Chapter Text
The road to recovery was indeed a long one. Jared spent a week and a half in the hospital and almost two whole months in physical therapy. It was months before he could look at screens or read again, and almost a full year before he was back practicing on the ice. He was a second semester sophomore by the time he was ready to play in a real game, again.
And he was terrible. Jensen tried very hard not to cringe while watching. Partly because he was terrified of him getting hurt again, and partly because he was so damn rusty. He kept getting beat to pucks, he looked slow, and he was always behind the play. He was making some pretty bad turnovers. And the team lost 4-1. It was brutal to watch.
Jared was inconsolable, afterwards. He didn’t sleep in the same bed as Jensen because he was so upset and ashamed.
He worked his ass off for the next few days and the next time the coach played him, he had four goals in a single game. The crowd gave him a standing ovation at the end of the game, and once it was over, Jared ran into the stands and looked Jensen directly in the eyes as he announced excitedly, “I’m back, baby!”
Jensen cried and hugged him so tightly he probably broke a few of his ribs.
Over the course of his recovery, Jared slowly came back to Jensen. He became less and less confused and slow, and gained back all of his wit, humor, and personality. He’s still the kindest man Jensen’s ever met. Even sitting in the hospital with bed sores and a massive headache, he recorded a video for the team to play before one of their games to let all the fans know he was on the way to recovery.
He even met with the douchebag who hammered him into the boards and had a long conversation (Jensen watched because there was no way he was leaving Jared alone with the guy, but he was out of earshot) that ended in a hug. Tahmoh, the douchebag in question, apologized and said that it was never his intention to hurt anyone. When he found out Jared would be out the whole season, he threw up. His own season-long suspension was a welcome punishment. Jared told him that he accepted his apology and understood how things could happen in the heat of the moment that would later be regretted.
Jensen couldn’t forgive him that easy, but he was sure as hell proud of Jared for his ability to.
Jared kept getting better. He kept scoring goals. He kept growing kinder, funnier, and more intelligent.
He blew Jensen away.
Which was why today, on the one year anniversary of Jared’s release from the hospital, he was getting down on one knee in front of his boyfriend.
Jared’s eyes widened as he bent down on the boardwalk and started speaking, soft smile on his face and tears in his eyes, “Jay, I thought I loved you right after we had our first kiss. I thought I loved you for weeks before I ever told you, and for months after. The thing is, I didn’t know what love was, then. I didn’t understand love until I saw you work your way back from your concussion. Watching you grow, and persevere, and never lose faith, I just… I’ve never loved you more. You leave me in awe every single day, and I don’t think that will ever change. There is nothing you can’t overcome. Jared…”
He slowly pulled the ring box out of his back pocket and Jared’s eyes widened ever further. They were only sophomores! He started, “Woah, woah-”
“Relax, I’m not proposing.” Jensen cut him off, smiling up at him, “It’s a promise ring.”
Jared’s shoulders sank a bit in relief and then he asked, “What are you promising?”
Jensen took a deep breath and swallowed before listing out sincerely, “That one day, you will be my husband. That I’ll stand by you, come whatever. That I’ll put you first. And that I will always, always love you.”
Jared’s eyes started gathering water and he shook his head in awe. He breathed out, dropping down to his knees himself to be level with his boyfriend, “Jensen… I love you so much.”
Jensen smiled and made a little gimme motion with his hand. He whispered, “Give me your hand, baby.”
Jared gave him his hand, which was shaking quite a bit, and Jensen slid the thin, silver ring onto his finger.
Jared looked down at it and wiped at his eyes, “I love it.” Then he lifted his gaze to Jensen’s face and added, “I love you. ”
Jensen smiled and then they met each other in a warm, comforting kiss. As Jensen pulled back, he whispered, “I love you back.”
And that’s all they needed.