December 19th, 1900

____

The next few days left Crutchie swelled with guilt, along with many, many questions.

(Y/N) hadn't spoken to, or even looked in his direction since he gave her that hug. He often found himself outside her door, but always stopped himself when he was about to knock.

Hell, even her dog seemed mad at him! She would growl, bark, and bear her teeth whenever she got the chance.

Making things worse, though, was the fact that (Y/N) had been hanging around Race an awful lot lately. He never heard much of their conversations, but it was usually Race flirting while (Y/N) turned it back to a platonic conversation.

To sum it up, things were bad. How had he messed up this much?

He had tried to get the other newsboys to help, but most were just as clueless on the matter as he, aside from Jack, who didn't exactly give the best advice, and Race - did he even need a reason not to ask him about (Y/N)?

So Crutchie kept on with his week, sold his papes, and did the usual without confiding to anybody. He felt like he would explode soon, though.

Very soon, to be precise. Every day he saw (Y/N) walking to her spot. He would consider going up to her and striking up a conversation, but then Race would appear, as if out of nowhere and the two would chat.

Race. He was a friend of Jack's, but Crutchie didn't know all that much about him, besides the fact he liked to gamble at the horse races and that he was infamous for seducing more girls then one could count on two hands.

He seemed to be all over (Y/N) these days, yet somehow (Y/N) looked as if she hadn't caught on to his shameless flirting, which Crutchie only knew about from Jack, who kept him posted on the situation.

Jack had been a life saver these past few days. Crutchie would confide in him, and even though he didn't give the best advice, it was advice.

He would tell him to smile at (Y/N), make eye contact, and all that jazz. Crutchie often listened, but it failed to get (Y/N)'s attention. Either that, or she was ignoring him.

But if she was ignoring him, he had to get to the bottom of it - and soon, or else he was surely doomed to never speak to (Y/N) again!

How would he figure out how to get to the bottom of it if he didn't talk to her, though? He had a million questions to ask her - maybe more!

Before he could ask those questions, though, he needed to go to Jack for help - he knew all about girls (at least, Crutchie assumed he did. He was dating one, after all!)

He shook his head a few times, clearing his mind of these questions and thoughts and regrets swirling around. He glanced around the street, which was becoming emptier and darker by the minute. He only had a single paper left to sell, and he planned on getting to the lodging center soon.

Shouldering his bag, he hobbled off to the lodging center, praying to god that (Y/N) wouldn't be there yet.

____

Jack sat on his cot at the lodging center, ready to hit the hay. He had a long day of selling papers and was more then ready to rest. The center was empty, besides him - there was a show at Meddea's, and all the newsboys had gone there, besides him.

"Jack!" A voice shouted at the entrance, making Jack groan. All he wanted was a day with no disturbances - was that too much to ask?

"Jack!" The voice yelled again, getting closer.

"I can hear ya!" He snapped back loudly, causing the voice to near faster.

Soon enough, Crutchie came into view, sweat trickling down his forehead.

"Crutchie? I thought yous was at the show!" Jack exclaimed, scooting aside on his cot so Crutchie could sit next to him.

Hobbling over, panting, Crutchie sat next to Jack on the bed and let his Crutch rest against the wall. He took a few breaths and recomposed himself before beginning.

"Jack, ies made a huge mistake." Crutchie said, worry in his eyes.

"What kinda' mistake?" Jack inquired, raising an eyebrow. "Did ya kill someone?" Jack continued, obviously irritated at the thought.

He was not in the mood to bury a body right now.

"No, no, I ain't killin' people. I'es made a mistake with a goil.." He mumbled, causing Jack to wolf whistle. Crutchie punched his arm in the fashion young boys do on eachother's birthdays.

"Lemme explain.."

Crutchie then went on to explain everything to Jack, and made him swear on Kathrine's life not to tell a single soul - if (Y/N) found out he had been telling people, he'd be dead.

"Damn, yous really messed up, by the looks'v'e it." Jack said with a sympathetic smile on his face.

"I cant have messed dis' up! (Y/N) is special ta me-"

Jack wolf whistled.

"You got yourself a torch, Crutchie!" Jack said earnestly, Crutchie's face going bright red.

"A-ain't no way in heaven or hell I'es got a torch for ha'!" He replied, hiding his blush.

Jack rolled his eyes, but knew he would have to explain to Crutchie that he did, in fact, carry a torch for (Y/N).

"Crutchie, when yous around her, does ya insides turn ta' mush?" jack asked out of the blue.

"Wha?"

"Jus' ansa."

"Uh, i'es guess so. My heart also starts'a pound-in, and i'es is always worried I'm gonna mess up infronta her!" He practically shouted. "But that's jus' caus shes is mad at me."

Jack sighed, rubbing his temples. This was going to be hard.

"What about her?" Jack probed.

"Whaddya mean?" Crutchie replied, awfully confused.

"I'es mean, do ya think shes all dat, an' a cup'a coffee?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

Crutchie had to think on that one.

He certainly thought she was pretty, no doubt. She had fine facial features, a good figure, and an interesting character. He genuinely enjoyed being around her, and he loved listening to her read.

Though, he thought back to the day that he couldn't stop looking at her face, only a day or two ago. He thought that her face was the most beautiful thing in the world, like a beacon of hope for him.

"Oh god.." He murmured, barely audible. "I'es think she's all dat, an' two cups'a coffee!"

A/n
this chapter took forever to get out huh

also?? please someone write more newsies x readers?? I feel a great sense of dread being one of the only ppl here who actively updates their newsies x reader (despite others also updating theirs, this isn't for u) but like id also love to read them and get inspo bc 90% of the fanfic i read is for inspiration and less for entertainment

anyways

beans dims Michaelmas!