simarillion (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
simarillion) wrote2009-05-29 08:40 pm
simarillion) wrote2009-05-29 08:40 pm
FIC: "Avalanches Approaching" (6/10)
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: 3,007 (19,055 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 Six
The two days Jensen spends in San Francisco are filled with hanging out, and catching up. Mike devised a disguise for Jensen to make sure no-one recognizes him. When he wants to ‘dress’ Dean up by spray painting his fur – to make him unrecognizable of course – Jensen refuses to go through with the idea. In the end they head out with Jensen and Dean looking like themselves. They aren’t harassed at all.
In the afternoon, Jared calls talking about the shoot and about the dogs. They avoid talking about the stories that are still being spread about them. On the first day in San Francisco, Jensen finally gets around to checking the online articles out. The stories he finds have him wish for a huge hole in the ground he can hide in.
The photos are pictures that were taken of him and Jared at the restaurant where they had brunch, grainy cell phone captions of Jared and him at the airport, and photos of them touring Hollywood Boulevard. All of them are innocent pictures that show two guys hanging out together, but the tales that are being spun around them are hair-raising.
On Tuesday he calls his family again, making sure that they aren’t harassed by reporters anymore. Fortunately, the police have been patrolling the street until the photographers left, and now his parents and his siblings can leave the house once more without being rundown by a sensationalistic mob of journalists.
When it’s time to return to LA, Jensen packs his stuff up and loads himself and Dean into the car. He promises to let Mike and Tom know if things are easier back at ground zero, and then he starts his drive down south.
This time he started around one which will have him arrive at Jared’s place around seven or eight. They break their journey at the same fill up joint like on their drive two days ago, and with almost no traffic, which equals a world wonder, they arrive about six and a half hours after they left Mike and Tom standing on the side walk.
There’s a car parked opposite the gate, but Jensen can’t see and photographers around. The guard on duty is someone he doesn’t know but he’s allowed entrance without any trouble. Apparently, now that his picture has been posted on the net and shown around on TV, everyone knows who he is.
Jensen parks the SUV in front of the entrance and the first thing he does is let Dean out of the kennel. He’s unlocking the door of the cage, when there’s the sound of excited barking. He has about two seconds before Dean jumps out of the car and is enthusiastically greeted by Harley and Sadie.
“The two of them were moping around the house ever since Dean left.” Jared’s voice comes as a surprise.
Jensen looks up at the explanation and finds Jared walking up to him. There are dark smudges under his eyes, and he looks like he’s dead on his feet. He hadn’t been joking when he said that night shoots do not agree with him.
“I thought you’re having another long night today as well?” Jensen locks the kennel and closes the trunk. He walks to the front door of the car and gets his bag.
“Yeah, that was the plan, but my scenes were done the last two days and now I don’t have to shoot tonight. Which is perfect, because I could really use some sleep.” His statement is emphasized by a yawn.
“A nice long beauty sleep should do wonders for you.” Jensen grins mischievously at Jared. “Might even help with your ugly face, if anything can of course.”
“I hate you.” Jared follows him inside, trailing obediently after Jensen, who heads for his bedroom. He feels proud that in the two days he spent in San Francisco he didn’t forget how to navigate the huge mansion Jared calls his home.
When they arrive at the door to Jensen’s room, Jared just leans against the wall, waiting for him to open the door and let them in. While Jensen starts unpacking his duffle bag, Jared falls face down onto the bed. His tall frame is sprawled over the whole bed.
“Hey! You have your own room with your own bed!” His mock outburst of indignation has Jared mumble into the pillow. Jensen’s not sure but he thinks he can make out something like ‘’s my bed, too. “This is not Alaska, where you and Dean constantly hogged my bed.”
But this time he doesn’t get any reply. Shaking his head in amusement, he continues unpacking, and grabs some fresh clothes and a towel. With a last look back at Jared, who hasn’t moved an inch the last fifteen minutes, he closes the bathroom door behind him and gets ready for a shower.
It feels like heaven to wash the sweat of the long drive away. Clean and flushed from the hot water, he returns to the bedroom, to find Jared snoring lightly. Jensen will get something to eat from the kitchen, and then he’ll try to coax Jared from Jensen’s bed to his own.
Linda’s presence comes as a surprise to him. Usually the house keeper leaves in the late afternoon. Jensen smiles at her, wondering what her mood is like after his departure two days ago. “Hi!”
“Jensen. Take a seat.” He obeys willingly and climbs his stool at the counter. It’s funny how he can refer to a piece of furniture in Jared’s house as his own now. “Are you hungry?”
His stomach growls in answer to her question, and makes him blush with embarrassment.
“I take it, that means ‘yes’.” She laughs amused. Turning away from him she starts taking Tupperware and pots out of the huge fridge. Soon the smell of pasta sauce is teasing Jensen’s nose and making his mouth water.
Ten minutes later a plate of spaghetti with meatballs is put in front of him, and a breadbasket with garlic bread is added after that. The helping is far too much for him but he’ll do his best to eat as much as possible. With a delighted grin he starts digging in. He looks up from the piling plate, and stares at Linda adoringly.
“Stop it, you charmer.” She takes another plate with food – with a much smaller helping – and sits down opposite him. It’s the first time Jensen sees her eat. He passes the grated parmesan to her and pours them both a glass of water.
For some time they eat in companionable silence. Jensen splatters his shirt with drops of the meatball sauce, making him look like a slob, but he doesn’t care. The garlic bread is delicious as well, and even though he already feels like he’s going to explode, he can’t stop eating.
“I want to apologize.” This has him stop eating, the fork with food paused in midair. “I was unfair to you on Sunday. You aren’t used to this world of scandals and gossip, and your calling him at the studio was what helped him ignore the bullshit he got from his manager and his PR guy.”
“How so?” Jensen sets the fork down and takes a gulp of water.
“With you not here, he could tell them that it was all lies what the press was spreading. When his manager showed up and you weren’t around, he calmed down. Which made dealing with them a lot easier.” She takes a bite from the garlic bread and dips it into the sauce of the pasta. “You calling and talking with him as if nothing had happened, it calmed him down. After the mess the media created when Jared and Sandy split up, he had Sandy to help with the public sorting out, but at home he would constantly brood and worry. This time, he would just give you a call and afterwards he’d be happy again.”
Being the one responsible for the wellbeing of one Jared Padalecki is a little bit intimidating. He looks away from her gaze, nodding his understanding.
“Thank you.” Jensen whips his head towards her.
“Please, don’t thank me. It was a cowardly thing I did, even if it turned out to be the right solution. My motivation was anything but selfless.” He shreds the slice of garlic bread he’s holding, crumbs falling in the meatball sauce.
“Even so, thank you.” Linda returns to eating her food, and Jensen feels a little less like a naughty child who got caught in the act.
His appetite is gone, but he forces himself to eat some more before he pushes the plate to the side and drains his glass. He’s more than full by now, and he has to shift a little on the stool because it feels uncomfortable to bend his stomach. Jensen wonders if it’s inappropriate to unbutton the top of his jeans.
Once Linda has finished eating, she starts putting everything away and cleaning the kitchen. Jensen heaves himself down form the stool and moves to help her with the work. His attempt earns him a strict glare that would put Jim’s reprimanding looks to shame, and Jensen slinks back to his seat, leaning against the counter.
They talk about what Jensen did and saw in San Francisco, with him tossing in a couple of stories Jensen and his friends at college. He’s well into the story of how Mike and Tom hooked up when a sleepy voice interrupts him.
“You left me all alone.” Jared’s leaning against the door frame, more asleep than awake. “What if someone had tried to molest me?”
Jensen raises his eyebrow. “Who? The dogs? They are outside. Besides, I’m sure you would have liked it.”
Jared grumbles something inarticulate and shuffles to the stool next to Jensen. With some difficulties he climbs it and promptly lays his head on the counter before him.
“Charming.” Linda prods Jared into sitting up and puts a cup of steaming coffee in front of him.
“That doesn’t work with me.” But Jared drinks it anyway. He holds out the empty mug and gets a refill.
“What were the two of you talking about?” He drinks the second cup of coffee at a much slower pace than the first one.
“Jensen was just telling me about how Mike and Tom got together.” At Jared’s curious look Jensen starts the story again, and adds some more info about his task in the whole scheme.
They are all three laughing about Mike’s threats of multiple homicides. It feels comfortable and like it’s something they’ve done for a long time. Jensen takes his glass, taking another sip of water and continues with the story. By the end of it Jared is mostly awake, laughing so hard he has to hold on to the counter.
“And they’re still together?” Jensen nods at that.
“Yeah, they’ve been through college, moving from Canada to the States, because Mike’s pure California, and starting a life together.” Talking about his friends and how they have been a couple for so long now, it makes him sad that he never had this closeness with someone else. Having sex or a relationship for a couple of months can’t compare to Mike’s and Tom’s commitment.
“It’s a pity they didn’t come down here; I would have liked to meet them.” Jared gets another refill of coffee, and Jensen suddenly wonders if Jared’s really as immune to coffee as he claimed to be.
When she sees his worried look, Linda leans closer to him and stage whispers, “Don’t worry, it’s decaf.”
“Hey!” Jared holds his ears closed.
“He likes to think that coffee doesn’t work on him, and we like to keep him in the illusion that it is so.” She smiles sweetly at Jared and winks at Jensen.
When Jared realizes that it’s safe to listen again, he uncovers his ears. He glances suspiciously at Linda, holding tight to his cup of coffee. Jensen has to fight hard to stay serious, and not to burst out laughing at them.
Their gathering lasts well into the night and it’s about eleven when Linda says her goodnight and leaves. Jensen and Jared head for the garden, where they sit down on the deck of the pool. Soon after they have settled in, the dogs join them, sprawling over their feet and dozing content.
The cool night air is filled with cicadas, owls and other night time sounds. Jensen closes his eyes and leans back, enjoying tranquility. Right here and right now he feels at peace. When a soft breeze wafts over the pool, and caresses his skin, he can’t help but grin happily.
“You know, when Chad called me Sunday morning, and told me about the press mayhem, I thought that once more they were able to fuck my life up. First with their talk about my relationship with Sandy and now talking shit about you.” Jared’s voice is soft as if he’s talking to himself and not with Jensen. “I know that being friends with a public person like me is hard. I know that so well, because I lost all of mine when the fame started. That’s why everyone in this business hangs out and hooks up with someone else in the business.”
Jensen stays quiet and just listens. He knows that Jared doesn’t want a reply; he just wants to voice his thoughts. Maybe not only to explain them to Jensen, but to make it easier to organize them.
“My best friend during high school sold the story of my high school time to the highest bidder once it became clear that the press is interested in it. That was a wake up call for me, and ever since I’ve been careful not to tell anyone about personal stuff.” Jensen turns his head to Jared and watches his face through his lashes. “When we got along so well, and became friends that easily, I wasn’t sure about what to think about it. My telling you about Sandy and me, was a big risk, and Chad told me that I was being stupid, but so far I’ve been right about you Jensen.”
“I would never tell anyone about anything private or personal you’re trusting me with.” Jensen can’t help but say something. Having experienced first hand how unpleasant it is if the public has its eye on you, interpreting your every move, he would never willingly do that to someone else.
“I know. That’s why you friendship means a lot to me. I would have regretted to lose it over this mess.” Jared’s eyes are fixed in Jensen’s face. “I’m glad that things turned out okay in the end.”
“Me too.” They’re both smiling, relieved at each other, and then turn their heads up to watch the night sky. The white dotted black satin seems strangely close, and it almost seems like they’ll be able to reach it with their hands.
For some time they talk about what they’re going to do on set tomorrow. Jensen asks about the dogs – who Jared knows nothing concrete about – and Jared tells him about the Guitar Hero competition he and Chad have going on.
What follows is an explanation by Jared about what Guitar Hero is, and Jensen has then to promise to play with them during the breaks. When Jared starts talking about something called Sing Stars, Jensen nips the idea in the bud. He simply refuses to karaoke with Jared and Chad.
When their conversation starts to fade out, they just stay there, sitting next to each other and enjoy the quiet. Jensen closes his eyes and every sound becomes much clearer and louder suddenly. It’s not noisy, but he realizes that it’s not nearly as quiet as it seemed to be before.
They stay on the deck until Jared dozes off and starts snoring. The sound wakes Jensen from his own state of half-sleep. He gets up, waking the dogs and Jared and together they head back inside. While Harley and Sadie follow Jared into his bedroom, Dean trots after Jensen.
Inside he changes his clothes and brushes his teeth. They have to leave around eight in the morning, and Jensen sets the alarm on his cell phone, just to be sure that he gets up on time. After that he climbs into bed. Dean joins him, just like every night, and soon there’s the sound of the dog’s heavy breathing.
For some reason Jensen’s not tired at all, and he lies awake in the bed, staring into the dark. With the exception of Sunday, the stay with Jared had been very nice. It makes him sad that the press has such power over the lives of people like Jared. With their rumor spreading and constant surveillance the reporters and paparazzi destroyed relationships, and sometimes even ruined lives.
Living a normal life, never wondering about how his actions might look to someone else, Jensen can’t fully understand the concept of living in the eye of the public. His sister had often talked about this singer or that actress, quoting articles that revealed their big secrets, and took pleasure in pointing out missteps or problems.
In the past he had never cared about it, but now Jensen can’t help but wonder how people like Jared, or even Chad, could go on like this. Every day knowing that what you’re doing will be tomorrow’s headline. It would drive Jensen insane, or he would end up hiding somewhere out of reach. Like Alaska. He realizes that the seclusion of the compound must have been like a safe haven for the actors. No-one around to bother them. Except their instructors, of course.
These thoughts buzz around in his head until his eyes grow too heavy to stay open, and they droop closed. Jensen turns to his side, his hand dropping onto Dean’s fur, and with a yawn he forces himself to sleep. No need to drive himself crazy with things he can’t do anything about.
continue: Part Seven
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: 3,007 (19,055 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 Six
The two days Jensen spends in San Francisco are filled with hanging out, and catching up. Mike devised a disguise for Jensen to make sure no-one recognizes him. When he wants to ‘dress’ Dean up by spray painting his fur – to make him unrecognizable of course – Jensen refuses to go through with the idea. In the end they head out with Jensen and Dean looking like themselves. They aren’t harassed at all.
In the afternoon, Jared calls talking about the shoot and about the dogs. They avoid talking about the stories that are still being spread about them. On the first day in San Francisco, Jensen finally gets around to checking the online articles out. The stories he finds have him wish for a huge hole in the ground he can hide in.
The photos are pictures that were taken of him and Jared at the restaurant where they had brunch, grainy cell phone captions of Jared and him at the airport, and photos of them touring Hollywood Boulevard. All of them are innocent pictures that show two guys hanging out together, but the tales that are being spun around them are hair-raising.
On Tuesday he calls his family again, making sure that they aren’t harassed by reporters anymore. Fortunately, the police have been patrolling the street until the photographers left, and now his parents and his siblings can leave the house once more without being rundown by a sensationalistic mob of journalists.
When it’s time to return to LA, Jensen packs his stuff up and loads himself and Dean into the car. He promises to let Mike and Tom know if things are easier back at ground zero, and then he starts his drive down south.
This time he started around one which will have him arrive at Jared’s place around seven or eight. They break their journey at the same fill up joint like on their drive two days ago, and with almost no traffic, which equals a world wonder, they arrive about six and a half hours after they left Mike and Tom standing on the side walk.
There’s a car parked opposite the gate, but Jensen can’t see and photographers around. The guard on duty is someone he doesn’t know but he’s allowed entrance without any trouble. Apparently, now that his picture has been posted on the net and shown around on TV, everyone knows who he is.
Jensen parks the SUV in front of the entrance and the first thing he does is let Dean out of the kennel. He’s unlocking the door of the cage, when there’s the sound of excited barking. He has about two seconds before Dean jumps out of the car and is enthusiastically greeted by Harley and Sadie.
“The two of them were moping around the house ever since Dean left.” Jared’s voice comes as a surprise.
Jensen looks up at the explanation and finds Jared walking up to him. There are dark smudges under his eyes, and he looks like he’s dead on his feet. He hadn’t been joking when he said that night shoots do not agree with him.
“I thought you’re having another long night today as well?” Jensen locks the kennel and closes the trunk. He walks to the front door of the car and gets his bag.
“Yeah, that was the plan, but my scenes were done the last two days and now I don’t have to shoot tonight. Which is perfect, because I could really use some sleep.” His statement is emphasized by a yawn.
“A nice long beauty sleep should do wonders for you.” Jensen grins mischievously at Jared. “Might even help with your ugly face, if anything can of course.”
“I hate you.” Jared follows him inside, trailing obediently after Jensen, who heads for his bedroom. He feels proud that in the two days he spent in San Francisco he didn’t forget how to navigate the huge mansion Jared calls his home.
When they arrive at the door to Jensen’s room, Jared just leans against the wall, waiting for him to open the door and let them in. While Jensen starts unpacking his duffle bag, Jared falls face down onto the bed. His tall frame is sprawled over the whole bed.
“Hey! You have your own room with your own bed!” His mock outburst of indignation has Jared mumble into the pillow. Jensen’s not sure but he thinks he can make out something like ‘’s my bed, too. “This is not Alaska, where you and Dean constantly hogged my bed.”
But this time he doesn’t get any reply. Shaking his head in amusement, he continues unpacking, and grabs some fresh clothes and a towel. With a last look back at Jared, who hasn’t moved an inch the last fifteen minutes, he closes the bathroom door behind him and gets ready for a shower.
It feels like heaven to wash the sweat of the long drive away. Clean and flushed from the hot water, he returns to the bedroom, to find Jared snoring lightly. Jensen will get something to eat from the kitchen, and then he’ll try to coax Jared from Jensen’s bed to his own.
Linda’s presence comes as a surprise to him. Usually the house keeper leaves in the late afternoon. Jensen smiles at her, wondering what her mood is like after his departure two days ago. “Hi!”
“Jensen. Take a seat.” He obeys willingly and climbs his stool at the counter. It’s funny how he can refer to a piece of furniture in Jared’s house as his own now. “Are you hungry?”
His stomach growls in answer to her question, and makes him blush with embarrassment.
“I take it, that means ‘yes’.” She laughs amused. Turning away from him she starts taking Tupperware and pots out of the huge fridge. Soon the smell of pasta sauce is teasing Jensen’s nose and making his mouth water.
Ten minutes later a plate of spaghetti with meatballs is put in front of him, and a breadbasket with garlic bread is added after that. The helping is far too much for him but he’ll do his best to eat as much as possible. With a delighted grin he starts digging in. He looks up from the piling plate, and stares at Linda adoringly.
“Stop it, you charmer.” She takes another plate with food – with a much smaller helping – and sits down opposite him. It’s the first time Jensen sees her eat. He passes the grated parmesan to her and pours them both a glass of water.
For some time they eat in companionable silence. Jensen splatters his shirt with drops of the meatball sauce, making him look like a slob, but he doesn’t care. The garlic bread is delicious as well, and even though he already feels like he’s going to explode, he can’t stop eating.
“I want to apologize.” This has him stop eating, the fork with food paused in midair. “I was unfair to you on Sunday. You aren’t used to this world of scandals and gossip, and your calling him at the studio was what helped him ignore the bullshit he got from his manager and his PR guy.”
“How so?” Jensen sets the fork down and takes a gulp of water.
“With you not here, he could tell them that it was all lies what the press was spreading. When his manager showed up and you weren’t around, he calmed down. Which made dealing with them a lot easier.” She takes a bite from the garlic bread and dips it into the sauce of the pasta. “You calling and talking with him as if nothing had happened, it calmed him down. After the mess the media created when Jared and Sandy split up, he had Sandy to help with the public sorting out, but at home he would constantly brood and worry. This time, he would just give you a call and afterwards he’d be happy again.”
Being the one responsible for the wellbeing of one Jared Padalecki is a little bit intimidating. He looks away from her gaze, nodding his understanding.
“Thank you.” Jensen whips his head towards her.
“Please, don’t thank me. It was a cowardly thing I did, even if it turned out to be the right solution. My motivation was anything but selfless.” He shreds the slice of garlic bread he’s holding, crumbs falling in the meatball sauce.
“Even so, thank you.” Linda returns to eating her food, and Jensen feels a little less like a naughty child who got caught in the act.
His appetite is gone, but he forces himself to eat some more before he pushes the plate to the side and drains his glass. He’s more than full by now, and he has to shift a little on the stool because it feels uncomfortable to bend his stomach. Jensen wonders if it’s inappropriate to unbutton the top of his jeans.
Once Linda has finished eating, she starts putting everything away and cleaning the kitchen. Jensen heaves himself down form the stool and moves to help her with the work. His attempt earns him a strict glare that would put Jim’s reprimanding looks to shame, and Jensen slinks back to his seat, leaning against the counter.
They talk about what Jensen did and saw in San Francisco, with him tossing in a couple of stories Jensen and his friends at college. He’s well into the story of how Mike and Tom hooked up when a sleepy voice interrupts him.
“You left me all alone.” Jared’s leaning against the door frame, more asleep than awake. “What if someone had tried to molest me?”
Jensen raises his eyebrow. “Who? The dogs? They are outside. Besides, I’m sure you would have liked it.”
Jared grumbles something inarticulate and shuffles to the stool next to Jensen. With some difficulties he climbs it and promptly lays his head on the counter before him.
“Charming.” Linda prods Jared into sitting up and puts a cup of steaming coffee in front of him.
“That doesn’t work with me.” But Jared drinks it anyway. He holds out the empty mug and gets a refill.
“What were the two of you talking about?” He drinks the second cup of coffee at a much slower pace than the first one.
“Jensen was just telling me about how Mike and Tom got together.” At Jared’s curious look Jensen starts the story again, and adds some more info about his task in the whole scheme.
They are all three laughing about Mike’s threats of multiple homicides. It feels comfortable and like it’s something they’ve done for a long time. Jensen takes his glass, taking another sip of water and continues with the story. By the end of it Jared is mostly awake, laughing so hard he has to hold on to the counter.
“And they’re still together?” Jensen nods at that.
“Yeah, they’ve been through college, moving from Canada to the States, because Mike’s pure California, and starting a life together.” Talking about his friends and how they have been a couple for so long now, it makes him sad that he never had this closeness with someone else. Having sex or a relationship for a couple of months can’t compare to Mike’s and Tom’s commitment.
“It’s a pity they didn’t come down here; I would have liked to meet them.” Jared gets another refill of coffee, and Jensen suddenly wonders if Jared’s really as immune to coffee as he claimed to be.
When she sees his worried look, Linda leans closer to him and stage whispers, “Don’t worry, it’s decaf.”
“Hey!” Jared holds his ears closed.
“He likes to think that coffee doesn’t work on him, and we like to keep him in the illusion that it is so.” She smiles sweetly at Jared and winks at Jensen.
When Jared realizes that it’s safe to listen again, he uncovers his ears. He glances suspiciously at Linda, holding tight to his cup of coffee. Jensen has to fight hard to stay serious, and not to burst out laughing at them.
Their gathering lasts well into the night and it’s about eleven when Linda says her goodnight and leaves. Jensen and Jared head for the garden, where they sit down on the deck of the pool. Soon after they have settled in, the dogs join them, sprawling over their feet and dozing content.
The cool night air is filled with cicadas, owls and other night time sounds. Jensen closes his eyes and leans back, enjoying tranquility. Right here and right now he feels at peace. When a soft breeze wafts over the pool, and caresses his skin, he can’t help but grin happily.
“You know, when Chad called me Sunday morning, and told me about the press mayhem, I thought that once more they were able to fuck my life up. First with their talk about my relationship with Sandy and now talking shit about you.” Jared’s voice is soft as if he’s talking to himself and not with Jensen. “I know that being friends with a public person like me is hard. I know that so well, because I lost all of mine when the fame started. That’s why everyone in this business hangs out and hooks up with someone else in the business.”
Jensen stays quiet and just listens. He knows that Jared doesn’t want a reply; he just wants to voice his thoughts. Maybe not only to explain them to Jensen, but to make it easier to organize them.
“My best friend during high school sold the story of my high school time to the highest bidder once it became clear that the press is interested in it. That was a wake up call for me, and ever since I’ve been careful not to tell anyone about personal stuff.” Jensen turns his head to Jared and watches his face through his lashes. “When we got along so well, and became friends that easily, I wasn’t sure about what to think about it. My telling you about Sandy and me, was a big risk, and Chad told me that I was being stupid, but so far I’ve been right about you Jensen.”
“I would never tell anyone about anything private or personal you’re trusting me with.” Jensen can’t help but say something. Having experienced first hand how unpleasant it is if the public has its eye on you, interpreting your every move, he would never willingly do that to someone else.
“I know. That’s why you friendship means a lot to me. I would have regretted to lose it over this mess.” Jared’s eyes are fixed in Jensen’s face. “I’m glad that things turned out okay in the end.”
“Me too.” They’re both smiling, relieved at each other, and then turn their heads up to watch the night sky. The white dotted black satin seems strangely close, and it almost seems like they’ll be able to reach it with their hands.
For some time they talk about what they’re going to do on set tomorrow. Jensen asks about the dogs – who Jared knows nothing concrete about – and Jared tells him about the Guitar Hero competition he and Chad have going on.
What follows is an explanation by Jared about what Guitar Hero is, and Jensen has then to promise to play with them during the breaks. When Jared starts talking about something called Sing Stars, Jensen nips the idea in the bud. He simply refuses to karaoke with Jared and Chad.
When their conversation starts to fade out, they just stay there, sitting next to each other and enjoy the quiet. Jensen closes his eyes and every sound becomes much clearer and louder suddenly. It’s not noisy, but he realizes that it’s not nearly as quiet as it seemed to be before.
They stay on the deck until Jared dozes off and starts snoring. The sound wakes Jensen from his own state of half-sleep. He gets up, waking the dogs and Jared and together they head back inside. While Harley and Sadie follow Jared into his bedroom, Dean trots after Jensen.
Inside he changes his clothes and brushes his teeth. They have to leave around eight in the morning, and Jensen sets the alarm on his cell phone, just to be sure that he gets up on time. After that he climbs into bed. Dean joins him, just like every night, and soon there’s the sound of the dog’s heavy breathing.
For some reason Jensen’s not tired at all, and he lies awake in the bed, staring into the dark. With the exception of Sunday, the stay with Jared had been very nice. It makes him sad that the press has such power over the lives of people like Jared. With their rumor spreading and constant surveillance the reporters and paparazzi destroyed relationships, and sometimes even ruined lives.
Living a normal life, never wondering about how his actions might look to someone else, Jensen can’t fully understand the concept of living in the eye of the public. His sister had often talked about this singer or that actress, quoting articles that revealed their big secrets, and took pleasure in pointing out missteps or problems.
In the past he had never cared about it, but now Jensen can’t help but wonder how people like Jared, or even Chad, could go on like this. Every day knowing that what you’re doing will be tomorrow’s headline. It would drive Jensen insane, or he would end up hiding somewhere out of reach. Like Alaska. He realizes that the seclusion of the compound must have been like a safe haven for the actors. No-one around to bother them. Except their instructors, of course.
These thoughts buzz around in his head until his eyes grow too heavy to stay open, and they droop closed. Jensen turns to his side, his hand dropping onto Dean’s fur, and with a yawn he forces himself to sleep. No need to drive himself crazy with things he can’t do anything about.
continue: Part Seven