Jack is a gentle giant. He looks terrifying and a lot of the workers like jojo, mush etc we’re all scared of him at first but he was so kind and was always soft spoken. Jack cares so much for his workers and makes them feel loved and valued. He is kind and him and Denton agreed on a homeless policy that is if your homeless or cannot afford food then you can anything on the menu for free. Jack makes sure everyone knows he cares and he loves with his whole heart. He’s charismatic and gets his workers out of trouble easily sweet talking their way out of it which he picked up on growing up. He’s protective and does not take lightly to be being rude to his workers.
Jack is always there for his workers and cares for them a lot. Most of the younger workers like jojo and smalls go to him when their upset and he’s can’t help it but he’s very paternal and like I stated most of the younger workers are drawn to that seeing as they have shit parents. Jack is a great hugger and does that thing where they hold your head. He gives good advice as well and is always open for a chat.
Jack had is horrible growing up. His parents died in an apartment fire while he survived when he was four. He was thrown around from house to house until he was taken in by (not medda sorry kids) William Snyder when was nine he was beaten and abused severely and suffered from horrible mental heath. Snyder did unspeakable things to Jack until he ran away at sixteen and lived on the streets for a couple months until Medda found him and took him in. Denton and Medda adopted him and eventually gave him a job as a waiter and after that he moved up the ranks quickly because of efficacy which he got sadly from living with Snyder. He moved out at twenty two and met DAVEY and fell head over heels. Him and davey moved into with eachother and are now twenty five and Jack is ready to marry him.
Job
jack kelly is head of what he calls his newsies he makes sure there doing things right and even takes care of there outside business. Jack is manger of managers he overlooks everything when dentons not around but sadly is stuck with paperwork. He also has a side job in the cafe which is designing menus and stuff like that which denton pays for. but he longs for more and always seems to be talking about Sante Fe and there art program earning the nickname “Cowboy” although he does have another one which is “dad”. Jack isn’t very strict when it comes to his job but he is good at it. He has forgotten important events on multiple occasions but he always makes up for it by buying everyone’s drinks.
Interests
Jack loves art obviously and does it very often. He loves painting especially and paints scenery and landscapes mainly on paint and big canvas because he likes to capture the beauty in colour. He likes to draw with pencil and charcoal mainly for portraits because colour takes peoples eyes away from the details. He also plays guitar and writes music that he writes for davey. When davey is mad at him LIKE very mad he’ll sing for him in the restaurant and Sarah will film it for the restaurant TikTok. Jack also goes to gym often and works out lifting weights which Davey does love to admire them. Jack does boxing sometimes but alone for himself to vent about Snyder without therapy.
I’ll jump on the angst bandwagon for prompts 2 and 8 with Jack and Race 👀
So I’m so sorry this took so long, I completely forgot about that list I made, but in case anyone is wondering, the angst list of starter prompts I made can be found here!
TW: Blood, child abuse, imprisonment, open ended, dog mauling, language
2. Everything hurts!”
8. “That’s a lot of blood…”
“Jackie! Jackie, I’m here! I’m right here… oh God… Fuck, that’s a lot of blood…”
The words barely registered in Jack’s brain. For a moment, he was blissfully unaware of everything. His brain shut off for a moment, letting him wander around in the great big nothingness before everything came crashing back down on his shoulders. He was always supposed to be the calm one, the one that made the bad go away. That’s what he used to say. “Close your eyes, kid. You can open them when all the bad’s gone away…” It was all just bullshit. The bad never left. The bad followed them everywhere because Jack Kelly was always destined for destruction.
Jack Kelly was cursed with chaos.
This was supposed to be their new start. Things never worked out like Jack planned. He should’ve known that by now. Even after everything they’d done, they couldn’t be free.
“Everything hurts!” Jack whimpered, feeling pathetic and weak. The voice above him belonged to the only person Jack had ever needed to protect. The voice above him belonged to his little brother, the only family Jack had, as far as he was concerned. Everyone else could go to hell, he didn’t care. All he cared about was that kid.
“I know! I know, but we’re gonna get you help,” Race promised shakily. “We made it, Jackie, we made it out…” he all but sobbed. “You gotta stay with me, huh?”
The air was getting thinner and Jack wondered just how far they’d made it, if they’d made it to the train, if they’d even made it out of the yard. He couldn’t remember. His brain was too fogged up. “Why does it hurt?” he asked, unable to keep his voice steady enough to pretend he was fine. It’s what he’d always done before. When he was beat or when he was breaking, he’d make sure to put on a happy shitshow for his baby brother because he couldn’t stand it when that boy was scared. Right now, though, Jack couldn’t convince himself that he was scared out of his own mind.
Trembling fingers were running through his hair. “I-it was the dogs…” that precious voice whispered.
Oh. The dogs. Jack had always thought he’d loved dogs. Rex and Fazz were guard dogs, not so much protecting the place. More like, they were there to keep the people inside from getting out. They were there to keep Jack and Race inside.
Somewhere deep down in his brain, Jack could remember a whirlwind of things. All of it had happened within five minutes. It had to happen within five minutes. Jack was getting his brother out of that place before anyone figured out they were gone in the first place. Five minutes. That was all the time they had between going to their room and bed check. Five minutes, down to the second for Jack to smuggle a bag out for the both of them, crawl through vents and jump the fence.
The dogs ruined their chance at escape.
Jack had planned for that, at least he thought he had. Two years of planning a mere five minutes and he thought he’d accounted for every small detail. He’d been so thorough, he’d thought of everything. The pills. He’d puked up the pills and he’d made Race do the same for weeks. They had to be awake. They had to be able to run. Jack had stolen two pairs of shoes, actual shoes. He’d stolen money out of the pockets of other men. He’d made a bag out of the sheets from his own bed and packed the little things that they had and he’d made sure the hallway would be empty all the way to the front door.
He’d stolen meat, raw meat from the kitchen, it was supposed to distract the dogs so they could climb the fence, it was supposed to work.
The hand that smoothed back his hair was trembling. “Please don’ leave me… Jackie, please don’t leave me here…” His little brother wasn’t supposed to be scared. Jack was desperate to see him, desperate to hold him. He fought a losing battle to get his eyes open, only to catch a blurry glimpse of the only person he loved in the world before the darkness came for him. He barely heard the shouts and the footsteps coming towards them and he couldn’t even beg. It only hurt him more to hear his brother do just that. “No! No, we made it out! Don’t take us back! Please! Somebody help! Somebody help us!” That’s when Jack gave into the dark oblivion.
Jack had planned for everything. Still, everything fell apart. Because Jack was born to be a failure.
It must’ve only been a minute when Jack woke up. He knew it had only been a moment. “Racer?” he asked, trying to shoot up and run. That’s what he had to do. He had to get up. They had to run. They had to get to the train that would take them to Santa Fe.
But he couldn’t move.
“Shshshshshhhhh, you’re safe now, child. Back home at The Refuge…”
And just like that it was over. Thoughts of freedom began to slip away and Jack could only feel sick. “Where’s my brother?” he dared to ask, trying to rip at his wrists that he already knew were restrained. In fact, his whole body was trapped beneath relentless leather straps. His ankles, his wrists, his chest, even his forehead. He wasn’t going anywhere and they wanted him to know that. “Where’s Race?” He meant for it to sound demanding, like he wasn’t caving without an answer, but all that came out was a pained whimper as a damp cloth was gently dabbed over his bare chest.
“Tyler James Kelly is in very capable hands, young one. Just relax,” the person coaxed. Still, Jack tried to get up again. “I’m sure our young Tyler James is being well managed and reminded of his place…” Jack was definitely going to be sick. “After what happened, we could only leave him with the best of the best. Mr. Snyder will take good care of him.”
The tremors in Jack’s hands were going wild. Panic clawed up through his throat and he let out a sob. “Fuck you!” he screamed, yanking desperately at the bonds that held him down, ignoring the pain that spiked throughout his body. The adrenaline wouldn’t last long. When Jack forced his eyes open, he saw a head of silver hair and a hand coming towards his neck with a syringe. “No! Let me go!”
“Shhhhh…” the man hushed as the drug was released into his system. “You’re safe now, James. Just relax and let us take care of you.”
Without much of a conscious decision, Jack began to do just that, tears running down his face as the realization dawned on him. There was no way out of this web.
“Close your eyes, dear boy. You can open them when we take all the bad things away…”
Okay so I wrote this at like, 3 in the morning and just cleaned it up enough to be posted so enjoy. Thank you @somedayonbroadway for proof reading and giving me the idea of hurting Race even more. Greatly appreciated. Also thanks assuring me that, yes, this is good to post.
But yeah this is the voicemails referenced in “Hold Me, Set Me Free” Enjoy, I guess.
Trigger Warning: Mentions of Abuse, Mentions of Car Accident
Press One
You have 6 new voice messages, press 1 to listen to existing voice messages, press 2 to-
First voice message.
There was a click before a young man’s voice came through the speaker of the phone. His voice was quiet, almost whispered. “Hey, Jack.... um, I think I’m in a little bit of trouble. I don’t... I don’t know what’s happening with Liam but... he’s just not himself right now, and it’s... honestly kind of scaring me... when you have the chance, call me back okay?”
Next voice message.
“Jack, I don’t know if you listened to my voicemail but I really,” There was an uncertain pause before the voice came back, quieter. “I really need you. I’m… I‘m getting really scared, and I don’t know what to do… Just, come over? ...Please?” The words were pleading, begging for something.
Next voice message.
“Hey Jack... sorry about that last message. I, uh, think I was just a little freaked out before… you don’t have to worry about anything, I promise. I’m okay.” The words and tone were different from each other. Strong words spoken with a large amount of uncertainty. “I was just overreacting a little. Liam’s fine. He’s... normal, I swear. But let’s not talk about that okay? Let’s talk about you. You had the court session today right? How’d it go?” there was a hesitant pause before another question was asked “..Is Crutchie doing okay? I know he was scared the last time I saw him, but I really think we got this. Snyder doesn't stand a chance.... we’ll get him Jackie, I swear, he won’t know what hit him…. I have to go but call me back whenever you get the chance okay? ...okay.”
Next voice message.
The next time the voice came, his tone was frantic. “Jack? Jack I know I said there's not problem with Liam, but I don’t think he’s…” the word was drawn out and there was quiet shuffling before the voice came back, further away. “No, no, no! Liam put the glass down... please, honey, we can talk about this okay? ...no. No, don’t! Please!”
Next voice message.
There’s panting sounding from the speaker of the phone when the line clicks alive. “Jack? I... I left. The house I mean, I just left. Liam, he… I couldn’t stay. At first I thought I could talk to him, maybe calm him down but he… he didn’t like that. Got some pretty good hits in.” there was a forced chuckle, trying to make the words lighthearted, although it couldn’t cover the tears and raspiness in his voice. “It hurts but it’s nothing I haven’t had before. Just some bruises, busted ribs… I’m fine really. But yeah, I.. I ran, and it’s really cold out… can you please come get me?” He tried to contain it, but there was the occasional sniffle in between his words. “Please Jackie... I just, I just need a ride. I... I need you, please. I’m at uh....” there was a pause and heavy breathing, the only other sounds heard being the New York City streets. ”Fort Washington and 176th... I’m gonna wait here for you... please come?”
Next voice message.
“Hey... I don’t think you’ve heard my messages. I’ve been waiting for a little and... I mean there’s no car so... I’m gonna wait a little bit longer… I’m gonna, um,” there was a hesitant pause in his words before he cleared his throat. “I’m gonna wait in the cafe across the street okay?“ his voice stopped, almost as if waiting for an answer. Stuttered breaths were heard before his voice came back, just a little bit weaker. “… Jack I can’t… I don’t think I can do this. Any of it. I’m just…. I’m sorry okay? I’m sorry I never told you about Liam. I just… I didn't think it was anything. When we first met he was so nice and kind, and we were in love. He loved me… and I don’t know, I think I just…” There was a shaky inhale from the speaker of the phone. “I think I hoped he would be that again?” sudden sobs cut through the phone’s speakers. “Jack I’m sorry… I’m so sorry, I just really need you right now... I don’t know what to do, I’m scared, I...” The words stopped, and deep breaths were heard before he let out a heavy sigh, sounding more tired than he should have. “I need you… So... yeah.” Another sniffle. “I’m just gonna go to the cafe, and... wait, I guess… Please come... Oh and Jack? bring ice with you. it’s getting a little hard to stand with my ribs and the bruises like this...” There was one last pause before a soft, “I love you.” came through, and the line went silent again, yet the call didn’t end. It seemed like it had, and stayed like it for a few seconds before a clatter and sharp inhale was heard, and a body hit the floor. There was more breathing sounding through the phone, before a heavy sigh. There was a soft grunt from the voice as the phone grew closer to it.
It went quiet.
For a second everything was quiet.
Just as suddenly as that silence came, it left.
There was a sharp gasp, tires screeching, an impact, and the line went silent.
End of inbox. Press 1 to repeat voice messages, press 2 to-
First voice message.
Hope you all enjoyed that, let me know if there’s anything you want to see in particular (send an ask) about this or literally anything else, and I’ll do my best writing it. Thanks for reading!
is snyder ever good to race and/or jack or is he just constantly a dick (which wouldn’t surprise me honestly- i mean, it’s snyder)
Everything I Ever Wanted Masterlist
He might be somewhat kind once or twice...
TW: Past Abuse
Jack’s whole body ached. His head pounded and his throat burned. The few blankets he had did nothing to calm the chills that wracked his body.
He’d barely slept a wink last night. With the inability to breathe and the constant need to blow his nose or cough his lungs out it had been pretty difficult, even though all he’d wanted to do was pass out. He was freezing, yet he perspired.
For a long while, he was blissfully unaware of the time, letting himself try to relax in the darkness of the morning, cocooning himself in his thin blankets and trying to forget about how uncomfortable he was. He could hardly remember the last time he’d been sick. All he could remember was Specs petting his hair back, telling him to calm down.
Jack’s heart ached for that kind of affection again.
When the obnoxiously loud alarm clock rang beside him, he groaned, crossing his arms over his stomach as he rolled over to let his eyes slowly slide open, sticky with unshed tears and completely exhausted. He knew his throat was swollen, nearly to the point where the mere thought of speaking made him want to vomit. He could barely swallow. Still, he managed to swing his arm over to hit the clock, moaning in relief when it went silent.
Rolling onto his back, the young man tried to take a deep breath, only ending up sending himself into a coughing fit. Finding himself back on his side, the young man curled in on himself, a panic building in the back of his mind as he felt he could die soon. He could vaguely hear his brother telling him that he was being dramatic, but he just whined again, closing his eyes and willing it all to just go away.
He must’ve dozed off at least a little, because the next thing he knew, there was a knock on his door.
Based on the small, calm knock that came, Jack could only assume it was his son and not the old man who would more than likely be furious after learning how sick Jack was. He knew he had to get it together, get up and push through. Snyder would kill him if he didn’t.
But he couldn’t speak as he heard his door open up. Bare feet padded down the stairs across the room to him and Jack tried to move but he couldn’t. He was too tired. “Jackie?” the boy whispered tentatively, like he was afraid to wake him up. Jack’s heart warmed a little at that, but he still shivered. Unable to speak, he just lay there, breathing through his mouth and wishing the world would just stop for a day so he could recover and go on as though nothing happened. He loved the little boy in front of him more than life, but he’d give anything for everything and everyone to just disappear.
A small hand touched his shoulder. Jack didn’t move. He sniffled and squeezed his eyes together tighter and tried to swallow as his baby shook him, not having ever seen him this way. “Jackie…” The hand slid over to his cheek. Jack turned somewhat into the touch. “You’re hot…”
The young man finally opened his eyes to look up at his little boy who was standing over him, looking so concerned. He nodded, reaching up to brush the blond curls back on the boy’s head. He gave him a sleepy smile and let out a pitiful cough, his arm nearly just dropping down before Racer took his hand. Knowing he had to get up, Jack licked his chapped lips before he tried to find his voice. “‘S Snyda’ ‘wake yet?” he managed to croak, letting the boy grasp at his fingers.
The boy glanced up the stairs, as though he thought the old man would miraculously appear at the sound of his name. Sometimes, Jack was sure if he whispered it three times the very same thing would happen. But the old man was not there and the twenty four year old couldn’t stop his boy from rushing away, no doubt going to get the man that he hadn’t understood Jack was trying to avoid.
Accepting his fate, Jack just lay in his bed for a moment, trying to work up the energy to sit up. It must’ve taken him a long while because the minute he actually managed to push himself up, Tyler was rushing back down towards him, Snyder’s hand grasped in his own as he pulled the owner of this house down to Jack who would not meet his eye. “See, Papa? He’s sick!”
Laying back down and closing his eyes, Jack waited for a slap, some kind of insult. He waited for a hand grabbing his arm to shove him up the stairs. He waited for Snyder to tell him how worthless and pathetic he was.
But all he heard was a sigh. A calloused hand pressed roughly against his forehead. It was an odd feeling, one Jack wasn’t sure he’d ever felt. Those hands were familiar, but not for being kind or gentle. He tensed a bit under the touch, feeling someone crawl onto his bed from behind him, cuddling up against his back. He heard an irritated grumble but no threat of violence or rude words left the old man.
Before Jack could even try to open his eyes, he heard Snyder begin to speak. “Hello, Hannah, darling, how are you?” The name sounded vaguely familiar, but Jack didn’t stop to think about who it was. “I know this is last minute, but I was wondering if you’d like a job today. I’m willing to pay a hundred an hour. Tyler’s nanny is sick and I need somebody to keep an eye on him.” An eight year old pressed into his back, making Jack melt a bit. “Wonderful! I’ll see you in a half an hour.” When Jack did dare open his eyes, he looked up to find Snyder hovering over him, watching him oddly calmly. “You get a day, Kelly,” he stated before looking behind him. “Tyler, it’s Saturday. Study time—“
“But Jackie always studies with me on Saturday,” Race said, as though there was no way he could study alone. It was true that this was the routine. Jack would make Race's favorite breakfast, Mickey Mouse shaped waffles with blueberries, chocolate chips and bananas, and he’d help the boy with flash cards. It had been Jack’s favorite as a boy too. His mom used to make them, but they’d spread peanut butter out before the syrup. Race was allergic.
“I will not have you getting sick as well, Tyler James. Jack needs to rest.” It was something Jack had never heard the man say out loud before. He didn’t speak as Tyler pressed further into his back. He didn’t mind the feeling but he knew Snyder was right. He didn’t want Tyler getting sick either.
When Tyler got sick, he got really sick.
“‘S okay, b’by…” he whispered, coughing again. “I’ll be okay…” he promised with a sniffle.
“Can I study down here?” the little boy asked with so much hope, like if he didn’t spend the day with Jack, his whole life would be ruined.
It occurred to Jack that Race had to have gotten his dramatics straight from him.
“Did you take your medication this morning, Tyler?”
“Yes,” Tyler responded easily. It was well known that Race hated taking his medication. He was supposed to take it once every morning. Jack used to sprinkle it in his juice to get him to take it because the boy hated swallowing it.
With another sigh, Snyder reached over Jack and lifted the boy from the bed, setting him on his feet in front of them. “If you do two hours of studying and an hour of piano today, you can come down to see Jack later. But only if you’re a good boy.”
This was one of the most ludicrous things Jack swore he’d ever heard. It was almost as if William Snyder, the grade A asshole, was being a parent.
Almost.
Because he wasn’t. He wasn’t Race's father. He just pretended to be.
Jack wasn’t sure if it was worse when Snyder was outright cruel or was genuinely trying to be a good papa to his baby.
“Okay…” Race caved, turning back to Jack and pressing a kiss to his head. “I’ll be back later, Jackie…” he promised. Jack was barely able to squeeze the boy’s hand as he turned to go. The young man reached for him as he went, wishing he could stay in that moment.
But he let the boy go as Snyder put his phone back in his pocket and went to follow him. Jack watched him go, only stopping him after a moment with a small croak, “Will…” The old man rolled his eyes as he turned back to him, waiting impatiently for Jack to say what he had to say. “Thank you…”
Not really accepting the words, Will turned back towards the stairs. “One day, Kelly.”
One day.
Jack hadn’t expected to get that much.
One day was good enough for him.
I mean... he was sort of nice. Mostly though he just needs Jack couldn’t work like that and he didn’t wanna get sick himself. But he was kind of nice.
