#and it's because jack gets home from work right as davey is leaving at like. 2pm. they both have weird shifts

[loving-jack-kelly]

au where jack and davey start out as random roommates/craigslist roommates or something similar and only see each other at four am bc that's usually when jack is waking up to start his day and when davey is finally going to bed

[jack-kellys]

i hate the song something to believe in dearly and truly. it’s the one part of newsies i cannot reconcile because it’s just so bad

please fix it. or do something with it

it’s just not a banger i agree. alright.

send me issues from the Plot or Script of this darn show. and i’ll fix them onstage

so my rules for this is that i cannot cut the song. i cannot invent a scene bc i did that already & that’s cheating.

i do think tho that the key to being… fine with something to believe in is the scene right before. i think that scene MUST be fucking stellar in order for the song to be passable. and the scene before…augh. it could also be written better. the positionally of it and the context and the stakes are more interesting than what they say to each other. except. for.

“don’t say it like it happens every day. i’m not an idiot- i know girls like you don’t wind up with guys like me. i don’t want you promising nothing you’re just gonna have to take back later. but standing here tonight, looking at you… i’m afraid tomorrow’s gonna come and change everything.” EATS.

what’s rly important abt jatherine to me is that jack like. literally does not express his fears to anyone else except her. he talks about regret and anger with davey in wwh(r), i’m not counting that as fear. kath is the only person in the show he shares this with. and what he’s afraid of is being alone.

tomorrow coming means he did vote for the disbanding of the union, it means all the kids he loves are angry and done with him, tomorrow means everyone is gone from his life. (in his pov).

so katherine has a job with this song. she has to refute those fears, finally admit that she’s fallen for him, which means he won’t be alone, even if he leaves. he’ll be in her heart, he’ll have a home there, even if he were to get on a train the next day. she initially comes into this scene demanding something of him, but when she learns his actions were done out of this loyalty and his fear for others & himself… wow. “you snuck up on me, jack kelly. i didn’t even see it coming.” YOU KNOW?? going from “cocky little sonofa” to “of course there’s something” is wild for her

she needs to see him FULLY and completely by this point. idt she does until now, it has to be here for this scene & song to mean anything. this is her almost like. protecting his scared little heart. she says she’s in love (he doesn’t), she assures him it’s okay that it might be for a short time, that it’s random, that things like this CAN be something that happens any day. she offers terms that are accessible to jack, that can let him love her. belief conquers fear, undermines it, and if there’s something reporters are good at it’s getting to the root of something. she just has to take an angle that she didn’t expect from herself.

i think honestly the only line that genuinely bugs me abt this song is jack calling her “an angel come to save him”…. especially cause that boy ain’t white anymore we’ve grown passed that as a community so now it’s like. eugh like SURE, sure, but jack u did lead the strike. with ur boys. and ur leadership skills. and ur love for them. so i think this can be said as a knowing tease and she can wave it off and blush and whatever. u can make it cute i promise.

smth abt uksies that was stellar (wow what a shocker rizz is praising uk newsies…) was how emotive and present bronté’s kath was thru this song, she reacted to every word jack said to her. as long as she’s present i think this scene and consequentially the song can work. u just cannot forget abt katherine’s stakes and her journey of learning abt who jack kelly really is. it’s not a bad song bc it’s a love song it’s bad bc it’s not…. actually about how THEY fell in love. the courage and fear line from seize the day should’ve had a reprise moment here bc that’s what their relationship is based on.

if newsies rly was a love story i think that would be the proper theme through their whole arc together. jatherine is about fear and courage. and so is the show. tbh. just saying

[shannyh25]

Author's Note: I want to thank my friend alwayschassingrainbows from Tumblr for helping me figure out the time line and giving me ideas on this story. If you guys love Anne Of Green Gables and Emily Of New Moon series, you guys should check out her Tumblr page. Thank you again alwayschassingrainbows again for your help.

I have had this story in my head for awhile. I thought since people love Anne Of Green Gables and Titanic, why not do a crossover? I haven't seen a story like this one yet and I hope you guys will like it. Please leave reviews if you do!

Summary: Titanic story line with a twist. What if Gilbert finds out he has a niece while he and Anne are in England? Gilbert and Anne are in England for Gilbert because he is part of a research study for Tuberculosis, which his parents died of. While in England, Anne and Gilbert befriend Rose and Jack. When its time to board Titanic, all of them, including Gilbert's niece board Titanic. After Gilbert's niece's mom dies, Gilbert and Anne board the Titanic along with Gilbert's niece. Their goal is to travel Titanic and get Gilbert's niece to a Uncle that his niece's mom wanted. But what happens when the Uncle doesn't want Gilbert's niece? After all they had been through on Titanic, did they just come to New York for nothing?

Please let me know what you guys think!

Chapter 1

"I love the smell of the salty sea air." Anne Blythe said.

Anne and her now husband Gilbert were walking along the shoreline waiting to travel on the ship that will take them to England.

"I like it too Anne-girl. It reminds me of home." Gilbert said in agreement.

"Do you think you'll like England?" Anne asked as they were walking along the shore.

Gilbert thought for a moment. "I'm not sure. I know it's going to be busy and fast paced compared to Avonlea. I'm not going to like the politics especially when it comes to working in the hospital. I believe Rachel would have a hard time trying to keep up with all the latest gossip. England will certainly be an interesting experience though."

Anne giggled. "I believe you're right. Rachel was telling me before we left that she was having a harder time trying to keep up with the gossip these days in Avonlea. Especially since a new generation of families are slowly moving in."

"I'm glad Dora and Davey are still living at Green Gables. Marilla would be terribly lonesome without the twins and even Rachel. Davey has certainly matured the last few years and taken interest in farming. He told Marilla he wants to run the farm now that he has a better idea on how farming works. Dora is Marilla and Rachel's shadow. She makes it her duty to help with the indoor chores and makes sure Marilla and Rachel aren't working too hard. She helps Davey outside with the farm chores occasionally. I'm proud of both of them. It makes me feel better about leaving them behind for a year." Anne said.

Gilbert was half listening to Anne's small talk. He was thinking about England, hoping he will find his sister, and the new job at the hospital.

Gilbert had written to Mary about a year ago when some gossip in town said that some people had heard Mary was in England. When Gilbert heard that, he quickly went home and wrote a very long letter. It wasn't returned to him thankfully. That's why he has some hope about finding his long, lost, sister.

"Gil? Are you alright? We should probably be heading back to the shipyard pretty soon. I think I see people starting to gather up near the ship." Anne said.

"I'm alright Anne-girl. Let's head to the ship." Gilbert said.

Do you think you'll find your sister Mary?" Anne asked breaking Gilbert's thoughts.

Gilbert had told Anne briefly of Mary's past. Anne was at first surprised that he even had a sister. He never spoke of her until he got the news about going to England. All because of an essay paper he had written for his graduation.

"Honestly Anne-girl, I do. I want to know if she is happy and safe and enjoying life. I often wonder if she had or has children. She would have been a great mother. She was always looking after me and the other children at school. I would love to be an uncle." Gilbert said.

"I can see you being a great Uncle Gil. You were always good with children. If you have a niece or a nephew, they will love you." Anne said.

Gilbert grinned. " I can see you easily being a fun aunt. Telling them stories about fairy tales and princesses looking for their prince. Telling them ghost stories. Talking to them about Avonlea and Green Gables and telling them stories about your childhood in Avonlea."

Anne grinned. "I just hope you if you do have a niece or nephew, they aren't twins. I can't seem to get away from them if they are. I would love them certainly, but I'll be sad too."

Gilbert chuckled. "Have you been on a ship?"

"I was on a ship years ago when I was coming to Avonlea. I went with a lady that had come to adopt a little girl younger than me and they brought me back up to Avonlea. I remember being so curious and excited about being on a ship. I loved exploring when I wasn't taking care of Lilly. Lilly was in bed most of the time because she got seasick. When I wasn't taking care of her or Mrs. Spencer, I would take advantage and explore. I loved looking over the railings and watching the waves crash up onto the ship. Sometimes you could see dolphins too. Mrs. Spencer was always worried about me falling over the railing, but I never did. The cabins are rather small and cramped . I had to share a bed with Lilly. I didn't mind though. I told her stories about fairies and princesses." Anne said.

"I was on a ship years ago with dad. We went shortly after Mary left. Dad wanted to get away for a while and honestly, I did too. I was upset and hurt that my sister left me for a boy she hardly knew. Dad wanted to get away and clear his head. We went and saw his side of the family and stayed with them for a few weeks. Ma didn't want to go. She said somebody had to take care of the house and farm. She was definitely hurting from Mary's departure. I think she wanted to grieve for the loss of Mary leaving. Same with dad. I wanted to grieve too and I did. But not in front of Ma and dad. It would hurt them even more seeing me hurt. The ship was a good distraction for both dad and I. We met new people. I explored the ship a lot and talked to some boys my age. Seeing dad's family was a good distraction to for both of us. Coming back home and pretending like everything is normal is another story." Gilbert said.

Anne squeezed Gilbert's hand with sympathy. "I'm so sorry Gilbert you had to go through that. I can't imagine losing a sibling like that. She was blinded by love and she was so young. It's a shame your father has cut ties with her completely. Your poor sister and mother."

Gilbert looked at his hands. "It really hurt Ma when Dad told us that. He had Ma take down all her pictures of her and of the two of us together. Dad had Ma pack away her clothes that was left that she didn't take. I helped Ma do all of it because I had to be strong for her. She packed away all her books, school books and papers. Her journals she had kept. She even packed her hair brush and her mirror. Everything you could think of, we packed away. Dad was out in barn dealing with it his own way. I know he was huffing too and angry but mostly hurt. He thought he and Ma raised her better."

Anne blinked back the tears that were threatening to fall. She sniffed and rubbed Gilbert's hand with her thumb. She was hurting because after all these years, Gilbert was still hurting. It isn't often he shows his feelings. The only time Anne has seen Gilbert this upset was at his parent's funeral and now talking about his beloved older sister.

"I'm glad we got married though before Ma and Dad took sick. At least they were able to see one of their children married to a wonderful human. You didn't have to come with me Anne-girl. You could have stayed home." Gilbert said softly.

Anne sucked in her breath taken by surprise at his words. He wasn't being mean at all. In fact, he has told her several times this morning that it isn't too late to back out. But Anne stood her ground. Gilbert had already sacrificed so much for her. For starters, giving her the old Avonlea School to her so she could teach and be at home to help Marilla with the house chores and farm chores. He was going to teach at Avonlea so he can stay at home and save money. But he went to White Sands so she could be home. That was probably the biggest sacrifice he has made for her. Traveling with him is the least she could do. It's only for a year and it will hopefully go by fast.

"I chose to come with you Gil. We spent so much time apart while you were in medical school. I didn't see you as much as I would have liked. I was teaching at Summerside so I was busy too but I want to be with you. We may not see each other much during the day because you'll be at work, but I'll have you in the evenings and nights. That's all I want Gil. I just want to be with you." Anne said softly.

Gilbert gave her a lopsided grin to her. "Thank you, Anne-girl. That means so much to me. I'm glad you're with me. It would be awfully lonely without you."

All aboard! Come line up so we can get moving! All aboard!" Someone had shouted.

Gilbert gave Anne another grin. "You ready Anne-girl?"

"Of course, I am. Let's go." Anne said.

Walking back to the shore, Anne took one last glance at the ocean and sighed.

"You'll be on the ocean soon enough Anne-girl. Then when we get back on solid ground again, and you won't even want to look at the ocean until we come back home." Gilbert said gently.

"I'll never get tired at looking at the ocean Gil. I might for a while after we get back on land again but right now, I'm just soaking it all in." Anne said.

"All aboard. Let's go. All aboard!" One of the crew members shouted.

"Let's get going Anne-girl. Let's grab our bags and head to the ship." Gilbert said.

Grabbing their bags they were carrying with them, Anne and Gilbert headed towards the crowd of people waiting to board the ship to England.

The young doctor and Mrs. Blythe were standing in the ship yard. Anne was staring with wide, open, curious eyes as if she was a child again. The ship was huge and the last one that she was on years ago wasn't even close to this size. She could easily get lost here, especially if she uses that imagination of hers. Anne never thought she would be going on another ship but here she was standing next to her husband supporting him on his career. They were going to England. Gilbert was asked to volunteered there to help do some special medical research for a year at one of the biggest hospitals in England.

Anne and Gilbert stared at the big ship that was standing in front them. They were really here getting ready to go on an adventure of a lifetime. Anne was excited now that she had gotten over being angry at Gilbert for wanting to go on this trip and Gilbert was just excited and nervous.

The shipyard was a busy place. People were shouting directions to each other. Carriages were dropping people and families off at last minute. Kids screaming joyfully and chasing each other. The seagulls were flying overhead making their sounds. The sails on the ship were flapping in the wind Gilbert and Anne hadn't been to a shipyard in years and now they were getting ready to travel on a ship. They were going to England, a place neither of them had ever been too before. Anne stared at the ship with her eyes wide and filled with of thoughts on people and what they were doing here and why they were going to England like them. Gilbert had the same reaction as Anne. He hasn't been on a ship since his sister left the family 10 years ago when Gilbert and his dad went on a ship to see family.

Gilbert had to pick a topic on what he had learned and speak about it on his graduation day. He had many topics in mind but one stood out. It was Tuberculosis. People are just now starting to find cures for it. Unfortunately, his parents didn't survive it and that's why Gilbert chose Tuberculosis to talk for his topic. It was brutal to watch them suffer so much. Gilbert was lucky enough to be able to spend the last month at home with his family while his parents were dying. He was ahead in his studies so the school board allowed Gilbert to come home to say his goodbyes.

Later he found out that Uncle Dave had kept Gilbert's paper that he had written and submitted it to Hospital for Consumption and Diseases of the Chest' The head director of the hospital was so impressed with Gilbert's speech and his background, he quickly responded to Uncle Dave saying they wanted Gilbert as part of their research team. They even paid for their two tickets to get them there.

Gilbert had received a letter from the hospital asking if he wanted to be part of the research team studying Tuberculosis, offering a one-year internship at 'Hospital for Consumption and Diseases of the Chest' in London. He as was shocked and honored at having been offered the opportunity to help do research there. That's the reason why the two of them are standing on the dock about to board on the ship.

Gilbert broke out of his thoughts as they were asked some questions. Gilbert showed the crew member their tickets and they started to walk on the ramp to get onto the ship. Gilbert felt Anne's hand tense up as they were slowly making their way forward towards the ships entrance.

"What's wrong Anne-girl?" Gilbert asked gently.

Anne bit her lip. Afraid he might laugh at her.

They were slowly making their way up to the ship's entrance. "What if the ship sinks?"

[orcaofmyheart99]

Gay Awakening

Notes: I think I already posted this story but just posting it again just in case.

Davey had always been focused on school and his family. He had always felt a sense of responsibility and duty. The free time he had was spent on studying history. Davey had never thought much about dating. He had gone out on a few dates with a few different girls from school but nothing ever went anywhere. It just didn’t really feel right to Davey although he couldn’t explain exactly why that was. 

Davey’s father got into an accident while at work. This forced him and Les to go out and become Newsies until his father would be able to go back to work. 

Davey was a bit nervous on his first day. He got even more nervous when he met him. He was just a little shorter than Davey was with twinkling eyes and a dazzling smile. His younger brother seemed to know this boy “That’s Jack Kelly” Les explained.

“This is my brother David” Les introduced him to the boy

“Nice to meet you Davey” Jack greeted with a genuine smile.

Davey felt butterflies in his stomach. Something which he had never experienced before. 

Jack offered to sell with him and Les that day. Davey went home that night with a distant smile on his face and a lightness to his steps. He felt happy in a way he had never felt before. 

The next day Davey made sure to sell again with Jack. There was something intoxicating about him.

A young woman came walking along. Jack put on his charm to sell to her. Davey felt a small twitch of what was most likely jealousy towards the young woman. To his surprise she wittingly turned Jack down which made him seem even more interested in her. That night Jack felt a little heavier. He told himself that it shouldn’t matter. Jack was straight and so was Davey. He probably only felt butterflies because it was just a whole new experience. Everyone seemed pretty in awe of Jack. 

A few weeks passed and Davey got to know Jack more. And the more he got to know him, the more Davey liked Jack. Maybe Jack had caused Davey to have some sort of gay awakening? 

Jack asked Davey one afternoon for some advice “I am going on a date tonight. Got any ideas on where I should take her?” 

Davey was caught off guard. 

“That girl you were trying to sell to the other day?” 

“Yeah. We are going out tonight. You seem like the romantic type. So any ideas?” 

Davey felt a pain in his stomach. His mouth suddenly felt dry.

“Uhh umm not really. Sorry.” Davey stuttered and walked away. He grabbed Les’s hand muttering that they had to get going, citing that they would be late for dinner. 

Jack was left feeling confused. He ended up taking the girl out to the theater at which they had a good time and enjoyed each other's company. 

Jack tried to rectify the situation with Davey. Davey had been avoiding him since he asked for advice. Choosing to sell by himself instead of Jack which was strange. 

“Davey you seem to be avoiding me” Jack commented as the Newsies lined up. 

“I’ve been busy” Davey said, not meeting his eyes. 

“I’m not sure if I overstepped something the other day by asking for advice for a date. But I am sorry if that made you feel weird at all” Jack tried to apologize.

“Why the hell would that make me feel weird?” Davey snapped looking directly into Jack’s shimmering blue eyes.  

Jack looked taken aback by this tone of voice from Davey who was usually very soft spoken. 

“Why would I care who you date or where you go on dates Jack? It’s not like I’m into you or anything! Just leave me out of it ok?!” Davey stormed off in a huff stuffing his papes into his bag. 

Jack was left speechless. Why was Davey acting like this? And what did he mean that he wasn’t into him? Jack thought that was a very strange thing to say. 

That night Jack couldn’t sleep. Davey’s words kept spinning over and over in his head. He finally propped himself up and looked around to see if Crutchie was awake.

“Hey Crutchie you there? Jack mumbled.

“Yeah I’m ere Jack. Can’t sleep?” Crutchie muttered back. 

“I just keep thinking about what Dave said. I thought it was fine when I asked for his advice about my date with Katherine. I thought he would be happy to help out his friend. Guess I was wrong. I am just mostly surprised about how he spoke to me today. I really didn’t mean to offend him or anything.” Jack said, sounding a bit sad.

Crutchie let out a small laugh

“What’s so funny?” Jack demanded.

“It’s just that Jack. As much as you are charming you can often be a bit oblivious. Davey obviously likes you. Hell, I would say he is in love with you. Have you noticed the way he looks at you? How he hangs on your every word? How he has to sell with you everyday? How he has to stand close to you?”

Jack was quiet.

“No, I guess I didn’t. If he really is into me I would understand how me asking about where to go on a date would make him upset. What can I do to make it up to him?” Jack asked.

“Honestly, I would give him some space right now. He probably has a lot to process and figure out.” Crutchie advised.

Jack gave a sigh of defeat. 

“Alright. I will” Jack gave in.

For the next few days Jack let Davey have his space. He didn’t want to lose Davey as a friend so he let him be. Giving a polite nod and smile when they interacted. About a week later Jack was selling his last paper Davey approached him in a cautious and nervous manner.

“Gotta a sec Jack?” Davey asked.

Jack looked surprised that Davey was talking to him. 

“Sure. What’s up?” 

“I, uhh, I wanted to umm apologize for how I spoke to you the other day. I was upset and took it out on you wrongly. You are my friend and I am truly sorry about how I treated you. Friends help each other out and I should have helped you on your date place.” 

“Davey, don’t worry about it. I understand I’ve been in your position before.” 

Davey’s eyebrows knit together. 

“What do you mean by my position?” 

shit , shit shit. Jack thought. Why did I say that? 

“Ummm I just mean like. Helping friends out with dating stuff when you know umm you, you know. 

Davey’s brow furrowed further. 

“What?” 

Jack fiddled with his hat in his hands. He took a deep breath, trying to imagine Crutchie’s advice. Crutchie would probably tell him to be truthful. 

Jack quickly said 

“When you like a friend in more than a friend way, then the friend you like is going on a date and you want to be going on a date with that person.”

Davey stood there, mouth slightly open. 

“Unless I’m wrong?” Jack asked nervously. 

“No, you aren’t wrong. I do like you. Like more than a friend” Davey said looking down at his feet. 

“I thought I was straight until I met you.” Davey said now looking into Jack’s eyes and moving closer. 

“Hell, Jack, every time I am near you I lose my breath. I forget how to walk. My mind goes blank. Jack, no one has ever made me feel the way you do.” 

For a change Jack felt nervous. Davey stepped even closer to him. 

“I know this is a long shot and I know that you are dating that girl, but I really like you. If you ever want to go out with me I am here. Just know that.”

Jack felt his face flush 

“Actually Dave. I am not seeing that girl anymore. After Crutchie provided some insight I realized that she wasn’t the one I wanted to go out with.” 

“Really?” Davey whispered. Hope beginning to fill his heart.

“Really” Jack responded. 

Before he knew what he was doing, Davey was kissing Jack. Jack pulled Davey in closer, wrapping his arms around him.     

“So, you wanna go out on a date with me?” Davey asked, smiling.

“For sure” Jack responded, grabbing his hand. 

The news traveled quickly to the other newsies. Everyone was very happy for them. 

[bookloover35]

Jack Kelly x fem Reader - The silent treatment

Jacks POV:

I do not understand anything everything was okay between me and my girlfriend YN but then all of a sudden she started to stop talking to me, and when I try to talk to her, she leaves.

Have I done something, Is there any important day today that I have forgotten?

I check down on the date on the papers that was in my hand. it's not her birthday nor our anniversary either.

I can ask Davey after work if he knows why she's not talking to me.

YN: POV

YN: Extra Extra fire in the old school read here about it.

Old Man: one papers please!

YN: here you have sir.

Old Man: here you go keep the chance

I smiled back at the old man and wished him a nice day.Then I picked up another newspaper and smiled when I saw that I had only four left.

Then my smile disappeared when I saw Jack with Katherine . Jack and I have been together for four years I helped him escape from Snyder so many times. Yes I trust him but there are other girls I do not trust and Katherine is one of them.

I was so deep in my own thoughts that I do not notice that Davey has put his hand on my shoulder.

Davey: YN

I got so scared I jumped, I turned and held my hand to my heart.

YN: Jesus Davey are you trying to kill me??

He just started laughing

Davey: sorry YN just wanted to ask how you are doing??

oh he's always so kind Davey has become like my brother I can tell him everything. I show him my papers and just smile.

YN: only four left then I can go home.

Davey starts laughing with me then he looks towards Jack and then back to me I know exactly what he's going to ask me.

Davey: YN why do not you work with Jack you always work together??

I look at Jack and then back at Davey and sigh.

YN: I am giving him the silent treatment.

Davey raises his right eyebrow. He knows I only do that when people have done something stupid.

Davey: okay what has he done now??

YN; he kind of just talked to Katherine and when i tried to talk to him she came and disturbed. I felt invisible.

Davey knew I was a over thinker and that I did not think I was beautiful enough for Jack. He approached me and gave me a hug and said that everything will be fine then he went his way and I continued to work.

(2h later)

Jack:POV

Finally, the last newpaper is sold. I'm glad the job's over but I'm sad that YN has not spoken to me. I have been missing her beautiful voice during the day. I have to find Davey he has to help me.

I started running towards his place where he always stands and sells his newspapers. If anyone knows why YN is sad or angry, it's him. After running for a while, I see him in his usual place and have just sold his last newspaper.

Jack: DAVEY!!!

He turned and just looked at me,

Davey: What's it, Jack?.

Jack: I have to ask you something do you know why YN does not talk to me.

Davey: Yes, I know why she's not talking to you.

Jack: Can you please tell me why I miss hearing her talk to me.

Davey: you really have no idea?

What does he mean by that? Should i know why YN does not talk to me.

Jack: Can you just be so kind and tell me.

Davey:sigh okey i will tell you.

So Davey starts telling me everything you've told him.

That I had been too busy talking to Katherine so I had forgotten that you were there, and that I had not heard you when you were trying to say something. Then he told me that he thinks YN is jealous because she thinks I think Katherine is more beautiful than she. Is he crazy YN is 100% so much more beautiful than Katherine .

I thanked Davey and started running to our "penthouse", and all I could think of was please be there please please. When I arrived at the Lodging house I started to climb the steps when I got up I looked towards my "bed" and saw my beautiful girlfriend sitting there with her face hidden in her hands and she was crying. I can not believe I did this to her my beautiful YN.

I started walking towards her she cried so much so she did not even notice that I was there.

She noticed that I was there when I sat down and took her in my arms.

She tried to get out of there but stopped fighting when I started talking to her.

Jack: Darling you do not need to talk but can you please just listen to what I want to tell you.

I saw how she hesitated but then I saw how she slowly nodded. I took a deep breath and held a strong grip on her. Because I was so scared that if I let go of her, I would lose her.

Jack: Davey explained everything and I'm so sorry darling I did not mean to make you feel this way.

I took my hand that I had on her waist and lifted it towards her chin.

Then I lifted so that she looked at me. She looked at me her beautiful eyes were now red because she was sad. I raised both my hands to her cheeks and wiped away her tears with my thumbs.

Jack: You are so much more beautiful than she you are my light. You are my angel my best friend you have saved me so many times. I love you so much it hurts.

As soon as I say those words she starts smiling then she leans towards me and kisses me. God I have missed her lips against mine.

YN: POV

I can not be angry at him anymore not after those nice words, so I decided to kiss him because I have missed him. god I have missed his lips against mine. After we kiss for a while, I remove my lips from his.

Then I hug him and I feel how he hugs me back. I break the hug but am still in his arms and just look into his eyes and smile.

YN: You're forgiven Jack Kelly.

As soon as those words leave my mouth, his lips are on mine again.

Jack: god I have missed your voice darling

he says between kisses I just laugh at his quirk, and just enjoy that he's mine.

My Jack Kelly.

[sl-newsie]

My Review of Livesies

Really Jack? You chose this face? You look both angry and confused! 👆

Set: understandable, considering that it’s confined to a stage. Favorite set piece is probably the famous newsstand that they get their picture taken from.

Music: why the new lyrics? The old ones were just fine! Why the electric guitar?

Crutchy acts more naive, why so dumb? ‘You wanna bust yer odda leg too?’ Yes Cruchy, why?

Yeah Jack, you’re totally 17 Jeremy 😑

Everyone’s accent: good, Jeremy’s accent: x100

So Jack goes from wanting a family to roping Crutchy into a fantasy life out west and then he completely abandons him later?

In 92sies it focuses on Jack and him interacting with the other Newsies, whereas here it’s Jack wanting to get away so badly that it’s all he literally talks about.  

Race and Albert: both handsome and annoying

Albert steals Race’s cigar, so what they just forgot about Snipeshooter?

‘Bath time at the zoo?’ so I guess ‘we got woik to do’ just wasn’t good enough and they had to write something completely bonkers?

Right away: enter a bunch-a newsies that I don’t know and never get a chance to see their characters play out because they’re moving too fast. They completely erased some of the original characters and wrote in new ones that make me miss the old ones!

Romeo: is actually a character that sticks with me because he’s given personality

Enter Katherine: I just don’t like her. I never liked how Kara Lindsay portrayed her and always think she looks mad, confused, and dazed. 🤷‍♀️

Jack, if you’re so keen on leaving then why are you flirting with Katherine? You’re digging yourself into this!

In the dvd version they cut the ‘smile that spreads like butter,’ which I always wondered why.

I’m seeing all these newsies and don’t know who half of them are!

Elmer: introduced by nuns, another character I actually remember

LUV the added acro tricks!!!

I think it’s clear now why Jack’s not dancing. Good way to hide it, Jeremy!

‘What is that unpleasant aroma?’- Max did it better!  

Race briefly mentions betting Jack against the Delancys and then never mentions gambling again. I guess half his original character is nothing?

Applause for the clean scene changes! 👏

Seriously Race what is this face? 👇

Race flirts with Weasel rather than gamble? Preposterous!

Enter Davey and Les- ‘I’m new too!’  I can tell that’s gonna get annoying…

Davey just wants his papes and nervously tries to escape the other newsies while Les is already introducing them and is already chummy with Jack

Les knows an awful lot about wages for a 10-year-old

Les in 92sies: shy, cute, innocent, curious Livesies Les: obnoxious, loud, cocky, hyper

Romeo and Albert on Pulitzer’s desk during the scene change is surprisingly funny

Hannah is so good!!! I don’t know why they emphasize on Katherine struggling to make it through work when Hannah already shows that a woman can get a good career.

Pulitzer is even more cocky, brash, and egotistical than Robert Duvall’s portrayal. Historically Pulitzer wasn’t that mean to the newsies.

‘Shave me too close and you could cut my throat.’ Sweeney Todd reference? 🪒

Hannah: ‘We don’t sell papers, newsies sell papers.’ Ummm Jack? Your line is ‘headlines don’t sell papes, newsies sell papes.’ Ya missed it! 🗞️

Pulitzer: Yes, 6-year-olds need to work harder let’s charge them more and they’ll thank me later.

I wonder if the dance choreographers just sat down and thought: ok, we need to think of every dance stunt that can be done with a newsboy hat and newspaper bag.

Davey and Les are bantering and then Les runs up- oh yeah, you’re still annoying.

Why is Jack so shaken up about hearing about Davey and Les’ folks? Other newsies got folks, so it ain’t like he’s never heard it before.

‘Come home with us!’ ‘Mom’s a great cook!’ All are potential suggestions for Jack to go meet the Jacobs, but no! Sarah apparently doesn’t even exist! The original story is about Jack seeing how happy the Jacobs family is and wanting a family too, but instead he’s an angry painter who just wants to leave without second thoughts.

Why does Snyder just taunt ‘Kelly!’ before he starts chasing him? You don’t call out and say you’re gonna attack before you attack!

Davey and Jack talk about the Refuge and then it’s never mentioned again after Crutchy gets taken. In the movie Jack goes and tries to break him out but Crutchy refuses. Here we got Jack not wanting anything to do with the Refuge even after Crutchy gets locked up!

Medda? Medda is on fire! I still luv her character in this, especially her feather hat! 💜💗

‘No kids allowed in the theatre!’ and yet she encourages Les to look at the Bowery Beauties for ‘educational’ purposes?

Les stares at the Beauties as if he’s never seen a girl before. He’s enthralled by their costumes and then Davey just waves it off

‘Where better to escape trouble than a theatre?’ truer words were never spoken, Miss Medda! 🎭

Jack is all like: screw being a cowboy, I’m a painter! 🤠🧑‍🎨

‘You’re on!’ ‘I am? How’m I doing?’ Nice way to break the 4th wall, Medda!

That’s Rich compared to Lovey Dovey Baby is hard because Anne Margaret’s performance is more dreamy and soft

Ok gotta say that Les and Davey’s faces poking out is very cute

Am I the only one who’s disappointed that we never get to see the full Bowery Beauties act?

‘Twice in one day! Think it’s fate?’ No, Jack. You’re stalking this poor girl!

Katherine just begs Jack to leave the box, whereas Sarah would just punch an intruder in the face. 👊

Never Planned On You, ummm why? First Jack wants to go to Santa Fe, then he likes Katherine after a 2-minute conversation? ‘Til I find someone new,’ umm how many girls have you dated, Jackie boy? In 92sies he never even mentions this kind of stuff.

In the next scene change whoever the newsies with no shirt on is, they are obviously trying to take away from 92sies Mush’s shirtless scene and I will not stand for it!

So now Race’s only personality trait is that he luvs cigars more than his mom? 🚬  

‘LET THE MAN WORK IT OUT!’ Okayyyy it’s confirmed Les has anger issues

Everybody talks about how Crutchy’s smile spreads like butter, but when I see Ben Cook’s smile all I see is a ray of sunshine 😄

‘You need membership.’ ‘Whattya call these guys?’  👋

Why is Jack president when Davey is doing all the talking?

The World Will Know is an introduction to Jeremy’s angry Jack, which conflicts with Christian Bale’s daydreamer Jack and Corey Cott’s sad Jack. In all honesty, angry Jack can get scary!

Again, why the electric guitar? 🎸

How does losing a shoe have to do with this song? 👞

So the scene after Jack, Davey, and Les walk into Pulitzer’s doors and then we get a shot of the newsies behinds, um… did they just give half the fansies what they wanted?  

‘...HE’S GONNA BE BEG’N FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE ME, YOU GOT THAT?!’ Jeez, calm down, Les! 😧

I do like how they made Jacobi’s like a newsies meeting place, I don’t know why it just fits

And behold, the reason behind why I know what a seltzer is! Thanks, Albert! 🥛

Tommy Boy, Finch, Buttons… this would be a lot more convincing if I knew who each newsie was!

‘But that Spot Colon gets me a little jittery.’ Oh yes, in the brief moments we see him in this musical we definitely get that vibe. Not! Spot’s barely in this!

Oh yay, Katherine’s back. And she still sounds confused and awkward, which I guess makes sense since she’s in a different atmosphere but after a while it gets annoying.

Ok right off the bat Katherine and Jack already have a toxic relationship because they are constantly fighting! They look like they wanna kill each other!

Now Jack’s all whiny and I don’t like it! The original Jack would not whine about a girl.

I always skip Watch What Happens because it’s just Katherine worrying. Again, I stand by my opinion of not liking Katherine. Where’s Denton? They could've had Katherine be his apprentice or something instead of just deleting him altogether!

I hear Watch What Happens and all I can think of is how much longer until I can hear Davey sing about how the poor guy’s head is spinning?

Ummm… WHERE’S BROOKLYN? There’s NO BROOKLYN? THEY TOOK MY FAVORITE SCENE IN THE WHOLE MOVIE AND CUT IT TO JUST ‘OH YEAH BY THE WAY WE WENT TO BROOKLYN,’ AND THAT’S IT?! No. No. NO! I will NOT stand for this! 😡

Les: ‘Are we doing the right thing?’ I donno kid, you seemed pretty confident yesterday. What happened?

Race: ‘That’s great! That’s pitiful.’ Race would never say that about Crutchy.

Gotta admit that the trio part of Davey, Jack, and Crutchy singing Seize the Day is pretty cool

Aaaaand angry Jack’s back. While the other newsies look hopeful Jack looks like he could commit murder. Whis is he always angry? 😳

I don’t know why but Davey standing on a pile of newspapers is hilarious! 😁

Ok finally time to start a swear count: bastards, asses, Hell… sheesh this show’s got ‘such language!’

Uh why the awkward stomping? Just let Jeremy get offstage without the stomping so i can watch more twirling Sky and Ben?

Yeeesssss!!! Dancing on newspapers? BRILLIANT! I luv this part so much! 📰

Honestly not gonna lie if I was in the crowd I would be fighting to the death for one of the papes they throw out

Ha! I caught the spot of Race kicking himself in the face!!!

Seeing all these jumps, flips, and twirls is making me tired… God they must’ve been exhausted!

In the original, Jack wanted everyone out safely. But here I guess Jack wants to intentionally start a fight?

Why is Les being rolled around in a barrel? Then he sticks his head out, it’s like c’mon is this a cartoon?

Uh, Jack? CRUTCHY’S BEING BEATEN HELPLESS AND YOU’RE JUST WATCHING?! But it’s ok you’re gonna go sing about how mad you are and how you wanna leave so I guess it’s fine. ‘Save my best friend? Hell no let me abandon all the newsies!’ said Jack never!

Jack, you called Crutchy a ‘dumb crip?’ How could you do that?!

‘No more running, no more lying.’ Um, what have you been lying about? In the original, Jack lied about his parents and his name. Here Jack’s never called Francis Sullivan and he comes right out and says he’s got no folks. So what’s all this lying talk about?

Ahh! Please, no more angry Jack! I’d appreciate Jeremy’s performance and emotion if he didn’t look like has was gonna kill me!

Alright, Act 2… Where’s Jack? Oh right, instead of being in King of New York he’s sukling.

‘Jack don’t run from no fight!’ Apparently he does, since he’s working to buy a train ticket.

Here it comes… ‘erster.’ People either like it or hate it, I don’t mind it. Guess it adds to Race’s character since gambling’s out the window? ♠️♥️♣️♦️🃏

Whoa whoa whoa! Only Race can sing ‘a permanent box at the Sheepshead Races!’ Duh!

They replaced Spot’s porcelain tub with a sandwich? A sandwich?!

Thank you, Ben Cook, for gracing us with your sensational tap dancing!

Ok stop adding new lyrics and just skip to the tap dancing, please!

Never once did I ever think newsies would shout ‘spoon fight!’

The way Davey jabs ‘That’s it?’ at Katherine is priceless!

Just imagine the director looking at the cast and saying ‘now during scene changes the audience can’t be bored, so I need you to stall ‘em,’ and then the cast does a bunch-a random dance moves across the stage and the director says ‘perfect!’

Greetings from the Refuge is ok I guess, but I still wished Jack would actually try to get Crutchy out!

When I see Andrew’s messy hair I just picture him messing it up as the total opposite of keeping it nice-looking. Don’t know why, it’s just funny

‘Protect one anodda,’ Sure Crutchy, I’ll tell them before I run off to Santa Fe.

Even Medda points out how chicken Jack is!  

It’s so cute how Davey perks up about being above the fold!

Les, please abstain from telling us about your date. It’s just annoying. ✋

Katherine: ‘You look like Hell.’ Heathers reference? ‘I just got back.’ ❤️💚💛💙

‘This go west young man routine is getting old.’ Is manifest destiny a joke to you, Kath?

More toxic relationship stuff, how is Jatherine a thing again?

‘The pooooor guy’s head is spinning!’ Yeeeessss! 🤣

‘And I’ve got a date!’ Shut up, Les.

Uh-oh, Katherine’s in trouble.

Jack Kelly, not Francis Sullivan? Are we just gonna go along with that?

Katherine, Pulitzer’s daughter? Why? Seriously what does that add?

Finally, the highlight of the show: Brooklyn’s Here! I really like how they added in this song! Brooklyn Bridge and all! Brooklyn gets their own ‘uniform,’ plus the fact that my crush on Spot Colon will rage on forever. I luv this song!

Um, where’s Smalls? Only she can sing ‘So’s tha Bronx!’

Sad that Spot makes this big entrance and then just stands intimidatingly in the background.

I like how Spot just casually waltzes up and then realizes ‘hey Jack, thanks for wasting my time!’ and then goes all murder-face on him!

Gee thanks Katherine for invading my penthouse and snooping through my drawings only to yell at me more.

Katherine’s scared to hit Jack and instead kisses him, but Sarah would never hesitate to soak a guy in the face!

So wait Jack goes to keep kissing Katherine and she backs out, even though she started it?

‘What if they came to newsies square?’ Where’s that, Kath? No one’s ever talked about that until now.

Jack points out dead-on that they need to talk about their relationship issues and Katherine just laughs.

O-K, I do NOT do sappy luv songs so let’s just skip Something To Believe In…

‘It’s good to have you back again!’ ‘Shut up!’ Gee really appreciative Jack, especially after you literally just betrayed everybody!

Darcy? Bill? Who? How are these guys just thrown in?  

Once And For All… Pretty good… Ooh! Spot’s back! 😄

Wow that paper-tossing routine must’ve taken a while to perfect!

Again, why the electric guitar? It’s 1899 not 1959!

Spot why are you up there with Jack? You’ve barely said a word why are you suddenly involved?

I’m a Teddy Roosevelt fan so of course I ain’t gonna complain about him  👍

Hannah’s discrete clapping is so funny!

I do appreciate how they kept the historically accurate deal the newsies made with Pulitzer. In 92sies they just say ‘we beat ‘em!’ and then leave it at that.

Wow Albert looks cute without his hat  

And we now get the famous shot of dazed Race staring off into space

Wait a minute so now after winning the strike, finding a girlfriend, and getting Crutchy back Jack still wants to leave?

Enough mushy talk, give me dancing newsies!

It’s funny how Jeremy tries to fit in with the others’ dancing right before bows

Wow. Just… wow. That’s a lotta stunts!

Nice bell-kick, Jeremy! Gotta mozie along with the music! 😆

[thefactsofthematter]

for the fic title game!

“i dream of you almost every night (hopefully i won’t wake up this time)

- @we-are-inevitable ✨

@we-are-inevitable i am taking this title very literally but i think you’re gonna like this one 😁

davey jacobs has a crush.

and it’s not that weird. okay? he’s not a creep or anything. he’s just a normal guy… with extreme social anxiety, who pretty much only talks to his parents and his therapist on the day-to-day, far too freaked out to interact with anyone else. he tries not to be too hard on himself about his social ineptness— he’s mentally ill, it’s a disability, and it’s not his fault— but he often finds himself frustrated with the situation.

he’s taking online university classes, he works from home doing simple stuff like data entry and surveys and typing captions/transcripts (so that he can just take jobs from a database and do them himself without needing to send pointless emails or make calls), and he rarely leaves his apartment. he’s been diagnosed with agoraphobia, among several other overlapping anxiety disorders. he truly wants to get better— he checks in with his therapist every single day and he’s genuinely making progress— but it’s hard.

a big step for him is that he’s started going out to get a coffee every morning. he mobile orders it from the shop on his block, so that he doesn’t need to talk to anyone, but he still gets to go pick it up himself. someday, he’ll try to move on to actually talking to the staff or buying a drink that isn’t black coffee, but he’s not quite there yet.

there’s this barista. jack, his handwritten name tag reads. he’s there every morning, looking utterly joyful— he seems to truly enjoy making good coffee and greeting people and pouring fancy latte art to impress everyone waiting for their drinks. he’s pretty, in a way that most people aren’t. he’s a normal-looking person, not necessarily a model or anything, but his confidence shines through so brightly that it makes it hard to look away from him. simply put, davey is awe-struck by this beautiful man.

he doesn’t talk to jack, doesn’t even quite make eye contact with him, but jack starts to recognize him. he never pushes davey to interact, but smiles at him as soon as he walks in and has his coffee ready and greets him with things like there he is! right on time! here’s the usual, dave— have an amazing day! and davey always catches himself thinking about jack on his way home. it doesn’t even make him nervous that jack notices him and talks to him, because he finds he sort of likes it.

and then he has a dream about jack. you see, in his dreams, davey isn’t so anxious— he can talk to people without his throat closing up, and he can go out and do things without the utter terror that tends to grip him when he deviates from his routine. it’s an escape from real life, and he often looks forward to living in that world for some brief relief. he has a dream where he decides to take his laptop to the coffee shop to sit there and work, and then jack comes over to talk to him, and they hit it off and exchange numbers.

the dreams don’t stop. almost every night, jack is there— or rather, this fantasy version of jack that davey’s lonely and anxious brain has invented. davey doesn’t actually know the guy past their daily customer-employee interactions, where jack has a one-sided conversation while davey forces a polite smile. in davey’s fictional world, though, they’re in love <3

there’s 2 ways this au could go from here. option one, davey tells his therapist, who helps him thoroughly unpack the unhealthy obsession and eventually, after that’s dealt with, encourages him to actually introduce himself to jack and see where real life takes him. it’s cute and sweet and it turns out they do make a very good pair.

option two (which i think you’ll like jac bc i know you love a toxic javid au) is that davey gets a little unhinged.

the obsession grows, and he doesn’t tell anyone about it. he finds jack’s social media, figures out where he lives and who he knows, and starts to piece together every bit of information that he can. it’s not like he’s going to use it for anything— that would be creepy. he’s obviously not a stalker or some kind of freak… he just likes jack. he likes knowing about him, likes seeing him every day, and loves seeing him in his dreams, where everything is coming together as realistically as possible. it’s not just at night anymore, no, he daydreams constantly about the life that he’s convinced he’s supposed to be living. if he weren’t such a shut-in, he’d be happy. he’d have jack. that’s how things should be.

i’ll leave it open to interpretation how far this goes— maybe the obsession fades and jack never finds out. maybe davey goes too far. he’s definitely not quite joe from you (which i haven’t watched but have heard enough about to know that this au is starting to have similar vibes) but he’s def got a creepy side to him. idk. i’m never actually going to write this, but i feel like it could make an interesting psychological horror kinda thing to go with this option 👀 feel free to use your imagination!!

[fluffydavey]

my writing:

prompts:

davey and jack hiding from the world at medda’s not wanting to leave each other’s embrace

davey and jack get drunk and have their first kiss, and a kiss goodbye the next morning to start their relationship

davey gets a girlfriend (assumed unrequited love)

davey and jack share a hug after the strike

jack defends davey when the newsies first discuss him

davey and jack have their first kiss set directly after the musical || ‘please say it’

davey and jack have their first kiss before a union meeting, scared that it will change everything

davey gets beat up at school and jack helps him out

davey gets scarlet fever

the newsies have a bet on when jack and davey will tell them they’re dating

crutchie and davey have a heart to heart about crutchie feeling left out 

davey and jack dance in the dance

jack confesses his feelings while davey is asleep

davey fixes jack’s tie

davey gets beat up by other newsies and jack is there to patch him up || ‘don’t move, i’ll be there in ten minutes’

davey has a bad mental health day but jack is there for him - modern au

after spending the night at the lodgings, jack accidentally wears davey’s waistcoat || ‘keep it, it looks better on you’ 

davey asking jack about moving to sante fe || ‘you feel like home to me’

jack gives davey flowers - modern au

davey goes on a date and jack is jealous - modern au

jack watches davey teaching the younger newsies and realises he’s in love

crutchie and albert catch jack and davey asleep

davey talks jack down from a panic attack || ‘i can’t do this anymore’

jack finds out davey’s going back to school || ‘i would pretty much trust you with my life’ & ‘i’m not going anywhere’

davey can’t sleep so jack cuddles him to help him fall asleep || ‘do you trust me?’ ‘yes’

jack and davey find crutchie beaten up and help him

davey watching jack paint || ‘i love how your brain works’

jack and davey have a date in london

ao3:

you fill my lungs with sweetness (you fill my head with you) || fake dating au

“I need you to pretend to be my boyfriend,” Jack says, his words almost coming out as one.

Davey nearly laughs right there and then, because it’s one of the funniest things he’s heard Jack say. But then he looks at Jack, who is bright red and clearly waiting for his answer. He doesn’t quite know what to think now he realises it’s not actually a joke. “No way.”

or the one where davey pretends to be jack’s boyfriend, and pretends that he isn’t head over heels in love with his best friend.

[bisexualbumblebee-writes]

Carrying the Banner Chapter 7: The Rally- Albert DaSilva x Gemma Hayes

Word Count: 2.4k

“You goin’ to the rally tonight?” Gemma had been in the process of cleaning up the rest of his injuries that he couldn’t get to last night when Albert spoke. She nodded as she pressed the wet rag she’d been holding to his cheek. 

“I think so. From what I hear Davey managed to convince Brooklyn and Staten to come tonight.”

“Brooklyn and Staten? I had some doubts about that kid but he has some guts,” he laughed softly, making the girl smile. 

“He probably managed it because Jack wasn’t there to say something stupid,” she joked lightheartedly, earning another laugh from Albert. 

“You’re probably right.” 

“Are you goin’?” She asked as she continued her work. 

“Well, if Staten and Brooklyn will be there, I gotta go see what goes down,” he nodded with a small smile. 

“I’ve been hearing things about Spot Conlon and Scout,” Gemma mentioned idly. “Spot’s been visiting Staten a lot the last few days.” That managed to pique the boy’s interest. 

“You think we were playin’ matchmaker?” He joked before shaking his head. “Wow, that would really be somethin’.”

“They’d be a power couple,” the girl giggled. “The two toughest leaders in the city together? They’d be unstoppable.”

“And shit would hit the fan if they ever fought, ever think of that?” He half joked. “I guess we’ll get a look at that tonight.” She giggled and shook her head amusedly. 

“I gotta say I don’t blame him for going back so much. That place is like heaven compared to here,” she half joked. But, she couldn’t deny that she’d been thinking about it after the whole bulls attack. Quinn offered her comfort and safety, something Jack hadn’t done much of since the strike started. Albert’s brows furrowed a little. 

“You’re not thinking about movin’ there, are you?” Gemma didn’t answer at first. She’d been conflicted about it for several days now, on one hand Staten never had to go without anything, and there were almost no fights, it sounded perfect. But on the other hand, that meant she’d have to leave her brothers, and leave Albert. Leave the place she’d called home since she was just a kid.

“I don’t know….” She trailed off quietly. The boy looked down and attempted to gather his thoughts. He had just gotten everything he dreamed of and it was already slipping away.

“If it’s right for you, go and do what you think is right, but your family is here,” is all he responded with. The girl looked away and sighed softly. She hated knowing that Albert wasn’t happy with her. 

“I know,” she mumbled. Albert looked down at her with worried eyes, as if he knew what she was thinking. 

“I’m not mad at you,” he said quickly. “I’m just worried. I love you, gemstone, and I don’t want to lose you.”

“You’re not gonna lose me, Al,” she said without hesitation, almost surprised that he would think something like that, as she lifted her hand cup his cheek. “Even if I were to go to Staten you wouldn’t lose me. I just got you, I’m not about to let you go just like that.”

“I know, I can’t help but be worried,” he muttered. “I love sellin’ with you and all the little things you do and when you throw pillows down at me to wake me up…” A small, gentle smile appeared on the girl’s face and she leaned forward so their noses were nearly touching in their close proximity. 

“If you want me to stay, just say the word and I will,” she whispered. 

“This needs to be your decision, Gem,” he shook his head, taking her hands in his. “I want you to want to stay, I’m telling you how I feel. But I don’t want to force you to stay.” It was Gemma’s turn to shake her head. 

“It wouldn’t be forcing me to stay. “You’re more important to me than what Staten could offer.” Albert took a moment to think over her words, then he looked into her eyes. 

“Then stay here with me, we’ll save up and get a place eventually and get out of sellin’ papes,” he offered, voice almost too quiet for her to hear. Nevertheless, she did. Her smile widened at him and she quickly leaned forward to press a soft kiss to his lips. 

“That’s all you had to say,” she whispered once she pulled away. The two of them shared a smile, happy to be there with each other and content to stay that way. 

Albert  walked into Medda’s theater and raised his eyebrows at the amount of newsies that had filled the seats. He had never seen that many kids in one spot before. Gemma was also surprised by the amount of people, but she couldn’t deny that it excited her. They were better in numbers than ever before, which gave her hope that this could actually work. She gripped Albert’s hand and shot him an ecstatic smile. He returned the smile as she took a seat near the back of the theater, their eyes on Davey. The boy looked nervous from where he stood beside the stage, glancing around every so often. It didn’t take Gemma long to realize that they were a newsie short. 

“Hey Dave, where’s Jack?” She asked curiously. 

“Yeah! Where’s Jack?” Albert shouted as the kids around them began to chant for their second leader. The couple watched as Davey shot Lucy a panicked look before timidly stepping onto the stage. Everyone grew quiet and watched in silence as he cleared his throat. 

“Newsies of New York... look at what we've done. We've got newsies from every pape and every neighborhood here tonight. Tonight you're making history!” He exclaimed, earning cheers from the different boroughs. It visibly boosted his confidence enough to continue with a small but encouraging smile. 

“Tonight we declare that we're just as much a part of the newspaper as any reporter or editor!  We're done being treated like kids. From now on they will treat us as equals!” He called, which made the newsies cheer louder. Right after he finished speaking Jack abruptly pushed past Lucy to reach the stage. 

“You wanna be talked to like an adult? Then start actin' like one. Don't just run your mouth. Make some sense,” he grumbled.

“Hey, it’s Jack!” Albert shouted, warranting some cheers from the crowd. Davey was all too eager to step back and allow Jack to speak. Gemma, meanwhile, hadn’t missed the disgruntled look on her friend’s face. Her brows furrowed in confusion as Jack looked around the crowd with a small frown on his face. He held his hand up to cue an end to the cheering, which died down quickly and turned into silent anticipation. 

“All right. Pulitzer raised the price of papes without so much as a word to us. That was a lousy thing to do,” he started. “So we got mad and let 'em know we ain't gonna be pushed around. So we go on strike. Then what happens? Pulitzer lowers the price so's we'll go back to work. And a few weeks later he hikes the price back up again, and don't think he won't. So what do we do then? And what do we do if he decides to raise his price again after that?” His question confused everyone. Gemma and Albert shared a puzzled look before facing Jack as he continued speaking. 

“Fellas, we gotta be realistic. We don't work, we don't get paid. How many days can you go without makin' money? However long, believe me, Pulitzer can go longer,” he continued as the crowd started to boo him. “But I have spoken to Mr. Pulitzer and he has given me his word: if we disband the union, he will not raise prices again for two years. He will even put it in writing. I say we take the deal. Go back to work knowing that our price is secure. All we need to do is vote ‘NO' on the strike. Vote no.” 

Albert and Gemma could do little more as his speech sparked outrage from the newsies in the theater. While Albert merely sat silently in his seat, Gemma grew angry. She couldn’t believe what she’d just seen and heard, and she was (understandably) extremely upset. She’d known Jack since she first came to the lodging house. He was like an older brother to her, keeping her safe against the Delanceys or the bulls before she met Albert. She genuinely couldn’t believe he would do something like this to them. A quiet curse left her lips and she stood, storming out of the theater. She was too angry to stay there. It was only at that point that Albert broke from his distracted stare. 

“Gemma, wait,” he called as he ran after her. The girl shook her head, continuing to walk down the sidewalk.

“He sold us out,” she muttered so quietly it almost wasn’t heard, though the anger in her voice was still evident. Albert sighed softly.

“That doesn’t mean the strike is over though,” he tries, grabbing her arm in an attempt to stop her.

“Doesn’t it?” She snapped without meaning to, stopping abruptly to face him “This is the second time Jack has bailed, Brooklyn and Staten will never want to help us again, and every other borough follows them without hesitation! It’s just Manhattan, and I don’t even think they want to do this anymore!” 

As she finished speaking, drops of rain began slowly littering the streets of Manhattan. It was almost as if she didn’t notice the sudden downpour, though. Albert flinched as a raindrop landed on his head, and he sighed softly. He silently pulled off his coat and set it on her shoulders without paying mind to her slight outburst. 

“Gemma, Jack doesn’t define us” he said simply. The girl sighed softly and shook her head, attempting to calm herself down. 

“I’m pretty sure it’s over, Al,” she all but whispered. 

“What do you want me to do for you right now?” He asked, looking at her with sad eyes.

“I don’t-” she sighed again. “Let’s just go home.” She allowed Albert to take her hand and lead her back to the lodging home. As they walked, the boy looked down at her. 

“I’m sorry about Jack.” Gemma shrugged. 

“Nothing we can do about it.”

“But I’m still sorry, I feel awful.”

“It’s not like you’re the one who bribed him,” she laughed quietly. 

“I know.” The boy shrugged as they reached the steps of the lodging home. Gemma stopped and looked at him. She couldn’t help but smile when she noticed his now soaked hair sticking to his forehead. 

“You’re looking especially handsome in the rain right now,” she mentioned, hands idly holding onto his vest. Albert couldn’t help but smile upon seeing her mood shift, eyebrows raising a bit as he looked at her. 

“Is that so?” He questioned amusedly. “Well I think you look quite fetching in my coat.”

“Maybe I should wear it more often,” she half joked. 

“Maybe you should,” he agreed, leaning closer to her. “Your eyes look beautiful.” His voice was barely audible over the rain, but the girl still heard it all the same. She smiled up at him then, rather than answer, she leaned in the rest of the way and kissed him gently. Albert tilted his head and kissed back, wrapping his hands around her waist slowly. Then, without warning, he leaned over and held her in a small dip,  supporting her by the waist. The girl giggled against his lips before pulling away just a bit, staring up at him with wild adoring eyes and a breathless smile. He returned the smile with stars in his eyes. 

“I’m so lucky,” he whispered.

“I think I’m the lucky one here,” she whispered back, moving one hand to cup his cheek, her thumb rubbing against his bottom lip absentmindedly. Albert merely hummed in response before swooping, holding her like a bride 

“Let’s get dry, it’s pouring out here.”

“Really? I never noticed,” she teased, wrapping her arms around his neck as he hip bumped the door open. He brought her inside, setting her down once they were in front of their bunks so he could grab some clothes. While he did that she grabbed some of the few towels in the lodging home, bringing them back over to the bunks just in time to see him kick off his boots and unclip his suspenders. 

“Trying to seduce me already?” She teased. Albert stuck his tongue out at her before grabbing some clothes for both of them. 

“You came back before I could start my dance,” he joked back.

“I’m all eyes,” she giggled, throwing one of the towels at his chest, which he caught with ease before throwing some clothes at her. She watched him dry his hair for a moment before blushing and turning away, peeling away her clothes so she could dry off. Once they were both comfortably dressed they laid down on Albert’s bunk, which was on the bottom. Albert’s arms wrapped around her like it was the most natural thing, pulling her close with a content sigh. 

“I love you.”

“I love you too,” she muttered, burying her face in his chest. “I’m sorry I snapped at you earlier.”

“I’ve dealt with much much worse,” he laughed out, shaking his head. “I’m practically Race’s punching bag.”

“You’re practically mine too,” she teased. 

“I’m just a big punching bag,” he pouted jokingly.

“At least I give kisses after a punch. Probably can’t say the same for Race.” Albert snorted.

“No, he’s not nearly as affectionate in abusing me as you are.”

“Thank goodness, otherwise you’d have me thinking you were two timing me,” she joked, earning a laugh from the boy as he rolled onto his back, pulling her close.

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, gemstone.”

“Man, you must’ve been through some really bad stuff if I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to you,” she half joked

“Very very bad stuff, because you’re the worst,” he joked with a nod, poking her side.

“Aw, you have such a way with words, Al,” she giggled, a yawn leaving her lips afterwards. Albert laughed softly, kissing her forehead. 

“I sure do,” he muttered. “Goodnight, gemstone.” The girl couldn’t do more than hum in response before sleep finally overtook her.

[bigmack2go]

Oi its done

Triggerwarning

7 hours earlier

Here’s the thing: exactly four people showed up. Him, Specs, Smalls (without the rest of her burrow) and Mush. (And Jack, Davey and Les but they don’t count ‘cause it was their idea in the first place)

And Brooklyn… Well… According to Jack they’re not even in on the strike.

The demo? Fine, Race gets it, they gotta stay save but they could have at least stopped selling!

With time they became more. Crutchie showed up and brought Kenny with him.

After a bit longer Jojo showed up (and apologised for being late. Idiot!)

Then Buttons and Elmer got there, Hand in Hand and definitely still unsure.

Then the group started actually growing.

More and more of the newsies that said they would be there actually came, the word spread and so even more came.

And still: no sign of Albert.

Well Race had tried to talk him out of it but Albert agreed to join when they talked about it yesterday. Race wanted him not to; stay at the lodge but don’t work so his step-dad wouldn’t get wind of it. Because if he did….not good. He would be in so much trouble.

So truth be told, Albert not showing up should be a good thing. Except Albert‘s mind couldn’t be changed. He was determined to come and convinced he could handle his step dad. Even after he didn’t bring any rent home in three entire days.

However there was no trace of him. A lot of them but you know; not the point, not important. What’s important is that Albert didn’t show up but said he would. And that meant he was already in trouble.

When Mike and Ike showed up Davey starts his little pep talk.

Not so little pep talk…..

Avarage peptalk

Longer pep talk?

OKAY FINE! It’s a big huge long fucking peptalk. Race finds himself actually convinced. Davey has a point.

His heart jumped relief when he finally saw Alberts unmistakable silhouette limping toward them. Then he saw Alberts face and his confidence left for good: not only did Alberts look totally determined about this all, but he also did so despite having a black eye and a split fat lip. It confirmed Race’s worries

„Al, what h—“

„Cut it already, Race! Just the old man you know how it is, I’m not leaving“ Albert chewed on the air and sighed without even looking at him. His voice sounded hoarse and exhausted, like it was hurting him to talk, to use his voice.

Race did not in fact know how it is. He had no parents but Albert didn’t seem to care right now.

He didn’t have any parents but he still thought that was better than having that kind if parent.

„Al,”

„Race, I know you want whats best for me-" he finally turned his head to look at him, giving Race a clearer sight on one paticular unmistakable bruise.

Race’s eyes widened in horror „Al…“ he whispered

„-and i really appreciate that. I do!“

„Albert“

„No. Race, you’re not listening. I‘m not leaving!“

„Albert!“

„What?!“

„Y— ya neck…“

Instinctively Alberts hand wandered to his neck in silence.

There were strange marks marring Albert's neck and throat. His steps faltered, as he took in the angry red forms that covered his skin almost like a necklace.

The marks were different from the bruises on Albert's face and arms. They were more sinister. Those didn’t come from a beating: They were deep and raw, like the imprint of fingers pressed too hard against delicate skin.

They trailed along Albert's neck and throat. Race felt his hands tremble as he reached out, his fingers hovering over the bruises as if afraid they might burn him.

„Fuck, Albie what happened?“ Race reached out and honestly he could have cried when Albert flinched away.

He covered it up as dodging Race‘s hand.

His heart pounded in his chest, a cold dread settling in the pit of his stomach.

“Hey, let’s get ya fixed up, yeah?”

“No.” Albert said, “There’s not enough of us anyways. I can’t leave. Where should i even go huh?!”

Race's heart ached at the defeat in Albert's voice, the weight of his words crushing down upon him like a whole damn printing press was just thrown onto him. He wanted to scream, to rail against the injustice of it all, but all he could manage was a whispered plea. "What happened, Albert?"

He managed to choke out, his voice cracking with emotion. He honestly had a fair grasp of what happened, but he needed to hear it from him.

Albert finally met his gaze, his eyes filled with tears of their own speaking volumes but he blinked them away so Race could see the glance for what it was: a glare, "It's nothing," he said, his voice cold and barely above a whisper. "Just a misunderstanding."

He swallowed and tried to comprehend what he was seeing.

“Hey, I’m here, Aren’t I?”

He nodded and fought to control the rising panic within him. He couldn't tear his gaze away from the marks.

“It's nothing, okay. Just leave it!"

But Race couldn't just drop it. Albert was in serious trouble. "This isn't nothing, Albert. That’s …bad. You need to see a doctor."

Albert shook his head stubbornly. "I don't need a doctor. I don't need anything. I just need to be here, with you guys, fighting for what's right."

Race felt a surge of anger and desperation. "Fighting for what's right? Albert, you're gonna get yourself killed if you keep going back to that house! This isn't just about the strike. This is about your life!"

The square was a cacophony of voices, the determined chants of the newsboys echoing off the buildings as they marched and waved their signs with slogans and waving their banners high. Despite the noise and the press of bodies, Race's mind was focused entirely on Albert.

Albert had joined the demo as he said he would, standing tall and resolute among their friends. But Race couldn't shake the image of his bruised face, the split lip that betrayed the violence he'd faced. His heart clenched with worry every time he glanced at Albert, who was doing his best to act like nothing was wrong. But as Race caught sight of Albert in the crowd, his excitement turned to horror:

Albert stood among the throng, his face flushed with exertion.

"You sure you're okay?"

Albert shot him a glance, his expression hard. "I told you, I'm fine. Just focus on the strike."

Race bit his lip, struggling to contain his frustration. He wanted to believe Albert, but the evidence of his injuries was right in front of him. And then, as if to underscore his fears, Albert reached up to adjust his cap, making his shirt slipp up for just a moment, revealing a glimpse of the horror hidden beneath. Race froze, his breath catching in his throat and he somehow gasped at the same time. He took in the extent of Albert's injuries and his hand found its way covering his mouth.

The bruises on Albert's stomach were a sickening kaleidoscope of purples and blacks, spreading like tendrils in a stark contrast against his pale flesh. Some bruises were fresh, the skin swollen and tender, while others had begun to yellow, indicating older injuries. But it wasn't just the bruises that caught Race's attention; There were also long welts that crisscrossed his abdomen, some of them scabbed over, others still raw and red. That wasn’t the work of mere fists, Race became uncomfortably aware. He hadn’t just used his hands. There were marks that looked like the imprint of a belt buckle, and others that suggested he'd been struck with something far more solid than a fist. The sight made Race's blood run cold. He wouldn’t be surprised if Al had a broken rib… or two.

Race's stomach churned at the sight, and he had to fight the urge to grab Albert and drag him away from the crowd, away from everything that was causing him pain.

Race's felt nauseous as his mind raced with images of Albert's injuries. He couldn't shake the haunting scenes that played out before him:

He imagined the scene playing out in Albert's home, the sound of his stepfather's voice raised in anger, the sting of each blow leaving its mark on Albert's battered body.

He saw Albert, huddled in a corner of his cramped bedroom, his father's shadow looming over him like a specter of fear.

The glint of metal as his father reached for the belt hanging from the hook on the wall, the sound of leather snapping through the air like a whip.

Albert squeezing his eyes shut and trying to stop feeling.

He saw him flinching with every whip of a hand, his whole body shuddering for the moment the leather hit his skin.

Him trying to use his hands and arms to shield himself but only giving mire target space.

Albert groaning and doubling over in nausea at a fist that hit right into the pit of his stomach that took too much space

And he heard him whimpering apologies for what ever he did this time, trying to make it stop but giving up.

Heard him hissing at his stepdad’s knuckles hitting his lip just in the right way to collide with his teeth and cut it open.

He heard the sound of leather against leather, against wood and then against skin.

He heard the metal climpering and an even louder slap and then a swallowed gasp; he heard Al groan. No. He heard him trying to suppress to groan.

He heard him pleading for it to stop.

Heard him cursing under his breath and heard his stepdads voice getting even angrier at it.

He heard him crying out at whips hitting right on other wounds.

He saw Albert's face contorted in pain as each blow landed, the bruises blooming like dark flowers across his skin.

And him struggling to breathe: choking as he’s pressed up against the wall by his stepdad’s hand around his neck with his nails digging in his skin. Albert trying to apologise when his voice was quite literally being cut off.

He saw the desperation in Albert's eyes as he fought to hide his injuries, the fear of his father's finding out.

He saw the echoes of past beatings, the scars that marred Albert's body but also every time he flinched away at sudden movements and the flicker of fear in his eyes.

The way Alberts voice seemed to sting if it was being used. Like when you get sick and your throat hurts and your voice leaves.

He saw the emptiness in Albert's gaze, the light dimming in his eyes with each passing day as he struggled to survive in a world that seemed determined to break him.

He flinched at each of that scenes that flashed through his mind.

For a moment, Race couldn't move, his mind reeling with shock and horror. How could anyone do this to another human being, let alone their own flesh and blood?

Race felt bile rise in his throat, his hands trembling with shock and disbelief. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the sight. He felt like throwing up.

"Race?" Albert's voice broke through his thoughts, pulling him back to the present. But when Race met his friend's gaze, he saw the pain lurking behind his eyes, the silent plea for understanding.

“Albert” Race's voice trembled barely above a whisper as he reached out, his fingers brushing against the edge of Albert's shirt. Albert flinched away, quickly pulling his shirt back down.

"You need help, Albert," Race said

“Oh my god!” Albert rolled his eyes; ‘this again?’

"This can't go on."

But Albert shook his head, his eyes haunted by a pain Race couldn't begin to comprehend,

“Race why can’t you just fucking drop it?! I’m fine okay!”

“Fine?! How can you call that fine?”

“Maybe it’s not the best but i can handle myself, for fucks sake!”

“Listen i get that you think that. And i understand that you don’t wanna—“

“But you don’t! you don't understand! I can't do anything about it."

“So you do want yo do something about it…”

“Of course I—“ he scoffed and threw his hands up exasperated, “of course I wanna. Of course I don’t want that but life’s not always about what you want! There’s nothing I can do okay! So I’m begging you, Race! Just… fucking drop it, alright”

“But what if there was?” Race said silently

“What?” Albert bit back

“Something to do. What if there was a way, something ya could do.”

“And what would that be, huh?!”

“Spot…” Race said without thinking about it it. It was more voicing his thoughts than actually suggesting it yet.

Spot could do something. Spot could probably get rid of him for the better…

But Spot was Alberts weak spot right now and they all knew it. The last time they talked was a fight. A really unnecessary one. Spot said something about how Albert should be more grateful for his family. So why in the world would he now help get rid if said family? Well the answer is pretty simple: Spot didn’t mean a single word about it…

That’s also something all of them knew but Spot’s damn pride was ruining his relationship right now and he was getting slightly pissed.

“Spot?”

“Yeah, I mean… he could take care of it…”

Albert raised his eyebrows. “You serious?”

“Well… your step dad is…”

“We are not killing my stepdad, Race!”

“What… that’s not what I— oh i can see how that sounded like I was talking about killing him…”

“So what did you mean? What’d you think Spot’ll do, hm?”

“I don’t know there’s probably a ton of options! I can think of two right now! All though the second one may make it worse if it doesn’t work so…”

“Like what, Racetrack? Go on. Enlighten me.”

“Arrest him…”

Albert blinked, “‘Arrest him’..?”

“Well… have him arrested”

Albert raised his eyebrows again.

“He’s Spot Conlon. He knows people!”

“Fuck…. That’s my boyfriend, what the hell”

The little fucker was trying to change the subject!

Race snapped his fingers infront of his face… probably not the best idea; Al was flinching again.

“Yeah, that guy who could have you arrested, that’s your boyfriend! Crazy, right? Yanno’ what’s even crazier? That guy that could kill ya, that’s your father man. That is crazy.”

Albert sighed, “What was the second idea”

“Have him be beat up”

“But he’ll just have more anger to let out on me then.”

“Which is why I said it was a bad idea! Listen, you know that Spot has ways. He’ll figure something out!”

“Race, listen. I can’t make up with Spot right now. I will! Eventually… but just… i got to much going on right now and i can’t handle a third thing.”

“Well you wouldn’t have to handle the first thing then…”

“Race i said no!”

But Race shook his head, the image of Alberts Torso appearing in his bead again. He’d seen enough. He’s gonna do something whether Albert likes it or not.

That’s when the Delanceys came out.

Albert looked at them in horror.

“They were there, yeah?”

Albert shrugged and nodded the tiniest nod.

And Race took him by the arm (more carefull this time) and dragged him a few steps into the lodge’s direction.

“Go.”

“What? No!”

“Albert, I said go!” Race instantly regretted yelling when seeing Alberts reaction. He sighed, “Look, whatever you say but I’m not having you be beat up again now. Not like this. Not by them.”

“Race…” Albert sighed.

But Race made it clear: there was no debate on this.

Once Albert was gone he brought his fingers up to his mouth to whistle three short times.

Scatter

Two of them meant they could use a simple tactic and confuse them. Mike and Ike running with two people inbetween them.

When they came back, celebrating the, proportionally easy win against the Delanceys, Albert was fast asleep. In the middle of the day. He was laying in one of the last bunks and on an upper one too so no one could see but his shirt was off. He probably planned on putting it back on before everyone was back. He was sleeping on his side, so Race could see from both sides how bad it was.

“Holy shit…” he cried out silently. His lips were trembling and he didn’t know what to do with himself.

He stepped on the other side to see his chest and made a decision then and there.

He carefully pulled the blanket up Albert’s body and then hurried downstairs.

He filled Ike and Tommyboy in to make sure they’d be upstairs a little bit before the others and could make sure his torso was covered because he clearly didn’t want everyone to know.

He told Jojo he’d leave and not to worry and then he did.

@ivys-head-is-spinning @hexmari

Feel like writing angst but we all know i cant make decisions no matter how unimportant they are

[heliads]

hi! idk if you still do newsies requests, and if not thats ok, but if so do you think you could write one with a fem reader with either jack, race, or davey as the love interest? im a sucker for the stories where the boy accidentally says something that could be perceived as hurtful and the reader takes out of context and the love interest has to make it up to her and comfort her. if you decide to do this i’ll give you the freedom to go wherever you want to with this and i get it if you don’t want to :)

no pls i always do newsies reqs. anything for my boys.

masterlist

Thinking about this moment, you realize that this might be the happiest you’ve ever been in your life. It’s hard to appreciate life while you’re still living it, like rose-tinted glasses only exist when you’ve started missing what you should have loved while you were going through it, but right now, you’re beating the odds. This is good, and you still have it to treasure in the palm of your hand.

Still, even the knowledge that what you have is good still stings, in a way. You’re catching at the golden grains of sand even as they fall down the hourglass. You can stretch these blessed few hours out for as long as you can, but eventually, they’ll end. Some part of you wants to play God until the end of time, to reach out and tie everything down, but everyone leaves eventually.

As of right now, though, this doesn’t include the boy next to you. Jack Kelly is special, the kind of boy who only appears once in a person’s life, blooming as bright as a forest fire before he disappears without a trace. Right now, he’s yours for the taking, but he could be gone as soon as tomorrow.

The two of you are curled into a fire escape landing really only meant for one person, a hazy tangle of stretched limbs and worn clothes. Tomorrow, your legs will cramp up from the knot they’re in, but you can pretend you don’t notice it now. You and Jack have been watching the sun cross the horizon, reveling in the glory of not having to work at the moment.

You cast a quick glance his way, letting your gaze rove over his messy head of dark curls. They pour like water over his eyes, shading out his normally bright stare. It must be the artist in him, but you swear that he always seems hyper aware of just about everything, like he could find you in a crowd of millions or spot the one person who needs him the most. At the moment, it’s you, but again, your best strokes of luck could change in a moment.

Truth be told, you’re afraid for when this will end. Jack has been your closest friend for a long time now, although you developed feelings for him a while back. He’ll never feel the same way, obviously, because one cost of knowing all of Jack’s secrets backwards and forwards is that you’ve had plenty of time to hear about all the times he couldn’t care less about the various girls who make Manhattan their home. Jack could have a supermodel asking for a date, and he wouldn’t give her a second of his attention if he didn’t feel like it.

That should mean that days like this, when you’re able to share his afternoons, should mean more than usual, but even being the brightest star in his line of sight still isn’t enough for you. You don’t just want his attention as a friend, you want his love. You want your fingers curled around his heart, you want to know that he is yours, now and forever.

The only problem is that Jack refuses to let himself be tied down. He’s restless, constantly searching for a way to get out, out of the streets, sometimes even out of the city. You’re certainly grateful that he’s here, but you’ve heard the way he talks about Santa Fe like it’s the greatest dream to ever bless his head. Someday, even you won’t be enough to stop him from going, and you’ll have to live with that absence for the rest of your days.

For this afternoon, for this month, for even this year, though, he is here with you, and that means everything. For a few blessed moments, you can convince yourself that this is going to last forever, and that’s enough for you.

Jack looks at you now, the corners of his lips tugging up in something like self-consciousness. He’s usually confident, the boy who could be yours, always walking around the other newsies like he’s never doubted himself for a second. You’ve been able to learn the difference over the course of the past couple months. Witnessing the moment his facade breaks down is stunning, and the first time you saw it you didn’t know what to do with yourself.

By now, you’ve learned that the difference in him is normal, that he likes to pretend he’s something more just to make sure none of the other boys have to worry about themselves half as much as he does. You’re not sure why Jack thinks it’s okay to let down his guard around you, only that you’re glad to see it, and not just because it gives you a false hope that he could feel the same way about you as you do about him.

Jack rubs the back of his head, further mussing up his hair. “What?”

You repeat the question right back at him. “What?”

Jack makes a face. “You were looking at me. Do I have something on my face?”

The way he says it, so full of fear that you’d think he was worried about a deadly serpent instead of a smudge of dirt, makes you laugh. “No, you’re fine. Besides, you’ve literally never worried about that before.”

Jack rolls his eyes. “Well, excuse me for wanting to look my best. Some of us have standards.”

You arch a brow. “Does that mean I don’t?”

Jack gestures at the haphazard mess of limbs, the aftereffects of both of you trying to cram yourselves into this narrow fire escape. “It’s incredibly improper for you to be up here with a boy, you know. Who knows what could happen?”

You narrow your eyes at him. “I live in a house with thirty other boys. Also, we’ve been cloudwatching. The only thing that’s happened is that you’ve come close to falling asleep four times now.”

Jack frowns. “That’s so wrong. Maybe two times at most. I am very invested in these clouds.”

You chuckle. “Of course, I should have known.”

Jack’s eyes flash to you again, lingering on the tilt of your chin as you laugh. You wonder if he’s mapping you out in his head, tracing where he’d draw the shadows on your face. Regardless, it takes him quite a long time to manage to drag his eyes away once more.

“Listen, Y/N, I was thinking–”

Whatever Jack was thinking, he’s cut off by the sound of someone shouting his name from inside the Lodging House. He makes a face, and you swear you can watch his usual confident exterior wrap back around him like a shell, protecting him from having to take a single thing seriously again. Jack tries to ignore the summons in the hopes that the caller will go away, but when his name is yelled again, he groans and starts to stand up.

“One of the boys probably twisted an ankle again, I bet. Either that or Race dropped his box of cigars between the wall and his bed and thinks someone stole it. I’ll be back soon.”

You nod, and watch as Jack grabs his cap from where it’s long since fallen from his head. He disappears back inside, then pops back out again just as quickly, looking oddly panicked.

“You’ll wait for me, right? I swear, I’ll wrap this up as soon as I can, but I really need to talk to you. You’re going to be here when I come back?”

You give him your best attempt at a reassuring grin. “This is the only place in the entire Lodging House where I can actually be alone for once. Trust me, I’ll be right here.”

Jack grins, clearly relieved. “Ok, great.”

He heads back inside, and you’re left wondering what Jack could possibly have to say that would be so important he’d have to check and make sure you’d still be here. Usually, he seems to take your presence for granted, but not today. Interesting.

You’re a little too curious for your own good, so after a couple of minutes pass and Jack isn’t back yet, you decide to creep inside the Lodging House and see if you can find out what was so important that he’d have to dash away for a while in the midst of his seemingly crucial conversation.

You climb back through the window, and after padding down the hallway for a few meters, hear the sound of voices coming from a nearby room. You know that eavesdropping is rude, but you hear your name tossed back and forth between the few assembled newsies, and you know you have to listen.

Albert is talking to Jack, you think, with maybe Jojo and Race there too. “Hey, we’se not saying anything. We just want to know what’s going on.”

Jack sounds frustrated. “Nothing, alright? Nothing’s going on. We’se just talking.”

Jojo interrupts. “Oh, ‘cause that’s totally true. You’ve been out there with her for hours. That’s not nothing.”

You have a feeling they’re talking about you, the afternoon spent out on the fire escape. Some part of you wants to know Jack’s take on the matter, so you lean closer. He doesn’t disappoint, either, and speaks up soon enough.

“Like I said, it’s nothing. Y/N’s just a friend, if that. Stop trying to look into things if there’s nothing there.”

You feel your stomach drop as he says it. Thankfully, Race seems to want clarification, which saves you from the trouble of having to burst in there yourself.

“What do you mean, ‘if that?’ Why would you guys be anything other than friends? Unless, uh–”

Jack cuts him off hurriedly. “Nothing like that, Racer. Get your head out of the gutter, kid. All I mean is that, well, it’s like we talked about the other day, right? Sometimes people have different expectations for what they mean to somebody, and sometimes they’re wrong. It’s like that.”

All of a sudden, you think you’ve heard enough. Not only does Jack know how you feel, he doesn’t feel remotely the same way. You feel sick to your stomach. How could you have thought that he’d even want to love you, he scarcely even thinks of you as a friend? 

You slip back down the hall, but this time, you don’t return to the fire escape. Let Jack head back there, feeling all victorious for tricking you yet again. You hope he happens upon that empty space of iron railings, you hope the pleasure gushes from him and leaves him feeling half as useless as you do. You don’t want to see him anymore, and you certainly don’t want any more of his conversation. Jack can keep his secrets, and you’ll keep the last of your pride. He can’t have any more of it.

In the end, you don’t know how Jack reacts. You do your best to avoid him, which is fairly easy with the number of newsies crammed into the Lodging House growing by the day. You can eat your meals at different times, sell your papes in different places with different partners, and stop seeking him out as you once did. All the while, you nurse your broken heart like a shattered bone, and no matter how few times you see Jack’s face, the hurt of it all still threatens to kill.

It won’t last forever, but you still weave this protective shroud of solitude about your shoulders, pretending it brings you warmth so you can at least feel something other than devastating chill. You can’t believe Jack would say such a thing, which makes it all the worse. It seems as if both of you have been recently disappointed by the other. 

Despite this, Jack takes it upon himself to track you down after a week and a half of your supposed exile. You thought you were doing a good job of losing him, and then you round a street corner only to see him bearing down on you. You try to double back and lose him, but it’s too late by now. He’s seen you. 

Jack jogs up to you, slinging an arm around your shoulders partially as a friendly gesture and also to make sure that you can’t run anymore. “There you are, Y/N. It’s funny, I almost thought you were avoiding me.”

He casts you a sharp look as he says this, daring you to confirm his suspicions. You just shrug. 

“It’s a big city, Jack. It’s not impossible to go a day or two without seeing you.”

A furrow deepens in Jack’s brow. “See, that’s what I thought at first, but it’s been a week. Big city or no, I would have run into you at some point before today.”

When you refuse to elaborate further, he sighs. “Look, I just want to know what’s wrong. When I came back to that fire escape and found you missing, I assumed the worst. Can you at least tell me what’s going on?”

You waver, but cave under the force of Jack’s beseeching stare. You’ve never been able to hide anything from your friend, apparently not even your feelings for him. 

“I was going to wait on the fire escape, but I went inside briefly. I came in just in time to hear you talking about how I didn’t mean as much to you as some of the boys thought.”

A dawning look of horror is growing on Jack’s face. Rather than bear witness to it any longer, you shake loose his arm and take a few quick steps away. 

Jack shakes his head hurriedly. “That’s not what it was like at all, I swear. I would never say something like that.”

You fold your arms across your chest, doubtful. “Then what was it like?”

Jack rakes a hand through his hair. “The boys were confronting me about you again. They have all these crazy ideas about how I feel about you, and I didn’t want them spreading rumors that weren’t true, so I tried to shut them down. Looks like I was a little more overbearing than I needed, huh?”

Jack tries for a weak laugh, but you don’t join in. Instead, you’re just disappointed. Sure, at least you know that Jack doesn’t hate you, but you’re just back to square one of him not loving you. 

“Why did the boys want to confront you about me? Has this happened before?”

Jack looks oddly nervous. “What? Oh, uh, no. Never. Why do you ask?”

This makes you more curious. “You said they were confronting you again. Like they’d talked to you about me before. Why?”

Now it’s Jack’s turn to quail beneath your inquisitive gaze, and like you, he’s unable to withhold the details. 

“They think I like you,” he mutters under his breath, “they have for a while. Not sure why, of course, but—”

A slow smile is growing on your face. “And do you? Like me, that is.”

Jack looks away frantically, but no rescue is in sight. At last, he sighs, and nods slowly. “Yeah, I do. And you’d better not say a word to the other boys, because they’ll never let it go.”

You laugh. “Why would I say a thing to the other boys? Unless we wanted to, of course.”

Jack squints at you. “Wait, ‘we?’ Does that mean that you like me too?”

“Of course I do,” you say, “Have for a while, actually. That’s why I thought you were having that conversation in the first place, because you had to convince the boys that even if I was crushing on you, you didn’t feel the same.”

Jack stares at you for a moment, as if processing the whole conversation. All of a sudden, his face splits with a breathtaking grin. “Shoot, you like me. We should have talked about this earlier.”

You arch a brow. “Why, what would you have done differently?”

Jack looks oddly proud of himself, and seconds later, you figure out why. “This.”

When he kisses you, it feels perfect. Not too rushed or too slow, just the perfect conclusion, the one the two of you have been rushing towards perhaps since the moment you met. It is you and Jack until forever, and you couldn’t ask for anything else. 

newsies tag list: @lovesanimals0000, @misguidedswagger, @thatfangirl42, @amortensie

[aerinthefish]

Dating site/famous!race au pt 1

part 2

Anthony Higgins is a famous dancer/actor

Think like Gene Kelly

Jack convinced him to download Tinder as a joke

So he does

He has actual pictures of himself on there

Some people actually do chat w him

But most just think it’s a fake account

Spot finds him and wants to ignore Anthony but decides to chat w him anyway

They become friends

Spot doesn’t think he is actually the Anthony Higgins but likes the guy regardless

“So what’s ur real name?”

“Oh it’s actually anthony but my friends call me racetrack”

“Nice to meet u race”

They exchange numbers and sometimes call while Spot is walking to the subway or race is working out

Race offers to meet up when he’s in New York for work

Spot agrees to meet at a cafe for lunch

But he asks Darcy to come w him incase Race is a serial killer

(Darcy is obsessed w race. Like knows most of his dances and belts any and all of his songs in the shower)

So it doesn’t take much to convince Darcy to come on the off chance it is race

And surprise surprise

Anthony Higgins walks into the small cafe in a hat and glasses

He knows what spot looks like cause he’s seen a few pics of him on his profile

Slides into the seat across from spot

“Sup, spot.”

“Race?”

“Yup. Sorry ‘bout the glasses. Yknow.”

“Oh dear god” spot knows who race is after living w Darcy for three years “it’s actually you”

“Disappointed?”

“Nah. My roommate is half in love with you tho”

Race is flattered

“Well, maybe you should take me to your apartment to meet him” ;)

“He’s not home”

“Even better” ;)

They don’t actually go to spot’s apartment yet

Race is in town for a week so spot decided to wait it out

Even tho he’s kinda in love w race after talking to him for months

So they meet up a few more times

But the paparazzi find them most times and they’re very obviously on a date

And race’s fans lose their MINDS

Who is this guy

Why is he with race

He obviously wants alone time w race

Oh my god is race gay?????

Nooo I wanted to marry him

Maybe he’s bi

Let’s find that guy and ask

So spot gets hunted down by paparazzi and complains abt it to race

Race freaks cause he didn’t want to make spots life hard

And he didn’t even think abt his fame when he started talking to spot cause like he’s kind of oblivious

So race ghosts him after leaving NY

And spot is PISSED

He calls race and leaves many voicemails that are not child appropriate

Race listens to them all and gets very mopey

He comes to stay at Medda’s house to bother his brother between jobs

Jack hates listening to him complain abt how sad he is all the time. Even tho he has no real clue what’s going on

He assumes spot dumped race for the paparazzi incidents

So he hatches a plan

He calls up his ‘friend’ in NY— Davey

Davey works with Darcy at their friend’s publishing house

Darcy gives Davey spot’s number who gives it to jack after talking to spot abt it (we don’t give random men our friends’ numbers)

“Hey this is jack kelly im race’s brother. please for the love of god text him. he’s insufferable”

“I do text him. He’s the one that don’t answer”

“Then why’d you dump him?”

“I didn’t? He ghosted me”

“That asshole”

Jack is pissed now because he’s had to listen to race’s Sad Songs playlist for the past two weeks

He knows he’s self destructive but he assumed race would be better at relationships

So he makes up an excuse to get race to New York

Probably like. Oh I’m meeting this guy and I want to see how you like him

Oh and he’s bringing a friend so it’s like a double date to help you get over spot

(Race has told jack many many things he loves abt spot while they were talking. He def seems like the type to gush abt his partners)

So Davey, who has met spot a few times at kath’s work parties and such, brings spot

Jack brings race

Race walks in, sees spot sitting next to Davey, and hides behind jack

“Oh god there he is”

“Who?”

“Yknow. Spot. So let’s pick a table on the other side of the restaurant”

“Oh, well, that’s funny cause that’s Davey right next to him”

“What. The. Fuck”

Que a very awkward dinner

Davey and jack are already friends so they talk, ignoring spot and race

“So” race eventually says

Spot glares at him

“Fuck you”

“Yeah I deserve that”

“You’re a dick”

“Yeah”

“Glad you know that”

And then spot asks him what he’s been doing these past few weeks

Cause he misses talking to race

Jack proudly watches his little brother stop being a dipshit

By the end of dinner, race and spot are back to talking normally

And jack knows what he has to do

“Say, race. Would it be okay if I went home with Davey?”

“Oooh, getting laid tonight?” ;)

Jack blushes—but this is just to help race get his man back, not cause he’s finally seeing Davey in person since the party they hooked up at. They’re just good friends anyway

“No, no. Davey just needs some help with…a table! Fixing a table”

“Sureee. I’ll see ya in the morning then?”

“Yep. Yeah. Bye!”

So race and spot are left alone to walk around the city

They go to the park and race kisses spot in the dark. Finally

“So, is Darcy home?”

“No he’s over at Kath’s for their scrabble night. Why?”

“Just wondering if I could see that apartment of yours” wink wink

So they walk to spot’s building, stealing kisses in the dark cold night

Spot shoots Darcy a text “don’t come home tonite xx”

“Oh god. Don’t fuck on our kitchen counter. Please. I’ll be at bill’s til tomorrow”

“Good luck ;). And no promises”

They’re kissing before spot can even close the door

“I missed you” race whispers

“Who’s fault is that, huh?”

“Shuddup”

Race does spend the night but nothing much happens

Spot is tired after a long day of doing accounting and race is jet lagged from flying in yesterday from New Mexico

So they fall asleep on the couch, wrapped around each other

Race wakes up with spot on his chest and he feels so full of love that he’s going to burst

He wants to hold spot and never let go

“Babe, I gotta get up” race whispers, slowly moving off the couch

Spot grabs his waist

“Don’t go”

“I have to pee”

Spot smiles softly. “Kay. Can you make me a cup of coffee? With cream”

Race hums and kisses spot’s forehead

He pees and tries to figure out the coffee maker before he realizes it’s already full of water and grounds and all he has to do is press start

Ten minutes later, he wakes spot up again with a cup of coffee and a fair amount of creamer after he remembered spot complaining about how Darcy had used the last of the creamer when they first started texting

“Thank you, racer”

“Thanks for givin’ me a second chance”

Spot snorts. “I don’t have enough coffee in my system to deal with a serious talk”

“Fair enough”

But they do eventually talk

Race apologizes and explains he was scared of the press taking spot from him

Spot asks him to just tell him the next time he makes a decision like that and race agrees

They don’t get much further than that talk before race is kissing spot’s neck

“You’re a heathen”

“A pretty sexy one, tho” ;)

Spot is realizing race winks a lot

They do have sex on the couch

(Darcy would have a heart attack but he hasn’t come home yet. Spot hopes he’s sleeping in at Bill’s house)

Race is very gentle, and spot tells him to not be even though he finds the thought very touching

Race curls up in spot’s arms after, tracing shapes on his biceps

“That tickles!”

“Then stop having such beefy arms!”

“You’re a nightmare”

“Just kiss me”

They get up eventually and take a shower and definitely don’t give each other blow jobs

After, spot makes race scrambled eggs with bacon because that’s all he can do without Darcy’s supervision

Race just kisses him and promises they’re the best he’s ever had

“Oh my god! Morning after dance party!”

Spot rolls his eyes “you’re the dancer here, race. Not me”

Race just takes his phone and connects it to Spot’s Bluetooth speaker

Dancing Queen turns on and race spins spot around the counter

Spot admits (only to himself ofc) that this is the best date he’s ever had

After dancing queen, taylor swift’s Holy Ground queues up and Spot almost dies when Race begins moving his hips with the beat

“Where do you even get these songs?” Spot asks to hide his blush

Race winks

“I made a whole playlist”

“Just for this?”

“Nah. When we started talking I made it in case you had me over and let me stay the night”

“Racer, that was months ago”

“Yeah”

He doesn’t even look embarrassed

Holy fuck, spot in so in love with this loser

Race stays the next night too

Spot drives him to the airport where jack is saying goodbye to Davey

Spot watches Davey awkwardly pat jack’s shoulder

“They’re worse than us”

Race rolls his eyes “Jacks been in love with that kid since they met”

“They obviously slept together after dinner that night”

“Obviously. Look at the hickey on Dave’s neck”

“Ooh, he’s got it bad”

“Now I gotta listen to jack mope”

“Karma”

“Shut the fuck up”

“You love me”

Race chokes. “How could you tell?”

Spot just laughs at his boyfriend(?)

“Hon, you made us a Dance Around the Kitchen the Morning After playlist”

“Fuck. My plans of inviting you to my movie premier and telling you I loved you in front of the cameras so I could have that expression saved forever are ruined!”

Spot can’t stop laughing

“You idiot”

Race kisses him and goes to grab jack by the collar

“Bye! I’ll send the details for the premier when I land and check that I can take you!”

“Bye, race. Send me the playlist too and I’ll add a few!”

“Deal!” Race waves as he gets in line for security and Davey sighs as he watches Jack leave

“Oh, Dave” spot says

“Don’t. It’s hopeless. I know”

(Are all baby gays this stupid? Spot wonders)

“No I was gonna say he’s in love with you. Come on, I need an iced coffee”

Davey follows, stuttering questions about jack and Spot just shakes his head

[livesincerely]

Domestic AU! Domestic AU! Domestic AU!

I don’t really have anything intelligent to say right now but I just love it so much and I need more of soft!Jack raising these kids he loves more than life. Plus David coming in and just adopting them and being the steadying presence Jack never had is so so good.

Anyway you’re amazing and it’s amazing have a nice day.

Hi friend!! I’m having an amazing day, thank you! 💗

So here’s another domestic au idea I’ve been thinking about recently.

While he’s still in high school, Davey always swings by the elementary school so that he and Les can walk home together. But one day, in late fall of his freshman year, he goes to pick up Les and finds Tony and Charlie waiting with him. Jack and Davey are quickly becoming great friends, and Charlie and Les are thick as thieves (they’re in the same class) so at first Davey doesn’t realize anything’s wrong

“David!” Les chirps, waving wildly as he spots Davey approaching. “David, can Charlie and Tony come home with us? Their brother didn’t come pick ‘em up and they don’t want to get on the subway all alone.”

“What do you mean, Jack didn’t come pick them up?” David says, frowning. “And, hi Tony, hi Charlie.”

“Hi Davey!” Charlie says.

“We definitely could’ve gotten on the subway alone,” Tony announces, looking incredibly disgruntled for an eight year old. “But Les said he’d tell the monitor on us if we did.”

“Because you’re not supposed’ta get on the train alone!” Les insists. “My Mama says it’s dangerous.”

Tony rolls his eyes, crosses his arms over his chest, but doesn’t argue.

“Where’s Jack?” David asks again. “He was absent from school today—are you sure he’s coming? Maybe your parents are coming by after work instead?”

“We don’t got any parents,” Charlie informs him, childishly innocent, and David’s heart lurches in his chest. “We just got Mr. Snyder and I don’t think he even knows when we get outta school—“

“Jack picks us up,” Tony insists. “Jack always picks us up. But he was real sick this morning, so maybe he’s just late?”

“Jack’s sick?” David asks.

“Yeah,” Charlie says. “He was sneezin’ and coughin’ and shiverin’ all night, and he kept fallin’ asleep on the subway when he dropped us off.”

“Can’t they come home with us!” Les pleads. “I told the monitor that we were waiting on you, that you were gonna walk us home today.”

“Les,” David sighs. “You shouldn’t lie to your teachers.”

“But it’s not a lie if you actually walk us home!” Les says, all sad puppy eyes. “Please?”

So, Davey ends up walking Les back home first, then walking Tony and Charlie back to their apartment.

I really like the idea of Les getting excited and saying something like, ‘yeah, you can come over and we’ll watch spongebob, yadda yadda,’ and Davey tries to shut it down before Les can get too into it and says something like, ‘you’ve got guitar in 45 minutes and Papa will kill you if you skip, you don’t wanna get in trouble, right?’. Then Tony adds, in a very conversational voice, ‘yeah, Snyder gets real mad and says he’s gonna kill us when we don’t do what he wants, we don’t want you to get in trouble.’

And Davey’s like, excuse me? Because he was mostly exaggerating but Tony sounds weirdly calm and serious about this and it twinges some little instinct in the back of Davey’s mind that something’s off.

But the moment passes (for now)

So, Davey eventually gets Tony and Charlie back to their apartment. He’s been texting and trying to call Jack the whole time, because he doesn’t want Jack to turn up to the elementary school and finds his brothers missing. But when they arrive, the find Jack curled up on the living room sofa, smelling of Vick’s salve and shivering with fever, nose rubbed raw from blowing it. And Davey’s heart breaks, because it’s utterly evident that Jack is too sick to take care of himself and there’s clearly no one else around to do it.

So Davey takes it upon himself to do it himself.

He takes the boys with him for a trip to the corner store because he doesn’t want to leave them alone when Jack’s so incapacitated. They make a whole adventure of Taking Care of Jack: they pick out some good soup, crackers, cold medicine, tissues, cough drops, orange juice, and a bunch of other stuff. Tony and Charlie are Very Invested in this task, and Davey realizes that they’ve been very worried about Jack, even though they don’t seem to realize that’s what they’re feeling.

Jack wakes up as Davey’s heating up some soup on the stove top. He’s very confused to find Davey in his apartment, and when he realizes that he slept through picking Charlie and Tony up from school, he feels So Guilty. But Davey’s like, Jack, you look like hell, you don’t need to be getting up from the couch, let alone trying to traverse the subway and the streets in November.

“You don’t got to—“

“Jackie,” David says, exasperated. “It’s fine, just go sit back down before you fall down.”

“But—“ Jack says, weak and raspy.

“Sit. Down.”

I love the idea of Jack, who’s always been the caretaker, finally having someone show him that it’s okay to be taken care of. I also love the idea of Davey, Tony, and Charlie having a a really sweet bonding moment together.

I think this is where Tony and Charlie really start to see Davey as another Trusted Adult (not that Davey, at 15, is an adult in any sense of the word, but the boys are young so that’s how they think of it) and Jack starts to see Davey not just a school friend, but as someone who he can actually lean on and confide in outside of a school setting

Jack has Issues with letting people know anything about his home life, for obvious reasons. But Davey proves that he can be trusted not to judge.

But yeah! Hope that was interesting! I love the domestic au very much 😊

@alannaofroses

[loving-jack-kelly]

it should be like. davey gets burned out from the stress of a pretty high-level job in the big city and very impulsively, going against the way he's lived his entire life so far, finds a new job in a tiny town and decides to see if that slow small town life is right for him. the woods are dark, the streets are dark, the latest anything is open in a diner that closes at 10pm, and his job is far below his skillset. he loves it. he has time to relax. he has time to read a book for fun. he has time to take a weekend to spend with his family because work doesn't follow him home.

jack is the local carpenter, the only one in town and people are okay with that because his prices are fair and he's a good guy. the first time davey has a problem with his new place, a neighbor tells him to call jack, call jack, jack will take care of it. he's a little strange, but he's a good guy and he'll take care of it.

and jack is a strange guy. he shows up, all cheerful and nice, a big smile and an accent that tells davey he's not the only one who's thought to escape city life by coming here. jack repairs the kitchen cabinet and tells him, matter of fact, this apartment building is falling apart and he should consider renting one of the houses nearer the edge of town, they're nicer and he'd have more space. davey likes him. likes the way he talks, the way he laughs, the way he gives davey his personal number and says to call him if anything else breaks.

and they're friends. kind off. because jack will be friendly and nice and fun for a while, and then all of a sudden he's distant. colder. it's like he's a different person once in a while for no apparent reason. he comes back, eventually, just like he was before, and davey figures he just gets moody sometimes. who doesn't?

when, after a year or two of living the small-town life and enjoying it much more than the big city, davey finally takes jack's first advice and rents a house close to the edge of the town proper, the locals he's slowly gotten to know warn him. there's something in the woods, don't leave your cat out unsupervised, don't walk home too late, don't go camping or night hiking without a strong flashlight and a big group. there's something in the woods and the neighbor's chickens keep going missing, something in the woods and maybe it's just the coyotes or maybe a wolf that got separated from his pack, maybe an aggressive bear or a feral stray dog, but there's something in the woods and he should know to be careful, now that his house is so close to the woods.

jack seems to know a lot about the thing in the woods. it's huge, he says, he's seen the tracks it leaves behind. it's vicious, it's mean, davey should let jack build a fence in the backyard to make sure it stays away from him. jack says he should avoid going out at night as much as possible, use the garage and not get out of his car outside of it after dark, especially when people have been seeing the thing out and about. jack gives advice and advice and advice and advice, and he's so sincere that davey can't help but trust him, even though he isn't really sure he believes in the way people talk about this thing.

for jack, it's different. he moved here a few years ago, made himself a part of the community, a useful part of the community. he's never told anyone why he came here, really, he laughs it off and says he wanted a change of scenery, he needed to get away from the hustle and bustle, he's had more luck being a handyman here and he likes it better in a small town because he gets to know the people he works for.

nobody knows that once a month he wakes up alone in the little house he bought so far away from town. nobody knows that he wakes up shaky with blood on his face and hands and no idea what happened the last few nights. nobody knows that the reason he's such a vocal voice of warning against the thing in the woods is because he knows he is the thing in the woods.

and the thing about moving into a small town is that no matter how nice everyone is, no matter how much they seem to like him and accept him, he'll always be an out-of-towner. he knew that when he moved here and he counts on it now. the friends his made are his friends, but he'll always been a little bit on the outside because this might be his home, but he isn't from here. he's jack from the city, has been since the day he got here and will be until the day he dies here. and that's his shield.

until davey gets here, that is. because davey is the same kind of nice, helpful outsider. everyone likes him, but he's davey from the city, so they're lumped together by everyone anyway. and davey is nice. davey wants to be friends, and jack can't seem to stay away from him. because davey is nice and friendly and funny and kind and jack really, really likes being around him even though the whole point of coming out here was to avoid this.

so they're friends. and every month, when the itch starts and jack can feel the change coming even if he hasn't bothered to look at the moon, he tries to pull away, and every month, davey doesn't seem to let it bother him. jack wakes up shaking and cold and scared and alone and with a text from davey asking if he wants to get coffee the next morning and jack hasn't been able to say no or ignore him yet.

and when davey moves close to the woods, so close to where jack knows he's killed things and terrified people even if he has no memory of it, jack is trying so hard to convince davey to protect himself because he needs to know that there isn't a risk of him hurting his best friend. and davey keeps laughing it off, but jack keeps insisting until davey is promising to keep pepper spray with him at night and park in the garage and to consider letting jack put up a fence.

but another change comes before that happens, and jack wakes up alone and bloody and more terrified than usual that he's hurt somebody. none of it is his own blood, but that's hardly a comfort because he doesn't know what (or who) the blood came from. he doesn't remember anything, he never does, but it's been two nights since he's been himself and he's so scared to find out what happened. he has a feeling that he went somewhere he wasn't supposed to.

and sure enough, when he sees davey again, still unable to stay away and this time desperate to make sure he hasn't done something stupid, davey tells him about going outside at night for something or other and there were huge eyes, something bigger than he's ever seen before lurking at the edge of his yard. jack warns him again to be careful of the thing in the woods.

but davey only barely has a healthy fear of wild animals, and he refuses to believe that the thing in the woods is anything more than a wild animal. and for a while (davey doesn't pay attention to the moon, why would he have its cycle memorized, he doesn't notice the pattern that jack is so sure is glaringly obvious to somebody so smart) it's quiet again. and if he decides to spend a warm summer night smoking on his porch that looks out at the woods, it's not like anything is going to come up into the porch light and bother him anyway.

but this time, it isn't just eyes in the woods. this time, barely five minutes after davey goes outside, before he's even had a chance to light the joint in his pocket, he feels the hair on the back of his neck stand up and those eyes are back again, and they come closer and closer until the thing they belong to is fifteen feet away, just past the edge of the light so davey can see the biggest wolf he's ever heard of in his life is there, just staring at him. and davey knows he isn't supposed to feed the wildlife but all he can think to do is throw the sandwich he'd brought with him onto the yard and run back inside.

but the thing is, he watches the wolf from his window and it doesn't behave like a wolf. it snaps up his sandwich and sits down, looking at him. at the house and the lights, davey knows rationally, but it feels like it's looking right at him. it tilts its head and curls its huge tail around its feet, and for more than an hour it just looks. at first, it freaks davey out. but the longer it goes on, the more he thinks the wolf is cute. it looks like and is acting like a huge dog. he's too smart to go outside or try and interact with it, but he's tempted to toss another snack out the door.

jack freaks out when davey tells him this story. davey laughs it off as jack being high strung about the wolf like always. jack is thinking about how if davey had opened that door, there might have been very different news spreading around town than a few chickens being taken from annie and edgar's place.

for the next month, davey leaves a bowl of water outside on the lawn every night and is almost disappointed when, every night, it's undisturbed in the morning. until one night, when he flicks on the porch light to put the water out, there are already eyes at the treeline, flashing at him. he very, very slowly sets the bowl at the very edge of the porch, and backs back inside. the wolf waits for his door to be closed before approaching, just as slowly, and davey watches it drink all of the water he left out. its tail wags as it walks back into the woods when it finishes drinking. davey can't help but think again of a large, friendly dog.

jack almost yells at davey when he tells this story. how could he be stupid enough to go outside when the thing was right there? but davey insists he was safe, it didn't want to bother him.

jack thinks about moving again, somewhere even more remote. somewhere nobody would even know to find him. when he starts to feels the itch again, he tries harder to fight than he ever has before. he doesn't want to have to leave. he doesn't want to have to give davey up.

the next time davey sees the wolf, he hears it first. it's crying. he can tell it's hurt. he has to look for it with a flashlight, lying to himself that he thought it was a normal dog hurt in the woods behind his house, and when davey finds it, it's curled up around itself, licking a gash on its side. it curls its lip at him when he tries to get close, so instead he goes back inside and brings out a bowl of water and a few of the dog treats he'd bought just in case. he sets them down nearby and goes back inside for the night.

for just a second, he has the crazy thought that he recognizes the eyes, the wolf's eyes, but he shakes it away.

the bowl is empty and the treats are untouched when davey checks the spot the next day.

jack is sick for a few days, he facetimes davey from bed sounding stuffy and looking miserable, doing a bad job at hiding how he winces every time he moves. davey can't shake the feeling that there's a dot to connect, here.

when the wolf comes back, davey looks up at the moon. it's full and bright and the wolf happily drinks his water and snaps up the steak davey bought just for this. he looks at the window and davey is sure, as crazy at it sounds even to him, that he knows those eyes.

the next month, davey has it all planned out. he going to test his theory, his stupid, crazy theory. he's going to call the wolf jack and act like its friend and it'll either kill him or he'll be right. it doesn't happen that way, though, because the wolf shows up and collapses on his porch of its own volition, whimpering and shaking, and when davey goes outside without even thinking about it, he sees a front leg bent out of shape and bloody scratches all around its head, blood on its face that might be its own or something else's.

he completely stops thinking. he gets a washcloth and warm water and cleans the wolf's face, ties a scarf and a wooden spoon to its leg in the closest thing he can manage to a splint. he knows better than to try a vet. unlike last time, the wolf lets him care for it. he doesn't even notice that he's saying "it'll be okay, jacky, it'll be fine."

jack doesn't wake up cold and alone, this time. he wakes up in a good amount of pain, but he's warm. curled under a big blanket on a soft bed. when he blinks awake, the first thing he does is touch his face and look at his fingers. he feels some scabs, but sees no blood. he's even wearing pajama pants, way too long for him, which has never happened before.

and when davey says, "good morning, jacky. we've gotta get you to a doctor." jack jumps so hard he can't help but cry out at how bad it hurts his arm, now obviously broken. he's terrified, starts babbling about how davey shouldn't have done it and it could have killed him and how could he be so stupid and didn't he understand that jack was a monster who could kill him and and and

and davey, the first person since jack's dad to know his secret, is also the first person since jack's dad to say no, you didn't hurt me and you wouldn't and you won't. you needed help and I was there for you and I will be again. and when jack calms down enough to breathe again, he's settled into the warmth.

like years ago i said somebody should write a fic that's like hozier's it will come back but with javid where jack is an actual werewolf trying to warn davey to stay away from him and I was right. i was correct. why didn't anybody listen to me.

[orcaofmyheart99]

Gay Awakening

for @newsies-are-the-new-best-thing

Davey had always been focused on school and his family. He had always felt a sense of responsibility and duty. The free time he had was spent on studying history. Davey had never thought much about dating. He had gone out on a few dates with a few different girls from school but nothing ever went anywhere. It just didn’t really feel right to Davey although he couldn’t explain exactly why that was.

Davey’s father got into an accident while at work. This forced him and Les to go out and become Newsies until his father would be able to go back to work.

Davey was a bit nervous on his first day. He got even more nervous when he met him. He was just a little shorter than Davey was with twinkling eyes and a dazzling smile. His younger brother seemed to know this boy “That’s Jack Kelly” Les explained.

“This is my brother David” Les introduced him to the boy

“Nice to meet you Davey” Jack greeted with a genuine smile.

Davey felt butterflies in his stomach. Something which he had never experienced before.

Jack offered to sell with him and Les that day. Davey went home that night with a distant smile on his face and a lightness to his steps. He felt happy in a way he had never felt before.

The next day Davey made sure to sell again with Jack. There was something intoxicating about him.

A young woman came walking along. Jack put on his charm to sell to her. Davey felt a small twitch of what was most likely jealousy towards the young woman. To his surprise she wittingly turned Jack down which made him seem even more interested in her. That night Jack felt a little heavier. He told himself that it shouldn’t matter. Jack was straight and so was Davey. He probably only felt butterflies because it was just a whole new experience. Everyone seemed pretty in awe of Jack.

A few weeks passed and Davey got to know Jack more. And the more he got to know him, the more Davey liked Jack. Maybe Jack had caused Davey to have some sort of gay awakening?

Jack asked Davey one afternoon for some advice “I am going on a date tonight. Got any ideas on where I should take her?” Davey was caught off guard. “That girl you were trying to sell to the other day?” “Yeah. We are going out tonight. You seem like the romantic type. So any ideas?” Davey felt a pain in his stomach. His mouth suddenly felt dry. “Uhh umm not really. Sorry.” Davey stuttered and walked away. He grabbed Les’s hand muttering that they had to get going, citing that they would be late for dinner. Jack was left feeling confused. He ended up taking the girl out to the theater at which they had a good time and enjoyed each other's company.

Jack tried to rectify the situation with Davey. Davey had been avoiding him since he asked for advice. Choosing to sell by himself instead of Jack which was strange.

“Davey you seem to be avoiding me” Jack commented as the Newsies lined up. “I’ve been busy” Davey said, not meeting his eyes. “I’m not sure if I overstepped something the other day by asking for advice for a date. But I am sorry if that made you feel weird at all” Jack tried to apologize.

“Why the hell would that make me feel weird?” Davey snapped looking directly into Jack’s shimmering blue eyes.

Jack looked taken aback by this tone of voice from Davey who was usually very soft spoken.

“Why would I care who you date or where you go on dates Jack? It’s not like I’m into you or anything! Just leave me out of it ok?!” Davey stormed off in a huff stuffing his papes into his bag.

Jack was left speechless. Why was Davey acting like this? And what did he mean that he wasn’t into him? Jack thought that was a very strange thing to say.

That night Jack couldn’t sleep. Davey’s words kept spinning over and over in his head. He finally propped himself up and looked around to see if Crutchy was awake.

“Hey Crutchy you there? Jack mumbled.

“Yeah I’m ere Jack. Can’t sleep?” Crutchy muttered back.

“I just keep thinking about what Dave said. I thought it was fine when I asked for his advice about my date with Katherine. I thought he would be happy to help out his friend. Guess I was wrong. I am just mostly surprised about how he spoke to me today. I really didn’t mean to offend him or anything.” Jack said, sounding a bit sad.

Crutchy let out a small laugh

“What’s so funny?” Jack demanded.

“It’s just that Jack. As much as you are charming you can often be a bit oblivious. Davey obviously likes you. Hell, I would say he is in love with you. Have you noticed the way he looks at you? How he hangs on your every word? How he has to sell with you everyday? How he has to stand close to you?” Jack was quiet.

“No, I guess I didn’t. If he really is into me I would understand how me asking about where to go on a date would make him upset. What can I do to make it up to him?” Jack asked.

“Honestly, I would give him some space right now. He probably has a lot to process and figure out.” Crutchy advised.

Jack gave a sigh of defeat.

“Alright. I will” Jack gave in

For the next few days Jack let Davey have his space. He didn’t want to lose Davey as a friend so he let him be. Giving a polite nod and smile when they interacted. About a week later Jack was selling his last paper Davey approached him in a cautious and nervous manner.

“Gotta a sec Jack?” Davey asked.

Jack looked surprised that Davey was talking to him.

“Sure. What’s up?”

“I, uhh, I wanted to umm apologize for how I spoke to you the other day. I was upset and took it out on you wrongly. You are my friend and I am truly sorry about how I treated you. Friends help each other out and I should have helped you on your date place.”

“Davey, don’t worry about it. I understand I’ve been in your position before.”

Davey’s eyebrows knit together.

“What do you mean by my position?”

shit , shit shit. Jack thought. Why did I say that?

“Ummm I just mean like. Helping friends out with dating stuff when you know umm you, you know.

Davey’s brow furrowed further.

“What?”

Jack fiddled with his hat in his hands. He took a deep breath, trying to imagine Crutchie's advice. Crutchie would probably tell him to be truthful.

Jack quickly said “When you like a friend in more than a friend way, then the friend you like is going on a date and you want to be going on a date with that person.”

Davey stood there, mouth slightly open.

“Unless I’m wrong?” Jack asked nervously.

“No, you aren’t wrong. I do like you. Like more than a friend” Davey said looking down at his feet.

“I thought I was straight until I met you.” Davey said now looking into Jack’s eyes and moving closer.

“Hell, Jack, every time I am near you I lose my breath. I forget how to walk. My mind goes blank. Jack, no one has ever made me feel the way you do.”

For a change Jack felt nervous. Davey stepped even closer to him.

“I know this is a long shot and I know that you are dating that girl, but I really like you. If you ever want to go out with me I am here. Just know that.”

Jack felt his face flush

“Actually Dave. I am not seeing that girl anymore. After Crutchy provided some insight I realized that she wasn’t the one I wanted to go out with.”

“Really?” Davey whispered. Hope beginning to fill his heart.

“Really” Jack responded.

Before he knew what he was doing, Davey was kissing Jack. Jack pulled Davey in closer, wrapping his arms around him.

“So, you wanna go out on a date with me?” Davey asked, smiling.

“For sure” Jack responded, grabbing his hand.

The news traveled quickly to the other newsies. Everyone was very happy for them.

[violetwolfraven]

And With Every Step Together

Hi @enter-plot-holes-here !!!! I’m filling a request for a blush scene in the rain. Anyway you said modern OR canon era, so why not a bit of both in the form of a reincarnation au? This should be fun. @newsiesgiftexchange

I’m sorry this is so late!!! I had one idea and it wasn’t work so I had to rewrite it as something else and that’s why it took so long!

Tw: past death, references to WW1

…

Well, this was a weird morning.

The whole friend group had slept over at the theatre to celebrate the start of the new school year for the drama club, and accidentally stumbled on memories of a past life where they lived and died together along the way.

Y’know, as you do.

They’d spent most of the remainder of the night after they woke up from a shared dream talking everything through. Reassuring each other that they were all here and safe now and reminiscing about the good times like right after the 1899 strike to make things like the fact that they’d all died in World War I feel less scary.

They had stopped talking around 3:00 AM, because Jack and Davey were ever the mom friends and they insisted that everyone needed it.

Mush doubted anyone had actually gotten more than a few minutes of sleep. Old habits died hard, after all. A life of being newsies and then soldiers and nurses meant most of them usually woke up around 5:00. That, and a good half of them were having existential crises.

Mush was sure the other half would have their own crises later on their own time, but he’d personally spent like an hour staring at the ceiling and internally freaking out.

And holding Blink, because he was the one constant in all of this. Loving him was something from both lifetimes.

Anyway, once everyone woke up for the morning and they all ordered Taco Bell breakfast burritos on Ubereats as planned, it was time for everybody to go home.

As if by some telepathic signal of reluctance, they were all kind of hovering in the general area just inside the door, none of them wanting to leave the others just yet.

Besides just the trauma factor, there was also that it wasn’t really cold on a morning this early in the fall, but it was chilly enough that Mush wasn’t too excited about walking home even though he only lived a few blocks away. Most of the others lived farther. Only a few of them had cars.

And some of the clouds overhead had decided it was a good time for some rain, so there was that.

It looked pretty, since patches of the horizon were visible and rays of the early morning sun were shining through the sheets of rain, but that didn’t mean anyone was eager to get out and walk in it.

“No,” Davey said suddenly.

When Mush looked over, he and Jack were having one of those telepathic conversations they always used to have. Looked like they were fully back in their old rhythm.

“No. Don’t even—“

But he laughed and didn’t fight it when Jack kicked the door open and dragged him into the rain. That was all the signal the rest of them needed to run out and start kicking up puddles, splashing friends and partners they now remembered their full history with.

Riding the chaotic energy of the friend group together again, Mush grabbed the little Bluetooth speaker he’d bought at Walmart out of his backpack and put on the High School Musical 3 soundtrack.

High School Musical didn’t exist, and wouldn’t for a good ninety years, the last time they’d all been together like this, but the vibes worked for right now, as everybody ditched their backpacks and sleeping bags on the benches in front of the school.

Blink laughed loudly when Mush grabbed him and spun him into some kind of disjointed swing dance that didn’t work quite right because the music’s tempo wasn’t like what they’d danced to before, but—

But the moment was still perfect. They were alive, they were here, and they were surrounded by their chosen family, though it felt almost as if there was nothing in the world but the rain, and the two of them dancing, and the euphoric happiness between them.

Mush yelped when Blink suddenly switched things up to take the lead, and spun him into a dip.

Not that he was complaining. Blink being an amazing dancer in this lifetime worked great for him. Not that he’d been a bad dancer in the last one, but… well, a couple of the dance styles they used in their shows now hadn’t really existed back then, so…

Blink didn’t smile like this often in any lifetime, open and carefree with joy. Not when other people could see them, especially.

“I missed you,” he said sweetly, everything else in the world just background noise.

Mush stepped back with his right leg for more stability as he reached for his boyfriend’s face.

“I’m right here.”

The morning rain was chilly, but Mush felt warm all over when they kissed.

They kept it short and sweet, of course, so they could get back to living out everybody’s teen romcom fantasy of dancing in the rain.

Mush didn’t want to look away from Blink’s eyes, but he wanted to think there was a rainbow somewhere above their heads right now.

This situation was more complicated than anyone was currently thinking about, and they all still had a lot to talk about some other day.

But right now, there was only the rain, the dancing, and the joy of being together.

…

Why yes, the title is from a High School Musical 3 song. What about it? :)