Your Strength

Jared had been ecstatic about the response the film had gotten in Rome, and even more so about the response in Sydney. More tears than in Rome, which he was oddly pleased to see. Jensen beamed at him both times, like he was the sun, like Jared was his light. Jared returned the sentiment. However, Jared dreaded the days following Sydney, which held an almost nonstop schedule for him. He and Jensen were taking different planes from Sydney: Jared to New York to film his interview with Jimmy Fallon, and then from there, to L.A. to film with Ellen. He was arriving in New York just in time to start taping with Fallon, then flying home to L.A. almost immediately afterwards to crash for a few hours before driving to tape with Ellen. They managed to fit him in as the first taping on Thursday, so he had to get there early, which killed. Then, that evening, was the L.A. premier. After that, finally, he could rest.

Jensen pouted at him as they entered the security line at the airport, this time with Felicia and Misha at their side.

“I’m sorry your next few days are going to be hectic,” Jensen told him, and Jared gave him a smile.

“It’s not anything I didn’t sign up for,” Jared replied. “I’m sorry I won’t be there to hold your hand on the plane.”

“Jensen needs handholding?” Felicia asked with a grin. “I’m going to be a mother soon; I need all the practice I can get. Let me hold your hand!”

“I don’t need handholding,” Jensen snapped, sighing. “I…I am not…exactly the biggest fan of planes.”

“You’re afraid of flying?” Misha asked. “Actually…that does ring a bell. I think Chad mentioned something about that.”

“Chad has a big mouth,” Jensen growled and Jared put a hand on his shoulder soothingly.

“Yes, yes he does,” Misha agreed. “He never shuts up about Jared. It’s killing him that you two haven’t talked in so long, Jared. If you don’t call him in the next week, I will have to kill him.”

“I’m planning on it,” Jared replied. “It’s just been busy.”

Misha raised his eyebrows. “No, you’re mad. I just can’t figure out why. And neither can he.”

“This is not the time nor place for this conversation,” Jared told Misha, who held up his hands with a smile.

“Hey, no worries, man! Whatever is happening is between you and Chad.”

“I’m making it right,” Jared assured, clapping Misha on the shoulder before turning and frowning as they came to the front of the line. Once through the x-ray, Jensen and Jared quickly put their
shoes and belts back on before facing each other.

“I’ll see you tonight,” Jared told Jensen, leaning in to kiss him.

“Yeah,” Jensen nodded, frowning. “I…I will miss you.”

“Me too,” Jared agreed, feeling almost silly about missing Jensen when really, they wouldn’t be a part for that long. Nevertheless, his stomach clenched at how he was going to have to walk in the opposite direction, to a different terminal now. Jensen hugged Jared to him for a long moment before joining Felicia and Misha, who were pointedly not watching the two men’s farewells. Jared started in the opposite direction, glancing back to see Jensen looking over his shoulder as well. Jared smiled and waved. Jensen reached into his pocket, digging his phone out. Moments later, Jared’s rang.

“I love you,” Jensen said the moment Jared picked up. “I can’t believe I almost let you fly overseas without telling you.”

“I love you too,” Jared replied with a grin, looking over his shoulder to see Jensen doing the same. He waved again, blew a kiss. “I love you so much. Take sleeping pills on the plane and make Misha or Felicia wake you only after you’ve touched down.”

“You’re amazing,” Jensen grinned. “Have fun with Fallon.”

“I’ll try,” Jared promised. “Alright, we should probably say goodbye. Misha and Felicia aren’t going to let you live this down.”

“They’ll never let either of us live it down,” Jensen agreed. “Worth it though. Love you.”

“Love you too. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Jared hung up with a heavy heart and forced himself to walk to his terminal without glancing over his shoulder again—that was until he couldn’t stand it anymore, and did so. However, Jensen had been swept away in the crowd. He walked to his terminal and only waited five minutes before boarding. He took his own advice, downing a sleeping pill once in his seat. He figured if he slept through all twenty hours of the flight, he’d be plenty rested to make it through Fallon and Ellen.

He was gently prodded awake by a stewardess once they’d touched down. From there, a cab took him from the airport to Rockefeller Center. He was taken to a room by an assistant who told him he could change if he wished, which he did. He had worn jeans and a Henley on the plane ride, but now he changed into a tight black suit with a crisp white shirt and a pencil tie. Jensen always said he looked “too hot for words” in his suit, so it was a tip of the hat to Jensen, who he knew would be watching when it aired later that night, probably at the same time, with the time difference, as he was getting on his plane back to L.A. He’d been called earlier in the week and was told that he’d be featured in a lip sync battle, which was information he had not shared with Jensen, hoping he’d appreciate the songs he had picked.

When he was dressed, the assistant, seemingly clairvoyant, came and brought him to greet Jimmy briefly before the show. He was a big enough fan of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to know the general gist of when he entered and all that, but he was still glad he would be able to meet with Fallon beforehand to be talked through it a little.

“Jared Padalecki!” Jimmy greeted amicably, pulling him into a bro hug that Jared had to bend a bit for. “Can I call you Jared? Or do you prefer Mr. Padalecki?”

“Jared, of course!” Jared replied. “Can I call you Jimmy?”

“It’d be insane not to!” Jimmy replied, throwing his hands up humorously.

“I gotta tell you, man,” Jared confessed. “I’m a huge fan. I watch The Tonight Show whenever I can catch it. Lip sync battles are my favorite. I’m so stoked to be here.”

“Dude, you’re way too nice!” Jimmy laughed boisterously. “Seriously! I don’t think I’ve ever been complimented so much by anyone quite as tall as you.”

“Aw, c’mon, I only have a few inches on you,” Jared exclaimed with a grin.

“A few inches is still a few inches,” Jimmy pointed out with a grin to match Jared’s. “Now, speaking of, I ask this of all my guests: any topics you want me to avoid? I mean, I kind of have a set of guidelines that I’ll give you a copy of so you can go over them while I do my pre-celebrity spiel, but I like to throw things in, here and there. Like to go with the flow of the conversation, you know? And I definitely want to go over your height.”

“Yes, my height is a big, pardon the pun, feature about me,” Jared laughed. “And no, definitely no limitations.”

“Great!” Jimmy clapped him on the shoulder. “Dude, I’m so excited for this! You’re too nice! You’d be surprised. Some of the people that come as my guests can’t stand me. Not to be a gossip, or anything.”

“Aw, c’mon!” Jared gasped jokingly. “You’re outrageously nice, how could they not like you?”

“Haughty, you know,” Jimmy winked. “Anyway, I’m almost on, so I’ll see you out there. One of these gorgeous assistants will get you the guidelines.” He looked around until a woman in a headset came over. “Right, Susan! You beautiful woman, you! Magnificent.”

Susan gave Jared the list.

“Thanks, Susan, you beautiful woman, you!” Jared told her, and she chuckled, rolling her eyes a little as she walked away.

“You’re funny!” Jimmy clapped him on the shoulder again. “This will be fun!”

With that, Jimmy walked out, leaving Jared to glance over the guidelines, which mostly went over the movie, which they were showing a clip of, and a few personal questions. There was one point where it said, ‘Ackles, if conversation permits’. Jared and Jensen hadn’t specifically talked about whether Jensen would be alright if he was mentioned in Jared’s interview, and although Jensen was a private person, Jared sincerely doubted Jensen would mind. Nevertheless, he shot Jensen a text.

‘Do you mind if I mention you on the Tonight Show?’

Jensen’s response was quick: ‘Mention me all you want, stud.’

Jared rolled his eyes. ‘You’re a dork. Love you.’

‘Same, on both accounts.’ Jared grinned at Jensen’s reply but was interrupted by Susan, who fixed him into a microphone and led him to his entrance. He could hear the show going on, listened for a few minutes longer as Jimmy did a little stand up, then commenced to Thank You Letters. Finally, Susan prodded him a little further, counting down from ten softly as Jimmy introduced him.

“And tonight, we have a man joining us that you may not have heard of quite yet. He’s a rising star, a truly magnificent gem of Hollywood, newly discovered by the critically acclaimed genius that is my dear friend and director, Felicia Day. I welcome…Jared Padalecki!”

Music cued and butterflies made Jared doubt himself for a moment before Susan pushed him out and he entered from the right. Jimmy stood from his desk, walking over to shake hands with Jared, then throwing up his hands.

“Aw, come here!” he intoned, pulling Jared into another hug that made Jared laugh.

“Settle down, there Jimmy, I’m spoken for,” Jared laughed.

Jimmy pulled away with a huge grin. “Which is truly too bad,” he told Jared, winking. Then he turned to the audience. “Look at this man! I’m six-foot-nothing, which is not short, and he makes me look like a much smaller man!”

Jared laughed. “That was something I’d never expect to hear from you.”

“Nor something I ever expected to say,” Jimmy agreed, offering Jared the seat, and going back behind his desk. “So, Jared. As I’ve mentioned, you’re sort of an undiscovered gem, am I right?”

“Well, I don’t know about that, but I can admit that I am lesser known,” Jared agreed.

“Which makes this show a little unique for me,” Jimmy informed. “I mean no offense when I say this, but I usually have more well-known celebrities on here.”

“No, no offense taken!” Jared shook his head, crossing his legs. “I watch your show all the time, I know I’m no Justin Timberlake or anything.”

“Oh, I bet Justin is pleased he just got a shout-out!” Jimmy laughed. “Well, I actually requested you, did you know that?”

Jared was baffled. “No,” he replied honestly. “You requested me to be on your show?”

“Yes,” Jimmy nodded with a grin. “Because, as I mentioned, Felicia Day and I are actually quite close friends, so I try to keep up with her projects. She sent me a cut from your movie, Trauma, the one we’ll be showing a little later, and I was blown away. I thought, how the hell have I not heard of this kid? Really! You are amazing! And I thought, I want to be the one to get to him first, sink my claws in!”

“That’s extremely comforting, with the claws. Thank you, Jimmy,” Jared laughed. “But actually, that is extremely nice. Really, especially from you. I’m a huge fan.”

“As you mentioned,” Jimmy laughed. “Anyway, let’s get to the gritty details. You’ve never really been on a talk-show, right?”

“Right,” Jared confirmed.

“Great, fresh meat!” Jimmy laughed maniacally. “Amazing. So I get to throw out all the gritty details! This is my dream come true! When you make it big, and internationally known—which I have no doubt will happen—all of your stalkers will get the best information from me!”

“I’m glad you get so many fringe benefits from this interview, Jimmy!” Jared laughed.

“Oh, me too, me too,” Jimmy grinned impossibly wider. “Now, let’s start first with the movie. It’s called Trauma, hitting theaters this upcoming weekend. You’re amazing in it. Did you always act? Or did you just stumble upon it?”

“Actually, I did sort of stumble upon it,” Jared laughed. “I mean, neither of my parents were actors—my mom’s a school teacher, my dad’s an accountant. It was just kind of something that I stumbled upon in high school. A friend of mine was taking a drama class and asked if I’d take the class too, so it would suck less, or whatever. So I did, and it turned out I loved it.”

“And you’ve just been hanging around since then, being amazing, without anyone knowing it?” Jimmy gasped. “How?”

“Well, I wasn’t very…I don’t know, proactive as others are,” Jared admitted. “I mean, I kind of stumbled into my first role too. It just so happened that the director of this series that aired a couple years back was in Antonio and caught this small little production that I was doing with a local theater. He approached me afterwards and told me he had a small role, if I was interested. I flew out to L.A. for a week, got myself an agent, filmed, and flew back. So, that was kind of my first few years doing work in L.A. My agent would get me whatever he could, but it wasn’t very consistent, so I stayed in Texas. Then, there was my part in Nightmare on 13th, which was extremely fun. And that’s how Felicia saw me. Once Felicia made contact with my agent, I moved to L.A. permanently.”

“Wow, that’s a very different story from what we usually hear,” Jimmy agreed. “I have not seen you in the horror movie, but I know what I’m definitely doing tonight!”

“Okay, if you must,” Jared laughed.

“Right, well, it’s sort of surprising to me that it was Felicia that discovered you,” Jimmy said. “I thought it would be Jensen Ackles, the screenwriter of the movie.”

“Yes, my boyfriend,” Jared confirmed what Jimmy was skimming around. “No, it was funny, actually. He had no idea I was being cast for his film until after we’d started dating. It was just sort of crazy happenstance.”

“That is crazy!” Jimmy agreed. “And he’s just as brilliant as you are, which is evident in the film.”

“I agree,” Jared nodded. “I actually think he’s much better than me.”

“That is a kind compliment,” Jimmy smiled. “But you may be a little biased. I hope maybe we could get him on here some day.”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” Jared shook his head. “He’s not one for this type of thing. Don’t get me wrong: he’s a huge fan of yours! He tapes all your shows that he misses, so he can watch them later. I mean, he says he does it for me, but I am never the one to watch them first.”

Jimmy laughed, turning to the audience with a hand to his heart. “You two are both going to be the death of me. Really, my heart—right from my chest!”

“Learn to take a compliment, Jimbo,” Jared laughed. “Geez.”

Jimmy laughed for a few long moments, pretending to wipe tears from his eyes. “Oh my God, Jimbo! I don’t think I’ve heard Jimbo since I was about seven.”

Jared laughed. “I think it’s quite charming,” Jared offered which made Jimmy double over again.

“Alright, let’s go to commercial break while I recover,” Jimmy said, and the camera men swiveled their way into the commercial. Jimmy leaned over and clapped Jared on the shoulder. “You’re a natural at this, man!”

Jared laughed. “You make it easy.”

“Jimbo,” Jimmy chuckled a little more. “God, my dad’s gonna love that one. Anyway, while we’re on commercial, I meant to ask you backstage: how’s Gen doing?”

“As far as I know, great,” Jared offered. “I just left Felicia in Sydney. Gen was too pregnant to fly, but Felicia was happy to be a pretend-mommy to Jensen on the plane back to L.A., so I think that bodes well. She’s almost due, it’s crazy!”

“Pretend mommy to Jensen? Wow. Can we bring this up again when we get back from commercial?” Jimmy’s eyes were bright.

“Oh, God, please no,” Jared groaned and laughed. “Jensen’s fine with me talking about him, but I think that would push it a little too far. He’s not a big fan of flying, and I doubt he’d like it publicized.”

“Aw, the people love the Drunk Oscar Man, they’d eat it up!” Jimmy laughed.

“Please don’t send me home to an angry boyfriend,” Jared pleaded.

Jimmy laughed. “Oh, I know what angry partners are like. There have been many times when I’ve shared a little too much about my wife, and she was none too happy. We’ll avoid the pretend-mommy, I promise.”

“Much appreciated,” Jared smiled.

“And we’re back in five, four, three,” the cameraman called out, counting two and one silently, pointing to Jimmy.

“Welcome back,” Jimmy called out amicably. “We’re here with Jared Padalecki who stars in the amazing new drama coming to theaters this weekend: Trauma! Now Jared, more juicy details! So, since I’m not going to get Jensen on the show, do you mind delving into his relationship with the filming of Trauma? Felicia told me he was very hands-on with all of the filming, per her request.”

“Yes, that’s right,” Jared agreed. “Felicia wanted Jensen to be on set with us for all the filming, since the nature of the film is…well, for lack of a better word, delicate. She wanted to keep it as real and close to his creative image as she could. He was almost a co-director, really. Felicia took his word as gospel, allowing him as much creative reign as he wished.”

“That’s very unusual,” Jimmy nodded. “But then again, so is Felicia. Which is what makes her brilliant.”

“Agreed,” Jared grinned. “She’s amazing. I’m pleased to say that we’ve actually become good friends while filming too. I don’t know if we’re as close as you and she, since I didn’t get emailed a clip of the movie…”

Jimmy laughed at Jared’s small pout. “Well, you filmed it! You know what’s going on! I’m sure she probably likes you more. I mean, you are more likable.”

“That is not true!” Jared guffawed. “You’re way more likable. I mean, you have an entire show that depends on your likability.”

“That’s true, I am more likable,” Jimmy agreed with a shrug, making Jared laugh. “Now that we’ve established that, I must continue. There’s a lot of Oscar buzz surrounding your film—especially now, after Rome and Sydney. I have a friend who works for The Times who went to see the one in Rome. She was blown away. Like, you people in the audience may think I’m seriously overhyping this movie. I’m not. Really. The writing, the acting, the directing. It’s all just…amazing. In fact, let’s show the clip, so you can see for yourself!”

With that, three flat screens above the audience blinked to life, along with one that was facing the stage for Jimmy and Jared’s viewing. It was about a ninety second clip that was Jared alone, in monologue. It was an extremely emotional scene, though quiet, both tragically heart wrenching and serene at the same time. When it was over, Jared was both surprised and pleased to hear sniffling, and completely aghast when he looked back to Jimmy, whose eyes were a little misty.

“Wow,” Jimmy said when the screen faded to black and the camera was back on him. “Really, wow. Ninety seconds, and I’m nearly in tears. And I don’t cry easy. Wasn’t that great, folks?”

Without any more invitation, the entire studio audience that Jared could hardly see for blinding lights in his face rose with thunderous applause. The camera swiveled to show the reaction and Jared couldn’t help but feel stunned. When the camera came back around, the audience was still clapping.

“Alright, enough already!” Jimmy eventually laughed, and the applause slowly died down.

“Wow, that was…too much,” Jared said. “Thank you for your applause.”

“Not too much!” Jimmy scoffed. “It was completely deserved. Wow, I’m still a little teary.”

“Yeah, I can see that,” Jared laughed. “Pull yourself together man, it’s just a movie.”

Jimmy laughed for a few moments again, the audience joining, and Jared felt a little light headed.

“That was amazing,” Jimmy reiterated, wiping his eyes a little with a huge grin. “Really. Well, we’re going to go to another commercial break, folks. When we get back, Jared Padalecki will be featured in a legendary Lip Sync battle!”

With that, Jimmy turned to Jared again. “Seriously, man. It really was amazing. Those were real tears, not just for show. You have quite a range.”

“Good writing, man,” Jared joked and Jimmy rolled his eyes.

“That too,” Jimmy agreed. “Seriously, Jensen won’t come on the show?”

“You could always ask, but probably not,” Jared replied. “I mean, he didn’t go on any shows when he won an Oscar. Maybe if he won another, he may if you really badgered him. But this really isn’t his thing.”

“Fair enough,” Jimmy nodded. “Alright, come on! We have to get ready for the Lip Sync. I assume you sent your song selections ahead?”

“Yes, and I was surprised to hear that you really don’t get to know until the time comes,” Jared nodded admiringly.

“No, I don’t want to know! That’d take all the realism out of the game! It’s more fun if I’m just as surprised as the audience,” Jimmy grinned like a kid. “And I’m sure your song selections will be amazing.”

“Yes, well, when you hear the first one, don’t judge me,” Jared chuckled. “The second one’s better.”

“Oh, this is going to be amazing! Why’d you pick the first one?” Jimmy asked as they walked over to the separate stage by the band. The audience waved excitedly at him, which made Jared smile and feel a bit self conscious. He waved nervously back as he continued his conversation with Jimmy.

“Uh, well, for Jensen, actually,” Jared replied, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Oh, so it’s like a wink to him,” Jimmy nodded. “That’s amazing. That’s even better! I hope he likes it!”

“I’m sure he will be laughing his ass off, at the very least,” Jared nodded.

“We’re back,” the camera man announced, beginning his countdown. When he pointed, Jimmy launched.

“Alright, we’re back! Now, it is time for the Lip Sync battle,” Jimmy bounced on the balls of his feet a little. “Now, it works like this: we each take turns lip syncing sections of well-known songs. We don’t know what songs the other one has picked, only the person performing knows which song is coming next. We will each be performing two songs each. First up: Jared, after you.”

“Thanks, Jimmy,” Jared said, grinning and walking up to the mic stand. “My first song is a shout out to the aforementioned Jensen, who has told me that my measurements line up almost perfectly with the Golden Ratio. So, I think that translates to…I’m Too Sexy by Right Said Fred. Let’s hit it!”

Right on cue, I’m Too Sexy began to play. Jared danced along, ripping his jacket off theatrically, followed by his tie, which he whipped around the mic stand, swinging it around as he sung. In the last beats, he tore open his shirt a little as a finale (the very reason he wore his only snap-button shirt). When the music stopped, Jimmy was clapping and laughing, tears in his eyes.

“Oh my god,” Jimmy cackled. “That was…that was amazing.”

The audience was going nuts and Jared felt both a little embarrassed and elated. He could just picture Jensen doubled over, laughing hard enough to hack up a lung.

“That is something…I just don’t want to follow,” Jimmy took a deep breath. “But I shall. Out of the way, Padalecki.”

Jared laughed. “Alright, I’m getting off stage. All yours, Fallon.”

“Now, I am going to give you a very moving rendition of…Toxic by Britney Spears!”

Fallon mussed up his hair and looked directly into the camera as Toxic rang out. Instantly, Jared was in stitches as he watched Jimmy dance to the early 2000 pop song. It was over too soon, and Jared clapped Jimmy on the back as he walked up to him. He hadn’t put his jacket back on, nor his tie—he’d been laughing too hard.

“Oh, man, now I don’t want to follow,” Jared laughed. “That was the best thing I’ve ever seen.”

“I know, I know,” Jimmy agreed. “What can I say? I’m amazing.”

“Agreed.”

“Alright, Jared, you’re up again,” Jimmy pushed him towards the mic. “Let’s see you one up me.”

“I think that’s impossible, but I’ll certainly give it my best shot,” Jared nodded.

“Is this next song for Jensen too?” Jimmy asked, eyes huge and faux innocent.

Jared laughed. “You know, actually, it is! And he may kill me for saying this on national TV. We’re both huge fans of country music. We’re both good ‘ol Texans, after all. However, there was one artist that he loves that I—well, I’m a fan, but not to his same extent. However, this singer has, of late, moved into the genre of pop, which I actually like more. So I’m going to be performing one of Jensen’s favorite artists: Shake It Off by the lovely, talented T. Swizzle!”

He put his head down dramatically as the first light hearted notes started up. For the first words, he snapped his head up with a completely straight face, staring right into the camera as he danced and sang Taylor Swift. He was perfectly aware of how silly he must look, and he was sure that his singing Taylor Swift like he was would certainly make Jensen forgive him. It had been timed to fade out at his favorite part of the song, when she got to the part calling out the fella with the hella good hair, and he pointed at Jimmy Fallon, shimmying his way over to dance next to the band and shaking his ass, the song ending on the third spoken “shake”.

Jimmy was doubled over laughing again, clapping his hands. The band clapped two, laughing, and giving him thumbs up. The audience was beside themselves with applauds for a moment, a standing ovation and everything. Jared grinned into the cabin, and handed Jimmy the mic.

“Uh, no way,” Jimmy shook his hand, straightening up. “I cannot physically follow that act. I forfeit. You win! Jared Padalecki wins!”

Jimmy clapped his shoulders appreciatively. “This man, ladies and gentlemen, is a gift to us all! That’s all we got for you tonight, folks! The edgy drama, Trauma, starring Jared Padalecki hits theaters this weekend! Don’t miss it! Thanks for coming, Jared.”

“Thanks for having me,” Jared provided, stilling laughing and grinning.

The camera slanted down and Jimmy clapped Jared on the back again.

“Man, that was a blast!” Jimmy grinned. “Over too soon! Now, if you have the time, this is usually when I go talk to the audience members, if you’d like to come.”

“Yeah, that sounds fun,” Jared agreed.

“And after, again if your schedule permits, I have beer backstage,” Jimmy offered further.

“That sounds equally amazing,” Jared laughed. “I don’t have to grab my flight until later tonight. I think I have time.”

“Great!”

Jimmy and he talked to the audience for a while, trying to get to as many as they could. They both signed a plethora of autographs on a plethora of objects, which Jared found sort of surreal. After a bit, they excused themselves and settled into Jimmy’s huge dressing room with beers. They talked idly for a while, a lot about Felicia and Gen, Misha a little too, since Jimmy had met him once or twice. It was nice and Jared knew that this was a kind of friendship that was just easy. He was glad that one of his favorite TV personalities wasn’t a huge dick. They hung amiably all the way up until Jared had to grab a cab to the airport.

“I’ll walk you out,” Jimmy offered, smiling. “Dude, you’re a really cool guy! I hope we can be friends.”

It was so outright that Jared almost laughed. He was used to the double-talk that was popular around L.A. among big actors and celebrities, but Jimmy was very cool.

“Oh, we’re definitely friends,” Jared declared. “Besties. Chad Michael Murray may kill you.”

“What? Why?” Jimmy laughed.

“He’s the best friend you just replaced,” Jared responded.

“Okay, you can have two best friends,” Jimmy guffawed.

“Not with Chad, you can’t,” Jared laughed.

“Alright, I’ll fight him,” Jimmy agreed. “I can take Murray. Easily.”

“I believe in you,” Jared nodded. “Fair warning, he’s a dirty fighter.”

“Noted,” Jimmy laughed again. They had reached the street, and Jared turned to shake Jimmy’s hand one last time, but Jimmy pulled him into a quick bro-hug again, which made Jared laugh and roll his eyes.

“Hey, if you’re ever in L.A., come have dinner with me and Jensen,” Jared told him honestly.

“I think my family and I were actually thinking about going down for a vacation sometime soon,” Jimmy grinned. “I will definitely take you up on that. And same to you whenever you’re in New York!”

“I will,” Jared nodded, walking to the curb and hailing a cab. “See you, Jimmy!”

Jimmy waved and Jared got into the cab. His drive to the airport took longer than he’d expected, which he thought was very idiotic on his part. He was used to L.A. traffic, he should’ve had the common sense to leave earlier. However, he made his flight, if by seconds. And before he knew it, he was back at LAX. He had insisted that he get a cab from the airport, since Jensen had been hell bent on picking him up. But his flight got in so late, he really didn’t want to cost Jensen any sleep. So he arrived to a darkened house. Harley and Sadie silently met him at the door with excitement in their eyes. He took a few minutes to greet them, then he walked into their bedroom, stripping immediately and crawling stealthily into bed. The moment he’d gotten comfortable, Jensen rolled over, wrapping his arms around Jared. Jared smiled tiredly, cozying up to his gorgeous boyfriend.

“I missed you,” Jensen told him sleepily.

“I missed you too,” Jared chuckled softly.

“I’m mad at you for the…Swift,” Jensen murmured.

“But I sang like an idiot for you,” Jared defended quietly.

“You’re right,” Jensen muttered into Jared’s chest. “I’m not mad at you. I love you.”

“I love you too,” Jared replied, and they were both asleep again within minutes.

Jared woke the next morning before Jensen, as he knew he would. He had to get up early to film with Ellen, and he hoped he could do it all before coming back here to crash in bed with Jensen until they absolutely had to get ready for the premier. He managed to slip out of bed groggily without waking Jensen, and got ready in record time, running out the door as he realized he was running a little bit late. He arrived at Ellen’s studio barely on time. Ellen greeted him, which Jared found unique. He would’ve thought that she would’ve been busy until launch, but apparently not. He was being pleasantly surprised by the talk show hosts of his time.

“Mr. Padalecki!” Ellen greeted warmly.

“Oh, no, please call me Jared,” Jared replied immediately, shaking her outstretched hand with both of his own. “I’m a huge fan.”

“Alright, well, Huge Fan, please call me Ellen,” Ellen smiled at him widely. “I have to say, your agent sure can be persuasive. He wouldn’t let me turn you down for nothing. But now that I’ve seen the clip Fallon showed, I’m glad I gave in.”

“Yeah, that’s Steve,” Jared nodded. “I’m sorry if he was a pain in the ass. I really, really appreciate you letting me on your show.”

“No, please, don’t apologize!” Ellen chuckled. “Like I said, I ended up being the grateful one.”

“You’re too kind,” Jared smiled down at her.

“Thanks, I don’t get that too often,” she laughed good-naturedly.

“I’m sure that’s not true,” Jared told her, making her smile wider.

“You sure got that Southern charm down,” Ellen noted.

“Much obliged,” he said with a thick accent.

“Funny and cute!” Ellen laughed. “That boyfriend of yours sure is lucky!”

“Oh, that’s very true and he knows it.” Jared winked.

“Alright, well, I got to get into my place and all that,” Ellen excused herself, but pulled a man with a clipboard over. “But Jonathon here will show you where and when you enter. I’ll see you in a few!”

It was a slightly varied repetition of what Jared had done with Fallon, directed to his entrance, handed a list of points to review, then told to dance with Ellen. The crowd enjoyed his dancing as he awkwardly attempted the Funky Chicken. Once that embarrassment was over, he sat across from Ellen, who offered him, almost immediately, a basket of underwear.

“I got you underwear,” Ellen said simply and Jared laughed.

“Wow,” Jared intoned. “I mean…I didn’t know we were at that point in our relationship, yet, Ellen. I’m touched.”

“As you should be,” Ellen agreed. “I actually threw in a couple of extra pairs for Jensen, if he wants them.”

“I’m sure he’ll be very grateful, thank you,” Jared laughed.

“Yeah, well, since you brought him up and everything,” Ellen laughed and Jared rolled his eyes. “Did Jensen tell you that he and I have actually met?”

“What?” Jared was genuinely astonished. “No, he failed to mention that! When?”

“Well, actually, when I say ‘met’, that’s very relative,” Ellen laughed. “In fact, I only remember because of what a weird experience this was. Listen, this is a really good story. I’m excited to tell you.”

“I’m right here excited with you,” Jared prompted her.

“Right, well, okay,” Ellen nodded. “So, I don’t know if everyone knows this, but I greatly appreciate independent film festivals. Sundance, obviously, is a big one, but I attend many all over the
country, and sometimes even internationally.”

“Right, interesting,” Jared nodded, looking at the audience with raised eyebrows, as if asking, ‘And…?’

“Just hang in there, smart ass,” Ellen laughed. “Anyway, this was a few years ago, and I was at this festival in Texas. Well, you know, being who I am and all, I got pretty good backstage access to the premieres and all that. So I was backstage after a truly amazing debut premiere from this first-time screenwriter. Can you guess who it was?”

“Well, if it’s not Jensen, this story will be very disappointing,” Jared told her.

“Then it’s a damn good thing it was Jensen,” Ellen told him with a grin. “So, I was blown away by this film, right? It was stark and honest and all that great stuff that snobby critics write in their pompous reviews, right? And I want to meet the kid that everyone was talking about, who was probably only, what, twenty, at the time? So I’m backstage looking for this annoying little prodigy and all of a sudden, there’s this weird commotion ahead of me. All these important looking weirdos with clipboards were looking up, so, you know, so did I.”

“Obviously,” Jared agreed.

“And we were in one of those huge industrial white tents with the metal rafters and all that, right? Well, there’s two people hanging upside down from the rafters like they were monkey bars, as if they couldn’t be bothered that they were hanging thirty feet in the air, back stage of this great premiere. One was a girl, and the other was a guy. The girl was just talking to the guy, like a casual upside down conversation, and the guy’s nodding along. So, the official backstage people are calling up to them, and the guy holds a finger down at them. Finally, the girl apparently finishes her story and they laugh, and only then does the guy look down. And I hear, ‘Mr. Ackles, will you and your guest please come down.’ And I’m like, ‘This is the kid everyone is so excited about.’ And, obviously, I automatically take a liking to him. And even better, he replies, ‘No.’ Just no. A simple no. Then he looks at someone else, who’s leaning against the side of the tent, another younger guy with a cowboy hat, and he yells at the guy to toss him the harmonica. And the guy does, and then Jensen just starts playing the harmonica. Upside down. While hanging from the rafters of his premiere.”

Jared shakes his head, laughing. “Yeah, that was way before my time, clearly.”

“I wonder if he even noticed I was there,” Ellen mused.

“Well, if he had, he’d probably would’ve mentioned it to me before I came on the show,” Jared pointed out.

“Unless he thought I’d tell the story way better than he ever could,” Ellen offered and Jared shrugged, laughing again.

“Alright, that could be it,” Jared rolled his eyes. “I guess you’ll just have to ask him sometime.”

“How about now?” Ellen asked, and Jared frowned.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, how about we call him,” Ellen suggested.

Jared laughed, and knew that Jensen would never answer, which he immediately voiced. “Be my guest, he probably won’t answer. It’s too early. I think he’s probably still asleep.”

“Really?” Ellen raised her eyebrows at the audience. “Do you think we should do it?”

There was a loud approval via applause from the audience, and Jared slid his phone from his pocket. “If we’re going to do it, we better use my number. He doesn’t answer numbers he doesn’t
know. It’ll improve our odds.”

“Perfect,” Ellen agreed. A tech assistant from back stage came out and hooked an audio transmitter into Jared’s audio jack and Jared dialed Jensen’s number, a little reluctantly. He knew Jensen
wouldn’t answer, but he feared this may be going a little too far.

However, Jared was further mortified when, after a few rings, which were amplified into the studio, Jensen actually answered.

After the ringing ceased, there was a few moments of incoherent grumbling, then finally, Jensen greeted with a gritty, “Hey.”

“Jensen, hang up now if you don’t want this conversation broadcasted nationally,” Jared warned immediately with a fake smile at the camera.

Jensen was silent for a few long moments before replying, his confusion evident, “What?”

“Hello, Jensen Ackles, it’s Ellen DeGeneres!” Ellen greeted then. “I’m sorry about this call, we tricked Jared into ringing you. We didn’t expect you to answer, we were all just going to leave a funny little message for your answering machine!”

“Oh,” Jensen still sounded sleepy and confused. “Well, I can certainly hang up and decline your next call, if you’d prefer.”

Ellen laughed good naturedly. “Actually, since we have you here, do you mind if I ask just one question, really quick?”

“I’m…I just woke up…So…” Jensen struggled a little.

“Don’t expect him to be very verbal,” Jared provided for him. “He’s not a morning person. Jensen, I left a full pot of coffee for you, if you want to grab some to help you through this conversation.”

Ellen and the audience ‘aw’ed, and Jared rolled his eyes at them, but smiled.

“Yes,” Jensen agreed.

“Alright, well, while you do that, let me just ask you,” Ellen started. “Do you remember ever meeting me?”

There was a long pause before Jensen slowly replied, “I don’t think I’ve ever had that pleasure. Officially, of course.”

“I didn’t think you had noticed,” Ellen nodded. “But to be fair, it certainly wasn’t a formal introduction. In fact, it wasn’t an introduction at all. It’s more, I saw you while you were…otherwise engaged.”

“Wow, that sounds dirty,” Jensen commented, which earned him some laughs.

“No, not like that,” Ellen chuckled. “Sorry, poor choice of words. Let me just say this: playing the harmonica upside down.”

Jensen was quiet for another moment, then sighed. “Alright, sadly, you may actually need to specify further.”

Jared laughed and Ellen made a shocked face at him, then the audience. “I’m sorry, you can think of multiple times where you were upside down playing the harmonica?”

Jensen sighed again. “Yeah,” he replied simply.

“This is why I love you,” Jared laughed, and Ellen gaped.

“Alright, well, since you need more specification, this was a couple years back at your debut film premiere at a little festival in Texas,” Ellen specified with an eye roll.

“Oh!” Jensen announced. “Yeah, I do remember…I don’t remember you, though. I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s okay,” Ellen replied with a chuckle. “You were hanging from the rafters, you had other things on your mind.”

“Yeah, right,” Jensen chuckled a little breathily.

“Can I ask, why were you hanging from the rafters?” Ellen inquired.

Jensen paused, and Jared knew he was weighing his options: lie quickly and get this conversation over with or give a straight answer on national television.

“It…it was quieter,” Jensen finally provided. “I mean, there were so many people, coming at me from every direction with all their questions and stuff…and it was my first time dealing with that sort of…attention, I guess. And even so, I’ve never been…never been good at that. At dealing with that sort of thing. So the first chance I got, I went up into the rafters. One of my friends was crazy enough to follow me. It’s the whole…new perspective thing, I guess, or whatever.”

“And the harmonica?” Ellen asked.

This time, Jensen chuckled. “Well, once they realized where I was and everyone was shouting at me again, my friend suggested I might as well give them a show. Hence the harmonica.”

“Well, I’m glad you gave us a show, I’ve been telling that story for years! It’s a real good one at parties!” Ellen laughed and Jared could hear the muffled groan from the other end of the line.

“I’m always glad when I can provide comic relief,” Jensen told her, making Ellen laugh harder.

“Sorry if I’ve embarrassed you,” Ellen apologized.

“No, it’s alright,” Jensen told her. “I mean…it’s a really weird story. I’d tell it at parties too, if I were you.”

“Glad you understand. Well, I’m glad that I was able to get to the bottom of this after so many years,” Ellen laughed. “Now that my curiosity is sated, we’ll let you go back to bed.”

“Much obliged,” Jensen replied, and Ellen laughed, flashing a look at Jared.

“Bye,” Ellen told Jensen.

“Bye,” Jared added.

“Good bye.” Jensen hung up, and Ellen turned to Jared.

“You’ve got yourself an odd one, there, Jared.”

“He’s amazing,” Jared laughed. “I can’t believe he didn’t notice Ellen DeGeneres below him, though.”

“Yeah, well, I guess being an internationally known comedian with her own talk show doesn’t get you as far with the screenwriters of today anymore,” Ellen laughed.

After that, they deferred into actual talk regarding Trauma, and the interview took all the normal turns until it was time for Jared to go. Ellen signed off with him amiably and when they cut, they embraced.

“I really didn’t expect Jensen to answer,” Ellen apologized. “People never answer when I call them on air! I hope I didn’t get you into trouble!”

“No, I’m sure it’s fine,” Jared told her, but really, he was feeling guilty as hell. Jensen didn’t go on talk shows for a reason: because he barely bared himself to Jared, who, Jared thought, at least knew him as well as anyone, much less to a stranger which then aired to the entire nation.

“Well, thank you for coming on,” Ellen smiled genuinely. “Maybe we can get you on again post Awards season.”

“Yeah, if I win anything,” Jared laughed as Ellen walked him off stage.

“Oh, you will,” Ellen told him. “I’ve been doing pre and post Awards interviews for years now, and I’ve become quite the savant at knowing who will win. Sometimes, it’s undeserving, but in your case, you will definitely deserve every accolade you acquire.”

“Wow,” Jared was touched with the sudden shift of genuine admiration Ellen’s tone had taken. “Thank you, that means a lot.”

“You’re very welcome,” Ellen grinned at him. “Don’t be a stranger!”

And just like that, it was over, and Jared was driving home faced with only two more things to deal with before he could breathe freely: Jensen’s potential anger—or even worse, potential sense of betrayal—and the final Hollywood premiere.

When Jared arrived home, he was dead tired but ready to take anything Jensen threw at him. He felt horrible about blindsiding Jensen like he had. However, the moment he walked into the house, he was thrown off. He smelled food, which wasn’t what he was expecting at all. He walked into the kitchen to see Jensen frying up some eggs.

“Hey,” Jared greeted tentatively.

Jensen turned, and Jared was further surprised when Jensen turned and gave him a small smile, tired but not at all angry.

“Hey, good timing,” Jensen walked over and kissed him before returning to the stove. “I figured, we could eat breakfast and then nap until we have to get ready for the premier. You must be tired. Over easy for your eggs?”

“Uh…yeah, over easy,” Jared was stunned. He had been expecting at least a little irritation.

“Why are you so…hesitant?” Jensen glanced over his shoulder momentarily before grabbing a plate and depositing Jared’s eggs onto it, along with two slices of toast he pulled from the toaster.

“You’re not…angry? I mean, I kind of blindsided you with the call, which I apologize profusely for,” Jared replied.

Jensen turned to him, shrugging. “Hey, I’ve seen Ellen’s show: this isn’t the first time she’s done this. I mean, you warned me first thing. I could’ve hung up, if I wanted to, without repercussions. But, hey. I was curious. Plus, I’m sure Danny will love the fact that she was mentioned on the Ellen DeGeneres show.”

“Really?” Jared asked, sitting on a barstool as Jensen set his plate in front of him, then turned to the stove once more to prepare his own eggs.

“Yeah,” Jensen shrugged again. “I mean, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It’s easy over the phone.” Jensen chuckled a little. “I mean, if I could do talk shows exclusively over the phone, I might actually do them. I didn’t have to stare down the live studio audience, and I didn’t have to deal with even getting dressed—speaking of, you look great, by the way.”

Jared sighed happily at the back of Jensen’s head. He was always so pleasantly surprised by this man that chose to love him. Jared was never one to tiptoe around Jensen like the rest of their friends sometimes did, but he wasn’t one to put him into situations that would make Jensen uncomfortable either, which is where his anxiety stemmed on the drive home. He stood, walked to Jensen, and wrapped his arms around Jensen’s waist as Jensen flipped his eggs with a talented flick of the wrist.

“I love you,” Jared told him.

“Yeah, so you told me over the phone,” Jensen chuckled. “To the entire nation.”

“I did?” Jared squinted, thinking back.

“Yeah,” Jensen confirmed.

“Well, what can I say? It just slips out sometimes,” Jared laughed a little, and Jensen leaned back into Jared’s embrace.

Jensen smiled at Jared briefly, before sighing and saying, “Now, if only I could just do the premier tonight over the phone, then my life would be so simple, so easy.”

“C’est la vie,” Jared murmured, resting his chin on Jensen’s shoulder.

“La vie,” Jensen replied with a small chuckle.

“Almost as bad as my knock knock jokes,” Jared rolled his eyes.

“You know, I miss your knock knock jokes,” Jensen told him, turning off the stove and removing his eggs from the heat. Jared released his waist so Jensen could grab himself a plate. “Why don’t you tell me one?”

“No, the good ones only come to me in very specific moments of clarity,” Jared laughed.

“Post sex?” Jensen rolled his eyes.

“Exactly,” Jared nodded.

“Alright, well, once we finish eating, we’ll make that happen,” Jensen winked, then began to dig into his eggs.

“You’re too good to be true,” Jared admired, turning to his own food.

“You think that now, but you should hear me play the harmonica,” Jensen chuckled. “Then, that title may truly be earned.”