beneath the milky twilight → rackie
TAGGING→ @acupp-jp @rocketpowerreg TIME→ February 20th, 2019, late night/early morning LOCATION→ A park in Brooklyn NOTES→ Nursing their heartbreaks, Jackie and Reggie decide to bar hop until the morning and wind up on a playground alone, sharing more than just a bottle of Jack Daniels between them
REGGIE CLIFFTON
It had been a long while since Reggie had felt any kind of heartbreak, which was likely why this one felt the deepest despite being a short lived relationship. Reggie had closed herself off to the idea of relationships and being with someone, only for Harper Clarington to of thrown that all for a loop. Now that she had opened herself to it again, she was having to re-learn the ups and downs that came along with it. Luckily, she had a friend in Jackie Puckerman to help ease the pain and provide a much needed distraction for her. Which, given Jackie was in a similar boat, Reggie was hopefully providing the same amount of comfort for her right back. The pair had gone out on the town, Reggie going to Jackie's earlier in the day to make some edibles for them. Which were then taken before going to the bars. Reggie couldn't go out and dance much with Jackie, but she could drink with her, joke with her, and have fun all the same. It was hardly anytime at all before they at that level of carelessness they both wanted. Maybe even needed.
It was getting to be later into the night with some bars starting to close, though rather than call it quits, they went to a liquor store to buy one more bottle to share. Finding the nearest park, Reggie and Jackie posted up on an empty playground, sitting side by side on the highest platform and looking at the view of the park and city surrounding them. Despite how alive New York City was, at the moment, it seemed rather still. It made the thoughts Reggie was trying to get away from creep in, and so she was quick to open the bottle of whiskey they for and take a drink, "Jesus Christ, why didn't we get a chaser?" Reggie asked, feeling the burn of the alcohol go down her throat and make her wince, though then her shoulders relaxed a little more.
Handing the bottle to Jackie, dark eyes landing on her with a shrug, "I mean, I can't complain too much right? at least it gets the job done because I am... already fucking drunk." She laughed, smirking over at Jackie before the expression faltered. Did she like running away from her problems? No, not really, but given how heavy her heart felt at the moment, Reggie thought maybe it was deserved. Or perhaps she was just hoping that it was, "Thanks for offering to take me out tonight, Jacks... I needed it. Bad, apparently."
JACKIE PUCKERMAN
The last week or so had been a bit of a blur for Jackie, purposefully so. Kitty dropped her. Kitty wasn’t happy. Kitty didn’t want her. The whole thing gutted Jackie. She’d never thought love was a thing she go for, it wasn’t for people like her. She’d fallen hard for Kitty a long time ago and it scared the shit out of her so she instead dated Marley. Dating someone, because you’re afraid to date the person you want to be with is a shitty thing to do, but Jackie honestly thought she could make it work, but of course she fucked it up and hurt a person that she loves. Something she’ll never truly forgive herself for, but maybe this is Karma? Working for months to prove she was worthy of Kitty’s attention and honest affection just to be dismissed without a fight?... Kitty didn’t fight for her. Fuck! It all just hurt so damn bad.
Spending an entire week drunk or hungover may seem like a terrible way to deal with your problems, but who said Jackie wanted to deal with this shit? Whenever she really stopped to think about what it all meant, that maybe all the people she loved the most would leave, maybe they couldn’t love her, maybe this was how it was going to always be… That was too much to bare, so fuck it, she wouldn’t bare it. Jackie was going to party. When she’s drunk she almost forgets Kitty and Puck and the Sperm donor and the contentious yet slightly phony relationship she has with her mother. All she has to do is push a little harder and she’ll forget it all.
Luckily for Jackie she did have friends to help her forget. Reggie had been having a difficult time in general lately and on top of all the physical stuff the other woman was dealing with, turns out something had gone wrong in her relationship as well. Jackie honestly hated seeing her friends in pain but didn’t know how much of a support she could be in her current state, so she offered the only thing she thought she could, a night of fun and forgetting. They’d started out the night with some of Jackie’s favorite pot filled treats, proceeded to drink a few dude-bros under the table at a couple bars and ended the night with a last hurrah bottle at a park. Jackie laughed so much that night. Real genuine laughs that made her stomach hurt and in those moments she was so grateful to Reggie.
“Don’t be a baby, throw it back like a boss.” Her words came out with a slight slur because she was very very drunk, but she was halfway decent at hiding just how much. Jackie accepted the bottle from Reggie and took a long drink coughing a bit as she pulled it from her lips. “You are good company, Reginald, so I wanted to hang with you.” She ran the back of her hand across her lips. “I want to help with your sads. I hope I helped with your sads.” She grinned and shrugged before taking another quick sip and giving the bottle back.
REGGIE CLIFFTON
Reggie couldn't help but shake her head and laugh at Jackie's urging for Reggie to boss up. It was classic JP, as she had been one of the friends Reggie had who could push her to be a little more social. To put herself out there a little bit in the fun department. Sometimes Reggie needed that, and it seemed that she especially needed it at the moment, "Now I never claimed to be some sorta an expert, but I'd say you're fucking drunk, too, Jacks my dude." She teased in a loose tone. Sitting on top of a playground while shitfaced wasn't exactly how Reggie figured they would end up, yet somehow, it was fitting. It was soothing. The two of them were both running, yet the stillness of the night was providing a certain comfort, and bitterness somewhere deep in there.
Taking the bottle back from Reggie, she took another drink before handing it back at Jackie. And as the burning sensation happened again, Reggie sighed, laying herself back onto the cool surface of the playground. Her eyes wer looking up at the ceiling of the structure, only to close them with a hand resting lazily on her stomach, "I think that you... and the many, many, many Jack Daniels we met tonight did help with my sads... at least as much as you guys can, right." Reggie mused, trying not to let her usual world view put a damper on the night. Swallowing down the thoughts swirling in her head, Reggie's head fell to the side to look over at Jackie with a soft, inebriated smile, "How about you, Jacky P? This night helping out with your sads, too, or do we gotta find another store open in an hour?" She joked, knowing full well she hit her limit. But she'd remain good company for Jackie.
JACKIE PUCKERMAN
Turning her head a bit too quickly at the accurate accusation caused Jackie to have to steady herself. Placing a flat palm down next to her, she fought the giggle trying to escape. “I resemble that remark Reginald!” She waved one hand around, one finger pointing to the sky. “I am not... not drunk. I’m a little wasted that is all.” The giggle that followed was too strong to be contained. No one would remember the details of this night, especially not the fact that Jackie Puckerman giggled when drunk. Right? and with that thought she shivered. It was so cold out. Her teeth chattered faintly, but she barely noticed. What she did notice was a slightly snow covered monkey bars set that she had decided to climb before they went home.
Jackie tapped her finger to a melody that only played in her mind for a bit before realizing Reggie was handing her the bottle. She looked at it, admiration on her face before grabbing it and hugging it to her chest. The words “Old Friend” escaped in a hushed tone. She sways slightly as the melody gets a bit louder in her mind. Music helped drown out the painful memories too. Suddenly the unnamed song was replaced by Reggie’s voice and a whimsical smile danced across Jackie’s lips. “You’re a little cutie cute friend!” It took another moment for comprehension to come. And Jackie nodded, smile growing wider. “I’m glad. I wanted to make sure you we’re smiling sometime too. The real kind not the ‘see everyone I’m fine, so stop asking, Damnit!’ smile”. She nodded in a matter-of-fact way, mentally patting herself on the back for helping as she took another sip. Jackie thought about Reggie’s question. Her own sadness was the other reason they were there. She huffed and laid back beside the other woman. “Right now…” Jackie looked over at Reggie and a small smile appeared. “... Sads are mostly at bay… Score for Jackie!” She pumped one fist in the air. “I’m glad you’re here. Here where we are right now. Even though I don’t know where we are right now.” Her brow scrunched for a moment. “Reggie, people are hard… that’s what she said…” she laughed at her own ridiculousness. “No but really, I think I’m done with people.”
REGGIE CLIFFTON
Watching Jackie fumble and stumble through her thoughts while in her drunken state only provided entertainment for Reggie. The both of them were a little far gone beyond the realm of needing to make sense for there to be an understanding between them. They were both at a low point in their lives. Despite the fact one had been broken up with and the other did the breaking up in their respective relationships, it seemed almost too fitting for them to be finding a comfort in each other. Along with the bottle in hand, of course. When Jackie laid back, Reggie's head turned to have eyes meet with Jackie's own. Yes, her head was spinning, her eyes were a little glazed over, and her mind still felt heavy even if the thoughts that actually weighted it down weren't being considered. She was focused on Jackie, smiling back at her only for it to falter at the mention of people. Of being done with them. Reggie's first reaction was to do a chuckle that was paired with a snort of sorts. It sounded so easy to say, even Reggie believed it for a minute, only to remember calling it quits on anything wasn't easy. But she had been forced to do it many times before. What was one more heart break in her life, right?
"You know what? I could absolutely, positively start rattling off some bullshit about how you shouldn't give up on people, and that it's bad to. That you should keep faith because people change and it gets better and all that..." Reggie started, not intending to go off on a tirade but that was the level of drunk she was at. Propping herself up on her elbow, Reggie let her head move freely to fall to the side, attention on Jackie as she continued to slur out, "but you know, honestly? I'm right fucking there with you. It's better off that way." Reggie declared, lifting her head to haphazardly look out into the distance. Her vision was a little too unfocused for that, but she still was staring off, "It's shitty, you know... like knowing it's basically in your genes suck for all of eternity and that's just the hand you've got," Reggie spilled out, clearing finding her stride in terms of what emotional damage she felt like revealing, "It's like... no matter what you do, you're gonna wind up doing the same shit you don't wanna be doing. Or hoped shit wouldn't end up blown up in your face. But like... deep down, you totally knew it was gonna end up the same way. So... are you really just stupid for even trying to fight it?" Reggie rolled her eyes, only to then have them search for the bottle to take another drink. They were barely breaking it in, and yet by now, the burn was becoming much more a dull sensation Reggie wasn't having an issue with.
JACKIE PUCKERMAN
Jackie listened as Reggie spoke, nodding along, taking in what she could. “Don’t rattle off nonsense right now, ‘cause I don’t think I could tell the difference.” Genuine concern covered her face before quickly dissipating. Jackie honestly felt every word the other woman said. Each one hit her in such a way, that in her drunken state she was a bit confused as to which one of them was actually saying the words. Reggie somehow knew exactly how she felt. “Get out of my head sorcerous.” Jackie whispered, unsure if her night’s partner in crime heard. “You could have said ‘don’t give up on people ‘cause everything is gonna work out in the end’ and I would just call bullshit. And I’d kick you… just because.” A small grin slid across her lips and slowly fell from her face as the words began to settle in again.
“I AM stupid. I’m a fucking idiot. I did know, Reg, I knew how this shit was going to turn out but I convinced myself, tricked myself into thinking this 22 yrs of shit relationships would stop. I mean, when you’re abandoned as a fetus it’s def the universe giving you serious warning of how life is going to be, right?” Jackie closed her eyes squeezing them tightly, trying to push away everything that hurt. “I fight the loser piece of shit in my genes on a regular, but maybe I should just be who I am because trying to be something else ain’t fooling nobody.” She thought about how much effort she put into being “better” and how she always fell short. Was it even worth it?
Jackie turned and laid on her side, facing Reggie. “Is it supposed to be this difficult? Are some of us supposed to fail? Can you stop hogging that?” She reached for the bottle and put it to her lips, underestimating the difficulty of drinking while laying on her side. “Shit, don’t you spill that alcohol, as my King Bey would say.” Jackie chuckled before setting the bottle down, only partially disappointed half her gulp ended up on her cheek. Her gaze found Reggie’s face again and she pouted. “I’m sorry Reginald. I’m supposed to be cheering you up? Want me to do some naked acrobatics or something? I will.” She wasn’t supposed to be doing this, drinking and dope hot company was supposed to distract her from everything.
REGGIE CLIFFTON
"Oh c'mon Jacks, since when are you ever not cheering me up? You don't gotta even do naked acrobatics to make it happen. Not that I'd complain if you decided to try otherwise. I'm pretty sure I saw some monkeybars down there..." Reggie pointed out with her eyes on Jackie's, and knowing smirk on her lips. The two of them were friends, though things mainly started as a friends with benefits situation. It had been a long time since that had been their relationship, but among other things, it was likely one of the reasons they felt comfortable enough to be open. Which only continued on as Reggie, with all her might, tried to prop on her elbows so she could point her chin down to the ground at another structure nearby, "Yes. Cliffton scores. There they are, monkeybars waiting for climbing." She boasted, lazily attempting to lift a fist up as her eyes closed and she did a faux freezeframe. Her arm dropped back down, Reggie's body needing it for balance as she composed herself. Thought. mulled some memories over before slurring them out, "I haven't been on the bars in forever you know? Like... since I was a kid... I'm talking at least like seven or-or eight or maybe.... actually, I never really played on playgrounds now that I think about it." Reggie started to laugh at herself in a breathy chuckle, head falling to the side and loking at Jackie with a drunken smirk and eyes clearly thinking of another time.
"I was always that kid running around on the fields. Because back then I actually had two, that's right folks, two good legs. Oh man, I had no idea how good I had it then... we never do when we're kids." Reggie mused, her tone getting a little more distant near the end though her hand reached over wiped a drop of still wet whiskey from near Jackie's lips. It was a soft touch, with Reggie's eyes glancing at the familiar lips of Jackie's and knowing the many reasons why it was tempting to kiss them. Especially given the day she had of officially ending her five month relationship with Harper for reasons more complicated than Reggie cared to think about. Licking her lips, Reggie looked back up at Jackie's eyes and let her hand drop onto floor in the space between them, her own lips still in a small smile, "I know we keep getting all... this with the talking and shit but... I'm glad we did it. I'm glad we're friends, Jacks. I don't even care that we're both losers and have loser genes and make stupid mistakes... because we're fuck ups together. And that's pretty dope, right?" She rambled, her hand at some point having risen to Jackie's shoulder to ensure she had her friend's attention as she smiled, "I don't know... I think it's pretty dope at least."
JACKIE PUCKERMAN
“I mean I will, but if I do we gotta go inside, my nips can’t handle this cold temperature.” Jackie looked down at her itty bitties and laughed. “I am excellent at naked cartwheels.” Another laugh fell from her lips before her eyes fell onto Reggie’s face. Her voice was soft when she spoke again. “But I’m glad I always cheer you up, Reginald. I want to see you smiling and what not. You deserve some smiles.” Her mouth literally dropped open at the mention of Monkey Bars. “Yoooo, I was just thinking, well when we first got here I was thinking I needed to climb those damn things. You ARE some mind reading sorcerous! I knew it!” This was fun. There was ease with Reggie that was nice, a calm. There was no pressure to be anything but herself, no pressure to pretend to be okay but there were moments, like this, talking about climbing monkey bars when she in fact felt almost okay. “You’re such a freaking dork, did you know that?” Jackie shook her head and laughed at the ridiculous pose the other did. “ A cute one but a dork nonetheless.” She smirked and thought about the last time she was on a playground. “Don’t judge me, but I go to the park all the time. It was the one place in my neighborhood that got taken care of growing up. Like the the city couldn’t give a shit but the people in the neighborhood kept it up for us. Kept the grass cut and the rust away. So now even as a grown ass woman, because know that I am a grown ass woman,...” Jackie smirked and winked at Reggie before continuing. I go to the park sometime and swing and slide and climb monkey bars and remember moments of happy.”
Jackie looked down at the gentle hand on her cheek and took in a sharp breath. Touch, it was something she craved, connection, affection. She licked her lips and sighed softly before shaking off the desire to lean in. “Reggie with the two legs! Don’t worry though, because you’ll get it back. You’ll be running around here like a badass little kid in no time. I want to help. How can I help?” Jackie furrowed her brow, thinking of looking up physical therapy videos on youtube, because she was going to fix Reggie’s leg, and yeah, she was still pretty drunk. She quickly abandoned that train of thought as the other woman’s words rang out in her ears. “I’m glad too, Reg. I’m glad I got you, and I hope you know you got me, babe. Like Sunny and Cher. We’re fuck ups together...” The last words came out in a hushed tone. Jackie placed a hand on Reggie’s cheek resting it there as her thumb gently caressed the soft skin. It was familiar. Something she’d done long before. Her body just remembered. “Your cheek is cold.” She smiled softly before leaning in and pressing a kiss on Regina’s lips, a kiss so soft that their lips barely touch, until she leaned in a bit more fully connecting them. The tip of her tongue ran along the other woman’s bottom lip before she nipped, and soothed the spot once again with the swipe of her tongue. Jackie pulled away and held out her hand. “Come on, Let me push you on the swing instead of the Monkey Bars. I promise to be gentle.” She winked and chuckled.
REGGIE CLIFFTON
"Like Sunny and Cher... 'cept I think we're just two Sunny's and no Chers. I don't have that chick's kind of energy. Or hair, for that matter." Reggie rambled, a giggle escaping her lips a bit with closed eyes. Her stomach was starting to hurt, and she had to wonder if it was pain from all the laughter or from needing food. They had eaten, but with all the hours of the night having been nothing short of a blur, it was hard to remember when that was. Reggie's body was relaxed back against the cool metal surface of the playground, her eyes opening slowly to upon feeling a weight on her cheek. As they opened, she felt Jackie's kind touch and there was a look in her eyes that was mirrored in Reggies own. The witty remark of ‘then why don’t you warm it up’ was there on the tip of Reggie's tongue, but she couldn't quite say it. It was too similar to a thing she'd say to Harper, and luckily, Jackie took the initiative of connecting their lips. That kept Reggie's lips busy in a better way than talking could have done. The simplicity of it was exactly what the moment called for between two friends feeling lost. There was a want for intimacy that had been lost due to their respective break ups. While their months long relationships had come to ends in different ways, that didn't change the need from existing for them both. Reggie sighed into it, the hand on Jackie's shoulder gripping slightly and pulling herself closer to the source of comfort she needed at the moment. The source in the form of her friend, with whom this wasn't their first kiss, and likely not they're last.
As the pair pulled back, Reggie glanced at Jackie's hand and a child-like grin broke out, "The fun just never stops with you, does it, Jackie P?" Reggie playfully stated, her hand enthusiastically though sloppily grabbing Jackie's as she also tried to get herself to her feet, "And you know as well as I that Reggie C don't do anything gentle." Reggie pointed out between chuckles and grunts as she rose to her feet. Truthfully, Reggie was more successful than expected in the task, apparently the physical therapy she had stuck enough to be transferred to her drunk state. Thus now Reggie was dragging her friend along by the hand, laughing for no reason other than the world wasn't so heavy. She hadn't broken Harper's heart. She hadn't broken Lola's heart. She hadn't broken her own heart. No. She was just there in the moment with someone who cared, and that she cared for, about to swing on the monkeybars as if the world hadn't beaten them down. That felt like enough for the night.