Pride Write Day 6: Aromantic
Prompt: Aromantic
Media: Fanfic
Fandom: Supernatural
Characters: Jack Kline, Claire Novak, Sam Winchester, Dean Winchester, Castiel (mentioned)
Claire was the person who helped Jack realize that he was aromantic. As a matter of fact, not only did she help him realize this, but she was also the first person that Jack confessed to. At first, he thought about telling Cas, Sam, or Dean, but Jack simply wasn’t sure how to go about it. With Claire, everything was easy. Jack enjoyed her friendship, and it was obvious that Claire felt the same way. She often doted on Jack, treating him as though he was her little brother. Seeing Claire be so protective of Jack truly warmed the boys and Cas’ hearts.
Jack’s realization and subsequent reveal that he was aromantic was quite spontaneous. In fact, he and Claire were watching Clone Wars (one of their favorite things to watch together), when Jack stated (later, Claire would say that the more accurate term for Jack’s manner of confession was blurted),
Claire paused in the middle of painting her toenails a bright sparkly blue, tilted her head, and considered Jack’s words.
“Okay……” The truth was that she didn’t exactly know how to react. Claire recalled her own struggle with her sexuality (truth be told, she was still unsure of how to label herself, though she felt she was leaning more towards pansexual), and remembered how lucky she had been to have such a wonderful, caring, accepting support system in the form of Alex, Jody, Donna, Cas, and the Winchesters.
Speaking of which, did they know? Had Jack told them yet, or was Claire the only person he’d confessed to? Amusement washed over Claire as she imagined how the conversation with the guys, particularly with Dean, would go. But she had no doubt they would love and support Jack just as they always had. The thought of Dean trying to process what the word meant, and asking Sam for an explanation, made her giggle aloud.
Jack’s eyebrows furrowed at the sudden laughter, and he scrunched his nose.
“Did...did I say something funny?”
“No, it’s—that’s awesome, kid. I’m happy for you.” Claire set the bottle of nail polish down, swung her other leg over the bed and placed it on the floor, and patted Jack’s shoulder. “How do you feel about it? Like...what do you need from me?”
“Nothing, I guess. I only just realized it a couple of days ago. I just wanted to say it out loud. To someone who would understand.” Jack smiled at Claire, and it’s so sweet and endearing that she couldn’t help but smile back.
“Have you told the guys yet?”
Jack’s smile faded, and he dropped his head. When he spoke, his voice was so soft that Claire had to strain to hear him.
“No…..I mean, I want to. But, I don’t know what they will think.” Jack clasped his hands together, bounced his knee. “I’m not sure they will understand. I’m not even sure thatIunderstand.”
“I don’t think you have to worry, Jack,” Claire replied. “Sam and Dean and Cas are cool, you know? You’re lucky to have them.”
Jack was quiet for a few moments, almost contemplative. Of course Claire was right. The Winchesters and Cas had never been anything but supportive of him, and Jack knew that Cas in particular would be able to reassure him in a way that Sam and Dean couldn’t. Somehow, “lucky” seemed an inadequate word to describe the relationship that Jack had with the guys. He knew that they were proud of him, and he knew that his mother would be proud of him as well.
“Okay.” Jack stood up and wiped his sweaty palms on his pants. “Okay. You’re right.” He beamed that beautiful, angelic smile at Claire, and held up his hand in his famous wave. “Thanks, Claire.”
Claire grinned, one corner of her mouth turning upward in almost a smirk.
