Newsies Oneshots 2.0

Weirdo In Love-Finch x Crutchie

"What can I get you?" Finch asked for the hundredth time today, but still managing to glue a fake smile on his face. It was the same line over and over again, coached to them just one year ago. At one point, a group of ten girls came in and all ordered the same thing, and he couldn't help but to find himself in such an open space of conformity.

They weren't exactly the paragon of going against the grain—he wasn't exactly a vision in his blue t-shirt and black visor, looking almost exactly like his co-workers. But they tried to make themself standout just a bit, even if his eyeshadow and pride pins were against employee policy.

Still, the routine got boring. Every once in a while, a soccer mom with a really choppy haircut would come in and demand things they simply didn't have, and that would cause at least a little drama—and a good laugh between them and Anna—but it seemed to be the same thing everyday. No one wanted interesting drinks anymore.

"Alright, that's one black coffee", Finch repeated just for safe measure, silently recoiling in disgust. "Anything else?"

The woman, dressed in what Finch could only describe as that of popular fashion from before women had the right to vote—which was pretty metal, he had to admit—took her sweet time in deciding to get a cookie, and Finch put it under her order. When she received it, she left just as quickly as she came in.

Finch was honestly sad to see her go, the most interesting person of their day, and he watched with a heavy heart as she went (how dramatic), but life went on. The next customer was no different than the last.

Nearing Finch's lunch break was when the shop seemed to be become dead, left like a body with few working organs. They would stand at the counter, trying to repress the urge to grab their phone, and wait until the clock struck two. But life seemed to be on his side today.

"Hi", a customer greeted, walking quickly to the counter. Finch heard the clacking of his crutch before they heard the bell above the door, and he was awestruck from there. "Hello?"

Blond hair sat messily atop his head, shining golden in the sun's light. His eyes were a crystal blue and his skin was slightly tanned, although Finch could tell he was rather pale. The smile on his face was gracious and kind, and Finch felt himself wrapped in warmth, like he was being hugged by love. He reminded them of the beach.

Finch suddenly really liked the beach.

"You're really pretty", Finch mumbled out, flushing slightly when his customer laughed softly, more than flattered. "Like, really pretty."

"Thank you", the customer beamed, and Finch felt his knees weaken a bit. "You're pretty cute yourself."

Finch snorted with false confidence, trying to establish some control over the situation. "What, do you think I'm pretty or cute?"

The stranger shrugged, his smile never falling from his face. "Why not both?"

He was smooth, and Finch could admit he liked that in a man. It also didn't hurt that there was a light dusting of plush across his nose, which allowed Finch to assume he was at least a little shy. With his ego inflated, Finch cleared his throat and looked down at the ordering screen.

"What can I get you?" they asked, and the customer chuckled. "Sorry to be abrupt, but-"

"I get it", he interrupted, and Finch believed him, but he smiled just for good measure. "I'll get...a medicine ball."

Finch hummed, tapping the screen in front of him. "Anything else?"

"That's all. If I get anything else, my brother'll steal from me, and I really don't feel like getting into a fight today."