JackCrutchie Oneshots

The Refuge is Hard to Deal With

The refuge was cold and dark; that's all Crutchie knew before he actually experienced the place for himself.

Now to Crutchie, it was hellish and unkind, a place that meant even less of a chance that he would get to eat and no thin blanket that at least attempted to keep his leg warm.

Here, his leg was stiff always and the bruises somehow stung.

Here, the bad was bad and good was right outside the bars on his window. 

Here, Jack was right outside his window and he was just a hand that couldn't reach out quite far enough.

So, of course, the nightmares were bad. Crutchie often woke up before they got dangerous, not bothering to wake up Jack as he would feel bad doing so; besides, he could usually deal with the nightmares himself.

This time, however, was different.

Crutchie woke up from his nightmare, sweat dripping down his forehead so badly he almost assumed it may have rained. Tears threatened to prove his weakness and spill from his eyes, and he felt inclined to let them do so. 

He wiped at his eyes, breath shaking in between the silent, racking sobs that began.
Crutchie turned his eyes to Jack, who was sleeping soundly across the rooftop. He almost started to laugh as Jack definitely snored quite loudly, and drool pooled below his lips. Yet, he still looked attractive, like he wouldn't be embarrassed if you caught him sleeping like that. It was like he dared you to make fun of him. It wasn't a fight you would win.

"Jack?" Crutchie questioned softly, calling out to him. When he received no reply, he groaned, wiping his eyes once more and grabbing his crutch. It must have taken several minutes for him to fully stand, supporting himself usually not such a struggle, but his mind too full to focus.It took several steps to reach Jack, lowering himself and sitting next to him. Crutchie brought one knee into his chest and his bag leg lied straight out, in pain.

"Jacky?" He shook Jack slightly, his head delicate on his shoulder.

"Mm-" a groan came from Jack's lips, eyelids fluttering open. "Kid?" He mused, a low growl in the back of his throat. Crutchie was about to change his mind when he saw how tired Jack looked.

"Um...hey, Jack." Crutchie smiled softly, the dimple on his right cheek popping out. 

Jack rose an eyebrow, yawning and rubbing his eyes. "What, did I sleep in and miss the mornin' bell?" His eyes widened in worry, "geez, sorry-"

"No!" Crutchie blushed, and Jack noticed the tears in Crutchie's eyes, "it ain't like that, it's pretty early. Or late-"

"Woah, what's wrong?" Jack sat up quickly, hands immediately grabbing Crutchie's shoulders, retreating when he flinched. 

Crutchie sighed, starting to get annoyed with how often he was wiping his eyes. "Bad dream, I guess?" He said it like it was a joke, "I just needed someone to talk to. And you're here, so-"

"Crutchie," Jack started, pursing his lips. He eyed Crutchie's leg, even able to tell how stressed it was, there was a tightness, a stiffness that only showed so often. "What was it about? Or do you not wanna say?"

"The refuge." Crutchie shrugged, looking down. "I keep havin' all these nightmares about it, I know, it's been months since the strike, but I can't help it, I-"

"Kid." Jack said simply, his hands back on his shoulders. "Hey, it's okay." His tone was gentle, just the comfort Crutchie needed to hear. "Can I do anything?" He looked down at Crutchie's leg again, "you said you needed someone to talk to? Let's talk, okay? About anything." He winked, moving his hand until it hovered over Crutchie's leg, "can I?" Jack laughed awkwardly, "your leg, it just looks uncomfortable, it might help if I...yeah."

Crutchie sucked in a breath, nodding, "if you wanna."

"Do you want me to?"

"...yes."

Jack grinned, gently beginning to rub Crutchie's leg, his fingers confidently running up and down his calf. It was nice and felt oddly comforting to Crutchie, having Jack's hand on him.
"Th-Thank you-" Crutchie said immediately, not wanting to seem like he wasn't thankful. "Sorry for wakin' you and all..."

"Don't apologize." Jack lifted Crutchie's grin with his free hand, "I get it. I still get shaky about the refuge, too. You're handling it really well. I was a wreck for forever, still am sometimes."
Crutchie tilted his head, blushing at the touch, "um...you think so?" The tears were straying now, and his heart skipped a beat.

"Hell yeah-" Jack smiled, nodding, "really brave," his free hand was now on the back of Crutchie's neck, running through his hair. "the refuge is a bitch to deal with, you're so brave. A few bad dreams, but you're here. Not there. I'm here." 

Jack knew the best way to make Crutchie feel better was affirming, telling him he was doing well and that he was needed. Although, he would never say that, Jack knew by how red Crutchie's face got and the smile that so well complimented his dimples. "
Crutchie closed his eyes and let himself listen as Jack went on, his speeding heart slowing the better he felt. 

They must have sat like that for an hour, Jack telling Crutchie how good he was doing at breathing and listening. It was a silent night, New York a rare form of quiet that they did not often find. The tears were gone as Crutchie was too busy laughing at Jack's soft, well-meaning comments.

"You have really watery eyes." Jack said simply, his thumb tracing along his cheek.
"I think that's the crying." Crutchie giggled and Jack definitely wanted to make him giggle like that again.

He shook his head, "no, it's different. It's pretty, like ya got something ta care about all the time. That's what it looks like."

Crutchie's face took on a deep shade of red and he immediately placed his hands over his eyes so that he could hide. 

Jack gently took away his hands, chuckling at the way Crutchie had his eyes shut tight. "Don't hide your face, kid," he teased, putting his around Crutchie innocently. "Feel better?"

Crutchie nodded, unable to shake the feeling that Jack may have just been nice to him to get him to calm down. Jack always treated him kindly, but this time was different, there was tenderness and slight flirtation that was hinted;  but maybe it was just his imagination.

"Are you sure?" Jack asked, concerned at how deep in thought Crutchie was. "If not, we can talk about something to keep your mind off of everything," he smiled, "I'll stay up with you, no big deal.

But, it was a big deal, Jack never liked missing out on what little sleep he could get. The fact that he would stay up with him even after he was calmed made Crutchie's stomach feel funny.

"Can you just...stay up until I fall asleep? Just in case?" He was embarrassed to ask something like that, but felt relief when Jack grinned.

"Yeah, kid. Of course."