Chapter Text
Jack Rimmer was not your typical Headteacher. Jack Rimmer was not the caring, soft type of Headteacher. He's Brave when it comes to fighting and standing up for what's right. The man has no filter, however, was also considered a fool, especially after fighting a drug dealer, Jed Seddon In the playground of Waterloo Road Comprehensive School, leading to one of his colleagues, the well-liked Drama teacher Izzie Redpath's death. Her husband and former nemesis, the English teacher, Tom Clarkson belittling Jack to make his life miserable, leading to having PTSD from the tragedy that shaped Waterloo Road.
Andrew Treneman, Jack's former deputy, moved to Rwanda, a country in the continent of Africa, not giving himself a chance to say goodbye to his boss, which broke Jack's heart; he had not received Andrew's resignation letter. Mixed with fury and sadness, and... desire? Jack didn't know if he ever liked Andrew that way. Maybe he did.
The pair were inseparable. Andrew was calm, collected and very opinionated. His strict, snobby persona got on Jack's nerves at first. Meanwhile, Jack was the opposite end of Andrew; anger, a wrecking ball of self shame, very on edge and unable to stabilise his emotions, leading to him being compare to his deputy all the time.
Jack didn't mind though. It was only Andrew overall... He had the hots for Andrew at some point, but changed completely when the new secretary after Estelle Cooper left him in the dumps unannounced, Davina Shackleton came into his teaching life, he wasn't the same.
Time has passed since Izzie Redpath's death, and Jack is seen on the radio beside a brand new deputy he hired to cope with the loss of Andrew Treneman. The deputy in question was a former union representative, Eddie Lawson. According to Jack and the radio, Eddie was the best in the country, the same phase he used on Andrew.
Eddie was wearing a beige blazer, white polar shirt underneath, with blue stripes paired with dark grey trousers, and brown work shoes. His hair is a dirty blonde with growing greys on the bottom of his hair, with chocolate coloured eyes, and his skin was fair, almost tan.
"They should lock these kids up." The radio starts speaking; Jack and Eddie listen in closely, waiting to answer whatever as the radio continues echoing, as the first reporter is behind the microphone. "I mean, what is it coming to when teachers are being killed in a playground..."
"Jack Rimmer?" The second reporter asks, switching off the radio.
"What happened to Izzie Redpath was a tragedy, and we want to do everything we can to ensure nothing like this will ever happen to Waterloo Road again, and that's a promise." Jack speaks as Eddie adds in,
"Can I just say, that people would've folded after what happened to Izzie," Eddie pauses, "But Jack stayed on because he wants to make things better for Waterloo road." Jack stares at Eddie, proud of himself.
"And I've joined him. Because what happened to Izzie reinforced our beliefs of fighting back and not giving up." Eddie Implies.
"You won a National Bravery Award for taking on a violent drug dealer?" The second reporter asks Jack Rimmer.
"Look, we just want to get on with the job we're paid for." Jack exclaims proudly, a smug grin on his face.
Andrew Treneman has just got off the plane. He was back in England temporarily. His training course to be headteacher was done, and all he had to do was wait on the results, which will take up to 6 months.
Andrew is excited to see Kim Campbell, his girlfriend, but Andrew can't pick up on social cues to save his life so he assumes they're just good friends, and dating was a sin in his household growing up.
Just as Andrew was about to leave the airport, he stops in his tracks when he sees his former religious flame Jerry Preston. His vision becomes a busy blur, gripping his brown bag used for work so hard his hand turns white, and he starts to get a tightened, clogged throat.
Jerry Preston was an American Businessman who is the leader of a United Creation of Sciences (UCOS). A religious organisation with strong creationist, homophobic and anti-abortionist beliefs.
He is extremely religious and an obsessive of God. Jerry Preston used to know Andrew as someone he could manipulate and gaslight. Andrew, at that time was a vulnerable young adult, who had no idea he was being hurt.
Jerry Preston put Andrew through torture, mainly trying to tell lies to him. Usually throwing Bibles at his feet as he kneeled to Jerry, crying his eyes out and breaking down entirely.
Andrew was then thrown into religious psychosis, having intense, false delusions that if he were to look the wrong way, he would get sent to Hell and tortured by God, or that if he were to cry and beg for help, like a crying plea filled with screams as he heard voices controlling him inside his head, leaving Andrew defenceless and treated like a slave under strict rules and policies, making Andrew scared of his social life being used against him.
The truth is, Andrew had no friends, not until he came to Waterloo Road, when Jack took Andrew under his wing as a 'precious' deputy or so Jack called him. He also had Lorna his ex 'girlfriend', and finally, Kim. The 'bane' of his existence.
Andrew breathes heavily and quickly, trying to keep his 'mature' personality up. After all, he 'couldn't' show 'emotions' in public, otherwise he'd be 'disrespecting' God. Andrew walked fast, trying to get out of Jerry Preston's sight, and succeeding, getting into the backseat of the cab he called for.
"To Waterloo Road Comprehensive School, please!" Andrew calls out to the cab, and before he knew it, he was officially on his way back to the school to see Kim, but more importantly, Jack. He needs to resolve his and Jack's 'friendship', and hope he wasn't replaced.
Jack and Kim were laughing with each other, talking like close friends outside in the playground while monitoring the kids' behaviours. The pair knew each other growing up, and were like siblings– brother and sister. They were standing on the concrete ground outside Waterloo Road.
"You know, I don't really trust that Eddie one." Kim starts.
"Oh come on Kim lighten up. Just because you miss Treneman" Jack replies.
"You're only using Eddie as a replacement because you can't get over Andrew ditching you for his dream opportunity in Rwanda."
"Can you just cut me some slack? Andrew probably only misses you. I mean, why would he fall for someone like me?"
"And here you go again, Jack, assuming bad stuff again."
"Okay then, I didn't know I was speaking to a fucking therapist."
"You're broken, I want to help." Kim finally says to Jack, who is now turning around to face Kim's chocolate brown eyes which were gorgeous.
10 minutes passed by slowly, the tension high, and breaktime was now officially over. The two parted ways. Jack was back in his office, relaxing on his black office chair that was slightly ripped apart. Eddie, the deputy, was teaching one of his Maths classes.
There was a deafening silence while Jack was all alone in his office. He really despised intense silence as it reminded him of the devastating aftermath of Izzie Redpath's death. The echoing screams that begged for help, all alone with a dying woman in his arms. Jack could feel the memories rushing back into his brain, his head spinning as he opened the plywood drawer and pulled out his medication.
Jack Rimmer's medication is because he suffers from extreme mental health issues, it's a personality disorder he can't control. One moment he is happy, the next moment he's ready to kill dead things, and struggling to regulate his emotions, leading to severe manic episodes only Andrew was able to stop, not through actions like restraining Jack (unless he needed it if he was gonna hurt himself), but through Andrew's love language: words of affirmation.
The bottle of pills said that Jack Rimmer had to take 3 every morning and night, but he's had a huge history of overdosing on medication, due to stress. Jack, struggling to fight the thoughts in his head, takes 9 pills out of the bottle and into his hands, ready to try and end his life.
Andrew Treneman was standing outside Waterloo Road Comprehensive School, his heart racing with anxiety but not in a bad type of anxiety. The excitement sends a weird, aching feeling in his stomach. What is this feeling? So sudden and new.
"Jack Rimmer, Kim Campbell, I'm coming." Andrew grins as he opens the door, entering the building, hoping that he wasn't forgotten about as that is one of his worst fears.
The School looked... different, but not in a construction way. It was more painted, specifically on the walls and classroom doors. It still looked dulled and messy, but definitely no more dirt on the walls.
Andrew walks up the red staircase to the second floor, then walks up the second staircase to the third floor. Andrew's legs are slightly weaker than the average human. He was born with it, leading to him being exhausted easily, but he can't show emotions because it was considered weak based on how he was raised.
He stops in his tracks when he reaches Jack's office. The glass window with a handle that was beside the beige door was shut. The room also consists of a dulled yellow, old turquoise concrete wall and wooden brown flooring. Andrew knocks on the door.
No answer.
Andrew knocks louder this time, thinking Jack is just focusing on his paperwork, his anxiety heightened slightly, but he quickly brushes it away as he's been taught that it's impolite to just barge in through the door.
"Hello?! Mr. Rimmer?"
No answer.
In a fit of anxiousness, Andrew slowly opens the door and his anxiety instantly calms down, breathing a sigh of relief as he stares at Jack Rimmer sleeping, head back on the office chair, probably in a slight deep sleep.
Andrew walks over, fidgeting with his hands as he tempts himself. "Ah, so he's sleeping... he's so beautiful-" Andrew mutters to himself before he snaps back into reality, realising what he just said. "No, Andrew, you can't think like that. That's breaking school protocol." He talks to himself.
Jack slowly wakes himself up, his eyes fluttering as he stretches while Andrew admires him. "Hey, Mr. Rimmer." Andrew whispers, loud enough for Jack to hear.
Jack is stunned when he looks in front of him and sees Andrew standing there, luggage and workbag on the ground.
"Andrew...?" Jack whispers, his voice trembling.
"Surprised?' Andrew whispers back. A warm, innocent smile creeped up on his face.
"No. This mustn't be real." Jack's voice becomes shakier than usual, not believing what he's seeing.
"I'm here now Jack."
"No you're not."
"Yes I am..."
"IZZIE!" Jack squeals at the top of his lungs, nauseating himself as Andrew is startled by the sound, stumbling back.
"Jack, it's only me, I'm sorry for ditching you all this time, they needed me out as soon as possible." Andrew shouts back, desperate for Jack to make eye contact with him.
Jack's knees tremble, his whole body flaring up. The guilt of Izzie's death, the aftermath with having a new deputy, and Tom Clarkson lashing out at Jack almost every time all comes back to him, his head spinning, his eyes blurring with soaking wet tears, as he collapses onto the ground, letting Andrew catch him to cry it out.
There Jack was – lying in Andrew's arms, nestled in the embrace of the shorter man, he has never felt this type of comfort before, nor being a total bottom for Andrew.
"I'm sorry..." Jack whispers through a strained voice, wanting it all to stop.
"Don't be sorry. I am not going anywhere." Andrew reassures Jack but that last part is a lie. His plane was going to arrive in six months, and he can't bear to see Jack in a state like this again.
"What happened when I was away, my sweet?" Andrew wipes Jack's tears away, cupping the taller man's face.
"Izzie Redpath's dead." Jack blurts out, still teary eyed. Andrew's jaw hangs open, his eyes slightly zoned out (the pupils of his eye). He couldn't believe it. A staff member died?!
"Oh my God Jack, how did she die?" Andrew asks the one question that Jack couldn't properly answer without crashing out.
"I should've called the police, it's all my fault I hate me, I hate myself-" Jack's continuous rambling is stopped by Andrew's lips clashing with his own.
Jack is shocked, stunned, a blushing mess, reluctant at first but he kisses Andrew back, wrapping his arms around his shoulders as Andrew is still cupping Jack's face. The two colleagues have never made out like this before, but they were both enjoying it; Jack puts his hands up Andrew's white with blue striped polar shirt, slowly caressing his toned abs, leaving Andrew to gasp out of pleasure.
"Lower your tone, Treneman."
"You're so fine."
After half an hour of making out, they were momentarily interrupted by a knock at the door, instantly letting go of each other and standing up. Jack leans on the windowsill while Andrew tidies himself up, fixing his tie and undusting his blazer. Both men were still a blushing mess.
"Come in." Jack shouts.
The two men are stunned (mainly Andrew) to see Eddie Lawson enter the office.
"EDDIE, NOT NOW."
"Jack, who is this man?" Andrew asks, his arms folding of curiosity.
"Karla Bentham has had a breakdown again." Eddie Lawson says in a slightly raised but urgent voice. "She decked Steph Haydock with a table... bullied into it by Aleesha."
"Right, can you get Davina to take Karla to the cooler, while I sort something out quickly?"
"Sure thing, Jack."
Eddie walks out of the office quickly, going to try and resolve the situation. Meanwhile, Andrew stares at Jack.
"Who is he...?" Andrew raises an eyebrow.
"He's the deputy I chose after you left." Jack bluntly states.
Andrew freezes.
"I didn't know you replaced me so soon..."
"Are you having a laugh, Treneman?" Jack questions.
"No, actually. I thought you saw me as your friend."
Jack puts his hand behind his neck, trying to explain to Andrew the truth and the whole truth.
"I didn't know you were going to come back..." Jack starts explaining to a hurt Andrew (who tries not to show it). "So I got a new deputy in to save the school as it was failing without you..."
"That's nice Jack that you were considerate for the school." Andrew responds, his tone lower than usual, which scares Jack since he knows he's in trouble, almost ready for another one of Andrew's lectures.
"However, I don't get it. I did ask you to come, same with Kim." Andrew doesn't turn to look at Jack.
"And YOU KNEW that I couldn't come, Andrew, don't be a dick." Jack starts, his sadness, to confusion and now anger. Jack couldn't comprehend how Andrew is so clueless. Like, what colleague leaves, not knowing when they're coming back and expects not to be replaced?
"What are we, Jack?" Andrew skips the topic entirely. Jack couldn't bring himself to answer as he was hiding his feelings entirely the whole time.
– Flashback #1 –
Setting: Series 1 Episode 4
Jack, the Headteacher and Andrew, the Deputy, stayed after School hours in Jack's office, making a small hideout on the carpet ground. Andrew got a warm, cozy blanket from Kim's house without her permission, and wrapped it around his and Jack's legs.
It was six in the evening and the two men started working on some stuff. Well, mainly Andrew as Jack spectates, resting his head on Andrew's shoulder. They usually take it in turns but tonight, Jack was on the verge of snapping entirely from the workload, and he couldn't handle the pressure anymore so he just let himself be taken care of by Andrew. Just this one time.
"It's not like I like this or anything..." Jack mumbles, his cheeks flushed. Out of the two of them, Andrew was the more sensible one, always using words instead of fists. Jack always compared himself to Andrew as he was insecure.
"You're really cutesy, Mr. Rimmer." Andrew grins, his tone lowering more seductively.
Andrew was never the flirty type. His social life has been put on hold. Andrew used to have a girlfriend when he was in Rwanda, who rejected then cheated on him a few months in, which broke his heart.
He had also suffered major anxiety at some point in his life. Andrew doesn't like talking to new people unless it's his colleagues, for example, Kim and Lorna. He was often teased and tormented for how much of a 'teacher's pet' he looked.
Andrew found interest in books to escape the reality of the world when things toughen in life for him, hence why he can't keep up with almost everyone he knows as books are only what he knows.
A few hours passed by. It was now fifteen minutes past nine at night, and the two laid against Jack's desk. Andrew was on Jack's shoulder as the taller man held Andrew close by his lower back, not wanting to let go. Ever.
Jack felt terribly guilty, struggling to sleep. How could someone as 'precious' as Andrew handle him? The fucked up headteacher who was most likely gonna end up like Brian Vaisey if it wasn't for Andrew.
Eventually, Jack collapsed, the stress making his eyes drowsy and his body was shutting down, but not in a dying way.
– End of flashback –
Jack had absolutely no idea how to reply. The way they both acted earlier on, the kissing, the memories, it all felt fake for a hopeless case, Jack.
"I mean..." Jack starts, "I do like you." he pauses, trying not to cry as he reluctantly but finally saying what he needs to say.
"I just don't want my heart getting broken repeatedly." He finally blurts, a free tear rolling down his cheek.
Andrew walks over slowly, his heart aching for Jack; yet he was also confused by what his boss meant.
"What do you mean, Jack?" Andrew cups Jack's face, who rejects the affection by putting his hand down slightly rougher than usual. It was similar to their argument in the bar when Andrew stole Jack Rimmer's job, backstabbing him, leading to a rejection.
"I hate how you always promise me you will come back, but you never flaming do!" Jack raises his voice slightly, which triggers Andrew – who slowly walks backwards, already terrified.
"What did I EVER DO to you?!" Jack snaps, his body trembling with anger, desperate for an answer.
"Stop it, Jack... you're so stubborn you only care about yourself!" Andrew replies, starting to walk out of the office.
"Oh, and have a good night." Andrew's voice cracks slightly, now exiting the office.
Jack cools himself down by chugging a few pills down his throat. He was now alone.