#davey finch and hotshot all make appearances

[orangecrane]

Hey there Orange I saw your requests are open and I was wondering if you could possibly write something angsty with sprace? Happy ending or not! Your choice! I’m just depressed and I need more sprace content. Thanks!

no fault of mine

When what's supposed to be a happy day ends up being a terrible mess, Albert's left to pick up the pieces. But not everything is quite as it seems. (In which if people actually communicated a lot of pain could have been prevented. Maybe).

A/N: Thanks for the request, I hope it was what you wanted! If not just let me know. This got away from me a bit lol, I didn’t mean for it to get this long. Also, would anyone like a second part/follow up to this? I have a few ideas where I could take it but this was long enough as is and I was anxious to post it.

CW: Mild swearing, Illness (Fever)

“Damn Race, what’s got you in such a good mood?”

Race absolutely lit up. He’d already been unreasonably upbeat all day, from having a huge smile plastered across his face from the moment he woke up to practically skipping to distribution. He’d also been unusually giggly and had been draping himself all over Albert with a level of drama that was usually reserved for special occasions.

“Oh don’t get him started,” Albert groaned, “he’s been talkin’ my ear off about his date with Spot for the past two weeks.”

“Ain’t you two been on dates before,” Finch directed at Race, “what’s so special about this one?”

“Yeah, but today is exactly one year after our first date! Spot’s got a big surprise planned an’ I can’t wait,” Race was practically vibrating. “We’s gonna meet by the bridge after selling today, it’s why I’m staying in Manhattan with Al today to sell.”

“Well, good luck wit’ that Race,” Finch smiled. “And Albert, I hope you still have ears by the time you get home.”

The smugness practically radiated off of Finch. Albert grumbled and rolled his eyes at his teasing tone. “Wouldn’t bet on it…”

---

Race had just sold his last pape and was on his way to meet Spot. He was most certainly not barely restraining himself from running all the way to the bridge. Besides, if he did that then he’d only be early and have nothing to do but wait around for Spot to show up. So Race walked, at a perfectly normal walking speed, the rest of the way to the place they were supposed to meet.

He still arrived about fifteen minutes early, but that wasn’t a big deal. He could just pace around a bit and daydream about what they were going to do once Spot got here.

Race dreamed of walks in the park, of admiring the very last of the autumn leaves before winter well and truly came. Of holding hands to keep warm in the chilly night air and stealing kisses in the shadows. Of sharing a proper meal, the kind lowly newsboys never got to eat. Race dreamed of Spot.

He kept daydreaming until a passerby accidentally bumped into him.

Huh… that was odd. He had been lost in his own head for so long that he hadn’t noticed nearly half an hour slip by. That in it of itself wasn’t weird, Race was easily distracted and had a vivid imagination. But that meant Spot was fifteen minutes late.

Spot was almost never late. In fact, he often prided himself on his punctuality. Race was the one who got sidetracked or miscalculated how long it took to get somewhere or just plain forgot.

He must’ve gotten wrapped up in something with his boys. Oh well, Race had made him wait enough times to be forgiving about it this once. Even if it was a special day.

So Race resumed his fantasizing. Warmth and sweet words and Spot.

But that only lasted so long. Because fairly soon, Spot was half an hour late. Now Race was beginning to worry. What was keeping him? Did Race have the wrong place?

Another thirty minutes passed. Spot was officially an hour late. Race didn’t think Spot had been that late to anything in his life.

Another hour. Race was panicking. Did Spot forget?

No, Race was certain he wouldn’t, couldn’t when they had spoken about it just yesterday. Race had tried to get Spot to tell him about their plans but Spot was ever tight-lipped.

Was he hurt? Spot was strong but it wasn’t impossible.

Did something happen to one of the Brooklyn kids? But if he had known he wouldn’t be able to make it, wouldn’t Spot have sent a runner?

Another hour. What if Spot wasn’t coming? The sun was setting and Race was still waiting.

Another hour. Spot wasn’t coming. It was dark and Race was cold. He wanted nothing more to curl up into a ball and cry. Spot wasn’t coming, he’d left Race waiting for hours on their anniversary. Race felt sick to his stomach thinking of how excited he was only a couple hours ago, how he spent all day looking forward to this, weeks of- of hope and excitement and love. And this is what he got for it.

But maybe.

Another half hour. Race went home, tears blurring his vision.

He couldn’t feel his fingers or his toes by the time he arrived at the lodging house. A few of the older boys who were still up tried to ask him how it went. He ignored them. Stormed up the stairs and into the bunk room, to find Albert waiting up for him.

“Racer, how’d it-”

He cut himself off upon spotting the tear tracks on his best friends face.

“I don’t wanna talk about it.” Race tore his boots off and climbed into his bunk. Glad that at least his best friend knew when not to push him. He’d have to talk with Albert about what happened in the morning, but for tonight he could wallow. And wallow he did. The moment he allowed himself to think of Spot and the disaster that was tonight, hot salty tears streamed down his face. It felt almost like they were burning him. Race just laid there, mulling over everything that happened and how hurt he was until his head was pounding and the tears stopped. Only then did his mind quiet and he fell into a blissfully dreamless sleep.

---

Race awoke to the piercing shriek of the morning bell. He groaned, yanking his pillow over his head and trying to block out the sounds of the boys getting ready. That, on top of the fact that he was so hot he was sweating, made him dread the coming day. He threw his thin blanket off of him in an attempt to cool down. He’s nearly back asleep when something clangs the bed frame near his head.

“Whadda fuck?” Race’s head was still ringing and getting up to sell was the last thing he wanted to do today.

“Up and at em, sleepyhead,” Albert proclaimed. Race groaned, he was so tired. “Oh man, you look like shit dude.”

Race cracked his eyes open just enough to glare at his best friend. “I feel like it too, now lee’me alone.” Race’s voice was so scratchy that it even surprised him.

“Maybe you shouldn’t sell today Racer,” Al sounded worried. He reached over to put his hand against Race’s forehead, but he batted his hand away and whined. Al frowned with concern.

Race was going to object, he really was, but his head was pounding, his throat hurt, and he wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep. He ended up grunting and turning over to go back to sleep.

“Hey Jack! Racer ain’t lookin’ too good-” Albert’s voice faded into the background.

Race slept fitfully for a few hours, always too hot or too cold and in too much pain to really sleep. He wanted Spot. Spot always knew how to make him feel better, where was Spot?

Maybe he could ask some of the other guys, he could hear their voices but struggled to make out what they were saying.

“really warm”

“out in the cold”

The voices were too distant for him to recognize so he couldn’t understand what was going on. Wasn’t he supposed to be meeting Spot, was he going to be late? Race tried to push through the fog in his mind but only succeeded in confusing himself more. Why was it so warm, wasn’t it autumn?

“bad condition”

“crying- Spot” That was definitely Albert’s voice.

Race whined, tears of frustration stinging his eyes. He was tired and confused and just generally feeling pretty awful and he wanted either Spot or Albert to come make it better. Having them around always made it better.

Fortunately, someone noticed he was awake and shortly after he had his favorite red-head by his side. Race sat up and grabbed at Albert’s arm, looking somewhere between lost and scared. “Albie…”

“Heya Racer,” Albert began, real gentle, “how’re you feelin’ bud?”

Race just whined and buried his head into Al’s shoulder. Even the idea of talking hurt.

“Yeah, I can imagine, Specs n’ Daves say you’re runnin’ an awful fever. It musta been from being out in the cold last night.”

Race’s head was swimming and he had a hard time focusing on what Al was saying, but he thought he got the gist of it. Wait… “Spo-”

He was quickly quieted by Albert handing him a glass of water and gesturing for him to drink. Where did he get that? He certainly didn’t have it when he climbed up to Race’s bunk. Race drank the water in small sips, with Albert watching, until he finished the glass. Al took it from his hands and handed it to someone standing at the side of the bed. Oh, so that’s how he got it. Race was so, so tired.

Just as he was drifting off, leaning entirely against his friend, he jolted. “Spot- I’m supposed to meet Spot,” Race barely managed to slur out. Albert shared a look with the other boys who Race still couldn’t be bothered to identify.

“He’s not-” The mystery voice was cut off by a swift kick from Al.

“I… I need to meet Spot, where is he? I wanna see Spot!”

“Race why don’t you lie down,” Albert tried to gently push him back down.

“No,” Race said indignantly, deliriously. “Spot!” he called out, half expecting him to be just out of sight, like Albert had been. Why wasn’t Spot coming? He was always there for Race, Spot wouldn’t leave him like this.

Finally, Albert grabbed his hand. Through gritted teeth he said, “Spot’ll be here soon, he just had some business to deal with in Brooklyn, why don’t you get some rest in the meantime so you’ll have some energy when he gets here?”

Oh. That made sense. Race nodded agreeably and allowed himself to be pulled down to rest his head in Albert’s lap. He was tempted to try and stay awake anyway but he was exhausted and Al’s hand in his hair felt really nice, so he surrendered himself to sleep once more.

Though, this caused him to completely miss the discussion that followed.

“Spot’s not coming, we haven’t spoken to him at all, why would you say that?”

Albert rolled his eyes, he liked the guy plenty. but sometimes Davey just didn’t get it. “He was completely out of it, we needed him to calm down and he wasn’t gonna do that without Spot bein’ here so I did the next best thing. Besides, he probably won’t even remember this when he wakes up.”

“Well… maybe we should go talk to Spot and see if he can check on Race.” Albert was hesitant to do that. If only because of what he had seen last night.

“Evening distribution starts soon, you’ll miss it completely if you go to Brooklyn, and I have to stay here with the dumbass who went and got himself sick.”

“Tomorrow, then?” Davey insisted. And, well, Albert certainly had a few things to say to Spot given Race’s expression when he got home last night, so it really didn’t take much convincing.

“Yeah, I’ll head over tomorrow and get Jack to watch Racer while I’m gone if he isn’t any better.” Davey looked pleased at that, he still wasn’t fond of lying but he understood the utility of it. He really was worried about Race, and if Race wanted Spot then he wasn’t sure why Albert needed any convincing at all, but then again maybe he was missing something. He tended to miss social things like this.

Davey was ripped from his musings by Albert, staring down at him from Race’s bunk, “You better get moving or you’ll miss distribution.”

“Oh yeah! I’ll see you around Albert.”

“You too, Daves,” Albert nodded to Davey as he exited the bunk room.

---

The next day saw almost no improvement. Race was still running a fever high enough to be seriously disoriented and was continually asking for Spot. And Albert, once he left.

So Albert was on his way to Brooklyn to ask Spot Conlon just what the fuck he thought he was doing to Albert’s best friend. He wasn’t one-hundred percent certain what happened, but he’d spent enough of the last day listening to Race’s whining and rambling to piece together that Spot hadn’t shown up and Race had been left waiting for him for hours. He was also tempted to blame Race’s sudden sickness on him too, if only because he was frustrated and angry on his friend’s behalf and didn’t have anywhere else to direct those emotions. And maybe Race wouldn’t be sick at all if he hadn’t been out there in the cold waiting for some bastard who wasn’t coming.

Once he reached the Brooklyn lodgings he knocked twice loudly and stood there, arms crossed and clearly displeased. It was Digs who opened the door, normally Albert thought she was pretty cool but he was in no mood to be friendly.

“What are you doing here?”

“Where’s Spot?” She looked a little taken aback by his tone, and narrowed her eyes.

“What’s it to you?”

“I need to have some words with him.”

Digs observed him warily, “I have to talk to Hotshot, wait in the common room and don’t touch anything. She allowed him inside and disappeared up the stairs. It was about two minutes before she returned, Brooklyn’s second in tow.

“Get outta here ‘hattan.”

“Not until I give Spot a piece of my mind.”

“Spot isn’t taking visitors right now, leave,” Hotshot ordered. Albert was pissed but wasn’t willing to risk a serious conflict between boroughs, for now at least.

“Got any idea when the all mighty King o’ Brooklyn will deign to see me then?”

“No, now leave before we make you.” Digs was standing silently by Hotshot’s side, she hadn’t said anything since returning but was obviously willing to back her second’s orders.

Albert glared at the other newsies, and made his way to the door. He paused before exiting. “Hey, Spot!”

His voice echoed throughout the old building.

“He waited for you, you know,” Albert spat out before storming out of the Brooklyn lodging house and going back to Manhattan to look after his best friend. Someone had to, and he clearly wasn’t going to be able to get through to Spot.

---

Race woke up around noon on the third day feeling much better. He was still kind of dehydrated and groggy, but it seemed his fever had broken. He dragged himself out of bed, careful not to lose his balance on the way down, and slowly changed into a cleaner set of clothes and grabbed himself a glass of water.

Once he finished his first glass and went to fill it up again he was interrupted by someone else entering the room.

Albert looked surprised. “It’s good to see you on your feet, Racer. You feelin’ better?”

Race downed half his glass before answering. “Yeah,” he said, voice still raspy.

Albert smiled, then gently grabbed the glass from his hands and topped it back up. “”M glad, but Specs’d kill me if he found out I was lettin’ you overexert yourself when I was supposed to be lookin’ after you. And before you start poutin’, I’ll sit with you, Jack n’ some of the other boys have been pitching in to cover us so I can stay and babysit you.”

Race started pouting anyways. “I don’t need no babysittin’!” Race frowned, “An’ I don’t like the idea o’ the other boys needing to pay for us, especially when I was the only one who couldn’t sell.”

Albert snorted. “Too bad you big baby, you were outta commission and someone had to look after ya sorry ass.” Albert nudged him back towards the stairs. “Now c’mon, we got some stuff we need to talk about.”

Race followed him back up the stairs and to the bunk room, admittedly confused. He hadn’t been out of it that long, what could he have missed?

Albert took a seat on his own bed and gestured for Race to sit with him. Once he did Al handed him the glass back. Race took a few small sips. “So what did you wanna talk about?”

“Well the night before you got sick you were kinda a mess,” Albert began, “and then you had a nasty fever and seemed pretty upset about what happened. I think I got the basics but you were pretty incoherent…”

Oh yeah, that. Even the mention of that night made Race’s throat tighten. His hands started shaking slightly and Al once again removed the cup from his grasp.

Race sucked in a shuddering breath. “So uhh… basically? Spot never showed up, I waited for hours and- and I just kept thinking ‘Maybe he’ll be here in a few minutes and if I leave I’ll miss him’” Race trailed off.

“I only left once it was too cold and it was clear that… that Spot had either forgotten about me, didn’t care, or something bad had happened to him.” Race sniffled.

Albert looked kind of heartbroken on his behalf. He wrapped an arm around him and pulled Race into his side. “I went to go talk to Spot yesterday,” Albert admitted.

“You what?” Race turned to face his friend.

“I knew something had happened between you two and you kept asking after him.” Race flushed with embarrassment. “I wanted to find out for sure what happened, maybe give him a piece of my mind, and see if he could come see you. Figured he’d want to know you were sick, why wouldn’t he? Anyways, he wouldn’t speak to me at all and some of his newsies wouldn’t even let me see him.”

Race looked down and balled his fists in his pants. So Spot had really just stood him up and then refused to even talk to his best friend. They’d been together a year and Race thought he knew him, though with how things were looking, maybe not. He fully curled into Albert’s side. He didn’t want to think about Spot anymore, he just wanted to fall asleep to the sound of someone who actually cared about him breathing.

---

Four days after the anniversary Race was back on his feet, well enough to sell, and hadn’t seen hide nor hair of Spot. He spent the day in Manhattan on Jack’s orders. Couldn’t risk something happening to him too far away from home.

However, the day after he was allowed to return to Sheepshead once again. He was sort of expecting to run into Spot. After everything and Race not selling for a few days he thought that Spot would at least care enough to come talk to him. Then again he thought Spot wouldn’t ditch him like he did, so maybe it was a problem with Race’s judgement. Race just sold and went home, not feeling up to betting or waiting around for Spot. Again.

The pattern continued like this for a few days, Race would show up to sell, maybe chat with any Brooklyn newsies he came across, then leave. Whenever he tried to ask about Spot they just deflected. It was really starting to get on Race’s nerves.

If Spot wanted to break up with him why couldn’t he say it to Race’s face instead of hiding away like a coward. Everyday he waited for Spot to make the first move, Race wasn’t the one in the wrong here! And everyday he heard nothing.

Well Race was sick of waiting around for stupid Spot.

---

“Race? What are you doin’ here?”

“‘M here to see Spot.” Well, more specifically he was there to chew Spot out and possibly end their relationship if he didn’t have a damn good explanation for his recent behavior. He loved Spot, he really did but Race was not going to allow himself to be treated like this. He deserved better than someone who hurt him like this. But he wasn't gonna dump all that on a kid, especially one who could stop him from doing so.

The kid, Flicker, hesitated. “Spot’s not seeing anybody right now.”

“Well can’t I be an exception?”

“I’m really not supposed to…”

Flicker seemed very conflicted. Race didn’t want to use the kid but… he knew Flicker kind of looked up to him. It wouldn’t be too hard to persuade him to let him in.

“Please Flicks?” Using that nickname was dirty, but Race was at the end of his rope. Hopefully Flicker wouldn’t hold it against him.

His expression was downright pained. “I-”

Race gave him his most pleading look. “Listen, this is really important to me, I have to see Spot. You can trust me, can’t you?”

Flicker finally gave in. He glanced around nervously before quietly and quickly saying, “Spot’s in the refuge. Has been for a little over a week. We’s not supposed to say nothin’ bout it to anyone though.”

[willowistic22]

Compulsive redfinch (Acne prone! Albert) headcanons!!!

So yes, this will be some hardcore self projection mini (??? idk how long this will be) compulsive headcanon but i don’t care I need something like this right now. Having acne prone skin has ruined my self image, but today i will turn those insecurities into headcanons bcs idk how to deal with them the healthy and proper way :D and you guys should know better that i would self project on my fav ship so yeah, here, have some random redfinch stuff for the night. you will be getting some skin positivity related redfinch headcanons whether yall like it or not! 

Will i write this into a proper one shot? most likely but idk so i’m not promising anything yknow

Albert has acne prone skin ever since puberty first hit him (about the age of thirteen). It used to be all over his face, mostly his forehead, and sometimes on his neck, back, and chest. 

Some kids like to poke fun out of it, with no means to bully him but his feelings still get hurt and has made him grow up to be very insecure. Not only in his looks, but just Albert being himself in general

All his friends (the newsies) will defend him to no end. Not to say that he can’t fight, it’s just hard punching people when your head is beating yourself up too. Other occasions, his eyes gets watery a bit too quick to be able to punch a straight line.

Race, Spot, and Hotshot defends him the most bcs they are his best friends :D 

It’s one thing when other ppl insult him. It’s a whole other ppl when parents do it. Most of his friends don’t really know abt that but Race, Spot, Hotshot, Davey, and Jack does.

He’s the only one in his family that has shown signs of having acne prone skin since an early age. His father and two older brothers doesn’t. His mother does but the symptoms didn’t start until she first got pregnant.

Albert’s mother is hell bent on tryin to clear his skin. And both his parents have indirectly called him ugly and disgusting. It always hurts Albert the most when it came from his parents. 

It has ruin his self image so bad to the point he has accepted his faith that he’ll be single forever. Until Finch Cortez happened.

Albert knew Finch since high school. By then, his skin has gotten slightly clearer but it wasn’t ‘clear’ enough. Albert can’t deny how attractive he thought Finch was when he first got a one on one interaction with him and he felt quite embarrassed bcs at the time he forgot to do his nightly skincare routine the day before which resulted in more pimples and dry skin than usual. 

Finch was charming and mysterious on the surface. But what made Albert crush on him was what’s under the surface. A caring, bold, passionate, soft, and surprising person emerged and Al was head over heels for this boy.

He could only dream of having someone like him to be his boyfriend. So naturally, in sophomore year, he was surprised when Finch asked him out on a date in the middle of a Monday. Albert tried his absolute best to make his skin appear as presentable as possible, telling Finch that he’s only free on Friday bcs he needed to make a skincare appointment the day before.

And then there was the second date, since the first one was declared as a success. Then the third, the forth, and the fifth. Albert thought he was dreaming. Their dates were sooooo cute. (if i try to elaborate it will make this longer and also requires more energy and so i decide not to) 

On the sixth, Finch was for sure he wants them to be in a committed relationship. Al was unsure because despite after six dates he still believes that his faith is to be single forever. 

After hearing his explanation, Finch explained how handsome he thought Albert was and Al pulled him into a kiss bcs no one has ever called him handsome before. (akjdfaljkfblkjsfmcjkhfjlkscghjsh) 

Since they’re in high school, they just do the ‘go with the flow’ sorta relationship. Whatever happens will happen and whatever feels right will feel right. That relationship actually continued on even after high school. (till marriage actually :))))) 

Like abt a year or so in their relationship, Albert brought Finch home for the first time. His brothers knew that Al has a boyfriend named Finch (when his brothers are home they do a lot of catching up and basically never keep secrets and all) but has never met him. His parents had no idea he has a boyfriend in the first place, or the fact that he was gay. 

So Al’s like, ‘surprise i’m gay, i’ve been dating this guy for about a year, and he’s going to eat dinner with us tonight :)’, and his parents are like, ‘oh........ okay.......’ (this was his compulsive decision to bring Finch home one day after school) 

His family likes Finch instantly. They had a peaceful dinner. Until his mom mentioned what Albert looked like in middle school and just downright embarrassing his son in front of his boyfriend. 

Al didn’t say or do anything. He just sits there, trying to ignore her reading a list of all the things Albert hates about himself. Finch noticed his silence and, in the most respectful way, defended his boyfriend. 

Finch knew about Al’s insecurity ever since that sixth date but never knew what happened at home. So now he carefully watches his boyfriend. Anytime he picks up body language that indicates he’s feeling bad about himself, he will be sure to be there to remind Albert how handsome he is.

Finch would kiss the textured parts of his skin that he hates and Albert would blush and giggle and get all soft. He reminds Albert how handsome he is. Some days Albert actually believes it himself. 

Finch loves caressing Albert’s textured skin. One of his many love languages towards the boy. There are other times when Al felt bad abt himself and didn’t like the hand touches, so Finch diverts it by intertwining their fingers. 

When Finch catches Albert staring at a mirror for too long while focusing on one of his huge pimples, Finch will remind him how handsome he is. Al would laugh, seeing Finch being all sweet while tugging on his arm and move on from the mirror.

So Finch has memorized Al’s skincare routine. Sometimes he does it with him and by the end of it all they’d be wearing Korean sheet masks in Al’s bed and watching some movies while bundled up in a blanket and cuddling. Snacks will come after the sheet masks are taken off. (yus very soft much fluff can you tell that i’m pining?)

When they’re in college, they became roommates in their college dorm. Sometimes Albert comes home too tired or too drunk to do his skincare routine so Finch does it for him. 

He earns hundreds of face kisses the next morning.

In short: Finch loves every part of Albert. In time, Al has learnt how to love himself. He’ll still continue to do his skincare routine but he’s okay with his textured skin. t h e  e n d

[ihatecoconut]

Misunderstood

Cross Posted to AO3

“Race, c’mon.” Jack called, “I don’t have time to stand outside here and yell at you until you come out, but I will.”

There was a muffled response from the other side of the door, which Jack chose to interpret as an affirmative, but was more likely a repetition of the ‘fuck off’- the only thing he had heard from Race since he had locked himself in the bathroom. He still didn’t know why.

Race had come home almost half an hour ago, slammed the front door and locked himself in the bathroom. Jack, who had stuck his head out of the kitchen at the door slam had just had enough time to watch Race borderline sprint to the bathroom and lock the door. He had been in their since, had only started responding to Jack after twenty minutes, and Jack was pretty certain he had been crying.

“Race please.”

“Fuck off, Jack!” Yeah, definitely crying, Jack could hear the crack in his voice.

He sighed and slid down the wall until he was sitting in their tiny corridor opposite the bathroom door. “I can’t help you if you won’t tell me what’s wrong.”

“Who said I want your help?” Race retorted.

That, Jack decided, was progress. It was something out of him other than ‘fuck off’ and it was also kind of an acknowledgement that something was wrong.

“Alright, how about Davey’s help?”

Race didn’t respond to that, choosing instead to throw something at his side of the door- or that was what Jack assumed he did, considering all he heard was a thump and he couldn’t actually see Race. Either way, he took it as an affirmative.

Cowboy: hey can u come over smthns up w race

DaveyBaby: Yeah, of course, do you know what it is?

Cowboy: nope hes looked himself in the bathroom & wont say anyth or come out

DaveyBaby: I’m on my way, I’ll be about ten minutes

Cowboy: thanks.

Davey didn’t respond, and Jack took that to mean that he had put his phone away in order to drive. Ten minutes- he could deal with ten minutes of unresponsive Race; he’d been dealing with Race since they both moved in to Medda’s nearly eight years ago.

“Are you gonna talk to me yet?”

“Fuck off, Jack.”

Apparently not.

*

Davey arrived exactly ten minutes later, as expected because he never drove over the speed limit, no matter the emergency (‘I won’t be able to help in an emergency if I’ve been pulled over by the police, Jack!’) and he always perfectly calculated the amount of time it would take him to drive said speed limit. The only indicator that Davey was as worried about this as he was, was the fact that he opened the front door and let himself in, rather than knocking and waiting for Jack.

“Where is he?”

Jack waved his hand listlessly at the door, “Still in there.”

“Alright,” he raised his voice slightly, “Race?”

A pause. A thump. “What?”

“Are you gonna come out?”

“No.”

Any other time, Race would have jumped at the opportunity to make a joke about being gay and coming out, but instead of throwing out the ‘I’m gay’- even miserably- he didn’t make it at all. Jack watched as the crease in Davey’s brow deepened.

“How long has he been in there?”

“About forty minutes now.”

He nodded, and Jack could almost see him breaking down the problem in his head, “Race?”

“What?”

“Have you eaten today?”

There was a small, broken sob and Davey’s eyes widened, panicked.

“Yeah,” Race said, “I ate.”

The two of them exchanged a confused glance,

Davey turned back to the door. “Uh, have you got a drink?”

There was a quiet sniff that they only picked up on because they were listening out for any more sobs, “No.”

“Will you open the door enough to take a water bottle?”

Jack resisted the urge to roll his eyes at Davey’s unconscious mothering.

“Yeah,” Race sighed, “I guess.”

Davey smiled, looking slightly relieved, “Thank you. I’ve got one here.”

A hand stuck itself out of the crack that appeared, and Davey placed a water bottle- that he had apparently just brought with him in his satchel? - in it. The hand disappeared quite quickly after that and there was the sound of Race re-locking the door. Jack looked up at Davey.

“What now?” he mouthed

Davey held up a hand- the universal sign for ‘hold on’- “Race? We’re gonna go into the kitchen now. Shout or come out if you need anything, ok?”

“Yeah.”

Davey nodded and bit his lip, the worried look was back in his eyes and Jack wasn’t feeling any better than he had been ten minutes ago, the only positive he could see was that he- the most emotionally stilted person he knew- was not dealing with this alone. Carefully, the two of them moved into the kitchen. “Where was he?” Davey asked quietly, glancing back at the corridor before looking Jack straight in the eyes.

“I don’t know,” Jack replied, keeping his voice to the same volume, “he said he was going out, I asked him if he was meeting someone and he said yeah and then left so…”

“You don’t know who he met?”

Jack shook his head apologetically.

“Ok, ok. Let’s go down the list.”

“Huh?”

“Our friends. You know, people he could have been with.”

“Right, ok, go ahead.”

Davey nodded and pulled out a pen, “Paper?”

When Jack finally found a blank piece of paper, Davey spilt it into two columns- ‘Not’ and ‘Possible’. Down the ‘Not’ column, he wrote ‘Davey, Jack, Sarah, Katherine, Albert.’

“Albert?”

“Sarah was helping him with his math class.”

“Ah, ok.” Jack took the pen and added to the column, ‘Elmer, Smalls, Sniper, Crutchie’

“Were they with you?”

“Yeah. Except Crutchie, he was at Medda’s today.”

“Alright, and now the possible column.”

Together they managed to collect the rest of their friends’ names in the other column- ‘Tommy, Mike, Ike, Blink, Mush, Spot, Finch, Henry, JoJo, Buttons, Specs, Romeo.’

“That’s a much longer list.” Jack pointed out, unhelpfully, “What are we gonna do, text everyone and ask if they were with Racer?”

“Unless you have any other ideas, yeah.”

“I’ll take the top six then.”

Davey nodded reluctantly- it wasn’t the best way they could do this, and it was a little bit of an invasion of Race’s privacy, but Race never cried and he wasn’t offering anything they could do- so they both sat down, ready to text a bunch of their friends and offer no explanation for their question. As people slowly responded, they crossed names off the list. Ten minutes later, Race emerged from the bathroom, just as they had got it down to the twins and Spot.

“What are you guys doing?” he asked quietly, a massive difference from Race’s normal demeanour.

“Trying to work out who you were with.” Davey told him, oblivious to Jack wincing at his honesty, thinking that Race wasn’t going to be happy about that, “Because it might help us work out how to help you.”

“Oh.” Race responded, listless and emotionless, “Who do you have?”

“The twins, Mike and Ike.” Davey watched Race for a reaction, “And Spot.” The reaction to that was immediate, Race’s face crumpled, and he curled his knees up to his chest.

“Spot, then.” Jack muttered, and then louder, “Ok, what did he do and how much should I hurt him?”

“Please don’t hurt him,” Race whispered, barely audible through where his face was buried into his knees, “I think I love him.”

There was a long pause and Davey and Jack exchanged a bemused glance, “Ok,” Jack finally said, “I’m gonna need an explanation on that one.”

Race sat up again and rubbed his sleeves over his eyes, “I thought we were dating, we go out every week and we hooked up at Jack’s last party, so I thought we were dating, but apparently not because he asked me who I was dating, which must have been his way of trying to let me down gently, but I thought we had something and-“ he broke off with another sob.

Jack was choking slightly, “You had sex?” he demanded, “With Spot Conlon?”

“Yeah, and we kept dating after that, but apparently we weren’t.” Race managed to get out between sobs. Davey stood up and went to get a glass of water,

“Calm down, drink this and calm down, we can’t do anything while you’re like this.”

Race nodded, accepting the water, and breathing deeply after ever sip, the other two watched him until he had finished the glass and seemed a lot calmer.

“Ok,” Davey sighed, “I think I know what happened.”

The other two looked at him, Race with raised eyebrows that quite obviously asked him to go on.

“Ok,” Davey started, “so, before you had sex- “

“Please just say hooked up,” Jack interrupted.

“Before that happened,” he continued, shooting an irritated glance in Jack’s direction, “the two of you were already going out for meals together, spending time together- doing what you classed as going on dates?”

Race hesitated, obviously unsure of where Davey was going, “Yes?”

“Alright,” he nodded like this made sense, “and then you… ‘hooked up’ and neither of you spoke about it, you didn’t acknowledge it at all.”

“Well, you know Spot, he doesn’t like to talk about things.”

“And then you continued to go on what you classed as dates?”

Davey could see some of the clarity he had dawning in Jack’s eyes, unfortunately Race still looked confused, and it was Race he was trying to explain the situation to.

“Yeah, Mouth I don’t get where you’re going with this.”

“Did Spot know they were dates?”

“Uh…” the horrified realisation was finally rising across Race’s face like the sun across the ocean, “I mean, he must have, right?” He looked at both them desperately, “Right?!”

“He is a little dense.” Jack offered, almost immediately wincing from the sharp kick Davey delivered to his ankle- apparently growing up with a twin taught you to do an insane amount of things unnoticed.

“This cannot be happening.” Race whispered, “Oh God.”

“You could talk to him.” Davey pointed out, “Tell him what you meant, apologise for not talking to him clearly, et cetera.”

“I’ve never heard someone say that out loud.” Race informed him, still in the same distant, horrified tone as before, “Et cetera. Who says that?”

“You’re changing the subject.”

“I know.”

*

Hotshot was in an incredibly similar position to the one Jack had been around 20 minutes previous; the only difference was that Spot, rather than locking himself in the bathroom, had chosen to pace the length of their apartment, muttering under his breathe and waving his hands angrily. He had been doing that for about 15 minutes and she was starting to get sick of it.

“Are you gonna snap out of it, or what?”

He paused, blinking at her as if he hadn’t noticed she was there, “What?”

“Snap out of it, Spot!”

“Yeah, sorry.”

He immediately resumed his pacing, and she resisted the urge to bang her head against a hard surface,

“Spot,” she groaned, “why are you doing this?”

“Me and Racer went to Jacobi’s for lunch.”

The urge to bang her head against a hard surface and not stop until everything stopped, “You do that every week.”

“Yeah, yeah I know that.”

Hotshot gritted her teeth- this was her best friend, and he was obviously struggling with something, so she was going to help him through this and not yell at him. She let out a calming breathe. “Then what’s the fucking problem?”

“He told me he had a boyfriend.”

“If you keep only telling me half pieces of information, I’m gonna hurt you.”

“Alright, alright! He told me he liked having a boyfriend, and I was upset because I’m a little bit in love with him and we hooked up at Jack’s last party and I thought that might mean something, but I’m a good friend and I wanted to be supportive, so I asked him who he was seeing and he just left and I couldn’t go after him because neither of us had paid, so I paid and then I was gonna go after him, but he and Jack moved in together and I don’t have his new address yet so I can’t and I don’t know what to do about it.”

“Jesus Christ.” She muttered, slightly overwhelmed with information. “When I said stop giving me half bits, I didn’t mean dump all of it out.”

“I don’t know what to do, Niamh.”

“Alright, ok, we, uh, we should probably deal with that slowly.”

He was looking at her the way he had used to when they were still two kids in an abusive foster home, and she had taken on the role of his older sister. “Ok.”

“What do you mean you hooked up at Jack’s last party.”

His face went red, “I didn’t mean to say that bit.”

“Yeah, I guessed. Explain.”

“Explain what, Niamh? You know how it works.”

“Don’t get snappy with me, Sean.”

He leaned back into the couch, “Sorry.”

She ran a hand over her face, running back over his little info-dump in her head, “You’re in love with him?”

“Yeah…”

“Why?”

“Why?”

She hadn’t meant to ask that; she had just never even understood how the two of them had become friends- they had almost nothing in common from what she had seen- and was therefore utterly thrown by his deceleration of love. “I don’t know, Sean.”

“He’s so kind.” Spot whispered, “he’s so nice to everyone, and he smiles at people on the streets, and the kids at his dance studio all adore him, and he always makes time to talk to them if we see them in public. He always makes sure that Davey has time to chill at Jack’s parties ‘cos otherwise he would spend the whole time worrying, and he dances so prettily.”

“Huh.”

He sunk further into the couch- anyone else would think he was ashamed of his deceleration, of the fact that he liked another boy, but Niamh had known him long enough to know he was waiting for her validation, he wanted to know that she thought it was ok. Often, she had cursed the people who had made him crave validation for every response, but it was more important in that moment to give him the validation than to tell him he didn’t need it.

“I’m glad you found someone.”

Spot smiled up at her, just a small thing, but it was there, and then it was gone, “It doesn’t matter, though, he’s got a boyfriend.”

“Yeah…”

The two of them sat in silence for a few minutes, which was Spot’s general attention span in the quiet, “I don’t understand why he wouldn’t tell me who it was.”

“What do you mean?” Niamh asked, running back over that part of his monologue in her head- so I asked him who he was seeing and he just left and I couldn’t go after him because neither of us had paid, so I paid and then I was gonna go after him, but he and Jack moved in together and I don’t have his new address yet so I can’t and I don’t know what to do about it.

“I mean he just left!”

“And how did he seem?” She asked slowly, carefully making her way towards the same conclusion Davey had reached with Race.

“Uh, upset, I guess? But I don’t know what he was upset about because I would never abandon him or be mad about who he’s dating so…” Spot trailed off and looked up at her again, and the expression was back.

“You asked who he was dating, and he seemed upset?”

“Yes. Are you listening?”

“And you hooked up at a party?”

“Yes.”

“And you go out to eat with Race, and just Race, every week, no matter what?”

“Yes, Niamh, what’s your point?”

“I think it’s you.”

“You think what’s me?” Spot demanded, and his ‘King of Brooklyn’ façade was up, concerningly since he had never felt the need to be emotionless around her.

“I think…” Hotshot explained carefully, “that Race thinks the two of you are dating.”

“What?”

“Yeah…”

“But he told me he had a boyfriend.”

“No…” Niamh corrected, “he told you he liked having a boyfriend. He said that. To you.”

Spot’s eyes had gone wide, “Oh no.”

“It’s not that bad.”

“It’s so bad, Niamh! He probably thinks I was rejecting him or something!”

Niamh didn’t know Race that well, but if he was a true match for Spot, he probably did jump to a conclusion that stupid. She neglected to point that out, instead grimacing sympathetically, and watching him as he jumped back up and resumed the pacing he had been doing previously- she couldn’t even bring herself to criticise him this time. “You could talk to him?”

“I don’t know where he lives, Niamh! How am I supposed to do that?” Spot was waving his hands frantically, “He probably hates me!”

“Spot! You have a phone!”

He froze, halfway through another step, hands up in the air where they had been when he suddenly stopped. She was half tempted to pretend to reset him, but that would probably be insensitive considering his panic.

“My phone.” He finally whispered and dove across the room to grab it. “What do I sa- hey!”

Niamh snatched the phone out of his hands, helpfully already unlocked and pulled up Race’s contact- the only contact in his phone with an emoji after it.

“What are you gonna say?”

“Hey, I think I might have misunderstood you earlier, can we talk please?” she spoke as she typed it out, “That ok?”

“I-uh yeah.”

“Good.” She hit send and they both stared at the screen. “Maybe we should do something else for a while?”

“Yeah…”

*

Back at Jack and Race’s, the three of them were trying to come up with some sort of plan. Davey kept shooting down most of what they came up with- most notably ‘kill him.’ ‘avoid him.’ ‘seduce him.’- and was starting to look slightly done.

“Oh my God!” Race suddenly shouted, holding his phone out at arm’s length, “He texted me!”

Jack and Race politely ignored Davey’s “Thank God,” instead choosing to read the text several times,

“Huh,” Jack said, “I think Davey was right.”

The boy in question leaned over the shoulder that Jack was not reading over and glanced over the message. “Yeah. I think Spot might be on the same page as us now.”

“So, what do I do?” Race asked, looking up at him hopefully.

“…Text him back?”

“Yeah, yeah, uh I’ll ask him to come here? Or should we go somewhere else?”

“The park.” Davey suggested, “It’s kind of neutral ground.”

“You’re a genius!” Race informed him, typing fast enough that his fingers were almost a blur, “If you didn’t like Jack and I didn’t like Spot I would absolutely date you!”

“Thanks…”

“He responded! He said yes! I’m leaving!”

“Please put on shoes and a coat!” Davey cried as he made a break for the door with neither of those things.

“Yeah, yeah, ok.” Shoes and coat in place, Race gave them a cursory wave and sprinted out the door, slamming it shut behind him.

“I am so glad that crisis is over.” Davey sighed, sinking back down on the couch, “And I am now going to sleep for three years.”

Jack laughed and ran a gentle hand through his boyfriend’s hair, “You do that.”

*

Nobody ever actually found out how the conversation between Race and Spot in the park went, but they did announce that they were officially dating- and kinda had been for three months- in the groupchat later that day. Hotshot and Davey also received some nice socks a few days later, supposedly from an anonymous donator, but the ‘thanks for your help with Race/Spot’ respectively did kind of make the lack of signature pointless.

[louisapennyfeather2021]

Part 4/5 Of Newsies and Camp Half-blood crossover! This is the relationships at camp! Feel free to send me an ask or message me with other Newsies that you ship at Camp Half-blood. These are most of the common ships, but I like them so these are my camp ships:

Spot and Race: This works out because Race has a track record of repeatedly pissing off an Ares camper. He's caused so many problems by being a smart mouth or pranking the wrong kid. Spot usually has to sort it out so there isn't a full out fight between the Ares and Hermes campers. It took Spot forever to even consider trusting Race die to his history with people he cares for. He didn't want to get attached only for something bad to happen. This relationship makes Ares slightly angry because Race is hardly violent unless he really needs to be and Race is tall and very lanky. He doesn't have much muscle on him. Hermes doesn't dislike Spot, but he dislikes Ares disapproving just because Race isn't as strong as Spot. This causes some tension between the two God's.

Jack and Davey: Davey was very hesitant. After coming to camp and learning about all of this, he was freaked. It didn't help that Jack low-key started flirting as soon as he met Davey. Davey didn't understand really until he got more comfortable at camp. Jack learned to ease up on the flirting to help Davey adjust and he started hardcore crushing. Jack shows Davey how magic and manipulating the Most works which fascinates Davey endlessly. Davey tries to figure out the science behind it all and Jack just laughs. Athena doesn't mind too much because, despite Hecate's entire existence, she can see that Davey is alright. She isn't worried as much as she had been with other relationships (Annabeth and Percy or Finch and Albert) because she never had huge problems with Hecate.

Katherine and Sarah: This is a little odd, especially since Katherine isn't even a Greek demigod. She just prefers her friends at Camp Half-blood over Camp Jupiter. It's much more laid back and she can be more herself. When Sarah stumbles to camp with her twin and little brother, Katherine is intrigued. Sarah and Davey are interesting because they're twins, but Davey's mom had him as a thought while Sarah's actually had her. They showed up at the same time, so their parents assumed they were twins. Katherine tries to figure Sarah out, but she's sucked in by Sarah's attitude and her generally approachable persona. Sarah likes Katherine because she's trustworthy, so far, and that's what Sarah needs at such a strange time.

Finch and Albert: Alright, we all know how the parents feel. It's literally Percy and Annabeth but with different people. Their parents fight about it, but Finch and Albert could care less. Albert has been at camp since he was young, but he remembers seeing Finch as soon as he got to camp. It wasn't until a few years later that Finch revealed how long he'd been at camp. A few months after that, they got together. And a few months after that, Finch revealed his past to Albert. Albert was there for him. He supports Finch and helps him with whatever he wants to do. He understood Finch's depression and he does whatever Finch needs to feel like the best him, or as best as he can feel. Finch is there to hold and listen to Albert when he needs someone there for him. Albert teaches Finch to swim and it becomes their relaxation outlet.

Romeo and Specs: Romeo struggles with relationships because of how friendly and social he is, but Specs gets that. He gets that Romeo can't help the fact that he's social and friendly. Romeo was very hesitant to even consider being with Specs because he didn't want to risk getting hurt, but after getting to know Specs, Romeo realized he was different. Specs was patient and understanding. Both enjoy helping others, though in different ways die to their differing personalities. Hades doesn't care much. As long as his children are happy, he's alright. He's already been through the gay son stage and he sort of knows how to handle it if Specs suddenly appears in the Underworld. The other gods struggle because they aren't as in tune with their kids as Hades is. Aphrodite is so down with it because she can see how perfect the two are together. She's an exception to the gay child struggle because she's the Goddess of love. It's self explanatory. This makes Specs and Romeo's relationship that much easier.

Henry and Morris: Morris is extremely hesitant. Him and Henry have known each other for years and he has to admit, he likes the guy. He's so different from the people he gets stuck around because of Oscar. Morris eventually agrees to secretly meeting Henry so Oscar won't give him hell for it. Morris takes forever to actually trust Henry enough to give him some insight to his life. Henry is there for him. Out in public, Henry helps Morris adjust to making friends if he wants. Jack is there too, but Henry is different. Morris chose to let Henry help him. Jack kinda got stuck with it, although he doesn't complain because he's learned that Morris needs some actual brotherly comfort. Morris learns to trust Henry and Henry never takes this for granted. He'd rather give up cooking and baking than hurt Morris.

Ike and Hotshot: This relationship tends to get interesting. Since Hotshot and Spot are best friends, Hotshot knows what a Hermes kid can be like. Ike is different though. As outrageous and mischievous as he is, Ike can be the most sensitive, loving guy. Hotshot isn't one for PDA or even a lot of intimate stuff, but he understands that Ike is a touchy person. He isn't clingy, just a bit touchy. They hold hands and Hotshot will let Ike lay on his chest in the Hades Cabin because that's one of the few places where they can be alone(with the exception of Specs and Romeo). The two got together through Spot and Race. Spot wanted to help Hotshot move forward in life and Race wanted a reason for Ike and Mike to not always be together because the two can be overwhelming. Somehow, Ike and Hotshot hit it off great. Hotshot found it easy to listen to Ike and Ike found it easy to read Hotshot's moods.

[broadwaycantdie]

Newsies as Marina Quotes

( marina and the diamonds but she changed it to just marina cause she an independent woman , lmao idk why really but it’s still her )

ps i love her so so much , i just to listen to her years ago and like forgot about her and just now remember so i’m reobsessed

two per character cause i love too many lyrics

————————————————————————

Albert: “You don't love me, big fucking deal, I'll never tell you how I feel”

“Don't get on my bad side, I can work a gun, hop into the backseat baby I'll show you some fun”

Bill: “Don't do love, don't do friends I'm only after success”

“I know exactly what I want and who I want to be, I know exactly why I walk and talk like a machine”

Buttons: “Do you think you will be good enough to love others and to be loved?”

“Whenever he's around I put on the crown of clowns and melt slowly to the ground”

Crutchie: “All I ever wanted was the world, I can't help that I need it all”

“And I don't belong to anyone”

Darcy: “You say Y-E-S to everything, will that guarantee you a win?”

“One track mind, one track heart, if I fail, I'll fall apart”

Davey: “You'll find me in the lonely hearts, under 'I'm after a brand new start'”

“Was I meant to feel happy that my life was just about to change?”

Elmer: “The good are never easy, the easy never good”

“Yeah, you may be good looking, but you're not a piece of art”

Finch: “I never sang for love, I never had a heart to mend, because before the start began, I always saw the end”

“I wanna stay inside all day, I want the world to go away”

Henry: “Love will never be forever, feelings are just like the weather”

“You can't have peace without a war”

Hotshot: “I wish I wasn't such a narcissist”

“Bet you wish I couldn't speak, cause when I do you know I tell you why you appear weak”

Ike: “Driven by a greed to succeed, nobody can stop me”

“Could never tell you what happened the day I turned seventeen”

Jack: “Cause it's my problem if I wanna pack up and run away, it's my business if I feel the need to smoke and drink and sway, it's my problem, it's my problem if I feel the need to hide, and it's my problem if I have no friends and feel I want to die”

“It's okay to say you've got a weak spot, you don't always have to be on top”

JoJo: “Sad inside, in this life, unsatisfied praying, sad inside, in this life, unsatisfied waiting”

“And the day has come where I have died, only to find I've come alive”

Katherine: “Do I need to lie to make my way in life?”

“I guess you could say that my life's a mess, but I'm still looking pretty in this dress”

Kenny: “When you give, I want more, more, more, I wanna be adored”

“Can you teach me how to feel real?”

Kid Blink: “Don't want cash, don't want card, want it fast, want it hard, don't need money, don't need fame, I just want to make a change”

“You know I'd rather walk alone than play a supporting role, if I can't get the starring role”

Les: “Adolescence didn't make sense, a little loss of innocence, the ugly years of being a fool, ain't youth meant to be beautiful?”

“You say that I'm kinda difficult, but it's always someone else's fault”

Mike: “They say you used to be so kind, I never knew you had such a dirty mind”

“I'll chew you up and I'll spit you out cause that's what young love is all about”

Mush: “I know I've got a big ego, I really don't know why it's such a big deal, though”

“So pull me closer, and kiss me hard, I'm gonna pop your bubblegum heart”

Race: “Cause I feel like I'm the worst so I always act like I'm the best”

“We're all very lovely 'til we get to know each other, as we stop becoming friends and we start becoming lovers”

Romeo: “Hit me with your sweet love, steal me with a kiss”

“I can't help the devil likes to make my heart a double bed”

Sarah: “Never felt like a princess, I used to kid myself in this dress that it was just how things were meant to be, oh seventeen”

“People like to tell you what you're gonna be, it's not my problem if you don't see what I see and I do not give a damn if you don't believe”

Smalls: “Look like a girl but I think like a guy, not ladylike to behave like a slime, easy to be sleazy when you've got a filthy mind”

“I'm gonna be your bubblegum bitch”

Sniper: “And now I see, I see it for the first time, there is no crime in being kind”

“Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, sold my soul, and yeah the truth hurts”

Specs: “I wanna drink until I ache, I wanna make a big mistake, I want blood, guts and angel cake, I'm gonna puke it anyway”

“I wanna be a virgin pure, a 21st century whore”

Spot: “Cause the only time you open up is when we get undressed”

“I live my life in bitterness and fill my heart with emptiness”

Tommy Boy: “I wanna be completely weightless, I wanna touch the edge of greatness, don't wanna be completely faithless”

“High achiever don't you see, baby, nothing comes for free”

[willowistic22]

Smokey : #2 Newsies OC

So I made this from my blood, sweat, pain, and tears.  I had this all written and drafted but then suddenly idk what the hell happened and it just disappeared. So i cried because it took me like four days to write this and tumblr decided to not work in my favor the day i finally wanted to post it and just delete the whole draft :D But i picked myself up and rewrote the whole thing once i’m over with my breakdown and was fortunate that i remembered most of the thing I’ve written already. (((As a warning: mentions of fire, panic, panic attacks, and nightmares. If there are more I forgot to mention please let me know!)))

Basic Info :

Name : Tristan Deveraux 

Birthday : September 20th 

Gender : male (he/him)

Heritage : Afro French 

Family : His parents wanted to stay in France but they needed to escape from some dangerous people and ended up starting a new life in Brooklyn. Smokey’s mother was only five months pregnant at the time. In time, those dangerous people found them again. Alas, his parents thought it’d be safer to give their son away to a church.

Appearance : Skinny at a first glance but very muscular in reality. Well over six feet tall. His skin is a tone of dark copper that makes his green eyes stand out even more. The yellow freckles in it glow like lanterns and it captures people to be sucked in his charm. Small frizzy curls in a shade of dark brown, serving as his magnificent crown that he proudly flexes as it bounces up and down when he walks. His face shape is strong, especially in the jawline. His teeth are a bit crooked but the smile is still pleasant. 

Further description :

- specifically canon : 

Smokey, mostly being raised in a church, grows up to be a good kid. He’s still quite mischievous at times but it’s nothing more than what the nuns wouldn’t expect from a boy his age. He makes friends with some of the newsies that passes or sells by the church. He thinks working as a newsie would be fun. But he knows the struggles those newsies face, for a kid his age at least, and he’s quite grateful that he still has the nuns that looks out for him. Until the fire happened. Him and the rest of the kids were sound asleep but was awoken by a lot of screaming. He was the only survivor and in the middle of saving himself, he ran into one of the newsies he befriended that goes by the name Spot Conlon. They were both just 9 years old. Since he has nowhere to go, Smokey follows Spot back to the lodge.

There he reunites with all the newsies he made friends with plus a couple of others he’s never interacted or even met before. The former newsie leader and all the other older kids helped him out. They taught Smokey the ropes of surviving on the streets as a newsie. Since he’s a fast learner, he was soon able to sell on his own. Smokey usually sells either by Brooklyn bridge or the local market. His charming nature came into good use for his occupation. And once he’s done selling, he’ll hang out with the rest of the Brooklyn newsies by the docks. Sometimes he’d be sitting around watching them swim or dip in the water along with them.

When the strike happened, Smokey was 16 along with the current leader Spot. He understands the worry Spot expresses with bringing his boys to strike but he strongly agrees with the Lower Manhattan’s idea on striking because he believes in fair pay for fellow newsies. So once Spot changes his mind about striking, he was fully on board with the idea. By the end of it all, he grew quite close to the Lower Manhattan newsies. To name a few: Albert, Specs, Romeo, Finch, Tommy, Crutchie, Davey, Henry, Sniper, and even Kathrine.

He loves little furry animals. He likes to spare some food from his lunch to give to the birds, squirrels, cats, or dogs he passes by on the street. If they seem friendly, Smokey would dare to pet them before going about his day again. His little adoration stuck with him even after he’s moved on from being a newsie. After being a newsie, he works at a small bakery and often throws away the leftovers from baking to the stray animals.

- specifically modern : 

He was also raised in a church before it burnt down. After that unfortunate incident, he was moved to a group home. He hated his life there. He met Spot in school when they were 9 and he talks about all his problem with him. Spot was a shoulder to lean on and his parental figure soon became Spot’s uncle. Spot was raised by his uncle since his father died when he was 10. Spot’s uncle welcomed Smokey to their home any time and he’s grateful for the hospitality till now.

His love for animals led him to work and get a scholarship to a vet school. With the support from his friends, no one was surprised he got it. He grew close to Crutchie from there, as a fellow student in the same school. They often do a lot of studying together. As time passes on, Crutchie was able to open up his own clinic and animal shelter. He made Smokey his right hand man and Smokey is forever honored.

Though he didn’t meet the Manhattan newsies through Crutchie. In his teen years, he was a street racer like his fellow Brooklyn friends like Spot and Hotshot. Since they are friends with the Manhattan newsies, Smokey is also friends with them. He had also met Albert since he’s also a fellow street racer but never gotten the chance to form a proper friendship with him till later on in their lives. And Smokey clicked with the Manhattan boys just fine.

- applies to both eras : 

Smokey got his nickname from a sarcastic joke Hotshot made the first time he tried a cigarette. He ended up coughing up a storm and never tried it again his whole life. Hotshot made a quick joke and called him Smokey. It made all his friends around and Smokey himself laugh. Soon, more kids started using that nickname. With the knowledge of his past, Hotshot slowly thought it was a bit insensitive to make that comment in the first place. But Smokey reassured him that it was okay. He actually likes the name rather than having the other kids calling him by his real name. Other variants of Smokey are Smoke or Smokes.

The fire incident shook him real good as it happened when he was quite young, but he never really shows it therefor making everyone think he’s fine. And for the most part: he is. Fire doesn’t necessarily scare him. Bonfires makes him a little uneasy and nervous. Bigger fires than that can make him panic as much as causing panic attacks or even nightmares. But with years of dealing with this, he can easily calm himself down.

Smokey is generally charming and cool. Unless he needs to use his voice, he’s usually quite calm and quiet. But he’s very friendly and caring to his friends. He also has an adventurous nature but always careful when the urge of going on an adventure is strong. Canon era: he’ll take a long walk around the whole city to discover the small details he missed the first time he was there. Modern era: he goes on road trips in his car getting lost in the remote places, upstate, or going out of the state. If that’s not possible he’ll always make the best out of a small situation because he appreciates the small things in his life. He’s also quite sensitive but doesn’t really show it because he’s shy about it :)

So he’s quite close to some of the Manhattan boys. But he’s closer to one than the other, and it’s Henry. The first time they met, Smokey found himself instantly intrigued by this boy. Nothing ever gets pass his calm and cool nature. He can keep his cool even when he’s in a middle of a fight and it impresses many people. But if he sees Henry doing something he finds a little cute, his stomach turns into a field full of butterflies and he’ll start to stumble on his words. In short: he’s gay :) It took Henry some time to figure it out, but in time he does realize. And when Smokey could get a grip of himself, Henry gets sucked into his charm and slowly starts to fall for this guy as they discover things about each other a little more. Some things they discover ends up making the other fall even more.

(I got more headcanons for him but like this has gone too long for one post. Feel free to ask anything y’all like to know abt Smokey!! ❤️❤️)