June 1899

"Sometimes I think he likes me, an' other times, he don't know I's even exist," Feister sighed as she kicked up a rock. It was something Kid Blink had heard countless times. The first time Feister started talking to him about her little crush, it was kind of a shock. Feister isn't the type of girl to talk about her feelings. But of course, Kid Blink never said anything. He knew the feelings Feister were getting were all new to her, and while she is good at hiding them, she can't keep them locked up forever.

Feister never named names of course, but it didn't even take a second for Kid Blink to figure out that it was a certain newsie, who, without a doubt took a liking to her as well. And while there is all the teasing and taunting that's been said and done about this subject. Kid Blink knew that Mush and Feister are two souls who were without a doubt made for each other. Only problem is actually getting them together.

"Like I's told ya fore Feisty," Kid Blink said. "Guys are slow when it comes ta goils. But once we's get our big boy pants on, there's no stoppin' us!" he said happily. But, Feister continued to keep her eyes on the ground as she kicked up a rock.

"Ya sure bout that?" Feister asked quietly as she walked up the steps to the Lodging House. "Cause last I's remembered, when he likes some goil, he goes for it. If he really did like me, he woulda made a move by now." the two of them walked inside and proceeded to sign their names into the ledger and paid for the nightly fee.

Kid Blink thought for a few moments as he and Feister walked up the staircase. Sadly, Blink knew Feister was right about that. He wanted to say that Mush does care about her, and that it's hard to come clean with these feelings for someone he's known his entire life! But, as always, Kid Blink had to play dumb by pretending he didn't know who her so called crush was.

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"Ok, you can do it," Mush said to himself as he walked up the staircase. "Just go ahead an' say, "Feisty, would ya, maybe wanna go out...sometime? No, that sounds stupid." Mush took his cap off and ran a hand through his hair while trying to think of a better, clear way to ask Feister out. Or at least get the fact he likes her out into the air.

It must've been either due to stress or slight dehydration, because in that moment, Mush saw two smaller versions of himself. The one on the right was dressed in white, had a little halo and wings. The one on the left was in red with horns and a tiny fork thing. "Oh, for the love of papes," he mumbled to himself. "Not you two." it wasn't the first time this has happened, and by the looks of things, it wasn't going to be the last. Angel him and devil him were never any help in the matter. So why would now be any different?

"You betcha big fella," the little devil said. "Now, why are ya wastin' time with this goil for, huh? I mean, why would she go for a guy like you? You'se should be happy she even tawks ta ya everyday. But I's highly doubt a goil like 'er will go for a ladies man like you'se. Do I's need ta remind ya bout the countless goils ya dated?"

"Yeah...why would she go for - OW!" Mush exclaimed because angel him had given him a hard slap on the cheek. Before floating over to his ear and yelled, "This goil is the most important person ta ever walk in ta yer pathetic little life!"

"Thought you'se was the nice one!" Mush said as he waved the angel way from his ear.

"He woke up on the wrong side of the cloud this mornin'," the little devil replied simply.

"Don't listen ta that ball of hot air!" the angel exclaimed. "It's so obvious that you'se like 'er, she likes you'se back. Both of ya are oblivious love sick puppies." the little angel floated up to Mush's face and yelled, "So march on up ta that goil, look 'er in those eyes, without gettin' lost in 'em an' say Feister Johnson, I's loved ya since the day we's met! An' I's was wonderin' if ya wanted ta go out sometime!"

"Easier said than done!" Mush exclaimed. He went on a mini rant about how telling Feister how he really feels was a bad idea. The angel pointed out that if he didn't make his move soon, someone else would. The devil didn't have much to say on the matter besides suggesting that Mush getting himself another girl to make Feister jealous. And if it didn't work out with her, then hey, he has a girl in the end either way. Mush dismissed both ideas of course. There was no way he was going to do that. He wasn't about to risk getting Feister of all people jealous. And with that, Mush began to walk up the final few steps when he heard something...interesting.

"Look Feisty, yer an amazin' goil." that was without a doubt Kid Blink's voice. Mush took the last few steps up, and what he saw, he didn't like. Kid Blink and Feister were standing in front of each other. Blink had his hands on Feister's shoulders, and she had that look on her face. "Smart, funny, ya gotta big heart, yer pretty an' one of a kind. I's dunno many goils who can soak a bum-"

"An' I's gonna soak yer bum!" needless to say, things got out of hand. In the next few moments. Mush and Kid Blink were rolling around on the floor, going at it. The other newsies were quick to jump into the scene and try to pull the two boys apart. It took awhile, but soon Mush and Kid Blink were separated. With Mush being held back by Race and Tommy boy, while Kid Blink was leaning on Specs for support.

"What the hell were you'se thinkin' Mush?!" Jack exclaimed as he threw his arms into the air.

"What don't ya ask Blink," Mush spat. "Seein' he's the one-"

"Whaddya tawkin' bout?" Kid Blink cut off.

"Oh, don't play dumb, ya know what ya did," Mush replied.

"You'se the one who's finally lost it-" and with those words. Mush broke free of Race and Tommy's grip. But before anything could happen, someone yanked the back of his shirt. Another hand grabbed onto Kid Blink's and proceeded to drag the two boys away to the other side of the room where they washed up every morning. In a matter of moments, the two boys were flung into a closet.

"You'se ain't leavin' this closet till ya make up, ya hear?" Feister shouted before slamming the door shut. Both Mush and Kid Blink took one look at each other as if to say the same thing. They sprinted up from the floor and rushed to the door. Blink tried turning the knob to get the door to open. Only problem was, the knob would budge, but the door wouldn't.

"C'mon Feisty! Let us out!" Mush yelled as he banged the side of his fists on the wooden door.

"Not till ya ladies make up!" Feister shouted from the other side. The two boys tried all their might to open the door. But, even with both of them pushing, it wouldn't budge. Soon enough, they gave up in defeat and sat down on the ground.

"Great, now I's stuck in here with you'se," Mush said as he pushed his back to the door.

"This wouldn't have happened ya if didn't finally lose yer head!" Kid Blink exclaimed.

"I's didn't lose my head!" Mush exclaimed. "Yer the one who don't know how ta keep his eyes in their sockets!"

From the outside the two boys could hear Feister say that if anyone were to let them out, they'd be next in line to get locked in. So, chances of getting out anytime soon was the only thing walking out the door. Both boys -still a little hot headed from their little brawl - started to go at it once more. But it was kind of hard considering the size of the closet. So after awhile they gave up on that and resulted to trading insults back and fourth. This went on for hours. Some of the newsies yelled at them to either shut up, or make up so they can get out sooner. But sadly, Mush and Blink were both too stubborn to do either.

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Heavy snores could be heard, with occasional mumbling every now and then from outside the door. The light hanging above flickered every now and then. Mush and Kid Blink didn't have anymore insults to throw at each other. So they sat on opposite sides of the small closet, facing away from the other. Both boys knew that by morning, Feister would let them out. Or at least they hoped she would. After all, Feister did say that she wouldn't let them out until they made up. Hopefully, one of the other boys would either talk some sense into her, or, open the door themselves.

Mush was lost in thought when all of a sudden, the little angel and devil appeared on his shoulders. "Seriously?!" Mush shouted, making Kid Blink pop his head up.

"Ain't this a perdictment ya got yourself into," the little devil said casually. "So, here's what yer gonna go big fella. As soon as ya get outta this stinken closet, you'se walk right up ta Feisty, an' kiss 'er right then an' there ta show she's yer goil, an' yers only. Oh, an' be sure not ta chicken out this time, alright? Cause even though I's just one half of yer subconscious, it's painful for me ta watch this, ya ding-a-ling!"

"An' how do ya think I's feel?!" Mush asked.

"Um...I's dunno," Kid Blink replied shyly. And maybe a little bit concerned for Mush's health, because talking to nothing is a little...unusual.

Mush looked over to his right shoulder and asked, "Don't you'se got anythin' ta say?"

The little angel shrugged. "Not much ta say, sides maybe not be so aggressively protective. Ya don't wanna come off as a-"

"Obsessive love sick monkey," the devil put blatantly , "She's still human ya know."

"I's ain't a aggressively protective monkey!"

"Should I's go bang on the door an' get someone ta let us out so you'se can find help?" Kid Blink asked worriedly.

"What? No! I's was tawkin' ta 'em!" Mush exclaimed as he pointed to his shoulders. Kid Blink raised an eyebrow, with a slightly worried face. He didn't see anything but the fabric of Mush's shirt. "Ya seriously don't see 'em?!" silence. "Forget it," Mush said as he slumped back. He sighed heavily and rubbed his forehead. This whole mess was finally getting to him. Mush cared about Feister a lot. More than he lets on even. But when it comes to actually getting his feelings out for her, specifically, it's a complete, and utterly lost cause.

"Not to confuse ya anymore, but..." the little angel said, appearing once again. "Seein' Feisty happy, makes you'se happy, an' if bein' with Blink makes 'er happy, then shouldn't ya let 'em be together?"

Mush groaned. He hated his "to do the right thing" side. But it also had a point..."H-hey Blink," Mush said quietly. He not only hated doing this, but it also physically hurt from head to toe. "Whatever ya do, just don't hurt 'er. Or, I's will actually kill yer sorry bum."

"Whaddya tawkin' bout?" Kid Blink asked in a confused tone.

"With Feisty," Mush replied sheepishly. "I's saw you'se tellin' 'er how-" Mush had to take a second to get the words out of his throat. Because even though Feister is a pretty girl. It's weird when it's not his words. "Pretty she is. An' I's swear if you'se-"

"Wait, you'se thought?" Kid Blink asked in a shocked tone before bursting out into laughter.

"Would ya stop laughin' so I's can finish threatenin' ya?" Mush asked angrily. "This ain't nothin' ta be laughin' bout ya know. Cause I's serious bout soakin' ya if you'se break 'er heart! She's the sweetest goil I's ever met. An' while she don't show 'er real feelings, there's this - I's dunno how ta explain it. She's had a rough past -"

"Mush!" Kid Blink exclaimed. "I's ain't in love with Feisty!" he yelled before Mush could utter another word. "We's was just-" he had to stop himself. After all, Kid Blink swore on his life that he wouldn't let a single word of any of their talks to the other boys out into the air. "She was just down in the dumps an' I's was makin' 'er feel better. Ya know how she is." Blink hoped that Mush would get the memo, because he really didn't want to die that night. "Sides, I's would never make a move on yer goil."

"She ain't my goil!" Mush replied.

"Please," Kid Blink said plainly. "It's so obvious ya gotta huge crush on that goil. Stop tryin' ta hide it from everyone, an' just make yer move already."

"I's don't have a crush on Feisty, alright? Sides, even if I's did, what would happen? Say she didn't like me back, then what? Our whole friendship would be ruined."

Kid Blink mentally groaned to himself. Sometimes he wished Mush would stop being such a worry wort and make a move already. It's pretty clear that Feister feels the same. Yet, both of them don't see it. "C'mon Mush. Don't hide yer feelings for Feisty. We's all know ya got it real bad. An' don't deny it, you'se wouldn't have attacked me if ya didn't."

"Maybe I's just protective of my little sistah," Mush replied.

"Don't ya mean future wife," Kid Blink teased. Mush grabbed his cap and threw it at Blink in annoyance. But Blink continued with the teasing. "Feister Meyers. Has a nice ring ta it, don't ya think? Ya know, Claire Meyers also has a nice ring as well. Speakin' of which, when's yer weddin'-" and before Kid Blink could finish Mush went in to tackle him. This turned into playful rough housing for a little bit, until both boys wore themselves out. After a few moments of heavy breathing in silence, Kid Blink asked, "So, whaddya gonna name yer first child?" Mush's reply was a hard punch in the shoulder. "Feisty's rubbin' off on ya," Blink chuckled.

"Hey Blink, sorry bout attackin' ya earlier, an' gettin' us thrown in here," Mush said.

"In the past," Kid Blink replied. "I's would've done the same if I's caught you'se flirtin' with my goil."

"She ain't my goil," Mush reminded.

"Keep tellin' yourself that," Kid Blink thought.

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"Rise an' shine ladies! Don't worry bout yer beauty sleep, otherwise it woulda worked a long time ago!" Feister yelled as she kicked Mush and Kid Blink awake until they jolted up. She had to hold back a laugh when she saw their stupidly looking faces and messy hair. But she also took notice of the little scuffs and scabs on their faces, indicating there was a little battle before they made up. Or at least she hoped they did, otherwise there was going to be a problem on her hands. And Feister was sure Jack wouldn't let her leave them both in there for the day.

"Are ya lettin' us out?" they both asked sleepily.

"Did ya make up?" Feister asked in a serious tone. Both boys nodded with a half smile on their face. Feister smiled herself as she said, "Ok, now that's outta the way. Go get off yer lazy little bums an' get ready fore I's come in with a bucket of cold water ta wash away that smell!" and with those words, Mush and Kid Blink scrambled up onto their feet and ran out of the closet. Feister shook her head as she picked up their fallen caps and walked out of the closet.

"I's should stick Race an' Al in there when they's get into an argument," Jack said with a cheeky grin and crossed arms as Feister walked up to him. Before the smaller girl could answer, the nightmare twins started to fight. And by fight, I mean they actually started to attack each other, then rolled onto the floor and started wrestling. Specs and Finch went to pull them apart, and held them back. But that didn't stop Race and Albert from trying to smack each other by waving their hands up and down while turning their heads away so they wouldn't get brain damage. But, then again, has Race and Albert ever actually used their brain cells? Probably not.

"Hey! I's finally figured out Al's family tree! They's a bunch of leprechauns!" Race yelled out loud.

"At least I's didn't come from a family of pigs that don't keep their trap shut!" Albert replied. The two of them continued to trade insults until they ran out.

"Nah," Feister replied as she watched the rather entertaining scene. "They's have their own way of makin' up." with that being said she ran over to where Mush and Kid Blink were and asked, "Missin' somethin' ladies?" as she held their caps by the tip of her fingers. Both boys rolled their eyes at the term "ladies", but it's Feister, so what can ya do? Feister then slapped Blink's cap on his head, then turned to Mush and ruffled his hair as she said, "Get a haircut, will ya."

"Lend me twenty-five cents so I's can," Mush teased.

"Ha! Like any barber shop will cut hair for a quarter. Go find yourself some scissors an' do somethin' productive for once instead of makin' out with yer pillow," Feister finished with a smirk on her face.

"You'se don't know that!" Mush defended.

Kid Blink heavily sighed as he watched the two lovebirds banter back and fourth. "All is right with the woild again," he thought as they continued to go at it. These two hopeless newsies were the perfect match if Blink said so himself. They look at each other in some special way. Like a whole other language only the two of them understand. There was no telling that Blink knew Mush was on the verge of finally coming clean. It wasn't hard to figure out considering last night's events. Though he wasn't sure how close Feister was to breaking. If she was, then she was doing a good job at hiding it. Yes, she rants about how the guy she likes doesn't like her back and how Mush is a complete idiot for going after some girl that will probably break his heart like all the others (Blink can't help but hide a smirk at that) and say IF she was one of those girls, she wouldn't think twice about breaking his heart. Sadly, only time could tell when they would make it official.

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Kid Blink was standing on the fire escape with Feister as she ranted about her crush. It wasn't anything he hasn't heard before to say the least. But, Blink still listened like this was the first time it was happening. It was painful since it's so obvious Feister's little "crush" feels the exact same way about her. Yet, he did what any big brother would do when his little sister was in a mood.

"I's wish there was a sign that he likes me back, ya know?" Feister sighed.

"He wouldn't have soaked me if he didn't have the sweets for ya you oblivious child! I's swear yer blinder than Specs without his glasses!" Kid Blink thought. "Guys are all tawk, but when it comes ta the goil they's crazy bout, they's tounge tied."

"How would ya know if he's crazy bout me?" Feister asked. "Ya don't know who he is."

"I's was the one who found 'im shiverin' in a box!" Blink yelled in his head. "Had ta lug the tired little sucker twelve blocks. In the rain!" Kid Blink really wanted to say what he was thinking out loud. But of course, he kept his mouth shut. "Don't worry Feisty, yer a great goil, an' I's sure who ever this sorry little bummer is, he'll finally open up his big trap on how he feels bout ya." that was obviously a mental slap to Mush than to reassure Feister.

"Do ya have a death wish or somethin'?" a playful voice asked. Feister and Kid Blink turned around to see Mush was now on the fire escape with them. Mush walked over to the railing and wedge his way between his two friends.

"Yeah," Kid Blink replied. "I's was just bout ta come clean on how I's want Feisty ta be my first mate," he teased with a smirk.

"Sorry Captain Blink, but this little beauty is already taken," Mush teased back as he slung an arm around Feister to pull her closer.

"Aww, go tell yer pillow that lover boy," Feister replied as she lightly tapped Mush's nose.

Kid Blink groaned as he said, " You'se two are so in love, it's sickin'."

"We are not in love!" Mush and Feister yelled as they pulled away from each other.

"That's the biggest lie of yer lives an' you'se both know it!" Kid Blink stated seriously.

"Face it Blinky! I's ain't in love with Mush for brains!" Feister stated as she crossed her arms.

"Yeah! Feisty's like a little sistah ta me. An' why would I's date my sistah fore?" Mush added. The two - hopeless in love - newsies took once glance at each other. Even though it was a quick glance, it felt like hours had passed. The words they said had no meaning. Of course she was in love with him. Of course he'd risk spilling his feelings for his sister like friend. But, it wasn't that simple. Their strong friendship got in the way of how they really felt about each other. And it was a painful sight to watch.

"Open yer eyes!" Kid Blink exclaimed. He obviously caught on to that little glance his hopeless friends shared. And enough was enough. Someone had to set these lovebirds straight. "You'se two are so in love that it's painful ta watch! It's so obvious that you'se have a crush on each other! So quit lyin' ta yourselves an' just kiss already! Seriously! It's drivin' me crazy watchin' you'se two not confess an' act all lovey dovey. It's so obvious you'se was actually made for each other! C'mon, I's see the way you'se look at each other! You'se actually get lost with just one look in the eyes! So just freakin' kiss fore I's squish ya together!"

"Hey Feisty, I's just remembered bout that thing we's gotta do," Mush said in slightly nervous tone.

"Oh yeah, I's remember now," Feister replied playing along. "Let's go do that fore the sun goes down. Ya know how much Jack worries if we's out too late." and with that being said, Mush and Feister scurried down the fire escape, into the alleyway and ran into the street as fast as they could.

"You'se two are in love an' ya can't escape that!" Kid Blink yelled as he leaned over the railing as his friends ran away.

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Author's note

You've got to give Blink a clap on the back for being the middle man for the lovebirds. Though you can't blame him for cracking at the very end, everyone (including myself) at these two oblivious children for not admitting they like each other and to just kiss already. But at the end of the day Kid Blink did good work in trying to knock some sense into Mush and Feisty. I kind of miss the whole "hopeless crush" because I've built that up for two years, and it's strange not to be doing it anymore, but I'm also relieved that they're finally together. Overall I enjoyed writing this one shot a lot, (especially the angel/devil bit) and how it turned out in the end. It focused more on Mush and Blink's friendship rather than the Meister ship. This is also my last per-planned draft I have in store, a little sad, but it also means my younger Feister story is officially dropping on June first! I can't wait show you guys how Feister became a newsie and formed a special bond with Mush. If there's anything you'd like to see feel free to tell me. Hope you enjoyed it, thanks for reading and I'll see you all soon.