Shockingly, Chad is the first to notice.

"Dude, you are way too cheerful."

"I'm always cheerful," says Jared.

"Dude, it's Black Friday. People actually get killed on Black Friday. Shit is real."

Jared rolls his eyes. "I had a good Thanksgiving, what's the big deal?"

"You are totally doing something," says Chad, through narrowed eyelids. Well, more narrowed. Jared has never met a squintier person in his life than Chad Michael Murray.

"Morning, Jensen!" says Jared, seeing Jensen come in. He's too cheerful about that, too, but he can't help it.

Jensen gives him a little smile and a wave, which is about all he ever gets before coffee.

Today is going to rule.

*

Jared's plan is simple--Black Friday will suck (because it always sucks) and Jared will suggest to Jensen that they should get a drink after work, which will hopefully turn into a dinner, and then a dinner date, and then maybe sex.

Because Jensen is actually the man of Jared's dreams.

*

A woman tells Jared that he has no right to treat her with such disrespect when he tells her they're sold out of iPhones, and a man gets his kid to tell him he ruined Christmas.

"You're such a jerk, Padalecki," Jensen says to him with a grin as he passes.

"I need a drink. Maybe five. Are you free after close?"

"You need a DD?" asks Jensen.

"Or someone to keep me from jumping."

Jensen shakes his head. "I guess I could handle that. Yeah, let's go get wasted."

Jared actually gets a threat against his life later, but nothing can stop his grin after that.

*

"This woman told me I was what was wrong with western civilization," says Jensen. He holds up his beer. "Cheers."

Jared clinks his glass against Jensen's. "What did you do?"

"I told her we didn't sell Verizon phones."

"Way to be an asshole," says Jared.

"Yeah, I know, I'm consumed with guilt."

"We should get something to eat," says Jared. "I'm starving."

Jensen raises his eyebrows. "You're always starving."

"Come on, you know you want fries."

"I do want fries. Yeah, let's get dinner."

Jared mentally fistpumps. His evil plans rock.

*

They get a few more beers, dinner, and even dessert, and Jensen is loose and laughing and happy by the end. Jared wonders how he's supposed to cross this line, how he can tell Jensen he wants this to be more than just coworkers grabbing a bite.

It's snowing outside, just a little bit, and Jensen grins wide. "Dude, snow!"

Jared laughs. "I didn't figure you for a big fan."

"Nah, I love snow. And Christmas. And just--this whole season." He's smiling and looks so young and happy and just--good that Jared can't help himself.

He just blurts out, "Is there any way this could be a date? Or could have been a date? Because--I'd like that. Yeah."

Jensen laughs. "You're not exactly subtle, Jared.

Jared flushes. "Not really. You knew?"

"Yeah."

"Oh."

"And I said yes," Jensen points out.

"Oh," says Jared again. "So, you...?"

Jensen leans up and kisses him, soft and quick. "Happy black Friday, Jared."

"Yeah," says Jared, unable to keep the grin from breaking out on his face. "Yeah, you too."