Albert: "yeah, i've had a bloody nose for the past hour..."

Race: "oh man. I mean you've gotta run out of blood sooner or later, y'know?"

Albert: ".... dude you know blood grows back right"

mmm you have no idea how much i liked writing this

–

warnings: none

ALBERT’S PHONE LET OUT A QUIET PING, MAKING HIM TURN FROM WHERE HE WAS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR. He let out a grumble and dropped the comb he’d been using to style his hair, reaching out to snag his phone.

The screen lit up as he pressed the home button, revealing the preview of the text. His heart jumped a little when he saw that the text came from Race. Scolding himself for the sudden burst of excitement, Albert opened it, not reading what little of the text that was provided beforehand and looked it over.

   > Race   Are you free today?

His heart leaped again, but Albert hesitated a moment before he typed a reply. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to become involved in whatever scheme Race was cooking up currently. Last time Race had asked Albert if he was free, they TPed several houses in Race’s neighborhood.

   > Albert   That depends. Why?

It took only a moment before Race replied.

   > Race   I was wondering if you wanted to head to the beach with me.

   > Albert   Is this a trick?

   > Race   I swear it’s not, Al. So, uh, yes or no?

Albert thought for a moment. He was free all day, actually, and didn’t assume that anything would pop up. And besides, a day at the beach? Albert hadn’t visited a beach for over two years, and it would definitely be fun to head to one with Race.

   > Albert   Fiiine. You driving?

   > Race   Yep! I’ll pick you up at noon.

The grin that appeared on Albert’s face stretched widely. For once, he was going to let himself have some fun. Sure, he’d remember to stay on his toes, especially since Race was the one asking. But Albert was certain to try and fool around for the first time in forever.  

//

“Al! Put up the window!”

Albert laughed, sticking a hand out the open passenger window of Race’s car. He waved his fingers, feeling the wind whip around his skin.

“C’mon, Race,” Albert said, glancing at his friend with a grin. “I haven’t been to a beach in eons. Lemme have some fun.”

Race rolled his eyes playfully, reaching over with one hand to smack Albert’s shoulder playfully. “You were the one who said you wanted to save smelling the ocean air for when we actually got there,” reminded Race.

Albert shrugged, bringing his hand back into the car. He left the window open. “Nothing wrong with an early taste of the best-smelling air in the world,” he said.

Race shrugged, a smirk crossing his face. “At least it drowns out that disgusting cologne you’re wearing,” he replied, smugness filling his tone.

Reaching out, Albert flicked Race’s arm. “Shut up,” he grumbled. But just in case, Albert raised his arm to his nose, taking a quick sniff. The way he screwed up his face afterward made Race laugh.

Only fifteen minutes later, Race and Albert were waist-deep in the cool ocean water, waves crashing over them as they swam after and tackled each other.

“Careful!” Albert choked out between laughs, saltwater filling his mouth. “Donsplashme!” Race refused to follow the plea, his hand smacking the water, sending a small wave in Albert’s direction.

He grinned evilly when Albert had to spit out another mouthful of salty water. The grin faded when Albert started to swim in Race’s direction. Race desperately tried to swim away, only to be grabbed by Albert from behind.

The two thrashed, sending water everywhere. A wave built up behind them, falling down on their heads as they continued to flail around. When they both shot up above the surface, holding each other by the shoulders, gasping for air, there was a moment of calm.

When the two caught their breath, silence filled the air. Their chests were almost touching and the grips they had on each other seemed to tighten in the moment as seagulls screeched in the background.

“You know,” Albert said softly. “If this was one of those cheesy romance movies, we’d kiss right about now.”

The smile Race gave was so gentle that Albert felt his heart melt. “Yeah,” agreed Race. “But this is real life, sadly.” The way he said it made Albert wonder if Race truly meant what he just said.

Albert nodded and there was another moment of quiet between them before it was broken by Race. “You know,” he began, “we should prove that those moments can happen in real life.”

Albert’s melted heart seemed to form again just so it could skip a dozen beats. “I’m not sure I know what you mean,” Albert choked out, his mouth drying up.

“Actually, I’m pretty sure you do,” Race replied, his smile widening.

Albert’s mouth opened to argue, but whatever he was going to say before faded away as Race leaned closer. “So,” continued Race. “Are we gonna make it happen?” Albert scrambled for words but was at such a loss that all he could do was a nod.

Race closed the gap and their lips crashed together, the waves splashing around them. Saltwater sprayed their faces as they pulled apart, making Race laugh as he wiped his face off with a wet hand.

Finally able to find something to say, Albert opened his mouth to speak. “Is it weird to say ‘I love you’ after only one kiss?” His face was bright red.

“i’m famous!”

HERE THEY R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

uhhhhh i thought i posted this a while ago but now i can’t find it. have some good platonic ralbert

requested by: someone lmao

word count: 505

warnings: none(?)

The rest of the boys inside the lodge were fast asleep. Elmer was snoring, and quite loudly. It was the first thing Albert heard when he woke up, the first thing that snapped him back to reality. His forehead was covered in sweat and his hands tingled and his feet were so, so sore, like he really was running away from the thing that was chasing him.

He wasn’t exactly sure what it was, just that it was big, and it was dark, and that he had to get away from it. Albert rolled back over in the top bunk, pressing his face into his pillow. He closed his eyes, trying to get back to sleep, hoping that he was only whimpering slightly. It was only a couple of seconds before someone was rapping on the bottom bunk. “You alright up there?”

Albert groaned. He didn’t…not want to talk to Race. He wanted to go back to sleep, but he didn’t see that happening in the near future. “No,” he whispered back down. “I had another nightmare.”

Race’s hand popped up from the bottom bunk, and Albert dangled his over so that their fingertips just barely touched. “Come tell me about it,” Race said. It was an offering, sure, but it was more of a command then anything.

It always helped Albert to explain what he was going through. Davey was the best at understanding; he always knew exactly what to say or how to link his dreams to the real world to make them make sense (he also had nightmares, too, so that was bonus). But Race was the best at listening. Davey would interrupt him constantly, trying to get a word or two in. Race would sit with him for the entire night and listen to him talk and not say a word until he paused, and often it was to make a witty quip about something unrelated to lighten the mood. It was nice to have both sides.

Albert silently climbed down from the down bunk, jumped off the bottom rung, and sat on the edge of Race’s bed. “It was…big.”

“It was big?”

He shrugged, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, it was big. I don’t know exactly what it was, but…” Albert started running his hands together. “I had to get away from it, or it was gonna get me-“

“I won’t let anyone hurt you, you’re safe with me. You know that, Al.” Race slapped Albert gingerly on the arm. “Besides, you’re here, and not…wherever you were. You’re here, and you’re safe. Come here, you big goof.” He wrapped an arm around Albert’s waist and pulling him into the bed. “You know that, right? Friends look out for each other. You’re alright.”

Albert ducked himself into Race’s chest and listened to him breathing. “I know.” Elmer was, for the first time in a long time, relatively quiet, which let Albert focus on his own breathing, focus on trying to get back to sleep.

“You do?”

“I always have.”

TW: Slight blood, mention of violence

Race hissed in pain as Albert pressed the cold rag against the bleeding cut on his forehead, the blood being soaked into the cloth. He jerked his head away at the sting, blonde curls bouncing slightly.

"Racer, c'mon. If you keep movin' then you won't heal." Albert gently grabbed Race's chin, making him stay still. Race whined in protest as the rag returned to his head. Albert only tsked. "If you wouldn't have thought messin' with Oscar was a good idea, we wouldn't be here now would we?"

Race groaned, Albert was right, as per usual. "Fine. M'sorry. Ya know what would make it better?" He smirked, cigar hanging from his mouth.

Albert threw the rag in a tin bucket, tilting his head at Race. "Hm?"