Thanks too:
TheCrazyUnknown and anUNDERCOVERnewsie: Thank you guys so much! And I'm so updating! So here's the third chapter for you!!
Unnamed: I love Spot too.
kellyanne: Thanks, and I just want to say that I love your stories as well, so I'm telling YOU to keep writing!
SpotLover421: You're too kind! I'm glad you like my style of writing, I never used too, but with everyone complimenting me I just might change my mind.
Chapter Three: Finding the Silver Lining
Jack woke up only after one of the younger newsies, Taylor, yelled good morning too him. Not a particularly bad way to greet the day, but he'd rather it was sometime later in the morning. His job at the Press, and the time change made him a lot more tired then he figured it would. He groaned softly and rolled over to face the opposite wall.
"Oh, no youse don'! Youse back in New York, youse is going to wake up wit da rest of us again," Race's laughing voice flooded through his ears. He pulled the blanket over Jack off of him, making him cry out slightly from the rush of cool air that slid up his barely covered body.
"I certainly didn't miss these cold mornings though, that's fer sure," Jack mumbled quietly to himself, but sat up without any other complaints.
"Sure, sure. Whatevah. 'Ay, I heard youse say Spot yesterday," Race commented, knowing that all the newsies were well on their way to the distribution center by now. Jack stretched, threw on some casual clothes and nodded.
"Yeah, Splinter dragged him and some kid, Burn, over here to met me," He answered, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes while talking.
"So, youse didn't get to talk one on one yet. . ." He trailed off, resting his eyes on Jack's face.
Jack shook his head and ran a hand through his bed head hair. "Not yet, but I'm going to Brooklyn today to see him."
"Smart man."
Jack laughed and let the smile from that linger on his face. He was looking forward to spending some 'alone' time with Spot. So they could talk, and maybe, just maybe, see where each other's feelings stand. He brain paused slightly on the thought that maybe Spot didn't like him that way anymore. That maybe, although their was no girlfriend, there might be a boyfriend somewhere. Frustrated with himself, he shook his head violently to wash out those feelings, planting the positive ones back into his mind.
"He's normally out by the docks in the morning," Race commented.
"What?"
"The docks. In Brooklyn. He goes and just sits there in the morning."
"Why?"
"He thinks better there."
"What does he think about?"
"Everything."
Jack nodded, knowing exactly by the tone of his voice, what Race was implying with that answer. He didn't comment, just pondered some himself before waving haphazardly to him and leaving the lodging house altogether.
The trek out to Brooklyn was familiar and nice in the early morning sun bathing. New York was just waking up around him and the city's sounds were like music to Jack's deprived ears. He'd missed the hustle and bustle of New York out west, things were quieter. Everyone had guns, but other than that, quiet. In fact, he had missed a lot once he was gone, and he would've come back earlier had he not had the job. Steady work. It was definitely a god-send.
He found Spot exactly where Race said he would. Sitting, by himself, almost dejectedly, on the docks. His face pitted in an expression of weariness and thoughtfulness. His clear blue eyes were clouded over and lost in images Jack couldn't see. He was leaning backward on his hands, his legs spread out and crossed at the ankles. He looked younger than his twenty-five years and it made Jack smile to see him so open. Slowly, he sneaked up on the smaller man before plopping down beside him.
"What 'cha doing out here Spotty?" He asked loud enough to break Spot's gaze and have the former newsie leader look over at him.
Spot grinned sadly, "Jist thinkin."
"Anything I can help you with?" He asked, raising an eyebrow, picking up a small pebble next to him and heaving it into the water near them.
"Maybe. . .Jack, are youse really 'ere ta stay? Seriously? Dat wasn't jist a bunch of crap ya said last night was it?" Spot suddenly said, sitting up straight and looking directly at Jack, a hopeful look gracing his features.
"Seriously, yes. Got a job at the Times. Besides, I missed this place to much. It's my home ya know?" He glanced at Spot who nodded vigorously.
"I'se know. I'se jist wanted ta know dat youse was gonna be around."
"It's been a long time hasn't it?"
"Eight years."
"Race told me you weren't involved with anyone. . . I kinda wondered about that," Jack commented casually, this time actually pinning Spot's eyes with his own.
Spot broke the look and hung his head downward slightly. "Nah. . .I ain't got nobody. Never wanted anyone. An da one person I'se did want wasn't nowheres around. 'E was out west, livin his dream. What about you? Anyone?" Again, Spot lifted his head with that hopeful look in his eyes.
"Nobody. Ever. No one can keep my attention. . .or rather, I won't let them. I think I've been ruined."
Spot laughed at this conclusion. "Ain't dat da truth! I'se been ruined since I'se was sixteen. Nine years is a long time ta be broken."
"No kidding."
Their laughter faded and Spot resorted to biting his lips nervously. Jack saw this and wondered what was bothering him. What had happened to him in the eight years he had disappeared from existence?
"Something wrong Spot?"
"Not now, it's jist, well, you know what happened at da train station when youse left?" He asked. Jack thought back quickly and nodded.
"Well, Spinner, ya remember Dodger's right hand boy, 'e, uh, SAW us. An' 'e kinda spread da woid around ta all da newsies."
Jack's eyes widened and his body stiffened as he looked at Spot who was twisting his hands. He narrowed his eyes and licked his own lips in a nervous gesture.
"So, you mean Spinner told people that I. . ."
". . .Kissed me? Yeah. Most didn't believe it. But I never said anything ta change it or deny dem or anything. So, dey, uh started being believed."
"But your boys -
"Denied it fer me. Except a couple, dey, uh, dey knew I'se loved ya. I accidentally told 'um after ya left. Dey came into da bunkhouse an saw me cryin. An' I'se was so mad and upset an'. . ." He was shaking slightly, which was enough for Jack to pull him into a tight hug. Anything to stop what might have been the beginning of tears. In turn, Spot gripped Jack's clothes and buried his head into the comforting contour of his shoulder while he gathered himself again.
"I'm sorry Spot. I am. About everything. . .but I'm back now. I'm back. And I'm not going anywhere this time. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise," He whispered soothingly into his ear, sending a tingling feeling down Spot's spine.
"But now, da rumors ain't like da way dey were. Da rumor is youse tried to force me inta somethin, an' dat youse an' I'se 'ate each udderh."
"I don't care. I know that's not what happened and you know it. And Race knows it. Who else matters?"
"But yer reputation Jack -
"I. Don't. Care," He emphasized every word, talking into Spot's thick hair.
Spot tightened his grip on Jack and squeezed his eyes shut, biting back the emotion that was thickening in his throat just from being this close to him after all these years. Jack didn't seem to mind Spot's clingyness, maybe he understood the urge as he too kept Spot wrapped up next to his body.
"I missed you," Spot said, muffled, into Jack. He heard the man talking and he smiled, lowering his mouth to just next to his ear.
"I missed you too."
Again, a shiver racked through Spot's body as Jack's breath and voice hit his ear. He looked up at Jack who was smirking down at him, knowing full well exactly the reaction he was going to get and loving every second of it. Spot returned the smile, shyly, then released his death grip on Jack's chest and shifted his hands up to Jack's shoulders, staring straight into the dark eyes he fell in love with as a teenager more than nine years earlier.
"I'se, uh, really need ya ta do somethin fer me," He said in a shuddering breath.
"Sure, what is it?"
"Kiss me."
Jack seemed slightly shocked from the strange request so Spot felt the need to explain himself more.
"It's jist dat it's been so long, an' having youse 'ere an' -
Jack put a finger over his lips, hushing the useless flow of words instantly. His eyes were silently begging Jack, but he didn't need the begging. He wanted to just as much as Spot did. Eight years was an awful long time.
He slowly replaced his finger with his lips. Kissing Spot tentatively. The kiss eventually turned more heated, gaining in passion. Spot's hand tightened on Jack's shoulders, one hand straying to the back of his neck, massaging it lightly. Jack pulled Spot closer to him until Spot was pretty much on top of his lap. From then on, everything became frenzied. Lips, tongues and heat meeting and releasing each other in a matter of mere seconds. The two finally pulled apart when one of them remembered they needed to breath.
Panting feverishly, Spot let his hands drop from Jack's hair down to his chest, while Jack let go of Spot, letting him back off of his lap. (Though not totally). Neither spoke for what seemed like hours. Just sat there quietly in each others company, trying to form coherent thoughts to say.
"That good enough for you Spot?" Jack finally said when his breathing was under control again.
"More than enough," He licked his lips without thinking and looked back up at Jack.
"So, I guess this means things are back the way they were huh?" He questioned playfully, though his undertone asking for a serious answer.
"Uh, I'se don' know Jack. . .I mean, can dey ever be back to da way dey was?" Spot countered. With this statement he watched as Jack's eyes darkened and his mouth twisted into a frown.
"What are you saying Spot?"
"I don't want people to. . .I don't know. Find out. I'se got a whole truckload of kids ta look afteah that think youse tried ta 'put da moves' on me, an' hate ya for it. I'se jist don' want somethin ta happen. . ." He trailed off, not explaining his reasoning to well.
"I see. You're scared of what a bunch of kids would think if they accidentally found out that they're great god-like hero was gay. And involved with Jack Kelly no less," Jack forcefully said, though his tone was dead calm. Much to calm. Spot couldn't detect any emotion what so ever, which meant Jack was shutting himself down. He couldn't allow that to happen.
"Jack, youse know dat ain't what I meant -
"Den what do ya mean?!" He yelled, hints of his original New York accent falling back into place. He would've smiled at that had the anger in Jack's eyes stopping him.
"You! I'se don' want ta do dis an' have ya leave me dis time because ya realized I was a passing faze. Or, dat da risk ain't worth it."
Jack sat silently, then shrugged off Spot's hands before standing back up on the dock. Spot scrambled to his feet to stand next to him. He watched as Jack sighed, then looked down at him.
"Well, you just think about all that Spot. And when you make your decision, come find me. You know where to find me. Just know that whatever you decided, I'll leave it be. But also know I don't care what you think, I do love you. I had the chance to prove to myself that I didn't time and time again, but you can't prove something that isn't real."
He left then, leaving Spot standing on the docks with a thoughtful look on his young face. His mind repeating Jack's words. That night, after he layied down to go to sleep in his cold bed, alone, his mind instantly made the decision for him, with his heart backing him up a hundred and ten percent.
He could hardly wait to tell Jack the good news.
TheCrazyUnknown and anUNDERCOVERnewsie: Thank you guys so much! And I'm so updating! So here's the third chapter for you!!
Unnamed: I love Spot too.
kellyanne: Thanks, and I just want to say that I love your stories as well, so I'm telling YOU to keep writing!
SpotLover421: You're too kind! I'm glad you like my style of writing, I never used too, but with everyone complimenting me I just might change my mind.
Chapter Three: Finding the Silver Lining
Jack woke up only after one of the younger newsies, Taylor, yelled good morning too him. Not a particularly bad way to greet the day, but he'd rather it was sometime later in the morning. His job at the Press, and the time change made him a lot more tired then he figured it would. He groaned softly and rolled over to face the opposite wall.
"Oh, no youse don'! Youse back in New York, youse is going to wake up wit da rest of us again," Race's laughing voice flooded through his ears. He pulled the blanket over Jack off of him, making him cry out slightly from the rush of cool air that slid up his barely covered body.
"I certainly didn't miss these cold mornings though, that's fer sure," Jack mumbled quietly to himself, but sat up without any other complaints.
"Sure, sure. Whatevah. 'Ay, I heard youse say Spot yesterday," Race commented, knowing that all the newsies were well on their way to the distribution center by now. Jack stretched, threw on some casual clothes and nodded.
"Yeah, Splinter dragged him and some kid, Burn, over here to met me," He answered, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes while talking.
"So, youse didn't get to talk one on one yet. . ." He trailed off, resting his eyes on Jack's face.
Jack shook his head and ran a hand through his bed head hair. "Not yet, but I'm going to Brooklyn today to see him."
"Smart man."
Jack laughed and let the smile from that linger on his face. He was looking forward to spending some 'alone' time with Spot. So they could talk, and maybe, just maybe, see where each other's feelings stand. He brain paused slightly on the thought that maybe Spot didn't like him that way anymore. That maybe, although their was no girlfriend, there might be a boyfriend somewhere. Frustrated with himself, he shook his head violently to wash out those feelings, planting the positive ones back into his mind.
"He's normally out by the docks in the morning," Race commented.
"What?"
"The docks. In Brooklyn. He goes and just sits there in the morning."
"Why?"
"He thinks better there."
"What does he think about?"
"Everything."
Jack nodded, knowing exactly by the tone of his voice, what Race was implying with that answer. He didn't comment, just pondered some himself before waving haphazardly to him and leaving the lodging house altogether.
The trek out to Brooklyn was familiar and nice in the early morning sun bathing. New York was just waking up around him and the city's sounds were like music to Jack's deprived ears. He'd missed the hustle and bustle of New York out west, things were quieter. Everyone had guns, but other than that, quiet. In fact, he had missed a lot once he was gone, and he would've come back earlier had he not had the job. Steady work. It was definitely a god-send.
He found Spot exactly where Race said he would. Sitting, by himself, almost dejectedly, on the docks. His face pitted in an expression of weariness and thoughtfulness. His clear blue eyes were clouded over and lost in images Jack couldn't see. He was leaning backward on his hands, his legs spread out and crossed at the ankles. He looked younger than his twenty-five years and it made Jack smile to see him so open. Slowly, he sneaked up on the smaller man before plopping down beside him.
"What 'cha doing out here Spotty?" He asked loud enough to break Spot's gaze and have the former newsie leader look over at him.
Spot grinned sadly, "Jist thinkin."
"Anything I can help you with?" He asked, raising an eyebrow, picking up a small pebble next to him and heaving it into the water near them.
"Maybe. . .Jack, are youse really 'ere ta stay? Seriously? Dat wasn't jist a bunch of crap ya said last night was it?" Spot suddenly said, sitting up straight and looking directly at Jack, a hopeful look gracing his features.
"Seriously, yes. Got a job at the Times. Besides, I missed this place to much. It's my home ya know?" He glanced at Spot who nodded vigorously.
"I'se know. I'se jist wanted ta know dat youse was gonna be around."
"It's been a long time hasn't it?"
"Eight years."
"Race told me you weren't involved with anyone. . . I kinda wondered about that," Jack commented casually, this time actually pinning Spot's eyes with his own.
Spot broke the look and hung his head downward slightly. "Nah. . .I ain't got nobody. Never wanted anyone. An da one person I'se did want wasn't nowheres around. 'E was out west, livin his dream. What about you? Anyone?" Again, Spot lifted his head with that hopeful look in his eyes.
"Nobody. Ever. No one can keep my attention. . .or rather, I won't let them. I think I've been ruined."
Spot laughed at this conclusion. "Ain't dat da truth! I'se been ruined since I'se was sixteen. Nine years is a long time ta be broken."
"No kidding."
Their laughter faded and Spot resorted to biting his lips nervously. Jack saw this and wondered what was bothering him. What had happened to him in the eight years he had disappeared from existence?
"Something wrong Spot?"
"Not now, it's jist, well, you know what happened at da train station when youse left?" He asked. Jack thought back quickly and nodded.
"Well, Spinner, ya remember Dodger's right hand boy, 'e, uh, SAW us. An' 'e kinda spread da woid around ta all da newsies."
Jack's eyes widened and his body stiffened as he looked at Spot who was twisting his hands. He narrowed his eyes and licked his own lips in a nervous gesture.
"So, you mean Spinner told people that I. . ."
". . .Kissed me? Yeah. Most didn't believe it. But I never said anything ta change it or deny dem or anything. So, dey, uh started being believed."
"But your boys -
"Denied it fer me. Except a couple, dey, uh, dey knew I'se loved ya. I accidentally told 'um after ya left. Dey came into da bunkhouse an saw me cryin. An' I'se was so mad and upset an'. . ." He was shaking slightly, which was enough for Jack to pull him into a tight hug. Anything to stop what might have been the beginning of tears. In turn, Spot gripped Jack's clothes and buried his head into the comforting contour of his shoulder while he gathered himself again.
"I'm sorry Spot. I am. About everything. . .but I'm back now. I'm back. And I'm not going anywhere this time. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise," He whispered soothingly into his ear, sending a tingling feeling down Spot's spine.
"But now, da rumors ain't like da way dey were. Da rumor is youse tried to force me inta somethin, an' dat youse an' I'se 'ate each udderh."
"I don't care. I know that's not what happened and you know it. And Race knows it. Who else matters?"
"But yer reputation Jack -
"I. Don't. Care," He emphasized every word, talking into Spot's thick hair.
Spot tightened his grip on Jack and squeezed his eyes shut, biting back the emotion that was thickening in his throat just from being this close to him after all these years. Jack didn't seem to mind Spot's clingyness, maybe he understood the urge as he too kept Spot wrapped up next to his body.
"I missed you," Spot said, muffled, into Jack. He heard the man talking and he smiled, lowering his mouth to just next to his ear.
"I missed you too."
Again, a shiver racked through Spot's body as Jack's breath and voice hit his ear. He looked up at Jack who was smirking down at him, knowing full well exactly the reaction he was going to get and loving every second of it. Spot returned the smile, shyly, then released his death grip on Jack's chest and shifted his hands up to Jack's shoulders, staring straight into the dark eyes he fell in love with as a teenager more than nine years earlier.
"I'se, uh, really need ya ta do somethin fer me," He said in a shuddering breath.
"Sure, what is it?"
"Kiss me."
Jack seemed slightly shocked from the strange request so Spot felt the need to explain himself more.
"It's jist dat it's been so long, an' having youse 'ere an' -
Jack put a finger over his lips, hushing the useless flow of words instantly. His eyes were silently begging Jack, but he didn't need the begging. He wanted to just as much as Spot did. Eight years was an awful long time.
He slowly replaced his finger with his lips. Kissing Spot tentatively. The kiss eventually turned more heated, gaining in passion. Spot's hand tightened on Jack's shoulders, one hand straying to the back of his neck, massaging it lightly. Jack pulled Spot closer to him until Spot was pretty much on top of his lap. From then on, everything became frenzied. Lips, tongues and heat meeting and releasing each other in a matter of mere seconds. The two finally pulled apart when one of them remembered they needed to breath.
Panting feverishly, Spot let his hands drop from Jack's hair down to his chest, while Jack let go of Spot, letting him back off of his lap. (Though not totally). Neither spoke for what seemed like hours. Just sat there quietly in each others company, trying to form coherent thoughts to say.
"That good enough for you Spot?" Jack finally said when his breathing was under control again.
"More than enough," He licked his lips without thinking and looked back up at Jack.
"So, I guess this means things are back the way they were huh?" He questioned playfully, though his undertone asking for a serious answer.
"Uh, I'se don' know Jack. . .I mean, can dey ever be back to da way dey was?" Spot countered. With this statement he watched as Jack's eyes darkened and his mouth twisted into a frown.
"What are you saying Spot?"
"I don't want people to. . .I don't know. Find out. I'se got a whole truckload of kids ta look afteah that think youse tried ta 'put da moves' on me, an' hate ya for it. I'se jist don' want somethin ta happen. . ." He trailed off, not explaining his reasoning to well.
"I see. You're scared of what a bunch of kids would think if they accidentally found out that they're great god-like hero was gay. And involved with Jack Kelly no less," Jack forcefully said, though his tone was dead calm. Much to calm. Spot couldn't detect any emotion what so ever, which meant Jack was shutting himself down. He couldn't allow that to happen.
"Jack, youse know dat ain't what I meant -
"Den what do ya mean?!" He yelled, hints of his original New York accent falling back into place. He would've smiled at that had the anger in Jack's eyes stopping him.
"You! I'se don' want ta do dis an' have ya leave me dis time because ya realized I was a passing faze. Or, dat da risk ain't worth it."
Jack sat silently, then shrugged off Spot's hands before standing back up on the dock. Spot scrambled to his feet to stand next to him. He watched as Jack sighed, then looked down at him.
"Well, you just think about all that Spot. And when you make your decision, come find me. You know where to find me. Just know that whatever you decided, I'll leave it be. But also know I don't care what you think, I do love you. I had the chance to prove to myself that I didn't time and time again, but you can't prove something that isn't real."
He left then, leaving Spot standing on the docks with a thoughtful look on his young face. His mind repeating Jack's words. That night, after he layied down to go to sleep in his cold bed, alone, his mind instantly made the decision for him, with his heart backing him up a hundred and ten percent.
He could hardly wait to tell Jack the good news.