#medda's lovely answer

[askmissmedda]

Happy Halloween Lovelies! The theater has sweets, buckets and everything of the sort! Stop on by <3

[noxexistant]

Hi i momentarily fell into a deep slumber only to be broken by true loves kiss (which apparently includes my dogs slobber)

Developing on the Medda adoption:

There’s a reason she can’t have all these boys at once. She would love to have all of them, to see the same fierce protection that Oscar has for Morris encompass little Jack Kelly as well. But, they’re too distrusting. Of her. Of him. Of everyone but each other.

The first time they pick a fight with him, Jack’s only six. He comes to Medda in full blown sobs, rapidly trying to explain that he’d been trying to play with Morris and Morris got upset and Oscar just hit him to get him to back off. And he’s got a black eye and a bloody nose.

Medda worriedly reprimands them. If she gives them up, they’re left at the mercy of the system, where broken is a kind word for something far messier.

The second time, Jack is only seven. It had only been a few months since the last one, but Jack once again burst into Medda’s room in tears, running and burying himself in her arms, babbling about how he wished Oscar and Morris loved him like he loved them (he’s seven, he gets attached very easily, doesn’t understand why they’re so distant when all he wants-all he’s ever wanted-is brothers) and it isn’t fair that they get to be brothers and not him.

He tells her it was Oscar that hit him, even though it was Morris who had bruised him this time. The older Delancey had told him that he’d better tell Medda it was him-or else. Told her he’d been messing with them instead of just touching Morris’s favorite blanket. He’s just wanted to feel it, honest. He wanted to know what made it so special.

Medda can’t keep letting one of her kids get hurt.

But what to do?

She calls up their social worker-Denton, she remembers- and asks his opinion. He tells her that she’s got to either give up the two brothers, or she’s got to give up Jack. She can’t have both under her roof, not while they pose a threat to each other.

She’s never had to make a harder decision in her life.

And she hopes Oscar and Morris don’t despise her for it.

dog slobber absolutely falls under the umbrella of true love’s kiss. my puppy is currently snoring in his bed across the room - deceptively loud for something so little - and it’s my own personal lullaby.

also, [even more utterly feral screaming]

god, this is so good, it’s like you read my mind.

poor little jack just utterly cannot wrap his head around oscar and morris’ dynamic - not for what it is. how could he? he just sees their closeness and love for each other and wants in. he wants to be a part of it so badly, wants to be their brother, without understanding that their bond was built as a survival mechanism. that it was a lifetime of trauma in their short lives so far that made them so desperately close and so dependent on each other - and it was the same which also made them so quick to violence, so distrusting of anyone who comes close, so quick to lie even when medda promises them it’s safe to tell the truth.

morris’ blanket had been his only possession beyond the clothes on his back when he’d been introduced to medda’s care. oscar’s closest thing to a possession had been his grip on his brother’s hand, and he hadn’t let go for a single second for days, especially not in front of medda - he’d glared relentlessly at her, wouldn’t take his eyes off her, wouldn’t let her anywhere near morris. jack has a bag of things when he comes to medda’s - old clothes that don’t really fit him anymore, but they’d been the last ones his dad had bought for him; a couple books; a few toys - and he doesn’t have the years of abuse the brothers have, but he of course still has plenty of trauma. jack’s mom had been loving until she’d been dead, and his dad had been good too until he’d fallen apart, and he’s just got all these memories of the good times and what could’ve been. all these wants for what could be now, and he wants so badly to be part of a family again, even if he doesn’t really understand the dynamic at medda’s, he knows it’s his new family.

he’s so excited to have brothers. and he really does love them, wants to love them, wants to be their brother. even though he doesn’t understand why morris is so scared of harmless innocuous stuff like the kitchen, and covers his ears when men are talking - even on tv - and sometimes screams when jack is just trying to play with him. he doesn’t understand why oscar won’t play, and glares at medda even when she’s being nice, and has these big outbursts where he throws and breaks things and then hides like he’s terrified and has to be coaxed out by medda promising gently over and over that he’s safe here. there’s nightlights all over the house and there’s nothing glass and there’s silent alarms on the front and back doors if anyone opens them. jack’s not allowed to go anywhere near oscar and morris’ bedroom at night - even if he can hear one of them having a nightmare or medda talking to them - because morris starts screaming if he does, and then he can’t be calmed down, even by oscar.

and that’s another thing - jack doesn’t understand why neither oscar or morris run to medda when they’re upset, like jack does. they cling to each other, and they hide. they don’t tell medda if jack’s bugging them, they just hit him. they don’t tell medda anything, even important things or things they need help with. like when morris wets the bed - oscar just tries to change the sheets by himself, and starts beating on jack when he trails oscar into the laundry room to tell him medda says they’re not allowed to go in there. and medda tries to explain it to jack, sits him down and tells him gently and slowly that awful things happened to oscar and morris and that they’re not like this on purpose, they just need extra patience and looking after and accommodations made for them so that they can get better - just like someone with a physical injury would - but jack’s a kid, and he can’t help from growing to think that the delanceys are just cruel and strange.

which is why it feels like such an inevitability when medda - looking utterly grief-stricken, which jack hates - says as gently as she possibly can that oscar and morris are going to move on to somewhere new. she says it’ll be somewhere better for them, with this look on her face like she’s trying to believe it. and jack’s kind of sad too, an odd loneliness filling him at the thought of not having his brothers anymore, even if they’d never liked him back - maybe they could, if he kept trying - but he’s maybe glad too. he’ll have all of medda’s attention, even though he’d always had most of it because oscar and morris never wanted to join in. she’d still always been worrying about them. and she looks worried now, maybe more worried than ever, because she and jack both had been expecting some sort of outburst from the brothers at this news - oscar hitting and kicking and destroying, morris screaming and wailing. but instead oscar just looks cold, looks detached as he glares at medda and curls himself around morris, who’s crying quietly, and his understanding is clear.

they’re being abandoned again. they’re not loved, again. they don’t fit in here. they’re not wanted here. he was right to not trust medda, and he was right to keep morris close and protect him too. because everybody’s the same, and all the brothers will ever have is each other.

medda hates the system and hates the situation and hates herself for having to make this choice, because she knows the damage she’s just inflicted on these already brutalised boys is permanent now. and she wants so badly to keep them, but she can’t. she had considered just keeping morris, the quieter and less rough of the two boys who has never hurt jack (as far as she knows), but then she’d thought about oscar and morris being forcefully separated - thought about those tiny, tiny boys who’d first come to her and been unable to let go of each other - and almost made herself sick. it’s her only comfort, really - that they’ll have each other, still, no matter what happens.

jack continues to grow up under medda’s care, and he gets plenty of siblings over the years - who are kinder to him, and stay his siblings even after they leave medda’s care. antonio and sean and patrick and plenty of others. medda becomes mama somewhere along the line. jack goes to school, where he does his best and does okay, and he makes friends, and he visits his parents’ graves when he can, and he starts drawing and painting and flirting. he builds a life. he largely forgets about oscar and morris.

oscar and morris are sent to “the refuge” - a notorious low-rated care facility for at-risk and troubled youth in new york. wards of the state. they don’t go to school, and they fight everyone but each other, and they’re punished constantly and drilled into submission and stripped of everything they never even got to be. they’re taught they’re not worth anything, not anyone’s time or effort and certainly not their love. they’re all they’ve both got in the world and that’s the only thing they can both trust. oscar ages out age eighteen and pulls morris out with him, they move in with some estranged uncle who never wanted them and hardly wants them now, and they don’t build a life so much as they survive. same as they always have. and they never forget jack kelly.

[make-friends-with-the-rats]

i don’t know if you’ve done him yet, but thoughts on racetrack higgins :D

@iliketoomanyfandoms

ah, yes. the little gambling gremlin

How I feel about this character: 10/10. He's probably the most developed minor character in newsies (at least in 92sies) and I love how snarky he is. I can't decide if he's actually really good at gambling or if he just has some good luck every now and then. Because while there's the "nobody told the horse" bit, he dresses nicer than your average newsie so he's got to have made some considerable money at some point. Also I will always find it funny that of all the newsies, Racetrack is the one that David apparently trusts the most with his impressionable kid brother.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: As I've said in the past I'm not very big on shipping, but I do enjoy the Spot and Race dynamic. They are partners in crime (probably literally).

My non-romantic OTP for this character: I think I'd say Jack and Race! I haven't seen the stage musical version in a while, but in 92sies I love how close they are. They really are like brothers. And the fact that both Jack and Race seem to know Medda better than the other newsies could mean that Jack and Race have also known each other for longer (assuming Jack was telling the truth when he said that Medda knew his father). Also Kath and Race in Uksies specifically.

My unpopular opinion about this character: Racetrack is incredibly smart even if he doesn't always have the best luck at the races. In a modern setting, Race would he the kind of guy who studies quantum mechanics just for the heck of it. That said, he actually hates all math unless it can be directly applied to something tangible or useful. Hence why he'd prefer physics or statistics and probability to abstract algebra or other purely theoretical mathematics. Also, don't kill me, but after Max Castella I prefer Josh Barnett's Race (UK Race) to any other portrayal. I'm sorry but I feel like Race in the Bway/Live show was just there for comic relief...

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: I wish the connection between Race, Jack, and Medda had been explained/explored. It would have been interesting to have that little piece of backstory. And, as I briefly mentioned, I wish the stage adaption version of Race was played more seriously as a rule and not as an exception. Might be controversial, but I feel like 92sies Race's snark was projected onto Albert rather than retained by Race in the stage adaptation.

Thank you both for asking!!

ask game

characters answered: David Jacobs, Jack Kelly, Blink and Skittery, Bumlets and Swifty, Sarah Jacobs, Specs and Dutchy, Les Jacobs, Crutchie, Snitch and Itey, Mush Meyers, Spot Conlon

[youaintnothinbuta]

Jack Kelly - “Are you going to quit it with the teasing anytime soon?”

Summary: Jack loves your thighs. Like loves them. He can’t help but be a bit distracted, until he finally gets to fuck them.

Pairing: Jack Kelly x fem!reader

Word count: 1200

Warnings: SMUT, oral (f receiving), swearing, thigh fucking, probably typos, 18+

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

“Jack, are you even listening?” You asked as he stared quite intently at nothing, sitting beside you on the couch.

“Yeah.” He mumbled.

“What did I say then?” you pressed, a playful grin tugging at the corner of your lips.

“You wanted to visit Mrs Medda tonight, and yeah, we can.”

Oh? Maybe he was listening.

With a satisfied nod, you stood up, going to grab a strawberry from the punnet that Finch had stolen earlier that morning. “Good boy,” you teased, sitting back down beside him. His eyes were glued to your thighs the entire time you walked back over to him, and if you knew him, and you did, probably also the entire time you walked away from him.

You stood up again, deciding you wanted a couple more strawberries, about to step away when a pair of arms snake around your waist, and at the same time Jack’s face is buried in the crook of your neck from behind. “Are you going to quit it with the teasing any time soon and let me have you or are you gonna keep playing clueless?”

Oh. That’s why he’s been so distracted. It was a lot warmer than you expected today and so you were wearing nothing but one of Jack’s button up shirts and your underwear.

You exhaled deeply as he peppered your neck with kisses, pressing his hips against your ass, “I need an answer, sweetheart.”

You turned around in his arms to face him, connecting your lips to his. As you kissed him, you reached behind you, pulling one of his hands from your waist to instead be on your ass. He smiled against your kiss, “good girl,” he mumbled, giving your bum a squeeze and pulling your hips against his.

You gasped into the kiss, feeling the effect you’d had on him. He walked you backwards until your legs were stopped, being grazed by the couch, making you sit down.

He dropped to his knees in front of you, reaching up to your hips, wriggling your underwear around your bum and off of your legs. A groan escaped his lips as pushed your thighs up, taking in the sight and smell of you. He let his fingers trace the skin of your ankles, working his way up to your calves, then your knees, and then further up to your thighs, even just the lightest of his touch sending chills down your spine. Jack leaned in, his lips meeting the skin of your legs, planting nibbly kisses all over your thighs.

“God, I just wanna eat you.” He pressed another kiss to you, sucking on your skin, sometimes gently biting you. Fuck.

He worked his way up unbearably slowly, each time you thought he was going to finally get to where you needed him, he’d switch to the other thigh, ignoring the little whines that would escape your lips in complaint.

“Jack, please.” A soft mumble escapes your lips. He looks up at you, you allow yourself to relax a little. He’s still holding your thighs up, your knees by your shoulders, he holds eye contact with you as he slowly moves his face closer and closer to your core. He runs his nose lightly along the inside of your thighs, taking in one last look of your flesh up close before his eyes close, and his lips finally make contact with your pussy.

You gasped, feeling his warm tongue slip through your folds. He drew circles and pressed down against your clit. Jack hummed softly against you, his arms letting go of your thighs so you could wrap them around his head, not ever breaking the suction his lips held on your clit and fuck it was so fucking good. Of course, Jack knows all the right motions, all the right spots, and the order to do them in. He knows everything you like, and so it doesn’t take too long before you’re rocking your hips against his face and your thighs begin to shake. You’re getting more and more desperate. He’s getting more and more desperate. The wet sounds of his tongue and saliva mixing with your slick were filthy, so filthy he could come just from the sound.

He takes a break, groaning against you as he takes a deep breath, going back to sucking on your clit. Your hands were gripping his hair, so desperately trying to get his face even closer to you. Jack starts licking stripes from your entrance to your clit as your body trembles either side of his head. A long string of moans leave your lips, increasing in volume as they come. Jack knows that’s it, that’s the moan that comes from you before you’re about to come, and his lips are suddenly locked back on your clit. It just feels better and better, until your hips smack suddenly against his face and you squeeze his head with your thighs. He uses his tongue to help you ride out your orgasm, gently putting pressure on your clit as your entrance fills with the wet of your orgasm.

“Jack.” You sigh as your body begins to settle, he hums in response but never pulls away, the vibrations of his voice on your oversensitive clit making you wince.

Jack stands up, his breathing was heavy, his lips and chin smeared wet. You’re already being stood up and flipped over, your legs almost giving out from the orgasm you’d just experienced. It was so hard to think straight. Or think at all.

“Your thighs, sweetheart,” Jack groaned as he unzipped his pants and pushed them and his underwear down passed his knees, “close them, I need to fuck them.”

You did as he asked, closing the gap between your legs. One of his hands reached for your ass, squeezing it as he used the other hand to pump himself a couple times, getting himself ready.

He ran his hand over your back as he slowly pushed his cock between your thighs.

“Oh, shit.” He groans softly as he pushes further, as his base reaches your ass, his tip brushes over your clit, dragging your wetness with him. He continues to fuck your thighs, letting a deep growl fall from his lips as your body shivers every time he brushes over your clit. He picks up his pace, repeated breathy moans leaving his mouth with every thrust. Whatever Jack does, he somehow gets himself closer to you and now every time he fucks your thighs his length drags your clit up and down and up and down and jesus christ it was good. You helplessly moaned, he leant over you so his chest was pressed against your back. His hands found their way to both of your thighs, pressing your legs tighter together around him. His thrusts became softer and more frequent, just as quick as he could and you knew he was close.

“Fuck, Jack, come.” You whined.

“I am, baby.” He responded, and with that, his hot come shot out of him, most of it ending up on the couch beneath you, but some of it being painting your lower stomach as he slowly thrusted his way through his orgasm.

He steps away from you, the new gap between your thighs leaving you feeling sort of empty.

He was breathing heavily once again, one hand on his hip, the other giving himself one or two last strokes to finish himself off.

“Shit, sweetheart, come here.” He smiled at you. You did as he asked, turning to him and wrapping your arms around his neck. One arm snaked around your waist, the other lightly gripped your jaw, allowing him to plant a gentle kiss on your lips.

[jack-kellys]

i said i'd do this today so here you all go. disclaimer this is not every single question, just the ones i cared about (so the fun ones)

notes from the most recent uk fansie night q&a:

i was not there but i was sent a video lmao

FOR DAVEY: how much free range have you been able to build on with your character?

answer: ryan said they all basically started with a blank canvas, but davey has rly grown since december. specifically davey's gotten “weirder”, and he hopes that “he will get even more strange.”

LONDON CAST RECORDING?

nothing is confirmed but the whole cast really wants one lmao

dance class from ireland came :) asked abt dance tips and industry ins

fav dance moves/moments in the show 

box jump for ross <3

sam demonstrated the leg pats as his fav

matthew loves the role call triangle lmao

michael demonstrated a front kick they do holding a rolled paper

have you ever hit anyone w something thrown into the audience?

archie tells on jack bromage (who isn't there to defend himself) and how he kicked a paper ball into a kid’s FACE LMFAO

jacob called out matthew for his slingshot hits into the audience 

biggest malfunction during a show?

ryan and michael acted out waiting for bronte and a les to enter during WWH reprise’s scene- “and that is what you call a beginning! ………….chill out, man!” “…you got a problem?” HELLO??

box jump update

if you could put your character into another musical what would it be

davey for mean girls 2023

splasher for matilda

OSCAR FOR B+C???

jack for wicked lmao “him and fiyero might fight”

specs as one of the annoying kids in charlie and the chocolate factory 

kath for sylvia!

ritz for young frankenstein (bc putting on the ritz heh)

CRUTCHIE FOR MOULIN ROUGHEJH PLS matthew ily

mush for annie

ike for something rotten

elmer for WSS

al for a rocky musical (fights.)

romeo for grease!! “kinicky vibe”

how do ur jumps get so high

ross: "i’ve been jumping for.. a long time"

what are the hidden personal gems that audience members might miss during the show?

albert pickpockets one of the theatergoers in medda’s theater. holy shit. and sometimes the actor leaves jacob and actual object to steal in his pocket PLSLOKFSF

crutchie sees snyder from his perch by the soundboard and reacts in fear

how long is fight call and do you call every stunt

this is interesting to me so. depends on the day bc of swings so they do the big fight and child actor stunts every day.

EVERYONES FAV GAGA SONG

ryans is bad romance

poker face ross

applause for sam

matthew is not a gaga person oops

“thank you for that question <3”

how do you approach making roles individual?

“determined early that its a diff version of jack and kath” (bronté)

purposefully ignore things that have come before!!!!

bronte and michael talked a LOT abt their jath 

“can only do the best version of your version” <3 (michael)

doing what you think is the right way, “offering your voice into the discussion” of a character’s legacy/existence. MICHAEL ONCE AGAIN FCUVKING GETS IT THIS IS !! WHAT I WAS FUCKING SAYING. fyi. we understand each other

fav character and why!

ryans is kath heheh

ross’s IS FINCH!! he loves damon and thinks he’s made finch special <3

owen (oscar) rly likes racer!

michael rly likes davey, “unsung hero”

sam likes kath <3

bronte likes the brooklyn newsiessssss, especially stray and mentioned the art piece of stray with a stray :) @chimeofthecomet YOURS BRO SHE MENTIONED YOURS !!!

lucy likes specs

matthew thinks pulitzer is cool to find nuance in

kai’s fav is lillie’s spot!

archie thinks finch is best bc he’s mysterious

damn bradley likes finch too! “always trying to come up with a solution” OKAYYYYY GO DAMON!! gets an a+ in characterization

jacob on his pulitzer villain moment stuff again

spencer likes davey’s contrast!! “one of the strongest characters in the group”

fastest quick change you’ve done

the oscar immediately laments his changes lmfaoooo

michael was morgrim??? in lion witch wardrobe??? a wolf??

preshow rituals

RYAN WATCHES STREISANDS IM THE GREATEST STAR LMAOOO??

interesting he was given her as a reference for a fast talking new yorker so heavy city accented davey jacobs truthers rise up we won (its just me) we won! 

the new kids dressing room does the wolf of wall street chest hitting thing lol

michael listens to two diff revolution speeches i think?

bronte’s is seeing ryan :)

THE GIRLSIES PLAY HIDE AND SEEK BACKSTAGE DURING THEIR BREAKS PLS

matthew talks abt what alex hatton used to do, look at a pic of his gf and grandparent pls aw

archie used to jump on a chair at the five before he. hit his head. bro

jacob does a diff riddle for each mic check!!

that’s all the best ones i could catch!!

[thewritersofdeceased]

"No way! What are you doing here?" "Is it okay to give you a hug?" "Hi, I… I don't really know what to say."

Word Count ;; 1,714

SUMMERY ;; Jack's return from Santa Fe. Will the boys be mad at him or will they welcome him back with open arms?

A voice mumbled to himself, staring into a mirror and holding a frown on his face. Jack had just recently returned from Santa Fe with only one person knowing of it. One of his friends, David Jacobs. Not even the women he’d fallen in love with knew he was back. Katherine didn’t know, Race didn’t know, none of them did. Only Davey.

But now Jack was having second thoughts. He had already left them once, during the strike. Will they still trust him after all of this? Leaving them, leaving Davey in charge until he went back to school? Jack hadn’t even known that the taller male had taken selling newspapers as an early morning job. He hadn’t dropped out of school, no. Sometimes, when everyone was done with work, Davey would join them at Jacobi’s and help teach the other Newsies whatever he was learning.

“Jack, I assure you. You’ll be okay. None of them are mad at you. Well- maybe Spot, but we’re not going to Brooklyn yet. Just Manhattan, okay?” He spoke firmly, placing his hands on Jack’s shoulders and making the male face him. Jack slowly nodded his head, his eyes narrowing slightly as his lips were in a thin line. “If youse’ say so, Davey. It’s just- nerve wrecking.” The shorter explained, running a hand through his hair.

Though only a sigh escaped the taller. “And that’s normal. Come on, we’re meeting at Medda’s theater in less than an hour. I’d say thirty minutes. We can stop by my family’s apartment, pick up Les, and then head there.” He explained, removing his hands from Jack’s shoulder and nodding his head. “Okay?” It took Jack a couple seconds to answer. “Okay.”

Grabbing his hat and fixing his vest, Davey began to walk as Jack followed quietly. They’d been at the lodge, nobody was there until later on as it grew darker. That was common and something Davey had learned to deal with while spending his time with the boys. Race was usually the latest, having been spending his time at the races. Always betting on one of the horses.

Davey learned from one of the others that Race would’ve killed to be one of those guys. The wind breezing by as you raced with a stallion. He learned that a while ago while Jack was gone. As they walked to Medda’s, they spoke amongst one another. Just mindless chatter. It’s been a while since Jack left, a year or two. Mind as well catch up.

The streets of New York weren’t entirely busy, which just meant the Newsies were most likely at Jacobi’s. So Davey had to lead them a different way so as to not get caught. They all knew Davey had something to talk to them about at Medda’s, and she too gave them permission to even use the theater. They just needed that permission and then everything would be okay. As long as Jack and Davey could get to the theater before any of the other boys, everything would be okay. But knowing how some of the boys, for example, Race and Albert, could get there fast, it was difficult. 

The two continued to walk, Jack messing with the red bandana that would be around his neck and resting casually, like a cowboy would. Well, they usually had it tied, but right now, Jack just messed with it in his hands. He had left his cowboy hat back at Davey’s, hopin Les wouldn’t notice it when the boy went home later on in the day. Then again, Les was trusted with Race and Albert right now, which Davey was slowly questioning why exactly he had done that. A soft sigh escaped Jack as he looked to the brunette beside him. “Feels like things ain’ changed, ain’ it, Davey?” He questioned, earning a chuckle from the boy.

“Nothing’s changed much. Spot comes down here a bit from time to time, but like usual most of his time is spent in Brooklyn. Pulitzer’s been… Well, Pulitzer. Katherine says you two write back and forth sometimes. That’s nice.” He explained as he walked, his thumbs in his pockets as he walked with a relaxed stance. He wasn’t stiff, wasn’t nervous, unlike Jack. He smiled at the mention of Katherine, nodding his head right after. “Yeah. We’s write. I’s just been busy workin’ with a lotta’ animals and everythin. I’s never told ya, I work on a ranch. It’s fun!” He spoke, before an idea popped into his head. “Hey, hey! Why’s don’t I’s take you all there one day? I’s think it’d be fun!”

The sudden excitement of Jack made David smile, nodding his head. “I’d just have to get the permission from my folks to bring Les with us. And if anything, they’d say yes so long as we write. You know how worried they would be about Les.” He explained, gently nudging Jack’s shoulder and letting out a soft laugh. “We’ll go through the backstage doors into Medda’s. By now, the boys should be heading to the front and into their usual seats.” He explained with a soft chuckle. Nodding his head slowly, Jack continued to follow Davey to the back of Medda’s. The same way they had run when running from Snyder. Oh boy, was that a memory. Now that he thought about it ,was Snyder still in jail? Letting a sigh out, Jack nodded his head before following after David. He was okay. Sure, he’s messing with his nails, but that’s become a habit. 

A habit when it came to picking the dirt under his nails, a habit when messing with them, everything. But it made sense to an extent. With walking to the back of Medda’s theater and in through the backdoors, the voices of newsies caught Jack’s attention. And oh boy did he get beyond nervous. Well, three voices however, were more heard than anyone’s. On the stage besides Medda were four of his beyond favorite people. Katherine, Race, Les and Crutchie. “Davey said he had something important to tell all of us. What could it be?” Katherine spoke first, looking around before hearing the voice of Davey peak her interest. “You guys came! I thought you’d all just head back home or to the lodge.” He explained, letting out a soft laugh.

Race playfully rolled his eyes, looking at Davey who came out of the shadows and stood in the lights that Medda had pointing towards the stage. He had a small smile before moving out of the way and smiling. He looked back into the shadows, making a “come on out” motion with his hand. After what seemed to be a couple minutes, the famous Jack Kelly, the man of mystery, stepped out of the shadows. Which resulted in the four on stage standing with widened eyes and the crowd of Manhattan’ newsies cheering as loud as they could. Les, who had been holding onto Katherine’s hand as a habit, had let go by now and ran straight to Jack, who was kneeling down and quickly scooped the kid up into a hug. 

After placing Les down, he waited for the next of the three to make their way over. And that said person was Crutchie. Even with a gimp leg, the boy with the crutch wobbled over, quickly hugging Jack and smiling widely. “No way, what are you doing here, Jack!?” He exclaimed, letting out a bunch of laughs and looking up to the man he’d called his older brother. This was a dream. Casey thought it was, at least. He gently pinched his arm, resulting in a soft “ow!” when he had let go of the hug and looked at Jack. “Davey here convinced me to come and visit. But he, I’s got a plan that no one can know just yet.” Little did these boys know, Jack may or may not just be coming back. But nobody, not even Davey, knew. He had a small smile as Crutchie quickly hugged him once more before wobbling back in order to give someone else the next hug. 

To no one’s surprise, the next one up was Racer. The blonde stood with widened eyes, having taken a couple of seconds to really process everything that was happening. He was looking at Jack, his technical leader, before he spoke with a soft tone of voice, his accent not being as thick as it usually was. “Is it okay to give you a hug?” He asked, earning a smile and nod from the brunette he oh so cared about. But when he got that nod, Jack didn’t expect to be literally lifted off his feet for a moment or two and to be held tightly by the blonde. “You’re actually here! Jacky boy, you’re back!” Race began to laugh out, smiling widely as he eventually placed Jack down. The blonde had a slight bit of tears forming in his eyes, in which Jack wiped away with a playful smile on his face. “I’m back for a bit, Racer. Dontcha’ start going all soft and cryin’ now.” He teased, giving a playful jab to the blonde’s shoulder and letting out laughs. Which then resulted in Racer’s mood going from sad to way too happy. 

Lastly to make their way up to Jack, was Katherine. The redheaded female had tears already forming in her eyes. She took a couple of steps towards him, She spoke softly, eventually, lifting her hands to cup his face. “Hi…” She spoke, her hands shaking as she held his face. “I.. I don’t know what to say.” She whispered softly, giving a small smile as she felt the boy wrap his arms around her waist. The feeling of it and everything felt comforting to Katherine as she stared into the newsies eyes. Jack only smiled down to her, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. “That’s alright. Just sink in the moment that I’s back, Kathy.” He spoke softly, pressing his forehead against hers and letting out a soft laugh. Before he could even think of anything else to say, Katherine pressed a gentle kiss against Jack’s lips, smiling right after. When she’d pulled away for air, she only spoke softly with her smile remaining warm and gentle.

“Welcome home, Jack.”

[riding-palominos-every-day]

Another Elmer-focused story idk how this little goober got such a tight hold on my brain-

Medda's theatre was almost never quiet. Every day there was a hustle and bustle of activity, of rehearsals and fittings and maintenance work. Despite this, Jack still found it peaceful. The stagehands and performers left him to his own company whilst he worked on backdrops, either new ones or touching up old ones, giving him a break from having to keep up the usual chatter he did with the other newsies. Not that he minded them, of course- Jack loved his family more than anything. But every big sibling needs a break occasionally.

Today's backdrop was almost finished: a park at sunset, only loosely based off of Central Park. He was just adding the last touches of detail to a leaf, when he heard a very familiar voice.

"Madame, your destination."

It was unnaturally prim and proper-sounding, but the familiar squeak and hint of an Eastern European accent gave the speaker away; it was undeniably Elmer.

It wasn't uncommon for newsies other than Jack to hang around the theatre. Whilst it was usually strictly for adults, Medda often let the rule slide for Lower Manhattan newsies. Buttons was regularly seen helping fix costumes, and Finch loved sitting by the piano, feeling the vibrations to compensate for his poor hearing. But Elmer, he didn't come by the theatre often.

"Elmie, you're too sweet to me."

"Nothin' less for my favourite sister!"

Sister.

Sister?

His curiosity getting the better of him, Jack set down his brush and slipped around the corner to the stage door. There was Elmer, his arm hooked around a young woman's. Jack recognised her as Lena, one of Medda's backup dancers. He could kick himself, of course it was Lena. She'd mentioned before she had a brother who was a newsie -Jack had overheard her talking with Cora- and now that he thought about it, he saw the resemblance. They had the same warm, friendly brown eyes.

"You're sure you're alright over there? You're getting enough to eat, someone's helping you?" Lena fussed, gently straightening Elmer's vest. Elmer tried to wriggle away.

"I'm fine, Lena! I ain't no baby, I'm almost twelve!" He said, although he didn't protest when his sister pulled him into a tight hug, stroking his hair, "...But yeah, JoJo looks out for me. An' I'm eating enough, promise."

"Good. You're still my baby brother, no matter how old you get. You know I'd have you move in if I could, but-"

"M'okay, Le. I promise."

For a moment, Jack felt like he was intruding on a private moment. But then questions started spilling into his head. Why hadn't Elmer ever told them his sister worked at the Bowery? Why couldn't he move in with her? And.. if his family was around, why couldn't he go home?

That last question was one he'd thought about more than once. He knew Elmer was the youngest of nine, but he clammed up if any further questions were asked. Jack knew it wasn't his business, most newsies were orphans or had run away for one reason or another.. but it didn't stop him wondering.

He watched as the two siblings broke the hug, although Elmer reached out to give Lena's hand a squeeze.

"Good luck with the show tonight."

"Thank you. Now you get home, I don't like you being out alone this late."

Elmer rolled his eyes, but he was smiling. Lena turned, heading down the corridor to the dressing room, and Jack took his chance. He darted to the door as Elmer turned to leave, slipping out after him. He wanted answers.

"Your sister, huh?"

Elmer froze, whipping round to face him.

"Jack! I, uh.. didn't know you were here tonight." He paused, not meeting Jack's eyes, "..How much did you hear?"

"Enough for me to wanna know what's goin' on. And only partially 'cause I'm a nosy bastard, but mostly because I wanna make sure everything's okay. You.. you know you don't gotta stay with us if you don't wanna, right? You wanna move in with your sis, that's okay-"

"I can't." Elmer cut him off, his hands curling into fists as he glared at the ground, "It's just- it's none'a your business, but I can't stay with her. Not now, at least."

"What about your other siblings?" Jack pressed, "You got a lot, dontcha?"

"One'a my brothers, he said..." Elmer shook his head, looking up at Jack with a flicker of worry in his eyes, "No, no, I'm happy at the lodgin' house. Why're you suddenly askin', do you... do you want me to go?"

Shit, that wasn't what he'd meant the kid to think.

"No-! No, Elmer, 'course not." He soothed, taking a step forward and kneeling down in front of the younger boy.

"I just want what's best for you, what'll make you happiest. If that's goin' to live with one'a your siblings, then we'd miss you of course, but we wouldn't stop you. An' if you wanna stay, you know we love havin' you around. Honestly kid, it'd break my heart to lose you."

Elmer made a strange little noise, like a choked sob. He buried his head in Jack's shoulder, taking shaky breaths.

"M-Mama didn't want me around." He admitted, in a tiny voice.

And suddenly, everything made sense.

Elmer's arrival at the lodging house had been one of the loudest, one of the most emotional. Kloppman had found the kid in tears, screaming in Polish at the front door and looking so lost and scared. For a while they'd thought he didn't understand English -and admittedly, he hadn't been very fluent at the time- but even once they'd managed to calm him down and strike up conversation with him, he'd never explained his meltdown on his first night. It was the one thing he refused to divulge any information on, even to JoJo or Henry.

And no fucking wonder, his mother had abandoned her nine year old son in the middle of a foreign city.

"Well, sucks to be your mama then." Jack moved back, cupping Elmer's cheeks in his hands. "Because she's missin' out on a pretty great kid. Not that she can ever have ya back though, even if she changes her mind 'bout you; you're ours now."

He suddenly stood, swinging Elmer onto his back. He was glad to get a delighted squeal from the smaller boy, feeling his thin arms wrap around his neck to secure himself.

They didn't speak the rest of the way home, but that was okay. Elmer knew all his siblings -biological or otherwise- loved him.

[emmedoesntdomath]

Can I just have some good hcs? I need emotional support rn 😭😭

HI OF COURSE SORRY I DIDN’T ANSWER EARLIER

race has adhd, right? and because he’s also gay as hell, he has that certain audacity that says if he really tries, he believes he can do just about anything. so when he was, like, six, he taught himself the basics of morse code for shits and giggles. then he forgot about doing it, and so he never learned any more. when he became friends with albert, they learned a little bit more together, so they’d be able to communicate without other people knowing (stuff like help, no, I’m bored, this bitch, etc.) they continued using that method for years. and then they met spot, it seemed natural to include him, too. so their vocabulary expanded, and they just started talking without using words, saying things (again) like help, get me out of here, this bitch, and; I love you. 

when charlie became crutchie, he decided that no one else had to know who he used to be. jack did, of course, because jack had been francis, but that was different. he became a newsie, made friends, made family. still, he was crutchie. this wasn’t weird, or bad, because most newsies had nicknames, but most newsies had names, too. but crutchie was just crutchie. so when les asked ‘d’you still have a real name, too?’ one day in the penthouse, he froze a bit. because he did, of course he did. but crutchie was crutchie, and charlie was gone. he whispered back, ‘I don’t know. I don’t think so.’ les simply nodded and said, ‘okay. let me know if you get one.’ crutchie cried a little bit that night. over a year later, after kids had come and gone, the seasons had changed and come again, les and crutchie were in the penthouse again. les was reading and crutchie was fiddling with his crutch. ‘charlie’ he whispered. les glanced up. ‘charlie’, he said a little louder. ‘that’s my real name.’ les looked like he understood. he moved over and held out a hand to shake. ‘nice ta meetcha, charlie. I’m les.’

jack and davey once had a big fight. I mean, obviously, all couples do. but they fought, and then they didn’t speak to each other for a solid week. race was beside himself. ‘jackie, jackie, no- listen to me. listen. you NEEDS to talk to davey. don’t look at me like that. dave needs you. we needs dave. c’mon. please.’ jack, being the emotionally stunted man-child he is, did absolutely jack shit. so race turned to davey. ‘dave. dave, davey, please. look, I know he’s an idiot. believe me, I do. I’ve been putting up with the knucklehead for years, I get it. but we’s fallin apart, dave. the kids need you and jackie. I know that’s not fair to say. but its the truth. just- please. talk to him. hit em for all I care. just make this better.’ they were back together within two hours. (racetrack higgins can work MIRACLES when he tries.)

jack once called medda mom while painting a set. it was casual, a thrown over the shoulder kind of thing, and he didn’t even realize what he had said. but medda sure did. and she went home and thanked a lord that she had done nothing but screamed and yelled at for the better part of fifteen years for jack kelly, and the sheer good and happiness he brought into her life. 

elmer, splasher, slasher, magnet, graves, and their siblings having a weekly family dinner that everyone is required to attend. swipe has an invitation extended to them every week. slasher hates it. 

[ya-what--ya-erster]

heal me only to break me again

Ralbert, newsies

TW here for: death, suicide, albeism (breif), sexism (breif)

Also, note that ~~~ marks the beginning and end of me, an asexual who has never even kissed someone before, very briefly having my lovely boys make out so uh you can skip that if you want.

Race was a fast kid. Really fast. That's how, in second grade, he got his nickname. 

Jack Kelly walked up to his friend (and brother, eventually) and said 'You should be called Race, not Antonio."

That's how everyone knew him from that moment on. 

Race was also a dancer. A really, really good dancer. He was one with the movement and music. Anyone who had seen him dance could have told you how amazing he was. 

He had a cool best friend.

He had a cool mom who adopted him and Jack when he was sixteen years old. 

He did well in school.

He got into a good college. 

Nobody really understood why he jumped. 

All anyone knew was that he somehow survived, and all the things he was before were no more. 

Antonio was not fast. He couldn't figure out how to get going in a wheelchair. 

He insisted that nobody call him Race. Just Antonio. 

Everyone listened.

Antonio would never dance again, because he would never even stand again, and all that he had worked for was lost. The one thing he loved in life was gone forever.

His cool best friend was treating him like he was fragile. No best friend shenanigans ensued, ever. Just, "Tony, are you okay?" and "Tony, should I call someone?"

He would not answer Medda's calls, or Jack's, even when he knew he probably should. 

School didn't matter anymore.

He was going to major in dance. That wasn't happening anymore. 

Everyone understood why Antonio was distant. 

Albert DaSilva, Tony's best friend and roommate, he was the only one kept close. Even when everyone else was being pushed away. 

Slowly, Antonio became more himself, able to move around and able to go a day without crying (sometimes). He let Albert call him Race again. 

And then it happened. 

The day that shot him down and raised him up all at once. 

Albert entered the apartment to the sound of a nature documentary and crying. 

"Tony?" He called out. "You in here?"

He was met with a loud sob. 

He hurried to sit down next to Race, who was propped up by six throw pillows on the couch (a number that Albert found absurd and Antonio found secure and comforting). 

"What's going on?" Albert asked softly, putting an arm over Race's shoulder. 

"Nothin'." Race lied. 

Albert paused the documentary and asked again. 

"I miss being... not disabled. I just wanna be myself again."

"Did something happen? Did someone say something?"

"Yeah, uh. I just, uh. I went to get groceries cause I wanted to help out an' stuff, and I was confronted by three things I hate, which are ableism, sexism, and having to ask for help."

"Care to continue?"

"... sure. Uh. Your stupid man-period stuff was on a shelf I couldn't get to myself so I asked a guy passing by if he could help me and he asked what I needed pads for so I told him 'it's for my roommate.' And he's all, 'are you friends with your roommate?' and I said yes and he says, and I  quote, 'wow, I could never be friends with or date a disabled person' an' he pointed to my pride pin when he said that so I was all shocked and so I ask,  like, why, and he says 'it couldn't be a real relationship because it would be built on pity, and only one person could actually function.' So I pointed out that I'm the one doing the grocery shopping, and he told me it's pathetic that I would buy pads for my roommate because it's not manly enough and says, 'not that a kid in a wheelchair could even be considered a man anyways.' AND THEN he just WALKED AWAY without helping me so I had to sit there waiting for someone else to pass by."

Race took a long breath and choked out another sob. 

"Wow, that's awful. I'm sorry." Albert said, hugging Antonio. 

"And now, now I'm wondering if he's... Like, he might be right. What if nobody ever falls in love with me?"

"You'll find someone." 

That someone should be me, Albert thought. 

Race shifted to look Albert in the eyes. 

"What if I don't just want 'someone', Al?"

The look in Tony's eyes made Albert's heart ache. But it also sparked something within him. 

"What do you want, then?"

Antonio looked away, then back at Albert, wiping tears from his eyes. 

"You." He whispered.

Their separate worlds became one. 

~~~ Albert's lips were against Race's in a second. He needed Race. Race needed him. They needed each other the same way your average person needed air. 

Race wrapped his arms around Albert's neck and pulled himself closer to Albert, and Albert got the message. He pulled Race onto his lap, one leg on each side of him, crossed around his back. 

"This okay?" He mumbled.

"Please." Race replied, urgent.

Albert was in heaven, sitting there, kissing a trail from Antonio's ear down to his shirt's collar. When he got there, he returned to Race's lips, kissing him like his life depended on it. 

Maybe it did.

Maybe their lives depended on that moment, Albert kissing Race and Race kissing back while tugging gently on Albert's beautiful red hair. ~~~

All the two know is that when they're done, they're both grinning like Cheshire cats, happy. 

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to kiss you." Albert said, his voice airy and almost disbelieving. 

"Sixth grade." Race said. 

"What?"

"I think I've liked you like that since sixth grade, that day... Mr. Denton told you you couldn't possibly be a boy because you didn't look like one, so you picked up those scissors and chopped your ponytail off and handed it to him. He deserved that."

Albert laughed lightly. 

"I got you beat though, cause I liked you before I cut my hair. It was still sixth grade though. At a dance recital when we got to dance together. You and your cute fluffy hair and how... perfect you were. I hate that we don't dance together anymore, since it's girls and boys in partnerships, you know."

"I wouldn't be able to dance with you either way." Tony's voice became cold, sad, distant. 

Albert felt bad instantly for bringing it up. Dancing. 

Something Race had held so close to his heart since he was little. The only thing he had, most of his life. All he had was the freedom that came with dancing and it was gone. 

Race couldn't stand it. 

"I just... even if I could only do it one more time. I didn't care, for a while. I was burnt out and done with everything and I was planning on saying goodbye to dancing anyways, but now. Now I'm alive and planning on living and I just want to fly again. I'm no one without that piece of me, Albie. I'll never be like that again, though, because I didn't do the job right."

"Don't... Don't say that. You're still you, the you that I care so deeply about, even if you can't dance. Even if the doctor's 'maybe one day' never comes. You're still my amazing best friend and some extra, no matter what."

"I know, Al. It just makes me want to puke when I think about the fact that I will never be a dancer again."

Albert stopped. He nodded. He knew how it would feel if he were never able to dance again. He would go crazy in his own head. 

"Hey, I have an idea." He said suddenly, jumping up off the couch. 

"What is it?" 

"Can I pick you up? Sort of?" 

"I mean, go for it." 

So Albert did. He pulled Race up, arms secure around his waist so he wouldn't fall, and lifted him on top of his feet. 

"Put your arms around my neck and hold on tight." He instructed. 

Race did as he was told, sort of scared for whatever Albert had in mind. 

Albert, with one hand, typed something in his phone, turned up the volume, and slid it into his back pocket. 

A familiar song ran through the speakers of Albert's phone as Albert wrapped his arms back around Antonio's waist and began to shuffle back and forth as carefully as possible. 

It does great favors to the situation that Race is pretty light. 

"I know it's not the same," Albert said, "but it's still one more dance."

The song came to an end and the two were re-seated on the couch, feeling something indescribable. Joy and sadness. Heartbreak and hope. All together in one small, half smile. 

"Thank you." Race said. He dared not make eye contact. He didn't want to cry anymore. 

He was happy, he was happy, he was happy. 

He wanted it to last as long as it could.

Two weeks, in other words.

Two weeks of being able to talk about all that was inside of him. Two weeks staying up until midnight cuddling with Albert and watching crappy movies. Two weeks of somewhat happiness swept Race off his feet and led him to the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Two whole glorious weeks before there was an avalanche, and the tunnel's exit was blocked. 

"Heya, Tony. How's it going?" 

Jack Kelly sat down in front of him. Brotherly meeting. Urgent. 

"I'm alright. And you?"

Jack looked down at the table. 

"Look, I don't want to be the one to tell ya this... But, I'm here 'cause you'se my brother and I wants ta be here for ya."

"Okay?" Dread pooled in the pit of Race's stomach. 

"Red's gone."

"What?" 

He heard wrong he heard wrong he heard wrong-

"They found 'im in an alleyway, beat bloody and long gone."

It's not true it's not true it's not true it's not true-

"Tony, you'se gotta stay with me, okay?" Jack was crying.

Someone killed Albert someone killed Albert someone-

"You're lying. He's fine." Race's voice shook as he spoke. 

"Turn on the news."

"He can't be gone."

"I know it hurts."

"YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!" Race yelled. He didn't care that his neighbors could probably hear him, he didn't care that he would hurt Jack's feelings, he just didn't care about anything at all. "You, you don't even come close to understanding a thing! The only thing I had was him, and according to you he's not here anymore! You still have the boy you love so don't even think for a second that you know! You- I love him and I won't... won't ever..." 

Race couldn't go on. 

Race would never get to tell Albert that he loved him. 

Race was nothing. 

Race was not a dancer and he wasn't fast and he wasn't good in school and he hardly had family and he wasn't a boyfriend. 

And Albert who gave those things back to him...

Albert who held Race and danced with him when he was sad. 

Albert who occasionally offered to push Race's wheelchair down the empty sidewalk as fast as he possibly could just to get Race to smile.

Albert who offered to help Race find something else to do in school. 

Albert who encouraged Race to talk to Jack. 

Albert who held Race's hand and kissed his nose and did everything a person in love would do.

Albert who gave Race all the things he'd lost and then some, just to take it all back again. Never again would he have those things. 

He was going to follow and he was going to give himself all of the things that Albert took away from him by leaving him here.

He wasn't staying. 

"Jack, you've got to leave."

"I ain't leaving you here alone after what you did a few months ago."

"I'm not STUPID, okay? Leave me alone."

Jack looked hurt. But still, he nodded, said goodbye, and left. 

Common happening for the day, leaving Race alone. 

Race could end up alone when he finished the job. 

Maybe. 

Or maybe he would find his way to all that he had lost before.

He wouldn't be able to let you know.

Healing, he decided, was not his thing. It was only a matter of time before things came full circle, and he broke again. 

[frogmanfae]

Newsies as things that have happened in school (first day edition)

Medda: Yeah when I was in high school orchestra we had very competitive seating so like if you were a fifth chair and you wanted to be a third chair you would have to challenge whoever was in the third chair and you would have a playoff- it was very intense. And then if you won the chair challenge you got the chair closer to the conductor, it was a real thing

Crutchie: What in the high school musical-

Denton: It falls around Thanksgiving-

Mike: *very quietly* gobble gobble...

Denton: ... What was that?

Medda: The sophomores are in a meeting right now so they aren't with us today-

Race: *a sophomore, currently sitting in Medda's class* ...The sophomores are what

Albert: I'm an 11th grader in a freshman class they're gonna know I'm dumb!

Finch: Lie about your grade

Race: Put on a fake accent and say you're from Russia

Albert: Guten tag!

Finch: ...That's the wrong language

Race: This is why you're in a freshman class as a junior

Race: Smell me

Spot: I'll pass

Race: No I smell good

Albert: He smells like cookies

Spot: I... I am not going to smell you

Davey: *walks into a class that's only for juniors to see a bunch of underclassmen but also other juniors (Jack, Mike, Ike, and Oscar)* uhhhh... Is this the right-

Jack: Yeah somethin's fucked up

Davey, Jack, Mike, Ike, and Oscar: *currently supposed to be in a class meeting in another room*

Race: My social Security number is 735. 814-

Davey: STOP YOU'RE GOING TO GET IMPERSONATED IF YOU KEEP DOING THAT!!!

Elmer: I still can't drive

Buttons: his mom lost his social Security card

Crutchie: She what-

Wiesel: Come on, hurry up

Hotshot: We're goin!

Spot: Oh my god you guys are strolling! Aren't you on the football team? You gonna take us to states?? Do you move this slow on the field??

Race: You know they do

Denton: Welcome good morning I know you're all excited to be back- don't answer that

An inspirational video they were forced to watch: "He taught his whole team how to say I love you in sign language!"

Race: *slowly leans forward and makes the I love you sign at Albert*

Albert: *flips him off*

Race: :(

Davey: Oh god the sophomore hallway REEKS of Axe Body Spray

Jack: *joking* I know this is your doing, Elmer

Elmer: :(

Denton: Welcome to creative writing your teacher is crying it's a great first day

Race: damnit I have a scrimmage after school

Denton: What sportsball do you play?

Race: Soccer

Denton: And who are you sportsballing against?

Race: Brooklyn

Denton: Crush em

Romeo: OH MY GOD I JUST SENT THIS GUY STREAKS AND LOOK AT WHAT HE SENT BACK

The message: "I want to choke you with my cock"

Myron: WHAT THE FUCK

*in creative writing class with the gay teacher*

Davey: uh, hi. My name is David, he/him. My favorite book is Salt to the Sea and my favorite author is Ruta Sepetys, who wrote it. My main genres I like to write are realistic fiction and sci fi or fantasy. I write because I have a lot of ideas and if I don't put them somewhere I won't be able to function.

Romeo: wassup, I'm Romeo, he/they but I don't mind the occasional she/her. My favorite book is the Hunger Games and my favorite author is Rick Riordan. My primary genre I like to write is fanfiction and I write because media consumes me and if I like something it's all I can think about for weeks at a time.

Davey, in his head: shit man I mean me too but I'd never have the guts to say that out loud in front of a class-

Jack: Dress code! Dress code violation! Dress code!

Sarah: What does my turtleneck show too much?

Buttons: *GASP* I WANT THE CHAIR WITH THE WHEELS!!! IS THIS FOR THE TEACHER CUZ IT'S FOR ME NOW-

Race: I didn't have my protein shake this morning I am lacking!

Crutchie: Didn't you drink your first one a couple weeks ago- if even??

Race: Actually, Jack's mom gave me like $100 worth of coupons-

Davey: *about Spot* He sings both baritone and tenor.

Jack: He's bivocal

Race: I hate it when he calls me white man because then I can't say anything back or I'll sound unintentionally racist!!!

Jack: Fuckin white man

Race: Stoppp!

Wiesel: We're programmed as human beings to respond with care to things in need. Which is a good thing because otherwise we would probably drown all of our babies-

Crutchie: HUH???

Wiesel: You've programmed your brain to think like that about your phones- *continues like normal*

Crutchie: *20 minutes later* did he not say something about drowning babies???

Race: Fuck I have to take my makeup off before soccer but I don't have any makeup wipes!!

Spot: *jokingly* If you didn't wear makeup to school we wouldn't be having this issue

Albert: Did you just call him an ugly whore??

Spot: Yeah, actually

Romeo: *with nobody paying attention to them* Y'all ready? Y'all ready? *moves backwards and promptly trips over Specs's feet*

Specs: *literally in the middle of a conversation with Finch* ... You good?

Romeo: You tripped me! I was moon walkin!

TW Under the cut jokes about sewerslide and the f slur by someone who can claim it

Race: *jokingly at Smalls* Ewwwww! Freshman!

Smalls: KILL YOURSELF YOU STUPID FAGGOT!!!!

Jack: :0

Race: :0

Jack: did she just-

Race: THERE WAS NO HESITATION???

[raggedy-albert]

CONSIDER RACE BEING ADOPTED

SORRY ANON I SAW THIS BUT MY ANSWER DIDNT GO THROUGH

so we all know race is an orphan. and we all know he had so much love for his mama. we all know he’s basically (definitely) is brothers with jack and crutchie.

medda told jack she would be happy to take him in, and jack said he would be so happy but he needs crutchie to be with him, and then they couldn’t just leave race so she just adopted all three.

al was always welcome to stay with them when his home situation was getting bad or when he wanted to, and the invitation was extended to all the other newsies as well.

race specifically had mixed feelings about it. he was so grateful that she would do it in the first place, and that his friends would do that for him, but he didn’t want medda to replace his mama. he just wanted a place to live and someone to keep an eye on him, no one could ever replace his mama.

[askmissmedda]

Hello! I'm about ready now, if you aren't that's okay I'm willing to wait. :)

@ask-bryan-denton

(Sorry for taking too long idk if we're doing it irl time or like yegsus, :)

(It's okay no worries!! it's whatever you prefer ^^!)

I'm ready! Let's get going, shall we? Don't want to keep the coffee shop open too long, do we?

[sparkedblaze]

do any of the other newsies get involved with this entire adoption au? as in, they heard about it by jack or davey and decided that they want in

if any do, which "side" would they be on? if they were paitent or just wanted to hear both sides and let oscar explain the best he could, would they believe him or immediately turn back to jack

- mystery anon

Oooooo mystery anon I love this question!!

(Also to my other anon, I do have basic ideas for an apology feel good post I promise)

Okay, so Race, Crutchie, and Davey are all immediately on Jack’s side. They’ve heard the stories of how Oscar and Morris treated them, and two of them experienced it first hand.

Spot, and his gang of kids from the other side of the bridge, aren’t as gung-ho to back up Jack Kelly. Spot is trying to stay out of it. He tries not to take sides. But, when the brothers show up with the new scrapbook in hand-a pathetic excuse of an apology-he can't. Not with the way Race is clenching his fists to avoid fighting. Not with the way Albert trembles beside him.

The other Brooklyn boys present stand with Spot, even in the modern au, their loyalty is unwavering.

Myron refuses to be a part of the fighting, but he gets the younger kids out of the room, brings them to Specs in the backyard. He comes back and sees Crutchie curling in on himself in his wheelchair. He makes sure he's alright with being touched-one of the few good things the boys learned from the Delanceys-before helping him onto the couch, wrapping his arms around him to help shield him from the brothers, trying to help him forget about the memories.

Albert has, and always will look for reasons to fight the Delanceys. It takes nothing more than just seeing them, and he's ready for a brawl. The only thing that keeps him from lashing out every time is Racer's hand on his arm, or Spot stepping between them entirely. Let one of them come up to the group and say something? There's no stopping him from trying to lay them out on the floor. The only thing that will keep him from beating them to a pulp is getting laid out himself.

Most of the others don't get involved directly. There are few instances they actually will:

If they're already at Medda's and a fight breaks out, they will protect the kids and Medda.

If they meet out in public, they will, again, try to stay out of it. Try to stay a neutral party. There's only so much you can do with the Delanceys trying to get back at Jack Kelly.

Very few will listen to the Delanceys.

Buttons and Dutchy will at least hear their side of the story. They still won't get involved, but they won't pass judgement based solely on Jack's side of things.

Romeo will also listen, probably invites them to Let's Start a Fight, special siblings edition (Also featuring Davey and Sarah, and Mike and Ike, with Les as the co-host and resident judge of answers)

Elmer will listen, but only if the Delanceys approach him. He isn't going to go out looking for them.

Smalls would consider it, but wouldn't feel safe on their own, so probably would end up not going to talk to them.

So yeah these are my thoughts™

[make-friends-with-the-rats]

There's something about the women of Newsies being constantly changed and rewritten...

Hard Promises (Original Newsies Story by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White)

Charlie and her Aunt: In the original script, "Charlie" was Jack's love interest. She was a newsgirl who lived in a brothel with her aunt (a prostitute). Her aunt was trying to protect and shield Charlie from going down that same path and at the end of the movie Charlie was to have gone with Jack to Santa Fe. [source]

Newises (1992)

Sarah Jacobs: In the film, Sarah Jacobs was the sister of David and Les as well as Jack's love interest. She is a working class woman who works crocheting dollies with her mother long before her father loses work. She ends up involved in the newsies strike and helps to print and distribute the Newsies Banner. In earlier scripts, Sarah was a self described socialist and had much more involvement in the story. It was she who confronts Jack after he scabs, dressed in David's clothes to protect herself, and demands answers. [source, Cut Material]

Medda Larkson: To replace the character of Charlie's unnamed aunt, Medda was created [source]. She's a vaudeville/burlesque performer and the owner of Irving Hall. She knows Jack (possibly a friend of his father's but who knows if that was a lie) and is sympathetic to the newsies strike, allowing them to hold their rally at her theater.

Newsies the Musical

Katherine Plumber: When Newsies was adapted for the stage, Sarah Jacobs was cut from the story along with reporter Bryan Denton and replaced with the "intrepid reporter" Katherine Plumber (Pulitzer), loosely based/inspired by Nellie Bly. She is an upper class woman, the daughter of Joseph Pulitzer, and Jack's final love interest. Like Sarah, she becomes involved in the newsies strike and it is Katherine's idea to create and print the Newsies Banner. Along with other rewrites, the inclusion of Katherine makes the story less about class struggle and more about generational struggle. [source]

Medda Larkin: While Medda's significance to the story remains largely unchanged from film to stage musical, she was reworked in the transition from Paper Mill to Broadway with Aida Overton Walker in mind as new historical inspiration [source, page 16]. A small but interesting change is that stage Medda "knows the governor." This detail is never overtly explained.

The Bowery Beauties: The additional female performers at Irving Hall or Medda's theatre. They were likely included to retain vaudeville/burlesque elements while desexualizing Medda. (My own opinion not supported by any quotes or resources that I have found.)

So my question is: Why can't these characters coexist? Why is there a quota on female characters in Newsies? Was the shift away from darker topics concerning women's safety at the turn of the 19th century to inspire and empower women today? Or was it to sweep those harsh realities under the rug?

[i-didnt-do-1t]

Waves im here with a prompt! Race asking Jack's advice about something

Hello! Thank you, hope you enjoy :) they are best friends

“Jack, I need advice.”

Jack didn’t know how Race got into Medda’s theatre before official opening hours without her letting him in, and frankly he was too afraid to find out.

The more pressing fear however was the fact that Race had made him jump so hard he almost fell off the ladder he was using to reach the top of an old backdrop and repaint a cloud that had been bothering him every time he looked at it.

“I’m a little busy Racer.”

“Yeah. With giving me advice.”

It never took Race long to make Jack give up whatever activity he was doing to provide him with attention. Actually, he wasn’t all that different from the cat Mush had snuck into the Lodging house a couple months back, now that he thought about it.

He started to climb down the ladder, tucking his paintbrush into the already paint splattered apron he was wearing.

“You’re insufferable y’know that.”

“Oh big word, learn that one from Dave?’

Jack hit him over the back of the head with his hat as he jumped the last couple of steps, rolling his eyes and then threw an arm across Race’s shoulder before he could try and make an escape, dragging him to his side and grinning at Race’s attempts to shove him off before quickly giving up and accepting his fate as Jack’s arm rest, a role usually reserved for Davey.

“Yeah, but that ain’t the point.”

“So that advice I need.”

Jack rolled his eyes again,

(and y’know what? Race was beginning to think he was spending too much time around Davey if he was honest, if Jack was picking up his habits this much, it couldn’t be healthy)

“What about it?”

“You get the odd nightmare right Jackie?” He frowned, “Don’t answer that. You’ll lie n’ I know for a fact you will, so better question, how do ya fall back asleep after a nightmare.” He tried to pull away from the weight of Jacks arms around his shoulder and failed. “I ain’t been sleeping so good lately n’ I don’t want to ask any of the other fella’s and-“

“You talks a lot when your pride’s hurt.”

“Mentioning a man’s pride is a low blow Jack n’ you know it.”

He pulled Race impossibly closer, veering on a headlock and ruffled his hair with his free hand as he spoke, grinning and far too proud of himself.

“My advice is to not think about it. Think about something else instead.”

Race attempted to twist out of his grasp. “What like Sante Fe?”

Jack’s next goal was to make use of the paint coated paintbrush in his apron pocket. “Alright, now who’s going for low blows.”

“Cowboy, if you cover me in paint I ain’t ever forgiving you.”

“All’s fair in love and war.”

Race tried to twist away from him again, cheeks hurting from his attempts at not smiling as he tried to wrestle his way out of Jack’s iron grip. “You are spending-“ he twisted again, catching his breath. “Far too much time around Davey- who the hell said that?”

“Shakespeare, I think.” Jack made another attempt to grab his paintbrush without loosening his grip on Race. “I don’t know, sometimes he just talks and I have to sit there and pretend to listen otherwise he gets this look like a cat locked outside in the rain.”

“Hah!” Race’s hand closed around the paintbrush.

“Goddamn it Race-“ Race snorted as he admittedly somewhat aggressively trailed the paint end of the brush up Jack’s arm. It didn’t loosen his grip. “-I just washed my shirt.”

“50 cents says I win.”

Jack made an attempt at a grab for the brush, and Race made use of the advantage of an opening to twist an arm out.

“50 cents says I tell Kid you’re the one who stole the sandwich he was saving,” Jack shot back.

“Thought we were meant to be like brothers Jack- close as thieves n’ all that.”

“Yeah that was ‘fore-“ he lurched forward, missing the brush narrowly, “you got paint on my shirt.”

“You started it.” Race grinned as he was able to move his arm fast enough to line a blob of baby blue paint directly down the side of Jack’s face, “I was just lookin’ some brotherly advice.”

[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.