Newsies One-Shots

Chapter 53 - Race and Spring

Race Is A Big Brother Even After Only Meeting Spring Two Minutes Prior
Ship - Race and Spring (brotherly)
Era - Modern
Triggers - Implied child neglect and crying.

Race stood, waiting for Medda to return home.

Crutchie stood beside him holding his hand tightly.

"What's wrong? Why is Momma taking so long?" he asked.

"I don't know Toni," Crutchie admitted. "All I was told is that Medda was called for something while she was out with Jack."

Race let out a loud sigh of relief. "Jack's okay? I thought he had gotten hurt and that's why they are in the hospital."

"No, Momma got a call, I think for an emergency placement and they're in the hospital. I'm not sure though."

Race nodded, unsure on how to process the information.

He wasn't opposed to Medda taking in emergency placements, she'd taken a couple while he was there.

Those were ones that were definite to only last a few days, she'd never had any that could last longer than planned.

Except for Crutchie, of course.

Crutchie, noticing his baby brother's unsureness, frowned. "Come here," he told the younger boy, holding his arms out.

Race practically fell into the arms.

"It'll be okay. I'm here. Jack'll be here soon. So will Momma. Everything will be okay."

Race took his older brother's word. He had no reason not to and quite frankly, he would believe anything if one of his brothers said it.

~~~

A half hour had passed and the brothers were still stood there waiting for their mother and brother to return.

Race had moved from holding Crutchie's hand to hugging Crutchie from the side.

"Do you want me to get you your teddy?" Crutchie asked, noticing how tense Race was.

"No, I'm okay." Race leaned further into his brother's embrace. "I have you."

"I'll go get him for you," Crutchie decided. "Just for extra comfort."

Race tried to argue but was shushed by Crutchie as he walked as quickly as he could to Race's bedroom.

He hated to admit but it was small things like getting his teddy for him that made Race feel truly loved.

"Thank you so much," he said when Crutchie came back.

"Of course. Do you still want me to hug you?"

"Yes please."

~~~

Another twenty-seven minutes passed before Medda and Jack finally came home.

There was a young boy between them holding Medda's hand with his right hand and his left in a blue cast.

Race immediately felt something in him break. He knew that he had to protect that young boy at all costs.