#pineappawrites

i wrote what was supposed to be really subtle ralbert but that fell through cuz i missed them <:3 theres mild references to period typical homophobia but other than that this is just banter and fluff. i had fun with the fact that alberts trading card says he lives with his brothers and dad for this :3

——

He stuck his head out the window, and checked the temperature and sky. The night was surprisingly cool, in spite of it being August, and Racetrack Higgins was up way too late.

At this rate, he was up way too early, but for the first time in a while, he was up this late for a purpose. He’d head out soon, and smoked through part of his cigar as he waited to be sure it was safe. The sky was clear and he was about to be on a (rather silly) mission.

Finally, Race slipped out the lodge. Hauling ass as quietly as possible through the neighborhood, he fumbled shut the buttons on his shirt. He glanced this way and that, as nervous excitement rattled through him. He may have known the streets as well as any newsie, but that didn’t negate any potential trouble from being out this late.

Although depending on the “trouble”, Race might consider the lecture he’d get from Kloppman (or Jack) worse.

Race wasn't deterred by any of the risks though, as he gazed up at the sky with intent and made his way to Albert’s.

Have you ever heard the myth that if you wake up in the middle of the night for no reason, something is watching you? Race wouldn’t know, he’s usually the perpetrator. He stared into the window, backlit by the moon in a way that would make you wish he had reflective eyes. Finally, he slid open the window and clambered through.

After longer than expected, Albert stirred as Race hovered over him, snapping him from staring at Albert’s still-furrowed brow. He grinned, and Albert returned a scowl from his side.

“Goooood morning,” he whispered louder than necessary, dropping onto his best friend’s back. “How’d ya sleep?”

“I was sleeping fine,” he grumbled, and rolled onto his stomach.

“Was it a wonderland of lamb an’ pretty girls?”

“I'm never livin' that down, huh." Albert groused. "What time is it?”

“‘Bout 5,” and Albert felt Race grin wider as he said it, because he knew damn well he was tormenting him. He reached back, swatting at him, the pair flailing and wheezing in laughter as they did their best not to disturb the rest of the household.

Eventually, they calmed and Race draped himself over Albert’s whole body, which in turn brought back that nervous excitement from earlier.

“There’s a meteor shower, ya wanna watch it?”

“That’s what you got me up for?”

“Didn’t’cha see it in the weather today?”

“That's not weather!”

Racetrack headbutted Albert from behind, Albert only managing to stifle a noise of protest by jamming his face into the pillow.

They continued play-fighting, and somehow never moved from the uncomfortable position, at least until something shifted from across the small room. Albert smacked Race into stilling.

“If you wake up my brothers I’m kicking you out,” he hissed.

“And I'll drag you with me! Can't'cha just watch the stupid meteor shower, Albie?”

Albert huffed and sat up, tipping the two of them backwards before he crawled out the window onto the small platform. Race followed in tow, still not bothering to shut the window.

Albert laid back on the floor, and surely enough, every few seconds, small pinpricks of light flew across the sky. It was a pretty sight, he admitted to himself. Race sat next to him, absent-mindedly tangling his hand into Albert’s hair.

The gentleness compared to the borderline chaos a few moments ago would’ve stunned just about anyone that knew either boy. Constant idle touching may have been normal for the newsies, but around others Race and Albert were closer to the rough-and-tumble side of things. It didn't help that everyone knew getting too close at the wrong time could risk you everything, but it was too early for it to matter yet.

Race didn’t actually know what Albert’s family thought, come to think of it. Regardless, they probably wouldn’t appreciate him sneaking Albert out over stars. Pushing the thought aside, he tugged Albert’s head into his lap without ever breaking his gaze with the sky.

“Can’t believe you woke me-” Albert broke off with a yawn, “-up at 5:00 for this,”

“Oh come on! Where’s your sense of fun, huh?” Race retorted, glancing down for once.

Albert huff-laughed and gently smacked the side of Race’s face, before he lurched upwards to point at the sky. “Holy shit! Did you see that!?”

Race managed to look up just in time to see an enormous shooting star crashing down before vanishing, as he gasped in delight.

“I told you this was worth it!” he exclaimed, throwing all cares of "quiet" out the window.

“No you didn’t. D’you think anyone else got to see that?”

Race shrugged and grinned like a fucking madman. “Where d’ya think it landed?”

Albert thought for a moment before he pantomimed writing on a chalkboard. “‘Space rock crushes rich jerk’s garden!’”

“’s too early for headline shit…” Race yawned. “Y'wanna come back to the lodge with me? Done it before.”

Albert glanced over towards the window, and wondered for a moment if their ruckus had woken anyone up. “Might need to.”

Race nodded, but didn’t move beyond continuing to pet his boyfriend’s hair.

Albert nuzzled into the gentle touch as he got a glimpse of the clock inside. 5:45 AM. "I think we'll need to head out soon if we don't wanna deal with Crutchie being a fucking early bird."

"Y'really think he gets up this early?"

"How should I know? I only hear it from you and Jack."

Race scoffed and stood up to stretch. "Ready to go now?"

“Lemme get my shoes,” he said, and headed through the window.

Race rested on the railing as he waited, wondering if anyone else was up yet. Maybe for the same reason he was, to get comfort without worrying about prying eyes and side-glances as best, and the worst that he didn’t want to think about.

He pulled himself out of his thoughts as Albert returned from the window, who actually shut the thing. “Ready?” Albert asked.

Race nodded and offered his arm as a joke, grinning. Surprisingly, Albert took it, even though they had to detach not far down the road.