October 1899
Newsboys Lodge House, Manhattan, New York City
Skitterys P.O.V.
I wake up because someone's nudges my arm.
I hear a whisper.
Sounds like my name.
I groan, stir and open my eyes.
My glance is met by tinier hazel eyes. They'se bloodshot and puffy.
In the pale moon light, I can see tears in 'em.
"Tumbler, what's da matter?", I whisper, sittin' up.
The boy shivers.
More tears runnin' down his cheeks.
He doesn't answer.
"Bad dream?", I ask again.
Tumbler nods and I fold back my covers, so he can lay down beside me.
He whips a tear away, crawl in my bed and snuggle against my chest.
I carefully stroke his hair, quietly hummin', like Mags uses ta do it.
After a while I can hear Tumbler breath evenly.
"Don't worry, little buddy. I'll protect ya.", I whisper in in his hair. "I'llprotect ya."
A/N: Very short, but sweet :)