Assemblage - Part One - Big Bang 2010
Link to Master Post
September 4, 2000
Jared Padalecki rushes into his Introductory Archaeology class at ten minutes after nine Monday morning and sits down in the only empty seat left. It’s the first day of class and he’s late. He didn’t realize that the arts building, where his first class is located, was so far from his dorm room. It all looks so close on the small map that was provided as part of his orientation package. First days suck.
And of course, just my luck, the only empty seat happens to be next to the cutest guy in class. Not a problem. Unless you like passing your classes instead of spending all your time lusting after the guy next to you. Then it becomes a problem. I’m not in high school anymore. I don’t want a Dean’s vacation. I made it here, I want to stay here. I have to work hard if I want to stay here.
Jared looks around and notices that a lot of the other students are engaged in conversation, and the professor is absent. He pulls out a pen and his notebook. And he does not subtly glance to his side to notice how gorgeous those green eyes are or how soft the dark brown hair looks. No, he does not.
“You made it just in time. How much you wanna bet the prof got lost too?”
“Huh?” Jared turns to the catalyst of his thoughts regarding failure and returning home to work retail. “Oh, yeah this building is like a maze. Must have been designed to weed out the undedicated freshmen or something. I’m Jared Padalecki, by the way.”
“Jensen Ackles. It’s nice to meet you.”
The door to the classroom slams open and a frazzled, dazed looking man with dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes steps into the room. “Is this Introductory Archaeology?”
“Yes,” replies the blonde girl in the front row “but the prof hasn’t shown up yet.”
“Oh. Yes. Well then,” he looks around the room, apparently confused, “that’s probably me. I’m Misha Collins, you can call me Misha, or Dr. Collins. One student last term called me Dr. Sexy, but you don’t have to, although I personally think it is quite catchy. I am here to cram your brains full of information about ancient civilizations and dead societies, which you will then destroy by drinking lots of beer. Please try to do that after the final exam. At least, I recommend that you do so. I weep when marking bad exams. And then my wife worries. No one wants that.” He looks around the classroom. “I have syllabi. Please take one and pass the rest along.” He hands the stack of papers to the blond in the front row so that they can start circulating the room.
“Basically, we’ll meet here three times a week. I will prattle on about the topic for that day and you will write down what I say to pretend to study later. The syllabus has a table-thingie which tells which topic will be covered on which day and which readings to do for that topic. Try to do the readings beforehand. Then we don’t have to listen to you asking stupid questions which are answered plainly in the text”. Misha pauses and adjusts his tweed blazer. “Does anyone know if the bookstore finally received the textbook?”
“Yeah, it was there yesterday when I went to check” replies a voice from the back of the room.
“Ah, good. Also, class, this is your TA, Michael Rosenbaum. He will email out his office hours. I advise you pick his brains whenever you get a chance. Although not literally, since he will need his brains to teach you and to mark your stuff. Do not dissect him. You will not get extra credit.”
Jared turns around and picks out who Dr. Collins is referring to; a young man with brown hair and blue eyes is sprawled out across his desk and is playing with his pen in a semi-lewd manner. Yep, this class is going to be a treat.
“There will also be a lab for this course.” Dr. Collins continues. “You will have chosen which lab section you are attending when you signed up for the class. If you haven’t signed up for a lab section yet, the registrar’s office fucked up somehow and you should go talk to them. There is a midterm exam, a final exam, a paper due at the end of the course and one assignment which will be described during your lab section, and those four parts will make up your grade for this class. Are there any questions?”
It’s so silent in the classroom you could hear crickets chirp.
“Good. I need coffee. I’ll see you on Wednesday.” With that, Professor Collins leaves the room, seemingly dismissing the class for the day.
“That was ...interesting” Jared states as he starts to pack up his stuff . “At least this class won’t be boring.” Although, internally, Jared had kinda hoped this class would be dull so that he could spend his time in class looking at Jensen and pick up what he needed to pass the class from the textbooks.
“Yeah” Jensen replies “although with it being so early, I was kinda hoping that this class could be the one I routinely sleep through. I’m thinking that may not be happening.” They both stand up and head out of the classroom.
“Is this an elective for you?” Jared asks. “Anthro is my major. Or at least, that’s my plan.”
“Yeah, I’m a biology student. I heard it was a good choice for an arts option to complete your degree. I was worried that I would have to take something that would bore me to tears.”
“You’re not in your first year, are you?”
“Fourth. But this is your first year?”
“Yeah. It’s all a bit of a shock to the system. I’ll count myself lucky if I don’t end up a missing person by the end of the week. You could seriously get lost forever around here.”
“It is a bit wild, but you’ll get used to it. If you need help navigating the shark infested waters, let me know. But later. I have to rush back across campus and find my next class. It was nice meeting you, Jared.”
“Yeah, you too. And thanks.”
With a wave, Jensen is gone.
“Hey, I don’t want to alarm you, Jenny boy, but I think you may have a stalker.” Chris says with a wink and a grin.
“Don’t call me Jenny. Don’t call be boy. And I don’t believe you.” Jensen takes a look around the packed beer gardens anyways, but nothing obvious (like a man wearing all black including a ski mask or a crazy lady holding a bloody knife) sticks out. Jensen notes the long line for beer, and the mosh pit in front of the live band, but no stalker.
“Over there. He looks like a puppy dog. Mind you, a very large overgrown, gay puppy dog. And he’s surrounded by beautiful women.”
Jensen pauses and looks at his roommate and best friend. “Let me guess, you’re plotting up something to get rid of the puppy dog and situate yourself amongst the beautiful women aren’t you?” Jensen pulls a mock-shocked face. “Honestly, Chris, I’m offended. Using me to get to hordes of beautiful women. Treating me as disposable...time after time sending me to go hit on some guy so the girl or girls they are with are free..” Jensen straightens his face back to his normal expression. “Plus, how do you even know he’s gay?”
“Ah, baby it’s not like that. You know you’ll always be my Jenny boy.” Chris’ grin widens. “But if you could get rid of tall, dark and puppy, that would be awesome.” Chris waggles his eyebrows.
Jensen rolls his eyes and sighs. Sometimes it was just best to go along with Chris and his schemes. “Ok, where is he?”
“The tall one, dark, floppy hair, over there to your right. He keeps looking at you. I swear. I’ve learned a thing or two the last few times that this particular plan hasn’t worked. Plus, would I lie to you?”
Jensen snorts. “Yeah, it’s only taken you three years to catch on. And you lie to me repeatedly.” Jensen looks around. “Wait, you mean the guy at the table over there? Blue t-shirt? With the two brunettes? That’s Jared. He’s in my archaeology class. He was probably just trying to place where he knows me from or something. Trust me. He’s not gay.” Jensen had been hoping all through class yesterday, and during their conversation afterwards, that Jared would hint that he was gay but he appeared to be as straight as an arrow.
“So, what you’re telling me is that you know Mr. tall, dark, puppyish and hangs out with gorgeous women? Dude, you’re holding out on me!” Chris slams his hand down on the table. “This is awesome. Let’s go join them.”
“Hold on, Einstein. We’re not gonna just go over and join them. I think you’re forgetting that we are holding this table” Jensen gestures to the long rectangular table they’re sitting at “for when Tom, Mike and Steve can meet us. The table Jared is at doesn’t have any empty seats, or room for more seats. Tables are a bit of a hot commodity right now, my friend. We stay here, gorgeous girls or no.”
“Fine. Foil me with your logic, once again, but dude, I swear the kid was checking you out.”
“Fine. He was checking me out. I believe you. Really.” Jensen smacks Chris. “Or he was trying to figure out why my idiotic friend kept staring at him and how lame I must be to hang out with a loser like you.” Jensen picks up his plastic cup and drains what is left of it. “Go get us more beer.”
“Yes, Princess. Are you sure you don’t want a girly drink to go with your tiara?”
Jensen stares at Chris. “Beer. Now. No girly drinks. At least not until Mike is here. I hate drinking those alone.”
“I’ll be right back. Plus, this gives your stalker ample opportunity to come over and ask your lame ass out.”
Jensen scoffs and watches Chris saunter away, knowing full well that it may be a while before he sees him again. The girls selling beer are hot and Chris is, well, Chris. Jensen pulls out his textbook and starts reading, enjoying the sunshine while he can. It may be weird to start studying in the beer gardens on the second day of classes but this semester, other than his archaeology class, is going to be rough.
“Hey?”
Jensen replies without looking up from the book he’s reading. “Yes, the chairs are all taken, they just aren’t being occupied at the moment. Go ask someone else.”
“Um, ok, but that’s not what I was gonna ask...”
Jensen looks up, and smiles sheepishly. “Oh, um, hey Jared. Sorry, I’ve been getting asked that a lot. Chris left to get us beer 20 minutes ago and disappeared and the other guys haven’t gotten here yet. Wanna sit?”
“Sure.” Jared sits across from him in the seat that Chris had been occupying. “So, how are your classes so far?”
“Killer. I want to go back in time and slap Freshman me and tell him NOT to sign up for the honours program, under any circumstances. I’ll be lucky to make it through this year alive. How about you? Is university everything you expected so far?”
“Yeah, no, it’s awesome. The classes are good. Some more challenging than others. And everyone seems nice and friendly. Excited for a new school year. Man, it is not like high school, that’s for sure. You can really be yourself without losing the popularity dance.”
“That’s right sugar, you ain’t in Kansas anymore.” A voice calls out from behind Jared and he turns around to see a man dressed in worn jeans and a white shirt. Blue eyes peer out at him from underneath the cowboy hat perched over his shoulder length brown hair.
“And this would be the thorn in my side of a best friend, Christian Kane.” Jensen gestures to Chris as Chris pulls out a chair beside Jensen, flips it around and straddles the back of it. “Chris, this is Jared. We have archaeology together.”
“Nice to meet you, Jared.” Chris nods in Jared’s direction, slides one of the two plastic cups he had brought over towards Jensen, then takes a drink out of the one he kept.
Jensen looks down at the offered drink. “Ah, hell, Chris. I said no girly drinks. It’s even pink.”
“It’s strawberry, princess. Would you believe me if I told you they were out of beer?”
“No.” Was Jensen’s quick reply.
“So, I take it ya’all have been friends for a while?” Jared enquires.
“Yeah.” Jensen smiles wickedly at Chris, whose expression sours as he realizes what’s coming next. “We met freshmen year, right before Christmas break, at a dorm party. Chris here was wasted -”
“I was not wasted” Chris interjects “I was simply having a good time.”
Jensen shoots a look at Chris. “As I was saying, Chris was wasted. I was not.”
“Bullshit.”
“And Chris decided that it was a perfect time to go streaking across the football field. The moron takes all of his clothes off then starts to go around the room asking people - mostly hot girls by the way - to join him. I had the pleasure of trying to convince him to put the dragon back in its cave, at the very least, but preferably to put all of his clothes back on before he either froze to death or got arrested. Plus, he was scaring the ladies.”
“Ya always were a spoilsport. Never let me have any fun. And they were not scared. They were captivated. Their minds were blown with the sheer awesome that is me naked.” Chris shakes his head and lets out a sigh.
“He’s been following me ever since.” Jensen explains to Jared. “Can’t seem to shake him. He’s just...” Jensen pauses. “Always there.”
“Yeah, I have a friend like that, too.” Jared replies. “His name’s Chad. We met in grade eight and the dude has been following me ever since. He even followed me across state to go here at A&M. He’s always trying to get me to go out, drink, have fun, meet guys, get laid...”
“Hey! Jenny!! You started drinking the girly drinks without me!” a loud, booming voice interrupts Jared, and he misses the knowing look that Chris shoots towards Jensen. Or the dirty look that Jensen shoots back towards Chris.
“’Jenny’?” Jared enquires with a raised eyebrow, turning back to face Jensen.
“Don’t even. They’re not supposed to call me that and you aren’t allowed to start.” Jensen turns around towards Mike and sticks up his middle finger by way of greeting. “Hey Mikey. Tom. Steve. How you guys doing? Meet Jared, he’s in my archaeology class. Jared, you’ve met Mike already. He’s our TA.” The new arrivals claim seats around the table.
“Yeah, hey. I thought you looked familiar,” replies Jared.
“Jenny here is my attentive pupil. He does anything wrong, I get out the paddle and let loose on his delectable ass. I have this whole student/teacher, punishment/reward system all worked out.” With that, Jared immediately realizes that the semi-lewd motions he noticed yesterday with Mike’s pen were likely not accidental, but were an integral part of Mike’s personality.
“And that would be why Mike has been told that he’s not allowed to mark my stuff by the department heads.” replied Jensen.
“It’s not my fault that the one class I listed as containing a conflict of interest was the one class they offered me a TA position for. You were already nice and registered in Misha’s class, at my suggestion too, and I can, and have, TA’d a number of different classes that are offered, but this is the one I got offered this term. So, Misha will mark your stuff.”
“So...” Jared hesitates “you and Jensen are...” he pauses again “boyfriends?” Jared raises a confused eyebrow.
Five pairs of eyes land on Jared, then they all burst out laughing.
“No.” replies Mike. “God, no. Never. Not that there’s anything wrong with Jensen. It’s just that it’s... Well, it’s Jensen. Plus, why would I want Jensen, when I can have this lovely hunk of man meat right here?” and with that he slings his arms around the tall dark haired man to his side who had been introduced as Tom. He appeared to be the quiet type. That seemed to suit Mike’s personality, who so far had a lot to say, most of the time. “No, Jensen is a conflict of interest because he’s my friend. And has been since elementary school.”
“Which is far too long to have been hanging out with your sorry ass.” Jensen replied.
“Besides” chimes in Chris “our Jenny here is a romantic. Him and Mike as a couple would result in double murder-suicide. They’d kill each other, then kill themselves. Jensen is waiting for ‘The One’.” Chris air quotes.
“I am not waiting for ‘The One.’” Jensen mimes Chris’s air quotes. “That’s something you and Mike cooked up one night to explain why I’m not a whore, like you Chris, or a sex maniac like Mike. There is nothing wrong with being selective about who you date.”
“You don’t date.” Steve points out.
“So, I’m very selective with who I date.”
“Who was the last guy you dated? It was Jeff, wasn’t it? That was two years ago, but I bet it was Jeff.” says Chris, far too insightfully.
“So what if it was Jeff.” Jensen turns to Jared. “See what you started. Now we’re gonna play ‘critique Jensen’s love life’ for the rest of the afternoon.”
“Sorry.” Jared shrugs. “I didn’t know. If it makes you feel better, Chad and Sophia have been playing a version of this game, starring me, for the last couple of years. Want me to change to subject?”
“Please.” Jensen shoots Jared a grateful smile.
“What other classes do you have? You said honours biology right? You must have a pretty heavy work load other than our Anthro class?“
By some form of silent agreement, the other four men at the table start talking about the ball hockey tournament they had signed up for and leave Jared and Jensen to talk.
“Yeah, I have three bio classes, all various topics of ecology, and a stats class. The stats class is also required for my degree. I’m still trying to figure out where I’m going to fit sleeping, eating, and occasionally going to the gym into my schedule. It’s not looking promising. How about you? What other classes are you signed up for?”
“Um, English, history and a bio class. All first year introductory classes. And hopefully not too heavy of a work load. I’m trying to take a mix of things this year to see what I like and what I want to focus on.”
“It’s a really good idea.”
“So, which Anthro lab did you sign up for? Mine’s Friday afternoon.”
“I’m Friday afternoon, too. At 2? I chose the 2 o’clock lab. Means, hopefully, most Fridays Mike will take pity on us and not keep us there too late.”
“Awesome. I think we’re in the same lab. Wanna be lab partners? It’ll totally rock if I know my lab partner already.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Jensen takes a sip of his drink. “You know, don’t tell them,” he gestures with his chin towards his friends “but this stuff isn’t half bad.”
Jared holds up his wrist, showing off his florescent pink plastic bracelet. “Officially, being underage and all, I have no idea what that tastes like and as a result have no opinion on the matter. Unofficially, I gotta say you’re crazy. That stuff tastes like swill. I’m a beer man myself.” Jared shakes his head and wrinkles his nose in distaste.
“No fake id, huh? They carded you at the gate? That is one fancy-ass beacon of underage-ness you have there. I figured with your height they would just let you pass.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t planning on coming in to the beer gardens. I’m still super busy unpacking my room in the dorms. My friend Sandy made me come with her after class. And I, shockingly enough, don’t own a fake id. Chad does. Between him and my older brother, I do well enough. I get into bars no problem, likely due to the height, and even more easily if I don’t shave. I think they’re carding everyone here today. Hence the snappy jewellery.” Jared smiles and holds his wrist up to his chest. “I think it matches my shirt quite nicely.”
Jensen chuckles. “Right. I gotta say, man, pink is your colour.” His reply is dripping with sarcasm.
Jared’s face shifts as he notices someone approaching behind Jensen.
“Hey, Soph, what’s wrong?” Jared enquires over Jensen’s shoulder.
Jensen turns and notices one of the brunettes that Jared had been sitting with before is now approaching, and her red-rimmed eyes hint that she has been crying.
“Hey, Jared, sorry to interrupt.” She gives Jensen a shaky smile. “I uh, I was wondering if I could steal you away. Your best friend is being a douche again.”
“Oh, god, what has Chad done now? Why do I assume that it is safe to leave him alone in public? With beer?”
“God, he makes me so angry!” It becomes apparent quite quickly that her tears are not of sadness, but of frustration. “He needs to be bailed out of the security office. He picked a fight with a guy I was talking to. He just doesn’t seem to understand that we broke up over six months ago. And it was an innocent conversation! I met Frank and his girlfriend in class on Monday, but Chad saw us talking and leapt to conclusions and clocked the guy. That’s when security took Chad to their office. I need you to hold on to him when we get him, so he doesn’t come right back here and try hitting Frank again.”
Jared smiles at Jensen. “I gotta go.”
“Duty calls.” Jensen replies. “It never ends when your best friend is a douche.” Jensen turns in his seat to face Chris. “Hey, Chris, how many times have I bailed you out?”
“Last count? Seven. I plan at least three more this year so I can graduate with an even ten.” Chris raises his beer cup in a salute.
Jensen turns back to Jared and Sophia. “I totally understand. See you in class tomorrow? Do I need to save you a seat or are you better at leaving the dorms on time now?”
“Um, better save a seat, just in case. See you tomorrow, Jensen.” Jared walks off with Sophia.
Jensen turns to look back at his friends. “Don’t even say it, Chris.” Jensen says when he notices the smug expression on his friend’s face. “He alluded to being gay. He never said he was gay. And he never indicated that he was interested in me.”
“Right, you keep practicing that song and dance sweetheart, and maybe someone will believe you, but not me. That guy” Chris gestures in the direction Jared disappeared in “is crazy about you. Just wait and see.”
And with that, the conversation reverts back to ball hockey and strategies for winning this year’s intramurals.
“I’m so sorry, Jay. I just don’t know what to do. Lately Chad seems to only listen to you. But I know how much you wanted a chance to talk to Jensen outside of class.” Sophia starts as soon as they are out of earshot of Jensen and his friends.
“Don’t worry about it, Soph. It’s not your fault. These things happen. What did happen? When I left, you and Sandy were happily talking to people you had met in class. Chad wasn’t even here.”
“He just showed up. I was talking to Frank, and I guess Chad got jealous or something. He just hauled Frank out of his seat and started hitting him. I tried to talk to Chad, explain what was going on, that Frank is just a guy I met in class, but campus security hauled him away. Every time I talk to Chad, he just goes on and on about ‘when we get back together’ but there is no chance of that happening, especially with him acting like this. I keep expecting Chad to grow up, stop acting like we’re in high school, but I think it may be a lost cause.”
“I think you may be waiting a long time, at the very least. Chad hasn’t changed since I met him. Some guys never grow out of it.”
“Yeah, I know. But a girl can dream. I mean, Chad isn’t a bad guy, we had a lot of good times, too. Maybe we just need some distance, then we can go back to being friends again. I do miss being friends with Chad.”
“We did have some fun times.” Jared nods in agreement. “I dunno, maybe at some point, Chad will move on. Give him a few weeks of university life. I’m sure he’ll be fine once he meets lots of new girls, take his mind off of trying to get back with you, move on. I mean, isn’t that what university is for? I mean, yeah, classes, education, blah blah blah, but everyone knows that we’re also here to get laid.”
“Sounds like you’re speaking from experience! Did you ask out the gorgeous man with the soulful green eyes?”
Jared chuckles at his friends teasing. “Nah, but I did find out he’s gay. So, there’s that.”
“Really!? You have to ask him out! How could he resist you! And you would make a hot couple. You should woo him.”
“Woo him? What are we? The stars of your tawdry romance novels? I’m not going to woo him.”
Sophia laughs and elbows Jared in the side. “Just do it subtly. To see if he’s interested. Flirt a little, give him those puppy eyes. Touch him casually on the arm, see how he reacts. You’ll have him eating out of the palm of your hand in no time!”
Jared laughs. “Sophia, I think you may be evil. But also a genius.”
“You should do it. Then tell me everything in great detail.”
“Right. I’m not telling you everything, but I’ll try out your plan. I mean, what have I got to lose?”
“Nothing. And everything to gain.” Sophia smiles up at him.
“Sometimes, Soph, I think you are wise beyond your years.” Jared throws his arm over Sophia’s shoulder and gives her a light squeeze. “Now let’s go spring Chad from the campus security office and see how much grovelling we can make him do.”
“Oh, I like this plan, too. Let’s do that.”
Jared walks into archaeology class five minutes early on Wednesday morning and spots Jensen sitting in the same seat he was in on Monday, with his backpack on the seat next to him. Jared walks up to him and gestures with one of the coffee cups he’s holding towards the seat and asks “is that seat for me?”
Jensen looks up. “If you sit here, where am I going to put my bag?” His comment holds little sting, because as he says it, he picks up his backpack and puts it under his seat. “I don’t think you need two large coffees to get you through this class. It’s only the second lecture. Save that kind of dependency for at least half way into the semester.”
“Ass. See if I bring you coffee ever again.” Jared sets one of the coffees down on Jensen’s desk, and sits down at his own desk. He pulls creamers and sugar packets out of his jacket pocket and puts them on his desk. “I didn’t know how you took it, so I grabbed a bunch of everything.”
“Thanks, Jared. You really didn’t need to bring me coffee. And black, I drink it black. Just for reference. If you ever need to know in the future, or whatever.” He brings the paper cup up to his nose and takes a big sniff, followed by a very satisfied sigh.
Jared just nods and starts to pour packet after packet of sugar into his coffee. After at least three, he repeats with an equal amount of cream. Jensen watches in fascination.
“Dude. Do you want coffee with your sugar? What the hell?”
“Hmm? Oh, sweet tooth. I never could get used to drinking it black.”
“That’s insane.” Jensen shakes his head in disbelief. “Oh, hey. Did you get your friend bailed out?”
“Yeah, the rat bastard. I had to wait for them to question him, and they wouldn’t let him go until he sobered up a little. Turns out he was in a fighting mood AND just a little loaded, and it’s possible that the two are related. So, by the time he was released I was more than a little pissed. But Sophia was worse. Chad said some things he really shouldn’t have to that poor guy before he hit him. She just tore into Chad. I kinda feel bad for him. Chad just collapsed with exhaustion by the time we got him back to his dorm room. It turned into a pretty late night, all in all.”
“Yet you made it here in time, with time to spare to get coffee on your way. That’s more than I can usually manage with my mornings.”
Jared shrugs. “I’m actually an early riser. I like mornings. I just don’t always do well with directions or maps. And this place is literally a maze.”
“Yeah, there are rumours about the architects who designed the various buildings. Most people think that they were designed by the criminally insane as some sort of community outreach project or something. It does take getting used to.”
The door to the classroom slams open and Misha staggers in. “Good morning class. Today we are going to talk about context. Your new favourite word is context. It is one of the fundamental concepts in archaeology. Everything is relevant within a certain context. When you find an artifact, it is near worthless to an archaeologist, unless you know the context in which it was found. When you are in the middle of the Sahara, or are with the Tribes of New Guinea, their way of life is interpreted through a certain context. Context is the circumstances within which an event occurs. Context is the perspective used to explain a series of events. We can describe a noun, that’s a person, place or thing to you who were not taught grammar in public school, anthropologically using context. It is your new favourite concept. Use it. Love it. Breathe it. Let’s start by looking at the Assyrians...”
Jared looks over to Jensen bent over his desk, taking notes. Yeah, taking this class was an awesome idea. Possibly the best idea he’s had to date. All roads that led to Jensen Ackles had to be a good thing.
Onto Part Two
Back to Master Post
September 4, 2000
Jared Padalecki rushes into his Introductory Archaeology class at ten minutes after nine Monday morning and sits down in the only empty seat left. It’s the first day of class and he’s late. He didn’t realize that the arts building, where his first class is located, was so far from his dorm room. It all looks so close on the small map that was provided as part of his orientation package. First days suck.
And of course, just my luck, the only empty seat happens to be next to the cutest guy in class. Not a problem. Unless you like passing your classes instead of spending all your time lusting after the guy next to you. Then it becomes a problem. I’m not in high school anymore. I don’t want a Dean’s vacation. I made it here, I want to stay here. I have to work hard if I want to stay here.
Jared looks around and notices that a lot of the other students are engaged in conversation, and the professor is absent. He pulls out a pen and his notebook. And he does not subtly glance to his side to notice how gorgeous those green eyes are or how soft the dark brown hair looks. No, he does not.
“You made it just in time. How much you wanna bet the prof got lost too?”
“Huh?” Jared turns to the catalyst of his thoughts regarding failure and returning home to work retail. “Oh, yeah this building is like a maze. Must have been designed to weed out the undedicated freshmen or something. I’m Jared Padalecki, by the way.”
“Jensen Ackles. It’s nice to meet you.”
The door to the classroom slams open and a frazzled, dazed looking man with dark brown hair and piercing blue eyes steps into the room. “Is this Introductory Archaeology?”
“Yes,” replies the blonde girl in the front row “but the prof hasn’t shown up yet.”
“Oh. Yes. Well then,” he looks around the room, apparently confused, “that’s probably me. I’m Misha Collins, you can call me Misha, or Dr. Collins. One student last term called me Dr. Sexy, but you don’t have to, although I personally think it is quite catchy. I am here to cram your brains full of information about ancient civilizations and dead societies, which you will then destroy by drinking lots of beer. Please try to do that after the final exam. At least, I recommend that you do so. I weep when marking bad exams. And then my wife worries. No one wants that.” He looks around the classroom. “I have syllabi. Please take one and pass the rest along.” He hands the stack of papers to the blond in the front row so that they can start circulating the room.
“Basically, we’ll meet here three times a week. I will prattle on about the topic for that day and you will write down what I say to pretend to study later. The syllabus has a table-thingie which tells which topic will be covered on which day and which readings to do for that topic. Try to do the readings beforehand. Then we don’t have to listen to you asking stupid questions which are answered plainly in the text”. Misha pauses and adjusts his tweed blazer. “Does anyone know if the bookstore finally received the textbook?”
“Yeah, it was there yesterday when I went to check” replies a voice from the back of the room.
“Ah, good. Also, class, this is your TA, Michael Rosenbaum. He will email out his office hours. I advise you pick his brains whenever you get a chance. Although not literally, since he will need his brains to teach you and to mark your stuff. Do not dissect him. You will not get extra credit.”
Jared turns around and picks out who Dr. Collins is referring to; a young man with brown hair and blue eyes is sprawled out across his desk and is playing with his pen in a semi-lewd manner. Yep, this class is going to be a treat.
“There will also be a lab for this course.” Dr. Collins continues. “You will have chosen which lab section you are attending when you signed up for the class. If you haven’t signed up for a lab section yet, the registrar’s office fucked up somehow and you should go talk to them. There is a midterm exam, a final exam, a paper due at the end of the course and one assignment which will be described during your lab section, and those four parts will make up your grade for this class. Are there any questions?”
It’s so silent in the classroom you could hear crickets chirp.
“Good. I need coffee. I’ll see you on Wednesday.” With that, Professor Collins leaves the room, seemingly dismissing the class for the day.
“That was ...interesting” Jared states as he starts to pack up his stuff . “At least this class won’t be boring.” Although, internally, Jared had kinda hoped this class would be dull so that he could spend his time in class looking at Jensen and pick up what he needed to pass the class from the textbooks.
“Yeah” Jensen replies “although with it being so early, I was kinda hoping that this class could be the one I routinely sleep through. I’m thinking that may not be happening.” They both stand up and head out of the classroom.
“Is this an elective for you?” Jared asks. “Anthro is my major. Or at least, that’s my plan.”
“Yeah, I’m a biology student. I heard it was a good choice for an arts option to complete your degree. I was worried that I would have to take something that would bore me to tears.”
“You’re not in your first year, are you?”
“Fourth. But this is your first year?”
“Yeah. It’s all a bit of a shock to the system. I’ll count myself lucky if I don’t end up a missing person by the end of the week. You could seriously get lost forever around here.”
“It is a bit wild, but you’ll get used to it. If you need help navigating the shark infested waters, let me know. But later. I have to rush back across campus and find my next class. It was nice meeting you, Jared.”
“Yeah, you too. And thanks.”
With a wave, Jensen is gone.
“Hey, I don’t want to alarm you, Jenny boy, but I think you may have a stalker.” Chris says with a wink and a grin.
“Don’t call me Jenny. Don’t call be boy. And I don’t believe you.” Jensen takes a look around the packed beer gardens anyways, but nothing obvious (like a man wearing all black including a ski mask or a crazy lady holding a bloody knife) sticks out. Jensen notes the long line for beer, and the mosh pit in front of the live band, but no stalker.
“Over there. He looks like a puppy dog. Mind you, a very large overgrown, gay puppy dog. And he’s surrounded by beautiful women.”
Jensen pauses and looks at his roommate and best friend. “Let me guess, you’re plotting up something to get rid of the puppy dog and situate yourself amongst the beautiful women aren’t you?” Jensen pulls a mock-shocked face. “Honestly, Chris, I’m offended. Using me to get to hordes of beautiful women. Treating me as disposable...time after time sending me to go hit on some guy so the girl or girls they are with are free..” Jensen straightens his face back to his normal expression. “Plus, how do you even know he’s gay?”
“Ah, baby it’s not like that. You know you’ll always be my Jenny boy.” Chris’ grin widens. “But if you could get rid of tall, dark and puppy, that would be awesome.” Chris waggles his eyebrows.
Jensen rolls his eyes and sighs. Sometimes it was just best to go along with Chris and his schemes. “Ok, where is he?”
“The tall one, dark, floppy hair, over there to your right. He keeps looking at you. I swear. I’ve learned a thing or two the last few times that this particular plan hasn’t worked. Plus, would I lie to you?”
Jensen snorts. “Yeah, it’s only taken you three years to catch on. And you lie to me repeatedly.” Jensen looks around. “Wait, you mean the guy at the table over there? Blue t-shirt? With the two brunettes? That’s Jared. He’s in my archaeology class. He was probably just trying to place where he knows me from or something. Trust me. He’s not gay.” Jensen had been hoping all through class yesterday, and during their conversation afterwards, that Jared would hint that he was gay but he appeared to be as straight as an arrow.
“So, what you’re telling me is that you know Mr. tall, dark, puppyish and hangs out with gorgeous women? Dude, you’re holding out on me!” Chris slams his hand down on the table. “This is awesome. Let’s go join them.”
“Hold on, Einstein. We’re not gonna just go over and join them. I think you’re forgetting that we are holding this table” Jensen gestures to the long rectangular table they’re sitting at “for when Tom, Mike and Steve can meet us. The table Jared is at doesn’t have any empty seats, or room for more seats. Tables are a bit of a hot commodity right now, my friend. We stay here, gorgeous girls or no.”
“Fine. Foil me with your logic, once again, but dude, I swear the kid was checking you out.”
“Fine. He was checking me out. I believe you. Really.” Jensen smacks Chris. “Or he was trying to figure out why my idiotic friend kept staring at him and how lame I must be to hang out with a loser like you.” Jensen picks up his plastic cup and drains what is left of it. “Go get us more beer.”
“Yes, Princess. Are you sure you don’t want a girly drink to go with your tiara?”
Jensen stares at Chris. “Beer. Now. No girly drinks. At least not until Mike is here. I hate drinking those alone.”
“I’ll be right back. Plus, this gives your stalker ample opportunity to come over and ask your lame ass out.”
Jensen scoffs and watches Chris saunter away, knowing full well that it may be a while before he sees him again. The girls selling beer are hot and Chris is, well, Chris. Jensen pulls out his textbook and starts reading, enjoying the sunshine while he can. It may be weird to start studying in the beer gardens on the second day of classes but this semester, other than his archaeology class, is going to be rough.
“Hey?”
Jensen replies without looking up from the book he’s reading. “Yes, the chairs are all taken, they just aren’t being occupied at the moment. Go ask someone else.”
“Um, ok, but that’s not what I was gonna ask...”
Jensen looks up, and smiles sheepishly. “Oh, um, hey Jared. Sorry, I’ve been getting asked that a lot. Chris left to get us beer 20 minutes ago and disappeared and the other guys haven’t gotten here yet. Wanna sit?”
“Sure.” Jared sits across from him in the seat that Chris had been occupying. “So, how are your classes so far?”
“Killer. I want to go back in time and slap Freshman me and tell him NOT to sign up for the honours program, under any circumstances. I’ll be lucky to make it through this year alive. How about you? Is university everything you expected so far?”
“Yeah, no, it’s awesome. The classes are good. Some more challenging than others. And everyone seems nice and friendly. Excited for a new school year. Man, it is not like high school, that’s for sure. You can really be yourself without losing the popularity dance.”
“That’s right sugar, you ain’t in Kansas anymore.” A voice calls out from behind Jared and he turns around to see a man dressed in worn jeans and a white shirt. Blue eyes peer out at him from underneath the cowboy hat perched over his shoulder length brown hair.
“And this would be the thorn in my side of a best friend, Christian Kane.” Jensen gestures to Chris as Chris pulls out a chair beside Jensen, flips it around and straddles the back of it. “Chris, this is Jared. We have archaeology together.”
“Nice to meet you, Jared.” Chris nods in Jared’s direction, slides one of the two plastic cups he had brought over towards Jensen, then takes a drink out of the one he kept.
Jensen looks down at the offered drink. “Ah, hell, Chris. I said no girly drinks. It’s even pink.”
“It’s strawberry, princess. Would you believe me if I told you they were out of beer?”
“No.” Was Jensen’s quick reply.
“So, I take it ya’all have been friends for a while?” Jared enquires.
“Yeah.” Jensen smiles wickedly at Chris, whose expression sours as he realizes what’s coming next. “We met freshmen year, right before Christmas break, at a dorm party. Chris here was wasted -”
“I was not wasted” Chris interjects “I was simply having a good time.”
Jensen shoots a look at Chris. “As I was saying, Chris was wasted. I was not.”
“Bullshit.”
“And Chris decided that it was a perfect time to go streaking across the football field. The moron takes all of his clothes off then starts to go around the room asking people - mostly hot girls by the way - to join him. I had the pleasure of trying to convince him to put the dragon back in its cave, at the very least, but preferably to put all of his clothes back on before he either froze to death or got arrested. Plus, he was scaring the ladies.”
“Ya always were a spoilsport. Never let me have any fun. And they were not scared. They were captivated. Their minds were blown with the sheer awesome that is me naked.” Chris shakes his head and lets out a sigh.
“He’s been following me ever since.” Jensen explains to Jared. “Can’t seem to shake him. He’s just...” Jensen pauses. “Always there.”
“Yeah, I have a friend like that, too.” Jared replies. “His name’s Chad. We met in grade eight and the dude has been following me ever since. He even followed me across state to go here at A&M. He’s always trying to get me to go out, drink, have fun, meet guys, get laid...”
“Hey! Jenny!! You started drinking the girly drinks without me!” a loud, booming voice interrupts Jared, and he misses the knowing look that Chris shoots towards Jensen. Or the dirty look that Jensen shoots back towards Chris.
“’Jenny’?” Jared enquires with a raised eyebrow, turning back to face Jensen.
“Don’t even. They’re not supposed to call me that and you aren’t allowed to start.” Jensen turns around towards Mike and sticks up his middle finger by way of greeting. “Hey Mikey. Tom. Steve. How you guys doing? Meet Jared, he’s in my archaeology class. Jared, you’ve met Mike already. He’s our TA.” The new arrivals claim seats around the table.
“Yeah, hey. I thought you looked familiar,” replies Jared.
“Jenny here is my attentive pupil. He does anything wrong, I get out the paddle and let loose on his delectable ass. I have this whole student/teacher, punishment/reward system all worked out.” With that, Jared immediately realizes that the semi-lewd motions he noticed yesterday with Mike’s pen were likely not accidental, but were an integral part of Mike’s personality.
“And that would be why Mike has been told that he’s not allowed to mark my stuff by the department heads.” replied Jensen.
“It’s not my fault that the one class I listed as containing a conflict of interest was the one class they offered me a TA position for. You were already nice and registered in Misha’s class, at my suggestion too, and I can, and have, TA’d a number of different classes that are offered, but this is the one I got offered this term. So, Misha will mark your stuff.”
“So...” Jared hesitates “you and Jensen are...” he pauses again “boyfriends?” Jared raises a confused eyebrow.
Five pairs of eyes land on Jared, then they all burst out laughing.
“No.” replies Mike. “God, no. Never. Not that there’s anything wrong with Jensen. It’s just that it’s... Well, it’s Jensen. Plus, why would I want Jensen, when I can have this lovely hunk of man meat right here?” and with that he slings his arms around the tall dark haired man to his side who had been introduced as Tom. He appeared to be the quiet type. That seemed to suit Mike’s personality, who so far had a lot to say, most of the time. “No, Jensen is a conflict of interest because he’s my friend. And has been since elementary school.”
“Which is far too long to have been hanging out with your sorry ass.” Jensen replied.
“Besides” chimes in Chris “our Jenny here is a romantic. Him and Mike as a couple would result in double murder-suicide. They’d kill each other, then kill themselves. Jensen is waiting for ‘The One’.” Chris air quotes.
“I am not waiting for ‘The One.’” Jensen mimes Chris’s air quotes. “That’s something you and Mike cooked up one night to explain why I’m not a whore, like you Chris, or a sex maniac like Mike. There is nothing wrong with being selective about who you date.”
“You don’t date.” Steve points out.
“So, I’m very selective with who I date.”
“Who was the last guy you dated? It was Jeff, wasn’t it? That was two years ago, but I bet it was Jeff.” says Chris, far too insightfully.
“So what if it was Jeff.” Jensen turns to Jared. “See what you started. Now we’re gonna play ‘critique Jensen’s love life’ for the rest of the afternoon.”
“Sorry.” Jared shrugs. “I didn’t know. If it makes you feel better, Chad and Sophia have been playing a version of this game, starring me, for the last couple of years. Want me to change to subject?”
“Please.” Jensen shoots Jared a grateful smile.
“What other classes do you have? You said honours biology right? You must have a pretty heavy work load other than our Anthro class?“
By some form of silent agreement, the other four men at the table start talking about the ball hockey tournament they had signed up for and leave Jared and Jensen to talk.
“Yeah, I have three bio classes, all various topics of ecology, and a stats class. The stats class is also required for my degree. I’m still trying to figure out where I’m going to fit sleeping, eating, and occasionally going to the gym into my schedule. It’s not looking promising. How about you? What other classes are you signed up for?”
“Um, English, history and a bio class. All first year introductory classes. And hopefully not too heavy of a work load. I’m trying to take a mix of things this year to see what I like and what I want to focus on.”
“It’s a really good idea.”
“So, which Anthro lab did you sign up for? Mine’s Friday afternoon.”
“I’m Friday afternoon, too. At 2? I chose the 2 o’clock lab. Means, hopefully, most Fridays Mike will take pity on us and not keep us there too late.”
“Awesome. I think we’re in the same lab. Wanna be lab partners? It’ll totally rock if I know my lab partner already.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Jensen takes a sip of his drink. “You know, don’t tell them,” he gestures with his chin towards his friends “but this stuff isn’t half bad.”
Jared holds up his wrist, showing off his florescent pink plastic bracelet. “Officially, being underage and all, I have no idea what that tastes like and as a result have no opinion on the matter. Unofficially, I gotta say you’re crazy. That stuff tastes like swill. I’m a beer man myself.” Jared shakes his head and wrinkles his nose in distaste.
“No fake id, huh? They carded you at the gate? That is one fancy-ass beacon of underage-ness you have there. I figured with your height they would just let you pass.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t planning on coming in to the beer gardens. I’m still super busy unpacking my room in the dorms. My friend Sandy made me come with her after class. And I, shockingly enough, don’t own a fake id. Chad does. Between him and my older brother, I do well enough. I get into bars no problem, likely due to the height, and even more easily if I don’t shave. I think they’re carding everyone here today. Hence the snappy jewellery.” Jared smiles and holds his wrist up to his chest. “I think it matches my shirt quite nicely.”
Jensen chuckles. “Right. I gotta say, man, pink is your colour.” His reply is dripping with sarcasm.
Jared’s face shifts as he notices someone approaching behind Jensen.
“Hey, Soph, what’s wrong?” Jared enquires over Jensen’s shoulder.
Jensen turns and notices one of the brunettes that Jared had been sitting with before is now approaching, and her red-rimmed eyes hint that she has been crying.
“Hey, Jared, sorry to interrupt.” She gives Jensen a shaky smile. “I uh, I was wondering if I could steal you away. Your best friend is being a douche again.”
“Oh, god, what has Chad done now? Why do I assume that it is safe to leave him alone in public? With beer?”
“God, he makes me so angry!” It becomes apparent quite quickly that her tears are not of sadness, but of frustration. “He needs to be bailed out of the security office. He picked a fight with a guy I was talking to. He just doesn’t seem to understand that we broke up over six months ago. And it was an innocent conversation! I met Frank and his girlfriend in class on Monday, but Chad saw us talking and leapt to conclusions and clocked the guy. That’s when security took Chad to their office. I need you to hold on to him when we get him, so he doesn’t come right back here and try hitting Frank again.”
Jared smiles at Jensen. “I gotta go.”
“Duty calls.” Jensen replies. “It never ends when your best friend is a douche.” Jensen turns in his seat to face Chris. “Hey, Chris, how many times have I bailed you out?”
“Last count? Seven. I plan at least three more this year so I can graduate with an even ten.” Chris raises his beer cup in a salute.
Jensen turns back to Jared and Sophia. “I totally understand. See you in class tomorrow? Do I need to save you a seat or are you better at leaving the dorms on time now?”
“Um, better save a seat, just in case. See you tomorrow, Jensen.” Jared walks off with Sophia.
Jensen turns to look back at his friends. “Don’t even say it, Chris.” Jensen says when he notices the smug expression on his friend’s face. “He alluded to being gay. He never said he was gay. And he never indicated that he was interested in me.”
“Right, you keep practicing that song and dance sweetheart, and maybe someone will believe you, but not me. That guy” Chris gestures in the direction Jared disappeared in “is crazy about you. Just wait and see.”
And with that, the conversation reverts back to ball hockey and strategies for winning this year’s intramurals.
“I’m so sorry, Jay. I just don’t know what to do. Lately Chad seems to only listen to you. But I know how much you wanted a chance to talk to Jensen outside of class.” Sophia starts as soon as they are out of earshot of Jensen and his friends.
“Don’t worry about it, Soph. It’s not your fault. These things happen. What did happen? When I left, you and Sandy were happily talking to people you had met in class. Chad wasn’t even here.”
“He just showed up. I was talking to Frank, and I guess Chad got jealous or something. He just hauled Frank out of his seat and started hitting him. I tried to talk to Chad, explain what was going on, that Frank is just a guy I met in class, but campus security hauled him away. Every time I talk to Chad, he just goes on and on about ‘when we get back together’ but there is no chance of that happening, especially with him acting like this. I keep expecting Chad to grow up, stop acting like we’re in high school, but I think it may be a lost cause.”
“I think you may be waiting a long time, at the very least. Chad hasn’t changed since I met him. Some guys never grow out of it.”
“Yeah, I know. But a girl can dream. I mean, Chad isn’t a bad guy, we had a lot of good times, too. Maybe we just need some distance, then we can go back to being friends again. I do miss being friends with Chad.”
“We did have some fun times.” Jared nods in agreement. “I dunno, maybe at some point, Chad will move on. Give him a few weeks of university life. I’m sure he’ll be fine once he meets lots of new girls, take his mind off of trying to get back with you, move on. I mean, isn’t that what university is for? I mean, yeah, classes, education, blah blah blah, but everyone knows that we’re also here to get laid.”
“Sounds like you’re speaking from experience! Did you ask out the gorgeous man with the soulful green eyes?”
Jared chuckles at his friends teasing. “Nah, but I did find out he’s gay. So, there’s that.”
“Really!? You have to ask him out! How could he resist you! And you would make a hot couple. You should woo him.”
“Woo him? What are we? The stars of your tawdry romance novels? I’m not going to woo him.”
Sophia laughs and elbows Jared in the side. “Just do it subtly. To see if he’s interested. Flirt a little, give him those puppy eyes. Touch him casually on the arm, see how he reacts. You’ll have him eating out of the palm of your hand in no time!”
Jared laughs. “Sophia, I think you may be evil. But also a genius.”
“You should do it. Then tell me everything in great detail.”
“Right. I’m not telling you everything, but I’ll try out your plan. I mean, what have I got to lose?”
“Nothing. And everything to gain.” Sophia smiles up at him.
“Sometimes, Soph, I think you are wise beyond your years.” Jared throws his arm over Sophia’s shoulder and gives her a light squeeze. “Now let’s go spring Chad from the campus security office and see how much grovelling we can make him do.”
“Oh, I like this plan, too. Let’s do that.”
Jared walks into archaeology class five minutes early on Wednesday morning and spots Jensen sitting in the same seat he was in on Monday, with his backpack on the seat next to him. Jared walks up to him and gestures with one of the coffee cups he’s holding towards the seat and asks “is that seat for me?”
Jensen looks up. “If you sit here, where am I going to put my bag?” His comment holds little sting, because as he says it, he picks up his backpack and puts it under his seat. “I don’t think you need two large coffees to get you through this class. It’s only the second lecture. Save that kind of dependency for at least half way into the semester.”
“Ass. See if I bring you coffee ever again.” Jared sets one of the coffees down on Jensen’s desk, and sits down at his own desk. He pulls creamers and sugar packets out of his jacket pocket and puts them on his desk. “I didn’t know how you took it, so I grabbed a bunch of everything.”
“Thanks, Jared. You really didn’t need to bring me coffee. And black, I drink it black. Just for reference. If you ever need to know in the future, or whatever.” He brings the paper cup up to his nose and takes a big sniff, followed by a very satisfied sigh.
Jared just nods and starts to pour packet after packet of sugar into his coffee. After at least three, he repeats with an equal amount of cream. Jensen watches in fascination.
“Dude. Do you want coffee with your sugar? What the hell?”
“Hmm? Oh, sweet tooth. I never could get used to drinking it black.”
“That’s insane.” Jensen shakes his head in disbelief. “Oh, hey. Did you get your friend bailed out?”
“Yeah, the rat bastard. I had to wait for them to question him, and they wouldn’t let him go until he sobered up a little. Turns out he was in a fighting mood AND just a little loaded, and it’s possible that the two are related. So, by the time he was released I was more than a little pissed. But Sophia was worse. Chad said some things he really shouldn’t have to that poor guy before he hit him. She just tore into Chad. I kinda feel bad for him. Chad just collapsed with exhaustion by the time we got him back to his dorm room. It turned into a pretty late night, all in all.”
“Yet you made it here in time, with time to spare to get coffee on your way. That’s more than I can usually manage with my mornings.”
Jared shrugs. “I’m actually an early riser. I like mornings. I just don’t always do well with directions or maps. And this place is literally a maze.”
“Yeah, there are rumours about the architects who designed the various buildings. Most people think that they were designed by the criminally insane as some sort of community outreach project or something. It does take getting used to.”
The door to the classroom slams open and Misha staggers in. “Good morning class. Today we are going to talk about context. Your new favourite word is context. It is one of the fundamental concepts in archaeology. Everything is relevant within a certain context. When you find an artifact, it is near worthless to an archaeologist, unless you know the context in which it was found. When you are in the middle of the Sahara, or are with the Tribes of New Guinea, their way of life is interpreted through a certain context. Context is the circumstances within which an event occurs. Context is the perspective used to explain a series of events. We can describe a noun, that’s a person, place or thing to you who were not taught grammar in public school, anthropologically using context. It is your new favourite concept. Use it. Love it. Breathe it. Let’s start by looking at the Assyrians...”
Jared looks over to Jensen bent over his desk, taking notes. Yeah, taking this class was an awesome idea. Possibly the best idea he’s had to date. All roads that led to Jensen Ackles had to be a good thing.
Onto Part Two
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