- Chapter 15 - Oh My Gosh -
Warnings: Blushy boys? Tiny bit of abuse
Canon Era
Third Person POV

JoJo walked into Pulitzer's basement with Race and Albert.

Race was still torn between believing Jack that he was back with them for good and feeling betrayed, and Albert just wanted his brother back.

JoJo didn't know how to feel.

On one hand, he loved Jack. Jack was his brother and he couldn't live without him.

On the other hand, Race was right. His betrayal really hurt and it was the second time during the strike that he had either disappeared or betrayed them. Why should he trust Jack?

Race stopped in front of Jack, staring him down. "And why should we believe you're back with us?"

Jack frowns, sighing a bit. He had seen this coming, but it hurt, especially coming from Race.

"I'm sorry." Jack starts. "I know 'sorry' doesn't always help, but I truly am. I couldn't find a way out of that situation and I didn't want you guys going to the Refuge or back."

Race cowered back a bit at the mention, eyes wide.

JoJo and Albert share a look, eyes also wide. "What?"

"Pulitzer, my father," Katherine sighs. "Threatened to send all of you to the Refuge."

JoJo immediately saw Race's nails dig into his arm.

Apparently Jack saw it too, since he pulled Race into a hug, separating his arm and his nails so he'd stop.

"I mean," Race mumbles. "I guess I- can... forgive you." He hugs back.

Jack smiles. "I won't break this again." He whispers into Race's neck.

"If you do, I'll soak you." Albert states, arms crossed.

"He punches hard." Race and JoJo comment in unison, pointing to Albert.

Jack and Albert laugh, while Davey and Katherine share a wide-eyed look.

Katherine goes to speak, but Albert stops her. "Don't ask."

Race walks over to the printing press, admiring it. "Is this what they print the papes on?"

Katherine nods, smiling a bit at the accent.

Katherine liked his accent.

While some of the boys had rather annoying and obvious New York accents, Race was one who had a less obnoxious accent.

It could be obnoxious when he made it though, but it also had a hint of his Italian accent in it, and it came out more when he was mad.

"I can see why they tossed this old girl to the cellar, but," One of the unfamiliar boys who had started speaking stops. "I think she'll do the job."

"Oh yeah. Jack," Katherine turns the boys' attention to the new boys. "This is Darcy. He knows just about everything there is to know about printing."

Darcy nods.

JoJo looks up at him, immediately feeling his breath catch in his throat when he makes eye contact.

JoJo turns bright red, looking away.

Albert and Race share smirks.

While the grownups talk, the two toddlers pull JoJo to the side.

"So," Race starts, slinging an arm around JoJo's shoulder. "What do you think about Mr. Printing boy?"

JoJo immediately curses his best friends' ability to read him.

"He's-" JoJo stops. "Heck it. He's cute."

Albert and Race high-five.

JoJo had been their best friend long enough to know that they were going to pry the information out of him when it comes to crushes, so it was just better to get it over with.

Race unslings his arm from around JoJo's shoulder.

"Why don't," Albert starts. "You go help him with the press? It looks like hard work." Albert starts pushing the younger boy over.

JoJo scoffs. "I'm sure he can manage on his own. He's been doing this for a long time." JoJo reminds him.

Albert rolls his eyes, as Race joins him in pushing their best friend.

Jack must've noticed them, since he smirked. "Hey Jo!"

JoJo curses his luck. He had some of the worst and best brothers.

"Why don't you come help Darcy over here while Race and Al go grab the other boys?" Jack questions, making it impossible for JoJo to deny it in front of everyone else.

Jack flips the keys to Race and Albert, who mentally thank him.

JoJo flips Jack off behind his back.

Jack rolls his eyes.

JoJo walks over to Darcy, letting him tell JoJo what he needed to do, and JoJo started helping.

"So," Darcy starts, continuing to work while he and JoJo ignore their singing friends/brothers. "Why are you so red?"

JoJo curses his luck for the third time in ten minutes. "It's not in here." He also curses his inability to lie since he made it very obvious.

Darcy chuckles. "It's maybe 40 degrees Fahrenheit in here."

JoJo turns to Specs, who was behind him. "Human dictionary."

Specs hums, being used to being called this.

"What does 'Fahrenheit' mean?" JoJo questions.

Darcy chuckles and Specs sighs.

Specs shoots JoJo a look. "It's a unit of measurement used to measure temperature; how hot or cold it is in a room. We're going over that next month, after precipitation."

JoJo nods. "Thanks Specs."

Specs nods.

"Learning at the Lodge," JoJo informs Darcy. "A very exciting time in every Newsie's life."

Darcy chuckles again.

Later

Darcy sat down next to JoJo. "Why are you all alone? All of your brothers are partying."

JoJo shrugs. "I don't drink. Granted, a good amount of Manhattan boys don't drink either, but someone will probably come drag me into something soon. Probably Race or Al."

Darcy chuckles. "I think Race is drunk."

JoJo rolls his eyes. "Race doesn't drink because of his father; that's just how he acts normally."

JoJo and Darcy chuckle.

"JoJo!" Elmer's voice rings through the upstairs of the lodge. "I think Race is going to hurt himself. He's trying to fly."

"See," JoJo starts. "It's my normal daily life."

Darcy chuckles again. "You're cute, for a Newsie."

JoJo shoots him a smirk. "I guess you're cute for a school boy."

"Oh yeah," Darcy turns to face him. "And what would happen if I kissed you?"

Immediately, both boys turned bright red.

"I'm so sorry!" Darcy exclaims, covering his mouth. "I had a sudden burst of confidence and you're pretty cute! That never happens with me!"

JoJo laughs. "Join the party."

Darcy laughs as well.

Then, he noticed something.

Darcy gently traced the bruises on JoJo's face.

JoJo flinched a bit, but Darcy kept his hand there. "What happened? Who did this to you?"

JoJo looks at the ground. "Bulls soaked us for striking. I wasn't the worst one hurt, but it's over now. It'll heal."

Darcy frowns a bit. "Okay..." he mumbles.

After a few minutes, JoJo subconsciously leans his head on Darcy's shoulder.

Darcy smiles to himself, blushing a lot, but he wasn't going to complain.

JoJo was pretty cute.

1158 Words
Sorry this isn't great.
I'm having a rough time and I have so much writing to do, and other things in my life.
Bare with me.