writinganothertime

[writinganothertime]

Forever is the Sweetest Con

Part 3

part 1 ~ part 2

——————————

word count: 1749

——————————

We could be the way forward

And I know I'll pay for it

The interaction sat in their heads for a long time. They went through the rest of their trips on autopilot, separately, yet the same. Not remembering anything except each other.

Davey started typing out a text, “we could be the way forward.” But deleted it. Him and Jack could never reconcile.

His head hurt, if only he hadn’t seen Jack that day. He hated how much it still affected him.

And the skeletons in both our closets

Plotted hard to fuck this up

Jack could see the tears streaming down Davey’s face.

“I can’t-“ Davey was saying.

Jack moved forward and touched his forehead to Davey’s.

“We can, your past doesn’t determine who or how you are now.”

“But what about-?”

“Shhh,” Jack interrupted gently. “You know I don’t deserve you, I could have never imagined I’d have a chance to be with someone so perfect. We have this, us, together, this is a once in a lifetime thing.”

Davey shifted closer, dropping his head against Jack’s shoulder.

Jack wasn’t exactly sure what to do so he just kept talking, “y’know I mostly grew up alone. Attachments, trust, not easy stuff. You’ve really, already been through one hell of a ride with me. Getting me to be all sappy for you,” he teased.

Davey let out a wet sound that was probably supposed to be a giggle.

“An’, and you- thinking I’d let anything from your past come in between us, or that you weren’t good enough, nah, you’re crazy,” he said lightheartedly.

And the old men that I've swindled

Really did believe I was the one

Jack was a charmer, everyone who had ever even glimpsed him knew that. It wasn’t hard to get people to buy the papers from his stand. What did surprise was how many old men flirted with him and wanted to take him out. And to play into the charade, he agreed. He was careful, made sure it was casual. Probably went to a bar and had a beer with them. And sometimes, sometimes, they actually had a good time. Jack would find out someone’s life story after a couple drinks. This got him regular customers, sure maybe it was a low way to, I mean, he was “dating” a bunch of old guys. But so far everything had been fine so why stop? He was getting money and guaranteeing that he was getting it.

And the ladies lunching have their stories about

When you passed through town

Davey knew that people talked about him. He knew he was seen as “the sad queer Jewish boy who lost his only chance at love.” And he ignored it most of the time. But it was hard to when he went to his usual coffee shop and heard his name in murmurs along with another name that would always turn his head.

“Did you hear Jack, the boyfriend, was in the city this weekend? Word is he went to see his friends but not Davey.”

Davey slipped into the next booth, unable to resist the temptation to hear more.

“Oh it’s just so sad, they were such a lovely couple, and I can’t imagine knowing all of your friends saw your ex but not you.”

But Davey had in fact, not known this. He wished he could’ve heard this from Race or Crutchie, that would have been so much better then eavesdropping on an elderly lady’s conversation.

He pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Racer, “Jack was around? Why didn’t I get to know?”

Shaking, he started to set his phone down, but Race replied almost immediately.

“Yeah sorry dude, thought it might be better, he asked us not to tell.”

Davey felt like crying but he refused to cry in public so he pushed all the feelings down far enough to allow him to order a donut to-go and make it back to his apartment before the tears flowed.

But that was all before I locked it down

Eventually Davey got better at avoiding it. And, like it always works, he and Jack soon became old news. They weren’t talked about all the time. And Davey was really focusing on putting the past behind him and living in the present. And it was getting easier. He thought.

Now you hang from my lips

Like the Gardens of Babylon

Jack started to pull back from the kiss, but the truth was: neither of them wanted this to end. There was something bittersweet in the air. Sort of heavy, something you’re constantly aware of but can’t really do anything about.

The kiss shifted to an embrace. Jack’s lips against Davey’s neck and Davey’s arms tightly around Jack’s back.

“I don’t want you to go,” Davey whispered.

“I know Dave, but ‘s only for a week and then I’ll be right back here where I belong.”

Jack had to go on a trip for his art class. Davey couldn’t remember exactly what it was, it didn’t matter. What did matter was that Jack was leaving him. Somehow the feeling felt familiar, or like a bad omen. But Davey didn’t comment on it.

“You know I love you,” Jack was saying.

“Of course,” Davey responded, “that doesn’t mean I’m not going to miss you.”

Jack hugged Davey tighter, words failing and just wanting to hold his boyfriend.

With your boots beneath my bed

Davey was frantic, he was missing a textbook that was very important for that day’s class. He thought he had looked everywhere. He ran back to his room and rifled through his desk again, then the closet, then the bathroom, how it would get in there, Davey didn’t know, but it wasn’t anywhere else. He groaned, of course today, the day he needed it, he was unorganized.

He dropped down to check under the bed which he realized he may have forgotten, and that’s when he saw them. Cowboy boots. Davey had bought them for Jack. Insisting that a true Cowboy needed proper boots. Jack loved them, and wore them all day. Davey hadn’t thought about the fact that he would find Jack’s stuff in his place. He supposed this was just a forgotten item. They didn’t typically keep things at the other’s place. But that didn’t stop it from hurting any less. All that progress and growing and now it felt like Jack had left him for the first time again.

He pulled out the boots and hugged them to his chest on some sort of instinct.

Seemed like going to class was out of the question for today anyways.

Forever is the sweetest con

David’s relationship with Jack was so sweet. If it had a taste it would’ve been honey, if it had a smell, cookies. Everyone told them “you’re meant for each other,” and for awhile they agreed. For awhile they believed it. For awhile they could pretend.

But the sweetness didn’t last. It had a bitter aftertaste. Things became strained. But neither of them had the heart to admit it.

One day Jack came back from class, and hugged Davey tight.

“We’re forever yeah? You and me? I’m with you forever if you let me.”

Davey was surprised so it took a couple seconds for the words to register and then for a reply to come out of his mouth.

“We could be. We should be.”

That was as good of an answer as Jack could hope for.

But it was Jack who crushed those words. Abruptly pushing them down Davey’s throat so that he choked on the sweet promises he’d so often been told.

Maybe it was one of those things. That simply don’t work out for unknown reasons. But both of them knew it was more than that, that they were the opposite of star-crossed lovers. It was written in the stars that they were destined to be apart.

I've had some tricks up my sleeve

Takes one to know one

You're a cowboy like me

Jack genuinely knew he could win Davey back. In some ways they fit together perfectly, two halves of… something. But in other ways they were complete opposites. Apples and oranges. Even though he knew they would both dive headfirst into another relationship with each other he knew it wasn’t healthy. He had all the tricks and Davey had all of the brains that would somehow fail in the moment and allow him to be dragged back to Jack’s side. He knew how it would happen and he knew he couldn’t let it.

And I'm never gonna love again

I'm never gonna love again

Davey stirred some honey into his tea, first clockwise and then counter clockwise the way Jack had once told him was the “proper” way. He stopped. He sighed. He truly was missing a piece of him. Jack was the only one for him.

***

Jack inhaled a breath but forgot to let it out as an incoming call lit up his phone screen. He stopped walking, completely in the way of anyone who needed to use that sidewalk. He’d forgotten to ever change the name so what showed up was simply “baby”. Davey might’ve been the only contact in Jack’s phone who didn’t have a wildly inappropriate contact name.

After way too many rings he finally hit the ‘accept’ button, hoping it hadn’t already gone to voicemail.

“Hey,” his voice cracked and he cringed.

“Hi… um, I was just wondering, if you’re ever back in the city, if we could see each other?”

“I don’t know if that’s the best idea,” the truth sort of jumped out in a slow drawl. He hadn’t expected himself to say that but the uncertainty was there. That’s what he kept telling himself.

“Anything standing in your way?”

“No,” Jack said softly, he didn’t know if Davey was referring to another supposed relationship but Jack knew there would never be another one like Davey. There would never be anything stopping him from seeing his ex-lover. “I’ll see what my schedule looks like.”

“Sounds good, let me know when you find out?”

“Sure. You got it.”

A quick goodbye and he was cut off from Davey once again. The world slowly faded back into his consciousness and he began walking again. Still oblivious to the way he was blocking the sidewalk. That’s what happens when you’re in love. It gets in the way of others as well.

#newsies fanfiction #newsies #newsies fanfic #newsies fic #writing #davey x jack #jack kelly #davey jacobs #taylor swift #cowboy like me #evermore

[writinganothertime]

Forever is the Sweetest Con

Part 2

part 1 ~ part 3

——————————

Like it could be love

The message weighed heavy in his mind. Wondering if Jack had known he even sent it. Maybe he was drunk at the time, Davey knew he shouldn’t be thinking about this, this much, he decided on the “drunk idea” and tried to move on. He knew Jack was out there, possibly thinking about Davey, but more likely selling his love to many people a day, causing them to buy papers. Not selling his love in a literal way, Jack just radiated love, if someone bought a paper from him, they were also buying his charm, affection, smile.

I could be the way forward

Only if they pay for it

Davey wished he was the one buying it. Maybe they could have love between them. Maybe it was just the wrong time. Maybe second chances are what work.

You're a bandit like me

Davey stared in disbelief as Jack appeared around the corner.

“Davey? Oof.” Jack asked as he literally ran into him.

“Jack did you- just-“

Jack’s eyes narrowed as his his posture became defensive.

“Hey, you didn’t see anything.”

“But- you were-“ Davey shook his head.

Faint alarms were sounding and Jack didn’t respond before taking off.

Davey gazed after him, wondering where he was going with his items. So he did the only logical thing, he followed him.

Jack ended up in front of an orphanage, there were kids roaming about in the side yard, which was mostly vines with a couple picnic tables spread around.

Jack began handing out things. Davey realized they weren’t just toys, there were practical items in his arms too. Mittens, bars of soap, books, hairbrushes. Allowing these kids to own something that was theirs.

***

Jack wondered at Davey’s beauty. At the moment the cowboy had his head in the taller boy’s lap. They were under a tree and the sun was coming through the leaves just so. Turning Davey into an angel. Jack realized he was never going to recover from this. From him. This boy had his heart and he wasn’t going to get it back.

‘You thief.’ He thought with a small, contented smile on his face as he watched Davey read.

Eyes full of stars

Jack didn’t understand how he had ended up with the most gorgeous boy in the whole world. He was constantly looking at him, trying to memorize every angle, freckle, fold in his clothes as if he didn’t already have these things etched into his mind permanently. He marvelled at the boy in front of him at the diner. Watching how his hair was moving slightly from the breeze of the fan.

“Hey Jack?”

Jack startled, sitting up straighter, he’d been sitting with his chin in his hand.

“Y-yeah what’s up?”

Davey looked at him questioningly. “You ok?”

Jack smiled, “yes love, just thinking about how beautiful you are.”

Davey flushed and quickly tried to cover up the compliment by rattling off a bunch of items from the menu. Half of them he wasn’t even considering getting but he had to say something.

But Jack didn’t reply to that and just continued on. Every now and then his art came out in the form of words.

“You’re so good and talented and amazing and deserve everything, everything, every single good thing in this world. I’m holding you back,” Jack shook his head with a sad smile, “Davey, please go after anything you want. You can do it and you deserve it.”

Davey sat in stunned silence. Jack watched his features soften and that’s when Davey’s realization happened. Finally he whispered out an, “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Hustling for the good life

Davey knew he had to move on. Jack may have been his world, but he couldn’t be anymore and life doesn’t stop even if it feels like it should. So he worked. He remembered Jack’s words. That he could do anything. He put time into the job he truly wanted. He’d been going to school to be an English professor, he knew it was something he could do and something he’d be ok doing. But now, he was chasing the thing he wanted to do for him. Biology. Always his favourite subject but wasn’t practical for what he had decided to do. Now was the time. There wasn’t anything stopping him from doing something he liked.

Never thought I'd meet you here

It could be love

Jack felt sort of content. He’d moved on at least a bit. His life wasn’t terrible. He had friends and a job he loved. And it was everything he’d wanted for his life. He’d achieved his dream of Santa Fe. And now, he was somewhere completely different. He was sitting in a cafe in Portland, some sort of art show was going on and he’d been recommended to go. It was strange, he’d only ever been in New York and Santa Fe, never been somewhere just to be temporary. But Portland was temporary. He looked up from his notebook, where he’d been making little point form notes on different art pieces, his thoughts, and inspiration for what to do next. His breath stopped as he tried to register the tall brunette on the other side of the window. He wanted to look away, pretend he’d never saw him but he was frozen in place. Davey looked lost. Finally he turned and pushed open the door. Jack winced as the bell jingled. He tried to turn away but Davey was magnetic. He couldn’t stop himself from watching him. And he couldn’t bring himself to look away when he realized the familiar eyes staring back at him.

“Jack,” Davey whispered. Slowly he moved towards him, uncertainly but, like Jack, unable to stop.

“Never thought I’d meet you here,” Jack said softly.

“Funny how things work,” Davey was staring back at him so intently, as if he could find all of the pieces that he’d lost, in Jack’s eyes.

Jack wondered if Davey could feel the same butterflies, same pains, same crushing emotions that he was feeling.

“So you made it out,” Jack said finally.

Davey took a deep breath, releasing some tension, “yeah. I just took your advice. I’m here for research.”

“Yeah? I’m here for my stuff too, y’know, art.”

Davey smiled awkwardly, “yeah. Stuff. Art.”

Jack chuckled.

“Ok well, I’m meeting someone so I really need to get my drink.”

Jack gave a short nod, “alright, good luck, I-“ he snapped his mouth shut before he finished that sentence.

Davey gave him a little wave and just like that he was gone.

#newsies fanfiction #newsies #newsies fanfic #newsies fic #writing #david jacobs #davey x jack #davey jacobs #jack kelly #taylor swift #evermore #cowboy like me #songfic #lyrics

[writinganothertime]

Forever is the Sweetest Con

Part 1

part 2 ~ part 3

——————————

pairing: jack x davey

warnings: drinking mention

story: angst, with some fluff

time period: modern au

word count: 1090

a/n: a songfic!! this is my first attempt, so feedback plz? i will only include word count in the other parts, the other 4 information sections are for the entire story :) AND anything in orange text is a flashback/memory, and anything in white text is the current storyline and bolded italicized text are the lyrics

song: cowboy like me by taylor swift

——————————

And the tennis court was covered up

With some tent-like thing

Jack remembered when he had taken Davey to the tennis courts. Neither of them were overly athletic, and neither of them had ever played before. Jack had suggested it and Davey had agreed. As long as it was nighttime, Davey said, when no one was around.

Davey swung open the door to the courts and stepped in, swinging his racket halfheartedly at his side. Jack dumped the can of tennis balls along the side, against the fence, before tossing one up to himself and catching it.

“Are you ready?” Jack grinned, positioning himself for a serve.

“Always,” Davey replied with joking confidence.

Needless to say, they never played a real game. Davey had the long limbs, the ability to reach each hit, but Jack had the accuracy. They never made it past two hits each.

And you asked me to dance

But I said, "Dancing is a dangerous game"

Jack had brought a speaker and had music playing softly from it. Eventually he dropped his racket and crossed over to Davey’s side.

“What’s going on?” Davey asked.

“Do you wanna dance?”

“What?”

“Come on, dance with me.”

“Dancing is a dangerous game,” Davey said seriously.

Jack didn’t respond and instead put his hands on Davey’s shoulders.

Davey was rigid for a moment, his mind churning at 100 miles an hour, but slowly he gave in and fitted himself comfortably against Jack.

Oh, I thought, this is gonna be one of those things

Now I know, I’m never gonna love again

‘This is gonna be one of those things, no one can ever compare to him,’ Davey thought.

He would never get over the boy with brown hair and smiling eyes. He was too special.

I've got some tricks up my sleeve

Takes one to know one

You're a cowboy like me

Davey remembered the walls he’d built up. Afraid to let Jack in completely. Both of them were playing with something that would make or break them.

Jack would tell Davey he loved him in adoration and Davey would reply with “mhm”.

He wasn’t proud of it. But nothing could’ve prepared for the day Jack left. He supposed they’d always been building up to this. Things weren’t meant to work between them. But he could still feel the dagger in his heart.

Never wanted love

“You see this car?”

Davey nodded.

“She’s a beauty,” Jack whistled. “Someday. Someday we’ll be cruising through this town.”

Davey laughed, “Jack this is the city, can’t exactly cruise anywhere.”

Jack wasn’t really listening, still gazing at the car, “someday I’ll reach this dream.”

Jack wandered off, clearly preoccupied.

Davey wondered briefly if he could be replaced with a car. Probably.

Just a fancy car

“I’m leaving,” Jack told him. His eyes were red and his clothes were wrinkled.

“Why?” Davey whispered.

“Can’t stay around here anymore.”

Davey was quiet a moment, “now you can get your car.”

Jack looked at him, “do you even care if I leave?”

“Of course I do. But I can’t stop you.”

“You never wanted love.”

Davey could feel the brick blocking his throat, “not yours,” he choked out.

Jack’s eyes went from upset to sad to angry.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have tried so hard. But I didn’t want your love either. Just to give you love.”

The two of them stared at each other for far too long, waiting to see who would make the next move.

Jack took a chance and stood up, leaving without another word.

Now I'm waiting by the phone

Davey held the phone in his hand, staring at the keypad, wondering if he dared touch it.

He kept the phone within arms reach at all times. He’d never admit to that.

Like I'm sitting in an airport bar

You had some tricks up your sleeve

Takes one to know one

Jack watched the people passing him by. He took another sip of beer, wanting it to take away his thoughts. Everyone walking by had their own story. Their own destination. Somewhere they needed to be. Jack watched a father do a 360° then grab the hand of a little kid a few feet away.

“Hey stick close to me ok?” He heard. The pair headed away from Jack and he sighed, wishing he could hold someone’s hand on the airplane. He stared at his phone. Which he had placed on the counter face up. Just in case. He kept waiting for it to light up with an incoming call but it didn’t. And he knew it wouldn’t. But still sort of expected it.

Thoughts of Davey tumbled through his mind. He really shouldn’t have been waiting for them to work out. He’d prepared for this at the beginning of the relationship yet never expected the way the life felt like it had been sucked out of him.

You're a cowboy like me

Perched in the dark

Late at night. When Jack was in an unfamiliar bed, the air was so thin. Absolutely nothing blocking him from the memories. It hurt, he couldn’t stay there.

Sometime in the middle of the night he couldn’t take it anymore. He flew out of his bed in a sudden frenzy, only putting his shoes half on and throwing on a sweater before leaving his new dwellings. He found himself perched, up on a park bench. His face was lit up from the glow of his phone screen. He stared at the message he’d typed out for a long time before hitting send and immediately turning the phone off.

“You’re a cowboy like me.”

Telling all the rich folks anything they wanna hear

Through the grapevine, Davey got an idea of what Jack was doing now. How he was living. He knew the artist from Manhattan was now working at a newspaper stand in Santa Fe. He knew he was getting by with his easy charm and good luck. He could practically hear it in his head now.

“Today’s edition says it’s a great time to buy stocks.”

Oddly enough, people eat stuff like that up.

“Aw miss, surely you’ll want to hear today’s news. Or at least the comic?” People were just drawn to Jack. He was a magnet.

Davey was sure he was doing well. No need to think about it.

His phone chimed, he unlocked it staring in disbelief at the name. He didn’t even question that it was 6:36 in the morning, 4:36 for the man that sent it.

“You’re a cowboy like me.”

#newsies fanfiction #newsies fanfic #newsies #newsies fic #writing #davey jacobs #david jacobs #jack kelly #javid #davey x jack #taylor swift #cowboy like me #evermore #songfic #lyrics

[writinganothertime]

The Secret of Vanishing Newsboys

Chapter 14

warnings: smoking, more angst

word count: 538

——————

~months later~

Race was walking back to the distribution gates to pick up the later edition when he saw Albert standing outside of a brewery. Just standing there. Staring.

“Hey whatcha you standing out here for?”

Albert jumped at Race’s sudden words.

“Geez I didn’t know you was there.”

Race gave him a crooked grin, “sorry.” There was no apology in his tone.

“I’m not gonna be a newsie anymore.”

As the words washed over Race, he suddenly felt dizzy and almost fell over.

“Hey hey,” Albert said softly, gripping Race’s sleeve and pulling him to sit down on the curb.

“Ya know I can still stay in the lodging house with you’s, still gonna get to see me sleep,” he teased.

Race shook his head.

“What’d’ya mean? You sell and stay in Brooklyn often enough anyways, what difference will it make, me workin’ somewheres else?”

But Race couldn’t explain. He knew their hours would be different. Or at least something would be. Sure maybe they’d stay sharing a bunk but would he ever get to talk to him again?

“I’m not that far away.”

Race got up and left, not wanting to hear or maybe not able to bear hearing another word.

***

After selling, Albert found Race smoking his cigar and pretending to read a leftover pape.

“I found out some bad news, uh, I’m getting new accommodations. I won’t be staying in the lodging house.”

Without warning Race burst into tears.

Albert rushed forward automatically, pulling Race into his chest, carefully taking the cigar and tossing it onto the concrete.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to hurt you,” he whispered.

Race sobbed into his shoulder, unable to get a grip on his thoughts or emotions.

“It’s best for me, I found a way out,” Albert explained quietly though he wasn’t sure if Race could hear him. “Now there’s no worry about what’ll happen to me when I age out.”

But Race didn’t care about that at the moment.

“Don’t leave,” Race managed to get out.

“Race, I don’t know what to say.”

“That you won’t leave.”

“In a way I have to.”

Race cried harder, hating that he was accepting comfort from the same person who was tearing up his heart.

“I promise I’ll still be around.”

There was that word. Promise. Race backed up forcing Albert to let go of him.

“Promises break. They always do,” he said, his voice unsteady and breaking. Then he grabbed the cigar off of the ground and ran away.

Albert figured he’d make things worse by chasing after him so he didn’t bother. Little did Race know that Albert’s heart was being torn into a million piece as well.

***

“Don’t worry ‘bout me, I’ll be jus’ fine,” Albert assured him, squeezing his shoulder. “You can come see me whoever you want.”

Race shook his head tearfully, “I ain’t gonna be allowed, in, in a place like that, but you’s got it good. Good job.”

He stepped out of Albert’s grip.

“Racer-“ Albert started but Race backed away.

Albert couldn’t do anything but watch Race leave. And just as he opened his mouth to say something, Race turned the corner. The words “I love you” died on his lips.

#THATS IT #THIS IS THE END FOLKS #IM SORRY TO LEAVE IT ON A NOTE LIKE THIS #for real though this was not supposed to be the ending but as I was writing #this just. sorta. happened #I’m sorry if this seems abrupt? #i hope it’s ok though #thank you for reading ilysm mwah mwah #newsies fanfiction #newsies #newsies fanfic #newsies fic #writing #ralbert #racetrack higgins #albert dasilva #race x albert #canon era

[writinganothertime]

The Secret of Vanishing Newsboys

Chapter 13

warnings: none?

word count: 446

——————

The bell rang and Albert’s bones felt cemented to his mattress. He didn’t want to be here anymore. But he had seen the fear on Racetrack’s face last night and he knew he couldn’t be anywhere else.

He went through the motions, able to do everything he needed to without really thinking about it. He’d done this everyday for many years he could even reply to conversations without paying attention because they were always the same.

“Hey!” Someone smacked him on the back of his head with a cap.

“Hi Jacky,” Albert turned with a slow grin.

“Where’ve you been??!!,” Jack exclaimed, “we was worried!”

“Yeah yeah I’m sorry ‘bout that.”

Jack just shook his head and moved on.

Albert splashed water on his face then grabbed the towel out of Mush’s hands who responded promptly by shoving him.

Albert had to admit, he had missed the banter, the compassion that (mostly) everyone felt for each other.

Race walked into the bathroom too see Albert laughing and felt some of the tension in his shoulders dissipate. Albert would stay. He’d told him so. And there was no other place for him to be anyways. Race’s demeanour visibly brightened and he went through the day lost in a happy cloud of happy thoughts.

***

Weeks went by, Race was finally no longer worried about Albert leaving. At all. Him, and all the rest of the boys had settled back into routine. (Having Albert come back had thrown everything slightly off for a few days just out of excitement and the calming of nerves.)

But one night Albert wasn’t in his bunk at the end of the day. Of course, Race immediately thought of the worst things, terrible scenes being conjured up in his mind. Though one look outside told him that his friend was right there. Race slipped out of the window as well.

“I want to get out of here.” Was Albert’s greeting.

“What,” Race squeaked out, his voice hardly there from the surprise and defeat he’d suddenly felt.

“There’s more than living day to day. I want to actually make money Racer, an’ not worry if spending the night here means I can’t eat tomorrow. There’s other things I could be doing.” Albert sounded frustrated, and he was, rightfully so. But Race felt as if it was directed at him.

“But this is our life now,” the blond whispered.

“It doesn’t have to be,” Albert countered, then shook his head, “I’m sorry Racetrack, I know you’se don’t like this kind’a talk.”

It terrified Race. So he just sat there silently. Waiting for some sort of cue that everything was ok. Said cue would never come.

#newsies fanfiction #newsies #newsies fanfic #newsies fic #writing #ralbert #race x albert #racetrack higgins x albert dasilva #racetrack higgins #albert dasilva #jack kelly #oh hohoho we’re nearing the end here lads

[writinganothertime]

The Secret of Vanishing Newsboys

Chapter 12

warnings: none

word count: 779

——————

Though Albert had agreed, Race didn’t feel like it would ever be the right time to leave this rooftop. Albert was right. It was nice up here, almost felt like tomorrow wouldn’t come. He dwelled on that thought for awhile. Imagining what it would be like to not wake up at the crack of dawn every morning. Never experiencing another day where he shouted false headlines until his throat hurt and he couldn’t speak anymore. No more days wondering if he’d be able to stay indoors at night. It was nice. To think about just leaving that life behind. But he couldn’t afford to do that.

They sat on the rooftop in silence, the sun setting faster than either of them wanted it to. As it tends to do when you don’t want a day to end. But nighttime doesn’t wait. It runs to welcome the dreamers.

Race looked up at the sky. Once upon a time he knew what stars looked like. He knew they’d be peeking out at this time. But New York doesn’t allow stars.

Eventually they had to leave. Race stretched then moved to stand.

“You said ya wanted to bring some things back for the kids?” Race asked. He felt odd about asking to leave outright.

“Oh yeah, guess we should get on that.”

They made it back into the apartment safely then started gathering things they wanted to take back.

They ended up with three blankets and a couple of old pieces of clothing, nothing else would have been of use.

Albert wandered slowly through the streets. Race wanted to get back faster, this was frustrating him but he didn’t mention it. They were only a couple streets from the lodging house when Albert slowed to near stop.

“What’s going on?” Race backtracked a few steps when he realized Albert wasn’t beside him.

The picture of Albert standing there sadly with a blanket in his arms was almost comical in some sort of strange way but Race hid that thought deep inside his brain.

Albert shook his head, “it’s just,” he sighed, “once I step inside that building— life is real again. I’m entering that endless loop, an’-, an’, an’ I’m not sure if I want to.”

Race felt himself freeze, the air stopping at his lips before he could inhale it.

Albert could see the shocked look on Race’s face and started stammering, wanting to reassure him.

“I wouldn’t leave you Race you know that.”

Race’s lungs started functioning again and he sucked in a breath.

“What else would you do Albie? Where would you go?”

“I…. don’t know. They’re always lookin’ for boys at the docks, I know a lot of Brooklyn boys got that covered,” he shrugged, “I can’t be a newsie my entire life Racer.”

“I know,” Race said quietly. He always tried to push thoughts of the future away.

They both started moving again as if on cue. Race snuck a look at Albert and his heart fell a little at the upset look on the redhead’s face.

Finally Albert re-entered the lodging house. They only stopped to drop their blankets with the laundry before continuing on upstairs. Race entered the dormitories first, maybe hoping the attention would go to him first. Albert wouldn’t want to be smothered. But next to no one glanced up as he walked in. However as Albert stepped in after him the air in the room changed. There were shouts and sudden movement, kids rushing to greet and hurl questions at him.

Albert didn’t say anything. Race grabbed his wrist and tugged him free of the small crowd. They headed to their bunk. Race had the lower, Albert had the top bunk. A couple of the older kids had thankfully taken the hint and gone back to whatever had been currently occupying them. Whether it was a game or sleeping, they returned to it. But some of the younger kids followed them.

“Who’s you?” a very small boy asked.

Albert didn’t feel like answering but he’d always had a soft spot for little kids.

“Hey now, what about you? Where’d you come from?”

“I came from home.”

“Well well well what’re ya doing here now?”

“No one at home.”

“Yeah that’s how it goes.” Albert laid down and closed his eyes hoping the rest of them would leave him be. It worked.

Jack was already up in his penthouse for the night, he’d find out about Albert in the morning.

Race got up, peering into Albert’s bunk.

“For the record, I’m glad you’re here. With us, we’re ya home.”

Albert didn’t look at him but he nodded.

“Thanks for having my back Racer.”

#newsies fanfiction #newsies #newsies fanfic #newsies fic #writing #racetrack higgins #albert dasilva #racetrack higgins x albert dasilva #ralbert #im so behind on posting i know #im so sorry #pls enjoy this turmoil :)

[writinganothertime]

The Secret of Vanishing Newsboys

Chapter 11

warnings: none

word count: 584

——————

Albert’s hair was turning a darker, even more breathtaking red, almost copper, in the dwindling evening sun.

“Why’re you so sure I’m gonna come back?”

“Because it’s your home, we’s ya home,” Race added the second part after a moment’s hesitation.

Albert nodded, “yeah you’re right. I will.”

“Sooo are ya gonna tell me why you vanished? I’m listenin’.”

“I guess you ought ta know,” Albert started, “sometimes it’s just so much ya know? Life, and sellin’ every day? It’s tiring and I wanted a break. An’ I knew where I could go to get away from all that. I should’a told you or someone but I guess I didn’t want to. I wanted to be alone.” He glanced sideways at Racetrack. “No offense Racer but I knew if I’d’a toldja where I was going you would’a come with me. An’ doing this wasn’t exactly a plan ‘o mine. That day after sellin’ I jus started walking and this is where I ended up. I didn’t really think about it.” He paused, allowing Race’s thoughts to catch up.

“I just wanted a break, that’s all,” Albert shrugged trying to make light of what he’d said.

Race didn’t understand the concept of wanting to be alone. He needed to be around people to feel better. His mind couldn’t quite wrap around this fact. Albert could see the turmoil on his face.

“I’m sorry I did that, I realize now I should’a told someone I was leavin’.”

“I don’t want you to ever disappear again,” Race said finally. There wasn’t anything else he could say.

“I won’t,” Albert promised, “not without letting ya know. Do ya know why I came here?” He could see Race was upset and he still felt like he hadn’t explained enough.

“If you wanna tell me,” Race replied.

Albert leaned back onto his elbows, “well. This is an old building, you can see that. It was cheap ‘cause it was fallin’ apart when we moved in. Y’know this roof isn’t very safe,” he grinned at Race and Race smiled back. “It’s where my childhood took place. We moved away from this place when I was eight so I didn’t live in the ‘new place’,” he sat up for a second to make quotations with his fingers. “For very long. And then I became a newsie and you know the rest from there.”

“But what about your family?”

“What of it?”

“Where are they?”

Albert grinned but this time it was sinister. “I don’t know, I don’t care. I got brothers somewhere, maybe a father too. Doesn’t matta’, I ain’t seen them since I was young.”

Something in that statement bothered Race. He hadn’t had a family for long time. Albert did but he had no interest in seeing them again.

“We moved outta this place ‘cause it wasn’t safe at all, the landlord, who didn’t take care’a this building anyways, let it go so we were evicted. Probably for the best, who knows when this’ll collapse.” He patted the roof lightly. “It would’a gone faster if we’d stayed there, the building crumbling I mean. All the stuff down there was ours. I guess it’s mine now. Should bring some blankets for the other kids.”

Race sat there quietly, his emotions had run their course and now he was a little burnt out. Finally he turned to look at Albert.

“Will ya come back with me tonight?”

“Yeah, I will Racer, we can go whenever you want.”

#newsies fanfiction #newsies #newsies fanfic #newsies fic #writing #albert dasilva #racetrack higgins #racetrack higgins x albert dasilva #ralbert #canon era #i love these boys oh so much #precious #i hope everything made sense in this chapter

[writinganothertime]

The Secret of Vanishing Newsboys

Chapter 10

warnings: none

word count: 609

a/n: sorry about the wait, school has already been crazy

——————

Race peeked carefully around the door. The kitchen was deserted. He stepped in to look. He stopped at the small table, tracing the edge of a dusty teacup with one finger. He surveyed the kitchen. There was a stack of old, chipped dishes beside the sink. They appeared to be clean, just dusty. Someone never got to put them away in the cupboards.

Race eyed the other cup on the table. This one had been used recently. And that confirmed what he’d been wondering about. Race took his time though, wandering through the living room, seeing the old furniture and burnt out lamps. He climbed the stairs to a little room, where the door was propped open. He looked at the small bed and a wicker basket on the opposite wall. The bed had been made not that long ago, Race noted.

The window was open so he leaned out. A fire escape was there, causing him to make the decision to try his luck and get to a higher vantage point. He climbed out cautiously, parts of this building had been crumbling from zero upkeep over the last ten years. Here he could climb to the roof. So that’s what he did.

As he reached the top of his climb his eyes began searching. He pulled himself up onto the top of the roof.

Finally his eyes landed on who he had been searching for all this time. His favourite person and closest friend.

“Hey,” he called, scared to move.

Albert half-turned, possibly surprised that he’d been found, but didn’t reply.

Race’s legs unfroze and he walked a couple more metres towards him.

“I was awful worried ‘boutcha,” Race told him.

“Don’t be,” Albert’s voice was gravelly.

“Well I’se not sos much anymore. Have ya been here all this time?”

“Does it matter?”

Race frowned. Now that he’d found him, he was relieved but his heart was racing with the anxiety of the thought that maybe Albert wouldn’t come back. But Race was mad too. Mad that Albert had been around and couldn’t have bothered to tell anyone. Causing all of his friends distress and misery.

“‘S good youse alive,” Race finally decided on. There were a million things he wanted to say but his lips wouldn’t quite form the words.

“Sure.”

“Ca- can I sit down with you?”

Albert inclined his head to the space next to him so Race took it as an invitation.

Race settled beside him and looked over at him, doing a quick check to see that he didn’t look harmed. Physically at least. He was dressed in his usual clothes, his hair was brushed into place more or less. He looked alright, but why was he smiling? It was hardly a smile, but the corners of his lips were definitely upturned.

“Couldn’t go one day without me huh?”

“Well no ‘cause you didn’t say anything. You just up and left Albert! What didja think we was gonna do? And it’s been THREE days not one.”

“Easy Racer,” Albert chided which just made Race more irritated. “I shouldn’t’a worried you, ‘m sorry.”

Race rolled his eyes, he didn’t want to be mad, especially not now. Not when he’d finally found him. But he was. He didn’t understand why Albert would leave and worry the people who loved him most.

“I never meant to scare you or harm you Race, yeah? You got that?”

He nodded.

“Ok. Good. Hey is there anybody else lookin’ for me right now? Or maybe for you since you came lookin’ for me?”

Race shrugged, “who knows? Maybe. I should get back soon anyways, and you’re comin’ with me.”

#newsies fanfiction #newsies #newsies fanfic #newsies fic #writing #racetrack higgins #albert dasilva #race x albert #platonic #ralbert #eeeee they get to talk now #and try to figure out how life is gonna look #excited to post the next one :)

[writinganothertime]

The Secret of Vanishing Newsboys

Chapter 9

warnings: none

word count: 642

a/n: filler chapter that just moves us into the next part of the story. ALSO i have started school and don’t know how often i will be able to post, im going to try to get another chapter or two out before things get too crazy but we’ll see :)

——————

Something woke Race up long before the morning bell was rung. His bed was right near a window, every now and then a bird flew into it. That was probably it. But then something made a sound against the glass again.

Race sat up slowly, then cautiously stepped over to the window. He didn’t see anyone. His curiosity got the best of him so he slid the window open as quietly as possible. Stepping out on to the fire escape he still didn’t see anything. The city was as quiet as it could be for this early time. Race figured he would’ve heard if there was someone out there with him. He glanced around than went to duck back into the dormitory. But a scrap of paper caught his eye. He picked it up gingerly, as if it might burst into flame at his touch. He couldn’t see what was on it, but he hoped it was something important. He headed back to his bunk and slipped the piece of paper under his pillow. He wasn’t sure why he kept it when he wasn’t even sure if there was anything on it. But blank pieces of paper like this weren’t exactly easy to come by. Though newsies dealt with paper every day, that paper all had printing on it. Maybe it was just wishful thinking.

***

The bell rang and Race got up groggily. He started to head towards the bathroom when he remembered the paper. He quickly turned and stuffed the scrap in his pants pocket. There. Now no one else would read it. He locked himself in a stall and took out the paper. From what he could make out it was an address. The note was written in scribbled pencil and the light in the stall was too dim. He’d have to look at it again in the daylight.

The day went on, Race hadn’t had a chance to check the note again though he was constantly aware of it, as if it was burning through his pocket.

Finally he finished selling the morning edition and headed for the back of the lodging house. It was typically unoccupied. He took the note out again. It was definitely an address, and now he could actually read it. Though he knew Lower Manhattan very well, he didn’t pay attention to street names. He knew where he was based on landmarks. He’d have to get a map. That would be his quest for the afternoon.

He kept a record of how much money he made. He knew a map wouldn’t be a lot, or maybe he could steal one, but just in case, he was making sure he could afford it.

To his luck, he found one laying in a gutter, probably fallen out of a trolley car. He tucked that away too before returning to selling.

Late in the afternoon Jack found Race on the curb in front of the lodging house. He stopped to stare at him questioningly.

“Whatcha doing Racer?”

“Just sittin’ here.”

“Waiting for a sweetheart to sweep you up?” Jack teased.

Race smiled, “just for you,” he said sweetly.

“Uh huh,” Jack shook his head in amusement and continued on inside.

Race had been waiting until he could slip away. When most of the kids were back and he could go hunt for this address unnoticed.

And it was time, Jack was often the last person back because he did a check of a couple of the more dangerous streets and alleys to make sure all his newsies got back safe.

Race hopped away from the curb and started walking. He studied the map as he went (which was difficult) hoping to cover more ground that way. He found the street quickly, it really wasn’t that far from the lodging house.

Eventually he got to the building and jogged up the steps. He wasn’t sure what he hoped he’d find inside so he hesitated before trying the handle. And when he did, it opened easily.

#newsies fanfiction #newsies #newsies fanfic #newsies fic #writing #racetrack higgins #albert dasilva #jack kelly #canon era #paper is not uncommon on the fire escape #considering #NEWSIES #i promise things will get more interesting #this is probably the worst chapter of this whole fic but idk how to improve it :/

[writinganothertime]

The Secret of Vanishing Newsboys

Chapter 8

warnings: the refuge, internalized misogyny

word count: 627

——————

Three days was far too long. Everyone was seriously concerned, though they had to move on and continue life as normal. They couldn’t afford to sit around and mope. After selling, Race left the crowds of other newsies and pedestrians and went where no newsie would willingly go.

He went to The Refuge. Just going up to the front of the building he started shaking. Terrible things had happened here. One of his closest friends had been here. In these walls, Jack had suffered.

Race wasn’t sure if he should go in or knock and wait to be admitted. He chose the second option as it seemed more polite. Though when no one answered he decided to go in on his own. Immediately he was faced with a hallway. This was an issue, he didn’t know where he needed to go. He started walking. The first door he came to looked like an office so he stepped in. He was greeted by a lady sitting at a typewriter.

“Here to turn yourself in young man?”

“Wha-?” Race was taken aback. “No, uh I was wondering if I could find out if a friend of mine was here?”

“You want to know if your friend is in trouble. Hah.”

Race didn’t see the amusement in that statement but he thought it was best if he stayed quiet.

“What’s your friend’s name?”

“Albert. DaSilva,” he added the last name after a moment’s hesitation, unsure if that was required.

The lady flipped through a stack of papers on her desk.

“I don’t recall seeing that name, and I’m not seeing it here, boy, you’d better look elsewhere and hope we don’t find him.”

“Oh no he’s not in trouble like tha…” Race trailed off when he noticed the look she was giving him. He gave her a brief nod. “Thank ya for looking.” And left.

Well that was a breath of relief. If only his hands could stop shaking. And though Race was glad Albert wasn’t locked up it was still very worrisome that there was just no word of him. At all.

Race walked about a block away before finding a bench to sit down on. He was shaking and slightly disoriented from the anxiety of going to The Refuge and the weight of the situation hitting him once again. It didn’t feel real. He hated that he didn’t know that day, three days ago, would be the last time he’d see Albert. He wished he had given him a hug or something. And it didn’t seem like Albert had checked in anywhere. Of course there was the possibility that the other boroughs weren’t keeping their promises and they had seen him and just weren’t telling. Or maybe Albert had somehow made an agreement and was being hidden with one of them. How another borough would allow that? Race didn’t know. He was grasping at straws.

Racetrack began the long walk home. It felt like forever, yet not at all. He hardly remembered getting back to the lodging house. It wasn’t as busy as yesterday. A much warmer night meant less kids inside. It really was too stuffy to sleep inside when the days were so hot. He practically fell onto his bunk, all of his energy completely drained out of him. He felt like crying again, he hadn’t let himself cry properly yet. Though some tears had been shed. And he knew that others had already cried about it. So he ignored the voices in his head telling him to ‘man up’ and let himself cry. After the first tear fell he couldn’t stop. Someone came over and rubbed his back. Race didn’t try to figure out who it was. Though it was probably Jojo. Sweet, reliable Jojo.

#newsies fanfiction #newsies #newsies fanfic #newsies fic #writing #racetrack higgins #mentions of #jojo de la guerra #albert dasilva #jack kelly #the refuge

[writinganothertime]

The Secret of Vanishing Newsboys

Chapter 7

warnings: none

word count: 680

——————

Everyone tried to keep their spirits up when the day ended. Maybe they needed just a little more time.

But the next day passed the same way. Positive emotion levels diminished further and further throughout the day.

Everyone was hot and tired and annoyed by the time they got back from selling and it was driving Race crazy. He felt like his head was going to explode so he ran back down the steps as soon as his bag was returned and his money put away. And he just kept running. He wasn’t sure where he was going but he had to get away. He couldn’t even determine a single thought, they were rocketing too fast through his mind.

Finally he had to stop so he wouldn’t collapse. He ducked into an alley and bent over, hands on his knees. Someone touched his shoulder and he jumped.

“Oh geez,” Race breathed as he registered who it was. “You didn’t hafta scare me like that.”

Jojo shrugged, “I called your name when you started running so youse could’ve known.”

Race straightened up to look at them.

“Sorry guess I was somewhere’s else in my head.”

“Yeah you definitely was,” Jojo giggled.

“So why’d ya follow me all the way here?”

“Wanted to see if you wanted to do something with me.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yep.” Jojo had a huge grin on their face.

“So where we’s goin’?”

“Follow me,” Jojo turned and walked around the corner.

Race trailed after them, enjoying the yellow-orange tinge of the city in the evening. Jojo led him into a park, Tompkins Square Park.

They started down the path, Race was glad to be brought away from the loudness of the streets. Race turned to see his friend’s eyes shining in excitement.

Jojo must really love this place, Race thought.

He turned to look at some of the trees, the canopy of them above his head and when his eyes finally turned downwards again Jojo had disappeared.

Race whirled around in a circle, wondering how he’d lost his friend so quickly.

He heard laughing from above him and his head snapped up. He saw Jojo balancing high up in a tree.

“How...how did you get up there so fast?”

“I can’t tell you that,” they smiled and began the climb down.

“What? No you have to,” Race said good-naturedly.

“But he’ll get ma-ad,” Jojo sing-songed.

“Oh so it’s a he? Wait a second, you were taught? I didn’t think tree climbing was a skill.”

“Well it’s a useless one, but still a skill.”

“Seriously did you take lessons?”

“What?” Jojo laughed, “lessons? No, it was just for fun when we were hanging out one time.”

Race ran through a mental checklist in his head, it had to be someone they knew, so another newsie. Who else did Jojo hang out with? Who was the best at climbing trees?

“Was it Romeo?”

“Why Romeo?”

“He’s the smallest, he can probably just float up there ‘cause he’s so light.”

“It was not Romeo.”

Jojo was back on the ground now so they continued on their walk taking a loop of the park. Jojo was smiling smugly beside Race and Race wanted to smack them (lovingly of course, he knew they were just teasing). When they reached the spot they’d started in Race asked again, “Jojo, who was it?”

Jojo rolled their eyes, “Race,” they sighed, in mock exasperation, “it was Elm.”

“Oh see I was right! Well on the right track with thinking small, he’s little too.”

Jojo laughed again as they started heading back towards the lodging house.

***

Back in his bunk Race realized he hadn’t thought about Albert for at least an hour. Which was probably a good thing, he hadn’t been stressed. But it made him feel guilty that he had “forgotten” about his friend.

Someone walked over to him and asked him something but he didn’t hear them. He rolled over and stared at the wall. He would make up for the fun time he’d had and think about Albert for the next while.

#newsies fanfiction #newsies #newsies fanfic #newsies fic #writing #racetrack higgins #jojo de la guerra #nonbinary jojo #because i said so #mentions of #romeo newsies #and #elmer kasprzak #elmer sagloo #albert dasilva #they go to a park!!! #yes i did research for this #canon era #if you’ve read this far #hello #we’ve reached the halfway point of this fic #:)

[writinganothertime]

The Secret of Vanishing Newsboys

Chapter 6

warnings: smoking maybe? race is kinda depressed in this chapter too

word count: 605

——————

Race ended up back at the lodging house. It was too early to wait at the gates.

He stopped at his locker, unlocking it quickly, then unwound the strip of cloth that housed a treasure. It wasn’t much. Anyone else would’ve used it up long ago. But not Race. It was a coin, a nickel, but not one Race would ever spend. It was Albert’s, or, was.

Race had become a newsie at the young age of seven when his father had died. Jack had found him sitting on a curb and brought him in.

Albert didn’t arrive until the next year. He was rather quiet when they were younger, though never short of expression. His eyes sparkled with happiness and when he was mad, you could practically see the steam rising from him. As they’d gotten older Albert’s demeanour had flipped. He spoke his opinion with confidence but his expression was much more stoic.

Now, Race was rubbing the nickel remembering the sentiment.

~ about two years ago ~

“Hiya Racer.” Albert sat down on the dock next to him.

Race startled then looked around nervously.

“You can’t be here.”

Albert scoffed, “and you can? This isn’t Manhattan, Higgins.”

“I have permission from the Brooklyn Leader himself,” Race said importantly, sort of teasing but hoping to impress Albert.

“Oh yeah? Well somehow I made it here all safe and fine. Unscathed. I brought you something.”

“You had to come all the way to Brooklyn for that? You couldn’t’a just waited until I got back?”

“Nope. Here I am.”

Albert pulled his hand out of his pocket, revealing a nickel. He pressed the coin into Race’s palm. “It’s yours now.”

“Albert-“

“No, I want you to keep it, don’t start that. You wanna hear the meaning behind it?”

Race nodded, he very much wanted to know. Albert had kept that coin for years, and he’d had it as long as Race had known him.

Just like Race had his cigar, Albert had that coin. Race smoked (sometimes), Albert flipped the coin (always).

“My ma gave it to me when I was young. I’m younger than all’a my brothers so I felt pretty good when she trusted me with this much money.”

Race listened wide-eyed. Albert turned for a brief second to gauge his expression, smiled than continued to stare at his lap.

“She told me I could spend it, and I spent many a’ hour starin’ in windows wondering ‘bout what I could get. I never did decide on anything. And then I was alone.”

Albert shook his head. “Way too young. So I kept this nickel. Carried it everywhere, rubbed it when I was sad. My ma’s always with me. Reminds me of her. But I want you to have it for safe keeping.”

Albert smiled sadly. “Someday maybe all I’ll be is a memory and I don’t want mine or hers to die.”

“Albert you’re not dying,” Race said quietly, he was suddenly terrified.

“But if I do, you make sure this never goes underground alright?”

Race nodded. He would do anything to make Albert happy.

“Thank you.”

“No problem.”

~ back to reality ~

Race held it, a tear dripped on to the nickel and he rubbed it away quickly. He’d always kept it in his locker, afraid he would lose it somewhere. Of course it was a nice idea to “carry Albert with him” all the time but he knew it would disappear one way or another if he did that. But this wasn’t the time for tears or sentiments. He had to get outside if he wanted to see tomorrow.

#newsies fanfiction #newsies #newsies fanfic #newsies fic #writing #racetrack higgins #albert dasilva #memories #flashbacks #canon era #race has some time alone

[writinganothertime]

The Secret of Vanishing Newsboys

Chapter 5

warnings: none?

word count: 690

——————

Morning came as it always does, though this time Racetrack greeted the world with a hissed “shit.”

Spot was already up and tightening his suspenders as he glanced at Race with a curious look.

“What was that for? Your eyes ain’t even open.”

“I didn’t tell Jack I was leavin’ he’s prob’ly worried sick about me.”

“He does have Mother Hen tendencies,” Spot mused.

Race got out of the bed and started to put his boots on… which he had definitely not taken off last night so Spot must have done that.

Spot watched him, “ya sure you can get back alright?”

“Of course, why?”

“I didn’t say nothin’ last night but you’d been crying.”

Race’s head shot up, “that so?” He asked, scowling.

“Your face is dirty, so’s there was lines that was clean and tears is the only answer.”

“Hmph. I’m fine.” Race finished tying up his boots and headed to the window.

“Thanks for lettin’ a lowly beggar like me spend the night,” he grinned, his eyes suddenly twinkling with the teasing.

“Yeah whatever Higgins, you gotta get to your own borough.”

Race crossed the floor to give Spot a quick hug, then left for real, hurrying down the fire escape.

***

Now that it was morning Race was able to hop trolley cars to get back to Lower Manhattan. He was afraid of what Jack would say, but he shouldn’t stay away any longer than necessary.

He crashed through the front door of the lodging house with only a quick stop at the registration desk.

He rushed into the dormitories expecting to find an angry or worried Jack. But it was silent. No one in sight.

Slowly it dawned on him that everyone must be out selling, they couldn’t afford to miss a day. He wondered why he hadn’t seen anyone when coming back from Brooklyn but realized it’s because he wasn’t expecting to see them.

He wandered back out to the street, and grabbed the first newsie he saw. Unfortunately it was a kid he didn’t recognize.

“Sorry,” he mumbled and walked away.

Race headed north towards the Jacobs’ house hoping he’d find Davey or Les or Jack around there.

The buzz of the pedestrians, shop owners, and cart drivers usually woke him up, made him want to sell. But today it was dull, his own ears tuning it out in order to make room for the despair he was feeling.

He never reached his planned destination however, because he ran into Jack before he got there. Literally ran into him. He’d been walking with his head down only focusing on where he was supposed to end up.

“Racer you weren’t back by the morning bell!” Jack exclaimed backing up from the collision. He touched his shoulder briefly, not hurt, just surprised.

“I know I know an’ ‘m sorry,” Race looked up to meet his eyes, “any word?”

Jack shook his head, “nope. It’s a shame. What didja think you were doing anyways? Leaving our borough when he coulda turned up? I’se was hoping we would get word right away but we haven’t. And I wish you’d been here to know that.”

“I said I was sorry Jack, that’s the best I can do now. Besides, it’s only morning, there may be word yet” Race replied. He wasn’t feeling positive but it wouldn’t help to answer negatively.

“True, we just gotta hope for the best,” he looked Race up and down. “You ain’t got no papes, you not plannin’ on sleepin’ inside tonight?”

“I’ll catch the afternoon addition, I’ll be fine.”

Jack gave his shoulder a little shake, “glad I found you, was wondering where you was this morning.”

“I’m good, I’m fine.”

Jack gave a short nod, it was as good an answer as he could hope for. Though everything about Race screamed otherwise.

“And,” Race added, “I’ll let you know the next time I run off, promise.”

“You bet you will,” Jack fixed him with an even stare.

“See ya tonight,” Race put his cigar back in his mouth and moved out of Jack’s reach, turning to head back south. Toward the distribution gates.

#newsies fanfiction #newsies #newsies fanfic #newsies fic #writing #racetrack higgins #spot conlon #sprace #race x spot #jack kelly #platonic!jacktrack #that’s not a correct tag is it #too bad #the jacobs siblings #are mentioned!! #i like the beginning of this chapter :)

[writinganothertime]

The Secret of Vanishing Newsboys

Chapter 4

warnings: don’t think there’s any

word count: 780

——————

Racer was not lost. (He definitely was). He knew where he was. (No he didn’t). Maybe he shouldn’t have left that late. He usually went straight there after selling. But this was different.

He knew he’d told Jojo that he didn’t want to go outside. And it was true, but more that he didn’t want to be actively looking for Albert because he was scared he’d find him. So he planned to go straight to Brooklyn and not stop anywhere else along the way. But now he found himself in an unfamiliar alley. And he was scared.

Racetrack Higgins didn’t get scared. He took everything in stride and thrived off of it. He could deal with anything.

But there were tears running down his cheeks. He wiped them away angrily with his fists. He shouldn’t cry. He knew better than this. And if he made it to his destination in Brooklyn, he definitely couldn’t show up all gross and snotty. So he pushed the feelings down and used the hem of his shirt to get rid of the rest of the tears. He stuck his cigar in his mouth to chew on it and pushed himself up.

Race walked back out to the road and headed straight (hehe no, gay) down the street. He figured he would find something that looked familiar eventually.

The reason he was so mixed up and overwhelmed was a bit complicated.

1) Albert was missing

2) He’d taken a wrong turn in Brooklyn, of course he was familiar with the area but he didn’t know it like the back of his hand, the way he did with Manhattan

3) He wasn’t used to walking in Brooklyn this late in the day

4) Race wasn’t used to feeling scared and overwhelmed this way

A cocktail of factors causing a simple walk to Brooklyn to be what seemed like an insurmountable feat at the moment.

He felt dazed which wasn’t good. If he passed out or something he might not wake up. So he forced himself to keep going. He was sure he’d recognize some place soon and if he didn’t, well, he’d make it to the docks eventually.

Time went by and area was covered. He’d finally recognized a street sign and the building behind it, and was now headed in the right direction for certain.

He reached the Brooklyn lodging house sooner than expected, he must not have been paying attention to exactly where he was.

He had lost all concept of time in his “travels” and it was completely dark outside. He had no idea if he’d made it there before curfew or not. Though it wouldn’t matter since he wasn’t particularly welcome there anyways. He climbed up the fire escape as quietly as he could until he got to the window he desired.

He knocked lightly on the window hoping he wasn’t waking anyone up.

The window opened and Race could see a confused Spot in the dull moonlight.

He slithered inside and sat down on the bed, suddenly exhausted.

“So what brings you here today?” Spot said lightheartedly. He went back to folding the extra shirt he had. Yup. That’s right. The King of Brooklyn folds his clothes. And he does so very carefully.

“Thought you could take my mind offa things.”

“Oh yeah? Y’know, there was some little birds here chirpin all kindsa things at my boys. What’s goin’ on ‘hattan?”

“You didn’t hear?”

“Doesn’t matta, I wanta hear it from you.”

Spot sat down and crossed his arms. Race could see the moonlight glinting off of the key around his neck.

“My best friend is missing. Albert, you know him, shock of red hair, hassles youse guys sometimes.”

“Yeah yeah I know him.”

“You seen him?”

“Nah kid, ‘m sorry, I ain’t seen nothing outta place ‘round here. Wish I could help though.”

“You and the rest of the kids’ll have a watch out for him?”

“You can count on it.”

Race sighed, half a breath of relief, half something else. “Thanks Spotty, youse really a sweetheart y’know that?”

“Aw stop raggin’,” Spot dismissed the comment with a wave of his hand but Race could see the small grin he was trying to conceal.

A soft smile bloomed on Race’s face before he flopped down to lie on Spot’s bed.

“So I take it you thinks yer stayin’ here tonight?”

“Like you’d let me go home at this hour.”

“Shove over I wanna sleep too.”

Race fake grumbled and shifted over to make room for Spot.

“Eh now that wasn’t so hard was it?” Spot teased.

Race gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before closing his eyes and shutting out the world.

#newsies fanfiction #newsies #newsies fanfic #newsies fic #writing #racetrack higgins #spot conlon #sprace #platonic #romantic #u decide #race x spot #angst #ish? #fluff #too

[writinganothertime]

The Secret of Vanishing Newsboys

Chapter 3

warnings: none

word count: 598

——————

Jack couldn’t help but keep a headcount back at the lodging house. He usually did anyways, without realizing it, but now he was extra aware of it. He asked everyone the same questions:

“You checked in at the desk?” If not he sent them back down.

And: “did you see him or get any word?”

There were no positive answers.

Now Jack was the one pacing, which bothered him because he’d been so annoyed with Race before but now he was doing it. However he now understood why Race had been doing it. It gave him something to do and helped get the nervous energy out. Race had disappeared now too. Which Jack wasn’t terribly worried about though maybe he should be. Race often disappeared, more often at night, so this was fairly on schedule for him.

Finally he couldn’t take it. As soon as Henry walked in he pulled him aside.

“I need ya to keep track of all these younguns yeah? Get any news if they have it and make sure they check in.”

Henry looked bewildered and Jack didn’t wait for confirmation before letting him go and backing away. His thoughts were going crazy and he had to get away. He started to climb out the window when someone stopped him.

“Jack?”

He was one of the only people Jack would stop for.

“Yeah Crutchie?”

“You’re goin’ up to the penthouse right? Can I come?”

Jack hesitated then forced a smile. Not because he was annoyed with Crutchie, he just didn’t feel like smiling.

“Yeah o’course, c’mon.”

Jack always made Crutchie climb up the fire escape first. He didn’t want him wrecking his good leg. And Crutchie didn’t want that either so he was glad for the spotter.

They made it to the roof and Jack made a beeline for the edge. He needed to see the skyline. Crutchie only reached the edge after him, considering Jack had practically sprinted to the edge.

“Like whatcha see?” Crutchie smiled.

“Yeah,” Jack took a deep breath of the night air, “I needed it. More picturesque up here. I can breathe out here.”

“If you say so, I’ve seen some pretty picturesque things down at ground level too though.”

Jack laughed out loud and Crutchie was so glad. That sound had been absent all day.

“Who’d ya see today? An’ don’t leave out anything I wanna hear allll the details.”

The two of them sat down so Jack could focus on Crutchie’s words. He stared at his friend in admiration as he talked about one of the girls who’d held a conversation with him that day.

Often people were so busy just trying to get to where they needed to go; so any newsie was glad to have a real conversation with somebody.

Jack wished he had something to talk about as well, but he couldn’t remember anything that had happened that day.

“Jack? You still listening?”

“Yeah sorry. Gee, I tell ya I shouldn’t be lookin’ at the city if I wanna hear ya and I’m still not listening. I’m sorry Crutchie. I’m messed up today.”

“Don’t worry about it Jack, you wanna talk?”

“Nah, s’here’s nothin’ to talk about. You know what’s going on.” He sighed. “If things were different.”

“Wishful thinking won’t do no good,” Crutchie said softly.

“I know it’s just-“ Jack shook his head and Crutchie moved to hug him.

“He’ll come back Jacky, we just gotta wait until he turns up.”

Jack didn’t respond. He just held onto his friend tightly. And if there were any tears? Neither of them mentioned it.

#newsies fanfiction #newsies #newsies fanfic #newsies fic #writing #jack kelly #crutchie morris #crutchie newsies #henry newsies #jack is overwhelmed :( #but crutchie is an angel so it’s all good #canon era #i only did like 3 edits of this instead of my usual 5 #(there’s always stuff to fix) #so excuse any mistakes there might be

[writinganothertime]

The Secret of Vanishing Newsboys

Chapter 2

warnings: none

word count: 640

a/n: i know i said a new chapter would be out weekly but chapter two is done! so here ya go

Just outside the lodging house Finch and Mush made eye contact through the crowd of children pushing to leave for other boroughs. Finch nudged children out of his way in an attempt to get to Mush.

“Heya Mushy you wanna go to Woodside with me?”

“Yeah you’re on.”

Mush’s eyes twinkled as he sped off and Finch realized he’d just been challenged to a race.

Finch ran with Mush towards Woodside. After crossing the Brooklyn bridge (the only way to Woodside) Finch was wayyy ahead of Mush. He turned and laughed when he realized Mush couldn’t keep up with him.

“Oh shove off, I am not so vertically inclined,” Mush huffed as he caught up.

It always surprised Finch when Mush spoke like that, he sounded so much smarter than Finch did. Which was a good thing Finch supposed, Mush had had the privilege to go to school as kid. He’d only left school about a year ago when he was suddenly orphaned, left alone, having to fend for himself.

“I’m not laughin’ at you in a mean way,” Finch grinned as he lightly pushed Mush.

Mush rolled his eyes but he was smiling. Then took off again, running faster, creating distance between himself and Finch.

The two of them made it to Woodside in record time. (Finch did win the race but Mush will tell you that it doesn’t matter). Finch ran up to the door of the lodging house and was about to knock, then stopped.

“What are you doing?” Mush whisper-shouted at him. “We still need to get back tonight.”

Finish turned to face him.

“When’s curfew?”

Mush sighed realizing Finch was afraid of getting in trouble for the time of night, “Finch it’s not even close to midnight.”

“Right, sorry.”

He turned back to the door and knocked.

The door opened almost immediately and a kid leaned out causing Finch to step back. Mush stepped closer to Finch. For backup. And because other boroughs made him nervous.

“So what’s ya business?” The kid asked.

“We’re missing a boy an-“

“Ain’t got time for missin’ kids,” the door started to close.

“Please,” Mush said a little too desperately. He froze for a second, he hadn’t even realized he cared that much.

The kid groaned but fully stepped out this time.

“What’d’ya want with us?”

“We want to ask you to keep a lookout for our friend.”

“What’s he look like?” The kid leaned against the wall beside the door, looking bored.

“Hey you got a name?” Finch asked first. He felt weird having a whole conversation with this kid but having nothing to call them.

“Deck. Give me the description.”

“Nice to meetcha Deck,” Finch started to say.

But Deck interjected with, “get talkin’, I don’t got all day.”

“He’s got red hair, he gets in petty trouble, um, oh! His name’s Albert, we’re ‘hattan so he may have some blue on him. Not sure what else you need. He’s not yours, ya won’t recognize him.”

“Well that ain’t much but I’ll keep a lookout.”

“And you’ll tell the others?”

“Sure thing, youse best get going if ya wanna make it through the night,” Deck had a hint of a smile on their face as they went back in and closed the door.

Sure, outside wasn’t as safe in the dark as it was in daylight. But newsies often sold in the late hours, it wasn’t uncharted territory for them. But still better to be inside. Besides, the boys weren’t in their home borough. They wouldn’t want to be in Woodside too long, even during the day. And Finch and Mush were done selling anyways. There was no reason to stay out now.

“They’re right, we gotta go.”

This time there wasn’t a challenge, other than the unspoken one: to get back to Manhattan in one piece.

#newsies fanfiction #newsies #newsies fanfic #newsies fic #writing #newsies finch #finch newsies #mush meyers #*gasp* an oc!!!! #original character #i did my research for this chapter #mapped out the route #:)

[writinganothertime]

The Secret of Vanishing Newsboys

CHAPTER 1

pairing: undetermined

warnings: none :)

story: worry, angst, a bit of fluff

time period: canon au (!!!)

word count: 539

a/n: hey!! welcome back, here’s a new fic! first time writing canon era so be nice :) the pairing is undetermined, it’s about a lot of different newsies though i suppose the focus is on race and albert. so this will be under the ‘miscellaneous’ section on my masterlist. i did mean to write platonic!ralbert but it’s up for interpretation, and i hint at romantic!sprace at one point but only slightly. i won’t include a pairing, time period, or story section in the rest of the chapters. but will always give warnings and word count :) and i will post chapters whenever they are ready, hopefully semi-regularly, maybe one a week? the chapters are fairly short, i wanted to stretch the story out and it switched topics too often for everything to be in larger chapters. ok i think that’s all! happy reading!

——————

Racetrack paced back and forth chewing on his cigar, he was never able to stay still but this was different.

“Racer you’re gonna wear the floor out and fall clean through.”

Race didn’t respond, his thoughts occupied by a certain redhead.

“Hey,” Jack said sharply, but not unkindly, grabbing his shoulder, forcing him to a stop.

“This worryin’ ain’t gonna do anyone no good.”

Race smacked Jack’s hand off of him and resumed his pacing.

“Can’t help worrying, gotta do something.”

Jack shook his head, “and pacing is helping somehow?”

Race gave him a dirty look, “it helps me, just not the situation.”

Jack sighed, they were all upset, but Race was starting to get on his nerves. Tension was high. He grabbed Race by both of his shoulders now and forced him to a sitting position on a bunk.

“J- just stop,” Jack motioned as he did so, frustration radiating off of him.

“Sorry,” Race mumbled, but he looked angry.

The lodging house was uncharacteristically quiet.

Here’s the situation: Albert had disappeared after selling last evening, he never came back to the lodging house. It was unlike him to not come back for the night, and even more unlikely that he didn’t show up for selling in the morning. Everyone was worried, Race was suffering the most being Albert’s closest friend and all. But things were tense between all the kids. The dark mood made everyone irritable.

“Should we tell someone?” Romeo piped up.

“Who we gonna tell?” Jack asked harshly, scowling.

Romeo frowned and rolled his eyes.

“Can we put out some feelers? Send notice to other boroughs to look out for him?” Finch asked. He nodded at Romeo. Romeo started grinning, glad someone was backing him up.

Jack looked upset, as if Finch’s idea was a disturbance to him. They all knew he was just in a bad mood, but in turn, was making the rest of the kids feel angry too.

“Yeah, sure,” he agreed, “send word, be careful, don’t get in any trouble.”

“You not gonna tell us who should go where?” Someone asked.

“I’m not thinkin’ too clearly,” Jack tapped his temple with a sad, close-lipped smile. “Get outta here ya punks, let’s find our Albert.”

Kids started scrambling to leave the lodging house. It was already after supper, having kids leave this late probably wasn’t the best idea but nobody stopped them. Jojo stopped to talk to Race.

“Ya don’t wanna come?” They demanded, respectfully.

“I don’t wanna find him myself,” Race muttered. “What if he’s hurt or worse, I don’t wanta find him in the streets or alleys. Y’know?” Jojo nodded and hurried off.

Jack wasn’t leaving either. And a lot of little kids were pushed back from the door to make sure they wouldn’t come. Crutchie was up on a bunk his head in his hands. He knew him leaving wouldn’t do anyone any good, he wouldn’t get somewhere in time, and the streets weren’t the safest at night. Not many of the older kids stayed though. It was a big deal when somebody went missing. Especially because Albert was a person who was always present. Some kids disappeared sure, but their attendance was usually spotty anyways. Albert was different.

#newsies fanfiction #newsies #newsies fanfic #newsies fic #writing #albert dasilva #jack kelly #racetrack higgins #finch cortez #finch newsies #newsies finch #newsies romeo #romeo newsies #i literally #hv nothing to say abt this? #enjoy! #it’s short #i know im sorry