Newsies One-Shots

Chapter 72 - Albert x Elmer

Albert's Home From College
Ship - Almer
Era - Modern
Triggers - None

Elmer leapt at Albert as soon as the train pulled into the station and Albert was on the platform.

"I've missed you so much," he exclaimed, beaming with joy.

"I've missed you too El."

Elmer pulled away but kept his hands on Albert's shoulders.

"You have to tell me everything. Is your college fun? What's your roommate like?" Elmer rambled on.

"El, darling. Slow down. I'll tell you everything just let me drop my bags off at Medda's then we'll go for a walk and I'll tell you everything."

Elmer jumped into the air excitedly before he took one of Albert's bags from him to help him carry it.

"Why aren't you staying with Mush? You usually stay with him when you come home."

"Race offered me to stay over at his for a while," Albert explained, "and Medda didn't argue and I'd missed our monthly sleepovers so I couldn't say no."

Elmer nodded and smiled. He was just happy to have his boyfriend back home that he wasn't going to argue.

"What's on your mind?" Albert wrapped his free arm around Elmer's waist, a gentle gesture that always made Elmer feel warm.

"I'm just happy you're back."

"You sure?"

Elmer hummed in confirmation, leaning into Albert's touch. "I'm sure."

They stayed in silence for the rest of the short walk to Race's apartment.

When they arrived and Albert had dropped off his bags, Elmer didn't notice the pointed conversation between Albert and Race about him as he was too absorbed in conversation with Medda.

"Have you told him yet?" Race asked.

Albert shook his head. "No. I'm going to tell him on our walk."

"I'm sure he'll be happy to hear it."

"El, you ready to go for the walk?"

Elmer nodded and finished his conversation with Medda before standing up and moving to take Albert's hand.

"Yeah."

~~~

Albert insisted on buying their drinks at the small café. According to him, it was his duty to spoil his boyfriend while he was home.

Albert got an iced coffee, as always, while Elmer got a hot chocolate.

Every time they went to a café together, Albert always commented how Elmer was adorable for getting hot chocolate, even if Elmer was a year older.

"You look adorable," he commented. "Your hair's longer and it makes you look so cute."

Elmer blushed. "I just haven't gotten a haircut yet is all. Mama was going to book me an appointment but I didn't so I could meet you."

"I like the long hair. I can play with it more now."

"I can't argue with that," Elmer grinned.

The couple exchanged laughs and caught each other up on their lives as they walked.

It was only when they reached a bench to sit down that they fell into the comfortable silence they both loved.

"Can I talk to you about something?" Albert asked, placing his coffee down beside him on the bench.

"Of course. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, it's all good," Albert reassured his boyfriend. "I finished early. Sent in all my assignments and everything so I'm here for a while."

"That's great. So you're home for the summer now?"

"No. I have to empty my dorm but I thought you might like to come help me since I'll never be going back there."

"What do you mean 'never going back there'?" Elmer asked. "You still have three years left of college."

"That's what I wanted to tell you," Albert started.

Elmer blinked and looked at Albert in amazement.

"You didn't drop out, did you?"

"No. I didn't like being so far from home so I applied to transfer and continue college here."

Elmer leaped forward and tackled Albert into a tight hug. "Really?"

"Yeah. I'm going to the same college as you."

Elmer was unable to speak and instead went with the method of holding Albert in a bone-crushing hug.

"I'm so happy," he squealed in delight.

"I'm happy too," Albert smiled.

"What are you going to do for housing?" Elmer asked. "You can move in with me, if you want."

"Medda's letting me stay with her until I have an apartment of my own," Albert explained.

"That doesn't sound like Miss Medda. I thought she'd say you could stay there as long as you want."

"She did but I'm going to try get my own apartment," Albert said. "Maybe you'd like to get one together. A studio or something."

"That sounds like a great idea," Elmer smiled. "I have savings from working we can use."

Albert smiled. "Sounds like we've got a plan," he said, grinning as he leaned down and kissed Elmer gently on the lips.

~~~
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