A lone newsie

The bridge

January 28th

___

"Crutchie, you need to get out of my room. Now." (Y/N) scolded, crossing her arms across her chest. She was only saying this because Crutchie was on her bed, reading her Shakespeare's complete works. As much as she loved his devotion to reading, she needed her bed for.. well, sleeping!

"Aw, cmon.. What harm is i'm gonna do in here? I'es dont have any bad intentions!" Crutchie replied, setting the book down next to the bed. He pouted at her, causing (Y/N) to roll her eyes.

"Dont pout at me like that-" (Y/N) chided. Crutchie listened, and instead gave her puppydog eyes. She groaned obnoxiously - how the hell would she get him out now?

"Please, (Y/N).." Crutchie cooed. She forced herself to look away, but gave in. Crutchie grinned as she flopped down on the bed next to him.

Now, keep in mind, the bed was very small - probably meant for half of a person. So, in order to both fit, the two had to squeeze together.

"You are so immature.." (Y/N) grumbled as Crutchie slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

"Immature or not, ya' love me." He reminded her as she nuzzled her head into the crook of his neck. "Even if i'es is the most impossible boy.."

"Ever..." (Y/N) sleepily added scooting closer to Crutchie, who now used his other arm to wrap around her, pulling her even closer.

The two of them laid in silence for a little while, until (Y/N) started quietly snoring. Crutchie smiled to himself and looked over at her features. Her face had been the same since he first met her, so then why did it feel so different?

Her jawline still curved the way it always had, but now it seemed like it did so more gracefully. Her eyes were now relaxed and her mouth curled into a smile. Sure, she still had a few bruises and cuts from the Refuge, but that didn't matter to him. She was still beautiful. He lifted himself up carefully, as not to wake her - which was a hassle with his leg.

Once he had safely gotten off the bed and had his crutch, he leaned over to her forehead and gently kissed it.

He then left the room, smiling dreamily.

___

"Ah, bullcrap!" Race shouted, throwing his hands angrily in the air. Anais sat across from him at the table grinning maliciously. Davey was sitting at the other side of the room, just.. Staring at her.

Albert and Finch laughed at Race's frustration. Anais had shocked them in the art of playing poker - at first they thought that she would be easy to beat, no problem. That is, of course, until she revealed herself to be a card shark.

"(Y/N), come get cha' friend outta' here!" He shouted, hoping the girl would come down the stairs. Instead, came Crutchie with a dopey grin plastered on his face.

"The hell ya' smilin' fo', and why were youse in (Y/N)'s room?" Finch asked, mainly in regards to the fact the only room on the second floor was the sole girl newsie's room.

"Was I smilin? Didnt even notice.." He murmured sweetly, gazing off into the distance. Albert and Finch unanimously raised an eyebrow, Race looked suspicious, Anais looked a̶t̶ ̶D̶a̶v̶e̶y̶ confused, and Davey just stared off into space.

"I call flim-flam on that, youse definitely smilin fo something, and it's gotta be bout (Y/N) if youse was just up there." Race deducted out loud, Crutchie snapping to reality.

"It really aint anythin-" The crippled boy responded quickly, only to be cut off by Race standing up with a scowl on his face. Finch and Albert just looked down, now wanting to get in the way of Race's temper. Anais caught on to the others an guiltily did the same.

"The hell did ya' do ta' her!?" Race yelled, approaching Crutchie and grabbing him by the collar. Look, Race had reason to be concerned - (Y/N) was like a little sister to him, despite her being several inches taller than him. That aside, though, he was being a bit dramatic.

"The heck's gotten into you, race!?" Crutchie retorted, struggling for breath. Was he just mad Anais was so good at cards?

"What the fuck is going on?"

Everyone turned their heads to the stairs, where a groggy (Y/N) stood. Her eyes were squinted, and she looked like she had just woken up (which, she had.)

"(Y/N)!" Race cheered, dropping Crutchie on the ground and running over to hug her. Jeez, how worried was this guy?

"Crutchie!" (Y/N) shrieked dodging Race's hug and running over to her friend,hastily helping him up. Once he was standing, Crutchie slipped an arm around (Y/N)'s waist, to which she pulled away.

"Somethin' wrong?" Crutchie inquired to her, a look of concern on his face as the previous events faded away.

"No, nothing is wrong. I just have to stop by Doctor Pottamore's clinic to get my leg checked out." She answered, gesturing to her leg, which had a cut on it from the Refuge.

"Aint his place ova' in Brooklyn?" Finch interrupted. (Y/N) simply nodded, adjusting her coat buttons.

"(Y/N), I dunno if it's safe ta' go there - Spot hasn't spoken since Jack beat em' up, and-"

(Y/N) cut him off by gently pecking his lips, turning his whole face a lovely shade of bright carnelian.

"I'll be fine Crutchie, don't you trust me?" She wooed, Crutchie sighing in defeat.

"Can I go too?" The sudden voice of Les appeared, taking everyone aback. Especially Davey, for that matter.

"Les? Why aren't you at home!?" Davey squawked, Les simply shrugging.

"Mom said I could come here with you, so I hid behind you! But, that's not the point - (Y/N), can I come? I've never been to Brooklyn before!" He exclaimed, obviously very hyper.

(Y/N) smiled, nodding her head.

"Of course you can come, Les - now, lets go before your brother says otherwise!" She rushed out, grabbing Les's hand and bolting out the door before Davey could react.

As they ran they laughed, Les still gripping onto (Y/N)'s hand.

"Can we get hotdogs on the way back?" He asked, hopefulness in his voice. (Y/N) chuckled, slowing their pace down.

"No." She began, Les pouting. "Instead, we can go for ice cream."

Les giggled with glee. This would be a fun and easy trip.

Right?