#when the day finally rolls around santa fe strikes again wins

[frogmanfae]

Oh, I've thought about it

okay think about it -- newsies punk rock band au. THINK ABOUT ITTT

[thekadster]

december (newsies canon-divergence angst)

Fandom: Newsies (All Media Types)

Word Count: 1,953

Trigger Warnings: None!

Author’s Notes: Special thanks to @newsies-hit-da-streets for beta reading this!

❝ It was an early December morning, but Crutchie's mind was still stuck in that fateful summer day. The day before the strike, the rally, and before everything changed. ❞

also read it on ao3!

Tonight, it was cold.

No, it was freezing.

It was an early December morning, but Crutchie's mind was still stuck in that fateful summer day. The day before the strike, the rally, and before everything changed.

He leaned forward on the railing of the fire escape. He didn’t pay any mind to the goosebumps all over his arms or the chattering of his teeth. He silently stared into the distant city, which gained a serene, heavenly glow in the winter haze. He had seen this view thousands of times before and all its same towering buildings when he still lived up here.

“Crutch!” a voice called from below, followed by the sound of rapid footsteps.

Crutchie snapped back to reality. He managed to tug his lips into a faint smile. “Oh, hiya, Specs.”

“What the hell are ya doin’ up here?” Specs climbed the last few steps. “It’s freezin’!”

For a moment, Crutchie didn’t respond. What was he doing up here, especially in this kind of weather? The morning bell probably wouldn’t ring for another hour or so. Why was he even awake this early?

“I dunno,” he mumbled.

Specs looked at him. “Whaddya mean you don’t know?”

Crutchie exhaled, his breath a cloud of mist. He shivered and shrugged. “Well, I-I thought the view’d be nice tonight, so-”

Specs put a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Why dontcha tell me inside?”

His hand gently moved down to his wrist, but Crutchie quickly recoiled. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Specs, whose eyes widened in surprise.

“I can’t,” he blurted out, shoving his hands into his coat.

Specs could only stare, beginning to grow worried. He had never seen his friend this desperate.

“Look, I-” Crutchie scrambled for words. “I appreciate ya bein’ up here an’ all, but…”

“Was it somethin’ I said?”

“No, no, you’s is fine! I just- I can’t go down.”

“Why not?”

They were quiet for a moment as the howling wind whipped past. Crutchie hesitated; he thought his reason for being up here was rather stupid.

“Crutch.”

He turned to look at Specs' outstretched hand. “I don’t wantcha turnin’ into ice up here.”

Specs didn’t care what reason he had, or how stupid it was. He wasn’t going to let his friend freeze to death.

He led Crutchie down the metal rails, slowing down his pace and being careful not to slip in the dark. They both climbed in through a window and sat on a bed. Around them, the room was filled with countless kids on bunk beds trying to sleep through the cold.

“Ya wanna talk about it?” softly began Specs, wiping his glasses. “I mean, it’s okay if ya don’t or you wanna save it for the mornin’ or-”

“No, no, it’s fine,” Crutchie shook his head. He shrugged the remaining snow off of his coat and leaned against the frame of the bunk bed. “I was just...lookin’ out into the city.”

The other boy looked up at him, noticing his long silence. “And?”

Crutchie’s brows furrowed, before he gave up and sighed. “I can’t stop thinkin’ about July,” he mumbled.

Specs was quiet. He knew the July that he was talking about; the July.

The summer of 1899 was the summer that changed the newsies forever. After Pulitzer and Hearst raised the price of newspapers, they all decided to go on strike. It was dangerous, something that none of them had ever done before. But through their efforts, they won the battle, and shed light on the importance of the rights of New York’s working kids. It was amazing that they, as an army kids without so much as a nickel to their name, changed the course of history. But that wasn’t the reason why it was still on Crutchie’s mind.

“‘S about Jack, huh?” he asked, finding his voice. Crutchie weakly nodded.

Every newsie in New York knew about Jack Kelly, Manhattan’s charismatic leader. He was a good fighter, a great newsie, and protected his own more than anything. Lots of kids, the two of them included, would look to him for help and guidance. He was also the face of the strike, making a statement that they weren’t gonna be pushed around anymore. For the longest time, he was known as this brave, selfless seventeen-year-old that the newsies could rely on.

Well, until he wasn’t.

Crutchie wasn’t there when it happened, but all of his friends told the same story. Jack showed up to a rally and made a speech about disbanding the union after speaking to Pulitzer. Of course, this didn’t sit well with the newsies, and especially Spot Conlon. Confused and frustrated shouts filled the air, but it wasn’t nearly as bad when everyone saw him take money from a man in a fancy suit.

After that, no one could convince him to stay, not even Katherine. She was the last person to give up on him - and bless her heart - but he was already bound for Santa Fe.

“He scabbed,” were the words that replayed and replayed in Crutchie’s mind. 

He scabbed.

“I just wanna know why he did it,” he whispered, rubbing his eyes.

Specs’ heart dropped, seeing the pain in his eyes. “I know ya do.”

Crutchie’s gaze was distant, vacant. “I don’t get it. He...he said he’d take me with him.”

“Yeah,” said Specs. “Always talked about it, too.”

“We used’ta talk about it all the time, up on the fire escape,” added Crutchie. The beginnings of a smile tugged at his lips. “He’d blabber about Santa Fe every night; said it was clean an’ green an’ pretty. They’s got palominos there, too. And, he even said that the air could fix my leg, give or take a few months.”

Specs softly chuckled, remembering the dime-novel cowboy that Jack so badly wanted to be. “Cowboy really wanted to head out west, huh?”

Crutchie exhaled, almost bitterly laughing. “Guess he finally got his dream.”

Specs shifted slightly in his place. His eyes caught the soft glow of the city through one of the frost-covered windows. He gulped, the correct words forming together in his mind. “Do ya hate ‘im?”

“Huh?”

“Do ya hate ‘im? For leavin’?”

Truth be told, Crutchie was just one of the many kids who wanted to scream in Jack’s face. He wanted to know why he did what he did, if it was all worth it, if it was worth knowing that they had to win the fight without him. He wanted him to know how hurt they all were, and how things had never been the same after he up and left. He wanted to pour out every single stab and sting that he’d been carrying inside his chest for the past year.

He absentmindedly picked at the sleeve of his coat. After learning the truth about Jack, he felt so many things at once; confusion, rage, denial, misery, betrayal. The boy that he had known for so many years was suddenly gone, and never even bothered to write back. The kid who abandoned the strike wasn’t the same kid who dreamed with him every night, the kid who said that they were a family. 

“No,” whispered Crutchie.

Specs looked at him. “Ya don’t?”

He repeated that one, small word. Specs raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”

“I- I dunno,” Crutchie said, running a hand through his hair. “I mean, I can’t really blame ‘im for leavin’ when he got the chance.”

“But he ditched us! Ain’tcha mad?”

“‘Course I’m mad! I’m furious!” he explained, his voice a bit louder than he intended it to be. “It’s just...I can’t hate ‘im. Part a’ me still wants to believe he’s a good kid. As much as I wanna, I just- can’t.”

His vision began to blur and his voice grew softer. “Everythin’ we been through, I wanna think it was worth somethin’. When he said that we’s family, I think he meant it.”

Specs paused and stared at him. Crutchie was undoubtedly one of the happiest kids in the Lodging House, probably even in all New York. Even with his gimp leg, his positivity remained relentlessly infectious. The glimmer in his eyes could light up the whole city. His sunshine smile would beam whenever he would laugh or charm strangers to buy a pape. And when he was with Jack, it couldn’t be brighter - whether they were excitedly chattering, giggling, or simply enjoying each other’s presence.

Specs moved closer. “He did,” the boy spoke. “And it was worth somethin’. Jack meant a lot to all of us, ‘specially you. And it’s hard, ‘cause it’s like he ain’t the guy we knew he was no more. But I guess, the Jack that we knew was real, even now.”

They were quiet for a while, listening to the snow beat against the window. Crutchie let himself lean on Specs’ side and he pulled his coat closer to his body. Specs wrapped an arm around him, and he stayed very still when he felt damp patches on his shirt. He realized he was very quietly crying.

Crutchie pulled away, removing his friend’s arm. “Sorry.”

“No, Crutch, it’s okay,” Specs quickly interjected. “Cryin’s okay sometimes.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” He gave him a soft smile. “My Ma used ta tell me; when you’s feelin’ bad, sometimes you gotta cry to let out the things makin’ ya feel that way.”

“So, I gotta cry all the time?”

“Nah, cryin’ ain’t so good when ya do it everyday,” Specs laughed. “It’s better for when you’re feelin’ really bad.” 

Crutchie paused. “Like now?”

“Yeah.”

At those words, a few more silent tears slipped from his eyes. Specs pulled him into an embrace. In reality, they knew that they should’ve been asleep by now. In a few hours, they would be out on the streets once again, trying their best to make a living. As soon as the winter rolled around, their job only got harder. But at that moment, the freezing cold and the copper coins didn’t seem to matter. They didn’t care who would chance upon them or how strange the sight of them would seem; right now, they needed each other, and that mattered more than anything.

A bittersweet smile crept up on Crutchie’s face. “I hope he got the life he wanted,” he whispered.

“Me too,” mumbled Specs. It was true, he thought. The Manhattan newsies didn’t take kindly to scabs, but Jack wasn’t just another scab. He was a leader, a friend, a brother. He spent so much of his life giving that he rarely got the chance to take for himself, and then the day came that he finally did. Admittedly, it didn’t have the best timing, but even with the gigantic mess it left behind, the two of them understood.

When he was ready, Crutchie pulled away and dried his eyes with his sleeve. “Sorry I kept ya, it’s late.”

“It’s fine, really, I don’t mind,” replied Specs. “‘S a good thing I saw you was gone, or else you woulda froze.”

Crutchie chuckled. “Gotta admit, though; the view’s killer.”

“Yeah,” Specs grinned. “But try ta wait ‘til spring, will ya?”

The two softly laughed. They hoped they hadn’t woken anyone up with their conversation. Specs climbed up to the top bunk and Crutchie got under his blanket. As he leaned on his side, the noise in his head seemed to die down a little. Of course, he’d rather have it that Jack stayed behind for a little while longer, but he knew that nothing could bring him back now. Instead, he could only wonder how things were like out west, and hope that Santa Fe was everything Jack dreamed it would be.

[how-bout-a-crooked-politician]

Til that Train Makes Santa Fe (Happy Ending)

Jack Kelly x Reader

Summary: The trials and tribulations of New York have really been getting to you lately, especially with the strike going on. So Jack makes you an important promise.

———

“Jack, Jack!” You sprinted after your boyfriend as he fled through the streets of New York. “Jack wait, please!” The two of you leapt over wagons, through busy streets, and up fire escapes until finally you knew where he was heading. His penthouse.

When you caught up to Jack he was leaning against the railing up in his penthouse, his head down and full of grief and anger. You didn’t blame him, you were feeling the same things. Crutchie being taken away had been the final straw. It was getting personal now. You slowly walked towards Jack and put your hand on his shoulder. “Jack?” You whispered softly. “This isn’t your fault, okay? There was nothing you could have done-“ “Like hell there was!” Jack yelled, shoving your hand away and running his fingers through his hair. “If it wasn’t for me and my stupid idea for this strike, none of this would have happened! Crutchie would still be here, none of the boys would have been hurt, Davey and Les would have food to put on their table, but they don’t! All because of me!”

“Jack, breathe!” You knew how Jack could be when he was upset, and if you were going to fix this you needed him to think clearly. You grabbed his hand and held it tightly. “We need to calm down, okay? Things aren’t as bad as you may think.” Jack gave you a doubtful look and raised an eyebrow. “Ok, maybe they are as bad as you think.” You admitted. “But it isn’t your fault! Do you know how messed up it was for the bulls to take on a bunch of kids? No one could have seen that coming.” You could see Jack’s breathing going steady now, and you pushed his chin with your finger so he would look at you. “We’re going to fix this ok?”

Jack gave you an empty smile and kissed you on the forehead. He turned to look out at the view of the city. “Y/N? Can I ask you somethin’?” He let go of your hand and walked back over to the railing. You joined him by his side. “Of course you can, what is it?” Jack still didn’t look over at you, his eyes were glued to the sunset ahead of you. “If we win the strike-“ “When we win the strike.” You corrected him. Jack smirked and glanced over at you. “Right.” He said. His face went serious again. “I wanna finally go. I wanna go to Santa Fe, with you.”

You had promised Jack countless times that the day he decided to go to Santa Fe you would be right there by his side. And you meant it. But you hadn’t expected the day to come so soon. “I’ll be ready whenever you are.” You said. “But why now?” Jack put his arm around you and pulled you closer to him. “There’s nothin’ left here for me.” He said. “I finally have the money to go, but I can’t just leave the boys in the state we’re in now.” You nodded. “You want to finish what you started.” You said. Jack nodded. “Yep.” He said. “And plus, I’d never leave without you. And something tells me you’re not leaving til we’ve won either.”

You smiled and leaned into his shoulder. “Damn straight.” You said. You turned your head to peck Jack on the cheek. “Now, we better go check on the boys. The sooner we win this thing, the sooner we’re on our train to Santa Fe.”

——

That was five years ago, and it was still a moment you reminisced upon frequently. The day you and Jack decided to make your dreams become a reality. It didn’t happen as quickly as you thought it would though, as the boys convinced you to stay in New York for a few more years. Once you and Jack got married you finally decided to move out west, and you couldn’t be happier.

The other newsies were currently on their way to visit from New York for Christmas. You’d all been saving up for train tickets for years, and finally you made it work. At times you wondered what would have happened had you and Jack really given up that night so many years ago. But now, watching Jack tell your and his son about all of his uncles coming to visit you were infinitely glad you didn’t.

“And then there’s your Uncle Finch. He’s got this slingshot, and he never misses!”

“Never?”

“Never.”

“Wow! You have a lot of brothers, huh daddy?”

Jack smiled and ruffled his son’s hair. “Sure do, kid. And every single one of them is our family.” He looked up at you next to him. “Right sweetheart?” You pretended to think for a moment. “I don’t know, if Race smokes as much inside the house as much as he did back in New York I might have to disown him.” Both you and Jack laughed, then he pecked you on the lips. Your son let out a groan and left the room, leaving you and Jack alone.

“You weren’t here for the part when he said he wanted to be just like his Uncle Racetrack.”

You rolled your eyes. “God help us all.”

———

I had to write a happier ending, and also this kind of turned into domestic bliss for some reason but I’m still proud of how this went.