Newsies - Racexreader

Where have yous been? - 21

Y/n POV:
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I walked towards the doors of the lodging house, jumping onto my tip toes briefly to peak inside. From what I saw, Elmer and Specs were sat together on Elmer's bed while Albert sat across from them on the floor. Crutchie was talking to Buttons in the corner and their was a large group of boys at the very back of the room. 

And their was Race. His features were contorted with worry, his eyes darting around the lodging house as he ran a hand through his hair. His other hand ley across his legs which nervously twitched below him. And he harshly chewed the end of the un-lit cigar in his mouth, a nervous habit he always had. 

I took another deep breath and quietly opened one of the doors, trying my best to just slide into the room but quickly the attention was placed on me. 

Race was up first. I hadn't even stepped into the lodging house yet and his arms wrapped around my body. He picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist while my arms curled around his neck. 

"Where have yous been?" he whispered gently.

I could feel his heart racing below my touch. I snuggled into the warm feeling of his skin against mine. He breathed heavily, the worry and fear apparent in the tight hold he had me in. 

"Yous been smokin'?" he pulled back, just enough to look me in my eyes. His eyebrows shifted as he smelled the remnants of the cigar.

I shuffled, putting my feet back on the floor as Race moved his hands to my waist, refusing to let me out of his hold again.

"I needed time. I'm sorry I left Racey I just-" 

"Where did yous go?" Elmer piped up, catching my attention as I realised a small group of boys had huddled around me.

Race still held me in his arms as Elmer, Specs Albert and Crutchie watched. They each wore a similar expression of worry. 

My mouth opened and I paused before I spoke, "I sold in Brooklyn." All the boys looked at me with confusion and disgust at the fact I was in Brooklyn, "Nothin' happened. Spot and I talked as he walked me back to the bridge and it was fine. The only thing was-" 

I cut myself off, remembering the group of news boys who harassed me. I didn't want Race storming over to Brooklyn at this time to beat up some poor newsie.

"Was?" Albert pried.

I looked away and shuffled slightly closer to Race who instinctively wrapped his arms further around my waist. "Just a bunch of newsies. Y'know news boys, they see a girl and they have to get her attention so...". My sentence trailed off as I looked around the lodging house nervously. 

Crutchie looked down at me and shook his head slightly, "You smoked? Yous never smoke." 

"I umm, I-" reaching into my pocket I pulled out the little box of cigars, "I had some spare change and felt like it." I handed the box to Race who gently took them from my hand, "Yous can have the rest."

Race never smoked - well - actually smoked. he always had a cigar with him, whether in his mouth, hand or somewhere in a pocket but he never smokes. He always just chewed the end of it, a nervous habit he picked up years ago. 

He pocketed the box and looked down at me, dipping his head and bringing his lips to mine. We stayed there for a few seconds until the boys around us gagged and I pulled away, giggling quietly.

The boys moved away, going to sleep or play card games quietly at the back of the lodging house. Race led me to my bed, hopping up and waiting for me to take off my shoes and news cap before climbing up to join him. His arms curled around my thin frame and he let his head fall into the crook of my shoulder.

"If yous ever need to get away, let me come with. Please, princess." he whispered, a gentle kiss on my cheek followed his words.

I lay their in silence for a few seconds before responding, "I will. I'm sorry." 

"It's okay." he whispered back, snuggling into me further as a long breath escapes him and we both settled to sleep