Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Okay....EVERYONE reading this knows the RL story of how J2 met on the set of supernatural (I personally think they knew of one another before the show, but I digress)...They both have a love of country music, which is obvious by their circle of friends in TX. I grew up with primarily listening to country because it's what my parents (actually my grandparents) listened to. I want to create a whole Verse centered around classic country songs--with maybe a few new ones thrown in...I have to admit my country music preferences are centered around 70s, 80s, and 90,s..There are a few exceptions to the rule thanks to J2, and you'll see their names listed above.

I am hoping to be able to make the verse interesting, but if one is unfamiliar with the meaning behind the songs or doesn't recognize the lyrics...then what would be the point? None of the stories would make sense. There could be ways to break that barrier with links, videos, and sound clips.

Here is a list of the singers and the songs I intend to use to build the verse on. Keep in mind this listed isn't ALL the singers or songs that I would like to write a J2 scene around, and I am open to suggestions on other songs I may have missed.

George Straight:
Give it Away
Ocean Front Property
You Look So Good In Love
All my Ex's Live in TX

KT Oslin:
I'll Always Come Back
Come Next Monday

Patty Loveless:
Chains
I'm That Kind of Girl
Jealous Bone

Shania Twain
You're Still The One

Ty Herndon
Living In a Moment
I Have to Surrender
I Want My Goodbye Back
Returning The Faith

Trisha Yearwook
How Do I Live?

Lorrie Morgan
Half Enough

Pam Tillis
Shake the Sugar Tree
Maybe it Was Memphis
Land of the Living

Tim McGraw
It's Your Love

Johnny Cash
Jackson

Bryan White
Sittin' on Go

Martina McBride
Valentine

Sherrie Austin
Tenderly
Put Your Heart Into It
Trouble in Paradise

Wynonna Judd
Rock Bottom
No One Else On Earth

Van Zant
I'm Doin' Alright

SheDaisy
Little Goodbyes
Lucky 4 You

George Jones
Choices

These songs aren't the only ones I have little ideas for. I don't intend for this work to be one continuous story but rather a collection of short stories. Do ya'll think it's worth working on, or should I simply leave the thoughts bouncing around in my head?

Chapter Text

Jared never wanted any part of 'mountain living'. Nothing personal against the mountains. It's just not what he's used to. Growing up in Texas didn't allow for much time getting acquainted with the mountains or even the foothills for that matter.

His mind had told him the mountains were the one place no one would ever find him. So, he grabbed what he could carry and headed East. He didn't stop until he came to Johnson City Tennessee. Well, there was that one detour. He had to make sure he got everyone off his trail somehow, so he decided to make it look like he drove his truck right over a cliff. No one would look for him then. And after the fight that started it all, his suicide would be reasonably accepted--by most that knew him anyway.

"Destruction of personal property, trespassing, and communicating threats" don't seem like major charges one by one, but when you add them together, they all spell a lifetime of trouble. In a small town once you gain the rep of being a 'troublemaker' that's all society sees when they look at you. He had to make a break for it, a clean getaway.

So, his brain figured the mountains would be the only 'safe space' no one would ever find him. Hell, after finding the wreckage, no one would even bother to look.

Deep down he still misses Texas, the small towns were bigger and all yea, but it's what he was used to, what he was comfortable with. The small mountain town he came to here was considered large by the local's standards, but not to the ones who were acclimated with larger cities.

Jared thinks back to the river he and 'dimples' spent so much time camping, fishing, and swimming. Every evening when he lays down that's the first place his mind tries to take him. He's not happy now, so he tries to revert back to the last time he was truly happy.

Of course, those good memories always dredge up the bad ones. The story plays on repeat in his mind until his heart has had enough. By 3am he's sitting at the table shooting Jack without a chaser, in the pitch of night. He keeps telling himself he needs something a lot stronger than bourbon, but he can never bring himself to go there--not again.

The last time he got shit faced on Everclear he had begged and pleaded with Jen to run away with him, live with him, be his. Jensen wouldn't have any of it because Jared was so shit faced, it didn't sound like he really meant the proposal.

Instead of walking away, which we all know is what *should* have happened, Jared flipped his shit. Everything in their small shack by the river was demolished. Jensen had asked him 3 times to "Just leave already, walk away". Jared couldn't. Jensen pretended to be calling the law. He wasn't sure what else to do. He knew Jared would never actually hurt him, but he couldn't see any other way to diffuse the situation.

"Put the phone down before I smash your face!"

Jensen smirks in response, "There's another charge to add to the list."

Jared doesn't take the time to speak or even think. He turns on his heel and is out the door and in his truck before his alcohol addled brain can process anything. The sudden jolt of adrenaline as he's flying down 16 jumpstarts his brain. He quickly turns down Old Hilltop Cemetary. This is a stupid, crazy idea that just may work if he could time it right. Just as he's nearing the curve at the top, he lets off the gas to slow the truck as best he can. Before he knows it, he's lying flat on his back--the wind gone from his chest. He looks up just in time to see the truck going over the edge. He waits to listen to it hit the rocks below. In a few days the river will swell, and all evidence will wash away downstream and become someone else's problem.

Part of him wants to stick around to see how Jensen will handle the news. The more logical part knows he's gotta get the hell outta dodge. The mangled truck should be enough to make up for lack of a body. He hopes so at least.

Ah. 7am. Time for work at the ranch. Being a ranch hand isn't glamorous work, but Jared's good at it. The work gives him pocket money and something to do with his time. He wishes it could help take his mind off Jensen. It does anything but.

Last he heard; Jensen was in a little town called Temples. Jared smirked to himself once the online background check revealed Jen's 20. "Dimples now lives in Temple's got the law lookin' for me."

It's been quite many a moon, but Jared's sure it's best he stays where he is for now. He's got a sneaking suspicion Jensen's not going to give up looking for him that easy.

It's 6PM, sundown. Jared returns home and hangs his hat by the door. He heads to the shower without turning on any lights. He's grown accustomed to the dark--saves power. Hell if it weren't for cooking (or warm showers for that matter) he wouldn't even need electricity. After his time under the spray, he settles into bed dreaming once again of the old Frio River. He prays like hell it won't dredge up anything but good memories. His heart knows better.

Of all the exes he has in Texas, Jensen is definitely his favorite. The one that got away.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jensen's POV

It's been 6 months, 9 days, and 2 hours since Jared took off into the night. He had taken off faster than a bull seeing red because Jensen had followed after him nearly immediately and lost all sight of him. He didn't really call anyone to come to his 'rescue' that night. He wasn't afraid of Jared. Jared was a complex bomb he was trying to diffuse. His plan to fane a call to the local police had only caused the bomb to explode in his face.

He got outta that place shortly after. He couldn't be there anymore without Jared. He didn't believe for a second Jared was gone. He figured chances are, he's only hiding somewhere. Damned if Jensen knew where to look though. There was no body. There *had* to be something left, even if it were only fish food. They scraped the river 3 times before they gave up.

His online search had turned up bup-kiss. It looks like that night Jared's truck went through the guard rail and over the cliff all record of Jared's existence went with it. The only thing he could find was an official death certificate that listed the cause as suicide. He couldn't bear to search anymore. Everything on paper was leading his mind in one direction, but his heart was trying pointlessly to lead him in another.

Jared was all jacked up that night. Jensen was clueless to his thought processes or where his legs would have carried him. Jensen himself got as far from the Frio River as he comfortably could. He settled on Temple. It's a nice enough town, but it's missing one very important piece--Jared.

Jensen would move Heaven and Earth if he could find him. Right now, he's just spinning his wheels--his brain leading him in circle after circle, but his heart always wins out in the end. "He can't be just *gone*.....*forever*....

Chapter Text

It's been a long time coming, Jared reasons. He's stayed gone away from his home state for far too long. He doesn't bother tracking Jensen down, not right away. Jared runs to the place where his happiest (maybe even the most saddest) memories reside--The Old Frio River. It's not the same as he remembers. It's like everything's all grown up around the river. The roads are the same, but the scenery is much different.

Jensen's not here, his mind unhelpfully supplies. Jared takes another 3 days camping out alongside the river before making his bold move north.

He was sure finding Jensen once he rolled into town wouldn't be too hard, it was just easier than expected. Hell he shouild have known better. Temple isn't all that big.

Jensen was in heated debate with a cashier at a local produce stand. From what Jared could tell, he was having a full total meltdown.

"What seems to be the problem here?" The question hangs out there before Jared realizes he should have just kept his big mouth shut.

Jensen immediately turns red from head to toe. He doesn't need to face the man that's haunted his dreams (nightmares) to know who he is. Cut and run his brain screams, full panic mode. A hand on his shoulder stops him.

"Are you okay," Jared really wants to get to the bottom of the argument, but it would seem his presence has only served to make matters worse.

On reflex Jensen jerks from the hand holding his shoulder. He cuts his eyes to Jared for the first time in what had to be several years.

"I don't need you of all people fighting my battles for me", Jensen spits the words out like the insult he desperately hopes it is. He wears a satisfied smirk as he watches Jared pull his hand back.

"Take your money and leave," Katie has filled out the receipt and pulled the money from her drawer. Jensen eyes her speculatively when as he turns toward her.

He grabs the money and slip before he can think better of it. Great, he's just going to have come back later. He makes his way to the door and is out in the parking lot before he remembers even walking the small distance to the door.

Jared, fresh vegetables forgotten on the counter, bolts out the door after him. Katie rolls her eyes as she places the vegetables in the return basket. She doesn't even wanna stop and think about what all that was about. She calls forward the next customer. Whatever!

"Hey wait up!" Jared hollers across the parking lot.

Jensen had no idea he'd even made it that far, he didn't have to look back to see what was going on behind him. Jared broke out in a small trot to try to catch up to him.

"Wait," he pleads again. This time Jensen stops to face him head on.

"What do you want?" He asks incredulous.

"I'ma be honest with you. This isn't exactly how I'd plan for this to go. A part of me thought you might be happy to see me. Ya know? See that I'm not dead. I'm alive and well."

Jensen huffs, he'd figured as much. There was never any body found. People don't just fall off the face of the Earth the way Jared tried to make it seem he had. There was always evidence left behind. Or, as in this case, lack thereof.

Jensen doesn't care where he's been hiding or even how much time has past. He says the first thing that comes to mind; testing the waters, seeing if Jared will buy the BS his mouth is about to spew.

"You left me. No words, no goodbye, just gone. I don't miss you because I never loved you," He keeps Jared's name out of his mouth decidedly, "You were a fling for me, okay?" He pauses to watch the hurt and pain shoot across Jared's features before resuming. "I didn't even bother to look for you. I was glad you were gone and probably somebody else's problem. I don't want you back." He finishes, wondering if he should take it any further. He finds he doesn't like the pained look on Jared's face so much after all. Jared's buying into all this more than Jensen ever thought he would.

Jared's speechless. This isn't at all what he wanted. He should have stayed in Tennessee instead of ever coming here.

Jensen turns on his heel, "Now if you'll excuse me. I have some oceanfront property in Arizona that needs tending to." One more blatant lie on top of all the ones he just spewed wouldn't hurt.

Jared's shaken from his thoughts, surely hadn't heard that right. His mind wants to say 'excuse me?' or 'come again?' but Jensen's too far gone. Jared slakes away and looks for the nearest, cheapest place to bed down.

Chapter Text

Jared still had money. That wasn't the issue.

He bought the ticket to Seattle bright and early the following morning. He didn't have much to pack, so that gave him about 3 hours to kill until his flight. He was hungry enough, but his frazzled nerves wouldn't let him eat.

He decided to hit up the local diner for a cup of caffeine instead.

Mistake Jared should have known if the pit in his stomach were anything to go by. No matter, we'll just add that to the growing list, shall we?

Jensen's face, from the behind the counter, loses all color upon seeing the next man in line. He folds his arms expecting words that don't come.

"Coffee black," Jared says slightly above a whisper.

Jensen would have missed it all together had he not been so intently focused on Jared's facial expressions. He doesn't make a move for the coffee machine, not right away. Jared refuses to meet his eyes, they're cast to the side and looking down. A ball of guilt swells in Jensen's stomach. It's threatening to sting, but he doesn't let it. He turns on his heel and heads over to the coffee maker.

"On the house," he tells Jared as he passes him the cup of liquid goodness.

Jared doesn't question it. He takes the offered cup and half stumbles his way back out the door. He's sitting on the bench by the door outside, trying to collect his thoughts and pull himself back together. Jensen always seemed to have that affect on him.

Jensen couldn't make himself focus on his job. Jared's presence nearly had him floored. Yea he was surprised to see him yesterday and all. Part of him woke this morning thinking it was some kind of weird dream or hallucination. Jared coming into the diner confirmed that he was definitely in town. Jensen knew there was only one reason Jared would ever blow into this town, after all this time. Jensen stepped into the small bathroom in the back to splash some cold water on his face and regain his composure. He meets his own eyes in the mirror as if his brain is emphasizing its point.

Jared's still sitting outside on the bench, his coffee nearly gone. Could he really just fly to Seattle and start over? The typical weather there would match his mood surely. He spent all this time missing Jensen and his affections--and it was all in vain. Jensen didn't feel the same. Or did he? Jensen had said something about oceanfront property in a landlocked state. This desire he feels inside for the other man never gives him a moment's peace. He knows if he were to leave here and go anywhere else that would actually get him away from his cravings, he'd never look back....Not even a little bit.

None of this was ever meant to be a one way street. Usually when you're the one who does all the lovin' you're the only one that ever does any hurtin' too.

Jensen obviously wasn't hurting--he looked pissed as hell to see Jared. Jared silently debates on going back in for a refill. He'll insist on actually paying for it this time, too! Then he'll break all the ties that are holding him to Jensen and just leave.

Back in the bathroom, Jensen's over his momentary meltdown. He's waited years for this moment daring not to even let himself hope that it would actually happen. But Jared is here, Jared came here for him! The least Jensen can do is talk to the man. But where did he take off to now? He staggered out the door as soon as Jensen had gave him coffee.

"I'm gonna need a few minutes," He tells Kim as he's leaving the bathroom.

"Does this have anything to do with tall, dark, and handsome out there?" She raises a single eyebrow to Jensen.

"We have history," he mutters. He heads for the door without looking at her. He should explain, really. He knows, but the last time he'd given Jared a head start it was several years later when he actually got to see him again. History has shown Jensen that Jared could literally be anywhere by now.

Just as Jared is coming back in, Jensen is going out and they clash in the small doorway. They both let out an "umph" at the same time.

Jared steps back, "Sorry," then he glances up seeing who he's just deterred and takes another big step back to give Jensen plenty of room.

Jensen advances him, crowding his space. Jared backs up right until he reaches the side of the building. He's about to bolt to the side when Jensen's voice stops him.

"Wait," Jensen places his hands on Jared's hip to still his movements.

Jared looks absolutely perplexed as Jensen leans in for a kiss, but Jared doesn't stop him.

You call me back and kiss me and my heart sings, but Jared's more logical side knows that all Jensen is doing is taking off another link of chain. Making it shorter, so Jared won't get as far away.

God Help Him. He will break free. He gives Jensen a firm shove, breaking the kiss. Coffee and cup forgotten on the ground as he moves to walk away. He doesn't look back. He can't. If he looks back he knows he won't leave.

Chapter Text

Jensen will not let Jared walk this time. He flat out refuses. Surely Jared must still feel somethin' for him--he's here!

"Jared, wait!" Jensen's voice bellows through the small town. How does he stop the tingling in his lips?

How do you block the sound of a voice you'd know anywhere? Jared would really like to know. That tone tells him that Jensen's desperate for him to stop--it's deep and commanding, but also pained and strained at the same time. It pulls at Jared's heart...And if he didn't come here to see Jensen, then why is he here?

"Jare" Jensen sounds breathless, as he struggles to catch up.

Godfuckingdamnit! Jared whirls around halfway down the sidewalk and waits. He can't speak. If he speaks, his tone will betray everything his mind is screaming. It would be laced with everything his heart is feeling....He could never play his emotions away the way Jensen can. In this moment, Jared thinks maybe he should take some form of lessons.

"Don't go," Jensen pants as he's finally able to catch up with Jared.

Jared tries to school his expression and check his tone, "What do you want Jensen?"

Jensen licks his lips and his eyes dart to Jared's. He says what he feels is the most important thing in that moment, "I've missed you."

"That's not what you said yesterday...You said I was practically nothing to you...and now I'd like to just leave. We can forget I ever came here."

Apparently Jared hasn't figured out yet that Jensen was lying. No matter. "I get off at 2...Please stick around? We can talk, catch up."

Jared debates. 2pm is a few hours after his flight out of here and away from Jensen. Truth be told if a small Tennessee town couldn't take his mind off Jensen any other town in Washington probably didn't stand much of a chance. He gives Jensen a small nod. The least he can do is stick around to hear what Jensen has to say.

Jensen flashes him a brief smile and tries to move in to finish the kiss, but Jared takes a half step back and gives him a slight head shake. Clearly unwelcome. Jensen chooses to clap a hand on Jared's shoulder instead. "I'll see you later then?" he asks, voice hopeful.

Jared still doesn't trust himself to speak. He gives a curt nod instead and Jensen reluctantly pulls away and heads back to the diner to finish his shift.

On the way over to the small airport Jared debates if he should simply ask for a refund or a later flight. Once he walks into the terminal, he's determined a later flight is definitely the way to go. Can't be too careful.

He goes through a drive thru on his way back to he diner to grab some junk food. He arrives back at the diner with quite a few minutes to spare. He watches as Jensen has an exchange at the back exit. The dude is smaller than Jared with much darker hair. He can tell their level of intimacy in the kiss, soft lingering touches. He really doesn't blame Jensen for moving on, for needing a warm body next him at night. Jared didn't have those luxuries himself, but he wasn't angry nor bitter. Really, he wasn't. He was fucking envious actually.

It only takes a split second for Jensen to spot Jared in the employee parking lot. He should have known Jared wouldn't be waiting around front with all the other guests and patrons.

He feels a twinge of guilt knowing that Jared just seen his interaction with Matt. It was fine...Really, it didn't mean anything. Matt was nothing more than a warm body to pass the time. He softens his expression as he approaches the drivers' side of Jared's vehicle. "My place?" Jensen asks him, all too eager.

"Sure," Jared tells him, firing up the engine.

Jensen's smiling smugly to himself as he rounds his own vehicle, climbing into the driver's seat.

Jared knows it's a bad idea, meeting Jensen on his own terms, on his own territory, but it's not like Jared had a place of his own in this town to take Jensen back to.

He follows behind Jensen absentmindedly and before long; they're pulling up beside a two-room flat on the outskirts of town.

Jensen climbs from his car first, glancing back at Jared to make sure he's following behind. He is. Jensen turns the key and holds the door open for Jared behind him. Matt had been easy enough to get rid of. He didn't mean anything to Jensen, not really. Jensen would always choose Jared. Over anyone. At any time.

"Nice place you have here," Jared says as he enters.

"Yea, I get by," Jensen tells him. "Drink?"

Jared wants to, but he knows he shouldn't. "Water's fine."

Jensen's wearing a vague expression like he's not sure what to think, what to say, or what's coming next.

"You said you missed me. It doesn't look like you're struggling for company."

"'s nothin'" Jensen reassures him.

"You're in love with him," Jared accuses. He really doesn't have the proof, but he's got an inkling he's right.

Jensen doesn't hesitate, locking eyes with Jared, "Yea, I thought I was." How do you free your soul after you've found a friend?

"What changed?"

"You," Jensen says it like that single word will explain everything.

"What about me?" Jared's hoping beyond hope, he knows..But on the off chance he's wrong he wants to hear Jensen speak the words.

"You showed up here," Jensen spits out. "It means you care, you want me, I actually meant something to you."

Jared still can't get a read on Jensen's expression, so he goes with a straightforward approach, "You still do."

Jensen drops his drink. How do you teach your heart it's time to love again? His glass shatters and he just stares at the mess.

Jared jumps into action grabbing a hand towel and sopping up the mess.

Jensen comes back to the present, "I'm sorry..hey..Don't worry about that," He bends to grab the towel. "I'll get it,"

Jared leaves the towel with Jensen and goes into the kitchen in search of a broom and dustpan. He passes Jensen who's on his way to the sink. "Jared,"

"Let me help." Jared sweeps all the broken glass and empties in the bin.

Jensen's still rinsing the towel out in the sink and then he returns to the other room to wipe back over the mess so it's not left sticky.

Jared watches as Jensen finishes clearing the mess. As he stands, he asks, "Where'd you take off to anyway? I looked everywhere for you."

"The mountains," Jared doesn't want to tell him exactly.

Jensen brushes past him on his way back to the sink, "Never pegged you for a mountain man."

"That was the point."

Jensen lets the towel fall into the sink and he turns slightly, "Why did you come here?"

A million things run through Jared's mind. "I couldn't stay away any longer."

"And now that you're here, what will you do? How long are you staying?" Jensen allows himself to become hopeful for the first time in such a long time.

"I actually have a flight out scheduled for later today."

"Running again?" Jensen's hope immediately turns to disbelief.

Jared squares his shoulders, "Unless you can give me a reason to stay."

Jensen's not confident to say me. He may have been enough to get Jared here, but he highly doubts he'll be enough to make him stay. He debates the best way to find out how determined Jared is to take off again. If his mind is already made up, Jensen doesn't stand a chance.