Itey lay on his back in bed, listening to the loud snores from various places around the room and Snitch's contented sighs. The Italian smiled sadly, to himself. At least his thieving friend was happy. Snitch had things all figured out; he'd sell in the mornings with Itey, steal between selling times on his own, then the young thief would do his evening selling with Skittery. Why Skittery, few people knew.

Itey sighed. He knew why. That's part of the reason why he was so upset.

He rolled over onto his side, and nearly pushed Snitch out of the bed. Big deal. Snitch could sleep through an earthquake.

Itey bit his knuckles and tried to keep his eyes from playing their way to one of the beds down and across from him, where Pie Eater lay, sleeping like a log (Snitch was the only one that slept like a baby). Itey smiled as the enthusiastic young newsie giggled in his sleep. The Italian could feel his heart pounding away, while his head screamed 'No, no, he won't like you that way!'

That was why Snitch's relationship with Skittery bothered Itey so much. Why should Snitch be so happy with a boy if Itey couldn't.

Snitch would always laugh that off, calling Itey stupid. "Youse aine even ast Pie Eatah anythin'! Howdya know 'ee'll toin ya down?"

Itey would protest that not all boys were like that, and Pie Eater just didn't fit into that type of guy.

"Does Skitts fit inta dat type a guy?" Snitch would counter. "Do I? Youse?"

Itey would always remain silent, refusing to admit he might be wrong.

The Italian scowled at the thought.

But why did he always insist on assuming the worst of everything? Why didn't he just say something to Pie Eater?

Because of the rejection.

"'Sbettah ta avoid rejection altogedda den ta risk feeling da full blast." Itey whispered to himself.

But Snitch would counter that too, wouldn't he? He'd say something like: "But if youse risk it, youse moight just foind some 'appiness dere," or "Risks is all parta da game. If youse take da chance, you moight foind dat Pie likes ya too."

Itey pounded his fist into the rock hard mattress. This was so confusing! Unfair! Too much thinking for such an uneducated brain! Itey rocked himself back onto his spine and prepared to fall into a troubled sleep.

"Itey…"

He paused, his breath caught in his throat. Nothing but a whisper, maybe even a misunderstood snore, but the possibility was there that…

"…love you, Its."

Yes! A bright smile lit up the Italian's young face. Pie Eater's voice, from Pie Eater's bed, saying his name in a dream. Saying he loved him!

Itey resisted the urge to wake Snitch. Instead, he shut his eyes and dreamed of the morning-to-come, where he would say what he felt, and have the feeling returned to him.

***AUTHOR'S NOTE***

Well. I finally wrote something. I've been having mucho difficulty with Outkasts. I don't quite know why…I guess it's because I'm not quite sure where this chapter is going. Well, I know where it's going, but I don't know how to get there. Damn. Don't worry though, I'll have at least one new chapter up before my birthday (which is February 11th…^^;; If I can get out of this slump, I may have two chapters up by then).

I'm also working on another Snitch-feature, and that one's being a pain in the ass too. I don't know how to make the newsies tease Snitch, and it makes me sad! Normally I'm good at that kind of thing, but some help is needed here, and will be taken. Please? ^^;

On another note…why did I write this? Because Keza made me read this awful awful awful Mary-sue last night, and it was just augh, disgusting! I felt so dirty reading something so prude and…Mary-sue! I needed some serious slash. So! Serious slash.

Uh…that's all. ^^; Bye!