#david jacobsxreader

The two of you had actually met in one of those situations.

He was trying to bring a chest inside his house, but he wasn’t really succeeding. You had been walking by, on your way home from picking up some groceries for your parents when you saw him struggling. You had started to help and when the chest finally started to move, he looked up and noticed you.

“Excuse me, who are you?” He asked, ever so polite, even at a young age.

“I’m (Y/N)! Who're you?”

“My mother told me not to talk to strangers.” He mumbled. 

“But you talked to me first!” You pointed out.

“Well…” He started, before you cut him off.

“You know my name now, so we're not strangers. Plus, I'm helping you move this thing!” 

“But, why?” 

“You looked like you needed help.” You shrugged. He looked pensive for a moment, eyeing the chest as well as you. 

“Oh. Well, my name’s David. And I don't need your help.” He finally said, irritated.

“It’s nice to meet you David!” You said, putting down your end of the chest to stick out your hand for a handshake, dismissing his annoyance with you.

Reluctantly, he put his end down to take your hand in his. 

"It's nice to meet you, (Y/N)."

“(Y/N). (Y/N), (Y/N)!”

You were brought back from the memory by the same boy it was about. David was waving his hand in front of you face

“Yeah David?” You said, shaking your head.

“You looked lost in thought, and I didn’t want us to be late to the newsstand.”

“Sorry, sorry, I was just thinking about how we first met. What’s the word? Remi-?”

“Reminiscing.”

“Thanks.”

“Sure, now come on, we gotta go.” He says, before shaking his own head. 

You hadn’t realized you had stopped until he pointed it out. Though once he did, you grabbed his hand and ran, dragging David through the streets behind you. Unbeknownst to you though, him and physical contact did not pair well, and left him a blushing mess.

By the time you had reached the newstand, there was already a line forming. You had managed to squeeze in before anyone else could, pulling David along with you. You were a team after all. You let go of his hand and turned to face him while others were getting their papers.

“Isn’t this exciting? We actually get to work. We get to be a part of this.” You whispered, walking backwards as the line moved forward.

“I don’t understand how this is all that exciting to you. We’re just selling newspapers.” He sighs. 

“David we’re not ju-”

You interrupted by a slam of something hitting the post behind you. You were so excited that you hadn’t realized it was your turn to take some papers. 

“Ah, a new kid. Good to see a fresh face 'round all of these rats.” A rather greasy looking man said.

"Uh, two new faces actually." You say, trying to divide the attention from the man between you and David, pulling him up next to you.

Chatter began to spread around the area. New people? Kids they hadn't seen before? The newsies seemed to be a tight-knit group to you and after seeing anyone new, they all seemed a bit shocked. Some others you could see had a mischievous look to them. You made a mental note to try to stick with David. 

“I-I’ll take twenty papers please.” You stutter out, making yourself small.

“Ooh, and manners, I like you already.” He said, smiling at you. You could feel David at your side, causing you to relax.

You heard some of the other boys calling him weasel, you could see why. You never wanted to be in a 100 foot radius of him ever again. 

“20 for the new kid. Now let’s see the dime?”

“We can pay for them after we sell them, can’t we?” David asked, jumping into the conversation, putting his arm around you.

“Cash up-front kid.”

“But whatever we don’t sell you buy back right?” He asks, incredulously.

“David, it’s fine.” You said, trying to calm him down. 

“Here you go.” You gave the man a dime and took your twenty papers, leaving the safety of David's arms.

David did the same, yet, something was wrong. He had only gotten nineteen. He bickered with the weasel, who you had come to learn was named Wiesel, for a bit longer before another boy came over to settle the dispute. As he walked past he gave you a wink.

He was a good deal taller than you were, so you turned your head down to face your feet, in hopes he wouldn’t see your blush. You weren’t really used to all of this attention. You looked back up to hear that the boy was offering you both fifty more papers. Which seemed a bit outrageous to you. 

“We can do fine on our own thank you very much. We don’t even know who you are.” You straightened up in hopes of seeming more confident, walking back to David's side. 

“This here is Jack Kelly, how couldya not have heard of him?” A boy with a crutch said, coming up to stand next to 'Jack Kelly'.

“Hows about I show the both of youse the ropes here, eh?” He says, elbowing the boy with the Crutch while eyeing you both up and down.

“Why are you helping us?” David asked him, with that same tone he had used years ago with you.

“It’s ya first day here, and I thinks the little kiddo here,” Jack made his way to your other side, bringing his arm around your shoulders, looking David in the eyes, “could get ahead with the right tricks that I could teach ya.”

“The little kid here? Has a name you know. And really isn't so little.” You took his arm from around your shoulder and forcefully poked him in the chest, pushing him a slight bit away from you so you could look up at him. He looked surprised, as if he had never been rejected before.

“It’s (Y/N). This is David. You should at least learn our names before you teach us anything.”

“Well then, Vests, Davey, follow me and I’ll getcha all set up.” He started walking away from you, not waiting for you to follow. You and David shared a look. You had to admit, Jack had some gusto, it made sense that all the other boys seemed to stop and listen when he spoke. 

"Vests?" You asked, looking at your outfit. You guessed your vest stood out.

“Davey?” He asked, confusion all over his face.

"Must be easier for him to remember." You shrugged. You then ran off to catch up with Jack, and turned around to see David, no, Davey, in a trance.

“C’mon Davey! Don’t you love learning?” You shouted at him, your smile wide. That seemed to shake him from his trance and he began running to catch up. Once you were both caught up, Jack started explaining things. 

“So first things first, you gotta choose a sellin' spot to sell ya papes. You choose a bad one, youse ain't gonna end up makin' a lot, and you’ll hafta eat the papes. But, lucky for you two, s'early enough that there are still a few good spots left.” He took you to a corner that wasn’t all that lively, but from what you could see, there seemed to be a lot of shops and houses around here. 

“Wow. You know, I don’t think I’ve ever been to this part of New York.”

“Just wait doll, hang with us for a while you’ll getta see a lotta stuff.” Jack winked at you again before someone started to come up to you.

“Watch this,” Jack whispered to you and Davey, as he put on a smile,“'Suces me ma’am, but can I interest you in today’s morning paper. It’s all about creatures prowlin' 'round in the night of New York City. If ya need anyone to protect, just call for Jack.” He winked as they exchanged money. But as soon as she bought the paper and left blushing, Jack dropped the smile and sincerity. 

“See? Easy as pie. So for you Vests, I would suggest that ever so sweet flattery. For Davey, I’mna put what I hope's a big brain to work. Like so.”

Jack began shouting out a headline, too loud for you to figure out was he was saying. 

“Come get it right here! Terrified flight from burnin’ inferno!” He shouted over and over again. Soon enough, a man walked up and took the paper from Jack, handing him some change. 

“You want me to lie?” Davey asked in exasperation.

“You do whatcha gotta do here.” Jack shrugged, “Now, your turn.” 

In the time he had given you both demonstrations, more people had filled the street. Women walking around to buy groceries for their families. Men walking around to go to meetings and suit shops and what not. You could see Davey’s brain looking for ways to sell papers without having to lie, the scowl on his face deepening as he thought. If you were to be honest, you weren’t sure what else he was supposed to do. You left him to his thinking to try and sell some of your own papers, which was in actuality, easier done then said. Sometimes you would only need to give someone a look and they'd be racing over to talk to you. You sold them a paper and sent them on their way, only able to entertain them for so long. Soon enough, you had sold all of your papers and it wasn’t even midday. 

“Wow, you really are a natural at this aren’tcha?” Jack asked, suddenly appearing at your side, arm around your shoulder. You weren't quite sure if this was him flirting or simply his normal. 

“Well, I’m not exactly that sure. I was just doing what you told me to do. It actually tires me out.” 

“Oh yeah, sellin twenty papes must make ya real tired.” He says, sarcasm evident.

“It’s not the number that tires me, but selling them itself. I’ve never gotten this much attention from anyone. It’s all new to me and I’m actually really glad you’re helping me and Davey.” 

“I do what I can. It’s the least I can do for new newsies.” He says, directing you to a bench.

“Well still, I appreciate it. I'm sure Davey does too." You say, as both of you turn to look back over to Davey, who still had the majority of his papers in his bag. He looked so concerned and sort of angry, probably at himself for having trouble selling papers. You decided to give him a reprieve by walking up to talk to him, saying goodbye to Jack. 

"I'll see you tomorrow, won't I?" Jack asked.

"Course you will, I'm a newsies after all."

Davey had been getting more and more frustrated as time had passed. He saw you selling papers with ease, and wondered what he was doing wrong. Everything came so effortlessly to you, you were so adaptable, persistent too. You had dealt with him all these years, his dissatisfaction when he couldn't get something right on the first try, his bitterness when he didn't understand something, his standoffish-ness. You stayed by his side through it. And even now, you were helping him support his family so that Les could stay in school. And here you were, walking up to him and pulling him out of his spiral.

"Hey (Y/N)." He says, downcast.

“Davey, how about we take a break and go get something to eat at your house. Then we can come back and start fresh. I can even help you sell some papers.” You offer.

“Yeah, you’re right. I think I need a break. Thanks (Y/N).” He says, sighing.

“Hey, who knows you better than I do?” You smile.

“Nobody.”

“That’s right." 

As the two of you walked back to Davey's house, neither of you spoke. You didn't need to, the silence was comfortable, at least, comfortable on your end. On Davey's however, the silence was only external, with the thoughts in Davey’s mind racing.

I really don’t understand, why am I having such a hard time selling papers? Is it because I’ve been so distracted today? Because I've been frustrated half the time and don't even know why? If that's the reason, what's the source? Could it be (Y/N)? I mean, not directly because of (Y/N), but all these interactions they're having. The way some of those other guys were staring at them earlier, it made me sick. And Jack? What is he playing at? Flirting with (Y/N) and then encouraging (Y/N) to flirt with others. Why is this making me upset? It must be Jack then, it has to be. He just rubs me the wrong way, and he's a bad influence! And (Y/N) doesn't even seem to realize it. How could they let him do that to them, to let him treat them like that. Outrageous. 

He had just finished his train of though as you both arrived at Davey’s house. You entered and went into the kitchen to find Davey’s mother. 

“Oh hello dears. It seems a bit early to see you back.” Mrs. Jacobs greeted you.

“It’s nothing to worry about Mrs. Jacobs. We stopped by in hopes that we could have something to eat.” You said, falling into a rhythm with her to prepare lunch.

“Well, we have a bit of leftover bread, most likely enough for the both of you. And while I’m trying to make that butter last as long as possible, take as much as you like.” She said. 

“Thank you mother.” Davey said, as he grabbed two cups and filled them up with water from the sink, setting them down at the table. You joined him at the table carrying a plate with the bread and butter. You sat across from him at the table and the two of you began to eat. 

“You know David, you don’t look too well. Maybe you should go rest.” His mother suggested.

“I can’t do that. If I rest I won’t be able to sell the rest of my papers.” He rebutted.

“Your mother’s right Davey. You should rest. I can sell the rest of the papers for you.” You agreed.

“No, (Y/N), you don’t need t-”

“David Jacobs give me your papers this instant.” You stated firmly.

He resigned himself to handing his papers over to you. You put them in your bag, finishing your bread before heading out and saying goodbye to the Jacobs. 

Mrs. Jacobs had joined Davey as he was fiddling with his cup.

“So, David, tell me, what’s got you all worked up.” She said.

“Mother I have no idea as to what you’re talking about.” 

“There’s something upsetting you and it isn’t good to bottle it up inside.”

“How do you know something's wrong?”

“Mother’s intuition sweet heart. So. What is it?”

“It’s just, I’ve been wound up and angry today and I’m not sure why, and I think it has to do with (Y/N) and this newsie, Jack.”

“Of course.” She said, nodding her head.

“Earlier today, everyone was looking, gawking at them like they were some freak of nature, as if they had never seen a person before. And then this guy Jack was flirting with them and touching them and while we were selling papes he encouraged them to flirt with everyone, putting them outside of their comfort zone and into the spotlight.” He rambled.

“It sounds to me that someone is jealous.”

“I’m not jealous, I’m worried about them.”

“You care about them. And you’re not used to not being the center of their attention. It's natural.”

“Oh please, I’m perfectly fine not being the center of their attention.”

“How do you feel that they're going back to sell papers, by themself, or possibly with the Jack boy you mentioned?”

“I’m fine.” He strained.

“You don’t sound fine to me mister. Go get some rest and think about it when you get up." 

"Mother I'm fine. Please."

"David, go take a nap, and when you wake up you can help Les with his homework."