Title: A Different Kind Of Lesson.

Summary: Davey needs Jack to teach him another of his many skills. Jack is surprised and a little amused. But only a little.

Warnings: None.

Notes: None.

OoOoO

Jack and David sat side by side on the ground, talking quietly among themselves as they keep an eye on Les. The youngest Jacobs had insisted on selling their last few papes by himself, so the older boys were taking a moment of rest before they had to go buy the World's afternoon edition and go back to selling.

Everything was nice and quiet- at least until David asked that question.

"Jack?"

Jack shook his head, realizing he must have been staring for too long without saying anything. He scanned the street until he spotted Les and then turned to the oldest Jacobs with a bemused expression on his face.

"What did you just said?"

David frowned. "You know what I said."

"I dunno. I must have heard you wrong 'cause there's no way you said what I think you said."

David rolled his eyes before his gaze turned to his little brother. He followed his movements without saying anything for a moment and then sighed, turning back to the boy at his side. "I asked if you can teach me how to fight."

Jack stared at him, his expression curious and with just a touch of amusement. "Thought you didn't like fighting."

"I don't," He confirmed quickly. "But you know there are a lot of people on the streets who don't feel the same way and like going around picking fights with whoever they find, so I think I should at least know how to throw a punch or something."

"Someone giving you trouble, Davey?"

"What? No. I just- You remember what happened with the Delancys."

Jack's expression turned serious in a blink. "Yeah, I do."

David averted his eyes as he remembered the panic that hid behind Sara's angry expression and the terror that filled Les' eyes before Jack arrived. "I just want to be able to defend myself and my family if something like that happens again. I can't expect you to come save me every time," He added with a small smile.

"Why not?"

He blinked at Jack. "Well, for one thing, it's not your job to keep us safe. Besides, you can't be with us all the time in case something happens."

Les started waving their way as a young couple walked away from where the boy stood, few dimes short and with a pape in the young man's hand. Jack waved back with a grin on his face, chuckling softly as Les hurried to search for a new customer.

"So, are you going to help me or not?"

Jack turned his attention back to the boy at his side. "Guess I can try but I'se not that good at that stuff."

"What are you talking about!?" David exclaimed, blue eyes wide. "I've see you fight before and you're more than good."

"I'se more than good, huh?" Jack asked with a boyish grin.

David rolled his eyes, a light blush coloring his cheeks. "Shut up. You know what I'm talking about."

"I do?"

The look David shot him made Jack laugh. "Alright, alright. What I mean is that I'm not good at teaching stuff. I dunno what I do most of the time, really. I just threw punches and kicks 'round, ya know? But we can ask Blink."

"Blink," He echoed, a touch of skepticism coloring his words.

"Yep. He's pretty damn good too. Teaches the little kids a few tricks so they can be safe when they'se on the streets."

"I'm not that bad," David protested.

"I dunno. I'se never see you in a fight or nothing." The betrayed expression on his face made Jack laugh. "So, you wanna ask him?"

"I- Maybe you can try to teach me first?" He asked hesitantly. "I don't need to be that good anyway, just, you know. Kind of look like I know what I'm doing."

"Sure," Jack agreed with a shrug. "We can do it back at the lodging house when we finish selling today."

David winced. "Can we maybe do it somewhere else?"

Jack opened his mouth to ask why but a look at David's face stopped him. The other boy wasn't even looking at him anymore, and he seemed nervous. More so than usual. He thought about telling Davey there was no need to be embarrassed, but he didn't.

"Like where?"

"We could use the rooftop at the tenement. We just need to wait until it gets dark so nobody notices."

Jack's eyebrows went up. That didn't sound like something Davey had just come up with on the spot. "Don't want anyone to know, huh?"

"Uh, no. Not really," David admitted, rubbing the back o his neck. "I don't think my parents would approve of me learning something like that, and besides, Les would insist on learning too if he knew."

"You should let 'im. It'd be good for him."

"No!" He exclaimed, a horrified expression on his face. "Of course not. That's an awful idea. The last thing I need is for Les to start picking fights just because he wants to look as cool as you do."

"You think I look cool?"

"What? That's not- That's not what I said," He hastened to explain, blushing furiously. "I was talking about Les. You know how much he looks up to you."

"'S okay, Davey. I know you think I'se great."

He buried his face in his hands. "Just shut up, please."

Jack gave David's shoulder a couple of pats before rising to his feet, a big grin still on his face. "Come on then, partner. We need to hurry up selling so we can start the lessons."

David looked up at Jack without moving, already regretting having asked.

OoOoO

a/n: Thank you for reading, and I hope you're enjoying this new little one-shot.