Chapter Text
It all happened overnight. Jared never imagined that his roommate uploading one of their covers while they were hanging out with friends would alter the course of his life forever. Within weeks, they were scouted by a major record label interested in signing them. Convinced it was the right move for his future, Jared dropped out of college to focus entirely on the band and crafting their debut album.
Almost a year after signing their contract, Jared’s band released their first studio EP “SAVIOR”. Consisting of 6 tracks mainly inspired by grunge rock and adding pop rock elements, it quickly climbed the charts and the title track became a smash hit in the states. After several live performances at radio stations and becoming the opening act for a major established band, their management revealed the details of their first fan signing event, a chance for fans to get to know more of the members and acquire a signed album.
To no surprise the venue was filled with lots of people, young girls in the majority. Some were there for the music while some others were there simply because of Jared’s looks, dreamy brown-blue eyes, messy shaggy hair and a charming smile worthy of a guy born to be under spotlights. The first hour went by smoothly, small chats with the fans and camera flashes that captured the moment as the line progressed.
Jared received fans with open arms, he was thrilled to hear about how much they liked the songs he spent hours writing and composing, feeling an immense sense of gratitude. Not to mention getting to subtly flirt and hug attractive girls, If it weren't for the sweat running down his back he could've sworn he was dreaming.
It wasn't until a remarkably attractive guy was next in line, dirty blonde hair, a bright smile, and the greenest eyes Jared had ever seen. He tried to compose himself but it was quite obvious that the young man struck him.
— “Dude, you alright?” — Jared’s band mate Mike exclaimed while palming his shoulder to get him off the trance.
— “Uhh, what? Oh yeah... I'm good.” — Exclaimed Jared in a soft tone, shaking his head to wake up, flashing a soft smile to the blonde guy.
His hands moved to grab the album from the fan’s hand, a small jolt of electricity coursing through his body as their fingers brushed. He always considered himself straight, so his brain must be playing tricks on him, right? — “What’s your name?” — Jared spoke softly, looking up at the blonde guy with a soft smile.
— “It’s Jensen...” — His voice deep and velvety as he replied simply, a smirk spreading across his face as he noticed the way Jared’s eyes widened slightly in reaction to his voice. Jared’s sharpie glided clumsily across the album as he signed it, cursing at himself internally for getting so flustered over this man.
— “You got a great voice Jared, to be honest it's what I like the most about your songs.” — Jensen confessed, leaning forward as if to tell a secret, Jared chuckled as a faint rosy tint spread across his face.
— “Thanks, that… means a lot.” — Jared mumbled, his gaze fixed on the album in his hand. Heat crept up his neck, settling in his ears, and he could only pray the other man didn't notice.
A soft chuckle rumbled out the blonde man’s throat, breaking the silence. If he noticed the redness on Jared’s ears, he didn’t comment on it.
Their time was cut short by a manager, hurrying them as more fans waited in line. — “Guess I’ll see you around.” — he said, his voice low and bassy, winking at Jared before disappearing into the crowd.
As the fan meeting continued Jared tried to keep his focus, offering smiles and hugs to his admirers and listening intently to what they had to say. But his mind kept wandering off to the mysterious man from earlier, Jensen.
Growing up, Jared always found himself attracted to girls, asking some of them out—miserably failing at times and succeeding at others. Of course, he’d be lying if he said he’d never found a guy attractive, but Jensen was different.
~
Days went by and even Jared’s band-mates started noticing how off the brunette was acting, he seemed distracted, uncoordinated and found himself wandering in his thoughts.
— “Hello? Earth calling Jared… you alright? We’ve been calling you for like a minute dude.” — Exclaimed Mike, placing a hand on Jared’s shoulder and shaking him reassuringly. — “Yeah, I’m sorry… just nervous.”
Jared thought the sudden jump to stardom, all the interviews and live performances were starting to mess with his brain. It was easier to attribute the sudden shift in his life to being so distracted lately. But deep inside, he knew that wasn't the truth.
The actual reason being the cute blonde guy he met a few weeks ago at a fan-signing event, his bright smile and emerald eyes seared into his memory like a branding iron on bovine hide.
He knew it was unprofessional and unfair to the other members to be so distracted. Especially now, with an upcoming performance at the the most prestigious music awards of the year. It was their chance to prove that their success wasn’t pure luck, but genuine talent and passion for their music.
During a small break Jared slipped away to the bathroom, he splashed cold water on his face, hoping the stinging cold would help him fully wake up. He had to give his everything if he didn’t want to let anyone down.
When the studio doors finally opened a gust of the cold night air hit him, he hadn’t realized how long they’d been rehearsing. His band-mates chattered behind him as they laughed and suggested going out for drinks to celebrate their hard work.
Jared felt completely drained, but he couldn't deny how good a cold beer sliding down his throat sounded right now. He nodded in agreement after a few minutes of back and forth, earning some pats on his back and his hair ruffled by Michael.
The walk to the bar felt like a relief. His band-mates’ words of encouragement helped his shoulders loosen up—shoulders that he hadn’t realized were tense. A warm sensation spread through his chest as he realized that, even though they were now professionally involved, they were still his friends.
Once they reached the bar, the dim lights and low music felt like a much needed break from the blinding of the spotlights and camera flashes. There weren’t a lot of people inside since it was a weekday, which meant they could enjoy a peaceful night out without being recognized.
~
A few hours into the night, Jared began to feel the alcohol settling into his system. He was gigglier than usual, cracking jokes and humming to the music until he felt the urge to pee.
— “I’ll be back in a sec.” — He exclaimed, his words slightly slurred, excusing himself from the table as his band-mates nodded. He walked towards the bathroom with slow uncoordinated steps, admiring the artworks and posters covering the hallway.
Once he reached the bathroom, the background music faded, turning into a low hum. Jared stepped up to a urinal and pulled his zipper down. When the translucent liquid hit the porcelain, he heard the door creak, followed by a set of footsteps on the tiled floor towards the urinal farthest from him.
Jared paid the man no mind, thinking it was probably someone doing his business. Facing the wall, Jared could feel someone staring at him. He told himself it was probably someone who happened to recognize him, so he kept his gaze fixed on the bathroom tiles, avoiding what would be an awkward interaction.
A few seconds went by and Jared’s uneasiness grew as the staring continued, and no sound of pee hitting the urinal from the other man was heard. Was the man suddenly having stage fright? Or was he there just to follow him, with no intention of using the bathroom at all?
Jared struggled to think of all the possible outcomes, debating whether he should fight or flight. Until the man simply walked out of the room, going unnoticed by Jared until the very last second, where he happened to catch a glimpse of a black hoodie and dark pants disappearing past the door-frame.
Sighing in relief as the strange man finally left the room, Jared approached the sink, washing his hands hastily as he hurried outside in hopes to catch more of the mysterious man.
But when he stepped outside he was welcomed by nothing but the dim lights of an empty hallway, making his brows lift in confusion. Had he imagined everything?
Walking back to his friends’ table he sat down, glancing at them and asking if they saw the man in a black hoodie. They all shrugged saying they didn’t notice anyone. — "Why? Did he say something?” — asked the band’s drummer. — “It's nothing.” — Jared said dismissively, flashing a soft smile to not worry his friends and deciding it was better if he just forgot about the whole thing.
He spent the rest of the evening having fun and drinking with his friends, eventually they decided to call it night as it was getting late. Michael, as the most responsible of the group, called everyone a cab.
Jared hugged everyone goodbye and slid in the backseat of the cab. After giving his address to the driver, he leaned back and looked out the window, replaying the night in his mind and how much fun he had. A small smile tugged at his lips as he realized that he hadn’t thought of Jensen all night, and the thought made him realize how badly he wanted to see him again.
After a few more minutes of driving, the cab pulled up outside of Jared’s apartment complex. He pulled out his wallet, paid the man, and thanked him before exiting the car and heading to the entrance.
He slowly walked up the stairs, chuckling under his breath as he tried his best not to stumble. Reaching the door he slipped his hand into his back pocket, pulling out his keys. Once he twisted the handle, the door gave away... it wasn't locked.
Suddenly, he became hyper-aware of everything, the soft hum of the fluorescent lights of the hallway, the faint chirping of crickets outside and the sound of a car driving by in the distance.
He tried to remember if he actually locked the door before leaving, but with the way he had been so distracted lately he honestly had no idea. Deciding it was probably more dangerous to linger outside he quickly stepped into the apartment , flipping the lights on as his eyes scanned the room for any sign of a intruder.
Greeted only by his poorly decorated apartment, seemingly in the exact way he left it in the morning, he walked to his room. He slumped into the bed too tired to process everything, and drifted to sleep rather quickly.
~
Jared’s chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, his lips parted slightly as the moonlight slipped through the curtains, casting beautiful shadows on his face.
The bedroom door opened with quiet precision. A dark figure lingered in the doorway, quietly watching before stepping inside.
The figure moved closer to the messy bed, taking tentative steps. In the faint light, the outline of a hooded man became clearer as he stopped at a safe distance. Jared’s soft snores filled the room, steady and unbothered. A faint smile of contentment tugged at the hooded man’s lips at the sight of Jared sleeping so peacefully.
He debated stepping closer, but he stopped himself as it would be reckless of him to get close enough to feel his warmth.
Instead, the hooded man stared for a few minutes, taking his time committing every single detail on Jared’s face to memory. Relishing the way distinctive moles adorned his face. Paying close attention to the one by the corner of his left eye, the one next to his nose and one by the right corner of his invitingly soft lips.
His fingers lingered at the edge of the bed, hesitating only a moment before claiming Jared’s discarded t-shirt. He raised it to his face, breathing in deeply as the familiar scent grounded him. His emerald eyes darkened as a quiet hunger flickered below the surface.
He knew this was very wrong, unforgivable, and not to mention illegal. But he wasn't good at letting go of what he so desperately craved.
After a moment, he placed the shirt back to its original position. Turning around with careful, measured steps, he retreated towards the exit.
The door creaked faintly as it closed, the intruder’s eyes widening as he froze in place. Only when he realized that Jared didn’t stir did he allow himself to breathe again.