And then he smiled, and world didn't seem like such a bad place

15 years before the legendary newsies strike of 1899, a child was born. When he is 18 months old, he is brought to the Manhattan Newsies Lodging House. In time, he would be known as Racetrack Higgins. This is his story. This is the story of the newsies strike of 1899...but not as you know it. With twists and turns and new angles in every direction, you'll learn many new things about Racetrack, and his newsie family who watches him grow and develop in his own unique way. All rights to Newsies belong to Disney. All the photos (except one) for the cover come from newsiesfreak.com. None of these characters are mine. Only the story and few original characters alone are mine. Please, no homophobia, transphobia, slurs, profanities, hate, etc in the comment section at any time.

"No! I am not in love with my best friend! Or his crush..." Albert trails off, blushing so much that his face now matches his hair. His two friends laugh. "Oh man, you are totally whipped." Finch responds, laughing. Albert groans, hiding his face in his hands. "I'm doomed." Albert spent his whole Newsie life hanging around his best friend, that was, until he caught feelings for said boy. The problem? His best friend probably isn't gay, and he caught feelings for his best friend's crush as well. To try to lose the feelings, Albert starts avoiding his best friend, but what if he looses his best friend instead? Or will he gain something? (Newsies is not mine, the storyline is though.) Part 1 takes place in the Canon Era, Part 2 is a Modern AU.

Racetrack Higgins was a normal Manhattan Newsie- more or less. He was Gay, but so were all of his brothers. He was Jack's Second in Command and had a rough past. He was stubborn, has anxiety, and is a good bit chaotic. Spot Conlon was not a normal Newsie. He was the King of Brooklyn, the Borough feared by most. Except for Race. (And a few others.) Said Italian blonde boy was actually a half Brooklyn, half Manhattan Newsie, as he sold in Brooklyn. Sure, Spot scared him sometimes, but not a lot. They were very different. Spot had brown hair, Race had dirty blonde. Race had been to the Refuge, Spot hadn't. Spot had brown eyes, Race had bright blue eyes. Race was strong, but easily outnumbered, Spot was strong, but wasn't easily outnumbered. One think they both agreed was that they cared for their boys more than anything and would do anything to keep them safe. Oh, that and that the other was cute. Or hot, depending on if you were Spot or Race. ~~ Excerpt from the Story ~~ "Hey, Race." Ace starts, picking up his cards every time Race passes one to him. Race hums, passing a card to Sling, then himself, and then Ace. "Do you have a crush on Spot?" Ace asks, still staring at his cards. Sling hides his smile with his cards in front of his face, stifling a laugh. "No." Race answers, his face reddening slightly as he passes out another card to each boy. Ace looks up at him. "BS." He responds, smirking. Race scowls at him, pulling his hat off of his head and smacking Ace with it, all while his face turns bright red. Ace and Sling laugh. ~~ ~~ (I do not own Newsies.) Started: May 31st, 2021 Finished: August 27th, 2023