The Closet-a Ralbert Story

Chapter 17

Eventually, the day Albert had been waiting for came.

He didn't think this would happen- the situation, obviously. (He anticipated Thanksgiving happening, that was a given). He didn't see himself as the kind of guy who would find another guy and he would be waiting by the door for his arrival.

The doorbell rang, Albert's smile growing each time it did, but Race hadn't showed up yet. Jack, Davey, and Crutchie did show, and offered him a look of sympathy- a look he hated right after pity- and patted him on the shoulder, listening to Albert's instructions to "Enjoy themselves." He was happy they were there, but he couldn't focus on them. Not now.

He stood by the door for about two hours, waiting for people to arrive, their bright smiles plastered in their faces- probably because they didn't have to cook- and Albert tried to return it. Tens of fake smiles later, and Race still hadn't shown.

A hand was placed on his shoulder. "Hey, bro", Elmer sighed. Albert offered a brief smile, staring out of the window on the door.

"You could use a break", he advised, patting his shoulder. He nodded toward the stair case. "Go freshen up."

Albert glanced at the door, worried he might miss something, but he leaves anyway, sighing as he attempts to recollect his thoughts.

——————

Race raised his fist, ready to knock before placing it my his side again. He could do this.

Maybe.

Truth is, he's more nervous than a tortoise in water. Instead of preparing for this moment, he spent the week trying to convince himself to pick out clothes for the event, then he tried to fix Busted Beauty as well as his distracted mind could (turns out, his dad's ruthless lectures and lessons on fixing cars had some sort of use).

It's not that he wasn't excited, he's always excited to see Albert, even if it's just a wink in the hallway. However, that never meant he was ready for this to happen.

He took a deep breath raising his fist again before the door swung open, revealing, "Hey, Mr. Stefflan."

Fred smiled. "Hey, Race. You gonna keep standing at the door or do you want to come in?"

Race chuckled, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Yeah. Thanks."

Race walked in, immediately grinning after the warm-family feeling he got every time he walked into the house. There was music playing throughout the house, and people were sitting, standing, and eating their way through conversations. From what he could see, Jack already started on dessert.

"Welcome", Fred greeted again, placing his hands on Race's shoulders. He directed the kid to the staircase. "Albert's upstairs."

Race furrowed his brows. "How-"

"I have a special pass when it comes to secrets", Fred shrugged, chuckling. "Quoi que vous disiez à Ralph, il me le dit."

Race nodded as if he understood what he said- he didn't know French at all- and walked up stairs slowly, smiling when he saw Elmer give him a thumbs up in encouragement. Something told him not to do this.

Will you quit running away from your problems? Race bit his lip, running a hand through his hair. The question of his life.

He did some self-reflection since he kissed his crush- "Hi, I'm Racetrack Higgins, and I find it easy to runaway from my problems"- and he realized this was something he had to do. Just as something told him not to, something else told him to he had to.

Luckily for him, the Kasprzak-DaSilva-Stefflan home liked to label their doors. Race knocked on his. "Hello?"

The door opened to reveal the redhead, his shirt off and his hair wet. He seemed to only be wearing jeans, and Race was immediately reminded of the first time they spoke.

He felt blood rush to his cheeks as he tried to keep his eyes away from Albert's chest. "Uh, hi", the redhead greeted, a walking his smile.

"Hey." Race cleared his throat and stared at his shoes, his blush not seeming to go down. "I...We should talk."

"Yeah", Albert agreed, crossing his arms. He widened the door with his foot, his brows furrowed. "Come in."

Race nodded and accepted the welcome, watching as Albert shut the door.

——————

Boy, was he overjoyed! Racetrack Higgins, his one and only crush, was sitting in his room, right next to him, on his bed. That's, like, almost all he's ever wanted.

Neither of them said anything, just stared at their feet, glancing every once in a while at the other. Albert grabbed the edge of his bed as Race crossed his arms nervously. Albert glanced at him.

"Why were you ignoring me?" Albert looked into Race's eyes for an answer. "I mean, I know why, but I..."

Race looked at him, waiting for him to finish. "You what?"

"I thought you liked me, Race."

They stared at each other, blue into brown, an odd yet beautiful mix.

"I did", Albert chuckled, shaking his head. "I liked your hair, and your eyes, and the way you didn't make me feel like I was weird, you know?"

Race stared at him, listening and hanging onto his every word. "You are just so...you, and it's amazing. You're amazing."

Race hid his smile, looking away and back at him. It's like not looking at him, keeping his eyes on him, was painful. Race looked at him, a grin growing on his face as he grabbed Albert's hand, placing his fingers between the spaces.

"I do like you", Race answered, looking at their wrapped hands. His smile turned into a quick frown, remembering the actions of tree. "And I'm sorry about our...kiss. Also, avoiding you? That wasn't cool, and we- I should've talked to you about it."

Albert smiled and squeezed Race's hand. "It's okay. I know you needed time to process it, and I should've tried harder to talk to you. I had a large part in it, mostly because I was chasing a bee."

Race laughed, shaking his head. "I still think you're cute", Race complimented, grinning at Albert's blush. "With or without a shirt."

Albert looked down and blushed deeply, standing abruptly. "I-I-I should- I'll grab a shirt."

Race sat back on Albert's bed, watching as he searched his closet for a shirt, the redhead putting it on. "Nice shirt."

"Thanks", Albert smiled, looking at the green shirt with "Protect the Bees" in bold white letters. "Yeah, I think Elmer got it for me."

"It looks good on you", Race complimented, standing up and wrapping Albert Ik a hug. "And you look very good."

"As do you", Albert says, looking Race up and down. "I think you look really good."

Race smirked and blushed, placing his head on Albert's shoulder. "Oh, this relationship is going to be fun."

Albert chuckled, grabbing Race's hands. "It will be even more fun if we go downstairs and eat the food my dads made because I am starving."

Race snickered, squeezing his hand. "Well, Sir Hungry, let's get some food."

Albert snorted, already falling in love.