#bumlets/swifty

[chaosfairy18]

Newsiestober Day 18 : Bad Moon Rising

Honestly, he should have seen it coming, but with how good everything had been lately, he just hadn’t thought of it. Maybe he just didn’t want to think of it.

Bumlets slowly sat down next to Swifty on the floor in front of the bed that had become his in the last month, putting a hand on his shoulder, not sure if he’d seen him with how he was hiding his face between his pulled-up knees. “Vince? Are you okay?”

“You know what day it is.”

So not okay then. “It’s not much different from what we practiced. I know you’ll control it, and just in case something happens I can easily defend myself, we talked about this.” Bumlets kept his voice calm and steady, wanting to coax the other boy out of his defensive shell. It was only a matter of time until he had confront what would happen, and they’d trained a lot for this.

“It’s different. It forces me to transform, not just- not just like when you help me. I- last time I attacked you-“

“Last time we didn’t know each other yet. You were scared.” Bumlets slung an arm around Swifty’s shoulders to pull him close. “And you didn’t hurt me at all.”

“Just because you’re a wizard, but I didn’t know that, anyone else I would’ve hurt-“

“But you didn’t.” Finally deciding to forcefully pull his head out of the defensive position, Bumlets grabbed both of Swifty’s cheeks, looking him in the already bloodshot hazel eyes, tears threatening to run down his face. “It was your first time transforming, you were scared, you got new instincts and didn’t want to be hurt yourself. It’s not your fault and nothing happened, Vincent.”

Now exactly one moon cycle ago, Bumlets had been interrupted at his midnight-full-moon-collecting of herbs by a large wolf running through his garden, startling as he saw him and snapping in his direction, clearly confused and scared. Bumlets had tried to calm it and get closer, assuming an injury, almost getting bit if it hadn’t been for his magic shielding his skin. The problem here had been, that the wolf wasn’t just that, but a werewolf, Swifty, to be exact, after he’d turned the first time.

He’d seen it as he got closer, seen the too human eyes, felt the too strong river of thoughts running through the creature, using a weaker, non-specific spell to communicate with him at least enough to make him understand that he’d be safe here, that he could hide here until morning if he needed to.

Bumlets wasn’t sure why Swifty had agreed, he hadn’t asked, but the next morning he’d found Swifty as he was now, curled in on himself and scared, but trusting him enough to not run far away.

It was easier to explain when they could both use words properly, and he’d found that Swifty never knew he was a werewolf until that transformation, having not grown up with his biological parents, so naturally, he’d been panicked. Then he’d also apologized over and over for attacking him, no matter that nothing happened, and of course Bumlets had told him he had nothing to apologize for.

Instead he’d offered him to stay, if he wanted. As a wizard, Bumlets had ressources to help him with transformations – not to mention knowledge on things and spells to protect himself – and in the forest there wouldn’t be anyone else he could potentially injure. “There’s no one around for a few miles and I can protect myself. I can help you try to control it, if you want.”, he’d said.

And had gotten a new roommate since.

It had been nice, too nice, everything going great and them getting along well, so of course it had to go worse again, to where they were now, Swifty terrified of what he might do, even though they had trained, even practiced the transformation without the full moon – which allowed clearer thoughts and control of one’s actions.

But it only made sense Swifty was still afraid.

“Let’s go downstairs into the garden. No matter what happens, it’ll be better outside.”

Bumlets just pulled him up as Swifty nodded, holding onto his arm and wiping at his eyes. “Sorry for being a mess.”

“You have every reason to be one.” He opened the door to the back, the last rays of sunlight already having disappeared, the flowers and herbs already in the dark. “It’s not something you knew of until a month ago and it changes you, completely, you have every reason to be afraid.”

Swifty just nodded and let himself be led near the stone fence, where Bumlets stopped. “Do you want me to stay close? Or- I could hold you. I just want to help when it happens.”

As much as Swifty was still scared of what he could do, of how he could hurt Bumlets in particular, he’d feel even worse if there was only the dark, cold garden here to comfort him. “Please.”

He wasn’t sure how long he still had, how hight the full moon was, but he did his best to ignore it, head lying on Bumlets’ lap while his eyes were closed. He could feel the sensations starting, slowly, much less intense than what had happened a month ago, but not of his own volition like the last few times he’d practiced it here.

“How long?”

“Maybe half an hour at most until the highest point. Don’t resist it, all will be okay.”

He kept trying to stay calm while Bumlets pet his head, soothing words and touches all around him. It was possible that the wizard also helped with spells, but he didn’t care, just trying to not get overwhelmed, limbs twitching now, waiting for what was inevitable.

When it came, it was sudden, almost surprising, making him roll off Bumlets’ lap to the grass, not fighting what was about to change him, that would only worsen the pain and make him slip somewhere into the instincts and far away from control.

“How do you feel?”, he heard, minutes later, the sensations ebbing down, having done what they aimed, leaving him a wolf, with no way to turn back until the sun turned up again. Getting on his four feet, he looked up, seeing Bumlets much clearer now in the dark, the slight blue hinting at his magic being used shining from his eyes, but not keeping his distance from him, as dangerous as he could be.

As he couldn’t answer, he just nudged Bumlets’ hand with his head, relieved to find his head mostly clear, no panic from last month left, though the new instincts and senses overwhelmed him still.

Swifty laid his head back on Bumlets’ lap, just wanting to close his eyes to at least not have to see anything, the new sounds of the surrounding forest and smells of the garden already enough.

“I told you we’d be fine. Just get used to it in your own time, I’ll be here.”

Swifty didn’t move from his spot much the entire night, and even after finally turning back, he just fell asleep in the same position again.

prompts by @newsiestober2024

[thatoneandlonelyemo2005]

When thinking back on it, Skittery used to have one stick. Now he technically has two. His beloved stick was found one day while he was selling, and it has never left his side. That is, till he saw Bumlets limping a little like Crutchy. Not extreme, but he gave Bumlets his stick. No words were said; he just handed him the stick and walked away. Not because he didn't want to say anything, it was just that he was pretty, and Skittery panicked.

He learned later that Bumelts had twisted his ankle from running away from the bulls. He even learned that from Snitch, who he gave his last quarter. At least he had twenty cents left.

So now hes out on the fire escape smoking a cigarette like his life depended on it. Then out comes Bumlets from the window, smiling. Skittery only glanced at him. Bumlets didn't talk right away. He let Skittery get comfortable with him while they watched the sun set. Then he put a stick down next to Skittery. "It's yours. My ankle is fine now. Thank you." If you had asked Bumlets, he would have kissed his cheek. He wanted to know if he could make Skittery blush. But after that, he left the boy on the fire escape to be with his thoughts.

After a few weeks, Skittery saw him moving slowly and rubbing his thigh. Skittery looked at his beloved stick and almost kissed it before Kid Blink had come up to ask him for a match. "Get one yourself, Blink." "Aw, com'on Skits. It's one match." Skittery glared because it was his last match, and he had one cigarette left, and Racetrack made sure to hide his own matches, and now he planned on giving the match to Blink only due to him smoking his last cigarette because after giving his stick again to Bumlets, Skittery needed a breather. It started to repeat, and Skittery thought this was on purpose. He finally got his stick back while he was reading his newest dime novel. He had curled up with a very old but comforting quilt, and Bumlets had walked up to him as if they were friends. Maybe they are they shared a stick. 'More like parents, ' his mind snickered at him. He didn't say anything to him; he only blushed just a tad. But he blamed it on Bumlet's voice. "My leg feels better, so you can have your stick back, thank you."

He left again. Skittery stared at the stick, then at him. He was talking to Pie Eater, and that's when it hit him. He was getting Bumlets a stick.

Now, finding a stick was hard. Even when he was selling. It took him two whole days. It was a perfect stick, too. Or at least for Bumlets. The stick even looked like him. It didn't, but Skittery made himself laugh, so that was good. Or he was going mad. Another cigarette was smoked after that thought. It was later in the night when Skittery gave Bumlets his own stick. He even convinced Mr. Kloppmann to let him carve their names into them. So they wouldn't get it mixed up. Bumlets had just returned from the washroom when Skittery hid behind his book, trying to read and not stalk him. Bumlets let out a small gasp in surprise when he saw the stick. It wasn't Skittery's either. He turned to see the boy hiding behind his book, and he walked over to him quickly. "Thank you...I really appreciate it." He said, smiling. "Well, I'm glad now we don't have to keep going back and forth. Neither of them wanted to stop going back and forth, but it had to be done for Skittery's sake mostly. He knew this friendship wasn't going to last. For once, Bumlets was nervous. He rocked back on his feet and sighed softly. "Well...if you want, tomorrow morning we could have a stick fight." "Sure. That would be fun." He tried to be real slick about it. But everyone in the room knew he wasn't. If he got a good night's sleep last night, no one had to know. Except they did because he acted differently. He was excited. Everything was normal, got up, ate some bread, got their papers, and then Bumlets pounced on him. Not full on pounce, but a little shove, and his stick hit Skittery's stick. Oh, it was on.

Somehow they got more money that way. It was as if they put on a show. But back at the lodge, he was greeted by Tumbler, and once detached from the hug, he looked over to see Bumlets kiss Swiftys' cheek and snuggle into him.

And his hope was dead. If anyone asked why he wasn't at dinner, he didn't tell them. Blink somehow unglued himself from Mush to bring him a plate. But it only made the boy glare and walk toward the fire escape. Patting his pockets, no cigarette. Great. So here is now. Knees to his chest and crying. How pathetic he was. To give in to the hope. To get a stupid stick for someone he liked. He even got a splinter for the boy when carving their names.

And just when the sun was setting and the tears finally stopped, someone opened the window. "Go away, Blink. I ani't got any matches." "I'm not Blink Skits." He was screwed. "Well, go away. Not in the mood." Somehow, he curled tighter into himself. Bumlet's eyes softened, and he tried to find the right words, but he could only find an action. Leaning forward, he kissed Skittery's cheek, "Thank you for the stick." He said, and finally got to see the boy blush. Skittery waited till the window closed before he let his breath out, then the window opened again, scaring him. "Oh, Skits, Swifty, and I wanted to talk to you about something. Come to my bunk later." Then the window shut. What was going on? After he collected himself, he opened the window and walked over to Tumbler's bunk. He wanted to act as normally as possible. The kid was passed out, and that helped Skittery a tad, knowing that was the most normal thing right now. Then he had to make his way over to Bumlet's bunk. Which Swifty and Bumlets laid on. He took a deep breath and played with his suspenders. Once at the bunk, he expected to get yelled at or something. Instead, he got not one but two soft confessions of love and kisses. Lots of kisses. So by the end of everything, he had his stick and his two partners. Maybe his brain was evil. But at the moment, the kisses tuned it out. It was something he never wanted to let go of. He knew that, and so did his partners. Even his stick knew as it rested next to Bumlets own stick. Skittery owed it to the stick more than anyone.

@make-friends-with-the-rats for the idea<3

[bumlets-appreciation-blog]

Friend One is Bumlets, Friend Two is Swifty, and the guy opening the door is Skittery.

(Don't worry, Fucknugget is said affectionately!)

[newsiespolls]

May the Best Background Newsie win!

(Reblog for a larger sample size)

[tommonikercomics]

Hi, just wanted to say I absolutely loved your Skittery/Bumlets art, it was so nice to see them! They looked so precious. As is easy to see on my blog I also ship them with Swifty but seeing *any* art with any of the three characters, especially two of them interacting is so cute :)

Also cool you saw Blood Drips not long ago, defintely the best horror movie out there

Sorry for another late post! I was at an event over the weekend 🙃

I don't usually draw throuples, but these guys are so fun for some reason 😭❤️

& yes: over the years, I've never come across a more suspenseful, more well-written horror movie than blood drips 🙏😔

[old-timmy]

Highschool Fic update

No I haven’t started writing, I am currently writing an outline of what i want to happen but here are the ships I have planned. Also unless they are a musical only character I will be using the 1992 versions of the characters so if you haven’t seen that version you should.

Jack and David, but it’s like kinda slow burn

Jack and Kathrine, but by the start of the story they have broken up but stayed friends

Blink and Mush, obviously

Jack and Sarah, they did date prior to the story but non of Sarah’s family or the Newsies knew they were dating or that they knew each other, you’ll see how that works later

Sarah and Kathrine, we love the newsbians

Racetrack and Spot, again using the 92 versions only bc I’m a sucker for a good ‘92sies Sprace story (sorry Spralbert and Ralbert shippers)

Bumlets, Swifty, and Skittery, BUMSWIFTERY FOR LIFE

Snitch and Itey, there is no freaking way they aren’t dating they literally share a bed

Tommy Boy and Finch, don’t ask me why it’s just one of my favorites

Specs and Dutchy, yes 92 Specs this ship is so random but I love it so much

Elmer and Buttons, I LOVE THESE TWO AHH

Jojo and Mike, can’t have a story without these two

Sniper, Smalls, Hotshot, but all girls because we NEED girl power

Graves and York, gotta have some Brooklyn Newsies ofc

These are all I can think of at the moment if you have anymore that you want to see or that I forgot please comment them

[what-the-newsies]

Bad mood

Summary: Skittery has been in a bad mood for the last few weeks, and bumlets and swifty help him cheer up.

Tws: mild language, depression talk?

Winter time was always the worst time of year for skittery,the cold weather never failed to dampen his already glum mood, and the frosty wind made him dread getting up in the morning. This year was no different, skittery already found it hard to put up a smiley, happy front the rest of the year, but in winter, it felt damn near impossible. This was one of the worst depressive episodes he had ever had. He had not smiled or laughed in what felt like weeks. Words hardly ever left his lips anymore, and his fellow newsies were starting to get worried, gravely worried,in fact.

After another long,dreary day midway through December, skittery was sat in his bottom bunk, knees pulled to his chest, staring blankly ahead as if consumed in irrepressible thoughts. He was so ingulfed that he didn't even realise that Bumlets had sat himself down next to him.

"Hey, skitts.." Bumlets said quietly. However, skittery seemed to be blocking out noise that wasn't coming from his brain,so there was no answer. He places a gentle hand on his shoulder and skittery jumped back, startled.

"Jesus christ, are yous tryna kill me?" Bumlets chucked at this.

"No, I was just tryna make sure youse alright." Skittery frowned, and Bumlets felt a sudden urge of guilt in his chest.

"Ise fine why wouldn't Ise be." Skittery snapped a little too loudly, making the heads of a few closer newsies turn.

"It's just that youse been in such a bad mood -"

"Ise has NOT been in a bad mood"

The dramatic irony of this sentence made bumlets snicker uncontrollably.

"What is youse laughing at?" Skittery yelled through gritted teeth, but he didn't look angry, just exhausted.

"Ise sorry, ise sorry-" Bumlets tried to apologise but he has still giggling too hard to get his words out right.

"Piss off." Skittery said angrily before turning and facing his back towards his laughing friend.

"Naww come on skitts I didn't mean it!" Bulets tried to protest but earned no reaction from his friend who was now ignoring him.

"Skitts...skitts...skittery...skitterrrrryyyy." He wined trying to stop his silent treatment.

A strong pang of guilt washed over him as he looked at the back of his friend who was more exhausted than anything else, all he wanted was to see skittery back to his happy self who laughed and played with the other newsies like the kid he was.

He stared at skitterys messy curls for a few moments, completely torn about what to do.

He placed a reassuring hand in the middle of Skitterys back, and all of the anger and tension in his body language seemed to just melt away. It was as if Bumlets could see the frustration draining out of him, like wringing out a sponge. Neither boys said anything, just enjoying the physical contact.

After a while, skittery slowly turned around so that he was facing Bumlets again, letting his hand drop from his back. He could see tears starting to dwell in Skitterys eyes. He just looked so drained, as if any personality behind those eye bags had been stolen.

"Ise- ise sorry..." skittery trailed off. He just sounded broken.

"Hey, it's okay, come here." Bumlets said in a gentle voice opening his arms up.

Skittery looked around, unsure for a second, then cooperated and climbed into his grasp. Bumlets wrapped his arms around his torso, and Skittery felt warm for the first time in weeks. He let the warmness wash over his body and nuzzle in. He felt like a real person again.

"Ise just don't knows what's wrong with me." Skitterys muffled voice came from Bumlets shoulder.

"Nothin' is wrong with youse." A voice stated from behind the two boys, they both swivled to see Swifty stood over them, looking down with big, sympathetic eyes. He then sat on the other side of Skittery and put an arm around his shoulders, to which he dissolved into him with his cheek pressed against Swiftys shoulder.

They sat there like that, all tangled and grateful for what felt like hours. Skittery felt like himself again for the first time in what felt like forever. The coldness outside was kept at bay in this moment, and all of the negative thoughts consuming him seemed to be locked away with Bumlets and Swifty holing the key. He had needed this for weeks and never knew that it was as simple as to ask his closest newsies to remind him that he could feel things other than emptiness.

"Thank youse." Skittery offered to the boys, Swifty kissed the top on his head.

"Now..." Bumlets chucked cupping Skitterys face in his hands, "Are youse in a betta mood?"

"Mhm"

"Youse don't look it, give us a smile." Bumlets prompted.

Skittery suddenly became very embarrassed about the situation and couldn't muster up the confidence to flash a smile.

"no." He glared, his cheeks burning red.

At that, Swifty began to tickle up and down Skitterys sides, forcing the widest, most face splitting smile to appear.

"Now thats much betta!" Bumlets smirked.

"Sthahahahap!" Skittery giggled and squirmed, laughing for the first time in days.

"Now are youse in a good mood?" Swifty teased.

Skittery was too over-come with laughter to answer, so he just frantically nodded his head as he slumped against Swiftys chest. He stopped his attack. Both boys stared down at skittery with the most love-sick eyes anyone had ever seen, grins etched across their faces with a beautifully soft gaze

"Glad ta hear it."

With that, Bumlets pulled the covers over them as they all cuddled into each other, Skittery in the middle, hoping to keep the unforgiving nature of winter outside.

[kid-blinks-eyepatch]

Newsies as things said at band camp

Crutchie: guys pls- Jack & Race, fighting over a 5$ megaphone: You don’t understand we need to go into the bathroom and shout “hey swifty” into it

———

Blink, attempting to read his music: shit what’s that a D? Race, without looking up: Oh i love getting Ds

———

Mush, eating pringles: Hey Blink you should fight Oscar

Blink: i would but Medda would break it up-

Albert: what if we all link arms and form a circle around you and him? that way medda can’t get to you to break it up?

Swifty, Bumlets, Race, and Finch: *w h e e z e* ———

Race, poking the doorstop: Wall boob!

Spot: what?😭

Race, points above Smalls’ head: another one!

Smalls: oh cmon the walls get boobs and i don’t?

———

Davey: i feel like Blink has beef with almost everyone

Blink: No i d- *thinking* -okay maybe

———

Race: *pointing towards Morris* oh it’s my hubby!

Morris: *starts running*

Race: OH MY GOD HE’S LIKE A BOWLING BALL

Skittery, Finch, Crutchie, Sniper, Les, Jack: *crying laughing* ———

Albert: *comes back from the bathroom*

Race: what’s wrong?

Finch: *sippin a juice box*

Albert: so Oscar was in there and he’s got his short tucked in in the front

Graves: okay?

Albert: and he goes “i gotta piss”

Finch: *big sip of juice*

Albert: AND STARTS WALKING TOWARDS ME😭

Finch: *now has juice all over himself from laughing* ———

York: oh my god i get my first tattoo in two weeks im so excited guys

Spot: what are you getting

York: some birds on my ribs as like a memorial thing

Graves; isn’t that gonna hurt?

York: yeah probably bur i have a high pain tolerance

York: and dont call me emo for this but i kinda likw the pain

Bart: you’re so fucking emo 😭

York: iM nOt

Graves: you’re literally in all black

York: shut up😭

———

[onmebackmush]

look out spracers... the bumswifty fandom can milk a 4-inch height difference too

[add3rboi]

[bigmack2go]

Cut

[chaosfairy18]

Bumlets: my favourite Disney Princess

He got the magic hair, it's just fact, not to mention the singing and dancing

[thatoneandlonelyemo2005]

I think Skittery bites his nails and chews on his hangnails

His hands usually have a bit of blood on them, and they hurt, but hes anxious and panicking and gets comfort from it. Tumbler tries to stop him, but it doesn't help, so he tells Bumlets and Swifty. They always help him. Swifty usually grabs his hands when he starts to bite and helps him calm down. Bumlets offered to hold his hands as they walk the streets or at home.

Either way, they helped him. Like they always do.

[bumlets-appreciation-blog]

Newsie Names (As Determined By Me)

(Post Deletion Repost)

My personal headcanons for the Newsies' names!

Jack “Cowboy” Kelly: Francis Malcolm Sullivan (canon)

Racetrack: Ed Higgins (historically accurate, I put him as having an Italian mother and Irish father, both Catholic because Race crosses himself during the nun scene)

Crutchy: Elijah Morris (surname is historically accurate, friendly reminder that Crutch Morris was Jewish and so is Crutchy)

Boots: Benjamin Arbus (surname looks like it’s widely accepted fanon, not sure about the first name)

Kid Blink: Louis Baletti (historically accurate, definitely has an Italian father at the least)

Mush: Nicholas Meyers (surname is historically accurate and I’m pretty sure the real Mush was named Nick)

Bumlets: Damian Vasquez/Damián Vásquez (Puerto Rican name, name anglicized after immigration)

Skittery: Roman Kučera (Czech name, @jackcowboyhero came up with this and I just love it so much)

Snoddy: Calvin Angier (also from @jackcowboyhero)

Specs: Leopold Bauer (German name)

Dutchy: Cas Hendriksen (Dutch name, Dutchy was commonly used for Dutch and German immigrants)

Snitch: John Whitfield

Itey: Elio Olivieri (Italian name, Itey was commonly used for Italian immigrants)

Swifty the Rake: Wesley Liu (half white and half Chinese like his actor Kevin Stea)

Pie-Eater: Michael Reeves

Jake the Oyster: Jacob Heaton

Snipeshooter: Gabriel Evans

Flipper: Charles “Charlie” Daley (I’ve officially chosen Flipper as his newsie nickname because it’s more popular and less ridiculous than Crazy Legs, Bumlets still calls him Charlie though)

Tumbler: Andy (another @jackcowboyhero name that I’ve adopted, he uses Kučera when necessary but doesn’t remember his actual last name)

Ten-Pin: Simon Butler

I prefer to be as historically accurate as possible and since most newsies in real life were immigrants or the children of immigrants, I took that into account when naming a lot of the boys. Anglicizing names was common practice for immigrants to better assimilate and since Bumlets’s family had to deal with racism on top of regular immigrant prejudice, his father dropped the accents to make things easier for them. Bumlets will probably add them back when he starts working as something other than a newsie (assistant superintendent at Duane Street is my headcanon). I sort of imprinted on @jackcowboyhero when I first joined the fandom so the names they picked for some of the boys (Skittery, Snoddy, and Tumbler) are very near and dear to my heart. I also tried to take into account the actor’s race/ethnicity as best as I could (Dominic Lucero was Latino, Kevin Stea is biracial, and I think Marty Belafsky is Jewish but the real-life Crutch Morris definitely was) and used information about real-life newsie nicknames to name others like Dutchy and Itey. If anyone has their own headcanons, I’d love to hear them!

[newsiespolls]

Best Background Newsie Lineup!

Round Two Matches:

1. Bumlets /vs/ Tumbler 2. Dutchy /vs/ Snipeshooter 3. Pie Eater /vs/ Swifty 4. Skittery /vs/ Specs

(all matches have been randomized)

Round Two winners will be officially announced in 7 days!

Check back for updates!

---

ROUND ONE

[tommonikercomics]

Hi there! Can I make a request for anything with Swifty the Rake? If you want maybe add Bumlets and/or Skittery too since those three seem to be close.

There was a mutual agreement that Skittery is baby; Skittery was less than impressed (yes, my cheeks hurt from referencing this in the mirror 😭🤣)