Believe in Me

CW: Catcalling/Harassment (It's like two lines but just in case)

"Morning Mr. Pulitzer!" Jack said the moment he bound into the room.

Pulitzer glowered at him, "You sure are cheerful this morning."

Jack grinned, "Sure am sir, I'm here to pick up your daughter." He technically could have waited outside but despite everything, he couldn't help gloating about his past victories every now and then. Especially where it concerned Katherine.

"Ah, yes. I do recall she said something about that," Pulitzer responded with a frown. "Sweetheart! The boy is here," he called, turning further inside.

"Coming!" Katherine's voice replied, and a moment later she came dashing out. "Have a nice day dad," she called, grabbing Jack by the arm and whisking him out of the room.

The two set off, all smiles. "So where are we going today, Jack?" Katherine asked eagerly, "You've been excited about today for quite some time now and you still won't tell me."

Jack chuckled, a look of pride on his face. "Well you see, I've been saving up and I've got enough now to get us front seat tickets at the Bowery."

Katherine raised an eyebrow, "Wow, that can't have been easy."

"It's worth it for you," Jack replied earnestly.

They soon arrived at the Bowery and in a rare occurrence, Jack led the pair through the front door instead of sneaking in through the back. He waved to Medda Larkin who gave them a pleasantly surprised look but said nothing.

Jack grinned at Katherine, "'Aint this neat? We've got actual seats today, and a perfect view."

"What a luxury," Katherine teased but kissed Jack on the cheek to reassure him she was joking. 

Jack looked even more pleased with himself at this. "I've got enough for drinks too," he offered, "Doin' those cartoons for the papes pays better than just sellin' 'em."

Katherine hesitated for a moment then shrugged, "Why not. It's a special occasion."

"Is it?"

"Every moment I'm with you is a special occasion," Katherine told him with a playful grin, causing Jack to make a startled cough and lose composure for just a moment. Katherine laughed, "Come on, silly. Let's get those drinks."

Jack cleared his throat, "Yes, let's." 

He hurriedly led the two over to the bar which was in its usual crowded state of chaos. Katherine glanced at her pocket watch, "Do we have time to get a drink? Doesn't the show start soon?"

"It'll be fine," Jack reassured her, "Stay here." He started pushing his way to the front.

"Jack wait," Katherine started, looking nervously at her watch again but he was already gone. She waited anxiously for him to return, trying to stare through the crowd for him. At last, he returned, with not a moment to spare.

She grabbed him by the wrist the moment he was back, "Come on Jack, let's go."

"Yeah, I'm coming," he insisted, following after her, careful not to spill a drop, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't think it would take that long."

Faster than was probably safe, considering Jack was holding two full drinks and Katherine was in long skirts, as usual, the two made it to their seats. They sat down, breathless. The second they did, the show began. "You're cutting it close," Katherine whispered.

"It's fine, we made it," Jack replied sheepishly and handed her her drink.

She nodded in thanks and settled in to watch the show.

Unfortunately, she didn't get peace for very long. Under the cover of music and darkness, the man to her left started to get bored with the show on the stage. "Hey beautiful, you here with that kid?"

Katherine scowled, trying to ignore him.

The man did not give up. "Wouldn't you prefer a real man?"

After several minutes of intermittent whispering, Katherine finally replied. "Will you let it go, I'm not interested," she hissed.

The man scoffed and leaned in to say something, causing Katherine to lean back, bumping into Jack.

"Hey, you alright?" Jack whispered, finally noticing what was going on. His eyes widened then his face scrunched up into a growl. "Hey, creep. This show 'aint interactive, so keep your hands to yourself!"

He punctuated the last phrase by throwing his drink fully in the face of the man.

The man lept to his feet, sputtering. "Why you little-"

"Hey!" The lights flashed on and the show screeched to a halt. There stood Medda Larkin, hands on her hips. "Get out," she insisted pointing at the man soaking in alcohol, "And make it quick."

Jack waved awkwardly, "Sorry, Miss Medda."

She scoffed and waved her hand dismissively, "You didn't do nothing wrong, Jack. But maybe you should leave too, stay out of trouble."

Jack grimaced, "Yeah, maybe." The crowd around them murmured and he pulled his hat down, ducking his head. "Definitely, come on Katherine."

He moved to leave but he didn't get very far before Katherine grabbed his arm. She smiled at him, tilting his head up and linked arms wordlessly. He gave her a puzzled look but she only pulled him an inch closer and left the theatre together.

They didn't break apart until they had gone a little ways away. "What was that for?" Jack asked.

"Didn't want you to think you did anything to be ashamed of," Katherine explained, "You were only helping me." She pretended to swoon and laughed, "My hero."

He smiled weakly, "Man this has been quite the day, hasn't it."

"Yes."

"Not quite what I had planned."

"No."

Jack buried his head in his hands with a sigh. "I'm sorry," he groaned, "I 'ain't ever done all this before, with a girl ya know. Properly I mean."

He peeked tentatively at Katherine who was staring at him with an amused expression. "I've made a mess of things haven't I?"

Katherine laughed and sat down next to him, "Jack, is that really what you think?"

She reached out and put an arm around his shoulder, pulling him towards herself. Jack let himself lean in and huffed, "Maybe, kinda. Yeah. I don't know."

"You didn't do anything wrong," Katherine reassured him, pressing them closer together.  "This was the most exciting date I've ever been on."

"Is that a good thing?" Jack asked skeptically.

Katherine shrugged, "Sure it is, would I date someone boring?"

Jack chuckled, "I suppose not."

"Exactly," Katherine took his hands and smile at him, "Today was lovely."

"For sure?"

"For sure."

If there aren't cute fluff fics for this ship, I'll just write it myself! but seriously, I love this musical, recently became obsessed with it again after not watching it for a while and damn Jeremy Jordan is good at acting like a lovesick teenager.