Can't you see we're meant to be: Frankie the Turtle strikes again 5/7
"Jen? With a dog? Hell no, he can hardly take care of himself!” The rough whiskey and cigarettes voice sends a shudder down Jensen’s spine as his head comes up in shock.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan. It’s as though Jensen had summoned him with his earlier thoughts, he thinks, horrified, but the last person Jensen wants to see again--now or ever--is Jeff.
He won't lie, Jeff looks good for his age. But Jensen’s past that now, the ugly memories of Jeff’s lies more than enough to outweigh his appearance.
“Excuse me?” Jensen’s never heard Jared’s voice so cold, and he hastens to explain.
“Jeff. What a...nice surprise.” Jensen turns to Jared. “Jared, this is Jeffrey Dean Morgan, my former business partner. Jeff, this is Jared Tristan.” He hesitates, then decides on politeness. “How are you?”
"Shit, I can't complain really." Jeff laughs, though neither Jared nor Jensen joins him. "Doing just fine."
"Good to hear,” Jensen says politely. “And your wife? Is she here?"
Jeff’s jaw clenches, his smile fading slightly. Jensen’s notes the change with some satisfaction.
"No, actually. Me and Hilarie weren't exactly a perfect fit. I'm single now, on the market. Guess I can't say the same for you now, huh?" Jeff looks at Jared superciliously, holding out his hand to shake. "Pleasure to meet you--Jared, was it?"
Jared takes Jeff’s hand, shaking it politely before surreptitiously wiping both hands with his napkin. “You’re an old friend of Jensen’s?”
"Friend?” Jeff’s laugh is crude and ugly. “Yeah, I guess you could call it that. We were pretty close back in the day. Taught him everything he knows...about networking and proper business practices." Jeff’s deliberate pause turns Jensen’s stomach. He can’t even look at Jared, too mortified by his former boyfriend’s insinuations.
Jared looks between the two of them, clearly piecing two and two together. Jensen feels sick, sure Jared is as disgusted by Jeff’s innuendo and by him. “I see,” Jared says slowly, and Jensen wants the floor to swallow him whole.
"Wait," Jeff says, studying Jared's face yet again. "I feel like I've seen you around before. Have we met?"
Jared shrugs, his expression closed and forbidding. "I don't think so. I suppose I have one of those faces."
"Maybe so, maybe so...What did you say your name was again?"
"Jared."
"Jared--?" Jeff’s clearly fishing now, probing for more information, though Jensen doesn’t know why. Jeff had made it clear years ago where his interests lie, and they weren’t with Jensen. For which Jensen was and is fervently grateful.
"I--"
"Jeff, that's enough," Jensen says through gritted teeth. "Jared and I are trying to enjoy our dinner. If you need anything, you can call the office, but for now…”
Jeff smirks, shaking his head at Jensen with an unpleasant smile. "You haven't changed a bit. Still the same bowlegged little spitfire. Listen, if you wanna do any networking, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm in town for a few weeks, and I know you’ve got my number.”
Before departing, Jeff drops a business card on the table and winks. As soon as he’s out of sight, Jensen rips the card in two, then in a series of fours, then eighths until there's nothing left but disorganized shreds that couldn't ever be pieced together again.
"Well," sighs Jared, pushing away the last of his chocolate cake. "That went...well."
Jensen groans, slumping his shoulders. "Sorry you had to be a part of that. Such a dick."
"Nah, it's fine. I take it that you two didn't exactly end things on a positive note, though, huh?"
"Jeffrey and I have a...complicated history together."
"Wanna talk about it?"
"No, not really." Jensen is able to flash him a faint smile. "But thanks. Anyone else would probably be heading for the hills after that."
Jared nods with mock gravity. “I’m a blessing," he intones seriously, and Jensen laughs in spite of himself.
"Listen, do you wanna get out of here, maybe hang out or something back at my place?"
Jared blinks in surprise, leaving Jensen feeling like an idiot. Of course Jared didn’t want to come over after--
“I’d love to,” Jared says warmly, taking Jensen’s hand again. “If you’re sure you’re up to it. I get it if that kind of spoiled the mood.”
Jensen shakes his head. “I’m done letting Jeff spoil anything,” he says firmly. “And I’d love to have you over.” He pulls out his wallet, signalling to the waiter for their check, but when the young man approaches their table Jared covers Jensen’s hand with his.
“Let me,” he insists, and hands over a black card. “I’m the one who asked you out, after all.”
“But--” Jensen wants to argue, but doesn’t have the heart after their confrontation with Jeff. He wants the night to end on a high note, wants Jared happy and willing to come back so he settles back into his chair with a grateful smile instead, resolutely refusing to wonder how a rescue volunteer who drives a beat up twenty year old car can afford a dinner that easily cost three hundred dollars or more.
But those questions return as he drives them back to his condo. He's only lived up here at the top for just over a year now, and he doesn’t regret a single penny of the increased rent--especially when Jared looks so impressed.
"Your apartment is gorgeous,” he says, looking around. He spots the shoe rack just inside the door and carefully toes out of his shoes, leaving them next to Jensen’s. "You live here all by yourself?"
"Yeah," Jensen confirms, looking around the pristine living room with a touch of pride. "It's just me."
"Must be lonely..."
"It can be, I suppose," Jensen admits. “But after a long day at work, it’s kind of nice most days.”
Jared shakes his head in denial. "That's why we need to get you a dog. Icarus really, really likes you, Jensen, and once you see how nice it is--"
"Not this again,” Jensen groans, amused. "Give it up, Jared. I'm not getting a dog. Icarus is a sweet boy, but I can't take care of him. Dogs are hard work."
"I'll convince you one day, just wait and see."
"Yeah, okay, Sasquatch."
Jared continues to admire Jensen's condo, even taking in the view that seems to look over the entire city. It doesn't, but it's still a nice view regardless. Jensen soon takes him on a tour around his home, showing him the kitchen as well as the living room. The tour pauses at the bottom of the stairs that lead to the master suite, Jensen suddenly shy about showing Jared everything.
“What’s up here?” Jared asks, one foot on the bottom stair. He has to know--he’s seen every other room. When Jensen hesitates, he turns to Jensen and pulls him close. “I want to see everything, Jensen. If you want to show me.”
God, Jensen loves him.
Jensen leads Jared up the stairs to the master suite--sitting room, bathroom, bedroom. He can feel Jared’s warmth against his back when he puts his hand on the knob and turns it slowly, opening the door to the bedroom. He turns to face Jared, nerves taut and singing with tension--and that’s when Jared tackles him, knocking them both onto the king sized bed.
Jensen makes a startled sound that he’ll deny forever as he lands on his back, Jared flopping over to lie next to him, laughing. Jared’s laughter is contagious, as always, and Jensen can’t help joining in, laughter pouring from both of them as the tension breaks.
After a few moments, Jared turns to look at him, his expression changing from lighthearted to something else entirely. He looks...content, though there's something somber hidden underneath. It has Jensen propping himself up on his elbows as Jared turns his head, fighting with his thoughts silently.
"Jensen?" Jared murmurs, reaching for Jensen’s hand.
Jensen licks his lips, heat rising inside him at Jared’s touch. "Yes?"
"Do you...like me?"
"Of course I like you."
"No, I mean...do you like like me?"
Jensen blushes hotly as Jared’s thumb strokes the back of his hand, the innocent caress taking on new meaning here, lying on Jensen’s bed.
He hadn't truly anticipated this when he woke up this morning. He’d thought the evening would end with a kiss, maybe a little more, and then a late night jerk off session to the feel of Jared’s lips on his. Jensen never expected he'd be on his back in his bed, reassuring Jared that oh yes, Jensen likes him. Like likes him, even.
This man was going to be the death of him.
Jensen reaches for Jared's face, one hand cupping his cheek, wanting nothing more than to erase that fearful, uncertain look on Jared’s face forever. He leans up and kisses Jared gently, one hand tangling in Jared’s hair and tugging him down as Jensen falls back onto the bed.
“Does that answer your question?” Jensen’s lips brush Jared’s as he speaks, unwilling to let him move away now that he’s got him here, searching Jared’s face for signs of regret.
Thankfully, he finds none.
Jared's answering smile is radiant. "A thousand times over. I really like you, too, Jack."
"Prove it."
Jared lowers his head, capturing Jensen’s mouth with his own in a kiss that starts off slow but burns hotter than any Jensen’s ever experienced. His hand slides under Jensen’s sweater to rest warm and heavy on Jensen’s belly.
“Is this okay?” Jared asks, pulling back enough that they can both catch their breath.
“More than,” Jensen whispers. “Want you to fuck me, Jay. Please.”
Jared groans under his breath, and now Jensen can feel the hot length of him pressed against his hip. “Hell yes,” Jared breathes, and kisses Jensen again. He rucks Jensen’s sweater up, his big hands moving restlessly over Jensen’s belly and chest as he kisses his way down Jensen’s throat. Jensen writhes underneath him as his mouth and hands meet, his lips sealing hot and wet over one rosy nipple as his fingers tug gently on the other.
“Jay--fuck--”
Jared lifts his head to look at him, his eyes dark as he sits up. “Come on,” he says roughly, pulling Jensen up with him. They undress each other slowly, ending up on their knees facing each other.