen’s makeshift booth. Danneel had worked whatever magic she possessed, getting the word out so that customers flowed in and out of the shop, begging autographs on everything from dildos to DVDs to cleavage and, in one memorable instance that still left Jared choking on his own tongue, a pair of shaved testicles.

The look on Jensen’s face would’ve been worth Jared’s weight in gold, but to his credit, he didn’t so much as miss a beat. It probably had to do with Danneel standing by and egging the obviously drunken tourist on, but by the end of it all Jensen had been laughing as much as the group of rowdy spectators and employees.

Where Jared fit into the whole thing, he wasn’t really sure. He felt a bit useless just standing by and waiting for something to happen, but every time he decided to just go back downstairs and man the front desk, Jensen would look up from under those heartbreaking eyelashes. Search him out with golden-green eyes that darkened in relief every time they fell on Jared.

So, he stuck around. And by the end of the weekend, he’d come to the very real realization that he no longer had to wonder just what Danneel had ever seen in Jensen Ackles. He was more disturbed that he was starting to see it, as well.

“Kinda crazy, huh?”

He blinked, dragging his eyes away from Jensen, and found Leighton leaning against the wall next to him. “What’s crazy?” he wondered, gaze inevitably straying right back to the crowded corner of the room.

“How ridiculously charming he is,” Leighton said, sighing a little, and Jared quirked an eyebrow in her direction. She caught the look and scowled. “What? I don’t care if you’re strictly het or not…you can’t deny the man’s got style.”

And well, Jared couldn’t argue that. Still… “You think he’s really as into all of this as he seems?” he couldn’t help asking, eyeing an interesting exchange between Jensen and a cute guy with multi-colored hair and trendy black frames. He stood up a little bit straighter. “Did that guy just give Jensen his number?”

He didn’t realize he’d already taken two steps until Leighton’s soft hand on his arm pulled him up short.

“What’re you gonna do about it, Stretch?” she said, amusement coloring her voice, and Jared grunted at the nickname. Everyone at the Sink had quickly picked it up after the first few times Jensen had said it, but Jared preferred it in that slow, sexy drawl best.

Christ, what was wrong with him?

“Jensen doesn’t seem to be too upset about it,” Leighton continued, pointing out the obvious as Jensen just grinned and waved to the departing customer.

Jared ground his jaw. “Guess that answers my question,” he said, knowing just how pissy he sounded. Leighton whistled softly, and Jared blew out a frustrated breath. Pushed back off the wall and moved toward the stairs that led to the first floor of the shop.

He obviously needed some time away from Jensen, that was all. They’d been in each other’s pockets for the better part of a week, both at work and at home, and he just…needed some perspective. Things would right themselves with a little bit of distance.

He ran into Danneel as he passed Sebastian at the front desk, and drew up short at the sight. His chin dropped. “You cannot possibly be serious.”

“Oh, but you’d better bet your cute ass I am.”

She winked and fingered the various strands of gold, purple, and green beads strung along her neck and dipping just above the leather vest barely holding everything in. The tips of Jared’s ears burst into fire as he stared at the curvy, freckled flesh.

Danneel didn’t seem to notice, reaching into her purse and pulling out a small, round package and licking her lips. “You know,” she said conversationally, “these tourists get dumber every year. Boobs are a dime a dozen…MoonPies are worth at least a full-frontal.”

A week ago, the idea of Danneel baring her breasts - or more - to horny tourists on Bourbon Street for pastries and beads might’ve made Jared burst a blood vessel or two. Now, it was only slightly annoying…if only because Jared felt she deserved much better. It was pointless telling that to Danny, though. She knew it, too, and Jared figured she was simply biding her time and having fun along the way.

He didn’t have to like it, but maybe for the first time he was able to accept it.

“Did anyone even have to ask you?” Sebastian smirked. “Or did you just show off the twins because you forgot to pack a lunch?”

“Thanks for volunteering to close up tonight, Seb,” Danneel said, patting him on the cheek as she moved to sit on the edge of the counter. “You’re a doll.”

“Fuck, Danny! It’s Fat Tuesday,” Sebastian groaned. Danneel’s smile was as evil as Jared had ever seen it. Sebastian scowled, but there was a new glimmer of respect in his eyes as he said, “You can be such a heinous bitch, you know that?”

Jared opened his mouth to speak out in Danneel’s defense, when a heavy hand fell on his shoulder. His nostrils flared at the familiar scent mere seconds before Jensen came around to stand next to him.

“What’s going on?” Jensen smile was big and easy, but his eyes were questioning and focused directly on Jared. Jared glanced down and saw a snatch of torn paper peeking out of the pocket of Jensen’s polo shirt, then looked sharply away.

“Coffee break,” he said, shooting Danneel a pleading look. “I have fifteen minutes coming up, right?”

Danneel tore off a piece of the MoonPie and shrugged. “Sure, have at it, stud. You might as well just take off for the day. We’re closing up early.” She popped the pastry in her mouth and made a face at Sebastian when he cheered. “Tell Misha I said hi.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jared snapped, well-aware of Jensen’s heat so close by. Danneel’s auburn brows rose and he sucked in a breath and shook his head. “Never mind. Forget it. I’ll see you guys later.”

“I’ll come with you,” Jensen said. “I need to stretch my legs.”

Jared’s fingers closed into fists briefly, but he kept quiet as he pushed out through the front doors and into the chaos of the Quarter. Jensen followed close behind, and they both paused for a minute to take in the enormous parade floats cruising the streets.

“Jesus,” Jensen said, laughing out loud as he shielded his eyes from the sun. “This is insane!”

Despite his odd mood, Jared found himself grinning at Jensen’s blatant enthusiasm. “First Mardi Gras?” he asked, taking hold of Jensen by the elbow to pull him out of the way as a float wandered a little too close. “Better watch out or you’ll mess up that pretty face. What would the cameras think?”

Jensen turned to him with huge, exaggerated eyes. “You really think it’s pretty?”

Yes, Jared thought honestly. Out loud, he just snorted and guided Jensen on the safest path across the street toward the coffeeshop. “We’ll be lucky if they’re even open. Most everywhere closes on Fat Tuesday because everyone’s off getting totally annhiliated.”

“And at what point does that become Jared Padalecki’s plan?” Jensen wanted to know, pulling Jared to a stop just under the canvas overhang that housed several of the Quarter’s biggest hotspots. He blinked, dark gold lashes catching the sunlight. “You know what I think?”

Jared watched him lick his lips, and felt it deep down in his dick. He immediately knew he shouldn’t answer the question. When it came, his voice was three shades too hoarse. “What?”

“I think…you should let me take you out tonight,” Jensen said, taking a step closer as the crowd hooted and hollered in cheerful abandon. “Sort of a thank you for putting up with me all week.”

“It wasn’t a problem,” Jared heard himself say, too quick, and he couldn’t quite meet Jensen’s eyes. Jensen seemed to realize it, too, and he chuckled under his breath and reached out. Dragged Jared in until he was within whispering distance. Jared swallowed.

“Let me take you out tonight, Jared,” Jensen repeated more gently, and Jared finally lifted his gaze to clash with smooth gold and green. He found himself nodding, and Jensen’s eyes crinkled at the corners to match his soft smile.

“Great. I have a few calls to make this afternoon, and you probably have…things.” He waited for Jared to nod again, still silent, and squeezed Jared’s fingers. Jared couldn’t remember even taking his hand. “So, let’s plan to meet up at the Sink around eight? That good for you?”

“Yeah, sure,” Jared said.

Whatever Jensen wants…

Jared had a pretty good idea what it was, and the scary thing was? He wasn’t so sure Jensen was alone. Not anymore.



Jensen sat outside of Café Du Monde, overlooking scenic Jackson Square as the sun began its slow trek down toward the horizon and half-listened to Jeff update him on the latest regarding the movie. But mostly, his mind, his body, was stuck on his plans for Danneel’s gorgeous friend.

He hadn’t meant to make it sound like anything more than two friendly people getting together to have a little rowdy fun - this city would hardly allow anything else, Jensen expected - but the look in Jared’s eyes, and the strange scene back at the Sink with that cute twink who had obviously sparked Jared’s abrupt departure, had twisted Jensen’s purposes all up. And, okay, maybe they’d never really been all that straight to begin with where Jared was concerned.

To say the least.

Still…he licked his lips, recalling the flash of surprised heat that had taken over those pretty hazel eyes. There were possibilities there, Jensen was almost absolutely certain of it.

“Jensen?”

Jeff’s voice seemed to have taken on an irritated bend that let Jensen know it hadn’t been the first time his agent had called his name.

“I’m listening,” he lied, blinking and sitting up straighter as a Mardi Gras clown dressed in bright colors wobbled by on stilts. Its exaggerated, unnatural smile stretched across a painted-white face, and Jensen bit back a mock-shudder. “You, uh, were saying something about the Kelly kid.”

“Brock’s flying in Friday night,” Jeff said, and Jensen’s brows drew together. “Now that things are coming together, the studio wanted to get him down as soon as possible…they’ve also managed to fix their fuck-up and get you both put up at the Monteleone down on Royal.”

“Wait, what?” Jensen frowned.

“You’re welcome.” Jeff sounded smug. “Never let it be said I don’t pull through for you, kid. ‘Course, the reservation don’t officially start until Kelly gets here, too, but your days as a glorified houseguest are definitely numbered.”

Jensen knew he normally would be thanking Jeff right now, but he felt like someone had just taken a golf club to his balls. A vaguely sick sort of feeling crept up through his stomach, and he immediately chased it away with a swallow and clearing of throat. “Yeah…thanks.”

He got off the phone quickly after that, leaning his elbows on his knees and watching the Decatur Street festivities until the sun sank well into the pinkening sky. As he made his way back through the Quarter toward Danneel’s shop, the mood of the city seemed to lift even higher, a pulse-thrum of excitement that Jensen couldn’t help but be buoyed by. Especially when every time he turned around, he found himself the recipient of blinding grins and catcalls and enthusiastic greetings.

There wasn’t a stranger to be found in New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

Jared hadn’t arrived at the Sink when Jensen turned the corner, so he detoured into Pat O’Brien’s and grabbed himself a giant go-cup of the infamous Hurricane. The rum burned through his blood almost immediately, and he was half-way through the drink when he caught sight of a familiar figure through the big glass windows.

He went back outside just as Jared and Chris came walking up. Jensen didn’t let the surprised disappointment at their third-wheel show on his face, instead taking in the tight blue shirt that stretched across Jared’s chest. “Well, hello.”

Jared’s eyes narrowed in on the plastic cup in his hand, lips quirking. “Getting an early start?”

Jensen smiled, slow and easy. “You were late.”

“Yeah, that’s my fault,” Chris spoke up, and Jensen caught the whisper of an accent. He blinked and let his gaze settle on the blond, who really did look apologetic. “My mum’s in from out of town and I don’t have a car, so I asked Jared if he’d help me out for a few hours.”

Unbelievable. While Jensen had been wheeling and dealing in porn, the kid had literally been helping little, questionably-old ladies around town.

“Saint Padalecki,” Jensen drawled, shaking his head and smiling foolishly as Jared shifted on his feet and stared back at him. “Has a nice ring to it, baby.”

There was nothing saintly about the way Jared’s eyes flashed then, hazel green going dark with several emotions that flew past too quickly for Jensen to get a good read on any of them. “You’re drunk,” he said, voice too low and wrapping around Jensen’s ribs. Squeezing.

“Not completely.” Jensen saluted them both with the cup, and took another long sip. Licked his lips and tasted salt, sweet, and sour. “But hope springs eternal.”

There was a beat of silence, and then Chris grinned big and began backing away. “Well, you two have fun…I have plans of my own tonight. Thanks again, Jared.”

Jared watched him leave, expression nonplussed, and then turned back. Jensen held his gaze and ran his tongue along suddenly dry lips. Clearing his throat, Jared pitched his voice loud enough to be heard over the sudden surge of cheering as a cluster of fireworks broke the plane of the night sky. “So, um, what’d you have in mind tonight?”

“That’d be telling,” Jensen said just as loudly, grabbing Jared’s arm and pulling him into the busy street. “C’mon and teach me your strange ways, Bourbon Street Boy!”

Jared laughed again, and the husky sound settled down deep in Jensen’s bones. He turned back and matched Jared grin for grin, alcohol and even more potent desire swimming in his blood. They passed by a colorful group of locals and Jensen’s lips curved into a pout of the intoxicated. “Okay, that’s it. I want a glittery feather mask, too.”

“Maybe you should try flashing someone,” Jared joked, and Jensen’s smile turned evil. He handed his near-empty drink over to Jared, and reached for his belt. Jared’s eyes went wide. “Jensen, I was just-”

Jensen slid his fingers up under the hem of his shirt and jerked the whole thing over his head. He threw it in Jared’s face and cracked up as shock colored those hazel eyes. The humid New Orleans air kissed his shoulders as a light breeze, and excitement, tightened his nipples to points. “Dude. You’re so easy.”

Jared didn’t even seem to hear him, gaze stuck somewhere south of Jensen’s throat. His jaw worked just a little, and then he brought Jensen’s drink to his lips. Jensen watched him down the rest of the Hurricane and grimace a bit as the heady mixture slid down his throat. He tossed the empty cup into a nearby trash can and reached for his own shirt.

Two girls in short skirts and fishnets whistled from a balcony overhang as Jared tucked the blue cotton into the back of his jeans, and Jensen snickered as Jared’s cheeks turned that familiar, pretty pink.

Two strands of bright purple beads landed on the street next to them, and Jensen scooped them up. He slid one around his neck and moved toward Jared. “Gotta start somewhere, I guess,” he said, crooking his finger until Jared lowered his head just enough to allow Jensen to slip the beads around his neck. When he moved to straighten, Jensen’s fingers tightened on the beads and brought Jared’s face within inches of his own.

“Anyone ever tell you how fucking sweet you are?” he said, voice a low, serious murmur. He looked up into ever-changing eyes and not for the first time wondered just what Jared saw when he looked back.

“Nah, that’s just the Hurricane talking.” Jared licked his lips and looked away. His fingers gently pulled Jensen’s away from the beads. “I think I saw some people giving masks away down on the corner.”

Jensen didn’t take it as a rejection - couldn’t, really, what with the fire that still lit both Jared’s eyes and his cheeks. But he knew when to push and when to pull back and let things fall into place, so he bit his lip and followed Jared down through the French Quarter.

A guy camped out on the curb with a giant cooler of Coronas tossed two of the bottles Jared’s way, yelling out, “Happy Carnivàle!” In a maneuver worthy of an acrobat, Jared caught the beer against his chest and passed one over to Jensen.

Jensen blinked and stared at the crown label, debating with himself over the wisdom of drinking alcohol from strangers. But when Jared cracked his own open on a lamppost and took a good, long sip, he threw caution to the wind and used the ring on his right hand to open his own.

They stood and watched yet another parade wind its way around the corner, until Jensen caught sight of a costumed madame standing in front of a tiny shop depicting novelty and ballroom masks. He grabbed Jared’s hand. “This way.”

She greeted them happily, digging out a gorgeous, satin-lined harlequin jester mask fringed in feathers and confetti of gold, purple, and green. Jared turned around and bent his knees enough to let her secure the strings behind his head. “Ah,” she said in satisfaction as he turned back to face them both again. Those dimples flashed, and Jensen’s heart thudded in his chest.

The woman’s considering gaze swept over Jensen next, and Jared came over to stand at his shoulder. Jensen couldn’t look away from the mask, fingers itching to reach up and touch, swipe across the bridge of Jared’s nose hidden beneath soft golden plastic.

“This one,” the woman finally decided, an exaggerated French accent rolling her sleepy consonants. She held up a black-sequined demi mask to Jensen’s face. “Simple, but effective, non?”

Despite his earlier desire for something bright and gaudy, Jensen could only nod as he held Jared’s appreciate gaze and let the woman slip and settle the mask over his features. Jared’s nostrils flared; Jensen swallowed and resisted the urge to reach down and press the heel of his hand against his dick.

“How much do I owe you?” he managed around the lump in his throat, already reaching for his back pocket. The woman smiled and shook her head.

“It’s Carnivàle,” she simply said, and turned away to where a small group of loitering tourists stood peeking in. Jared reached for his hand this time, tangling their fingers together as he led Jensen away.

“So, what is this Carnivàle business?” Jensen wanted to know, enjoying the press of those long fingers against his own. “Besides an obvious excuse to cop free shit.”

“Carnival season is just another name for Mardi Gras. It all marks a change in our daily life,” Jared said, and his shoulder brushed Jensen’s as a few drunken patrons stumbled out of a brightly-lit XXX club. Jared watched them hoot and holler their way across the street with a half-smile on his face. “Think of it as a last celebration of sorts before we all buckle down and get real serious around here.”

“About what?”

Jared grinned down at him. “Lent, cher.”

Jensen really liked the Cajun English dripping off of Jared’s tongue, and with all the drink in his system he almost felt inclined to say so. Instead, he affected a smirk. Safe. “Sounds to me like you’ve gone native after all, Stretch.”

Jared cocked his head, and they came to a stop just to the side of the shadowy belly of an alley. A local radio DJ was broadcasting live not twenty feet away, playing chart-toppers at a decibel level that left the stone and brick shaking all around them. Or maybe it was just Jensen who couldn’t stop trembling, everything building up inside to a crescendo wave he couldn’t stop from washing over.

“Jared,” he whispered, the word lost in the raucous atmosphere, but Jared looked down at him anyway. He was leaning back against a wall, half-shadowed and half-exposed by the sparkling light over their heads.

Jensen moved like someone was pulling on a thread between them, and then stumbled over the broad lip of a pothole by Jared’s feet. He muttered a heated oath before smacking his forehead against Jared’s chest.

“Careful,” Jared said, helping him regain his footing and Jensen’s gaze snagged on the pink swell of his mouth as he stood back up. When he flicked it higher, the situation suddenly seemed so ridiculous that they both started laughing, and he wound up burying his face in Jared’s sweat-slickened neck.

“Well, Christ, I’m loaded.”

Jared’s big hand pressed against the small of Jensen’s back as he chuckled. “That’s what everyone keeps telling me.”

Jensen froze in the process of rubbing his cheek against the curve of Jared’s shoulder. “Did you just make a dirty joke about my dick?”

“You have a dick?” He felt Jared grin against the top of his head. “Because only little girls get this wasted after one measly Hurricane.”

“Dude, I’m telling the feminists on you.” Jensen snorted. “And there was beer after liquor.”

“Uh-huh.” Jared didn’t seem inclined to push him away, just letting Jensen lean against him like the solid brick wall he was pretending to be, hand fisted against his back like maybe he wouldn’t let Jensen leave, anyway.

“Jared,” he tried again, wariness thickening his voice as he argued with himself. Then a surge of self-directed annoyance sprang up and he blurted out, “Did you…with Misha, did you ever. I know you said you wouldn’t, but…”

It wasn’t exactly what he wanted to ask, but judging by the sharp intake of breath, Jared got the drift.

He didn’t say anything for long moments, and Jensen closed his eyes and swallowed down disappointment and started to pull back. Jared’s arms tightened around him, and when it came, his voice was a husky rasp that shuddered across Jensen’s skin. “I might’ve been…curious. Once or twice.”

The admission didn’t dispel the lingering doubts Jensen had, though it didn’t dampen his growing excitement, either. “But you’d never have acted on it.”

“No,” Jared said honestly.

Jensen mustered up a smile he didn’t feel. “Because of Danneel.”

“I…” Jared’s breathing picked up, and part of Jensen wished he could see his face. “I guess I thought that was the reason. But now I think, maybe I was just…maybe I just didn’t want to admit it to myself. Danneel’s safe, you know? She doesn’t want me.” He laughed a little, and Jensen heard an edge of resentment Jared couldn’t quite hide. “Whatever she wants, it’s not ever going to be me.”

Jensen was pretty sure he knew what that meant. “You can ask me about it, you know.” He nuzzled Jared’s neck, breathing in salt and spice and pressing his hips against the hard ridge of Jared’s thigh. He didn’t care if Jared could feel just how much he wanted this. “You can ask me any-fucking-thing you want. I’ll tell you the truth.”

“Jensen, no, that’s not…” Jared broke off, sighing harshly and sliding a hand up and into Jensen’s hair. “I don’t wanna hear about you and Danny. Okay?”

“Why not?” Jensen pulled back enough to look up and found Jared’s mouth right there. He licked his lips. “You fucking kill me. You know that, right?”

Jared’s eyes blazed. “Yeah, I know.”

“It’s Carnivàle, Jared,” Jensen breathed against his mouth. The black silk of his demi-mask brushed across Jared’s cheek, and they both shuddered. “No one knows who you are. What you’re doing…”

“What are you doing?” Jared barely managed, voice shot through with husk. But they both knew. “Jensen…”

“Let me inside you.” Jensen moved in and fit his mouth snugly over Jared’s; Jared opened up on a gasp, fingers twitching at Jensen’s waist. Jensen’s tongue licked inside that gorgeous fucking mouth, and Jared finally gave in. Reached up and dragged Jensen harder against him, before spinning him around and shoving Jensen against the rough brick. Jensen hooked a leg around Jared’s middle and bit down hard on his bottom lip.

“Fuck.” Jared reached for his thigh and pulled it up higher, ground his hips so that Jensen felt the hot press of his thick erection. “This is fucking insane.”

“I want your cock in my mouth,” Jensen said, growled, beyond keeping it clean and easy. Safe. He tugged on the ends of Jared’s hair, forcing hazel eyes to his own. “I wanna eat you up, fuck you blind. But that can come later.”

Jared’s lips trembled, his eyelids squeezing shut as he panted against Jensen’s cheek. “W-What happens right now? Spell it out.”

“You like dirty talk, baby?” Jensen was on auto-pilot now, years of onscreen experience seducing sweet, young things that weren’t really the least bit sweet. Jared was. Jesus, he fucking was, and Jensen had no idea what to do besides fall back on that experience.

Jared stayed silent and stared down at him with huge, heavy-pupiled eyes when Jensen went to his knees on the dirty pavement. It brought his face directly in line with the press of hard dick against Jared’s zipper, and he ran his tongue across his lips. Reached for Jared’s belt while looking up from under his lashes. “You want me to give you a step-by-step on sucking your cock?” he got out through a throat gone thick.

“Is that what you’re gonna do?” Jared husked, dropping a hand to rest on top of Jensen’s head.

“You’re damn right, I am.” And with that promise, he carefully tugged Jared’s loosened jeans down his lean hips. The first glimpse of that swollen-red prick peeking out through black cotton had Jensen’s mouth watering. He closed his fist around it and Jared’s hips jerked. “Fuck, this is gorgeous.”

“Jesus, Jensen.” Jared swiped his own lips with his tongue, long fingers tightening in Jensen’s hair. “I…don’t…”

“I do.” Jensen leaned in and pressed an openmouthed kiss against the flushed head of Jared’s cock. Salt-bitter and musky sweetness wet his lips, and he reached around Jared’s thighs to grab a hold of his ass. He swallowed Jared’s dick as a thick groan sounded over his head.

“Oh, my God,” Jared was saying, over and over again. “Jensen. Fuck, your mouth…” He broke off when Jensen reached between his legs and stroked his balls. It seemed to flip a switch somewhere, and suddenly Jared’s hand was strong and sure and pulling Jensen in closer. His voice took on a sexy, filthy edge that had Jensen squirming on his knees. “Fuck, yes. Take it, then.”

Jensen sucked on the swollen shaft, furiously working at the buttons on his own jeans and jerking out his dick. He began pulling on it with long strokes as Jared’s hips rocked and rolled, that husky voice begging and pleading with him. When Jared gave a full-body flinch, groaned and tried to pull back, Jensen growled deep in his throat and forced that pretty cock back inside his mouth just before Jared shot creamy and hot against his tongue.

“Oh, Jensen.” Jared’s voice was nothing but a gasping whisper, eyes big and pretty, and when he reached down with shaking fingers and traced the swollen curve of Jensen’s mouth, Jensen rolled his hips into his fist and came all over his fingers.



“Well, you look like a hot mess.”

Jared eyed Leighton through red-rimmed, slitted eyes and made his opinion of the situation known with a single finger. Leighton didn’t even bother trying to hide her cackle, and Jared slumped forward against the front desk and yawned.

After last night, he felt like he was scrambling to make sense out of the ridiculous. He’d gotten up, feeling like a stealth-ninja as Jensen snored and drooled on the couch, and gone to Mass with the rest of the neighborhood, all the while trying not to squirm in his seat thinking about the pretty pout of Jensen’s mouth around his dick.

Mother Mary, help him. Literally.

“Seriously, you probably could’ve taken the day off. Danneel doesn’t have anything to punish you for,” Leighton said, pulling up a chair beside him and looking out over the empty store. “Or are you still hoping she’ll wake up one day and realize you guys are meant to get together and adopt cute foreign babies?”

Not quite, Jared thought wryly. Considering I can’t stop thinking about her ex-boyfriend sucking my dick.

As if on cue, the door jingled, and Jensen stepped inside. Jared’s elbow slipped on the counter and saliva filled his mouth as Jensen fiddled with the pair of mirrored sunglasses hiding his eyes. His skin was a little paler than usual, faint lines pulling at the corners of his mouth, but he was still almost painfully too good-looking in a light green tee and jeans.

“See you finally managed to find the place all on your own,” Leighton said slyly, twirling her car keys around her finger as Jensen let the door close behind him.

“Google-mapped it, sweetheart. I’d hate to disappoint you.” Jensen’s smirk was real, if a little bit strained, and Jared took note of the careful way he moved through the shop. Jensen had drank way more than he had before the night was over, and Jared felt like a member of the Pink Elephant Parade, so to say he was surprised to see Jensen up and walking before noon was an understatement.

Then Jensen was standing in front of him, and Jared’s stomach knotted with excited tension. That pretty mouth pursed. “Hey.”

Jared cleared his throat. “Uh, hey.”

Jensen stayed silent for a few seconds, then reached up to pull off the sunglasses. Surprisingly clear green eyes studied him for another moment, and then the corners of his mouth turned up. “You know you gotta little something…”

He reached out to flick the ashes spread across Jared’s forehead with an impish grin Jared couldn’t help but reciprocate, despite the awkwardness of the moment.

“What’s that all about?”

“Ash Wednesday,” Jared said, unable to look anywhere other than that slick curve of mouth. Were Jensen’s lips usually that perfectly puffy, or was he losing his mind?

“Okay, well that explains everything, then.” Jensen’s voice took on a dry humor as he reached up and stroked his bottom lip. Jared blinked. Jensen just smiled wider.

Busted.

“Not really religious?” Jared asked, barely keeping up with the conversation as images of Jensen on his knees pervaded his mind like a perverted flipbook.

“Oh, I have my beliefs.” Jensen leaned onto the counter, completely ignoring Leighton, who was watching them with avid interest. Jared shifted uncomfortably under the dual attention. “Just not so good with the upkeep, I guess.”

Jared nodded. “I understand. I really just make it out on the important days, myself.” The sexual tension between them sparked like kindling as Jared swallowed and Jensen suddenly became fascinated with the bob of his throat. “Um, you know…Christmas, Easter…today.”

“All right, I’ll bite. What’s so special about today, Stretch?” Jensen’s eyes were so fucking green.

“Like I told you before, just making up for all the fun. Time to get serious and give some of it up for awhile.”

“So, exactly what fun are you giving up?” Jensen moved in closer, a bit of worry coloring his expression.

Jared went back to staring at his mouth. “Smooth jazz,” he deadpanned, and Jensen’s smile slowly took a turn for wicked.

“I see.” He paused, dropping his voice to a low suggestion no one could miss. “You a big fan of…jazz?”

“I like it better than some things,” Jared said. Leaned in closer, himself. “Less than others.”

Jensen opened his mouth to reply, and then the front door opened and Mrs. Tucker’s smiling face entered Jared’s line of vision. He suppressed a groan, his cheeks going bright pink even before the older woman spotted him.

“Any chance you had Sebastian bring those swings in from the warehouse?” Mrs. Tucker asked, not bothering to beat around the bush. She, too, was marked with the day’s ashes and carried a familiar cookie tin under her arm.

Jensen pulled back to let her squeeze in front of him, sending Jared a raised-brow look over her shoulder. Jared bit back a chuckle and valiantly turned his attention to his customer.

“You bet, Mrs. Tucker.” He turned toward Leighton. “Do you mind keeping an eye on the place for a minute? I’m gonna head into the back.”

“Oh, I’ll keep an eye on the place,” Leighton drawled, staring straight at Jensen with a predatory look that Jared recognized all too well. Jensen didn’t miss it, either, and appeared a little alarmed as Jared walked away.

He was searching the depths of the basement used as a temporary storeroom when he heard the door open and then close again. Before he could turn around, strong arms wrapped around his middle and Jensen’s mouth pressed against the pulse of his throat.

He didn’t jump twenty feet in the air, but it was a close thing. “What are you doing back here? It’s employees only,” he said lamely, leaning into the hard muscles of Jensen’s chest despite his protest.

Jensen’s teeth caught on the lobe of his ear. Sucked, and sent a shiver racing through Jared’s body. “You snuck out on me this morning.”

“You were still sleeping.” Jared turned and met the heavy-lidded green gaze. ”And drooling. All over my fucking couch.”

Jensen didn’t take the bait, closing a palm around the nape of Jared’s neck and pulling until their foreheads touched and his breath was a heated whisper against Jared’s mouth. “Well, I’m drooling over something else right now.”

Jared gave in and sucked that pouty bottom lip between his teeth, their mingled groans sounding too loud in the quiet room. The lone lightbulb over their heads flickered and sent crazy shadows skating across Jensen’s face when Jared pulled back to stare at him.

“Please tell me you’re not freaking out too much,” Jensen gasped, rubbing the back of Jared’s neck with sure fingers. “I know things went kind of fast…”

“…my head is spinning,” Jared admitted huskily. “I can’t…” His voice broke as Jensen reached between them and rubbed his dick through the front of his pants. Jared’s hips jerked, and he chewed on his lip. “Fuck, I can’t do this here.”

“Then let’s get the fuck out of here.” Jensen’s eyes were huge and black and hungry. “I can make you feel so much better than a quick and dirty blowjob, baby.”

The idea that he probably could threatened to splinter what remained of Jared’s control and common sense.

“No, no, no.” He shook his head in near desperation, taking Jensen by the shoulders and setting him back a good foot. His gaze bounced around the room. “You’ve gotta leave. I mean. The floor. Go upstairs. God, I don’t know what the fuck I’m saying.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Jensen’s eyes sparkled and he tried to lean in again, catch Jared’s mouth, and Jared had to steel himself to resist.

“Jensen.” He meant it to sound like a warning, but the name came out wrapped in amused affection. “Please.”

Jensen’s jaw ticked for a few seconds, then he relaxed against Jared’s hold. He reached up and caught Jared’s hand, brought it to his lips and bit on the thick pad of his thumb. “Fine,” he murmured. “But we talk later.”

Jared’s fingers itched to pull away, to pull Jensen closer. “Fine. Later.”

“You are so fucking sweet,” Jensen said, backing away toward the door and leaving Jared staring after him. “And it kills me that you have no fucking idea…that you aren’t going to…”

Jared’s lips parted on a confused breath, and then Jensen was gone.



The afternoon crept by as slow as molasses. After being all but banished to the second floor, first by Jared, and then later courtesy of Danneel when she’d finally wandered in sometime after lunch, Jensen kept one eye on the clock and the other on what he could see of the front desk from the balcony.

He watched Jared deal with a small but surprisingly steady stream of customers, noting the way the kid was completely oblivious to the number of flirtatious overtures from both women and men who came in. Jensen didn’t think it was simple modesty - the kid honestly had no fucking idea just what he did to people.

His mind immediately returned to the previous night, then the scene in the storeroom, and he quirked a small smile. Maybe Jared did have something of an idea now.

Still, Jensen didn’t blame him for doing his best to avoid the awkward morning-after conversation. If he hadn’t practically passed out like a lightweight the minute they stumbled into Jared’s apartment, he would’ve said or done something to prove to Jared that it hadn’t all been a spur of the moment, alcohol-induced mistake.

He hoped he’d at least bought himself some time with Jared’s promise to talk. The idea of it weighed on him all day, until he finally took off around an hour before closing, needing the time to wrap his mind around everything this conversation would probably involve. He wound up sitting in Misha fucking Collins’ coffeeshop, glaring out the window at the Sink and waiting for the inevitable moment when Jared would sneak off again and leave him high and dry.

Okay, so he was holding a bit of a grudge.

“Refill?”

Jensen glanced up and into Misha’s blue eyes. His brows drew together. “I didn’t order anything.”

“I was trying to politely avoid bringing that up,” Misha said pleasantly, and slid a cup of coffee in front of him. “On the house. Which, if you don’t mind me saying so, is somewhere you look like you oughta be. Or more specifically…flat-out horizontal on a mattress somewhere.”

Jensen smirked. “Are you hitting on me?”

Misha snorted in laughter. “You’ve been talking to Jared, I see.” There was nothing but affection coloring his tone, so Jensen relaxed a bit more and deigned to pick up the cup. Take a sniff. His eyebrows lifted. He sipped the hot liquid and fought not to groan in appreciation as the caffeine shot through his system and perked up exhausted, frazzled nerves.

“This is fucking awesome,” he said.

“It’s a gift,” Misha agreed. He cocked his head. “So, where’s your better half?”

Suspicion, freaking jealousy crashed through him like a tidal wave. Ridiculous. He didn’t have any more of a claim on Jared than…no, fuck that. “I was just about to go find him,” he said, eyeing Misha dead-on.

Misha was quiet for all of a second, then he grinned. “Well, good for you. You want a lid for that or what?”

And so Jensen found himself carrying over coffee and doughnuts to the Sink in a pathetic attempt to seduce Jared into listening to his side of the argument before kicking him to the curb. Not that there was necessarily an argument brewing on the horizon, but Jensen was far too jaded to expect - to hope for - anything else.

The place was deserted when he walked in. No sign of Leighton, and Danneel’s office was dark. But the front door had been left unlocked, and Jared’s Jeep still squatted in the parking lot, so Jensen bit back the initial surge of frustrated betrayal just as he heard the tinny sounds of voices coming from upstairs. He set the stuff from Misha’s down on the front desk and started for the landing.

As he grew closer, the voices identified themselves as moans, and Jensen’s fingers froze on the railing. He quickened his pace, a ferocious growl readying itself on his lips as he headed toward the corner of the loft where the sounds were coming from.

He turned the corner, and nearly tripped and fell flat on his face.

Jared stood there, back to Jensen, DVD remote in hand as he watched one of Jensen’s earlier films play out on a small color television. Jensen immediately placed it as one of the betters in a series of cheesy military porn he’d done with up-and-comer Milo Ventimiglia about three years ago. This particular one had been touted and praised for both his and Milo’s pretty amazing acrobatics and, well…

Jared’s eyes bugged out as onscreen Jensen came all over Milo’s moaning face in a ridiculously exaggerated milky come-stream. “Un-fucking-believable!”

Jensen finally found his voice. “That wasn’t real, you know. You can’t see it, but I had a squeeze ball filled with watered-down milk and Elmer’s glue.” Jared spun around, horror in his eyes, and Jensen had to smile. “Gotta love that money shot.”

“Jesus, Jensen.” Jared blew out a breath, cheeks bright pink. “I…hey, this isn’t what it looks like.”

“Oh, Stretch, I really think it is.” One last, memorable groan rent the air and Jensen looked back at the television as the screen faded to black on Jensen and Milo, and then a new scene began. He glanced back at Jared, who was doing an admirable job of holding his gaze. Jensen smirked. “Got a thing for camoflauge BDU’s?”

“What?” Jared’s brow crinkled.

“‘All-American Dildos 3: Weapons of Ass Destruction’,” Jensen recited from memory, mirth bubbling up in his voice as Jared’s lips began to tremble. “Circa-2006, Falcon Studios. Interesting pick. Not particularly one of my finest hours, but then what can you do?”

Jared’s gaze flickered to the empty DVD box next to the TV. He licked his lips, uncertain, curiosity deepening his voice. “You, um…you had a tattoo on y-your…” He trailed off on a frustrated huff of breath. Met Jensen’s amused gaze. “Was that fake, too?”

“What, you want me to just drop trou right here?” Jensen crossed his arms in blatant challenge. “You’re gonna have to come over here and find out all by yourself.”

“Maybe I don’t wanna know that bad,” Jared quipped, but they both knew it was a lie. Jensen eyed him for a long moment, and when the kid showed no sign of backing down in his stubbornness, he let out a long sigh.

“No tattoos, and you’re no fun.” The petty whine that entered his voice wasn’t all an act, and Jared’s gaze narrowed.

“We need to talk,” he said, suddenly serious, and Jensen’s smile faded away. “Last night…” He bit his lip. “I’ve never done anything like that before.”

‘Yeah, I figured that out.” Then a beat passed, and Jensen let his eyes grow wide. “Wait. You did mean with a guy, right? I mean…you’ve had someone suck on your pretty cock before. Right?”

“Jesus,” Jared sputtered and glared at him through adorably offended eyes. “Yes, I meant with a guy, you fucking dick.”

“Uh-huh” Jensen pursed his lips and cocked his head. “So, what’s the kinkiest thing you’ve ever done?”

“Let a gay porn star suck me off in the middle of Bourbon Street?” Jared ground out, taking several steps forward until he’d backed Jensen up against the wall. “You got anything else to say, smart-ass?”

“Yeah,” Jensen said, reaching for Jared’s belt and jerking leather through denim. “Congratulations. Because you’re about to top that.”

Jared’s mouth came down hard on his, teeth snapping into his lip as Jensen’s fingers found the thick tube of his cock. He struggled to get a good grip while Jared humped his hips. Then, before Jensen could blink, he found himself spun around and nose-to-the-wall.

He sucked in a breath when Jared’s big, warm body pressed up against him. “Ah, I get it,” he said through his teeth, anticipation a dark and heavy thrill in his blood. “You wanna be on top then, Stretch?”

Jared’s hands settled on Jensen’s hips and squeezed. Hard. “I want you to shut your smart mouth,” he murmured thickly, dropping a wet kiss against the side of Jensen’s neck.

Jensen bit back a very unmanly sound. “But you like my smart mouth.”

“Is that what you think?” Jared’s breathing was shuddery and hot against him, and Jensen bucked back against Jared’s cock.

“So, you in the mood for a little fun today after all?” He held his breath, on edge and desperate until he felt Jared’s slow, answering nod against the side of his cheek. He closed his eyes, muttering an inward blessing before he reached for one of Jared’s hands at his waist. “Do you trust me?”

“Should I?” Jared tempered the question with a soft press of lips to Jensen’s jaw, but the fact that he didn’t really answer dulled a bit of Jensen’s frantic need. Then his voice dropped lower and he pulled Jensen tight against him with his free hand. Rasped out, “Damn it. I’m here, aren’t I?”

Yeah, he was. And that was significant enough to satisfy Jensen…for now. He moved Jared’s hand to the catch of his zipper, and they both lowered it down over the curve of his erection. Once the gap was wide enough, he pressed Jared’s whole hand against himself, fingers stroking rough knuckle as Jared twitched.

“Do you want to fuck me?” Jensen asked raggedly.

Jared’s fingers went still beneath his, but his chest vibrated with a sort of nervous energy that soaked through Jensen like a shot of electricity. His voice became a nearly unrecognizable wobble. “I thought you did the fucking.”

“I’m in love with your dick,” Jensen said, curling Jared’s fingers around himself and gasping out loud. “I want it in me.”

“I don’t know if I’m ready for that,” Jared whispered, honesty softening the blow even as Jensen nodded his agreement.

“I know.” He licked his lips, tried again. “So, do you trust me?”

“Yes,” Jared said with zero hesitation, nose bumping Jensen’s jaw, and Jensen turned his neck. Caught Jared’s mouth in a heated kiss, hands and hips squirming until his jeans fell to his feet. He dragged Jared back in for one last taste, swallowing the surprised groan with his tongue, before turning back to face the wall.

“Pull out your cock,” he directed with a hiss, spreading his legs and relishing the rough edge that entered Jared’s breathing. “Just trust me, baby.”

Jared pulled his fingers away from Jensen’s now naked cock and Jensen could hear him fumbling with his own zipper, cursing under his breath. He pressed his too-hot forehead against cool plaster and paint.

“You make my hole fucking ache,” he admitted, remembering Jared’s reaction to the mild dirty talk from the night before. “Now fuck my balls before I blow.”

“Jesus fuck,” Jared hissed. “Your filthy mouth…”

Jensen reached back and spread himself to Jared’s gaze, sank his teeth into his lip. “Do it, damn it. Tease me with what I can’t have.”

The first tentative brush of Jared’s dick against him, pressed just below his balls, had Jensen ready to come out of his skin. He closed his eyes and pushed back into the searching thrust. “Oh, fuck. More.”

Jared’s hand came to rest on Jensen’s lower belly; he growled into Jensen’s neck and rolled his hips until the thick head of his prick rested tight up against Jensen’s hole. Sweat and pre-come worked as a natural lube and eased the way for the steady rocking as Jared picked up speed and tugged Jensen even tighter against his chest.

“God, I want it inside me,” Jensen gasped, gritted out through his teeth. He could easily imagine the thick length stretching his ass, nailing his gland just right like nothing else had in too fucking long. “I want you…harder. Fuck. Please!”

When Jared moved to pull way instead, Jensen went wild and reached back to dig his nails into Jared’s ass. It rubbed the head of Jared’s dick hard up against his hole, the tip catching soft muscle.

“Jensen, don’t. I’m gonna shoot,” Jared said, low and sexy and pleading. “You’re too fucking…I’m too close.”

“Oh, babe, me too. Jack my dick.” Jensen’s hands formed fists on either side of his head against the wall and he blew out a long, shuddering breath when Jared’s hand snugged around his weeping prick. One, two, three quick strokes from calloused fingers, and he bit off a groan before humping his hips into a rich climax that rocked him down to his toes.

He heard Jared cursing a blue streak through ringing ears, and turned his head to watch him milk his orgasming cock through heavy-lidded eyes. “Beautiful,” he murmured, feeling sated and ridiculously tender toward the flushed and spent kid behind him.

They stood there for several minutes, nothing more than harsh breathing eventually smoothing out into silence.

“I like you, Jared,” Jensen finally said, too-quiet, ripped wide open and exposed.

“I know,” was all Jared said, and Jensen couldn’t miss the difference.

[ part trois] [ master post]