Just a quick thought

I was responsible for making him who he was… what he was. It was why I was trying so hard to save him. I didn't want him killed. I knew that if the hunters got to Jackson first then I would be screwed and I wouldn't be able to save him. I had to do something.

Which meant I did everything I could to save him.

Which is exactly how I ended up being bonded to Jackson.

It was a struggle at first to get Jackson to accept that we were bonded, but when he did accept it, he understood me like no one else did. He knew my anger was directed at the Hunters, but he also knew that he didn't need to kill them. I would never use him to kill anyone.

I think that was part of the reason that got me in bed with Jackson. He trusted me and knew I had no ill intentions towards him. He wasn't my body guard and I wasn't his. Though we did protect each other if need be.

I guess that fueled the growing love we had for each other.

Anger used to be what kept me grounded to my humanity when I turned, but now it was Jackson. As mushy and cliché as that may be. I'd never forgive the hunters for how they tore my family apart. It was a small relief to have something solid to hold on to. Jackson was my 'something solid'.

And that's exactly how I ended up in a small jewelry store getting a silver band engraved with the words "You keep me sane".

I felt incredibly ridiculous waiting for Jackson to show up at my house. He had no idea, but I had been rebuilding it. I made a point to restore it different than it had been before. I hoped he liked it. I snap out of my thoughts when I hear Jackson's vehicle approaching. I didn't know how to do this and I wasn't sure if there was a right or wrong way to propose.

He walks in looking as good as ever. "You restored the house!" He says with a smile. I nod "Would you like a tour?" He laughs and agrees to the tour. When we make it to the master bedroom I make my move. As he looked around I get down on my knee. "Aww you even have a picture of us by the bed" he says walking towards it. He picks it up and looks at it for a moment before sitting it back onto the nightstand.

He turns and his entire face lights up with shock at seeing me kneeling. After a moment a slow smile forms on his face "Jackson" I start "I couldn't have chose a better person to form a bond with." He lets out a soft laugh "Derek…I know you well enough to know you hate these mushy moments." He comes closer to me "I know how you feel about me… and I feel the same." He is now standing in front of me "I won't make you do a speech, but you still have to ask."

I grin at him and begin "Jackson Whittemore will you marry me?" He holds his hand out flat towards me "Definitely" he says. I take the ring out of the box "I engraved it." He leans closer to read the inscription before a giant grin spreads on his face "You really are a sap, you know that?" I chuckle lightly as I slide the ring onto his finger. He wiggles his fingers "I like it" he proclaims. I rise so I'm on my feet again "I hoped you would." He swipes his tongue over his bottom lip before backing up to sit on the bed. "So I have to ask… what made you rebuild this house?"

I go over and join him on the bed "For the exact reason you are thinking. Will you move in?" He lets out a loud laugh "So I get a house and a husband. How lucky am I?" Before I could speak he has me on my back and is running his lips gently over mine. "In case you missed that… that was a yes." He goes back to kissing me and I'm not about to argue with how he decided to thank me. Though honestly I should be thanking him…so I do. Several times.