Title: Something There
Author: Stage
Rating: PG
Pairing: Specs/Dutchy
Status: Part 2/2 "Hershey Kiss"
Feedback: Ehy, why not!
Archive: STN, FF.net, and Slashyways (www.angelfire.com/musicals/slashyways)
Summary: Its the 13th of Feburary. Specs finds a rose in his bedsheets and Dutchy's acting...strange. Specs hates Valentine's Day, but can his "Secret admirer" prove him otherwise? *VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL!!*
Disclaimer: Own nothing…except the rose and chocolates…yummy.
Warnings: Just tame slash.
Notes: Hey.  I completely forgot what I was going to say.  O.o

****


The next morning started like an other, Kloppman came stomping up the stairs and bellowed out the wakeup call.  Every newsie rolled out of bed and groped for their clothes and hats.  Then they headed off in one sleepy mass to the bathroom.

Specs trailed behind, other things on his mind.  Lying in bed, he had wondered about the last night-or that night-until he had fallen off into a sleep.  He looked ahead, seeing the back of Dutchy's head.  He was laughing and joking with Bumblits.

Specs shuffled around the bathroom, trying hard to not make eye contact with Dutchy.  Some didn't dare to cross his path…still cautious from his dangerous behavior he had exhibited last night.  Others were too bushed to notice anything.

Eventually they all got their energy up and stampeded down the staircase.  Once out into the free streets they skipped, hopped, danced, and did any and everything else.  Again, Specs trailed behind.

With a sigh, he stuffed his hands in his pockets.  Eyebrows knitting, Specs pulled his hand out again.  Between his fingers was a wrapped chocolate.  He pulled off the note, stuck the chocolate back in his pocket, and unfolded the paper.

"Don't be sad.  I'm closer than you think…" Specs read. 

"Specs, ya ok?" Mush asked, standing in front of Specs.  "What's dat?"

Wordlessly, Specs relinquished the note.  Mush took it and read over the neat writing.  His eyebrows went up a little and he looked over at Specs.

"I dunno who its from…" Specs shrugged.  "Some goil, maybe?  It was a rose on the bed last night and now this chocolate." As he spoke, he pulled out the chocolate.

"Specs," Mush replied, not looking up from the note.  "Hate ta break it to ya, but this ain't a goil's handwriting…'sides, Kloppman would nevah let a goil upstairs."

"Not wit out da 'preservin' da innocence' speech." Specs replied with a roll of his eyes.  "I really hate dis day."

"Dat's how I used ta be." Mush replied, handing back the note and grinning.  "Now come on, befoi dey run out of papes."

****

Specs and Mush got into places in line.  Mush snuck up to the front with Blink and the two chattered away.  Specs snorted softly and jumped a few feet when the head in front of him turned out to be Dutchy's.

"'Mornin' Specs.  Feelin' bettah?" He asked pleasantly. 

"Uh, yeah…g'morning Dutchy…"

"Somethin' wrong?"

"Well, what was dat all 'bout last night?"

"What was all what 'bout?" Specs stared.

"Uh…" He couldn't believe Dutchy didn't remember.  Specs shifted anxiously from foot to foot.  Dutchy pretended to be deep in thought and smirked when Specs looked over his shoulder.

"Oooh!" He exclaimed.  Specs's head swiveled back around to look at him.  Dutchy grinned widely.  "Youse means dis!"

Before he could react, Dutchy had two hands behind Specs's and had leaned forward, kissing him steadily.  Much to his own surprise-as if Dutchy's surprise hadn't been enough-Specs couldn't have been happier.

Neither heard the hushed silence that fell over the group, nor saw the wide-eyed stares from most.  They didn't even hear the loud clatter when Dave tripped over a bucket and fell off the platform.  When the two broke apart, saw and heard nothing…well, Specs lit up like a fire engine and Dutchy grinned apologetically.

Thump.  Jack hit the walkway with a sound that echoed through the silence of the crowd.  You could hear a pin drop.

"WOHOO!!" Bumblits cheered, punching the sky and jumping.  "'S 'bout time, you two!  What took so long?!" 

"VIRGIN EYES!  VIRGIN EYES!"  Itey yelled, trying to cover Snipes and Les's eyes whilst dragging them away…at the same time.  Skittery, Blink, and Mush fell in fits of laughter, leaning on each other and clutching their sides.

"All right!  Pay up!" Racetrack yelled over the commotion.  A few groaned and dug down into their pockets, pulling out pennies.  "Youse guys lost."

"Lost what?" Dutchy asked, slowly.

"How long it take you two ta get dis far." Race replied, collecting the money.

"You bet on us?" Specs demanded. 

"Hey," Race shrugged and took out the cigar so he could talk.  "Its what I do."

"I need to get me some new friends." Specs muttered, taking off his glasses and cleaning the lenses on his shirt. 

*****

go back to first part Valentine's Day Special