#paschal moon

Jensen picked up their bags and walked past his gathered relatives into the two-story home. Y/N follows, feeling the tension rolling off him. Shutting his childhood bedroom door, she sat down on the bed, abashed. “Before you start, I know. You asked me to watch it, and I lipped off to your mom, so you're pissed.” 

"I'm fucking pissed with mom," Jensen responded, setting the bags down and sitting next to her. "But I'm not upset with you. That Monster-in-Law reference," Y/N peered over, confused by his amused tone. "I was about to laugh, had to walk away before making it worse."

Y/N bit her bottom lip, a habit picked up from Jensen, and suggested postponing the announcement of their engagement. Jensen wanted to argue but knew she was right.

Spinning her ring around, he removed the tungsten band Y/N always wore on her thumb and slipped it on her ring finger as camouflage. He leaned in to kiss her when the door reopened and a woman peeked around before slapping a hand over her eyes. “Dude! Put a sock on the knob!”

"Har-de-har!" Jensen barks, "What the hell do you want, Mac?” His sister peers between her fingers, “I was wondering how Y/N ended up with a Dorky Bob like you?” Faking being shot in the heart, Jensen fell back, making Y/N roll her eyes. “Are bats in the belfry a genetic thing, or is it just him?”

Mac's I think it’s a Gen X thing brought out Jensen's snarky, and she shot back oh, do I offend? Y/N couldn’t help but laugh, exasperating Jensen more. “You two done? What’s the real reason you came up to be annoying?”  Mac hesitates. “I wanted to give you a heads up. Mama moved Daddy’s birthday dinner to the country club.”

Jensen's pained groan made Y/N inquire what the deal was, and he gave her an apologetic look. “The club has a dress code.” Y/N gestures to continue, and his response made her eyes bug, and sputter, “I don’t own a dress! The one I had on when we met was borrowed!”

Jensen's poorly executed calm-down makes her snap something about his clothes-horse tendencies, and Mac interrupts. “I know a couple of boutiques we could visit after our salon appointment tomorrow.” Y/N squints at her future sister-in-law. “What salon appointment?” 

Mac explains it's tradition for the Ackles women to get mani/pedi and their hair coiffured before family events. "Like ducks will fart in church I'm doing that." Y/N held up her hands, showing off nails shorter than Jensen's. "I'm no girly girl."

Tossing back her third glass of champagne, Y/N had come to three conclusions.

One- Texas woman truly believe the higher the hair, the closer to God.

Two- if Danneel weren't the center of attention, she'd steer the conversation towards a subject that pertained to her.

Three- hearing about the latest trendy cosmetic procedures, Y/N decided to stick with her all-natural products.

****

Returning from the toilet, Y/N couldn't miss hearing her name. Lingering out of sight, she listened to the smack-talkers' saying that she used men for financial gain—that amused Y/N. The only big-ticket item she agreed Jensen could purchase (and stop his grumbling about not sleeping well) for the farmhouse was a new mattress.

Danneel, in her special sardonic humor, starts lamenting her lack of sexual gratification because Jensen fell short in a specific area, exaggerating by raising one expensively manicured pinky finger.

Stepping into faux redhead's line of sight, Y/N found it incredibly satisfying watching Danneel’s face falter–as much as Botox allowed–realizing she heard everything. Walking past the group of sycophants, Y/N halts the salon's entrance, dramatically pivots, and says…

“By the way, there’s a term for you ladies, but in high society, it’s not used outside of a kennel.”

****

Jensen found Y/N standing in front of the dresser mirror, fussing with her shirt, and snapped, “Did you call my mother a bitch?!”

“Not directly," Y/N shrugged. "What can I say, your kin brings out the Joan Crawford in me.” Jensen felt slightly freaked at her casually flippant response, finds himself distracted when she removes her shirt, and misses her question. "What?"

“Did you know the country club has no restrictions on either sex regarding Western wear?" He shook his head, watching her slip on a western shirt. "I decided since they consider me uncouth, might as well give them their money’s worth.” Y/N finishes by setting his custom Greeley Hat on her head. 

Jensen couldn’t help smiling at Y/N looking like a little kid under the brim of the too-large hat. He reaches out, tipping it back, warmly kissing his extraordinary girl.

Sitting on the back deck, Jensen slowly inhaled, the end of his spliff brightening like a firefly in the darkness. The sliding glass door opens, and Y/N steps out, exaggeratedly waving a hand.

“Peew! Must be some heavy mental lifting if you’re sucking on that shit.” Jensen snuffed it out. “Color me curious, what brought it on?” She snapped her fingers. "I got it. You’re wondering if I’m gonna Hulk Smash your ex for bribing that snooty maître'd to seat me at the children’s table,” Jensen mumbles you make me sound like a teenage girl. “Well, you do wear more makeup than I, Peaches.”

She plopped on the other Adirondack chair and, offhandedly, dropped, “Had an interesting conversation with your daddy." Jensen sighed heavily; both his parents, at different points, had confronted him too. "I know it's unfair to you but right now, it's easier to let them believe that I'm a cheating shit than admit the truth."

Y/N telegraphs her understanding by reaching over, twining their fingers together. "I informed Alan you were still holding to your vows when we met, six months after being granted legal separation. Course I probably should've started with that instead of saying he needs to pull his head outta his assumptions."

****

When Jensen arrived with his girlfriend and informed everyone she was staying at the house, the friction was palpable. Alan's talk with (more like at) his son about the accusations laid against them didn’t get far. Coupled with the salon incident, Alan dreaded what dinner had in store.

Jensen's and Y/N's contrasts drew quite a bit of attention from the other club members. When the seating incident happened, Alan got an unexpected insight into their relationship dynamics.

Y/N diffused Jensen's anger with a few words. She took the intentional slight with grace, sitting at the children’s table like it was nothing. At one point, Josh’s special needs son started getting agitated. Jensen immediately went over to help, but Y/N had everything under control. As he sat with them, Alan couldn't miss how Jensen's green eyes lit up, matching his smile, hell, his whole demeanor, and it made sense.

Jensen was happy–genuinely happy–something he hadn’t been in years.

Sunday Afternoon

Alan Ackles wasn't sure what made him decide to attend the afternoon panel. But here he sat in general admission, and for another unfathomable reason, filming it.

Only a handful were left in the Q&A line when, out of nowhere, someone yelled slutbucket causing everyone in the room to freeze. The fuck you, cuntrag comeback had Jared racing off the stage. He reappeared with Y/N, her light colored shirt splattered with orange soda. Jensen flanked Jared’s moose-sized body as they talked, blocking Y/N from the big screens' cameras.

Alan could hear, but not make out, comments floating up from some audience members, witnesses Jensen uncharacteristically unleash his pent-up ire. 

“Hey! You do not motherfucking disrespect anyone here! I’m not going to tolerate any more maliciousness towards Y/N." Jensen's unyielding glare silences the crowded room. "It’s past time I clarified misconceptions about my relationship with this incredible woman. If you can’t be respectful, step the hell out till I’m done speaking!” The distraction allowed Y/N to snag Jared’s mic.

“Guess this is a good time to answer the number one question everybody's wondering. How the hell did an Austin Four land a hot piece of ash like you?” Jensen turns his grumpiness on her. “Oh, don’t even , Peaches. You know I keep it real. Like the stretch marks and cellulite on my size twelve derrière.”

The room's mood swiftly altered as Y/N's self-deprecating humor drew laughter, bringing down the tension. Jensen began to spin the tale of their chance meeting—six months after he was granted legal separation, and how she charmed him right away. Y/N quipped that her tatas in borrowed couture Jensen found charming.

By the end, no one could doubt that, despite their differences, they'd built a foundation for a lasting relationship on stone number one. Jensen forgot where they were for a moment and leaned in for a kiss. He grimaced at the artificially sweet orange tang lingering on her lips.

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Y/N addressed the audience one last time before stepping offstage. “The next time someone gets the urge to throw a Coke on me, make it a Mr. Pibb.”

“Thanks for grabbing me a clean shirt,” Y/N said to Kim while pulling it over her head. “No problem. I can’t believe you didn’t punch that fucker.” Y/N humphs, “A few months ago, I would've. But I didn’t want to give gossipy bitch any more ammo.” 

Brianna shook her head. "I still can’t wrap my brain around it. We all know Danneel can be a mean-a-saurus. Never thought she’d do anything.. spiteful..to Jensen.” Y/N was about to respond when her phone vibrated. Seeing the UT Department of Astronomy number, excused herself.

Distracted by her phone, Y/N missed Danneel loitering in the hallway. 

****

Everyone in between schedules was hanging out in the green room. Jason and Rob were strumming on their guitars when the door flew open and Danneel rushed in with Y/N hot on her heels.

****

Jared and Jensen were autographing auction items when a volunteer rushed in, saying Jensen was urgently needed. Quickly scribbling on his last one, followed down the hallway.

Jensen saw his colleagues gathered outside the green room, listening to two women yelling vulgar insults. At the sound of breaking glass, Jensen darted into the room and stopped in his tracks.  Danneel was on the far side, trying to get around Y/N, whose maneuvers were like a cutting horse holding a cow. 

Jensen’s carefully controlled temper was frayed with the day already being too long, and now he was done. “Danneel! Y/N! Stop making fucking spectacles of yourselves!” He slammed the door shut in emphasis. “Oh, thank goodness you’re here, Jensen,” Danneel breathlessly breathed out in her saccharine tone. “Y/N’s gone insane! Chasing me through the hallways, accusing me of…”

“You lying bitch ass cunt motherfucker!”  Y/N thunders back, "You’re a psychotic bitch! Tricking someone to ambush me ‘cause Jensen got tired of your reindeer games!” Danneel arrogantly snorted, “You can't blame me for your boss finally seeing what trailer trash you are!”

Y/N's voice turned colder than an iceberg, “Are you referring to what they received from this?" She held up phone remnants. Jensen gripped her wrist, drawing her attention. “Hold on, who got what?” Y/N filled him in about the text believed to come from the busted electronic device found in the women's toilet trash. "Just because someone lost their phone doesn't prove I had anything to do with it."

Jensen narrowed his eyes at his ex. Ages ago, he learned that when she schooled her countenance to innocence, Danneel was up to something. Hearing the door open, Jensen’s fuck off stalled seeing it's his father.

Alan knows that providence had given him the vantage to witness everything. So was his encounter with Clif, who escorted him backstage to correct the misjudgments made about his son's choices. Alan handed the camera to Jensen, who pressed play.

The recording starts with Danneel speaking to someone, holding a to-go mug, at the back of the Q&A line, and points out Y/N, a few feet from the autograph table, leaning against the wall. When they get closer, Danneel, with a smug expression, holds up a phone and aims it towards Y/N as the person engages her.

Suddenly, the mug's contents are thrown on her, and they're shouting at each other. Jared appears, leading Y/N away while security escorts the wrongdoer out. The video follows Danneel, who rapidly walks away while typing, and ends with her entering the women's toilets.

Visibly vibrating, Jensen took a step when Y/N reached out, stopping him. She cupped his face, thumb caressing his flushed cheek as she softly spoke to him. Regaining control, Jensen's eyes were a steely glint at his ex. Danneel opened her mouth to say something, but Y/N beat her.

"Read the room, Elta! You've crossed so many lines, no one is buying your lousy acting anymore! But guess what? Your bitterness cost me my job, but you're the loser in this." Y/N held up her left hand and spun the ring around, revealing the Moldavite stone. "Jensen is not taking you back. You better start making amends, or I'll put you on blast. "

"Dads said he was impressed by your temerity," Jensen says, breaking the tranquility of their drive back.

"Really? I'm surprised he didn't say it was my big hairy gonads." Jensen mumbles something about never watching Speed again. Y/N's laughter is cut short when he blurts out, "Come to New Mexico with me after I wrap up the pilot this weekend."

"You looking to make me a fifties housewife now I'm out of work? Waiting on you hand and foot while dressed in pearls and heels?"

"The fuck? No!" Jensen snapped. "All those months in Toronto gave me clarity about our relationship. I want..would like us to spend time together before you take that SpaceX job and back to the weekend thing. And my rental comes with a cleaning service!"

Her chuckle had him doing a double take, and then he got it. "You're screwing with me." Y/N lays a hand on his thigh, her thumb intermittently moving over the denim.

"I don't want to do the weekend thing anymore either. I decided not taking that job.” Jensen inquired if she was sure. "Yeah, I am. I have the skill set to do more, so I'll explore other options." They continued in companionable silence when Y/N offhandedly commits. "You'd be a hottie in pearls and heels, Peaches."

****

"Y/N, porch light just popped on," Jensen calls out the door as she's shutting the front gate. "Bet that dilly's snuffling around it again." Dimming the headlights, he drove slowly past the outbuildings, following the curved gravel drive nears the wooden garage when Y/N starts cursing a blue streak.

Jensen quickly braked when she opened the door, jumping out, angrily marching toward the house. Throwing the SUV into park, he hears Y/N's infuriated voice. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Coming up on the porch Jensen sees an older, thin woman with a cigarette dangling between her lips standing there. "Had to find out for myself if it was true." The raspy-voiced woman snapped back. "That my daughter is having an affair with some C-list actor." Redirecting her ire towards Jensen, rudely questioned.

“You knock her up? 'Cause no GQ-looking guy would've left his wife otherwise." Jensen's eyes bugged like those in a Spielberg movie. "You're Y/N's mother?"

"That's right, chèr. And you’re fucking the bane of my existence."

SPNTAGS:  @donnaintx  @lyarr24  @flamencodiva @lassie-bird  @nancymcl  @spnbaby-67 @leigh70 @b3autyfuld1sast3r

Sam/Jared: @idreamofplaid

It was Thursday night, and once again, Jensen found himself the proverbial third wheel. The Padalecki’s meant well, dragging him everywhere with them since he filed for divorce, wanting to keep him from brooding with a bottle when not with his kids.

And it wasn’t that Jensen didn’t mind socializing. It was knowing the evening would be filled with repetitive I’m sorry, and the look of sympathy that sent him straight to the open bar first for many a shot nowadays. 

Feeling the slight buzz he needed kicking in, Jensen put on his game face and, with another tumbler of liquid courage in hand, made the rounds, chatting amicably with various groups and catching up with old friends.

Things were going pretty well until some dumb fuck turned to Genevieve, loudly blurting they’d heard Danneel making the rounds with guys with more sizable assets was the reason for the divorce pissed off her moose-sized husband, who bellows shut your unprepossessing cake hole causes a momentary distraction allowing Jensen to escape out a nearby door before punching the sonuvabitch with the double entendre himself. 

Slamming it shut, he stomped to the riverside view, wrapping both hands around the horizontal guardrail and squeezing like he was wringing a chicken's neck when the simultaneous swish of fabric and a hand holding half a glass of liquid appeared.

“Looks like you could use this more than me.” 

Jensen’s eyes met those of the tall drink of water he’d noticed throughout the evening. Looking at the glass again made her laugh, “I’m not slipping you a Mickey.” Lifting it to her lips, he watched her throat ungulate as she drank and felt Jen Jr. rising to attention. “See, Peaches, I’m not some crazy stalker.” 

Jensen takes the glass and feels a spark when their fingers brush. “Thanks, I wasn’t thinking..that.” Throwing back the rest, he appreciates the liquor's smooth slide down his throat. “It’s been a pretty shitty evening.”

“Preaching to the choir, Peaches! I came ‘cause my second cousin on my mama’s side girl broke up with him, and now I know why.” She bends over and retrieves a bottle, giving Jensen a fantastic view of her breasts artfully showcased in her cocktail dress, and pops up, pointing the bottle at him.

 “That motherfucker thought he could pimp me out for a promotion! What the hell is it with people having a ring on it?” She grabs his left wrist, tilting it so the outdoor lights glint off the wedding band he hasn’t removed yet, “Acting like this means absofuckinglutely nothing?”

“Now you’re preaching to the choir. My soon-to-be ex was doing that while I was working in Vancouver and telling everyone it’s because I’m lacking.” Jensen couldn’t stop self-dissing since catching Danneel and one of his closest friends together.

“Hoooly shit!  You’re the guy whose wife runs around saying you couldn’t find her clit with a map, GPS, or fucking bullseye paint on it!” Jensen’s eyes widened at her audacity. “Hell, most gals just use a vibrator if they wanna get off that bad. And did you just admit your package is..?” She wiggles her pinky finger while refilling the glass, “Don’t get me wrong, no shame if you know how to use it.” 

She finally noticed his expression slapped a hand over her mouth and mumbled, “Oh fuck, I’m so sorry! My mouth doesn’t know how to stop once I get started. Blame it on my upbringing.” Jensen took a drink to cover his humiliation, and a stiffener for no telling what she’d say next asked, “Upbringing?”

Removing her hand reveals a guileless smile: “You know what they say, you can take the girl outta the trailer park.” Bewilderment crossed his face to her self-deprecating response. “Yeah, I’m that relative they always warned you about.”

“Little late with the warning, sweetheart.”

She burst out laughing, and Jensen found himself doing the same.

Later

Jensen couldn’t believe it. 

In his profession, showing unscripted emotions was a sign of weakness many would exploit. Yet, here he was, a forty-three-year-old man usually in control, sitting outback of this building with a woman he’d never met before, who’d upended that control.

She was the distraction he needed before knowing it; he did something he’d never do under normal circumstances, told her everything, and got a response of, “That sucks balls, and not in a good way!”

“Kicker is; she wants alimony.”

“What a gall darn minute. You caught your almost ex doing the beast with two backs, right?” Jensen hums in response. “Peaches, I’m no lawyer, but I’d say that ain’t fucking happening,” She tips the second five-finger discounted bottle over the glass he’d again drained. “And no offense, your ex makes those whores back in Ratchet City look almost pious. Most have the decency not to fuck in your bed.”

Jensen rubbed his face, “I can’t believe I’ve told a stranger about my marital problems.”

“Sometimes it’s easier to unburden yourself to someone you don’t know.”

“I haven’t even told my family or Jared!”

“And Jared is?”

“The guy who has my back no matter what.” She ponders his response for a moment. “That’s probably why. You’re afraid that if he knows what happened, it’ll diminish how he sees you.” Jensen appeared confused. “Guys POV... if I caught my wife fucking around and saying it’s cause I couldn’t keep her satisfied in the sack, I’d not wanna discuss it either. But I know it’s,” wiggles pinky again, “Horseshit.”

“How?”

“You dress left, and I’ve never had an iPhone stand up to say hello.” Jensen struggled to formulate a coherent response. “Ahh, come on, Peaches, you know you’ve given many people wet dreams about the Ackelconda.”

“Why do you keep calling me that?”

“Cause you’ve got the juiciest peach of an ass, and I wouldn’t kick you outta bed for eating crackers,” she says, winking at him, but before he responds, they hear a booming, “Jensen!” Jared appears out the side door, walking towards them. “Fuck, man, I’ve been looking all over for you!  We need to get going; it’s almost midnight.”

“Well, pooh, and here I thought I was going to get lucky,” she says as they stand up; a ringing church bell echoes across the river twelve times. “Guess it’s time to leave the ball and head back to the pumpkin patch.” 

Walked past Jared, she nodded and was almost to the open door when Jensen yelled, “Wait!” She paused as he ran over, “You can’t leave this way. I don’t even know your name.” She held out a hand, “Give me your phone.” He unlocked it and noticed her smirk while she was typing. “Give me a ring if you ever cross the tracks, Peaches." 

Both men appreciated her retreating form when Jared asked, “Who was that?” Jensen doesn’t answer until she disappears in the crowded room, then glances at the screen and gets his you’ve got to be kidding face.

“Cinderella.”

****

Weeks later

One afternoon, they were hanging out watching football, and Jared, tired of nagging Jensen about getting back on the horse and calling her, pulled out the big guns, telling him if he was going to act like a girl, maybe he should put on a skirt and call himself Jane.

That irked an inebriated Jensen, who fumbled his phone out of his pocket, pulled up her contact info…and chickened out again, tossing it on the couch. Jared saw her number on the screen and tapped call, knowing he risked getting kneed in the nads. Two rings later, her voice came through the speaker. 

“Peaches, you’re slower than molasses crawling uphill in January giving a girl a holler.” Hearing her voice mellowed Jensen, and they agreed to meet on Friday at a hole-in-the-wall for lunch where he wouldn’t be recognized.

That lunch became dinner. Dinner became bar hopping, and after indulging in one too many, they sneaked into Blue Hole Regional Park, went skinny dipping, and did things that would scare fish. Afterward, she takes him to a Waffle House, somewhere he hadn’t been in years, for a bowl of 4 AM chili.

****

Monday morning, coffeeholic Jensen grumpily fumbles around the shoebox-sized kitchen in her hundred-year-old farmhouse, searching for a mug while waiting on an aged percolator to finish.

Bending over to look in the dishwasher, he discovers one with a rainbow-maned unicorn flipping the bird, saying, I Run On Caffeine Sarcasm & Cuss Words.  Straightening up, Jensen bangs his head on an overhanging cabinet and finds the last two words apropos. Finally brewed, Jensen steps out onto the shady front porch, sipping on the dark roast, and sits in one of the old rockers, contemplating if he’s having a midlife crisis.

They were barely acquainted twenty-four hours before they got together, in the biblical sense. He heard Dean's gravelly voice telling him to stop being a dumbass, that he deserved this after the shellacking Danneel delivered the last few months.

What astounds Jensen is that when his heart broke harder than he knew it could, she was the solace he craved, and he began to believe it would mend with her.

Jensen was nervous because tonight was extra special.

A few months back, she bounded into his home excited about an upcoming celestial event and field trip her astronomy class was taking. She really, really wanted him to go, even though they agreed to keep their relationship secret until he’d finalized his divorce. It struck Jensen that it would be the perfect night to do something he’d wanted to do since their first date, so he said yes while mentally making other arrangements for the night.

****

“Peaches, this isn’t the way.”

“We’re not going there sweetheart.”

“I realize that Captain Obvious! What I want to know, wtf?!  Are you trying to get me fired? I have a class...."

“That Dr. Carnegie is graciously covering.”

“Why is..what did you do Jensen?”

“I went to the head of your department,” she groaned, “And inquired if someone else could supervise because I’d planned a special night with my girl.”

“What happened to us keeping on the DL? Carnegie is the biggest blabbermouth! Everyone on the planet’s gonna know about us by morning!”

“My divorce was finalized this morning.”

“WHAT!” she indignantly squawked. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me?!” Jensen bemusedly listened to her ongoing rant, eventually picking up her hand and kissing its back, entwining their fingers as he drove on for another hour to Inks Lake State Park. “Since when do you camp out?” She asks when he pays for an overnight camping permit. “Cause the one time I asked, you gave me stink face at the mention of a tent.”

“Since the day you bounded into my home all excited and asked me to come with you. I wanted to make tonight special.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. I sincerely appreciate you compromising your creature comforts for me.” Jensen scratched the back of his head, “Well, it’s not technically camping out. I got an air mattress that fits in the truck bed.”

“I know it’s a yearly thing, so what makes this one so special?” Jensen asked as he gazed up at the moon awash with a vivid pink hue. The question made her lift her head from the telescope’s eyepiece, and an amused expression crossed her features.

“Are you trying to seduce me, Mrs. Robinson? Or do you want me to paint you like one of those French girls?” Jensen peers down at his unintentional position: one hand tucked behind his head, bowed legs splayed, one knee slightly bent, his other hand lying near the sliver of skin peeking out between his dark henley and well-worn jeans.

 “What makes this one so special?” She walks towards the truck, setting foot on the back bumper, gripping the tailgate, and hopping over it onto the mattress. “It is the moon's proximity to the earth.” She crawls forward, placing her hands on either side of his shoulders and slung a leg over Jensen’s hips, slowly sitting down. “Plus, being ultra-close, the color is so vivid that whatthehellisinyourpants!!”

Jensen quickly sits up, about to grab her waist so she doesn’t hit the sidewall, but she scoots down his legs. “That’d better be a sex toy in your pants and not Peyronie’s disease.” Jensen gave her a bewildered look. “What can I say? I like your cock as is. Curves just right for my pleasure.”

“Your mouth is gonna be the death of me..” “..but what a way to go?”

Jensen flopped on his back, groaning, “This isn’t how I imagined tonight going.” She smiled and crawled back over him, “So let’s pretend we’re on set. I’ve flubbed the scene and do another take.”

“That’s why I love you,” reaching up, Jensen tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “The fact that everything that pops into my head comes flying out of my mouth?” Jensen chuckles at her question. “Yeah, I like you, just as you are.” He reaches into the pocket she sat on, pulls out a box, and opens it, revealing the ring he’d chosen. “And would be the luckiest man alive if you’d marry me.”

Taking her left hand, he slides it on her finger, feeling apprehensive at her silence. It is almost deafening, having never known her without any response. “Getting nervous here, sweetheart,” Jensen says as he sits up. "Look, I know we’ve only been together for a short time. I don’t want you to feel pressured in any way to answer right now.”

“What’s the stone?”

“Umm... it’s a Moldavite.” She gets that expression he still isn’t sure what to make of it. “I know it’s not conventional, and if you want to pick something else,” Jensen breaks off, watching her eyes fill with tears.

“You gave me this not ‘cause you’re being cheap. The stone, you knew what the significance of its origin would mean to me.” She cupped his cheek, “You’ve never put on airs with me, never been anything other than yourself. A genuine, caring, funny-as-hell doofus with a beautiful soul and I’m saying yes!”

Paschal Moon 2.0-coming 10/24

SPNTAGS:  @donnaintx  @lyarr24  @flamencodiva @lassie-bird  @nancymcl  @spnbaby-67 @leigh70 @b3autyfuld1sast3r

Sam/Jared: @idreamofplaid

It was Saturday night and once again Jensen found himself the proverbial third wheel.

Jared and Genevieve meant well, dragging him everywhere with them since his filing for divorce, wanting to keep him from brooding at home with a bottle when not with his kids.

And it wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy socializing, that wasn’t the problem, it was knowing it would be an evening filled with repetitive I'm so sorry and the look that sent him straight to the open bar first for many a shot nowadays.

Feeling the slight buzz he needed to deal, Jensen put on his game face and with another tumbler of liquid courage in hand made the rounds; chatting amicably with various groups, catching up with old friends.

Things were going pretty well until some dumbfuck with more alcohol than brains turned to Genevieve loudly blurting they’d heard the reason for the divorce was Danneel had been making the rounds with guy’s with more sizable assets..

That’s when her moose sized husband bellowed in the jerks face to shut their unprepossessing cake hole.

Jensen takes the momentary distraction to escape out a side door before he gives into the impulse and punches the sonuvabitch with the double entendre slammed it shut crossed over to the riverside railing and gripping it in both hands wrung it like a chicken neck.

The unexpected swish of fabric made Jensen shift his focus spying a glass half full of liquid being held out in front of him, “looks like you could use this more than me.”

He turns, finding himself gazing into the eyes of the tall drink of water he’d noticed throughout the evening.

Glancing at the glass again she laughed, “I’m not slipping you a mickey,” lifting said glass to her lips he watched her throat ungulate, making Jensen Jr. rise to attention.

“See Peaches, I’m not some crazy charity stalker.”

He took the glass and felt a spark as his fingers brushed hers, “thanks, I wasn’t actually thinking..that,” threw back the rest of the liquid appreciating the smooth slide down his throat, “it’s been a pretty shitty evening.”

“Preaching to the choir honey child. I’m here ‘cause my second cousin on my mama’s side girl broke up with him and now I know why.”

She bends over giving Jensen a fantastic view of her breasts artfully showcased in her cocktail dress retrieves a bottle, “that motherfucker thought he could pimp me out for a promotion!”

She points the bottle at him, “what the hell is it with people? That having a ring on it,” she grabs his left wrist holding it up so the lights glint off the band he hasn’t been able to remove yet, “means absofuckinglutely nothing?”

“Now you're preaching to the choir,” Jensen can’t keep the bitter note out of his voice as she refilled the glass, “my soon to be ex’s been doing that while I was working,” his shoulders dropped, feeling deflated.

“Holy shit, you’re the guy everyone is gossiping about! Is it true your wife’s been running around ‘cause you couldn’t find her clit with a map, GPS and a fucking bullseye paint on it? Hell, most gals just use a vibrator if they wanna get off that bad.”

There was no disguising his blushing this time, even the tips of his elfin ears felt hot and he’d swear they were glowing in the dim lighting as she continues, “or that your package is really,” she wriggled her pinky finger, “don’t get me wrong, no shame if you know how to use it.”

Jensen’s eyes widened in shock and she slapped her hand over her mouth, “oh fuck, I’m so sorry, my mouth doesn’t know how to stop once I get started, blame it on my upbringing.”

Jensen took a drink figuring he’d need a stiffener since there’s no telling what she’d say to his one word question, “upbringing?”

She grinned at him, “you know what they say, you can take the girl outta the trailer park..” Jensen's expression became bewildered, “yep, I’m that relative they always warned you about.”

“Little late with the warning sweetheart.”

She burst out laughing and Jensen found himself doing the same.

***

Later

They were sitting with their backs against the building working on another bottle she five finger discounted.

Here he was, a forty-three year old man normally in control ‘cause in his profession showing emotions that weren't scripted was a sign of weakness that could be exploited but this woman, whom he’s never met before, had upended his control, making him feel like he’s thirteen year old having his first crush, had him talking and laughing and before he knew it told her everything that’d actually happened.

“That sucks balls and not in the good way!”

“Kicker is she wants alimony.”

“But you caught her doing the beast with two backs..” Jensen hums in response taken another drink before handing her the glass.

“Peaches, I’m no lawyer but I’d say that ain’t fucking happening,” she refills the glass, “and no offense but your ex makes those whores back home look almost pious, they have the decency not to fuck in your bed..most of the time.”

Jensen rubbed his face, “I can’t believe I’ve told a complete stranger about my problems.”

“Sometimes it’s easier to unburden yourself to someone you don’t know.”

“I haven’t even told my family or Jared!”

“And Jared is?”

“The guy who has my back no matter what.”

“That’s probably why, you’re afraid that if he knows what really happened it'll diminish how he sees you.”

Jensen looked at her confused, “guys POV.. if I caught my wife fucking around in our marital bed saying it’s cause I couldn’t keep her satisfied in the sack, I’d not wanna discuss it either but I know it’s,” wiggles pinky again, “horseshit.”

“How..”

“You dress left..and I’ve never had a phone stand up to say hello.”

Jensen found himself stumbling to come up with some kind of coherent response.

“Ahh, come on Peaches, you know you’ve given a lotta people wet dreams about you and your alter ego.”

“Why do you keep calling me that?”

“Cause you’ve got the juiciest peach of an ass I’ve ever seen and I wouldn’t kick you outta bed for eating crackers,” she says winking at him.

“Jensen!” They both look up at a fuming Jared coming out the side door. “Fuck man, I’ve been looking all over for you, we’re ready to go,” heads towards them as a church’s bells ring twelve times.

“Well pooh, I was having fun,” she says as they stood up, “guess it’s time to leave the ball and for me to head back to the pumpkin patch.” She gives Jared a nod walking towards the open door.

“WAIT!” Jensen hollars and runs to her, “you can’t just leave this way..I don’t even know your name.”

“Give me your phone,” he pulls it out of his jacket pocket making her smirk seeing its size, enters her digits, “give me a ring if you ever cross the tracks Peaches,” winking at him she then disappears into the crowded room.

“Who was that?” Jared asked as Jensen glanced at her contact info.

“Cinderella.”

***

It took weeks of Jared’s continual nagging about getting back on the horse for Jensen to decide to call.

Yet he didn’t.

Another two weeks went by when Jared flat out told him to stop acting like a teenage girl made him whip out his phone and pull up her number before going to shut it off again when Jared snatched it and held it over his head out of Jensen’s reach making him squawk taps call.

Two rings and her voice came through the speaker.“Peaches, you’re slower than molasses in January crawling uphill giving a girl a holler.”

Jensen’s irritation with Jared mellowed hearing her voice, agreeing to meet Friday at a hole-in-the-wall for lunch where he wouldn’t be recognized.

Lunch became dinner, dinner became bar hopping which lead to sneaking into Blue Hole to go skinny dipping and doing things that would scare fish, detouring to Waffle House for chili around four in the morning, ends with him spending the weekend at her place.

***

Jensen was nervous. It didn’t happen often but tonight was extra special.

A few months back she’d bounded into his home excited about an upcoming celestial event and field trip her astronomy class was taking and she really, really, really wanted him to go even though they agreed on keeping their relationship secretive until his divorce was finalized.

It struck him that it'd be the perfect night to do something he’d literally been wanting to since their first date so he said yes while mentally making other arrangements for the night.

***

“Peaches, this isn’t the way to the observatory.”

“We’re not going there sweetheart.”

“I realize that Captain Obvious! What I want to know is wtf..are you trying to get me fired? I have a class..”

“That Dr. Carnegie is graciously covering.”

“Why is..what did you do Jensen?”

“I went to the head of your department,” she groaned, “and inquired if it was possible for someone else to supervise because I’d planned a special night with my girl.”

“What happened to us keeping on the DL? Carnegie is the biggest blabbermouth..everyone on the planet’s gonna know about us by morning!”

“We don’t have to anymore ‘cause my divorce was finalized this morning.”

“WHAT!” She indignantly squawked,”why the hell didn’t you tell me..”

Jensen bemusedly listens to her ongoing rant, picking up her hand kissing it’s back entwined their fingers as he drove on for another hour to Inks Lake State Park paying for an overnight camping permit.

“Since when do you camp out, ‘cause the one time I asked, you gave me stink face when I mentioned a tent.”

“Since the day you bounded in all excited, asking me to come with you and I wanted to make tonight special.”

She leaned over kissing his cheek, “thank you. I sincerely appreciate you compromising your creature comforts for me.”

Jensen scratched the back of his head, “well, we’re not technically camping out, I got an air mattress that fits in the truck bed.”

***

Jensen gaze’s up at the moon awash with a pink hue, “I know it's a yearly thing so what makes this one so special?” The question made her lift her head from the telescope’s eyepiece, an amused expression crossed her features taken in his reclining position on the air mattress in the moonlight.

“Are you trying to seduce me Mrs. Robinson? Or do you want me to paint you like one of those french girls?”

Jensen peers down at his unintentional position: one hand tucked behind his head, bowed legs splayed, one knee slightly bent, his other hand lying near the sliver of skin peaking out between his dark henley and low riding jeans.

She walks towards the truck, “what makes this years,” sets a foot on the back bumper, “so special,” grips the tailgate and hops over onto the mattress, “is the proximity of the moons orbit,” on her hands and knees crawls forward, “to the earth,” placing her hands on either side of his shoulders she straddles Jensen’s hips slowly sitting down, “is ultra close and..whatthehellisinyourpants!!”

Jensen quickly grabbed her waist, preventing her from hitting the sidewall when she jumped off him, “that’s the other surprise I planned for tonight.”

“That’d better be a sex toy and not Peyronie's disease,” Jensen gave her an bewildered look, “what, I like your cock as is, curves just right for my pleasure.”

“Your mouth is gonna be the death of me..”

“..but what a way to go?”

Jensen flopped on his back groaning, “this isn’t how I imagined tonight going.”

“So let’s pretend we’re on set, I’ve flubbed the scene and do another take.”

“That’s why I love you,” he says, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear, “the fact everything that pops into my head comes flying out of my mouth?” Jensen chuckles, “yeah well, I like you just as you are and would be the luckiest man alive if you’d marry me.” He reaches into his pocket pulling out the box she sat on and opens it revealing the ring he’d chosen takes her hand sliding it on her finger.

Her silence was almost deafening, having never known her to be without some kind of a response, “getting nervous here sweetheart,” Jensen says, “I know we’ve only been together for a short time and I don’t want you to feel pressured in any way to answer...”

“What’s the stone?”

“Umm..it’s a Moldivite,” she has this expression he wasn’t sure what to make of it. “I know it’s not conventional and if you want to pick something..else..” Jensen broke off watching her eyes fill with tears.

“You gave me this ring, not because you’re being cheap, but ‘cause you know what the significance of its origin would mean to me. You’ve never put on air’s with me, never been anything other than yourself, a genuine, caring, funny as hell, beautiful soul who couldn’t be any more perfect and I’m saying yes!”

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