this has been on my mind for so long (mock cover???) Simon in @unusualbird.bsky.social`s fic (if you're on tmblr let me know!), First, Eat 🫶 (idk if i’ll finish it but i wanted to at least let the sketch out)
i don’t know what are you doing with your lives if you haven’t read it yet
Big fan of characters realizing they don't get to die. They have to live. And grow. And be a person. And deal with shit they thought they'd never have to. And be fucked up about it. I would like more of this. Enough dying for honor or as redemption. It ain't. You're just a corpse. There is no moral value in dirt time.
Pairing: Jack Kelly and Racetrack Higgins (Brothers/Platonic)
Word Count: 335
Warnings: None
A/N: For @crispy-milk for @newsiesgiftexchange! A look into the life of young Jack, I guess! (So sorry this is late!)
Read on AO3!
Jack was still apprehensive about his new life. He only slightly knew his "brother," Race, and hadn't really gotten used to his "mother's" extremely outgoing personality yet. The only thing he did know was that he felt the most comfortable in this home than he ever had in his life.
He also wasn't used to a family being as kind as this one had been. They had done everything to welcome to their loving home. They had done everything from just random hugs from time to time to starting a family game night to get familiar with each other.
Jack finally felt safe. He started at school a few days after and was immediately just adopted into Race's friend group. They all treated him as if he had been there for years, especially Charlie.
"Hey, do you wanna hang out with us later? We're going to see a movie!" Charlie exclaimed. Jack looked around to be sure that he was talking to him. "I mean, I guess, yeah."
"Yay! You'll probably have to go with all of us in one car, is that okay?"
"Uh, yep!"
Jack Kelly went home the happiest he had ever been that night. Not only had he met friends that treated him well, but he also had a family. It was a family that would treat him like he was an actual person. It was also the first time he called Medda "mom."
"Momma! They actually like me!" Jack yelled when he got home.
They both cried happy tears together, both happy to finally feel real familial love from one another.
---
A year later, Medda decided to adopt him. He thought that movie night would be the happiest he had ever been, but now he was beaming. He and Race were practically bouncing off the walls now that they would actually be brothers. They went to school the next day their friends were feeling the same excitement they felt.
Jack Kelly had family and friends, and that's all he needed.
OH MY GOD I LOVE IT!!! Jack calling Medda mom had me tearing up, and I loved the progression of Jack coming out of his shell oh my gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh TwT The pure joy that radiates from this fic is astronomical, and thank you so much for writing it! :D
My holiday exchange gift for @deliciouspeachpirate ! Prompt: A day in in the life of Jack “Mother Hen” Kelly, maybe one of the boys gets hurt/has a nightmare? I really hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it, and happy holidays to you! (This gift exchange was organized by the wonderful folks over at @newsiesgiftexchange. Thank you guys so much for making this happen! :) NOW WITHOUT FURTHER ADO-
Mamma Jack
~~~
The sun rose slowly over the horizon, stretching out and warming the pavement. One person, however, was not feeling particularly warmed on this glorious morning. Jack was awoken by an arm shaking him into consciousness.
“C’mon Jack! You’s gonna miss the headline if you don’t get a move on!” The leader of the Manhattan Newsies looked up through squinted eyes, not yet used to the bright light.
He could make out the fuzzy features of his best friend Crutchie, standing over him.
“C’mon you bonehead, ain’tcha sellin’ with Davey today?” Jack perked up slightly at the mention of his friend’s name. He had promised that he would go selling with the Jacobs brothers today and was already looking forward to it. Without any further deliberation, he rolled out of bed and got ready to face the day.
~~~
The morning was warm, but not unpleasantly so. As he caught up to the other boys on the way to distribution, he double-checked that all the guys had their hats on, and their shoes tied.
“Oi, lay off, wouldja Kelly? Quit actin’ like yous’ my Ma,” Racetrack teased, a cheeky grin stretched across his face. Jack rolled his eyes.
“Oh, shut your trap, Race” he shot back quickly, hitting the blonde on the back of the head with his cap, but the retort had no bite to it. The other boy was about to respond when they found themselves at the wrought iron gate outside The World’s distribution window. The not-so-friendly faces of Oscar and Morris Delancey greeted them all with sneers as they unlocked the gate, in such a manner that it was clear they’d rather lock them out for all time.
“A pleasure as always, boys,” Jack snarked, tipping his hat mockingly at the older men. He heard a few snickers come from the crowd of newsboys gathered at the gates. The now scowling brothers cracked their knuckles menacingly, but let the newsies pass.
~~~
After every newsie had gotten their papers and double-checked they had the right amount, they set out onto the streets of New York. Jack jogged to catch up with the Jacobs brothers as they headed out to sell.
“Burdick struck by woman and killed!” David called out into the street, “Protect yourselves! Read it right here!” He handed off two newspapers to a distressed-looking gentleman and his wife. Somewhere in the distance, a faint shout rang throughout the streets. Davey considered telling Jack, then shook his head. He clutched the nickel he received in his hand.
“Ay, not too bad there, Jacobs -Thank you, Miss- I’ve taught you both well.” Jack snarked with a smug grin, simultaneously selling another paper. “Hey, speaking of it, where’s Les?”
“Wait, wait, wait,” Davey said, frantically looking around him. The grin slipped off of Jack's face in a second, replaced with a worried expression. The younger boy was nowhere to be seen. Davey was visibly panicking, and Jack knew that the other boy needed his help.
“Hey, hey, it’s alright Davey, we’ll find him, he can’t have gone far.” This seemed to calm David down a little, but he was still shaken. Both of them foisted off their last papers hastily, barely waiting long enough to collect the payment. They strode off into the nearest alley to begin their search. With every alley they searched, they both became more and more discouraged, until finally, they heard the faint, yet unmistakable voice of the younger Jacobs brother.
~~~
They skidded into the next alleyway and were met with a horrible sight. Les was crouched down on the concrete, but what concerned them more at that moment was the crumpled figure at his feet. A puff of blonde hair peeked out from a brown ratty cap, and the bruised and battered face was the very same one that Jack had woken up to.
“CRUTCHIE!” Jack shouted, the name tearing itself out of his throat. The boy in question looked up weakly.
“Jack? S’that you?” It was faint, but at least he was conscious.
“Crutchie, what the hell happened?”
“Well, ya see, I was selling a pape to a lady, but it turns out she was Oscar’s girl, and he soaked me for it. Says I was bein ‘too friendly’”
“‘Cuz then she’d figure out fellas can be nice, I bet.”
“Ha yeahhhhh-” Crutchie toppled over again. Jack rushed to Crutchie’s side and began helping him up. He grabbed the crutch that was lying on the concrete with his other hand. Davey had been frozen in horror the whole time but was just beginning to come back to himself. He picked Les up and started to scold him.
“Leslie Jacobs, what could have possibly gone through your mind to think that it was a good idea to run off like that? You scared us half to death!” Les seemed to suddenly decide his shoes were the most fascinating things in the world.
“Aw, lay off the kid, would ya? He was just trying ta help me,” Crutchie said. Davey’s gaze softened. He nodded, and helped support Crutchie from his other side, grabbing Les by the hand. They walked Crutchie back to the lodging house as quickly as they could without hurting him. Jack helped him down into his beds, murmuring quiet assurances to the younger boy. He motioned for Davey to sit at Crutchie’s bedside while he ran to the shoddily stocked first-aid cabinet. He quickly grabbed cloth bandages, some old rags, and a bucket of water. He jogged back over to the bunk, his heavy footsteps echoing throughout the empty lodging house. He dragged another rickety old chair next to David’s, set the bucket down, and started to work.
He dipped a rag into the bucket of water, and gently wiped the majority of the dirt off of Crutchie’s face.
“Now who’s the bonehead, huh?” Jack said softly, dabbing at a shallow cut on his forehead.
“Hmm, still you,” Crutchie said through gritted teeth, “Although, for a guy who acts all tough, you sure are a softie. Like a momma, yanno?” Davey ineffectively disguised a snort as a cough, and Jack contemplated his existence after being called a mother twice in one day.
“Yeah, well, most of the fellas ain’t never had a Ma, but I got Miss Medda, so I figure I got a better idea of what a Ma does than the rest of yous,” Jack said, rather sadly. It was sad, but it was just how life was for a vast majority of the newsies. He had become a sort of stand-in mother for these boys, and he quickly realised- he didnt mind one bit. He quickly snapped himself out of his reverie and reached down to ruffle Crutchie’s hair.
“Yeah. Well kid, you’d do well to remember that next time you get yourself into a scrap,” Jack admonished. Crutchie flushed.
“You’re the best Ma that ever was!” Crutchie snarked, batting his eyelashes exaggeratedly. Davey giggled again, not even bothering to hide it this time. Jack rolled his eyes. He finished tending to the blond newsie’s wounds, and stood up, wiping his hands.
“You’ve gotta rest now, buddy.” richie pulled the threadbare blanket under his chin.
“Mm, G’night Ma.”
“‘Night Crutch,” Jack said, unable to fight back the fond grin that stretched out like the sun on pavement.
Hope you enjoyed! Have the happiest of holidays and a great new year! Lets make 2022 a good one!
• He gets his hat stolen by the other newsies all the time. He’s given up being mad about it and just waits for it to turn up on the lodging house table three days later.
• He’s just an easy target for thieves in general, so whenever he goes selling, another newsie (usually Jack) insists on going with him to glare at anyone thinking of stealing their hard earned money.
• He brought leftovers from the holidays to the lodge, and nearly cried when he saw just how hungry his friends really were. He makes a point to bring food regularly after that.
• Sarah and Les prank him all the time, so when the newsies try the same thing, their jaws hit the floor as he effortlessly hops over the tripwire running along the bottom of the door without looking up from his book
• The newsies all think he’s crazy for reading for fun. They only read out of necessity. Why would someone willingly subject themselves to that?
• He and Kathrine are the only two people in Manhattan who aren’t scared of Spot.
Modern AU
• He works at a little cafe/bookstore, and he absolutely loves every second of it. He’s surrounded by the smell of coffee, pastries and books all day, and for him there’s nothing better in the world.
• He may look like a stick, but this boy is STRONG. He lifts huge boxes of books like it’s nothing.
• Wears glasses for reading, but is wary of doing so around other people for fear they might make fun of him.
• This ones kinda random, but this man destroys at arcade games. Skeeball? 10,000s nearly every time. Crossy Road? All the way across 12 lanes of traffic. He‘s kind of scary when he gets into the groove of things.
Welp! That’s that! Hope you guys enjoy, and keep sending me requests! :)
Any newsie who preferably isnt jack, race, David or spot. Other than them you can do whoever I don’t care! (it can even be a non-newsie, like Medda or Hannah) 💛💛
Presenting the star of our show…
MISS MEDDA LARKINNNNNNNNNNN
Canon Era
• She is a mother figure to pretty much all the newsies. Just assume that any slightly dirty child selling papes is hers.
• She’s a safe space for all the queer newsies of New York, and if they need some alone time with their partner that they can’t get elsewhere, she’ll find an empty rehearsal room for them.
• She’s also a close confidant for almost all of the girlsies, and gives the Best Mom Advice™️
• If you manage to tear your eyes away from her during one of her performances, you can usually see a small army of newsies staring, awestruck at the stage.
• Sometimes lets the really little newsies play with props leftover from past shows
• Overall, she just has immaculate Mom Vibes.
Modern AU
• The greatest foster mom that ever lived.
• Ended up adopting Jack, Race and Crutchie
• She drove them and their friends around in a bright blue minivan affectionately named “Big Chungus”. Race named it when he was younger, and the name stuck.
• Ok, this one is kinda random, but I feel like she would give the best hugs. Like, warm and comforting mom hugs, yanno?
• She never gets mad at the kids, she just gets this sad look on her face. Kind of like, “I’m not mad, just disappointed”? The kids all know that she loves them, and only wants the best for them.
Ahhh I’m so sorry this took so long to finish! Hope you enjoy, and have a great day, wherever you are!
• Finch is master of the slingshot. Sniper and him make a game out of shooting the hats off the rich men’s heads, while the rest of the newsies watch and try not to burst out laughing.
• He’s really competitive, but he’s also a good loser and doesn’t brag /that/ much when he wins.
• He has some crazy dexterity, and is a really good thief. (Just don’t tell Davey)
• He’s a little sh*t, but can be a complete angel when he needs to. He’s pretty much the human equivalent of >:3
• Sarcastic king. He gets endless joy out of watching people smile confusedly at the backhanded compliment he just delivered. (With an absolutely angelic smile, of course)
• He and Crutchie are a dangerous pair. They can get away with anything with their puppy dog eyes.
Modern AU
• My Boi is an archery coach!
• He coaches the high and middle school teams, and loves every second of it. He fell in love with archery in middle school, and still competes in competitions.
• Addicted to iced coffee, as “sleep is for peasants” and energy drinks taste gross to him
• He has scary good aim. Don’t go up against this guy in a water balloon fight.
• He believes that a person should never stop trick or treating until AT LEAST age 80. He always goes as something completely random and they are a hit every year.
So sorry this took so long to answer! I hope you like them, and thank you so much for sending an ask! Hope you have a great day, wherever you are! :)
• I am a firm believer in pink suspender spot(pretty sure this was actually canon irl)
• Physical violence actually isn’t his favorite method of getting things done. He can get by with reputation and negotiation, with fighting only being used as a last resort.
• He actually really loves kids. He just finds it easier to open up to them because he doesnt have to act as tough around them. They all love him too.
• He used to wear a cap, but gave it away to a newsie he found on the street who had just lost his parents.
• He always makes sure that nobody sleeps on the streets. No matter what.
• Overall, he’s just really not as tough, heartless and cold as people think.
Modern AU
• Works at a tattoo parlor
• Has a whole drawer full of sketchbooks in his desk at work. Only look through them if you have a death wish. Or if you happen to be Racetrack.
• Somehow manages to wear muscle tanks year round. Rumor has it he doesn’t own a single shirt with sleeves.
• Workout buddies with Hotshot and Romeo
And that’s that! Hope you like these headcanons, and thank you so much for sending me an ask! These always make my whole day! :)
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