simarillion (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
simarillion) wrote2009-05-29 04:17 pm
simarillion) wrote2009-05-29 04:17 pm
FIC: "Avalanches Approaching" (5/10)
Avalanches Approaching
By Simarillion
Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Universe: Alternative Universe
Rating: PG-13/R (this instalment)
Beta: Asm Z
Pairing: Jensen Ackles/Jared Padalecki, Jared Padalecki/Sandra McCoy (mentioned), others
Warnings: slash, M/M
Word Count: 3,403 (16,048 total)
Summary: Extra! Extra! Read all about it! (Of pictures, and rumours, and beginnings)
Disclaimer: None of the herein presented happenings and events are true. Everything is 100% fiction and that includes the sexuality of the characters. I don’t claim to be in the know about their relations and private affairs, and I don’t make any money with the creation of this story.
Author’s Note: I changed the age of Jensen and Jared, they are the same age now. The plot wouldn’t really work otherwise.
This is part 3 of the Glaciology! ‘verse. Jensen is a scientist in the field of glaciology and he spends most of his time surrounded by ice, whereas Jared is a Hollywood movie star. Prequel to this story are Invisible Glaciers and Iceberg Anatomy.
[Masterpost]
Part Five
When Jared has to leave for work in the early afternoon, Jensen can’t help feeling relieved. It’s not like Jared does anything to make things more difficult, or especially hard on him, but his mere presence is too much stress for Jensen at the moment.
His call to his parents had been much easier than he had expected it to be, even though his mum had only stopped asking after Jared Padalecki, once Jensen made her promise to talk about anything but the big scandal that’s him and the actor.
Now that he finds himself alone with only Linda working somewhere around the house, and the dogs to keep him company, he decides to do some more damage control. There have been a couple of more calls from his friends throughout the day, one message even from David, asking if he was alright, and even some calls from strangers (most likely press) who wanted to ask questions. How they had gotten his phone number he doesn’t know.
He scrolls though his list of ingoing calls, selects Mike’s name and dials his friend’s number. Like with everyone today, Mike picks up almost immediately. He’s kind of breathless, like he’d been running to the phone.
“Jensen.” Some more gulps for breath follow his name.
“Hey there, Mike.” Jensen has to admit that he misses talking to his friends from college. At least for this the whole affair is being helpful. “I guess you have been reading that nonsense about me and some big ass movie star as well.”
“Reading, hearing, and seeing.” Two more pants and then he’s got his breathing under control again. “And not any star as well. Isn’t Padalecki the guy you were hung up about in high school? How did that come about?”
And here he went again. He had been explaining about his and Jared’s past (ancient and current), a couple of times already today. “Yeah, we went to the same high school. And before you ask again, yes, I had a crush on him. But, Mike, there’s nothing going on between him and me. He was sent to the Alaska base for some Polar boot camp, to help with preparing for a movie, and we got to be friends. It’s all very kids-rated.”
“So where do the pictures fit in?” Yeah, those stupid photos, Jensen still hasn’t seen himself.
“Well, when I went to Texas for Mac’s graduation, he invited me to visit him. With having to go to LA anyway for the AE meeting, I accepted. We were just hanging out, him playing tour guide and showing me Hollywood.” Jensen wonders how he couldn’t have thought about paparazzi. It’s the one thing you do know about stars, even someone like him does know that, they are being followed everywhere by the press.
“Dude, this is a mess. The press is making this out into some super secret love affair. They are even saying that you are the reason for the guy’s break-up with his fiancée.” Just when Jensen thinks that it can’t get worse, something like this happens.
“What?” He asks flustered.
“Yeah, on one of those celebrity gossip sites, they say that he has been cheating on her with men during their relationship, and that her finding out about it was the reason why the wedding was called off. With the pictures of you and him, they’re assuming that you are the guy who’s responsible for all of it.” Things are getting way more out of hand by the minute, and Jensen suddenly realises that he has to leave. He can’t stay a minute longer.
“Mike, what am I supposed to do?” There’s panic creeping into his voice.
“First of all, calm down. People will assume what they want to. There’s nothing you can do about that.” If it only were that easy. Jensen just wants to be back in Alaska, sitting in his closet office and file papers, even three days of data entering sound appealing right now. “And then I want you to get your ass up here to San Francisco. We haven’t seen your ugly mug for far too long.”
The teasing has him smile. He could use some friends now. “I have Dean with me, and there’s no way I can get a flight in such a short notice. If I’m driving up there, I won’t be with you before nightfall. How long does it take?”
“About six hours, maybe add another hour for traffic.” There is someone talking to Mike, and then he’s gone and Tom’s on the phone.
“Hey, Jensen. Just come up here. It doesn’t matter if you arrive at eight, or nine, or ten. Eleven is no problem either. Just come.” To hear his friends being there for him, and wanting to help makes this an easy decision.
“Okay, I’ll have to round up Dean and pack a bag, but I should be able to leave by three thirty, four the latest. Prepare for a long wait though.” He grins as he gets up and starts to one-handed pack a bag for his impromptu trip to San Francisco. Quickly he tosses shirts, pants, underwear, and some toiletries into the duffle, adding Dean’s leash and muzzle just in case.
“Don’t worry. We are both on holiday the next two weeks, and we could use some excitement. Your mad dash from the paparazzi to our humble abode is just what we need.” The amusement in Tom’s voice has Jensen chuckle. In the back he can hear Mike saying, “Tell him that we have food for the fur face.”
“I heard Mike. Thanks guys.” With his bag packed, he puts on his shoes and goes searching for the dog. “I’ll give you a call once I’m on my way.”
“You do that.” With that their call ends, and Jensen roams the garden, calling for Dean.
He finds the husky sleeping curled up with Sadie and Harley. When Jensen calls him, he ignores him the first couple of times, only when Jensen’s tone grows harder, does he get up, slinking despondently over to him. His eyes send him a look that accuses Jensen of horrifying torture.
“Now don’t give me that look. We’re going to visit Tom and Mike, and you’ve been spoilt rotten these past days.” Obediently the dog follows him inside, and Jensen gets his bag.
On his way out, he comes across Linda, who looks up in surprise at seeing him with Dean and the duffle. After a second her eyes grow hard and she looks at him accusingly.
“It’s not what you think it is. My friends in San Francisco asked me to visit and with Jared busy the next couple of days, I thought it might be a good idea to go. I’ll be back in one or two days.” He has to fight the urge to squirm.
“And he knows?” At this Jensen cringes.
“He’s working right now, but I’ll call him once the shooting is over.” Jensen knows that it’s a shitty thing to do, to leave without telling Jared beforehand but it’s not like he planned to do so. Dean whines, sensing the tension between Linda and Jensen. “Linda, I swear me and Jared are alright, and I’ll be back on Wednesday latest, because he asked me to come on set with him, meet the dogs they are using on the show. I just want to see my friends, I haven’t in a very long time.”
She knows that he also wants to get away from the madness here in LA, even it’s only for a short time, but Jensen’s words and his pleading look, has her relax somewhat and she gives him a nod.
“You need something for the road? Drink or food?” Her offer of help makes him feel even more guilty for leaving, but he really needs the distance right now.
“That would be real nice.” He follows her to the kitchen where she gets the sandwich stuff out of the fridge and prepares a bag of food for Jensen. Together with the sandwiches she adds crisps, pie, and bottled water.
Once everything is finished she helps him pack everything into the car. The SUV is spacious enough in the back to allow Jensen to install the kennel, into which Dean reluctantly climbs. Jensen adds a dish with water, and locks the door. The duffle goes onto the front seat, with the food bag on top of it. He checks that everything’s alright and says his goodbye from Linda.
Climbing into the car, Jensen turns around a last time and checks on Dean. Reassured that the husky is lying down, already dozing calmly, he straps the seat belt on, shoves his sunglasses on his face and starts the car.
It’s Danny who lets him out through the gate, and he waves friendly at Jensen as he drives through. Outside the gate a couple of cars are parked with photographers on the street, snapping pictures of him leaving.
Jensen wishes for Jared’s truck with the tinted windows, and steps on the gas, trying to leave them behind as quickly as possible. In the rear view mirror he can see Danny walking up to the paparazzi, telling them to leave, but they refuse to be budged.
The cooler temperature today makes the drive rather comfortable. Once he’s on the highway out of LA, heading north, Jensen rolls down the window, and lets some fresh air in. He’s got the radio on a classic rock station, and taps the beat of the songs on the steering-wheel, occasionally singing along.
Three hours into their journey, he pulls up at a fill up joint, letting Dean out of the kennel and walking him around for a couple of minutes. Once the dog is back in the car, Jensen climbs in and the drive continues. They are making good time, and Jensen thinks that he should arrive around ten at Mike’s and Tom’s.
Halfway to San Francisco, he calls Jared’s phone. He knows that the other is probably working right now, but he leaves him a message, telling Jared to call when he’s on a break. After that he eats one of he sandwiches and drinks some water.
They are one and a half hours out of San Francisco when Jensen’s cell rings, Jared’s ID on the display. Jensen picks up, wedging the phone between his cheek and his shoulder. He knows that he should use the headset, but it’s somewhere in the duffle bag.
“Jared?” He can hear laughter on the other end of the line. It sounds like Hayden and Chad are having fun.
“Hey Jensen, you left me a message. So, I’m calling you back like you asked me to.” Jared sounds amused, and suddenly Jensen wishes he was there as well. He could use some laughter as well.
“I just wanted to tell you that I’m visiting Mike and Tom in San Francisco. They called and invited me to come up there. I’ll be with them for a day or two.” At his words there is silence at Jared’s end.
“You’re going to San Francisco? When?” Jared doesn’t sound as amused anymore, but his voice is neutral at least.
“I’m already on my way there. Will be arriving in about one or two hours. I just wanted to let you know, that you aren’t surprised when I’m not there in the morning.” He feels like such a heel. “I’m sorry about the abrupt departure, but Mike called me in the afternoon, demanding I show my face.”
After a second Jared replies to him. “Okay, but it’s not about that media thing, right?”
“No, I just haven’t seen them in years, and when they called and invited me I though it would be a great chance.” Jensen hates lying, but at least it’s not fully a lie. Just the part about the media being a factor for his short trip.
“Okay. When are you back?” Chad is asking about what’s going on in the back. Apparently Jared’s behavior has alarmed him to their conversation.
“I’ll be back on Tuesday, evening most likely.” Jensen breaks because of some idiot who hasn’t learned to drive. “We’re still on about Wednesday and the dogs, right?”
“Of course.” Some of Jared’s usual excitement is back in his voice. “Call me once you have arrived. If I can’t go to the phone, I’ll call you back, okay.”
“Okay.” With that their call ends. Jensen tucks the cell into the duffle bag and concentrates on driving.
The closer they get to San Francisco, the heavier the traffic gets. On the express highway he gets into a jam, which takes him about half and hour to pass. The rest of the way is smooth driving, and he pulls up at his friends’ house around half past ten.
The lights are on downstairs and when he opens the trunk to the car, letting Dean out of the kennel, the front door opens and Mike and Tom are coming outside. His friends are greeted by the dog who wags his tail so hard he almost throws himself about. Tom plays with Dean while Mike walks up to Jensen, hugging him as he reaches him.
They let go of each other rather quickly, both grinning embarrassed. “Let’s forget we ever did that, okay.”
Jensen’s comment makes Mike laugh, and he claps him on the shoulder. “Yeah, that sounds great.”
Together they get Dean’s and Jensen’s things out of the car. As Jensen walks up to the house, Tom sneaks up behind him and drapes his arm around Jensen’s shoulder.
“So, you have to tell me in detail about that torrid affair of yours that I have been hearing so much about.” He laughs as he sees Jensen’s scowl.
“Asshole.” This earns him more laughter, and they enter the house joking about the rumors that have been spreading about Jensen.
Dean darts around the house, inspecting the new environment, and Jensen takes his duffle to the room Mike and Tom prepared for him. It looks like it’s their office turned guest room. There’s a fold-out couch, and a cupboard for clothes. Jensen just tosses the bag onto the couch, and joins his friends in the kitchen.
Mike is getting some beers, and sets them onto the table. They sit down and suddenly it’s quiet, no-one sure who should start. In the end it’s Jensen who takes another swig from his bottle, and clears his throat.
“So, you gonna ask or what?” This dare is all it takes to get the two of them started. Jensen patiently answers questions and talks about his unexpected friendship with Jared. He tells fun stories about the four weeks of teaching actors, and he endures jokes and teasing comments about his crush on Jared. More than once Mike makes lewd jokes about sharing body heat in the cold, and every time he earns himself a raised eyebrow by Jensen and a whack on the back of his head by Tom.
After a second round of beers, they decide to get some sleep and continue the interrogation/catching up in the morning. Jensen changes into sweats and a t-shirt for the night and after taking care of his nightly bed routine, he finds himself sitting on the unmade bed in his friends’ office.
Dean is curled around his feet, and Jensen’s holding his cell in his hands. He scolds himself for delaying the call he promised Jared.
The phone rings a couple of times but then Jared picks up on the other end. Jensen takes a deep breath. “Hi Jared.”
“Hi. So, you arrived safe?” If Jared is upset that Jensen calls him this late, he doesn’t let on. His voice is more cheerful than during their last talk.
“Yeah, there was a patch of rough traffic on the express highway but all in all the drive was eventless.” He relaxes some more and leans back into the couch. “Mike and Tom were real happy I came up here. I hope that you don’t mind my taking this short excursion.”
“Naw, it’s alright. From what you told me, the two of them were your best friends during college. I can understand that you would want to visit them when you get the chance.” Jensen can hear Jared saying something to someone else, and he wonders if Jared’s on a break or if he took the phone back to the set with him.
“You still working?” Of course Jared’s still working. He told Jensen today that the night shoot will most likely last until three in the morning.
“Yeah, but they are working on the set right now so we took an impromptu break.” Dean gets up and jumps onto the couch and lies down across Jensen’s thighs. “Tomorrow and Tuesday will be like today, but after that we’ll be done with the night shoots. I can’t wait for that to happen.”
“And here I thought you actually enjoy working during the dark. Must remind you of Alaska, with getting up at four thirty and all.” His teasing comment had Jared laugh sarcastically.
“Very funny. At least I get to sleep after work, not like at the boot camp, where I had to get up at night and then had to snow shoe across half of Alaska.” They are laughing now.
“Half of Alaska, huh?” Jensen cards his fingers through Dean’s thick fur, scratching behind the dog’s ears. “I have to say that you walked further than I ever did.”
“Well, maybe not that far, but too far. That’s for sure.” The easy banter is back, and it feels good to talk with Jared like they used to. Before the morning from hell.
“You know, they are saying that your secret gay identity is the reason you and Sandy broke things off.” Jensen doesn’t know why he’s doing that. He hadn’t even planned on saying anything about the rumors that are flying around.
“So I’ve heard, yeah.” Jared snorts. “As if. I mean why would I want to cheat on her with a guy?”
The joking comment feels like a slap in Jensen’s face. If he ever thought, in some dark corner of his mind, that there was even the slightest chance of Jared being interested in men, much less him, it’s over now. So much about that.
“You tell me. It’s you who’s supposed to have done the deed.” Jensen swallows down the bitter feeling of disappointment. It’s stupid really, there’s nothing he should be disappointed about, but the bitterness is there nonetheless.
“I hate it when they just can’t let me be. They never got what they wanted from our separation, and now they’re trying to turn everything into some sordid story about betrayal and infidelity. They’re assholes.” It’s rare that Jared gets worked up about something, but there’s real anger in his voice now. Apparently he’s not as cool with everything as Jensen assumed he was.
“Just ignore them. Hey, if they can’t find anything worthwhile they’ll move on. You’ll see, by next week when I’m back in Texas, and you’re still in LA, they’ll forget about that nonsense.” He switches his phone to his other ear and wipes his sweaty hand against his shirt. “The next thing you know you’ll be dating Hayden, because the two of you went for a coffee.”
At this Jared snorts amused into the phone. “Naw, I’m much too young for her. Besides, she’s still pining after Jeff.” At this they both break out laughing. Jeff’s dilemma with Hayden’s overt flirting will be a story that will be told many times in the future.
Jensen can hear someone calling Jared’s name. And then Jared has to go back to work. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Tell you about how much the dogs miss Dean.”
“You do that.” They say goodnight and end the call.
After the connection is cut, Jensen tosses the phone on the side table next to the couch. He ushers Dean down from the couch and unfolds it. The sheets and a pillow are on the desk, already ready for him to use. With the bed made he climbs in and is joined by Dean who refuses to sleep on the floor.
Jensen turns onto his front and buries his face in the pillow; he inhales the scent of fabric softener and relaxes. It takes only seconds for him to fall asleep.
continue: Part Six
By Simarillion
Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Universe: Alternative Universe
Rating: PG-13/R (this instalment)
Beta: Asm Z
Pairing: Jensen Ackles/Jared Padalecki, Jared Padalecki/Sandra McCoy (mentioned), others
Warnings: slash, M/M
Word Count: 3,403 (16,048 total)
Summary: Extra! Extra! Read all about it! (Of pictures, and rumours, and beginnings)
Disclaimer: None of the herein presented happenings and events are true. Everything is 100% fiction and that includes the sexuality of the characters. I don’t claim to be in the know about their relations and private affairs, and I don’t make any money with the creation of this story.
Author’s Note: I changed the age of Jensen and Jared, they are the same age now. The plot wouldn’t really work otherwise.
This is part 3 of the Glaciology! ‘verse. Jensen is a scientist in the field of glaciology and he spends most of his time surrounded by ice, whereas Jared is a Hollywood movie star. Prequel to this story are Invisible Glaciers and Iceberg Anatomy.
Part Five
When Jared has to leave for work in the early afternoon, Jensen can’t help feeling relieved. It’s not like Jared does anything to make things more difficult, or especially hard on him, but his mere presence is too much stress for Jensen at the moment.
His call to his parents had been much easier than he had expected it to be, even though his mum had only stopped asking after Jared Padalecki, once Jensen made her promise to talk about anything but the big scandal that’s him and the actor.
Now that he finds himself alone with only Linda working somewhere around the house, and the dogs to keep him company, he decides to do some more damage control. There have been a couple of more calls from his friends throughout the day, one message even from David, asking if he was alright, and even some calls from strangers (most likely press) who wanted to ask questions. How they had gotten his phone number he doesn’t know.
He scrolls though his list of ingoing calls, selects Mike’s name and dials his friend’s number. Like with everyone today, Mike picks up almost immediately. He’s kind of breathless, like he’d been running to the phone.
“Jensen.” Some more gulps for breath follow his name.
“Hey there, Mike.” Jensen has to admit that he misses talking to his friends from college. At least for this the whole affair is being helpful. “I guess you have been reading that nonsense about me and some big ass movie star as well.”
“Reading, hearing, and seeing.” Two more pants and then he’s got his breathing under control again. “And not any star as well. Isn’t Padalecki the guy you were hung up about in high school? How did that come about?”
And here he went again. He had been explaining about his and Jared’s past (ancient and current), a couple of times already today. “Yeah, we went to the same high school. And before you ask again, yes, I had a crush on him. But, Mike, there’s nothing going on between him and me. He was sent to the Alaska base for some Polar boot camp, to help with preparing for a movie, and we got to be friends. It’s all very kids-rated.”
“So where do the pictures fit in?” Yeah, those stupid photos, Jensen still hasn’t seen himself.
“Well, when I went to Texas for Mac’s graduation, he invited me to visit him. With having to go to LA anyway for the AE meeting, I accepted. We were just hanging out, him playing tour guide and showing me Hollywood.” Jensen wonders how he couldn’t have thought about paparazzi. It’s the one thing you do know about stars, even someone like him does know that, they are being followed everywhere by the press.
“Dude, this is a mess. The press is making this out into some super secret love affair. They are even saying that you are the reason for the guy’s break-up with his fiancée.” Just when Jensen thinks that it can’t get worse, something like this happens.
“What?” He asks flustered.
“Yeah, on one of those celebrity gossip sites, they say that he has been cheating on her with men during their relationship, and that her finding out about it was the reason why the wedding was called off. With the pictures of you and him, they’re assuming that you are the guy who’s responsible for all of it.” Things are getting way more out of hand by the minute, and Jensen suddenly realises that he has to leave. He can’t stay a minute longer.
“Mike, what am I supposed to do?” There’s panic creeping into his voice.
“First of all, calm down. People will assume what they want to. There’s nothing you can do about that.” If it only were that easy. Jensen just wants to be back in Alaska, sitting in his closet office and file papers, even three days of data entering sound appealing right now. “And then I want you to get your ass up here to San Francisco. We haven’t seen your ugly mug for far too long.”
The teasing has him smile. He could use some friends now. “I have Dean with me, and there’s no way I can get a flight in such a short notice. If I’m driving up there, I won’t be with you before nightfall. How long does it take?”
“About six hours, maybe add another hour for traffic.” There is someone talking to Mike, and then he’s gone and Tom’s on the phone.
“Hey, Jensen. Just come up here. It doesn’t matter if you arrive at eight, or nine, or ten. Eleven is no problem either. Just come.” To hear his friends being there for him, and wanting to help makes this an easy decision.
“Okay, I’ll have to round up Dean and pack a bag, but I should be able to leave by three thirty, four the latest. Prepare for a long wait though.” He grins as he gets up and starts to one-handed pack a bag for his impromptu trip to San Francisco. Quickly he tosses shirts, pants, underwear, and some toiletries into the duffle, adding Dean’s leash and muzzle just in case.
“Don’t worry. We are both on holiday the next two weeks, and we could use some excitement. Your mad dash from the paparazzi to our humble abode is just what we need.” The amusement in Tom’s voice has Jensen chuckle. In the back he can hear Mike saying, “Tell him that we have food for the fur face.”
“I heard Mike. Thanks guys.” With his bag packed, he puts on his shoes and goes searching for the dog. “I’ll give you a call once I’m on my way.”
“You do that.” With that their call ends, and Jensen roams the garden, calling for Dean.
He finds the husky sleeping curled up with Sadie and Harley. When Jensen calls him, he ignores him the first couple of times, only when Jensen’s tone grows harder, does he get up, slinking despondently over to him. His eyes send him a look that accuses Jensen of horrifying torture.
“Now don’t give me that look. We’re going to visit Tom and Mike, and you’ve been spoilt rotten these past days.” Obediently the dog follows him inside, and Jensen gets his bag.
On his way out, he comes across Linda, who looks up in surprise at seeing him with Dean and the duffle. After a second her eyes grow hard and she looks at him accusingly.
“It’s not what you think it is. My friends in San Francisco asked me to visit and with Jared busy the next couple of days, I thought it might be a good idea to go. I’ll be back in one or two days.” He has to fight the urge to squirm.
“And he knows?” At this Jensen cringes.
“He’s working right now, but I’ll call him once the shooting is over.” Jensen knows that it’s a shitty thing to do, to leave without telling Jared beforehand but it’s not like he planned to do so. Dean whines, sensing the tension between Linda and Jensen. “Linda, I swear me and Jared are alright, and I’ll be back on Wednesday latest, because he asked me to come on set with him, meet the dogs they are using on the show. I just want to see my friends, I haven’t in a very long time.”
She knows that he also wants to get away from the madness here in LA, even it’s only for a short time, but Jensen’s words and his pleading look, has her relax somewhat and she gives him a nod.
“You need something for the road? Drink or food?” Her offer of help makes him feel even more guilty for leaving, but he really needs the distance right now.
“That would be real nice.” He follows her to the kitchen where she gets the sandwich stuff out of the fridge and prepares a bag of food for Jensen. Together with the sandwiches she adds crisps, pie, and bottled water.
Once everything is finished she helps him pack everything into the car. The SUV is spacious enough in the back to allow Jensen to install the kennel, into which Dean reluctantly climbs. Jensen adds a dish with water, and locks the door. The duffle goes onto the front seat, with the food bag on top of it. He checks that everything’s alright and says his goodbye from Linda.
Climbing into the car, Jensen turns around a last time and checks on Dean. Reassured that the husky is lying down, already dozing calmly, he straps the seat belt on, shoves his sunglasses on his face and starts the car.
It’s Danny who lets him out through the gate, and he waves friendly at Jensen as he drives through. Outside the gate a couple of cars are parked with photographers on the street, snapping pictures of him leaving.
Jensen wishes for Jared’s truck with the tinted windows, and steps on the gas, trying to leave them behind as quickly as possible. In the rear view mirror he can see Danny walking up to the paparazzi, telling them to leave, but they refuse to be budged.
The cooler temperature today makes the drive rather comfortable. Once he’s on the highway out of LA, heading north, Jensen rolls down the window, and lets some fresh air in. He’s got the radio on a classic rock station, and taps the beat of the songs on the steering-wheel, occasionally singing along.
Three hours into their journey, he pulls up at a fill up joint, letting Dean out of the kennel and walking him around for a couple of minutes. Once the dog is back in the car, Jensen climbs in and the drive continues. They are making good time, and Jensen thinks that he should arrive around ten at Mike’s and Tom’s.
Halfway to San Francisco, he calls Jared’s phone. He knows that the other is probably working right now, but he leaves him a message, telling Jared to call when he’s on a break. After that he eats one of he sandwiches and drinks some water.
They are one and a half hours out of San Francisco when Jensen’s cell rings, Jared’s ID on the display. Jensen picks up, wedging the phone between his cheek and his shoulder. He knows that he should use the headset, but it’s somewhere in the duffle bag.
“Jared?” He can hear laughter on the other end of the line. It sounds like Hayden and Chad are having fun.
“Hey Jensen, you left me a message. So, I’m calling you back like you asked me to.” Jared sounds amused, and suddenly Jensen wishes he was there as well. He could use some laughter as well.
“I just wanted to tell you that I’m visiting Mike and Tom in San Francisco. They called and invited me to come up there. I’ll be with them for a day or two.” At his words there is silence at Jared’s end.
“You’re going to San Francisco? When?” Jared doesn’t sound as amused anymore, but his voice is neutral at least.
“I’m already on my way there. Will be arriving in about one or two hours. I just wanted to let you know, that you aren’t surprised when I’m not there in the morning.” He feels like such a heel. “I’m sorry about the abrupt departure, but Mike called me in the afternoon, demanding I show my face.”
After a second Jared replies to him. “Okay, but it’s not about that media thing, right?”
“No, I just haven’t seen them in years, and when they called and invited me I though it would be a great chance.” Jensen hates lying, but at least it’s not fully a lie. Just the part about the media being a factor for his short trip.
“Okay. When are you back?” Chad is asking about what’s going on in the back. Apparently Jared’s behavior has alarmed him to their conversation.
“I’ll be back on Tuesday, evening most likely.” Jensen breaks because of some idiot who hasn’t learned to drive. “We’re still on about Wednesday and the dogs, right?”
“Of course.” Some of Jared’s usual excitement is back in his voice. “Call me once you have arrived. If I can’t go to the phone, I’ll call you back, okay.”
“Okay.” With that their call ends. Jensen tucks the cell into the duffle bag and concentrates on driving.
The closer they get to San Francisco, the heavier the traffic gets. On the express highway he gets into a jam, which takes him about half and hour to pass. The rest of the way is smooth driving, and he pulls up at his friends’ house around half past ten.
The lights are on downstairs and when he opens the trunk to the car, letting Dean out of the kennel, the front door opens and Mike and Tom are coming outside. His friends are greeted by the dog who wags his tail so hard he almost throws himself about. Tom plays with Dean while Mike walks up to Jensen, hugging him as he reaches him.
They let go of each other rather quickly, both grinning embarrassed. “Let’s forget we ever did that, okay.”
Jensen’s comment makes Mike laugh, and he claps him on the shoulder. “Yeah, that sounds great.”
Together they get Dean’s and Jensen’s things out of the car. As Jensen walks up to the house, Tom sneaks up behind him and drapes his arm around Jensen’s shoulder.
“So, you have to tell me in detail about that torrid affair of yours that I have been hearing so much about.” He laughs as he sees Jensen’s scowl.
“Asshole.” This earns him more laughter, and they enter the house joking about the rumors that have been spreading about Jensen.
Dean darts around the house, inspecting the new environment, and Jensen takes his duffle to the room Mike and Tom prepared for him. It looks like it’s their office turned guest room. There’s a fold-out couch, and a cupboard for clothes. Jensen just tosses the bag onto the couch, and joins his friends in the kitchen.
Mike is getting some beers, and sets them onto the table. They sit down and suddenly it’s quiet, no-one sure who should start. In the end it’s Jensen who takes another swig from his bottle, and clears his throat.
“So, you gonna ask or what?” This dare is all it takes to get the two of them started. Jensen patiently answers questions and talks about his unexpected friendship with Jared. He tells fun stories about the four weeks of teaching actors, and he endures jokes and teasing comments about his crush on Jared. More than once Mike makes lewd jokes about sharing body heat in the cold, and every time he earns himself a raised eyebrow by Jensen and a whack on the back of his head by Tom.
After a second round of beers, they decide to get some sleep and continue the interrogation/catching up in the morning. Jensen changes into sweats and a t-shirt for the night and after taking care of his nightly bed routine, he finds himself sitting on the unmade bed in his friends’ office.
Dean is curled around his feet, and Jensen’s holding his cell in his hands. He scolds himself for delaying the call he promised Jared.
The phone rings a couple of times but then Jared picks up on the other end. Jensen takes a deep breath. “Hi Jared.”
“Hi. So, you arrived safe?” If Jared is upset that Jensen calls him this late, he doesn’t let on. His voice is more cheerful than during their last talk.
“Yeah, there was a patch of rough traffic on the express highway but all in all the drive was eventless.” He relaxes some more and leans back into the couch. “Mike and Tom were real happy I came up here. I hope that you don’t mind my taking this short excursion.”
“Naw, it’s alright. From what you told me, the two of them were your best friends during college. I can understand that you would want to visit them when you get the chance.” Jensen can hear Jared saying something to someone else, and he wonders if Jared’s on a break or if he took the phone back to the set with him.
“You still working?” Of course Jared’s still working. He told Jensen today that the night shoot will most likely last until three in the morning.
“Yeah, but they are working on the set right now so we took an impromptu break.” Dean gets up and jumps onto the couch and lies down across Jensen’s thighs. “Tomorrow and Tuesday will be like today, but after that we’ll be done with the night shoots. I can’t wait for that to happen.”
“And here I thought you actually enjoy working during the dark. Must remind you of Alaska, with getting up at four thirty and all.” His teasing comment had Jared laugh sarcastically.
“Very funny. At least I get to sleep after work, not like at the boot camp, where I had to get up at night and then had to snow shoe across half of Alaska.” They are laughing now.
“Half of Alaska, huh?” Jensen cards his fingers through Dean’s thick fur, scratching behind the dog’s ears. “I have to say that you walked further than I ever did.”
“Well, maybe not that far, but too far. That’s for sure.” The easy banter is back, and it feels good to talk with Jared like they used to. Before the morning from hell.
“You know, they are saying that your secret gay identity is the reason you and Sandy broke things off.” Jensen doesn’t know why he’s doing that. He hadn’t even planned on saying anything about the rumors that are flying around.
“So I’ve heard, yeah.” Jared snorts. “As if. I mean why would I want to cheat on her with a guy?”
The joking comment feels like a slap in Jensen’s face. If he ever thought, in some dark corner of his mind, that there was even the slightest chance of Jared being interested in men, much less him, it’s over now. So much about that.
“You tell me. It’s you who’s supposed to have done the deed.” Jensen swallows down the bitter feeling of disappointment. It’s stupid really, there’s nothing he should be disappointed about, but the bitterness is there nonetheless.
“I hate it when they just can’t let me be. They never got what they wanted from our separation, and now they’re trying to turn everything into some sordid story about betrayal and infidelity. They’re assholes.” It’s rare that Jared gets worked up about something, but there’s real anger in his voice now. Apparently he’s not as cool with everything as Jensen assumed he was.
“Just ignore them. Hey, if they can’t find anything worthwhile they’ll move on. You’ll see, by next week when I’m back in Texas, and you’re still in LA, they’ll forget about that nonsense.” He switches his phone to his other ear and wipes his sweaty hand against his shirt. “The next thing you know you’ll be dating Hayden, because the two of you went for a coffee.”
At this Jared snorts amused into the phone. “Naw, I’m much too young for her. Besides, she’s still pining after Jeff.” At this they both break out laughing. Jeff’s dilemma with Hayden’s overt flirting will be a story that will be told many times in the future.
Jensen can hear someone calling Jared’s name. And then Jared has to go back to work. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Tell you about how much the dogs miss Dean.”
“You do that.” They say goodnight and end the call.
After the connection is cut, Jensen tosses the phone on the side table next to the couch. He ushers Dean down from the couch and unfolds it. The sheets and a pillow are on the desk, already ready for him to use. With the bed made he climbs in and is joined by Dean who refuses to sleep on the floor.
Jensen turns onto his front and buries his face in the pillow; he inhales the scent of fabric softener and relaxes. It takes only seconds for him to fall asleep.
continue: Part Six