Jack sauntered up the fire escape, shouting at the top of his lungs in exhilaration with a resounding whoop he took off his hat and flung it around like a regular cowboy, his face alight with winded joy.

David skipped steps to the level just below the exaggerated sceen, laughing at the child-like behavior, leaning backwards on the black iron with his arms crossed decidedly over his chest.

"I beat you by ah mile Davey-Boy!" the cowboy exclaimed, laughing in mockery.

"Yeah, well, if I don't let ya win once and while it's hard to put up with ya." Jack leaned down with a sour look on his face and the curl of his russet hair falling between his eyes, "You're ah sorry looseh, ya know that Dave?"

David rounded up the side, as if to attack or tackle the other boy. He paused just before him as a voice carried down the fire escape.

"David."

The two teenagers look up and greeted David's father with waves and common hellos.

"David, your mother and I need to talk with you." Mr. Jacobs called down to them.

"Oh, okay." David wiped his hands clean on his pants and shrugged, looking at Jack in question, "You gonna be around later?"

"Maybe, if I don't 'ave anything betteh to do."

The curly toped boy elbowed the other as he followed the stairs towards his kitchen window, hoping in before popping his head back out to give a cheery, "See ya, Jack."

"See ya 'round Davey." Jack leapt down the flights, the clank of his heals on the iron sounding like a stray cat in a trash can. He tossed a longing glance up at the beckoning windows with the lacey white curtains that called to him from the Jacobs' residence. Something about Mr. Jacobs's tone made him wonder what was going on behind the walls and lace. It was really none of his business but curiosity was better wasted on those with little to bargain for which was just the sort of man he was. Dave was his friend anyway and he'd find out sooner or later. Why not sooner?

Deciding in favor of curiosity, Jack quietly snuck back up and paused just out of site and well within earshot on their kitchen window. If he strained his neck just a tad, he could see the whole family gathered around the table. David sat in his chair backwards, a quirk he'd pick up hanging with the rest of the Newsies. Jack thought back to the pacifistic kid who'd swore he'd never have anything to do with the cowboy. Now they were best friends. Were from the day they met, if you overlooked the first encounter.

"What's going on, Dad?" asked Les, pulling up close to his brother and mimicking his posture.

Mr. Jacobs sighed, raking a hand through his hair and reaching out for his wife's hand, "You boys have been doing a great job. You've made plenty of money selling news papers. But, you're both still kids. You should be in school, not working on the streets. Especially you Les."

David leaned forward; "That's okay. Me and Jack can handle it alone. I think it's be great for Les to go to school."

Jack swallowed a lump forming in his throat. He had a bad feeling about this.

"You could still make a future for yourself too, David." Mr. Jacobs pointed out, "You can't expect to be a Newsie all your life."

Jack watched David's eyes fall to the table. There were more to the words than just a reference to his career. It was more like he was saying 'you can't be a child forever.' But they weren't children, they'd taken on the World and won. Jack scooted closer, his eyes glued to the family at the kitchen table.

"I've been offered a job out west, in Texas. As a desk clerk. Place called Harpers Creek. I think you boys will find plenty to do and it'll give you a chance at an education."

Jack watched David as his fists clenched and unclenched, feeling his own stomach twist. David lifted his head, ice blue eyes pained, a look of betrayal such as Jack had only seen once, when he had sided with the scabers.

"You can't take me away. Not now. Not that I've finally found some friends and made a place for myself! The Newsies are like a second family to me! I can't leave them!" David had stood up, palms flat on the table with Les right beside him.

"Yeah, Dad, we can't just leave the Newsies!"

Mr. Jacobs raised his hand, "I've already accepted the job. It's for the good of the family. You've got till the end of the month to say goodbye."

"No…" David backed away, angled towards the window Jack sat outside of. Sensing the impending run, Jack stood up and moved ahead, taking the stairs to the roof. "You can't take me away. No!" David leapt out the window and began his descent.

"Pst, Davey!"

David looked up, Jack's face beckoning him to the roof. He followed his mark, hopping the steps to the top before bolting onto the flat top and sinking to the hard floor.

Jack kneeled down before him, placing a hand on his friends shoulder.

David fell forward, his head burrowing in Jack's chest as his arms wrapped around his waist.

"I hoird everythin'." Jack confessed. "What ya gonna do about it?"

The mop of curly locks shook, tickling Jack's chin, "I don't know."

Jack nodded, holding David to him and rubbing his back in soothing patterns. "You're a smart guy, Dave. With some more schoolin you could do lots betteh than sellin' papes."

David's head popped up, "You want me to leave?"

"No! God no," he buried his friends face back into his embrace, "The last thin' I want is for ya to leave! You're my best friend! My walkin' mouth! I don't know what I'd do without you to set meh strait eveh time I try to do some bull headed stunt!"

David laughed lightly, "It's more like you pulling me into one of your bull headed stunts."

Jack twisted a curly lock with his fingers, tracing the strong muscles in David's neck with his fingers as his friend took shelter in his arms. The Newsies had always been a touchy group, always a hand on each other when possible or available. Though the newest member, David fell quickly into the arms and hands of his friends. Jack's especially. For Jack had fallen faster and harder for the blue-eyed angel than any one else, every touch hiding an emotion hidden well from his friend. From the moment he'd bumped into him, he wanted to hold him. The first time they'd spoken he'd wanted to kiss him. Jack found his lips wandering over the tussled curls, kissing the tops in silent adoration.

"Jack?"

The cowboy sighed, "Yeah?"

"Do you think I could come live with you guys?"

Jack shook his head, "Your family needs you, Dave. Besides, you don't want to be like meh adn the othehs."

"Yes I do!" David pushed away completely, "I'm a Newsie, Jack! You wouldn't tell Mush or them to leave!"

"Well none of them organized a whole strike eitheh! You're better then them, Dave! You're better than all of us!"

"No I'm not! I'm a Newsie!" David tried to get away from Jack but the cowboy looped his arms around him and held him tightly to himself.

"Listen to me, Dave, and you listen good. Yeah, your eh Newsie but you've got enough brains to take over for Pulitzer one of these days. Don't be throwin' all that away just 'case you wanna prove you're like the rest of us."

David slumped forward, a whisper on his lips that passed by without sound.

"What's that?" Jack turned David around and held him till he was staring him in the eyes. The cool blue always shocked him to the core.

"It doesn't matter any more. It's too late."

"You're still here, ain't ya?" Jack shook him, "What's wrong with now? Seize the day, remembeh?"

David nodded, a small smile on his face and a growing blush. His arms wrapped around Jack's neck, drawing him closed, "Seize the day, huh?" with that he crushed their lips together in a hot kiss that tasted of honey and sweat, sizzling across their flesh like lightening from the one point of contact that set the sun to fall in comparison. Hungry and desperate, the blue eyed angel teased and caressed, making short order of pleasantries and restrictions. His hands fled under Jack's shirt, stroking the sensitized flesh and pushing backwards, pleading with unspoken words for a response, to be touched and excited. Jack waited just a moment to see where it was all leading before returning the actions with zest and craving. His hands weaved into the maze of curls, reveling in the texture and softness while devouring David's mouth and invading with his tongue to taste the ardent sweetness that was offered. His hips arched to press against his denim-clad partner's, wanting to feel everything, every inch and crevice, every plane and protrusion. His teeth nibbled on David's bruised bottom lip, swollen and shivering in the air, wishing only to be rejoined and lavished. But Jack's mouth fell to his neck, nibbling and teasing, blowing cold breath across sensitized skin that caused light moans of pleasure to break the forbidden silence.

"Oh god… Jack…"

Jack growled at his name, feeling the power and lust wash over him. Dave wanted him, was moaning his name, was scratching his back in barely controlled yearning as he shivered and tossed his head.

"What do you want, Dave? How far?" he ground his hips into David's exciting twin moans from both of them.

"I want you." The curly toped boy moved his hands lower, teasing Jack's waistband with curious fingers, "Seize me. Take me."

It was almost a plea, a pathetic mourning of future neglect and imminent passings making every movement and wish more urgent. Jack pushed him backwards, his arm supporting the others back as he guided them lower to the ground. David kept his eyes glued to Jack's, trust and love emanating from the crystal orbs. He watched as Jack tossed his shirt away then reached down and helped him undress as well. First the shirt, then the pants till all was discarded and all that was left was flesh against flesh in the dying light of the sun. Their lips met again, a new hunger driving them on. Jack let his hand wander down the sleek sweaty surface of David's stomach, pausing a hands width below his belly button before sliding back up to tease the cherry nipples that gave rise to excited gasps that escaped their joined lips.

A smile crept upon the cowboy's face as he closed the kiss and dropped his moist mouth to the buds of flesh on David's chest, licking each one before taking one into his mouth and lavishing it, his tongue swirling to an unfound beat, teeth nibbling and pressuring the over sensitized nub. David wreathed and bucked, causing their erections to brush against the other. Jack's breath came in a quick intake, his resolve soon to fade but his caution and awareness to his lover keeping him from going to fast. He moved back to David's lips, paying brief attention to the panting 'o' shaped mouth before replacing his lips with his fingers, encouraging David to suck and moisten them as his other hand followed the original destination downward to grasp the dewing erection in his hand.

David's resounding cry of ecstasy echoed off the rooftops, the last of the dusk's rays falling like golden glitter across their naked, sweat covered bodies. Jack felt his own passion rising, every noise David made feeding him with unrivaled love. He moved his hand up and down, applying pressure with his palm while his eyes remained glued to David whose continual panting and movements only added to his own pleasure. He could feel David's tolerance approaching its peak, pleasure soon to throw him into ecstasy. Jack halted his movements, letting go of the straining erection that begged for attention with a voice humming around his fingers that prayed for release. David bucked and twisted, trying to find friction somewhere. Jack stilled his trials, leading his fingers out of the angel's mouth and returning a full and soul deep kiss.

Again he made a path down David's front, going around the proof of all that David meant with every word and bliss filled face, diving past and below into the crevice that lead to the puckered entrance he sought. With his lips locked and adding a bit of distraction to the initial penetration, Jack pressed one finger in pass the restraining flesh to the first knuckle and waited for David's reaction. A sharp hiss escaped their kiss but only increased the depth of which their bond explored. Jack pressed in further, his finger entering to the second knuckle, pausing again for David's comfort. No longer content with slow and easy, David pressed back, taking the entire digit in, moving against it instinctively. Jack began to insert the other, finding less of his resolve intact with every rocking motion that David stirred. The second finger was added completely, the rocking and plunging becoming rhythmic and heated. He adjusted the angle of his fingers as David rocked back into them causing them to brush against the sensitive spot deep inside of him. David shouted out, drawing Jack closer, their erection brushing again.

Jack moaned and leaned back, removing his fingers and reaching to his neglected member with sweat and saliva slicked hands. He coated it as best he could then positioned himself in front of David' pulling his lover's legs over his shoulders and directing him into a jack knifed position. He guided his erection to the entrance and braced himself again David's shoulders as he slowly entered, stopping with the head as he had with his fingers, waiting. A sharp cringe of pain crashed upon the previously enthralled expression on the blue-eyed angel's face but soon lifted and was met by an eager thrust upward. Jack bit his bottom lip to retain control. He slipped further into the velvety depths of David and fallowed his partner's lead till he was buried to the hilt in the moist heat that sent his head to arch back in pleasure. The waiting wasn't long till one of them moved against the other, sending them into a slow rhythm that slowly escalated into faster and harder thrusts that rocked them both. Angling to hit that special spot over and over again, Jack reveled in the new sounds that escaped his 'walking mouth', wordless shouts of encouragement and bliss falling like dew on a rose. Jack thrust harder, faster, feeling his own pleasure escalate and peak as he cried out and thrust deeper, touching that spot like he never had before, sending David reeling to release as well, coming on each other and within.

Sticky and subdued, Jack pulled out of the warm enclosure, letting David's legs fall back into a more comfortable position. He crawled up beside of him, David snuggling close till his head was buried beneath Jack's chin as it had been in the very beginning.

"You okay?" Jack asked, kissing his forehead and running his fingers through tangled curls.

"Great. You?"

Jack smiled and nestled closer to David, arms wrapped protectively around the smaller boy, "Great. You as tired as I am?"

The lack of response and the steady breathing that danced across his chest answered his question and soon he found himself drifting into slumber as well where sweet dreams awaiting him.