Jensen and Shaun, backdated to 12/27/2013
Dec. 27th, 2013 09:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
om_backlash posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
om_mainShaun goes to pick Jensen up in Boston after Jensen's visit to his family doesn't go as planned.
(TW: Abuse)
“Do you have a ride?” a voice asked.
The voice pulled Jensen from his thoughts and he looked up at its owner, a nurse that could only be a handful of years older than him. He must have looked confused, because the question was repeated and this time it actually registered. “Um, yeah,” he told him. “Yeah, I do. Thanks.” He flashed a faked smile and then looked down at his cellphone, hoping the dude would get the point and leave him alone. The nurse did and left with a ‘Let me know if you need anything’.
Jensen didn’t answer. The last thing he wanted was pity. The doctors and nurses might not know the truth behind his broken arm and bruised face or the reason why he was sitting here alone at 11:00 o’clock at night, but they didn’t have to. Either way, they were looking at him like he was sad and broken and when they looked at him like that he couldn’t ignore that that was exactly how he felt. He wanted that feeling to stay down, he wanted to fucking bury it.
Slouching down into his seat, Jensen tucked his casted arm against his stomach. He looked at his cellphone again. Shaun’s name was in the To field. The message field was empty, as it had been for the last ten minutes. He knew Shaun wouldn’t be angry, but he still couldn’t bring himself to text him. How would he tell him? What would Shaun say? Maybe he would be angry. He had told him not to go home, after all. Maybe he’d finally realize there was something wrong with him. Fuck, he felt sick.
Jensen glanced over at the waiting room desk, then away again when he realized the nurse was watching him. He looked down at his phone again. Shaun Mason glared up at him from the screen and he realized that no matter how mad Shaun might be all Jensen wanted right now was to see him. Exhaling quietly, he typed hey. you awake? and then sent it.
Shaun grabbed his phone from where it was resting on his leg, letting out a small sigh of relief when he saw Jensen's name. He'd texted him probably four times before nine, without any answer, which was strange. He had just decided to have the headmasters call his parents if he hadn't heard from him in the next hour, terrified that something was happening to him.
He opened up the text, chewing at his lip as he tried not to read anything into the shortness and weird seriousness of the text. Yeah, I'm awake. What's up?
Sitting up straighter, Jensen read the reply. He was torn between being relieved Shaun had answered and anxious. Worrying his bottom lip, he wrote a reply, typing slowly since he had only one had to work with, his other still too sore and stiff. can you come pick me up? i missed my bus. He paused before deciding to add, it’s no problem if you can’t. i know it’s a long drive. i can easily figure something else out.
Shaun went cold as he read the text, a sick turn in his stomach. Something had happened, something bad, and instead of texting back, he dialed his number and called, picking at the skin on the side of his finger as he waited for him to pick up.
Jensen’s stomach bottomed out as the phone buzzed in his hand. He stared at it a moment, at Shaun’s name and picture lighting up on the screen. Fuck. He glanced over at the waiting room desk where the nurse was outright staring at him now and then looked away, picking up his phone. “Hey,” he said, nervously playing with the hem of his t-shirt.
"Hey babe." He gave a small sigh of relief, because just hearing the sound of his voice settled him, made him feel like he was at least mostly okay. He pinned the phone between his shoulder and ear as he bent down and started pulling on his shoes. "Where are you? Are you alright?"
If Jensen hadn’t known how to start before he really fucking didn’t now how to start now. He wet his lips and his eyes flicked to the cast on his arm. “Yeah, I’m alright,” he answered and then there was a long pause. “I’m, um, I’m in the hospital. I’m fine, I promise.” He glanced over at the nurse who wasn’t watching anymore, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t listening, “I was screwing around and I tripped. I feel like an idiot.”
Shaun took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, feeling sick. "Fuck, babe," he said quietly, and he grabbed a sweatshirt that was out, one Jensen had left hanging over his chair, and pulled it on over his undershirt. "What did he do to you? Can you leave?" He pulled on his hat and grabbed his keys, then made his way out to the garage. It was after curfew, but what the fuck ever. He'd explain to the headmasters later if he had to.
"I'm getting a car now. What's the address?"
This time Jensen was sure what he felt was relief, even if he felt fucking awful for being the reason that worried tone was in Shaun’s voice. “I’ll text it to you. I’m in the waiting room.” He drew his feet up onto the seat of his chair, worried his bottom lip as he wished they could just skip this part of the conversation and he wouldn’t have to admit what had happened. “Broke my arm. Got a few bruises too,” he said, feeling that mixture of embarrassment and shame crawl over him. “I’m okay.”
"It's okay, babe," he said, his voice going soft when he heard how Jensen's sounded. "It's not your fault."
There was the sound of the car being opened, then starting up, and he was quiet as he backed out of the garage. He normally liked driving at night, but he already wished he could just be there already. "I need to stop for some coffee and I won't be there until 2 am. Can you stay checked in until I get there?"
“Yeah, it shouldn’t be a problem,” Jensen replied, nodding even though Shaun couldn’t see it. “I’ll see you when you get here.” He wished he wasn’t so far away. He wanted to see him now. “Thanks, Shaun.”
"Of course, babe." He paused, then said quietly, "Want to keep me company as I drive, after you send me the address?" It was more for Jensen's sake with his. He knew he'd hate being alone for three whole hours, but also knew that if it were framed as just for him, he'd refuse. "You wouldn't have to talk, if you were tired. We could just keep the line on."
Jensen shifted in his seat, wincing at the jolt of pain it sent through him. “Yeah, if you want,” he answered, honestly relieved he wouldn’t have to sit here alone. Even though he knew better, a part of him couldn’t stop expecting his dad to walk through the door. “I’d like that. I’ll text you and you can call me back when you’re ready?”
"Yeah, that sounds good. I'm going to hang up now, babe. Talk to you in a few minutes."
--------------------------
It was a long drive, but the roads were close to empty, and thanks to speeding, made it there half an hour earlier than expected. "I'm here," he said quietly, pretty sure Jensen was asleep, since he hadn't said anything for the last hour. He turned off his phone and headed inside, going straight up to the desk of the emergency room.
"Hi, I'm Shaun Mason, my friend Jake Jensen checked in earlier tonight? I'm here to pick him up," he said, stifling a yawn as he pulled out his ID, and gave her an apologetic smile. It didn't take long for her to send him back, and he made his way to the room Jensen was staying in, smiling even as his heart sank at the sight of him sleeping, his arm in a cast.
"Hey, Jay," he said quietly, kissing the top of his head and threading his fingers through the hair at the back of his neck. "Wake up, babe. Time to go home."
Jensen stirred, blinking owlishly behind crooked glasses as he realized he’d fallen asleep in his chair. He looked up at Shaun and a sleepy smile broke across his features, “Hey.” Fuck, he was happy to see him. His hand caught his and he tugged him in for a kiss on the lips.
He stood after, looking more awake as he ran a hand through his hair and then fixed his glasses. “Sorry, didn’t mean to fall asleep on you. So much for keeping you company, huh?” he said wryly, because joking was easier than thinking about what had happened or acknowledging that concerned look on Shaun’s face.
"That's alright. It was still nice having you there." He smiled and leaned in to kiss him again, lingering there for a second, just thankful to have him here and mostly in one piece.
When he pulled away, he ruffled Jensen's hair a little, then pulled away, offering up a hand for him. "Are you all set?" He glanced around a little more, eyebrows furrowing as he added, "Where's your stuff?"
Jensen laced his fingers with Shaun’s and his mouth twisted a little, “At my parents’. I didn’t have a chance to grab it,” he answered, then looked pained. “My laptop’s there.” He regretted losing that more than he did anything else, that and the Christmas gift from his sister. “I’m gonna have to text Jacks and see if she can ship it to me or something.” He had no idea how he’d get the money for it to her, but he’d figure something out.
As if he wasn't mad enough already, as soon as Jensen told him that his things were still in his parents' house, his blood boiled. The fuckers didn't even give him time to get his shit before leaving. He didn't even want to know how Jensen had made his way to the hospital.
"That's it," he said, his fists clinching. "Fuck that. We're getting it back."
Jensen’s eyes went wide, “What?” He moved between Shaun and the door and shook his head, going colder and colder the more he thought about it, his brain running through scenario after scenario and none of them ending well. “How? You-you can’t! He said I wasn’t allowed to come back. He’ll be so fucking pissed, Shaun. He’ll hurt you and he won’t give back my stuff.” He stepped in, catching both of Shaun’s hands. “I’m not worth that.”
"Yes, you are," Shaun said firmly, holding his gaze. "You really are, Jay."
He walked out, still holding Jensen's hand, wanting to talk to him outside as opposed to in the waiting room. "It's okay. We'll just go there and demand your stuff. I'll threaten to call the police or something." He held his hand out to stop the protests he expected that to provoke as he continued, "I won't, but I seriously doubt they'll call my bluff on that. They have too much to lose. Best case scenario for them? They have to deal with cops at three am, rather than just giving you your shit and leaving."
He leaned in and kissed him, grasping his neck and rubbing it gently. "It'll be okay, Jensen. If shit gets bad, we'll leave. It'll be okay. You deserve to have your stuff. You bought that laptop yourself."
Jensen worried his bottom lip, staring at him for a long moment, and then hesitantly nodded, “Okay.” He trusted him. If Shaun said it would be okay, he believed him. And just... No one had ever talked to him like that before. No one had ever told him that he deserved things, that he was worth risk, and he selfishly wanted to hold onto that as long as he could, if holding onto it would make it true.
His fingers played with Shaun’s and he leaned in to kiss him again, soft and lingering. “Thanks,” he said when he pulled away, giving him a small smile that became a grin. “Gotta admit, getting under the asshole’s skin would be satisfying.”
Shaun grinned big, giving him a quick, hard kiss. "That's the spirit." He squeezed Jensen's good hand and led him to the car, opening and closing the door behind him. "Let's go wake him the fuck up."
-----
It wasn't a long drive to Jensen's parent's house, and it only pissed him off more when he saw it. A nice, single-family home in Cambridge meant they had to have some money, and yet Jensen owned hardly anything, most of which he bought himself. Taking a deep breath and glancing to Jensen, he removed his gloves and rolled up the sleeves to his hoodie, wanting as much skin as possible exposed. Just in case.
He rang the doorbell once, and when it was ignored, he proceeded to press it over and over, so that the sound bled into one continuous, obnoxious ring. "Wake up, you fuck," he muttered, grinning when the light upstairs came on. He used his free hand to gently move Jensen, putting himself well between his boyfriend and the door. He didn't want his dad to be anywhere near him.
What could only have been seconds standing at the doorstep felt like hours to Jensen. The waiting and not knowing was always the hardest. He liked immediacy. He liked ripping the Band-Aid off and getting it over with, no time to overthink or overanalyze, no time to run through countless scenarios, maybes, and what-ifs. It was why he was so impulsive and while it got him into trouble it kept him sane. …Sane-ish. Right now he wasn’t so sure how sane he was. His emotions were like a fucking broken compass, swaying this way and that, never settling on north. He was afraid and he was worried, and he was angry and he was gleeful in this kind of way that scared him a little. He was all of that individually and he was all of that all at once.
The porch light finally came on and Jensen steeled his shoulders as the door flew open. His dad, tall and solidly built, stood on the other side.
“What the hell--” Paul stopped short when he saw Jensen and his expression darkened. “I told you to never come back.”
Jensen glared at his father in the kind of staunch refusal to cow that usually got him hit, “Trust me, I want to be here even less than you want me here. I just came to get my stuff.”
“Too bad,” was Paul’s reply. He eyed Shaun and then snorted. “Couldn’t face me on your own? You always were a pansy-assed weakling, Jensen. I’ve told your mother a hundred times that I knew you were a waste from the moment you were born.”
"Jesus fuck, what is your fucking problem?" Shaun clinched his fist, but took a breath, working to stay calm. "Look, dude. It's like three in the morning. We're getting his shit no matter what, so why don't you just make this easy for everyone and let us get it so you can go back to bed." As he talked, he subtly shifted his stance, bracing his weight on his back leg, just in case.
The insults made Jensen’s body go taut. It was exactly the kind of thing he’d never wanted Shaun to hear. The shit his parents and his teachers and everyone else said to him, the truth of how people really saw him.”I’m only here because you wouldn’t let me take it in the first place.”
Paul leveled a glare on Shaun, “Or you’ll what?
"I'll fucking come in there and take it," Shaun said angrily, losing his cool. This guy was the biggest jerk he'd ever met in his fucking life, and he wanted nothing more than to kick him in the fucking ribs. "Now get the fuck out of our way." He moved one hand to shove the door open wider, but his whole body was taunt, ready for his dad to react.
The door opened only so far, Paul’s foot and hand holding it in place, “Get off my property or I’ll call the police.”
Jensen looked between his dad and his boyfriend. He took a step in, two fingers protectively catching on Shaun’s wrist. He didn’t trust his dad because he knew one day his dad would start hitting someone and never stop and he didn’t trust himself because Shaun was standing in front of him like a shield and if anything happened to him he’d take his dad apart molecule by fucking molecule.
Every bit of Shaun wanted to just punch the guy in the face, but instead he just laughed. "Yeah, that sounds great. And then we can tell them all about how you fucking beat your kid, right? Great plan, asshole." He stood firm, then added, "Get out of the way."
Paul’s expression fell in slack-jawed shock and then hardened. He opened the door the rest of the way and then stepped, just barely, to the side. His gaze settled on Jensen, expression murderous, “Fine. Get your shit and get out.”
Catching Shaun’s hand, Jensen gave it a small squeeze, “Wait here. I’ll be right back.” He met his dad’s glare and then walked into the house, having no choice but to brush against him as he passed him. His skin fucking crawled from where they’d touched and, as much as he wanted to, he didn’t look over his shoulder to see if his father was following before starting up the stairs.
At the top of them, Jensen was faced with the door to his parents room. It was closed, but he knew his mom had to be standing behind it listening. He turned to walk down the hall and there was his sister standing in her doorway with his bags at her feet. “Jacks,” he said quietly and gave her a smile. “Hey.”
Jacks threw her arms around her brother, hugging him tight. “I’m so sorry, Jake,” she said, her voice muffled against his chest.
“Aw, shh,” Jensen soothed, smoothing a hand down the back of her head. “It’s not your fault. It’s never been your fault, you know that. And besides, I’m fine. Everything’s gonna be fine. I promise, okay?” The words tasted like a lie. He knew he couldn’t really promise that, not when he didn’t even feel close to fine, but he didn’t want her to worry.
“Okay,” Jacks said, but didn’t let him go. Then said quietly, fiercely, “I hate them.”
Jensen kissed the top of her head, quietly replying, “I know. Me too.”
“I love you, Jake.”
Jensen gave his sister a squeeze, “I love you too, Jacks. I have to go though, before dad comes looking for me. But I’ll call you soon, okay? We’ll talk then. And you text me if you ever need anything.” He wished they had more time, but he knew the longer he took the more volatile their father would get.
“Okay,” Jacks replied, not happy about the way things had turned out, but knowing they were for the best. She stepped back and picked up Jensen’s bags, passing them off to him, “Bye.”
“Bye, sis.” Jensen kissed the top of Jack’s head and then left, heading back down the stairs.
Shaun stood across from Paul, watching him carefully as Jensen got his stuff. He half expected him to go after Jensen, and he was ready to strike if he did. He didn't move away from his spot, though, so he just stood there, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Anger was swimming in him, and finally, it broke. "I don't know how the fuck you live with yourself, you fuckin' asshole."
If Paul was going to answer with anything other than a sneer, it was cut off when Jensen called out to Shaun, “All set.” He lifted his bags a little to show them to him. Man, he couldn’t wait to get the fuck out of here. He stepped past his dad, who still occupied as much of the doorway as he could without completely blocking it, bumping against him again as he left the house. His hand caught Shaun’s. “Let’s get out of here.”
“And don’t come back,” Paul repeated, before muttering not quite under his breath, “Faggot.”
Shaun squeezed his hand when he took it, and had just been about to step back and offer to take the bags when Paul used the slur. He froze, then in a second he'd dropped Jensen's hand and spun around, using the momentum to grab his father by the throat, slamming his head into the frame of the door.
"Don't you ever fucking use that word," he said through gritted teeth, and his power surged through his hand before he pushed him back, a satisfied feeling going through him as the man doubled over and vomited violently onto the carpet. "Especially as an insult. And if you ever fuck with my boyfriend again? I will fucking end you, you worthless motherfucker."
He turned and closed the door behind him, smiling at the sound of the man still retching, as Shaun knew he would be for at least the next 24 hours. It wasn't much, but it was something. He took Jensen's bags from him and shouldered them before taking his hand and leading him back to the car. "I'm proud of you," he said quietly, giving him a small smile. "It was really fucking brave of you to go back there."
Jensen looked down, a small, shy smile stealing across his lips at Shaun’s words. He’d never been called brave before and no one had definitely ever said that they were proud of him. “Thanks,” he said back just as quietly and then laughed suddenly because he had to, because he wasn’t going to think about how every step took him farther away from the last time he’d see his sister. “But, dude, that was awesome! I will forever treasure the look on his face when he started vomiting. And you!” He shoulder bumped Shaun, grinning. “You were such a badass! Don't you ever fucking use that word. You sounded like fucking John McClane. Or Batman.”
Reaching the car, Jensen held onto Shaun’s hand as he started to head around to the driver’s door. He grinned at the confused look that got him and tugged on his hand, drawing him back, “C’mere. My badass boyfriend.” The grin softened to a smile and he kissed him right there, in the middle of the sidewalk, in front of his parents’ house. He didn’t give a fuck who saw.
Shaun looked confused for a moment when Jensen didn't go in the car, but it turned into a smile when he saw that grin. His arms wrapped around him, holding him as tight as he safely could with his broken arm, and kissed him hard. They didn't kiss like this often, out in the open, and he wanted to pour everything, all the pride and protectiveness and affection he felt into it, show that he was happy to be with him, to be his boyfriend, and that he was worth all of this.
When he finally pulled away, he smiled and kissed him again on his forehead. "C'mon, babe, let's get going. You can sleep on the way, if you want. You must be exhausted." He was too, but he wasn't about to say that. It wasn't like Jensen was in any condition to drive.
Jensen still didn’t let go of Shaun’s hand. “I think we should get a motel room,” he replied, worried about him. “You’ve been up for hours, babe. I’d drive, but I’m not supposed to with the pain-killers they have me on. Let’s just get some rest and leave in the morning. You must be fucking exhausted.” And if Shaun insisted on driving tonight, that was fine if it was what he wanted, but, there was no way he’d spend the whole drive sleeping and leave his equally tired, if not more so, boyfriend on his own.
“It’s not far from here,” Jensen added encouragingly, then with a bit of typical wry humor, “It’s not the nicest place, but we won’t be checking under the bed for cockroaches either.”
Shaun hesitated. If they drove back now, Jensen would be able to go see Josh early in the morning and would be in pain for less time. But they wouldn’t be back until six, maybe later if they hit morning work traffic, he was completely fucking exhausted.
“Yeah,” he agreed finally, nodding his head and letting out a yawn. “That’s probably a good idea, thanks.” He gave Jensen another quick kiss before heading around to his door, climbing in, and helping his boyfriend with his seatbelt when he got in too. “Which way?”
“Take a left at the end of the street,” Jensen answered, pointing. “Then head back towards the way you came. It’s right by the highway.”
As the car pulled away from the curb, Jensen rested his head back against the headrest, quietly watching out the window as his street passed by for what would be the last time. “I’m sorry,” he said after a moment. “I know I promised not to go home when my dad was there. They weren’t supposed to be there today. That’s why I went when I did. They came home early.”
"Babe, you don't have to apologize to me," Shaun said, parking at the stop sign so he could look over at him. "That is so beyond not your fucking fault. You wanted to see your sister, and I shouldn't have made you fucking promise anything. That was a douche move of me, babe, I'm sorry."
He took his well hand and kissed the knuckles of it before starting the car again, taking the turn. "You don't have to apologize to anyone for this. At the list of people who's fault this is, you're at the, like, fucking bottom of it." Wow, was he articulate as fuck at 3 AM or what? "You deserve being able to go home for a day to give your sister a fucking Christmas present without being attacked."
“It wasn’t a douche move,” Jensen replied because it was the only thing he could think to say. “You were just worried.” No one ever really worried about him. “You’re my boyfriend. You’re allowed to worry.”
Jensen’s street was gone now, behind them, but he didn’t look away from his window. He wouldn’t put himself at the bottom of the list. He wouldn’t put himself even close, and he wasn’t so sure he did deserve to come home. “Thanks for coming to get me.”
"Still, I shouldn't make you promise shit like that. I should, like...find out what you want to do and help you find the safest way to do it." It was possible he'd been reading things online on how to not be a totally shit boyfriend, since he as pretty sure he needed all the help he could get.
He rubbed the back of his palm with his thumb, bringing it up to kiss again. "And of course, dude. I'll always come get you."
What did you say to that? The corners of Jensen’s mouth tugged up just a little in a small smile, “Thanks.” His hand turned over in Shaun’s and he laced their fingers together. “I’ll always come get you too.”
Jensen nodded at the end of the street up ahead of them, “Take a left at the stop sign. You should start seeing signs for the highway--It’s near there.”
The corner of Shaun’s mouth turned up in a smile, but he said nothing, just squeezed his hand tighter.
Sure enough, signs for the motel showed up on the side of the highway, and soon he was clicking on his turn signal and pulling into the motel parking lot. “I’ll go get us a room. Just stay here, I’ll be right back.”
The place was a little run down and largely empty, and it was easy enough to get a room with his fake ID, even if he was in his pajamas. Just a few minutes later, he jogged back to the car, opening the door and shouldering Jensen’s bags. “All set- we’re in 113.”
Jensen got out of the car, closing the door behind him as he said, “You have to let me pay you back for the room.”
The room was nearby, on the first floor, but set back aways which made Jensen feel better. He didn’t think his dad would come looking for them, but that didn’t stop him from worrying. “I’ll get the door. Where’s the key?” A gesture from Shaun answered his question and he dug the card key out of Shaun’s front pocket. Unlocking the door, he pushed it open so Shaun could go inside first.
"I've got the money, and it was cheap anyway, since it was empty. Don't worry about it."
He dropped his bags in the little chair in the corner and sighed, glancing around the room. It was small, but neat and clean enough, so it was good enough for them. His stomach growled and he sighed, combing a hand through his hair as he tried to sort through his options. Finally, he walked over and slid hid hand down Jensen's spine, dropping a soft kiss on his jaw, avoiding a bruise. "Gonna go across the street and grab some food," he said, giving him a little smile. "Be right back, babe."
A few minutes later, he was walking through the dark parking lot, wrapping his hoodie around him tighter, but not putting up the hood. His whole body was wired, hyper-alert, and he couldn't risk the chance of someone coming up behind him, no matter how unlikely he knew it would be that Jensen's dad would be coming for him. The corner of his mouth turned up in a smirk remembering how Jensen's dad had looked, doubled down on the carpet. Yeah, he wouldn't be coming for them tonight.
Once he was inside the convience store-slash-Dunkin-Donuts, he put in his order and dropped down into the seats in the corner, bone tired. Once he made sure he could see the door to their room and the parking lot from where he was, he pulled out his phone and brought up Pietro's name.
Hey dude, for whenever you get this- could you do me a huge favor & tell your old man that there was an emergency & I had to pick up Jensen in Boston? Can't get into it now, but everyone's okay, & we're spending the night in a room off the highway. Too tired to drive back tonight. I'll explain to him & X tomorrow, soon as we're back.
If I don't txt you an eta tomorrow by 10, tell the headmasters & Tessa.
Thanks, man. I'll owe you one. Oh, and don't tell anyone else, please.
He sighed and brought up Tessa's number, scrubbing his face as he tried to figure out what exactly to say. Having to tell someone how fucking stupid he'd been, using his powers, almost took some of the shine off. Almost.
Sage, he finally began typing, In Boston. Situation w/ Backlash's dad came to a head. Everyone's fine, but he's kicked out. I went a little too far, but it was subtle, & am confident I wasn't recognized. Will likely need it dealt with, though, along with locations. Will talk more tomorrow- need to sleep. Told P, but if I don't text with eta by 10 tomorrow, get concerned. Thanks.
His order was up by the time he was finished, so he closed his phone and grabbed the orders, paying and stuffing a ten in the near empty tip jar. It was fucking stupid, but the universe needed to be a little less shitty tonight.
"I'm back," he announced even before he opened the door, not wanting to startle Jensen. He dropped the snacks on the table, cracking open a water for himself as he passed over a small coffee. "Decaf," he said, with an apologetic look. He knew it was a comfort thing for Jay, but he also didn't want to be responsible for him jacked up any higher than he already was tonight.
After a long sip, he tore open a package of salted peanuts, quickly eating two handfuls. "Shit, I was starving. Must've been the powers."
Jensen sat forward in his chair, relinquishing the view of the parking lot he’d had through a space in the curtains to accept the coffee. “Thanks,” he said with a small smile. He opened the top, taking a sip and swallowing as he reached for one of the two breakfast sandwiches Shaun had brought back in addition to the handful of snacks. It smelled amazing and it was only then that he realized how fucking hungry he was.
Folding over the greasy wrapper, Jensen took a big bite out of the sandwich. It was sausage, egg, and cheese on an English muffin, his favorite. Another sip of coffee washed it down. “How much are you regretting being my boyfriend right about now?” he joked.
"Not at all, babe," Shaun said around a mouthful of bacon egg and cheese bagel, swooping down to press a kiss to his cheek. Usually he's make a joke about it being the worst or something along those lines, but today, he didn't want to risk anything being taken the wrong way.
He tore through one sandwich with gusto, then sighed before taking a long pull from his coffee. It was only now that that feeling like his stomach was knawing through itself had begun to subside, and he started into his second sandwich, albeit at a much slower pace.
"I texted Pietro and Tessa," he said between bites, carefully but casually, not wanting to alarm him. "I didn't give her many details, and Pietro even less. Told her that we'd probably have to alter your dad's memories, in case he recognized me." And in case he ratted out the school or tried to find him, but this wasn't the time. "And I just told Pietro that if anyone realizes I'm gone tomorrow, to have them call off the hounds. Didn't want anyone to worry." Unfortunately, kids being gone without notice wasn't something they could afford to wait and see with, ever since River and Laura.
Jensen picked at the bun of his breakfast sandwich, obviously not happy with the news. He understood why Shaun had to do it, but that didn’t mean he liked it. Telling the headmasters was going to suck enough, but he’d already planned on doing it, had already prepared himself. It was different this way though and now even more people knew. It made him feel gross.
“Okay,” Jensen replied, nodding. He set his half-eaten sandwich down on the wrapper, his appetite gone. “What did you tell them? How much?”
Shaun sighed slightly- he'd known that it would upset, but it hadn't kept him from hoping that maybe it'd be okay. He put down his second sandwich, despite his stomach still growling, because he didn't want to seem like he wasn't taking it seriously.
"I didn't tell Pietro anything, just that I had to go to Boston to pick you up and to tell his dad in the morning so they didn't worry. Tessa I didn't give any specifics to, but told her that things came to a head and that, while I don't think he recognized me, that I used my powers, and that someone will probably need to do something about it eventually."
“Alright.” There was nothing Jensen could do now. It had to be done, Pietro and Tessa knew what they did and they’d draw whatever conclusions they did from it. That didn’t make it any easier for him not to worry about it though, or stop him from wishing that Shaun had asked him first.
Jensen pushed his sandwich to the center of the table, “You can have the rest.” He picked up his coffee and stood, taking a sip as he walked away. “I was going to tell the headmasters something had to be done about my family. Alter my parents memories.” He sat down on the edge of the bed and took another sip of the hot coffee, enjoying how it burned as it went down. “Maybe Jacks’ too. Make them think they kicked me out awhile ago, or that I ran away.”
Shaun frowned as Jensen abandoned his sandwich, a sick and uneasy feeling that maybe his decision hadn't been the right one settling into his stomach. He'd had to do it, he knew- someone would have noticed he was gone, and he was still worried that someone would come after them. But still, thinking he might have hurt Jensen, especially tonight, sucked.
His stomach growled again, and he went back to his sandwich, pulling Jensen's abandoned one over to him. "Yeah," he said simply, nodding his head in agreement. "We'll talk to them when we get back. They'll probably have a better idea of what to do."
“Yeah, maybe,” Jensen replied and left it at that. He didn’t know what else to say, didn’t trust himself to say anything. He was angry and hurt and felt so fucking lost right now and all he wanted to do was scream and shout until his throat was raw and hit something.
Jensen finished his coffee and dropped the empty cup into the trash. He leaned over to untie his sneakers, fumbling a little at first before getting the knots undone and toeing the shoes off. Drawing his legs up onto the bed, he lay on his side, fingers picking at a stray piece of bandage near the thumb hole of his cast.
Shaun finished his food in moments, then gathered the wrappers together, throwing them away in the bathroom trash and washing his hands in the small sink.
Coming back in the room, he pulled off his shoes and crawled in bed. Hesitantly, not sure of the atmosphere in the room and what was okay, he placed a hand on his hip, rubbing his thumb against it.
Jensen went tense at first, back rigid and muscles taut, but then he slowly relaxed and rolled over onto his other side to face Shaun. He reached out with his good hand and took hold of the front of his shirt, fingers playing at the hem. All he wanted was to curl into him, fucking bury himself in against him. He wanted to touch him and kiss him and just loose himself in him and forget about this whole fucking night for a little while. “Sorry,” he said quietly. “I’m a fucking mess.”
Shaun shook his head and smiled, wrapping his arms around Jensen. "Nah, you're not," he said quietly, kissing his forehead as he pulled him in against him, holding him to his chest. "Is this okay, babe?" he asked, and combed his fingers through Jensen's hair.
“Yeah,” Jensen replied, unmoving, staying right where he was cradled to the smaller boy. It helped, the stillness, the warm body against his and the fingers in his hair and the quiet, steady thump of Shaun’s heartbeat. He could pull himself back together, and act like everything was okay again. After a moment, he moved, his head tilting so he could press a soft kiss to Shaun’s neck.
Shaun smiled and held Jensen closer, slinging a leg protectively over his and letting his foot stroke lazily against it. "Try and get some sleep, baby," he said gently, leaning in to kiss his forehead. "I'll be here."
Jensen closed his eyes and tucked his head in against Shaun, but replied, “I’m not tired.” He was this weird combination of exhausted and wired, tired but not tired at the same time. His arm was starting to throb too, which wouldn’t help sleep come any easier. “I’m just gonna lay here for a little bit. If that’s okay. You get some sleep.”
Shaun was too tired to argue. Instead, he just nodded and curled up into him a little more, already half gone. "Wake me up if you need anything, babe," he mumbled, before falling fast asleep.
“Night, Shaun,” Jensen said quietly, his thumb slowly swiping back and forth across Shaun’s arm in a caress. “And thanks.”
Soaking in the quiet and the warmth of Shaun curled up beside him, Jensen lay there for a while. His thoughts kept drifting, to his sister, to his dad, to his mom. He replayed the night over and over again, wondered if his room was already emptied out, if they’d ever even notice he was gone or if it would be like he was never even ever there. He wondered if they all, Jacks included, would be happier without him there. Maybe he was the problem. Maybe he’d been what had made his dad and mom what they were, like some sort of fucking cancer. Maybe they’d finally be like all those other families, the ones who loved one another. He wondered and he worried until thoughts were too hard to form and he finally drifted off into a restless sleep.
(TW: Abuse)
“Do you have a ride?” a voice asked.
The voice pulled Jensen from his thoughts and he looked up at its owner, a nurse that could only be a handful of years older than him. He must have looked confused, because the question was repeated and this time it actually registered. “Um, yeah,” he told him. “Yeah, I do. Thanks.” He flashed a faked smile and then looked down at his cellphone, hoping the dude would get the point and leave him alone. The nurse did and left with a ‘Let me know if you need anything’.
Jensen didn’t answer. The last thing he wanted was pity. The doctors and nurses might not know the truth behind his broken arm and bruised face or the reason why he was sitting here alone at 11:00 o’clock at night, but they didn’t have to. Either way, they were looking at him like he was sad and broken and when they looked at him like that he couldn’t ignore that that was exactly how he felt. He wanted that feeling to stay down, he wanted to fucking bury it.
Slouching down into his seat, Jensen tucked his casted arm against his stomach. He looked at his cellphone again. Shaun’s name was in the To field. The message field was empty, as it had been for the last ten minutes. He knew Shaun wouldn’t be angry, but he still couldn’t bring himself to text him. How would he tell him? What would Shaun say? Maybe he would be angry. He had told him not to go home, after all. Maybe he’d finally realize there was something wrong with him. Fuck, he felt sick.
Jensen glanced over at the waiting room desk, then away again when he realized the nurse was watching him. He looked down at his phone again. Shaun Mason glared up at him from the screen and he realized that no matter how mad Shaun might be all Jensen wanted right now was to see him. Exhaling quietly, he typed hey. you awake? and then sent it.
Shaun grabbed his phone from where it was resting on his leg, letting out a small sigh of relief when he saw Jensen's name. He'd texted him probably four times before nine, without any answer, which was strange. He had just decided to have the headmasters call his parents if he hadn't heard from him in the next hour, terrified that something was happening to him.
He opened up the text, chewing at his lip as he tried not to read anything into the shortness and weird seriousness of the text. Yeah, I'm awake. What's up?
Sitting up straighter, Jensen read the reply. He was torn between being relieved Shaun had answered and anxious. Worrying his bottom lip, he wrote a reply, typing slowly since he had only one had to work with, his other still too sore and stiff. can you come pick me up? i missed my bus. He paused before deciding to add, it’s no problem if you can’t. i know it’s a long drive. i can easily figure something else out.
Shaun went cold as he read the text, a sick turn in his stomach. Something had happened, something bad, and instead of texting back, he dialed his number and called, picking at the skin on the side of his finger as he waited for him to pick up.
Jensen’s stomach bottomed out as the phone buzzed in his hand. He stared at it a moment, at Shaun’s name and picture lighting up on the screen. Fuck. He glanced over at the waiting room desk where the nurse was outright staring at him now and then looked away, picking up his phone. “Hey,” he said, nervously playing with the hem of his t-shirt.
"Hey babe." He gave a small sigh of relief, because just hearing the sound of his voice settled him, made him feel like he was at least mostly okay. He pinned the phone between his shoulder and ear as he bent down and started pulling on his shoes. "Where are you? Are you alright?"
If Jensen hadn’t known how to start before he really fucking didn’t now how to start now. He wet his lips and his eyes flicked to the cast on his arm. “Yeah, I’m alright,” he answered and then there was a long pause. “I’m, um, I’m in the hospital. I’m fine, I promise.” He glanced over at the nurse who wasn’t watching anymore, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t listening, “I was screwing around and I tripped. I feel like an idiot.”
Shaun took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, feeling sick. "Fuck, babe," he said quietly, and he grabbed a sweatshirt that was out, one Jensen had left hanging over his chair, and pulled it on over his undershirt. "What did he do to you? Can you leave?" He pulled on his hat and grabbed his keys, then made his way out to the garage. It was after curfew, but what the fuck ever. He'd explain to the headmasters later if he had to.
"I'm getting a car now. What's the address?"
This time Jensen was sure what he felt was relief, even if he felt fucking awful for being the reason that worried tone was in Shaun’s voice. “I’ll text it to you. I’m in the waiting room.” He drew his feet up onto the seat of his chair, worried his bottom lip as he wished they could just skip this part of the conversation and he wouldn’t have to admit what had happened. “Broke my arm. Got a few bruises too,” he said, feeling that mixture of embarrassment and shame crawl over him. “I’m okay.”
"It's okay, babe," he said, his voice going soft when he heard how Jensen's sounded. "It's not your fault."
There was the sound of the car being opened, then starting up, and he was quiet as he backed out of the garage. He normally liked driving at night, but he already wished he could just be there already. "I need to stop for some coffee and I won't be there until 2 am. Can you stay checked in until I get there?"
“Yeah, it shouldn’t be a problem,” Jensen replied, nodding even though Shaun couldn’t see it. “I’ll see you when you get here.” He wished he wasn’t so far away. He wanted to see him now. “Thanks, Shaun.”
"Of course, babe." He paused, then said quietly, "Want to keep me company as I drive, after you send me the address?" It was more for Jensen's sake with his. He knew he'd hate being alone for three whole hours, but also knew that if it were framed as just for him, he'd refuse. "You wouldn't have to talk, if you were tired. We could just keep the line on."
Jensen shifted in his seat, wincing at the jolt of pain it sent through him. “Yeah, if you want,” he answered, honestly relieved he wouldn’t have to sit here alone. Even though he knew better, a part of him couldn’t stop expecting his dad to walk through the door. “I’d like that. I’ll text you and you can call me back when you’re ready?”
"Yeah, that sounds good. I'm going to hang up now, babe. Talk to you in a few minutes."
It was a long drive, but the roads were close to empty, and thanks to speeding, made it there half an hour earlier than expected. "I'm here," he said quietly, pretty sure Jensen was asleep, since he hadn't said anything for the last hour. He turned off his phone and headed inside, going straight up to the desk of the emergency room.
"Hi, I'm Shaun Mason, my friend Jake Jensen checked in earlier tonight? I'm here to pick him up," he said, stifling a yawn as he pulled out his ID, and gave her an apologetic smile. It didn't take long for her to send him back, and he made his way to the room Jensen was staying in, smiling even as his heart sank at the sight of him sleeping, his arm in a cast.
"Hey, Jay," he said quietly, kissing the top of his head and threading his fingers through the hair at the back of his neck. "Wake up, babe. Time to go home."
Jensen stirred, blinking owlishly behind crooked glasses as he realized he’d fallen asleep in his chair. He looked up at Shaun and a sleepy smile broke across his features, “Hey.” Fuck, he was happy to see him. His hand caught his and he tugged him in for a kiss on the lips.
He stood after, looking more awake as he ran a hand through his hair and then fixed his glasses. “Sorry, didn’t mean to fall asleep on you. So much for keeping you company, huh?” he said wryly, because joking was easier than thinking about what had happened or acknowledging that concerned look on Shaun’s face.
"That's alright. It was still nice having you there." He smiled and leaned in to kiss him again, lingering there for a second, just thankful to have him here and mostly in one piece.
When he pulled away, he ruffled Jensen's hair a little, then pulled away, offering up a hand for him. "Are you all set?" He glanced around a little more, eyebrows furrowing as he added, "Where's your stuff?"
Jensen laced his fingers with Shaun’s and his mouth twisted a little, “At my parents’. I didn’t have a chance to grab it,” he answered, then looked pained. “My laptop’s there.” He regretted losing that more than he did anything else, that and the Christmas gift from his sister. “I’m gonna have to text Jacks and see if she can ship it to me or something.” He had no idea how he’d get the money for it to her, but he’d figure something out.
As if he wasn't mad enough already, as soon as Jensen told him that his things were still in his parents' house, his blood boiled. The fuckers didn't even give him time to get his shit before leaving. He didn't even want to know how Jensen had made his way to the hospital.
"That's it," he said, his fists clinching. "Fuck that. We're getting it back."
Jensen’s eyes went wide, “What?” He moved between Shaun and the door and shook his head, going colder and colder the more he thought about it, his brain running through scenario after scenario and none of them ending well. “How? You-you can’t! He said I wasn’t allowed to come back. He’ll be so fucking pissed, Shaun. He’ll hurt you and he won’t give back my stuff.” He stepped in, catching both of Shaun’s hands. “I’m not worth that.”
"Yes, you are," Shaun said firmly, holding his gaze. "You really are, Jay."
He walked out, still holding Jensen's hand, wanting to talk to him outside as opposed to in the waiting room. "It's okay. We'll just go there and demand your stuff. I'll threaten to call the police or something." He held his hand out to stop the protests he expected that to provoke as he continued, "I won't, but I seriously doubt they'll call my bluff on that. They have too much to lose. Best case scenario for them? They have to deal with cops at three am, rather than just giving you your shit and leaving."
He leaned in and kissed him, grasping his neck and rubbing it gently. "It'll be okay, Jensen. If shit gets bad, we'll leave. It'll be okay. You deserve to have your stuff. You bought that laptop yourself."
Jensen worried his bottom lip, staring at him for a long moment, and then hesitantly nodded, “Okay.” He trusted him. If Shaun said it would be okay, he believed him. And just... No one had ever talked to him like that before. No one had ever told him that he deserved things, that he was worth risk, and he selfishly wanted to hold onto that as long as he could, if holding onto it would make it true.
His fingers played with Shaun’s and he leaned in to kiss him again, soft and lingering. “Thanks,” he said when he pulled away, giving him a small smile that became a grin. “Gotta admit, getting under the asshole’s skin would be satisfying.”
Shaun grinned big, giving him a quick, hard kiss. "That's the spirit." He squeezed Jensen's good hand and led him to the car, opening and closing the door behind him. "Let's go wake him the fuck up."
It wasn't a long drive to Jensen's parent's house, and it only pissed him off more when he saw it. A nice, single-family home in Cambridge meant they had to have some money, and yet Jensen owned hardly anything, most of which he bought himself. Taking a deep breath and glancing to Jensen, he removed his gloves and rolled up the sleeves to his hoodie, wanting as much skin as possible exposed. Just in case.
He rang the doorbell once, and when it was ignored, he proceeded to press it over and over, so that the sound bled into one continuous, obnoxious ring. "Wake up, you fuck," he muttered, grinning when the light upstairs came on. He used his free hand to gently move Jensen, putting himself well between his boyfriend and the door. He didn't want his dad to be anywhere near him.
What could only have been seconds standing at the doorstep felt like hours to Jensen. The waiting and not knowing was always the hardest. He liked immediacy. He liked ripping the Band-Aid off and getting it over with, no time to overthink or overanalyze, no time to run through countless scenarios, maybes, and what-ifs. It was why he was so impulsive and while it got him into trouble it kept him sane. …Sane-ish. Right now he wasn’t so sure how sane he was. His emotions were like a fucking broken compass, swaying this way and that, never settling on north. He was afraid and he was worried, and he was angry and he was gleeful in this kind of way that scared him a little. He was all of that individually and he was all of that all at once.
The porch light finally came on and Jensen steeled his shoulders as the door flew open. His dad, tall and solidly built, stood on the other side.
“What the hell--” Paul stopped short when he saw Jensen and his expression darkened. “I told you to never come back.”
Jensen glared at his father in the kind of staunch refusal to cow that usually got him hit, “Trust me, I want to be here even less than you want me here. I just came to get my stuff.”
“Too bad,” was Paul’s reply. He eyed Shaun and then snorted. “Couldn’t face me on your own? You always were a pansy-assed weakling, Jensen. I’ve told your mother a hundred times that I knew you were a waste from the moment you were born.”
"Jesus fuck, what is your fucking problem?" Shaun clinched his fist, but took a breath, working to stay calm. "Look, dude. It's like three in the morning. We're getting his shit no matter what, so why don't you just make this easy for everyone and let us get it so you can go back to bed." As he talked, he subtly shifted his stance, bracing his weight on his back leg, just in case.
The insults made Jensen’s body go taut. It was exactly the kind of thing he’d never wanted Shaun to hear. The shit his parents and his teachers and everyone else said to him, the truth of how people really saw him.”I’m only here because you wouldn’t let me take it in the first place.”
Paul leveled a glare on Shaun, “Or you’ll what?
"I'll fucking come in there and take it," Shaun said angrily, losing his cool. This guy was the biggest jerk he'd ever met in his fucking life, and he wanted nothing more than to kick him in the fucking ribs. "Now get the fuck out of our way." He moved one hand to shove the door open wider, but his whole body was taunt, ready for his dad to react.
The door opened only so far, Paul’s foot and hand holding it in place, “Get off my property or I’ll call the police.”
Jensen looked between his dad and his boyfriend. He took a step in, two fingers protectively catching on Shaun’s wrist. He didn’t trust his dad because he knew one day his dad would start hitting someone and never stop and he didn’t trust himself because Shaun was standing in front of him like a shield and if anything happened to him he’d take his dad apart molecule by fucking molecule.
Every bit of Shaun wanted to just punch the guy in the face, but instead he just laughed. "Yeah, that sounds great. And then we can tell them all about how you fucking beat your kid, right? Great plan, asshole." He stood firm, then added, "Get out of the way."
Paul’s expression fell in slack-jawed shock and then hardened. He opened the door the rest of the way and then stepped, just barely, to the side. His gaze settled on Jensen, expression murderous, “Fine. Get your shit and get out.”
Catching Shaun’s hand, Jensen gave it a small squeeze, “Wait here. I’ll be right back.” He met his dad’s glare and then walked into the house, having no choice but to brush against him as he passed him. His skin fucking crawled from where they’d touched and, as much as he wanted to, he didn’t look over his shoulder to see if his father was following before starting up the stairs.
At the top of them, Jensen was faced with the door to his parents room. It was closed, but he knew his mom had to be standing behind it listening. He turned to walk down the hall and there was his sister standing in her doorway with his bags at her feet. “Jacks,” he said quietly and gave her a smile. “Hey.”
Jacks threw her arms around her brother, hugging him tight. “I’m so sorry, Jake,” she said, her voice muffled against his chest.
“Aw, shh,” Jensen soothed, smoothing a hand down the back of her head. “It’s not your fault. It’s never been your fault, you know that. And besides, I’m fine. Everything’s gonna be fine. I promise, okay?” The words tasted like a lie. He knew he couldn’t really promise that, not when he didn’t even feel close to fine, but he didn’t want her to worry.
“Okay,” Jacks said, but didn’t let him go. Then said quietly, fiercely, “I hate them.”
Jensen kissed the top of her head, quietly replying, “I know. Me too.”
“I love you, Jake.”
Jensen gave his sister a squeeze, “I love you too, Jacks. I have to go though, before dad comes looking for me. But I’ll call you soon, okay? We’ll talk then. And you text me if you ever need anything.” He wished they had more time, but he knew the longer he took the more volatile their father would get.
“Okay,” Jacks replied, not happy about the way things had turned out, but knowing they were for the best. She stepped back and picked up Jensen’s bags, passing them off to him, “Bye.”
“Bye, sis.” Jensen kissed the top of Jack’s head and then left, heading back down the stairs.
Shaun stood across from Paul, watching him carefully as Jensen got his stuff. He half expected him to go after Jensen, and he was ready to strike if he did. He didn't move away from his spot, though, so he just stood there, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Anger was swimming in him, and finally, it broke. "I don't know how the fuck you live with yourself, you fuckin' asshole."
If Paul was going to answer with anything other than a sneer, it was cut off when Jensen called out to Shaun, “All set.” He lifted his bags a little to show them to him. Man, he couldn’t wait to get the fuck out of here. He stepped past his dad, who still occupied as much of the doorway as he could without completely blocking it, bumping against him again as he left the house. His hand caught Shaun’s. “Let’s get out of here.”
“And don’t come back,” Paul repeated, before muttering not quite under his breath, “Faggot.”
Shaun squeezed his hand when he took it, and had just been about to step back and offer to take the bags when Paul used the slur. He froze, then in a second he'd dropped Jensen's hand and spun around, using the momentum to grab his father by the throat, slamming his head into the frame of the door.
"Don't you ever fucking use that word," he said through gritted teeth, and his power surged through his hand before he pushed him back, a satisfied feeling going through him as the man doubled over and vomited violently onto the carpet. "Especially as an insult. And if you ever fuck with my boyfriend again? I will fucking end you, you worthless motherfucker."
He turned and closed the door behind him, smiling at the sound of the man still retching, as Shaun knew he would be for at least the next 24 hours. It wasn't much, but it was something. He took Jensen's bags from him and shouldered them before taking his hand and leading him back to the car. "I'm proud of you," he said quietly, giving him a small smile. "It was really fucking brave of you to go back there."
Jensen looked down, a small, shy smile stealing across his lips at Shaun’s words. He’d never been called brave before and no one had definitely ever said that they were proud of him. “Thanks,” he said back just as quietly and then laughed suddenly because he had to, because he wasn’t going to think about how every step took him farther away from the last time he’d see his sister. “But, dude, that was awesome! I will forever treasure the look on his face when he started vomiting. And you!” He shoulder bumped Shaun, grinning. “You were such a badass! Don't you ever fucking use that word. You sounded like fucking John McClane. Or Batman.”
Reaching the car, Jensen held onto Shaun’s hand as he started to head around to the driver’s door. He grinned at the confused look that got him and tugged on his hand, drawing him back, “C’mere. My badass boyfriend.” The grin softened to a smile and he kissed him right there, in the middle of the sidewalk, in front of his parents’ house. He didn’t give a fuck who saw.
Shaun looked confused for a moment when Jensen didn't go in the car, but it turned into a smile when he saw that grin. His arms wrapped around him, holding him as tight as he safely could with his broken arm, and kissed him hard. They didn't kiss like this often, out in the open, and he wanted to pour everything, all the pride and protectiveness and affection he felt into it, show that he was happy to be with him, to be his boyfriend, and that he was worth all of this.
When he finally pulled away, he smiled and kissed him again on his forehead. "C'mon, babe, let's get going. You can sleep on the way, if you want. You must be exhausted." He was too, but he wasn't about to say that. It wasn't like Jensen was in any condition to drive.
Jensen still didn’t let go of Shaun’s hand. “I think we should get a motel room,” he replied, worried about him. “You’ve been up for hours, babe. I’d drive, but I’m not supposed to with the pain-killers they have me on. Let’s just get some rest and leave in the morning. You must be fucking exhausted.” And if Shaun insisted on driving tonight, that was fine if it was what he wanted, but, there was no way he’d spend the whole drive sleeping and leave his equally tired, if not more so, boyfriend on his own.
“It’s not far from here,” Jensen added encouragingly, then with a bit of typical wry humor, “It’s not the nicest place, but we won’t be checking under the bed for cockroaches either.”
Shaun hesitated. If they drove back now, Jensen would be able to go see Josh early in the morning and would be in pain for less time. But they wouldn’t be back until six, maybe later if they hit morning work traffic, he was completely fucking exhausted.
“Yeah,” he agreed finally, nodding his head and letting out a yawn. “That’s probably a good idea, thanks.” He gave Jensen another quick kiss before heading around to his door, climbing in, and helping his boyfriend with his seatbelt when he got in too. “Which way?”
“Take a left at the end of the street,” Jensen answered, pointing. “Then head back towards the way you came. It’s right by the highway.”
As the car pulled away from the curb, Jensen rested his head back against the headrest, quietly watching out the window as his street passed by for what would be the last time. “I’m sorry,” he said after a moment. “I know I promised not to go home when my dad was there. They weren’t supposed to be there today. That’s why I went when I did. They came home early.”
"Babe, you don't have to apologize to me," Shaun said, parking at the stop sign so he could look over at him. "That is so beyond not your fucking fault. You wanted to see your sister, and I shouldn't have made you fucking promise anything. That was a douche move of me, babe, I'm sorry."
He took his well hand and kissed the knuckles of it before starting the car again, taking the turn. "You don't have to apologize to anyone for this. At the list of people who's fault this is, you're at the, like, fucking bottom of it." Wow, was he articulate as fuck at 3 AM or what? "You deserve being able to go home for a day to give your sister a fucking Christmas present without being attacked."
“It wasn’t a douche move,” Jensen replied because it was the only thing he could think to say. “You were just worried.” No one ever really worried about him. “You’re my boyfriend. You’re allowed to worry.”
Jensen’s street was gone now, behind them, but he didn’t look away from his window. He wouldn’t put himself at the bottom of the list. He wouldn’t put himself even close, and he wasn’t so sure he did deserve to come home. “Thanks for coming to get me.”
"Still, I shouldn't make you promise shit like that. I should, like...find out what you want to do and help you find the safest way to do it." It was possible he'd been reading things online on how to not be a totally shit boyfriend, since he as pretty sure he needed all the help he could get.
He rubbed the back of his palm with his thumb, bringing it up to kiss again. "And of course, dude. I'll always come get you."
What did you say to that? The corners of Jensen’s mouth tugged up just a little in a small smile, “Thanks.” His hand turned over in Shaun’s and he laced their fingers together. “I’ll always come get you too.”
Jensen nodded at the end of the street up ahead of them, “Take a left at the stop sign. You should start seeing signs for the highway--It’s near there.”
The corner of Shaun’s mouth turned up in a smile, but he said nothing, just squeezed his hand tighter.
Sure enough, signs for the motel showed up on the side of the highway, and soon he was clicking on his turn signal and pulling into the motel parking lot. “I’ll go get us a room. Just stay here, I’ll be right back.”
The place was a little run down and largely empty, and it was easy enough to get a room with his fake ID, even if he was in his pajamas. Just a few minutes later, he jogged back to the car, opening the door and shouldering Jensen’s bags. “All set- we’re in 113.”
Jensen got out of the car, closing the door behind him as he said, “You have to let me pay you back for the room.”
The room was nearby, on the first floor, but set back aways which made Jensen feel better. He didn’t think his dad would come looking for them, but that didn’t stop him from worrying. “I’ll get the door. Where’s the key?” A gesture from Shaun answered his question and he dug the card key out of Shaun’s front pocket. Unlocking the door, he pushed it open so Shaun could go inside first.
"I've got the money, and it was cheap anyway, since it was empty. Don't worry about it."
He dropped his bags in the little chair in the corner and sighed, glancing around the room. It was small, but neat and clean enough, so it was good enough for them. His stomach growled and he sighed, combing a hand through his hair as he tried to sort through his options. Finally, he walked over and slid hid hand down Jensen's spine, dropping a soft kiss on his jaw, avoiding a bruise. "Gonna go across the street and grab some food," he said, giving him a little smile. "Be right back, babe."
A few minutes later, he was walking through the dark parking lot, wrapping his hoodie around him tighter, but not putting up the hood. His whole body was wired, hyper-alert, and he couldn't risk the chance of someone coming up behind him, no matter how unlikely he knew it would be that Jensen's dad would be coming for him. The corner of his mouth turned up in a smirk remembering how Jensen's dad had looked, doubled down on the carpet. Yeah, he wouldn't be coming for them tonight.
Once he was inside the convience store-slash-Dunkin-Donuts, he put in his order and dropped down into the seats in the corner, bone tired. Once he made sure he could see the door to their room and the parking lot from where he was, he pulled out his phone and brought up Pietro's name.
Hey dude, for whenever you get this- could you do me a huge favor & tell your old man that there was an emergency & I had to pick up Jensen in Boston? Can't get into it now, but everyone's okay, & we're spending the night in a room off the highway. Too tired to drive back tonight. I'll explain to him & X tomorrow, soon as we're back.
If I don't txt you an eta tomorrow by 10, tell the headmasters & Tessa.
Thanks, man. I'll owe you one. Oh, and don't tell anyone else, please.
He sighed and brought up Tessa's number, scrubbing his face as he tried to figure out what exactly to say. Having to tell someone how fucking stupid he'd been, using his powers, almost took some of the shine off. Almost.
Sage, he finally began typing, In Boston. Situation w/ Backlash's dad came to a head. Everyone's fine, but he's kicked out. I went a little too far, but it was subtle, & am confident I wasn't recognized. Will likely need it dealt with, though, along with locations. Will talk more tomorrow- need to sleep. Told P, but if I don't text with eta by 10 tomorrow, get concerned. Thanks.
His order was up by the time he was finished, so he closed his phone and grabbed the orders, paying and stuffing a ten in the near empty tip jar. It was fucking stupid, but the universe needed to be a little less shitty tonight.
"I'm back," he announced even before he opened the door, not wanting to startle Jensen. He dropped the snacks on the table, cracking open a water for himself as he passed over a small coffee. "Decaf," he said, with an apologetic look. He knew it was a comfort thing for Jay, but he also didn't want to be responsible for him jacked up any higher than he already was tonight.
After a long sip, he tore open a package of salted peanuts, quickly eating two handfuls. "Shit, I was starving. Must've been the powers."
Jensen sat forward in his chair, relinquishing the view of the parking lot he’d had through a space in the curtains to accept the coffee. “Thanks,” he said with a small smile. He opened the top, taking a sip and swallowing as he reached for one of the two breakfast sandwiches Shaun had brought back in addition to the handful of snacks. It smelled amazing and it was only then that he realized how fucking hungry he was.
Folding over the greasy wrapper, Jensen took a big bite out of the sandwich. It was sausage, egg, and cheese on an English muffin, his favorite. Another sip of coffee washed it down. “How much are you regretting being my boyfriend right about now?” he joked.
"Not at all, babe," Shaun said around a mouthful of bacon egg and cheese bagel, swooping down to press a kiss to his cheek. Usually he's make a joke about it being the worst or something along those lines, but today, he didn't want to risk anything being taken the wrong way.
He tore through one sandwich with gusto, then sighed before taking a long pull from his coffee. It was only now that that feeling like his stomach was knawing through itself had begun to subside, and he started into his second sandwich, albeit at a much slower pace.
"I texted Pietro and Tessa," he said between bites, carefully but casually, not wanting to alarm him. "I didn't give her many details, and Pietro even less. Told her that we'd probably have to alter your dad's memories, in case he recognized me." And in case he ratted out the school or tried to find him, but this wasn't the time. "And I just told Pietro that if anyone realizes I'm gone tomorrow, to have them call off the hounds. Didn't want anyone to worry." Unfortunately, kids being gone without notice wasn't something they could afford to wait and see with, ever since River and Laura.
Jensen picked at the bun of his breakfast sandwich, obviously not happy with the news. He understood why Shaun had to do it, but that didn’t mean he liked it. Telling the headmasters was going to suck enough, but he’d already planned on doing it, had already prepared himself. It was different this way though and now even more people knew. It made him feel gross.
“Okay,” Jensen replied, nodding. He set his half-eaten sandwich down on the wrapper, his appetite gone. “What did you tell them? How much?”
Shaun sighed slightly- he'd known that it would upset, but it hadn't kept him from hoping that maybe it'd be okay. He put down his second sandwich, despite his stomach still growling, because he didn't want to seem like he wasn't taking it seriously.
"I didn't tell Pietro anything, just that I had to go to Boston to pick you up and to tell his dad in the morning so they didn't worry. Tessa I didn't give any specifics to, but told her that things came to a head and that, while I don't think he recognized me, that I used my powers, and that someone will probably need to do something about it eventually."
“Alright.” There was nothing Jensen could do now. It had to be done, Pietro and Tessa knew what they did and they’d draw whatever conclusions they did from it. That didn’t make it any easier for him not to worry about it though, or stop him from wishing that Shaun had asked him first.
Jensen pushed his sandwich to the center of the table, “You can have the rest.” He picked up his coffee and stood, taking a sip as he walked away. “I was going to tell the headmasters something had to be done about my family. Alter my parents memories.” He sat down on the edge of the bed and took another sip of the hot coffee, enjoying how it burned as it went down. “Maybe Jacks’ too. Make them think they kicked me out awhile ago, or that I ran away.”
Shaun frowned as Jensen abandoned his sandwich, a sick and uneasy feeling that maybe his decision hadn't been the right one settling into his stomach. He'd had to do it, he knew- someone would have noticed he was gone, and he was still worried that someone would come after them. But still, thinking he might have hurt Jensen, especially tonight, sucked.
His stomach growled again, and he went back to his sandwich, pulling Jensen's abandoned one over to him. "Yeah," he said simply, nodding his head in agreement. "We'll talk to them when we get back. They'll probably have a better idea of what to do."
“Yeah, maybe,” Jensen replied and left it at that. He didn’t know what else to say, didn’t trust himself to say anything. He was angry and hurt and felt so fucking lost right now and all he wanted to do was scream and shout until his throat was raw and hit something.
Jensen finished his coffee and dropped the empty cup into the trash. He leaned over to untie his sneakers, fumbling a little at first before getting the knots undone and toeing the shoes off. Drawing his legs up onto the bed, he lay on his side, fingers picking at a stray piece of bandage near the thumb hole of his cast.
Shaun finished his food in moments, then gathered the wrappers together, throwing them away in the bathroom trash and washing his hands in the small sink.
Coming back in the room, he pulled off his shoes and crawled in bed. Hesitantly, not sure of the atmosphere in the room and what was okay, he placed a hand on his hip, rubbing his thumb against it.
Jensen went tense at first, back rigid and muscles taut, but then he slowly relaxed and rolled over onto his other side to face Shaun. He reached out with his good hand and took hold of the front of his shirt, fingers playing at the hem. All he wanted was to curl into him, fucking bury himself in against him. He wanted to touch him and kiss him and just loose himself in him and forget about this whole fucking night for a little while. “Sorry,” he said quietly. “I’m a fucking mess.”
Shaun shook his head and smiled, wrapping his arms around Jensen. "Nah, you're not," he said quietly, kissing his forehead as he pulled him in against him, holding him to his chest. "Is this okay, babe?" he asked, and combed his fingers through Jensen's hair.
“Yeah,” Jensen replied, unmoving, staying right where he was cradled to the smaller boy. It helped, the stillness, the warm body against his and the fingers in his hair and the quiet, steady thump of Shaun’s heartbeat. He could pull himself back together, and act like everything was okay again. After a moment, he moved, his head tilting so he could press a soft kiss to Shaun’s neck.
Shaun smiled and held Jensen closer, slinging a leg protectively over his and letting his foot stroke lazily against it. "Try and get some sleep, baby," he said gently, leaning in to kiss his forehead. "I'll be here."
Jensen closed his eyes and tucked his head in against Shaun, but replied, “I’m not tired.” He was this weird combination of exhausted and wired, tired but not tired at the same time. His arm was starting to throb too, which wouldn’t help sleep come any easier. “I’m just gonna lay here for a little bit. If that’s okay. You get some sleep.”
Shaun was too tired to argue. Instead, he just nodded and curled up into him a little more, already half gone. "Wake me up if you need anything, babe," he mumbled, before falling fast asleep.
“Night, Shaun,” Jensen said quietly, his thumb slowly swiping back and forth across Shaun’s arm in a caress. “And thanks.”
Soaking in the quiet and the warmth of Shaun curled up beside him, Jensen lay there for a while. His thoughts kept drifting, to his sister, to his dad, to his mom. He replayed the night over and over again, wondered if his room was already emptied out, if they’d ever even notice he was gone or if it would be like he was never even ever there. He wondered if they all, Jacks included, would be happier without him there. Maybe he was the problem. Maybe he’d been what had made his dad and mom what they were, like some sort of fucking cancer. Maybe they’d finally be like all those other families, the ones who loved one another. He wondered and he worried until thoughts were too hard to form and he finally drifted off into a restless sleep.
