Vision of Beauty

by EmilyWallas

Summary:

AU - David is cursed to look like everyone’s ideal person or what they find to be most beautiful. Jack only meant to draw a harmless picture of his friend - just his friend… right?

--

“Wow, hello, you’re really handsome.”

“Luck of the Irish, I guess.”

“David, you’re Polish.”

Chapter 1

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Another Newsies Multi-shot because I have no impulse control and lots of obsessions. Uh, Enjoy, I guess.

 

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David didn’t mind compliments, really, he didn’t. But after seventeen years of the same tired routine, he was really starting to think that maybe that first statement had been a lie. It would have been fine if they were compliments about his penmanship or his cooking skills — which actually weren’t that great now that he thought about it. However, the compliments were always, always about his appearance. 

 

Anyone else would take these compliments with pride, but not David. He hated them because he knew they were never true. It was all because of the stupid curse. 

 

Before America, David had lived in a small city near Ustka off the coast of the Baltic. And by city, he actually meant village. He remembered there had been more grain fields than people, though maybe his memory was a little fuzzy — he was four when they had moved — or maybe there had just been a lot of grain fields. 

 

David doesn’t know exactly how it happened. His parents say he was born with it, Sarah says he was infected with a rare disease while traveling from Poland to America, and Les likes to say he was cursed by a witch. David feels like Les’s theory is the most plausible because he feels like the unluckiest person alive. 

 

He was a natural shape-shifter or something of the sort because it didn’t matter who it was, he was everyone’s type. Literally. Whatever that person thought was most beautiful — that’s what he looked like, and he hated it.

 

David was a fairly shy person. He didn’t like attention. And he most certainly did not like the attention and affection of every single person he met. It made it hard to make friends and even harder to open himself up to love. By seventeen, David just wanted to put a paper bag over his head and spend the rest of his days in obscured misery.

 

Then, David’s dad was laid off from work after an accident on the job. David and Les were forced onto the streets to find work while Sarah was sent to an office to be a secretary. To say that David was dreading going around the city and being haggled by people as a part of his job, was an understatement. Still, David would do anything for his family. If they needed him to be a Newsie, he would become a Newsie.

 

David walked up to the circulation gate and slammed his coins a little too forcefully on the counter. He tried to ignore the stares from the people around him. He was used to it by now. 

 

At least , David thought to himself, it’s some small consolation that the curse doesn’t also switch my gender. 

 

It didn’t matter how pretty these guys found him to be, odds were that most of them were straight and would be too awkward to bring it up.

 

David should have known he wasn’t that lucky.

 

“Well, ain’t you a fine specimen?”

 

David held back a groan, but he could not hold back his eye roll. He turned to face the boy who had to be at least a whole two heads shorter than him, maybe three.

 

“Hi,” David greeted in a deadpan.

 

“Romeo, leave ‘im alone, would’ja?” The boy that had come to David’s defense finally turned to look at David’s face. He stopped short, eyes going wide as a thin coat of blush spread across his cheeks. “Hey there, I’m Race. Say, you wouldn’t happen to be related to Spot Conlon, would’ja? Ya look like you could be his cousin. His really really tall cousin.” 

 

Race laughed at his less-than-mediocre joke. David was smiling too but for a completely different reason. He always found it amusing when people commented on how he looked like someone they knew. Usually, it was married people, commenting on how he looked like a younger version of their spouse. It seemed that love tended to taint your perceptions of what true beauty looked like. At least, David wouldn’t have to worry about being hit on too much by Race if Spot was in the picture.

 

“Can’t say I am,” David said, turning back to collect his newspapers. He stepped aside, going to count his papers. After a moment he counted again, making sure he had done it correctly. Yep. one paper short. 

 

“You only gave me nineteen,” David said to the seller, waving his papers in the air.

 

“You calling me a liar, Pretty Boy?”

 

Oh, how original, David thought, never heard that one before.

 

Suddenly, David felt his papers ripped from his grasp. Before he could even let out a yelp the boy was already licking through the papers and loudly exclaiming, “Whoa, weasel, the kid’s right. You only gave ‘im nineteen.”

 

A few more insults and jabs were thrown around before twenty papers were shoved into David’s chest. “There. You got your twenty papes. Now, scram.”

 

“Wait, give the kid fifty more papes. My treat,” The guy said, putting his own money on the counter. He gave David a small, pleasant smile and David had to remind himself that it shouldn’t affect him. He’d gotten a million of those smiles over the years and none of them meant a thing. Except, this boy looked him in the eyes. He didn’t search David’s face or scan his form. He held eye contact and for a brief moment, David felt seen.

 

Don’t be stupid , David told himself, shaking his head and avoiding the boy’s gaze.

 

“I don’t want your papes. I’m not some charity case.” He started to lead Les away from the other newsies. He could feel the boy’s confused stare follow him across the yard. “I don’t even know you.”

 

Les pulled up short, making David stop with him. “His name is Jack!”

 

“You’se a smart kid.” The boy - Jack - considered Les for a moment. David could practically see the gears turning in his head. “ You know what? You might be just the thing I need.”

 

“A little brother?” David said incredulously.

 

“A selling partner.” 

 

“Well, what if we don’t want to sell papers with you?”

 

“Oh, trust me,” The boy with the crutch piped up, “You wanna sell with Jack. He’s the best in the business! Sell with him and you’ll be sellin’ papes faster than you can get ‘em off your chest!”

 

Jack just shrugged. He looked between David and Les, then back to David, once again meeting his eyes with an unflinching and unnervingly observant gaze. “That alright with you, your highness?”

 

The other boys snickered and David stiffened. “My name is David.”

 

“And I’m Les!”

 

Jack shot Les a small smile before sizing David up. After a moment he said, “David, huh?” David braced himself, expecting a compliment, some kind of witty retort or flirtation. Instead, he got, “You always this uptight, David?”

 

David’s mouth dropped open as he began spluttering like a fish. He was sure that even with the curse he must have looked extremely unattractive right now. “Excuse me?”

 

Jack laughed, as did the rest of the newsies. 

 

“Don’t mean to offend you none, I’se only wondering,” Jack placated in a not entirely sincere tone. It was clear he enjoyed riling David up. “Tell me, Davey, you scared of us Newsies, or are you just always this nervous?”

 

David’s mouth tightened at the nickname though not for the reason he had anticipated. Jack should be making him angry right now, or, at the very least, annoyed, but David felt shockingly calm. It was as if Jack’s teasing had somehow eased some of the anxiety he had been harboring. To Jack, he was just another newbie. His giving David a hard time was a blessing in disguise because it ended up putting the rest of the Newsies at ease too. Instead of some handsome stranger, David had become just another Newsboy, and, surprisingly, he felt grateful to Jack for that.

 

“Scared of you? Hardly, though I would say your manners are something to be feared. Ever heard of the word decorum?”

 

Jack laughed again, this time a wide smile gracing his features. It made him look younger and less burdened. David tried not to stare. “Alright, I guess I deserved that. Just keep that walking mouth of yours in check and you’ll be just fine.”

 

“Alright, alright, get your papes and scatter. I don’t want any of you hanging around this yard if you ain’t buying anything. You’ll clog up the line!” Weasel yelled at them, causing the newsies to sneer at him as they slowly migrated away.

 

A couple of the newsies did a double-take on David as they passed, some even approached and introduced themselves but none of them stayed around for long. They all had more important things to do. David was relieved. His run-in with the newsies had turned out better than expected. 

 

“Relax, Dave,” Jack said, knocking into his shoulder as they walked. David cast a sideways glance at him. Jack must have seen the lingering anxiety on David’s face because he added softly, “We ain’t gonna hurt you none. You’se one of us now.”

 

“But I don’t even know you.”

 

Jack smiled widely at that, something akin to mischief dancing in his eyes. “You will.”

 

Chapter 2

Jack had been right. David had come to know Jack really well over the next few days as they led a strike across the whole of New York. Then, they had won and David thought that was the end of it. Jack planned to go to Santa Fe. David’s dad had finally found a job as a parts sorter at some auto shop so that meant David and Les could go back to school. The two should have parted ways. David, for as much as he was loath to admit, hated the idea of never seeing Jack again. He had become his first true friend. David liked Jack. But he wasn’t going to ask him to stay, to give up his lifelong dream, just for some guy he had met barely a week ago. 

 

Instead, David found himself saying, “What’s Santa Fe got that New York ain’t?”

 

“Better yet, what does New York got that Santa Fe ain’t?”

 

“New York’s got us,” Crutchie said cautiously, “And we’re family.”

 

David felt himself nodding along enthusiastically. Yes, yes, family. You don’t leave behind your family. Jack couldn’t - he had to stay. He just had to. For the Newsies. For his family. For David. 

 

Except, Jack didn’t look at David. He turned to Katherine, a small smile on his face. David knew then that Jack would stay. It was written all over his face. He had found a reason to stay. And that should make David happy. It did. It did. But it also made his gut twist painfully. 

 

Why couldn’t, for once, he be looked at like that? Like he was something precious and beautiful. Except, this time the person would be looking at him and not some cursed illusion that wasn’t even real. 

 

David turned away, not wanting to see the way Jack looked at Katherine, not knowing why it hurt so much more than it usually did when he saw couples in love, not realizing that the second he turned his back Jack’s gaze had finally landed on him. 

 

He didn’t know that Jack had purposefully been avoiding looking at David the entire time, not because he didn’t care, but because he knew just the act of saying goodbye to David would be reason enough for him to never leave anywhere ever again. 

 

David didn’t know any of this. So, when he had later asked Jack on the fire escape what made him stay and Jack replied, with a wistful smile “the people” David didn't know it meant him too. 

Chapter 3

Jack and Katherine spent much of their time together after the strike. Since Jack was an artist for the paper, Katherine visited his office — more like a broom closet in the attic of the newspaper house — frequently. She would write her articles by his side, the two of them working in companionable silence. 

 

Whenever she wasn't there, David was. These visits often occurred after the workday was winding down and David was finished with school. Most of Jack’s coworkers left around the time David arrived and he usually caught them just heading out the door. They would greet him happily, sometimes with awestruck smiles, sometimes with nothing more than a wave as they dashed home to their awaiting families. David liked Jack’s office. He liked it even more when he would catch Jack on the rooftop.

 

Most of the time, Jack would be finishing his latest sketch, drawing inspiration from the dusk cityscape. It was peaceful up there with Jack. One thing David hadn't expected was that Jack was a really good listener. They talked about anything and everything. Most of the time it was about school or work or the other Newsies, but sometimes, on days like today, they talked about themselves. They talked about Santa Fe and how Jack realized that wasn't what he wanted anymore — much to David’s relief. They talked about David’s anxiety, something he inherited from his mother's side of the family, and how it made it hard to make friends. He didn't mention the curse though. No one but his family knew about it. No one knew that they all saw a different version of David and that none of them was the real version. 

 

David tried not to feel hurt by this. It wasn't their fault. It wasn't anyone's fault. But sometimes his curiosity got the better of him and he just had to ask. 

 

“Jack, how would you describe me?”

 

Jack stopped short, his eyes snapping up to meet David’s. He tilted his head sideways as if trying to parse out David’s hidden motivation behind the question. 

 

David squirmed, about to tell Jack to forget, but Jack beat him to it. 

 

“Well, I don’t know, Dave. I guess I’d say you’se pretty smart. Smarter than all them folks ‘round this here office that’s for damn sure. Once you finish your studies, you’se gonna run laps around these guys. They ain’t never gonna see it coming.” 

 

David blinked. He hadn’t expected that. “Oh, um, thanks. What I - I meant what do I look like to you? Like my features.”

 

David could have sworn he saw Jack’s face go a little red but it was probably just the light of the sunset coming down over the building tops. 

 

“What do you mean? Ain’t you ever looked in a mirror?”

 

“I - well - I just want to,” David cut himself off with a frown. There was no way to tell Jack that he wanted to know what he saw because he wanted to know what Jack’s ideal person looked like. Or that he had the smallest hope that maybe, just maybe, the person Jack saw looked even a little bit like the real him. But he couldn’t say that. Instead, he just muttered a quick “never mind”, before turning away. 

 

“Hey, hey!” Jack said, grabbing at his arm and pivoting David back to face him. “Stop your griping. I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you.”

 

“I don’t want you to say anything anymore,” David pouted. 

 

“Well, too bad. I’m gonna tell ya anyway.”

 

“No, Jack.”

 

“Dave, would you stop moving so I’se can get a good look at ya? I can’t describe you if you won’t look at me.”

 

David buried his face in his hands. He groaned into them, “Jackie, stop, I didn’t mean it. I don’t want you to tell me-”

 

“Alright, fine, you got blue eyes!” David froze, his face still in his hands. He heard Jack let out a long exhale. “I don’t - I don’t need to look at ya to know that you have blue eyes because they is all I can look at sometimes. They’se really pretty, Davey. Bright and blue, just like - like - well, they don’t look like nothing I’ve ever seen but they’se still pretty.”

 

Slowly, David dragged his head up from his hands, looking up at Jack, his mouth hung slightly open from shock. He tried to ignore the fluttering in his chest but it was futile. 

 

I have blue eyes , David couldn’t help but think to himself, I have blue eyes and Jack thinks I have blue eyes. What if…

 

Jack gave a derisive laugh. “To be honest, you kind of remind me of Katherine. You twos both have the nose and same wavy brown hair” He laughed again. “Sounds kinda crazy, don’t it?”

 

At that, David’s heart plummeted. He knew for certain that his hair was black, not brown, and he and Katherine most certainly did not have the same nose, quite the opposite actually. So Jack saw Katherine when he looked at him. Well, no surprise there. Still, it hurt a lot more than it should have and David didn’t particularly want to think about why that was.

 

David swallowed, letting out a weak laugh. He rubbed the back of his knuckle across his nose with a sniff as he ducked his head away, refusing to meet Jack’s gaze. “Yeah. Crazy.”

 

“Davey? Hey, you okay?”

 

“Yeah, yeah,” David assured him even as he was hurriedly getting to his feet. “I just remembered I gotta get home. My folks will be waiting for me. It's my turn to cook tonight.”

 

“After what happened last time you were in the kitchen?” Jack said incredulously. “Wow, your family must be real brave.”

 

“Or maybe they just know something you don't, ” He bit back, unable to stop himself. 

 

David didn't wait for a response, sending off a quick goodbye as he raced down the stairs and out onto the street. He didn't stop moving until he reached the front porch of his apartment complex. He nearly ran into Sarah who must have seen him coming up the sidewalk and waited to walk in with him. She was carrying her bag so she must have just come from her work. 

 

“Hey David, you're home early! Did you see the boys at all today?” Usually, David would stay out late, following Jack back to the lodging house to hang with the other guys and maybe play a quick card game. Sometimes Les would come too but he had found a good group of kids at school and liked to go home with them a lot of the time. 

 

David rarely came home early. Today, he was exceptionally early. 

 

David didn't answer her. Instead, he crashed into her side, his arms coming around to grip her tightly as he began to tremble erratically in his attempts to hold back his sobs. 

 

“I don't understand, ” David wailed into her shoulder. “W-Why do I have to look - look like this?”

 

He felt Sarah ease into the embrace, her arms coming around his shoulders as she pulled him tighter to her. She hummed softly, raking a hand through his hair, taking away some of the edge. The more he calmed the more exhausted he became. By the time David had come down from his emotional high, his legs were shaking with the effort of remaining upright. 

 

“Okay, you're okay,” Sarah soothed, pulling back slowly. She gave David a tiny, watery smile, her own eyes brimming with tears after seeing him so upset. She swiped under her eyes before bringing her hands up to slowly cup his cheeks. She wiped the tears that had since trailed down his cheeks with a gentle touch. “It’s going to be okay, David. Just breathe.”

 

“Sarah,” David murmured morosely, “How will I ever find someone to love me if I am never someone's idea of true beauty?”

 

“David Jacobs,” Sarah said sternly, “You are one of the most beautiful people I have ever met and it's got nothing to do with what you look like. You will find love and when you do, it will be because that person has fallen completely and overwhelmingly in love with you, and not over some shallow reason like what color eyes you have.”

 

David’s chest tightens without his permission. A boy on a rooftop comes to mind. “What if I want them to think I have pretty eyes?”

 

Sarah did not have a response to that. 

Chapter 4

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Super long chapter! Are you excited?

Also, Spot and David being bros because it's what we all need.

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David never told Jack why he fled that day. He ignored him every time it's brought up and eventually the topic faded away into the back of their minds — forgotten. 

 

A couple of months after the incident, it had turned from fall to winter. David and Les were on winter break and the Newsies spent even more of their time cramped inside the lodging house where they could seldom find warmth but were at least protected from the harsh winds of the city streets. 

 

David often invited Jack to come back with him to spend the night at his apartment but Jack always refused. He said he couldn't do that while the rest of the guys were freezing away at the lodging house. It made David’s heart hurt. He wished he could bring all of the Newsies home with him but his family was barely scraping by as it was. His parents only allowed Jack to come by because they liked him so much. If Jack were any closer David was afraid his parents might try to adopt Jack and for some reason, David wasn't too fond of that idea. 

 

“Come on, Jackie,” David said, trying to convince Jack for the third time that day to come home with him. 

 

“No, Davey, you know I can't. It ain't right to the other fellas. Them boys deserve your generosity more than I do.”

 

“But,” David retaliated hotly, “None of them is my best friend! You are!”

 

Jack pulled back in genuine surprise. “I am?”

 

“What? Yeah, of course you are. Don’t you - Don’t you think that too?”

 

Jack ducked his head, rubbing the back of his neck shyly. “Well, I mean - ‘course you’re mine but… it’s different when you think it. I wasn’t too sure.”

 

David rolled his eyes. “Well, now you can be sure.” After a short pause, he added, “So come home with me?”

 

“Davey,” Jack groaned. 

 

“Sure, when can we go,” A voice cut into their conversation. Both boys turned to find Spot Conlon with his beefy arms crossed, staring them down with a terrifying smirk. 

 

“Oh no, I wasn’t - I mean I - you want to?”

 

Spot’s smile widened. “Yeah, why not? You don’t mind, do you, Jack?”

 

Jack spluttered looking just as thrown as David did. He looked from Spot to David to Spot again, his mouth falling open without any sound to follow. After a moment, he seemed to come to some sort of conclusion because he gave a weak smile that didn’t look all too convincing and said, “ ‘Course not. He’s all yours.”

 

Spot nodded, walking over to slap David hard on the back. He jolted, sending Jack a rueful glare that the other boy missed while he was busy staring at his shoes. He looked angry though David didn’t think that was very fair. He had offered to take Jack home first. It wasn’t his fault if Jack refused. With this in mind, David’s face hardened, turning to face Spot as he said, “Alright, let’s go.”

 

Spot was silent the whole way to the Jacobs’ house. David knew Spot was a man of few words but it still unnerved him. He ended up jabbering on the whole way there, mostly about school and other things like that. If Jack were there he would chip in with small remarks, things that would make David laugh and cause Jack to do that thing he sometimes did where he would quickly turn away, pursing his lips in a way that did nothing to hide his smile. David was caught by the sudden longing he felt to have Jack at his side. Was it weird to miss someone he had just left only ten minutes ago? Probably? God, David was losing his mind.

 

David’s parents were quite surprised when David showed up with someone that wasn’t Jack, but they seemed to take it better than David had assumed they would. They didn’t mention Jack or the fact that Spot was most certainly not Jack. Instead, they fed Spot, happily including him in the family conversation throughout the meal. Spot, to his credit, was quite charming. Even though all of his answers were short, he never seemed off-putting or rude. 

 

By the time dinner had finished, Sarah dismissed herself for bed, taking Les along with her. David’s father followed soon after. 

 

“Do you think you boys will have enough blankets?” Esther asked her son. 

 

“Yeah, thanks, Ma,” David leaned up to kiss her cheek, “Goodnight.”

 

“Sweet dreams, Dear.” She turned to Spot, giving him a polite smile. “It was nice to meet you, Sean.”

 

“You as well, Ma’am.”

 

“C’mon.” David waved, leading Spot up to his room. He loitered awkwardly outside of the door. Bringing Jack around the first time had been awkward, sure, but bringing anyone else after Jack just felt… wrong. He had just admitted to Jack that he was his best friend and now Spot was here about to see his room. It felt oddly like cheating. 

 

Spot rolled his eyes, bowling past David and into his room. 

 

“Hey!”

 

“Relax, Jacobs. I ain’t hurtin’ nothing. Besides, if ya didn’t want me going in your room ya shouldn’t have invited me over.”

 

“I didn’t invite you over!”

 

“Sure, whatever. Hey, what’s all this stuff?”

 

David followed Spot’s gaze to the stack of trophies sitting on his shelf. David flushed. “Ah, yeah, that’s my stuff - my uh, academic awards. Nice grades and such. My parents didn’t want me tucking them in boxes so I just stuffed them all on that shelf.”

 

Spot whistled. “Smart boy, eh?”

 

David shrugged. 

 

“Alright,” Spot plopped down in David’s chair, swinging to casually prop his legs on the desk next to it. He seemed more comfortable in David’s room than David did. 

 

David scowled, stomping over to throw Spot’s feet off the desk. “Don’t put your shoes on my desk.”

 

Spot rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”

 

David huffed, walking over to his bed and sitting down on the edge of it. He began to fiddle with his fingers idly, a nervous tick he had picked up from Sarah. 

 

“I know about you.”

 

David’s head whipped up. Spot was eyeing him carefully, more pensive than David had ever seen the Brooklyn boy. It made him worried. 

 

“Know what?”

 

Spot waved his hand flippantly. 

 

“You just gestured to all of me.”

 

Spot sighed in frustration. He sat up in the chair, leaning forward so that his forearms rested on his knees. “What I mean is, you don’t really have curly blond hair, do you?”

 

David stared at him for a moment before slowly shaking his head. 

 

Spot exhaled, his eyes closing with a wince as if he had been hoping that he was wrong. “I knew it. I knew you’se was one of them.”

 

“Them? There are others?”

 

Spot eyed him wearily. “Sure. You think you were the only one?”

 

David nodded shyly. 

 

“Well, you ain’t. I knew someone like you once. Though she liked to flaunt her gift a lot more than you do.”

 

“It’s not a gift. It’s a curse.”

 

“Yeah, maybe.” Spot’s gaze turned soft and far away. 

 

David wondered what he was thinking. Not wanting the conversation to die when it had just begun, he added softly, “Wizja piękna.”

 

“Bless you.”

 

“No, it’s - it’s polish. Vees-Ya Pee-Eck-Na,” He repeated, sounding out the syllables. “That’s what my family calls the… my condition.”

 

“Oh. What’s it mean?”

 

“Vision of beauty,” David remarked dryly.

 

Spot nodded but again his eyes were focused on the past, not really seeing what was in front of him. David didn’t want to lose Spot to his thoughts. He had finally found someone who seemed to understand what he was going through, someone outside of his family. And the idea that he wasn’t alone filled him with a burning desire to know more. Maybe if others like him could have a happy ending then he could too.

 

“What’s she like,” David asked quietly. 

 

Spot dragged his eyes back over to David. His face looked heavier than it usually did and there was an unnatural shine to his eyes. Spot sighed. “She is - was - my cousin. Her given name was Shirely ‘cept she hated the name with as much passion as she felt for everythin’ else. Insisted that everyone call her Blaze on account of her blazin’ red hair.”

 

“Wait a minute,” David frowned. “I thought you said she was like me.”

 

“Yeah. And?”

 

“Then how come you could all see her red hair?”

 

Spot rolled his eyes as if he were talking to an uncomprehending child. “It ain’t so black and white. Sure, people see what they want to see and you’se always gonna be beautiful-” 

 

Spot said it so offhandedly that David felt a wave of relief wash through him. Spot talked as if what David looked like wasn’t that important. Like it was one of many parts about him instead of his only trait. 

 

“-But that don’t change who you are. Peoples still gonna see you underneath all that voodoo shitzola. For her, it was her hair. It was too bright, too powerful for nobody to miss. Funny enough, I think that’s what peoples liked ‘bout her best.”

 

David sat for a moment completely dumbfounded. “What is it about me that you all can see?”

 

Spot didn’t even hesitate. “Your eyes.”

 

“My - you’re serious? You can see my eyes?”

 

Spot nodded with a small grin. “Blue as a cloudless day, Jacobs.”

 

David smiled and then couldn’t stop smiling. Hadn’t he told Sarah a couple of months back that he wanted the person he fell in love with to like his eyes. Could that be enough? If they only ever saw him through his eyes would that be enough to form a love worth having? It certainly was a start. 

 

And Jack. Jack had been telling the truth all those months ago. He had been looking right into David’s eyes and seeing him, the real him. 

 

Oh , David realized, he didn’t see blue eyes because he thinks they’re beautiful. He sees them because they are mine. He sees them and so does everyone else. Jack isn’t special.

 

Except, it was at that moment David realized he wished that Jack was. If Jack was special, if Jack was different, then he would think David was beautiful and he would feel for David just like… just like David felt for him.

 

David felt sick. He had to derail his thoughts before he made any more discoveries. “Why?”

 

“For them kind of answers ya need to ask a priest or,” Spot raised a hand, twirling it around aimlessly, “Whatever it is you believe in.”

 

David stayed silent, giving Spot his best unimpressed look. 

 

“What? I don’t know?” Spot said defensively. 

 

“Give it your best shot,” David deadpanned. When Spot still seemed reluctant to answer, David's nonchalant facade dropped as he pleaded, “Please, I… I just want to know more about myself. Sometimes - Sometimes I feel like being pretty is all I have to offer. I want to know - I need to know if people can see more than that.”

 

“ ‘Course they can,” Spot snorted before recognizing the insecurity creeping onto David’s face. He sighed. “ ‘Course they can, Jacobs. Trust me, if bein’ pretty was all you’se was then you wouldn’t be a true Newsies. We’se all like ya for loads of other reasons.”

 

“But-”

 

“Stop thinkin’ everyone around you’se so shallow! You’se in because we says you is, not because you’d look pretty on the front page of a newspaper. Get it?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Good. Now would’ja quit ya yappin’ and lets me sleep? I got a real comfy spot here and I intend to use it to the fullest measure.”

 

Spot flopped sideways, making a point about getting comfortable in his chair. It was a large chair and he could fit all of his limbs into it quite easily. 

 

David sighed. He removed his shoes and his vest and tie before climbing into bed. He leaned over and clicked his lamp light off. The whole room went dark. David flipped back over onto his side, trying to get comfortable, but there was still one thought left rattling in his head that wouldn’t leave. 

 

After a few more minutes of trying to get to sleep, David couldn’t take it anymore. He sat up abruptly, casting his eyes over to Spot’s prone form. The boy’s breath was slow and even but David could tell he hadn’t quite fallen asleep yet. 

 

“Hey, Spot?”

 

Spot groaned, mumbling something about a walking mouth under his breath. His eyes remained closed. 

 

“Spot, what happened to your cousin?”

 

Spot went completely still. For a moment, David thought he had finally fallen asleep, except, Spot didn’t look like he was breathing. Finally, Spot let out a long exhale, his eyes opening to find David from across the room. 

 

David waited. 

 

“She - uh - she was a lot of trouble. Caught the attention of these two guys, both with huge heated tempers — just her type I guess,” Spot shrugged, trying to look unaffected but his body was still curled in on itself making him look impossibly small and there was a haunted look in his eyes that he couldn’t seem to shake away. “They started some big war over her or somethin’. Maybe I should have been more invested. I thought - I thought maybe if I left ‘em to it it would blow over. I don’t know. I guess I thought the worst-case scenario was one would soak the other good enough to keep ‘im down for good. Didn’t think - never thought.”

 

The pause was deadly. David felt the prickle of something behind his eyes. He almost wanted to stop Spot before he finished. He thought he knew what happened next but he needed to hear it confirmed. “What happened?”

 

“She uh - one of them got dirty. Pulled out a gun during a fistfight. He didn’t see her until she was in front of the barrel. Then, bam. The doctor said she was dead before she even hit the pavement.”

 

David gasped despite having expected this answer. “Spot, I’m so-”

 

Spot interrupted with a wet laugh. “You wanna know the worst part? After she died the illusion fell. We could all see her, the real her.”

 

David stiffened. 

 

“And - And the guy that shot her was disappointed! He said she was prettier before she died!” Spot was seething. “He never loved her! But Albert did. He said she always looked like that to him. That’s real love I guess. When the person you’se with thinks you’se the most beautiful thing in da world.”

 

“Wait, Albert? As in, our Albert? Albert DeSilva?”

 

Spot nodded solemnly. “Them redheads pack together. I thinks it’s just in them blood. But he really liked Blaze. Thought the world of her. It broke him when she died. It broke us all.”

 

David wanted to learn more about Blaze. He wanted to find Albert and ask him more about how he had been able to see through the illusion but it was the middle of the night and David’s only companion was spent. 

 

“Hey, Spot?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Thank you - for telling me I mean. You didn’t have to do that.”

 

Spot grunted. “Yeah, whatever. It’s kinda like ya history, ain’t it? Besides, maybe if I tell you it won’t become ya future too.”

 

The earnestness in Spot’s voice left David speechless. Spot wanted to protect him? Maybe it had more to do with Blaze or even Spot himself but David couldn’t help but feel a glowing warmth at the idea that someone wasn’t influenced by the illusion and still bothered to care about him. It felt good. It felt really good.

 

Chapter 5

The day was hot as hot could be during midsummer in New York. Both Davey and Jack were walking the street. David still sold newspapers in the summer to help put himself and Les through school and while Jack technically worked as a newspaper artist, he still sold papes from time to time, but only ever with David. It was just another way the two spent their time together. Usually, David would relish it, but today was hot and he felt sticky and irritated.

 

By midday, David was ready to throw the rest of his papes in front of the nearest moving vehicle and stalk off to Medda’s theater for some well-deserved time in an air-conditioned room. Unfortunately, it was at this time he was stopped by a young woman in a long-sleeved dress that had him sympathizing with her until the moment she opened her mouth and said, “Wow, hello, you’re really handsome.”

 

“Thanks,” David deadpanned, not at all in the mood for this, “Luck of the Irish I guess.”

 

“David, you’re Polish,” Jack pointed out from beside him. His face looked amused but his posture — arms crossed against his chest and body angled slightly in front of David’s own — said otherwise. It seemed Jack was in the same agitated, put-up-with-nothing attitude as David was. They were both tired and ready to call it quits and this girl’s interruption certainly wasn’t helping their progress.

 

“Right.”

 

“Well,” The girl continued, clearly undeterred, “I’m not normally this forward-”

“Yet here you are,” Jack muttered sulkily. David shot him an odd look and the girl carried on as if she had never heard him.

 

“-But I just wanted to say that you have really pretty hair and-”

 

“What do you think my hair looks like?” This time it was David who interrupted.

 

“What?”

 

“My hair? How would you describe it?”

 

“Oh, um, brown, I guess, and wavy. It looks really good in the sun.” The girl flushed and David’s suspicions were confirmed. Yet another doe-eyed admirer who couldn’t see through the illusion. Oddly enough though, he didn’t feel the same pang that he used to, only mild exasperation for having to put up with something so many times. It had all happened too many times before. Someone would be so enamored by the curse that they just had to come up and talk to him. Usually, it would start with a thinly-veiled flirtation and end with them frowning as David brush past them with a small thank you and a smile or no comment at all depending on his mood.

 

Today, however, went differently. This time David wasn’t alone.

 

“What are you blind?” Jack exclaimed, staring at the girl icily. “He doesn’t have brown hair. It’s black, dark black, and it ain’t wavy at all. Why don’t you go and gets your eyes check, huh?”

 

Jack didn’t wait for the girl to reply, steering David around her as they continued down the street. Jack walked fast, keeping his hand on the small of David’s back as he guided him away from the stock-still girl. David stumbled several times, barely keeping balance with the bruising pace that Jack was setting until he couldn’t take it anymore. 

 

As soon as they turned down the familiar street, David yanked Jack the rest of the way, gulping in the cool air as soon as they fell inside the side entrance to Medda’s theater. For a moment, the two said nothing, looking to catch their breathe and enjoy the brief escape from both the people and heat of the streets.

 

“What?” David panted, “Was that?”

 

Jack looked over at him, bewildered. “What you mean?”

 

David straightened, walking over to where Jack was leaning back against the wall. He positioned himself in front of Jack, staring him down pointedly. “You have many talents, Jackie, but playing a fool is not one of them. Why did you talk to the girl like that?”

 

Jack swallowed, for once he avoiding looking David in the eyes. “Well, she was - you know - and you looked uncomfortable. I was just trying to help.”

 

David rolled his eyes. “While I appreciate the sentiment, I didn’t need any help. I’ve handled far worse than some girl calling me pretty, trust me. And besides, it’s not like that’s the first time that’s ever happened. I know how to handle myself on my own.”

 

“Okay,” Jack nodded. He looked lost in thought for a moment before his brow furrowed and his head snapped up to look at David. “What do you mean that’s happened before? That wasn’t the first time that someone…”

 

“No, Jack,” David mocked, “That wasn’t the first time someone has hit on me.”

 

“Right, right. Of course not. I just, well, I ain’t ever seen it happen before is all. Does that - I mean - do peoples do that often - come up to you’se and stuff?”

 

David huffed, “Yeah, way too often.”

 

“Really?” Jack said, his voice rising into a higher register. David eyed him curiously.

 

“Don’t act so surprised.”

 

“I’m not! You’re gorgeous!” Jack coughed into his fist, face flushing as he went back to avoiding David’s gaze again. “I mean - it isn’t a surprise that people like you. Object - Objectively you’se pretty attractive… I guess.”

 

David frowned. He had long since given up on the fact that one day someone might say something along those lines and mean it. It was probably around the time Spot had stayed over. Since then, David had put his efforts into nothing but platonic relationships and it had been working out splendidly until this incident.

 

“Look, let’s just forget about this whole thing, okay?”

 

“You don’t-” Jack observed him carefully, making David squirm where he stood, “You don’t believe me, do you? All those people complimentin’ you and - and what? You think they is lyin’ or somethin’?”

 

“No, of course not,” David gritted, “Can we just drop it, Jack?”

“No, what is it? Why don’t you like how you look?”

 

“I don’t care how I look,” David said, growing annoyed with both the topic and Jack’s persistence to pursue the topic. “I just - I just wish people would stop commenting on it like it’s the only thing about myself worth considering!”

 

David let his eyes fall shut. He hadn’t meant to say as much to Jack. The irritation of the day must have removed his filter, letting his thoughts spill out into the open air.

 

The feeling of a hand on his shoulder made David’s eyes snap open. He was instantly greeted by the rare, soft face of one Jack Kelly. David sighed, leaning into Jack’s touch until his head fell to rest on the other boy’s shoulder. Jack didn’t seem to mind, absently brushing a hand through David’s hair, just like Sarah often did to help David through his panic attacks. David sighed again, this time feeling the tension he had been carrying all day release in that single breath.

 

“M’Sorry,” David murmured into Jack’s shirt. “M’Jus’ tired a people.”

 

David both felt and heard Jack chuckle, his hand pausing in David’s hair. “Does that mean I should leave?”

 

David swiftly reaching to grasp the front of Jack’s shirt. “No.”

 

Jack tensed beneath him before his muscles relaxed and he resumed brushing through David’s hair. David felt himself slowly begin to relax, relishing both the pause in an otherwise rapidly-paced life and the feeling that came with being so close to Jack. It both excited and soothed him.

 

“I notice the other things too,” Jack said quietly after a couple of minutes of silence. David knew that probably was his cue to move away from Jack but he didn’t want to. So, he stayed, and Jack didn’t move away either. “I see the way you are with Les and the other Newsies. I know they complain a lot, but they appreciate the kindness and attention you give ‘em. A lot of them need it more than you know.”

 

“But it isn’t just what you do for others either,” Jack quickly amended as if he thought David would find the first comment offensive. He didn’t, he actually felt a swell of pride at Jack’s words, but he didn’t stop him either.

 

“You’se so smart. I know I’ve told you this before but it’s true. You got - You got a really good head on ya shoulders, Davey. And you’se just plain fascinatin’ too. The way you think - it’s amazing sometimes. And I ain’t ever gonna be half as good with words as you is. Plus, you’se funnier than you let on.”

 

At that, David pulled back just far enough so that he could gauge the expression on Jack’s face. It was open and earnest and full of affection.

 

“You think I’m funny?” David couldn’t help but ask.

 

“ ‘Course I do. You’se real clever ‘bout it though. When the guys and I was first gettin’ ta know you, we’se though you was bein’ serious whenever you would give one of ya wisecracks. Practically scared some of ‘em near half ta death. But we get you now and we find you hilarious, ‘specially when you get all huffy and technical, you get this crinkle up in ya brow area and it’s-” Jack abruptly closed his mouth, eyes widening a little.

 

“It’s what?”

 

“Eh, nothin’. It’s like you said, you don’t like to hear that kind of stuff.”

 

“No. Tell me,” David pleaded, desperate to hear what Jack had been about to say. “What were you about to say, Jack?”

 

Jack looked down at his feet, scuffing them nervously against the theater floor. “It’s cute.”

 

David gulped, feeling himself flush red. “Oh.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

David tried to laugh off the awkward silence. “You know, Jack, you’re quite the charmer when you want to be. I’m sure Kath is pleased to know that you’ve got such a romantic heart.”

 

The comment did not have the intended effect because instead of grinning sheepishly like Jack used to whenever Katherine was brought up, he just frowned, looking confusedly at David. “Kath?”

 

“Yeah,” David said slowly, “You know, Katherine Pulitzer, daughter of the biggest newspaper tycoon in the city… your girlfriend?”

 

Jack’s frown deepened. “Wait, didn’t I - didn’t you…”

 

“Didn’t what? What are you going on about, Jack? What happened with you and Katherine?”

 

“We broke up,” Jack said, “A couple of weeks ago actually.”

 

“Oh.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Sorry?”

 

Jack waved him off. “Nah, it’s fine. I’m not too bent up about it. We’se still gonna be friends just - you know - that’s all. We ain’t right for each other - we both agreed.”

 

“A mutual dumping then.”

 

“Yeah, sorta, I guess,” Jack shrugged, looking uncomfortable.

 

“Sorry.”

 

“What? Why do you keep sayin’ that?”

 

“I don’t know!” David panicked. “I don’t know what to say! I just - Well, I just thought you really liked her. What happened?”

 

“Nothin’ happened, Dave, we just don’t like each other like that, okay?”

 

“Okay,” David huffed, not too sure why he was getting so worked up about the news. There was a nervous pit in his stomach as if someone had taken the seatbelt off his rollercoaster seat and he was about to go full throttle down the hill, completely unhindered. It was a terrifying kind of freedom that left David unsure of what to do next. 

 

Apparently, the next thing David would do is open his mouth and say something that surprised them both.

 

“Was there any other reason?” 

 

What the ever-living heck is wrong with my mouth, David thought to himself, along with, No wonder they call me the walking mouth. It has a mind of its own!

 

“For the break-up?”

 

David sighed internally. Well, there was no going back now. He nodded.

 

Jack stared at him for a long moment, his eyes flitting back and forth, clearly debating on how he should answer. Then, he muttered a hoarse, “No. No one - er - nothing else.”

 

David caught the slip, his mind racing as he came to the sudden realization that Jack was lying to him. There was another person. If Katherine had been the one with her eyes on someone else, then Jack would have just said so. That meant that Jack was the one. Whether Katherine was aware of this fact or not, David did not know, but right now he could see it written clearly in the guilty expression on Jack’s face.

 

“Really? You don’t have your eye on someone else?”

 

Jack flushed, clearly not expecting David to read him so well. “N-No. No one worth mentioning at least. It’s nothing.”

 

David read the slight sag in Jack’s shoulders and the despondence in his gaze. For whatever reason, Jack believed that the person did not return his affections. David softened, his hand coming to rest on Jack’s arm. 

 

Jack looked up to meet David’s gaze. His eyes were wide and innocent. David wanted to melt back into Jack’s arms - it had been so nice before - but he resisted.

 

“Well,” David murmured, “Whoever they are, they’re an idiot for missing their chance with you, Jack Kelly.”

 

Jack laughed though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “No, they ain’t. They’re smart, smart enough not to want to be with me.”

 

“Don’t say that!” David shook his shoulders. “Anyone would be lucky to call you theirs!”

 

“You really think that,” Jack asked, looking hopeful.

 

David smiled. “Of course, Jackie. You’re amazing.”

 

For a moment, the room fell into a tense silence. David didn’t know why but the air suddenly turned electric as his eyes locked with Jack’s. It was an overwhelming sensation that thrilled him so much he almost wanted to look away just to collect himself. But the feeling was also too good to let slip by so he endured the anxious energy, absorbing the elation and exhilaration that came along with it. He wanted to pull away. He wanted to draw closer and sweep Jack up in his arms and never let go. He wanted…

 

“Jack? Davey? Is that you?” Medda’s voice broke through the fog that had begun to cloud David’s mind. The two sprang back, neither noticing how close they had been standing until they were farther apart. Whatever moment they had been having was over. David told himself to just forget about it, but over the next few days, he found it was all he could think about.

Chapter 6

“You ready yet?”

 

“Yeah, yeah, keep your shirt on! I'm coming!” Jack hollered back to David as he exited the small shop. 

 

David was already waiting on the curb, a small grocery bag clutched in his hand. Jack held an identical bag. David eyed it curiously. 

 

“So,” He hummed as Jack finally got to his side. The two started walking back to the lodging house. The sun was starting to set and Les would be waiting for David so they could head home. 

 

“So what?”

 

“What’s in the bag?”

 

Jack’s grip subconsciously tightened, drawing the bag and its mysterious contents closer to his chest. Jack had only gone to the store with David so that he could buy a few groceries. Once David had reached the counter, however, Jack told him to go on without him. David had promised to wait at the counter for him but Jack was adamant that he wait outside the store. David had complied but that didn't mean he wasn't curious. 

 

“It’s nothing. It's just something for a project I've been working on.”

 

“Oh yeah? What's that?”

 

A voice up ahead saved Jack from having to respond. 

 

“Hey, yo, Jack!” Albert shouted. The redhead stopped short in front of the pair. David tried to give him a casual smile but he was sure it fell a bit short, as had the last hundred smiles since David had found out about Albert’s past — more specifically, Blaze. Albert, thankfully, barely spared David a second glance just like always. It seemed either David was a better actor that he gave himself credit for or Albert was just that unobservant. Either way, David was glad he hadn’t had to answer any questions about why he suddenly didn’t know how to act around Albert. He knew he probably should have approached Albert to talk about it by now but he always chickened out, reasoning that it wasn’t his place to ask questions and that bringing up the past would only hurt Albert more. And David was nothing if not a logical thinker.

 

“Hey Al!” Jack replied cheerily, always happy to see a fellow Newsie, “What are you doing on this side of the city? Thought you’se was selling with Race today over in Midtown.”

 

“Ah,” Albert waved, “Stupid Race got a deal in wit’ Brooklyn. Been sellin’ papes over there all week. I don’ need ‘im though. With him gone, the more wallets I gets to poach, right?”

 

Jack laughed. “Yeah, sure.”

 

“Say, Jack, you wouldn’t happen to know a good spot, would’ja? My place in Midtown’s great but it ain’t got no shade. Hard to sell papes if you’se sweatin’ on the customers.”

 

“Maybe you shouldn’t wear a vest in ninety degree weather,” David pointed out, gesturing to the thick leather one that Albert always seemed to wear over his shirt.

 

“Ah, ‘course you would say that, you mouth! You don’t know the first thing about Newsie fashion still, do ya? See this,” Albert pulled on his vest, “Is a statement. Let’s da people a New York know I mean business. Otherwise I’m just some scrappy kid on da street wit’ a couple a papers.”

 

“Ain’t that you already?” Jack teased. 

 

Albert punched him in the arm. “I ain’t gettin’ rid of the jacket. If ya got a good spot, tell me. If not, I’ma find me some better company.”

 

“Fine, fine, fine,” Jack gave in, “Quit your griping. Golly, how old are you, five?”

 

“Golly,” Albert deadpanned, “Golly? How old are you? Sixty?”

 

Now it was Jack’s turn to punch Albert in the arm.

 

“Shuddup.”

 

David smiled as he watched the two bicker some more before nudging Jack’s shoulder. “We gotta get back to the house. You guys can argue on the way, alright?”

 

If he had been anyone else, David was sure Jack would have just brushed him off and kept on arguing, firmly rooted to his spot on the sidewalk corner just out of spite. It was a widely known fact that Jack didn’t follow the rules. He followed orders even less, but he listened to David and David took a small pride in that.

 

As expected, Jack rolled his eyes but obliged, pulling Albert along as he followed after David. A block or two later, Jack and Albert were back to bickering again until they finally settled down into an easy debate. They began to discuss all the hot — but preferably not so literally — spots around the city. David was content to observe rather than participate. It gave him time to really look at Jack — the way he gestured when he talked, the way he would either duck his head or cover his mouth when he caught himself laughing too loudly, or the way, every so often, Jack would glance over at David. Most of the time, he caught David’s gaze after telling a joke, that particular glint in his eyes, but, sometimes, David thought he looked over at him for no other reason than to make sure he was still there. David didn’t know what to make of that, but he liked the attention all the same.

 

The trio was just crossing the street, only two blocks away from the lodging house, when David caught a glimpse of red out of the corner of his eye. His gaze flickered over to the spot of color, intending to only look for a brief second but something snag his attention, making him do a double take.

 

The spot of red was, in fact, a little girl. She had bright red hair that didn’t quite match with the magenta shirt and orange pants she was wearing. She looked very young, maybe around Les’s age at most. The girl was walking, no, skipping —  no, no, she was definitely dancing — down the street, her pigtails flying wildly as she went. She was giggling to herself, stuck in her own little world. David felt himself grow soft at the sight, a small smile forming at the corners of his lips. The girl let out a particularly high-pitched giggle then as she twirled her raggedy stuffed animal around in a circle, making it soar through the air at, what it must have seemed to the girl, a blinding speed.

 

David was so lost in observing the moment he almost didn’t see it either.

 

In the next second, Jack looked over at David, only to catch sight of the single blurred edge of David’s shirt as he raced past him. Jack stumbled back, letting out a surprised yelp. David ignored him, pushing himself to run faster. 

 

In the span of only a couple of seconds, David was barreling into the girl, carrying her away from the middle of the street, away from the carriage heading straight toward her. He didn’t carry her far enough.

 

The driver careened sideways, the side of the carriage hitting David in the back mid dive. He cried out, spinning wildly in the air before crashing into the unforgiving road. He landed on his side, both hearing and feeling the crack of bones upon contact. He hit his head too. It made his world spin. He was no doctor but he was pretty sure his heartbeat shouldn’t be emanating from his skull either. David felt woozy, his consciousness beginning to slip away from him as the pain took over all of his senses.

 

Far away, he could hear someone calling his name. No, not someone — Jack. David would recognize that voice anywhere. It gave him the same feeling that he got when Sarah held him and hummed softly in his ear when he was feeling overwhelmed or when Les smiled that big, wide smile up at him like David was worth admiration. It felt like home.

 

Through the haze, David smiled softly, not really sure if he was actually smiling or if it was all in his head. He couldn’t really feel any part of his body at this point, not beyond the pain. He did faintly register, however, the weight of a child in his arms. The little girl was still safely tucked away inside his embrace. 

 

At least , David thought absently, I was able to save the girl.

 

“Dave - Davey. Come on, Dave. Stay with me, okay? Keep your eyes fixed on me.” 

 

There was that voice again. So familiar, so wonderful. David wished he could stay longer, if only to keep listening to Jack, but the shadows were more compelling than his desire. It was a battle of will and David was too tired to fight back. 

 

“Davey?” There was a horrible crackle to Jack’s voice that made David want to scope him up in his arms and dispel the sadness. Why was Jack sad? Was he dying? 

 

David’s chest seized with panic. He didn’t want to die! With one last burst of energy, David’s eyes fluttered open. His gaze immediately locked onto Jack’s — Jack who always looked him in the eyes like they were all that mattered in the world. 

 

He was scared. And, in that moment, David didn’t know if he meant Jack or himself.

 

David didn’t want to die. He didn’t. But if he had to, he would do it just like this, where the last sight he ever saw was Jack. Because Jack was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. If Jack had David’s curse, David didn’t think he would look any different. But that’s what love did, right? It made you see nothing but pure beauty. And that’s what this was — love. David loved Jack. And now he was going to die.

 

David opened his mouth, trying to form Jack’s name. Jack , he wanted to say, Jack. Jack. Jack.

 

But the words never formed and David lost consciousness before he could ever tell Jack how he felt, before he could even say his name.

 

Chapter 7

---

Woohoo! Last chapter!

---

 

The moments between the pavement and the hospital bed were a blur for David. The days that followed even more so. He could only retain consciousness for a few short moments at a time only a couple of times a day. During those times, David could barely open his eyes, but he could hear.

 

He heard the quiet scuffle of people around him, though whether they were medical personnel or visitors he could never tell. The sound of commotion in the hall beyond the walls of his room. There was also the static in his head, the ringing in his ears, and the ever pulsating thud of blood traveling through him - far louder than it should have been.

 

In these moments, David felt little pain. Distantly, he knew he must be on a lot of medication and it made him worry how his family was going to pay off this medical bill so soon after his father’s accident. They were in so much debt as it was. They couldn’t afford this. The thought made David want to cry. All he ever tried to do was protect and help his family, but in his efforts, he had crippled them even further. This is what David thought of as he lay in his near-comatose state. That, followed by the thought that knowing he was in a hospital made him crave jello. Clearly, David’s train of thought wasn’t as stable as it usually was.

 

The next time David felt himself come back to his senses, he was only half-awake. He had been numb for what felt like ages. So, it was some surprise to him when he felt a warm weight press against the palm of his hand. He could feel a presence beside him, so familiar, that even in his addled state he felt himself sink further into his pillow, the tension in his muscles draining away.

 

“Davey,” Came Jack’s voice from beside him — because of course, it was Jack. “You gotta wake up, Man. The Newsies — well, they — they just ain’t the same without you there. They’se more agitated than usual, won’t listen ta nothin’ or nobody, startin’ more fights than they win. That is ‘cept for Albie. He’s been wrapped up in that little girl you saved all week. Like he’s adopted her or somethin’. She’s a Newsie now. We’se been callin’ her Flare on account of her flaming hair. Both Albie and Spot really like that name. They really like her too. Spot says it’s because she reminds ‘em of somebody but he won’t tell me who.” There was a brief pause before Jack added quietly, “And me?”

 

David heard a sniff.

 

“I’m fallin’ apart without you, Dave.”

 

It’s okay. I’m right here, Jack. I need more time, but I’ll be back for you, always for you, David wanted to say. Just be patient. 

 

Jack continued talking as if David were listening and he tried to, David really tried to listen. But sleep was calling him again and he had to listen to that more. Still, it was nice to fall asleep to the sound of Jack’s voice and the feeling of his hand in his.

 

David awoke to light streaming in through the window. For some reason, the curtains were drawn back and now the sun was in David’s eyes. He blinked, rolling over to avoid the glare only to wince and sit up quickly as a burst of pain shot through his side.

 

“Ah,” He yelped before looking down tentatively. There was a cast on his arm and — he lifted up the edge of his hospital gown — yep, bandages wrapped around his torso, probably some bruised ribs if he had to guess. David dropped his gown. It could have been worse. That didn’t mean the medical bill wasn’t going to be like hell though.

 

Trying to distract himself from thoughts of impending financial doom while he was still recovering from being hit by a carriage, David looked around the room. It was empty of visitors. The quietness of the hall outside and the light just peeking over the tops of the buildings told him it was early morning, though what day it was he couldn’t be sure. There were remnants of people around the room though. Like a butt in the ashtray from one of Race’s cigars. Spec’s glasses on the floor by the door — because Specs' was terrible at keeping track of them and it was no surprise that he had already gone through three pairs this month. It was okay though because Romeo would just steal another pair from the nasty convenience store owner in lower Manhattan that the boys always stole from because he liked to make women uncomfortable. There were other clues too, like one of Les’s caps laying on the end of his bed or Sarah’s latest book sitting on the bedside table next to… next to Jack’s sketchbook.

 

It was open which was weird because Jack never left it open. His drawings were always so private and intimate. He rarely ever showed anyone.

 

David felt like he should just close the notebook and save himself from the temptation. David, however, was very tired still and running on very low impulse control. So, he picked up the sketchbook and looked at the page it was open to. David forgot how to breathe.

 

It was… him. 

 

It was David, the real David.

 

How had Jack-

 

A sound at the door made David’s head snap upward. His eyes met a surprised Jack’s. Jack stood there for a moment, frozen in time, much like David was. Then, he was moving quickly, crossing the room in three quick strides until he was standing directly next to David’s side. He looked as if he was going to pull David in for a hug but then his gaze dropped down to his cast and Jack made himself reach in for a gentle pat on David’s good shoulder instead.

 

“Dave, Dave I can’t believe you’re awake!” Jack exclaimed excitedly, tears of joy beginning to gather in his eyes. “Gosh, Davey, don’t ever do that to me again!”

 

“What? Jump in front of a carriage? Yeah, I’ll try,” David joked, but his features immediately grew serious as he remembered the picture in his hands. He looked down at it, just to make sure he hadn’t imagined things. His breath snagged again as he found himself staring back on the page. “Jack, what is this?”

 

Jack slipped his hand off David’s shoulder, stuffing it, instead, into his pockets. He looked embarrassed, speaking to the floor as he said, “It’s - uh - you.”

 

“Yes, I know, but how?” David demanded.

 

At that, Jack looked back up and frowned at him. “What’a you mean how? I’se got eyes you know, Davey, or did’ja forget that part?”

 

“No, no, that’s not what I meant. I mean, how can you see me? You’re not - You can’t-” David groaned in frustration, dragging shaking hands through his hair. “I am a wizja piękna. Nie powinieneś mnie widzieć. Dla każdego wyglądam inaczej. Jestem przeklęty. Jestem przeklęty!”

 

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, Davey! Slow down. I can’t help ya if you’se gonna speak Polish ta me. Now, why don’t you calm down and try again? In English this time, if you please.”

 

David took a deep breath. He felt Jack’s warm hand on his face then, wiping away tears he hadn’t known had formed, let alone fallen. When the tears were all gone, Jack’s hand stayed.

 

David looked Jack in the eyes, his wonderful, warm, brown eyes. “I have this condition. It’s real! Just ask Spot, his cousin has it too! Er, she had, she had it too.”

 

Jack’s hand dropped, brow furrowed with concern. “Are ya sick?”

 

“No. Well, no. I just…”

 

“Davey, ya makin’ me nervous. Just spit it out.”

 

“Okay, hold on. This isn’t easy to explain.”

 

“Just tell me.”

 

“It’s not that simple!”

 

“David.”

 

“I looked different, okay? I look different to everyone and I don’t know why but all I know is I always look like what people find to be most beautiful. It’s why I hate compliments about my appearance and why you shouldn’t be able to see me. You should see an illusion of what you think is beautiful, not… not me.”

 

A sudden silence fell over the room as soon as David was done speaking. It made him wince and want to take back everything he had just said. He shrunk in on himself. Was this all some sort of elaborate joke? Was he still dreaming? Was he dead? Right now he kind of wishes he was.

 

“So,” Jack began slowly after a few moments of agonizing silence, “You’re saying that, if I can see you…”

 

“You can’t,” David snapped back quickly. He refused to let himself hope. “You can’t because if you did that would mean-”

 

“-I love you.”

 

David jerked back as if he had been slapped. Jack, however, was standing resolutely by his side, the ever familiar passion concrete in his gaze. He looked sure of himself. The surest David had seen him since he had walked into the room. The kind of sure that people started strikes with. David wondered if forgetting how to breathe was a side effect of getting hit by a carriage or Jack.

 

“Yes, that’s what it would mean,” David said, “But you don’t-”

 

Jack suddenly crowded his space, hand going to grasp both sides of his head before his lips were smashing against David’s. David yelped, his good hand immediately finding purchase at the nape of Jack’s neck just to keep him from falling backward. If Jack’s hands were warm, then his lips were on fire. They lit up David’s insides, making him melt like putty into Jack’s hands. Sometime during the kiss, David let out a loud moan, not quite believing that he could actually be kissing Jack Kelly. He felt a weightless, bubbly feeling rise within him. David had never been high before but he was pretty sure it felt like this. He was just so incredibly happy. Jack could see him. Jack was kissing him. Jack was an incredible kisser. David was in love with Jack.

 

Finally, Jack pulled away, his hurried breaths fanning out over David’s face as he stayed close, resting their foreheads together.

 

“I love you.”

 

David giggled as he realized they both had said it at the exact same time. He pulled back a little more, just so he could take in Jack’s features. It was worth it because Jack was beaming at him. He looked happier than David had ever seen him and the look in his eyes was so soft that David just had to lean in again and press his lips against Jack’s.

 

This time, Jack was the one that moaned. Just as the kiss was getting deeper and David was prepared to drag Jack into his lap, injuries be damned, Jack pulled back again. His lips didn’t leave David’s skin, however. They just trailed a languid path down David’s jaw to his neck and then back up to his ear.

 

David giggled again. Letting out a small whine and saying, “Jackie!”

 

Jack leaned back, pouting at him. “What?”

 

David didn’t think he would ever stop grinning again. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”

 

“Ah, but you love me anyway.”

 

David blushed, ducking his head before remembering that he didn’t have to hide his feelings anymore. David’s smile quirked sideways into a mischievous smirk. He slid his good hand from behind Jack’s head to his chest. He grasped the front collar of Jack’s shirt before giving a hard tug. Jack stumbled forward and David met him halfway with another kiss.

 

This kiss was shorter than the rest but David was more aggressive with it, crashing into Jack with a force that was sure to leave his lips red and swollen. Then, as he was pulling back, David ran his tongue softly across Jack’s bottom lip. David looked down at Jack’s lips from a short distance, observing his work. He smiled smugly, enjoying the way Jack seemed both shocked and incredibly turned on.

 

“Yeah,” David answered finally, “I guess I do.”

 

At that, Jack let out a small, dazed chuckle, his eyes still fixated on David’s. After a moment, Jack’s features softened. “So, does that mean I can call you pretty now,” He asked hesitantly.

 

“Yes.” David smiled. “Only you.”

 

 

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This is where I leave you, my lovely readers! I hope you enjoyed this short little story. Please leave a comment or kudos below. I would love to hear your thoughts. Until next time!

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