Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Title: there's a piece of a puzzle known as life
Pairing: Jared/Jensen, minor Jared/Chad
Rating/Warnings: NC-17 | alternate universe, graphic m/m slash, real person fiction, underage sex, drama, angst, romance, schmoop, abuse of swimming pools, Chad as a Good Guy (but not the Right Guy).
Word Count: 26,000
Summary: Sometimes you just can’t help yourself.
Notes: Written for avid_slacker, c/o Sweet Charity. Thank you for being so patient with me, honey. I really hope this lives up to your expectations. <3
More notes at the end of the fic.






 

“San Antonio?” Jensen failed to bite back a grimace, met his roommate’s eager eyes.

“What, you Dallas urbanites too good for us River City folk?” Jeff joked, and Jensen snorted, shrugged. Jeff just cocked his head, deceptively innocent, and then he rolled over and punched Jensen in the shoulder. Good and hard enough to send Jensen scrambling for purchase before he found himself laid ass-out on the shaggy rug.

He sat back up and shot the remote control hurtling toward Jeff’s forehead. “Fucking ha. It’s just. I thought we were gonna hit the beach. Palm Springs, Miami, Cancun…” He pulled his features into cajoling persuasion. “Spring Break, man.”

Jeff flashed him that straight, white, dimpled grin that always seemed to get him out of--or into--any situation he wanted. In the beginning, Jensen had been more than a little pissed off to learn he was no more immune to his roommate’s abundant charm than any of the female co-eds at UT. Jeff was something of an enigma around campus, rounding up admirers like the fucking Ebola virus gathered victims.

No one was safe. And certainly not Jensen, although his admiration had quickly settled into comfortable friendship. He might be gay, but goddamn he wasn’t cliché. He wasn’t about to fall for the straight guy with a heart of gold. This was Texas, and Austin was damn well no Brokeback Mountain.

Not to mention Jeff wasn’t his type anyway.

“It’s my baby sister’s tenth birthday this weekend. Can’t miss it, under penalty of death,” Jeff was explaining, air-quoting Megan’s words with two fingers, and Jensen slanted him a knowing look. Sentimental fucker. “And you can always head out again after the weekend, right?”

“Uh-huh. You know, it’s cute how she’s got you wrapped around her finger.” Smiling easily, he leaned back on his elbows and wiggled his brows. “Pathetic, but yeah, cute, man.”

Jeff slugged him again, and then Jensen rolled up and off the floor, grabbing a ratty tee he wasn’t sure belonged to either of them. “Hey. We gotta do some fucking laundry before my whites become darks.”

Jeff made a face. “Okay, gayest thing you’ve said yet. The hetero is now officially uncomfortable.”

“Fuck off.” But Jensen was grinning when he added, “Or I’ll tell your sister you were being mean to me.” His voice hit a sing-song pitch. “She likes me.”

“Megan also likes My Little Pony and the Power Rangers,” Jeff cracked, giving Jensen the finger. “Oh, wait. Maybe you two will get along after all.”

Jensen let that one slide. “I guess we’ll find out this weekend.” He picked up a dark blue polo and sniffed it curiously, nose wrinkling. “Ugh, Jesus. Did you wipe your ass with this?”

“So, you’re gonna come with, party boy?” Jeff’s voice was easy enough, but Jensen caught the hint of satisfaction layered underneath. “Sure you’re gonna be okay missing out on the opportunity to fuck everything that can bend over?”

Jensen’s grin took a turn for wicked as he shoved more dirty clothes into a duffle bag. “I have standards.”

“Nah, you don’t.”

Jensen paused, thinking. Then slung the duffle over his shoulder. “Eh.”


 

San Antonio was prettier than he’d imagined. Less metropolitan and formal than Richardson, more down-home and comfortable. Sure, there was the same Texas skyline and it was just as hot as all hell. But instead of sturdy, warm-baked brick houses dotting the streets, there was stucco and stone. Honeysuckle and sweet olive, old-fashioned street lamps.

Jensen had the sudden and immediate urge to kick off his sneakers and run barefoot through the wild grass growing along the sidewalk, and then wanted to laugh at the unexpectedly romantic notion.

As much as Jeff teased about Jensen’s “superior upbringing”, Jeff’s home was nothing to joke about. To be honest, Jensen was a little bit in awe of the Spanish-style split-level he was currently standing in the kitchen of. And yet…he felt as comfortable there as he did back home. Maybe even more so.

He dropped the bags in his hands, blowing out a breath and taking in the sprawling backyard visible through wide balcony doors. There was a pool, and while it wasn’t Miami Beach, it’d do well-enough.

“Jeff?”

Footsteps bounded down the stairs; Jensen turned and came face-to-face with sweat-soaked skin and tight brown nipples. He backed up on instinct, eyes taking in the lean body looming over him, tongue swiping his lips.

“Oh. Hi.” It came out on a heavy breath, dimples digging down deep in flushed cheeks. “Uh, didn’t see you there, sorry.”

Jensen blinked, certain he was imagining this enormous incarnation of shaggy dark hair and slanted, tip-tilted eyes. But when he looked again, the guy was still standing there…smiling, watching him. Jensen reached back, rubbed at his neck. “Holy shit, you’re huge.”

As soon as the words spilled out of his mouth, he jerked his head back, horrified, but the guy only grinned wider. Jensen’s chest did an erratic leap of faith, and his heart lodged somewhere in the back of his throat.

Oh, great.

“Thanks? Hey, I’m Jared, by the way.”

The voice was a warm rumble across Jensen’s skin, and Jensen couldn’t help but wonder what the chances were of meeting his soul mate on the first day of Spring Break. Especially since he didn’t believe in that bullshit to begin with.

Jared cocked his head, eyes gleaming with curious interest, and Jensen shook himself. Realized with a low laugh that he was all but gawking at the guy. “Uh, Jensen, Jeff’s roommate,” he said by way of introduction, reaching out a friendly palm. He swallowed the hiss that sprang to his lips when Jared shook his hand, long fingers pressed tight against his own. Searching for some kind of equilibrium, he blurted out, “So, you’re one of Jeff’s friends from home, huh?”

Jared laughed a little and sounded way too delighted for Jensen’s frame of mind. He absolutely did not fall for people--ridiculously gorgeous or not--upon first sighting. He was much too fucking picky for that, as his last three significant-others could no doubt attest to.

Just as Jared opened his mouth, Jeff came barreling through the back door with his arms full of luggage. Jensen welcomed the distraction, even as something inside of him regretted having to give up the moment of awkward connection.

“Just put ‘em on the bottom step, JT,” Jeff was saying, and Jensen saw Jared moving out of the corner of his eye.

“My kid brother.” Jeff grinned, reaching out to ruffle Jared’s hair as he passed by with Jensen’s suitcase. While Jensen was still digesting that, Jeff added, “How’s driver’s ed, hoss? They let you take out the Crown Vic yet?” He turned toward Jensen, lowering his voice in a conspiratorial murmur. “Thing’s fucking ancient. Like a rite of passage at James Madison.”

Jensen choked a little, eyes darting toward Jared--who was now glaring at Jeff. “You’re…fifteen?”

Jared flushed, opened his mouth to speak, but Jeff cut him off. “Almost sixteen. Hard to believe, right?” Jeff laughed while Jared met Jensen’s gaze again. “Shot up around seventh grade and just never stopped.”

“Could you quit talkin’ about me like I’m a sideshow or somethin’?”

Oh yeah, Jared definitely sounded like a pissed-off high school kid. How had Jensen missed that? His eyes caught on a golden bicep, flexed tight as Jared irritably hefted another bag onto his shoulder, and then he remembered why.

“Yeah, hard to believe,” he mumbled, clearing his throat and not returning Jeff’s gaze. Instead, Jared snagged his attention again, something of a pout playing along the edges of that baby faced wonder, and Jensen flushed and bent down to grab one of the remaining bags. He gestured vaguely in the direction of the Padalecki brothers. “Lead the way.”

“Where’s Meg?” Jeff asked as they tromped up the stairs, Jensen trying not to notice Jared’s tight little jailbait ass flexing in baggy basketball shorts. Christ, he wasn’t a fucking pervert, damn it.

“Dance class.” Jared tossed a look over his shoulder, busting Jensen red-handed. So to speak. At first, those pretty eyes went big, and then crinkled at the corners with something curious, and Jensen stumbled on the next step.

Recovering quick enough, he cracked a sheepish grin directed at nobody in particular. “Maybe I oughta join her, learn some moves myself.”

“Oh, I’m sure you have plenty.” Jeff’s voice was exasperated and amused, and Jensen blew out a sigh of relief. He hadn’t noticed Jensen cruising his little brother, and all was still right in the world.

He knew Jeff Padalecki was the exception and not the rule, and he might not mind being roommates with and friends with a queer. But when it came to said queer crushing on his--goddamn--baby brother? Jensen figured there was probably a definite limit to Jeff’s tolerance and understanding.

Kid probably has no idea what he’s fooling with anyway, he reminded himself, biting down hard on his bottom lip as he let his eyes roam up and over Jared’s back again. He’s just another Friendly Fucking Padalecki, is all.

It really was a lethal combination, he thought another hour later. Sprawled out on the sofa while Jeff stuffed his face with a turkey sandwich and Jared played Nintendo, Jensen watched Jared’s long, browned fingers manipulating the controller, the curl of Jared’s tongue between his teeth. That dark mop of hair kept falling into his eyes, making Jensen’s fingers itch, and none of this was very fair at all.


 

Apparently, Jeff’s parents were big on the San Antonio society scene, so Jensen didn’t get a chance to meet Mr and Mrs Padalecki that night. He and Jared and Jeff piled up in Jensen’s Tacoma and went to pick Megan up from dance practice, and Jensen got his first real look at Jeff’s adorable little sister who’d chatted him up on the phone several times during Jeff’s calls back home.

She bounced, she hollered, she was every bit the Padalecki princess he’d imagined her to be from Jeff’s stories and descriptions. Jensen, quite simply, was in love. He couldn’t help but remember when Mac had been this young, and felt bittersweet fondness sweep through him before he glanced up and met Jared’s eyes through the rearview mirror.

The smile slipped from his features, something altogether different than fondness washing through his veins. He held that easy gaze for all of a second before clearing his throat, turning his eyes back to the road. Still, he could feel Jared watching him, studying him, and wasn’t quite sure what to make of any of it.

They stopped at a KFC for dinner, and Jensen wound up sharing a booth with Jared, who’d finally turned his attention onto a better candidate than Jensen. He was currently grilling Jeff about the engineering program at UT in between shoveling spoonfuls of mashed potatoes into his mouth.

Jeff just laughed, flicked a macaroni noodle at his brother and told Jared to chill. “You’ve got plenty of time left to worry ‘bout higher learning, JT. Better get that driver’s license first.”

It was a familiar scene for Jensen--two brothers ribbing on each other while baby sister garnered the attention of everyone in the nearby vicinity. It made him miss home, miss the fact that his family was pretty much past all this and moved on to bigger, more adult scenarios. He couldn’t imagine MacKenzie strutting around in a pink tutu with a chicken leg in her hand, not anymore. Couldn’t see Josh, Dallas law student select, pulling him into a headlock and squishing green beans in his hair. Not these days.

He wasn’t aware he was frowning until Jared nudged his shoulder, spoke up. “You okay there, Jensen?”

Jensen blinked. Tried to cover it all up with a clearing of throat and a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah, sure.” He leaned back against the booth and let the Texas slip back into his voice, full throttle. “Just wonderin’ if I’mma have to call the authorities ‘fore there’s a hangin’, s’all.”

Jeff and Jared stared at him, and then Jensen was ducking flying biscuits and grinning so hard his face hurt.

Megan passed out soon after they got back home, and Jeff carried her up the stairs and left Jared and Jensen alone with the big screen TV and the pool table. Jensen shifted on the couch, biting his lip and just missing Jared’s gaze every time the kid glanced up from where he was lining up his next shot.

A commercial interrupted whatever primetime drama Jensen was pretending to watch, and he reached for the remote. “So, how’s school going?” Hell, he could be friendly.

Jared’s pool stick cracked against the cue ball, sending the others rolling across green felt. “Pretty good,” he answered cheerfully, chalking up and moving to a different angle. “Debate’s almost over, thank god, not that I don’t like it ya know…it’s just a lotta work and with exams coming up and all. Spring training is gonna be starting up soon, too, and coach thinks I’ll probably be good enough for first string. Big enough, anyway, and…god, you probably didn’t wanna hear all that, huh?”

He flushed so pretty that Jensen had to bite down on his tongue. “No, it’s good you’re…motivated.” To say the least. And Jensen definitely was not imagining that sweet little ass wrapped up in a pair of tight football pants. Because that would be wrong.

“Thanks,” Jared said, smiling a bit. Jensen returned it, and then they lapsed back into awkward silence. Or maybe just awkward on Jensen’s end, because he was pretty damn sure that Jared wasn’t standing over there thinking of all the ways he could get Jensen out of his pants.

“Jeff said you were a cheerleader,” Jared blurted out, and Jensen’s attention snapped back to the flush of heat blooming across Jared’s cheeks.

“Yeah? What else did Jeff say?” He meant it as a joke, easy conversation, but Jared suddenly wouldn’t look at him and seemed real focused on landing the seven ball in the corner pocket. Jensen felt a little sick to his stomach, which was ridiculous. Hell, he’d never been ashamed of who and what he was, and he’d be damned if some little tempting piece of jailbait changed that for him. “Look, I--”

“It’s cool,” Jared interrupted him quickly, tossing his pool stick on top of the table and turning to face Jensen. He seemed fidgety, nervous, but the smile tilting his lips was real and genuine. “I got nothin’ against it, man. And Jeff likes you a lot, so, you know. That’s more than enough for me.”

Jensen nodded, couldn’t come up with an answer before Jared was sitting next to him on the couch. Jared smiled at him again, then grabbed for the remote. “But dude, a cheerleader?”

Jensen looked over, caught the mischief coloring Jared’s eyes, and huffed out a laugh. “Oh, fuck you.” And just that easy, he caught Jared around the neck and smashed his face against the pillows. That was how Jeff found them when he returned; Jensen pulled back, laughing harder than he could remember as Jared sat up red-faced and sputtering.

“In trouble already, JT?” Jeff smirked as he rounded the coffee table and raised a brow, but there was nothing but amusement, trust, shining there. Jensen swallowed his apology, and settled for grinning when he caught Jeff’s subtle signal.

Jared’s eyes narrowed, and he started scrambling to his knees even as Jensen leaped forward, grabbed him by the ankles. Jeff got him by the arms and they pulled Jared’s squirming body out and toward the back patio.

“Miss me, little brother?” Jeff said, swinging Jared out and over the pool with Jensen’s help. “C’mon…tell me you missed me.”

Jared ignored Jeff’s bait, instead turning his eyes on Jensen. Jensen nearly froze at that big, wet, pleading gaze, until Jeff yelled, “Watch out for the eyes!” and Jared’s gaze narrowed.

Jensen grinned dangerously, and let go. Heard Jeff’s gleeful laughter mixed with Jared’s shouted obscenities before Jared’s head disappeared. He came up still cussing, looking like a drowned puppy.

“Oh fuck you guys!” Jared shook the water from his hair, brought his hand down in a massive splash. “Y’all deserve each other!”

He didn’t really seem mad, but Jensen caught a bit of a chill in the night air and started to feel a little guilty. Jared was treading water toward the side of the pool, all but shivering, and Jensen walked over to meet him at the stairs.

“Hey.” Jared looked up, and Jensen held out a hand. Felt heat crawling up his neck when Jared’s gaze dipped, tongue sweeping across his mouth, before he reached out and wrapped his fingers around Jensen’s.

“Thanks,” he said, soft and shy, and then he jerked. Hard. Jensen went tumbling in on Jeff’s groan, and resurfaced to find Jared grinning back at him. “Sucker.”

“You…” Jensen bit down on his cheek, feeling the heated water swishing around his clothes, skin. He couldn’t help but laugh. “I can’t fucking believe I fell for that.”

“Not your fault, I’m real cute.” Jared made a ridiculous face, and goddamn it, he was that fucking cute.

The patio light went out, and Jensen and Jared turned to see Jeff disappearing through the sliding doors with a little hand wave, still laughing his head off. Jensen’s pulse thrummed faster when he looked back to see Jared’s face silhouetted in the moonlight. Jared rolled his eyes, muttered something uncharitable about his brother and then pulled himself out of the pool.

“Come on, there’re some towels and stuff in the pool house,” he said, but Jensen was barely paying attention. The darkness didn’t do near a good enough job of hiding the fact that Jared was built, clothes soaked and clinging to every goddamn forbidden inch. Jensen closed his eyes, sank into the water until it flowed over his head.

He was only underwater for a minute at the most, and came up to find the door to the pool house cracked open. Light spilled through, and Jensen pulled himself out of the pool and grimaced at the chlorine slicking his skin. He sloshed toward the door, pulled it open and got a faceful of wet t-shirt for his efforts.

“Oh, shit!” Jared laughed, arm still stretched out mid-throw as Jensen blinked and looked down to the sopping material at his feet. “Didn’t, uh, didn’t see you there, Jensen.”

“Right.” If Jensen’s voice came out a bit tighter than usual, he chalked it up to the sight of browned abs and arms as Jared shrugged his shoulders apologetically before reaching for the waistband of his pants.

“Just toss your clothes in the corner there. We’ll make Jeff wash ‘em tomorrow, yeah?” Jared dropped his pants, and Jensen wondered why he’d ever believed in a fair and compassionate God. Because this was above and beyond a grand cosmic joke, and Jared didn’t even seem to care that Jensen was all but drooling over his ass as he rubbed a towel against his hair.

“Right,” Jensen repeated, thick and low, and turned his gaze helplessly toward the stack of towels on the chair beside Jared’s knee. “I’ll just, uh. Yeah.” For Christ’s sake! He’d fucked around with guys that would make a porn star blush, and here he was…tongue-tied and twisted over a fifteen year old who was probably just learning what his dick was even for.

He dried himself off quickly, ignoring the flex of innocent muscle beside him, then tucked the cotton around his hips and all but ran for the door. “Thanks, see ya tomorrow.”

He didn’t wait for a reply, and fell asleep in the guest room with his hand around his dick and a fist in his mouth.


 

“I’m thinking of hitting the mall,” Jensen said the next day, hands behind his head and late morning sun on his face. “Picking up something for your sister’s birthday.”

“Softy,” Jeff murmured, but Jensen could hear the smile in his voice. “Sure, man. Your car and all. You know how to get there?”

Jensen shifted on the lounge chair, squinted at his friend’s profile. “You’re not coming with?” Not that he was too terribly surprised. Jeff had never really been much of a morning person, even though it was closer to noon.

“I’ll go with you.”

Jensen started at the low voice just behind him, and then Jared’s shadow fell across his legs and he stared up at the smiling face that was even brighter than the UV rays pouring down on him. “Uh, hey there.”

“I’m an expert on Meg,” Jared continued, like he didn’t even notice that Jensen was now crossing his legs like a woman. Then again, the kid probably wouldn’t even think of a reason for that.. He sat down on the edge of Jensen’s lounge, rubbing his hands together and looking oh-so-helpful. “Could save you some trouble.”

“He’s right,” Jeff answered, sounding like he was almost asleep again. “Half the shit I buy her ends up in garage sales. Jared’s got a girly eye or somethin’.”

Jared good-naturedly flipped his big brother off, and Jensen shook his head in amusement. “Home sweet home,” he joked, flipping his sunglasses up and over his hair before slanting Jared another look. “You sure you wanna come? I thought queers pretty much cornered the guy market on shopping without a gun to the head.”

If Jared was taken aback by the blatant hook, he recovered quickly enough for Jensen to miss it. Straightened his shoulders and stared right back until Jensen was the first to look away. “I think I can handle it.” And okay, goddamn, that coupled with Jared’s coy smirk? Just. Wasn’t. Fair.

Jeff groaned, giving Jensen an embarrassing jolt that he’d all but forgotten his friend was even there. “Christ, quit flirting with my dork brother and get outta here already.”

“Dude,” Jensen blurted out, coming to his feet and staring at Jeff in horror. “I wasn’t even…I wouldn’t…”

“Jensen, what the hell’s the matter with you?” Jeff laughed at the shock on Jensen’s face. “I was kidding. Just, you know, go get whatever you need and then get back here because we got plans tonight.”

Jensen bit down on the inside of his cheek and just nodded, avoiding Jared’s gaze as he grabbed his shirt and passed by. But he could hear heavy footsteps following as he walked inside, picked up his keys and slid into a pair of sneakers.

When he turned around again, Jared was standing there with his hands in his pockets and his gaze somewhere south of Jensen’s nose. “Look, sorry about Jeff…sometimes he can be an oblivious ass, but he never means it, you know?”

Yeah, Jensen knew. Didn’t really mind, either, because hell…he was the same way more often than not. But he wasn’t about to say that, not with Jared in front of him and looking so embarrassed for Jensen and eager to please. And stop right there, you sick son of a bitch.

“Part of his charm,” he finally choked out, twirling his keys and shouldering past Jared before he did something really stupid because of that goddamn smile. When Jared didn’t make a move to follow, Jensen cursed himself for a fool and called out, “You comin’?”

He didn’t look to be sure, but he could feel Jared beaming behind him. Wasn’t any more immune to it in the cold light of day, and when they reached his truck, Jensen rounded the front bumper and tossed Jared the keys. Jared caught them against his chest, surprise written across his face.

“Ever drive a stick?” Sunglasses in place, Jensen slid into the passenger seat.

“Once or twice.” Jared licked his lips, slanted Jensen a grin. “Maybe third time’s the charm?”

Jensen waved a hand, leaned back and watched through darkened lens as Jared took a deep breath. Got behind the wheel and paused. Jensen’s lips curled at the hesitation, and somehow it relaxed him enough to tease, “This truck works on an ignition, you gotta put the key in first.”

Jared’s huffed laughter dug down deep in Jensen’s bones. “Ha-ha. I was just…thinking.” He cranked the engine, and Jensen stayed quiet. He wasn’t sure he really wanted Jared to elaborate any further.

Jared was a good driver, all things considered. There were a few times Jensen closed his eyes and imagined his tires, burned and smoking on the pavement behind them, but all in all…the kid knew what was what. He said as much as they pulled into the local mall, and was rewarded with Jared’s blinding dimples.

“Yeah? Awesome. Thanks.”

As they walked toward the front doors, Jensen was nearly overcome by the sudden and ridiculous urge to hold Jared’s damn hand. Any other time, any other person, and he might have. ‘Course, it also wouldn’t have meant a damn thing, and with Jared it would’ve meant too much.

Jared was talking his ear off within minutes of entering the mall; the kid knew all the best places for everything, and Jensen smirked. Remembered back when he knew all the best places Dallas had to offer, back when there was nothing much else to do as a teenager.

“Claire’s is your best bet,” Jared said, and Jensen followed him past the brightly colored stores and tried to keep his gaze eye-level. “Megan’s really into all that plastic gold and junk.” He paused, then his voice went a little deep and devious. “I mean, if you think you can handle being seen in there. It is pretty girly.”

“Fuck off.” Jensen flashed his teeth when Jared looked over. “I got a little sister, too, man. I know all about costume jewelry and look pretty damn good wearing it, too.”

Jared stumbled as they entered the shop, and Jensen patted him on the back and moved on. Couldn’t keep from grinning as he pretended to peruse the shelves of sparkly pink and purple.

When he looked again, Jared was standing over by the register, talking up the cute blonde cashier who was apparently taking hair-flipping to an all new level. Jensen grabbed the first thing his hand skimmed across and wandered over, catching snippets of Jared’s belly laughter and low murmurs.

The blonde caught sight of him first, and her eyes widened a bit before she stood straight, practically swallowing her tongue. Jared caught on soon after that, half-turning on his elbow and eyes lighting up as Jensen approached.

“Jen, this is my friend, Claire. I’m the genius who forced her to get a job here, but I mean, how could she not. Ya know?” Jared chuckled again, and Jensen’s smile became a little less forced. Jared’s gaze landed on the merchandise in his palm, and he snickered a little. “Wha’cha got there?”

“I, uh.” Jensen glanced down, blinked at the blob of feathers and glitter. “What the hell is this?”

“It’s a headband,” Claire giggled while Jared almost choked on his. She reached out a hand, and Jensen placed the feathery mess in her palm. “See, look.” She worked some kind of magic, flipped her fingers, and then held up the accessory. “See? Girls love it.”

“I bet Jensen would look pretty damn good wearing it, too,” Jared drawled, mischievous and adorable, and Jensen stuck out his tongue before he could think better of it. The bark of surprised laughter was worth it though, as was the blatant admiration in Jared’s hazel gaze.

“As hot as I’m sure that’d be,” Jensen said, feigning ruefulness, “would Megan like it?”

Jared’s expression softened to something that clenched low in Jensen’s belly. “From you? Hell yeah, man. Think she’s got a bit of a crush anyway, you could probably bring her a paper sack and she’d mount it on the wall.”

“Wouldn’t blame her,” Claire mumbled, and Jensen pulled out his wallet with a wink. He felt Jared’s stare as he flirted harmlessly with his friend, and when he had the gift bag in hand, turned to find Jared’s lids hovering low and his jaw hard.

“Hey, come by tomorrow, okay?” Jared said to Claire, leaning over and pressing a kiss to her cheek, eyes still on Jensen. “Miss you, girl.”

“Your fault for makin’ me work!” But she laughed, squeezed him on the arm and all but sparkled at Jared until Jensen cleared his throat and muttered a quick good-bye. He was half-way back to the mall exit when a heavy hand circled his wrist.

“Let’s get an Orange Julius,” Jared suggested, dragging Jensen back in the direction they’d come from. “I’m kinda hungry, you hungry?”

Jensen wasn’t really hungry, even a little bit. “I could go for a burger,” he said, unable to retain mild irritation, confusion, in the wake of Jared’s hopeful expression. “But I’ll pass on the milkshake. Bad experience,” he explained when Jared shot him a disbelieving look.

“If it involves turning down an Orange Julius, I don’t think I wanna know,” Jared mourned. “But all right. Meet you at Dairy Queen in ten?”

Jensen nodded, and watched Jared amble off across the food court. He sank into a nearby chair, blowing out a shaky breath and running a hand through his hair. He wasn’t quite sure what the hell had happened back there, but something had. And Jensen had a feeling that whatever he’d thrown into motion, he had no chance of stopping.


 

“So, you really actually cheered and everything?” Jared seemed amazed, crunching on a french fry, full attention trained on Jensen. “Like, rah-rah-sisk-boom-bah?”

“I didn’t wear a skirt and own a set of pom-pons, if that’s what you’re wondering,” Jensen answered wryly, and then had to laugh at Jared’s worried look. Before he could apologize, Jensen held up a hand. “Hey, it’s cool. Not your thing…I get it. But yeah, it wasn’t too bad. Just shout some shit, get people riled up, and spend the rest of the time looking hot and lifting chicks up on your shoulders.”

“Too afraid to get down and dirty on the football field, Ackles?” Jared’s voice dipped low, a tease that sent a shiver down Jensen’s spine. Then Jared munched on another fry, and wound up with a blob of ketchup on his lower lip. The juxtaposition was about ready to murder Jensen.

“Not afraid. Lazy.” But the truth was, football just hadn’t really been an option. Not for someone as out and proud as Jensen had forced himself to be, and even though his family and friends supported that, the Great State of Texas had yet to catch on and it was safer all around for Jensen to hang out on the sidelines.

As if he could read Jensen’s thoughts, Jared’s smile faded a bit and he looked down at his tray for several seconds. Cleared his throat, not meeting Jensen’s eyes as he asked, “So, when did you know you were. Well. You know?”

Jensen squirmed, trying like hell not to find the question even remotely a turn-on. It shouldn’t be, and yet, just as he was ready to toss off some silly comment and turn the conversation away from himself, Jared looked back up. Burned right through Jensen with open curiosity and sincerity, and Jensen heard himself telling the truth. “Pretty much when I got hard thinking about blowing the football captain in the locker room.”

Jared choked on dry air, tried to cover it up by taking a sip of Coke, but Jensen saw the spots of color in his cheeks. Tried not to blush himself, because now the words were out there just…hovering.

“And, um, when was that?” Jared asked a minute later, a bit squeakier than before.

Hell, in for a penny… Jensen shrugged his shoulders and started playing with a used napkin. “Sophomore year, maybe. I mean, I probably knew before then…but after that it was kinda hard to pretend otherwise.”

Jared just nodded, a frown floating at the edges of his lips. “Right.”

They spent a few minutes in silence, the sounds of the busy mall surrounding on all sides. Jensen picked at the lunch he hadn’t really wanted to begin with, and finally pushed back in his chair and sighed. “Sorry, is this gonna be weird now?”

Jared’s gaze snapped up from where he’d been perusing his own food. It would’ve been almost comical, the expression on his face, if Jensen hadn’t been about ready to strangle himself. Or cry. “Weird? What? Why would it be weird?” Jared said in such a rush that it took Jensen two times repeating it in his head before he understood a word.

His lips twisted cynically. “Because I shouldn’t have told you any of that? God, Jeff’s probably gonna kill me.”

“I’m not gonna tell Jeff.” Jared sounded offended that Jensen would even consider such a thing, and Jensen relaxed a little. Then, “And why shouldn’t you have told me? I asked.”

Because you didn’t really want to know. Out loud Jensen only said, “Want another milkshake?” He ignored Jared’s searching stare as he gathered their trash and took off for the garbage cans.

The drive home was punctuated by light conversation and the radio, which Jensen turned up after the third time Jared looked ready to bring up what’d happened at lunch. When they finally got back to the house, Jensen was equal parts relieved and guilty to find Jeff waiting for them.

“Get your party clothes on, Jenny boy. We got places to go, people to pick me over you for once.” Jeff clapped his hands together, hair still wet from a shower, and Jensen got out and shut the passenger door. Jeff blinked. “You let Jared drive your truck?”

“Yeah, so?” And damn, that’d come out way snappier than necessary.

“You won’t even let me breathe near it some days.” Jeff raised his eyebrows, gaze traveling past Jensen toward his brother. “So how’d she handle, JT?”

“Like a dream,” came Jared’s soft reply, and Jensen took the keys Jared dangled toward him. A smile lifted Jared’s lips. “Thanks for the lesson, Jensen.”

Jensen nodded, and couldn’t help but wonder just what kind of lesson Jared was referring to.


 

Jensen was pretty sure he was never drinking again. If dragging Jeff’s ass home after his friend had one too many Rattlesnake shots and nearly faceplanted into the wall hadn’t cured him of the notion, then making out with a shaggy-haired stranger with big brown eyes sure as hell had.

Thankfully, Jeff had been there, and the whole faceplanting thing had gone down before Shaggy Hair had been able to go down on Jensen. Because Jensen was sobering up pretty damn quick, and realizing with it that he had some serious issues that needed working out.

After tucking Jeff into his bed, which Jensen could and would use as blackmail for the rest of their natural born lives, he dove for the guest bathroom. Determined to wash off the alcohol and stale smoke seeping from his pores, the saliva drying to his skin. Instead, he just got under the hot spray and jerked off until his come washed down the drain along with Jared’s name.

He got out of the shower, wrapping a plain white towel around his hips. Steam curled, fogged the mirror, and Jensen wiped it away while staring at the flush on his cheeks. His eyes were too bright; there was a purpling bruise at the base of his collarbone, and Jensen reached for it with shaking fingers. He dropped his hand at the last second, squeezing his eyes tight and blowing out a breath.

The hallway was dark when he stepped out, no sounds coming from either of the nearby bedrooms. Jensen threw up a prayer for small miracles, and pulled the bathroom door shut behind him. Turned around, and found Jared leaning against the wall.

“Hey.” Jared yawned, scratching idly at his belly, and Jensen wanted to laugh at the sleep-tousled innocence. But then Jared was smiling, eyes heavy-lidded and gleaming in the moonlight pouring through the bay window at the end of the hall, and Jensen’s tongue tied.

“Couldn’t sleep?” Jared asked, moving a little closer, and Jensen bit off a silent curse and pressed back against the wall. He was damn well aware of the towel clutched tight between his fingers, of the sweatpants barely hanging on the lean curve of Jared’s hips.

Jesus Christ.

“Just got in.” He winced at the hoarse quality shading his voice. “Late night.” Offering nothing more than that, he brushed by Jared and tried to ignore the burn between his shoulder blades.

“Jeff back, too?” came the low response a beat later, and Jensen gritted his teeth and quickened his step. “Hey.” Fingertips brushed his shoulder, and Jensen froze in place. “Something wrong?”

“What’re you doing up anyway?” The words came out a shade too snappy. He looked up, glimpsed Jared’s confused features. “Isn’t it past your bedtime?”

“Funny.” Jared just kept looking at him, sleepy amusement softening his features until Jensen wanted to lean into him, mouth up and under that pretty jaw. See if Jared tasted as forbidden as he looked.

“Tired,” he mumbled instead, dropping Jared’s gaze and starting down the hall again. He half-expected Jared’s stubborn ass to follow him, but the sound of a door closing dispelled the notion and any unhealthy hope Jensen might’ve been entertaining.

At least until he was lying in bed and heard the first splash. Jensen was fully aware of the fact that the guest bedroom overlooked the patio, and unless Jeff had somehow woken up from the dead slumber of the intoxicated and managed to get downstairs to drown himself, there was only one person it could be. And Jensen should just stay in bed, pull the sheets over his head and grin and bear it.

Which was obviously why he found himself at the window, watching Jared breaststroke through the moonlit water and pressing a hand to his dick. The glass was cool against his forehead, and Jensen bit his lip. Slid his hand in his underwear and stroked in time with Jared’s. He was still just tipsy enough to not care how pathetic this was, and curled his free hand around the windowsill.

Jared reached one end of the pool, curled in on himself and pushed off for the other. Jensen’s breath hitched, his fist quickened, and his knuckles went white. He could hear himself as if from far away, tight, muttered groans, and shot messy and quick across his fingers when Jared stepped up the ladder. He was all broad back and long legs, shaking his head like a damn puppy, and Jensen slapped a palm against the window.

Jared looked up at the dull thud, and Jensen caught his breath. Stood there, busted like the peeping Tom he totally was, and then Jared grinned up at him. He waved Jensen down, and Jensen stepped back until he stumbled over his shoes and landed flat-out on the floor. Come dripped down his leg, stuck to his fingers, and he was pretty sure his chin was on fire with carpet-burn.

All in all, a real high point of his vacation.


 

The day of Megan’s birthday party bloomed bright and cloudless, and Jensen got woken up by a bouncing at the foot of his bed. He had all of two seconds to be glad he’d remembered to pull on some pants before passing out the night before, and rolled over to find a sweet, pink smile right in his face.

He grinned back helplessly, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “Mornin’, birthday girl.”

“Well? What’d you get me?” Megan asked, and the sun caught on the tiara placed on top of her brown curls. “Because Jared totally caved and told me you got me somethin’.”

Before Jensen could speak, the door flew open and Jared rushed in. Harried and apologetic, dimples winking. “I’m sorry, she snuck out on me. Megan! Let Jensen sleep and get downstairs before I feed you to Mr Hiss.”

“That dumb ol’ snake isn’t real!” Megan squealed with laughter, beating her fists as Jared manhandled her off the bed and over his shoulder. “Jared, I’m tellin’ on you to Father Sinclair! Lying is bad, said so last Sunday!”

“Oh yeah? Then I’m not sharing my Poptart with you,” Jared countered as he carried her out of the room, and Megan shut up pretty quick. Jensen fell back against the sheets and laughed up at the ceiling.

He made it downstairs fifteen, twenty minutes later, and found Mrs Padalecki making breakfast and listening to Jared talk about some debate tournament. Jensen hovered on the bottom step, feeling shy and uncertain to intrude on the private family moment. Then Jared’s eyes fell on him, his face breaking out into a grin.

Jensen came into the kitchen, offering a smile when Mrs Padalecki looked up from the stove. “Good morning.”

“Oh, you must be Jensen!” She put down her spatula and pulled him into a hug. “Jeff’s told us so much about you, but he never said a thing about that pretty face. My word.”

“He wouldn’t,” Jared snorted. “Because then no one would bother lookin’ at his ugly mug.”

“JT,” Mrs Padalecki said, but the warning was warm and good-natured. She squeezed Jensen’s shoulder, waving him into a seat across from Jared. “Well, sit down now. I’ll fix you boys something to eat before I have to go into the office. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here when you got in, Jensen. Jeff’s father and I had some errands to run…I’m afraid there’s no vacation for parents.”

“It’s all right,” Jensen said, mouth watering at the sight of golden pancakes and bacon she was piling onto plates. “Thank you for having me though.”

“We’re thrilled you’re here.” Jeff’s mother slid one of the plates in front of Jensen. “And we’ll be back this afternoon for Meggie’s party…Jared, you make sure your brother remembers to pick up that cake, okay?”

“Yes, mama,” Jared said between bites, and Jensen flushed warm at the endearment. God, he was so far gone that he was turned-on by the idea of Jared being a sweet little mama’s boy now? This was so beyond the realm of bad.

Jeff trudged down the stairs a half hour after Mrs Padalecki excused herself to leave, and Jensen couldn’t help but laugh at the dark circles under his best friend’s eyes. “Hey there, gorgeous,” he purred, kicking back and chewing on a toothpick he’d plucked from the center of the table as Jeff scuffed his way over.

“Just tell me…” Jeff collapsed into a chair, pressed his fingers tight against his mouth. “Just tell me I scored with that little blonde thing. Just tell me that.”

“Hmm…” Jensen pretended to think it over. “I’m pretty sure you would’ve, man. If you hadn’t walked into that wall and knocked yourself out.”

“Never drinking again.” Jeff’s expression was so miserably horrified that Jensen almost felt bad.

Almost.

Jared, however, seemed perfectly content to laugh and laugh. “Oh, man. That’s pretty fucking classic.”

“Watch your fucking mouth,” Jeff muttered, grabbing Jensen’s orange juice and tossing it back. “Well. That’s it, then. I’ve gotta throw down here…reclaim my manhood.”

Jared perked up at this, all traces of amusement at Jeff’s expense wiped clean. “Mom and Dad are leaving again tomorrow afternoon. Taking Megan to visit Grandma.”

He and Jeff exchanged meaningful glances, then grinned and tapped knuckles in simultaneous agreement. “Blowout.”

“Do I even wanna know?” Jensen asked, feeling a bit light-headed when they turned the combined Padalecki-grin Force on him.

“Let’s just say…tomorrow night? Even you might be able to get lucky, Jen.” Jeff punctuated this ridiculously exaggerated statement with a clap to Jensen’s shoulder, and got up to grab the phone. Jensen lifted a brow toward Jared, who just smiled more and stretched out his legs until his knee brushed Jensen’s thigh.

Jensen got out of there pretty quick under the guise of taking a shower. Or jerking off.