Chapter Text
Jack waited outside the lodge patiently. His brother was never late, and it was getting dark.
“Still waiting for your brother?” One of the other newsies asked. Jack wasn’t sure what their name was. “Yeah, but he ain’t back yet. Imma go look for him.” Before he could even go, the boy grabbed him by his collar. “Hold your horses, cowboy. I already got someone looking for him. You shouldn’t worry about it, ain’t he the one who got into a fight with those Brooklyn boys last month?”
Jack wasn’t sure where Charlie learned it from, but lately, he jumped into fights with people twice his size. Jack tried to get him to stop, but he simply wouldn’t listen. “Yeah, but what if he got really hurt this time?” The older newsies shook his head. “As long as it wasn’t Snyder, little Crutchie will be alright.” Jack tapped his foot impatiently, he knew they were right to not let him go search, he hated not being right.
“Got him, Bull-” Jack turned the voice, one of the older newsies and Charlie, who was perfectly fine aside from a few bruises. “Where were you, Charlie? You had me waiting here all afternoon!” Charlie rolled his eyes. “You worry more about me than my mama did, Kelly. I’m fine.” He playfully punched Jack’s arm, Jack lightly punched back. “So… what happened?”
Charlie stood in front of him as he explained his tale. “Was playing Stickball with some boys from Brooklyn, and it was all fine, but theys thought I cheated 'cause I won. They said ‘No kid like you cudda won unless you cheated’ and you know me, I ain’t no cheater and I showed ‘em whose boss!” The other newsies nodded and ruffled Charlie’s hair. “You- s-sure did!” The boy headed to the other, Bull, and explained the situation.
“Charlie, you can’t just keep fighting other boys!” Charlie headed inside, not really listening to Jack. “You woulda fought them if they called you a cheater.” He hummed. Jack groaned and followed him.
“Yeah, but that’s me, and it's not just them Brooklyn boys, it’s other boys, too. Like when you fought…” Jack paused, he never actually bothered to learn the other boys' names. “Stutters and Dash? Ain’t my fault! They asked me how strong I was and laughed at me!” Jack followed Charlie into the bathroom and prepared a cold towel for him.
“Yeah, but even with your fighting skills, I don’t want you out there fighting others.” Jack asserted, gently placing the towel on one of Charlie’s wounds, making him wince. “Why not? You ain’t givin me an answer.” Jack thought about it for a while. He knew the answer, and he knew Charlie would accept it, but it was always complicated letting out his feelings.
“I don’t wanna sound like a big ol'’ sap in front of ya.” He moved the towel to Charlie’s other arm. “Oh, come on! Tell me!” He pleaded. “I dunno… it’s kinda embarrassing, Charlie…” Jack gave the towel to Charlie and sat next to him on the floor.
“I won’t tell no other! I promise!” Jack hummed for a moment before laying down. “We’s a family. Y’know that, right?” Charlie nodded. “Everyone here has folks or friends, but you’re all I got, Charlie.”
Jack awaited his response, getting a little more nervous with each second. “I think I know what you’re trying to say. I’ll be more careful, but I don’t want you acting like my mother out there. You worry more like a mother and less like a brother.” Charlie lay next to him. “I worry about ya Jack. But you’re neva scared when you get into fights or run from Snyder.”
So that’s where he gets it. Jack wanted to yell and tell Charlie that he shouldn’t be like him. That he gets scared too, but he acts brave for him. “Jackie, do you ever get scared when you have to fight or run?” Charlie whispered. “… Sometimes. But if anyone else, but you asked, no.” Charlie nodded and played with his thumbs.
“I get scared too.” Jack sat up, “Really?” Charlie nodded again, “Yeah, I don’t want nobody thinking of me that way, they’ll think I’m easy to pick on. But seeing you fight people who mess with you, makes me feel like I can do that too.” He sat up too, “Why are you surprised that I’m scared? I’m surprised you even get scared!”
“Nah, I’m surprised you even get scared! You dumped a paint can on that big guy Spot!” Jack chuckled, motioning with his hands, “Doesn’t beat the time you escaped Snyder by going under him! That was so cool!”
Jack rolled his eyes, “Okay, okay…we’re both cool. Now let’s patch you up, huh?”