Thawing Distance
By Simarillion

Fandom: Supernatural RPS
Universe: Alternative Universe
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Jensen Ackles/Jared Padalecki, others
Warnings: slash, M/M
Word Count: 3,900 (10,408 total)
Summary: Tell it like it is. (Of settling and living)
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 6 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, Iceberg Anatomy, Avalanches Approaching, Crevasse Rescue, and Shelf Ice Meander.

[Masterpost]



Part Three

Jared works hard on wooing Jensen the whole week and when Friday with Chad’s movie premiere comes along, the troubles and problems that had been wearing on them before the summer break and Jensen’s expedition to Ecuador, seem almost too far removed from the current situation, to be true. Jensen wonders if he should be more cautious, if he shouldn’t be this accepting of everything Jared does for him, but in the end it feels real nice to have this much attention and affection focused on him.

Friday morning Jared ushers Jensen out of the house after breakfast and drives him into LA to a fancy and very expensive men’s fashion boutique. It says just that right over the elegant entrance ‘boutique’. Jensen stares at the golden writing and wonders how he ended up at this particular place at this particular time.

His hesitation has Jared almost shove him inside, chatting excitedly about pants and jackets and other fashion topics.

There are rows and rows of clothes racks and mannequins and everything looks so elegant and expensive that Jensen instantly feels out of place. In the past there had been a couple of occasions when Jensen had to dress up (the last one being Mac’s graduation) but even his most expensive clothes would look shabby next to the threads being on display in this shop.

Almost the minute they enter a guy sidles up next to them, smiling charmingly, and complimenting Jared on his wardrobe.

All Jensen gets is a short look, but he’s more than okay with that. He can do without the overdone cheerfulness and the inquisitive questions. It’s too much to be honest. He wonders how anyone can get any shopping done with someone constantly butting in.

Jared takes it all in stride. It’s obvious that he’s used to a situation like this, that he thinks it to be normal to be stalked by an assistant while looking for socks. For someone like Jared, who is an international movie star, it probably is. Nothing different about any of it.

While the movie star and his trusty admirer look around and comment on different clothes and outfits, Jensen wanders around, desperately looking for something that he would buy on his own. Or at least something that looks kind of like the clothes he would buy.

Most of the goods on display are business clothes and evening clothes, but in the back of the shop he finds racks and shelves with casual clothes. There is a leather jacket of buttery soft suede. Jensen lets his fingers run over the material and finds himself trying it on. The lining is most probably silk, all smooth and soft. When he sees the price of the jacket, Jensen swallows heavily, carefully putting it back on the hanger.

“The jacket looks good on you.” The soft comment takes him by surprise and Jensen turns around, coming face to face with Jared who’s grinning at him. “D’you like it?”

“Uhm,” The question is hard to answer because, yes, Jensen likes the jacket, but Jared will most likely insist on buying it for him if he admits it. It’s just too expensive.

“Go on, put it on.” Before he can protest, Jared has the jacket in his hands and holds it out to Jensen, waiting for him to slip into it.

“This is a very good choice Mr Padalecki.” Jared’s shadow has caught up to them and can’t help but comment on what he’s seeing. “It’s the fines suede from reindeer skin. There is a Fur lining for winter that can be zipped in.”

A second after this piece of information there is a furred inner jacket that is soft and thick, grey brown reindeer coat.

“But I have to say, that it is too small for you Mr Padalecki. Maybe one size up?” The guy starts sorting through the jackets, completely missing the silent conversation going on between Jared and Jensen.

Finally Jensen gives in and once more slips into the jacket. He likes it, and the fur lining that can be added, makes it perfect for his travels to the North. It’s of no use on expeditions, but winter can be rather cold in places like Alaska, Northern Canada, Norway or Finland. He could wear it when being invited to do lectures or participating in conferences.

“You look great.” Jared reaches out and brushes over the collar, stroking Jensen’s neck in the process. The contact has Jensen shiver slightly and he glances at the shop assistant who’s still looking for the jacket in Jared’s size. “Come here.”

It only takes a second of hesitation before Jensen leans in and Jared kisses him. They’re rarely intimate with each other in front of others. Partially because of all the press that keeps hounding Jared and is only all too eager to publish it in every magazine, but a large part is the uncertainty that still lingers because of all the things that have been happening in the none too distant past.

Jared’s fingers are brushing over his shoulders and come to rest on Jensen’s hips. The unexpected touch has Jensen sigh softly into the kiss, and he breaks away. As much as he enjoys the intimacy of the situation, he really would prefer to continue this somewhere else. Jared’s shopping lackey is rather off-putting with his constant comments and his not so subtle looks.

And speaking of looks, Jensen can feel eyes resting on him that are more than a little inquisitive. A short glimpse through his lashes and he finds the shop assistant, and all the other people in the boutique to be honest, staring at them with various degrees of subtlety.

“I think it would be better to keep things pg rated, Mr Padalecki.” His teasing comment is met with another short brush of Jared’s lips against Jensen’s, and then Jared takes a step back.

“Maybe, if we sneak into a changing room we could make out some more.” The way Jared bats his eyes at Jensen, has him laugh out loud in amusement.

“Sure, no-one will suspect anything.” Their banter is interrupted when the assistant guy shows up with the jacket in Jared’s size. Grinning Jensen winks at Jared. “We could start wearing the same clothes, or at least matching them.”

This earns him an eye roll and an amused snort. “Yeah, and next we go to the surgeon to get the same face and start to finish each other’s sentences.”

“Sounds perfect to me.” Jensen chuckles at Jared’s comment, once more perusing the selection of clothes in the store. Even though he doesn’t like shopping at the best of times, and being in such an expensive shop makes the whole thing even more uncomfortable, he reminds himself of the mission they are on, get clothes for the movie premiere tonight. Jensen had asked about a tux, but Jared had assured him that a premiere like this one doesn’t call for something as formal as a tuxedo.

“Am I right to assume that you will be looking for clothes for your friend as well?” The question has Jensen almost break out in laughter as the shop assistant seems to finally catch on that Jared will not be the one getting clothes.

“You’re right to assume that.” Jared just smiles all friendly at the man. The brightness of it coaxing out more than one wistful sigh from the people around them. Jensen can relate to their reaction, he’s no different. Jared’s smiles and laughs are more than enough to brighten his day, as sappy that may sound.

And just like that the guys attention snaps from Jared to Jensen. Suddenly he finds himself ushered around the boutique in search for clothes that ‘bring out his eyes’ or ‘complement his complexion’. Jensen more than once eyes the exit to estimate his chances of an escape but Jared and the assistant from hell have some uncanny ability to read his mind, foiling all his plans and herding him away from the door and deeper into the belly of clothes and accessories.

Hours later and after trying on more clothes than Jensen possesses, they leave, bags of pants, jeans, shirts, jackets and pullovers that cost about as much as a new car (one of Jared’s cars). At first Jensen had been unwilling to have Jared pay for any of the clothes, but after Jared kept on piling piece after piece on the check out counter, totally excited and happy, Jensen had come to realize two things; one, he just can’t afford all of that (not if he wants to have money for food and gas and other amenities) and two, this is something that Jared loves, buying Jensen clothes. It’s like he has a walking and talking mannequin he can dress up.

They put the bags into the back of the car (the trunk is not good enough according to Jared) and get into the truck. It’s sweltering hot outside the shop and Jensen can’t help but notice how different the heat is here from the heat in the jungle. It’s like here the sun has more sting, but in general the heat had been heavier in Ecuador. All that humidity had done its fair share to make things uncomfortable.

Jared cranks up the A/C and soon a cool breeze wafts through the interior of the car, having the sweat dry on the cooling skin, and making it itchy. On days like this it’s best to stay in a swimming pool, or at least take lots of showers.

“So, are you already freaking out about the big media shinding tonight?” Jensen can see Jared watching it from the corner of his eyes. Surprisingly enough he has noticed that he’s not nervous at all, or not a lot. Maybe he’s starting to take things in stride, and stops worrying about the press and the public life that Jared and other popular people like him lead.

“Nope, not freaking out so far.” He relaxes and leans into the car seat, enjoying the cool interior of the car, watching the people outside, as they drive by.

“Just give it a couple of hours.” And with that Jared gives the traffic around them his full attention. There isn’t a lot of it, but Jared is a very attentive driver. He enjoys sitting behind the wheel, which is probably the reason why he prefers to drive himself to having a driver take him around.

His face turned so he can watch Jared’s face. The skin is darker, more gold tinged than before and there are very soft lines at the corner of his eyes, showing that he laughs a lot. That life has been good to him.

The drive passes rather quickly and soon they are carrying the bags from the car to the house, flanked by excited dogs, and welcomed by the grinning faces of Linda and Jack.

“Not a word.” But Jensen threat just provokes them to start laughing. He’s getting no respect here.

Once the bags are stacked on the couch in the living room, Linda is serving them a late lunch, and Jared and Jensen spend the rest of the afternoon outside with Dean, Harley and Sadie. The dogs have them chasing around, working up some sweat and rolling around in the grass, laughing hard. Jensen loves every minute of it.

He has to realize though, that he’s getting increasingly worried about the evening. The calmness that he was able to boast about earlier is gone, and Jensen can’t help but come up with worst-case scenarios that feature him in various states of undress and/or embarrassing questions from reporters. One scenario has him trip on the carpet and fall on his face, another features him bumping into some famous celebrity.

Jared, who seems to read his mind, picking up on Jensen’s nervousness, does his best to distract him and keep him busy. If there are wandering hands and tongue action involved, it’s a win situation for everyone involved.

They take separate showers though, to ensure that they will get going on time. Jensen puts on the clothes they picked out at the boutique, staring at himself in the mirror once he’s done. The person looking back at him a stranger with his fancy and stylish clothes. It’s a good look on him, but he’s not used to it.

“You look awesome!” Jared’s comment has Jensen turn around and he comes face to face with Jared who grins happily at him. “No flirting with the big stars tonight.”

The cheeky smile that is flashed at him has Jensen chuckle amused. “Well, you know me, if I find someone richer and more famous, I’ll leave you in a heart beat.”

The wounded look and the clutching of his heart sends him into a fit of laughter. He’s quickly joined by Jared who wraps his arms around him and pulls him closer. “Careful, or I might have to chain you to me.”

The playful threat has him shiver slightly, the reaction causing Jared’s grin to turn from amused to wolfish. Just what Jensen needs, some more information that Jared can use to keep him from thinking too much.

“The limousine is awaiting!” Linda’s shout breaks the mood slightly, at least enough to have them remember what they are actually supposed to do right now.

Jensen takes a last look at his mirror image, making sure that he’s ready to go, and then he heads for the front hall, his nerves fraying more with every step that takes him closer to the waiting car. All his bluster about being more relaxed and not worrying about the press and media coverage of the premiere is proven wrong, when his stomach feels like Jensen’s standing over a crevasse, staring down the dark crack.

Jared is already waiting at the door, his steps had been far longer and surer than Jensen’s, entertaining his audience of two people and three dogs with a story about Chad’s latest escapade. While the humans are laughing about the words, the dogs are all excited about Jared’s gestures, his inability to talk with his lips only.

“Ready to go?” Jensen nods, gets a hug from Linda and a slap on his back from Jack, and then they are in the car and drive off.

During the drive from Jared’s to the theatre Jared keeps up a constant stream of chatter, keeping Jensen busy by trying to keep up with the flood of words, and actually participate in the conversation that seems to be rather one-sided at times. He’s well aware of the reason why Jared overloads him with all that talking, he’s doing his best to distract Jensen from what is to come this evening.

And so it isn’t before they arrive that reality catches up to him. The car stops and Jensen can see the cameras flashing right outside, waiting for the door to open and them to get out. Suddenly all the things he told himself to get the courage and come with Jared to the premiere are gone and he can’t help but worry about what will happen on the red carpet. He turns to look at Jared, knowing that he must look like a dear in headlights.

“Hey, calm down.” Jared climbs over to him and gives him a warm hug. He whispers into Jensen’s ear, “Your adoring masses await you.”

Jensen can’t help but smile at that comment. Even though he knows that it’s Jared that is the one that all the cameras and the chaos is all about, he can’t help but feel a little extra courage at the words. Another squeeze and a quick kiss, and then Jensen turns back to the tinted window that separates him from the craziness outside. He reaches out and opens the door, almost immediately blinded by the bright flashes and deafened by the cacophony of voices that call out to them.

“Jared!”

“Jared!”

“Jared!”

Suddenly a warm hand lands on the small of his back, and Jared is right next to him, steering Jensen through the reporters and photographers until they reach the red carpet. There are reporters and photographers (even camera men) as well but far less than before and they are actually stationed at a particular place, more like waiting for the actors and stars to drift towards them

“Just smile and strut your stuff.” Jared’s stage whispered remark has Jensen almost elbow him into the side, but Jensen holds himself back, remembering the cameras all around them. That’s all he needs, pictures of him hitting Jared.

“Idiot!” The name he can’t hold in though.

Jared just laughs amused and continues to usher Jensen around. They make their way through the obstacle course that is the red carpet at a movie premiere, slowing down and stopping ever so often, that Jared can give an autograph or smile at a camera.

Everything is kind of weird for Jensen. The crowd of people at the sides that shout the names of their favorite actors, the press that is snatching the stars to their little islands to ask them about their work and their private life, the amount of famous people that are turning up at the event. To say that he’s a little intimidated would be like saying that the Pacific is bigger than a lake.

“Jared!” A waifish blonde woman grabs Jared’s arm and pulls him closer to her, away from Jensen. She almost shoves a microphone in her prey’s face and smiles brilliantly at him. “Hi Jared!”

“Hey!” It amazes Jensen how Jared can just smile and flirt with a complete stranger that practically attacked him.

“We’re at the premiere of the movie with Chad Michael Murray, who is your best friend as we all know, and he’s starring in a romantic drama. What are you expecting from the film?” The waif bats her eyes at her interviewee and flashes her bright teeth at the camera that is filming them.

“Well, since Chad is in it I only expect the best. I know…” Jensen tunes them out and looks around. There are so many people that he has a hard time to orient himself. He knows that they are headed in a certain direction, but with the crowd that is wandering around, it’s almost impossible to make out where they are going to end up.

“Dude!”

Suddenly there is Chad in front of him, grinning like a loon and hugging Jensen so hard, that he fears a couple of ribs might not be able to withstand the pressure. A couple of manly slaps on his back follow and then Jensen is able to breath again.

“You made it!” It surprises Jensen that his presence causes Chad so much happiness. He had always suspected that the other liked him but that he only spent so much time with him because of Jared.

“Well, I promised, didn’t I?” He smiles back at Chad and decides that with Jared and Chad on his side, he’s going to be safe. No matter what might happen tonight.

There is movement to his right and suddenly the blonde woman is in front of them, smiling shark-like at Chad. At the same time she prepares to start questioning her newest catch for the evening, Jared sidles up to Jensen and wraps his arm around Jensen’s waist, calming him down and shielding him somewhat from the craziness all around them.

It’s impossible to miss the moment the reporter realizes who Jensen. From one second to the next she focuses her attention on Jensen, her body language translating to a predator smelling blood. A smile that actually is supposed to be charming, sends chills down Jensen’s spine. This has to be what a mouse feels like when it comes face to face with a cat or a snake.

“Am I right to assume that I’m meeting the much talked and even more speculated about Jensen Ackles?” Jensen unconsciously takes a step back as the blonde leans closer. His back is pressed against Jared’s chest who has takes his position right there to give him support.

“Yeah, this is Jensen.” There is a steely edge to Jared’s words. It gives Jensen more confidence to realize that he has someone on his side who is willing to upset the press to keep him safe from the media’s blood thirst.

At the same time he feels satisfaction and relief about Jared’s protectiveness, he decides that he doesn’t want Jared’s publicity to suffer. It might be okay for Jensen to have no public presence, but Jared is a movie star who can’t afford to have the press and the media against him. A short glimpse at Chad shows that the other is ready join Jared. This has Jensen takes a step forward, back closer to the reporter. He takes a deep breath, smiles winningly at the woman and prepares himself for the questioning.

“I have to say that there have been a lot of rumors concerning the relationship between the two of you. Is there any truth to them?” The blonde is not stupid, she notices the stances of the two actors, but Jensen does his best to keep her attention to his person.

“It depends on the rumors you are referring to.” He turns to look at Jared and smiles at him. This gesture has the effect that Jared is invited into the conversation, and as a side effect the other calms somewhat down, the grin that starts spreading a lot warmer than before.

“What about the two of you being together for more than a year now?” The question has Jensen focusing on the reporter once more.

“Almost a year but not before that. There were stories about us before we got together but back then we hadn’t even thought a relationship, we were just friends back then.” The answer is not juicy enough, he can see her impatience. There are other things she wants to ask about.

Just as the reporter wants to ask for more details they are joined by Hayden and the brown haired woman from Cannes. Seeing the actress in person has Jensen tense. A coldness spreads through his stomach. If there is one thing he could have done without, it’s meeting the woman that caused all the grief before summer. Meeting her in front of the blonde reporter woman doesn’t help the situation any. At all.

“Hi Jared!” Genevieve, Jensen remembers the name with a bitter aftertaste in his mouth and his mind. Smiles brightly at them and gives first Chad, and then Jared a hug. Jensen is taken completely by surprise when she shoulders past the blonde waif and wraps him into a hearty hug. “Hi!”

The embrace leaves him speechless and tense.

“Don’t let those stupid vultures get to you.” She whispers her advice into his ear before letting go and taking a step back. Not a second after that she elegantly turns towards the reporter who is looking a their little group like they’re an especially juicy steak.

“Ms Cortese, what about the rumors concerning yourself and Jared Padalecki?” And with this question the long and torturous way over the red carpet starts. Jensen is really grateful that their little group stays together, and with no little surprise he realizes through out the evening that he likes Genevieve, that the two of them could actually become friends.



continue: Part Four