![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Author: YanzaDracan
Fandom: Kane RPS & CWRPS
Characters: Chris/Steve/Jensen
Word Count: 6,668
Rating: R
Summary: Sequel to Friendship Rarely Survives The Knowing, What He Thought He Knew & What He Knew and What He Allowed. Jensen tries to deal with his feelings for his best friends and their relationship.
Disclaimer: They're not mine. IT'S FICTION! Any goofs, gaffs, bending of facts, or mistakes are mine.
Christian and Steve never made it to Dallas. They no sooner landed in Nashville than Jensen was on his way to Pennsylvania to film My Bloody Valentine. They nagged him until in exasperation he gave them his filming schedule.
They picked one of his free weekends to fly to Pennsylvania. Steve was on the computer with the airline when one of the gossip shows announced that Jared and Sandy had broken their engagement. The reporter went on to report that Jensen had been seen at the San Antonio airport.
Steve exchanged a look with Christian. At this rate they were all going to be old men before they got in the same city. Chris's brow pulled down in a frown.
"You don't think…?" The rugged face took on the visage of a thundercloud.
"What! Hell no! They really are like brothers." Steve soothed.
"But he…we were…you know back when…"
With no one to vent his anger on it scrambled his thoughts and left him sputtering.
Fighting not to laugh, Steve closed down his computer and moved to intercept his pacing partner. The dark head jerked up when he realized someone was in his personal space. Before he could react, Steve had his arms around Christian using his momentum to pull him flush to his body. Their progress was halted when Steve's back met the wall and his mouth latched onto pouting lips.
When they came up for air a different kind of heat turned the blue eyes stormy as they roamed over the Steve's flushed skin and dilated pupils.
"Ya tryin' ta distract me, darlin'." Christian rasped as his arms clamped around the slender waist.
"Only if it's working." Steve panted.
With a small growl, the blond's feet left the ground, his breath catching at the sensation of free fall. Strong legs wrapped around Christian's frame. Steve dove in for another kiss as Chris moved surefooted down the hall, the singer wrapped around him like a limpet. Tumbling onto the California king they forgot about airline schedules and talk show gossip until hours later when the phone rang.
Christian groaned as he read over the schedule Eric emailed. Placed next to Steve's, it didn't look like either of them was going to have time to lure Jensen closer. Jensen's schedule made it seem he was working hard to avoid them-That made both men slightly cranky.
People in the Sony offices scattered as a furious Christian Kane cut through them like a pirate ship cuts the waves. One stupidly brave soul moved to intercept the fast moving man. Braids flew and jewelry jangled discordantly as the dark head snapped around.
The man backed up three steps at the expression that met his. He would have sworn on the life of his children that the man in front of him was Eliot Spencer and not the normally affable Christian Kane. Looking him up and down like he wasn't worth his time, Christian continued toward the door marked EXIT.
Once outside he stopped to breathe like he couldn't get enough air. When the red mist cleared from his vision he moved toward his pickup. He didn't look up until a pair of cowboy boots entered his field of vision. His eyes travelled up a pair of bowed legs, slim hips, broad chest, and a beautiful freckled face people would sell their souls to claim.
"Jensen?" He asked stupidly as his brain took in the minute changes in his friend.
"Wow. When you blew that gasket in there you must have left a few brain cells behind." He straightened from where his was leaning against the truck bed.
"What?" Christian blinked trying to come to grips with the fact Jensen was standing in front of him-in the flesh and not in Vancouver.
"You called me Jensen. Jen, Jenny, Hoss, Bubba, Son, dude, man, my boy…but hardly ever Jensen." His grin lit his whole face making green eyes dance with gold lights.
"Fucker." Chris grumbled as he fished his keys out of his pocket. "What're you doin' here?"
"Had a couple days while Jared does his Sam without Dean emo scenes. Steve called and said the forecast for Nashville was cloudy with a chance of lightning strikes and other natural disasters caused by hurri-KANE Christian, and could I drop by."
"You guys are a laugh riot."
He groused, fighting a smile as he pulled out of the parking lot, deeply touched that Jensen would sacrifice his time off because Steve had called concerned about him.
He was pulled out of his thoughts when Jensen told him to go to the airport.
"What…Why!? I thought you had a couple days?" His ire started to rise.
"Cool your afterburners, Kane." Jensen chided. "I do and so do you. Time to get your grumpy ass laid."
"By goin' to the airport?"
Jensen rolled his eyes. "By goin' to LA, idiot."
"Oh-OH! Wait I don't have…"
Jensen had started to laugh and had to wipe the tears from his eyes before he could answer the befuddled Christian.
"In the back, man. I made a pit stop before comin' to Sony." He continued to chuckle.
Chris looked sheepish for a minute before starting to laugh.
"It's really good to see ya, Jenny."
He snagged Jensen by the back of the neck, yanked him across the seat placed a kiss on his temple, as he breathed in the clean scent of leather and sandalwood. He released his hold on the younger man, not wanting to spook him as he relaxed for the first time in days.
By the time they were on the plane, Christian had returned to his usual good nature, prodding Jensen to catch him up with the happenings in Vancouver. Somewhere over Texas the conversation got more personal.
"How's your love life, Jenny?" Christian asked slyly.
"Why is it since Steve got you domesticated you feel the need to stick your nose in my love life?" Jensen teased.
"Domesticated huh?" Chris gave Jensen an evil smirk. "Ask him how domesticated I am tomorrow morning.
"Whoa." Jensen put his hands up in surrender. "Waaay too much information, dude. Besides I get what I want when I want it."
Christian waggled his eyebrows at Jensen's statement, but watched his expression closely. He was beginning to agree with Steve.
*Fuckin' actors. Damn the boy for being so talented.*
After a lot of arguing between LAX and Jensen's house Chris finally let him out of the cab, though not without a kiss to the forehead and a heartfelt 'Thank you' for flying from Vancouver to Nashville to LA because Steve asked him.
"Anything for you guys, you know that, man." Jensen answered, for once letting his true emotions show.
Christian was sure his breath and heart stopped at the raw emotion on the handsome face. The slam of the car door broke the spell, and he was almost home to Steve.
There was no sound or warning before the blond man standing beside the couch was sent flying onto the cushions by a blur of motion. He was about to turn and fight when a familiar mouth smothered his protests and a beloved weight pinned him to the couch.
When he could talk again, they were sweaty, half dressed and totally wrecked.
"Missed ya." Christian panted against his neck.
"Missed you, too, but we should move before we can't." Steve's voice was breathy from the weight on his chest.
Showered and rummaging through the refrigerator for fixings for a meal, Steve frowned when Christian entered the kitchen pulling on a wife-beater.
"You eating?" Steve asked casually.
Christian knew that tone. His mama, Steve's mama, every mother in the world had that tone.
"Yeah, ma, I'm eatin'. Southern fried, chicken fried, batter dipped 'til it's comin' out my ears." He assured the blond.
"Uh huh." He ran his fingers around the waist of Christian's jeans. "These were tight when I left Nashville."
His chin dropped to his chest. "I get busy…"
"Busy fighting with Sony?"
Steve knew his partner. Knew when emotions were running high, Christian's appetite was the first thing to go, his stomach not able to handle food along with stress.
"They're smotherin' me. The fuckers wanna change everything. I love recordin' and workin' with the studio guys, but the suits got me wantin' to go all Eliot on their asses."
Steve pulled Chris into his arms.
"I hate the separations. I hate not being able to work on Jenny. I'm startin' to develop a split fuckin' personality." Christian huffed out a laugh. "I'm bitchin' not whinin'."
"Sure you are, babe." Steve chuckled as he turned back to his meal preparations. "Where is Jensen?"
"Cab dropped 'im at his place. Said he didn't wanna to witness our reunion." Christian leered across the counter.
Pausing in his vegetable chopping, Steve pointed his knife at Christian.
"Just plant you ass right there. We can finish the reunion part after you eat." Steve chastised.
Chris sat back on the stool. "Damn. Jenny was right."
"About what?"
"I'm domesticated." He thumped his head down on the counter.
Steve laughed so hard he had to put down his knife. Looking at the forlorn expression on the Christian's face started another round of laughter. Holding his ribs, Steve tried to get control.
"Oh man." He fought back the chuckles. "You're barely house broken, how's he figure you're domesticated?"
Chris glared at the laughing blond. "'Cause I keep asking him about his love life."
Steve sobered. "What's he tell you?"
"That he gets what he wants when he wants." He propped his chin on his fist.
"What the hell does that mean?" He pulled out a couple beers.
"How the fuck should I know?" Christian growled. "They got that place they hang out, and he knows a lot of people from all the time he spends in Vancouver."
Steve went back to their meal. He was starting to get worried at the silence when Chris slammed his bottle down on the counter.
"That's it."
Steve carried their plates to the table.
"What? What big idea just exploded in your head?"
Christian started to pace until a glare from Steve sent him to the table where he ate like he hadn't in days. Knowing Chris, meals had probably been hit and miss while he chewed over his problems.
With the first edge off his hunger, Chris raised his head from his plate and blushed as Steve grinned.
"Sorry. Didn't realize how hungry I was." He apologized.
"Not a problem. Now what's rolling around your brain like as pea in a bucket?"
"You been talkin' to my mama?" He asked, eyes narrowed.
"At least once a week." Steve smirked.
"Shit."
"Quit changin' the subject."
"I quit."
"WHAT! You have a contract…you can't just quit."
"We've all come to the conclusion this is a study in futility. They ain't never gonna put my music on the market. They don't like what I want, and I don't like the way they've fucked up our arrangements…So…I…quit."
"Christian you have never walked away from a contract in your life. Your word has always been your bond. You go walkin' away now and nobody will want to take a chance on you again." Steve's voice was stern, but quiet.
His fork clattered against his plate. "Dammit." He rubbed his hands over his face. "Fine, but mark my words…This is a waste of time. Time I could spend with you persuadin' Jenny to come home with us."
"Your music…our music is part of your soul. I'd be pissed and I know Jensen would be, too, if you did something to jeopardize what you love. Jensen's waited nine years, and you only have a couple months with Sony. There is such a thing as a telephone. You can harass him long distance."
"I'll finish it, but I don't have to like it." He pushed back from the table and headed for the living room.
Steve pinched the bridge of his nose. They didn't have much time and he didn't want to spend it with a pissed off Kane. He scrapped the dishes and put them in the dishwasher before going in search of his prickly partner.
He called Jensen around lunch the next day. Steve had gone shopping and picked up steaks and fixings for on the grill. He readily agreed to dinner, always ready if Steve or Christian was cooking. He arrived at six bearing gifts of alcohol.
When Jensen set the beer in the fridge, his collar pulled down exposing bruises on his throat. Steve checked Christian's location-in his state of mind he'd have Jensen pissed off and out the door in record time. Seeing him cleaning the grill, Steve kept his voice low.
"Hot date last night?"
"What?"
Jensen saw Steve eyeing the spot on his neck. He self-consciously tugged on his collar.
"Ran into some friends who were visiting." He hedged.
"Anyone we know, call and invite 'em over-there's plenty-maybe get a jam session goin'." Steve urged.
A deep blush crept up Jensen's neck and face.
"Just some people I knew 'for I met y'all…From my soap days. We don't get to see each other much 'cause they work in New York. They were flying back this mornin'."
The blush and Texas slipping into Jensen's speech told Steve that Jensen was uncomfortable talking about this, but didn't want it to seem like a big deal.
"They must be REALLY good friends?" Steve voice dripped sarcasm.
"We scratched a mutual itch. What's your point, Carlson." Green eyes narrowed. "What's with you and Kane? You're worse than my mother."
Steve backed off. He'd surprised himself with the flare of jealousy he had at Jensen's blasé attitude toward a one night stand. He knew he loved the younger man, but these feelings of possessiveness were usually associated with Christian not Jensen.
The conversation was dropped when Chris came in to grab the food for the grill. Always sensitive to his surroundings, Christian studied his lover and friend. Jensen was bristled up like a porcupine and Steve's expression told Chris he'd had some sort of epiphany.
Jensen grabbed his cigarettes and brushed past Chris on his way to the backyard. Christian arched an eyebrow at Steve in question. Steve ducked his head to hide his sheepish expression. The silence stretched.
"Okay." Steve huffed. "I asked Jen 'bout the hickey on his neck. He said he was with some 'friends' in from New York." A blush tinted his cheeks. "I didn't like it." He pouted.
Christian stared for just a minute than threw his head back and laughed.
"My laid back, tipsy gypsy was jealous?" He teased. "Oh that's rich."
"Fuck you, Kane."
Red faced, Steve grabbed his cigarettes and followed Jensen. Christian stopped him with a strong arm clamped around his waist. He buried his nose in Steve's hair, the shell of Steve's ear between his teeth.
"After Jenny goes home, darlin'." He purred.
Flushed for a different reason, Steve shivered as Chris turned back to the food.
Consciousness started slowly. His brain telling his body it was time to be awake-his body perfectly content. The light on the other side of his eye lids told his brain it was daytime. Then his brain remembered there was a flight back to Vancouver today. His body fought hard against his brain. He was warm, secure, and all the smells and sounds were perfect for remaining asleep. A strong arm wrapped around his waist. A head tucked under his chin, warm breath against his chest-warm breath tickled the hairs on the back of his neck...
Green eyes snapped open.
He groaned inwardly as he recognized the blond head against his chest and the arm wrapped around his waist fingers intertwined with the blond's. He tried to remember what happened the night before that could have possibly led to him to ending up in the middle of sinfully soft sheets wedged between Steve Carlson and Christian Kane. He opened his eyes again as Steve stirred, rubbing his face against Jensen's bare-BARE!-Where the fuck was his clothes?-Oh God what had he done?
Panic made him want to jump out of the bed and run as far and fast as he could. As though hearing his thoughts, Christian's arm tightened around his waist. Jensen forced himself to relax. There was no way he was getting out of this tangle until someone moved, and the only way they would move would be if they were awake, and the last thing he wanted right now was to have Steve and Chris awake telling him how drunk and stupid he'd been last night.
*Wait a minute.* He didn't drink that much last night. A beer before supper. They'd had a bottle of wine with supper…something really good that he wanted to remember. They'd talked awhile then Christian had wanted Steve to help him with an arrangement…then they'd drawn Jensen into the music's spell. There'd been a couple more beers. No hard liquor…no smoke other than cigarettes. Now he was really confused.
Sleep had been in short supply since Dean had risen from the grave. Kripke had kept Jensen and Jared on an emotional rollercoaster as the brothers Winchester tried to find their equilibrium. Early morning flight to Nashville from Vancouver-then Nashville to LA, his little escapade with his New York friends made him realize he was exhausted.
As they'd worked on the song, he'd start to doze off leaned up against Christian or Steve. Finally Chris had shooed him off to bed. He still had no idea how he ended up in only his boxer briefs in Chris and Steve's bed, but now it seemed innocent.
He had been relaxed long enough that Christian had relinquished his tight grip. Slowly he slid to the bottom of the bed. He watched the two men long enough to see Steve frown when his pillow disappeared. He reached out and finding Chris, pulled him into the space that Jensen had vacated. Chris acted like he was waking up so Jensen quickly gathered his clothes and headed for the living room. He dressed quietly, making sure the door locked behind him he drove home and packed for his flight.
By the time the two bodies stirred on the bed, Jensen was in the air. He sat, cap pulled low, sunglasses in place, fighting the chill that had taken up residence in soul nine years ago. It turned to ice the minute he slid out of the big bed. Having a small taste of what he craved made him feel strung out-a junkie without a fix.
When Jared got home from the studio the house was dark and quiet. He was worried when the dogs didn't come greet him. He knew Jensen was supposed to get back today and figured they'd gone for a walk. Being late, he didn't feel like cooking so grabbed a takeout menu off the fridge and ordered dinner.
Jensen, nor the dogs, had made an appearance by the time the food arrived so he started searching the house. He was shocked and worried when he found Harley and Sadie curled around a deeply sleeping Jensen, Harley's head his hip watching the door. His worry ratcheted up a couple notches when he noticed tears on Jensen's cheeks even as he slept.
Christian's ears were still ringing from his heated conversation with Jared. He had just cleared security and was on the way to his gate when his phone sang out Jensen's ringtone. He was glad Steve hadn't been around to hear the tirade the younger man had just rained down on him. The singer probably would have folded their tent and stopped trying to keep their boy.
The only thing Jensen's mini-meltdown did for Christian was strengthened his determination. Jenny's defenses had taken a big hit--hopefully it would make it easier to convince him he could have it all. Once he growled down the yelling man, Chris explained everything.
Even with Jared in their corner, the holidays were hard. Jensen made an appearance at the Carlsons' Thanksgiving, but he was in Oscar winning form. Christian wanted to shake him until his teeth rattled. Stepford Jensen made his skin crawl and Steve cranky. No matter how they tried they couldn't get him pinned down before he flew to Richardson for Christmas, and with their own hectic Christmas schedule Steve and Christian spent as much time on airplanes as they did with their families.
Too soon they were back in Nashville with Jensen back filming Supernatural.
They had several weeks together before Steve returned to LA for his west coast shows. Christian had been able to trudge through his time at Sony knowing Steve was there at the end of the day. Now the empty apartment mocked him with this gigantic waste of his life for the next two months.
One bright spot, the new songs Steve was writing were some of his best. Many of their evenings were spent in private chats working on their music, Christian hearing their situation with Jensen in the songs. The first time Steve played Casual Smile for him he choked up so bad he could barely finish the song.
He was grateful when each day ended that it was one day closer to the end of his indenture. Two weeks before the contract was up, Steve flew in to help Chris pack his house and drive his truck back to LA. He was spending his last week in a hotel.
The day Steve left his emotions ran high. The future of Leverage was up in the air, Sony was trying to put stipulations on how HIS recordings of HIS music could be used, and he just received an email from Jared worried about Jensen, who seemed to be stuck in Stepford mode except when he was on camera.
The interruption of his mental meltdown by a production assistant telling him he had a video conference call almost caused him to lose his tenuous grip on his temper.
Seeing Dean Devlin, John Rogers and Chris Downey gave Christian an adrenaline rush.
"Hey guys!" His voice was hopeful.
"Christian!" Dean greeted. "We've finally got everyone together. Tim, Beth and Aldis are here with us in LA, Gina in London, and Christian in Nashville. We have a couple of announcements." He paused for effect. "TNT picked up Leverage for a full 15 episodes."
The relief Christian felt had him looking for a chair. His brain started to whirl with plans until Dean started to talk, again.
"Our second announcement is we're moving."
Christian's breath stopped.
"We're moving to Portland, Oregon."
Still in shock, Christian made all the appropriate noises about the news. Before Dean, John and Chris signed off they told the actors they'd be contacted shortly with details for shooting schedules and housing. He sat at the desk a few more minutes absorbing the news. He reached for his phone to call Steve.
"We'll be closer to Jensen."
"But further from LA."
"It's not that far from Vegas."
Steve snorted in disbelief. "You aren't the one flying."
"If we get lucky maybe Vegas to Portland to Vancouver."
Steve groaned.
Christian watched Nashville fall away from the window of the plane. He felt his shackles falling away with the city. With the weight of Sony gone, he was ready to work on adding the final piece to his personal life, Jensen.
The sight of the familiar blond head waiting at the gate quieted his brain. Strong arms wrapped around him allowing him to finally relax as he buried his face in Steve's neck and breathed deeply.
"Home-finally.' He sighed.
"Almost." Steve chuckled.
Baggage was claimed and the battle began with LA traffic. Steve glanced over to see Christian dozing, his head against the window.
Steve set Christian's duffel in the bedroom. He turned when he heard Chris coming from the music room.
"Do you want to order…? Steve's question was cut off by a tongue in his mouth and hands on his belt.
Christian relinquished his mouth in favor of his neck. His belt buckle jangled as it hit the floor. Steve rolled his head to the side to give Christ better access.
"Don't you want…?" The flow of words stopped as teeth set nerves endings on fire.
His boxers followed his jeans.
"Got everything I need right here, Stevie." Christian growled before tripping Steve backwards onto the bed.
Combing his fingers through sweat dampened curls Steve smiled as Chris purred against his chest. He was still amazed and aggravated by the man in his arms. Amazed at how vocal he was when it came to expressing his pleasure and displeasure, and aggravated at how spare he was with words any other time.
They started their planning the next day. The movers would pick up their stuff right before LA Con. They wanted to be on the road the day after the convention. With Steve appearing at the con, they hoped to spend some quality time with Jensen.
Eric was already shopping for a new record company and had custody of Christian's recordings. He and Steve would fly to Portland next week to check out their condo then fly to Vegas to look for a house. Their brains reeled at the things they needed to get done before April.
They called Jensen, asked him to come to Portland. He told them he had a promotional gig for CW, but that he'd see them at the convention.
The next day, FedEx delivered an envelope with keys, alarm codes and filming itinerary. When they got to the condo, the utilities were on, so they stayed instead of getting a hotel.
They spent the next two days playing tourist, exploring the neighborhood, and poking around different watering holes. Their last night in town they were looking for a beer and a quick bite before calling it a night, the flights to Vegas flew out at an ungodly hour of the morning. The name Dante's caught Christian's eye, and Steve thought he was going to have to sprint to catch up with his fast moving cowboy.
He came to a bone jarring stop when he ran into an immovable object. Christian Kane stood staring at the inside of the bar with its burlesque style posters and stage backdrops.
"Oh man this is fuckin' perfect." His voice held a note of awe usually reserved for excellent food and wine, or Steve sprawled over high thread count sheets.
Gathering his scattered wits, Steve tried to see the bar through Chris' eyes. "Christian," Steve asked warily, "what're you thinking?"
The light shining out of his favorite blue eyes made his heartbeat speed up. The joyous expression mixed with mischief made Steve want to say 'yes' to whatever had Chris so revved.
Strong hands clasped Steve's forearms. "We could call Jason...see if we can put KANE back together…get Eric to call these guys…" his grip tightened, "do our music again." His voice was breathy when he finished.
Steve hesitated. "Are you sure? Our schedules are so booked--" he was trying to be diplomatic, but he could see the light fading from the animated face, "okay we'll call Jay. Put some feelers out. If we can get some players together we'll call Eric."
He could feel Christian's body quivering with excitement. It was so infectious that Steve found himself wishing they weren't in a middle of a bar. By the time they got to the condo both men were strung tight as their guitar strings. Boots and coats were thrown off. Christian had barely toed off his boots when Steve's patience ran out. Christian's back hit the carpet with a thump as Steve buried both hands in Chris' hair to hold his head still while he devoured the full lips, straddling his hips to keep him pinned in place.
Steve's logical brain knew if Christian wanted to move he could, but his lizard brain didn't care about logic as he went about stripping them both to the skin. As he slid into Christian, sounds of lust became sounds of love. It didn't take long until both men were covered with carpet burns, teeth marks, and scratches.
Steve lay panting draped over Christian. "Is there any special reason you were carrying lube in your pocket?"
"Just being a boy scout." Christian panted out.
"I don't think that's what they had in mind for the whole being prepared spiel." Steve chuckled as he pushed off Chris' chest. "Last one to the shower…"
Before Steve could finish his thought, Chris had rolled him and stepped over his prone body on the way to the shower. Laughing and cursing, Steve pursued the snickering brunette into the master suite.
They were curled together on the couch watching a movie when Christian's phone rang. When he saw Jared's ID, he put the phone on speaker. A worried Jared asked if they'd heard from Jensen. At their negative reply his worry ratcheted up a notch. He told them that Jensen had become distant, and seemed to having trouble shaking Dean off at the end of the day. When they wrapped filming, Jensen had to stay to reshoot some scenes that Kripke hadn't liked, but that he was supposed to have flown into LA yesterday for some promotional photo shoots on Monday. Jared tried calling and texting but Jensen wasn't answering.
"Where were you during all this shit?" Christian asked through gritted teeth.
The line got quiet. "He never said anything." Jared's voice was quiet.
Steve watched Chris' temper start to rise. When he took the phone away, Chris was on his feet starting to pace.
"Jared." Steve's voice was calm, but firm.
"We got busy. The network took advantage of our popularity to book us all over the place. Then there was Gen…" His voice trailed off.
"What about Gen?" Steve prodded.
"She's a little jealous of how close we are and I didn't want to cause a fight because I really think she's the ONE and…"
Unable to stay quiet Christian exploded. "And what!? You ditch your best friend to get your knob polished. Did you even talk to him!"
"It's not like that!" Jared exclaimed.
"So how is it, really, Jared?" Steve asked. "Did you call because you're concerned or the suits are concerned?"
"WHAT! I'm concerned!" His voice raised on octave.
"We don't have time for this shit." Chris grabbed the phone back from Steve. "Don't worry about Jenny-We'll take care of him-You can go back to playin' house."
Jared started to protest, but Chris cut the call. They knew Jared would have checked the obvious places so while they got dressed they tried to think of where else Jensen might hide out.
Steve looked around for his day planner. His had a more complete list of their friends than Christian's. When it wasn't in the condo, he grabbed the keys to check the car.
Christian stepped on Steve's heels when the man stopped dead in the doorway. He started to bitch when Steve raised his hand for quiet. Sitting on his duffel staring at his hands was Jensen Ackles.
Steve knelt down and reached for the younger man. "Jen?" His voice was soft.
"Hey." He didn't look up.
Christian knelt by his other side.
"Why didn't you call or knock on the door, Jenny." Chris kept his voice just as soft.
"You know I can't sleep in a bed anymore?" He kept staring at his twisting fingers.
Two sets of blue eyes exchanged a worried look over the reddish-brown head.
"Because I'm looking for you. Every time I go out and pick someone up I keep thinking I'll be able to sleep 'cause I'll be warm and wrapped up, and feel safe, but all I feel is cold, alone, empty, and fucked out."
Warning sirens started blaring.
"Jensen did someone hurt you?" Steve asked quietly, terrified at the answer.
He seemed to shake his stupor. "What?-No! Nobody gets to--I mean not since--No." He seemed to sink back into himself. "I thought…you know maybe…then I could sleep, and it'd be enough 'til I can get my head straight 'cause everyone looks like Chris or Steve, but they're not…" Jensen trailed off lost back inside his thoughts.
Christian and Steve each grabbed an arm and hauled him to his feet.
"Enough of this shit. It gets straightened out now." Chris growled as they manhandled Jensen inside.
Steve tossed the duffel to the side and headed to the kitchen while Christian stripped off Jensen's coat and sat him on the couch. Returning with a cup of hot coffee, Steve shoved the mug in Jensen's hands then sat next to Chris on the coffee table facing Jensen while Chris finished a text to Jared.
"Drink." Steve ordered.
"Bossy." Jensen grumbled, but drank, then pulled a face. "Too sweet."
"Drink it." They ordered in unison.
With the caffeine and sugar in his system, Jensen seemed more coherent. When he realized where he was he started mumbling apologies while trying to get off the person eating couch and out the door.
"Jensen! Sit down and shut up!" Christian's voice cracked like a whiplash.
Eyes wide, the younger man did as he was told.
Chris grabbed his chin and forced the green eyes to meet his. "We're going to say this and you're going to listen closely and believe it like the words are from your mama's lips."
Jensen blinked owlishly, but nodded his agreement.
"We love you. We are in love with you, have been trying to get through to you in our own fucked up way since before you woke up in our bed and ran."
Jensen looked back and forth between the two men. Steve nodded his agreement.
"We're sorry it took eight years to realize what we'd left behind." Steve added.
Jensen started to shake his head. Christian grabbed his chin again. He leaned across the space between the couch and coffee table to place a gentle kiss on the pouty mouth. Steve followed suit.
They stood pulling Jensen to his feet.
"Come with us, darlin'. You can rest yourself in us." Chris prodded.
A step at a time they led him toward the bedroom, soft voices and touches gentling the skittish man--not allowing him to pull away from them.
He was warm, secure, and all the smells and sounds were perfect for remaining oblivious to the world. A strong arm wrapped around his waist. A head tucked under his chin, warm breath against his chest-warm breath tickled the hairs on the back of his neck. Content he burrowed further into the warmth.
Hands moved in long, slow caresses, lips moved in long, slow kisses, sounds were soft, breathy, words of love, words of lust, whispers, whimpers, and sighs. Completion found in the arch of muscles, slip of sweat, gasps of breath stolen as others breathed it in.
The rest of the morning passed unhurried, languorous, savored, and cherished. They parted ways at the airport, Jensen promised to pick them up at the airport. They pulled him into an encompassing embrace with a growled warning of 'Don't make us hunt you down.'
With a wicked smile and a new light in his green eyes, Jensen headed for his flight.
On the cab ride from the airport to the realtor's office, they began calling former members of KANE. Jason was the only member that didn't have other obligations, and was happy to hear they were going to try to set up new dates. He had a bass player he thought would be a perfect fit. He offered to look for a drummer while Christian and Steve worked out the other details.
The realtor was excellent at her job and in a few hours they had a comfortable condo not too far from the sound studio, and were on a plane back to LA by evening.
The time until the Supernatural convention was spent packing for Portland and Las Vegas. They badgered, cajoled and tickled Jensen until he agreed that anytime he had two or more days off he'd fly into Portland. Eric had worked his magic with the owners of Dante's-all they needed to do was get together and pick dates. Jason had brought his friend, Will by the house, who was soon a member of the KANE family.
If Jared was surprised by the changes in Jensen, he wisely kept his thoughts to himself. He knew neither Christian nor Steve had forgiven him for allowing Jensen to get so far off center. He and Gen had serious conversations about balancing their relationship with their friendships. Jared tried to talk to Jensen and apologize for not being there for him. Jensen told him they were good, but Jared felt a restraint in Jensen that hadn't been there before. He mourned the loss of their easy camaraderie.
Jensen didn't get back to Vancouver until the day before shooting started for the end of the season. He spent several hours with Eric, Robert and Sera. Afterwards, he was seldom around on weekends, and when Jared questioned him, Jensen had been snappish.
"What? You think you're the only one that gets a life outside the show?"
Jared at sputtered at the question. "No, that's not what I meant."
"You left me Jared. Cut me off like I hadn't been your best friend-house mate. You're still my friend, but you lost the right to ask questions about what I do or where I go."
"Can we at least go out and have a beer, maybe shoot some pool like we used to?" Hazel eyes were pleading.
"Oh and have Gen glaring daggers and actin' all pissy tomorrow."
"It's not like that anymore. We learned our lesson. I think it's made our relationship better."
It was slow going, but by the season's finale, Jared felt he'd made headway in repairing his relationship with Jensen, though he still didn't know where he disappeared on weekends.
The round of conventions in May from Australia, Europe, and England was a morass of planes, hotels, sleepless nights and hours of phone calls, texts, and emails.
Jensen had just set his duffel inside the condo door when his phone rang. His heart jumped to his throat when he saw Dean Devlin's name. Christian had been taken to the hospital after a stunt gone wrong.
He doesn't remember driving to the hospital, he knows he called Steve, who said he was on his way to the airport anyway, and would be there by evening.
By the time the worried singer got to their condo, Jensen had brought Christian home. They were stretched out on the bed, the white bandage stark against Chris' tan forehead. Jensen was sprawled across his chest so Chris would have to wake Jensen to get out of bed. Steve stripped down and slid into bed, careful not to wake the other two.
He nearly jumped out of his skin when Christian spoke to him.
"Hey, darlin'." He said softly.
Calming his thumping heart, Steve pulled both men against his chest.
"How're you doing?"
"Headache's worse'n any hangover I ever had. Jenny worried himself into a lather on top of bein' sleep deprived." Christian ran his fingers through the short brown hair.
"Do we need to cancel Sunday's show?" Steve asked softly.
"Miss my birthday show?! Fuck no!" Chris protested softly. "'Sides Jenny's gonna sing with us."
"It only took us two months to talk him into it." Steve chuckled.
Christian stood on Dante's stage taking in the crowd. He turned his back to the room and look around the stage. This was his family-the members of KANE, the Leverage cast, and finally Steve and Jensen standing close, heads together, eyes shining, smiles wide. He turned back to the crowd and grabbed the mike.
"There's only two things in life that make it worth livin'…" Three sets of eyes met.
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Date: 2010-04-04 05:50 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-04 08:10 pm (UTC)From:Glad you liked.
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Date: 2010-04-04 06:02 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-04 08:22 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-04 07:50 pm (UTC)From:Will there be another chapter ?
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Date: 2010-04-04 08:25 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-04 08:33 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-04 08:43 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-04 09:00 pm (UTC)From:And YES I THINK YOU HAVE NO CHOICE NOW ;o)))))))) I'm a whore for protetive!chris/steve and sick/hurt!jensen, they're the best fics !
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Date: 2010-04-04 09:16 pm (UTC)From:I know I'm an angst queen, so here we go...
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Date: 2010-04-04 09:19 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-04 08:18 pm (UTC)From:Tell me you're gonna keep writin' them ... *puppy eyes*
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Date: 2010-04-04 08:37 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-05 02:59 pm (UTC)From:They'ree the only threesome I write too, they haunt my almost every waking moments ;)
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Date: 2010-04-04 09:06 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-04 09:19 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-04 09:07 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-04 10:28 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-09 03:14 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-09 10:39 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-04 09:24 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-04 11:20 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-04 11:59 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-05 12:44 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-05 06:46 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-05 10:41 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-13 08:17 pm (UTC)From:Love it! I'm normally not that much for throwing Jensen in the mix, but you built it up so prettily. Love it!
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Date: 2010-04-13 10:57 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2010-04-14 09:27 am (UTC)From:Them together has to equal hotness in all languages available
Thanks for sharing. I'm glad they all got what they wanted the most: each other ;)
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Date: 2010-04-14 10:51 am (UTC)From: