Soak 'em (Newsies X Reader) | #WATTYS2019

Forgiveness

Denton has just got done explaining to the group that he was being transferred back to a war corespondent position.

The restaurant was silent as Denton spoke, but I couldn't tell you what was going on. I stood with my back facing every single person in that room, leaning against a support beam. All I did was absorb the information that was happening behind me. I could feel people staring at me but I ignored them and continued to focus on Denton and the fact that he was leaving. The only one who stood up and supported us, now leaving too.

I heard footsteps approach me from behind and a hand placed on my shoulder. I looked up over my right shoulder and Denton gave me a small smile. "I'm sorry boys." Was all he said before he left the restaurant. I watched him go. It felt like I was unable to feel any emotions at all. I was just to devastated by the fact that I had lost my rock, the one person who was there with me through thick and thin. Now I wouldn't see him for 4 years.

"From now on, we trust no body but the newsies." That voice belonged to David. The newsboys murmured in  agreement and then Skittery spoke out above the others.
"Are we just gonna ignore the fact that "the Kelly's" have been lyin' to us the whole time?"
If all eyes weren't on me before, they definitely were now. I turned around and leaned against the support pole once again. I looked every single newsie in the eyes before speaking.

"What of it?" I asked with complete sass.

"Why'd you do it?" Mush asked, I could hardly stand to look at him, he looked at me like I was some kind of complete stranger. It broke my heart, and David had the same look in his eyes, but kept his face stone cold.

"Jack and I, we's orphaned runaways. Jack was running from the refuge and we agreed to change our names to protect each other. We would have done the same for all of ya."
Being the only girl, I had multiple advantages over the boys. One, was guilt trips. I was trying to hurt them to make them feel bad. Manipulative? Maybe. But jack and I hadn't done anything wrong.

Nobody answered, They just stared at me and each other. I rolled my eyes with a scoff. "Fine. Be like that." Ah the hormones.

I walked for the door and opened it, David's voice stopped me from actually walking out of that place.
"We get jack out of the refuge, tonight."

I looked over my shoulder and David was smiling at me. I felt the elephant lift off of my chest at that smile. In relief, I closed the door and stepped back in. David walked up to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
"We protect each other, at all costs." He said motivationally to everybody, while squeezing my shoulders. We looked at each other and smiled.

•••

The sun had been down for about an hour. Everybody was back at the newsboy lodge house ready to send David off and get Jack back. We had given him a rope for his mission, which he had slung around his shoulder.

"Well Dave, you know the way I'm sure." I said to him after the other boys had cleared the way. David nodded. "We will get him out, I promise."

I smiled softly and then wrapped my arms around him in a hug. "Thanks Davey, and I'm sorry about Jack and I not tellin' you guys the truth."

David pulled back. "We forgive you." He replied to me with a hand on my shoulder. He then looked to all the other boys with a determined look. "Here goes."

We all watched him walk off into the dark before shutting the door. I took my hat off and my hair fell down from underneath it. I realized I was still wearing Spots clothes. I sighed and pushed through the swarm of boys. I could tell they were staring at me as I retreated up the stairs to my room. I closed the door behind me and began to get undressed.

I placed my hat on my bedside table and opened the drawers, fishing out a pair of shorts and a shirt that actually fit me. I put shorts on and was buttoning up the shirt when I heard a knock at my door.
"Come in." I replied flatly.

The door opened and closed behind me. The person didn't say anything, just stood still. When I finally finished buttoning my shirt I turned to see who it was.

"Mush, whats up?" I asked gently, still imagining the look of hurt on his face from earlier today. I sat down on my bed and tucked my legs underneath myself. He walked over and sat down next to me with a sigh.
"Y/n I'm real sorry.." Was all he said.

I placed my hand on his and shook my head. "It's me who should be sorry. Jack and I lied to everybody."

Mush took my hand and laced his fingers with mine, squeezing tightly. "But we know why you did it. Any of us would have done the same thing."

I smiled fondly up at the boy next to me, his expression showed sincerity. I looked down at our hands and just stared. He was running his thumb on the top of mine. He squeezed my hand gently, I smiled and squeezed his back, returning my gaze to his face.

Mush was looking at me with the smallest smirk plastered on his face. I chuckled softly while asking him what it was for.
"I just really want to kiss you right now."

I giggled softly. "Nothing's stopping you,"
Mush raised an eyebrow at me, He was now slowly creeping towards me, his hand had let go of mine and traveled to behind my back. I was leaning back as he slowly crawled on top of me with a wild smile.
"Oh yeah?"

We both laughed before his lips finally connected with mine. My arms were wrapped around his neck as we kissed each other. I remembered the moment I shared with Spot.
Shit, I don't need mush to see those love bites he left on me.

I placed my hands on mush's chest and pushed him away. "Alright alright, get outta here before someone thinks somethin's goin' on."

Mush pouted. "But something is going on," he tried to protest. I gave him a "don't test me" face and he sighed.
"Fine! I'm going." He grumbled and got off me and walked for the door.

I sat up in my bed and pulled my shirt back, looking down at the purple welts on my chest and shoulder. I rubbed them gently, they were tender.

"What have I gotten myself into.."