A.N. Hi! So, I'm back after a 1,000,000 year hiatus, I've just been really busy and haven't had time for this but I'm going to try to stick to a schedule…you can message me angrily if I screw up and wait too long to add more chapters for things.
After the whole hubbub of his return from the House of Refuge and Katherine and Jack kissing, Crutchie stood in line, smiling broadly from ear to ear, albeit aching a little. He glanced around and noticed a certain someone perched on window sill just inside the distribution center. Slowly limping out of line, they'd save papes for him anyway, Crutchie made his way over, cautiously, to the one, the only, Spot Conlon.
Spot's eyes flashed over to Crutchie, his smirk faltering slightly when he got a full view of Crutchie's swollen shiner. They each nodded at each other as Crutchie settled himself leaning against the brick wall next to Spot. They rested in silence, listening to the other rowdy before Spot affixed Crutchie with another gaze. Crutchie didn't falter, looking straight back, unflinchingly.
"What do ya want, kid."
Crutchie fixed him with a lopsided grin.
"Why'd ya join da strike after Ise was arrested?"
Spot narrowed his eyes, glaring at Crutchie, who just smiled wider, cocking his head slightly to the right, feigning innocence. Spot huffed and turned his head to stare a pigeon on a nearby rooftop. Picking up a rock, Spot chucked it at the bird, which squawked indignantly when it was hit in its round side, flying away. Spot chuckled, at the look on Crutchie's face.
"Stop terrorizin' da birds, Spot, it ain't nice."
Spot reached down, picking up another rock, turning it over in his hand.
"Ise told Jack he'd have ta prove ta me youse wouldn't bolt at da first sign a trouble and when da bulls arrested youse it proved youse wasn't playin' around. Dat's all."
Crutchie cocked and eyebrow, unsuccessfully.
"Dat's all?"
"Yeah, and wipe dat grin off your face before Ise do it for youse."
Spot smacked Crutchie's cap right off his head, ruffling Crutchie's hair in the process, Crutchie grinned as he bent down to reach it, even as his ribs protested at the movement. Spot hopped off the window sill and light a cigarette. Walking off, Spot took a final glance behind his shoulder.
"If youse need somethin', youse knows where ta find me, kid."
By that time, the distribution center was almost empty, so Crutchie quickly walked to the counter, paying for his papes, a smile gracing his lips.
A.N. Hello my children, so this was kinda short, but whatever. I like the idea of Crutchie being the only newsie not terrified of Spot and Spot, in return, showing slightly more affectionate to him than he did to that pigeon. I'll try to update n less than two weeks.