nottheripperjack

[nottheripperjack]

text | jack and maggie

mags: wanna sub in for me?

mags: i know you're not supposed to drink but i'm pretty sure you can serve

mags: and i could really use a night off

jack: something tells me that being a bartender would *not* help my sobriety.

jack: especially given the fact that retro used to be the only place i'd go to get shit-faced.

jack: butttt you could just call in sick. you all good?

[nottheripperjack]

text | jack and ?

jack: i'm dying slowly inside.

jack: how is that i am the only person on the planet that hates not being able to go to work!

jack: ..... you're at work right now aren't you.

jack: 😩

[nottheripperjack]

RILEY

Riley was giddy — both off of anxiety, because this was her girlfriends family, and she really didn’t want to mess up, and because everything was just so beautiful. It felt like home, in a way. At least, the way the landscape seemed to breathe around the house. Riley, absently, thinks about how much she misses the peace of it, and about how many times she’s woken up by cars outside her window, instead of birds. She’s smiling, though, as she returns the girl’s words, and watches her walk away.

Even from the few times she’d interacted with Jack’s parents in person, she knew the kind of people they were. They almost reminded her of her people, back at home, and she returns her girlfriend’s mother’s hug happily. But it’s obvious, in the way they’re working this like a really, pathetic heist that this isn’t just another hello. And she’s been preparing herself for this.

She can’t help the slight hesitation in her half smile, because there’s a lot that they really, don’t know. And a lot of it, wasn’t Riley’s place to tell them. So she just, says what is in her ability. “I think it’s — yeah, it’s serious. We’ve..” She’s pursing her lips, trying to find a way to phrase it clearly. “There’s been a lot that’s happened, lately. And it’s definitely, new, and very different, but — I’m really happy. And I’d really like to think she’s happy too.” Her smile falters, and her eyes flicker towards the shower. “She has… a lot on her plate. A lot from right now, even just, the past week, but also,” Her eyes meet Katrina’s again, and she feels like she’d stepping past a line, but she has to remind herself that she’s part of this. “A lot that’s been brought up from the past.”

She tries not to let her words sound too serious, even though they are very, very serious in her mind. “I love your daughter. Very, very much. Too much, sometimes. And I know — I can’t imagine, how hard it is for her to be so far away. I just want you to know that I will always, do anything in my power to make sure that she doesn’t get hurt. And if she does, I’ll be there to patch her up.”

She meets Adrian’s eyes, and now, in mock seriousness instead, says. “And seriously, if I ever hurt her, you can throw me right off that mountain. Scouts honor.”

JACK

Adrian's brow furrows the second that Riley tells them that there's been a lot happening lately. He wants to say something but he can't, not yet. Not with Riley still talking around the subject. He knew what she was doing, hell, they both did. It was what they'd done when people had asked them about Jack. Tried to keep her privacy all the while knowing that something was severely wrong with their daughter.

Katrina held Riley's hand in her own, nodding in understanding. A chuckle left her throat at the scouts honor that was thrown her husband's way, squeezing Riley's hand gently. "The station called us. I was in the middle of a class when her boss--well, let's just say we heard about her outburst. And who she thought she saw. We knew she drank. But we never...." She trailed off, eyes going glossy.

Her husband took over, biting his lip as he tried to figure out what to say. Something Jack clearly had learned from him. "We never thought that she'd developed this habit as a crutch. She never got over Victoria's death. And we tried to get her to see a counselor but she would just shut down. So we locked up Vic's room." He looked at Katrina, sad smile etched on his face. "Until she left. Jack hasn't been upstairs since she was twenty-one. She can't even look in the direction of her sister's room. We've got it open now. It's helped us heal and I hope it can help her do the same."

He took the chair from the desk and moved it in front of him so he was straddling it as he sat down, arms crossed atop the back. "You need to take care of yourself too. Jack isn't the only one who has gone through their life with hurt. It would be foolish to think otherwise. We all just deal with our demons differently. And I can only hope that she is treating you kindly throughout her hurdles."

Katrina nods, brushing a strand of hair behind Riley's ear before cupping her chin in a motherly way. "You're such a wonderful light for our daughter. And us. We knew she'd find her way to you. We just didn't know how long it would take for her to stop lying to herself. And you."

family matters

[nottheripperjack]

family matters

JACK

The drive up to Seattle had been long, incredibly long. People couldn’t fucking drive, it seemed. Jack had raged in the car as she drove until traffic died down, nerves calming. Now they were finally in Seattle, having brought their suitcases into the guest bedroom. The blonde had avoided going upstairs, not wanting to see her sister’s old room. At least, not tonight. Or tomorrow. ....Okay, maybe in a few days she’d be up for it. 

Bryan was asleep but she could just hear her parents hovering outside of the bedroom door. Rolling her eyes, she ran a hand through her hair and grimaced. “I need a shower. Could you entertain my parents while I clean up? I won’t be too long. I promise.” She tugged at Riley’s shirt, this time not tearing it as she pulled her close to kiss her gently. “Love you.” Jack said softly as she pulled away, lightly smacking her girlfriend’s butt as she grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom that was attached to their bedroom. 

As soon as she clicked the bathroom door closed, she heard the bedroom door open. Her parents immediately entered inside, Katrina all smiles as she moved to hug Riley. Adrian watched from the door-frame, leaning against it with arms crossed as he waited to hear the shower turn on, signaling his daughter wasn’t listening in. As soon as that happened, he gave Katrina a nod to which she immediately spoke to Riley. “Is she okay? She’s treating you well, right? Is this serious? I know you two have been friends for ages and we just--we don’t want to see you get hurt. Either of you.”

[nottheripperjack]

Left to right....

Adrian Novak, 54 years old. Renowned writer and father.

Bryan Novak, 10 years old. Fantastic adopted brother and fellow nerd. 

Katrina Novak. 50 years old. Superb high school English teacher and mother.

Not pictured - Victoria Novak.

[nottheripperjack]

RILEY

she expected a reaction. riley had spent a lot of their friendship watching jack’s reactions. whether they were subtle, and cool, or passionate, and enough to singe fingertips. but this? it was more like a forest fire, not just a spark.

it was like jack had a quota for how many times she had to melt riley into nothing for the week. she was definitely hitting it.

the sounds from her lips don’t sound like her, at least, not the her she knew. they were dripping from her lips like chords, with keys and strings for jack’s fingers to play. jack probably knows them better than her now, given that most of the time when she was making them, she could barely hear anything but the blood rushing to her ears and whatever, new, amazing things jack had to say to completely ruin her.

her hand is going up into blonde hair, and she’s grabbing for purchase, and she really, truly doesn’t know how she gets home safety. she does know, when she pulls in the driveway, and the stars at the edge of her vision subside, that there is nothing that will stop her from getting jack inside her house. except, maybe one searing kiss before she got out of the car. when she gets to jack’s side, her hands are wrapping around her thighs, tugging her clumsily out of the truck. they get in the house, and only manage to trip on one sprinkler, and almost knock down her mailbox.

JACK

She was proud of her girlfriend; not many people had the grace with which to drive so extremely well when someone had their fingers doing absolutely inappropriate things to them. But here Riley was, managing to not drive them into a damn ditch as she kept working her closer and closer to the damn edge. Granted, she was being mostly touch and go, keeping it slow and casual while they weren't at a light. The second they had to stop? Poor Riley had to sit through it as Jack sped up, lips in a smirk against her neck.

She was very much smirking when they pulled up to her apartment, knowing full well what had just happened not even thirty seconds before they'd pulled in. As she pulled away from a dazed Riley, she did the utterly obscene and stuck her fingers in her mouth, keeping eye contact with her. The kiss that followed made her giggle, licking into the other girl's mouth before pouting as Riley pulled away. However that was soon rectified with Riley picking her up and out of the truck, Jack choosing to wrap her legs around the other girl's torso.

As soon as they were inside, Jack motioned over to the kitchen counter. It was the closest thing and, well, she knew just how much Riley liked having her there. She took one look at that plain white v-neck and decided then and there that it would look better on her floor. Hands went to either side of the cut and pulled, watching with satisfaction as it tore down the middle. She pulled off her own sweatshirt, quickly disposing of her bra as she stared directly at Riley, their gazes locking.

Putting her right index finger under Riley's chin in an almost 'come hither' motion, she smirked. Her voice came out barely above a whisper as she grabbed one of Riley's hands and put it into her own sweatpants.

"C'mon, Riles. Fuck me."

baby you’re so classic \\

[nottheripperjack]

riley enjoys the touch, and the warmth spreads to her fingertips. even as the question made her think. during her thoughts, she let one of her hands splay out on jack’s stomach, drawing soft circles. “for me, i guess it was just more important to have you in my life.” riley lets out a quiet laugh. “and i didn’t think that we’d — well, i didn’t think you’d ever be like this with me.” 

“and no matter how much i wanted you,” she bites at the inside of her lips, meeting hazel eyes. “and god, did i want you,” a light pulse of electricity sparkles where they touch. “it was just more important to me, to have you with me. to know you.” she leans down, and presses a too short, too soft kiss to jack’s lips. “i got to hold you close, got to hear about your day. got to wake up next to you every so often.” her gaze flickered down for a second, and there’s a light flush on her cheeks. “even if you seemed to want to make my life hell, when you’d press up against me for way too long to be innocent, or come to the door with nothing on, or just look at me, with those eyes.” her eyes are a little darker when they come back up, and she has to let out a breath. but there’s a crooked smile on her lips. “well, i got that, too.” 

her hand moves from jack’s stomach, reaching up to jack’s lip, finding the light tear easier. her thumb runs beside it. “i just wanted you, jack.” she says, her fingers dotting the curve of jack’s jaw. “in anyway i could have you.” her voice is quiet now, almost a whisper, even though they were alone on the beach. “whether it was to talk, to touch,” her mind is obviously somewhere else, as she trails off. “to taste..”

Jack cocks her head to the left, looking up at Riley as she says that she didn't think she'd be like this with her. Before she can ask what she meant, Riley's going into more detail about how she felt on the whole situation. To the point that the hand that's on her stomach is now sending heat lower and tingles throughout her whole damned body. A gasp escapes her lips at the kiss that Riley initiates, whimpering when the other girl pulls away far too soon for her liking.

Instead of chasing her lips she chooses to watch her as Riley continues to talk to her. All the things Riley was talking about, Jack remembered how they'd just become routine to her. How they hadn't been something she'd considered to be more than what they were. Until that changed. God, how that had changed. Her own cheeks went flush at the memory of the night they went skinny dipping because that's definitely what the redhead was reminiscing about.

'I just wanted you Jack'. 

That's it. That's the moment Jack's mind shut off. All the heat pooled into her stomach and it was like air horns were blasting in her head that they needed to get off this motherfucking beach before she committed something else that would get her in trouble with the law. And she knows Riley's in THAT mood too because that tone of voice was only reserved for these moments. Oh God. These moments. She'd seen that look in Riley's eyes before. The same night she'd been singing in her apartment and...

The blonde got up off the beach quickly, body moving of its own accord as she tugged Riley along with her. Once they were in the car, Jack pulled her girlfriend too her, kissing her hotly on the mouth. "Drive home. Now." She watched expectantly as the keys went into the ignition, Riley getting the hint almost immediately. Her body was abuzz with desire and she couldn't stop herself from leaning over the center console to put her lips to Riley's ear, sucking gently on her ear lobe before nipping it. "I want you to have me..." Her hand trailed down, slipping past Riley's pants and reaching where she knew would have her girlfriend reeling. "In any way you want me."

baby you’re so classic \\

[nottheripperjack]

sonderbound‌:

jack’s words don’t comfort riley, because they aren’t most. they were supposed to be special. at least, that’s how it felt when jack touched her. but she doesn’t say that. she just tries to listen, without bias now. without her own fear clouding things. she waits, till the end. till jack gets all her words out, because she doesn’t want to interrupt. she wants to choose to actively be part of this. because she wants to understand, really. 

she twines her hand with jack’s, kissing the blonde’s head again. “you just try and keep me away. i’m not going anywhere, baby.” and there’s a smile, blooming on her lips when she looks at their hands and says, “and you’re exactly who i thought you were. yeah, some of the details are different. but you’re still the girl i fell in love with.” 

riley untangles their fingers, and reaches her hand to tug at jack’s knee, twisting her in her lap so that jack’s side was against riley’s front, her legs draped over one of the redhead’s. she wasn’t usually one for changing things when they touched, usually liking where jack led her. but she wanted to see her now. 

“i just need to know, okay? i need you to tell me things. i get that it’s hard, and i’m probably the worst person to be asking this.” there’s a flicker there, in brown eyes. “i just don’t want to wake up one day, and realize i didn’t know how you felt at all.” her chest clenched, unevenly. and there’s a sad smile on her lips now. “just don’t go where i can’t follow, okay? because i’ll follow you anywhere. i just need a map so i don’t get lost on the way.” 

Jack stretches out her legs for a moment from the new position, arching her back and feelings something give a satisfying pop before curling up once more against Riley's chest. The sea breeze is causing her hair to fall in her face more often than not but she's okay with it, helps calm her. She nods, knowing that she needs to keep Riley in the loop now when it comes to matters of, well, her. "Okay... Okay, I'll do my best to keep you in the loop. It's just hard for me, ya know? Not even Tara... God, Tara would kill me. She is gonna kill me."

The blonde licked her lips, tasting blood from where she'd bit down too hard. "I promise you that I won't go where you can't follow. Unless it's on a call because you're not allowed in burning buildings. Just me." She chuckled dryly, remembering that she couldn't do the job she loved for a month. Fuck. She needed to get her mind off of this sad shit. She didn't want to do this sad thing when she was on the beach with the girl she loved, watching the night sky take hold of one of California's many beaches.

"Riley?" She waited for that 'hmm?' in response that she knew was coming, her right hand coming up to tangle into red hair at the nape of her neck, rubbing softly. "Do you ever wonder why we waited so long to try?" She knew the answer for herself. She just... Some part of her wanted to hear Riley's reasoning.

baby you’re so classic \\

[nottheripperjack]

sonderbound‌:

her face goes into jack’s shoulder after the call, eyes only peeking out slightly, looking up towards the horizon. it feels like there’s a slight weight off of her shoulders, and it feels like she can let the scent of jack’s shampoo — coming off of both of them, finally permeate her mind. 

“jack?” she mumbles, her words mostly muffled by the girl’s clothes. her fingers are peeking underneath the blonde’s shirt, finding the soft skin of her midsection like an anchor. “i’m—” she lets out a soft sigh, choosing to close her eyes to collect her thoughts. “i’m sorry, for before.” riley shakes her head, adjusting to press her chin back upon jack’s shoulder, so her words don’t get tied up in the girl’s sweatshirt. it was easier, like this. to think without hazel eyes. as much as she loved them, they turned her mind to mush.

“i meant it when i said i’m all in.” did jack realize just how all she meant? riley had to think. she had to remember just how much she’d said out loud to her. how much wasn’t just thoughts, and dreams. how much wasn’t the things she thought quietly to herself, in the moments before she had to wake jack up for her concussion, running her fingers through blonde hair. 

her thumb cuts across the girl’s ribcage, hidden underneath her jacket, using the rise and fall of jack’s breath as a metronome for her own. “it’s just — hard, to connect it all. to see where i fucked up. where i didn’t step in. it’s not like we were just — a thing. i was, i am, your best friend. and i just let you drown.” 

there’s a heaviness, as her words let on a lot more than even she knew, and her eyes open again. “drinking isn’t something i’ve ever really gotten an experience with. all i know is what i’ve seen. and it’s scary.” her hand stills on jack’s skin. “i don’t like thinking about you in pain. sometimes it feels like when you hurt, there’s some sort of switch in me, and all i can think about is how to get you out of it.” 

her hands move, resting on jack’s legs, her lips going to press a kiss to her girlfriend’s head, lingering there. “and this isn’t going to be as simple as putting on a bandaid, or kissing you, or letting you fall asleep on my chest.” riley squeezes the girl’s knees. “but i’m here.” her voice drops, along with her gaze. “because i love you. and— i want you for a lot longer than forever.” 

Eyes remain closed as Riley starts to talk to her, hearing how muffled she sounds because her mouth is pressed into her shoulder. She chuckles and allows Riley's chin to rest on her shoulder without being a brat and jerking it up and down. The blonde just continues to rest against her, going into a relaxed state at the fingers pressing into her skin in such a gentle manner. From the second that Riley sounds hesitant, she knew that their moment of happiness had faded. Well, somewhat. So she kept quiet still, breathing as evenly as she could while she waited for the bomb to drop. But it didn't. All that came to light was what Jack knew deep down. Riley had put her up on some sort of pedestal and she was only just now realizing that she was... Kind of messed up. Like most everyone else.

As soon as hands rest on her legs, Jack feels something stir in her stomach and she has to quiet that part of her down. No, she cannot resort to that each time something makes her feel sad or anxious or... any kind of negative emotion, really. Clearing her throat, she assumes its probably best that she should say something. Anything. "I love you too. And I'm sorry that I'm... Not who you thought I was. I hid it from everyone. Not even my parents know. So it's not really... Most people never know when its someone close to them going through this kind of shit. We get blinders when it comes to the people we love. And sometimes we do know notice but we hope that they've got their vices under control, ya know?"

She sighs, biting her lip hard until she tastes iron. "I kept this side of me hidden because I knew that if it got found out... I'd have to give it up. So it's good that you know. And that my parents are probably going to find out this upcoming week." Jack's fingers find Riley's needing to hold onto something. "They said I'm going to... Be really bad with my withdrawals. I’ve already been having some when you’re not... Look, I don't expect you to stay and deal with it, okay?"

baby you’re so classic \\

[nottheripperjack]

sonderbound‌:

grandbabies? ooh, there’s some butterflies riley thought were gone. buzzing with a warmth that made her want to laugh for no reason. her eyes are only able to open slightly wider when she hears bryan’s question, because she already looked a little starstruck. but she answers quickly, without hesitating. “no, no i can make it happen.” she’s looking at jack with a breathless smile, taking in her hazel eyes. “if that’s okay with you — i think it’d be really nice.” 

there’s a thought, thrumming under the butterflies. that it would be good, for jack to see her family. that they knew her better, and they might be able to help her more than riley could. not because she didn’t want to help. mostly, because in all the time she’d been around to help, she’d missed all the signals. 

she doesn’t let that thought reach her eyes, because truly, she does want to go home with jack, just because. she wants all of it. she wants meeting the parents (again), and teasing over dinner, and playing with her little brother. she wants to be a part of jack’s life. 

riley wants a life with her, more than anything. the realization hits her squarely in the chest, and she takes it in stride. other then, kind of forgetting the phone, when she says. “i love you.”

Part of her is expecting Riley to jump at the notion of coming home with her, while the other half is expecting her to turn it down after what happened just a few days ago. But then Riley tells her that she can make it happen and Jack should feel excited that she can come with her. She should. She does.

It's just... This means that there is going to be a talk with her parents. God, her parents. They don't even know what's been going on with her. Jack keeps them at an arms length, not wanting to disappoint them any further. She supposes that she can't outrun this for much longer. Instead of thinking about this all, Jack chooses to focus on Riley who is sitting there and smiling at her. She smiles back, preferring to not think about how her heart is aching in the worst way at the thought of going home.

"I love you too." She whispers back before clearing her throat and looking back at the phone to Bryan who has a shit-eating grin on his face. "Not a word, Bry. We'll see you next week okay? Love youuu!" Jack waits for him to wave goodbye before she clicks her phone off, sighing as she lets it plop into the sand. Her eyes shut, body deflating as she sags backwards into Riley.

baby you’re so classic \\

[nottheripperjack]

sonderbound‌:

there’s a bright flush on riley’s cheeks that definitely matches her hair. jack’s touch was soft, and sweet, and like a soothing wave on her heated skin. 

she realizes, then, they hadn’t really had the chance to tell anyone, together at least. to have it settle in like this. and there was a blimp of longing to freeze frame the moment, even though it was unnerving. 

it feels quiet, for a long time, but their reaction makes it a little easier to breathe. that, and the dull feeling of calm jack’s kiss leaves behind. and there’s a smile curling on the edges of her lips that she can almost see in the blurry preview. “i’ll have to say sir, that i’m most definitely the luckiest woman alive.” and she knew she was. above everything else, all the filing in her mind, there was one thing that now, she didn’t want to box up. that she loved jack. that’s what brought her back to her, every time. that makes her arms come up, winding tightly around jack’s middle, bringing them impossibly closer. then her lips find jack’s cheek.

Hazel eyes rolled at the way Riley called her dad 'sir'. "He's not eighty, you weirdo. Adrian will be just fine. Right dad?" Adrian gave a beaming smile and a quick thumbs up before the phone was once again snatched away. This time her mother appeared on the screen, cheeks rosy. "Does this mean you can finally start giving me grandbabies?" She started to ask when the phone was dropped, Jack and Riley watching on in shock as her family wrestled over the phone.

Finally Bryan grabbed the phone, sitting on his mom's lap as he held it up to his face. "Okay I'm back!" He looks so proud of himself, lopsided grin showing for them. "Can you and Ry Ry come visit soon? My," A deep inhale as he fusses with his glasses. "My birthday is coming up next week. You promised you'd come up an-and see me." Jack's eyes widened, feeling Riley's arms wrap around her middle. Biting her lip, she turned her head slightly so she could look at Riley. "I uh... You don't have to come if you don't want. I can just go by myself. No pressure. It's really last minute."

baby you’re so classic \\

[nottheripperjack]

sonderbound‌:

all those clean, happy feelings? they were getting speared right down the middle with anxiety. she was great with parents. but this wasn’t driving up for a date, with flowers, looking clean and responsible. this was a facetime call, while dating their daughter, whie not having expressed her intentions at all. 

yeah, sure, jack was a grown woman. but these things were done a certain way, at least for riley. a certain way that was definitely messed up by the distance. and the fact that their getting together had been a culmination of four years of tension, not just, a date. her hand, thankfully way out of frame, rests on jack’s other hand, curling up their fingers in a slightly panicked mess. 

“hi, mr. and mrs. novak.” riley deadpans, hoping her expression looked more polite than scared. 

Riley grabs her hand and Jack has to fight the urge to bring it up to her lips to kiss it, a way of keeping her calm. But she knows that Riley’s reaching to touch her in places where the camera don’t show so she’ll respect that. She’s sure that her parents can most definitely tell that they are currently all cuddled up to each other on the damn beach since Jack is quite literally resting her back against Riley’s front. Giving Riley’s hand one last squeeze, hopefully giving her a little bit more courage, Jack grows some balls and responds to her parents. As she does so, the hand that had been holding Riley’s moves away in order to tangle into the hair at the base of Riley’s neck, rubbing softly at the skin there in what she hopes is a soothing manner. 

“Riley and I are together. Surprise?” Jack’s parents look at them both for several seconds, not saying a damned word or blinking and the blonde can just feel the way Riley’s heart is thudding against her back. “Riles...” She whispers, turning her head so she can kiss the underside of Riley’s jaw, causing her parents to break out of their stupor, immediately letting out whoops and hollers. Jack’s head snaps back so she can look at the phone, face immediately flushed. 

“Sweetie we’re so proud of you two!” Her mom says before her dad grabs the phone, holding it far too close to his face. “Are you treating her right, Jack? That girl deserves a world of kindness. You treat her right.” Jack swallows thickly, cheeks still flushed. She remembers how drunk she’d been, how she’d treated Riley. So instead of replying to his question she just avoid it. “She can hear you, ya know.”

baby you’re so classic \\

[nottheripperjack]

sonderbound‌:

the phone call was a reminder of the outside world, but also, of all the rest of jack. of all the things they had in common, all the things that riley did know like the back of her hand. she feels the shift in herself of wanting to move closer, and take away the space she’d put between them. but she buries that lead, at least for right now. these weren’t thoughts for now. there wasn’t any issue. they could try and talk about it later. riley could rationalize that it was new, and she was out of her element, and she was totally dealing with it, and not just pretending too. 

her face brightened up as she moves next to jack, brown eyes happy for a familiar face, for an interaction that is purely positive, and full of enough sunshine to sustain the world for at least a year. “hey buddy!” riley chimes.  “looking sharp.” and her hand only hesitates a moment before pressing against jack’s opposite side, letting her arm drape around the blonde. 

Jack knew that whatever they had just been avoiding talking about was being swept under the rug, noticing how Riley's entire demeanor was shifting into that of something happier. It made her self-hatred bubble up in her chest but she ignored it, choosing to focus on Bryan for now. The thing about Bryan was that he clearly wasn't giving a single hoot about Jack, he was just as happy as a clam to talk to Riley.

The redhead was moving to sit behind her, Jack scooting backwards in between her legs till she was resting her back up against Riley's chest. She doesn't really notice how Riley's touches feel hesitant, actively deciding to ignore it. Instead she watches as Bryan's eyes go wide and his mouth drops open. "Are you guys together?!" 

Jack chuckles and wishes she was there to be able to tell him the news in person. But, she supposes, better now than later. "Yeah, we uh... We're together, Bry." Before she can say anything else, Bryan disappears off the screen with a fluttering of the camera as both of her parents huddled together appear. "Say what, young lady?"

....Fuck.

baby you’re so classic \\

[nottheripperjack]

sonderbound‌:

riley’s eyes find the horizon line as jack spoke. there’s an unfortunately familiar feeling pooling in her stomach. the same as when she’d first seen jack at the bar, or how she’d felt when they’d had to take the bottles off the bed, filling up trashbags with secrets. she doesn’t react, doesn’t speak, even after jack’s attempt at changing the subject. only pulls her knees up closer, resting her arms across her them, like a post to lean on.

her eyes stay forward, even as she replies. “you are lucky.”  riley rubs her palms together, watching the grains of sand push off of her skin. she’s nodding, quietly. this was something she didn’t know how to deal with. as similar as they were, this was something different. riley only knew about alcoholism through the worse cases, through training, and field experience. her peers didn’t talk about it like it was a disease. no, these people were deadbeats. the people who obviously had nothing. that’s what made sense, right? that someone doing this to themselves had nothing else. the old man at the bar, the lost teenager, the addict. so what did that mean for jack?

it wasn’t a subject she could handle carefully. the part of this that was about jack? about who she was, about what she meant to the world. riley could handle that. she could handle the broken pieces, and the tears, and if she steeled herself, maybe she could grow to handle the anger. but the rest? the alcohol that wasn’t just a factor, but a cause? the impulse to hide and lie? she didn’t know where she fit into the equation. and as easy as it was to forgot, late at night, with emotions and adrenaline high.. here? in the peaceful breeze, and a wide open space empty except for them and their conversation; it was much harder to shove under sweet words. 

it feels heavy on her thoughts. 

her hand reaches out, wordlessly, a pursed, restrained smile on her lips as she squeezes jack’s wrist. “you just have to take it day by day.” her eyes are flickering over the blonde’s expression, searching almost. there’s a small shrug, that feels increasingly small against the sounds of the waves crashing in front of them. “that’s all you can do.” her hand comes back to herself, coming to pull at all the little flecks of sand in her hair.

Riley barely spoke to her and that made Jack feel a little bit too numb. The hand on her wrist felt cold when it should have ignited warmth in her veins. Continuing to bite her lip, Jack just chose to stare out at the shoreline. Her blonde hair blew softly in the wind, inhaling the smell of the sea as deeply as she could. Her eyes closed for a moment, trying to not say anything that could cause an argument. She didn't really have the energy to fight Riley. But Riley seemed to shut down the second she realized Jack had a problem and that kind of... Didn't sit right with Jack. If she could be there for the easy stuff, then why couldn't she be there for the hard stuff too?

Before she could think about it for too long, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She knew that ringtone. Opening her eyes, she forgot about her little inner dilemma for a moment as she answered the FaceTime. Bryan's beautiful and boyish grin came across the screen. "Little man! I've missed you! How's my favorite guy doing?" Bryan waved at her before narrowing his eyes. "Is-Is that Auntie Ry Ry? Jackie lemme see her!" Jack rolled her eyes, knowing where his loyalties lied before showing Riley. "C'mere goof. He wants to see you, not me."

baby you’re so classic \\

[nottheripperjack]

JACK’S PLAYLISTS....

IN A NUTSHELL

Write My Story - Olly Anna

I'm the only one that can write my story And nobody else's gonna do it for me Anything at all that I wanna be I got it all right in front of me

Polaroid - Imagine Dragons

I'm a reckless mistake, I'm a cold night's intake I'm a one night too long, I’m a come on too strong All my life I've been living in the fast lane Can't slow down 

Speechless - Naomi Scott

Try to lock me in this cage I won't just lay me down and die I will take these broken wings And watch me burn across the sky

The Winner Takes It All - ABBA

The gods may throw a dice, their minds as cold as ice And someone way down here, loses someone dear The winner takes it all, the loser has to fall It's simple and it's plain, why should I complain

You - Wrenn

I'm so scared, quiet lover, can't keep my voice down Soon the whole world will know I don't do good in crowds So if I panic and I tell you, don't want you around, know I'm lying To you

My Mistake - Gabrielle Aplin

Am I jaded, am I meant to feel this way I'm a loser, getting beat by my own game But if I falter, well at least it was my mistake Well, at least it was my mistake

Watching for Comets - Skillet

You were a comet and I lost it Watching for comets, will I see you again Everybody needs someone but they can't feel like this How can I breathe with this burning in my chest You were gone so fast, I want you back

My Dark Disquiet - Poets of the Fall

Without names we're fantasizing, dancing like flames, mesmerizing  My dark disquiet playing such eerie harmonies Making waves and diving under, lightning to the sound of thunder My dark disquiet singing such haunting melodies

Small World - Idina Menzel

Still rising towards the dark Don't care what's down below 'Cause no one can see me And no one has to know

Sweet Dream - Greg Laswell

If I could write out my own dream, for the next time that I sleep You'd be the first one that I see And I the last one that you keep And the dream would go on and on, while we sway against all things thrown our way And the morning would be so cruel, when it came with sunshine and warmth to blame For announcing the end of my sweet dream For announcing the end of my sweet dream

WORK IT OUT

Work Bitch - Britney Spears

I Like That - Luciana ft. Richard Vission

Bang Bang - Jessie J

The Rhythm of the Night - Corona

Funky Town - Lipps Inc. 

Pump Up the Jam - Technotronic

Turn Down For What - DJ Snake

Turn Me On - David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj

Break Free - Zedd ft. Ariana Grande

I Love It - Icona Pop ft. Charli XCX

Can’t Be Tamed - Miley Cyrus

Call on Me - Eric Prydz

TIME TO FEEL LIKE SHIT

Keep Breathing - Congratulationz

I want to change the world, instead I sleep I want to believe in more than you and me But all that I know is I'm breathing All I can do is keep breathing

Magnetised - Tom Odell

'Cause it's not right, I'm magnetised To somebody that don't feel it Love paralyzed, she's never gonna need me But sure as the world keeps the moon in the sky She'll keep me hanging on, she'll keep me hanging on

Hurt - 2WEI

What have I become, my sweetest friend Everyone I know, goes away in the end And you could have it all, my empire of dirt I will let you down, I will make you hurt

Goner - Twenty One Pilots

Though I'm weak and beaten down I'll slip away into this sound The ghost of you is close to me I'm inside-out, you're underneath

Let Me Go - Startisan

One last time, I tell myself every time But always return to the scene of the crime Just like a ghost to the place where they died Cause you make me yearn to be refused You intimate hope for a life you won't choose    

Are You With Me - Nilu

Wake up, stay with me Through the flood and through the fear Right now I need you here, I need you to stay strong To remind me where I came from and where I belong So wake up and stay with me

Ava - Famy

This world is rabid, this world is through Follow me through an empty dream, I’m sleeping next to someone new My conscience burning, my beastly flaw The headache pill, the necktie on my bedroom door I’m such a coward, these wretched things I do Disgrace and treachery I’m a sickness and I know its true

One Day I’ll Fly Away - Vaults

I make it alone, when love has gone Still, you made your mark, here in my heart One day I'll fly away, leave your love to yesterday What more can your love do for me When will love be through with me

Anger - Sleeping At Last

Till it all spills out Reckless but honest words leave my mouth Like kerosene on the flame of doubt I couldn't make it right

Repeat Until Death - Novo Amor

Don't go, you're half of me now, but I'm hardly stood proud I said it, almost Oh, I've been low, but dammit I bet it don't show It was heaven a moment ago I had it almost, we had it almost 

GOOD TIMES GONNA COME

Good Times Gonna Come - Aqualung

'round the bend, the sun is in the sky It's starting to look like it's gonna be, yeah, it's gonna be A bright beautiful day Yeah, the good times gonna come

Wouldn’t It Be Nice - The Beach Boys

Wouldn't it be nice if we could wake up In the morning when the day is new And after having spent the day together Hold each other close the whole night through

Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & the Waves

I used to think maybe you loved me, now I know that it's true And I don't want to spend my whole life, just waiting for you Now I don't want you back for the weekend Not back for a day, no no no

Feeling Good - Avicii

Stars when you shine, you know how I feel Scent of the pine, you know how I feel Oh, freedom is mine and I know how I feel t's a new dawn, t's a new day, It's a new life for me and I’m feelin good

My Way - Frank Sinatra

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew When I bit off more than I could chew And through it all, whenever there was doubt I ate it up and spit it out, I faced it all and I stood tall And did it my way

Hooked on a Feeling - Blue Swede

I said I'm hooked on a feeling And I'm high on believing That you're in love with me Hooked on a feeling

Build Me Up Buttercup - You, Me, And Everyone We Know

But I love you still, I need you More than anyone darlin' You know that I have from the start So build me up, buttercup Don't break my heart

Shut Up and Dance - Walk the Moon

Oh don't you dare look back, just keep your eyes on me I said you're holding back She said shut up and dance with me This woman is my destiny

Dancing on My Own - Elle Fanning

I'm just gonna dance all night I'm all messed up, I'm so outta line Stilettos and broken bottles I'm spinning around in circles

Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver

I hear her voice, in the morning hour she calls me The radio reminds me of my home far away Driving down the road, I get a feeling That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday

[nottheripperjack]

Still rising towards the dark, don't care what's down below 'Cause no one can see me and no one has to know The atmosphere is lonely and beautiful I don't miss a thing I used to know, I used to know

TASK 001 FOUND BELOW CUT....

~~JACK’S STORY~~

MANNERISMS:

What words or phrases do they overuse? 

Jack fucking uses ellipses in texts like her life depends on it. She also swears a lot. Probably too much.

Are they more optimistic or pessimistic?

Jack is pessimistic by nature after her sister’s death. She’s striving to get better but that’s a bitter pill to swallow. 

What bad habits do they have?

What bad habits DON’T they have? She drinks a lot, or rather, she used to. She’s trying to overcome her alcohol addiction but that will... Take a lot of heavy lifting.

What makes them laugh out loud?

Honestly? It could be literally anything. Whatever it is, it has to be her type of humor. Which, let’s be real honest, is all over the place. Just like her. 

How do they display affection?

Jack is a very touchy-feely person. She calls people ‘babe’ no matter who they are. She’ll hold your hand or hug you. Hell, she’ll even snuggle her friends.

Do they make snap judgments or take time to consider?

Snap judgments only happen when its matters of herself or the lack of self-worth she believes she has. When it comes to anyone else? Hell no, you better sit down and think about all the pros and cons. 

How do they react to praise?

Cockily on the outside, not believing it on the inside. 

How do they react to criticism?

Taking it to heart and working on how to irradiate that behavior or thing that is being critiqued. 

What is their philosophy of life?

Life’s short, go fuck someone. (This has since changed).

When was the last time they cried?

When they realized their addiction had gotten the better of them. 

If they could change one thing about themselves, what would it be?

Ask her on a good day, Jack would say something about her addictive behaviors. Ask her on a bad day? Jack would say that she wishes she could have taken Vic’s place.

What is their obsession?

At the current moment? Animal Crossing.

What are their pet peeves?

Snoring, loud chewing, people butting into the conversation, the list could go on. She has a lot.

FRIENDS & FAMILY:

Is their family big or small? Who does it consist of?

Her family is that stereotypical American family. Consisting of her mom, dad, younger adopted brother, and herself. Extended family is all on the east coast so she doesn’t see them much. Her father is Adrian Novak, a well-known author for his mystery crime novels. Her mother is Katrina Novak, a high-school English teacher.

What is their perception of family?

She maintains constant communication with her parents and brother. Unfortunately, she doesn’t talk about her sister much at all. Jack sadly thinks her family blame her for her sister’s death but in reality, its just been her blaming herself for all these years. 

Do they have siblings? Older or younger? 

Her late sister, Victoria, was her best friend growing up until she died in a car accident when Jack was fifteen and Victoria was seventeen. She has a younger adopted brother named Bryan, who is just now entering the fifth grade. He has CP. 

Describe their best friend.

Jack has several best friends but the one she considers to be her closest confidante just so happens to be Tara Chapman. She’s her kindred spirit, her better half, and someone that she looks up to in all of the ways that she still wishes she could do with Victoria. She’s not a replacement for her late sister by any means but... She means a lot more to her than Tara probably fully realizes.

Do they have any pets?

No but they want to get a corgi and name it Bread Loaf. 

PAST & FUTURE:

What was your character like as a teen?

Before shit hit the fan? Jack was in sports. Volleyball and martial arts took up the majority of her time when she wasn’t trying to focus on school. And she really, really hated school. 

Did they grow up rich or poor?

Due to her father being on the New York Times Best Seller’s list... She grew up in a pretty good financially stable home. 

Did they grow up nurtured or neglected?

Jack definitely came from a nurturing and loving home. After Victoria she disconnected with her family more than she’d admit. She mentally distanced herself from them and shut down. 

What is their greatest achievement?

Becoming a paramedic.

What was their first kiss like?

Jack was kissed by a boy named Stephen in seventh grade. Let’s just say that the second his lips landed on hers, she slapped him so hard he fell into her parent’s swimming pool.

What is the worst thing they did to someone they loved?

Jack believes that it’s her being responsible for Victoria’s death since it was her volleyball game that she was driving towards. However, the worst thing they’ve probably done to someone they loved was let their own shit get in the way of their happiness. It happened with Ben when she didn’t believe her about the drunken kiss. And it almost happened with Riley when she chose to ignore her feelings and pretend like she didn’t care about her more than that for four years. 

What are their ambitions?

Be a mom one day. Own a corgi. Build her own home. 

What advice would they give their younger self?

Don’t go to that damned volleyball game.

What smells remind them of their childhood?

Campfire smoke, cinnamon, and Japanese Cherry Blossom perfume.

What was their childhood ambition?

They wanted to own a video game store. 

What does their five-year plan look like?

They don’t have one. Other than don’t be dead from a work-related incident.

LOVE:

Do they believe in love at first sight?

No. Jack’s far too cynical for that. She believes in lust at first sight. Or rather, she did. 

Are they in a relationship? Are they in love?

Yes, to both. Jack is in a committed relationship with Riley Sawyer, a highway patrol cop. They’d been friends for four years and finally decided to bite the bullet they’ve been dodging for that whole time.

How do they behave in a relationship?

Previously? Not well. She didn’t do relationships and the one that she had in high school wasn’t remotely healthy. Now, Jack is learning how to relationship. 

When did your character last have sex?

Last night.

Has your character ever been in love?

Twice. Once with Ben, her first love. Second time is now with Riley. 

Have they ever had their heart broken?

Three times. First was Victoria, second was Ben, and third was by herself.

Are they crushing on anyone now?

I mean. Hey boo @sonderbound​

WORK & LIFE:

What is their current job?

Paramedic at Los Angeles Fire Department

What do they think about their current job?

They love it. They are currently on suspension from March 27th to April 27th due to alcohol abuse. 

What are some of their past jobs?

Barista, pizza delivery girl, EMT. 

What are their hobbies?

Dungeons and Dragons, video games, playing guitar and singing, sketching out her future home.

Educational background?

Associates Degree. Jack tried college but it wasn’t for her.

Do they have a natural talent for something?

Helping others.

Do they play a sport? Are they any good?

Volleyball. Yeah they went to state four years in a row and won. 

MISC:

What is in their fridge?

Well, used to be alcohol. Now it’s full of food and coca cola. 

What is on their bedside table?

Alarm clock, watch, iPhone charger, change.

What kinda car do they drive, and is their car messy or clean?

Her name is Lyla and she’s a Kawasaki Ninja Crotch Rocket. So uh... She keeps that motorcycle very clean.

Do they carry a purse? What is in their purse or wallet?

They carry a wallet. It’s a tyvek Mighty Wallet that’s got a bisexual colored symbol of Wonder Woman on it.

What is in their pockets?

iPhone, gum, keys.

What is their most treasured possession?

Her sister’s silver snowflake necklace. 

~~Jack’s Jams~~ FOUND HERE

In A Nutshell

Work Out, Sweat It Out

Time to Feel Like Shit

Good Times Gonna Come

[nottheripperjack]

sonderbound‌:

riley took up the space beside her, not really thinking about her clothes as she laid back, enjoying the cool sand under her skin. “but you look so nice doing it,” she mumbles as she stretches her arms underneath her head. why didn’t she do this more often? 

her head lolled over to look at jack, and there’s a reminder that most of her mornings had been taken up with something. whether it was the 3 hour alarms, or doctors appointments, or just plain work. a lot had happened, in a very short time, and she was realizing that in her moment of peace. this morning had been remarkably different. maybe, because they’d gotten very little sleep, and jack was malleable enough for riley to get her to agree to go to the beach with her. 

her muscles felt better with the short burst, and being able to stretch out in the sand. she was definitely sore, but it reminded her of all the things she’d done to make her sore. tensing, and shaking and — her eyes moved back to forward, blinking as she pushed herself up to sit. nope. her mind was not going to go down that path, again. at least, not until tonight, after work. 

"So..." She started, fingers digging into the sand to draw random patterns. "Uh, I suppose I should tell you sooner than later. I uh... I got suspended. From work. Paid leave for a month but uh... Someone told my Chief about what happened at Retro. At the end of the month I need to be cleared by a therapist and I'll need to have proof of my sobriety."

The blonde looked out at the ocean, focusing on the waves rather than her girlfriend. She didn't want to look at her and see the disappointment on her face. She couldn't handle it. "I have to report to an AA meeting this Monday. And for the next year I will be checked for alcohol. My locker... My ambo... Me. I guess I can be considered lucky. He could have fired me."

Jack looked down at the sand, biting her lip so hard she was sure it would bleed. "Anyway... Enough about me. How was work today? Do anything exciting?" Her voice was hollow but she tried to sound enthusiastic, failing miserably. Alcohol had been her vice and honestly? Giving all that up? Terrified her.

baby you’re so classic \\