Newsies x Reader One-shots

Racetrack Higgins: Stargazing

3rd Person:

"Hey—" The words pull y/n from their thoughts, or lack thereof. They turn their head, greeted by Race crouched down and way too close. He quickly takes notice of y/n's uneasy expression, his smile dropping as he backs up. "How are you? You know, after everything."

It was long past midnight. Ever since the strike ended nearly two months ago, the nights have always seemed to come much faster and stay forever. It's what drew y/n's interest in the stars. They virtually had all the time in the world to gaze at them, which they found solace in.

This newfound hobby of y/n didn't go unnoticed by Race. As other newsies departed from the square to find a place to rest for the night, he had observed y/n slinking off to the rooftops of various buildings, staying there for hours on end; Race figured they probably fell asleep up there too. So finally, with his curiosity getting the better of him, he followed y/n, wanting to know how on earth someone could find the night sky so interesting.

Y/n's POV:
"It reminds me of him." I state simply not caring about the fact that Race probably didn't have a clue as to what I was talking about.

Race furrowed his brows, his playful demeanor dropping to that of a sympathetic expression. "What do you mean?"

"Do you remember Ray?" I ask not looking at Race

Race falls quiet. Of course he remembered Ray. How could he forget? He was a close friend up until that god-forbidden incident. The mere mention of his name had Race's stomach tightening.

"When he died, I couldn't function. He always loved the stars."

Race frowns, nodding. He knew that all too well now. He hadn't believed that Ray's death had any relation to his newfound interest in stargazing, only because they have had very little relation in the past. It was clear now that this was why, and Race hated how much it made sense. "Yeah," He finally speaks quietly. "Ray would stare at the sky for hours on end, right?"

I nod, not bothering to look in his direction

Race swallows a hard lump developing in his throat, clearing it. "Yeah. That... It makes sense why you do it now."

"The first night I was a newsie, he brought me up here and told me that he would always be there. He promised me that no matter what the newsies were my family and they would help me. I'll never forget that night." I say finally turning to look at Race

Race smiles sadly. That was Ray, ever the protector of others and the family provider of sorts. He was kind to everyone, and to know he wasn't here to experience everything the newsies had worked hard for... It's upsetting. "Yeah. That sounds like Ray. Of course, he'd do that on your first day, he loved everyone."

"That was the night you jumped from the second floor because you were drunk." I laugh

Race's expression twists into that of embarrassment. "Oh my god, you remembered that?" He laughs, blushing a little. "You know, I tried doin that again."

"You did not!" I say looking at him shock

"I did! I failed, obviously. I didn't even come close to the balcony, just... hit the ground and fell right on my ass." He snickers, rolling his eyes.

I roll my eyes 

Race chuckles. "Hey, don't give me that!" He exclaims playfully. "You'd fall on your ass if you were drinkin and tried doin it too."

I smile before my smile falls. "I miss him."

Race frowns. He misses Ray too. "Me too, kid," He says, sighing. He sits down next to them, leaning back on his hands. "I miss him too. You know, we all do."