Uncontroversial Behavior

The Big Joke

~Summary~ Cheek stroking is just something they do. Until Misha can't take it anymore.

When the wrap is called late Friday night, Jensen feels like a weight has lifted off his shoulders. Things had been on set lately, and to say he needs to get out and breathe some fresh air is putting it mildly. They had all been feeling it, that's why Jensen arranged for the outing the first weekend they had off. Jared, unfortunately, was stuck on kid duty, but Misha was that he prove to Jensen he really does know how to , so they were going to enjoy some fresh Canadian air together and Supernatural was just going to have to wait.

Misha passes Jensen on his way off set, and quickly runs a soft hand down Jensen's cheek. Jensen can see the smirk Misha is hiding and smiles himself. It had been their game lately, this intimate cheek caress. Admittedly, it had been more fun in the beginning, when the caress set either of them off and the scene had to be reshot. Eventually, they'd both become pretty skilled at not reacting and so the game evolved. He's not really sure what it evolved in to, other than it does help lighten the mood when things are getting heavy.

Jensen tries not to think about why things have gotten so intense on set, because it leads down a . The team had decided to really push things hard this season, and one of the things they had decided to push, besides Dean's character into a really dark state of mind, was his relationship with Cas. It meant more scenes between him and Misha, it meant a lot more cheek caressing off screen, and it meant that the powerful feelings Dean and Cas have for each other was being pushed into the light.

It meant that he always left those scenes feeling shaky and uncertain, and often things were a little weird between him and Misha until they could both shake off whatever emotional baggage they were carrying from their characters. It seems lately though that shaking off that baggage is getting harder, and the weird intensity is getting stronger. Frankly, it's off-putting and exhausting and Jensen misses the carefree days.

Jensen's hoping this time alone this weekend with Misha will lighten things up, clear the air. So he's grateful when Misha shows up the next morning at the ranch with a bag filled with marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers. Because it's ridiculous and so completely Misha.

"S'mores?" Jensen says with a raised eyebrow. "You do know we're just taking the trail, right Boy Scout? Not camping?"

Misha's smile, as always, lights up the morning. "I know we are going to stop and eat gooey sugar squished over more gooey sugar and you are going to like it."

Jensen tries not to laugh as it tends to encourage him. "And did you bring any water? Any real food? We are going to be gone all day. If you don't know how this goes-"

"Relax Ackles. The water, PB and J's, and Doritos are already in my backpack."

"Awesome, I'm taking the trails with a 10 year old."

They banter while they get themselves ready to head out and Jensen knows before they even leave that his plan was the best one he's ever had. He even has the pleasure of making his co-star jump when he runs his fingers gently down Misha's cheek, the thin beard tickling his fingers.

The trails are gorgeous. The air is crisp and clean, but not so cold that a jacket won't suffice. They pick their way across the wilderness and Jensen feels his mood lighten with every minute. It feels great to be out, to be able to shed Dean for a while. He and Misha don't talk for a while, but it's not awkward. They've been to that place in their friendship for a while now, where silence is companionable and warm, not stiff and uncomfortable. Jensen basks in the environment, savoring his co-stars presence in it.

Eventually the silence is broken though, and Jensen might like this even better. They talk about anything and everything that comes to mind, their characters, politics, what type of flour makes the best cookies, and Jensen has rarely seen Misha this serious for this long. It doesn't change when they stop for lunch, as he had expected it to. Misha saves the marshmallows and chocolate for later, and they eat in a mood that is deepening slowly into something rich and more. He's never felt this to Misha before, and a part of him is starting to wonder about that. This isn't typical behavior for the man, to let things get this serious, to not break it with a joke or a witty story. In fact, at times, Misha looks almost sad and wistful, and neither of those is Misha at all.