Newsies oneshots

Snipehen // Porcelain, Flowers, Butterflies

(After I love you.)

Sniper kept hold of Henry, who was holding onto him tightly. Jojo placed Henry on the corner of an allyway, just out of sight. Henry was still wearing his apron, he also needed to get back to work before Jacobi notices he's gone, but he just didn't feel well enough to get up, "How long have we been out here for?" He asked, whispering.
"Not that long, I promise..."
Henry tried to get up,"I need to get back to work-" But Sniper stopped him, "I know, but you need to take your time and allow yourself to relax."
Henry sighed and looked up at him, "I'm so sorry for being a mess today..."
"No, I'm sorry for being so mean... I don't know what's wrong with me, I always do this."
"No it was my fault," Henry looked down, "I really thought I was ready. Then Jojo told me what you said and I thought we were over, I wanted to talk but that would cause an argument, and I just wanted to disappear."
"Henry, I'm not breaking up with you, I just said that about you and Jojo because I was frustrated. I knew you were feeling anxious and I made it worse. And I'm sorry." Sniper ended it there, they stayed quiet for while before they looked at eachother, and Sniper leaned down and gave his boyfriend a soft kiss on the lips. Henry felt so much better with Sniper around, he got up and held his hand out to Sniper to help him up. Once up, they both instantly embraced eachother, Sniper has never, ever comforted someone in his life, he's always thought he was bad at it, but Henry thought he did so well. Henry and Sniper have such a playful relationship, they sometimes forget that they need eachother for more than for someone to make out with. Henry needed some love and attention, like Sniper does too at times.
Sniper looked back at Henry and quickly wiped off some old tears, "Just finish work and do your best, I'll sit at the bar and wait for you, ok?"
Henry nodded and headed back inside, Sniper right behind him.

Back inside, Henry just went straight to the bar, where Dex was working, and Henry felt bad because its Dex who had to take over. "Sorry, Dex, I'll make sure to go twice as quick to make up for lost time." He said, getting behind the counter.
"It's fine, your friends took over sweeping and wiping tables." Dex smiled, actually super greatful for the extra help. Henry laughed, but he turned around and saw everything was cleaned, and knew Jojo forced them to help out before leaving. Sniper sat at the bar and kept an eye on Henry, reminding him to drink water. Henry did have his little moments through out the day, moments where even Dex had to be like, "You wanna sit down for a sec?" But Henry shook his head and kept going.

Eventually, the day was over, Henry and Dex finished cleaning and Dex was doing a final check before closing. Henry waited for him under the counter with Sniper holding him close, they were just whispering to eachother sweet nothings. At one point Henry asks, "Do you have a partner Dex?"
"Yeah." Dex said, not looking up from the money he was counting.
"Really?"
"What? Are you shocked I get bitches, Henry?"
Sniper laughed as Henry gasped, "Dexter!"
Dex laughed and gave Henry his share of the tips, "C'mon, I'm ready to close."
Henry nodded and got up to leave, Sniper following behind, holding his hand. They leave the building and Dex locks up before going their seperate ways. "Come to think of it, I don't know much about Dex." Sniper admitted, walking to Henry's house.
Henry shrugged, "He doesn't talk about himself much."
"Do you know anything about him? Like about his family? Why he's working so young- come to think of it how old even is Dex?"
"No idea about his family, no idea why he works, and he's around our age," Henry thought for a second before following with, "I think."
Sniper nodded, "Hes a sweet guy though."
"Yeah." Henry agreed.
Sniper squeezed Henry's hand, "Why didn't you take breaks when he offered?"
Henry shrugged, "I didn't want to let him down again, I already wasted too much time when we were outside..."
"Yes, but that wasn't your fault," Sniper stopped, causing Henry to stop too, "plus he offered, clearly he was OK with you taking a small break."
"But still-"
"Still nothing, Henry, you need to stop being so hard on yourself, everyone has difficult days, honestly, I should have made you go home after you passed out."
"I just..." Henry sighed, "I hate letting people down..." He was struggling to make eye contact with Sniper.
"I know, baby, but you were OK, no-one would have been upset with you if you just sat down and took 2 or 3 minutes... Henry?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you look at me for a sec?"
Henry reluctantly looked at Sniper, a little afraid of the conversation they were having. But Sniper continued, "You won't like what I'm about to say, but it's important for you to realise, you are so fragile. You try to act all collected and unconcerned, but Henry Butler Junior you are the most fragile, emotional and soft hearted person I've ever met. You take everything people say to heart, you struggle with critism, you care too much about people's opinions of you and you never make selfish decisions. And not only are you fragile emotionally, sweetheart, when you're upset or anxious or even angry it's so hard for you to function. You struggle speaking, focusing and even standing or walking. That's why I ask you to take care of yourself."
Sniper was right, Henry didn't like that, he felt awful, he hated that Sniper could see through him like glass, everyone else didn't bother or couldn't figure him out. He always wished he was different and its why he acts the way he does, "I'm sorry..." He let out, Sniper was confused by the apology so he stayed quiet until Henry managed to continue, "I'm so sorry I don't know why I'm like this, I'll try and be better."
"Nono-" Sniper quickly took his hand and sat them both down on the pavement, "You're not getting me...Look, porcelain, flowers and butterfly's. All delicate, fragile things right?"
"Right..."
"Ok, just like you... and just like you they are precious, and beautiful. And they need to be handled carefully, and with love... which is what I'm trying to do for you."
Henry stared into Snipers perfect blue eyes and felt himself go red, he awkwardly laughed, "That's so cheesy Sniper-"
"-Hey, no. You're not getting out of this one with humour."
Henry sighed, and thought for a second before asking,

"You think I'm beautiful?"