Your Strength

The week seemed to fly by before Jensen knew it. He and Jared spent time boating, and horseback riding, and, to be frank, having quite a lot of sex in as many places and positions as they could think of. And they were very creative. The entire vacation was relaxing—that is, until Friday arrived.

Jensen had been awake since five but he stayed still, listening to Jared’s even breathing, trying to make his own match. It had taken about four hours, Jensen estimated, but he had finally calmed himself a little.

“You’re anxious,” Jared murmured as he stretched, rolling over and snuggling up to Jensen.

“This was a horrible idea,” Jensen could feel his heart rate increasing again and he tried his hardest to stop his anxious mind from masticating. “Why did we think this was a good idea?”

Jared propped himself up on one elbow and put his other hand on Jensen’s cheek. “Hey,” Jared looked down at him, concern coloring his small smile. “It’s all going to be okay. Our parents and anyone else who shows up will have a blast.”

“It’s just…” Jensen covered his eyes briefly, rubbing a little. “I just need to calm down. I’m anxious for no reason.”

“Hey, you’re fine,” Jared said, kissing him. “I love you.”

Jensen stared at this huge man that loved him and felt his heart calm slightly. He took a deep breath. “I know,” he sighed. “And thank you for that. It must be hard.”

“No,” Jared replied immediately. “It’s actually the easiest thing I’ve ever done. It’s been easy to love you from the moment I met you.”

Jensen took his hand from his eyes to see Jared staring at him with an unusually serious face.

“You…you’re amazing,” Jared continued. “You’re brilliant and kind and…well, amazing. Too bad I’m not the writer, or I’d be able to say this all so much better…I love you.”

Jensen leaned in and gave Jared a long kiss. “You’re too kind,” Jensen murmured against his lips. “I don’t deserve you.”

“You deserve the whole world,” Jared argued, pulling back and staring into Jensen’s eyes. “Least of all me.”

“Why are you saying all this?” Jensen asked softly.

“Because I just don’t think I say it enough,” Jared replied. “And it’s all true.”

“I love you too,” Jensen murmured. “And even though I’m the writer, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to tell you how much…Maybe I’ll just write you a movie.”

“Oh, just write me a movie,” Jared chuckled. “I’ll never compete with that.”

“Well, I mean, don’t feel bad,” Jensen laughed. “It’s kind of my job.”

“I know,” Jared kissed him and then stretched. “Let’s go for a swim before everyone gets here.”

“Alright, but how about breakfast first?” Jensen suggested. He was surprised at how much Jared had calmed him. He felt a sort of peace around Jared, talking to Jared. Like even if his heart was hammering and his brain was coming up with the worst of the worst case scenarios and he didn’t want to get out of bed, Jared made him feel better—a stupendous feat. “You know…you make me feel…calm. Like…like the world’s not as bad as I think it is. You’re kind of…exactly what I need and want…You’re sort of perfect for me, actually.”

Jared stared at him, looking a little shocked. “You…you’ve never told me that before.”

“I know,” Jensen kissed him. “Now enough with this touchy-feely crap. Come on, I’ll make you some eggs.”

With that, he jumped out of bed, dragging Jared with him. After breakfast, they swam in the lake for a little while before heading back in to start making burgers. They were expecting Jared’s parents sometime in the late afternoon. His family and Jared’s siblings were going to come out the next morning.

“You’re anxious again,” Jared came and wrapped his arms around Jensen’s waist. They stood on the back patio at the barbeque.

“This is the first time I’m meeting your parents, Jared,” Jensen sighed. “Most people would be anxious in this situation.”

“I know,” Jared agreed. “I’m nervous too. To meet your parents tomorrow.”

“You shouldn’t be,” Jensen sighed. “You’re impossible not to like. However, I am a surely alcoholic writer. There’s much more to not like about me.”

“You’re not surely nor an alcoholic,” Jared disagreed. “And they’re going to love you.”

“And if they don’t?” Jensen frowned down at the patties on the grill. “What if they don’t like me?”

“I don’t really care,” Jared replied and Jensen was surprised. “I mean, sure, it’d be nice if they liked you, since I’m sure they’re going to see a lot of you. But if they don’t, that’s their own damn problem.”

“They’re going to see a lot of me?” Jensen turned in Jared’s arms, lacing his around Jared’s neck as he did so.

“I sure hope so,” Jared grinned, kissing him. “And watch those burgers, Ackles!”

Jensen rolled his eyes, but kissed him again before turning back to the grill. He opened his mouth but stopped when he heard a car pulling up to the house.

“That must be them!” Jared exclaimed. “Are you coming out to greet them?”

“Yeah, let me take the burgers off the grill and I’ll be right out,” Jensen agreed, using the spatula to scoop the burgers onto a large plate. Jared turned and walked out to meet his parents. Jensen took the burgers into the kitchen and took a deep breath, adjusted his t-shirt, and finally decided no matter what he did, he’d be nervous. He walked out front just in time to see a woman launch herself from the back of the car as Jared’s parents got out from the front, much more calmly. The girl jumped into Jared’s arms and Jensen assumed that must be Megan, his sister. Jared laughed as he caught her and swung her around once before putting her back on the ground and hugging his parents.

“Hey guys,” he greeted amicably, then turned to beckon Jensen over. Jensen took another deep breath and approached the Padalecki family. “This is Jensen.”

“Oh, it’s so great to meet you finally!” Jared’s mom greeted, throwing her arms around Jensen immediately. Jensen stiffened but forced himself to return the hug almost immediately. She stood back and grinned up at him, and he already knew that Jared was a lot like his mom. “My name’s Sharon, as I’m sure you know, but I’ll have none of that Mrs. Padalecki. It’s either Sharon or Mama Padalecki.”

“Yes’m,” Jensen said back a little shyly.

“Oh, no ma’am, either,” she laughed.

“S-sorry,” Jensen stammered.

“Aw, sweetie, there’s no need to be nervous!” Mama Padalecki hit his arm a little. “I’m only fooling with you. This is my husband, Gerald. We call him Jerry.”

Jensen shook Jerry’s hand firmly and Jerry smiled kindly at him. “Nice to meet you, son,” he said to Jensen in a soft voice. Before Jensen could reply, Megan was introducing herself, diverting his attention.

“And I’m Megan, the little sister,” she told him and he nodded, smiling slightly. She was petite, probably almost a head shorter than Jensen, but she was fierce, demanding full attention.

“Very nice to meet you,” he offered his hand to her but she rolled her eyes and threw her arms around his neck.

“We’re a hugging family,” she told him as she let go. “You’ll have to get used to that.”

“Okay,” Jensen agreed, smiling. “I will.”

“Great!” Jared exclaimed with a grin. “Now that everyone’s acquainted, let’s go inside and have a couple burgers. I’m starving!”

They all adjourned to the kitchen where they made up burgers and sat on the patio to eat them.

“This is a very nice place you got here, Jensen,” Jerry commented.

“Thank you,” Jensen replied. “It’s been in the family for a long time.”

“Really? It looks fairly new,” Mama Padalecki said.

“Yeah, my grandfather and father both renovated a lot,” Jensen explained.

“So, Jared tells us you’re a screenwriter?” Megan asked coyly. “Anything we may have heard of?”

“Oh, don’t pretend like you didn’t Google the shit out of him on your drive down,” Jared laughed.

“Okay, guilty as charged,” Megan laughed. “I just…I’ve never met an Oscar winner before.”

Jensen frowned a little and squirmed. “Well, your brother is going to be one this next Awards season, so you’ll have one in the family.”

“You’re so sure?” Jerry asked.

“No, he’s not,” Jared said and rolled his eyes at the same time Jensen replied matter-of-factly, “Yes.”

“Well, if I get one, Jensen will definitely get his second,” Jared said.

“You’ll invite me to the ceremony, wont’ you?” Megan asked.

“Oh, well, I already promised I’d invite Chad,” Jared said. “Sorry kiddo.”

“Misha will probably invite Chad if they’re still together,” Jensen offered.

“Oh, that’s right, he probably will,” Jared agreed. “Alright, Megan. I’ll take you if Chad goes with Misha…but then again, can I really leave a heartbroken Chad behind?”

“Good point,” Jensen agreed. “But if they’re not together, he may not want to see him at all.”

“Alright, so overall, you’re going is contingent on many different variables,” Jared concluded.

“And that’s being optimistic in and of itself,” Jensen continued. “The movie may not even be nominated.”

“If it’s not, that will just kill Felicia,” Jared said sadly.

“I hope it is for her sake,” Jensen agreed.

“Who is this Misha girl Chad’s going with?” Mama Padalecki inquired and Jensen shot Jared an amused look.

“Misha is actually a guy,” Jared explained.

“Oh, good,” Jerry laughed. “It’s about damn time that boy came out. I’ve known that boy was a little less than straight from the moment you introduced us in the second grade, Jared.”

“Yeah, me too,” Jared agreed.

“Well, I find it a bit of a surprise,” Mama Padalecki argued. “He’s only ever been with girls. He used to have the biggest crush on Megan. Remember? He would always hang around downstairs in the Den with Megan and Jeff even after you’d gone upstairs?”

“Maybe he had a crush on Jeff,” Jerry supplied.

“No, it was definitely on me,” Megan told them. “He asked me out a couple of times.”

“What?” Jared exclaimed, frowning deeply at his sister. “That little ass did what?”

“And that is why I didn’t tell you,” Megan rolled her eyes. “I turned him down because I didn’t like him back. And neither of us told you because we knew you’d get all…brotherly.”

“Of course I’d get all brotherly!” Jared cried out. “Chad is the exact kind of guy a brother would need to get all brotherly about! I mean, I love him as my friend, but he is not the kind of guy you want to date your sister.”

“Yeah, well he’s not the kind of guy your sister wants to date anyway,” Megan assured.

“Why not? What’s wrong with him?” Jared got a little defensive.

“Jared,” Jensen laughed. “You’re not giving her much room here.”

“Yeah, what do you want me to say?” Megan agreed with Jensen. “You don’t want me to theoretically date him, and when I agree, you get all defensive of your friend. You’re damn hard to please, Jared.”

“Sorry,” Jared rolled his eyes. “He may be coming, this weekend. With his boy toy.”

“Oh, that will be a lot of fun!” Mama Padalecki exclaimed. “I miss Chad! Is he still telling everyone I hate him?”

“Yes,” Jensen replied for Jared.

“That boy is a riot!” Mama Padalecki laughed. “Just a riot.”

“Don’t tell him that, he’ll get a big head,” Jared laughed along.

Jensen was happy to find that conversation flowed rather easily with Jared’s family. They were all similar to Jared in different ways, and all had the ability of leading a conversation seemingly without effort. Jensen slowly felt himself unwind a little. Mama Padalecki grinned at everyone, much like his son. Megan and Jerry seemed to make sure they gave Jensen warm smiles and all their attention when he talked, which was much less than the rest of them, but none of them seemed to mind.

For dinner, they made spaghetti and for desert, Megan managed to find all the ingredients to make her ‘world famous’ chocolate chip cookies. After they’d all had coffee with their cookies, they went their separate ways to bed. When Jensen plopped down next to Jared in their bed, Jared immediately wrapped his arms around him.

“They like you,” he murmured into the back of his neck. “They really like you.”

“They do?” Jensen replied, rubbing Jared’s arms that gripped him tightly.

“Oh, yeah,” Jared assured. “My family is real nice, but you’d know if they didn’t like you.”

“Good,” Jensen sighed, relaxing into Jared. “Good.”

“Now, we can just hope your parents like me,” Jared laughed but stopped when Jensen said,

“My mom will definitely like you. My brother and sister too.”

“Your dad?” Jared asked a little hesitantly.

“He…” Jensen sighed and rolled over in Jared’s arms so they were face to face. “I just want you to know, don’t take it personally if he doesn’t like you.”

“Why wouldn’t he like me?” Jared asked, his eyes a little distressed.

“It’s not that he won’t like you…it’s just…” Jensen sighed and rested his head on Jared’s shoulder as he continued. “Well, you can guess how he felt about my last boyfriend.”

“Jared, I’m not Charlie,” Jared said quietly.

“I know that,” Jensen told him, pulling back and looking him in the eyes. “Of course I know that, but my dad…well, he’s had a hard time with the entire situation. And I don’t know how that will reflect when he meets you.”

“I’ll just have to impress him,” Jared decided. “He’ll like me by the end of the weekend.”

“Okay, I’m sure he will,” Jensen smiled. “But if he doesn’t, please don’t…”

Jensen frowned at Jared, but Jared kissed him. “I won’t force anything. At least you love me.”

“I do,” Jensen agreed. “I do.”

“I know,” Jared smiled.

The next morning, Jensen woke and Jared was not by his side. He rolled over and stretched slowly before he got out of bed. When downstairs, in his pajama pants, he found Jared making a big breakfast. He walked in silently and looped his arms around Jared’s waist.

“No one else up yet?” he asked.

“No, but they’ll come out when they smell the food,” Jared replied, putting down the spatula he was using to flip bacon and turning in Jensen’s arms. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” Jensen agreed with a huge yawn.

“I made you coffee, babe,” Jared laughed. “Extra strong, just like you need it.”

“I love you,” Jensen murmured, then disengaged himself to get his much needed caffeine.

“You’re mother called this morning,” Jared told Jensen. “I answered because somehow you managed to sleep completely through it. She told me they were leaving soon, so they should be here within an hour or two.”

Jensen nodded. “Good.”

“I love our morning chats,” Jared laughed, taking the bacon from the pan and winking at Jensen. Jensen smiled at him and walked around the counter to sit at the bar.

“Me too,” Jensen agreed with a smile.

“Are you excited to see your parents?” Jared asked, leaning against the stove.

Jensen shrugged and nodded a little. “You?”

“Yes,” Jared said resolutely. “I will make your parents like me.”

“Look…it’ll be fine, Jay,” Jensen told him, gulping his coffee and walking to the pot for a refill.

“I’m not worried,” Jared said too quickly.

“Yes, you are but that’s okay, Love,” Jensen said. He took another few gulps of coffee and walked over to Jared, putting a coffee-warmed hand on his cheek. “They will like you.”

“But you said your dad…” Jared started.

“Look, I was wrong to tell you about that,” Jensen said, stepping back a little. “All it did was make you worry—“

“Jensen, you’re never ever wrong to tell me something,” Jared said, pulling Jensen into a hug. “I’m glad you told me. I’m always glad when you tell me things.”

“I know,” Jensen sighed. “But now you’re just unnecessarily worried.”

“I would’ve been nervous no matter what,” Jared chuckled. “I mean, it’s kind of big deal, meeting your boyfriend’s parents. Now I just have a very clear goal.”

“A clear goal,” Jensen laughed, rolling his eyes.

“Yes,” Jared affirmed. “Your parents, especially your dad, need to like me.”

“They’ll like you,” Jensen laughed. “They will. How could they not?”

“You’re sweet,” Jared told him. “And biased.”

“You…I mean, you make me happy,” Jensen told him, resting his chin on Jared’s shoulder. “They’ll like you.”

Jared kissed him for a few long moments, but they both pulled back when they heard a car pulling up.

“Go time,” Jensen said, giving Jared one more peck. They walked out together and Jensen was both excited and weirdly nervous to see his family, as he always was—well, at least as he had been since Charlie. All of his family was in the car, but Mackenzie jumped out first.

“Jenny!” she screamed, running at her brother.

“Mac and Cheese!” he replied, grabbing her as she jumped at him. It was a short hug and the minute Jensen put her down, she swung around to examine Jared. Jared looked a little surprised and she took a step towards him with narrowed eyes. “Be nice, Mac,” Jensen warned.

“Nah, don’t be nice,” Jared laughed. “Let me have it!”

This made Mac smile and soon she was shaking his hand firmly. “You’ve done alright so far. What would really make me happy is food, though, Mr. Padalecki.”

“Breakfast is waiting on the table,” he informed her and without any further communication, she bolted into the house.

“Mac!” Jensen called after, turning back and rolling his eyes at the rest of his family.

“Hey, Jen,” his brother was next, giving him a quick side hug and Jensen ruffled his hair a little. “I’m actually sort of with Mac. Mom and dad made us skip breakfast so we’d be hungry when we got here.”

“What monsters,” Jensen chuckled. “Real quick then, this is Jared. Jared, this is my brother Joshua. You can call him Josh. Or, as I prefer, Joshy.”

“Please don’t call me Joshy,” Josh laughed as he shook Jared’s hand.

“No problem,” Jared agreed.

Josh left and then it was only his parents. Jensen gave his father a quick hug and then his mom. He tried to wiggle out but his mom hugged him hard for a few long moments.

“Mom, let me go,” Jensen said and regretted it because she let go immediately and looked a little hurt. He frowned at her and kissed her cheek. “Now, guys, this is Jared. Jared, this is my dad, Alan, and my mom, Donna.”

“Hello, it’s great to meet you,” Jared greeted. “Mr. Ackles,” he said as he shook Alan’s hand. “Mrs. Ackles,” he added as he shook Donna’s.

“No, no, no!” Donna laughed. “None of that ‘Mrs. Ackles’ nonsense, it makes me feel old! I go by Mama or Donna or just about anything else.”

“Alright, Donna, then,” Jared grinned at them. “Great to meet you both.”

“Yeah, well,” Alan said slowly. “Alright. Breakfast?”

Jensen narrowed his eyes at his father but finally nodded. “Yeah, okay. Let’s go eat.”

They all walked into the house, and Jensen was happy to see his mother take Jared’s arm on the way up the stairs.

“My hip’s been acting up since this last winter, you don’t mind?” she smiled up at him.

“Of course not, it’s my pleasure,” he smiled back at her widely.

“Such a gentlemen,” she told him approvingly. When they reached the table, Mac and Josh were already digging into the eggs, pancakes, and bacon that Jared had prepared. Jensen immediately went to refill his coffee.

“Still disgustingly dependent on coffee, I see,” Mac commented.

“Shut up,” Jensen rolled his eyes at her.

“That stuff is bad for you,” Mac told him.

“If I listened to you, I’d be drinking disgusting seaweed cleansing crap,” Jensen told her.

“Hey, don’t hate on my disgusting seaweed cleansing crap,” Mac said. “That crap is good for you.”

“Hey!” sounded Megan, suddenly, from the entryway of the kitchen.

“Meg!” Jared greeted her.

“Hey, is this for everyone?” she inquired slowly.

“Yeah, definitely, I made enough for everyone,” Jared said. “Meg, this is Jensen’s family.”

“There should be enough for everyone, if Mac doesn’t eat everything,” Jensen said, to which Mac stuck her tongue out.

“Hello, family of Jensen,” Megan beamed. “I’m Megan, Jared’s little sister.”

“Oh, good! Another little sister!” Mac exclaimed. “I’m so glad, I was hoping there’d be at least one other girl here!”

“What am I, chopped liver?” Donna rolled her eyes at Mac, which Mac ignored.

“Hi!” Megan greeted Mac again, sitting next to her.

“My parents are also here,” Jared told Jensen’s family. “They’ll probably be out soon.”

“Great!” Donna exclaimed. “It’ll be a fun weekend.”

Jensen widened his eyes at Jared, who sat at the table next to his father. “Fun,” he mouthed and Jared gave him a smile and a nod.

“Jen, come sit with us,” Josh beckoned. “Eat.”

“Yeah,” Jensen refilled his coffee one more time and came and sat next to Jared.

“Is there any coffee left for the rest of us, Jen?” his dad asked and Jensen nodded.

“Yeah,” Jensen nodded. “And I can make some more if you don’t like it strong.”

“No, strong’s fine,” Alan replied, getting up from the table and filling a mug.

“So, Jensen,” Donna diverted his attention. “How’s your project going?”

“The film?” Jensen confirmed. “It wrapped.”

“Well, I know that, sweetie,” Donna patted his arm. “When do we get to see it?”

“When it comes out in theaters,” Jensen offered with a smile.

“Details, doofus,” Josh rolled his eyes at Jensen.

“Did you just call me doofus?” Jensen laughed. “What are we, in the seventh grade?”

“Please no name calling, boys,” Donna chastised.

“It’s how we show our affection, Mom,” Josh argued.

“Show your affection like a normal human, Josh,” Donna narrowed her eyes at him.

“Yeah, Joshy,” Jensen smiled at him. “Tell me you love me.”

“Shut up, Jenny,” Josh retorted, throwing a clump of egg at Jensen.

“No, do not start throwing food, or so help me, God,” Alan shot them both warning looks as he sat down again. “You are both adults. Act like it.”

“Yessir,” Josh replied and Jensen rolled his eyes.

“Jared, can you shed some light on the movie situation?” Donna smiled at Jared.

“It should come out mid to late summer,” Jared offered. “We start press around May or June.”

“Very exciting,” Donna clapped her hands a little. “I’ve been reading up on the buzz. That’s what you call it in Hollywood, right? Buzz? There’s certainly some speculation about awards for the film.”

“We got another Oscar coming our way, son?” Alan asked Jensen, clapping him on the back, which made Jensen stiffen a little. Oscar talk was a little sensitive between him and his father. He knew that his father had trouble processing the whole Charlie situation, but it seemed horrible timing that the point at which his father starting really talking to him again was shortly after his receiving the Oscar.

“Probably more Jared than me,” Jensen said and his father’s hand slipped from his shoulder quickly enough.

“Is that so?” Alan asked. “Well, congratulations, Jared.”

“Thank you,” Jared said. “But we’re not sure of anything at this point. I think above all else, we hope our director gets an award or two.”

“Yes, Felicia is amazing,” Jensen agreed. “We invited her for the weekend too, actually, along with a few other friends who deserve a little vacation, so you may meet her.”

“Oh, are Danny and Chris coming?” Donna beamed at Jensen.

“They were invited, yes,” Jensen confirmed.

“I hope they’re able to make it,” Donna gushed. “I haven’t seen Danny since…well, probably your graduation.”

“Yeah, me either,” Mac agreed. “It’s been a couple years.”

Jensen knew they were avoiding specific times, but they all knew exactly when they’d last seen Danny: when Jensen had ended up in the hospital. His family had flown out and Danny had been the one to explain the entire situation to them. They’d been in the dark that Jensen was being abused at all, so Jensen was sincerely grateful that Danny had taken that burden on for him.

“I thought it was going to just be the families,” Alan muttered and Jensen sighed quietly.

“They are family,” he replied, just as soft to which Alan raised his eyebrows, but did not verbally counter.

“Hello,” called Jared’s mom from under the arch that opened into the kitchen.

“Hey, mom, dad!” Jared greeted. “Come in, Jensen’s family just arrived.”

They all greeted each other, and conversation flowed easily. After breakfast, Jeff, Jared’s brother arrived. They were all relaxing on the front porch at that point, trying to decide how to spend the day when his car pulled up. Jared jumped up enthusiastically and tackled him with a bear hug practically before he’d even made it out the car.

“Jeff!” Jared exclaimed. “I didn’t think you’d make it!”

“Well, I haven’t seen you in so damn long, I made time,” Jeff explained. Jared beckoned Jensen off the porch for the introduction.

“Jeff, this is Jensen,” Jared remarked. “Jensen, my brother Jeff.”

“Nice to meet you,” Jensen smiled good-naturedly. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“All good things, I hope,” Jeff laughed.

“What good things would I have to tell him?” Jared joked and Jensen rolled his eyes.

“Only good things,” Jensen confirmed as the three of them walked over to discuss with the others. “My family is here as well, we’re all trying to decide how to spend our day.”

“Well, I definitely want to take a dip in the lake,” Jeff exclaimed. “It’s hot and my car’s air conditioning is shit.”

“I second that,” Alan agreed, and soon all four parents decided they’d like to spend a little time beachside.

“I want to go for a horseback ride,” Mac said and Meg jumped up excitedly.

“Oh! Can I go too?” she inquired and Mac nodded enthusiastically.

“How about instead of just a dip in the lake, we go out water skiing,” Jared suggested to Jeff who nodded.

“Oh, that sounds awesome, mind if I join?” Josh asked and Jared agreed zealously. “Jensen, come out on the boat with us.”

“Nah,” Jensen smiled. “I’ll stay near the house in case anyone else shows up.”

“You could give us beach-dwellers a little music,” Donna suggested fondly. “Grandpa’s old guitar is up in the attic, I think.”

“You play guitar?” Jared asked with a grin.

“He’s just learning this?” Alan asked Jensen, the judgment clear.

“I don’t have one back in L.A., why would he know?” Jensen gave him a warning look.

“Well, I have to hear you play,” Jared said matter-of-factly.

Jensen looked around at his and Jared’s family, who all looked eagerly at him. Finally, he sighed heavily. “Fine,” he agreed.

“I’ve heard him before,” Mac said. “Let’s go.”

Megan shrugged and nodded, but Josh and Jeff agreed to stay for a little while longer, and everyone but Jensen walked down to the beach, dragging the chairs from the porch along with towels. A few minutes later, Jensen joined them on the beach with an old acoustic guitar. He took a moment to tune it. When he was satisfied, he looked around at the gathered crowd and sighed again before he started off with a slow rendition of Hey Jude.

“This is always his warm up song,” Donna told Jared and Jeff. “C’mon, Jenny, sing too!”

“No,” Jensen replied immediately.

“Oh, please?” Donna asked again, smiling at him with the warm fondness of a proud mother. “Please?”

Jensen sighed but nodded—he’d never been good at saying no to his mother, especially when she gave him the puppy-dog eyes. He started the song over and quietly sang.

“…don’t be afraid...”
Everyone gathered a little closer so they could hear him over the lapping of the lake on the shore.

“...take a sad sooong, and make it betterrr…”

When he’d finished, Donna, Mama Padalecki, Josh, and Jared all clapped, while Jeff and Alan smiled at him respectfully.

“Okay, you can go play on the boat now,” Jensen told Jared, Josh, and Jeff.

Josh and Jeff laughed, and headed down the road, but Jared dashed over to Jensen to quickly plant a kiss on his lips before leaving. Jensen was frozen for a moment, but as Donna and Mama Padalecki were deep in conversation, he allowed himself to relax. He glanced at his father who was very pointedly not looking at Jensen, and he was glad. He relaxed back against the chair and began strumming out different tunes and listening to his parent’s chat with Jared’s. It took a couple of hours, but to his surprise, other people did show up. First, it was Danny with Chris. Apparently, it’d taken some convincing on Danny’s part, but they decided they both deserved a little break. Chris had left the bar in the capable hands of his head bartender, and Danny had demanded a few days off from the gallery. When they arrived, Jensen greeted them both with huge hugs.

“Hey, you came!” he exclaimed.

“Well, you invited us, dummy!” Danny squealed as she threw her arms around him.

“Yeah, but I didn’t think you’d be able to make it,” he told her, rolling his eyes at Chris.

“I haven’t been to Texas since…well, it’s been years,” Chris smiled at Jensen widely. He didn’t come down for Christmas or any of the other holidays because his parents had moved to Florida and he refused to visit them in, as he put it, ‘that too-humid Texas knock off’. “I thought I’d make some time.”

“Well, go say hey to the family,” Jensen said, motioning to where his parents sat with Jared’s waving enthusiastically. “I’ll grab your bags.”

“Oh, you’ll need help,” Chris laughed. “Danny brought a lot.”

“Okay, how about I take your stuff in, Chris,” Jensen amended. “And Danny can carry all her unnecessary shit.”

“Don’t judge me,” Danny scoffed. Jensen grabbed Chris’s one bag and held one of Danny’s two suitcases, taking it all into the house. Once deposited in separate rooms, Danny and he walked out to the beach.

“Where’s Jared?” Danny asked on the way.

“Out on the boat with Jeff and Josh,” Jensen replied.

“Jeff?” Danny inquired.

“Jared’s brother,” Jensen elaborated.

“I see,” Danny nodded. “And how’s it been? With your parents? You’ve pretty much only seen them on holidays since all the shit with—“

“Charlie, yeah, I know,” Jensen rolled his eyes. “It’s okay. Dad’s a pain in the ass, per usual. But it’s only been a few hours. Not much time for anything to go drastically wrong.”

“You say that like you think it’s inevitable for something to go drastically wrong,” Danny raised her eyebrows at him.

“Well, things tend to go drastically wrong, as a rule of thumb,” Jensen told her.

“So cynical,” Danny retorted a little sadly.

“I have all the evidence in the world to support that,” Jensen replied.

“Jared?” Danny countered.

“Okay, Jared is just a freak accident,” Jensen allowed.

“No, he’s just finally something good,” Danny corrected. “You need to start believing that you deserve good things.”

“You need to stop trying to psychoanalyze me,” Jensen told her firmly and Danny was stopped from replying as they neared the group and Jensen’s mom jumped up.

“Danny!” Donna squealed and enveloped Danny into a huge hug. Jensen walked around the embracing women to stand next to Chris.

“Did she smother you too?” he inquired of Chris.

“Yeah, but not nearly as long,” Chris laughed. “Should I be jealous?”

“No,” Jensen told him seriously, to which Chris snorted. As Donna still did not release Danny, Jensen cleared his throat. “Mom, let her breath!”

Donna laughed and let go of Danny, holding her for another moment at arm’s length. “Hello, dear,” she greeted and Danny laughed.

“Hey, Mama Ackles,” Danny grinned, then accepted a hug from Alan. “Papa Ackles.”

“Alan,” Alan corrected, per usual.

“You always say that,” Danny laughed and Alan gave her a fond smile.

Chris and Danny joined them beachside as they watched the three boys on the boat trade off driving. Jensen offered Chris the guitar and Chris accepted, playing melodies both of Kane’s creation, and other artists. As late morning slipped into afternoon, another car pulled up. To Jensen’s greater surprise, it was Felicia and Gen. Jensen greeted them at their car like he had the others, helping Gen out first. She was showing slightly more than she was a couple weeks prior but he knew not to comment. He gave them both hugs.

“Hey, I’m glad you could make it,” he smiled. “Jared will be so glad to see you.”

“Yeah, well, Gen was in the mood for some country and Danny did a good job of making it sound amazing; plus, Misha texted me the other night and said he was coming down with Chad later today, and I really didn’t want Gen and I to be so left out. So here we are,” Felicia grinned. “Is that your family? I want to meet them!”

Without anything further, Felicia dashed over to his family. Jensen laughed and Gen looked like she was about to apologize for her crazy wife when he stopped her. “She’s hilarious,” he amended. “You can go over too, I’ll grab your bags.”

“Thanks, Jensen,” she gave him another hug and started over, but then hesitated before turning back. “I’m glad you invited us. But I need to tell you something real quick. Felicia also came here to talk to you. She would kill me if she knew I was telling you preemptively, but I just want you to know that what she wants to talk to you about is very close to her heart. She may try to be flippant, but just know that it means a lot to her.”

“What is it?” Jensen was suddenly nervous.

“It’s not bad, I promise,” Gen laughed at his suddenly serious expression.

“Alright,” Jensen replied. “Thank you for that vague forewarning, then.”

“You’re very welcome,” Gen winked at him. “And careful with the purple suitcase. We brought some wine for dinner tonight.”

“Much obliged,” Jensen pretended to tip his hat as he went to retrieve the bags.

After he had delivered them into another room, Jensen went into the kitchen to check the fridge. More people than they’d expected had shown up. They thought, optimistically, that perhaps Danny or Chris would be able to make it down, but everyone they had invited but Mark seemed to be showing up. He knew they probably had enough ribs to feed everyone tonight, with a veggie substitute for Misha, who happened to be vegetarian. But this morning’s breakfast left them low on supplies, and they’d need more for lunch and dinner tomorrow as well.

He trekked back down to the beach and noted that the boat was no longer skimming across the lake’s surface. Everyone was sitting in a giant group, chatting.

“Hey guys,” Jensen called out. “I’m going to the store, does anyone want to come?”

“I do,” replied Jared from behind Jensen, sliding an arm around Jensen’s waist. Jensen startled a little but leaned into him.

“Alright, anyone else?” Jensen offered, but everyone shook their heads. “Alright, does anyone want anything specifically?”

“I’d go for some iced tea,” Alan said.

“Alright, dad wants iced tea,” Jensen nodded. “Anyone else? Really, no other requests?”

“Okay, well, if you’re really offering, I’ve had a craving for chips and salsa like no other,” Gen smiled gratefully.

“Done,” Jensen agreed. “Have to keep the pregnant lady happy.”

“I second that,” Felicia nodded.

“Alright,” Jared laughed. “Going once…going twice…”

No one added anything. “Alright, we’re gone,” Jensen laughed. “Hopefully we’ll get back before Chad gets here.”

“If not, we’ll make him feel at home,” Donna grinned at her son.

“Nah, make Misha feel at home,” Jensen told her. “If you make Chad feel at home, he’ll never leave.”

Jared, his family, and their friends laughed, but Jensen’s family looked a little perplexed.

“I’ll explain,” Mama Padalecki offered and with that, Jensen and Jared were off.

They drove to the nearest town with a big grocery store, which was about a half hour’s drive.

“Wow,” Jared laughed. “Everyone came. That’s really funny.”

“Yeah, mention a ranch and a lake and everyone comes a running,” Jensen laughed.

“Or, you know, mention friends and family,” Jared rolled his eyes at Jensen.

“I guess that too,” Jensen allowed. “How was boating with my brother?”

“Very fun,” Jared laughed. “He’s a funny guy.”

“Yeah, but don’t tell him that,” Jensen told Jared. “Or else he’ll get a big head.”

“Noted,” Jared laughed. “And how are my parents?”

“Just like you,” Jensen told him. “So, obviously, great. I’m very relieved.”

“I wish I’d spent more time with your dad so far,” Jared admitted.

“You have a couple days if it’s that important to you,” Jensen laughed. “But really, he’s pretty quiet.”

“So are you, but that doesn’t make me want to spend any less time with you,” Jared pointed out.

“Okay, but I also have sex with you, so you make exceptions,” Jensen retorted.

“That’s very true,” Jared laughed. “So are you saying it’s not worth hanging out with your dad since I’m not going to have sex with him?”

“This conversation just took a very weird turn,” Jensen grimaced. “Next subject: I’m glad Mac and Megan are getting along.”

“Me too,” Jared agreed. “I’m glad our families are so…simpatico.”

“Simpatico?” Jensen laughed. “I like it.”

“Yeah, that’s right. You’re not the only one that can use big words,” Jared laughed. “What should we do tomorrow?”

Jensen shrugged. “I don’t know. Why not similar to what we did today?”

“Alright,” Jared nodded. “I just wasn’t sure if we should do a big group activity or just…you know, hang.”

“How about we let them decide tomorrow,” Jensen suggested.

When Jared and Jensen got back from the store, they were met uproariously by Chad, who tackle-hugged them both shortly after they’d deposited the groceries in the kitchen.

“Jensen, you’re rich!” Chad exclaimed immediately, before Jared or Jensen could even greet him, or the smiling Misha who stood behind him. “I don’t know why I never knew you were rich. Like, I knew you were rich because you have your huge house in L.A. and all that, but I don’t know why I didn’t realize your family was rich too. It makes sense, cause your dad is an actor and all that, but still. You’re rich. This house is huge.”

“Hey, Misha, how are you?” Jensen said, pushing past Chad to shake his hand.

Misha laughed. “Good,” he told him. “And thanks for inviting me.”

“Yeah, you’re welcome,” Jensen nodded. “But did you have to bring him?” he added, nodding his head to Chad.

“Hey, that’s mean!” Chad exclaimed. “I’m insulted. Now I see the rich superiority coming out.”

“Oh, Chad,” Jared laughed. “This will be so much fun. Have you said hi to the family yet?”

“No, Jensen’s mom greeted us and helped us find our room,” Misha said. “We were just heading down to say hi.”

“Can’t wait to see the disdain on Mama Padalecki’s face,” Chad grinned.

“My mother does not hate you,” Jared rolled his eyes at Misha and Jensen.

“Well, come on, then,” Jensen chuckled. “This will be entertaining.”

They all walked down to the beach.

“Everyone, Chad and Misha,” Jensen said simply as introduction.

“Chad, darling!” Mama Padalecki grinned, jumping up and giving Chad a huge bear hug. “I missed you, Little Chaddy!”

“See, she hates me,” he told Jensen and Misha over Mama Padalecki’s shoulder.

“Chad,” she gasped, pulling back and swatting his arm with a huge smile. “Now, you need to stop telling people I hate you. How could I hate you? You spent more time at our house growing up than Jared did.”

“That’s actually probably true,” Chad agreed, turning and hugging Jared’s father, brother, and sister after Mama Padalecki finally let him go.

“I heard a very disturbing story this morning, Chad,” Jared said, raising his eyebrows at Chad. “You asked Megan out?”

Chad’s amiable grin fell like a stone in water and he whipped around to face Megan. “How could you tell them?”

“I thought it would be entertaining,” she replied with a completely straight face as she slightly raised her eyebrows, waiting for the drama to ensue. Jensen could respect that and he shot her a grin that he could see almost cracked the serious façade for a moment.

“Look, Jared, it was a long time ago!” Chad stumbled back a little, as Jared advanced with anger in his eyes. When he was about a foot away he broke into a grin and punched Chad in the arm.

“Dude, you looked like I was seriously going to murder you,” Jared laughed. “Calm down. It was years ago, and Megan said no—because she’s not an idiot.”

“Hey!” Chad exclaimed, throwing his hand against his heart as if wounded, and behind him, Misha giggled. Chad spun on Misha who raised his eyebrows, unperturbed. “That makes you an idiot, too, you know.”

“Oh, I know,” Misha agreed, winking.

They all laughed, and conversation flowed easily as they all relaxed at the beach for the few hours leading up to dinner. The group got a little rowdy as people competed for volume, but it was all very amiable. Jensen excused himself to start dinner, and waved away Jared’s offer to help.

“No, I need a little quiet,” Jensen murmured and hoped Jared understood. Jared pecked his cheek with a knowing smile and Jensen felt relieved. Jared never seemed to want more from Jensen, which was ideal. When he got to the kitchen, he allowed himself a moment to sit and breathe, working the knot of anxiety big gatherings wound in his stomach. For a man who spent so much time at a relatively crowded bar, Jensen thought he ought to be better at handling crowds, especially when the crowd was made up of friends and family. But he still felt the pressure at the back of his skull build with the volume, and his shoulders tense with every body pressing closer. He could handle it for a little while, hours even, but he just needed a second to relax. He jumped when he heard the balcony door shut and he took he opened his eyes to find his sister smiling down at him.

“Needed a minute?” Mac asked, knowingly. She had always been the one who had been there for him, growing up. She had talked to his father after Jensen had come out, she had helped him through the anxiety that he’d always lived with, and held him through the depression post-Charlie. They had always been close, and she was one of the few people that he could be fully relaxed with.

“Yeah,” he agreed. “And I’m starting dinner too.”

“Jared’s great,” Mac grinned at him, and Jensen felt a sort of pressure alleviate that he hadn’t even noticed. Mac was a great judge of character; the first time he had introduced her to Charlie, she told him straight up that she didn’t like him, didn’t trust him. Jensen figured it was simply Mac being protective, like always. But she’d been right.

Jensen sighed, smiling. “Thank you,” he stood and hugged her for a long moment. When he let go, he went to the fridge to start on dinner, expecting Mac to leave or help, but instead she stood by the door uncertainly. He turned, frowning.

“What’s up, Mac?”

“I…Dad doesn’t like him,” Mac said.

“I know,” Jensen shrugged, rubbing his forehead. “I hadn’t really expected him to.”

“I could talk to him, if you want,” Mac started, but Jensen shook his head.

“No,” he sighed. “No point. I think this is just one thing dad will have to work out for himself. Though, it’s driving poor Jared up the wall.”

“I could talk to Jared, if you want,” Mac suggested. “I assume you’ve talked to him about the whole situation, but I could clarify.”

“Do I need clarificiation?” Jensen raised his eyebrows at her, and she laughed.

“Did you write it down?” she asked, and he shook his head. “Then, yes.”

“Feel free,” Jensen shrugged again. “But I don’t think it will do any good. I mean, Jared is convinced he can make dad like him by the end of the weekend.”

“That’s ambitious,” Mac snorted.

“Exactly what I said,” Jensen agreed. “I don’t know if another person telling him it’s futile will actually deter him any. But if you think you can help him, that’s your prerogative.”

“Alright,” Mac nodded. “Maybe if the opportunity presents itself. Anyway, cook good, bro.”

“Thanks,” Jensen laughed. An hour later, he alerted the group that dinner was served. They all piled into the house, filling it with noise and Jensen felt his shoulders tense just slightly. He was always so exhausted after things like this.

“You okay?” Jared asked quietly next to him at the giant table that they’d created after pushing two together so everyone could fit.

Jensen shrugged and Jared grimaced. “I feel you. Let me refresh your drink.”

Jensen smiled fondly at him. “Whiskey,” he detailed and Jared nodded, heading into the kitchen.

“He’s a sweetheart,” Donna leaned over Mac to whisper poorly, but everyone on their end of the table was able to hear.

“Yeah,” Jensen agreed, and glanced at his father who was staring idly past his head, straight faced.

“He seems much better than—“ Donna started but hiccupped.

“Take her wine,” Jensen murmured to Mac who nodded, her face solemn.

“Than who?” Megan inquired, obviously having heard Jensen’s mother’s poor attempt at a whisper.

Jensen looked at Danny with panic in his eyes and Danny immediately started gushing to Megan about her day with the horses, effectively squashing her line of inquiry. The rest of dinner went off without a hitch and after, Jensen offered drinks to whoever wanted them. There was a nice little bar in the living room, where they all adjourned to, and Chris offered to bartend quickly. Jensen’s family stayed along with Jared’s siblings, Danny, and Chris, but Jared’s parents, Felicia, Gen, Misha and Chad excused themselves to bed.

“Aw, c’mon, Chad!” Jared laughed. “You have a bed time now?”

“Jet lag, you asshole,” Chad flipped Jared off with a yawn and Misha laughed.

“He’ll be much more fun tomorrow night,” Misha assured.

“Alright, because the day Chad chooses not to stay up for drinks is the day I have to check myself into a retirement home,” Jared’s father laughed.

“You’re already there, dad,” Megan giggled and Jerry rolled his eyes at them before leaving with Mama Padalecki.

Chad took the orders and made them flawlessly.

“We shouldn’t make you work,” Jared laughed when Chad handed him his beer.

“Okay, I just opened a beer for you, Jared,” Chris laughed. “It’s Jensen with his Lagavulin neat that should feel bad.”

“I offered to pour it myself,” Jensen rolled his eyes. “It’s literally neat, Chris. That’s just straight alcohol in a glass. It’s not hard.”

“So ungrateful,” Danny admonished and Jensen rolled his eyes again. He and Jared sat close together on one of the couches, Danny by Jensen’s side and Chris to join next to her, across from his parents and brother. Mac and Megan shared one of the huge armchairs and Jeff had an armchair all to himself across from them. Jensen felt himself relax a little as he sunk back into the couch and slightly closer to Jared.

“So Jared,” Alan started in and Jensen tensed. “You’re an actor. Anything we’ve seen?”

“Friday the 13th,” Danny said with a huge grin.

“Oh, sweetie, those horror flicks were always your and Jensen’s obsession,” Donna laughed. “Alan and I don’t really watch them.”

“You definitely should,” Danny assured her. “It’s a horror flick, but Jared is actually very good.”

“No,” Jared laughed. “Please, don’t feel the need to watch it.”

“Yeah,” Chris agreed. “I didn’t think it was all that good.”

“Chris, you haven’t seen it,” Jensen sighed.

“Exactly,” Chris nodded. “An unbiased opinion.”

“That’s not how that works,” Mac rolled her eyes at Chris.

“Oh, Miss Know-It-All,” Chris joked and Mac laughed.

“Wow, flashback to when you guys were ten,” Mac recalled.

“It’s so nice that you all have known each other for so long,” Jared grinned.

“It’s like you and Chad,” Jensen said. “Which is sad for you, because it’s Chad.”

“You guys give him so much grief,” Donna chided. “He seems like a perfectly nice young man. Jared’s family adores him.”

“Eh,” Megan and Jeff both shrugged, which made Jensen laugh for a few moments, along with Danny and Chris.

“He’s alright,” Jared laughed along with them. “No, really, he’s a good dude. A little quirky, but he hit his head when he was a kid and was never quite the same.”

Jensen, Danny, and Chris stared laughing harder but Donna looked concerned.

“Really?” she inquired seriously.

“No,” Jared laughed. “That’s what he told me to tell people, though, in high school, so they’d think there was an explanation behind his weirdness.”

Donna shook her head, but was smiling.

“So, Jenny, working on anything new?” Josh asked.

“No, Joshy,” Jensen replied with a roll of his eyes. “I’m waiting to see if I survive the press for my current film before I start any new projects.”

“Do you really think it will be that bad?” Alan asked and Jensen frowned a little, looking at Mac.

“Well, I get it,” Mac immediately stepped in. “I mean, I’d be exhausted if I had to fly all over the world in such a short period of time. Not to mention, didn’t you tell me, Jen, that you’d have to do actual interviews for this one?”

“Yeah,” Jensen confirmed. “Felicia, though I love her, kind of roped me into that.”

“Oh, interviews,” Donna said grimly. “You’re not so good at interviews.”

“Thanks, mom,” Jensen laughed.

“You know what I mean, darling,” Donna back pedaled, thinking she’d actually upset him. He smiled at her to make sure she knew he wasn’t. “You just don’t like them, I mean.”

“I had to do many interviews when I was back in Hollywood,” Alan said. “They actually weren’t my favorite either.”

Jensen raised his eyebrows and exchanged a quick look with Mac, who looked equally surprised.

“Really, dad?” Josh asked. “I didn’t know you didn’t like being interviewed.”

“Yeah, well, it was a lot of pressure,” Alan shrugged. “And the interviewers always asked the same inane questions.”

“Yeah,” Jared agreed. “’What did you do to prepare for the role?’ is the one I get most often.”

“Yep,” Alan nodded. “That and the horrible ‘process’ question. No one honestly answers the process question.”

“I’ve never answered honestly,” Jared laughed.

“Exactly!” Alan smiled slightly. “My process for the first five years I acted was to eat an entire bag of chips before I went on set. I don’t know why, but the sodium was comforting.”

“That’s crazy!” Jared exclaimed. “I did the same thing, but with a packet of gummy bears.”

“Those will rot your insides,” Alan laughed.

“That was sort of part of the appeal,” Jared laughed along and Jensen and Mac exchanged a bewildered look. Maybe Alan liking Jared wasn’t completely insane, Jensen thought. After all, Jared was seriously hard not to like.

“I can respect a sweet tooth,” Josh offered. “Mom here would never let us eat like that, though.”

“Oh, if my mom found out, she’d kill me,” Jared affirmed.

“I’m sure she knows,” Donna said. “A mother always knows when her kids aren’t eating right. We can hear it over the phone.”

“That’s not true,” Jensen scoffed.

“Oh, it’s definitely true,” Danny confirmed. “The other day, I was on the phone with my mom and she guessed that I had take-out Chinese the night before. Suffice it to say, she was not happy.”

“Danny, you have Chinese almost every night,” Jensen rebutted. “That’s why she’s unhappy.”

“That’ll give you a clogged artery,” Alan warned and Danny laughed.

“I don’t get clogged arteries,” she said.

“That’s what they all say, until they get one,” Chris warned.

“Coming from the man who eats pizza four times a week,” Danny rolled her eyes.

“Ah, but I’m not denying that I will probably get a clogged artery,” Chris said grinning at Danny and Jensen saw Danny’s face soften a bit. He caught Jared’s eyes and raised his eyebrows suggestively which Jared nodded enthusiastically to.

They all talked for about an hour longer before they all agreed to go to bed. They walked to their separate rooms slowly, finishing the conversations, and when Jared and Jensen were in their room alone, Jensen spun around to look at Jared excitedly.

“I bet you five dollars Chris and Danny end up together,” Jensen said excitedly.

“That’d be crazy,” Jared laughed. “You’re betting this off of one look?”

“Yeah,” Jensen affirmed. “And I bet it happens over this weekend too.”

“You’re on,” Jared agreed, and they shook. They both undressed down to their boxers and climbed in lazily.

“Maybe you will make my dad like you,” Jensen said slowly and Jared turned to him with a grin.

“Told you,” he said and Jensen rolled his eyes.

“Hey, I was just being realistic,” Jensen said. “If I were in my dad’s position, I probably wouldn’t like you either.”

“Really?” Jared frowned. “Because I’d think you looking all…well, I mean, not to toot my own horn or anything, but happy…well, I think he’d like that.”

Jensen took a long time to reply, “I looked happy with Charlie.”

Jared was quiet next to him for another long moment before he replied, “I know.”

“I mean, they didn’t even know,” Jensen continued, his voice softening until he knew Jared would have to strain to hear him. “For a really long time, they didn’t even know anything was wrong.”

“Yeah, but nothing is wrong this time,” Jared told him. “Right?”

“No, nothing is wrong this time,” Jensen agreed.

“And even if you are a supremely good actor, which I have always suspected you are,” Jared added. “I think there may still be some differences between how you are now, and how you acted then.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Jensen sighed. “And I’m sure Mac had broken it down for them anyway.”

“She’s sort of your buffer, isn’t she?” he asked.

“Yeah, kind of like how you are, but with my family,” Jensen rolled over into Jared and was already falling asleep.

“What?” Jared asked. “I’m a buffer?”

“Yeah…” Jensen yawned. “I mean, you…calm me.”

“I calm you,” Jared asked and Jensen pried his eyes open to see if he’d said something wrong, but he saw that Jared was smiling softy.

“Yeah,” Jensen confirmed. “Which is good. I mean, you excite me too. I don’t know. You’re an enigma.”

“I love you,” Jared told him, kissing him lightly.

“Aw, that must be it,” Jensen agreed, closing his eyes again.