Remembrances (11/14)

[dephigravity]

Title: Remembrances
Pairing: Jensen/ Jared
Characters: Tom Welling, Justin Hartley, and various other CW folks
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2214
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






Coming Home


“So you guys we're really married, married? That is so cool!” Tom grinned his Cheshire smile. “I didn't think they let gays marry back then?”

“They didn't but that didn't stop us. It's not like we needed the government's approval to be together. I loved him and he loved me, that was all that mattered.”

“I gotta hear about this!” Tom wrapped his long arms around his knees.

“Well it didn't happen the next day you know. We hadn't even talked to our parents. Jared's family pretty much knew about us being a couple. My side? Not so much. Now we had the added burden of asking them to come to our wedding.”

“How do you go about telling your family anyway? I mean do you just give 'em a call and say 'Heya Mom I screw guys?' ”

Jensen laughed. “I think if I were you I would try to use a little more tact than that Tommy boy. You will have to figure that part out for yourself, you will know when the timing is right, there's not really a right or wrong way about it.”

“How did you do it?” Tom leaned forward.

“I'll tell you but I really don't recommend it, son. I was foolish and inconsiderate to say the least.”


~~~


“You sure you want to do this?” Jared asked for the hundredth time.

“God no!” Jensen shook nervously.”But I want to be with you forever and I don't want to have to hide it every time my family comes around. They either accept me or don't.”

“You make it sound so simple.” Jared gave a half smile, a bit of sorrow and concern crossed over his partly lifted lips. “Are you sure you don't want me to come down there with you? I mean to Texas... I could totally call and tell them I have an emergency or something.”

“Nah, I'll be fine, besides the plane leaves in a few hours and I've already got the ticket.”

“You will call the second you touch down though right? And when you get home? And if everything goes alright? Or If things don't go so well... and...”

“Jared! I will be fine. Quit being a mother hen and go to work already.” Jensen leaned up and kissed his boyfriend on the lips and then smoothed out the now out of place tie and shirt on him.

“I love you so much Jen.” Jared leaned forward and kissed Jensen on the forehead.

“Me too... now go!” Jensen pulled away and pointed commandingly towards the door. Jared shook his head, picked up his briefcase, and after giving a parting kiss headed out the door. He paused. “Have a safe flight Jensen, remember call me!”

“Go!” Jensen playfully threw the rolled newspaper towards the door.

___

A few hours later Jensen's leg was thumping wildly of its own accord as he sat thousands of feet above the ground. What was he doing? Couldn't he have just called? What were his parents gonna say? Would they accept him? Would they accept Jared? What about Josh and Mac? What about... what about...what if.

Jensen jerked as the flight attendant put a hand on the back of his seat.
“Are you okay sir? Can I get you anything?”

“No... no... I'm fine just trying to figure out what to say to the folks and all.” he said in a thick Texas accent. Most days he could control it but when he got nervous or really mad it was twangs R us!

“What do you need to tell them Mr.. uh...”

“Ackles, Jensen... Jensen first name not last.” he shot a hand to his bobbing knee to try to keep it from bouncing.

“She took a quick look around at the not so full plane. She sat across the narrow aisle. “You mind?”

“Not at all...” he smiled and looked at her name tag, “... Katherine.”

“ So what is it you need to tell your parents that you are flying halfway across the country for? You couldn't pick up a phone?”

“Getting married!” he said his knee slowing done just slightly.

“Congratulations!” she beamed.

“Ummm to a guy.” he said not looking her in the face.

“Ohhhh.” she said with her lips sticking in the silent 'O' shape for longer than she intended. “Good for you! My brother's... you know... that way too.”

“Really?” Jensen looked over.

She nodded. “I don't think he has the balls to commit though, he's always going boy to boy! I think that it is amazing what you are doing.”

“Thanks.” he said, not noticing his thumping was now only a minor tremor.

A ding sounded overhead and the pilot announced their impending arrival.

“Well Jensen, it was nice to talk to you. I hope things work out for both of you and good luck with your parents.” She stood up and patted him on the shoulder and walked away to do her landing procedure duties.

___

The taxi pulled up in front of the modest ranch style home. He tossed the small duffel around his shoulder and reached in to give the driver his fare and tip. The yellow car drove off leaving the young man standing on the sidewalk staring up at his bedroom window. He stayed there for a few minutes, letting his childhood memories wash over him. He slowly crept up the concrete path and up the stairs. His fist hovered above the door. Finally he choked back a terrified lump in his throat and knocked.

The old woman opened the door slowly. “Yes?”

“Heya Momma...” Jensen looked up coyly.

“Oh my God! Jensen Ross!” she crushed into her son's side and began covering him with kisses. She finally pried herself away from him. “Come in, come in! Oh my, oh my. Such a surprise. What brings you home my sweet boy?” she turned around and continued her onslaught of kisses.

“Momma, please?!” he giggled and squirmed away.

“I can't help it! I never see you anymore! Gotta get it in when I can!”

“Sorry...” Jensen pushed his hands deep into his pockets.”It's been a while huh?”

“You are just like your siblings... get outta Texas and out into the real world and forget about ol' Ma and Pa.”

“Ahhh Momma I could never forget about you!” he gave her a great big hug.”

“You staying long son?”

“Not really sure...”

“Go put your stuff up and I will make us some lunch.” She pointed up the stairs. “You are hungry right? Look at all that skin and bones.”

“Hey I eat!” he called down as he bounded up the stairs to his old room.

“That California crap is not real food! Y'all needs a good ribeye to fatten ya up a little!”

Jensen chuckled as his mom's voice traveled from downstairs. His room was the exact same as he left it. Baseball equipment shoved in a corner, action figures displayed on a book shelf, Star Wars sheets adorning the bed. He was 10 all over again. He threw the small bag on the bed and picked up his Boba Fett. He made a quiet blaster sound towards Luke, then put him back. He brushed his hands over the sport themed curtains and fell down to the bed, staring up at the glow in the dark stars. That was gonna drive him nuts tonight for sure.

“Soup's on!” Jensen was brought back to reality by the sweet southern drawl and smells of home cooking. He launched himself off the bed and skipped down the stairs.

“God I've missed your cookin'!”

“Thanks Dear.” she placed a large steak down in front of him.

“Mom this is way too much!” he said as his mouth salivated.

“Nonsense. Eat up.” she sat down and took a bite of her small sandwich.

The beef melted in his mouth as he tossed in the perfect medium rare bite.”MMMMM sho good!” he mumbled through the chewing.

“Manners!” she teased him.

“Momma neveh tot me none!” he smiled through the beefy goodness and lifted up a glass of water.

She laughed and slapped him lightly on the arm.

“So what is it you are here for Jensen?”

“Well I kinda wanna wait till dad's here too. Big news!”

“Oh?” she said as she stood and wiped her hands on the apron.

“Great news I think!” he said as he wolfed down yet another piece.

“You are gonna keep me in suspense. Aren't you?”

“Always!” he grinned up mischievously. “The boys still around?”

“Yup. Chad lives across town but that Chris boy lives down the street, moved in after his mom passed. You should go see them. Get the ol' gang together. Jared come down with ya?”

“Maybe and no he's working.” Jensen polished off the last of the ribeye and rubbed his full belly.

“That's too bad. You two still share a house, getting along?”

“You could say that.” he said, trying to avoid that part for now.

“That's good I always did like that young man.”

Jensen walked over and rinsed his plate, he set it aside and kissed his mom delicately on the cheek.

“What was that for?” she smiled.

“Everything, momma, everything....”

___

“Heya Jen!” Chris wrapped his arms around his long lost friend.

“Hey.” Jensen patted the other's back. “Sorry to hear about your mom.”

“Thanks. It was her time. What y'all doin here? Everything okay in Cali?”

“Great!” Jensen said as the man ushered him inside. “It's kind of why I'm here actually.”

The two men took a seat on the couch. “Yeah?”

“I'm gonna tell my parents...” Jensen said as he picked at a hang nail.

“Really?” Chris said in surprise. Good for you man. What brought this on?”

“Jared asked me to ummm, marry him.”

Chris shuffled. “No shit! That's awesome dude!”

“Yeah, I think you know... that the parent's would kinda like to know they have another son-in-law.”

“So how you gonna tell them?”

Jensen grabbed his crossed leg. “Not really sure. It's not like I've done this you know. You guys just always assumed it anyway! Even before you know we umm.”

“What can I say, great gaydar!” Chris tapped his noggin.

“Yeah, okay!” Jensen laughed. “We should go out tonight. Round up Chad and the ol gang.!”

“Can do!”

___

It was far to late by the time Jensen climbed out of Chris's truck. He knew he wasn't drunk any more and he also knew he needed to get this whole thing over with. Logic be damned!

He went around to the side of the house and grabbed the key from its hiding place. He walked back around and up the stairs. Inside it was dark except the small lamp his mom always kept on when one of the kids was out late. He took a deep breath and headed to the top of the stairs. He hesitated, trying to gain the nerve for what was to come. Before he realized it, his hand was connecting to the door.

“Shit...” he whispered to himself.

There was a scuffing sound followed by the turning of the nob.

“Shit... shit... shit....”

“What is it son? Everything okay?” the old man peeked from behind the door.

“Can we talk dad?” Jensen asked quietly.

“Sure son. Let your mother sleep though, she's been cleaning up a storm since you got here.”

Roger guided him down the short hall to his son's old room. Jensen sat back on his bed and his dad sat in the small white wooden chair.

“What's going on JR?”

Jensen curled his lip at the old nickname. “Dad... I...” his throat seized shut.

His dad sat there patiently, wiping the sleep from his eyes.

“Dad... Jared's gay!” Jensen forced through.

Roger took a second to process the information. “Okay?”

“I think I am too.”

Roger eyed his soon, his thoughts refusing to betray him. “ I don't think you are Jensen.”

A sudden defensive streak shot threw him. “ I don't think you have much say in the matter!”

Roger pondered this for a second. That's when he said the stupidest thing Jensen had ever heard in his life. “Well you know how they, those homosexuals, have sex don't you? They have it up the bum!”

“Oh my fucking God? Really? Wait I think I may just have to rethink the whole damned thing.”

“No need to be an ass about it boy! I am your father! I worry about you. What about this damned AIDS thing! What if someone beats you up or kills you!”

“Dad I am thirty-one! I can handle myself and we are always protected!”

“We? You and that Jared are sleeping together? For the love of God!”

“I love him dad! We are getting married. That's what I came home to tell you guys!” Jensen yelled as tears burst form his eyes.

“Married? You can't be serious. It's an abomination! That's what this is!”

“Are you freaking kidding me? I tell you I am in love and you call me that? What kind of a father are you?”

“Enough!” Roger declared. “We will talk about this in the morning!” he slammed the door behind him. Jensen fell onto the bed and stared at the ceiling until his tears dried over his freckled nose and cheeks.


(Next)