flyguy: credit <user name="shadesofgrphics" site="tumblr"> (Sticks and stones might break my bones)
Tony "I am Iron Man" Stark ([personal profile] flyguy) wrote2017-04-11 04:34 pm

[Recollé] Telenovela Ep1: Tony y Jack

It couldn't be said Tony had ever been Jack's biggest fan. No, not the fondest of the guy. Downright animosity came to mind as a good descriptor. But he'd made...not nice, he was bad at nice, but he'd kept the more choice words in his mind and his hands in his pockets instead of arranged into fists planted in Jack's smug face.

All for Sofia's sake. Every last bit of it. She loved the guy. What more could he do for a friend who'd gotten him through some of his darker times than be supportive? If his feelings for her strayed a little deeper all the more reason to shut up and stick it out for her.

That wasn't Sofia at his door now though. Jack wasn't looking too hot and something about that put Tony on edge. He didn't move aside to let the other man in. "Looking for something? Hooters is right around the corner. They've got a great brunch line up."

Hi Jack. Nice to see you. Or not.
hjack69: (pic#10540161)

this entire tag is great but the fucking gif killed me

[personal profile] hjack69 2017-04-15 06:08 am (UTC)(link)
"Jesus. You goddamn people."

And Jack genuinely believes what he's saying - thinks that love means never telling someone no, even if they ask for the impossible. You give them what they want, you don't hit them, and you protect them, and that's what love is. Sofia never asked for more than he could give, never wanted him to act out like he did, but it showed her how much he loved her, right? There was nothing wrong with burying his face in her shoulder and saying I'll do anything, just don't leave me. Please. Don't ever leave me. He was alright with being her dog just as long as she was there.

He turns, sets the small of his back into the edge of Tony's counter, and scrubs away the tear tracks. Tony is making this easier, ironically - he knows how to feel anger better than he'll ever know how to feel grief.

"You know I actually felt bad for you, and her parents, and her friends? But you never helped us. You just told her how stupid she was for being with me. Her goddamn parents cut her off after we got married, didja hear about that? They weren't even around for the baby's birthday parties. My little girl didn't even know her grandparents until yesterday."

This is probably going to get his ass kicked and thrown out, but he doesn't care. There's been things unsaid between them for Sofia's sake for years, and now they're going to get all of it out of it kills one of them.

"You were the best, though. You still treated her like a human being, not trailer trash. You did the best you could, and I respect that." A beat. "But she was happy. My angel was happy."

He doesn't wait for a reply.

"Tell me how you met. Why were you on that bridge, Tony?"
Edited (actually you know what) 2017-04-15 06:12 (UTC)
hjack69: (Default)

[personal profile] hjack69 2017-04-15 07:39 am (UTC)(link)
"--By leaving her alone?" Jack interrupts in an obnoxious, dumbed-down imitation of Tony's voice. "If you love something, let it go, right? It's bullshit. That's bullshit. You wanna know how we met? Fun story, real romantic. A couple prospects I was out with decided to jump a girl one night, and it would've been her."

This isn't the cute meeting story they've given out before, because her wanting to make people look better than they actually were seems to have been a pattern - it isn't oh, I had too many groceries and Jack was sweet enough to help. Jack tuts, leans further back into the counter.

"I got in the way. Got the fuck beat out of me. When the cops came, she hid my knife and covered for me. When she showed up at the hospital, I told her to go away. 'Get the fuck out of here, you think I'm some kinda great guy? You think I'm your boyfriend now? Are you stupid?' And you know what she says?"

Jack sets a hand on his hip and cocks it, jabbing a finger like she did whenever she was telling someone off.

"'Shut the hell up and eat your sandwich.' And she threw a hot ham-and-cheese at my head." His pose goes back to normal, arms crossed tenderly over his chest. "Hell of a woman. So if you guys thought I got her drunk and seduced her or something, sorry to say it, but she chased me."

For weeks. Made sure he didn't die of infection. Made sure he'd eaten. Found out he lived in his car and brought him blankets. Little shit that Jack assumes Tony would never understand the importance of, given he also assumes that Tony's childhood was decent, stuff that he whined and whined about but never turned down. What's a good way to say nobody ever cared about me before and not sound ridiculous and pathetic? The first time she kissed me was after I told her she made me want to stay alive?

He wishes he had his jacket back.

"She wasn't a kid, Tony." Maybe saying his name will help. Maybe it'll just piss him off. When he'd said do you want to talk about it, Jack hadn't expected it to actually help. He's not any less miserable or empty, but at least he's found his footing again, and now he holds his head up and speaks surely. "I was a pretty goddamn bad decision, but you know what? I think she was kinda glad I let her make it by herself."

Now that is a jab. Sorry, pal.
Edited (stares at this until 3am and then changes like half of it gomen) 2017-04-15 09:25 (UTC)
hjack69: (Default)

[personal profile] hjack69 2017-04-15 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Jack seems to tune out halfway through on a mission to find his shirt and jacket, but he listens - genuinely listens, because it's not the same tune he's heard before. He's heard you're scum and you ruined her a thousand times over; this is something different. For a second, he almost thinks of something other than himself. What was it like for her friends to have to see her running around with him? What was it like for her parents to see her ditch dinner or chores halfway through to hop on the back of his bike and speed off into the sunset? And what was it like for Tony to come into her apartment one day and see that scumbag she kept running around with asleep on her couch?

He almost thinks of something other than himself. But he doesn't. His eyes flick up as he haltingly pulls his jacket back on, the right sleeve crooked and awkward.

"Thanks, but I have shit to do." He's exhausted and dirty and has a hell of a walk back to their crummy little house, but his welcome feels worn out already. He'll... manage. "I'm leaving town. Tonight. Her folks made sure to let me know I'm not invited to the funeral."

You'll just upset everyone. And they're right. He can at least do them this much of a kindness.
hjack69: (pic#10540273)

promptly does one of those obnoxious "sits nearby, does nothing" tags

[personal profile] hjack69 2017-04-16 02:51 am (UTC)(link)
"Raucous" and "packed" are about what Jack needs right now - he's back in town and doesn't have a friend in the world, so whoever's having a good time in there can afford to let him soak a little bit of it up, he thinks. He's still got that jacket, even if it's somehow more worn than before, and even if he's managed to patch that bullet hole over, the 1%er patch (the only one he didn't tear off) is still on his shoulder. It gets him in trouble sometimes, but fuck if he can bring himself to throw it away.

When he actually gets inside and sees who's celebrating, he isn't actually all that surprised. He takes up a spot at the bar instead of introducing himself, orders tequila - actually, why don'tcha just leave me the bottle, sweetheart - and takes it in. He's doing good for himself, Tony is, and Jack is... happy for him. He honestly is. Nice duds. Nice party. Nice pair of tits on either side of him, too.

The newest round of cheers goes up, and Jack raises his glass with them. But he's got that jacket, and he's got that scar, and no doubt someone's going to let Tony know that wow, you will not believe this, it's Jack. Over there, look.
hjack69: (Default)

[personal profile] hjack69 2017-04-16 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
Great, so this is going to be exactly as friendly as Jack thought it would. In what is probably the most obnoxious response possible, Jack just glances over to Tony with a wry smile, doesn't respond otherwise.

"Isn't mine either. Guess that makes you Christmas, darlin'." Jack lifts his shot - yes, he actually drinks his tequila out of glasses, he's cultured, see - in greeting, then downs it. Weird to be the more sober one between the two of them. "Your jokes are better when you're not hammered, Tony."

He pretends Tony isn't touching him and looks back to his setup, pouring himself another leisurely shot. Where a near decade has made Tony look like money, Jack just looks more like a human being and less like a stray - he's filled out, healthier, hair trimmed up and styled properly like he didn't just roll out of bed. No dark-eyed, vaguely strung out look to be found. He's even dressed in a respectable button-down and jeans that may or may not be brand name. And is that cologne?

He's less trashnasty than Tony remembers, is what I'm saying.

"I'm here for business. What about you? Shouldn't a hotshot like you be off on some big book tour?"
hjack69: (pic#10540130)

smh tony you're embarrassing

[personal profile] hjack69 2017-04-16 05:28 am (UTC)(link)
And, completely out of character, Jack actually sits through all of that with a mild enough response - he raises his eyebrows, sips his shot, leans an elbow back onto the bar while Tony does his... Tony thing. He's actually midway through a peanut himself by the time Tony gets his gin and vodkas, making sure that he's finished before glancing to the bartender.

"You know Tony, right? Yeah." He gestures idly between them. "We're friends."

Understatement of the fucking year. The bartender looks uncomfortable, but Jack isn't any more inclined to make this comfortable than Tony is - he turns slightly in his seat, propping his temple up with his knuckles.

"Gonna read one of your hit books? Golly jeez, hope little Timmy's mom doesn't mind him asking what fat, heaving bosoms are." But he doesn't linger either, licking salt off his thumb. "You're embarrassing yourself here, Anthony."
hjack69: (pic#10540273)

[personal profile] hjack69 2017-04-16 06:17 am (UTC)(link)
"Now, I could rise to that bait and tell you 'whatever the fuck I want to', but I'm not." Jack taps his knuckles thoughtfully on the bar, fingers the edge of his shot like he's fidgety. "It's not that easy anymore, champ. The company I work for wants someone to examine the holdings of another company they're discussing a merger with. As their head programmer, that dull crap falls on me."

Head programmer, he says, and there's no doubt he says it with the intention of showing Tony he's actually accomplished something. Doesn't need this guy's approval, and he knows he's not going to get it, but on some level he wants it anyway. College man. Pulling in a decent amount. Cleaned up and alive and on the straight and narrow like no one ever thought he could be, himself included.

"And I wanted to see my girls."

Still even, still calm, but he downs another shot right after he says it.
hjack69: (pic#11029330)

[personal profile] hjack69 2017-04-16 07:02 am (UTC)(link)
"Well hell, can't expect a guy to give up everything fun." Jack taps the side of his nose, turns halfway in his seat to follow Tony's line of sight. "Looks like you have enough buzz in you anyway, kiddo."

And he says it so sweet, too. Like they're friends. Pals. Besties, even. It's condescending to the max and he's not trying to hide it in the least, capping the tequila and pushing it far enough back that he won't accidentally knock it down with his elbow or something.

Funny. The room is full of booze and warm, inviting bodies, but he doesn't want any of them.

"Hey - wanna go jump off a bridge with me?"
hjack69: (pic#10599496)

[personal profile] hjack69 2017-04-16 07:45 am (UTC)(link)
The impact blacks out his vision for a second, and all he really catches of that is Tony's bark of laughter - and Jack's laughing too, even as he lands in the arms, willing and unwilling, of a group of kids who barely look old enough to be here in the first place. It's hard to keep up with things second by second when his head's still fuzzy from impact, but he's been in enough fights to know to lever onto his feet and lunge; he'll probably hit something, and with any luck, that something will be Tony. Maybe? Who cares. It's been so long since he's been in a fight and he feels young and happy and stupid again, and it's so nice, so nice.

And, y'know, he's pretty happy to finally get a chance to duke it out with Tony [insertlastname]. Namely by grabbing someone's half-empty beer on the nearby bar and swinging it at Tony's face like a bludgeon. People are yelling, someone's probably calling the cops - it's fun, he's having fun.
hjack69: (Default)

[personal profile] hjack69 2017-04-16 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Jack cuts himself when he grabs Tony by the face, but he hardly feels it - there's no finesse to this fight, but that's okay, because Tony is waylaying on those ribs he broke all those years back and Jack can hardly breathe for it, and the wash of raw sensation wipes out everything else he's been dealing with for the past decade. The loneliness. The anger. All there is right now is him, and Tony, and the breathless gasp he lets out when he hits the floor.

Feels good, feels fucking great, feels better than he's felt in years and years, and Jack isn't letting go of it now, knotting his hands in Tony's clothes and trying to drag them both to the floor. Tony's face is colored with hate, and Jack is grinning mindlessly, hand dragging up to try and lock around Tony's throat.

It's been a long time since he's gotten to strangle someone.
hjack69: (Default)

[personal profile] hjack69 2017-04-16 10:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"You're lucky I lied about being here for work."

It's pretty much all Jack says between trying to throttle Tony and ending up in the good ol' PD, scoffing it as they lead the two of them off to their respective cells. It's good they pull him off when they do - it's not that he wants to seriously hurt Tony, it's just that he hits that violent high and doesn't ever want to come down again. Even when Tony grabs him and Jack vaguely registers nails raking down his face, it doesn't matter. Nothing matters. Not his face and not the feeling of it being crushed against the floor, someone digging their knee into his back as they yank his hands into place and cuff them.

Jack, a familiar voice says, and Jack rolls his eyes. Been a while.

"Suck a cock, Shaw."

But he's quiet otherwise, right up until that moment before they both split off to their respective cells. And from then on idk if people can actually talk to each other between cells or what/if we need to timeskip here gomen.
hjack69: (pic#11153280)

[personal profile] hjack69 2017-04-16 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, yeah. Didn't lie about any of that. Codemonkey and proud, baby."

Jack, significantly less drunk, is sprawled out on his little cot in a way that says he's really comfortable sitting in jail cells. Hell, he's probably spent a weekend or two in this exact one before. So he's got his arms folded behind his head to make up for the cardboard pillow, watching the lights flicker.

"I actually came back to town to kill myself." He says it casually - could be a ploy for attention, or pity, but this exact tone is leaning more towards a 'Night, Mother type situation. The cop on watch duty looks up, but Jack waves him off. "Slow your roll, Porky, I changed my mind. You put me on watch and I might actually do it out of boredom."

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