"Get Ya" Davey/Race Newsies

Part One

David didn't quite understand Racetrack. It seemed like the kid could become addicted to anything. Cigars, Coronas, betting on horse races, becoming "famous", or anything really. The blonde boy had even become addicted to the idea that he was Jack's second in command, with how seriously he took the job.
On the days where Jack didn't say anything about David not buying enough papers from Mr. Wiesel, Race would try to convince David to buy ten more.
"You can sell 'em!" Race would yell loud enough so everyone could hear. "Even if ya can't, Les could sell 'em in his sleep!" In which, he'd normally rustle Les's cap in a brotherly way before sauntering off.
David didn't quite understand Race, and he didn't like that. The intelligent boy couldn't stand that Race was still a mystery to him after all this time. He had spent a couple of months with the Newsies, getting to know all the boys better.
He knew that Jack preferred to spend his spare time alone or with one other person, instead of in the group of boys. He knew that Specs was the only one who could debate with him. He knew that Crutchie had the most infectious smile in the group. Yet somehow, Race was someone he never got a clear picture on.
Race was cocky, but kind. Aggressive, but supportive. Selfish, but giving.
He was an enigma, but David was determined to solve his mysteries.
David and Les walked up to the Gates of the World, where most of the other boys were already waiting. Out of habit, David and Les walked straight up to Jack, who kept his eyes on the large black board waiting for the headline.
"Hiya Jack!" Les cheerily greeted Jack, which got his attention.
"Look who decided to come and work," Jack teased with a smile. Nudging David in the shoulder in the process.
"Good morning Jack," David smiled softly. His gaze roamed up to the blackboard, "hopefully we get a good headline today. Yesterday was rough."
Jack just shrugged his shoulders and nodded. The headline was being written, and Jack always watched; waiting patiently.
It was a decent headline that shouldn't be too hard to sell. Some of the boys complained, but over all it was alright.
The Delancy's opened the gates and the boys walked in.
"Hey Jack?" David stopped the boy for a moment. Jack turned around and looked at David, his hands shoved into his pockets.
"Do you think you could take Les today? I think he'd do well during a one on one day with you, without me?" The end sounded more like a question than a request, but Jack nodded.
"Sure," he shrugged. "We make a good team, don't we?" He smirked down at Les who was standing by his side, as he put his hand on Les's shoulder. The smaller boy was beaming up at Jack.
"Great!" David nodded at the two before he walked away, pretending to look around the other guys. However, he knew who he wanted as his selling partner today.
"Won't cha look at who it is!" Race spotted David alone and strutted over, his cigar sticking out of his mouth. "So what'sit gonna be today Davey? A colorful quip?" He enunciated the syllables. "A smart speech? A —"
But David wouldn't know what the third option was as he cut Race off.
"Do you want to be my selling partner today?" David tried to keep his voice neutral. It wasn't uncommon for the boys to switch selling partners. What was uncommon was Race and David talking for more than five minutes.
Race raised his eyebrow walked even closer to David. Race's cigar was so close to David that it almost touched his nose.  David pretended to not mind the smell as he raised his eyebrows back at Race. Waiting for a reply.
Watching Race think was like watching a clock work. You could see the gears turning behind the panels.
After a couple of seconds of tense silence, Race made his decision. "I don't get ya Davey," he held out his hand, "but you've got a partner for the day."
David smiled and shook Race's hand.
Soon the two were buying their papers. Race yelled at David to buy more, and for today he listened.
Eventually, the two hit the streets and all the boys broke off. Some of them went alone, others went in pairs. Jack and Les wandered off, and David waved at them before turning to Race.
What he didn't expect was to see Race leaning against a building, with his cigar in hand, almost glaring at him.
"What?" David questioned, trying to sound lighthearted.
"I don't get ya Davey." Race repeated absentmindedly, his arms crossed as he looked David up and down.
David sighed, "Yes Race. You already made that clear." His tone was strained as he questioned what possessed him to put up with the addict for an entire day. "But..." David worked to make himself sound happy, "we should go sell our papers. Shouldn't we?" He turned to walk away, but a strong grip grabbed his arm and turned him around.
Suddenly, David's face was inches away from Race's. Sans cigar, he was shocked to find that he didn't mind their faces being so close.
Race kept his voice quiet and stern. "I know you're keeping something from me Jacobs. I don' like being used. I don' like being lied to. So tell me why you want to sells with me today?"
David was in mild shock. His answer was simple, yet all he could say in response was, "Uhh..." He couldn't think with Race so close to him? David became hyper aware of Race's breath and the grip on his arm.
Race grew impatient, he cocked his head to the side. "You're not stupid Jacobs. I know you have a reason for wanting to sell with me, what is it?" His voice was getting louder, but they were alone on this street. No one could hear them.
David shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. "Look!" He kept his voice at the same volume as Race's. "I've been selling papers for months and I barely know you." He shook his arm free of Race's grip and took a step back. "I'm just trying to 'get ya'." He used air quotes around Races words.
"Yeah?" Race took another step towards David. The two were standing so close that David could feel Race's breath on his face.
When Race spoke again, his voice was lower than how he normally talked. "What cha trying to get from me then?" There was a suspiciously long pause before Race finally said, "huh?"
David noticed Race stand a little straighter at the words, his shoulders pulled back slightly. He wasn't sure what the blonde was doing, but he couldn't ignore it.
He must have hesitated too long, because Race leaned forward so his mouth was next to David's ear. Race whispered, "you can stop checking me out Davey."
David's head jolted up at the accusation, but he stood still. For some reason, his knees felt weak as Race whispered into his ear.
"It's fine if that's why ya wanted to be alone with me today." There was a smugness to Race's voice that made David angry and confused.
The blonde pulled his head away slightly from David's ear, but stayed a couple of inches away from his face. "It would explain why ya never talked 'bout any goils," he teased.
Race turned on his heel and started to walk away. He left David shocked and unsure about what had just happened.
After a couple of seconds, David decided he should probably chase down Race, so off he ran to catch up.