Your Strength

A soft sigh woke Jared and the wisps of an odd dream floated away. For a few long moments, all Jared was processing was the horrible painful throb at his temples, as if someone were ramming at pickax into his skull. It wasn’t helped by the incessant beeping that sounded near him. In addition to the headache, Jared noticed that he was sore in many places, and his arm also hurt quite a bit. Eventually, after what took a great deal of inner motivation, Jared managed to peel his eyelids open, just slightly. He was struck for a moment with a great sense of confusion as he realized that he was in a hospital. He stiffly turned to look around. To his left, there were a few chairs pressed against the wall next to the door, all empty. He further noticed that his left arm was in a thick blue cast. When he looked to the right, he saw Jensen slumped forward against Jared’s bed, his head in his arms, eyebrows scrunched down tensely. His eyes were closed and his lids were splotchy and red with dark circles underneath and visibly damp at the corners. Jared didn’t think someone who looked so tense could possibly be asleep. Jared rested his hand lightly on Jensen’s arm and to his surprise, Jensen didn’t wake. Jared debated internally for a moment whether to rouse Jensen or not. He lightly ran his hand through Jensen’s hair before draping it against Jensen’s clenched fist. This time, Jensen stirred. When Jensen’s eyes flitted open, Jared immediately noticed they were red. Jensen stared at him, seemingly uncomprehending for a moment before shooting up and leaning closer to him, putting both his hands on Jared’s cheeks.

“Hey,” Jared ground out and was both surprised and frightened to see Jensen’s eyes well with tears. Jensen closed his eyes and rested his forehead against Jared’s, hands still lightly clutching Jared’s face. After a few long moments, Jensen cleared his throat.

“Hi,” he replied and his voice was gravely and broke on the one word.

“Jensen…” Jared tried for a moment to console his boyfriend, who was clearly upset, but couldn’t completely comprehend how, without knowing the circumstances. “What happened?”

“Some drunk asshole t-boned you,” Jensen told him, his face darkening. “I need to grab a nurse.”

With that, he planted a kiss on the top of Jared’s head and then dashed into the hallway. Moments later, he was followed in by a nurse and a doctor. The nurse checked his vitals, while the doctor stood at the foot of the bed, first checking his chart and then addressing him.

“Hello, Mr. Padalecki, I’m Dr. Samantha Ferris,” she introduced herself. She was a kind looking woman, with intelligent eyes and a consoling smile. “Four days ago, you were hit by a man who was heavily under the influence of alcohol. Your arm was broken in four places, and you were heavily concussed. You were unresponsive when you were brought in, and we rushed you to the O.R. for surgery. You’ve been comatose since arrival. However, now that you’ve awakened, we can begin full diagnostics. I’d just like to prelude by saying, many patients who have suffered a head injury fall into short term comas and come to with relatively very little to no ill effects. Now, if you don’t have any questions, I will come back in a half hour to escort you for testing.”

She waited a moment, allowing Jared a moment to process. “I…don’t think I have any questions right now…” Jared supplied once he realized she truly was waiting for inquiries.

“Great,” she nodded efficiently, then turned and gave a slow but kind smile to Jensen. “Mr. Ackles, will you be going home now? To get that rest that we discussed?”

Jensen gave her a severe look, and she sighed but smiled again as she left.

“Alright, Mr. Padalecki,” the nurse grabbed his attention. “I’m Rob Benedict, and I’m your nurse. I just have to ask you a few routine questions. Full name?”

“Jared Tristan Padalecki.”

“Birth date?”

“July 19, 1982.”

“Current president?”

“Barack Obama.”

“Very good,” Rob smiled at him. “Now, I’ll leave you with Jensen until Dr. Ferris returns. Jensen.”

Again, Rob left with a nod to Jensen and a repressed smile. Jared got the sense of an odd sort of connection between Jensen and these medical professionals.

“What’s with these people? Am I at, like, your personal hospital?”

“No, that’s absurd,” Jensen scoffed, sitting on the edge of Jared’s bed. Jared could see the strain in his shoulders, the tension that still lurked.

“Are you okay?” Jared asked softly.

Jensen pursed his lips again and Jared was shocked to see Jensen’s eyes well just slightly again. It took him a moment to answer.

“I will be now,” Jensen cleared his throat. He leaned closer and put his hand on Jared’s cheek again. “It…it was pretty touch and go that first day. You were in and out of surgery. I didn’t get to see you at all until that night. And then…you didn’t wake up. I…I don’t think I handled it well.”

“You look like you haven’t slept in days,” Jared tsked, his throat tight.

“Yeah, well, I wanted to be awake when you woke up,” Jensen shrugged. “Which is funny, since you somehow managed to wake me up.”

“Are you telling me that was the first time you have slept in days?” Jared looked at Jensen sternly, who again shrugged.

“Yeah, well, now you understand Dr. Ferris’s comment,” Jensen replied.

“You need to rest,” Jared told him.

“I will happily rest in our own bed back home with you safely beside me,” Jensen told him fiercely.

“That could be another couple of days,” Jared guessed.

“Well, than more amazing hospital coffee for me,” Jensen joked roughly, which made Jared frown. Jensen sighed. “Alright, I’ll nap. But I’m not leaving your side.”

Jared couldn’t help but smile. “Deal.”

Jensen leaned in and kissed his forehead.

“Your family’s in town, too,” Jensen told Jared. “They flew in as soon as Chad called them. They’re at their hotel now. Chad will definitely be here the moment visiting hours begin, and Danny and Chris are going to stop by too. They’ve been here the past couple days too.”

“Visiting hours?” Jared asked. “How are you here if it’s not visiting hours? What time is it?”

“It’s…” Jensen checked his watch. “…Just after three in the morning.”

“It’s that late?” Jared was astonished.

“Yeah, it’s hard to tell without a window,” Jensen replied with a small smile.

“How are you here?” Jared asked again. “Not that I’m not extremely glad, of course. But…I mean, isn’t only supposed to be family?”

Jensen drew back a little sheepishly. “Yeah, well—“

Just as he was about to continue, Dr. Ferris walked in with a few instruments. “Alright, Jared, we can’t get you in for a MIR or CAT scan until tomorrow morning, but we’re going to do a few other tests. I’m going to get a blood sample, as well as check your reflexes. Please sit up for me.”

“Alright,” Jared agreed and Jensen slid off his bed and into the chair that was pulled up to Jared’s bed as Jared sat up.

“You two can keep talking,” Dr. Ferris laughed. “Don’t let me interrupt.”

Jensen sighed. “He wants to know why I’m allowed here during non-visiting hours.”

Dr. Ferris laughed. “Oh! Well, that’s a good story. Your boyfriend, here, loves you very much.”

Jared smiled a little, looking in between the two of them. “I know. I’m lucky.”

Jensen rolled his eyes, which Dr. Ferris caught and scoffed at. “Oh, sure, now he’s awake, it’s all eye rolls and smirks?”

“He wasn’t eye roll-y and smirk-y?” Jared chuckled. “Wow. Novel.”

“Hey!” Jensen argued, playfully smacking Jared’s shoulder.

“No, he certainly was not…” Dr. Ferris paused and laughed. “Well, to say the least, he made a great deal of us swoon.”

“What?” Jared laughed, not meaning to sound as incredulous as he did.

“Hey!” Jensen repeated.

“Oh, yes,” Dr. Ferris nodded. “Do you mind if I tell him?” she asked Jensen.

Jensen rolled his eyes again, throwing up his hands a little. “I mean, since you’re already getting into it, who am I to stop you?”

Dr. Ferris grinned at him, and then turned back to Jared, shining a light into Jared’s eyes. “Well, luckily for him, I was on duty when you were brought in after the car crash. You were in and out of surgery for the night and a little into the next day, but when we finally managed to get you a room, visiting hours were over, and since none of your family had arrived yet, I had to ask all of your friends to either stay in the waiting room, or go home and come back the next day. Well, Jensen didn’t really want to hear that.”

“Oh my God, you’re making it sound so dramatic,” Jensen groaned, to which Dr. Ferris simply continued.

“Well, he started yelling at me—“

“I was not yelling!” Jensen objected.

“He started speaking loudly and with force at me and before I could essentially tell him to calm the hell down, he pushed past me and started towards your room. We had four security guards up there already for an earlier unrelated incident, so they immediately went after Jensen. But he got to your room first and when we all arrived after him, he was leaning over you with closed eyes, with his forehead pressed against yours and clutching your hand. And he said without opening his eyes or pulling away, ‘You’re going to have to fucking shoot me, because I’m not leaving him.’”

Jared looked down at Jensen who studied his hands in his laps.

“Really?” Jared’s voice was a little thick.

“Shut up, okay?” Jensen defended, still not looking up, and missing Jared’s huge, loving smile and misty eyes. Jared pulled away from Dr. Ferris’ ministrations for a moment and pulled Jensen’s chin up so he could plant a quick kiss across his lips.

“I love you,” Jared whispered and then faced Dr. Ferris again, who was smiling but studying an instrument she was preparing, trying not to intrude.

“And, you know, he hasn’t,” Dr. Ferris continued. “He hasn’t slept nor left your side for more than a few minutes this entire time. One of your friends brought him clothes and what not so he wouldn’t have to go home. We’ve tried to keep him company during the long nights, when no one else is here.”

“Yeah, they talked my ear off,” Jensen said, and Dr. Ferris shot him a look that made him chuckle.

“We?” Jared asked.

“Your nurse, Rob, works most nights,” Dr. Ferris offered. “He and I, along with another night nurse, Richard, kept Jensen company.”

“Richard…” Jared repeated. Something jogged in his memory, a little nagging feeling that he grasped at until he furthered, “Speight? That’s his last name, right? Richard Speight. He and…he and Rob are…sleeping together?”

Dr. Ferris’ head snapped up from her instrument and she stared at Jared for a moment in astonishment. Jensen stood and came around the side of the bed to look at Jared fully. Jared was confused at the reaction until, after a moment, he understood with a gasp. “Wait, how did I know that?”

“Because I told you,” Jensen replied, eyes wide. “I told you when you were comatose. Jared…do you remember me talking to you?”

Jared tried to concentrate. “I guess…kind of. I think I had a…dream. Or, I guess it wasn’t a dream.”

“This isn’t uncommon among those who have awoken from comas,” Dr. Ferris conveyed. “Many remember voices of their loved ones while in a dream-like state. Or, alternatively, simply remember information that was given to them while comatose.”

“Cool,” Jared commented and Jensen snorted, putting a hand on his cheek briefly before reaching into his pocket and pulling out his phone.

“I should probably call your mom,” Jensen said. “Unless you want to call her?”

“No, I’d rather greet her in person,” Jared shook his head. Furthermore, though he loved his mother, he wanted to prepare a little for the emotional onslaught that would be, undoubtedly, his
worried mother.

Jensen gave him a look that made clear he saw right through him, but also understood. “Do you want me to tell them anything specific?”

“Suggest that they should come after my MIR and CAT scan tomorrow,” Jared replied.

“How about that they come in the morning?” Jensen countered. “Because that all by itself will take a lot of convincing. They’ll want to rush down here immediately.”

“Alright,” Jared agreed, suppressing his urge to sigh.

“I’ll just be out in the hall, I’ll be back in a few,” Jensen informed him with a kiss on his cheek.

“And I’ll be here,” Jared replied.

“You better,” Jensen told him at the door, the statement accompanied with a meaningful look. He stepped into the hallway and Dr. Ferris laughed.

“It’s funny,” she told Jared. “Usually, Jensen asked me to talk when I sat with him. I feel like I know him, even though he barely said a word. I hated that I had to tell him there was a possibility that you may not wake up. Very rarely do those in a comatose state for more than three to four days wake up. Your head injury wasn’t as severe as it easily could’ve been, but I had to prepare him for the worst case scenario.”

“But I did wake up,” Jared pointed out.

“And for that I am glad,” Dr. Ferris smiled at him. “You know what he said when I told him, though?”

“What?” Jared couldn’t help but be curious.

“He said, ‘Then you’re going to be seeing a lot more of me, because I won’t leave him.’”

Jared smiled. “Good.”

Dr. Ferris chuckled a little. “I thought so too.”

Jensen reentered then, grimacing. “Alright, they’re coming in bright and early tomorrow morning, and your mother now hates me.”

“What?” Jared laughed. “Have you met my mother? Because I don’t think she’s capable of hate.”

“Well, she certainly had some choice words for me when I suggested she wait until the morning,” Jensen replied, his frown deepening.

“That’s crazy!” Jared laughed, which earned a depleted glare from Jensen. “Look, I’m sorry, babe, but I just can’t imagine my mom using ‘choice words’ ever.”

“Oh, she had some choice words for me, too,” Dr. Ferris supplied. “When I suggested she and the rest of your family go home to get some rest.”

“Home?” Jared asked.

“She means our house,” Jensen clarified. “They’re staying with Harley and Sadie at our house. And they were very offended that she didn’t ask me to leave as well,” Jensen furthered.

“Yeah, but I told them Jensen here was a hopeless case,” Dr. Ferris smiled. “I explained that he hadn’t slept at all, and refused to leave the hospital, much less your bedside. So they dropped it.”

“See? There’s no way my mom hates you,” Jared told Jensen, grabbing his hand as he passed the bed to his chair.

“Okay, it may not be long term, but she is not my biggest fan at this exact moment,” Jensen amended.

“She’ll get over it,” Jared laughed, letting go of Jensen’s hand so he could take a seat. Jared highly suspected that Jensen was exhausted to the point that standing around for too long was too
much. He watched as Jensen slumped in his chair, but still refused to close his eyes.

“I’m almost done, and then you two can get some sleep,” Dr. Ferris informed them both, then pointed at Jensen. “You need it.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Jensen waved her off, which earned him a very stern glared.

“Jensen,” she warned, and he rolled his eyes.

“I will rest,” Jensen said, but even to Jared, it didn’t sound convincing.

“Right,” Dr. Ferris sighed. “Alright, well, if you don’t, I’ll grab you a coffee before my shift ends. Jared, in the morning, you’ll meet your day shift doctor, Jim Beaver. He’ll be taking you through all the rest of the tests.”

“Great,” Jared nodded. “Thank you, Dr. Ferris.”

“Of course,” she smiled. “And try to get him to sleep.”

“I will,” Jared nodded. “You will, right Jensen?”

Jensen smiled, but gave no response. Dr. Ferris sighed, and Jared frowned.

“But I’m awake, why wouldn’t you sleep?” Jared groaned at Jensen.

Jensen frowned at Dr. Ferris, who finally seemed to realize. “Oh. Are you afraid he’ll slip back into a coma?”

Jensen was silent.

“Is that likely?” Jared asked. “Because, personally, I don’t want to slip back into a coma if it can be avoided.”

“It’s very unlikely,” Dr. Ferris told them. “Largely, once a patient has come to from a coma, they don’t fall back into one.”

“Very unlikely?” Jensen frowned. “That sounds like there’s a chance that it may still happen.”

“Jensen, the alternative is neither of you sleep ever again,” Dr. Ferris told him. “Which would be more dangerous.”

“I guess,” Jensen shrugged.

“Jensen, you’ve been awake for, at the very least, seventy two hours,” Dr. Ferris lectured. “At this point, you’re putting yourself in danger. If you don’t get a good night’s rest, I will commit you two this goddamn hospital, and then you’ll have to leave Jared’s side.”

“God, fine!” Jensen relented. “But, I mean, tonight wouldn’t constitute a ‘good night’s rest’, so should I start tomorrow?”

“I will beat you,” Dr. Ferris warned, and Jared tensed as he saw Jensen flinch just slightly. “And I’m a doctor, so I know how to make it invisible.”

“That’s not necessary!” Jared snapped a little too loudly and Dr. Ferris seemed startled at the sudden harshness of Jared’s tone, which he almost immediately regretted. He knew Dr. Terris was joking, but he still felt a little angry at her flippancy. “Sorry,” he atoned, then tried for a light tone. “Are these the biggest beds you have? I think we’d both be more comfortable in a bed, but we might be a little squished.”

He winked at Dr. Ferris and she laughed, seemingly forgiving his outburst, and rolling her eyes at them. “That’s the bed you get, make it work.”

With that she gave a small wave accompanied with a smile, and left. Jensen was staring off into space, and Jared slid back under the thin sheet and blanket.

“Jensen,” he prompted, but Jensen kept his gaze steady. Jared leaned over and put his hand on Jensen’s shoulder, which made Jensen jump dramatically. “Jen?”

“Sorry,” he frowned and then yawned hugely. “I was just…uh, spacing out, I guess.”

“Come on,” Jared patted the bed, scooting as close to the edge as he could. “I wasn’t joking. You’d be more comfortable in a bed, after four days of chairs. And you really need sleep, Jensen.”

Jensen paused, then nodded and got into the bed with Jared. They squirmed for a few moments until they both ended up on their sides, facing each other. Jared wrapped his non-IVed broken and casted arm around Jensen, and Jensen rested his head on Jared’s bicep.

“Hey, I love you,” Jensen murmured into Jared’s neck.

“I know,” Jared laughed. “That’s very clear. I love you too. And thank you. For, you know, staying with me. Not giving up on me.”

“Of course I wasn’t going to give up on you,” Jensen scoffed. “I couldn’t have. It…It wasn’t in me.”

Suddenly, Jensen sat up and put his hand on Jared’s cheek, staring into Jared’s eyes fiercely.

“I can’t lose you, Jared,” Jensen said frankly, startling Jared with his directness. “I can’t.”

“I know,” Jared agreed, leaning in and kissing Jensen. “I know, Jen. I’m not going anywhere. You’re not going to lose me.”

“Promise me?” Jensen’s voice was losing its confident edge.

“I promise,” Jared agreed sincerely. “You’re not going to lose me.”

Jensen laid back down on Jared’s arm, and Jared continued, softer now. “Forever, Jensen. I promise.”

“Really?” Jensen’s voice was quiet, but Jared thought he heard a little astonishment in his tone, which made Jared’s heart heavy. “That’s a lot to promise.”

“I promise,” Jared reiterated.

“Mmm,” Jensen intoned, and Jared could hear the slumber pulling at him. “Good. Ditto.”

They were quiet for some time, and after a while, Jared figured Jensen was asleep.

“I’m going to marry you, Jensen Ackles,” Jared said quietly and involuntarily, startling himself with the confession.

“Not if I marry you first,” Jensen replied, startling Jared even more. After that, they both fell asleep, though Jared’s sleep was fitful, which he was oddly grateful for. He woke when another nurse was messing with the machine. Jared didn’t fall back to sleep after that, simply adjusted so he could see Jensen’s face and watched and reveled in Jensen’s peace. It must have been morning, because Dr. Ferris came in with a cup of coffee, but grinned when he saw Jensen’s sleeping form next to Jared. Jared had adjusted so that he could see the door, and smiled back at her. She put the cup down on the table and walked over.

“It’s six in the morning, just so you know,” she whispered.

“Thanks,” he whispered back, and Jensen stirred a little, mumbled something, and then snuggled closer to Jared. Dr. Ferris tried to quiet her laughter.

“Can I get a picture of this? I need to send it to all the women in this damn hospital who have a huge crush on your boyfriend now.”

“Are there many?” Jared asked softly, grinning.

“Oh, yeah,” Dr. Ferris confirmed. “Not many boyfriends stay by their partner’s side 24/7 without sleep. It definitely won him a few fans.”

Jared silently laughed. “Will you take one with my phone too? I don’t know where it is, but it would be much appreciated.”

“Yes, definitely,” she agreed, first pulling out her phone and snapping a picture, then walking to a table next to the bed and pulling open the top drawer to retrieve his phone. He saw that his screen was pretty much shattered, which Dr. Ferris detailed further. “Your screensaver is keeping all the shards in place, and it still works, but I’d definitely start shopping for new ones.”

“Great,” Jared pouted. She laughed once and took the picture with Jared’s phone, leaving it atop the table.

“Good to officially meet you, Jared,” Dr. Ferris smiled at him.

“You too,” he agreed. “And thanks for, you know, saving my life.”

“Anytime,” she laughed, and headed out the door.

Jared leaned down to kiss Jensen’s head, and then sat back, allowing his eyes to close, but not sleeping. He thought that maybe if his family came and saw what looked like both he and Jensen sleeping, they’d let them be for a little while longer. He had no such luck when, he estimated an hour or two later, his shoulder was roughly shaken, forcing him to open his eyes and Jensen stiffening as he woke as well.

Megan stared down at him for a small moment before launching herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him close.

“Okay…Meg…Alright, can’t breathe,” Jared warned and she loosened her grip a little. Jared saw to his side that Jensen had sat up and slid off the bed. His mother walked over to Jensen, already in tears, and gathered him into a hug.

“I’m sorry for yelling at you,” she apologized softly.

“I would’ve yelled at me too,” Jensen allowed and she laughed a little through her tears. She released him and crossed around the bed again. “Megan, let me in there! I need to hug my boy.”

Jared was smothered again by his mother, but he didn’t miss Jensen getting quickly hugged by his father before excusing himself. When he was hugged by the last member of his present family, they all looked at him fondly.

“We’re so glad you’re doing well,” his mother wept and his father wrapped an arm around her. “We were so worried. Jeff wanted to be here, but couldn’t make it. He was worried sick.”

“I know,” he nodded. “But I’m good now.”

“We know,” his father smiled at him. “But we’re going to stay just for a little while longer, until we can be sure.”

“Mac really wanted to come,” Megan told him. “She was worried about you, and Jensen. By the way, Jensen’s family sends their prayers.”

Jared smiled at that. “That’s sweet. I’m going to be fine, though. The preliminary tests went well, I think. I’m going in for a MIR and a CAT scan later this morning. It was just a quick coma, no big deal.”

He meant it as a joke, but his mother frowned deeply at him. “Jared Tristan Padalecki, don’t you dare trivialize your injuries.”

“Sorry, mama,” Jared atoned, grimacing at his dad and sister, who both hid smiles.

Just then, a doctor and a nurse walked in, different from Rob and Dr. Ferris.

“Hello,” the doctor amicably. “Good to see you again. The smiles must mean your boy’s up! Ah, Mr. Padalecki, hello.”

Jared’s family stepped aside for the doctor as he stepped up to Jared’s bedside. “Hello, son. I’m Dr. Beaver, and this is Nurse Chau.”

“Just call me Osric,” the nurse told Jared.

“Nice to meet you,” Jared said to them both and shook their proffered hands.

“And you,” Dr. Beaver smiled, and Jared felt a stern but caring paternal quality about the stout man. “Now, Dr. Ferris probably filled you in last night when you woke, about your situation.”

“Yes,” Jared confirmed.

“Great,” Dr. Beaver nodded. “Well, today we’re going to get a few scans done. But right now, before we go down for your scans, we’re going to get all these tubes and wires out of you. All you’re going to be left with is the IV and the heart monitor tonight.”

“That sounds great,” Jared sighed.

“Folks, I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” Dr. Beaver told his family. “Unless, of course, you want to see Jared’s catheter removed.”

They all made their way toward the door.

“One of you should locate Jensen, make sure that boy hasn’t passed out somewhere,” Dr. Beaver called over his shoulder as he examined the monitor next to Jared’s bed.

“On it!” Megan called back, and they were alone.

“Jared, how are you feeling today?” Osric asked him.

“Rested,” he joked and Osric smiled at him.

“As you should be,” Dr. Beaver laughed. “A nice ninety six hour nap will do that for you.”

“Are you in any pain?” Osric continued his line of inquiry.

“My arm is a little sore, but nothing too bad,” Jared told them.

“Good,” Osric nodded, writing on his chart.

“Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get these tubes out,” Dr. Beaver began.

A half hour later, Jared was standing in the bathroom attached to his hospital room, brushing his teeth. Dr. Beaver had left after they’d disconnected him from pretty much everything to go solidify Jared’s appointment with the imaging department, and promised to return within the hour. Jared still had to wheel his IV around with him, but it felt good to stretch his legs and get the morning staleness from his mouth. When he returned, Jensen was sitting at his chair, playing on his phone. He looked up when he heard the wheels of Jared’s IV.

“Hey, look who’s up and about!” he smiled at Jared warmly and Jared laid back down on his bed.

“Yeah, I’m mobile again,” he grinned back. “Where’s the family?”

“They went out to get breakfast,” Jensen provided. “And don’t worry, they’re bringing you back some too. You’re allowed to eat solid food as soon as you’d like.”

“Oh, thank God!” Jared exclaimed. “Man, I didn’t realize how fucking hungry I am until I just started picturing pancakes.”

“Pancakes? I think they’re getting you chicken fried steak and eggs,” Jensen informed.

“Oh, even better!” Jared grinned. “Are they bringing you back something?”

“Nah, I’m not really hungry,” Jensen shrugged.

“Bull shit!” Jared countered.

“I didn’t want to put them out! I can go down to the cafeteria, it’s no big deal,” Jensen frowned at them.

“You’re so dumb,” Jared laughed. “But it’s okay. Mama will bring you something back nonetheless. The real question is if she’ll try to be subtle about it, or call you out.”

“She doesn’t have to…” Jensen groaned.

“Oh, yes she does,” Jared argued. “I mean, first of all, she likes you now, so she has to watch over you. It would kill her not to. And secondly, you kind of look half dead. Like, babe, I love you, but you look like you haven’t slept or eaten a descent meal for days.”

“Well, I mean…” Jensen shrugged.

“You haven’t eaten either?” Jared asked angrily. “I mean, I know you haven’t really been sleeping, but Jensen! You have to eat!”

“Calm down! I did eat,” Jensen threw up his hands as if in surrender, with a small grin. “I mean, I had, at least, twelve cups of coffee yesterday and pudding.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Jared was completely serious, which made Jensen laugh.

“Yes, I’m kidding you!” Jensen chuckled a little. “Yeesh. I’ve been eating, calm yourself. I wasn’t kidding about the coffee, though.”

“Well, twelve cups of coffee isn’t that abnormal for you,” Jared allowed. “I mean, on a normal day when you’ve had twelve hours of sleep, you still drink four or five.”

“Exactly,” Jensen nodded. “And I feel completely refreshed after sleeping last night.”

“You slept for four hours,” Jared shook his head. “That’s not sleeping. That’s napping.”

“Eh,” Jensen shrugged.

A knock on the door stopped Jared from angrily chiding Jensen again, and he was surprised to see none other than his agent and friend at the door. He waved him in.

“Stephen Amell, what the hell are you doing here?”

“Well, when my best client gets himself nearly dead, I think it warrants a personal visit,” Steve replied and leaned in to give Jared a hug, then turned to Jensen. “And you are Jensen Ackles, my boy’s boyfriend, aren’t ya?”

Jensen stood and shook Steve’s hand. “Yep, hi. I’ve heard a lot about you, it’s a pleasure to finally meet.”

“Finally, the key word there,” Steve laughed. “God, I wish I could’ve met you on better terms.”

“Well, an agent’s life is not sedentary,” Jensen excused him with a smile.

“Very fucking true,” Steve agreed. “But it can pause, if only for a moment, to visit a friend in the hospital. How you doing man?”

“Good,” Jared nodded. “No longer comatose, so that’s a plus.”

Steve laughed. “That it is! You know, it’s that sort of humor in the face of scary shit that would make you a great comedian.”

“Too bad I’m not funny,” Jared laughed.

“That’s just not true! Jensen, back me up here!” Steve cried out.

“Jared, you’re hilarious,” Jensen agreed with a wink at Steve. “Your knock knock jokes are always a real pleasure.”

Jared laughed for a few moments at that, and Steve laughed a little too. “Do I want to know what that means?”

“Probably not,” Jared laughed.

“Alright, well, is there anything I can do for you, Jared?” Steve asked.

“You made all my work arrangements, I’m assuming?”

“Yeah, everyone’s informed of your situation,” Steve nodded. “They all want me to tell you they hope you fucking get better, and all the usual best wishes bullshit.”

“I like this guy,” Jensen grinned. “We should have him around more often.”

“You’re boyfriend is very welcoming,” Steve grinned, then turned to Jensen. “I like you too! You seem like a great fucking guy. You need a goddamn agent, because I’m one of the fucking best if I don’t say so myself.”

Jensen laughed. “Maybe. I’ll keep you in mind.”

“Oh, playing hardball,” Steve pretended to grimace. “Never fucking mind. I don’t need your kind of mind games, with your maybes.”

“Wow, so quick to dismiss talent,” Jensen retorted. “Maybe you’re not as good as you say you are.”

Steve nodded at him appreciatively. “No, I do like you. You’re quick to bust my ass, which I like about people. Don’t let me get away with my shit. Call me out on it. I like that. It’s confrontational, it’s fun.”

“Alright, you two, get a room,” Jared laughed.

“We will,” Steve nodded, pointing to Jensen. “I’m going to be your fucking agent, my friend. And you’re going to do great fucking things because of me. I didn’t get this far because I’m pretty as fuck, but also because I’m the best. I’m going to be your agent, my man. It’s gonna happen. Alright, I have a meeting that I’m already late for, so see you two later.”

“Alright, Steve, you weird fuck, get out!” Jared laughed.

“I’ll call you when you’re not hospitalized, Jared!” Steve replied, already on his phone and heading out the door. “Great things, Jensen!”

“Damn, he is intense,” Jensen commented after the door shut behind him. “Did I just get myself an agent?”

“I honestly don’t know if he was being serious or not,” Jared shrugged with a chuckle. “But screenwriters use agents sometimes, right?”

“I, personally, haven’t,” Jensen shrugged. “But most do, yeah. I mean, I just got lucky with the Oscar, so I didn’t need one, but I had planned on it before that.”

“So, if he has actually decided he’s your agent, maybe it’s for the best,” Jared laughed. “Plus, he’s a great guy.”

“That was evident,” Jensen laughed.

“Do you think the family will be back before I fucking die of hunger and half to get my brain scanned post-mortem?” Jared whined.

“No, I don’t think they’re going to get here before Dr. Beaver takes you down for your scans,” Jensen replied, rolling his eyes. As if Jensen were psychic, Dr. Beaver walked in the door with a wheel chair.

“Jensen, Jared,” Dr. Beaver greeted. “Alright, let’s get that head scanned.”

“I can walk,” Jared told Dr. Beaver, who shook his head immediately.

“Let’s not overstrain,” Dr. Beaver told him.

“I’m not overstraining, I’d actually really like the chance to stretch my legs,” Jared replied and Dr. Beaver studied him for a moment.

“Alright, but I’m bring the wheelchair along in case you get tired,” Dr. Beaver allowed.

“Sounds good,” Jared stood and pecked Jensen on the cheek before heading out with Dr. Beaver.

“Fresh pot of coffee for you, boy, in the nurse’s lounge,” Dr. Beaver turned back to call to Jensen.

“Thanks,” Jensen replied, heading out of the room in the opposite direction.

“He’s allowed in the nurse’s lounge?” Jared asked with a smile.

“Oh, yeah,” Dr. Beaver laughed. “All the nurse’s have huge crushes on him.”

“Oh,” Jared replied with a slightly smaller smile.

“Don’t worry, kid,” Dr. Beaver chuckled. “I don’t even think he notices them flirting. I saw one girl actually spill down her front in an attempt to get his attention but he just kept pouring his coffee and then disappeared back to your bedside. Ain’t got eyes for anyone else.”

This pleased Jared more than he liked to admit. They reached the imaging department relatively quickly, and Jared was surprised that he was a little winded, though it wasn’t that long of a walk.
“Your body is still recovering,” Dr. Beaver told Jared. “You’ve been through a lot. I know it may not seem like it, because you were asleep for all of it, but you went through surgery, and a head injury, and a coma. It’s a lot to bounce back from.”

The scans were relatively quick, and Jared found them fascinating. When they arrived back in his room, he and Dr. Beaver were greeted with his family, who had spread out on the chairs with takeout boxes of breakfast food in their lap. Jensen was in his seat with two closed boxes.

“Hello, Padalecki family,” Dr. Beaver nodded. “Jensen,” he added.

“Oh, c’mon, Dr. Beaver!” Mama Padalecki laughed. “He’s part of the Padalecki family. No need to single him out.”

Dr. Beaver grinned at Jensen. “My mistake.”

Jensen smiled gratefully at Mama Padalecki. “Thanks,” he told her.

“Of course, dear,” she smiled.

“Well, I will be back later to check up on you, but it looks like you’re doing well so far,” Dr. Beaver told them, heading out the door.

“Thanks Dr. Beaver,” they all called after him.

Jared sat on the bed, tired from the walk.

“Jared, here’s your food,” Jensen handed him the top box, then motioned to the bottom box. “The restaurant gave Mama an extra short stack of pancakes, can you believe it? You said you wanted pancakes earlier, right?”

“Jensen, those are for you!” Mama Padalecki threw her hands up, nearly spilling her food. “Now, do I need to force feed you or what?”

“No, Mama Padalecki,” Jensen laughed.

“Bite for bite?” Jared asked, and Jensen grinned.

“Oh, yeah,” he agreed, opening up his box and smothering the pancakes in syrup, then cutting off a huge hunk of a couple for Jared while Jared did the same with his gravy smothered chicken fried steak. They shoved their forks into the other’s mouth like they had many times before.

“Oh, Jesus that’s good,” Jensen commented.

“Syrup,” Jared moaned in ecstasy. They each took bites of their own food, and without further communication, switched meals. They were each about half way through when they switched back. They both glanced up from their food and each other when they noticed all of Jared’s family was laughing.

“What?” Jared asked, a little defensively.

“You two are too cute,” Mama Padalecki beamed. “That looked like a routine from a movie or show.”

Jared laughed. “Oh, well, we’re both very synchronized.”

“Yes, we do swimming routines twice a week,” Jensen joked. “You should come see.”

“Oh, I would not miss that,” Megan howled with laughter. “I’m hoping you have the cute pink one pieces, too?”

“And matching floral swim caps,” Jensen nodded and Megan laughed harder.

“God, I wish that were true,” she sighed, wiping a tear from her eye when she finally quieted.

A few more hours passed with all of them hanging in Jared’s room. Dr. Beaver came in a few times to check in and run tests, but they were otherwise largely undisturbed until visiting hours. Chad arrived on the dot, and after Mama Padalecki attacked him with a hug, he sprung on Jared. After they embraced for a long moment, they pulled away and Chad smiled at him hugely.

“Man, I’m glad you’re awake!” Chad told him unnecessarily.

“Yeah, otherwise you’d have to train Misha to be your bestie,” Jared rolled his eyes with a smirk.

“Yeah, and that just takes so much time and energy,” Chad nodded, blowing out a gust of air.

“Chad Michael!” Mama Padalecki chastised, and Chad grinned at Jared before turning to Mama.

“Sorry, I’m sorry!” he laughed.

“You behave yourself,” Mama Padalecki warned. “None of those jokes you think are so funny.”

“Of course, I won’t,” Chad agreed. “I’m sorry.”

“Are Chris and Danny coming by?” Jensen inquired, to take the heat off Chad. Chad nodded at him gratefully.

“Yeah,” Chad told them. “Actually, Felicia and Gen were going to stop by too, now that they heard you’re up, Jared. They stopped by earlier in the week, along with Misha.”

“I have such great friends,” Jared grinned.

“Very true,” Chad agreed.

“And such a great family,” Jared continued.

“Damn straight,” Megan agreed, which warranted a warning glared from their mother.

“And an amazing boyfriend,” Jared finished.

Jensen shrugged. “I’m alright.”

That caused tremendous upheaval and Jensen was attacked with hugs that Jared knew Jensen both appreciated but also hated. When Danny and Chris arrived, Jared’s family excused themselves, saying they were going to head back to Jared and Jensen’s place to feed and care for the dogs. Shorty after they left, Felicia and Gen arrived, along with Camille.

“Oh, you brought baby Camille!” Danny exclaimed happily.

“Is it okay to bring babies to hospitals?” Chris asked.

“Well, so long as we don’t bring her into the particularly sick wards,” Gen informed him. “But since Jared isn’t sick, and we couldn’t find a babysitter, here she is!”

Camille looked around and when her pretty brown eyes that looked just like her mother’s landed on Jensen, she brightened with a pretty baby smile and reached towards him.

“Oh, you want to go to Uncle Jensen?” Gen asked Camille, handing her over the bed to Jensen, who took her gladly.

“Hello, Camille,” he said as though he were talking to any of the rest of them. “How are you?”

After Felicia brought her to Jensen and her writing sessions, Camille had taken quite a liking to him. Whenever they were around one another now, Camille would reach for Jensen and pout if she were not delivered to him. Misha was peeved beyond end that his god child liked Jensen more than she liked him.

“How are you, Jared, is the real question,” Felicia said.

“I’m good,” Jared replied honestly. “I’m pretty much good, other than the arm.”

“Good,” Felicia smiled. “You gave us quite a scare.”

“Yeah,” Danny agreed. “Man, that first day was hell. You should’ve seen Jensen when he got the call.”

Jared glanced at Jensen to see that his boyfriend was glaring at his friend.

“Why? What call?” Jared asked.

Danny, oblivious to Jensen’s anger, continued. “Jensen was listed as your number one emergency contact in your phone, so you’re who they called when they brought you in. We were at the Halloween party at the bar.”

Jared looked at Jensen again to see he was now shifting between looking fondly at Camille and glaring at Danny.

“I didn’t know you were the one they called,” Jared told Jensen, who finally looked at Jared and shrugged.

“I’m glad they did,” Jensen told him.

“I think it’s cute that he’s your emergency contact,” Felicia commented.

“Well, of course he is,” Jared laughed. “I mean, he’s my boyfriend and we live together.”

“That hurts,” Chad told Jared.

“Tough,” Jared rolled his eyes.

After their friends left, it was just Jared and Jensen again.

“Are you ready for an actual night’s sleep?” Jared asked and Jensen gave him a wan smile.

“Yes,” he sighed.

They crawled into the bed together, adjusted like they had the night before into a comfortable position on their sides facing each other.

“So…you’re going to marry me, huh?” Jared asked after a moment.

“You know, I really wasn’t sure whether that was a dream or not,” Jensen evaded.

“It wasn’t,” Jared clarified. “So, was that a proposal?”

“No,” Jensen scoffed. “You’ll know when I’m proposing to you.”

“So you are going to propose to me?” Jared couldn’t help but grin.

“Shut up, you’re taking all the fun mystery and spontaneity out of it,” Jensen chided.

“Sorry,” Jared laughed softly. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

“So you told me earlier,” Jensen nodded against Jared’s arm.

“I thought it worth repeating,” Jared told him.

“You’re sweet,” Jensen told him. “And I love you.”

“I love you too,” Jared replied. “And I stand by my promise, Jensen. Forever.”

“I know, Love. Me too.”