Newsies One-Shots

Chapter 38 - Jack and Crutchie (Pt. 2)

Brothers Make Life A Lot Better (Pt. 2)
Ship - Jack and Crutchie (brotherly)
Era - Cannon
Triggers - Mentions of injuries and abuse.

The next time Jack woke up he was somewhere he didn't recognise, all he could figure out was that it wasn't the Refuge and there was a weight on his chest.

Everything felt like it was being stabbed by needles. He moved his arm stiffly to feel what was on his chest, hoping he could move it away.

He relaxed slightly when he felt something soft. His fingers automatically started to play with it.

He could tell the head of hair from anywhere, it was the same one he'd played with so many times before.

He'd give anything to be able to speak the words in his head. He just wanted to tell Crutchie how much he missed him.

He didn't play with Crutchie's hair for long as within a few minutes he was asleep again.

~~~

The next time Jack woke up he managed to stay awake longer than five minutes.

The weight was gone from his chest, he almost missed it, it gave him something to do with his hands.

A door on the opposite side of the room opened slowly.

Jack's chest tightened in fear at the thought that it may be Snyder behind the door.

He visibly relaxed when Medda walked through the door.

"Hey honey, how are you feeling?" she asked in her ever-so comforting voice.

Jack shrugged. "Sore," he admitted.

"I can imagine, you were rough when they brought you here. Thought you wouldn't wake up," she explained.

"Why wouldn't I wake up? I've hardly been asleep longer than a few hours." Jack looked at her longingly for confirmation that he was right.

"Baby, you were asleep for a few days. Crutchie was worried sick, poor boy," she mumbled. "He never left your side, I had to force him to go back to selling, I knew you wouldn't want him to be waiting around for you."

"Thank you Medda," he said gratefully.

"Any time sweetie."

Medda made her way over to Jack and sat down beside him on the bed.

She brushed the hair off of his forehead and pressed a kiss to it.

"You're so brave, you know that," she told him gently. "I'm proud of you."

Jack shook his head. "I'm not, I was weak and I let Snyder take me."

"Jack, you're sixteen," Medda started, "he's a fully grown man. He shouldn't be hurting you and the other kids, I'm proud that you lived through that. I'm proud of how you always care for the other boys and are so kind to everyone who deserves it."

"Thank you Miss Medda."

Medda pressed one final kiss to his forehead before standing up. "You go asleep. Crutchie and the boys will be here when you wake up."