Newsies Oneshots

Ralbert: Anniversary

Race tugged at his button-down's sleeves and drew his lower lip between his teeth.  His mind raced with all of the possibilities for his date. 

Calm down, Racer. He's not going to break up with you. He does love you. Unless you scare him off, but that won't happen. 

Race pulls on his shoes, a pair of Vans. He can't have his whole identity erased for the night. He sat in his mirror and reached for his cologne. As he opened it, a knock resonated through the small apartment. 

He looked at his bedroom door and picked up his phone. "Coming!" he called as he slid his phone into his pocket.

Shit shit shit shit holy fuck he's here. Calm down. You've been together since your sophomore year of high school. That's a whole five years. Now he's been waiting on you for too long. You just fucked it up, bonehe-

He knocked again as Race ran to the door. As he opened the door, he ran a hand through his curls, trying to stay calm. 

The redhead on the other side of the door held out a bouquet of peonies. "Happy anniversary."

"You don't need to knock. You have been dating me since 2014. Please just come in."

Albert grins. "But what if you were butt naked on the sofa reading a Cosmopolitan magazine?"

"I don't even like girls," Race reassures. "I'd probably be looking at pictures of you."

Albert blushes and offers Race his arm. "Ready to go? We got a half an hour to get to the place."

"Ready as I'll ever be, Sweetheart."

Albert led Race to the car and opened the passenger side door. Race slid into the seat and smiled as Albert slid over the hood of his car to get to the driver's side.

"How was your day?" Race asked Albert, trying to start a conversation. It had been too quiet.

"I had a few things I had to finish for Bio. Other than that,  I got a haircut and then got ready to see you," the redheaded man smiled, poking Race's side. "What about you?"

Race smiled. "I went to Jack's and watched the kids for a couple of hours and got ready to see the love of my life."

Albert smiled and pulled into a parking space. "I hope you're hungry. I picked this with you in mind."

Race smiled and kissed his boyfriend's cheek. "You're adorable. And I love you."

Albert got out of the car and opened Race's door. "And I love you more."

Once the couple sat at their table, they were brought a bottle of wine. Albert nodded at the waiter and looked at the label. "Cabernet Sauvignon?" he asked, opening the bottle.

Race handed his boyfriend his glass and looked over the menu. "This is expensive," he pointed out, looking at a few prices. 

"Let me worry about that, my Love. You get whatever makes you happy."

After the couple had ordered (and finished their first glass of wine), Albert smiled at Race and put a hand in his pocket, feeling a velvet box.

"You look handsome tonight," Albert grinned and took Race's hand over the table. "And I am so happy to be here with you."

Race blushed and took a sip of his drink. "You clean up alright yourself, DaSilva. I think the tux was a bit much, but you are extra as ever." 

"The tux was an amazing addition. You and I both know it."

Race laughed softly. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Babes."

As the two ate their dinner, Albert started to worry that his question would go horrifically wrong.

"Albie? What's wrong?" Race asked, tilting his head.

Albert shook his head and took Race's hand. Since they both finished their meals, Albert squeezed Race's hand and waved the waiter over. 

"Yes, Monsieur?" the waiter inquired, a Frech accent prevalent.

Albert smiled at him. "We're ready for the check. Thank you."

The waiter brought them the check. "I think you're going to like where we're going next."

Race smiled and leaned his head on Albert's shoulder. "Thanks for dinner. It was amazing."

Albert nodded and opened Race's door for him. "Anything for you, Handsome."

Race giggled softly as Albert got into the car. They drove for about half an hour until the car stopped. Albert looked over at Race and saw him asleep.

Albert shook Race's shoulder gently. "Hey, Sweetheart? You gotta wake up, Bubs."

Race's eyes fluttered open. He looked out the window and gasped, jumping out of the car. "Oh, Albie. It's gorgeous. How did you find this place?"

Albert shook his head. "I was driving one day and found it. I've wanted to take you here but decided to wait until today."

Race took Albert's hand and dragged him into a field of wildflowers. A huge grin spread across his face as he stood in the flowers.

Albert knelt to tie his shoe as Race looked around. As Race turned to look at Albert, he gasped and put a hand to cover his mouth. 

"Tony, my love, I saw this one day, and can't imagine being able to say it to anybody else,"  Albert stood up and wiped a tear off his boyfriend's cheek. "He's not perfect. You aren't either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn't going to quote poetry, he's not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him he knows you could break. Don't hurt him, don't change him, and don't expect for more than he can give. Don't analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he is not there. Love hard when there is love to be had. Because perfect guys don't exist, but there's always one guy that is perfect for you. Anthony, can you be the guy who is perfect for me forever?"

As Albert got back on his knee and pulled out a silver band with a small diamond, Race's tears fell freely down his face.

Race nodded. "Absolutely. As long as you'll be mine."

"Of course, I will." Albert put the ring on Race's finger and pulls him in for a kiss. The kiss was long and slow, but perfect. After the two pulled apart, Race laid his head on Albert's chest.

"I wish we could stay like this forever." Race whispered after a few moments of comfortable silence.

Albert picked Race up and brought him to the car. "How about we go home and go to bed? I have to return this tux pretty early tomorrow."

"Dork." Race said through his laughter, kissing Albert again. "I suppose we can. We should come back here for our engagement photo shoot."

"Of course, love."