Something for Albert (Newsies Writing), Part Two
Requested: For once, yes. @2-for-a-penny A/N: Ha, you guys asked for a part two (in a rather confusing manner so this was the result). I hope you enjoy it! Also here’s part one, which is inspired by a post made by @crystallizedtwilight (the best frickin’ blog, ever). Warnings: None Length: 1458
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Finch opened his eyes to the bright greeting of morning. His and Mush’s room was on the few that contained a window, and it was views like this that made all the fuss over the room worth it. He glanced over at the figure who was both curled and pinning him to the bed with a long arm slung over his torso and knees pressed into his thigh, at his hair which shone underneath the rays of the sun. Each spot of light illuminated the individual freckles that spattered his nose and cheeks, and made the scar above his nose turn into an angry white line that reminded him of the time Race swung a little too hard in an attempt to ward off the approaching prankster. Al looked peaceful, and happy, to be snuggling into Finch, who almost couldn’t contain himself.
However, the peace didn’t last long as the sun’s rays leveled with Albert’s closed eyes, allowing Finch to catch a peek before quickly shutting his own. He tried to relax but felt Albert squirm in his light embrace, and finally pull himself away from the bed. Finch kept his eyes close, listening to him nearly fall off the bed before catching himself and stumbling free. There was so much space, and after a second the only sign that Albert had been there was the tousled bed sheets and the slow evaporation of warmth from the spot he laid. He gazed mournfully at the empty spot, longing for a few extra minutes that Al could stay, but he understood the turmoil that he was going through; unrequited feelings are tough. He sat up just as Mush walked into the room.
“Really? I had to sleep on the couch.” Finch just stared at him and then fell back into his bed, landing with a groan.
-
Albert tucked his thumbs behind his suspenders, keeping an eye out at the gate. His hat was pulled down low, not that it would stop any of the other newsies from recognizing him but it sent a clear message to the other boys that he wanted to be left alone. That is, it was clear to everyone but the one and only Racetrack Higgins.
He sauntered over, a wide grin on his face as Albert tried to bury his face in his own cap. His smile was different now that it lacked his trademark cigar, but was left was the most blinding smile that Albert had ever seen, pulling his thoughts into several different directions. On the one hand, he could stare at that face all day long. On the other hand, he knew that the smile was probably because of Spot, and not because of Al. On the other, other hand, he was ready to soak ‘em over all the different emotions he had caused the boy to feel.
“Hey! I didn’t see you too much last night afta I came home. Yous feelin’ okay?” It was a thoughtful and innocent question, but it sent Albert into another spiral.
“Yeah, I uh, just hadda… get some more sleep before today. I heard the headline was gonna be extra good?” Race gave him a strange look as they walked through the gates together, taking a quick glance at the headline. Concern Rises over Growing Population of Birds in New York.
“Righhhht.” Albert keeps his eyes forward, marching to the growing line of kids getting their newspapers, waiting for Race to fall behind him. He does, but Finch is standing there waiting as Albert walks up. His eyes light up, but his face doesn’t portray his delight. Instead, his expression is one that confirms his coolness, his mouth relaxed into a natural frown, his eyebrows low and intimidating. Albert falls in line next to him but doesn’t say a word. After getting ready in his own room, he had felt a wave of embarrassment. He was anxious, feeling that he told Finch too much, let him in and then -to top it off- fell asleep on him. It was best if the whole thing was forgotten.
But he remembered that morning, in fact, he couldn’t get it out of his head. It was like the two fit together perfectly, offering endless comfort and assurance with his near presence, Finch was taking up his every waking thought. In the middle of the night, he had woken up underneath most of the covers with Finch propped against the wall, fully asleep. Reaching a hand out, he pulled Finch down next to him leaving them face to face on his pillow. He mumbled a bit but fell right back into a peaceful slumber with an arm now resting on his own. He stayed awake for a bit after that, in the darkness admiring the shapes of his face, those eyebrows that were less aggressive and a mouth that was turned into a faint smile rather than a frown.
All of this made it so when Finch turned to him in line, all he could think of was potentially another night leaning into Finch.
-
It had been two weeks since Albert had spoken to him last. Finch pulled his slingshot back and hit one of the cans lined up on the sidewalk. Outside the Lodging House was the only place that Jack had allowed him to shoot with his pebbles, leaving him to bake in the early heat waves of Spring as he fired shot after shot. But it was aimless as his mind wandered to Albert. Yeah, he was pissed that the kid was ignoring him (hence the slingshot), but his mind was running around trying to come up with ideas to cheer him up.
He had watched him mope around the Lodging House, avoiding everyone, but especially Race. All the other boys had started to catch on by now, whispering between themselves. He’d seen Crutchie go after Al once, and they disappeared for a few hours (not that he was paying attention), and Romeo try to talk with Albert but both couldn’t seem to remove his glumness. But that had no effect on the rate at which Finch’s heart would flutter whenever he walked in. He was determined to make him forget his sadness and show him that he deserved more.
A sound came from behind, and in natural reflex, Finch spun around and let go of the rock in the holder.
“Shit!” Albert’s hand flew to his jaw where an angry red mark had already begun to form. Finch dropped his slingshot and walked over, his eyebrows knitted together as he looked at his mark.
“Damn, I’m real sorry, Al. I heard someone and I just, ya know.” Albert nodded his head but didn’t say anything. Finch stood in front of him, awkwardly with his hands in his pockets.
“Well, I’ll just…” Albert made a move to walk around Finch, to maintain his original path and finch stepped aside for him to pass. He nodded and watched Albert walk a bit, only making it a few steps before he could stop himself from calling out to him.
“Can I just...” He stopped, Finch took one step towards Albert.
“Says one thing? Before ya leave?” Albert turned around slowly, his face devoid of any clear emotion- rather it is a storm of several that Finch could hardly pick between. He shifted in his stance, pulling his hands out of his pockets to fidget with the edges of his pants as spoke to the empty space between them.
“Yous deserve more, ya know? Ta not be sad and all that stuff. Forget Racer, he draws everyone in and doesn’t think too much of what that does to others.” Finch takes another step closer, only a few feet away from Albert who is lost in his own head and stiffens at Race’s name.
“I hate seein’ ya like this. I need ya to be happy.” Another step.
“‘Cause when you ain’t smiling, it’s like the whole world is empty. Yous make it wonderful, Al.” Albert’s face is obscured as he tilts it toward the sidewalk, but Finch takes the final step until he is less than an arm’s length away.
“Please?” Finch’s eyes were pleading, his mouth dry in a final desperation, his words begging for Albert to look up. And finally, he does.
“I make the whole world wonderful, huh?” His mouth is pulled into a large smile directed fully at Finch, his eyes searching his face for truth.
“For me, you do.” Each of them had inched closer, Finch’s eyes catching Albert’s mouth before swiftly meeting his passionate gaze. In one smooth movement, Albert pulled Finch close before softly placing his mouth on Finch’s. Letting out a soft sigh, he pulled away before whispering.
“Thank you, Finchy.”