Chapter Text
Jack found himself on the motel bed, his head aching as he sat up.
“Jack, hey, you’re awake.” Sam breathed. Jack just crashed back down on the pillow, his muscles still disoriented.
“I don’t feel too great.” Jack stated, as his stomach was churning - both awfully hungry and nauseous at the same time. He couldn’t help but feel the impending anxiety of Dean, the moment he would walk in.
“Yeah, well, you ended up passing out. How’s the head?” Sam asked, quietly.
“Pounding.” Jack explained. He felt his cheeks redden from embarrassment. He started to try and get up, but Sam was looking at him with some concern.
“It was a pretty hard fall, so take it easy, Dean should be here with food, any moment.” Sam stated.
Dean ended up walking back in a few moments later, and Jack found his anxiety really increase, especially with the look of concern on Dean’s face.
“How’re you doing?” Dean asked. Jack just sighed.
“In pain, but fine.” Jack explained.
“I brought you food.” Dean said, and Jack just sighed. He started to get up, so he could pack his bag.
“I’m not hungry.” Jack stated, and as he got up, he just fell back down, hitting the floor with his ribs. Dean just stared over him.
“You sure?” Dean asked, reaching a hand towards Jack. Jack just sighed, as he grabbed Dean’s hand, and pulled himself up.
“No. I guess I’ll have some breakfast.” Jack sighed, defeated. Dean handed him a takeout box with pancakes inside.
There was silence in the room, as everyone was eating, and Cas was staring off into the corner, as per usual.
It seemed either no one would talk about it, or there’d be some argument in the car later on. It was just the way it all seemed to work.
Jack ended up finishing the pancakes, while Dean had a side-eye observing him. There was no room for conflict, and Jack vowed to just puke it up later, if it came to that.
They finished packing the room, and prepared for the long drive back. Jack was in the back with Cas, as usual. He just remained silent, hoping no one would say anything.
Headphones in ears, rain falling - he just stared out the window.
Silence remained in the car, not even Cas was talking nonsense.
It took an hour before a word was spoken.
“You awake, Jack?” Sam asked. Jack found himself pulling his shoulders close.
“Yes.” He said, quietly.
“Just making sure, still in pain?” Sam asked. Jack shook his head.
“Headache went away.” Jack said, quietly.
“That’s good.” Sam said, his voice still the same soft tone.
It wasn’t until they pulled back into the bunker that anyone spoke.
“What’s going on? You’re obviously not ok.” Sam asked. Jack just found his gaze at the floor. He couldn’t seem to get words out of his mouth. He couldn’t really find breath either, as panic set in.
Jack just walked straight into the bunker, not able to see anyone’s face. It ended up being too much to bare. He ended up in the library - in a corner. Terrified of facing anyone.
“Jack?” He heard Dean call, and as much as he wanted to look, he couldn’t.
“I didn’t mean for it come off as rude, it’s just, we’re worried.” Sam stated, and Jack found himself peeking. He was tired of it all - really, but he just couldn’t get better, or eat, or gain weight - not now. He had just gotten to a place where his body wasn’t giving him awful anxiety.
There were footsteps by his corner in the library, and he looked up. Sam was standing beside him.
“I’m fine.” Jack said, quietly. Sam went to sit beside him, and just sighed.
“Look, I know things haven’t been the greatest. I mean, everything that happened with Heaven, and Chuck, and then throwing you into public school, which was probably the hardest, honestly. I know we haven’t really been there for you, really, but I want you to know that we are here for you. This is some rough stuff to get through.” Sam said, his voice soft. Jack looked up.
“I said I’m fine.” Jack said again, trying to keep the tears in his ducts.
“Yesterday begs to differ,” Sam said, and he held a hand out for Jack, who just pulled his knees closer. “I promise you’ll feel better when it’s off your chest.” Sam said. Jack just sighed.
“I don’t want to talk.” Jack said. His throat dry, and his white knuckles brushed with red marks - exactly where his teeth tend to scrape.
Sam’s eyes ended up on those - just for a moment, before jack quickly pulled his knuckles into sleeves.
More silence.
“I know why you have those.” Sam said quietly.
“You do?” Jack asked, hesitant.
“I mean, not from personal experience, but I know what they are.” Sam explained.
Jack just looked down. He wasn’t really sure what to say.
“So you’re not angry?” Jack asked.
“No, why would I? You didn’t do anything wrong.” Sam explained, and Jack couldn’t think of anything, but how angry it seemed Dean had been when Jack wouldn’t eat.
“Dean seems to be.” Jack said. Sam couldn’t help but smile.
“That’s just what he does; he cares just as much.” Sam explained, which did give Jack some closure, but this whole thing was too much.
“What do we do now?” Jack asked. He was scared of the answer - really.
“Honestly, I don’t know. Go see a doctor? The main thing is that you need to eat, and more than just some cereal or eggs. I don’t care if you’re a nephilim, you still need food.” Sam explained.
“I can’t eat, really...well at least not a lot. It makes me feel absolutely terrified.” Jack explained as best he could, without actually letting Sam know how bad it was.
“I mean, it’s not something that’ll happen overnight, but I-we just want to see you be ok.” Sam explained.
“I mean, I can try.” Jack said, defeated.
“Do you promise not to do that either, anymore?” Sam asked, and motioned to the knuckles.
“Not yet.” Jack said, honestly.
“What if you let me know if you do it? I just want you safe.” Sam suggested.
“I can try.” Jack tells him.