A Sketch in Time 2/3
Title: A Sketch in Time - Part Two
Fandom: CW RPS
Authors: Surevesta
Beta: Anyothergirl415
Pairing: Jared/Jensen, Chad/Sophia
Rating: PG13
Warning: Time travel, language, frank discussion of sexuality
Summary: Based on the movie ‘Kate and Leopold.’ Written for Whenboymeetsboy. “Time travel isn’t logical, it’s just possible” is a phrase that is about to embody the lives of Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. A young aristocrat from New York in 1852 finds himself in the year 2005 where the world has changed drastically. He finds himself on a journey of self discovery as he discoveries just how much the world has changed in the past 150 years.
Word Count: approx 27,100 words - 8,374 this part
Disclaimer: I’ve never been to New York, the Met, or been involved with advertising. I don’t own Jensen, Jared, Chad, Mike, or anyone else depicted in this story… even Otis belongs to himself.
Part One - Part Two - Part Three
Part Two
*****
Friday, December 23, 2005
Leaning his forehead against the off white cabinet, Jensen stared at the coffee pot as it drew close to being done. There were slight dark smudges under his eyes from lack of sleep and his slim silver framed glasses were perched on his nose. He had fallen asleep at his desk going through numerous model portfolios, trying to find the perfect man for the Johnson advertisement. Falling asleep with his contacts in hadn’t been a good move as his eyes were now irritated and a bit red. Jensen hoped he’d be able to slip his contacts in before today’s meeting.
The coffee pot’s alarm went off signifying its readiness to be devoured. Jensen poured himself a mug full and then filled a travel mug to the brim. Downing the black coffee in record time he unplugged the machine and rinsed off the mug before heading out.
He really had meant to check on Jared yesterday before bed, but work had a greater priority over Mike’s friends or play mates- Jensen still wasn’t a hundred percent sure which Jared was. It only took him a few minutes to make his way downstairs and to his old apartment. Five knocks later there was still no one coming to the door.
Jensen sighed and opened his wallet, he didn’t usually break into places but he was paying half the bills so it wasn’t really illegal. If anything had been damaged or stolen it would be at least partially his fault. The lock clicked easily and Jensen was glad for all those times he and his roommates had locked themselves out of their dorm rooms in college.
Harley pounced on him as soon as the door was open, his tail wagging happily and tongue licking out as far as it could go. “Hey boy, get down. Down Harley!”
“Jared? Hey Jared, are you still here?” Jensen made his way down the short hallway with Harley bouncing at his heels.
“Jensen?”
He started as the door to the bathroom pushed open and Jared appeared. The taller man was wearing a tight t-shirt, one of the few items Jensen had left in the closet, along with a pair of jeans that were a couple inches too short. His hair was freshly washed and the dark brown strands fell messily around his ears. A day or so growth of stubble peppered his chin, upper lip, and lower cheeks. It took Jensen a few moments to tear his eyes away from the lines of Jared’s physique.
“I borrowed some articles of clothing I found in the closet. I did not… I mean I lost my luggage. I hope that is alright.”
“Yeah, that’s fine,” Jensen nodded raising his eyes to meet Jared’s hazel ones. A blush spread across his cheeks. “That happens all the time, happened to me the last time I flew to Texas.”
Jared nodded slightly and lifted his hand up between them, his fingers curled awkwardly around a can of shaving cream. He cleared his throat after a few seconds, “I am not familiar with this type of container.”
Jensen frowned and raised an eyebrow, “You’ve never used a can of shaving cream?”
“Uh,” Jared dropped his hand and shifted slightly. “Not of this sort, I prefer a more… conservative type.”
“Conservative? Like, the old fashioned creams with the brushes?”
“Yes, the kind with brushes and a blade,” Jared’s cheeks colored slightly in embarrassment.
“You must be used to a really clean cut then. Here,” Jensen snatched the bottle out of Jared’s hand and lifted his large hand between them with the palm up. He gave a short explanation as he showed him how to spray it. “It isn’t really that hard. If it starts sputtering make sure to get a new one at the store, although there may be some extras under the sink. There should be some disposable razors down there as well.
“Thank you very much, Jensen, you saved me a lot of time,” Jared grinned at him as he took the shaving cream back.
“Yeah, no problem. Uh, I got a call yesterday about Mike being in the hospital. It was a bit disjointed but I gather you’re going to be here for about a week?”
Jared nodded, “That I am. I was planning on staying with Mike while I visited. I hope it is not a bother for me to be staying here.”
“Not for me, as long as you don’t destroy the apartment or anything. Just make sure to take Harley out every few hours or when he asks. Did you find the dog food?” Jensen watched as Jared rummaged under the sink.
“No, I gave Harley some table scraps last night. I have yet to eat this morning.”
“It’s in the top cabinet to the right of the refrigerator. Make sure not to leave it out or he’ll just scarf the entire container down at once.”
Jared nodded as he pulled out a pack of cheap razors, “I can use one of these?”
“Yep, they are nowhere near as good as a real razor but they do in a pinch,” Jensen tried to stop his eyes from tracing the lines of Jared’s back. He cleared his throat and shifted awkwardly. A classic rock ringtone burst into the relative quiet of the apartment startling them. Jensen slipped out his phone and flipped it open.
“Just the alarm in case I overslept,” Jensen glanced up. Jared’s eyes were on his phone, an odd expression on his face.
“Does that take pictures?”
“Uh, yeah it does,” Jensen flipped it open again and selected the camera option. He showed Jared where the camera was on the front and the screen that showed what the camera was aimed at. He snapped a quick shot of the other man and showed it to him. The younger man’s slanted eyes were intent and wide with curiosity. Jensen almost felt sorry for how fascinated he was with a simple camera phone.
“Jared, I’m sorry but I’ve got to head to work. I have a meeting with my boss scheduled for this afternoon and I really need to prepare for it.”
Jared nodded as Jensen slipped his phone into his jacket pocket, “I should probably finish here anyway.” He motioned with his shaving cream filled hand.
“Right,” Jensen gave Harley a pat as he made his way to the door. “Make sure not to lose the key when you go out.”
***
“Hello Michael Rosenbaum. I’m your nurse for today, Allison. How are you feeling?” A cute blonde stood at the end of his hospital bed looking over his chart. Mike groaned inwardly as he watched her double check his pill regiment.
“I feel fine… I just want to go home.”
Allison frowned at him, “I’m afraid that won’t be possible for a few more days. The fall gave you a horrible concussion in addition to those broken bones. We need to keep you here for observation.”
She lifted a tray over his lap and set it up. A plastic plate with a well rounded breakfast was placed on his lap along with a small container of about six different pills.
“You need to take these with water and eat afterwards,” she stood there watching him for a few minutes as he glared at her. “I have to see you take the pills, sir.”
“I don’t need to take the pills. I’m fine. The only pills I need are some for the pain and then I need you to call my friend to come pick me up. I’ve got a visitor who has no idea what is going on. I need to go home.”
Allison tapped the tray and met his gaze full on, “I’m sure your visitor is just fine. New York City might be pretty large and busy but it’s just like any other. I’m sure he can figure things out for himself. You on the other hand need to get better. Taking these pills will help with that.”
“You don’t understand! He isn’t from here! He’s from… from another time!”
***
It was not Jared’s fault that the television was at a very high volume. For a man from 19th century he had been adapting quite well to all the new technologies he was faced with. The remote seemed to have completely dumbfounded him though, unless he was changing the channel. So Jared was unable to hear the window open or the man approach until the remote was taken from his hands and the television turned off.
“Dude, what was up with the ear bleeding sound?” The remote was tossed onto the couch and a blonde eyebrow lifted as blue eyes surveyed him. “Are you a new roomie? I told Jenny he should make Mike find a new one.”
“New roomie?”
“Roommate, or oh are you his new boy toy? Damn Jensen is gonna kill Mi-“
“I am just a friend, of sort. I am just visiting for a week so I doubt that would make me a ‘roommate’.”
“Sure, a friend… anyway I’m Chad. I live upstairs most of the time. I’m an actor so I’m gone for random periods of time,” Chad grinned and held out his hand. Jared noted he had a strong grip.
“Jared Padalecki, I work for my father.”
“Family business, sounds like fun,” Chad glanced around the apartment and frowned. “Where is Mike anyway?”
“He is in the hospital, apparently he fell down the,” Jared paused for a second as Harley finally made his way into the room from where he had been napping on Jensen’s bed. He sniffed Chad’s feet before jumping up to attempt kisses. “He fell down the elevator shaft. Apparently there was a malfunction of some sort.”
“Elevators have been wonky all over since yesterday morning, it’s kind of weird,” Chad dropped back onto the couch and made himself comfortable as he scratched Harley’s ears. “Hey, are you an artist?” He asked noticing the open sketchbook.
“Not really. I sketch in my free time. It is not something I do for a living.”
Chad glanced up at him as he flipped through the sketchbook, “Dude these are better than most of the art students I knew in college and I knew a lot of art students. It was almost a minor of mine… I kind of sucked though so I stuck to theater.”
“I’m not really used to the medium; I usually use a rougher paper and charcoal,” Jared sat down across from Chad in an arm chair.
“If you’re this good with pencil I can’t imagine what you can do with a piece of charcoal. You should seriously think about trying to sell some art, dude.”
Shrugging Jared reached over and took the sketchbook from him. He eyed the drawing of the living room Chad had been scrutinizing. “They really are not that good. I doubt I would be able to sell them for much.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” Chad scoffed and set his feet onto the paper covered coffee table. Jared eyed the boots and bit his tongue. It was Mike’s home, not his, and Chad seemed to know Mike quite well.
“I would offer you something to eat but I am afraid I have yet to figure out how to cook most of the items in the cooler.”
“Mike probably has some hot pockets we could microwave,” Chad grinned and shot off the couch. “He usually eats me out of house and home. I’d be happy to return the favor.”
“Microwave?”
***
“These are the four I believe may work for the Johnson’s ad,” Jensen slipped four clear folders across the desk. The head shots and full body shots were clearly visible for inspection. He watched as Milo picked them up one at a time.
Milo frowned slightly as he set the last one down, “None of these seem right. They may be a bit too…” He tapped his fingers across the desk as he searched for the correct word. “They just aren’t the right model for this project. This one, however,” he lifted the furthest one on the left, “may work for Ms. Ferris’ current project for that perfume company. He’ll look perfect with the female model she chose.”
“I’ll take a look at one of the other agencies then,” Jensen nodded jotting down a few quick notes. “We still have until the twenty sixth, right?”
Milo stacked the folders and set the one aside. He grinned, brown eyes glittering, “We do, on the twenty sixth I’d like to have a test shoot just to make sure that Mr. Morgan likes the model and we’ll do the shoot for the ad on the twenty eighth. You have three days to work your magic and find the perfect model.”
Jensen sighed, “Three days isn’t a lot of time.”
“You’ll do fine Jensen,” Milo reached over and adjusted Jensen’s glasses, his thumb rubbed over the lens. “How can you see with dirt all over those things?”
Jensen flushed slightly, “I had an issue with my contacts this morning. These were better than me trying to fumble my way around without.”
“They’re fine. I think the right pair of glasses can really accentuate a person’s attributes,” Milo grinned at him. “Do you have any ideas on a specific type of model at all? Or are you going through the entire collection?”
“Actually,” Jensen frowned. “I think I might have a pretty good idea on the body type and look. I met this guy, a friend of a friend, the other day. I think his look and attitude are kind of what we’re shooting for.” Jensen pulled his cell out of his pocket and pulled up the photo he took this morning. “Youthful, tall, strong, but gentle... in a way… that’s kind of the first impression I got of him.”
Milo took his cell and practically dissected the photo with his eyes, they were extremely dark when he met Jensen’s gaze. “This guy’s your friend?”
“Kind of, he’s visiting my old roommate for the week,” Jensen shrugged as Milo handed his phone back. “Or was, Mike’s in the hospital so I’m checking up on his dog and Jared.”
“Invite him to the test shoot, if you think he’s model material and if you think that he’s the type of model Morgan is looking for then we might as well give him a shot.”
“I don’t actually know what he does for a living; he may not have any experience.”
Milo shrugged, “Why don’t you ask him and then we can talk about it later. Perhaps over dinner tomorrow? I’m stuck in town for the holidays and I don’t really know many people.”
“Uh, sure,” Jensen shrugged. It wasn’t as if he had any plans. He wasn’t going to Texas for the holidays due to work and his friends didn’t have much more than drunken parties on their list of activities. “That sounds fine.”
“Great, I’ll pick you up around six?”
***
Jensen leaned his head against the door jamb as he waited for it to be opened. He could hear muted sounds of guitar hero and Harley’s answering bark to his knock. Eventually it opened to Jared’s bright smile.
“Jensen!” Jared’s smile faded slightly as he pushed past him. “Are you well?”
“Fine, it’s just been a very busy day at work,” Jensen looked over his shoulder as they walked into the living room. “How were things here today?”
“Jenny! Our day’s been Awesome!”
Jensen groaned inwardly, he could feel a headache coming on, “Don’t call me Jenny.”
“Jared’s like a genius. He’s never played video games before but he can totally kick my ass at guitar hero,” Chad grinned at him from the couch as he gestured with a piece of pizza in hand. “He’s also like an awesome artist and a totally awesome actor.”
“I am not acting,” Jared frowned.
“Chad,” Jensen started turning slightly to the blond man. “When did you get into town?”
“This morning,” he mumbled around a mouth full of cheese, meat, and veggies. “Jared’s been keeping me company all day. I could learn a thing or two from him about acting.”
“You’re an actor?” Jensen looked back at Jared.
“No.”
“Totally method, it’s like he’s from the nineteenth century or something.”
“1852,” Jared stated. “I thought I made it very clear Chad, I accidentally followed Mike through a portal of some sort into this time.”
“See? Totally method. I taught him how to use the microwave and the toaster!”
“Awesome, look Jared I actually have a job opportunity for you,” Jensen turned to face him, ignoring Chad. “It’s just a small photo shoot for an advertisement, but you’d get a couple thousand out of it as a first time model for the company… unless you have an agency.”
“Totally free agent says he’s never acted or modeled,” Chad grinned then frowned. “That could be his character though.”
“I do not think it would be a wise idea,” Jared shook his head. “I am only here for a week anyway. I cannot commit to a job.”
“The shoot is on the twenty eighth with a test on the twenty sixth. You’d be done before you left. It isn’t even a for sure thing yet, but I think you’re a perfect fit for it.”
“Dude, do it! It’s practically free money, it’d pay for this whole screwed up vacation you’re on,” a chunk of topping fell off Chad’s pizza as he gestured. It quickly disappeared into Harley’s waiting jaws. “It’d totally make up for Mike being a lame ass getting himself stuck in the hospital. Who the hell falls down an elevator shaft?”
Jared examined Jensen’s face and posture as the other man’s gaze drifted to raise an eyebrow at Chad. “If it will help alleviate your anxiety then I will go to this photo shoot. In any case, I will need to repay Mike for letting me stay in his home and eat his food. The money I receive can go to him.”
“Dude, so not cool!”
“You don’t need to repay Mike for letting you stay here, you’re his guest,” Jensen nodded at Chad. “If anyone should have to pay for eating him out of house and home it’s that loser.”
“Hey, this loser is letting you apartment sit for free!”
Jensen ran a hand over his eyes, dislodging his glasses, “Which I’m very thankful for.”
“It is the least I can do for Mike, I know that he will have a hefty bill for his stay in the hospital and I do quite well in my business endeavors,” Jared inclined his head slightly and smiled. “You look exhausted Jensen, perhaps you should turn in?”
He squinted up at Jared and nodded, punctuating it with a yawn, “Yeah. I didn’t get much sleep last night, too much work.” Jensen waved over his shoulder, “’Night ya’ll.”
“Good night Jensen,” Jared watched as he climbed through the window onto the fire escape and disappeared up stairs.
“Are you gay?”
“What?” Jared snapped his eyes back to Chad. The other man was squinting at him with an intense look on his face. He frowned, “Am I gay?”
“Yeah, are you gay?” Chad sighed and rolled his eyes. “I mean interested in dick. You know, having sex with another guy. You were totally checking Jenny out.”
“No,” Jared shook his head then paused, a frown covering his face. He’d never really thought about it before. “At least, I do not think so.”
***
Saturday, December 24, 2005
“Jay-red!” Chad sing-songed as he slipped into the apartment. Jared was sitting at the dinner table working on another sketch with Harley stretched out over his feet. “Time to have some fun!”
“Did you want to play some more Guitar Hero?”
“And get my ass kicked some more? Not tonight,” Chad grinned at him and dropped a pile of clothing on the table. “I scrounged through Jenny’s stuff and found a few things that should fit, including a pair of pants that were probably Tom’s. You’d think Jenny’d have gotten rid of them by now.”
“Thank you,” Jared lifted an eyebrow as he pawed through the items. “Are we going somewhere?”
“Yep! We’re going to the usual hangout. I’m going to introduce you to the gang- minus Baldy and Jenny.”
“Jensen will not be joining us?” Jared frowned at the printed T-shirt Chad had chosen for him. Emblazoned on it was Everything’s bigger in Texas.
“The loser has a ‘business meeting,’” Chad patted him on the back. “Your gay crush will not be there. You can totally test the waters to see if you’re just lusting because Jensen’s a pretty boy or if you really do like dick.”
“I am not going to have sexual intercourse with a stranger,” Jared frowned at him.
“Who said intercourse? I’m talking about groping and blow jobs! Now go change so we can par-tay!”
***
The chair made a sharp squeal against the marble floor as Jensen shifted it forward. He winced slightly as the waiter handed him the menu. The place was fancy, one of the nicest restaurants in New York. He felt like he should have dressed up a bit more.
Milo grinned at him from across the small table, his eyes glittering in the low lighting, “Order anything you feel like having. It’s on me tonight.”
“Thanks, about the John-“
“They also have an excellent wine selection,” Milo smiled and set the menu on the table. “I think I’ll have the duck, I hear it’s delicious.”
Jensen nodded as he looked over the various entrées, “Their steak is supposed to be pretty good. Jared agreed to come in for the test shoot. Turns out he’s an ac-“
“Excellent, I knew you’d be able to handle everything,” He leaned across the table with a grin eyes dark in the dim light. “There was nothing to be worried about, Jensen. You always manage to find the perfect look.”
***
“Alright, we’re gonna get drunk and have some fun tonight!” Chad punched Jared’s shoulder lightly as he entered the bar. “I’ll introduce you to the gang. Feel free to drop the part and let your hair down if you want.”
Jared frowned slightly but laughed as he followed Chad into the small establishment. The lighting was dim and it was slightly crowded, but it was clean and not the least bit seedy. Jared watched as Chad ordered some drinks at the bar before he motioned for him to follow. Chad led him over to a good sized ‘L’ shaped booth on the opposite side of the room, a man and two women were situated around the back side and one of the two chairs at the table had a jacket on it.
“Hey guys,” Chad grinned widely. He reached up and slapped his hand onto Jared’s shoulder. “This is Jared, a friend of Mike’s. Jared this is Chris, Alexis, and Sophia,” Chad grinned softly at the petite brunet he introduced last before turning to Chris. “Dude, are you and Steve playing tonight?”
“Nah, he just had to visit the little boy’s room,” Chris smirked and nodded at Jared. “So you’re Mike’s friend.”
Jared followed Chad’s example and sat down. He chose to take the extra chair and sat across from Alexis. She grinned at him from around a glass of pink tinted alcohol. “Yes, I was in town visiting and he offered to let me stay in his spare room for the week.”
“Just a friend, Jared’s got his eyes elsewhere,” Chad snatched at a hot wing the others had ordered earlier.
“So what do you do for a living Jared?” Sophia asked leaning forward, fingers a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I work for my father, he is a business man,” Jared smiled slightly his dimples showing.
“He’s a method actor and an artist,” Chad spoke before Jared could continue. He leaned over the table towards Sophia as he continued to tell her everything he thought he knew about Jared.
Jared watched the interaction between everyone at the table. Steve had taken a seat a few minutes after they arrived and had started an animated discussion of football with Chris which Chad had jumped right into. Jared didn’t have much to say as he wasn’t familiar with the sport. After a bit Alexis had excused herself to get another “girly drink” at the bar and didn’t come back. Sophia looked rather disinterested in the discussion and didn’t say much when Chad tried to involve her in the conversation.
***
Jared smiled at Sophia and nodded as she said good night and walked off. He made his way back to the table where Chad was gripping his glass of beer tightly. Chris and Steve had excused themselves to pay their own tab moments before.
“You and Sophia seemed to get along well,” Chad mumbled not looking at him as he stood.
“She is a fine woman. Very beautiful and quite polite,” Jared nodded with a smile.
“Yeah, awesome. You two going to get together?”
Jared set a hand on his shoulder and held a napkin in front of Chad’s eyes. “I told her that you were unsure as to her current relationship status and did not want to engage in a courtship if she was already involved with someone.”
Chad gaped at him.
“She would love for you to call her,” Jared’s grin widened considerably. “Her number is on this napkin, you may want to copy it down.”
***
The taxi slowed to a stop in front of the apartment building and Jensen thanked Milo for dinner before stepping out.
“It was my pleasure,” Milo slipped across the seat and he stood as well. “Great food and excellent company, what more could I ask for?”
“We also got some work done on the Johnson account, less stress for the holidays,” Jensen smiled slightly.
Milo took a step forward and trailed his eyes up the building, “This is your place?”
“Yeah, for now,” Jensen glanced at the doors. “I’ll probably move in a few months. My roommate and I had a disagreement of sorts; I’ve been staying with a friend upstairs.” He shifted his briefcase awkwardly. Milo hadn’t brought any work related items with him to dinner.
“I’d love to see your place. I’ve been considering staying in New York.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, it’s an excellent city. I think I prefer it to London,” Milo grinned at him. “So shall we?” He nodded towards the building a wide grin breaking across his face. Jensen suddenly felt uncomfortable; Milo clearly thought that tonight’s dinner wasn’t business related at all.
“Jenny!” Jensen stumbled forward as a very tipsy and very happy Chad attempted to jump onto his back. “You’ll never guess what happened tonight!”
“Chad,” Jensen almost felt like kissing the blonde. He spotted Jared a few feet away as he pushed Chad off of him. “Jared, you two look like you had fun.”
Jared nodded but he wasn’t looking at Jensen. His gaze was on Milo whose face had darkened, marred by a slight frown.
Chad stepped back and slung an arm over Jared’s shoulders the best he could. “We went to O’Malley’s and drank beer, gossiped, and flirted!” Chad grinned widely, “Sophia wants me to call her!”
“That’s great,” Jensen grinned and shifted his gaze to Milo as the other man cleared his throat. “Chad, Jared, this is Milo Ventimigilia, my boss. Milo this is my friend Chad and the actor I was telling you about, Jared.”
“Nice to meet both of you,” Milo held out his hand. Chad shook it with a smile while Jared’s face remained straight. “That’s a strong grip you have.” He nodded to Jared.
Jared nodded, hazel eyes scrutinizing Milo as they shook hands, “Is something bothering you Mr. Ventimigilia?”
Milo frowned as he drew his hand back; his eyes darted to Jensen before returning to Jared. “No, nothing at all.”
“Your seem a little nervous,” Jared let a smile spill across his face. “It is getting late and tomorrow is a holiday. We should probably head to our respective homes.”
“Jensen and I were just saying goodnight,” Milo stepped away and rested his hand on the taxi’s door. “It was very nice to meet both of you. I’ll see you Monday at the test shoot Jensen,” he nodded and then glanced and Jared. “You too, Jared.”
Jared nodded as Milo shut the door and the driver took off. He turned to eye Chad who was shoving the napkin under Jensen’s nose and attempting to tell him how he ended up with it.
***
Sunday, December 25, 2005 - Christmas Day
Jensen slipped through the window balancing two travel mugs in his hands. Harley bounded up to him as he settled on the ground and did his best to check out what Jensen was carrying. “Down Harley!”
“Jensen?” He looked up to see Jared standing in the kitchen over the stove. “What are you doing here today?”
“What no Merry Christmas? I brought some egg nog as a thank you,” Jensen held the mugs up with a grin and walked over.
“Merry Christmas… a ‘thank you’?” Jared raised an eyebrow grinning as he took a mug.
“I’m really kind of oblivious. I didn’t figure out last night was apparently a date till he was asking to come up to the apartment,” Jensen frowned and leaned against the counter. “You and Chad had perfect timing. Thus the thank you egg nog.”
“Well you are welcome,” Jared grinned and Jensen found himself staring at the younger mans dimples. “Would you like something to eat? I figured out how to make an omelet.” He motioned to the open cook book.
“Sure if you have extra, I can always snag something upstairs,” Jensen shrugged.
“There is plenty here, I was going to make a second one anyway. I rather enjoy cooking and eating.”
Jensen grinned, “Well I enjoy eating what others cook. I burn anything that isn’t coffee. Anything else has to be microwavable or come edible straight from the box or fridge.”
“How do you survive without someone to cook for you then?”
“Lots and lots of take out,” Jensen laughed. “Which, I guess is having someone else cook for me. God, it’s been so long since I had a home cooked meal.”
***
A light whimper startled Jared and Jensen from their conversation around one. The two were sitting side by side on the couch with A Christmas Story playing on the television. They laughed as they realized Harley was barking in his sleep.
“I still can’t believe Mike kept him,” Jensen leaned back against the cushions.
Jared frowned, “Why would he not have?”
Jensen turned his head and met Jared’s eyes, “He was a stray someone dumped out front before Thanksgiving. Mike was going to take him to the shelter after the holidays but has yet to get around to it.”
“I find it hard to believe he would want to give Harley up after having him for so long.”
“Mike isn’t really a dog person, he’s just too lazy. If Harley wasn’t so opinionated I doubt Mike would remember to feed him or take him out,” Jensen sighed. He watched as the kid on screen got his mouth washed out with soup for a moment. “Harley has a deeper bond with you and he’s only known you for a couple days.”
“I like dogs, I was never allowed to have one growing up, at least not a large one,” Jared laughed slightly. “My sister had a small dog when she was younger. I did not like him much and he loathed me.”
“Lap dogs,” Jensen wrinkled his nose. “I’d rather just get a cat. At least they use a litter box.”
Harley chose that moment to blink up at them from the floor at their feet. His ears twitched once before he laid his head back onto Jared’s foot. Jared shifted on the couch leaning over so he could run his fingers over Harley’s head.
“Harley is a good dog. I would love to have a dog or two like him.”
“He’s large and just going to get larger before he’s finished growing,” Jensen’s wasn’t even paying attention to the television anymore. “Then again you are a giant.”
“My mother blamed my height on my incredible ability to sneak food growing up,” Jared’s hazel eyes slanted as he watched Harley shift slightly. Jensen’s gaze glued to his bright smile and those amazing dimples. “My brother is just as tall and my sister is about average for a girl her age.”
“How old are your siblings?”
“I have an older brother, about four years older than me. My sister is seven years my junior,” Jared sighed and glanced up at Jensen.
“I have an older brother too, and a younger sister. Mackenzie and Josh, I haven’t seen them for a couple years though,” Jensen said he shifted his gaze back to the television but the images didn’t register.
“I know it is not my business, but why not?”
Jensen shrugged, “A combination of being too busy with work here and my parent’s attitude to my ‘chosen lifestyle.’ It’s not that they hate me for being gay; they just don’t want me to bring it into their home. I try to avoid unnecessary trips and occasionally pay for Josh or Mack to visit me here.”
“I went years without seeing my family while I was at University,” Jared gave Jensen a sympathetic smile. “It was difficult, but sometimes I think being around my parents and brother are harder than being away from them.”
Jensen tilted his head back and shifted his gaze to watch Jared’s face. After a few moments the younger man continued, “They have so many expectations of me. I keep trying to be the son they want, but they already have Jeffrey to be that son. My sister keeps telling me I should do want I want, that I do not have to go into the family business, but it is hard to go against their vision of who I should be.”
“If you don’t want to work for your dad you don’t have to Jared. I’m sure he could find someone else to do the job, it’s not like there aren’t people looking for jobs.”
“I know,” Jared nodded. “He also has Jeffrey, he just expects me to help my brother run the business and lead the life he wants me to.”
“My parents expected me to become a doctor, I didn’t want to,” Jensen shifted closer to Jared on the couch and put a hand on his knee. “They thought I’d get married and have a bunch of kids and live in Texas within a day’s drive. That’s not what I wanted to do though.”
“My father was trying to force me into a marriage proposal,” Jared stated suddenly. Jensen let his hand drop to his side and stared at him with wide eyes.
“What?” He choked out.
“I had an ultimatum,” Jared rested his chin on a large palm and relaxed into a slouch. It was one of the few times Jensen had seen him without a near perfect posture. It was almost startling the difference it made. “I ran off before I could announce my chosen fiancé and…came here for a vacation. I wanted a way out, and I guess I found one.”
“What was she like?”
“Who?”
“The girl you had chosen?”
“I had about five minutes left before I had to make the announcement,” Jared shrugged. “and I had no idea who I was going to marry. None of the women remotely interested me.”
“None of them?”
“I have never really been interested in courting anyone. I never had a woman catch my eye.”
Jensen tilted his head, the sunlight from the window played across his features. The sharp lines of his jaw and cheekbones accented clearly. Jared met his gaze and watched him for a moment.
He hesitated a moment before asking, “Were you ever interested in women at all?”
“It was expected of me, I never considered anything else,” Jared answered honestly.
Jensen nodded and his green eyes held Jared’s for a few more moments before drifting back to the scene on the television. Jared settled back against the couch lost in his own thoughts.
***
Monday, December 26, 2005
“Good morning Jensen,” Jared stood a few feet from the window as the other man slipped into the apartment. Green eyes blinked up at him blearily, a smile splitting Jensen’s lips.
“Morning,” he answered settling his feet onto the floor. Jensen lifted a travel mug up and shrugged, “’m not quite ‘wake yet.”
“Perhaps you should have gone to bed earlier,” Jared grinned at him and motioned towards the kitchen. “I already took Harley for a walk and made breakfast. I could put some toast or fry an egg relatively quick if you are hungry.”
Jensen attempted to stifle a yawn, shaking his head, “Nah, I grabbed a pop tart before my shower this morning. I’m just really not a morning person.” He watched as Jared corralled Harley into the kitchen using the kiddy gate.
“So, are you ready for the test shoot?” Jensen’s eyes drifted across Jared’s back and lower as the younger man fiddled with the locking mechanism.
“I am not sure,” Jared’s hand batted helplessly at Harley as the dog molested his face with kisses over the gate. “To be honest I have never participated in a photo shoot before.”
Jensen nodded and rested against the back of the couch. “It won’t be too bad. The photographer is just going to take a few shots in base poses with different lightly to see how it looks. They just want to make sure you’re photogenic. There may be one or two other models there as well, I’m not sure if Milo talked to anyone else.”
“Will these photos be similar to the final shoot?” Jared glanced over his shoulder, leaning back on his heels.
“Probably not,” Jensen shook his head. “For the final shoot you’ll go into wardrobe and make up. They just want to know what they’ll have to adjust to get the best shot possible.”
Jared nodded and swiped his palms against the leg of his jeans before standing. He took the coat hanging off the back of a kitchen chair and slipped it on, a wide grin breaking across his face, “Shall we go to work?”
A grin spreads across his own face and Jensen nods, “I think we shall.”
***
The building where the photo shoot was to take place was far enough away from the apartment that Jensen ended up hailing a cab. The streets were busy with the morning rush hour and it took nearly an hour for them to get there.
Jared was utterly fascinated with the taxi- it was the first car he had ever been in. He tried not to ask too many questions about how it worked but couldn’t help it. Jensen answered the best he could eventually interrupting Jared with a roll of his eyes and an off handed remark about dropping the act.
The younger man had stopped talking then his gaze traveling outside the window to take in the surroundings as they passed. The high buildings and busy streets were so different from his time; the entire rhythm of the city was different.
Jensen pushed Jared’s shoulder breaking his train of thoughts. He turned, taking in the shorter man’s bright green eyes and smiling lips.
“Come on Jared, time to make you a model,” Jensen said slipping out the door; he stretched while he waited on the side walk. As they made their way up to the building Jensen’s dress shoes slipped slightly on an icy step and Jared automatically reached out to steady the other man with a strong hand around his bicep.
Jensen shivered slightly eyes trailing down to Jared’s large fingers wrapped halfway around his arm. It wasn’t as if Jensen was a small man, far from it, Jared was just huge. He felt a slight blush spread across his cheeks and Jensen hoped it could be mistaken for a byproduct of cold weather.
“Thanks,” Jensen glanced up to Jared’s eyes then away. He cleared his throat, “We should get inside, don’t want to be late.”
Jared nodded and dropped his hand to his side. He followed the older man into the building, trailing a few steps behind.
***
The photo shoot was a lot different than posing for a painting or even a photograph- which was a new invention during Jared’s time. He did his best to listen to the directions he was given and carry them out to the word.
Jared tilted his head and smiled to the lens as Kripke, the photographer, barked out a few adjustments to the assistants next to the lights.
While Kripke’s attention was diverted, Jared glanced around trying to figure out where Jensen had disappeared to. Just after arriving, Jared had been dragged off for the test shoot leaving Jensen to discuss the new design with Milo and Mr. Morgan.
“Mr. Ackles, I hear you found us the perfect model for my advertisements,” Mr. Morgan stated with a grin, hand outstretched.
“I did my best and I believe I found just the right model,” Jensen shook his hand and smiled. “They should be done with the test shoot shortly. Jared was scouted so I don’t have any head shots for you to look at.”
“He’s a friend of Jensen’s,” Milo stated opening the folder Jensen had set up. “Absolutely gorgeous and a giant, bit of an attitude though.”
Jensen frowned, “Jared’s an actor, quite a good one. I have no doubt that he’ll be able to capture the essence of the product.”
“These are the new concept sketches. I had our art department do some layouts for you to go over,” Milo laid them out across the table. Jensen frowned as he listened to his boss but didn’t dare interupt. “Now when you see the base photos you should be able to get an idea for the overall look of the final product…”
***
“Mr. Morgan loved you,” Jensen grinned as they walked out onto the street. “He agrees that you’re the perfect model for his ad.”
“I have the job then?”
Jensen punched his arm and grinned, “Of course you have the job. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if Morgan tried to book you for future projects. Are you sure about giving your earnings to Mike?”
“I need to pay him back for letting me stay in his home,” he nodded eyes taking in nearby shops and office fronts. “Besides, I have all that I need.”
“Noble,” Jensen snorted rolling his eyes.
“Plus,” Jared grinned, dimples appearing and catching Jensen’s gaze. “Mike will owe me one.”
“Hey, how about we go get something to eat,” Jensen glanced around judging their surroundings. “There should be a family restaurant a couple blocks over that serves some tasty Italian plates.”
“Sounds like an excellent idea,” Jared fell into step next to Jensen as they walked a comfortable silence rising between them. The small restaurant wasn’t a horribly long walk, about two blocks down and another block over, even with the chilly winter air and wet slosh at their feet the trip was made quickly. Two shop fronts before they reached their destination Jared paused, hazel eyes narrowing as he peered into a darkened shop.
Jensen stopped and paced back after a moment, “See something you like?”
“No,” Jared paused and shook his head, fingers coming up to brush the long strands out of his eyes. “I just thought I saw something familiar.”
“Huh,” Jensen puffed out a breath of icy air and squinted through the darkened windows. “Well it is a pawn shop, perhaps there’s something familiar in there. Lots of people sell trinkets and antiques or such for some quick cash at these places.” He glanced at the door. “Looks like they’re out to lunch now, we could come back in an hour and check it out?”
Jared shook his head, “No need, I am sure it’s nothing.”
Jensen frowned but nodded and motioned for Jared to follow him on down the street, “C’mon, let’s get some grub.”
***
It really was a small restaurant, at most a dozen tables and booths were scattered around the small area. None of the tables were close enough to invade privacy but not so far away that the space wasn’t used to its maximum potential. The waitress that seated them was young, her pale face flushed slightly as she spoke to them, flirting as she took their order.
A short while later they had fresh garden salads and a small plate of fresh bread and butter between them.
Jensen wrinkled his nose as he watched Jared drizzle light vinaigrette over his garden salad. His own salad was doused liberally in classic ranch.
“So, how did the shoot go?” He asked spearing a slice of cucumber and a few leafs speckled with dressing and slivers of cheese.
“I thought they told you,” Jared raised an eyebrow settling his fork against the plate.
“I saw the pictures and heard the end result,” Jensen swiped his thumb over the corner of his mouth to remove a smear of dressing. “I was just curious about your take on the whole process.”
“It was interesting, quite unlike anything I have ever done before,” He paused to take a bite a small noise of appreciation falling from his lips. “This is excellent vinaigrette.”
“If you say so,” Jensen grinned. “I never could build up a taste for that stuff. My mother loves it though.”
Jared grinned back spearing the ripe cherry tomato on the side of his dish, “The photo shoot was not difficult, in a way it was fun. Kripke seemed to have an excellent eye for what he wanted.”
“He’s one of our best photographers. He always manages to get the best shots,” Jensen pushed the remainder of his salad together allowing him to easily capture it. “Are you looking forward to the final shoot Wednesday?”
Jared tilted his head, hazel eyes peering out from behind his bangs, “If it is as easy as today I think it will be fine.” He cleared his throat and pushed his empty plate near Jensen’s. “How did your meeting with Mr. Morgan and Mr. Ventimiglia go?”
Jensen tilted his water glass slightly, letting his fingers play against the sweating glass, “It was fine, excellent. Mr. Morgan thought the proposed tone would be perfect for his product.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“What?” Jensen lifted his eyes to Jared’s. The younger man was watching him carefully, gaze steady. “Nothing’s wrong. Everything went perfectly.”
“Jensen,” Jared spoke quietly. “I may not have known you for very long, but I can tell that there is something bothering you.”
He dropped his gaze to where his thumb brushed the condensed water from the glass. A large hand reached out and pulled it from his grasp, moving it across the table. Jensen let his hand fall against the wooden table top, fingers pushed flat. “Milo presented the rough proofs to Morgan as if he organized everything. I didn’t get an ounce of credit. He practically dismissed me from the discussion.”
Jensen raised his eyes and met Jared’s gaze, “It completely threw me. Earlier this week it was all about working together and he complimented me on my good work with the project.”
“He was courting you.”
“Courting me?” Jensen’s eyebrows knit together. “I know we had the miscommunication the other night…”
“You refused his advances, however inappropriate they may have been, and it probably upset him.”
Their conversation tapered off as the waitress delivered two full plates of pasta. When she was gone Jared watched as Jensen gathered pasta primavera onto his fork.
“He went about it wrong.”
“Hmm?” Jensen quirked an eyebrow in question as he chewed.
“If I were to court you I would send you an official declaration of my interest,” He stated before turning his attention to the plate of Linguini in front of him.
***
A long sigh escaped his lips as Jensen flopped backwards onto the bed, jostling the laptop lying on the comforter next to him. He ran his fingers under his glasses, rubbing against tired eyes. After lunch Jensen had sent Jared home in a taxi and returned to work. He had managed to avoid Milo for the rest of the day as his boss had taken the afternoon off. Jensen made the decision to take Tuesday off, he had sick days left to use and two days for the holiday just wasn’t enough. He was exhausted and really didn’t want to deal with Milo so soon.
He leaned his head back against the pillows, letting his eyes drift shut. A knock at the door startled Jensen just before he could drift off.
“Dude, you shouldn’t sleep with your glasses on,” Chad’s voice drifted over from the doorway. Jensen glared at him half heartedly, sitting up in bed. The other man slipped into the room and walked over.
“Wha’ dya w’nt?” Jensen slurred tiredly.
Chad grinned at him and tapped the top of Jensen’s laptop, “Got something for you.”
Jensen raised an eyebrow and punctuated the questioning look with a yawn. The blonde tossed a sealed envelope into his lap, chuckling as Jensen fumbled for it.
“What is it?” Jensen squinted at it, flipping it over to find his name in perfect scrolling text.
“Jared asked me to give it to you,” He shrugged. “Wanted me to ask if you’d meet him upstairs for lunch tomorrow too.”
Jensen blinked at him a frown marring his face, “You seem perky.”
Chad grinned widely eyes dancing, “I asked Sophia out- and she said yes! Dude I am so going to get laid!”
*****
Part Three
(Comments disabled in this part)
Fandom: CW RPS
Authors: Surevesta
Beta: Anyothergirl415
Pairing: Jared/Jensen, Chad/Sophia
Rating: PG13
Warning: Time travel, language, frank discussion of sexuality
Summary: Based on the movie ‘Kate and Leopold.’ Written for Whenboymeetsboy. “Time travel isn’t logical, it’s just possible” is a phrase that is about to embody the lives of Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. A young aristocrat from New York in 1852 finds himself in the year 2005 where the world has changed drastically. He finds himself on a journey of self discovery as he discoveries just how much the world has changed in the past 150 years.
Word Count: approx 27,100 words - 8,374 this part
Disclaimer: I’ve never been to New York, the Met, or been involved with advertising. I don’t own Jensen, Jared, Chad, Mike, or anyone else depicted in this story… even Otis belongs to himself.
Part One - Part Two - Part Three
Part Two
*****
Friday, December 23, 2005
Leaning his forehead against the off white cabinet, Jensen stared at the coffee pot as it drew close to being done. There were slight dark smudges under his eyes from lack of sleep and his slim silver framed glasses were perched on his nose. He had fallen asleep at his desk going through numerous model portfolios, trying to find the perfect man for the Johnson advertisement. Falling asleep with his contacts in hadn’t been a good move as his eyes were now irritated and a bit red. Jensen hoped he’d be able to slip his contacts in before today’s meeting.
The coffee pot’s alarm went off signifying its readiness to be devoured. Jensen poured himself a mug full and then filled a travel mug to the brim. Downing the black coffee in record time he unplugged the machine and rinsed off the mug before heading out.
He really had meant to check on Jared yesterday before bed, but work had a greater priority over Mike’s friends or play mates- Jensen still wasn’t a hundred percent sure which Jared was. It only took him a few minutes to make his way downstairs and to his old apartment. Five knocks later there was still no one coming to the door.
Jensen sighed and opened his wallet, he didn’t usually break into places but he was paying half the bills so it wasn’t really illegal. If anything had been damaged or stolen it would be at least partially his fault. The lock clicked easily and Jensen was glad for all those times he and his roommates had locked themselves out of their dorm rooms in college.
Harley pounced on him as soon as the door was open, his tail wagging happily and tongue licking out as far as it could go. “Hey boy, get down. Down Harley!”
“Jared? Hey Jared, are you still here?” Jensen made his way down the short hallway with Harley bouncing at his heels.
“Jensen?”
He started as the door to the bathroom pushed open and Jared appeared. The taller man was wearing a tight t-shirt, one of the few items Jensen had left in the closet, along with a pair of jeans that were a couple inches too short. His hair was freshly washed and the dark brown strands fell messily around his ears. A day or so growth of stubble peppered his chin, upper lip, and lower cheeks. It took Jensen a few moments to tear his eyes away from the lines of Jared’s physique.
“I borrowed some articles of clothing I found in the closet. I did not… I mean I lost my luggage. I hope that is alright.”
“Yeah, that’s fine,” Jensen nodded raising his eyes to meet Jared’s hazel ones. A blush spread across his cheeks. “That happens all the time, happened to me the last time I flew to Texas.”
Jared nodded slightly and lifted his hand up between them, his fingers curled awkwardly around a can of shaving cream. He cleared his throat after a few seconds, “I am not familiar with this type of container.”
Jensen frowned and raised an eyebrow, “You’ve never used a can of shaving cream?”
“Uh,” Jared dropped his hand and shifted slightly. “Not of this sort, I prefer a more… conservative type.”
“Conservative? Like, the old fashioned creams with the brushes?”
“Yes, the kind with brushes and a blade,” Jared’s cheeks colored slightly in embarrassment.
“You must be used to a really clean cut then. Here,” Jensen snatched the bottle out of Jared’s hand and lifted his large hand between them with the palm up. He gave a short explanation as he showed him how to spray it. “It isn’t really that hard. If it starts sputtering make sure to get a new one at the store, although there may be some extras under the sink. There should be some disposable razors down there as well.
“Thank you very much, Jensen, you saved me a lot of time,” Jared grinned at him as he took the shaving cream back.
“Yeah, no problem. Uh, I got a call yesterday about Mike being in the hospital. It was a bit disjointed but I gather you’re going to be here for about a week?”
Jared nodded, “That I am. I was planning on staying with Mike while I visited. I hope it is not a bother for me to be staying here.”
“Not for me, as long as you don’t destroy the apartment or anything. Just make sure to take Harley out every few hours or when he asks. Did you find the dog food?” Jensen watched as Jared rummaged under the sink.
“No, I gave Harley some table scraps last night. I have yet to eat this morning.”
“It’s in the top cabinet to the right of the refrigerator. Make sure not to leave it out or he’ll just scarf the entire container down at once.”
Jared nodded as he pulled out a pack of cheap razors, “I can use one of these?”
“Yep, they are nowhere near as good as a real razor but they do in a pinch,” Jensen tried to stop his eyes from tracing the lines of Jared’s back. He cleared his throat and shifted awkwardly. A classic rock ringtone burst into the relative quiet of the apartment startling them. Jensen slipped out his phone and flipped it open.
“Just the alarm in case I overslept,” Jensen glanced up. Jared’s eyes were on his phone, an odd expression on his face.
“Does that take pictures?”
“Uh, yeah it does,” Jensen flipped it open again and selected the camera option. He showed Jared where the camera was on the front and the screen that showed what the camera was aimed at. He snapped a quick shot of the other man and showed it to him. The younger man’s slanted eyes were intent and wide with curiosity. Jensen almost felt sorry for how fascinated he was with a simple camera phone.
“Jared, I’m sorry but I’ve got to head to work. I have a meeting with my boss scheduled for this afternoon and I really need to prepare for it.”
Jared nodded as Jensen slipped his phone into his jacket pocket, “I should probably finish here anyway.” He motioned with his shaving cream filled hand.
“Right,” Jensen gave Harley a pat as he made his way to the door. “Make sure not to lose the key when you go out.”
***
“Hello Michael Rosenbaum. I’m your nurse for today, Allison. How are you feeling?” A cute blonde stood at the end of his hospital bed looking over his chart. Mike groaned inwardly as he watched her double check his pill regiment.
“I feel fine… I just want to go home.”
Allison frowned at him, “I’m afraid that won’t be possible for a few more days. The fall gave you a horrible concussion in addition to those broken bones. We need to keep you here for observation.”
She lifted a tray over his lap and set it up. A plastic plate with a well rounded breakfast was placed on his lap along with a small container of about six different pills.
“You need to take these with water and eat afterwards,” she stood there watching him for a few minutes as he glared at her. “I have to see you take the pills, sir.”
“I don’t need to take the pills. I’m fine. The only pills I need are some for the pain and then I need you to call my friend to come pick me up. I’ve got a visitor who has no idea what is going on. I need to go home.”
Allison tapped the tray and met his gaze full on, “I’m sure your visitor is just fine. New York City might be pretty large and busy but it’s just like any other. I’m sure he can figure things out for himself. You on the other hand need to get better. Taking these pills will help with that.”
“You don’t understand! He isn’t from here! He’s from… from another time!”
***
It was not Jared’s fault that the television was at a very high volume. For a man from 19th century he had been adapting quite well to all the new technologies he was faced with. The remote seemed to have completely dumbfounded him though, unless he was changing the channel. So Jared was unable to hear the window open or the man approach until the remote was taken from his hands and the television turned off.
“Dude, what was up with the ear bleeding sound?” The remote was tossed onto the couch and a blonde eyebrow lifted as blue eyes surveyed him. “Are you a new roomie? I told Jenny he should make Mike find a new one.”
“New roomie?”
“Roommate, or oh are you his new boy toy? Damn Jensen is gonna kill Mi-“
“I am just a friend, of sort. I am just visiting for a week so I doubt that would make me a ‘roommate’.”
“Sure, a friend… anyway I’m Chad. I live upstairs most of the time. I’m an actor so I’m gone for random periods of time,” Chad grinned and held out his hand. Jared noted he had a strong grip.
“Jared Padalecki, I work for my father.”
“Family business, sounds like fun,” Chad glanced around the apartment and frowned. “Where is Mike anyway?”
“He is in the hospital, apparently he fell down the,” Jared paused for a second as Harley finally made his way into the room from where he had been napping on Jensen’s bed. He sniffed Chad’s feet before jumping up to attempt kisses. “He fell down the elevator shaft. Apparently there was a malfunction of some sort.”
“Elevators have been wonky all over since yesterday morning, it’s kind of weird,” Chad dropped back onto the couch and made himself comfortable as he scratched Harley’s ears. “Hey, are you an artist?” He asked noticing the open sketchbook.
“Not really. I sketch in my free time. It is not something I do for a living.”
Chad glanced up at him as he flipped through the sketchbook, “Dude these are better than most of the art students I knew in college and I knew a lot of art students. It was almost a minor of mine… I kind of sucked though so I stuck to theater.”
“I’m not really used to the medium; I usually use a rougher paper and charcoal,” Jared sat down across from Chad in an arm chair.
“If you’re this good with pencil I can’t imagine what you can do with a piece of charcoal. You should seriously think about trying to sell some art, dude.”
Shrugging Jared reached over and took the sketchbook from him. He eyed the drawing of the living room Chad had been scrutinizing. “They really are not that good. I doubt I would be able to sell them for much.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” Chad scoffed and set his feet onto the paper covered coffee table. Jared eyed the boots and bit his tongue. It was Mike’s home, not his, and Chad seemed to know Mike quite well.
“I would offer you something to eat but I am afraid I have yet to figure out how to cook most of the items in the cooler.”
“Mike probably has some hot pockets we could microwave,” Chad grinned and shot off the couch. “He usually eats me out of house and home. I’d be happy to return the favor.”
“Microwave?”
***
“These are the four I believe may work for the Johnson’s ad,” Jensen slipped four clear folders across the desk. The head shots and full body shots were clearly visible for inspection. He watched as Milo picked them up one at a time.
Milo frowned slightly as he set the last one down, “None of these seem right. They may be a bit too…” He tapped his fingers across the desk as he searched for the correct word. “They just aren’t the right model for this project. This one, however,” he lifted the furthest one on the left, “may work for Ms. Ferris’ current project for that perfume company. He’ll look perfect with the female model she chose.”
“I’ll take a look at one of the other agencies then,” Jensen nodded jotting down a few quick notes. “We still have until the twenty sixth, right?”
Milo stacked the folders and set the one aside. He grinned, brown eyes glittering, “We do, on the twenty sixth I’d like to have a test shoot just to make sure that Mr. Morgan likes the model and we’ll do the shoot for the ad on the twenty eighth. You have three days to work your magic and find the perfect model.”
Jensen sighed, “Three days isn’t a lot of time.”
“You’ll do fine Jensen,” Milo reached over and adjusted Jensen’s glasses, his thumb rubbed over the lens. “How can you see with dirt all over those things?”
Jensen flushed slightly, “I had an issue with my contacts this morning. These were better than me trying to fumble my way around without.”
“They’re fine. I think the right pair of glasses can really accentuate a person’s attributes,” Milo grinned at him. “Do you have any ideas on a specific type of model at all? Or are you going through the entire collection?”
“Actually,” Jensen frowned. “I think I might have a pretty good idea on the body type and look. I met this guy, a friend of a friend, the other day. I think his look and attitude are kind of what we’re shooting for.” Jensen pulled his cell out of his pocket and pulled up the photo he took this morning. “Youthful, tall, strong, but gentle... in a way… that’s kind of the first impression I got of him.”
Milo took his cell and practically dissected the photo with his eyes, they were extremely dark when he met Jensen’s gaze. “This guy’s your friend?”
“Kind of, he’s visiting my old roommate for the week,” Jensen shrugged as Milo handed his phone back. “Or was, Mike’s in the hospital so I’m checking up on his dog and Jared.”
“Invite him to the test shoot, if you think he’s model material and if you think that he’s the type of model Morgan is looking for then we might as well give him a shot.”
“I don’t actually know what he does for a living; he may not have any experience.”
Milo shrugged, “Why don’t you ask him and then we can talk about it later. Perhaps over dinner tomorrow? I’m stuck in town for the holidays and I don’t really know many people.”
“Uh, sure,” Jensen shrugged. It wasn’t as if he had any plans. He wasn’t going to Texas for the holidays due to work and his friends didn’t have much more than drunken parties on their list of activities. “That sounds fine.”
“Great, I’ll pick you up around six?”
***
Jensen leaned his head against the door jamb as he waited for it to be opened. He could hear muted sounds of guitar hero and Harley’s answering bark to his knock. Eventually it opened to Jared’s bright smile.
“Jensen!” Jared’s smile faded slightly as he pushed past him. “Are you well?”
“Fine, it’s just been a very busy day at work,” Jensen looked over his shoulder as they walked into the living room. “How were things here today?”
“Jenny! Our day’s been Awesome!”
Jensen groaned inwardly, he could feel a headache coming on, “Don’t call me Jenny.”
“Jared’s like a genius. He’s never played video games before but he can totally kick my ass at guitar hero,” Chad grinned at him from the couch as he gestured with a piece of pizza in hand. “He’s also like an awesome artist and a totally awesome actor.”
“I am not acting,” Jared frowned.
“Chad,” Jensen started turning slightly to the blond man. “When did you get into town?”
“This morning,” he mumbled around a mouth full of cheese, meat, and veggies. “Jared’s been keeping me company all day. I could learn a thing or two from him about acting.”
“You’re an actor?” Jensen looked back at Jared.
“No.”
“Totally method, it’s like he’s from the nineteenth century or something.”
“1852,” Jared stated. “I thought I made it very clear Chad, I accidentally followed Mike through a portal of some sort into this time.”
“See? Totally method. I taught him how to use the microwave and the toaster!”
“Awesome, look Jared I actually have a job opportunity for you,” Jensen turned to face him, ignoring Chad. “It’s just a small photo shoot for an advertisement, but you’d get a couple thousand out of it as a first time model for the company… unless you have an agency.”
“Totally free agent says he’s never acted or modeled,” Chad grinned then frowned. “That could be his character though.”
“I do not think it would be a wise idea,” Jared shook his head. “I am only here for a week anyway. I cannot commit to a job.”
“The shoot is on the twenty eighth with a test on the twenty sixth. You’d be done before you left. It isn’t even a for sure thing yet, but I think you’re a perfect fit for it.”
“Dude, do it! It’s practically free money, it’d pay for this whole screwed up vacation you’re on,” a chunk of topping fell off Chad’s pizza as he gestured. It quickly disappeared into Harley’s waiting jaws. “It’d totally make up for Mike being a lame ass getting himself stuck in the hospital. Who the hell falls down an elevator shaft?”
Jared examined Jensen’s face and posture as the other man’s gaze drifted to raise an eyebrow at Chad. “If it will help alleviate your anxiety then I will go to this photo shoot. In any case, I will need to repay Mike for letting me stay in his home and eat his food. The money I receive can go to him.”
“Dude, so not cool!”
“You don’t need to repay Mike for letting you stay here, you’re his guest,” Jensen nodded at Chad. “If anyone should have to pay for eating him out of house and home it’s that loser.”
“Hey, this loser is letting you apartment sit for free!”
Jensen ran a hand over his eyes, dislodging his glasses, “Which I’m very thankful for.”
“It is the least I can do for Mike, I know that he will have a hefty bill for his stay in the hospital and I do quite well in my business endeavors,” Jared inclined his head slightly and smiled. “You look exhausted Jensen, perhaps you should turn in?”
He squinted up at Jared and nodded, punctuating it with a yawn, “Yeah. I didn’t get much sleep last night, too much work.” Jensen waved over his shoulder, “’Night ya’ll.”
“Good night Jensen,” Jared watched as he climbed through the window onto the fire escape and disappeared up stairs.
“Are you gay?”
“What?” Jared snapped his eyes back to Chad. The other man was squinting at him with an intense look on his face. He frowned, “Am I gay?”
“Yeah, are you gay?” Chad sighed and rolled his eyes. “I mean interested in dick. You know, having sex with another guy. You were totally checking Jenny out.”
“No,” Jared shook his head then paused, a frown covering his face. He’d never really thought about it before. “At least, I do not think so.”
***
Saturday, December 24, 2005
“Jay-red!” Chad sing-songed as he slipped into the apartment. Jared was sitting at the dinner table working on another sketch with Harley stretched out over his feet. “Time to have some fun!”
“Did you want to play some more Guitar Hero?”
“And get my ass kicked some more? Not tonight,” Chad grinned at him and dropped a pile of clothing on the table. “I scrounged through Jenny’s stuff and found a few things that should fit, including a pair of pants that were probably Tom’s. You’d think Jenny’d have gotten rid of them by now.”
“Thank you,” Jared lifted an eyebrow as he pawed through the items. “Are we going somewhere?”
“Yep! We’re going to the usual hangout. I’m going to introduce you to the gang- minus Baldy and Jenny.”
“Jensen will not be joining us?” Jared frowned at the printed T-shirt Chad had chosen for him. Emblazoned on it was Everything’s bigger in Texas.
“The loser has a ‘business meeting,’” Chad patted him on the back. “Your gay crush will not be there. You can totally test the waters to see if you’re just lusting because Jensen’s a pretty boy or if you really do like dick.”
“I am not going to have sexual intercourse with a stranger,” Jared frowned at him.
“Who said intercourse? I’m talking about groping and blow jobs! Now go change so we can par-tay!”
***
The chair made a sharp squeal against the marble floor as Jensen shifted it forward. He winced slightly as the waiter handed him the menu. The place was fancy, one of the nicest restaurants in New York. He felt like he should have dressed up a bit more.
Milo grinned at him from across the small table, his eyes glittering in the low lighting, “Order anything you feel like having. It’s on me tonight.”
“Thanks, about the John-“
“They also have an excellent wine selection,” Milo smiled and set the menu on the table. “I think I’ll have the duck, I hear it’s delicious.”
Jensen nodded as he looked over the various entrées, “Their steak is supposed to be pretty good. Jared agreed to come in for the test shoot. Turns out he’s an ac-“
“Excellent, I knew you’d be able to handle everything,” He leaned across the table with a grin eyes dark in the dim light. “There was nothing to be worried about, Jensen. You always manage to find the perfect look.”
***
“Alright, we’re gonna get drunk and have some fun tonight!” Chad punched Jared’s shoulder lightly as he entered the bar. “I’ll introduce you to the gang. Feel free to drop the part and let your hair down if you want.”
Jared frowned slightly but laughed as he followed Chad into the small establishment. The lighting was dim and it was slightly crowded, but it was clean and not the least bit seedy. Jared watched as Chad ordered some drinks at the bar before he motioned for him to follow. Chad led him over to a good sized ‘L’ shaped booth on the opposite side of the room, a man and two women were situated around the back side and one of the two chairs at the table had a jacket on it.
“Hey guys,” Chad grinned widely. He reached up and slapped his hand onto Jared’s shoulder. “This is Jared, a friend of Mike’s. Jared this is Chris, Alexis, and Sophia,” Chad grinned softly at the petite brunet he introduced last before turning to Chris. “Dude, are you and Steve playing tonight?”
“Nah, he just had to visit the little boy’s room,” Chris smirked and nodded at Jared. “So you’re Mike’s friend.”
Jared followed Chad’s example and sat down. He chose to take the extra chair and sat across from Alexis. She grinned at him from around a glass of pink tinted alcohol. “Yes, I was in town visiting and he offered to let me stay in his spare room for the week.”
“Just a friend, Jared’s got his eyes elsewhere,” Chad snatched at a hot wing the others had ordered earlier.
“So what do you do for a living Jared?” Sophia asked leaning forward, fingers a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I work for my father, he is a business man,” Jared smiled slightly his dimples showing.
“He’s a method actor and an artist,” Chad spoke before Jared could continue. He leaned over the table towards Sophia as he continued to tell her everything he thought he knew about Jared.
Jared watched the interaction between everyone at the table. Steve had taken a seat a few minutes after they arrived and had started an animated discussion of football with Chris which Chad had jumped right into. Jared didn’t have much to say as he wasn’t familiar with the sport. After a bit Alexis had excused herself to get another “girly drink” at the bar and didn’t come back. Sophia looked rather disinterested in the discussion and didn’t say much when Chad tried to involve her in the conversation.
***
Jared smiled at Sophia and nodded as she said good night and walked off. He made his way back to the table where Chad was gripping his glass of beer tightly. Chris and Steve had excused themselves to pay their own tab moments before.
“You and Sophia seemed to get along well,” Chad mumbled not looking at him as he stood.
“She is a fine woman. Very beautiful and quite polite,” Jared nodded with a smile.
“Yeah, awesome. You two going to get together?”
Jared set a hand on his shoulder and held a napkin in front of Chad’s eyes. “I told her that you were unsure as to her current relationship status and did not want to engage in a courtship if she was already involved with someone.”
Chad gaped at him.
“She would love for you to call her,” Jared’s grin widened considerably. “Her number is on this napkin, you may want to copy it down.”
***
The taxi slowed to a stop in front of the apartment building and Jensen thanked Milo for dinner before stepping out.
“It was my pleasure,” Milo slipped across the seat and he stood as well. “Great food and excellent company, what more could I ask for?”
“We also got some work done on the Johnson account, less stress for the holidays,” Jensen smiled slightly.
Milo took a step forward and trailed his eyes up the building, “This is your place?”
“Yeah, for now,” Jensen glanced at the doors. “I’ll probably move in a few months. My roommate and I had a disagreement of sorts; I’ve been staying with a friend upstairs.” He shifted his briefcase awkwardly. Milo hadn’t brought any work related items with him to dinner.
“I’d love to see your place. I’ve been considering staying in New York.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, it’s an excellent city. I think I prefer it to London,” Milo grinned at him. “So shall we?” He nodded towards the building a wide grin breaking across his face. Jensen suddenly felt uncomfortable; Milo clearly thought that tonight’s dinner wasn’t business related at all.
“Jenny!” Jensen stumbled forward as a very tipsy and very happy Chad attempted to jump onto his back. “You’ll never guess what happened tonight!”
“Chad,” Jensen almost felt like kissing the blonde. He spotted Jared a few feet away as he pushed Chad off of him. “Jared, you two look like you had fun.”
Jared nodded but he wasn’t looking at Jensen. His gaze was on Milo whose face had darkened, marred by a slight frown.
Chad stepped back and slung an arm over Jared’s shoulders the best he could. “We went to O’Malley’s and drank beer, gossiped, and flirted!” Chad grinned widely, “Sophia wants me to call her!”
“That’s great,” Jensen grinned and shifted his gaze to Milo as the other man cleared his throat. “Chad, Jared, this is Milo Ventimigilia, my boss. Milo this is my friend Chad and the actor I was telling you about, Jared.”
“Nice to meet both of you,” Milo held out his hand. Chad shook it with a smile while Jared’s face remained straight. “That’s a strong grip you have.” He nodded to Jared.
Jared nodded, hazel eyes scrutinizing Milo as they shook hands, “Is something bothering you Mr. Ventimigilia?”
Milo frowned as he drew his hand back; his eyes darted to Jensen before returning to Jared. “No, nothing at all.”
“Your seem a little nervous,” Jared let a smile spill across his face. “It is getting late and tomorrow is a holiday. We should probably head to our respective homes.”
“Jensen and I were just saying goodnight,” Milo stepped away and rested his hand on the taxi’s door. “It was very nice to meet both of you. I’ll see you Monday at the test shoot Jensen,” he nodded and then glanced and Jared. “You too, Jared.”
Jared nodded as Milo shut the door and the driver took off. He turned to eye Chad who was shoving the napkin under Jensen’s nose and attempting to tell him how he ended up with it.
***
Sunday, December 25, 2005 - Christmas Day
Jensen slipped through the window balancing two travel mugs in his hands. Harley bounded up to him as he settled on the ground and did his best to check out what Jensen was carrying. “Down Harley!”
“Jensen?” He looked up to see Jared standing in the kitchen over the stove. “What are you doing here today?”
“What no Merry Christmas? I brought some egg nog as a thank you,” Jensen held the mugs up with a grin and walked over.
“Merry Christmas… a ‘thank you’?” Jared raised an eyebrow grinning as he took a mug.
“I’m really kind of oblivious. I didn’t figure out last night was apparently a date till he was asking to come up to the apartment,” Jensen frowned and leaned against the counter. “You and Chad had perfect timing. Thus the thank you egg nog.”
“Well you are welcome,” Jared grinned and Jensen found himself staring at the younger mans dimples. “Would you like something to eat? I figured out how to make an omelet.” He motioned to the open cook book.
“Sure if you have extra, I can always snag something upstairs,” Jensen shrugged.
“There is plenty here, I was going to make a second one anyway. I rather enjoy cooking and eating.”
Jensen grinned, “Well I enjoy eating what others cook. I burn anything that isn’t coffee. Anything else has to be microwavable or come edible straight from the box or fridge.”
“How do you survive without someone to cook for you then?”
“Lots and lots of take out,” Jensen laughed. “Which, I guess is having someone else cook for me. God, it’s been so long since I had a home cooked meal.”
***
A light whimper startled Jared and Jensen from their conversation around one. The two were sitting side by side on the couch with A Christmas Story playing on the television. They laughed as they realized Harley was barking in his sleep.
“I still can’t believe Mike kept him,” Jensen leaned back against the cushions.
Jared frowned, “Why would he not have?”
Jensen turned his head and met Jared’s eyes, “He was a stray someone dumped out front before Thanksgiving. Mike was going to take him to the shelter after the holidays but has yet to get around to it.”
“I find it hard to believe he would want to give Harley up after having him for so long.”
“Mike isn’t really a dog person, he’s just too lazy. If Harley wasn’t so opinionated I doubt Mike would remember to feed him or take him out,” Jensen sighed. He watched as the kid on screen got his mouth washed out with soup for a moment. “Harley has a deeper bond with you and he’s only known you for a couple days.”
“I like dogs, I was never allowed to have one growing up, at least not a large one,” Jared laughed slightly. “My sister had a small dog when she was younger. I did not like him much and he loathed me.”
“Lap dogs,” Jensen wrinkled his nose. “I’d rather just get a cat. At least they use a litter box.”
Harley chose that moment to blink up at them from the floor at their feet. His ears twitched once before he laid his head back onto Jared’s foot. Jared shifted on the couch leaning over so he could run his fingers over Harley’s head.
“Harley is a good dog. I would love to have a dog or two like him.”
“He’s large and just going to get larger before he’s finished growing,” Jensen’s wasn’t even paying attention to the television anymore. “Then again you are a giant.”
“My mother blamed my height on my incredible ability to sneak food growing up,” Jared’s hazel eyes slanted as he watched Harley shift slightly. Jensen’s gaze glued to his bright smile and those amazing dimples. “My brother is just as tall and my sister is about average for a girl her age.”
“How old are your siblings?”
“I have an older brother, about four years older than me. My sister is seven years my junior,” Jared sighed and glanced up at Jensen.
“I have an older brother too, and a younger sister. Mackenzie and Josh, I haven’t seen them for a couple years though,” Jensen said he shifted his gaze back to the television but the images didn’t register.
“I know it is not my business, but why not?”
Jensen shrugged, “A combination of being too busy with work here and my parent’s attitude to my ‘chosen lifestyle.’ It’s not that they hate me for being gay; they just don’t want me to bring it into their home. I try to avoid unnecessary trips and occasionally pay for Josh or Mack to visit me here.”
“I went years without seeing my family while I was at University,” Jared gave Jensen a sympathetic smile. “It was difficult, but sometimes I think being around my parents and brother are harder than being away from them.”
Jensen tilted his head back and shifted his gaze to watch Jared’s face. After a few moments the younger man continued, “They have so many expectations of me. I keep trying to be the son they want, but they already have Jeffrey to be that son. My sister keeps telling me I should do want I want, that I do not have to go into the family business, but it is hard to go against their vision of who I should be.”
“If you don’t want to work for your dad you don’t have to Jared. I’m sure he could find someone else to do the job, it’s not like there aren’t people looking for jobs.”
“I know,” Jared nodded. “He also has Jeffrey, he just expects me to help my brother run the business and lead the life he wants me to.”
“My parents expected me to become a doctor, I didn’t want to,” Jensen shifted closer to Jared on the couch and put a hand on his knee. “They thought I’d get married and have a bunch of kids and live in Texas within a day’s drive. That’s not what I wanted to do though.”
“My father was trying to force me into a marriage proposal,” Jared stated suddenly. Jensen let his hand drop to his side and stared at him with wide eyes.
“What?” He choked out.
“I had an ultimatum,” Jared rested his chin on a large palm and relaxed into a slouch. It was one of the few times Jensen had seen him without a near perfect posture. It was almost startling the difference it made. “I ran off before I could announce my chosen fiancé and…came here for a vacation. I wanted a way out, and I guess I found one.”
“What was she like?”
“Who?”
“The girl you had chosen?”
“I had about five minutes left before I had to make the announcement,” Jared shrugged. “and I had no idea who I was going to marry. None of the women remotely interested me.”
“None of them?”
“I have never really been interested in courting anyone. I never had a woman catch my eye.”
Jensen tilted his head, the sunlight from the window played across his features. The sharp lines of his jaw and cheekbones accented clearly. Jared met his gaze and watched him for a moment.
He hesitated a moment before asking, “Were you ever interested in women at all?”
“It was expected of me, I never considered anything else,” Jared answered honestly.
Jensen nodded and his green eyes held Jared’s for a few more moments before drifting back to the scene on the television. Jared settled back against the couch lost in his own thoughts.
***
Monday, December 26, 2005
“Good morning Jensen,” Jared stood a few feet from the window as the other man slipped into the apartment. Green eyes blinked up at him blearily, a smile splitting Jensen’s lips.
“Morning,” he answered settling his feet onto the floor. Jensen lifted a travel mug up and shrugged, “’m not quite ‘wake yet.”
“Perhaps you should have gone to bed earlier,” Jared grinned at him and motioned towards the kitchen. “I already took Harley for a walk and made breakfast. I could put some toast or fry an egg relatively quick if you are hungry.”
Jensen attempted to stifle a yawn, shaking his head, “Nah, I grabbed a pop tart before my shower this morning. I’m just really not a morning person.” He watched as Jared corralled Harley into the kitchen using the kiddy gate.
“So, are you ready for the test shoot?” Jensen’s eyes drifted across Jared’s back and lower as the younger man fiddled with the locking mechanism.
“I am not sure,” Jared’s hand batted helplessly at Harley as the dog molested his face with kisses over the gate. “To be honest I have never participated in a photo shoot before.”
Jensen nodded and rested against the back of the couch. “It won’t be too bad. The photographer is just going to take a few shots in base poses with different lightly to see how it looks. They just want to make sure you’re photogenic. There may be one or two other models there as well, I’m not sure if Milo talked to anyone else.”
“Will these photos be similar to the final shoot?” Jared glanced over his shoulder, leaning back on his heels.
“Probably not,” Jensen shook his head. “For the final shoot you’ll go into wardrobe and make up. They just want to know what they’ll have to adjust to get the best shot possible.”
Jared nodded and swiped his palms against the leg of his jeans before standing. He took the coat hanging off the back of a kitchen chair and slipped it on, a wide grin breaking across his face, “Shall we go to work?”
A grin spreads across his own face and Jensen nods, “I think we shall.”
***
The building where the photo shoot was to take place was far enough away from the apartment that Jensen ended up hailing a cab. The streets were busy with the morning rush hour and it took nearly an hour for them to get there.
Jared was utterly fascinated with the taxi- it was the first car he had ever been in. He tried not to ask too many questions about how it worked but couldn’t help it. Jensen answered the best he could eventually interrupting Jared with a roll of his eyes and an off handed remark about dropping the act.
The younger man had stopped talking then his gaze traveling outside the window to take in the surroundings as they passed. The high buildings and busy streets were so different from his time; the entire rhythm of the city was different.
Jensen pushed Jared’s shoulder breaking his train of thoughts. He turned, taking in the shorter man’s bright green eyes and smiling lips.
“Come on Jared, time to make you a model,” Jensen said slipping out the door; he stretched while he waited on the side walk. As they made their way up to the building Jensen’s dress shoes slipped slightly on an icy step and Jared automatically reached out to steady the other man with a strong hand around his bicep.
Jensen shivered slightly eyes trailing down to Jared’s large fingers wrapped halfway around his arm. It wasn’t as if Jensen was a small man, far from it, Jared was just huge. He felt a slight blush spread across his cheeks and Jensen hoped it could be mistaken for a byproduct of cold weather.
“Thanks,” Jensen glanced up to Jared’s eyes then away. He cleared his throat, “We should get inside, don’t want to be late.”
Jared nodded and dropped his hand to his side. He followed the older man into the building, trailing a few steps behind.
***
The photo shoot was a lot different than posing for a painting or even a photograph- which was a new invention during Jared’s time. He did his best to listen to the directions he was given and carry them out to the word.
Jared tilted his head and smiled to the lens as Kripke, the photographer, barked out a few adjustments to the assistants next to the lights.
While Kripke’s attention was diverted, Jared glanced around trying to figure out where Jensen had disappeared to. Just after arriving, Jared had been dragged off for the test shoot leaving Jensen to discuss the new design with Milo and Mr. Morgan.
“Mr. Ackles, I hear you found us the perfect model for my advertisements,” Mr. Morgan stated with a grin, hand outstretched.
“I did my best and I believe I found just the right model,” Jensen shook his hand and smiled. “They should be done with the test shoot shortly. Jared was scouted so I don’t have any head shots for you to look at.”
“He’s a friend of Jensen’s,” Milo stated opening the folder Jensen had set up. “Absolutely gorgeous and a giant, bit of an attitude though.”
Jensen frowned, “Jared’s an actor, quite a good one. I have no doubt that he’ll be able to capture the essence of the product.”
“These are the new concept sketches. I had our art department do some layouts for you to go over,” Milo laid them out across the table. Jensen frowned as he listened to his boss but didn’t dare interupt. “Now when you see the base photos you should be able to get an idea for the overall look of the final product…”
***
“Mr. Morgan loved you,” Jensen grinned as they walked out onto the street. “He agrees that you’re the perfect model for his ad.”
“I have the job then?”
Jensen punched his arm and grinned, “Of course you have the job. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if Morgan tried to book you for future projects. Are you sure about giving your earnings to Mike?”
“I need to pay him back for letting me stay in his home,” he nodded eyes taking in nearby shops and office fronts. “Besides, I have all that I need.”
“Noble,” Jensen snorted rolling his eyes.
“Plus,” Jared grinned, dimples appearing and catching Jensen’s gaze. “Mike will owe me one.”
“Hey, how about we go get something to eat,” Jensen glanced around judging their surroundings. “There should be a family restaurant a couple blocks over that serves some tasty Italian plates.”
“Sounds like an excellent idea,” Jared fell into step next to Jensen as they walked a comfortable silence rising between them. The small restaurant wasn’t a horribly long walk, about two blocks down and another block over, even with the chilly winter air and wet slosh at their feet the trip was made quickly. Two shop fronts before they reached their destination Jared paused, hazel eyes narrowing as he peered into a darkened shop.
Jensen stopped and paced back after a moment, “See something you like?”
“No,” Jared paused and shook his head, fingers coming up to brush the long strands out of his eyes. “I just thought I saw something familiar.”
“Huh,” Jensen puffed out a breath of icy air and squinted through the darkened windows. “Well it is a pawn shop, perhaps there’s something familiar in there. Lots of people sell trinkets and antiques or such for some quick cash at these places.” He glanced at the door. “Looks like they’re out to lunch now, we could come back in an hour and check it out?”
Jared shook his head, “No need, I am sure it’s nothing.”
Jensen frowned but nodded and motioned for Jared to follow him on down the street, “C’mon, let’s get some grub.”
***
It really was a small restaurant, at most a dozen tables and booths were scattered around the small area. None of the tables were close enough to invade privacy but not so far away that the space wasn’t used to its maximum potential. The waitress that seated them was young, her pale face flushed slightly as she spoke to them, flirting as she took their order.
A short while later they had fresh garden salads and a small plate of fresh bread and butter between them.
Jensen wrinkled his nose as he watched Jared drizzle light vinaigrette over his garden salad. His own salad was doused liberally in classic ranch.
“So, how did the shoot go?” He asked spearing a slice of cucumber and a few leafs speckled with dressing and slivers of cheese.
“I thought they told you,” Jared raised an eyebrow settling his fork against the plate.
“I saw the pictures and heard the end result,” Jensen swiped his thumb over the corner of his mouth to remove a smear of dressing. “I was just curious about your take on the whole process.”
“It was interesting, quite unlike anything I have ever done before,” He paused to take a bite a small noise of appreciation falling from his lips. “This is excellent vinaigrette.”
“If you say so,” Jensen grinned. “I never could build up a taste for that stuff. My mother loves it though.”
Jared grinned back spearing the ripe cherry tomato on the side of his dish, “The photo shoot was not difficult, in a way it was fun. Kripke seemed to have an excellent eye for what he wanted.”
“He’s one of our best photographers. He always manages to get the best shots,” Jensen pushed the remainder of his salad together allowing him to easily capture it. “Are you looking forward to the final shoot Wednesday?”
Jared tilted his head, hazel eyes peering out from behind his bangs, “If it is as easy as today I think it will be fine.” He cleared his throat and pushed his empty plate near Jensen’s. “How did your meeting with Mr. Morgan and Mr. Ventimiglia go?”
Jensen tilted his water glass slightly, letting his fingers play against the sweating glass, “It was fine, excellent. Mr. Morgan thought the proposed tone would be perfect for his product.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“What?” Jensen lifted his eyes to Jared’s. The younger man was watching him carefully, gaze steady. “Nothing’s wrong. Everything went perfectly.”
“Jensen,” Jared spoke quietly. “I may not have known you for very long, but I can tell that there is something bothering you.”
He dropped his gaze to where his thumb brushed the condensed water from the glass. A large hand reached out and pulled it from his grasp, moving it across the table. Jensen let his hand fall against the wooden table top, fingers pushed flat. “Milo presented the rough proofs to Morgan as if he organized everything. I didn’t get an ounce of credit. He practically dismissed me from the discussion.”
Jensen raised his eyes and met Jared’s gaze, “It completely threw me. Earlier this week it was all about working together and he complimented me on my good work with the project.”
“He was courting you.”
“Courting me?” Jensen’s eyebrows knit together. “I know we had the miscommunication the other night…”
“You refused his advances, however inappropriate they may have been, and it probably upset him.”
Their conversation tapered off as the waitress delivered two full plates of pasta. When she was gone Jared watched as Jensen gathered pasta primavera onto his fork.
“He went about it wrong.”
“Hmm?” Jensen quirked an eyebrow in question as he chewed.
“If I were to court you I would send you an official declaration of my interest,” He stated before turning his attention to the plate of Linguini in front of him.
***
A long sigh escaped his lips as Jensen flopped backwards onto the bed, jostling the laptop lying on the comforter next to him. He ran his fingers under his glasses, rubbing against tired eyes. After lunch Jensen had sent Jared home in a taxi and returned to work. He had managed to avoid Milo for the rest of the day as his boss had taken the afternoon off. Jensen made the decision to take Tuesday off, he had sick days left to use and two days for the holiday just wasn’t enough. He was exhausted and really didn’t want to deal with Milo so soon.
He leaned his head back against the pillows, letting his eyes drift shut. A knock at the door startled Jensen just before he could drift off.
“Dude, you shouldn’t sleep with your glasses on,” Chad’s voice drifted over from the doorway. Jensen glared at him half heartedly, sitting up in bed. The other man slipped into the room and walked over.
“Wha’ dya w’nt?” Jensen slurred tiredly.
Chad grinned at him and tapped the top of Jensen’s laptop, “Got something for you.”
Jensen raised an eyebrow and punctuated the questioning look with a yawn. The blonde tossed a sealed envelope into his lap, chuckling as Jensen fumbled for it.
“What is it?” Jensen squinted at it, flipping it over to find his name in perfect scrolling text.
“Jared asked me to give it to you,” He shrugged. “Wanted me to ask if you’d meet him upstairs for lunch tomorrow too.”
Jensen blinked at him a frown marring his face, “You seem perky.”
Chad grinned widely eyes dancing, “I asked Sophia out- and she said yes! Dude I am so going to get laid!”
*****
Part Three
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