Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Rain lashed the rental car’s windshield as Jensen turned onto Willow Creek’s main street. New York felt a world away—sirens, skyscrapers, Tom’s empty side of the bed. Here, the only sounds were rain and the rhythmic thump-thump of his own exhaustion. He’d been driving for hours, fleeing the sterile silence of his apartment and Tom’s texts: "I made a mistake. Please answer."

Then it hit him. Warm. Sweet. Vanilla and brown butter.
His foot hovered over the brake. Ahead, a cheerful sign swung in the wind:
THE FAMILY BUSINESS • BAKERY • BOOKS • DOGS WELCOME.
Through the fogged window, he saw golden light, shelves of books, and a man laughing, flour dusting his dark hair as he slid a tray of cupcakes into a display case.

Jensen parked. He didn’t know why. Maybe the scent reminded him of his grandmother’s kitchen. Maybe he was just tired of running.

A bell chimed as Jensen entered. Warmth enveloped him, along with the scent of coffee and sugar. The man behind the counter looked up, and Jensen’s breath caught. He was tall—broad shoulders, kind eyes, and a smile that felt like sunlight breaking through clouds.
"Hey there," the man said, voice warm as the bakery air. "Escape the rain?"
"Something like that," Jensen managed. His eyes drifted to the cupcakes: lemon with vanilla frosting, glistening like jewels.
"First time in Willow Creek?" The man extended a hand, flour dusting his knuckles. "Jared Padalecki."
"Jensen. Ackles." Their hands touched. Jared’s was calloused, strong. Jensen’s throat tightened. "Trauma doesn’t vanish," his therapist had said. "But joy can sneak up on you." This felt like joy. And it terrified him.
“Here, have a lemon cupcake”, Jared handed Jensen one, and he couldn’t resist to bite immediately.
Jensen thought he could die right there and then for how good it tasted.
Suddenly, a mastiff cross trotted from the back, tail wagging. He sniffed Jensen’s shoes, then rested his head firmly on Jensen’s left foot. Jensen froze.
"Harley, no!" Jared laughed. "Sorry, he’s usually—"
"It’s okay," Jensen whispered, crouching. The dog licked his hand. Jensen’s shoulders relaxed, something unclenching in his chest.
Harley leaned into him, a solid, trusting weight. Jensen buried his fingers in the dog’s ruff, breathing in the scent of rain and fur. For the first time in months, the ache in his chest eased.

A woman with dark hair pulled into a messy bun emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on an apron. Genevieve. She eyed Jensen like a hawk.
"New customer?" she asked Jared, tone light but eyes sharp.
"Jensen," Jared beamed.
Jensen smile. "Just tried the lemon cupcake. Best I’ve ever had."
Genevieve raised an eyebrow. "City boy, huh? You look like you haven’t slept in a week."
Jensen stiffened. "Just passing through."
"Right." Genevieve turned to Jared. "The oven’s acting up again. Can you—?"
"On it." Jared squeezed Jensen’s arm. "Stay. Finish your cupcake. I’ll be back."
As Jared disappeared into the kitchen, Genevieve leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "So, Doctor. What brings you to our little town?"
Jensen blinked. "How’d you know I’m a doctor?"
Genevieve smirked. "You’ve got the hands. And the exhaustion. And you’re staring at Jay like he’s a glass of water in the desert."
Heat crept up Jensen’s neck. "I—my car broke down."
"Liar," Genevieve said, but her smile softened. "Just… be careful with him, okay? He’s got a big heart. And people like you tend to break things you don’t mean to."

Jensen stepped outside, cupcakes in hand, and dialed Danneel. She answered on the first ring.

"Please tell me you’re not hiding in a hospital supply closet again," she said.
"Small town. Pennsylvania. It’s… quiet." He took a bite of the cupcake. Lemon and sunshine melted on his tongue.
"Ah. The ‘I’m running away but won’t admit it’ tour. How’s the scenery?"
Jensen’s gaze drifted back to the bakery window. Jared was laughing with Genevieve, head thrown back, flour on his cheek. "There’s a baker."
Danneel paused. "A baker? Jensen Ackles, are you actually noticing a human being? Tom’s gonna lose his mind."
Jensen’s chest tightened. "Tom texted. He wants to talk."
"Of course he does. You’re his safety net. But you’re not his anymore, Jen." Danneel’s voice softened. "Forget Tom. What about the baker?"
Jensen watched Jared ruffle Harley’s ears. "He’s… different."
"Different good or different ‘I’m gonna break your heart’?"
"I don’t know," Jensen admitted. "But his dog likes me."
Danneel laughed. "That’s more than Tom ever managed. Stay. Eat cupcakes. Pet the dog. And for God’s sake, rest."

Jared reappeared as Jensen ended the call. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah. Just… a friend." Jensen hesitated. "Genevieve mentioned you know some good spots around here? Quiet places?"
Jared’s eyes lit up. "You like waterfalls? Hiking? I know this place—hidden gorge. No tourists. Just trees, water, and my dogs."
Jensen’s heart raced. "I’d… like that."
"Tomorrow?" Jared asked, hope bright in his eyes. "10 AM?"
Jensen nodded. "10 AM."

As Jensen walked back to his car, Harley trotted beside him, leaning against his leg one last time. Jensen scratched behind his ears, then looked back. Jared was watching him from the bakery door, smiling.
For the first time since Tom left, Jensen didn’t feel like he was running. He felt like he’d arrived.

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Jensen arrived at The Family Business at 9:58 AM. Jared waited outside, leashing his mastiff dog Harley and Sadie, German Shepard mix. Sadie barked once, tail wagging like a metronome.
"You came!" Jared beamed, handing Jensen a thermos. "Black coffee. No sugar. You strike me as a ‘bitter like my soul’ type."
Jensen laughed—really laughed. "Accurate."

They walked through mist-draped woods. Jared talked animatedly—sourdough starters, Sadie’s squirrel obsession, the time his three-tier cake collapsed "like my will to live during tax season." Jensen listened, the knot in his chest loosening with every step.
"You’re good with them," Jensen said, watching Jared calm Sadie with a soft word.
Jared shrugged. "They’re family. After my parents died… they were all I had."
Jensen’s throat tightened. "I’m sorry."
"Don’t be," Jared said lightly. But his hand tightened on Sadie’s leash.

They reached a hidden gorge. Water cascaded down mossy rocks into a crystal pool. Sunlight pierced the canopy, turning mist into rainbows.
"Told you," Jared grinned. "My secret spot. No one knows about it."

Harley splashed straight into the water and back, having the time of his life. Suddenly, Sadie spotted a squirrel on a branch and lunged with a sharp WOOF!
"Sadie, NO!" Jared lunged for her leash—but Harley, startled by the commotion, rammed straight into Jensen’s legs.
Jensen stumbled back, arms pinwheeling. Jared grabbed his waist to steady him. They teetered on the mossy edge—then crashed into the water together.
Cold water swallowed them whole. Jensen surfaced, sputtering, to find Jared laughing, hair plastered to his forehead, inches away. "You okay?" Jared asked, hands still on Jensen’s waist.
Jensen stared at him—water droplets clinging to Jared’s lashes, his grin wide and unguarded. "Yeah," he breathed. "I’m okay."
The air shifted. Jared’s laughter faded. His gaze dropped to Jensen’s lips. Jensen’s hands found Jared’s shoulders, pulling him closer. The world narrowed to the ripple of water, the distant rush of the waterfall—

RIIING. Jared’s phone blared from the shore. GENEVIEVE.
Jared jerked back. "Sorry. I should—"
"Right. Work." Jensen’s voice was rough.
As Jared waded out, Jensen watched him go, the ghost of a kiss tingling on his lips.

********
Jensen winced as he lifted a box of medical supplies at the clinic. His ribs ached from the fall.
"You move like a man twice your age, kid," a gravelly voice said. Dr. Jeffrey Dean Morgan stood in the doorway, arms crossed.
"Dr. Morgan," Jensen smiled weakly. "I didn’t expect you until rounds."
"Heard you took a swim in Miller’s Gorge," Dr. Morgan raised an eyebrow. "That Jared Padalecki’s secret spot. He doesn’t take just anyone there."
Jensen flushed. "We just… collided."
"Sure you did," Dr. Morgan chuckled. He gestured to Jensen’s bruised side. "Let me see. I didn’t invite you all the way from New York just to watch you injure yourself hiking."
Jensen froze. "You invited me?"
"Medical conference in Boston last year," Dr. Morgan said, examining Jensen’s ribs. "You presented that trauma study. Best damn paper I’d seen in 20 years. Told you then: ‘Kid, you’re wasting your talent in that NYC meat grinder.’" He met Jensen’s eyes. "So I called in a favor. Got you this sabbatical. Thought a little quiet might fix what’s broken inside you."
Jensen stared at him. "I… I thought it was just a leave."
"Son, I’m old, not stupid," Dr. Morgan grunted. "You’ve been running since that boyfriend of yours cheated. I gave you a place to land. Now, are you gonna keep wallowing… or are you gonna let that baker boy bake you back to life?"

********
On his way back, Ruth Connel pressed a paper bag into Jensen’s hands. "Apple fritters. For you and that handsome baker." She winked. "Dr. Morgan says you’re good people. And my Harold? He says your eyes light up when Jared’s around."
Jensen adjusted his shirt, hiding the bruise on his ribs. "We’re just friends."
Ruth patted his cheek. "Honey, I’ve been married 52 years. It started with ‘just friends’ and a stolen pie."

********
That night, Jensen couldn’t sleep. He walked to the waterfall. Jared was there, sketching by moonlight.
"Hey," Jensen said softly.
"Hey," Jared smiled. "Couldn’t sleep?"
Jensen sat beside him. Their shoulders brushed. Jared’s sketchbook lay open—a drawing of Harley, head on Jensen’s shoe.
"You’re really talented," Jensen murmured.
Jared closed the book. "Jen… about earlier. When we—"
Jared’s phone buzzed again. GENEVIEVE. "She’s persistent," Jensen sighed.
"She worries," Jared said quietly. "After my parents died… she’s all the family I have left."*
Jensen’s chest tightened. He wanted to say I’m here, but the words stuck. Instead, he watched Jared disappear into the trees, the scent of vanilla and rain lingering.

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Jensen hadn’t meant to say yes when Jared invited him over for "bad movie night." But the words slipped out—"Sure"—and now he stood on Jared’s porch, a bottle of wine clutched in one hand, nerves buzzing like static.
The door swung open. Jared beamed, flour dusting his cheek, Harley and Sadie wagging their tails behind him. "You came!"
"You asked," Jensen shrugged, handing him the wine.
Jared’s fingers brushed his. "Best decision you’ll make all week."

Jared’s living room was warm chaos: mismatched blankets, dogs sprawled on the rug, a giant bowl of popcorn on the coffee table. Jared put on a cheesy 80s sci-fi movie—"The best kind," he insisted, flopping onto the couch.
Jensen sat stiffly at the other end. Jared noticed. "Relax, Doc. I don’t bite." He nudged Jensen’s leg with his foot. "Unless you’re into that."
Jensen choked on his wine. "Jared—"
"Kidding!" Jared laughed, but his eyes held a flicker of something deeper. "Mostly."
They watched in silence for a while. Jensen found himself relaxing into the couch, into the warmth of Jared’s presence. Harley rested his head on Jensen’s foot. Sadie curled into Jared’s lap. It felt… easy. Domestic. Terrifying.

Halfway through the movie, Jensen’s phone buzzed. TOM.
I know you’re ignoring me. Please answer. I need to see you.
Jensen’s chest tightened. He stared at the screen, the familiar ache of guilt gnawing at him.
"Everything okay?" Jared asked softly.
Jensen locked his phone. "It’s nothing."
"Doesn’t look like nothing." Jared paused the movie. "If it’s about New York…"

"It’s Tom," Jensen admitted. "He wants to talk."
Jared’s smile faded. "Oh."
"He says he made a mistake," Jensen continued, the words tumbling out. "That he was blind, that he misses me…"
"Are you going back?" Jared’s voice was tight.
"I don’t know!" Jensen ran a hand through his hair. "We were together for years, Jared. It’s not easy to just… let go."
Jared stood abruptly. "Right. Of course not." He grabbed the popcorn bowl. "More popcorn?"
"Jared—"
"I’m fine," Jared said, but his voice was strained. "Just… watch the movie."

The movie ended. Jared stood to turn off the TV, his back to Jensen. Jensen watched him—the tension in his shoulders, the way he avoided Jensen’s gaze.
"Jared," Jensen said softly.
Jared turned. "Yeah?"
"I’m sorry," Jensen whispered. "I didn’t mean to make this weird."
"You didn’t," Jared said, but his voice cracked. "It’s just… you’re leaving in two weeks, Jen. And Tom’s waiting. And I’m just… here."
Jensen’s heart clenched. "You’re not ‘just here,’ Jared. You’re—"
He didn’t finish. He closed the distance between them, cupping Jared’s face in his hands. Jared’s breath hitched. Jensen leaned in, his lips brushing Jared’s—
"Jen—" Jared whispered.
"I’m sorry," Jensen breathed, and then he kissed him again.
It was soft at first, hesitant—then Jared kissed him back, deepening it, his hands tangling in Jensen’s hair. Jensen’s world narrowed to the warmth of Jared’s mouth, the taste of popcorn and salt, the weight of everything unsaid between them.

Then Jensen pulled back. "I can’t," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I leave in two weeks. I can’t do this to you."
Jared’s face crumpled. "Right. Of course you can’t." He stepped back, wrapping his arms around himself. "You should go."
"Jared—"
"Please, Jen," Jared said, his voice raw. "Just go."

********
Jensen drove aimlessly, ending up at the clinic. Dr. Morgan was there, finishing paperwork.
"Kid, you look like hell," the old doc grunted. "What happened?"
"I kissed him," Jensen admitted. "Then I told him I couldn’t."
Dr. Morgan sighed. "Of course you did. You’re so scared of getting hurt, you push away the one person who might actually heal you."
"He deserves better than someone who’s leaving," Jensen said quietly.
"Or maybe," Dr. Morgan said, "you deserve better than running back to the man who broke you."

********
Jensen found Ruth Connel in her garden, pruning roses. "He’s hurting," she said without looking up. "That boy doesn’t let people in easily. You got under his skin. And now you’re tearing him apart."
"I didn’t mean to," Jensen whispered.
"Intentions don’t matter, son," Ruth said, turning to face him. "Actions do. You either choose him—all in—or you let him go. You don’t get to half-love him."
"What if I want to stay?" Jensen asked, his voice raw.
Ruth’s eyes softened. "Then you fight for him. But you don’t get to do both."

********
Jensen stood outside Jared’s window, watching him read by lamplight. Harley rested his head on the glass, whining softly. Jensen wanted to knock, to apologize, to say I choose you—
But he didn’t. He just stood there, watching, until Jared turned off the light.

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Jensen hadn’t slept. The image of Jared’s face—crumpled, hurt—haunted him. He paced his rental, phone in hand, thumb hovering over Jared’s contact. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. But he couldn’t send it. What good would it do? He was still leaving. Tom was still waiting.

Then the doorbell rang.

Jensen opened the door to find Tom on his porch, designer coat damp with rain, hair perfectly styled despite the weather. He looked like he’d stepped out of a magazine—polished, expensive, and utterly out of place in Willow Creek.
"Jen," Tom said, his voice smooth. "I had to come. I couldn’t let you walk away without explaining."
Jensen’s chest tightened. "Tom… what are you doing here?"
"I was wrong," Tom stepped inside, closing the distance between them. "I was scared of how much I needed you. I pushed you away because I couldn’t handle it. But I see now—you’re it for me, Jen. You always have been."
He reached for Jensen’s hand. Jensen let him take it, the familiarity of Tom’s touch warring with the memory of Jared’s kiss.

Meanwhile, Jared stood outside Ruth’s house, handing a box of cupcakes to Ruth Connel. "For the bake sale," he said, forcing a smile.
"You look awful, dear," Ruth said, not unkindly. "Still moping over that doctor?"
Before Jared could answer, he glanced across the street—and froze. Jensen stood in his rental doorway, Tom standing too close, holding his hand. Jensen wasn’t pulling away.
Jared’s breath hitched. "I… I have to go," he mumbled, thrusting the cupcakes at Ruth.
"Jay—" Ruth started, but Jared was already walking away, head down, hands shoved in his pockets.

Jensen found Jared later, sweeping the bakery floor after closing. "Jared—"
"Don’t," Jared said, not looking up. "I get it, okay? You’re going back to New York. Back to him."
"It’s not like that," Jensen said. "He just showed up. I didn’t ask him to."
"But you didn’t send him away either," Jared shot back, finally meeting Jensen’s eyes. His voice cracked. "You kissed me, Jen. Then you ran. Now he’s here, and you’re letting him hold your hand. What am I supposed to think?"
"I don’t know what I want!" Jensen yelled, the words tearing out of him. "Tom is my past! He’s familiar! He’s safe!"
"And I’m not?" Jared’s voice broke. "I’m just the small-town baker you’re leaving behind?"
"That’s not what I meant!"
"Then what did you mean?" Jared demanded. "Because all I hear is that you’re choosing him. Again."
Jensen stared at him, helpless. "I’m scared, Jared! I’m scared of starting over. I’m scared of getting hurt again!"
"So am I!" Jared yelled back. "But I’m still here! I’m still choosing you! Even though you’re leaving! Even though you’re breaking my heart!"
Silence crashed down. Jared’s shoulders slumped. "Just go, Jen. Go back to Tom. Go back to New York. Just… go."
He turned and walked into the back room, leaving Jensen alone with the scent of vanilla and regret.

********
Jensen found Dr. Morgan at the clinic, staring out the window. "Kid," the old doc said without turning. "You look like hell."
"Tom’s here," Jensen admitted. "He wants me back."
"And what do you want?" Dr. Morgan turned, his eyes sharp.
"I don’t know!" Jensen raked a hand through his hair. "Tom is… familiar. Safe. But Jared…" He trailed off. "Jared feels like home."
"Then why are you fighting it?" Dr. Morgan asked. "Because it’s scary? Because it’s new? Kid, the best things in life are the ones that scare you shitless."

********
Jensen stood at the edge of Willow Creek's main street, watching the sunset paint the sky in shades of orange and pink. The scent of rain and damp earth filled the air. He thought of Jared—his laugh, his kindness, the way he looked at Jensen like he was someone special.
He thought of Tom—familiar, safe, but no longer feeling like home.
Dr. Morgan's words echoed in his mind: "The best things in life are the ones that scare you shitless."
Ruth's wisdom followed: "You either choose him—all in—or you let him go."
Jensen took a deep breath, pulled out his phone, and typed a message to Jared:
Can we talk? Please. I need to see you.
He hesitated for only a second before hitting send.

As he stood there, waiting for a response that might never come, Jensen finally admitted it to himself:
He was terrified.
But he was more terrified of losing Jared.

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Distance & Dogs

Jensen stared at his phone, the message to Jared delivered but unanswered. Seen 10:42 PM. No reply. No typing bubble. Just silence.
He’d expected it. After their fight, after seeing Jensen with Tom—why would Jared respond?

Jared didn’t come to the bakery the next day. Genevieve met Jensen at the door, arms crossed. "He’s not here, Doc. And he doesn’t want to see you."
"I just want to talk," Jensen said.
"Well, he doesn’t," Genevieve snapped. "You broke his heart, Jensen. Twice. Give him space."
Jensen nodded, defeated. "Can you at least tell him I’m sorry?"
Genevieve’s expression softened slightly. "I’ll tell him. But don’t hold your breath."

That afternoon, Jensen found Harley and Sadie tied up outside the bakery, whining softly. Genevieve must’ve brought them but gotten busy inside.
"Hey, guys," Jensen crouched, scratching Harley’s ears. "Where’s your dad?"
Harley whined, resting his head on Jensen’s knee. Sadie nudged his hand with her wet nose. Jensen’s chest tightened. These dogs were Jared’s family. And right now, they were his only connection to Jared.
"Come on," he said softly, untying their leashes. "Let’s take a walk."

Jensen was walking the dogs by the creek when Tom found him. "Jen," Tom called, jogging over. "We need to talk."
"Tom, now’s not—"
"I saw you with those dogs," Tom said, his voice tight. "You look… different here. Happier."
Jensen sighed. "Tom, I appreciate you coming, but—"
"You’re not coming back, are you?" Tom cut him off, his eyes searching Jensen’s face. "Not really. Not to me."
Jensen looked at Harley and Sadie, playing in the creek. "I don’t know what I’m doing, Tom. But I know I can’t go back to how things were."
Tom nodded slowly, a sad smile touching his lips. "I didn’t want to see it. But you’re not the same man I knew, Jen. You’re… lighter here." He held out a key. "My apartment key. I won’t be needing it."
Jensen took it, guilt warring with relief. "I’m sorry, Tom. For everything."
"Me too," Tom said. "Take care of yourself, Jen." He turned and walked away, not looking back.

Back at Jared’s, Jensen returned the dogs to the backyard. As he turned to leave, he spotted a sketchbook lying on the porch swing—Jared’s. He shouldn’t look. But he couldn’t help himself.
He opened it. Page after page of drawings:
Harley, head on Jensen’s shoe, from the waterfall
Jensen laughing, head thrown back, from movie night
Jensen sleeping on the couch, Sadie curled on his chest
A detailed sketch of Jensen’s hands, labeled Healing Hands
The last page hit Jensen like a punch:
A drawing of Jensen, looking out Jared’s window at night. The caption: He’s leaving. But I wish he’d stay.
Jensen’s breath hitched. Jared wasn’t just hurt. He was in love.
Jensen pulled out his phone, hands shaking. He typed:
I saw your sketchbook. I saw the drawings. I saw the last page.
I’m so sorry, Jared. For everything.
I don’t want to leave.
I want to stay.
For you.
He hit send before he could second-guess himself.

Jensen waited, heart pounding. Five minutes passed. Ten. Just as he was giving up hope, his phone buzzed.
Come inside.
Jensen didn’t hesitate. He walked to the door, and Jared opened it before he could knock. His eyes were red, but he didn’t cry. "You meant it?" he asked, his voice raw. "You want to stay?"
Jensen stepped closer, cupping Jared’s face in his hands. "I meant it. I want to stay. For you. For this."
Jared’s breath hitched. "But Tom—"
"Tom’s gone," Jensen whispered. "He left. And I realized something." He leaned in, their foreheads touching. "You’re not just ‘here,’ Jared. You’re my home."
Jared finally let the tears fall. "Stay," he whispered. "Please stay."
Jensen kissed him—soft, sweet, and full of promise. "Always," he murmured against Jared’s lips.

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The morning after, Jensen woke to sunlight streaming through Jared’s bedroom window. Harley was sprawled at his feet, Sadie curled on Jared’s chest. Jared slept beside him, one hand resting on Jensen’s arm—like he was afraid Jensen might disappear.
Jensen smiled, pressing a kiss to Jared’s forehead. I’m staying, he thought. I’m really staying.

At The Family Business, Genevieve eyed Jensen over the counter. "So. You’re staying."
"I’m staying," Jensen confirmed.
Genevieve studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Good. He deserves someone who chooses him. All in." She slid a cupcake across the counter. "On the house. Welcome to Willow Creek, Doc."
Ruth Connel bustled in, beaming. "Dr. Ackles! I heard the news! Have a fritter! On the house!" She winked. "We’re all so glad you’re staying. Especially Jared."
Jensen’s chest warmed. "Thank you, Ruth."

That afternoon, Jared closed the bakery early. He found Jensen in the backyard, throwing a ball for Harley and Sadie. "Can we talk?"
"Of course," Jensen said, sitting beside him on the porch swing.
Jared fidgeted with his hands. "I’m scared," he admitted quietly. "You’re this brilliant doctor from New York. I’m just… me. A baker who never went to college."
"Hey," Jensen said softly, taking Jared’s hand. "You’re not ‘just’ anything, Jared. You’re the smartest person I know. You read medical journals for fun. You built a life here from scratch. You’re… amazing."
Jared’s eyes glistened. "But what if it’s not enough? What if you get bored? What if you regret staying?"
"The only thing I’d regret is leaving," Jensen said firmly. "Jared, I spent years running. Running from work, from pain, from myself. Then I came here. And I found you. You make me want to stop running. You make me want to stay."
Jared finally let the tears fall. "Okay," he whispered. "Promise me you’ll stay?.."
Jensen kissed him, slow and sweet. "Always," he murmured against Jared’s lips.

********
At the clinic, Dr. Morgan grunted as Jensen updated a patient’s chart. "So. You’re staying."
"I’m staying," Jensen confirmed.
"Good," the old doc said. "This town needs a doctor who actually cares. And that baker boy? He’s good for you. Keeps you human." He clapped Jensen’s shoulder. "Don’t screw it up, kid."
"I won’t," Jensen promised.

*******
That night, Jared presented Jensen with a cupcake—lemon, his favorite. "Try it," he said, eyes nervous.
Jensen took a bite. His eyes widened. "This is… incredible. Better than the first one."
Jared beamed. "It’s a new recipe. I’m calling it ‘The Jensen.’"
Jensen laughed. "The Jensen, huh?"
"Yeah," Jared said softly. "Because it’s sweet. A little tart. And it makes me happy."
Jensen set the cupcake down, cupping Jared’s face in his hands. "I love you, Jared Padalecki."
Jared’s breath hitched. "I love you too, Jensen Ackles."
They kissed, Harley and Sadie barking happily at their feet.

********
Six months later, Jensen ran the Willow Creek clinic. Jared’s bakery had a line out the door every morning. Harley and Sadie wore matching bandanas.
One evening, they sat on the porch swing, watching the sunset. Jared rested his head on Jensen’s shoulder. "Happy?"
Jensen kissed his forehead. "Happier than I ever thought possible."
"Good," Jared murmured. "Because I’m never letting you go."
"Wouldn’t dream of it," Jensen whispered.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Jensen knew: he’d come to Willow Creek to escape. But he’d stayed to find his home.

THE END
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