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Davey Jacobs is sat hunched on the floor in his room thinking about the mad day he’s just had. The strike was beginning to get to him. Their family was fast running out of money and it was all his fault, if he hadnt suggested that stupid idea about a union they'd all be fine, not worrying about food or clothes or when they were next going to be home. Les would probably be back at school right now.
Oh god Les. It was terrifying seeing Crutchie taken, what if that happened to him, or to jack, or any of the others. Heck if that happened he could never forgive himself it was so overwhelming and he needed to plan but he couldn't think and he couldn't breathe and-
He felt a hand on his shoulder and jumped about a mile, quickly trying to straighten his disheveled hair and wipe the tears from his cheeks. When he saw it was just Jack he laughed shakily in relief, he wouldn't care about him crying.
‘Hey dave, you okay’ Jack asked softly
Davey shakes his head slowly and sighs, trying to steady his breathing. ‘It's just a bit much you know?’
‘Yeah i get it. I got something that might help though’ he stands up and starts walking towards the window and Davey follows him hesitantly, not sure of what he's about to do but he just climbs right out the window and stands there looking at something. The taller boy crawls through the open sash and onto the balcony and what Jack is looking at immediately becomes clear.
The moon, massive and silver hangs elegantly in the cloudless night sky. Its presence is overwhelming and the tension leaves Davey instantly as he comes to stand beside jack.
‘Its gorgeous’ Davey breathes
‘It's really something huh’
They stand for a while, gazing upwards at the sky. It is smudged with sooty clouds and the stars are scattered like beads from a broken necklace, the moon a bright pendant, central and breathtaking. The city below is filled with strangers, shouting and running and rushing but the moon creates a stillness that quiets the whole of new york's messy energy.
‘Dave’ his voice makes Davey jump a little. He clears his throat and without looking at the other boy he goes on ‘you will think of me when i go to santa fe won't ya?’
The question makes Davey laugh but Jack tenses and with a sad chuckle he says ‘I’ll take that as a no then.’
‘Jackie you're an idiot’ Davey smiles fondly ‘i won't barely think of anything else, so long as you don't forget me that is.’
‘Me forget you?’ he grins ‘how the hell dyou figure im gonna do that?’
‘I dunno, Im not very memorable’ he mumbles staring at his shoes
‘Well you're sure as hell memorable to me okay? And anyways any time you thinks you’re gonna forget me you just gotta look at the moon, yeah? And I’ll be in Santa Fe doing the same so then it'll just be like now, both of us lookin at the moon and thinkin of each other. Except of course the moon’ll be bigger and prettier in Santa Fe’
Davey smirks ‘You know the moon is the same size no matter where you are, right?’
‘Oh shut up’
They go back to looking at the scurrying in the city below for a while and Davey is about to go back inside when he feels Jacks hand gently brush his. His first instinct is is to twitch his hand away but Jacks face falls and he regrets it instantly.
‘No, i.. I mean… just..’ Davey takes a deep breath and he hesitantly takes Jacks hand in his, lacing their fingers together and the other boy grins and rests his head on Davey's shoulder.
‘I thought you was meant to be smart enough to string a sentence together’
‘Oh shut up’
And there's a lot to comprehend in this crazy messed up city but its okay because this is the simplest thing in the world; Jack and Davey and the moon.