Specs guided Oscar back to the lodging house, saying nothing as the two of them walked through the now dimly lit streets. Instead of spending just an hour or so in the restaurant like they had planned, the newsies had stayed there until past 8 o'clock. Out of the corner of his eye, Specs saw Oscar flinch at every small sound of the streets, from a particularly loud step from either of them to the yowl of a stray animal. He was shaking everywhere, and tears had begun to slip down his cheeks. Specs' eyes softened, but he made no move to comfort Oscar. They were still enemies.

A howl of laughter ripped through the air and Oscar shrieked, jumping backwards and tripping over his feet, landing on the ground with a groan. He immediately drew his knees to his chest, shaking violently and breathing irregularly, just like he had back in Tibby's. Specs watched him helplessly, wanting to help, but having no idea how. Oscar had started to sob softly and Specs felt himself kneel beside the slightly younger boy, placing a hand on his shoulder and trying to meet his eyes.

"Oscar? Hey, don't freak out on me. Do you think you can make it to the lodging house? Do you need a minute before we keep going?" Specs said hurriedly, moving so he was in front of Oscar and had hands on both of his shoulders. Oscar kept his eyes downcast and ignored Specs, looking away from him and sniffling. He hated looking weak, especially in front of someone as sweet as Specs. It made him feel vulnerable; useless. The bespectacled boy shook his head in distraught, getting to his feet and placing his hands on his hips.

"Come on Oscar, Morris is probably wondering where you are. You don't want him to worry, do you?" Specs tried. Oscar looked up at him before hesitantly getting to his feet, shoving his hands into his pockets and walking quickly into the streets. Specs followed, keeping his distance to give the depressed teen some space. Oscar's shoulders were still shaking and Specs could hear his muffled sobs no matter how hard he tried to hide them. They reached the lodging house and Oscar immediately rushed inside, running up to Morris' bed. Specs went up to his bunk, leaving the two brothers alone to talk.

"Morris, are ya still awake?" Oscar whispered warily, cautiously sitting at the edge of Morris' bed and resting a hand on his leg. Morris side and slowly turned to his side, smiling at his younger brother. His hair was mussed and the back of his head was refusing to lie flat. "Well, I is now. How was lunch?" Morris asked, using a hushed tone so no one would wake up. His smile faded as Oscar's eyes immediately began to swim with tears and he let out a loud half-sob.

"Hey, c'mere. What's da matta?" Morris said softly, extending his arms out to Oscar in a welcoming gesture. Oscar launched himself at his older brother, knocking the wind out of him and wrapping his arms around him in such a tight hug that Morris had to bite back a cry of pain. His wounds were throbbing again, but he ignored them and returned his brother's tight embrace, rubbing his back gently and resting his chin on his shoulder while he buried his face in the crook of my neck.

"At Tibby's," Oscar began, sniffling, "the men that hurt cha were there. They saw me 'n they recognized me. I'se been tellin' myself I'd beat the livin' daylights outta them when I saw them, but I got so scared and I couldn't do it. I'm so sorry, Morris," Oscar finished, squeezing his eyes shut and bracing himself for the anticipated verbal attacked. Morris had stiffened, gripping the back of Oscar's shirt tightly and his breathing hitching.

"Did they hurt'cha?" Morris asked worriedly, pulling away and resting his hands on Oscar's shoulders, looking at him far any sign of injury. Oscar blinked in confusion and slowly shook his head, still waiting anxiously. Morris sighed in relief and hugged his brother once again, smiling a little when Oscar relaxed slightly in his touch.

"I'm really, really sorry. Why ain't ya mad at me, Morris? Ain't ya upset I didn't confront 'em? That I'm a... a c-c..." Oscar shuddered and his voice trailed off. Morris' eyes softened and he shook his head, chuckling and sighing in disbelief. His brother was absolutely impossible at times.

"Nah, I ain't mad, and I don't think you'se a coward, either. There's nothin' to be sorry for, Os, I'm just glad you'se safe and ya didn't get into any trouble. I don't need ya gettin' hurt too," Morris said firmly. Oscar smiled a bit in understanding and let go of Morris, settling down on the bed and making sure to leave enough room for Morris. Morris smiled and laid down next to his brother, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

"Nothing to be sorry for," Morris murmured again before drifting off to sleep.