A lone newsie

uwu whats this?

Two days later

____

(Y/N) sat in the cart from the Refuge, squeezing Anais's hand in a completely platonic way. Anais squeezed back, looking up to (Y/N). She saw the worry in her eyes, but the relief was there too. For god's sake - they were finally getting out of there!

The two girls were the only ones in the cart, so they both had their space. Anais smoothed out the front of her torn up dress, and (Y/N) did the same with her pants. After so long in the Refuge, she could use a good bath.

"(Y/N)?" Anais spoke up, catching the other girl's attention.

"Yeah?" (Y/N) replied, pushing a strand of hair away from her face

¨Did.. Did you mean it?" The older girl asked, taking (Y/N) aback a bit - what the hell could she mean?

¨Mean what?¨ (Y/N) responded, casually as she could.

"You know.. That stuff about getting me a job at Medda's, and letting me stay with you and the other newsies.." She mumbled. (Y/N) only chuckled, shaking her head gently.

"Anais, look at me." (Y/N) said in regards to Anais's hung head. Anais looked up and saw that (Y/N)'s eyes were full of meaning.

"I would never lie to you - and I didnt, promise. I'm going to let you stay with me, and I'm going to get you that job. Got it?"

Anais gently nodded her head, eyes filling with tears. Sheh suddenly lept forwards and hugged (Y/N) tightly, catching her off guard. A few months ago this would have made her freak out, but she supposed Crutchie had changed her.

Crutchie..

Oh god, she had so much to tell him.. how would she say it? What would he say? Would he feel the same to her?

No. This was not the time to worry about these petty things - besides, she had to hug her friend. She needed it more then (Y/N) knew.

___

Crutchie waited anxiously in the town square, where (Y/N) would be dropped off in the cart - or so they had been told by the guard they paid. He was an old man, with scraggly facial hair - and he was easy to bribe. Somehow, he managed to pull enough strings to get (Y/N) out safe and sound. So, Crutchie was content with waiting (for now.)

Davey walked up with Les, who was holding his brother's hand - or, Davey holding Les's hand - the boy looked ready to bolt at any second.

"Is she really coming?!" Les exclaimed, practically bouncing with glee. Davey put a hand on the younger boy's shoulder to keep him in place.

"Yes, Les, she is coming. But, you need to remember that she- are you even listening to me?" Davey stopped, in regards to his brother not listening.

"Sure!" He squealed, obviously not caring what Davey had said. Davey just sighed as Crutchie chuckled, and the two stood and waited.

"Here dey' come! Crutchie, get ya head outta' da' clouds! She's comin!" Race shouted next to him, hurting Crutchie's ear drums - geez, he was loud!

But, nonetheless, Crutchie eagerly looked up - and sure enough, there was the cart, rattling down the road. His smile spread ear to ear as the doors swung open, revealing two female figures.

One was thin and short, with wispy black hair framing her face. The girl wasn't wearing anything particularly nice, but Crutchie wasn't surprised. She wasn't anything special to Crutchie, but Davey was staring, mouth hanging open.

"(Y/N)!" Les screamed as he sprung away from his brother's grip and to the second female figure. He hugged said figure's legs - that must be (Y/N)!

She looked, uh, different, moreorless. She was certainly thinner and walked like she was tired - but who cared!

She was finally out!

___

"(Y/N)?" A voice called from the hallway. (Y/N) looked up from her book, assuming it was just Anais.

"Anais?" She inquired, closing the book and gently sliding under her cot - it must be Anais, she was out getting her introduction to Medda's with Jack.

The door creaked open, revealing a lone newsie with a crutch and a wide smile that was contagious as ever.

"Hey Crutchie." (Y/N) started, scooting over on her 'bed.' "Come sit, I was actually meaning to talk to you."

That was true, I can assure you. You see, (Y/N) had wanted to talk to Crutchie as soon as she got off that cart, but she was instead swarmed by newsboys who tried to explain why she was out so soon - keyword: tried. Davey had to explain it later, since he wouldn't exaggerate the story like the other boys.

So, (Y/N) was seeing Crutchie for the first time since her capture by the Delancy's - and in all honesty, it was refreshing. Crutchie stopped her train of thought as he plopped down on the bed next to her.

"It sure is good ta' hav' ya' back.." Crutchie mumbled. It was then that (Y/N) noticed the light pink dusting his face and how he was fidgeting his thumbs.

"Oh, uh.. good to be back!" (Y/N) retorted, turning a light pink herself. The two always had such easy conversations - so why was this one so award and hard so early in?

They sat in silence for a minute before (Y/N) spoke up.

"Crutchie, look.. I have something to tell you.." She confessed, now a darker shade of pink - hell, she was red by now!

"Wh-"

"Just let me speak!" She stopped him, her voice frantic. Crutchie anxiously nodded and waited for her to continue.

"Crutchie, there's no easy way to say this, so i'll make it blunt.."

Suddenly, her voice faltered, as if she was unsure of what she was about to say. She shook her head to clear the thoughts and continued.

"I.. think I love you. And I know you probably don't feel th-"

Crutchie didnt let her continue. Instead, however, he connected his lips with her own and kissed her.

At first, (Y/N) was taken completely aback, but eventually kissed back. Their lips moved in sync, Crutchie's wind chapped ones against (Y/N)'s soft and bruised ones. He slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her even closer - thus deepening the kiss.

(Y/N) lifted a hand against Crutchie's cheek as gently as she could, her other hand resting comfortably on his chest. Crutchie felt her smile against his lips, and was, uh, turned on.

But it was not time for those thoughts/

When they finally pulled away, they were both bright read and gasping for breath - that had been the best kiss either of them had either had. Heck, it was (Y/N)'s first!

"Woah.." Crutchie muttered, between breaths.

"My thoughts exactly.." (Y/N) answered back with a chuckle.

A/n

ayy it finally happened lmaooooooooo

also this book wraps up in exactly ten chapters - be ready!