Remembrances (4/14)

[dephigravity]

Title: Remembrances
Pairing: Jensen/ Jared
Characters: Tom Welling, Justin Hartley, and various other CW folks
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2128

Summary: Tom Welling is a college student that is asked to spend time with an elderly Jensen Ackles. Jensen is slow to come around but realizes the company is just what he needs






Moving On

“Something the matter son?”

Tom stared blankly down at the checkerboard. The same checkerboard he'd been staring at for the last five minutes or so. At first Jensen was priding himself on his move, causing the boy to rack his brain for anyway out of his eventual demise. When the boy made no move for any of the pieces, it became all to clear that Tom was not his usual self.

“Thomas? What is it boy?”

'Huh?” his green eyes came up from the red and black to match the cataract glazed green of his friend. “It's nothing...”

“Tom, please tell me. God knows you've listened to me caterwauling non stop for months.”

“Jaime broke up with me.” he sighed and fell back into his chair.

“What happened?” The man said as he scooped aside the pieces and placed the board in its box.

“She said that we were just going in to different directions. Couldn't see a future with me...” he said as he clasped his hands over his lap.

“Ah I see. Well even though it may not seem so much now, maybe it's for the best son.”

“I really thought I loved her though, you know?”

“You'll be fine Thomas, just wait and see someone will grab you from out of the blue before you even know what's happening.”

Tom looked up at the kind man's eyes and tried to smile, praying that his words would come true.

“We all have to move on sometime Tommy.”

~~~

Jensen's eyes burned into the empty bed as he stood in the doorway. Eyes red after far too many tears, aching for some semblance of understanding.
The house was to quiet, no dogs, no sounds, no Jared.

He finally walked into the room and looked around. He walked over to the closet and opened it to see the all too familiar shirts and jackets hanging untouched on the hangers. Grabbing a well worn button down he pulled it off it's plastic holder. Clutching it tightly he brought it up to his nose to take in the still lingering scent of his best friend. He brushed it against his stubble lined cheek, trying to remember a soft caress.

Tears worked their way to the surface as Jensen tried to bury them once more. With gritted teeth he threw aside the shirt and jutted forward into the closet. With large hands full, he ripped at the wardrobe. Plastic bits of hangers shot throughout the small room as he tugged furiously at the clothing, throwing it as far as he could, burying the bed and floor in mountains of fabric.

“Why?” Jensen screamed at the top of his lungs. “Why God damn it?”

He fell to his knees and back onto a heap of tee shirts and sweaters.

“Jared... oh God... why?” the tears slid down his cheeks and freckled nose. “Why did you leave me here all alone?”

~~~

Shondra knocked loudly on the door and burst through. Both men looked up from the somber exchange.

“It's not time yet is it?” Tom looked down at his watch.

“No no... I came to give you some great news Mr. Ackles.”

“They finally got a new cook down there in the kitchen?” Jensen played coy.

“Don't we all wish that... sadly no. Even better for you though. Golden Bridges finally called and they have an opening and you are at the top of the list. Congratulations honey, your getting out of here!”

“Golden Bridges?” Tom sat up with peaked interest.

“It's a Retirement/ Assisted Living Community. Each resident has their own apartment to do with as they see fit, and 24 hour care.” the lovely woman stated with excitement. “My mother has an aunt that lives there and she is just as happy as all get out!”

“That sounds wonderful Jensen!”

“When do we move?” Jensen said, a new excitement spread over his weary face.

“As soon as you want. You can bring all your stuff from here and some more stuff from home too.”

“If you want I can help Jensen... I'm sure I can round up some friends to tag along. We'll get you all set up!” Tom announced with happier spirits, all thoughts of Jaime disappearing from his mind.

“That would be nice Tommy boy. I think the house keys are in the top drawer over there. Now let me see, let me think of some things I'm gonna need packed up.”

___


“Why are we here again?” Mike moaned as the group approached the bi- leveled house.

“Come on.. It'll be over in no time.. 'sides you promised... you help me, I write your essay for Dr. Glover.” Tom grinned back at his friend.

Erica, Justin, Kyle and Ally all came happily, sensing the importance to their friend. Mike was a little harder but Tom knew with enough persuasion and perseverance his short haired roommate would give in. Tom tried a few keys in the lock before succeeding. The door creaked open for the first time in almost five years. Other than the dust the house was quaint yet immaculate. Tom entered followed by his small posse of college buddies. Kyle tripped over the rug, almost tipping Erica in the process. Once steadied he sat the bundle of empty boxes to the floor.

“It smells like old people in here.” Mike whined.

“Oh it does not!” Ally smacked him on the arm.

“Nothing a little cleaning wouldn't take care of.” Justin said walking over to Tom and grabbing his shoulder.

“Well let's get to it then...” Tom boiled over with eagerness.

The girls searched the house for a broom, feather duster, and all the essentials and set about to straightening up the place. Cleaning wasn't in the original plan but they figured leaving all the heavy lifting and boxing would best be suited for the boys. Tom pulled out the substantial list of needs his older friend had given him, with detailed instructions of where to find most of them.

Mike tossed books into boxes, not exactly caring how the tumbled in... only thoughts being the relief form having to not write that paper. Kyle spent his time wrapping up small baubles and décor in paper towels and carefully laying them in the cardboard boxes.

Tom wandered aimlessly through the house, gaining a new perspective and insight into Jensen. He was distracted by the frames overtaking a piano in what used to be a parlor of some kind. He approached to see even more pictures that he had yet to see hear about. Jensen stood in back of his parents, along with his siblings, smiling happily. A sad elderly woman stared out a window as she sat in a rocking chair, his thought flew to his first meeting with Jensen. A large muzzle of a dog took up most of a frame, its tongue hanging out the side as it panted in joy. A twenty-something year old Jared running through a field, Jensen holding playfully on his back as the taller man's arms held the legs straddled along his waist.

He reached forward and grabbed the most unexpected picture of all, that sent a whole new set of questions racing through his head. They looked to be in their early thirties in this one. Jensen sat on the floor with his knees pulled up in front of him. Jared hugged him tenderly from behind, legs stretched out to each side of the sitting man, and his chin laying lovingly upon Jensen's shoulder. There was an unexpected sweetness that flowed from the photograph, confirming Tom's unrealized suspicions.

Justin knocked quietly on the door jamb and entered, barely catching sight of Tom tucking the frame into his jacket, under an arm.

“There you are Tommy. Was wondering if you would help me move the dresser down, I got it all cleared out but that thing is massively heavy.”

“Yeah, sure.” Tom quickly cleared his throat. He headed through the room and removed his jacket, folding it around the picture and laying it in a chair. The vacuum started loudly from downstairs as he went into the bedroom to help his tall blond friend.


The group of friends laughed as they devoured pizza and beer. Stacks of boxes still lay around the living room, furniture filled half of the moving truck in the driveway. Empty bottles, paper plates and napkins were haphazardly discarded through the once clean room.

“Well Tom, I think we're gonna head out, Allison and I have a yoga class in the morning...” Erica said as she stood up. “Kyle you driving right?” she tossed the short boy her keys. He snatched them in the air and nudged Mike.

'You bet. See ya Tom, it was fun. Let me know if you need help tomorrow.”

Tom motioned a nod of thanks.

“You comin' Just?” Mike asked.

“I think I'm gonna stay and help Tommy here clean up after you bitches.” the tall blond smirked.

“Thanks!” Tom said as he worked on gathering napkins.

“K, Laterz!” Mike said as the door shut behind him.

“I really appreciate the help today Justin. I know it's not the funnest thing to do on a Saturday.”

“Eh, it's okay. Got me out of a psych assignment for another day. I don't mind at all.”

Justin snatched the remaining bottles and boxes and headed in to the kitchen. When he came back Tom was passed out on the sofa. He sighed and walked over to put the man's massive feet up and snatching an afghan out of a box. He draped the crocheted blanket over his friend and went to get a beer out of the cooler. He cracked the cap off and took a sip. His eyes fell upon Tom's blue fleece jacket. He was careful to unwrap the bundle and turned over the silver frame. He looked back at his sleeping friend and then back at the photo of the two men. He took a nearby seat and looked at the picture, absorbing all the details. He tipped the beer up to his lips and took another swig. Tom shifted in his sleep and brought an arm out of the blanket and placed it over his dark mop of hair. Justin smiled and set the picture aside, taking yet another sip before closing his eyes.

___


Tom knocked on the open door of the apartment while holding a small box in the other. Justin and Kyle followed closely behind with large boxes overflowing with belongings.

“Anyone here?”

A pretty middle aged blond woman pushed Jensen and his chair through another room.

“Thomas! Glad you could make it son. You brought friends too.”

Justin quickly put the box down and walked over to the old man and quickly sent out a hand. “You must be Mr. Ackles, I've heard so much about you. I'm Justin and the lost looking one in the doorway, that's Kyle.”

“Hey.” Kyle greeted over the top of the box.

“Great to meet you, any friend of Tom's... this is Deidre, my nurse.”

“Hello.' she smiled at the boys.

Tom steadied himself, trying not to drop the squirming box.

“What do we have here?” Jensen asked gesturing for the box.

“Hope you don't mind but I stopped and got you a housewarming present.” Tom lowered the box to the floor. A small gray kitten scratched at it's side, meowing quietly to be released.

“It's so tiny!” Jensen said as Tom lifted him out of the box and placed him on Jensen's lap.

“Careful of his claws.” Justin announced holding up a slightly scratched hand.

“He's perfect Tommy boy.” The little kitten paced around meowing before curling up and purring at the soft stroke of the withered hand. “What to call you... how about Dean?”

“Really? I was thinking he was more of a Sam.” Tom bent down and scratched at its chin.

“Sammy it is. Thank you so much Thomas.”

“Okay let's haul 'er in.” Justin came over and patted Tom's shoulder.

___

“You've got some really good friends there Thomas.”

“I like to think so.” Tom said, settling back on the couch. It had taken the boys a few hours to unload the truck and stacks of boxes spread throughout the apartment. The little cat played with a stray strand of tape hanging from a box on the floor. Deidre had turned in, her room next to Jensen's at the end of the hall.

“So...” Tom said with uneasiness.

“So what my boy?”

“How come you didn't tell me about this?” Tom asked.

“What do you mean?” Jensen asked calmly.

Tom reached to the side of the sofa and pulled a silver frame out of his jacket. He glanced at it once more before turning it over to the man.



(Next)

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Just Discovered...this is absolutely charming and I hope you'll post more!

Intriguing concept and the aged character is very well executed. Hoping he can inspire responsibility and respect in some of the younger ones. He seems to have a rich story to tell, there.

First story? You're making a FINE debut!

[dephigravity.livejournal.com]

Why thank you for liking it so much, sorry i hadn't cleaned up the other three chapters when you read them, not sure why LJ hates my quotation marks... this is actually my third story I've written, the other two are Wincestish which I may or may not post here... we will see lol. I have this one fully written so now that I somewhat know what I am doing on here I should be getting them up ASAP! Thanks for the amazing comments!