JackCrutchie Oneshots

Jealousy: Part 2

Jack sat outside of the newsboy lodge, absolutely destroyed. He had no clue how he was going to fix things with Crutchie, nor if he even deserved it in the first place.

He had really royally fucked up. He had fucked up by letting his jealousy get to him and really hurting someone he truly loved. It was unhealthy for him to get so jealous and then get angry. It wasn't healthy for him to not communicate instead.

He sat for a long while by himself, thinking about what he had done; attempted to justify. But no viable answers came to him. Jack had become jealous of someone meaning no harm. And hurt the sweetest boy he ever met, the only person he ever felt he needed. He wasn't sure he could ever make it right.

Jack was about to walk into the lodge when Racetrack suddenly barged out of the door with none other than Spot Conlon.

"Kelly, what the FUCK did you do." Racetrack shouted, crossing his arms.

"I messed up, I really messed up, I know-"

"Why is Crutchie sobbing in there? The kid is flipping out!" Spot scowled, glaring at Jack.

Jack backed up, holding in hands up in defense. "Listen, I didn't mean ta-"

"Yeah, didn't mean to." Racetrack rolled his eyes. "Doesn't excuse the blubbering mess on the rooftop right now."

Jacks eyes widened. "The rooftop? He's gonna freeze up there, I thought he didn't want to be outside anymore."

"Yeah, he didn't want to be around anyone else either." Spot groaned.

"W-Well, so no ones with him?"He pushed past Racetrack and Spot.

Racetrack rolled eyes. "Of course not, Jack, what were we supposed to do? We tried our best to help him but he ran up crying."

"Shit." Jack scowled, running a hand through his hair and running upstairs to find Crutchie.

"If you don't fix it, I'll kick your ass, Jack." Racetrack threatened. Jack barely heard the threat, as he only had Crutchie on his mind in that moment.

Jacks guilt grew as he climbed the ladder, nearly slipping on the way up. He felt panic in his chest, shaking as he stepped onto the rooftop. "C-Crutchie? Baby? Are you up here?" He choked on his words, biting his lip hard.

Jack didn't get an answer and he shook his head, taking a breath. "Sweetheart, please talk to me." He stepped further onto the rooftop, sighing in relief when he saw a figure sitting on the ground. Crutchie was sitting, curled into himself and shaking with the cold. An old blanket was wrapped around him as an attempt to became warmer.

"G-Go away, please." Jack heard a shaky whisper from Crutchie that broke his heart all over again.

"Angel, please. Please." Jack slowly sat down, far away from Crutchie. "I didn't mean to say any of that stuff to you. I shouldn't have ever talked to you like that. I know." Jack looked down, putting his face in his hands.

Crutchie tightened and pulled into himself more, shaking harder. "D-Don't be comin' here trying to excuse-"

Jack shook his head quickly, looking up. "No, baby, no. I'm not gonna say I didn't know what I was saying, I did, an' that's the worst part." He scooted a bit closer to Crutchie. "I was really mean to you for no reason, and blamed you for something you didn't do."

Crutchie looked up slowly, eyes watery. "You c-called me..." He couldn't finish his sentence and collapsed into a heap of sobs. "Y-Y-You's the only person who never called me that but I d-didn't think it w-would hurt that bad..."

"I know, baby, hey, shh.." Jack sat up and got closer. "Can I touch you? Just your hand? Can I hold your hand, angel?" He asked softly, taking a breath of thankfulness when Crutchie nodded. He gently took Crutchie's hand.

"I know what I said, God, I know. I shouldn't have said that." Jack looked down and sighed. "You're such a sweetheart baby, you were just being nice to Spot. And he was bein' nice to you and I shouldn't have gotten upset about that." He rubbed his thumb over Crutchie's. "I messed up, I know I did. And I wish I could lie to you and say that I wasn't jealous but-" he grimaced, shaking his head, "I get so scared of losin' you, kid."

Jack whispered that softly and Crutchie blushed, lying his head suddenly on Jacks chest.

"W-Why?"

Jack almost laughed. "You deserve so much, angel." He placed a shaky hand in Crutchie's hair. "I see how charming you are to others, how kind you are. That irresistible smile of yours. And I don't know how to react when people look like they might be takin' a sorta liking to you."

"J-Jack, I make f-f-friends..."

"N-No, baby, not your friends. Believe me, it's not like David or Racetrack, or Specs. But like...friends."

Jack grinned when Crutchie giggled softly against his chest.

"I don't even know how to explain it. I wish I could explain what got into me today and I swear to you, I will make it up to you."

"You don't have to d-do anything, Jacky." Crutchie looked up, wiping his eyes.

"I do, baby." Jack shook his head. "God, you're so sweet. I promise I'll try better to not get so jealous around others like that. I promise I'll control my temper."

"It was just one time."

"One time." Jack nodded. "But one time has the potential to turn into more. And I couldn't stand myself if I ever turned into a monster that hurt you like this again, baby I've never wanted to hurt you before, I promise you that. I promise."

Crutchie reached up and kissed Jacks cheek. "I know, Jack. We can work together, okay? If you ever feel uncomfortable about anything or if I do, we can tell each other and talk about why it does that. Why we feel that way."

Jack nodded and kissed Crutchie's cheek. "Anything, baby. Anything to make this better. Everyone I look at you-I just..."

Crutchie tilted his head. "You what?"

"I just wish there..." Jack laughed at himself, a hand on Crutchie's cheek. "I wish I could grab onto something. Make time stop. So I could j-just. Keep on looking at you."

Crutchie was speechless, a blushing mess under the hands of Jack Kelly. "I-" He wasn't sure what to say but he didn't need to. "Thank you."

Jack chuckled. "Baby-"

"C-Can we go inside now? 'M cold." Crutchie whispered and his cheeks flushed red. "Please?"

Jack didn't say anything, but nodded and carefully led Crutchie inside. He led Crutchie to a bed in a corner of the lodge and lied him down gently. "Stay or go?"

"Stay, Jacky." Crutchie spoke in a hushed tone and pulled Jack closer to him.

"Are you sure?"

"I already forgave you."

"Y-You didn't say, so I wasn't sure-" Jack was blushing now, face flushed.

"I forgive you, Jack. Please sleep with me?" Crutchie's face matched Jack's when he realized what he had said. "Wait-no-"

Jack laughed loudly and kissed Crutchie's cheek. "You are beyond cute. I'm so lucky."

They stared at each other for a moment, not sure of what to say or do. Jack silently slid into bed next to him and tightly wrapped an arm around him. It could have been hours before either of them spoke again. More likely minutes, but Jack was fond of the times that felt slow with Crutchie. The lodge was dark and quiet. It could've been just Jack in Crutchie in the world in that very moment and no one could've told them otherwise.

Well, Racetrack and Spot could have, as they heard the whole thing.