Newsies Oneshots

Chicago

I had this idea last September. I, after lots of thought, decided not to write it. Nearly a year later, the idea continues to bother me and I realized that the only way to sate my muse was by putting the pen to paper, so to speak. So I have. Here it is. You all are going to hate me so much. Enjoy.
WARNING: Not graphic, but a bit disturbing. I felt that the event in this was important to incorporate which will be explained in end A/N if anyone's interested.
***

The boys teased Davey constantly and with time he'd grown used to it. None of the others complained about the teasing; there was no malice behind it. Besides, the boys were very careful and precise when it came to poking at each other. They knew where every other boy drew the line.

The others would dance around it and push it as far as they could, but they would never cross it. To the best of their abilities they would avoid anything that would make each other too uncomfortable or upset.

Davey supposed that was one of the downsides to he and Les not living in the lodge. They didn't know Davey as well, nor did he open up quite enough. Because of this, every once in awhile they'd hit a nerve.

Davey usually didn't mind the ragging about his overprotectiveness with Les; they were the same with each other. However, other days they'd make a comment about how close he kept the younger boy and it would sting.

Davey didn't blame them; they didn't know. And how could they if he never told them? He didn't plan on ever telling anyone--not even Les--so he put up with it.

Even if days like today hurt.

The boys were heading to Brooklyn; it was a hot day and they'd been invited by Spot to go swimming at the docks.

As it was a journey of a couple miles, and with it being as hot as it was, Jack had suggested that the boys splurge and spend a nickel or so to take the trolley. Specs had uncomfortably declined and Romeo had quickly decided to go with him. Several others agreed to walk as well--it'd only be an extra half hour and many didn't think the streetcar was worth extra budgeting for the rest of the month.

This left Davey and Les with only a few of the others as they waited for the trolley to arrive. Les and Sniper were entertaining themselves by chasing each other around while the other boys talked quietly.

"Les, stop moving so much! You need to stay here," Davey warned.

"He's a kid," Jack laughed. "Let him be!"

"Yeah," Race agreed. "They're just having fun."

Davey pressed his lips together and kept his eyes glued to his brother as he and the other boy kept jumping back and forth across the tracks.

"Les," he hissed. "You really shouldn't do that!"

Race rolled his eyes. "Calm down, Dave! What's gonna happen that you're so worried about?"

"I don't know, he could get hurt. Trolleys can be dangerous!"

"They ain't that bad! We let Snipe take streetcars by himself all the time. He's always been fine," Albert crossed his arms.

"Kids get killed by trolleys every year," Davey insisted.

"But that doesn't happen a lot," Crutchie said, trying to put Davey's mind at ease. "I'm sure he'll be fine."