Work Text:
Davey p.o.v
I woke up to Les shaking me. "Davey, Davey! We gotta go. We're gonna be late!" The energetic boy said. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. "what time is it?"
"6:50!" Les said energetically, I sighed, I was usually the first one awake so this was a unique situation. I was sick, I knew it. I had started feeling off the night before. Achy, tired, and unenergetic. I was glad Les didn't catch on though, he didn't need to know.
I got out of bed and got dressed, pausing a few times to sneeze. I grabbed a handkerchief and stuffed it into my pocket.
I went down to the kitchen. My mom had breakfast ready for us. She knew we would have to take it to go, but I still appreciated it.
"Davey let's go!" Les said enthusiastically, he tugged my arm. "I'm coming" I said, I grabbed food and placed a quick kiss on my mom's cheek. I followed Les outside. We walked quickly to the news station.
"We made it!" Les yelled, dragging the attention to us, he dropped my hand and rushed over to Racetrack. Jack approached me, "mornin Davey" he spit into his palm and held his hand out. I pretended to spit into mine. Knowing I was sick I didn't want to share germs.
Jack noticed, "what's that for?" "Sorry, just tired today" he gave me a skeptical look. "You sure? You don't look too good" the leader was always intuitive and observant "yeah, all good" I said forcing a smile, "Davey-" he didn't get a chance to finish I unintentionally interrupted him, "Ehh-ktchu! He-hktchu"
"Gesundheit" Jack said, "you good?"
"Yeah" I said, I forced a smile, hoping to convince him. He looked disbelieving. "We should go" I said trying to distract him, thankfully the others started calling for Jack.
"Let's go" I said walking past him, he grabbed my arm, "Davey, are you sick?" I shook my head, "no, I don't get sick." I said confidently. He gave me a skeptical look. Before I could stop him he pressed his hand to my forehead. "Yep, you got a fever"
"No-" I said softly, I coughed a bit after. "Aw Davey" he said sympathetically, he frowned slightly, he put his arm around me. "C'mon" he walked with me to the group, "hey guys, Davey isn't feelin too hot." The guys' faces changed to concern, "I'll take 20" Racecar said, I was confused, "I'll take 20" Crutchie said, "I'll do 20 too" Elmer said, "I can do 20 too" Romeo said. "what are you talkin bout?" Les asked, I was glad he did, because I wasn't about to, "Davey's papers, when someone's sick we take on their papers so they don't have to go out when sick" Race explained, "what!?" I was taken aback, I couldn't let them do that, "don't stress it Davey, we always do it. It's normal. Everyone gets sick sometimes"
"I can't -"
"Yes you can and you will" Jack said, noticing my hesitation. "Davey we're a family, family looks out for each other." The other Newsies we quick to agree, "and I'll help too! I'll do 20 too!" Les said, he was excited and enthusiastic. I smiled softly at my little brother. "Davey, if you're sick it's important to rest. That's what you always say to me" Les said, he walked over to me, "the kids right" Jack said, he threw his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer. "Newsies always look out for each other" Jack said, "exactly. It don't matter if you're the best paper boy, or you're Elmer! We always look out for each other!" Race said, earning a punch to the arm from Elmer. I wasn't sure how to feel, I never felt more cared for by any friends.
I was so glad when the bell rang and pulled attention away from me, because I was so overwhelmed.
The Newsies all left, except Jack and Les. "Davey you okay?" Jack asked me, "yeah"
"It's a lot to take in. I understand that. But seriously, we're your brothers, we watch out for each other." I nodded, I turned away from them, "hekTchu! Ehh-ktchu hhktchu! Hhh- ehhTchu! he-hktchu"
"Bless you"
"Davey, are you okay?" Les asked me, he looked worried. "I'm alright bud, just a slight cold" I said, I sniffled, Jack handed me a cloth, I thanked him. "Davey you should go home and rest. I'll bring Les home at the end of the day" I glanced between my brother and best friend. "Take care of him" I said, Jack nodded, "I will"
"Feel better Davey" Les said, he gave me a hug, I smiled at my little brother, "yeah, feel better" Jack said, I thanked them both and went back home.
My parents were both shocked to see me home and concerned as to where Les was. "it's okay, he's with Jack" I then explained how I was sick and how the others sent me home. My parents were worried about me being sick, but were happy that I had friends who were looking out for me.
I went up to my room and took a nap, I didn't even feel worried about Les, or about work, or money. I knew that my brothers were going to take care of it.