jack of hearts

On the night of his mother's death, all there is is blood. Jack is born covered in blood. His mother isn't even alive when he looks at her for the first time. At first, he doesn't think it's possible since he had just heard her screaming. And then he hears noises downstairs. There are angels. Two humans. The humans are vaguely familiar. His angel is there. The one he wants to call father. Castiel. But then...Jack senses Lucifer. He is near. And he is getting closer.

"We gotta repel these fuckers!" It's the older human.

"Cas, are you okay if we do this?" The younger one.

"Yes." It's Castiel. Jack wants to go to him. "But wait for Lucifer."

And then Lucifer is there. His presence is something horrible. It's red. Like blood.

Then all of the angels are gone in a terrible flash of light. Even Castiel.

"You good?" The older human says. "Sammy! You good?"

"Yeah," Sammy pants. "Yeah, Dean. I'm good."

"Okay, good." There's a slight pause, and Dean's tone changes to something more commanding. "We have to kill the thing upstairs."

"What? Dean...are you sure?"

"I've never been more sure of anything in my damn life."

And then they're coming up the stairs.

Jack flies away.

OOOOOOO

He finds the humans again because he can't find Castiel. Well, he can, but Castiel is moving around too much for Jack to catch up to him. He can't fly very far yet. These humans are Castiel's friends. So, Jack will see him at some point. At least Jack really, really hopes so.

The humans don't recognize him. No one can. Not even Castiel. Jack looks human. He tells himself he is. He tries to help Sam and Dean on a Hunt. He doesn't do very well, but they offer to let him live with them when they realize he has no one to go to. At least, Sam does. Dean is reluctant. They tell him it's temporary.

Dean is upset, and he and Sam get into a fight when they get back from the Hunt. Sam tells Dean he needs "to get his shit together" and that Sam and Jack are going out.

Dean glares and mumbles, "Fine. I don't care."

They don't take the Impala, and Sam drives too fast. His shoulders are tense, and he glares at the road with enough intensity to start a fire. They drive around for a few minutes before Sam asks Jack if he wants to go to a bookstore. Jack tells Sam he's never been to one before.

That's how Jack finds himself holding a book with a colorful cover. Jack's never seen words before. He's only heard them; that's how he can talk. He isn't sure how to read, but he knows he can learn like he did with talking.

"You like that one?" Sam is beside him, holding a couple books of his own.

"I don't know. What do you think?" Jack hands it to Sam.

Sam studies Jack a moment before turning the book over and silently reading the words on the back. When he's finished reading, Sam shrugs. "It's a pretty basic YA novel. The teenage hero doesn't fit in but saves the world. He probably gets the girl."

Jack doesn't know what a YA novel is. He tentatively takes his book back. "Oh. Is that good?"

"Why don't you decide? I'll buy it for you."

"Wait, really?" He looks up at Sam in awe.

Jack's reaction seems to surprise Sam, and Sam smiles. "Yeah, Jack."