- Chapter 12 - "Take Care of Yourself" -
Warning: Stress
Modern AU
Third Person POV

Race was sitting in his Physics class. His head was in his arms on his desk. His professor was droning on about the last bit of material that they needed to know before the test of Wednesday.

It was Thursday, and the test was next week. He had been studying for a while, to the point where he barely slept and ate.

He knew when signing up at MIT, where he was going to college on a full scholarship, that it was gonna be hard and he would have to really work, but he was exhausted.

He looked at the problem on his page. He had no problem idea how to answer this, even after studying all day and all night, everyday. It was like he had never even learned it, like it slipped his mind.

Race scribbled down a quick answer, that probably didn't make sense, and moved onto the next question.

Before he even had a chance to read the question, his teacher started talking again.

Race tried to listen, he really did, but his mind kept drifting off. He needed sleep, and cuddles from his boyfriends.

Albert and Spot. He knew they were starting to get worried about him, but they let him study because they knew he was stressed. They would be worried if they knew he barely ate and slept.

All of his friends would. The Newsies all split up to go to college, but they met monthly, especially over the Holidays. Since it was December, and the next week was the last week of school, then he would see them again.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Race noticed that his professor had stopped talking, a little shocking if you ask him.

He went back to trying to figure out the next question, but it was like he couldn't understand it.

He kept trying to re-read it, but it was like he couldn't process what it meant or was saying.

Tears started to fill his eyes, as he started feeling like a failure. He was so tired, and done, and he just wanted to give up.

Race heard the door of the classroom open up, and like most students, he looked up at the door.

He was shocked to see his two boyfriends.

"Morning Professor Johnson, we have a doctor's note to take Race- I mean Anthony, out of class for the rest of the day" Spot explains to Race's professor while Albert walks over to Race.

Professor Johnson takes the note, reads it, and nods, signing Race out for the day.

Albert helps Race pack up his stuff, and Race doesn't bother questioning anything. He was grateful for them.

When they were finished gathering his stuff, Albert put his arms around Race, guiding him out of the class, as Race could barely walk he was so tired.

Race, Spot, and Albert head into the hallway. Spot puts an around Race's shoulders like Albert had done.

"Which Newsie was that?" Race questions, seeing through their tricks. Albert and Spot laugh.

"I'm offended you don't think that we would go to an actual doctor." Spot responds. Race deadpans at him, "It was Specs. He's the only Newsie that's also in Mass like us. Plus, he knows what you need, especially because you haven't been eating and sleeping, Mister."

Race looks down at the floor.
"I thought you didn't know about that."

"Racer, we're your boyfriends. We know everything. Besides, you sound tired, and defeated. You need to take care of yourself" Albert reminds his boyfriend, who nods.

"I know, I know-" Race starts, making excuses.

"If you know, why don't you take care of yourself Racer? What would happen if we weren't here?" Spot asks him. Race sighs, fiddling with his fidget cube.

"I'm sorry, I just- forget. I tend to put school first because I want to do well, and for them to think of me as a good student. It's- it's getting to be a lot" Race admits. His boyfriends hug him.

"Here's what we're gonna do. We're taking today and tomorrow off from school-" Albert starts explaining.

Race goes to argue, but Spot stops him.
"Nope. Listen to us first before you argue."
Race gives up, motioning for Albert to go on.

"Get you back to healthy, cause this definitely isn't it." Albert motions you Race, who has bags under his puffy, red eyes, paler skin than usual, and looks tired. "Then, we'll help you study, do whatever you need to help. On Wednesday, you'll take the test, fully prepared, and after, all of the Newsies will be waiting for you outside of the school."

Race's eyes widen, as he turns to Albert, who's smirking. "No. Do not bring all of the Newsies to my school."

"You're three hours too late. They want to see you, it's vacation when you're done, and besides, Davey wants payback for you bringing them to his school" Spot reminds Race, who groans.

"I already told you! That wasn't me, that was Jack!" Race exclaims. Albert and Spot hold back laughs.

"Well, Jack got Crutchie to say that he was with Crutchie the whole time, so no one else believes you" Spot reminds Race. Race rolls his eyes, stupid Jack being favored by Crutchie.

"I'm tired." Race mumbles, leaning against Albert, who picks him up. "I said I'm tired, not that I can't walk!"

"Tell that to the fact that you've almost tripped seven times!" Albert exclaims. Race huffs, defeated, as he leans closer to Albert.

"Here's the plan for today; we already got takeout, Chinese takeout, since we know you like it and we can't cook anything, never mind the fact that you don't want us near you're precious stove." Spot rolls his eyes thinking about it, as Race smiles. "We have tea already made at the house, and blankets set up."

"The last thing we needed to get was a Racer, and now we got it!" Albert exclaims, as Spot opens the door to the car. Race giggles a little.

Albert sets Race down in the backseat, and he and Spot sit in the front, Spot driving.

On the way to the house, Race falls asleep in the backseat, with a blanket that they had in the car.

Albert and Spot see this, smile at each other, and take a picture of Race, and sending it to Jack.

Spot intwines his and Albert's fingers, after he parks the car in the parking lot next to ten apartment building they live in. It wasn't very far from MIT's campus, and he usually walked home.

"Everything's good Al" Spot assures Albert, as he kisses Albert's forehead. Albert blushes a bit, smiling.

"We home yet?" Race's groggy voice asks from the backseat, as he snuggles closer to his blanket. Albert and Spot chuckle.

"Yeah baby, we're home" Albert responds. He notices the blush on Race's face when he calls him 'baby'. They didn't use pet names too much, and when they did, the others (namely Race) blushed like crazy.

Spot goes around to the back, and picks up Race again. This time, Race doesn't bother protest, he just wanted hugs.

They head into the apartment, leaving the blanket in the car because they had more in the apartment.

Spot sets Race down on the couch, giving him another blanket. Race forces himself to stay awake, as Albert and Spot grab the food.

The three boys eat, kiss, and laugh together, enjoying the time together.

Race slowly starts to get more tired, until they finished.

"Why do I feel more tired than I had before?" Race questions, as he takes another sip of his tea. "Did you put something in this?"

"Nah, I just specifically used the tea that you use when you need to fall asleep for yours" Albert answers. Race's eyes widen, as Albert smirks to himself.

"Albie! It's not night!" Race exclaims. Albert shrugs.

"You weren't gonna fall asleep if I hadn't used it. You never fall asleep easily, even if you're tired" Albert points out. Race rolls his eyes, but he knew it was true.

"I swear you two-" Race mumbles to himself, holding the tea cup to his lips. His voice becomes inaudible as he continues. Albert and Spot smirk at each other.

Race yawns a few times, before they all finish their tea.

Albert and Spot clean up, after denying Race's help. They knew he could fall and hurt himself if he tried to, and he was too tired. Besides, they were doing this for him.

Albert picks Race up again, as they head into their room.

Race was already wearing comfortable, but fancy ish looking, pants, but he was also wearing a button down.

Spot told Race to take off the button down, and Race complied, after a few minutes, and an eye roll, and started to unbutton his shirt.

Albert grabbed one of his sweatshirts and one of Spot's shirts for Race, who gladly put them on while Spot threw Race's shirt in the laundry pile.

The three boys climbed into bed, Race in the middle, Spot on his left, and Albert on his right.

"I love you both" Race whispers to them, as his eyes close and he drifts to sleep.

"Love you too Racer." Albert whispers back, wiping his bangs out of the way, as he kisses Race's forehead. "Love you Spotty."

Spot rolls his eyes at the nickname. He half liked it, half really hated it. "Love you too Albie, Tony."

"Sean" Race fires back, half asleep. Albert chuckles.

"Don't try me Racer."

"Love you both."

"Love you too Albie" Race and Spot respond in unison. Albert chuckles again, as the three boys fall asleep.

1630 Words