Enjoy a picture of my smol boi sitting like a weirdo. :)

If you enjoy this chapter (or the kitty picture) please consider leaving a like and some comments! Thanks for reading.

-:-:-:-

"Dum, doodle dee dum! I'm singin' the walking song, DOOP DOOP," Crutchie sang as the two of you hobbled your way towards the church. There was a smile on his round face and honestly, it melted your heart as though you were made of butter.

"Well, you seems to be in quite the chipper mood..." you said, smiling as well. His joy was contagious. Despite the fact that he was so injured he could barely walk and that the two of you were alone on the streets ridiculously late in the night, he was singing a cheery tune that he made up as he went along. It amazed you how positive he could be.

"Well, yeah. There's always something to be happy about. Right now, it happens to be that I found... a new friend. That's always something to celebrate." Your heart dropped a little when he said friend.

Wait, what?

"Uh... Yeah. I guess that is something to be happy about." You said softly.

Huh. You felt weird. What the heck?

"Hey, you should sing too! It'll help pass the time." Crutchie squeezed your shoulders, probably in an attempt to get you to agree.

It worked.

"Ok... um... doom dee doop doop shoop, we're walking along boop boop?" You tried. Honestly, it sounded more like a drunk person trying ask a question than a cheerful walking song.

"Pffffffffffhahaha! Ow, ow." Crutchie halted.

"I's so sorry, I done it again! Oh gosh, how bad does it sting?" You rushed.

"Well, it ain't your fault yous so funny. That was the best verse of The Walking Song yet! But uh... maybe hold off on the singing until my sides can handle some more chuckles, aright?" He said, patting his stomach and smiling gently.

...huh

There you go, getting all mushy inside again...

"O-ok. You gots it." You snapped your fingers and pointed at him awkwardly, like you couldn't decide if you were actually pointing or giving a thumbs up. It looked a little like a weird gun shape.

"What's that, a finger gun thing?"

You looked down at your hand.

"Uhh... I dunno... it is now, I guess." You mumbled. Crutchie smiled, a bit of rose dusting his cheeks.

Bruh.

Cuteness overload much?

"Hahaha... uh... let's keep going?" You giggled nervously. You could feel the blush on your cheeks.

Oh no.

"Ok, Whistles. Lead the way." He said softly.

BRUH.

Ok (Y/n). Breathe.

You let out a puff of air you'd been holding. Whew, what was up with you tonight?

As you walked down the street, slowly but surely drawing nearer to the church, it became obvious how exhausted Crutchie really was. He was breathing heavily and it seemed as though his shoes were sticking to the pavement.

"Do you needs a little breather? We could stop for a bit just to let you catch your breath."

"No... no I's fine..." He started, but trailed off when he noticed your stink eye.

"Ok, ok. I is pretty tapped out right now, but we gots to get you somewhere safe for the night. I don't wants you gettin' beat up too, just because I was slowing you down..." he sighed.

"Crutchie..." he winced.

"I's here wit you because I wants to be. You ain't slowin me down. In fact, is having a great time just talkin with you." You said emphatically. Crutchie stared at the ground, but his eyes widened a little when you said that.

"For sure?"

"For sure. Yous a sweet guy." You smiled. A small, soft smile appeared on his face. He's back.

"Ok then." He whispered, looking away.

The two of you walked in silence for a little while, but the further you went, the more you noticed that Crutchie was gradually leaning more and more on you. The weight increased until you almost couldn't hold him up.

"Hey... hey, I thinks we need to take a break... You ain't lookin so good right now..." you huffed as you all but dragged Crutchie along.

"No, I's fine... I's-" he went completely limp. You collapsed under the unexpected weight, Crutchie falling on top of you.

"Crutchie? Crutchie! Oh no oh no oh gosh oh no. We ain't close enough to the church yet. We's gotta... I can't... oh no." You sat up and pulled his head into your lap to make sure he wouldn't get injured more.

Frantically looking around, you could only see one building with the lights on, but it looked like a warehouse, with a bunch of levels and windows. It did sound like there were voices coming from the area though...

Looking back and forth between the steadily breathing Crutchie on your lap and the only lit building around, you made a decision.

You sent a silent prayer up, then called as loudly as you could.

"HELP! WE NEEDS HELP OVER HERE!" You paused. A shadow passed over one of the windows. Encouraged, you called once more.

"PLEASE! HELP!" The shadow disappeared. You waited for someone to burst out of the doors. But no one came.

"Please, someone... anyone..." you tried feebly.

Did no one care?

Who are you kidding? Of course no one cared. That's why the two of you were in this situation to begin with.

You blinked away your exhaustion as hot tears slid down your cheeks. No one would help you and Crutchie.

So you would just have to be strong enough for the both of you.

"I ain't lettin' these here streets beat the life outta us tonight, Crutchie." You said to the sleeping boy, brushing the hair out of his face and readjusting his cap. As gently as you could, you positioned your arms under his shoulders and his knees.

"It'll be aright. Just watch. We's gonna be... just. FINE." You hoisted him up on the final word, stumbling a little under the weight, but eventually regaining your footing. For his smaller size, the boy was unexpectedly heavy. Perhaps it was all the muscle...

You shook your head, refocusing yourself.

You would make it to shelter. You had to, for Crutchie.

You began to stumble forward.

Just one foot in front of the other...

Step by step. You could do this. You could... make it...

Your vision began fading in and out. No... not right now... you had to keep going...

Your energy drained very quickly. You tried to push through and continue waking, but your legs couldn't even support your own weight, let alone you and Crutchie combined. You to collapsed on the pavement, scraping your knees and arms up a little. You landed in a way that your arms were still underneath Crutchie and your head was on his shoulder.

As your vision faded to black, there was only one though on your mind:

"I hope I didn't hurt him more..."

-:-:-:-

???'s POV

"Keep it down for a second, I think there's someone out there!" I called. The constant noise died down a little as I peered out the window.

"PLEASE! HELP!" Came muffled through the window panes.

"They needs help! Somebody go get them." I called to the boys gathered around. They stood still, staring at me as if I were crazy.

"At this hour? What if they is bad guys?" Elmer called from the back. I sighed a little.

"There's only two of them, an' they looks like they's only kids. Even if they is bad, which I ain't sayin they are, we could take 'em on. Now, Albert, Henry, go bring 'em in here." Hey still looked apprehensive. I groaned.

"Listen, all of yous. We all knows firsthand what it's like to be ignored when we's lyin' on the streets. Bleedin'. Needin' help. We ain't gonna be doin' that to them." I jerked a thumb out in the direction of the two figures outside. The boys' faces softened. If we didn't give these kids a chance to live, to survive, no one would.

"Now let's move!" I yelled.

"Right, Jack!" They called back.

"They's so small... I hope they's ok..." I mumbled to myself as I watched Albert and Henry run out and pick the two kids, carrying them into the Lodge.