They have to wake up early to get to Sioux Falls by the afternoon, but Jack is awake an hour before he has to get up. He closes his eyes and tries to go back so sleep, but he's too excited. He's usually a lot more tired in the morning since he lost his powers. He also needs a lot more sleep, too. He misses his powers, but life is way simpler without them. He'd never choose to give them away, but he's glad he doesn't have them anymore. But he'd take them back if he could. He needs to save Castiel.
But he can't.
Jack shakes that thought away. He can't be sad today. Today's the first day of his road trip with Dean.
Jack sighs and opens his eyes. He's not going back to sleep. He sits up and turns on his light. He can double-check that he's packed everything with his spare time. He puts on the outfit he planned for today. Jack's t-shirt is black with a skull on it. He's wearing it, because he thinks Claire will like it.
After triple-checking he has everything he needs and making sure his laptop is fully charged (he started college last week, so he has to bring it), he still has almost forty minutes before they leave. Maybe he can make Dean's coffee for him, so they can leave right away. Jack quietly opens his door and heads towards the kitchen. He turns on the coffee machine and opens the cabinets with the mugs. Jack reaches for Dean's favorite mug but pauses. He grabs the travel mug instead. This way, they can leave sooner, and Dean can drink his coffee while he drives.
Jack eagerly waits by the coffee machine. He knows he's a little too excited about this, but he can't help it. They haven't done anything exciting since they defeated Chuck. They haven't even gone hunting. Jack's been helping Sam organize the bunker and archive everything on a website for hunters. Jack can tell Sam wants to hunt again, but Jack can also tell Dean doesn't, and Sam won't pressure Dean to go hunting, so they don't. Sam mentioned he was going to go hunting with Eileen while Jack and Dean are on their road trip, and Dean seems fine with that.
"You're up early," Dean says from behind him. He shuffles into the kitchen.
"I'm making you coffee," Jack tells him.
Dean pauses and looks at the coffee machine. "A travel mug? You ready to get out of here or something?" Dean teases.
"Yes, I am," Jack says. "It's boring being here all the time."
Dean chuckles and leans on the counter beside him. "I agree with you on that." He runs a hand through his hair. "I'm gonna go get dressed, and then we can leave, okay?"
Jack perks up.
Dean points at him. "Just make sure you get my coffee right."
Jack nods. "I will, Dean."
Dean smiles softly and pats his arm.
They leave fifteen minutes later. They sees Sam before they leave, and they hug. Sam tells them to stay safe and that he'll miss them. Dean calls him a sap, but Jack hugs him back and says he'll miss Sam, too.
Once they're on the road, Jack wants to ask Dean about the states they're going to visit, but he lets Dean wake up first. Nothing really happens on the drive to South Dakota, but Jack is happy to be away from the bunker. He likes talking to Dean about nothing super important. He also loves looking out the window and seeing everything. It's all so beautiful.
"When we were fighting Chuck," Jack begins as he stares out the window, "there was a moment when I took his power that it stayed within me. And in that moment, I could feel everything. It was overwhelming and a little too much to understand, but it was amazing. I could feel every blade of grass. Every star. Every heartbeat. It was so beautiful. I don't understand how Chuck could want to end it."
Dean doesn't say anything, and Jack thinks he may have gone a little too philosophical in comparison to their past light-hearted conversations. He turns to Dean.
But Dean is chewing on his lip thoughtfully. "Maybe he just got used to it," Dean finally says. "I mean, to him, that was normal. Maybe he just didn't realize how great it all was because that's how he felt all the time." Dean looks at Jack "But, he was also a psychopath, so who knows."
Jack grins. He thought Dean was going to dismiss him at first. "Yes, he was crazy."
There's a pause before Dean says, "But I'm glad you don't have that power."
Jack frowns and slumps in his seat. He knows why. Dean has never trusted him. Not really. Of course he wouldn't trust Jack with the power of God.
Dean continues, "That's just too much responsibility for a kid. It's probably selfish, but I'm glad you get to be a kid now. Well, a kid who goes to college."
Jack looks back over to Dean, studying him. He's not sure if Dean is telling the truth or just being nice. "Thank you, Dean. I'm glad I get to be a kid who goes to college, too."
Dean grins at him before looking back at the road.
"Oh, actually, do you want to hear something I learned in psychology yesterday?" Jack asks, and their conversation goes back to something light and easy.
Claire thinks Jack's t-shirt is cool. She also thinks it's cool that he's going to college.
"I was never smart enough for that," Claire says.
"That's not true!" Jack immediately replies.
Claire shrugs. "Maybe. I just don't like school, so."
Jack nods. "I understand. But I've never been to school before."
Claire studies him. "Never thought about that. You're lucky."
Jack laughs. "College is fun, though. But it's just online, so it's not like actual college."
Claire shrugs. "I dunno, online seems hard, too."
"Kind of." Jack pauses. "It's weird, because I used to just know things. I could solve any math problem, but it's like I'm getting rusty now. I can't remember how to do all those things."
"Well, it's good not having to know everything. It's nice having some things out of your control."
Jack is suddenly grateful he never got God's power. He could never be God. He doesn't think he could manage being responsible for everything. And knowing everything. That would be too much.
Colorado is beautiful. The air is so clear, and everything is so colorful. They go hiking, and it's too hot, and Jack gets super sweaty for the first time ever. It feels dirty but also satisfying. It's like his body is telling him he worked super hard. Dean falls into a muddy puddle on their hike, and it's super funny, but Jack doesn't laugh because he can tell Dean is embarrassed. They get ice cream afterwards, and Jack tries a banana-split for the first time. It's his new favorite.
The next day they visit a mountain town and spend way too much money on souvenirs. Jack buys bee socks for Castiel that he hides from Dean, because he doesn't want Dean to remind him that Castiel can't wear the socks because he's dead.
While they're shopping, they find a chocolate shop that has really good chocolate. Jack and Dean eat all the samples, and Jack buys the craziest flavors he can find. The ones with cherry filling remind him of Castiel. He tells Dean this, and Dean buys them an extra package of the cherry ones "for the road." Dean eats them all.
The Grand Canyon is not what Jack was expecting. The canyon itself is stunning. But it's super crowded, and Jack is anxious until they get on one of the trails that leads them down the canyon. It's finally just him and Dean again. It's cloudy with a cool breeze. It's perfect weather.
"I never would have suggested a road trip if I knew there was going to be this much hiking," Dean says breathlessly.
Jack laughs. "I like hiking."
"Yeah, well, say that again after we hike back up this trail."
Jack doesn't like hiking on the way up.
There's an ice cream shop at the top, but they don't have banana-splits. Jack gets vanilla, and Dean calls him boring. Jack tells Dean he's being rude, because vanilla is the mother of every ice cream flavor. That makes Dean laugh, and it's nice to see Dean laugh again. He's been doing that a lot on their trip. He rarely even smiled when they were back at the bunker.
Jack has to do homework when they get back to their motel, but he can hardly stay awake. Dean buys him an energy drink, and it works so well that Jack doesn't fall asleep until 1am.
They visit a historic town the next day built like it was when there were cowboys. Dean is super excited. All the restaurants are like old-time saloons with the swingy doors and everything. There's a mock showdown at noon, and Dean tells Jack that he was a part of a real showdown once. Jack says Dean isn't old enough to be a cowboy.
Dean laughs and smiles sadly. "No, but Cas took me and Sam back in time."
Jack perks up. "Really? Was Castiel a cowboy, too?"
Dean's sad smile doesn't fade. "Not that time."
They're driving back to their motel when Dean turns the music off. He licks his lips and tightens his grip on the wheel.
"Hey, Jack," he starts, "there's something I need to tell you."
Jack sits up straighter and gives Dean his full attention. "Yes, Dean?"
Dean swallows, keeping his eyes glued to the road. "I need to apologize."
Jack frowns. "For what?"
"I haven't been treating you right."
"Yes, you have." Jack insists. "I love traveling with you."
Dean grimaces. "No, uh, I mean before our road trip."
"Oh." Jack is confused now. "Do you mean after Castiel died?"
Dean blinks back tears. "Yeah. And before that, too. I never really…I never really treated you well. And that's not fair to you. So, I'm sorry. For everything." He sucks in a deep breath. "I know that's not enough, but I hope it's a start at least."
"Dean, it's okay."
"Jack…" Dean's voice cracks.
"It's okay," Jack repeats. "You don't treat me like that anymore. And I…I think you trust me now, too."
Dean nods and glances at him. "Yeah, Jack, I do. I trust you." He swallows again. "I should've trusted you from the beginning."
Jack reaches over and squeezes Dean's arm. Jack's blinking back tears now. "Thank you. And I accept your apology."
Dean quickly wipes away his own tears. "Thanks. And I mean it, Jack. I trust you. I won't—" His voice breaks again. "I won't treat you like I did before, okay?"
Jack nods. "Okay, Dean." Then pauses. "I love you."
Dean completely tenses up, and the tears he's trying to fight back fall freely down his cheeks. He looks over, and says firmly, "I love you too."
Jack's trying to focus on his homework, but he can't. They're going to the beach in California tomorrow. He's super excited. He's never been, and he can tell Dean is excited too. While Jack is working, Eileen facetimes Dean, and Dean steps outside, so Jack can focus on his homework. Dean comes back inside a few minutes later, and Jack can tell something is wrong. Dean is tense.
"Pack your bags," Dean says gruffly, stuffing his own clothes in his duffel.
"What? Why?"
"Sam is missing."