And if I'm dead to you, why are you at the wake?

jack henderson. 35. history teacher. manhattan. 'And I still talk to you (when I'm screaming at the sky) And when you can't sleep at night (you hear my stolen lullabies)'

[jackhendersonn]

kithemingway​:

Kit tilted her head to the side, studying the man in front of her. He was handsome, and whoever this woman he was speaking of was crazy to pass up an opportunity with him. Was she blind? “If that were the case, then it’s a good thing she kicked you to the curb. Who’d want someone like that around? Someone who couldn’t appreciate your love for your dogs? Not me. Maybe she was a cat person - that could explain it.” As soon as he showed her the photos, a large smile appeared on her face. She was unable to help herself, as the dogs were adorable, matching bunk beds and all. The woman was usually cold, not letting anyone in on how she was feeling or what was going on in her mind, but she was a sucker for a cute dog (or two.) “Oh, no. There are crazier things to discuss. I think it’s adorable. You could talk about them all day and I wouldn’t mind. I’m a big dog gal myself.”

Jack chuckled lightly at the brunette’s comments. “I wouldn’t even mind if she was a cat person! I just wanted the same passion back to me---But obviously she just thought I was a crazy person caring about my dogs, like they are my kids.” He tried to justify himself, smiling back at her. Realising that the woman was really pretty, he sighed lightly. He was always in this cycle, finding someone irrestibly pretty but not being able to follow through. “Oh are you? Do you have any or are you just going to steal mine for the duration now?” Jack gave a smirk, he could play this game aswell as her.

[jackhendersonn]

delbenoit​:

​

Del leaned on the bar a bit when he started into his example, a resting expression slowly melting into an amused smirk as she listened. The climax and result of the story had a soft chuckle falling from her lips, shaking her head as del sipped at her drink. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t think it’s as weird to talk that way about your dogs as it would be to talk about cats.” She teased warmly. “See in my opinion I think it’s kinda cute. If you’re that way with your dogs, anyone who wants kids would figure you’d be even more doting to the non-furry little ones.” Del hummed with a shrug of her shoulders.

Jack smiled softly at Del’s reply, he had been trying to build up the courage to speak to the brunette, and was anticipating her answer, so when she didn’t laugh in his face and walk away. He felt himself relax “Exactly! I thought it would show me to be committed, to be caring--But no, I just came across as crazy...Which maybe I am.” He had a sip of his beer and then jumped forward even more. “But is that a bad thing! I don’t think it is!” He chuckled lightly. “I might just delete all these apps and ban myself from dating ever again.”

[jackhendersonn]

pennystark​:

​

Penny laughed in anticipation for Jack even made his confession. She turned to face him. “Well, it’s her fault she thought Farley was anything but a dog’s name,” she said. “But I think the point of this is that you made your dogs matching bunk beds? And i haven’t seen them?” she said, feigning offense. “Sounds like it’s her loss then. I’m sorry, though.”

“I mean--You should be relieved I have no kids right now! I mean dogs...are...yeah-they are like kids.” He sighed, knowing his statement was all wrong. “You haven’t?!” He said excitedly, getting his phone out quickly. Passing it over to her, “Is that not impressive or am I just a lonely crazy man?”

[jackhendersonn]

tabbycatsilver​:

“Well she sounds terrible. I would love to find out that my date cared that much about his pets, that shows compassion and consideration. Also, I’d probably be relieved to know they weren’t actual children.’ Tabby said, eating another bite of toast. The diner they were in was pleasantly busy with the brunch crowd, families and hungover 20somethings melding together. “As for me… well, I can’t play this game because I’m not single anymore…” She said quietly, focusing on her eggs. If her face was pink, that was from the heating vent right above them, nothing else.

“Exactly! That’s what I was getting at. But she probably thought I was a crazy person.” He sighed shaking his head smiling lightly at his friend. He ate a little bit of his eggs and stopped. “I thought dogs were going to be something to talk about, not make me a turn off!” He chuckled. As Tabby began to speak, his eyebrows raised. “WHAT!” He said excitedly and stopped eating and leant forward. “To who? When? I need answers!”

[jackhendersonn]

yazsanchez​:

closed // @jackhendersonn​

New York was a weird city, Yaz had run into her fair share of people from her past: friends, exes, enemies. But in a first, and a cruel twist of fate, Yaz had walked head first into the worst type of person from her past: someone she’d written about. And not in a good light. As she collected coffee from the barista, Yaz’s gaze immediately landed on the familiar face. Shit. She tried to ignore the guilt that built up, knowing what she’d said about him years before, and forced on a smile as she approached, “well, well, well, Ro-Jack, right?” she ignored the slip of the nickname gripping onto her coffee for support, “fancy seeing you here.”

Jack was picking up his coffee after school. He had, had a good day. He had got through to some of the kids and been able to get through the day without any panic attacks or any kind of inkling of anxiety. He was probably going to go home and annoy one of his friends to go and have a drink with him. But as he took a sip of his coffee, a familar voice caught him. He turned and saw the one person he thought he would never see again. “It’s you.” He said, and a sarcastic smirk spread across his face. “In new york. In the exact same coffee shop. Who would had thought it?” He shook his head. He had read what Yaz had wrote about him, some really intimate stuff. He didn’t know how to react. Be angry? Laugh? “You following me now?”

[jackhendersonn]

berryxboyd​:

Berry reached forward to pat her friend on the cheek, “oh, my heart is officially melted.” Shooting him an amused smile, she lay back on the couch, completely comfortable around her old friend in her tiny apartment. “You got me,” she pointed her spoon at him, “and if they can’t love us through our dogs, at least our dogs will love us, no strings attached, right?” The woman was briefly distracted by staring lovingly at her dog before pulling a nervous face at Jack’s next suggestion. “I think I would rather do this than join a dating app.  I tried the speed dating and the Valentine’s party and that was…” Berry shook her head firmly, “not good. But you should try! Girls online love dog dads.”

“But I can’t rely for my dogs to love me anymore Bez. I need a physical woman to tell me she loves me. I am a fucking mess right now. Can you just slap me at how pathetic I’m being?” He knew he could be open around Berry, she was his best friend technically. He could be himself and he knew that he wouldn’t recieve any judgement. “Speed dating? Thank god I missed that. No luck then?” He asked interested. “Do they? Do they?” He said dramatically collapsing on her shoulder. “Okay, im sick of being pathetic now. Let’s go get drunk.”

[jackhendersonn]

eleanordemarquis​:

“And a proud one at that, I see. What do your little angels look like?” Sharing the story about her unexpected date was a bit embarrassing for Eleanor and when she saw the smirk that it caused him to have, it was impossible for her to keep her embarrassment to to herself. A shade of red now present on her cheeks, she bit her lower lip. “It was really not my best moment.”, she said while looking back on the awkward conversation that she had with the man. It took him winking at her to laugh with him. Lightly but still. “Honestly, I wasn’t exactly ready to date at the time but he told me that us having dinner as friends was good enough for him. I like to think that it ended up being a pretty good night, and I also like to think that I have a better handle on things like that now. What about you? Have you dated anyone since?”

Jack chuckled at the question, pulling out his Iphone and flashing his home screen. “That’s Felix, and that’s Farley. Brother and Sister, pain in my arse---But honestly saved my life..” He let it trail off knowing that was deep especially for a stranger, he gave a soft smile as he tucked the phone back in his pocket. As he saw her blush, he gave a small smirk. “That’s great. I mean these experiences are there to make you learn things about yourself and I think that guy was pretty forward if you ask me.” He commented to try and make her feel better about it all. “I--Uh i guess. I go on the odd date but I haven’t found that person for...well, ten years now. That’s sad isn’t it?” He sighed softly. “Are you uh--still not wanting to date?” He don’t know why he asked, and was beating himself up for even asking that. But she asked him, so it was only polite, right?

[jackhendersonn]

oliviahq​:

Olivia grinned at his objections and gave him a meek shrug. As he picked up her book she smiled. It wasn’t often that people took much interest in what she was doing at work, but being a teacher himself, Jack was always asking her questions that she was more than happy to answer. “It’s The Catcher In The Rye. J. D. Salinger. Most of the kids hate it because they think it’s boring because nothing remarkable happens, but the aim of these papers is to try to get them to understand that that’s the whole point. It’s all about the protection of innocence, and the fear of death and change,” she babbled. The novel was one of her favourites, and she felt very passionately about it, but she realised she was going on a little too long so she stopped herself with a soft laugh. After asking how he was doing, she listened to the predicament he had found himself in with his class. She gave him a sympathetic smile and nodded her understanding. “Hey, I’m sure you’ll think of something. If you want, I can always help you out with some ways to teach them without having to delve into any unwanted memories,” she offered, knowing his struggles with the aftermath of his experiences.

Jack nodded as she spoke, he smiled a little as the passion started to flow out. He loved when people did that. He took full advantage of being able to listen and let them just pour out of admiration for what they did. He chuckled “Well, that’s what kid’s say, they hate english literature when they’re young, but boy--when they’re older it’s all they think about. The hidden meanings of life.” He chuckled, knowing he was the same. When he was young he didn’t get why these teachers were making him look so deeply into things, but now that’s all he thought about. “I love it when you speak book to me.” He winked as he ate a little bit of his waffle infront of him. “Yeah---Yeah that’d be good really. I mean, I don’t mind using my own experiences but...I’ve kinda’ blocked the most significant ones...-” He sighed rubbing a hand over his face. “Sorry Liv, I don’t mean to put this on you.”

[jackhendersonn]

melostonex​:

she was happy to see how the two did what jack said. it was cute, but of course mel won’t say anything about it. she knew that the last time the two saw each other was the worst last meeting ever, mel was to blame on that for sure. she saw how he was struggling in seeing her, but yeah she had to keep her classy ways cause inside her heart all she wanted to do was hug him, and talk about how he’s doing– but she felt like he’ll never do that with her. “thanks i guess. you look pretty great as well.” she said, trying to ease the tensions. “yeah i am, just in a bigger apartment i guess.” she replied to his question. “it’s okay, i didn’t expect to see you here niether, i mean i heard you moved so i don’t know.. is– is everything alright? when did you come back?” there she goes, mel asking questions that she shouldn’t. but no she can’t take it back.

“where abouts?” The question came out without him even realising the context. He sighed softly and looked down. “I--Uh just live around the corner actually. Managed to get a groundfloor apartment, for these two to have a run around.” He tried to explain, his fists getting tighter around the leads. The memory of her rejecting him played around his head every night, it passed by or he really thought about. What else could he had done? He looked down, an energy of a buzz swam around him. This is what she did. He still had feelings for her--but was it all in his head? “Yeah...-” It came out quick, no not everything was alright. He was going through so much therapy, he just looked forward to the next bottle? What could he say? “I-Work at the school now..Just up the street. History--Teaching History. ---I came back...a few months ago really. Moved everything back about a year ago, but been back for a year---Yeah..” He trailed off as he looked up towards her, as he gestured for them to walk. He felt he needed to be moving to fully process this. “What about you? Are you still in Law?”

[jackhendersonn]

jamesselroy​:

James merely nodded as Jack pointed out the coffee shop, quietly following after him as they headed towards it. His head was swimming with so much stuff, the vague memories he had of that night, questions that he wanted to ask, answers that he had been searching for. It all seemed to overwhelm him at once and James could feel the anxiety bubbling in the pit of his stomach. He even stayed silent as Jack ordered the coffees and lead them over to the booth. But instead of taking a drink of his, James dropped his hands into his lap, clasping them so tightly together that his knuckles turned white.

“Er-” He stammered out, head snapping up to look over at his Sargent. How did he even bring up what he wanted to talk about? Did Jack know what his injury entailed? How even though he had survived the entire ordeal, had surpassed everyone’s diagnosis, had made it through months of ICU, that in a way, his life had still been taken from him. He glanced over at the man before dropping his eyes down to a stain on the table. “I don’t- remember anything about my time over seas-” James said slowly, having no idea where to start with any of this. “I don’t know if you know but I ended up with a traumatic brain injury.” Why did telling Jack about this feel harder than when he told strangers? “it uh- affects my memory pretty badly. I don’t remember the army, I don’t remember my childhood- Some days I can’t remember what I had for breakfast or how to work the coffee machine or how to get home from somewhere.” He could feel his stomach churning, eyes still glued to the spot on the table. “But… I remember one thing about serving- I think from the nightmares I have… Bits and… pieces of… of… that night.” James stammered his way through the words, having no idea where he was even going with any of this. 

Jack had really blocked that night out of his mind. He had really tried to help himself by completely blocking it out. But he couldn’t help it, staring at James and everything that had happened--it was slowly coming back. The view of the explosion, the smell of so much fire & the screams of men. The screams of James. It brought shivers to his spine, and he tried to sit up tall in the booth to really compose himself. Keep composed. He had too. He couldn’t break infront of his comrade? He had done so many years at the Army, shielding his emotions was one of Jack’s many talents. But it wasn’t helpful, and he really wished he had some whiskey to put in this coffee.

As James’ spoke, he let him. He listened intently, nodding ever so often. Jack knew what had happened, he was there. But he knew James’ didn’t know about that, or even if he did remember Jack being by his bedside every night, reading him a book or just chatting to him-sometimes crying. It was a hard time. But he couldn’t take away how much harder it would had been James. “I do know...I was...Uh---I was there, I actually carried you into the tank and back to our base...” He coughed a little, realising his voice was wobbling and took a strong gulp of his coffee. “I didn’t realise...You..struggled now.” He mentioned, not really knowing the detail of it now and wanting to find out. Jack sighed softly and nodded “Me too...I--I can’t sleep sometimes. That night...Haunts me...” He bit his tongue. “I uh---I had told you to go...To that part of the country....to...investigate what was happening---I wasn’t expecting that--” He let it trail off.

[jackhendersonn]

olliestonem​:

“I don’t have much use for a table. I usually eat on the couch when at home,” Ollie told him, then gasped “Wait, you could build me one of those proper ones for eating in front of the TV. It’d be clutch, I’m always dropping food between the cushions.” He laughed at the mere idea of him with tools that weren’t surgical ones. “No can do. I can’t risk hammering one of these little fingerings and cutting my career short. I’ll just have you do all the hard work for me, I thought that’s what all those muscles were for.” he teased. He shrugged nonchalantly, the holiday had caused him so much pain that it had evolved into indifference now. “It’s whatever, really.  I can buy myself chocolate and flowers, I don’t need a man to do it. But I’m always down for face masks and a massage.”

“I told you-We’ll make it a project! We could actually build it together. A sign of our sturdy, strong friendship---” Jack then scrunched his nose up. “God, that was so cringey.” He chuckled knowing he could be fully himself when Oliver was around and fully surround himself in the silliness of everything. He shrugged his shoulders “As long as you provide entertainment and drinks, I will do it gladly for you Stonem. But I ain’t doing it for free, you gotta pay --in adoration and beer.” He shot back smirking lightly. “Very true. Think I am at that point now--I did bump into Mel though...which was--well..weird.” He trailed off sighing. 

[capsgrantrogers]

[jackhendersonn]

melostonex​:

and then he did, he did turned around– he looked the same, bigger shoulders. she didn’t even think it capable. his same deep blue eyes, she gazed for a second but he was speechless as her. mel wasn’t a big fan of dogs but for some reason she let the dog get to her, she softly gave it a small pet on it’s head. she leaned down but glanced up to jack, she was just too surprised to see him. she straightened up to meet his eyes. “i– “ she didn’t even know what to say. “it’s been a while.” she said crossing her arms. “i’m very happy to see you–” mel said softly. her ego was too big to talk to him after what happened, to see if he got back to the army but she heard from friends that he did. she was dead worried but didn’t show or tell anybody about it. she was relieved seeing him standing, hopefully healthy in front of her.

“Felix, come here boy--” He called the dog over, clipping the lead on as Farley came running over and he did the same. Instructing them both to sit and they were well trained as they sat and just looked at the people around them. Jack was trying to gather his thoughts--the last time he saw Mel was when she had refused him. He had been heartbroken and in pain physically & mentally, but it hurt alot more. Thinking you had found that one person, and it didn’t happen. “Yeah--...God, yeah it has hasn’t it..” He trailed off, still trying to keep his breathing at bay. He smiled lightly and nodded “You too Mel--Honestly. You look...-” He took her in. All of her. Inhaling- “Great...--” He wasn’t sure what to say. What to do. He didn’t know how he felt. Course, he still felt something but it was confusing. “Are you still living in Manhattan or?” God, he was so shit at conversation. He then started to laugh “Look, I’m not one for small talk but I honestly wasn’t expecting to see you around...-”

[jackhendersonn]

eleanordemarquis​:

Eleanor was in yet another animal shelter, trying to find the perfect dog for her. It seemed like an impossible feat but like what Walker said, she’ll know when a dog is the one. She stopped in front of a cage and was interacting with the small animal inside of it when the man spoke. “So you’re a single dog dad? Farley and Felix are lucky to have you love them that much. I am sorry that your date changed her mind about you because of that.”, she responded upon turning her attention to him. “My turn… Well, I was invited to this dinner party, met a man who asked for ny number and gave it to him. I received a text from him the next day, asking me when I’m free, and I thought he asked to set an appointment so I scheduled it for him. Turns out he asked to take me on a date and I did not realize it until he appeared in my office all dressed up and with a bouquet of flowers.”

Jack liked coming to the shelter, to obviously support them with means of money & supplies, but he also liked seeing if any puppy or grown dog caught his eye. He probably shouldn’t get a third, but he couldn’t help it. As the pretty blonde started to answer his question, he smirked maybe thinking he shouldn’t had started a conversation as pathetic as his answer. “Always have been! Took them on a year ago and never looked back.” He smiled lightly at the memory of his dogs, and then back at the blonde. He tried not to laugh too much at the girl’s ordeal, but he began to chuckle, his cheeks burning. “Wow....That is as bad as mine” He jested as he winked to make sure she knew he was joking. “Did you go on the date or did you accept the flowers and run?”

[jackhendersonn]

gus-amado​:

​

Gus shot him a look at first. He’d heard this trope- or… meme? Around the college, and he was about to say something, but instead he was laughing at Jack’s admission. “Sounds about right.” He leaned back in his chair, trying to think. “I mean, I live in an RV, Jack. Don’t you think that speaks for itself?” Gus couldn’t help grinning. “Living in an RV with a chihuahua who I put into tiny sweaters because she gets shaky if she doesn’t wear them. Maybe we’re just devoted dog dads.”

“An RV is cool! I find that cool! Why do other people don’t find the things we like, cool?” He pouted playfully at his friend as he sighed lightly. “You’re dog is the cutest though--Again, WHO WOULDN’T LOVE THAT? I can’t stand for it anymore.” He shook his head. “We’re devoted dog dads, to drive people away. I don’t understand it. Why don’t people love us!” He moaned.

[jackhendersonn]

berryxboyd​:

​

“Oh… that’s bad,” Berry tried to supress the teasing smile on her face, but it was incredibly hard to hide when it came to Jack, “she didn’t like your dedication to the dogs? Sounds like someone you wouldn’t get along with anyway,” Berry patted her friend’s hand supportively before leaning further back into the couch, thinking of her answer, “Well for one I posted a picture with my new dog captioned, ‘my valentine,’ and two…” her smile grew, “it’s currently the weekend and I’m sitting here with you, talking about our dogs, while we eat an entire tub of ice cream.”

“I mean, why wouldn’t that make your heart melt? If a girl said that to me, I’d get down on one knee!” He chuckled, over-exagerrating a little as he lay back on the sofa, scooping the rest of his ice cream off his spoon. He listened to the blondes answer, his arm fitted around the nape of her neck. “Oh I did that--I think most of us singles do. To come across relatable and to scream ‘someone love me’ through our dogs.” He added groaning a little at their bitterness. “Oi! You would rather do this than...” He sighed pursing his lips together. “Okay, this is a very single thing to do...But, look-We could join one of those dating apps...What’s it called? Tinge?”

[jackhendersonn]

olliestonem​:

​

“That was on you for building them matching bunk beds. You never built me anything cool like that, should I be jealous of your dogs?” Ollie joked with pursed lips. His brows furrowed in concentration as he tried to think of what about him screamed single. “Uh, I’m working on Valentine’s Day?” he offered lamely. “I don’t know, this is hard– you put me on the spot, man.”

“You know I would build you anything your heart desired. How about I build you a table? Full of my love & admiration for you? Or how about I teach you how to do it? Carpentry lessons are lessons for life.” He joked with his best-friend, Ollie never failed to make him laugh and feel at ease. “---Seriously that’s all you can do?!” He shook his head. “No luck this Valentines day then? That’s a shame. Not for me, you can still come round to mine every Saturday and do face masks.”