Jackie Jackson falls for reader who has this huge wall up. She’s afraid to get hurt especially by a guy in the music industry. He has girls fawning all over him day and night, but Jackie wants to prove to reader that she’s the one for him. He wines and dines her, he opens up to her and gets vulnerable with her. She sees a side of him that he doesn’t show often, to anyone. Vulnerable Jackie PLEASEEE!!! He’s so charming, but he’s a softie at heart. A guy that will do any and everything for his family.
You push me away | Jackie Jackson
summary: Jackie wanted to push your relationship past business, but you remain guarded…until you don’t.
pairings: Jackie Jackson x black!reader
AN: I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing this. I hope I did your request justice!!! Much love.
Deep in the velvet, smoke-heavy belly of the recording studio, the bassline was a physical pulse rattling the glass of the control booth, but Jackie wasn’t looking at the soundboard. He was looking at you. You were sitting on the low-slung leather couch in the corner, a yellow legal pad resting against your knees, a pencil tucked behind your ear as you cross-referenced the publishing sheets for the upcoming tour. You wore your hair in a beautifully picked-out Afro that framed your face like a halo of dark silk, and your skin, a rich, deep brown, caught the amber glow of the studio lamps in a way that made Jackie’s chest ache. He had been staring for too long, his fingers idly tapping against the edge of the mixing console, his signature bright smile slipping into something softer, heavier, and completely unguarded.
Everyone in the world knew Jackie Jackson as the charming, dazzling frontman with the killer legs, the high-flying falsetto, and the kind of magnetism that made women faint in the front row of the forum. They saw the sparkling jumpsuits, the smooth-talking interviews, and the endless parade of gorgeous groupies hanging around the stage doors, hoping for just a second of his time. But you saw right through the glitter. In fact, you had built a brick wall ten feet high and three feet thick between yourself and the oldest Jackson brother the moment you were hired onto the production management team. You knew the music industry. You knew how these pretty-faced boys operated—sweet-talking a girl until she gave up her heart, only to leave her crying in some lonely hotel room while they moved on to the next city and the next screaming fan. You weren’t going to be a casualty of the Jackson machine. You kept it strictly business: "Yes, Mr. Jackson," "No, Mr. Jackson," and "Here are your lyric sheets, Mr. Jackson."
Jackie hated it. He hated the distance in your eyes, the way you professionally stepped back whenever he got within breathing distance, and the cool, polite smile you gave him that never quite reached your eyes. He was a man used to women throwing themselves at his feet, but your indifference didn’t make him angry; it made him yearn. It was a deep, consuming ache that had been building for months, a quiet realization that you were the only woman in any room who actually mattered. He didn't want a fan; he wanted you. He wanted to know what made you laugh when the cameras weren't rolling, what your dreams looked like when the music stopped, and how it felt to hold your hand without the weight of the world watching.
"Man, if you don't stop daydreaming and lay down this scratch vocal, Joseph gonna have both our heads," Michael murmured from the stool beside him, his voice a gentle, teasing nudge. Michael had that sharp, quiet way of noticing everything, and he’d seen the way his big brother’s eyes traced your every move for weeks.
Jackie cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck, feeling a sudden heat creep up his collar. "Yeah, yeah, I got it, Mike," he muttered, adjusting his headphones as he stepped up to the microphone. He looked through the glass one more time, catching your gaze just as you lifted your eyes from the paperwork. You gave him a brief, professional nod, your expression guarded, before looking right back down at your papers. Jackie took a deep breath, the longing tightening in his throat, and closed his eyes. When he sang that night, the melody wasn't just a track for the album; it was a plea, a velvet-wrapped confession meant entirely for the girl sitting on the leather couch who refused to look him in the eye.
Two days later, the studio sessions wrapped early, leaving a rare, quiet evening in the middle of a hectic Los Angeles week. You were packing up your briefcase, ready to head back to your apartment and put the industry behind you for the night, when a shadow fell across your desk. You looked up to see Jackie standing there, looking devastatingly handsome in a tailored burgundy leather jacket, a crisp white button-down open at the collar, and dark slacks. His hair was perfectly styled, and he smelled faintly of expensive cologne and cocoa butter. He wasn't wearing his usual stage grin; instead, his eyes were soft, almost nervous, as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
"Hey," he said, his voice dropping into that smooth, low register that usually made women lose their minds. "You got a minute?"
You closed your briefcase with a deliberate snap, keeping your tone even and professional. "Something wrong with the schedule for tomorrow, Jackie? I checked the itinerary, and the limousine is set for eight in the morning."
Jackie sighed, a small, wry smile touching his lips. "Nah, baby, the schedule is fine. Ain't nothing wrong with the work. I was just... I was wondering if you’d let me take you out tonight. Just out for some dinner. No business, no talk about the tour. Just you and me."
You paused, your hands resting on the leather of your bag. The wall went up instantly, your defensive instincts flaring like a warning light. "Jackie, I don't think that's a good idea. I work for your family's management team. I like my job, and I don't mix business with pleasure. Besides, don't you have a long line of ladies waiting for you at the Roxy tonight?"
The rejection hit him visibly, a flash of genuine hurt crossing his handsome features before he masked it with a soft, earnest gaze. He took half a step closer, leaning his hip against the edge of your desk, hands tucked into his pockets. "Aw, come on now, don't be like that," he said, his tone dripping with that warm tone, smooth as silk. "You know how folks talk, but that ain't me. All them girls out there, they don't mean nothing to me. They looking at the cat on the album cover. I'm trying to talk to you. I been trying to get next to you for months, and you keep treating me like I got the plague or something. Just give a brother a chance to show you who he is outside of this studio. One dinner. If you hate it, I promise I won't ask you again."
You looked at him, searching his face for the usual slickness, the easy confidence of a man who got whatever he wanted. But what you found instead was a strange, disarming vulnerability. His eyes were wide, pleading, and completely devoid of the usual pop-star swagger. Still, the fear of getting hurt, of being just another notch on a famous man's belt, held your tongue. "I don't know, Jackie. Men in your position... y'all say all the right things. You got the whole world telling you you're fine, and you think you can just charm your way into anything. I'm not trying to get my heart broken."
"Break your heart?" Jackie repeated, his voice dropping an octave, sounding completely incredulous that you could even think he'd harm a hair on your head. "Baby, I'm trying to cherish you, not break you down. You think I'm just playing games? I swear on everything I love, I'm for real about this. Just let me take you to this quiet little spot down by the water. No cameras, no brothers, no noise. Just let me talk to you."
There was something so desperately sincere in his eyes, a profound yearning that seemed to radiate off him in waves, that your defenses suffered a hairline fracture. You looked down at your hands, then back up at his handsome, hopeful face. Against your better judgment, the wall cracked just enough for a whisper of a "yes" to escape your lips. "Fine. One dinner, Jackie. But take me home immediately afterwards."
A brilliant, breathtaking smile broke across his face, lighting up the entire room, and for a second, he looked less like a global superstar and more like a boy who had just won the grand prize at the carnival. "That's all I'm asking for, baby. That's all I need."
He took you to a secluded, upscale restaurant tucked away in Malibu, far from the flashing lights of Sunset Boulevard. The establishment was dim, illuminated only by candles and the moonlight reflecting off the Pacific Ocean just outside the grand windows. The waiter led you to a private booth in the back, surrounded by lush velvet curtains that offered total privacy. Jackie was the perfect gentleman, pulling out your chair, adjusting your napkin, and making sure you were comfortable before he even took his own seat. He ordered a beautiful bottle of wine, pouring it for you with a steady, practiced hand, though you noticed a slight tremor in his fingers that betrayed his nerves.
As the night wore on, the tension in your shoulders began to melt away under the influence of the quiet atmosphere and Jackie's undivided attention. He didn't brag about the records they were selling, or the famous people he knew, or the cars he drove. Instead, he asked about you. He wanted to know where you grew up, what your mama was like, what kind of music made you want to dance when you were alone in your bedroom. He listened with a deep, focused intensity, his chin resting in his hand, his dark eyes never leaving your face. Every time you spoke, it felt as if you were the only person left in the universe.
"You really don't trust me, do you?" Jackie asked softly, spinning the stem of his wine glass between his fingers as the remains of dinner were cleared away. The candlelight flickered across his cheekbones, highlighting the gentle, soft lines of his face.
You leaned back against the velvet booth, sighing softly as you looked at him. "It's not just you, Jackie. It's the whole scene. I've seen what happens to women who fall for singers and musicians. Y'all belong to the public. You go on the road, and suddenly you forget everything you promised back home because there's a thousand girls screaming your name. I'm a Black woman trying to make my own way, trying to keep my dignity intact. I can't afford to be a temporary distraction for a superstar."
Jackie’s expression softened into something incredibly tender, but there was a fierce, protective weight behind his eyes. He reached across the table, his large, warm hand stopping just short of yours, waiting for your permission. When you didn't pull away, he gently covered your fingers with his, his palm rough but incredibly gentle. "Listen to me," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I know what you see out there. I know what the fellas in the business be doing, running wild and treating women like they disposable. But that ain't how I was raised, and that ain't who I am. My mama, she taught us to respect a woman, to treat her like a queen. And my family... man, my family is everything to me."
He paused, looking down at your joined hands, his thumb gently stroking the back of your knuckles. The slick, charming persona was completely gone now, replaced by the raw honesty of a man who carried a heavy burden on his shoulders. "Folks think it's all glitz and glamour, but being the oldest brother... it's a lot, baby. I gotta keep everybody together. When things get crazy between the boys, or when the business gets heavy, I'm the one who’s gotta stand firm. I gotta be the rock for my brothers, make sure nobody strays too far or gets hurt by this ugly industry. I spend all my day taking care of everybody else, making sure the Jackson name stays clean and the music stays tight."
He looked back up, his eyes shining with a sudden, beautiful vulnerability that caught in your throat. "But sometimes... sometimes I just want to come home and be plain old Sigmund. I want to be with somebody who sees me, the real me, not the brother from the television. I see you in that studio, so strong, so dignified, handling your business without needing nobody's approval, and it just did something to me. You got this wall up so high, and I ain't mad at you for it. You protecting your heart, and that's beautiful. But I want you to know, I'm willing to climb that wall. I'm willing to wait, to show you every single day that I'm for real. I don't want no groupies, baby. I want a woman. I want you."
Hearing him use his real name, seeing the quiet exhaustion and the profound sincerity written across his face, made your heart turn over in your chest. The wall didn't fall down completely, but the foundation was severely shaken. You felt a warmth blooming in your stomach, a sweet, terrifying realization that this man wasn't playing a game. He was yearning for you, truly and deeply.
"Jackie..." you whispered, your fingers shifting beneath his so that you were finally holding his hand back, feeling the strength and the warmth of his grip.
"I'm serious, baby," he murmured, leaning closer, his gaze locked onto yours. "Give me a chance to prove it to you. Let me show you how a real man takes care of the woman he wants. Don't shut me out before we even start."
The drive back to your apartment was quiet, filled only with the soft sounds of a late-night jazz station on the radio. When he pulled his sleek car up to the curb outside your building, he didn't try to slide over or make a slick move. He got out, walked around to your side, and opened the door, offering his hand to help you out. He walked you all the way to your front door, standing under the amber porch light with his hands tucked into his pockets, looking down at you with that soft, yearning expression.
"Thank you for tonight, Jackie," you said, your voice softer than it had ever been with him. "The dinner was beautiful. And... thank you for talking to me. For really talking to me."
Jackie smiled, a gentle, lopsided thing that made him look incredibly sweet. "Anytime, baby. Like I said, I'm in this for the long haul. You sleep good tonight, you hear? I'll see you at the studio tomorrow morning." He leaned down, his lips brushing against your cheek in a touch so feather-light, so respectful, that it left your skin tingling long after he turned and walked back to his car.
Over the next few weeks, the slow burn became a steady, undeniable fire. True to his word, Jackie didn't rush you. Instead, he flooded your life with quiet, deliberate actions meant to show you exactly where you stood with him. He’d show up to the studio early just to bring you your favorite sweet potato pie from a bakery across town. During long, exhausting rehearsals when everyone else was snapping at each other, he’d catch your eye from across the stage and give you a slow, reassuring wink that seemed to say, I got you. If a slick-talking executive tried to speak to you with less than total respect, Jackie would be there in a flash, his tall frame looming protectively, his voice dropping into a dangerous, quiet growl that made it clear you were entirely under his protection.
The rest of the brothers began to notice the shift. One afternoon, while Jackie was in the vocal booth tracking a difficult harmony, Tito wandered over to where you were organizing the promotional photographs.
"You got him bad, you know that right?" Tito said with a warm, easy chuckle, leaning his elbows on the counter. "I ain't never seen my big brother act this foolish over a girl. He don't even look at the music sheets no more; he just looks at you."
You felt a blush creeping up your neck, though you tried to keep your voice neutral. "Jackie's just being a gentleman, Tito."
"Nah, baby, that ain't just gentleman behavior," Tito replied, his expression turning serious, full of brotherly affection. "Siggy’s a softie at heart. He carries a lot of weight for this family, always trying to be the big, strong brother who fixes everything for everyone else. He don't let people in easily because he's terrified of letting us down or showing any weakness. But when he falls, he falls hard. He’s been talking about you non-stop, telling us how smart you are, how beautiful you are. He really wants to do right by you. Don't be too hard on him."
Tito’s words stayed with you for the rest of the day, softening the very last remnants of your resistance. That evening, the studio was empty except for the two of you. The final mixes had been sent off, and the silence in the room was profound. You were sitting at the desk, rubbing your aching temples, when Jackie walked in carrying two cardboard cups of tea. He set one down in front of you, his fingers gently brushing against your shoulder.
"You look tired, baby," he said softly, stepping behind your chair. Before you could protest, his large, warm hands settled onto your shoulders, his thumbs pressing into the tight knots at the base of your neck. His touch was incredibly strong but perfectly measured, working out the tension with a slow, deliberate rhythm.
You let out a long, shaky breath, your head tilting back against his chest as you finally let go of the control you had been holding onto for so long. "It's just been a long week, Jackie."
"I know," he murmured, his voice right by your ear, warm and heavy. He stopped rubbing your shoulders, his arms wrapping around your neck from behind, pulling you gently against his chest. He rested his chin on the top of your head, his chest rising and falling against your back. "I hate seeing you stressed out. I wish I could just take all this weight off you."
You turned around in the chair, looking up at him. Without the studio lights, in the dim shadow of the office, he looked so incredibly vulnerable. His eyes were wide, filled with an intense, quiet devotion that made your breath catch. The wall was completely gone now, crumbled into dust by the sheer weight of his persistence, his sweetness, and his unwavering care.
"Jackie," you whispered, lifting a hand to gently touch his jawline, feeling the slight roughness of his afternoon stubble. "You don't have to take care of the whole world. You don't have to be perfect for me."
Jackie’s eyes shone with sudden tears, a raw, emotional vulnerability spilling over as he dropped to his knees in front of your chair, taking both of your hands in his. He looked up at you, his face full of a beautiful, desperate love. "I just want to be perfect for you," he choked out, his voice cracked with the depth of his feelings. "I been yearning for you so bad it hurts, baby. I don't care about the fame, I don't care about the music, I don't care about none of it if I can't have you by my side. I want to be the man who makes you feel safe. I want to love you, if you'll just let me."
Seeing this proud, beautiful, superstar of a man on his knees, completely bare and pouring his heart out to you, wiped away every last doubt you had ever harbored. You leaned forward, pulling his face up to yours, your fingers burying themselves in his soft Afro as you pressed your lips to his.
The kiss was everything the slow burn had promised—deep, warm, and desperate with months of withheld passion. Jackie let out a soft, ragged sigh against your mouth, his arms wrapping tightly around your waist as he pulled you off the chair and down onto the floor with him, holding you as if you were the most precious, fragile thing he had ever held in his life. He kissed you until the room spun, his lips soft and worshipping, tasting faintly of the warm tea and the sweetness of a love that had been hard-won. When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against yours, his breathing heavy, a beautiful, dazzling smile slowly returning to his face.
"I got you now," he whispered against your lips, his hands smoothing down your back, holding you close to his heart. "I got you, baby, and I ain't never letting go."
AN: Love me some Jackie man!