King Nothing 5/5

[rose_the_hat]

Title: King Nothing
Author: rose_the_hat
Pairing: Jared Padalecki/Jensen Ackles
Rating: NC-17
Word Count 31,000-ish
Summary: In which Jensen is a powerful mob boss who has been kidnapped and Jared is his Enforcer willing to do anything to get him back
Warnings:allusions to past molestation and prostitution; graphic torture; blink-and-you-miss-it bottom Jared; PTSD
Notes:This is a companion piece to The Power Behind The Throne from Jared's POV. Yes, you do need to read/have read that to understand this.

I never planned on writing from Jared’s POV, so any inconsistencies you may notice from the previous story and this one, just chalk them up to me doing a little retconning or Jared being an unreliable narrator.

Huge thanks to jdl71 for doing the beta and being an awesome cheerleader and support even when I kept sending her the same parts multiple times to read.

Fic title and chapter titles are all Metallica songs.





5 – The Memory Remains

After Jensen had woken up, and Petey had dropped his fucking bomb about going back to Brooklyn, Jared had been too exhausted to disobey Jensen’s order to climb into bed with him and sleep. For the first time in days his sleep is not plagued by nightmares of Jensen dead and rotting. For some reason all his dreams are about Jensen reclining on a mountain of fluffy pillows, wearing a toga and a laurel wreath crown while Jared feeds him grapes. He’d take peaceful dreams like that any day.

He doesn’t know how long he’s been asleep as he gradually returns to consciousness. The first thing he is aware of is two soft voices speaking. One was Jensen and the other belonged to Kane.

“Y’all kept that shit locked down. Now, Little Jay’s frantic behavior, his obsession to get you back, makes a lot more sense now. How long y’all been a couple?”

“Almost from the start.” Jensen says, voice warm with fondness.

“That long?” Kane replies. “That’s been, what? Fifteen, sixteen years now? Goddamn, Jen.”

“Shhh,” Jensen says sharply. Jared can feel Jensen petting his filthy hair. He really should get up if only to take a shower he very sorely needs.

“I gotta say I’m a little pissed off you didn’t trust us Inner Circle guys enough to tell us. You gotta know that we wouldn’t tell.”

“My private life is just that, Christian—private.” The use of Kane’s actual name throws Jared’s sleep fogged mind. Jensen’s rockin’ that cold Big Boss Man voice. If Jared were more awake his dick would more than likely be chubbin’ up.

“Yeah, yeah,” Kane says dismissively. “It makes me feel good knowin’ you’ve had someone all these years. Not just empty flings. The older I get the more I realize that’s no way to live.”

“No, it’s not. Jare and I are the real deal. We all need to have a talk, regroup, once Jared is better.”

“What about you, Boss? How’re you feelin’? Want to order some food? Kitchen staff is all on standby.”

“I’m okay. Once Jared wakes up, both of us will eat a feast fit for a Roman orgy.”

“A Roman orgy, eh?” Jared can hear the grin in Kane’s voice. “You guys are into kinky shit, huh?”

“Fuck off, Kane,” Jensen retorts with no heat. “Tell Jase I’ll come see him as soon as I can.”

“I take it I’m being dismissed, Boss?”

“You are.”

“Okay. Take it easy, Jensen.”

He hears Kane leave. As he’s beginning to drift off, Jensen speaks. “How much of that did you hear?”

Jared takes his time opening his eyes and when he does his heart leaps when he sees Jensen’s handsome, smiling face gazing oh so lovingly down at him. He looks well-rested and some color is back in his face. Jared feels a knot of tension he hadn’t been aware of loosen. He yawns and pushes up into a more seated position. Oh, Christ, he’s fucking sore and achy and he reeks to high heaven and low hell. How the fuck had Jensen sat there letting him stink up the bed like this? He wants to kiss Jensen so bad but he does have some decorum. He’s subjected Jensen to enough of his foul odors, he’ll not subject him to whatever his mouth probably tastes like. He smacks his dry mouth. Ass. Yeah his mouth tastes like ass, not the clean sexy musky kind of ass, like the ass of road kill. Jesus.

“Heard you use that sex-ass Big Boss Man voice,” he leans in, not even aware he’s doing it, but when he realizes he is he backs away. Jensen’s arm shoots out, yanks him forward, and smashes their mouths together in a hard needy kiss. They kiss until they need air and only separate enough to draw in breath.

“I love you, Jare, but you really, really stink. How about we get clean and maybe a little dirty in the Jacuzzi tub?”

Jared is more than on board with that.


Although they got handsy and lingered over one another’s cocks and balls they mostly soaked and dozed and let the swirling jets soothe their achy muscles. With utmost care, they shaved the scraggly beards from one another’s faces. As Jared shaved Jensen with the mother of pearl handled straight razor, he felt unworthy of the trust his man still had in him after Jared had allowed him to be abducted. Jensen’s unwavering trust means the world to him and it felt incredible to have Jensen back with him and safe. He was never going to let Jensen out of his sight again.

The sun is hot and bright on the veranda. In slacks and button up shirts, they lounge in Adirondack chairs awaiting the massive meal Jensen has ordered for them. Jensen seems to glory in the sunshine like a cat, though his eyes are covered with Ray Bans, as they sip their respective brand of fine Scotches.

“How are you, Jared, really?” Jensen asks.

Jared can feel the weight of his gaze, even behind the dark lenses. “Perfect.”

“No…cravings?” Jensen inquires further with a little lift of a brow.

“No. You don’t need to worry, Jense.” He reaches over and takes Jensen’s hand, giving a firm reassuring squeeze. “I just needed something to help me stay awake.” He feels better than he has since before this whole ordeal started. He’s relaxed, well-rested after a sixteen hour sleep, and squeaky clean from a very thorough bath with his man. In a few minutes he’s going to eat the biggest and best meal of his life.

Jensen holds his gaze for several moments before nodding, seeming satisfied with Jared’s answer. “Well, if you think you are headed for trouble, I’ll get you any and all the help you need.” He squeezes Jared’s hand back.

From the bedroom they hear a sharp rap on the door. Food! Jared starts to immediately salivate and Jensen grins, looking like a kid on Christmas.

“Come in!” Jensen shouts. “We are literally starving.”

Jared does not find Jensen’s little joke at all funny. His appetite wanes a little until the Ackles’ long-time housekeeper Samantha Smith, a slender attractive blonde woman in her late forties, enters. A battalion of kitchen workers follow bearing trays of the heavenly smelling foods that Jensen and Jared requested.

“Here you go, sirs,” she says indicating the trays. “I believe this is everything you asked for. Kobe Filet Minion, BLT, and double bacon cheeseburger, eggplant parmigiana, assorted fresh tropical fruits, buttermilk biscuits, bagels, mashed potatoes, asparagus with hollandaise, steamed broccoli, roasted Brussels sprouts, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, roasted turkey breast, and Caesar salad. Your desserts of Devil’s Food cake and cherry cheesecake will be up directly. Do you want anything else?”

Jared will give her props for asking that with a straight face.

“Pie,” Jensen replies, already reaching for two different dishes. “Banana crème and cherry lattice.”

“Of course, Mr. Ackles.”

“Cookies,” Jared says, spearing a piece of asparagus, coated in the rich yellow sauce. “The thin crispy kind with toffee and brown butter.”

“Of course, Mr. Padalecki.

“And coffee. Lotsa black coffee. And cream for Jare.” Jensen says, before shoving the BLT into his face.

She waits another moment to see if anything else will be requested before she and the kitchen staff depart.

“Shoulda asked for tiramisu,” Jared says absently. He plunges a chicken leg into his dish of mashed potatoes before deboning it in a single huge bite.

Conversation is suspended as they stuff their faces, eating with little decorum or manners. Both men have second helpings of most things but stop short of three in favor of waiting for their desserts. The kitchen staff removes the demolished dishes of their first course and Ms. Smith sets down their respective desserts, Devil’s Food Cake and pie for Jensen and cheesecake and cookies for Jared. She leaves a pot of coffee and a pint of cream.

Jared pours himself a cup, adding half of the fresh sweet cream.

“Goddamn, Jared. If I churned that cup of coffee, I’d end up with coffee flavored butter. It’s indecent.”

Jared throws his head back and laughs. It feels so damn good. It feels normal.

Having eaten as much as they can hold—although Jensen keeps picking at the flaky pie crust—Jared decides it’s time to discuss the future of the Organization and his role in it. He sinks back in his chair and lights a cigar, thinking how to broach the subject.

“Jensen…do…do you think you’ll have kids?”

“Where did that come from?” Jensen asks. Fifteen years and Jared thinks he has genuinely shocked his lover.

“Just…” Jared stops, unsure how to phrase what he’s trying to say. “The Organization is a family business: your grandfather, your father, and now you. Don’t you think you should have a son or daughter to take over?”

“Jared, where’s this coming from?” He looked both puzzled and horrified, handsome features scrunched up. “Do you want us to have kids? Is that what you’re trying to say?”

Jared sighs heavily; he is not doing this at all well. “No, Jensen. I wouldn’t know the first thing about being a father or co-parenting with you. But you shouldn’t let that decide if you want to have a kid.”

“Jared, whatever we do, we do together.” He takes Jared’s hand. “I’m fine not having children. My dad never drilled it into me that I had to have an heir to leave the Organization to. He just insisted it be someone I trust. That is you. I trust you with everything I am, and everything I have.”

“That’s just it, Jensen. You need to name someone else as your successor. I don’t have the skills or temperament to be the Big Boss Man. I about went over the fucking edge. If Petey hadn’t been there to call be back I would have and Petey’s not here anymore. I don’t trust myself; neither should you, not in this.”

Jensen gazes at him for a long time before he nods. “Okay,” he says softly, giving Jared’s hand a squeeze. “If you think that’s best.”

“I do. I’m exactly where I want to be, Jense, your Enforcer doing the nasty stuff: hits and interrogations. That’s where I belong.”

“You’ve given me something big to think about.” He sips his coffee, gazes out into the lush back gardens.

“I’d pick Kane or Tommy Blue,” Jared says. “Either man is much more level headed than I. Serious, but not crazy like me.” He takes a pull off his cigar.

Jensen appears thoughtful for several moments before saying, “Jared, you’re not crazy.”

“I know I’m not right in the top story,” Jared says, sighing and smiling, loving Jensen all the more for defending him, even from himself. “Don’t bullshit a bullshitter.”

“Okay, okay. You are a tad unhinged. I knew that when you gave me Chad Murray’s eyeballs, but maybe that turns me on.”

They sit in silence for a long time watching the sun move across the sky. Jared feels warm and drowsy with a full stomach, the sun on his skin, excellent alcohol, and the man he loves beside him. Life should always be like this.

“Why isn’t Mad Mike in the IC?” Jared asks finally. “Do you not like him? Or trust him?”

“Neither of those, really. I knew Mike when he was a kid slinging on the corner. My Dad gave him his promotions. I’m familiar with him but not close to him like I am the other guys. Why?”

“I like him. A lot. Since Petey has gone back to Brooklyn maybe Fate is trying to tell us something.”



Jared is drenched in sweat, beneath him Jensen arches and moans, hands fisted in Jared’s hair as he blows him. As close as Jared came to losing Jensen it feels incredible to make love to him again, reaffirm their intimacy, their bond. The feel of him, hard, throbbing, and alive in his mouth, the taste of him, salty and bitter on his tongue, Jared can’t get enough.

“Jared. Jared. Jared. Please. I’m gonna cum, but I want you in me when I do. Please, Sir.”

Jared pulls off of Jensen’s length with a filthy wet pop. He gets up on his knees, his own aching cock slapping against his lower belly. He grasps Jensen’s thighs and wraps them around his hips.

“This what my baby wants?” Jared grips the base of his cock and pushes at Jensen’s slick entrance.

Jensen’s eyes roll in his head and he mewls. “Oh God, yes. Please, Sir. Give it to me. Missed you so much.”

Jared bends and takes his mouth in a deep bruising kiss. When he pulls back they are both breathless. “I love you more than anything, Jensen.”

Jensen gazes up at him so open and trusting and Jared hates that he failed him. It was his fault for not being more alert that Jensen was ever in danger. “I know, Jared,” Jensen replies, the power dynamic between them momentarily suspended.

“I wouldn’t want to go on without you, wouldn’t know how. You are everything to me. I live to make you happy, keep you safe, and I….” His voice wavers.

“Jared. You do. Your faith in yourself has been shaken, but not mine.” That’s the Big Boss Man voice and Jared’s erection, which started to flag, perks back up. “Now, if you do not fuck me with that gorgeous cock of yours, Sir, so help me God, I will dust off one of my old dildos and do it myself!”

Sometime later, after having come his brains out, Jared finds himself ripped from sleep by the most ear-splitting shriek he has ever heard. Their bedroom is pitch dark and Jared fumbles for some kind of light, as that shriek continues punctuated by thrashing. He grabs his phone and turns on the flashlight app. The LED fills the immediate area around their bed with light. Jared turns and realizes it’s Jensen who is shrieking and thrashing. He hadn’t even known Jensen could make such a shrill sound. His eyes are wide with terror as he stares around seeing but not seeing.

“Jensen!” Jared shouts. He leaps from the bed and runs for the light switch. He slams his hand against it and light floods the room, fills every corner. Jensen ceases shrieking. His eyes are still wide and he’s breathing as if he’s just run a race.

Jared hurries back over to join him on their bed, cautiously puts an arm around him. He’s clammy with sweat. “It’s okay, baby.”

“Fuck,” Jensen pants. The stark terror fades from his eyes. “I hate the fucking dark.”

Jared nods and kisses his damp temple.




“How do I look?” Jensen asks, striking a sexy model pose, sucking in his cheeks in an attempt at Blue Steel. Jared loves that he gets to see this playful side of Jensen.

Jared gave Jensen a critical eye. Jensen is a little thinner than he was before but it looked good on him; leaner, tighter. The three-piece slim-fit Givenchy suit looked spectacular on him; hugged those broad shoulders and tapered down to his trimmer waist. Jared strolled over to his man.

“Look good enough to eat, baby,” Jared husked gripping his hips while leaning in and nuzzling Jensen’s neck, inhaling his Chanel Bleu parfum. “Sure we can’t stay home and I do just that?”

Jared was not looking forward to getting back into their regular routine. He didn’t want Jensen out of his sight for a single second. Before, Jared never realized how often Jensen was away from him: business meetings, luncheons, conferences, even the odd charity gala. Jared had thought he had always been at his man’s side but he wasn’t. He was with Jensen at the Ackles Compound or dealing with Organization business, but Jensen went alone and unaccompanied when he was in his CEO and philanthropist mode. Usually when Jensen was at Ackles Enterprises Jared was with Petey, collecting from the rackets or doing anything else that needed to be done. Jared accompanying Jensen everywhere within the Ackles Enterprises building would be a little weird. Not many if any legitimate CEOs were accompanied by armed bodyguards. Maybe Jensen could get him a job doing something at Ackles Enterprises, he’d clean toilets or push a mail cart, he wasn’t picky; then, he could always be hanging around Jensen and it wouldn’t be odd.

Jensen gently pushed him away. “No, Jare. I am a somewhat public figure and I have a company to run. I need to get back to that. Tommy Blue did an excellent job while I was gone but I am the CEO.”

Jared nodded. “Okay.”

“Since I don’t have a driver anymore,” Jensen’s handsome face twisted into a snarl before smoothing out. “I should probably find the keys to my BMW.”

“I’ll drive you,” Jared rushed to say. “Any excuse to get behind Celeste’s wheel I’m all for it.”

Jensen snorted and shook his head. “I can’t believe you named your car Celeste.”

“Shut up,” Jared pouts. He’ll take no slights against the only lady in his life.

“Okay.” Jensen rests his hand on Jared’s lower back and guides him out of their room. “I expect you to see to your normal duties while I’m at work, Jared.” There was that Big Boss Man voice again but it sparked no desire in Jared this time.

Jared opens his mouth to offer some excuse or make some offer to stay with him but Jensen cuts across him. “No, Jared. See to your responsibilities and I will call you to come pick me up when my day is done. Understand?”

Jared’s stomach flops inside him. “Yes, sir.”

Jared loves his Bentley—Celeste—a gorgeous classy lady if there ever was one, and she handles like a dream as Jared navigated her down the highway toward Ackles Enterprises. Jensen was in the back seat, sunglasses over his eyes—Jensen’s eyes were very sensitive to light now and he always wore heavily tinted sunglasses most of the day—glued to his phone, a briefcase of papers open on the seat beside him. He was in full CEO mode and it was hot and very soothing to see. Still, Jared intended to call Aldis and have him link Jared’s phone to all the security cameras in Jensen’s office building. He couldn’t have his physical eyes on him but he could still watch over him.

Jared gets off of the highway heading into downtown Dallas when he hears Jensen say his name from the backseat.

“Jared. Jared, please,” his voice is hoarse and his breathing ragged.

Jared turns in the driver’s seat to look at his man. His face is chalk-white and beads of sweat dot his forehead. His eyes are wide and startled.

“What? What is it?” Jared’s going for his gun.

“Stop the car. Pull over. I have to get out of here. I gotta get out. I can’t…I can’t breathe.” Jensen is clawing at the door handle.

Jared’s eyes scan the surroundings. He finds a laundromat and pulls into the parking lot. As soon as the car stops moving Jensen explodes out of the back. Jared immediately follows him. He’s bent at the waist and breathing heavily, clutching his chest.

Oh, Christ, no! Was Jensen having a heart attack? Doc Morgan had assured them both that no damage had been done to Jensen’s heart muscle despite the starvation and dehydration. But maybe it was some other underlying cause, and Jensen’s own father died of a heart attack. He puts his gun back in his holster and grabs his phone, already pulling up Doc Morgan’s contact screen.

Jared is well aware that he is fucked up from events in his past—it’s why he needs to be in control of sex, although on very rare occasions, he will let Jensen tap his ass—it’s reasonable to think that Jensen may be a little scarred from everything he endured. He dismisses the heart attack theory and comes to the more reasonable conclusion that Jensen is having a panic attack.

He shields Jensen from the view of passersby and places a hand on his back. “It’s okay. You’re okay,” he says softly. “Just breathe for me, baby. It’s okay.”

Several minutes pass like that, Jared whispering soothing words to his man, and scowling at anyone who glances their way. He’s sure people mean well but they can fuck off.

Gradually Jensen’s breathing calms. He stands and exhales a long breath. “I don’t know what happened,” Jensen says, his wide eyes still harboring a touch of fear in their depths. “It just…it seemed too cramped back there or something. No offence to Celeste, but I had to get out.”

Jared nods, brows pulling together. He gets it. Same way he gets that Jensen needs to sleep with the lights on now. “We’ll take an SUV next time you need to go anywhere. More space.” Jared pauses for a beat before asking, “Does this mean we can’t go spelunking in the Carlsbad Caverns for our next anniversary?”

Jensen looks at him incredulously before scoffing. “Oh, fuck off, you asshole,” Jensen says but he’s smiling big and bright, color returning to his face. His eyes are soft and fond as he gazes up at Jared. Jensen is never more beautiful than when he’s smiling and Jared will do everything in his power to see that he keeps doing it.




“Jared, for god’s sake! How many fucking clothes do you need? Do I even need to mention fucking shoes and hats! Then there are the watches and cufflinks! Your shit is gonna take up all the space in my closet. And dresser!” Jensen rants as Jared moves more of his clothing into Jensen’s—no, their room.

Since the guys know they are a couple Jensen and Jared have decided to abandon all pretense and Jared’s moving into the third floor master suite.

Jared grins. “Well, who insists on giving me a watch whenever the fuck they feel like it? Hmm?”

“Not true,” Jensen counters. “I give you watches for our anniversary.”

“Yeah, and there have been fifteen of them, Jense. And I adore them all.” He bends and places a kiss on Jensen’s pouting mouth.

“Yeah, well,” Jensen sulks.

“I love nice clothes, Jensen. I never had any growing up. If my things are crowding you, I’ll move them back to the downstairs bedroom and use that closet.”

Jensen’s sulky expression melts to one of soft sympathy. “That’s not what I meant at all, Jare. I want you to have all the nice things you used to dream about. This room—hell, the whole fucking house—is as much yours as mine. I was just busting your fashionista balls.”

Jared grips Jensen’s hips. “I can think of more fun things you can do to my balls, baby.”




Jensen strolls out of the en suite, inky black pajama pants low on his hips. “What are you reading?” he asks, turning on all the lights before climbing into bed.

“Letter from Petey. Wish that big bastard would use email like everyone else.” He passes the letter to Jensen.

“Parks Department, huh?” Jensen says, indicating Peter’s new job.

“Yeah. Seems really happy with it, doesn’t he?” Jared can’t help the grin. He is so glad that Pete has found a job that makes him happy and resonates with his love of nature.

Jensen passes the letter back. “He does. And good for him. Tell him when you write back I’m glad the oncologist I sent to his mother is helping.”

“I feel kinda bad,” Jared says, folding the letter up and placing it with the others in his nightstand.

“Why?”

“Because Petey’s been gone three months now and I hardly think about him. I miss him, he was a constant in my life for over twenty years, but…” He sighs and runs a hand through his hair.

“Hey,” Jensen says, taking his hand. “You remember what Peter said when he left, you didn’t need him anymore. He was right. You have me. We have each other.” They share a tender kiss.

Jensen returns to looking over contracts and spreadsheets while Jared goes back to the book about the Bonanno crime family he’s reading on his Kindle. It’s quiet and ridiculously domestic and Jared has never been happier.

“I want to get the guys together soon,” Jensen says sometime later. “I need to thank them for everything they—and you—did for me.”

“Jense, you don’t have to thank me or them. Everything I do I do because you’re my life and I love you. Your friends love you.”

Color blooms across Jensen’s cheeks. His eyes go liquid and soft. He sways forward and they are kissing, gentle brushes of lips and tongues. The older Jared gets, the more he realizes that kissing can be more intimate, more sexual, than the actual act of making love, sharing taste and breath with another person.

“More than that, though,” Jensen says after they part. “I need to name a successor.”

“So, who’s it gonna be? Kane or Tommy Blue.” Jared doesn’t care who it is, he is just glad it isn’t him anymore.

“Neither. Here’s the thing. When I die, I know you will soon follow, either from heartbreak or by your own hand, so it can’t be you, in addition to your own misgivings. If I decide to retire, a member of the IC, who are my age, or a couple of years older than me, will be too old. No, I have someone younger in mind,” Jensen says cryptically.




The dining room is ablaze with light, even the drapes are pulled back from the windows to let in the waning light of the balmy summer night. It has been a long while since the dining room has been so elaborately decorated but it’s a special occasion. Mad Mike Rosenbaum is being formally enfolded into Jensen’s Inner Circle. That isn’t the only reason for this intimate get-together. Jensen is addressing the issue of succession. He has been very tight-lipped about the whole thing since their little talk a month ago. Regardless of who it is, Jared trusts Jensen to make the right choice.

Unlike the Dinner Party so long ago, the table is round, for the more intimate gathering. Jared on Jensen’s immediate right and the other IC members will choose where they would like to sit. The seat on Jensen’s left empty.

Lazy Jase, helped by Kane, enters the dining room. Jensen gives his old friend a gentle hug and whispers something to him. The small caliber bullet had pressed against a nerve in Jase’s spine causing temporary paralysis from swelling. Once the bullet had been removed, the swelling went down, and Jase regained feeling in his lower limbs. He needs a little physical therapy but he’s well-recovered. Any other assistance he needs Jared and Jensen will see that he gets it. Stevie Guitar strolls in. Everyone greets him with a wave. Jensen gives him a handshake and a one armed hug before he takes a seat by Lazy Jase.

Tommy and Mike walk in together, hands clasped. Jensen greets Tommy as he had everyone else with a handshake and hug, then motions for him to sit. Mike goes to follow, but Tommy shakes his head. Mike shifts a bit awkwardly as he stands there.

Jensen stands and the guys cease their banter. “Mr. Rosenbaum,” Jensen says, not exactly his Big Boss Man voice but more formal than what Jared is used to. He makes a sweeping gesture with his arm toward the group of men seated around the table. “Welcome to the Inner Circle.”

Mike’s face lights up. “Aww shit! For real? Kick fucking ass!” He does a little fist pump.

Jared can’t hide his grin at Jensen’s flummoxed expression. “Mr. Rosenbaum,” that was the Big Boss Man voice if Jared ever heard it and his dick fucking twitched in response. “Men in my Inner Circle conduct themselves with a certain dignity and decorum. You would be smart to do likewise. Tommy, keep your man in line.”

Mike immediately cows. “Yes, sir. Of course. My apologies.” He takes his seat next to Tommy Blue.

“It’s great to see you all again and be here with you,” Jensen begins.

“Good to see you, too, Boss,” Stevie says.

The other IC members pound the table with their fists and make similar statements. Jared saw the color rising in Jensen’s cheeks as he shakes his head. Their cheers taper off and Jensen clears his throat.

“Thank you for that, guys,” he smiles that adorable and somehow bashful smile. “I owe every one of you a debt that can never be repaid. Suffice it to say if you need anything, anything, consider it yours.”

“Aww, come on, Jensen. We’re your friends,” Kane says sounding annoyed. “You don’t owe us anything.”

“Be that as it may, the offer still stands. Now, the purpose of this meeting, apart from welcoming Mad Mike into our little cabal, is that there is someone else I wish to induct into our ranks.” A murmur goes around the table and curious expressions are exchanged. Jared locks gazes with Jensen and knows that he alone understands that the man who comes through that door is who Jensen has chosen for his successor. Jensen turns toward the doors. “Do come in, Mr. Ford.”

The doors to the dining room open and a handsome blond young man walks in, straight-backed, but with an easy loping grace. Jared has a moment of déjà vu so strong it’s almost disorienting. He feels as if he were looking at himself only with very deliberate changes. The kid, Colin, is tall and lanky, his blond hair is a bit long but styled in a fashionable deliberately messy way, his blue eyes are big and soulful but radiate caution and coldness. He is young, probably not even twenty. He is stylishly dressed in a burgundy suit—decent suit but not designer, Jared would recognize such—his oxfords are a little scuffed but in good repair, and a skinny black tie. More than ever Jared feels he was never the right choice to take over. He would have gone with the safe easy choice for successor, a member of the IC or other high-ranking member of the Organization. Jensen has chosen someone with a little experience but still young enough to be moldable.

“This is Mr. Colin Ford. I believe you may be acquainted with Michael, as you worked under him. Michael, I feel the need to apologize for taking one of the guys from your ranks, but I feel young Mr. Ford is better suited to different tasks.”

“Hey, no need to apologize, Boss Ackles. My guys are literally your guys.”

Jensen smiles. “Quite. To my right is Jared Padalecki. Beside him is Christian Kane, Beside Mr. Kane is Steve Carlson and Jason Manns.” Each IC member nods as Jensen makes the introductions. “Mr. Ford if you would, please?” He motions to the empty chair on his left.

Colin nods, but can’t hide his excitement; he does try however. Jared knows with a little age and control Colin will have his shit on lock, like Jensen.

“Hey,” Colin greets. “I’m not sure why I’m here, Mr. Ackles, sir, but I’m really stoked.” He flashes a sunny grin.

“If you’re here, it’s because the Big Boss Man sees something in you,” Jared says.

“Not sure what.” Colin’s youthful uncertainty comes through then with a little shrug. “I’m just a dealer. Small-time. You guys are Elite.”

“And I used to work on a loading dock, Kid. Jensen knows potential when he sees it. Don’t disrespect him by putting yourself down.” Jared says, just a gentle little verbal slap to the young blood.

Colin glances at Jared, blue eyes assessing as they sweep over him. Jared gets it then, why Jensen picked him. There is coldness in him; rough sophistication and charm. Some experience and polish and he will be the perfect heir to Jensen’s Organization.

“Not, Kid, sir,” his voice has a little tremor but there is steel there as well. “My name is Colin Ford.”

Jensen’s eyes are on them, carefully observing their interplay. Jared knows that if Colin is impudent with him, Jensen will take away everything he’s offering; though Jared doubts he has straight-up told Colin that he intends him to be his successor.

“Okay, Chevy,” Jared says, offhandedly.

The other IC members guffaw. Colin’s cheeks flame but he rolls his eyes good naturedly, understanding that he’s being ribbed and initiated.

“You’re playin’ with the big boys now, Chevy,” Kane bellows.

Colin’s still blushing and he can’t hide his grin at feeling included. Jared knows that feeling, felt it way back when he first played poker with these guys.

“Not really my thing, but you do you, player,” the kid says glibly.

That draws another round of laughter from the IC.

“Now,” Jensen says, though he had not raised his voice at all above the din of laughter and teasing, everyone goes silent in an instant. “I suppose I need to address the private fact that my relationship with Jared is known to all of you now, yourself included, Mr. Ford.”

Colin’s brows raise ever so slightly and he swallows hard, probably regretting having mouthed off to the Big Boss Man’s significant other, but other than that no real reaction. Jensen could have addressed this issue before introducing Colin, but knows Jensen is allowing the young man into his very small circle of trust. If Colin betrays that trust Jared will end him, whether or not he feels a kinship with him.

“Why the fuck didn’t you tell us? Don’t you trust us, Jensen?” Stevie Guitar seemed genuinely angry. “Like Kane said: we’re your friends, or we’re supposed to be. You think so little of us, trust us so little, you think we’d out you?”

Jared gets to his feet. Friend or not, he will not allow Jensen to be talked to like that. “Watch it, Stevie.”

Jensen presses his palm to Jared’s chest in his familiar calming gesture and Jared quiets and retakes his seat. Colin’s eyes bounce back and forth between Jared, Stevie, and Jensen, taking in everything. That kid is like a sponge.

“My electing not to share the details of my very private life was not a slight against any of you, but I do apologize if you view it as such. My private life has always been that and will continue to be so. It should be enough for all of you to know I have someone and I’m happy. The same way I’d feel for any one of you.”

“Kane said y’all have been together fifteen years? Like, goddamn!” Jase exclaims but he’s smiling.

Jared sighs and rolls his eyes. The biddies had already been gossiping about them. If Jared had been in his right mind he never would have kissed Jensen so publicly and therefore outing them. He had been overcome with relief and happiness that he had got to Jensen in time, kissing him seemed the only thing to do.

“Right?” Tommy says. “Like who the hell stays together that long these days?”

Mike slaps Tommy’s bicep. “Fucker. We’ve been together a long damn time, too.”

“Fuck buddies to okay-I-guess-we’re-a-couple-now doesn’t have the same gravitas as always and forever, numbnuts,” Jared contributes.

“Keep your mind off my nuts, Little Jay,” Mike retorts.

Jensen watches their banter with annoyed affection before speaking again. “Yes, Jared and I have been together for fifteen years and will be together for the rest of our lives.”

To Jared’s utter surprise, Jensen bends and kisses him on the mouth, lacing his fingers through Jared’s hair. Jensen’s eager tongue licks at the seam of his lips and Jared parts them in an instant as their friends hoot and holler around them.

They have been through a hell of a thing, and may be a little broken because of it, but they know the other will always be there to help put them back together.