This Ain't Just Newsies No More ~ Sprace & Javid

23 | Reflections | Jack

So...sorry for ending the last chapter like that without a follow up this chapter, but I kinda needed to write this. At first I wanted this to be from David's perspective...but realized it worked way better for Jack's. Even then it's still very loose perspective, if that makes sense. This is when Jack is walking David home after the event of finding out Race was missing because I really needed a little chapter where Jack rues his decision. Enjoy! :)

Jack feels absolutely horrible about what he's done.

He holds hands with David, walking back to David's house. David can sense it too.

"Did I really do that?" Jack asks aloud for what has to be the hundredth time.

"Jack." David squeezes his hand. "It's okay."

Jack pulls his hand away. "But it isn't."

"We all make mistakes sometimes."

Jack sighs. "Not as big as my mistakes."

"Name one. And not this one."

"Becomin' a scab."

"Okay, that was a big one," David admits. "And so what, you locked Race in a closet. He got out. He went to see Spot like he wanted-"

"I feel horrible, Davey."

David puts a hand on Jack's shoulder. "Yeah, I know. I know that there are some things that you can't easily forgive yourself for doing."

Jack shrugs off David's hand. "It ain't that easy, though, you know? I really messed up. And now he probably never wants to talk to me again, and it's all my fault!"

"Jack," David catches Jack's hand again, "I'm not saying it's easy. Sure, he may be mad for a little while. But Race doesn't hold grudges too much, does he?"

"He didn't talk to Snipeshooter for a week after Snipes stole his cigar."

"Well, maybe you just need to talk to him."

"I just want to tell him I'm sorry." Jack feels his voice crack a little. "He's always been a brother to me, you know? And he listens, Dave. And he knew I was wantin' to be with you, and he was happy for me when we became boyfriends." He sighs with defeat. "And I didn't support him when there was finally a chance that he and Spot would finally get together."

"Why were you so mad?" David prods gently, curiously. "Just so I can better understand."

"I thought I saw Brooklyn newsies in Manhattan," Jack explains. "And it wouldn't be a big deal, but they weren't actin' real friendly to the people around them. Spot says they weren't his newsies. Things only escalated from there."

In a sense, Spot has been like a brother to Jack too. A brother from another borough. With newsies, it's hard not to feel like family when you create a strong emotional bond, especially when newsies are the closest thing to a real family you have. And so, like siblings, Jack and Spot get along, most of the time. And, like siblings, they fall out.

Jack just hopes that they can reconnect again.

"It doesn't sound like a good situation," David says sympathetically. "No matter what way you say it."

Jack sighs. "Yeah."

"Hey." David turns Jack to face him. He hugs him. "I know you're going to figure this out."

Jack accepts the embrace and they stay like that.

"You can apologize and explain everything when Race gets back," David suggests.