"Hi, Michael," you smiled as you approached the knight at the front gate talking with a guard, making him look up at the sound of your voice.

"Miss Y/N!" his eyes widened in surprise with a smile on his face, "You've returned! When did you arrive home? Prince Jack didn't say you were coming back!"

"He doesn't know," you informed the guard, "Which is why I need your help sneaking inside the castle so he doesn't see me."

"You want me to sneak you inside the castle?" he cocked an eyebrow, making you giggle softly.

"His parents already know I'm here; I called them yesterday before I started making the trip back."

"How did you manage to call his parents without him finding out?"

"Now, if I say that, word might get back to him and I won't be able to do it again," you smirked, "You in or not?"

"Sure," he shrugged with a chuckle, "He should still be at his fencing lessons, but I'll sneak you in through a side door just to be safe."

"You're the man, Michael," you smiled, making him laugh again.

~

"Your Majesties," Michael said after knocking on the throne room door, "You have a visitor."

"Can't it wait, Michael?" the Queen asked, "We're already waiting for someone."

"They're very adamant about speaking to you now, Your Highness."

"Very well," the King sighed, nodding his head, "Send them in." The knight motioned for you to enter the doorway, and you did so with a wide grin on your face.

"You know, I thought you guys would be a little happier to see me," you told them, making them perk up.

"Sweetheart!" the Queen smiled brightly, "It's so good to see you again!"

"Hello, Your Majesties," you beamed as well while she pulled you into a tight hug, "It's good to be home."

"How was your trip?" the King wondered, hugging you as well, "Do you feel rejuvenated after being away for so long?"

"I feel a lot better – thank you for asking. I've had a lot of time to clear my head, and I think I've decided that being where my parents raised me is what's best for me."

"Oh, that's so good to hear!" the Queen grinned again.

"So," you perked up, "How are things looking with Jack? He doesn't suspect anything, right?"

"If he does, he hasn't said anything to us," the King informed you with a lighthearted laugh, "Michael is ready to go get him when you are. We've decided to have him brought here, and we'll give you two the room to yourselves. When you're done, dinner will be ready in the dining room for us."

"Thank you, Your Majesties," you smiled softly, "It really means a lot that you're helping me surprise Jack."

"Well, we know how much he cares about you, dear," the Queen said, "And he misses you more and more each day, so it's nice to know how happy he'll be to see you again."

~

"Mom?! Dad?!" you heard Jack's voice call out, making your heart skip a beat.

10 minutes had passed by this point and you'd been waiting in the throne room for Jack to finish with his fencing lessons for the day before you could see him. The wait seemed to last an eternity, but when you finally heard his voice again, you thought you might actually throw up. You hadn't heard his voice in what seemed like ages – even though you talked on the phone almost every day while you were gone – but to finally be able to hear it in person again made you want to just run to him right now.

But you didn't; You held back and waited until he was in the room.

Jack entered the dimly-lit throne room, his eyes landing on the thrones at the front of the room. He furrowed his eyebrows as he stopped for a moment, finding a figure that certainly wasn't his mother sitting in her throne.

"What are you doing in here?" Jack asked, his voice firm, "You're not allowed to sit on my mother's throne."

"Please, Jack," the familiar voice made his heart stop, "You think I'd sit on the Queen's throne without getting permission first?"

Jack's hand quickly rushed to the light switch on the wall next to him, his eyes darting back to where you were perched on the Queen's throne. You could visibly tell his breathing hitched as he was rendered speechless, trying to convince himself that he was really seeing you in front of him.

"Hi, Jack," you bit your lip shyly as you stood up, "I've missed you."

And it was as if that was what he needed to find his voice again.

"Baby!" Jack exclaimed, running across the room to where you were.

You only took a couple steps – just until you were at the edge of the stairs – before your arms were around his neck and his were around your waist, bringing you into him. You decided to pick your legs up and wrap them around his own waist, causing him to hold you even tighter.

"What are you doing here?" he mumbled into the skin of your neck, pressing kisses to it over and over again, "When did you get here?"

"I missed you," you repeated softly, squeezing him, "I got back earlier this afternoon."

"Why didn't you tell me?" he wondered. Your legs unwound themselves from his waist to return to the floor, but neither of you moved away from each other.

"I wanted to surprise you," you barely smiled, "You have no idea how hard it was either; I've known I was coming back for a couple weeks now and I had to force myself not to tell you every time you called.

"I've missed you so much, baby," Jack breathed, squeezing you as well, "God, I've missed you so much."

"Hmm," you hummed, grinning a little bigger that time, "Didn't find anyone else to fill the void?"

"Course not," he couldn't help but laugh, "Love you too much to just replace you."

Your heart skipped a beat at the confession, but you certainly weren't about to stand there and complain. You shook your shoulder gently to get Jack to look at you, but he didn't even get the chance before your lips were on his. You felt him smile into your mouth as he kissed you back just as desperately.

"I've missed you," he mumbled against your lips, feeling you smile as well.

"Miss you more," you whispered, pulling away to rest your foreheads together, "And Jack?" He simply hummed in response, signaling you to go on. "I love you too," you told him, earning yourself the biggest grin you'd ever seen, squealing when he tightened his hold on your waist and lifted you off of the ground to spin you around.

❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀・・・❀

other parts: one / two / three / four / five

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you can also check out my last imagine here, my to do list to see what’s coming up, and click here to go to the page for my calum fic :)

Other royal AUs: Marshall / Luke / Ashton / Michael / Calum / Ashton / Cody / Ryan / Jamie / Luke / Maxx / Alex / Jack / Cody / Marshall / Michael / Harry

taglist: @calumhoodslays @vendylewin @lunalove25

 He looks to his shoulder where you are nuzzled comfortably into his side. He wants to ask you about it after you wake up but he doesn’t sleep as much as you do, so he knows he will have to wait for a while. He watches your face as you slowly breath in and out, your muscles relaxed and peaceful. Not at all like when you are awake, making faces at him and yelling at Dean and laughing with Sam. He finds it interesting that you can be so expressive when you are awake, and yet so still when you are in bed. He is surprised that you ever have the ability to keep still.  Your eyes started darting around under your eyelids and he smiled as if you did this just in time with his thoughts. Your eyebrows twitched and you let out a soft moan that sounded a little bit frightened. Jack frowned and moved his hand painstakingly slowly up to your face and brushed his finger along your cheekbone. Your brow relaxed and your lips flickered with a tiny smile for a moment, he was certain.

 It was almost immediately after he came to the bunker that Jack started sleeping in your bed. The Winchesters said that he could pick any room available in the bunker, and when he walked around from room to room they were all empty. They were so gray and stony and cold and all of them felt the same.

 Until he walked up to your room, nearly at the end of the hall. It was full of images and little statues and lots of books withs drawings on them.

 Most of all it was filled with light.

 It wasn’t just your lamps and strings of bulbs, but it was filled with an energy from you. It drew him in, and it made Jack want to be enveloped in your light. He could see a glow coming from you, all of the time. He never had trouble getting lost when he was around you because he could always spot your effervescent glow no matter how far away you were.  Jack said that he wanted to choose your room, but you protested that he needed his own and he couldn’t take someone else’s. So he chose to sleep in the room next to you. This made you uncomfortable. After all, you chose one of the farthest rooms to have personal space from the guys. But something held you back from stopping Jack anyway.  Since Jack didn’t sleep much he could hear most of your tossing and turning in your room. He could also see your slight glow rumbling in your bed on particular nights. One night he thought he heard you crying, and it sounded almost as though you were afraid. Jack decided to run into your room and check on you, and as he approached your bed it seemed you were still asleep.  He tried to come up and call your name, but when a floor board creaked you opened your eyes you almost screamed at him, “What are you doing in here?!”  “You were scared, I think.” Jack looked over your face to see if he was correct in his assessment.  “No, I was sleeping - I was scared when I saw a tall man standing at the foot of my bed in the middle of the night!” You hissed at him in a loud whisper.  Jack wrinkled up his forehead and looked at the floor, trying to figure out what he misunderstood. Sleeping is confusing because it looks like it does something different for each person.  When Dean sleeps he is loud and twisted in one strange position all night long. When Sam sleeps he is curled up like he is protecting a small object, and turns side to side every few hours. You seem to lay peacefully for a few hours but then you begin to squirm and make noises. He wondered if it was normal that he slept so much less than everybody else.  “Go to bed, Jack!” You buzzed at him nervously after he just stood silently for nearly a minute.  Jack nodded and walked off, making you wonder if it’s a good idea for him to sleep in the next room after all.

 The next night you woke up again with Jack kneeling by your bedside and you pushed his face away with the broad side of your palm, “What are you doing here?!” you sighed, “Again??” you groaned as you rolled over to the other side.  “I thought you said my name.” Jack said and you rolled your eyes, “Jack, I was sleeping, I didn’t say your name.” you squeeze your eyes shut, trying to return to dreamland, but you felt the icy chill of eyes on your back.  “But you were-” he started and you rolled back toward him with aggravation murmuring, “Do you want to just sleep here and see that I am okay?” you offered before you realized what was coming out of your mouth.  Jack nodded and smiled broadly at you, making your heart flutter uncomfortably. You didn’t know if you would fall asleep with Jack in your bed, after all you had been growing closer and closer in the daytime, and your night was the only chance you had to recharge your constantly thumping heart.  Nevertheless, you scooched over and turned your back to him, “Okay, just stay there and don’t move until I wake up, Ok?” you thank the darkness for hiding your flush red face.

 Jack watched as your tense body slowly let up and fell deeper into the bed. He watched your face as different expressions ran across occasionally. Then, as he suspected, you started crying out and shifting in the sheets.  He placed his fingers to your forehead and tried his best to send you feelings of calmness and happiness. He noticed a shiver spread across your glow, and you stopped moving around.  The next morning you stretched pleasantly and exclaimed that you had the best night’s sleep in a long time and maybe Jack was your lucky charm after all. Jack felt proud of himself, but he didn’t mention your discomfort anymore. You let him sleep in your bed after that, and that made him feel victorious. He found a way to choose your room in the end, and he made sure to continue keeping you pleased in your sleep.  It became easier each night to keep you calm. At first Jack had to concentrate to try to ease your discomfort, trying to send you feelings of happiness from his palm to your head. Each passing evening it took less and less time, less and less thought on Jack’s part. Eventually, just a brush of his fingers against your forehead made your face relax and smile.

 After a a little while of laying around and contemplating he sits up in his bed. The smell of coffee wafts through his doorway and he knows that Sam must be awake. He carefully climbs down from the bed, making every movement slowly so that he doesn’t disturb you.

 “Good morning, Jack!” Sam pepped in his usual morning attitude, “I have to admit, I’m still getting used to having someone wake up with me. I mean, those two,” Sam points a thumb toward the hall of rooms, “They are like hibernating bears sometimes. I’ve gotten through half my day by the time they get up.” Sam shakes his head as he tilts a glass of water to his mouth, preparing for his early jog.  “I saw my Mom.” Jack said, sitting himself down at the table.

 “What? You saw Kelly?” Sam put his glass down and rushed over to sit next to Jack, “In your room? How did that happen, she couldn’t be a ghost we burned her body...” Sam began to think up explanations before Jack continued, “I saw her in the house where I was born.”  Sam stops his running mind and squints his eyes at Jack, “Could you explain what happened?”  Jack looks at the table, trying to draw an image in front of him with his mind, recalling what she told him, “Well, we were standing in front of the bed, and she reached out to me and wrapped her arms around me tightly. She started crying and said, ‘I am so proud of you Jack. I see that you are strong, and I know that you have found someone to keep you safe.’ I felt her squeeze me harder and a warmth spread all across my body. I told her that Castiel was dead and that you and Dean were taking care of me now, and she let go of me and shook her head. She said that she wasn’t talking about the brothers, but about the person who kept me human.”  Sam waited for Jack to tell him more, and his leg started jiggling under the table. Jack looked up to Sam, his eyes twisted in confusion and continued, “Mom said that I needed Y/N more than anybody else in my life.”  Sam’s eyebrows shot up and he leaned back in his chair, “Then what happened?”  Jack tilted his head and thought for a moment, “Then she told me how I always need to keep Y/N by my side, and make sure that if I ever feel confused or scared or in trouble to go to Y/N and hold her close until I feel normal again. She kissed me on the forehead and held my face in her hands and told me, ‘You are so beautiful. If you are ever lost, look at yourself through my eyes. Or ask Y/N what she sees.’ and then she said, ‘I have to go now, I won’t see you for a long time anymore.’ and she walked out of the room, and suddenly I was staring at the ceiling here.” Jack shrugged and waited for Sam to give him an evaluation. When Sam didn’t immediately respond he said, “Do you think I teleported? Do you think she’s here? How does she know so much about Y/N?” Jack started spewing out questions until Sam put a hand up to stop him, “Jack, do you know about dreaming?”

 “Well Y/N said sometimes when people dream they move in their sleep. I guess Y/N dreams a lot.” Jack says with a face of concentration.  “Right, well, sometimes people will see things inside of their head when they are asleep,” Sam begins to explain but when he sees the look of horrified bewilderment on Jack’s face he quickly amends, “Images. Like when you think of someone’s face and you see their image in your mind - you can dream of images of people and things when you’re not awake.” Sam studies Jack to make sure he follows what he is explaining.  “So have you ever seen anything after you went to sleep?” Sam asks. Jack closes his eyes and his eyebrows shift around deep in thought, then he looks up at Sam and shakes his head, “No I don’t think I have.”  Sam leans in to Jack and puts his hand on Jack’s shoulder reassuringly, “Jacky, buddy, I think you just had a dream.” He pats him on the back and gets up and grabs a pan to put on the stovetop.  “So you think that...my mind just made an image of my Mom and that she’s still up in Heaven?” Jack reflects on Sam’s explanation.  “Well, I won’t say whether it was or wasn’t her, but I will say I’ve had a few close dead people show up in my dreams before. It’s possible you dreamt Kelly up because you miss her, and that is why she knows about Y/N.” Sam cracks a couple of eggs into the skillet, “But it’s also possible up in Heaven maybe a person can use a strong telepathic connection to someone to convey one final message to them as a goodbye.” Sam continues as the butter sizzles at him and threatens to crackle hot grease at any exposed skin within firing distance.

 Jack sits for a while thinking about what all of this dreaming could mean. He’s never had a dream before, so he thinks Sam’s suggestion of Kelly sending one last message could be true.  “Some people don’t remember their dreams after they wake up.” Sam mentions as he splats a few slices of bacon onto the pan. Jack was sitting staring off into space for a while and Sam sensed he might still have questions.  They continue discussing the possibilities of the mind’s reach with one another when a sleepy, hazy Dean schleps into the kitchen. He walks up to a plate of freshly cooked bacon and grabs a strip. Sam doesn’t even bother swatting his hand away because he knows that it is too fresh off the pan for Dean to handle.  “Ow- hot, hot,” Dean mumbles as he snatches his hand away from the plate and blows on his fingers.

 “What’s all this?” Dean yawns as he walks up to the coffee pot, grabbing himself a plain ceramic mug and pouring some plain black brew. He shuffles over to the table with half closed lids and hunches over his mug as he sits across from Jack.  “Jack had a dream, probably. He says he saw Kelly last night.” Sam flips some flapjacks expertly in the air as he lowers the heat of the stove.  Jack tells Dean everything he can recall in great detail, which allows Dean time to finish off his first mug and pour himself another coffee, feeling more awake to deal with Jack.

 “Well, it sounds like Kelly’s telling you to lock it down.” Dean waves a finger in the air and plants it down on the table symbolically.  Jack tilts his head at Dean with more questions than answers. Dean perks up as Sam brings over a few plates filled with breakfast goodies and snatches up a few crispy bacon sticks and shoves them in his mouth immediately.  After chewing happily he notices Jack’s confusion and mutters through a half-full mouth, “Maybe you should propose to her.” And winks at Jack, feeling good with a plateful of protein and carbs to start his day.  “Propose?” Jack says quietly to himself, recognizing the term, but not quite sure why it sounds familiar.  Maybe Sam would have told him what he felt on the subject, but since Jack threw him off his morning routine, Sam was just getting out the door for a late morning jog and missed the last part of the conversation.

 Jack’s seen how the three of you use the computer to search for things that they wanted, so he decided to use it now. He looked up “proposals” and learned about what it means. When you want to spend the rest of time together with someone you propose to them.  So he looked up how to propose to someone. He got a lot of results for ‘clips’ and decided to open one at the top of the page. He watches and carefully studies the actions of the man toward the woman and decides he’s ready to attempt his proposal.  Jack gets up with excitement and runs around the bunker looking for you. Before he can find you someone reaches out and grabs his arm, “What’re you doing kid, training for a marathon?”  Jack turns to face his offender and meets eyes with Dean before he slips and stumbles into his arms.  “Woah, woah, are you okay buddy?” Dean grabs a hold of Jack and pulls him up on his feet.  “Yeah, I’m going to propose to Y/N!” Jack pops up and down on his toes, grinning like a maniac.

 “You’re going to ...what?” Dean narrows his eyes at Jack and scratches behind his ear to make sure he’s understanding clearly.

 “Like you said, propose to Y/N so that she can spend the rest of time with me.” Jack smiles, feeling like maybe Dean will be proud of his decision to take the advice.  “Yeah... that’s not what I said.” Dean shakes his head and Jack looks at him with confusion and scowls, “Yes! Dean, right after I told you about how my Mother said I should always keep Y/N by my side. That Y/N will keep me true to myself.” Jack throws his hands into the air purposefully.  “Oh. That.” A wrinkle forms in Dean’s forehead and he nods in recollection of that morning’s bacon breakfast, “So,” Dean looks him up and down and waves his finger around, “How is that going?”  “Well-” Jack starts excitedly and sees you walking up behind Dean and shuts his mouth. Dean raises an eyebrow at Jack and jumps when he hears you speak up, “Hey guys, what’s everybody doing?”   “Oh, this aught to be good.” Dean covers his mouth as he chuckles lightly.

 “Are you planning on going anywhere?” Jack says without any hesitation. Dean chokes on his air and coughs next to you.  “Like, tonight?” You laugh in bewilderment wondering what the boys must have been talking about before you walked up.  “Anytime soon. Somewhere you might be flying?” Jack offers you mysteriously.   “Um, that’s highly suspect.” You raise your eyebrows and Dean shifts his weight from one leg to another beside you.  You glance over at Dean who is looking a little pale and look over Jack carefully, “No, we’re not really known for being fliers.” you nudge Dean in the ribcage and he releases a tense breath.  “Oh, okay.” Jack frowns deeply and crosses his arms, looking to the floor in disappointment.

 “Okay... you two are acting weird. I’m gonna go.” You say and walk around the them to get to your bedroom.

 Dean smiles at your disappearing figure weirdly until you turn the corner, “What was that?” he hisses at Jack.  “How am I supposed to propose to her if I can’t come from behind the curtain and make her happy in front of everybody?” Jack uncrosses his arms and sighs in defeat.  “You’re-what? I’m sorry what are you going for?” Dean grunts as he gets closer to Jack.  “I have to play a song for her over the speakers and make sure that the flight crew keeps any men away from her, like in the instruction video I watched.” Jack said sincerely.  “Instruct-” Dean screwed up his face, “What are you talking about? That’s not an instruction video. That sounds like the end of the Wedding Singer.” Dean scoffs.

 “I didn’t realize you were revealing your secret passion for rom-coms to Jack so soon.” Sam teased playfully as he walked up the hall.  “Shut up- I’m not a- actually what is wrong with you? Adam Sandler, Come’on!” Dean punched the air in exasperation.  “Wait, do you even know how to play the guitar?” Dean turned to Jack suddenly.  “Guitar?” Jack asks and watches as Dean extends one hand up to his shoulder and another hand strums by his chest, “Yeah, the thing he plays the song on?” Dean rolls his eyes.  “Don’t you just wave your hand over it and it plays music?” Jack says matter of factly.  Sam and Dean look at one another before bursting out with laughter. Jack starts laughing to, just to join in, but he doesn’t realize that he is missing something.  “You trying to learn?” Sam finally asks after catching his breath.

 “If I need to, then I will learn.” Jack says inspired with new energy and motivation to propose to you.  “I have an old guitar here you can practice on, do you want me teach you?” Sam asks excitedly.  “Really Sam? Yes, thank you!” Jack says equally excitedly. Sam nods and says, “I’ll be right back.” and sprints off to his room.

 “Dude, you realize that she was already engaged in that movie?” Dean wipes the tears of laughter out of his eyes.  “Engaged? What do you mean?” Jack leans in to Dean and waits for more words of wisdom.  “Yeah, another man proposed to her. After a proposal you get engaged.” Dean steps back from Jack and reconsiders his accidental mentorship over Jack.  “There’s more?” Jack asks innocently and expectantly awaits Dean to tell him what to do next.  “Did you even watch the movie?” Dean asks.

 “I watched 3 minutes and 29 seconds on the computer.” Jack nods intensely. Dean gapes at Jack and rolls his eyes.  “Alright kid, you’ve got to watch the whole thing from the beginning to the end in order to understand what happens in these sorts of situations.”  Dean gives a final wave of his hand and walks away before Jack drags him into any more conversations.

 As Jack stands in the hallway, deeply considering what Dean told him, Sam comes back empty handed.  “So, I thought I had a guitar here, but I guess I’ll have to go get one some time and show you what I can do. Sorry about that.”  Sam puts a hand on Jack’s shoulder and checks his eyes to make sure Jack isn’t secretly disappointed.  “Okay.” Jack contemplates for a moment about the list of items he found on the internet, "Hey, Sam.” He looks up at Sam’s apologetic face, “Where can I find films?” he surprised Sam with a seemingly off-topic question.

 “What do you want to watch?” Sam asked and Jack told him that he would like to see A Walk to Remember, Love Actually, The Notebook, and a list of other movies that seemed to have the same romantic theme. Sam looked at Jack strangely and with some suspicion, but he figured there was no harm in letting Jack watch some movies.

 “I think I have one of those,” Sam taps his finger on the side of his head as he tried to mentally catalog through his collection of VHS’.  “I’ll grab it for you and when I go out later to restock groceries I’ll stop by the video rentals for a couple others.” Sam turns to get the movie when Jack blares behind him, “Thank you!”  Sam smiles and briefly shouts over his shoulder, “You’re welcome!”

 Sam taught Jack how to take notes during research for potential hunts. Jack grabbed his notebook and thought maybe he could use the same methods to learn about proposals as well. He sat down in front of the television and put his pad on top of his crossed legs.  He gripped his pencil tightly and watched the opening credits roll names by, writing them down significantly. Jack wrote down the lyrics of every song that played in the background, and even some of the locations that flashed on the screen. Eventually, deep into the plot of the story, his pencil dropped from his fingers and the notepad slid from his lap. Jack hunched forward and practically pressed his nose to the screen in wonderment.  Something tapped outside of Jack’s peripheral vision and he turned his head to the doorway.  “Hey, what are you doing?” you stood just outside of your room, noticing that Jack was sitting in front of your TV. He’s really gotten comfortable coming and going in and out of your room as he pleases, and you’re not sure how that makes you feel. Although, you do feel the edge of your lips curl into a smile.  “Oh, hello Y/N! Mid-day nap?” Jack twists his neck toward you and smiles broadly.  “Well, not if you’re busy.” you tease Jack and nod your head at the screen.

 Jack hops up off the floor and plops onto the edge of the bed, “Y/N, can I ask you something?”

 “Yeah bud, what’s up?” You take a seat in the middle of the bed, stretching out comfortably.  “Where are you from?” he asks politely as though it were a completely normal question to ask a hunter.  “What’s that matter?” you smile awkwardly. Jack presses onward, “Is your family still there?”  You pull the sheets over your legs, uncomfortable with where this line of questioning is going, “I don’t really...” you shift uncomfortably in the bed and Jack waits for your answer and you try to change the subject, “What is this about?”  Jack moves closer on the bed, “What about English - is it your first language? Do you speak any other languages?” Jack continues incredulously.  “What are you scheming, Jack?” You can’t help but feel like he is being extra sneaky about something.  “Have you ever worked as a waitress?” Desperately Jack moves closer to you, making your heart race.  “Who hasn’t!” you shriek and pull the covers over your face.

 “You haven’t answered any of my questions, Y/N.” Jack says with concern, but still trampling down his path like a bull on a mission.  “Jack, why don’t we take a nap, then we can talk about this some more.” You whimper from under the covers.   “Okay.” Jack crawls up next to you and lays down by your side. “Geez, what in the world were you watching anyway.” you say without much thought, and as Jack opens his mouth you place a hand over it and sigh, “Nevermind, don’t answer.”  You cross your arm over Jack’s shoulders and lay your stomach flat on the bed with your face into your pillow, trying to stop the buzzing in your head.

 Jack walks into the living room and sighs loudly as he plops down onto the couch.

 “Rough day at the office?” Dean takes a sip of his beer and flicks through the channels disinterestedly.  “I don’t understand that reference.” Jack says as he throws his head over the back of the couch and stares up at the ceiling, “I’ve been watching films for days and I just don’t understand how I am supposed to follow any of these instructions if Y/N’s circumstances are different.”  Dean looks over at Jack with curiosity as he takes another sip of beer. Dean puts the remote down and leans in toward Jack, “I told you kid, they’re not instructional videos.”   “But none of them are the same. There is practically nothing in common with all of these movies other than the part where one person says, ‘will you make me the happiest man in the world’ and the other person yells ‘yes a million times yes’ I just don’t see where the connection is in all of this.”  “The thing is, they’re special to each person.” Dean smacks his lips knowingly and says, “You’ve got to find that one thing that means something to Y/N.” Dean wiggles his eyebrows suggestively, “You’ve got to be artful about it! Knock their socks off, take their breath away, and every other cliche that impresses the romantics of the world.”  Sam looks up from across the room, twitching at Dean’s last statement, “Uh-oh, is he giving you his art of seduction speech? Don’t take love advice from him.” Sam shouts to Jack.  Dean crosses his arms and leans back into the couch in a huff, “I know better than you do.” he grumbles underneath his breath.

 Jack gets up and walks over to Sam’s table. He sits down and looks around the room.  “Hey, can I use that?” Jack points to the oversized telescope, pointed at the ceiling of the bunker.  Sam follow’s Jack’s finger and shrugs, “Uh, sure... if you can figure it out.” Sam redirects his attention to the laptop.  Jack nods silently and retraces some of the movies he’s watched in his head. He’s pretty sure he’s seen something like that in one of them. He decides to go to his room to re-watch some scenes.

 You pass by Jack in the hallway and he is so focused he doesn’t even notice as you walk past him.  You shake your head and walk into the living room, assessing the food situation. You check out Dean and see he is nursing a beer with no other snacks. You turn your heel toward the kitchen and notice Sam, popping a cherry tomato into his mouth. You roll your eyes and continue into the kitchen to find yourself a bag of chips.  You open the bag and grab a handful of crispy potato slices. While picking one chip out of your handful at a time and carefully placing it into your mouth you go over the events of the last few days in your head.  Jack asked such personal questions, but it’s not how deep and intimate they were that was strange. It’s how random and at the same time very particular they were.

 Walking out into the room you head toward Sam, “Hey, have you noticed Jack acting weird?”  Sam finishes typing a sentence and tears his eyes away from the computer monitor, “What?” he meets your eyes and nods, “Oh, yeah. I mean, no.” he amends and turns back to the computer.  You finish off your hand of chips and dig back inside the bag, “He’s been assaulting me with all of these strange questions.”  “Um,” Sam stops and stretches his hands behind his head, “Actually, now that you mention it,” Sam interlaces his fingers and leans back in his chair, “He did take up an interest in playing the guitar. And also dramatic chick flicks.”  You rock in your chair trying not to lose your balance. If anything, that added more questions to the situation. Dramatic chick flicks might explain the questions, and also the interest in guitar. Or the fact that he is practically an infant in terms of age and he is learning all about the world, so to you his actions might seem a little strange.

 Jack’s voice looms behind your ear, “Y/N can you come with me?” making you rock too far back and fall right into Jack’s arms. You would thank him for being right behind you, but at the same time you stumbled because of that too.  Jack easily lifted your chair back upright and reached his hand out to you and awaited your grasp.  “Sure,” you say hesitantly and place your hand in his open palm.

 Jack takes you to the next room where he stands in front of the telescope, “Here,” he waves to the viewing lens.  “Huh.” you said, unsure about what to expect, but you suppose you never thought to look through the scope before. You just assumed it was for decoration since the bunker was underground.  “I made it for you.” he said and you cackled before your eye even reached the lens, “No you didn’t this thing was here before you were born!”  Jack scrunches up his face and says with worry, “But I have to tell you I made it for you. I think that’s the only way it works.”  You aren’t sure if you believe him but maybe it is some sort of magical telescope, so you just let it fly. You peer through the viewfinder and it is pitch black. You try to adjust the magnifier, giving Jack the benefit of the doubt.  “There’s nothing there.” you say as you pull away from the telescope and find Jack sitting on the floor, “What are you doing?”  Jack stands up from his knee and looks through the telescope as well, “It didn’t work?” he says sadly and stands back upright.  “Nevermind. Thanks for trying.” he says and turns on his heel to go back to the hall of rooms.

 “Okay...trying whatever that was?” you shake your head in bewilderment, completely baffled by his behavior the last few days.

 You decide to get some air for youself. Walking up to Sam you say, “I’m going for a walk,” as you grab his coat off the back of the chair.  “Sure, call if you’ll be late.” Sam says in passing as he continues clacking away at the keyboard.  “It won’t take long.” you say under your breath.  You glance at Dean but he is still channel surfing without care. As you walk up the stairs, you might have heard a distant muffled voice shout, “PIE.”

 The night is calm and dark and cool. The kind of cool that makes the air feel fresh and crisp and brand new. You take a deep inhale as you pull the collar of the coat tighter with your hand. A brisk wind blows against your knuckles, making the dry skin feel the bite of that night air.  You shove your hands into the coat pockets and feel around. You pull out a piece of paper from one pocket, tightly folded with sharp and neatly creased edges. Curiously you unfold the note, expecting that Sam finally got a phone number of one of the gaggles of waitresses or bartenders that hit on him.  Of course, it wasn’t a phone number; Sam is too clueless to pick up on human emotions around him; only the Supernatural ones.  Something was scrawled - barely legibly - over half the paper. It appears he wrote it in haste, because his usually somewhat readable handwriting is completely chicken scratch here. But it is definitely Sam’s.  Dean’s writing is small with large spaces, but all in capital letters that are round. It’s like he is constantly writing an important goodbye letter. Jack’s writing on the other hand, you cannot ever remember having seen.  If you were to think of what Jack’s handwriting would be like you would probably imagine it as cursive. Something he is trying to do properly and carefully with lovely looping letters and tight spacing. You notice that your finger is tracing the air in imaginary script words and you giggle to yourself.

 A bolt of lightening in the distance is followed by a loud thunderclap a few moments later.

 “Crap.” you mutter, thinking that you’d better get back to the bunker before you get caught up in the rain. You turn back the way you came and pick up your pace as a dewy mist catches your face. Disgruntled, you pull up the jacket over your head and begin a light jog.  Unfortunately, before you make it completely back, the clouds downpour and you give up trying to keep yourself from getting wet and break out into an all out run. You finally reach the entrance and make your way inside, flicking water off of your clothes at the top of the staircase.  You walk down, careful not to slip in your soggy boots, and pull off the sopping wet jacket. As you reach Sam you thrust the jacket onto the back of his chair, splattering him with backsplash from the coat.

 “Hey!” Sam squawks, arching his back forward and throwing his arms up to broaden his frame and protect the computer.

 “Sorry, it’s a bit damp.” you grumble and walk over to the living room to grab a blanket off the couch.

 When you see Dean is passed out on the couch and wrapped up in the blanket, you turn down the hall to get a towel from the bathroom instead.

 You stomp sloppily to the shower and drop your wet threads. You hop into a quick hot shower to get you warmed up again and as soon as you can feel your toes you get out to towel off.  Leaving your pile of wet garments, you wrap up in a towel to go get some dry clothes from your room. As you tap down the hall you can hear a voice holler, “WHERE’S MY PIE?” and you roll your eyes and slam the door to your room.

 Jack sits on a stool by the wall, waiting for you, “I heard you come in, but when I looked out into the hall you weren’t there.”  “I got caught in a bit of a drizzle, so I went to ditch the clothes and warm up before I caught a damn cold.” you say grouchily as you reach into your drawers to get something comfortable.  “What’s a drizzle?” Jack asks, not picking up on your foul mood, so you walk over to the door and hold it open for him, “Go, I’ll tell you after I change.” 

 After you pull on some freshly washed clothes you sprawl out across the bed like a starfish. You breath a sigh of relief, feeling significantly better now that you are warm and all is quiet.

 Your stomach growls, disturbing your peace.

 You exhale dramatically and pull yourself up to go see if Sam’s prepared dinner.

 As soon as you walk into the room Jack jumps up from the table and grabs your hand, “Come on, let’s go!” he pulls you.  “Go where?” You screw up your face, feeling tired and confused, a constant condition for you recently.  “I have to tell you something-” Jack pulls you toward the staircase and you plant your foot down and repel against his pull.  “Where are you taking me?” you whine, fazed.

 “We have to go upstairs.” Jack says, pointing at the staircase.

 “You mean outside?” you say aggressively.

 “It won’t be long-” Jack begins to explain but you try to remind him with a little more force than sounds polite, “You do realize it is POURING rain out there?”  Jack tries to tug your arm back to the staircase, “Yes, but-” you drop your hand from his grasp, asserting to him, “You do realize I JUST came in from outside, and I JUST got dry and warm and happy?”  Jack frowns at you in desperation, “But if only you woul-” he attempts to explain, but again you interrupt, “I am NOT going back out there Jack! What is wrong with you?”  Somewhere behind you Sam peeks his head out from the kitchen, but when he sees your stance he ducks back to safety.  “What has been going on with you? This is getting very exhausting and very difficult to keep up with -do you understand?” You huff at him, and Jack stares at you in shock silently.  “Well? What is it!!” You bark at him, but he is still standing there, stunned.

 You throw your hands up in the air in defeat and turn to walk away, “I’m going to bed.” As you pass the kitchen you remark, “Sam, text me when there’s food.”

 You shuffle into your room and plop down onto the covers of your bed. You close your eyes and try to relax your stiff body. Something is twisting in your mind, but you try to focus on your breathing to calm you down and get you to sleep.

 A knock at your door makes you roll over, “Come on.” you say half inviting and half frustrated with whatever’s next.  A sheepish Jack pokes his head in from the doorway, “Did I do something wrong?”  One look at his wrinkled brow and terribly worried glance makes your anger and tension melt away. You shake your head, realizing it’s not his fault you were caught in the pouring rain, and if anything, he’s been somehow getting you to relax more throughout the night.  You sit up in your bed and pat the area next to you, “Sit down, Jack.”

 He closes the door behind him and very delicately sits down next to you.

 “What is going on with you?” you ask him sincerely, reaching your hands out to him.  “Well, I’ve been trying to do something and I think I needed the rain to do it right, or at least that’s what I’ve seen a lot of in these films.” he says quietly.  “Needed the rain like you needed the telescope that is pointing at nothing?” You chuckle, making him chipper up a bit to see you smile at him.  “What are you trying to do?” you rub the back of his hand reassuringly, so that he knows he can tell you anything that is on his mind.

 “I’ve been trying to propose to you. But I just can’t get it right.” Jack sighs.

 You stare at him.

 You blink.

 Your hand freezes over top of his and your body stiffens.

 Jack reaches his hand out from underneath of yours and touches your arm, “Y/N?”

 You stare at Jack without taking a breath or moving your muscles.

 “Y/N are you okay?” Jack asks, another wrinkle forming in his brow.

 “Say, could you tell me again what you just said?” you finally breath in as you feel a sharp sting in your lungs.

 “I’ve been trying to propose to you but-” Jack drops his shoulders.

 “You’ve been trying to propose?” You clarify.

 “Yes, propose to you.” Jack says beaten down, conquered by defeat.

 “Propose?” You repeat.

 “Yes, propose to you!” Jack tilts his head, starting to feel unsure if he is using the correct word.

 “To me?” You attempt to reaffirm.

 “Yes, propose to you.” Jack says louder, thinking maybe you aren’t hearing him correctly.

 “You’ve been trying,” You look down, making connections in the air with your finger, “to propose,” you look from one hand to another, “to me?” you say as your two fingertips meet in a kiss.

 “Y/N should I call Sam? Dean didn’t tell me this would happen? I haven’t seen this in the films? Did I do something wrong again?” Jack sprouts with flustered questions.

 “Dean said what?” You narrow your eyes, focusing in on a particular thing Jack mentioned.  “No, Dean didn’t say you would get stuck like this. He said if I propose I lock it down. Is this locking it down Y/N? I don’t think I’m doing it right. Is this what people do when someone locks them down?” Jack continues to spiral in deepening distress.  You throw your head back, feeling like this might be up to one of Dean’s practical jokes.  You grab Jack’s shoulders, stopping his arms from flailing about. You hold Jack firmly and say, “I think I’m beginning to understand now.”  When you feel Jack is sufficiently calm you slide your hands from his shoulders down his arms, resting in the crook of his elbows, “Do you understand what a proposal is?” you ask while staring deeply into his eyes.  “When I want someone by my side for the rest of time, I have to propose to them.” Jack nods his head sternly.  Your lips twitch into a slight smile, “There’s more to it than that.” You move your hands down again, into Jack’s hands.

 “Jack, why did Dean say that you should propose to me?” you inquire.

 “I told Dean about a dream I had where my Mother told me to keep you close, and that I should always have you by my side. She says that you are protecting me.” Jack explains.  You look at him in astonishment, not expecting that response, but rather one where Dean tried to trick Jack into a wild goose chase that will embarrass you.  “Why would Kelly say that to you?” you ponder out loud, partially thinking to yourself, but also wondering if Jack knew.  “She said that you keep me human. That it’s not Sam and Dean that are protecting me, but you because you keep me human.” Jack recalls.  Your eyes widen in surprise, but you unintentionally squeeze Jack’s hands, so he asks, “Are you keeping me human?”

 “Um, I don’t think that’s something I can do. At least not intentionally.” you speculate, “Jack, I don’t know why Kelly would say that, but if there is any way that I help you to see the good inside of yourself, I am glad to do it for you.” You reassure.  “She said that.” Jack smiles, “Mother told me that if I ever lose myself or have trouble seeing who I am to go to you and have you tell me how you see me. That you will remind me who I am. That if I cannot see myself through her eyes, that you will show me.” Jack presses into your palm with his hand.  “Oh wow.” you say in awe, but look at your two hands entwined in one another’s with questions in your head, “I don’t think that is all there is to it though. I mean. I don’t know, I’ve never been married.” You say, feelin as though you are beginning to overthink everything.  Maybe that is all there is to it - but you feel like a dream isn’t any reason to propose to somebody.  “Jack, usually in this day and age you have a long romantic relationship with somebody. You have a deep connection and you know nearly everything about one another. Your families meet, I guess. You are sure that nothing will tear you apart over time. You get involved sexually and make sure that you can satisfy one another for a long time.”

 “We do have a deep connection,” Jack leans a sliver of a millimeter closer to you, “You’ve known me since the day I came to Earth,” Jack says gravely, “I might not know everything about you, but I don’t want to push you to talk about anything unless you tell me yourself,” Jack talks so fast that your head is spinning, but everything he is saying so far is true.  You suppose that there is something very romantic about him allowing you the comfort of revealing your life to him only as you choose. But shouldn’t you want to share everything with someone you love? There shouldn’t be a question, right?

 “I see when you dream. I know there are many things that trouble you,” Jack continues, making you draw in a breath of surprise, “You might not want to relive your fears or terrible experiences. But if you do, I will hear you,” Jack says sweetly and meaningfully. You are spun in circles by his proclamation, feeling as though everything he speaks makes sense and it doesn’t at the same time.  “You are my family, so are Sam and Dean. As far as I know, we are your family as well. I don’t know why that is important to be with you, but if it is, then Sam and Dean are good enough for me.” Jack seems to be even closer now, but your sense of distance is fuzzy.

 “Nothing can tear me apart from you, because I always look for you when you aren’t around.” Jack says, and you feel hot and you think your face might be flushing, “Yeah, I guess I might do that too.” you say thoughtlessly, although as it comes out of your mouth you realize how very true it feels. Even one night without Jack, when you were hunting with Dean because Jack stayed behind to research information with Sam-the two of you ended up having to camp on the hunting grounds so that you wouldn’t lose the trail. That was the worst night you’d had in months.  Even the 20 minutes of sleep you had made you feel less rested than before. You spent the rest of the time unable to fall asleep. The next night when you got back to the bunker you clung to Jack so tightly that he had tiny welts in his arm from your nails until you fell asleep.  When you are separated during a hunt, he always seem to feel your presence nearby. It’s like he never loses track of you. He is right.

 “And I can satisfy you. Tell me how to satisfy you, Y/N.” Jack says, leaning even closer to you.

 You are definitely blushing very hard now. You nearly stumble backwards as you lean back anxiously.

 “LET’S START SMALL.” you shout at Jack’s face, making his eyes enlarge in a mixture of concern, excitement, and disbelief.

 “DOES THAT MEAN YES?” Jack yells back at you, equally loudly.

 “Shhh!” you wave your hands in front of your face animatedly, “Yes, let’s just take it easy, don’t jump all over me with family and sex and deep personal questions!” you stagger through your thoughts, speaking before you are able to comprehend your meaning.

 “You mean it!?” Jack flails toward you and falls on top of you, embracing you in a very tight hug.

 You are able to squeeze a breath into your crushed ribcage, but you tenderly wrap your arms around Jack as well.

 You pet his head softly and close your eyes, imagining a life with Jack always with you. Your face tightens in a cheesy smile and you have to bite your lip to keep your mouth from stretching into a smile that rips your muscles off of your face.

 “Yes, I mean it.” you whisper into Jack’s ear.

 He nuzzles into the side of your neck, sending tingles down your spine. Jack sits up on top of you, looking at you with a dignified and serious eagerness and says, “I want you to appreciate me as much as I cherish you. If you’ll let me, I want to give you pleasure.”