Archive of Our Own

Jack had taken to eating just barely enough to live so that the other newsboys could have bigger portions of food.

After all, he was the oldest. Most of them were still in the thick of what was supposed to be their big growth spurt. Really, it would just be selfish for him to eat...

No one noticed initially, but Crutchie soon started to catch on. He rarely saw Jack eat, and he also saw how rapidly the older boy was dropping weight.

It wasn't healthy.

"Jack" he broached one evening as the pair sat on top of their rest building, staring up at the sky. Jack was already half asleep. He'd been growing increasingly more fatigued as of late.

"Yeah, Crutch?" Jack asked groggily.

"Why don't ya eat?"

...

...

...

"The otha newsies needs it mo' than me's" Jack shrugged. "I's the oldest. I ain't needs food"

"Everyone needs ta eats, Jack" Crutchie argued. Jack sighed. He knew deep down that Crutchie was right. But, he couldn't be selfish.

His dreams of Santa Fe were already selfish enough as it was.

"...Goodnigh', Crutch"