#i have very specific spot and jack backstories and I don't usually see them as actual brothers

[loving-jack-kelly]

What are your jack and Spot headcanons? I’ve always felt like they were the type to really understand each other but would rather die then admit they’re friends.

(Side note: I might have sent this already but my internet was all screwy so I’m not sure it went through)

oh i think jack and spot are so so so similar and so so so unwilling to see it. i think they share a lot of similar trauma and responses to said trauma and I think when they look at each other they can't help but see the things they hate about themselves reflected in the other and it drives them crazy.

jack sees spot as somebody so angry and defensive and bitter and he can't help but judge him for it because jack has worked so hard to beat back those traits in himself and it was hard and it was worth it.

and spot sees jack as somebody dismissive and stupidly optimistic and reactive and he can't help but judge him for it because spot has worked so hard to be able to look back at what he went through and pull a fight for change out of it and he doesn't see the same desire for forward momentum in jack.

and the thing is they're both right and wrong at the same time. because jack's desire for forward momentum is the desire to better himself, to heal, to be able to provide a softer, kinder, better life for those around him. he is dismissive and stupidly optimistic and reactive because it's so hard for him to be happy and he knows if he lets himself dwell, if he's purposeful about his anger about his childhood and doesn't make himself move on and pretend to believe things will get better until he actually believes it he'll sit and stew and be miserable forever.

and spot is and always has been first and foremost a fighter, his desire for forward momentum is a desire to jump headfirst onto the front lines and claw his way to something better. he is angry and defensive and bitter and he's using those things not to dwell on the past but to fight so goddamn hard for something better.

i think it takes jack and spot a long time to find a balance. because they're so so so similar and so so unwilling to see it. there's a lot of fighting and a few good blow-ups, lots of snapping at each other and plenty of biting comments before they both let themselves see through the walls the other has up. but once that barrier is broken down I think they have such a strong, balanced relationship.

as much as they're different and as much as they're similar, I think they have very similar senses of humor. spot is dry and sarcastic and a little bit mean, and jack is loud and brash and teasing, but the jokes tend to be very similar. they agree on most of the important things and enjoy picking on each other about the less important things. i think they end up best friends without realizing it's happening and I think they're both mad about it when somebody else points it out.

they fully consider themselves frenemies but they aren't frenemies, they're friends who like being a little bit mean to each other because they get it.

i think their friendship looks a little weird from the outside because it's aggressive and loud and a little bit mean but it's also full of the kind of respect they only have for each other because they've learned enough about each other from years of actually fighting to have earned that mutual respect. spot is one of the only people who can see through jack's veneer of cheerful goofy charming friendly guy to the absolute rage and fight to be the one in control of himself that's hidden under all that. and jack is one of the only people who can see through spot's veneer of cold calculated stoic serious tough guy to see the guy who cares so much about fighting for something better that he's willing to sacrifice others' opinions of himself for the sake of what he's fighting for.

so in summary. they aren't friends until they are and they like to fight but also respect each other deeply but also pretend they hate each other but also love each other more than anything.

#i have very specific spot and jack backstories and I don't usually see them as actual brothers #in that i don't think like. medda adopted both of them but I do think medda practically adopts jack #but i do think when they're adults they consider each other family #especially modern au i just think. i think they share a lot of experiences and need that in each other #jack kelly #spot conlon #newsies #also sprace and javid bestie couples for life <3