The first time it happens Jack isn’t even hurt. The gun goes off, much louder than it sounds through his headphones when there were shootings in the movies. He feels something brush against his shirt. It’s ticklish, like how it felt when a lady bug landed on him the day before. He was in a nice woman’s garden, waiting for Sam and Dean to finish talking to her about what happened to her daughter, and the tiny black and red bug just crawled right onto his finger.
Before he can look down to see if a ladybug has landed on him again Castiel is hovering over him, the corners of his eyes all pinched up in concern and asking if he’s okay.
“Yes,” Jack replies, inspecting the unblemished front of his favorite blue button down. He wouldn’t have minded the lady bug, to be honest.
The gunshots echo again and Castiel angles himself in front of Jack like a shield. He doesn’t even blink as the bullets hit his back but he motions for Jack to duck down and move around to the other side of the wall.
“I’m fine,” Jack protests, although he’s already shuffling over. If Cas wants to keep him safe from no apparent danger at all he’ll let him. It’s a bit too loud for an argument right now anyways.
The second time is a year later, when Jack knows that bullets can actually hurt him now and he also knows how to handle a gun on his own. He and Cas are getting dinner between tracking down a vamp nest; well, Jack gets dinner and Cas makes little marks on his map. Midway through slurping down his Oreo milkshake Jack sees Cas suddenly stand up, right shoulder shifting in a familiar stance and the edge of the blade pointing out from his fingertips. Then it disappears. Cas sits back down and picks up the red marker again like nothing happened.
“What was that?” Jack asks, leaning over for a napkin.
“An error on my part,” Cas mumbles. He pulls out another map from his bag and unfolds it loudly. “I thought I saw an angel.”
Jack picks up one of the last few fries on his plate and swishes it through the milkshake. He’s seen this combination on a Youtube video before and he’s always wanted to try it. “Aren’t they your family?”
Cas grunts and keeps on circling on the paper.
“So why were you going to stab them?”
He stops, putting the pen down. “Jack, I--I have to be careful around the other angels. They don’t think like me, and they don’t all…” his forehead creases like he’s thinking of a word “...have good intentions towards you.”
The sweetness of the milkshake and the saltiness of the fries actually tastes great together. But Cas’ words make the mouthful sit heavy in his stomach. “You would kill one of your brothers or sisters to protect me?”
Cas opts for a reassuring smile that is as good as a confirmation to Jack's suspicion. “It wasn’t an angel after all, so don’t worry about it.” He checks the time on his phone. “Do you want to order anything else? We’ve still got some time before the sun sets.”
The third time Jack doesn’t immediately realize what’s happening. But Cas does. The witch has already dodged the first round of bullets fired and now she screams something unintelligible and the guns fly out of their hands. Before Jack can pull out his angel blade the witches raises her palm. Cas grabs Jack’s arm at the same instant, spinning him around and arching his body over him as the incantation roars around their ears.
An eerie purple glow erupts all around them, like mist from a smoke machine. Jack squints through the fog to see Cas leaning over him, hands gripping his shoulders. Blood trickles from Cas’ lips and streams in rivulets down his cheeks from his eyes. “Jack,” he mumbles, ghosting a hand over Jack’s face and neck, as if checking for injuries. “Are you…okay? Safe?” The words gurgle in his throat and he nearly topples over.
“Cas? Cas!” Jack grabs him by the elbow and swings one of his arms over his shoulder. His hand comes away from Cas’ back covered in sticky red and he jolts back. “Cas? Cas, what should I do?”
“Jack…” Cas mumbles, pressing a finger to his chest. “Safe?” His eyes are swollen and bright with blood but he keeps looking over Jack with concern. “Safe,” he repeats endlessly, as if delirious.
The witch is still here; Jack can make out her shadow moving in the back. She seems to be scrambling to collect all her jars and parchments. Jack lowers Cas gently to the ground and crawls under the purple haze over to where the gun lays discarded on the floor. He moves back to beside Cas and digs in the trench coat pocket for another magazine of witch killing bullets. As the witch darts towards the door Jack raises the gun and exhales slowly, just like Dean taught him. He steadies his arm and squeezes the trigger twice.
As soon as her body hits the ground the purple haze dissipates and they’re left surrounded by nothing but the bleak peeling walls of the hovel they tracked the witch to. Jack abandons the gun immediately and rushes over to where Cas is slumped against the wall with half open eyes.
Cas blinks a few times as Jack fusses over him. The wounds in his back are gone now that the witch is dead and the spell broken. His cheeks are still stained with blood though. Jack runs into the kitchen and comes back with a wet towel.
“What happened?” Cas breathes shakily. He’s still sitting on the floor, glancing around with worry.
“It’s okay.” Jack blinks back the tears in his eyes and carefully wipes the bloodied tracks from Cas' face. “It’s okay. You’re safe now.”
is season 4/5 when Dean stopped wearing his jewelry? did he forego the protective charms because after Hell he didn't think he deserved the added protection, or did he nix them because he had an Angel on his side?
They weren’t her woods. Her family wasn’t here – no nymphs were here. It was a pocket of forest too close to civilisation, and nymphs were here. It was a pocket of forest too close to civilisation and nymphs would choose to avoid that wherever they could. They knew nothing about Thanksgiving or telescopes or the fact that the world might be ending soon and they were happier for it.
But Mrs Butters – because that was, at least partly, her name, now, it was how she thought of herself – would keep looking. They would be somewhere out there and she either had all the time in the world or the world had an expiration date fast-approaching she could do nothing about.
She knew she was being watched for about two hours before he showed himself.
The angelic energy within Jack was new, volatile, powerful. This angel was… tired, though he appeared to be a handsome man that was sure of himself.
aO3 link
“Good afternoon,” she said. She could flee, surely, but an angel could find her. And she wasn’t certain yet that this one wanted her harmed.
“Hello.”
There was a tension to the angelic right arm. She suspected they were gripping an angel blade within the sleeve of that trench coat. “My name is Castiel.”
She smiled, feeling an unfamiliar twinge of nervousness. “Oh, you’re Jack’s…” she swallowed, “his father, aren’t you?” She bit down on her lip, carefully thinking through her next words. “You weren’t at home. They missed you.”
“I heard you were looking after them. For a time.”
“I wanted to look after them, I really did.”
She tried again for a smile to return him. His own smile was far from comforting. “It had been so long since I’d had any kind of family to look after. “I just wanted to keep them safe.”
“I can understand that,” he said slowly. “I want to do that too.”
Mrs Butters knew then that she would have to leave. She recognised that surety of purpose as clearly as her own reflection. She was going to see the woods in Europe, that had been her plan next. She snapped her fingers, expecting the unbearable expression on the angel’s face would fade away from her. But it didn’t.
The angel sighed, as though disappointed in her. “Mrs Butters, after hearing how you were able to hurt Jack, I was not going to come looking for you without taking some precautions taken first.”
Carefully, Mrs Butters let her eyes roam around the clearing she had found herself in. The way the stones had been arranged – so intricate, yet so easy to miss… “Ah.” It was impressive work. She pulled herself up straight and tried not to feel as trapped as she was. “Well done.”
He took a deep breath in that she knew all too well was only for show. And angel! In woods that should have offered protection for her.
If only those woods had not been abandoned.
“It’s not that I’m seeking vengeance, though I was, as you can imagine,” he explained, walking slowly towards her, “upset to hear how my family were threatened so easily while I was away from them. You were trying to torture and kill all the things I care most for in all the world.”
“I’m sorry,” she said quietly, knowing there could be nothing else to say, nothing that could stop this righteous force of rage and vengeance. Worse, she could not fault it.
He stopped, his feet about a metre away from her own as his wide eyes searched her face. “I believe you. But you know where they live, and you know how to bend it to your own will far better than they could. They’ve had so little places to be allowed to be safe in, in their lives. I want them to hold on to this as long as they can.”
“Are you going to kill me?” she wasn’t quite aware of deciding to ask the question. For a treacherous moment, she wondered if she might be a family she could recognise.
The longer he stared at her, head cocked carefully to one side like a scientist admiring a specimen (and oh, she knew that look) the more achingly aware she became of her own body, and every part of it that had, or had not ever, felt any discomfort, any pain.
She had never met an angel. She wondered if he would transform a little to hurt her, if some of the incomprehensible broiling form beneath his vessel would reveal itself when he held his blade with purpose.
“No,” he said. “What I’d like to do is remove the memory of the bunker’s location from your mind.”
“Why not take all of my memories? Or kill me?”
“I’ve had both done to me. Neither stuck. And I’m trying not to be the person who would do harm like that.”
She smiled. “I understand now. What made Jack try so hard to be good.”
He looked moved as he nodded again and took another step towards her, but she held out a trembling hand to stop him. “No offence, but things go wrong a lot, fiddling around in brains, don’t they?”
He said nothing, but she saw the admission in his eyes.
“So if I could just ask, before – how are things going? With Eileen?”
“I believe Sam still communicates with her regularly.”
She nodded, trying not to think about having another person rifling through her mind. “I’m glad he had someone. And Dean, is he -” She opened her mouth, then stopped. “I was never sure of his preferences. But I hope he finds someone like that. Though I suppose they both have you, don’t they?”
She wasn’t sure what to make of his expression now.
“They do.”
“You know,” she said hurriedly, staring at his open palm outstretched towards her, “I wouldn’t mind terribly if you took all of it. I would be sad to forget all my boys, but I don’t like thinking about what was done to me, what I – I almost did to them at the end. Could you, Castiel?”
He smiled, and though it was kind, it was anything but soft. “I want you to remember what you did, what you almost did.” He laid his hand down on her head and Mrs Butters felt pain, pain like nothing Sinclair and all his paltry toys and tricks had ever mustered from her.
Summary: Weeks after seeing the weary traveler Castiel leaves his nest to explore the forest he calls home when he is startled by a desperate cry for help.
From: AO3
Chapters: 1/1
Word Count: 1,471
Rating: General
Yay! Protective papa Cas! Go read it it’s good! Also if it catches your interest go read the series from the beginning :)
“I just- I can’t believe that-” You let out another annoyed groan- slamming down Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as you stood up.
“Listen here Dean! I said stop- so just shut the fuck up! That was months ago!” You said- spinning and leaving the room. Ever since you had been kidnapped by the Dragons, Dean had not let it drop about your lack of action. It started out not at all subtle, but later on took disguise in jokes and pranks, stories and questions. You were done with the cruel jokes- absolutely done.
“Oh come on! Where are you going? Are you going to have some fun?” Dean cried out- and he heard a door slam and an angry cry echo through the bunker. There was a pause and Sam looked over at Dean- giving him his ultimate bitch face. Dean smirked and then looked over to Sam.
“W-what?” He asked, and Sam raised an eyebrow. Dean rolled his eyes and looked back down at the book he was reading- muttering about piss pots who couldn’t take a joke.
You threatened to throw everything off your dresser- hands resting on the top as your shoulders heaved, your chest rising and falling deeply as you closed your eyes. Stupid asshole.
“Just- leave me the fuck alone.” You whined softly- arms collapsing as you let yourself fall into your dresser- tears beginning to prick at your eyes. Dean was a fucking man-whore- who the hell gave him the right to judge you! He knew every dirty trick in the book but it’s okay for him to be active- and pleasured- and happy with his one night stands.
“Fucking hell.” You growled, wiping your eyes as you pushed off the dresser- somehow making it to your bed. You collapsed onto the mattress- eyes closing as you hugged your pillow tightly to your chest. You willed yourself not to cry- taking deep calming breaths as you forced your thoughts to slow down. Instead- you recited one of your favorite poems, whispering the words out.
Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
By the time you finished you felt better- calm enough. You pulled out of your pillow- forcing yourself to sit up. You could ignore Dean- make some grub for the three of you and relax. Usually he told a joke scattered throughout the day- so no more should be told for right now. You left the room- heading straight to the kitchen. You quietly cooked up two hamburgers and made a fresh salad- throwing some shredded chicken in their for a little bit of meat and protein.
When you reached the room where the boys resided, you set their respectful plates down in front of them, saying nothing as you took your own seat and dug in- ignoring the glances you received from the boys.
“Uh- thanks, (Y/n).” Dean said, and you grunted in response, taking another bite out of your burger.
“Thanks (Y/n).” Sam said, nodding towards you before he began eating. You nodded back and all of you ate silently- taking a break from reading for the moment. When all meals were consumed and everyone’s hunger was sated- you took the dish wear and headed back to the kitchen. Scrubbing quietly at the plates- you began humming a little tune to pass the time in the otherwise quiet bunker.
“You have a lovely voice- I don’t know how many times I have told you that.” Castiel said- and you looked over at him- not at all startled by his sudden appearance.
“Hey Cas.” You said, softly smiling as you set the now clean plates to the side on the drying rack to dry. “Join me with the Winchesters?” You asked, and he nodded after a moment's pause. You smiled a little wider as you both headed back, your guys soft chatter filling the air as you made your way to the war room.
“Hey Cas.” Sam said, and Castiel looked over to him, greeting both boys as you took a sit on the war table, pulling your feet up and crossing your legs. The boys dived into a discussion of a possible future case- and you listened silently- resting your chin on your hand as you waited for a part that you could actually give an input to something.
“They seem to be targeting young women, and the only thing that seems to be in common is that they all have not tied the knot, and are still… pure.” Castiel said- and you looked over at him lazily- completely relaxed and not realizing what exactly was about to go down. Dean looked over at you- and Sam gave him a warning look- to which he ignored.
“Looks like you should stay here then (Y/n), we don’t want you dying now do we?” Dean said, with that smug shit eating grin on his face. Your eyes darted to him, and you sat up- tears of anger leaping to your eyes.
“Listen here, man-whore-” You spat, and his brows furrowed at the nick-name. “You can go fuck yourself for all I care- just fucking stop! With the-” You struggled for a word that wouldn’t be offensive. “Damn jokes!” You snapped, and he raised an eyebrow.
“One, not a man-whore, two, just because you haven’t felt other worldly pleasures-” He was cut off as you let out a shriek- launching towards him. Arms wrapped around your waist and pulled you away from the vicinity of the table, and you thrashed against Castiel’s grip, shouting foul words at Dean as you did so.
“FUCK YOU WINCHESTER!” You screamed and then you weren’t in the bunker anymore- the fresh warm air of spring brushing against your cheeks as the wind blew. Your struggles immediately ceased and Castiel slowly let you down- and then he was gone. You let out a sigh and sagged to your knees, listening to the grass rustle and move under the winds careless ministrations.
When Castiel next came back you were sitting on your butt- knees pulled to your chest as you stared out across the meadow- the sun beginning to set. He quietly sat beside you- mirroring your position as he stared out across the field.
“The lack of bees here disturbs me.” You said softly- and he looked over at you. “It’s Spring, they should be here.” You finished, not looking over at him still. He hummed thoughtfully as he looked out across the field- eyes searching for the creatures of topic.
“You’re right, but I’m sure they’ll arrive eventually. There is plenty fauna here for them to work.” He said, and you nodded slightly, a hand going down and tugging at the grass- your eyes watching the muscles in your hand move.
“I love him- I really do.” You said, even softer than before. “Like a brother, kind of like that brother I never had you know?” You said, and Cas looked back over at you, your features having gone from neutral to sad. “He’s just-” You fell silent and looked away from Cas’s general direction- your cheek resting against your knees now.
“He’s an ass.” Cas finished, and you nodded slightly- turning your head to look at him. You rested your cheek on your knees as you watched him- hair slightly tousled by the wind. He smiled softly and removed an arm from hugging his legs, holding it out to you. You uncurled and scooted into his side, your cheek now resting against his knee as you let out a deep sigh.
“I talked with him about it… he has an apology waiting for you- and he has been warned of future consequences if he acts upon the urge to tease you about it.” Cas said, and you pulled your head off his knees- his arm around your shoulders pulling you closer as you softly smiled at him.
“Thank you Cas, really.” You said, resting your head against his shoulder as the sun continued to set. You two stayed outside till you had fallen asleep- the sun long gone and the stars shining bright above you as they twinkled and winked down at you two. Cas carefully scooped you up and stood, kissing the top of your head. Count on Cas to set things right- and hopefully Dean would actually listen, and finally leave you alone about the subject. It was your life- you chose to do with it what you pleased.
