The Mute Reporter

42- Six Years Earlier

Samuel Winters

It's been about two weeks since the trip to LA, and Jensen has been a little off.

Something is going on, but I'm to afraid to pry in his business that he's not yet ready to tell me. I think he's just busy though.

We both fell asleep at my place last night, and I woke up before Jensen did the next morning.

He doesn't take away my nightmares slash memories. Trauma doesn't simply get fixed by love. It takes more work than getting cuddled at night to get rid of nightmares.

I wish it wasn't that way sometimes though. I wish it could be like the romance stories I read where the character has nightmares and the love interest is able to take it away in just one night.

I feel Jensen stir behind me, and I keep my eyes closed and my breathing steady. I want to live in this moment just for a little longer before I have to say goodbye to him and leave for work.

I was publishing the exclusive today.

And two weeks after that, we could come out publicly as a couple. To say I'm excited for him to be mine is more than words can say.

Jensen sits up slightly, and I feel him press his soft lips to my temple.

"I love you." He whispers, and moves away from me, getting out of my bed and putting on his clothes.

I couldn't open my eyes even if I wanted too.

That confession had me paralyzed completely.

That's when I remember he said that to me a few weeks ago in LA, right when I slipped into sleep. That's what had me smiling into my dream.

I hear Jensen's footsteps walk around over to the side of the bed I'm facing, and his lips press against mine.

When I respond after a few moments, feigning just waking up, he smiles in the kiss and pulls away two seconds later.

"Good morning sleepy head."

I open my eyes finally, and he's all dressed, both of his shoes in one of his hands.

Oh, he's already heading out?

Doesn't matter, I'll see him later today to give him first look at the exclusive.

I reach my hand out and stroke his cheek, and he just laughs.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go. I just wanted to wake you and say goodbye because leaving a note is lame. Not when I can talk to you before I leave, no matter how tired you are."

God, I love him.

I lean up and give him a quick good morning and goodbye kiss, and he waves at me one more time before quietly walking out of my bedroom.

I look over at the clock, and decide to go back to sleep as I have a few more hours until I have to be at work.

———

'Alright, I'm heading out. It's publishing day.' I sign to Celia, and I grab an apple.

"Have fun!" She waves at me, pouring ketchup over her hash browns.

I am repulsed by the smell of the condiment.

'Jesus Celia, don't eat that ketchup. It's gone bad or something.'

Celia cocks a brow, sniffing at the ketchup bottle, and then checking the expiration date.

"It doesn't expire for like another year or whatever?" She closes the bottle, now frowning at the ketchup in her food.

'I'm leaving. It smells nasty.'

"You never had a problem with the way ketchup smells?" I hear her call after me as I walk out the door.

She's right though. But that ketchup did smell bad and I almost threw up over it.

Hopefully this isn't a permanent thing, because I actually do like ketchup.

The best way to eat ketchup was to mix it with mayonnaise. It made a beautiful thing called fry sauce.

God, I can smell the Utahns influence on Colorado with that.

Anyways, time for work.

I groan.

———

After a long day at work, running around the office and double checking every single last detail through Dani, the first editions were printed.

It would hit shelves tomorrow, but I had a copy in my hands right now.

And I wanted to show Jensen right away.

I texted him asking where he was, and he said practice was just wrapping up. So he's gotta be at the stadium.

The stadium halls were familiar to me now, no longer confusing.

I reach my hand out to open the door to the locker room, but then decide it's weird for me to just walk in on all the players like that.

However, someone saying my name had me eavesdropping.

I lean forward and press my ear to the door.

"Are you sure it was Sam?" A voice said.

"Positive. Can't believe Jensen actually went through with it." Another voice I don't recognize chimes in.

A few laughs sound out.

What?

What did Jensen go through with?

As if they could hear the question echo around my brain, I hear a voice I do recognize.

"I mean, he had to do what he had to do for the good exclusive right? I'm honestly pretty impressed with how he was able to get Sam wrapped around his finger." Mateo replies to his friends.

Tears sting at my eyes.

All of this was a lie?

"Yo, Jensen! I can't believe you actually took our advice with Sam." Another person I don't recognize.

I wish I could see his face right now.

I wish he could see mine.

"Ah. Yeah." Jensen's voice sounds forced, and there's something painful about it.

"God, I knew he would be an easy person to play when he asked you that dumb question at that press conference. I'm glad you decided to choose him."

It's Mateo again.

That asshole.

I lean away from the door and take my hand off the handle.

Turning around before anyone can catch me standing there, I throw the stupid paper on a nearby bench and walk away from the hall.

Today was supposed to be good. It was supposed to be great.

It started out so great.

I walk out the stadium and back to my car, driving away as quick as I could.

There was no way in hell I was letting him back in my bed anytime soon.

———
(QOTD: If you could bend any element, which one would you choose? And no, you cannot be the avatar. Not everyone can be the freaking avatar.

But shoutout to my fire benders lol)