Newsies oneshots

Snipehen // I'll do anything

(...Is Ellie gonna change the time line... maybe a little but it's similar? It's just that Sniper and Henry started dating earlier in the strike and Sniper scabbed after getting with Henry... Angst, Sniper backstory warning, so Abuse.)

All the newsies stood for their strike. Ready to defend one another. They weren't willing to give in because next to them was someone who is also suffering, but needs the equality they are looking for. Henry looked at Jojo, "Are you doing this?"
Jojo looked down for a second, "Are we?"
Henry smiled and took his hand, "Of course." They weren't with Tommy for once in a while, Tommy was in charge of letting the Newsies of the East Side know about the strike, and he went the night before but he wasn't back yet. But Henry and Jojo weren't worried, he's so strong in his own way and can surely make it on his own. But there were no signs of Sniper, but again, Henry didn't think much about it, he probably slept in. As always. Henry finds it so cute how sleepy his boyfriend is. Sniper sleeps in and is the first to falls asleep. It's a little annoying because their relationship is a secret, so after waiting for everyone to fall asleep, Henry climbs into Snipers bed for boyfriend time just for Sniper to already be completely knocked out. But Henry still loves bringing his blanket up to his shoulders, kissing his forehead and putting his journal away that was still in his hand. Sniper is so cute. He doesn't seem it but to Henry he is. The other newsies find him terrifying, he's just always got an intimidating look on his face, and he makes other people feel stupid by his mannerisms. But Sniper doesn't mind, he likes the lack of attention and people leaving him alone. But the way Snipers face goes from his usual resting bitch face to all sunshine and smiles when he makes eye contact with Henry melts Henry's heart and he just wants to hold him.

"Scabbers!"
Henry sighed, it was bound the happen, but he instantly looked up when he saw Jojo, pale as a ghost go, "Tommy Boy?!"
Henry looked at the same direction to see Tommy Boy, their best friend, the boy they've been loyal to since day one, getting papes from Weisel, betraying not only them but also all the other newsies. Tommy kept his head down. His hat covering his face. Henry and Jojo knew Tommy hadn't been feeling his best, he was angry and snappy and over all just not his usual sweet self. Barney leaving hit him hard. "Oh, Tommy, no..." Henry sighed, "I knew something was off... he should have spoken to us."
Henry and Jojo were so disappointed. The other newsies were angry but Henry and Jojo knew Tommy was just hurting and  didn't care anymore. Jojo kept his eyes on Tommy as Henry started looking at the other scabbers. Kid Blink. Henry has known Blink for a while, a little like Tommy he's quiet but not shy, he can get snappy at people. But overall he has a kind heart, he doesn't have a lot of friends, his only friend is-
"Sniper-" Henry gasped, speaking not above a whisper when he saw his boyfriend do the same, buy a newspaper. While Blink looked nervous, and Tommy looked angry, Sniper had an expression on his face that he just didn't care. Henry's heart shattered into a million pieces, how could he do this to him? Sniper knew how damaging this could be to the strike, to Henry. Henry needed the money for his mom, she's really ill and can't support herself or Henry, 10 cents can make a big difference for him. Henry watched as Jack went to talk to the three. But His eyes were always focused on Sniper. His stance was tense and he felt a great pressure on his shoulders.

Sniper rolled is eyes at Jacks speech, but as he did he managed to make eye contact with Henry.
And instantly he saw how hurt his boyfriend was. He didn't change his demeanor. But he felt guilty. He never does. He never cares. No one has ever made hims feel that way before, non of the newsies and certainly not a boyfriend. He looked down at his hand, at his stack of papers. He slowly felt his face change. Not only did he start looking more scared, he felt a tear drop down his face. His cheeks flushed red as he realised what he was doing. What he was doing to Henry. He wanted to apologise so bad and put his papes down but he needed the money Weisel promised him. He ran away from his home, but he tried to talk to his mom. She had a black eye from his dad and he knew he had to come back home. Sniper didn't like his father beating on him, but one things for sure he hated watching his mother get hurt even more, no matter how little she cared when he was getting hurt. Sniper may be cold and uncaring, but he had a soft spot for those who loved him, or were supposed to love him. Back home, his dad promised to forget the whole thing if Sniper made up for the money he lost. So Sniper is desperate for work. But Henry doesn't know that, all Henry thinks is that Sniper is doing this out of spite for the other newsies.
"I'm with you." Tommy Boy said, and threw his papers down. The other newsies cheered. "Shit..." Sniper had to leave before the emotions get too much and he joins too. He taps Blink, "Let's go."
Blink nods but is instantly stopped by a crowed as Sniper is pushed back. Unfortunately, in that crowd was Mush. Mush wasn't angry or hurt. He was smiling warmly, telling Blink without speaking, "It's ok, you can trust us." Blink thought before throwing his papes down.
Snipers heart started pouding, he felt the stress rising, "You're kidding me, right?"
Blink was down listening to Sniper, "At the end of the day who are you gonna trust," Blink pointed to weisel and the Delanceys, "Them... or them" Blink joined the newsies, Mush hugging him tightly. Sniper was alone, and surrounded, for once he was the center of attention. For the wrong reason, and he hated it, like he always thought he would. He tried escaping but he was blocked. Why couldn't they just leave him alone?
He heard them all yelling at him, it sounded genuine though, like they weren't upset, but Sniper didn't care what they thought. But he cared what Henry thought. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and a soft whisper, "Please, don't do this." Henry. Snipers hear was pounding, but Henry's presence felt him relax. Suddenly, everything was quiet. Sniper couldn't trust anyone but himself... but Henry, Sniper could trust him with his life. Henry loved him, though he was scared to show it, he did, so much. Sniper sighed and looked back at the headline "60 cents per 100" his dad would rather he gets little money to no money. But he would make Sniper work twice as hard to make the same amount, and if he doesn't make that money, he gets a beating, like always. But if he doesn't work, he gets beaten anyway... the only win is that if he doesn't work, he gets to spend the day with Henry. He gets to feel safe for a couple hours before he has to go home. He won't have to work, he'll be semi free, knowing his mother is safe. He took a deep breath, "What the hell? My father's gonna kill me anyway." He threw his papers down.

Henry quickly pulled Sniper out of the crowd as the newsies started cheering, Sniper laughed and covered his ears as Henry smiled at him, "What am I doing?!" Sniper laughed, half nervous, half excited.
Henry shrugged, "Having a change of heart?!" They have to yell because the newsies are so loud. Sniper laughed at Henry's comment, "I'm blaming you for this!"
"I'm glad to take credit!"
Sniper laughed again and kissed him, they were out of sight, no-one was looking at them, so Sniper smiled, "I love you." He said, for the first time.
Henry paused and Sniper noticed he looked a little nervous, but he just smiled reassuringly, "It's ok, baby, you don't have to say it back, I just want you to know." And they pull eachother into a tight embrace. Henry couldn't say it back yet, but Sniper didn't mind, instead Henry just said, "Thank you for trusting me."

Later that night, Henry was sitting on his bed with Jojo and Tommy. Sniper told him he had to go get something from his house quickly and he was coming back. Henry was worried about him. Sniper still hasn't told him why he scabbed, or even why he changed his mind.
"My father is going to kill me anyway."
Henry thought Sniper was safe from his father. He thought he ran away and didn't have to worry about him. Henry started really thinking. Something was not adding up. Why was Sniper even going back home, last week we wad petrified of even going into Jacobis. Henry wasn't too sure what was going on but he knew Sniper needed him.

"Soren..." Snipers mom stood in the hallway of their small apartment. Sniper had just walked in, "Hello, mother." He kept his head down.
"How was selling?" She asked, like being nice to Sniper and asking him casual questions was her way of thanking him.
"...i-" Sniper struggled to answer, how could he explain this to her... to his father...
His mother noticed and asked something else, "How much did you make?"
Sniper went quiet. That's when his father walked out into the hallway, sensing from Snipers lack of response, that there was a lack of money, "How much?" He asked sternly. Snipers heart almost fell our his chest, "I'm sorry-"
"How much?!" His father yelled, his mom quickly left the room, knowing what was coming. Sniper still didn't answer so his father grabbed him by his shirt. "HOW MUCH, SOREN?!"
"-Nothing! I made nothing!" Sniper desperately answered the question, slightly hoping his honestly would save him from punishment. But it didn't. His father quickly shoved him to the ground and made sure no place on his body was left unbruised.

Henry made his way to Jacobis, above was the laundromat and Snipers apartment. When he got close to the building, he started hearing yelling. And crashing. And crying and pleading. He desperately ran there imagining the worse. When he arrived the side door of the building opened, out was thrown a hurt boy before being slammed back, leaving him on the floor. It's awful to say, but Henry almost froze on the spot for a sec. Not knowing what to do, scared to make it worse, scared Snipers father would come back and have Sniper beaten some more for getting help. Sniper lay on the ground, a black eye, a cut on the bottom of his lip and on his eyebrow, bruises everywhere. He tried to get up but couldn't move a muscle, he was in too much pain, "Ow!" He cried out, "Please! Mother, Please help me!" He knew his mother wouldn't help him, but for all he knew, she was the only one around. Sniper started crying out in pain, his body so weak. Henry made his way to him, gently, "Sniper..."
It was dark and Sniper had his eyes shut in fear but he recognised the voice, "Henry?"
Henry instantly went down to tend to him, "Yeah it's me..." He gently stroked Snipers hair, hoping to give him a little comfort from the pain. Sniper cried some more, "Why are you here?"
"I was worried about you, let me see, where does it hurt-"
"Go away!"
Henry was taken a back, "Sniper-"
"-I don't need you! Or anyone! Non of those stupid newsies this is their fault anyway!" Sniper tried to sit up but his body just trembled, and he wasn't able to get up.
Henry just ignored Snipers protests and asked again, "Where does it hurt?"
Sniper really didn't like Henry helping him, "I told you to go away!"
Henry helped Sniper sit up against the wall. Sniper cried as it was painful but glad he was finally up.
Henry noticed Sniper had his hand around his ribs, so he brought his hand up to have a feel, he heard Sniper cry some more and noted that his rib was broken, as he could also feel it. "Henry... Please, just leave me alone..." Sniper was getting too weak to protest. But Henry ignored him. Sniper felt tears fall down endlessly, as he desperately said, "We are over if you don't leave." Sniper honestly just hated Henry seeing him like this, seeing him crying and do weak and so disgusting.
Henry's heart dropped, "Sniper..." But he then realised that he'd rather have Sniper leave him, then see him hurt and do nothing. So he ignored him again and kept helping, but felt his heart break. Sniper just told him he loved him... where did that go? Was losing Henry worth his pride...

"...I'd rather help you... atleast then I still have a chance to let you know... I do love you and I'll do anything for you."