Newsies OneShots

Stress Baking- Ralbert

Race trudged down the stairs at 2 A.M, speed walking to the kitchen. He opened cabinets until he found the pots and pans, pulling out a cake pan and multiple bowls.

After going to school, working, and completing six and a half assignments, Race could feel the pain in the front of his head, it pounding like a hand to a door.

A stress-ache. The worse kinds of headaches because, half the time, you don't even know it's there. Specs brought them up the one time they studied together, and Race had had them ever since.

However, there was a way to get rid of these headaches: baking. Or cuddles. Depends on who's closest.

But since Albert is sleeping, going to the kitchen and making a cake that he'll either eat or give away was the next best thing.

Race grabbed ingredients from the cabinets. Taking the butter out of the refrigerator, he cuts a piece off and spreads it around the pan, deciding the butter would be better than the cooking spray tucked neatly in the cabinet.

Trying to make as little noise as possible, he got to work.

It was like impulse. He'd done it so many times, it was practically engraved in his brain; in his system. He could do in his sleep- has has done it in his sleep.

Pausing when he accidentally slams a pan onto a counter top, he cringes and sighs when rapid feet are coming from his room.

"Racer?" Albert rubs his eyes when he sees Race placing a cake pan in the oven. He looks at the clock. "It's 2:37 in the morning."

"I know", Race sighs, washing his hands in the sink. "I couldn't sleep."

Albert hums and walks further into the kitchen, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend's waist. "Why?"

Race grabs two paper towels, drying his hands. "Stress."

"What's stressin' you out?"

Race shrugs as he continues drying his hands. He wiped every engraving at least ten times, wiping each finger individually. "Everything?"

"You overwhelmed?"

Race continues rubbing, becoming more focused the harsher he gets. Albert furrowed his brows before seeing the red hands, stopping Race from continuing.

"You's rubbed 'em raw", Albert says sleepily, grabbing Race's hands. "What's up, bub?"

Race sighed, turning around to face his boyfriend as he tried to blink away his tears. "I-I don't know...it's nothin' really."

"Babe", Albert starts, putting his hands on the blonde's cheeks. "If its got you like this, it isn't just nothin'."

Race nodded, trying to figure out how to talk. He knew Albert would wait for him to get it out. He could be sweet like that- you know, when he wanted to.

Albert stared at Race's piercing blue eyes, noticing how they still looked beautiful, even though he was crying. His tears were like salty pools wrapping itself around blue crystals, his lashes like wet towels catching every runoff.

Albert knew he was absolutely perfect.

"I just-" Race swallowed, looking away. "I have a lot to do, and it feels like it will never end."

Albert nodded, understanding. He'd just finished school recently, and Race was there for him. He planned to do the same for him.

"I get it", Albert whispered, wrapping Race in a hug. "You can't keep all this stuff to yourself, okay?"

Race nodded into his shoulder, finding it hard to talk. "I want you to be the happiest person to ever be happy."

Race giggled, looking at Albert. "Allie, that's impossible."

Albert smiled. "But I'll try."

"Oh my, God, you sound like the love interest of those rom-coms Jack watches."

"Racey, I's deeply offended."

"Good."

The giggled as Race moved to the oven to get the cake. They talked through the silence as the desert cooled, the clock reaching 3:00am.

Race cut two large slices- one for him, one for Albert- excited to see if it turned out okay. Albert assured him they always do, but he was still anxious.

After eating every bit of the slice of heaven, they held hands and walked back to their room, where they'd drift off into a dreamless sleep in the comfort of each other's arms.

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The way I've been neglecting this should almost be a crime.

I haven't written a chapter in this series for probably a month. Wow.

But here's some Ralbert to soothe the soul.

🐏Freddie