Chapter Text
You stepped into the bunker, exhausted from the work of the day. You didn't kill monsters for a living like Sam and Dean Winchester, but research could be just as mentally draining. Since you were a young girl, you'd loved listening to ghost stories around the campfire and that interest led you to study the Biblical, demonology, monsterology, urban legends, and just about everything in between.
You'd helped the Winchesters out on a case before and the boys had learned to trust you despite the fact that you had just barely graduated college. Sam had kept in touch with you over the years, and you were always a phone call away if the boys needed you to do extra research while they were out doing the dirty work on a hunt. Sometimes that meant scouring local libraries until the sun went down and sneezing from the dust of ancient books, but you loved knowing that you were helping restore the lives of innocent people. The Men of Letters bunker had plenty of books, and more often than not, you were able to do your work with the comforts of your loungewear and some snacks, but you didn't mind going the extra mile every once in a while.
You knew all about the Winchesters- how they'd stopped the apocalypse about a million different times. They were incredible men and you were honored to get to work alongside them.
You'd never been one for hunting or killing, but you still wished you could go out into the field sometimes and watch how things really went down. Lately, though, it seemed you had even less of a chance of that. The Winchesters had apparently taken on a new charge, a young and startling attractive man who was around your age. Every time you asked about him or spotted him hiding behind the Winchesters and tried to introduce yourself, Dean wouldn't let you anywhere near him. You were starting to think they were holding the poor boy captive.
But today, your hours of research were rewarded after Dean and Sam defeated the creature they'd been hunting- a Japanese monster called a jikininki. Sam called you, thanking you profusely before relaying the good news: "I finally convinced Dean to let you meet Jack."
At first, you were concerned that the Winchesters had decided to adopt the jikininki, take it home, and name it Jack. Then you realized that Jack was the name of the boy with the gorgeous eyes that the boys were hiding from you.
"Finally!" You said with a laugh. "His name is Jack, huh?"
"It's not that Dean and I were trying to keep him from you. It's just that... well, Jack has been through a lot. We're being extra careful with who we trust with his identity. But you've been living in the bunker and helping us out long enough, and you seem to be curious about him, so I think you can meet him after the hunt today ."
Sam's obvious concern for you warmed your heart. "Thank you, Sammy. It means a lot."
You didn't need the Winchesters' permission to do anything- if you'd wanted to meet Jack, you would have, but Sam and Dean obviously cared about Jack and you wanted to respect their wishes. You'd quickly packed up your things from the library and headed home to the bunker, throwing off your shoes and changing into a comfortable tank top as soon as you arrived. You threw on Netflix, made yourself a midnight breakfast of pancakes and syrup, and poured yourself a glass of wine while you waited for the boys to arrive. After a while, you got bored and turned back to your books.
The lore books about angels and demons in the bunker were just as good as any fantasy show. You traced your fingers over a diagram of angel wings. It was even more fascinating to think that they really existed, even if some of them were douchebags. You'd met Cas and Gabriel and loved them both. Part of you had originally wanted to revere them like the otherworldly beings they were, but they were also people, not a research experiment. Cas was a bit serious and awkward, but full of virtue, humor, and could see past Dean's rough exterior. Gabriel could only be described as a class clown. You wondered about Jack and why his identity was so secret. The door opened and a breeze moved through the ever-cold bunker as the Winchesters and Jack entered.
You bounded up excitedly, giving Dean and Sam a hug each, ignoring their bloodstained clothing. It was always good to see them alive. They moved aside so you could see Jack, and you smiled at him cautiously. "I'm happy the Winchesters finally let me meet you," you said. "I'm (Y/N)."
Jack waved. "Hello," he said, the genuinely happy smile on his face making you smile, too. The young hunter stood ramrod straight, his attention focused solely on you. He wore a long-sleeve blue t-shirt, much softer in appearance than the plaid and rugged jackets typical for the Winchesters. You couldn't help but feel that he was young at heart despite being your age and having "been through a lot," as Sam had said. Still, there was something haunted hidden behind his cerulean eyes. You'd seen your fair share too, so maybe the two of you would be good friends. You certainly hoped so- with the way that blond hair flopped over his forehead and that contagious smile, you wouldn't be able to stay away from him for long.
"(Y/N), this is Jack," Sam introduced the two of you. "You may want to sit down for this," he continued. You looked at Sam quizzically but sat as he instructed. Your eyes flitted back to Jack. He's very attractive, Sam, but I won't faint, you thought. You watched the smile slowly begin to fade from Jack's face. He stared at the ground. "Before you start spending time with Jack, you should know that he's Luci—"
"I'm Kelly Kline's son," Jack said suddenly, taking a step closer to you. "I'm not a Winchester officially, but I'm trying to learn how to hunt."
Sam gave him a strange look. You watched this interaction with some confusion but decided to brush it off as you stood.
"Then I guess you're out of the loop just like me. I'm a researcher, but I've always been curious about hunts, too. Maybe you'll take me with you sometime?"
"I'd like that," Jack said at the same time as Dean said, "No way in hell, (Y/N)!"
You rolled your eyes. "You know I'll do whatever I like, Dean." "I know you will," he grumbled.
"I made pancakes. Do you guys want some?" Your offer seemed to make up for Dean's annoyance with you, as he shoveled his pancakes in irritably.
"I've never had pancakes," Jack admitted.
"What the hell? You guys have never taken him to IHOP?"
Dean shrugged. "Usually breakfast places aren't open during our late-night hunts."
You gave Jack one with extra chocolate chips and piled on the syrup. When Jack took a bite, his eyes lit up.
"I guess he has a sweet tooth just like you," Dean said. "Not as bad as Gabriel though."
The four of you talked about the hunt while you ate.
"I still don't understand," you said. "Normally you never see a jikininki- or, I guess they would be called shokujinki nowadays- in America, only in Japan."
Jack set his fork down and looked up at you. "I have a theory."
You raised an eyebrow, urging him to go on. "Chuck- God- is destroying worlds. The jikininki is a creature that is cursed after death to eat human flesh as a punishment for being selfish in life. Maybe God let this creature loose because He also wants to punish me, and Sam and Dean, for not accepting our fate. Our doom."
You were impressed with Jack's ability to match your lore, but you were lost on most of what he was saying. The Winchesters had kept you up to date with their more celestial endeavors, including God trying to kill the other worlds he'd created. But why would he target sweet Jack?
"Does God have a vendetta against you?" you asked him.
"Yea, of course," Dean cut in. "Jack is-"
"Still learning," Jack interrupted, those intense eyes locking with yours. "Chuck loves the Winchesters. But I still make a lot of mistakes."
"We all make mistakes," you said with a reassuring smile.
Afterward, Sam cleared everyone's plates and let out an over-exaggerated yawn. "(Y/N), Jack, I'm exhausted. I'm going to sleep. I think Dean and I want to give you two some time to talk alone."
He gave Dean a meaningful look and the older Winchester rolled his eyes in response.
"Don't stay up too late, okay?"
You listened to the sound of Dean and Sam's footsteps padding away down the halls of the bunker.
"You like to read, huh, Jack?" you asked.
Jack nodded, fidgeting with his hands. He seemed nervous.
You pulled out one of your favorite lore books. You could tell Jack was a bit shy, and you felt that he was hiding something, but you were determined to get him to open up to you.
"You knew a lot about the jikininki back there. Do you do research too? Maybe I could read to you for a while."
"Oh, thank you," he said earnestly, "but I know how to read." At first you were hurt, thinking he didn't want to spend time with you.
"Jack, is there something you're not telling me? I mean, it's okay. We only just met, and everyone has secrets."
"Some secrets are scarier than others," Jack mumbled.
You dropped the subject for the time being. "Well, maybe I could read to you, even if you do already know how to read. Some people find it relaxing. Sometimes I even listen to audiobooks because it relaxes me so much."
Jack smiled. "I do like stories. What are you going to read about?"
"Oh, angels and monsters," you said with a smirk. "They're my favorites."
"I think I like angels more than monsters," Jack said quickly.
"You'd be surprised. I've met my fair share of asshole angels and kind monsters."
"Kind monsters?"
"Sure. You can't always control who you are, only how you act. Although sometimes you can't even control that. You should know- you're a hunter. What's it like out there, in the real world? With holy fire and angel blades and rock salt?"
Jack frowned.
"I like the bunker better. Everything is in control here. (Y/N), I'm not always in control."
You closed your book and stood from the table. "Maybe you should tell me a story instead. Do you want to come to my room?"
Jack's eyes widened.
"Are we going to have sex?"
Your face blushed scarlet and you let the leather-bound book drop like a stone to the floor. It landed on your toe and you squeaked, hopping around like a wounded dog.
"Jack, what the fuck," you managed.
"You're hurt. I'm sorry," Jack said. "It's just that Dean told me when a girl asks you to come to her room, it means she wants to have sex. (Y/N), are you alright?"
The boy took a step towards you and grasped your shoulders, steadying you.
"Thank you, Jack. You just surprised me."
You continued to hobble pathetically, and in one swift motion, Jack scooped you up bridal style, carefully tucking one arm under your knees and the other supporting your head and shoulders. Now you had an even closer view of those crystal blue eyes and soft lips. If he wanted to, all Jack had to do was tilt his head towards yours ever so slightly...
But what were you thinking? You'd only just met. You couldn't have a crush on him already.
"I'm not doing this because I want to have sex," Jack clarified. "It's because you're injured, and I caused it. May I carry you to your bed?"
A warm feeling spread unbidden through your legs and stomach, and you nodded for fear of betraying your thoughts if you tried to speak.
You tucked your hands close to Jack's chest as he carried you down the hallway towards your room.
Instead of placing you on the bed and standing aside, he sat on the bed still cradling you so that when you sat up, you were perfectly situated on his lap. "Jack," you said softly, unable to think of anything but his name as you maneuvered around him so you were sitting next to him instead.
"Are you feeling better now, (Y/N)?"
"Yes. You were going to tell me a story?"
His brows furrowed. "I was?"
You cleared your throat, trying to calm your beating heart.
"Uh, yea. Maybe about hunting. Earlier, you said you'd be willing to take me hunting sometime. That's more than Dean or Sam will do, anyway. They think I'm incapable, that I'm more book smart than street smart."
"Well, I'm not a very good hunter," Jack admitted. "I don't know if I could teach you about that. Dean is better at knife throwing."
"Maybe that's not your thing, then. You're good at research. What about helping me with that?"
Jack sighed. "Sam is good at that, and you. Besides, the Winchesters have most of the lore memorized already. I'm only good for one thing."
"What's that?" you asked before he could change the subject again.
Jack fell silent, his blue eyes wandering over to yours. You matched their intensity with ease.
"Maybe you could offer some emotional stability," you suggested. "Lord knows the Winchesters need that."
"What do you mean?"
You'd moved to the side of Jack, but you were still pressed closely against him. You were wary of his sex comment from earlier, but you'd be lying if you said that the feeling of his body heat against yours wasn't nice. You studied Jack's hands, which he kept folded in his lap.
"Dean and Sam are so used to cutting down monsters that sometimes they lose pieces of themselves in the process. I don't just mean cuts and bruises. I mean I haven't seen Dean get a full night's rest in all the years I've known him. He's always walking around, pacing in the middle of the night, or running out for a late-night drink. And sometimes Sam will pray for hours at a time, though I'm not sure who he's praying to. Sometimes he cries. I haven't been here for every difficult moment with them, but it breaks my heart to see them hurt this much. If someone could take away their pain, even for a moment, even just by making them smile... Well, maybe that's where you come in, Jack."
"My mom, Kelly, used to tell me that I would do great things. Dean and Sam think so, too. But lately, I just keep messing up."
You sighed wistfully. "Wouldn't it be awesome if we just had magic powers that could fix all our problems? Like Cas and the other angels."
Jack shifted away from you slightly. You noticed instantly and turned to look at him, but he kept his gaze focused solemnly on the wall in front of him.
"Why would that be awesome?" he asked, an angry tinge to his voice.
You assumed maybe Jack was sour about the existence of angels. Most hunters weren't comfortable working with supernatural beings of any kind, even angels.
"I'm sorry, Jack, you're right. A lot of angels suck and they use their powers for the wrong reasons, but Cas is different. Have you met him? Besides, could you imagine us hunters having those powers and using them for the right reasons? We'd be like superheroes."
You paused, trying to form an explanation.
"I don't know what it is about angels, Jack, but they fascinate me. Their wings and their eyes, the way they defy the stories of heavenly choirs and cherubs. They're warriors, you know, just like us. And their powers... I guess it's just kind of sexy."
You froze as that last word slipped from your mouth before you could process it. How much wine did you drink?
You tried to laugh it off. "Sorry, I guess I spend too much time in my lore books."
Jack was staring at you as if you'd sprouted a second head. You hid your face behind your hair.
"Y-you like angels? They don't scare you?"
Great, now this nice hunter you'd just met thought you had some kind of angel kink. Maybe you did, but he didn't need to know that.
"Well of course they scare me, within reason," you said quickly. "Just like Dean pointing a gun at me would scare me. But no more than that."
"I don't know, Dean is pretty scary," Jack countered.
"The scariest," you agreed.
There was a moment of silence.
"What about Lucifer?"
"What about him? I know he was an angel once, but he's the devil. He's the worst of the worst."
"I understand," Jack said, the tone of his voice surprisingly guilty.
He stood from your bed and you were sad to see him go.
"Well."
He smiled.
"Goodnight, (Y/N). I liked talking with you."
"You too, Jack," you murmured once he was out of earshot.