Disclaimer: I do not own "Newsies" or any of the genius associated to them. Disney owns them, no infringement intended. I am not making money from this in any way, I claim no rights to the characters mentioned from the movie, but I do claim the plot and the ideas surrounding this story. Don't steal, don't sue, and I'm sure we will all be grand friends.

A/N: You know how some stories just are emotionally draining as you write them? Like part of your soul is being ripped out piece by tiny piece with each word you write? Yeah. That is what this story does to me. Yuck.

Warning: PG-13 (mild language, adult situations)

Chapter 7

vii.)
drought begs attention (he makes her beg)
his veils are drawn TIGHT & thin
the more they find – the less they know
life is easier based on hypothesis
she's misplaced her car keys (& her heart)
& her truth detector

He hasn't cried in 30irty-2wo days and the dry spell has taken its toll. She craves his kindness(not just his body and definitely not his pity). She wants the words of praise which she knows he holds. In his tears she can taste them, and she wants more. She wants all of him, but he's spread too thin. However,he's too close to her now to hide all of his secrets. Thankfully(but thankfully for whom?) he has his escapes from her (Oz is never far – neither is a seat-belt-clad make-out session). If he couldn't get her to fade then he would.

The pink and purple lights he installed around their apartment hides the bruises where needles have pierced his skin. Sometimes markers weren't fast or hard enough and he knew who he had to kiss (or cum inside) to get what he wanted. Boy Anachronism knows just how much a smirk and some serious sex appeal can do. His reputation helps. All he has to do is give out his number and recognition (hunger) registers on unsavory faces. Just like the bathrooms - gender doesn't really matter (as long as he gets what he wants).

It is incomprehensible to him that Girl Explicit hasn't left yet (why hasn't she?). He isn't quiet with his affairs and even brings them to their apartment, but she ignores it. She is waiting until she can have him completely and it scares him. Everyone else has left him before her. Why should she be any different? He's never been one to walk away, and takes pride in always breaking them before they break him (his heart stays in tact because he sold it at a pawn shop for 15fteen dollars). Driving them away(and/or)crazy gives him the anger he needs for his lifestyle. Walking out always added to the guilt he didn't need (he already has a surplus). This time he is staying so he can remain cool, cunning, and cruel.

"You're ruining my life." He whispers against her mouth.

"I'd save you if you let me." She promises. He laughs in caustic amusement.

It's a strange kind of self-obligation and she's stayed out of stubbornness (she's sure that he can make this work). There's a little something more on her side though. She doesn't call it love anymore(he's killed that girlish fantasy). There were(and/or)are things about Boy Anachronism which she loved. That was true, but she was growing more and more confused as to which things really were Boy Anachronism and which were the lies he cleverly painted. The chameleon hair, chipped nails, flamboyant clothes, and tempest filled eyes distract from what was underneath with swirling colors and seductive charm – but she isn't complaining. She is just confused. However, his ability to flirt his way into any club and talk (sleep?) his way out of any tough situation has lost its novelty.

If she stripped away all of his black cherry smiles, sugar coated barbs, twisted perspectives, preambles, and pretenses would she still want him the way she did? Would she still want to suck his kiss and trace his treasure maps? Is she in love with the Boy Anachronism - or the idea of him? Either way – he'd lied to her so many times that she wasn't sure she even knew who he was. How could she?

He didn't even know himself.

A/N: Thanks to stress, Purple Rhapsody, xoborogrlxo, Tatsiana, and midnight1899 for your lovely reviews.

3 chapters and it goes downhill from here. I may be sticking this in the M section soon. It is getting a little dark for T - don't you think?