“He’s drinking again. I know it,” Spencer says to the TV, hitting buttons on his controller as his character gets shot at again. “Is he even going to meetings?" He barely got a glance of Jordan at the Halloween party, but he did see him pass by cradling a drink that looked nothing like his usual Redbull or Cola order. “Does he think that I wouldn’t catch on if he was using again? I-- Jack, are you even listening to me?”
He's just about to pull himself from his laptop, the virtual meeting having finally ended, when his laptop begins to play the familiar tune of an incoming call. Elijah shoots a curious glance over the book he's reading from the tub chair by the window, and Josh returns the look when he sees the caller ID on his screen, but answers the FaceTime call regardless.
"Jack... Hey," he says simply, not having expected the call.
the night had been a blur — despite it being a sunday night, the bar had been bumping from the moment they opened. the dark haired male had stood on his boot covered feet for what seemed like an entire lifetime and his hands were beginning to shake. another weakness, another craving. his alcoholics anonymous group had made up a cheesy fucking motto that often made jack silently chuckle to himself. ( don’t be mean and stay clean ) jack would never understand why his fellow group members had made up a motto like that for themselves, but once a week, he muttered the words and rolled his eyes. as he stood in the back alley of the bar, he lit a cigarette and tried to shake the craving, the burning sensation in the back of his throat. “only employees are allowed back here, so i’d get moving before the boss comes around.”
The library is busier than Spencer had expected. He’d had the library from his hometown in mind: semi-abandoned and forgotten by most of the locals. He hadn’t considered the tourists that would stumble upon this particular library and follow the locals in for the sake of it. As he sits on the low wall outside the building, taking small sips from the coffee he was too impatient to let cool, Spencer pulls his gaze from his phone for long enough to spy what he swears is a familiar face passing by. “Hey,” he calls before he even thinks twice about it, standing and pacing over when he’s ignored until he’s close enough to reach out for their shoulder. “You ignoring me?”
Josh lowers his voice to ask Jack, “you’re not drinking, are you?” He hadn’t planned to say it- it sort of just slips out now the man is in his space, his demeanour having changed in the short time he’d disappeared.
"No, of course I'm fucking not." He snaps back, not bothering to lower his voice like Josh had. He’d got nothing to hide. "Where’d you get off, asking shit like that?" How fucking dare he.
Flinching slightly, Josh frowns as he takes a step back just as Elijah presses a hand to Jack’s chest. “Woah, back off,” E says as he pushes Jack a few paces back. Stella instinctively reaches out to steady Jack- as the other man goes on to ask, “what’s wrong with you?”
“You've been back for five fucking minutes,” he spits, looking right past Elijah who tells him to calm down as his glare remains on Josh. He’s visibly angry, but he makes no move to approach Josh, his arms crossed over his chest defensively now. Stella nudges Jack, giving him a look.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Josh says. God, he really hadn’t meant to say it at all. The switch in Jack’s mood doesn’t help his case, but he wouldn’t dream of saying that now he’s seen how defensive he is about the subject. “I just—”
“I’m trying to have a good time.” Jack shrugs.
The small group falls into a tense silence: Elijah’s standing a fraction in front of Josh; Eric looks totally lost with what’s happening, not knowing whose side to be on; Jack and Josh don’t break their eye contact, although both of their faces begin to soften as they realise the short scene they’d made
“Maybe we should talk,” Josh suggests eventually.
Clearing his throat, Jack feels a little shaky as he straightens up and gives a stiff nod. "Probably, yeah."
Elijah looks hesitant as Josh’s shoulder brushes his own, stepping out from the arm Elijah had thought was necessary to guard him with. Still, though, he visibly relaxes, shoulders dropping as his gaze darts between the two of them
“We’re gonna...” Josh mutters vaguely and, without another word, he’s quick to lead the path away from the group, eager to get out from under their stares.
“We'll go into the back,” Jack finishes for him before he rushes to follow the man. The club is at its peak volume at this time of night, and it’s a task in itself to get through the crowd, but after a short while of weaving through the masses, Jack catches Josh’s arm as he almost passes the staff door. “Here,” he tells him as he punches in the code and presses it open. The lights in the corridor are bright enough to make Jack squint as he adjusts to the change.
Meanwhile, Josh gets the odd feeling that he’s in trouble as Jack unlocks another door, practically dragging his feet as the man holds it open for him to enter, still silent. He lingers near the door as Jack releases it and drags his hand through his hair as he makes his way toward the desk. He leans against it with his arms folded again, and Josh gets the hint that he’ll be the one breaking the silence.
“I wasn’t trying to be a jerk.”
Jack waits for the door to click shut before he says, "I just didn't expect for you to use it against me so soon," he admits, "it's been a long time Josh, a lot has changed."
Josh leans against the door, mirroring Jack as he folds his arms. “Not everything,” he mumbles, mouth betraying him once again.
Jack squeezes his eyes shut, rubbing two fingers over the lid as he searches his brain for a response - doesn't remember Josh being this cocky, but then… “You’ve got it all wrong.”
It’s a wonder Jack hasn’t said that sooner. When Josh had messaged him to tell him that Kevin would be taking over on his side, Jack hadn’t even responded. Josh had figured he was too busy to reply, probably at the dinner by then – the one Spencer was so angry he’d forgotten about.
“After everything you did to me, you’re still stuck to him - after all this time. And I heard what he said - about letting it go, I mean I—What do you think this is?”
He huffs. “A business partnership, Josh,” Jack stresses. Spencer and his big mouth. Suddenly everybody thinks Jack is pining over Josh except for Jack himself. "Spencer and I aren't like that anymore,” he says instead of begging the man to believe him. Not that it's anything to do with you, he thinks.
His drinking habits and his sex life: two things that Josh thinks he has any say in, and two things he knows nothing about at all.
"Look, it's really not how you think. He's been a good friend in the city, nothing more,” he reiterates. Jack knows that Josh really has no reason to trust his word and he feels wired as he scours his brain for a better explanation. "I know Spencer's half the reason everything went to shit - but he's also one of the reasons I got out of it. You haven't been around long enough to see."
It’s probably wrong of Josh to feel such bitterness, listening to Jack tell him about how Spencer has helped him, but he forces his own feelings about the man aside to say, “I’m glad.” He’s still not sure just how much he believes him, but Josh isn’t sure he’s allowed to care enough to press either. With that thought in mind, Josh is sure to tell him, “I’ve moved on. I’m happy.” He looks down at his hands, shrugging. “But it’d still hurt, you know?”
“I know,” Jack says simply.
“Cutting you off was childish,” Josh admits then. “And I’m sorry.”
Jack regrets not putting up more of a fight when Josh had handed everything over to Kevin. He just feared that, if he did, it’d be a lifetime of back and forth. “Me too,” he admits. “But it was nice, the two of us getting along like that. It’s good to see you happy. Though it’s hard for me too, you know.”
Josh nods hurriedly, just glad to be having a pleasant conversation with him again. “I know. You seem happy too, though.”
“Yeah, I suppose.” he agrees, though normally he doesn’t really have a chance to think about that, “it’s crazy, huh”
Josh nods again, slower this time. “It is. Life is suddenly happening so fast.”
"For the past couple of years I've put my whole life into this place," Jack digresses. “I live for it. I love my job,” he tells him honestly, smiling now just to make his point as he taps his heel against the ground. “Nights like this make me excited!"
“I believe you, Jack,” he insists, the man’s sudden burst of energy bringing a smile to his own face.
"Great, I've just got to work on the other parts now." Just has to find a way to prove that Spencer is nothing to him but a pain in his ass. "If you'll give me chance after tonight?"
Josh hadn’t really considered that they’d have much reason to meet again after tonight. At friendly gatherings sure, but nothing worth Jack having to prove himself to Josh in order to clear the air. Still, he says, “Sure.” Let’s just... Start fresh.”
Now smiling up at the man Jack says, cockily "How about we keep the sex bit?" and before he has a chance to think maybe he's pushed his luck, he adds. "Right, get back out there. I bet Elijah's looking for you."
“Y-“ He scoffs, really trying not to laugh, his face heating up suddenly. “You think you’re funny.” He rolls his eyes as he hauls the heavy door open, still smiling as he steps back into the hallway and walks away from the room as the door swings shut behind him.
Jack chuckles as the man slips out of the room. He moves to sit at his desk, shaking the mouse until the screen lights up. After tapping in his password, Jack clicks to open a folder on his computer "Think? I am funny." he mutters to himself.
***
“There’s a pizza place right across the road,” Josh is telling Arthur over the music as they reach the bottom of the stairs, arms linked again, before his attention switches to Elijah who’s walking just a few steps behind them. “I need to catch up with Jack before I leave,” he calls over his shoulder. “I’ll be there over there in five minutes, though.”
He breaks away from the group and heads towards the main bar where he knows Trisha will be hovering. Josh is right: she’s leant against the bar, looking bored as she stares down at her phone, likely having run out of things to do now the club is only minutes from closing.
“Hey, you seen Jack?” He asks, leaning an elbow against the other side of the surface.
She startles slightly, apologising before pointing him over to the far side, where he spots the man sat on one of the tables along the outskirts of the room, feet propped up as he stares at his own phone. It takes him a moment, but he next spots Kevin, picking up glasses from the tables around Jack like he works there.
“Kev,” he calls with a frown as he crosses the now-empty space between them. “Is he paying you now?” He muses, glancing at Jack just as the man raises his head, his voice having stirred him from his trance.
Kev just shrugs, mumbling, “just keepin’ good.”
“Well we’re getting pizza across the road,” Josh offers as he takes the glasses from his friend's hands. “I’ve got these. Gotta catch up,” he explains, nodding towards Jack who is on his feet and stretching now.
“Neh, it’s fine, I’ll—”
“You head off, Kev,” Jack calls as he moves to join them. “You’ve helped enough,” he then adds as he rests a hand on the man’s shoulder. “Thanks so much.”
Kev releases the glasses that Josh has a grip of, seeming to hesitate a little. “Are you sure? I- I mean, I thought…”
“Of course, you go. Get a bite to eat,” Jack insists, and Kev still doesn’t seem eager to leave Jack and his staff to carry on recovering the place without him, but eventually gives a brief smile and heads for the exit, throwing an, “I’ll see you over there, Josh,” over his shoulder.
He’s a little wobbly on his feet, although he’s stopped drinking up on the roof. Josh can’t help his smile as he watches the man walk away before the security shuts the door behind him.
“His jacket’s in the back,” Jack only then notes in a monotone. “I did tell him that already.”
“Of course it is,” Josh rolls his eyes, chuckling at the fact. “Hey, tonight went well, right?”
Gesturing for the man to walk alongside him, Jack nods as he says, “absolutely. I’m about to cash up with Trisha, but the footfall was crazy tonight.” He’s left his jacket over on the table he’s just left and folds his sleeves up now as he walks. Reaching the bar, he says, “come ‘round here,” as he slips behind it, nudging Trisha with his hip to get to the cash register. “Check this out,” he says as he opens the drawer.
Inside is piles of notes and coins. In a few compartments though, is a pile of orange tickets, some folded and others screwed up, and Josh recognises them right away.
“That’s how many people are staying at the hotel, huh?” He observes, taken aback by seeing a physical version of the numbers.
“Well, no,” Jack tells him as he pulls the drawer out and gestures for Josh to follow him again. He does, looking mildly disappointed until Jack goes on to explain, “this is just how many people are staying at the hotel and got their first drink at this specific bar. I still have another four to go.”
“Shit,” he mutters, smiling over to the man. “All that worrying for nothing,” he thinks aloud.
Jack hums in agreement, having known from the start that Josh needn’t worry. “So I’m gonna send all the numbers to James tonight,” he tells him. “I’d rather do it before I go home. Kinda wanna know what they are myself, honestly,” he admits. “I could text them to you though? I know you’ll be wondering.”
“Sure,” Josh nods, grateful. “God, I’m glad it played out,” he gushes. “Who’d have thought you and I would actually work well together?” He Jokes.
“Hey,” Jack cuts in. “I never had a doubt.” They reach the next bar and he leaves the drawer on the side in favour of opening the next one. “Gonna take these two in the back. I’ll get the jacket for you,” Jack offers as he taps on the screen to open the register.
Lukas was always looking for mischief. They were a wreaker of havoc. That night at the Faux Ghost was supposed to be harmless. They’d spent a good portion of it just dicking around and dancing with strangers. He enjoyed partying and he made sure to stay out of Jack’s gaze that night. That was until he heard someone talking shit and he turned around and pushed them to the ground. No one was going to disrespect him and get away with it. When he turned around he was chest to face with none other than Jack Skellington. He looked up and him and flashed him a grin. “Well, you are here! How unfortunate for me, huh?” he asked. He rubbed the back of his neck in attempt to look awkward. “Don’t worry about that guy. He had it coming. Told me this was the worst club in town. I couldn’t have him tarnishing your name!” Lukas bit the inside of his cheek to prevent himself from laughing. “I’ll just be going now!” they said as they snuck past Jack, discreetly grabbing the man’s wallet from his back pocket and shoving it in their own.
