Musical Oneshots

Soft Side - Newsies Oneshot

It was a peaceful night in the lodging house, or well as peaceful as the lodging house can get. "Give that back Ike!" Mike yelled chasing after his brother.

"Slow down you two!" Jack yelled after them before letting out a small laugh. He loved all of these boys so much, they were like his brothers. Crutchie wobbled towards Jack. 

"Hey Jack," Crutchie said a worried look on his face. Jack turned his full attention towards Crutchie, as soon as Jack saw the look across Crutchie's face, his smile fell. "Specs is back."

Race came in helping Specs walk. Specs had a black eye, his glasses were snapped in half, his nose was bruised and all bloody. Jack ran over to him, "What happened?" Jack asked, even though he already had a guess as to what happened. 

"I didn't do anything Jack," Specs said softly. Jack could tell he was trying not to cry.

"I know Specs, you were just at the wrong place during the wrong time. Race, Albert help Specs to his bed," Jack said, Albert ran over to Specs and they helped Specs walk up the stairs.

The lodging house was quiet at this time, "Everyone go to bed," Jack said, everyone slowly made their way to their beds. Pretty soon Jack and Davey were the only ones left. 

Davey who was still fairly new at this point made his way over to Jack (Davey sent Les home earlier that night). Davey reluctantly tapped Jack on the shoulder. Jack turned towards Davey.

"D-does that happen a lot?" Davey asked. Jack let out a small sigh, his facial expression saddened. 

"It usually happens three, four times a year," Jack answered, a sadness in his voice. 

Davey grew worried, what if this happened to him? Or worse what if this happened to Les. It's Davey's job to protect Les and if he gets hurt Davey would've failed him. Jack could see the worry on Davey's face. 

"Don't worry Davey, it mainly happens at night, thanks to men who can't control their drinking, needing to take their anger out on an innocent boy, just keep Les away from those neighborhoods he should be fine," Jack reassured. That made Davey feel a bit better.

"So this has happened before? The whole drunk men thing?" Davey asked. Jack nodded, "To you?" Jack froze, his mind racing. 

"I don't like talking about it," Jack answered quietly. 

"I didn't mean to bring it up, I'm sorry Jack," Davey apologized. He felt bad that Jack had to go through something like that. There was a moment of silence between the two, "Is Specs going to be okay?" Davey asked breaking the silence. 

Jack nodded his head, "The newsies, we're a family, we'll make sure he's okay."

Davey started to think about everything, then he started to grow angry, "It sucks," Davey started, "Why would someone even do that? Hurt an innocent boy, I bet Specs wasn't even doing anything, he was probably just walking minding his own business."

"I know it's not fair," Jack said, "But it's what happens. We can't do anything about it." 

Jack saw how angry Davey was, Davey really did care for them. Jack did something that he almost never does, he decided to open up to Davey. The only other person Jack's opened up to was Crutchie. 

"I was 10," Jack started, Davey who was glancing at the floor, sprouted his head up, his eyes met with Jack's sad ones, "I was out late because I wanted to keep selling, I needed the money, I was barely made anything that day. I was walking through an alley when-" Jack tried to choke back tears, he couldn't cry in front of anyone, especially not Davey. 

"Jack you don't have to tell me," Davey answered.

"No, it's fine. There was a man, I can't even remember what he looked like, all I remember was yelling and pain. I don't remember how I got back to the newsie lodge, apparently one of the newsies found me unconscious in the alley. I would be dead if it wasn't for that newsie."

"Who was the newsie?" Davey asked. 

"Ben," Jack answered, "After that, I stuck by his side, we became quick friends. He was older than me, took me under his wing. He always acted tough, but let me see his soft side. He's the leader I aspire to be."

"Where is Ben now?" Davey asked. Jack let out a small laugh.

"Married to the girl of his dreams, he lives in Santa Fe. He still sends letters, he sounds so happy there," Jack answered the question, letting out a small, sad smile.

"Is that why you want to go to Santa Fe so bad?"

Jack nodded his head, "I want that life so badly, but thanks to the strike I realized something. My life is here, with all of you."

"I'm glad you realized that Jack."

A small silence filled the room, but it was a comforting silence. A silence where they could just enjoy each other's company. 

"It's getting late, I'm going to hit the hay," Jack said standing up. They said their goodbyes, and as Davey was about to leave, "Hey Jacobs I let you see my soft side, don't make me regret it."