- Chapter 11 - "You're cute" -
Cannon Era
Third Person POV

Hotshot follows Spot into Newsie Square in Manhattan, New York.

This was normal, especially for him. He went to Manhattan a lot, since he was Spot's fourth. Spot usually had meetings with other borough Leaders, Jack was no different.

Spot told him that apparently him and Jack were going to be allies, (which was not shocking to anyone, even other boroughs), and needed to meet up to discuss some things.

Ace, Smokes, and a few other Brooklyn Newsies were gonna come as well, so at least Hotshot would be with some friends.

In the square, he sees four boys, one he recognizes as Racetrack Higgins, who is Spot's boyfriend, Jack Kelly, Manhattan's leader, and two others, both of which he didn't recognize.

The two that he didn't know were playfully, or not playfully, showing, smacking, and kicking each other, until Race went in between them, and pushed them away from each other, forcing them to separate.

"Morning Spot" Jack greets, spit-shaking with Spot, who nods at Jack.

"Morning Jacky-boy" Spot greets, as Race and the other two boys come up beside Jack, glaring at each other, both with their arms crossed.

"Oh knock it off you two." Jack tells the two boys, who roll their eyes. "These are the Guzman twins. They're 13, and new. This is Mike and Ike."

Ike. What a cute name. Hotshot thinks to himself, smirking, as he looked over Ike. He wore a very dark blue shirt that had white stripes on it, a black vest, and a black hat.

"You know Hotshot, Ace, and Smokes" Spot states, pointing to the three boys, and successfully snapping Hotshot out of his thoughts. Jack and Race nod.

Jack and Spot start talking business. The other boys mainly zone out, occasionally piping up to express concerns or something.

Mike and Ike stop glaring at each other after a few minutes. Mike smirks and Ike rolls his eyes, huffing, as he crosses his arms. Mike was happy that he finally won a twin fight for once.

After a few minutes, Hotshot felt someone's eyes on him. He had been kicking a few rocks that were on the ground, and his hands had been in his pockets.

He looked up, only to catch Ike staring at him. Hotshot smirks at Ike, as he blushes, looking away.

Have I caught your eye, Ike? Hotshot mouths to Ike, who rolls his eyes, trying to hide the blush on his face.

Maybe. Maybe I'm staring at you because you're hot, or maybe there's a bug on you. Ike mouths back.

Hotshot quietly chuckles to himself. This boy sure is something, I gotta hand it to him.

Mike, who had been reading both boys' lips, giggles quietly. His brother had a crush, and he knew it.

"You good Mike?" Jack asks, turning to him. Mike nods, still grinning, as his eyes flick between Ike and Hotshot, sending a message to Jack.

Jack smirks to himself when he gets it, and nods to Mike, who continues grinning as he nods back.

After a little, and more mouthing fights between Ike and Hotshot that only they, and Mike, knew about, the Brooklynites had to leave.

After saying their goodbyes, Hotshot, Ace, Smokes, Spot, and the few other Brooklyn Newsies who had come, left, heading back to Brooklyn.

For Ike and Hotshot, both boys were on each other's minds.

A few weeks later
The Brooklyn Docks

Hotshot sat, his feet dangling in the water as he watched some of his friends who were goofing around, swimming.

He laughed as one of his friends pushed another one off the dock when they weren't expecting it.

"You have a cute laugh" Someone from behind him states. He turns around to find Ike.

"What are you doing here?" Hotshot asks with a smirk as Ike rolls his eyes, sitting down next to Hotshot.

"Don't flatter yourself. Jack dragged me here since he has business with Spot and thinks I need to interact with other boroughs" Ike mumbles, as Hotshot chuckles.

"Why not your brother?" Hotshot asks. Ike rolls his eyes again.

"Already made friends with people from three other boroughs, including a leader" Ike mumbles, his chin in his hands. Hotshot laughs, causing Ike to smile the tiniest bit.

"Your feet don't reach the water!" Hotshot exclaims, laughing. Ike rolls his eyes.

"I'm average height" Ike huffs, and Hotshot scoffs.

"Yeah, maybe like three years ago" Hotshot responds. Ike fakes offense, gasping dramatically.

"You're just freakishly tall" Ike retaliates. Hotshot smirks.

"Don't worry, I like short boys, who have brown hair, brown eyes, freckles, pale skin, and rosy cheeks" Hotshot responds. Ike blushes, puffing out his cheeks in annoyance.

"So, my brother?" Ike asks. Hotshot laughs, and Ike cracks a smile.

"As far as I know, your brother is taken, and doesn't stare at me, wide eyed and drooling" Hotshot retaliates. Ike mocks offense.

"I do not!" He exclaims, smacking Hotshot with his hat, as Hotshot laughs. "Anyway, how do you know he's dating someone?"

"Race told me, he's happy for Ike and JoJo, especially since Race had been the one to find JoJo. He tells us stories about the a Manhattan Newsies a lot; he really loves you guys" Hotshot answers, and Ike smiles to himself.

"We've only been here for two months too" Ike whispers, smiling gratefully.

Hotshot intwines his and Ike's hands. Ike smiles at Hotshot, as they look over the water.

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